OBJECTIVETo investigate whether patients presenting with self-reported olfactory disorders demonstrates significant side difference in odour recognition by measuring separately for each nostril.

METHODSOne hundred and four patients with chief complaint of hyposmia were evaluated by medical history, physical examination, T&T olfactory testing and medical imaging. Smell was tested using T&T olfactometry in each nostril separately.

RESULTSBased on the history and results from the clinical examination, unilateral sinonasal diseases and abnormal nasal structure were excluded. In almost one eighth of all presenting patients (13.46%), a side difference was detected. Especially, six of the patients were identified with lateralized hyposmia.

CONCLUSIONSOlfactory testing could be performed in each nostril separately. The above findings suggested that testing each nostril separately was necessary so as not to miss unilateral hyposmia as a special clinical manifestation of olfactory disorder.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Olfaction Disorders ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Olfactory Mucosa ; Sensory Receptor Cells ; Smell ; physiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT) after high dose melphalan in patients with POEMS syndrome.

METHODSNine patients including 6 males and 3 females received 10 auto-PBSCT after high dose melphalan in our hospital from June 2005 to October 2009. The median age at transplantation was 44 (39 - 48) years. The median time from onset of disease to transplantation was 12 (5 - 60) months. Peripheral stem cells were mobilized by G-CSF alone in one patient and 8 patients by G-CSF plus chemotherapy. Two patients were conditioned by melphalan 140 mg/m(2) and 7 by melphalan 200 mg/m(2). The median number of MNC was 3.75 (1.05 - 8.33) × 10(8)/kg, and that of CD34(+) cell was 5.37 (1.32 - 10.90) × 10(6)/kg.

RESULTOne patient received tandem auto-PBSCT and others received single one. Stem cell engrafted in all but 1 patient who died of severe infection and acute renal failure on day 9 after transplantation. Eight patients were evaluable for response. The median time to ANC ≥ 0.5 × 10(9)/L and platelet ≥ 20 × 10(9)/L was 10 (9 - 11) and 11.5 (9 - 14) days respectively. Two patient reached negative immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) after stem cell mobilization and transplantation respectively, and the other 6 remained IFE postive after auto-PBSCT. Skin changes and edema of lower extremities were improved in 5 of 6 patients, lymphadenopathy relieved in 1 and papilledema improved in 2 of 3 patients. All but 1 patient achieved gradual neurologic improvement after transplantation.

CONCLUSIONPBSCT is an effective and safe therapy for POEMS syndrome patients with low treatment related mortality.

Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; therapeutic use ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization ; Humans ; Melphalan ; therapeutic use ; POEMS Syndrome ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation

Objective To establish the test way of latex enhanced immune turbidimetric method for the concentration detection of urine free hemoglobin on the automatic biochemical analyzer,and evaluated the detection performance.Methods Prepared the detection reagents of latex enhanced immune turbidimetry method for detection of urine free hemoglobin with materials such as hemoglobin HBA0 antibody (8.5 mg/ml),80 nm carboxylic olystyrene latex microspheres (estapor,nanometer microspheres) and so on.Then,seted the project parameters on TBA120 automatic biochemical analyzer and proceeded the calibrations.Evaluated the detection performance by accuracy,precision,linear range,sensitivity,specificity and other indicators.Lastly,established the biological reference interval for urine free hemoglobin of healthy people in the region and verified it.Results To seted the project parameters on TBA120 automatic biochemical analyzer and passed the calibration.The calibration fitting curve had a smooth trend and no obvious deviation with each measuring point.In the recovery tests,added standard liquid with different concentrations of 100 mg/L and 500 mg/L to the samples with low values,the recovery rate was 95.3％ and 102.7％ respectively.Same to the samples with high values,the recovery rate was 104.2％ and 103.5％ respectively.In the precision test,samples with low and high value had a precision CV of 6.52％ and 4.18％ respectively.The linear range was 0 ～ 1 100 mg/L,analysis sensitivity was 2.8 mg/L.In the interference test,found that,samples had no obvious disturbance to the test with lower concentrations of free bilirubin,combined with bilirubin,vitamin C,animal hemoglobin lower than 342 μmol/L,342 μmol/L,0.03 g/L,500 mg/L respectively,while had significant interference when the concentration of chyle was higher than 870 FTU.Their study had established the biological reference interval of healthy people,male was 0～ 13.3 mg/L and female 0 ～ 17.1 mg/L,there was no significant difference between them by a t test (P＞0.05).Conclusion The latex enhanced immune turbidimetric method for the detection of urine free hemoglobin has the performance of testing clinical urine specimen,which not only solved the lackage problem of specificity for occult blood in the urine dry chemistry test and realized batch automation quantitative detection.The experimental data of this study provides a theoretical basis for the application of the method in other types of clinical samples.

