Incidence and prognosis of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain: a national multi-center survey of 35 566 population / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.

Clinical features and management analysis of 11 cases of laryngocele / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To summarize clinical features and our experience of the diagnosis and treatment of laryngocele. Methods: Clinical data of 11 laryngocele patients in department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from January 2012 to December 2021 were retrospectively reviewed, including 9 men and 2 women, aged from 12 to 75 years, with median age of 56 years. Electronic laryngoscope was performed in 10 of all patients, laryngeal CT in 10 and cervical color ultrasound in 5 before operation.All the operations were performed under general anesthesia, and the external cervical approach was used for external and combined laryngocele. The internal laryngocele was resected by low temperature plasma through transoral endoscopy. Patients were followed up regularly after operation to evaluate the effect. Clinical feature, types of lesions, imaging findings, surgical approaches and follow-up results were analyzed through descriptive statistical method. Results: Eleven laryngocele patients were divided into mixed type (n=6), internal type (n=4) and external type (n=1).Nine patients presented with hoarseness or dysphonia, 7 with cervical mass and 1 with airway obstruction. Surgical resections were done through external cervical approach (n=7)or transoral endoscopic approach (n=4). All the operations were successful and no complication occurred. All cases were followed up from 17 to 110 months. No recurrence was encountered. Conclusions: Laryngocele is a rare lesion with atypical clinical presentation. Preoperative imaging including CT scan and electronic laryngoscope is essential to evaluate the location, and extent of the lesion, and to make the surgical plan.Complete surgical excision is required. Surgical resection is the only effective method for the treatment of laryngocele.

Study on mechanism of salidroside against liver fibrosis by regulating CXCL16 / 中国中药杂志

In order to investigate the effect of salidroside on inhibiting liver fibrosis and its relationship with CXC chemokine ligand 16(CXCL16) in vivo and in vitro, totally 45 C57 BL/6 J male mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group and salidroside group, with 15 mice in each group. The mice in model group and salidroside group were injected intraperitoneally with 15% carbontetrachloride(CCl_4) olive oil solution to establish liver fibrosis model, and the mice in normal group were injected intraperitoneally with the same dose of olive oil. Salidroside group was given with 100 mg·kg~(-1 )salidroside by gavage, while the normal group and model group received the same amount of double distilled water by gavage. All mice were sacrificed after 5 weeks of intragastric administration. The pathological changes of mouse liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and the degree of liver fibrosis was observed by sirius red staining. The protein expressions of collagen Ⅰ(ColⅠ), α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), fibronectin(FN), CXCL16, phosphorylated Akt(p-Akt), Akt in liver tissues were detected by Western blot. Hepatic stellate cell line JS 1 was cultured in vitro and divided into control group, model group(100 μg·L~(-1) CXCL16) and salidroside group(100 μg·L~(-1) CXCL16+1×10~(-5) mol·L~(-1) salidroside). Cell migration was detected by cell scratch, the mRNA expressions of ColⅠ and α-SMA were detected by RT-PCR, and the protein expressions of p-Akt and Akt were detected by Western blot. As compared with the normal group, the protein expressions of ColⅠ, α-SMA, FN, CXCL16, and p-Akt in the model group were significantly increased, and salidroside could reduce the expression of these indicators(P<0.05 or P<0.01). In vitro, CXCL16 could promote the migration of JS 1, increase the mRNA expressions of ColⅠ and α-SMA in JS 1, and enhance Akt phosphorylation in JS 1(P<0.05 or P<0.01). As compared with the model group, salidroside could inhibit the migration of JS 1 induced by CXCL16(P<0.05), and reduce the high expression of ColⅠ and α-SMA mRNA and the phosphorylation of Akt in JS 1 induced by CXCL16(P<0.05). In conclusion, salidroside might attenuate CCl_4-induced liver fibrosis in mice by inhibiting the migration, activation and Akt phosphorylation of hepatic stellate cells induced by CXCL16.

