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Microorganism activities are considered the main cause of most food spoilage, leading to great economic losses. Pseudomonas fluorescens is a Gram-negative bacterium that is widely found in food and has high spoilage activity. RpoS is considered an important global regulator involved in stress survival and virulence in many pathogens. Thus, it is very possible that RpoS plays an important role in spoilage regulation in P. fluorescens. In this study an in-frame deletion mutation of rpoS was constructed to explore its function in P. fluorescens. The results showed that RpoS positively regulated the resistance of P. fluorescens to H 2 O 2 , heat, ethanol and crystal violet, negatively regulated the resistance to acetic acid, and had no effect on the resistance to NaCl. Further studies indicated that acylated homoserine lactone (AHL) production and the transcription levels of five AHL-related genes were significantly decreased in the rpoS mutant compared with those in the wild-type strain. Interestingly, the two homologous genes coding for AHL synthases contained RpoS-dependent -10 elements, suggesting that AHL quorum sensing is directly regulated by RpoS. RpoS also contributed to the spoilage activities of P. fluorescens by regulating extracellular protease and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) production in sterilized salmon juice. Our results reveal that RpoS was a key regulatory factor involved in stress resistance, the AHL quorum sensing system, and spoilage potential of P. fluorescens. Our study may benefit food safety control and food preservation., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Waxberry-like core-shell SiO 2 @TiO 2 nanoparticles were prepared by liquid-phase deposition (LPD) method. The dip-coating self-assembly of waxberry-like core-shell SiO 2 @TiO 2 nanoparticles has been used to fabricate coatings with excellent antiglare properties in the large angle and wide wavelength range. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements showed that the surface of SiO 2 nanoparticles were coated by titania as a shell with controllable and uniform thickness. The ultraviolet visible near-infrared spectrophotometer (UV-Vis-NIR) results indicate that the maximum transmittance of the antiglare coating is up to 95.80% in the visible band, whereas that of the pure glass substrate is only 92.10%. The scattering and haze of the films have been measured to show that such specifically structured coatings exhibited good antiglare properties in the large angle and wide wavelength range., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

To explore nurses' experience and perceptions toward mobile learning, 397 nurses were investigated. All of them used mobile learning in the past one year through internet, e-books and WeChat. Smartphones were the most used mobile learning tools, followed by a tablet and laptop computer. The mean score of nurses' intention towards mobile learning was 12.1 (ranged from 7 to 15), and it related to nurses' gender, education background, expected effect, ease of operation, self-learning management and perceived interest. Nurses had positive perception toward mobile learning and enough conditions to promote nurses' mobile learning should be provided.

