Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α activates the NLRP3 inflammasome to regulate epithelial differentiation in chronic rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an upper airway inflammation disease associated with hypoxia-mediated inflammation. The effect of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) on NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation in the pathogenesis of sinonasal mucosa is unclear. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect and mechanism of HIF-1α on NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the primary human nasal epithelial cells (hNECs). METHODS: We measured the expression levels of HIF-1α and the NLRP3 inflammasome in nasal biopsy samples and hNECs derived from negative controls (healthy) and patients with CRS with and without nasal polyps, then further analyzed the specific mechanism of HIF-1α regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and its effect on hNEC differentiation. RESULTS: Increased mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF-1α and the NLRP3 inflammasome were found in all CRS biopsy samples. HIF-1α enhanced expression of phosphorylated NLRP3 (S295) in both HEK293T cells and hNECs; it also promoted recruitment of caspase-1 and apoptotic speck-like protein containing caspase recruitment domain (aka ASC) by NLRP3. HIF-1α also improved NLRP3's stability by preventing NLRP3 degradation caused by hypoxia-mediated inflammation. In addition, HIF-1α could also increase expression of Mucin5AC and decrease expression of α-tubulin by promoting activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in hNECs. In addition, HIF-1α could also directly promote P63 expression in hNECs. CONCLUSION: HIF-1α could potentially induce cilia loss and enhance the proliferation of goblet cells, possibly mediated by the regulation of NLRP3 phosphorylation in CRS inflammation.

Atorvastatin inhibits neuronal apoptosis via activating cAMP/PKA/p-CREB/BDNF pathway in hypoxic-ischemic neonatal rats.

Neuronal apoptosis is one of the main pathological processes of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) and is involved in the development of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in neonates. Atorvastatin has been found to have neuroprotective effects in some nervous system diseases, but its role in regulating the pathogenesis of neonatal HIBD remains elusive. Thus, this study aimed to explore the effects and related mechanisms of atorvastatin on the regulation of neuronal apoptosis after HIBD in newborn rats. The rat HIBD model and the neuronal oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) model were established routinely. Atorvastatin, cAMP inhibitor (SQ22536), and BDNF inhibitor (ANA-12) were used to treat HIBD rats and OGD neurons. Cerebral infarction, learning and memory ability, cAMP/PKA/p-CREB/BDNF signaling molecules, and apoptosis-related indicators (TUNEL, cleaved caspase-3, and Bax/Bcl2) were then examined. In vivo, atorvastatin reduced cerebral infarction, improved learning and memory ability, decreased the number of TUNEL-positive neurons, inhibited the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl2, and activated the cAMP/PKA/p-CREB/BDNF pathway in the cerebral cortex after HIBD. In vitro, atorvastatin also decreased the apoptosis-related indicators and activated the cAMP/PKA/p-CREB/BDNF pathway in neurons after OGD. Furthermore, inhibition of cAMP or BDNF attenuated the effect of atorvastatin on the reduction of neuronal apoptosis, suggesting that atorvastatin inhibits HIBD-induced neuronal apoptosis and alleviates brain injury in neonatal rats mainly by activating the cAMP/PKA/p-CREB/BDNF pathway. In conclusion, atorvastatin may be developed as a potential drug for the treatment of neonatal HIE.

Single-Atom Catalysts Supported on the Graphene/Graphdiyne Heterostructure for Effective CO2 Electroreduction.

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 to high-energy chemicals is a promising strategy for achieving carbon-neutral energy circulation. However, designing high-performance electrocatalysts for the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) remains a great challenge. In this work, by means of density functional theory calculations, we systematically investigate the transition metal (TM) anchored on the nitrogen-doped graphene/graphdiyne heterostructure (TM-N4@GRA/GDY) as a single-atom catalyst for CO2 electroreduction applications. The computational results show that Co-N4@GRA/GDY exhibits remarkable activity with a low limiting potential of -0.567 V for the reduction of CO2 to CH4. When the charged Co-N4@GRA/GDY system is immersed in a continuum solvent, the reaction barrier decreases to 0.366 eV, which is ascribed to stronger electron transfer between GDY and transition metal atoms in the GRA/GDY heterostructure. In addition, the GRA/GDY heterostructure system significantly weakens the linear scaling relationship between the adsorption free energy of key CO2 reduction intermediates, which leads to a catalytic activity that is higher than that of the single-GRA system and thus greatly accelerates the CO2RR. The electronic structure analysis reveals that the appropriate d-π interaction will affect the d orbital electron distribution, which is directly relevant to the selectivity and activity of catalysis. We hope these computational results not only provide a potential electrocatalyst candidate but also open up an avenue for improving the catalytic performance for efficient electrochemical CO2RR.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of lipo-diterpenoid alkaloids with potential target of topoisomerase IIα for breast cancer treatment.

Aconitine linoleate (11) isolated from the Aconitum sinchiangense W. T. Wang exhibited significant anti-tumor activity. Based on this, a series of novel lipo-diterpenoid alkaloids were synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer activities against MCF-7 and MCF-7/ADR cell lines. Seventeen compounds, including 18-20, 22, 24-32, 36, 39, 41-42 possessed higher anti-proliferative activities (IC50 < 20 µM) against MCF-7 cell lines, which were better than the reference drug etoposide (IC50 = 18.01 ± 1.64 µM), among which compound 24 (IC50 = 4.00 ± 0.30 µM) was found to be the most potent derivative, being 4.5-fold more active than etoposide. Meanwhile, eighteen compounds, including 18-22, 24, 26-32, 36, 38-39, 41-42 presented excellent activities (IC50 < 20 µM) against MCF-7/ADR cell lines, better than etoposide (IC50 = 35.48 ± 0.29 µM) and doxorubicin (IC50 = 67.61 ± 6.5 µM). The most potent compound (19) was 13.5- and 25.7-fold more active than etoposide and doxorubicin against MCF-7/ADR cell lines, respectively. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies indicated that the 3-OH, 8-lipo, 14-benzene ring, and nitrogen atom with proper alkaline are crucial elements for anti-proliferative activity of target lipo-diterpenoid compounds. The proper length, the double bonds or di-fluoro-substituted at C-8 fatty acid chain, the para-donating electron group on 14-benzene group, and 13-OH are all favorable for the enhancement of anti-proliferative activities. In conclusion, the introduction of the 8-lipo group into aconitine leads to significant increase of anti-proliferative activity against MCF-7 and MCF-7/ADR cells, which suggests these kinds of lipo-alkaloids are powerful and promising antitumor compounds for breast cancer, especially for drug-resistant breast cancer.

Prognostic comparison of transoral laser microsurgery for early glottic cancer with or without anterior commissure involvement: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) has gradually gained approval in the treatment of early glottic cancer. However, the oncological outcomes of TLM for glottic cancer with anterior commissure (AC) involvement are still a controversial topic. We aimed to systematically review the literature on glottic cancer (Tis-T2) with patients who received TLM as first choice therapy and to evaluate several prognostic outcomes in patients with or without AC involvement. METHODS: A systematic literature retrieval was conducted in PubMed, Medline (Ovid) and Web of Science. Risk ratio (RR) between AC involvement (AC+) or without AC involvement (AC-) was assessed and 95% confidence interval(95%CI) was calculated, which was performed on RevMan 5.3. RESULTS: A total of 20 literatures were included when comparing the local recurrence (LR) rate of patients with or without AC involvement, and the results suggested LR matters in group AC+ over group AC- (RR = 2.39, 95%CI = 1.99-2.86, p < 0.00001). The 5-year overall survival(5yOS) rate included 10 studies, and there was no significant difference between AC+ and AC- (RR = 0.98, 95%CI = 0.93-1.02, p = 0.35). The laryngeal preservation rate (LPR) of AC+ was lower than that of AC- (RR = 0.97, 95%CI = 0.94-1.00, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the prognosis of early glottic cancer with AC involvement is more likely to have higher local recurrence and lower LPR but no statistical difference in 5yOS rate.

The influence of nasal bacterial microbiome diversity on the pathogenesis and prognosis of chronic rhinosinusitis patients with polyps.