Effect of Fuzheng Huayu Capsule on Experimental Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Fibrosis in Mice / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the therapeutic effect of Fuzheng Huayu capsule on nonalcoholic fatty liver fibrosis induced by high trans fatty acid and high sugar diet in mice. Method:Forty SPF male C57/B6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups （normal group， model group， Obelcholinic acid group， and Fuzheng Huayu capsule group）， with 10 mice in each group. Except 10 mice in the normal group， nonalcoholic fatty liver fibrosis was induced by high-fat and high-sugar diet for 24 weeks in the other 30 mice. From the 25th week of modeling， 4 groups received intragastric administration for 4 weeks， once a day： Fuzheng Huayu capsule group 4.8 g·kg^-1. Oxycholic acid group 10 mg·kg^-1. Model control group and normal group received the same volume of normal saline. Liver tissue and serum samples were collected at the end of the 28th week. The pathological changes of liver tissue of mice in each group were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， the degree of liver fibrosis was observed by Sirius red staining， the degree of lipid deposition was observed by oil red O staining， the content of hydroxypropylamine （Hyp） in liver tissue was determined by alkaline hydrolysis， and the change of triglyceride （TG） in liver tissue was detected by enzyme method. Serum alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST） activities and fasting blood glucose （FBG） were detected by kit method， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect fasting Insulin （INS） level and calculate the changes of insulin resistance index （HOMA-IR）， liver fibrosis related mRNA and proteins of were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， Western blot and Immunohistochemistry. Result:Compared with the normal group， the liver tissue in the model group showed significant collagen fiber deposition， at mostly F2-F3 fibrosis stages， with increased number of inflammatory foci in liver tissue， obvious balloon degeneration and fatty degeneration of liver cells， significantly increased contents of Hyp and TG in liver tissue （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， significantly increased activities of ALT and AST in serum and levels of FBG， INS and HOMA-IR （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and increased type I collagen （Col-Ⅰ）， Col-Ⅳ， <italic>α</italic>-smooth muscle agonist protein （<italic>α</italic>-SMA） and transforming growth factor-<italic>β</italic> （TGF-<italic>β</italic>） protein and mRNA in liver tissue. Compared with the model group， the collagen fiber deposition in liver tissue of mice in Fuzheng Huayu capsule group was significantly reduced， at mostly F0-F1 fibrosis stages， with significantly improved balloon-like change of hepatocytes， and significantly reduced number of inflammatory foci in lobules （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， Fuzheng Huayu capsule can significantly reduce the content of Hyp in liver tissue， the levels of serum ALT and AST， and the expression of Col-Ⅰ， Col-Ⅳ， <italic>α</italic>-SMA and TGF-<italic>β</italic> genes and proteins in mice （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:Fuzheng Huayu capsule has a good therapeutic effect on nonalcoholic fatty liver fibrosis induced by high trans fatty acid and high sugar diet in mice.

Alcohol consumption analysis among patients with liver disease in China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Alcohol consumption has been observed to be a contributing factor in liver damage. However, very few studies have tried to decipher the correlation between patients with liver disease and alcohol consumption. Therefore, this study was planned to determine the prevalence of alcohol consumption among patients with liver disease, and to evaluate the risk factors, liver diseases, and chronic medical conditions associated with alcohol drinking.@*METHODS@#A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with liver disease in 30 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities across China. All participants answered the questionnaire, which led to the calculation of Alcohol Use Disorders Inventory Test (AUDIT) score for each patient. Based on this score, low-risk drinkers, hazardous drinkers, and harmful drinkers were defined as having AUDIT score of <8, between 8 and 15, and ≥16, respectively.@*RESULTS@#A total of 1489 participants completed the questionnaire. Based on this information, 900 (60.44%) participants were classified as alcohol drinkers. Among these, 8.66% were ex-drinkers, 22.10% were low-risk drinkers, 17.13% were hazardous drinkers, and 12.56% were harmful drinkers. Further investigation of the association between alcohol consumption and other baseline characteristics of patients with liver disease revealed that usually men <40 years old, participants having higher family annual income, having college degree or higher education, living alone, having higher body mass index (BMI), current smokers, and ex-smokers had significant association with higher risk of alcohol consumption. In addition, among the 18.07% of the participants with cirrhosis, it was observed that risk of cirrhosis increased with higher alcohol consumption. Furthermore, harmful drinkers showed greater odds of hypertension and heart diseases, while hazardous drinkers and harmful drinkers, both had greater odds of hyperlipidemia.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Overall our analyses indicated that among the patients with liver disease in China, there was high rate of alcohol consumption and dependence. Alcohol consumption usually associated with men <40 years old, higher family income, education level, living alone, high BMI, and smoking. Increased alcohol consumption not only increased the risk of cirrhosis, but also enhanced the risk of hypertension, heart diseases, and hyperlipidemia.

