Objectives: . This study aimed to explore the role of the Pcdh15 gene in hearing maintenance and to examine the effects of its deficiency on cochlear structure, cochlear function, and hearing loss in mice. Methods: . CRISPR/Cas9 technology was used to generate Pcdh15 knockout (KO) mice. Auditory function was evaluated using hearing tests, while histological approaches were employed to assess morphological changes in cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on cochlear tissue from postnatal day 18 (P18) wild-type (WT) and Pcdh15 KO mice to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). These DEGs were subjected to functional annotation and pathway analysis, with particular emphasis on oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were quantified using flow cytometry and DCFH-DA assays. Results: . Pcdh15 KO mice exhibited progressive sensorineural hearing loss, which worsened to profound deafness by P18. Notably, cochlear hair cells and SGNs showed substantial loss and pronounced morphological abnormalities, particularly within the basal high-frequency region. RNA-seq analysis identified 1,359 DEGs, including 1,024 downregulated and 335 upregulated genes. Pathway analysis indicated that Pcdh15 deficiency was associated with inhibition of the OXPHOS pathway, potentially disrupting mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, III, IV, and V and thereby impairing energy production and ATP metabolism. In addition, early-stage cochleae from KO mice demonstrated elevated ROS levels and increased oxidative stress, suggesting that redox imbalance may contribute to hearing damage. Conclusion . Pcdh15 plays a critical role in hearing maintenance. Its deficiency is associated with severe hearing loss and marked cochlear abnormalities, which are linked to inhibition of OXPHOS, disruption of energy metabolism, and exacerbation of oxidative stress. Together, these findings provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying hearing loss and suggest potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of changes in blood uric acid(UA)and detection rate of hyperuricemia(HUA)among officers and soldiers during long-term maritime missions,as well as their related influencing factors.Methods A total of 100 servicemen were randomly selected from 240 officers and soldiers who will participate in a long-distance voyage mission.Their general information,including age,education level,administrative position,years of service on board,and department,was surveyed.Their annual data of physical examination were retrospectively analyzed and compared with the results of another 335 shore-based servicemen during the same period.On mission day 10(D10)and day 50(D50),the venous blood samples were collected from the participants to synchronously measure blood UA level and body composition indicators(body fat mass,BMI,fat percentage,fat mass,muscle mass,and muscle percentage).Additionally,on D50,Self-Rating Scale of Sleep(SRSS)and Symptom Checklist-90(SCL-90)were employed to survey their conditions.Seventy service members were randomly selected from the 100 participants to engage in aerobic exercise.The changes in UA level and detection rate of HUA among the mission personnel were analyzed,along with their influencing factors.Results The UA level and HUA detection rate in long-term navigation personnel during concurrent annual physical examinations were significantly lower than those in shore-based personnel(P<0.01).Compared to pre-voyage physical examination results,the UA level and HUA detection rate in long-term navigation personnel were significantly increased from mission day D10(P<0.001).Compared to the values at D10,the UA level and HUA detection rate at D50 showed significant decreases(P<0.05),and then essentially returned to pre-mission examination levels(P>0.05).Aged<32 years was an independent risk factor for new-onset HUA at mission D10(P<0.05).<32 years old and aerobic exercise during the voyage were independent influencing factors for HUA outcome(P<0.05).Conclusion Serum UA level and HUA detection rate among officers and soldiers participating in long-term maritime missions are relatively low before departure,but in significant increases during the early stages of the mission,particularly among those aged<32 years.Scientific aerobic exercise during the mission period helps reduce UA level and HUA detection rate,playing a crucial role in guaranteeing physical and mental health.

