Inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome attenuates spiral ganglion neuron degeneration in aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss

Aminoglycosides are a widely used class of antibacterials renowned for their effectiveness and broad antimicrobial spectrum.However,their use leads to irreversible hearing damage by causing apoptosis of hair cells as their direct target.In addition,the hearing damage caused by aminoglycosides involves damage of spiral ganglion neurons upon exposure.To investigate the mechanisms underlying spiral ganglion neuron degeneration induced by aminoglycosides,we used a C57BL/6J mouse model treated with kanamycin.We found that the mice exhibited auditory deficits following the acute loss of outer hair cells.Spiral ganglion neurons displayed hallmarks of pyroptosis and exhibited progressive degeneration over time.Transcriptomic profiling of these neurons showed significant upregulation of genes associated with inflammation and immune response,particularly those related to the NLRP3 inflammasome.Activation of the canonical pyroptotic pathway in spiral ganglion neurons was observed,accompanied by infiltration of macrophages and the release of proinflammatory cytokines.Pharmacological intervention targeting NLRP3 using Mcc950 and genetic intervention using NLRP3 knockout ameliorated spiral ganglion neuron degeneration in the injury model.These findings suggest that NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis plays a role in aminoglycoside-induced spiral ganglion neuron degeneration.Inhibition of this pathway may offer a potential therapeutic strategy for treating sensorineural hearing loss by reducing spiral ganglion neuron degeneration.

Evaluating foot reflexology as a proposed treatment for sensorineural hearing loss:A critical review

This editorial critically evaluates the application of foot reflexology as a treatment for sensorineural hearing loss(SNHL)in infants,as proposed in a case report published in the World of Clinical Cases.SNHL is a condition characterized by damage to the cochlea or the neural pathways that transmit auditory information to the brain.The etiology of SNHL is often complex,involving genetic mutations,prenatal factors,or perinatal insults.Reflexology,an alternative therapy involving the application of pressure to specific points on the feet,is based on the hypothesis that these points correspond to different organs and systems in the body,including the auditory system.However,the biological plausibility and clinical efficacy of foot reflexology in addressing SNHL lack empirical support.This editorial examines the pathophysiology of SNHL,assesses the clinical claims of reflexology practitioners,and emphasizes the necessity of evidence-based approaches in treating infant hearing loss.While complementary therapies may provide ancillary benefits,they should not supplant validated medical treatments in managing SNHL in infants.Further research is needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of foot reflexology and other alternative therapies in pediatric audiology.

Acquired sensorineural hearing loss,oxidative stress,and microRNAs

Hearing loss is the third leading cause of human disability.Age-related hearing loss,one type of acquired sensorineural hearing loss,is largely responsible for this escalating global health burden.Noise-induced,ototoxic,and idiopathic sudden sensorineural are other less common types of acquired hearing loss.The etiology of these conditions is complex and multi-fa ctorial involving an interplay of genetic and environmental factors.Oxidative stress has recently been proposed as a likely linking cause in most types of acquired sensorineural hearing loss.Short non-coding RNA sequences known as microRNAs(miRNAs)have increasingly been shown to play a role in cellular hypoxia and oxidative stress responses including promoting an apoptotic response.Sensory hair cell death is a central histopathological finding in sensorineural hearing loss.As these cells do not regenerate in humans,it underlies the irreversibility of human age-related hearing loss.Ovid EMBASE,Ovid MEDLINE,Web of Science Core Collection,and ClinicalTrials.gov databases over the period August 1,2018 to July 31,2023 were searched with"hearing loss,""hypoxamiRs,""hypoxia,""microRNAs,""ischemia,"and"oxidative stress"text words for English language primary study publications or registered clinical trials.Registe red clinical trials known to the senior author we re also assessed.A total of 222studies were thus identified.After excluding duplicates,editorials,retra ctions,secondary research studies,and non-English language articles,39 primary studies and clinical trials underwent full-text screening.This resulted in 11 animal,in vitro,and/or human subject journal articles and 8 registered clinical trial database entries which form the basis of this narrative review.MiRNAs miR-34a and miR-29b levels increase with age in mice.These miRNAs were demonstrated in human neuroblastoma and murine cochlear cell lines to target Sirtuin 1/peroxisome proliferato r-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1-alpha(SIRT1/P GC-1α),SIRT1p53,and SIRT1/hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha signaling pathways resulting in increased apoptosis.Furthermore,hypoxia and oxidative stress had a similar adve rse apoptotic effect,which was inhibited by resve ratrol and a myocardial inhibitorassociated transcript,a miR-29b competing endogenous mRNA.Gentamicin reduced miR-182-5p levels and increased cochlear oxidative stress and cell death in mice-an effect that was corrected by inner ear stem cell-derived exosomes.There is ongoing work seeking to determine if these findings can be effectively translated to humans.

