OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the allergic factors impact the severity of chronic rhinosinusitis or not, further more, to explore the relationship between allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis. METHOD: A retrospective review was done on 103 patients. All of these patients were under functional intranasal endoscopic sinus surgery after expectant treatment is ineffective. We devided the patients into different groups according to the result of skin prick and specific IgE and if there is difference in VAS score, Lund and Kennedy endoscopic score, Lund-Mackay CT score between the groups. We also analysed the symptoms in different chronic rhinosinusitis patients allerged to variant kinds of allergen. The SPSS 17.0 software was used to analyze the data. Statistical analysis was performed by t-test, rank order test or χ2 test. RESULT: The duration of the disease, VAS score of nasal blockage, score of Lund-Mackay CT and Lund and Kennedy endoscopic before the operation were in no statistical sense after when compared with the two groups of patients with chronic rhiriosinusitis who grouped according the result of skin prick and specific IgE. The VAS score of facial pressure and loss of smell was higher in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis which the skin prick and specific IgE were positive. The VAS score of nasal discharge was higher in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who got negative skin prick and specific IgE result. The symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis improved with operation no matter the group of skin prick and specific IgE positive or negative and VAS score of nasal blockage improved significantly in negative group. The symptoms of sneezing, rhinorrhoea and rhinocnesmus improved after operation among the chronic rhinosinusitis patients with skin prick and specific IgE. The number of cockroach allergy is larger among the patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without polyps than the one among the patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps. CONCLUSION Allergic factor didn't impact much the severity of chronic rhinosinusitis patients who were failed in expectant treatment, besidesthe postoperative outcomes showed that only influence the severity of nasal discharge, facial pressure and loss of smell. Different kinds of allergen were found between the patients of chronic rhinosinusitis with or without polyps. No significantly functional endoscopic sinusitis sugrery outcome were related to the allergic factor. But the allergic factor may interfere the remission of nasal discharge after surgery.
Administration, Intranasal ; Allergens ; Chronic Disease ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Nasal Obstruction ; Nasal Polyps ; surgery ; Polyps ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhinitis ; immunology ; surgery ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; surgery ; Sinusitis

This paper is to build a finite element model of brain with a real brain shapeon which simulation studies of electrical impedance tomography EIT in the brain is based. A curve of a real brain shape is simulated with the curve-fitting methods and EIT in the brain is finished with finite-element methods and Equipotential Lines Back-Projection algorithm.The locationarea and amplitude of the change of the resistivity are reconstructed accurately. But the image quality has to be further improved.This paper provides a basis for clinical applications of EIT in brain.

Objective To explore the present condition of endemic arsenism, the implementation of control measures and the effect of the monitored county (Tongyu County) and the monitoring spot (Baiyintuhai Village) in 2006 and 2007. Methods According to the National Survey Scheme of Endemic Arsenism, the progress of anti-arsenic water in Tongyu, and the management and running of all engineering projects and the arsenic content in water were surveyed. The patients with endemic arsenism in Tongyu were generally surveyed. The arsenic content of the improved drinking water in Tongyu and the arsenic in urine of children aged 8-12 and adults over 18 years of age were determinted. The causes of resident death in the monitoring spot from the year of 2006 and 2007 were investigated. Arsenic content of drinking water and the urine of local residents was examined with "Model AFS-930 Double-Channel Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometer". Results There were 30 endemic arsenism areas, 157 areas with high arsenic content and all population of 57 576 in Tongyu. Six areas had improved water till 2006, where 20.0% of water had improved, and six water-improving projects were all running normally, benefiting a population of 1670. Eight high arsenic areas changed water, in a rate of 5.09%. Eight water-improving projects were functioning well, benefiting a population of 4350. Until 2007, 28 areas had improved water in Tongyu, accounting for 93.33%. These 28 projects were well running, covering a population of 7980. One hundred and fouty-eight high arsenic areas had changed water, reaching a rate of 94.27%. One hundred and fouty-eight projects changedg water were running normally, benefiting a population of 46 214. In the surveyed spots, arsenic content was between 0.004 mg/L and 0.005 mg/L in 2006 and between 0.010 mg/L and 0.021 mg/L in 2007, all in the normal range to the time being. The arsenic contents in urine of the children aged 8-12 in the monitoring spots were determinted, averaging at 0.024 mg/L in 15 samples, fluctuating between 0.005 mg/L and 0.048 mg/L in 2006. The average content in urine from adults was 0.019 mg/L in 53 samples, fluctuating between 0.005 mg/L and 0.087 mg/L in 2007. The arsenic contents in urine were all in the normal range in 2006 and 2007. In 2006 14 endemic arsenism patients, all in light symptoms, had been checked out, the morbidity being 6.19%. In 2007, 17 patients who were all in light symptoms were identified in a rate of 6.94%. There was no significant difference of morbidity between the two years(χ2=0.1059, P>0.05). Two patients died, unrelating with drinking high arsenic water in 2006 and 2007. Conclusions The prevention and control measures are well implemented in Tongyu. The water-improving projects are functioning well. The condition of endemic arsenism is slight and hasn't changed so much in these two years. The arsenic contents in urine of children and adults within the normal range, showing that improving water can control the occurrence and the development of endemic arsenism.

When the glomerular mesangial cells of rats were cultured in vitro at high glucose concentration,the activity of extraeellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK),the expression of transforming growth factor-?_1(TGF-?_1)mRNA and the content of typeⅣcollagen in the supematant were higher than those at normal glucose concentration.These effects were inhibited by fluvastatin.The results showed that the activation of ERK signal transduction pathways appeared to play a role in the onset and progression of diabetic nephropathy. Furthermore,fluvastatin could protect the kidney by inhibiting ERK signal transduction pathway and TGF-?_1 expression.

Objective:To study the chemical constituents in the volatile oil from fruits of Alpinia oxy-phylla.Method:Using GC-MS to identify the constituents.Result and Conclusion:Sixty-four compounds were identified on the basis of GC-MS, the main ones being p-cymene, valencene, linalool, myrtenal, α-pinene, β-pinene, furopelargone A and terpinen-4-ol.Three sesquiterpenes valencene, nootkanone and nootkanol have been isolated from the CHCl3 extract as check，of these 64 identiified compounds linalyl oxide, valencene, bakkenolide A, furopelargone A and 3-hydroxycalamenene are reported for the first time.

Objective To investigate the value of electrical impedance tomography (EIT) system in the early diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) through observing the primary regularity of the electrical impedance changes in SAH animal models as well as the possible mechanism of this regularity. Methods The experimental SAH models in piglets were intmduced by one-time injection of fresh autologous blood into the cisterna magna. We observed the changes of the two-dimensional imaging with EIT system used for cominual dynamic monitoring to the models.Results The models were successfully introduced in 8 piglets.In the forepan of the injection,resistivity configuration decreased at the anterior region of the head as well as the posterior of that. At the time of finishing injection,the resistivity configuration reached the negative max value.After injection,resistivity configuration at the anterior region of the head gradually came back. But the resistivity configuration at the posterior region of the head increased persistenny. Conclusions Althouth the configuration of human head is so complex that limits the application of EIT on the head,it does have certain sensitivity in the diagnosis of SAH and can localize the hemorrhage site, so EIT may be applied widely in early diagnosis and assistant treatment of SAH in clinical.

AIMTo establish a simple and effective method for RBCs labeling and survival assays, and the qualities of rabbit RBCs preserved in GMA solution at 4 degrees C were verified.

METHODSThe bloods were taken through the ear arteries of the rabbits. The RBCs were labeled by fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), and were reinjected to the same rabbit through ear veins. The percentage of FITC labeled RBCs was assayed by FACS at a series of times after injection. The SAS software was employed to analyze the data and establish the regression equations. The 24-hour recovery and the half-life span of the labeled RBCs were calculated according to the equations.

RESULTSThe 24-hour recovery and the half-life span of the labeled RBCs in the control group were 93.76% +/- 5.40% and 22.50% +/- 4.37 days respectively, which was in agreement with the previous papers. The 24-hour recovery and the half-life span of the labeled RBCs in the GMA group were 89.13% +/- 7.10% and 11.41% +/- 1.63 days respectively, which was coincident with the infusion conditions.

CONCLUSIONCompared with other methods of RBCs labeling in vivo, FITC labeling was thought to be easier and cheaper to use, which could facilitate the analysis of the biological character of the labeled cells, and could be used to trace the fate of labeled cells.

