Severe Chronic Disease Research Articles

Protective effects of aloin on asthmatic mice by activating Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and inhibiting TGF-β/Smad2/3 pathway.

Asthma is a severe chronic respiratory disease affecting all age groups with increasing prevalence. Anti-inflammatory strategies are promising options for the treatment of asthma. Although the inhibitory effect of aloin on inflammation has been demonstrated in various diseases, its effect on asthma remains unknown. A mice asthma model was established by treating with ovalbumin (OVA). The effects and mechanism of aloin on the OVA-treated mice were determined by enzyme-linked--immunosorbent serologic assay, biochemical examination, hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's staining, and Western blot assay. OVA treatment in mice significantly increased the number of total cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, and macrophages and the concentration of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13, which were attenuated with the administration of aloin. The content of malondialdehyde was enhanced in OVA-treated mice, with the decreased levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione, which were reversed with aloin treatment. Aloin treatment reduced the airway resistance of OVA-induced mice. The inflammatory cell infiltration around small airways was accompanied by the thickening and contraction of bronchial walls and pulmonary collagen deposition in OVA-treated mice; however, these conditions were ameliorated with aloin treatment. Mechanically, aloin upregulated the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) pathway but inhibited the level of transforming growth factor beta-SMAD2/3 genes (TGF-β/Smad2/3) axis in OVA-induced mice. Aloin treatment lessened airway hyperresponsiveness, airway remodeling, inflammation, and oxidative stress in OVA-treated mice, and was closely related to the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and the weakening of TGF-β/Smad2/3 pathway.

Large Volume Paracentesis in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis Temporarily Diminishes Blood Cell Count.

Large-volume paracentesis is the preferred treatment for patients with severe and refractory ascites. Several complications were reported during therapeutical paracentesis. However, there are very few published studies on the change in blood cell count after paracentesis. This study aimed to evaluate any changes in blood cell counts after ascites fluid drainage. This study was conducted on patients with severe ascites and chronic liver disease who underwent large-volume paracentesis at Namazi Hospital, in Shiraz, Iran, between March 2021 and February 2022. A data gathering form containing the patient's medical history, cause of cirrhosis, ascites fluid volume, as well as routine tests including primarily sodium, potassium, and basal creatinine, was filled out. Before and after the surgery, the total blood cell count was measured. Before the procedure, adjustment was made in the case of coagulopathy and albumin deficiency. The effect of factors such as the volume of drained fluid, splenomegaly, antibiotics, and steroid use was assessed on the changes in the number of blood cells. Using the JAMOVI 2.3.9 software, a paired t test and multiple regression were applied for statistical analysis (P<0.001). The study included 37 patients. After the paracentesis procedure, the number of blood cells significantly decreased in all groups (P<0.001). The followings are the amounts of each type of blood cells before and after the procedure: Platelet=153837±91862 and 115648±69136, red blood cells=3.53±0.784 and 3.22±0.705, white blood cells=12.3±7.78 and 8.6±5.5. None of the study variables, including drained volume, splenomegaly, antibiotics, and steroid use, were significant predictors of the changes in the blood cell count after paracentesis (P>0.001). The findings of the present study showed that children with tense ascites who had large-volume paracentesis might experience a sharp drop in blood cell count after the procedure, which was a transient physiological condition.

Alemtuzumab-induced Graves' disease

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a severe chronic autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, mediated by Th1/Th17 lymphocytes as well as B lymphocytes, macrophages and other immune cells. Some patients with MS are treated with alemtuzumab, a monoclonal antibody against CD52+ cells, which belongs to the disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). The main effect of alemtuzumab is related to changes in immune recruitment. Alemtuzumab therapy can induce secondary autoimmunity against the background of immune rebalancing. The thyroid gland is generally involved in the autoimmune process. Graves' disease (GD) develops most often, followed by autoimmune thyroiditis.We present a clinical case of a patient with GD developed after alemtuzumab therapy for MS. The patient was referred to a radiologist at the Department of Radionuclide Therapy of Endocrinology Research Centre for radioiodine therapy (RAIT) due to relapse of thyrotoxicosis after anti-thyroid drug therapy for GD. The goal of treatment was achieved in 2 months, thyroid hormone therapy was initiated, against the background of this, there was compensation of thyroid function.

One Big Cry

One Big Cry

Part 2: The Pediatric Hazards of Art Materials.

