Expression of soluble triggering receptor expression on myeloid cells-1 in pleural effusion.

BACKGROUND: Triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells (TREM) proteins are a family of cell surface receptors expressed broadly by cells of the myeloid lineage. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of soluble TREM-1 (sTREM-1) in pleural effusions, and to determine the effects of pneumonia on pleural sTREM-1 concentrations. METHODS: Pleural fluid was collected from 109 patients who presented to the respiratory institute (35 with malignant pleural effusion, 31 with tuberculous pleural effusion, 21 with bacterial pleural effusion, and 22 with transudate). The concentrations of sTREM-1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) were determined in effusion and serum samples by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The concentrations of sTREM-1 in bacterial pleural effusion were significantly higher than those in malignant, tuberculous, and transudative groups (all P < 0.001). An sTREM-1 cutoff value of 768.1 ng/L had a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 93%. Pleural sTREM-1 levels were positively correlated with levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. Patients with complicating bacterial pneumonia did not have elevated concentration of sTREM-1 in pleural effusion when compared with patients without pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of pleural sTREM-1 may improve the ability of clinicians to differentiate pleural effusion patients of bacterial origin from those with other etiologies. The occurrence of bacterial pneumonia did not affect pleural sTREM-1 concentrations.

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T lymphocytes in tuberculous pleural effusion.

BACKGROUND: Active suppression by CD4+CD25+ regulatory T lymphocytes plays an important role in the down-regulation of T cell responses to foreign and self-antigens. This study was conducted to analyze whether the CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells exist and function normally in tuberculous pleural effusion. METHODS: The percentages of CD4+CD25+ T cells in pleural effusion and peripheral blood from patients with tuberculous pleurisy and peripheral blood from healthy control subjects were determined by flow cytometry. The expression of forkhead transcription factor Foxp3 was also examined. CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25(-) T cells from pleural effusion and blood were isolated, and were cultured to observe the effects of CD4+CD25+ T cells on proliferation response of CD4+CD25(-) T cells in vitro. RESULTS: There were increased numbers of CD4+CD25+ T cells in tuberculous pleural effusion compared with peripheral blood from both patients with tuberculous pleurisy and normal subjects, and these cells demonstrated a constitutive high-level expression of Foxp3. Moreover, CD4+CD25+ T cells mediated potent inhibition of proliferation response of CD4+CD25(-) T cells. CONCLUSION: The increased CD4+CD25+ T cells in tuberculous pleural effusion express a high level of Foxp3 transcription factor, while potently suppressing the proliferation of CD4+CD25(-) T cells.

[Study on the prevalence of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in Guangxi, China].

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and its high risk factors in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. METHODS: From January 2003 to March 2005, a total number of 11,163 persons aged > or =14 years Zhuang minority living in Guangxi (from Guinan, Guizhong and Guibei) were surveyed. Questionnaire was administered to draw information. Polysomnography(PSG) and in-home polygraphy were performed on participants being studied and who had reported snoring. RESULTS: Among all the surveyed people, 2940reported snoring with a prevalence of 27.3%. 448 (320 males and 128 females) people reported OSAHS with prevalence as 4.3% (5.9% in males and 2.5% in females). From 14 to 60 year olds, the prevalence of snoring and OSAHS increased with age. Among those above 60 years of age, both the prevalencerates ofsnoring and OSAHS werereduced with age. Among all the study population, 260 (21.6%) had habitual OSAHS a nd 188 (10.8%) hadoccasional OSAHS. The high risk factors of OSAHS were: position during sleep, disease of nose, drinking alcohol, smoking, gender, body mass index (BMI) and age. CONCLUSION: The prevalence rates of snoring and OSAHS were 27.3% and 4.3% respectively. From 14 to 60 years of age, the prevalence rates of snoring and OSAHS were increasing with age while from 60 years of age on, the prevalence of snoring and OSAHS reduced with age. The prevalence rates of snoring and OSAHS in males were higher than females. The high risk factors of OSAHS were position during sleep,disease of nose, drinking, smoking,gender, BMI and age.

[A statistical study of the blood pressure in snoring population of Guangxi].

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of snoring, the blood pressure in the snoring population and the correlating between hypertension and snoring in Guangxi. METHODS: From January 2003 to March 2005, people older than 14 from the south, central and north Guangxi were studied for the prevalence of snoring. A questionnaire was administered, and the blood pressure, height and weight of the participants were measured. RESULTS: A total of 2862 families, 11 163 persons (aged 14 - 99 years, mean, 39.6 +/- 17.5 years) were surveyed. The prevalence of snoring was 27.3% (2940/10 758). The systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure of the non-snoring were 122.73 +/- 21.71 mm Hg and 75.68 +/- 13.17 mm Hg respectively. The systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure of the snoring were 128.23 +/- 30.85 mm Hg and 79.27 +/- 12.42 mm Hg respectively. The prevalence of hypertension of the two groups was 19.9% and 32.1% respectively. With the increase of age, there was an increasing tendency of snoring rate (tendency chi(2) = 592.613, P = 0.000) and hypertension rate (tendency chi(2) = 1868.277, P = 0.000). The hypertension incidence of the occasional snorers, habitual snorers, mild snorers, moderate snorers, and severe snorers and persons who suffered from sleep apnea was 27.6%, 37.4%, 27.5%, 31.1%, 37.4% and 44.1% respectively. Multiple logistic regression models showed that the risk factors for hypertension were snoring, age, body mass index (BMI), nationality and alcohol consumption. The partial correlation analysis showed that snoring was positively correlated to the diastolic blood pressure but not correlated to the systolic blood pressure. The severity of snoring was positively correlated to both the diastolic and the systolic blood pressures. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of snoring was 27.3% in Guangxi. The systolic blood pressure, the diastolic blood pressure and the prevalence of hypertension in snoring subjects were higher than those in non-snoring subjects. The prevalence of hypertension increased with increased severity of snoring. The severity of snoring was positively correlated to the diastolic and the systolic blood pressures. Snoring, age, BMI and alcohol consumption were the risk factors for hypertension.