OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical significance of anaphylatoxin C3a in induced sputum in patients with asthma.

METHODSThe patients with acute exacerbation of asthma treated at our department between September, 2006 and February, 2007 were included in the study. The demographic data, medical history, levels of lung function and C3a levels in induced sputum were assessed.

RESULTSA total of 33 patients were included in the study. The level of C3a in induced sputum was significantly higher in patients with acute exacerbation of asthma (2.24 ng/ml, range 1.68-5.58 ng/ml) than that in patients with asthma remission (0.7 ng/ml, range 0.24-2.31 ng/ml, P<0.05). Sputum C3a levels in the remission patients were significantly higher than those in the healthy controls (0.12 ng/ml, range 0.07-0.39 ng/ml, P<0.05). The levels of C3a in patients with severe exacerbation (4.69 ng/ml, range 2.69-6.59 ng/ml) were significantly higher than those in patients with mild exacerbation (0.25 ng/ml, range 0.09-0.40 ng/ml) and moderate exacerbation (2.21 ng/ml, range 1.16-3.41 ng/ml) (P<0.01), and were significantly higher in patients with moderate exacerbation than in those in mild exacerbation (P<0.01). The level of C3a in induced sputum was positively correlated with the number of total cell count (r=0.718, P<0.05), eosinophils (r=0.495, P<0.05) and macrophages (r=0.600, P<0.05) in patients with acute exacerbation of asthma.

CONCLUSIONInduced sputum C3a level can serve as an important clinical biomarker for clinical asthma management.

Asthma ; physiopathology ; Biomarkers ; chemistry ; Case-Control Studies ; Complement C3a ; chemistry ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Macrophages ; Sputum ; chemistry

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sputum ; chemistry ; Vertigo ; therapy

OBJECTIVE: To study the value of the pepsin in the sputum for diagnosing and evaluating the effectiveness of treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux. METHOD: Thirty-six patients with the symptoms of dry pharynx, globus pharyngeus, excessive throat clearing, chronic cough and so on were divided into laryngopharyngeal reflux group and chronic laryngitis group by the results of therapeutic trial taking proton pump inhibitors for 3 months. The estimation of the reflux symptom index (RSI), the reflux finding score (RFS) and the detection of pepsin in the sputum were done before and after the treatment. The difference between two groups and the value of the pepsin were analyzed. RESULT: There were significant decreasing in RSI, RFS and pepsin level (P < 0.01) after the treatment in all patients. There were statistical differences between the laryngopharyngeal reflux group and the chronic laryngitis group in the changes of RSI and pepsin level (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Pepsin level in the sputum might be used as a objective, effective method for diagnosing and evaluating the effectiveness in laryngopharyngeal reflux.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Laryngopharyngeal Reflux ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pepsin A ; analysis ; Sputum ; chemistry ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDPneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is one of the most common and fatal infections in non-AIDS immunocompromised patients, which is difficult to diagnose by traditional morphologic methods. This study evaluated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays of Pneumocystis jirovecii mitochondrial large subunits ribosomal RNA in sputum and bronchioalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) for diagnosing PCP.

METHODSSputum and BALF specimens from two groups were collected: one group (PCP group) included 20 patients definitely diagnosed of PCP by Gomori methenamine silver (GMS) stains of BALF; the other group (non-PCP group) included 40 patients. Each specimen was examined by GMS stains and PCR assays.

RESULTSGMS stains of BALF in PCP group were 100% positive (20/20), GMS stains of sputum in PCP group were 35% positive (7/20); GMS stains of BALF in non-PCP group were 100% negative (40/40), GMS stains of sputum in non-PCP group were 100% negative (40/40). PCR assays of BALF in PCP group were 100% positive (20/20), PCR assays of sputum in PCP group were 100% positive (20/20); PCR assays of BALF in non-PCP group were 100% negative (40/40), PCR assays of sputum in non-PCP group were 100% negative (40/40). Sensitivity and specificity of PCR assays of sputum and BALF were both 100%; positive and negative predictive values were also both 100%.

CONCLUSIONThe diagnostic value of PCR assays of Pneumocystis jirovecii mitochondrial large subunits ribosomal RNA on sputum and BALF for pneumocystis pneumonia are both high and equivalent.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Humans ; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis ; diagnosis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sputum ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo detect the inflammatory factors of induced sputum (IS) and whole lung lavage fluid in pneumonoconiosis patients and to explore the correlation between the inflammatory factors with pulmonary function.

METHODSThe records of 45 cases of pneumonoconiosis patients were observed. All patients underwent lung function examination, sputum induction and massive whole lung lavage (WLL) sequentially through advance. IS and whole lung lavage fluid were collected respectively. Inflammatory factors of the two specimens were detected by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The correlation of inflammatory factors between the two specimens was analyzed. The relationship between the inflammatory factor and lung function index was observed. The statistical analysis is performed with SPSS 17.0 for Windows. P < 0.05 is considered to be statistically significant.

RESULTSCytokines (MCP-1, TNF-α MIP-1α, NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-) and IL-16) were significantly associated between IS and whole lung lavage fluid (P < 0.05), while TNF-α, MCP-1, NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-) and IL-16 were no significantly associated with lung function index (P > 0.05). MIP-1α was significantly associated with FEV(1.0)/VCmax and MEF(25), respectively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSInflammatory factors were significantly associated between IS and whole lung lavage fluid, which could indicate early lung injury in pneumonoconiosis patients.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Chemokine CCL2 ; Chemokine CCL3 ; Cytokines ; analysis ; Humans ; Interleukin-16 ; Lung ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Silicosis ; Sputum ; chemistry ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Hypertonic saline aerosols are being used increasingly for bronchial provocation testing and induction of sputum. The aims of this study were to assess the response to challenge with 3% hypertonic saline administered via a ultrasonic nebulizer in patients with asthma, and to evaluate relationship between % fall of FEV1 during induction of sputum (osmotic airway hyperresponsiveness; osmotic AHR) and biochemical markers of induced sputum. We investigated changes in FEV1 in response to inhaling ultrasonically nebulized 3% saline in 25 patients with asthma and 10 control subjects. FEV1 was measured before, during, and after induction of sputum. We used fluoroimmunoassay to detect eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), immunohistochemical staining to detect EG2+ (secretory form of ECP) eosinophils, and a sandwich ELISA to detect interleukin (IL)-5. Protein concentration was determined by using bicinchoninic acid protein assay reagent. Asthmatics, compared with controls, had significantly higher osmotic AHR. Moderate to severe asthmatics had significantly higher osmotic AHR compared to mild asthmatics. Osmotic AHR was significantly correlated with the proportion of eosinophils, the levels of ECP, EG2+ eosinophils, IL-5, and proteins. These data suggest that osmotic AHR is closely related to the clinical status and biochemical markers of sputum supernatant in asthmatic patients.
Adult ; Asthma/*physiopathology ; Biological Markers ; Blood Proteins/analysis ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity/*etiology ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Human ; Interleukin-5/analysis ; Male ; Middle Age ; Osmotic Pressure ; Sputum/*chemistry ; Vital Capacity

Tuberculosis has traditionally been confirmed by AFB staining or culturing Mycobacterium tuberculosis from clinical specimens. However, because of the low sensitivity of the sputum smear examination and of the delayed report in culturing, the conventional methods for detection of M. tuberculosis have not been always satisfactory. In an attempt to develop an alternate tool, this study was initiated to produce monoclonal antibodies (MAb) to lipoarabinomannan B (LAM-B) antigen and to use the antibodies in detecting mycobacteria. In this study, five monoclonal antibodies specific to LAM-B were produced; LAM701 (IgG3), LAM138 (IgM), LAM204 (IgM), LAM302 (IgM), and LAM604 (IgM). A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for detecting LAM-B and other mycobacterial antigens using the monoclonal antibodies. With the MAb LAM701, the minimal detectable concentration was 1.0 ng/ml for LAM-B, and 1.0 microgram/ml for M. tuberculosis whole cells, respectively. When 14 clinical specimens proven to contain AFB by smear staining or culture were examined, ten (71.4%) were positive by the sandwich ELISA; in contrast, sputum smear examination gave positive results in only six (42.9%) specimens. Meanwhile, none of 25 specimens with no evidence of AFB were positive by the sandwich ELISA using the MAb LAM701. Although further evaluations are required, this study suggests that the monoclonal antibodies to LAM-B may be useful in detecting mycobacteria from clinical specimens.
Antibodies, Monoclonal/*biosynthesis ; Antigens, Bacterial/*analysis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Human ; Lipopolysaccharides/chemistry/*immunology ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis/*immunology ; Sputum/*microbiology ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Tuberculosis/*diagnosis/microbiology

