Recently, many researchers paid more attentions to the association between air pollution and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Haze, a severe form of outdoor air pollution, affected most parts of northern and eastern China in the past winter. In China, studies have been performed to evaluate the impact of outdoor air pollution and biomass smoke exposure on COPD; and most studies have focused on the role of air pollution in acutely triggering symptoms and exacerbations. Few studies have examined the role of air pollution in inducing pathophysiological changes that characterise COPD. Evidence showed that outdoor air pollution affects lung function in both children and adults and triggers exacerbations of COPD symptoms. Hence outdoor air pollution may be considered a risk factor for COPD mortality. However, evidence to date has been suggestive (not conclusive) that chronic exposure to outdoor air pollution increases the prevalence and incidence of COPD. Cross-sectional studies showed biomass smoke exposure is a risk factor for COPD. A long-term retrospective study and a long-term prospective cohort study showed that biomass smoke exposure reductions were associated with a reduced decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and with a decreased risk of COPD. To fully understand the effect of air pollution on COPD, we recommend future studies with longer follow-up periods, more standardized definitions of COPD and more refined and source-specific exposure assessments.
OBJECTIVE: To localize the distribution of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-beta) in tissues from dermal chronic ulcer and hypertrophic scar and to explore their effects on tissue repair. METHODS: Twenty-one cases were detected to localize the distribution of bFGF and TGF-beta, among them, there were 8 cases with dermal chronic ulcers, 8 cases with hypertrophic scars, and 5 cases of normal skin. RESULTS: Positive signal of bFGF and TGF-beta could be found in normal skin, mainly in the keratinocytes. In dermal chronic ulcers, positive signal of bFGF and TGF-beta could be found in granulation tissues. bFGF was localized mainly in fibroblasts cells and endothelial cells and TGF-beta mainly in inflammatory cells. In hypertrophic scar, the localization and signal density of bFGF was similar with those in granulation tissues, but the staining of TGF-beta was negative. CONCLUSION: The different distribution of bFGF and TGF-beta in dermal chronic ulcer and hypertrophic scar may be the reason of different results of tissue repair. The pathogenesis of wound healing delay in a condition of high concentration of growth factors may come from the binding disorder of growth factors and their receptors. bFGF may be involved in all process of formation of hypertrophic scar, but TGF-beta may only play roles in the early stage.
Objective To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of high tibial osteotomy (HTO) in treatment of chronic multi-ligament knee injury (MLKI) associated with lower extremity malalignment. Methods A clinical data of 14 patients (14 knees) of chronic MLKI associated with lower extremity malalignment, who were treated with HTO between January 2016 and September 2020, was retrospectively analyzed. There were 10 males and 4 females, with an average age of 30.5 years (range, 22-48 years). The causes of injury included traffic accident in 8 cases, bruising by a heavy object in 3 cases, falling from height in 2 cases, and twisting in 1 case. According to Schenck classification of knee dislocation (KD), there were 4 cases of KD-Ⅰ [2 cases of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterolateral complex (PLC) injuries and 2 cases of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and PLC injuries], 7 cases of KD-Ⅲ (all of ACL, PCL, and PLC injuries), and 3 cases of KD-Ⅳ. The preoperative hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA) was (167.1±4.7)°, and the posterior tibial slope angle (PTSA) was (16.3±2.7)°. The knee joint was severely unstable and the patients could not stand and walk normally. Among them, 5 cases of medial compartment cartilage were severely worn out (3 cases of Kellgren-Lawrence grading Ⅱ, 2 cases of grading Ⅲ) causing pain. After admission, 2 cases of KD-Ⅰ underwent HTO and ligament reconstruction in the first stage, 1 case of KD-Ⅲ and 1 case of KD-Ⅳ underwent HTO in the first stage and ligament reconstruction in the second stage; the remaining 10 patients only underwent HTO. Results All patients were followed up 12-50 months, with an average of 30 months. The incisions healed by first intention after operation, and no complications such as infection and deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities occurred. At 12 months after operation, knee range of extension was –5°-0° (mean, –1.2°) and range of flexion was 110°-140° (mean, 125.5°). The Lachman test was negative in 11 cases and positive in 3 cases. The posterior drawer test was negative in 9 cases and positive in 5 cases. The 0/30° varus stress test was negative in 10 cases and positive in 4 cases. The 0/30° valgus stress test was negative in 13 cases and positive in 1 case. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was significantly lower than that before operation (P<0.05), and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lysholm score, and Tegner score were all significantly higher than those before operation (P<0.05). The X-ray film reexamination at 12 months after operation showed that the HKA was (178.2±3.8)° and the PTSA was (8.6±2.4)°, which were significantly different from those before operation (P<0.05). All osteotomies achieved bone union, and the healing time was 3-11 months, with an average of 6.8 months. Conclusion For chronic MLKI associated with lower extremity malalignment, HTO can restore normal lower extremity alignment and improve knee joint function, which is a feasible salvage operation.
