This article presents a case study of a patient who visited the Geriatric Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital due to "palpitations, shortness of breath for more than 2 years, limb weakness for 6 months, edema, and nocturnal dyspnea for 2 months". The patient exhibited decreased muscle strength in the limbs and involvement of swallowing and respiratory muscles, alongside complications of heart failure and various arrhythmias which were predominantly atrial. Laboratory tests revealed the presence of multiple autoantibodies and notably anti-mitochondrial antibodies. Following a comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation, the patient was diagnosed with anti-mitochondrial antibody-associated inflammatory myopathy. Treatment involved a combination of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants, along with resistance exercises for muscle strength and rehabilitation training for lung function, resulting in significant improvement of clinical symptoms. The case underscores the importance of collaborative multidisciplinary approaches in diagnosing and treating rare diseases in elderly patients, where careful consideration of clinical manifestations and subtle abnormal clinical data can lead to effective interventions.

Objective To investigate the related factor underlying the differential vulnerability of inner hair cell(IHC)ribbon synapses to noise exposure.Methods Twenty-eight C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the noise exposure group(NED1)and the control group(CTR)with 14 mice in each group.The noise exposure group was exposed to bandpass noise of 2～20 kHz at 103 dB SPL for two hours while the control group was bred in a quiet environment.Before and after noise exposure,auditory brainstem response was conducted to detect the audi-tory function,whole-mount immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the number of inner hair cell ribbon synapses in different turns.The calcium influx of inner hair cells in the apical and middle turn using whole-cell patch clamp recording was analyzed.Furthermore,the immunofluorescence intensity of calpain in inner hair cells from dif-ferent mouse cochlear turns using whole-mount immunofluorescence staining was compared.Western blotting was used to verify that CtBP2 was degraded by calpain.Results After noise exposure,the ABR threshold of 11.3,16.0,22.6,32.0 kHz increased significantly and the number of ribbon synapses of inner hair cells at the middle turn and basal turn of the cochlea decreased significantly.However,whole-cell patch clamp recordings showed that calcium ion channels were fewer but single-channel current was higher at the apical turn of the cochlea.The open probability of calcium ion channels in IHCs showed no significant difference between the apical turn and the middle turn of the cochlea.But the expression level of calpain of the inner hair cells at the middle and basal turn of the basi-lar membrane was significantly higher than that at the apical turn after noise exposure.The western blotting results also showed that CtBP2 was cleaved in a Ca2+-dependent manner by calpain.Conclusion Calpain may be the main related factor that accounts for the vulnerability of ribbon synapses in inner hair cells in the high frequency region of basal membrane.

Objective:Cerebellopontine angle(CPA)tumors are a common cause of secondary trigeminal neuralgia(TN),characterized by their concealed location,slow progression,and difficulty in early detection.This study aims to explore the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with secondary TN due to CPA tumors to enhance understanding and management of secondary TN. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data and pathological results of 116 patients with CPA tumor-related TN treated at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 1,2017 to December 31,2022.The study analyzed the relationship of tumor pathological types with clinical manifestations,tumor location,surgical methods,and treatment outcomes. Results:Among the cases,95.7％(111/116)were benign tumors,3.4％(4/116)were malignant tumors,and 0.9％(1/116)were borderline tumors.Benign tumors were predominantly acoustic neuromas,meningiomas,and schwannomas.Among the patients,46.6％(54/116)presented with isolated TN,while 53.4％(62/116)exhibited other associated symptoms depending on factors such as tumor growth location and rate.The complete resection rate in this group was over 90％,with 41.4％(48/116)of patients undergoing concurrent microvascular decompression after tumor resection,predominantly for schwannomas.The overall effective rate of surgical treatment reached 93.9％,with schwannomas showing higher efficacy rates compared with acoustic neuromas and meningiomas(P＜0.05).The recurrence rate of acoustic neuromas was significantly higher than that of meningiomas and schwannomas(P＜0.05). Conclusion:CPA tumors are a major cause of secondary TN,predominantly benign,with occasional underdiagnosed malignant tumors.Early diagnosis and treatment significantly impact prognosis.Different tumor types vary in clinical symptoms,surgical approaches,and treatment efficacy.Surgical strategies should balance tumor resection extent and neural function preservation,with microvascular decompression as necessary.

