Objective To assess the efficacy of ambroxol on acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome ( ALI/ARDS) . Methods The randomized controlled study involving ambroxol on ALI/ARDS were searched and identified from Cochrane Library, PubMed, China Academic Journals Full-text Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, WanFang Resource Database, and Chinese Journal Fulltext Database. The quality of the chosen randomized controlled studies was evaluated, and then the valid data was extracted for meta-analysis. Results Ten articles were included, all in Chinese, including 459 cases ofpatients ( 233 cases in experimental group,226 cases in control group) , with baseline comparability between the various experiments. Systematic review showed that in ALI/ARDS patients, high-dose ambroxol was in favor to improve PaO2 [ WMD =12. 23, 95% ( 9. 62, 14. 84) , P lt; 0. 0001] and PaO2 /FiO2 [ WMD = 32. 75,95% ( 30. 00, 35. 51) , P lt;0. 0001] , reduce lung injury score [ WMD = - 0. 49, 95% ( - 0. 66, - 0. 33) ,P lt;0. 0001] , decrease the duration of mechanical ventilation [ WMD = - 2. 70, 95% ( - 3. 24, - 1. 12) ,P lt;0. 0001] and the length of ICU stay [ WMD= - 2. 70, 95% ( - 3. 37, - 2. 04) , P lt;0. 0001] , and lower mortality [ OR=0. 46,95%( 0. 22, 1. 00) , P = 0. 05] . Conclusions The existing clinical evidence shows that, compared with conventional therapy, high-dose ambroxol plus can significantly improve PaO2 , PaO2 /FiO2 , lung injury score, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay and mortality in ALI/ARDS patients. Due to the quality of research and the limitations of the study sample, there likely to exist a bias,and may affect the strength of result, so we expect more high-quality, large-scale randomized controlled clinical trial to verify.
Objective To investigate the implication of oxidation protein product ( advanced oxidation protein product, AOPP) , an index of oxidative stress in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome ( OSAHS) . Methods 47 patients with OSAHS and 48 normal controls were enrolled. The concentration of AOPP was measured by spextrophotometry after ameliorated, while superoxide ( SOD) , malonaldehyde ( MDA) , glutathione peroxidase ( GSH-PX) in morning blood samples were detected by Xanthine oxidase test. Results ( 1) Plasma AOPP and MDA were significantly elevated in OSAHS compared with those in control group ( both P lt;0. 01) . Plasma SOD and GSH-PX were significantly lower in OSAHS compared with those in control group ( both P lt;0. 01) . There were significant differences in the plasma AOPP, MDA, SODand GSH-PX among different severity of OSAHS ( all P lt; 0. 01) . Plasma AOPP and MDA were increased and SOD and GSH-PX were gradually decreased with the progression of OSAHS. ( 2) Plasma AOPP correlated well with MDA, SOD and GSH-PX, moreover, AOPP was positively correlated with apnea hyponea index or lowest oxygen saturation. Conclusion AOPP is an alternative index reflecting both oxidative streess and tissue injury in patients with OSAHS.
Objective To compare the effect of palliative mitral valve surgeries and medication therapies for secondary non-ischemic mitral regurgitation. Methods The clinical data of patients with non-ischemic functional mitral regurgitation treated in our hospital between 2009 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)＜40% underwent a dobutamine stress test, and a positive result was determined when the LVEF improved by more than 15% compared to the baseline value. Positive patients were divided into a surgery group and a medication group. The surgery group underwent surgical mitral valve repair or replacement, while the medication group received simple medication treatment. Follow-up on survival and cardiac function status through outpatient or telephone visits every six months after surgery, and patients underwent cardiac ultrasound examination one year after surgery. The main research endpoint was a composite endpoint of all-cause death, heart failure readmission, and heart transplantation, and the differences in cardiac function and cardiac ultrasound parameters between the two groups were compared. ResultsUltimately 41 patients were collected, including 28 males and 13 females with an average age of 55.5±11.1 years. Twenty-five patients were in the surgery group and sixteen patients in the medication group. The median follow-up time was 16 months, ranging 1-96 months. The occurrence of all-cause death in the surgery group was lower than that in the medication group (HR=0.124, 95%CI 0.024-0.641, P=0.034). The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant in the composite endpoint (HR=0.499, 95%CI 0.523-1.631, P=0.229). The New York Heart Association (NYHA) grade of the surgery group was better (NYHA Ⅰ-Ⅱ accounted for 68.0% in the surgury group and 18.8% in the medication group, P<0.01) as well as the grade of mitral valve regurgitation (87.5% of the patients in the medication group had moderate or above regurgitation at follow-up, while all the patients in the surgery group had moderate below regurgitation, P<0.01). There was no statistical difference in preoperative and follow-up changes in echocardiograph parameters between the two groups (P＞0.05). Conclusion For non-ischemic functional mitral regurgitation, if the cardiac systolic function is well reserved, mitral valve surgery can improve survival and quality of life compare to simple medication therapy.
