Objective:To summarize and analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss（SSHL） accompanying diabetes mellitus, to explore whether diabetes affects the treatment outcomes during hospitalization, and to identify the factors influencing the efficacy of SSHL patients with diabetes. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 939 patients with SSHL. The baseline characteristics, and onset conditions of the diabetes group（79 cases） and the non-diabetes group（860 cases） were compared. Propensity score matching（PSM） was applied in a 1︰ 2 ratio to match initial hearing levels with baseline characteristics such as age, sex, and BMI, resulting in 73 diabetes cases and 144 non-diabetes cases for treatment efficacy comparison. For the analysis of prognostic factors, a logistic regression model was established based on the treatment outcomes of 217 patients with SSHL. Results:The proportion of SSHL patients accompanying diabetes was 8.40%（79/939）. Compared to non-diabetic patients, those with diabetes were older（median age of 53 years in the diabetes group and 39 years in the non-diabetes group） and had a higher proportion of hypertension（43.04% vs 12.67%）, with significant difference observed（P<0.05）. After PSM, the treatment efficacy during hospitalization was better in the diabetes group than in the non-diabetes group（58.90% vs 47.92%）, although the difference was not statistically significant（P>0.05）. The prognosis of patients with SSNHL accompanied by diabetes was analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model that included age, HDL-C, and INR as variables; however, no statistically significant differences were found（P>0.05）. Conclusion:Patients with SSHL accompanying diabetes are generally older with a higher incidence of hypertension. The presence of diabetes does not affect the treatment outcomes during hospitalization.
Humans ; Propensity Score ; Retrospective Studies ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/therapy* ; Hearing Loss, Sudden/therapy* ; Middle Aged ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Male ; Female ; Prognosis ; Adult ; Logistic Models ; Diabetes Complications ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To observe the effects of Yiqi Huoxue Prescription in regulating METTL3/HAND2/TGF-β1 signaling axis on rats with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome of coronary heart disease.Methods Totally 48 male SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group,model group,Yiqi Huoxue Prescription group and Western medicine(isosorbide mononitrate)group,with 12 rats in each group.Except for the sham-operation group,the animal models of coronary heart disease with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were prepared by the method of ligation of the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery combined with swimming exhaustion.After modeling,Yiqi Huoxue Prescription group and the Western medicine group were gavaged for 28 d.The general conditions of the rats were observed,and electrocardiograms and echocardiograms were collected to detect the cardiac function of the rats,blood rheology was used to detect the degree of blood stasis,HE staining was used to observe the morphology of myocardial tissue,immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of METTL3,TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 in myocardial tissue,RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of METTL3,HAND2,TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 mRNA and protein in myocardial tissue.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the model group rats showed symptoms of qi deficiency such as mental lethargy,slow movement,drowsiness,and decreased body mass,significant elevation of ST segment on electrocardiogram,the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)and left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS)decreased(P＜0.01),the left ventricular end diastolic volume(LVEDV),left ventricular end systolic volume(LVESV),left ventricular end diastolic diameter(LVEDd)and left ventricular end systolic diameter(LVEDs)increased(P＜0.01),the red blood cell aggregation index,Carcasson viscosity and whole blood viscosity increased(P＜0.01);with enlargement and necrosis of myocardial cells,disordered arrangement of myocardial fibers,and infiltration of inflammatory cells into myocardial tissue,the mRNA and protein expressions of METTL3,TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 in myocardial tissue increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),while the mRNA and protein expression of HAND2 decreased(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the Yiqi Huoxue Prescription group and the Western medicine group showed significant improvement in the mental state of rats,significant ST segment regression on electrocardiogram,LVEF and LVFS increased(P＜0.01),LVEDV,LVESV,LVEDd and LVEDs decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),with red blood cell aggregation index,Carcasson viscosity and whole blood viscosity decreased(P＜0.01);the arrangement of myocardial fibers was neat,the structure and morphology of myocardial cells were improved,the infiltration of inflammatory cells was reduced,the mRNA and protein expressions of METTL3,TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 in myocardial tissue decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and the mRNA and protein expression of HAND2 increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion Yiqi Huoxue Prescription can alleviate the pathological damage of myocardial tissue in rats with coronary heart disease of qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome,improve heart function and inhibit inflammatory response.Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the METTL3/HAND2/TGF-β1 signaling axis.

Objective To observe the effects of Yiqi Huoxue Prescription in regulating METTL3/HAND2/TGF-β1 signaling axis on rats with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome of coronary heart disease.Methods Totally 48 male SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group,model group,Yiqi Huoxue Prescription group and Western medicine(isosorbide mononitrate)group,with 12 rats in each group.Except for the sham-operation group,the animal models of coronary heart disease with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were prepared by the method of ligation of the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery combined with swimming exhaustion.After modeling,Yiqi Huoxue Prescription group and the Western medicine group were gavaged for 28 d.The general conditions of the rats were observed,and electrocardiograms and echocardiograms were collected to detect the cardiac function of the rats,blood rheology was used to detect the degree of blood stasis,HE staining was used to observe the morphology of myocardial tissue,immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of METTL3,TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 in myocardial tissue,RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of METTL3,HAND2,TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 mRNA and protein in myocardial tissue.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the model group rats showed symptoms of qi deficiency such as mental lethargy,slow movement,drowsiness,and decreased body mass,significant elevation of ST segment on electrocardiogram,the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)and left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS)decreased(P＜0.01),the left ventricular end diastolic volume(LVEDV),left ventricular end systolic volume(LVESV),left ventricular end diastolic diameter(LVEDd)and left ventricular end systolic diameter(LVEDs)increased(P＜0.01),the red blood cell aggregation index,Carcasson viscosity and whole blood viscosity increased(P＜0.01);with enlargement and necrosis of myocardial cells,disordered arrangement of myocardial fibers,and infiltration of inflammatory cells into myocardial tissue,the mRNA and protein expressions of METTL3,TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 in myocardial tissue increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),while the mRNA and protein expression of HAND2 decreased(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the Yiqi Huoxue Prescription group and the Western medicine group showed significant improvement in the mental state of rats,significant ST segment regression on electrocardiogram,LVEF and LVFS increased(P＜0.01),LVEDV,LVESV,LVEDd and LVEDs decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),with red blood cell aggregation index,Carcasson viscosity and whole blood viscosity decreased(P＜0.01);the arrangement of myocardial fibers was neat,the structure and morphology of myocardial cells were improved,the infiltration of inflammatory cells was reduced,the mRNA and protein expressions of METTL3,TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 in myocardial tissue decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and the mRNA and protein expression of HAND2 increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion Yiqi Huoxue Prescription can alleviate the pathological damage of myocardial tissue in rats with coronary heart disease of qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome,improve heart function and inhibit inflammatory response.Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the METTL3/HAND2/TGF-β1 signaling axis.

Objective Emergency technology research projects have two key aspects,"emergency"and"research",but it is not always clear how to effectively achieve the desired result.Organizations that undertake emergency technology research projects need to develop reasonable project management mechanisms to ensure their successful implementation.In this study,we investigated the current problems faced by those managing emergency technology research projects in the medical field.We researched and analyzed possible measures to improve the efficiency and quality of scientific research management.Methods This study leveraged the author's practical experience to investigate the current status of scientific research management in relevant units.Questionnaire surveys were conducted to ascertain the management aspects that most concern scientific managers and researchers.The problems raised by the survey were categorized and discussed.Results Through the research,we found that(1)at present,there are few management standards for emergency technology research projects;(2)the issue of greatest concern for scientific researchers is administrative approval and project funding;(3)the issue of greatest concern for scientific management personnel is how to meet the management requirements of higher-level units and the needs of scientific researchers under the premise of legal compliance.Conclusions Emergency technology research projects have unique characteristics distinct from those of conventional technology projects.Management optimization can be carried out in terms of project approval,funding use,resource allocation,and safety.This study has provided innovative solutions to improve the management of emergency technology research projects and a useful reference of the experiences of various scientific research units in managing such projects.

