Strategies and mechanisms targeting biofilms associated with endodontic infections: a comprehensive review.

is one of the main microorganisms that infects root canals, ranking among the most prevalent microorganisms associated with endodontic treatment failure. Given its pervasive presence in persistent endodontic infections, the successful elimination of is crucial for effective endodontic treatment and retreatment. Furthermore, can form biofilms - defense structures that microbes use to fight environmental threats.

Comparison of 6-min walk test distance vs. estimated maximum oxygen consumption for predicting postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: The present study aims to evaluate the predictive ability of estimated maximum oxygen consumption (e[Formula: see text]O) and 6-min walk distance (6MWD) for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in adult surgical patients undergoing major upper abdominal surgery.

Method: This study was conducted by collecting data prospectively from a single center. The two predictive variables in the study were defined as 6MWD and e[Formula: see text]O.

Active terahertz modulator based on optically controlled organometal halide perovskite MAPbIBr.

In this paper, an active terahertz modulator based on optically controlled organometal halide perovskite is proposed. The terahertz wave time-domain transmission of the / sample was measured by a terahertz time-domain spectrometer. Experimental results indicate that the / sample showed an obvious optical-power-dependent modulation effect on transmission of the terahertz wave; the maximum modulation depth of the modulator can reach 59.

A Real-Time Zanthoxylum Target Detection Method for an Intelligent Picking Robot under a Complex Background, Based on an Improved YOLOv5s Architecture.

The target recognition algorithm is one of the core technologies of Zanthoxylum pepper-picking robots. However, most existing detection algorithms cannot effectively detect Zanthoxylum fruit covered by branches, leaves and other fruits in natural scenes. To improve the work efficiency and adaptability of the Zanthoxylum-picking robot in natural environments, and to recognize and detect fruits in complex environments under different lighting conditions, this paper presents a Zanthoxylum-picking-robot target detection method based on improved YOLOv5s.

Soluble P-selectin levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and venous thromboembolism. Elevated soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin) levels are also associated with increased risk of above diseases. But whether sP-selectin levels in OSA patients are higher than their counterparts remain unclear, since previous studies yielded inconsistent results.

Diagnostic management of inpatients with a positive D-dimer test: developing a new clinical decision-making rule for pulmonary embolism.

Background: A positive D-dimer test has high sensitivity but relatively poor specificity for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, causing difficulty for clinicians unskilled in pulmonary embolism diagnosis in determining whether a patient with a positive D-dimer test needs to undergo computed tomographic pulmonary angiography.

Objectives: We sought to develop a new clinical decision-making rule based on a positive D-dimer result to predict the probability of pulmonary embolism and to guide clinicians in making decisions regarding the need for computed tomographic pulmonary angiography.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, multicenter study in three hospitals in China.

Inhaled corticosteroids and risk of influenza in patients with asthma: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: It was reported that inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) treatment may affect local immunity and microbial community of the airway. However, whether ICS treatment increases the risk of influenza in patients with asthma remains unclear. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the risk of influenza between ICS and non-ICS treatment in patients with asthma.

Association of tiotropium use and the risk of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Tiotropium have been recommended as first-line maintenance therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of exacerbations and improve quality of life. Recently, it was reported that tiotropium use might link to cardiovascular risk in COPD patients. But it is controversial.

Benefits and risks of low molecular weight heparin in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is an anticoagulant that has recently been found benefit in the acute exacerbation stage of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). But its efficacy is controversial. The objective of this paper is to compare the harm/benefit of LMWH combined with conventional therapy versus single conventional therapy in the acute exacerbation stage of COPD.

Inhaled corticosteroids and risk of pneumonia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are generally used to treat patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who suffer from repeated exacerbations. Recently, it was reported that ICS treatment increased the risk of pneumonia in COPD patients. But it is controversial.

Inhaled corticosteroids and risk of upper respiratory tract infection in patients with asthma: a meta-analysis.

Background: Recent studies have suggested a possible association between respiratory infection and the use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). We aimed to ascertain the risk of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) with long-term inhaled corticosteroid use among patients with asthma.

Methods: Through a comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Google Scholar from inception to May 2018, we included randomized controlled trials of any ICS vs.

Long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids and risk of upper respiratory tract infection in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis.

Recent studies have suggested that inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) may be associated with higher risks of tuberculosis and pneumonia in patients with COPD. However, it is not known whether ICS increases the risk of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). Aim of this study was to explore the relationship between ICS and URTI.

The Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Small-airway Remodelling in a Rat Model of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Small-airway remodelling is one of the most remarkable pathological features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), in which angiogenesis plays a critical role that contributes to disease progression. The endothelial cell-specific mitogen vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as well as its receptors, VEGFR1, VEGFR2, are thought to be the major mediators of pathological angiogenesis, and sunitinib exhibits anti-angiogenesis property through VEGF blockage and has been widely used to treat various cancers. In our study, Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection and cigarette smoke (CS) inhalation to induce COPD, following sunitinib administration was conducted.

