Publications by authors named "Xiao-xian Zhang"

Objectives: To investigate the microbiota and metabolome of patients with ABO compared with bronchiectasis and asthma, and determine the relevance with clinical characteristics, inflammatory endotype and exacerbation risks.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, patients underwent comprehensive assessments, including sputum differential cell count, and sputum collection at baseline. Sputum microbiota was profiled via 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolome via liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.

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Background: Exacerbations are implicated in bronchiectasis and COPD, which frequently co-exist [COPD-Bronchiectasis association (CBA)]. We aimed to determine the bacterial and viral spectrum at stable-state and exacerbation onset of CBA, and their association with exacerbations and clinical outcomes of CBA as compared with bronchiectasis.

Methods: We prospectively collected spontaneous sputum from adults with CBA, bronchiectasis with (BO) and without airflow obstruction (BNO) for bacterial culture and viral detection at stable-state and exacerbations.

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Background: Despite the high prevalence of co-existing bronchiectasis and asthma (asthma-bronchiectasis overlap syndrome [ABOS]), little is known regarding the dominant pathogens and clinical correlates.

Objective: To investigate the bacteria and viruses which differentially dominate in ABOS (including its subtypes) compared with bronchiectasis alone, and determine their relevance with bronchiectasis severity and exacerbations.

Methods: This was a prospective observational cohort study conducted between March 2017 and August 2023.

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Introduction: Bronchiectasis has become a growing concern of chronic airway disease because of the enormous socioeconomic burden. Four cardinal interdependent components - impaired airway defense, recurrent airway infections, inflammatory response, and airway damage, in conjunction with the underlying etiology, have collectively played a role in modulating the vicious vortex of the pathogenesis and progression of bronchiectasis. Current pharmacotherapy aims to target at these aspects to break the vicious vortex.

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Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is common in humans. We sought to profile sputum pathogen spectrum and impact of URTI on acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis (AE). Between March 2017 and December 2021, we prospectively collected sputum from adults with bronchiectasis.

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Background: Motile ciliary disorder (MCD) has been implicated in chronic inflammatory airway diseases such as asthma and COPD.

Research Question: What are the characteristics of MCD of the nasal epithelium and its association with disease severity and inflammatory endotypes in adults with bronchiectasis?

Study Design And Methods: In this observational study, we recruited 167 patients with bronchiectasis and 39 healthy control participants who underwent brushing of the nasal epithelium. A subgroup of patients underwent bronchoscopy for bronchial epithelium sampling (n = 13), elective surgery for bronchial epithelium biopsy (n = 18), and blood sampling for next-generation sequencing (n = 37).

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Cerebellar ataxias (CAs) consist of a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative diseases hallmarked by motor deficits and deterioration of the cerebellum and its associated circuitries. Neuroinflammatory responses are present in CA brain, but how neuroinflammation may contribute to CA pathogenesis remain unresolved. Here, we investigate whether transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, which possesses anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, can ameliorate the microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and thereby alleviate neurodegeneration in CA.

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We aimed to evaluate the alteration of diagnosis of individual expert and multidisciplinary discussion (MDD) team in the longitudinal diagnostic assessment of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP). The retrospective analysis included 56 patients diagnosed as IIP by The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University with follow-up visits during Jan 1 to Aug 31 2014. Each expert was provided information in a sequential manner and was asked to assign an individual diagnosis and an MDD diagnosis after group discussion.

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Aiming at the problem of phosphorus removal in water, Mg/Al-layered double hydroxides (Mg/Al-LDHs) were synthesized via optimized constant pH co-precipitation method, and highly efficient phosphorus adsorbent Mg/Al-layered double oxide(Mg/Al-LDO) was obtained when it was calcined at high temperature. Based on the adsorption characteristics of phosphorus removal, the study combined Zeta potential, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to analyze the changes of isoelectric point, crystal structure and functional group before and after adsorption. In addition, Mg/Al-LDO of phosphorus adsorption mechanism was discussed.

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Article Synopsis
  • * A systematic review of 23 studies involving 2148 patients showed a high median diagnostic yield of 95%, with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis being the most common diagnosis.
  • * The overall postoperative mortality rate was 3.6%, with factors such as immunocompromised status and severe respiratory dysfunction affecting the variability in study outcomes, while the biopsy technique and disease subtype did not significantly impact diagnostic accuracy.
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Kv1.5 channels conduct the ultra-rapid delayed rectifier current (I(Kur)) that contributes to action potential repolarization of human atrial myocytes. Block of these channels has been proposed as a treatment for atrial arrhythmias.

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