Objective To assess the value of serum amyloid A (SAA) in patients with acute asthma attack. Methods Sixty-four asthmatic patients in acute phase and 20 healthy individuals were included. The asthmatic patients were divided into bacterial infection-induced group and non-bacterial infection-induced group. Lung function test and chest X-rays test were conducted And inflammatory cell counts , serum SAA and CRP levels were measured. SAA were compared among subgroups of asthmatic patients and healthy controls and the diagnostic value of SAA to distinguish bacterial infection-induced asthma was estimated. Results SAA of both asthma subgroups were significantly higher when compared with the healthy individuals, and it was higher in bacterial infection-induced group than that in non-bacterial infection-induced group. In terms of ROC curve , AUC was 0.966 for SAA to distinguish merging bacterium infection, and the cut-off value was 36.67mg/L with sensitivity of 92.3% and specificity of 88.2%. Conclusions SAA increases in patients during acute asthma attack, and particularlymore obviously in bacterial infection-induced patients. It may be used as a reliable biomarker to distinguish merging bacterium infection during acute asthma attack.

Objective To explore the role of MKK34 (a peptide spanning a C-terminal α-helical region in TSLP) on airway inflammation and β-catenin of airway epithelium in a HDM-induced mouse asthma.Methods 32 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control,MKK34,asthma and MKK34 + HDM groups.The mice in the asthma group were exposed to HDM for five consecutive days and the MKK34 + HDM group was pretreated with MKK34 1 h prior to the HDM intranasally treated.After 8 weeks' treatment,animal lung function test and pathological staining were performed to evaluate the asthma situation,IL-4,IFN-γin bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and IgE in the serum were detected,immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to assess β-catenin and p-ERK,t-ERK levels.Results Airway reactivity,IL-4 and IgE in the asthma group were significantly higher than that in the control group.Treatment with MKK34 significantly decreased airway hyperresponsiveness,IL-4 and IgE.HE staining demonstrated the chronic bronchitic inflammation in the lungs of asthma group.β-catenin in the control group was distributed evenly at the cytomembrane of epithelial cells.In the asthma group,β-catenin was disordered in epithelial cells and its expression was decreased.Treatment with MKK34 ameliorated the damage of β-catenin and chronic bronchitic inflammation.The protein levels of p-ERK1/2 increased obviously in the asthma group.The pretreated group significantly decreased the expression of p-ERK1/2.Conclusions MKK34 can ameliorate the airway inflammation and the destruction of β-catenin of airway epithelium in a HDM-induced mouse asthma.The ERK pathway may play a role in this process.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) on the expression and distribution of vitamin D receptor in normal human bronchial epithelial cells.

METHODSMTT assay was used to assess the viability of human airway epithelial cell line 16HBE following a 24-h exposure to different concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3). Real-time quantitative PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence assay were used to observe the expression and distribution of vitamin D receptor in the cells following the exposure.

RESULTSCompared with the control cells, 16HBE cells exposed to different concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) exhibited no significantly increase in the expression or distribution of vitamin D receptor.

CONCLUSIONThe influence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) on bronchial epithelial cells might be independent of the expression and translocation of vitamin D receptor.

