Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of neutrophilic asthma ( NA) .Methods NA patients were collected from the out-patient and in-patient departments of Respiratory Diseases of Xinqiao Hospital between January 2010 and December 2010. The results of the medical records,pulmonary function tests, and induced sputum cytology were analyzed retrospectively. Results The NA patients with neutrophil percent ≥ 61% accounted for 33. 1% ( 51 /154 ) of all the asthmatics patients detected by induced sputumin the same period, and 45 cases with complete records were included. Of the 45 cases recruited, 20 cases ( 44. 4% ) were in-patients,2 cases ( 4. 4% ) were with controlled asthma, 3 cases ( 6. 7% ) were with cough variant asthma, 30 cases ( 66. 7% ) were female, 12 cases ( 26. 7% ) were atopic patients, and 27 cases ( 60% ) had acute exacerbation. The age of onset of 35 patients ( 77. 8% ) were after 12 years. FEV1% pred lt; 60% and gt; 80% was obtained in 55. 9% ( 19/34) and 14. 7% ( 5 /34) of patients respectively. The result of bronchodilator test was positive in 64% ( 16/25) of patients, and mean increase in FEV1 was 11. 7% . The percentage of neutrophil and eosinophil was ( 74. 5 ±9. 1) % and ( 2. 4 ±2. 5) % respectively in induced sputum, and 35. 6% ( 16/45) of the patients had increased eosinophil percentage ( gt;3% ) . Conclusions In our study, most of NA is severe and acute exacerbation asthma, and its clinical features are various. The mechanismand clinical significance of increased neutrophils in asthmatic patients are unclear and more studies are needed.
Objective To explore the correlation and diagnostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) in peripheral blood of patients with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods One hundred patients with acute exacerbation of COPD who were hospitalized in the hospital between January 2019 and October 2020 were selected as exacerbation group, and another 100 patients with stable COPD who received treatment during the same time period were enrolled as stable group. The general data of patients were collected, and blood samples were collected to detect hemoglobin (Hb), platelet count (PLT), white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count, lymphocyte count and RDW, and the NLR was calculated. The correlation between the detection indicators was analyzed and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to analyze the detection significance of related indicators. Results There were no statistical differences in the levels of Hb and PLT between the exacerbation group and the stable group (P>0.05). The levels of WBC, NLR, RDW and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in the exacerbation group were significantly higher than those in the stable group (all P<0.05). NLR in the patients with acute exacerbation of COPD was positively correlated with serological indicators of WBC and hs-CRP (all P<0.05). ROC curve showed that the sensitivity and specificity of NLR in the diagnosis of acute exacerbation of COPD were 92.0% and 68.0% respectively, those of RDW were 91.0% and 58.0% respectively, those of hs-CRP were 77.0% and 71.0% respectively, and those of NLR+RDW were 90.0% and 73.0% respectively. NLR had the highest diagnostic specificity, RDW had the highest diagnostic sensitivity, and NLR+RDW had the best diagnostic efficiency. Conclusions Serological indicators of WBC, hs-CRP, NLR and RDW in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD will be abnormally increased, and NLR has a positive correlation with WBC and hs-CRP. NLR and RDW have high specificity and high sensitivity respectively in the diagnosis of patients with exacerbation of COPD, and their detection can strengthen the diagnosis and mastery of disease in patients.
ObjectiveTo explore the relevance of an increase in neutrophil count and early neurological deterioration (END) after intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on the patients who received thrombolysis treatment of alteplase within 4.5 hours after onset between January 2017 and November 2018. Based on the existence of END, the patients were divided into the END group and the non-END group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to analyze the relevances between END and the indexes such as neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) after thrombolysis. Paired sample t test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to compare the changes of neutrophil and lymphocyte before and after thrombolysis.ResultsA total of 187 patients were included, including 48 in the END group and 139 in the non-END group. Before thrombolysis, the differences of total protein (t=2.130, P=0.035) and albumin (t=2.777, P=0.007) between the two groups were statistically significant, but the differences in other clinical indexes between the two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). After thrombolysis, white blood cell count, neutrophil count, NLR, fibrinase degradation product, baseline and change of National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score, proportion of cardiogenic embolism, degree of responsible vascular stenosis and anterior circulation cortical infarction site were all higher in the END group than those in the non-END group (P<0.05). The total protein, albumin, lymphocyte count and prealbumin in the END group were lower than those in the non-END group (P<0.05). Neutrophil in the END group increased significantly (Z=−2.314, P=0.021) after thrombolysis. Neutrophil count [odds ratio=1.288, 95% confidence interval (1.069, 1.552)] was one of the independent influencing factors of venous thrombolysis END, and the specificity was the highest (the sensitivity was 62.5%, and the specificity was 71.9%).ConclusionsAfter thrombolysis, elevated neutrophil count has some relevance to END. Dynamic monitoring on neutrophil count after intravenous thrombolysis treatment can predict the occurrence of END.
