Investigating the epidemiological relevance of secretory otitis media and neighboring organ diseases through an Internet search.

Background: This study examined the epidemiological correlations between secretory otitis media (SOM) and diseases of neighboring organs. We measured changes in disease incidences during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic using Internet big data spanning from 2011 to 2021. Methods: This study used the Baidu Index (BI) to determine the search volume for the terms "secretory otitis media (SOM)", "tonsillitis", "pharyngolaryngitis", "adenoid hypertrophy (AH)", "nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)", "nasal septum deviation (NSD)", "rhinosinusitis", "allergic rhinitis (AR)", and "gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)" in Mandarin from January 2011 to December 2021. The correlations between these terms were analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficients. The results were compared search data from 2019 and 2021 to assess the effects of isolation on SOM in 2020. Results: The seasonal variations trends of SOM and other diseases coincided well (P < 0.05), except for AR. During the 11-year timeframe, the monthly searches for rhinosinusitis, NSD, tonsillitis, pharyngolaryngitis, and NPC were statistically correlated with SOM (R = 0.825, 0.594, 0.650, 0.636, 0.664, respectively; P < 0.05). No correlation was found between SOM and AR, SOM and AH, or SOM and GERD (R =  - 0.028, R = 0.259, R = 0.014, respectively, P > 0.05). The total search volumes for SOM, rhinosinusitis, NPC, and AH decreased in 2020 compared to 2019. Discussion: SOM exhibited a discernible epidemiological connection with rhinosinusitis, nasal septal deviation (NSD), tonsillitis, pharyngolaryngitis, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). A decrease in public gatherings was observed to effectively reduce the incidences of SOM. This underscores the pivotal role of social measures in influencing the prevalence of SOM and emphasizes the intricate interplay between SOM and various associated health factors, with implications for public health strategies.

Developmental immunotoxicity and its potential gender differences of perinatal exposure to 4-nonylphenol on offspring rats: JAK-STAT signaling pathway involved.

The aim of our study was to explore the developmental immunotoxicity (DIT) and its potential gender differences of perinatal exposure to 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), which was significant for the risk assessment of 4-NP exposure to fetuses and infants. Wistar pregnant rats were given the National Institution of Health (NIH)- 31 modified feed containing 0, 10, 100 and 500 mg/kg 4-NP from the gestation day (GD) 6 to the postnatal day (PND) 21. At PND21, the offspring rats were randomly selected to detect developmental immunotoxicity related indicators. Results suggested that high-dose 4-NP perinatal exposure caused growth retardation in infancy of male offspring rats, which was not obvious in female offspring rats. Also, 4-NP perinatal exposure induced DIT (mainly manifested as immunosuppression) with potential gender differences, including decreased weight of immune organs, suppressed immune function, decreased ratio of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß/interleukin (IL)- 17A, increased ratio of T helper (Th) 17/regulatory T (Treg) cells et al. In addition, exploration of the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway showed that JAK-STAT pathway mediated the leftward of Th17/Treg cells balance. Furthermore, the DIT to female offspring rats was more sensitive than to the males, which may be related to the differences of biological processes involved and needed to be further explored.

Seven-gene signature on tumor microenvironment for predicting the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to construct a novel gene signature on the tumor microenvironment (TME) to predict the prognosis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). METHODS: We downloaded gene expression profiles and clinical information of PDAC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets, as well as Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets (GSE78229, GSE62452, and GSE28735). Differentially expressed genes were generated by comparing high versus low score groups of immune/stromal subgroups based on the Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumor tissues using Expression data algorithm. Subsequently, a prognostic risk score model was constructed and validated through univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Finally, functional enrichment analysis and protein-protein interactions were performed to predict the functional implication of the prognostic model. RESULTS: We picked out 1,797 upregulated genes in immune groups and stromal groups. Through further analysis, we constructed a 7-gene signature on the TME. The risk score from the model effectively differentiated patients into high-risk and low-risk groups with different overall survival and was validated by GEO datasets. A functional analysis suggested that 7 selected genes and their co-expressed genes were mainly enriched in immune response, extracellular structure organization, and cell adhesion molecule binding. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that the 7-gene model on the TME can be used to assess the prognosis of patients with PDAC.

[Endoscope-assisted transoral resection of parapharyngeal space tumors: a retrospective study].

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility and safety of the endoscope-assisted transoral approach for the parapharyngeal space（PPS） tumors. Method:This retrospective study included 22 patients who were diagnosed with PPS tumors and treated with the endoscope-assisted transoral approach. Result:The postoperative pathological diagnosis included 10 cases of schwannoma, 7 cases of pleomorphic adenoma, 1 case of paraganglioma, 1 case of branchial cleft cyst, and 3 cases of malignant tumors for a diagnostic purpose. The surgical duration was between 15 minutes and 430 minutes（median duration 105 minutes）, and the intraoperative bleeding was between 10ml to 500ml（median bleeding 20 mL）. Complete resection with minor complication was performed in 21 cases, 1 case of recurrent schwannoma was done in an incomplete style because of intraoperative massive bleeding. With a 12-to-72-months follow up, there was no relapse on the 18 cases of benign tumor which were completely resected. Conclusion:Endoscope-assisted transoral resection provide cosmetic, micro-invasive and increased operative exposure to the PPS, especially for the benign tumors that medial to the carotid sheath. But is not recommend for relapsed cases and lesions that encompassing or lying posterolateral to the carotid sheath.

[The role of palatovaginal canal and sphenopalatine artery in the localization of vidian canal during vidian neurotomy].

Objective:To explore the role of palatovaginal canal and sphenopalatine artery in the localization of pterygoid canal during pterygoid neurotomy. Method:55 patients with or without nasal polyps were divided into two groups: group A（twenty-nine cases, anterior wall approach of sphenoid sinus） and group B（twenty-six cases, middle nasal meatus approach）. All patients underwent unilateral vidian neurectomy under nasal endoscope. The vidian canal was located by palatal canal and sphenopalatine artery in group A and B, respectively. Result:The vidian canal was located successfully in all patients, with small wound, fast postoperative recovering. There was no irreversible complication. Conclusion:The relationship between the palatovaginal canal, sphenopalatine artery and the external orifice of vidian canal is constant, which can be used as an anatomical marker of vidian neurotomy.

Downregulation of miR-29c-3p is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is considered to be a common malignancy of the head and neck with poor prognosis for its late diagnosis, metastasis and recurrence. Growing evidence demonstrates that the dysregulation of miR-29c-3p (microRNA-29c-3p) plays an important role in various tumor processes. Our study investigates the expression of miR-29c-3p in LSCC and analyzes the correlation of its dysregulation with clinicopathologic parameters and prognosis. METHODS: The expression of hsa-miR-29c-3p in LSCC tissues and the adjacent normal laryngeal tissues was detected in 96 LSCC formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The SPSS statistical software package (17.0) was used to analyze the associations between miR-29c-3p expressions and various clinicopathological characteristics. The overall survival (OS) was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test, and we analyzed the independent factor of prognosis by Cox proportional hazard analysis. RESULTS: A downregulation of miR-29c-3p expression in LSCC was significantly correlated with smoking index, tumor size, tumor site, differentiation, T classification, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05), but there was no correlation with age and alcohol consumption (P > 0.05). In the multivariate survival analysis, low miR-29c-3p expression was associated with shorter overall survival (P < 0.05). Furthermore, miR-29c expression was an independent prognostic factor for laryngeal cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-29c-3p has different expression levels at different stages of tumor progression, suggesting that miR-29c-3p may be a promising biomarker for evaluating the progression of LSCC and the prognosis of patients with LSCC. MiR-29c-3p can also be a novel molecular target for anti-laryngeal cancer therapy.

