Period2 gene regulates diurnal changes of nasal symptoms in an allergic rhinitis mouse model.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms exhibit prominent 24-hour variations associated with the biological clock. Although endogenous glucocorticoids synchronize circadian oscillator in the nasal mucosa, the precise mechanism of AR remains unclear. Therefore, using a mouse model, we investigated the association between circadian-clock genes and AR symptoms at various time-points. METHODS: Based on the rhythmic secretion of corticosterone levels, we chose 2 time-points, ZT4 (10:00 AM) and ZT16 (10:00 PM), to observe dynamic changes of nasal symptoms, immunologic responses, and circadian-clock gene period (Per) expressions. RESULTS: In the AR group, nasal symptom scores at ZT4 were significantly higher than at ZT16, with a greater increase in eosinophils, mast cells, and total immunoglobulin E levels at ZT4. The scores had a negative correlation with fluctuation of corticosterone levels. T-helper 1 (Th1) cell counts and interferon-γ levels decreased significantly at ZT4 compared with ZT16 in the AR group, whereas Th2 cells; Th17 cells; and interleukin (IL)-4, -13, and -17A levels increased significantly at ZT4 compared with ZT16. Furthermore, Per2 gene expression levels were attenuated at ZT4 and elevated at ZT16, but correlated negatively with Th2 and Th17 responses associated with Gata3 and Rorγt expression levels that were enhanced at ZT4 and reduced at ZT16 in the AR group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the Per2 gene may influence diurnal variations of AR symptom severity, partially through its possible anti-inflammatory effect on the circadian regulation of GATA3 and RORγt levels in immune cells. This further demonstrates the neural-immune-endocrinal mechanism of circadian rhythm in AR and sheds new light on chronotherapeutic approaches to AR.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of Rosa chinensis 'Slater's crimson China' provides insights into the crucial factors and signaling pathways in heat stress response.

Heat stress limits the growth of roses and adversely affects the yield and the quality of the rose cut-flowers. To investigate the heat stress response (HSR) mechanisms of rose, we compared the transcriptome profiling generated from Rosa chinensis 'Slater's crimson China' exposed to heat stress for five different time duration (0, 0.5, 2, 6, 12 h). Overall, 6175 differentially expressed genes (DGEs) were identified and exhibited different temporal expression patterns. Up-regulated genes related to chaperone-mediated protein folding, signal transduction and ROS scavenging were rapidly induced after 0.5-2 h of heat treatment, which provides evidence for the early adjustments of heat stress response in R. chinensis. While the down-regulated genes related to light reaction, sucrose biosynthesis, starch biosynthesis and cell wall biosynthesis were identified after as short as 6 h of heat stress, which indicated the ongoing negative effects on the physiology of R. chinensis. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis, we found that different heat stress stages could be delineated by several modules. Based on integrating the transcription factors with upstream enriched DNA motifs of co-expressed genes in these modules, the gene regulation networks were predicted and several regulators of HSR were identified. Of particular importance was the discovery of the module associated with rapid sensing and signal transduction, in which numerous co-expressed genes related to chaperones, Ca2+ signaling pathways and transcription factors were identified. The results of this study provided an important resource for further dissecting the role of candidate genes governing the transcriptional regulatory network of HSR in Rose.

Efficacy of One-Stage Posterior Debridement and Bone Grafting with Internal Fixation in the Treatment of Monosegmental Thoracolumbar Tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: We explored the clinical effect of one-stage posterior debridement and bone grafting with internal fixation for the treatment of monosegmental thoracolumbar tuberculosis (TB). METHODS: The data from 90 patients with thoracolumbar TB, who had undergone one-stage posterior debridement and bone grafting with internal fixation, were retrospectively reviewed. Data on the operative time, blood loss, length of hospital stay, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, improvement of neurological function, visual analog scale score, vertebral Cobb angle, bone healing, and complications were collected. RESULTS: A total of 88 patients were finally included in the present retrospective study, included 42 men and 46 women. The mean patient age was 45.4 ± 12.3 years (range, 27-70), and the mean duration of disease until treatment was 11 ± 4.5 months (range, 3-19). The mean operative time was 167.0 minutes (range, 130-210), and the mean blood loss was 767.4 mL (range, 500-1150). At the final follow-up examination, the correction in the Cobb angle was 19°, the visual analog scale score had decreased to 3 ± 1.72, the neurologic deficits using the Frankel grade had improved, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level had returned to normal levels. CONCLUSION: One-stage posterior debridement and bone grafting with internal fixation might be a better choice for treating patients with monosegment thoracolumbar TB.

Association between CYP1B1 gene polymorphisms and risk factors and susceptibility to laryngeal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between polymorphism of the cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) gene, a metabolic enzyme gene, and the susceptibility to laryngeal cancer among the Chinese Han population. MATERIAL/METHODS: In a case-control study, we investigated polymorphisms in the CYP1B1 gene (rs10012, rs1056827, and rs1056836) with a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay (TaqMan). The study was conducted with 300 Chinese Han patients with laryngeal cancer and 300 healthy Chinese Han subjects in a control group. We also studied the interactions between genetic polymorphism and risk factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption in the pathogenesis of laryngeal cancer. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in the distributions of the rs1056827 and rs1056836 genotypes between the 2 groups. Regarding rs1056827, carriers of the T allele had a significantly higher risk of laryngeal cancer than the G-allele carriers (OR=1.4339, 95% CI: 1.1268-1.8247; P=0.0034). The difference was still statistically significant after adjusting for factors such as age, sex, smoking, and drinking (adjusted OR=1.743, 95% CI: 1.124-3.743, P<0.001). However, regarding rs1056836, the G allele carriers had a significantly lower risk of laryngeal cancer than the C allele carriers (OR=0.5557, 95% CI: 0.3787-0.8154; P=0.0027). The difference was statistically significant even after adjusting for factors such as age, sex, smoking, and drinking (adjusted OR=0.5641, 95% CI: 0.3212-0.8121, P=0.001). Subjects who carry the C-T-C haplotype have a significantly increased incidence of laryngeal cancer. We also found that CYP1B1 rs1056827 polymorphism had synergistic effects with smoking or alcohol consumption regarding the risk of laryngeal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: CYP1B1 gene polymorphism is closely related to the onset of laryngeal cancer. There is a mutually synergistic effect between smoking, alcohol consumption, and CYP1B1 gene polymorphisms regarding laryngeal cancer.

Association between maternal allergic rhinitis and asthma on the prevalence of atopic disease in offspring.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a common co-morbidity of allergic rhinitis (AR). The prevalence of these two allergic diseases has increased in China and has been shown to cluster in families independently. This study evaluated the association between maternal AR (presenting with or without asthma) and the allergic conditions in offspring. METHODS: Women (n = 592) diagnosed with AR were recruited for this study; 379 patients presented with AR and 213 presented with both AR and asthma. Total serum IgE levels and nasal eosinophil counts were analyzed and correlated with disease presentation. RESULTS: The prevalence of allergic conditions in offspring of mothers diagnosed with AR and asthma was significantly higher than the prevalence observed in children born to mothers presenting with AR only. Maternal total serum IgE and eosinophil counts were predictive of atopy in offspring. Children born to mothers presenting with persistent moderate-to-severe AR had the highest risk of developing atopic conditions (OR 6.26, 95% CI 3.26-12.02). Maternal age of 25-30 years at delivery was also associated with a higher risk for the allergic disease in offspring compared to maternal age of 36-40 (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.31-3.47). CONCLUSIONS: The severity of maternal AR, asthma co-morbidity, elevated serum IgE levels and nasal eosinophilia were all associated with an increased risk of offspring developing allergic conditions. Children born to older mothers were protected against developing atopic disease.

[Adsorption-desorption performance of honeycomb-shaped activated carbon].

Honeycomb-shaped activated carbon is useful to control organic gas pollution of large air-flow and low concentration. Effects of adsorbents, toluene concentration, velocity of empty bed and temperature of desorption on its adsorption-desorption performance were studied by conducting on dynamic experiments. Results shown that adsorption properties of honeycomb-shaped activated carbon were increased with decreasing of the inlet toluene concentration under the condition of certain outlet toluene concentration, and gas velocity of empty bed was recommend as 1.2-1.8 m x s(-1). With increasing of the desorption temperature, the outlet toluene concentration appeared peak-value and fluctuated widely, and the recommended desorption temperature was 90 degrees C. Gas velocity of empty bed affected the peak value of concentration of the toluene, and practical value was 0.2-0.4 m x s(-1).

[Analysis of the treatment technology pathway of VOCs released from oven].

Treatment of VOCs from oven of container production process is taken as an example to discuss the characteristics of regenerative thermo oxidation (RTO)-heat recovery technology and activated carbon adsorption-steam desorption-solvent recovery technology, based on a large number of data gathered in many projects. It is suggested that, both of technologies are able to achieve the purpose of recovery VOCs; Compared with activated carbon adsorption-steam desorption-solvent recovery technology, RTO-heat recovery technology has better economic and environmental benefit.

Combination of autologous fascia lata and fat injection into the vocal fold via the cricothyroid gap for unilateral vocal fold paralysis.

OBJECTIVES: To apply the technique of injection of a combination of autologous fascia lata and fat into the vocal fold via the cricothyroid gap for unilateral vocal fold paralysis and to evaluate the therapeutic effect in 12 patients who underwent the procedure. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of 12 patients. SETTING: Academic research. PATIENTS: A mixture of autologous fascia lata and fat was injected into the thyroarytenoid muscle of the paralyzed vocal fold in 12 patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Videolaryngostroboscopy was performed to observe the changes to the vocal fold. The patients' phonatory function before and after surgery was assessed by computerized acoustic analysis and by blinded perceptual evaluation. RESULTS: Videolaryngostroboscopy demonstrated that the paralyzed vocal folds in these patients were pushed medially after the procedure. Statistically significant improvements were found in the perturbation measurements (jitter and shimmer), harmonics to noise ratio, and maximum phonation time. Ratings by a panel of voice experts also showed each voice to be statistically significantly improved after the procedure. No complications were noted. CONCLUSION: A combination of autologous fascia lata and fat injected into the vocal fold for unilateral vocal fold paralysis is a safe and effective therapy.

Relatively light general anesthesia is more effective than fluid expansion in reducing the severity of epinephrine-induced hypotension during functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

BACKGROUND: Epinephrine infiltration of the nasal mucosa causes hypotension during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) under general anesthesia. A prospective randomized-controlled study was designed to determine whether relatively light general anesthesia is superior to fluid expansion in reducing epinephrine-induced hypotension during FESS. METHODS: Ninety patients undergoing elective FESS under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to three groups with 30 patients in each. Each patient received local infiltration with adrenaline-containing (5 microg/ml) lidocaine (1%, 4 ml) under different conditions. For Group I, anesthesia was maintained with propofol 2 microg/ml and rimifentanil 2 ng/ml by TCI. Group II (control group) and Group III received propofol 4 microg/ml and rimifentanil 4 ng/ml, respectively. In Groups I and II, fluid expansion was performed with hetastarch 5 ml/kg within 20 minutes; hetastarch 10 ml/kg was used in Group III. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded at 30-second-intervals for 5 minutes after the beginning of local infiltration. Simultaneously, the lowest and the highest MAP were recorded to calculate the mean maximum increase or decrease percent in MAP for all patients in each group. Data analysis was performed by chi(2) test, one-way analysis of variance, or one-way analysis of covariance. RESULTS: Hemodynamic changes, particularly a decrease in MAP accompanied by an increase in HR at 1.5 minutes (P < 0.05), were observed in all groups. The mean maximum decrease in MAP below baseline was 14% in Group I, 24% in Group III and 26% in Group II. There were statistically significant differences between Group I and Groups II and III (P < 0.05). The mean maximum increase in MAP above baseline was 9% in Group I, 6% in Group III and 2% in Group II. CONCLUSION: Relatively light general anesthesia can reduce the severity of epinephrine-induced hypotension more effectively than fluid expansion during FESS under general anesthesia.