PURPOSE: The role of the microbiome in the paranasal sinuses and its contribution to sinus mucosal health and disease remains poorly understood. Consequently, we examined the nasal microbiome of chronic rhinosinusitis patients with polyps (CRSwNP), chronic sinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) and a control population, associated with IL-5 of nasal polyp tissues and postoperative follow-up of CRSwNP patients, in search of nasal microbial community characteristics related to pathogenesis and prognosis of CRSwNP, providing a new perspective for further understanding of the disease. METHODS: The middle meatus secretions of 77 CRSwNP, 36 CRSsNP and 34 non-CRS subjects were collected. The bacterial microbiome composition was detected using high-throughput sequencing technology based on 16S rRNA, and the differences in the nasal microbial diversity among the three groups were compared. At the same time, nasal polyp tissues were collected to detect the expression of IL-5 and analyse its relationship with the structural characteristics of nasal microbial colonies. Postoperative follow-up of patients with CRSwNP was conducted for 1 year to record the recurrence of nasal polyps and analyse the correlation between the recurrence of nasal polyps and IL-5 as well as the characteristics of nasal microbial diversity. RESULTS: The results showed that the average Sobs index (579.31) of the non-CRS group was significantly higher than that of the CRSwNP group (387.31, P = 0.03). PCoA analysis showed that the microbial distribution in the three groups was mostly similar, with only a few unique to each group. At the phylum level, Actinobacteria and Chlamydia in the non-CRS group were significantly higher than those in the CRSwNP and CRSsNP groups. At the genus level, Corynebacterium and Dolosigranulum in the non-CRS group were significantly higher than those in the CRSwNP and CRSsNP groups. Twenty-five CRSwNP patients had nasal polyps that were IL-5 positive, accounting for 32.47%, and the relative abundance of Enterobacter was 6.37% ± 5.92%, which was significantly higher than 0.58% ± 0.11% in the IL-5 negative group. No significant difference was found after correction (p = 0.026, FDR p > 0.05). One year after surgery, 77 patients with CRSwNP who underwent surgery were successfully followed up, and 12 patients with CRSwNP relapsed, with a recurrence rate of 15.6%. Total nasal symptom scores (TNSS) were significantly higher in the recurrent group than in the nonrecurrent group (P = 0.000). No differences in microbial diversity were found between the CRSwNP populations in the recurrent group and the nonrecurrent group at both the phylum and genus levels. For the nonrecurrent CRSwNP group, the relative abundance of Actinobacteria (PDR P = 0.012) and Corynebacterium (PDR P = 0.003) was higher than that before surgery, and the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes (PDR P = 0.040) was lower than that before surgery. However, for the recurrence CRSwNP group, there was no significant difference in the nasal microbiome between postoperation and preoperation. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, microbial dysbiosis in the nasal cavity is associated with the pathogenesis of CRSwNP. In Southwest China, the inflammatory pattern of nasal polyps is not dominated by eosinophilic infiltration of Th2-type inflammation. The recurrence of nasal polyps after ESS may be potentially related to the decrease in protective bacteria and the increase in pathogenic bacteria, and the improvement of postoperative bacterial disorder is correlated with the nonrecurrence of CRSwNP.

Comparing the nasal bacterial microbiome diversity of allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis and control subjects.

PURPOSE: Until now, the microbiome of the nasal cavity and its contribution to nasal mucosal disease has remained poorly understood. The advent of cultivation-free molecular methods makes it possible to characterize the total microbiome of the nasal cavity. We sought to assess the microbial diversity and composition of the middle meatus in allergic rhinitis (AR) patients, chronic rhinosinusitis patients without polyps (CRSsNP) and a control population to determine the microbiota associated with the pathogenesis of AR and CRSsNP. METHODS: Microbial characterization was determined using 16S rRNA gene sequencing of 122 nasal swabs collected from patients with AR (n = 52) and CRSsNP (n = 37), and from healthy controls (n = 33). RESULTS: There was no difference in nasal microbiome richness and diversity among the three groups, and the dominant phyla were similar among three groups including Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes. However, Spirochaetae abundance was significantly higher in AR than in the control group after FDR correction (FDR p = 0.021). At the genus level, although there was no statistical significance after FDR correction, there was a trend that Pseudomonas and Peptostreptococcaceae abundance were higher in AR than in controls (p = 0.005, p = 0.005) and CRSsNP (p = 0.023, p = 0.034); Lactobacillus abundance was lower in AR than in controls (p = 0.021); Moraxella abundance was lower in CRSsNP than in controls (p = 0.006); Haemophilus abundance was higher in CRSsNP than in AR (p = 0.003) but lower in AR than in controls (p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: These results suggested that microbial dysbiosis may play a role in the pathogenesis of heterogeneous nasal mucosal inflammation.

