OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Neiguan" (PC6) on mitochondrial autophagy in rats with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) at different phases (ischemia and reperfusion phases), and to explore the bidirectional regulatory effects of EA at "Neiguan" (PC6) and its potential mechanism. METHODS: Forty-five male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups according to the random number table method, namely, sham-operation group (n=9), model-A group (n=6), model-B group (n=9), EA-A1 group (n=6), EA-B1 group (n=6), and EA-B2 group (n=9). Except the rats in the sham-operation group, the MIRI model was established in the other groups with the physical ligation and tube pushing method. In the model-A group, the samples were collected directly after ligation, and in the model-B group, the samples were collected after ligation and reperfusion. In the EA-A1 group, EA was delivered while the ligation was performed, and afterwards, the samples were collected. In the EA-B1 group, while the ligation was performed, EA was operated at the same time, and after reperfusion, the samples were collected. In the EA-B2 group, during ligation and the opening of the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery, EA was delivered, and after reperfusion, the samples were collected. EA was performed at bilateral "Neiguan" (PC6), with a disperse-dense wave, a frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz, a current of 1 mA, and a duration of 30 min. HE staining was employed to observe the morphology of cardiomyocytes, TUNEL was adopted to detect the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes, transcriptome sequencing was to detect the differentially expressed genes in the left ventricle, JC-1 flow cytometry was to detect the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of cardiomyocytes, Western blot was to detect the protein expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog-induced kinase 1 (Pink1), Parkin and p62 in the left ventricle of rats, and ELISA was to detect the levels of serum creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I (cTn-I) in the rats. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operation group, the cardiomyocytes of rats in the model-B group were severely damaged, with disordered arrangement, unclear boundaries, broken muscle fibers, edema and loose distribution; and the cardiomyocytes in the EA-B2 group were slightly damaged, the cell structure was partially unclear, the cells were arranged more regularly, and the intact cardiomyocytes were visible. Compared with the sham-operation group, the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes increased in the model-B group (P<0.001); and when compared with the model-B group, the apoptosis alleviated in the EA-B2 group (P<0.001). The differentially expressed genes among the EA-B2 group, the sham-operation group and the model-B group were closely related to cell autophagy and mitochondrial autophagy. Compared with the sham-operation group, MMP of cardiomyocytes was reduced (P<0.001), the protein expression of Pink1, Parkin, and p62 of the left ventricle and the levels of serum CK-MB and cTn-I were elevated in the model B group (P<0.001). In comparison with model-A group, the MMP of cardiomyocytes and the levels of serum CK-MB and cTn-I were reduced (P<0.001, P<0.05), and the protein expression of Pink1 in the left ventricle rose in the EA-A1 group (P<0.01). Compared with the model-B group, MMP of cardiomyocytes increased (P<0.001), the protein expression of Pink1, Parkin, and p62 of the left ventricle, and the levels of serum CK-MB and cTn-I decreased (P<0.001) in the EA-B1 group and the EA-B2 group. When compared with the EA-A1 group, MMP of cardiomyocytes increased (P<0.001), and the protein expression of Pink1, Parkin, and p62 of the left ventricle, and the levels of serum CK-MB and cTn-I decreased in the EA-B1 group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION EA at "Neiguan" (PC6) can ameliorate MIRI in rats, which may be achieved through the Pink1/Parkin-mediated mitochondrial autophagy pathway. EA can alleviate myocardial injury by enhancing mitochondrial autophagy at the ischemia phase, and it can reduce reperfusion injury by weakening mitochondrial autophagy at the reperfusion phase.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Acupuncture Points ; Autophagy ; Humans ; Mitochondria/genetics*

Objective:Over the past decades, minimally invasive cochlear implantation（CI） have achieved significant advancements, evolving from initial emphasis on incision miniaturization to comprehensive strategies for preserving intracochlear structures and functions, as well as optimizing overall minimally invasive surgical procedure. However, current academic debates persist regarding standardized definitions and consensus on technical protocols. Future research should prioritize innovations in surgical-assistive robots, refinement of hidden cochlear implant, and exploration of drug deliver electrodes. These efforts aim to advance surgical methodologies toward enhanced minimally invasive approaches, functional preservation, and personalized therapeutic interventions.
Humans ; Cochlear Implantation/trends* ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/trends* ; Cochlear Implants

Objective:To evaluate the perioperative safety and long-term complications of simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation（BCI） in young infants, providing reference data for clinical BCI in young children. Methods:Seventy-four infants aged 6-23 months with congenital severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss who were candidates for cochlear implantation at the Department of Otolaryngology, Chinese PLA General Hospital between August 2018 and August 2019 were consecutively enrolled. Parents made the decision to implant either unilaterally or bilaterally. Participants were divided into unilateral cochlear implantation（UCI） group（before and after 12 months of age） and simultaneous BCI group（before and after 12 months of age）. Safety indicators, including perioperative risk variables, complications, and other postoperative adverse events were monitored, with complications followed up for 5-6 years. Comparisons were made between the BCI and UCI, as well as between implantation before and after 12 months of age regarding perioperative safety and long-term complications. Results:A total of 40 BCI patients（23 before 12 months, 17 after 12 months） and 34 UCI patients（20 before 12 months, 14 after 12 months） were included in the study. Regarding perioperative risk variables, the BCI group showed significantly longer anesthesia duration, operative time, and greater blood loss compared to the UCI group, though less than twice that of the UCI group; no anesthetic complications occurred in either group; and there was no significant difference in postoperative hospital stay between the groups. Regarding surgical complications during the 5-year follow-up period, the BCI group experienced 7 complications（2 major, 5 minor）, while the UCI group had 7 complications（1 major, 6 minor）, with no statistical differences between groups. Regarding other postoperative adverse events, the BCI group demonstrated significantly higher total adverse event rates than the UCI group（80.0% vs 38.2%）, with higher rates of moderate to severe anemia（60.0% vs 20.6%） and lower mean hemoglobin levels[（92.35±12.14） g/L vs（102.39±13.09） g/L]. No significant differences were found in postoperative fever rates（50.0% vs 52.9%） or C-reactive protein levels between groups. Within the BCI group, patients implanted before 12 months indicated notably higher rates of total adverse events（91.3% vs 64.7%）, high fever（26.1% vs 0）, and moderate to severe anemia（78.3% vs 35.3%） compared to those implanted after 12 months. Conclusion:Simultaneous BCI in young children under 2 years of age demonstrates controllable overall risks. Compared to UCI, while it shows no increase in anesthetic or surgical complications, it presents higher perioperative risks and adverse event rates, especially in patients implanted before 12 months of age, warranting special attention from medical staff.
Humans ; Cochlear Implantation/methods* ; Infant ; Postoperative Complications ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/surgery* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Male ; Perioperative Period ; Female ; Cochlear Implants

Objective:To investigate the application value of intraoperative sliding rail computed tomography （CT） in complicated and difficult cochlear implantation by analyzing the cases of complicated and difficult cochlear implantation. Methods:The clinical data of patients with complicated and difficult cochlear implantation assisted by sliding rail CT were retrospectively analyzed, the intraoperative complications and the number of electrode adjustments were summarized, and the patients were followed up. Results:A total of 51 subjects were included in this study, including 46 patients with inner ear malformation, 2 patients with cochlear ossification, there were 7 patients underwent secondary scanning to adjust the electrode and achieved satisfactory implantation position. Conclusion:Intraoperative CT scanning is a reliable adjunctive tool for determining the placement of complex cochlear implantation, and it improves the accuracy of difficult cochlear implantation surgeries.
Humans ; Cochlear Implantation/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Cochlear Implants ; Male ; Female ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Cochlea ; Electrodes, Implanted ; Infant

Astragaloside Ⅳ （AS-Ⅳ） is a natural triterpenoid saponin compound derived from Astragalus membranaceus and has shown significant potential in the regulation of liver diseases. This article reviews the latest research advances in AS-Ⅳ in the field of liver diseases in China and globally， and it is found that AS-Ⅳ exerts a liver-protecting effect by regulating lipid metabolism， exerting an anti-tumor/anti-inflammatory/anti-fibrotic effect， and modulating gut microbiota. Its mechanism of action involves multiple signaling pathways， such as AMPK， NLRP3， NF-κB， JAK2/STAT3， and Nrf2. These research findings provide a scientific basis for the development of liver-protecting drugs or functional foods based on the natural product AS-Ⅳ.

