Total sesquiterpene glycosides from Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) leaf alleviate high-fat diet induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease through cytochrome P450 2E1 inhibition.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis, which affects 20-40% of the population in the world. Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) Leaf possesses several pharmacological actions. Many sesquiterpene glycosides were reported to be isolated exclusively from the Loquat Leaf, however, their biological activity has been rarely investigated.

[High fractional exhaled nitric oxide may predict response to inhaled corticosteroid therapy in patients with subacute cough].

Objective: To evaluate fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) level in patients with subacute cough and its value in predicting the patients' response to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) treatment.

Methods: A total of 100 patients with persistent cough lasting more than 3 weeks were enrolled, including 52 patients with subacute cough and 48 with chronic cough. FENO, spirometry, and responses to ICS therapy of the patients were evaluated.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor with extensive involvement of the bladder in an adolescent: a case report.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare lesion of unclear pathogenesis that shows a wide, highly variable spectrum of clinical behavior. We describe the case of a 17-year-old boy with a large IMT that infiltrated the bladder, ileocecal junction, peritoneum and pelvic retroperitoneal space. The tumor was associated with extensive toughening and thickening of the bladder, and, although it showed a tendency for invasive growth, it affected mainly the bladder and adjacent tissue.

[Application of flexirigid thoracoscopy in the diagnosis of pleural disease with unknown etiology].

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of flexirigid thoracoscopy for pleural diseases and the patients' compliance.

Methods: Forty-seven patients with pleural effusion and thickening of unknown etiology underwent examinations with flexirigid thoracoscopy with subsequent pathological examination, and the diagnostic accuracy and the patients' compliance were observed.

Results: Thoracoscopy identified lesions in the pleural and/or diaphragm in 42 patients and no lesions in 5 patients.

[Investigation of the level of perceived control of asthma and the factors affecting such perception in South China].

Objective: To investigate the level of the patients perceived control of asthma (PCA) in South China and analyze the risk factors contributing to inadequate PCA.

Methods: A total of 150 asthmatic out-patients consisting of 86 males and 64 females aged 19-65 (38.6∓11.

[Peripheral natural killer cell counting and its clinical significance blood in patients with bronchial asthma].

Objective: To investigate the changes in natural killer (NK) cell count in the peripheral blood of asthmatic patients.

Methods: The number of NK cells in the peripheral blood was determined with flow cytometry in 63 asthmatic patients with acute episodes, 65 patients with stable asthma and 62 healthy nonatopic subjects.

Results: A significant decrease in NK cell number was noted in asthmatic patients during acute exacerbation [(13.

[Association of polymorphism of Met764Thr locus allele in ADAM33 gene with bronchial asthma and lung function of asthmatic subjects].

Objective: To analyze the association of the polymorphism of Met764Thr with bronchial asthma and lung function of asthmatic subjects of Han nationality in Southern China.

Methods: In 164 unrelated patients with asthma and 112 unrelated healthy controls, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and DNA sequencing were used to determine polymorphism of Met764Thr locus allele in ADAM33 gene. The clinical indexes associated with lung function (FVC%, FEV(1)%) were compared among the three genotypes (Met764/Met764, Met764/Thr764, Thr764/Thr764) in asthmatic subjects.

[Gemcitabine in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer: report of one case].

Gemcitabine is a newly developed drug for treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Adopting a treatment protocol combining gemcitabine and carboplatin, we succeeded in the management of 1 case of advanced NSCLC, and in this report the clinical status and findings by electron bronchoscopy of the patient were reported.