Carcinosarcoma is defined as a malignant tumor with an admixture of carcinoma and sarcoma. Pulmonary carcinosarcoma accounts for about 0.27 percent of all lung neoplasms. It occurs frequently in males, particularly in smokers between 50 and 80 years of age. Preoperative diagnostic tests, such as sputum cytology, percutaneous fine needle biopsy and bronchoscopy, have a low yield in detection of pulmonary carcinosarcoma. The diagnosis is verified by postoperative pathologic findings and by immunohistochemical investigations in many cases. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice. As the metastasis to regional lymph nodes and distant organ is common at diagnosed time, the prognosis is quite poor. We report a case of pulmonary carcinosarcoma presented with persistent mild fever and blood-tinged sputum in a 66-year-old male.
Aged ; Carcinosarcoma/complications/*diagnosis/surgery ; Case Report ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fever/etiology ; Human ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung Neoplasms/complications/*diagnosis/surgery ; Male ; Sputum/chemistry ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo study whether the presence of gastric pepsin in the sputum might be used as a reliable criteria of laryngopharyngeal reflux.

METHODSFifty-six patients with the symptoms of laryngopharyngitis and fifteen healthy people were recruited. Fifty-six patients were divided into laryngopharyngeal reflux group and chronic laryngitis group by the reflux symptom index (RSI), by the reflux finding score (RFS) and by their treating experiment taking omeprazole 20 mg bid for 2 weeks. Sputum in all three groups was obtained in the morning. Pepsin in the sputum was measured by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay.

RESULTSThe positive rate of pepsin in sputum among LPR group, chronic laryngopharyngitis group and normal group were 93.8% (30/32), 75.0% (18/24), 20.0% (3/15) respectively, and the median concentration of pepsin were 5.3 [1.3; 53.4] ng/ml, 0.8 [0.1; 17.2] ng/ml, 0.0[0.0;0.0] ng/ml (H = 23.29, P = 0.000). Compared with co-diagnosis as gold standard, the sensitivity of RSI, RFS treating experiment and the pepsin immunoassay was 59.4%, 84.4%, 81.3% and 93.8%, and the specificity of those was 87.2%, 61.5%, 95.8% and 46.2% respectively.

CONCLUSIONSDetection of pepsin in sputum by immunoassay might provide a high sensitive, noninvasive method for laryngopharyngeal reflux.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Laryngopharyngeal Reflux ; diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pepsin A ; analysis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sputum ; chemistry ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore new toxicity-reducing methods of Pinellia Rhizoma prepared by ethanol and the latest technical parameters.

METHODPinellia Rhizoma is prepared with ethanol. The orthogonal experimental design was adopted for investigating amount of ethanol, preparing time, ethanol concentration and preparing temperature. The optimal technology was determined by the comprehensive score of toxicological indicators of PGE2 content of rat celiac percolate, with the rabbit conjunctival irritation test as the intuitive validation on toxicology reduction. The pharmacodynamics validation was used to determine the reasonability of the preparation process.

RESULTThe optimal technology was that Pinellia Rhizoma was prepared by 75% ethanol at the temperature of 60 degrees C by 4 days, and then dried. The effect of relieving cough, reducing sputum and anti-inflammatory of Pinellia Rhizoma is not reduced after prepared by ethanol.

CONCLUSIONThe optimal technology of Pinellia Rhizoma prepared by ethanol is simple and reasonable that it can be used as the new method to reduce toxicity and keep efficacy of Pinellia Rhizoma.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cough ; drug therapy ; Desiccation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Female ; Hot Temperature ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Pinellia ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Rabbits ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Sputum ; drug effects ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Time Factors ; Toxicity Tests