Values of Body Mass Index and Chest CT Features in the Assessment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease / 中国医学科学院学报

To investigate the clinical values of nutritional status and chest CT phenotypes in the assessment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). A total of 256 patients with stable COPD were enrolled from Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Civil Aviation General Hospital from June 2017 to June 2018.Demographic data,height,weight,smoking history,and number of exacerbations were collected.Pulmonary function tests and COPD assessment test(CAT)questionnaire-based survey were performed.The correlations of Goddard score with pulmonary function,CAT score,and number of exacerbations were analyzed.The clinical features of COPD patients with different body mass index(BMI)grades and CT phenotype were analyzed. The forced expiratory volume in one second as percentage of predicted value(FEV%pred)was significantly higher in normal body mass group(=-2.701,=0.0080),overweight group(=-3.506,=0.001),and obese group(=-4.323,=0.000)than in low body mass group and was significantly higher in obese group than in normal body mass group(=-3.096,=0.002).The forced vital capacity as percentage of predicted value(FVC%pred)of normal body mass group(=-3.081,=0.002)and overweight group(=-2.766,=0.006)were significantly higher than that of low body mass group.The forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV)/forced vital capacity(FVC)was significantly higher in overweight group than in normal body mass group(=-3.702,=0.001)and significantly higher in obese group than in low body mass group(=-4.742,=0.000),normal body mass group(=-5.785,=0.000),and overweight group(=-2.984,=0.003).In addition,the carbon monoxide diffusing capacity as percentage of predicted value(DLco%pred)was significantly higher in overweight group than in underweight(=-3.042,=0.003)and normal body mass groups(=-3.128,=0.002)and significantly higher in obese group than in underweight group(=-4.742,=0.000)and normal body mass group(=-5.785,=0.000).The Goddard scores of overweight(=4.535,=0.000)and obese groups(=5.422,=0.000)were significantly lower than that of normal body mass group.Partial correlation analysis showed that Goddard score was negatively correlated with FEV/FVC( =-0.230, = 0.022)and DLco%pred( =-0.531, = 0.000)and positively correlated with CAT score( = 0.244, = 0.021).BMI of phenotype E(=3.467,=0.001)and M(=3.031,=0.003),FEV/FVC of phenotype E(=2.484,=0.015)and M(=2.969,=0.004)as well as DLco%pred of phenotype E(=4.928,=0.000)and M(=2.489,=0.0163)were significantly lower than those of phenotype A.Patients with phenotype M had worse FEV%pred,FVC%pred,residual volume/total lung capacity and number of acute exacerbations than patients with phenotypes A and E,but the differences were not statistically significant(all >0.05). The nutritional status is closely related to lung function,severity of emphysema,and number of exacerbations in COPD patients.Chest CT phenotype is clinically valuable in the assessment of COPD.

Clinical Analysis of 40 Patients with Eosinophilic Lung Diseases in Peking Union Medical College Hospital / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To summarize the clinical features of eosinophilic lung diseases(ELD). Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical manifestations,laboratory findings,accessory examination results,and pathology of 40 patients who were diagnosed with ELD and hospitalized in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2013 to December 2016.Results There were 19 males and 21 females,and the average age was(48.58±18.25) years.The diagnoses included allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis(n=20),eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis(also known as churg-strauss syndrome)(n=10),chronic eosinophilic pneumonia(n=8),parasitic infection(n=1),and drug-induced eosinophilic pneumonia(n=1).Eosinophils counts in peripheral blood were increased in 35 patients(87.5%),and eosinophils counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids increased in 17 of 18 patients(94.4%).Arterial blood gas analysis showed varying degrees of hypoxemia in 23 patients(57.5%),and pulmonary function test showed ventilatory dysfunction in 27 patients(67.5%) and defect in diffusion capacity in 12 patients(30.0%).Chest CT revealed bilateral flaky,streaky,or diffuse ground-glass infiltrates and consolidations;in addition,central cylindrical bronchiectasis and mucous plugging with "finger-in-glove" pattern were seen in patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.Diffuse eosinophil infiltration was revealed in lung or other tissue biopsy.Glucocorticoids alone or combined with other therapies were effective in most patients.Conclusions ELD has a wide range of clinical presentations and can easily be misdiagnosed.Increased eosinophils count in peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids combined with infiltration manifestations in chest imaging are helpful for the diagnosis of ELD.Oral administration of glucocorticoids is the primary therapy for ELD.

Efficacy and Safety of Tiotropium in the Treatment of Severe Persistent Asthma:Meta-analysis / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tiotropium in treatment of severe persistent asthma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Reports of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) describing tiotropium for treatment of severe persistent asthma published from January 1946 to February 2015 were searched in Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, PubMed, Ovid Medline, CNKI, and CSJD. The data of the included RCTs were extracted and the data quality was evaluated. Meta-analyses were performed with Revman 5.3 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Five RCTs including 1433 patients were analyzed. Meta-analysis of the data showed that compared with the placebo group, tiotropium treatment significantly improved the patients' peak forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) [weighted mean difference (WMD): 0.13 L, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.10-0.16 L, P<0.00001], trough FEV1 (WMD: 0.09 L, 95%CI: 0.06-0.12 L, P<0.00001), peak forced vital capacity (FVC) (WMD: 0.10 L, 95%CI: 0.06-0.14 L, P<0.00001), trough FVC (WMD: 0.12 L, 95%CI: 0.08-0.17 L, P<0.00001), morning peak expiratory flow (PEF) (WMD: 9.21 L/min, 95%CI: 4.2-14.23 L/min, P=0.0003), evening PEF (WMD: 22.06 L/min, 95%CI 13.05-31.08 L/min, P<0.00001). The scores of asthma control questionnaire (ACQ) (WMD: 0.01, 95% CI: -0.07-0.09, P=0.86) or asthma quality of life questionnaire (AQLQ)(WMD: 0.06, 95% CI:-0.18-0.06, P=0.33) were not affected by tiotropium. No significant difference with adverse events between tiotropium group and placebo group were reported in these included studies (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Tiotropium for severe persistent asthma treatment can improve FEV1, FVC, and PEF but may not improve the quality of life of the patients. Tiotropium is well tolerated and can be an add-on therapy for severe persistent asthma.</p>

Clinical Analysis of 35 Inpatients with Diffuse Panbronchiolitis in Peking Union Medical College Hospital / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the clinical features of diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 35 patients who had been admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from December 1996 to July 2014 due to DPB,which was confirmed basing on the diagnostic criteria proposed in 1998 by a working group of the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan or histopathological examination.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average age of these 35 patients (20 men and 15 women,with a sex ratio of 1.33 to 1) was (42.2<15.6) years,mainly distributed in the 40-49 age group. The average clinical history was (8.4<8.5) years. The main symptoms and signs of DPB included chronic cough (n=35,100%),copious purulent sputum production (n=31,88.6%),exertional dyspnoea (n=24,68.6%),end-inspiratory crackles (n=28,80.0%). Also,26 patients (74.3%) had a history of sinusitis. Cold agglutination test in 15 out of 15 patients were negative. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Haemophilus influenza were isolated from 22 patients (73.3%,22/30),and 26 patients (83.9%,26/31) had hypoxemia. The mean values of forced expiratory volume in the first second/forced vital capacity,residua volume/total lung volume,maximum forced expiratory volume of 50% lung volume,and maximum forced expiratory volume of 25% lung volume were 60.5%,53.8%,25.9%,and 31.2%,respectively. The most common CT findings from this cohort of patients were bronchiectasis and bronchiolitis,with nodular shadows distributed in a centrilobular pattern. Finally,29 patients were misdiagnosed as other conditions such as pulmonary infection and bronchiectasis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>DPB in Chinese populations have different presentations compared to that Japanese populations:for instance,the serum cold agglutination test always shows negative results,which is often inconsistent with the pathogens in sputum. DPB usually is misdiagnosed. Clinicians should take DPB into consideration when patients had pulmonary infection and sinusitis.</p>

Clinical evaluation of 136 inpatients with bronchiectasis in Peking Union Medical College Hospital / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the clinical features of bronchiectasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 136 patients who had been admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2010 to December 2012 due to bronchiectasis, which was confirmed by high-resolution computed tomography.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average age of these 136 patients (61 men and 75 women) was (57.7±16.3) years. The average clinical history was (17.2±15.8) years. The exact etiology was unidentified in 77.2% (105/136) of the patients. The most commonly identified cause was previous infections (14.7%, 20/136), particularly tuberculosis. The main symptoms of bronchiectasis were cough and sputum production. The types of bronchiectasis were cylindrical in 37.7% (37/98), varicose in 40.8% (40/98), cystic in 21.4% (21/98) of these patients. Multilober involvement was most common (77.2%, 105/136). The most commonly involved lobes were left lower lobe (76.5%, 104/136). Of 77 patients who had undergone pulmonary function test, 47 (61.0%) showed obstructive. For each bronchiectasis type, the values (percentages of predicted) of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (P=0.918), forced vital capacity (FVC) (P=0.982), and FEV1/FVC (P=0.211) showed no statistical significance. The most commonly identified pathogen in sputum culture was Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which was sensitive to most broad-spectrum antibiotics. Current infections were most common in patients with cystic bronchiectasis, among whom rales were frequently heard.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Most bronchiectasis patients are old women. The main etiology is previous infection, especially tuberculosis. The main symptom of bronchiectasis is productive cough. Many patients can have obstructive pulmonary function. The distribution of lesions is diffuse, and the lesions are often seen in both lungs, particularly in the left lower lobe. Cystic bronchiectasis may be a more severe type, and should be carefully managed once identified by radiology.</p>

Differential expression of the inflammation-associated chemokines/cytokines in mouse lung after exposure to cigarette smoke and smoking cessation / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the changes in the airway inflammation-related cytokine/chemokine profiles after exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) and smoking cessation (SC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 18 male C57BL/6 mice were equally divided into three groups: CS group, SC group, and normal control group. The airway resistance, lung morphology, and collagen deposition around airways were determined. HE staining and Masson trichrome staining were used for histopathological analysis. The inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were assessed. The inflammation-associated cytokines were determined using real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Expressions of CXCR3 ligands including the CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11 and other cytokines in lung tissue and BALF were also analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The airway resistance significantly increased in both CS group and SC group when compared with the normal control group. Lung pathological scores in both CS group and SC group were also higher than that in the normal control group, while there was no significant difference between the CS group and SC group. Inflammatory cells including the neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes also increased in both the CS group and SC group at both mRNA and protein levels. The mRNA levels of CXCL9, CXCL10, MMP9, and MMP12 were significantly higher in CS group and SC group than those in the normal control group (all P<0.05). The protein expression levels of CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, MMP2, MMP9, MMP12, and TGF-Β1 were significantly higher in CS group and SC group than those in the normal control group (all P<0.05). Compared with the normal control group,the concentrations of CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, IL-8, and TGF-Β1 in the BALF supernatants of the CS group and SC group significantly increased (P<0.05); in addition, the IL-6 and TNF-Α concentrations also increased in the CS group (both P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CS exposure triggers inflammatory cell flux and accumulation in the lung parenchyma and BALF. As a consequence, the inflammatory cytokines increase dramatically. After CS, the cytokines/chemokines can decrease, but is still higher than in non-smokers.</p>

