This was confirmed by Egger’s test, which showed nonsignificant results (P ═ 0.92 for the difference in PTX-3 levels between patients with COPD and controls; P ═ 0.41 for the difference in PTX-3 levels between patients with AECOPD and stable COPD). The gene discussed is PTX3; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.