Immunophenotype in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disease, and the immune inflammatory response is thought to play an important role in pathogenesis. However, the immunophenotype of patients with COPD is unknown. Herein, we evaluated the immunophenotype of patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD).

Clinical features of asthma with comorbid bronchiectasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: This meta-analysis aimed to systematically estimate the prevalence of comorbid bronchiectasis in patients with asthma and to summarize its clinical impact.

Methods: Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library electronic databases were searched to identify relevant studies published from inception until March 2020.

Study Selection: Studies were included if bronchiectasis was identified by high-resolution computed tomography.

Prevalence and Baseline Clinical Characteristics of Eosinophilic Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disease with different clinical and pathophysiological characteristics. Cumulative evidence shows that eosinophil levels may be connected to the therapeutic effects and phenotype of COPD. However, the prevalence of eosinophilic inflammation in COPD and the baseline characteristics of eosinophilic COPD remain unknown.

Peripheral Blood Eosinophil as a Biomarker in Outcomes of Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Purpose: Mounting evidence suggests that eosinophil levels correlate with the effects of therapy and phenotype for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study aimed to clarify the relationship between eosinophil levels and clinical outcomes in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD).

Methods: A prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study was performed in three teaching hospitals.

Efficacy and safety of dupilumab for the treatment of uncontrolled asthma: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Background: Several recent clinical trials have assessed the effects of dupilumab in uncontrolled asthma, but reached no definite conclusion. We therefore conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate the overall efficacy and safety of dupilumab for the treatment of uncontrolled asthma.

Methods: All randomized controlled trials were included.

Long-term follow-up of self-expandable metallic stents in benign tracheobronchial stenosis: a retrospective study.

Background: Self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) have enabled a approving management of malignant airway stenosis. However, the long-term efficacy and safety of this treatment in patients with benign airway stricture are unclear. We conducted this study to retrospectively determine the efficacy and long-term outcomes in patients who have undergone SEMS placement for benign tracheobronchial stenosis.

Efficacy and Safety of CFTR Corrector and Potentiator Combination Therapy in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis for the F508del-CFTR Homozygous Mutation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Introduction: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time. The combination of a cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) corrector and potentiator has provided a benefit by decreasing sweat chloride concentration in CF for the F508del-CFTR homozygous mutation, but it remains controversial in lung function, nutritional status, clinical score and safety.

Methods: The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination therapy on lung function, nutritional status, clinical score and safety in CF for the F508del-CFTR homozygous mutation.

Effects of Tiotropium Combined with Theophylline on Stable COPD Patients of Group B, D and its Impact on Small Airway Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Tiotropium bromide has been widely used in clinical practice, while theophylline is another treatment option for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, only a few relevant studies have investigated the long-term outcomes and efficacy of both in patients with COPD. We evaluated the effects of tiotropium and low-dose theophylline on stable COPD patients of groups B and D.

Effects of vitamin D supplementation on the outcomes of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Vitamin D is involved in the host immune response toward Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation on sputum conversion, clinical response to treatment, adverse events, and mortality in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) remains controversial. We aimed to clarify the efficacy and safety of vitamin D supplementation in PTB treatment.

Long-term treatment with budesonide/formoterol attenuates circulating CRP levels in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients of group D.

Background: The systemic inflammation is associated with clinical outcome and mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. To investigate the effects of tiotropium (Tio) and/or budesonide/formoterol (Bud/Form) on systemic inflammation biomarkers in stable COPD patients of group D, a randomized, open-label clinical trial was conducted.

Methods: Eligible participants (n = 324) were randomized and received either Tio 18ug once daily (group I), Bud/Form 160/4.

Disseminated histoplasmosis: a rare clinical phenotype with difficult diagnosis.

We describe a rare and interesting case of a 37-year-old man who presented with an intermittent fever, progressive cytopenia, and hepatosplenomegaly. Histopathological examination of a bone marrow smear revealed haemophagocytes and intracellular yeast-like Histoplasma capsulatum (H. capsulatum); thus, we prolonged the blood culture duration to detect fungi, and H.

Anti-interleukin 5 Therapy for Eosinophilic Asthma: a Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Recently, more and more clinical trials have been performed to evaluate the effects of anti-interleukin (IL)-5 antibodies in eosinophilic asthma. However, a confirm conclusion has not been well established. We therefore sought to conduct a meta-analysis to assess the overall efficacy and safety of anti-interleukin 5 treatments in eosinophilic asthma.

Association between serum interleukin-6 concentrations and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an important pro-inflammatory cytokine and has been implicated to play a role in the systemic inflammation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We conducted this meta-analysis to assess the association between serum IL-6 concentrations and COPD.

[Effects of diterpene phenol extract of Rosmarinus officinalis on TGFbeta1 and mRNA expressions of its signaling pathway molecules in the lung tissue of pulmonary fibrosis rats].

Objective: To investigate the regulative mechanism of the diterpene phenol extract of Rosmarinus Officinalis (DERO) on the imbalance of collagen metabolism of the lung tissue in pulmonary fibrosis rats.

Methods: Fifty healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the normal saline group (NS), the bleomycin-induced lung injury group (BLM), the low dose DERO group (at the daily dose of 50 mg/kg), the moderate dose DERO group (at the daily dose of 100 mg/kg), and the high dose DERO group (at the daily dose of 200 mg/kg), 10 in each group (abbreviated as DERO 1, 2, 3, respectively). The pulmonary fibrosis rat model was prepared by disposable intratracheal instillation of bleomycin.

[The clinical value of combining multiple features of CT in discriminating between benign and malignant lung lesions].

Objective: To develop a set of combined criteria of multiple features of chest CT for discriminating between benign and malignant lung lesions.

Methods: Patients whose chest CT showed abnormalities were recruited from the West China Hospital in March and April 2010. The patients were examined with bronchoscopy and the results of CT and pathology were compared.

Prognostic value of phosphorylated mTOR/RPS6KB1 in non- small cell lung cancer.

Background: The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) /RPS6KB1 activation has recently been implicated in tumour development, but its role in lung cancer remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the role of mTOR/RPS6KB1 signaling pathway in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess the expression of phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) and its downstream ribosomal phosphorylated RPS6KB1 (p-RPS6KB1) in NSCLC patients.

[The expression of thrombospondin-1 in serum and pulmonary arterioles of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension rats].

Objective: To investigate the expression of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) in serum and pulmonary arterioles of rats with hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.

Methods: Twenty male Wistar rats were divided into two groups and exposed to air and isobaric hypoxia for 3 weeks respectively. The mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was measured by right cardiac catheterization.

[Effect of hypoxia on the expression and production of fractalkine in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells and pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells].

Objective: To investigate the effect of hypoxia on the expression and production of fractalkine (FKN) in cultured rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs).

Methods: PASMCs and PMVECs from SD rat were cultured in vitro, and were exposed to hypoxia for 12 h,24 h and 48 h. The expressions of fractalkine mRNA and protein in PASMCs and PMVECs were measured by the methods of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry.

[Expression of thrombospondin-1 in the lung of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension rats].

Objective: To investigate the expression of thrombospondin-1(TSP-1) in the lung of hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension rats.

Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into two groups, pulmonary hypertension group and control group. The mice in experimental group were exposed to isobaric hypoxia for 3 weeks, and those in control group were exposed to air.

[Effect of fractalkine on proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells].

Aim: To investigate the effect of fractalkine on cell proliferation of cultured rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) in vitro.

Methods: Rat PASMCs were cultured in vitro, and treated with different concentrations (10(-10), 10(-9), 10(-8) mol/L) of fractalkine for 12 h, 24 h and 48 h. The cell proliferation was quantified by MTT assay.

[Effects of mechanical force on expressions of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in cultured human alveolar type 2 cells].

Objective: To explore the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in cultured human alveolar type 2 cells (A549) stimulated by mechanical force in vitro.

Methods: Cells were divided into 3 groups: a tensile stress group, a compressive stress group and a control group. The four-point bending system was used to stimulate A549 cells.

[The effect of breviscapine on the pulmonary arterial pressure and the expression of Rho-kinase in pulmonary arterioles of hypoxic rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of breviscapine on the pulmonary artery pressure and the Rho-kinase and Rho-kinase mRNA in pulmonary arterioles of rats treated with hypoxia, and therefore to explore the mechanisms of breviscapine on hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.

Methods: Eighteen adult male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. One group was exposed to air (normal group), the second group was exposed to isobaric hypoxia for 3 weeks (hypoxic group), and the third group was exposed to hypoxia for 3 weeks and treated with breviscapine (preventive group).

Acute pulmonary inflammation is inhibited in CXCR3 knockout mice after short-term cigarette smoke exposure.

Aim: CXCR3, via binding its specific ligand CXCL10, plays an important role in cigarette smoke (CS)-induced pulmonary inflammation. CXCR3 is preferentially expressed in activated T cells (chiefly CD8+ T cells). The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of CXCR3 in CS-induced pulmonary injury using CXCR3 gene-deficient (CXCR3-/-) mice.

[The prophylactic effect of thymosin alpha 1 on the acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Objectives: To investigate the prophylactic effect of thymosin alpha 1 and its mechanism on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Methods: Eighty patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were divided into two groups. In the treatment group, 42 patients received thymosin alpha 1 1.

[The change of fractalkine in lung tissue of rat with hypoxic pulmonary hypertension].

Objective: To evaluate the role of fractalkine in the pathogenesis of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.

Methods: Twenty male SD rats were randomly divided into control group and hypoxic group. Rats in hypoxic group were exposed to hypoxia for 3 weeks.