No abstract available.
Respiratory System* ; Respiratory Tract Infections*

No abstract available.
Pneumonia*

No abstract available.
Adult* ; Bronchoscopy* ; Foreign Bodies* ; Humans

BACKGROUND: Eotaxin, a CC chemokine specific for eosinophils, is implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma recruiting eosinophils into the airways. Theophylline has been used for the treatment of asthma and rece was proposed to have an anti-inflammatory action. The aim of this study is to examine whether theophylline may inhibit the eosinophilic airway inflammation by reducing the expression of eotaxin. METHODS: The expression of eotaxin mRNA was assessed by Northern analysis in A549 cells 4 h after stimulation with TNF-α or IL-1β And then, theophylline was added to A549 cells stimulated with 0.1 ng/ml IL-1β. RESULTS: Eotaxin mRNA expression rates induced by 0.1, 1, 10 ng/mL TNF-α as compared with β-action were 7%, 22%, 28%, respectively. Eotaxin mRNA expression rates induced by 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 ng/ml IL-1β as compared with β-action, were 10%, 42%, 63%, 72%, respectively. Eotaxin mRNA expression rates after addition of 0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 µM dexamethasone induced by 10 ng/mL TNF-α, as compared with β-action were 27%, 18%, 8%, respectively. Eotaxin mRNA expression rates after the addition of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 mM dexamethasone induced by 0.1 ng/mL IL-1β, as compared with β -action, were 43%, 47%, 12%, 8%, respectively. Eotaxin mRNA expression rates after the addition of 0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 mM theophylline induced by 0.1 ng/mL IL-1β, as compared with β-action, were 48%, 40%, 33%, 22%, 16%, 14%, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that theophylline may reduce eosinophil infiltration of the airway at least in part by reducing the expression of eotaxin under the conditions of these experiments.
Asthma ; Dexamethasone ; Eosinophils ; Epithelial Cells* ; Inflammation ; RNA, Messenger* ; Theophylline*

Objective To research the feasibility and accuracy on echocardiography measurement aortic annulus diameter(AAD)at the plane of three Junctions of aortic valve leaflets by real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography(RT-3D-TEE).Methods Twenty-three patients underwent echocardiography and aortic valve replacement because of acquired aortic valve disease.The AAD was measured in parasternal left ventricle long axis view(TTE-AAD)by transthoracic echocardiography(TTE)preoperative.The AAD was measured in left ventricle long axis view(TEE-AAD)and the distance of three iunctions of aortic valve leaflets (N,L,R) was measured in aortic short axis view by RT-3D-TEE intraoperative.The three-dimensional full volume images were analyzed by online QLAB 7.0 software.The AAD was measured by standard cylindrical valve sizer (OP-AAD)before aortic valve replacement surgery,too.Results Comparing with the three aortic valve leaflets of acquired aortic valve disease,the lines between their junctions constituted an approximate equilateral triangle regardless of the cause and degree of disease,and the length of the three groups was no significant difference(P>0.05).There was no significant difference between TTE-AAD and OP-AAD group(P>0.05),and the correlation was good(r=0.84).The N,L and R group compared separately with the OP-AAD group, there was no significant difference(P>0.05)and correlation was superior to TTE-AAD group(r=0.94, 0.97, 0.96).The difference between TEE-AAD and OP-AAD were significant(P<0.01).Conclusions Echocardiography measurement of AAD at the plane of three junctions of aortic valve leaflets is feasible,and it is better accuracy and repeatability comparing with parasternal left ventricle long axis view.

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Bronchi*

Tracheal tumors are uncommon comprising less than 0.1% of all malignancies. Metastatic tracheal tumors, especially form the extrathoracic sites, are exceedingly rare. Ovarian cancer tends to metastasize to the serous cavities and the lymph nodes. One large autopsy study reported tracheal involvement in 1% of patients who had died from ovarian cancer. Other studies have not mentioned tracheal involvement at all. Since the main symptoms of cough, hemoptysis, or wheezing are nonspecific, patients may be initially treated for other conditions including asthma or bronchitis. Here we describe a metastatic tracheal tumor from an overain carcinoma that was initally treated for bronchial asthma.
Asthma ; Autopsy ; Bronchitis ; Cough ; Hemoptysis ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Respiratory Sounds

No abstract available.
Nocardia Infections*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary*