Objective:To investigate the clinical features of patients with congenital atresia of the oval window (CAOW).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 7 cases (8 ears) of surgically confirmed CAOW treated at our department from July 2018 to July 2024. Among the cases, 1 patient had bilateral CAOW, and 4 patients had unilateral CAOW combined with other types of ossicular chain malformations in the contralateral ear. We collected and analyzed the clinical data, audiological features, and temporal bone HRCT results of all patients.Results:The 7 patients were diagnosed at ages ranging from 8 to 19 years, with a mean age of (13.2±6.9) years. None of the patients exhibited significant auricular deformities. All presented with conductive hearing loss or mixed hearing loss predominantly of the conductive type, with an intact tympanic membrane. The diagnosis of CAOW was confirmed via endoscopic tympanotomy, revealing a concave oval window area on the medial wall of the tympanic cavity, sealed by a bony plate. All 8 ears exhibited additional ossicular chain deformities. Stapes absence was present in all 8 ears. Partial absence of the incus long process was observed in 3 ears, while, abnormal bony connections between the incus long process and the promontory were seen in 4 ears, 1 ear had a short malleolar handle, 1 ear had a smaller than normal malleus volume. In addition, facial nerve deformities were found in 6 ears, with 4 ears showing bifurcation of the facial nerve and 2 ears showing facial nerve obscuration of the oval window. Pure-tone audiometry revealed that 62.5% (5/8 ears) of patients had air conduction (AC) thresholds≥60 dB preoperatively, with a mean pure-tone average (PTA) of (69.0±11.8) dB HL and a mean air-bone gap (ABG) of (52.0±7.0) dB. The mean AC threshold and ABG were higher in the low-frequency (125-1 000 Hz) range compared to the high-frequency (2 000-8 000 Hz) range (both P<0.05). Preoperative HRCT showed abnormalities in all patients, with 7 ears being diagnosable as CAOW. Although the remaining 1 ear could not be diagnosed as CAOW, stapes and incus long process absence were detected. Conclusion:CAOW is rare in clinical, as the patients with non-progressive conductive hearing loss (AC≥60 dB, ABG≥50 dB) since childhood, intact tympanic membrane without malformations of auricle and external auditory canal, and thick bony plate covered the oval window of the HRCT imaging, CAOW should be highly suspected, which could be confirmed by the exploratory tympanotomy.

Objective:To explore the clinical application value of ultrasound detection of endometrial blood flow perfusion in evaluating the pregnancy outcomes of frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles.Methods:A case-control study of 226 patients underwent preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) in the Department of Reproductive Medicine of Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital was conducted. Patients enrolled from December 2021 to August 2024 underwent three-dimensional ultrasound endometrial receptivity testing on the day before FET. According to the pregnancy outcomes, they were divided into clinical pregnancy group ( n=155) and non-pregnancy group ( n=71). The general characteristics and endometrial receptivity parameters were compared between the two groups. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the factors affecting pregnancy. Results:There was no significant difference in age, proportion of primary infertility, anti-Müllerian hormone, and antral follicle count between the two groups (all P>0.05). The duration of infertility in the clinical pregnancy group [(2.79±2.45) years] was significantly lower than that in the non-pregnancy group [(3.44±1.68) years, P=0.046], the basal luteinizing hormone (LH) level in clinical pregnancy group [(4.37±3.02) U/L] was higher than that in the non-pregnancy group [(3.59±2.02) U/L, P=0.047]. On the day before embryo transfer, the single-plane endometrial blood flow branch in the pregnancy group (4.83±1.57) was more than that in the non-pregnancy group (3.44±1.51), the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.001). The clinical pregnancy group had significantly different endometrial morphology types A [5.2% (8/155)], B [25.8% (40/155)], and C [69.0% (107/155)] compared with the non-pregnancy group [16.9% (12/71), 33.8% (24/71), 49.3% (35/71), P=0.003], respectively, the number of peristalsis waves in the clinical pregnancy group [1(0, 2)] was less than that in the non-pregnancy group [1(0, 4), P=0.046]. There were no significant differences in endometrial thickness, peristaltic wave classification, endometrial volume, endometrial and subendometrial blood flow pulse index/resistance index between the two groups (all P>0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the endometrial blood flow branch, endometrial peristalsis and basal LH level were independent factors affecting the pregnancy outcome of patients underwent PGT during FET cycle ( OR=1.855, 95% CI: 1.478-2.327, P=0.001; OR=0.813, 95% CI: 0.667-0.990, P=0.040; OR=1.163, 95% CI: 1.000-1.351, P=0.049). Among them, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of endometrial blood flow branches for the prediction of PGT-FET pregnancy outcome was 0.725, P=0.001. Conclusion:Endometrial blood flow branch, which represents the intensity of blood perfusion, has a good clinical value in evaluating the pregnancy outcome during FET cycle.

Objective:It aims to examine the effects of the employee medical insurance outpatient mutual assistance on medical insurance costs for patients with diabetes mellitus,offering insights for optimizing outpatient insurance policies and chronic disease management strategies.Methods:Outpatient cost settlement data of urban employees with diabetes mellitus in Lanzhou from 2022 to 2023 was collected.Univariate analysis and interrupted time-series models were used to compare relevant medical insurance cost indicators before and after the reform.Results:The inpatient data of 765 730 diabetes mellitus patients were included in the study,and male patients account for 62.67％.After the reform,average per-visit pooling fund expenditure,average per-visit individual payment expenditures,average per-visit personal account expenditure,average per-visit eligible expense amount,average per-visit total fund payment,and the average per-visit proportion of basic medical pooling payments were decreased(P＜0.05).Moreover,average per-visit pooling fund expenditure,average per-visit individual account expenditure,average per-visit cash payment,average per-visit eligible expense amount,average per-visit total fund payment,and the average per-visit proportion of basic medical pooling payments showed a notable declining trend post-reform(P＜0.05).In contrast,the per-visit fully out-of-pocket expenditure exhibited no significant change before and after the reform(P＞0.05).Conclusion:The reform of the employee medical insurance outpatient mutual assistance system has alleviated the economic burden of disease for diabetic patients and improved the efficiency of medical insurance fund utilization,but it reduced the proportion of basic medical pooling payments.It is recommended to continuously refine the outpatient medical insurance payment system,strengthen supervision of medical expenses and service quality,and balance patient benefits with fund pressure to enhance chronic disease outpatient benefits.

Objective:It aims to examine the effects of the employee medical insurance outpatient mutual assistance on medical insurance costs for patients with diabetes mellitus,offering insights for optimizing outpatient insurance policies and chronic disease management strategies.Methods:Outpatient cost settlement data of urban employees with diabetes mellitus in Lanzhou from 2022 to 2023 was collected.Univariate analysis and interrupted time-series models were used to compare relevant medical insurance cost indicators before and after the reform.Results:The inpatient data of 765 730 diabetes mellitus patients were included in the study,and male patients account for 62.67％.After the reform,average per-visit pooling fund expenditure,average per-visit individual payment expenditures,average per-visit personal account expenditure,average per-visit eligible expense amount,average per-visit total fund payment,and the average per-visit proportion of basic medical pooling payments were decreased(P＜0.05).Moreover,average per-visit pooling fund expenditure,average per-visit individual account expenditure,average per-visit cash payment,average per-visit eligible expense amount,average per-visit total fund payment,and the average per-visit proportion of basic medical pooling payments showed a notable declining trend post-reform(P＜0.05).In contrast,the per-visit fully out-of-pocket expenditure exhibited no significant change before and after the reform(P＞0.05).Conclusion:The reform of the employee medical insurance outpatient mutual assistance system has alleviated the economic burden of disease for diabetic patients and improved the efficiency of medical insurance fund utilization,but it reduced the proportion of basic medical pooling payments.It is recommended to continuously refine the outpatient medical insurance payment system,strengthen supervision of medical expenses and service quality,and balance patient benefits with fund pressure to enhance chronic disease outpatient benefits.

Objective To investigate the correlation between voice fatigue index(VFI)and the subjective and objective assessment results of voice impairment.Methods Fifty-one patients with voice disorders and 48 normal subjects were selected for VFI assessment and comparison of the differences in scores between the two groups.Sub-jective voice handicap index(VHI)and objective acoustic assessment were performed on the patients with voice dis-orders to analyze the correlation between VFI scores and the results of subjective and objective assessment of voice disorders.Results There was significant difference of the VFI scores between the voice disorder patients and the control group,with the total VFI score,part Ⅰ and part Ⅱ scores higher than those of control group,and the partⅢ score lower than those of the control group(P＜0.05),and there was a strong correlation between the total and part VFI scores and the total and part VHI scores(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The VFI part Ⅰ and part Ⅱ scores were regatively correlated with the I-low(P＜0.05),but there was not a significant correlation with the other acoustics parameters and the dysphonia severity index(DSI)(P＞0.05).Conclusion Voice fatigue symptoms were more prominent in the voice-impaired population,and the VFI score was significantly correlated with the subjective voice disorder severity,but the correlation with the objective acoustic parameters was not significant.

BACKGROUND: Tissue engineering holds promise for vascular repair and regeneration by mimicking the extracellular matrix of blood vessels. However, achieving a functional and thick vascular wall with aligned fiber architecture by electrospinning remains a significant challenge. METHODS: A novel electrospinning setup was developed that utilizes an auxiliary electrode and a spring. The impact of process parameters on fiber size and morphology was investigated. The structure and functions of the scaffolds were evaluated through material characterization and assessments of cellular biocompatibility. RESULTS: The new setup enabled controlled deposition of fibers in different designed orientations. The fabricated small-diameter vascular scaffolds consisted of an inner layer of longitudinally oriented fibers and an outer layer of circumferentially oriented fibers (L + C vascular scaffold). Key parameters, including rotational speed, the utilization of the auxiliary electrode, and top-to-collector distance (TCD) significantly influenced fiber orientation. Additionally, voltage, TCD, feed rate, needle size, auxiliary electrode and collector-auxiliary electrode distance affected fiber diameter and distribution. Mechanical advantages and improved surface wettability of L + C vascular scaffold were confirmed through tensile testing and water contact angle. Cellular experiments indicated that L + C vascular scaffold facilitated cell adhesion and proliferation, with human umbilical vein endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells attaching and elongating along the fiber direction of the inner and outer layer, respectively. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated the feasibility of fabricating fiber-aligned, thick-walled vascular scaffolds using a modified electrospinning setup. The findings provided insights into how the auxiliary electrode, specific collector influenced fiber deposition, potentially advancing biomimetic vascular scaffold engineering.

BACKGROUND: Tissue engineering holds promise for vascular repair and regeneration by mimicking the extracellular matrix of blood vessels. However, achieving a functional and thick vascular wall with aligned fiber architecture by electrospinning remains a significant challenge. METHODS: A novel electrospinning setup was developed that utilizes an auxiliary electrode and a spring. The impact of process parameters on fiber size and morphology was investigated. The structure and functions of the scaffolds were evaluated through material characterization and assessments of cellular biocompatibility. RESULTS: The new setup enabled controlled deposition of fibers in different designed orientations. The fabricated small-diameter vascular scaffolds consisted of an inner layer of longitudinally oriented fibers and an outer layer of circumferentially oriented fibers (L + C vascular scaffold). Key parameters, including rotational speed, the utilization of the auxiliary electrode, and top-to-collector distance (TCD) significantly influenced fiber orientation. Additionally, voltage, TCD, feed rate, needle size, auxiliary electrode and collector-auxiliary electrode distance affected fiber diameter and distribution. Mechanical advantages and improved surface wettability of L + C vascular scaffold were confirmed through tensile testing and water contact angle. Cellular experiments indicated that L + C vascular scaffold facilitated cell adhesion and proliferation, with human umbilical vein endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells attaching and elongating along the fiber direction of the inner and outer layer, respectively. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated the feasibility of fabricating fiber-aligned, thick-walled vascular scaffolds using a modified electrospinning setup. The findings provided insights into how the auxiliary electrode, specific collector influenced fiber deposition, potentially advancing biomimetic vascular scaffold engineering.

