Ganoderma modulates allergic asthma pathologic features via anti-inflammatory effects.

Ganoderma, a fungal genus, is a traditional medicine with immuno-modulating effects. Asthma is an inflammatory disease of airways, and the main trigger of asthma is allergic inflammation. In this study, the effects of Ganoderma (an anti-inflammatory agent) given via oral administration (G/O) or intraperitoneal injection (G/IP) on asthma was evaluated.

Sfrp5/Wnt5a and leptin/adiponectin levels in the serum and the periarterial adipose tissue of patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

Background: Leptin, adiponectin, secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (Sfrp5) and wingless-type family member 5a (Wnt5a) are novel adipokines that are involved in insulin sensitivity and atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the serum and periarterial adipose tissue leptin/adiponectin and Sfrp5/Wnt5a levels in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD).

Methods: A total of 75 patients with PAOD and 39 control subjects were recruited.

Paradoxical carbon dioxide embolism during laparoscopic surgery without intracardiac right-to-left shunt: two case reports and a brief review of the literature.

We herein report two cases of paradoxical carbon dioxide (CO) embolism during laparoscopic nephrectomy and hepatic left lateral lobectomy without evidence of a right-to-left shunt or obvious rupture of blood vessels. Transesophageal echocardiography detected paradoxical CO embolism before the end-tidal CO partial pressure (PCO) dropped from baseline. The pneumoperitoneum was reduced or stopped immediately after detection of the embolism.

Microcirculation function assessed by adenosine triphosphate stress myocardial contrast echocardiography and prognosis in patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease.

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated that coronary microcirculation dysfunction (CMVD) is closely correlated with adverse clinical outcomes. In this study, quantitative stress myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) was used to evaluate the CMVD and to investigate its association with the prognosis of patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).

Material And Methods: From 2006 to 2014, 227 consecutive patients with chest pain and a diagnostic coronary angiography without significant coronary artery stenosis (<50%) who underwent adenosine triphosphate disodium (ATP) stress MCE were enrolled.

Combined myocardial deformation to predict cardiac resynchronization therapy response in nonischemic cardiomyopathy.

Background: 20-30% of patients do not benefit from cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) when the established selection criteria were applied. We hypothesized that a combined assessment of mechanical dyssynchrony, myocardial deformation, and diastolic function would identify patients who would benefit most from CRT.

Method: In 36 CRT patients, clinical evaluation and echocardiography were performed before and after CRT.

Smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Chinese population: a meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: In recent years, some epidemiological surveys of risk factors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been done in some regions of China, but the relevance is shown different in these surveys. A meta-analysis was undertaken to assess the relationship between smoking and COPD in Chinese population.

Methods: Twenty-four papers were included in our study.