Objective To investigate the relations between the human beta defensin-2 (HBD-2) and systemic inflammatory responses in patients with lower respiratory tract infection（LRTI）. Methods Eighty-one patients with confirmed LRTI including community-acquired pneumonia，acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or concurrent lung infection，and bronchiectasis concurrent infection were enrolled，and twenty healthy volunteers were included as control. Plasma concentrations of HBD-2，IL-1β，and IL-8 were assayed with ELISA method in all patients and controls. Furthermore the patients were divided into three groups according to the onset of disease:,ie.group A （shorter than 7 days），group B （7 to 14 days），and group C （more than 14 days）. The differences between these groups were compared. Correlation between HBD-2 and IL-1β or IL-8 concentrations was analyzed. Results HBD-2，IL-1β，white blood cell （WBC） of the peripheral blood in the patients with LRTI were all significantly higher than those in the healthy controls. HBD-2 and IL-1β increased in group A and group B，and decreased in group C comparing to the control group （Plt;0.05 respectively）. There was no significant difference of IL-8 in group A，B and C. HBD-2 showed a positive linear correlation with IL-1β （r=0.313，P=0.030） and no correlation with IL-8（Pgt;0.05）. Conclusions The plasma HBD-2 concentration is increased in LRTI patients，which may be a biomarker of systemic inflammation in the early or relative early course of LRTI.
ObjectiveTo compare the effects of aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, aerobic combined with resistance exercise, routine nursing and no intervention on depression and anxiety in adolescents by means of network meta-analysis. MethodsA computer search was conducted in CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP, CBM, Web of Science, EBSCO, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to exercise intervention for depression and anxiety in children and adolescents from inception to April 2023. After two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data and evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies, Stata 14.0 and RevMan 5.3 software were used for statistical analysis. ResultsFinally 27 RCTs were included, covering 3 210 children and adolescents. The results of the network meta-analysis showed that in terms of improving depression, resistance exercise (SMD=−0.37, 95%CI −0.64 to −0.10, P<0.05) and aerobic exercise (SMD=−0.19, 95%CI −0.34 to −0.04, P<0.01) were significantly better than the no intervention group; in relieving anxiety, aerobic exercise (SMD=−0.29, 95%CI −0.54 to −0.03, P<0.05) was significantly better than the no intervention group. In improving self-worth, aerobic combined with resistance exercise (SMD=0.26, 95%CI 0.01 to 0.52, P<0.05) was statistically different from the no intervention group. The results of SUCRA probability sequence showed that in reducing depression, resistance exercise (95.0%) > aerobic exercise (64.4%) > aerobic combined with resistance exercise (60.7%) > routine nursing (22.9%) > no intervention (7.0%). In relieving anxiety, aerobic exercise (72.4%) > routine nursing (69.0%) > aerobic combined with resistance exercise (55.3%) > no intervention (3.4%). In improving self-worth, aerobic combined with resistance exercise (94.0%) > resistance exercise (67.3%) > aerobic exercise (35.1%) > no intervention (32.7%) > routine nursing (21.0%). ConclusionLimited evidence suggests that resistance exercise has advantages in improving depression in children and adolescents, aerobic exercise has advantages in relieving anxiety in children and adolescents, and aerobic combined with resistance exercise has advantages in improving self-worth in children and adolescents. Due to the limitation of the number and quality of included studies, more high-quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusions.
Objective To evaluate the potential causal relationship between asthma and the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) using a two-sample Mendelian randomization study. Methods A large sample of genome-wide association study was used to summarize the data, and the genetic loci [single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)] closely related to asthma were selected as instrumental variables, and Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted by inverse variance weighting, weighted median and MR-Egger method, respectively. At the same time, the multi-effect of MR-Egger was detected and the sensitivity analysis was carried out by Leave-one-out method to ensure the robustness of the results. Results A total of 77 SNPs closely related to asthma were selected as instrumental variables. The results of inverse variance weighted analysis showed a significant positive correlation between asthma and the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux disease [odds ratio (OR)=1.044, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.006, 1.083), P=0.024]. Weighted median results showed similar causality [OR=1.075, 95%CI (1.021, 1.133), P=0.006]. The MR-Egger regression results showed that there was a positive correlation between asthma and GERD, but there was no statistical significance [OR=1.080, 95%CI (0.983, 1.187), P=0.115]. The heterogeneity test results showed that there was no heterogeneity in the causal relationship between asthma and GERD (P>0.05). The results of the horizontal pleiotropy test showed that there was no horizontal pleiotropy in SNPs (P>0.05). The results of the retention test showed that no SNPs with significant impact on the results were detected. Conclusion There is a positive causal relationship between asthma and GERD.
Objective To determine the dimensions of trachea and main bronchi by bronchoscopy, and provide theoretical basis for diagnosis and treatment of airway diseases. Methods Thirty consecutive adult patients with minor pulmonary diseases were enrolled for bronchoscopy examination. The lengths of the trachea and main bronchus were determined by bronchoscopy and the transverse diameter and anteroposterior diameter of the fifth and tenth tracheal rings above carina were determined. Results The lengths of the trachea and left and right main bronchus were (13.09±1.40) cm, (4.57±0.51) cm and (1.80±0.72) cm, respectively. Magnification times was 10.72 when apex of Olympus BF-260 was 1 cm from measuring object. Based on the magnification times determined in our study, the transverse diameter and anteroposterior diameter of the fifth tracheal ring were (2.76±0.32) cm and (2.44±0.27) cm. Similarly, the transverse diameter and anteroposterior diameter of the tenth tracheal ring were (2.97±0.33) cm and (2.72±0.36) cm. The transverse diameter and anteroposterior diameter of the tenth tracheal ring were significantly larger than those of the fifth tracheal ring (allP＜0.05). Conclusion Based on the magnification times determined in our study, dimension measurement of the trachea and main bronchi by bronchoscopy can objectively reflect anatomic structure of airway in physiological quiet breathing status.
Objective To improve our recognition of ground-glass opacity (GGO) through analyzing the imaging and pathological features of patients with focal GGO lung nodule. Methods Thirty patients with focal GGO nodule were assigned into a preinvasive lesion group, a minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) group, and an invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) group. The imaging features were retrospectively analyzed and pathological features by histological Masson staining, collagen Ⅳ staining and Vitoria blue staining were also compared among three groups. Furthermore, the relationship between pathology and imaging characteristics was studied too. Results Among 30 patients with focal GGO nodule, preinvasive lesions, MIA and IAC respectively occurred in 13, 3 and 14 cases. Size of nodules and solid portion were highest in the IAC group, middle in the MIA group, and lowest in the preinvasive lesion group. Similarly, signs of lobulation, spiculation and air bronchogram were seen mostly in the IAC group, and least in preinvasive lesion group. The spatial relationship between GGO nodules and supplying blood vessels was analyzed, and Type Ⅲ was more commonly seen in the IAC group with comparison to type Ⅱ more likely seen in the preinvasive lesion group. Moreover, collagen Ⅳ and Vitoria blue staining indicated that reticular fibers and collagenous fibers lessened around tumor tissue in the IAC group, whereas collagenous fibers proliferation and fibrous scar were shown by Masson staining in the IAC group. In CT-pathologic comparison, type Ⅲ supplying blood vessels were mostly seen in the IAC patients with obvious fibrous scar. Conclusions Persistent focal GGO nodules with larger size and higher percent of solid component are signs of malignancy. In tumor progression process, tumor cells break the reticular fibers and collagenous fibers in alveolar wall, then stimulate fibroblast hyperplasia and secrete collagenous fibers, thereby develop the central fibrous scar in tumor tissue, which might be the pathologic foundation of vascular bundle sign.
