[The efficacy and safety of standardized dust mite allergen subcutaneous immunotherapy in children with allergic rhinitis during treatment].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of standardized dust mite allergen subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) in children with allergic rhinitis (AR) during treatment. Methods: A total of 283 children with AR diagnosed with definite dust mite allergy and completed 2 to 3 years of SCIT who attended the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, from August 2019 to October 2021 were included, including 205 males and 78 females, with a mean age of 10.8 years. The total nasal symptoms score (TNSS), symptom medication score (SMS), rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) and visual analogue scale (VAS) before and after 2 to 3 years' treatment were recorded, and the differences before and after treatment were compared. Adverse reactions during SCIT were recorded to evaluate its safety. SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: The overall effectiveness rate during SCIT in 283 children with AR was 89.4% (253/283). Compared with baseline, all symptom scores, medication scores and quality of life scores were significantly lower after 2 to 3 years of SCIT (all P<0.05). Further group comparisons showed positive efficacy in patients with different clinical characteristics, including age, gender, smoking status, family history of AR, symptom severity, mono-or poly-allergy, and second immunization, with no statistically significant differences between groups (all P>0.05). A total of 12 735 injections were administered during the SCIT, and a total of 213 (1.67%) injections of local adverse reactions occurred, mainly in the initial treatment phase, and the diameter of the local air mass was mostly 5 to 20 mm; 71 (0.56%) injections of systemic adverse reactions occurred, mainly in the initial treatment phase, and most of them were grade 1 reactions with no serious systemic adverse reaction such as shock. Conclusion: Standardized dust mite SCIT has a good safety profile and definite efficacy in treating AR children with different clinical characteristics. It can significantly improve all symptoms, reduce the use of symptomatic drugs and improve their quality of life.

[Application of temporalis muscle flap in repair and reconstruction after the resection of tumor or necrotic foci following radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

Objective: To summarize and popularize the application of temporalis muscle flap in repair and reconstruction after the resection of tumor or necrotic foci following radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: A retrospective analysis was made on the patients treated in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of Xiangya Hospital between January 2019 and March 2021 who underwent surgical resection of tumor or necrosis of NPC after radiotherapy and temporalis muscle flap repair. The effect of the repair and the patients' postoperative conditions were analyzed. Results: A total 29 patients, 19 males and 10 females, aged from 33 to 65 years old, were included in the study, and were followed up for 6-35 months. Except for 2 patients who were not followed due to bleeding or special bacterial infection, the others' temporalis muscle flap healed well and no cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea or massive hemorrhage occurred. After the operation, all patients had no nasopharyngeal reflux or new open rhinolalia, and in some patients, the open rhinolalia even got relieved. Except for one case of depressed temporal fossa caused by infection and followed debridement and another one case of shallowed forehead wrinkles, the appearances of the other patients were basically symmetrical. Some patients had temporary mouth opening limitation after operation, and all of them recovered after rehabilitation exercises. Conclusions: The temporalis muscle flap can protect the skull base and internal carotid artery, and improve the quality of life of patients after the resection of NPC or necrotic foci. It is a reliable pedicled flap for repairing skull base defect with simple operation procedures and relatively few complications.

Liraglutide alleviates vascular injury in diabetic rabbits with lower limb vascular stenosis through regulation of RCAN1.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to explore the possible mechanism that may have ameliorative effect of liraglutide (Lira) on diabetic lower extremity vascular stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A diabetic rabbit model of lower extremity stenosis was established and treated with Lira. The intimal hyperplasia of the lower extremity and the oxidative stress level of vascular tissue were observed and examined. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) induced by high glucose (HG) were treated with Lira, and RCAN1 overexpressing plasmid was constructed to transfect VCMCs. RESULTS: Lira treatment showed its association in significantly improving the hyperplasia of the intima, the level of oxidative stress, and the level of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in rabbits induced by diabetes and lower limb stenosis. In addition, Lira treatment reduced the elevated expression of RCAN1 in vascular tissues induced by diabetes. Not only could Lira treatment inhibit the increase of ROS level, proliferation and migration of VSMCs induced by HG, but reduce the expression of PCNA, MMP-9 and collagen I induced by HG. Overexpression of RCAN1 in VSMCs counteracted the effect of Lira, suggesting that Lira affected the proliferation and migration of VSMCs by regulating RCAN1. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings have important implications for Lira to exert beneficial outcomes in reducing excessive neointimal formation after lower extremity vascular injury in diabetic rabbits via the regulation of RCAN1.

[Endoscopic posterior nasal neurectomy for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: anatomy and analysis of clinical efficacy].

