Tiotropium in Patients with Bronchiectasis: A Prospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: There are limited studies on the use of bronchodilators for the treatment of bronchiectasis. This study investigated the efficacy of tiotropium in patients with bronchiectasis and airflow limitation. METHODS: This study was a prospective cohort study, including 169 patients with bronchiectasis and airflow limitation from 2015 to 2019. The clinical outcomes observed in our study were the effect of tiotropium on the frequency of moderate exacerbations, the time to the first severe exacerbation, and the annual decline in FEV1. RESULTS: After 12 months, the annual decline in the FEV1 after bronchodilator use was 27.08 ml or 42.9 ml per year in the group with or without tiotropium, respectively. Treatment with tiotropium was associated with a decreased risk of moderate exacerbation of bronchiectasis (Adjusted RR 0.618 95% CI 0.493-0.774; P < 0.005). The time to the first severe acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis in the tiotropium group was longer than the non-tiotropium group (Adjusted HR 0.333 95% CI 0.219-0.506; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, prospective cohort study showed that tiotropium effectively ameliorated the annual decline in the FEV1, with a lower-risk rate of moderate exacerbations and prolonging the time to the first-time severe exacerbation in patients with bronchiectasis and airflow limitation.

The quality of dissolved organic matter extracted at different times from pig compost and its copper binding capacity based on EEM-PARAFAC.

Dissolved organic matter extracted from compost tea, can be regarded as alternatives to inorganic fertilizers as well to be used as a washing agent for heavy metal polluted soil. However, the composition and quality of compost tea produced under different extraction time are still unknown. The objective of the current study was set to explore the influence of different extraction time (i.e., 6, 12, and 24 h) on the composition, quality, and copper binding capacity of compost tea originated from pig manure compost. The results indicated that the extraction time obviously influenced the phenolic, aromatic carboxylic, and polycyclic aromatic groups of compost tea. In addition, the compost tea undergo the shorter extraction time (i.e., 6 and 12 h) contained more protein and humic-like compositions. Among the all treatments tested herein, the compost tea produced from 12 h extraction time obviously exhibited higher aromaticity, molecular weight, and humification degree than other two treatments. The highest stability constant value (log KM) was observed for the shortest extraction time, i.e., 6.08. According to the quality measures and copper binding capability, shorter extraction times (i.e., 6 and 12 h) would be suggested for compost tea production from pig manure compost.

Effectiveness and safety of macrolides in bronchiectasis patients: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

PURPOSE: Macrolides has been studied as a potential therapeutic anti-inflammatory agent for bronchiectasis patients, which has used as an immunoregulation agent. However, the efficacy and safety results of macrolides across available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are controversial. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of macrolides in bronchiectasis. METHODS: RCTs of macrolides treatment for the patients of bronchiectasis published in PubMed and Cochrane Library were searched. Two authors independently extracted data and assessment the methodological quality. The primary efficacy outcome was the impact on the number of pulmonary exacerbation. Safety outcomes included adverse events and mortality. RESULTS: Seven RCTs were found in the systematic review and six studies were included in the present meta-analysis. Macrolides treatment showed a significant reduced rate of pulmonary exacerbation (RR = 0.55, 95%CI = 0.43-0.70) compared with control groups. However, subgroup analysis failed to find any significant changes in total 46 patients (RR = 0.20, 95%CI = 0.03-1.58) for treatment not more than 3 months. The incidence rates of total adverse events showed no significant difference among the macrolides group and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term treatment of bronchiectasis with macrolides can reduce incidence of pulmonary exacerbation, especially in the subgroup treatment 6 months or more. There was no evidence of increased adverse events with macrolides. However, to verify the best macrolides regimen, more studies based on larger sample size and stratified by ethnicity are still needed. CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS STUDIED IN THIS ARTICLE: Erythromycin (PubChem CID 12560); Azithromycin (PubChem CID: 447043); Clarithromycin (PubChem CID: 84029); Roxithromycin (PubChem CID: 5480431).

MiR-223-3p affects the proliferation and apoptosis of HCAECs in Kawasaki disease by regulating the expression of FOXP3.