Objective A new occipital bone removal technology was applied to improve the success rate of brain removal.Methods The skull was sawed based on the traditional brain removal technology,and part of the occipital bone was removed downward centered in external occipital protuberance to the foramen magnum,then exposed the telencephalon,cerebellum and posterior medulla oblongata.After that,removed the tentorium cerebelli and cut down the medulla oblongata and the related cranial nerves at the skull base,then removed the brain tissues.Results The removed brain tissues had structurally intact telencephalon,cerebellum and brain stem,clear vessels in the cerebral sulci,and relatively intact optic chiasm,olfactory tracts and vertebro-basilar arteries.Conclusion Brain removal through a fenestration on the external occipital protuberance can effectively preserve the integrity of brain specimens,and improve the success rate of brain removal,which is of great significance for central nervous system teaching and improvement of human brain tissue repositories.

Objective To analyze the practical value of spiral CT three-dimensional reconstruction techniquein evaluating triplane fractures of the distal tibia.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on183 patients with triplane fractures of the distal tibia admitted to Sichuan Orthopedic Hospital from January 2021 to March 2023.All patients underwent both X-ray and spiral CT examinations.Taking surgical reduction results as the gold standard for diagnosis,the diagnostic accuracies of X-ray examination and spiral CT three-dimensional reconstruction technique for triplane fractures of the distal tibia were analyzed.Results Fracture classification according to the number of fracture fragments showed that among the 183 patients with triplane fractures of the distal tibial,there were 44 cases of four-part fractures,62 cases of three-part fractures,and 77 cases of two-part fractures.The classification by the location of epiphyseal injury in the distal tibia showed 175 cases of lateral type and 8 cases of medial type.According to whether the fracture line involved the articular surface,they were categorized into 94 cases of type I,60 cases of type II,and 29 cases of type III.For the classification of the number of fracture fragments,X-ray misdiagnosed 9 cases of four-part fractures as three-part or two-part fractures,and 21 cases of three-part fractures as two-part fractures,resulting in a diagnostic accuracy of 83.60%.For theclassification of fracture line and articular surface position,X-ray led to misdiagnosis or inaccurate diagnosis in 39 cases,with a diagnostic accuracy of 78.69%.When spiral CT three-dimensional reconstruction technique was used to classify the number of fracture fragments,only 1 case of four-part fracture was misdiagnosed as three-part fracture,and 2 cases of three-part fractures were misdiagnosed as four-part fractures or two-part fractures,yielding a diagnostic accuracy of 98.36%.For the diagnosis of the positional relationship of the fracture line to the articular surface,spiral CT three-dimensional reconstruction technique had 8 misdiagnoses,with a corresponding diagnostic accuracy of 95.63%.Conclusion Spiral CT three-dimensional reconstruction technique can stereoscopically display the spatial information of the triplane fractures of the distal tibia,such as the location,shape,type,and articular surface,exhibiting high accuracy for classification diagnosis and significant application value in the reduction and treatment of triplane fractures of the distal tibia.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and safety of novel Mycobacterium tuberculosis fusion strain protein derivatives,referred to as B/R strain active proteins.In cellular experiments,RAW264.7 cells were treated with each vaccine preparation,and apoptosis rates were measured.In subsequent animal experiments,C57BL/6 mice were immunized via subcutaneous injection,and their survival and body weight changes were monitored and recorded at 2,4,8,12,and 16 weeks.The lungs and spleens were harvested to calculate organ coefficients,and pathological examinations were conducted.At the eighth week of immunization,the mice were infected with high concentrations of BCG,and pathological changes in the lungs and spleens were observed 4 weeks post-infection.The apoptosis rate at 6 hours was significantly higher in the experimental group than the PBS group(P<0.05).At 12 and 24 hours,the apoptosis rate in the experimental group remained higher than that in the PBS group,although this difference was not statistically significant.After immunization,mice in all four groups exhibited normal growth patterns,as indicated by stable body weight changes.At 4 and 12 weeks post-immunization,the lung coefficients in the protein group were significantly higher than those in the PBS group at the same time points.Additionally,the lung coefficients in the BCG group were significantly elevated across all time periods(P<0.05).The spleen coefficients in the protein and BCG groups were significantly higher than those in the PBS group at 2,4,8,12,and 16 weeks,whereas the ICD B/R group showed higher spleen coefficients than the PBS group only at week 8(P<0.05).Pathological examination revealed normal lung and spleen tissues in the PBS group.However,during the 2-8 weeks immunization period,lung and spleen tissues in all experimental groups exhibited varying degrees of damage,which gradually diminished by 12-16 weeks.Notably,no tuberculosis nodules were observed in any experimental group.After infection with high concentrations of BCG,no overt pathological changes were observed on the surfaces of the lungs and spleens in any group.Microscopic examination revealed less severe pathological changes in the lungs and spleens of mice in the experimental groups than the PBS group.Furthermore,no statistically significant differences were observed between the protein group and the BCG group.Our findings suggested that the B/R strain active proteins'toxicity and safety profiles were comparable to those of BCG,and showed immunoprotective effects.This study provides an experimental foundation for the development of a novel tuberculosis vaccine.

