Quality Assessment of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Respiratory Diseases in China: A Systematic Appraisal.

Background: There has been a significant increase in the publication of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for respiratory diseases in China. However, little is known about the quality and potential impacts of these CPGs. Our objective was to critically evaluate the quality of Chinese CPGs for respiratory diseases that were published in peer-reviewed medical journals.

[Effects of cyclic stretch on expression of cytokines and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in human pulmonary artery endothelial cell].

Objective: To observe the effects of cyclic stretch on expression of cytokines and adhesion molecules in human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (HPAECs), herein to provide a theoretical basis to ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI).

Methods: HPAECs were subjected to cyclic stretch by the Flexcell FX-5000T system at 0.5 Hz of 10% or 20% elongation for 3, 6, 12, 24 hours respectively.

[Effects of cyclic stretch on the induction of the transdifferentiation in human lung epithelial cells].

Objective: To investigate the effect of mechanical stretch induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human lung epithelial cells BEAS-2B in vitro.

Methods: The human lung epithelial cells BEAS-2B were subjected to cyclic stretch by the FX-5000T system at 0.33 Hz of 10% or 20% elongation for 24, 48 and 72 hours respectively.

[Lipopolysaccharide induced expression of peroxiredoxin 1 in airway epithelial cell].

Objective: To investigate the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on expression of peroxiredoxin 1 (prdx1) in airway epithelial cells.

Methods: The airway epithelium cell line BEAS-2B was cultivated, and the cells were stimulated with 0, 1, and 10 mg/L of LPS for 12 hours and 24 hours, and then were harvested for prdx1 expression detection. The mRNA expression of prdx1 was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

[Isolation and characterization of human alveolar type II cells and phenotypes maintaining study].

Objective: To establish a method of isolate, purify, primary culture and identify human alveolar type II cells (AT II ) in vitro, as well as its possible maintaining phenotype characteristics.

Methods: The marginal lung tissue was collected. AT II cells were isolated with trypsin and elastase, purified by a series of steps, such as, cell sieve filtration, differential adhesion, gradient separation and anti-CD14 beads separation.

[Intrathoracic blood volume index as an indicator of fluid management in septic shock].

Objective: To investigate the value of intrathoracic blood volume index (ITBVI) monitoring in fluid management strategy in septic shock patients.

Methods: In a prospective study, 33 patients who were diagnosed to be suffering from septic shock in the intensive care unit (ICU) were enrolled . Seventeen patients who received pulse indicator continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) monitoring, and ITBVI was used as indicator of fluid management, were enrolled into ITBVI group; 16 patients who received traditional fluid management strategy [directed by central venous pressure (CVP)] were enrolled into control group.

[Study on the natural ligand(s) of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell-1 on bacteria cell wall].

Objective: To look for the natural ligand(s) of human triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell-1 (TREM-1), in order to provide the theoretical basis for elucidation of the pathogenesis of sepsis.

Methods: Neutrophils and monocytes isolated from human peripheral blood were treated with heat-inactivated Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus L-form or Pseudomonas aeruginosa L-form respectively for 24 hours. The cell wall was extracted from Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Mycobacterium tuberculosis by ultrasound.

[Evaluation of compliance with bundle treatment in the management of severe infection].

Objective: To evaluate compliance with bundle treatment in the management of severe infection in a tertiary hospital, aiming at analyzing clinical data in order to popularize guidelines for management of severe sepsis and septic shock.

Methods: A 14-month (from November 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007) prospective observational study of a group of 43 patients admitted to the respiratory intensive care unit in First Affiliated Hospital (tertiary hospital) of Guangzhou Medical College meeting the criteria for severe pneumonia and septic shock was carried out. Implementation of 6-hour and 24-hour bundle treatment for severe infection was divided into three phases consisting of education, trial, and application.

[Severe respiratory failure after injection of botulinum toxin: case report and review of the literature].

Objective: To describe the manifestations and management of respiratory failure caused by cosmetic injections of botulinum toxin type A (BTA).

Methods: A case of severe respiratory failure after cosmetic injections of BTA was reported and the literature was reviewed.

Results: A 24 year old female, seeking leg cosmetic therapy, received multiple point dorsal intramuscular injection of BTA (200 Units) in the legs.

[Study of continuous blood purification in severe pneumonia patients with multiple organ failure].

Objective: To review retrospectively the effect of continuous blood purification (CBP) on septic shock with acute renal failure and respiratory failure as a result of severe pneumonia, and to analyze its relationship with prognosis.

Methods: Twenty-five patients diagnosed as severe pneumonia with varying degrees of multiple organ failure (MOF), septic shock and anuria, were allocated into three groups based on outcome of the patients A (7 patients), died of progressive worsening of septic shock, (9 patients, yet died of severe pneumonia afterwards). Laboratory data and critical scored of the patients 1 day before and 24, 48, and 72 hours after the initiation of CBP were compared among the three groups.

[Changes in pulmonary function in severe acute respiratory syndrome patients during convalescent period].

Objective: To investigate the changes and pattern of pulmonary function in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients during convalescent period.

Methods: Pulmonary function tests were performed in 26 SARS convalescent patients regularly every 3 months after their discharge from hospital. The significance of changes in pulmonary function indexes was analyzed.

[Determination of serum acute phase reaction protein in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome].

Objective: To study the diagnostic value of determinations of serum acute phase reaction protein, such as complement 3 (C3), complement 4 (C4), prealbumin (PA) and C-reactive protein (CRP), etc., in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Methods: Serum levels of C3, C4, PA and CRP were determined by turbidimetry in 54 cases of SARS, 20 of other pneumonia and 30 normal persons.

[Clinical nutrition support and relationship of blood glucose level/insulin administration with outcome in critical SARS patients].

Objective: To evaluate the use of clinical nutritional support in critical SARS patients, and the relationship between blood glucose levels/insulin administration amount and outcome.

Methods: Twenty-one SARS patients who reached the standard of Ministry of Health's "critical level" were transferred into our ICU in an average of 11 days after onset and enrolled in this clinical trial. All patients underwent respiratory support and clinical nutrition support as scheduled.

[Management of critical severe acute respiratory syndrome and risk factors for death].

Objective: To investigate the management of critical severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and possible risk factors for death.

Methods: Thirty-three patients with SARS referred to Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease (GIRD) between December 2002 and March 2003 were studied retrospectively. Paired t-test using statistical software SPSS 10.

[Clinical therapy of severe acute respiratory syndrome: 38 cases retrospective analysis].

Objective: To analyze the clinical features and therapy experience of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Methods: From December 2002 to April 2003 in Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, 38 patients with severe SARS were retrospectively studied to evaluate the relationship between treatment strategy and prognosis.

Results: Thirty-eight cases of severe SARS were diagnosed.

[Death risk factors of severe acute respiratory syndrome with acute respiratory distress syndrome].

Objective: To discuss the possible death risk factors of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Methods: Twenty-five patients suffered from SARS with ARDS in the intensive care unit were retrospectively analyzed from December 2002 to April 2003. Statistical analysis was made using SPSS 10.

[Effects of H1 blocker and inhaled corticosteroids on asthmatic patients with allergic rhinitis].

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of H(1) blocker in combination with low dose inhaled corticosteroid on allergic asthma.

Methods: A multi-center, double blind, randomized, placebo control study was conducted in 67 patients with mild to moderate allergic asthma. Patients were randomized to receive either Loratadine 10 mg or placebo twice a day on the basis of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (400 microg/d for 14 days, then reduced to 200 microg/d) for 5.