Likewise, exacerbations were reduced. After 8 weeks of mepolizumab daily OCS doses were reduced from 6.25mg daily (0-20) at baseline to 2.5mg daily (0-11.9) at week 8 (P<0.001). FEV1 remained generally unchanged during the course of the study. Eosinophil counts rapidly declined and remained at a low level during the observation period. No new safety signals were observed in this study.

Mepolizumab improved asthma symptom control and had a steroid-sparing effect. Efficacy in this real-world study was comparable to RCTs, despite a history of smoking and comorbidities in many of the patients included.

Mepolizumab improved asthma symptom control and had a steroid-sparing effect. Efficacy in this real-world study was comparable to RCTs, despite a history of smoking and comorbidities in many of the patients included.

To investigate the level of 20-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) in model of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and its effect on the proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs).

Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, including control group and PH group. PH was induced by intra-peritoneal injection of 20mg/kg monocrotaline (MCT) twice in a week in 10 rats, and control rats were given equal amount of saline. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI) and pulmonary vascular remodeling index (WA%, WT%) were assessed at the week 4. The levels of 20-HETE were analysed by liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). EdU test was used to determine the proliferation of PASMCs. Intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected using DCFH-DA dye.

(1) Prominent right ventricular hypertrophy and pulmonary vascular remodeling were verified in PH rats; (2) 20-HETE levels in lung tissue and seruion of PASMCs was induced by 20-HETE and hypoxia, and was inhibited by HET0016; (5) Production of ROS was elevated by 20-HETE and hypoxia, and was reduced by HET0016; CONCLUSION Vascular remodeling was demonstrated in PH rats. 20-HETE levels were significantly increased in PH rats and under hypoxia condition. PASMCs proliferation and ROS production were elevated by 20-HETE and could be inhibited by HET0016, a specific inhibitor of 20-HETE. Taken together, changes in the level of 20-HETE may be related to the excessive proliferation of PASMCs in PH rats.

Limb ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is a common clinical process that frequently induces acute lung injury (ALI). Tetrahydropalmatine (THP) is a major bioactive constituent of various traditional Chinese medicine with protective effects on inflammation and oxidation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible protective effect of THP on ALI induced by limb I/R.

Rats were used to establish ALI through limb I/R. After administration of three doses of THP, the lung injury was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining, tissue wet/dry weight ratio and ELISA examination of myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD). Additionally, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and autophagy markers were determined by Western blot. To confirm the role of autophagy in the effect of THP on ALI, 3-methyladenine (3-MA), THP or THP+rapamycin (RAPA) was given to the model rats, and then evaluated the parameters above mentioned.

The pulmonary histological lesions and wet/dry were significantly induced after limb I/R. Concurrently, I/R significantly increased MPO and MDA, and decreased SOD in lung tissues. These changes were reversed after THP treatment. Additionally, THP exerted inhibitory effect on the I/R-induced decrease of phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and increase of autophagy activity. The effects by THP on lung injury, PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and autophagy were also observed after treatment with 3-MA, an autophagy inhibitor, whereas were blocked by combinational treatment with RAPA, an autophagy inducer.

Our data suggested that THP had significant protection against ALI and this might be achieved by autophagy inhibition through rescuing PI3K/AKT/mTOR activity.

Our data suggested that THP had significant protection against ALI and this might be achieved by autophagy inhibition through rescuing PI3K/AKT/mTOR activity.Pickering emulsions are surfactant-free emulsions stabilized by solid particles. Their unique structure endows them with good stability, excellent biocompatibility, and environmental friendliness. Pickering emulsions have displayed great potential in oral drug delivery. Several-fold increases in the oral bioavailability or bioaccessibility of poorly soluble drugs, such as curcumin, silybin, puerarin, and rutin, were achieved by using Pickering emulsions, whereas controlled release was found for indomethacin and caffeine. The shell of the interfacial particle stabilizers provides enhanced gastrointestinal stability to the cargos in the oil core. Here, we also discuss general considerations concerning particle stabilizers and design strategies to control lipid digestion.

The emergence in China in late 2019 and subsequent progression of a pandemic of a respiratory disease named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was highly facilitated by international travel. We present 5 cases of probable in-flight transmission in Greece.

We studied international passengers arriving to or departing from Greece from February 26 through March 9, 2020. Contact tracing extended up to 4 days before the onset of symptoms and focused on close contacts. Close contacts were defined as persons sitting within a distance of <2m for >15min, including passengers seated two seats around the index case and all crew members and persons who had close contact with the index case.

We investigated 18 international flights with 2224 passengers and 110 crew members. Main countries of departure included Northern Italy, Israel and the United Kingdom. In accordance with the national surveillance investigation, in these flights there were 21 index cases and 891 contact traced cases. Six index cases were symptomatic during the flight. Of the 891 contact traced cases, 4 passengers and 1 crew member developed laboratory-confirmed infection (3 with COVID-19 and 2 with asymptomatic infection); they travelled on the same flight with two COVID-19 cases.

Air travel has played a central role in the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic. selleck screening library However, there are scarce data about in-flight transmission. Our extensive investigation showed five cases of probable in-flight transmission. Efforts should be placed in order to ensure the prompt implementation of appropriate infection control measures on board.

Air travel has played a central role in the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are scarce data about in-flight transmission. Our extensive investigation showed five cases of probable in-flight transmission. Efforts should be placed in order to ensure the prompt implementation of appropriate infection control measures on board.