OBJECTIVE: Kawasaki disease (KD) can lead to permanent damage to coronary structures, the pathogenesis of which remains unknown. This experiment was designed to investigate whether miR-223-3p secreted in the serum of KD patients affects the proliferation and apoptosis of HCAECs in KD by regulating FOXP3. METHODS: Blood samples were collected in acute febrile phase of KD, after IVIG treatment, and from healthy controls. Transfected into HCAECs cells by synthetic FOXP3 siRNA/NC. A co-culture system was established between HCAECs cells transfected with FOXP3 siRNA/NC and THP1 cells added with three sera. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the expressions of miR-223-3p, RORγt, and Th17 in serum of KD patients were significantly upregulated, and the expressions of TGF-ß1, FOXP3 and Treg were significantly downregulated. At the same time, the levels of IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23 were significantly increased, and the levels of IL-10 and FOXP3 were significantly decreased. After IVIG treatment, the patient's above results were reversed. The serum of KD patients increased the expression of miR-223-3p and inhibited the expression of FOXP3 in HCAECs cells. IVIG serum is the opposite. Overexpression of miR-223-3p also promoted the apoptosis of HCAECs. In addition, serum from KD patients promoted apoptosis, whereas serum after IVIG treatment inhibited apoptosis. KD patient serum downregulated the expression of FOXP3, Bcl2, TGF-ß1 and IL-10 in cells, and upregulated the expression of caspase3, Bax, IL-17, IL-6, and IL-23. The opposite results were obtained with IVIG-treated sera. CONCLUSION: miR-223-3p secreted in serum of KD patients can regulate the expression of FOXP3 and affect the proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammation of cells.

[Economical nitrogen application rate of winter wheat under rice-wheat rotation in the Yangtze River basin of China]. / 长江流域稻麦轮作条件下冬小麦适宜施氮量.

To promote the rational application of nitrogen fertilizer for winter wheat under rice-wheat rotation in the Yangtze River Basin, we examined the effects of nitrogen application rates (0, 120, 210, 300 kg·hm-2, expressed as N0, N1, N2, and N3 respectively) on soil nitrate content, nitrogen balance of soil-plant system and yield. The results showed that soil nitrate content increased with increasing nitrogen application rates. Under different nitrogen application treatments, all the nitrate was significantly transfered to the 60 cm soil layer till jointing stage. After jointing stage, topdressing nitrogen significantly increased nitrate content in 0-40 cm soil layer under N1 and N2 treatments and that in the 0-60 cm soil layer under N3 treatment. Soil nitrate mainly accumulated in the 0-40 cm soil layer in the mature stage. Results from nitrogen balance analysis showed that nitrogen absorption, residue and loss varied across different growth stages of wheat, with the period from overwintering to jointing being the principal time of apparent nitrogen loss. The amount of plant nitrogen accumulation, inorganic nitrogen residue and soil nitrogen apparent loss all positively correlated with the nitrogen application rate. Based on the comprehensive analysis through Coase principle and marginal revenue of environmental economics, the optimum nitrogen application rate for production, ecology and economic benefits of winter wheat under rice-wheat rotation was 250 kg·hm-2, and the ratio of base fertilizer to jointing fertilizer was 5:5, while the corresponding grain yield was 6840 kg·hm-2.

[Characteristics of uptake, residual and loss of nitrogen fertilizer in winter wheat after rice stubble]. / 稻茬冬小麦氮肥吸收、残留和损失特性.

To promote the rational application of nitrogen fertilizer in winter wheat after rice stubble, the effects of nitrogen application rate (0, 150, 225, 300 kg·hm-2, expressed as N0, N150, N225, N300) on nitrogen recovery, residue, loss and grain yield were examined using field 15N tracer technology. The results showed that with the increases of application rate, nitrogen accumulation from different sources significantly increased while nitrogen recovery significantly decreased. The accumulation of basal nitrogen in plants reached the peak during overwintering stage to jointing stage, while the accumulation of topdressing nitrogen peaked between jointing to flowering stage. At maturity, nitrogen accumulation of the top fertilizer was higher than that of the base fertilizer. Plant nitrogen accumulation from soil under N150 was higher than that from nitrogen fertilizer, but with an opposite tendency under N225 and N300. With the increases of nitrogen application rate, the residual nitrogen in the 0-100 cm soil layer in the maturing stage significantly increased, while the residual nitrogen ratio in the 60-100 cm soil layer gradually increased. In the whole growth period of wheat, both nitrogen loss and loss ratio were positively correlated with nitrogen application rate. The nitrogen loss of base fertilizer reached the highest during sowing to overwintering stage, while the nitrogen loss of top fertilizer was at the peak from jointing to flowering period. Taking grain yield into consideration, N225 treatment was the proper application rate for winter wheat after rice stubble, with grain yield being 6735 kg·hm-2, and the nitrogen fertilizer recovery rate, soil residue rate and loss rate being 42.6%, 34.0% and 23.3%, respectively.

[Environmental Effects of Algae Bloom Cluster: Impact on the Floating Plant Water Hyacinth Photosynthesis].

