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Objectives Acute lung injury (ALI) is a critical complication subsequent to hemorrhage shock and resuscitation (HSR) that frequently leads to multiple organ failure. Collective evidence suggested that the activation of pulmonary nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent deacetylase sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) plays a critical role in inhibiting the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, as well as the protection against ALI. Curcumin is a potent activator of SIRT1 and possesses antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we aim to investigate the dose-dependent protective effectiveness of curcumin pretreatment against HSR-induced ALI. Methods Studies were conducted on Sprague-Dawley male rats in 5 groups: sham-operated, HSR, and HSR pretreated with 50, 200, or 400 mg/kg of curcumin. Curcumin was treated orally for 4 days and 1 hour before HSR induction. HSR was induced by decreasing the mean aortic pressure (MAP) to 40 mm Hg for 60 min through drawing blood from the left femoral artery, followed by blood replenish and leaving for another 120 min. At the end of HSR, the severity of ALI was assessed by pulmonary barrier function, via pulmonary filtration coefficient (Kfc) evaluated using isolated a perfused lung model, lung weight-to-body weight ratio (LW/BW), lung wet-to-dry weight ratio (W/D), and lavage protein concentration (PCBAL). We also examined the level of lung inflammation by lavage TNF-α and differential neutrophil count, and oxidative stress by lavage malondialdehyde (MDA). Results HSR significantly increased Kfc, LW/BW, W/D, and PCBAL; decreased pulmonary SIRT1; and increased lavage TNF-α and MDA contents and differential neutrophil count (P Conclusions Curcumin pretreatment protects against HSR-induced pulmonary function impairment by increasing tissue SIRT1, which reduced lavage MDA and TNF-α and differential neutrophil count in a dose-dependent fashion.

The sequencing of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in patients with EGFR mutation-positive (EGFRm+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a matter of controversy. This cohort study analyzed the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of afatinib compared with erlotinib and gefitinib first-line. EGFRm+, advanced NSCLC patients treated with either afatinib, erlotinib or gefitinib were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 107 patients were included. There was no statistically significant difference in PFS among the 3 groups. In the ≥ 60 years age group, the afatinib group had longer survival compared to the gefitinib group (p = 0.01). Median OS were 19.1, 22.9, and 35.6 months for gefitinib, erlotinib, and afatinib groups, respectively, with statistical significance between the gefitinib and afatinib groups (p = 0.009). Patients on afatinib also had longer median OS than erlotinib and gefitinib pooled together (35.5 versus 21.4 months; hazard ratio = 0.54, p = 0.016), despite similar median PFS. In conclusion, afatinib is a better choice compared to gefitinib or erlotinib for EGFRm+ patients. The OS obtained with afatinib is just 3 months shorter than osimertinib in the FLAURA trial. Direct comparison studies with osimertinib are still needed to determine optimal sequencing.

Objective Acute lung injury (ALI) is one of the most common extra-pancreatic complications of acute pancreatitis. In this study, we examined the protective effect of protease inhibitor aprotinin and a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor (MMPi) on pulmonary inflammation in rats with severe pancreatitis-associated ALI. Method A rat model of acute pancreatitis (AP) was established by injecting sodium glycodeoxycholate (GDOC) into the pancreatic duct. Pharmacological interventions included pretreatment with a protease inhibitor aprotinin (10 mg/kg) and a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor (MMPi, 100 g/kg). The extent of pancreatic and lung injury and systemic inflammation was assessed by examinations of blood, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and lung tissue. Pancreatic or lung tissue edema was evaluated by tissue water content. Pulmonary arterial pressure and alveolar-capillary membrane permeability were evaluated post-injury via a catheter inserted into the pulmonary artery in an isolated, perfused lung model. Results Pre-treatment with aprotinin or MMPi significantly decreased amylase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and the wet/dry weight ratio of the lung and pancreas in AP rats. Compared to the GDOC alone group, administration of aprotinin or MMPi prevented pancreatitis-induced IL-6 increases in the lung. Similarly, treatment with aprotinin or MMPi significantly decreased the accumulation of white blood cells, oxygen radicals, nitrite/nitrates in both blood and BAL, and markedly reduced lung permeability. Conclusion Pretreatment with either aprotinin or MMPi attenuated the systemic inflammation and reduced the severity of lung and pancreas injuries. In short, our study demonstrated that inhibition of protease may be therapeutic to pulmonary inflammation in this GDOC-induced AP model.

