BACKGROUND: Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory airway disease and intermittent hypoxia is increasingly recognized as a factor that may impact disease progression. The present study investigated whether intermittent hypoxia (IH) could aggravate asthma by promoting hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3)/interleukin (IL)-1β-dependent pyroptosis and the inflammatory response and further elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms involved. METHODS: A total of 49 patients diagnosed with severe bronchial asthma and diagnosed by polysomnography were enrolled at Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, between January 2022 and December 2022, and their general data and induced sputum were collected. BEAS-2B cells were treated with IL-13 and subjected to IH. An ovalbumin (OVA)-treated mouse model was also used to assess the effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) on asthma. Pyroptosis, the inflammatory response, and related signalling pathways were assessed in vivo and in vitro . RESULTS: In this study, as the apnoea and hypopnea index (AHI) increased, the proportion of patients with uncontrolled asthma increased. The proportions of neutrophils and the levels of IL-6, IL-8, HIF-1α and NLRP3 in induced sputum were related to the AHI. NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis, which could be mediated by the HIF-1α signalling pathway, was activated in IL-13 plus IH-treated BEAS-2B cells and in the lungs of OVA/CIH mice. HIF-1α downregulation significantly reduced lung pyroptosis and ameliorated neutrophil inflammation by modulating the NLRP3/IL-1β pathway both in vitro and in vivo . Similarly, pretreatment with LW6, an inhibitor of HIF-1α, effectively blocked the generation of inflammatory cytokines in neutrophils. In addition, administration of the NLRP3 activator nigericin obviously increased lung neutrophil inflammation. CONCLUSIONS Obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a risk factor for asthma exacerbation. IH aggravates neutrophil inflammation in asthma via NLRP3/IL-1β-dependent pyroptosis mediated by the HIF-1α signalling pathway, which should be considered a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of asthma with OSAHS.
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Humans ; Asthma/metabolism* ; Animals ; Pyroptosis/physiology* ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism* ; Mice ; Signal Transduction/physiology* ; Male ; Hypoxia/metabolism* ; Female ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Adult ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; Middle Aged ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Objective To explore the efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopy(UBE)for lumbar intervertebral foramen stenosis combined with lumbar disc herniation through Sublamina approach.Methods From October 2021 to June 2022,7 elderly patients with typical symptoms of lumbar disc herniation in the intervertebral foramen area accompanied by spinal stenosis were retrospectively analyzed.There were 6 patients with lumbar disc herniation and nerve root canal stenosis at L4/5 and 1 patient at L5/S1.The mean course of disease was(8.6±2.5)months.All the patients were treated by UBE through Sublamina approach.Results Postoperative limb radicular symptoms of 7 patients were relieved.The visual analogue scale(VAS)of limb pain was significantly decreased from preoperative(8.6±1.3)to(2.1±1.1)at 2 d after the surgery(P<0.05),the Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)score was significantly increased from preoperative(10.1±2.4)to(17.3±1.8)at 2 d after the surgery(P<0.05).Conclusion UBE for lumbar intervertebral foramen stenosis combined with lumbar disc herniation through Sublamina approach has a satisfactory therapeutic effect,providing a new idea for the surgical treatment of this disease.

Background/Aims: Existing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prediction models are derived mainly from pretreatment or early on-treatment parameters. We reassessed the dynamic changes in the performance of 17 HCC models in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) during long-term antiviral therapy (AVT). Methods: Among 987 CHB patients administered long-term entecavir therapy, 660 patients had 8 years of follow-up data. Model scores were calculated using on-treatment values at 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, and 5 years of AVT to predict threeyear HCC occurrence. Model performance was assessed with the area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC). The original model cutoffs to distinguish different levels of HCC risk were evaluated by the log-rank test. Results: The AUROCs of the 17 HCC models varied from 0.51 to 0.78 when using on-treatment scores from years 2.5 to 5. Models with a cirrhosis variable showed numerically higher AUROCs (pooled at 0.65–0.73 for treated, untreated, or mixed treatment models) than models without (treated or mixed models: 0.61–0.68; untreated models: 0.51–0.59). Stratification into low, intermediate, and high-risk levels using the original cutoff values could no longer reflect the true HCC incidence using scores after 3.5 years of AVT for models without cirrhosis and after 4 years of AVT for models with cirrhosis. Conclusions The performance of existing HCC prediction models, especially models without the cirrhosis variable, decreased in CHB patients on long-term AVT. The optimization of existing models or the development of novel models for better HCC prediction during long-term AVT is warranted.

