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.
Objective To investigate the etiology and the clinical features of obliterative bronchiolitis (OB). Methods Sixteen admitted patients were diagnosed as OB in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from Jan 1990 to May 2018. The case records were reviewed retrospectively. Results Twelve patients were female and 4 patients were male. The median age was 33.5 years (ranged from 17 to 55). The common symptoms included: exertional dyspnea in 15 patients (94%), cough in 10 patients (63%), phlegm production in 8 patients (50%). All of the 16 patients had associated conditions: paraneoplastic pemphigus in 6 patients (Castleman’s disease, lymphoproliferative disorder, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor and follicular dendritic cell tumor respectively), chronic graft-versus-host disease after hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation in 3 patients, thymoma in 2 patients, Behcet’s disease, Sjögren syndrome, multiple myeloma, myasthenia gravis, and oral lichen planus in 1 patient respectively. The pulmonary function tests revealed severe or very severe obstructive ventilatory defect in all 16 patients. The CT scans showed slight ground-glass opacities in 10 patients, decreased attenuation of lung in 9 patients, mosaic attenuation in 8 patients, bronchiectasis in 7 patients, and air trapping in 3 patients. Conclusions OB is a clinical syndrome characterized by progressive airway obstruction, resulting from a variety of exposures or diseases. In most cases, diagnosis can be obtained on the basis of typical clinical, physiological, and radiological features, combined with OB-related diseases or exposures. Surgical lung biopsy can help diagnosis but risk-benefit should be taken into consideration seriously.
This study is aimed to investigate the effects of mechanical stretch on the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), and the signaling pathway in human bronchial epithelioid (16HBE) cells under mechanical stretch. Using loading device with flexible substrate (FX-4000T) to stretch 16HBE cells, we found that the stretching elongation was 15%, at frequency of 1 Hz, stretching for 0.5 h, 1 h, 1.5 h and 2 h. Choosing the higher expression of TGF-β1, FGF-2 and Ca2+ group to carry out intervention experiments, we used the cells pretreated with canonical transient receptor potential 1 (TRPC1) channel antagonist SKF96365, protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor HA-100, and thereafter mechanical stretch to interpose. Compared with those in the blank control group, TGF-β1 and FGF-2' protein and mRNA, intracellular Ca2+ fluorescence intensity were higher, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05) at the 4 time points, 0.5 h, 1 h, 1.5 h and 2 h. At 0.5 h, the increasing rate was the highest. TGF-β1 protein and mRNA, FGF-2 protein and mRNA, intracellular Ca2+ luorescence intensity in the stretch+SKF96365 and stretch+HA-100 intervented group were decreased, the differences were statistically significant than those in 0.5 h stretch group (P < 0.05) without intervention. The expression of TGF-β1, FGF-2 was up-regulated in 16HBE cells under mechanical stretch, PKC, TRPC1, and Ca2+ may participate in the signal path.
Objective To explore the relationship between nasopharyngeal microecology and diseases in children with bronchial asthma. Methods A total of 41 children with asthma who were treated in Hainan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between November 2020 and March 2023 were retrospectively included in the study, and 26 healthy children undergoing adenoid examination in the same period were selected as the control group. Samples of nasal mucosa were collected from the anterior and medial side of inferior turbinate, and the expression of DEFB2, IL17A, TSLP, IL13, IL5 and T1R3 genes was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction. Nasal swabs were collected from the children, and the bacterial composition was analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Results Compared with the control group, the rate of atopy cases in the asthma group increased significantly (53.7% vs. 19.2%, P<0.05). At the phylum level, compared with the control group, the phylum Chloroflexi, the phylum Patescibacteria, the phylum Tenericutes and the phylum Nitrospirae in the asthma group increased significantly (P<0.05), and the phylum Elusimicrobia decreased significantly (P<0.05). At the genus level, compared with the control group, the members of Bacillus (Fimnicutes), Ruminococcus (Fimnicutes), Rhodococcus (Actinobacteria), Acinetobacter (Proteobacteria), Moraxella (Proteobacteria) and Asaia (Proteobacteria) in the asthma group increased significantly (P<0.05), and the members of Enterococcus (Fimnicutes), Alkanindiges (Proteobacteria), Rickettsia (Proteobacteria), and Rhizobium (Proteobacteria) in the asthma group decreased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the Shannon index of the asthma group decreased significantly (2.63±1.45 vs. 3.90±1.44; t=2.708, P=0.010). According to receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the optimal cut-off point of Shannon index was 3.10. In all study populations, compared with children whose Shannon index was higher than the cut-off point, children whose Shannon index was lower than the cut-off point were characterized by increased expression of IL17A and T1R3 (P<0.05) and decreased expression of TSLP (P<0.05). Conclusion The composition and abundance of nasopharyngeal microbiota are significantly different between children with asthma and healthy control children.
Objective To evaluate the application value of spiral CT virtual endoscopy and three dimensional imaging in fiberoptic bronchoscopic balloon dilation in patients with benign tracheobronchial stenosis. Methods Thirty-three cases of benign tracheobronchial stenosis from June 2004 to November 2008 were checked by spiral CT with airway tracheobronchial reconstruction. For the patients with indications, balloon dilatation was performed under fiberoptic bronchoscope. The three-dimensional reconstruction images were compared with the findings under bronchoscopy. And the preoperative and postoperative three-dimensional reconstruction images were compared for airway diameter. Results Three cases were found stenosis of middle lobe by CT virtual endoscopy and did not undergo balloon dilatation. The remaining 30 cases were confirmed by bronchoscopy findings similar to the images by tracheobronchial reconstruction with CT, with consistent rate of 100% . Immediate postoperative three-dimensional CTreconstruction of tracheal bronchus revealed that diameter of stenotic bronchus increased from ( 2. 7 ±1. 3) mm to ( 6. 9 ±1. 6) mmafter operation. Conclusion Multislice spiral CT virtual endoscopy is helpful in fiberoptic bronchoscopic balloon dilation in patients with benign tracheobronchial stenosis and postoperative follow-up.
ObjectiveTo evaluates the values of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) in the treatment of chronic cough prospectively.MethodsSubjects with chronic cough were recruited from the outpatient clinic of China-Japan Friendship Hospital. All the patients accepted FENO tests, sputum cell counts, pulmonary function tests, bronchial provocation tests, serum IgE, cough symptom scores and Leicester Cough Questionnaire before and after treatment of 4 weeks.ResultsThere were 29 patients with cough variant asthma (CVA), 19 patients with eosinophilic bronchitis (EB) and 39 patients with other causes. The baseline FENO level of the subjects whose coughs were relieved after inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) therapy of 4 weeks was (63±42) ppb, significantly higher than those with bad-response [(28±13) ppb, P<0.01]. The proportion of FENO decrease after ICS therapy was not only significantly related to the proportion of eosinophilic decrease (r=0.54, P<0.01), but also significantly related to the proportion of decrease of cough symptom scores (r=0.48, P<0.01). To distinguish the good responders from bad responders, the optimal baseline FENO cutoff value was 36 ppb, with sensitivity of 82%, specificity of 93%, positive predictive value of 94%, negative predictive value of 87%, accuracy of 83%.ConclusionsThere is a good relationship between the FENO decreasing levels after ICS therapy and the reliefs of cough symptoms in the CVA and EB patients. Chronic cough patients with FENO value more than 36 ppb are indicated to respond to ICS therapy.
Objective To evaluate and select essential medicine for acute bronchitis using evidence-based methods based on the burden of disease. Methods By means of the approaches, criteria, and workflow set up in the second article of this series, we referred to the recommendations of evidence-based or authority guidelines from inside and outside China, collected relevant evidence from domestic clinical studies, and recommended essential medicine based on evidence-based evaluation. Data were analyzed by Review Manager (RevMan) 5.1 and GRADE profiler 3.6 to evaluate quality of evidence. Results (1) Eight guidelines were included (seven foreign guidelines, one domestic guideline; five based on evidence, three based on expert consensus). (2) A result of six RCTs (n=816, low quality) indicated that pentoxyverine had efficiencies of 53% to 82% for cough relief. Among the six RCTs, a result of three RCTs (n=283) indicated that pentoxyverine was slightly less efficient than procaterol (RR=0.86, 95%CI 0.78 to 0.94, P=0.001); a result of two RCTs (n=233) indicated that pentoxyverine was slightly less efficient than Chinese medicinals decoction (RR=0.82, 95%CI 0.74 to 0.91, Plt;0.001). Adverse reaction of pentoxyverine (incidence: 0% to 2.4%) mainly covered nausea, palpitation, etc. Pentoxyverine cost 0.20 yuan (for adult) or 0.08 yuan (for child) daily, which was orally taken and applicable to the target population. (3) A result of six RCTs (n=403, low quality) indicated that the efficiencies of dextromethorphan for cough relief was 47.0% to 95.3%. Among the six RCTs, a result of one RCT (n=283) indicated that dextromethorphan hydrobromide (nasal drop) was more efficient than blank intervention (RR=3.71, 95%CI 1.91 to 7.21); a result of one RCT (n=43) indicated that dextromethorphan (for oral use) was more efficient than placebo (RR=1.74, 95%CI 1.13 to 2.66); a result of one RCT (n=300, moderate quality) indicated that dextromethorphan was more efficient than pentoxyverine (RR=1.16, 95%CI 1.07 to 1.26); a result of one observational study (n=121, low quality) indicated that dextromethorphan given for 5 days had an efficiency of 66.5%. Adverse reaction of dextromethorphan (incidence: 2% to 30%) mainly covered mouth dryness, dizziness, nausea, etc. Conclusion (1) We offer a b recommendation for dextromethorphan used in relieving dry cough due to acute bronchitis. (2) We offer a weak recommendation for pentoxyverine as symptomatic treatment for cough relief. (3) We make a recommendation against antibiotics, β2-agonist bronchodilators and mucolytic agents as routine use. (4) More large-scale, multi-center, double-blinded RCTs are needed in clinical and pharmacoeconomic studies of acute bronchitis in hopes of producing high-quality local evidence.
