Molecular mechanisms and cellular process in signal transduction pathway related to air pollutants in obstructive lung diseases:A mini-review

Exposure to air pollutants such as PM_(10),PM_(2.5),PM_(0.1),O_(3),CO,NO2,and SO_(2),and biological pollutants are important factors causing the evolution and furtherance of obstructive lung diseases(OLD),including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Asthma is the most frequent chronic inflammatory airway disease,characterized by breathlessness,wheezing,chest tightness,and cough,together with the presence of exaggerated expiratory airflow fluctuation that varies over time.COPD is a heterogeneous lung condition characterized by chronic respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea,cough,expectoration,and/or exacerbations due to abnormalities of the airways and/or alveoli that cause persistent,often progressive,airflow obstruction.Understanding the molecular mechanisms and cellular processes based on the development of OLD on exposure to air pollutants will provide insights into the solution of pathogenesis,prevention,and treatment of these conditions.The molecular mechanisms and cellular process involved in signal transduction pathway plays a role in the binding of extracellular signaling molecules and ligands to receptors placed on the cell surface or on the inner side cell that trigger inflammation that occurs,especially when something important enters the cell to bring into a cascade response.This binding then alters the cell metabolism,shape,and gene expression in the airway.This review aimed to reveal the effect of air pollutants on the molecular mechanisms and cellular processes involved in the signal transduction pathways in OLD.

Non-Invasive Early Diagnosis of Obstructive Lung Diseases Leveraging Machine Learning Algorithms

Lungs are a vital human body organ,and different Obstructive Lung Diseases(OLD)such as asthma,bronchitis,or lung cancer are caused by shortcomings within the lungs.Therefore,early diagnosis of OLD is crucial for such patients suffering from OLD since,after early diagnosis,breathing exercises and medical precautions can effectively improve their health state.A secure non-invasive early diagnosis of OLD is a primordial need,and in this context,digital image processing supported by Artificial Intelligence(AI)techniques is reliable and widely used in the medical field,especially for improving early disease diagnosis.Hence,this article presents an AIbased non-invasive and secured diagnosis for OLD using physiological and iris features.This research work implements different machine-learning-based techniques which classify various subjects,which are healthy and effective patients.The iris features include gray-level run-length matrix-based features,gray-level co-occurrence matrix,and statistical features.These features are extracted from iris images.Additionally,ten different classifiers and voting techniques,including hard and soft voting,are implemented and tested,and their performances are evaluated using several parameters,which are precision,accuracy,specificity,F-score,and sensitivity.Based on the statistical analysis,it is concluded that the proposed approach offers promising techniques for the non-invasive early diagnosis of OLD with an accuracy of 97.6%.

Research progress of red blood cell distribution width in diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases and prognosis

Lung disease is the disease of the lung itself or lung manifestations of other diseases,including COPD,PTE,CAP,etc.In recent years,the incidence rate has been increased year after year.Many of these diseases have hidden onset and complicated causes.Therefore,accurate diagnosis and treatment are very important.Studies have shown that RDW is closely linked to the diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases.This article analyzes the research on RDW and lung diseases at home and abroad,and briefly summarizes the diagnosis,severity and clinical prognosis of lung diseases by RDW,hoping to provide useful clues and reliable basis for clinical workers,to provide assistance for further application research of RDW in lung diseases.

Anti-inflammatory effects of Tao Hong Si Wu Tang in mice with lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND Lung cancer(LC)combined with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)is a common combination of comorbidities.Anti-inflammation and modulation of oxidative/antioxidative imbalance may prevent COPD-induced LC,and are also crucial to the treatment of LC combined with COPD.Modern studies have shown that Tao Hong Si Wu Tang(THSW)has vasodilatory,anti-inflammatory,anti-fatigue,anti-shock,immunoregulatory,lipid-reducing,micronutrient-supplementing,and anti-allergy effects.AIM To observe the effects of THSW on COPD and LC in mice.METHODS A total of 100 specific pathogen-free C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into five groups:Blank control group(group A),model control group(group B),THSW group(group C),IL-6 group(group D),and THSW+IL-6 group(group E),with 20 mice in each group.A COPD mouse model was established using fumigation plus lipopolysaccharide intra-airway drip,and an LC model was replicated by in situ inoculation using the Lewis cell method.RESULTS The blank control group exhibited a clear alveolar structure.The model control and IL-6 groups had thickened alveolar walls,with smaller alveolar lumens,interstitial edema,and several inflammatory infiltrating cells.Histopathological changes in the lungs of the THSW and THSW+IL-6 groups were less than those of the model control group.The serum IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-αlevels and IL-6R,JAK,p-JAK,STAT1/3,p-STAT1/3,FOXO,p-FOXO,and IL-7R expression levels in lung tissues of mice in the rest of the groups were significantly higher than those of the blank control group(P<0.01).Compared with the model control group,the IL-6 group demonstrated significantly higher levels for the abovementioned proteins in the serum and lung tissues(P<0.01),and the THSW group had significantly higher serum IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-αlevels and IL-7R expression levels in lung tissues(P<0.01)but significantly decreased IL-6R,JAK,p-JAK,STAT1/3,p-STAT1/3,FOXO,p-FOXO,and IL-7R levels(P<0.01).CONCLUSION THSW reduces the serum IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-αlevels in the mouse model with anti-inflammatory effects.Its antiinflammatory mechanism lies in inhibiting the overactivation of the JAK/STAT1/3 signaling pathway.

Role of diaphragmatic ultrasound in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Assessing diaphragm function status is vital for diagnosing and treating acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD).Diaphrag-matic ultrasound has become increasingly important due to its non-invasive nature,absence of radiation exposure,widespread availability,prompt results,high accuracy,and repeatability at the bedside.The diaphragm is a crucial respiratory muscle.Decline or dysfunction of the diaphragm can lead to dyspnea and even respiratory failure in AECOPD patients.In this editorial,we comment on an article,retrospectively analyzed ninety-four acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients who received mechanical ventilation from January 2022 to December 2023.The study found that the diaphragm thickening fraction,an index from diaphragm ultrasound,can better predict the outcome of non-invasive ventilation in patients with AECOPD.The value of non-invasive ventilation in treating respiratory failure caused by AECOPD has been widely acknowledged.Diaphragmatic dysfunction diagnosed with ultrasound is asso-ciated with prolonged mechanical ventilation and weaning times and higher mortality.

Effects of acetylcysteine on micro-inflammation and pulmonary ventilation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation

BACKGROUND Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)is a serious complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,often characterized by increased morbidity and mortality.In traditional Chinese medicine,AECOPD is linked to phlegm-heat and blood-stasis,presenting symptoms like thick sputum,fever,and chest pain.It has been shown that acetylcysteine inhalation in conjunction with conventional therapy significantly reduced inflammatory markers and improved lung function parameters in patients with AECOPD,suggesting that acetylcysteine may be an important adjunctive therapy for patients with phlegm-heat-blood stasis type AECOPD.AIM To investigate the effect of acetylcysteine on microinflammation and lung ventilation in patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis-type AECOPD.METHODS One hundred patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis-type AECOPD were randomly assigned to two groups.The treatment group received acetylcysteine inhalation(10%solution,5 mL,twice daily)along with conventional therapy,whereas the control group received only conventional therapy.The treatment duration was 14 d.Inflammatory markers(C-reactive protein,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-alpha)in the serum and sputum as well as lung function parameters(forced expiratory volume in one second,forced vital capacity,and peak expiratory flow)were assessed pre-and post-treatment.Acetylcysteine inhalation led to significant reductions in inflammatory markers and improvements in lung function parameters compared to those in the control group(P<0.05).This suggests that acetylcysteine could serve as an effective adjunct therapy for patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis-type AECOPD.RESULTS Acetylcysteine inhalation significantly reduced inflammatory markers in the serum and sputum and improved lung ventilation function parameters in patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis type AECOPD compared with the control group.These differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The study concluded that acetylcysteine inhalation had a positive effect on microinflammation and lung ventilation function in patients with this type of AECOPD,suggesting its potential as an adjuvant therapy for such cases.CONCLUSION Acetylcysteine inhalation demonstrated significant improvements in reducing inflammatory markers in the serum and sputum,as well as enhancing lung ventilation function parameters in patients with phlegm-heat and bloodstasis type AECOPD.These findings suggest that acetylcysteine could serve as a valuable adjuvant therapy for individuals with this specific type of AECOPD,offering benefits for managing microinflammation and optimizing lung function.