Objective: To explore the effects of high-altitude hypoxia on thyroid hormone(TH) synthesis by quasi-targeted metabolomics technology. Methods: Twenty SPF male SD rats were randomly divided into Control group and Hypoxia group. An acute hypoxia injury model was established in SD rats by simulating hypoxia stress in a hypobaric oxygen chamber at an altitude of 6 km for 48 hours. The body weight, arterial oxygen partial pressure(PaO2) and blood oxygen saturation(SaO2) were detected. KEGG enrichment analysis was performed after the metabolites in the blood of two groups were detected by quasi-targeted metabolomics technology. The expression levels of sodium iodide symporter(NIS), thyroid peroxidase(TPO) and thyroglobulin(TG) were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot in TH synthesis pathway. The content of serum thyroxine(T4) and the expression levels of glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase(SOD) and malondialdehyde(MDA) were detected by ELISA. The expression levels of toll-like receptors-4(TLR-4), interleukin-6(IL-6), nuclear factor-κB/p65(NF-κB/p65) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were detected by RT-PCR, Western blot and ELISA. The expression levels of Pro apoptotic protein Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax) and inhibitor of apoptosis protein B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2(Bcl-2) were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot in rats thyroid tissue. Results: Compared with the Control group, the body weight, PaO2and SaO2of rats in the Hypoxia group significantly decreased(P<0.01). The differential metabolites in arterial serum of hypoxia group rats were significantly enriched in the TH synthesis pathway, and the content of the pathway end product T4decreased significantly(P<0.01). In addition, the mRNA and protein expression levels of NIS, TPO, TG in rats thyroid tissue significantly decreased(P<0.05). The ELISA validation results showed that the changes of T4content were completely consistent with the above results. Compared with the Control group, the enzyme activities of SOD and GSH-Px in the serum of rats in the hypoxia group decreased, while the content of MDA increased(P<0.01); the mRNA, protein expression levels and contents of TLR-4, IL-6, NF-κ B/p65, TNF-α significantly increased(P<0.05), while the mRNA and protein expression levels of Bax in thyroid tissue significantly increased, Bcl-2 significantly decreased(P<0.05). Conclusion Hypoxia stress at high altitude leads to apoptosis of thyroid follicular epithelial cells by promoting oxidative stress and inflammatory response, which effects thyroid function and ultimately reduces thyroid hormone synthesis.

Objective To compare regional pulmonary ventilation and perfusion and ventilation/perfusion(V/Q)matching in different body positions using electrical impedance tomography(EIT).Methods Ten healthy experimental pigs were selected to collect their EIT lung ventilation and perfusion data in supine,prone,left lateral and right lateral positions.The EIT data underwent analysis and image reconstruction using MATLAB R2022b and EIDORS v3.9.The effective regions with ventilation and perfusion were determined and the V/Q matching regions were computed with the maximum pixel value 20％as the threshold.Comparisons were carried out over the V/Q matching indexes including V/Q match％,dead space％and shunt％and ventilation and perfusion distribution in regions of interest(ROIs)including ROI1,ROI2,ROI3 and ROI4 in different body positions.Results The differences in V/Q match％,dead space％and shunt％of the experimental animals in varied positions were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).The regional distribution of pulmonary ventilation and perfusion changed in different positions,and the regional distributions differed in ROIl,ROI2 and ROI3 for ventilation(P＜0.05)and in ROI1 and ROI2 for perfusion(P＜0.05).The ventilation and perfusion regions were distributed consistently with the gravity-dependent areas in supine and prone positions whereas conversely in the right and left lateral positions.Conclusion The V/Q matching indexes of one subject have high test consistency in different body positions;gravity-dependent areas varied with the changes of the body positions,which affected the distribution of pulmonary ventilation and perfusion regions;EIT can be used for measuring the changed pulmonary ventilation and perfusion due to different positions and determining the influences of position changes on pulmonary ventilation and perfusion and V/Q matching.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(5):1-7]