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INTRODUCTION: The clinical and physiological effects of long-duration use of N95-type masks without ventilation valves, on health-care workers during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, were evaluated. METHODS: All volunteering personnel working in operating theater or intensive care unit, using nonventilated N95 type respiratory masks, minimum for a 2-h noninterrupted duration were observed. The partial oxygen saturation (SpO[sub.2]) and heart rate (HR) were recorded before wearing the N95 mask and at 1[sup.st] and 2[sup.nd] h. Volunteers were then questioned for any symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 210 measurements were completed in 42 (24 males and 18 females) eligible volunteers, each having 5 measurements, on different days. The median age was 32.7. Premask, 1[sup.st] h, and 2[sup.nd] h median values for SpO[sub.2] were 99, 97, and 96, respectively (P < 0.001). The median HR was 75 premask, 79 at 1[sup.st] h, and 84/min at 2[sup.nd] h (P < 0.001). A significant difference between all three consecutive measurements of HR was achieved. Statistical difference was only reached between premask and other SpO[sub.2] measurements (1[sup.st] and 2[sup.nd] h). Complaints seen in the group were head ache (36), shortness of breath (27), palpitation (18), and nausea feeling (2). Two individuals took off their masks to breathe, on 87[sup.th] and 105[sup.th] min, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Long duration (>1 h) use of N95-type masks causes a significant reduction in SpO[sub.2] measurements and increase in HR. Despite being an essential personal protective equipment in COVID-19 pandemic, it should be used with short intermittent time periods in health-care providers with known heart disease, pulmonary insufficiency, or psychiatric disorders. Keywords: Coronavirus disease-2019, health care, N95 mask, personal protective equipment, IN, Author(s): Melis E. Demirag [1]; Mustafa Akyil [2]; Merve Karasal [2]; Serkan Bayram [2]; Serda Kanbur Metin [2]; Fatma A. Tokgoz [3]; Volkan Baysungur [2]; Serdar Evman (corresponding author) [2] [...]

Introduction: In our research, the data of lung cancer patients operated via VATS and thoracotomy methods were investigated. In the evaluation performed by using versatile parameters, both methods were compared on the basis of objective criteria. Our study was carried out in order to assess the outcomes of both methods. Materials and Methods: 232 patients who underwent surgery with a diagnosis of lung cancer of various stages between the dates of January 2016 and June 2021 were involved in the research, and the patients' data were retrospectively scanned. To ensure balance between both groups, cases that were operated on for benign causes, performed pneumonectomy, received neoadjuvant, underwent chest wall resection, and cases converted to open from VATS were excluded from the research. The patients' hospitalization, amount of drainage, count of dissected lymph nodes, stages, complications and early mortality were reviewed. Results: There were 81 patients underwent VATS lobectomy and 151 patients underwent thoracotomy, in our study. The mean age was 63.5 in the thoracotomy group, and, 61.8 in VATS group. In the thoracotomy group, there were 31 female and 120 male patients; and in VATS group, 28 female and 53 male patients. The hospitalization times were shorter in VATS group; however, it was not statistically significant. In thoracotomy group, drainage amount and the count of lymph node dissections were significantly higher. The stage was determined significantly earlier in VATS group. Despite the rate of complication was lower in VATS group, there was no statistical difference between the both groups. Early mortality rates were comparable. Conclusion: Even though our research has limitations, we believe that we will gain better outcomes as our learning curve enhances in VATS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: LUNGBANK was established as part of Project LUNGMARK, pioneering a biorepository dedicated exclusively to lung cancer research. It employs cutting-edge technologies to streamline the handling of biospecimens, ensuring the acquisition of high-quality samples. This infrastructure is fortified with robust data management capabilities, enabling seamless integration of diverse datasets. LUNGBANK functions not merely as a repository but as a sophisticated platform crucial for advancing lung cancer research, poised to facilitate significant discoveries. Materials and methods: LUNGBANK was meticulously designed to optimize every stage of biospecimen handling, from collection and storage to processing. Rigorous standard operating procedures and stringent quality control measures guarantee the integrity of collected biospecimens. Advanced data management protocols facilitate the efficient integration and analysis of various datasets, enhancing the depth and breadth of research possibilities in lung cancer. Results: LUNGBANK has amassed a comprehensive collection of biospecimens essential for unraveling the intricate molecular mechanisms of lung cancer. The integration of state-of-the-art technologies ensures the acquisition of top-tier data, fostering breakthroughs in translational and histological research. Moreover, the establishment of patient-derived systems by LUNGBANK underscores its pivotal role in personalized medicine approaches. Conclusion: The establishment of LUNGBANK marks a significant milestone in addressing the critical challenges of lung cancer research. By providing researchers with high-quality biospecimens and advanced research tools, LUNGBANK not only supports Project LUNGMARK's objectives but also contributes extensively to the broader landscape of personalized medicine. It promises to enhance our understanding of lung cancer initiation, progression, and therapeutic interventions tailored to individual patient needs, thereby advancing the field towards more effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare condition with a poor survival rate. This study was designed to determine the prognostic importance of glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1) expression in operated patients with pleural mesothelioma. Methods: Patients operated with a diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma between January 2005 and September 2014 were retrospectively analyzed in terms of age, gender, diagnosis method, maximum standardized uptake value in positron emission tomography, operation, pathology, GLUT-1 expression in the specimen, morbidity, and mortality. Results: One hundred and twenty-nine patients were diagnosed as MPM. 75 (54 male and 21 female) of these patients underwent therapeutic operations. The mean