Animals ; Blood Preservation ; methods ; Erythrocyte Aging ; physiology ; Erythrocyte Count ; Erythrocytes ; physiology ; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate ; Rabbits ; Software

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of portaazygous disconnection (PAD), portacaval shunt (PCS) and distal splenocaval shunt (DSCS) on the portosytemic shunting (PSS), hepatic function (HF), hepatic mitochondrial respiratory function (HMRF), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and arterial ketone body ratio (KBR) in order to provide a sound basis for selecting suitable operations for patients.

METHODSUsing a cirrhotic portal hypertensive model induced by CCl4/ethanol in Wistar rats, the PSS, HF, HMRF, OGTT and KBR were determined three weeks after PCS, DSCS and PAD.

RESULTSIt was revealed that: (1) In the cirrhotic portal hypertension rats, the PSS increased significantly, HMRF and hepatic reserve function (HRF) decreased significantly when compared with the control rats. (2) At the time of first postoperative week, the mean blood glucose value in the 120-minute OGTT in each PAD, PCS and DSCS groups had significant differences compared with the cirrhotic control group. But during the second and third postoperative weeks, the mean blood glucose values in the 120-minute OGTT in both PAD and DSCS groups had no significant differences compared with the cirrhotic control group except for the PCS group. The values of KBR in the three operative groups decreased significantly compared with the cirrhotic control group during the two postoperative weeks. In the third postoperative week, only the values of KBR in the PCS group had a significant difference compared with the cirrhotic control group. (3) After PCS, the PSS was further increased; HF and HMRF were significantly decreased. Little improvement was found in the third postoperative week. (4) After DSCS and PAD, the above mentioned indices were less influenced, and they were restored more quickly than those in the PCS group.

CONCLUSIONWe found that PAD and DSCS are more desirable than PCS.

Animals ; Hypertension, Portal ; etiology ; surgery ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; complications ; surgery ; Portacaval Shunt, Surgical ; Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical ; methods ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of a novel angiotensin II type 1 receptor-associated protein (ATRAP) interfering with angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor-mediated vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth and neointimal formation.

METHODSVSMCs isolated from thoracic aorta of adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used in this study. ATRAP cDNA was subcloned into pcDNA3 vector and then transfected into VSMCs. DNA synthesis and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and phospho-ERK expressions in VSMCs were assayed by measurement of 3H thymidine incorporation and Western blotting, respectively. Morphological changes were observed in the balloon injured artery with or without transfection of ATRAP cDNA using 12-week-old male SD rats.

RESULTSATRAP overexpression in VSMCs inhibited angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced 3H thymidine incorporation 48 hours after Ang II stimulation (P < 0.05). In VSMC, Ang II stimulation increased the phosphorylation of ERK, which reached the peak around 60 minutes. The activation of phospho-ERK was significantly decreased by ATRAP (P < 0.05). Neointimal formation was markedly inhibited by ATRAP overexpression in injuried arteries.

CONCLUSIONSThe AT1 receptor-derived activation of ERK plays an essential role in Ang II-induced VSMC growth. The growth inhibitory effects of ATRAP might be due to interfering with AT1 receptor-mediated activation of ERK in VSMC growth and neointimal formation.

Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; cytology ; Cell Division ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; physiology ; Phosphorylation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; physiology ; Receptors, Angiotensin ; genetics ; physiology ; Transfection ; Tunica Intima ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo set up a method for the drainage of lymph fluid and explore the change of active materials in lymph fluid and serum after rat ischemia-reperfusion injury.

METHODSThe method of the drainage of lymph fluid was well established. Sixteen healthy male rats of SPF grade were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups: intestinal ischemia-reperfusion + drainage group (I/R + drainage group) and drainage group. All the rats were subjected to superior mesenteric artery occlusion for 60 minutes, followed by 120 minutes of reperfusion. We compared the change of high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) protein, endotoxin tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL) -1 beta, IL-6, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecular-1 (sICAM-1) by draining lymph fluid and collecting serum in 2 groups.

RESULTSThe drainage of lymph fluid was successfully performed. The HMGB1, endotoxin, and cytokines in serum and lymph fluid were significantly higher in ischemia-reperfusion group than in drainage group (P < 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONSThe method for drainage of lymph fluid is simple and feasible. Endotoxin, HMGB1, and some cytokines in serum and lymph fluid may mediate the ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drainage ; methods ; Endotoxins ; metabolism ; HMGB1 Protein ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Intestines ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Lymph ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism