Humans ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/pathology* ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell/pathology* ; Genetic Markers ; Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics* ; Urothelium/pathology*

Objective:To analyze the correlation between drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE), results, polysomnography (PSG) indicators, and clinical parameters in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and to establish and validate a predictive model for tongue base plane obstruction.Methods:This retrospective study analyzed 117 OSA patients diagnosed via PSG and treated at the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, between October 2014 and March 2022. The cohort comprised of 114 males and 3 females, with an age range of 20 to 54 years (mean age 38.1±8.4 years). Data on DISE results, PSG results, and clinical indicators were collected for all 117 patients. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify relevant indicators, and a predictive model for tongue base plane obstruction was constructed and internally validated using the R programming language.Results:Univariate logistic regression analysis identified four independent risk factors for predicting tongue root plane obstruction: tonsil grading, N2, N3, and rapid eye movement sleep(REM) stage [ OR:0.412(0.260~0.652),1.045(1.012~1.079),0.943(0.903~0.984),0.961(0.925~0.998), P <0.05]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed tonsil grading and N3 sleep stage (12.48±12.22%) as significant predictors. A nomogram model incorporating these factors demonstrated good predictive performance, with an area under curve(AUC) of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.548-1.000), an optimal cutoff of 0.519, a specificity of 80.0%, and a sensitivity of 86.7%. Internal validation of the model in the validation cohort yielded an AUC of 0.751 (95% CI: 0.625-0.876). Conclusions:Tongue base plane obstruction observed during DISE in OSA patients is associated with tonsil grading and N3 sleep stage duration. The predictive model developed for tongue base plane obstruction based on DISE demonstrates good efficacy, as evidenced by its internal validation.

Objective:To construct an evaluation indicator system for the efficiency of nursing human resources in integrated medical and elderly care institutions using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and subsequently evaluate its effectiveness.Methods:This cross-sectional survey utilized literature review and investigative methods to initially establish a library of evaluation indicators for nursing human resource efficiency. The Delphi method was employed in two rounds of consultations with 17 experts from various fields, including nursing management, elderly care institution management, integrated medical and elderly care institution management, health economics management, and public health. The reliability of the indicator system was assessed based on factors such as expert enthusiasm, authority, concentration of opinions, and coordination. Adjustments, modifications, and improvements were made to the indicators based on expert opinions to establish the final indicator system. From August to December 2022, the DEA model was applied to evaluate the efficiency of 12 integrated medical and elderly care institutions in Haikou city based on this indicator system.Results:The constructed evaluation indicator system comprised 68 items divided into three levels: 9 primary indicators, 19 secondary indicators, and 40 tertiary indicators. The positive coefficients of the two rounds of expert consultations were 100% and 94.1%, with authority coefficients of 0.88 and 0.92, Kendall harmony coefficients of 0.471 and 0.348, and mean coefficients of variation of 0.16 and 0.12 ( P<0.001). DEA evaluation results for the 12 integrated medical and elderly care institutions showed that 5 were DEA effective institutions with comprehensive efficiency (OE), technical efficiency (TE), and scale efficiency (SE) values all equal to 1.000, while 7 were non-DEA effective institutions, including 4 with SE <1.000 but TE=1.000 and 3 with both SE and TE<1.000. Conclusions:The constructed evaluation indicator system demonstrates high enthusiasm, authority coefficients, and coordination in expert consultations, indicating high acceptability and comprehensive content with distinct levels and strong specialty characteristics. The DEA model′s evaluation results objectively and effectively reflect the efficiency of nursing human resources in integrated medical and elderly care institutions, demonstrating practical utility.