Protective effect of sevoflurane on lung function of elderly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty

BACKGROUND Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)is a common respiratory disorder that affects the elderly population and increases the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications(PPCs)after major surgeries.Sevoflurane is a volatile anesthetic that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and attenuate lung injury in animal models.AIM To evaluate the protective effect of sevoflurane on the lung function of elderly COPD patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty(THA).METHODS In this randomized controlled trial,we randomly assigned 120 elderly patients with COPD,who were scheduled for THA,to receive either sevoflurane(sevoflurane group)or propofol(propofol group)as the maintenance anesthetic.The primary outcome was the incidence of PPCs within seven days after surgery.The secondary outcomes were changes in the lung function parameters,inflammatory markers,oxidative stress markers,and postoperative pain scores.RESULTS The results showed that the incidence of PPCs was significantly lower in the sevoflurane group than in the propofol group(10%vs 25%,P=0.02).Furthermore,the decline in the forced expiratory volume in 1 s,forced vital capacity,and peak expiratory flow was significantly lesser in the sevoflurane group than in the propofol group at 24 h and 48 h after surgery(P<0.05).The interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor-alpha,malondialdehyde,and 8-hydroxy-2α-deoxyguanosine levels were significantly lower in the sevoflurane group than in the propofol group at 24 h after surgery(P<0.05).The sevoflurane group showed significantly lower postoperative pain scores than the propofol group at 6 h,12 h,and 24 h after surgery(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Sevoflurane protects the lung function of elderly COPD patients undergoing THA under general anesthesia by reducing the incidence of PPCs,attenuating inflammatory and oxidative stress responses,and alleviating postoperative pain.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as a risk factor for lung cancer

The association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) and lung cancer has long been a subject of intense debate. The high prevalence of COPD in elderly smokers inevitably strengthens their coincidence. In addition to this contingent coincidence, recent studies have revealed a close association between the two diseases that is independent of the smoking history; that is, the existence of COPD is an independent risk factor for the development of lung cancer. Molecular-based evidence has been accumulating as a result of the efforts to explain the underlying mechanisms of this association. These mechanisms may include the following: the retention of airborne carcinogens followed by the activation of oncogenes and the suppression of tumor suppressor genes; the complex molecular mechanism associated with chronic inflammation in the distal airways of patients with COPD; the possible in-volvement of putative distal airway stem cells; and gel netic factors that are common to both COPD and lung cancer. The existence of COPD in patients with lung l cancer may potentially affect the process of diagnosis, surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and end-of-life care. The comprehensive management of COPD is extremely important for the appropriate treatment of lung cancer. Surgical resections with the aid of early interventions for COPD are often possible, even for patients with mild-to-moderate COPD. New challenges, such as lung cancer CT screening for individuals t at high risk, are now in the process of being implemented. Evaluating the risk of lung cancer in patients with COPD may be warranted in community-based lung cancer screening.

Effects of Combined Inhalation of Budesonide,Formoterol,and Tiotropium Bromide on Arterial Blood Gas and Pulmonary Function Indexes in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Objective:To analyze the effect of combined inhalation of budesonide formoterol and tiotropium bromide on arterial blood gas and pulmonary function indexes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods:100 patients with COPD treated from January to December 2022 were selected as observation objects,and were divided into a control group(n=50,in which budesonide and formoterol were administered)and an experimental group(n=50,the treatment drug was budesonide formoterol combined with tiotropium bromide)according to the computer grouping method,and compared the treatment results.Results:(i)Before treatment,there was no difference in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide and partial pressure of oxygen between the control group and the experimental group(P>0.05);after treatment,the partial pressure of carbon dioxide and partial pressure of oxygen in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group,with significant differences(P<0.05).(ii)Before treatment,there was no difference in forced vital capacity(FVC),forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1),FEV1/FVC between the control group and the experimental group(P>0.05);after treatment,the FVC,FEV1,and FEV1/FVC in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).(iii)There was no difference in the levels of CRP,IL-6,and TNF-αbetween the control group and the experimental group(P>0.05);after treatment,the levels of CRP,IL-6,and TNF-αin the experimental group were lower than those in the control group,with significant differences(P<0.05).(iv)Compared to the total incidence of adverse reactions in the control group(28.00%),the incidence of total adverse reactions in the experimental group was lower at 10.00%,and the difference was significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:The combined inhalation of budesonide and formoterol with tiotropium bromide has demonstrated a clear therapeutic efficacy and safety in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.This treatment approach effectively enhances arterial blood gas levels and lung function,showing promising potential for widespread application.

