OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnosis and therapeutic effects for fungal otitis externa by clinical symptoms, endoscopic findings, and fungus culture of the ear discharge. METHOD: Sixty outpatients diagnosed with otitis externa were enrolled in the study. All patients were treated with a thorough debridement of the ear and one antifungal medication regimens (compound resorcinol solution) in case of a positive fungus culture. One subgroup of patients treated with daub glycerol during 2 weeks of follow-up. RESULT: Positive cultures were found in 42 cases. The efficacy was observed in all patients even in those who received only ear endoscopy. CONCLUSION Fungal otitis externa could be easily diagnosed by ear endoscopy. A thorough debridement of the ear and utility of compound resorcinol solution is an easy and effective approach for treatment of fungal otitis externa.
Antifungal Agents ; therapeutic use ; Debridement ; Fungi ; Glycerol ; Humans ; Otitis Externa ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Otomycosis ; diagnosis ; Outpatients

Objective To explore the possible mechanism of miR 34a/Bcl-2 apoptotic pathway in the mouse model of age-related hearing loss.Methods A C57BL/6 mouse model of age-related hearing loss was conducted,and 4-week-old and 12-month-old mice were considered as the objects.The auditory brainstem response (ABR) was used to test the hearing function.The TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) was used to observe the apoptosis of neuron in auditory cortex.The mRNA and protein levels of miR-34a,Bcl-2 and caspase 3 were detected by real-time PCR and Western bloting,respectively.Results The ABR showed that the hearing threshold level at 4,8,16,32 kHz were higher in 12-month-old mice than in 4-week-old mice [(80.0±2.5) dBHL vs.(32.0 ±4.5) dBHL,(74.0±3.5) dBHL vs.(51.0±1.2) dBHL,(86.0±4.6) dBHL vs.(51.0±3.5) dBHL,(87.0±6.6) dBHL vs.(56.0±1.5) dBHL,all P＜0.05].Compared with 4 week-old mice,the total number of neurons in auditory cortex was decreased,the number of apoptosis neurons was increased,the expressions of miR-34a (t=6.02,P=0.001),Bax (t=6.51,P=0.012) and Caspase 3 (P=0.023) rised,and the expression of Bcl-2 (t=7.12,P=0.032) declined in 12 month-old mice.Conclusions The activation of miR-34a/Bcl-2 apoptotic pathway may be one of the mechanisms of age-related hearing loss.

OBJECTIVE Through investigation of the changes in biological characteristics of an E scherichia coli bacteriophage with broad host range,to study the mechanism of phage-host specificity and the bactericidal efficacy on sewage water samples.METHODS In this study,one strain of E.coli bacteriophages with broad host range was screened from natural environment using the E.coli 285.Then,in order to analyze the difference of biologic effects before and after the host range changed,we made a comparison of biological properties between the phage with broad host range and the phage f2.RESULTS The ultrastructure under electron microscope showed that the two phages were round-shaped particles,but phage XY′s diameter between 20-90 nm,short-tailed and occasionally visible;the anti-serum K value of phages f2 and XY was 30.1 and 41.5,respectively;whereas,between phages XY and f2,there was a low correlativity(K value

Rapid detection of pathogenic microorganisms is important to the prevention and control of diseases.Com-pared with traditional approaches, electrochemical DNA biosensors present great advantages in promising rapid, portable, sensitive and cost-saving detection of pathogens.In this review, the working principle of electrochemical DNA biosensors and the progress in detection of pathogens is introduced, the latest developments of DNA tetrahedron structure and new nano materials in electrochemical DNA biosensors are reviewed, and the challenges to and prospects of development in this field are also discussed.

Objective To explore the dynamic changes and clinical significance of relative pituitary hormones in children after craniocerebral injury.Methods The quantitative analysis and dynamic observation were performed in 125 children after craniocerebral injury and 20 voluntary healthy children of relative pituitary hormones including serum prolactin(PRL),cortisol(PTC),three free triiodothyronine (FT3),free thyroxine (FT4),thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH),growth hormone (GH) by applying electrochemical luminescence method.Tbe hormone variational characteristics were analyzed according to posttraumatic time,Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS) scores on admission and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores on discharge,and the relationship between hormone variational characteristics of 58 cases was followed up over 2 years and the activities of daily living (ADL) were also investigated.Results The serum PRL was significantly increased on the first,third and fifth day compared with the healthy control group (P =0.000 0,0.000 0,0.006 7),respectively.There was significant difference between mild,moderate and severe groups within 30 days after suffering from craniocerebral injury (P ＜ 0.05).PTC was heavily increased within 3 days,and significant difference existed among mild and moderate groups mild and severe groups (all P ＜ 0.05) ; TSH,FT3,FT4 decreased slightly after injury and gradually rose in later;GH change wasn't significant;and the larger variation of relative pituitary hormones was responsible for lower GCS scores;FT3,FT4,TSH,and GH decreased in different degrees,which were found in parts of children with craniocerebral injury,and the significant difference of serum PRL existed between GOS scores 4-5 and GOS scores 1-3 groups (P =0.000 1).Conclusions The changes of relative pituitary hormones were associated with the posttraumatic time and the severity of craniocerebral injury.The PRL in serum can aid in prediction of outcome for the children with craniocerebral injury.

