Objective To investigate the response characteristics of neurons in the primary auditory cortex(A1)of mice to pure tone stimuli from different sides of the ear, as well as their excitatory/inhibitory input propertics. Methods Optogenetics combined with in vivo extracellular recordings in awake mice was used to present pure tone stimuli of varying intensities and frequencies, delivered randomly to the contralateral ear, ipsilateral ear, or both ears. In addition, optogenetics together with in vivo brain slice whole-cell recordings was employed to investigate the excitatory and inhibitory input properties of deep-layer neurons and layer 4(L4)neurons in the auditory cortex. Results A1 L4 neurons exhibited a gain effect in response to bilateral ear stimulation, while deep-layer neurons exhibited an inhibitory effect. When L4 excitatory neurons received input from the ipsilateral deep layers, they primarily reveived excitatory input. When A1 deep excitatory neurons reveived input from the contralateral side, they primarily reveived inhibitory input. Conclusion Mouse A1 neurons exhibit distinct response properties to pure tone stimuli from different sides of ear. Neurons in different layers show significant differences in their excitatory/inhibitory input characteristics when receiving inputs from the ipsilateral or contralateral side. These findings provide new insights and theoretical foundations for further understanding the complex binaural integration mechanisms in the auditory cortex.

Objective To investigate the association between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)and hearing loss, as well as the average thresholds of low-, speech-and high-frequency pure-tone average(PTA), in adults. It is based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005-2010 and 2015-2018. Methods A cross-sectional study design was adopted to include data from the eligible adult population. Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to evaluate the association between NLR and hearing loss. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between NLR and low-frequency, speech-and high-frequency PTA. Smoothing curve fitting was employed to investigate the piecewise linear relationship between NLR and hearing loss, as well as low-frequency, speech and high-frequency PTA. Threshold effect analysis was then used to determine the inflection point. Results The analysis included 5,004 participants. After adjusting for confounding variables, the prevalence of hearing loss increased by 11%(OR=1.11,95%CI:1.02-1.21)for every one-unit increase in NLR, and this difference was statistically significant. NLR was positively correlated with low-frequency, speech, and high-frequency PTA(β=0.78 dB, 0.83 dB, 1.00 dB), and these differences were statistically significant. Smooth curve fitting and threshold effect analysis revealed a piecewise linear relationship between NLR and low-frequency and speech PTA, with an inflection point at 4.19. When NLR<4.19, NLR was positively correlated with low- frequency and speech PTA(β=1.15 dB, 1.16 dB), and the difference was statistically significant. When NLR ≥ 4.19, however, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion An increased NLR is associated with an increased prevalence of hearing loss and a higher hearing threshold in adults. This suggests that the inflammatory response may play an important role in the pathological process of hearing loss. As a potential biomarker for assessing risk, the NLR is exploratory and worthy of further verification in clinical studies.

