Non-contrast-enhanced MR angiography of left gastric vein in patients with gastroesophageal varices: morphology and blood supply analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the feasibility of non-contrast-enhanced MR angiography (NCE-MRA) in evaluating the morphology and blood supply of left gastric vein (LGV) in patients with gastroesophageal varices. METHODS: Between March 2021 and October 2022, patients with gastroesophageal varices and who underwent NCE-MRA were retrospectively reviewed. In order to evaluate the blood supply of LGV, superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and splenic vein (SV) were visualized separately by using inflow-sensitive inversion recovery sequence. Two radiologists independently assessed the image quality, determined the origination and the blood supply of LGV, and measured the diameter of LGV. The origination and diameter of LGV were compared between NCE-MRA and contrast-enhanced CT. Differences in blood supply were compared between LGVs with different originations. RESULTS: A total of 53 patients were enrolled in this study and the image quality was categorized as good or excellent in 52 patients. No significant differences were observed in visualizing the origination and the diameter of LGV between NCE-MRA and contrast-enhanced CT (p > .05). The blood supply of LGV was related to its origination (p < .001). Most LGVs with SV origination were supplied by SV. If LGV was originated from the portal vein (PV), about 70% of them were supplied by both SV and SMV. Compared with LGVs with SV origination, LGVs with PV origination showed more chance to receive blood from SMV (p < .001). CONCLUSION: Non-contrast-enhanced MR angiography appears to be a reliable technique in evaluating the morphology and blood supply of LGV in patients with gastroesophageal varices. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Non-contrast-enhanced MR angiography provides valuable information for the management of gastroesophageal varices. Especially, it benefits patients with renal insufficiency. KEY POINTS: • Non-contrast-enhanced MR angiography using inflow-sensitive inversion recovery technique can be used for evaluating not only morphology as CT but also blood supply of left gastric vein. • The blood supply of left gastric vein is related to its origination and left gastric vein with portal vein origination shows more chance to receive blood from superior mesenteric vein.

Preparation and In Vitro Evaluation of a MRI Contrast Agent Based on Aptamer-Modified Gadolinium-Loaded Liposomes for Tumor Targeting.

The aim of this study was to prepare aptamer-modified liposomes loaded with gadolinium (Gd) to enhance the effective diagnosis for tumor by MRI. A modified GBI-10 (GBI-10m) was used to prepare targeted liposomes (GmLs). Liposomes with GBI-10 aptamer (GLs) and without aptamer (non-targeted liposomes (NLs)) were also prepared as controls. The particle size and zeta potential of GmLs, GLs, and NLs were all assayed. A clinical 3.0 T MR scanner was employed to assess the imaging efficiency and measure the longitudinal relaxivity (r 1) of the above liposomes. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and flow cytometry were used to analyze and compare the targeting effects of GmLs, GLs, and NLs to MDA-MB-435s cells at 37°C. The particle size of the prepared liposomes was scattered at 100-200 nm, and their values of r 1 were ∼4 mM-1 s-1. The images of confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that GmLs in the cytoplasm were significantly more than GLs and both GmLs and GLs were more than NLs. The fluorescence intensity of GmLs was increased by about two times than that of GLs and three times than that of NLs by flow cytometry. Therefore, the GmLs in this initial study were suggested to be a potential MRI contrast agent at 37°C for diagnosing tumors with the protein of tenascin-C over-expressed.

Association between promoter polymorphisms of interleukin-4 gene and allergic rhinitis risk: a meta-analysis.