Heat Shock Protein 70 Gene Polymorphisms in Han Nationality of China with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases

In order to investigate whether polymorphism in gene for heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) has any bearing on individual susceptibility to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), the geotypes of 88 patients with COPD and 87 healthy smoking control subjects were tested by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment polymorphism analysis for HSP70 gene. In COPD group, HSP70 1 genotype A/A, A/B and B/B was 59.1 %, 35.2 % and 5.7 %, HSP70 2 genotype A/A, A/B and B/B was 26.1 %, 54.6 % and 19.3 %, and HSP70 hom genotype A/A, A/B and B/B was 70.4 %, 27.3 % and 2.3 % respectively. In the control group, it was 60.9 %, 27.5 % and 3.5 %, 20.7 %, 56.3 % and 23.0 %, and 54.0 %, 42.5 % and 3.5 %, respectively. The frequency of polymorphic genetypes showed no difference between the COPD group and the control group ( P >0.05). It was suggested that geneic polymorphism in HSP70 is not associated with development of COPD in Han nationality of China.

Role of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in lung cancer pathogenesis

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) and lung cancer are two important smoking related conditions. However, COPD has been shown to be an independent risk factor for lung cancer regardless of smoking history, suggesting that COPD and lung cancer may share a common pathogenesis. This review summarizes the epidemiology of lung cancer and COPD briefly, as well as discussing the potential for shared genetic risk, and shared genomic mechanisms, such as epigenetic changes or DNA damage induced by smoking. How key areas of COPD pathogenesis, such as inflammation, oxidative stress and protease imbalance may contribute to subsequent development of cancer will also be covered. Finally the possibility that consequences of COPD, such as hypoxia, influence carcinogenesis will be reviewed. By understanding the pathogenesis of COPDand lung cancer in detail it is possible that new treatments may be developed and the risk of lung cancer in COPD may be reduced.

Effects of Suhuang Zhike Capsule on Pulmonary Function, Blood Gas Analysis Index, Serum PCT and CRP Expression in Patients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Suhuang Zhike Capsule on pulmonary function, blood gas analysis index, serum PCT and CRP expression in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: A total of 88 patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease admitted to the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xuancheng People's Hospital of Anhui Province from December 2014 to December 2016 were randomly divided into the observation group and the control group, with 44 cases in each group. The control group was given routine clinical treatment, and the observation group was given Suhuang Zhike Capsule on the basis of the treatment method of the control group. After 7 days' treatment, the improvement of lung function indexes were observed and evaluated before and after treatment(forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV_1), forced expiratory volume occupancy in the 1^(st) second percentage of vital capacity(FEVl/FVC), peak expiatory flow(PEF)), blood gas analysis index(Arterial oxygen partial pressure(PaO_2) and arterial blood carbon dioxide partial pressure(PaCO_2), oxygenation index(OI)) and serum cytokine levels(procalcitonin(PCT) and C reactive protein(CRP). RESULTS: The total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P < 0.05). The FEV_1, FEV_1/FVC and PEF in 2 groups were significantly increased after the treatment(P < 0.05), and the above lung function indexes in the observation group were significantly higher than the control group(P < 0.05). PaO_2 and OI were significantly increased after the treatment(P < 0.05), PaCO_2 was significantly decreased after the treatment(P < 0.05), and the improvement of above blood gas analysis indexes were significantly superior of the observation group than the control group(P < 0.05). The serum PCT and CRP levels in 2 groups were significantly decreased after the treatment(P < 0.05), and the improvement in the observation group were more significant than that in the control group(P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Suhuang Zhike Capsule can inhibit serum inflammatory cytokine levels in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, improve blood gas analysis indicators, and improve lung functions.

Meta-analysis of the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by tonifying lung and kidney

Objective:To A randomized controlled trial(RCTS)of lung tonifying and kidney tonifying in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(copd)by meta-analysis.Methods:Computer retrieval of databases such as CNKI、VIP、WanFang、Cochrane Library、EMbase、PubMed.The retrieval time was from the database construction to March 2020,and two evaluators were selected to screen the documents according to the na sorting standards,extract the data with Excel 2010 software,and perform Meta analysis with Rev Man5.3 software.Results:21 RCTS were included.Meta-analysis results show that compared with the conventional treatment,the method of supplementing lung and tonifying kidney can obviously improve lung function(MD=1.69,95%CI[1.36,2.01],P<0.00001)、reduce TCM syndrome score(MD=39.83,95%CI[18.10,61.56],P=0.0003)、improve life quality(MD=-5.90,95%CI[-8.95,-2.85],P=0.0001)、regulates serum immunoglobulin(MD=0.37,95%CI[0.31,0.44],P<0.00001)、improve 6MWD(MD=39.83,95%CI[18.10,61.56],P=0.0003)、improve CAT(MD=-1.68,95%CI[-2.05,-1.30],P<0.00001).The differences were statistically significant.For improved T lymphocyte subsets(MD=0.96,95%CI[-0.10,2.03],P=0.08)not statistically significant.Conclusion:Lung-tonifying kidney-tonifying method had better efficacy in improving lung function,reducing TCM syndrome score,improving quality of life,improving immunoglobulin,improving 6WMD,improving CAT,but the efficacy in improving t-lymphocyte subgroup was similar to that in the control group.Due to the limited quantity and quality of samples included in this paper,more multicenter randomized controlled trials with rigorous design of large samples should be carried out for verification.