Objective·To investigate the pathological and physiological changes underlying noise-induced cochlear nucleus damage and the regulating function of astrocytes on the damage,using a combination of morphological analysis,and molecular biology techniques.Methods·Forty-eight male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into two groups and exposed to 110 dB SPL(sound pressure level)broadband noise for 2 hours.Auditory brainstem response(ABR)tests were performed on the mice on days 1,7,14,30,and 90 after the noise exposure.Immunofluorescence staining of cochlear nuclear tissue was conducted to observe cochlear nuclear neurons and auditory synapses,as well as astrocyte activation levels.In addition,the damage to the cochlear nuclear neurons and synapses caused by noise was verified through Western blotting.Results·A significant decrease in cochlear nuclear Bushy cells after noise exposure was observed.The Western blotting results showed that there was severe loss of nerve fibers in cochlear nuclear neurons,indicating that noise caused significant damage to cochlear nucleus neurons.Moreover,a significant loss of auditory synapses labeled with vesicular glutamate transporter 1(Vglutl)was observed,which was the severest on day 14 after noise exposure and slowly recovered on day 90.Interestingly,astrocytes in the cochlear nucleus displayed obvious clustering and activation after noise exposure.By staining with glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP),most astrocytes were distributed around the cochlear nucleus,granule cell area,and auditory nerve root before noise exposure,and they had a small size.However,on day 14 after noise exposure,a large number of activated astrocytes aggregated in the ventral cochlear nucleus,and they all showed a pattern of growth around the synapses.Conclusion·Noise exposure leads to significant damage in the cochlear nucleus,and it is possible that astrocytes are involved in its damage and repair processes.These findings will provide a crucial foundation for further understanding the mechanisms of sound signal analysis,integration,and neural plasticity in the cochlear nucleus.

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global public health concern. Existing antiviral drugs, including nucleos(t)ide analogs and interferon-α, can suppress HBV replication and improve the prognosis. However, the persistence of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), the integration of HBV-DNA into the host genome, and compromised immune responses impede the successful treatment of hepatitis B. While achieving a functional cure of HBV remains elusive with the current treatment methods, this is the goal of new therapeutic approaches. Therefore, developing novel antiviral drugs is necessary for achieving a functional or complete cure for chronic hepatitis B. In recent years, substantial progress has been made in drug discovery and development for HBV infection. Direct-acting antiviral agents such as entry inhibitors, capsid assembly modulators, subviral particle release inhibitors, cccDNA silencers, and RNA interference molecules have entered clinical trials. In addition, several immunomodulatory agents, including toll-like receptor agonists, therapeutic vaccines, checkpoint inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies, are also making their way toward clinical use. In this review, we summarize the recent progress and limitations of chronic hepatitis B treatment and discuss perspectives on approaches to achieving functional cure. Although it will take some time for these new antiviral drugs to be widely used in clinical practice, combination therapy may become a preferable treatment option in the future.
Humans ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use* ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/drug therapy* ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics*

Tumor metastasis is closely related to high mortality rate of cancer.It is well known that glutamine plays an important role in the malignant progression of cancer.Notably,as an important carbon and nitrogen donor,glutamine has been found to be closely related to tumor metastasis in recent years.Glutamine is not only involved in regulating the proliferation of tumor cells,but is also closely related to the migration and invasion of tumor cells.Furthermore,various enzymes along with transporters in the metabolism of glutamine are involved in the process of tumor metastasis through different signaling pathways.This review provided a summary of the role of glutamine in tumor metastasis in recent years and proposed therapeutic targets to provide new strategies for the clinical treatment of tumor metastases.

