Chronic cough is a multi-factorial symptom,postnasal drip syndrome (PNDS) and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) are common causes of chronic cough, which is closely associated with the otolaryngologist. The aim of this paper is to highlight the issues in clinical features, diagnosis and management of chronic cough from the otolaryngologist perspective.
Chronic Disease ; Cough ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans

Mild cognitive impairment is a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia. It is important in terms of recognizing memory loss in older people as well as identifying a group of individuals at high risk of developing dementia and who may benefit from preventive strategies. Ginkgo biloba extract has been shown to possess polyvalent properties, such as anti-oxidation, anti-apoptosis and anti-inflammation. Ginkgo biloba extract appears to have a neuroprotective effect against neurodegenerative diseases.

Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level over 5.3 mmol/L to the development of abnormal glucose metabolism and cardiovascular diseases (CVD).Methods This was a retrospective cohort study with 1 064 non-diabetic subjects(980 males;84 females) aged 60 or over, who carried out annual health check-up in Chinese PLA General Hospital from May, 1996 to May, 2015.Based on the average FPG level of 3 years before enrollment, the subjects were divided into four groups : ＜ 5.3 mmol/L, 5.3-＜ 5.6 mmol/L, 5.6-＜ 6.1 mmol/L and 6.1-＜ 7.0 mmol/L.Glucose metabolic changes, complications and mortality were follow-up until May, 2015.Results (1)The initial 3-year average FPG levels were (4.9 ±0.4) mmol/L in the total 1 064 subjects.Among them, 126 subjects developed diabetes mellitus (DM) and 144 subjects developed impaired glucose regulation (IGR) during the follow-up visits.The proportions of IGR and diabetes increased with the FPG levels (P ＜ 0.05).The risk for developing IGR was significantly higher in subjects with FPG≥5.3 mmol/L than in those with FPG ＜ 5.3 mmol/L (RR =3.08, 95％ CI 2.02-4.81, P ＜0.01).The risk for incident DM was markedly increased in subjects with FPG ≥ 5.6 mmol/L than in those with FPG ＜5.6 mmol/L (RR =6.73, 95％ CI 3.90-11.52, P ＜0.01);(2)The risk for CVD was eight folds higher in subjects with FPG ≥5.3 mmol/L than in subjects with FPG ＜ 5.3 mmol/L (RR =8.42,95％ CI 5.11-13.82, P ＜ 0.05);(3) Survival analysis showed that the risk of death was 1.47 times higher in subjects with FPG ≥ 5.3 mmol/L than in subjects with FPG ＜ 5.3 mmol/L after years of followed-up (RR=l.47, 95％CI 1.09-1.98, P=0.0127).Conclusion The risks for IGR, CVD and mortality are higher in the elderly with FPG ≥5.3 mmol/L, which highlights the importance for the disease prevention in elder people with FPG 5.3 mmol/L or more.

AIM To study the effects of Lotusine(Lot), a pure alkaloid extracted from the green seed embryo of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn, on the action potentials(APs) in myocardium and slow inward current(Isi) in cardiac Purkinje fibers(PF). METHODS standard microelectrode and two microelectrodes voltage clamp techniques were used. RESULTS Lot 1～100 ?mol?L -1 could concentration dependently prolonged APD 20 and APD 90 of fast AP and increase the contractile force(Fc) in guinea pig papillary muscles. In papillary muscles pretreated with reserpine, similar results were also observed but the effect of Lot was weaker than those pretreated without reserpine. In guinea pig left atria, Lot 30 ?mol?L -1 could partly antigoniste the shortening APD effect of acetylcholine. Lot 3～100 ?mol?L -1 could enhance the action potential amplitude(APA)and maximal velocity of phase 0 depolarization ( V max ) of slow AP of papillary muscles induced by high K + (24 mmol?L -1 )and isolated sinoatral node(SAN) pacemaker cells of rabbits with dose dependent manner,But not obvousely short the sinus cycle length of SAN. Moreover, Lot increased the Isi of in canin cardiac PF with with time dependent and dose dependent manner. CONCLUSION The results suggest that Lot has effect of prolongation of APD and increase of Ca 2+ influx and these are very important in contribution to its positive inotropic effect, which may be related to inhibition of phosphodiesterase Ⅲ.