Children can encounter art materials that contain hazardous substances at school, in the home, and during outside activities. Hazardous substances can be found in both art materials that are made to be used by children and art materials used by adults. Some of these materials can be severe irritants, allergens, carcinogens, or other chronic disease hazards. Many of the most frequently used and potentially most hazardous materials are found in the categories of solvents, pigments, and adhesives. Selected members of these categories and where they may be found in common art materials are briefly discussed. Preventive techniques that specifically address the potential hazards of each category are included. [Pediatr Ann. 2023;52(6):e219-e230.].

Spatiotemporally Comparative Analysis of HIV, Pulmonary Tuberculosis, HIV-Pulmonary Tuberculosis Coinfection in Jiangsu Province, China.

Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is a severe chronic communicable disease that causes a heavy disease burden in China. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and PTB coinfection dramatically increases the risk of death. This study analyzes the spatiotemporal dynamics of HIV, PTB and HIV-PTB coinfection in Jiangsu Province, China, and explores the impact of socioeconomic determinants. The data on all notified HIV, PTB and HIV-PTB coinfection cases were extracted from Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention. We applied the seasonal index to identify high-risk periods of the disease. Time trend, spatial autocorrelation and SaTScan were used to analyze temporal trends, hotspots and spatiotemporal clusters of diseases. The Bayesian space-time model was conducted to examine the socioeconomic determinants. The case notification rate (CNR) of PTB decreased from 2011 to 2019 in Jiangsu Province, but the CNR of HIV and HIV-PTB coinfection had an upward trend. The seasonal index of PTB was the highest in March, and its hotspots were mainly distributed in the central and northern parts, such as Xuzhou, Suqian, Lianyungang and Taizhou. HIV had the highest seasonal index in July and HIV-PTB coinfection had the highest seasonal index in June, with their hotspots mainly distributed in southern Jiangsu, involving Nanjing, Suzhou, Wuxi and Changzhou. The Bayesian space-time interaction model showed that socioeconomic factor and population density were negatively correlated with the CNR of PTB, and positively associated with the CNR of HIV and HIV-PTB coinfection. The spatial heterogeneity andspatiotemporal clusters of PTB, HIV and HIV-PTB coinfection are exhibited obviously in Jiangsu. More comprehensive interventions should be applied to target TB in the northern part. While in southern Jiangsu, where the economic level is well-developed and the population density is high, we should strengthen the prevention and control of HIV and HIV-PTB coinfection.

Association between hormone replacement therapy and sex hormones in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of the study was to systematically review and meta-analyze the available data on changes in the hormonal profile of postmenopausal women treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Full-text articles published up to April 30, 2021, were searched through PUBMED, EMBASE, the Cochrane library and Web of Science (WOS) databases and were screened strictly according to inclusion criteria. Randomized clinical trials and case control studies were enrolled. Studies not reporting steroid serum levels or not providing a control group were excluded from the analysis. Studies enrolling women with genetic defects or severe chronic systemic diseases were excluded. Data are expressed as standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Random effect models were used for the meta-analysis. HRT administration increases estradiol (E2) and reduces follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) serum levels compared with pre-treatment. Their changes are evident when oral and transdermal HRT are administered, while vaginal HRT not. No significant effect on E2 and FSH was found between 6 and 12 months, as well as between 12 and 24 months. No significant effect on E2 and FSH was shown between different regimes. No difference was observed between different HRT regarding their effect on lipid profiles, breast pain and vaginal bleeding, but oral estrogen combined synthetic progestin caused a reduction in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHGB). The review suggested oral and transdermal HRT could lead to a rise in E2 serum levels and a decrease in FSH. The types and doses of HRT did not seem to modify the E2 and FSH level. Also, oral estrogen combined synthetic progestin could cause a reduction in SHGB. This might be crucial when choosing the best possible treatment for each patient individually taking into consideration if potential benefits outweigh the risks.