Objective To analyze the main factors influencing the consumers' perceived value of TCM traceability system. Methods Based on the existing literature, this study constructed the analysis model of consumer perceived value influencing factors, and used the data of 370 consumers and Logistic regression analysis for study. Results Consumers' cognitive value and perceived value of TCM traceability system were lower, and consumers' perceived value of TCM traceability system was affected by sex, income, consumption habit, cognition degree of TCM, and quality evaluation level. Conclusion The government should formulate policies for the characteristics of different consumers, strengthen publicity, popularize the knowledge of TCM traceability system, and promote the construction and development of TCM traceability system, so as to ensure the quality and safety of TCM.

[ABSTRACT]OBJECTIVETo evaluate the short-term efficacy of Eustachian tube balloon dilation (ETBD) in the treatment of symptomatic Eustachian tube dysfunction (SETD) by subjective and objective analysis.METHODS Forty patients who underwent ETBD were included. Subjects’ inclusion criteria were as followed: symptoms of ETD (aural fullness predominantly, with or without otalgia, muffle hearing and tinnitus), normal tympanic membrane, type A or C tympanograms, and without a history of any middle ear diseases. Main outcomes including subjective improvement, otoscopy, pure-tone audiometry, impedance audiometry, R-value in tubomanometry (TMM) and Eustachian Tube Score (ETS) were assessed 1 week and 6 months postoperatively.RESULTSAll cases were dilated successfully. A significant effect of treatment was documented when measuring subjective improvement, impedance audiometry, R-value in TMM and ETS 1 week and 6 month postoperatively. Subjective symptoms were not relieved only in one patient. The overall success rate for all patients was 98%.CONCLUSIONETBD can provide short-term benefits to those who are diagnosed with SETD and refractory to medical management. SETD might be an optimal indication for ETBD in the treatment of ETD.

Objective To observe and identify the impact of a type of macro?pore bone block bioactive glass on osteo?blast in vitro. Methods Extract fluid of new bioactive glass was prepared withα?MEM culture medium as the bioactive medium group. And the concentrations of different ions were detected with Inductively Coupled Plasma?Atomic Emission Spectrometry in bioactive medium group andα?MEM medium group. MC3T3?E1 cells cultured in bioactive medium group were considered as ex?perimental group and cells cultured inα?MEM medium as control group. Giemsa and immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the cell numbers, the karyoplasmic ratio and the average fluorescence intensity per cell. Cell proliferation and viability in different groups were detected by cell cycle analysis, MTT assay and BrdU assay, respectively. Total RNAs of cells in different groups were extracted and the expressions of ALP, OCN and collagenⅠwere measured by quantitative real time PCR. ALP stain?ing and alizarin red staining were performed to assess the differentiation and mineralization of MC3TC?E1 cells in different groups. Results The concentrations of Si and F were 40.02 ± 0.67 mg/L and 0.02 ± 0.001 mg/L in bioactive medium group, higher than 2.02±0.01 mg/L and 0.00 mg/L inα?MEM solution, and the concentration of Ca was lower than that inα?MEM solution. The con?centration of P and Na had no difference. In Giemsa staining, the cell number in 400 times field under a microscope was 106.0 ± 6.025 in bioactive medium group and 40.20 ± 3.639 inα?MEM medium group. In the immunofluorescence of vinculin, the karyo?plasmic ratio and the expression of vinculin were higher in bioactive medium group (40.85±5.720, 0.050 88±0.021 78) than inα? MEM medium group (21.93 ± 4.137, 0.023 60 ± 0.003 18). In cell cycle analysis, the proportion of cells retained in S and G2/M phase in the bioactive medium group was more than that in theα?MEM medium group after 72 hours of cell culture. In the BrdU and MTT assay, MC3T3?E1 cells in bioactive medium group both showed a higher proliferation rate with statistical significance. In MC3T3?E1 cells cultured with the bioactive medium, the expressions of osteogenesis?related genes were higher than those cultured with ordinaryα?MEM solution;in the ALP staining and alizarin red staining, the expression of ALP and the mineralization rate were higher in bioactive medium group (1.328%±0.015 36%, 2.953%±0.536 3%) than inα?MEM medium group (0.979%±0.030 59%, 1.000%±0.208 1%). Conclusion The bioactive medium promotes cell proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of MC3T3?E1 cells, and has much more Si ions, which indicates that macro?pore bone block bioactive glass can promote cell proliferation and dif?ferentiation and has promising bioactivity.

