[Factors Related to Tympanic Membrane Perforation in Children with Acute Suppurative Otitis Media].

Objective To explore the factors related to tympanic membrane perforation in children with acute suppurative otitis media,and to provide reference for clinical practice. Methods We reviewed the clinical data of 1274 children with acute suppurative otitis media from February 2017 to May 2020,and analyzed the factors related to tympanic membrane perforation. Results Tympanic membrane perforation occurred in 67 out of the 1274 children with acute suppurative otitis media,with the incidence of 5.27%.The univariate analysis showed that 11 factors including the duration of onset(t=2.381,P=0.017),upper respiratory tract infection(χ2=12.228,P=0.000),pulmonary infection(χ2=5.242, P=0.022),chronic sinusitis(χ2=12.715,P=0.000),adenoid hypertrophy(χ2=4.783,P=0.029),tympanic empyema(χ2=16.020,P=0.000),the duration of using antibiotics(t=-2.277,P=0.025),combined use of antibiotics(χ2=5.587,P=0.018),the time from onset to selection of antibiotics according to drug sensitivity(t=3.716,P=0.000),procalcitonin(t=2.599,P=0.009),and white blood cell count in peripheral blood(t=2.196,P=0.031)were related to tympanic membrane perforation in children with acute suppurative otitis media.The multivariate logistic analysis showed that the duration of onset(OR=4.854,95% CI=2.675-8.806,P=0.000),upper respiratory tract infection(OR=6.506,95% CI=3.213-13.171,P=0.000),chronic sinusitis(OR=7.866,95% CI=3.780-16.370,P=0.000),tympanic empyema(OR=2.625,95% CI=1.442-4.777,P=0.002),and time from onset to selection of antibiotics according to drug sensitivity(OR=5.107,95% CI=2.129-12.248,P=0.000)were independent risk factors for tympanic membrane perforation in children with acute suppurative otitis media. Conclusion The incidence of tympanic membrane perforation in children with acute suppurative otitis media can be reduced by early treatment,keeping the Eustachian tube unobstructed,draining the tympanic cavity,preventing chronic sinusitis and upper respiratory tract infection,early drug sensitivity test,and selection of antibiotics based on the test results.

Ferroptosis Is a Potential Novel Diagnostic and Therapeutic Target for Patients With Cardiomyopathy.

Cardiomyocyte death is a fundamental progress in cardiomyopathy. However, the mechanism of triggering the death of myocardial cells remains unclear. Ferroptosis, which is the nonapoptotic, iron-dependent, and peroxidation-driven programmed cell death pathway, that is abundant and readily accessible, was not discovered until recently with a pharmacological approach. New researches have demonstrated the close relationship between ferroptosis and the development of many cardiovascular diseases, and several ferroptosis inhibitors, iron chelators, and small antioxidant molecules can relieve myocardial injury by blocking the ferroptosis pathways. Notably, ferroptosis is gradually being considered as an important cell death mechanism in the animal models with multiple cardiomyopathies. In this review, we will discuss the mechanism of ferroptosis and the important role of ferroptosis in cardiomyopathy with a special emphasis on the value of ferroptosis as a potential novel diagnostic and therapeutic target for patients suffering from cardiomyopathy in the future.

Lightweight Feature Enhancement Network for Single-Shot Object Detection.

At present, the one-stage detector based on the lightweight model can achieve real-time speed, but the detection performance is challenging. To enhance the discriminability and robustness of the model extraction features and improve the detector's detection performance for small objects, we propose two modules in this work. First, we propose a receptive field enhancement method, referred to as adaptive receptive field fusion (ARFF). It enhances the model's feature representation ability by adaptively learning the fusion weights of different receptive field branches in the receptive field module. Then, we propose an enhanced up-sampling (EU) module to reduce the information loss caused by up-sampling on the feature map. Finally, we assemble ARFF and EU modules on top of YOLO v3 to build a real-time, high-precision and lightweight object detection system referred to as the ARFF-EU network. We achieve a state-of-the-art speed and accuracy trade-off on both the Pascal VOC and MS COCO data sets, reporting 83.6% AP at 37.5 FPS and 42.5% AP at 33.7 FPS, respectively. The experimental results show that our proposed ARFF and EU modules improve the detection performance of the ARFF-EU network and achieve the development of advanced, very deep detectors while maintaining real-time speed.

