Objective Objective To analyze the potential spatial factors affecting the genetic differentiation of Oncomelania hupensis robertsoni in Yunnan Province. Methods A total of 13 administrative villages were selected from schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province as O. hupensis snail sampling sites. At least 200 snails were collected in each site, and the spatial variable data of each site were recorded, including longitude, latitude and altitude. Thirty active and Schistosoma japonicum uninfected O. hupensis snails were selected from each sampling site by means of the crawling method and the cercarial shedding method. Genomic DNA was extracted from O. hupensis snails. Following PCR amplification, purification of PCR amplification products and sequencing, the gene sequences of O. hupensis snail samples were spliced and edited using the DNAstar software and the NCBI database to yield the complete mitochondrial sequences of O. hupensis snails at each sampling site, and the mitochondrial genetic distance matrix of O. hupensis robertsoni was calculated at each sampling site. The geographical coordinates of each sampling site were marked using the software ArcGIS 10.2, and the straight-line geographical distance between each sampling site was calculated. The altitude difference, longitude difference and latitude difference between each sampling site were calculated using the Excel software, and the correlation between the mitochondrial genetic distance matrix of O. hupensis robertsoni and each spatial variable matrix was examined by using the Mantel test at 13 sampling sites in Yunnan Province. Results Among the 13 O. hupensis snail sampling sites in Yunnan Province, the largest mitochondrial genetic distance of O. hupensis robertsoni snail populations was seen between Anding Village, Nanjian Yi Autonomous County and Caizhuang Village, Midu County (26.244 2), and the largest geographical distance was seen between Dongyuan Village, Gucheng District and Cangling Village, Chuxiong County (272.64 km). The highest altitude difference was seen between Anding Village, Nanjian Yi Autonomous County and Dongyuan Village, Gucheng District (1 086.10 m), and the largest longitude difference was found between Qiandian Village, Eryuan County and Cangling Village, Chuxiong County (1.86°), while the largest latitude difference was measured between Leqiu Village, Nanjian Yi Autonomous County and Dongyuan Village, Gucheng District (1.81°). In addition, the mitochondrial genetic distance of O. hupensis robertsoni snail populations was positively correlated with altitude at 13 snail sampling sites in Yunnan Province (r = 0.542 8, P < 0.001), and showed no significant correlations with geographical distance (r = 0.093 4, P > 0.05), longitude (r = −0.199 5, P > 0.05) or latitude (r = 0.205 7, P > 0.05). Conclusion Altitude may be a potential spatial factor affecting the genetic differentiation of O. hupensis robertsoni in Yunnan Province.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the differences in audiological characteristics and speech recognition rates between vestibular schwannoma(VS)patients presenting with sudden sensorineural hearing loss(SSNHL)as first symptom and patients with idiopathic sudden deafness(ISD),in order to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and differential diagnosis.METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on 60 patients with VS presenting as SSNHL(VS group),and 60 patients with unilateral ISD(SD group).Pure-tone thresholds,audiogram configurations,and speech recognition scores were compared between the two groups.Statistical analyses were performed using t-test,Mann-Whitney U test,and chi-square test.RESULTS Hearing loss in the VS group was mainly distributed in the moderate to profound range,and the proportion of descending-type audiograms was significantly higher than that in the SD group(χ2=13.97,P=0.002 9).In contrast,the SD group was predominantly characterized by mild to moderate hearing loss and flat-type audiograms.Regarding speech recognition,the VS group showed significantly poorer monosyllabic recognition(38.6%±40.4%)and sentence recognition(53.4%±42.0%)compared with the SD group(59.0%±37.8%,75.8%±36.0%,P<0.01).Notably,some VS patients exhibited complete loss of speech recognition even before the pure-tone average reached the level of total deafness.CONCLUSION VS patients presenting with SSNHL showed significant differences in audiogram configurations and speech recognition compared with those with ISD.A marked decline in speech recognition,combined with a typical descending-type audiogram,may serve as important clinical indicators,suggesting that early imaging examinations should be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