Objective To learn the current situation of knowledge,attitude and practice (KAP)about tuberculosis prevention and treatment among close contacts of tuberculosis patients in Yangzhou City and to explore the influencing factors and relationship of KAP.Methods A total of 460 TB(tuberculosis)patients'families in Yangzhou were randomly selected by means of cluster random sampling.And 746 close contacts of tuberculosis patients were investigated by face - to - face interview.Their basic information,knowledge ,belief and behavior of TB were analyzed by descriptive analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis.Results The overall awareness rate of tuberculosis prevention and control was 58.30% ,and the rate of positive belief was 50.19%,and the behavior holding rate was 59.25%.The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that diagnostic types,degree of education and location were the major influencing factors. Conclusion Close contacts with low education level and with smear positive patients in the family should be paid more attention.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the health-related quality of life and postdischarge long-term outcome after severe acute pancreatitis.

METHODSThe hospital records of patients with SAP discharged healthy from January 2003 to December 2003 were reviewed. The Rand 36-item Health Survey with accessory question was mailed to each patient. The means and deviations for each of eight scales scores of SF-36 were calculated, the study population scores were compared with general Chinese population; Univariate analysis was applied to determining the effects of variables such as age, sex, causes of disease, mode of treatment, frequency of surgery, financial burden, length of stay, chronic complications. Accessory questions were analyzed separately.

RESULTSThe means and deviations for each of eight scales (PF, RP, RE, BP, VT, MH, SF, GH) scores of SF-36 in SAP patients were 83 +/- 15, 62 +/- 42, 69 +/- 36, 80 +/- 15, 69 +/- 19, 72 +/- 15, 75 +/- 18, 65 +/- 18, compared with general people. Except RP and SF, the others were similar. In the ANOVA of Physical Component Summary, the three variables mode of treatment, financial burden and length of stay were included (P < 0.05), while in that of Mental Component Summary, the two variables of gender and financial burden were included (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe health-related quality of life in SAP patients is similar to that of general people. Greater attention should be given to mode of treatment, length of stay and financial burden to improve quality of life.

APACHE ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Analysis of Variance ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing ; psychology ; therapy ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Survivors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo construct the multi-probe ribonuclease protection assay (RPA) template set to be used for detecting expression patterns of MD-2, TLR4, CD14 mRNAs in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

METHODSThe designed cDNA fragments of the three genes were generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers and directionally cloned into EcoR I and Hind III sites of expression plasmid pSP72 containing the T7 promoter, the linearized plasmids was used as template to synthesize anti-sense RNA probes. Then we extracted total RNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and detected the dynamic expression patterns of the three genes with RPA method.

RESULTSThe proper sequence and orientation of the template set were confirmed by sequencing and the template set was successfully used to assay TLR4, MD-2 and CD14 mRNAs in human PBMC. The results showed that the three detected genes decreased transiently 1-3 hours after 100 ng/ml LPS stimulation.

CONCLUSIONSThese new RPA multi-probe set provided valuable tool for the simultaneous quantitative determination of expression of TLR4, CD14 and MD-2 mRNAs in both constitutive and inducible types.

Antigens, Surface ; analysis ; Base Sequence ; Biological Assay ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA ; analysis ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; methods ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; analysis ; Lymphocyte Antigen 96 ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; analysis ; Molecular Probe Techniques ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Monocytes ; metabolism ; RNA Probes ; analysis ; genetics ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; analysis ; Receptors, Immunologic ; analysis ; Ribonucleases ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; Toll-Like Receptors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture for treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome and discuss its action mechanism.

METHODSFifty-seven cases were randomly divided into two groups. The acupuncture group (29 cases) was treated with acupuncture at Taichong (LR 3), Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) etc., once a day and 5 times per week. The medication group (28 cases) was treated with oral administration of pinaverium (50 mg each time, 3 times a day) and live combined bifidobacterium and lactobacillus tablet (4 tablets each time, 3 times a day). Four weeks were taken as a treatment course in both groups. Before and after treatment ELISA method was applied to measure the level of serum 5-HT of the patients in two groups. The scores of clinical symptoms were observed before treatment, after one and four weeks of treatment and 3 months after treatment, respectively.