The occurrence and development of myopia is closely related to scleral remodeling. Therefore, in order to effectively prevent and cure myopia, it is very important to clarify the mechanism of scleral remodeling. In recent years, Chinese scholars have found that endoplasmic reticulum stress can regulate the expression of apoptotic proteins through the inositol demand protein-1/X box binding protein-1 pathway in the unfolded protein response, thus it is involved in regulating the state of scleral fibroblasts under hypoxia and regulating the occurrence and development of scleral remodeling. At the same time, some studies have found that inhibiting and knocking out protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase and activated transcription factor 6 in endoplasmic reticulum stress can effectively inhibit the growth of ocular axis. This proves that endoplasmic reticulum stress plays an important role in the occurrence and development of scleral remodeling. However, the comprehensive analysis of endoplasmic reticulum stress and scleral remodeling has not been reported at home and abroad. In-depth analysis of the relationship between endoplasmic reticulum and scleral remodeling is of great significance for the follow-up analysis and study of the mechanism of scleral remodeling.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics and contribution factors in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).MethodsThe clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, radiologic data, treatment strategies, and outcomes of 110 COVID-19 patients were retrospectively analyzed in these hospitals from Jan 20, 2020 to Feb 28, 2020. All patients were confirmed by fluorescence reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. They were classified into a non-severe group and a severe group based on their symptoms, laboratory and radiologic findings. All patients were given antivirus, oxygen therapy, and support treatments. The severe patients received high-flow oxygen therapy, non-invasive mechanical ventilation, invasive mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The outcomes of patients were followed up until March 15, 2020. Contribution factors of severe patients were summarized from these clinical data.ResultsThe median age was 50 years old, including 66 males (60.0%) and 44 females (40.0%). Among them, 45 cases (40.9%) had underlying diseases, and 108 cases (98.2%) had different degrees of fever. The common clinical manifestations were cough (80.0%, 88/110), expectoration (33.6%, 37/110), fatigue (50.0%, 55/110), and chest tightness (41.8%, 46/110). Based on classification criteria, 78 (70.9%) non-severe patients and 32 (29.1%) severe patients were identified. Significant difference of the following parameters was found between two groups (P<0.05): age was 47 (45, 50) years vs. 55 (50, 59) years (Z=–2.493); proportion of patients with underlying diseases was 27 (34.6%) vs. 18 (56.3%) (χ2=4.393); lymphocyte count was 1.2 (0.9, 1.5)×109/L vs. 0.6 (0.4, 0.7)×109/L (Z=–7.26); C reactive protein (CRP) was 16.2 (6.5, 24.0) mg/L vs. 45.3 (21.8, 69.4) mg/L (Z=–4.894); prothrombin time (PT) was 15 (12, 19) seconds vs. 18 (17, 19) seconds (Z=–2.532); D-dimer was 0.67 (0.51, 0.82) mg/L vs. 0.98 (0.80, 1.57) mg/L (Z=–5.06); erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 38.0 (20.8, 59.3) mm/1 h vs. 75.5 (39.8, 96.8) mm/1 h (Z=–3.851); lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was 218.0 (175.0, 252.3) U/L vs. 325.0 (276.5, 413.5) U/L (Z=–5.539); neutrophil count was 3.1 (2.1, 4.5)×109/L vs. 5.5 (3.7, 9.1)×109/L (Z=–4.077). Multivariable logistic analysis showed that there was positive correlation in elevated LDH, CRP, PT, and neutrophil count with the severity of the disease. Currently, 107 patients were discharged and 3 patients died. Total mortality was 2.7%.ConclusionsOld age, underlying diseases, low lymphocyte count, elevated CPR, high D-dimer and ESR are relevant to the severity of COVID-19. LDH, CPR, PT and neutrophil count are independent risk factors for the prognosis of COVID-19.
Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic at the end of December 2019, more than 85% of the population in China has been infected. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mainly affects the respiratory system, especially the lungs. The mortality rate of patients with severe infection is high. A percentage of 6% to 10% of patients will eventually develop into COVID-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS), which requires mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. Some patients who survive acute lung injury will subsequently develop post COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis (PCPF). Both fully treated CARDS and severe PCPF are suitable candidates for lung transplantation. Due to the special course, evaluation strategies are different from those used in patients with common end-stage lung disease. After lung transplantation in COVID-19 patients, special treatment is required, including standardized nucleic acid testing for the novel coronavirus, adjustment strategy of immunosuppressive drugs, and rational use of antiviral drugs, which is a big challenge for the postoperative management of lung transplantation. This consensus was evidence-based written and was reached by experts after multiple rounds of discussions, providing reference for assessment and postoperative management of patients with interstitial pneumonia after COVID-19 infection.
ObjectiveTo establish paraquat (PQ)-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) mice model via gavage, in order to simulate oral adminitration in clinical situations.MethodsSeventy-eight 6-8-week-old, specific pathogen free female C57 mice were chosen in this study. The mice were randomly divided into the control group (n=6) and the PQ model group(n=36); the mice in the latter group were randomly divided into 6 poisoning model subgroups further, with 6 mice in each, to find out the suitable concentration of PQ to establish stable ARDS model. The mice in the control group were given phosphatebuffer saline (PBS) by gavage, 200 μL per mouse; while the mice in the 6 poisoning model subgroups were given PQ with varies doses of 3, 10, 30, 100, 150, 300 mg/kg respectively by gavage. The clinical manifestations were observed for 7 days, and the ratio of lung wet/dry (W/D) was measured. After the suitable concentration of PQ for stable ARDS mice model was found, the other 36 mice were randomly divided into the controlgroup and the poisoning model group, both were divided into 4 subgroups, according to different observation point in time (1 day and 2, 3, 4 days after PQ gavage). The mice in the 4 control subgroups (n=3) were given PBS by gavage, 200 μL per mouse; while the mice in the 4 poisoning model subgroups (n=6) were given PQ with the suitable concentration for ARDS mice model by gavage. Pathological manifestations by Haematoxylin-Eosin staining and lung injury score were observed and analyzed.ResultsThe mice began to die at the PQ dosage of 150 mg/kg; while the death rate was stable at 300 mg/kg. On the 2nd and 4th day after PQ gavage, lung W/D was 5.335, 6.113, and 5.525, and 6.403, respectively in the mice in 150 and 300 mg/kg subgroup, which differed much from those in the control group (P<0.001). Congestion, edema, hemorrhage, alveolar structure damage, inflammation cells infiltration of lung tissue were observed, and lung injury score increased.ConclusionPQ-induced ARDS mice model by gavage is established successfully.
