Activation of the endocannabinoid system mediates cardiac hypertrophy induced by rosiglitazone.

Rosiglitazone (RSG) is a synthetic agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), which plays a central role in the regulation of metabolism. Meta-analyses have suggested that RSG is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. However, the mechanisms underlying such adverse cardiac effects are still poorly understood.

Rapid development of metastatic pulmonary calcifications in primary hyperparathyroidism: a case report and literature review.

Background: Metastatic pulmonary calcification (MPC) is rarely reported in primary hyperparathyroidism, especially MPC develops quickly. We report such a case here with a literature review.

Case Presentation: A 41-year-old woman presented with cough and dyspnea.

Acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia: A case report and literature review.

Acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia (AFOP) is a rare lung disease with distinct histological characteristics that include the diffuse presence of intra-alveolar fibrin, and the absence of eosinophils and hyaline membrane. In the present study, a case of AFOP that was diagnosed by lung biopsy is described. The patient presented with high fever and a cough with expectoration.

Important factors mediates the adhesion of aspergillus fumigatus to alveolar epithelial cells with E-cadherin.

Aspergillus is widely distributed in the Earth's biosphere. It has strong adaptive capacity, and lives as saprophytic or parasitic life. This study aims to investigate the role of E-cadherin for adhesion of Aspergillus fumigatus blastospores in a human epithelial cell line (A549) and search the correlated molecule in aspergillus.

E-cadherin mediates adhesion and endocytosis of Aspergillus fumigatus blastospores in human epithelial cells.

Background: Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) is a ubiquitous saprophytic fungus responsible for the majority of invasive mold infections in patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplantation or with persistent neutropenia. This study aimed to determine the role of E-cadherin for adhesion and endocytosis of A.

[Invasive aspergillosis after near-drowning: case reports and review of the literature].

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical presentations and disease courses of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in patients after near-drowning.

Methods: The clinical data of 3 cases of invasive aspergillosis after near-drowning from Oct. 2005 to Aug.

[Evaluation of the galactomannan assay for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis in patients].

Objective: To assess the value of Aspergillus galactomannan (GM) double-direct sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA).

Methods: Forty nine patients were divided into IA group (n = 11), other invasive fungal infection group (n = 20) and Aspergillus colonization group (n = 18). The serum samples of all patients and 6 patients with IA after 7 day treatment were used for GM detection.

[Evaluation of the galactomannan assay for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis in an animal model].

Objective: To assess the value of Aspergillus galactomannan (GM) double-direct sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA).

Methods: Ninety adult SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, including 4 groups of pulmonary infection by Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus), Candida albicans, mucor, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, respectively, and a colonization group by A.

[The diagnostic value of detecting plasma 1, 3-beta-D-glucan for invasive fungal infections].

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of the detection of plasma 1, 3-beta-D-glucan for invasive fungal infections (IFI).

Methods: Plasma of patients with IFI, bacterial pneumonia, and oral pharyngeal fungal colonization, and healthy controls were collected from January 2005 to February 2006 in Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command of PLA. G-test was used to measure the concentration of 1, 3-beta-D-glucan in the plasma.

[The effects of rhG-CSF and rhSCF on peripheral blood leukocytes and CFU-GM in rhesus monkeys].

To evaluate the effects of rhG-CSF and rhSCF on mobilization of the peripheral blood stem cells, 15 monkeys were divided into control, rhG-CSF 10 micro g/(kg x day) and rhG-CSF 10 micro g/(kg x day) + rhSCF 50 micro g/(kg x day) treated groups. Monkeys were administered with vehicle, rhG-CSF and rhG-CSF + rhSCF subcutaneously once daily for 14 days, respectively. The results showed that the highest counts of leukocyte of rhG-CSF treated group were 411% of baseline value on day 7 after administration, compared with that of rhG-CSF + rhSCF treated group which were 538% on day 9.