Reference values for six-minute walk distance and six-minute walk work in Caucasian adults.

RATIONALE: The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a practical and simple field-based test to assess physical capacity. Several reference equations for six-minute walking distance (6MWD, m) exist, but have a number of limitations that decrease their clinical utility. In addition, no reference equations exist for the 6MWT-derived outcome six-minute walk work (6MWORK, kg.m). OBJECTIVES: To establish new reference equations for 6MWD and 6MWORK on a 20 m course using data from the population-based Canadian Cohort Obstructive Lung Disease study. METHODS AND MEASUREMENTS: A total of 335 participants without obstructive or restrictive pulmonary function, with normal self-reported health status, normal exercise capacity, and <30 pack years cigarette smoking history were selected to create a representative sample of Canadian adults aged ≥40 years. All participants performed two 6MWTs. Reference equations were derived using multiple regression analyses. MAIN RESULTS: On average, 6MWD and 6MWORK were 541±98 m and 41.3 ± 11.2 kg.m, respectively. All outcomes were significantly greater in males than females. Sex-specific reference equations were derived from the results of 6MWD and 6MWORK with an explained variance of 24 to 35%. CONCLUSIONS: This study established reference equations for 6MWD and 6MWORK on a 20 m course in Caucasian males and females aged ≥40 years with normal pulmonary function, self-reported health status and exercise capacity. These newly derived reference equations add value to the assessment of functional capacity in clinical practice.

Value of three biopsy methods in prostate cancer detection: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed at investigating the value of systemic biopsy (sysPbx), magnetic resonance imaging/ultrasound fusion targeted biopsy (fusPbx) and fusPbx combined with sysPbx (comPbx) for prostate cancer (PCa) detection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from the PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched from inception until March 23, 2020. Prospective studies comparing the detection rates of sysPbx, fusPbx and comPbx were identified. We pooled the detection rates for all PCa, clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa), and clinically insignificant prostate cancer (cinsPCa) of fusPbx, sysPbx, and comPbx. Risk ratios (RRs) were calculated for the meta-analysis. Then, analyses were performed to identify the possible sources of heterogeneity. RESULTS: Seventeen studies, including 18 cohorts with 3035 men, were included. No patients had previous evidence of PCa. Each patient had one or more suspicious lesions found on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and received both fusPbx and sysPbx. The results showed that fusPbx and sysPbx did not differ significantly in detecting all PCa (RR=1.00, 95% CI: 0.95-1.05, p>0.05). However, fusPbx provided a higher detection rate for csPCa (RR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.14-1.34, p<0.05) and a lower detection rate for cinsPCa (RR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.61-0.76, p<0.05) than sysPbx. In addition, comPbx detected more PCa (RR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.16-1.29, p<0.05) and csPCa cases (RR=1.13, 95% CI: 1.05-1.21, p<0.05) than fusPbx. CONCLUSIONS: In men with positive mpMRI findings, compared to sysPbx, fusPbx had significantly increased the detection rates for csPCa and decreased those for cinsPCa. The combination of fusPbx with sysPbx outperformed fusPbx in detecting both overall PCa and csPCa.

[Radioanatomic study on the role of Hadad-Bassagasteguy flap in skull base reconstruction in endoscopic endonasal approach].

