Objective:The nasal swell body（NSB） consists of the nasal septal cartilage, nasal bone, and swollen soft tissue, all of which are visible during endoscopic and imaging examinations. Although the function of the NSB remains uncertain, there is evidence to suggest that it plays a vital role in regulating nasal airflow and filtering inhaled air. Based on anatomical and histological evidence, it is hypothesized that the NSB is indispensable in these processes. This study aims to investigate the impact of NSB on nasal aerodynamics and the deposition of allergen particles under physiological conditions. Methods:The three-dimensional （3D） nasal models were reconstructed from computed tomography （CT） scans of the paranasal sinus and nasal cavity in 30 healthy adult volunteers from Northwest China, providing basis for the construction of models without NSB following virtual NSB-removal surgery. To analyze the distribution of airflow in the nasal cavity, nasal resistance, heating and humidification efficiency, and pollen particle deposition rate at various anatomical sites, we employed the computed fluid dynamics（CFD） method for numerical simulation and quantitative analysis. In addition, we created fully transparent segmented nasal cavity models through 3D printing, which were used to conduct bionic experiments to measure nasal resistance and allergen particle deposition. Results:①The average width and length of the NSB in healthy adults in Northwest China were （12.85±1.74） mm and （28.30±1.92） mm, respectively. ②After NSB removal, there was no significant change in total nasal resistance, and cross-sectional airflow velocity remained essentially unaltered except for a decrease in topical airflow velocity in the NSB plane. ③There was no discernible difference in the nasal heating and humidification function following the removal of the NSB; ④After NSB removal, the deposition fraction（DF） of Artemisia pollen in the nasal septum decreased, and the DFs post-and pre-NSB removal were（22.79±6.61）% vs （30.70±12.27）%, respectively; the DF in the lower airway increased, and the DFs post-and pre-NSB removal were（24.12±6.59）% vs （17.00±5.57）%, respectively. Conclusion:This study is the first to explore the effects of NSB on nasal airflow, heating and humidification, and allergen particle deposition in a healthy population. After NSB removal from the healthy nasal cavities: ①nasal airflow distribution was mildly altered while nasal resistance showed no significantly changed; ②nasal heating and humidification were not significantly changed; ③the nasal septum's ability to filter out Artemisia pollen was diminished, which could lead to increased deposition of Artemisia pollen in the lower airway.
Adult ; Humans ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Nasal Cavity/surgery* ; Allergens ; Pollen ; Artemisia ; Hydrodynamics

Objective:To establish a rapid method for the detection of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) by recombinase-aid amplification (RAA).Methods:The whole genome sequences of VZV were downloaded from the global shared database for comparison and analysis. Specific primers and probe were designed for the four conserved genes respectively and the optimal combination was selected. The optimal reaction system was selected through the concentration gradient of primers and probes, and a fluorescence RAA detection method was established. The sensitivity of the method was evaluated with VZV positive plasmid standard and clinical samples with gradient dilution, the repeatability of the method was evaluated with the lowest detectable limit concentration of positive plasmid standard, and the specificity of other viral nucleic acid method was evaluated. At the same time, this method and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) were used to detect clinical samples and the result were compared.Results:The optimal combination of primer pair F2/R2 and probe P2 targeting open reading frame (ORF) 28 gene was selected. Considering the cost factor, the optimal primer concentration was set at 500 nmol/L and the optimal probe concentration was 280 nmol/L. The minimum detection limit was 10 1 copies/μL, and the minimum clinical positive samples with a Ct value of 36.027 could be detected, and the result of repeated experiments were consistent. The method has no cross-reaction with other viral nucleic acids. The detection rate of clinical positive samples was 93.33%, which was almost identical to that of qPCR. Conclusions:This method is simple to operate with high sensitivity, strong specificity, low requirements for experimental conditions, visual detection result, and can detect VZV nucleic acid in samples within 20 minutes, which is a rapid VZV detection method that can be considered for clinical use for detection.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of BCR-ABL1 kinase domain mutations in imatinib-resistant chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph + ALL) patients from Northeast China and their impact on prognosis. Methods:The clinical data of 252 CML patients and 49 Ph + ALL patients who were admitted to the First Hospital of Jilin University from January 2013 to October 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The samples of bone marrow or peripheral blood were collected from patients when imatinib treatment was not effective. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the BCR-ABL1 kinase domain, and Sequencing Analysis v5.4 software was used to analyze the mutation of BCR-ABL1 kinase domain. Patients were followed up for 6-48 months, and the survival analysis was performed. Results:Among 252 CML patients, the mutations in ABL1 kinase domain were found in 57 patients (22.6%), including 25 patients in the chronic phase, 21 patients in the accelerated phase and 11 patients in the blast crisis; 50 patients had 20 types of single point mutation, and the most common mutation types were E255K (16.0%, 8/50), T315I (14.0%, 7/50), M244V (8.0%, 4/50) and G250E (8.0%, 4/50), which were all concentrated in the P-loop and C-helix domains; 7 patients had double mutations; patients with multiple mutations had the worst prognosis, with a median overall survival (OS) time of 3.2 months. Among 49 Ph + ALL patients, 17 cases (34.7%) were positive for mutations in the BCR-ABL1 kinase domain, 14 patients had 12 types of single point mutation, and 3 patients had multiple mutations; the median OS time of patients with multiple mutations, mutations located in the P-loop and C-helix domains and mutations located in the other domains was 2.0, 8.0 and 18.0 months, and the difference in OS among the three groups was statistically significant ( P < 0.01). Conclusions:Among the imatinib-resistant CML and Ph + ALL patients from Northeast China, point mutations in the P-loop and C-helix domains are most commonly found. Multiple mutations, mutations in the P-loop and C-helix domains are related to the poor prognosis of the patients.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with positive TLS-ERG fusion gene.Methods:The clinical data of 9 AML patients with positive TLS-ERG fusion gene in the First Hospital of Jilin University from June 2013 to August 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, and the relevant literature was reviewed.Results:Among 9 patients with positive TLS-ERG fusion gene, there were 5 males and 4 females, with a median age of 16 years old (6-40 years old). Five patients received chemotherapy alone, 3 patients received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), and 1 patient did not receive systematic treatment. Among 8 patients with systematic treatment, 1 patient had complete remission after the first induction chemotherapy and 5 patients had complete remission after induction therapy. The median overall survival time of 5 patients with chemotherapy alone was 1.5 months (1-11 months), of which 3 patients did not respond to the first course of treatment and died of infection, and 2 patients died after relapse. The median overall survival time of 3 patients with allo-HSCT was 16 months (13-17 months), of which 2 patients died after relapse and 1 patient had sustained molecular complete remission by the end of follow-up.Conclusions:AML with positive TLS-ERG fusion gene has low incidence rate and poor induction efficacy. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may partially improve the survival prognosis of patients, but it cannot overcome the adverse effect of positive TLS-ERG fusion gene on prognosis.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a malignant tumor formed by clonal proliferation of bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells. With the improvement of disease awareness and the introduction of new drugs, more than 90% of CML patients can achieve long-term survival. However, a few patients still show drug resistance. This article reviews the mechanism of drug resistance in CML patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and the characteristics of ABL kinase region mutation.

Objective:To investigate any change in the effective connectivity between the bilateral anterior central gyruses after transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).Methods:Twenty-one healthy subjects were examined using resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) before and after receiving continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS). The brain atlas of the Institute of Automation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences was used for fine partitioning of the bilateral anterior central gyruses. Granger causality analysis was used to compare any changes in the effective connectivity between them.Results:After the cTBS inhibited the right M1 area, significant changes in effective connectivity among the sub-regions of the bilateral M1 area were observed. The effective connectivity of the right upper limb to the left upper limb and the left head to face were weakened, while that of the left upper limb to the right head, as well as of the face to the right upper limb was enhanced.Conclusion:For people whose right M1 area has been inhibited by cTBS, the effective connectivity changes in both upper limb functional areas of the M1 region reflect inter-hemispheric inhibition. Opposite changes were found in the trunk and upper limbs.

Objective:To explore the effect of intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) of the cerebellum on the excitability of the M1 zone in the bilateral motor cortex and the duration of any effect.Methods:Twenty healthy youths were randomly assigned to a left or a right cerebellum iTBS group, each of 10. The resting motor threshold and motor evoked potential (MEP) of the motor cortex were determined before giving 600 pulses of iTBS. Then MEP was measured at the 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th and 40th minute after the intervention ended. Any changes in MEP amplitude were also analyzed.Results:①The average MEP amplitude in the right motor cortex had increased significantly in the left cerebellum iTBS group from the 5th to the 15th minute. The increase lasted at least 10 minutes. Then it had returned to the baseline value at the 35th minute. ②The MEP amplitude in the left motor cortex decreased slightly after iTBS of the left cerebellum began, but there were no significant changes. ③The MEP amplitude in the left motor cortex had a tendency to decrease after iTBS was administered to the right cerebellum, but that change too was not significant. ④The MEP amplitude of the right motor cortex decreased significantly only for the first 30 minutes.Conclusions:iTBS of the cerebellum can increase the excitability of the contralateral motor cortex. The effect can last 25 minutes. It can also decrease the excitability of the ipsilateral motor cortex for 30 minutes.

Objective:To analyze the genetic characteristics of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in Liaoning province in 2019.Methods:Vesicle fluid samples were collected from 32 individuals with suspected VZV infection in Liaoning province from 2019. Nucleic acids were extracted, the suspected samples were screened by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) sites on ORF22, ORF38 and ORF62 were detected and analyzed in three open reading frames (ORFS) of positive samples. The samples and sequence data were collected and the gene sequences were compared to determine the genotype of the virus strain, and the vaccine strain was identified from the wild strain.Results:In the 32 suspected samples, VZV-positive strains were detected in 27 samples, all belonged to wild-type strain of Clade 2. Compared with Clade 2 referenced strains, the homology of nucleotide and amino acid for all 10 samples were 98.85%-100% and 96.9%-100%, respectively. There was a synonymous mutation (A→G) in position 37990 of LN-14 strain. The nucleotide homology of ORF22 showed that all 27 samples were on the same branch with the Clade 2 referenced strains and had a vaccine breakthrough cases.Conclusions:This study reveals that the VZV strains circulating in Liaoning province in 2019 were all wild-type strains belonging to Clade 2.

Objective:To explore the effectiveness of evaluating voice disorders in dysarthria patients after brain injury using speech production measurements and analyze their phonics characteristics.Methods:Twenty-nine patients were divided into a severe dysarthria group ( n=19) and a mild dysarthria group ( n=10) through the subjective evaluation of their speech, and then evaluated using a computer speech monitor. The maximum phonation time (MPT), maximum counting ability (MCA), basic frequency (F0), standard deviation of F0 (F0SD), F0 range, intensity, formant, and the distance of jaw and tongue movements were recorded. Results:All of the patients displayed abnormal MPTs and MCAs, with the average MPT and MCA of the severe dysarthria group significantly lower than the mild group′s averages. In the severe dysarthria group, the abnormal F0s, F0SDs, F2(i)s and tongue movement distances were significantly greater than in the mild group.Conclusions:Speech production measurements can be applied to evaluate the speech dysarthria patients after brain injury. It is very common for such patients to have impaired speech and respiratory function, so this is worthy of attention.

Objective: To investigate the current status and real performance of the detection of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion transcript levels and WT1 transcript levels in China through interlaboratory comparison. Methods: Peking University People’s Hospital (PKUPH) prepared the samples for comparison. That is, the fresh RUNX1-RUNX1T1 positive (+) bone morrow nucleated cells were serially diluted with RUNX1-RUNX1T1 negative (-) nucleated cells from different patients. Totally 23 sets with 14 different samples per set were prepared. TRIzol reagent was added in each tube and thoroughly mixed with cells for homogenization. Each laboratory simultaneously tested RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and WT1 transcript levels of one set of samples by real-time quantitative PCR method. All transcript levels were reported as the percentage of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 or WT1 transcript copies/ABL copies. Spearman correlation coefficient between the reported transcript levels of each participated laboratory and those of PKUPH was calculated. Results: ①RUNX1-RUNX1T1 comparison: 9 samples were (+) and 5 were (-) , the false negative and positive rates of the 20 participated laboratories were 0 (0/180) and 5% (5/100) , respectively. The reported transcript levels of all 9 positive samples were different among laboratories. The median reported transcript levels of 9 positive samples were from 0.060% to 176.7%, which covered 3.5-log. The ratios of each sample’s highest to the lowest reported transcript levels were from 5.5 to 12.3 (one result which obviously deviated from other laboratories’ results was not included) , 85% (17/20) of the laboratories had correlation coefficient ≥0.98. ②WT1 comparison: The median reported transcript levels of all 14 samples were from 0.17% to 67.6%, which covered 2.6-log. The ratios of each sample’s highest to the lowest reported transcript levels were from 5.3-13.7, 62% (13/21) of the laboratories had correlation coefficient ≥0.98. ③ The relative relationship of the reported RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels between the participants and PKUPH was not always consistent with that of WT1 transcript levels. Both RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and WT1 transcript levels from 2 and 7 laboratories were individually lower than and higher than those of PKUPH, whereas for the rest 11 laboratories, one transcript level was higher than and the other was lower than that of PKUPH. Conclusion The reported RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and WT1 transcript levels were different among laboratories for the same sample. Most of the participated laboratories reported highly consistent result with that of PKUPH. The relationship between laboratories of the different transcript levels may not be the same.