ObjectiveBased on the rat in situ perfusion system, to explore the effect of up-regulating Chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) expression on bone marrow neutrophils in modulating its ECC-related rapid release. MethodsTwelve SD rats were randomly divided into fucoidan perfusion group (F, n=6) and control group (C, n=6) after in situ perfusion system establishment. Rats in F group received perfusion of fucoidan solution (total volume 6 ml, 1 h) and C group received buffer only. Femurs from two groups were dissected after one-hour perfusion and bone marrow tissues were collected. The neutrophil CXCR4 expression in two groups were compared using flowcytometry. Eighteen SD rats were randomly divided into fucoidan perfusion group (F', n=6), fucoidan and AMD-3100 perfusion group (F+AMD3100, n=6) and control group (C', n=6) after in situ perfusion system establishment. Rats received desired interventions before stimulation from ECC plasma. After that, 40-min perfusions of buffer were added and total counts of neutrophil in perfusates were compared. ResultsThe percentages of CXCR4 (+) cell and CXCR4 expression fluorescence in F group were 4.71%±0.21% and 161.3±7.8 respectively while the values were 1.11%±0.11% and 58.4±6.5 respectively in C group. Values in F group were both significantly higher than those in C group (P<0.05). The total counts of neutrophil in perfusates from F' group, F+AMD3100 and C' group were 261 393.7±12 470.6, 872 635.2±10 430.6 and 818 675.2±10 708.8, respectively. Statistically differences were observed between each other (P<0.05). ConclusionBone marrow neutrophil CXCR4 expression of SD rat could be effectively up-regulated by perfusion of fucoidan within the in situ perfusion system. ECC-plasma-stimulated bone marrow neutrophil release in rat could be inhibited by fucoidan induced up-regulation of neutrophil CXCR4 expression, and this inhibition effect could be canceled by AMD-3100 intervention.
ObjectiveTo investigate the value of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) by detecting the relationship between NLR and other well-known inflammatory biomarkers.MethodsRetrospective study of 610 AECOPD cases was performed. In order to analyze the influence of NLR level on disease condition, treatment plan and prognosis, the clinical data with acute exacerbation were collected and the value of NLR in AECOPD were analyzed.ResultsThe level of NLR was higher in the group with pneumonia than that in the non-pneumonia group (P<0.05), and the more severe the pulmonary inflammation, the higher the NLR level (P<0.05). The level of NLR was higher in the group with heart failure and the group treated with ventilator and glucocorticoid (P<0.05). The NLR level was higher in the group of hospital stay over 14 days than the group of hospital stay less than 14 days (P<0.05). The NLR value of the death group was higher than that of the survival group (P<0.05). With the increase of NLR value, the mortality rate in hospital increased gradually. Compared with C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, NLR had the highest odds ratio by binary regression analysis. Cutoff value of NLR was 5.92 by analysis of receiver-operating characteristic curve with a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 51%, and the area under the curve in predicting in-hospital death was 0.727 (OR=4.112, 95% confidence interval 0.609 - 0.849, P=0.02).ConclusionsNLR can be used as an inflammatory marker to evaluate the severity of AECOPD and to predict the prognosis.
Objective To investigate the early diagnostic value of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) for acute kidney injury (AKI) after acute Stanford type A aortic dissection. Methods From January 2018 to December 2018, the clinical data of 50 patients who underwent open surgery for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection were analyzed in Nanjing First Hospital. Urine specimens were collected before and 2 hours after the aortic dissection surgery. Patients were divided into an AKI group (n=27) and a non-AKI group (n=23) according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of urine NGAL. ResultsThe incidence of postoperative AKI was 54.00% (27/50). There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in serum creatinine concentration at 2 hours after surgery and urinary NGAL concentration before the surgery (P<0.05). The area under ROC curve of preoperative urinary NGAL concentration was 0.626. When cut-off value was 43 ng/mL, the sensitivity was 40.7%, specificity was 95.7%. The area under ROC curve of urinary NGAL concentration at 2 hours after surgery was 0.655, and when the cut-off value was 46.95 ng/mL, the sensitivity was 63.0%, specificity was 78.3%. Conclusion Urine NGAL can predict postoperative AKI in patients with acute Stanford type A aortic dissection, but its value is limited.