Objective To investigate the effects of methylprednisolone on airway inflammation of chronic bronchitis in rats, and to explore its possible mechanism. Methods Forty SD rats were randomly divided into five groups, ie. a blank control group, amethylprednisolone control group, a model group, and two methylprednisolone intervention groups. Chronic bronchitis model was established by cigarette inhalation in the model group and two intervention groups. Methylprednisolone was injected intraperitoneally in the two intervention groups before exposing to cigarette smog ( at the dose of 1 mg/ kg and 10 mg/ kg, qd,respectively) . The protein expression of phosphodiesterase 4D ( PDE4D ) in trachea and lung samples was determined by immunohistochemical staining. The average optical density of positive staining of PDE4D was determined by image analysis technique and gray scale scanning. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( BALF) was collected for total and differential cell counts, and the concentrations of TNF-αand interleukin-8 ( IL-8) in BALF were detected by ELISA. Results Cigarette smoking induced obvious airway inflammation in themodel group, and the inflammation was alleviated in the two methylprednisolone intervention groups.Compared with the two control groups, the expression of PDE4D was obviously elevated in tracheal and lungs in the model group( P lt; 0. 05) . Moreover, the increased expression of PDE4D was positively related with theincreased release of TNF-αand IL-8 in BALF. The expression of PDE4D and the release of TNF-αand IL-8 in BALF were decreased after the treatment with methylprednisolone in a dose-dependent manner ( P lt;0. 05) . Compare with the low dose intervention group, there was no markedly difference related to PMNnumber and TNF-α release in the high dose intervention group ( P gt; 0.05) . Conclusions Methylprednisolone may alleviate airway inflammation of chronic bronchitis by inhibiting the expression of PDE4D in rats. Inhibition of PDE4D may down-regulate TNF-αactivity, which may further reduce IL-8 release and alleviate airway inflammation.
ObjectiveTo explore the diagnostic value of endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath (EBUS-GS) for pulmonary fungal disease.MethodsAll patients were collected from January 2015 to December 2018. They were diagnosed with pulmonary fungal disease by tissue biopsy, body fluid or blood test, and without other diseases such as pneumonia, lung cancer, lung abscess, tuberculosis, or organizing pneumonia, etc. After clinical anti-fungal treatment, clinical symptoms were relieved, chest CT lesions were absorbed, laboratory-related checks were turned negative in these patients. All patients underwent bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid/brush examination, and blood galactomannan antigen test/latex agglutination test. They were divided into an EBUS-GS group and a non-EBUS-GS group according to whether EBUS-GS check was performed. Non-parametric test was used to analyze the diagnostic value of EBUS-GS in pulmonary fungal diseases.ResultsFifty-one patients were included and 20 patients in the EBUS-GS group and 31 patients in the non-EBUS-GS group. The EBUS-GS group had a higher positive rate of pulmonary fungal disease. The diagnostic rates of the EBUS-GS group and the non-EBUS-GS group were statistically different (90.0% vs. 48.4%, P<0.05).ConclusionEBUS-GS can improve the diagnosis rate of pulmonary fungal disease and provides further evidence for a clear diagnosis.
Objective To explore a new surgical treatment of patients with severe congenital heart disease associated with tracheal or bronchial stenosis. Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 32 patients with severe pulmonary blood increased congenital heart disease complicated with tracheal or bronchial stenosis in our hospital between June 2010 and June 2014. There were 18 males and 13 females with an average age of 14.6±4.0 months and a weight of 8.8±3.0 kg. Results Average hospital stay was 12 days. Duration of intraoperative cardiopulmonary bypass was 65.0±21.0 min. Duration of aortic interruption was 42.0±16.0 min. Duration of postoperative ventilator was 25.0±18.0 h. ICU retention time was 4.0±1.8 d. All patients were survived. On the 9th day after surgery, the X-ray chest film revealed that the cardio-thoracic ratio was reduced compared with pre-operation but no statistical significance (P>0.05). Left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) was decreased (P<0.05). Pulmonary artery pressure was lower (P<0.01). The velocity of bloodstream in pulmonary artery was approximately normal. The computed tomography angiography (CTA) on the 9th day after surgery revealed that diameter of pulmonary artery in all patients reduced compared with that of pre-operation (P<0.01). Tracheal diameter of 28 patients returned to normal level and 3 patients had residual mild tracheal stenosis. All preoperative atelectasis recovered to normal level. All patients recovered completely. When the patients were followed up for 6 months to 4 years, the patients grew healthily and no abnormity occurred. Conclusion For the patients with tracheal or bronchial stenosis related to severe congenital heart disease,it is necessary to adopt surgical procedure to relieve the pressure of trachea or bronchus.The bronchial decompression surgery is a perfect and effective method for the patients with tracheal or bronchial stenosis related to severe congenital heart disease.