Nanomaterial-based electrochemical biosensors as tools for detecting the tumor biomarker miR-21.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding RNA transcripts with myriad physiologically important regulatory roles in the human body. These miRNAs have also recently emerged as promising biomarkers for the diagnosis of particular cancers. Conventional miRNA detection strategies, however, are characterized by many limitations.

Emerging electrochemical biosensors for lung cancer-associated protein biomarker and miRNA detection.

Lung cancer remains a major driver of global morbidity and mortality, and diagnosing lung tumors early in their development is vital to maximizing treatment efficacy and patient survival. Several biomarkers, including CYFRA 21-1, NSE, ProGRP, CEA, and miRNA, have been identified as reliable indicators for early lung cancer detection and monitoring treatment progress. However, the minute changes in the levels of these biomarkers during the early stages of disease necessitate advanced detection platforms.

[Research progress in biosensors for adiponectin].

Adiponectin, a cytokine associated with adipose tissue, is a recently defined adipocytokine involved in insulin, glucose, and adipocyte metabolism. Reduced adiponectin levels can increase the risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MS). Adiponectin is considered an important target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and MS due to its anti-atherosclerotic and insulin-sensitizing effects.

Body mass index affects spirometry indices in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.

Body mass index (BMI) is known to affect the outcomes of spirometry indices. However, its association with spirometry indices in COPD and asthma is less studied. We aimed to explore the impact of BMI on these patients.

Response of upper and lower airway inflammation to bronchial challenge with house dust mite in Chinese asthmatics: a pilot study.

Background: Allergen nasal challenge can induce increase of eosinophils in sputum, but report about eosinophilic inflammation in upper airway after allergen bronchial challenge in Chinese asthmatics was rare. The article aims to evaluate response of upper and lower airways to house dust mite (HDM) allergen bronchial challenge.

Methods: HDM allergen bronchial challenge was carried out in asthmatic patients with allergic rhinitis (AR).

FEF% Is a More Sensitive Measure Reflecting Airway Dysfunction in Patients with Asthma: A Comparison Study Using FEF% and FEV.

Background: Reduced forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity percent predicted (FEF%) representing small airway dysfunction (SAD) was associated with asthma development and progression.

Objective: To investigate whether FEF% was superior to forced expiratory volume in 1 second in predicted (FEV%) in reflecting asthma features in adult patients.

Methods: A retrospective spirometry dataset comprising 1801 adult patients with confirmed asthma and a subgroup of 332 patients having detailed clinical data were used to explore the association of FEF% and/or FEV% with clinical features of asthma.

Two-minute tidal breathing methacholine bronchial challenge: Comparison of two jet nebulisers.

Background: The American Thoracic Society (ATS) guideline for methacholine challenge testing (MCT) recommended using the English Wright (EW) nebuliser. However, other brands of nebulisers are also indicated to be acceptable for this technique, but further validation of nebuliser performance is recommended.

Objective: To compare the methacholine provocation concentration causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (PC -FEV ) measured by using EW nebuliser and DV 646 nebuliser.

Correction: Mutation spectrums of TSC1 and TSC2 in Chinese women with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM).

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Mutation spectrums of TSC1 and TSC2 in Chinese women with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM).

The aim of our study was to elucidate the landscapes of genetic alterations of TSC1 and TSC2 as well as other possible non-TSC1/2 in Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) patients. Sixty-one Chinese LAM patients' clinical information was collected. Tumor biopsies and matched leukocytes from these patients were retrospectively analyzed by next generation sequencing (NGS), chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA).

Methacholine bronchial provocation test for assessment of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in preschool children.

Background: Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) has not been extensively performed in preschool children, possibly because of the difficulty in cooperating with the tests. We sought to determine the usefulness and safety of methacholine bronchial provocation test (MCh-BPT) for BHR assessment in preschool children.

Methods: We recruited 252 preschool children (190 healthy and 62 with wheezing) who underwent MCh-BPT at baseline.

Correlation between upper and lower airway inflammations in patients with combined allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome: A comparison of patients initially presenting with allergic rhinitis and those initially presenting with asthma.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma often coexist. The terminology combined allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome (CARAS) was introduced to describe patients with combined AR and asthma. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between eosinophilic inflammation in the upper and lower airways of patients with CARAS.

Adenosine monophosphate is not superior to histamine for bronchial provocation test for assessment of asthma control and symptoms.

Background: Adenosine monophosphate (AMP) may reflect airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness, but relationship between AMP and histamine (His, a conventional stimulus) bronchial provocation test (BPT) in asthma is not fully elucidated.

Objectives: To compare both BPTs and determine their utility in reflecting changes of asthmatic symptoms.

Methods: BPTs were performed in a cross-over fashion, at 2-4 day intervals.

Response--dose ratio is a surrogate of cumulative provocative dosage for bronchial provocation tests in asthma.

Background: Response-dose ratio (RDR) and cumulative provocative dosage (PD) are useful indices reflecting airway responsiveness in asthma.

Objectives: To compare the diagnostic value of RDR and PD, by conducting leukotriene D4 (LTD4-BPT) and methacholine bronchial provocation test (MCh-BPT), in different asthma control levels.

Methods: Healthy subjects and asthmatic patients underwent LTD4-BPT and MCh-BPT, at 2-14-day interval.

Leukotriene D4 inhalation challenge for predicting short-term efficacy of montelukast: a pilot study.