Using chemoproteomic techniques, we first identified EIF2AK2, eEF1A1, PRDX3 and VPS4B as direct targets of berberine (BBR) for its synergistically anti-inflammatory effects. Of them, BBR has the strongest affinity with EIF2AK2 via two ionic bonds, and regulates several key inflammatory pathways through EIF2AK2, indicating the dominant role of EIF2AK2. Also, BBR could subtly inhibit the dimerization of EIF2AK2, rather than its enzyme activity, to selectively modulate its downstream pathways including JNK, NF-κB, AKT and NLRP3, with an advantage of good safety profile. In EIF2AK2 gene knockdown mice, the inhibitory IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-α secretion of BBR was obviously attenuated, confirming an EIF2AK2-dependent anti-inflammatory efficacy. The results highlight the BBR's network mechanism on anti-inflammatory effects in which EIF2AK2 is a key target, and inhibition of EIF2AK2 dimerization has a potential to be a therapeutic strategy against inflammation-related disorders.

Objective:To compare the advantages and disadvantages of laparoscopic robot-assisted transmesenteric approach and retrocolic approach disconnected pyeloplasty in the treatment of children with hydronephrosis.Methods:From October 2020 to March 2021, 19 children with hydronephrosis were divided into two groups: intra-renal type and extra-renal type. Among them, 15 were males and 4 were females. The average age of the patients was 3.5 years old (0.2 years old to 16.8 years old), and the average weight was 18.4 kg (5.5 kg to 67.0 kg). The average ERPF of affected kidney before surgery was 35.4%(23.0%-49.8%). All of them were treated with laparoscopic robot-assisted transmesenteric approach and retrocolic approach disconnected pyeloplasty. The operation was performed in accordance with the standard surgical procedures of the guidelines. After the insertion of the trocar, the children in the transmesenteric group were exposed to the renal pelvis by incising the colonic mesangium into the retroperitoneal space, while in the retrocolic group, the peritoneum was cut into the retroperitoneal space to expose the renal pelvis. After that, the steps of incision, cutting, tube placement, and suture of the renal pelvis and ureter were the same in the two groups. Among the 10 cases of the extrarenal type, 6 cases were in the transmesenteric group and 4 cases were in the retrocolic group; among the 9 cases of the intrarenal type, 5 cases were in the transmesenteric group and 4 were in the retrocolic group. There was no statistically significant difference in age, weight, and renal function of the affected side before operation in different surgical approach groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative anastomosis time, intraoperative blood loss and postoperative hospital stay were recorded and compared. There was no statistical difference in the age, weight, and renal function of the affected side before the operation. Results:19 cases were followed up for 6 months, no complications such as fever or wound infection occurred. The operation was successfully completed in all patients, no patients were transferred to open surgery, and the hydronephrosis was significantly reduced. Symptoms disappeared in both groups. Of the 19 children. In children with extrarenal type, the operation time of the transmesenteric group and the retrocolic group were (108.8±15.5) min and (132.8±7.6) min, and the intraoperative anastomosis time was (40.7±6.1) min and (51.5±5.5)min, the estimated intraoperative blood loss was (9.5±2.1) ml and (9.3±0.8) ml, respectively, and the postoperative hospital stay was (9.0±1.6) d and (9.3±2.9) d. The operation time and the difference of intraoperative anastomosis time was statistically significant ( P<0.05). In children with intrarenal type, the operation time of the transmesenteric group and the retrocolic group were (136.6±7.9) min and (116.5±13.5) min, and the intraoperative anastomosis time was (52.8±6.9) min and (40.8±6.2), min, the estimated blood loss during the operation was (11.4±2.3) ml and (10.5±0.9) ml, and the postoperative hospital stay was (8.8±1.7) d and (8.0±1.6) d. The operation time and The difference of intraoperative anastomosis time was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The 19 cases were followed up for 6 months, and there was no complications such as fever or wound infection. The volume of hydronephrosis was significantly reduced compared with that before operation, and the renal blood perfusion increased compared with that before operation. The difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusion:In terms of shortening the operation time and suture time, for laparoscopic robot-assisted transmesenteric approach and retrocolic approach disconnected pyeloplasty in the treatment of children with hydronephrosis, the transtransmesenteric approach is more advantageous in the treatment of extrarenal hydronephrosis, while the retrocolic approach is more advantageous in the treatment of intrarenal hydronephrosis.