Objective To compare the effectiveness and safety of different concentrations of elastin-like polypeptides (ELP) as novel submucosal injection material for endoscopic submucosal dissection.Methods Forty healthy New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups (n=20).The first group by submucosal injection of different drugs were randomly divide into five groups (n=4).Four concentrations of 50 ku ELP (0.05,0.025,0.012 5,0.005 g/ml) were used separately in each group,while glycerin fructose was used for control group.Each solution (2 ml) was injected into the submucosa through the resected margin,the increase of mucosal thickness and surface changes were observed and recorded at 0,5,10,and 30 min.The subgroup by submucosal injection of different drugs were randomly divide into five groups (n=4).The injection pressure of each solution (2 ml) with the 25-gauge needle was calculated by a manometer,which was connected between the needle and syringe.Results The submucosal uplift heights in groups using the 0.05 g/ml ELP and 0.025 g/ml ELP injection were significantly thicker than that of glycerin fructose (P＜0.05),the 0.012 5 g/ml ELP and glycerin fructose injection showed no significant difference (P＞0.05),whereas the uplift height in glycerin fructose group was thicker than that of the 0.005 g/ml ELP (P＜0.05).The injection pressure correlated with the ELP concentration.The injection pressures of 0.05,0.025,0.012 5,0.005 g/ml ELP solutions were (332±36) kPa,(223±24) kPa,(174±22) kPa and (142±19) kPa,respectively,and that of glycerin fructose was (269±17) kPa.The 0.025 g/ml ELP solution was easily injected into the porcine stomach to create submucosal uplift.The injection pressure of the 0.025 g/ml ELP solution showed significantly lower value compared with that of glycerin fructose (P＜0.05).Conclusions ELP might be a promising agent for submucosal injection for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD),and 0.025 g/ml ELP might be efficient concentration for maintaining mucosal elevation,injection pressure and safety.

Objective To investigate the effect of proteasome inhibitor MG132 on the proliferation of human lens epithelial cells SRA01/04. Methods The SRA01/04 cells were treated with MG132 by different concentrations (0, 0. 1, 0. 5, 1. 0, 2. 5, 5.0, 10. 0μmol/L) for 36 hours. The cell viability in all groups was determined using methylthiazoltetrazolium (MTT) test. The effect of MG132 on the apoptosis and regulation of cell cycle about SRA01/04 cells were detected by flow cytometry (FCM). The SRA01/04 cells treated with MG132 were observed after Annexin V/FITC-PI staining by fluorescence microscope. Results The inhibitory effect of MG132 on SRA01/04 cells proliferation was enhanced with the increase of MG132 concentration. The 50% inhibiting concentration ( IC50 ) of MG132 was 2. 50μmol/L after SRA01/04 cells were treated with MG132 for 36 hours. The apoptosis index of the cells treated by MG132 at 2. 5μmol/L and 5 μmol/L for 36 hours was 6. 55 ± 0. 35% and 13.75 ± 3.18%, and 0. 75 ± 0. 21% for 5.0μmol/L for 36 hours in control group. After cells were treated with MG132 for 48h, the percentages of cells at G0/G1 phase were (42. 57 ± 0. 64) %, (73.42 ± 3.10) %, ( 80. 95 ± 3.83 ) % 0, 2. 5,5.0 μmol/Lgroups respectively, and those at S phase were (49. 44±1.36)%, ( 17. 40 ± 1.50)%, ( 19. 57 ± 1.29)%.Annexin V/FITC-PI staining was used, and MG132 was found to result to apoptosis. Conclusions MG132 could inhibit the proliferation of SRA01/04 cells by the effect of inducing apoptosis and regulation of cell cycle. The proteasome inhibitor-might play a key role in the prevention of posterior capsular opacification.

Objective To detect the expression of CK19 in sentinel lymph node for breast cancer and to evaluate its clinical significance.Methods SLNs of 30 patients with breast cancer were successfully detected with methylene blue,both SLN and ALN were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining ( HK staining). The expression level of CK19 in SLNs were assessed by RT-PCR and Western Blot for mRNA and Protein respectively. Results Detection positive rate of SLN melastases was 26. 67% (8/30) by HE staining,and 1 case of false negative. Through RT-PCR,12 cases,including all the positive cases detected by routine pathological examination,were detected to be positive in the expression of CK19mRNA, with a positive rate of 40. 0% ( 12/30) , and a positive rate of 36. 67% (11/30) for CK19 was observed by Western Blot There was a significant difference between RT-PCR or Western Blot methods and routine pathological examination ( P < 0.05 ) for the detection efficiency of SI.Ns melastases. Conclusions CK19rnRNA may be a potential tumor marker for detecting micrometastasis in SLNs of breast cancer. The combined utilization of locating SLNs and detecting CK19 mRNA expression by RT-PCR instead of histopathological examination can greatly enhance the detection efficiency of SLN micrometastasis of breast cancer.

