Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between small airway disease and airway hyper-responsiveness,and explore the predicting value of small airway diseases for asthma.Methods Pulmonary function tests and bronchial provocation tests were performed in 249 patients with chronic cough from Sep. 2004 to Sep. 2006.The incidence of small airway disease and airway hyper-responsiveness were observed.Results There were 91 patients with small airway disease,and 103 patients with positive tests for bronchial provocation in total 249 chronic cough patients.The incidence of positive tests for bronchial provocation in 91 patients(73.63%)with small airway disease was significantly higher than that in 158 patients(22.78%)without it,P

Objective To compare the virological responses between Peg IFNαt-2a and Peg IFNα-2b in treatment of chronic hepatitis C.Methods Clinical data of 46 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients were retrospectively reviewed.Patients were divided into two groups:Peg IFNα-2a group ( n =24) was given Peg IFNoα-2a 180 μg/week and ribavirin; Peg IFNα-2b group (n =22 ) was given Peg IFNα-2b1.5 μg · kg-1 · week-1 and ribavirin.Serum HCV RNA load at 4th,12th and 24th week of the treatment were detected to evaluate the virological responses.Softwares SPSS 13.0 and PEMS 3.1 were used for statistical analysis.Results There was no significant difference in rapid response rate,early response rate,complete response rate and non-response rate between the two groups (x2 =0.689,0.105,0.105 and 0.105,P ＞ 0.05 ).However for patients with high viral load ( HCV RNA ＞ 6 logl0 copies/mL) at baseline,the rapid response rate in Peg IFNα-2a group ( 86.67％ ) was higher than that in Peg IFNα-2bgroup (42.86％ ) (x2 =4.365,P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion Peg IFNα-2a combined with ribavirin may have higher rapid response rate than that of Peg IFNα-2b combined with ribavirin in CHC patients with high viral

Objective To study the correlation between serum adiponectin along with insulin resistanee and vascular dilation function in patients with different rates of glucose metabolism.Method A total of 83 patients aged 50-65 years,including 17 with normal glucose tolerance(NGT),22 with impaired fasting glucose (IFG),23 with impaired glucose tolerance(IGT)and 21 with diabetes(DM)were enrolled. Serum adiponectin was measured,and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR)and B cell function index were used to evaluate the function of insulin secretion before and during oral glucose tolerance test(OGTr).The brachial artery responses to flow-mediated endothelium-dependent vascular dilation(EDVD)and nitroglycerin-mediated vascular dilation (EIVD) were evaluated by using the vascular ultrasound with high resolution.Results The serum adiponectin and EDVD decreased that the degrees of reduction from slightness to greatness were in turn from NGT,IFG,IGT to DM,whereas,the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) increased just in reverse order.Adiponectin was negatively associated with HOMA-IR(r=-0.353,P<0.01)but positively associated with EDVD and EIVD(rl=0.391,r2=0.375,P<0.01),and was not associated with HOMA-B.On the other hand,EDVD was not associated with HOMA-IR(P>0.05).In a multiple regression analysis with a stepwise manner to predict adiponectin concentration and EDVD.HOMA-IR was supposed to predict adiponectin concentration.Meanwhile APN but not HOMA-IR was used to predict EDVD(P<0.05).Condusions The decrease in serum adiponectin,endothelial dysfunction and insulin resistance can be observed in the early stage of impaired glucose metabolism. Serum adiponectin concentration appears to be associated with vascular function and insulin resistance.The association between serum adiponectin concentration and vascular function seems to be independence from its link with insulin resistance index.

Objective · To improve the surgical procedure of correcting upper eyelid retraction.Methods · Patients suffering upper eyelid retraction of 2-5 mm caused by thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy were treated with modified levator lengthening technique in Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital (Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine,China) from July 2013 to December 2014.Results· Of the 34 patients underwent the modified levator lengthening surgery for upper eyelid retraction correction,there were 7 males and 27 females.After 6 months,upper eyelid retraction got fully resolved in 25 cases and partly improved in 9 cases.The palpebral fissure height demonstrated an average decrease of 3.7 mm (P=0.000).Patient's ocular discomfort such as photophobia and tearing were either cured or improved.Conclusion · Modified levator lengthening surgery can effectively correct upper eyelid retraction,improve the patient's appearance and cure their ocular discomfort.

