Functional lung imaging with synchrotron radiation: Methods and preclinical applications

Many lung disease processes are characterized by structural and functional heterogeneity that is not directly appreciable with traditional physiological measurements. Experimental methods and lung function modeling to study regional lung function are crucial for better understanding of disease mechanisms and for targeting treatment. Synchrotron radiation offers useful properties to this end: coherence, utilized in phase-contrast imaging, and high flux and a wide energy spectrum which allow the selection of very narrow energy bands of radiation, thus allowing imaging at very specific energies. K-edge subtraction imaging (KES) has thus been developed at synchrotrons for both human and small animal imaging. The unique properties of synchrotron radiation extend X-ray computed tomography (CT) capabilities to quantitatively assess lung morphology, and also to map regional lung ventilation, perfusion, inflammation and biomechanical properties, with microscopic spatial resolution. Four-dimensional imaging, allows the investigation of the dynamics of regional lung functional parameters simultaneously with structural deformation of the lung as a function of time. This review summarizes synchrotron radiation imaging methods and overviews examples of its application in the study of disease mechanisms in preclinical animal models, as well as the potential for clinical translation both through the knowledge gained using these techniques and transfer of imaging technology to laboratory X-ray sources.     

Temporal Association Between Pulmonary Inflammation and Antioxidant Induction Following Hyperoxic Exposure of the Preterm Guinea Pig

The time course and nature of the pulmonary inflammatory and antioxidant responses, both during and after hyperoxic-induced acute lung injury were studied in the preterm guinea pig. Three-day preterm (65 days gestation) guinea pigs were randomly exposed to either 21% O₂ (control) or 95% O₂ (hyperoxia) for 72 hours. All pups were then maintained in ambient conditions for up to a further 11 days, during which time lung damage was monitored. In animals exposed to hyperoxia, evidence of acute lung injury and inflammation was characterized by a marked increase in microvascular permeability and elevated numbers of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Protein concentration, elastase-like activity and elastase-inhibitory capacity in lavage fluid were at a maximum at the end of the 72 hours hyperoxic exposure. Four days later, all values had returned to control levels. In contrast, increased numbers of neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes were recovered in the lavage fluid during this early recovery period. Coinciding with the influx of inflammatory cells, there was a significant increase in glutathione peroxidase, manganese superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in immature lung. Lung copper/zinc superoxide dismutase activity remained unchanged during both experimental periods. The strong temporal relationship between the influx of inflammatory cells to the lung and the induction of pulmonary antioxidant enzyme defences suggests that a common mechanism underlies both responses. These findings have led us to regard inflammation in the hyperoxic-injured immature lung as a beneficial event and not, as previously suggested, as part of the injurious process.     

Current status and prospects of basic research and clinical application of mesenchymal stem cells in acute respiratory distress syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common and clinically devastating disease that causes respiratory failure. Morbidity and mortality of patients in intensive care units are stubbornly high, and various complications severely affect the quality of life of survivors. The pathophysiology of ARDS includes increased alveolar–capillary membrane permeability, an influx of protein-rich pulmonary edema fluid, and surfactant dysfunction leading to severe hypoxemia. At present, the main treatment for ARDS is mechanical treatment combined with diuretics to reduce pulmonary edema, which primarily improves symptoms, but the prognosis of patients with ARDS is still very poor. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are stromal cells that possess the capacity to self-renew and also exhibit multilineage differentiation. MSCs can be isolated from a variety of tissues, such as the umbilical cord, endometrial polyps, menstrual blood, bone marrow, and adipose tissues. Studies have confirmed the critical healing and immunomodulatory properties of MSCs in the treatment of a variety of diseases. Recently, the potential of stem cells in treating ARDS has been explored via basic research and clinical trials. The efficacy of MSCs has been shown in a variety of in vivo models of ARDS, reducing bacterial pneumonia and ischemia-reperfusion injury while promoting the repair of ventilator-induced lung injury. This article reviews the current basic research findings and clinical applications of MSCs in the treatment of ARDS in order to emphasize the clinical prospects of MSCs.     

不同病情急性呼吸窘迫综合征患者血清铁蛋白、血管生成素样蛋白4、降钙素原与白蛋白比值的变化及对预后的评估价值

摘要 目的：探讨不同病情急性呼吸窘迫综合征（ARDS）患者血清铁蛋白、血管生成素样蛋白4（ANGPTL4）、降钙素原与白蛋白比值（PAR）的变化及对预后的评估价值。方法：选取2019年3月至2022年6月四川大学华西第四医院重症医学科收治的109例ARDS患者,根据氧合指数（PaO₂/FiO₂）将患者分为轻度组（200 mmHg＜PaO₂/FiO₂≤300 mmHg,38例）、中度组（100 mmHg＜PaO₂/FiO₂≤200 mmHg,42例）、重度组（≤100 mmHg,29例）。检测所有ARDS患者血清铁蛋白、ANGPTL4水平及PAR,根据患者入院后28 d内生存状况将其分为存活组（69例）、死亡组（40例）。多因素Logistic回归分析ARDS患者入院后28 d内死亡的危险因素。受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析血清铁蛋白、ANGPTL4、PAR评估ARDS患者预后的预测价值。结果：重度组血清铁蛋白、ANGPTL4、降钙素原及PAR高于中度组和轻度组（P＜0.05）,血清白蛋白水平低于中度组和轻度组（P＜0.05）。死亡组血清铁蛋白、ANGPTL4、降钙素原及PAR高于存活组（P＜0.05）,血清白蛋白水平低于存活组（P＜0.05）。高SOFA评分、高PAR及血清铁蛋白、ANGPTL4水平升高是 ARDS患者入院28 d内死亡的危险因素（P＜0.05）。联合血清铁蛋白、ANGPTL4、PAR三项指标预测ARDS患者预后的曲线下面积为0.867,高于单独指标预测的0.775、0.727、0.776。结论：ARDS患者血清铁蛋白、ANGPTL4水平及PAR增高与病情加重以及预后不良有关,联合检测三项指标在ARDS患者预后评估中具有较高价值。     

冷刀系统与宫腔镜下能量系统分别联合芬吗通治疗中重度宫腔粘连疗效对比

摘要 目的：对比分析冷刀系统与宫腔镜下能量系统分别联合芬吗通治疗中重度宫腔粘连疗效。方法：选取2020年1月-2022年1月我院收治的中重度宫腔粘连患者80例为研究对象,分为对照组（n=40）和观察组（n=40）。对照组采用宫腔镜下能量系统联合芬吗通治疗,观察组采用冷刀系统联合芬吗通治疗。对比两组临床指标、临床疗效、月经恢复情况、并发症发生情况。结果：观察组手术时间、术中出血量、手术次数、术后出血量均短/少于对照组（P<0.05）。术后12个月观察组临床疗效（90.00%）显著高于对照组（65.00%）（P<0.05）。术后8~14个月两组的月经恢复情况均改善,观察组月经恢复情况较对照组更优（P<0.05）。观察组术后感染、子宫腺肌病、子宫穿孔、水中毒等并发症的总发生率（7.50%）低于对照组（47.50%）（P<0.05）。结论：冷刀系统联合芬吗通治疗宫腔粘连具有显著疗效,不仅对患者的危害更小,还有利于月经恢复,减少并发症,改善预后。     

The effects of induced prenatal hypothyroidism on lamb mandibular third primary molars.

Intrauterine thyroidectomies were performed on nine lambs on or about the ninety-sixth postconception day. Seven other control and shamoperated lambs, and the cretin lambs were sacrificed immediately after birth. The mandibles were removed and sectioned at the midline. The right side molars were removed by dissection and caliper measured. The distal cusps of the third primary molars were sectioned, dehydrated, and embedded in Bioplastic. A slow speed diamond saw was used to section the plastic blocks and the embedded teeth. Subsequent grinding and polishing produced high quality 75 micrometer sections of the lamb molar cusps. No significant differences in tooth size or enamel thickness existed. Microscopic examinations show that parts of the cretin enamel were poorly calcified, an observation that was correlated to the intrauterine thyroidectomies. The data suggest that hypothyroidism alters ameloblastic activity during the secretory phase of enamel formation.     

Effect of copper intrauterine contraceptive device on carbohydrate metabolism in rat endometrium

Activities of Phosphorylase, glyceraldehyde-3 -phosphate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase and succinate dehydrogenase in the rat endometrial tissue are significantly inhibited by an intrauterine copper device, while it stimulated glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. The copper device decreased the lactate/pyruvate ratio in the tissue; pyruvate utilizationin vitro by the rat endometrium is also blocked by copper. These findings suggested that the normal carbohydrate metabolism of the tissue may be affected in presence of copper, thus resulting in a change of the endometrial function, which may be one of the factors responsible for the contraceptive and pharmacological action of an intrauterine copper device.     