Introduction: The convenient measure to predict efficacy of leukotriene receptor antagonist is lacking.

Objectives: To determine if leukotriene D4 inhalation challenge predicts short-term efficacy of montelukast in asthma.

Methods: In this open-labelled 28-day trial, 45 patients with asthma were allocated to leukotriene-sensitive and leukotriene-insensitive group to receive montelukast monotherapy (10 mg, once daily) based on the positive threshold of leukotriene D4 inhalation challenge test (4.

[Single-breath and rebreathing methods for measurement of pulmonary diffusing function: a comparative study].

Objective: To compare the difference of pulmonary diffusing capacity measured by single-breath (SB) and re-breathing (RB) in normal subjects, patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: We enrolled a cohort of subjects from the Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease between September 2011 and February 2012: control group 29 (male 9, female 20, 42-74 y), ILD group 32 (male 15, female 17, 41-72 y), COPD group 32 (male 28, female 4, 40-75 y). All subjects underwent pulmonary diffusing capacity test using SB or RB method according to random figures order list.

Vibration response imaging in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a pilot study.

Background: Vibration response imaging (VRI) is a novel imaging technique and little is known about its characteristics and diagnostic value in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The aim of this study was to investigate the features of VRI in subjects with IPF.

Methods: We enrolled 23 subjects with IPF (42-74 y old) and 28 healthy subjects (42-72 y old).

What is the difference between FEV1 change in percentage predicted value and change over baseline in the assessment of bronchodilator responsiveness in patients with COPD?

Background: Several criteria are clinically applied in the assessment of significant bronchodilator responsiveness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The present study aimed to investigate the differences in various degree of severity of COPD among these criteria.

Methods: After 400 micrograms of salbutamol administered via spacer by metered dose inhaler (MDI), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) changes (including percentage change, absolute change and absolute change in percentage predicted value) were retrospectively analysed in 933 stable patients with mild-to-very-severe COPD.

Responsiveness to leukotriene D4 and methacholine for predicting efficacy of montelukast in asthma.

A lower responsiveness to leukotriene D4 (LTD4) or higher LTD4/[methacholine (MCh)] potency ratio might suggest preferable outcomes of short-term montelukast monotherapy in terms of airway inflammation and lung function in asthmatic patients.

Leukotriene D4 and methacholine bronchial provocation tests for identifying leukotriene-responsiveness subtypes.

Background: Both leukotriene D(4) (LTD(4)) and methacholine bronchial provocation tests are measurements of airway responsiveness; however, their correlation and distinction remain unexplored.

Objectives: We sought to compare the 2 tests and classify leukotriene-responsiveness subtypes in asthmatic patients.

Methods: In this randomized cross-over study we enrolled healthy subjects and asthmatic patients with different control statuses.

Leukotriene D4 bronchial provocation test: methodology and diagnostic value.

Background: Although leukotriene D4 (LTD4) is a potent bronchoconstrictor, little is known about airway responsiveness to LTD4 in asthmatics with different inflammation phenotypes.

Objectives: To establish the methodology and investigate the distribution characters of airway responsiveness, diagnostic value and safety of LTD4 bronchial provocation test.

Methods: LTD4 bronchial provocation tests were performed in 62 asthmatics and 21 normal controls.

[Investigation on quality of spirometry in 36 large hospitals in China].

Objective: To assess the current status of quality control of spirometry reports in China.

Methods: Spirometry case reports from January 2008 to October 2008 were collected from pulmonary function testing laboratories in 36 large hospitals (provincial or municipal) in China. The quality analysis was performed according to ATS/ERS standardization for measurement of spirometry.

[Peak inspiratory flow generated through different analogue dry powder inhalers in Shenzhen healthy preschool children].

Objective: Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are increasingly being used to deliver drugs for the treatment of asthma. It is known that DPIs require a crucial minimal inspiratory flow. Previous studies have demonstrated that the peak inspiratory flow (PIF, L/min) through a DPI is dependent on the type of device, the age of the patient, and the level of bronchial obstruction.

[Comparison of high-intensity and anaerobic threshold programs in rehabilitation for patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Objective: To compare two training programs in rehabilitation for patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: Of the 54 patients who entered the study, 41 completed the rehabilitation program. Thirty-two COPD patients were randomly assigned to either the anaerobic threshold group (AT, n = 15) or the high-intensity group (HI, n = 17).

[Evaluation of correlation between pulmonary function testing and high resolution computed tomography in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis].

Objective: Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare respiratory disorder featured by lipoproteinaceous material accumulation within alveoli. Pulmonary function testing (PFT) and quantitative high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) are used in evaluation of the severity, development and treatment effects of PAP.

Methods: Seventeen patients (10 males, 7 females), aged from 15 to 51 years old, with PAP histopathologically proven by positive periodic acid Schiff reaction were studied in our institute from 2004 to 2007.

Absence of relationships between tuberculin responses and development of adult asthma with rhinitis and atopy.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between tuberculin skin responses and the development of adult asthma, rhinitis, and atopy.

Methods: Two hundred fourteen patients with mild-to-moderate asthma accompanied with rhinitis and 220 normal volunteers underwent a medical history, chest radiography, allergen skin-prick testing (SPT), bovine Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccine (BCG) scar identification, purified protein derivative (PPD) tuberculin skin testing, serum-total and serum-specific IgE measurements, and bronchial provocation (provocative dose of histamine causing a 20% fall in FEV(1) [PD(20)]).

Results: Thirty-one normal volunteers (14.