Objective:To explore the related risk factors of aortic arch calcification (AoAC) and the relationship between AoAC and long-term outcome in maintenance hemodialysis patients.Methods:The patients who underwent hemodialysis in the Blood Purification Center of Beijing Shijitan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from March to June 2015 were recruited. Calcification of the aortic arch was estimated with plain chest radiology. The patients were divided into AoAC group and no-AoAC group. Multivariate binary logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of AoAC. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression model were used to examine the association between AoAC and adverse prognostic events (all-cause death and cardiovascular events).Results:There were 157 hemodialysis patients included in this study, with age of (62.63±15.05) years (30-90 years old) and 85 males (54.14%). The median follow-up time was 54(20, 54) months. There were 99 cases (63.06%) in AoAC group and 58 cases (36.94%) in no-AoAC group. The age, proportion of diabetes history, serum corrected calcium and triglyceride levels in AoAC group were higher than those in no-AoAC group (all P<0.05), while the proportion of using active vitamin D, serum albumin and intact parathyroid hormone level were lower than those in no-AoAC group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that older age ( OR=1.109, 95% CI 1.067-1.152, P<0.001), diabetes ( OR=4.110, 95% CI 1.551-10.890, P=0.004), longer dialysis duration ( OR=1.026, 95% CI 1.010-1.043, P=0.001), higher systolic pressure ( OR=1.039, 95% CI 1.012-1.067, P=0.005) and higher triglycerides levels ( OR=1.932, 95% CI 1.148-3.125, P=0.013) were the independent risk factors of AoAC, and higher hemoglobin was a protective factor ( OR=0.967, 95% CI 0.938-0.998, P=0.035) of AoAC. Sixty-three cases (63.64%) died, and 78 cases (78.79%) had cardiovascular events in AoAC group. Fourteen cases (24.14%) died, and 12 cases (20.69%) had cardiovascular events in no-AoAC group. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed higher incidence rate of all-cause death (Log-rank χ2=22.499, P<0.001) and cardiovascular events (Log-rank χ2=50.797, P<0.001) in patients with AoAC. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed AoAC was the independent risk factor of all-cause death ( HR=2.003, 95% CI 1.039-3.859, P=0.038) and cardiovascular events ( HR=5.642, 95% CI 3.003-10.600, P<0.001). Conclusions:Older age, diabetes mellitus, longer dialysis duration, hypertension, higher triglyceride levels and lower hemoglobin are significantly associated with AoAC. AoAC is the independent risk factor of all-cause death and cardiovascular events in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

AIM: To establish a cell line of stable silencing of P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) expression through short hairpin RNA ( shRNA)-mediated interference in murine RAW264.7 macrophages, and to investigate the proliferation and apoptosis in the cell line.METHODS:Stable silencing of P2X7 R gene in the RAW264.7 cells was achieved by re-combinant shRNA plasmid targeting murine P2X7 R gene via liposome mediated transfection, followed by G418 selection. The efficacy of plasmid transfection and P2X7 R silencing in G418 resistant cells was verified by immunofluorescent micros-copy and real-time PCR, respectively.The proliferative activity was analyzed by CCK-8 assay and EdU cell proliferation as-say.The cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry.RESULTS:The expression of P2X7 R at mRNA and protein levels was down-regulated by 80% in shP2X7 R group compared with negative control ( NC) plasmid transfection.In addition, P2X7 R-silencing cells exhibited higher proliferative activity compared with NC and wild-type RAW264.7 cells (P<0.05).Compared with NC cells, P2X7R silencing resulted in an increase in the phagocytosis of the cells ( P<0.05) .CONCLUSION:A cell line RAW264.7 of stable silencing of P2X7 R expression was successfully es-tablished.P2X7 R gene silencing stimulates the proliferation, and changes phagocytic function in murine RAW264.7 macro-phages.

