Objective To investigate the synergistic effects of 9-cis-retinoic acid(9-cis-RA) and 8-cl-cAMP on growth inhibition and apoptosis induction in H460 and H292 cell lines of non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC). Methods Experimental groups included 9-cis-RA groups(1,5,10 and 20 ?mol/L),8-cl-cAMP groups(5,10,20 and 50 ?mol/L),9-cis-RA(5 and 10 ?mol/L) combined with 8-cl-cAMP(10 ?mol/L) groups and blank control group.The cell growth inhibition rates were detected by trypan blue staining,and the apoptosis of H460 and H292 cells were observed by Hoechst33258 fluorescence microscope,DNA gel electrophoresis and flow cytometer(FCM). Results 9-cis-RA inhibited the growth of H460 cells in a time-and dose-dependent manner,and induced the apoptosis of H460 cells(P

Objective To investigate the value of soluble epithelial cadherin(sE-cad)in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusion. Methods Patients were divided into malignant pleural effusion group,infective pleural effusion group and transudation group.sE-cad in pleural fluids obtained during the first thoracocentesis was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The concentration of sE-cad in all kinds of pleural effusions was compared.The cut-off value of sE-cad for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pleural effusion was determined by ROC curve.The diagnostic value of sE-cad was also compared with common tumor markers such as CEA,CA199,CA125 and NSE.Results The concentration of sE-cad was significant higher in the malignant pleural effusion than in the benign pleural effusion[(38.38?4.15)ng/mL vs(14.17?0.80)ng/mL,P

Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS) is a common sleep-related breathing disorder,which has a series of impact on the cardiovascular system.The dctection of some biochemical indicators plays an important role in predicting this kind of cardiovascular damage.The role of inflammatory predicting factors such as TNF-?,IL-6,CRP,IL-10,MMPs and ICAM-1 is reviewed in this paper.

0.05). Conclusion The exon 8+488C/T polymorphism of Aiolos gene exists in this population of Han ethnics,however,it is not associated with bronchial asthma.

Objective To investigate the expression of aquaporin-5(AQP5) in lipo-polysaccharide(LPS)-cigarette smoking inducible SD rats,and the effect of ambroxol chloride(AMB)on its expression. Methods Twenty-one SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: AMB intervention group,model group(LPS-cigarette smoking induction group) and control group.TNF-? was determined from lung homogenate supernatant,bronchial alveolar lavage fluid(BALF) and serum by ELISA.The semi-quantitation of AQP5 transcription and expression were measured by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry,respectively. Results TNF-? from lung homogenate supernatant and BALF in model group was more than AMB intervention group and control group(P

Objective To investigate the benefits of long-term home noninvasive positive pressure ventilation(NIPPV) for patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). Methods From 2006 to 2007,46 patients with chronic respiratory failure due to stable COPD receiving NIPPV in Croix Rousse Hospital were retrospectively analysed.The arterial blood gas analysis of before treatment,1,3,6,12,24 and 36 months after treatment were compared,and the lung function of before treatment,6,12,24 and 36 months after treatment were also compared. Results PaCO2 of 1,3,6,12,24 and 36 months after receiving NIPPV significantly decreased(P

Background Increasingly,evidence from population,clinic-based and laboratory studies supports an independent association between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes; however,this observation has yet to be replicated in China and the potential mechanisms that link these two conditions are not clear.Methods A total of 179 Han Chinese subjects were enrolled in this study.All subjects underwent polysomnography,the oral glucose tolerance-insulin releasing test (OGTT-IRT) and serum HbA1c measurement.Indexes including homeostasis model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR),Matsuda index,HOMA-β,early phase insulinogenic index (△I30 / △G30),AUC-I180 and oral disposition index (DIo) were calculated for the assessment of insulin resistance and pancreatic β-cell function.Results Based on OGTT,25.4％,44.6％ and 54.5％ subjects were diagnosed having glucose metabolic disorders respectively in control,mild to moderate and severe OSAS groups (P ＜0.05).Serum HbA1c levels were highest in subjects with severe OSAS (P ＜0.05).In contrast,compared with normal subjects,HOMA-β,△I30/△G30 and DIo were lower in severe OSAS group (P ＜0.05).In stepwise multiple linear regressions,0-min glucose and HbA1c were positively correlated with the percentage of total sleep time below an oxyhemoglobin saturation of 90％ (T90) (Beta =0.215 and 0.368,P ＜0.05); 30-min and 60-min glucose was negatively correlated with the lowest SpO2 (LSpO2) (Beta =-0.214 and -0.241,P ＜0.05).HOMA-β and Dlowere negatively correlated with T90 (Beta =-0.153 and-0.169,P ＜0.05) while body mass index (BMI) was the only determinant of HOMA-IR and Matsuda index.Conclusions OSAS is associated with impairment in glucose tolerance and pancreatic β-cell function in Han Chinese subjects while insulin sensitivity is mainly determined by obesity.

