OBJECTIVE: To explore the factors related to the occurrence of otitis media with effusion (OME) in patients with long-term tracheal intubation. METHOD: This retrospective study included 47 cases with endotracheal intubation more than 7 days (endotracheal intubation group) and 20 cases without mechanically ventilated in the same period(control group). The relationships between secretory otitis media with age, gender, intubation method,duration of intubation, breathing patterns, consciousness, gastric tube position were analysed. RESULT: The study showed 27 out of 47 patients in endotracheal intubation group had OME, 9 cases had negative pressure in the middle ear and 11 patients were normal. No OME was found in control group, and 2 cases with negative pressure in bilateral middle ear were detected. The incidence of OME was significantly increased in patients with the application of ventilator in PEEP mode or nasotracheal tube, and with conscious disturbance or tracheal intubation using for more than 10 days. The presence of OME had a significantly higher rate in patients with nasal intake subjects than the oral intake subjects. The incidence of OME decreased significantly in patients using glucocorticoid. CONCLUSION The incidence of OME increased in patients applied with tracheal intubation for more than 7 days. Ventilator in PEEP mode, nasotracheal tube, and conscious disturbance were closely related with OME. Application of glucocorticoids reduced the incidence of OME.
Ear, Middle ; Glucocorticoids ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Otitis Media with Effusion ; Pressure ; Retrospective Studies

Objective : To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in Dongyang City, Zhejiang Province from 2017 to 2022, so as to provide insights into SFTS prevention and control. Methods: Data pertaining to patients with SFTS in Dongyang City from 2017 to 2022 were collected from Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting System of Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with SFTS were descriptively analyzed, and the trends in incidence of SFTS was evaluated using annual percent change (APC). Results: A total of 32 SFTS cases were reported in Dongyang City from 2017 to 2022, with mean annual incidence of 0.63/105, and 8 cases died, with a fatality rate of 25.00%. The incidence of SFTS appeared a tendency towards a rise from 2017 to 2022 (APC=40.697%, P<0.05). The male to female ratio of SFTS cases was 0.78∶1, and farmer was the predominant occupation (31 cases, 96.88%). SFTS predominantly occurred among individuals at ages of 51 to 69 years (20 cases, 62.50%), and the incidence peaked during the period between March and May and between July and August (28 cases, 87.50%). SFTS cases were reported in 11 out of the 18 townships (streets) in Dongyang City, with the highest number found in Zuocun Township (8 cases, 28.13%), and had the lowest platelet count of (41.46±5.19)×109 platelets/L, with the lowest count of (3.00 to 67.00) ×109 platelets/L. All the SFTS cases had a history of mountain forest and farmland activities 2 weeks prior to onset of the disease, and 5 cases (15.63%) had a history of tick bites. Conclusions The incidence of SFTS appeared a tendency towards a rise in Dongyang City from 2017 to 2022, and SFTS was highly prevalent in spring and summer, with high incidence among farmers. Intensified health education of SFTS is recommended among residents in high-incidence areas.

