Volume 123  ·  Issue 01  ·  2010

Asthma is one of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases, affecting about 300 million people worldwide and is estimated to account for about one of every 250 deaths and 15 million disability-adjusted life years lost annually。

For the first 10 years after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the study of respiratory diseases was focused on pulmonary tuberculosis which severely threatened people's health。

Abstract：Background Epidemiologic studies have shown an independent and definite association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and hypertension. This study aimed to define the association between daytime blood pressure and severity of OSA in Chinese population in mainland of China. Methods Twenty university hospital sleep centers in mainland of China were invited by the Chinese Medical Association (CMA) to participate in this epidemiologic study and 2297 consecutive patients (aged 18-85 years; 1981 males and 316 females) referred to these twenty sleep centers for evaluation of OSA between January 2004 and April 2006 were prospectively enrolled. Nocturnal polysomnography was performed in each patient, and disease severity was assessed based on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). These patients were classfied into four groups: non-apneic control (control, n=257) with AHI ≤5 episodes/hour; mild sleep apnea (mild, n=402) with AHI >5 and ≤15 episodes/hour; moderate sleep apnea (moderate, n=460) with AHI >15 and ≤30 episodes/hour and severe sleep apnea (severe, n=1178) with AHI >30 episodes/hour. Daytime blood pressure measurements were performed under standardized conditions in each patient at 10 a.m. in office on the day of referring to sleep centers for getting average value. All the patients were requested to quit medications related to blood pressure for three days before the day of assessing.Results Both daytime systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure values were significantly related to AHI positively (r = 0.201 and 0.276, respectively; both P values <0.001) and to nadir nocturnal oxygen saturation negatively (r= -0.215 and -0.277, respectively; both Pvalues <0.001), which were the parameters of OSA severity. In two special designed mean plots, means of daytime systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased gradually with increasing AHI. Beyond AHI of 61-65, this increasing trend reached a plateau.Conclusions The results showed that OSA severity was associated with daytime blood pressure until AHI of 61-65, providing evidence for early OSA management, especially in OSA patients with concomitant hypertension。

Abstract：Background The major consequence of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) is the direct inflow of blood from the pulmonary artery to the pulmonary vein which induces hypoxemia. Severe complications include transient ischemic attacks, paradoxical embolization in the central nervous system, massive hemoptysis or hemothorax, etc. The conventional treatment is surgical intervention. However, this can be very traumatic and dangerous. Endovascular embolization has advantages over surgery such as a faithful therapeutic effect, a low complication rate, repeatability, etc. Methods Patients (n=23) with symptomatic PAVMs underwent endovascular embolization; 11 were males and 12 were females, with ages ranging from 6 months to 58 years. During the embolization, microcoils were applied in 6 cases and standard steel coils were used in 17 cases.Results Multiple PAVMs lesions were found in 16 cases and single PAVMs lesion was found in 7 cases. Embolotherapy was carried out 28 times for 23 patients. The success rate was 100%. The results of pulmonary arteriography after treatment showed that single lesion disappeared completely while the main abnormal vessels in multiple lesions also disappeared. The mean blood oxygen saturation increased from (78.04±8.22)% to (95.13±3.67)% after the procedure. A correlated groups t test showed changes in blood oxygen saturation before and after embolization (fe=9.101, P <0.001). Symptoms of cardiac insufficiency disappeared in 5 cases and vascular murmur in the chest disappeared in 13 cases. After embolization, mild chest pain occurred in 11 cases, small amounts of pleural effusion occurred in 5 cases, and 1 patient died 2 months later because of a pyogenic infection secondary to the pulmonary infarction. Among the 22 remaining cases, with overall follow-up ranging from 18 months to 12 years, general conditions were fine, daily lives were normal and there were no neurologic symptoms or signs, except for 3 patients with diffused PAVMs who had persistent blood oxygen saturation between 85% and 90%. Symptoms of hypoxia never recurred in the other cases. Conclusions Endovascular embolization of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations can significantly improve blood oxygen saturation and reduce serious complications such as cerebral infaction. Therefore, this kind of interventional procedure is a safe and effective treatment method with a low complication rate.