Background As one of the common tools for job burnout assessment, Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS), its reliability and validity across different populations in China have not been examined yet. Objective To evaluate the reliability and validity of General Burnout Scale (GBS) by multiple occupational groups through the translation and preliminary test of MBI-GS. Methods Based on the Special Project of Occupational Hazards in Key Populations led by the Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, China CDC, key occupational groups in five typical industries were selected by multi-stage stratified cluster sampling, including teachers, firefighters, manufacturing workers, medical staff, and traffic police. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to evaluate the construct validity of GBS by single-factor, two-factor, and three-factor structure models. The model fitness was assessed by ratio of the chi-square statistic to the respective degrees of freedom (χ²/ν), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), goodness-of-fit index (GFI), comparative fit index (CFI), and parsimony-adjusted non-normed fit index (PNFI). Spearman correlation analysis was used to calculate the criterion validity of GBS with occupational stress, depressive symptoms, and sleep disorders. Cronbach's α coefficient and composite reliability (CR) coefficient were used to evaluate the internal consistency reliability of GBS. Results A total of 3485 subjects were surveyed in this study, 3375 valid questionnaires were recovered with a valid response rate of 96.84%. The results of CFA showed that in the adjusted three-factor structure model of GBS (exhaustion, cynicism, and professional efficacy), the χ²/ν < 4, the RMSEA ranged from 0.032 to 0.069, the GFI > 0.90, the CFI > 0.90, and the PNFI > 0.70, which illustrated a good fitness than that of the single- or the two-factor structure models in different occupational groups. The Spearman correlation analysis results showed that occupational stress, depressive symptoms, and sleep disorders were positively correlated with exhaustion and cynicism dimensions, and negatively correlated with professional efficacy dimension of the GBS, with the \begin{document}$ \left| r \right| $\end{document} ranging from 0.139 to 0.662 (P<0.05) in overall subjects. For traffic police and firefighters, professional efficacy was not correlated with depressive symptoms or sleep disorders (P>0.05). The Cronbach's α coefficients ranged from 0.819 to 0.899, and the CR values ranged from 0.941 to 0.978 in different occupational groups. Conclusion The GBS shows high reliability and validity, as well as good application effects in different occupational groups.

Background Healthcare workers suffer from great internal and external pressure and are prone to burnout. Existing studies have shown that depressive symptoms are important influencing factors of burnout, both of which are closely related to job stress. Objective To analyze overall prevalence of burnout among healthcare workers using a new survey tool developed by our team, and to reveal potential influencing factors related to burnout. Methods A cross-sectional multi-center study was conducted in August–October 2019 and June–September 2020, using multi-stage stratified cluster sampling. A total of 8738 healthcare workers from 22 hospitals in 5 provinces (Shandong, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, and Chongqing) of China were selected in this study. A set of survey questionnaires, including the general information questionnaire and the Chinese versions of General Burnout Scale, Core Occupational Stress Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Self-administered Sleep Questionnaire were distributed. Independent samples t-test or one-way ANOVA were employed for inter-group comparison of burnout. Spearman correlation was used to evaluate correlations among burnout, depressive symptoms, and occupational stress. Stepwise linear regression was conducted to identify factors independently associated with burnout. Process plug-in was used to test potential mediating effect of depressive symptoms on occupational stress and burnout. Results Of the 8738 questionnaires distributed, 8456 valid questionnaires were collected, and the recovery rate was 96.77%. Among the 8456 healthcare workers, the prevalence of burnout was 58.0%, that of occupational stress was 31.8%, and that of depressive symptoms was 31.0%. Among those with depressive symptoms and occupational stress, the proportions of burnout were 86.7% and 83.7%, respectively. According to the stepwise linear regression analysis, depressive symptoms, occupational stress, work experience, drinking, and marital status were all independent influencing factors of burnout. Especially, depressive symptoms, social support, and organization and reward had significant influences on burnout (b'=0.455, −0.183, 0.220, P<0.001). Depressive symptoms showed mediating effects on occupational stress (and its subscales) and burnout, and the contribution rates of the mediating effects were 41.00%, 47.02%, 43.44%, 56.62%, and 59.45%, respectively. Conclusion Burnout is a prominent problem among healthcare workers in the 5 provinces, with the prevalence of 58.0%. And nearly 1/3 suffering from depressive symptoms and occupational stress, which has a great impact on burnout.

