[The principle and practice of vidian neurectomy].

The latest research findings on bidirectional regulation of neuro-immunity through traditional neural circuits shed new light on the theoretical basis of the role of vidian neurectomy (VN). This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of VN, including the history of VN, the principle of neuroimmuno-interaction, the applied anatomy of VN as well as the methods of transnasal endoscopic surgery. Additionally, we introduce the concept of the nose-brain axis, which was proposed based on the advancement in the area of neuro-immune interactions.

[Diagnosis and treatment of periprosthetic fracture after medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty].

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is an effective treatment for end-stage anteromedial osteoarthritis of the knee. Medial tibial plateau fracture or femoral condyle fracture may occur after UKA, and its treatment is very challenging. The causes leading to this complication include: surgical technique errors, such as the weakening of posterior cortical strength of the tibial platform during operation, the reduction of bone mass due to too much tibial osteotomy, and the stress concentration in the bone bed due to bad alignment of the prosthesis, etc. Prosthesis design factors, such as press-fit fixation design of cementless UKA prosthesis, and multiple nail holes fixation for tibial osteotomy guide, etc. And the morphology of tibial plateau, such as tibial platform in Asian people with narrow and small shap and medial overhanging condyles. Correct selection of patients, strict surgical principles and standardized surgical techniques are the keys to prevent periprosthetic fractures during and after medial UKA. After the diagnosis is confirmed, the treatment choice mainly depends on the fracture pattern and the stability of the prosthesis.

[Effect of endoscopic vidian neurectomy in patients with coexisting allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical significance of endoscopic vidian neurectomy (EVN) on outcomes in patients with coexisting refractory allergic rhinitis (AR) and bronchial asthma, and to analyze its influence factor. Methods: Clinical data of 109 patients with moderate to severe persistent intractable AR and bronchial asthma who were allocated to the bilateral EVN group (surgery group, 70 cases) or conservative medication group (drug group, 39 cases) from 1 May 2008 to 30 April 2013 in Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University were retrospectively analyzed, including 47 cases of male and 62 cases of female aged (32.7±6.8) years.Ninety-five patients were followed up for at least 3 years. The Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), Total Asthma Symptom Score (TASS), forced expiratory volume in 1 second of predicted (FEV1) and medication scores were evaluated at 6 months, 1 year and 3 years after undergoing the initial treatments in the two groups. Multiple factor analysis was used to determine the factors influencing the improvement after EVN. Results: Postoperative scores of RQLQ were significantly lower than preoperative scores during follow-up in surgery group (the preoperative score and postoperative score at 6 months, 1 year, 3 years after operation was 2.39±0.61 (x±s), 0.81±0.43, 0.89±0.32, 1.06±0.24, respectively, all P<0.001). Postoperative scores of VAS were significantly lower than preoperative scores during follow-up in surgery group (the preoperative score and postoperative score at 6 months, 1 year,3 years after operation was 7.13±1.04, 2.52±1.47, 2.70±1.42, 2.85±1.64, respectively, all P<0.05). Scores of RQLQ and VAS in surgery group were significantly lower than those of drug group. Postoperative scores of AQLQ were significantly higher than preoperative scores during follow-up in surgery group (the preoperative score and postoperative score at 6 months, 1 year, 3 years after operation was 3.78±0.81, 4.99±0.45, 4.75±0.71, 4.62±0.64, respectively, all P<0.05), and were significantly higher than those of drug group. The TASS and FEV1 were not significantly changed in surgery group. The postoperative medication scores for AR were gradually reduced after surgery (the preoperative score and postoperative score at 6 months, 1 year, 3 years after operation was 0.99±0.21, 0.37±0.12, 0.39±0.26, 0.45±0.11, respectively, all P<0.05), and the postoperative medication scores for Asthma were gradually reduced after surgery too (the preoperative score and postoperative score at 6 months, 1 year, 3 years after operation was 1.27±0.31, 0.82±0.29, 0.85±0.23, 0.96±0.19, respectively, all P<0.05), and all the postoperative medication scores were significantly lower than those of drug group. At the end of the follow-up, the improvement rates for AR and asthma were 90.6% (58/64) and 45.3% (29/64), respectively. Asthma outcomes were significantly improved by controlling rhinitis symptoms in patients whose asthma attacks were induced by "rhinitis onset" or "climate change" . Conclusion: For patients with AR and bronchial asthma, EVN can significantly control AR symptoms, and improve asthma outcomes in patients whose asthma attacks are induced by rhinitis onset and/or climate change.

[Effect of mobile platform in improving compliance and efficacy of subcutaneous immunotherapy in children with allergic rhinitis].

Objective:To explore effect of mobile platform in improving compliance and efficacy of subcutaneous immunotherapy（SCIT） in children with allergic rhinitis（AR）. Method:From January to June 2018, 86 children diagnosed with AR and receiving SCIT were selected as research objects. According to the random sequence generated by the computer, the research objects were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group, with 43 cases in each group. The control group received conventional SCIT management, while the experimental group received mobile platform SCIT management relying on smart phones and computers. The SCIT shedding rate at the initial stage and the time taken to reach the maintenance period were compared between the two groups, as well as the visual simulation scale of rhinitis symptoms, four-point score and rhinoconjunctivia-related quality of life scores before and at the 6th month after the intervention. Result:There was no statistically significant difference in the initial SCIT shedding rate between the two groups（P>0.05）, and the average duration of the maintenance period of the experimental group was shorter than that of the control group, with statistically significant difference（P<0.05）. At the 6th month after intervention, there was no statistically significant difference in the scores of rhinitis symptoms by the four-point method between the two groups（P>0.05）, and there were statistically significant differences in the visual simulation scale of rhinitis symptoms and the scores of children's rhinoconjunctivia-related quality of life（P<0.05）. Conclusion:This study confirmed that the application of a mobile platform is of great significance for improving compliance and the treatment effects of SCIT in children with AR.

[Research progress in the establishment of allergic rhinitis mouse model].

The number of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) have been increasing in the world. Establishment of AR model in mice is an important method for the study of this disease. However, there is still no consensus standard for the modeling methods, selection of allergens and adjuvants, and evaluation parameter of AR modeling. Here, we introduce the advancement of AR mouse model in recent years from the above, and provide evidence of references for the standardized process of AR mouse model establishment.

Long non-coding RNA Dleu2 affects proliferation, migration and invasion ability of laryngeal carcinoma cells through triggering miR-16-1 pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Laryngeal cancer is a common malignant tumor in the head and neck, which affects swallowing, breathing, and pronunciation function. In recent years, many long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to be involved in the progression of cancer with the development of gene sequencing, transcriptomics, and bioinformatics. LncRNA Dleu2 is a cancer-related lncRNA that down-regulates tumor progression in a variety of cancers. However, its possible effects and related signaling pathway in the development of laryngeal cancer are not clear. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Real-time PCR was applied to test lncRNA Dleu2 and microRNA-16-1 (miR-16-1) expressions in laryngeal carcinoma tissues. LncRNA Dleu2 and miR-16-1 levels were over-expressed by transfection. Cell proliferation was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell migration was evaluated by using wound-healing assay. Cell invasion was determined by using transwell assay. RESULTS: LncRNA Dleu2 and miR-16-1 levels were significantly declined in the laryngeal carcinoma tissue compared to para-carcinoma tissue (p < 0.05). LncRNA Dleu2 and miR-16-1 up-regulation significantly reduced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Ago-miR16-1 transfection significantly enhanced the luciferase activity of wild-type Dleu2 compared to control group (p < 0.05), suggesting their interaction with each other. CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA Dleu2 influences the proliferation, migration, and invasion of laryngeal cancer cells through miR-16-1. Therefore, lncRNA Dleu2 and miR-16-1 may serve as potential biomarkers and targets for laryngeal cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Energy level splitting of CdS nanocrystals.

CdS nanocrystals have been fabricated using mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) as the stabilizing agent and Na(2)S as a sulfur source. The structure and morphology of the CdS nanocrystals have been measured by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Energy level splitting was observed in the UV-VIS optical absorption spectrum of small CdS nanocrystals; the main absorption peak splits into three separate peaks, which are considered to be three discrete sub-energy levels of the 1S electronic state of the CdS nanocrystals.