Application of image guided technique in rhino-orbital related endoscopic surgery / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

To review retrospectively six cases of rhino-orbital related endoscopic surgeries aided by Fusion electromagnetic system,to explore the indications and clinical value of image guided technique in endonasal endoscopic surgery.Retrospective research methods were used.In this study,six cases of nasal endoscopic sinus surgery using Fusion electromagnetic system were analyzed,including 1 nasal penetrating foreign body,2 optic nerve decompressions,1 orbital apex hemangioma,1 sieve frontal sinus cyst,1 intraorbital mass biopsy.The preparation time of navigation system,the accuracy of intraoperative positioning and surgical coherence,intraoperative and postoperative complications of surgery were recorded.The average preparation time was(8.13 ± 1.858)min.In the navigation,the sinus ostium,orbital cardboard,skull base,optic nerve,internal carotid artery and other important structures can be accurately located in all patients,while registrations had been accurate within 1 mm.Six patients were successfully operated by image guided technique.There was no intracranial or intraorbital complications due to intraoperation error.Image guided technique allows for a truely microinvasive and accurate rhino-orbital related endoscopic surgeries.It requires less preoperative preparation time,has high surgical navigation accuracy,improves the surgical coherence and safety,and reduces the surgical complicationgs.However,as an auxiliary tool,it can not replace the surgeon's anatomical knowledge,surgical training and clinical experience.

Traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of liver diseases: progress, challenges and opportunities / 中西医结合学报

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is commonly used in treating liver diseases worldwide, especially in China. The advantages of using TCM for treatment of liver diseases include: protecting hepatocytes, inhibiting hepatic inflammation and antifibrosis in the liver. In this article, we introduce TCM herbal preparations from the Chinese materia medica (such as Fuzheng Huayu) that are typically used for the treatment of liver diseases. Literature surrounding the mechanisms of TCM therapy for treatment of liver diseases is presented and discussed. We propose that side effects of herbal compounds are often under-appreciated, and that more care should be taken in the prescription of potentially hepatotoxic medicines. Further, to deepen the understanding of TCM mechanisms, new techniques and methodologies must be developed. Future studies will lead to the enhancement of clinical outcomes of TCM. As complementary and alternative therapies, TCMs will play an expanding role in the future of liver disease treatment.

Performance of FibroScan in evaluating the curative effects of traditional Chinese medicine on liver fibrosis / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the performance of FibroScan in evaluating the curative effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on liver fibrosis, and to analyze factors influencing the diagnostic accuracy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data of FibroScan values, types of disease, use of drug, liver function indexes, prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR) were collected at both pre- (1 month prior) and post-FibroScan for 102 patients who underwent at least two FibroScan procedures. Patients were subgrouped according to presence of fibrosis, presence of cirrhosis, and TCM formulation and statistically analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The pre- and post-FibroScan mean liver stiffness measurements (LSMs) were significantly different when the variation of LSM was more than or equal to2 kPa for the non-fibrotic group (vs. the fibrotic group), or when the variation wasmore than or equal to4 kPa for the cirrhotic group (vs. the non-cirrhotic group). In addition, the three TCM formulation groups showed significant differences, with the most robust difference exhibited between the FuZheng HuaYu formulation group and the other treatment groups (P = 0.010). No significant differences were observed for the liver function indexes, PT, or INR. However, the post-FibroScan levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) was significantly reduced in patients with reduced LSM.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>FibroScan may be a useful non-invasive clinical tool for evaluating the comprehensive curative effect of treatments for chronic liver diseases, and its performance is not obviously impacted by ALT, AST, GGT, PT, and INR. The criteria for efficacy established by FibroScan are 2 kPa for the patients without liver fibrosis and 4 kPa for patients with liver cirrhosis.</p>

