Genetically modified pigs:Emerging animal models for hereditary hearing loss

Hereditary hearing loss(HHL),a genetic disorder that impairs auditory function,significantly affects quality of life and incurs substantial economic losses for society.To investigate the underlying causes of HHL and evaluate therapeutic outcomes,appropriate animal models are necessary.Pigs have been extensively used as valuable large animal models in biomedical research.In this review,we highlight the advantages of pig models in terms of ear anatomy,inner ear morphology,and electrophysiological characteristics,as well as recent advancements in the development of distinct genetically modified porcine models of hearing loss.Additionally,we discuss the prospects,challenges,and recommendations regarding the use pig models in HHL research.Overall,this review provides insights and perspectives for future studies on HHL using porcine models.

DeepBio:A Deep CNN and Bi-LSTM Learning for Person Identification Using Ear Biometrics

The identification of individuals through ear images is a prominent area of study in the biometric sector.Facial recognition systems have faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic due to mask-wearing,prompting the exploration of supplementary biometric measures such as ear biometrics.The research proposes a Deep Learning(DL)framework,termed DeepBio,using ear biometrics for human identification.It employs two DL models and five datasets,including IIT Delhi(IITD-I and IITD-II),annotated web images(AWI),mathematical analysis of images(AMI),and EARVN1.Data augmentation techniques such as flipping,translation,and Gaussian noise are applied to enhance model performance and mitigate overfitting.Feature extraction and human identification are conducted using a hybrid approach combining Convolutional Neural Networks(CNN)and Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory(Bi-LSTM).The DeepBio framework achieves high recognition rates of 97.97%,99.37%,98.57%,94.5%,and 96.87%on the respective datasets.Comparative analysis with existing techniques demonstrates improvements of 0.41%,0.47%,12%,and 9.75%on IITD-II,AMI,AWE,and EARVN1 datasets,respectively.

基于EAR算法的司机疲劳驾驶检测系统

为有效减少司机疲劳驾驶导致的交通事故发生率,设计了一套基于EAR算法的司机疲劳驾驶检测系统。系统由硬件和软件两部分构成。硬件部分包括STM32单片机、OLED12864液晶显示模块、DS18B20温度传感器模块、光电测速传感器模块、CN-TTS语音播报模块、ESP8266数据存储和传输模块以及K210人脸识别模块。软件部分采用EAR检测算法进行疲劳检测。通过单片机和手机上运行的APP双端监测,系统能够实时监测司机状态,在司机出现疲劳特征时发出提醒,从而有效避免疲劳驾驶带来的安全隐患。经测试,系统的综合准确率达到92.4%,能够有效提醒司机避免疲劳驾驶。

Techniques for otosclerosis surgery: Ear surgery from the microscope to the endoscope - A literature review

Stapes surgery is the gold standard for managing otosclerosis.It has become increasingly appreciated to perform endoscopic ear surgery worldwide as the field of endoscopy expands.In basic terms,a stapes surgery intends to restore ossicular mobility and therefore improve sound energy transduction into the inner ear,thereby improving communication and sound amplification and bringing hearing levels back to acceptable levels.The aim of the study is to analyze surgical techniques comparing microscopic and endoscopic approaches for stapes surgery.The perspectives of Surgical Pioneers in Early Stapes Surgery and the contemporary development of surgical technology will be explored as well.Specifically,this study compiles well-documented,reliable information concerning the surgical outcomes for the endoscopic approach to stapes surgery and the results of recent studies.

Review of 6 Years of Middle Ear Surgery in the ENT-Laryngology Department of the Donka National Hospital and a Literature Review

Introduction: Middle ear surgery is increasingly performed in our department. Our goal was to take stock of this activity in the ENT department of the Donka National Hospital. Equipment and Methods: It was a descriptive and retrospective study;it involved 71 patients’ records operated from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2023. We included the files of patients who had a middle ear surgery including the post-operative report and follow-up. Incomplete or illegible records were excluded. The parameters studied were epidemiological, otoscopic, tomodensitometric, surgical indications, surgical techniques and results. Results: We recorded 71 middle ear surgeries out of 548 ENT surgeries, the prevalence was 12.96%. The average age was 23 years (type-deviation = 17, 29 years) with extremes of 3 to 75 years. According to the preoperative audiometry, the deafness was medium (48.8%), mild (36.9%) and severe (14.3%). The operative indications were among others: perforation of the tympanic sequellar (52.5%), chronic otomastoiditis (23.8%), cholesteatoma (15%) and seromuqueous otitis (8.7%). We performed 70 tympanoplasties (90.9%), 50 mastoidectomies (64.9%) and 7 trans-tympanic aerators (9.1%). One month after surgery, the neotympanum was constituted in 86%, and the hearing gain was between 11 and 15 dB in 18.3% of cases. Conclusion: Middle ear surgery was infrequent. Young subjects are the most concerned. Tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy are the main surgical techniques. The anatomical and functional results are appreciable.

Evaluation of Ear and Facial Indices of Ibibio and Efik Female Children of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, Nigeria

Background: The ear and face are indispensable and distinctive features for hearing and identification. Objectives: This study was designed to generate anthropometric data of the ear and facial indices of females of Efik and Ibibio children in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, show morphological and aesthetic differences and ethnicity. Methods: A total of 600 female children (300 Efiks and 300 Ibibios) aged 2 to 10 years that met the inclusion criteria were chosen from selected primary schools in Calabar Municipality, Calabar South of Cross River State and from Uyo, Itu of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Standardized measurements of face length, face width, ear length, and ear width were taken with a spreading caliper;the facial (proscopic) and ear (auricular) indices were determined. Results: Efik subjects presented a mean face length of 8.36 ± 0.06 cm, face width of 11.04 ± 0.04 cm, ear length of 4.92 ± 0.02 cm, and ear width of 3.06 ± 0.01 cm. Ibibio subjects had mean values for face length, face width, ear length, and ear width as 8.17 ± 0.05 cm, 10.75 ± 0.05 cm, 4.77 ± 0.03 cm, and 2.94 ± 0.02 cm respectively. The mean facial index and ear index for Efik subjects were 75.68 ± 0.31 and 62.16 ± 0.27 respectively;while the mean facial and ear indices for Ibibio subjects were 74.79 ± 0.36 and 61.80 ± 0.34 respectively. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant differences in face length, ear length, ear width and facial index, with the Efik subjects having higher values than Ibibio subjects (p Conclusion: The results showed hypereuryproscopic face as the prevalent face type among females of both ethnic groups, therefore can be of importance in sex, ethnic, and racial differentiation, and in clinical practice, aesthetics and forensic medicine.

Preliminary study of the role of inner ear proteins in vestibular neuritis

Objective:To evaluate the plasma levels of the otoconial proteins,otoconin-90 and otolin-1,in individuals diagnosed with vestibular neuritis(VN)and determine the feasibility of using these proteins as biomarkers for VN.Methods:In this preliminary study,30 patients diagnosed with VN and 70 healthy individuals were recruited and followed to confirm whether they had benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV)during the following time.The recorded data included measurements of height,weight,and history of diabetes mellitus or hypertension.Additionally,levels of plasma otoconin-90,and otolin-1 were measured and compared.Results:The plasma concentrations of otoconin-90 and otolin-1 may not be significantly different between patients with VN and healthy controls,nor among patients with BPPV secondary to VN and patients with VN without BPPV.Conclusions:Plasma otoconin-90 and otolin-1 levels may not serve as biomarkers of acute VN episodes or predict BPPV occurrence secondary to VN.

The environment,especially the minimum temperature,affects summer maize grain yield by regulating ear differentiation and grain development

Ear differentiation,grain development and their interaction with factors in the growing environment,such as temperature,solar radiation and precipitation,greatly influence grain number and grain weight,and ultimately affect summer maize production.In this study,field experiments involving different sowing dates were conducted over three years to evaluate the effects of temperature factors,average solar radiation and total precipitation on the growth process,ear differentiation,fertilization characteristics,grain filling and yield of summer maize varieties with different growth durations.Four hybrids were evaluated in Huang-Huai-Hai Plain(HHHP),China from 2018 to 2020 with five different sowing dates.The results showed that the grain yield formation of summer maize was strongly impacted by the environment from the silking(R1)to milking(R3)stage.Average minimum temperature(AT_(min))was the key environmental factor that determined yield.Reductions in the length of the growing season(r=–0.556,P<0.01)and the total floret number on ear(R^(2)=0.200,P<0.001)were found when AT_(min) was elevated from the emerging(VE)to R1 stage.Both grain-filling rate(R^(2)=0.520,P<0.001)and the floret abortion rate on ear(R^(2)=0.437,P<0.001)showed quadratic relationships with AT_(min) from the R1 to physiological maturity(R6)stage,while the number of days after the R1 stage(r=–0.756,P<0.01)was negatively correlated with AT_(min).An increase in AT_(min) was beneficial for the promotion of yield when it did not exceeded a certain level(above 23°C during the R1–R3 stage and 20–21°C during the R1-R6 stage).Enhanced solar radiation and precipitation during R1–R6 increased the grain-filling rate(R^(2)=0.562,P<0.001 and R^(2)=0.229,P<0.05,respectively).Compared with short-season hybrids,full-season hybrids showed much greater suitability for a critical environment.The coordinated regulation of AT_(min),ear differentiation and grain development at the pre-and post-silking stages improved maize yield by increasing total floret number and grain-filling rate,and by reducing the floret abortion rate on ear.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Middle Ear: Case Report and Literature Review