Optical absorption and valence band photoemission from uncapped CdTe nanocrystals.

CdTe nanocrystals have been successfully fabricated by a mechanical alloying process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns demonstrate that a single-phase CdTe compound with a zinc blende structure has been formed after ball milling elemental Cd and Te mixture powders for 27 h. The large broadening effect for the width of the {111} diffraction peak of uncapped CdTe nanocrystals on smaller size was observed in slowly scanned XRD patterns. The X-ray photoelectron spectrum was used to study the surface of the uncapped CdTe nanocrystals within both core level and valence band regions. The presence of tellurium oxide film on the surface of the uncapped CdTe nanocrystals has been detected in the X-ray photoelectron spectrum of the Te 3d core level, which was comparable to the observed amorphous oxide thin layer on the surface of uncapped CdTe nanocrystals in a high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) image. The energy of the valence band maximum for uncapped CdTe powders blue shifts to the higher energy side with smaller particle sizes. In UV-visible optical absorption spectra of the suspension solution containing uncapped CdTe nanocrystals, the absorption peaks were locating within the ultraviolet region, which shifted toward the higher energy side with prolonged ball milling time. Both blue shifts of valence band maximum energy and absorption peaks with decreasing particle size provide a unique pathway to reveal the quantum confinement effect of uncapped CdTe nanocrystals.

The prevalence of musculoskeletal problems and risk factors among women assembly workers in the semiconductor industry.

A cross-sectional study to determine work-related musculoskeletal problems and ergonomic risk factors was conducted among 529 women semiconductor workers. Overall, 83.4% had musculoskeletal symptoms in the last one year. Pain in the back (57.8%), lower leg (48.4%) and shoulder (44.8%) were the three most common musculoskeletal problems. Significant associations were found between prolonged standing and upper and lower leg pain, between prolonged sitting and neck and shoulder pain and between prolonged bending and shoulder arm, back and upper leg pain. The study therefore showed a clear association between work-related musculoskeletal pain and prolonged hours spent in particular postures and movements.

[A nasopharyngeal carcinoma negatively related EST on 7q32].

To isolate and clone the tumor suppressor gene on chromosomal region 7q32 that corelated with the occurrence of human NPC, we detected the genotype of polymorphic microsatellite markers on 7q32 in 24 nasopharyngeal carcinoma biopsies and matched normal lymphocyte DNA. LOH was found in 30% biopsies. Using differential RT-PCR and Northern hybridization we compared the expression level of 20 EST on 7q32 between NPC cell line HNE1 and primary culture of normal nasopharyngeal epithelial cell, and found AA070437 EST expressed high in primary culture of normal nasopharyngeal epithelial cell, but very low in HNE1. Differential RT-PCR (dRT-PCR) analysis showed that the expression level of AA070437 was lower in 30.7% NPC biopses than in normal cell. Differential PCR (dPCR) showed that allelic loss of AA070437 was observed in 29.1% NPC biopses. This EST is a part of sequence of a new gene compared with GeneBank database. Our results showed that AA070437 EST negatively related with the occurrence of human NPC is a candidate of tumor suppressor gene of NPC on 7q32.

Ergonomic task analysis in electronics industries: some case studies.

The analyses of a few tasks were carried out in an electronics factory. The main objectives are to identify the ergonomic and biomechanical hazards of problem work tasks, to analyze each task systematically in order to evaluate the workers' exposures to the risk factors of force, posture pressure and repetition and to make recommendations to reduce the risks and hazards. The methodology includes objective measures--detailed analysis by going through training manuals, job description and production records. Subjective measures include interviewing the operator and supervisors informally, the operators were also required to fill in a structured questionnaire. The paper concludes by making recommendations to reduce the ergonomic hazards by engineering solutions, redesign or administrative controls or the implementation of procedures.