Objective To compare the differences in gut microbiota between cirrhosis patients receiving transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)and those not,and explore the relationship between TIPS surgery and gut microbiota in order to provide new ideas for improving the prognosis of cirrhosis patients after TIPS surgery based on gut microbiota.Methods Those who had received TIPS surgery previously were assigned into the operation group,and those without the surgery served as the control group.Their stool samples were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing,and the correlation between gut microbiota and clinical indicators was analyzed.Results There were no significant differences in gender,age,body mass index(BMI),etiology and other baseline data between the 2 groups(P＞0.05),but obvious differences were observed in clinical serological indicators between them,including INR,APTT,RBC and PT counts,and HGB,ALP,ALB,total bilirubin(TBIL),and URE levels(P＜0.05).No statistical difference in alpha diversity was observed between the operation group and the control group(P＞0.05),but beta diversity was obviously different(P＜0.01),among which Bacteroides was increased in the operation group(P＜0.01)and Bifidobacterium was increased in the control group(P＜0.05).The function prediction analysis of gut microbiota showed that the metabolism of D-glutamine and D-glutamate(P＜0.05)and biosynthesis with secondary bile acids(P＜0.05)were up-regulated in the operation group compared with the control group.Correlation analysis between clinical indicators and flora indicated that TBIL and direct bilirubin(DBIL)were significantly correlated with the metabolic pathways of Bacteroides and Secondary bile acids biosynthesis.Conclusion Characteristic changes in gut microbiota are found in cirrhosis patients with and without TIPS surgery.Bacteroides may be involved in the regulation of metabolism of bile acids and thus increase bilirubin level.

Objective:To explore the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on interleukin-33 (IL-33)/growth stimulation expressed gene 2 (ST2) signaling pathway in the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) of rats modeling hyperalgesia (HP).Methods:This study consisted of two experiments. In the first, 30 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a Sham-HP group, an HP group, an antibody group and an inhibitor group, each of 6. HP was induced in all except the rats of the blank and Sham-HP groups by injecting carrageenan (Car) and prostaglandin E2 subcutaneously at the bottom of the left hind feet. The antibody and inhibitor groups were then given intrathecal injections of anti-ST2 antibody and a tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)-specific inhibitor, respectively. In the second experiment, 42 SD rats were randomly divided into a Sham-HP group, an HP group, a TENSⅠgroup, a TENS II group, a TENS I inhibitor group, a TENS II inhibitor group, and a Sham-TENS group, each of 6. All of the groups had HP induced as in experiment one. All of the rats except those in the Sham-HP, HP and Sham-TENS groups were then given TENS, and the TENS I and II inhibitor groups were offered intrathecal injection of TNF-α-specific inhibitors. Mechanical pain thresholds (MPTs) were documented 4h, 24h, 48h, 72h, 6d, 7d 4h, 7d 1h, and 7d after the Car injections. Western blotting was used to measure the protein expressions of IL-33, ST2 and TNF-α 6d after the Car injection in both experiments.Results:In experiment one, the average MPTs of the HP, antibody and inhibitor groups had decreased significantly 4 hours after the Car injection compared with the blank and Sham-HP groups. However, 7d 1h after the Car injection the value had increased significantly in the Sham-HP, antibody and inhibitor groups compared with the HP group, while the expressions of IL-33, ST2 and TNF-α had decreased significantly. In experiment two, by 4 hours after the Car injection, the average MPT of all the other groups had decreased significantly compared with the Sham-HP group. Moreover, by 7d 1h after the Car injection, the average MPTs of the groups receiving TENS had increased significantly, with significantly lower MPT in the TENS Ⅱ group than in group Ⅰ, on average. There was also significantly higher expression of IL-33, ST2 and TNF-α in group II. Compared with the TENS Ⅰ and Ⅱ groups, the average MPT was significantly higher in the TENS I and Ⅱ inhibitor groups, but IL-33, ST2 and TNF-α expression was lower.Conclusions:TENS can inhibit TNF-α expression, which influences the signals of the DRG IL-33/ST2 signaling pathway to reverse hyperalgesia. TENS combined with anti-TNF-α treatment is superior to TENS alone in treating hyperalgesia.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the biomarkers of tinnitus in vestibular schwannoma patients using electroencephalographic (EEG) microstate technology. METHODS: The EEG and clinical data of 41 patients with vestibular schwannoma were collected. All the patients were evaluated by SAS, SDS, THI and VAS scales. The EEG acquisition time was 10-15 min, and the EEG data were preprocessed and analyzed using MATLAB and EEGLAB software package. RESULTS: Of the 41 patients with vestibular schwannoma, 29 patients had tinnitus and 12 did not have tinnitus, and their clinical parameters were comparable. The average global explanation variances of the non-tinnitus and tinnitus groups were 78.8% and 80.1%, respectively. The results of EEG microstate analysis showed that compared with those without tinnitus, the patients with tinnitus had an increased frequency (P=0.033) and contribution (P=0.028) of microstate C. Correlation analysis showed that THI scale scores of the patients were negatively correlated with the duration of microstate A (R=-0.435, P=0.018) and positively with the frequencies of microstate B (R=0.456, P=0.013) and microstate C (R=0.412, P=0.026). Syntax analysis showed that the probability of transition from microstate C to microstate B increased significantly in vestibular schwannoma patients with tinnitus (P=0.031). CONCLUSION EEG microstate features differ significantly between vestibular schwannoma patients with and without tinnitus. This abnormality in patients with tinnitus may reflect the potential abnormality in the allocation of neural resources and the transition of brain functional activity.
Humans ; Neuroma, Acoustic/complications* ; Electroencephalography ; Patients ; Probability

