Cough ; etiology ; Eye ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; complications ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Nose

Objective To determine the median effective dose (ED50 ) of ropivacaine for spinal anesthesia when combined with sufentanil in patients undergoing caesarean section. Methods Twenty-eight ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ parturients, aged 18-40 yr, weighing 50-110 kg, undergoing cesarean section under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia, were enrolled in this study. Combined spinal-epidural anesthesia was performed at L2,3 interspace. The mixture of ropivacaine and 5 fig sufentanil was injected into the subarachnoid space over 30 s. The initial dose of ropivacaine was 11 mg. The dose was increased/decreased by 1 mg in the next patient. The ED50 and 95% confidence interval were calculated by up-and-down method. Results The ED50 of ropivacaine was 7.780 mg (95% confidence interval 6.850-8.836 mg). Conclusion When combined with sufentanil 5 μg, the ED50 of ropivacaine for spinal anesthesia is 7.780 mg in patients undergoing caesarean section.

The impact of prior cesarean section (CS) on the pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) was investigated.A retrospective analysis was performed on 144 patients with prior CS between January 2013 and December 2015.The pregnancy,delivery,and neonatal outcomes of patients who had previous CS delivery and received IVF-ET were analyzed.The control group comprised 166 patients who had only previous vaginal delivery (VD) and received IVF-ET during the same period.The results showed that the basal follicle stimulating hormone level,estradiol level on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) day,gonadotrophin dosage,duration of stimulation,retrieved oocytes,fertilization rate,high-quality embryo rate,multiple birth rate,abortion rate and ectopic pregnancy rate had no significant difference between the two groups (P＞0.05).The pregnancy rate (40.28％ vs.54.22％) and implantation rate (24.01％ vs.34.67％) were significantly lower (P＜0.05),and the ratio of embryo difficulty transfer (9/144 vs.0/166) was significantly higher in CS group than in VD group.The risk of pernicious placenta previa and postpartum hemorrhage in twin deliveries was significantly increased in CS group as compared with that in VD group (P＜0.05),and gestational age and neonatal birth weight were significantly reduced in twin deliveries as compared with singleton deliveries in both groups (P＜0.05).It was suggested that the existence of CS scar may impact embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy outcome,and increase the difficulty of ET.We should limit the number of transfer embryos to avoid multiple pregnancies and strengthen gestational supervision in patients with cesarean scar.

OBJECTIVETo explore the activation and regulation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) on transcription of cytokines in cultured lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nasal epithelial cells.

METHODSNormal sphenoid mucosa epithelium from 11 patients who accepted pituitary tumor surgery via trans-sphenoid approach was separated and cultured without serum. The epithelium of the third or the forth passage was induced with LPS. Wedelolactone, a blocking agent of NF-κB was used at the same time. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay was used to detect DNA-binding activity of NF-κB. The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate mRNA of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), regulated on activation, normal T expressed and secreted (RANTES), eotaxin, eotaxin-2, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS17.0 software.

RESULTSDNA binding activity of NF-κB and mRNA of IL-1β, IL-8 and COX-2 increased in cultured LPS-induced nasal epithelial cells (relative values were 1.013 ± 0.144, 0, 0, 0 respectively in control group and relative ones of LPS-induced were 2.050 ± 0.305, 1.057 ± 0.041, 0.950 ± 0.042, 0.117 ± 0.012 respectively). There was significant difference between the control group and LPS-induced nasal epithermal cells group (P values were 0.004, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000 respectively). Corresponding expression of NF-κB, IL-1β, IL-8 and COX-2 decreased after the addition of Wedelolactone (relative values were 0.917 ± 0.188, 0.180 ± 0.008, 0, 0 respectively). There was significant difference between the LPS-induced nasal epithelial cells group and the Wedelolactone-addition group (P values were 0.002, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000 respectively). But the expression of mRNA of other factors were 0 in all groups.

CONCLUSIONSThe NF-κB signal transduction pathway was involved in the transcriptional regulation of IL-1β, IL-8 and COX-2 in cultured LPS-induced nasal epithelial cells.

Cells, Cultured ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Nasal Mucosa ; cytology ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Signal Transduction

Radiofrequency (RF) radiation at the frequency of mobile phones has been not reported to induce cellular responses in in vitro and in vivo models. We exposed HEI-OC1, conditionally-immortalized mouse auditory cells, to RF radiation to characterize cellular responses to 1763 MHz RF radiation. While we could not detect any differences upon RF exposure, whole-genome expression profiling might provide the most sensitive method to find the molecular responses to RF radiation. HEI-OC1 cells were exposed to 1763 MHz RF radiation at an average specific absorption rate (SAR) of 20 W/kg for 24 hr and harvested after 5 hr of recovery (R5), alongside sham-exposed samples (S5). From the whole-genome profiles of mouse neurons, we selected 9 differentially-expressed genes between the S5 and R5 groups using information gain-based recursive feature elimination procedure. Based on support vector machine (SVM), we designed a prediction model using the 9 genes to discriminate the two groups. Our prediction model could predict the target class without any error. From these results, we developed a prediction model using biomarkers to determine the RF radiation exposure in mouse auditory cells with perfect accuracy, which may need validation in in vivo RF-exposure models.
Absorption ; Animals ; Cellular Phone ; Gene Expression* ; Mice ; Neurons ; Support Vector Machine ; Biomarkers

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility and reliability of the measurement of critical anatomic landmarks of endoscopic endonasal anatomy of pterygopalatine fossa and infratemporal fossa using multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT), and to illustrate the spatial relationship of the surgical landmarks in pterygopalatine fossa and infratemporal fossa through an endoscopic endonasal view and radiological images.

METHODSIncluded in this study were eleven fixed cadaver heads (22 pterygopalatine fossa and infratemporal fossa), which were prepared from MSCT scans for establishing a spatial coordinates system to calculate the radiological anatomic data and attaining 3D reconstruction image, and also were anatomically dissected to get anatomic data. The anatomic data in two groups were compared, the endoscopic and radiological images of the same regions acquired during the endoscopic endonasal approaches observed.

RESULTSThe distance (x(-) ± s) from nasal columella to sphenopalatine foramen, pterygoid canal, foramen rotundum, foramen ovale, foramen spinosum, carotid canal, foramen lacerum in radiological group were: (68.83 ± 3.00), (72.49 ± 2.88), (75.26 ± 3.14), (88.55 ± 5.00), (95.19 ± 4.31), (106.76 ± 3.77), (88.16 ± 2.87) mm and in anatomic group were: (68.90 ± 3.04), (72.73 ± 3.08), (75.44 ± 3.07), (89.75 ± 4.13), (96.22 ± 3.37), (106.68 ± 3.75), (88.47 ± 2.64) mm. There was no statistical difference between two groups (t value were -0.856, -1.134, -0.920, -1.923, -1.903, 2.820 and 1.209, respectively, all P > 0.05). Sphenopalatine foramen, pterygoid canal, foramen rotundum, foramen ovale, foramen spinosum, foramen lacerum, carotid canal were the corresponding anatomic structures in endoscope and radiology, which provided the surgeons with anatomic landmarks to identify the spatial relationship of the surgical structures in pterygopalatine fossa and infratemporal fossa.

CONCLUSIONSMSCT measurements of anatomic landmarks are feasible and reliable, can be used in clinical individualized surgery. The corresponding anatomic structures of endoscopic and radiological landmarks provide useful reference to surgeons when operating in these areas through an endoscopic endonasal approach.

Endoscopy ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Pterygopalatine Fossa ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Skull Base ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

Objective To optimize prescription of gentiopicroside nanoemulsion; To evaluate its quality and security. Methods According to the basic properties of gentiopicroside, single-factor test and pseudo-ternary phase diagram were adopted to optimize prescription of gentiopicroside nanoemulsion. The physicochemical property was investigated, and the content was evaluated by HPLC. Results Optimal prescription was obtained as gentiopicroside/ethyl acetate/ EL-35/ absolute ethyl alcohol/ ultrapure water (1.77:7.66:5.94:11.91:72.71); the particle size of nanoemulsion was 23.08 nm; the content of gentiopicroside was determined by HPLC; the specificity of the method was good with a linear range of 0.004 28–0.214 mg/mL; stability of prepared gentiopicroside nanoemulsion was good in the state of different temperatures, illumination intensity and humidity conditions, without significant changes. Conclusion The optimized preparation technology of gentiopicroside nanoemulsion is simple, repeatable and stable, which can provide references for improving the bioavailability of gentiopicroside.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of peripheral blood gammadelta T cells/CD4 CD25+ regulatory T cells(Treg) and cytokines interleukin 17 (IL-17) and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) in patients with allergic rhinitis.