Objective: To propose total posterior nasal neurectomy with transection of sphenopalatine neurovascular bundle from anatomy for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, and to explore its clinical application. Methods: Two fresh cadaveric heads (4 sides) were dissected through endoscopic transnasal middle meatus approach at Otorhinolaryngology Anatomy Laboratory of China-Japan Friendship Hospital. The structures of the craniofacial bone related to the surgical approach were observed. Twelve patients with allergic rhinitis who treated in Department of Otorhinolaryngology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital from Feb. 1 2019 to Jun. 10 2021 were selected. All the patients were treated by posterior nasal neurotomy with the technique of complete transection of sphenopalatine neurovascular bundle and followed up for 1 year after sugery. During the follow-up, 2 patients were lost. The other 10 patients included 4 males and 6 females, aging from 29 to 69 years. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) were used to evaluate the effect of the surgery. SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Important anatomic landmarks of transnasal middle meatus approach were obtained during anatomy, such as ethmoid crest, sphenopalatine foramen/notch, palatine orbital process and sphenopalatine process. The postoperative VAS scores of nose, eye, pharynx, ear and whole body and total VAS scores were significantly lower than those before operation, with statistically significant difference (nose 2.50±1.70 vs 6.47±2.17, eyes 1.15±0.89 vs 3.60±2.57, pharynx 1.30±1.36 vs 4.25±3.64, ear 1.10±1.03 vs 2.67±2.00, whole body 1.08±1.24 vs 3.60±1.17, total 7.13±4.31 vs 20.58±9.05, all P<0.05). The postoperative RQLQ scores of sleep, nose, eyes, practical problems, emotion, activity and the total RQLQ scores of patients were significantly lower than those before operation, with statistically significant difference (sleep 0.80±0.69 vs 2.93±1.33, nose 1.38±1.18 vs 3.93±1.50, eyes 0.58±0.66 vs 1.80±1.25, practical problems 1.10±1.22 vs 3.03±1.84, emotion 1.00±1.81 vs 2.58±2.00, activity 2.77±2.93 vs 6.00±1.85, total 8.99±8.92 vs 22.42±8.69, all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in preoperative and postoperative scores of non-nasal/ocular symptoms (1.37±1.60 vs 2.16±1.12, P=0.166). There was no other complication except 2 cases with short-term postoperative numbness. Conclusions: Total posterior nasal neurectomy with transection of sphenopalatine neurovascular bundle is a safe, effective and feasible method for the treatment of intractable allergic rhinitis, and its long-term efficacy needs further observation.

[Application of traction metal clip with fishhook-like device in endoscopic resection].

From July 2020 to June 2021, patients in Jiangyin Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University who met the enrollment criteria were treated with the fishhook-like device during the operation to suture the postoperative wound (group A). Patients with similar conditions and similar size wounds who were treated with a "purse-string suture" to suture the wounds were retrospectively analyzed as the control group (group B). Difference in the suture rate, adverse events, time required for suturing, and number of metal clips were compared between the two groups. The time required for suturing was (7.83±2.41) min in group A and (11.00±3.31) min in group B. The difference was statistically significant (P=0.002). The number of metal clamps used in group A averaged 7.17 pieces/case, and the number of metal clamps used in group B averaged 7.06 pieces/case. The difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05).The traction metal clip with the fishhook-like device is ingeniously designed and easy to operate. It has a good suture effect on the wound after endoscopic resection and effectively prevents postoperative adverse events.