Objective To understand and analyze technique development of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and its application in chronic liver disease. Method The relevant literatures about the application of MRE in the field of chronic liver disease were reviewed. Results The liver fibrosis was a common pathway of chronic liver disease, which would progress to cirrhosis of the liver if untreated. The diagnosis and assessment of fibrosis was important in the treatment of patients with chronic liver disease. The liver biopsy was considered to be the reference standard for clinical assessment of liver fibrosis. However, this technique was invasive and still had inevitable drawbacks in the clinical practice. With the update of the imaging technology and equipment, the MRE had been developed as a safe and noninvasive examination method for the evaluation of liver fibrosis in the chronic liver disease, early diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, evaluation of focal liver lesions, and other clinical applications. Conclusion MRE is currently regarded as an attractive noninvasive technique in management of chronic liver disease.
Objective To investigate the changes and clinical significance of cytokines and inflammatory species in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Methods Thirty AECOPD patients admitted in the Department of Respiratory Medicine from March 2015 to August 2016 (smokers and passive smokers) and 21 healthy volunteers (non-smokers) were recruited in this prospective study. General information and EBC were collected from each subject. The concentrations of interleukin-17 (IL-17), IL-10, and 8-isoprestane (8-iso-PG) in EBC were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, meanwhile lung function test was performed in the AECOPD patients. Results Both IL-17 (ng/L) and 8-iso-PG (ng/L) levels increased significantly in the AECOPD patients before and after treatment compared with the healthy controls (10.74±1.02 and 5.65±0.88 vs. 3.36±0.61, 12.35±2.25 and 9.65±1.22 vs. 6.93±1.15, P<0.05). However, IL-10 level significantly decreased in the AECOPD patients before and after treatment compared with the healthy controls (1.68±0.17 and 2.59±0.31 vs. 2.85±0.43, P<0.05). Both IL-17 and 8-iso-PG levels in the AECOPD patients were significantly lower after treatment than those before treatment (5.65±0.88 vs. 10.74±1.02, 9.65±1.22 vs. 12.35±2.25, P<0.05), but IL-10 level were significantly higher aftertreatment than those before treatment (2.59±0.31 vs. 1.68±0.17, P<0.05). FEV1, FVC, and FEV1%pred improved significantly after treatment (P<0.01). FEV1, FEV1/FVC and FEV1%pred were not significantly correlated with IL-17, IL-10 or 8-is-PG levels. Conclusion IL-17, IL-10 and 8-iso-PG may be involved in the pathogenesis of COPD, and may be important biomarkers in monitoring airway inflammation and oxide stress during the treatment of AECOPD patients.
Surgical intervention for chronic thoracoabdominal aortic dissecting aneurysms (cTAADA) is regarded as one of the most challenging procedures in the field of vascular surgery. For nearly six decades, open repair predominantly utilizing prosthetic grafts has been the treatment of choice for cTAADA. With advances in minimally invasive endovascular technologies, two novel surgical approaches have emerged: total endovascular stent-graft repair and hybrid procedures combining retrograde debranching of visceral arteries with endovascular stent-graft repair (abbreviated as hybrid procedure). Although total endovascular stent-graft repair offers reduced trauma and quicker recovery, limitations persist in clinical application due to hostile anatomical requirements of the aorta, high costs, and the lack of universally available stent-graft products. Hybrid repair, integrating the minimally invasive ethos of endovascular repair with visceral artery debranching techniques, has increasingly become a significant surgical modality for managing thoracoabdominal aneurysms, especially in cases unsuitable for open surgery or total endovascular treatment due to anatomical constraints such as aortic tortuosity or narrow true lumens in dissections. Recent enhancements in hybrid surgical approaches include ongoing optimization of visceral artery reconstruction strategies based on hemodynamic analyses, and exploration of the comparative benefits of staged versus concurrent surgical interventions.