Preliminary study on Aspergillus fumigatus-induced IKKα controlled maspin protein expression in respiratory epithelial cells of rats / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study if the expression of maspin protein in respiratory epithelial cells was downregulated through IκB kinase-α (IKKα)-controlled mechanism in an Aspergillus fumigatus-induced model in rat.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Inactivated Aspergillus fumigatus hyphae (AFH) suspension was used to induce respiratory epithelial cells (REC) cultured in vitro in rat, with PBS buffer as control. By RT-PCR, the mRNA expression of maspin was quantified, and by immunocytochemistry, the expression of maspin and IKKα in REC was observed. Furthermore AFH (from level 1 to level 3) suspension was prepared to induce REC. Then Western blot hybridization technique was used to detect the expression of maspin and IKKα protein. All data were processed by analysis of variance and two-variable correlation analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>By RT-PCR, a statistically significant (t = 2.463, P < 0.05) expression of maspin mRNA was found (0.128 ± 0.059 in AFH group, 2.972 ± 0.353 in control group). By Immunocytochemistry, the difference of maspin protein color in different groups was shown statistically significant in integrated scoring (t = 3.721, P < 0.05, weak positive in AFH group, moderately positive in control group). While in IKKα color study, the difference between the two groups was also statistically significant (t = 6.825, P < 0.05) in integrated scoring, with a moderate positive in AFH group and weak positive in control group. By Western Blot hybridization, grayscale ratio of maspin and β-actin was 0.912 ± 0.023 in control group, 0.607 ± 0.030, 0.476 ± 0.019, 0.416 ± 0.017 in AFH 1-3 groups, respectively, with a statistically significant difference within the four groups (F = 281.91, P < 0.05); While grayscale ratio of IKKα and β-actin was 0.624 ± 0.012 in control group, 0.739 ± 0.020, 0.778 ± 0.010, 0.927 ± 0.017, respectively, in AFH 1-3 groups; with a statistically significant difference within the four groups(F = 200.91, P < 0.05). Moreover, the difference between any two groups from both AFH group (including subgroup 1, 2 and 3) and control group was statistically significant. Two-variable correlation analysis indicated a negative correlation between expression of maspin and IKKα (r = -0.911, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Induced by Aspergillus fumigatus, the rat respiratory epithelia might upregulate the expression of IKKα with a downregulated expression of maspin protein.</p>

Treatment of distal clavicle fracture with distal radius volar locking compression plate / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the early clinical outcomes of the internal fixation with distal radius volar locking compression plate (LCP) in treatment of distal clavicle fracture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six patients with unilateral distal clavicle fractures, identified as type II according to Neer classification system, including 4 males and 2 females, were treated with open reduction and internal fixation using a distal radius volar LCP. Bone union was evaluated by routine X-ray radiography, and shoulder joint function were assessed by Constant score system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All fractures achieved bone union at 6 to 8 weeks postoperatively, and Constant scores ranged from 95 to 100 at the postoperative 10 to 12 weeks.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Fixation of distal clavicle fracture with distal radius volar LCP demonstrates excellent effects of bone union with rarely early complications, thus providing a new technique to treat distal clavicle fracture.</p>

Effects of cool restrain stress on eosinophils and interleukin 2 and 6 in nasal mucosa of rats with allergic rhinitis / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of cool restrain stress on the accumulation of eosinophils and expression of Th cytokines in rat nasal mucosa with allergic rhinitis model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty healthy female rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: control group, allergic rhinitis (AR) group, AR plus stress group, stress plus AR group and simultaneous stress-AR group. Cool restrain stress, AR model and simultaneous stress-AR were made. Nasal mucosa of septum from rats of five groups were stained routinely by haematoxylin eosin (HE) and immunohistochemistry respectively. The density of eosinophils and expression of interleukin (IL)2, IL-6 were observed by using software of image analysis systems under microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The density of eosinophiles and IL-6 in the nasal mucosa of stress-AR group were significantly higher than those in AR [(14.1 +/- 3.2) for eosinophiles, and (15.3 +/- 4.8) for IL-6 ] and were also significantly higher than those in control groups [(2.3 +/- 1.4) for eosinophiles, and (4.9 +/- 2.4) for IL-6)], and the differences reached statistical significance. (F were respectively 7.06, 7.14, 8.54, 8.20, P were respectively < 0.05 or < 0.01), but no significant differences of the three groups (AR plus stress, stress plus AR and simultaneous stress-AR groups) were found (F were respectively 2.90 and 3.20, P > 0.05). The expression of IL-2 in nasal mucosa of stress-AR group was significantly reduced compared with AR and control groups (F were respectively 7.27, 7.32, P were respectively < 0.05 or < 0.01). But there were also no significant differences of the three groups (AR plus stress, stress plus AR and simultaneous stress-AR groups, F = 3.12, P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The abnormal infiltration and accumulation of eosinophiles and the differences in expression of IL-2 and IL-6 which represented Th1 and Th2 cytokines in rats nasal mucosa varied in different groups. The eosinophiles and IL-6 were rarely expressed in control group and moderately expressed in AR group, but significantly expressed in cool restrain groups. The IL-2 representing Th1 cytokines were reduced in cool restrain stress gruops. All these results indicated that cool restrain stress might play a role in inducing rat allergic rhinitis.</p>

