Value of five-repetition sit-to-stand test in clinical evaluation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the value of five-repetition sit-to-stand test (5STS) in clinical evaluation of elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-one patients with COPD and 20 healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. All the participants underwent 5STS, pulmonary function examination, and 6 min walking test (6MWT) and were evaluated for severity of dyspnea (by mMRC) and BODE index during the tests.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the participants completed 5STS test with a good reproducibility of the time used for 3 sessions of the test (P<0.001). The mean time used by COPD patients for 5STS was significantly longer than that by healthy individuals (12.93±3.11s vs 0.72±0.71 s, P=0.002). The results of 5STS showed a significant negative correlation with those of 6MWT in the case group and control group with correlation coefficients of -0.611 and -0.682, respectively. The results of 5STS were negatively correlated with FEV1%Pre and body mass index (P<0.05) but positively with mMRC and BODE index in COPD patients (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>5STS is a simple and reproducible test to evaluate the patients' exercise capacity and the severity of COPD, and is well correlated with the current methods for clinical evaluation of COPD.</p>

Investigation of the level of perceived control of asthma and the factors affecting such perception in South China / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the level of the patients perceived control of asthma (PCA) in South China and analyze the risk factors contributing to inadequate PCA.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 150 asthmatic out-patients consisting of 86 males and 64 females aged 19-65 (38.6∓11.7) years were enrolled in this investigation. The patients were asked to complete questionnaires of the demographic data, perceived control of asthma (PCAQ-6) scales, asthma control test (ACT) scales and Standard asthma-specific quality of life [AQLQ(S)] scale. The data of spirometric measurements, blood cell count and induced sputum cell count were also collected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the 150 asthmatic out-patients recruited completed the questionnaires and examinations. The PCAQ-6 scores ranged from 10 to 26 (18.75∓3.42) in these patients (18.6∓3.28 in male and 18.95∓3.6 in female patients), significantly lower than those reported in other countries (P<1). PCA was positively correlated to the level of asthma control (r(p)=0.377, P=0.000) and AQLQ(S) scores (r(p)=0.675, P=0.000). Multiple linear regression showed that PCA was positively correlated to FEV1% and blood neutrophil counts, and inversely to asthma duration.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The level of the PCA appears inadequate in South China. The PCA can affect the level of asthma control and asthma-specific quality of life. The factors contributing to inadequate PCA include primarily asthma duration, lung function and blood neutrophil counts.</p>

Effect of toluene diisocyanate on reactive oxygen species production and permeability of human bronchial epithelial cells in vitro / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of toluene diisocyanate (TDI) on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the permeability of human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>TDI-human serum albumin (TDI-HSA) conjugate was prepared using a modified Son's method. MTT assay was used to assess HBE cell viability after exposure to different concentrations of TDI-HSA. The level of intracellular ROS of HBE cells was detected by flow cytometry with an oxidation-sensitive fluorescent probe 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) uploading, and the permeability of cell monolayer was assessed by detecting the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The exposure to 120 µg/ml TDI-HSA did not obviously affect the cell viability. Compared with the control group, the intracellular fluorescent intensity increased significantly in the cells exposed to 20, 60, and 100 µg/ml TDI-HSA (P<0.05). The intracellular ROS production increased significantly after 100 µg/ml TDI-HSA treatment (P<0.05), but the increment in ROS production was significantly suppressed by pretreatment of the cells with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) (P<0.05), which also enhanced the TEER decreased by TDI-HSA treatment (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>TDI enhances the permeability of HBE cell monolayer partially through a ROS-mediated pathway, suggesting the importance of oxidative stress in TDI-induced pulmonary diseases.</p>

Expression of high mobility group box-1 in the lung tissue and BALF of asthmatic mice and the influence of dexamethasone / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) in the lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of asthmatic mouse models and the influence of dexamethasone (DM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighteen female Balb/C mice were randomly divided PBS control group, OVA group and OVA/DM group, and asthmatic mouse models were established in the latter two groups. The airway responsiveness of the mice was assessed by whole-body plethysmography, and the cells in the BALF were counted and classified, with the supernatants of the BALF collected for detection of the level of HMGB1 by ELISA. The left lung of the mice was collected for HE staining, and the expression of HMGB1 in the right lung tissue was detected by Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Asthmatic mouse models were successfully established. The level of HMGB1 in the BALF was significantly higher in OVA group than in the control group (6.31 ± 4.05 ng/ml vs 2.59 ± 0.73 ng/ml, P = 0.017), but no significant difference was found between OVA/DM group (3.39 ± 0.50 ng/ml) and OVA group (PP = 0.052). The expression of HMGB1 relative to tubulin was significantly higher in OVA group than in the control group (2.08 ± 0.87 vs 0.85 ± 0.30, P = 0.032), but similar between OVA/DM group (1.15 ± 0.48) and OVA group (PP = 0.133).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expression of HMGB1 is obviously increased in the lung and BALF of asthmatic mice and DM produces no significant effect on HMGB1 expression, suggesting that HMGB1 may serve as a new therapeutic target for asthma treatment.</p>

