To investigate the therapeutic effect and related mechanisms of hordenine on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis (AR) in rats, HE and AB-PAS staining were used to detect the improvement of pathological damage to the nasal mucosa induced by hordenine. ELISA was employed to detect the effect of hordenine on OVA-sIgE in serum and IL-4 in the nasal mucosa supernatant of rats. IHC and Western blot experiments were undertaken to examine the effect of hordenine on Th1/Th2 cell balance. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to predict pathways, which were verified by in vivo and in vitro experiments. The experimental results showed that hordenine could alleviate the behavioral manifestations of OVA-induced AR rats, alleviate nasal mucosal pathological damage caused by AR, and reduce the secretion of OVA-sIgE and IL-4. In addition, hordenine could regulate the Th1/Th2 balance. Bioinformatics analysis results showed that the potential pathway of action of hordenine on AR was the phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. The in vivo experimental results showed that the expression of PI3K and p-Akt proteins in the nasal mucosa of the model group rats was significantly increased (P < 0.01), and that the protein expression level was significantly decreased after the administration of hordenine, which was also confirmed by an in vitro experiment. This study suggests that hordenine may regulate Th1/Th2 cell balance through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, thereby exerting an alleviating effect on OVA-induced AR.

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 （NF1） is an autosomal dominant hereditary neurological disorder. One of the typical manifestations of NF1 is neurofibroma, which can develop gradually over time. When the volume exceeds 100 cm², it is referred to as giant neurofibroma, representing a tumor-like proliferation of Schwann cells within the nerve fiber sheath. The Department of Otolaryngology at the Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University received a rare case involving a patient with giant neurofibromatosis affecting the maxillofacial region, neck, and chest. The patient underwent successful surgical treatment with the collaboration of various medical disciplines.
Humans ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/surgery* ; Neck ; Neurofibromatoses ; Neurofibromatosis 1/surgery* ; Thoracic Neoplasms/surgery*

Objective:To observe the effect of observing good swallowing on the swallowing action of stroke survivors with dysphagia.Methods:Eighteen stroke survivors with dysphagia were randomly divided into a treatment group ( n=9) and a control group ( n=9). In addition to routine swallowing rehabilitation therapy, the treatment group was asked to simulate swallowing after watching a video of normal people′s swallowing action. They did so 5 times a week for 10 minutes, while the control group just watched landscape videos at the same time. The treatment lasted 8 weeks. Before and after the treatment, both groups were assessed using the eating assessment tool (EAT-10), the functional oral intake scale (FOIS) and the penetration and aspiration scale (PAS). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was also used to observe their swallowing action. Results:There was no significant difference between the two groups in any of the measurements before the treatment. After the 8 weeks of treatment the average EAT-10, FOIS and PAS scores of the treatment group were all significantly better than before the treatment and better than the control group′s averages at the time. fMRI showed significantly more areas activated in the precuneus, parietal lobe, posterior central gyrus, BA7, BA5, frontal lobe and paracentral lobule in the treatment group compared with before the intervention and also more than in the control group.Conclusions:Observing proper swallowing action can improve dysphagia and activation of the swallowing-related brain areas of stroke survivors.