An updated review on systemic glucocorticoids in the prevention and treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

AbstractBronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a severe chronic pulmonary disease affecting premature infants and their families. The main pathogenesis of BPD is the abnormal inflammatory response in immature lungs, resulting in the distortion of lung development and influencing the formation of alveoli and vascular structures. Based on anti‐inflammatory mechanisms, glucocorticoids may reduce the incidence and mortality of BPD in premature infants, but different types and administrations of glucocorticoids may lead to various short‐term or long‐term outcomes, especially the most concerning neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Dexamethasone is currently recognized as a first‐choice drug for BPD, but the different administration methods may affect the efficacy and safety of the regimen. Hydrocortisone is currently considered to minimize both short‐term and long‐term adverse outcomes, but its effectiveness needs to be confirmed by further trials. Numerous alternative strategies have been proposed to reduce adverse reactions, such as moderate early dosing, lower cumulative doses, and individualized dosing, but the high‐quality evidence is still not enough. This review is trying to summarize some new developments in mechanisms of action, adverse effects, and other treatment regimens of systemic glucocorticoids for the prevention and treatment of BPD in the recent few years.

Social Participation and Persistent Smoking Among Older Chinese With Smoking-Related Morbidity.

Chronic diseases are common in midlife and old age and smoking can pose more health and longevity challenges for older people with chronic illnesses. In China where smoking is highly prevalent, older adults are likely to continue smoking even after developing severe chronic diseases. We examined the national prevalence of persistent smoking among older adults. We also investigated the sociodemographic characteristics of persistent smoking among ever-smokers with chronic diseases and its association with social participation (of various types). We used data from a nationally representative sample of older adults aged 45-80 in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2011-2018). Multinomial logistic and multilevel logistic models were fitted. The national prevalence of persistent smoking was around 24% of older men and 3% of older women. Among those with a history of smoking and chronic illness, younger, nonmarried/partnered, nonretired, or less educated individuals are more likely to continue smoking. Social participation is significantly associated with persistent smoking among those with chronic diseases, but the association differs across different forms of activities. Although the most popular but sedentary activities in China (playing Mahjong, chess, or cards) are associated with an elevated risk of persistent smoking, physical social activities (community-organized dancing, fitness, and qigong) are associated with a reduced risk of persistent smoking. Given the enormous burden of persistent smoking on individuals and society, public smoking cessation inventions should address sociocultural factors of persistent smoking and target older adults who participate in specific social activities.

P458 AN UNUSUAL REINDEER–IS LEFT VENTRICULAR MASS

Abstract A 90–year–old woman is brought to the closest emergency room after being found in a confusional state of mind, with lateral–sided sight deviation with normal cardiovascular findings. Her past medical history is characterized by the presence of systemic hypertension, moderate–to–severe chronic disease. The 12–lead electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm and aspecific anomalies of the left ventricular repolarization. Lab tests showed normal white blood cells count with increased creatinine levels and quite normal flogosis indices. An initial transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed mild left ventricular concentric hypertrophy with preserved systolic function, but also revealed the presence of a moving posterior mitral leaflet mass, determining mild mitral regurgitation. A head CT scan was performed, showing a right temporo–insular ischemic ipodensity. Considering the echocardiographic and neuronal findings, a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) was indicated to look for and better describe the suspicious mass, after beginning an antibiotic therapy in an empiric regimen. TEE revelead a multi–lobular mass characterized by inhomogeneous echogenicity, leaning on the annulus and the atrial side of the posterior mitral leaflet that was fissurated, leading to mild mitral regurgitation. The left appendage showed normal emptying velocity and absence of thrombi. It was not easy to describe this mass morphology and dimensions, but in some projections, it reminded us of a reindeer with various antlers. This case could resemble a classic mitral valve endocarditis, evolved into valve fissuration and arterial embolization leading to ischemic stroke, but the unusual fact is that the laboratory tests showed no white blood cells alteration during the whole hospitalization, with a really minimal CRP change and always negative procalcitonin. That is why we came into the idea that such a mass could also not represent a classical endocarditis. Considering that the echocardiographic characteristics of a thrombus were not encountered, the mass may be a tumor. The most frequent tumors involving the heart valves are papillary fibroelastomas. Considering the absence of clinic endocarditis, some hints led to consider this differential diagnosis: fibroelastomas mostly occur during older ages, they frequently have a mitral or aortic location and they can embolize, differently from vegetations, they are located mostly on the annulus and the basal posterior mitral leaflet.