COVID-19 associated Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) caused by peripheral nerve damage after SARS-CoV-2 infection is one of the most common COVID-19 related nervous system inflammatory diseases, with high incidence of respiratory failure and mortality. Positive SARS-CoV-2 RNA in cerebrospinal fluid of COVID-19 associated GBS patients has been rarely reported. This paper reports 4 patients with COVID-19 associated GBS in China who developed neurological symptoms 4-15 days after fever and were confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. All patients presented with progressive weakness of both lower limbs, 3 patients with autonomic dysfunction such as defecation and urination disorders, and 1 patient with polycranial neuritis and Miller-Fisher syndrome such as bilateral facial palsy, dysphagia, diplopia and ataxia. Nerve conduction velocity and F wave were abnormal in 3 patients, and motor conduction pathway was abnormal in 1 patient. Anti-ganglioside antibodies were tested in 3 patients, and GD1a-IgG was positive in 1 patient. All 4 patients underwent metagenomic next-generation sequencing examination in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was positive in blood and cerebrospinal fluid of 3 patients, and SARS-CoV-2 RNA was positive in cerebrospinal fluid of 1 patient.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hypomethylating agents (HMA) in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) .Methods:A total of 409 MDS patients from 45 hospitals in Zhejiang province who received at least four consecutive cycles of HMA monotherapy as initial therapy were enrolled to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HMA. Mann-Whitney U or Chi-square tests were used to compare the differences in the clinical data. Logistic regression and Cox regression were used to analyze the factors affecting efficacy and survival. Kaplan-Meier was used for survival analysis. Results:Patients received HMA treatment for a median of 6 cycles (range, 4-25 cycles) . The complete remission (CR) rate was 33.98% and the overall response rate (ORR) was 77.02%. Multivariate analysis revealed that complex karyotype ( P=0.02, OR=0.39, 95% CI 0.18-0.84) was an independent favorable factor for CR rate. TP53 mutation ( P=0.02, OR=0.22, 95% CI 0.06-0.77) was a predictive factor for a higher ORR. The median OS for the HMA-treated patients was 25.67 (95% CI 21.14-30.19) months. HMA response ( P=0.036, HR=0.47, 95% CI 0.23-0.95) was an independent favorable prognostic factor, whereas complex karyotype ( P=0.024, HR=2.14, 95% CI 1.10-4.15) , leukemia transformation ( P<0.001, HR=2.839, 95% CI 1.64-4.92) , and TP53 mutation ( P=0.012, HR=2.19, 95% CI 1.19-4.07) were independent adverse prognostic factors. There was no significant difference in efficacy and survival between the reduced and standard doses of HMA. The CR rate and ORR of MDS patients treated with decitabine and azacitidine were not significantly different. The median OS of patients treated with decitabine was longer compared with that of patients treated with azacitidine (29.53 months vs 20.17 months, P=0.007) . The incidence of bone marrow suppression and pneumonia in the decitabine group was higher compared with that in the azacitidine group. Conclusion:Continuous and regular use of appropriate doses of hypomethylating agents may benefit MDS patients to the greatest extent if it is tolerated.

Objective:To observe the position and morphology of tubular cell in lateral facial recess by CT scanning and surgical finding, and its clinical significance. Methods:Thirty patients（32 ears） with cholesteatoma and/or adhesive otitis media requiring radical mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty were included in this study. To observe the morphology of the tubular cell in the lateral facial recess cavity through temporal bone HRCT and surgery, and to analyze its relationship with the facial nerve. Results:Tubular cell were found in 59.4%（19/32） ears by temporal bone HRCT and through surgeon. The length ranged from 1.5-6.5 mm, with median length of 2.5 mm. All of them opened in the facial recess, ran on the posterior wall of the facial recess, and even reached the bottom of the inferior tympanic cavity or the level of the inferior wall of the external auditory canal（sagittal view and surgical findings）. Probing from the inside out, the tubular cell located between the second genu of the facial nerve and the chorda tympani, which was a part of the lateral wall of the facial nerve（facial crest）. When the tubular cell is occupied by granulation tissue, it is easy to be regarded as the facial nerve. Fully drilling out the tubular cell is helpful to cut down the facial nerve crest. In the study, the follow-up and/or postoperative no facial paralysis happens during the operation and in the follow up. Conclusion:Preoperative temporal bone HRCT can clearly show the tubular cell in the lateral facial recess cavity. Comprehensive and accurate identification of these structures is helpful to fully cut down the facial nerve crest and remove the hidden lesions in the posterior tympanic cavity.
Humans ; Facial Nerve/diagnostic imaging* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Male ; Adult ; Temporal Bone/diagnostic imaging* ; Otitis Media/surgery* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear/diagnostic imaging* ; Mastoidectomy/methods* ; Tympanoplasty/methods* ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Clinical Relevance

