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Objective: The aim of this study is to create a nomogram for accurately predicting the prognosis of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) and provide a reference for clinical treatment.Methods: Three hundred and twenty-three patients with ISSNHL were admitted from September 2014 to November 2020. The clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. Prognostic factors for ISSNHL were assessed based on univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis and used to create a nomogram. Nomogram performance in terms of predictive and discriminatory ability was evaluated by calculating the concordance index (C-index) and generating calibration plots.Results: The overall hearing improvement rate was 41.4%, comprising complete recovery (13.3%), marked recovery (17.0%), and slight recovery (11.1%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, symptoms of vertigo, interval between onset and treatment, low-density lipoprotein, and type of hearing loss were independent predictors of ISSNHL. A nomogram based on these 5 factors had a C index of 0.798 (95% confidence interval 0.750-0.845).Conclusions: Age, vertigo, interval between onset and treatment, low-density lipoprotein level, and type of hearing loss are closely associated with hearing recovery. The nomogram may enable prediction of the prognosis of ISSNHL and facilitate clinical decision-making.

Background:This case series report aimed to present three surgical approaches used for the treatment of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) otorrhea, providing less invasive surgical options for managing this condition. Methods:Clinical data of 26 patients with CSF otorrhea, who underwent treatment using three surgical methods between June 2012 and June 2022, were retrospectively analyzed. The study collected information on patients’ basic demographic characteristics, chief complaints, location of the defect, results of otorrhea endoscopic examination, findings from skull base thin-slice computed tomography (CT) examination, and causes of CSF otorrhea. Postoperative outcomes of CSF otorrhea were followed up. Results:Among the 26 cases of CSF otorrhea, there were 13 (50%) males and 13 (50%) females who underwent treatment using the three surgical methods. The etiology of CSF otorrhea included 10 (38%) cases of spontaneous CSF otorrhea, including 2 (8%) cases of congenital inner ear deformity and 8 (31%) cases without obvious inducement. Additionally, there were 5 (19%) cases of trauma, 6 (23%) cases of cholesteatoma complications, 3 (12%) cases of postoperative complications of brain tumor, 1 (4%) case of radiotherapy, and 1 (4%) case of a malignant tumor. A total of 12 (46%) cases of CSF otorrhea were treated by local repair of the defect. Furthermore, 3 (12%) cases underwent local repair of the defect combined with sealing of the tympanic sinus entrance, while 11 (42%) cases underwent local repair of the defect combined with sealing of the eustachian tube and the external auditory canal. No recurrence of CSF otorrhea was observed during the 6-month to 10-year follow-up period after surgery. Conclusion:The three methods for CSF otorrhea, including local defect repair, local defect repair combined with sealing of the tympanic sinus entrance, and sealing of the eustachian tube and the external auditory canal, demonstrated successful outcomes in appropriately selected patients.

Introduction: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is associated with atherosclerosis. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a manifestation of atherosclerosis in lower extremity arteries. No systematic review addressing the relationship between PAD and SDB was found. We performed this study aimed to summarize the relationship between SDB and PAD described in current clinical studies.Material and Methods: PubMed and Embase electronic databases were searched for clinical articles (published before 3 April, 2019) describing studies that evaluated the association between SDB and PAD. We showed the results involved in the association in clinical studies.Results: In total, 8 clinical studies have been included, and most of them were cross-sectional studies. Six articles demonstrated the coexistence of SDB and PAD, evidenced by high prevalence of SDB in patients with PAD and vice versa. Meanwhile, the included studies exhibited independent positive associations between SDB or sleep parameters and PAD after adjusting for multiple confounders.Conclusion: From present clinical prospective, positive association between SDB and PAD was shown. More prospective, randomized controlled studies are needed to establish the cause–effect relationships involved.

Objectives: To determine the efficacy and safety of a novel bougie for the removal of esophageal coins lodged in the proximal esophagus.Subjects and Methods: This was an observational study. Medical records were reviewed of patients who were confirmed with esophageal coins between July 2015 and October 2016 in our department. Sixty-three patients, upper esophageal coins were confirmed by radiographs, were treated by using this novel bougie to remove esophageal coins.Results: A total of 63 children were enrolled in this study. Sixty coins (95%) were removed successfully. The coin was extracted on the first attempt in 56 cases (89%), the second attempt in 3 cases (5%), and the third attempt in 1 case (2%). Two coins retained in the esophagus underwent endoscopy. In the remaining patient, the coin passed into the stomach and was confirmed to be passed in the stool within 48 hours. No serious complications occurred in any subject.Conclusions: Our novel bougie procedure is likely a safe, highly efficient approach to managing esophageal coins given that no serious complications of the 63 patients were reported. This simple technique may provide another valuable option to physicians.

Loss of hair cells in mammals including human beings causes permanent hearing loss because the cochlea cannot regenerate hair cells spontaneously. Here we show that the newborn mouse cochleae contain sphere-forming cells that have the capacity for proliferation in culture, differentiating to form cells that express hair cell markers. When treated with epidermal growth factor or basic fibroblast growth factor, the number of spheres formed increases. The sphere cells express genes that are indicative of inner ear progenitor cells. After differentiation, some sphere cells grow a hair cell bundle-like structure that expresses hair cell marker myosin VIIA and espin. The sphere-forming cells being capable of differentiating into hair cell-like cells implies the possibility of using these sphere-forming cells for reconstructing the damaged cochlear hair cells.

Moringa oleiferaL. (MO), known for its nutritional and medicinal value, has strong anti-proliferative effects on various types of cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-proliferative properties of MO extracts using head and neck cancer (HNC) cell lines, CNE-1 and CAL27. Sixteen MO extracts from seeds, roots, stems, and leaves were prepared with water and different concentration of ethanol (50, 70 and 90%). Total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC, TFC) and the antioxidant activity of these extracts were analyzed. The results showed that the aqueous extracts (MOL) had the highest antioxidant activities in leaf, while 70% ethanol extracts (MOS, MOR, MOSt) had the highest antioxidant values in other parts (seeds, roots, and stems). Furthermore, all MO extracts had significant anti-cancer effects on HNC cells. The corresponding IC50values of MOSt, MOL, MOR, MOS were 0.135, 0.298, 1.07, and 1.10 mg/mL in CNE-1 cells and 0.163, 0.251, 1.19, and 1.22 mg/mL in CAL27 cells, respectively. MO extracts inhibited the proliferation of HNC cells by inducing apoptosis. Particularly, MOSt had the strongest apoptotic induction, followed by MOL. These results indicated that MO extracts have a potential antioxidant capacity and may be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of HNC.