[Effectiveness of cisplatin on the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in cochlea and spiral ganglion cells of guinea pigs].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of cisplatin on the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in cochlea and spiral ganglion cells (SGC) of guinea pigs. METHOD: Twenty guinea pigs were randomly divided into cisplatin (n = 10) and control groups (n = 10). Cisplatin group were administrated with a dose of intraperitoneal injection of 16 mg/kg, while the control group were received intraperitoneal injection of normal saline as placebo. Before and 7 days following injections, the ototoxic effect was measured with distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE). Bcl-2, Bax in cochlea were detected by Western Blot. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the protein levels of Bcl-2 and Bax in spiral ganglion cells. RESULT: In control and cisplatin group, Bcl-2 protein levels were 0.727 8 ± 0.016 9 and 0.467 6 ± 0.020 1, Bax protein levels were 0.384 8 ± 0. 0217 and 0.735 6 ± 0.022 3 in cochlea respectively, both P < 0.01. In Control and cisplatin group, the grey values of Bcl-2 in SGC were 99.00 ± 2.42 and 149.80 ± 2.37 respectively, the grey values of Bax were 154.50 ± 2.80 and 104.50 ± 3.09 respectively, both P < 0.05. CONCLUSION: Decreased expression of Bcl-2 and increased expression of Bax may be involved in cisplatin-induced apoptosis in cochlea and SGC of guinea pigs.

The influence of house dust mite sublingual immunotherapy on the TSLP-OX40L signaling pathway in patients with allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with house dust mite (HDM) extract and to examine T helper 2 (Th2)-type immune responses mediated by the thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP-OX40L) signaling pathway in patients with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis (AR) after 12-month HDM SLIT. METHODS: Forty-six cases of HDM-sensitized patients with persistent AR in southern China were enrolled in this study. Clinical efficacy of SLIT was assessed by determining the individual nasal symptom score (INSS) and total nasal symptom score (TNSS) after 12-month HDM SLIT. Moreover, the TSLP-OX40L signaling pathway was investigated through measurements of TSLP by enzyme-labeled immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and OX40L by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and flow cytometry. RESULTS: After 12 months of HDM SLIT, TNSS and INSS were significantly decreased overall compared with baseline values (p < 0.001). By the end of the 12-month HDM SLIT, TNSS had declined by ∼50% compared with baseline, and the corresponding level of TSLP in nasal lavage decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The level of OX40L messenger RNA (mRNA) in blood was markedly decreased significantly after 12-month HDM SLIT compared with baseline (t = 12.300, p < 0.05). Furthermore, significant decreases in OX40L expression on the surface of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (t = 13.100, p < 0.05) and OX40L expression on the surface of CD11c+CD86+ cells in PBMCs (t = 9.946, p < 0.05) after 12-month HDM SLIT were observed. CONCLUSION: HDM SLIT downregulated Th2-type immune responses mediated by the TSLP-OX40L signaling pathway in patients with persistent moderate to severe AR.

[Comparison of methods for isolating exosomes derived from laryngocarcinoma Hep-2 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To provide a reference about choosing the methods of isolating exosomes derived from tumor cells including laryngocarcinima Hep-2 cells by comparing advantages and defects of two methods of isolation and extraction exosomes. METHOD: Previously, laryngocarcinoma Hep-2 cells were cultivated massively, then the cells were processed with hot shock in 42 degrees C for 1 h. Sucrose density gradient centrifugation ultrafiltration (method 1): cells culture supernatant 90 ml was gathered, the supernatant was clarified through a 3/0.8 µm small filter to remove impurities and fragments which in larger diameter. Then the filtering fluid was concentrated and purified through sucrose density gradient centrifugation and ultrafiltration, the concentrated fluid was obtained. Exosome Isolation Kit (method 2): cells culture supernatant 4 ml was gathered, the solutions of the kit were added into the supernatant in proper sequence, then filtered by the special column, the concentrated fluid was obtained. Both products are observed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy. RESULT: Both methods could isolate and extract exosomes feasibly. In single high power view of transmission electron microscopy, exosomes of method 1 disperse better, but lower density, and more impurity in background, exosomes of method 2 arrange closer, higher density, and less impurity. CONCLUSION: Exosome isolation Kit require less supernatant, cost less time, process procedure briefly, harvest higher yield. It may become a new option of isolating exosomes derived from Laryngocarcinoma Hep-2 cells.

