[Levels of nerve growth factor and interleukin-4 in the induced sputum of children with cough variant asthma].

Objective: To examine the levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in the induced sputum of children with cough variant asthma (CVA), with the aim of studying the roles of NGF and IL-4 in childhood CVA.

Methods: Thirty-four children with CVA were enrolled in this study. Twenty healthy children were used as a normal control group.

Functional roles of mannose-binding protein in the adhesion, cytotoxicity and phagocytosis of Acanthamoeba castellanii.

Acanthamoeba castellanii is a single-celled protozoan that is widely distributed in the environment and is a well-known of causing human keratitis, a vision-threatening infection. In this study, an ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) and a selection of saccharide were applied to A. castellanii by chemical mutagenesis.

[Effects of diesel exhaust particles inhalation on immediate reaction in asthma rats].

Objective: The role of air pollution on asthma can not be ignored, diesel exhaust particles (DEP) in the air is one of the most important pollutants. This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of DEP inhaled on immediate reaction in the asthma rats.

Method: Sixty male Wistar rats of "Clean" grade, 6 - 7 week-old, with an average weight of (140 +/- 20) g were used in this study.