[Effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide on airway inflammation and Th17/Treg balance in asthmatic mice].

Objective: To investigate the effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on the airway inflammation and its regulatory effect on Th17/Treg imbalance in asthmatic mice.

Methods: A total of 30 BALB/c mice were equally and randomly divided into three groups: control, asthma, and VIP. An acute asthmatic mouse model was established by sensitization and challenge with ovalbumin (OVA).

[Clinical analysis of hemolytic-uremic syndrome associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3 infection in a child].

Objective: To study the clinical characteristics of Streptococcus pneumonia-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (SP-HUS) in children.

Method: Clinical and laboratory data of a pediatric case of SP-HUS were retrospectively analyzed and the key points of diagnosis and therapy were reviewed.

Result: An 18-month old girl was admitted with chief complaint of fever and cough for 5 days combined with mild labored breath.

[Epidemiological characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children].

Objective: To study the epidemiological characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) in children, and to provide a basis for diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: The serum level of Mycoplasma pneumoniae antibody IgM (MP-IgM) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for 3156 hospitalized children with confirmed community acquired pneumonia from February 2011 to January 2012. The antigens of seven respiratory viruses were detected in the nasopharyngeal secretions of children with MPP.

[Viral etiology of acute respiratory infection in children from Wenzhou between 2007 and 2008].

Objective: To study the viral etiology of acute respiratory infection (ARI)in children from Wenzhou, Zhejiang between 2007 and 2008.

Methods: The nasopharyngeal aspirate samples were obtained from 5 097 hospitalized children with ARI. Seven common respiratory viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza virus A and B, parainfluenza viruses 1, 2 and 3 and adenovirus, were detected using direct immunofluorescence.

[Clinical analysis of 234 cases with congenital malformations of respiratory system].

Objective: To explore clinical characteristics, radiographic findings and diagnostic methods of patients with congenital malformations of respiratory system for enhancing the diagnosis of congenital malformations of respiratory system in children.

Method: Totally 234 patients with congenital malformations of respiratory system were chosen from the inpatient department of Yuying Children's Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical College from July 2003 to June 2008. The clinical presentations and radiographic findings of these children were analyzed.

[Effect of Radix Astragali on signal transducer and activator of transcription activator-4 and its mRNA expression in a rat model of asthma].

Objective: To study the effect of Radix Astragali (RA) on the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription-4 (STAT4) and its mRNA in the bronchus of a rat model of asthma.

Methods: Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: the control group, asthma group, high dosage of RA group and low dosage of RA group. In the experiment, the rat model of asthma was established by the ovalbumin (OVA) challenge methods.

[The role of external signal regulated kinase and transforming growth factor beta(1) in asthma airway remodeling and regulation of glucocorticoids].

Objective: To study role of external signal regulated kinase (ERK) and transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGF-beta1) in asthma airway remodeling and to explore the regulation of glucocorticoids on ERK, TGF-beta1, and airway remodeling.

Methods: Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into 3 equal groups: control group; asthma group, undergoing intra-peritoneal injection of ovalbumin (OVA) on days 1 and 8 and inhalation of OVA every other day for 8 weeks since day 15 to establish chronic asthma models; dexamethasone (DM) intervention group, undergoing intra-peritoneal injection of DM 30 min before every inhalation instigation; and control group, receiving normal saline instead of DM. 1 - 2 hours after the last instigation the left lungs were taken out.

[Role of external signal regulated kinase signal transduction pathway in airway remodeling of rats with asthma and regulation by glucocorticoids].

Objective: Airway remodeling in asthma makes treatment of asthma very difficult, and study of its pathogenesis becomes very important. The present study aimed to explore the role of external signal regulated kinase (ERK) signal transduction pathway in airway remodeling in rats asthma model and regulatory effects of glucocorticoids on ERK signal transduction pathway and airway remodeling.

Methods: Totally 80 male Sprague-Dawlay rats (6-8 weeks old, weighing about 120 g) were randomly divided into control groups (30 rats), asthma groups (30 rats) and treated groups [including a group intervened with dexamethasone (DM group) and budesonide (BUD group), each had 10 rats].

[The role of alveolar macrophages in airway remodeling in asthmatic rats].

Objective: To study the role of alveolar macrophages (AM) in the processes of airway remodeling in asthmatic rats.

Methods: Forty-eight young male Sprague-Dawley rats (Grade II) were divided randomly into a control group (A group), a 3 day asthma group (B group), a 14 day asthma group (C group) and a 30 day asthma group (D group). The rats were sensitized and challenged by ovalbumin to establish the asthmatic model.

[Regulative mechanism of dexamethasone on Toll-like receptor 4 signal transduction of infant asthma rat].

Objective: Eosinophilic airway inflammation is one of the basic characteristics of allergic asthma. Toll-like receptor is one of the most important innate immunity pattern recognition receptors. Glucocorticoids (GCS) are still the most effective treatment for asthma.

[Effect of achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides on signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 and its mRNA expression in a rat model of asthma].

Aim: To study the effect of achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides(ABPS) on the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 and its mRNA in bronchus of a rat model of asthma.

Methods: Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: the control group, asthma group and ABPS group. The total cell numbers, eosinophils (EOS) numbers and differentiated cell numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were counted by different count fluids.

[Expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 in rat asthma model and the modulatory effect of dexamethasone].

Objective: To study the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 and its mRNA in rat asthma model and the modulatory effect of dexamethasone (DXM).

Methods: Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: the control group, asthma group and DXM group. The rats in each group were sacrificed 24 h after the last challenge.