Although tacrolimus (Tac) has immunosuppressive properties and exhibits promising efficacy against graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), little is known about Tac in the prophylaxis of GVHD after HLA-haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT). In a multicenter randomized controlled trial, 174 patients received haplo-HSCT with GVHD prophylaxis involving short-term Tac (from -8days to +30days) or cyclosporine (CsA). The 100day cumulative incidences of acute GVHD (aGVHD) and grade III-IV aGVHD with the short-term Tac regimen and CsA regimen were 29.1 (19.5-38.7)% vs. 50.0(39.6-60.4)% (p=0.005) and 3.6(0.0-7.5)% vs. 13.5(6.1-20.9)% (p=0.027), respectively. There were no significant differences in the incidences of chronic GVHD (cGVHD), relapse and cytomegalovirus infection. Lymphocyte subset analysis showed that T cells decreased to lower levels on the short-term Tac regimen within 3 months of transplantation. The disease-free survival and overall survival on the short-term Tac and CsA regimens were 59.3 (48.9-69.7)% vs. 55.7 (45.3-66.1)% (p=0.696) and 65.1 (55.1-75.1)% vs. 61.4 (51.2-71.6)% (p=0.075), respectively. Our findings indicate that the short-term Tac regimen for GVHD prophylaxis in patients undergoing haplo-HSCT is associated with a low incidence and slight severity of aGVHD and did not increase the incidence of relapse and cytomegalovirus infection., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Objective: To understand the predominant β-lactamase genotypes and their carrying modes of Escherichia coli isolates in Zhejiang province, and the effects of β-lactam antibiotics on inducing or histidine kinase inhibitor closantel (CLO) on inhibiting the expression of β-lactamase genes., Methods: Micro-dilution method and E-test were applied to measure the resistant rate and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) in E. coli isolates against β-lactam antibiotics. PCR and sequence analysis of PCR products were conducted to detect the β-lactamase genotypes and their carrying modes. Real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR and β-lactamase confirmation test were performed to determine the influence of 1/4 MIC penicillin and cefotaxime, and CLO on the transcription and expression of β-lactamase genes in the resistant E. coli isolates., Results: Among the 462 E. coli strains isolated in Zhejiang, 285 (61.7%) were resistant to penicillin, ampicillin, cefoxitin, cefotaxim and ceftazidime. In the 285 resistant isolates, the detection rate of TEM or CTX-M β-lactamase gene (83.2% or 75.1%) was significantly higher than that of KPC, SHV or OXA β-lactamase gene (1.4%-10.2%) (P<0.01) and the carrying rate of two or more β-lactamase genes (68.8%) was also significantly higher than that of single β-lactamase gene (31.2%) (P<0.01), and 61.4% of the resistant isolates carried TEM+CTX-M genes (P<0.01). Except KPC gene, 1/4 MIC of cefotaxim and penicillin induced a rapid increase of TEM-mRNA, CTX-M-mRNA, SHV-mRNA or OXA-mRNA levels (P<0.01), but 50-500 µg/ml CLO inhibited these levels (P<0.01). After pre-treatment with 100 µg/ml CLO, 82.8%-85.6% of the resistant isolates became sensitive to β-lactam antibiotics (P<0.01), while the detection rate of β-lactamases was also decreased from 95.1% to 16.1% (P<0.01)., Conclusion: TEM and CTX-M are the predominant β-lactamase genotypes in E. coli isolates in Zhejiang and TEM+CTX-M is the predominant carrying mode of β-lactamase genes. Low concentrations of β-lactam antibiotics can up-regulate the expression levels of β-lactamase genes in E. coli through bacterial two-component signaling systems, but this effect can be inhibited by CLO, a histidine kinase inhibitor.

Recombinant protein SMB(PRG4) containing two Somatomedin B domains and a small amount of glycosylation of repetitive sequences of proteoglycan 4 was cloned according to PGR4 gene polymorphism. Mature purification process was established and recombinant protein SMB(PRG4), with high-level expression was purified. By using size-exclusion chromatogaraphy and dynamic light scattering, we found that the recombinant protein self-aggregate to dimeric form. Structure prediction and non-reducing electrophoresis revealed that SMB(PRG4), was a non-covalently bonded dimer.

