BACKGROUND: The presence of fibrosis is a criterion for subtype classification in the newly updated hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) guidelines. The present study aimed to summarize differences in clinical characteristics and prognosis of non-fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (NFHP) and fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (FHP) and explore factors associated with the presence of fibrosis. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, patients diagnosed with HP through a multidisciplinary discussion were enrolled. Collected data included demographic and clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and radiologic and histopathological features. Logistic regression analyses were performed to explore factors related to the presence of fibrosis. RESULTS: A total of 202 patients with HP were enrolled, including 87 (43.1%) NFHP patients and 115 (56.9%) FHP patients. Patients with FHP were older and more frequently presented with dyspnea, crackles, and digital clubbing than patients with NFHP. Serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 125, carbohydrate antigen 153, gastrin-releasing peptide precursor, squamous cell carcinoma antigen, and antigen cytokeratin 21-1, and count of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) eosinophils were higher in the FHP group than in the NFHP group. BAL lymphocytosis was present in both groups, but less pronounced in the FHP group. Multivariable regression analyses revealed that older age, <20% of lymphocyte in BAL, and ≥1.75% of eosinophil in BAL were risk factors for the development of FHP. Twelve patients developed adverse outcomes, with a median survival time of 12.5 months, all of whom had FHP. CONCLUSIONS Older age, <20% of lymphocyte in BAL, and ≥1.75% of eosinophil in BAL were risk factors associated with the development of FHP. Prognosis of patients with NFHP was better than that of patients with FHP. These results may provide insights into the mechanisms of fibrosis in HP.
Humans ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Prospective Studies ; Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic/diagnosis* ; Fibrosis ; Carbohydrates

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease of unknown etiology characterized by the formation of noncaseating granulomas.Its clinical manifestations are heterogeneous,and the determinants of clinical course(such as active vs inac-tive,remission vs chronic progression,and fibrosis vs non-fibrosis)are poorly understood.Despite considerable effort over many years,the exact pathogenesis of sarcoidosis has not been fully elucidated.Animal models have made significant con-tributions to understanding the etiology and the development of this disease.In this review,we presented the clinical rele-vance of animal models in sarcoidosis,summarized the methods for constructing the models,and discussed how they have strengthened our understanding of sarcoidosis.

Objective:To explore the expression pattern of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in mice peritoneal macrophages (PMs) after major trauma and analyze the effects of enhanced AhR expression on the inflammatory cytokine level and bactericidal ability after trauma.Methods:The experimental study method was used. Forty 6-8-week-old male C57BL/6J mice (the same mouse age, sex, and strain below) were divided into control group, post trauma hour (PTH) 2 group, PTH 6 group, and PTH 12 group according to the random number table (the same grouping method below), with 10 mice in each group. Mice in the latter 3 groups were constructed as severe trauma model with fracture+blood loss, while mice in control group were left untreated. The primary PMs (the same cells below) were extracted from the mice in control group, PTH 2 group, PTH 6 group, and PTH 12 group when uninjured or at PTH 2, 6, and 12, respectively. Then the protein and mRNA expressions of AhR were detected by Western blotting and real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, respectively, and the gene expressions of AhR signaling pathway related molecules were analyzed by transcriptome sequencing. Twenty mice were divided into control group and PTH 6 group, with 10 mice in each group, and the PMs were extracted. The level of ubiquitin of AhR was detected by immunoprecipitation. Twelve mice were divided into dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) alone group, PTH 6+DMSO group, MG-132 alone group, and PTH 6+MG-132 group, with 3 mice in each group. After the corresponding treatment, PMs were extracted, and the protein expression of AhR was detected by Western blotting. Twenty mice were constructed as PTH 6 model. Then, the PMs were extracted and divided into empty negative control adenovirus (Ad-NC) group and AhR overexpression adenovirus (Ad-AhR) group. The protein expression of AhR was detected by Western blotting at 36 h after some PMs were transfected with the corresponding adenovirus. The rest cells in Ad-NC group were divided into Ad-NC alone group and Ad-NC+endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group, and the rest cells in Ad-AhR group were divided into Ad-AhR alone group and Ad-AhR+LPS group. The expressions of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the cell supernatant were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at 12 h after the corresponding treatment ( n=6). Twenty mice were obtained to extract PMs. The cells were divided into control+Ad-NC group, PTH 6+Ad-NC group, control+Ad-AhR group, and PTH 6+Ad-AhR group, and the intracellular bacterial load was detected by plate spread method after the corresponding treatment ( n=6). Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance, least significant difference test, analysis of variance for factorial design, and independent sample t test. Results:Compared with 1.16±0.28 of control group, the protein expressions of AhR in PMs in PTH 2 group (0.59±0.14), PTH 6 group (0.72±0.16), and PTH 12 group (0.71±0.17) were all significantly decreased ( P<0.05). The overall comparison of the difference of AhR mRNA expression in PMs among control group, PTH 2 group, PTH 6 group, and PTH 12 group showed no statistical significance ( P>0.05). The AhR signaling pathway related molecules included AhR, AhR inhibitor, cytochrome P450 family member 1b1, cytochrome P450 family member 11a1, heat shock protein 90, aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interaction protein, and heat shock protein 70 interaction protein. The heat shock protein 90 expression of PMs in PTH 2 group was higher than that in control group, while the expressions of other molecules did not change significantly after trauma. Compared with that in control group, the level of ubiquitin of AhR in PMs in PTH 6 group was increased. Compared with that in DMSO alone group, the protein expression of AhR in PMs in PTH 6+DMSO group was decreased, while that in PMs in MG-132 alone group had no significant change. Compared with that in PTH 6+DMSO group, the protein expression of AhR in PMs in PTH 6+MG-132 group was up-regulated. At transfection hour 36, compared with that in Ad-NC group, the protein expression of AhR in PMs in Ad-AhR group was increased. At treatment hour 12, compared with those in Ad-NC+LPS group, the expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α in PM supernatant of Ad-AhR+LPS group were significantly decreased (with t values of 4.80 and 3.82, respectively, P<0.05). The number of intracellular bacteria of 1×10 6 PMs in control+Ad-NC group, PTH 6+Ad-NC group, control+Ad-AhR group, and PTH 6+Ad-AhR group was (3.0±1.8), (41.8±10.2), (1.8±1.2), and (24.2±6.3) colony forming unit, respectively. Compared with that in PTH 6+Ad-NC group, the number of intracellular bacteria of PMs in PTH 6+Ad-AhR group was significantly decreased ( t=3.61, P<0.05). Conclusions:Ubiquitin degradation of AhR in PMs of mice after major trauma results in decreased protein expression of AhR. Increasing the expression of AhR in post-traumatic macrophages can reduce the expressions of LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, and improve the bactericidal ability of macrophages after trauma.