Applying Fuzheng Huayu Gantang comprehensive therapeutic program for treatment of post-hepatitis B liver cirrhosis complicated with glyco-metabolic abnormality / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical effects of Fuzheng Huayu Gantang comprehensive therapeutic program (FHGP) on post-hepatitis B liver cirrhosis associated with glyco-metabolic abnormality (LCGA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The patients with LCGA enrolled in the randomized controlled clinical trial were assigned to 2 groups, the treated group (68 cases) and the control group (74 cases), they were treated respectively by FHGP and conventional TCM and Western medicine therapeutic program for 3 months. Indexes including fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2 h postprandial plasma glucose (2 h PG), fasting insulin (FINS) were detected, homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated, and the score of syndrome was recorded before and after treatment. Then the effects on syndrome and glyco-metabolic abnormality were evaluated through statistical analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Level of 2 h PG after treatment was lowered in both groups (P < 0.01), but significant difference was found in the pre-treatment to post-treatment decrement of FPG and HOMA-IR between the two groups (P < 0.05). The syndrome improving rate and the total effective rate on glyco-metabolic abnormality in the treated group were significantly better than those in the control group respectively (85.3% vs 64.9% , P < 0.01; 80.9% vs 62.2%, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>FHGP has the capability to improve the syndrome and glyco-metabolic abnormality of patients with LCGA.</p>

Effects of sulphur dioxide inhalation on allergic rhinitis in mice / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of sulphur dioxide (SO2) inhalation on the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis (AR) in mice, and investigate the toxic effect of SO2 on respiratory tract mucosa.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty male Kunming strain mice were randomly allocated to five groups, i. e., control group, AR group and AR plus different concentrations of SO2 group (three sub-groups). Nasal cavity irrigating solution was gathered from nasal cavity, and blood from the orbital venous sinus after anesthesia The concentrations of IL-5 and IL-13 in the peripheral serum and nasal cavity irrigating solution were measured by ELISA. The number of eosinophils (EOS) per square millimeter in sinus mucosa was calculated by hematoxylin-eosin. The expression of SP-D in nasal mucosa was analyzed by immunohistochemistry technique.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>With increasing concentrations of SO2, the levels of IL-5 and IL-13 in the peripheral serum, and the density of Eos in sinus mucosa increased simultaneously. A positive correlation existed between the concentration of inhaled SO2 and the elevation of both IL-5, IL-13 and Eos infiltration in nasal mucosa. The coefficient correlation relatively were 0.894, 0.874, 0.894, 0.891 and 0.870 (P <0.01). The expression of SP-D in 56 mg/m3 and 112 mg/m3 SO2 groups was higher, while it was lower in 168 mg/m3 SO2 group (P < 0. 001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The study showed that sulphur dioxide inhalation facilitates the onset of allergic rhinitis in mice. SO2-related Th2-derived cytokines as well as the infiltration of EOS in nasal mucosa help to aggravate the development of allergic rhinitis.</p>

Preliminary investigation into the allergic rhinitis complicated with acute bacterial sinusitis in mice / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop a mouse model of bacterial rhinosinusitis superposed on allergic rhinitis (AR), and to explore whether ongoing allergic rhinitis enhance the acute sinus infection and inflammation associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fourty mice of C57BL6/J were randomly divided on average into 4 groups: A [ovalbumin (OVA) + SP], B [OVA + normal saline (NS)], C [phosphate buffered solution (PBS) + SP] and D (PBS + NS). (1) Group A and B were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection with 200 microl (10%) OVA on days 1 through 9, and exposed to OVA (6%) intranasally on days 10 through 17, to induce allergic inflammation. OVA was replaced with PBS in group C and D in the same way. (2) Subsequently, group A and C were inoculated with SP intranasally on day 13, and NS was used in group B and D. On the 6th day after inoculation, mice were killed. Blood was collected from the orbital venous sinus after anesthesia. The heads were embedded with paraffin and serial sections were followed and stained with hematoxylin-eosin and toluidine blue (0.5%) for histological analysis and inflammation cells count. The number of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and eosinophils (EOS) per square millimeter of sinus mucosa were calculated by using a computer-aided special software under microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>AR models were successfully established in 9 mice from group A and 8 from group B. Histologic examination of the sinus from group A and B revealed significant mucosal edema and dilated venules. The symptoms were mild in group C, and no symptom was observed in group D. PMN (x +/- s) in group A (139.3 +/- 26.5)/mm2 was significantly higher than that in group B (70.7 +/- 16.7)/mm2, C (63.0 +/- 14.7)/mm2 and D (40.2 +/- 14.1)/mm2 respectively (P < 0.01); EOS and serous IL-5 level in group A (134.6 +/- 25.5)/mm2, (48.2 +/- 13.9) pg/ml and B (116.2 +/- 25.2)/mm2, (40.8 +/- 7.8) pg/ml, were higher than that in group C (16.7 +/- 2.7)/mm2, (23.9 +/- 8.7) pg/ml (P < 0.05) and D (13.4 +/- 4.9)/mm2, (24.6 +/- 6.5) pg/ml (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The data demonstrate that an ongoing local allergic response augments bacterial infection in mice, and allergic sensitization alone without SP does not induce the sinus infection.</p>

Differential gene expression profile in seasonal allergic rhinitis with and without asthma / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen the differential expression gene profile in nasal mucosa of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) and SAR with asthma, oligonucleotide microarray (Affymetrix HG-U133-plus2) was employed to analyze the changes of gene expressions with GeneSpring software.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Inferior turbinate mucosa was obtained from five SAR patients and four SAR with asthma patients. Total RNA was extracted from the nasal mucosal biopsies and pooled into one SAR control pool and one SAR with asthma patient pool, and biotin-labeled cRNA probes were hybridized with Affymetrix HG-U133-plus2 array. The hybridization results were confirmed by RT-PCR analysis. The analysis of differential expression profiles were performed by GeneSpring software 7.3.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Out of 47,000 analysed transcripts, 1,900 genes were differentially expressed at least 2-fold in which 849 genes were up-regulated and 1,051 genes were down-regulated in nasal mucosa of SAR with asthma patients compared with that in SAR patients. These genes were involved in cell metabolism, gene transcription, cell proliferation, signal transduction, immune response, enzyme activity, transmembrane receptor activity, cytoskeletal protein binding, and many other aspects. Pathway analysis displayed 161 groups, of which including more than 20 genes were as follow: cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, focal adhesion, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), regulation of actin cytoskeleton, cell communication, gap junction, MAPK signaling pathway, calcium signaling pathway, leukocyte transendothelial migration, and purine metabolism.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The data suggested that multigentic expression and regulation changes were involved in the development of SAR and SAR complicated with asthma, whose molecular mechanisms might be elucidated by identification of these differential genes.</p>

Alteration of cytokines and mucin in lower respiratory tract in allergic rhinitis model in rats / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma as well as the mechanisms related with it.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty healthy rats were randomly divided into AR group and control group. AR model was established by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin (OVA) and nasal challenge with OVA. Nasal mucosa and lung tissue from both groups were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE), alcian-blue and periodic acid-schiff (AB-PAS), respectively. At the same time, the lung tissue was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry were used to examine the level of interleukin-4 (IL-4) in bronchial alveolus lavage fluid (BALF) and the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and MUC5AC in nasal and lung tissue, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Infiltration of inflammatory cells in nasal mucosa and lung tissue of AR model in rat was evident. Cilia destruction of bronchial epithelial cells of AR model was found. The level of IL4 in BALF of AR group (58.10 +/- 7.92) pg/ml was significant higher compared with that in control group (24.66 +/- 2.07) pg/ml. The expression of ICAM-1 (0.66 +/- 0.24) and MUC5AC (0.71 +/- 0.10) in lung tissue were both significantly higher than that in control group (0.23 +/- 0.02, 0.29 +/- 0.03).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Allergic inflammation in nasal mucosa not only leads to changes in both histopathology and immunology, but also initiates the inflammation in lower respiratory tract mainly causing the change of cytokines and mucin.</p>