HLA-haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) is an effective and immediate treatment for high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (HR-AML) patients lacking matched donors. Relapse remains the leading cause of death for HR-AML patients after haplo-HSCT. Accordingly, the prevention of relapse remains a challenge in the treatment of HR-AML. In a multicenter randomized controlled trial in southwestern China, 178 HR-AML patients received haplo-HSCT with conditioning regimens involving recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) or non-rhG-CSF. The cumulative incidences of relapse and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), 2-year leukemia-free survival (LFS), and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. HR-AML patients who underwent the priming conditioning regimen with rhG-CSF had a lower relapse rate than those who were treated with non-rhG-CSF (38.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 28.1% to 48.3% versus 60.7%, 95% CI, 50.5% to 70.8%; P < .01). The cumulative incidences of acute GVHD, chronic GVHD, transplantation-related toxicity, and infectious complications appeared to be equivalent. In total, 53 patients in the rhG-CSF-priming group and 31 patients in the non-rhG-CSF-priming group were still alive at the median follow-up time of 42 months (range, 24 to 80 months). The 2-year probabilities of LFS and OS in the rhG-CSF-priming and non-rhG-CSF-priming groups were 55.1% (95% CI, 44.7% to 65.4%) versus 32.6% (95% CI, 22.8% to 42.3%) (P < .01) and 59.6% (95% CI, 49.4% to 69.7%) versus 34.8% (95% CI, 24.9% to 44.7%) (P < .01), respectively. Multivariate analyses indicated that the 2-year probability of LFS of patients who achieved complete remission (CR) before transplantation was better than that of patients who did not achieve CR. The 2-year probability of LFS of patients with no M4/M5/M6 subtype was better than that of patients with the M4/M5/M6 subtype in the G-CSF-priming group (67.4%; 95% CI, 53.8% to 80.9% versus 41.9%; 95% CI, 27.1% to 56.6%; P < .05). This study suggests that the rhG-CSF-priming conditioning regimen is an acceptable choice for HR-AML patients, especially for the patients with no M4/M5/M6 subtype who achieved CR before transplantation., (Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background & Objectives: The association between α-adducin gene G614T polymorphism and essential hypertension (EH) is not clear. The present study was carried out to examine a possible association between α-adducin gene G614T mutation and essential hypertension in Chinese population., Methods: A total of 170 patients with essential hypertension (EH group) and 154 normotensive subjects (Control group) were genotyped for the cytoskeletal protein single nucleotide polymorphism G614T of the α-adducin gene by PCR-RFLP technique. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass index (BMI), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), left atrial diameter (LA DIA), left ventricular diameter (LV DIA) and other parameters were recorded in EH group., Results: There was significant association between EH and α-adducin genotypes (P<0.05). GT and TT genotypes in EH group had higher LDL levels as compared to GG carriers (P<0.05). The LDL concentration was significantly elevated in patients with GT and TT genotypes. The LDL levels also differed significantly in male patients with all the three genotypes., Interpretation & Conclusions: A significant association was found between ADD1 gene G614T polymorphism and EH in Chinese patients. Further studies need to be done to confirm these findings in a large sample.

Objective: To determine the distribution and the predominant gene carrying model of drug inactive enzyme genes in bacterial isolates, and the mechanism of its induction and inhibition., Methods: The β-lactam, aminoglycosides and macrolides inactive enzyme genes were detected by PCR and sequencing in S. aureus, E.coli, K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii and E. cloacae isolates. The expression of inactive enzyme genes were examined by real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR when the bacterial isolates were treated with antibiotics or a histidine kinase blocker closantel., Results: In 63 isolates of E.coli, 4 kinds of β-lactam, 2 aminoglycosides and 1 macrolides inactive enzyme-encoding genes were detected and the predominant gene-carrying models were [TEM+CTX-M]+aac(3)-II+mphA (25.4 %) and [TEM+CTX-M]+ aac (6')-I b (20.6%). In 24 isolates of S.aureus, 2 kinds of β-lactam and 3 aminoglycosides inactive enzyme-encoding genes were detected and the predominant gene-carrying models were aph (3')(41.7%) or aac (6)-I e-aph (2)-I a (25.0%). In 28 isolates of K.pneumoniae, 4 kinds of β-lactam and 2 aminoglycosides inactive enzyme-encoding genes were detected and the predominant gene-carrying models were [TEM+SHV]+[aac(6')-I b+aac (3)-II](28.6 %) and [TEM+SHV]+[aac(6')-I b+aac (3)-II]+ mphA (17.8 %). The isolates of A.baumannii and E.cloacae also had a predominant model to carry 2 or 3 kinds of inactive enzyme-encoding genes. 1/4 MIC of penicillin, cefotaxime or streptomycin induced the up-regulation of expression of 3 β-lactam or 4 aminoglycosides inactive enzyme-encoding genes (P<0.05), and this effect was inhibited by closantel (P<0.05)., Conclusion: The bacterial isolates frequently carry multiple kinds of inactive enzyme-encoding genes with different predominant gene-carrying models.Low concentration antibiotics can induce the up-regulation of inactive enzyme gene expression, which can be inhibited by histidine kinase blocker.