RESULTSThe level of serum 5-HT was significantly reduced in the acupuncture group and medication group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), which had no statistical difference between two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the medication group, the scores of clinical symptoms were obviously improved in the acupuncture group after one and four weeks of treatment and 3 months after treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 89.66% (26/29) in the acupuncture group, which was superior to 67.85% (19/28) in the medication group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe efficacy of acupuncture is superior to that of medicine in the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. The acupuncture treatment could reduce the visceral sensitivity, improve the intestinal motility and regulate the imbalance of brain-intestine interactive function.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Diarrhea ; blood ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; blood ; therapy ; Male ; Serotonin ; blood ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interferon gamma (IFN gamma) on the expression of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) on the surface of mouse alveolar macrophages.

METHODSAlveolar macrophages from mouse were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10% (V/V) endotoxin-free calf serum. After the alveolar macrophages were stimulated with TNF alpha and IFN gamma (concentration, 20 ng/ml) for 3 h, 6 h and 12 h, the expression of PRRs, including cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14), scavenger receptor (SR), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), TLR2 and TLR9 mRNA and proteins were examined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe expressions of CD14, TLR2 and TLR9 receptors, which were related with cellular activation, were up-regulated by the stimulation of TNF alpha and IFN gamma (P < 0.05), while SR, which was related with cellular defense action, was down-regulated (P < 0.05). Although the expression of TLR4 was up-regulated, there was no statistical significance (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe cytokines such as TNF alpha and IFN gamma could also produce feedback regulation on the expression of PRRs at the levels of genes and proteins. Such regulation on the PRRs expression would be significant for further amplification of inflammation cascade and eventually leading to uncontrolled inflammation.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Interferon-gamma ; pharmacology ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; metabolism ; Mice ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptors, Pattern Recognition ; biosynthesis ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Toll-Like Receptor 9 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology

Objective: To investigate clinic-pathological characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of intravascular large B cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) in China. Methods: Clinical and pathological records were analyzed from 12 IVLBCL patients diagnosed between Jan 2010 to Jun 2016. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall survival (OS), and univariate analysis was performed to identify prognostic factors. Results: A series of 12 patients with IVLBCL (median age, 53.8 years; range, 32-76 years; 6 males and 6 females) was reviewed. Fever was the most common symptom (10/12), respiratory symptoms (cough, pleural effusion, dyspnea, 50%) and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (50%) were frequently observed, and only 12 patients had neurological symptom. All patients had elevated lactic dehydrogenase and serum ferritin. International Prognostic Index score was high in 75% of total patients. All patients had extra-nodal involved, pulmonary (6/12) and bone marrow (4/12) were frequently involved. Large lymphoid cells within vessel lumina or sinuses were observed in all patients. These cells were large, with scant cytoplasm, vesicular nuclei, and one or more nucleoli, and the structures of vessels and sinus were reserved. CD20 and CD79a were positive in all cases. 11patients received rituximab combined CHOP regimen chemotherapies, overall response rate (ORR) was 90.1%, and complete response rate was 66.7%. Median survival time and median progression time were not reached after a median follow-up of 20 months. Univariate analysis revealed that no clinical characters were associated with OS. Conclusion: As a rare variant of DLBCL, IVLBCL presented with pulmonary involved frequently, and trans-bronchial lung biopsy had good positive rates. Rituximab contained chemotherapy was the backbone for IVLBCL.
Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Rituximab

OBJECTIVETo analyze efficacy of radiotherapy for adult patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH).

METHODSClinical features and efficacy of radiotherapy for biopsy-proven adult patient with LCH from January 2000 to October 2012 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSSeventeen (11 male and 6 female) adult LCH patients with a mean age of 31 (18-56) years old were treated by irradiation, all patients presented as single-system disease. The mean duration from diagnosis to irradiation was 8.3 (0-108) months. Although 12 of 17 patients (70.6%) had short-term response to radiotherapy, all patients but one (94.1%) progressed during long-term follow-up, the mean progression-free survival (PFS) was 14 (0-131) months. Of the progressed patients, one relapsed in situ, the remaining 15 patients progressed outside the irradiated region. Thirteen patients (76.5%) eventually progressed to multisystem disease.

CONCLUSIONThough radiotherapy for LCH in adults produced a high short-term response up to 70.6%, most of patients eventually progressed in situ or outside the irradiation region during long-term follow-up.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Disease Progression ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell ; radiotherapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult