Objective: To explore the predictor of lower airway inflammation among the index of nasal inflammation by investigating the expression and association of eosinophils (EOS) in the upper-lower airways and blood of patients with chronic rhinitis. Methods: A total of 162 patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), 117 patients with non-allergic rhinitis (NAR) and 104 controls were enrolled from June 2010 to December 2013 from General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command, People′s Liberation Army. All subjects were required detailed medical history collection and nasal resistance measurement. Skin prick test (SPT), blood total immunoglobin E (tIgE) and blood EOS, nasal lavage and induced sputum EOS, nasal provocation and bronchial provocation test (NPT, BPT), nasal and forced exhaled nitric oxide (NNO, FeNO) were performed in all patients. One-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between groups. LSD t test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between the two groups. Pearson or Spearman related parameter test was used for correlation analysis. Results: The nasal lavage EOS, NNO, induced sputum EOS, FeNO, blood EOS and tIgE were higher in the AR group than that in the NAR group (3.70[1.20, 14.23]/200 HP vs 1.40[0.20, 3.40]/200 HP, 673.50[466.80, 936.00] ppb vs 455.80[248.10, 705.60] ppb, 2.97[0.00, 10.63]% vs 1.00[0.23, 2.00]%, (49.28±26.37)ppb vs (34.07±19.11)ppb, 4.00[2.00, 7.00]% vs 2.00[1.00, 5.00]%, 208.01[61.70, 387.50] IU/ml vs 43.30[19.00, 122.00] IU/ml, F or χ² value was 11.442, 19.440, 70.727, 69.449, 47.453, 46.525, respectively, all P<0.05). But there was no significant difference in nasal resistance, NPT and BPT between the two groups. Nasal lavage EOS in AR group and NAR group was correlated with induced sputum EOS, FeNO, tIgE and blood EOS (r value of AR group was 0.448, 0.202, 0.159, 0.321, r value of NAR group was 0.442, 0.268, 0.268, 0.334, respectively, all P<0.05), but not with BPT. After adjustment for gender, age, height and weight, nasal EOS was positively correlated with sputum EOS. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that nasal EOS, blood EOS and SPT were factors affecting sputum EOS levels. The optimal threshold for nasal EOS to determine induced sputum EOS was 3.30/200 HP by (receiver operating characteristic,ROC) analysis. Conclusion The nasal EOS is correlated with multiple lower airway and systemic inflammatory markers, and is a risk factor for the induced sputum EOS, which can be used as an inflammation biomarker to predict the lower air inflammation.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect difference between acupuncture combined with Chinese medicine of artificial cycle therapy on the basis of western medication and simple western medication for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) of phlegm damp type with insulin resistance, and to explore its mechanism.

METHODSSixty patients were randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. Patients of the control group began to take letrozole and metformin orally on the third menstrual day. Patients of the observation group were treated with acupuncture combined with Chinese medicine of artificial cycle therapy on the basis of the treatment of the control group. The main acupoints were Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6) and bilateral Zigong (EX-CA 1), Luanchao (Extra), Fenglong (ST 40), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6). Dahe (KI 12) was matched in the follicular phase, and warm acupuncture was applied at Guanyuan (CV 4) and Qihai (CV 6); Zhongji (CV 3) and Xuehai (SP 10) were matched in the ovulatory phase, and electroacupuncture were used at Qihai (CV 6) and Zhongji (CV 3), Xuehai (SP 10) and Yinlingquan (SP 9), 2 Hz and continuous wave; The acupoints in the luteal phase were the above main acupoints, at the same time, moxibustion was used at Guanyuan (CV 4) and Qihai (CV 6), the treatment was given once every other day, 30 min a time. There was no treatment in the menstrual phase. Chinese medicine was applied for tonifying kidney and nourishing blood, strengthening spleen and eliminating phlegm. The patients of the two groups were treated for continuous three menstrual cycles. The indexes before and after treatment were detected, including serum microRNA-29 (miR-29) expression, TCM symptom score, insulin (INS), blood-sugar content and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, the endocrine hormone values of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), LH/FSH ratio, prolactin (PRL). The pregnancy rates of the two groups were compared.

RESULTSAfter treatment the expressions of miR-29 and TCM symptom scores of the two groups were lower than those before treatment (<0.01,<0.05), with better results in the observation group (<0.01,<0.05). The levels of LH LH/FSH and T of the observation group were lower than those before treatment (<0.01,<0.05), and the T value in the control group decreased after treatment (<0.05). The changes of LH and LH/FSH in the observation group were better than those in the control group (both<0.05). After treatment, The INS, blood-sugar content and HOMA-IR were lower than those before treatment in the two groups (<0.05,<0.01), with better results for INS and HOMA-IR improvements in the observation group (both<0.05). The pregnancy rate in the observation group was 56.7% (17/30), which was significantly higher than 30.0% (9/30) in the control group (<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture combined with Chinese medicine of artificial cycle therapy can improve the endocrine levels and insulin resistance of PCOS with phlegm damp type. At the same time, the pregnancy rate is improved. By the view of molecular biology, there may be a pathway trough changing serum miR-29 expression.

Objective To describe the effects of allergic and nonallergic rhinitis on patients with bronchial inflammation by comparing the bronchial inflammation characteristics . Methods All patients enrolled in the study were categorized into two groups according to rhinitis diagnostic criteria , 377 cases in the allergic rhinitis ( AR) group, 262 cases in non-allergic rhinitis ( NAR) group and another 264 patients without rhinitis as control group .Induced sputum differential cytology tests , exhaled nitric oxide concentration measurements and methacholine bronchial provocation tests were performed .The characteristics and differences in lower airway inflam-mation among the three groups were compared . Results The exhaled nitric oxide level and the positive rate of the exhaled nitric ox-ide were different significantly in AR group and NAR group than the control group (P<0.05);Bronchial provocation positive rate was 12.20%in AR group, and 6.10%in the NAR group, the difference was significant (P<0.05), and the levels in the two groups were significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05).AR group and NAR group has a significant different (P<0.05) propor-tions of eosinophil in induced sputum , while the positive rate of eosinophil in induced sputum was not different significantly ( P >0.05). Conclusion Bronchial inflammation may be aggravated by AR and NAR , so all patients with AR and NAR need treatment , and the degree of inflammation was higher in AR patients than the NAR patients .

Objective To establish an effective DNA isolation method for neonatal disease screening,so as to explore its application to the methylation detection.Methods The 20 dried blood spots samples were randomly divided into 2 groups according to the gender:the traditional method group (n =10) and the improved kit method group(n =10).The DNA quality was evaluated based on its concentration,integrity and whether it could be used in polymerase chain reaction (PCR).These DNA samples with or without bisulfite treatment were used as template in the methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP).The methylation levels of Leptin and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) gene promoter region were detected.Results DNA concentration of the improved kit method [(5.70 ± 0.81) mg/L] was significantly higher than that of the traditional method [(3.50 ± 0.45) mg/L] (t =2.79,P ＜ 0.05),and biochemical analyzer analysis showed a better DNA integrity.Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed that 18S gene fragment could be successfully amplified by PCR method,suggesting its potential application to PCR study.MSP results showed different DNA methylation levels of Leptin and TNF-α genes promoter regions from various samples.Conclusions The improved kit method can effectively extract DNA from dried blood spots samples,and these DNA can be used in methylation research.The study can provide a new research direction and technical method to reveal the pathogenesis of disease from the perspective of DNA methylation.

Objective Small airway hypofunction is an early manifestation of asthmatic airway injury and is found in patients with non-asthma allergic rhinitis.However, no report has been seen on the changes of small airway function in patients with non-aller-gic rhinitis ( NAR) .This study was to investigate the possibility of small airway lesion in NAR patients and its relationship with airway responsiveness by observing the changes of small airway function in NAR patients without asthma and/or lower airway symptoms. Methods We recruited 324 subjects for this study, including 262 NAR patients and 62 healthy controls, and assigned them to an air-way hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and a non-airway hyperresponsiveness (nAHR) group.All the subjects underwent medical history collection, nasal examination, allergen skin prick test, blood routine test, serum total immunoglobin E assay, pulmonary function test, and bronchial challenge test. Results Compared with the healthy con-trols, the NAR patients showed remarkably lower predicted percenta-ges of maximal mid-expiratory flow ([85.6 ±17.1] vs [81.3 ± 19.9]%), mid-expiratory flow (MEF) with 75% of forced vital ca-pacity (FVC) expired ([96.1 ±16.1] vs [88.8 ±23.1]%), MEF with 50%of FVC expired ([88.4 ±17.8] vs [84.8 ±20.8]%), and MEF with 25%of FVC expired ([92.7 ±25.9] vs [82.9 ± 28.7]%) (P<0.05), but had no statistically significant differences in the predicted percentages of FVC, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and the ratio of FEV1 to FVC (P>0.05).The positive rate of AHR was 6.1% (16/246) in the NAR group.All the indices of small airway function were significantly lower in the AHR than in the nAHR group (P <0.01). Conclusion NAR patients are apt to undergo obvious changes in small airway function, some with AHR, which is associated with lower airway function changes.

Objective To investigate and analyze oral health status of inpatients with schizophrenia.Method We selected 105 patients from Beijing Anding hospital included hospitalization length 1-5 years group (39 cases) and hospitalization length over 5 years (55 cases) were investigated with Self-made questionnaire and assessment guide for psychiatric care (OAG-PC).Results Tooth loss and oral health status of schizophrenia inpatients were both poor.There was significant difference in the number of people with tooth loss (x2 =7.68,P ＜ 0.05) and mean number of tooth loss (F =9.20,P ＜ 0.05) between two groups.The OAG-PC total score (F=11.1,P＜ 0.05),odour from the mouth (F=4.34,P＜ 0.05),saliva (F=3.93,P＜ 0.05),mucous membranes (F=5.64,P＜ 0.05),teeth or dentures (F=5.34,P＜ 0.05),calculus on teeth (F=15.34,P ＜ 0.05),looseness of teeth (F =14.14,P ＜ 0.05),and No.of teeth in the lower jaw (F =7.70,P ＜ 0.05) in the schizophrenia inpatients with hospitalization length 1-5 years group was better than those with hospitalization length over 5 years,there were significant difference between two groups.There were no significant difference in lips (F =0.69,P ＞ 0.05),tongue (F =0.65,P ＞ 0.05),gums (F =1.87,P ＞ 0.05),appearance of teeth (F=1.52,P＞ 0.05),and No.of teeth in the upper jaw (F=3.58,P ＞ 0.05) between two groups.Conclusions Patients with schizophrenia are special vulnerable people.The more course of the disease was longer,the more the oral health status was worse.Tooth loss,calculus,and looseness of teeth are much more serious and will influence chew function seriously.Society,medical institutions,and families should pay more attention to the oral health status of patients with schizophrenia.And taking the preventative measures against poor oral health can improve quality of life of patients with schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: Observe the changes of small airway function in patients with rhinitis but without asthma and/or lower airway symptoms. METHOD: Between June 2008 and December 2012, we recruited 903 subjects, including 377 with allergic rhinitis (AR), 262 with non-allergic rhinitis (NAR) and 264 healthy subjects. All subjects underwent meticulous history taking, nasal examination, allergen skin prick test, blood routine test, serum total immunoglobin E assay, pulmonary ventilation function test and bronchial challenge test. RESULT: The indices of FEV1/FVC%, MEF25pred% and MMEFpred% were lower in AR group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The indices of FEV1/FVC, MMEFpred%, MEF25pred% and MEF50pred% were also lower in NAR group than in the control group (P < 0.05). According to the FVCpred% and FEV1pred%, there were no differences between rhinitis group and the control group (P > 0.05). The positive rate of airway hyperresponsiveness(AHR) in AR group and in NAR group was 12.2%, 6.1% respectively. Indices of small airway function were all lower in the AHR group than NAHR group in rhinitis. CONCLUSION Compared with healthy controls, small airway function in patients with rhinitis has apparent changes, part of rhinitis patients has AHR, and is associated with small airway function changes.
Asthma ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Respiratory System ; physiopathology ; Rhinitis ; physiopathology ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; physiopathology ; Skin Tests