The PEN-Plus Partnership: addressing severe chronic non-communicable diseases among the poorest billion

The number of people living in extreme material poverty (around 1 billion) has remained remarkably persistent over the past two centuries. 1 World BankPoverty and shared prosperity 2022: correcting course. World Bank, Washington, DC2022 Crossref Google Scholar During the period of the Millennium Development Goals (2000–15), world leaders were focused on improving the lives of this population and treating infectious diseases associated with poverty was seen as one of the most effective ways to promote health and economic progress. Unfortunately, non-infectious diseases, even severe ones, were left out of calls for global solidarity and development financing.

The impact of avocado intake on anthropometric measures among Hispanic/Latino children and adolescents: A cluster randomized controlled trial

While the association between avocado consumption and low metabolic risk has been shown in some studies conducted in adults, little is known about the potential effects of avocado consumption on health outcomes in children and adolescents. Thus, we investigated the impact of two levels of avocado allotment, plus a standard nutrition education, on measures of adiposity in children and adolescents (<18 years old). Children (aged 5-12, n=58) and adolescents (aged 13-17, n=32) in seventy-two families that self-identified as Hispanic, with at least 3 members over the age of 5 that resided in the same home, were free of severe chronic disease, and not on specific diets, were randomized to one of two levels of avocado allotment plus bi-weekly nutrition education sessions. Low allotment families received 3 avocados per week, while high allotment families received 14 avocados per week for 6 months. We performed an intention-to-treat analysis, using unpaired, 2-sided t-tests to test the mean changes in anthropometric measures of adiposity (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, and weight) between children and adolescents from high and low allotment families after the 6-month intervention. At six months, there were no significant differences in body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, or waist circumference to weight ratio by avocado allotment group. In children, there was a significant difference in weight (difference in means: 1.10, 95% CI: 0.09, 2.10, p-value=0.03) and waist circumference to height ratio (difference in means: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.41, p-value <0.01) between the avocado allotment groups at six months, but these did not remain significant after sensitivity analyses including per-protocol analyses. In adolescents only, there was a significant reduction in waist to hip circumference ratio in the high allotment group compared to the low allotment group after 6 months (difference in means:-0.05, 95% CI:-0.08, 0.00, p-value=0.04) that persisted after multiple sensitivity analyses. Different levels of avocado availability among children and adolescents does not appear to result in significant changes in anthropometric measures. Further study is needed to determine whether avocado consumption promotes metabolic health in this age group.

ОРФАННЫЕ ЗАБОЛЕВАНИЯ: РЕГУЛИРОВАНИЕ ЛЕКАРСТВЕННОГО ОБЕСПЕЧЕНИЯ ПАЦИЕНТОВ В РОССИИ

In conditions of budget deficit, the issues of drug provision for patients suffering from life-threatening and chronic progressive rare (orphan) diseases require constant monitoring by regulatory authorities. In this regard, the purpose of the work was to analyze the main aspects of the legal regulation of drug provision for persons with rare (orphan) diseases. The lack of funds in the regions which could fully meet the needs of patients with rare (orphan) diseases in the provision of medicines, served as a weighty argument for the launch of the state federal program for high-costnosologies and the centralization of public procurement of medicines. The key tool for improving drug care was the approval of lists of orphan diseases and the introduction of the federal register of patients eligible for preferential drug provision into the unified information and analytical healthcare system. An important and defining moment of federalization of procurement of medicines was the creation of a federal state institution under the Ministry of Health "Federal Center for Planning and Organization of Drug Provision for Citizens". The main additional mechanism and alternative solution for providing medicines to children under 18 with severe life-threatening and chronic diseases, including rare (orphan) diseases, was the charitable support fund "Circle of Good" created by presidential decree. The financial and organizational approach and the decision of the regulator to federalize the procurement of orphan medicines under the high-cost nosology program makes it possible to increase the equal availability of medicines to persons with rare (orphan) diseases in all subjects of the Russian Federation and to reduce the costs of budget allocations.