OBJECTIVETo determine the number of goblet cells, the change of MUC5AC expression in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and the relationship of smoking with goblet cell, MUC5AC, and lung function.

METHODSEighteen patients undergoing lung resections for a solitary peripheral carcinoma were classified by lung function as having COPD. Twenty patients with normal lung function served as the control group. Normal lobe bronchioles far away from the lesion site were taken for paraffin section. Goblet cells were identified by AB/PAS staining and the expression of MUC5AC in the paraffin's section was tested by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSGoblet cell hyperplasia was observed in the COPD group. The positive rate of goblet cell in COPD group (0.20% +/- 0.10%) was significantly higher than that in the normal lung function group (0.13% +/- 0.06%, P < 0.05). The positive rate of MUC5AC expression in the COPD group (0.27% +/- 0.09%) was higher than that in the normal lung function group (0.20% +/- 0.10%, P < 0.05). The positive rate of goblet cell in smokers (27.93% +/- 9.00%) of the COPD group and normal lung function group was higher than that in non-smokers (17.70% +/- 9.37%, P < 0.05), while MUC5AC expression had no significant difference between smokers and non-smokers (17.88% +/- 6.44% and 10.88% +/- 7.10%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONFor COPD patients with declined lung function, there were goblet cell hyperplasia and increased expression of MUC5AC. MUC5AC expression up-regulation may due to goblet cell hyperplasia. Smoking may be an important factor for goblet cell hyperplasia.

Aged ; Bronchi ; pathology ; Cell Proliferation ; Epithelium ; pathology ; Exocrine Glands ; metabolism ; Goblet Cells ; pathology ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Middle Aged ; Mucin 5AC ; Mucins ; biosynthesis ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; metabolism ; pathology ; Smoking ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo study the hazards of gem dusts and the epidemiological features of the occurrence of gem worker's silicosis (GWS).

METHODSEpidemiological investigation in a gem factory in Guangdong province was carried out.

RESULTSThe average dusts concentration in workshop was 2.3 mg/m(3), average free silica content was 94.64%. There were 47 patients diagnosed as silicosis. The prevalence of GWS was 4.58% (47/ 1,027). The age of patients suffering from silicosis and the duration of dust exposure were (27.04 +/- 3.25) years and (4.67 +/- 1.17) years respectively. Chest radiographic examination showed mainly small round opacities "q". The incidences of GWS complicated by pulmonary tuberculosis, spontaneous pneumothorax and pulmonary emphysema were 10.64%, 10.64%, 44.68% respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe hazards of gem dust to workers might be serious. Higher incidence, younger age suffered from silicosis, shorter duration of dust exposure, more complications, and poorer prognosis in gem workers appeared to be the main epidemiological features of GWS in Guangdong.

Adult ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; poisoning ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Silicosis ; epidemiology ; etiology

BACKGROUNDGemcitabine plus cisplatin is a standard treatment for stages IIIB and IV nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This randomized phase II study evaluated a 3-week versus a 4-week schedule of gemcitabine-cisplatin as first line treatment for Chinese patients with advanced NSCLC.

METHODSPatients were randomized to receive cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) on day 1 plus either gemcitabine 1250 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle (3-week group) or gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8 and 15 of a 28-day cycle (4-week group).

RESULTSOne hundred patients were enrolled in this study. The response rate was 24% (12/51 patients) in the 3-week group and 27% (13/49 patients) in the 4-week group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two treatment groups in survival (hazard ratio: 1.19; 95% CI: 0.68 - 2.09) with a median survival of 12.1 months and 13.8 months in the 3-week group and the 4-week group respectively. The rate of grade 3/4 toxicity in the 3-week group was 55% compared with 86% in the 4-week group (P = 0.001). The difference in the incidence of grade 3/4 haematological toxicities did not reach statistical significance (3-week: 37%, 4-week: 57%), however grade 3/4 drug related neutropenia (3-week: 27%, 4-week: 51%) and thrombocytopenia (3-week: 8%, 4-week: 31%) were significantly lower in the 3-week group. Grade 3/4 nonhaematological toxicities were less in the 3-week group (33% cf 63%; P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONSThe differences in the efficacy endpoints were all in favour of the 4-week schedule of gemcitabine plus cisplatin, however these differences did not reach statistical significance. Fewer grade 3/4 toxicities were observed in the 3-week group compared with the 4-week group.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; statistics & numerical data ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; ethnology ; China ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; ethnology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome