ObjectiveTo explore the cytologic profile of induced sputum and its relationship with the treatment response in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MethodsSixty-five treatment-naive patients with COPD and 26 normal subjects were recruited for the study. Sputums induced by the inhalation of hypertonic saline were collected, and the associations of differential cell counting were analyzed with pulmonary function, modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale, St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire score (SGRQ) before and after the treatment with inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting β2-agonist. ResultsThe cell percentages of neutrophil (Neu), macrophage, eosinophil (Eos) and lymphocyte in induced sputum of the COPD patients were (86.24±15.04)%, (5.75±6.96)%, (4.71±4.79)%, and (1.30±1.09)%, respectively. The eosinophil percentage (Eos%) was≥3% in 31 patients (60.78%). The neutrophil percentage (Neu%) was inversely correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), percent of predicted value of FEV1 (FEV1% pred), forced vital capacity (FVC), and percent of predicted value of FVC (FVC% pred) (P < 0.01, respectively), and positively correlated with the SGRQ symptom score (r=0.304, P=0.034). The Eos% was inversely correlated with FEV1/FVC ratio (r=-0.399, P=0.004). The patients with Eos%≥3% improved significantly in FEV1 and symptom score (P < 0.05, respectively) than the patients with Eos% < 3%. ConclusionsAn eosinophilic airway inflammation is present in a subgroup of COPD. The Eos% is inversely correlated with pulmonary function and may be a predictive indicator of response to treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β2-agonists.
ObjectiveTo compare the safety and efficacy of a modified 23G with suturing incision and traditional 23G vitrectomy for silicone oil removal. MethodsA total of 177 patients (180 eyes) who underwent silicon oil removal (the average tamponade period was 4.5 months) were enrolled in this prospective study. The patients included 112 males (113) and 65 female (67). The mean age was (43.8±10.3) years. The corrected vision, indirect ophthalmoscopy, intraocular pressure, B-ultrasound and optical coherence tomography were measured for all patients. All patients had no complete retinal detachment. The patients were randomly divided into modified 23G with suturing incision group (group A, 88 eyes) and traditional 23G vitrectomy (group B, 92 eyes). The differences of sex (χ2=1.596), age, corrected vision (t=0.785), intraocular pressure (t=0.352), primary disease (χ2=1.982) and lens condition (χ2=2.605) were not significant (P>0.05). The operation time, intraocular pressure, silicon oil retention, choroidal detachment, retinal redetachment and endoophthalmitis were recorded at the end of the operation. ResultsThe difference of mean operation time was not significant between group A and B (t=1.950,P>0.05). The differences of mean visual acuity 1 day, 1 week and 3 months after operation were not significant between group A and B (t=0.873, 1.115, 0.141; P>0.05). There was difference of mean intraocular pressure at 1 day after operation (t=2.550,P<0.05), but not at 1 week and 3 months after operation (t=1.451,1.062; P>0.05) between group A and B. There were 25 eyes (28.4%) with intraocular hypotension, 8 eyes (9.1%) with choroidal detachment, 5 eyes (5.7%) with vitreous hemorrhage, 9 eyes (10.2%) with retinal redetachment, and 7 eyes (8.0%) with silicon oil retention in group A. There were 5 eyes (5.4%) with intraocular hypotension, 2 eyes (2.2%) with choroidal detachment, 2 eyes (2.2%) with vitreous hemorrhage, 8 eyes (8.7%) with retinal redetachment, and 1 eye (1.1%) with silicon oil retention in group B. The differences of incidence of intraocular hypotension, choroidal detachment and silicon oil retention were significant (P<0.05). No endoophthalmitis occurred. ConclusionThe safety of modified 23G with suturing incision is better than traditional 23G vitrectomy for silicone oil removal, with decreased incidence of intraocular hypotension, choroidal detachment and silicon oil retention.
ObjectiveTo compare the different effects of ubiquitin(UB) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and macrophages under normal circumstances,and analyze whether UB could protect HUVECs from lipopolysaccharide(LPS) induced injury. MethodsThe morphologic changes of HUVECs in vitro with up-rising concentrations of UB interventions were observed. HUVECs and human macrophages in vitro were divided into 4 groups according to UB concentration (0.01 μg/mL,0.1 μg/mL, 1 μg/mL, and 10 μg/mL). Supernatant and cells of each group were collected in 24 h after UB intervention. The levels of TNF-α and VCAM-1 in supernatant were measured by ELISA while NF-κB protein level in cells was detected by Western blot. HUVECs were divided into a LPS group(LPS 10 μg/mL) and an UB+LPS group(UB 0.1 μg/mL,LPS 10 μg/mL). The supernatant of the two groups were collected in 8,16 and 24 h after LPS and UB intervention. The levels of TNF-α and VCAM-1 in supernatant were measured by ELISA. ResultsThe injury of HUVECs got worse with the ascending concentrations of UB.At the concentration of 50 μg/mL,UB induced HUVECs got ballooned and died massively. With the increase of UB concentration,the levels of TNF-α and VCAM-1 in HUVECs' supernatant ascended firstly and then descended,while those in human macrophages' supernatant ascended gradually. zHowever,the tendency of the NF-κB protein level in the two kinds of cells was similar when the concentration of UB increased.At the consentration of 0.1 μg/mL or 1 μg/mL,ubiquitin induced NF-κB protein level obviously increased.At the concentration of 0.01 μg/mL or 10 μg/mL,UB induced the protein level was similar with those of the control group and even decreased slightly. There was no significant difference in TNF-α or VCAM-1 levels at each time point between the LPS group and the UB+LPS group. ConclusionsUB injuries HUVECs obviously at a low concentration but injuires human macrophages at much higher concentraton. UB can not protect HUVECs from LPS-induced injury in vitro.
ObjectiveTo summarize the clinical features of infection with Staphylococcus intermedius and its differential diagnosis. MethodsA clinical case of Staphylococcus intermedius infection was analyzed and Chinese literatures about Staphylococcus intermedius infection were reviewed.The literatures were derived from domestic medical journals in CNKI Digital Library and Wanfang Databases from 1998 to 2015. ResultsThe patient was a 35-year-old male.The chief complaints were cough and sputum associated with fever for three days.Chest CT scan showed cuneate and flocculent shadow with high density and unclear margin in the posterior segment of the right upper lobe and aerated bronchus sign was seen.Fuzzy shadow under the pleural was observed in the right lower lobe; On the right side of the chest, a little curved liquid density was seen.Sputum culture in Columbia blood agar plate and chocolate agar plate was done and Staphylococcus intermedius was identified.The final diagnosis of this patient was pneumonia caused by Staphylococcus intermedius.Fleroxacin 0.4 g per day was given by intravenous drip.Two weeks later, chest CT scan showed cuneate and flocculent shadow in the right upper lobe decreased obviously.Fuzzy shadow under the pleural the right lower lobe and pleural effusion on the right side of the chest disappeared.Four cases with Staphylococcus intermedius infection were reported and 3 were children.Two patients had open wound with infection.The involved organs included brain, joints, lungs, and one patient developed septicemia.Staphylococcus intermedius was identified from blood, sputum, cerebrospinal fluid, and pus from the open wound.By treatment with sensitive antibiotics three patients were cured but one patient with meningoencephalitis died of circulatory failure. ConclusionsStaphylococcus intermedius infection can occur in many organs and its clinical manifestations are dependent on the infected location.Specimen culture for pathogen is necessary and blood, sputum, cerebrospinal fluid, and pus from the open wound are optional candidates.Cultivation of Staphylococcus intermedius is similar to that of Staphylococcus aureus and should be differentiated carefully.Early treatment with high sensitive antibiotics is effective with good prognosis.