Pulmonary coccidioidomycosis in China: Case reports and literature review.

Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection commonly found in the tropical regions of southwestern United States, such as Arizona, the Central Valley of California, parts of New Mexico, and western Texas. The endemic regions also extend into northern Mexico and include focal endemic areas in sections of Central America and Argentina. Coccidioides species have also been reported in central and southern Utah, Nevada, and the central part of Washington State.

Associations between abnormal vitamin D metabolism pathway function and non-small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer is a type of malignant tumor derived from the respiratory system, which is the leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide, of which ~80% of cases are attributable to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A previous study demonstrated that 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D (1α,25(OH)D), derived from the vitamin D metabolic pathway contributes an antitumor effect. Aberrant expression of the essential enzyme encoding genes, Cytochrome P450 Family 27 Subfamily A Member 1 (), Cytochrome P450 Family 27 Subfamily B Member 1 (), and Cytochrome P450 Family 24 Subfamily A Member 1 () may be associated with lung cancer.

Effects of continuous positive airway pressure therapy on systemic inflammation in obstructive sleep apnea: a meta-analysis.

Objectives: Our meta-analysis was performed to estimate the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on systemic inflammation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed and EMBASE was performed for literature published up to January 2013. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated to estimate the treatment effects of pre- and post-CPAP therapy.

Association between C-reactive protein and risk of cancer: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.

Background: Associations between elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and cancer risk have been reported for many years, but the results from prospective cohort studies remains controversial. A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies was therefore conducted to address this issue.

Methods: Eligible studies were identified by searching the PubMed and EMBASE up to October 2012.

[Change of IL-22R1 expression in human airway smooth muscle cells in response to different stimulating agents].

Objective: To explore the effects of serum of asthmatic patients, dexamethasone, interleukin-4 (IL-4), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) on the expression of interleukin-22 receptor 1 (IL-22R1) mRNA and protein in HASMCs in vitro.

Methods: IL-22R1 mRNA and protein expressions in HASMCs treated with different stimulating agents were measured by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively.

Results: IL-22R1 mRNA and protein expressions in HASMCs were significantly increased after stimulation by serum from asthmatic patients, but decreased after co-stimulation with dexamethasone.

[Liver X receptor agonist T0901317 inhibits TGF-β1-induced α-SMA expression in normal human lung fibroblasts].

Objective: To investigate the effect of liver X receptor agonist T0901317 on transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in normal human lung fibroblasts.

Methods: Primary normal human lung fibroblast isolated from the lung specimens of lung cancer patients by explant culture technique were identified with immunostaining for vimentin and keratin. The cells in passages 4 to 10 were treated with T0901317 and/or TGF-β1, and RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay were used to detect α-SMA expression in the fibroblasts.

[Rho-kinase signaling pathway participates in endothelin-1-induced human airway smooth muscle cell migration and cytoskeletal reorganization].

Objective: To investigate the role of Rho-kinase signaling pathway in human airway smooth muscle cell (ASMCs) migration and cytoskeletal reorganization induced by endothelin-1 (ET-1).

Methods: Primary cultured human ASMCs obtained by tracheal explant culture method were examined for cell migration in response to ET-1 treatment using modified Boyden chambers. The changes in actin cytoskeletal reorganization were observed under confocal laser scanning microscope, and the phosphorylation of myosin-phosphatase target 1 (p-MYPT1) was examined using Western blot analysis.

[Shikonin inhibits the proliferation of human airway smooth muscle cells].

Objective: To study the inhibitory effect of shikonin on the proliferation of human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) in vitro.

Methods: HASMCs from the trachea were obtained by primary culture of the tissue explants and adherent culture. The HASMCs were exposed to shikonin at 0 (control group), 0.