BACKGROUND: Although intensively studied in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the prognostic value of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) has little been elucidated in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). This study aimed to reveal the prognostic value of DBP in AECOPD patients. METHODS: Inpatients with AECOPD were prospectively enrolled from 10 medical centers in China between September 2017 and July 2021. DBP was measured on admission. The primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality; invasive mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit (ICU) admission were secondary outcomes. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariable Cox regressions were used to identify independent prognostic factors and calculate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for adverse outcomes. RESULTS: Among 13,633 included patients with AECOPD, 197 (1.45%) died during their hospital stay. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that low DBP on admission (<70 mmHg) was associated with increased risk of in-hospital mortality (HR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.53-3.05, Z = 4.37, P <0.01), invasive mechanical ventilation (HR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.32-2.05, Z = 19.67, P <0.01), and ICU admission (HR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.24-1.69, Z = 22.08, P <0.01) in the overall cohort. Similar findings were observed in subgroups with or without CVDs, except for invasive mechanical ventilation in the subgroup with CVDs. When DBP was further categorized in 5-mmHg increments from <50 mmHg to ≥100 mmHg, and 75 to <80 mmHg was taken as reference, HRs for in-hospital mortality increased almost linearly with decreased DBP in the overall cohort and subgroups of patients with CVDs; higher DBP was not associated with the risk of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: Low on-admission DBP, particularly <70 mmHg, was associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes among inpatients with AECOPD, with or without CVDs, which may serve as a convenient predictor of poor prognosis in these patients. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trail Registry, No. ChiCTR2100044625.
Humans ; Blood Pressure ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/therapy* ; Cohort Studies ; Respiration, Artificial ; Inpatients ; Hospital Mortality

PURPOSE: Details of patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation in mainland China are lacking. To improve disease control and reduce economic burden, a large sample survey among this patient population is indispensable. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of such patients.METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation in 29 hospitals of 29 regions in mainland China during the period 2013 to 2014. Demographic features, pre-admission conditions, exacerbation details, and outcomes were summarized. Risk factors for exacerbation severity were analyzed.RESULTS: There were 3,240 asthmatic patients included in this study (57.7% females, 42.3% males). Only 28.0% used daily controller medications; 1,287 (39.7%) patients were not currently on inhaled corticosteroids. Acute upper airway infection was the most common trigger of exacerbation (42.3%). Patients with severe to life-threatening exacerbation tended to have a longer disease course, a smoking history, and had comorbidities such as hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and food allergy. The multivariate analysis showed that smoking history, comorbidities of hypertension, COPD, and food allergy were independent risk factors for more severe exacerbation. The number of patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation varied with seasons, peaking in March and September. Eight patients died during the study period (mortality 0.25%).CONCLUSIONS: Despite enhanced education on asthma self-management in China during recent years, few patients were using daily controller medications before the onset of their exacerbation, indicating that more educational efforts and considerations are needed. The findings of this study may improve our understanding of hospital admission for asthma exacerbation in mainland China and provide evidence for decision-making.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Asthma ; China ; Comorbidity ; Disease Progression ; Education ; Female ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Inpatients ; Medication Adherence ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Seasons ; Self Care ; Smoke ; Smoking