Objective To develop a novel protective ventilator circuit component and to verify its performance by water seal and anti-splash experiments.Methods A novel protective ventilator circuit component had a design scheme with the multifunctional joint,and consisted of a tee connection tube,an isolation sleeve and a stop sleeve,of which,the tee connection tube was made of polyethylene polymer material and the others were made of silicone material.The tee connection tube had a T-shaped structure with two standard connection ports,which was composed of an adapter,a sealing cap,a plug and a sealing ring;the isolation sleeve was in the shape of a cylinder with a raised bottom,which was inserted into the adapter;the stop sleeve was located in the isolation sleeve,with an inverted frustum of a cone at the bottom and a rounded hole in the middle of the inverted frustum.An open ventilator circuit tube was involved in the performance verification of the circuit component developed.In the water seal experiment,sputum aspiration was simulated and the heights of the liquid level drop in the L-shaped tubes were compared after sputum aspiration.In the anti-splash experiment,the infection rates on the surfaces of the sterile hole towels and gloves were calculated.Results Water seal experiment showed after sputum aspiration the open ventilator circuit tube had the liquid level at the L-shaped tube higher significantly than that of the circuit component;the anti-splash experiment indicated sputum aspiration resulted in the occurance of the splashing out of the secretion and 77.5%infection rate by the open ventilator circuit tube,while no splashing out and 0%infection rate by the circuit component developed.Conclusion The novel protective ventilator circuit component behaves well in sealing and anti-splashing,and thus is worthy of clinical application for sputum aspiration.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(4):113-117]

Objective:To explore the possibility of using a inferior gluteal artery perforator flap (IGAPF) for breast reconstruction in the patient who did not have suitable donor site in back and abdomen.Methods:In November 2024, a 25-year-old unmarried and childless woman with right breast cancer received immediate right breast reconstruction by a right free IGAPF after modified right mastectomy in the Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University. The locations of perforators were confirmed by both Multi-detector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) and portable Doppler blood flow detector before surgery. The IGAPF was designed to take the inferior gluteal wrinkle as the lower edge, the axis of the flap was parallel to the inferior gluteal wrinkle, and the width of the flap was estimated where the incision could be directly closed. The size of right IGAPF was 6.0 cm×19.0 cm. Sharp dissection was performed between the sarcolemma and muscle fibres of gluteus, then the perforators were dissected along the direction of muscle fibres of gluteus. The vascular pedicle was kept at about 8.0 cm in length. The diameter of artery was about 2.0 mm and that for the veins was about 1.5 mm. End-to-end anastomoses with the right thoracodorsal artery and vein were successfully carried out. The donor site was directly closed, and it was hidden in the inferior gluteal wrinkle. Postoperative outpatient clinical review was made.Results:Pathological examination reported: an invasive carcinoma of right breast, axillary lymph node metastasis (2/10). The patient recovered well and the flap survived without any complication, i.e. ischemic necrosis, infection and haematoma. The patient was off-bed at 3 days and discharged at 13 days after surgery. At the 40 days of postoperative follow-up, the patient achieved a good recovery and the lower limb activity was not affected by the surgery. The patient was satisfied with the reconstructed breast and donor site recovery. The patient followed with scheduled chemotherapy and subsequent radiotherapy. The volume of reconstructed breast was smaller than the other breast, of which the patient was fully informed before the surgery.Conclusion:A free IGAPF provides an alternative donor sites for achieving a breast reconstruction due to the reliable pedicle vessels and invisible donor scars.