Background:Pleural tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most common forms of extra-pulmonary TB. Since diagnosis is challenging through microbiological tests, discovering new diagnostic techniques with higher accuracy could help us improve early detection and lead to better outcomes. This study aims to investigate the sensitivity and specificity of interleukin 27 (IL27) as a diagnostic test for pleural Tuberculosis. Materials and Methods:The current study was conducted on 121 adult patients admitted to Masih Daneshvari Ho spital due to pleural effusion with an unknown cause. 36 cases had transudative, and 85 cases had exudative pleural effusions. Among them, TB (33.1%) and malignant pleurisy (23.1%) were the most common causes. In addition to routine studies for pleural effusion workups, pleural interleukin-27 concentrations were measured by ELISA and compared between groups of TB-affected patients and those without TB. Results:We found that the value 679 pg/ml was the most appropriate cut-off threshold for interleukin 27 in pleural fluid with 95% sensitivity, 69% specificity, 94% negative predictive value, and 73% positive predictive value (P value<0.001) for diagnosis of TB pleurisy. ADA levels were not significantly different between TB and non-TB cases. Conclusion:Compared to other groups, interleukin 27 levels in patients with a final diagnosis of TB-pleurisy were significantly higher, indicating the significant value of this interleukin as a diagnostic biomarker.
Background:The use of Acu-TENS is one of the physiotherapy methods to reduce shortness of breath and improve the quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this method in respiratory parameters and the quality of life of patients with moderate to severe COPD. Materials and Methods:The present study was a controlled clinical trial on 40 patients with COPD. Patients with moderate to severe COPD were randomly divided into two treatment groups. Exercise therapy was used in one group, and Acu-TENS (12 sessions over three weeks, Burst TENS (Frequency: 2 Hz; pulse duration: 200 ms, time: 45 minutes)) was used in the other group. Shortness of breath was evaluated using the Borg criteria, functional capacity was assessed using the six-minute walking test, quality of life was evaluated using the St. George questionnaire, and respiratory parameters were measured using a spirometer and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) questionnaire. Results:According to the results, after 12 treatment sessions, a significant difference was observed in FVC, FEV1, activity, CAT, and impact domains of St George's questionnaire. In contrast, other variables had no significant difference between the control and the intervention groups. Conclusion:Using Acu-TENS three times a week and for 12 sessions can play a significant role in the respiratory function of moderate to severe COPD patients. Also, this method is effective in reducing shortness of breath and improving the quality of life of these patients.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a devastating disease that can lead to other serious comorbidities. Heart failure is a major problem in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. It usually begins with right-sided heart failure, but in severe or uncontrolled cases, it can progress to left-sided heart failure. Currently, available treatment options do not have desirable effects. Therefore, considering a new treatment strategy is a cardiology priority. Non-coding RNAs, including small interfering RNA and microRNA, are valuable treatment options to study. Several non-coding RNAs have been studied and even approved for treatment in other hard-to-treat diseases. However, deciding which to choose can be complex. That is because these non-coding RNAs can have multiple interaction processes. Therefore, a thorough understanding of pulmonary arterial hypertension's pathological pathways and our target non-coding RNA interaction pathways is crucial. Here, we discuss the potential benefits and harms of these options in treating patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Background:Despite limited research on high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) alternating with noninvasive ventilation (NIV), this study investigates its effect on intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Materials and Methods:This clinical trial study at Masih Deneshvari Hospital (Tehran) compared NIV vs. alternating NIV with HFNC for ICU patients. It assessed intubation, mortality, and vitals. Patients were informed, and nurses were trained for optimal care. Daily follow-up ensured data collection. Results:The mean age of the patients was 66.3±19.7 years, which was 67.1±14.8 years in the NIV group and 65.5±14.9 years in the HFNC+NIV group, respectively. The distribution of patients in terms of APACHE and symptoms showed no significant difference (P=0.453). The mean HR in the two groups, NIV and HFNC+NIV, before the study was 113.30±5.25 and 112.43±5.80, respectively. At the end of the study, it was 94.78±17.53 and 94.48±17.47, respectively, with no significant difference found between the two groups. The mean RR before the beginning of this study was not significantly different between the two groups, while it was 16.61±4.23 and 17.91±1.78 in the NIV and HFNC+NIV groups, respectively, at the end of the study (P=0.043). PO2 created a greater distinction between the two groups based on the decision tree analysis, where the NIV group was more likely to have values of PO2<70. Conclusion:Based on the findings presented in our study, no difference was found between the use of NIV and NIV + HFNC, but HFNC + NIV was a more tolerable technique for patients.
Background:Electronic cigarettes produce aerosols that contain flavoring agents and nicotine, a drug that can lead to dependence, which users inhale. The widespread use of e-cigarettes has prompted research projects to investigate the safety or risks of e-cigarette smoke on human health. The present study aims to discover details of the e-cigarette smoke effect on the gene expression profile of human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) via network analysis. Materials and Methods:Data of GSE118431(GPL16791) from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were extracted and pre-evaluated by GEO2R program. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed via protein-protein interaction PPI analysis, and the critical DEGs were introduced. Results:A total of 192 significant DEGs among the 17058 targeted genes were selected for PPI network analysis. The 177 recognized genes were interacted to construct a network. Six DEGs were common between the hubs and bottlenecks of the network. Conclusion:E-cigarettes target IL1B, PTGS2, SOD2, NFKBIA, TXNRD1, and DUSP1, the critical genes that are associated with progression of inflammation, cell proliferation and cell invasion in cancer, chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, and cell death.
