Mesenchymal stem cells-derived extracellular vesicles for therapeutics of renal tuberculosis.

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis with a renal involvement can be a manifestation of a disseminated infection that requires therapeutic intervention, particularly with a decrease in efficacy of conventional regimens. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic potency of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) in the complex anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT). A rabbit model of renal tuberculosis (rTB) was constructed by injecting of the standard strain Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv into the cortical layer of the kidney parenchyma. Isolated rabbit MSC-EVs were intravenously administered once as an addition to standard ATT (isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol). The therapeutic efficacy was assessed by analyzing changes of blood biochemical biomarkers and levels of anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as by renal computed tomography with subsequent histological and morphometric examination. The therapeutic effect of therapy with MSC-EVs was shown by ELISA method that confirmed a statistically significant increase of the anti-inflammatory and decrease of pro-inflammatory cytokines as compared to conventional treatment. In addition, there is a positive trend in increase of ALP level, animal weigh, and normalization of ADA activity that can indicate an improvement of kidney state. A significant reduction of the area of specific and interstitial inflammation indicated positive affect of MSC-EVs that suggests a shorter duration of ATT. The number of MSC-EVs proteins (as identified by mass-spectometry analysis) with anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory functions reduced the level of the inflammatory response and the severity of kidney damage (further proved by morphometric analysis). In conclusion, MSC-EVs can be a promising tool for the complex treatment of various infectious diseases, in particularly rTB.

The Use of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Complex Treatment of Kidney Tuberculosis (Experimental Study).

In recent years, the application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been recognized as a promising method for treatment of different diseases associated with inflammation and sclerosis, which include nephrotuberculosis. The aim of our study is to investigate the effectiveness of MSCs in the complex therapy of experimental rabbit kidney tuberculosis and to evaluate the effect of cell therapy on the reparative processes. Methods: To simulate kidney tuberculosis, a suspension of the standard strain Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (106 CFU) was used, which was injected into the cortical layer of the lower pole parenchyma of the left kidney under ultrasound control in rabbits. Anti-tuberculosis therapy (aTBT) was started on the 18th day after infection. MSCs (5 × 107 cells) were transplanted intravenously after the start of aTBT. Results: 2.5 months after infection, all animals showed renal failure. Conducted aTBT significantly reduced the level of albumin, ceruloplasmin, elastase and the severity of disorders in the proteinase/inhibitor system and increased the productive nature of inflammation. A month after MSC transplantation, the level of inflammatory reaction activity proteins decreased, the area of specific and destructive inflammation in kidneys decreased and the formation of mature connective tissue was noted, which indicates the reparative reaction activation.

Pleural Metastasis of Atypical Bronchial Carcinoid.

Pulmonary carcinoids are relatively rare tumors with low metastatic potential. Pleural carcinomatosis of a bronchial carcinoid has only been reported in 4 cases. Due to the rarity of this condition, there are no guidelines for its treatment or management. We report a case of atypical carcinoid with local recurrence and pleural metastases treated by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy and total pleurectomy with photodynamic therapy after non-radical wedge resection.

Risk factors and outcomes of prolonged air leak after pulmonary resections.

PURPOSE: Prolonged air leak (PAL) is a challenging complication in thoracic surgery. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of PAL. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 319 patients treated in a single center submitted to lobectomy, bilobectomy, segmentectomy, and wedge resections from January 2012 until August 2015. PAL was defined as air leak lasting more than 7 days after surgery. RESULTS: The incidence of PAL was 14.7%. Bronchial obstruction (p < 0.05), low body mass index (BMI, p < 0.05), and hypoproteinemia (p < 0.001) were identified as independent preoperative risk factors of PAL. Intraoperative risk factors were lob- (p < 0.01) and bilobectomies (p < 0.05), pleural adhesions (p < 0.001), and length of stapler line (p < 0.001). Among the postoperative risk factors, we identified the use of active drainage (p < 0.01), the presence of subcutaneous emphysema (p < 0.001), massive air leak on the first postoperative day (POD 1, p < 0.001), and an incomplete re-expansion of the lung (p < 0.001). PAL was not associated with more complications in the postoperative period. One patient required reoperation due to a massive air leak. Twenty-six patients were discharged with a Heimlich valve with no complications and no need for re-admission. CONCLUSIONS: Bronchial obstruction, low BMI, hypoproteinemia, lob- and bilobectomies, pleural adhesions, length of stapler line, use of active drainage, the presence of subcutaneous emphysema, massive air leak on POD 1, and incomplete re-expansion of the lung were identified as independent risk factors of PAL. It had no influence on outcomes.