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes in facial nerve function, morphology and neurotrophic factor III (NT-3) expression following three types of facial nerve injury. METHOD: Changes in facial nerve function (in terms of blink reflex (BF), vibrissae movement (VM) and position of nasal tip) were assessed in 45 rats in response to three types of facial nerve injury: partial section of the extratemporal segment (group one), partial section of the facial canal segment (group two) and complete transection of the facial canal segment lesion (group three). All facial nerves specimen were then cut into two parts at the site of the lesion after being taken from the lesion site on 1st, 7th, 21st post-surgery-days (PSD). Changes of morphology and NT-3 expression were evaluated using the improved trichrome stain and immunohistochemistry techniques ,respectively. RESULT: Changes in facial nerve function: In group 1, all animals had no blink reflex (BF) and weak vibrissae movement (VM) at the 1st PSD; The blink reflex in 80% of the rats recovered partly and the vibrissae movement in 40% of the rats returned to normal at the 7th PSD; The facial nerve function in 600 of the rats was almost normal at the 21st PSD. In group 2, all left facial nerve paralyzed at the 1st PSD; The blink reflex partly recovered in 40% of the rats and the vibrissae movement was weak in 80% of the rats at the 7th PSD; 8000 of the rats'BF were almost normal and 40% of the rats' VM completely recovered at the 21st PSD. In group 3, The recovery couldn't happen at anytime. Changes in morphology: In group 1, the size of nerve fiber differed in facial canal segment and some of myelin sheath and axons degenerated at the 7th PSD; The fibres' degeneration turned into regeneration at the 21st PSD; In group 2, the morphologic changes in this group were familiar with the group 1 while the degenerated fibers were more and dispersed in transection at the 7th PSD; Regeneration of nerve fibers happened at the 21st PSD. In group 3, most of the fibers crumbled at the 7th PSD and no regeneration was seen at the 21st PSD. Changes in NT-3: Positive staining of NT-3 was largely observed in axons at the 7th PSD, although little NT-3 was seen in the normal fibers. CONCLUSION Facial palsy of the rats in group 2 was more extensive than that in group 1 and their function partly recovers at the 21st PSD. The fibres' degeneration occurs not only dispersed throughout the injury site but also occurred throught the length of the nerve. NT-3 immunoreactivity increased in activated fibers after partial transection.
Animals ; Facial Nerve ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Facial Nerve Injuries ; classification ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Neurotrophin 3 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective:To investigate the synergistic effect of sarcopenia and osteoporosis on the occurrence of spinal osteoporotic fracture (OPF) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods:A total of 389 hospitalized RA patients and 156 age and sex-matched normal subjects (control group) were recruited. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) method was used to measure bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine and hip, and bioelectrical impedance method was applied to determine skeletal muscle mass of limbs. X-ray examination of spin was conducted and spinal OPF was diagnosed according to semi-quality method. Student's t test was used for comparison of measurement date between the two groups, χ2 test was used for comparison of intergroup rates, and Logistic Regression(Backward LR) method was used for multivariate Regression analysis of binomial classification data. Results:BMD of all test sites in RA patients was significantly lower than that in the control group ( P<0.01). The incidence of total OP in RA group was significantly higher than that in the control group [(32.9% vs 12.8%), χ2=22.706, P<0.01]. A total of 84 patients with RA developed spinal OPF, with an incidence of 21.6% which was higher than that in the control group [(3.8%), χ2=25.439, P<0.01]. The incidence of sarcopenia in RA was 54.8%, significantly higher than that in the control group [(9.6%), χ2=93.241, P<0.01]. The incidence of sarcopenia combined with osteoporosis in RA group (28.5%) was significantly higher than that in the control group [(5.8%), χ2=118.110, P<0.01]. Comparison of the incidence of spinal OPF in RA patients among groups with different bone mass (normal bone mass, osteopenia, osteoporosis) showed that the incidence of spinal OPF among these groups was statistically different ( χ2=43.373, P<0.01), and the incidence of spinal OPF increased along with the decrease of bone mass ( χ2=43.003, P<0.01). The incidence of spinal OPF in RA patients with sarcopenia (27.2%, 58/213) was significantly higher than that in RA patients without sarcopenia [(14.8%, 26/176), χ2=8.833, P=0.003]. All participants were divided into three groups: group 1=no OP and sarcopenia, group 2=with sarcopenia or OP, group 3=both sarcopenia and OP. Difference of incidence of spine OPF in RA patients among three groups was statistically significant ( χ2=33.832, P<0.01), and the incidence of spinal OPF raised gradually in group 1 and 3, ( χ2=37.164, P<0.01). Incidences of sarcopenia, OP and spinal OPF in RA treated with glucocorticoid (GC) were higher than those in RA without GC ( P<0.05, P<0.01). Results of logistic regression showed advanced age[ OR(95% CI)=1.069(1.038, 1.101), P<0.01], usage of GC [ OR(95% CI)=3.169(1.679, 5.984), P<0.01] and sarcopenia combined with OP [ OR(95% CI)=2.113(1.430, 3.124), P<0.01] were risk factors for spinal OPF in RA patients. Conclusion:Incidences of sarcopenia, OP and spinal OPF in RA patients are higher than that in normal controls. Sarcopenia and OP have a synergistic effect on spinal OPF in RA patients.

Objective To investigate the correlation between angiopoietin-2(Ang-2)and intestinal fatty acid binding protein(I-FABP)levels and the prognosis of acute myocardial infarction(AMI)with cardiac shock(CS).Methods A total of 198 patients with AMI admitted to Huzhou Central Hospital from July 2017 to July 2019 were selected as study objects,and were divided into CS group(n=93)and non-CS group(n=105)according to whether CS occurred during the hospital period,and 65 normal volunteers admitted for physical examination during the same period were included in control group.Patients in CS group were divided into survival group(n=50)and death group(n=43)according to their survival at 28 days.Serum Ang-2 and I-FABP levels of all subjects were detected,and Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the factors affecting the poor prognosis of AMI with CS.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the diagnostic value of Ang-2 and I-FABP in AMI with CS.Results Serum Ang-2 and I-FABP levels in CS group were significantly higher than those in non-CS group and control group(P<0.05),and serum Ang-2 and I-FABP levels in non-CS group were significantly higher than those in control group(P<0.05).Serum Ang-2,I-FABP levels and proportion of diabetes in death group were significantly higher than those in survival group(P<0.05).Cox regression analysis showed that diabetes,Ang-2 and I-FABP levels were independent factors affecting the prognosis of AMI with CS(P<0.05).ROC curve showed that the area under the curve of Ang-2 and I-FABP combined to predict the prognosis of AMI with CS was 0.819,sensitivity was 81.4%,specificity was 80.0%.Conclusion Serum Ang-2 and I-FABP levels were elevated in patients with AMI with CS,which were potential biological indicators to predict the prognosis of patients.