Objective To investigate the morphological effects of AAV1-GSDMD-GFP virus, containing the gene fragment of the key pyroptosis execution protein Gasdermin D(GSDMD)labeled with green fluorescent protein(GFP), on the stria vascularis(SV)of Gsdmd knockout(Gsdmd ^-/-)mice after cisplatin treatment. Methods Gsdmd ^-/- mice were divided into four groups: Control(Gsdmd ^-/-), blank virus control(Gsdmd ^-/-+AAV1-GFP), cisplatin-treated(Gsdmd ^-/-+Cisplatin), and GSDMD-rescued(Gsdmd ^-/-+AAV1-GSDMD-GFP+Cisplatin). Morphological changes in the SV were analyzed via fluorescence staining(Phalloidin, Kcnq1, and GS-IB₄). Results The Gsdmd ^-/-+Cisplatin group exhibited resistance to cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. However, successful reintroduction of GSDMD via AAV1-GSDMD-GFP resulted in significant morphological abnormalities in the SV, including vascular dendritic fragmentation and cellular structural disruption, indicating that GSDMD restoration reversed the resistance phenotype. Conclusion Resistance to cisplatin ototoxicity in the stria vascularis of Gsdmd ^-/- mice can be reversed by AAV1 backfilling of GSDMD.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of anxiety and depression in patients with chronic frontal sinusitis and to explore whether frontal sinusitis symptoms constitute risk factors for anxiety and depression in patients. Methods A prospective cohort of 126 patientswith confirmed chronic frontal sinusitis was enrolled. All patients were assessed via questionnaires, including the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS), the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS), the symptom visual analog scale(VAS), the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test(SNOT-22), Lund-Mackay CT scoring system, and Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score to assess psychological status, quality of life, and disease severity preoperatively. Results were compared with Chinese standard norms and subjected to statistical analysis. Results Among the 120 effective cases, 27.50% ofpatients exhibited varying degrees of anxiety and 30.00% showed varying degrees of depression prior to surgery. Anxiety and depression levels were significantly higher than the Chinese normative values, with statistically significant differences(t=10.906, P<0.001; t=2.162, P=0.031). There was no significant difference in terms of age, gender, presence of diabetes or hypertension, endoscopic score, or CT score between the normal control subjects and patients with anxiety or depression levels(P>0.05). Nasal itching, tearing, coughing, wheezing, dizziness headaches, and sleep problems are independent risk factors for increased anxiety in patients with chronic frontal sinusitis; nasal discharge, eye redness and swelling, and sleep problems are independent risk factors for increased depression in patients with chronic frontal sinusitis(P<0.05). Conclusion Patients with chronic frontalsinusitis exhibit significantly higher levels of preoperative anxiety and depression compared to the general population. Increased symptom severity elevates anxiety and depression levels, while sleep disturbances serve as a common independent risk factor exacerbating these conditions. Enhanced psychological assessment and intervention are warranted to improve treatment outcomes and patient quality of life.

Objective To investigate the effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia(CIH)on the morphological structure and expression of contraction-related proteins in the styloglossus muscle of rats, and to analyze the regulatory role of serotonin(5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT)in this process. Methods Thirty male Sprague Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into a normoxic control group and a CIH group, which was further subdivided into 3-week(3wCIH), 5-week(5wCIH), and 8-week(8wCIH)exposure groups. At the respective time points, styloglossus muscle tissues were collected, hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe their morphological structure, and immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the protein expression levels of 5-HT, 5-HT 2A receptor, ryanodine receptor(RYR), and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-transporting ATPase(SERCA). Results Compared with the control group, the rats in each CIH group exhibited morphological changes in the styloglossus muscle, such as disordered muscle fiber arrangement, increased spacing, and chaotic distribution of cell nuclei, with the severity of damage increasing with prolonged hypoxia. Immunohistochemical results showed that compared with the control group, the expression of 5-HT(P<0.01)and 5-HT 2A receptor(P<0.05)was upregulated in the 3wCIH group, and was higher than that in the 5wCIH and 8wCIH groups, with statistically significant differences(P<0.001). The expression of RYR in each CIH group(3wCIH, 5wCIH, 8wCIH)showed a continuous downward trend over time, with statistically significant differences(P<0.05). The expression of SERCA decreased in the 5wCIH and 8wCIH groups, with statistically significant differences(P<0.01), showing an overall time-dependent downward trend. Conclusion Long-term CIH can lead to structural damage to the styloglossus muscle, accompanied by the failure of the compensatory mechanism regulated by 5-HTergic nerves and downregulation of calcium-regulatory protein expression, ultimately causing impaired contraction function.

Objective To construct a cuproptosis-related long non-coding ribonucleotide(lncRNA)model and explore its prognostic value in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC), and to preliminarily explore the drug sensitivity of HNSCC patients by drug sensitivity analysis. Methods Transcriptome data, tumor mutation profiles, and clinical information of HNSCC patients were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database. Pearson correlation analysis was used to identify lncRNAs co-expressed with cuproptosis-related gene. Univariate Cox regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression were used to screen the prognostic cuproptosis-related lncRNA(CRL)and establish a prognostic model. The risk score of each patient was calculated, and the median was used as the cutoff to divide the patients into low-risk and high-risk groups for survival difference analysis. Kaplan-Meier(KM)curve, receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve, C-index, and calibration curve were used to evaluate the performance of the prognostic model. Independent prognostic risk factors were identified by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. A predictive nomogram was then constructed based on the risk scores and clinical characteristics. Functional enrichment analysis and immune infiltration analysis were performed to further explore the potential molecular mechanism and biological basis of the prognostic model. Finally, the tumor mutational burden(TMB)and drug sensitivity of patients with different prognosis were analyzed. Results A total of 781 CRLs were identified, and 9 prognostic CRLs were selected and included in the prognostic model. The KM curve showed that the high-risk group was associated with poor prognosis of HNSCC(P<0.05). In the train set, the area under the ROC curves(AUCs)of the CRL prognostic model for 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were 0.694, 0.753, and 0.643, respectively. In addition, the C-index of the model was higher than that of the clinical characteristics. Age, tumor stage, and risk score were independent prognostic risk factors(all P<0.05). Functional enrichment analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes between the low-risk and high-risk groups were mainly enriched in immune-related proteins and functions. Immune infiltration analysis showed that the expression levels of 8 immune cells and 7 immune function scores were higher in the low-risk group. KM curve showed that patients with low TMB + low risk have the best prognosis, and patients with high TMB + high risk have the worst prognosis(P<0.05). Drug sensitivity analysis showed that cisplatin, etoposide, gemcitabine, mitomycin C, sorafenib, and vinorelbine were potential drugs for the treatment of high-risk patients, while rapamycin and phenformin were potential drugs for the treatment of low-risk patients. Conclusion The prognostic prediction model of HNSCC patients based on 9 CRLs can well predict the prognosis of HNSCC patients, and evaluated the sensitivity of patients to chemotherapy drugs to provide a reference for the study of HNSCC treatment.

Objective To study the clinical effect of cyclosporine eye drops combined with sodium hyaluronate eye drops in the treatment of dry eye syndrome. Methods A comprehensive Boolean logic retrieval approach was employed, and the literature retrieval databases included CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed, VIP, Web of Science, etc. The retrieval period spanned from the inception of each database until April 1, 2024. The quality assessment of the included literature was conducted using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. For the meta-analysis, RevMan 5.3 software was utilized; mean deviation(MD)were calculated for continuous variables, while relative risks(RR)were computed for dichotomous variables with separate 5% confidence intervals. Results A total of 17 RCTs were included, and the quality evaluation of all the literatures was grade B. The tear film break-up time(BUT)was higher in the experimental group than that in the control group. There was high heterogeneity among the 17 study groups(I2=99%, P<0.000 01). After removing the literatures with relatively high bias, the result changed to moderate heterogeneity(I2=34%, P<0.000 01), and the differences were all statistically significant. Conclusion Cyclosporine eye drops combined with sodium hyaluronate eye drops have a good therapeutic effect on dry eye syndrome.

Objective This study aims to investigate the accuracy of five intraocular lens power calculation formulas, namely, Haigis, Hoffer Q, Barrett Universal II, SRK/T and Kane, in acute angle-closure glaucoma(AACG)combined with cataract. Methods This study included 56 eyes with AACG and cataracts, which underwent phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation and goniosynechialysis. The refractive prediction error(PE), median absolute error(MedARE), mean absolute error(MAE), root mean square error of approximation(RMSEA), and the proportion of eyes with refractive prediction error(PE)within the ranges of(±0.25),(±0.50),(±0.75),(±1.00)D.Factors influencing refractive prediction error in AACG eyes were analyzed. Results The MAE performance of each formula is as follows: Haigis(0.44 D), Barrett Universal ll(0.55D), Kane(0.60D), SRK/T(0.68D), and Hoffer Q(0.69D). The proportions of eyes with prediction errors within ±0.50 diopters for the five formulas were 71.43%(Haigis),57.14%(Barrett Universal II), 55.36%(Kane), 44.64%(Hoffer Q), and 42.56%(SRK/T). Myopic drift was observed postoperatively for all formulas. Conclusion Among the five artificial lens formulas,Haigis performed the best; Barrett Universal ll and Kane also achieved satisfactory results. lt should be noted that myopia drift may occur after AACG cataract extraction combined with lens implantation and goniosynechialysis.

