Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), the most commonly-occurring form of hearing loss, is caused mainly by injury to or the loss of hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons in the cochlea. Numerous environmental and physiological factors have been shown to cause acquired SNHL, such as ototoxic drugs, noise exposure, aging, infections, and diseases. Several programmed cell death (PCD) pathways have been reported to be involved in SNHL, especially some novel PCD pathways that have only recently been reported, such as ferroptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis. Here we summarize these PCD pathways and their roles and mechanisms in SNHL, aiming to provide new insights and potential therapeutic strategies for SNHL by targeting these PCD pathways.
Humans ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/metabolism* ; Necroptosis/drug effects* ; Pyroptosis/drug effects* ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Animals

Background Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent organic pollutants widely distributed in the environment. Epidemiological studies have shown that PFAS exposure is closely associated with liver dysfunction and an increased risk of liver cancer. Some animal and cell experiments have also revealed its hepatotoxicity and potential carcinogenicity; however, the related carcinogenic mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated. Objective To explore the potential molecular mechanism of PFAS-induced liver cancer, identify the key causal genes, and specifically evaluate the causal association and expression changes of KMT2C in this process, as well as the binding stability between KMT2C and PFAS, and to provid a theoretical basis for mechanistic studies and molecular target discovery in PFAS-related liver cancer. Methods Toxicity prediction was performed on six representative PFAS. Potential target genes of PFAS were identified by integrating results from SwissTargetPrediction, STITCH, and TargetNet databases. Liver cancer-related genes were retrieved from GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and Therapeutic Target Database (TTD). The intersection of PFAS targets and liver cancer-related genes was used to obtain core genes. A compound-gene-disease regulatory network was constructed, and a protein–protein interaction network was established using STRING database. A core gene network was visualized based on node degree values. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed to explore biological functions and enriched signaling pathways. Subsequently, two-sample Mendelian randomization was employed to assess potential causal relationships between candidate genes and hepatocellular carcinoma, enabling the identification of key genes. Molecular docking analysis using AutoDock was conducted to evaluate the binding stability between KMT2C and PFAS, and TCGA data were used to validate the differential expression of KMT2C between hepatocellular carcinoma and adjacent normal tissues. Results PFAS exhibited multisystem toxicity and posed significant risks of liver injury and carcinogenesis. A total of 266 PFAS target genes and 2923 liver cancer-related genes were identified, with 61 intersecting genes obtained. The enrichment analysis revealed that these intersecting genes were primarily involved in epigenetic regulation, nuclear receptor signaling pathways, and apoptosis-related pathways including TGF-β FoxO and Notch, suggesting their roles in diverse tumor-related biological processes. The two-sample Mendelian randomization results showed a significant negative causal association between KMT2C and hepatocellular carcinoma (OR=0.68, P <0.05). The molecular docking results demonstrated that all tested PFAS exhibited favorable binding to the KMT2C protein, with binding energies below –5.0 kcal·mol⁻¹. KMT2C was significantly upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues (unpaired P=0.025; paired P=8.38 × 10⁻⁴). Conclusion The KMT2C protein is found to stably bind with all six PFAS, exhibiting strong structural affinity. A causal relationship is identified between KMT2C and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. TCGA data indicate that KMT2C is significantly upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues, and it may serve as a key regulatory target in PFAS-related liver cancer.

Objective To explore the feasibility of predicting expression level of Ki-67 in lung adenocarcinoma via multi-parameter of spectral CT.Methods The data of 226 patients with lung adenocarcinoma confirmed by pathology were analyzed retrospectively.The conventional and spectral CT parameters of the lesions were analyzed.According to Ki-67 expression level,all patients were divided into low expression group and high expression group.The parameters with statistical significance were identified as independent variables for multivariate logistic regression analysis to establish a logistic regression model for predicting the expression level of Ki-67.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to assess the diagnostic performance for each model,respectively.Results There were significant differences in the clinical factors of gender,smoking and chest pain between high and low Ki-67 expression groups.In spectral CT parameters,CT40 keV,CT100 keV,Z-effective(Zeff)and iodine concentration(IC)in the high expression group in arterial phase were significantly higher than those in the low expression group.Logistic regression analysis showed that CT100 keV was the independent risk factor for Ki-67 expression level.Both the spectral CT model and the combined model had high value in predicting the expression level of Ki-67 in lung adenocarcinoma,and the combined model had better diagnostic efficacy.Conclusion Spectral CT parameters combined with clinical factors have a certain value in predicting the expression level of Ki-67 in lung adenocarcinoma.

The Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetyltransferase (SAGA) is an ancillary transcription initiation complex which is highly conserved. The ADA1 (alteration/deficiency in activation 1, also called histone H2A functional interactor 1, HFI1) is a subunit in the core module of the SAGA protein complex. ADA1 plays an important role in plant growth and development as well as stress resistance. In this paper, we performed genome-wide identification of banana ADA1 gene family members based on banana genomic data, and analyzed the basic physicochemical properties, evolutionary relationships, selection pressure, promoter cis-acting elements, and its expression profiles under biotic and abiotic stresses. The results showed that there were 10, 6, and 7 family members in Musa acuminata, Musa balbisiana and Musa itinerans. The members were all unstable and hydrophilic proteins, and only contained the conservative SAGA-Tad1 domain. Both MaADA1 and MbADA1 have interactive relationship with Sgf11 (SAGA-associated factor 11) of core module in SAGA. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that banana ADA1 gene family members could be divided into 3 classes. The evolution of ADA1 gene family members was mostly influenced by purifying selection. There were large differences among the gene structure of banana ADA1 gene family members. ADA1 gene family members contained plenty of hormonal elements. MaADA1-1 may play a prominent role in the resistance of banana to cold stress, while MaADA1 may respond to the Panama disease of banana. In conclusion, this study suggested ADA1 gene family members are highly conserved in banana, and may respond to biotic and abiotic stress.
Musa/genetics* ; Phylogeny ; Fungal Proteins ; Cell Nucleus ; Histones ; Stress, Physiological/genetics*

Objective To understand the distribution of ecological suitability of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi;To screen the main ecological factors affecting its distribution;To predict its suitable planting area in China.Methods A total of 231 batches of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi were collected through the fourth national survey of TCM resources.The environment information of sampling points were recorded,and 55 ecological factors were analyzed by MaxEnt model and GIS.Results Rainfall,vegetation type and soil types had a greater influence on the distribution of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi.The ecological suitable areas of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi mainly concentrated in the eastern part of Shaanxi Province,the western part of Hebei Province and most areas of Chengde,the most part of Shanxi Province,the western part of Beijing,the western part of Liaoning Province,the central and eastern part of Shandong Province,the junction of Jiangsu and Anhui Province,the northern part of Yunnan Province,and the eastern and southern part of Sichuan Province.Conclusion The ecological suitability areas of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi were classified in this study,and the results could provide reference for the selection of cultivation areas of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi.

Objective:To observe the impact of core stability training in the sling exercise therapy pattern on the balance of stroke survivors.Methods:Sixty stroke survivors were randomly divided into a control group ( n=30) and an experimental group ( n=30). In addition to routine rehabilitation training, the control group received traditional core stability training, while the experimental group underwent core stability training applying the sling exercise therapy pattern. Before and after 4 weeks of training, the standing balance of both groups was evaluated using the Prokin balance trainer, with the length and area of motion recorded when performing the balance test with the eyes open and closed. Surface electromyography was used to record the average EMG (AEMG) values of the bilateral erector spinae and multifidus muscles during the balance testing. Results:After the 4 weeks of training the length and the area of progression of the center of the pressure were both significantly smaller for both groups than before the training with the eyes both open and closed. The average length and area in the experimental group were significantly less than among the controls. The AEMG values recorded during the balance tests were significantly higher than those before the intervention for both groups, with the multifidus muscle averages on the affected side significantly greater in the experimental group than among the controls when performing the balance test with the eyes closed.Conclusion:Core stability training in the sling exercise therapy pattern is superior to conventional core stability training because it can better improve the balance of stroke survivors.

Objective:To construct the content framework of the rehabilitation management application (APP) for patients with urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy, so as to provide an effective network management platform for the rehabilitation management of patients wither urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy.Methods:From November 2020 to May 2021, the content framework of rehabilitation management APP for patients with urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy was initially constructed through literature review and group discussion. The objective sampling was used to select 15 experts from Beijing, Shanghai and other regions for two rounds of expert consultation, to construct the content framework of rehabilitation management APP for patients with urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy.Results:Among two rounds of expert consultation, the effective recovery rates of the questionnaires were all 100.00% (15/15) , and the expert authority coefficients were 0.937 and 0.934, respectively. The Kendall harmony coefficients of all indicators in the second round of expert consultation ranged from 0.208 to 0.333, and the differences were all statistical (all P<0.01) . It was finally determined that the content framework of rehabilitation management APP for patients with urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy included 3 first-level indicators, 10 second-level indicators, 43 third-level indicators, and 62 fourth-level indicators. Conclusions:The content framework of constructed rehabilitation management APP for patients with urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy is highly scientific and practical, and can provide corresponding evidence.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the type of exposure to early family disadvantaged risks and internalization problems in adolescents.Methods:Totally 746 adolescents were assessed with family disadvantaged risk items and Chinese version of Achenbach youth self-report (YSR-CV). The Welch's ANOVA test and post-hoc test were used to compare the scores of three different risk factors on internalization problems.The independent sample t-test was adopted to compare the scores of internalization problems between experienced 5 or more kinds of risk factors and less than 5.Pearson correlation analysis was used to test the correlation between the number of family risk factors experienced and the scores of internalization problems.Random forest regression analysis was used to test the variable importance(VI) of the internalization problem. Results:The differences in anxiety/depression and withdrawal scores between higher or lower-level risks group were significant ( P<0.05). The scores of adolescents with five or more adverse experiences on anxiety/depression(7.7±3.5), withdrawal (8.8±4.0) and physical problems(4.1±3.7) were higher than those with fewer than five risk factors(5.5±3.8), (6.7±3.4), (2.6±3.6). The cumulative family disadvantaged risk items was positively correlated with anxiety/depression( r=0.29, P<0.01), withdrawal( r=0.29, P<0.01), and physical symptoms ( r=0.26, P<0.01). The most important factor associated with anxiety/depression(VI=0.84, P=0.002; VI=0.56, P=0.022), withdrawal(VI=0.58, P=0.013; VI=0.89, P=0.001), and physical symptoms was marital relationship of parents and health status of family members. Conclusion:The parents’ marital relationship and health status of family members are the specific factors that influence the internalization problems, and the higher the level of risk adolescents experience, the more likely they are to develop internalization problems.