Objective:To explore the relationship between fragmented QRS complex and heart rate variability (HRV) and ventricular arrhythmia in patients with old myocardial infarction.Methods:From August 2018 to October 2019, 200 patients with old myocardial infarction were first treated in the Department of cardiac function examination of the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University. The patients were divided into 99 cases of old myocardial infarction with fragmented QRS wave group and 101 cases of old myocardial infarction without fragmented QRS wave group according to the case bank data and conventional 12 lead ECG diagnosis in our hospital for the first time. Then, the 24-h ambulatory ECG reexamined within 1 year after discharge was retrospectively analyzed. The incidence of ventricular arrhythmia was compared between the two groups by χ 2 test. The difference of heart rate variability between the two groups was compared by rank sum test. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the value of different indexes of heart rate variability in the evaluation of fragmented QRS complex in old myocardial infarction. Drawing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC), and the area under the curve (AUC) was used to analyze the diagnostic accuracy of different indexes of heart rate variability in the broken QRS complex of old myocardial infarction. Results:According to the Lown classification of ventricular premature contraction, the number of positive ventricular arrhythmias in patients with Grade Ⅰ of ventricular premature contraction and Grade Ⅲ-Ⅴ of ventricular premature contraction in the old myocardial infarction fragmented QRS group was higher than that in the old myocardial infarction non fragmented QRS group (Grade Ⅰ of ventricular premature contraction: 54.5% (54/99)and 39.6%(40/101); χ 2=4.484, P<0.05;Grade Ⅲ-Ⅴ of ventricular premature contraction: 34.3% (34/99) and 9.9%(10/101); χ 2=17.406, P<0.05)). Ventricular premature contraction Grade 0 old myocardial infarction fragmented QRS group was lower than old myocardial infarction non fragmented QRS group (8.1% (8/99) and 48.5% (49/101); χ 2=37.995, P<0.05). The total number of positive cases of ventricular arrhythmia in the old myocardial infarction group with fragmented QRS wave was higher than that in the old myocardial infarction group without fragmented QRS wave (91.9% (91/99) and 51.5%(52/101); χ 2=57.146, P<0.05)). There was no significant difference in the number of positive ventricular arrhythmias between the old myocardial infarction fragmentation QRS group and the old myocardial infarction non fragmentation QRS group ( P>0.05). The standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN) and the standard deviation of average NN intervals (SDANN) of HRV time domain indexes in the old myocardial infarction fragmented QRS group were higher than those in the old myocardial infarction non fragmented QRS Group (SDNN:143.00(122.00,166.00) vs. 110.00(95.00,130.50), Z=5.780, P<0.05; SDANN:112.00(100.00,136.00) vs. 96.00(76.00,118.50), Z=4.013, P<0.05). Multiple Logistics regression analysis results of HRV domain shows that HRV time domain SDNN and SDANN have diagnositic value in diagnosis fQRS after OMI(SDNN: OR=0.949, 95% CI:0.922-0.977, P<0.001; SDANN: OR=1.036, 95% CI:1.005-1.068, P=0.022). Area under ROC curve of HRV time domain SDNN and SDANN have particular diagnositic accuracy in diagnosis fQRS after OMI(SDNN: AUC 0.737, 95% CI 0.666-0.807, Sensitivity 0.818, Specificity 0.634; SDANN: AUC 0.664, 95% CI 0.587-0.741, Sensitivity 0.737, Specificity 0.673. 0.5

Objective: To establish comprehensive laboratory reference intervals for Chinese children. Methods: This was a cross-sectional multicenter study. From June 2013 to December 2014, eligible healthy children aged from 6-month to 17-year were enrolled from 20 medical centers with informed consent. They were assessed by physical examination, questionnaire survey and abdominal ultrasound for eligibility. Fasting blood samples were collected and delivered to central laboratory. Measurements of 15 clinical laboratory parameters were performed, including estradiol (E2), testosterone(T), luteinizing hormone(LH), follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH), alanine transaminase(ALT), serum creatinine(Scr), cystatin C, immunoglobulin A(IgA), immunoglobulin G(IgG), immunoglobulin M(IgM), complement (C3, C4), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), uric acid(UA) and creatine kinase(CK). Reference intervals were established according to central 95% confidence intervals for reference population, stratified by age and sex. Results: In total, 2 259 children were enrolled. Finally, 1 648 children were eligible for this study, including 830 boys and 818 girls, at a mean age of 7.4 years. Age- and sex- specific reference intervals have been established for the parameters. Reference intervals of sex hormones increased gradually with age. Concentrations of ALT, cystatin C, ALP and CK were higher in children under 2 years old. Serum levels of sex hormones, creatinine, immunoglobin, CK, ALP and urea increased rapidly in adolescence, with significant sex difference. In addition, reference intervals were variable depending on assay methods. Concentrations of ALT detected by reagents with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate(PLP) were higher than those detected by reagents without PLP. Compared with enzymatic method, Jaffe assay always got higher results of serum creatinine, especially in children younger than 9 years old. Conclusion This study established age- and sex- specific reference intervals, for 15 clinical laboratory parameters based on defined healthy children.

