The Effects of Respiratory Training Combined with Limb Exercise on Pulmonary Function and Quality of Life in Patients with Bronchiectasis.

Objective: To investigate the effects of respiratory rehabilitation training combined with limb rehabilitation on sputum clearance and quality of life in patients with bronchiectasis. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 86 patients with bronchiectasis was divided into an intervention group and an observation group, with 43 cases in each group. All patients were above 18 years of age with no history of relevant drug allergies. Patients in the observation group were treated with conventional drugs, and those in the intervention group were given respiratory rehabilitation training and limb rehabilitation on this basis. After three months of treatment, the indexes of sputum discharge, sputum traits, lung function, and the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) were compared and quality of life and survival skills were assessed using the Barthel index and a quality-of-life comprehensive assessment questionnaire (GQOLI-74). Results: The percentage of patients with mild Barthel index in the intervention group was higher than that in the observation group, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After treatment, the scores of life quality and the lung function in the intervention group were higher than those in the observation group (both P < 0.05). After three months of treatment, the sputum volume and sputum viscosity scores of the two groups were higher than those before treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Respiratory rehabilitation training with limb exercise rehabilitation can effectively improve the sputum clearance rate, lung function, and quality of life of patients with bronchiectasis and is thus worthy of clinical promotion and application.

3D printing of resin composites doped with upconversion nanoparticles for anti-counterfeiting and temperature detection.

Rapid prototyping (RP) techniques allow the construction of complex and sophisticated physical models based on personal needs, and the applications of the produced objects can be greatly extended by functionalizing the raw materials (e.g., resins) with components showing electrical, optical and magnetic properties. Here, we demonstrate a simple method for the realization of a three-dimensional architecture through 3D printing of organic resin doped with inorganic upconversion (UC) nanoparticles by using stereolithography technique. In our process, the wet-chemistry derived NaYF4: RE (RE: rare earth) nanoparticles with red, green and blue UC emission were incorporated into a resin matrix. We printed out pre-designed 3D structures with high precision and examined the UC emission properties. In a proof-of-concept experiment, we demonstrate that the 3D printed objects have reliable optical anti-counterfeiting based on high concealment in daylight and multi-color UC emission excited by a near-infrared laser at 980 nm. We also show that the 3D part with UC emission can be used for ratiometric temperature sensing from 303.15 K to 463.15 K, making it possible to map the temperature distribution for studying the thermal diffusion process in complex objects.

A cross-linking strategy with moderated pre-polymerization of resin for stereolithography.

Compared with parts fabricated via traditional methods, such as injection or compression molding, polymeric parts produced by 3D stereolithography (SLA) have poorer mechanical properties. Here, we demonstrate a cross-linking strategy used in the coating field to attain long chains for resin pre-polymerization to obtain final resin parts which can expand the application of SLA. Isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based prepolymer have long chains, making it easier for them to form dense structures. However, the prepolymer has high viscosity and can solidify in the absence of a laser. Thus, three kinds of adjuvants were added to dilute the prepolymer to make the slurry suitable for 3D-printing. Slurries were cured with different laser powers and scanning speeds. Diluents are found to affect the curing properties differently. With the diluent 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate added into the prepolymer, shrinkage of printed parts is lower than 1.3%. With the diluent ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, the density range of printed parts is between 1.187 g cm-3 and 1.195 g cm-3, which is higher than that of commercial PVC and PET. The three resins vary in density and hardness within a small range when the scanning speeds change. A relatively flat surface, high density and hardness can be obtained when the laser power is at 195.5-350 mW. Resin with this cross-linking strategy can expand the underutilized stereolithography's application from prototyping to actual parts by producing more functional components with excellent performance.

3D printing of multicolor luminescent glass.

The development of the stereolithography technique for the additive manufacturing of silica glass has brought revolutionary change in glass manufacturing. Here, we demonstrate the fabrication of 3D luminescent transparent glass parts manufactured by the stereolithographic technique together with solution impregnation and high temperature sintering. Prefabricated glass parts with nanopores were prepared by the stereolithography technique and debinded and pre-sintered at first. To functionalize the additive manufactured glass with photoluminescence, Eu3+, Tb3+ and Ce3+ ions were doped with a solution impregnation method and further sintered at high temperature. The photoluminescence from these rare earth ions in the blue, cyan and red spectral region can be facilely generated by illumination with a 254 nm UV lamp. Furthermore, we developed a space-selective doping method that enables the doping of different ions in different parts of a silica glass in a space-selective fashion, resulting in a multicolor luminescent glass object giving distinguishable luminescence from each part.

A randomized, controlled multicentric study of inhaled budesonide and intravenous methylprednisolone in the treatment on acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Almost all international guidelines recommend corticosteroids for management of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), because it leads to improved outcomes of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Nevertheless, due to its side effects, there are still concerns regarding the use of systemic corticosteroid (SC). Inhaled corticosteroids (IC) can be used as an alternative to SC, while reducing the risk of occurrence of side effects. PURPOSE: To measure the clinical efficacy and side effects of nebulized budesonide and systemic methylprednisolone in AECOPD. METHODS: Valid data from 410 AECOPD patients in 10 hospitals was collected. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups; budesonide group, treated with nebulized budesonide (2 mg 3 times/day); and methylprednisolone group, treated with intravenously injected methylprednisolone (40 mg/day). COPD assessment test (CAT), arterial blood gas analysis, hospitalization days, adverse effects, fasting blood glucose, serum creatinine, alanine aminotransferase levels, and blood drug were measured and analyzed in both groups. RESULTS: Symptoms, pulmonary function and arterial blood gas analysis were significantly improved after treatment in both groups (P < 0.05), with no significant differences between them (P > 0.05), while incidence of adverse events in the budesonide group was lower (P < 0.05). No significant differences in CAT score, days of admission, blood gas analysis results and physiological and biochemical indexes were found between the two groups. Patients treated with methylprednisolone showed a higher degree of PaO2 level improvement. CONCLUSION: Results show that inhalation of budesonide (2 mg 3 times/day) and systemic methylprednisolone (40 mg/day) had similar clinical outcome in AECOPD. In conclusion, inhaled budesonide is an alternative to systemic corticosteroids in AECOPD treatment.