Holomorphology and neotype designation of Microperla retroloba (Wu, 1937).

Microperla retroloba (Wu, 1937) is a poorly described species from Gansu Province of China and the types of which were apparently lost. Herein, a neotype of M. retroloba is designated based on new material from Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region adjacent to Gansu Province.

Effect of PPARγ agonist (rosiglitazone) on the secretion of Th2 cytokine in asthma mice.

Objective: To explore the effect of PPARγ agonist (rosiglitazone) on the secretion of Th2 cytokines and the proportion of immune cell subsets in asthma mice.

Methods: Ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice were used to build asthma models. Those mice were divided into the normal control group, model group and rosiglitazone group.

Anti-inflammatory role of microRNA let-7c in LPS treated alveolar macrophages by targeting STAT3.

Objective: To explore the expression of microRNA (miRNA) let-7c and its function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and alveolar macrophage cells.

Methods: Real time PCR was performed to detect the expression of miRNA let-7c in the lung tissue of COPD patients and COPD model in mice. MiRNA let-7c was overexpressed in alveolar macrophages isolated from mice and its effect was measured by the production of pro-inflammation cytokines and the protein level of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) as well as phosphorylation level of STAT3 after LPS stimulation.