Metabolomic Analysis of Serum Glycerophospholipid Levels in Eosinophilic and Neutrophilic Asthma.

Objective: To compare the serum glycerophospholipid levels in the inflammatory subtypes of asthma by using targeted metabolomic analysis.

Methods: Demographic and clinical data were collected from 51 patients with asthma between January 2015 and December 2015. Routine blood and sputum induction tests were performed.

Metabolic alterations in the sera of Chinese patients with mild persistent asthma: a GC-MS-based metabolomics analysis.

Aim: To character the specific metabolomics profiles in the sera of Chinese patients with mild persistent asthma and to explore potential metabolic biomarkers.

Methods: Seventeen Chinese patients with mild persistent asthma and age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Serum samples were collected, and serum metabolites were analyzed using GC-MS coupled with a series of multivariate statistical analyses.

Systemic Inflammatory Marker CRP Was Better Predictor of Readmission for AECOPD Than Sputum Inflammatory Markers.

Introduction: Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) readmission contributes considerably to the worse outcomes for COPD patients. Predictors for readmission include some socio-demographic variables and the severity of the underlying disease, however, few evidence suggested whether persistently heightened airway or systemic inflammation was related to recurrence of AECOPD. The aim of this study was to evaluate role of airway and systemic inflammatory biomarkers during AECOPD on predicting readmission for AECOPD.

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.

Twice daily N-acetylcysteine 600 mg for exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (PANTHEON): a randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Increased oxidative stress and inflammation has a role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Drugs with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, such as N-acetylcysteine, might provide a useful therapeutic approach for COPD. We aimed to assess whether N-acetylcysteine could reduce the rate of exacerbations in patients with COPD.

[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.

High-dose N-acetylcysteine in the prevention of COPD exacerbations: rationale and design of the PANTHEON Study.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent airflow limitation; from a pathophysiological point of view it involves many components, including mucus hypersecretion, oxidative stress and inflammation. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a mucolytic agent with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Long-term efficacy of NAC 600mg/d in COPD is controversial; a dose-effect relationship has been demonstrated, but at present it is not known whether a higher dose provides clinical benefits.

Budesonide/formoterol maintenance and reliever therapy in Chinese patients with asthma.

Background: Many studies have shown the superior efficacy of budesonide (BUD)/formoterol (FORM) maintenance and reliever therapy, but still lack evidence of its efficacy in Chinese asthma patients in a relative large patient-group. We finished this research to compare BUD/FORM maintenance and reliever therapy and high-dose salmeterol (SALM)/fluticasone (FP) maintenance plus an as-needed short-acting β(2)-agonist in Chinese patients with persistent uncontrolled asthma. This was a post hoc analysis based on a 6-month, multicenter, randomized, double-blind study (NCT00242775).

[Incidence of comorbidities in hospitalized chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and correlated risk factors].

Objective: To explore the incidence of comorbidities in hospitalized chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and influencing factors.

Methods: A retrospective review of medical records was performed for 495 hospitalized COPD patients in Peking University Third Hospital from January 2003 to December 2008. Their comorbidities were identified and ranked in prevalence.

Pulmonary embolism in adolescents.

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is rare and seldom considered in adolescent patients; however it occurs with a greater frequency than is generally recognized, and it is a potentially fatal condition. The aim of the current study was to understand its epidemiology, clinical features and the cause of delay of its diagnosis in adolescents.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of nine adolescents with acute PE admitted to the Peking University Third Hospital over the past 16-year period was performed.

[Change in airway anaphylatoxin-complement factors C3a of sputum in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Objective: To investigate the possible role of anaphylatoxin(C3a) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: Sixty-four elderly patients with COPD (including 51 males, 13 females, 31 with acute exacerbation of COPD and 33 with stable COPD) and 25 healthy controls were recruited in the study. The levels of C3a in the serum of centrifugated induced sputum and cell differential count in sendiment were determined.

[Causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-related death and influencing factors of survival time].

Objective: To study the causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-related death and influencing factors of survival time from first hospitalization due to acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).

Methods: All patients with a primary or secondary diagnosis of COPD (International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 Codes J40-J47) were continuously enrolled at our hospital from January 2006 to December 2008. A retrospective review was performed on the medical records of COPD patients who died during hospitalization.

Yohimbine protects against endotoxin-induced acute lung injury by blockade of alpha 2A adrenergic receptor in rats.

Background: Alpha 2A adrenergic receptor (AR) is a subtype of α2 AR belonging to G protein-coupled receptors, and exerts a variety of biological effects. Recent studies have demonstrated that the α2A AR activation was closely related with inflammatory reaction. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of α2A AR antagonist, yohimbine, on the severity of endotoxin-induced acute lung injury in rats.

[Clinical analysis of diffusive interstitial lung diseases with positive anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody].

Objective: To explore the features of pulmonary interstitial pathological changes in diffuse interstitial lung disease (DILD) patients with positive anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA), and the similarities as well as differences between ANCA positive patients with non-primary vasculitis and primary systematic vasculitis.

Methods: Clinical data of 122 patients with DILD having ANCA examined from October 1995 to September 2008, were reviewed. Among the ANCA positive patients with non-primary vasculitis (Group A), those with primary systematic vasculitis (Group B), and the ANCA negative patients (Group C), the results of syndromes, signs, radiological manifestations, pulmonary function tests, bronchoscope examinations, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology and other laboratory examinations were compared.

Involvement of endogenous hydrogen sulfide in cigarette smoke-induced changes in airway responsiveness and inflammation of rat lung.

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), recently considered the third endogenous gaseous transmitter, may have an important role in systemic inflammation. We investigated whether endogenous H₂S may be a crucial mediator in airway responsiveness and airway inflammation in a rat model of chronic exposure to cigarette smoke (CS). Rats randomly divided into control and CS-exposed groups were treated with or without sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, donor of H₂S) or propargylglycine (PPG, inhibitor of cystathionine-γ-lyase [CSE], an H₂S-synthesizing enzyme) for 4-month exposure.

[Attitudes and actions of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients on treatment:a national multi-center investigative study].

Objective: To investigate the attitudes and actions of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on treatment.

Methods: A nation-wide multi-center, questionnaire study was carried out to investigate the patient understanding and experience of COPD treatment between Sep. 2007 and Dec.

Asymptomatic patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in China.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a variable natural history and not all individuals follow the same course. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and characteristics of asymptomatic COPD patients from a population-based survey in China.

Methods: A multistage cluster sampling strategy was used in a population from seven different provinces/cities.

[Correlation of the quality of life with the inspiratory capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Objective: To evaluate the correlation of the quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with the lung function tests, especially the inspiratory capacity (IC).

Methods: Sixty-two stable COPD patients were enrolled between Jan. 2006 and Mar.