OBJECTIVETo analyze factors relevant to revisional tympanomastoid surgery for chronic otitis media(COM).

METHODSThe clinical data of 159 patients (159 ears), who exhibited either wet ear or relapsed after the initial operation, and were subjected to revisional tympanomastoid surgery, were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Of those 159 consecutive patients, 85 were males and 74 were females, aged 11-64 years, with a median age of 36 years old. The situations in terms of intra-operative findings, surgical procedures, change dressing post-operation, dry ear time, and the improvement of aural ability during the second operation, were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTSThe second surgery found that, of those 159 patients underwent the re-operation, 67 presented with cholesteatoma and 92 had no cholesteatoma. In addition, the inadequate skeletonization and insufficient opening for mastoid cavity accounted for 70.4% (112/159) of all previous operations, the external auditory canal stenosis for 98.7% (157/159), the high facial ridge leading to insufficient drainage for 61.0% (97/159), the lesion in tympanic ostium of Eustachian tube for 34.6% (55/159), the insufficient drainage due to inappropriate post-operating dressing for 5.0% (8/159), the postauricular incision for 30.8% (49/159), and the endaural incision for 69.2% (110/159). As for the re-operation of the canal wall down mastoidectomy, tympanoplasty plus plastic repairing of cavity of concha were performed in 94 cases, the modified Bondy plus plastic repairing of cavity of concha in four cases, the radical mastoidectomy plus plastic repairing of cavity of concha in 59 cases, and the simple cleaning for mastoid cavity in two cases. Since one to two weeks after the revisional operations, the post-operating dressing was performed with aid of microscopy once a week on average. The average dry ear time ranged from 2 to 6 weeks (median=3 weeks). During a period of 6-93 months for the follow-up, all patients presented with dry ears. The epithelialization of the operating cavity was well and the tympanic membranes were integrity. Neither granulation tissue nor cholesteatoma was found to reoccur. Both pure tone hearing thresholds and air-bone gap decreased in 87 cases after the revisional operation, with statistically significant different in comparison to those two parameters before the operation (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe primary causes responsible for the wet ear or reoccurrent cholesteatoma after tympanomastoid surgery may be related to the improper operation procedures and selection of incision, the non-standard operation, inexhaustive removal of pathological tissues, as well as the irregular postoperation change dressing, and other factors.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear ; surgery ; Chronic Disease ; Ear Auricle ; surgery ; Eustachian Tube ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mastoid ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Otitis Media ; surgery ; Postoperative Period ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Tympanic Membrane ; pathology ; surgery ; Tympanoplasty ; Young Adult

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of combining simultaneous triple semicircular canal plugging (TSCP) and cochlear implantation (CI) to treat vertigo and hearing loss in advanced Meniere's disease(MD) patients, so as to provide an alternative surgical procedure for treating this disorder. Methods: Data from seven patients, who were referred to our hospital and diagnosed with unilateral MD strictly meeting the criteria issued by Chinese Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Committee (2006), from Jan. 2015 to Jan. 2016, were retrospectively analyzed in this work. Seven patients, in whom the standardized conservative treatment had been given for at least one year and frequent vertigo still occurred, underwent simultaneous TSCP and CI under general anesthesia via mastoid approach. Postoperative follow-up time was more than six months. Vertigo control and auditory function were measured. Pure tone audiometry, speech perception scores, caloric test, head impulse test (HIT), and vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) were performed for evaluation of audiological and vestibular functions. Results: All patients had bilateral severe sensorineural hearing loss preoperatively. One side hearing loss was due to MD and another side was due to reasons including sudden sensorineural hearing loss, mumps and other unknown reason. The total control rate of vertigo in seven MD patients was 100.0% in the six-month follow-up, with complete control rate of 85.7% (6/7) and substantial control rate of 14.3% (1/7). Improved hearing threshold and speech perception scores were observed in all study participants. Postoperative average aided hearing threshold was 32.5 dBHL, the average monosyllabic word score was 42.6% and speech perception scores of sentences tested in quiet was 52.3%. Tinnitus improved in five cases, and no significant change in two patients. Post-operatively, all patients suffered from temporary vertigo and balance disorders. Vertigo was disappeared in all patients within 3-5 days, while, an average recovery time of balance disorders was 19.7 days. Six months after treatment, loss of semicircular canal function by caloric test was found in the operation side of all patients and no change in cVEMP or oVEMP test was noted. All patients had no facial paralysis, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and other complications. Conclusions A combined approach of TSCP and CI which could control vertigo effectively and improve hearing loss and tinnitus represents an effective and safe therapy for some advanced MD patients.