Objective To quantitatively evaluate the synergy level of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)"three-medical"and advance TCM revitalization and healthcare reform.Methods Sort out the quantitative evalution indictors of the"three-medical"in TCM based on policy texts.Policy-derived evaluation indicators were refined through the Delphi method.The composite system synergy degree model was applied to calculate subsystem order degrees and overall synergy degrees across seven national TCM reform demonstration zones.Results From 2021 to 2023:the mean value of the orderliness of the TCM medical system in the 7 demonstration areas increased from 0.31 to 0.72,the orderliness of the TCM health insurance increased from 0.23 to 0.74,and the orderliness of the Herbal System increased from 0.34 to 0.70.From 2022 to 2023,the average value of synergy between medical and health insurance systems in the field of Chinese medicine in 7 demonstration areas grew from 0.17 to 0.29.The synergy between medical and pharmaceutical systems in the field of Chinese medicine grows from 0.19 to 0.31.The synergy between pharmaceutical and health insurance system in the field of Chinese medicine increased from 0.17 to 0.27.The overall synergy of the"three-medical"system of TCM increased from 0.19 to 0.36.Conclusion The degree of orderliness of the"three-medical"systems of TCM is gradually rising,showing a relatively good development trend in orderliness.The degree of synergy among the"three-medical"total systems of TCM is on the rise,but is still at the level of moderate synergy or below.

Transcranial temporal interference stimulation (tTIS) is a novel non-invasive transcranial electrical stimulation technique that achieves deep brain stimulation through multiple electrodes applying electric fields of different frequencies. Current studies on the mechanism of tTIS effects are primarily based on rodents, but experimental outcomes are often significantly influenced by electrode configurations. To enhance the performance of tTIS within the limited cranial space of rodents, we proposed various electrode configurations for tTIS and conducted finite element simulations using a realistic mouse model. Results demonstrated that ventral-dorsal, four-channel bipolar, and two-channel configurations performed best in terms of focality, diffusion of activated brain regions, and scalp impact, respectively. Compared to traditional transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), these configurations improved by 94.83%, 50.59%, and 3 514.58% in the respective evaluation metrics. This study provides a reference for selecting electrode configurations in future tTIS research on rodents.
Animals ; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation/instrumentation* ; Electrodes ; Mice ; Computer Simulation ; Finite Element Analysis ; Brain/physiology*

BACKGROUND: Tissue engineering holds promise for vascular repair and regeneration by mimicking the extracellular matrix of blood vessels. However, achieving a functional and thick vascular wall with aligned fiber architecture by electrospinning remains a significant challenge. METHODS: A novel electrospinning setup was developed that utilizes an auxiliary electrode and a spring. The impact of process parameters on fiber size and morphology was investigated. The structure and functions of the scaffolds were evaluated through material characterization and assessments of cellular biocompatibility. RESULTS: The new setup enabled controlled deposition of fibers in different designed orientations. The fabricated small-diameter vascular scaffolds consisted of an inner layer of longitudinally oriented fibers and an outer layer of circumferentially oriented fibers (L + C vascular scaffold). Key parameters, including rotational speed, the utilization of the auxiliary electrode, and top-to-collector distance (TCD) significantly influenced fiber orientation. Additionally, voltage, TCD, feed rate, needle size, auxiliary electrode and collector-auxiliary electrode distance affected fiber diameter and distribution. Mechanical advantages and improved surface wettability of L + C vascular scaffold were confirmed through tensile testing and water contact angle. Cellular experiments indicated that L + C vascular scaffold facilitated cell adhesion and proliferation, with human umbilical vein endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells attaching and elongating along the fiber direction of the inner and outer layer, respectively. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated the feasibility of fabricating fiber-aligned, thick-walled vascular scaffolds using a modified electrospinning setup. The findings provided insights into how the auxiliary electrode, specific collector influenced fiber deposition, potentially advancing biomimetic vascular scaffold engineering.