Comparative efficacy of vancomycin in treating ST5 and ST764 methicillin-resistant infections in adult patients.

Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) is a bacterium that is resistant to multiple drugs and can cause serious infections. In recent years, one of the most widespread strains of MRSA worldwide has been the clonal complex 5 (CC5) type. Sequence type 5 (ST5) and ST764 are two prevalent CC5 strains.

Heterozygous CARD9 mutation favors the development of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

Background: Previous research demonstrated that a homozygous mutation of g.136372044G>A (S12N) in caspase recruitment domain family member 9 ( CARD9 ) is critical for producing Aspergillus fumigatus -induced ( Af -induced) T helper 2 (T H 2)-mediated responses in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). However, it remains unclear whether the CARD9S12N mutation, especially the heterozygous occurrence, predisposes the host to ABPA.

Sequence Type 5 (ST5) as a Possible Predictor of Bacterial Persistence in Adult Patients with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Pneumonia Treated with Vancomycin.

Vancomycin remains the mainstay of treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pneumonia. This study assessed risk factors for vancomycin failure in 63 patients with MRSA pneumonia through detailed clinical, microbiological, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic, and genetic analyses of prospective multicenter studies conducted from February 2012 to July 2018. Therapeutic drug monitoring was performed during vancomycin treatment, and the 24-h area under the curve (AUC) was calculated.

Short-acting beta-2 agonist prescription patterns and clinical outcomes in Chinese patients with asthma: an observational study in mainland China for the SABINA programme.

Objectives: The SABINA CHINA study aimed to determine prescription data for asthma medication with a focus on SABA and ICS in a representative population of patients with asthma in China.

Methods: SABINA China was a multicentre, observational, cross-sectional study with data collected retrospectively from a convenience sample of 25 tertiary centres across China. Patients (age ⩾ 12 years) with ⩾3 consultations/year were enrolled.

Association between Augmented Renal Clearance and Inadequate Vancomycin Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Targets in Chinese Adult Patients: A Prospective Observational Study.

This study aimed to examine the risk factors of augmented renal clearance (ARC) and the association between ARC and vancomycin pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) indices in Chinese adult patients. A prospective, observational, multicenter study was conducted, and 414 adult patients undergoing vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) were enrolled. Clinical and PK/PD data were compared between ARC and non-ARC groups.

The role of long-acting muscarinic antagonist/long-acting β agonist fixed-dose combination treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in China: a narrative review.

Objective: To provide an overview of the existing international and Chinese evidence regarding dual bronchodilator inhalation therapy and to make recommendations for the further improvement of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management in clinical practice in China.

Background: COPD is a progressive lung disease that is characterized by persistent airflow limitation and is a major contributor to the disease burden in China. Symptoms in Chinese patients are relatively more severe.

Distribution of COPD Comorbidities and Creation of Acute Exacerbation Risk Score: Results from SCICP.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often coexists with multiple comorbidities which may have a significant impact on acute exacerbations of patients. At present, what kind of comorbidities affects acute exacerbations and how comorbidities lead to poor prognosis are still controversial. The purpose of our study is to determine the impact of comorbidities on COPD exacerbation and establish an acute exacerbation risk assessment system related to comorbidities.

Comparative analysis of effectiveness of asthma control test-guided treatment versus usual care in patients with asthma from China.

Objective: The present study compared the effectiveness of asthma control test (ACT)-guided treatment vs. usual care (UC) in patients with asthma from China.

Methods: This prospective, phase IV, multicenter, cluster-randomized, open-label 24-week study was conducted in China; patients were randomized to either ACT-guided treatment or UC group.

The Combination of Hemogram Indexes to Predict Exacerbation in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by pulmonary and systemic inflammatory processes, and exacerbation of COPD represents a critical moment in the progression of COPD. Several biomarkers of inflammation have been proposed to have a predictive function in acute exacerbation. However, their use is still limited in routine clinical practice.

Predictors of acute cardiovascular events following acute exacerbation period for patients with COPD: a nested case-control study.

Background: It has been noted that there is an increase in the incidence of acute cardiovascular events (CVEs) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during an acute exacerbation (AE), thereby causing increased inpatient mortality. Thus, we have tried to identify predictors of acute CVEs in patients with AECOPD via a nested case-control study.

Methods: A total of 496 cases hospitalized for AECOPD were included in this study, and followed-up for up to 6 months after discharge.

in Lower Respiratory Tract Increases the Frequency of Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Retrospective Case-Control Study.

To explore impact of on the acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) outcome. A retrospective, multi-center, case-control study was performed. Patients hospitalized for AECOPD in 25 centers during Jan 2011-Dec 2016 were enrolled.