Objective:To investigate the effects of breast milk to total milk intake ratio during hospitalization on the duration of antibiotic therapy in preterm infants less than 34 weeks of gestation.Methods:Clinical data of preterm infants ( n=1 792) less than 34 gestational weeks were retrospectively collected in 16 hospitals of Jiangsu Province Neonatal-Perinatal Cooperation Network from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021. The days of therapy (DOT) were used to evaluate the duration of antibiotic administration. The median DOT was 15.0 d (7.0-27.0 d). The patients were divided into four groups based on the quartiles of DOT: Q 1 (DOT≤7.0 d), Q 2 (7.0 d27.0 d) groups. According to the breast milk intake ratio (breast milk intake to total milk intake during hospitalization×100%), they were also divided into four groups: very-low-ratio breastfeeding group (breast milk intake ratio≤25%), low-ratio breastfeeding group (25%75%). Univariate analysis ( Chi-square test and Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test) was used to analyze the factors influencing DOT. Spearman correlation analysis and trend Chi-square test were used to explore the relationship between breast milk intake ratio and DOT. After using multiple imputations to address missing data, two models were constructed after adjusting for different factors, and multinomial logistic regression model was applied to evaluate the effects of the breast milk intake ratio on DOT. Finally, sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the stability of the models. Results:(1) Of the 1 792 preterm infants, there were 507 (28.3%) in the Q 1 group, 422 (23.5%) in the Q 2 group, 438 (24.4%) in the Q 3 group and 425 (23.7%) in the Q 4 group. (2) The median values of DOT in the very-low-ratio, low-ratio, medium-ratio and high-ratio breastfeeding groups were 20.0 d (11.0-31.0 d), 20.0 d (11.0-32.0 d), 13.0 d (6.0-25.8 d) and 10.0 d (4.0-21.0 d), respectively. Compared with the very-low-ratio and low-ratio breastfeeding groups, the medium-ratio and high-ratio breastfeeding groups had shorter DOT (all P<0.05). (3) After adjusting for factors with P<0.1 (prenatal glucocorticoid exposure, antimicrobial use within 24 h before delivery, gestational age at delivery, birth weight, Apgar score≤7 at 1 min, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, infectious pneumonia and early-onset neonatal sepsis) between the DOT quartile groups, it showed that medium-ratio and high-ratio breastfeeding were protective factors in contrast to very-low-ratio breastfeeding in the Q 2, Q 3 and Q 4 groups as compared with the Q 1 group [Q 2 group: OR=0.50 (95% CI: 0.30-0.85) and OR=0.36 (95% CI: 0.26-0.51); Q 3 group: OR=0.31 (95% CI: 0.18-0.55) and OR=0.20 (95% CI: 0.14-0.29); Q 4 group: OR=0.22 (95% CI: 0.12-0.42) and OR=0.17 (95% CI: 0.12-0.26)]. Conclusion:Breast milk intake accounting for over 50% of total milk intake has a positive impact on reducing DOT in premature infants requiring antibiotics, which suggests that breastfeeding should be actively encouraged.

OBJECTIVE To assess changes in the demographic characteristics of patients with otitis media with effusion during the COVID-19 epidemic.METHODS This retrospective study analyzed cases of otitis media with effusion in the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,Beijing Tongren Hospital.The cases were divided into two groups:a pre-Covid-19 group(from December 1,2018,to January 31,2019),and a Covid-19 group(from December 1,2022,to January 31,2023).Patient demographics including age,sex,ear side and audiology results were collected.Additionally,age composition ratio,sex composition ratio,disease-side ratio,and audiological results were analyzed.RESULTS A total of 1 872 patients were included in the pre-COVID group,with an average age of(30.45±23.17)years(949 males and 923 females).Among them,910 were children and 962 were adults.The Covid-19 group included 1 194 patients,with an average age of(48.31±18.92)years(623 males and 571 females).Among them,95 were children and 1 099 were adults.Statistical analysis of the data revealed that the overall age distribution of the disease was different between the two groups(Z=-20.820,P＜0.001).There was a significant difference in the composition ratio of children to adults(χ2=546.838,P＜0.001),with a significant decrease and increase in the prevalence rate of otitis media with effusion in children and adults,respectively,in the COVID-19 group.Compared to the pre-COVID-19 group,the proportion of cases in the age group of 7-18 years was significantly reduced in the children's group(Z=-5.641,P＜0.001),and the proportion of prevalence increased significantly in the adult group aged 46-75 years(Z=-3.134,P=0.002).Additionally,there was a significant increase in the number of male patients in the Covid-19 group(χ2=5.15,P=0.023)when compared to the pre-COVID-19 group.CONCLUSION Compared to the pre-Covid-19 period,a significant change in the age distribution of otitis media with effusion was observed during the COVID-19 epidemic,with a significant decrease in the proportion of children and a signification increase in the proportion of adults.