Background For marginally operable stage IIIA non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), surgery might not be done as planned after neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for reasons (unresectable or medically inoperable conditions, or patient refusal). This study aims to investigate the outcomes of a phased CCRT protocol established to maximize the operability of marginally operable stage IIIA NSCLC and to care for reassessed inoperable patients, in comparison with continuous-course definitive CCRT. Materials and Methods Forty-seven patients with marginally operable stage IIIA NSCLC receiving CCRT were included. Twenty-eight patients were treated with our phased CCRT protocol, including neoadjuvant CCRT followed by surgery (group A, n = 16) or, for reassessed inoperable patients, maintenance chemotherapy and split-course CCRT boost (group B, n = 12). The other 19 were treated with continuous-course definitive CCRT (group C). Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed. Results Among all, median OS and PFS were 35.6 and 12.8 months, respectively (median follow-up, 22.3 months). The median OS of group A (not reached) was better than that of group B (34.4 months) and group C (15.2 months) ( P = .009). On multivariate analysis, performance status 0 to 1 (hazard ratio [HR], 0.026; P P = .003), and group A (HR, 0.199; P = .033) were independent prognostic factors. The OS of group B (HR, 0.450; 95% confidence interval, 0.118-1.717; P = .243) was not statistically different from that of group C. Conclusions For marginally operable stage IIIA NSCLC, our phased CCRT strategy may optimize survival by maximizing operability and maintain an acceptable survival for reassessed inoperable patients by split-course CCRT boost following maintenance chemotherapy.

Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) is the standard therapy for advanced lung adenocarcinomas with common EGFR mutations. Preclinical studies have suggested that uncommon G719X, L861Q, and S768I mutations are also sensitive to EGFR-TKIs. However, the efficacy of EGFR-TKIs in patients with these uncommon mutations remains unclear.A nationwide survey was performed to collect data from gefitinib and erlotinib treatment outcomes of patients with stage IIIB/IV lung adenocarcinoma bearing EGFR G719X/L861Q/S768I mutations. The results were compared with those regarding patients with exon 19 deletions or L858R mutations.One hundred and sixty-one patients with uncommon EGFR mutations were enrolled from 18 institutes throughout Taiwan. Mutations of G719X, L861Q, S768I, G719X + L861Q, and G719X + S768I were observed in 78, 57, 7, 9, and 10 patients, respectively. After receiving EGFR-TKI treatment, patients with uncommon mutations exhibited a significantly inferior tumor response rate (41.6% vs. 66.5%; p0.001) and progression-free survival (median, 7.7 vs. 11.4 months; p0.001) than patients with common mutations. Among the patients who used EGFR-TKIs as first-line treatment, there was a significant difference in overall survival between these two groups of patients (median, 24.0 vs. 29.7 months; p = 0.005).Gefitinib and erlotinib are active in patients with G719X/L861Q/S768I mutations; however, less effective than in those with common mutations.

Eosinophilic pneumonia (EP) is a disease characterized by prominent infiltration of lung structures by eosinophils. The lung interstitium is infiltrated by eosinophils, and essentially the alveolar spaces are filled with eosinophils and a fibrinous exudate, with conservation of the global architecture of the lung. Diagnosis of EP relies on pathological demonstration of alveolar eosinophilia along with characteristic clinical manifestations of nonproductive cough, dyspnea, chest pain and/or unique imaging features. EP may be categorized according to the origin: EP of undetermined origin may overlap with well-individualized syndromes, while EP with a definite cause are mainly due to infections or drug abuse. Here, we report a case of an amphetamine abuser who developed acute EP and acute respiratory distress syndrome after amphetamine inhalation. Related studies on the pathogenesis of stimulant-related lung injury and treatment strategies are also discussed.

FES (fat embolism syndrome) is a clinical problem, and, although ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) has been considered as a serious complication of FES, the pathogenesis of ARDS associated with FES remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the clinical manifestations, and biochemical and pathophysiological changes, in subjects associated with FES and ARDS, to elucidate the possible mechanisms involved in this disorder. A total of eight patients with FES were studied, and arterial blood pH, PaO(2) (arterial partial pressure of O(2)), PaCO(2) (arterial partial pressure of CO(2)), biochemical and pathophysiological data were obtained. These subjects suffered from crash injuries and developed FES associated with ARDS, and each died within 2 h after admission. In the subjects, chest radiography revealed that the lungs were clear on admission, and pulmonary infiltration was observed within 2 h of admission. Arterial blood pH and PaO(2) declined, whereas PaCO(2) increased. Plasma PLA(2) (phospholipase A(2)), nitrate/nitrite, methylguanidine, TNF-alpha (tumour necrosis factor-alpha), IL-1beta (interleukin-1beta) and IL-10 (interleukin-10) were significantly elevated. Pathological examinations revealed alveolar oedema and haemorrhage with multiple fat droplet depositions and fibrin thrombi. Fat droplets were also found in the arterioles and/or capillaries in the lung, kidney and brain. Immunohistochemical staining identified iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) in alveolar macrophages. In conclusion, our clinical analysis suggests that PLA(2), NO, free radicals and pro-inflammatory cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of ARDS associated with FES. The major source of NO is the alveolar macrophages.