Objective: To investigate the drug resistance of enteric bacilli and its relation to the drug resistance gene cassette in the variable region and molecular evolution of class-I integron., Methods: K-B assay was applied to measure the drug resistance of E.coli, E.cloacae and A.baumannii isolated against twelve antibiotics. The class-I integron and drug resistance gene cassettes in the variable region of the integron were detected by PCR and sequencing of amplification products. The molecular evolution of drug resistance genes in the class-I integrons was analyzed using Clustal X and MEGA software., Results: 54.2%-100% of A.baumannii isolates were resistant to the penicillin and cephem antibiotics, while E.coli and E.cloacae isolates had resistance rates of 41.6%-62.5% to cephem antibiotics. 62.5%(15/24) of E.coli, 67.9%(19/28) of E.cloacae and 83.3%(20/24) of A.baumannii isolates were positive for class-I integrons. 81.5% (44/54) of class-I integrons showed 4 different single band spectrums and the other class-I integrons displayed 3 different double band spectrums. In the drug resistance gene cassettes in variable regions of class-I integrons there were 7 types in 4 groups of drug resistance genes, including aac(6'), sad(3"), aad(2"), cat(4') and dfr (types 7, A13 and 15), which induced the resistance to aminoglycosides and sulfamido antibiotics and chloromycin. The class-I integrons in the isolates might be divided into 4 molecular evolution groups according to the diversity of dihydrofolate reductase encoding gene sequences., Conclusion: The enteric bacilli have a high drug resistance and frequently carry class-I integrons with 7 drug resistance gene cassettes which present 4 different evolutionary pathways.

Objective: To determine the distribution and sequence conservation of pagC gene in Salmonella paratyphi A isolates, and the immunogenicity and immunoprotection of its recombinant expression products (rPagC)., Methods: The distribution of pagC gene in Salmonella paratyphi A isolates and its sequence conservation were examined by PCR and sequencing. A prokaryotic expression system of pagC gene was constructed and the expressed rPagC was extracted by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. SDS-PAGE and Bio-Rad Gel Image Analyzer were applied to examine the expression and yield of rPagC. The antigenicity and immunoreactivity of rPagC were detected by immunodiffusion test, ELISA and Western Blot assay. The immunoprotective effect of rPagC against infection of Salmonella paratyphi A in mice was determined, while the agglutinative effect of sera from rPagC-immunized mice was measured by micro-Widal's test., Results: All the Salmonella paratyphi A isolates tested had the pagC gene, the similarity of nucleotide and amino acid sequences was 99.1 %-100 % and 98.4 %-100 %, respectively. The constructed prokaryotic expression system expressed rPagC with high efficiency. The rPagC immunized rabbit produced a high level antibody and it also combined with antiserum against whole cell of S. paratyphi A to generate a positive Western hybridization signal. ELISA results indicated that 97.1 % (66/68) paratyphoid patients infected with Salmonella paratyphi A were positive for rPagC antibody in their serum specimens. When mice were immunized with 100 μg or 200 μg rPagC, the immunoprotective rates were 73.3 % (11/15) or 86.7 % (13/15), respectively. The sera from rPagC-immunized mice offered 1:10-1:40 agglutination titers with the H antigens of Salmonella paratyphi A and Salmonella typhi., Conclusion: PagC gene has an extensive distribution in Salmonella paratyphi A isolates. rPagC can be used as the candidate antigen in genetic engineering vaccine due to its fine immunogenicity and powerful immunoprotective effect.

The Liverbase ( http://liverbase.hupo.org.cn ) integrates information on the human liver proteome, including the function, abundance, and subcellular localization of proteins as well as associated disease information. The overall objective of the Liverbase is to provide a unique public resource for the liver community by providing comprehensive functional annotation of proteins implicated in liver development and disease. The central database features are manually annotated proteins localized in or functionally associated with human liver. In this first version of Liverbase, the associated data includes the human liver proteome (6788 proteins) and transcriptome (11205 significantly expressed genes: 10224 from CHIP and 5422 from MPSS, respecively) from the Chinese human liver proteome project (CNHLPP). As a database made publicly available through the Web site, Liverbase provides browsing and searching capabilities and a compilation of external links to other databases and homepages. Liverbase enables (i) the establishment of liver GO slim with 51 nonredundant items; (ii) systematic searches for proteins within specific functional or metabolic pathways; (iii) systematic searches that aim to find the proteins that underlie common and rare liver diseases; and (iv) the integration of detailed protein annotations derived from the literature. Liverbase also contains an external links page with links to other biological databases and homepages, including GO, KEGG, pfam, SWISS-PROT, and GNF databases. Liverbase users can utilize all these information to conduct systems biology research on liver.

