Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent sensory disorders affecting the human nervous system. Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a physiological process that facilitates the reversible and dynamic assembly of biomolecular condensates. Increasing evidence suggests that LLPS plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of hereditary hearing loss. Nevertheless, there is a conspicuous lack of systematic investigations exploring the impact of LLPS abnormalities on the etiology of hereditary hearing loss. In this review, we examine the mechanisms by which dysfunctions in LLPS contribute to hereditary hearing loss, specifically focusing on its effects on mechanoelectrical transduction in hair bundles, transcriptional regulation, post-transcriptional modifications, the actin cytoskeleton, ion homeostasis within the inner ear, and energy and redox homeostasis. Furthermore, we evaluate the considerable potential of targeting LLPS as a therapeutic approach for hearing loss and propose innovative perspectives on LLPS that may guide future research initiatives in the field of auditory disorders.
Humans ; Animals ; Hearing Loss/physiopathology* ; Phase Separation

Objective:To explore the short-term clinical effects of deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Methods:A prospective exploratory study was conducted on the treatment of AD patients using the cervical deep lymph node-venous anastomosis technique in Scar and Wound Treatment Department, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from September to October 2024. The patients underwent high-frequency ultrasound to locate deep cervical lymph nodes and the external jugular vein. Under general anesthesia, bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses were performed. Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography was conducted via subcutaneous injection behind the ear to visualize lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. After making a skin incision along the posterior margin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the external jugular vein, internal jugular veins, and associated lymph nodes were exposed. Adjacent veins were selected for anastomosis of lymph node. Using microsurgical techniques, end-to-side or end-to-end anastomosis was completed for lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. Preoperative assessments included the mini-mental state examination (MMSE, a higher score indicates better cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog, a higher score indicates greater impairment of cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease cooperative study scale for activities of daily living (ADCS-ADL, a higher score indicates better ability to perform daily activity), and neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI, a higher score indicates more severe behavioral and emotional symptom). Postoperative follow-up included the same scales to observe changes in cognitive function, activities of daily living, and emotional communication.Results:Four patients (1 male, 3 females, aged 58-79 years) with AD were included. All were diagnosed based on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. All patients successfully underwent bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses. On average, 4.3 (2-7 per person) anastomoses were performed per patient. Surgical procedures lasted an average of 6.5 h (5.5-8.5 h) with minimal blood loss (less than 50 ml). Patients resumed normal activity within 6 hours postoperatively and were discharged after an average of 4.1 d (3.5-5.0 d). Postoperative complications included one case each of aspiration pneumonia, lower limb venous thrombosis, and transient delirium, all of whom resolved without long-term effects. Clinical symptoms, including memory decline, mood swings, and anxiety, showed varying degrees of improvement. Patients reported enhanced quality of life, emotional stability, and social engagement, confirming the procedure’s safety and potential cognitive benefits. At one month postoperatively, the MMSE scores of the four patients increased by an average of 0.8 points compared to preoperative levels. Additionally, the two patients who completed the ADAS-Cog assessments showed a decrease in their scores (reduced by 1.0 points and 11.3 points, respectively, compared to preoperative scores), indicating a certain degree of improvement in cognitive function during this period. The ADCS-ADL and NPI scores of four patients varied significantly, without showing any clear pattern.Conclusion:Lymphovenous anastomosis of the deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis may provide a new surgical intervention approach for AD, but further large-scale studies and long-term follow-up are needed to validate its safety and effectiveness.

Objective To explore the risk factors for urinary tract infection(UTI)after benign prostatic hyperpla-sia(BPH)surgery,and construct a high-efficiency risk-prediction model based on machine learning algorithms(MLA).Methods This retrospective study included 200 cases of BPH surgically treated in Xinyu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from May 2020 to April 2023.Twenty-three cases were included in the UTI group,and 177 were enrolled into the non-UTI group.The relevant data were collected and analyzed for the statistically significant factors by univariate logistic analysis by using the SPSS software,MLA-based logistic regression,back-propagation(BP)neural networks and decision classification and regression tree(CRT).And the predictive values of the models established via different algorithms using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)were compared.We assessed the prediction accuracy of the models and identified one with the best prediction efficiency based on the mean absolute error(MAE).Results Univariate analysis indicated statisti-cally significant differences between the UTI and non-UTI groups in age,comorbid diabetes mellitus(DM),urinary catheter-in-dwelling time,prostate volume,preoperative catheterization,preoperative IPSS(P＜0.05).The independent predictive varia-bles for UTI after BPH surgery were shown to be age,IPSS,comorbid DM and prostate volume by the method of multivariate lo-gistic regression model(P＜0.05).Age,urinary catheter-indwelling time,prostate volume and IPSS were assessed as the influ-ence factors by the CRT model(P＜0.05),and prostate volume,IPSS,age and urinary catheter-indwelling time were assessed as the influence factors by the BP neural network model(P＜0.05).Among the 3 risk-prediction models,the one constructed with the BP neural networks exhibited the best prediction efficiency(AUC:0.992,the optimal truncation value:0.912,corre-sponding sensitivity and specificity:0.957 and 0.955).Conclusion The risk-prediction model constructed by MLA and BP neural networks based on the characteristic factors of age,preoperative urinary retention catheterization,urinary catheter-indwell-ing time,IPSS and comorbid DM has a high predictive value for UTI after BPH surgery which can be applied to the identification and management of such high-risk population.

Objective To explore the risk factors for urinary tract infection(UTI)after benign prostatic hyperpla-sia(BPH)surgery,and construct a high-efficiency risk-prediction model based on machine learning algorithms(MLA).Methods This retrospective study included 200 cases of BPH surgically treated in Xinyu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from May 2020 to April 2023.Twenty-three cases were included in the UTI group,and 177 were enrolled into the non-UTI group.The relevant data were collected and analyzed for the statistically significant factors by univariate logistic analysis by using the SPSS software,MLA-based logistic regression,back-propagation(BP)neural networks and decision classification and regression tree(CRT).And the predictive values of the models established via different algorithms using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)were compared.We assessed the prediction accuracy of the models and identified one with the best prediction efficiency based on the mean absolute error(MAE).Results Univariate analysis indicated statisti-cally significant differences between the UTI and non-UTI groups in age,comorbid diabetes mellitus(DM),urinary catheter-in-dwelling time,prostate volume,preoperative catheterization,preoperative IPSS(P＜0.05).The independent predictive varia-bles for UTI after BPH surgery were shown to be age,IPSS,comorbid DM and prostate volume by the method of multivariate lo-gistic regression model(P＜0.05).Age,urinary catheter-indwelling time,prostate volume and IPSS were assessed as the influ-ence factors by the CRT model(P＜0.05),and prostate volume,IPSS,age and urinary catheter-indwelling time were assessed as the influence factors by the BP neural network model(P＜0.05).Among the 3 risk-prediction models,the one constructed with the BP neural networks exhibited the best prediction efficiency(AUC:0.992,the optimal truncation value:0.912,corre-sponding sensitivity and specificity:0.957 and 0.955).Conclusion The risk-prediction model constructed by MLA and BP neural networks based on the characteristic factors of age,preoperative urinary retention catheterization,urinary catheter-indwell-ing time,IPSS and comorbid DM has a high predictive value for UTI after BPH surgery which can be applied to the identification and management of such high-risk population.

Objective:To explore the short-term clinical effects of deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Methods:A prospective exploratory study was conducted on the treatment of AD patients using the cervical deep lymph node-venous anastomosis technique in Scar and Wound Treatment Department, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from September to October 2024. The patients underwent high-frequency ultrasound to locate deep cervical lymph nodes and the external jugular vein. Under general anesthesia, bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses were performed. Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography was conducted via subcutaneous injection behind the ear to visualize lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. After making a skin incision along the posterior margin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the external jugular vein, internal jugular veins, and associated lymph nodes were exposed. Adjacent veins were selected for anastomosis of lymph node. Using microsurgical techniques, end-to-side or end-to-end anastomosis was completed for lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. Preoperative assessments included the mini-mental state examination (MMSE, a higher score indicates better cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog, a higher score indicates greater impairment of cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease cooperative study scale for activities of daily living (ADCS-ADL, a higher score indicates better ability to perform daily activity), and neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI, a higher score indicates more severe behavioral and emotional symptom). Postoperative follow-up included the same scales to observe changes in cognitive function, activities of daily living, and emotional communication.Results:Four patients (1 male, 3 females, aged 58-79 years) with AD were included. All were diagnosed based on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. All patients successfully underwent bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses. On average, 4.3 (2-7 per person) anastomoses were performed per patient. Surgical procedures lasted an average of 6.5 h (5.5-8.5 h) with minimal blood loss (less than 50 ml). Patients resumed normal activity within 6 hours postoperatively and were discharged after an average of 4.1 d (3.5-5.0 d). Postoperative complications included one case each of aspiration pneumonia, lower limb venous thrombosis, and transient delirium, all of whom resolved without long-term effects. Clinical symptoms, including memory decline, mood swings, and anxiety, showed varying degrees of improvement. Patients reported enhanced quality of life, emotional stability, and social engagement, confirming the procedure’s safety and potential cognitive benefits. At one month postoperatively, the MMSE scores of the four patients increased by an average of 0.8 points compared to preoperative levels. Additionally, the two patients who completed the ADAS-Cog assessments showed a decrease in their scores (reduced by 1.0 points and 11.3 points, respectively, compared to preoperative scores), indicating a certain degree of improvement in cognitive function during this period. The ADCS-ADL and NPI scores of four patients varied significantly, without showing any clear pattern.Conclusion:Lymphovenous anastomosis of the deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis may provide a new surgical intervention approach for AD, but further large-scale studies and long-term follow-up are needed to validate its safety and effectiveness.