合并慢性气道疾病的ARDS临床特征及预后影响因素研究

目的:探讨急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)合并慢性气道疾病患者的临床特征及影响预后的因素。方法:167例ARDS患者根据并发症发生情况分为对照组(单纯性ARDS组,A组,n=39)及观察组(ARDS合并慢性气道疾,B组,n=49,C组,n=41,D组,n=38),比较各组患者一般情况、临床特征、生化指标、治疗方式及预后状况,通过logistic回归分析ARDS合并慢性气道疾病患者预后的影响因素。结果:观察组(B、C、D组)年龄、中性粒细胞、IL-6、IL-8、TNF-α、白蛋白、pro-BNP、乳酸、氧合指数、住院时间、住院费用与对照组(A组)比较差异有统计学意义,P0.05;128例ARDS合并慢性气道疾病患者中死亡76例,好转52例,病死率59.38%;单因素分析结果显示,观察组(B、C、D组)患者中临床结局好转患者与死亡患者比较,白细胞、淋巴细胞、CRP、TNF-α、IL-8、降钙素、肌酐、pro-BNP、氧合指数、住院费用、机械通气时间、抗生素数量差异有统计学意义,P0.05;通过多因素logistic回归分析发现肌酐是影响ARDS合并慢性气道疾病的潜在危险因素,氧合指数为保护因素,P0.05。结论:ARDS合并慢性气道疾病的能量代谢紊乱程度可能较单纯ARDS加重,且两者炎性特征不同。肌酐、氧合指数是影响ARDS合并慢性气道疾病的重要影响因素。     

The protective effects of C16 peptide and angiopoietin-1 compound in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome

C16 peptide and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) have been found to have anti-inflammatory activity in various inflammation-related diseases. However, their combined role in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has not been investigated yet. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of C16 peptide and Ang-1 in combination with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory insult in vitro and in vivo. Human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells and human pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells were used as cell culture systems, and an ARDS rodent model was used for in vivo studies. Our results demonstrated that C16 and Ang-1 in combination significantly suppressed inflammatory cell transmigration by 33% in comparison with the vehicle alone, and decreased the lung tissue wet-to-dry lung weight ratio to a maximum of 1.53, compared to 3.55 in the vehicle group in ARDS rats. Moreover, C  +  A treatment reduced the histology injury score to 60% of the vehicle control, enhanced arterial oxygen saturation (SO₂), decreased arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure (PCO₂), and increased oxygen partial pressure (PO₂) in ARDS rats, while also improving the survival rate from 47% (7/15) to 80% (12/15) and diminishing fibrosis, necrosis, and apoptosis in lung tissue. Furthermore, when C  +  A therapy was administered 4 h following LPS injection, the treatment showed significant alleviating effects on pulmonary inflammatory cell infiltration 24 h postinsult. In conclusion, our in vitro and in vivo studies show that C16 and Ang-1 exert protective effects against LPS-induced inflammatory insult. C16 and Ang-1 hold promise as a novel agent against LPS-induced ARDS. Further studies are needed to determine the potential for C16 and Ang-1 in combination in treating inflammatory lung diseases.     

HFOV联合PS对治疗新生儿ALI/ARDS的疗效及对肺动态顺应性的影响

摘要 目的：探讨高频振荡通气（HFOV）联合肺表面活性物质（PS）对治疗新生儿急性肺损伤/急性呼吸窘迫综合征（ALI/ARDS）的疗效及对肺动态顺应性的影响。方法：选择2018年1月至2020年12月我院新生儿科收治的160例ALI/ARDS患儿进行研究,按照随机数表法分为观察组和对照组,每组80例。对照组患儿给予常频通气（CMV）模式联合PS治疗,观察组患儿给予HFOV模式联合PS治疗。比较两组患儿一般治疗情况、治疗前后肺动态顺应性、动脉血氧分压（PaO₂）、动脉二氧化氮分压（PaCO₂）、氧合指数（OI）、血清肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素（IL）-6、IL-10的变化,以及治疗期间并发症发生情况。结果：观察组胸片恢复正常时间、机械通气时间、氧暴露时间、ICU停留时间、住院时间结果均明显短于对照组（P＜0.05）,两组患儿病死率相比较,无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;治疗后12 h、24 h、48 h时,观察组肺动态顺应性及PaO₂、OI结果明显高于对照组,PaCO₂明显比对照组低,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;治疗后48 h时,观察组血清TNF-α、IL-6水平均明显低于对照组,IL-10明显比对照组高,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;两组治疗期间,呼吸机相关性肺损伤、颅内出血、气漏、呼吸道感染的总发生率比较,无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论：HFOV联合PS治疗新生儿ALI/ARDS疗效明显,可有效改善患儿肺动态顺应性,促进血气分析指标恢复,且可降低炎症因子的表达,值得推广应用。