New Advances in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is one of major pulmonary fungal diseases. Although it is not a rare in clinical settings,the misdiagnosis rate is high and the treatment effectiveness remains unstable. This article reviews the recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Research Advances in Molecular Mechanisms of the Invasion and Metastasis of Lung Cancer.

The basic way of invasion and metastasis of lung cancer is that the tumor cells shed in the extracellular matrix, invade the basement membrane and the surrounding tissue, infiltrate into blood flow, and then survive and transport via the blood flow. After having been extravasated, migrated and arrested in the distant site, they finally form a metastatic lesion. Some basic mechanisms are required in these steps, such as tumor stem cells, diffusion and activity of tumor cells, escaping from apoptosis, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, infiltration into blood flow, circulation and exudation, and distant metastasis proliferation.

Functional Effects of WNT1-Inducible Signaling Pathway Protein-1 on Bronchial Smooth Muscle Cell Migration and Proliferation in OVA-Induced Airway Remodeling.

Upregulation of WISP1 has been demonstrated in lung remodeling. Moreover, it has been recently found that some signaling components of WNT pathway can activate GSK3β signaling to mediate remodeling of airway smooth muscle (ASM) in asthma. Therefore, we hypothesized that WISP1, a signaling molecule downstream of the WNT signaling pathway, is involved in PI3K/GSK3β signaling to mediate ASM remodeling in asthma.

Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli for the production of riboflavin.

Background: Riboflavin (vitamin B2), the precursor of the flavin cofactors flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), is used commercially as an animal feed supplement and food colorant. E. coli is a robust host for various genetic manipulations and has been employed for efficient production of biofuels, polymers, amino acids, and bulk chemicals.

Association of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with coronary artery disease.

Background: The relationship between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) remains largely unknown. This study aimed to explore the association of COPD with CAD, especially with multi-vessel disease (VD).

Methods: The data of 354 patients who underwent multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) for suspected CAD were analyzed.

[Risk factors for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients who survived the Wenchuan earthquake].

Objective: To investigate the major risk factors for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the role of mental status in patients who survived the Wenchuan Earthquake.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted in 301 COPD patients from the earthquake and non-earthquake areas in Sichuan one month, three months and 12 months after the Wenchuan Earthquake.

Results: A total of 269 patients with COPD completed this study, which included 133 patients earthquake area and 136 from non-earthquake area.

Relationship between 6-minute walk test and pulmonary function test in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with different severities.

Background: The relationship between the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and pulmonary function test in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains unclear. We evaluate the correlation of 6MWT and spirometric parameters in stable COPD with different severities. 6MWT data assessed included three variables: the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), 6-minute walk work (6MWORK), and pulse oxygen desaturation rate (SPO(2)%).

Genes associated with MUC5AC expression in small airway epithelium of human smokers and non-smokers.

Background: Mucus hypersecretion contributes to the morbidity and mortality of smoking-related lung diseases, especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which starts in the small airways. Despite progress in animal studies, the genes and their expression pattern involved in mucus production and secretion in human airway epithelium are not well understood. We hypothesized that comparison of the transcriptomes of the small airway epithelium of individuals that express high vs low levels of MUC5AC, the major macromolecular component of airway mucus, could be used as a probe to identify the genes related to human small airway mucus production/secretion.

Long-term non-invasive positive pressure ventilation in severe stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis.

Background: The evidence for non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) used in patients with severe stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is insufficient. The aim of the meta-analysis was to assess the treatment effects of long-term NIPPV on gas change, lung function, health-related quality of life (HRQL), survival and mortality in severe stable COPD patients.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and crossover studies comparing the treatment effects of NIPPV with conventional therapy were identified from electronic databases and reference lists from January 1995 to August 2010.

[Effect of peroxisome proliferators activated receptor gamma and its ligand on airway mucus hypersecretion in rats].

Objective: To explore the effect and the molecular mechanisms of peroxisome proliferators activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) and its ligand on airway mucus hypersecretion.

Methods: Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into the following groups: (1) Rats in the saline control group (n = 6) received normal saline inhalation; (2) Rats in the rosiglitazone control group (n = 6) received inhaled saline and oral rosiglitazone 8 mg/kg simultaneously; (3) Rats in the acrolein group (n = 6) received inhaled acronine 3.0 mg/L, 6 h/day, for 12 days; (4) Rats in the rosiglitazone intervention group (n = 18) received inhaled acrolein and oral rosiglitazone 2 mg/kg, 4 mg/kg, 8 mg/kg, respectively, as the low dose, the moderate dose and the high dose intervention groups (n = 6 each).

[Interventions of enalapril on airway inflammation in rat models induced by acrolein].

Objective: To observe the effect of enalapril on airway inflammation in rat models induced by inhaling acrolein and to explore its mechanism.

Methods: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 6): 1) control group (inhaled 0.9% normal saline for 3 hours, twice every day); 2) enalapril self-control group [intragastrically administrated enalapril 0.