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Pulmonary surfactant, the primary substance lining the epithelium of the human Lower Respiratory Tract (LRT), is rich in lipids, with dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) being the most abundant. Although surfactants are known to have antifungal activity against some yeast species, the significant presence of species like Malassezia restricta in the lung mycobiome suggests that these yeasts may exhibit some level of lipo-tolerance or even lipo-affinity for pulmonary lipids. This study explored the affinity and tolerance of yeasts, identified as significant members of the lung microbiome, to pulmonary lipids through culture-based methods. Eleven species from the genera Malassezia, Candida (including the new genera Nakaseomyces and Meyerozyma), and Cryptococcus were tested for their growth on media containing pulmonary lipids such as DPPC and commercial porcine surfactant and in other culture medium that contain non-pulmonary lipids such as glycerol monostearate and tweens. The yeasts' lipo-affinity or lipo-tolerance was assessed based on their growth on these lipids compared to standard media, specifically Modified Leeming Notman Agar (MLNA) for Malassezia species and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) for the other genera. The addition of DPPC or surfactant to the media enhanced the growth of most Malassezia yeasts and some Cryptococcus species. C. parapsilosis, Meyerozyma guilliermondii and Cryptococcus neoformans s.s. showed similar growth to that on the standard media, while the other yeasts primarily demonstrated lipo-tolerance without lipo-affinity for these compounds. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the influence of pulmonary lipids on the in vitro growth of Malassezia spp. and other yeast members of the lung mycobiome. Some yeasts, such as Malassezia restricta, commonly found in the lower respiratory tract (LRT), exhibit specific affinity for lung lipids like DPPC and commercial porcine surfactant. This finding suggests that lung lipids may play a significant role in shaping the LRT mycobiome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate, the clinical benefit of benralizumab in patients with uncontrolled severe asthma associated with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP). Methods: The study included patients with uncontrolled severe asthma associated with CRSwNP who started therapy with benralizumab. Pulmonary function, eosinophilia, IgE, comorbidity, changes in the Asthma Control Test (ACT), Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Quality of Life (AQLQ), VAS (obstruction, drip, anosmia, facial pressure), SNOT-22, decrease or withdrawal of steroids and other medication, hospital admissions and emergency visits were analysed. The FEOS scale and EXACTO were employed in the assessment of response. Results: We analyzed 58 patients who completed minimal treatment at 12 months. After treatment with benralizumab, exacerbations were reduced by 82% (p < 0.001), steroid cycles by 84% (p < 0.001), emergencies visit by 83% p < 0.001) and admissions by 76% (p < 0.001), improving all the scales for asthma control, (p < 0.001). In terms of lung function, differences were observed in FVC% (p < 0.001), FEV1% (p < 0.001), and FEV1/FVC% (69.5 ± 10 vs. 74 ± 10, p < 0.001). In relation to CRSwNP, differences were observed in SNOT-22 (54.66 ± 17 vs. 20.24 ± 9, p < 0.001), VAS obstruction (7.91 ± 1 vs. 1.36 ± 1, p < 0. 001), VAS drip (7.76 ± 1 vs. 1.38 ± 1, p < 0.001), VAS anosmia (7.66 ± 1 vs. 1.38 ± 1, p < 0.001) and VAS facial pressure (7.91 ± 1 vs. 1.22 ± 1, p < 0.001). The mean FEOS score after treatment was 73 ± 14. A complete response/super response was achieved in 33 patients (57%), good response in 16 (28%) and partial response in 9 (15%). Conclusions: The administration of benralizumab to patients with uncontrolled severe asthma associated with CRSwNP has been demonstrated to improve nasal symptoms, asthma control and lung function. This resulted in a reduction in the need for oral steroids, maintenance and rescue medication, emergency room visits, and hospital admissions, with 57% of patients achieving the clinical remission criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study analyzed the impact of a categorized approach, based on patients' prognosis, on major outcomes and explanators in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia in an academic center in Spain. Methods: Retrospective cohort study (March 3 to May 2, 2020). Patients were categorized according to the followed clinical management, as maximum care or limited therapeutic effort (LTE). Main outcomes were all-cause mortality and need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Baseline factors associated with outcomes were analyzed by multiple logistic regression, estimating odds ratios (OR; 95%CI). Results: Thirty-hundred and six patients were hospitalized, median age 65.0 years, 57.8% males, 53.3% Charlson index ≥3. The overall all-cause fatality rate was 15.0% (n = 46). Maximum care was provided in 238 (77.8%), IMV was used in 38 patients (16.0%), and 5.5% died. LTE was decided in 68 patients (22.2%), none received IMV and fatality was 48.5%. Independent risk factors of mortality under maximum care were lymphocytes <790/mm3, troponin T >15ng/L and hypotension. Advanced age, lymphocytes <790/mm3 and BNP >240pg/mL independently associated with IMV requirement. Conclusion: Overall fatality in the cohort was 15% but markedly varied regarding the decided approach (maximum care versus LTE), translating into nine-fold higher mortality and different risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary surfactant, the primary substance lining the epithelium of the human Lower Respiratory Tract (LRT), is rich in lipids, with dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) being the most abundant. Although surfactants are known to have antifungal activity against some yeast species, the significant presence of species like Malassezia restricta in the lung mycobiome suggests that these yeasts may exhibit some level of lipo-tolerance or even lipo-affinity for pulmonary lipids. This study explored the affinity and tolerance of yeasts, identified as significant members of the lung microbiome, to pulmonary lipids through culture-based methods. Eleven species from the genera Malassezia, Candida (including the new genera Nakaseomyces and Meyerozyma), and Cryptococcus were tested for their growth on media containing pulmonary lipids such as DPPC and commercial porcine surfactant and in other culture medium that contain non-pulmonary lipids such as glycerol monostearate and tweens. The yeasts' lipo-affinity or lipo-tolerance was assessed based on their growth on these lipids compared to standard media, specifically Modified Leeming Notman Agar (MLNA) for Malassezia species and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) for the other genera. The addition of DPPC or surfactant to the media enhanced the growth of most Malassezia yeasts and some Cryptococcus species. C. parapsilosis, Meyerozyma guilliermondii and Cryptococcus neoformans s.s. showed similar growth to that on the standard media, while the other yeasts primarily demonstrated lipo-tolerance without lipo-affinity for these compounds. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the influence of pulmonary lipids on the in vitro growth of Malassezia spp. and other yeast members of the lung mycobiome. Some yeasts, such as Malassezia restricta, commonly found in the lower respiratory tract (LRT), exhibit specific affinity for lung lipids like DPPC and commercial porcine surfactant. This finding suggests that lung lipids may play a significant role in shaping the LRT mycobiome., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: None., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objectives: To analyze the characteristics of adult patients admitted for asthma exacerbation and determine optimization, treatment adherence, and follow-up in clinics., Methods: Patients ≥ 18 years old admitted from May 2021 to June 2023 with a primary diagnosis of asthma exacerbation were included. Patients with a secondary diagnosis of asthma exacerbation and those without a confirmed diagnosis were excluded., Results: A total of 186 patients were analyzed, 63% were female, with a mean age of 49 ± 34 years, mean body mass index (BMI) of 26.4 ± 5 kg/m2, mean immunoglobulin E level of 132 ± 235 IU/mL (range: 25-2041), mean eosinophils count of 180 ± 443, and length of stay of 8.6 ± 5 days. Comparing patients with one admission to those with multiple admissions, differences were observed in age (39 ± 15 vs. 58 ± 20, p < 0.0001), BMI (25.2 ± 3 vs. 27.4 ± 4, p < 0.0003), comorbidity (15% vs. 60%, p < 0.0001), and length of stay (4.5 ± 2 vs. 11 ± 3, p < 0.0001). Of the patients, 15% had undiagnosed asthma, 28% had known asthma without maintenance therapy, 23% were managed by primary care, and 34% were followed by pneumology. The mean Test of Adherence to Inhalers (TAI) score was 42.5 ± 8 points, with 70% showing erratic non-adherence, 46% showing deliberate non-adherence, and 21% showing unconscious non-adherence., Conclusions: The young population represents a significant percentage of admissions for asthma exacerbation due to poor follow-up in pulmonology clinics, inadequate treatment optimization, and low adherence. This study adds that it is necessary to improve the approach to asthma in primary care to optimize treatment, reduce under-diagnosis, and avoid hospital admissions., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Ethics and Research Committee of University Hospital San Juan de Alicante issued approval CODE: 23/065. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Chiner et al.)