Objective To investigate the clinical features and prognosis related risk factors in nonalcoholic steatosis liver cirrhosis(NASLC).Methods From January 1st,2006 to December 31st, 2013,in a prospective cohort of 12 489 patients with liver cirrhosis set,174 patients were with NASLC and 306 patients with hepatitis B were the control.The patients were followed up every three months. The clinical data of patients were collected,including gender,age,height,body weight,blood pressure, history of hypertension,history of diabetes,family history of tumor,blood glucose level,high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)level,low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)level,triglyceride level,white blood cell,platelet,prothrombin time activity,total bilirubin,albumin,cholinesterase,blood urea nitrogen,creatinine,alpha-fetoprotein,abdominal ultrasound,abdominal computer tomography and endoscopy.Body mass index(BMI)and Child-Pugh scores were calculated.The differences between the two groups were analyzed in the incidence of ascites,hepatic encephalopathy,hepatorenal syndrome, esophageal varices bleeding,liver failure,hepatocellular carcinoma and mortality.Chi square test and t test were performed for statistical analysis.logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors associated with hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with NASLC.Results The proportion of female in NASLC group was higher than that in posthepatic cirrhosis group(56.0%,47/84 vs 28.7%,49/171), and the difference was statistically significant(χ2 =17.653,P<0.01).BMI,systolic pressure,diastolic pressure,level of fasting blood glucose,LDL-C,triglyceride,prothrombin time activity,albumin, cholinesterase,cases number of hypertension,diabetes and metabolic syndrome of NASLC group were all significantly higher than those of posthepatic cirrhosis group(t=6.267,4.091,5.773,2.914,1.877, 2.044,2.326,1.935 and 2.023;χ2=7.241,9.399 and 81.367;all P<0.05),however,serum levels of HDL-C,total bilirubin and creatinine were significantly lower than those of posthepatic cirrhosis group (t=6.127,8.487 and 3.261;all P < 0.05).T he three-year accumulative incidences of hepatic encephalopathy,hepatorenal syndrome and liver failure of NASLC group(8.3%,7/84;1.2%,1/84;0) were all lower than those of posthepatic cirrhosis control group(22.2%,38/171;9.9%,17/171 and 5.8%, 10/171;χ2 = 5.751,3.862 and 3.927,all P< 0.05).The three-year accumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma of NASLC was 8.3%(7/84).The three-year accumulative incidence of mortality was lower than that of posthepatic cirrhosis group(2.4%,2/84 vs 13.5%,23/171;χ2 = 3.884,P=0.049).The results of logistic regression analysis showed that BMI(odds ratio(OR)= 1.469,95%confidence interval(CI)1.093 to 2.176,P=0.016)and diabetes(OR=1.734,95% CI 1.269 to 2.388, P=0.012)were independent risk factors associated with hepatocellular carcinoma in NASLC patients. Conclusions NASLC occurrs mainly in female with good liver function.BMI and diabetes are the risk factors associated with hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with NASLC.

Objective: To investigate the methods for qualitative pathological assessment of dynamic changes in liver fibrosis/cirrhosis after antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), since antiviral therapy can partially reverse liver fibrosis and cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B and semi-quantitative, rather than qualitative, pathological assessment is often used for the research on liver fibrosis regression. Methods: Previously untreated CHB patients with liver fibrosis and cirrhosis were enrolled, and liver biopsy was performed before treatment and at 78 weeks after the antiviral therapy based on entecavir. The follow-up assessment was performed once every half a year. Based on the proportion of different types of fibrous septum, we put forward the new qualitative criteria called P-I-R classification (predominantly progressive, predominantly regressive, and indeterminate) for evaluating dynamic changes in liver fibrosis. This classification or Ishak fibrosis stage was used to evaluate the change in liver fibrosis after treatment and Ishak liver inflammation score was used to evaluate the change in liver inflammation after treatment. Results: A total of 112 CHB patients who underwent liver biopsy before and after treatment were enrolled, and among these patients, 71 with an Ishak stage of ≥3 and qualified results of live biopsy were included in the final analysis. Based on the P-I-R classification, 58% (41/71) were classified as predominantly progressive, 29% (21/71) were classified as indeterminate, and 13% (9/71) were classified as predominantly regressive; there were no significant differences between the three groups in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, HBeAg positive rate, HBV DNA, and liver stiffness (P < 0.05). After treatment, the proportion of predominantly progressive, indeterminate, or predominantly regressive patients changed to 11% (8/71), 11% (8/71), and 78% (55/71), respectively. Among the 35 patients who had no change in Ishak stage after treatment, 72% (25/35) were classified as predominantly regressive and had certain reductions in the Laennec score, percentage of collagen area, and liver stiffness. Conclusion This new P-I-R classification can be used to assess the dynamic changes in liver fibrosis after antiviral therapy in CHB patients.