Ear, Inner/diagnostic imaging* ; Temporal Bone/diagnostic imaging* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods*

Objective:To explore the application of nested PCR in the detection of occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) in blood donors, and improve the detection rate of OBI in blood screening before blood transfusion.Methods:From July 2021 to August 2022, 37 blood donors who donated blood in our center were found to have HBsAg- and nucleic acid testing (NAT)+ by serological tests and nucleic acid amplification tests. The CT value of nucleic acid amplification test was recorded, and the HBV DNA was quantitatively detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR; Conventional PCR primers and nested PCR primers were designed to amplify HBV S gene and pre-S gene using conventional PCR and nested PCR respectively, and gene sequencing was performed for the amplification result.Results:Among the 37 HBsAg- and NAT+ blood donors, 33 nucleic acid detection CT values were in the gray area, and the fluorescent quantitative PCR detection of HBV DNA value was negatively correlated with the nucleic acid detection CT value; 37 cases of HBsAg-, NAT+ blood donors could not be amplified by conventional PCR. After using nested PCR, 34 cases could detect the S gene of HBV virus, and 28 cases could detect the pre S gene of HBV virus; The amplified bands were all HBV genome bands by gene sequencing.Conclusions:The plasma HBV viral load of HBsAg- and NAT+ blood donors was very low; nested PCR has high sensitivity, which can improve the detection rate of HBV S gene and pre-S gene, and has certain application value for the pre transfusion screening and follow-up research of OBI.

Objective:To explore the clinical application value of each sequence by analyzing the characteristics of labyrinthine signal on MRI in patients with unilateral sudden deafness.Methods:Totally 52 patients of unilateral sudden deafness with inner ear MRI were analyzed retrospectively at Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2016 to July 2019, all of which could find abnormalities in the labyrinth, including 17 cases of plain scan and 35 cases of enhanced scan, with sequences including plain T 1WI, enhanced T 1WI, plain and enhanced delayed 3D fluid attenuation inversion recovery (3D-FLAIR). The affected labyrinthine signal characteristics of each sequence were analyzed and the involvement sites were judged. The ability of each sequence to show labyrinthine abnormal signal was evaluated and scored. The Friedman test and Wilcoxon signed rank sum test were used to compare the subjective scores of the ability to show labyrinthine high signal in different sequences in plain and enhanced patients, respectively. Fisher′s exact probability method was used to analyze the relationship between the affected sites and the recovery of hearing, tinnitus and vertigo symptoms. Results:Fifty-two patients (100%, 52/52) showed labyrinthine high signal on T 1WI, 8 (15.4%, 8/52) showed higher signal and 3 (5.8%, 3/52) showed low signal on T 2WI. Thirty-five (100%, 35/35) showed high signal on enhanced T 1WI, among which 27 had enhancement (77.1%, 27/35). Fifty-two (100%, 52/52) showed significant high signal of the affected labyrinth on 3D-FLAIR (17 plain scan, 35 enhanced scan). The scores were 2 (2, 2), 3 (2, 3), 3 (3, 4) and 4 (4, 4) of T 1WI, enhanced T 1WI, plain and enhanced 3D-FLAIR respectively. The overall difference in subjective scores of plain T 1WI, enhanced T 1WI and enhanced 3D-FLAIR in enhanced patients was statistically significant (χ2=64.528, P<0.001), and the comparison between the two was statistically different (all corrected P<0.05). The plain 3D-FLAIR score was higher than the plain T 1WI in patients with a statistically significant difference ( Z=-3.729, P<0.001). Twenty-seven cases (51.9%, 27/52) exhibited high signal at the ampulla of semicircular canals, with a statistically significant difference in the distribution of hearing recovery or not ( P=0.001). Conclusions:Both T 1WI and 3D-FLAIR sequences can effectively identify the labyrinthine high signal, but the latter was better than the former of its ability to display, especially delayed enhanced 3D-FLAIR. The high signal at the ampulla of semicircular canals was a characteristic predictor of non-recovery of hearing.