Analysis of the clinical indications of asthma control test / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical indications of asthma control test (ACT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 120 asthmatic patients with a diagnosis in line with the American Thoracic Society criteria and treated for over a month were enrolled in this study. The patients were asked to complete a survey to assess their symptoms and asthma attacks, and ACT evaluation was conducted by physicians familiar with ACT evaluation. The patients were classified into two groups based on the pulmonary function test (positive for bronchodilator test and provocation test) or based on disease severity (mild and moderate-to-severe asthma groups). The effect of ACT evaluation was graded as good (no less than 4 item available for evaluation), fair (2-3 items available) and poor (no more than 1 item). To further analyze the ACT sensitivity in relation to different disease severity, 29 asthmatic patients with an initial diagnosis and BDT positivity were included, and the ACT score of the patients with mild, moderate and severe asthma based on FEV1% were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In patients positive for bronchodilator test, good, fair and poor evaluation effects were found in 48, 15, and 5 cases, as compared to 10, 15, and 27 in those positive for provocation test, respectively, showing significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.001). In mild asthma group, good, fair and poor evaluation effects were found in 12, 15, and 18 cases, respectively, significantly different from those in moderate-to- severe asthma group (50, 21, and 4 cases, P < 0.001). ACT scores showed a positive correlation to FEV1% in 29 patients with positive BDT (r = 0.55, P = 0.003). ACT scores had no significant difference between mild and moderate asthma groups (P > 0.05), but showed significant differences between mild and severe groups (P = 0.009) and between moderate and severe groups (P = 0.008).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ACT is more suitable for evaluating patients positive for bronchodilator test or with moderate to severe asthma.</p>

Respiratory syncytial virus increases the expression and release of high mobility group Box-1 protein in the lung tissue of mice / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression and release of high mobility group Box-1 protein (HMGB1) in the lung tissue of mice with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighteen mice were randomized into PBS control group, RSV group and RSV/ribavirin group. Seven days after RSV infection in the mice in the latter two groups, the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for cell counting and classification, and the levels of IL-4, IFN-gamma and HMGB1 in the supernatants of the BALF were detected. The left lungs of the mice were harvested for pathological examination with HE staining, and the right lungs were taken for detecting the expression of HMGB1 by Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>RSV induced a TH1 inflammation in the lung tissue as shown by significantly increased IFN-gamma and decreased IL-4 levels in the BALF. The total BALF cells, neutrophils and macrophages in the RSV group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the cell counts were significantly decreased by ribavirin treatment (P<0.05). HE staining showed neutrophil and lymphocyte infiltration in the lumen and submucous layer of the airway in RSV group. The level of HMGB1 in the BALF significantly increased in the RSV group as compared with that in the control group (P<0.05), but was lowered by ribavirin treatment (P<0.05). The expression of the HMGB1 in the lung tissue significantly increased in the RSV group in comparison with that in the control group (P<0.05), and was not significantly decreased by ribavirin treatment (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The increased expression and release of HMGB1 in the lung tissue of mice with RSV infection is probably involved in the development of RSV infection-related lung diseases.</p>

Dimethylsulfoxide-induced expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin in human bronchial epithelial cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of dimethylsulfoxide on the expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in human bronchial epithelial cell (HBE).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>16HBE cells were incubated in the presence of dimethylsulfoxide at different concentrations, and the cell proliferation changes were observed. The expressions of TSLP mRNA and protein in the cells were detected by real-time quantitative PCR and ELISA, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Dimethylsulfoxide induced significantly increased TSLP mRNA expression in HBE cells (P<0.01) in a concentration-dependent manner. The level of TSLP protein in the supernatant was also increased after dimethylsulfoxide treatment, but high concentration of dimethylsulfoxide resulted in e inhibited cell proliferation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Dimethylsulfoxide may affect the immunomodulatory function of HBE cells.</p>

Therapeutic effect of tiotropium bromide powder inhalation in patients with stable bronchiectasis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the therapeutic effect of tiotropium bromide powder inhalation on stable bronchiectasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-two patients with stable bronchiectasis received inhalation of totropium bromide powder at the daily dose of 18 microg, and on days 1 and 28, the patients were examined for forced expiratory volume in one second (FEVl), predicted value [FEVl(%)], forced expiratory volume (FEV), and FEVl/FVC. The symptom score and BODE index were also recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 1 month of inhalation therapy, the FEV1% of the patients showed a moderate increase but the increment was not statistically significant (t=-1.875, P>0.05); the symptom score and BODE index decreased significantly after the therapy (t=7.091, P<0.001; t=2.982, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Long-term inhalation of tiotropium bromide powder can improve the clinical symptoms and BODE index and enhance the exercise tolerance and quality of life of the patients with bronchiectasis.</p>

Role of lung fibroblast activation in radiation lung injury / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of lung fibroblast activation in radiation-induced lung injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-five male Wistar rats were exposed to a single-dose 30 Gy irradiation of the right hemithorax or sham right lung irradiation. At 1, 7, 14, 28, 56 or 84 days after the irradiation, the rats were sacrificed for examination of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) expression in the bilateral lung tissues using immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>alpha-SMA expression in fibroblast increased significantly in the out-field and in-field lung tissues within 24 h after irradiation after the irradiation (P<0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Activation of the lung fibroblasts occurred within 24 h after irradiation and found in ont-field and in-field lung tissues, suggesting that radiation-induced lung injury may not have an obvious latency.</p>