Objective To evaluate the anti-tussive effect of a total alkaloid agent extracted from Papaver Somniferum L. on simple chronic bronchitis of which the syndrome was counterflow ascent of lung qi according to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Methods Randomised, double blind method, placebo control and add on design were applied. Forty-five patients with counterflow ascent of lung qi of simple chronic bronchitis were randomly divided into two groups: treatment group (n=21) with alkaloid agent and control group (n=24) with placebo. Results The incidences of obvious coughing in treatment and control groups were 66.67% and 70.83% (P=0.763 3) respectively. The cough alleviation time of patients was 14.64±16.30 h and 15.12±15.28 h (P=0.795 6) respectively. The loss of cough rates on the third day was 28.57%, 16.67% (P=0.337 7) respectively. The average scores decreased were 4.29 and 2.88 (P=0.054 8) respectively. Conclusions The study indicates that total alkaloid agent extracted from Papaver somniferum L. has no significant anti-tussive effect on patients with counterflow ascent of lung qi of simple chronic bronchitis treated with cefaclor sustained release capsules simultaneously. The trial was interrupted by the advice from experts who disagreed with the selection of drug indication.
Chronic venous diseases are the most common vascular diseases, which are the key field of vascular surgery. This review focused on the development about imaging diagnosis (including ultrasound, CT venogram, magnetic resonance venogram, venography, and intravascular ultrasound), genetic screening, drug therapy (including venous active drugs, antithrombotic drugs, and sulodexide), compression therapy, and surgical treatment (including heat venous ablation, non-heat venous ablation, endovascular treatment of iliac vein, and repair of venous valves) of chronic venous diseases during the past years. This reflects the trend of preciseness, individualization, and microinvasiveness in this field.
Objective To explore the risk factors of chronic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP) after transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair (TAPP), establish and verify the risk prediction model, and then evaluate the prediction effectiveness of the model. Methods The clinical data of 362 patients who received TAPP surgery was retrospectively analyzed and divided into model group (n=300) and validation group (n=62). The risk factors of CPIP in the model group were screened by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis, and the risk prediction model was established and tested. Results The incidence of CPIP at 6 months after operation was 27.9% (101/362). Univariate analysis showed that gender (χ2= 12.055, P=0.001), age (t=–4.566, P<0.01), preoperative pain (χ2=44.686, P<0.01) and early pain at 1 week after operation (χ2=150.795, P<0.01) were related to CPIP. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gender, age, preoperative pain, early pain at 1 week after operation, and history of lower abdominal surgery were independent risk predictors of CPIP. The area under curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) of the risk prediction model was calculated to be 0.933 [95%CI (0.898, 0.967)], and the optimal cut-off value was 0.129, while corresponding specificity and sensitivity were 87.6% and 91.5% respectively. The prediction accuracy, specificity and sensitivity of the model were 91.9% (57/62), 90.7% and 94.7%, respectively when the validation group data were substituted into the prediction model. Conclusion Female, age≤64 years old, preoperative pain, early pain at 1 week after operation and without history of lower abdominal surgery are independent risk factors for the incidence of CPIP after TAPP, and the risk prediction model established on this basis has good predictive efficacy, which can further guide the clinical practice.
Serum marker Golgi protein 73 (GP73) is a type Ⅱ integral membrane protein located in cellular Golgi apparatus. GP73 not only processes proteins, but also participates in cell differentiation, intercellular signaling, and apoptosis. With the development of proteomics technology, GP73 has been used as a novel serum marker for detecting liver diseases. This article reviews the research progress of GP73 in the clinical diagnosis value and prognosis prediction of chronic hepatitis B in recent years, in order to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B.