Abstract：Background Pulmonary embolism, a potentially fatal event, occurs more frequently in cancer patients than in the general population. To offer an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment to such patients in China, we analyzed the incidence rate and clinical features of pulmonary embolism in patients with solid tumor hospitalized in the Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital.Methods A retrospective analysis was made of the hospitalized patients with solid malignancies complicated with pulmonary embolism who had been admitted into the PUMC Hospital from January 2002 to December 2008. Results The incidence of pulmonary embolism in hospitalized patients with solid malignancies was 0.27% (120/43 967). The median age at diagnosis was 57.5 years. The male to female ratio was 1.0:1.4 (49:71). Patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) constituted the largest proportion of the 120 patients (37.5%), followed by patients with breast (9.2%), ovarian (8.3%), pancreatic (6.7%), and liver cancer (6.7%). Eighty patients (66.7%) had stage IV cancer. Bone was the most common site of distant metastasis (46.3%). D-dimer level was elevated in 90.9% of the 66 tested patients. The incidence of bleeding due to anti-coagulation therapy was 3.6%. Thirty-six (30.0%) of the 120 patients had concurrent deep venous thrombosis in the lower extremities. Seventeen patients developed acute pulmonary embolism within 2 weeks after surgery, 3 of whom died suddenly. Four patients presented with deep venous thrombosis and 1 with pulmonary embolism prior to the identification of malignancy.Conclusions Patients with cancer of the lung, ovarian, breast, pancreas, and liver are more likely to be complicated with pulmonary embolism than those with other types of solid tumors. Patients with distant metastasis are at a higher risk of pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism without concurrent deep venous thrombosis is more frequently observed than concurrence of both disorders in the clinical setting。

Abstract：Background Recently, due to the rapid development of proteomic techniques, great advance has been made in many scientific fields. We aimed to use magnetic beads (liquid chip) based matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) technology to screen distinctive biomarkers for lung adenocarcinoma (adCA), and to establish the diagnostic protein profiles.Methods Using weak cation exchange magnetic beads (MB-WCX) to isolate and purify low molecular weight proteins from sera of 35 lung adCA, 46 benign lung diseases (BLDs) and 44 healthy individuals. The resulting spectra gained by anchor chip-MALDI-TOF-MS were analyzed by ClinProTools and a pattern recognition genetic algorithm (GA). Results In the working mass range of 800-10 000 Da, 99 distinctive peaks were resolved in lung adCA versus BLDs, while 101 peaks were resolved in lung adCA versus healthy persons. The profile gained by GA that could distinguish adCA from BLDs was comprised of 4053.88, 4209.57 and 3883.33 Da with sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 93%, while that could separate adCA from healthy control was comprised of 2951.83 Da and 4209.73 Da with sensitivity of 94%, specificity of 95%. The sensitivity provided by carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in this experiment was significantly lower than our discriminatory profiles (P <0.005). We further identified a eukaryotic peptide chain release factor GTP-binding subunit (eRF3b) (4209 Da) and a complement C3f (1865 Da) that may serve as candidate biomarkers for lung adCA. Conclusion Magnetic beads based MALDI-TOF-MS technology can rapidly and effectively screen distinctive proteins/polypeptides from sera of lung adCA patients and controls, which has potential value for establishing a new diagnostic method for lung adCA。

Abstract：Background Peripheral skeletal muscle dysfunction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)may be due to the disease per se or as a result of concomitant confounding factors. Although the mechanistic basis forthis functional impairment is uncertain, oxidative stress may play a role. The purpose of this study was to investigatewhether local oxidative stress is associated with the reduced peripheral skeletal muscle performance in rats withemphysema.Methods In situ mechanical properties of gastrocnemius were measured in Sprague-Dawley rats 5 months afterintratracheal instillation of either elastase (EMP, n=10) or normal saline (CON, n=10). Lipofuscin inclusions, myocyteapoptosis and antioxidant enzyme activities were examined in the gastrocnemius muscle.Results Lipofuscin inclusions were significantly higher in the gastrocnemius muscle of EMP compared with CON(3.2±0.4 vs. 1.7±0.4, P<0.01). The activities of antioxidant enzymes were significantly increased in muscle homogenatesof EMP as compared to CON. No significant differences were found in myocyte apoptosis between EMP and CON(1.2±0.9 vs. 1.0±0.8, P >0.05). EMP decreased the fatigue endurance of gastrocnemius muscle (half-time to fatiguerecovery: (150.0±55.4) seconds vs. (55.2±29.3) seconds, P <0.01) and had no effect on maximal tetanic force((467.4±36.6) g vs. (493.2±30.5) g, P >0.05). A significantly positive correlation was found between the level of lipofuscininclusions and the half-time to fatigue recovery of gastrocnemius muscle in EMP (/to.664, P<0.05).Conclusion Local oxidative stress may have important functional consequences for peripheral skeletal muscle in ratswith EMP。