Clinical analysis of tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration in children: a focus on external and intrinsic factors.

BACKGROUND: Tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration (TFBA) is a critical disease in children and is extremely dangerous, even life-threatening. The factors affecting the occurrence and prognosis of TFBA are complex. The purpose of this study is to examine the external and intrinsic factors affecting clinical features of TFBA in West China and propose potential effective intervention measures. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of pediatric patients diagnosed with TFBA with foreign bodies (FBs) removed by rigid bronchoscopy under general anesthesia at the otolaryngology department from December 2017 to November 2018. The data included age, sex, clinical symptoms, type and location of FB, guardians, prehospital duration and residence of these pediatric patients. RESULTS: The ratio of males (72) to females (53) was 1.4:1. Children aged from 1 to 3 years accounted for 76% (95/125) of patients. Cough, continuous fever and dyspnea were the primary symptoms. The right primary bronchus was the most common location of FB detection by rigid bronchoscopy (67 cases, 53.6%). Organic FBs were most common in our study. Guardians of patients significantly differed in the rural (parents 16, grandparents 31) and urban (parents 52, grandparents 26) groups (χ2 = 12.583, p = 0.000). More children in the rural group than in the urban group had a treatment delay longer than 72 h. More children in the group with no history of FB aspiration (12, 25%) than in the group with prior FB aspiration had a treatment delay longer than 72 h. CONCLUSION: Pediatric TFBA is a common emergency in otolaryngology. Age, sex, tracheobronchial anatomy and other physiological elements were defined as intrinsic factors, while guardians, residence, FB species and prehospital time were defined as external factors of TFBA. External and intrinsic factors both influence the occurrence and progression of TFBA. It is extremely important to take effective measures to control external factors, which can decrease morbidity and mortality.

Pitfalls in the management of subglottic paragangliomas at unusual location: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Subglottic paragangliomas (PGs) are exceptionally rare and unpredictable, occasionally presenting at an atypical location. There are three different clinical forms of subglottic PGs: intraluminal (tracheal PGs), extraluminal (thyroid PGs) and the mixed type (both intraluminal and extraluminal, mixed-subglottic PGs). These tumors are usually misdiagnosed as other relatively common primary thyroid or laryngotracheal tumors, and the treatment is troublesome. CASE PRESENTATION: A 22-year-old male patient with subglottic PGs has been successively misdiagnosed as thyroid tumors and subglottic hemangiomas, and lastly underwent local extended lumpectomy and laryngotracheal reconstruction with a pedicled thoracoacromial artery perforator flap (PTAPF). The patient was decannulated successfully after the second-stage tracheal reconstruction with a local flap, and no evidence of local recurrence and distant metastasis of the tumor until now. CONCLUSION: Subglottic PGs can be easily misdiagnosed as laryngotracheal or thyroid tumors when presented at an atypical location. It is essential for otolaryngologists and head and neck surgeons to remain vigilant against these tumors. If the tumor is not diagnosed or removed completely, patients may encounter a risk of lethal paroxysm, which is incredibly troublesome.

Comparison between anterolateral thigh free flap and jejunal flap for tissue reconstruction in patients underwent resection of pharyngoesophageal squamous cell carcinoma after radiotherapy failure: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap and jejunal flap (JF) were commonly used in tissue reconstruction for pharyngoesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (PESCC) with worsening tissue adhesion and necrosis after radiotherapy failure. However, the results of tissue reconstruction and postoperative complications of these two flaps are controversial. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes between group ALT free flap and group JF in PESCC after radiotherapy failure. METHODS: Intraoperative information and postoperative outcomes of patients with PESCC after radiotherapy failure who underwent ALT and JF reconstruction from January 2005 to December 2019 were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: The defect size of ALT (Numbers, 34) and JF (Numbers, 31) was 36.19 ± 11.35 cm2 and 35.58 ± 14.32 cm2 (p = 0.884), respectively. ALT and JF showed no significant difference in operation time (p = 0.683) and blood loss (p = 0.198). For postoperative outcomes within 30 days both in recipient site and donor site including wound bleeding, wound dehiscence, wound infection, and pharyngocutaneous fistula, ALT free flap and JF showed similar results. Flap compromise (Numbers, 2 VS.3, p = 0.663), flap take backs (Numbers, 1 VS.1, p = 1.000), partial flap failures (Numbers, 4 VS.2, p = 0.674), and total flap failures (Numbers, 0 VS.0, p = 1.000) showed no difference between the two groups. In addition, no significance was found in hypoproteinemia between the two groups (Numbers, 4 VS.2, p = 0.674). ALT free flap was not statistically different from JF in the incidence of dysphagia at the postoperative 6 months (Numbers of liquid diet, 5VS.5; Numbers of partial tube feeding, 6VS.7; Numbers of total tube feeding, 3VS.1, p = 0.790) and 12 months (Numbers of liquid diet, 8VS.7; Numbers of partial tube feeding, 8VS.7; Numbers of total tube feeding, 5VS.5, p = 0.998). The cause of dysphagia not found to differ between the two groups both in postoperative 6 months (p = 0.814) and 12 months (p = 0.845). CONCLUSION: Compared with JF, ALT free flap for PESCC patients after radiotherapy failure showed similar results in postoperative outcomes. ALT free flap may serve as a safe and feasible alternative for PESCC patients after radiotherapy failure.