Montelukast improves air trapping, not airway remodeling, in patients with moderate-to-severe asthma: a pilot study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Evidence has demonstrated that the distal lung, which includes airways of < 2 mm in diameter and lung parenchyma, constitutes an important component of asthma pathology. Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) are potent proinflammatory mediators and bronchoconstrictors involved in the asthmatic process. Guidelines recommend the leukotriene-modifying agents for asthma treatment. We hypothesized that a leukotriene receptor antagonist with an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and long-acting β2 agonist (LABA) combination would improve small airways function in moderate-to- severe asthmatics evaluated by physiological tests and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) analysis. This study was performed at a tertiary university hospital in Beijing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This was a randomized, double-blind, parallel study performed in 38 patients with moderate-to-severe asthma treated with salmeterol/futicasone (SFC) plus montelukast (SFC+M) or SFC plus placebo over 24 weeks. Small airway function was assessed by physiological studies and HRCT image analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Montelukast significantly improved air trapping as expressed by the residual volume (RV)/total lung capacity (TLC). Over 24 weeks of treatment, RV/TLC was improved by (15.41 ± 6.67)% in patients receiving SFC+M while RV/TLC was decreased by (8.57 ± 10.26)% in patients receiving SFC alone, the difference between the two groups was significant (P = 0.02). There was a trend towards a significant difference in forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) in the SFC+M group compared to that in the SFC group ((17.87 ± 8.17)% vs. (12.28 ± 9.20)%, P = 0.056). There was no significant change in percentage wall area (WA%) after 24 weeks of add-on treatment with montelukast. Patients receiving SFC+M showed significant improvement in the ratio of CT-determined values at full expiration to those at full inspiration (E/I ratio) (0.894 ± 0.005 vs. 0.871 ± 0.003, P = 0.002).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>We have shown, using lung function tests and HRCT image technique, that add-on therapy with montelukast improves distal lung function reflected by air trapping, but not airway wall thickness in moderate-to-severe asthma.</p>

γδ T lymphocyte function and the polymorphism of T cell receptor V δ chain in lungs of asthmatic patients / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the function of gamma delta T lymphocytes and the polymorphism of T cell receptor V delta chain in the lungs of asthmatic patients and explore the role of gamma delta T cells in airway inflammation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid BALF was obtained from 7 asthmatic patients and 7 healthy control individuals. The percentage of gamma delta T cell in BALF was measured by flow cytometry. The gamma delta T cell in BALF was purified by magnetic labeled beads. Proliferous activity was examined by MTT assay. Cytokines secreted by gamma delta T cells in medium was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Polymorphism of T cell receptor V delta chain was detected by RT-PCR and gene scan analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The proportion of gamma delta T cell in the BALF of asthmatic patients [(6.39+/-0.71)%] was significantly higher than that in control subjects [(2.62+/-0.37)%] (P<0.01). The proportion of macrophage in the BALF of asthmatic patients [(81+/-4)] was significantly lower than that in control subjects [(86+/-2)] (P<0.05). The proliferation rate of asthmatic patients [(284.2+/-43.6)%] was significantly higher than that of control subjects [(217.5+/-59.5)%] (P<0.05). Interleukin-4 secreted by gamma delta T cells of asthmatic patients [(18.9+/-3.1) pg/ml)] significantly increased when compared with the control subjects [(14.1+/-3.0) pg/ml] (P<0.05). The polymorphism of T cell receptor V delta chain was not significantly different between these two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The increase of gamma delta T cells in the lung of asthmatic patients further exacerbates Th1/Th2 disturbance and airway inflammation. Antigen recognition by gamma delta T cells is non-specific.</p>

Clinical analysis of 76 patients with upper airway obstruction / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the clinical characteristics of upper airway obstruction (UAO).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 76 UAO patients who had been treated in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2004 to April 2007.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among these 76 UAO patients, the clinical diagnoses included pulmonary amyloidosis (n = 19, 25.0%), relapsing polychondritis (n = 23, 30.3%), tumor (n = 25, 32.9%), and tuberculosis (n = 10, 13.0%). Clinical manifestations included chronic persistent cough (n = 46), dyspnea (n = 36), hoarseness (n = 43), and productive cough (n = 29). Among 56 patients who underwent pulmonary function test, 27 patients had obstructive ventilatory disturbance pattern and 14 had mixed disturbance pattern. Among 70 patients who underwent bronchoscopy, 67 patients had pathological abnormalities from severe airway mucosal inflammation, tracheobronchial cartilage destruction, and tracheobronchial wall collapse (n = 35) to neoplasms (n = 32). Among 60 patients who underwent pathological examinations, the pathological changes were consistent with amyloidosis (n = 16), relapsing polychondritis (n = 5), tuberculosis (n =4), tumors (n = 25), or chronic granulomatous inflammation of mucosa (n = 10).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Careful and prompt pulmonary function test and bronchoscopy are helpful for early diagnosis and treatment of UAO.</p>