Abstract：Background Endovascular therapy is a treatment option for localized occlusion of the subclavian artery. In this report the long-term experience with 59 patients is presented.Methods Between June 1998 and September 2008, we used endovascular therapy to treat 61 subclavian arterial obstructive lesions in 59 patients (46 males and 13 females, 34-82 years of age with a mean age (61.9±11.0) years). Twenty patients (34%) had clinical symptoms due to vertebrobasilar insufficiency, 26 (44%) had disabling arm ischemia, and 13 (22%) had both symptoms. We performed all procedures under local anesthesia. The approaches were from the femoral artery (n=47), brachial artery (n=\, involving bilateral subclavian disease) or both (n=11). Sixty stents were implanted. All patients were followed-up at 1,3, 6, and 12 months post-procedure, and annually thereafter. Results We achieved technical success in 58 (95.1%) arteries, all of which were stented. There were three technical failures; two were due to the inability to cross over an occlusion, necessitating the switch to an axillo-axillary bypass, and the third was due to shock after digital subtraction angiography and prior to stenting. Arterial stenosis pre- and post-stenting was (83.6±10.8)% and (2.5±12.5)% (P <0.01). Clinical success was achieved in 55 of the 59 patients (93.4%). Of the four clinical failures, three were technical and the remaining patient had a stent thrombosis. Systolic blood pressure difference between the two brachial arteries was (44.7±18.5) vs. (2.2±3.9) mmHg (P <0.01). Primary patency was 98% at 12 months, 93% at 24 months, and 82% at 5 years. Five patients were lost to follow-up by 12 months post-stenting. Significant recurrent obstruction developed in five patients with resumption of clinical symptoms. The overall survival rate was 98.2% at 12 months, 89.5% at 24 months, and 84.5% at 5 years.Conclusions Endovascular therapy for proximal subclavian arterial obstructive lesions is effective and successful. This minimally invasive treatment may be the first choice of treatment for proximal subclavical arterial obstructive lesions。

Abstract：Background The expression of the co-stimulatory molecule CD28 and death receptor CD95 on T cells, which change with age, are considered as important immunological parameters of immunosenescence. It is well established that CD28 and CD95 are associated with tumorgenesis and tumor progression, but the relationship between the age-related changes of these two immunological markers and cancer in the elderly is largely unknown.Methods The levels of CD28 and CD95 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from sixty-three elderly patients (aged 60 years) with primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were analyzed by real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR). In addition, twenty young patients (aged <60 years) with NSCLC, thirty elderly healthy donors and thirty young healthy donors were enrolled as controls. Results CD28 mRNA levels were significantly lower and CD95 mRNA levels were significantly higher in elderly patients with NSCLC than in the other groups. Similar results were found in elderly healthy donors comparing with young healthy donors. By Logistic regression analysis an increased risk of NSCLC was markedly associated with aging, down-regulation of CD28 mRNA and up-regulation of CD95 mRNA, and CD28 mRNA had an obvious negative correlation with the CD95 mRNA. In addition, the mRNA levels of CD28 and CD95 in the peripheral blood of the elderly patients was closely associated with the tumor node metastasis (TNM) stages, grade of cell differentiation and lymph node metastasis status, but not related to pathological types.Conclusions The results suggest a close relationship between T cell senescence and NSCLC tumour progress in the elderly, and that up-regulation of CD28 mRNA or down-regulation of CD95 mRNA in peripheral blood T cells may play an important role in inhibiting oncogenesis and development of primary NSCLC in the elderly。