Objective To investigate changes in retinal and choroidal blood flow density in diabetic retinopathy(DR)of varying severity using ultra-widefield swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography(UWFSS-OCTA). Methods A total of 159 individuals(263 eyes)recruited from Shandong Provincial Hospital were included. Based on DR staging, patients were categorized into the non-diabetic retinopathy(NDR)group(69 eyes), non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR)group(54 eyes), and proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR)group(72eyes). Age-matched healthy controls comprised 68 eyes.Using UWFSS-OCTA to scan fundus images within a 26 mm×21 mm field, the macula was centered and divided into concentric rings of 1-6 mm, 6-15 mm, and 15-21 mm(upper, lower, nasal, and temporal). Measurements were taken for the superficial capillary plexus(SCP), deep capillary plexus(DCP), choroidal thickness(CT), and choroidal perfusion area(CPA). The relationship between retinal vascular density, best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA; expressed as LogMAR), and diabetes duration were analyzed. Results Compared with other groups, the PDR group exhibited reduced SCP and DCP, while the NPDR group showed lower values in certain regions relative to the control group. Both PDR and NPDR groups demonstrated lower CT values than the control group in some regions, with the PDR group also showing lower values than both the control and NDR groups in certain areas. Choroidal blood flow analysis revealed that the PDR group had lower CPA in multiple regions compared to other groups. Diabetes duration was negatively correlated with DCP in some regions and positively correlated with BCVA(LogMAR). Conclusion UWFSS-OCTA clearly demonstrates microcirculatory damage at different stages of diabetic retinopathy, providing crucial technical support for clinical diagnosis and personalized treatment.

Objective The objective of this study is to evaluate the correlation between the hemodynamic parameters of the ophthalmic artery(OA)and the central retinal artery(CRA)in patients diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea(OSA), as well as their apnea-hypopnea index(AHI)and lowest nocturnal oxygen saturation(LSaO₂). Methods Thirty patients diagnosed with severe OSA were included in the study, The study population comprised 27 men and 3 women, with an average age of 43.08±4.86 years. A 1:1 propensity score matching(PSM)procedure was employed to select matched controls from healthy participants recruited during the same period, with the selection based on variables such as age, sex and body mass index(BMI). All subjects underwent full-night polysomnography(PSG), Epworth sleepiness Scale(ESS), intraocular pressure(IOP), and color Doppler ultrasound(CDU)tests. The present study utilised the continuous Doppler ultrasound(CDU)to assess various parameters of ocular blood flow, namely the peak systolic velocity(PSV), the end-diastolic velocity(EDV), the mean flow velocity(MFV), the pulsatility index(PI), and the resistance index(RI)of the ophthalmic artery(OA)and the central retinal artery(CRA).The random number table method was employed to ensure the randomisation of measurements across both eyes. The present study sought to analyse the correlations between hemodynamic parameters and AHI and LSaO₂. Results The IOP of the severe OSA group was found to be statistically higher than that of the control group(t=2.293, q<0.05). In the OSA group, the levels of CRA PSV, CRA EDV, OA PSV and OA EDV were found to be significantly lower(p<0.001;Table 1). The investigation revealed a significant negative correlation between CRA PSV and AHI in the severe OSA group(r=-0.478, P=0.008). Additionally, a similar correlation was observed between CRA PSV and LSaO₂ in the severe OSA group(r=-0.362, P=0.049). Furthermore, the investigation revealed a significant negative correlation between OA PSV and AHI(r=-0.395, P=0.031). In addition, a similar correlation was observed between OA PSV and LSaO₂(r=-0.481, P=0.007). Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that AHI and LSaO₂ independently predicted reductions in CRA PSV in severe OSA patients(b=-0.064, P<0.05; b=-0.067, P<0.05), and LSaO₂ was an independent factor related to reduced OA PSV(b=-0.170, P<0.05). Conclusion Patients diagnosed with severe OSA have been shown to exhibit increased intraocular pressure(IOP)and decreased blood flow velocities in OA and CRA. The degree of hemodynamic abnormalities has been shown to be independently associated with AHI and LSaO₂ levels, suggesting that intermittent chronic hypoxia may have a detrimental effect on the microcirculation of the retinal blood supply.

Pulsatile tinnitus(PT)is a type of rhythmic tinnitus symptom. The pathological mechanism of PT is still unclear, its causes include various diseases such as vascular malformation, sigmoid sinus wall dehiscence/diverticulum, paraganglioma, superior canal dehiscence syndrome, and palatal/middle ear myoclonus, etc. Surgical treatment is the main method of PT, the scope of medical treatment is smaller in comparison. Endovascular stenting, coil embolization and surgical treatment represented by surface reconstruction have been widely used in clinical management. Most of PAD can be significantly reduced or eliminated after treatment, with ideal long-term efficacy and low adverse event rate. However, because the pathogenesis of PT is still unclear, there is no unified opinion for the management of PT, how to clarify the specific cause and choose the corresponding treatment, and whether some treatment methods are suitable for PT still require further research and discussion. This article reviews the literatures related to the treatment of PT in recent years, summarizes the common clinical causes of PT and the research progress of corresponding treatments, aiming to provide reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of PT.

As the gateway to the respiratory tract, the nasal cavity facilitates the filtration of air particles, olfaction, and the heating and humidification of the air through external air exchange. Nasal framework deformation, which primarily affects nasal airflow, refers to abnormalities in the bony and cartilaginous structures of the nasal cavity. Nasal sinus CT, the main diagnostic tool for assessing nasal framework deformation, is clinically used to observe the anatomy of the nasal cavity and sinuses, as well as to analyze nasal airflow dynamics after three-dimensional reconstruction. Recent CT studies have increasingly reported that nasal framework deformation is closely related to the anatomy of the nasal cavity and sinuses. This deformation has been associated with the progression and prognosis of diseases such as chronic rhinosinusitis, silent sinus syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome, unilateral chronic dacryocystitis and upper airway cough syndrome. These findings suggest that nasal framework deformation may play a critical role in developing nasal ventilation-related diseases. This study summarized CT studies on the impact of nasal framework deformation on nasal structure and sinus pneumatization, aiming to provide insights for formulating intervention strategies and guiding future research on nasal framework deformities.

The olfactory system maintains mucosal barrier homeostasis and enables cross-level transmission of olfactory signals through a complex interplay between olfactory sensory neurons, immune cells and support cells. However, pathological conditions such as inflammation and infection can lead to olfactory dysfunction(OD). Although researches have initially revealed the immunological framework of the olfactory mucosa and its association with neuronal regeneration, significant challenges remain in this area of research. These include the mechanisms by which immune cell subsets change phenotype during disease progression, the multifactorial nature of pathogen-mediated pathogenesis, and the limitations of current therapies in reversing fibrotic remodeling and synaptic loss. This review systematically analyses the anatomical and functional basis of the olfactory system, with a focus on the dynamic imbalance of the immune microenvironment in inflammation-induced OD. It also reveals the molecular mechanisms by which pathogens disrupt olfactory signal transduction and evaluates the limitations of current therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, it explores the potential of emerging technologies for translational research. The ultimate goal is to shift the paradigm of olfactory medicine from symptomatic control to functional restoration.

Dry eye is a common multifactorial ocular surface disease that affects millions of people worldwide, and its incidence is increasing with the rapid development of society. Alterations in tear film structure, properties, and ocular surface homeostasis triggered by meibomian gland dysfunction are one of the major factors contributing to dry eye. Treatment modalities include pharmacologic, physical, and surgical interventions. Topical pharmacotherapy options include antimicrobials, lipid-containing artificial tears, anti-inflammatory agents, tear secretion promoters, hormonal ophthalmic preparations, and novel drugs such as perfluorohexyloctane. This article reviews the topical pharmacologic treatment of dry eye associated with meibomian gland dysfunction.