Effects of fexofenadine and desloratadine on subjective and objective measures of nasal congestion in seasonal allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND: In vitro studies have shown much higher H1-receptor antagonist potency with desloratadine (DL) compared to fexofenadine (FEX), although it is unclear whether this has any clinical relevance on disease control parameters in seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), especially for nasal congestion. OBJECTIVE: To compare the relative efficacy between presently recommended doses of DL and FEX on daily measurements of peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and nasal symptoms in SAR. METHODS: Forty-nine patients with SAR were randomized into a double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study during the grass pollen season, comparing 2 weeks of once daily treatment with (a) 180 mg FEX or (b) 5 mg DL, taken in the morning. There was a 7-10 day placebo run-in and washout prior to each randomized treatment. Measurements were made in the morning (AM) and in the evening (PM) for PNIF (the primary outcome variable), nasal and eye symptoms. The average of AM/PM values were used for analysis. RESULTS: There were significant (P < 0.05) improvements, compared to placebo, with FEX and DL, for PNIF, nasal blockage, nasal irritation, and total nasal symptoms, but not nasal discharge or eye symptoms. There were no significant differences between active treatments. Values for PNIF (L/min) for mean placebo baseline, mean difference from baseline (95% CI for difference) were 126, 10 (4-16) for FEX; and 122, 11 (4-17) for DL. The mean difference (95% CI) between FEX vs. DL was 1 L/min (-7-8). Values for total nasal symptoms (out of 12) were: 3.2, 0.7 (0.2-1.2) for FEX; and 3.4, 0.9 (0.3-1.5) for DL, and for nasal blockage (out of 3) were: 1.1, 0.2 (0.1-0.4) for FEX; and 1.2, 0.3 (0.1-0.5) for DL. The mean difference (95% CI) in total nasal symptoms and nasal blockage between FEX vs. DL was 0.1 (-0.6-0.8) and 0.1 (-0.2-0.3), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Recommended once daily doses of fexofenadine and desloratadine were equally effective in improving nasal peak flow and nasal symptoms in SAR.     

应用人自体血清培养人口腔黏膜上皮的实验研究

目的 研究人自体血清培养人口腔黏膜移植生长的生物学特性，为组织工程化尿道提供新材料。方法 将人自体血清培养黏膜移植于裸鼠体内，分别于移植后2、3、4、6周观察培养黏膜生长与转归，应用anti—HLA免疫荧光鉴定成活黏膜组织属性，应用抗人Ⅳ型胶原及抗人层黏蛋白为基底膜形成指标。结果 裸鼠体内移植培养黏膜成活生长分化良好，anti—HLA免疫荧光证实为移植的培养人黏膜组织；免疫组化发现移植后3周开始形成基底膜，4周形成完整的基底膜。结论 自体血清培养的人口腔黏膜可形成功能完整的上皮组织。     

A study of some current methods for assessment of nasal histamine reactivity

The aim of this study was to investigate the reactivity of the nasal mucosa of patients with pollen allergy compared to healthy controls, when challenged with histamine outside the pollen season. Assessments were made with symptom score, acoustic rhinometry, nasal peak expiratory and inspiratory flow (NPEF and NPIF) and rhinomanometry in order to find the most sensitive method for the purpose. Twenty-one patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and 20 healthy controls were challenged with histamine dihydrochloride in increasing concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1.0 mg/ml) locally in the nose. Our results show no difference in mucosal reactivity between the patients and controls regardless of the method used. When comparing the methods we find that NPIF and NPEF are more sensitive to mucosal changes than the other methods we have studied.     

Techniques of nasotracheal intubation with the fiberoptic bronchoscope

When nasotracheal intubation with a fiberoptic bronchoscope is performed, the tube may be blocked in the nasal cavity or larynx, resulting in several complications including epistaxis and hoarseness. We review the causes and complications of tube blockage and discuss optimal techniques for minimizing it.     

胆汁返流性胃炎胃粘膜超微结构研究

为探讨胆汁返流性胃炎的发病机理和应用中药治疗此病的效果，作者进行了胃粘膜超微结构观察。在治疗前、后取胃粘膜做光、电镜检查，发现本病胃粘膜变化突出的特点是淋巴细胞侵入腺细胞内，溶解腺细胞，破坏细胞间联接装置，使腺腔破溃，腺管萎缩。以上变化可占全部病例的８７．５％。另一特点是腺细胞内出现微囊（８例中有４例），这在慢性胃炎尚未见有电镜观察报道。作者认为胆汁返流性胃炎可以是慢性萎缩性胃炎的前驱，而腺体萎缩的原因是由于淋巴细胞的浸润破坏；这为由细胞介导引起的胃腺细胞损伤提供了形态学依据。     

Nasal septum lesions caused by chromium exposure among chromium electroplating workers

A chromium electroplating worker, suffering from epistaxis during work, was found to have nasal septum perforation. To determine the etiology and prevalence of nasal septum lesions, we conducted a survey of seven chromium electroplating factories and examined 79 workers. Forty workers from three aluminum electroplating factories were also enrolled as the reference group. Subjects were thoroughly examined by an otolaryngologist and each of them provided a blood and urine sample. A questionnaire interview regarding symptoms of the upper respiratory tract, past medical history, life style, and work history was also conducted. Air chromium concentrations were measured by taking area samples for 4–6 hours. Based on field observation and chromium measurements, we divided chromium electroplating into three different exposure zones: workers directly dealing with electroplating tanks (n = 31), other process workers (n = 29), and office workers and drivers (n = 19). Among the 79 chromium electroplating workers, there were 16 cases of nasal septum perforation, and 42 with either scar formation or ulceration; 10 chromium electroplating workers developed skin ulcers after performing chrome plating. No workers from aluminum electroplating factories had any nasal septum or skin abnormalities. There was a consistent trend between the degree of chromium exposure and the signs and symptoms related to the nose, throat, and skin. Immediate improvement of occupational hygiene is warranted.     