Objective To investigate epidemiological characteristics of geriatric hip fractures between 2010 and 2011 in Hebei province. Methods The digital radiography image data and basic information of patients above 60 years old with hip fractures (femoral neck fracture, femoral intertrochanteric fracture, and femoral head fracture) in 5 hospitals of Hebei province between January 2010 and December 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. All the data including patients’ gender, age, and AO types were abstracted and analyzed to investigate the epidemiologic characteristics of geriatric hip fractures in Hebei province. Results A total of 4 207 hip fracture patients above 60 years old were included, accounting for 59.61% of all patients with hip fractures and 26.24% of all fractures patients over 60 years old in the same period. There were 1 703 (40.48%) males and 2 504 (59.52%) females (M∶F=1∶1.47). The patients ranged in age from 61 to 99 years, with an average of 75.4 years; the majority of patients aged 70-79 years (43.97%) and the minority of the patients aged 90-99 years (2.02%); women of all ages were more than men, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). According to AO classification, there were 2 118 cases (50.34%) of type 31-A, 2 004 case (47.63%) of type 31-B, and 85 cases (2.02%) of type 31-C. Except for the type 31-A1, 31-A3, and 31-C1 of 60-69 age group, and the type 31-A3 of 80-89 age groups, women were significantly more than men. Conclusion There are more women than men in hip fractures in Hebei province, and 70-79 age group is the high-risk age group of geriatric hip fractures. Among them, intertrochanteric comminuted fractures are common types.
Objective To explore the clinical features, surgical treatment, and effectiveness of neurofibromas associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Methods A clinical data of 41 patients with NF1 admitted between December 2018 and April 2024 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 15 males and 26 females, with an average age of 27.5 years (range, 5-61 years). Only one type of neurofibroma existed in 3 patients and the rest of the patients had more than two types of neurofibromas. Fourteen patients had total resection of multiple cutaneous neurofibromas (CNF). Eighteen patients of diffuse neurofibromas underwent total, near-total, or subtotal resection. Among the 13 patients of localized nodular neurofibromas, 9 of benign tumors underwent total sub-capsular resection and 4 of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) underwent maginal resection, and only 1 underwent postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Among the 15 patients of plexiform neurofibromas (PNF), 5 patients underwent both superficial and deep PNF resection, 2 underwent the superficial PNF resection, and 8 underwent the large nodular lesions in the deep PNF resection. There were 8 MPNST, of which 7 cases underwent total sub-capsular resection and large tumor capsule resection under neurophysiological monitoring, and 1 case with the tumor located on the top of the head underwent wide resection and skin grafting. One patient underwent proton knife therapy after surgery, 2 patients did not receive radiotherapy, and the remaining patients received conventional radiotherapy. Results All patients were followed up after surgery, and the follow-up time was 3-66 months, with an average of 25.0 months. Patients with CNF recovered satisfactorily after surgery, and there was no recurrence during follow-up. Patients with diffuse neurofibromas relieved preoperative symptoms after surgery. Three patients with diffuse neurofibromas located in the head and face recurred during follow-up. The patients with benign localized nodular neurofibromas recovered well after surgery, and only 1 patient had transient regional neuralgia after surgery. Among the patients with MPNST, 2 patients died of recurrence and lung metastasis, while the remaining 2 patients had no recurrence and metastasis during follow-up. All preoperative symptoms disappeared in patients with benign PNF, and no tumor recurrence was observed during follow-up. Two patients with PNF located in the brachial plexus had difficulty in shoulder abduction after surgery, 1 patient with PNF located in vagus developed hoarseness after surgery. Among the 8 patients with MPNST in PNF, 1 died of lung metastases and 1 died of systemic failure. The remaining 6 patients were in stable condition during follow-up, and no tumor recurrence or metastasis was observed. Conclusion According to the clinical features of neurofibromas in patients with NF1, choosing appropriate surgical approaches can obtain good effectiveness. Because of the difficulty of completely resection, diffuse neurofibromas, especially those located in the head and face, are prone to recurrence after surgery. MPNST has the worst prognosis, high incidence of recurrence/metastasis, and short survival period. Total resection combined with radiotherapy can decrease local recurrence.