Computed Tomography Findings as Determinants of Local and Systemic Inflammation Biomarkers in Interstitial Lung Diseases: A Retrospective Registry-Based Descriptive Study

Purpose

To evaluate the association of peripheral blood (PBL) and broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) biomarkers with inflammatory versus fibrotic high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings in interstitial lung disease (ILD) patients.

Methods

HRCT findings of 127 consecutive ILD-board patients were semi-quantitatively evaluated: reticulation/honeycombing (RET), traction bronchiectasis (TBR) and emphysema (EMP) were classified as non-inflammatory/fibrotic; consolidations (CON), ground glass opacities (GGO), parenchymal nodules (NDL) and mosaic attenuation (MOS) as active inflammatory. Each HRCT finding was assessed in six distinct lung regions, resulting scores were graded as minimal (0–1 regions involved), medium (2–4) or extensive (5–6). Associations of routinely assessed PBL/BAL biomarkers with these HRCT scores were evaluated using Spearman correlation coefficients and graphical presentation; significance was tested by applying Kruskal–Wallis tests.

Results

Blood neutrophil, lymphocyte and eosinophil fraction, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and BAL lymphocyte fraction consistently showed opposite correlations with inflammatory versus non-inflammatory/fibrotic HRCT finding scores. Blood lymphocyte fraction significantly differed by graded GGO (p = 0.032) and CON (p = 0.027) extent, eosinophil fraction by TBR (p = 0.006) and NLR by CON (p = 0.009). C-reactive protein was significantly related to GGO (p = 0.023) and CON (p = 0.004), BAL lymphocyte fraction to GGO (p = 0.017) extent.

Conclusion

Blood lymphocyte and eosinophil fraction, NLR, CRP and BAL lymphocyte fraction may aid to differentiate inflammatory from non-inflammatory/fibrotic ILD patterns.

Trial registration

This evaluation was based on data from the ILD registry of Kepler University Hospital Linz, as approved by the ethics committee of the Federal State of Upper-Austria (EK Number. I-26-17).

     

Binary Chimp Optimization Algorithm (BChOA): a New Binary Meta-heuristic for Solving Optimization Problems

Cognitive Computation - Chimp optimization algorithm (ChOA) is a newly proposed meta-heuristic algorithm inspired by chimps’ individual intelligence and sexual motivation in their group...     

Comparison of clinical outcomes following minimally invasive lateral interbody fusion stratified by preoperative diagnosis

Purpose

Lumbar fusion has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of degenerative spinal conditions, though significant differences exist in the magnitude of clinical improvement across different surgical diagnoses. With modern, minimally disruptive approaches for fusion, diagnosis-specific differences in clinical improvement may be reduced. The purpose of this study is to report and compare interim clinical improvements in patients treated with XLIF for various degenerative lumbar conditions.

Methods

160 patients underwent XLIF for either degenerative spondylolisthesis (n = 68), degenerative disc disease (n = 20), adjacent segment disease (n = 26), or post-laminectomy syndrome (n = 46). Average age was 61 years and 66 % were female. Mean BMI was 28.9 kg/m². 37 % were smokers, 23 % had diabetes mellitus, 22 % had depression. Mean age was highest for ASD patients (66 years) and lowest for DDD patients (48 years) (p < 0.001). There were no other baseline demographic differences between groups. Patient-reported clinical outcomes measures were collected at baseline and prospectively at standard intervals. Interim results at an average of 19 months follow-up are reported here.

Results

In total, 197 levels were treated with XLIF (mean 1.2 per patient). There were no cases of symptomatic pseudoarthrosis or implant/instrument failure. Overall, 1 patient (0.6 %) had a major complication and 12 % had a minor complication. Approach-related anterolateral thigh/groin sensory changes were present in 14 % and hip flexion weakness in 9 %. At last follow-up, overall ODI decreased 47 % (44.1–23.5), VAS LBP decreased 59 % (6.9–2.8), VAS LP decreased 56 % (7.1–3.1), and SF-36 PCS improved 40 % (30.9–43.2) (all p < 0.001). Baseline ODI was significantly lower for DDD patients (p = 0.052). At last follow-up, mean percent improvements on all outcomes were highest for DSP group, though not all differences were significant. Improvements between diagnostic groups were statistically different for LBP (p = 0.021), but were similar for all other clinical outcomes. Percentage of patients reaching MCID and SCB thresholds ranged from 60 to 95 % in clinical outcomes. Patient satisfaction for the entire group was 93 % when asked whether satisfied with surgical outcome.

Conclusions

XLIF has been demonstrated in the current series to lead to significant improvements in clinical outcomes and high rates of MCID and SCB and reduce the discrepancy in outcomes between well accepted and technically challenging indications compared to traditional open approaches for IBF. Complication rates were low, with only one patient in the series experiencing a major complication. Further investigation with larger cohorts and longer follow-up is warranted.

     

Review of biomedical ?erenkov luminescence imaging applications

Čerenkov radiation is a fascinating optical signal, which has been exploited for unique diagnostic biological sensing and imaging, with significantly expanded use just in the last half decade. Čerenkov Luminescence Imaging (CLI) has desirable capabilities for niche applications, using specially designed measurement systems that report on radiation distributions, radiotracer and nanoparticle concentrations, and are directly applied to procedures such as medicine assessment, endoscopy, surgery, quality assurance and dosimetry. When compared to the other imaging tools such as PET and SPECT, CLI can have the key advantage of lower cost, higher throughput and lower imaging time. CLI can also provide imaging and dosimetry information from both radioisotopes and linear accelerator irradiation. The relatively short range of optical photon transport in tissue means that direct Čerenkov luminescence imaging is restricted to small animals or near surface human use. Use of Čerenkov-excitation for additional molecular probes, is now emerging as a key tool for biosensing or radiosensitization. This review evaluates these new improvements in CLI for both medical value and biological insight.OCIS codes: (170.3880) Medical and biological imaging, (170.3890) Medical optics instrumentation, (350.5610) Radiation     

Comparative efficacy of ivabradine versus beta-blockers in patients with mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm: systematic review and meta-analysis

International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy - Background Patients with mitral valve stenosis have increased heart rate. HR reduction is known as an important treatment and therapy strategy for...     

Selective oxidation of alcohols and sulfides via O2 using a Co(ii) salen complex catalyst immobilized on KCC-1: synthesis and kinetic study

The aim of this study was to immobilize a Co(ii) salen complex on KCC-1 as a catalyst that can be recovered (Co(ii) salen complex@KCC-1). Field-emission transmission electron microscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and XRD were used to confirm the structure and chemical nature of Co(ii) salen complex@KCC-1. The oxidation efficiency was obtained for an extensive range of sulfides and alcohols using this sustainable catalyst, alongside O₂ as an oxygen source and isobutyraldehyde (IBA) as an oxygen acceptor, with superior selectivity and conversion for the relevant oxidation products (sulfoxides and ketones or aldehydes) under moderate conditions. The μ-oxo and peroxo groups on the ligands of the Co complex appeared to be responsible for the superior activity of the catalyst. Essential factors behind the oxidation of alcohol and sulfoxides were investigated, including the catalyst, solvent, and temperature. In this paper, molecular oxygen (O₂) was used as a green oxidant. Furthermore, kinetic studies were conducted, revealing a first-order reaction for the oxidation of both benzyl alcohol and sulfide. The reaction progressed at mild temperature, and the catalyst could be easily recovered and reused for numerous consecutive runs under the reaction conditions, without any substantial reduction in the functionality of the catalytic system.

The aim of this study was to immobilize a Co(ii) salen complex on KCC-1 as a catalyst that can be recovered (Co(ii) salen complex@KCC-1).     

Treatment of cardiogenic shock in peripartum cardiomyopathy: Case series from a tertiary ECMO center

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) occurs toward the end of pregnancy or in the months after delivery without previously known structural heart disease. Development of therapy-refractory cardiogenic shock is described in the literature with a limited number of overall presented cases in this young patient cohort. To provide differences and key points in the therapy of end-stage PPCM patients, we present a case series of four young women with PPCM referred to our department for potential VA ECMO support.