Objective: To study the shift of oVEMP frequency tuning of unilateral Meniere′s disease, by analyzing oVEMP of air-conducted tone bursts in various frequencies. Methods: From May 2016 to October 2017, 33 patients with unilateral Meniere′s from Aerospace Center Hospital were tested for oVEMP in 500 Hz and 1 000 Hz air-conducted tone bursts respectively, and 20 healthy subjects(40 ears), matched for age and sex, were used as healthy control. The amplitudes of the N1-P1 wave and the frequency amplitude ratios of 500/1 000 Hz in affected ears, unaffected ears and normal ears were compared; and receiver operating characteristic curve was analyzed for frequency amplitude ratios of 500/1 000 Hz. Results: By the 500 Hz tone-burst stimulus, the provocation rates of the oVEMP were 84.9%(28/33), 93.9%(31/33) and 97.5%(39/40) in affected ears, contralateral ears and the ears of normal controls, respectively. By the stimulus of 1 000 Hz tone-burst, the provocation rates of the oVEMP were 81.8%(27/33), 87.9%(29/33) and 82.5% (33/40) in affected ears, contralateral ears and normal control ears, respectively. Amplitudes of N1-P1 waveforms in 500 Hz air-conducted tone bursts in affected ears were under normal control ears and contralateral ears. There was significant difference between affected ears and healthy control ears (P<0.05). Amplitudes of N1-P1 waveforms in contralateral ears were also significantly smaller than those in normal control ears (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in amplitudes of N1-P1 waveforms between affected ears, contralateral ears and normal control ears in 1 000 Hz tone bursts stimulus(P>0.05). Frequency amplitude ratios of 500/1 000 Hz in affected ears were significantly under contralateral and normal control ears (P<0.05). According to ROC, the frequency amplitude ratio critical value of frequency tuning was set as 1.17, the positive rate of frequency tuning shift in affected ears was 54.5%(18/33) and significantly higher than in contralateral ears(18.2%, 6/33, χ²=9.429, P=0.002) and normal control ears (7.5%, 3/40, χ²=19.530, P=0.000). In contrast, there was no significant difference in the incidence of frequency tuning shift between contralateral ears and normal ears(χ²=1.909, P=0.167). Conclusions Frequency tuning oVEMP with Meniere′s disease will be changed.Frequency tuning of oVEMP with Meniere′s disease shifts from low frequency region to high frequency region in comparison with healthy people. Frequency amplitude ratio is helpful for diagnosis of Meniere′s disease.

Objective To study the mechanism of adaptive immunity against Rhizopus arrihizus (R. arrihizus) infections. Methods Bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) were separated from C57BL/6 mice and Card9-/- mice and then were cultured in vitro. Resting spores and swollen spores of R. arrihizus were in vitro co-cultured with BMDCs with or without Syk inhibition. Secretion of cytokines ( IL-23, IL-1βand IL-12) was analyzed by ELISA after 24 hours of culture. Na?ve T cells derived from C57BL/6 mice were in vitro co-cultured with spore-stimulated BMDCs for four days. Levels of IL-17A and IFN-γ in supernatants of cell culture were analyzed by ELISA. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze T cell differ-entiation. Confocal microscopy was used to observe the images of stained β-glucan on the surface of resting and swollen spores. Swollen spores were co-cultured with Dectin-1, Dectin-2, TLR2 and mannose receptor ( MMR) , and the binding results were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results Swollen spores but resting spores could induce the maturation of BMDCs and promote the secretion of cytokines (IL-23, IL-1βand IL-12). Co-culturing T cells with swollen spore-stimulated BMDCs enhanced their differentiation to Th17 and Th1. In addition, swollen spores promoted the secretion of Th1-related cytokine ( IFN-γ) and Th17-related cytokine (IL-17A). Adding Syk inhibitor to Card9-/-BMDCs or wild type BMDCs significantly inhibited the secretion of cytokines and T cell differentiation, especially in the Card9-/- group. β-glucan was overserved on the surface of swollen spores, but not on resting spores. On the surface of swollen spores existed pathogen associated molecular patterns ( PAMPs) that could bind with Dectin-1 and TLR2. Conclusion Swollen spores of R. arrihizus could active BMDCs to secrete cytokines of IL-23, IL-1β and IL-12 and trigger T cell responses in vitro. The possible mechanism might be associated with β-glucan exposed on the surface of swollen spores that binds with Dectin-1. The responses between BMDCs and R. arrihizus are Syk-Card9-dependent.

