Objective To investigate the differences in speech recognition in noise between patients with con-genital and acquired single-sided deafness.Methods Sixty-two patients with single-sided deafness were included in this study,which included 31 congenital single-sided deafness(CSSD)cases and 31 acquired single-sided deafness(ASSD)cases according to the onset of deafness.Thirty-one normal hearing(NH)subjects were also included in this study as the control group.The ability of speech recognition in noise were tested and compared among the three groups,meanwhile the differences between patients with left and right single-sided deafness were compared.Results The speech recognition threshold in noise of ASSD patients was significantly higher than that of CSSD patients,and both of them were significantly higher than that of the NH subjects.Under the 0 and-2 dB signal-to-noise ra-tio conditions,the speech recognition score was significantly lower in ASSD patients compared to CSSD patients,but only in ASSD patients it was significantly lower than that of the NH group,with no significant difference be-tween CSSD patients and the NH group.A significant difference in speech recognition thresholds was observed be-tween left and right CSSD patients.Conclusion CSSD have better speech recognition in noise than ASSD patients,suggesting better central function compensation.In addition,the side of deafness affects the speech recognition per-formance of CSSD patients.

OBJECTIVE: Left ventricular remodeling induced by myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MI/RI) is a common cardiac dysfunction. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that autophagy plays a vital role in protecting against ventricular remodeling. This study aims to investigate the performance of Compound Danshen Tablets (CDT) in rescuing ventricular remodeling and whether autophagy as the potential mechanism. METHODS: The left anterior descending arteries of rats were temporarily ligated for 30 min to construct the MI/RI model. Ventricular remodeling was induced by reperfusion for 28 d, during which the MI/RI rats were administered CDT (300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg), atorvastatin (2 mg/kg), and diltiazem (16 mg/kg). Cardiac function and structure were examined by echocardiography. Immunohistochemistry, Masson's trichrome staining, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining were utilized to assess the fibrosis and histological alterations in the heart tissue. The expression of autophagy-related proteins was detected using Western blotting. RESULTS: CDT attenuated the cardiac dysfunction, structural changes, histopathological changes and fibrosis induced by MI/RI. CDT significantly enhanced the level of Beclin1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta (LC3β), and reduced p62 levels in MI/RI rats. Moreover, CDT significantly increased the phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibited mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) phosphorylation. CONCLUSION CDT ameliorated MI/RI-induced ventricular remodeling by activating autophagy and improving autophagic flux via the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.

