Objective To explore the role of ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP) and unilateral centrifugation subjective visual vertical (UC-SVV) tests in evaluating the utricular function of patients with Meniere’s disease (MD) at different clinical stages. Methods A total of 97 unilateral MD patients at Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital from July 2019 to September 2021 were selected. All patients underwent oVEMP, UC-SVV, and pure tone audiometry tests. MD patients were classified into clinical stages 1, 2, 3, and 4, with stages 1 and 2 defined as early stage and stages 3 and 4 as late stage. The results of utricular function tests (abnormal rates of oVEMP, UC-SVV, and oVEMP＋UC-SVV) were compared among patients at different stages. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between utricular function and clinical staging. Results Among the 97 MD patients, the abnormal rate of oVEMP was 66.0% (64/97), and the abnormal rate of UC-SVV was 55.7% (54/97). The abnormal rates of oVEMP and oVEMP＋UC-SVV in early-stage patients were significantly lower than those in late-stage patients (P＜0.05), while the difference in UC-SVV abnormal rates between the two groups was not statistically significant. Intra-group comparisons showed that the abnormal rate of oVEMP＋UC-SVV in stage 1 patients was significantly lower than that in stage 2 patients (P＜0.05), without significant difference in the other indices. There were no significant differences among the three indices in stages 3 and 4 patients. Spearman correlation test results indicated that the abnormal rate of oVEMP (r＝0.336, P＝0.001) and the abnormal rate of oVEMP＋UC-SVV (r＝0.301, P＝0.003) were weakly positively correlated with clinical staging, while there was no correlation between the abnormal rate of UC-SVV and clinical staging (r＝0.022, P＝0.832). Conclusions Both oVEMP and UC-SVV tests can assess utricular function in MD patients at different clinical stages. Their combination is helpful of early-stage (stages 1 and 2) MD diagnosis.

Growth factors (GFs) are a class of peptides that facilitate cell growth by binding to specific receptors on the cell membrane. With unique properties, GFs are widely applied in the repair of injured tissue. To address the limitations associated with natural peptide-based GFs and recombinant GFs, researchers have developed diverse GF mimetics. This article offers a comprehensive review on common types of GFs and their applications in tissue repair and summarizes the features of GF mimetics currently under development. The aim is to provide valuable references for promoting the application of GFs in regenerative medicine.
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Regenerative Medicine/methods* ; Animals ; Wound Healing/drug effects* ; Biomimetic Materials

Objective:To explore the genetic etiology for a child with Progressive external ophthalmoplegia with mitochondrial DNA deletions, autosomal dominant 6 (PEOA6).Methods:A child who had attended the Women and Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University on 7 August, 2023 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the child were analyzed retrospectively. The child and her parents were subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES), and candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. This study was approved by Medical Ethics Committee of the Women and Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University (Ethics No. EC2020-048).Results:The child, a 7-year-old female, had presented with limb muscle pain, amyosthenia, significantly increased creatine kinase, congenital diaphragmatic hernia and recurrent respiratory tract infections. WES revealed that she has harbored a heterozygous c. 1590G>C (p.L530F) variant of the DNA2 gene, which was verified to have a de novo origin by Sanger sequencing. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the c.1590G>C was rated as a likely pathogenic variant (PS2+ PM2_Supporting+ PP3). Conclusion:The c.1590G>C (p.L530F) variant of the DNA2 gene probably underlay the PEOA6 in this child.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of clinical nursing pathway(CNP) on clinical nursing of patients with pneumoconiosis. METHODS: A total of 120 patients with pneumoconiosis were selected as the subjects by the judgment sampling method. The patients were divided into control group and observation group by random number table method, with 60 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were given routine treatment and nursing after admission, while the patients in the observation group were treated similarly to that of the control group plus CNP. The treatment of patients in both groups were carried out until they were discharged from hospital. General Self-Efficacy Scale, Medical Coping Style Questionnaire and Quality of Life Scale were used to measure the self-efficacy, coping style and of quality of life of these two groups before and after the implementation of CNP. RESULTS: Before the implementation of CNP, there was no significant difference in the scores of self-efficacy, three dimensions of coping style and four dimensions quality of life between the two groups(P>0.05). After the implementation of CNP, the scores of self-efficacy, face dimension and quality of life in the observation group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.01). The scores of surrender and avoidance dimensions decreased(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The implementation of CNP can improve the self-efficacy, coping style and quality of life of pneumoconiosis patients.

Background and Objectives: p21, an important member of the Cip/Kip family, is involved in inhibitory effects of RUNX1b overexpression during the early stage of human hematopoiesis. Methods: and Results: We established a human embryonic stem cell (hESC) line with inducible expression of p21 (p21/hESCs). Overexpression of p21 did not influence either mesoderm induction or emergence of CD34＋ cells, but it significantly decreased the production of CD43＋ cells and changed the expression profile of hematopoiesis-related factors, leading to the negative effects of p21 on hematopoiesis. Conclusions In RUNX1b/hESC co-cultures when RUNX1b was induced from D0, perturbation of the cell cycle caused by upregulation of p21 probably prevented the appearance of CD43＋ cells, but not CD34＋ cells. The mechanisms via which CD34＋ cells are blocked by RUNX1b overexpression remain to be elucidated.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the role of social support in presenteeism by examining organizational commitment among Chinese healthcare workers. METHODS: One thousand four hundred thirty-four healthcare workers from 6 hospitals in 4 Chinese cities completed a questionnaire measuring presenteeism, social support, and organizational commitment. With organizational commitment as the mediator, regression analyses and structural equation modeling were used to test the model. RESULTS: Organizational commitment was directly inversely associated with presenteeism (β = - 0.42, p < 0.001). Coworker support was moderately but significantly inversely associated with presenteeism (β = - 0.15, p < 0.001), but the path from supervisor support to presenteeism was not significant (β = 0.05, p > 0.05). The correlation between supervisor support and coworker support was significant (β = 0.71, p <0.001). Supervisor support and coworker support were significantly positively associated with organizational commitment (β = 0.41, p < 0.001, and β = 0.14, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Supervisor support was more important in promoting organizational commitment, while coworker support was more effective in reducing presenteeism. The mediating effect of organizational commitment was significant.