Mitochondrial Sirtuins and Doxorubicin-induced Cardiotoxicity.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is the most effective and extensively used treatment for many tumors. However, its clinical use is hampered by its cardiotoxicity. DOX-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, which causes reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, cardiomyocyte death, bioenergetic failure, and decreased cardiac function, is a very important mechanism of cardiotoxicity. These cellular processes are all linked by mitochondrial sirtuins (SIRT3-SIRT4). Mitochondrial sirtuins preserve mitochondrial function by increasing mitochondrial metabolism, inhibiting ROS generation by activating the antioxidant enzyme manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), decreasing apoptosis by activating the forkhead homeobox type O (FOXO) and P53 pathways, and increasing autophagy through AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mTOR signaling. Thus, sirtuins function at the control point of many mechanisms involved in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. In this review, we focus on the role of mitochondrial sirtuins in mitochondrial biology and DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. A further aim is to highlight other mitochondrial processes, such as autophagy (mitophagy) and mitochondrial quality control (MQC), for which the effect of mitochondrial sirtuins on cardiotoxicity is unknown.

The Efficacy of Beta-Blockers in Patients With Long QT Syndrome 1-3 According to Individuals' Gender, Age, and QTc Intervals: A Network Meta-analysis.

Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is an arrhythmic heart disease caused by congenital genetic mutations, and results in increased occurrence rates of polymorphic ventricular tachyarrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Clinical evidence from numerous previous studies suggested that beta blockers (BBs), including atenolol, propranolol, metoprolol, and nadolol, exhibit different efficacies for reducing the risk of cardiac events (CEs), such as syncope, arrest cardiac arrest (ACA), and SCD, in patients with LQTS. In this study, we identified relevant studies in MEDLINE, PubMed, embase, and Cochrane databases and performed a meta-analysis to assess the relationship between the rate of CEs and LQTS individuals with confounding variables, including different gender, age, and QTc intervals. Moreover, a network meta-analysis was not only established to evaluate the effectiveness of different BBs, but also to provide the ranked efficacies of BBs treatment for preventing the recurrence of CEs in LQT1 and LQT2 patients. In conclusion, nadolol was recommended as a relatively effective strategy for LQT2 in order to improve the prognosis of patients during a long follow-up period.

Identification of atrial fibrillation-related circular RNAs and constructing the integrative regulatory network of circular RNAs, microRNAs and mRNAs by bioinformatics analysis.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia with a high incidence of stroke. Many circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been demonstrated they are elated to various heart diseases and may play important roles in diagnostics or many pathophysiological processes. Nevertheless, there is Few studies on circRNAs functions in persistent AF. To identify AF-related circRNAs and construct the integrative regulatory network of circular RNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs, we collected human right atrial appendage tissues from 5 patients suffering persistent AF (AF group) and 5 patients with normal sinus rhythm (NSR group) and characterized the global changes in circRNA expression with high-throughput sequencing technology. The differential expression of circRNAs and the interactions between circRNAs and microRNAs were analyzed. The microRNA expression file GSE68475 dataset was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to explore the differentially expressed microRNAs. The target genes of overlapped miRNAs were predicted by using DIANA-TarBase v8. We constructed the circRNA- miRNA-mRNA network using Cytoscape (version 3.4.0) and the network topology was analyzed by utilizing CentiScaPe app. Results showed that all of 600 differentially expressed circRNAs related to AF were screened, including 340 up-regulated and 260 down-regulated circRNAs. An integrative regulatory network was constructed, which included 30 circRNAs, 9 miRNAs and 130 target mRNAs of these miRNAs. It was concluded that that 30 circRNAs, including 8 upregulated circRNAs and 22 downregulated circRNAs, were predicted to highly possibly function as sponges of 9 miRNAs to regulate gene expression by using bioinformatics analysis. Moreover, the interactions of hsa-miR-339-5p with its related circRNAs and target mRNAs constructed the hub regulatory network in persistent AF by utilizing topology analysis. Our proposed regulatory network of circRNAs-miRNAs-mRNAs may provide new insight into the potential mechanism underlying persistent AF. Additionally, these important molecular may become novel biomarkers providing a new strategy in diagnosis and therapy of AF.

VCAM-1-targeted and PPARδ-agonist-loaded nanomicelles enhanced suppressing effects on apoptosis and migration of oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced vascular smooth muscle cells.

PURPOSE: Nanomicelles (NMs) have been widely used for various biomedical applications due to its unique physiochemical properties. The present study aims to investigate the effects of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1)-targeted and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) agonist (GW0742)-loaded NMs on apoptosis and migration in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HAVSMCs). METHODS: The GW0742-loaded NMs (M-GW) and VCAM-1-targeted NMs loaded with GW0742 (TM-GW) were prepared, and then the morphologies and the size distribution of M-GM and TM-GM were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS), respectively. In vitro drug release assay of M-GM and TM-GM were performed as well. Next, HAVSMCs were cultured in medium containing ox-LDL to mimic atherosclerotic environment, and the effects of free GW0742, M-GM and TM-GM on endocytosis, cell migration and apoptosis, as well as the expression of VCAM-1, and proteins associated with migration and apoptosis were measured in HAVSMCs treated with ox-LDL. RESULTS: M-GM and TM-GM were successfully prepared. VCAM-1 was overexpressed in HAVSMCs treated with ox-LDL, and TM-GM had a strong targeting ability to HAVSMCs treated with ox-LDL compared with M-GM. In addition, compared with free GW0742, both M-GM and TM-GM significantly diminished cell apoptosis and migration in HAVSMCs treated with ox-LDL. CONCLUSIONS: TM-GM had a superior suppressing effect on apoptosis and migration of ox-LDL-induced HAVSMCs.

[Research progress of weaning from mechanical ventilation guided by electrical impedance tomography].

OBJECTIVE: Weaning failure from mechanical ventilation is an important clinical problem, the traditional methods of assessing whether patients can be weaned from mechanical ventilation or not cannot meet the clinical needs. Finding more effective weaning indicators to determine the optimal timing of weaning has important clinical value for improving the outcome of weaning and reducing the mortality of patients. As a new method of assessing respiratory function of patients, electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is gradually applied to the clinic, and its guided assessment of respiratory function may open a new way for directing successful weaning. This article reviews the progress of EIT in ventilation weaning, in order to provide a new judgment method and theoretical basis for the successful weaning.

[Fast Removal of CT Ring Artifacts].

OBJECTIVE: To explore how to remove CT ring-shaped artifact quickly and effectively, and to improve accuracy of CT reconstruction image. METHODS: CT graphics (including the ring-shaped artifacts) were used first in coordinate transformation with a new transformation method. A two-dimensional filter was designed to filter the image. Then, a one-dimensional filter was used to re-filter the image. Finally, a new transform method was used to restore the image. RESULTS: The two-step coordinate transformation of ring-shaped artifact algorithm resulted in accurate restored original CT image, effectively reducing its interference on useful information. CONCLUSION: The method described in this study can overcome disadvantages of existing methods and obtain good results.

[Minocycline hydrochloride liposome controlled-release gel improves rat experimental periodontitis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of 2% minocycline hydrochloride liposome controlled-release gel on the periodontitis in an established rat periodontitis model. METHODS: Biocompatibility was tested by oral perfusion sample solution for long-term observation. Minocycline hydrochloride liposome controlled-release gel was utilized to treat the established rat periodontitis model. The rats were selected randomly and divided into three groups: group A (PERIO-treated group), group B (minocycline hydrochloride liposome controlled-release gel treated group), and group C (negative control group). The gingival index (GI) and probing depth (PD) were detected, and the number of mononuclear and broken bone cells were examined after 7, 14, 28, and 56 d. RESULTS: The minocycline hydrochloride liposome controlled-release gel exhibited excellent biocompatibility based on weight measure and tissue section evaluation. The rats with periodontitis demonstrated that GI, PD, and the number of mononuclear and broken bone cells of group B decreased in 14, 28, and 56 d. Pathological observation showed that new bones and fibers were formed in group B. CONCLUSION: Minocycline hydrochloride liposome controlled-release gel improves rat periodontitis, thereby providing valuable evidence for clinical application.

[Compatible biomass models for main tree species with measurement error in Heilongjiang Province of Northeast China].

Based on the biomass data of 516 sampling trees, and by using non-linear error-in-variable modeling approach, the compatible models for the total biomass and the biomass of six components including aboveground part, underground part, stem, crown, branch, and foliage of 15 major tree species (or groups) in Heilongjiang Province were established, and the best models for the total biomass and components biomass were selected. The compatible models based on total biomass were developed by adopting the method of joint control different level ratio function. The heteroscedasticity of the models for total biomass was eliminated with log transformation, and the weighted regression was applied to the models for each individual component. Among the compatible biomass models established for the 15 major species (or groups) , the model for total biomass had the highest prediction precision (90% or more), followed by the models for aboveground part and stem biomass, with a precision of 87.5% or more. The prediction precision of the biomass models for other components was relatively low, but it was still greater than 80% for most test tree species. The modeling efficiency (EF) values of the total, aboveground part, and stem biomass models for all the tree species (or groups) were over 0.9, and the EF values of the underground part, crown, branch, and foliage biomass models were over 0.8.

[Expression and its clinical significance of hsa-miR-155 in serum of endometrial cancer].

OBJECTIVE: to investigate the expression of the hsa-miR-155 in serum of endometrial cancer and its clinical significance. METHODS: collected 44 cases blood specimens before surgery operation from Sep. 2008 to Dec. 2009, and collected 12 cases blood specimens from the health of volunteers in comparison. Real time quantity PCR was used to detect the expression of hsa-miR-155 in those specimens and analyzed clinical pathological with the expression of hsa-mir-155 in endometrial cancer. RESULTS: the expression of hsa-miR-155 was (3.9 ± 0.7) in endometrial cancer, which was significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.01). The expressions of hsa-miR-155 were (3.7 ± 0.6), (3.9 ± 0.6) and (3.7 ± 0.6) times in well, moderately and poorly differentiated endometrial cancer, respectively, while there were not significant difference (P > 0.05). The expressions were (3.8 ± 0.6) and (3.9 ± 0.6) times between endometrioid adenocarcinoma and non-endometrioid adenocarcinoma, and there were significant difference (P > 0.05). The expressions were (2.1 ± 0.4) and (5.6 ± 0.8) times in stage I - II and III - IV endometrial cancer, respectively, in which there were significant difference (P < 0.05). The expressions of hsa-miR-155 were (5.5 ± 0.5) and (1.9 ± 0.2) times between lymph node metastasis and without lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer, in which there were significant difference (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Hsa-miR-155 may play an important role in the proliferation, and metastasis of endometrial cancer, which may be a indicator in the diagnosis and prognosis of endometrial cancer and may be used as a predictive biomarker.

Inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis by a direct-current, cold atmospheric-pressure air plasma microjet.

OBJECTIVE: A direct-current, cold atmospheric-pressure air plasma microjet (PMJ) was performed to inactivate Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) in air. The process of sterilization and morphology of bacteria was observed. We wish to know the possible inactivation mechanisms of PMJ and explore a potential application in dental and other temperature sensitive treatment. METHODS: In this study, we employed a direct current, atmospheric pressure, cold air PMJ to inactivate bacterias. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to evaluate the morphology of S. aureus and showed rupture of cell walls after the plasma treatment and Optical emission spectrum (OES) were used to understand the possible inactivation mechanisms of PMJ. RESULTS: The inactivation rates could reach 100% in 5 min. When the distance between the exit nozzle of the PMJ device and Petri dish was extended from 1 cm to 3 cm, effective inactivation was also observed with a similar inactivation curve. CONCLUSION: The inactivation of bacteria is attributed to the abundant reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, as well as ultroviolet radiation in the plasma. Different life spans and defensibilities of these killing agents may hold the key to understanding the different inactivation curves at different treatment distances.

[A clinical study of immediate dental implant and immediate restoration].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical results of immediate implant and immediate restoration and to discuss the applying principles of these techniques. METHODS: Fourteen cases underwent immediate implant surgery for 37 dental implants immediately after the teeth or roots were extracted. Among them, 6 cases (14 implants) received immediate restoration after implant placement. The second stage operation and final restoration were performed 4 months on average postoperatively, and the mean follow-up time was 22 months. RESULTS: Two implants from 1 case were lost at 3 weeks after immediate implant and immediate restoration. The rest cases achieved good clinical results. Accumulative 4-year survival rate was 94.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The result of immediate implant and immediate restoration is predictable if the cases are properly selected.