Sequential Treatments with Tongsai and Bufei Yishen Granules Reduce Inflammation and Improve Pulmonary Function in Acute Exacerbation-Risk Window of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Rats.

Background. Sequential treatments of Chinese medicines for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) risk window (RW) have benefits for preventing reoccurrences of AEs; however, the effects on pulmonary function, pulmonary, and systemic inflammatory biomarkers remain unclear. Methods.

Bufei Yishen granules combined with acupoint sticking therapy suppress oxidative stress in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease rats: Via regulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma signaling.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is clinically used under the guidance of its unique theory system. Bufei Yishen (BY) granules, an oral Chinese herbal formula, is confirmed effective for treating the syndrome of lung-kidney qi deficiency in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Shu-Fei Tie ointment is another prescription for acupoint sticking (AS) therapy based on the theory of treating an internal disease by external treatment on proper acupoints.

CD38 Expression in a Subset of Memory T Cells Is Independent of Cell Cycling as a Correlate of HIV Disease Progression.

In order to determine if the expression of the activation marker CD38 can correlate with HIV disease progression independently of cycling, we performed a cluster-based multivariate correlation analysis of total circulating CD4(+) T cell counts and viral loads with frequencies of CD38 and Ki67 expression on CD4(+) lymphocytes from patients with untreated HIV infection, stratified in maturation subpopulations, and subpopulation subsets defined by the expression of CXCR5, CXCR3, and CCR4. The frequencies of the activated phenotypes %CD38(+) Ki67(-) and %CD38(+) Ki67(+) of the CXCR5(-) CXCR3(-) CCR4(+) ("pre-Th2") central memory (T(CM)) cell subset clustered together, comprising a significant negative correlate of total circulating CD4(+) T cell counts and a positive correlate of viral load in multivariate analysis. Frequency of cycling-uncoupled CD38 expression in "pre-Th2" T(CM) cells was a negative correlate of total circulating CD4(+) T cell counts in univariate analysis, which was not the case of their %CD38(+) Ki67(+).

Bufei Yishen granule combined with acupoint sticking improves pulmonary function and morphormetry in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease rats.

Background: The integrated therapy of Bufei Yishen granule and acupoint sticking has been used in the treatment of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) clinically, with remarkable benefits. This study was initiated to observe the effects of the combination of Bufei Yishen granule and acupoint sticking on pulmonary function and morphormetry in a COPD rat model.

Methods: Rats were randomized into Control, Model, Bufei Yishen (BY), Acupoint sticking (AS), Bufei Yishen + Acupoint sticking (BY + AS) and aminophyline (APL) groups.

Bufei Jianpi granules improve skeletal muscle and mitochondrial dysfunction in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Bufei Jianpi granules has been confirmed effective in improving pulmonary function, alleviating acute exacerbations, improving six-minute walk distance and quality of life, and benefited in 12-month follow-up in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with syndrome of lung-spleen qi deficiency. Skeletal muscle dysfunction (SMD), an important extrapulmonary complication, occurs in the very initiation of COPD and is closely related to morbidity and mortality. To evaluate the efficacy of Bufei Jianpi granules on SMD, we observed skeletal muscular function and histomorphology, mitochondrial morphormetry and proteins in COPD rats induced by cigarette-smoke and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Cytomegalovirus-specific responses of CD38⁺ memory T cells are skewed towards IFN-γ and dissociated from CD154 in HIV-1 infection.

Objective: Despite the strong correlation of T-cell CD38 expression with HIV disease progression, evidence linking CD38 expression and dysfunction at the single cell level is scant. Since CD38⁺ memory CD4⁺ T cells, especially those from HIV-infected persons, fail to induce CD154 (CD40L) while responding to a superantigen with interferon (IFN)-γ or interleukin (IL)-2, we aimed to determine if recall responses to cytomegalovirus (CMV) were similarly affected in the CD38⁺ memory CD4⁺ T-cell subpopulation.

Design And Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HIV+ patients and healthy controls were incubated 14 h with CMV antigens, the superantigen Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B or medium, and labeled for identification of central memory (T(CM)) and effector memory (T(EM)) CD4⁺ T cells, and for the intracellular detection of induced CD154, IFN-γ and/or IL-2 by flow cytometry.

Once-daily inhaled fluticasone furoate and vilanterol versus vilanterol only for prevention of exacerbations of COPD: two replicate double-blind, parallel-group, randomised controlled trials.

Background: Whether the combination of a once-daily inhaled corticosteroid with a once-daily longacting β(2) agonist is more protective than a once-daily longacting β(2) agonist alone against exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unknown. We hypothesised that fluticasone furoate and vilanterol would prevent more exacerbations than would vilanterol alone.

Methods: We did two replicate double-blind parallel-group 1 year trials.

Potentially-toxic and essential elements profile of AH1N1 patients in Mexico City.

During spring of 2009, a new influenza virus AH1N1 spread in the world causing acute respiratory illness and death, resulting in the first influenza pandemic since 1968. Blood levels of potentially-toxic and essential elements of 40 pneumonia and confirmed AH1N1 were evaluated against two different groups of controls, both not infected with the pandemic strain. Significant concentrations of potentially-toxic elements (lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, arsenic) along with deficiency of selenium or increased Zn/Cu ratios characterized AH1N1 cases under study when evaluated versus controlled cases.

Air pollution: impact and prevention.

Air pollution is becoming a major health problem that affects millions of people worldwide. In support of this observation, the World Health Organization estimates that every year, 2.4 million people die because of the effects of air pollution on health.

Endoscopic assessment of adenoid size is an indicator of tissue virologic response to highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Objective: To compare human immunodeficiency virus viral load (HIVVL) in plasma versus the adenoid HIVVL during highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Design: Adenoid biopsies were taken basally and after 3 and 6 months of treatment. Also, the adenoid diameter by simple endoscopy was measured, and its correlation with adenoid HIVVL was calculated.

Comparative bioavailability of two oral formulations of levofloxacin in healthy Mexican volunteers.

Objective: To assess the bioequivalence of two levofloxacin 500 mg tablets marketed in Mexico.

Material And Methods: The clinical investigation was designed as a randomized, open-labeled, two-part, two-treatment, two-period crossover study, in 27 healthy male volunteers. 1 tablet of each formulation was administered with 200 ml of water after 10 h overnight fast.

Nasobronchial allergy or allergic rhinobronchitis; the unified concept: a review with a special reference to India.

The close and constant association of allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma, both in children and adults, is hardly mentioned in medical textbooks. Proper treatment is delayed, as these patients are often seen in rotation by chest physicians, allergy experts, otolaryngologists, general physicians and paediatricians. Even then treatment is directed mainly towards asthma with little attention being paid to associated rhinitis, often lying unrecognised in adults.

beta-Defensin gene expression during the course of experimental tuberculosis infection.

The kinetics of gene expression and the cellular source of murine beta -defensin-3 (mBD3) and murine beta -defensin-4 (mBD4) were determined in mouse models of progressive pulmonary tuberculosis and latent infection induced by high or low infecting doses, respectively. During progressive disease, there was an initial rapid expression of both defensins by respiratory epithelial cells that correlated with temporary control of bacillary proliferation, but expression decreased during the later progressive phase of the disease. In latent infection, both defensins were expressed continuously, but they were suppressed after reactivation of the disease.

Parasitic mycelial forms of coccidioides species in Mexican patients.

Of 26 cases of coccidioidomycosis reported here, 15 showed hyphae, atypical parasitic structures of Coccidioides spp. in fresh cytologic and/or histologic specimen preparations. The finding of this morphology could have implications which should be considered, especially when the disease affects areas of nonendemicity.

Sarcoidosis: a journey through 50 years.

From an association of nearly 50 years, the author had diagnosed biopsy proven 200 cases of sarcoidosis in Eastern India during the past three decades. It appears that most of these cases follow a distinct clinical pattern and presentation. The clinical course and prognosis differ considerably from that seen in Caucasians, Afro-Americans, South-African Bantus and Japanese.

Pediatric sarcoidosis in India.

Objective: Since 1957, when the first pediatric case of sarcoidosis was reported, 11 more cases have been traced in the Indian literature.

Methods: Nine of them were reported from general wards of hospitals (while the remaining 3 were from pediatric unit of AIIMS, New Delhi). Failure of initial treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs for some months, necessitated search for an alternative diagnosis.

Treating allergies: a perspective in family practice.

The family practitioner is the first and most important contact person for a patient suffering from any allergic disorder. The reason is simple. Even in this fast-changing world of the twentyfirst century, the family practitioner will continue to be not only a doctor but also a friend, guide and philosopher to many a sufferer in our country.

Patient education programme in bronchial asthma in India: why, how, what and where to communicate?

Judicious and prolonged use of 'protector' metered dose inhalers of steroid aerosol, sodium cromoglycate, both orally and nasally, and 'reliever' drugs like beta 2-agonists etc can induce a state of controlled asthma in many cases. Continued patient education programme (PEP) in a well-staffed asthma clinic is needed to achieve this state. Various aspects of PEP programme should be discussed during each visit.

Bacterial adherence in smokers and non-smokers.

Bacterial adherence is thought to be a first important step in the pathogenesis of infection. It is now recognized that bacteria bind to and colonize mucosal surfaces in a highly selective manner via a lock- and key mechanism with complementary receptors on the mucosal surfaces of the host. We studied adherence to buccal cells of a panel of potential respiratory pathogens as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 18 smokers and 18 healthy non-smokers.

Mantoux test site granuloma: an appraisal of the diagnostic value in sarcoidosis.

Out of 146 cases, 92 (64%) cases with active sarcoidosis showed granulomas in biopsy at 4-6 weeks after Mantoux test (MT). No granuloma was seen in anyone of the 162 sites injected with other allergens in 27 of MT site positive cases, serving as self-control. False positive biopsies were not seen.

Ventilatory assistance using electrical stimulation of abdominal muscles.

Nine neurologically intact subjects were studied to demonstrate the feasibility of stimulating the muscles of expiration during, and in synchrony with, naturally occurring breathing. A breath-by-breath analysis showed that both tidal volume and the frequency of respiration could be increased during periods of electrical stimulation. A single subject with complete spinal cord injury was studied to eliminate the possibility that the results from the normal subjects could be attributed entirely to either subconscious or conscious volitional response to the stimulation.

Evaluation of two commercial amplification assays for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in respiratory specimens.

To evaluate the usefulness of two standardized commercially available amplification assays for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Amplicor test (Roche) and MTD-Amplified direct test (Gen-Probe) a total of 281 respiratory specimens from 198 patients with symptoms of pulmonary diseases were examined and compared with conventional methods. Fifty-seven specimens were positive and 218 negative by both amplification assays. Three specimens were reactive by Amplicor only, and three by MTD only.