Second-Sphere Interaction Promoted Turn-On Fluorescence for Selective Sensing of Organic Amines in a TbIII -based Macrocyclic Framework.

Guided by a second-sphere interaction strategy, we fabricated a Tb(III)-based metal-organic framework (MMCF-4) for turn-on sensing of methyl amine with ultra-low detection limit and high turn-on efficiency. MMCF-4 features lanthanide nodes shielded in a nonacoordinate geometry along with secondary coordination spheres that are densely populated with H-bond interacting sites. Nonradiative routes were inhibited by binding-induced rigidification of the ligand on the second coordination sphere, resulting in luminescence amplification. Such remote interacting mechanism involved in the turn-on sensing event was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and molecular dynamic simulation studies. The design of both primary and secondary coordination spheres of Tb(III) enabled the first turn-on sensing of organic amines in aqueous conditions. Our work suggests a promising strategy for high-performance turn-on sensing for Ln-MOFs and luminous materials driven by other metal chromophores.

Long noncoding RNA ZFAS1 promotes tumorigenesis and metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by sponging miR-892b to up-regulate LPAR1 expression.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we explored the NPC-specific expression of ZFAS1 and the mechanism of ZFAS1-mediated growth, aggressiveness and tumorigenesis in NPC. METHODS: The expression profile of lncRNAs was detected in NPC tissues and matching para-carcinoma tissues using microarray analysis. LncRNA-miRNA and miRNA-mRNA interaction networks were constructed using the miRcode v11 and TargetScanHuman v7.2 web server and then validated using dual-luciferase assay. Western blot and RT-qPCR were performed to detect protein and RNA expression. The effects of ZFAS1, miR-892b and LPAR1 dysregulation on the proliferative, migratory and invasive abilities of NPC cells were observed using colony formation, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell assays in vitro. In vivo, a xenograft nude mouse model was established to detect the impact of ZFAS1 dysregulation on the tumorigenicity of NPC cells. RESULTS: The expression of multiple lncRNAs, of which ZFAS1 was up-regulated, was dysregulated in NPC tissues. ZFAS1 directly targeted miR-892b, and miR-892b negatively regulated the expression of downstream LPAR1. The proliferation, migration and invasion of NPC cells could be largely enhanced by the downregulation of miR-892b as well as the up-regulation of ZFAS1 and LPAR1, while the overexpression of miR-892b and the downregulation of ZFAS1 and LPAR1 decreased these abilities. In nude mice, the growth of tumour xenografts formed by HONE1 cells was significantly suppressed when ZFAS1 was silenced. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that lncRNA ZFAS1 may act as a promoter of tumorigenesis and metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, by up-regulating the expression of LPAR1 in a miR-892b-dependent manner.

