Profiles and predictive value of cytokines in children with human metapneumovirus pneumonia.

Background: Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is an important cause of respiratory tract infections in young children. Early innate immune response to HMPV is focused on induction of antiviral interferons (IFNs) and other pro-inflammatory cytokines that are critical for the formation of adaptive immune responses. To evaluate the predictive value of Th1/Th2 cytokines which include IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, INF-γ and TNF-α in pneumonia caused by HMPV.

Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms in Chinese Children with Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome.

Background: Cytokines play a role in the progression of idiopathic-nephrotic syndrome (INS).

Objectives: To investigate the association of different cytokine genes polymorphisms with INS incidence and response to steroid therapy in Chinese children.

Methods: 182 children with INS and 100 healthy controls were enrolled in this study.

Hepatitis B virus X protein stimulates IL-6 expression in hepatocytes via a MyD88-dependent pathway.

Background & Aims: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein (HBx) has been implicated in HBV-associated carcinogenesis by activating signal transduction pathways and influencing gene transcription in liver cells. We aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms for HBx-induced production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), one of the major inflammatory mediators that stimulate hepatocellular carcinoma development.

Methods: HBx was overexpressed in hepatic and hepatoma cell lines and IL-6 expression levels were measured by quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA.

[Role of HBx in hepatocellular carcinoma development].

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in China, which is mainly caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The X gene product (HBx) of HBV has extensive trans-activating functions. HBx affects the signal transduction, apoptotic cell death and cell cycle through interaction with variety intracellular proteins in infected hepatocytes.

[Effects of xinshuai mistura on plasma angiotensin II, atrial natriuretic peptide and N terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in patients with heart failure].

Objective: To observe the effects of Xinshuai Mistura (XM) on plasma angiotensin II (Ang II), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and N terminal pro- brain natriuretic peptide (Nt-proBNP) in patients with heart failure (HF).

Methods: Fifty-nine patients with HF (NYHA class II-IV) were randomly divided into two groups, the treated group treated with XM and the control group with Wuling Pulvis (WP), both on the base of captopril treatment. The treatment course was two weeks.