Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a mediator of airway inflammation and remodelling in asthma. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1plays pivotal roles in diverse biological processes, including tissue remodelling and repair in a number of chronic lung diseases. However, there are few studies elucidating the interactions between VEGF and TGF-β1in allergic airway disease.A murine model of allergic airway disease was used to define the mechanism by which VEGF induces subepithelial fibrosis and to investigate a potential relationship between VEGF and TGF-β1and the mechanisms by which VEGF signalling regulates TGF-β1expression in allergic airway disease.The ovalbumin (OVA)-inhaled murine model revealed the following typical pathophysiological features of allergic airway disease in the lungs: increased numbers of inflammatory cells of the airways, airway hyperresponsiveness, increased peribronchial fibrosis, and increased levels of VEGF and TGF-β1. Administration of VEGF inhibitors reduced the pathophysiological signs of allergic airway disease and decreased the increased TGF-β1levels and peribronchial fibrosis, including phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activity after OVA inhalation. In addition, the increased TGF-β1levels and collagen deposition after OVA inhalation were decreased by administration of PI3K inhibitors.These results suggest that inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor attenuates peribronchial fibrosis, at least when mediated by regulation of transforming growth factor-β1expression through phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway in a murine model of allergic airway disease.

To enhance the detection of bacterial meningitis in an East Asian surveillance study, we employed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) bacterial culture, latex agglutination (LA) and polymerase chain reaction-enzyme immunoassay (PCR-EIA) testing for Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp). The sensitivity and specificity of CSF PCR-EIA testing was compared to LA and culture. A meningitis case was defined by one positive result for any of the three tests. The sensitivity of H. influenzae CSF PCR-EIA, LA, and culture was 100%, 40% and 57.5% respectively; and for Sp CSF PCR-EIA, LA and culture, the sensitivity was 100%, 58.3% and 66.7%, respectively. Hib and Sp specificity was 100% by each method. CSF PCR-EIA was more sensitive than culture or LA for the detection of Hib and Sp meningitis cases increasing their incidence by 74% and 50% compared to culture respectively. CSF PCR-EIA should be included for the detection of bacterial meningitis in surveillance studies.

This paper describes the production of porous surfaces using multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/ copper composite powders, as well as the investigation of the pore characteristics and mechanical properties of the MWCNT coated porous surfaces for boiling heat transfer application. The influence of MWCNT content, milling time and sintering temperature on porosity was investigated. When MWCNT content increased, it resulted in a decrease in porosity and microhardness; however, adhesion is improved. With the increase in milling time, the porosity of coatings increased; meanwhile, the mechanical properties enhanced. The high temperature diffusion and shrinkage of Cu particles resulted in removal of the small pores. Thus, with an increase in sintering temperature, the porosity percentage and average pore diameter decreased.

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