A phase 4 multicentre, 2×2 factorial randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of tobramycin inhalation solution for eradication in bronchiectasis: ERASE.

Chronic (PA) infection significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality in bronchiectasis patients. Initiating antibiotics early may lead to the eradication of PA. Here we outline the design of a trial (ERASE; NCT06093191) assessing the efficacy and safety of inhaled tobramycin, alone or with oral ciprofloxacin, in bronchiectasis patients with a new isolation of PA.

Early risk factors of the exacerbation of coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the early risk factors for the exacerbation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Restrospective analysis of clinical data of 85 patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including gender, age, comorbidities, symptoms, blood routine, clotting profile, biochemical examination, albumin, myocardial enzyme profile, inflammatory markers, and chest computed tomography (CT). All laboratory examinations were measured within first 24 hours after admission, and chest CT was performed before admission.

Early-generated interneurons regulate neuronal circuit formation during early postnatal development.

A small subset of interneurons that are generated earliest as pioneer neurons are the first cohort of neurons that enter the neocortex. However, it remains largely unclear whether these early-generated interneurons (EGIns) predominantly regulate neocortical circuit formation. Using inducible genetic fate mapping to selectively label EGIns and pseudo-random interneurons (pRIns), we found that EGIns exhibited more mature electrophysiological and morphological properties and higher synaptic connectivity than pRIns in the somatosensory cortex at early postnatal stages.

Regulatory T cells and asthma.

Asthma is a chronic disease of airway inflammation due to excessive T helper cell type 2 (Th2) response. Present treatment based on inhalation of synthetic glucocorticoids can only control Th2-driven chronic eosinophilic inflammation, but cannot change the immune tolerance of the body to external allergens. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are the main negative regulatory cells of the immune response.

Supramolecular glycorhodamine-polymer dot ensembles for the homogeneous, fluorogenic analysis of lectins.

We have developed a new series of glycoprobe-polymer dot ensembles for the fluorogenic, homogeneous detection of lectins. Electrostatic self-assembly between positively charged rhodamine-based glycosides and negatively charged poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl)/poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) polymer dots produces the ensembles with a quenched fluorescence. Fluorescence spectroscopy showed that the ensembles exhibited a concentration-dependent fluorescence enhancement with selective lectins over a range of unselective lectins and proteins.

Selective adsorption activities toward organic dyes and antibacterial performance of silver-based coordination polymers.

Two silver-based coordination polymers, [Ag(bpy)(cbda)] (BUC-51) and [Ag(bpy)(cpda)]·(NO)·9HO (BUC-52), have been successfully prepared by slow evaporation at room temperature. These coordination polymers exhibited good adsorptive performances toward series organic dyes with sulfonic groups, which could be ascribed to the AgcdotsO interaction between the silver(I) atoms in CPs and the oxygen atoms from sulfonic groups attached to organic dyes. Both BUC-51 and BUC-52 favoured slow release of Ag ions resulting into outstanding long-term antibacterial abilities toward Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli (E.

Statins may be beneficial for patients with pulmonary hypertension secondary to lung diseases.

Background: Previous animal studies and clinical trials report inconsistent findings regarding the role of statins in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Systematic reviews have shown no use of statins on pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This is the first meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) determining the clinical impacts of statin therapy on patients with PH secondary to lung diseases.

Supramolecular core-glycoshell polythiophene nanodots for targeted imaging and photodynamic therapy.

Supramolecular self-assembly between poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT), a polymeric material extensively used for optoelectronic devices, and fluorescent glycoprobes produces core-glycoshell theranostic nanodots (glyco-dots) capable of targeted imaging and photodynamic therapy of liver and triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Sialylglycan-Assembled Supra-Dots for Ratiometric Probing and Blocking of Human-Infecting Influenza Viruses.

The seasonal outbreak of influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide because a number of influenza virus (IV) strains have been shown to infect and circulate in humans. Development of effective means to timely monitor as well as block IVs is still a challenging task. Whereas conventional fluorescence probes rely on a fluorimetric change upon recognizing IVs, here we developed simple "Supra-dots" that are formed through the aqueous supramolecular assembly between a blue-emitting polymer dot and red-emitting sialylglycan probes for the ratiometric detection of IVs.

Supramolecular Polymer Dot Ensemble for Ratiometric Detection of Lectins and Targeted Delivery of Imaging Agents.

A supramolecular, polymer-dot-based ensemble has been developed for the ratiometric detection of lectins and targeted delivery of glycoprobes. Self-assembly between a blue-emitting polymer dot and a red-emitting glycoprobe, results in an ensemble that shows red emission upon excitation of the polymer dot because of Förster resonance energy transfer. Resulting in ratiometric detection of lectins in buffer solution as well as targeted delivery of the glycoprobe to cells that highly express a sugar receptor.

ADRB2 signaling promotes HCC progression and sorafenib resistance by inhibiting autophagic degradation of HIF1α.

Background & Aims: Considerable evidence suggests that adrenergic signaling played an essential role in tumor progression. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown.

Methods: The effect of adrenaline in hepatocarcinogenesis was observed in a classical diethylnitrosamine-induced HCC mouse model.

CD44v6 expression is associated with a poor prognosis in Chinese hepatocellular carcinoma patients: A meta-analysis.

Background: The role of CD44v6 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains controversial. To clarify the association of CD44v6 with survival in HCC, we performed a meta-analysis of the literature with meta-analysis.

