ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Asthma is the most common disease in children, and its pathogenesis is highly complicated. METHODS: CD4+ cells and CD4+ IL-17+ cells were analysed by flow cytometry, and the ratio of CD4+ cells to the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and CD4+ IL-17+ cells to PMBCs were calculated from the control group, acute group, and moderate group. The levels of protein expression of IL-6, IL-17, and IL-21 were detected by ELISA in the plasma and culture supernatants of PBMCs of the three groups. The correlations between IL-7 and IL-6, IL-7 and IL-21 were analysed in culture supernatants of PBMCs of the three groups. RESULTS: The mean ratio of CD4+ IL-17+ cells/peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was 4.32% in the acute group, which was higher than in the control group and moderate group. The levels of IL-6 and IL-17 were elevated, and the levels of IL-21 were decreased in the acute group. The levels of IL-17 and IL-6 were positively correlated (r = 0.182, p = 0.03), and the levels of IL-17 and IL-21 were negatively correlated (r = -0.834, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the levels of IL-17 and IL-6 are related to the severity of asthma. Furthermore, IL-17 may play a role in the development of childhood asthma.
Subject(s)
Asthma/blood , Interleukin-17/blood , Interleukin-6/blood , Interleukins/blood , Blotting, Western , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , Cells, Cultured , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Flow Cytometry , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
A U.S./Russian collaboration of accelerator scientists was directed to the development of high averaged-current (â¼1 mA) and high-quality (emittance â¼15 πmm mrad; energy spread â¼0.1%) 1.75 MeV proton beams to produce active interrogation beams that could be applied to counterterrorism. Several accelerator technologies were investigated. These included an electrostatic tandem accelerator of novel design, a compact cyclotron, and a storage ring with energy compensation and electron cooling. Production targets capable of withstanding the beam power levels were designed, fabricated, and tested. The cyclotron/storage-ring system was theoretically studied and computationally designed, and the electrostatic vacuum tandem accelerator at BINP was demonstrated for its potential in active interrogation of explosives and special nuclear materials.