Background::Patients with pneumoconiosis have an elevated risk of contracting pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and need particular attention. However, extensive population-based studies on the prevalence of PTB in patients with pneumoconiosis have not been reported in China since 1992. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of PTB in patients with pneumoconiosis based on its social determinants and risk factors in China.Methods::Based on the Commission on Social Determinants of Health (CSDH) framework, data were obtained from a questionnaire survey of patients with pneumoconiosis from China’s 27 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) from December 2017 to June 2021. By chi-square and multivariate logistic regression analyses, the epidemiological characteristics of PTB in the patients were identified based on its prevalence and odds ratio (OR) and associated social determinants and risk factors. The population attributable fractions (PAFs) of significant risk factors were also calculated.Results::The prevalence of PTB in patients with pneumoconiosis ( n = 10,137) was 7.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.0-8.0%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that risk factors included in-hospital exposure to patients with PTB (OR = 3.30, 95% CI: 2.77-3.93), clinically diagnosed cases (OR = 3.25, 95% CI: 2.42-4.34), and northeastern regions (OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.76-3.31). In addition, lack of work-related injury insurance (WRII), being born in a rural area, being unemployed, living in western regions, household exposure to patients with PTB, smoking, being underweight, complications of pulmonary bullae or pneumothorax, hospitalization history, and former drinkers among the rural patients were also statistically significant risk factors. Being born in a rural area, lack of WRII and in-hospital exposure to patients with PTB had higher PAFs, which were 13.2% (95% CI: 7.9-18.5%), 12.5% (95% CI: 8.3-16.7%), and 11.6% (95% CI: 8.8-14.3%), respectively. Conclusion::The prevalence of PTB in pneumoconiosis remains high in China; it is basically in line with the CSDH models and has its characteristics.

Adult ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use* ; COVID-19/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Pyridones/therapeutic use* ; Treatment Outcome

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 probe into the total number and development status of respiratory physicians in China, and to analyze existing problems, for reference in making strategy and policy decisions in professional development of respiratory physicians in the country. Methods The basic information of China′s healthcare institutions and healthcare manpower in 2015 were provided by the Statistics Center of the National Health Commission. The number of respiratory specialists and their profile, drawn from such basic information, were subject to descriptive statistics. Results In 2015, there were 2.729 million medical practitioners ( including assistant doctors ) nationwide, 30.3 thousand among whom being respiratory physicians, accounting for 1.11% of the total. Among these respiratory physicians, practicing respiratory physicians account for 87.1% , respiratory physicians with a master degree and above account for only 19.7% , respiratory physicians with over 10 years of working experience account for 65.8% , respiratory physicians with senior titles account for only 21.4% , and 89.4% of the respiratory physicians work in general hospitals. Conclusions By the criteria of specializing in respiratory specialty over five years and being attending or above, the number approximates 14. 6 thousand nationwide. If practicing ( assistant) physicians specializing in respiratory specialty are also included, the number may hit 30. 3 thousand. Such a number, compared with other specialties, may be sufficient, yet their competence is far from satisfactory. Therefore it is imperative to build a standardized pulmonary medicine fellowship training system for their competence improvement.

