Objective: To explore the characteristics of acute otitis media(AOM) in children in Beijing and its correlation with meteorological factors. Methods: Data were collected in 2011-2013 in the Otolaryngology Department of Capital Institute of Pediatrics. AOM in children with relevant information, such as age, sex and season, with the same period of the Beijing municipal meteorological data (the average temperature, average pressure, average wind speed, humidity and PM2.5) were compared to analysis the relationship of meteorological environmental parameters and the onset of AOM in children. Results: Annual morbidity of AOM was 7 589, 8 245, 7 242 respectively, no obvious difference(P=0.761). It was noted that one peak could be seen in December, and a valley in February, followed by August. Summer was less than the other three seasons (P<0.05). The morbidity of AOM had a small peak within one year after birth, then reached peak at the age of about 4, and then reduced gradually. In different age groups, male patients were higher than those of female. The incidence of AOM was positively correlation tendency with air pressure and PM2.5 (r=0.333, 0.093, P=0.000, 0.002), which was negatively correlation tendency with daily temperature or humidity (r=-0.327, -0.195, P=0.000, 0.000). Conclusions The incidence of AOM of children in Beijing changes with age, and has obvious seasonal variation. There may be some correlation between the meteorological factors and the incidence of AOM in children.

OBJECTIVETo observe the feasibility and clinical efficacy of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for patients with Stanford B aortic dissection using personalized two stent-grafts implantation (TSI).

METHODSThis retrospective review included 56 patients who underwent TSI during TEVAR for Stanford B aortic dissection from Jan 2012 to May 2013 in Beijing Anzhen hospital. There were 8 patients in acute phase (within 2 weeks from onset of symptoms), 11 patients in chronic phase (greater than 2 months following initial dissection) and 37 patients in subacute phase (between 2 weeks and 2 months from onset of symptoms). Infrarenal aorta was involved in 34 patients (60.7%) and suprarenal aorta involved in 22 patients (39.3%), the mean aortic lesion length was (226 ± 13)mm. Thoracic and abdominal aortic angiography was performed during operation to measure aortic diameters of proximal and distal landing zone, and the distance between them. The proximal stent-grafts were implanted in distal aorta to the origin of left subclavian artery with oversize rate of 10%-15% according to proximal landing zone according to procedural guideline. Then the distal newly customized large tapered stent-grafts were sequentially deployed according to the diameters of both the distal end of proximal stent and distal landing zone (aortic true lumen), and overlapping length of the two stent-grafts was more than 30 mm. Patients were followed-up at 3 months, 6 months, and yearly thereafter post operation.

RESULTSTSI procedure was successful in all patients and 122 stent-grafts were implanted. The mean length of implanted stent-grafts was (197.6 ± 20.3)mm. The mean diameter taper span was (7.5 ± 1.8)mm with proximal oversize rate of (12.8 ± 3.4)% and distal oversize rate of (11.2 ± 4.1)%. The mean angle between the distal end of stent and aorta was (2.3 ± 1.3)°. The diameter of proximal and distal landing zone, and angle between the distal end of stent and aorta remained unchanged during follow up (mean: (10.0 ± 4.0) months). The total thrombosis rate of the false lumen was 98.2% (55/56), thrombosis rate of stent segment was 82.1% (46/56) . Stent-related complications were observed in 2 patients (3.6%) , including acute spinal cord ischemia due to paraplegia (n = 1) and malposition of distal stent (n = 1).

CONCLUSIONSEncouraging short-term outcomes are obtained from current personalized two stent-grafts implantation strategy for patients with Stanford B aortic dissection. Further prospective clinical studies are warranted to evaluate the long-term efficacy of this procedure.

Acute Disease ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; Aorta ; Aortic Aneurysm ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; therapy ; Aortography ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; Endovascular Procedures ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Subclavian Artery ; Thrombosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

In clinical application, a microneedle system that continuously delivers drugs is of great value for the delivery of some vaccines and hormone drugs. In this study, a controlled-release chitosan-based microneedle array (PVA/CS-MN) was designed, combining microneedle patches with drugs for controlled-release of drugs. Here we report the optimization of the preparation process of PVA/CS-MN. The appearance, morphology, mechanical properties, dissolution and swelling properties, and in vitro penetration properties of the MN arrays were characterized. The PVA/CS-MN prepared by the optimal process showed good morphology and mechanical properties. PVA/CS-MN can smoothly open microchannels on the skin and achieve controllable dissolution and swelling functions. Ascorbic acid (l-ascorbic acid) was used as a model drug to prepare a Vc-PVA/CS-MN. In vitro transdermal diffusion experiments showed that the Vc-PVA/CS-MN released about 57% of the drug within 1 h. About 66.7% of the drug was slowly released within 12 h, and a total of 92% of the drug was released after 7 days. The controllable sustained-release properties and excellent drug delivery efficiency of PVA/CS-MN provide a new option for sustained transdermal drug delivery.
Ascorbic Acid ; Chitosan ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Hormones ; Vaccines