Objective The unbalanced phenotype of pe-ripheral blood monocyte is closely related to the pathological progres-sion of pulmonary fibrosis .The present study was designed to address the dynamic changes of circulating monocyte subsets in the experimen-tal mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis , and explore the relationship of circulating monocyte subsets with pulmonary inflammation and fibro-sis. Methods A total of 100male C 57BL/6J mice were random-ized as control group and a bleomycin A 5 group to be treated with sterile saline and bleomycin A5 at 2 mg/kg, respectively.The mice were sacrificed on day 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 after treatment.The inflammation score and collagen volume fraction ( CVF) of the lung tissue were obtained by HE and Masson staining .The total number and different types of cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( BALF) were counted using the routine method .The mRNA expressions of collagens ⅠandⅢwere determined by real-time PCR, the content of hydroxyproline (HYP) assayed by the chloramine-T method, and the proportions of different monocyte subsets measured by flow cytometry . Results Compared with the saline control , the bleo-mycin A5 group showed significantly increases in the inflammation score at 3 and 7 days ( P<0 .01 ) , CVF at 14 and 21 days ( P<0.01), and the numbers of total cells and macrophages in BALF at 3-21 days, the count of neutrophils granulocytes at 1-3 days (P<0.01), The numbers of neutrophile granulocyles were significant higer than that in control groups on the 1st(9.086 ±1.268 vs 1.108 ±0.229), 3rd(5.551 ±0.511 vs 0.315 ±0.100) and 7th(8.093 ±0.922 vs 0.249 ±0.074)day.The mRNA expressions of collagens ⅠandⅢat 14 and 21 days (P<0.05), the content of HYP at 7-21 days (P<0.01), and the proportion of Ly6Chi mon-ocytes on day 1, which peaked on day 3 (P<0.01) and then decreased from day 14 to 21.The proportion of Ly6Chi monocytes was positively correlated with the inflammation score (P<0.000 1) and CVF of the lung tissue (P=0.001 3). Conclusion In the mouse model of bleomycin A5-induced pulmonary fibrosis, dynamic changes of circulating Ly6Chi and Ly6Clo monocyte subsets occurred in different pathophysiological stages .Compared with the pathological process of inflammatory infiltration , Ly6Chi circulating monocytes displayed a rapid response to tissue injury and inflammation .The increased proportion of Ly6Chi monocyte subsets might be closely re-lated with pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis .

Objective Pneumosilicosis is characterized by pulmonary fibrosis and cannot be effectively treated at present. This study was to explore the changes of monocyte subsets in the mouse model of silicon dioxide-induced experimental pneumosilicosis and the correlation of the changes with lung inflammatory injury and pulmonary fibrosis. Methods A total of 100 male C57BL/6J mice weighing 18-22 g were equally randomized into a normal saline (NS) group and a silicon dioxide (quartz) group.The model of experimental pneumosilicosis was established by oropharyngeal aspiration of quartz suspension.At 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after treat-ment, the mice were sacrificed and the proportions of different circulating monocyte subpopulations determined by flow cytometry.Dif-ferent types of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( BALF) were routinely counted.The inflammation score and col-lagen volume fraction ( CVF) of the lung tissue were obtained by HE and picrosirius red staining. Results At 7 days after quartz treatment, silicotic nodules were observed in the lung tissue.Compared with the NS controls, the model mice showed significantly in-creased inflammation score and CVF at 7 days (0.920 ±0.049 vs 1.400 ±0.089, P<0.01;0.525 ±0.048 vs 1.950 ±0.065, P<0.01) and 28 days (0.800 ±0.089 vs 1.520 ±0.136, P<0.01;0.850 ±0.050 sv 5.300 ±0.776, P<0.01).In comparison with the NS group, the quartz group also exhibited significant increases in the number of total cells at days 1-28 (P<0.01) and the count of neutrophils at days 1-14 (P<0.01) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of the model mice, as well as in the number of macrophages in the BALF at 3 days (0.980 ±0.663 vs 6.821 ±2.627, P<0.01), 7 days (1.225 ±0.601 vs 6.697 ±1.864, P<0.01), 14 days (1.492 ±0.438 vs 2.574 ±0.396, P<0.01), and 28 days (2.035 ±0.456 vs 3.249 ±0.492, P<0.01).The count of neutrophilic granulocytes in the BALF was remarkably higher in the quartz than in the NS group at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days (P<0.01) but not at 28 days (P>0.05).Compared with the NS controls, the quartz-treated mice showed markedly increased proportion of Ly6Chimonocytes at all time points, which peaked at 7 days (58.750 ±2.386 vs 78.300 ±2.517, P<0.01), with a positive corre-lation with the inflammation score (P<0.01) and CVF of the lung tissue (P<0.01) at 7 and 28 day. Conclusion The propor-tions of circulating Ly6Chi and Ly6Clo monocytes changed dynamically in the murine model of quartz-induced experimental pneumosilico-sis.The increased proportion of the Ly6Chi monocyte subpopulation might be closely related with lung inflammatory injury and pulmona-ry fibrosis in pneumosilicosis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of apigenin on the protein expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in liver tissues of rats with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

