Proteome Analysis of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid in Chronic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Background: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an immune-mediated lung disease induced by inhalation of numerous antigens. Pathologically, chronic HP tends to show usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) and fibrotic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (fNSIP) patterns. Patients with UIP pattern present insidious onset and a risk for acute exacerbations. Methods: To evaluate the proteomic differences of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) between UIP and fNSIP patterns, BALF from seven patients with UIP pattern and four patients with fNSIP pattern was examined using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Results: By individually comparing each BALF sample, we found that the protein levels of surfactant protein A (SP-A), immunoglobulin heavy chain α, α-2 heat shock glycoprotein, haptoglobin β, and immunoglobulin J chain were significantly higher in the patients with UIP pattern than those in the patients with fNSIP pattern. In contrast, the protein levels of glutathione s-transferase, vitamin D-binding protein, and β-actin were significantly higher in the patients with fNSIP pattern than those in the patients with UIP pattern. To confirm the results of SP-A in the BALF proteome, we performed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a larger group. The concentrations of SP-A in BALF from the patients with UIP pattern were significantly higher than those from the patients with fNSIP pattern (2.331±1.656 μg/ml vs. 1.319±1.916 μg/ml, p=0.034). Conclusions: We identified several proteins that may play roles in the development of pathological differences between UIP and fNSIP patterns of chronic HP

Proteome Analysis of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid in Lung Fibrosis Associated with Systemic Sclerosis

Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the major cause of mortality in collagen vascular diseases. However, its pathogenesis still needs to be elucidated. Methods: To evaluate the alteration of certain proteins in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and clarify the causative role in the processes of ILD in systemic sclerosis (SSc), we compared a BALF protein profile between 5 patients with systemic sclerosis with pulmonary fibrosis (SSc-fib+) and 4 patients with systemic sclerosis without pulmonary fibrosis (SSc-fib-) using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE), and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Results: We analyzed spots over the range of 10.1 kDa to 207.4 kDa. SSc-fib+ patients showed increased 3 proteins compared to SSc-fib- including α2-macroglobulin, α1-antitrypsin, and pulmonary surfactant protein A and decreased 2 proteins including α2 heat shock protein (HSP) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) compared to SSc-fib- patients. Conclusions: In conclusion, we identified several interesting proteins that might have roles in ILD of SSc patients. Further studies are warranted to clarify the role of these proteins in the processes of pulmonary fibrosis in SSc

Association between daytime sleepiness and motor vehicle accidents among Japanese male taxi drivers

Although the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is a scoring system commonly used to assess daytime sleepiness (DS), the association between ESS and motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional study to examine the association between an increase in the Japanese version of the ESS (JESS) scores and MVAs among Japanese male taxi drivers. The study participants were 1384 Japanese male taxi drivers. DS was assessed using the JESS, and the total JESS scores were categorized into quartile groups. MVA experience during the past five years was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. A multivariable generalized linear model was used to examine the association between JESS and MVAs after adjusting for age, body mass index, smoking status, snoring, sleep duration, driving experience, driving distance per year, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus.The proportion of MVAs was 59.7%. The multivariable-adjusted prevalence ratio (95% confidence interval) of MVAs for the highest quartile of the JESS score was 1.16 (1.04–1.29) compared to the lowest quartile, and for continuous JESS score was 1.01 (1.002–1.02). Thus, we found a significant association between an increase in JESS scores and MVAs among Japanese male taxi drivers after adjusting for potential confounders. Stratification by sleep duration and snoring status revealed a significant association among long sleepers and non-snorers. Our findings suggest that ESS evaluation methods be reconsidered in relation to MVA among commercial drivers

Impact of sleep disordered breathing on performance in judo players

ObjectivePrevious studies have suggested that young sports players may suffer from sleep disordered breathing (SDB). It was hypothesised that SDB in heavy-class judo players was far more prevalent than expected and that it could reduce judo performance, which could be improved by appropriate therapies. To address this, the present study estimated the percentage of heavy-class judo players with SDB and investigated the effect of SDB treatment on judo performance.MethodsWe enrolled 19 young judo players from a university judo team with body weight >100 kg and/or body mass index >30 kg/m2. Both excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and respiratory disturbance index (RDI) were evaluated using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and an overnight type 3 sleep monitor.ResultsThe percentages of young heavyweight-class judo players with EDS (ESS ≥11) and those with SDB (RDI ≥5) were both 63%, which was unexpectedly high for the age class. Seven of the participants underwent continuous positive airway pressure therapy, which improved both RDI and ESS scores (p<0.05 for each) and subsequently the sleep quality and judo performance of the participants.ConclusionsOur study indicates that young judo players might silently suffer from SDB, leading to poorer judo performance and to future cardiovascular diseases. Clinicians should be aware of the possible presence of SDB in young sports players and consider the application of diagnostic and therapeutic remedies

Risk of Developing Metabolic Syndrome Is Affected by Length of Daily Siesta: Results from a Prospective Cohort Study

Background: Siesta has been associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular disease but the mechanism remains unclear. New studies into the relationship between siesta and metabolic syndrome have identified siesta length as a crucial differential, suggesting that siesta less than 40 min is associated with decreased risk of metabolic syndrome, while longer siesta is associated with increased risk. We aimed to investigate the effect of siesta duration on development of metabolic syndrome in a Mediterranean population using a prospective cohort study design. Methods: Our sample consisted of 9161 participants of the SUN cohort without components of metabolic syndrome at baseline. Siesta exposure was assessed at baseline and the development of metabolic syndrome components was assessed after an average 6.8 years of follow-up. We estimated odds ratios and fitted logistic regression models to adjust for potential cofounders including night-time sleep duration and quality, as well as other diet, health, and lifestyle factors. Results: We observed a positive association between average daily siesta >30 min and development of metabolic syndrome (aOR = 1.39 CI: 1.03–1.88). We found no significant difference in risk of developing metabolic syndrome between the group averaging ≤30 min of daily siesta and the group not taking siesta (aOR = 1.07 CI: 0.83–1.37). Further analysis suggested that average daily siesta <15 min may reduce risk of metabolic syndrome. Conclusions: Our study supports the J-curve model of the association between siesta and risk of metabolic syndrome, but suggests the protective effect is limited to a shorter range of siesta length than previously proposed