Regulation of tyrosylprotein sulfotransferases activity by sulfotyrosine / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of sulfated tyrosine in regulating the activity of tyrosylprotein sulfotransferases (TPST) 1 and TPST2.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Constructs of TPST 1 and TPST2 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), then fused into immunoglobulin G1 Fc region. All the variants in which sulfated tyrosines were mutated to phenylalanine were made by the PCR-based Quick Change method and confirmed by sequencing the entire reading frame. Small hairpin RNA (shRNA) constructs-targeting nucleotides 259-275 of TPST1 and nucleotides 73-94 of TPST2 were generated and subcloned into pBluescript. Human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293T cells were transfected with these plasmids. One day later, cells were split: one part was labeled with 35S-cysteine and methionine or 35S-Na2SO3 overnight, the second part was used for 125I labeled binding experiment, and the third part was retained for binding and flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Tyrosines at position 326 of TPST1 and position 325 of TPST2 were sulfated posttranslationally. Tyrosine sulfation of TPSTs was effectively inhibited by sulfation inhibitors, including specific shRNAs and non-specific NaCIO3. shRNAs reduced the sulfation of C3a receptor and C5a receptor, and partially blocked the binding of these two receptors to their respective ligands.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The activities of TPSTs were regulated by tyrosine sulfation. Inhibition of sulfotyrosine decreases the binding ability of C3a receptor and C5a receptor to their respective ligands.</p>

CXC chemokine receptor 3 modulates bleomycin-induced pulmonary injury via involving inflammatory process / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) in bleomycin-induced lung injury by using CXCR3 gene deficient mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sex-, age-, and weight-matched C57BL/6 CXCR3 gene knockout mice and C57BL/6 wide type mice were challenged by injection of bleomycin via trachea. Lung tissue was stained with HE method. Airway resistance was measured. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed using phosphate buffered saline twice, cell number and differentials were counted by Diff-Quick staining. Interleukin (IL)4, IL-5, IL-12p40, and interfon-y in BAL fluid and lung homogenate were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Unpaired t test was explored to compare the difference between two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>On day 7 after bleomycin injection via trachea, CXCR3 knockout mice were protected from bleomycin-induced lung injury as evidenced by fewer accumulation of inflammatory cells in the airway and lung interstitium compared with their wild type littermates (P < 0.05). Airway resistance was also lower in CXCR3 knockout mice compared with wild type mice (P < 0.01). Significantly lower level of inflammatory cytokines release, including the altered production of IL-4 and IL-5 both in BAL fluid and lung tissue was seen in CXCR3 knockout mice than in wild type mice (both P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CXCR3 signaling promotes inflammatory cells recruiting and initiates inflammatory cytokines cascade following endotracheal bleomycin administration, indicating that CXCR3 might be a therapeutic target for pulmonary injury.</p>

New advance of the molecular targeting agents in advanced non-small cell lung cancer / 中国医学科学院学报

Molecule-targeting agents inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells by the molecular biological differences between tumor cells and normal cells, and finally kill tumor cells. This article introduces several molecule-targeting agents that are currently under clinical trials now.