Objective : To explore the risk factors of biliary stricture after liver transplantation and to construct a nomogram prediction model. Methods : The clinical data of 208 liver transplant recipients in hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including 54 cases in the biliary stricture group and 154 cases in the non-biliary stricture group. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen out independent predictors, fit the prediction model and construct a visual nomogram to evaluate the prediction model. Survival curves were drawn and multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed. Results : Autoimmune liver diseases(OR=6.610,95%CI: 1.410-30.99), alanine aminotransferase(ALT)(OR=1.007,95%CI: 1.003-1.011), warm ischemia time(OR=1.972,95%CI: 1.399-2.780), cold ischemia time(OR=1.016,95%CI: 1.010-1.022), cytomegalovirus infection(OR=6.037,95%CI: 1.480-24.63) and hepatic vascular stenosis(OR=7.784,95%CI: 2.312-26.20) were independent predictors of biliary stricture after liver transplantation. The area under the curve(AUC) of the nomogram prediction model was 0.921, the cut-off value was 0.238, the sensitivity was 0.889, and the specificity was 0.838. The model showed good discrimination. The Brier score was 0.092, Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit testP=0.253, Calibration curve(B=1 000) was in good agreement, and the model showed good calibration. Decision curve analysis(DCA) showed that the application of the model could benefit liver transplant recipients. The postoperative follow-up time was 27-60 months. The cumulative survival rate of the non-biliary stricture group was better than that of the biliary stricture group(P=0.019), but multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that biliary stricture(HR=1.194, 95%CI: 0.624-2.285) was not an independent risk factor for survival after liver transplantation. Conclusion The nomogram model based on autoimmune liver diseases, ALT, warm ischemia time, cold ischemia time, cytomegalovirus infection and hepatic vascular stenosis performs well and can be used to predict the occurrence of biliary stricture after liver transplantation.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of using drug combination and sublingual immunotherapy（SLIT） for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea（OSA） and allergic rhinitis（AR） after adenotonsillectomy, in order to provide a more optimized treatment plan after the surgery. Methods:A total of 95 pediatric OSA combined with AR were selected. According to the treatment plan, they were divided into the SLIT group（postoperative medication combined with SLIT） and the control group（postoperative medication treatment only）. The comparisons were made between the two groups regarding the scores of the 18-item Quality of Life Questionnaire for Obstructive Sleep Apnea（OSA-18） and the Visual Analogue Scale（VAS） before and at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after treatment; the monthly total medication scores（TMS） from 1 month to 3 months, 4 months to 6 months, 7 months to 1 year, and 1 year to 2 years after treatment, as well as the number of acute attacks of AR in the 1st year and 2nd year after treatment; and the Lund-Kennedy scores and nasal resistance grading of nasal endoscopy before and at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after treatment. The effectiveness and safety were also analyzed. Results:After one year of treatment, the OSA-18 score, VAS score, TMS and Lund-Kennedy score in the SLIT group were significantly better than those in the control group. The nasal resistance was significantly reduced（P<0.05）, and the frequency of AR attacks was significantly lower than that in the control group（P<0.05）. After 2 years of treatment, the VAS score, Lund-Kennedy score and nasal resistance classification in the SLIT group tended to stabilize, while the OSA-18 score continued to decline. Conclusion:After surgery for pediatric OSA combined with AR, the use of drugs combined with SLIT can effectively alleviate AR symptoms, further improve OSA-related symptoms and quality of life, reduce drug dependence, decrease the frequency of AR attacks, and enhance the long-term efficacy of the surgery.
Humans ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/surgery* ; Rhinitis, Allergic/therapy* ; Quality of Life ; Child ; Tonsillectomy ; Treatment Outcome ; Adenoidectomy ; Sublingual Immunotherapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Male ; Female

Objective To investigate the differences in speech recognition in noise between patients with con-genital and acquired single-sided deafness.Methods Sixty-two patients with single-sided deafness were included in this study,which included 31 congenital single-sided deafness(CSSD)cases and 31 acquired single-sided deafness(ASSD)cases according to the onset of deafness.Thirty-one normal hearing(NH)subjects were also included in this study as the control group.The ability of speech recognition in noise were tested and compared among the three groups,meanwhile the differences between patients with left and right single-sided deafness were compared.Results The speech recognition threshold in noise of ASSD patients was significantly higher than that of CSSD patients,and both of them were significantly higher than that of the NH subjects.Under the 0 and-2 dB signal-to-noise ra-tio conditions,the speech recognition score was significantly lower in ASSD patients compared to CSSD patients,but only in ASSD patients it was significantly lower than that of the NH group,with no significant difference be-tween CSSD patients and the NH group.A significant difference in speech recognition thresholds was observed be-tween left and right CSSD patients.Conclusion CSSD have better speech recognition in noise than ASSD patients,suggesting better central function compensation.In addition,the side of deafness affects the speech recognition per-formance of CSSD patients.

Immunotherapy has recently shown significant potential in treating malignant tumors.However,the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment(TME)limits the number of patients who benefit from this approach.Combining ultrasound with drug-loaded microbubble technology can directly induce tumor cell death through cavitation and pore-forming effects;this promotes tumor anti-gen presentation and enhances immune recognition of these antigens.This strategy also modulates the immunosuppressive state of the tu-mor microenvironment,making it more conducive to an effective immune response.It also normalizes blood vessels and reduces interstitial fluid pressure within the tumor,as well as helps therapeutic agents or genes to penetrate tumor tissues,thereby enhancing overall immune efficacy.This review examines the use of low-intensity ultrasound combined with drug-loaded microbubbles to improve the tumor microen-vironment and boost tumor immune responses.