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of computed tomographic angiography (CTA) three-dimensional reconstruction technology in the repair of limb wounds using free double-leaf anterolateral thigh perforator flaps.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 30 patients with varying degrees of skin damage on their limbs who were admitted to the Hand and Foot Surgery Department of Yiwu Central Hospital in Zhejiang Province and Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital from January 2015 to March 2022. The patients were divided into observation group ( n=15) and control group ( n=15) based on whether CTA three-dimensional reconstruction was performed preoperatively. In the observation group, CTA three-dimensional reconstruction was performed preoperatively, including 9 males and 6 females, aged 17-67 (49.7±4.2) years. In the control group, handheld Doppler ultrasound angiography was performed preoperatively, including 10 males and 5 females, aged 20-69 (50.4±5.0) years. Relevant intraoperative and postoperative indicators were compared between the two groups, including operation duration, anesthesia recovery time, blood loss, perforator localization accuracy, vascular anastomosis rate between the donor and recipient sites, flap harvesting time, flap survival rate, and incidence of adverse reactions. Follow-up visits were conducted via telephone or outpatient clinic for 3 months postoperatively, with one visit per month, to assess patient satisfaction rates. A multi-criteria decision-making model was established, and the benefit values, risk values, and stability of the decision-making model were evaluated for both groups. Results:Compared with the control group, the observation group had significantly reduced operation duration, anesthesia recovery time, blood loss, and flap harvesting time (all P<0.05). The patient satisfaction rate, perforator localization accuracy, and vascular anastomosis rate between the donor and recipient sites were significantly better in the observation group than in the control group (all P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions was 13.3% (2/15) in the observation group, which was lower than 53.3% (8/15) in the control group ( P=0.020). Among the benefit indicators, the vascular anastomosis rate between the donor and recipient sites and flap survival rate had the greatest impact on treatment outcomes. Among the risk indicators, venous crisis and flap necrosis had a greater impact. The benefit-risk value was 77 in the observation group and 56 in the control group, with a difference of 21 (95% CI: 14-26) between the two groups. The observation group had higher values than the control group within the range of 0-100% relative risk weight, indicating good stability of the multi-criteria decision-making evaluation model. Conclusion:CTA three-dimensional reconstruction technology can improve the vascular anastomosis rate between the donor and recipient sites and patient satisfaction rates in the repair of limb wounds using free double-leaf anterolateral thigh perforator flaps.

Heart failure (HF) is a common end-stage clinical manifestation of cardiovascular diseases, imposing substantial health-related burdens worldwide. With its high mortality rates and poor long-term prognosis, there is a pressing need for novel therapies. SIRT1, a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺)-dependent deacetylase, has anti-cardiovascular aging properties and other cardioprotective effects, attracting much research attention in recent years. In addition, SIRT1 plays an important role in HF pathophysiology. This review summarized the roles of SIRT1 and its activators in HF, the changes of SIRT1 gene expression in cardiac tissues from animal models and HF patients, and the current status of clinical trials investigating SIRT1 activators as potential therapies for HF. This will provide new ideas for further exploration of pathological mechanisms and the development of clinical prevention strategies for HF.
Heart Failure/metabolism* ; Sirtuin 1/genetics* ; Humans ; Animals

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.03.002.].