Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; epidemiology ; Fatty Liver ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVE: Observe the changes of small airway function in patients with rhinitis but without asthma and/or lower airway symptoms. METHOD: Between June 2008 and December 2012, we recruited 903 subjects, including 377 with allergic rhinitis (AR), 262 with non-allergic rhinitis (NAR) and 264 healthy subjects. All subjects underwent meticulous history taking, nasal examination, allergen skin prick test, blood routine test, serum total immunoglobin E assay, pulmonary ventilation function test and bronchial challenge test. RESULT: The indices of FEV1/FVC%, MEF25pred% and MMEFpred% were lower in AR group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The indices of FEV1/FVC, MMEFpred%, MEF25pred% and MEF50pred% were also lower in NAR group than in the control group (P < 0.05). According to the FVCpred% and FEV1pred%, there were no differences between rhinitis group and the control group (P > 0.05). The positive rate of airway hyperresponsiveness(AHR) in AR group and in NAR group was 12.2%, 6.1% respectively. Indices of small airway function were all lower in the AHR group than NAHR group in rhinitis. CONCLUSION Compared with healthy controls, small airway function in patients with rhinitis has apparent changes, part of rhinitis patients has AHR, and is associated with small airway function changes.
Asthma ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Respiratory System ; physiopathology ; Rhinitis ; physiopathology ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; physiopathology ; Skin Tests

OBJECTIVETo generate the skeletal muscle-specific transforming growth factor beta receptor II (TbetaR II) gene knockout mice for the research on the function of the TbetaR II gene in skeletal muscles.

METHODSTbetaR II (flox/flox) mice were generated using embryonic stem cell technology. The MCK-Cre mice were engineered containing Cre recombinase under the control of creatine kinase (MCK) muscle-specific promoter. TbetaR II (flox/flox) mice were crossed with MCK-Cre mice generating TbetaR II (flox/flox)/MCK-Cre double Tg mice. And then, TbetaR II (flox/wt) /MCK-Cre(+) double Tg mice were crossed with TbetaR II (flox/flox) mice to generate TbetaR II (flox/flox)/MCK- Cre(+) mice genetically ablating TbetaR II in cre-expressing skeletal muscle cells.

RESULTSAs predicted, mice lacking TbetaR II by gene targeting in skeletal muscles were generated first in the world using Cre/loxP system. TbetaR II null mutant mice were viable, fertile and showed apparently normal development.

Animals ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Mice, Transgenic ; Muscle, Skeletal ; metabolism ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombination, Genetic ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the B-NHL-BFM-90 protocol in the treatment of Chinese childhood and adolescent B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (B-NHL).

METHODSForty-two untreated childhood and adolescent B-NHL were enrolled in the present study. Of them 18 cases were Burkitt's lymphoma, 16 diffuse large B cell lymphoma and 8 anaplastic lymphoma. There were 10 cases in stage II and 32 in stage III/IV. The patients were grouped by risk factors into low, medium and high risk groups. All patients were treated with the B-NHL-BFM 90 (Berlin-Frankfurt- Münster) protocol. The low risk group received A, B courses for 4 cycles, the medium risk group AA, BB courses for 6 cycles, and the high risk group AA, BB, CC courses for 6 cycles.

RESULTSComplete remission (CR) was obtained in 37 patients (88%), and partial remission (PR) in 5 (12%). Of the 5 PR patients, I received autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, 3 received radiotherapy for residual disease and 1 just under watching. Major toxicity was myelosuppression and mucositis, especially in AA, BB and CC cycles, but was tolerant and manageable. Median follow-up was 20 (4 - 89) months. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyse survival data. Two year event free survival (EFS) for all patients was 86. 24%, being 100% for stage II and 80.95% for stage III/IV.

CONCLUSIONShort term and intensive chemotherapy can improves the efficacy and survival rate of childhood and adolescent B-NHL, especially for advanced stage patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; drug therapy ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Aim To investigate the effects of Bigelovii A on autophagy and its mechanism.Methods Fluorescence microscope,flow cytometry and Western blot were employed to analyze autophagy.Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of mTOR pathway.MTT colorimetry was used to assay cell viability after treatment with 3-MA and Bigelovii A or Bigelovii A alone.Results Bigelovii A-treated MCF7 cells displayed a dramatic increase in the number of MDC-labeled vesicles and the expressions of LC3-Ⅱ,indicating cell autophagy.Ⅰt was proved that in MCF7 cells,Bigelovii A inhibited mTOR signaling by decreasing Akt and p-ERK.Consistently,Bigelovii A decreased phosphorylation levels of mTOR,p70S6K (Ser371,Thr389) and 4EBP1 proteins.Inhibiting Bigelovii Ainduced autophagy with the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine significantly decreased cell viability,which suggested that Bigelovii A-induced autophagy played a pro-survival role.Conclusion Bigelovii A is likely to induce autophagy through inhibiting mTOR pathway.

Homocysteine (Hcy) is an intermediate metabolite of methionine metabolism. Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is defined as a condition characterized by plasma Hcy level above 16 μmol/L which can result from abnormal Hcy metabolism. HHcy has been confirmed to be related to cardio-cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome, liver cirrhosis and kidney diseases. In this review, we summarize the correlation between HHcy and kidney diseases. Elucidating the role of HHcy in kidney diseases may provide a new strategy to prevent and treat kidney diseases.
Homocysteine ; Humans ; Hyperhomocysteinemia ; complications ; Kidney Diseases ; complications

Objectives: High dose chemotherapy supported therapeutic outcome by AHSCT has developed dramatically in recent years and become the most effective approach to improve for the chemo-sensitive lymphoma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of mobilization regimen, effectiveness and tolerance of BEAC regimen in Chinese patients with advanced and recurrent lymphoma,and hemotopoietic reconstitution. Methods: After confirmed complete or partial remission from conventional chemotherapy, 20 patients with advanced or recurrent lymphoma, 1 recurrent HD and 19 NHL;14 male and 6 female with median age 28(range,13-48)years old， were enrolled into this study and treated with BEAC regimen(CTX 3600-4000 mg/m2, VP-16 1200 mg/m2. BCNU 300 mg/m2 and Ara-C 1500-2000 mg/m2). Three patients were supported by ABMT and 17 by APBSCT. Mobilization regimen for APBSCT was CTX 3500 mg/m2＋ G-CSF 3.5-5 μ g/kg＋ Dexamethasone 10 mg. Autologous hemotopoietic stem cells was re-infused 24-48 hours after completion of high dose chemotherapy. Results: MNC 1.3(range,1.0～1.7)× 108/kg and,MNC 1.8(range,1.0-4.4)× 109, CFU-GM 5.1(range,1.9-9.6)× 105/kg and CD34＋ cells 2.9 (range,1.9～8.7)× 106/kg were re-infused in the ABMT group and APBSCT group respectively. All patients obtained prompt and sustained hemotopoietic reconstitution. ANC ≥ 0.5× 109/L and Pt ≥ 2.0× 109/L were at day 9 (range,6～17) and day 10 (range,0～31) respectively. Fourteen patients were alive with median 18(range,1～67)months follow-up till end of April,2000. The 1,2,and 3 years survival rate were 61.2％ , 53.4％ and 53.4％ ,respectively. Non-hemotologic toxicity was mild and tolerable. Conclusion: High dose chemotherapy supported by AHSCT in the treatment of poor-prognostic and recurrent lymphoma is a safe and effective modality. However further investigation is warranted.

Objective: This study was designed to improve complete remission(CR) rate in the patients with advanced lymphoblastic lymphoma by using early extensive induction chemotherapy. Method:A total of 11 cases of untreated lymphoblastic lymphoma in Stage Ⅲ /Ⅳ were received CVDLP regimen, including cytoxan(CTX) 1000 mg/m2 d1， vincristine(VCR) 1.5 mg/m2 d1,d8,d15,d21， Adriamycin(ADR) 40 mg/m2 d1， d2， d21， L-asparaginase(L-ASP) 10000 U/m2 d15～24， Prednison 60 mg/m2 d1～28， gradually decreased dosage at d15. methotrexate＋ Ara-C IT qw× 4. Efficacy were evaluated at d28～35. Simultaneously,retrospective analysis for 9 cases of untreated lymphoblastic lymphoma in Stage Ⅲ /Ⅳ treated with 2 cycles of CHOP were made. Efficacy were evaluated at d35. Results: CVDLP group: 10/11 cases of patients achieved CR, and 1/11 case had PR, rate of complete remission was 90.9％ ;10/11 cases had Grade Ⅳ hematological toxicity,1/11 cases had Grade Ⅲ hematological toxicity(WHO). CHOP group:3/9 got CR;5/9 got PR;1/9 had MR,rate of complete remission was 33％ . 3/9 had Grade Ⅲ hematology toxicity;6/9 had GradeⅡ hematological toxicity. Conclusion:CVDLP regimen can induce higher CR rate than CHOP regimen in untreated lymphoblastic lymphoma with Stage Ⅲ /Ⅳ , but hematology toxicity was also higher than CHOP regimen. However this induction regimen is safe and viable with strengthening supportive care.

OBJECTIVETo analyse the effectiveness and toxicity of combined chemotherapy regimen containing pirarubicin (THP) in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

METHODSThree hundred and ninety two patients with NHL were treated by THP containing regimen with or without involved field radiotherapy. The clinical characteristics, response, toxicity and long-term survival rates were analysed.

RESULTSThe median age of the patients was 47 (5 - 87) years and 26.0% aged more than 60 years. 61.0% of the patients were males and 39.0% females. B-cell and T/NK cell NHL accounted for 68.4% and 23.2% respectively with 56.9% of diffuse large B cell lymphoma and 12.5% of peripheral T cell lymphoma. 92.6% of the patients were ECOG < 1, 63.2% in stage I + II, 84.7% with IPI score 0 - 2 and 25% with B symptoms, 93.9% (368/392) of the patients received CTOP (containing THP) regimen chemotherapy and among them 28.5% (112/392) plus involved field radiotherapy. Altogether 1598 courses were administered on 368 patients. The overall response rate was 88.5% (341/385) with a complete remission (CR) rate of 63.6%, major toxicity was myelosuppression with 12.8%, 1.0% and 1.5% of grade III - IV neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and anemia, respectively. G-CSF support was given for 553 courses (34.6%). Alopecia account for 19.8%. The incidence of mild cardiotoxicity was 5.8%. Treatment-related mortality was 1.6% (6/368). Median follow-up was 24 months. The 1, 3 and 5 year actuarial survival rates were 86.4% , 66.5% and 59.2%, respectively. Median survival time has not been achieved.

CONCLUSIONThe efficacy of THP based regimen CTOP for the treatment of aggressive NHL is promising. Further clinical trial is warranted.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

Arachidonic acid (AA) is an ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid, which mainly exists in the cell membrane in the form of phospholipid. Three major enzymatic pathways including the cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LOX) and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CYP450) pathways are involved in AA metabolism leading to the generation of a variety of lipid mediators such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes, hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs) and epoxyeicoastrienoic acids (EETs). These bioactive AA metabolites play an important role in the regulation of many physiological processes including the maintenance of liver glucose and lipid homeostasis. As the central metabolic organ, the liver is essential in metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, and its dysfunction is associated with the pathogenesis of many metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This article aims to provide an overview of the enzymatic pathways of AA and discuss the role of AA-derived lipid mediators in the regulation of hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism and their associations with the pathogenesis of major metabolic disorders.
Arachidonic Acid/metabolism* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Glucose/metabolism* ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism ; Liver