Potential of serum procalcitonin in predicting bacterial exacerbation and guiding antibiotic administration in severe COPD exacerbations: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The value of procalcitonin (PCT) in the diagnosis of bacterial infections and for determining antibiotic usage among patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is currently unclear. We systematically reviewed the literature and selected studies that evaluated PCT as a biomarker for predicting bacterial infection and compared PCT-based protocols to determine its application in the initiation or discontinuation of antibiotics. Guidance for systematic reviews from Cochrane and the GRADE were followed to perform this study.

Validation of the Nox-T3 Portable Monitor for Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Study Objectives: Clinical practice guidelines recommend polysomnography (PSG) for diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with major comorbidities. We evaluated home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) using a type 3 portable monitor (PM, Nox-T3, Nox Medical, Reykjavik, Iceland) to diagnose OSA in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: Ninety adults with COPD (89.

Transcriptionally Active Lung Microbiome and Its Association with Bacterial Biomass and Host Inflammatory Status.

Alteration of the lung microbiome has been observed in several respiratory tract diseases. However, most previous studies were based on 16S ribosomal RNA and shotgun metagenome sequencing; the viability and functional activity of the microbiome, as well as its interaction with host immune systems, have not been well studied. To characterize the active lung microbiome and its associations with host immune response and clinical features, we applied metatranscriptome sequencing to bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from 25 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and from nine control cases without known pulmonary disease.

Common Variable Immunodeficiency with Genetic Defects Identified by Whole Exome Sequencing.

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) belongs to the primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDs), presenting a profound heterogeneity in phenotype and genotype, with monogenic or complex causes. Recurrent respiratory infections are the most common clinical manifestations. CVID patients can also develop various autoimmune and lymphoproliferative complications.

Metabolic profiles in community-acquired pneumonia: developing assessment tools for disease severity.

Background: This study aimed to determine whether community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) had a metabolic profile and whether this profile can be used for disease severity assessment.

Methods: A total of 175 individuals including 119 CAP patients and 56 controls were enrolled and divided into two cohorts. Serum samples from a discovery cohort (n = 102, including 38 non-severe CAP, 30 severe CAP, and 34 age and sex-matched controls) were determined by untargeted ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based metabolomics.

Evaluation of symptoms and risks in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with radiographic bronchiectasis.

Objective: To investigate the presence of previously undiagnosed radiographic bronchiectasis in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients using high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and to evaluate the effect of radiographic bronchiectasis on the symptoms and risks in stable COPD patients.

Methods: From May 2012 to April 2014, there were 347 patients enrolled in COPD database. Data describing the general conditions, the frequency of acute exacerbations the year before, COPD assessment test, modified medical research council (mMRC) score, spirometric classification, and HRCT were collected.

[Investigation of Lung Cancer Patients Complicated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Thoracic Surgical Department].

Background: Lung cancer is an important complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and even significantly affects the prognosis of patients with COPD. COPD also affects the postoperative complications and recurrence in patients with lung cancer. This study aims to investigate lung cancer patients complicated with COPD in thoracic surgical department.

Comparison of symptom and risk assessment methods among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: The global strategy for the diagnosis, management and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) guidelines classify patients into four groups according to the number of symptoms and the level of future risk of acute exacerbation COPD (AECOPD). This study aimed to compare the results of different methods used in diagnosis of COPD and evaluate the accuracy of the assessment methods in guiding clinical practice.

Methods: A survey was conducted of 194 COPD outpatients between March and September 2012.

[Interventional effects of different management programs on the outcomes of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients].

Objective: To evaluate the interventional effects of different management programs on the outcomes of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

Methods: Systemic education, follow-up and control groups were divided according to the frequency of follow-ups and the profile of participating in education. A total of 157 patients were enrolled into the COPD database from May 2002 to May 2010.

[Respiration control dysfunction and the relationship to sleep-disordered breathing in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Objective: To analyze the polysomnographic (PSG) features of sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to define the association between SAHS and respiratory control disorder.

Methods: Three hundred patients with stable COPD were screened for SAHS using questionnaire, Epworth sleep scale (ESS) and home pulse oximeter testing. Those with ESS > or = 10 or oxygen desaturation over 3% more than 5 times per hour sleep were under further PSG testing.

[Study on matrix metalloproteinase 1, 9, 12 polymorphisms and susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among Han nationality in northern China].

Objective: To study the association between the functional polymorphism of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: 147 COPD patients and 120 healthy smoking controls were selected. Spirometry and chest X-rays had been taken.

[Roles of the central nucleus of amygdala in the cardiovascular response elicited by the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus].

Objective: To investigate the cardiovascular responses induced by activation of the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN) and the roles of the central nucleus of amygdala (CeA) on this effect.

Methods: The PVN was activated by microinjection of L-glutamate or electrical stimulation. The CeA was injected with L-glutamate or Kainic acid (KA).

[Role of dorsal column in pathway of hypotensive effect of the somatic afferent inputs].

Objective: To investigate the role of the dorsal column (DC) in the inhibitory effect of somatic afferent inputs on the central pressor response.

Methods: The femoral arterial pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP), electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rate (HR) of the male SD rats were recorded when the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) was electrically stimulated with or without destruction of DC. The inhibitory effect of the deep peroneal nerve (DPN) on the pressor response induced by stimulation of PVN was observed 20 min or 5 d after ipsilateral DC destruction.

[The role of dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus in the cardiovascular responses induced by habenular nucleus stimulation and inhibitory effect of deep peroneal nerve].

Aim: To explore whether dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DMH) is involved in the cardiovascular responses induced by habenular nucleus (Hb) stimulation and inhibitory effect of deep peroneal nerve (DPN) stimulation on above responses or not and to analysis transmitter mechanism.

Methods: Experiments were performed on white male rabbits anesthetised with chloralose and urethan. Experimental data were collected by means of stimulating Hb and DPN, recording arterial blood pressure and ectal electrocardiogram (EECG) and microinjecting transmitter blocker.

[Microsomal epoxide hydrolase gene polymorphism and susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Han nationality of North China].

Objective: We investigated whether polymorphism in gene for microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) has any bearing on individual susceptibility to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Method: The genotypes of 55 patients with COPD and 52 healthy smoking control subjects were tested with polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism for mEH gene.

Result: The frequency of polymorphic genotypes of mEH showed no difference between the COPD group and the control group.