The relationship of interleukin-4 (IL-4) C-33T and C-590T (C-589T) gene polymorphisms with allergic rhinitis was analyzed. Data about the case control studies of IL-4 gene promoter polymorphisms [C-33T and C-590T (C-589T)] and their association with allergic diseases and correlation between serum IL-4 levels and allergic rhinitis were retrieved. The Stata 12.0 statistical software was applied to analyze the correlation between IL-4 gene polymorphisms and allergic rhinitis. The meta-analysis result of TT/CC genotype of -590 (-589) polymorphism showed a significant association with allergic diseases [OR=1.93, 95% CI (1.61-2.31), P=0.00]. Meta-analysis of the TT+TC versus CC genotype of IL-4 C-33/T polymorphism revealed significant associations with allergic diseases [OR=3.23, 95% CI (1.13-9.25), P=0.03]. Meanwhile, there was a significant correlation between serum IL-4 levels and allergic rhinitis [OR=2.52, 95% CI=(1.80-3.23), P=0.00]. IL-4 gene -590 TT genotype may increase the risk of allergic rhinitis and the T allele mutation of -33 might be correlated with allergic rhinitis.

Artificial superconducting Kondo lattice in a van der Waals heterostructure.

Engineering Kondo lattice with tailored functionality is desirable for elucidating the heavy fermion physics. We realize the construction of an artificial Kondo lattice/superconductor heterojunction by growing monolayer VSe2 on bulk 2H-NbSe2 with molecular beam epitaxy. Spectroscopic imaging scanning tunneling microscopy measurements show the emergence of a new charge density wave (CDW) phase with 3 × 3 periodicity on the monolayer VSe2. Unexpectedly, a pronounced Kondo resonance appears around the Fermi level, and distributes uniformly over the entire film, evidencing the formation of Kondo lattice. Density functional theory calculations suggest the existence of magnetic interstitial V atoms in VSe2/NbSe2, which play a key role in forming the CDW phase along with the Kondo lattice observed in VSe2. The Kondo origin is verified from both the magnetic field and temperature dependences of the resonance peak, yielding a Kondo temperature of ~ 44 K. Moreover, a superconducting proximity gap opens on monolayer VSe2, whose shape deviates from the function of one-band BCS superconductor, but is reproduced by model calculations with heavy electrons participating the pairing condensate. Our work lays the experimental foundation for studying interactions between the heavy fermion liquids and the superconducting condensate.

Association of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease and Liver Stiffness With Bone Mineral Density in American Adults.

Contest: The relationship between metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and liver stiffness and bone mineral density (BMD) remains unclear. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the association between MAFLD and liver stiffness and BMD in the United States population. Methods: A cross-sectional study among 2031 participants over 50 years old in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018 was performed. All patients underwent vibration controlled transient elastography (VCTE) and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The linear and logistic regression model were used to analyze the association between the MAFLD and liver stiffness and osteoporosis, with adjustments for known covariates. Furthermore, the sensitive analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between MAFLD and liver stiffness and whole osteoporosis (include femoral and lumbar osteoporosis). Results: MAFLD was prevalent in the study population, with a prevalence of 50.9% for men and 40.7% for women. The multiple linear models demonstrated positive associations between MAFLD and liver stiffness and total femur BMD, femur neck BMD, trochanter BMD, intertrochanter BMD. In multiple logistic regression models, both MAFLD and significant liver fibrosis were negatively associated with femoral osteoporosis (OR=0.41, 95% CI: 0.27 to 0.63; OR=0.67, 95% CI: 0.33-1.37, respectively). Nonetheless, when BMI was adjusted, the association between MAFLD and liver stiffness and osteoporosis became insignificant. Besides, as showed in the sensitive analyses, the relationship between MAFLD and liver stiffness and whole osteoporosis were stable. Conclusions: These results suggest that MAFLD and liver stiffness were associated with higher femoral and lumbar bone mineral density in individuals aged over 50 years. But the results may be confounded by BMI.

Dual Self-Built Gating Boosts the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

Optimizing the intrinsic activity of active sites is an appealing strategy for accelerating the kinetics of the catalytic process. Here, a design principle, namely "dual self-built gating", is proposed to tailor the electronic structures of catalysts. Catalytic improvement is confirmed in a model catalyst with a ReS2 -WS2 /WS2 hybridized heterostructure. As demonstrated in experimental and theoretical results, the dual gating can bidirectionally guide electron transfer and redistribute at the interface, endowing the model catalyst with an electron-rich region. The tailored electronic structures balance the adsorption of intermediates and the desorption of hydrogen synergistically to enhance the reaction kinetics for the hydrogen evolution reaction. Interestingly, the effect of dual gating can be easily amplified by the electric field. The overpotential and Tafel slope (49 mV, 35 mV dec-1 ) obtained under the electric field for ReS2 -WS2 /WS2 catalyst with the dual self-built gating effect are far below than those (210 mV, 116 mV dec-1 ) of the pure WS2 catalyst, which exhibits nearly four times improvement. The concept of dual gating can be applied to more systems, offering a new guideline for designing advanced electrocatalysts.