It is an efficient and effective ecological restoration method by using the adaptability, large biomass of aquatic plants to purify the polluted water at present. However, there is a lack of systematic research on the impact on the physiological ecology of aquatic plants and its environmental effects of algae blooms cluster in summer. The aim of this paper is to reveal the mechanism of macrophytes demise in a shallow ecosystem by studying the influence on photosynthesis of water hyacinth caused by the cynaobacterial blooms gathered, and also to provide the theoretical basis for full effects of purification function of macrophytes to reduce the negative effects on the aquatic plants after algae blooms gathered during the higher temperature (not lower 25 degrees C) through simulating experiments. Results showed the dissolved oxygen quickly consumed in root zone of aquatic plants after algae blooms gathered and showed a lack of oxygen (DO < 0.2 mg x L(-1)); and the ORP was lower than -100 mV after 1 d, and it declined to -200 mV at the end of the experiment, and pH declined 0. 7unit compared with that of control group ( CK). There were lots of nutrients releasing to the water after the algae cell died and the NH4+ -N concentration was 102 times higher than that of the control group root zone. And the macrophytes photosynthesis reduced quickly and the plant body damaged with the intimidation of higher NH4+ -N concentration (average content was 45.6 mg x L(-1)) and hypoxia after algae cell decomposed. The average net photosynthesis rate, leaf transpiration rate were 0.6 times, 0.55 times of the control group, and they reduced to 3.96 micromol x (m2 x s)(-1), 1.38 mmol x (m2 x s)(-1), respectively. At the end of the experiment, they were 22.0 micromol x (m2 x s)(-1) and 7.61 mmol x (m2 x s)(-1) for the control group. Results also showed the algae bloom together had the irreversible damage to the aquatic plants. So in the practice of ecological restoration, it should avoid the harm to the plant after the algae bloom cells gathered and decomposed so as to play the purification function of the plant in the ecological rehabilitation project.

[Effects of nitrogen application rates and straw returning on nutrient balance and grain yield of late sowing wheat in rice-wheat rotation].

Field experiments were conducted to study the effects of nitrogen application rates and straw returning on grain yield, nutrient accumulation, nutrient release from straw and nutrient balance in late sowing wheat. The results showed that straw returning together with appropriate application of nitrogen fertilizer improved the grain yield. Dry matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium accumulation increased significantly as the nitrogen application rate increased. At the same nitrogen application rate (270 kg N · hm(-2)), the dry matter, phosphorus and potassium accumulation of the treatment with straw returning were higher than that without straw returning, but the nitrogen accumulation was lower. Higher-rate nitrogen application promoted straw decomposition and nutrient release, and decreased the proportion of the nutrient released from straw after jointing. The dry matter, phosphorus and potassium release from straw showed a reverse 'N' type change with the wheat growing, while nitrogen release showed a 'V' type change. The nutrient surplus increased significantly with the nitrogen application rate. At the nitrogen application rate for the highest grain yield, nitrogen and potassium were surplus significantly, and phosphorus input could keep balance. It could be concluded that as to late sowing wheat with straw returning, applying nitrogen at 257 kg · hm(-2) and reducing potassium fertilizer application could improve grain yield and reduce nutrients loss.

[Effects of nitrogen application rates on apparent soil nitrogen surplus of late sowing wheat with straw returning in rice-wheat rotation].

Field experiments were conducted to study the effects of varying rates of nitrogen application on soil mineral nitrogen content, amount of nitrogen released from the straw, and grain yield of late sowing wheat with straw returning. The result showed that a high nitrogen fertilizer application rate enhanced the mineral nitrogen content in the soil layer of 0 to 50 cm, and also in the lower soil layers when using N at 270 and 360 kg · hm(-2) with the advance of growth stages. The amount of nitrogen released form the straw increased as the nitrogen application rate increased; the lowest appeared from overwintering to jointing, and the highest from jointing to maturity. During the whole growing season, apparent nitrogen surplus occurred when the nitrogen application rate was higher than 180 kg · hm(-2). The N surplus before jointing was significantly higher than that from jointing to maturity. Grain yield reached the highest at a nitrogen application rate of 270 kg · hm(-2), and a higher application rate obviously decreased the nitrogen use efficiency. It could be concluded that applying nitrogen at 270 kg · him(-2) could improve the grain yield of late sowing wheat with straw returning with the optimal ecological benefit.

[Effects of atmospheric CO2 concentration enhancement and nitrogen application rate on wheat grain yield and quality].

FACE platform was applied to study the effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration on wheat grain yield and quality under two nitrogen (N) application rates. Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration and applying N increased the grain yield, spike number, grain number per spike, and biomass significantly, but elevated CO2 concentration had no significant effects on harvest index (HI). Under elevated CO2 concentration, there was a significant decrease in the protein, gliadin, gluteinin, and glutein contents of the grain and the sedimentation value of the flour, and a significant increase in the starch and its components contents of the grain; under N application, an inverse was observed. The dough stability time and the dough viscosity characteristics, such as peak viscosity, final viscosity, and setback value, increased significantly under elevated CO2 concentration and high N application rate. The interaction of atmospheric CO2 concentration and N application rate had significantly positive effects on wheat grain yield and biomass, but less effect on grain quality. Therefore, with elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration in the future, maintaining a higher N application level would benefit wheat grain yield and paste characteristics, and mitigate the decline of grain quality.