[Clinical study on endoscopic surgery for soft tissue necrosis of cranial base after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the diagnosis and surgical treatment of patients with soft tissue necrosis of cranial base after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: The clinical data of 7 NPC patients with soft tissue necrosis but not bone necrosis after radiotherapy were retrospectively analyzed.They were treated in Xiangya Hospital from 2015 to 2019. The clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis were analyzed. The major clinical symptoms of the 7 patients were headache in 7 cases, hearing loss in 7 cases, long-term nasal malodor in 5 cases and epistaxis in 2 cases. All patients underwent high-resolution CT, MR and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) before operation. All cases were treated with extended transnasal endoscopic approach under general anesthesia for resection of necrotic tissue. Five cases had their affected cartilaginous segments of the eustachian tubes partially or completely resected, 7 cases were treated with myringotomy and tube insertion, and 1 case was treated with pansinusectomy. Anti-inflammatory treatment were carried out during the perioperative period. The recovery of patients was observed and recorded through regular follow-up (from 6 months to 3 years) after the operation. Results: Nasopharynx soft tissue lesions can be seen in seven patients with bone cortex integrity by CT, and small bubble shadow can be seen at junction area between skull base soft tissue lesions and skull base bone surface.MR and MRA examination showed extensive inflammatory changes of nasopharynx. Parapharyngeal irregular necrotic cavity was found in 6 cases without central enhancement, demonstrating edema of surrounding soft tissue. The necrotic tissue of all 7 patients was surgically removed. Postoperative pathological examinations confirmed that all of them were necrotic soft and cartilaginous tissue, without tumor recurrence. The symptoms of all patients were significantly alleviated after operation. Headache was cured in 5 cases and relieved in 2 cases. Nasal malodor was cured in 4 cases and alleviated in 1 case. During the follow-up period, 5 patients survived, and 2 patients who had their eustachian tube reserved died. One of them died of nasopharyngeal hemorrhage caused by recurrent nasopharyngeal necrosis 3 months after the operation. Another case died of severe intracranial infection 6 months after operation. Conclusions: The diagnosis of skull base soft tissue necrosis after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma needs comprehensive analysis of radiotherapy history, clinical manifestations and imaging examination. High resolution CT, MR and MRA of skull base are very important for diagnosis. Early active removal of large-scale necrotic lesions under endoscope and partial or total resection of eustachian tube cartilage according to the involvement of eustachian tube cartilage is effective means of controling skull base soft tissue necrosis after radiotherapy. The effective means of necrosis can improve the quality of life of patients.

[Occurrence pattern of musculoskeletal disorders and its influencing factors among manufacturing workers].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the occurrence pattern and its influencing factors of multi-site work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) of the main affected body sites among manufacturing workers. METHODS: Musculoskeletal disorders questionnaire was adopted to investigate the prevalence of WMSDs and the influencing factors among workers from four manufacturing factories in China. The case of WMSDs was defined as the one who had symptoms such as pain, numbness, discomfort, or limitation of activities in one or more of the nine body sites, including neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist/hand, upper back, lower back, hip/thigh, knee and ankle/foot during the last year, which lasted for more than 24 hours and did not completely relieve after rest. Besides, trauma, disability, other acute injuries or sequelae were excluded. The correlation of WMSDs between different body sites was estimated by the prevalence ratio (PR) calculated by log-binominal model. The influencing factors of multi-site WMSDs of the main affected body sites were analyzed by multinomial logistic regression model. RESULTS: The overall prevalence rate of WMSDs was 79.7% among the manufacturing workers. The main affected body sites were lower back, neck, shoulder and upper back, of which the prevalence rates were 62.3%, 55.7%, 45.6%, and 38.7%, respectively. The PR values of WMSDs among these sites were relatively high. The prevalence of multi-site WMSDs involving these four sites at the same time was 25.2%, and that of three to four sites was 41.4%. Multinomial Logistic regression analysis suggested that influencing factors of multi-site WMSDs in 3-4 sites of neck, shoulder, upper back and lower back involved several aspects. Among these factors, females (OR=2.86, 95%CI 2.38-3.33) and individuals with job tenure of 15-19 years (OR=1.87, 95%CI 1.49-2.34) might have higher risk of disease. Biomechanical factors, such as often bending neck forward or holding neck in a forward position for long periods (OR=2.15, 95%CI 1.86-2.48), often twisting neck or holding neck in a twisted position for long periods (OR=1.64, 95%CI 1.40-1.92) and often twisting trunk heavily (OR=1.40, 95%CI 1.20-1.64) might be risk factors. In the aspect of work organization, doing the same work every day (OR=1.73, 95%CI 1.44-2.08), shortage of workers (OR=1.50, 95%CI 1.31-1.71) and often working overtime (OR=1.38, 95%CI 1.20-1.60) might increase the risk of disease. Factors, such as often standing for long periods at work (OR=0.77, 95%CI 0.65-0.91) and feeling breaks sufficient (OR=0.51, 95%CI 0.44-0.59) were suggested to be protective factors with OR<1. CONCLUSION: The pre-valence rates of WMSDs in neck, shoulder, upper back, and lower back were high among manufacturing workers in this study. The correlation of WMSDs of these four sites was close in this study, and the comorbidity rate of 3-4 sites of these sites was relatively high, suggesting that there might be a multi-site occurrence pattern of WMSDs in "neck-shoulder-upper back-lower back" among manufacturing workers. The main influencing factors of this pattern included individual factors, biomechanical factors and work organization factors.

[Analysis of homology and drug sensitivity of vaginal isolates of 10 patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis in recurrent episodes].

Objective: To detect karyotype homology of vaginal isolates from patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) in recurrent episodes, and to discuss changes of susceptibility of Candida strains to antifungal drugs with clinical progress. Method: s Ten patients were recruited from Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University from September 2018 to June 2019, who were firstly diagnosed with RVVC. Vaginal discharges were collected before first treatment and after first relapse. Vaginal strains were isolated, purificated and identificated. Then karyotype of 20 strains isolated from 10 patients were detected by restriction endonuclease analysis of genomic DNA (REAG) using enzyme BssHⅡand pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) methods, and sensitivity of clinical isolates to 5 antifungal drugs (clostridium, fluconazole, miconazole, itraconazole and nystatin) was also detected using disk diffusion method. Result: s (1) All 20 strains of 10 patients with RVVC were Candida albicans, and their chromosomes were extremely similar after BssHⅡ enzyme digestion. The gene bands of isolated strains from the same patient were completely identical. (2) After clinical medication, the sensitivity of vaginal isolates to azoles was generally decreased, but remained highly sensitive to nystatin, nystatin (first and second clinical isolates: 100% sensitivity and 100% sensitivity)>clotrimazole (100% sensitivity and 90% sensitivity)>fluconazole (80% sensitivity and 70% sensitivity)>itraconazole (60% sensitivity and 50% sensitivity)>miconazole (30% sensitivity and 20% sensitivity). Conclusions: (1) The latency of the same colonized strain in the vagina may be the cause of repeated RVVC episodes. (2) Antifungal agents could selectively induce drug resistance to Candidas, and Candidas show cross-resistance to antifungal agents. Repeated fungal culture and drug sensitivity test in patients with RVVC are very necessary for correct selection of antifungals.

Quercetin protects human oral keratinocytes from lipopolysaccharide-induced injury by downregulating microRNA-22.

BACKGROUND: Quercetin exerts anti-inflammatory effects, but whether it can benefit patients with the chronic inflammatory disease of oral lichen planus (OLP), which is a common chronic mucocutaneous disorder with an immune-mediated pathogenesis, is unclear. The present research examined the impacts of quercetin in a cell-based OLP model in which human oral keratinocytes (HOKs) were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODS: Effects of quercetin on viability, proliferation, and apoptosis of HOKs were assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, Western blotting, and flow cytometry, respectively. Effects of treatment on levels of microRNA-22 (miR-22) were measured using stem-loop reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, while levels of proteins and phosphorylation in the PI3K/AKT and JAK1/STAT3 cascades were analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS: Quercetin mitigated LPS-induced reduction in HOK viability and elevation of apoptosis. It also weakened LPS-induced upregulation of miR-22. Quercetin treatment led to significantly higher levels of p-PI3K, p-AKT, p-JAK1, and p-STAT3. These effects of quercetin were enhanced when miR-22 was knocked down and partly reversed when miR-22 was overexpressed. CONCLUSION: Quercetin can mitigate LPS-induced injury in HOKs by downregulating miR-22, thereby activating PI3K/AKT and JAK1/STAT3 cascades.

[Effects of sodium butyrate on intestinal barrier of severe scald mice and the related mechanism].

