Silencing a disintegrin and metalloproteinase‑33 attenuates the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells via PI3K/AKT pathway: Implications in the pathogenesis of airway vascular remodeling.

Accumulating evidence suggests that pulmonary expression of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase‑33 (ADAM33) serves a key role in the pathogenesis of airway remodeling‑related diseases, including asthma. Airway vascular proliferation has been recognized as a key feature of airway remodeling. Our previous study showed that ADAM33 is constitutively expressed in airway vascular smooth muscle cells in patients with asthma, suggesting a potential role of ADAM33 in regulating airway vascular remodeling.

Treatment adherence among sputum smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Xinjiang, China: a prospective study.

Background: Despite great effort to control tuberculosis (TB), low treatment adherence threatens the success of drug therapy, increases the risk of TB transmission, and leads to the development of drug resistance. The present study assessed anti-TB treatment adherence in sputum smear-positive TB patients and examined the risk factors for poor patient adherence to identify targets for intervention.

Methods: We monitored and followed up TB patients who were diagnosed between July 2014 and June 2015 in Xinjiang, China.