[Study on the correlation between meteorological factors and allergic rhinitis in outpatients in Yangzhou]

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of allergic rhinitis in Yangzhou area and its correlation with meteorological factors. Method:The characteristics of 17 491 cases of AR were analyzed in Yangzhou from 2015 to 2017. Meteorological environmental parameters, including mean temperature, air pressure, wind speed, humidity and AQI index, were monitored at the same period. The relationship between the onset characteristics of AR patients and meteorological factors was also analyzed. Result:The number of patients with allergic rhinitis in 2015, 2016 and 2017 were 6 167, 5 620 and 5 704. The total difference of the number of patients in 3 years was not statistically significant (P＞0.05). Each year the number of patients reached the peak in October, April, the lowest in February, and less than the other seasons in the summer (P<0.05). The number of visits per year reached peak in October, the lowest in February, and significantly less in summer than in other seasons (P<0.05). The number of children under the age of 12 is relatively small, and the number of patients aged 20 to 40 is the largest. In different age groups, the number of male patients was higher than that of women. There was a positive correlation between the average temperature and AQI index of the average allergic rhinitis patients(r=0.635, P=0.027; r=0.587, P=0.045), and the average temperature and average humidity of the patients with average allergic rhinitis were negatively correlated with regional average humidity and average wind speed(r=-0.193, P=0.045; r=-0.862, P=0.000). Conclusion:The incidence of allergic rhinitis in Yangzhou area has obvious age regularity and seasonality, and there may be some correlation between meteorological factors(especially AQI index) and the incidence of allergic rhinitis in patients.

[Analysis of the recurrence related factors of sinonasal inverted papilloma]

Objective:To evaluate the influence risk factors of recurrence and the methods for reducing recurrence of sinonasal inverted papilloma (SNIP). Method:Clinical data of 34 patients with SNIP were analyzed retrospectively. All of them were unilateral onset. The diagnosis was confirmed pathologically and the range of lesions was determined by endoscopic and imaging examination; clinical classification according to Krouse classification method; All operations were performed under nasal endoscope, of which 20 cases were operated by simple nasal endoscope, and 14 cases were operated by endoscopic anterior lacrimal recess approach. The patients were followed up for 12-36 months. The curative effects were observed and the prognostic factors of the patients were analyzed. Result:Thirty-four cases of SNIP patients with postoperative recurrence rate was 17.65% (6/34); simple nasal endoscopic surgery in 20 cases, the recurrence rate was 25.00%(5/20); endoscopic anterior lacrimal recess approach in 14 cases, the recurrence rate was 7.14%(1/14), the difference was statistically insignificant (χ²=1.807, P>0.05). Four cases in stage Ⅰ had no recurrence；20 cases in stage Ⅱ, the recurrence rate was 15.0%(3/20); 9 cases in stage Ⅲ, the recurrence rate was 33.3%(3/9); 1 case in stage Ⅳ had no recurrence, the recurrence rate of the patients with different stages were statistically insignificant (χ²=2.692, P>0.05). Conclusion:Simple endoscopic resection of the tumor and endoscopic anterior lacrimal recess surgery are effective methods for the treatment of SNIP. The nasal surgery history and tumor origin are the risk factors for recurrence. The operation completely tumorresection,detailed preoperative examination and postoperative regular endoscopic examination are the keys to preventing recurrence.

[Two cases of piriform pit carcinoma were repaired with thyroid lobe]

Two cases with piriform fossa cancer underwent larynx lateral wall repair surgery. Case 1: The patient was admitted to the hospital because of pharyngeal discomfort with swallowing pain for 2 months Electronic laryngoscopy revealed neoplasm in the left piriform fossa. Space occupying lesion in left piriform fossa and paranasal space was found in MRI scan. The pathological diagnosis of this patient was squamous cell squamous cell carcinoma (T2N1M0). Case 2: The patient was admitted to the hospital because of blood in the sputum for more than 1 year. The electronic laryngoscope suggested neoplasm in the pharyngeal space and left vocal cord paralysis.Soft tissue thickening of the oropharynx and hypopharyngeal right wall was found in MRI scan. The pathological diagnosis of this patient was squamous cell carcinoma (T1N2M0).

[Distribution and drug resistance of the isolated bacteria from children with acute respiratory infection]

OBJECTIVE

To study the distribution and drug resistance of the isolated bacteria from children with acute respiratory infection (ARI) in Dalian.

METHODS

Between January 2006 and February 2007, 930 children with ARI were enrolled, including 364 with acute upper respiratory infection (AURI), and 566 with acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI). The AURI children, who did not receive antimicrobial agent treatment or received oral antimicrobial agents 1-2 times, had bacterial cultures of pharyngeal swab. The ALRI children, who received intravenous antibacterial agents more than 3 days, had bacterial cultures of sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Isolated bacteria were identified by the ATB system (Bio-Merieux, France). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out by means of Kirby-bauer.

RESULTS

A total of 404 isolates (43.4%) were identified. Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae accounted for 22.5%, 12.1% and 7.4% respectively. In the isolates from AURI, Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae accounted for 43.9%, 22.0% and 9.1% respectively; Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Nonfermenters accounted for 4.5%, 8.3% and 3.0% respectively. In the isolates from ALRI, Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae accounted for 12.1%, 7.4% and 6.6% respectively; Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Nonfermenters accounted for 16.9%, 13.2% and 21.8% respectively. The resistant rates of Haemophilus to ampicillin and TMP-SMZ were 29.3% and 32.9% respectively, and to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefalotin, cefaclor, cefuroxime and cefotaxime were 12.1%, 10.0%, 10.0%, 11.4% and 5.7%, respectively. The resistant rate of Haemophilus to ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefaclor, tetracycine and TMP-SMZ in the ALRI group were significantly higher than that in the AURI group (P<0.05 or 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In Dalian, Haemophilus was the main isolate of children with ARI. The distribution of bacteria was different between ALRI and AURI. In ALRI, Gram-negative bacilli were in a higher proportion, and the resistant rates of Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus parainfluenzae to ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and cefaclor were higher.

The immobilization of hepatocytes on 24 nm-sized gold colloid for enhanced hepatocytes proliferation

Bioartificial liver and hepatocyte transplantation is anticipated to supply a temporary metabolic support for candidates of liver transplantation or for patients with fulminant liver failure. An essential restriction of this form is the inability to acquire an enough amount of hepatocytes. Enhancement of the proliferation and differentiated function of hepatocytes is becoming a pursued target. Here, porcine hepatocytes were successfully immobilized on nano-sized gold colloid particles to construct a "hepatocyte/gold colloid" interface at which hepatocytes can be quickly proliferated. The properties of this resulting interface were characterized and confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The proliferative mechanism of hepatocytes was also discussed. The proliferated hepatocytes could be applied to the clinic based on their excellent functions for the synthesis of protein, glucose and urea as well as lower lactate dehydrogenase release.

[Simultaneous separation of organic acid and organic salts by electrostatic ion chromatography]

The electrostatic ion chromatographic column was prepared by coating conjugated acid salt micelles on the surface of octadecyl silica stationary phase. Pure water was used as mobile phase, and the conductance detector was connected on-line to electrostatic ion chromatograph. The conditions under which organic acid and organic salts were detected were studied. The mechanism for the above separation is discussed. Sodium benzoate and citric acid in Lichee drink were separated and determined. This method is rapid, simple with little interference and good reproducibility without any pollution since the mobile phase is water. This is an environmental friendly analytical method.

Modeling and optimization of the chiral selectivity of basic analytes in chiral capillary electrophoresis with negatively charged cyclodextrins using electrochemical detection

A mathematical model concerning the separation selectivity of basic analytes in chiral capillary electrophoresis (CE) modified with negatively charged cyclodextrins (CDs) has been presented to describe the dependence of chiral selectivity on the buffer pH and the chiral selector concentration. The electrophoretic method to determine the parameters of the model has also been developed. The model has been tested with racemic epinephrine and isoproterenol as target analytes and sulfonated beta-CD as chiral selector. The agreements have been found between the calculated and the measured values. Some significant conclusions to optimize chiral CE separation have been derived from the model and proven by the experiments. Electrochemical detection was used to meet the requirement of the low introduced concentration of analytes.

Study of a novel cationic calix[4]arene used a selectivity modifier in capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection

The use of a novel cationic calixarene, p-(quaternary ammonium) calix[4]arene, as selectivity modifier in capillary electrophoresis coupled with electrochemical detection was reported. The calixarene displayed good selectivity for the positional isomers of benzenediol and aminophenol and their successful separation was obtained under optimum conditions. The interaction mechanism between p-(quaternary ammonium) calix[4]arene and the solutes is discussed using the molecular modeling method. The detection limits by electrochemical detection for the most solutes studied here were below picogram level, which was approximately 2 orders of magnitude lower than those reported in the literature using UV detection. The results showed that electrochemical detection is especially suitable for an electrophoresis system where calixarenes are used as modifier.

Applications of a copper microparticle-modified carbon fiber microdisk array electrode for the simultaneous determination of aminoglycoside antibiotics by capillary electrophoresis

A copper microparticle-modified carbon fiber microdisk array electrode was fabricated and employed in capillary electrophoresis for the simultaneous determination of the five aminoglycoside antibiotics (AGs) including netilmicin, tobramycin, lincomycin, kanamycin and amikacin. The array electrode exhibited high catalytic activity for AGs, good reproducibility and stability. Under the optimum separation conditions (separation voltage of 6.2 kV, electrophoretic medium of 125 mM NaOH), the five AGs above were baseline separated within 20 min. At a working electrode potential of 0.7 V (versus saturated calomel electrode), the calibration curves were linear over two orders of magnitude of concentration, and the detection limits (SIN=3) were below 2 microM except for lincomycin (6.7 microM). The developed method was successfully employed for the simultaneous determination of the five AGs studied in pharmaceutical injections. The feasibility of this method for the simultaneous determination of lincomycin, kanamycin and amikacin in urine sample was also demonstrated.