p38 MAPK regulates Th2 cytokines release in PBMCs in allergic rhinitis rats.

Th2 cytokines play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis. To investigate the effect of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) on the production of Th2 cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-5 in allergic rhinitis, a model of allergic rhinitis was established in SD rats. The expression level of p38 MAPK mRNA in PBMCs was detected by means of real time quantitative RT-PCR. The p38 MAPK activity in PBMCs was detected by Western blotting. PBMCs were cultured with various concentrations of p38 MAPK inhibitor SB 239063 or without the treatment, and then IL-4, IL-5 levels of the supernatant were determined by using sandwich ELISA. The results showed that mRNA expression and activity of p38 MAPK in PBMCs were significantly higher in allergic rhinitis rats than in control rats (P<0.05). The p38 MAPK inhibitor SB 239063 decreased the production of IL-4 and IL-5 in a dose-dependent manner. It is concluded that p38 MAPK plays an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis which is associated with Th2 cytokines release.

The direct and indirect effects of democracy on carbon dioxide emissions in BRICS countries: evidence from panel quantile regression.

This paper illustrates the direct and indirect effects of democracy on CO2 emissions in the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) from 1992 to 2018. In view of the distribution heterogeneity of CO2 emissions, the panel quantile regression model is especially used to explore the nexus among different variables. Furthermore, in order to predict the trends of CO2 emissions in different countries, we also estimate the kernel density function of CO2 emissions in the BRICS countries by the quantile-fitted values. The results indicate that the direct impact of democracy on carbon dioxide emissions is significantly negative and great at high-emission countries. Although the indirect effect of democracy is positive in China and negative in Brazil and South Africa, the total effect of democracy on CO2 emissions remains negative in all BRICS countries. The estimation of kernel density function shows that the distribution of CO2 emissions in each country is gradually concentrated. Moreover, there is an environmental Kuznets curve depicting the linkage of urbanization and carbon dioxide emissions in Brazil and South Africa. These findings further highlight that the impact of democracy on high-emission and low-emission countries should be taken into account in policymaking to achieve sustainable developments.

Significance of Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Vastus Medialis Oblique in Recurrent Patellar Dislocation.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have investigated the influence of osseous factors on patellofemoral joint instability, but research on the influence of dynamic muscle factors in vivo is still in the exploratory stage. This study aimed to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to evaluate vastus medialis oblique (VMO) fiber bundles in patients with recurrent patellar dislocation to explore the changes in muscle morphology and function. METHODS: This prospective study involved 30 patients (7 males and 23 females; average age, 21.4 ± 3.8 years) clinically diagnosed with recurrent patellar dislocation in Peking University Third Hospital and 30 healthy volunteers matched for age, sex, and body mass index in our medical school between January 2014 and October 2014. None of the patients had a recent history of traumatic patellar dislocation or transient patellar dislocation. All patients underwent conventional MRI and DTI of the knee. The cross-sectional area of the VMO on MRI and the fractional anisotropy (FA), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and primary (λ1), secondary (λ2), and three-level characteristic (λ3) values on DTI were measured. The independent-samples t-test was used to compare these parameters between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the patient group showed significantly higher FA values (0.39 ± 0.05 vs. 0.33 ± 0.03) and significantly lower ADC (1.51 ± 0.13 vs. 1.58 ± 0.07), λ2 (4.96 ± 0.13 vs. 5.04 ± 0.07), and λ3 values (4.44 ± 0.14 vs. 4.58 ± 0.07; t = 5.99, t = -2.58, t = -3.02, and t = -4.88, respectively; all P < 0.05). Cross-sectional VMO area and λ1 values did not differ between the two groups (t = -1.82 and t = 0.22, respectively; both P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The functional status of the VMO is closely associated with recurrent patellar dislocation. MRI, especially DTI (FA, ADC, λ2, and λ3), can detect early changes in VMO function and might facilitate the noninvasive monitoring of the functional status of the VMO in patients with recurrent patellar dislocation.

