Different Evolution Behaviors of Adhesion Force with Relative Humidity at Silica/Silica and Silica/Graphene Interfaces Studied using Atomic Force Microscopy.

The influence of relative humidity (RH) on adhesion forces demands clarification. Adhesion forces at silica/silica and silica/graphene interfaces were measured on an atomic force microscope to investigate the evolution behaviors with RH and the contact time dependence at a certain RH. For the silica/silica interface, the adhesion force at a location by decreasing RH is independent of RH, but increases as a whole with RH both at a location and in the force volume mode by increasing RH. However, for the silica/graphene interface at a location, the adhesion force remains unchanged with RH as a whole by reducing RH and tends to decrease as a whole by increasing RH. In the force volume mode, the adhesion force at the silica/graphene interface is independent of RH. For the silica/silica interface, the adhesion force increases logarithmically with dwell time at a low RH and remains unchanged at a high RH. However, for the silica/graphene interface, the force is not dependent on RH at low and high RHs. The results can serve to further understand the mechanisms and behaviors of adhesion forces and promote the anti-adhesion design for small-scale silicon-based structures.

Bencycloquidium bromide nasal spray is effective and safe for persistent allergic rhinitis: a phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of bencycloquidium bromide nasal spray (BCQB) in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR). METHODS: We enrolled 720 patients from 15 hospitals across China and randomly assigned them into BCQB group or placebo group (90 µg per nostril qid) to receive a 4-week treatment. Visual analog scale (VAS) for rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal congestion, itching and overall symptoms were recorded by patients every day. Anterior rhinoscopy scoring was completed by doctors on every visit. Adverse events were recorded in detail. RESULTS: A total of 354 and 351 patients were included in BCQB group and in placebo group. Baseline information was comparable. At the end of the trial, the decrease of VAS for rhinorrhea from baseline was 4.83 ± 2.35 and 2.46 ± 2.34 in BCQB group and placebo group, respectively (P < 0.001). The change ratio from baseline of VAS for rhinorrhea in BCQB group was 72.32%, higher than 31.03% in placebo group (P < 0.001). VAS for other symptoms and overall symptoms also improved significantly in the BCQB group, while no inter-group difference was found in anterior rhinoscopy scoring. The incidence of adverse reaction was similar between the two groups. Most reactions were mild and no severe reactions happened. CONCLUSION: 90 µg BCQB per nostril four times daily is effective and safe in the treatment of rhinorrhea as well as sneezing, nasal congestion and itching for patients with PAR. RETROSPECTIVELY REGISTERED: ChiCTR2000030924, 2020/3/17.

Recent advances of CRISPR-based genome editing for enhancing staple crops.

An increasing population, climate change, and diminishing natural resources present severe threats to global food security, with traditional breeding and genetic engineering methods often falling short in addressing these rapidly evolving challenges. CRISPR/Cas systems have emerged as revolutionary tools for precise genetic modifications in crops, offering significant advancements in resilience, yield, and nutritional value, particularly in staple crops like rice and maize. This review highlights the transformative potential of CRISPR/Cas technology, emphasizing recent innovations such as prime and base editing, and the development of novel CRISPR-associated proteins, which have significantly improved the specificity, efficiency, and scope of genome editing in agriculture. These advancements enable targeted genetic modifications that enhance tolerance to abiotic stresses as well as biotic stresses. Additionally, CRISPR/Cas plays a crucial role in improving crop yield and quality by enhancing photosynthetic efficiency, nutrient uptake, and resistance to lodging, while also improving taste, texture, shelf life, and nutritional content through biofortification. Despite challenges such as off-target effects, the need for more efficient delivery methods, and ethical and regulatory concerns, the review underscores the importance of CRISPR/Cas in addressing global food security and sustainability challenges. It calls for continued research and integration of CRISPR with other emerging technologies like nanotechnology, synthetic biology, and machine learning to fully realize its potential in developing resilient, productive, and sustainable agricultural systems.

[The role of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in sleep deprivation induced Meniere's disease].

