β-Elemonic acid inhibits the cell proliferation of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells: The role of MAPK, ROS activation and glutathione depletion.

β-elemonic acid, a known triterpene, exhibits anti-inflammatory effects, yet research on the pharmacological effects of β-elemonic acid is rare. We investigated the anticancer effects and the related molecular mechanisms of β-elemonic acid on human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549 cells. The effects of β-elemonic acid on the growth of A549 cells were studied using a 3-(4,5)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.

GATA-2 transduces LPS-induced il-1β gene expression in macrophages via a toll-like receptor 4/MD88/MAPK-dependent mechanism.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a critical factor for inducing acute lung injury. GATA-2, a transcription factor, contributes to the control of cell activity and function. Exposure of RAW 264.

Lipopolysaccharide stimulates syntheses of toll-like receptor 2 and surfactant protein-A in human alveolar epithelial A549 cells through upregulating phosphorylation of MEK1 and ERK1/2 and sequential activation of NF-κB.

Surfactant proteins (SPs) and toll-like receptors (TLRs) contribute to regulation of sepsis-induced acute lung injury. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is one of the major causes of septic shock. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of LPS on the regulation of tlr-2 and sp-a gene expression in human alveolar epithelial A549 cells and the possible mechanisms.

Pneumatocele formation in adult pulmonary tuberculosis during antituberculous chemotherapy: a case report.

Introduction: Pulmonary pneumatoceles are thin-walled, air-filled cysts that develop within the lung. Most often, they occur as a sequela to acute pneumonia, commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus, and are found more frequently in infants and young children. Adult tuberculous pulmonary pneumatoceles are seldom reported.

High-resolution computed tomography illustrating pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis in a patient with advanced pancreatic cancer: a case report.

We present a case of advanced pancreatic cancer with diffuse pulmonary interstitial infiltrates and dyspnea in a 61-year-old Asian Taiwanese female. Although surgical lung biopsy is the diagnostic gold standard in most interstitial lung disease, it frequently leads to complications in sick patients. Based on the overall clinico-radiologic correlation, a diagnosis of pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis was supported by the characteristic findings in high-resolution computed tomography.

Lipopolysaccharide triggers macrophage activation of inflammatory cytokine expression, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and oxidative ability via a toll-like receptor 4-dependent pathway: validated by RNA interference.

RNA interference has been extensively used to knock-down the translation of certain genes. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) produced by macrophages can be activated in response to endotoxin stimulation. This study used the RNA interference technique to evaluate the roles of TLR4 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated activation of macrophages from the aspects of cytokine production, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and oxidative ability.

A 70-year-old male having advanced prostate cancer presenting with hypercalcemia and diffuse osteoblastic bone metastases: a case report.

Background: Bony metastases were occasionally the initial presentations of malignancy. Overlooking of bony changes on radiographs in cancer patients with non-specific clinical symptoms may lead to delayed diagnosis.

Case Presentation: We presented a 70-year-old male having hypercalcemia and diffuse osteoblastic bone metastases on routine plain films.

Cardiac troponin I levels are a risk factor for mortality and multiple organ failure in noncardiac critically ill patients and have an additive effect to the APACHE II score in outcome prediction.

Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a specific marker of myocardial damage used in the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Recent studies have shown that cTnI levels can also be elevated in patients without ACS, such as in sepsis and trauma patients, and that this is associated with an adverse prognosis. We have evaluated the clinical implications and prognostic significance of serum cTnI levels in noncardiac critically ill patients in a prospective observational study in a general medical intensive care unit at a tertiary-level hospital.

Mature mediastinal teratoma: sonographic imaging patterns and pathologic correlation.

Objective: To characterize the sonographic patterns of teratomas located within the mediastinum and to correlate them with pathologic findings, because there have been few reports concerning the application of sonography in the diagnosis of mediastinal teratoma.

Methods: Over a 9-year period, we carried out an image analysis of the sonographic findings of 28 mediastinal teratomas whose diagnoses were proved surgically.

Results: Sonography showed that 18 patients had a complex mass of heterogeneous echogenicity, including regional bright echoes (n = 12), acoustic shadows (n = 8), hyperechoic lines and dots (n = 7), soft tissue septa (n = 9), dermoid plugs (n = 6), and hypoechoic areas (n = 11).