Initial diagnosis and management of adult community-acquired pneumonia: a 5-day prospective study in Shanghai.

Background: Despite the release of a national guideline in 2016, the actual practices with respect to adult community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remain unknown in China. We aimed to investigate CAP patient management practices in Shanghai to identify potential problems and provide evidence for policy making.

Methods: A short-period, 5-day prospective cross-sectional study was performed with sampled pulmonologists from 36 hospitals, encompassing all the administrative districts of Shanghai, during January 8-12, 2018.

Automated polyp segmentation for colonoscopy images: A method based on convolutional neural networks and ensemble learning.

Purpose: To automatically and efficiently segment the lesion area of the colonoscopy polyp image, a polyp segmentation method has been presented.

Methods: An ensemble model of pretrained convolutional neural networks was proposed, using Unet-VGG, SegNet-VGG, and PSPNet. Firstly, the Unet-VGG is obtained by the first 10 layers of VGG16 as the contraction path of the left half of the Unet.

Development of a Nomogram to Predict the Risk of 30-Day Re-Exacerbation for Patients Hospitalized for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Acute exacerbation (AE) is the main cause of increased disability and mortality for patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Short-term re-exacerbation after discharge is common for in-hospital patients with AECOPD. Thus, we aimed to design a scoring system to effectively predict the 30-day re-exacerbation using simple and easily accessible variables.

Model-based Evaluation of the Clinical and Microbiological Efficacy of Vancomycin: A Prospective Study of Chinese Adult In-house Patients.

Background: Our aims in this prospective study were to evaluate the correlations between pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) indices and the clinical/microbiological efficacy of vancomycin and to identify an appropriate PK/PD target in the Chinese population to guide vancomycin treatment in the clinic.

Methods: Adult patients from 11 hospitals in China with gram-positive infections who received vancomycin therapy for ≥5 days and who were under therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) were enrolled in this study. A 1-compartment population PK model was established and validated.

Efficacy of sequential three-step empirical therapy for chronic cough.

Background: Empirical three-step therapy has been proved in just one hospital. This study aimed to demonstrate applicability of the sequential empirical three-step therapy for chronic cough in different clinical settings.

Methods: Sequential empirical three-step therapy was given to patients with chronic cough in one tertiary and three secondary care respiratory clinics.

Imaging Phenotype of Occupational Endotoxin-Related Lung Function Decline.

Background: Although occupational exposures contribute to a significant proportion of obstructive lung disease, the phenotype of obstructive lung disease associated with work-related organic dust exposure independent of smoking remains poorly defined.

Objective: We identified the relative contributions of smoking and occupational endotoxin exposure to parenchymal and airway remodeling as defined by quantitative computed tomography (CT).

Methods: The Shanghai Textile Worker Study is a longitudinal study of endotoxin-exposed cotton workers and endotoxin-unexposed silk workers that was initiated in 1981.

Socioeconomic status is associated with reduced lung function in China: an analysis from a large cross-sectional study in Shanghai.

Background: An inverse association between socioeconomic status and pulmonary function has emerged in many studies. However, the mediating factors in this relationship are poorly understood, and might be expected to differ between countries. We sought to investigate the relationship between socioeconomic status and lung function in China, a rapidly industrializing nation with unique environmental challenges, and to identify potentially-modifiable environmental mediators.

Commuting mode and pulmonary function in Shanghai, China.

Exposure to air pollution can be particularly high during commuting and may depend on the mode of transportation. We investigated the impact of commuting mode on pulmonary function in Shanghai, China.The Shanghai Putuo Study is a cross-sectional, population-based study.

Endotoxin and gender modify lung function recovery after occupational organic dust exposure: a 30-year study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to determine the trajectory of lung function change after exposure cessation to occupational organic dust exposure, and to identify factors that modify improvement.

Methods: The Shanghai Textile Worker Study is a longitudinal study of 447 cotton workers exposed to endotoxin-containing dust and 472 silk workers exposed to non-endotoxin-containing dust. Spirometry was performed at 5-year intervals.

Efficacy of add-on montelukast in nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis: the additive effect on airway inflammation, cough and life quality.

Background: The efficacy of montelukast (MONT), a cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist, in nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis (NAEB), especially its influence on cough associated life quality is still indefinite. We evaluated the efficacy of MONT combined with budesonide (BUD) as compared to BUD monotherapy in improving life quality, suppressing airway eosinophilia and cough remission in NAEB.

Methods: A prospective, open-labeled, multicenter, randomized controlled trial was conducted.