Methods: Trials were selected for further analysis if they provided an independent assessment of CD44v6 in HCC and reported the survival data in the context of CD44v6 status.

Expression profile of polyunsaturated fatty acids in colorectal cancer.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and tumor-associated factors for predicting the outcome of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) in Chinese patients.

Methods: Fresh-frozen malignant and normal tissues from 82 Chinese patients with CRC were analyzed for PUFA composition using gas-liquid chromatography. The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the levels of VEGF, p53 and Ki-67 were measured by immunohistochemistry.

Expert consensus on acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the People's Republic of China.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease that severely threatens human health. Acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) is a major cause of disease progression and death, and causes huge medical expenditures. This consensus statement represents a description of clinical features of AECOPD in the People's Republic of China and a set of recommendations.

Fluorogenic resveratrol-confined graphene oxide for economic and rapid detection of Alzheimer's disease.

Developing an effective means for the real-time probing of amyloid β (Aβ) that is closely implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) could help better understand and monitor the disease. Here we describe an economic approach based on the simple composition of a natural product, resveratrol (Res), with graphene oxide (GO) for the rapid, fluorogenic recognition of Aβ. The Res@GO composite has proved specific for Aβ over a range of proteins and ions, and could sensitively capture both Aβ monomers and fibers in a physiological buffer solution within only 3 min.

[Respiratory physicians' knowledge, attitude and practice of tobacco control and their smoking status in the city of Chongqing].

Objective: To investigate the smoking status, knowledge of smoking hazards, attitude of tobacco control and skill of assisting smoking cessation in respiratory physicians in the city of Chongqing and therefore to provide references for their further participation in social tobacco control.

Methods: With a self-designed questionnaire, a cross-sectional study was conducted on respiratory physicians of 8 hospitals in Chongqing, which were selected with stratified random sampling method. All the data were inputted with software Epidata 3.

[The prevalence and risk factors of bronchiectasis in residents aged 40 years old and above in seven cities in China].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of bronchiectasis in urban city of China.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 17 urban areas in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing cities, and Guangdong, Liaoning, Shanxi provinces. In this study, urban population-based cluster samples were randomly selected from each city/province.

Mesenchymal stem cells alleviate TNBS-induced colitis by modulating inflammatory and autoimmune responses.

Aim: To investigate the potential therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we transplanted MSCs into an experimental model of IBD.

Methods: A rectal enema of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) (100 mg/kg body weight) was administered to female BALB/c mice. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were derived from male green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice and were transplanted intravenously into the experimental animals after disease onset.

In vivo transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells accelerates repair of injured gastric mucosa in rats.

Background: Adult stem cells provide a promising alternative for the treatment of injured tissues. We aimed to investigate the effect of in vivo transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) on injured gastric mucosa in rats.

Methods: The gastric ulcer in rats was induced by indomethacin.

The identification of miR-375 as a potential biomarker in distal gastric adenocarcinoma.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small noncoding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level and play an important role in carcinogenesis. Herein, we characterized the global expression of miRNA in distal gastric adenocarcinomas and determined if circulating miRNAs could be used as biomarkers for distal gastric adenocarcinoma. We used a microarray screening system to detect dysregulated miRNAs in distal gastric adenocarcinoma tissues.

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ pretreatment enhances the efficacy of allergen immunotherapy in a mouse allergic asthma model.

Background: Allergen-specific immunotherapy can induce immune tolerance to specific allergens by regulating immune status of individuals. However, its clinical application is limited due to individual differences in efficacy among patients and un-confirmed safety. 1,25 Dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)) has been shown to be involved in a variety of physiological processes, including immune response regulation.

[The significance of cough reflex sensitivity test in chronic cough].

Objective: Preliminary study of the cough reflex sensitivity test in chronic cough patients with different gender, disease duration and causes to evaluate the clinical diagnostic significance of the test and further provide some information for the treatment of chronic cough.

Methods: Totally 108 chronic cough patients in our hospital were enrolled in the study with the final diagnosis of upper airway cough syndrome (UACS), cough variant asthma (CVA) and gastroesophageal reflux cough (GERC). They all went through the cough reflex sensitivity test and the retrospective analysis of the results was made.

Relationship between the anti-inflammatory properties of salmeterol/fluticasone and the expression of CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells in COPD.

Background: Salmeterol and fluticasone combination (SFC) has anti-inflammatory effects and improves clinical symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the anti-inflammatory mechanism of SFC remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the inflammatory responses of COPD, as well as the relationship of the inflammatory factors with the levels of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Foxp3+Tregs) after SFC therapy.

Th17 cells are increased with severity of liver inflammation in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background And Aim: As a newly identified subset of T helper cells, T-helper 17 cells (Th17) are major mediators of inflammation-associated disease. Some reports have revealed significantly increased Th17 cells in hepatitis B virus-infected patients, and a recent study has demonstrated that hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific Th17 cells can be induced in vitro and regulated by transforming growth factor-β. This study attempted to characterize the role of Th17 cells in the disease progression of chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

[The clinical characteristics of ulcerative colitis of 525 hospital-based patients from 1994 to 2009].

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and chronological change of ulcerative colitis (UC) in the Chinese PLA General Hospital in near 16 years.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with UC during the period from 1994 to 2009 in the Chinese PLA General Hospital were registered and their clinical profiles were analyzed.

Results: From 1994 to 2009, of 525 patients diagnosed with UC, with a median onset age of 42 years.