The association between spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) and stroke has not been reported, and this study aimed to explore this association. We used the National Health Insurance Research Database for conducting a nationwide, population-based, retrospective cohort study of patients newly hospitalized for SP from 2000 to 2010. A total of 2541 patients with newly diagnosed SP were included and compared with patients without SP. We observed that patients with SP were at higher risk for developing stroke, with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.56. In addition, these patients had a significantly higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke (adjusted HR = 2.22) than of ischemic stroke (adjusted HR = 1.48). The risk of stroke was the highest in the initial 4 months after hospitalization for SP (adjusted HR = 3.41, 95% confidence interval = 1.98-5.87). In conclusion, our study revealed a correlation between stroke and a history of SP, and the risk of stroke after SP was time sensitive.

Objective Our aim was to study the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in 2 experimental models: (1) ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) of the lung tissues and (2) oleic acid infusion. The protective effect of an iNOS inhibitor, aminoguanidine, was evaluated in these 2 injury models. Materials and Methods Real-time polymerase chain reactions and Western blots were used to assess the mRNA and protein expressions of iNOS in lung tissues after applying 2 injury models. In the I/R model, ischemia was induced by clamping one branch of the pulmonary artery for 60 minutes and then reperfusing for 120 minutes. In the bone fracture model, lung injury was induced by intravenous (IV) infusion of oleic acid (0.1 mL/kg); analysis was performed 6 hours after injury. Blood samples were collected for the assay of 3 inflammatory parameters: tumor necrosis factor α, hydroxyl radicals, and nitric oxide (NO). The wet/dry lung weight ratio was used as a parameter reflecting the lung injury level. Results mRNA and protein expressions of iNOS were significantly increased in these 2 lung injury models compared with the controls. Blood concentrations of TNFα, hydroxyl radicals, NO, and wet/dry lung weight ratio were also significantly higher in the 2 experimental groups than in the sham-treated group. The iNOS inhibitor aminoguanidine (20 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the lung injury induced by these challenges. Conclusions Reperfusion of the ischemic lung tissues or IV infusion of oleic acid can both induce lung injury by activating systemic inflammatory responses and inducing iNOS expression. Administration of aminoguanidine can significantly attenuate the injury, suggesting that iNOS expression may play a critical role in the lung injury induced in these 2 models.

Our aim was to study the expressions of matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP9) and the effects of the MMP inhibitor Ilomastat in both ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)- and oleic acid (OA)-induced lung injury models.Real-time polymerase chain reactions and Western blots were used to assess mRNA and protein expressions of MMP9 in lung tissues after I/R or OA lung injury. Ischemia was induced by clamping one branch of the pulmonary artery for 60 minutes and then reperfusing for 120 minutes. In the OA model, lung injury was induced by intravenous infusion of OA (0.1 mL/kg) for 20 minutes and then observation for 6 hours. Lavage leukocyte concentration and wet/dry lung weight ratio were used to assess lung inflammation and injury. Blood samples were collected for assays of hydroxyl radicals and nitric oxide. The MMP inhibitor Ilomastat (100 microg/kg) was administered before I/R and OA infusion.mRNA and protein expressions of MMP9 were significantly increased in both lung injury models. Ilomastat decreased MMP9 mRNA and protein expressions but did not reach statistical significance. Blood concentrations of hydroxyl radicals and nitric oxide, wet/dry lung weight ratios, and lavage leukocyte concentrations were significantly higher in both experimental groups compared with the sham group (P.001). Ilomastat significantly attenuated the extent of lung inflammation and injury induced by both I/R and OA.MMP may play a critical role in the lung injury induced by I/R and OA infusion.

Study objectives: Ischemia (I)/reperfusion (R) lung injury is an important clinical issue in lung transplantation. In the present study, we observed the effects of lung static inflation, different perfusates, and ventilatory gas with nitrogen or oxygen on the I/R-induced pulmonary damage. Design and setting: A total of 96 male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The lung was isolated in situ. Methods: In an isolated lung, the capillary filtration coefficient (Kfc), lung weight gain (LWG), lung weight (LW)/body weight (BW) ratio, and protein concentration in BAL fluid (PCBAL) were measured or calculated to evaluate the degree of lung injury. Histologic examinations with hematoxylin-eosin staining were performed. Results: I/R caused lung injury, as reflected by increases in Kfc, LWG, LW/BW, and PCBAL. The histopathologic picture revealed the presence of hyaline membrane formation and the infiltration of inflammatory cells. These values were significantly attenuated by static lung inflation. The I/R lung damage appeared to be less in the lung perfused with whole blood than in the lung perfused with an isotonic solution. Therapy with ventilatory air (ie, nitrogen or oxygen) did not alter the I/R lung damage. Conclusions: The data suggest that lung inflation is protective to I/R injury, irrespective of the type of ventilatory air used for treatment. The preservation of the lung for transplantation is better kept at a static inflation state and perfused with whole blood instead of an isotonic physiologic solution. (CHEST 2004; 126:552–558)