Beta2-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism in Chinese Northern asthmatics / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether the polymorphisms of beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2-AR) at position 16, 27, 164 are associated with asthma in Northern Chinese subjects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Genomic DNA was collected from unrelated Northern Chinese population of Han ethnicity, including 125 unrelated asthmatic individuals and 96 healthy controls. Beta2-AR genes at position 16, 27, 164 were amplified by using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and allelic specific polymerase chain reaction methods. All asthmatics had their serum IgE (total and specific) antibody or skin-prick test measured, bronchial reactivity to methacholine (Mch) and bronchial reversibility by beta2-agonist evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The frequency of Gly 16 homozygous was significantly higher in the asthmatic group than that in healthy controls (22.4% vs. 8.3%, P < 0.05), OR was 2.9 with 95% CI 1.26-6.78. The proportion of Gly 16 allele was also higher in asthmatics than that in control (0.46 vs. 0.36, P < 0.05); Gly16 homozygous was not independently associated with asthma pathogenesis (P = 0.21, OR 0.42 with 95% CI 0.11-1.61). (2) Of 51 night attack patients, 18 carrying Gly16 homozygosity, if compared with 10 of 74 nonnocturnal asthmatics carrying this genotype, there was significant difference between these two groups (35.3% vs. 13.5%, P < 0.01). (3) The average dose of PD20-Mch was significantly lower in patients carrying Gln 27 homozygous than those carrying homozygous Glu 27 and Gln/Glu 27 heterozygous (0.2 +/- 0.3, 1.6 +/- 0.8, and 2.1 +/- 3.0 micromol/L, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Beta2AR gene polymorphisms might confer susceptibility to asthma in Chinese Northern patients. Beta2-AR gene, coordinated with other candidate loci, plays a role in the development of asthma.</p>

A study on the chemical constituents from Polyporus ellissi / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents of Polyporus ellissi.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Silica gel column chromatography was applied for the isolation and purification of the constituents. The structures were established by means of spectroscopic and chemical data.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Six compounds were obtained and identified as cerebroside B (I), cerebroside D (II), ergosterol peroxide (III), 9(11)-dehydroergosterol peroxide (IV), mannitol (V) and palmitate-1-glycerol (VI).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compounds (I) and (II) were isolated from the genus Polyporus for the first time.</p>

Association of polymorphism of human beta 2-adrenergic receptor gene and bronchial asthma / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether beta 2-adrenergic receptor gene (beta 2AR) polymorphism at position 16, 27, 164 is in association with asthma susceptibility or asthmatic phenotype (including nocturnal asthma, serum IgE level, bronchial responsiveness, the status of asthmatics).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By using PCR-RFLP and allelic-specific PCR (ASP), the polymorphism of beta 2AR gene at position 16, 27, 164 in 125 Han origin asthmatics and 96 normal healthy controls with the same ethnic nearby Beijing region were genotyped. All patients had their serum total IgE (TIgE) measured by RAST, pulmonary ventilatory function assessed by FEV1% and FEV1/FVC, bronchial responsiveness challenged by methacholine (if FEV1% > 70%), and brocho-reversibity by inhaling beta 2-agonist.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was higher prevalence of Gly16 homozygous of beta 2AR in asthmatics than that in normal healthy controls (22.4% vs 8.3%, P < 0.05), with odd ratio (OR) 2.918 (95% CI: 1.256-6.781); Also there was higher frequency of Gly16 homozygous of beta 2AR in nocturnal asthmatics than that in nonnocturnal asthmatics (35.3% vs 13.5%, P < 0.01), but Gly16 homozygous of beta 2AR was low an independent risk factor for the pathogenesis of asthma. The dose of methacholine was low in asthmatics carrying Gln27 homozygous beta 2AR than Glu27 homozygous beta 2AR and Gln/Glu27 heterozygous beta 2AR in brocho-challenge test [(0.205 +/- 0.275) vs (2.11 +/- 3.00) vs (1.575 +/- 0.828) mumol, P < 0.05].</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Gly16 homozygous beta 2AR was associated with asthma susceptibility in Chinese patients with Han ethnic nearby Beijing region, and Gly16 homozygous beta 2AR was associated significantly with nocturnal asthma. Glu27 homozygous beta 2AR was related to hyper-bronchial reactivity of asthmatics.</p>