Objective:To evaluate the right ventricular function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) by four-dimensional automatic right ventricular quantitative analysis (4D Auto RVQ), and compare with the right ventricular ejection fraction measured by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR-RVEF), and to explore the clinical application value of 4D Auto RVQ technique in evaluating the right ventricular function of patients with DCM.Methods:A prospective study was conducted to select 52 patients with DCM who were treated in Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March to October 2022 as DCM group, and 52 healthy volunteers were selected as the control group during the same period. The four-dimensional right ventricular ejection fraction (4D-RVEF), right ventricular stroke volume index (RVSVI), right ventricular end-diastolic volume index (RVEDVI), right ventricular end-systolic volume index (RVESVI), four-dimensional right ventricular basal diameter (4D-RVDd-base), four-dimensional right ventricular middle diameter (4D-RVDd-mid), four-dimensional right ventricular long axis diameter (4D-RVLd), four-dimensional tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (4D-TAPSE) and four-dimensional right ventricular fractional area change (4D-RVFAC) were obtained by 4D Auto RVQ technique. The differences of the above parameters between DCM group and control group were compared.Pearson linear correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between echocardiographic parameters and CMR-RVEF. The ROC curve was used to find the most sensitive parameters for evaluating right ventricular function, and the area under the ROC curve ( AUC ) was calculated and compared.Results:Compared with the control group, RVEDVI, RVESVI, 4D-RVDd-base and 4D-RVDd-mid in the DCM group were increased, and the absolute values of 4D-RVEF, 4D-TAPSE, 4D-RVFAC, right ventricular global longitudinal strain(RVGLS) and right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain(RVFWLS) were decreased (all P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that 4D-RVEF was positively correlated with CMR-RVEF ( r=0.711, P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that 4D-RVEF was superior to other parameters in evaluating right ventricular function in DCM patients (AUC: 0.916). Conclusions:4D Auto RVQ technique can quantitatively evaluate right ventricular function in DCM patients. 4D-RVEF has a significant correlation with CMR-RVEF, and 4D-RVEF has the best efficacy in evaluating right ventricular function in DCM patients.

Objective:To evaluate left atrial(LA) function and its value in predicting left ventricular(LV) remodeling in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) by four dimensional automatic left atrial quantitation (4D Auto LAQ).Methods:A total of 176 patients with CHD were prospectively enrolled in Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital from October 2021 to September 2022. They were divided into two groups according to left ventricular mass index: LV remodeling group (female>95 g/m 2, male>115 g/m 2, n=88) and Non-LV remodeling group (female≤95 g/m 2, male≤115 g/m 2, n=88). The 3D dynamic image of LA was analyzed by 4D Auto LAQ on machine to obtain the LA parameters, including the minimum, maximum, pre-systolic and emptying volumes of LA (LAVmin, LAVmax, LAVpreA, LAEV), LA ejection fraction (LAEF), LA reservoir longitudinal and circumferential strains (LASr, LASr-c), LA conduit longitudinal and circumferential strains (LAScd, LAScd-c) and LA contraction longitudinal and circumferential strains (LASct, LASct-c). Logistic regression models were used to analyze the value of LA parameters in predicting LV remodeling in patients with CHD. ROC curve was used to evaluate LA parameters and left atrial volume index (LAVI) to predict the diagnostic efficiency of LV remodeling. Results:Compared with the Non-LV remodeling group, LAVmin, LAVmax, LAVpreA were significantly increased and LAEF, LASr, LAScd, LASct, LASr-c, LAScd-c, LASct-c were significantly decreased in the LV remodeling group ( P<0.05). Logistic regression model showed that LASct-c was an independent risk factor for LV remodeling in patients with CHD after adjustment( OR=2.018, 95% CI=1.214-3.355). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of LASct-c for predicting LV remodeling in CHD patients was 0.844, the sensitivity was 0.784, and the specificity was 0.761. Conclusions:4D Auto LAQ can effectively evaluate LA function in patients with CHD.LASct-c can be used as a reference index to predict LV remodeling in patients with CHD, which provides a new evaluation method in prognosis evaluation of CHD patients.