Diabetic nephropathy is a common microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus and one of the main causes of death in patients with diabetes mellitus. Ferroptosis is a newly discovered iron-dependent regulated cell death, which may contribute to the pathogenesis and development of diabetic nephropathy. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-mediated ferroptosis-related signaling pathways can slow down the progression of diabetic nephropathy, but excessive activation of AMPK signaling pathway may induce cells to undergo autophagic death. Activation of the signaling pathway mediated by nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf) 2 and heme oxygenase (HO)-1 can inhibit ferroptosis of cells and alleviate diabetic nephropathy. However, the regulatory effect of HO-1 on ferroptosis is bidirectional, and activation of HIF-1α/HO-1 pathway may lead to intracellular iron overload and ultimately promote ferroptosis. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 mediated signaling pathways can accelerate lipid peroxidation by down-regulating the levels of SLC7A11/GSH/GPX4. The ferroptosis-related signaling pathways mediated by exosome lncRNAs/circRNAs/miRNAs are also involved in the pathogenesis and development of diabetic nephropathy. In addition, signaling pathways mediated by stimulator of interferon gene (STING) and the novel ferroptosis promoter acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family (ACSL) 1 can induce ferroptosis to promote the progression of diabetic nephropathy. In this review, we focus on the roles of ferroptosis in diabetic nephropathy through the signaling pathways mediated by AMPK, Nrf2/HO-1, TGF-β and exosomes, to elaborate the pathogenesis and development of diabetic nephropathy, and the potential therapeutic target for diabetic nephropathy.
Diabetic Nephropathies/etiology* ; Ferroptosis ; Humans ; Signal Transduction ; Heme Oxygenase-1/genetics* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism* ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Animals

Objective:To study the application of 3D printing technology in multi-center fenestrated/branched endovascular repair (F/B-EVAR) for endovascular repair of abdominal aortic diseases.Methods:From Feb 2018 to Mar 2023, The clinical and followup data of 316 cases of abdominal aortic lesions undergoing repair with F/B-EVAR at 69 medical centers nationwide using 3D printing technology to guide physician-modified stent graft were retrospectively analyzed.Results:The mean follow-up time of the patients was 23 months (2-60 months), and 24 cases were lost to follow up, the follow-up rate was 92.4% (292/316), the mean postoperative hospitalization time was (8.2±4.9) days. A total of 944 main abdominal branch arteries were reconstructed. Intraoperative reconstruction of 11 branches failed, with a success rate of 98.8% (933/944). Within 30 days after surgery, 8 patients died (2.5%), and 6 patients died during follow-up, a total of 14 patients died (4.4%). There were 11 cases (3.5%) of spinal cord ischemia and no patient suffered from permanent paraplegia. There were 19 patients (6.0%) with postoperative renal function injury. Internal leakage was found in 26 patients, and the rate of internal leakage was 8.2%.Conclusion:3D printing technology can accurately locate the location of branch arteries, simplifing the surgical process, shortening the learning curve , and improving clinical efficacy.

