Combined effect of ozone and household air pollution on COPD in people aged less than 50 years old.

Objectives: Air pollution has been suggested as an important risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, evidence of interactive effects on COPD between different factors was sparse, especially for young adults. We aimed to assess the combined effects of ambient ozone (O) and household air pollution on COPD in young individuals.

Methods: We conducted a population-based study of residents aged 15-50 years in the low-income and middle-income regions of western China.

Ambient particulate matter associates with asthma in high altitude region: A population-based study.

Background: Exposure to particulate matter (PM) has been a major public health threat, but the potentially differential effects on asthma of PM remain largely unknown in high altitude settings. We evaluated the effects of ambient PM on asthma in high altitude settings.

Methods: The study recruited a representative sample from high altitude settings using a multistage stratified sampling procedure.

Airflow obstruction and small airway dysfunction following pulmonary tuberculosis: a cross-sectional survey.

Objectives: Pulmonary function impairment and chronic respiratory symptoms after tuberculosis are relatively common in low-income and middle-income countries. We aimed to estimate the impact of post-tuberculosis (post-TB) on pulmonary function.

Methods: This large cross-sectional, population-based study included subjects aged 15 years or older with technically acceptable postbronchodilator spirometry measurements.

Solid Fuel Exposure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Never-Smokers.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a public health challenge globally. The burden of COPD is high in never-smokers but little is known about its causes. We aimed to find the prevalence and correlates of COPD in never-smokers, with a special focus on solid fuel exposure.

Systemic lupus erythematosus combined with primary hyperfibrinolysis and protein C and protein S deficiency: A case report.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by systemic involvement and multiple autoantibodies in the serum. Patients with protein C (PC) and protein S (PS) deficiency are prone to thrombosis. In contrast, patients with primary hyperfibrino-lysis tend to bleed.

Phylogenetic signals in pest abundance and distribution range of spider mites.

Background: Attributes of pest species like host range are frequently reported as being evolutionarily constrained and showing phylogenetic signal. Because these attributes in turn could influence the abundance and impact of species, phylogenetic information could be useful in predicting the likely status of pests. In this study, we used regional (China) and global datasets to investigate phylogenetic patterns in occurrence patterns and host ranges of spider mites, which constitute a pest group of many cropping systems worldwide.

Comparison of the effects of different growth standards on infants in Urban Shanghai: a cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Background: The Shanghai growth standards are higher than World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards, which may influence the feeding practices of the caregivers and increase the risk of overweight in these infants. This study aimed to compare the effects of different growth standards on childhood obesity in Shanghai metropolitan area.

Methods: This was a cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in 2 downtown areas with 19 community health service centers in Shanghai from November 2013 to December 2015.

Intraspecific mitochondrial genome comparison identified CYTB as a high-resolution population marker in a new pest Athetis lepigone.

A new outbreak pest, Athetis lepigone (Möschler) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), has caused severe economic loss in maize crops in China. In order to conduct population genetics study with a more polymorphic and scientific mitochondrial marker, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes of 13 different A. lepigone individuals.

Antimicrobial peptide LL-37 circulating levels in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with high risk of frequent exacerbations.

Background: Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increase the decline in lung function, deterioration in health status and risk of death. The assessment of exacerbation risk is important in the grading of COPD. The most common cause of COPD exacerbation is respiratory tract infection.

[The analysis of adverse health effects of occupational hazards factors in one solid waste landfill].

Objective: To determine occupational hazards in work sites of a large solid waste landfill and analyze their adverse health effects.

Method: The national standardized detection methods were used to determine dust concentration, harmful gas and physical factors in worksites. Routine physical examination, pulmonary function, hearing tests and nervous system test were performed in workers for 2 consecutive years.

Respiratory patterns during sleep in obesity-hypoventilation patients treated with nocturnal pressure support: a preliminary report.

Background: The obesity-hypoventilation syndrome (OHS), commonly defined as a combination of obesity and diurnal hypercapnia, is efficiently treated using nasal positive pressure ventilation (NPPV). The present study aimed to determine whether nocturnal polysomnography allows detection of respiratory disturbances occurring in patients with OHS treated with NPPV that may interfere with the quality of sleep and of ventilatory support, and are not detected by nocturnal pulse oximetry and capnography.

Methods: Twenty OHS patients in stable clinical condition treated by NPPV for at least 3 months with a bilevel pressure support ventilator were studied.

[The effect of montelukast, a leukotriene antagonist, on improvement of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction].

Objective: To study the efficacy of montelukast, a cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist, in the treatment and prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in mild asthmatic patients and patients with exercise-induced asthma (EIA).

Methods: Thirty mild asthmatic patients with positive standardized exercise challenge test were enrolled. The subjects received montelukast 10 mg once daily in the evening.

[A study on the role of T lymphocytes and eosinophil cationic protein in exercise-induced asthma].

Objective: To explore the role of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and T lymphocytes in exercise-induced asthma (EIA).

Methods: In 32 patients with asthma (13 patients with EIA) and 8 normal subjects, peripheral blood ECP, CD(25)(+)%, and IL-5 mRNA were measured before, 10 min and 60 min after exercise testing.

Results: (1) There was a linear relationship between ECP, CD(25)(+)% and the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) before exercise (r = -0.