OBJECTIVE: To compare the symptoms and lower airway inflammatory factors of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), and to observe the effect of nasal irrigation in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. METHOD: Sixty-one cases diagnosed as AR after skin prick test (SPT)were selected and randomly divided into three groups: 17 patients in group A used nasal steroid spray; 21 cases in group B used nasal irrigation; 23 patients in group C combined ir rigation with nasal steroid. Before and after 3 months treatment, nasal visual analogue scale (VAS) score, rhino conjunctivtis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) score, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) values were observed and compared in each group. RESULT: Before treatment, there is no statistically difference between three groups (P > 0.05). After 3 months of treatment, VAS, RQLQ, FENO of all patients was significantly decreased (P < 0.05); VAS, RQLQ score was not significantly different among the three groups (P > 0.05), FENO value has no statistically significant difference between group A and group B (P > 0.05), but were less than that in group C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Nasal irrigation can ameliorate nasal symptoms, improve quality of life, decrease lower airway inflammation of allergic rhinitis patients. Nasal irrigation is an effective treatment of allergic rhinitis. Nasal irrigation combined with nasal steroid can achieve more significant efficacy.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Lavage ; Quality of Life ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To study the feasibility of engineering cartilage tissue in a tube lined with epithelium and implanting allogenic chondrocytes into a novel scaffold consisting of chitosan nonwoven cloth coated with poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA).The focus of the present study is to explore a new way of repairing laryngeal and tracheal defects.Methods Allogenic chondrocytes were obtained from the auricles of 1-month-old rabbits.After being cultured in vitro for three to four passages,the cells were implanted into the scaffolds to form composite grafts and then transplanted into the rabbits.After 6,12,and 18 weeks,the general,histological characteristics were investigated.Results The cobweb-like matrix was observed approximately 1 week after the chondrocytes had been implanted into the scaffolds.At 6 weeks,the matrix was secreted,and there were immature chondrocytes in the grafts.At 12 weeks,the allogenic cartilage in the tube lined with epithelium had been created.Chondrocytes were almost mature and the lacunae had formed.At 18 weeks,the neocartilage was similar to native cartilage.Conclusion It is feasible to fabricate allogenic cartilage in a tube lined with epithelium by implanting allogenic chondrocytes into a novel scaffold made of chitosan nonwoven cloth coated with PLGA.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic significance of multiple detector-row spiral CT(MSCT) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). METHOD: Sixty-seven patients with OSAHS and 40 volunteers were scanned. The CT imagings from the nasopharyngeal floor to the glottis obtained. The relevant dimensions of area, diameter, thickness of retropharyngeal tissue were measured in some regions in imagings including nasopharynx, oral pharynx and hypopharynx, as well as the narrowest region in pharynx. RESULT: 1) The values of area, left-right diameter and front-back diameter of oral pharyngeal imagings of patients with OSAHS were narrowest regions which were (133.5 +/- 32. 9) mm2, (12.5 +/- 2.0) mm, (10.4 +/- 1.8) mm respectively. The value of above parameters of oral pharyngeal imagings of volunteers were (238.5 +/- 46.5) mm2, (20.4 +/- 3.1) mm, (21.1 +/- 4.0) mm respectively. The values of two groups had marked difference by statistics (P< 0.01). 2) The narrowest regions were located in oral pharynx in the imagings of 58 patients with OSAHS, which located in soft palate site in 19 patients, in oral pharynx site in 11 patients and in retro-lingua site in 28 patients. The narrowest regions were located in nasopharynx in the imagings of 3 patients. None of the narrowest region was found in hypopharynx. The narrowest regions, which all located in oral pharynx, were measured in the imagings of 24 volunteers. 3) The values of area, left-right and front-back diameter of the narrowest regions of imaging of 58 patients with OSAHS among 67 patients were (75.6 +/- 17.9) mm2, (10.6 +/- 2.1) mm, (6.9 +/- 1.0) mm respectively. The values of bove parameter of the most narrowest regions of imagings of volunteer were (187.3 +/- 35.6) mm2, (21.4 +/- 4.3) mm, (15.6 +/- 2.7) mm respectively. There were significant difference in statistics among the data of these groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The imagings of MSCT may provide accurate diagnosis in OSAHS. Patients with OSAHS always had anatomically narrow in pharynx, especially in oral pharynx.
Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pharynx ; diagnostic imaging ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, Spiral Computed