Beijing-Chicago Initiative for Respiratory Disease Research

The University of Chicago Center in Beijing
20th floor, Culture Plaza
No. 59A Zhong Guan Cun Street
Haidian District Beijing 100872

China’s booming economy is driving fundamental changes in its citizens’ lifestyles with implications not only for the political and economic spheres and in the arena of medicine. One area of special importance is respiratory disease, where the impact of environmental influences is profound. Respiratory disease is increasingly prevalent in developed countries and while its specific etiology is not yet known, factors associated with improved socioeconomic standards and urbanization—including exposures such as air pollution, microbes, and diet—have been implicated. As a rapidly industrializing nation with a large population, China presents an outstanding opportunity to examine these issues. The conference strengthened ties between Chinese and University of Chicago scientists in order to develop collaborations on respiratory research that can address global concerns related to human health and disease.

Potential Areas of Collaboration include:

Epidemiology of Olfactory Loss in China
Analysis of Clinical Data from Beijing Hospitals for Otolaryngologic Disease, OSA, Olfaction, etc.
Survey of Respiratory Disease, Olfaction, and Pollution in Beijing
Genetics and Olfaction in Chinese Subjects
Microbiome and Olfaction in Chinese Subjects
Aging, Rhinitis, and Olfactory Decline

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Conference opening

9:00am –  Breakfast

9:30am – Welcome

10:00am –  1:00pm – Conference lectures

Yongxiang Wei, M.D., Ph.D. Development of olfaction study in China
Yongxiang Wei, M.D., Ph.D. Animal models of olfaction loss
Ling Yang, M.D., Ph.D. Studies of olfaction in Chinese subjects
1:00pm – 2:30pm – Lunch

2:30pm – 5:30pm – Conference lectures

Jayant M. Pinto, M.D.  Population studies of olfaction in the USA
Robert Naclerio, M.D.  Clinical studies of nasal physiology.
Yuanyuan Ren, M.D., Ph.D.  Study on regulatory mechanism of glucocorticoid on ion channels of olfactory receptor neurons
6:00pm – Reception and Dinner, Conference participants

Wednesday, October 10

9:00am –  Breakfast

9:15am – Welcome

9:30am –  1:30pm – Conference lectures

Fuad M. Baroody, M.D.  OSA: Bacteria and other lessons from the inner city
Xiheng Guo, M.D., Ph.D. Studies of OSA in Chinese
Xiaohong Yu, M.D.  OSA: Testing and measurement issues across centers
1:30pm – 2:30pm – Lunch

2:30pm – 5:30pm – Conference lectures

Xutao Miao, M.D., Ph.D. Histological changes of olfactory epithelium in rats with traumatic anosmia
Xutao Miao, M.D., Ph.D. MRI study of patients with posttraumatic olfactory dysfunction
Linyin Yao, M.D., Ph.D.: Research on structural imageology evaluating olfactory function
7:00pm – Closing Dinner, Course Faculty

Organizers: Jayant M. Pinto, University of Chicago (Department of Surgery), Xiaohong Yu, University of Chicago (Department of Psychiatry), Yongxiang Wei, Beijing An Zhen Hospital, Capital University Medical School, and the Chinese Society for Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.