Abstract：Background Pectoralis major tendon rupture is a relatively rare injury leading to both functional and cosmetic deficiency. The peak torque of the pectoralis major is significantly decreased after conservational treatment of a total rupture. We suppose that surgical intervention is better choice.Methods We retrospectively evaluated 12 patients who were diagnosed with distal pectoralis major muscle rupture and underwent operation in our institute from 1993 to 2007. All patients were male with a mean age of 32 (19-54) years. In 4 patients, tendon reconstruction was accomplished by fixing the tendon to the humerus using sutures passed through predrilled humeral bone tunnels. In 8 patients, tendon reconstruction was accomplished by directly suturing the muscle to the tendon. All patients followed an accelerated rehabilitation protocol. Treatment results were evaluated according to the following criteria: (1) visual analogue pain scale, (2) isokinetic strength measurements, (3) range of motion of shoulder joint, (4) cosmetic result, and (5) postoperative sports activity performance. In this study, we aimed to describe our surgical technique of reconstruction of the rupture of pectoralis major muscle and to summarize the clinical results of the operative treatment.Results At the final follow-up examination (6.5 years postoperatively), only nine patients were available for evaluation. Three of them had excellent results, and five had good results, while one had poor results. Eight of the patients were able to return to their preinjury level of sporting activity. In summary, 89% of the patients achieved excellent or good results. Conclusion Surgical treatment by anatomic tendon repair and accelerated rehabilitation can make recovery of strength and function of the pectoralis major muscle。

Abstract：Background Alveolar echinococcosis is a major zoonosis of public health significance in western China. Overgrazing was recently assumed as a potential risk factor for transmission of alveolar echinococcosis. The research was designed to further test the overgrazing hypothesis by investigating how overgrazing influenced the burrow density of intermediate host small mammals and how the burrow density of small mammals was associated with dog Echinococcus multilocularis infection.Methods The study sites were chosen by previous studies which found areas where the alveolar echinococcosis was prevalent. The data, including grass height, burrow density of intermediate host small mammals, dog and fox fecal samples as well as Global Positioning System (GPS) position, were collected from field investigations in Shiqu County, Sichuan Province, China. The fecal samples were analyzed using copro-PCR. The worms, teeth, bones and hairs in the fecal samples were visually examined. Single factor and multifactor analyses tools including chi square and generalized linear models were applied to these data.Results By using grass height as a proxy of grazing pressure in the homogenous pasture, this study found that taller grass in the pasture led to lower small mammals' burrow density X~2=A.67O, P=0.031, coefficient=-1.570). The Echinococcus multilocularis worm burden in dogs was statistically significantly related to the maximum density of the intermediate host Ochotona spp. (X~2=5.250, P=0.022, coefficient=0.028). The prevalence in owned dogs was positively correlated to the number of stray dogs seen within a 200 meter radius (Wald X~2=8.375, P=0.004, odds ratio=1.198). Conclusions Our findings support the hypothesis that overgrazing promotes transmission of alveolar echinococcosis and confirm the role of stray dogs in the transmission of alveolar echinococcosis。

Abstract：Background Proteins or peptides can be directly transferred into cells when covalently linked to protein transduction domains (PTDs). TAT is one of the most widely studied PTDs. The effect of fusion protein TAT and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) on liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs) apoptosis during cold storage is unknown. The present study aimed to determine whether fusion protein TAT-HO-1 would transduce efficiently into liver during cold storage, and, if so, to determine whether TAT-HO-1 would attenuate SECs apoptosis during preservation injury in rat. Methods Livers of Sprague-Dawley rats were harvested and randomly assigned to group 1 (HTK solution) and group 2 (HTK solution containing TAT-HO-1 fusion protein) according to the type of the preservation solution. The transduction efficiency of TAT-HO-1 was examined and the impairment of SECs was assessed during the period of cold storage followed by 1 hour of reperfusion.Results TAT-HO-1 can transduce efficiently into liver during cold storage. A significantly lower apoptotic index of SECs was observed in group 2, at 6, 12 and 18 hours of cold storage after 1 hour reperfusion, when compared with group 1. TAT-HO-1 reduced HA and ET levels in liver at each time point. Both Bcl-2 and Bax protein were expressed in hepatocytes and SECs at the periphery of the sinusoidal space. Moreover, higher Bcl-2 expression and lower Bax expression were observed in group 2.Conclusions TAT-HO-1 can transduce efficiently into rat livers and shows a protective effect on SECs by attenuating apoptosis during cold ischemia/reperfusion injury. Protein transduction will be a novel therapeutic strategy to reduce the risk of preservation injury in liver transplantation。