Objective To investigate the value of continuous blood purification （CBP）in early treatment of patients with ARDSexp （ARDS caused by extrapulmonary causes），especially in reducing inflammation mediators and extravascular lung water （EVLW）.Methods According the hospital admission sequence，the patients with APACHEⅡ scores from 15 to 20 and PaO2/FiO2 from 100 to 200 were recruited.The ARDSexp patients were divide into an intervention group treated with CBP （Mode：CVVHDF，rate of displacement liquid and dialysate：1.5 L/h，rate of blood：100-200 mL/h，and the time of CBP：72 hours），and a control group without CBP treatment. The NICO and PICCO monitoring data and the survival rates were recorded and analyzed using the SPSS software. Results The mortality rate of the intervention group was lower than that of the control group （6.3% vs. 36.8%，P=0.032）. In the 72 h monitoring dada of NICO and PICCO，the time of improving PCBF，Pm，Cdyn，VCO2，MValv，Pm，PIP，Raw，RSBI，Vd/Vt，and PaO2/FiO2 of the intervention group was severer than those in the control group，and the severety was also more than that of control group which was was significantly different at 72 h（Plt;0.05）. In the PICCO data，the time of decreasing EVWL and PVPI was shorter than the control group，and the decreasing extent was more than the control group，with significant difference at 72 h. But the changes of Apm，CI，and CVP were not significant （Pgt;0.05）. Conclusions In treatment of ARDSexp patients，CBP therapy can induce the PCBC and EVLW，improve pulmonary compliance and MValv，and reduce the mortality rate，while doesn’t influence heart function and the stability of circulation.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectivity and safety of posterior osteotomy for thoracolumbar stress fracture in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) through the gap of a pathological fracture.MethodsBetween April 2012 and August 2015, 8 patients with AS combined with thoracolumbar stress fracture were treated with posterior osteotomy through the gap of a pathological fracture to correct the kyphosis. There were 7 males and 1 female, with an average age of 51 years (range, 37-74 years). The history of AS was 1-40 years (mean, 21.7 years) and disease duration of stress fracture was 2-60 months (mean, 18.5 months). The segmental lesions included T8, 9 in 1 case, T10, 11 in 2 cases, T11 in 2 cases, T12, L1 in 1 case, L1, 2 in 1 case, and L2, 3 in 1 case. The nerve function before operation according to Frankel grading was grade D in 3 cases and grade E in 5 cases. The pre- and post-operative X-ray films, CT three-dimensional reconstruction, and MRI were collected to measure the global kyphosis (GK), local kyphosis (LK), angle of the fusion levels (AFL), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), and sagittal vertical axis (SVA). Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to assess the back pain intensity.ResultsThe operation time was 210-320 minutes (mean, 267 minutes), and the intraoperative blood loss was 400-2 000 mL (mean, 963 mL). Cerebrospinal fluid leakage was found in 3 patients, and the wound healed by removal of drainage tube and suturing drainage outlet after 5-7 days of operation. The wounds of the rest patients healed by first intention. Lower extremity numbness occurred in 1 case and recovered after 1 month of postoperative administration of oral mecobalamin. All the patients were followed up 20-43 months (mean, 28.4 months). No internal fixator loosening, fracture, and other complications occurred. All the fractures healed with the healing time of 3-12 months (mean, 6.8 months). At 3 months after operation, 3 cases with spinal cord injury of preoperative Frankel grade D recovered to grade E. The GK, LK, AFL, PI, PT, SVA, and VAS scores at 1 week after operation and at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). Except for VAS score at last follow-up was significantly improved when compared with that at 1 week after operation (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in the other indexes between at 1 week after operation and at last follow-up (P>0.05).ConclusionPosterior osteotomy through the gap of a pathological fracture is a safe and effective surgical procedure for kyphosis correction and relief of back pain in AS patients combined with thoracolumbar stress fracture. Successful bony fusion and good clinical outcomes can also be achieved by this surgical procedure.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects and safety of statins in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). MethodsLiteratures in English and Chinese concerning randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on statins in ARDS patients were retrieved by electronic and manual search. All related data were extracted. Meta-analysis was conducted using the statistical software RevMan 5.3 on the basis of strict quality evaluation. ResultsFive RCTs involving 1489 ARDS patients were included, with 709 patients in the statins group and 780 patients in the placebo control group. Compared with the control group, statins did not improve the survival of ARDS patients[risk ratio (RR) 1.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.86 to 1.18, P=0.91), while the improvement of oxygenation[mean difference (MD) 3.92, 95%CI-14.10 to 21.94, P=0.67], ventilator-free days (MD 0.65, 95%CI-0.20 to 1.50, P=0.13) and non-pulmonary organ failure-free days (MD 1.20, 95%CI-1.46 to 3.87, P=0.38) exhibited no differences between the statins group and the control group. However statins were associated with significant elevation of creatine kinase (MD 6.92, 95%CI 5.77 to 8.07, P < 0.000 01). ConclusionThis study demonstrates that statins can not improve outcomes of ARDS patients, and the safety of statins still needs further evaluation.