Preparation and evaluation of MRI detectable poly (acrylic acid) microspheres loaded with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for transcatheter arterial embolization.

To monitor the spatial distribution of embolic particles inside the target tissues during and after embolization, blank poly (acrylic acid) microspheres (PMs) were initially prepared by inverse suspension polymerization method and then loaded with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles by in situ precipitation method to obtain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detectable SPIO-loaded poly (acrylic acid) microspheres (SPMs). The loading of SPIO nanoparticles in SPMs was confirmed by vibrating sample magnetometer, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and infrared spectrum, respectively. The results showed that SPMs exhibited excellent superparamagnetism and the SPIO embedded in SPMs were proved to be inverse spinel magnetite. The content of SPIO loaded in wet SPMs of subgroups of 100-300, 300-500, 500-700 and 700-900µm was measured to be 11.84±0.07, 10.20±0.05, 9.98±0.00 and 8.79±0.01mg/ml, corresponding to the weight percentage in freeze-dried SPMs to be 18.07±0.28%, 18.54±0.13%, 18.66±0.01% and 18.50±0.07%, respectively. The SPMs were spherical in shape, had smooth surface, and were within the size range of clinical demands for embolization. The compression tests indicated that SPMs were more rigid than PMs and commercially used Embospheres (P<0.01). The MRI detectability of SPMs was evaluated with the SPMs embedded in gel phantom in vitro and injected subcutaneously into the back of mice in vivo. Both the results demonstrated that the SPMs could provide distinct negative contrast enhancement and be sensitively detected by T2-weighted MR imaging. All the results show that SPMs are potential MRI detectable embolic microspheres for the future embolotherapy.

In vitro study of novel gadolinium-loaded liposomes guided by GBI-10 aptamer for promising tumor targeting and tumor diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging.

Novel gadolinium-loaded liposomes guided by GBI-10 aptamer were developed and evaluated in vitro to enhance magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnosis of tumor. Nontargeted gadolinium-loaded liposomes were achieved by incorporating amphipathic material, Gd (III) [N,N-bis-stearylamidomethyl-N'-amidomethyl] diethylenetriamine tetraacetic acid, into the liposome membrane using lipid film hydration method. GBI-10, as the targeting ligand, was then conjugated onto the liposome surface to get GBI-10-targeted gadolinium-loaded liposomes (GTLs). Both nontargeted gadolinium-loaded liposomes and GTLs displayed good dispersion stability, optimal size, and zeta potential for tumor targeting, as well as favorable imaging properties with enhanced relaxivity compared with a commercial MRI contrast agent (CA), gadopentetate dimeglumine. The use of GBI-10 aptamer in this liposomal system was intended to result in increased accumulation of gadolinium at the periphery of C6 glioma cells, where the targeting extracellular matrix protein tenascin-C is overexpressed. Increased cellular binding of GTLs to C6 cells was confirmed by confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, and MRI, demonstrating the promise of this novel delivery system as a carrier of MRI contrast agent for the diagnosis of tumor. These studies provide a new strategy furthering the development of nanomedicine for both diagnosis and therapy of tumor.

Resection of a large benign pharyngo-oesophageal submucous mesenchymoma via laterocervical approach.

Two rare cases of benign submucosal pharyngo-oesophageal mesenchymoma are presented in this paper. One patient was treated by tumour removal via a combined thoracic and laterocervical approach and the other by resection through a laterocervical approach. The paper discusses the pathology and diagnosis of benign mesenchymomas. The authors suggest that for large tumours located in the pharynx and extending down the oesophagus without adhesion to the oesophageal wall, the laterocervical approach can avoid complications associated with the thoracic approach. The new technique caused less tissue damage and provided a quicker recovery and shorter hospitalization.

