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ABSTRACT Background and objective: Adrenergic β2 receptors (ADRB2) play an important role in regulating pulmonary function. Many previous studies have investigated possible associations between polymorphisms in the ADRB2 gene and asthma, but have yielded conflicting results. Furthermore, little is known regarding the possible role of the Arg19Cys polymorphism in susceptibility to asthma among Chinese. Methods: This case-control association study involved 238 patients with asthma and 265 healthy subjects from a Han population in southwest China. For all subjects, the 5′ leader cistron Arg19Cys, Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu polymorphisms in the ADRB2 gene were characterized by direct sequencing. Genotype, allele and haplotype frequencies were determined. In addition, to evaluate the association between the ADRB2 polymorphisms and lung function, bronchodilator response to inhaled β2 agonists (400 µg of albuterol) was assessed in the asthmatic patients. Results: There were no significant differences in genotype or allele frequencies for the three ADRB2 polymorphisms between the two cohorts. The Arg19/Arg16/Gln27 haplotype was more frequent among asthmatic patients than control subjects (odds ratio 2.24, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-4.73, P = 0.04). Moreover, the Arg19/Cys19 genotype was associated with a lower FEV1% (mean difference −4.5, 95% CI: −12.5 to 3.6, P = 0.02) and FEV1/FVC (mean difference 8.9, 95% CI: 8.5-9.4, P = 0.01). The bronchodilator response to albuterol was also marginally lower in individuals who were homozygous for the Arg19 genotype (mean difference 4.2, 95% CI: 3.7-4.8, P = 0.03). Conclusions: The Arg19/Cys19 genotype was an independent risk factor for lower FEV1% and FEV1/FVC. Asthmatic patients with the Arg19/Arg19 genotype showed decreased responsiveness to albuterol. Furthermore, the Arg19/Arg16/Gln27 haplotype may contribute to increased susceptibility to asthma in the Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Carbon dioxide was photo-catalytically reduced to produce formic acid in an aqueous solution using visible light irradiation. Titania and zinc-phthalocyanine (ZnPc)-loaded titania were synthesized by a sol–gel method and in situ chemical synthesis technique. The photo-catalytic reactions were conducted in a Pyrex reactor with a visible light irradiating. XRD and DRS revealed that ZnPc was on the TiO2 surface. The optimum technique was in situ chemical synthesis and the optimum amount of ZnPc loading was 1.0wt.% for the highest dispersion among catalysts. The formic acid yield of 1.0wt.% in situ ZnPc/TiO2 was 978.6μmol/g catalyst following 10h of visible light illumination and the conversion was 0.37%. The yield was higher than those of sol–gel TiO2 and ZnPc/BH-1, whose yields were 321.0 and 756.2μmol/g catalyst, respectively. Experimental results indicated that the formic acid yield was significantly increased by loading ZnPc. ZnPc has a higher selectivity than metal catalysts for the reduction of CO2. The photo-catalytic efficiency of ZnPc/TiO2 was markedly increased because of the lowering re-combination probability for hole–electron pairs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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]