Using recombinant TpNs proteins of Treponema pallidum as antigens, ELISAs are proved to be of higher sensitivity and specificity. However, they can be further increased by using multiple TpNs antigens. According to the epitope analysis, we firstly used linking primers PCRs to obtain an artificial fusion gene segment tpE17-47 containing epitopes of both TpN17 and TpN47. Subsequently, we conducted the prokaryotic expression systems of entire tpN17 and tpN47 genes and tpE17-47 fusion gene. SDS-PAGE analysis and BioRad Gel Image Analysis System showed that the recombinant proteins rTpN17, rTpN47 and rTpE17-47 expressed stably, with 36%, 20% and 28% yields of total bacterial protein, respectively. After purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography, all the three recombinant proteins could be recognized by T. pallidum antibody positive sera from syphilis patients. The positive rate of rTpE17-47-ELISA for detecting serum specimens in clinically 630 cases with syphilis was 98.6%. This rate was slightly higher than that by Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) (97.9%) (P > 0.05), but significantly higher than those by rTpN17-ELISA (83.8%), rTpN47-ELISA (83.3%) and rapid plasma reagin (RPR) (72.1%) (P < 0.01). Furthermore, both ELISAs and TPPA for detecting the serum specimens in 25 cases with SLE, 36 cases with RA and 250 healthy cases were all negative. RPR showed positive in 1 case with SLE, 2 cases with RA and 2 healthy cases. This could be a novel serological screening or diagnostic method of syphilis with advantages of quickness, convenience, safety, sensitivity and specificity.

Objective: To seek the effect of CO2 laser-assisted uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (LAUP) of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS)., Method: Patients with OSAHS confirmed by polysomnography (PSG) were chosen. Ninety-six patients were completed PSG studies of more than 6 months after CO2 LAUP., Result: The 96 patients' follow-up period was 6 months, 29 cases were cured; 34 cases had notable effects; 13 cases had effects; 20 cases had no effects. The effective rate was 79.17% (76/96)., Conclusion: Application CO2 LAUP is a safe and effective treatment method for OSAHS.

Objective: To observe the changes of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) in the patients with iron deficient anaemia (IDA)., Method: Sixty cases who were taken health physical examination at ZhaBei District Central Hospital were divided into two groups, the normal group (30 cases, 60 ears) and the IDA group (30 patients, 60 ears) depend on the results of examination of hemoglobin and serum ferritin. The changes of DPOAEs at 4 kHz were observed., Result: A statistically significant decrease of DPOAE threshold level compared with the normal controls was seen at 4 kHz in the patients with IDA., Conclusion: The decreased threshold level of DPOAE at 4 kHz in IDA patients should relate to sensorineural hearing loss directly.

Unlabelled: Lipoproteins LipL32 and LipL21 and transmembrane protein OMPL1 have been confirmed as the superficial genus-specific antigens of Leptospira interrogans, which can be used as antigens for developing a universal genetic engineering vaccine., Objective: In order to obtain high expression of an artificial fusion gene lipL32/1-lipL21-ompL1/2, we optimized prokaryotic expression conditions., Methods: We used surface response analysis based on the central composite design to optimize culture conditions of a new antigen protein by recombinant Escherichia coli DE3.The culture conditions included initial pH, induction start time, post-induction time, Isopropyl beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) concentration, and temperature., Results: The maximal production of antigen protein was 37.78 mg/l. The optimal culture conditions for high recombinant fusion protein was determined: initial pH 7.9, induction start time 2.5 h, a post-induction time of 5.38 h, 0.20 mM IPTG, and a post-induction temperature of 31 degrees C., Conclusion: Surface response analysis based on CCD increased the target production. This statistical method reduced the number of experiments required for optimization and enabled rapid identification and integration of the key culture condition parameters for optimizing recombinant protein expression.

Objective: To explore the diagnosis and treatment of the ectopic parathyroid gland in the pyriform sinus., Method: Retrospectively analysis of 1 case with ectopic parathyroid gland in the pyriform sinus and retrospectively review the past literatures., Result: The cases with the ectopic parathyroid gland in the pyriform sinus reported in the past literatures included: 2 with parathyroid gland tissues, 3 with hyperplasia, the other 1 with adenoma. The case reported by us was with adenoma., Conclusion: The ectopic parathyroid gland hyperplasia in the pyriform sinus is rarely reported before and it usually causes misdiagnosis. Better knowledge of the different position of the ectopic parathyroid gland hyperplasia in the pyriform sinus will help diagnosing and treating it.

Objective: To investigate the value of acoustic rhinometry in treating patients with nasal obstruction by radiofrequency(RF)., Method: The clinical results of 46 nasal obstruction cases treated by RF were analyzed. The therapy area were determined by acoustic rhinometry., Result: Pretherapy: mean nasal cross-sectional area (NMCA) (0. 37+/-0. 16)cm(2) , the front part of inferior nasal concha minimal cross-sectional area (MCA) (1. 10+/-0. 17)cm(2) , volume of nasal cavity(NV) (5. 76 +/-2. 81) cm(3), nasal resistance(NR) (5. 96 +/- 2. 24) kPa x s/L. Post therapy: NMCA(0. 68+/-0. 18)cm, MCA(1. 76+/-0. 19)cm(2), NCV (9. 10+/-2. 10)cm(3), NR(2. 42+/-0.86) kPa x s/ L. For 46 cases, there were remarkable improvements between pretherapy and post therapy ( P <0. 05). Twenty-seven cases were cured, 19 cases were improved, total effectiveness rate were 100%., Conclusion: RF therapy guided by acoustic rhinometry may help determine the therapy area and improve the effectiveness.

Objective: To investigate the indications, complications and their prevention of tracheotomy in patients with liver transplantation., Method: Data of 45 patients with liver transplantation who underwent tracheotomy were summarized., Result: Twenty-five patients(54.35%) succeeded in removing trachea cannula in one month after tracheotomy. Hemorrhage after tracheotomy occurred in 11 patients and haemostasis succeeded in all of them. Subcutaneous emphysema occurred in 2 patients. Infection of tracheal fistula occurred in 4 patients. Common bacterial culture of sputum was positive in 9 patients. No other operative complication occurred., Conclusion: Indications of tracheotomy in patient with liver transplantation include respiratory complication and lower respiratory tract infection. Postoperative hemorrhage and infection are the main complications and available measures should be adopted.

Objective: To discuss the image anatomy characters in the height and contour of the ethmoid roof., Method: Retrospective review of direct coronal sinus computed tomography (CT) scans in 160 patients. The height and contour of the fovea ethmoidalis, and the connection modes between ethmoidal roof and cribriform plate were examined. When an asymmetry in the height of the fovea ethmoidalis existed, this difference was quantified, and the difference between ethmoidal roof and cribriform plate was quantified in high type, too., Result: In 25 scans (15.63%), there was an asymmetry between the height of the fovea ethmoidalis on the right and left sides. Of these 25, 13 (52.00%) were lower on the right side. The difference between left and right was 2.35 mm. Sixty-two patients (38.75%) demonstrated a contour asymmetry with "flattening" of the ethmoid roof on one side. Horizontal type was 116 sides (36.25%), and high type was 204 sides (63.75%) in the connection modes between ethmoidal roof and cribriform plate. The difference was 2.80 mm in the high type., Conclusion: There were asymmetries in the height and contour of the right and left fovea ethmoidalis. The asymmetry was most often the result of a difference in contour with flattening of the fovea on one side. The high type was the most connection modes between ethmoidal roof and cribriform plate. This underscores the importance of careful preoperative and intraoperative review of paranasal sinus CT scans in patients undergoing endoscopoic sinus surgery.

Objective: To evaluate the use of acoustic rhinometry (AR) in determination of nasal ventilation function in patients complaining of nasal obstruction, and to discuss the selection of parameters., Method: Acoustic rhinometry was measured in 36 patients complaining of nasal obstruction with nasal diseases and 20 adults without nasal obstruction as control, the parameters including mean nasal cross-sectional area (MNCA), minimal cross-sectional area (MCA), volume of nasal cavity (NV) and nasal resistance (NR)., Result: There is no sex difference for MNCA, MCA, NV and NR measured in control group (P > 0.05), and no lateral difference except NV (P < 0.05). MCA and NR show remarkable difference between patients and control (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Acoustic rhinometry can be adopted as an objective way to evaluate the nasal ventilation. Since MCA and NR coincide with the subjective perception of patients, they can be used as the sensitive parameters to evaluate the nasal ventilation function.