[The influence of sublingual immunotherapy on Th2 type immunoreaction in patients with allergic rhinitis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of sublingual immunotherapy on Th2 type immunoreaction in patients with allergic rhinitis within 12 months' treatment. METHOD: Forty three patients with allergic rhinitis were followed-up within 12 months after receiving sublingual immunotherapy. The changes of clinic symptoms and immunoreaction were analyzed. VAS score was applied to evaluate the efficacy of clinic treatment. TIgE and sIgE in serum were tested to evaluate the systemic immunoreaction. Eosinophil counting in nasal discharge was applied to evaluate the local nasal mucosa immunoreaction. RESULT: VAS scores were decreased significantly one month after the starting point of treatment, companied by the decrease of EOS count in nasal discharge (P < 0.05). The changes of TIgE and sIgE in serum within 12 months of sublingual immunotherapy were not significant (P < 0.05). The levels of IL-4 and IL-13 in nasal lavage were decreased significantly after 12 months' treatment. CONCLUSION: The bias of Th2 type immunoreaction existed in nasal mucosa immune system in patients with allergic rhinitis could been rectified partially after receiving sublingual immunotherapy for 12 months, but the significant changes were not observed in systemic immune system.

[The effectiveness of endoscopic tragus cartilage-perichondrium myringoplasty in the treatment of large tympanic membrane perforations].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effectiveness of endoscopic tragus cartilage-perichondrium in the treatment of large tympanic membrane perforations. METHOD: Patients with large tympanic membrane perfortations who had underwent cartilage-perichondrium myringoplasty were retrospectively retrieved from our department. Those with a follow-up of equal to or greater than 12 months after surgery were included in the study. Hearing test results were reported using a four-frequency air conduction and bone-air conduction gap. Patients were labeled as treatment success if the tympanic membrane was intact without lateralization or anterior blunting after surgery. RESULT: Of the 35 patients with large tympanic membrane perforations treated by endoscopic tragus cartilage-perichondrium, 33 (94.3%) were treatment success. There was no graft lateralization, anterior blunting, neocholesteatoma, and sensorineural hearing loss in these patients after surgery. The air conduction and bone-air conduction gap before surgery in the study cohort were (43.8 ± 5.7) dB and (28.5 ± 3.1) dB, respectively. Postoperative air conduction and bone-air conduction gap of the cohort were (31.4 ± 6.4) dB HL and (16.2 ± 4.1) dB, respectively. The postoperative air conduction and bone-air conduction gap decreased significantly after surgery (P < 0.01). Overall postoperative air-bone gap in 27 of the 35 patients (77%) were less than 20 dB after surgery. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic cartilage-perichondrium myringoplasty is an effective procedure in the treatment of large tympanic membrane perforations.

[Construction of the superantigen SEA transfected laryngocarcinoma cells].

OBJECTIVE: To construct an eukaryotic expression vectors containing superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) gene, and to identify its expression in laryngeal squamous carcinoma cells. METHOD: SEA full-length gene fragment was obtained from ATCC13565 genome of the staphylococcus, referencing standard strains producing SEA. Coding sequence of SEA was artificially synthetized. Than, SEA gene fragments was subcloned into eukaryotic expression vector pIRES-EGFP. The recombinant plasmid pSEA-IRES-EGFP was constructed and was transfected to laryngocarcinoma Hep-2 cells. Resistant clones were screened by G418. The expression of SEA in laryngocarcinoma cells was identified with ELISA and RT-PCR method. RESULT: The subclone of artificially synthetized SEA gene was subclone to eukaryotic expression vector pires-EGFP. Flanking sequence confirmed that SEA sequence was fully identical to the coding sequence of standard staphylococcus strains ATCC13565 in Genbank. After recombinant plasmid transfected to laryngocarcinoma cells, the resistant clones was obtained after screening for two weeks. The clones were selected. The specific gene fragment was obtained by RT-PCR amplification. ELISA assay confirmed that the content of SEA protein in supernatant fluid of cell culture had reached about Pg level. CONCLUSION: The recombinant eukaryotic expression vector containing superantigen SEA gene is successfully constructed, and is capable of effective expression and continued secretion of SEA protein in laryngochrcinoma Hep-2 cells after recombinant plasmid transfected to laryngocarcinoma cells.

