The role of immune cells in the pathogenesis of connective tissue diseases-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Connective tissue diseases-related pulmonary arterial hypertension (CTD-PAH) is a disease characterized by an elevated pulmonary artery pressure that arises as a complication of connective tissue diseases. The number of patients with CTD-PAH accounts for 25.3% of all PAH patients.

[Value of serum procalcitonin for the guidance of antibiotic therapy in children with lower respiratory tract infection].

Objective: To evaluate the value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) for the guidance of antibiotic therapy in children with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI).

Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted in 396 children with LRTI who visited Weifang Maternity and Child Care Hospital. The participants were randomly assigned into a PCT group in which the antibiotic therapy was guided by serum PCT level and a control group in which the standard therapy was given according to clinical guidance.