Bencycloquidium bromide nasal spray is effective and safe for persistent allergic rhinitis: a phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of bencycloquidium bromide nasal spray (BCQB) in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR). METHODS: We enrolled 720 patients from 15 hospitals across China and randomly assigned them into BCQB group or placebo group (90 µg per nostril qid) to receive a 4-week treatment. Visual analog scale (VAS) for rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal congestion, itching and overall symptoms were recorded by patients every day. Anterior rhinoscopy scoring was completed by doctors on every visit. Adverse events were recorded in detail. RESULTS: A total of 354 and 351 patients were included in BCQB group and in placebo group. Baseline information was comparable. At the end of the trial, the decrease of VAS for rhinorrhea from baseline was 4.83 ± 2.35 and 2.46 ± 2.34 in BCQB group and placebo group, respectively (P < 0.001). The change ratio from baseline of VAS for rhinorrhea in BCQB group was 72.32%, higher than 31.03% in placebo group (P < 0.001). VAS for other symptoms and overall symptoms also improved significantly in the BCQB group, while no inter-group difference was found in anterior rhinoscopy scoring. The incidence of adverse reaction was similar between the two groups. Most reactions were mild and no severe reactions happened. CONCLUSION: 90 µg BCQB per nostril four times daily is effective and safe in the treatment of rhinorrhea as well as sneezing, nasal congestion and itching for patients with PAR. RETROSPECTIVELY REGISTERED: ChiCTR2000030924, 2020/3/17.

Adult laryngeal Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Laryngeal rhabdomyosarcomas (RMSs) mainly occurred in children, while were extremely rare in adults. Consequently, less information was available to guide clinicians to manage adult RMSs in larynx. CASE PRESENTATION: A 42-year-old man presented with a 2-year history of gradually worsening hoarseness. Then, he underwent a surgery with suspension laryngoscope with initially being diagnosed as vocal cord cyst. Unexpectedly, the lesion was proved to be embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS), pathologically. Next, he underwent chemoradiotherapy, while the tumor relapsed 18 months after the last treatment. Subsequently, a vertical hemilaryngectomy and a right selective neck dissection was performed, and the chemotherapy according to the anticancer drug sensitivity in vitro was arranged. Until the last check-up 18 months after chemotherapy, the patient did not display clinical or radiological signs of local recurrence and metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis of laryngeal RMSs might appear when tumors presented as smooth protuberance. We reported the first case of laryngeal RMSs in an adult with the multidisciplinary strategy based on the chemosensitivity assay in vitro. Furthermore, a systematic review of the literature was also discussed, highlighting the initial diagnostic pitfalls and subsequent management problems that may occur with this uncommon tumor.

The Effects of Exposed Specific Facets and Sulfation on the Surface Acidity of Cu2 O Solids.

Cuprous oxide microcrystals with {111}, {111}/{100}, and {100} exposed facets were synthesized. 31 P MAS NMR using trimethylphosphine as the probe molecule was employed to study the acidic properties of samples. It was found that the total acidic density of samples increases evidently after sulfation compared with the pristine cuprous oxide microcrystals. During sulfation, new {100} facets are formed at the expense of {111} facets and lead to the generation of two Lewis acid sites due to the different binding states of SO4 2- on {111} and {100} facets. Moreover, DFT calculation was used to illustrate the binding models of SO4 2- on {111} and {100} facets. Also, a Pechmann condensation reaction was applied to study the acidic catalytic activity of these samples. It was found that the sulfated {111} facet has better activity due to its higher Lewis acid density compared with the sulfated {100} facet.

Effect of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Versus Plasma Radiofrequency Ablation on Recurrent Allergic Rhinitis.

BACKGROUND High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and plasma radiofrequency ablation (PRA) have been used to treat recurrent allergic rhinitis (AR); however, there is a lack of literature comparing the efficacy of these 2 methods. We assessed and compared the therapeutic effects of HIFU and PRA on recurrent AR. MATERIAL AND METHODS We enrolled 66 patients with recurrent AR at West China Hospital of Sichuan University. Visual analogue score (VAS), pain score, rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ), and nasal endoscopy were performed to evaluate the therapeutic effect. RESULTS Nasal endoscopy showed that HIFU and PAR reduced the volume of the inferior turbinate, whereas HIFU reduced the amount of nasal secretions in patients. VAS scores showed that HIFU and PRA nasal congestion symptoms were significantly reduced (P<0.05). The preoperative VAS scores for nasal fluid and sneezing were significantly lower in patients receiving HIFU (P<0.05) than in those receiving PRA (P>0.05). HIFU-treated patients had significantly lower postoperative pain scores than those in the PRA group (P<0.05). RQLQ showed activity, sleep, and non-nasal or ocular symptoms, and both HIFU and PRA patients had significantly lower scores (P<0.05). Nasal symptom scores, actual problems, and mood in the HIFU group were significantly worse than those in the PRA group (P<0.05). However, neither treatment had a significant effect on ocular symptoms (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Compared with PRA, HIFU can significantly reduce the nasal symptoms of AR patients, improve the quality of life, and can be used as an adjuvant therapy with better therapeutic effect.