Immunotherapy has recently shown significant potential in treating malignant tumors.However,the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment(TME)limits the number of patients who benefit from this approach.Combining ultrasound with drug-loaded microbubble technology can directly induce tumor cell death through cavitation and pore-forming effects;this promotes tumor anti-gen presentation and enhances immune recognition of these antigens.This strategy also modulates the immunosuppressive state of the tu-mor microenvironment,making it more conducive to an effective immune response.It also normalizes blood vessels and reduces interstitial fluid pressure within the tumor,as well as helps therapeutic agents or genes to penetrate tumor tissues,thereby enhancing overall immune efficacy.This review examines the use of low-intensity ultrasound combined with drug-loaded microbubbles to improve the tumor microen-vironment and boost tumor immune responses.

Objective:To predict the status of microvascular invasion (MVI) in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) patients preoperatively based on the radiomics analysis of contrast-enhanced CT to provide imaging evidence for early identification of patients at high risk of recurrence.Methods:Clinical data of 40 ICC patients who underwent radical hepatectomy at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2021 to May 2024 were retrospectively collected. Patients were divided into the MVI group ( n=8) and the non-MVI group ( n=32) according to the MVI status of the postoperative pathology report. Whether there were differences in each pathological index between the groups and the efficacy of radiomics analysis of contrast-enhanced CT for the preoperative prediction of MVI were analyzed. The regions of interest (ROI) were outlined on the arterial and venous phase images using the 3D Slicer software. Then, radiomics features were extracted from each ROI based on Python. Finally, the LASSO regression and glm function were used to screen radiomics features and establish a prediction model based on the R language. The established predictive model′s diagnostic efficacy, calibration, and net clinical benefit were evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA), respectively. Normally distributed measurement data were expressed as mean±standard deviation ( ± s) and compared using the t-test. Count data were expressed as frequency and compared using the chi-square test. Results:Patients in the MVI group had more poorly differentiated tumors and a significantly higher proportion of lymph node metastases ( P<0.05). The established radiomics prediction model included six features, 1 first-order statistical feature and 5 gray texture features. The area under the ROC curve was 0.87, the sensitivity was 75.0%, and the specificity was 90.6%. The calibration curve showed good agreement between the predicted MVI and actual MVI status, and the decision curve demonstrated that the model could provide a large net clinical benefit. Conclusion:Radiomics analysis of contrast-enhanced CT can identify the MVI status of ICC patients preoperatively and aid in clinical decision-making, providing vital evidence for individualized and precise treatment of ICC.

