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Objective: Some of the most common causes of chronic cough include cough variant asthma (CVA), bronchial asthma (BA), and asthma–COPD overlap (ACO). Although there is some overlap in the etiology of these diseases, it is clinically important to attempt an early differential diagnosis due to treatment strategies and prognoses. Methods: Spirometry and impulse oscillometry (IOS) before and after bronchodilator inhalation were analyzed for clinically diagnosed CVA (cCVA, n = 203), BA (cBA, n = 222), and ACO (cACO, n = 61). Results: A significant difference in ΔFEV1 was observed between cBA and cCVA (ΔFEV1 improvement of 122.5 mL/5.4% and 65.7 mL/2.2%, respectively), but no difference was observed in ΔPEF, ΔV50, or ΔV25. Except for R20 (resistance at 20 Hz), significant differences between the three groups were observed in IOS. In IOS, cCVA and cBA showed comparable peripheral airway response to bronchodilator which was thought to be commensurate with changes in V50 and V25. cACO improved ΔFEV1 improvement of 81.0 mL/6.2% and was distinguished by a downward respiratory system reactance (Xrs) waveform with a limited bronchodilator response. FEV1/FVC, %FEV1, and %V25 had relatively strong correlations with the three IOS parameters, X5 (reactance at 5 Hz), resonant frequency (Fres), and low-frequency reactance area (ALX), in the correlation between IOS and spirometers. Conclusion: Changes in IOS parameters were more sensitive in this study than changes in FEV1 or the flow-volume curve. Considering the benefits and relevance of the two different tests, simultaneous IOS and spirometry testing were useful in the diagnosis of asthmatic cough. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Osimertinib is a third‐generation epidermal growth factor receptor‐tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR‐TKI) approved for the treatment of patients with EGFR‐mutant non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the mechanisms of acquired drug resistance to osimertinib have not as yet been clarified. Exosomes and microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in carcinogenesis and drug resistance in human cancers. Methods: We used previously established osimertinib‐resistant HCC827 (HCC827‐OR) and PC‐9 (PC‐9‐OR) cells. We evaluated the profiles of exosomal miRNA associated with resistance to osimertinib in EGFR‐mutant NSCLC cells. Results: Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenomenon was observed in HCC827‐OR and PC‐9‐OR cells. Microarray and quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that miR‐210‐3p was co‐upregulated in exosomes isolated from HCC827‐OR and PC‐9‐OR cells compared with those isolated from parental HCC827 and PC‐9 cells. HCC827‐OR cell‐derived exosomes induced EMT changes and resistance to osimertinib in HCC827 cells. Subsequently, the induction of miR‐210‐3p directly promoted the EMT phenomenon and resistance to osimertinib in HCC827 cells. Conclusions: Exosomal miR‐210‐3p may play a crucial role in resistance to osimertinib in the tumor microenvironment of EGFR‐mutant NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have demonstrated the transmission of rotavirus vaccine strains from vaccinated children to nonvaccinated siblings. We sought to fully elucidate the safety of rotavirus (RV) vaccination in closed contact circumstance, such as the foster home for future assessment of the vaccine safety in an neonatal intensive care unit. Stool samples were collected from 4 RV vaccinated (160 samples) and 23 unvaccinated (766 samples) infants. RV viral RNA loads were measured using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RV vaccine strain RNA was persistently detected in stool samples collected from the four vaccine recipients and one unvaccinated infant, but not in the stool samples collected from the 22 other unvaccinated infants. The unvaccinated infant who tested positive for the RV vaccine strain was vaccinated prior to enrollment in this study. The quantitative real-time RT-PCR data revealed a peak viral RNA load 1 week after vaccination followed by a gradual decrease. The current study suggests that RV vaccination may be safe in a close contact environment because there was limited transmission from RV vaccinated to unvaccinated infants. J. Med. Virol. 89:79-84, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotavirus gastroenteritis causes substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide in children. We report three infants with rotavirus gastroenteritis complicated by various severity of gastrointestinal bleeding. Two patients (cases 1 and 2) recovered completely without any specific treatments. One patient (case 3) died despite extensive treatments including a red blood cell transfusion and endoscopic hemostatic therapy. Rotavirus genotypes G1P[8] and G9P[8] were detected in cases 2 and 3, respectively. Rotavirus antigenemia levels were not high at the onset of melena, suggesting that systemic rotaviral infection does not play an important role in causing melena. J. Med. Virol. 