Objective:By detecting the levels of proteins in the Toll-like receptor-4/nuclear factor-κB （TLR4/NF-κB） signaling pathway and downstream proinflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood of patients with Meniere's disease （MD）, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index （PSQI） scores were collected to investigate the correlation between sleep disorders and MD and the role of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in mediating sleep disorders inducing MD. Methods:Thirty-two MD patients and 20 family members of patients without middle ear and inner ear related diseases were selected. Basic data, PSQI and fasting peripheral blood of all subjects were collected. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.The levels of interleukin-1ß（IL-1ß）, tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α）, monocyte chemokine-1（MCP-1）, Toll-like receptor 4（TLR4） and nuclear factor-κB（NF-κB） in peripheral blood were detected by ELISA, and the data were statistically analyzed. Results:①PSQI score of MD group was higher than that of normal control group, and the difference was statistically significant（P<0.01）; The scores of every factors of PSQI in MD group were higher than those in normal control group, and the scores of factors 2, 4 and 6 were significantly different from those in normal control group. ②In the MD group, there were 18 patients with sleep disorders, with a prevalence rate of 56.25%, including 6 males with a prevalence rate of 50.00% and 12 females with a prevalence rate of 60.00%. ③The levels of five test indexes in MD group, sleep disorder group and non-sleep disorder group were higher than those in control group, and the levels of TLR4 and NF-κB in MD group were significantly different from those in control group（P<0.05）. The levels of IL-1ß, TNF-α, TLR4 and NF-κB in sleep disorder group were significantly different from those in control group（P<0.05）. The levels of five test indexes in non-sleep disorder group were not statistically significant compared with those in control group. The levels of five test indexes in the MD sleep disorder group were higher than those in the MD group and the non-sleep disorder group, with no statistical significance. The levels of five test indexes in MD group were higher than those in non-sleep disorder group, with no statistical significance（P>0.05）. Conclusion:①Sleep disorders may be one of the important predisposing factors of some MD, and the effects of sleep disorders on MD are different between the sexes. ②Sleep disorders may activate TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway to induce MD. The selection of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway related proteins and downstream pro-inflammatory factor inhibitors to intervene MD may provide a new idea for protecting the hearing balance function of MD.

Psoriasis comorbid with atherosclerosis meets in lipid metabolism.

Psoriasis (PSO) is a common skin disease affecting approximately 1%-3% of the population, and the incidence rate is increasing yearly. PSO is associated with a dramatically increased risk of cardiovascular disease, the most common of which is atherosclerosis (AS). In the past, inflammation was considered to be the triggering factor of the two comorbidities, but in recent years, studies have found that lipid metabolism disorders increase the probability of atherosclerosis in patients with psoriasis. In this review, we discuss epidemiological studies, clinical treatment methods, risk factors, and lipid metabolism of psoriasis and atherosclerosis comorbidities.

[Analysis of coagulation state in sudden deafness patients with total deafness and vertigo].

Objective:To analyze the coagulation status and prognosis of sudden deafness patients with total deafness accompanied by vertigo, and to provide basis for improving the treatment of this disease. Methods:From January 2017 to December 2020, 33 patients with total deafness and vertigo sudden deafness who were hospitalized in the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Hebei Provincial People's Hospital were selected as the research group. During the same period, 33 cases of low frequency type, full frequency type, total deafness and 26 cases of high frequency type were treated as control group.Thirty-three cases of inpatients without history of middle ear and inner ear diseases were treated as normal control group. The levels of fibrinogen（FIB）, D-Dimer（D-D）, Prothrombin Time（PT）, Activated Partial Thrombin Time（APTT） between the research group and the control group were analyzed, and the therapeutic effects of different types of sudden deafness patients were analyzed. Results:FIB and D-D of total deafness with vertigo were 2.50（2.11, 2.95）and 0.27（0.16, 0.51） respectively, which were higher than 2.31（1.92, 2.50） and 0.17（0.12, 0.21） of normal group. APTT was 25.2（23.1, 28.1）, lower than 27.3（26.4, 29.7） in the normal group, the differences were statistically significant（P<0.01）. ② FIB of total deafness with vertigo was 2.50（2.11, 2.95）, which was higher than that of low frequency group 2.37（1.81, 2.68）. D-D was 0.27（0.16, 0.51）, higher than low frequency group 0.16（0.12, 0.25）, high frequency group of 0.13（0.11, 0.23）, the whole frequency group 0.16（0.11, 0.28）, total of 0.18（1.45, 0.30）. APTT was 25.75±3.18/25.2（23.1, 28.1）, lower than 27.72±2.22 in low frequency group and 26.7（25.8, 28.7） in full frequency group, with statistical significance（P<0.05）. ③ The total deafness with vertigo group had the worst curative effect（ineffective rate was 63.6%）, and the low frequency group had the best curative effect（recovery rate was 75.8%）. The difference of curative effect among different types of sudden deafness groups was statistically significant（P<0.05）. Conclusion:Hypercoagulability and thrombosis may be one of the influencing factors of total sudden deafness. The hypercoagulable state of sudden deafness patients with total deafness and vertigo is more serious than that of total deafness and other types of sudden deafness, and the prognosis is the worst.