METHODSFrom March 2012 to July 2012, 32 patients with allergic rhinitis (AR group) and 20 healthy control subjects (control group) were collected. The expression of peripheral blood gammadelta T cells/Treg cells were measured by flow cytometry and the levels of IL-17 and TGF-beta1 were evaluated by ELISA. SPSS 16.0 software was used to analyze the data.

RESULTSThe percentages of gammadeltaT cells in AR group were (13.30 +/- 8.62)%, which was significantly higher (t = 5.18, P < 0.01) than those in control group (5.18 +/- 1.86)%. The percentages of Treg cells in AR group were (1.75 +/- 0.56)%, which were significantly lower (t = 7.46, P < 0. 01) than those in control group (4.76 +/- 1.74)%. The IL-17 levels in AR group were (668.55 +/- 45.15) pg/ml, which were also significantly higher (t = 8.97, P < 0.01) than those in control group (573.53 +/- 17.42) pg/ml. The TGF-beta1 levels in AR group were (0.34 +/- 0.04) pg/ml, which were also significantly lower (t = 9.51, P < 0.01) than those in control group (0.49 +/- 0.06) pg/ml. There was a negative correlation between the percentages of gammadelta T cells and Treg cells (r = -0.561, P < 0.01). There was a negative correlation between the percentages of gammadelta T cells and TGF-beta1 levels (r = -0.622, P < 0.01). A positive correlation was shown between the percentages of gammadelta T cells and IL-17 levels in AR (r = 0.469, P < 0.01). A positive correlation was shown between the percentages of Treg cells and TGF-beta1 levels in AR (r = 0.738, P < 0.01). There was no correlation between IL-17 levels and the percentages of Treg cells or TGF-beta1 levels (r value was -0.111, -0.196, all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere are imbalances of gammadelta T and Treg cells in peripheral blood of patients with allergic rhinitis. gammadelta T cells may be the main cell to produce IL-17, which may play an important role in allergic rhinitis.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Interleukin-17 ; metabolism ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; immunology ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution and clonality of T cell receptor (TCR) Vγ and Vδ subfamily in peripheral blood of patients with allergic rhinitis before and after 1 year treatment with immunotherapy.

METHODSThe specific IgE and the complementary determinant region 3 (CDR3) of TCR V γ (I-III) and Vδ(1-8) subfamily genes in mononuclear cells were amplified from 10 effective cases of allergic rhinitis before and after 1 year treatment with immunotherapy, to observe the distribution and utilization of TCR Vγ and Vδ repertoire. The positive PCR products were further labeled with RT-PCR and analyzed by gene scan technique to determine the CDR3 size and evaluate the clonality of the detectable TCR Vγ and Vδ T cells. Peripheral blood of 10 healthy adults served as controls.

RESULTSAll symptoms were significantly improved after 1 year specific immunotherapy, but no changes were seen in specific IgE [(22.89 ± 9.60) kU/L before treatment, (19.62 ± 7.63) kU/L after treatment, Z = 1.051, P > 0.05]. No statistically significant differences of expression levels of the TCR Vγ I-III subfamily genes were found between patients with allergic rhinitis normal control group (t value were -0.679, -0.516, -0.808, all P > 0.05), but significantly decreased after 1 year treatment. There were statistically significant differences of expression levels of the TCR VγI-II subfamily genes before and after treatment (t value were -2.904, -2.217, all P < 0.05). 5.30 ± 0.82, 4.90 ± 0.57 and 5.20 ± 1.40 out of TCR Vδ (1-8) subfamilies were selectively expressed in T cells in patients with allergic rhinitis before and after 1 year treatment and normal control group, predominantly for TCR Vδ 1, 2, 3 and 6. The TCR Vδ 6 subfamily was found to have statistically significant differences in these groups (Fisher's Exact Test, P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group and the allergic rhinitis group before treatment, a significant higher frequency of Vδ 6 oligoclonal was identified in T cells in patients with allergic rhinitis after 1 year treatment.

CONCLUSIONSThere was difference in the expression levels of the TCR Vγ I-III subfamily genes and distribution and clonality of TCR Vγ and Vδ subfamily T cells in peripheral blood of patients with allergic rhinitis before and after 1 year treatment. Specific immunotherapy can be effective in alleviation of the symptom in patients with allergic rhinitis during the early stage, possibly by inducing TCR γδ T cells, especially the TCR Vδ6 subfamily, and possibly no significant relativity between symptom and specific IgE.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Genes, T-Cell Receptor ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Immunotherapy ; Male ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta ; genetics ; immunology ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta ; genetics ; immunology ; Rhinitis ; genetics ; immunology ; therapy ; Young Adult