Force and impulse multi-sensor based on flexible gate dielectric field effect transistor

Nowadays,force sensors play an important role in industrial production,electronic information,medical health,and many other fields.Two-dimensional material-based filed effect transistor(2D-FET)sensors are competitive with nano-level size,lower power consumption,and accurate response.However,few of them has the capability of impulse detection which is a path function,expressing the cumulative effect of the force on the particle over a period of time.Herein we fabricated the flexible polymethyl methacrylate(PMMA)gate dielectric MoS_(2)-FET for force and impulse sensor application.We systematically investigated the responses of the sensor to constant force and varying forces,and achieved the conversion factors of the drain current signals(I_(ds))to the detected impulse(I).The applied force was detected and recorded by I_(ds)with a low power consumption of~30 nW.The sensitivity of the device can reach~8000%and the 4×1 sensor array is able to detect and locate the normal force applied on it.Moreover,there was almost no performance loss for the device as left in the air for two months.

Is it possible to foot reflexology for infants with sensorineural hearing loss?

Foot reflexology is a non-invasive and safe complementary therapy that works by massaging the reflex zones of the feet and exerts systemic or whole-body regulation through meridian nerve conduction.This therapy is commonly used in the treatment of various conditions such as autism and Parkinson's disease.However,there is limited reporting on the use of foot reflexology therapy for infants with sensorineural hearing loss(SNHL).Currently,there is no definitive conclusion on how foot reflexology therapy can influence hearing.This editorial holds some guiding significance regarding this clinical issue.The aim is to present physiological evidence of how foot reflexology therapy can impact infants with SNHL,thereby enhancing clinician’s awareness of foot reflexology in treating infants with SNHL.

Tranylcypromine upregulates Sestrin 2 expression to ameliorate NLRP3-related noise-induced hearing loss

Noise-induced hearing loss is the primary non-genetic factor contributing to auditory dysfunction.However,there are currently no effective pharmacological interventions for patients with noise-induced hearing loss.Here,we present evidence suggesting that the lysine-specific demethylase 1 inhibitor–tranylcypromine is an otoprotective agent that could be used to treat noise-induced hearing loss,and elucidate its underlying regulatory mechanisms.We established a mouse model of permanent threshold shift hearing loss by exposing the mice to white broadband noise at a sound pressure level of 120 d B for 4 hours.We found that tranylcypromine treatment led to the upregulation of Sestrin2(SESN2)and activation of the autophagy markers light chain 3B and lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein 1 in the cochleae of mice treated with tranylcypromine.The noise exposure group treated with tranylcypromine showed significantly lower average auditory brainstem response hearing thresholds at click,4,8,and 16 k Hz frequencies compared with the noise exposure group treated with saline.These findings indicate that tranylcypromine treatment resulted in increased SESN2,light chain 3B,and lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein 1 expression after noise exposure,leading to a reduction in levels of 4-hydroxynonenal and cleaved caspase-3,thereby reducing noise-induced hair cell loss.Additionally,immunoblot analysis demonstrated that treatment with tranylcypromine upregulated SESN2 expression via the autophagy pathway.Tranylcypromine treatment also reduced the production of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domaincontaining 3(NLRP3)production.In conclusion,our results showed that tranylcypromine treatment ameliorated cochlear inflammation by promoting the expression of SESN2,which induced autophagy,thereby restricting NLRP3-related inflammasome signaling,alleviating cochlear hair cell loss,and protecting hearing function.These findings suggest that inhibiting lysine-specific demethylase 1 is a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing hair cell loss and noise-induced hearing loss.

