Meniere's disease (MD), a kind of common disease of otology, is based on the endolymphatic hydrops. The clinical features of MD are intermittent episodes of vertigo, fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus and ear fullness. With the in-depth exploration of the disease, the diagnosis and treatment of MD has made a series of research results. In this paper, the related literature and research reports in recent years were reviewed.
Endolymphatic Hydrops ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; Humans ; Meniere Disease ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Tinnitus ; Vertigo

Objective To evaluate the effect of total glucosides of paeony (TGP) on the expression of interleukin-18 (IL-18) in human HaCaT keratinocytes,and to explore the roles of extracelluar signal-regulated protein kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2) signaling pathways in the effect.Methods Some cultured human HaCaT keratinocytes were classified into three groups:control group treated with dimethyl sulfoxide (0.031％),TGP groups treated with 6 different concentrations (0.5,2.5,12.5,62.5,125.0 and 312.5 mg/L) of TGP respectively,inhibitor groups treated with TGP of 125 mg/L after 2-hour pretreatment with PD98059 (an ERK1/2 inhibitor) and SP600125 (a JNK1/2 inhibitor) of 10 μmol/L respectively.After additional culture for 48 hours,reverse transcription (RT)-PCR was performed to measure the mRNA expression level of IL-18,and enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine the level of IL-18 protein in the culture supematant of HaCaT cells.Some HaCaT keratinocytes were classified into two groups to be treated with TGP of 125 mg/L for 15,30 and 60 minutes with or without the pretreatment with PD98059 and SP600125 of 10 μmol/L; then,Western blot was carried out to determine the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and JNK1/2 in HaCaT cells.Results The levels of IL-18 mRNA and protein in culture supernatant were significantly increased by TGP of 0.5 and 2.5 mg/L,but decreased by TGP of 62.5 and 125.0 mg/L,and TGP of 125.0 mg/L showed the strongest inhibitory effect.After treatment with TGP of 125.0 mg/L,the level of phosphorylated ERK1/2 in HaCaT cells peaked at 15 minutes (0.448 ± 0.018),decreased to 0.213 ± 0.005 at 30 minutes and 0.217 ± 0.005 at 60 minutes,with significant differences between TGP-treated and untreated cells at 15 minutes (0.448 ± 0.018 vs.0.204 ± 0.005,P＜ 0.05) but not at 30 or 60 minutes (both P ＞ 0.05).The phosphorylation level of ERK1/2 was 0.237 ± 0.010 in HaCaT cells pretreated with PD98059 prior to the treatment with TGP,significantly different from that in HaCaT cells treated with TGP only (P ＜0.01).TGP of 125.0 mg/L had no obvious effect on JNK phosphorylation,and there was no significant difference in the level of phosphorylated JNK1/2 between HaCaT cells untreated and those treated with TGP of 125.0 mg/L for different durations (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions TGP can inhibit the expression of IL-18 mRNA and protein in HaCaT cells,likely through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Objectives In order to develop a rapid microsatellite genotyping assay for inter-strain differentiation of Candida albicans isolates and understand the transmission characteristics of the infections. Methods DNA was extracted from C. albicans isolates from genitals, anal canals and oral cavities of 39 women and 27 men with genital candidiasis. The microsatellite sequences in stabel genes(CDC3, EF3 and HIS3) were amplified by a fluorescence labeled PCR. Fluorescent signals were read with an automatic se- quencer, and the data were collected with GeneScan software followed by genotyping with Genotyper soft- ware to analyze polymorphic microsatellite loci. Results Combined analysis of the 3 microsatellite markers showed 18 gene allele associations in C. albicans from genital sites of all men and women, including 10 in women, 11 in men and 3 in both. The allele associations of dominant pathogenetic strains for both sexes were 116:124, 122:131,160:200, which covered 50% of pathogenetic infection. Three common allele associations for both sexes covered 71% of all infections. Genitals and anal canals shared strains of same allele associations in 80% of women and in only 3.8% of men. The strains of same allele associations were identified in both genitals and mouth in 2.7% of women but in none of men. In their genital sites 71% of couples shared the same allele strains, of which 80% were the dominant pathogenetic strains identified in both sexes. Conclusions The improved microsatellite genotyping assay is useful for rapid differentiation, identification of infective source, and contact tracing of C. albicans infection. There are pathogenetic C. albi- cans strains with predominant allele associations in genital infections.