Objective　To analyze and visualize the epidemic changes of schistosomiasis in Wuhan from 2013 to 2022 based on a geographical information system (GIS), providing references for further schistosomiasis control activities. Methods　According to the historical data of the annual reports of schistosomiasis screening and street-level vector map of Wuhan City from 2013 to 2022, a spatial database of epidemic information at the street level was established. The Joinpoint regression model was utilized to analyze the trend of phased changes in blood positivity rate for schistosomiasis. ArcMap 10.8 was employed for the spatial visualization of the positive rate of serological tests for schistosomiasis among the screened population in the endemic areas of Wuhan over the past decade, as well as conducting hot spot analysis (Getis-Ord Gi*) to explore the spatial clustering relationship and spatiotemporal trends. Heatmaps were generated to reflect the changes in the positive rate of blood tests for schistosomiasis over a decade in various streets, and the areas were classified by the ward’s method of hierarchical clustering using the sum of squared deviations. Results　Over the past decade, the overall annual positive rate of schistosomiasis screening in Wuhan declined from 2.23% in 2013 to 0.47% in 2022, showing a general downward trend. The Joinpoint regression model analysis of the blood positive rate indicated the presence of one connection point in 2015; from 2013 to 2015, the annual percent change (APC) of the positive rate was 2.17%, showing an upward trend (P>0.05); from 2015 to 2022, the APC was -23.34%, indicating a downward trend (P<0.05). The map of positive street-level schistosomiasis screening rates for 2013-2022 shows that the positive rate count on the streets of Caidian District and Hannan District in southwestern Wuhan and Huashan Street on the east side, had a significant decrease over the ten years, while the rate in the streets under the jurisdiction of Dongxihu District in the west showed an increase. The hot spot analysis graph revealed that hot spots of the positive rate in Wuhan shifted from the southwest to the west beginning in 2018. The heatmap indicated the largest disparity in trend changes, with the most noteworthy decline in streets under Caidian District and an increasing trend in the streets under Dongxihu District. Conclusions　The overall epidemic situation of schistosomiasis in Wuhan is on a downtrend, although the positive rate of blood tests has increased in some areas. This has been attributed to a reduction in the total number of people participating in the blood tests and the slow decrease of antibodies in certain patients who were repeatedly sampled for testing. It is important to further strengthen the construction of monitoring capabilities, improve the sensitivity of monitoring systems, identify potential risks promptly, and handle them properly.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the early clinical effects of arthroscopic treatment for cruciate ligament cysts of the knee.

METHODSFrom September 2008 to January 2014, 23 patients with cruciate cysts were treated with arthroscopic surgery. There were 11 males and 17 females, with an average age of 28.3 years old (ranged, 16 to 56 years old). Twenty patients had injuries on the right knee and 8 patients had injuries on the left knee. Eight patients had a history of injury,5 patients had a history of chronic injury,and the other 15 patients had no obvious reasons for the symptom. Before the operation, 24 patients were clearly diagnosed as the cruciate ligament cysts of knee joint,and 4 patients were diagnosed as other problems of the knee, but the diagnosis were corrected after the operation. According to the MRI before the surgery,all the patients could be divided into 3 types: 14 were type I, 6 were type II, 8 were type III. After the operation, the patients were suggested to have a rest for 2 weeks, and take exercises everyday at the same time. The knee range of motion, Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) 2000 subjective score, GLASGOW criteria, and McMurray test, pivot shift test, and anterior drawer test were observed to evaluate clinical results.

RESULTSAll the incisions healed at the first stage without complications. Twenty-five patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 12 to 52 months, with a mean of 26.7 months. Three patients accepted the reconstruction of ACL or tightened elongated ACL using bipolar radio frequency. The Lysholm score increased from preoperative 59.80 +/- 6.58 to 75.32 +/- 6.49 at the latest follow-up; IKDC 2000 score increased from preoperative 65.36 +/- 6.26 to 81.00 +/- 5.76 at the latest follow-up. According to GLASGOW criteria,23 patients got an excellent result and 2 good.

CONCLUSIONIt has a satisfactory curative effect on ACL reconstruction using bipolar radio frequency. It has advantages of firm fixation, simple and secure operation as well as quick postoperative recovery. It's very important to check the MRI before operations, and carefully seek the cysts during the operations, avoiding the omission of any cysts,especially the cases of multiple cysts. Finally, patients should take exercises actively after operations.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; Arthroscopy ; Cysts ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Knee Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Young Adult