肠易激综合征患者结肠粘膜扫描电镜观察

应用扫描电镜观察１０例肠易激综合征（ＩＢＳ）患者降结肠粘膜的超微结构并和２例正常者进行比较性研究，结果发现ＩＢＳ组结肠粘膜上皮细胞表面微绒毛有局灶性破坏，破坏区微绒毛排列不整齐，数量稀少或缺如，结肠腺数量明显增多，腺窝开口大。腺窝处见有大量粘液分泌物和数量显著增多的杯状细胞。作者认为，ＩＢＳ并非是消化迫功能性疾病，而是有结肠粘膜超微结构改变的器质性疾病     

Oral manifestation of chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis: seven case reports

BACKGROUND: Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) is a rare disorder characterized by persistent or recurrent candidal infections of the skin, nails and mucous membranes or by a variable combination of endocrine failure as well as immunodeficiency. Oral clinicopathological features of CMC have seldom been described in detail. METHODS: Seven patients with CMC were reported in the study. The clinical and histological findings, etiological Candida species, immunological evaluation, and therapeutic pattern of oral lesions, were analyzed. RESULTS: Long-standing whitish hyperplastic and nodule-like lesions with exaggerated deep fissure were the typical and characteristic oral manifestations presented by all patients. The tongue was the most common site affected. Histologically, no obvious distinction was found between CMC and other forms of candidal infection. Abnormal proportions of T-lymphocyte subsets and positive titers of autoantibody were observed in three subjects (42.9%) and one patient (14.3%) respectively. Meanwhile, four subjects (57.1%) showed decreased albumin and increased globulin, three cases (42.9%) had high levels of ESR. But no iron deficiency was found. Candida albicans was the microorganism isolated from these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple and widespread candidal infectious lesions can be observed on the oral cavity of CMC patients. Hyperplastic and nodule-like lesion with irremovable whitish patches and deep fissure are the most common oral manifestations of these patients. Dentists, otolaryngologists and pediatricians should be familiar with the clinical appearances of CMC to make an accurate diagnosis. Potential systemic disorders should be concerned to avoid the reoccurrence of oral candidiasis.     

A Correlation Between the Permeability Characteristics of a Series of Peptides Using an in Vitro Cell Culture Model (Caco-2) and Those Using an in Situ Perfused Rat Ileum Model of the Intestinal Mucosa

In an attempt to establish an in vitro/in situ correlation of intestinal permeability data, the permeability coefficients (P _app) for a series of model peptides, which were determined using an in situ perfused rat ileum model, were compared to the permeability coefficients (P _mono) determined using an in vitro cell culture model (Caco-2). The model peptides, which were all blocked on the N-terminal (acetyl, Ac) and the C-terminal (amide, NH2) ends, consisted of D-phenylalanine (F) residues (e.g., AcFNH₂, AcFFNH₂, AcFFFNH₂). To alter the degree of hydrogen bonding potential, the nitrogens of the amide bonds were sequentially methylated [e.g., AcFF(Me)FNH₂, AcF(Me)F(Me)FNH₂, Ac(Me)F(Me)F(Me)FNH₂, Ac-(Me)F(Me)F(Me)FNH(Me)]. These peptides were shown not to be metabolized in the in situ perfused rat ileum system. The results of the transport experiments showed that there were poor correlations between the apparent permeability coefficients (P _app) determined in an in situ perfused rat ileum model and the octanol–water partition coefficients (r = 0.60) or the hydrogen bonding numbers (r = 0.63) of these peptides. However, good correlations were observed between the in situ P _app values for these peptides and their partition coefficients in heptane–ethylene glycol (r = 0.96) and the differences in their partition coefficients between octanol–water and isooctane–water (r = 0.86). These results suggest that lipophilicity may not be the major factor in determining the intestinal permeability of these peptides and that hydrogen bonding potential may be a major contributing factor. A good correlation (r = 0.94) was also observed between the P _app values determined for these peptides in the in situ perfused ileum model and those P _mono values determined in the in vitro cell culture model (Caco-2) (Conradi et al., Pharm. Res. 8:1453–1460, 1991). These results suggest that the permeability values determined in the Caco-2 cell culture model may be a good predictor of the intestinal permeability of peptides.     

耳廓复合组织瓣连续法修复鼻翼缺损

目的观察耳廓复合游离组织瓣连续法修复鼻翼缺损的疗效，以探讨鼻翼缺损的有效修复手段。方法耳廓复合游离组织瓣2次连续法修复鼻翼缺损7例，移植物面积0．5cm×0．7cm～0．8cm×1．2cm。结果7例耳廓复合游离组织瓣移植后全部成活。术后随访6～18个月，移植物无明显回缩，鼻外形满意。结论耳廓复合游离组织瓣连续移植修复鼻翼缺损，适合较严重鼻翼缺损，手术成功率高，术后鼻外形满意，双侧分次取材，耳廓外形双侧对称无畸形。