Background and purpose:As the development of the completion of the human genome project (HGP), the research focus is turning to the gene function research. At present, the domestic experimental research on the apoptosis of K562 cells induced by antisense olignonucleotides is rare. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of human chronic myelogenou leukemia (CML) bcr-abl fusion gene antisense oligonucletides on autophagy and apoptosis of CMLK562 cells in vitro. Methods:By liposome as the carrier, K562 cells were transfected with the bcr-abl gene antisense olignonucleotides. Hoechst staining method was used to observe the apoptosis inducing effect of different concentrations of oligonucleotides, the expressions of LC3-Ⅱ, autophagy-related protein, were determined by the Western blot method, the cell cycles were determined by lfow cytometry (FCM), and JEM-4000EX electron microscope technology was used to detect the apoptosis morphological changes. The apoptosis was detected by DNA agarose gel electrophoresis. Results:Hoechst staining results showed that the bcr-abl gene antisense oligonucletides signiifcantly promoted the apoptosis of K562 cells in a certain concentration dependent manner. Western blot showed that the expression level of LC3-Ⅱwas obviously higher in bcr-abl gene antisense oligonucletides transfected group than the control group, showing a promoting effect on cell autophagy. FCM test results showed that bcr-abl gene antisense oligonucleotides transfected K562 cells showed obvious cell cycle arrest, visible obvious apoptosis morphology under the electron microscope, and DNA Ladder showed obvious apoptosis fragments. Conclusion:The bcr-abl gene antisense olignonucleotides can signiifcantly induce the cell apoptosis of K562. This study provides a new method for CML therapy.

Objective:To screen and characterize aptamers against BCR-ABL fusion protein.Methods:A 90bp single stranded DNA( ssDNA) random library was subjected to 13 rounds of selection against BCR-ABL fusion protein by systematic evolution of ligands by expotential enrichment ( SELEX ) method, the selected aptamers were cloned and sequenced.The primary sequences and structure of aptamers were analyzed by Clustal W and DNA Folding Sever and the percentage of the ssDNA pool bound to BCR-ABL core protein were determinated.Results: after 13 rounds selection, the percentage of ssDNA pool bound to BCR-ABL fusion protein increased from 0.3%to 47.1%,the results showed that affinities of the Aptamers were different,the second structure analysis revealed possible stem-loops for binding to BCR-ABL fusion protein,the affinity of aptamer A2 to BCR-ABL fusion protein was highest with Kd values as low as 72 nmol/L.Conclusion:Aptamers against BCR-ABL fusion protein has been identified by SELEX methods from a 90 bp single stranded DNA library.And provide certain reference for the clinical treatment of chronic myelogenous.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of left and right ventricular volume and systolic function of tetralogy of Fallot(TOF)children by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE).Methods Forty-five TOF children and 46 normal age-matched children were recruited in this study. Full volume imaging of left and right ventricle were obtained by RT-3DE and analyzed off-line by TomTec LV-Analysis and RV-Function.The measurements including:end-diastolic volume (LVEDV/RVEDV),end-systolic volume (LVESV/RVESV),ej ection fraction (LVEF/RVEF),peak systolic volume rate (LVPSVR/RVPSVR),stoke volume (LVSV/RVSV),cardiac output (LVCO/RVCO).And the volumetric parameters were indexed by BSA(indexed EDV,indexed SV,indexed CO).The measurements were compared between TOF group and normal group.The left and right ventricular measurements were also compared with each other within group.Results Compared with control group indexed LVEDV reduced in TOF group(P =0.000),while indexed RVEDV increased (P =0.002 ).For systolic function indexes:LVEF,RVEF, LVPSVR and RVPSVR in TOF group were both lower than that in normal group (P <0.05 ),indexed LVSV and indexed LVCO were also reduced (P <0.05 ),while indexed RVSV had no difference with normal(P >0.05)and indexed RVCO was increased (P =0.016).The volume and function comparision between left and right ventricle demonstrated:in normal group no difference were found in biventricular EDV,PSVR,SV,CO(P >0.05),except that LVEF was a litter higher than RVEF(P =0.000).In TOF group RVEDV,RVSV,RVCO were all greater than that of left ventricle(P <0.05),but RVEF was lower than LVEF(P =0.039).Conclusions In TOF group biventricular systolic function were both impaired and lost banlance between them.Under the volume and pressure overload the right ventricle improved pumping function by increasing heart rate.