Effects of CIK on hypoxia inducible factor-1α and T-cell subsets on colon 26 cancer xenograft mice.

Colorectal cancer is a common malignancy of the digestive tract with a high mortality rate. However, current treatment approaches such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy are ineffective. Thus, it is imperative to identify ways to treat recurrence and metastasis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells on the hypoxia microenvironment and immune function in colon 26 cancer xenograft mice. A murine model of colon 26 carcinoma tumors were divided into CIK, normal saline (NS) and control groups. Hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) mRNA in tumor tissue and the small intestine of mice was detected by FQ-PCR. The percentage of the CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the spleen of mice was detected by flow cytometry. The tumor volume in the CIK group was smaller than that in the NS group and the difference was not significant (P>0.05). HIF-1α gene expression was present in the tumor tissue and small intestine. HIF-1α gene expression in tumor tissue was significantly higher than that in the small intestine (P<0.05), and lower in tumor tissue of the CIK group compared to the NS group (P<0.05) of xenograft mice. However, no HIF-1α expression was observed in the small intestine of healthy control mice. CD4+ T-cell percentage and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the spleen of xenograft mice was significantly lower than that of normal mice (P<0.05). Compared to the NS group, the CD4+ T-cell percentage was higher, whereas the CD8+ T-cell percentage was lower in the CIK group (P<0.05). In conclusion, HIF-1α gene expression was present in the tumor tissue and small intestine. The immune function of colon 26 transplanted in tumor mice was decreased. Additionally, CIK improved the microenvironment of tumor hypoxia and promoted immune reconstitution.

[Character of early tinnitus about sudden deafness].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical characteristics of early tinnitus in patients with sudden deafness. METHOD: Forty-seven patients with sudden deafness and early tinnitus recieved subjective review and filled out classified questionnaire of tinnitus. By pure tone audiometry and tinnitus matching test, we obtain the distribution, quantity and matching loudness of tinnitus patients. RESULT: (1) Objective examination: the most common frequencies of tinnitus were 8000 Hz and 4000 Hz. The most common numbers were two frequencies. The matching loudness was (16.63 ± 8.37) dB. (2) Subjective examination: the tinnitus was monotone (74.0%), sustained (89.0%), third level loudness (45.0%), third level annoying (60.0%), high frequency (83.0%), sound of cicadas (66.7%). The most influencing factors were hearing (28.2%) and mood (29.5%). (3) Relationship between tinnitus and pure tone hearing threshold curve: there was a significant correlation between the frequency of pure tone audiometry and the matching loudness of tinnitus (r = -0. 370, P < 0.01). There was no significant correlation between the frequency of pure tone tinnitus and the matching loudness of tinnitus (r = -0.083, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: (1) The results of subjective examination were consistent with those of objective examination. (2) The tinnitus should be considered in the early treatment of sudden deafness.

[Analysis the treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss with steroid from different administration routes].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss with steroid from different administration routes. METHOD: One hundred and eighty-eight patients with diagnosis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss were selected, in accordance with the random number table, and all patients were divided into three groups. With different administration routes, they were devided into systemic steroid therapy group, intratympanic steroid therapy group and postauricular steroid therapy group,and the curative effects were collected and analyzed. RESULT: The total effective rate was 78.26% in systemic steroid therapy group, 80.70% in intratympanic steroid therapy group and 80.65% in postauricularsteroid therapy group,and no statistical difference was detected among these three groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss with steroid from different adminsthation routes all can achieve a relatively favorable prognosis, and there were no obvious different among those different treatments.

[Analysis of personality characteristics of sudden deafness patients].

OBJECTIVE: To Study the personality characteristics in patients with sudden deafness. METHOD: Thirty-eight sudden deafness patients and 45 healthy volunteers were assessed by Eysenck personality questionnaire (EPQ). RESULT: The standard scores of P, E, N dimensions of patients with sudden deafness were greater than healthy volunteers. The standard score in L dimensions of patients with sudden deafness was less than healthy volunteers. The difference of the standard score of P dimension revealed statistical significance (P < 0.05). The difference of the standard score of N dimension revealed statistical significance (P < 0.01). The difference of the standard scores of E, L dimensions revealed no statistical significance (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sudden deafness patients have emotional instability and psychoticism personality characteristics.

[One case of laryngeal pleomorphic adenoma].