Objective:To study the effect of health management based on the transtheoretical model and stages of change on patients with diabetes mellitus complicated by obesity.Methods:A total of 122 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicated by obesity and admitted to Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital between January 2019 and June 2020 were recruited to participate in the study. They were divided into two equal groups at random, the observation group and the control group —with 61 patients in each group. Both groups were subjected to individualized health management based on conventional drug treatment. The control group received routine health education and psychological support, while the observation group was subjected to the transtheoretical model and stages of change interventions for six months. The independent-samples t-test was used to compare blood glucose, body weight, and self-efficacy in the two groups after interventions, and the χ 2 test or Fisher′s precise test was used to compare behavior habit compliance rates in the two groups after interventions. Results:FBG with (6.27±0.92) mmol/L and (6.58±0.91) mmol/L, 2hPG with (8.53±1.39) mmol/L and (8.53±1.39) mmol/L, and HbA1c with (6.49±0.91)% and (6.78±0.96)% in the two groups were significantly lower at six months of interventions than those before ( P<0.05), but the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). BMI, waist circumference, and body fat rate with (30.46±2.51) kg/m 2, (91.72±10.45) cm, and (34.09±3.84)% of the observation group at six months of interventions were significantly lower than those before interventions ( P<0.05), whereas there were no significant changes in the control group before and after interventions ( P>0.05). The observation group′s BMI and body fat rate were lower than those of the control group ( P<0.05). The General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) scores in the two groups were (31.62±2.59) points and (28.75±2.48) points, which were significantly higher than those before interventions ( P<0.05). The observation group′s GSES score was higher than that of the control group ( P<0.05). At six months of interventions, the compliance rates of diet control (92.98% and 77.97%), reasonable exercise (87.72% and 71.19%), adherence to medication (98.25% and 91.53%), quitting smoking and alcohol (94.74% and 81.36%), blood glucose monitoring (91.23% and 94.92%), and regular review (100.00% and 98.31%) were all significantly higher in the two groups than those before interventions ( P<0.05). Additionally, the compliance rates of diet control, reasonable exercise, and quitting smoking and alcohol in the observation group were higher than those of the control group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The use of the transtheoretical model and stages of change for the self-management intervention of diabetes mellitus patients with obesity is beneficial to improve self-efficacy, behavioral habits, and weight control effectiveness.

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic value of relative lesion length in differentiating extrahepatic bile duct infiltrating cholangiocarcinoma with inflammation.Methods:From October 2014 to February 2018, 24 cases of infiltrating extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas confirmed operatively and pathologically and 23 cases of extrahepatic bile duct inflammation confirmed clinically from the Third People′s Hospital of Datong City were respectively enrolled in this study. Upper abdomen MR and/or CT image data of all patients were respectively reviewed. The extrahepatic duct wall was defined as wall thickening with obvious enhancement. The length of the lesion was measured. L lesion/L duct was referred as the ratio of the lengths of lesion to extrahepatic bile duct (common hepatic duct+common bile duct)was calculated. The difference in the average values of L lesion/L ductbetween the cholangiocarcinomas group and inflammation group was analyzed with t test, and the differential diagnostic efficacy of L lesion/L ductratio was analyzed with receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) test. Results:Significant difference was found in the length of lesion between the extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma group [(22.01±1.86) mm] and the cholangitis group [(47.36±2.81) mm] ( P<0.01). The average ratio of L lesion/L ductwere 0.26±0.02 for the cholangiocarcinomas group and 0.54±0.03 for the inflammation group, respectively ( P<0.01). The area under the ROC curve of L lesion/L duct in diagnosis of the infiltrating extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas was 0.92. With <0.40 as cut-off point, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 87.5% and 82.6%, respectively. Conclusion:The L lesion/L ductmight be taken as an important diagnostic sign in differentiation between infiltrating extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas and extrahepatic bile duct inflammation.