METHODSThe NASH rat model was established by feeding of a high-fat diet. Unmodeled rats served as the normal controls. The modeled rats were divided into a model control group, Essentiale treatment grouP(300 mg/kg/day),and three apigenin treatment groups for low-dose (15 mg/kg/day), moderate-dose (30 mg/kg/day) and high-dose (60 mg/kg/day). After 13 weeks of treatment,changes in insulin sensitivity from pre-treatment baseline were assessed by measuring the alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST),total cholesterol (TC),triglycerides (TG),low-density and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C and HDL-C),fasting blood glucose (FBG) and fasting insulin (FINS).The liver index and HOMA-IR were also calculated.Protein and gene expression of PPARα and PPARgamma in liver tissue were assessed by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR.Statistical analysis was performed by the LSD test and Games-Howell test.

RESULTSThe apigenin-treated groups showed a significantly greater change in insulin sensitivity than the untreated model group,with the most significant change occurring in the high-dose grouP(P less than 0.05).Compared with the untreated model group,the apigenin-treated groups showed lower levels of ALT (95.4+/-7.3),AST (183.7+/-14.3),TC (1.61+/-0.25),TG (1.23+/-0.21),LDL-C (1.86+/-0.14),FBG (5.29+/-1.45) and FINS (0.76+/-0.86),but a higher level of HDL-C (1.04+/-0.17); again,the high-dose group showed the greatest change (all P less than 0.05).Compared to the untreated model group,the apigenin-treated groups showed significantly lower liver index (3.75+/-0.25 vs.2.90+/-0.17) and HOMA-IR (1.34+/-0.06 vs.0.18+/-0.04),with the high-dose group showing the greatest change (both P less than 0.05). Compared to the untreated model group,the apigenin-treated groups showed higher levels of protein and mRNA of PPARα (18.27+/-4.05 and 0.63+/-0.02,respectively) and PPARgamma(8.48+/-5.05 and 0.39+/-0.02),with the high-dose group showing the greatest change (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONApigenin can improve glucose tolerance,lipid metabolism and insulin resistance while decreasing blood levels of TC,TG,LDL-C,FBG,FINS and HOMA-IR,and increasing HDL-C in NASH,as shown in a high-fat diet induced rat model, and may have therapeutic potential.

Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Apigenin ; pharmacology ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; metabolism ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Insulin ; metabolism ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipid Metabolism ; Liver ; enzymology ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; metabolism ; PPAR alpha ; metabolism ; PPAR gamma ; metabolism ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Triglycerides ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the in vitro antibacterial activity of meropenem combined with doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, sulbactam or cefoperazone/sulbactam against clinically isolated extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (XDRAB).

METHODSUsing a checker board synergy design, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of antibiotics against 50 isolates of XDRAB was determined by broth microdilution antifungal susceptibility test. The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index was calculated to determine the combined effect of the antibiotics.

RESULTSMeropenem showed significantly reduced MIC50 and enhanced antimicrobial activities when combined with doxycycline, sulbactam or cefoperazone/sulbactam. The FIC results suggested that the main actions of doxycycline, sulbactam, and cefoperazone/sulbactam were synergistic (38%, 26%, and 10%, respectively) and addictive (62%, 74%, and 90%, respectively) without indifferent or antagonistic effects. The main actions of meropenem combined with ciprofloxacin were additive (56%) and indifference (44%) with synergistic and antagonistic effects.

CONCLUSIONMeropenem combined with doxycycline, sulbactam or cefoperazone/sulbactam shows excellent activity against clinical isolates of XDRAB.

Acinetobacter baumannii ; drug effects ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Drug Combinations ; Drug Synergism ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Thienamycins ; pharmacology