[Measurement of components of the phospholipid of the surfactant in irrigating fluid from the nasopharynx of patients with chronic sinusitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of chronic sinusitis on components of the phospholipid of nasopharyngeal surfactant, and to study biochemical component of phospholipid of surface active substance. METHOD: The concentrations of surfactant in nasopharyngeal irrigating fluid were implemented in normal controls and patients with chronic sinusitis. Components of phospholipid such as Phosphatidylserine, Phosphatidylethanolamine, Phosphatidylcholine and Sphingophospholipid were measured by the high-performance liquid chromatograph. RESULT: Results showed as follows (1) There was surfactant in nasopharynx. 4 compositions of phospholipid could be measured. (2) Compared with controls, Phosphatidylserine signficantly decreased in patients with chronic sinusitis (P < 0.05). (3) Only Phosphatidylserine signficantly decreased between sinusitis III stages and controls (P < 0.05). The rests had no signficant difference between chronic sinusitis' stages and controls, and among stages. But as the chronic sinusitis' stages proceeded, proportion of Phosphatidylserine may decreased. CONCLUSION: (1) There is surfactant in nasopharynx, nasopharyngeal surfactant is made of Phosphatidylserine, Phosphatidylethanolamine, Phosphatidylcholine and Sphingophospholipid. The proportion of Phosphatidylcholine shows most, and determines biochemical effect of nasopharyngeal surfactant. (2) chronic sinusitis may cause decrease of some components of nasopharyngeal surfactant. (3) As the chronic sinusitis' stages proceed, the proportion of some phospholipids progressively decrease. Which, above assessed, may cause the change of surfactant in eustachian tube, and cause dysfunction of middle ear and eustachian tube.

[Evaluation of tympanoplasty with reconstruction of the external canal after mastoidectomy for cholesteatoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the method to repair the deletion of external canal and opened mastoid space after mastoidectomy. METHOD: One stage tympanoplasty with reconstruction of the external canal with temporal cortex was completed in 58 cases (58 ears) with cholesteatoma. RESULT: During the follow-up ranging from one to three years, there was only one relapse. The configuration of external canal was almost normal and pneumatic mastoid space was maintained. Hearing was improved over 30dB in five ears, 20 to 29 dB in 11 ears, 10 to 19 dB in 30 ears, less 10 dB in eight ears and hearing wasn't improved in four ears. CONCLUSION: One stage tympanoplasty with reconstruction of the external canal after mastoidectomy for cholesteatoma is a practical way to improve hearing and decrease recurrence.

[Evaluation on hemorrhage factors secondary to endoscopic sinus surgery with multiple stepwise regression analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors relating to bleeding secondary to endoscopic sinus surgery. METHOD: 193 patients suffered from nasal polyps, chronic sinusitis and underwent endoscopic sinus surgery between May 1995 and February 2001 were analyzed. These patients's state of operation affairs tallies with this study's selecting condition and their clinic data was complete. The factors relating to bleeding secondary to endoscopic sinus surgery were analyzed with multiple stepwise regression analysis with STATA31 statistic computer software. RESULT: 20 selected hemorrhage factors were analyzed with multiple stepwise regressions. With these factors progressively removed, 5 items as follows showed relation to the hemorrhage: X18, X19, X9, X11, X20. An optimal regression equation for predicting hemorrhage has been established. According to this equation, the blood loss of endoscopic sinus surgery could be estimated. CONCLUSION: The clinical signification of 5 factors were recognized: 1. X18: Anatomy mark was broken down in former operation and showed difficulty when identified. 2. X19: Sinus presented proliferation such as scar forming, blood vessel showed hyperemia, sinus wall showed hyperplasia, Aperture being narrow and small. 3. X9: Sinusitis showed late stages. 4. X11: Estimated blood loss was significantly greater under general anesthesia. 5. X20: Operation went on over 2 hours. If aforementioned condition appears, blood loss may exceed 200 ml.