[Effect of selective phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors on nuclear factor kappa B, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-8 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in rheumatoid arthritis with interstitial lung disease].

Objective: To investigate the effect of selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4 inhibitors on nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) secreted by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis with interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD).

Methods: PBMCs isolated from 15 healthy volunteers (group A) and 20 patients with untreated active RA-ILD (group B) were cultured in vitro. PBMCs from healthy subjects were considered as normal control.

[Effects of leukotriene receptor antagonists on vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in a sensitized rat model].

Objective: To investigate the effect of montelukast (MK) on airway inflammation and remodeling in asthmatic rats, and to explore the regulating role of MK on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors.

Methods: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, a control group (n = 8), an asthmatic group (n = 8) and a MK treated group (n = 8). The rats were sensitized with ovalbumin and AL (OH3), and repeatedly exposed to aerosolized ovalbumin.

[The effect of controlled mechanical ventilation on the diaphragm of rats].

Objective: To investigate the effect of controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV) on the diaphragm of rats, and therefore to understand the theoretic basis of difficulty weaning due to dysfunction and morphology in diaphragm induced by inappropriate mechanical ventilation.

Methods: Twenty-four adult male SD rats were randomly assigned into 3 experimental groups: a control group, a 18 h CMV group, and a 24 h CMV group. Trans-diaphragmatic pressure (Pdi), maximal trans-diaphragmatic pressure (Pdimax), diaphragm electromyogram (EMGdi), and diaphragm muscle force were measured during CMV at various stimulation frequencies.

[Changes of the platelet function and serum anticardiolipin antibody in patients with pulmonary thromboembolism].

Objective: To explore the changes of the platelet function and serum anticardiolipin antibody (ACA) in patients with pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE).

Methods: Forty-eight patients with PTE diagnosed by spiral computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) were included as the trial group, while 20 person in which PTE was excluded served as the control group. P-selectin, and GPIIb/IIIa expressed on platelets were measured by flow cytometry, and plasma TXB(2), 6-Keto-PGF1alpha, vWF, D-dimer and serum ACA were measured by ELISA and the changes of these parameters were compared 1 week later.

[Study on hemodynamic changes and cardiac troponin I level in pig model of acute experimental pulmonary embolism].

Objective: To evaluate the hemodynamic effects and cardiac troponin I (cTn I), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), myoglobin (Mb) releasing kinetics of acute experimental pulmonary embolism of pigs.

Methods: Sixteen juvenile pigs, of either gender and weighing 30 to 40 kg were studied, 8 in the embolism group and 8 in the control group. The 8 embolism animals received 0.

[Detection of thromboxane B2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha and anticardiolipin antibody in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome].

Objective: To observe the changes of thromboxane B(2) (TXB(2)), 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha (6-K-PGF1alpha) and anticardiolipin antibody (ACA) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) before and after institution of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP).

Methods: Sixty cases of OSAHS confirmed by polysomnography (PSG) were selected as the trial group, and 20 normal donors without OSAHS were recruited as the control group. Nineteen patients with severe OSAHS were treated by nCPAP.