Expression of HSP70 in peripheral lymphocytes of the patients with allergic rhinitis.

The expression levels of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) from peripheral lymphocytes of the patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and the clinical implication were investigated. In the morning, 3 ml of fasting venous blood was taken out. The lymphocytes were isolated by using Ficoll-Hypaque and the expression of HSP70 in the lymphocytes was detected by using Western blot. In the AR patients the HSP70 level (41.49 +/- 15.77 integrated optical density, IOD) were significantly higher than that in the control group (23.89 +/- 10.13 IOD, P < 0.05). Western blot demonstrated that HSP70 bands in AR patients were more intensive than those in the control group. It was concluded that the elevated HSP70 level in peripheral lymphocytes of the AR patients might contribute to the development of AR.

Interleukin-25 Enhances Allergic Inflammation through p38MAPK and NF-κB Pathways in Mouse Models of Allergic Rhinitis.

Interleukin (IL)-25, a cytokine of IL-17 family, can activate p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein kinases(MAPK) and Nuclear Factor(NF)-κB pathways to propagate Th2 responses. The allergic rhinitis mouse model was established by stimulating BALB/c mouse with ovalbumin (OVA). Then we detected expression of IL-25 and downstream p38MAPK and NF-κB. The expression of IL-25, p38MAPK and NF-κB were detected in the OVA-induced allergic rhinitis mouse model. The allergic parameters, such as allergic symptoms, serum OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and eosinophil infiltration in the nasal mucosa were compared between OVA group and control group. OVA-induced mice displayed significantly higher allergic responses compared with the saline control group. OVA induced mice demonstrated more allergic symptoms, higher serum OVA-specific IgE levels and eosinophil infiltrations. The increased expression of IL-25, p38MAPK and NF-κB immunoreactivity were detected in epidermal cells in the OVA group. The mRNA measurement of IL-25, p38MAPK and NF-κB showed the same result. IL-25 enhances the OVA-induced allergic rhinitis by activating p38MAPK and NF-κB pathways.

Hearing screening and diagnosis in a large sample of infants in Central China.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the referral rate, prevalence and aetiology of neonatal hearing loss. METHODS: A total of 11,894 infants were screened by two-stage transient evoked otoacoustic emission testing. Those who failed were diagnosed by distortion product otoacoustic emission, 1000 Hz probe tone tympanometry and auditory brainstem response. The results of these tests were analysed by statistical software SPSS16.0. RESULTS: The initial referral rate was 17.36%. The rescreening referral rate was 21.29%. The referral rate of initial screening in maternity wards (15.37%) was lower than in neonatal intensive care unit wards (22%) (chi-square [χ(2)], P < 0.05). There were 68 cases (106 ears) diagnosed with hearing loss (incidence 0.571%). Of these, 31 cases were conductive, 16 cases were sensorineural, and 21 cases were mixed hearing loss. The prevalence of hearing loss was 12.92% (38/294) in the bilateral referred group and 5.00% (30/600) in the unilateral referred group. The moderate/severe hearing loss was 33.33% (10/30) and 86.84% (66/76), respectively (χ(2), P < 0.05). The causes of hearing loss included jaundice (24.56%, 14/57), infection (24.56%, 14/57), asphyxia (19.30%, 11/57), low birth weight (17.54%, 10/57) and other factors (14.04%, 8/57). CONCLUSION: Bilateral referrals were more likely to suffer greater degrees of hearing loss than unilateral referrals. Jaundice, infection, asphyxia and low birth weight were the major aetiologies of neonatal hearing loss.