Bronchi ; cytology ; Calcifediol ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Calcitriol ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the epidemiologic characteristics of occupational medicamentosa-like dermatitis induced by trichloroethylene( OMDT) in Guangdong Province. METHODS: The data of OMDT cases diagnosed by Guangdong occupational disease diagnosis institutions from 1988 to 2016 was collected and analyzed. The data of OMDT come from medical records,the National Occupational Disease Network Reporting System and literature retrieval. RESULTS: A total of 475 cases of OMDT were diagnosed in Guangdong Province during 1988 to 2016. The recovery rate was 91. 4%( 434/475),and the fatality rate was 8. 6%( 41/475). All cases had a clear history of trichloroethylene( TCE) exposure and had not been exposed to TCE prior to the present exposure. The median incubation period was 30 days. The exceeding standard rate of TCE time weighted average concentration was 80. 7%( 171/212),and the exceeding standard rate of urine trichloroacetic acid was 75. 0%( 123/164). The years that have most OMDT cases were from 1999 to 2006,which accounted for 64. 0%( 304/475); but there was no seasonal aggregation. The enterprises of OMDT cases concentrated in the Pearl River Delta Region,with Shenzhen City and Dongguan City accounting for 62. 9%. The median age of onset was22 years old,81. 9% of cases were 30 years old or below. The male-female ratio was 1. 2 ∶ 1. 0; 57. 7%( 274/475) cases were from southern China. Meanwhile,95. 4%( 453/475) of the cases came from the manufacturing industry such as electronics factory,hardware factory,electroplating factory and others. CONCLUSION: The distribution of OMDT cases on area,age of onset,native place and occupation in Guangdong Province showed a certain aggregation.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the long-term prognosis of patients with occupational medicamentosa-like dermatitis induced by trichloroethylene( OMDT) after recovery. METHODS: A total of 185 patients with OMDT were surveyed through landline and correspondence after recovery. Based on the individual's wishes,19 patients( follow-up examination group)were followed up and arranged for health examination in hospital. RESULTS: Seventy-one cases of OMDT was successfully follow-up. The success rate was 38. 4%( 71/185). Among the 71 cases who were successfully followed up,64. 8%( 46/71)cases complained of physical discomfort. The main complain included skin itching,allergy,upper respiratory tract infection or frequent fever,xerophthalmus,osteonecrosis of femoral head. The 19 cases in the follow-up examination group had different degrees of skin itching,dryness and mild melanosis. The abnormal rates of schirmer I test were 42. 1%( 8/19)and 52. 6%( 10/19) in the left and right eye,respectively. The abnormal rate of tear break-up time in both left and right eyes was 84. 2%( 16/19). The highest positive rate of patch test was chloral hydrate( 100. 0%). There was no abnormality in body temperature,superficial lymph nodes,blood routine,urine routine,liver function and autoimmunity antibody. There was no new rash. CONCLUSION: Different degree of long-term prognosis can occur in OMDT recovery patients. Xerophthalmus and osteonecrosis of femoral head are the major sequelae. Chloral hydrate,which is the main metabolite of trichloroethylene,may be the causative culprit compound for OMDT.

Animals ; Humans ; Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin ; Pyroglyphidae/metabolism* ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Asthma/metabolism* ; Respiratory System ; Epithelial Cells/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of the time of initial diagnosis with the severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: A total of 803 patients who were diagnosed to have COPD for the first time in our hospital between May 2015 to February 2018 were enrolled in this study.The diagnoses of COPD and asthma COPD overlap (ACO) were made according GOLD guidelines and european consensus definition.Lung function of the patients was graded according to the GOLD guidelines. RESULTS: The patients with COPD had a mean age of 61.8±9.9 years,including 726 male and 77 female patients.The course of the patients (defined as the time from symptom onset to the establishment of a diagnosis) was 3(0.5,8) years.Among these patients,85.2% had a moderate disease severity (FEV1%<80%),and 48.3% had severe or very severe conditions (FEV1%<50%);47.0% of them were positive for bronchial dilation test.In the overall patients,295(36.7%) were also diagnosed to have ACO,and the mean disease course of ACO[3(1,9) years]was similar to that of COPD[3(0.5,8) years](>0.05).A significant correlation was found between the disease course and the lung function of the patients.Multiple linear regression analysis showed that an older age and a longer disease course were associated with poorer lung functions and a greater disease severity. CONCLUSIONS The delay of the initial diagnosis is significantly related to the severity of COPD.
Age Factors ; Aged ; Asthma ; diagnosis ; Delayed Diagnosis ; adverse effects ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Severity of Illness Index ; Time Factors