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Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) nasal deformity impacts airflow patterns and pressure distribution, leading to nasal breathing difficulties. This study aims to...
Unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) nasal deformity impacts airflow patterns and pressure distribution, leading to nasal breathing difficulties. This study aims to create an integrated approach using computer-aided design (CAD) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate airway function and assess outcomes in nasal deformities associated with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) after LeFort I osteotomy advancement. Significant alterations were observed in nasal geometry, airflow velocity, pressure dynamics, volumetric flow rate, and nasal resistance postoperatively, indicating improved nasal airflow. The cross-sectional area increased by 26.6%, airflow rate by 6.53%, and nasal resistance decreased by 6.23%. The study offers quantitative insights into the functional impacts of such surgical interventions, contributing to a deeper understanding of UCLP nasal deformity treatment and providing objective metrics for assessing surgical outcome.
PubMed: 38928709
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14121294 -
Allergy Jun 2024
PubMed: 38925542
DOI: 10.1111/all.16214 -
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology :... Jun 2024Asthma is the most common chronic disease in childhood affecting the daily lives of many patients despite current treatment regimens. Therefore, the need for new... (Review)
Review
Asthma is the most common chronic disease in childhood affecting the daily lives of many patients despite current treatment regimens. Therefore, the need for new therapeutic approaches is evident, where a primary prevention strategy is the ultimate goal. Studies of children born to mothers in farming environments have shown a lower risk of respiratory infections and asthma development. Already at birth, these newborns have demonstrated accelerated maturation and upregulation of host defense immune functions suggesting a prenatal transplacental training of the innate immune system through maternal microbial exposure. This mechanism could possibly be utilized to help prevent both respiratory infections and asthma in young children. Human studies exploring the potential preventative effects of pregnancy bacterial lysate treatment on asthma and respiratory infections are lacking, however, this has been studied in experimental studies using mice through administrations of the bacterial lysate OM-85. This review will present the current literature on the immunomodulatory effects relevant for respiratory infections and asthma in the offspring of mice treated with OM-85 throughout pregnancy. Further, the review will discuss the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind these effects. In conclusion, we found promising results of an accelerated immune competence and improved resistance to airway challenges as a result of prenatal bacterial lysate treatment that may pave the way for implementing this in human trials to prevent asthma and respiratory infections.
Topics: Animals; Asthma; Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections; Disease Models, Animal; Mice; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Cell Extracts; Bacterial Lysates
PubMed: 38924159
DOI: 10.1111/pai.14184 -
Computers in Biology and Medicine Jun 2024Nasal airflow obstruction correlates with several ailments, such as higher patency, increased friction at the mucosal wall or the so-called Little's area, improper air...
Nasal airflow obstruction correlates with several ailments, such as higher patency, increased friction at the mucosal wall or the so-called Little's area, improper air conditioning, and snoring. Nasal dilators are frequently employed, mainly due to their ease of access and use, combined with their non-permanent and non-surgical nature. Their overall efficacy, however, has not been clearly demonstrated so far, with some studies reporting conflicting outcomes, mainly because being based on subjective evaluations. This study employs Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations to analyze the flow inside a real nose, performs an objective assessment of a nasal dilator's effect in terms of airflow and air conditioning, reporting flow paths, friction levels, heat and water fluxes and detailed temperature and humidity distributions. Coincidentally, the studied nose presents a septal deviation, with one nostril being wider than the other. The tubes of the dilator used in both nostrils are identical, as with any standard commercial dilator. Consequently, the dilator widens one nostril, as intended, but results in an obstruction in the other. This allows simultaneously addressing two situations, the nominal function of the dilator, as well as an off-design case. Results indicate a 24 % increase in nasal patency in the design situation. The effect, however, is limited, as quantified by appropriate measures, such as the flow-generated friction at the nose surfaces and the temperature fluxes. Hence, the effect of such a dilator in nominal conditions is perhaps not as large as might be hoped. In the off-design situation, nasal resistance increases by 62 %, an undesirable effect, illustrating the consequences of using an inappropriate dilator.
PubMed: 38917531
DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.108634 -
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines Jun 2024Although various anti-inflammatory medications, such as ephedrine, are employed to manage cough-variant asthma, their underlying mechanisms are yet to be fully...
Although various anti-inflammatory medications, such as ephedrine, are employed to manage cough-variant asthma, their underlying mechanisms are yet to be fully understood. Recent studies suggest that exosomes derived from airway epithelial cells (AECs) contain components like messenger RNAs (mRNAs), micro-RNAs (miRNAs), and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), which play roles in the occurrence and progression of airway inflammation. This study investigates the influence of AEC-derived exosomes on the efficacy of ephedrine in treating cough-variant asthma. We established a mouse model of asthma and measured airway resistance and serum inflammatory cell levels. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analyses were used to assess gene and protein expression levels. Exosomes were isolated and characterized. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and RNA pull-down assays were conducted to examine the interaction between hnRNPA2B1 and lnc-TRPM2-AS1. In the ovalbumin (OVA)-challenged mouse model, ephedrine treatment reduced inflammatory responses, airway resistance, and Th1/Th2 cell imbalance. Exosomes from OVA-treated AECs showed elevated levels of lnc-TRPM2-AS1, which were diminished following ephedrine treatment. The exosomal lnc-TRPM2-AS1 mediated the Th1/Th2 imbalance in CD4 T cells, with its packaging into exosomes being facilitated by hnRNPA2B1. This study unveils a novel mechanism by which ephedrine ameliorates OVA-induced CD4 T cell imbalance by suppressing AEC-derived exosomal lnc-TRPM2-AS1. These findings could provide a theoretical framework for using ephedrine in asthma treatment.
Topics: Animals; Asthma; Ephedrine; Exosomes; Mice; Ovalbumin; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Epithelial Cells; Th2 Cells; Female; RNA, Long Noncoding; Humans; Th1 Cells; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 38906600
DOI: 10.1016/S1875-5364(24)60554-6 -
IScience Jun 2024remains one of the deadliest infectious agents globally. Amidst efforts to control TB, long treatment duration, drug toxicity, and resistance underscore the need for...
remains one of the deadliest infectious agents globally. Amidst efforts to control TB, long treatment duration, drug toxicity, and resistance underscore the need for novel therapeutic strategies. Despite advances in understanding the interplay between microbiome and disease in humans, the specific role of the microbiome in predicting disease susceptibility and discriminating infection status in tuberculosis still needs to be fully investigated. We investigated the impact of infection and -specific IFNγ immune responses on airway microbiome diversity by performing TB GeneXpert and QuantiFERON-GOLD assays during the follow-up phase of a longitudinal HIV-Lung Microbiome cohort of individuals recruited from two large independent cohorts in rural Uganda. rather than IFNγ immune response mainly drove a significant reduction in airway microbiome diversity. A microbiome signature comprising , , , and accurately discriminated active TB from Latent TB and uninfected individuals.
PubMed: 38904070
DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110142 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2024The gut microbiota plays a vital role in the development of sepsis and in protecting against pneumonia. Previous studies have demonstrated the existence of the gut-lung...
BACKGROUND
The gut microbiota plays a vital role in the development of sepsis and in protecting against pneumonia. Previous studies have demonstrated the existence of the gut-lung axis and the interaction between the gut and the lung, which is related to the prognosis of critically ill patients; however, most of these studies focused on chronic lung diseases and influenza virus infections. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on -related pulmonary infection via the gut-lung axis and to compare the effects of FMT with those of traditional antibiotics to identify new therapeutic strategies.
METHODS
We divided the mice into six groups: the blank control (PBS), pneumonia-derived sepsis (KP), pneumonia-derived sepsis + antibiotic (KP + PIP), pneumonia-derived sepsis + faecal microbiota transplantation(KP + FMT), antibiotic treatment control (KP+PIP+PBS), and pneumonia-derived sepsis+ antibiotic + faecal microbiota transplantation (KP + PIP + FMT) groups to compare the survival of mice, lung injury, inflammation response, airway barrier function and the intestinal flora, metabolites and drug resistance genes in each group.
RESULTS
Alterations in specific intestinal flora can occur in the gut of patients with pneumonia-derived sepsis caused by . Compared with those in the faecal microbiota transplantation group, the antibiotic treatment group had lower levels of proinflammatory factors and higher levels of anti-inflammatory factors but less amelioration of lung pathology and improvement of airway epithelial barrier function. Additionally, the increase in opportunistic pathogens and drug resistance-related genes in the gut of mice was accompanied by decreased production of favourable fatty acids such as acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, decanoic acid, and secondary bile acids such as chenodeoxycholic acid 3-sulfate, isodeoxycholic acid, taurodeoxycholic acid, and 3-dehydrocholic acid; the levels of these metabolites were restored by faecal microbiota transplantation. Faecal microbiota transplantation after antibiotic treatment can gradually ameliorate gut microbiota disorder caused by antibiotic treatment and reduce the number of drug resistance genes induced by antibiotics.
CONCLUSION
In contrast to direct antibiotic treatment, faecal microbiota transplantation improves the prognosis of mice with pneumonia-derived sepsis caused by by improving the structure of the intestinal flora and increasing the level of beneficial metabolites, fatty acids and secondary bile acids, thereby reducing systemic inflammation, repairing the barrier function of alveolar epithelial cells, and alleviating pathological damage to the lungs. The combination of antibiotics with faecal microbiota transplantation significantly alleviates intestinal microbiota disorder, reduces the selection for drug resistance genes caused by antibiotics, and mitigates lung lesions; these effects are superior to those following antibiotic monotherapy.
Topics: Animals; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Klebsiella Infections; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Mice; Fecal Microbiota Transplantation; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Lung; Sepsis; Prognosis; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL
PubMed: 38903943
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1392376 -
BMJ Open Respiratory Research Jun 2024Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with a prevalence and severity that differs between male and female patients. (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with a prevalence and severity that differs between male and female patients.
QUESTION
What are differences between male and female patients with asthma with regard to asthma control, lung function, inflammation and exacerbations?
METHODS
We performed a post hoc analysis in the ATLANTIS (Assessment of Small Airways Involvement in Asthma) study, an observational cohort study including patients with asthma from nine countries with a follow-up of 1 year during which patients were characterised with measures of large and small airway function, questionnaires, inflammation and imaging. We compared differences in baseline characteristics and longitudinal outcomes between male and female patients with asthma.
RESULTS
773 patients were enrolled; 450 (58%) of these were female. At baseline, female patients with asthma were in higher Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) steps (p=0.042), had higher Asthma Control Questionnaire 6 (F: 0.83; M: 0.66, p<0.001) and higher airway resistance as reflected by uncorrected impulse oscillometry outcomes (ie, R-R: F: 0.06; M: 0.04 kPa/L/s, p=0.002). Male patients with asthma had more severe airway obstruction (forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity % predicted: F: 91.95; M: 88.33%, p<0.01) and more frequently had persistent airflow limitation (F: 27%; M: 39%, p<0.001). Blood neutrophils were significantly higher in female patients (p=0.014). With Cox regression analysis, female sex was an independent predictor for exacerbations.
INTERPRETATION
We demonstrate that female patients are in higher GINA steps, exhibit worse disease control, experience more exacerbations and demonstrate higher airway resistance compared with male patients. The higher exacerbation risk was independent of GINA step and blood eosinophil level. Male patients, in turn, have a higher prevalence of persistent airflow limitation and more severe airflow obstruction. These findings show sex can affect clinical phenotyping and outcomes in asthma.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
NCT02123667.
Topics: Humans; Asthma; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Adult; Sex Factors; Lung; Disease Progression; Forced Expiratory Volume; Respiratory Function Tests; Severity of Illness Index; Vital Capacity; Airway Resistance; Aged; Cohort Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 38901877
DOI: 10.1136/bmjresp-2024-002316 -
Annals of Intensive Care Jun 2024The objective was to compare sevoflurane, a volatile sedation agent with potential bronchodilatory properties, with propofol on respiratory mechanics in critically ill...
BACKGROUND
The objective was to compare sevoflurane, a volatile sedation agent with potential bronchodilatory properties, with propofol on respiratory mechanics in critically ill patients with COPD exacerbation.
METHODS
Prospective study in an ICU enrolling critically ill intubated patients with severe COPD exacerbation and comparing propofol and sevoflurane after 1:1 randomisation. Respiratory system mechanics (airway resistance, PEEPi, trapped volume, ventilatory ratio and respiratory system compliance), gas exchange, vitals, safety and outcome were measured at inclusion and then until H48. Total airway resistance change from baseline to H48 in both sevoflurane and propofol groups was the main endpoint.
RESULTS
Sixteen patients were enrolled and were sedated for 126 h(61-228) in the propofol group and 207 h(171-216) in the sevoflurane group. At baseline, airway resistance was 21.6cmH2O/l/s(19.8-21.6) in the propofol group and 20.4cmH2O/l/s(18.6-26.4) in the sevoflurane group, (p = 0.73); trapped volume was 260 ml(176-290) in the propofol group and 73 ml(35-126) in the sevoflurane group, p = 0.02. Intrinsic PEEP was 1.5cmH2O(1-3) in both groups after external PEEP optimization. There was neither early (H4) or late (H48) significant difference in airway resistance and respiratory mechanics parameters between the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS
In critically ill patients intubated with COPD exacerbation, there was no significant difference in respiratory mechanics between sevoflurane and propofol from inclusion to H4 and H48.
PubMed: 38888818
DOI: 10.1186/s13613-024-01311-4 -
Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine :... Jun 2024We have previously estimated that the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among World Trade Center (WTC) rescue and recovery workers is 75% and identified that...
STUDY OBJECTIVES
We have previously estimated that the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among World Trade Center (WTC) rescue and recovery workers is 75% and identified that having symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an independent risk factor for OSA in this population. Nasal inflammation and/or elevated awake nasal resistance that carried over into sleep could explain this association. To understand the mechanism(s) for the elevated risk of OSA observed in WTC responders with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) symptoms we examined if elevated awake supine nasal resistance was associated with OSA, CRS and/or nasal inflammatory biomarkers.
METHODS
601 individuals (83% male, average age 53 years, BMI=29.9 ± 5.5 kg/m) enrolled in the WTC Health Program and without significant pre-9/11 snoring, underwent two nights of home sleep apnea testing, measurements of anterior rhinomanometry in the supine position, and nasal lavage.
RESULTS
Awake supine nasal resistance was not associated with OSA; 74.8% and 74.4% of the participants with low and high nasal resistance respectively, had OSA (P=NS). Patients with CRS had elevated nasal inflammatory markers (IL6, IL8, ECP and Neut) but did not have high nasal resistance. Nasal inflammatory markers were not correlated with nasal resistance.
CONCLUSIONS
As awake nasal resistance did not explain the relationship of CRS to OSA in this large and well characterized dataset, our findings suggest that either "sleep" nasal resistance or other factors such as increased supraglottic inflammation, perhaps through impairing upper airway reflex mechanisms, or systemic inflammation are involved in the pathophysiology of OSA in the WTC population.
PubMed: 38888597
DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.11216