Objective:To evaluate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow dynamics and volume changes of pulsatile tinnitus (PT) patients induced by sigmoid sinus wall dehiscence (SSWD) using MRI.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. Totally 55 SSWD-PT patients, and 35 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were prospectively enrolled at Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University from October 2019 to September 2023. The CSF at the midbrain aqueduct level was analyzed based on phase-contrast MRI to obtain the flow dynamics information. Based on T 1-weighted turbo field echo sequence, the CSF was segmented and the volume of CSF was calculated using ITK-SNAP software. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the differences of each parameter between the two groups. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the parameters with statistically significant differences to obtain the independent influencing factors of SSWD-PT and establish the combined parameters. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the efficacy of diagnosing SSWD-PT. Results:Compared with controls, the SSWD-PT group showed significantly decreased mean flux (MF), mean velocity, peak velocity( P<0.05), and significantly increased regurgitant fraction (RF), CSF volume ( P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in forward flow volume, backward flow volume, and stroke volume ( P>0.05). The logistic regression results showed that MF ( OR=0.497, 95% CI 0.305-0.808, P=0.005) and RF ( OR=1.809, 95% CI 1.040-3.147, P=0.036) were independent influencing factors of SSWD-PT. The area under the curve (AUC) of MF and RF for diagnosing SSWD-PT were 0.641 (95% CI 0.517-0.766) and 0.675 (95% CI 0.564-0.786), respectively. The AUC of the combination of MF and RF was 0.724 (95% CI 0.614-0.833). Conclusions:SSWD-PT patients have abnormal changes in CSF flow dynamics and volume. The MF and RF demonstrate moderate diagnostic value for diagnosing SSWD-PT.

Objective To explore the mechanism of the intervention effect of Qizhu Xiaozheng Fang(QZXZF),a representative prescription of Yiqi Jianpi Jiedu(replenishing qi,strengthening spleen,and removing toxicity),in treating HBx-mediated liver cancer stem cells(LCSCs).Methods The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to investigate the effects of Yiqi Jianpi Jiedu on the prognosis of patients with HBV-HCC.The network pharmacology method was utilized to predict the targets and pathways of QZXZF in treating HBx-related LCSCs(HBx-LCSCs).HBx-LCSCs cells were screened by stably transfecting HBx and serum-free culture.The therapeutic effect of QZXZF on HBx-LCSCs was tested in vitro,and its effect on stemness markers and PI3K/Akt pathway was verified by qRT-PCR and Western blot.Results Yiqi Jianpi Jiedu could improve the overall survival time of HBV-HCC patients.Combined with the results of network pharmacology,the mechanism of action of QZXZF against HBx-LCSCs was explored from the PI3K/Akt pathway.Compared with the blank vector group,HBx can promote the expression of stemness markers in HBx-LCSCs cells;compared with the HBx-LCSCs control group,QZXZF could significantly inhibit the proliferation and colony formation of HBx-LCSCs cells(in a concentration-dependent manner),and could reduce the expression of stemness markers(EpCAM,NANOG,SOX2,and OCT4),phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K)and phosphorylated AKT(p-AKT)proteins.Conclusion QZXZF may regulate HBx-mediated LCSCs through PI3K/AKT pathways,providing a reference for the mechanism of TCM intervention in LCSCs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)flow dynamics and volume changes of pulsatile tinnitus(PT)patients caused by sigmoid sinus wall dehiscence(SSWD)with different intracranial pressure via MRI.METHODS Prospective enrolled 35 SSWD-PT patients with intracranial hypertension,25 SSWD-PT patients with normal intracranial pressure and 35 age-,sex-matched healthy controls.Demographic characteristics were recorded.Intracranial pressure was assessed by the index of transverse sinus stenosis(ITSS)and morphology changes.CSF flow dynamics were evaluated via phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging(PC-MRI)and CSF volume were evaluated via three-dimensional T1-weighted turbo field echo(3D T1-TFE)sequence and ITK-SNAP software.Compared the differences of each index between three groups.RESULTS The mean flux and regurgitant fraction were significantly different among the three groups(P<0.05).The intracranial hypertension group presented significantly decreased mean flux(MF)and significantly increased regurgitant fraction(RF)compared to controls(P<0.017).There were no significant differences in MF and RF of normal intracranial pressure group compared with intracranial hypertension group and control group(P>0.017).There were no statistical differences in age,sex,body mass index,forward flow volume,backward flow volume,mean velocity,peak velocity,stroke volume and CSF volume(P>0.05).CONCLUSION SSW D-PT patients have abnormal changes in CSF,and those with increased intracranial pressure are more obvious.These changes may be associated with abnormal hemodynamics in the sigmoid sinus and the occurrence of PT.

Objective To explore the mechanism of the intervention effect of Qizhu Xiaozheng Fang(QZXZF),a representative prescription of Yiqi Jianpi Jiedu(replenishing qi,strengthening spleen,and removing toxicity),in treating HBx-mediated liver cancer stem cells(LCSCs).Methods The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to investigate the effects of Yiqi Jianpi Jiedu on the prognosis of patients with HBV-HCC.The network pharmacology method was utilized to predict the targets and pathways of QZXZF in treating HBx-related LCSCs(HBx-LCSCs).HBx-LCSCs cells were screened by stably transfecting HBx and serum-free culture.The therapeutic effect of QZXZF on HBx-LCSCs was tested in vitro,and its effect on stemness markers and PI3K/Akt pathway was verified by qRT-PCR and Western blot.Results Yiqi Jianpi Jiedu could improve the overall survival time of HBV-HCC patients.Combined with the results of network pharmacology,the mechanism of action of QZXZF against HBx-LCSCs was explored from the PI3K/Akt pathway.Compared with the blank vector group,HBx can promote the expression of stemness markers in HBx-LCSCs cells;compared with the HBx-LCSCs control group,QZXZF could significantly inhibit the proliferation and colony formation of HBx-LCSCs cells(in a concentration-dependent manner),and could reduce the expression of stemness markers(EpCAM,NANOG,SOX2,and OCT4),phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K)and phosphorylated AKT(p-AKT)proteins.Conclusion QZXZF may regulate HBx-mediated LCSCs through PI3K/AKT pathways,providing a reference for the mechanism of TCM intervention in LCSCs.

Objective:To evaluate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow dynamics and volume changes of pulsatile tinnitus (PT) patients induced by sigmoid sinus wall dehiscence (SSWD) using MRI.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. Totally 55 SSWD-PT patients, and 35 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were prospectively enrolled at Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University from October 2019 to September 2023. The CSF at the midbrain aqueduct level was analyzed based on phase-contrast MRI to obtain the flow dynamics information. Based on T 1-weighted turbo field echo sequence, the CSF was segmented and the volume of CSF was calculated using ITK-SNAP software. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the differences of each parameter between the two groups. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the parameters with statistically significant differences to obtain the independent influencing factors of SSWD-PT and establish the combined parameters. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the efficacy of diagnosing SSWD-PT. Results:Compared with controls, the SSWD-PT group showed significantly decreased mean flux (MF), mean velocity, peak velocity( P<0.05), and significantly increased regurgitant fraction (RF), CSF volume ( P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in forward flow volume, backward flow volume, and stroke volume ( P>0.05). The logistic regression results showed that MF ( OR=0.497, 95% CI 0.305-0.808, P=0.005) and RF ( OR=1.809, 95% CI 1.040-3.147, P=0.036) were independent influencing factors of SSWD-PT. The area under the curve (AUC) of MF and RF for diagnosing SSWD-PT were 0.641 (95% CI 0.517-0.766) and 0.675 (95% CI 0.564-0.786), respectively. The AUC of the combination of MF and RF was 0.724 (95% CI 0.614-0.833). Conclusions:SSWD-PT patients have abnormal changes in CSF flow dynamics and volume. The MF and RF demonstrate moderate diagnostic value for diagnosing SSWD-PT.