[Comparison between 226 Hz probe tone tympanometry and spiral CT test in infants].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of 226 Hz probe-tone tympanometry in infants with effusion in the middle ear. METHOD: Fifty-two infants aged 3 to 7 months were recruited as clinical subjects in a hearing-ability screening program. After a spiral computerized tomography (CT) scan, we tested their hearing using tympanometry of 226 Hz probe-tone frequency. We recorded the tympanograms and compared the tympanometric results with CT to get the concordance rate between tympanometry and CT diagnose. The date was analyzed by the statistic software SPSS16.0. RESULT: One hundred and four ears in 52 patients,CT tests showed normal in 47 middle ears, but middle ear effusion in 57 ears. Among normal 47 ears,24 ears were type "A" (51.06%), 1 ear type "B" (2.13%), 1 ear type "C" (2.13%), 21 ears type "D" (44.68%); among 57 ears with effusion, 44 ears was type "A" (77.19%), 2 ears type "B"(3.51%0), 11 ears type "D" (19. 30%); 226 Hz probe tone tympanograms and CT test results were consistent with lower rate, kappa=0.103. CONCLUSION: In clinical practice, 226 Hz tympanometry should not be recommended to determine the presence of middle ear fluid or not in infants younger than 7 months.

[Expression and significance of IGF-IR and PKC in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of IGF-IR and PKC and their clinical significance in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma(LSCC). METHOD: The expression of IGF-IR and PKC protein were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot in 60 cases of LSCC, 25 cases of adjacent non-tumorous laryngeal epithelium and 10 cases of normal laryngeal epithelium. RESULT: The positive rate of IGF-IR and PKC expression in LSCC were significantly higher than that in normal laryngeal epithelium and adjacent non-tumorous laryngeal epithelium (P < 0.05). IGF-IR positive expression were increased more in cases with stage III-IV, cervical lymph node metastasis and well differentiation than that in cases with stage I-II, non-lymph node metastasis and poor/mediate differentiation, respectively (P < 0.05). The positive rate of PKC in LSCC were correlated with clinical stage and cervical lymph node metastasis. There was a correlation between the expression of IGF-IR and PKC in LSCC. CONCLUSION: The overexpression of IGF-IR and PKC in the laryngeal carcinoma may play an important role in the carcinogenesis and development of LSCC. It is suggested that detecting the expression of IGF-IR and PKC can be used for early diagnosis and treatment of LSCC.

[The role of protein kinase C and activator protein-1 signal cascade in the regulation of expression of interleukin-5 in T lymphocyte of allergic rhinitis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of protein kinase C (PKC) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) in the signal transduction cascade in the expression of interleukin-5 (IL-5) by peripheral blood T lymphocytes from allergic rhinitis. METHOD: Twenty-five allergic rhinitis patients and twenty-three deflection of nasal septum(DNS) persons in the study. T lymphocytes were isolated and purified from peripheral blood of each person and randomly divided into 3 groups: group A, blank (DNS and AR); group B, PKC excitomotor 12-myristate 13-acetate (DNS PMA and AR PMA); group C , PMA and curcumin (DNS PMA/curcumin and AR PMA/curcumin). ELISA was used to assess the expression of IL-5 in supernatants, and immunocytochemical staining for the activation of AP-1. RESULT: The percentage of cells of active AP-1, IL-5 protein in supernatants of allergic rhinitis T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA were significantly higher than those of allergic rhinitis T lymphocytes stimulated without PMA (P < 0.01) and with PMA and curcumin (P < 0.01); than those of deflection of nasal septum T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA (P < 0.01), with PMA and curcumin (P < 0.01) and without PMA. The percentage of cells of active AP-1, IL-5 protein in supernatants of allergic rhinitis T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA and curcumin were significantly lower than those of allergic rhinitis T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA (P < 0.01); but significantly higher than those of allergic rhinitis T lymphocytes stimulated without PMA and those of deflection of nasal septum T lymphocytes stimulated. There were good positive correlation between the percentage of cells of active AP-1 and IL-5 protein in supernatants (r = 0.92, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: AP-1 may participate in the signal transduction of PKC-triggered expression of IL-5 in allergic rhinitis T lymphocytes. This suggests the activation of PKC/AP-1 signal transduction cascade of T lymphocytes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis.