Objective: To evaluate the value of Hadad-Bassagasteguy flap (HBF) in endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEA) skull base reconstruction by radioanatomic measurements on CT of the skull base of Chinese adults. The following data in terms of anterior skull base defect and reconstruction, sphenoid platform area and middle skull base defect and reconstruction including sphenoid platform and sella area, clivus area defect and reconstruction, and HBF were collected and assessed. Methods: CT image data of 42 Chinese adults were selected to obtain radioanatomic measurement data related to HBF, anterior skull base defect and reconstruction, middle skull base defect and reconstruction, and defect and reconstruction of clivus area. SPSS 26.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: The radioanatomic measurement data about HBF and skull base of 42 Chinese adults were obtained. The width of the leading edge of HBF [(37.49±2.86) mm] was 6 mm more than the anterior skull base width at the level of the anterior ethmoidal artery [(30.87±8.61) mm], and the width of the trailing edge of HBF [(42.61±3.95) mm] was also 6 mm more than the anterior skull base width at the level of the sphenoethmoidal junction [(26.79±2.79) mm]. The total length of HBF including the pedicle [(79.68±4.96) mm] was 6 mm more than the length of the anterior skull base reconstruction [(54.06±8.67) mm], and the length of HBF without pedicle [(46.27±3.14)] mm was 6 mm more than the length of anterior skull base defect [(30.87±8.61) mm]. The trailing edge width was 6 mm more than the planum sphenoidal width at the level of the optic strut [(30.87±8.61) mm]. The total length of HBF including the pedicle was 6 mm more than the length of the planum sphenoidal, and the sella reconstruction [(64.44±10.25) mm], also was 6 mm more than the length of the planum sphenoidal reconstruction [(73.61±8.28) mm]. The length of HBF without pedicle was 6 mm more than the length of the planum sphenoidal, and the sella defect [(27.88±3.74) mm], also was 6 mm more than the length of the planum sphenoidal defect [(15.50±3.38) mm]. The width of the leading edge of HBF and the width of the trailing edge were both 6 mm more than the width of clivus reconstruction at the level of the foramen lacerum [(21.68±2.30) mm]. The total length of HBF including pedicles was 6 mm more than the clivus reconstruction length [(67.09±5.44) mm], while the length of HBF without pedicles was also 6 mm more than the clivus defect length [(37.19±3.80) mm]. Conclusions: In this study, the radiosanatomic measurements ensured that HBF could provide sufficient tissue flap for the reconstruction of the anterior skull base and sphenoid plateau and extend the reconstruction area to sella and clivus. Preoperative radiosanatomic measurement can be used to predict the size of HBF required for skull base reconstruction, which provides important guidance for flap harvest.

Genetic effects of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor 2 on feather maturity in three chicken breeds.

1. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the genetic effects of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (VEGFR-2) on feather maturity in the Qingyuan partridge chicken, Guangxi sanhuang chicken and Princess chicken. 2. Both SSCP-PCR and qPCR were employed to detect the polymorphism and gene expression of the VEGF and VEGFR-2 genes. 3. Four SNPs were identified in the VEGFR-2 gene. Exon10-A69G was associated with feather maturity (P < 0.01). Princess chickens with the genotype EF had higher feather maturity scores (P < 0.01). Higher expression levels of VEGF and VEGFR-2 were detected in the immature feather group of Qingyuan partridge chickens, especially in the skin. 4. The VEGF and VEGFR-2 genes play critical roles in feather maturity. In addition, exon10-A69G and genotype EF in the Princess chicken could potentially be utilised as genetic markers to improve efficiency in breeding.

[Correlation analysis of eosinophils in peripheral blood and polyp tissues of patients with chronicrhinosinusitis with nasal polyps].

Objective:To explore the correlation between peripheral blood eosinophils and tissue eosinophils in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps(CRSwNP) in different periods.Method:This trial was a prospective study involved 342 patients with CRSwNP who were treated by endoscopic sinus surgery in the Huai'an First People's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University in 2008, 2012 and 2016. Nasal polyp resection specimens were stained by HE.Tissue eosinophils were counted per high-power field, and peripheral blood eosinophils were collected from blood routine examination before operation.The relationship between peripheral blood eosinophils and tissue eosinophils were evaluated.Result:The correlation between peripheral blood eosinophils and tissue eosinophils was positive in nasal polyps in 2008,2012 and 2016(r= 0.275,0.435,0.505, respectively). AUC values were all greater than 0.7. Conclusion:There is a positive correlation between peripheral blood eosinophils and tissue eosinophils infiltration in patients with CRSwNP. Although the cutoff value is changing, peripheral blood eosinophils can be used as an indicator for predicting eosinophilic CRSwNP.

[Effects of sleep body posture on subjective sleepiness in patients with OSAHS].

