Effect of high-dose N-acetylcysteine on exacerbations and lung function in patients with mild-to-moderate COPD: a double-blind, parallel group, multicentre randomised clinical trial.

Evidence for the treatment of patients with mild-to-moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is limited. The efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (an antioxidant and mucolytic agent) for patients with mild-to-moderate COPD is uncertain. In this multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned 968 patients with mild-to-moderate COPD to treatment with N-acetylcysteine (600 mg, twice daily) or matched placebo for two years.

Synthesis and Antifungal Evaluation of Cinnamic Acid-Geraniol Hybrids as Potential Fungicides.

Cinnamic acid and geraniol are two well-known antifungal natural products and widely applied in food and cosmetics industries. To discover novel natural product-based fungicide candidates with more potent activity and good ecological compatibility for the management of plant diseases, a series of cinnamic acid-geraniol hybrids were prepared by means of molecular hybridization and their chemical structures were well confirmed by spectral analysis. The antifungal activities of the target compounds against three phytopathogenic fungi Fusarium graminearum, Gaeumannomyces graminis (Sacc.

Transcriptional dynamics of Fusarium pseudograminearum under high fungicide stress and the important role of FpZRA1 in fungal pathogenicity and DON toxin production.

Fusarium pseudograminearum, the causal agent of Fusarium crown rot, poses a significant threat to cereal crops. Building upon our previous investigation of the transcriptional response of this pathogen to four key fungicides (carbendazim, phenamacril, pyraclostrobin, and tebuconazole), this study delves into the impact of elevated fungicide concentrations using RNA-seq. Global transcriptomic analysis and gene clustering revealed significant enrichment of genes involved in the ABC transporter pathway.

Development and Validation of Machine Learning-Based Models for Prediction of Intensive Care Unit Admission and In-Hospital Mortality in Patients with Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: This present work focused on predicting prognostic outcomes of inpatients developing acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), and enhancing patient monitoring and treatment by using objective clinical indicators.

Methods: The present retrospective study enrolled 322 AECOPD patients. Registry data downloaded based on the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Pay-for-Performance Program database from January 2012 to December 2018 were used to check whether the enrolled patients were eligible.

Effects of penthiopyrad on the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis in zebrafish.

Exposure to specific pesticides has been demonstrated to alter normal thyroid function of aquatic vertebrates. This study aimed to investigate the impact of penthiopyrad (PO) on the thyroid function of zebrafish, further elucidating its toxic mechanisms on the early developmental stages of zebrafish. Exposure to sublethal doses of PO (0.

Design, synthesis, and anti-oomycete activity of 3-acyloxymaltol/ethyl maltol derivatives.

Twenty 3-acyloxymaltol/ethyl maltol derivatives ( and ) were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-oomycete activity against , respectively. Among all of twenty derivatives, more than half of the compounds , , and had anti-oomycete activity higher than the positive control zoxamide (EC = 22.23 mg/L), and the EC values of 18.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of Fusarium graminearum challenged with distinct fungicides and functional analysis of FgICL gene.

Fusarium graminearum is an economically important phytopathogenic fungus. Chemical control remains the dominant approach to managing this plant pathogen. In the present study, we performed a comparative transcriptome analysis to understand the effects of four commercially used fungicides on F.

Inhibitory Activities of Five Fungicides on and Their Field Control Efficacy Against Tree Peony Black Spot.

Tree peony black spot (TPBS), mainly caused by , is a common leaf disease on the ornamental peony, which poses a great threat to the flower buds in the current year and the flowering quality in the next year. However, there is only one fungicide registered for the control of this disease, difenoconazole. In order to avoid the severe problem of pathogen resistance caused by long-term use of difenoconazole, it is necessary to screen more chemical fungicides for the prevention and control of TPBS.

Bronchial thermoplasty decreases airway remodeling by inhibiting autophagy via the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.

Bronchial thermoplasty (BT), an effective treatment for severe asthma, requires heat to reach the airway to reduce the mass of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs). Autophagy is involved in the pathological process of airway remodeling in patients with asthma. However, it remains unclear whether autophagy participates in controlling airway remodeling induced by BT.

Design, synthesis and anti-oomycete activity of 2-acyloxyhinokitiol derivatives.

In order to explore novel natural product-based anti-oomycete agent, ten 2-acyloxyhinokitiol derivatives () were designed and synthesised, and structurally confirmed by H NMR,C NMR, HRMS, and melting point. The stereochemical configuration of compound was unambiguously confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, we evaluated the target compounds as anti-oomycete activity against a serious agricultural disease of .

Changes of serum MMP-9, NSE, MPO levels and prognostic influencing factors in patients with intracranial aneurysm undergoing interventional embolization at different treatment timing.

Background: To analyzes the changes in serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), neuroenolase (NSE), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and prognostic factors in patients with intracranial aneurysm (IA) undergoing interventional embolization at different treatment times.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was made of 200 IA patients admitted to our department from January 2018 to June 2021 was performed. All patients underwent interventional embolization.

Related Factors of CRKP Infection in Neurosurgery and Comparison of Therapeutic Effects of Tigecycline Versus Polymyxin B for CRKP Infection.

Objective: This paper aimed to identify the factors related to Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) infection in neurosurgical patients, and to compare the therapeutic effects of tigecycline versus polymyxin B against CRKP infection, so as to provide a reliable reference for neurosurgery in future prevention and treatment of CRKP infection.

Methods: One hundred and fifty cases of KPN treated in the neurosurgery department of our hospital from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021 were selected, 50 of which were found to be infected with CRKP and the other 100 were detected with carbapenem-sensitive Klebsiella pneumoniae (CSKP) by culture, analysis of factors associated with infection with CRKP. Subsequently, CRKP-infected patients were randomized into a group treated with Ti (group Ti) and a group treated with PB (group PB).

Lonicera japonica Thunb extract ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury associated with luteolin-mediated suppression of NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective: Lonicera japonica Thunb (LJT) is a commonly used herbal soup to treat inflammation-related diseases. However, the effect of LJT on ALI is unknown. The present study was aimed at investigating the protective effects of LJT extract (LTE) and its active ingredient luteolin (Lut) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated ALI and investigate its potential mechanism.

Zn(II) Coordination Polymer: Luminescence Sensing for Fe Ion and Used as Metal Gel Particles Against Lung Cancer.

Presented here is a new Zn(II) coordination polymer, namely [Zn(L)(bpe)] (1, HL = 4-({2-[(4-carboxyphenoxy)methyl]phenyl}methoxy)benzoic acid, bpe = 1,2-bis(4-pyridinyl)ethane), which has been hydrothermally synthesized via the mixed-ligand strategy. Moreover, compound 1 emits intense luminescence at room temperature, and can be used as a luminescent sensor for the detection of Fe in water solution with high selectivity and sensitivity. As representatives of natural polysaccharides, hyaluronic acid (HA) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) have good biocompatibility.

Assessment of reproductive toxicity in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) following sublethal exposure to penthiopyrad.

Penthiopyrad (PO), a succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicide, poses a potential risk to fish. Here, we investigated the adverse effects of PO on endocrine regulation and reproductive capacity in zebrafish during a 21-d sublethal exposure to PO concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 2.

Synthesis of novel 18-glycyrrhetinic acid sulfonate derivatives displaying significant anti-oomycete activity against .

Using 18-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) as the lead compound, fourteen GA sulphonate derivatives (-) were prepared by modifying its C-3 OH group, and their structures were well confirmed by H NMR, C NMR, HRMS and melting points. Moreover, we screened the anti-oomycete activity of these compounds against by using the mycelial growth rate method. Among the fourteen GA sulphonate derivatives evaluated, four compounds , , and exhibited more potent anti-oomycete activity than that of the positive control zoxamide (EC = 25.

Combinatorial Synthesis of Indole Derivatives as Anti-oomycetes Agents.

Background: Developing high-efficiency and low-risk small-molecule green fungicide is the key to effective control of the plant pathogenic oomycetes. Indole is an important raw material for drug synthesis. Due to its unique structural skeleton, indole, and its derivatives have exhibited a wide range of biological activities.

L-shaped association of serum α-Klotho and frailty among the middle-aged and older adults: results from NHANES 2007-2016.

Background: Frailty is common and not limited to older age group. Serum α-Klotho works as a biomarker of anti-aging effect. However, there is limited research about the relationship between them in middle-aged and older people and controversy still exists.

Photodynamic therapy for treatment of recurrent hemoptysis secondary to pulmonary endometriosis: a case report.

Pulmonary endometriosis (PEM) is rare, and drug therapy remains the primary treatment. However, patients with PEM frequently experience recurrent hemoptysis that is refractory to pharmacological intervention. We herein describe a patient with PEM who developed recurrent hemoptysis and was successfully treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT) after drug withdrawal.

Comparison of Prognostic Scores for Patients with COVID-19 Presenting with Dyspnea in the Emergency Department.

Background: Easy-to-use bedside risk assessment is crucial for patients with COVID-19 in the overcrowded emergency department (ED).

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the prognostic ability of ratio of percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO) to fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO) (S/F); ratio of SpO/FiO to respiratory rate (ROX); National Early Warning Score (NEWS); quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA); and confusion, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and age ≥ 65 years (CRB-65) in patients with COVID-19 presenting with dyspnea to the ED.

Methods: In this retrospective observational study, clinical and demographic details of patients with COVID-19 were obtained at ED admission.

Circulating inflammatory cytokines and risk of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: The previous epidemiological and experimental evidence has implied the linkage between chronic inflammation to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, it was still unclear whether there were casual associations between circulating inflammatory cytokines and IPF development. The objective of present study was to examine whether altered genetically predicted concentration of circulating cytokines were associated with IPF development using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Research on the effectiveness and safety of bronchial thermoplasty in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Objectives: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of bronchial thermoplasty (BT) in treating patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: Clinical data of 57 COPD patients were randomized into the control (n = 29, conventional inhalation therapy) or intervention group (n = 28, conventional inhalation therapy plus BT). Primary outcomes were differences in clinical symptom changes, pulmonary function-related indicators, modified Medical Research Council (mMRC), 6-min walk test (6MWT), COPD assessment test (CAT) score and acute exacerbation incidence from baseline to an average of 3 and 12 months.

The Mechanisms of Resistin-Like Molecule-β-Mediated Airway Inflammation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease via Autophagy.

Background: The role of irreversible airway inflammatory damage in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) progression is evident. Autophagy is an essential process in the cellular material metabolic cycle, and a family of resistant vegetative molecules may be involved in the COPD autophagic process. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of resistin-like molecule β (RELMβ) in COPD smoking-induced autophagy.

Construction and evaluation of a risk prediction model for pulmonary infection-associated acute kidney injury in intensive care units.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the common complications of pulmonary infections. However, nomograms predicting the risk of early-onset AKI in patients with pulmonary infections have not been comprehensively researched. In this study, 3278 patients with pulmonary infection were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III (MIMIC-III) database.