Objective To explore the effect of tea polyphenols on the growth of human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) subgenes-immortalized human cervical epithelial cells (H8 cells).Methods Cultured H8 cells were divided into 5 groups to be treated with 0 (control group),6.25,12.5,25 and 50 mg/L tea polyphenols respectively for 24,36,and 48 hours,and then cell counting kit-8 (CCK8)assay was performed to detect cell proliferation.After 24 hours of incubation,flow cytometry was conducted to detect cell apoptosis and cell cycle,and fluorescence microscopy to observe the morphology of apoptotic cells.Results After incubation with tea polyphenols at different concentrations for 24,36 and 48 hours,the proliferation of H8 cells was inhibited,and 12.5 mg/L tea polyphenols could inhibit the relative growth rate of H8 cells in a time-dependent manner.Flow cytometry showed that there was a significant difference in cell apoptosis rate among the 6.25-,12.5-,25-,50-mg/L tea polyphenols groups and the control group (52.62％ ± 0.62％,52.22％ ± 0.72％,42.52％ ± 0.90％,45.96％ ± 2.11％,29.96％ ± 0.70％ respectively,F =272.0,P ＜ 0.05).Moreover,all the tea polyphenol groups showed significantly increased cell apoptosis rate compared with the control group (all P ＜ 0.05).Fluorescence microscopy showed karyopyknosis,nuclear fragmentation and other typical apoptotic morphological changes in H8 cells in tea polyphenols groups.There were significant differences in the percentage of cells in G1,G2 phase and cell proliferation index among the 5 groups (all P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the control group,the 6.25-,12.5-,25-mg/L tea polyphenols groups showed significantly increased percentage of cells in G1 phase (55.96％ ± 0.72％,54.12％ ± 3.20％,65.30％ ± 1.51％ respectively,all P ＜ 0.05),but significantly decreased percentage of cells in G2 phase (3.17 ± 1.82％,4.94 ± 1.46％,4.65 ± 4.26％ respectively,all P ＜ 0.05) and lower cell proliferation index(0.44 ± 0.01,0.46 ± 0.02,0.36 ± 0.01 respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Tea polyphenols can inhibit the proliferation of H8 cells,induce cell apoptosis,and block cell cycle progression.

Objective To learn the present setup of respiratory departments as well as development of diagnosis and treatment in China, for reference and policy making of the respiratory specialty development. Methods In May and June 2016,3 202 hospitals were surveyed, to learn their respiratory department development,development of sub-specialty,naming of departments,staffing ratio of the medical staff to bed,basic indicators for medical services,medical techniques and disease types treated. Results 77.8% of the tertiary hospitals and 38.8% of the secondary hospitals have independent respiratory departments. Among such tertiary hospitals,54.4% of them have respiratory intensive care units,21.8% have respiratory & sleep disorder clinics, and 13.1% have smoking cessation clinic. The physician-nurse ratio of respiratory department of such hospitals amounted to 1:1.66, while that of secondary hospitals to 1:1.61. 99.8% of the tertiary hospitals and about 95.0% of the secondary hospitals are competent of invasive positive pressure ventilation,noninvasive mechanical ventilation,and pulmonary function test among others. Conclusions Rooms of improvement are found in the following areas. Poor respiratory specialty and sub-specialty construction at such hospitals; insufficient nursing staff; tertiary hospitals have not formed unique advantages in diagnosis and treatment techniques and types of diseases; hierarchical medical system is to be further established.

Objective: To study the relationship between serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), cystation-C (Cys-C), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and atherosclerosis in middle and old age patient with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A total of 206 patients with newly diagnosed T2DM at the age of (67.3±10.4) years were enrolled. Based on color Doppler ultrasound examination, the patients were divided into 2 groups: Control group, the patient without carotid plaque or increased intima thickening, n=105 and Experiment group, patient with carotid plaque or increased intima thickening, n=101. The general information, fasting blood glucose, 2h postprandial blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, LDL-C, HDL-C, TG, TC and IGF-1, Cys-C, IL-6, hs-CRP were recorded and compared between 2 groups, BMI was calculated in all patients. Results: Compared with Control group, Experiment group had increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), elevated serum levels of Cys-C, IL-6, hs-CRP and reduced IGF-1, allP<0.05. Multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that CIMT was negatively related to IGF-1 (r=-0.493,P<0.01), positively related to Cys-C, IL-6 and hs-CRP (r=0.464,r=0.219 andr=0.618, allP<0.01). Conclusion: Serum levels of Cys-C and IL-6 might be the independent risk factors for atherosclerosis occurrence in meddle and old patients with T2DM; combined detection of IGF-1, Cys-C and IL-6 could help clinical diagnosis in relevant patients.