Malignant tumors originating from the middle ear are rare. The literature identifies chronic inflammation and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection as the most common risk factors. A CT scan to assess bony invasion and an MRI to evaluate soft tissue involvement, depth of invasion, and perineural invasion, followed by a biopsy, are indispensable for diagnosis and treatment. There is no standard treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the middle ear, however, most reported cases are treated with surgical resection followed by postoperative radiotherapy. Given the challenges of achieving complete surgical excision, radiotherapy plays a crucial role in controlling middle ear cancers, as demonstrated in our case. We present a case of squamous cell carcinoma of the middle ear in a 63-year-old female with a history of chronic suppurative otitis media. The patient underwent a right subtotal petrosectomy without lymph node dissection followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy. At the one-year follow visit, no recurrence or metastasis was detected.

m^(6)A modification of lncRNA in middle ear cholesteatoma

Objective:Middle ear cholesteatoma is a non-tumorous condition that typically leads to hearing loss,bone destruction,and other severe complications.Despite surgery being the primary treatment,the recurrence rate remains high.Therefore,exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying cholesteatoma is crucial for discovering new therapeutic approaches.This study aims to explore the involvement of N6-methyladenosine(m^(6)A)methylation in long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)in the biological functions and related pathways of middle ear cholesteatoma.Methods:The m^(6)A modification patterns of lncRNA in middle ear cholesteatoma tissues(n=5)and normal post-auricular skin tissues(n=5)were analyzed using an lncRNA m^(6)A transcriptome microarray.Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analyses were conducted to identify potential biological functions and signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of middle ear cholesteatoma.Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation(MeRIP)-PCR was used to validate the m^(6)A modifications in cholesteatoma and normal skin tissues.Results:Compared with normal skin tissues,1525 lncRNAs were differentially methylated in middle ear cholesteatoma tissues,with 1048 showing hypermethylation and 477 showing hypomethylation[fold change(FC)≥3 or<1/3,P<0.05].GO enrichment analysis indicated that hypermethylated lncRNAs were involved in protein phosphatase inhibitor activity,neuron-neuron synapse,and regulation ofα-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid(AMPA)receptor activity.Hypomethylated lncRNAs were associated with mRNA methyltransferase activity,secretory granule membrane,and mRNA methylation.KEGG analysis revealed that hypermethylated lncRNAs were mainly associated with 5 pathways:the Hedgehog signaling pathway,viral protein interaction with cytokines and cytokine receptors,mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling pathway,cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction,and adrenergic signaling in cardiomyocytes.Hypomethylated lncRNAs were mainly involved in 4 pathways:Renal cell carcinoma,tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway,transcriptional misregulation in cancer,and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction.Additionally,MeRIP-PCR confirmed the changes in m^(6)A methylation levels in NR_033339,NR_122111,NR_130744,and NR_026800,consistent with microarray analysis.Real-time PCR also confirmed the significant upregulation of MAPK1 and NF-κB,key genes in the MAPK signaling pathway.Conclusion:This study reveals the m^(6)A modification patterns of lncRNAs in middle ear cholesteatoma,suggests a direction for further research into the role of lncRNA m^(6)A modification in the etiology of cholesteatoma.The findings provide potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of middle ear cholesteatoma.

Ear keloid and epidermal cyst following auricular cartilage harvest for rhinoplasty:A case report

BACKGROUND This case report highlights a rare instance of concurrent keloid and epidermal cyst development at an ear cartilage harvest site following rhinoplasty in a 25-year-old woman.Both conditions,which typically stem from skin trauma,seldom occur together,demonstrating the exceptional characteristics of this case.CASE SUMMARY The patient underwent successful surgical removal of both the keloid and the epidermal cyst.Postoperative treatment included the use of silicone sheets,gel,and oral tranilast to reduce scarring.No recurrence was observed over a 6-mo follow-up period,indicating effective management of the condition.CONCLUSION The effective management of complex skin trauma cases underscores the need for individualized treatment strategies in plastic surgery.