Objective: To investigate the effects of sodium butyrate on intestinal barrier of the severe scald mice and the related mechanism. Methods: Eighteen C57BL/6 female mice, aged eight to twelve weeks, were divided into sham scald group, pure scald group, and scald+ sodium butyrate group according to random number table, with 6 mice in each group. Back of each mouse in pure scald group and scald+ sodium butyrate group were immersed into 90 ℃ water for 9 s, causing full-thickness scald of 30% total body surface area, while back of each mouse in sham scald group were immersed into 37 ℃ water for 9 s, causing sham injury. All of the mice in 3 groups were intraperitoneally injected with 1 mL sterile lactated Ringer's solution immediately after injury. Besides, mice in scald+ sodium butyrate group were intraperitoneally injected with 300 mg/kg sodium butyrate at 30 min before injury and immediately after injury, while mice in sham scald group and pure scald group were intraperitoneally injected with the same volume of sterile phosphate buffer solution. At post injury hour (PIH) 24, portal vein of mice in 3 groups was harvested, intestinal permeability was measured by fluorescin isothiocyanate-dextran fluorescence probe tracing method, then lileal tissue of mice in 3 groups was harvested, protein expressions of zonula occludens l (ZO-1), occludin, claudin-1, claudin-2, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and IL-18 were detected by Western blotting, and distribution of ZO-1 in intestinal mucosa was observed by indirect immunofluorescence. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance, least-significant difference test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: (1) At PIH 24, the intestinal permeability of mice in sham scald group, pure scald group, and scald+ sodium butyrate group was 0.88±0.19, 2.62±0.48, 1.23±0.16, respectively. Compared with that in sham scald group, the intestinal permeability of mice in pure scald group was significantly elevated (P<0.01), while the intestinal permeability of mice in scald+ sodium butyrate group showed no obvious change (P>0.05). Compared with that in pure scald group, the intestinal permeability of mice in scald+ sodium butyrate group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). (2) At PIH 24, compared with those in sham scald group, the protein expressions of ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-1 of mice in pure scald group and scald+ sodium butyrate group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the protein expression of claudin-2 was significantly increased (P<0.05). At PIH 24, compared with those of pure scald group, the protein expressions of ZO-1 and occludin of mice in scald+ sodium butyrate group were significantly elevated (P<0.05), while the protein expression of claudin-2 was significantly decreased (P<0.05), the protein expression of claudin-1 showed no significant difference (P>0.05). (3) At PIH 24, compared with those in sham scald group, the protein expressions of NLRP3, IL-1ß, and IL-18 of mice in pure scald group and scald+ sodium butyrate group were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with those of pure scald group, the protein expressions of NLRP3, IL-1ß, and IL-18 of mice in scald+ sodium butyrate group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). (4) At PIH 24, ZO-1 in intestinal mucosa of mice in sham scald group was distributed smoothly, continuously and homogeneously along the membrane. ZO-1 in intestinal mucosa of mice in pure scald group was distributed unsmoothly with breaks. The distribution of ZO-1 in intestinal mucosa of mice in scald+ sodium butyrate group was ameliorated compared with that in pure scald group. Conclusions: Sodium butyrate can inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and decrease the production of IL-1ß and IL-18 in intestinal mucosa of severe scald mice, which protects the intestinal barrier function by alleviating the alteration of tight junction protein expression and localization.

[Application of CiteSpace software in the visualization analysis of work-related musculoskeletal disorders].

Objective: To investigate the visual application of the CiteSpace software in the field of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) . Methods: The literature on WMSDs research, published from 1991 to 2017, was retrieved in Web of Science database. The CiteSpace 5.2 was used to make visualization analysis on the hotspots and tendency of the keywords, authors, countries (regions) and research institutes in relevant literature. Results: A total of 3224 literatures were included in the analysis. The amount of the literatures published was increasing annually. The key word co-occurrence network showed that the research hotspots mainly focused on the study of epidemiology, risk factors, symptoms, and other aspects of WMSDs. The cooperation network and time network of counties and regions showed that America and Europe were at the leading position in the field of WMSD, and the top three were America, Canada and Sweden. The developing countries, like Brazil and China, had also begun to make relative research since 2000. In research cooperation, the collaboration among countries, research institutions was relatively close, and multiple leading core authors and teams were formed in the international arena. Conclusion: The CiteSpace software can directly demonstrate the hotspots and tendency in the area of WMSDs.

[Significance of intestinal fatty acid binding protein in evaluation of intestinal barrier dysfunction of mice at early stage of severe burn injury].

Objective: To investigate the significance of intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP) in the evaluation of intestinal barrier dysfunction of mice at the early stage of severe burn injury. Methods: Thirty-six 8-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were collected and divided into normal control group (n=6) and scald group (n=30) according to random number table. Back of each mouse in scald group was placed into hot water of 90 ℃ for 10 s, causing full-thickness scald (hereinafter refer to as burn) of 30% total body surface area, while mice in normal control group were not inflicted with burns. Six mice in normal control group were taken, and 6 mice in scald group at 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 h post injury were taken respectively. The portal vein blood of each mouse was extracted and the plasma was separated to measure intestinal permeability with fluorescin isothiocyanate-dextran fluorescence probe tracing method and plasma IFABP content by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The distal ileum tissue of mice in normal control group and scald group at each time point post injury was collected to observe the morphology of the intestinal mucosa tissue by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and Student-Newman-Keuls test, and pearson correlation test was used to analyze the correlation between intestinal permeability and plasma IFABP content of burned mice. Results: (1) At 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 h post injury, the intestinal permeability of mice in scald group was 2.7±0.8, 5.4±2.5, 7.3±4.2, 12.4±6.1, 1.4±0.7, respectively, obviously higher than 1.0±0.4 of normal control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The intestinal permeability of mice in scald group showed an increasing trend post injury, reaching the peak at 12 h post injury, and rapidly falling back at 24 h post injury. (2) At 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 h post injury, the plasma IFABP content of mice in scald group was (64±11), (59±12), (76±18), (111±22), and (66±10) ng/mL, obviously higher than (35±8) ng/mL in normal control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The plasma IFABP content of mice in scald group showed an increasing trend post injury, reaching the peak at 12 h post injury, and rapidly decreasing at 24 h post injury. (3) Uniform thickness of mucosa, intact epithelia, regularly arranged villi, and no inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in ileum of mice in normal control group. In ileum of mice in scald group, shortened villi of mucosa with different degrees, edema of lamina propria, and infiltration of neutrophils were observed at 1 and 2 h post injury; obviously damaged and partially exfoliated ileal mucosa, disorderly arranged and broken villi, degenerated and necrotic epithelial cells, dilated central lacteal, and infiltration of lymphocytes and neutrophils were observed at 6 and 12 h post injury; the damage of ileal mucosa was alleviated, and basically intact epithelia, dilated central lacteal, and infiltration of inflammatory cells were observed at 24 h post injury. (4) There was a significantly positive correlation between the intestinal permeability and the plasma IFABP content of burned mice (r=0.841, P<0.05). Conclusions: The plasma IFABP can be used as a good biological indicator for the evaluation of intestinal barrier dysfunction of mice at the early stage of severe burn injury.