Comparison of adverse events between cluster and conventional immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis patients with or without asthma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cluster schedule of allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is a cost-effective choice for allergic rhinitis (AR) patients, but its safety has been questioned due to the greater dosages required at each treatment compared with conventional immunotherapy. It remains a question that whether cluster schedule leads to a higher risk of side effects. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to update the evidence and investigate whether cluster schedule leads to a higher risk of local adverse reactions (LARs) and systemic adverse reactions (SARs) than cluster schedule does. METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE and Medline thoroughly and included studies comparing cluster and conventional schedules. A meta-analysis of 5 outcomes related to adverse events was performed after bias and heterogeneity assessments. And as a result of language limitations, we considered only articles in Chinese and English. RESULTS: 5 observational studies and 6 interventional studies were included in the meta-analysis. There were no differences between cluster and conventional schedules when analyzing SARs by the number of patients, delayed SARs, grade 2 SARs and LARs. Analyses of SARs by injection, grade 1 SARs and LARs by injection in observational studies showed that cluster schedule had a lower risk of adverse events than did conventional schedule. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that cluster schedule is as safe as or even safer than conventional schedule for AR patients with or without asthma (AS).

Application of high expansion degradable cotton in nasal bleeding model of dog.

BACKGROUND: The discomfort and complications have always been problems for nasal packing materials. This study provided a new nasal packing material called high expansion degradable cotton (HEDC). METHODS: Nasal endoscopic surgery was used to establish a dog model of nasal bleeding, and wound surfaces were filled with Merocel, Nasopore and HEDC, respectively. Intraoperative and postoperative bleeding of 24 h was calculated. We evaluate the absorbability score, adhesion score, infection sore and nasal mucosal epithelium in postoperative 3, 7, 14 and 28 days. HE staining and electron microscopy were used to evaluate the recovery of nasal mucosa. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in nasal bleeding between HEDC, Merocel and Nasopore. Nasal endoscopic examination revealed HEDC absorbability of score, adhesion score, infection score were significantly lower than Merocel and Nasopore. The epithelialization time of HEDC was significantly shorter than that of Merocel and Nasopore. HE staining showed that HEDC and Nasopore could significantly reduce scar hyperplasia on the wound surface. The results of electron microscopy suggested that HEDC could protect the edge cilia of the wound. CONCLUSION: HEDC could be used as new choice for hemostasis after nasal endoscopic surgery, which could reduce nasal epithelialization time, and protect wound edge cilia.

[The Research Advancement and Conception of the Deep-underground Medicine].

The 21th century is the century of exploring and utilizing the underground space. In the future, more and more people will spend more and more time living or/and working in the underground space. However,we know little about the effect on the health of human caused by the underground environment. Herein,we systematically put forward the strategic conception of the deep-underground medicine,in order to reveal relative effects and mechanism of the potential factors in the deep underground space on human's physiological and psychological healthy,and to work out the corresponding countermeasures. The original deep-underground medicine includes the following items. ①To model different depth of underground environment according to various parameters (such as temperature,radiation,air pressure, rock,microorganism), and to explore their quantitative character and effects on human health and mechanism. ② To study the psychological change, maintenance of homeostasis and biothythm of organism in the deep underground space. ③ To learn the association between psychological healthy of human and the depth, structure, physical environment and working time of underground space. ④ To investigate the effect of different terrane and lithology on healthy of human and to deliberate their contribution on organism growth. ⑤ To research the character and their mechanism of growth,metabolism,exchange of energy,response of growth, aging and adaptation of cells living in deep underground space. ⑥ To explore the physiological feature,growth of microbiome and it's interaction with host in the deep underground space. ⑦ To develop deep-underground simulation space, the biologically medical technology and equipments. As a research basis,a deep-underground medical lab under a rock thickness of about 1 470 m has been built,which aims to operate the research of the effect on living organism caused by different depth of underground environment.