Neutrophil extracellular traps promote bronchopulmonary dysplasia-like injury in neonatal mice via the WNT/β-catenin pathway.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is one of the most common and severe chronic diseases in preterm infants. Premature infants are susceptible to BPD due to immature lungs and adverse perinatal episodes of infection, hyperoxia, and mechanical ventilation. Neutrophils are the first line of host defence, and the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) is an important strategy to immobilize and kill invading microorganisms. This study examined whether NETs were associated with BPD in preterm infants and contributed to hyperoxia-induced lung injury in neonatal mice via the WNT/β-catenin pathway. In this study, we found that preterm infants with BPD had higher levels of NETs in their tracheal aspirates than those without BPD. Neonatal mice treated with NETs after birth exhibited BPD-like changes in their lungs. Furthermore, the levels of Aquaporin 5 (AQP5) and surfactant-associated protein C (SPC), which represent alveolar differentiation and development, were significantly lower than those in the controls. The WNT/β-catenin pathway is one of the most well-known signalling pathways involved in lung growth. We found that the expression of the target genes c-MYC, cyclin D, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the important proteins WNT3a and β-catenin significantly decreased. Moreover, heparin, which is a NET inhibitor, attenuated changes in gene and protein expression, thereby attenuating BPD-like changes. This finding indicates that NETs are associated with BPD and can induce BPD-like changes in neonatal mice via the WNT/β-catenin pathway.

Surgical procedures in Danish children 1999-2018.

To assess if the overall utilisation of surgery in Danish children 0-5 years of age increased in the period 1999-2018 in line with the development within specialised medical services. The epidemiology on surgical procedures is scarce. National register-based cohort study of all Danish children born 1994-2018 (n = 1,599,573) using data on surgery in public and private hospitals from The National Patient Register and data on surgery in private specialist practice from The Health Service Register. Incidence rate ratios were calculated using Poisson regression with 1999 as the reference year. During the study period 115,573 different children (7.2% of the cohort) underwent surgery. The overall incidence of surgical procedures was stable, but the use of surgery increased in neonates mainly due to an increase in frenectomy. Boys underwent more surgery than girls. In children with severe chronic disease the rate of surgery decreased in public hospitals and increased in private specialist practices. The utilisation of surgical procedures in Danish children 0-5 years of age did not increase from 1999 to 2018. The use of available register data in the present study may inspire surgeons to conduct further studies to enhance the knowledge within the area of surgical procedures.

Atherosclerosis and Inflammation: Insights from the Theory of General Pathological Processes.

Recent advances have greatly improved our understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind atherosclerosis pathogenesis. However, there is still a need to systematize this data from a general pathology perspective, particularly with regard to atherogenesis patterns in the context of both canonical and non-classical inflammation types. In this review, we analyze various typical phenomena and outcomes of cellular pro-inflammatory stress in atherosclerosis, as well as the role of endothelial dysfunction in local and systemic manifestations of low-grade inflammation. We also present the features of immune mechanisms in the development of productive inflammation in stable and unstable plaques, along with their similarities and differences compared to canonical inflammation. There are numerous factors that act as inducers of the inflammatory process in atherosclerosis, including vascular endothelium aging, metabolic dysfunctions, autoimmune, and in some cases, infectious damage factors. Life-critical complications of atherosclerosis, such as cardiogenic shock and severe strokes, are associated with the development of acute systemic hyperinflammation. Additionally, critical atherosclerotic ischemia of the lower extremities induces paracoagulation and the development of chronic systemic inflammation. Conversely, sepsis, other critical conditions, and severe systemic chronic diseases contribute to atherogenesis. In summary, atherosclerosis can be characterized as an independent form of inflammation, sharing similarities but also having fundamental differences from low-grade inflammation and various variants of canonical inflammation (classic vasculitis).

Evaluation of the quality of life of 50 type 2 diabetic patients followed in a Medical Center for Non-Communicable Diseases in Rabat: Hay Ennahda II

Diabetes is a progressive and severe chronic metabolic disease. It is a major public health problem, responsible for a high morbidity and mortality rate in the world and in Morocco. Our study involves 50 patients with type 2 diabetes recruited at the Hay Ennahda II Extention III Non-Communicable Disease Medical Center in Rabat. This is a descriptive and analytical observational study, the purpose of which is to assess the quality of life of Moroccan type 2 diabetic patients by means of a generic questionnaire "SF-12" and a specific questionnaire for diabetes "Diabetes-39". The results showed that diabetes negatively affects the quality of life of diabetic patients and established that the factors associated with their quality of life are multiple: factors related to socio-demographic characteristics (gender, ethnicity and marital status), comorbidities (hypertension and dyslipidemia), related to the pathology itself (obesity) and its chronic degenerative complications (diabetic neuropathy and obliterative arteriopathy of the lower limbs). Unlike the literature, some socio-economic characteristics (age, level of education, professional activity), others related to diabetes (age of diabetes and glycemic control) and therapeutic management do not affect quality of life in our study, this can be explained by the size of our sample. This preliminary study is a pilot study that introduces the issue of the quality of life of people with diabetes in Rabat. It will be continued to obtain a larger sample, in order to better study the peculiarities of the Moroccan patients in this field.

Amino acid analysis as a method of discovering biomarkers for diagnosis of diabetes and its complications.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a severe chronic diseases with a global prevalence of 9%, leading to poor health and high health care costs, and is a direct cause of millions of deaths each year. The rising epidemic of diabetes and its complications, such as retinal and peripheral nerve disease, is a huge burden globally. A better understanding of the molecular pathways involved in the development and progression of diabetes and its complications can facilitate individualized prevention and treatment. High diabetes mellitus incidence rate is caused mainly by lack of non-invasive and reliable methods for early diagnosis, such as plasma biomarkers. The incidence of diabetes and its complications in the world still grows so it is crucial to develop a new, faster, high specificity and more sensitive diagnostic technologies. With the advancement of analytical techniques, metabolomics can identify and quantify multiple biomarkers simultaneously in a high-throughput manner, and effective biomarkers can greatly improve the efficiency of diabetes and its complications. By providing information on potential metabolic pathways, metabolomics can further define the mechanisms underlying the progression of diabetes and its complications, help identify potential therapeutic targets, and improve the prevention and management of T2D and its complications. The application of amino acid metabolomics in epidemiological studies has identified new biomarkers of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications, such as branched-chain amino acids, phenylalanine and arginine metabolites. This study focused on the analysis of metabolic amino acid profiling as a method for identifying biomarkers for the detection and screening of diabetes and its complications. The results presented are all from recent studies, and in all cases analyzed, there were significant changes in the amino acid profile of patients in the experimental group compared to the control group. This study demonstrates the potential of amino acid profiles as a detection method for diabetes and its complications.

A novel corpus of molecular to higher-order events that facilitates the understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a severe and progressive chronic fibrosing interstitial lung disease with causes that have remained unclear to date. Development of effective treatments will require elucidation of the detailed pathogenetic mechanisms of IPF at both the molecular and cellular levels. With a biomedical corpus that includes IPF-related entities and events, text-mining systems can efficiently extract such mechanism-related information from huge amounts of literature on the disease. A novel corpus consisting of 150 abstracts with 9297 entities intended for training a text-mining system was constructed to clarify IPF-related pathogenetic mechanisms. For this corpus, entity information was annotated, as were relation and event information. To construct IPF-related networks, we also conducted entity normalization with IDs assigned to entities. Thereby, we extracted the same entities, which are expressed differently. Moreover, IPF-related events have been defined in this corpus, in contrast to existing corpora. This corpus will be useful to extract IPF-related information from scientific texts. Because many entities and events are related to lung diseases, this freely available corpus can also be used to extract information related to other lung diseases such as lung cancer and interstitial pneumonia caused by COVID-19.

Transcriptome Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine 'Kechuanning Plaster' in the Treatment of Asthma.

Asthma is a severe chronic inflammatory airway disease. Kechuanning plaster has excellent efficacy in the treatment of asthma. The aim of this study was to analyze the molecular mechanisms of Kechuanning plaster in the treatment of asthma. An asthma model was constructed using Sprague Dawley rats. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened in three rat groups: the control (normal rats), model (asthma rats), and treatment (asthma rats treated with Kechuanning) groups. After enrichment analysis of the DEGs, the protein-protein interactions (PPIs) of the DEGs were analyzed, and transcription factors and microRNAs (miRNAs) that regulate DEGs were predicted. Finally, western blotting (WB) and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis was performed to validate protein expression. A total of 745 DEGs were identified and enriched in 93 Gene Ontology terms and 25 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways. A PPI network, consisting of 224 protein nodes and 368 edges, was constructed. The nuclear factor of activated T cells 2 (NFATc2) was predicted to have binding sites in 61 DEGs. The miRNA-target interaction network included 24 DEGs and 9 miRNAs. WB and IHC analysis demonstrated that the fatty acid-binding protein 5 (FABP5) and the chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 3 (CXCL3) had higher expression in the model group and lower expression in the control and treatment groups. We concluded that FABP5, CXCL3, suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), E1A binding protein P300 (EP300), NFATc2, microRNA 495 (miR-495), and miR-30 may play important roles in treating asthma.