Πνευμονολογικό Ιατρείο Κ. Ν. Μανάρα

25/09/2025

IMPORTANT CHEST PATHOLOGY IN ONE SHOT

10/09/2025

How capillary constriction triggers metastasis

In a study published in Nature Communications, the scientists described how they constructed a biomedical device that simulated blood flow through our narrowest blood veins. They showed that when human melanoma cancer cells are forced through channels narrower than 10 micrometres – about a fifth the width of a human hair – they begin to behave more like stem cells, gaining traits that could help them survive, spread, and form new tumors.

The finding supports a theory long held by medical researchers that the mechanical pressure of narrow blood vessels might make cancer cells more aggressive.

The researchers made a device smaller than a postage stamp that mimicked the way blood travels around the human body through progressively narrower channels simulating the tiny capillaries that are present in many tissues.

Study lead author made the channels out of PDMS – a type of biocompatible, rubbery plastic – which ranged from 30 micrometres in width, down to just 5.

Next, nutrient-rich solution was pumped to blood plasma – and containing human melanoma cells – through the device at the same flow rate of blood flowing in capillaries.

“Within 15 minutes of being squeezed through the smallest channels, we observed how the melanoma cells became physically deformed,” the author says.

“When we analysed the cells, we detected proteins linked to cancer spread and stem cell-like behaviour — suggesting that the mechanical stress had reprogrammed them to adopt this new state.”

To test whether these squeezed cancer cells were more likely to spread in the body, the researchers injected them into mice lacking a functioning immune system – allowing the human melanoma cells to survive and grow. After 30 days, they found that mice given the squeezed cells developed significantly more tumors in the lungs, bone and brain, compared to those given ‘unsqueezed’ melanoma cells. The researchers say this implies the squeezing makes the cancer cells more aggressive and tumorigenic.

https://sciencemission.com/capillary-constriction-triggers-metastasis

10/09/2025

A 3-day-old newborn presents with severe respiratory distress and a scaphoid (sunken) abdomen. Chest X-ray reveals bowel loops in the thoracic cavity with a shift of the mediastinum.

09/09/2025

Eating more high-fat (HF) foods was associated with asthma-like lung inflammation, based on new data from a mouse model followed by testing on human lung tissue. http://ms.spr.ly/6182s9dN6

08/09/2025

As late-stage lung cancer rises among Canadian nonsmokers, researchers push for better awareness and screening. Lung cancer caused 24.3% of all cancer deaths in 2022 - more than colorectal, pancreatic, and breast cancers combined. About 25% of lung cancer cases affect nonsmokers. http://ms.spr.ly/6182s5UQw

06/09/2025

Two large real-world trials (DANFLU-2 and GALFLU) found high-dose influenza vaccines provide superior protection against flu and better prevent hospitalizations compared to standard doses. Published in NEJM and presented at the 2025 European Society of Cardiology congress, the results support including respiratory infection vaccination in cardiovascular prevention strategies for older adults. http://ms.spr.ly/6182s5zYG

06/09/2025

Inhaler prescribing is anything but simple. Dr Aaron Holley breaks down the device confusion, training gaps, and environmental impact. http://ms.spr.ly/6185s5znH

03/09/2025

47 year old with fever and cough. What's the most likely diagnosis? See the correct answer at: http://bit.ly/1J8idS8

31/08/2025

The American College of Cardiology now recommends that adults with heart disease receive vaccines against influenza, COVID-19, and RSV, citing their higher risk for severe respiratory infections, hospitalization, and death. http://ms.spr.ly/6186swiZp

31/08/2025

Τα υγιή μεγαλύτερης ηλικίας άτομα,που παίρνουν προληπτικά ασπιρίνη, δεν εμφανίζουν κάποιο πλεονέκτημα ως προς την εμφάνιση μειζόνων καρδιαγγειακών συμβαμάτων ενώ διατρέχουν και μεγαλύτερο κίνδυνο εμφάνισης αιμορραγιών σε σχέση με εκείνους που έπαιρναν εικονικό φάρμακο

Healthy older adults who received aspirin experienced no significant long-term benefits against major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE); the rates of major hemorrhage were higher among users of aspirin than among users of placebo. http://ms.spr.ly/6189sbROP

26/08/2025

Disorders of Electrolyte Balance