[Changes of local vaginal immune regulation in rats infected with vulvovaginal candidiasis].

Objective: To study the disease process of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) infection in rat model of VVC, and to study the immuno-repairing effect of different treatments on vaginal epithelium and the ultra-structural changes of vaginal epithelial cells. Methods: The VVC model of female rats were established. After successful modeling, the rats were treated with no treatment (model control group), nystatin and Kangfu Xiaoyan suppository. The vaginal epithelium was observed by transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemical staining. The ultra-structural changes of epithelial cells and the expression of cytokines interferon γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL) 4, IL-17 and IgG in epithelial cells were observed and analyzed statistically. Results: The negative conversion rate of model control group was 0, and that of nystatin group was 6/6, and that of Kangfu Xiaoyan suppository group was 5/6; significant difference existed between nystatin, Kangfu Xiaoyan suppository group and model control group (P<0.05). The ultrastructures of vaginal epithelial cells were damaged obviously after VVC infection, and the ultrastructures were repaired by nystatin and Kangfu Xiaoyan suppository under transmission electron microscope. Immunohistochemical staining showed, the expressions of IFN-γ and IgG in the four cytokines which played a protective role increased after Kangfu Xiaoyan suppository treatment, significantly different from that of model control group (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences of the IFN-γ and IgG expression between Kangfu Xiaoyan suppository group and those of nystatin group (P>0.05); the expression of IL-17 was increased after nystatin treatment, but decreased after Kangfu Xiaoyan suppository treatment, and the difference between the two groups had statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusions: The ultrastructure of vaginal epithelial cells after VVC infection could be damaged obviously, the local immune state is disordered, and the antifungal drug nystatin has a good therapeutic effect on VVC, it could significantly repair the damaged vaginal epithelium structure after VVC infection and strengthen the protective immune function of vaginal epithelium. Kangfu Xiaoyan suppository, one of Chinese medicine, has similar therapeutic effect with nystatin.

[Effects of artesunate combined with bortezomib on apoptosis and autophagy of acute myeloid leukemia cells in vitro and its mechanism].

Objective: To investigate the effects of artesunate combined with bortezomib on the proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy of human acute myeloid leukemia cell lines MV4-11, and its mechanisms. Methods: MTT method was used to determine the anti-proliferation effect of different concentrations of artesunate, bortezomib and their combination on MV4-11 cells. The cell apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of cleaved-Caspase-3, Bcl-2 family protein (Bcl-2, Mcl-1, Bim, Bax) and autophagy-related protein LC3B were assayed by Western blot. Results: Artesunate displayed a proliferation inhibition effect on MV4-11 with dose- and time-dependent manner, the IC(50) of artesunate on MV4-11 after 48 hours was 1.44 µg/ml. Bortezomib displayed a proliferation inhibition effect on MV4-11 with dose-dependent manner, the IC(50) of bortezomib on MV4-11 after 48 hours was 8.97 nmol/L. The combination of artesunate (0.75, 1.0 µg/ml) and Bortezomib (6, 8 nmol/L) showed higher inhibition on MV4-11 than artesunate or bortezomib alone in the same concentration gradient after 48 hours (P<0.05) . The cooperation index of the two drugs were all less than 1. The 48 h apoptotic rate of artesunate (1.5 µg/ml) on MV4-11 was (15.27±2.18) %, (19.85±3.23) % of bortezomib (8 nmol/L) , (81.67±5.96) % of combination of the two drugs, significantly higher than the single group (P<0.05) . When combination of the two drugs on MV4-11 after 24 hours, the levels of pro-apoptotic protein Bim and the cleaved activation of Caspase-3 and autophagy-related protein LC3B were up-regulated and the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 expressions was down-regulated. Conclusion: Combination of artesunate with bortezomib shows a significant synergistic effects on proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy of MV4-11 cell lines, which may be associated with Bcl-2 family proteins expression.