[A study of T-lymphocyte subsets, IL-2 production and IL-2 receptor expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

T lymphocyte subsets, IL-2 production and IL-2 receptor expression were detected in PBLs of 31 NPC patients and 28 normal subjects and of normal PBLs populations under the influence of serum of NPC patients. The results were as follows: CD4+ and IL-2 receptor expression, CD4+:CD8+ ratios and IL-2 production were significantly depressed and CD8+-significantly elevated in PBLs of NPC patients before radiation and of normal PBLs populations under the influence of the serum of NPC patients. CD8+ was significantly decreased and CD4+, IL-2 production and IL-2 receptor expression were depressed in patients after radiation. These suggest that cellular immunity and immunoregulation are impaired in NPC patients before and after radiation.

G-protein-linked serotonin receptors in mouse kidney exhibit identical properties to 5-HT1b receptors in brain.

The serotonin 1b (5-HT1b) receptor is thought to mediate both pre- and postsynaptic actions of serotonin. Until recently 5-HT1b sites were thought to be present only in rodent brain. We now report the presence of high-affinity [125I]iodocyanopindolol [( 125I] ICYP) binding sites in the mouse renal medulla with properties identical to those of brain 5-HT1b receptors. In vitro receptor autoradiography demonstrates that [125I]ICYP binding is highly localized to the outer stripe of the renal medulla. Association and dissociation kinetics, saturation analysis and competition displacement analyses indicate that renal medullary [125I]ICYP binding sites exhibit identical properties with brain 5-HT1b receptors. Incubation of renal medullary or brain membranes with guanylimidodiphosphate results in a decreased affinity of 5-HT1b sites for 5-HT and [125I]ICYP; this can be reversed by the addition of a purified mixture of G proteins (Gi/Go). Treatment of brain or kidney membranes with N-ethylmaleimide results in a decrease in 5-HT1b binding which can also be restored by reconstitution with purified G proteins. Adenylyl cyclase from renal medullary homogenates or minces can be stimulated more than 3-fold by forskolin and attenuated by 5-HT. These results indicate that mouse kidney contains high-affinity 5-HT1b receptors with identical properties to those found in brain. These are localized in the outer stripe of the renal medulla and are functionally coupled to adenylyl cyclase inhibitor (Gi) G-proteins.

G protein dependent alterations in [125I]iodocyanopindolol and +/- cyanopindolol binding at 5-HT1B binding sites in rat brain membranes.

Several manipulations that affect G protein/receptor coupling also alter the binding of [125I]iodocyanopindolol ([125I]ICYP) and [corrected] +/- cyanopindolol (+/- CYP) to rat brain 5-HT1B binding sites in radioligand binding assays. Inclusion of 5 mM MgSO4 in these assays results in a small but significant increase in the affinity of [125I]ICYP (from KD = 0.046 nM to KD = 0.037 nM). In contrast, 100 microM Gpp(NH)p, GTP, or GDP reduce [125I]ICYP affinity (KD = 0.056 nM with GTP) while ATP and GMP are less effective. +/- CYP affinity for 5-HT1B sites labeled by [3H]dihydroergotamine [( 3H]DE) also displays a small but significant reduction (from Ki = 1.4 nM to Ki = 3.5nM) by the inclusion of 100 microM GTP. Pre-treatment of the brain membranes with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) in concentrations known to inactivate many G proteins reduces 5-HT1B specific binding of [125I]ICYP. The NEM induced reduction in [125I]ICYP binding can be reversed by reconstitution with purified exogenous G proteins (Go and Gi), demonstrating directly that high affinity binding of [125I]ICYP to 5-HT1B sites is dependent on G proteins. The effects of Mg2+ ion, guanine nucleotides, NEM and G protein reconstitution on [125I]ICYP and +/- CYP binding are all hallmarks of agonist binding to G protein linked receptors. The effect of GTP, however, is quantitatively much less for the binding of these pindolol derivatives than for the binding of 5-HT, a presumed full agonist at 5-HT1B sites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Differential inactivation and G protein reconstitution of subtypes of [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine binding sites in brain.