[Regulation of the expression of interleukin-4 and interleukin-5 by the signal pathway of PKC-NF-kappaB in T lymphocyte of allergic rhinitis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in the signal pathway of protein kinase C (PKC) regulating the expression of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-5 (IL-5) by T lymphocyte in allergic rhinitis. METHOD: Twenty-four allergic rhinitis patients and 24 normal control persons participated in the study. T lymphocytes were isolated and purified from blood of each person and divided into 3 groups: cells of 1st group were control group(Normal control and AR control),cells of 2nd group were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (Normal PMA and AR PMA),cells of 3rd group were stimulated with PMA and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (Normal PMA/PDTC and AR PMA/PDTC). The expression of NF-kappaB were observed by immunocytochemical staining, IL-4 and IL-5 protein in supernatants were measured by ELISA. RESULT: The percentage of cells of active NF-kappaB, IL-4 and IL-5 protein in supernatants of allergic rhinitis T lymphocyte stimulated with PMA were significantly higher than those of allergic rhinitis T lymphocyte stimulated without PMA ( P < 0.01) and with PMA and PDTC ( P < 0.01); than those of normal control T lymphocyte stimulated with PMA ( P < 0.01), with PMA and PDTC ( P < 0.01) and without PMA. The percentage of cells of active NF-kappaB, IL-4 and IL-5 protein in supernatants of allergic rhinitis T lymphocyte stimulated with PMA and PDTC were significantly lower than those of allergic rhinitis T lymphocyte stimulated with PMA (P < 0.01); but significantly higher than those of allergic rhinitis T lymphocyte stimulated without PMA and those of normal T lymphocyte stimulated. There were good positive correlation between the percentage of cells of active NF-kappaB and IL-4 and IL-5 protein in supernatants (r = 0.88,0.85, P < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: The active PKC of allergic rhinitis T lymphocyte increasing the expression of IL-4 and IL-5 may be mediated by activating NF-kappaB, the activation of PKC-NF-kappaB signal pathway of T lymphocyte NF-kappaB may play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis.

[Clinical evaluation of the styloid process by plain radiographs and three-dimensional computed tomography].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation between radiological and clinical diagnosis for Eagle's syndrome and to evaluate the value of plain radiograph (PR) and three-dimensional CT reconstructional image (3-DCT) of styloid process (SP). METHOD: The length of the 144 SPs from the PR was recorded and the palpation of the SP in tonsillar fossa was carried out in 113 patients with suspective Eagles syndrome. Twenty-three of 113 patients also underwent 3-DCT, so that the length and angulation of the 30 SPs were measured. RESULT: Seventy-eight of 113 patients (31 men and 47 women) were diagnosed as having Eagles syndrome. The age ranged from 32 to 68 years (average age: Forty-two years). A good agreement between the PR and the palpation was determinated, Kappa coefficient was 0.58. The difference value of the length of 30 SPs between the PR and the 3-DCT was (1.59 +/- 1.32) mm, and there were statistically significant difference of the length (t = 6.64, P < 0.01) on the length of SP between the PR and the 3-DCT. Positive correlation between the PR and the 3-DCT was found to be statistically significant (r = 0.982 4 +/- 95% confidence interval: 0.9631, 0.9917). The mean of medial angle of SPs was (25.60 +/- 2.56) degrees in patients with positive palpation and (15.42 +/- 2.79) degrees in those with negative palpation, respectively (P < 0.01) and the mean of anterior angle of SPs was (16.86 +/- 4.83) degrees in patients with positive palpation and (12.71 +/- 3.39) degrees in those with negative palpation, respectively (P < 0.01). The abnormal medial and anterior angles of unilateral SP without more than 30mm long was also objectively diagnostic of SPS in 8 patients with positive palpation. Four patients, whose elongated SP is too tenuous to be palpated preoperatively, underwent intraoral styloidectomy because of the fact that 3-DCT showed the tip of SPs medial and anterior deflexion. CONCLUSION: Despite magnifying image, the PR of SP is enough to diagnose Eagle's syndrome for the majority of cases. 3-DCT allows precise measurement of the length and the angulation of SPs, it is the best for the complementary purpose to the PR and to the selection of surgical approach in some cases.