The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) Strategy Report provides clinicians with an annually updated evidence-based strategy for asthma management and prevention, which can be adapted for local ...circumstances (e.g., medication availability). This article summarizes key recommendations from GINA 2021, and the evidence underpinning recent changes. GINA recommends that asthma in adults and adolescents should not be treated solely with short-acting
-agonist (SABA), because of the risks of SABA-only treatment and SABA overuse, and evidence for benefit of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Large trials show that as-needed combination ICS-formoterol reduces severe exacerbations by ⩾60% in mild asthma compared with SABA alone, with similar exacerbation, symptom, lung function, and inflammatory outcomes as daily ICS plus as-needed SABA. Key changes in GINA 2021 include division of the treatment figure for adults and adolescents into two tracks. Track 1 (preferred) has low-dose ICS-formoterol as the reliever at all steps: as needed only in Steps 1-2 (mild asthma), and with daily maintenance ICS-formoterol (maintenance-and-reliever therapy, "MART") in Steps 3-5. Track 2 (alternative) has as-needed SABA across all steps, plus regular ICS (Step 2) or ICS-long-acting
-agonist (Steps 3-5). For adults with moderate-to-severe asthma, GINA makes additional recommendations in Step 5 for add-on long-acting muscarinic antagonists and azithromycin, with add-on biologic therapies for severe asthma. For children 6-11 years, new treatment options are added at Steps 3-4. Across all age groups and levels of severity, regular personalized assessment, treatment of modifiable risk factors, self-management education, skills training, appropriate medication adjustment, and review remain essential to optimize asthma outcomes.
Background The causes of chronic cough in China and its relations with geography, seasonality, age, and sex are largely uncertain. Methods A prospective, multicenter survey was conducted to evaluate ...patients with chronic cough across five regions in China by using a modified diagnostic algorithm. The effects of geography, seasonality, age, and sex on spectrum of chronic cough were also investigated. Results The current study evaluated 704 adult patients, including 315 men (44.7%) and 389 women (55.3%). The causes of chronic cough were determined in 640 subjects (90.9%). Common causes included cough variant asthma (CVA) (32.6%), upper airway cough syndrome (UACS) (18.6%), eosinophilic bronchitis (EB) (17.2%), and atopic cough (AC) (13.2%). Collectively, these four causes accounted for 75.2% to 87.6% across five different regions without significant difference ( P > .05), although there was variation on single causes. Gastroesophageal reflux-related cough was identified in 4.6% of causes. Seasonality, sex, and age were not associated with the spectrum of chronic cough (all P > .05). Conclusion CVA, UACS, EB, and AC were common causes of chronic cough in China. Geography, seasonality, age, and sex were not associated with the spectrum of chronic cough.
Whether asthma patients could benefit from home monitoring for fractional exhaled nitric oxide (flow of 50 mL/s, Fe
) is unknown. We explore the application value of home monitoring Fe
in daily ...asthma management.
Twenty-two untreated, uncontrolled asthma patients were selected. Medical history, blood and sputum samples, pulmonary function, Asthma Control Test (ACT), and other clinical data of the subjects were collected. All subjects underwent daily monitoring for four weeks using a Fe
monitor and mobile spirometry (mSpirometry). The diurnal differences and dynamic changes were described. Compare the effect-acting time and the relative plateau of treatment between Fe
and mSpirometry monitoring.
In the first two weeks, the morning median (IQR) level of Fe
was 44 (35, 56) ppb, which was significantly higher than the evening median level 41 (32, 53) ppb, P = 0.028. The median (IQR) effect-acting time assessed by Fe
was 4 (3, 5) days, which was significantly earlier than each measure of mSpirometry (P < 0.05). Fe
reached the relative plateau significantly earlier than FEV
(15 ± 2 days vs. 21 ± 3 days, P < 0.001). After treatment, the daily and weekly variation rates of Fe
showed a gradually decreasing trend (P < 0.05). The ACT score, sputum eosinophils, and blood eosinophils also significantly improved (P ≤ 0.01).
The daily home monitoring of Fe
in asthmatic patients showed significant circadian rhythm, and the sensitivity of Fe
in evaluating the response to treatment was higher than mSpirometry. The daily and weekly variation rates of Fe
change dynamically with time, which may be used to assess the condition of asthma.
Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic respiratory diseases worldwide. This study aimed to determine the updated prevalence of and risk factors for asthma among individuals aged 45 and older in ...mainland China.
The data for this study came from the fourth wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) conducted by the National School of Development of Peking University in 2018. The CHARLS is a nationally representative survey targeting populations aged 45 and over from 28 provinces/cities in mainland China. A representative sample of 19,816 participants was recruited for the study using a multistage stratified sampling method. The prevalence of asthma was determined across different characteristics. The potential risk factors were examined by multivariable logistic regressions.
A total of 18,395 participants (8744 men and 9651 women) were eligible for the final data analysis. The estimated prevalence of asthma among Chinese people aged ≥ 45 years in 2018 was 2.16% (95% CI 1.96-2.38). The prevalence of asthma significantly differed according to race (P = 0.002), with an overall rate of 2.07% (95% CI 1.86-2.29) in Han paticipants and 3.32% (95% CI 2.50-4.38) in minority participants. Furthermore, the minority ethnicities (OR = 1.55 95% CI 1.12-2.14, P = 0.008), older age (60-69 years group: OR = 1.85 95% CI 1.17-2.92, P = 0.008; ≥ 70 years group: OR = 2.63 95% CI 1.66-4.17, P < 0.001), an education level of middle school or below (middle-school education: OR = 1.88 95% CI 1.15-3.05, P = 0.011; primary education: OR = 2.48 95% CI 1.55-3.98, P < 0.001; literate: OR = 2.53 95% Cl 1.57-4.07, P < 0.001; illiterate: OR = 2.78 95% CI 1.72-4.49, P < 0.001), smoking (OR = 1.37 95% CI 1.11-1.68, P = 0.003), and residence in North (OR = 1.52 95% CI 1.11-2.09, P = 0.01) or Northwest China (OR = 1.71 95% CI 1.18-2.49, P = 0.005) were associated with prevalent asthma.
Asthma is prevalent but underappreciated among middle-aged and elderly people in China. A number of risk factors were identified. These results can help to formulate correct prevention and treatment measures for asthma patients.
Abstract
Objective
To examine the impact of sacroiliac screw position and length on the biomechanical properties of triangular osteosynthesis in treating unilateral vertical sacral fractures and ...provide a clinical reference.
Methods
Unilateral Denis type II sacral fractures were modelled using finite elements to represent Tile C pelvic ring injuries. Six sacroiliac screws were used with iliolumbar fixation patterns to fix the sacral fractures, and the sacral stability, maximum pressure, and stress distribution were compared among the internal fixation modalities.
Results
The best vertical stability of the internal fixation model was achieved when the S1 segment was fixed with lengthened sacroiliac screws, followed by when the S1 segment was fixed using normal sacroiliac screws. There was no significant difference in vertical stability between the S1 + S2 dual-segment fixation model and the S1-segment fixation model. The maximum pressure under a vertical force of 600 N showed a trend of L5LS1 < L5NS1 < L5LS12 < L5LS2 < L5NS2 < L5NS12.
Conclusions
In unilateral vertical sacral fractures (Denis II) treated with triangular osteosynthesis using triangular jointing combined with unilateral iliolumbar + sacroiliac screw fixation, the use of a single lengthened sacroiliac screw for the S1 segment is recommended to achieve the best vertical stability of the sacrum with less maximum compression on the internal fixation components. If it is not possible to apply a lengthened sacroiliac screw, the use of a normal sacroiliac screw for the S1 segment is recommended. Adding an S2 screw does not significantly increase the vertical stability of the sacrum.
Efficient monitoring of glucose concentration in the human body necessitates the utilization of electrochemically active sensing materials in nonenzymatic glucose sensors. However, prevailing ...limitations such as intricate fabrication processes, lower sensitivity, and instability impede their practical application. Herein, ternary Cu-Co-Ni-S sulfides nanoporous network structure was synthesized on carbon fiber paper (CP) by an ultrafast, facile, and controllable technique through on-step cyclic voltammetry, serving as a superior self-supporting catalytic electrode for the high-performance glucose sensor. The direct growth of free-standing Cu-Co-Ni-S on the interconnected three-dimensional (3D) network of CP boosted the active site of the composites, improved ion diffusion kinetics, and significantly promoted the electron transfer rate. The multiple oxidation states and synergistic effects among Co, Ni, Cu, and S further promoted glucose electrooxidation. The well-architected Cu-Co-Ni-S/CP presented exceptional electrocatalytic properties for glucose with satisfied linearity of a broad range from 0.3 to 16,000 muM and high sensitivity of 6829 muA mM.sup.- 1 cm.sup.- 2. Furthermore, the novel sensor demonstrated excellent selectivity and storage stability, which could successfully evaluate the glucose levels in human serum. Notably, the novel Cu-Co-Ni-S/CP showed favorable biocompatibility, proving its potential for in vivo glucose monitoring. The proposed 3D hierarchical morphology self-supported electrode sensor, which demonstrates appealing analysis behavior for glucose electrooxidation, holds great promise for the next generation of high-performance glucose sensors.
Artesunate (ART), is a semi-synthetic water-soluble artemisinin derivative extracted from the plant
, which is often used to treating malaria.
and
studies suggested it may help decrease inflammation ...and attenuate airway remodeling in asthma. However, its underlying mechanism of action is not elucidated yet. Herein, an attempt is made to investigate the ART molecular mechanism in treating asthma.
The BALB/c female mice sensitized
ovalbumin (OVA) have been utilized to establish the asthma model, followed by carrying out ART interventions. Lung inflammation scores by Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E), goblet cell hyperplasia grade by Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS), and collagen fibers deposition by Masson trichrome staining have been utilized for evaluating how ART affected asthma. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses were performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The DEGs were analyzed by Gene Ontology (GO) terms, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, and Protein-Protein interaction (PPI) function analyses. Hub clusters were found by Cytoscape MCODE. Subsequently, Real-Time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) verified the mRNA expression profiles of DEGs. Finally, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blots have validated the relevant genes and potential pathways.
ART considerably attenuated inflammatory cell infiltration, mucus secretion, and collagen fibers deposition. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that the ART played a protective role
various pathways including the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway as one of them. Moreover, ART could alleviate the overexpression of found in inflammatory zone 1(FIZZ1) as revealed by IHC and Western blot analyses. ART attenuated OVA-induced asthma by downregulating phosphorylated p38 MAPK.
ART exerted a protective function in a multitarget and multi-pathway on asthma. FIZZ1 was a possible target for asthma airway remodeling. The MARK pathway was one of the key pathways by which ART protected against asthma.
The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) Strategy Report provides clinicians with an annually updated evidence-based strategy for asthma management and prevention, which can be adapted for local ...circumstances (e.g., medication availability). This article summarizes key recommendations from GINA 2021, and the evidence underpinning recent changes. GINA recommends that asthma in adults and adolescents should not be treated solely with short-acting β
-agonist (SABA), because of the risks of SABA-only treatment and SABA overuse, and evidence for benefit of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Large trials show that as-needed combination ICS-formoterol reduces severe exacerbations by ≥60% in mild asthma compared with SABA alone, with similar exacerbation, symptom, lung function, and inflammatory outcomes as daily ICS plus as-needed SABA. Key changes in GINA 2021 include division of the treatment figure for adults and adolescents into two tracks. Track 1 (preferred) has low-dose ICS-formoterol as the reliever at all steps: as needed only in Steps 1-2 (mild asthma), and with daily maintenance ICS-formoterol (maintenance-and-reliever therapy, "MART") in Steps 3-5. Track 2 (alternative) has as-needed SABA across all steps, plus regular ICS (Step 2) or ICS-long-acting β
-agonist (Steps 3-5). For adults with moderate-to-severe asthma, GINA makes additional recommendations in Step 5 for add-on long-acting muscarinic antagonists and azithromycin, with add-on biologic therapies for severe asthma. For children 6-11 years, new treatment options are added at Steps 3-4. Across all age groups and levels of severity, regular personalized assessment, treatment of modifiable risk factors, self-management education, skills training, appropriate medication adjustment, and review remain essential to optimize asthma outcomes.
Allergic asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease with a number of cytokines participating in its pathogenesis and progress. Interleukin (IL)-22, which is derived from lymphocytes, acts on ...epithelial cells and play a role in the chronic airway inflammation. However, the actual role of IL-22 in allergic asthma is still unclear. Therefore, we explored the effect of IL-22 on allergic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma mouse model.
To evaluate the effect of IL-22 in an allergic asthma model, BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA; then the recombinant mouse IL-22 was administered intranasally 24 h prior to each challenge. The IL-22 levels in lung homogenates and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. AHR was evaluated through indicators including airways resistance (Rrs), elastance (Ers) and compliance (Crs); the inflammatory cell infiltration was assessed by quantification of differential cells counts in BALF and lung tissues stained by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E); IL-22 specific receptors were determined by immunohistochemistry staining.
The concentration of IL-22 was significantly elevated in the OVA-induced mice compared with the control mice in lung homogenates and BALF. In the OVA-induced mouse model, IL-22 administration could significantly attenuate AHR, including Rrs, Ers and Crs, decrease the proportion of eosinophils in BALF and reduce inflammatory cell infiltration around bronchi and their concomitant vessels, compared with the OVA-induced group. In addition, the expression of IL-22RA1 and IL-10RB in the lung tissues of OVA-induced mice was significantly increased compared with the control mice, while it was dramatically decreased after the treatment with IL-22, but not completely attenuated in the IL-22-treated mice when compared with the control mice.
Interleukin-22 could play a protective role in an OVA-induced asthma model, by suppressing the inflammatory cell infiltration around bronchi and their concomitant vessels and airway hyperresponsiveness, which might associate with the expression of its heterodimer receptors. Thus, IL-22 administration might be an effective strategy to attenuate allergic airway inflammation.
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the most common infectious diseases, and its morbidity and mortality increase with age. Resistance and mutations development make the use of ...anti-infective therapy challenging. Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) are often used to treat CAP in China and well tolerable. However, currently there are no evidence-based guideline for the treatment of CAP with CPMs, and the misuse of CPMs is common. Therefore, we established a guideline panel to develop this guideline. We identified six clinical questions through two rounds of survey, and we then systematically searched relevant evidence and performed meta-analyses, evidence summaries and GRADE decision tables to draft recommendations, which were then voted on by a consensus panel using the Delphi method. Finally, we developed ten recommendations based on evidence synthesis and expert consensus. For the treatment of severe CAP in adults, we recommend Tanreqing injection, Reduning injection, Xuebijing injection, Shenfu injection, and Shenmai injection respectively. For the treatment of non-severe CAP in adults, we recommend Tanreqing injection, Reduning injection, Lianhua Qingwen capsule/granule, Qingfei Xiaoyan Pill and Shufeng Jiedu capsule respectively. CPMs have great potential to help in the fight against CAP worldwide, but more high-quality studies are still needed to strengthen the evidence.