OBJECTIVE To observe the changes of static functional connectivity(sFC) and dynamic functional connectivity(dFC) of amygdala subregions in patients with bilateral idiopathic tinnitus and hearing loss(TINHL). METHODS The resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI) data of 30 patients with bilateral tinnitus and hearing loss and 37 normal controls(NCs) were collected to analyze the intensity changes of sFC and dFC in 8 subregions of amygdala and the whole brain in TINHL patients. RESULTS There were no significant differences in age,sex and education between the two groups. Compared with the NCs group,the sFC intensity of the right basolateral subregion and right cerebellar peduncle 1 region,the left basolateral subregion and left orbital medial frontal gyrus and left angular gyrus in TINHL group was significantly decreased. The dFC intensity of left amygdalostriatal subregion and left precuneus in TINHL group was increased,but the dFC intensity was reduced in the left basolateral subregion and right angular gyrus as well as between the right superficial subregion and right medial orbital of superior frontal gyrus. CONCLUSION Among the 8 subregions of amygdala,the bilateral basolateral subregions,the left amygdalostriatal subregion and the right superficial region shown abnormal functional connectivity with other regions of the brain,which are the important parts of emotional abnormalities in TINHL.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the clinical characteristics of pulsatile tinnitus induced by sigmoid sinus abnormalities in high and normal intracranial pressure states.METHODS There were 66 patients of pulsatile tinnitus induced by sigmoid sinus abnormalities,including 55 cases of sigmoid sinus wall dehiscence and 11 cases of sigmoid sinus diverticulum.The index of transverse sinus stenosis(ITSS)was used to assess intracranial pressure in magnetic resonance venography(MRV).We obtained 41 cases in intracranial hypertension group and 25 cases in normal intracranial pressure group.The age,gender,handedness,tinnitus lateralization,mean arterial pressure(MAP),body mass index(BMI),tinnitus duration,tinnitus frequency,tinnitus loudness,tinnitus handicap inventory(THI)and blood biochemical examination were recorded to analyze.RESULTS The BMI was 24.98 kg/m2(22.87 kg/m2,28.46 kg/m2)and 24.01 kg/m2(20.34 kg/m2,25.03 kg/m2)and THI score was 45.59±23.47 and 33.84±20.13 in intracranial hypertension group and normal intracranial pressure group,respectively.Compared with normal intracranial pressure group,the BMI and THI of intracranial hypertension group were significantly increased(P was 0.047 and 0.042 respectively).No significant difference were found in other indicators.CONCLUSION There are some different characteristics in pulsatile tinnitus induced by sigmoid sinus abnormalities in high and normal intracranial pressure states,which manifest obviously increased BMI and THI score in pulsatile tinnitus patients with intracranial hypertension.

To provide basis for prevention and treatment by analyzing the clinical features, emotional and cognitive states and their correlations of idiopathic tinnitus. Cross-sectional study was used. Thirty-six right, 44 left, and 46 bilateral idiopathic tinnitus patients diagnosed in Beijing Tongren Hospital were prospectively enrolled from October, 2020 to February, 2022. The clinical data was recorded and the THI, DBI, STAI, and MoCA were evaluated. The clinical features and the incidence of severe tinnitus, hearing lose, anxiety, and cognitive impairment were compared by one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis H, and chi-square test. The correlation between tinnitus or hearing and emotional and cognitive states were evaluated by multivariable correlation analysis. There was no significant difference in age, BMI, years of education, tinnitus duration, and the incidence of hearing loss among groups ( F=0.730, P=0.484; F=1.535, P=0.219; F=1.506, P=0.226;χ2=4.242, P=0.120;χ2=6.672, P=0.083). In right, left, and bilateral tinnitus patients, the number of severe tinnitus was 12, 7, and 20 cases and the incidence was 33.3%, 15.9%, and 43.5%; the number of depression was 13, 14, and 26 cases and incidence was 36.1%, 31.8%, and 53.5%; the number of trait anxiety was 3, 2, and 10 cases and the incidence was 8.3%, 4.5%, and 21.7%. Compared with left tinnitus patients, the incidence of severe tinnitus, depression, and trait anxiety was higher in bilateral tinnitus patients (χ2=8.139, P=0.004;χ2=5.558, P=0.018;χ2=5.753, P=0.007). The incidence of state anxiety and cognitive impairment were no significant difference among groups (χ2=0.142, P=0.931;χ2=1.338, P=0.512). The overall incidence of state anxiety and cognitive impairment were 16.7%(21/126) and 37.3%(47/126) respectively. There was positive correlation between THI score and BDI, S-AI, and T-AI scores ( r=0.529, P=0.001; r=0.649, P<0.001; r=0.483, P=0.003) and negative correlation between THI and MoCA scores ( r=-0.364, P=0.029) in right tinnitus group. The positive correlation was found between THI score and BDI, S-AI, and T-AI scores in left tinnitus group ( r=0.508, P<0.001; r=0.506, P<0.001; r=0.357, P=0.017). The positive correlation between THI score and BDI, S-AI, and T-AI scores ( r=0.753, P<0.001; r=0.527, P<0.001; r=0.536, P<0.001) and the positive correlation between tinnitus duration and MoCA score( r=0.334, P=0.023) were also found in bilateral tinnitus group.