Objective: Investigating the acoustic rhinometry parameter values from the patients with deviation of nasal septum., Method: Testing 60 cases with deviation of nasal septum by means of Eccovision acoustic rhinometry, recording and statistics analysing nasal minimal cross sectional area (NMCA), nasal cavity value (NCV), distance of minimal cross section area from the nostril (DCAN) and nasal resistance (NR)., Result: NMCA: (0.37 +/- 0.14)cm2; NCV: (12.30 +/- 2.32)cm3; DCAN: (2.10 +/- 0.15)cm; NR: (0.348 +/- 0.115)kPa x L(-1) x min(-1)]. It is showed by statistics analysis that the values of NMCA and NVC have inverse ratio, and have no correlation with DCNA., Conclusion: Acoustic rhinometry can be used as an objective marker to assess nasal ventilation function. It also can definite exactly the place of NMCA and offer reference for clinic surgery.

Objective: To investigate the causes and effective treatment of vocal cord paralysis(VCP)., Method: Sixty-five patients with VCP in our hospital in recent 10 years were analyzed. All the patients underwent examination by indirect laryngoscope, stroboscopy or electrolaryngostroboscopy, of which, 31 cases were operated by stiring arytenoid cartilage., Result: Fourteen cases with VCP were caused by neck and thoracic tumor; Nine cases were caused by infectations; sixteen cases were caused by neck, thoracic, abdominal openations; twelve cases were caused by trachea intubation; Three cases were caused by gastric intubation; Eleven cases were caused without obvious reason. All the symptoms of VCP were cured after treatment in 37 cases. The improvement rate of hoarseness was 58.46%., Conclusion: Patients with hoarseness should be routinely examinated by indirect laryngoscope, stroboscopy or electrolaryngostroboscopy. Arytenoid cartilage of patients with VCP should be stired by indirect laryngoscope or direct laryngoscope or self-retaining laryngoscope as early as possible.

Objective: To explore the CD44 expression in different laryngeal carcinoma tissues and their clinical significance., Method: Using immunohistochemistry methods to study 261 cases of archived paraffin-embedded laryngeal tissue., Result: The results turned out to be as follows: 1. A high level of CD44 expression was more frequently found in laryngeal carcinoma than in precarcinoma lesions and normal tissues. 2. CD44 expression correlated well with histological grades, the higher grade the lower the CD44 expression. 3. The third and fourth stages laryngeal carcinoma had stronger CD44 positive than those of the first and second stages. 4. CD44 expression in laryngeal carcinoma with cervical metastasis were higher than those without cervical metastasis. 5. To 3 and 5 years survival, CD44 positive cases had lower chance than CD44 negative cases., Conclusion: These results implicates that the occurrence, development and prognosis of laryngeal carcinoma may be closely related to CD44 expression.

The incidence of congenital preauricular fistula (CPF) is >1.1% in both Chinese and Caucasians, but it is even higher in Blacks. We mapped the locus for CPF to chromosome 8q11.1-q13.3 by linkage analysis of a family composed of 7 affected and 11 nonaffected members. The two-point LOD score was 2.40, shown by markers D8S285 and D8S1113 at a recombination fraction (theta) of 0.00. Results from three other markers (D8S1110, D8S260, and D8S1136) in the same region further support the linkage. Haplotype analysis for this family confined the locus to within an interval of approximately 26.7 cM, flanked by markers D8S532 and D8S279. A LOD score of <3 is likely due to the limitation of family size.

Objective: Observing the voice recovery rule of vocal polyp in 20 cases to give the reasonable voice method for the patients after operation., Method: Follow up the voice changes by means of voice assessment for 2 weeks after the operation., Result: The worst voice of the patients occurred in the day 1 after the operation. It recovered significantly in day 10(P < 0.05) and reached to normal status in day 14(P < 0.01)., Conclusion: The patients with vocal polyp should be in rest of voice for at least 2 weeks after the operation.