Objective:To investigate the mechanism of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor in down-regulating the expression of HER-2 in breast cancer cells and to provide an innovative therapeutic option to overcome the disadvantages of anti-HER-2 therapy. Meth-ods:HER-2-positive breast cell lines were treated with HDAC inhibitors. The changes in the gene and protein levels of HER-2 were de-tected by qPCR and Western blot. MiRNA microarray was used to identify the HDAC inhibitors, whereas qPCR was used to verify the miRNA expression. Results:In vitro cell experiments confirmed that the HDAC inhibitors TSA and SAHA can down-regulate the expres-sion of HER-2 in breast cancer cell lines. TSA can down-regulate the expression of HER-2 gene in BT474 and decrease the concentra-tions of 100 nmol by 10.7%and 200 nmol by 38.9%(P<0.05). TSA had no effect on the primary cells. The expression of HER-2 gene of BT474 was down-regulated by 93.9%(P<0.05) in the 5μmol/L group but not in the 1μmol/L group. SAHA significantly affected the pri-mary cells at a concentration of 1μmol/L and reduced the cells at 87.1%at a concentration of 5μmol/L. Seven miRNAs were identified from the miRNA microarray. MiR-762 was used as a basis to identify the changes in miRNA. The miRNA sputum identified by miRNA microarray and qPCR may be associated with the down-regulation of HER-2 by HDAC inhibitors. Conclusion: HDAC inhibitors may down-regulate the expression of HER-2 in breast cancer cells by changing some miRNAs.

As a classic eye movement method, electrooculogram (EOG) has been extensively used in many applications. There are many different types of eye movements and artifact in the EOG signal. Noise attenuation and signal separation have received special attention in the EOG research. In this paper, we introduce a novel Linear-nonlinear combinational filter based on weighted FIR-median-hybrid (WFMH) with the characteristic of the EOG signal. The result of the simulation shows that this filter has the property of removing random noise more efficiently when preserving sharp edges. Finally, it is shown that the new filter is effective in separating saccadic and eye blink in the EOG signal.
Electrooculography ; methods ; Eye Movements ; physiology ; Humans ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted

Objective: To systematically evaluate the incidence and influencing factors of depression in family caregivers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, so as to provide the basis for the prevention and treatment of depression among the family caregivers of AD patients. Methods: Publications pertaining to depression in family caregivers of AD patients were retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang Data, PubMed and other databases from the time of their establishment to June 15, 2023. The evaluation criteria recommended by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale were used to assess the quality of cross-sectional and cohort studies, respectively. Stata 16.0 and Revman 5.4 softwares were used to conduct a meta-analysis on the incidence and influencing factors of depression in family caregivers of AD patients. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias assessment were also performed on the results. Results: A total of 2 324 articles were retrieved, and ultimately 14 articles were included, with a total sample size of 8 313 individuals. There were 6 high-quality articles and 8 moderate-quality articles. Meta-analysis showed that the incidence of depression in family caregivers of AD patients was 37.5% (95%CI: 30.2%-45.1%). Factors associated with depression included patients' high degree of dementia (OR=1.718, 95%CI: 1.059-2.789), patients' low scores on Activities of Daily Living Scale (OR=1.344, 95%CI: 1.059-1.706), patients' psychobehavioral abnormalities (OR=1.248, 95%CI: 1.155-1.348), long duration of caregiving (OR=1.998, 95%CI: 1.637-2.437), less involvement of other family members in caregiving (OR=1.597, 95%CI: 1.237-2.061), low educational level (OR=1.191, 95%CI: 1.044-1.359), poor caregiving skills (OR=3.060, 95%CI: 2.257-4.149), poor self-rated health (OR=2.536, 95%CI: 1.114-5.771) and social support (OR=0.424, 95%CI: 0.232-0.774). The results of depression incidence demonstrated good stability with no significant publication bias. However, publication bias was observed in the influencing factors for depression, which were patients' high degree of dementia and patients' low scores on Activities of Daily Living Scale. Conclusions The incidence of depression in family caregivers of AD patients ranges from 30.2% to 45.1%. It is primarily influenced by the severity of patients' symptoms and ability to perform daily activities, and caregivers' educational level, caregiving skills, health status, caregiving duration and social support.

Objective:To evaluate Masquelet technique plus flap transfer in repair of tibial infected defects complicated with extensive soft tissue defects in the lower leg.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed in the 23 patients who had been treated by Masquelet technique plus flap transfer at Institute of Orthopedics and Trauma, 920 Hospital for tibial infected defects complicated with extensive soft tissue defects in the lower leg from March 2016 to June 2019. They were 15 males and 8 females, aged from 18 to 59 years (average, 38.4 years). The duration of disease ranged from 6 to 312 months (average, 23.6 months). All patients underwent surgery by 2 stages:1) debridement, locking compression plate fixation, formation of induced membrane by antibiotic-loaded bone cement, and repair of soft tissue defects with lower leg flaps; 2) removal of bone cement and fixation 6 to 8 weeks after infection control, fixation of broken ends after rinse, followed by grafting of cancellous bone particles in the induced membrane. The area of wound soft tissue defects after debridement ranged from 4.0 cm × 3.5 cm to 18.0 cm × 6.0 cm, and the length of bone defects from 6 to 12 cm (average, 8.4 cm). Locally grafted were pedicled fasciocutaneous flap in 4 cases, sural nerve nutrition skin flap in 9 cases (including 4 anterograde and 5 retrograde ones), saphenous nerve nutrition vascular flap in 7 cases (including 2 anterograde and 5 retrograde ones), retrograde superficial peroneal nerve nutrient vessel flap in one and free flap in 2 cases. The curative efficacy was evaluated according to the Paley fracture healing scores.Results:All the 23 patients were followed up for 9 to 46 months (average, 15.6 months). Flaps healed by the first stage in 18 cases and after skin grafting in 3 cases; skin flap transfer was conducted again in 2 cases. Infection was controlled in 21 cases but recurred in 2 cases at 9 and 14 months respectively after secondary surgery. The time for bone reunion ranged from 4 to 11 months (average, 6.2 months). According to the Paley criteria for fracture healing, 21 cases were excellent, one was good and one poor.Conclusion:In the treatment of tibial infected defects complicated with extensive soft tissue defects, Masquelet technique plus transfer of a variety of lower leg flaps can result in reliable outcomes because it controls infection, promotes formation of complete induced membrane and accelerates the process of bone reconstruction along with repair of soft tissue defects.

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of the roots of Osbeckia opipara.

METHODRepeated column chromatography over silica gel, RP-18 and Sephadex LH-20, and preparative thin layer chromatography(PTLC) were used to isolate the compounds, whose structures were determined by spectroscopic methods by direct comparing spectral data with those reported references.

RESULTFrom the MeOH extract of the roots O. opipara, twelve compounds were isolated and identified as follows: lasiodiplodin (1) , de-O-methyllasiodiplodin (2), 2, 3- dihydro-2-hydroxy-2, 4-dimethyl-5-trans-propenylfuran-3-one (3), integracin (4), 5alpha, 8alpha-epidioxy-(22E, 24R)-ergosta-6, 22-dien-3beta-ol (5), 3, 3', 4'-tri-O-methylellagic acid (6), 5-hydroxymethyl furaldehyde (7), vomifolio (8) , betulintic acid (9), 2alpha-hydroxyursolic acid (10), (24R)-stigmast-4-ene-3-one (11), and eugenitin (12).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1-12 were isolated from O. opipara for the first time.

Cholestenones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Fermentation ; Fruiting Bodies, Fungal ; chemistry ; Melastomataceae ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Spectrum Analysis ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Objective:To explore the effect of self-made Yiqi Yangyin Decoction on immune function, serum tumor markers and toxic and side effects of chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer chemotherapy.Methods:A total of 88 patients with advanced gastric cancer who met the inclusion criteria in the hospital between December 2018 and December 2020 were divided into two groups according to the random number table method, with 44 in each group. The control group was treated with chemotherapy, and the observation group was given self-made Yiqi Yangyin Decoction on the basis of the control group. The two groups were treated for 4 consecutive cycles with 3 weeks as 1 cycle. The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) symptoms were scored before and after treatment, and the levels of IgG, IgA and IgM were detected by immunoturbidimetry. The levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cancer antigen 125 (CA125) were detected by ELISA. The gastrointestinal reactions, thrombocytopenia, anemia, leukopenia and neurotoxicity were recorded and evaluated during treatment, and the clinical efficacy was assessed.Results:The total effective rate was 81.8% (36/44) in observation group and 61.4% (27/44) in control group (χ 2=4.53, P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of stomachache and gastric distension, poor appetite, shortness of breath, and drooping spirit in observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=17.28, 11.91, 5.02, 5.65, all Ps<0.001) while the levels of serum IgG [(9.39±0.46)g/L vs. (8.54±0.23) g/L, t=10.96], IgA [(1.35±0.42) g/L vs. (1.07±0.15) g/L, t=6.90] and IgM [(0.92±0.09) g/L vs. (0.78±0.10) g/L, t=4.17] were significantly higher than those in the control group ( P<0.01). The levels of serum CEA [(9.07±1.01) μg/L vs. (14.89±2.13) μg/L, t=16.38] and CA125 [(24.87± 4.68) kU/L vs. (30.75±5.33) kU/L, t=5.50] were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01). During treatment, the toxic and side effects of gastrointestinal reactions, thrombocytopenia, anemia, leukopenia and neurotoxicity were significantly lower in the observation group than those in the control group ( Z=18.52, 2.54, 3.12, 3.84, 2.34, P<0.05). Conclusion:Self-made Yiqi Yangyin Decoction can improve the TCM symptoms, enhance the immunity, reduce the levels of serum tumor markers, and relieve the toxic and side effects of chemotherapy of patients undergoing chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer.

Objective: To explore the cross classification of tibial plateau fractures combined with avulsion fracture of medial femoral condyle. Methods: The 16 patients were retrospectively analysed as an observation group who had been treated at Department of Lower Limbs, Sichuan Orthopaedic Hospital for tibial plateau fracture and avulsion fracture of the medial condyle of the same femur from January 2015 to December 2018. They were 9 males and 7 females, aged from 27 to 78 years (average, 51.5 years). By the Schatzker classification, there were 2 cases of type Ⅰ, 8 cases of type Ⅱ, 3 cases of type Ⅲ and one case of type Ⅳ; by the cross classification, there were 10 cases of type Ⅰe, one case of type Ⅱe and 2 cases of type Ⅲe and 3 cases of type Ⅰv. The 332 patients were included as a control group who had been treated at the same department for simple tibial plateau fracture from January 2010 to December 2015. The imaging data of the 2 groups were compared to find out the charateristics of cross type distribution; the widened distance of the lateral tibial plateau, collapse depth of the tibial plateau, separation of avulsion fracture of medial femoral condyle, maximum clearance of the medial knee and eversion angle of the tibial plateau were investigated in the patients with cross types e and Ⅰv in the observation group. Results: In the observation group, the widened distance of the lateral tibial plateau averaged 7.18 mm, the collapse depth of the tibial plateau 8.74 mm, the separation of avulsion fracture of medial femoral condyle 3.44 mm, the maximum clearance of the medial knee 7.77 mm, and the eversion angle of the tibial plateau 87.03°. There was a significant difference in the cross type distribution of tibial plateau fractures between the 2 groups (P=0.002). In the observation group, the average widened distance of the lateral tibial platea for the 13 type e patients (8.49±4.26 mm)was significantly larger than that for the 3 type Ⅰv patients (1.51±2.11 mm) (t=2.706, P=0.017). Conclusion The cross classification of tibial plateau fractures with avulsion fracture of mediall condyle of the same femur may result mainly in types e and type Ⅰv. The widened distance of lateral tibial plateau helps distinction between types e and type Ⅰv.