Correlation analysis of inflammatory cell infiltrate in the lungs (counted on histological sections) and plasma levels of oxidative stress markers.

<p>Spearman rank correlation was used to evaluate the relationship between (A) intraseptal neutrophils (cells ×10⁻⁷/μm²) R = 0.501, p = 0.007 and (B) macrophages (cells/field) R: 0.35, p = 0.056 and 3-NT. Assessment was by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</p

Effects of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulation on plasma markers of oxidative stress.

<p>Guinea pigs were exposed to either cigarette smoke (CS) or sham for 3 months, and received either the sGC stimulator (BAY 41–2272) or vehicle only. (A) Presence of nitrated tyrosine residues (3-NT), (B) 4-hydroxynonenal, and (C) 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (mean ± SD). Statistical differences were analyzed by 2-way ANOVA. Pairwise multiple comparisons between the individual groups were performed using the Holm–Šidák method.</p

Changes in nutritional status associated with BAY 41–2272 treatment in guinea pigs chronically exposed to CS.

<p>Changes in nutritional status associated with BAY 41–2272 treatment in guinea pigs chronically exposed to CS.</p

Effects of soluble guanylate cyclase stimulation on the regulation of apoptosis.

<p>Guinea pigs were exposed to either cigarette smoke (CS) or sham for 3 months, and received either the sGC stimulator (BAY 41–2272) or vehicle only. (A) Protein expression of BAX was measured by western blot (A and B) and immunohistochemistry (C). Statistical differences in western blotting results were analyzed by 2-way ANOVA. Pairwise multiple comparisons between the individual groups were performed using the Holm–Šidák method.</p

Imbalance between endothelial damage and repair capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

<div><p>Background</p><p>Circulating endothelial microparticles (EMPs) and progenitor cells (PCs) are biological markers of endothelial function and endogenous repair capacity. The study was aimed to investigate whether COPD patients have an imbalance between EMPs to PCs compared to controls and to evaluate the effect of cigarette smoke on these circulating markers.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Circulating EMPs and PCs were determined by flow cytometry in 27 nonsmokers, 20 smokers and 61 COPD patients with moderate to severe airflow obstruction. We compared total EMPs (CD31⁺CD42b^-), apoptotic if they co-expressed Annexin-V⁺ or activated if they co-expressed CD62E⁺, circulating PCs (CD34⁺CD133⁺CD45⁺) and the EMPs/PCs ratio between groups.</p><p>Results</p><p>COPD patients presented increased levels of total and apoptotic circulating EMPs, and an increased EMPs/PCs ratio, compared with nonsmokers. Women had less circulating PCs than men through all groups and those with COPD showed lower levels of PCs than both control groups. In smokers, circulating EMPs and PCs did not differ from nonsmokers, being the EMPs/PCs ratio in an intermediate position between COPD and nonsmokers.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>We conclude that COPD patients present an imbalance between endothelial damage and repair capacity that might explain the frequent concurrence of cardiovascular disorders. Factors related to the disease itself and gender, rather than cigarette smoking, may account for this imbalance.</p></div

Mantel-Haenszel (log-rank) test.

<p>Time from diagnosis (diagnostic catheterization) to transplant or death did not differ during follow-up (p = 0.514).</p

Yearly transplant activity by type of procedure (n = 36).

<p>Yearly transplant activity by type of procedure (n = 36).</p

Use of PAH-targeted therapy in incident PAH and non-operable CTEPH patients who died or underwent LT between January 2007 and March 2015.

<p>Comparison between groups.</p

Flowchart of a national cohort of 1391 incident PAH and CTEPH patients, focusing on those who died or underwent LT and considering their eligibility for LT between January 2007 and March 2015.

<p>Flowchart of a national cohort of 1391 incident PAH and CTEPH patients, focusing on those who died or underwent LT and considering their eligibility for LT between January 2007 and March 2015.</p

Characteristics of PAH patients who were potentially eligible for LT stratified by transplantation or death during follow-up (n = 72).

<p>Characteristics of PAH patients who were potentially eligible for LT stratified by transplantation or death during follow-up (n = 72).</p