Gut Microbiota and Lung Injury.

Gut microbiota are known to impact multiple organs including the lung. The cross talk between gut microbes and lungs, termed as the "gut-lung axis," is vital for immune response and homeostasis in the airways. In this chapter, we summarized the coordinated development of microorganisms in the gut and lung, exogenous and endogenous factors related to the cross talk, the mechanisms of the gut-lung axis and their dysbiosis in lung diseases. Although the current understanding of the gut-lung axis is in its infancy, several gut microbiota-associated strategies have been designed to treat and prevent lung diseases.

Prophylactic air-extraction strategy after thoracoscopic wedge resection.

BACKGROUND: Since the conception of enhanced recovery after surgery protocols, tubeless strategies have become popular. Herein, we introduce a previously unreported alternative air-extraction strategy for patients who have undergone thoracoscopic wedge resection and explore its feasibility and safety. METHODS: Between January 2015 and June 2017, 264 consecutive patients underwent thoracoscopic wedge resection with different drainage strategies. Patients were divided according to the postoperative drainage strategies used: routine chest tube drainage (RT group), complete omission of chest tube drainage (OT group), and prophylactic air-extraction catheter insertion procedure (PC group). Using the propensity score matching method, clinical parameters and objective operative qualities were compared among the three groups. RESULTS: Optimal 1:1 matching was used to form pairs of RT (n =36) and PC (n =36) groups and balance baseline characteristics among the three groups. The incidence rates of pneumothorax were 5.6% (2/36), 9.8% (5/51), and 19.4% (7/36) in the RT, OT, and PC groups, respectively (P = 0.07). Chest tube reinsertion incidence for postoperative pneumothorax was 19.4% (1/7) in the PC group and 60% (3/5) in the OT group. Other postoperative complications were comparable among these groups. CONCLUSIONS: The prophylactic air-extraction strategy may be an alternative procedure for selected patients. Remedial air extraction may reduce the occurrence of chest tube reinsertion for pneumothorax patients, but further investigation is required.

[Exploration on the origin and development of pressing moxibustion].

Through arranging of ancient books and literatures related pressing moxibustion, the history along with origin and development of pressing moxibustion is systematically investigated and analyzed, which provided theoretical basis for the clinical practice of pressing moxibustion. It is found that after 600 years of development and innovation, pressing moxibustion already has complete theoretical system which is reflected in the unitarity of formulating prescription, the diversity of the manipulation the universality of indications. What's more, the functional characteristics and mechanism of pressing moxibustion are initially discussed and its present research status and prospect in the field of modern moxibustion are revealed.