Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 modulation by tumor necrosis factor in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antibodies inhibit passively transferred experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in SJL mice. The possibility that this occurs through interference in TNF's upregulation of endothelial cell adhesion molecules was investigated. Expression of both vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on spinal cord vessels increased during EAE. The upregulation of VCAM-1 was markedly reduced or prevented by anti-TNF treatment. Leukocytic infiltration was 15-fold lower in anti-TNF-treated than diseased animals. Spinal cord endothelial expression of VCAM-1, though not ICAM-1 or fibronectin, positively correlated with the extent of T cell, B cell or monocyte infiltration in each animal.     

Randomized placebo-controlled trial comparing montelukast and cetirizine for treating perennial allergic rhinitis in children aged 2–6 yr

Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) were recently added to the method of treating allergic rhinitis (AR). However, in children under 6 yr old, there has been no study about its efficacy in treating AR. We aim to compare the clinical efficacy of montelukast, cetirizine and placebo in the treatment of children from 2 to 6 yr old with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR), to see if there are any significant differences. Sixty children were selected and treated with montelukast, or cetirizine, or placebo once daily. The efficacy of the three agents was compared with the Pediatric Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (PRQLQ) and Total Symptom Score (TSS) by diary. In addition, we also examined serum IgE, serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), blood eosinophil counts, nasal airway resistance (NAR) and eosinophil percentage in nasal smears. The results revealed that both montelukast and cetirizine were significantly efficacious compared with placebo in NAR, eosinophil percentage in nasal smears, PRQLQ, TSS and all symptom items except nasal itching, throat itching and tearing. For nasal itching, only cetirizine was significantly efficacious. On the other hand, for night sleep quality, montelukast was significantly superior to cetirizine.     

鼻内镜下等离子低温射频治疗常年性变应性鼻炎的临床观察

目的探讨鼻内镜下等离子低温射频治疗常年性变应性鼻炎(PAR)的疗效及其优越性。方法在鼻内镜下用等离子低温射频治疗PAR48例,按照海口会议修订的“过敏性鼻炎诊断和疗效评定标准”,用计分法分别评定其疗效。结果该组48例术后随访半年进行评价,其中显效27.1%(13/48),有效58.3%(28/48),无效14.6%(7/48),总有效率为85.4%。疗效评分显示治疗前平均总分为(9.58±1.69)分,治疗后为(5.63±1.15)分(P<0.05)。结论鼻内镜下等离子低温射频烧灼筛前神经终末区域治疗PAR,具有简便、安全等优点,短期效果显著,特别适用于临床上应用抗组胺类药物及鼻内应用糖皮质激素治疗效果不甚理想及由于各种原因不能长期接受抗组胺类药物及鼻内应用糖皮质激素治疗的患者;但长期疗效有待进一步研究。     

从热、虚、瘀辨证论治小儿过敏性紫癜

从热、虚、瘀三个方面论述了小儿过敏性紫癜的病因病机特点，抓住病因病机的核心，确定了热伤血络、阴虚火旺、气不摄血三个本证证型和风热、热毒、湿热、血瘀四个标证证型。采用本证和标证相结合的方法对小儿过敏性紫癜进行辨证论治，并从理论上探讨了该方法的科学性和实用性。