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 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.

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

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 investigate the clinical features and epidemiological data of 72 cases of male perianal warts.

METHODSSeventy-two cases of perianal warts in our clinic dated from June, 2004 to April, 2006 were enrolled in the study, whose clinical information and epidemiological data were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSPerianal warts were most commonly seen in young and middle-aged men aged from 18 to 45, only 12.5% of whom had homosexual behaviors. Sauna was another predisposing factor of perianal warts in males in China (chi2 = 5.03, P < 0.05). Primary eruptions of the anus and rectum, like perianal pruritus, eczema, anus fissure, and haemorrhoids, often impaired the local integrity of skin/mucosa. Classical condyloma acuminate was found in 61 (84.72%) of patients, who were susceptive to the infections of HPV 6/11, and were flat condylomas related to HPV16/18. Cryotherapy was believed to be one of the most efficient therapeutic choices for flat perianal warts. Suppression of cellular immune response was identified in the patients by comparison between the subgroups of peripheral T cells and the normal control.

CONCLUSIONSauna is an essential predisposing factor of perianal warts in males, while anus sexual intercourse is not the main route of HPV infection. Classical condylomata acuminate constitute the majority of the eruptions, and flat condylomata come next. The study also provides some useful data for understanding the clinical and epidemiological features of perianal warts in Chinese males for the sake of prevention and treatment of the disease.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anus Diseases ; classification ; epidemiology ; Condylomata Acuminata ; classification ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo analyze the maltose clearance in plasma and urine of healthy volunteers with high-performance liquid chromatography.

METHODSMaltose solution was infused to 12 healthy volunteers during a 4-hour period at an infusion rate of 0.2, 0.3, and 0.5 g/(kg x h), Plasma and urine specimens were collected at different time points before and after infusion, and then analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTSThe coefficients of variation of the precision and accuracy of the analysis method ranged 3.68%-4.58% and 0.44%-4.83% for plasma, respectively, and 2.91%-7.62% and 0.95%-8.27% for urine, respectively. The plasma maltose concentration increased in a dose-dependent manner (r > 0.99). The plasma maltose concentrations returned to the baseline levels 12 hours later. Two hours after injection, the urinary excretion of maltose increased, reached the peak value within 2-4 hours, began to decrease 6 hours later, and became zero 24 hours later.

CONCLUSIONSAn infusion rate of 0.2-0.5 g/(kg x h) of maltose will not remarkably increase the blood glucose level in healthy people. The routine infusion rate should below 0.3 g/(kg x h), unless an emergency exists.

Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Humans ; Maltose ; blood ; urine

In order to reveal the cause of disease occurred in the process of Coptis chinensis growth, this paper studied the bacterial species diversity index of different aged rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric soil planting normal or sick C. chinensis by using PCR-DGGE technique. The representative DGGE bands were chosen to be cloned, and sequenced, the phylogeny were constructed. The results showed that the bacterial communities were very different between the normal and diseased soil samples of C. chinensis, and the diversity index (H) of diseased soil samples were higher than that of normal soil samples. Sequencing analysis of representative cloned DGGE bands showed that the unculturable bacteria were the dominant groups, and bacteria belonged to genus Bacillus, Acidovorax, Acinetobacter, uncultured Kluyvera, and uncultured Comamonas were also existing, but the reported plant pathogenic bacteria were not found in the C. chinensis planting soil. The density and brightness of clone band d in diseased soil samples was higher than that in normal soil sample, and sequencing analysis showed that it belonged to genus Acidovorax. Obviously, during the process of C. chinensis growth, the rhizospheric bacteria population changed, and the quantity of bacteria belong Acidovorax increased, which probably resulted in the disease occurred during C. chinensis growth.
Bacteria ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Biodiversity ; Coptis ; growth & development ; microbiology ; Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rhizosphere ; Soil Microbiology