To provide basis for prevention and treatment by analyzing the clinical features, emotional and cognitive states and their correlations of idiopathic tinnitus. Cross-sectional study was used. Thirty-six right, 44 left, and 46 bilateral idiopathic tinnitus patients diagnosed in Beijing Tongren Hospital were prospectively enrolled from October, 2020 to February, 2022. The clinical data was recorded and the THI, DBI, STAI, and MoCA were evaluated. The clinical features and the incidence of severe tinnitus, hearing lose, anxiety, and cognitive impairment were compared by one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis H, and chi-square test. The correlation between tinnitus or hearing and emotional and cognitive states were evaluated by multivariable correlation analysis. There was no significant difference in age, BMI, years of education, tinnitus duration, and the incidence of hearing loss among groups ( F=0.730, P=0.484; F=1.535, P=0.219; F=1.506, P=0.226;χ2=4.242, P=0.120;χ2=6.672, P=0.083). In right, left, and bilateral tinnitus patients, the number of severe tinnitus was 12, 7, and 20 cases and the incidence was 33.3%, 15.9%, and 43.5%; the number of depression was 13, 14, and 26 cases and incidence was 36.1%, 31.8%, and 53.5%; the number of trait anxiety was 3, 2, and 10 cases and the incidence was 8.3%, 4.5%, and 21.7%. Compared with left tinnitus patients, the incidence of severe tinnitus, depression, and trait anxiety was higher in bilateral tinnitus patients (χ2=8.139, P=0.004;χ2=5.558, P=0.018;χ2=5.753, P=0.007). The incidence of state anxiety and cognitive impairment were no significant difference among groups (χ2=0.142, P=0.931;χ2=1.338, P=0.512). The overall incidence of state anxiety and cognitive impairment were 16.7%(21/126) and 37.3%(47/126) respectively. There was positive correlation between THI score and BDI, S-AI, and T-AI scores ( r=0.529, P=0.001; r=0.649, P<0.001; r=0.483, P=0.003) and negative correlation between THI and MoCA scores ( r=-0.364, P=0.029) in right tinnitus group. The positive correlation was found between THI score and BDI, S-AI, and T-AI scores in left tinnitus group ( r=0.508, P<0.001; r=0.506, P<0.001; r=0.357, P=0.017). The positive correlation between THI score and BDI, S-AI, and T-AI scores ( r=0.753, P<0.001; r=0.527, P<0.001; r=0.536, P<0.001) and the positive correlation between tinnitus duration and MoCA score( r=0.334, P=0.023) were also found in bilateral tinnitus group.

A 30-year-old female patient with uterine fibroids and endometriosis received subcutaneous injection of leuprorelin acetate microspheres sustained release 3. 75 mg. One week later,the patient developed weakness,tired of greasy foods,decreased food intake,and occasional nausea. Laboratory tests revealed the following results:alanine transaminase(ALT)1 108 U/ L,aspartate transaminase(AST) 612 U/ L,total bilirubin( TBil)141 μmol/ L,direct bilirubin( DBil)115 μmol/ L,albumin 43 g/ L, gamma glutamyltranspeptidase(γ-GT)188 U/ L,urine bilirubin + + . The patient was considered as liver injury induced by leuprorelin acetate microspheres sustained release for injection. She received symptomatic treatments which included hepatoprotective,jaundice-relieving and cholestasis-lessening regimens. Thirty days later,the laboratory tests showed ALT 5 U/ L,AST 17 U/ L,TBil 27 μmol/ L,DBil 11 μmol/ L,γ-GT 107 U/ L,and urine bilirubin negative.