0.05). VIP, however, could inhibit the Con A-induced proliferation of T-cells from control subjects more significantly than that from asthmatics (P0.05). The cAMP level in T-cells, however, increased more significantly in the control group than that in the asthmatic group after the treatment of VIP or NaF (P0.05). CONCLUSION: Inhibition effect of VIP on Con A-induced proliferation of T-cells was less in asthmatics than in control subjects, which may be related to insufficiency of Gs ? coupled VIP receptor on T-lymphocytes in asthmatics.

Objective To construct and identify the recombinant BCG (bacille Calmette-Guerin) expressing exogenous antigen, namely Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (house dust mite), major allergen (Der p2) in form of secreting protein. Methods The gene fragments containing ?-ss signal peptide gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from the Mycobacteria tuberculosis H37Rv and cloned into the Der p2-rBCG, which can express Der p2 in intracellular pattern.Then the Der p2 gene was expressed by the rBCG in form of secreting protein, and it was identified by Western blotting. Results The sequence of signal peptide gene ?-ss was verified by sequencing identification. The constructed Der p2-rBCG could shuttle from E. coli to Mycobacteria to mediat the expression of antibiotic resistance gene and it served as a vector to express the Der p2 gene as a secreted protein. Conclusions The Der p2-rBCG, which can express exogenous antigen gene in form of secreting protein, has been constructed successfully.

Objective To explore the inhibitory effects of SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) on hyper secretion of airway mucus in mice with asthma. Methods Forty BABL/C mice were randomly allocated into asthma group, SB203580 treatment group, dexamethasone treatment group and control group (sham-challenged group). Mice in SB203580 treatment group were intraperitoneally injected with SB203580 (10mg/kg), while those in dexamethasone treatment group were injected with dexamethasone (1mg/kg) before provocation. The number of goblet cells in small bronchi of all groups was determined after Alcian blue-periodic acid Schiff (AB-PAS) staining. The contents of MUC5AC in bronchoalveolar lavarge fluid (BALF) were evaluated with ELISA asssy. The levels of MUC5AC mRNA expression were determined with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, and gray-scale analysis was done with image analysis method. Results Compared with the normal group, the number of airway goblet cells, the contents of MUC5AC in BALF and the level of lung MUC5AC mRNA expression in asthma group were raised significantly (P

Objective To explore the therapeutic efficacy of a self-made occluder used for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction(BLVR).Methods Two patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)in stable phase were selected for the present study.One or two nitinol occluders were placed,guided by brochoscopy,into the target bronchi of the two patients.Examination of pulmonary functions,chest computed tomography,complications,blood gas analysis,and evaluation of life quality with St George's respiratory questionnaire(SGRQ)were carried out before and 7 months after the bronchoscopic lung volume reduction.Results No dislodging or shifting of all the inserted occluders occurred.Only slight proliferation of granulation tissue was found in mucous membrane around the occluder,and atelectasis was observed at the target sites of lung.Before and 7 months after BLVR,ventilatory capacity(VC)of case 1 rose from 3.08L to 3.57L,and that of case 2 was elevated from 2.19L to 2.58L.Forced vital capacity(FVC)of case 1 was elevated from 2.87L to 3.57L,and that of case 2 from 2.60L to 2.58L.SGRQ showed a remarkable improvement of patients' dyspnea with a decrease of scores from 62 to 26 in case 1 and from 48 to 23 in case 2.No evident changes were found on arterial oxygen blood partial pressure(PaO2)in both patients,and no severe complications such as obstructive pneumonia or pneumothorax occurred yet in either case 1 or case 2.Conclusion The present study has demonstrated that the self-made occluder is convenient for insertion with satisfactory stability and therapeutic efficacy.Application of such occluder is safe with few complications,and may serve the purpose of reducing lung volume and improving lung function.

Objective To study the mechanism of apoptosis inducing and anti-invasive effects of curcumin on human lung adenocarcinoma cell (A549). Methods MTT colorimetry method, fluorescence mieroscopy, and FCM combining with PI and AnnexinV-FITC double pigmentation method were used to study the growth and apoptosis of A549 cells after being treated with curcumin, and Western blotting was used to identify apoptosis-inducing and anti-invasive effects. Results Under the effect of the curcumin, the nucleoli of A549 cells were found to be fragmented into different sized apoptosis bodies under fluorescence microscopy, and cell proliferation was obviously suppressed under the effect of curcumin in different concentrations, with the IC 50 value of 18?mol/L. When the curcumin concentration was increased from 5?mol/L to 40?mol/L, Annexin-FITC single positive cells (early apoptosis cell) were increased from 3.4% to 65.9%, and the proliferation of cells was blocked at G 2 phase. When curcumin concentration was increased from 10?mol/L to 20?mol/L curcumin effects 30 minutes, the expression of PARP in A549 cells was increased after 30 minutes. Curcumin could also down-regulate MMP-2 and up-regulate TIMP-2 expression. Conclusions Curcumin can interfere with cell growth cycle of A549 cells and suppress cell growth, which is concentration dependent. The anti- invasive effects of curcumin is probably the result of down-regulation of MMP-2 and up-regulation of TIMP-2 expression.

AIM: To study the effect of platelet-activating factor(PAF) on proliferation of cultured rat airway smooth muscle cells(ASMCs).METHODS: The cells were divided into control group and PAF group. The cells in PAF group were subdivided into four small groups by concentrations of PAF 10 -6 , 10 -7 , 10 -8 , 10 -9 mol?L -1 , MTT assay was used not only to investigate the effects of PAF on proliferation of ASMC but also to confirm the optimal concentration. Flow cytometry and immuneohistochemistry for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were also used to analyse its function on proliferation of ASMC.RESULTS: PAF (10 -6 -10 -9 mol?L -1 ) stimulated the cell proliferation and 10 -7 mol?L -1 PAF reached the maximal effect. The cell percentage of the ASMCs of 107 mol?L -1 PAF subgroup at G_ 0/1 phase (68.67%) was much lower than that of control group (85.57%, P

Objective To vie the effect of theophylline on eosinophil (Eos) apoptosis. Methods EDTA-anticoagulated venous blood was obtained from 15 healthy volunteers and pre-incubated with saline or theophylline (10 -4 M) or dexamethasone and rhIL-5(10 -8 M),respectively.The mRNA of bcl-2 and bax were determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),and their cytoplasm proteins were determined by flo cytometry. Results Analysis revealed that the bax protein express intracellular without any stimulator,but not bcl-2 in protein and mRNA levels.And culturing Eos in the presence of 10 -8 M IL-5 for 24 hours up-regulating bcl-2 mRNA ( P

Objective To identify the compliance and influencing factors of colorectal cancer screening among urban communities. Methods People in urban communities are categorized as the case group, comparison group A and comparison group B, according to whether they receive questionnaire survey, FOBT test, intestine mirror, and different follow-up results in this screening test Results No significant differences (P>0.05) are found among people from different groups. In the survey for screening related knowledge, understanding of such knowledge is significantly higher than the comparison group(P>0.01), and the knowledge of comparison group A is higher than that of comparison group B. Conclusion The higher their knowledge in screening, the higher their compliance for screening.

Objective: To evaluate the inhibitory effect of Yichuanping capsule (易喘平胶囊) on the airway mucus overproduction in asthmatic mice and its mechanism. Methods: Thirty-two male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal control group, asthma group, dexamethasone group and Yichuanping capsule (YC) group (n=8 in each group). Asthmatic mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin. The number of goblet cells and secretion of mucus were detected with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, and mucus protein MUC5AC mRNA was detected with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RTCD*2PCR). Number of total cells and eosinophil in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were counted with special staining. The contents of interleukinCD*24 (ILCD*24) and ?CD*2interferon (IFNCD*2?) in lung tissue were assessed by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Compared with asthma group, the number of goblet cells, MUC5AC mRNA levels and secretion of mucus in airway were reduced in dexamethasone group and YC group(all P

AIM: To investigate the effects of metformin on airway inflammation, remodeling and neovascularization in a mouse model of chronic asthma and its possible mechanisms.METHODS: BALB/c mice were randomly divided into saline group, ovalbumin (OVA) group and OVA+metformin group, with 8 in each.At the end of OVA exposure, blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected for the measurement of OVA specific IgE and leukocyte counts.Lung tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, periodic acid-Schiff and Masson's trichrome to detect inflammatory cell infiltration, goblet cell hyperplasia, and collagen deposition around the airway, respectively.Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the number and percentage area of new blood vessels (CD31+), and the protein level of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) in the airway.RESULTS: Compared with saline group, the eosinophil percentage and OVA specific IgE in serum in OVA group were all increased obviously (P<0.01).Metformin inhibited the above increases (P<0.05).Compared with control group, a marked increase in inflammation infiltration, PAS+ cells and collage deposition in the airway mucosa in OVA group were observed.Metformin partially relieved the above changes.CD31+ vessels in the wall of bronchi showed the abundance of blood vessels observed in OVA group compared with control group, which was suppressed by the treatment with metformin (P<0.05).The protein level of p-AMPK was reduced in the lung tissue challenged with OVA as compared with control group (P<0.05), while metformin increased the protein level of p-AMPK (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: The protein level of p-AMPK in the airway in OVA group is attenuated.Metformin effectively inhibits airway inflammation, remodeling and neovascularization possibly via activating AMPK signaling pathway.