Objective: To discuss the effect of high-density fat-binding SVF-GEL in female facial lipofilling. Methods: This is a retrospective study including 32 female patients, received facial fat transplantation during June 2017 to June 2018 in Yichun College. Each patient underwent high-density fat-binding SVF-GEL transplantation for facial surgery. Patients′satisfaction with the surgery and the rate of secondary surgery was evaluated. Fat was harvested from the inner thigh, centrifuged at 1200 g for 3 min, and the liquid was removed. The upper 2/3 part is prepared for SVF-GEL, for further used in delicate lipofilling in eyelid, tear groove and nasolabial groove. The lower 1/3 high density fat was used for volume restoration, such as forehead, temporal area and cheek. Results: All patients had significant improvements in facial contours with mild swelling and short recovery time. The satisfaction rate was 68.8%(22/32), and the second operation rate was 15.6%(5/32). Conclusions High-density fat-binding SVF-GEL transplantation can achieve good results in correcting facial volume loss.

Objective To observe the changes of tear film stability,goblet cell and mucin 5AC expression in conjunctivochalasis patients,and explore the mechanism of conjunctivochalasis.Methods Conjunctivochalasis patients (30 cases) and single age-related cataract patients (15 cases) were collected as conjunctivochalasis group and normal control group.Eye symptom assessment (OSDI score),tear break-up time (BUT),Schirmer Ⅰ test,tear fern crystallization tests were performed for all the selected persons.Conjunctival rescent-shaped resections were made for all the conjunctivochalasis patients.Conjunctival tissue samples were stained by HE staining,AB staining,mucin 5AC immunohistochemical staining from the conjunctivochalasis group and norral control group respectively,and then statistical analysis was made.Results The OSDI score in the conjunctivochalasis group (37.80 ± 8.94) was significantly higher than that in the normal control group (11.40 ±4.08) (P ＜0.01).BUT in the conjunctivochalasis group (6.70 ± 2.76) s was significantly lower than that in the normal control group (13.67 ± 3.48) s (P ＜ 0.01).Schirmer Ⅰ test in the conjunctivochalasis group (6.23 ± 3.13) mum was significantly lower than the normal control group (13.40 ± 3.74)mm (P ＜ 0.01).Tear ferbing crystallization of the conjunctivochalasis group was decreased significantly compared with the normal control group (x2 =14.309,P =0.003).Light microscopic showed that conjunctival thickness was thinned,collagen fibers were less,elastic fiber was reduced,the lamina propria and interstitial were congestion and edema,the number of goblet cells was significantly reduced,and the positive staining of mucin 5AC staining was significantly lower in the conjunctivochalasis group than in normal control group (x2 =9.499,P =0.023).Conclusion For patients with conjunctivochalasis,the tear film function is affected,goblet cells are decreased,tear fern crystallization is decreased,mucin 5AC content is decreased,which finally leads the excessive conjunctival relaxation and abnormal ocular surface and tear.

Objective To explore the significance of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in serum of children with hyperuricemia (HUA). Methods 142 children including 71 children with HUA (HUA group) and 71 control children (control group), healthy and inguinal hernia children were selected as control group. 71 HUA children were subdivided into GA (gout attacks) group (n=28) and NGA (non-gout attacks) group (n=43) according to whether they had a history of acute gout attacks, including sudden monoarthritis of rapid onset with intense pain and swelling or without. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the level of IL-1β and IL-6 in serum. Results Serum IL-1β and IL-6 levels of HUA children were significantly higher than those of control group (all P<0.05). Serum IL-1β and IL-6 levels of HUA children in GA group were significantly higher than those of NGA group (P<0.05). Serum IL-1β and IL-6 levels of GA group in acute phase was significantly higher than those of HUA children in remission stage、NGA group and control group (P<0.05). Serum IL-1β and IL-6 levels of GA group in remission stage and NGA group was significantly higher than those of control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between HUA children in remission stage and NGA group (P>0.05). The serum IL-1β and IL-6 levels of HUA children were positively correlated with WBC, neutrophils, monocytes, uric acid, ESR, CRP, BUN and Cr (all P<0.05), while not correlated with triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-C and HDL-C(all P<0.05). Conclusion IL-1β and IL-6 play an important role in the pathogenesis of HUA in children.

Objective To assess the activation of PI3K-AKT-mTOR signal pathway in Burkitt lymphoma.Methods The phosphorylation levels of AKT,mTOR and RPS6 were detected in the tissue sections by immunohistochemistry in 13 cases of Burkitt lymphomas and 14 cases of reactive hyperplasia of lymph nodes.Results The phosphorylation rates of AKT,mTOR and RPS6 were higher in Burkitt lymphoma than those in reactive hyperplasia of lymph nodes [84.6 ％(11/13) vs 64.2 ％(9/14),100.0 ％(13/13) vs 71.4 ％ (10/14),100.0 ％ (13/13) vs 78.6 ％ (11/14),all P ＜0.05].Conclusion PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway is abnormally activated in Burkitt lymphoma.