ObjectiveTo explore the application value of thoracoscopic pleural lavage for empyema after liver transplantation (LT).MethodsClinical data of 5 patients who underwent thoracoscopic pleural lavage for empyema after LT in the Third Afifliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from October 2002 to October 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. All 5 patients were males with the age ranging from 42 to 56 years old and the median of 51 years old. The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the local ethical committee approval had been received. The patients received thoracoscopic pleural lavage for empyema under endotracheal general anesthesia. The thoracoscope was introduced in the seventh intercostal space on the mid-axillary line. The aspirator was inserted in the third intercostal space on the anterior line to drain the pus. And the pleural ifberboard was peeled off. The intraoperative situation and perioperative recovery of the patients were observed.ResultsFive patients received successful operations and recovered and were discharged from hospital. The median length of operation was 2(1-3) h. The length of respirator assisted ventilation was 26(6-42) h. The intraoperative blood loss was 600(300-1 000) ml. The length of indwelling chest drainage tube was 4(2-6) h. The volume of chest drainage was 680(350-1 200) ml. No mortality, empyema recurrence and other serious complications were observed. The postoperative hospital stay was 7(5-11) d.ConclusionThoracoscopic pleural lavage for empyema after LT is a safe and effective treatment.

Objective To know the levels of antibodies against influenza A virus subtypes H1 and H3 of population in Shanghai during 2009, and the detection of antibodies against avian influenza virus subtypes H5 and H9 in population which contacts with avian. Methods The serological survey of the antibodies against influenza A viruses subtypes H1, H3, H5 and H9 in 356 close contacts with avian (professional population) and 332 general subjects (general population) at various age groups were carried out using hemagglutinin inhibit (HI) test. Results The positive rates of antibodies against influenza virus A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1) in general population and professional population were 82.8% (275/332) and 73.9% (263/356), respectively; those of A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2)were 50.6% (168/332) and 54.8% (195/356), respectively. The positive rate of antibodies against influenza virus A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1 )was significantly higher than that of influenza A viruses subtype H3, which was consistent with etiological survey of influenza virus in Shanghai during 2008.The positive rates of antibodies against influenza A virus subtype H5 in professional population and general population were 4.2% (15/356) and 0.3% (1/332), respectively; those of influenza A virus subtype H9 were 34.6% (123/356) and 2.4% (8/332), respectively. The positive rates of antibodies against influenza virus A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1 ) and A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2) in age groups of 6 months-5 years and ≥60 years were lower than other age groups. Conclusions The immune protective response against seasonal influenza A subtype H1 and H3 of population in Shanghai is high,while those of children and the elders were low. The levels of antibodies against influenza A viruses subtype H5 and H9 in professinal population present obviously ascending trend, which indicates that the etiological and serological survey of influenza virus in this population should be enhanced.

Objective To evaluate the benefits of perioperative fast-track surgery (FTS) program on clinical outcome in patients with gastric cancer. Methods Totally, 82 patients were randomly allocated into FTS group (n = 41; received perioperative FTS program) and control group (n = 41; received a conventional therapy). The postoperative first defecation time, postoperative hospital stay, hospitalization expenditure, and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Results The postoperative first defecation time and postoperative hospital stay were (45.58 ± 26.91 ) h and (9.4 ± 3. 3 ) d in FT3 group and (58.01 ± 23.5 ) h and ( 12. 4 ±3.6 )d in control group (P = 0. 0287 and P = 0. 0002, respectively). Hospitalization expenditure was significantly lower in FTS group than that in control group [(2. 96 ± 0.44 ) yuan vs. ( 3.46 ± 0. 34 ) × 104 yuan, P ＜ 0. 0001 ).The complication was not significantly different between the two groups (7.3% vs. 17.1% , P =0. 232). Conclusion Perioperative FTS program can accelerate postoperative rehabilitation, shorten hospital stay, and decrease medical costs in patients with gastric cancer.