Objective:To observe the effects of sleep body posture on subjective sleepiness in patients with OSAHS.Method: We assessed the sleeping body position, the sleep structure, position specific AHI and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) in a total of 90 patients with OSAHS. The patients were grouped according to AHI: mild OSAHS (5≤AHI<15), moderate (15≤AHI<30) and severe (AHI≥30). The polysomnography data and clinical characteristics were compared between each group.Result: There was statistically significant difference in arousal index，MinSpO2，REM% and NREM% among three groups (F value was 12.10,43.67,15.81,13.17，respectively，P<0.05). Compared with supine，the severe OSAHS group had significantly bigger changes in MinSpO2， REM% and NREM%（t value was 3.02,2.41,2.90，respectively，P<0.05）. For mild-to-moderate groups，there was no correlation between the ESS and the AHI at any position（P>0.05）. For severe group，the ESS was significantly correlated with L-AHI（r=0.454，P<0.01)；the REM L-AHI and NREM L-AHI was also significantly correlated with ESS of severe group (r=0.522 and 0.425，P<0.01). Conclusion:The sleep body posture had significant effects on sleep structure and respiratory events in severe OSAHS group. The L-AHI was found to have a closer association with daytime sleepiness in severe OSAHS than other groups.

MicroRNA-124 inhibits cell invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition by directly repressing Snail2 in gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) act as critical regulators of genes expression involved in tumor biological processes. The study aimed to investigate the clinical significance and biological role of miR-124 in gastric cancer (GC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: MiR-124 expression was analyzed from 88 GC tissues and adjacent normal tissues by quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test was used to evaluate the association between miR-124 and the over survival (OS) time of GC patients. MTT assays and transwell invasion assays were performed to assess cell proliferation and invasion. The relationship between miR-124 and Snail2 expression was analyzed by dual luciferase reporter assay. Western blot analyses were performed to detect the relative protein expression. RESULTS: We found that miR-124 expression was significantly reduced in GC tissue samples when compared to the adjacent normal tissues (p<0.05). Lower miR-124 was found to be associated with tumor size (p=0.001), lymphatic metastasis (p=0.008) and TNM stage (p=0.015). Furthermore, patients who have lower miR-124 predicted poor OS time (p<0.05). Function studies suggested that cell proliferation and invasion ability of GC cells were inhibited by up-regulation of miR-124 expression. Moreover, we demonstrated that Snail2 was a direct target of miR-124. Meanwhile, miR-124 inhibited Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) process by repressing the Snail2 expression in GC cells. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-124 acted as a tumor suppressor in GC and may be a useful target for GC treatment.

[Clinical effects assessment of nasal cellulose powder on allergic rhinitis].

Objective:To evaluate the role of nasal cellulose powder locally applied in allergic rhinitis patients.Method:Fifty patients with allergic rhinitis were divided randomly into two groups: the study group and the control group. The study group were treated with nasal cellulose powder while the control group were treated with physiological sea water.Objective and subjective examinations (nasal airway resistance, nasal syndrome score, rhinoconjunctivitis qualityof life questionnaire and olfactory function,nasal mucus cilia clearance ) were performed before and 3 months after treatment.Result:After treatment, partial parameters in nasal syndrome store ( nasal itching, nasal discharge,sneezing and total store) and rhinoconjunctivitis qualityof life questionnaire (sleep, nasal symptom, non-hay-fever symptom, emotional function and total score) in the study group were significantly improved than those in the control group (P< 0.05). However, no significant difference was found in olfactory function, Nasal airway resistance, nasal mucus cilia clearance and the eye symptom in rhinoconjunctivitis qualityof life questionnaire between the two groups after treatment (P> 0.05). No adverse reaction was found in both groups.Conclusion:Nasal cellulose powder can help alleviate clinical symptoms and improve the quality of life in allergic rhinitis patients with no significant side effect.

[Comparison of PedsQL™4.0 and RQLQ scales in the assessment of the quality of life in children with allergic rhinitis].

Objective:To explore the value of PedsQL™4.0 and RQLQ scales in assessment of quality of life(QOL) in children with allergic rhinitis(AR). Method:A prospective trial was conducted to survey the QOL status of 71 AR clinical patients, 68 chronic pharyngitis(CP) clinical patients and 62 healthy individuals by generic questionnaire PedsQL™4.0 and disease specific questionnaire rhinoconjunetivitis quality of life questionnaire(RQLQ) respectively. The correlation between PedsQL™4.0 and RQLQ were analyzed．All the results were analyzed statistically. Result:①By the assessment of PedsQL™4.0 the scores of Social functioning and School functioning domains in AR clinical patients(the same as follow. the scores were 82.8±19.7，64.0±24.6 respectively) were less than those(86.2±18.58, 4.9±18.7) in healthy individuals(P<0.05);while the scores of Physical health and Emotional functioning domains in AR clinical patients(88.3±20.3，75.4±22.4 respectively) were similar with those(89.1±17.7，75.9±22.0) in CP clinical patients(P>0.05)．②By the assessment of RQLQ in AR patients, the nasal symptom and practical problem domains got the highest scores(2.54±1.37,2.70±1.29 respectively).③According to the assessment of the correlation between PedsQL™4.0 and RQLQ, the correlation was weak(r=-0.199--0.468，P<0.05)． Conclusion:Both PedsQL™4.0 and RQLQ were suitable for assessing the health status of AR clinical patients.PedsQL™4.0 and RQLQ each covers different aspects of the QOL of AR clinical patients, and the combination of the two questionnaires could improve the QOL assessment．.

[The clinical study of olfactory dysfunction in IgG4-related disease].

Objective:IgG4-related disease is a newly recognized systemic disease, and its elucidation is progressing. However, little is known about its sinonasal manifestations.The aim of this study was to assess the olfaction of patients with IgG4-related disease.Method:Twenty-two patients with IgG4-related disease underwent the odor stick identification test to measure olfactory function.We analyzed the clinical features, including serum IgG4 levels, involved organs, and sinonasal computed tomography scores to explore the etiology of olfactory dysfunction.Result:Eleven patients with IgG4-related disease were found to have olfactory dysfunction. There were no differences in the clinical features between the olfactory dysfunction group and the normal group.Conclusion:There were no correlation between olfactory function and serum IgG4 level, involved organs or sinonasal computed tomography scores.We found that the prevalence of olfactory dysfunction was high in patients with IgG4-related disease and that it could be reversed.Olfactory dysfunction appears to be a novel important manifestation of IgG4-related disease.

[The application of tragal cartilage-perichondrium in open method tympanoplasty].

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of the application of tragus cartilage-perichondrium in open method tympanoplasty.Method:Thirty patients with middle ear cholesteatoma were treated with open method tympanoplasty and titanium ossicular prosthesis replacement surgery utilized the tragus cartilage-perichondrium, the air-bone gap and the recovery of tympanic membrane were observed before and after operation.Result:Thirty ears achieved primary healing. After a follow-up of 12 months, no prosthesis extrusion and atticus lateral wall collapse were observed. The average air-bone gaps reduced by 13 dB in average.Conclusion:The tragus cartilage-perichondrium is an appropriate material in open method tympanoplasty.

Occupational and environmental risk factors for chronic rhinosinusitis in China: a multicentre cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is defined as a condition of inflammation in the paranasal sinus mucosa persisting for more than 12 weeks. We previously reported that the prevalence of CRS was about 8 % in China. Here, we aim to investigate the occupational and environmental risk factors associated with CRS. METHODS: Data were collected from seven Chinese cities: Urumqi, Changchun, Beijing, Wuhan, Chengdu, Huaian and Guangzhou. CRS was diagnosed according to the European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps (EP(3)OS) document. Participants were asked to complete a standardized questionnaire, which was developed by the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2)LEN) project and covered sociodemographic characteristics, CRS-related symptoms and occupational and environmental exposures. We evaluated the association between CRS and various occupational and environmental factors using odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs). RESULTS: The total study population consisted of 10,633 subjects, 850 (7.99 %) of whom were defined as having CRS according to the EP(3)OS criteria. We found that there were significant associations between occupational and environmental factors and CRS. Specifically, having a clearance-related job, occupational exposure to dust, occupational exposure to poisonous gas, a pet at home or carpet at home or at the workplace were risk factors for CRS. Additionally, the method used to keep warm in winter, the duration of time spent using air conditioning in summer and the frequency of exposure to mouldy or damp environments were significantly different in subjects with and without CRS. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that some occupational and environmental exposures are strongly associated with CRS, which aids in understanding the epidemiology of CRS.

[Tryptase and ECP are related to olfactory dysfunction in allergic rhinitis].

Objective:Olfactory dysfunction is one of the common symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis(AR),but the underlying mechanisms are not yet known.The purpose of this study was to explore the underlying mechanisms which tryptase and eosinophilic cationic protein(ECP) lead to olfactory dysfunction in patients with AR.Method:We have compared the results between tryptase,ECP,nasal airway resistance and olfactory function of the patients with AR and analyzed the correlations between them.Result:Patients with AR showed impaired olfactory functions compaired to the control group,but there was no differences in the nasal airway resistance between the two groups.Nasal secretion analysis in the patients with AR showed that the level of tryptase and ECP was increased in comparison with the controls.Conclusion:The increase of tryptase and ECP in the olfactory cleft can lead to olfactory dysfunction in patients with AR.

Epidemiology of chronic rhinosinusitis: results from a cross-sectional survey in seven Chinese cities.

BACKGROUND: Chronic sinusitis (CRS) is a common otorhinolaryngologic disease that is frequently encountered in everyday practice, but there is a lack of precise data regarding the prevalence of CRS in developing countries. We performed a national investigation in China to determine the prevalence and associated factors of CRS. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional investigation in 2012. A stratified four-stage sampling method was used to select participants randomly from seven cities in mainland China. All participants were interviewed face-to-face via a standardized questionnaire. Unconditional logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between smoking and sinusitis after adjusting for socio-demographic factors. RESULTS: This study included a total of 10 636 respondents from seven cities. The overall prevalence of CRS was 8.0% and ranged from 4.8% to 9.7% in seven centres. Chronic sinusitis affected approximately 107 million people in mainland China. Chronic sinusitis was particularly prevalent among people with specific medical conditions, including allergic rhinitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and gout. The prevalence was slightly higher among males (8.79%) than females (7.28%) (P = 0.004), and the prevalence varied by age group, ethnicity and marital status and education (P < 0.05), but not by household per capita income or living space (P > 0.05). Both second-hand tobacco smoke and active smoking were independent risk factors for CRS (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic sinusitis is an important public health problem in China. Our study provides important information for the assessment of the economic burden of CRS and the development and promotion of public health policies associated with CRS particularly in developing countries.

[Anti-inflammatory effect of fructus Ligustri Lucidi].

Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (FLL) inhibits the edema of hind Paw induced by injection of 1% carrageenin 0.1 ml, fresh egg 0.1 ml or 2.5% formaldehyde 0.1 ml in rats, and suppresses the increased vascular permeability induced by 0.7% acetic acid in mice and the proliferation of granuloma induced by cottonpellet in rats. The swelling of ear induced by xylene in mice and the content of prostaglandin E in inflammatory tissue of rats are also decreased by FLL. FLL increase the weight of adrenal in rats, but has no marked effect on the weight of thymus of rats.

Determination of N-nitrosamines in gastric juice and urine and a comparison of endogenous formation of N-nitrosoproline and its inhibition in subjects from high- and low-risk areas for oesophageal cancer.

Samples of gastric juice were collected from a high-risk area for oesophageal cancer in China and analysed for N-nitroso compounds. N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBzA), N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR) and N-nitrosopiperidine (NPIP) were identified in descending order of concentration. Several unknown compounds were also detected in the fasting gastric juice. A positive correlation was found between the amount of nitrosamines in gastric juice and the degree of severity of lesions of the oesophageal epithelium: the amounts of nitrosamines in gastric juice from subjects with a normal oesophageal epithelium were lower than those in subjects with marked dysplasia or carcinoma of the oesophagus. In addition, 1500 samples of 24-h urine were collected from various communes in six high-risk areas and two low-risk areas for this cancer in China and analysed for N-nitrosamino acids. Subjects in high-risk areas excreted higher levels than those in low-risk areas. Intake of L-proline resulted in marked increases in levels of urinary N-nitrosoproline (NPRO) in inhabitants from both high- and low-risk areas. Intake of moderate doses of vitamin C, alpha-tocopherol and zinc by high-risk subjects reduced the urinary levels of N-nitrosamino acids to those found in undosed subjects in low-risk areas, suggesting a rational basis for prevention in high-risk areas.