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of arthroscopy combined with sodium hyaluronate and platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of Stoller grade III meniscus injury.Methods:Sixty patients with Stoller grade III meniscus injury who received treatment in The Second People's Hospital of Liaocheng from October 2019 to October 2020 were included in this study. They were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group ( n = 30 per group). Patients in the observation group were treated with arthroscopy combined with sodium hyaluronate and platelet-rich plasma, while patients in the control group were treated with arthroscopy combined with sodium hyaluronate. Before and 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, Lysholm score, and The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) score of the knee joint were compared between the two groups. Results:There were no serious complications in each group. Compared with pre-treatment, the VAS and Lysholm scores of the knee joint in both groups significantly decreased at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery, while the WOMAC score showed a significant increase ( F = 514.96, 673.19, 96.31, 124.16, 230.99, 531.84, all P < 0.001). After 3 and 6 months of treatment, the VAS score in the observation group was (1.1 ± 0.5) points and (0.8 ± 0.4) points, respectively, which were significantly lower than (2.5 ± 0.7) points and (1.3 ± 0.5) points in the control group ( t = 8.91, 4.28, both P < 0.001). After 3 and 6 months of treatment, the Lysholm score of the knee joint in the observation group was (86.2 ± 9.1) points and (93.8 ± 13.2) points, respectively, which were significantly higher than (79.8 ± 11.3) points and (87.5 ± 9.2) points in the control group ( t = 2.42, 2.14, both P < 0.05). After 3 and 6 months of treatment, the WOMAC score in the observation group was (17.5 ± 3.6) points and (16.5 ± 3.2) points, respectively, which were significantly lower than (25.4 ± 5.2) points and (24.8 ± 6.4) points in the control group ( t = 6.84, 6.35, both P < 0.001). Conclusion:Arthroscopy combined with sodium hyaluronate and platelet-rich plasma is more effective in treating Stoller III grade meniscus injury than arthroscopy combined with sodium hyaluronate. The former therapy can be promoted in the clinic.