[Research on the reliability and validity of postural workload assessment method and the relation to work-related musculoskeletal disorders of workers].

OBJECTIVE: To form a new assessment method to evaluate postural workload comprehensively analyzing the dynamic and static postural workload for workers during their work process to analyze the reliability and validity, and to study the relation between workers' postural workload and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). METHODS: In the study, 844 workers from electronic and railway vehicle manufacturing factories were selected as subjects investigated by using the China Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (CMQ) to form the postural workload comprehensive assessment method. The Cronbach's α, cluster analysis and factor analysis were used to assess the reliability and validity of the new assessment method. Non-conditional Logistic regression was used to analyze the relation between workers' postural workload and WMSDs. RESULTS: Reliability of the assessment method for postural workload: internal consistency analysis results showed that Cronbach's α was 0.934 and the results of split-half reliability indicated that Spearman-Brown coefficient was 0.881 and the correlation coefficient between the first part and the second was 0.787. Validity of the assessment method for postural workload: the results of cluster analysis indicated that square Euclidean distance between dynamic and static postural workload assessment in the same part or work posture was the shortest. The results of factor analysis showed that 2 components were extracted and the cumulative percentage of variance achieved 65.604%. The postural workload score of the different occupational workers showed significant difference (P<0.05) by covariance analysis. The results of nonconditional Logistic regression indicated that alcohol intake (OR=2.141, 95%CI 1.337-3.428) and obesity (OR=3.408, 95%CI 1.629-7.130) were risk factors for WMSDs. The risk for WMSDs would rise as workers' postural workload rose (OR=1.035, 95%CI 1.022-1.048). There was significant different risk for WMSDs in the different groups of workers distinguished by work type, gender and age. Female workers exhibited a higher prevalence for WMSDs (OR=2.626, 95%CI 1.414-4.879) and workers between 30-40 years of age (OR=1.909, 95%CI 1.237-2.946) as compared with those under 30. CONCLUSION: This method for comprehensively assessing postural workload is reliable and effective when used in assembling workers, and there is certain relation between the postural workload and WMSDs.

[Effects of short chain fatty acid on barrier disruption of human intestinal epithelial cell induced by endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide and the related mechanism].

Objective: To investigate the effects of short chain fatty acid (SCFA) on barrier disruption of human intestinal epithelial cell induced by endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the related mechanism. Methods: The human intestinal epithelial cell line Caco-2 was used to reproduce monolayer-cells. Cells were divided into control group, LPS group, and SCFA+ LPS group according to the random number table. Cells in control group were only routinely cultured with DMEM medium. Cells in LPS group were cultured with DMEM medium and LPS with final mass concentration of 10 µg/mL. Cells in SCFA+ LPS group were cultured with DMEM medium, LPS and SCFA (consisting of 0.5 mmol/L acetate, 0.01 mmol/L propionate, and 0.01 mmol/L butyrate) with final mass concentration of 10 µg/mL. At post culture hour (PCH) 0, 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24, transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) of cells was determined with an ohmmeter, with sample number of 72. Another portion of cells were divided and treated as above, and then Western blotting was employed to detect the protein expressions of zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1), occludin, and claudin-1 at PCH 24, with sample number of 6. Another portion of cells were divided and treated as above and then immunofluorescence was used to observe cellular morphology and distribution of ZO-1. Data were processed with analysis of variance of factorial design, one-way analysis of variance, least-significant difference test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: (1) Compared with that in control group, TER of cells in LPS group was significantly reduced from PCH 1 to 24 (P<0.01), while TER of cells in SCFA+ LPS group showed no obvious change (P>0.05). TER of cells in SCFA+ LPS group was significantly higher than that in LPS group from PCH 1 to 24 (P<0.01). (2) Compared with the protein expressions of ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-1 of cells in control group (1.25±0.10, 1.17±0.04, and 1.24±0.20), those of cells in LPS group (0.74±0.23, 0.76±0.11, and 0.77±0.11) at PCH 24 were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while those of cells in SCFA+ LPS group (1.23±0.46, 1.05±0.09, and 1.01±0.13) showed no significant differences (P>0.05). Protein expressions of occludin and claudin-1 of cells in SCFA+ LPS group were significantly higher than those in LPS group at PCH 24 (P<0.05). Protein expression of ZO-1 of cells in SCFA+ LPS group was higher than that in LPS group at PCH 24 with no significant difference (P>0.05). (3) At PCH 24, cells in control group were compact in arrangement with pebble-like appearance, and ZO-1 was distributed smoothly and continuously along the cell membrane. In LPS group, cells were sparse in arrangement with change in appearance, and ZO-1 was distributed uncontinuously along the cell membrane with curls and breaks. In SCFA+ LPS group, the appearance of cells and distribution of ZO-1 were remarkably ameliorated compared with those in LPS group. Conclusions: SCFA can alleviate the barrier disruption of human intestinal epithelial cell induced by LPS through interdicting the abnormal distribution of ZO-1 and decrease of TER and tight junction proteins' expressions.