ObjectiveTo identify differences in blood routine indicators between lung cancer patients and healthy controls, and between different subgroups of lung cancer patients, so as to improve the early detection of lung cancer prognosis, and provide a basis for risk stratification and prognostic judgment for patients with lung cancer.MethodsThis study enrolled 1 227 patients pathologically diagnosed with lung cancer from December 2008 to December 2013 and 2 454 healthy controls 1∶2 matched by sex and age. The blood routine data of lung cancer patients were collected when they were first diagnosed with lung cancer. Gender and age stratified analysis of blood routine indicators between lung cancer patients and controls were conducted. Comparisons of blood routine indicators among lung cancer patients with different pathological types, stages, and prognosis were performed, followed by Cox regression survival analysis. Normally distributed quantitative variables were presented as mean ± standard deviation and non-normally distributed quantitative variables as medium (lower quartile, upper quartile).ResultsCompared to healthy controls, the counts of platelet [(206.84±80.47) vs. (175.27±55.74)×109/L], white blood cells [(7.04±2.29) vs. (6.08±1.40)×109/L], neutrophil [(4.90±2.08) vs. (3.61±1.07)×109/L], monocyte [0.42 (0.30, 0.54) vs. 0.33 (0.26, 0.42)×109/L], and eosinophil [0.14 (0.07, 0.24) vs. 0.12 (0.07, 0.19)×109/L], as the well as neutrophil-lymphocytes ratio (3.91±2.82 vs. 2.03±0.89) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (160.35±96.06 vs. 96.93±38.02) in lung cancer patients increased significantly, while the counts of red blood cells [(4.41±0.58) vs. (4.85±0.51)×1012/L] and lymphocyte [(1.49±0.60) vs. (1.93±0.59)×109/L] in lung cancer patients decreased, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The counts of platelet, red blood cells, white blood cells, neutrophil, and monocyte differed among patients with different pathological types, tumor stages, and prognosis (P<0.05). Neutrophil-lymphocytes ratio and platelet-lymphocyte ratio were higher in squamous cell carcinoma patients than those in other pathological patients, higher in advanced lung cancer patients than those in early stage patients, and higher in dead lung cancer patients than those in survival patients (P<0.05). Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio was an independent factor affecting the prognosis of lung cancer [hazard ratio=1.077, 95% confidence interval (1.051, 1.103), P<0.001].ConclusionsThe inflammatory index of blood routine indicators are higher in lung cancer patients than those in healthy controls, which indicates that lung cancer is closely related to chronic inflammation. There are significant differences in blood routine inflammation index among lung cancer patients with different pathological types, stages, and prognosis, which reflects the heterogeneity and complexity of lung cancer. Neutrophil-lymphocytes ratio inverse correlates with the prognosis of lung cancer.
Objective To study the responsiveness change of neutrophils when experiencing the second insult after the initial temperature activation in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) by using an in vitro model. Methods The neutrophils were isolated from blood which was drawn from each of 60 health volunteers. The samples were divided into 5 groups including normothermia, tepid temperature, moderate hypothermia, deep hypothermia, and rewarming hyperthermia by random digital table with 12 in each group according to the change of temperature during CPB. An in vitro model for studying neutrophil responsiveness was established by using a polymerase chain reaction thermocycler. Five time points were set for each group, including T0: starting CPB, T1: starting rewarming, T2: 0.5 h after rewarming, T3: 1 h after rewarming, and T4: 1.5 h after rewarming. Platelet activating factor (PAF) was added into each group at T2, T3, and T4, and then the value of membranebound elastase (MBE) activity was measured as responsiveness of neutrophils. Analysis of covariance was applied by using SPSS 13.0 for statistic analysis. If the [CM(159mm]covariance had significant difference between main effects, Bonferroni method would be applied for pairwise comparison. Results The main effect difference of neutrophil responsiveness among different groups was statistically different (F=4.372,P=0.002). MBE value had no statistical difference between the normothermia and tepid temperature groups (81.9±4.5 ng/10.6 cells vs. 76.5±3.6 ng/106 cells, P=0.134). while the MBE values in these two groups were higher than those in the other three groups (P=0.001). MBE value in the rewarming hyperthermia group was higher than that in the deep hypothermia group (61.2±2.7 ng/106 cells vs. 50.9±3.7 ng/106 cells, P=0.005). There was no statistical difference between the moderate hypothermia group (56.4±3.2 ng/106 cells) and the rewarming hyperthermia group (P=0.167), so was it between the moderate hypothermia group and the deep hypothermia group (P=0.107). The main effects of neutrophil responsiveness at different time points was statistically different (F=3.566, P=0.03) when PAF was added. MBE value at T4 was higher thanthat at T2 (70.9±2.5 ng/106 cells vs. 59.9±2.3 ng/106 cells, P=0.027). There was no statistical difference among T3 (65.5±1.8 ng/106 cells), T2 (P=0.168), and T4 (P=0.292) in MBE value. Conclusion Normothermia， tepid temperature， and rewarming hyperthermia during CPB can enhance neutrophil responsiveness and MBE release when neutrophils suffer the second insult. There is a time window for neutrophils to be easily activated during rewarming period.
ObjectiveTo investigate the diagnostic value of serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) for early acute kidney injury (AKI) after tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) surgery. MethodsWe retropectively analyzed the clinical data of 113 patients underwent TOF surgery in our hospital bewteen April 2012 and April 2014. There were 67 males and 46 females at the average age of 8.28±4.75 months ranging from 5 months to 18 months. According to the different clinical manifestation of AKI, those patients were devided into a group A, group B, and group C. In the group A, there were 78 patients with 43 males and 35 females at the mean age of 8.18±3.72 months. In the group B, there were 20 patients with 12 males and 8 females at the mean age of 8.25±1.27 months. In the group C, there were 15 patients with 12 males and 3 females at the mean age of 8.09±2.92 months. We collected the blood in different time before and after the operation. At the same time, we carried on one-way analysis of variance to detect the differences among the three groups. ResultsThere was no statistical difference in the level of serum NGAL among the 3 groups before operation. Compared to pre-operation, there was no statistical difference in the level of serum NGAL among the different time of the group A (P>0.05). There was oliguria and potassium increased in the group B. After strengthening cardiac and lightening heart load, urine volume recovered. There was a transient rise in serum NGAL and the summit is 199.90±49.44 ng/ml at the 8th hour. Compared with that before operation, there was a statistical difference. After 12 hours, the serum NGAL decreased to the normal level. The serum NGAL levle of Group C had constantly increased and there was a statistical difference compared with that before the surgery. After the treatment of peritoneal dialysis, the serum NGAL returned to the normal level. The area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of serum NGAL in the group C was 0.881 (95%CI:0.73-1.00, P<0.05). ConclusionThe detection of serum NGAL level can be valuable for early diagnosis and treatment for AKI after TOF surgery.
Objective To investigate the clinical value of peripheral serum cell-free DNA/neutrophil extracellular traps (cf-DNA/NETs) level in diagnosis and severity assessment of sepsis patients. Methods Forty patients with sepsis and 40 patients with non-infectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome (nf-SIRS) were enrolled in this study. The cf-DNA/NETs level in serum of all subjects were measured. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic ability of the cf-DNA/NETs, white blood cell count (WBC), procalcitonin (PCT) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The sepsis patients were stratified into a survival group and a death group according to the prognosis. Sequential organ failure (SOFA) score were recorded in the sepsis patients, and the correlations between SOFA and cf-DNA/NETs, PCT, WBC, IL-6 were analyzed. Results Compared with the nf-SIRS group, cf-DNA/NETs and PCT levels were significantly higher in the sepsis group (both P<0.05). WBC and IL-6 showed no significant differences between the two groups (bothP>0.05). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of cf-DNA/NETs was 0.884 for diagnosis of sepsis, and it was higher than the AUC of PCT (0.803). The cf-DNA/NETs showed better sensitivity (81.2% and 79.2%) and specificity (81.0% and 82.4%) than PCT. cf-DNA/NETs and PCT were significantly higher in the death group than those in the survival group. Bivariate collection analysis revealed positive correlations between SOFA score and the two biomarkers of cf-DNA/NETs and PCT (r1=0.573, r2=0.518; both P<0.01). Conclusions cf-DNA/NETs and PCT have certain value in early diagnosis of sepsis, and cf-DNA/NETs shows better diagnostic value in distinguishing sepsis from nf-SIRS than PCT. cf-DNA/NETs can be used as a routine monitoring index to help assess disease severity in sepsis.