Objective:To study the treatment outcomes of combining percutaneous transhepatic one-step biliary fistulation (PTOBF) followed by two stages cholangioscopic treatment for type Ⅰ and Ⅱa hepatolithiasis which developed after Roux-en-Y cholangiojejunostomy, and in treatment of cholangiojejunostomy stenosis.Methods:The clinical data of 95 patients with type Ⅰ and Ⅱa hepatolithiasis which developed after Roux-en-Y cholangiojejunostomy and were treated at Shandong Second Provincial General Hospital from September 2016 to December 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 36 males and 59 females, with the age of (51.2±15.3) years (range 14 to 75 years). These patients initially underwent PTOBF rigid choledochoscopy, followed by electronic choledochoscopy via the fistula tract after 6-8 weeks. The hepatolithiasis removal, complications and hepatolithiasis recurrence rates, and the cholangio-intestinal anastomotic stenosis rate and treatments were recorded. The follow-up was performed to analyse prognosis.Results:All 95 patients successfully underwent PTOBF rigid choledochoscopy and electronic choledochoscopy via the fistula tract. In 92 patients (96.8%), stones were completely removed. In 3 patients, small amounts of peripheral bile duct stones were left behind. Of 49 patients had cholangio-intestinal anastomotic strictures. On cholangioscopic examination, the strictures were caused by anastomotic knots in the suture line in 25 patients and cicatricial stenosis in 24 patients. After biliary balloon dilation and removal of anastomotic suture line knots, the strictures were relieved in 49 patients. There were 2 patients who developed biliary bleeding and 2 patients pleural effusion after PTOBF rigid choledochoscopy. Hepatolithiasis recurred in 4 patients in 6 to 36 months later.Conclusion:PTOBF followed by two stages cholangioscopic treatment were safe and effective in treatment of type Ⅰ and Ⅱa hepatolithiasis after Roux-en-Y cholangiojejunostomy. A high hepatolithiasis removal rate was obtained. Balloon dilation and removal of biliary intestinal anastomotic suture knots effectively relieved biliary intestinal anastomotic stenosis. The long-term results needs to be further determined.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of carotid endarterectomy ( CEA) for the treatment of patients with dolichoarteriopathies of internal carotid artery combined with carotid artery severe stenosis. Methods From January 2013 to February 2018,the clinical data of 18 consecutive patients with dolichoarteriopathy of internal carotid artery combined with carotid artery severe stenosis admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery,the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were analyzed retrospectively. All patients underwent color Doppler ultrasound,CT angiography (CTA),and DSA to assess the diseased vessels before operation,and blood perfusion of the cerebral hemisphere was evaluated by CT perfusion (CTP) imaging. Six patients of Metz grade Ⅱ and 4 of grade Ⅲ underwent valgus CEA +excision of the redundant internal carotid arteries;8 patients of Metz grade I were treated with standard CEA. Postoperative cervical vascular ultrasound,CTA,and CTP examinations were performed in order to understand the vascular patency of the surgery and correction of dolichoarteriopathies of internal carotid artery. The follow-up time was 6 to 72 months. The color Doppler flow imaging and CTA were used to assess the presence or absence of restenosis and MRI was used to evaluate the presence of new cerebral infarction. Results All 18 patients were successfully operated, and they had good vascular patency after operation. The Postoperative CTA showed that the distorted blood vessels had been straightened to varying degrees for ten patients who underwent valgus CEA treatment and the plaques were removed satisfactorily without stenosis for 8 patients treated with standard CEA. After operation,one patient developed sublingual nerve injury symptoms,which was improved after 3 months. One patient developed mild hyperperfusion syndrome,which was improved after 2 weeks. No patients died. Follow-up reexamination showed that all patients had no carotid artery restenosis and new stroke events. Conclusions CEA is a safe and effective treatment for patients with internal carotid artery dolichoarteriopathy combined with severe carotid stenosis. According to the characteristics of the lesions evaluated before surgery, surgical methods should be selected reasonably.

Objective To investigate the application of a narrow pedicle cross-finger flap in the treatment of fingertip degloving injuries.Methods Between June 2011and May 2013,23 patients (23 fingers) suffered from fingertip degloving injuries were treated with a narrow pedicle cross-finger flap.There were 15 males (15 fingers) and 8 females (8 fingers).Defects were caused by machine crush injury in 11 cases,girdle crush injury in 7 cases and punch press injury in 5 cases.The defects were located on the index finger in 10 cases,long finger in 2 cases,ring finger in 7 cases,and little finger in 4 cases.The flaps sized 2.6 cm × 1.9 cm to 6.5 cm × 2.2 cm.After six months,according to Zhang's curative effect satisfaction score method,the efficacy of the treatment was evaluated by five aspects of skin flap healing:flap fleeing,skin flap,flap outline,flap temperature and donor site scar.Results The island flaps were survived completely in 23 patients.After followed-up for 6 to 18 months (one case was lost to follow-up).The color and texture of the flap were the same to the surrounding normal skin,and the finger shape was satisfactory.There was no pigmentation and contraction relapse ofthe injured finger.The mean values of static 2-point discrimination were (6.1 ± 1.3) mm (range,5-8 mm) of the flap.Conclusions The narrow pedicle cross-finger flap can be used to repair the fingertip degloving injuries with the flexible flap design and reliable blood supplement.The flap survives well and the repair area is good.Therefore,it is a good method and strongly recommended for fingertip degloving injuries repair in clinics.