Objective:To review the risk factors for early and medium-term complications of fenestration-branch endovascular thoracic aortic repair (F/B-TEVAR) in patients with complex aortic arch disease.Methods:The clinical and follow-up data of 202 patients undergoing F/B-TEVAR treatment from Feb 2019 to Sep 2023 in these centers were retrospectively analyzed .Results:There were 46 cases suffering from postoperative complications (22.8%). The risk factors with statistical significance included aortic atherosclerotic plaque [ OR=2.843; 95% CI (1.4-5.6); P<0.01], aortic intramural thrombosis [ OR=2.358; 95% CI (1.2-4.6), P=0.011], the aortic dilatation [ OR=4.219; 95% CI (1.6-11.3), P<0.01], the history of stroke [ OR=2.088; 95% CI (1.1-4.1), P=0.032], smoking history [ OR=2.680; 95% CI: (1.3-5.5); P<0.01], duration of surgery [ OR=1.9; 95% CI: (1.2-2.9); P=0.042].While the application of 3D printing assistive technology [ OR=0.392; 95% CI: (0.2-0.9); P=0.048] was in a negative correlation with postoperative complication. Conclusions:The independent risk factors for complications after F/B-TVAR included aortic atherosclerotic plaque, aortic intramural thrombosis, the aortic dilatation, the history of stroke, smoking history,duration of surgery.The application of 3D printing technology can effectively reduce the complication rate.

Objective: To establish a method for determining the content of bear bile powder in Longze Xiongdan capsules with taursodeoxycholic acid（TUDCA） and taurchenodeoxycholic acid（TCDCA） as indexes.
Methods: HPLC series evaporation photodetector was adopted on Chrom Core AQ C₁₈ column(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm), with the mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile ( A ) and 5 mmol·L^-1 ammonium acetate solution (B) in a gradient elution (0-40 min, 25%A; 40-50 min, 25%A→29%A; 50-80 min, 29%A; 80-100 min, 29%A→40%A) at the flow rate of 1.0 mL·min^-1. The column temperature was 30 ℃. The ELSD was used, of which the drift tube temperature was 110 ℃ and the flow rate of carrier gas（N₂） was 2.5 L·min^-1.
Results: In the ranges of 1.069-9.57 μg and 0.740 46-7.404 64 μg, logarithms of the injected amount of TUDCA and TCDCA presented good linear relationships with logarithms of the peak area, respectively. The RSDs of precision, repeatability and stability tests were all lower than 2.0%. At three concentration levels the recoveries of TUDCA and TCDCA were 95.2%-97.7% and 91.9%-95.9%, respectively. Samples of 42 batches showed that the contents of TUDCA and TCDCA were 0.18-0.43 and 0.10-0.44 mg·granule^-1, respectively.
Conclusion: This method can be used for the quality control of bear bile powder in Longze Xiongdan capsules, thus provides a scientific basis for improving its quality standard.

Objective To analyze the influencing factors of post-operative delirium (POD) in middle-aged and elderly patients in intensive care unit (ICU) and construct risk prediction model for it.Methods A total of 112 middle-aged and elderly postoperative patients in the ICU of Lu'an Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January, 2018 to February, 2021 were selected. On the second day after the operation, they were transferred to ICU, and assessed with the Confusion AssessmentMethod for Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU). The patients were divided into delirium group (n = 52) and non-delirium group (n = 60) according to assessment. Univariate analysis was used to compare the differences in clinical data between the two groups, and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent influencing factors to construct risk prediction model. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate prediction performance. Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (APACHE II score) (OR = 1.424, 95%CI 1.204 to 1.685, P < 0.001), ICU sleep quality score (OR = 1.432, 95%CI 1.159 to 1.770, P < 0.001), and postoperative oxygenation index ≤ 300 (OR = 4.485, 95%CI 1.644 to 12.240, P = 0.001) were independent influencing factors of postoperative delirium in ICU. The prediction model was: logit(P) = -11.381+0.354X1 (APACHE II score, cut-off value 16)+0.359X2 (ICU sleep quality score, cut-off value 13)+1.501X3 (postoperative oxygenation index ≤ 300), with the sensitivity and specificity of 79.2% and 79.7% respectively. The area under the ROC curve was 0.866 (95%CI 0.801 to 0.930), more than those of the factors alone (P < 0.05). Conclusion The prediction model based on Logistic regression can predict the occurrence of postoperative delirium in middle-aged and elderly patients in ICU.