Objective To evaluate the value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) in antibiotics used for the treatment of acute exacerbation of asthma. Method From February 2007 to July 2009, a total of 158 patients with asthma were randomly (random number) assigned to PCT group ( n = 77) or to control group ( n = 81 ). The PCT levels of all patients were measured. On the bases of routine treatment, the employment of antibiotics in control group was determined by the guidebook, and patients in the PCT group were treated with antibiotics guided by the levels of serum PCT. The antibiotics treatment was employed as PCT level ＞0.25 ng/mL, and was not employed as PCT level ＜ 0.25 ng/mL. The rates of antibioties employment were observed. Results The rate of antibiotics employment in PCT group (45.4%) was lower than that of the control group (77.8%) (x2 = 17.15,P =0.000). Conclusions PCT could be used safely as guidance of antibiotics employment for the treatment of patients with acute exacerbation of asthma, leading to appropriate use of antibiotcs.

Objective To evaluate the value of serum procalcitonin (PCT)on antibiotic use in treatment of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in outpatient. Methods From November 2006 to February 2008, a total of 127 patients with CAP in outpatient were randomly assigned into two groups:PCT group(n=63)and control group(n =64). PCT levels of all patients were measured after study admission. On the base of similarly normal treatment, the control group received antibiotics according to the attending physicians and the PCT group were treated with antibiotics according to serum PCT levels: antibiotic treatment was applied with PCT level ≥ 0. 25 μg/L and was discouraged with PCT level < 0.25 μg/L. Clinical efficacy, rate of antibiotics use, duration courses and costs of antibiotics were observed. Results Clinical efficacy of the PCT group was similar with the control group (92.1% vs 87.5%, P >0.05) ;rate and costs of antibiotics use was lower, antibiotic duration of the PCT group was shorter than that ofthecontroigroup(P<0.05,P<0.001,P<0.001).Conclusion PCT could be used in treatment of CAP for antibiotic use in outpatient, which may reduce antibiotic use, shorten antibiotic duration and lower costs of antibiotic.

Objective To evaluate the impact of depression on 5-year survival rate of elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods From January 2002 to June 2004, a total of 401 elderly inpatients with COPD were enrolled.They were assigned into two groups according to their HAD-D scores: depression group (HAD-D scores≥8) and non-depression group (HAD-D scores<8).The follow-up time was 5 years.Results The 5-year survival rate was lower in depression group than in non-depression group (log-rank test, χ~2 = 6.94, P<0.01).Depression was independently associated with mortality in elderly patients with COPD (HR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.08 to 3.11).Conclusions Depression in elderly COPD patients is associated with poor 5-year survival rate, and it is an independent influencing factor of 5-year mortality.

Objective To evaluate the value of serum procalcitonin(PCT)on antibiotics use in treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease( AECOPD). Method From May 2004 to December 2006, a total of 235 patients requiring hospitalization for AECOPD were randomly assigned into two groups: standard therapy group(group A, n = 117)and PCT-guided group(group B, n = 118) .PCT levels of all patients were measured after hospital admission by an amplified cryptate emission technology assay. On the base of similarly normal treatment, group A received antibiotics according to the attending physicians,and group B were treated with antibiotics according to serum PCT levels:antibiotic treatment was applied with PCT level ≥0.25 ng/ml and was discouraged with PCT level ＜0.25 ng/ml. Length of hospitalization,clinical efficacy,costs of hospitalization and antibiotics, rate of antibiotics use, hospital mortality,rate of exacerbation and rehospitalization within 1 year were observed. Analyses were performed by t test, Mann-Whitney U test or χ2 test. Results Clinical efficacy, hospital mortality, length of hospitalization, rate of exacerbation and rehospitalization within 1 year were similar in two groups (P =0.635,0.768,0.884,0.747,0.727) ;costs of antibiotics and hospitalization,rate of antibiotics use of PCT-guided group were lower than that of standard therapy group( P = 0.029,0.036,0.014). Conclusions PCT could be used in treatment of AECOPD for antibiotic use after hospital admission,which may reduce antibiotic use and lower costs of antibiotic and hospitalization.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of the expressions of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in colorectal cancer tissues with Dukes' clinicopathological features.

METHODSAng-2 and Tie-2 mRNA expressions were detected in colorectal cancer tissues, adjacent tissues, and normal tissues by real time-PCR. Quantikine immunoassays were used to measure the protein expressions of Ang-2 and VEGF in the tissues and serum samples.

RESULTSAng-2 and Tie-2 levels were significantly higher in the serum of the patients than in the normal tissues (P<0.05), and their expressions were strongly correlated (r=0.879, P=0.000). Tumor tissue Ang-2 and VEGF levels were significantly higher than their levels in the adjacent and normal tissues (P<0.05). In colorectal cancer patients, the peripheral blood level of Ang-2 was significantly higher than that in healthy control subjects, and comparable with that in mesenteric blood (P>0.05). In Dukes' stage C and D patients, serum Ang-2 and VEGF levels were significantly higher than those in patients in Dukes' stage A and B (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAng-2 and VEGF over expressions may play an important role in the occurrence and progression of colorectal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Angiopoietin-2 ; blood ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood ; metabolism