Influence of Hydrostatic Pressure on the Corrosion Behavior of Superhydrophobic Surfaces on Bare and Oxidized Aluminum Substrates.

It is generally recognized that superhydrophobic surfaces in water may be used for corrosion resistance due to the entrapped air in the solid/liquid interface and could find potential applications in the protection of ship hull. For a superhydrophobic surface, as its immersion depth into water increases, the resultant hydrostatic pressure is also increased, and the entrapped air can be squeezed out much more easily. It is therefore predicted that high hydrostatic pressure would cause an unexpected decrease in corrosion resistance for the vessels in deep water (e.g., submarines) because of the unstable entrapped air. In this work, in order to clarify the role of hydrostatic pressure in the corrosion behavior of superhydrophobic surfaces, two typical superhydrophobic surfaces (SHSs) were prepared on bare and oxidized aluminum substrates, respectively, and then were immersed into the NaCl aqueous solutions with different depths of ∼0 cm (hydrostatic pressure ∼0 kPa), 10 cm (1 kPa), and 150 cm (15 kPa). It was found out for the SHSs on the oxidized Al, as the hydrostatic pressure increased, the corrosion behavior became severe. However, for the SHSs on the bare Al, their corrosion behavior was complex due to hydrostatic pressure. It was found that the corrosion resistance under 1 kPa was the highest. Further mechanism analysis revealed that this alleviated corrosion behavior under 1 kPa resulted from suppressing the oxygen diffusion through the liquid and reducing the subsequent corrosion rate as compared with 0 kPa, whereas the relatively low hydrostatic pressure (HP) could stabilize the entrapped air and hence enhance the corrosion resistance, compared with 15 kPa. The present study therefore provided a fundamental understanding for the applications of SHSs to prevent the corrosion, especially for various vessels in deep water.

Dynamic corrosion behavior of superhydrophobic surfaces.

For superhydrophobic surfaces immersed in water, a thin layer of air could be entrapped in the solid/liquid interface. This air may hinder the diffusion of dissolved corrosive species (such as Cl- ions in water) to the metallic substrate and, consequently, protect the metal from corrosion. However, in the dynamic water, the relative motion between the solid and the liquid would labilize the entrapped air and, consequently, decrease the corrosion resistance. In this work, to clarify the role of water flow velocity in such corrosion behavior, a superhydrophobic surface on aluminum substrates coded as Al-HCl-H2O-BT-SA was prepared by sequential treatment with HCl, boiling water, bis-(γ-triethoxysilylpropyl)-tetrasulfide (KH-Si69, BT) and stearic acid (SA). The contrast samples coded as Al-HCl-BT-SA, Al-HCl-H2O-SA, and Al-HCl-SA were also prepared similarly by omitting the treatment in boiling-water, the BT passivation, and the treatment in boiling-water/passivation by BT, respectively. These samples were then immersed into an aqueous solution of NaCl with different flow velocity (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 m s-1), and its dynamic corrosion behavior was investigated. The results showed that, as the flow velocity increased, the corrosion resistance of the Al-HCl-H2O-BT-SA sample indeed deteriorated. However, compared with the contrast samples of Al-HCl-BT-SA, Al-HCl-H2O-SA, and Al-HCl-SA, the deterioration in corrosion resistance for the Al-HCl-H2O-BT-SA sample was much lower, implying that the dynamic corrosion resistance of the superhydrophobic surfaces was closely related with the micro-structures and the organic passivated layers. The present study therefore provided a fundamental understanding for the applications of superhydrophobic samples to prevent the corrosion, especially, for various vessels in dynamic water.