88:171-174, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bilirubin can prevent oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and may protect against atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD). The goal of this study was to characterize the relationship between bilirubin and CHD through measurements of bilirubin concentration, coronary endothelial function, and markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and lipid/glucose metabolism. The study population consisted of 141 patients without CHD who underwent Doppler flow study. Vascular reactivity was examined by intracoronary administration of papaverine, acetylcholine (ACh) and nitroglycerin using a Doppler guide wire. Serum bilirubin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), malondialdehyde-modified LDL, LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and immunoreactive insulin were also measured. Homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were calculated. Univariate analysis revealed that both percent change in coronary blood flow (CBF) and coronary artery diameter induced by ACh correlated positively with log-transformed bilirubin ( r = 0.22, P < 0.05; r = 0.20, P < 0.05, respectively). Percent change in CBF in response to ACh correlated positively with eGFR ( r = 0.24, P < 0.05) and correlated inversely with age, LDL-C, and log-transformed FPG ( r = −0.24, P < 0.05; r = −0.17, P < 0.05, r = −0.22, P < 0.05, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that log-transformed bilirubin was the only independent predictor of percent change in CBF in response to ACh. Multivariate analysis revealed that log-transformed hsCRP and HDL-C were independent predictors of log-transformed bilirubin. These results suggest that a high level of bilirubin is associated with favorable coronary endothelial function, which may be mediated via the effect of bilirubin on inflammation and HDL-C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Severe pneumonia and leukocytosis are characteristic, frequently observed, clinical findings in pediatric patients with pandemic A/H1N1/2009 influenza virus infection. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of cytokines and chemokines in complicating pneumonia and leukocytosis in patients with pandemic A/H1N1/2009 influenza virus infection. Forty-seven patients with pandemic A/H1N1/2009 influenza virus infection were enrolled in this study. Expression of interleukin (IL)-10 ( P = 0.027) and IL-5 ( P = 0.014) was significantly greater in patients with pneumonia than in those without pneumonia. Additionally, serum concentrations of interferon-γ ( P = 0.009), tumor necrosis factor-α ( P = 0.01), IL-4 ( P = 0.024), and IL-2 ( P = 0.012) were significantly lower in pneumonia patients with neutrophilic leukocytosis than in those without neutrophilic leukocytosis. Of the five serum chemokine concentrations assessed, only IL-8 was significantly lower in pneumonia patients with neutrophilic leukocytosis than in those without leukocytosis ( P = 0.001). These cytokines and chemokines may play important roles in the pathogenesis of childhood pneumonia associated with A/H1N1/2009 influenza virus infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two genetic diagnosis systems using reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) technology were evaluated: one for detecting the HA gene of the pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 virus (H1pdm RT-LAMP) and the other for detecting the matrix gene of the influenza A virus (TypeA RT-LAMP). The competence of these two RT-LAMP assay kits for the diagnosis of the pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 virus was compared using real-time RT-PCR assays developed recently on viruses isolated and clinical specimens collected from patients with suspected infection. TypeA RT-LAMP and H1pdm RT-LAMP showed almost the same sensitivity as real-time RT-PCR for viruses isolated. The sensitivity and specificity of TypeA RT-LAMP and H1pdm RT-LAMP were 96.3% and 88.9%, respectively, for clinical specimens. Considering that the ability of the two RT-LAMP assay kits for detection of the pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 virus was comparable to that of the real-time RT-PCR assays, and that the assays were completed within 1 hr and did not require any expensive equipment, these two RT-LAMP assays are promising rapid diagnostic tests for the pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 virus at the hospital bedside. J. Med. Virol. 83:10-15, 2011. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An unhealthy lifestyle can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the mechanism by which lifestyle influences the development of cardiovascular disease remains unclear. Since coronary endothelial function is a predictor of cardiovascular prognosis, the goal of this study was to characterize the effect of enjoying hobbies on coronary endothelial function and cardiovascular outcomes. A total of 121 consecutive patients (76 men, 45 women) with almost normal coronary arteries underwent Doppler flow study of the left anterior descending coronary artery following sequential administration of papaverine, acetylcholine, and nitroglycerin. On the basis of responses to questionnaires, patients were divided into two groups; the Hobby group ( n = 71) who enjoyed hobbies, and the Non-hobby group ( n = 50) who had no hobbies. Cardiovascular outcomes were assessed at long-term follow-up using medical records or questionnaire surveys for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).The average follow-up period was 916 ± 515 days. There were no significant differences in demographics when comparing the two groups. The percent change in coronary blood flow and coronary artery diameter induced by acetylcholine was significantly greater in the Hobby group than in the Non-hobby group (49% ± 77% vs 25% ± 37%, P < 0.05, 4% ± 13% vs −3% ± 20%, P < 0.05, respectively). The MACE rate was significantly lower in the Hobby group than in the Non-hobby group ( P < 0.01). Enjoyment of hobbies was the only independent predictor of MACE (odds ratio 8.1 [95% confidence interval 1.60, 41.90], P = 0.01) among the variables tested. In the early stages of arteriosclerosis, enjoying hobbies may improve cardiovascular outcomes via its favorable effects on coronary endothelial function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although reconduction after pulmonary vein (PV) isolation is considered to play a key role in the recurrence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), there have been few reports regarding the precise time course of early reconduction. Several studies have suggested that transient PV reconduction facilitated by adenosine may predict long-term AF recurrence. This study was designed to clarify the incidence and time course of early reconduction after PVI during the procedure and to confirm whether the use of ATP after a certain observation period was useful to detect early reconduction after PVI. Methods: In 21 patients (18 males, 56 ± 11 years) with drug refractory AF, radiofrequency circumferential PV antrum ablation was performed in all 4 PVs. After the completion of isolation, electrograms in each PV were repeatedly recorded (1.98 ± 0.57 times per PV) using a circular mapping catheter for an observation period of 87 ± 29 minutes. After isolation of all 4 PVs, 30 mg of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was administered during isoproterenol infusion. Results: PV electrical isolation was initially achieved in all 81 PVs. During the observation period, 12 (15%) PVs in 10 (48%) of 21 patients exhibited spontaneous reconduction. Among the remaining 69 PVs, 8 (12%) additional PVs had reconduction with the use of ATP. All PV reconduction was successfully eliminated by 4.5 ± 2.2 additional radiofrequency applications. Conclusion: A sufficient observation period and the use of ATP are useful to detect early reconduction after PV isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Acquired resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) is an intractable problem for many clinical oncologists. The mechanisms of resistance to EGFR-TKIs are complex. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) may play an important role in cancer development and metastasis. However, the biological process between lncRNAs and drug resistance to EGFR-mutated lung cancer remains largely unknown. (2) Methods: Osimertinib- and afatinib-resistant EGFR-mutated lung cancer cells were established using a stepwise method. A microarray analysis of non-coding and coding RNAs was performed using parental and resistant EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and evaluated by bioinformatics analysis through medical-industrial collaboration. (3) Results: Colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE) and DiGeorge syndrome critical region gene 5 (DGCR5) lncRNAs were highly expressed in EGFR-TKI-resistant cells by microarray analysis. RNA-protein binding analysis revealed eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A3 (eIF4A3) bound in an overlapping manner to CRNDE and DGCR5. The CRNDE downregulates the expression of eIF4A3, mucin 1 (MUC1), and phospho-EGFR. Inhibition of CRNDE activated the eIF4A3/MUC1/EGFR signaling pathway and apoptotic activity, and restored sensitivity to EGFR-TKIs. (4) Conclusions: The results showed that CRNDE is associated with the development of resistance to EGFR-TKIs. CRNDE may be a novel therapeutic target to conquer EGFR-mutant NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]