Abstract：Objective A general review was made of studies involving: (1) the relationship between sleep apnea hypopneasyndrome/sleep apnea style intermittent hypoxia and liver injury and (2) the mechanism that causes the liver injury.Data sources The data used in this review were mainly from Medline and PubMed published in English from 1993 toFebruary 2009. The search term was "sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome".Study selection (1) Clinical and laboratory evidence that sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome and sleep apnea styleintermittent hypoxia leads to liver injury; (2) the mechanism that causes the liver injury.Results The effect of sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome and sleep apnea style intermittent hypoxia on the liver functionis characterized by serum aminotransferase elevation. The liver histological injury includes hepatic steatosis, hepatocyteballooning, lobular inflammation, lobular necrosis, and liver fibrosis. Sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome and sleep apneastyle intermittent hypoxia can cause insulin resistance and oxidative stress.Conclusions Sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome and sleep apnea style intermittent hypoxia can lead to chronic liverinjury, which, in most cases, is shown as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Insulin resistance and oxidative stress causedby sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome and sleep apnea style intermittent hypoxia play an important role in the mechanismof chronic liver disease development。

Abstract：Objective To review the role of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signal pathway in the pathogenesis oflymphoma and explore a potential lymphoma therapy targeted on this signaling pathway.Data sources The data cited in this review were mainly obtained from the articles listed in Medline and PubMed,published from January 1995 to June 2009. The search terms were "cAMP" and "lymphoma".Study selection Articles regarding the role of the cAMP pathway in apoptosis of lymphoma and associated cells and itspotential role in targeted therapy of lymphoma.Results In the transformation of lymphocytic malignancies, several signal pathways are involved. Among of them, thecAMP pathway has attracted increasing attention because of its apoptosis-inducing role in several lymphoma cells. cAMPpathway impairment is found to influence the prognosis of lymphoma. Targeted therapy to the cAMP pathway seems tobe a new direction for lymphoma treatment, aiming at restoring the cAMP function.Conclusions cAMP signal pathway has different effects on various lymphoma cells. cAMP analogues andphosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) inhibitors have potential clinical significance. However, many challenges remain inunderstanding the various roles of such agents。

Several subtypes of avian influenza A have been shown to cross the species barrier and infect humans, leading to human cases of avian influenza。

The complications of monochorionic (MC) multiple pregnancies include twin-reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) and twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS)。

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of clonal disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis; they manifest clinically as anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia。

Oculodermal melanocytosis (ODM) is a congenital melanocytic pigmentary disorder involving eye tissue. It is a congenital ocular pigmentation with associated melanocytic deposition in the surrounding dermis。

Coronary arteriovenous fistula (CAVF) is an uncommon anomaly, occurring 0.1% to 0.2% at coronary angiography。

Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS), or encephalotrigeminal angiomatosis, is a rare, congenital neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by unilateral facial cutaneous vascular malformation (nevus flammeus or port-wine stain) in association with ipsilateral leptomeningeal angiomatosis。

Leiomyosarcoma most frequently arises in the retroperitoneum, the intra-abdominal space, and the subcutaneous tissue of the extremities. Primary leiomyosarcoma of bone is a rare malignant neoplasm, most commonly involving bones around the knee.~1 Although whether leiomyosarcoma can be considered a true primary bone tumor remains questionable, refinements in immunohistochemical techniques are causing this recognition to slowly gain favor. We report a case of a huge primary leiomyosarcoma of bone in the right pelvis。

To the Editor: We read with the interest the article by FAN Hong-guang and colleagues~1 having obtained outstanding early and long-term clinical outcomes of left ventricular restoration for the patients with postinfarction ventricular aneurysm and low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of mean 37.7%. We would like to comment on surgical strategy for mild ischemic mitral insufficiency。