A 59-year-old male patient presented with recurrent erythema and wheals all over the body for 6 years,complicated by irregular fever (the highest body temperature ＜ 39 ℃)and arthralgia for 2 months.He experienced a weight loss of 5 kg during two years prior to the presentation.Physical examination showed anemic comlexion,and there was no palpable enlargement of superficial lymph nodes,liver and spleen.Generalized erythema and wheals occurred all over the body,involving about 50％ of the body surface area.Histopathological examination of skin lesions showed infiltration of multiple neutrophilic granulocytes around blood vessels in the superficial dermis,and no vasculopathy was observed.Laboratory examinations revealed increased white blood cell (WBC) counts(13.97 × 109/L),erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR,136 mm/1 h) and C-reactive protein (CRP) level (75 mg/L),decreased hemoglobin level (96 g/L),and high serum levels of IgE (1 596 kU/L),IgG(20.4 g/L)and IgM(6 310 mg/L).Serum immunoelectrophoresis demonstrated that the IgM was a κ-type monoclonal immunoglobulin.Bone marrow examination showed active bone marrow hyperplasia.DNA sequencing analysis of 10 pairs of exons of the NLRP3 gene revealed 3 synonymous mutations,including c.663:C ＞ T:p.T221,c.732:G ＞ A:p.A244A and c.786:A ＞ G:p.R262R.Finally,the patient was diagnosed with Schnitzler's syndrome.There was no improvement of symptoms after the treatment with multiple oral antihistamines at increased dose levels.Then,the treatment protocol was adjusted to oral ciclosporin at a dosage of 200 mg/d for consecutive 18 days,but the patient still showed no response.After the treatment with oral prednisone (30 mg/d) and Tripterygium wilfordii tablets (66 μg thrice a day) for 2 weeks,the skin rashes subsided gradually,and arthralgia was relieved.Moreover,the WBC count,ESR and CRP level were decreased to 9.01 × 109/L,50 mm/1 h and 6 mg/L respectively,while the hemoglobin level was increased to 109.7 g/L.After 1-year follow-up,the dosage of glucocorticoids was gradually decreased to 8 mg/d.In addition,his condition was controlled well with no skin lesions and fever,except for occasional arthralgia in the knees and hip.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate clinical efficacy and safety of vitamin D combined with azithromycin in the treatment of pneumonia in patients with type 2 diabetes and its effects on serum inflammation indexes.METHODS:A total of 68 patients with type 2 diabetes complicated with pneumonia selected from our hospital during May 2014-Sept.2015 were divided into control group and trial group according to random number table,with 34 cases in each group.Both groups received insulin intensive hypoglycemic therapy.Control group was given Azithromycin for injection 10 mg/kg+0.9％ Sodium chloride injection 100 mL,ivgtt,qd,for consecutive 5 d,and then used Azithromycin dry suspension instead 10 mg/kg,po,qd,consecutive 3 d treatment and 4 d interval as a treatment course,for 2 cycles.Trial group was additionally given Vitamin D drops 800 U,po,qd,for consecutive 4 weeks,on the basis of control group.The clinical efficacies of 2 groups were observed,and serum inflammation indexes [interleukin-6 (IL-6),C-reactive protein (CRP),immunoglobulin G protein (IgG)] levels were also observed before and after treatment.The occurrence of ADR was recorded.RESULTS:Total response rate of trial group (91.18％) was significantly higher than that of control group (70.59％),with statistical significance (P＜0.05).Before treatment,there was no statistical significance in serum inflammation indexes as IL-6,CRP,IgG between 2 group (P＞0.05).After treatment,IL-6 and CRP of 2 groups were decreased significantly,and the trial group was significantly lower than the control group;IgG of 2 groups were increased significantly,and the trial group was significantly higher than the control group,with statistical significance (P＜0.05).There was no statistical significance in the incidence of ADR between 2 groups (P＞0.05).CONCLUSIONS:Vitamin D combine with azithromycin in the treatment of pneumonia in patients with type 2 diabetes has a good clinical curative effect,helps to improve the levels of IL-6,CRP and IgG with good safety.