Objective: To investigate the role of BRAF^V600E mutation in diagnosis of thyroid nodules when it is inconsonant with cytological results. Methods: This study included 9837 patients who underwent US-FNA. We mainly analyzed 239 cases with benign or indeterminate cytology, but having a detection of BRAF^V600E mutation. BRAF^V600E mutation analysis was performed using a Amplification Refractory Mutation System Polymerase Chain Reaction. Results: In 93 nodules with benign cytology results but positive BRAF^V600E mutation, 84 nodules were malignant. Based on the results, US-FNA combined with BRAF^V600E mutation analysis will improve sensitivity (Se=94.03%) and negative predictive value (NPV=2.69%) of the thyroid nodules diagnosis than using US-FNA alone (Se=71.03%, NPV=20.76%) . Conclusion BRAF^V600E mutation analysis is an important tool in the diagnosis of PTC with high sensitivity and NPV. When facing patients with benign or indeterminate cytology but positive BRAF^V600E mutation, thyroidectomy should be considered.

Objective To investigate the role of BRAFV600E mutation in diagnosis of thyroid nodules when it is inconsonant with cytological results. Methods This study included 9837 patients who underwent US-FNA. We mainly analyzed 239 cases with benign or indeterminate cytology, but having a detection of BRAFV600E muta-tion. BRAFV600E mutation analysis was performed using a Amplification Refractory Mutation System Polymerase Chain Reaction. Results In 93 nodules with benign cytology results but positive BRAFV600E mutation, 84 nodules were malignant. Based on the results, US-FNA combined with BRAFV600E mutation analysis will improve sensitivity (Se=94.03％)and negative predictive value (NPV=2.69％) of the thyroid nodules diagnosis than using US-FNA alone(Se=71.03％, NPV=20.76％). Conclusion BRAFV600E mutation analysis is an important tool in the diagnosis of PTC with high sensitivity and NPV. When facing patients with benign or indeterminate cytology but positive BRAFV600E mutation, thyroidectomy should be considered.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease involving the destruction of both soft and hard tissue in the periodontal region. Although dysbiosis of the local microbial community initiates local inflammation, over-activation of the host immune response directly activates osteoclastic activity and alveolar bone loss. Many studies have reported on the cytokine network involved in periodontitis and its crucial and pleiotropic effect on the recruitment of specific immunocytes, control of pathobionts and induction or suppression of osteoclastic activity. Nonetheless, particularities in the stimulation of pathogens in the oral cavity that lead to the specific and complex periodontal cytokine network are far from clarified. Thus, in this review, we begin with an up-to-date aetiological hypothesis of periodontal disease and summarize the roles of cytokines in the host immune response. In addition, we also summarize the latest cytokine-related therapeutic measures for periodontal disease.
Alveolar Bone Loss ; etiology ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; physiology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Periodontal Diseases ; Periodontitis ; immunology ; microbiology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; physiology

The biophysical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) dictate tissue-specific cell behaviour. In the skeleton system, bone shows the potential to adapt its architecture and contexture to environmental rigidity via the bone remodelling process, which involves chondrocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteocytes and even peripheral bone marrow-derived stem/stromal cells (BMSCs). In the current study, we generated stiff (~1 014 ± 56) kPa, Young's modulus) and soft (~46 ± 11) kPa silicon-based elastomer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates by mixing curing agent into oligomeric base at 1:5 and 1:45 ratios, respectively, and investigated the influence of substrate stiffness on the cell behaviours by characterizing cell spreading area, cell cytoskeleton and cell adhesion capacity. The results showed that the cell spreading areas of chondrocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteocytes and BMSCs were all reduced in the soft substrate relative to those in the stiff substrate. F-actin staining confirmed that the cytoskeleton was also changed in the soft group compared to that in the stiff group. Vinculin in focal adhesion plaques was significantly decreased in response to soft substrate compared to stiff substrate. This study establishes the potential correlation between microenvironmental mechanics and the skeletal system, and the results regarding changes in cell spreading area, cytoskeleton and cell adhesion further indicate the important role of biomechanics in the cell-matrix interaction.
Actins ; Cell Adhesion ; Elastic Modulus ; Focal Adhesions ; physiology ; Humans ; Vinculin ; analysis ; metabolism