Association of heme oxygenase-1 single nucleotide polymorphisms with susceptibility to tuberculosis in Chinese Han population.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease, caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, which is associated with oxidative stress and the induction of host antioxidants to counteract this response. The heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) single nucleotide polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with many critical diseases. Our purpose was to investigate the association of HO-1 single nucleotide polymorphisms with the susceptibility to tuberculosis in Chinese Han population.

Decreased expression of the NF-κB family member RelB in lung fibroblasts from Smokers with and without COPD potentiates cigarette smoke-induced COX-2 expression.

Background: Heightened inflammation, including expression of COX-2, is associated with COPD pathogenesis. RelB is an NF-κB family member that attenuates COX-2 in response to cigarette smoke by a mechanism that may involve the miRNA miR-146a. There is no information on the expression of RelB in COPD or if RelB prevents COX-2 expression through miR-146a.

Estradiol increases mucus synthesis in bronchial epithelial cells.

Airway epithelial mucus hypersecretion and mucus plugging are prominent pathologic features of chronic inflammatory conditions of the airway (e.g. asthma and cystic fibrosis) and in most of these conditions, women have worse prognosis compared with male patients.

Pathobiologic mechanisms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

COPD is a worldwide public health problem that reduces the quality of life. The exact pathways by which CS and other environmental toxins produce COPD are not known. Currently, the leading candidates are (1) the protease-antiprotease hypothesis, (2) the Dutch hypothesis, (3) the British hypothesis, and the (4) autoimmunity hypothesis.

The relationship between telomere length and mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Some have suggested that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease of accelerated aging. Aging is characterized by shortening of telomeres. The relationship of telomere length to important clinical outcomes such as mortality, disease progression and cancer in COPD is unknown.

The role of female hormones on lung function in chronic lung diseases.

Background: The prevalence, morbidity, and mortality of inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis (CF) are increasing in women. There is a dearth of data on the biological mechanisms to explain such observations. However, some large epidemiologic studies suggest that lung function fluctuates during the menstrual cycle in female patients with airways disease but not in women without disease, suggesting that circulating estradiol and progesterone may be involved in this process.

The airway epithelium: more than just a structural barrier.

The mammalian airway is lined by a variety of specialized epithelial cells that not only serve as a physical barrier but also respond to environment-induced damage through the release of biologically active factors and constant cellular renewal. The lung epithelium responds to environmental insults such as pathogens, cigarette smoke and pollution by secreting inflammatory mediators and antimicrobial peptides, and by recruiting immune cells to the site of infection or damage. When the epithelium is severely damaged, basal cells and Clara cells that have stem-cell-like properties are capable of self-renewal and proliferation in the affected area, to repair the damage.

The Society for Cardiovascular Pathology celebrating 25 disruptively exciting years.

It was 25 years ago when the Society for Cardiovascular Pathology was first organized. The Society has since devoted itself to the advancement of understanding about heart and blood vessel disorders, especially their diagnosis, and for the improvement of prevention, management, and treatment. In this 25 year span, the Society has accomplished many goals and met its initial commitments as an organization, dedication to education and learning, and to collegiality.

Adult congenital heart disease--challenges and opportunities for pathologists.

Adults living with congenital heart disease (CHD) are numerous, at a prevalence of about four per 1000 population. Many of these patients are now over the age of 40 years. Typically, these adult CHD patients have had or require one or more invasive interventions, and thus most of them have modified anatomy and physiology.