OBJECTIVE To compare the ability of ultra-high-resolution CT(U-HRCT)and multi-slice spiral CT(MSCT)to display key vocal transmission structures in the middle ear.METHODS Subjects with normal middle ear structures who underwent 0.1 mm layer thickness U-HRCT and 0.625 mm layer thickness MSCT scans at the same time in Beijing Friendship Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from December 2019 to August 2024 were retrospectively enrolled.Two experienced head and neck radiologists reconstruct standard transsectional,coronal images based on the thinnest layer thickness.According to the 5-point method,16 key sound transmission structures of the middle ear,including malleus,incus and stapes,as well as joints,ligaments and tendons,were evaluated for image quality scoring.The standard deviation(SD)value,signal noise ratio(SNR),and contrast noise ratio(CNR)of bone in the malleus region and intratympanic gas were measured and calculated on the two examination images.RESULTS Thirty patients(47 sides)with normal middle ear structure were included,including 18 males and 12 females.The two physicians compared the results of U-HRCT in showing malleus head,malleus neck,malleus handle,incus body,long process,and short process,5 points accounted for 100%,and the 5-point scores of incudomalleolar joint space,incudostapedial joint space,stapes footplate and annular ligament were 100%,98.29%,75.83%and 77.83%,respectively,which were significantly higher than those of MSCT(P<0.001).In addition,U-HRCT showed higher scores for lenticular process,stapes head,anterior arch of stapes,posterior arch of stapes,annular ligament,stapes muscle,and tendo musculi tensoris tympani than MSCT(P<0.001),and the lenticular process showed a 100%display rate.There was no significant difference in the SNR between the two groups(P>0.05),but the SD value of the malleus in U-HRCT was 161.6±36.4,which was significantly lower than that in MSCT(297.8±128.1),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.001).CONCLUSION U-HRCT can clearly visualize the key sound transmission structures of the middle ear,and its visualization ability is significantly better than that of MSCT.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between transverse sinus stenosis (TSS) and cerebral blood flow in normal adults based on four-dimensional flow (4D Flow) MRI.Methods:The study was a cross-sectional study. Totally 81 normal volunteers who underwent magnetic resonance venography (MRV) and 4D Flow MRI were prospectively enrolled at Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2020 to December 2022. Based on MRV evaluation of transverse sinus dysplasia, the volunteers were divided into a dysplasia group (26 cases) and a non-dysplasia group (55 cases); The area of the stenosis and the normal transverse sinus at the distal end were measured. The degree of TSS and the bilateral average transverse sinus stenosis (BA-TSS) were calculated. TSS was determined using TSS levels of 1/3, 1/2, and 2/3 as thresholds, and was divided into three groups: no TSS group, unilateral TSS group, and bilateral TSS group, with 28, 39, and 14 cases, 37, 37, and 7 cases, and 43, 36, and 2 cases, respectively. Based on 4D Flow MRI, the blood flow of the internal carotid artery, vertebral artery, superior sagittal sinus, straight sinus, and transverse sinus distal and proximal ends were measured. The cerebral blood flow (bilateral internal carotid artery blood flow+bilateral vertebral artery blood flow), venous sinus return blood flow 1 (superior sagittal sinus blood flow+straight sinus blood flow), return blood flow 2 (sum of bilateral transverse sinus distal end blood flow), return blood flow 3 (sum of bilateral transverse sinus proximal end blood flow), and the ratio of return blood flow to cerebral blood flow were calculated. Independent sample t-test was used to compare the differences between the group with and without transverse sinus dysplasia; Single factor analysis of variance was used to compare the differences between the TSS free group, unilateral TSS group, and bilateral TSS group. Based on single factor linear regression, the relationships between BA-TSS and blood flow parameters were analyzed.Results:There was no statistically significant difference in various blood flow parameters between the group with and without transverse sinus dysplasia (all P>0.05). When using 1/3, 1/2, and 2/3 as thresholds, there was no statistically significant difference in various blood flow parameters between the non TSS group, unilateral TSS group, and bilateral TSS group (all P>0.05). BA-TSS was linearly positively correlated with cerebral blood flow (β=0.986, 95% CI 0.108-1.865, P=0.028), but not linearly correlated with return blood flow 1, 2, and 3 (all P>0.05). The degree of BA-TSS was linearly negatively correlated with return blood flow 1/cerebral blood flow (β=-0.001, 95% CI -0.002-0, P=0.009) and return blood flow 2/cerebral blood flow (β=-0.001, 95% CI -0.002-0, P=0.018), but not with return blood flow 3/cerebral blood flow ( P=0.076). Conclusion:The BA-TSS degree in normal adults is positively correlated with cerebral blood inflow and negatively correlated with the proportion of venous sinus outflow.

The clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment process of a patient with type Ⅰ sialidosis (ST-1) caused by a homozygous mutation in the NEU1 gene who was missed diagnosis for 5 years were retrospectively analyzed to improve the understanding of the disease. A 16-year-old female patient presented with episodic limb shaking for more than 5 years and single generalised tonic-clonic seizure. Electroencephalogram (EEG) tests conducted at external hospital did not show any abnormalities, and head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed general normality. Multiple antiepileptic drugs could not control the attack and the symptoms gradually worsened. After admission, the patient was found to have symptoms of easy wrestling and decreased vision, as well as signs of nystagmus and ataxia. The reexamination of the EEG showed extensive spike-and-slow complexes, and the brain MRI showed cerebellar atrophy. Furthermore, the whole-exome gene testing revealed the c.544A>G homozygous mutation in the NEU1 gene, leading to the diagnosis of ST-1. Levetiracetam tablets and clonazepam were given to improve the patient′s symptoms. During the follow-up, sleep improved compared to before, and myoclonus was significantly reduced. Therefore, patients with recurrent myoclonus, ataxia, and visual impairment without cognitive impairment should be aware of the possibility of sialidosis. Genetic testing plays an important role in the diagnosis of sialidosis.

The clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment process of a patient with type Ⅰ sialidosis (ST-1) caused by a homozygous mutation in the NEU1 gene who was missed diagnosis for 5 years were retrospectively analyzed to improve the understanding of the disease. A 16-year-old female patient presented with episodic limb shaking for more than 5 years and single generalised tonic-clonic seizure. Electroencephalogram (EEG) tests conducted at external hospital did not show any abnormalities, and head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed general normality. Multiple antiepileptic drugs could not control the attack and the symptoms gradually worsened. After admission, the patient was found to have symptoms of easy wrestling and decreased vision, as well as signs of nystagmus and ataxia. The reexamination of the EEG showed extensive spike-and-slow complexes, and the brain MRI showed cerebellar atrophy. Furthermore, the whole-exome gene testing revealed the c.544A>G homozygous mutation in the NEU1 gene, leading to the diagnosis of ST-1. Levetiracetam tablets and clonazepam were given to improve the patient′s symptoms. During the follow-up, sleep improved compared to before, and myoclonus was significantly reduced. Therefore, patients with recurrent myoclonus, ataxia, and visual impairment without cognitive impairment should be aware of the possibility of sialidosis. Genetic testing plays an important role in the diagnosis of sialidosis.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between transverse sinus stenosis (TSS) and cerebral blood flow in normal adults based on four-dimensional flow (4D Flow) MRI.Methods:The study was a cross-sectional study. Totally 81 normal volunteers who underwent magnetic resonance venography (MRV) and 4D Flow MRI were prospectively enrolled at Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2020 to December 2022. Based on MRV evaluation of transverse sinus dysplasia, the volunteers were divided into a dysplasia group (26 cases) and a non-dysplasia group (55 cases); The area of the stenosis and the normal transverse sinus at the distal end were measured. The degree of TSS and the bilateral average transverse sinus stenosis (BA-TSS) were calculated. TSS was determined using TSS levels of 1/3, 1/2, and 2/3 as thresholds, and was divided into three groups: no TSS group, unilateral TSS group, and bilateral TSS group, with 28, 39, and 14 cases, 37, 37, and 7 cases, and 43, 36, and 2 cases, respectively. Based on 4D Flow MRI, the blood flow of the internal carotid artery, vertebral artery, superior sagittal sinus, straight sinus, and transverse sinus distal and proximal ends were measured. The cerebral blood flow (bilateral internal carotid artery blood flow+bilateral vertebral artery blood flow), venous sinus return blood flow 1 (superior sagittal sinus blood flow+straight sinus blood flow), return blood flow 2 (sum of bilateral transverse sinus distal end blood flow), return blood flow 3 (sum of bilateral transverse sinus proximal end blood flow), and the ratio of return blood flow to cerebral blood flow were calculated. Independent sample t-test was used to compare the differences between the group with and without transverse sinus dysplasia; Single factor analysis of variance was used to compare the differences between the TSS free group, unilateral TSS group, and bilateral TSS group. Based on single factor linear regression, the relationships between BA-TSS and blood flow parameters were analyzed.Results:There was no statistically significant difference in various blood flow parameters between the group with and without transverse sinus dysplasia (all P>0.05). When using 1/3, 1/2, and 2/3 as thresholds, there was no statistically significant difference in various blood flow parameters between the non TSS group, unilateral TSS group, and bilateral TSS group (all P>0.05). BA-TSS was linearly positively correlated with cerebral blood flow (β=0.986, 95% CI 0.108-1.865, P=0.028), but not linearly correlated with return blood flow 1, 2, and 3 (all P>0.05). The degree of BA-TSS was linearly negatively correlated with return blood flow 1/cerebral blood flow (β=-0.001, 95% CI -0.002-0, P=0.009) and return blood flow 2/cerebral blood flow (β=-0.001, 95% CI -0.002-0, P=0.018), but not with return blood flow 3/cerebral blood flow ( P=0.076). Conclusion:The BA-TSS degree in normal adults is positively correlated with cerebral blood inflow and negatively correlated with the proportion of venous sinus outflow.

Objective:To summarize the clinical features and postoperative efficacy of patients with oval window atresia accompanied by facial nerve aberration.Methods:The clinical data of patients with congenital middle ear malformation with facial nerve aberration admitted to our hospital from January 2015 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 97 cases (133 ears) in total. Among them, 39 patients (44 ears) had complete follow-up data, including 27 male patients and 12 females, aged 7-48 years old, with an average age of 17.8 years old. Of these, 14 cases (16 ears) were patients combined with facial nerve aberration, and 25 cases (28 ears) were without facial nerve aberration. The results of imaging examination, pure-tone audiometry, selection of surgical strategy, intraoperative findings and postoperative hearing improvement were summarized and analyzed. The malformations of malleus, incus, stapes, oval window and facial nerve were recorded. Prism 9 software was used to statistically analyze the mean bone conductance and air-bone gap of patients before and after surgery.Results:All the 14 patients (16 ears) with middle ear malformation accompanied by facial nerve aberration and oval window atresia showed poor hearing and no facial palsy since childhood. High resolution CT (HRCT) examination of temporal bone, pure tone audiometry and Gelle test were performed before surgery. The malformations of malleus, incus, stapes, oval window and facial nerve were recorded. Preoperative high-resolution CT (HRCT) examination of temporal bone found 12 ears with 4 or more deformities, accounting for 75.00%, in the group of patients with facial nerve malformation. The preoperative average bone conductive threshold was (15.3±10.4) dB and the average air-bone gap was (46.3±10.6) dB in pure-tone audiometry (0.5, 1, 2, 4kHz). According to the different degrees of facial nerve and ossicle malformation, we performed three different hearing reconstruction strategies for the 14 patients (16 ears) with facial nerve aberration and oval window atresia, including 7 ears of incus bypass artificial stape implantation, 7 ears of Malleostapedotomy (MS) and 2 ears of Malleus-cochlear-prothesis (MCP). After 3 months to 18 months of follow-up, all patients showed no facial paralysis. The postoperative mean bone conductive threshold was (15.7±7.9) dB and air-bone gap was (19.8±8.5) dB. There were significant differences in mean air-bone gap before and after operation ( t=7.766, P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the mean bone conductive threshold before and after surgery ( t=0.225, P=0.824). There was no significant difference of mean reduction of air-bone gap between patients with and without facial nerve aberration ( t=1.412, P=0.165). There was no significant difference between the three hearing reconstruction strategies. There was no significant displacement of the Piston examined by U-HRCT. Conclusion:For patients of middle ear malformation whose facial nerve cover the oval window partially, incus bypass artificial stape implantation or Malleostapedotomy (MS) can be selected according to the specific condition of auditory ossis malformation, and for patients whose facial nerve completely covers the oval window area, Malleus-cochlear-prothesis (MCP) can be selected. Three types of stapes surgery are safe and reliable for patients with oval window atresia accompanied by facial nerve aberration. There was no significant difference in efficacy between them. Preoperative HRCT assessment of middle ear malformation is effective. There is no significant difference of surgical effect with or without facial nerve aberration. The U-HRCT can be used to evaluate the middle ear malformation before surgery and the Piston implantation status after surgery. Due to the risks of surgery, those who do not want to undergo surgery can choose artificial hearing AIDS, such as hearing aid, vibrating soundbridge, bone bridge or bone-anchored hearing aid.

AIM:To explore the core target and mechanism of α-Linolenic acid(ALA)in improving neuroinflammation through network pharmacology combined with in vitro experiments.METHODS:Pharmacological studies have shown that ALA has anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,and neuroprotec-tive properties.The targets of α-Linolenic acid were obtained from PharmMapper and Swiss Tar-get Prediction databases,the targets of neuroin-flammation were searched from GeneCards,TTD and OMIM databases,and the potential targets of ALA and neuroinflammation were obtained from Wayne diagram.Protein interaction network(pro-tein-protein interaction,PPI)of potential targets was constructed by STRING website,and the core targets in PPI were screened by Cytoscape 3.8.0 software.At the same time,potential targets are imported into DAVID database,GO and KEGG data were obtained and the results were visualized.Autodock vina and Pymol software were used to dock the selected core targets with ALA and visual-ize the results.An in vitro model of neuroinflamma-tion was constructed,and cell growth status,oxida-tive stress,and migration or repairing capacity were determined by CCK-8 analysis,SOD,MDA and cell scratches,and the expression of IL-6,iba 1,COX-2(PTGS2),and iNOS proteins was determined by ELISA or Western blot experiments.RESULTS:Network pharmacology analysis revealed 46 poten-tial targets of ALA for neuroinflammation,and 10 core targets,including IL-6 and PTGS 2.With 232 entries enriched by GO enrichment analysis and 70 signaling pathways enriched by KEGG enrichment analysis,molecular docking showed that ALA can form hydrogen bonding with COX-2.Experiments showed that ALA could improve cell viability,allevi-ate cell oxidative stress levels,and promote cell mi-gration and motor repair in an in vitro model of neuroinflammation.CONCLUSIONS:ALA may im-prove neuroinflammation by alleviating oxidative stress and inhibiting IL-6 and COX-2 protein expres-sion.

Accurate source localization of the epileptogenic zone (EZ) is the primary condition of surgical removal of EZ. The traditional localization results based on three-dimensional ball model or standard head model may cause errors. This study intended to localize the EZ by using the patient-specific head model and multi-dipole algorithms using spikes during sleep. Then the current density distribution on the cortex was computed and used to construct the phase transfer entropy functional connectivity network between different brain areas to obtain the localization of EZ. The experiment result showed that our improved methods could reach the accuracy of 89.27% and the number of implanted electrodes could be reduced by (19.34 ± 7.15)%. This work can not only improve the accuracy of EZ localization, but also reduce the additional injury and potential risk caused by preoperative examination and surgical operation, and provide a more intuitive and effective reference for neurosurgeons to make surgical plans.
Humans ; Scalp ; Brain Mapping/methods* ; Epilepsy/diagnosis* ; Electroencephalography/methods* ; Brain

Objective: A model was built by neural network analysis to study the relationship between different degrees of vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency and malnutrition-induced stomatitis. Methods: Data from 30 healthy volunteers and 30 patients with malnutrition-induced stomatitis were collected. The distribution of lesions, the number of affected sites and clinical manifestations were recorded, and the severity was scored. The levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid in the peripheral blood of the two groups were simultaneously measured. The SPSS software was used to analyze the correlation between vitamin B12 and folic acid levels in the peripheral blood of patients with malnutrition-induced stomatitis and healthy volunteers, and the MATLAB software package was used to analyze the data via a neural network. Results: The levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid significantly correlated with the grade of malnutrition-induced stomatitis. Simultaneous B12 and folic acid deficiency linearly correlated with the occurrence and severity of malnutrition-induced stomatitis. Based on this correlation, a thermogram model of malnutrition-induced stomatitis was constructed. Conclusion Malnutrition-induced stomatitis is closely related to vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency. Their synergistic effect may promote the occurrence and development of malnutrition-induced stomatitis. The construction of the malnutrition-induced stomatitis model aids the targeted etiological treatment of patients with moderate and severe deficiency to prevent malnutrition-induced stomatitis.

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, treatment and prognosis of oralmucosal malignant melanoma to provide a reference for clinical practice. Methods: Data from 19 patients with oralmucosal malignant melanoma were collected, and their clinical manifestations, treatment methods and follow-up results were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Among the 19 patients, 11 cases (58%) had lesions in the gingiva, 7 cases (37%) had lesions in the palate, and 1 case (5%) had lesions in the tongue, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Eight patients had regional lymph node metastasis with a metastasis rate of 42%, of which 4 cases had multiple site metastasis, and the total number of regional lymph node metastasis sites was 15. Among the 19 patients, 3 cases received only surgery, 4 cases received cryotherapy, and 12 cases received combined surgery, cryotherapy and biological immunotherapy. Pathological examination showed malignant melanoma. The positive rates of S-100, HMB-45 and Melan-A were 95%, 89% and 84%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with lesions less than 5 cm2 had a higher survival rate (P < 0.05). Conclusions Oral malignant melanomas usually present as black lesions in the oral mucosa, which are prone to metastasis in early stage. The area of lesions may affect the prognosis of the disease. Therefore, the large range of black lesions or masses should be the alert for the clinicians. Oral malignant melanoma patients are usually treated with combined treatment with surgery, cryotherapy and biological immunotherapy.