age was 63 (range 41-89). Extrapleural pneumonectomy was performed in 27, pleurectomy/decortication in 25, and radical pleurectomy in 23 patients. The pathological diagnosis was epithelial in 67 and biphasic in 8 patients. All the patients were referred for adjuvant chemoradiotherapy and 69% completed the intended trimodality treatment. In 61 (81.3%) of the operated patients, the parietal pleura material was positive for GLUT-1. The morbidity was seen in 16 of the operated patients. The average survival time was 23.7 months after surgery. The average survival time was 24.5 months in patients with GLUT-1 expression <10% in extent, and 15.6 months in rest of the patients (p=0.001). Discussion and Conclusion: MPM has a poor prognosis even after surgery. However, lower expression of GLUT-1 was associated with significantly longer survival in our study. The survival time was found to be better if the GLUT-1 extent was <10%. Larger studies are needed to prove the prognostic significance of GLUT-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Study objectives Although links between meteorological conditions and spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) have been proposed, the reports are controversial. In this study ozone levels, which are known to have some adverse effects on lung tissues, were investigated as a potential triggering factor of SP. At present there is not sufficient information about the effects of ozone on SP. Methods Of a total 79 pneumothorax patients recruited for the study, 21 secondary pneumothorax cases were excluded. In the remaining 58 SP patients, meteorological data at the time of SP occurrence were recorded. Results The number of SP patients was higher in spring than in the other seasons (p < 0.05). There was an association between the SP frequency and the average ozone level at different seasons (F 3,52 = 19.45, p = 0.001). The average ozone level was higher in spring (363 ± 25 Dobson) than during the other seasons (autumn 296 ± 18 Dobson; summer 321 ± 26 Dobson; winter 324 ± 32 Dobson) (p = 0.001). There was a positive correlation between SP frequency and the average ozone values for each season (r = 0.301, p = 0.024). There was no significant correlation between the severity of SP and ozone level (r = 0.236, p = 0.16). Conclusions The number of SP patients increases in spring when ozone levels are highest. Ozone is known to affect alveolar cells and cause interstitial edema. Ozone causes damage to the lung interstitium by way of oxidative stress. Rupture of unrecognized underlying blebs/bullae has been proposed as a cause of SP. Increased levels of ozone may be a triggering factor for these ruptures.

OBJECTIVE Adjuvant chemotherapy compliance and full dose delivery of agents are superior after videothoracoscopic Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery lobectomy (VATS-L) for operable non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), compared with thoracotomy. Our aim was determining the role of VATS-L on inception timing and percentage of patients provided with the planned chemotherapy regimen. METHODS Clinical files of patients undergoing pulmonary resection for NSCLC between January 2010 and January 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. Analyses were performed only on patients receiving sole post-operative adjuvant chemotherapy subsequent to the final pathology. Chemotherapy protocol was planned according to Adjuvant Navelbine International Trialist Association trial. Analyzed variables were the duration between operation and initial chemotherapy day, with the planned and received chemotherapy doses. Patients with positive N2 nodes necessitating adjuvant RT were excluded from the study. RESULTS Eighty-four patients underwent adjuvant chemotherapy for NSCLC, either after videothoracoscopic surgery (n=36) or thoracotomy (n=48). Patients undergoing VATS-L had a shorter mean length of hospital stay (4.1 versus 7.3 days; p<0.001), which lead significantly reduced time delay on chemotherapy commencement (29.1 versus 36.9 days; p<0.005). VATS-L group received 82.9% of planned Cisplatin and 81.7% of Navelbine doses. In thoracotomy group, compliance to planned doses of Cisplatin and Navelbine was 77.6% and 75.0%, respectively. Tolerance for both drugs was increased in the VATS-L group (Cisplatin p=0.004; Navelbine p=0.004). CONCLUSION Besides the known advantages of VATS-L over conventional open surgery, our data demonstrated that it also allows more complete and rapid adjuvant chemotherapy, in terms of treatment initiation timing and compliance, by enabling quick post-operative recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Patients with N1 non-small cell lung cancer represent a heterogeneous population. The aim of this study is to determine the difference of survival rate between subtypes of N1 disease in surgically resected non-small cell lung cancer patients and to compare the survival in these patients with multi-N1 and single N2 (skip metastasis) disease. Methods Patients who underwent anatomical pulmonary resection in our institution between 2007 and 2014 with a pathological diagnosis of N1 and single N2 positive non-small cell lung cancer were included in the study. N1 positive patients were divided into three groups as single hilar; single interlobar, lobar, or segmental; and multiple N1 positive patients. These groups were compared among themselves as well as with incidentally found single N2 patients. Results A total of 1,742 patients who had non-small cell lung cancer underwent anatomical lung resection. The survival was better in single hilar lymph nodes than other subtypes of N1 disease (p = 0.015). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of survival between the other subtypes of N1 disease (p = 0.332). The difference in survival for single N2 disease compared with multi-N1 was not statistically significant (p = 0.054). Also, when we divided the groups as single and multi-N1, there was a significant difference in survival (p = 0.025). Conclusion Single hilar lymph nodes with direct invasion have better survival rate than other subtypes of N1. Also, patients with multiple N1 positive lymph nodes have similar survival results compared with single N2 patients. Our results should be confirmed with larger series to better explain N1 disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Cystic mucinous tumors of the lung have been described as histologically different from most lung adenocarcinomas and have a recently identified malignant potential spectrum. Since the literature is very rare, there are often studies such as case reports. In this study, a rare case of primary mucinous cystic tumor of the lung was presented as a contribution to the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]