The sulfhydryl reagents p-chloromercuribenzoate and N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) inactivate high affinity [3H]serotonin [( 3H]5-HT) binding to bovine and rat brain membranes in a concentration-dependent manner. In both species, 15-25% of total specific high affinity [3H]5-HT binding is relatively insensitive to NEM. This study examines the NEM sensitivity of the various high affinity [3H]5-HT binding subtypes, using selective ligands, tissues, and pharmacological masks to study each subtype. Reconstitution of NEM-inactivated binding by addition of GTP-binding proteins (G proteins, Gi and Go) is also described. Agonist binding to 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, and 5-HT1D sites in rat brain and to 5-HT1A and 5-HT1D sites in bovine brain is sensitive to NEM. Binding of [3H]dihydroergotamine and [125I]iodocyanopindolol, both of which are weak partial agonists to 5-HT1B sites is relatively insensitive to NEM. Binding of [3H]5-HT to 5-HT1C sites in rat and bovine brain and choroid plexus is relatively insensitive to NEM. In the presence of spiperone to mask binding of 5-HT2 sites, binding of antagonist [( 3H]mesulergine) to 5-HT1C sites is also insensitive to NEM. Likewise, binding of the agonist [3H]4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenylisopropylamine and of the antagonist [3H]ketanserin to 5-HT2 sites is not inhibited by NEM treatment of membranes. These findings suggest that agonist binding to 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, and 5-HT1D sites is sensitive to NEM alkylation. Binding of neither agonist nor antagonist to 5-HT1C and 5-HT2 sites is sensitive to NEM. Inability of high concentrations of a variety of ligands to protect the sensitive binding sites against NEM inactivation indicates that the critical sulfhydryl group(s) are not located in the ligand binding domain of the NEM-sensitive binding sites. When membranes are treated with NEM, displacement of [125I]iodocyanopindolol by 5-HT is no longer sensitive to 5'-guanylyl imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p). Gpp(NH)p sensitivity of agonist displacement of 5-HT1B binding to NEM-treated membranes is restored by addition of purified guanine nucleotide binding proteins (Gi plus Go). In addition, NEM-inactivated binding to 5-HT1A and 5-HT1D sites can be restored by addition of Gi plus Go. These data suggest that NEM exerts its effects on 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, and 5-HT1D binding sites by inactivating the G protein(s) associated with the 5-HT receptor subtypes.

Ascorbic acid prevents nonreceptor "specific" binding of [3H]-5-hydroxytryptamine to bovine cerebral cortex membranes.

[3H]-5-Hydroxytryptamine ([3H]-5-HT) decomposes rapidly when exposed to air in solution at physiological pH if antioxidants are not present. The decomposition products appear to bind to two saturable sites on brain membranes (apparent Kd values = 1-2 and 100-1000 nM). This binding mimics "specific" ligand/receptor binding in that it is inhibited by 10 microM unlabeled 5-HT. This inhibition is not competitive, but rather is due to the prevention of [3H]-5-HT breakdown by excess unlabeled 5-HT. Unlike genuine ligand/receptor binding, the binding of [3H]-5-HT breakdown products is essentially irreversible and does not display a tissue distribution consistent with binding to authentic 5-HT receptors. [3H]-5-HT decomposition can be eliminated by the inclusion of 0.05 to 5 mM ascorbic acid. At these concentrations ascorbic acid is not deleterious to reversible [3H]-5-HT binding. When [3H] 5-HT exposure to air occurs in the presence of brain membranes, the apparent antioxidant activity of brain membranes themselves affords protection against [3H]-5-HT degradation equal to ascorbic acid. This protection is effective below final [3H]-5-HT concentrations of 10 nM. Above 10 nM [3H]-5-HT, addition of ascorbic acid or other antioxidants is necessary to avoid the occurrence of additional low affinity (apparent Kd = 15-2000 nM) binding sites that are specific but nonetheless irreversible. When care is taken to limit [3H]-5-HT oxidation, the only reversible and saturable specific binding sites observed are of the 5-HT1 high affinity (Kd = 1-2 nM) type. Radioligand oxidation artifacts may be involved in previous reports of low affinity (Kd = 15-250 nM) [3H]-5-HT binding sites in brain membrane preparations.