Effects of Drilling in Mastoid Cavity over Hearing in the Contralateral Ear

In advanced otological surgeries, powered instruments form an indispensable part. The risk of deterioration to hearing in the operated ear is a commonly discussed issue, however, there remains a possibility of affecting the hearing in the contralateral ear due to transcranial vibration. So in this study we aimed to assess the possibility of the non-operated ear being affected by the noise generated during ear surgeries and whether it is temporary or permanent in nature. Methodology: This study included 63 patients diagnosed with unilateral disease who underwent mastoid surgery. Preoperatively all the patients were subjected to Pure tone audiometry (PTA), Transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) and Distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE). Patients were operated using both cutting and diamond burrs of ranging from sizes 1 - 6 mm. Total drilling time was recorded. Results: Post-operative hearing evaluation was done at 1 week, 4 weeks and 12 weeks. The sound emitted by various burrs was recorded by Sound Level Meter. Out of the total 58 patients that followed up, 46 showed change in at least one of the hearing parameters. Patients showing changes had a higher drilling time as compared to those with no changes. Of these, the changes associated with the total drilling time and with cutting burr time were found to be significant. The hearing changes seen on PTA, TEOAE and DPOAE were transient in nature with only one patient having a persistent decreased high frequency threshold at the end of 12 weeks. It was also found that cutting burrs produce more sound as compared to diamond burrs and a larger size burr of a type produces more sound than a smaller one of its type. Conclusion: The drilling of mastoid bone during ear surgeries can transiently impair the hearing in the contralateral ear which is of great significance in patients with only one hearing ear.

Bilateral Middle Fossa Floor Meningiomas Invading the Middle Ear

This case is a 49-year-old female patient who presented with suspected eustachian tube dysfunction symptoms that were refractory to medical treatment. She presented with conductive hearing loss and aural fullness on the left. A physical exam revealed an epitympanic fleshy mass in the middle ear with effusion. Imaging with MRI and CT showed opacification of the epitympanum with surrounding bony demineralization bilaterally left greater than right and significant thinning versus dehiscence of the tegmen mastoideum and tympani on the left with only thinning of the tegmen on the right. An MR temporal bone with and without contrast, demonstrated enhancement of the left middle ear extending to the tegmen and corresponding enhancement of the dura along the floor of the left middle cranial fossa as well as extending along foramen ovale into the infratemporal fossa. There was to a lesser degree similar appearance on the right. A biopsy of the middle ear mass on the left revealed meningioma. This case highlights the need to widen your differential with common symptoms when they are refractory to treatment.

Endoscopic push through tragal cartilage tympanoplasty: A 10-year retrospective review of our technique and outcomes

BACKGROUND Endoscopic ear surgery(EES)provides a magnified,high-definition view of the otological surgical field.EES allows otologists to avoid surgical incisions and associated postoperative complications.It is an ideal technique for the perfor-mance and teaching of tympanoplasty.AIM To examine the efficacy of total Endoscopic Push Through Tragal Cartilage Tympanoplasty(EPTTCT),at our institution over a 10-year period.METHODS A retrospective analysis of 168 cases of EPTTCT for closure of small to medium tympanic membrane perforations from 2013-2023 was conducted.Patient sex,age range(pediatric vs adult),etiology of injury,success rate,complications,and postoperative hearing status were collected.RESULTS Graft uptake results indicated success in 94%of patients,with less than a 2%complication rate.Postoperative pure tone audiometry demonstrated hearing status improvement in 69%of patients.CONCLUSION EPTTCT has been shown to be effective in tympanic membrane perforation closures with minimal complications.This study further demonstrates the efficacy and safety of these procedures in a single-center review.

Evaluation of the Effect and Efficiency of Ear Tip Bloodletting Combined with Xianfang Huoming Yin in the Treatment of Early-Stage Wheals

Objective:To evaluate the effect and efficiency of ear tip bloodletting combined with Xianfang Huoming Yin(XFH)in the treatment of early-stage wheals.Methods:70 patients with early-stage wheals admitted from September 2020 to September 2022 were divided into two groups by randomized numerical table method,with 35 cases/group.Both groups received conventional treatment,the control group combined with XFH,and the observation group combined with ear tip bloodletting therapy and XFH.Conscious symptom scores,ocular indexes,therapeutic effects,and sleep quality between the two groups were compared.Results:After the treatment,the patients in the observation group had lower self-awareness symptom scores and sleep quality scores as compared to those in the control group;the diameter of the mass in the observation group was smaller than that of the control group after treatment;the average tear film rupture time and the time taken for the first non-contact tear film to rupture were longer in the observation group than those in the control group;the total effective rate of the treatment in the observation group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Ear tip bloodletting combined with XFH was ideal for the treatment of early-stage wheals and has a high effective rate.

