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Objective To investigate the relationship between beta enolase gene two point rs121918403 (G/A), rs121918404 (G/A) polymorphism with skeletal muscle Atrophy in the patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Method Beta enolase genes were assayed by polymerase chain and one-way directed sequencing methods between 120 COPD patients and 60 age-matched controls in Kunming. Result There was no mutation in rs121918403 (G/A) and rs121918404 (G/A) of beta enolase gene in COPD patients and healthy subjects. Conclusion SNPs of two mutational sites of beta enolase are not correlated to skeletal muscle atrophy in COPD patients in Kunming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the effect of thoracoscopy under local anesthesia in diagnosis and treatment of tuberculous encysted pleural effusion. Method 143 patients with tuberculous encysted pleural effusion were divided into two groups according to historical comparison method: thoracoscopic group (n = 64) and control group (n =79) . The corresponding diagnosis and treatment were retrospectively analyzed, and the pathological diagnosis rate, changes in lung function, chest tightness and shortness of breath disappear, complications after treatment were compared between the two groups. Results The pathological diagnosis rate, vital capacity of lung function expected percentages ( FVC% ) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second take up of the expected (FEV1%) values in the thoracoscopic group were higher than the control group, but chest tightness, shortness of breath disappear time were lower than the control group, the differences were significant (P < 0.05) . 1 case of severe complications occurred in the thoracoscopic group. Conclusion The effect of thoracoscopy under local anesthesia is good in diagnosis and treatment of tuberculous encysted pleural effusion, it is simple and has low incidence of severe complications, so is worth clinical promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal ions (Cr, Ni, Co) doped titania (M-TiO2) coupled with the long after glow phosphor MgAl2O4:(Pr3+, Dy3+) particles were synthesized by the sol-gel method, with the best mass ratio of MgAl2O4:(Pr3+, Dy3+) to M-TiO2 as 4:6. MgAl2O4:(Pr3+, Dy3+)/M-TiO2 had the persistent methyl orange (MO) photocatalytic degradation ability and the photocatalytic degradation went on reacting more than 90 min in dark after turning off the light. MgAl2O4:(Pr3+, Dy3+) emitted the light as a light source in dark which was absorbed by M-TiO2. The differences of MgAl2O4:(Pr3+, Dy3+)/Cr-TiO2, MgAl2O4:(Pr3+, Dy3+)/Ni-TiO2 and MgAl2O4:(Pr3+, Dy3+)/Co-TiO2 might be attributed to the difference in the metal ions doping. The composite MgAl2O4:(Pr3+, Dy3+)/Cr-TiO2 revealed the highest ability of persistent photocatalytic degradation methyl orange. Different metal ions doping made the TiO2 with different band gap.

Background: The role of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has not been clarified as yet. In early studies, we found that the proportion of smokers with COPD having extremely slow/slow microsomal epoxide hydrolase (EPHX1) enzyme activity is significantly higher than that in healthy smokers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether different EPHX1 enzyme activity is related to differential therapeutic effects of treatment with NAC in COPD., Methods: A total of 219 patients with COPD were randomly allocated to an extremely slow/slow EPHX1 enzyme activity group (n=157) or a fast/normal EPHX1 enzyme activity group (n=62) according to their EPHX1 enzyme activity. Both groups were treated with NAC 600 mg twice daily for one year. The main study parameters, including forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and yearly exacerbation rate, were measured at baseline and at 6-month intervals for one year., Results: Both FEV1 and SGRQ symptom scores were improved after treatment with NAC in the slow activity group when compared with the fast activity group. Further, changes in FEV1 and SGRQ symptom score in patients with mild-to-moderate COPD were more significant than those in patients with severe-to-very severe COPD. The yearly exacerbation rates were reduced in both groups, but the reduction in the slow activity group was significantly lower than in the fast activity group., Conclusion: NAC treatment in COPD patients with extremely slow/slow EPHX1 enzyme activity improves FEV1 and the SGRQ symptom score, especially in those with mild-to-moderate COPD, and polymorphism in the EPHX1 gene may have a significant role in differential responses to treatment with NAC in patients with COPD.