[Studies on response characteristics of Cl, Br, I of microwave plasma torch atomic emission detector for gas chromatography]

The present paper deals with a microwave plasma torch atomic emission detector for gas chromatography. Argon is used as support gas, carrier gas and make-up gas. The effect of oxygen scavenger gas on the detection performance for chlorine, bromine and iodine is discussed. Detection limits, dynamic ranges, relative standard deviations and response characteristics of GC-MPT-AED for chlorine, bromine and iodine in organic compounds were studied. The results are favorable in comparing with GC-ICP-AED.

Simultaneous determination of polycarboxylic acids by capillary electrophoresis with a copper electrode

The simultaneous determination of polycarboxylic acids including oxalic acid, citric acid, malonic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, aspartic acid and glutamic acid was achieved by capillary electrophoresis with a copper disk electrode (d = 200 microm). In the system. 0.2 mmol/l cetylpridinium bromide (CPB) was used as an electroosmotic flow (EOF) modifier to reverse the direction of EOF. The effects of the solution pH and CPB concentration on separation were evaluated to achieve the optimum separation conditions. At the working potential of +0.14 V (vs. saturated calomel electrode), the calibration curves for all polycarboxylic acids studied were linear with 2 approximately 3-orders of magnitude and all the detection limits (S/N = 3) were below 15 fmol except malonic acid. Furthermore, the oxalic and citric acids in urine were successfully separated and determined with high sensitivity.

Catalytic oxidation of uric acid at the polyglycine chemically modified electrode and its trace determination

Cyclic voltammetry was undertaken to investigate the electrochemical behavior of uric acid at a polyglycine modified electrode. The modified electrode shows catalytic ability for the oxidation of uric acid, reducing the overpotential by 250 mV in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution. The enhanced voltammetric response can be used to determine uric acid. The linear range is between 5.0 x 10(-8) and 4.5 x 10(-6) M with a detection limit as low as 5.0 x 10(-9) M. The relative standard deviation is 1.4% (8 runs) at a concentration of 50 microM uric acid. The catalytic effect of the modified electrode resulted in the voltammetric resolution of the overlapping of uric acid and ascorbic acid. This allows the simultaneous detection of uric acid and ascorbic acid in the same sample.

[Polarographic behavior of latamoxef sodium and its trace determination]

In the medium of HCl-KCl (pH 1-2) by means of cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse polarography (DPP), the mechanism of the electrode reaction for latamoxef sodium (Shiomarin) at static mercury drop electrode (SMDE) and hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) has been proposed. A sensitive method for the determination of nanomolar concentration of latamoxef sodium by DPP was developed. The peak potential was -0.62 V (vs Ag/AgCl). The linear range was from 1 x 10(-8) to 8 x 10(-4) mol.L-1, the detection limit was ca. 4 x 10(-9) mol.L-1(tac = 90 s). The method was applied to the determination of latamoxef sodium in injection with satisfactory results. The possibility for the direct determination of latamoxef sodium in mimic urine sample was also studied.

Mycetomas in northern Yemen: identification of causative organisms and epidemiologic considerations

Fifteen cases of mycetomas from four locations in northern Yemen were studied. On the basis of morphologic characteristics and staining properties of the granules in discharges from the draining sinus tracts (a narrow elongated cavity that extends from a focus of suppuration or other inflammatory softening to a free surface and through which pus discharges) in the affected appendages and in tissue sections, three causative organisms were identified: Streptomyces somaliensis, Actinomadura madurae, and Madurella mycetomatis. Because of the similarity in the climate and the causative organisms, northern Yemen can be considered as being in the same endemic area for mycetomas as eastern Africa.

Detection of human cytomegalovirus antigen and DNA in lymph nodes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia

The cause of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia (AILD) remains unknown. It is characterized by acute onset, severe constitutional symptoms, cervical or generalized lymphadenopathy, lymphopenia, and polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, all of which are highly suggestive of a viral origin. Using immunohistochemical methods, employing murine monoclonal antibody as the primary antibody, we detected human cytomegalovirus antigen in the lymph nodes of eight of 11 patients with AILD. Cytomegalovirus DNA was also detected in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells by DNA dot hybridization in all five of the patients with AILD who were tested using this technique. None of the lymph nodes from the 11 patients stained positive for the rubella virus antigen. Based on the above evidence and the similarity of the immunologic abnormalities found in both AILD and cytomegalovirus infection, the possible role of cytomegalovirus as one of the causative agents for AILD is proposed.

Effect of motherwort on blood hyperviscosity

The effect of motherwort (Leorunus Heterophyllus Sweet, MW) on blood hyperviscosity was investigated in 105 patients. The experimental and clinical study indicated that MW has a favorable clinical impact and an effective improvement of hemorheology. MW 10 ml (5g/ml) in 250 ml of 5% glucose was given intravenously daily for 15 days. 94.5% of cases showed improvements in the form of a decrease in blood viscosity and in fibrinogen volume and an increase in the deformability of Rbc, a shorting of the time of Rbc electrophoresis and an increase in antiplatelet aggregation.