Efficacy Evaluation of Self-created"Lung Health Breathing Exercise"in Adjuvant Therapy for Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

[Objectives]To evaluate the intervention effect and safety of self-created Lung Health Breathing Exercise on TCM syndromes,6-min walk test(6MWT)and quality of life in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).[Methods]76 cases of outpatient or inpatient patients who were diagnosed with stable COPD in Nanchong Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from January 2020 to March 2021 were selected,randomly divided into experimental group and control group,38 cases in each group.Both groups were given conventional western medicine treatment and nursing measures.The experimental group was added with the self-created Lung Health Breathing Exercise.After 12 weeks of treatment,the TCM syndrome score,6MWT distance,quality of life score and the incidence of adverse events were observed in the both groups.[Results]After treatment,the 6MWT distance and quality of life scores in both groups were significantly improved(P<0.01),and the TCM syndrome scores were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.01).[Conclusions]Lung Health Breathing Exercise can benefit patients in terms of symptom improvement,quality of life and exercise ability,and is a safe and effective rehabilitation measure for patients with stable COPD.

The Efficacy Analysis of Transbronchoscopic Large Volume Lung Lavage in Treatment of Pneumoconiosis Complicated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of transbronchoscopic large volume lung lavage in the treatment of pneumoconiosis complicated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods:The clinical data of 80 patients with pneumoconiosis complicated with COPD admitted to our hospital from June 2017 to January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.40 patients in the control group were treated with conventional drugs and 40 patients in the observation group treated with conventional drugs plus transbronchoscopic large-volume lung lavage.Dyspnea score and healthy quality of life were compared between the two groups.Results:the scores of dyspnea in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group at 12,24 and 48 weeks after treatment,and the(SGRQ)scores of George’s respiratory problems questionnaire in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group at 12,24 and 48 weeks after treatment.Conclusion:Thetransbronchoscopic large volume of lung lavage has a significant effect on the treatment of pneumoconiosis patients with COPD,which can effectively reduce the degree of dyspnea and improve the quality of life.

Resveratrol extracted from Chinese herbal medicines: A novel therapeutic strategy for lung diseases

Lung diseases and their related complications represent a critical source of morbidity and mortality globally and have become a research focus in recent years.There are plenty of hazards that threaten the health of lung by exposure to external environmental stimuli,such as dust,cigarette smoke,PM2.5,air pollution and pathogen infection.These risks lead to the impairment of lung function and subsequent lung diseases including pneumonia,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD),asthma and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF).Compared with antibiotics and corticosteroids therapies,traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions are more effective with fewer side effects.A considerable variety of bioactive ingredients have been extracted and identified from Chinese herbal medicines and are used for the treatment of different lung diseases,including resveratrol.Increasing studies have reported promising therapeutic effects of resveratrol against lung diseases by inhibiting oxidative stress,inflammation,aging,fibrosis and cancer both in vitro and in vivo.In this review,the recent progress in the studies of lungprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of resveratrol and also highlight the potency of resveratrol and traditional Chinese prescriptions containing resveratrol as promising therapeutic options were summarized for the treatment of lung and respiratory diseases.