Objective To explore the effect of Danshensu on myocardial mitochondrial function in diabetes cardiomyopathy(DCM)rats based on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ(PPARγ)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator-1α(PGC-1α)pathway.Methods Rats were randomly separated into normal group,model group,low-(5 mg·kg-1),medium-(10 mg·kg-1)and high-(20 mg·kg-1)dose Danshensu groups,metformin group(140 mg·kg-1),as well as high-dose Danshensu+GW9662 group(20 mg·kg-1 Danshensu+1 mg·kg-1 GW9662),with 12 rats in each group.Except for the normal group,rats in other groups were fed with high-glucose and high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin to construct a DCM model.After successful modeling,the rats were administered corresponding drug once a day for six weeks.Fasting blood glucose values were detected by blood glucose meter.Echocardiography was applied to evaluate cardiac function of rats including left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS)and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF).HE staining was applied to detect pathological changes in myocardial tissue.Transmission electron microscopy was applied to observe mitochondrial structure of myocardial tissue.JC-1 staining was applied to detect mitochondrial membrane potential in rat cardiomyocytes.The kit was applied to detect adenosine triphosphate(ATP)content and reactive oxygen species(ROS)expression in myocardial tissue.Western Blot was applied to detect the protein expression of PPARγ and PGC-1α in myocardial tissue.Results Compared with normal group,fasting blood glucose in model group was significantly increased(P＜0.05),LVFS and LVEF were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).It was found that myocardial tissue was obviously damaged and myocardial mitochondria became swollen.The percentage of non-deleted cardiomyocyte mitochondrial membrane potential was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).ATP content in myocardial tissue was significantly decreased(P＜0.05),ROS expression was significantly increased(P＜0.05).The protein expressions of PPARγ and PGC-1α in myocardial tissue were significantly downregulated(P＜0.05).Compared with model group,fasting blood glucose levels in Danshensu and metformin groups were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),while LVFS and LVEF were significantly increased(P＜0.05).It was found that myocardial tissue damage and mitochondrial structure damage were alleviated.The percentage of non-deleted cardiomyocyte mitochondrial membrane potential was significantly increased(P＜0.05).ATP content in myocardial tissue was significantly increased(P＜0.05),ROS expression was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).The protein expressions of PPARγ and PGC-1α in myocardial tissue were significantly upregulated(P＜0.05).Compared with high-dose Danshensu group,fasting blood glucose level in high-dose Danshensu+GW9662 group was significantly increased(P＜0.05),LVFS and LVEF levels were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Damage of myocardial tissue and myocardial mitochondria structure became serious and myocardial mitochondria was obviously swollen.The percentage of non-deleted cardiomyocyte mitochondrial membrane potential was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).ATP content in myocardial tissue was significantly decreased(P＜0.05),ROS expression was significantly increased(P＜0.05).The protein expressions of PPARγ and PGC-1α in myocardial tissue were significantly downregulated(P＜0.05).Conclusion Danshensu improves mitochondrial function in DCM rats,which may be related to the activation of the PPARγ/PGC-1α pathway.

Objective:Extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal(ECCO 2R) is a technique that aims to decarboxylate the blood and thus to correct hypercapnia and respiratory acidosis in acute respiratory failure, but is rarely used in children.We successfully completed the ECCO 2R treatment for a pediatric case with adenovirus pneumonia, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) and hypercapnia in PICU, which provided clinical references for the use of ECCO 2R in acute respiratory failure for children. Methods:A patient with adenovirus pneumonia and severe ARDS was successfully treated with ECCO 2R-continuous renal replacement therapy(CRRT)combined system after weaning from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO). We reported the treatment process, ECCO 2R treatment effect and side effects, so as to provide clinical reference for ECCO 2R treatment of children with ARDS. Results:One-year and four-month-old boy was treated with mechanical ventilation and venous-arterial ECMO due to adenovirus pneumonia and severe ARDS.After ECMO treatment for 25 days, he developed severe hypercapnia after weaning from ECMO.ECCO 2R was initiated.The pH value increased by 11.2%(from 7.222 to 7.303) 1 hour after ECCO 2R treatment, partial pressure of blood carbon dioxide(PCO 2)decreased by 29.1%(from 72.6 mmHg to 51.5 mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and the average airway pressure of high-frequency ventilation decreased by 5 cmH 2O(from 20 cmH 2O to 15 cmH 2O, 1 cmH 2O=0.098 kPa) after 6 hours of ECCO 2R.The CO 2 removal rate of ECCO 2R system was 29.1 mL/min.It was stopped because of ECCO 2R-membrane clotting after 72 h. There was no increase of PCO 2.Extubation was successfully after undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation for 39 days and with noninvasive ventilation for 5 days.The boy was hospitalized in PICU for 54 days, improved and discharged from the hospital.Followed up for 2 years after discharge, the growth and development were good, but the strenuous exercise endurance was still poor. Conclusion:ECCO 2R is effective in improving gas exchange, reducing PCO 2 and lowering ventilator pressure in children with ARDS and hypercapnia, which allow more protective ventilation.ECCO 2R provide transitional treatment for ECMO weaning and provide meaningful clinical reference for the use of ECCO 2R as part of respiratory support in children with respiratory failure.