New metal-free one-pot synthesis of α-2-deoxy-Ulosides by microwave-assisted double Michael Addition of ß-enamino ketones.

New metal-free one-pot synthesis of α-2-deoxy-ulosides in moderate to good yields by microwave-assisted double Michael addition of various O-nucleophiles to ß-enamino ketones in the presence of 12 N HCl. These glycosyl additions occurred with high α-stereoselectivity and were complete in 10-25 min in 51-93% yield. In addition, high α-stereoselectivity was also observed when S-nucleophiles were examined.

Serum levels of specific IgE to Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxins in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxins (SEs) in the serum from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and its involvement in the condition. Thirty CRS patients without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), 40 CRS patients with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Peripheral blood was obtained and analyzed to measure the serum levels of total IgE, specific IgE to SEA, SEB and SEC, and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) using ImmunoCAP assays. The positive rate and level of serum specific IgE to SEB, but not to SEA or SEC, were significantly higher in CRSwNP patients compared with the controls (P=0.027 and P=0.021, respectively). No significant differences were found between CRSsNP patients and controls, or between CRSsNP and CRSwNP patients. Serum total IgE was significantly elevated and positively correlated with SEB-specific IgE in the CRSsNP (P<0.001; r=0.393, P=0.032) and CRSwNP (P<0.001; r=0.581, P<0.001) groups. ECP was also significantly increased in the CRSsNP (P=0.002) and CRSwNP (P<0.001) groups, but not correlated with specific IgE to SEs in either CRS group. The results suggest that SEB may play a role in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP.

Increased expression of toll-like receptors 2 and 4 and related cytokines in persistent allergic rhinitis.

OBJECTIVES: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are the crucial components of host defenses and supposed to play a role in nasal inflammation such as chronic rhinosinusitis and seasonal allergic rhinitis. This study was performed to investigate the expression patterns of TLRs and related cytokines in persistent allergic rhinitis (PER). STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study of human nasal tissue. SETTING: Academic medical center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Nasal biopsy specimens were obtained from 21 patients with PER and 21 controls from December 2012 to September 2013. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of TLR1-9, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, interferon (IFN)-α, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α was determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The cellular localizations as well as protein expression of TLR2 and TLR4 were further detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: TLR1-9 mRNA could be determined in nasal mucosa. Compared with the controls, mRNA expression of only TLR2 and TLR4 was significant higher in patients with PER (P < .05). In addition, mRNA expression of IL-6 and IL-8, but not IL-1, IL-12, IFN-α, and TNF-α, was upregulated in patients with PER vs control subjects (P < .05). However, these increased cytokines were not correlated with either TLR2 or TLR4 in patients with PER. Protein expression of TLR2 and TLR4 was consistent with mRNA levels (P < .05). The cellular distributions of TLR2 and TLR4 were localized in nasal epithelium, subepithelial glands and capillary endothelial cells, and immune cells. CONCLUSION: TLR2 and TLR4 are increased in patients with PER and may be one of the major contributors to the persistence and aggravation of allergic inflammation in PER.

Applied anatomy of the submental island flap and its clinical application in the repair of defects following hypopharyngeal carcinoma resection.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of the submental island flap in the repair of hypopharyngeal defects. METHODS: We collected wet specimens of fresh cadaveric heads from the Han Chinese adult population for applied anatomy of the submental island flap, and followed five patients with pyriform sinus carcinoma after reconstruction surgery using submental island flaps. RESULTS: We found that the average length and width of the submental island flaps were (65.20 ± 11.69) mm and (46.70 ± 6.59) mm, respectively. The skin flap in all five patients survived after surgery, and tracheal tubes and gastric tubes were removed 7-36 days after surgery. Patients were followed up for 24-42 months, pharyngeal flaps grew well, and speech and swallowing functions were satisfactory. CONCLUSION: The submental island flap is a preferred material for the repair of hypopharyngeal defects after hypopharyngeal carcinoma resection, because of good blood supply, easy harvesting, and high survival rate.

[Treatment of allergic rhinitis with nasal mometasone furoate].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of nasal mometasone furoate on moderate to severe allergic rhinitis. METHODS: Patients with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis were enrolled and received mometasone furoate nasal spray 200 microg once daily for four weeks. Four hundreds and sixty-three patients completed the study. We weekly interviewed the patients to evaluate the symptoms, and the affection of disease on night sleep and daily life. Mini Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (Mini-RQLQ) and Nocturnal Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (NRQLQ) were used to evaluate the quality of life. RESULTS: The individual and total symptomatic scores of week 1, week 2 and week 4 decreased compared with baseline. The scores of Mini-RQLQ and NRQLQ of week 1, week 2 and week 4 decreased compared with baseline too. The scores of the next visit were significantly lower than those of the previous visit (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A four-week administration of mometasone furoate nasal spray can effectively treat allergic rhinitis.