强力枇杷露对慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期患者的临床疗效及肺功能和IL-6、CRP、PCT水平的影响

【目的】探讨强力枇杷露对慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期(AECOPD)患者的临床疗效及肺功能和白细胞介素6(IL-6)、C反应蛋白(CRP)、降钙素原(PCT)水平的影响。【方法】将80例痰热阻肺型AECOPD患者随机分为观察组和对照组,每组各40例。对照组患者给予西医常规治疗,观察组患者在对照组的基础上给予强力枇杷露治疗,疗程为5 d。观察2组患者治疗前后中医证候(咳嗽、咳痰、气短和喘息)评分、肺功能指标[第1秒最大呼气容积(FEV1)及其与用力肺活量(FVC)的比值(FEV1/FVC)]、血气指标[动脉血氧分压(PaO_(2))、血氧饱和度(SaO_(2))和动脉二氧化碳分压(PaCO_(2))]及炎症因子IL-6、CRP、PCT水平的变化情况,并评价2组患者的临床疗效和安全性。【结果】(1)疗效方面,治疗5 d后,观察组的总有效率为95.00%(38/40),对照组为77.50%(31/40),组间比较(χ2检验),观察组的疗效明显优于对照组(P<0.05)。(2)中医证候评分方面,治疗后,2组患者的咳嗽、咳痰、气短、喘息等中医证候评分均较治疗前降低(P<0.05),且观察组的降低幅度均明显优于对照组(P<0.05)。(3)肺功能方面,治疗后,2组患者的FEV1/FVC、FEV1等肺功能指标均较治疗前改善(P<0.05),且观察组的改善幅度均明显优于对照组(P<0.05)。(4)血气指标方面,治疗后,2组患者的PaO_(2)、SaO_(2)水平均较治疗前升高(P<0.05),PaCO_(2)水平均较治疗前降低(P<0.05),且观察组对PaO_(2)、SaO_(2)水平的升高幅度及对PaCO_(2)水平的降低幅度均明显优于对照组(P<0.05)。(5)炎症因子方面,治疗后,2组患者血清IL-6、CRP、PCT水平均较治疗前降低(P<0.05),且观察组的降低幅度均明显优于对照组(P<0.05)。(6)安全性方面,观察组的不良反应发生率为10.00%(4/40),对照组为7.50%(3/40),组间比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。【结论】强力枇杷露治疗痰热阻肺型AECOPD患者疗效显著,能有效改善患者临床症状,调节患者肺功能和血气指标,抑制炎症反应,且具有较高的安全性。

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5):The culprit for chronic lung diseases in China

Air pollution is a world public health problem. Particulate matter (PM), a mix of solid and liquid particles in the air, becomes an increasing concern in the social and economic development of China. For decades, epidemiological studies have confirmed the association between fine particle pollutants and respiratory diseases. It has been reported in different populations that increased fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations cause elevated susceptibility to respiratory diseases, including acute respiratory distress, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. This review will discuss the pathophysiology of PM2.5 in res-piratory diseases, which are helpful for the prevention of air pollution and treatment of respiratory tract inflammatory diseases.

Heart and lung, a dangerous liaison-Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy and respiratory diseases: A systematic review

AIM: To investigate the possible association between Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy(TTC)-a reversible clini-cal condition mimicking an acute myocardial infarction characterized by multifactorial pathophysiologic mecha-nisms- and respiratory system diseases. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed and EMBASE medical information sources, to identify the different triggering causes, limiting our search to ar-ticles in English. The search keywords were: "tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy", "takotsubo", "takotsubo cardiomyopa-thy", "broken heart syndrome", "stress-induced cardio-myopathy", "apical ballooning syndrome", and "ampulla cardiomyopathy in combination with respiratory dis-eases, lung, pulmonary disease. For each kind of dis-ease, we registered: author, year and country of study, patient sex, age, concurring situation, and outcome. RESULTS: Out of a total of 1725 articles found, we se-lected 37 papers reporting a total of 38 patients. As ex-pected, most patients were women(81.6%), mean age was 65 ± 10 years. Outcome was favorable in 100% of cases, and all the patients have been discharged un-eventfully in a few days. CONCLUSION: An association between respiratory diseases and TTC is likely to exist. Patients with severe respiratory diseases, due to the high dosages of β2-agonists used or to the need of invasive procedures, are highly exposed to the risk of developing TTC.

Effects of self-management education on quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Purpose:To explore the effects of self-management education on the quality of life of patients living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods:Eighty-four stable or discharged COPD subjects were recruited from April 2011 to January 2012 following treatment at Beijing Hospital or Peking Union Medical College Hospital.Subjects were divided into an intervention group who underwent selfmanagement education or a control group who received usual care without additional education(n=42 each).The St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire(SGRQ)was used to measure quality of life at three and six months.Results:SGRQ impact domain scores revealed significant differences between the groups(t=2.167,p<0.05)at threemonths.SGRQsymptom,impact,activity domain and total scores revealed significant differences between groups(t=3.482 to2.530,p<0.05)at six months.Conclusion:A nurse-led,simple,structured self-management education program provided an effective method for the management of patients with COPD.