养殖RFID测温定位电子耳标研究——基于智慧农业区块链

首先,介绍了区块链和物联网技术在智慧农业应用的概念;然后,基于结构、温度传感器、RSSI定位和天线等多个模块实现了对测温定位电子耳标的设计;最后,为了验证该RFID测温定位电子耳标的性能,设计了一套放养羊群的养殖信息监测系统,对每只羊的实际位置和体温进行监测。测试结果表明:系统可以准确测量山羊的体温和位置,响应快,稳定性高,符合设计需求。

苹果MdMYB32通过自身EAR抑制序列抑制花青苷的生物合成

【目的】研究苹果MYB转录因子家族MdMYB32的生物学信息、表达水平及其在花青苷合成中的功能,旨在为进一步完善花青苷合成代谢机理提供参考。【方法】以新疆红肉苹果杂种一代优系为试材,克隆MdMYB32,分析其进化树和蛋白序列;测定其在不同果实及在不同胁迫处理下的表达水平,通过转基因验证其在花青苷合成中的功能,并通过酵母单杂交分析其互作关系。【结果】qRT-PCR分析表明MdMYB32在花青苷含量高的‘红脆9号’苹果中表达水平较低,而在花青苷含量低的‘红脆6号’苹果中表达水平较高,与花青苷含量呈负相关;且盐胁迫和冷胁迫均能抑制MdMYB32的表达;在进化上,MdMYB32与AtMYB32,MdMYB16和AtMYB4在同一个进化枝上,且MdMYB32蛋白序列在C端含有一个EAR抑制序列;在红肉愈伤中过表达MdMYB32能够抑制ANS的表达水平,降低花青苷含量,而过表达切除EAR抑制序列后的LESMdMYB32后,不能明显改变ANS的表达水平和花青苷含量;酵母单杂交和Chip-PCR分析表明MdMYB32和LESMdMYB32均能够结合ANS的启动子。【结论】MdMYB32能够结合ANS启动子,并通过自身EAR抑制序列抑制花青苷的生物合成。

基于小波包和EAR模型的铣削颤振特征提取和评价

在本文中，设计用振动信号来监控加工过程，提出了一种基于小波包变换的颤振特征提取方法，并实现了颤振特征的自动提取．基于颤振的极限环特性，建立了信号的ＥＡＲ模型．通过ＥＡＲ模型，提出了确定重构信号所需特征小波包数的方法，并评价了小波包颤振特振提取的可行性。通过实测信号分析，验证了以上方法。

在EaR限制下的动态投资组合选择

在完备的多维扩散过程的市场模型(模型系数是依赖于时间的广义 Black-Scholes 市场模型)假设下,考虑了连续时间均值-风险型证券投资组合策略选择问题.用终端财富的在险收益(earnings at risk,EaR)作为风险度量标准,分别在允许卖空和不允许卖空两种情况下,获得了均值-EaR 型投资组合策略选择问题的最优解和有效边界的显式表达式.

Voltage property analysis of piezoelectric floating mass actuator used in middle ear implant

Aiming at a kind of middle ear implant（MEI）, the driving voltage of a piezoelectric floating mass actuator is analyzed using a 0. 7Pb （Mg1/3Nb2/3） O3-0. 3PbTiO3 （ PMN- 30% PT）stack as a new type of vibrator. For the purpose of facilitating the analysis, a simplified coupling model of the ossicular chain and the piezoelectric actuator is constructed. First, a finite element model of a human middle ear is constructed by reverse engineering technology, and the validity of this model is confirmed by comparing the simulated motion of the stapes footplate obtained by this model with experimental measurements. Then the displacement impedance of the incus long process is analyzed, and a single mass-spring-damper equivalent model of the ossicular chain attached with the clamp is derived. Finally, a simplified coupling model of the ossicular chain and the piezoelectric actuator is established and used to analyze the driving voltage property of the actuator. The results show that the required driving voltage decreases with the increase in the frequency, and the maximum required driving voltage is 20. 9 V in the voice frequencies. However, in the mid-high frequencies where most sensorineural hearing loss occurs, the maximum required driving voltage is 3.8 V, which meets the low-voltage and low-power requirements of the MEI.