A male patient, 55 years old, suffered from intermittent sound,voice depression and shortness of breath for one year,and from dysphagia for 3-4 months. Through fiber laryngoscopy,we could see tumor in the left posterior aryepiglottic fold. The tumor's surface was smooth. A portion of the tumor protruded to the laryngeal cavity and the aryepiglottic fold external,it also covered most of the glottis. Bilateral vocal cord were smooth and had good mobility. Throat CT demonstrated an irregular soft tissue mass on the left side of the aryepiglottic fold in supraglottic area with obscure normal boundary from adjacent structure. The left side of pyriform sinus became shallow without obvious bone destruction. The pathological report showed pleomorphic adenoma. The diagnosis was laryngeal pleomorphic adenoma.

A novel approach of periodate oxidation coupled with HPLC-FLD for the quantitative determination of 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol in water and vegetable oil.

A novel approach of periodate oxidation coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-fluorescence detection (FLD) for the quantitative determination of 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD) has been established. The essence of this approach lies in the production of chloroacetaldehyde by the oxidization cleavage of 3-MCPD with sodium periodate and the HPLC analysis of chloroacetaldehyde monitored by an FLD detector after fluorescence derivatization with adenine. The experimental parameters relating to the efficiency of the derivative reaction such as concentration of adenine, chloroacetaldehyde reaction temperature, and time were studied. Under the optimized conditions, the proposed method can provide high sensitivity, good linearity (r(2) = 0.999), and repeatability (percent relative standard deviations between 2.57% and 3.44%), the limits of detection and quantification were 0.36 and 1.20 ng/mL, respectively, and the recoveries obtained for water samples were in the range 93.39-97.39%. This method has been successfully applied to the analysis of real water samples. Also this method has been successfully used for the analysis of vegetable oil samples after pretreatment with liquid-liquid extraction; the recoveries obtained by a spiking experiment with soybean oil ranged from 96.27% to 102.42%. In comparison with gas chromatography or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, the proposed method can provide the advantages of simple instrumental requirement, easy operation, low cost, and high efficiency, thus making this approach another good choice for the sensitive determination of 3-MCPD.

[Correlation between phonetically balanced maximum and pure tone auditory threshold among 106 auditory neuropathy patients].

OBJECTIVE: To estimate correlation between phonetically balanced maximum (PB max) and pure tone auditory threshold in auditory neuropathy (AN) patients. METHODS: One hundred and six AN patients were identified using multiple criteria including PB max, a metric for speech recognition, pure tone auditory threshold, acoustic emission test, distortion products otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) and auditory brainstem response (ABR). SPSS statistical software was used to estimate the Pearson's correlation between PB max and pure tone auditory threshold and to test whether pure tone auditory threshold, or auditory configuration had a significant impact on PB max. RESULTS: Even the patients had the same or similar values for pure tone auditory threshold or auditory configuration, varied values of PB max were found in two hundreds and twelve ears for 106 patients. Analysis of the data for 106 patients revealed a negative correlation (r = -0. 602, P <0. 01) between PB max and pure tone auditory threshold, i. e. hearing loss at a mild relates to a lower PB max. By using analysis of variance (ANOVA) method, it was found that both pure tone auditory threshold and auditory configuration had a significant (P <0.01) impact on the patients' PB max. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis implicated the promise and potential of pure tone auditory threshold and auditory configuration for predicting PB max of the AN patients, and improving the diagnosis of AN.

[The characteristic of enlarged vestibular aqueducts syndrome in pure tone audiometry: low frequency air-bone gap].

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study was to analyse the significant of low frequency air-bone gap in enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) patients according to the pure tone audiogram and the benefit for clinic diagnosis of the EVA. METHOD: The audiology testing include (1) play audiometry or pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, middle ear muscle reflex thresholds and stapedius muscle reflex; (2) High-resolution computed tomography (CT) scan of the temporal bone and magnetic resonance imaging was used for diagnoses the EVA. RESULT: All the 78 patients (154 ears) were diagnosed as the typical EVA by CT or MRI. Inner ear malformations were found in 3 ears otherwise the structures of middle ear in all the patients were absolutely normal. The audiology analysis showed 154 ears were type A tympanogram including 126 ears with typical A, 25 ears with As, 3 ears with Ad type. In the 250 Hz pure-tone test:A-B gap were observed in 126 ears(126/154,81. 8%) with the different hearing loss degree: 1 ear mild, 11 ears moderate, 19 ears moderate severe, 40 ears severe and 53 ears profound. In the 500 Hz pure-tone test: A-B gap were found in 102 ears(102/154, 66. 2%) with the different hearing loss degree: 9. ears moderate, 17 ears moderate severe, 35 ears severe and 41 ears profound. CONCLUSION: Our study suggested a 66. 2% -81. 8% possibilities to find the EVA through the pure-tone audiometry firstly in the basis of the normal tympanograms with the significant A-B gap.