Neutralization of TSLP inhibits airway remodeling in a murine model of allergic asthma induced by chronic exposure to house dust mite.

Chronic allergic asthma is characterized by Th2-typed inflammation, and contributes to airway remodeling and the deterioration of lung function. However, the initiating factor that links airway inflammation to remodeling is unknown. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), an epithelium-derived cytokine, can strongly activate lung dendritic cells (DCs) through the TSLP-TSLPR and OX40L-OX40 signaling pathways to promote Th2 differentiation.

[Significance of changes of T lymphocytes subsets in children with infectious mononucleosis and the effects of different interventions].

Objective: To investigate changes of T lymphocytes subsets in children with infectious mononucleosis (IM) and the effects of different interventions.

Methods: Forty-eight children with IM were enrolled, 28 cases were assigned to the group treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) 400 mg/(kg x d) for 5 continuous days or IVIG 1 g/(kg x d) for 2 continuous days, the remaining 20 cases were treated with ganciclovir (GCV) 5-10 mg/(kg x d) for 5 consecutive days. All these children were given general supportive therapies.

[The role of serum leptin in infants with wheezing after respiratory syncytial virus infected].

Objective: To determine the role of serum leptin in infants with wheezing after respiratory syncytial virus infected.

Methods: 43 infants infected with RSV were given blood samples to detect leptin concentration with radioimmunoassays (RIA) within 24 hours after admission into hospital, discharged and 12 weeks later. Then, they were followed up for 2 years.

[Effects of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen-specific immunotherapy on the prognosis of asthmatic children].

Objective: To investigate the effects of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) on the prognosis of asthmatic children.

Methods: Sixty-five children with established diagnosis of allergic asthma to dust mite were enrolled in this study, of whom 42 children received treatment with standardized SIT for 12 month and the other 23 served as the control group with inhaled corticosteroids according to Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). The serum levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were detected and the pulmonary functions examined before and after the one-year treatment in all the patients.

Effects of dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen-specific immunotherapy on the serum interleukin-13 and pulmonary functions in asthmatic children.

Background: Airway remodeling is the specific pathological characteristics of asthma, which is related to the clinical symptoms, pulmonary function, and airway hyperreactivity. This study aimed at exploring the effects of dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) on the serum interleukin (IL)-13 and pulmonary functions in asthmatic children.

Methods: Fifty-eight pediatric asthma patients allergic to dust mite participated in this study.

[Efficacy of pulmicort suspension plus salbutamol and ipratropium bromide for management of acute asthma exacerbation in children: a comparative study].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of 3 commonly used protocols for management of acute exacerbation of asthma in children.

Methods: Totally 113 asthmatic children were randomized into 3 groups. In group A (53 cases), the children were treated with inhalation of nebulized budesonide suspension plus salbutamol and ipratropium bromide twice daily for 5 days; in group B (41 cases), budesonide plus salbutamol and ipratropium aerosol was administered, and in group C (29 cases), dexathmisone plus aminophylline injection was given once daily for 5 days.

[Detection of serum Th1 and Th2 cytokines and its significance in neonates with cytomegalovirus pneumonia].

Objective: To investigate changes in the levels of Th2 cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4), Th1 cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and TNF-alpha in serum of newborn infants with cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonia.

Methods: Twenty-five neonatal cases who were positive for serum IgM antibody to CMV by ELISA were divided into IVIG intervention group and ganciclovir intervention group, and 15 healthy neonates were enrolled into the control group. The levels of IL-4, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha were detected by using double antibody ELISA for the control group and the intervention groups at the beginning and end of treatment.

[Effects of BCG-PSN injection on immune and lung function of asthmatic children complicated with allergic rhinitis].

Objective: To investigate the effect of polysaccharide nucleic acid of BCG (BCG-PSN) injection on immune and pulmonary function in asthmatic children complicated with allergic rhinitis.

Methods: Thirty-seven cases were separated at random into two groups, the BCG-PSN group (17 cases) was treated with BCG-PSN plus inhaled glucocortisteriods, and the control group (20 cases) was treated with inhaled glucocortisteriods only. The children in both groups were followed up for 6 months to record their lung function, allergic rhinitis scores, frequency of asthmatic attacks and respiratory infection.

[Immunoregulants improves the prognosis of infants with wheezing].

Objective: To assess the value of immunoregulants in improving the prognosis of infants with wheezing.

Methods: Forty-three infants with wheezing with given oxygen support, injection or inhalation of glucocorticosteroids or bronchodilatator to relieve the symptoms. Of these infants, 24 received immunoregulant treatment with bronchovaxom at the daily dose of 3.

[Effect of leukotriene receptor antagonist on the levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in sera of infants with respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia].

Objective: To investigate the effects of leukotriene receptor antagonist on the levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines and the serum cysteinyl leukotrenes (CysLTs) in infants and young children with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) pneumonia.

Methods: Thirty-seven infants and young children with RSV pneumonia were divided into two groups after discharge. The cases in group 1 (n=24) were treated with a leukotriene receptor antagonist, Singulair 4 mg once daily for 12 weeks; the cases in group 2 (n=13) were treated with budesonide aerosol 200 ug once or twice daily for 12 weeks.

[Correlation of reticular basement membrane thickness and airway wall remolding in asthma patients].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between the reticular basement membrane thickness and the airway wall remolding in asthma patients.

Methods: Lung tissues were obtained from 5 patients who died from asthma, 3 males and 2 females, aged 45 +/- 16 (fatal asthma group), 5 asthmatics who died of diseases unrelated to asthma, 3 males and 2 females, aged 47 +/- 13, (non-fatal asthma group), and 5 dead patients without asthma, 3 males and 2 females, aged 24 +/- 14 (control group) to select 41, 38, and 43 transverse sections of tracheae respectively. The samples of tracheae were divided into cartilaginous and membranous airways by light microscopy (x100).

[Clinical investigation on the treatment of HCMV hepatitis in children].

Objective: To investigate the effective therapeutic method of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) hepatitis in children.

Methods: Twenty-five children with HCMV hepatitis were randomly assigned to a treated group (n=13) or a control group (n=12). Both groups were treated with prednisone, glucurone, luminal and Xiaoyanlidanpian.