Alternative Strategy for Development of Dielectric Calcium Copper Titanate‑Based Electrolytes for Low‑Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

The development of low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells(LT-SOFCs)is of significant importance for realizing the widespread application of SOFCs.This has stimulated a substantial materials research effort in developing high oxide-ion conductivity in the electrolyte layer of SOFCs.In this context,for the first time,a dielectric material,CaCu_(3)Ti_(4)O_(12)(CCTO)is designed for LT-SOFCs electrolyte application in this study.Both individual CCTO and its heterostructure materials with a p-type Ni_(0.8)Co_(0.15)Al_(0.05)LiO_(2−δ)(NCAL)semiconductor are evaluated as alternative electrolytes in LT-SOFC at 450–550℃.The single cell with the individual CCTO electrolyte exhibits a power output of approximately 263 mW cm^(-2) and an open-circuit voltage(OCV)of 0.95 V at 550℃,while the cell with the CCTO–NCAL heterostructure electrolyte capably delivers an improved power output of approximately 605 mW cm^(-2) along with a higher OCV over 1.0 V,which indicates the introduction of high hole-conducting NCAL into the CCTO could enhance the cell performance rather than inducing any potential short-circuiting risk.It is found that these promising outcomes are due to the interplay of the dielectric material,its structure,and overall properties that led to improve electrochemical mechanism in CCTO–NCAL.Furthermore,density functional theory calculations provide the detailed information about the electronic and structural properties of the CCTO and NCAL and their heterostructure CCTO–NCAL.Our study thus provides a new approach for developing new advanced electrolytes for LT-SOFCs.

基于Focal Loss改进LightGBM的供水管网毛刺数据检测

针对数据不平衡导致的管网毛刺数据检测召回率偏低问题,提出一种Focal Loss改进LightGBM的管网毛刺数据检测方法。首先,结合管网毛刺数据的特点,针对性构造邻域相关特征。其次,将Focal Loss函数引入LightGBM,提高模型对难以检测的毛刺样本的权重,并对Focal Loss不同的参数取值进行实验,以平衡精确率与召回率。最后,选择不同参数的Focal Loss进行模型融合,进一步提升模型对不平衡毛刺数据的检测性能。在某市供水管网的真实数据上进行实验,结果表明,对比基于交叉熵损失函数的单一模型,本文提出的Focal Loss改进后的融合模型在毛刺数据上召回率和F1值的提升幅度达33.3和18个百分点,但毛刺数据的精确率还有待进一步提升。本文所提方法从损失函数入手,动态调整难易样本的权重,有效地提升了不平衡数据下的毛刺数据的检测性能。

Dielectric loss enhancement induced by the microstructure of CoFe_(2)O_(4) foam to realize broadband electromagnetic wave absorption

CoFe_(2)O_(4)has been widely used for electromagnetic wave absorption owing to its high Snoek limit,high anisotropy,and suitable saturation magnetization;however,its inherent shortcomings,including low dielectric loss,high density,and magnetic agglomeration,limit its application as an ideal absorbent.This study investigated a microstructure regulation strategy to mitigate the inherent disadvantages of pristine CoFe_(2)O_(4)synthesized via a sol–gel auto-combustion method.A series of CoFe_(2)O_(4)foams(S0.5,S1.0,and S1.5,corresponding to foams with citric acid(CA)-to-Fe(NO_(3))_(3)·9H_(2)O molar ratios of 0.5,1.0,and 1.5,respectively)with two-dimensional(2D)curved surfaces were obtained through the adjustment of CA-to-Fe^(3+)ratio,and the electromagnetic parameters were adjusted through morphology regulation.Owing to the appropriate impedance matching and conductance loss provided by moderate complex permittivity,the effective absorption bandwidth(EAB)of S0.5 was as high as 7.3 GHz,exceeding those of most CoFe_(2)O_(4)-based absorbents.Moreover,the EAB of S1.5 reached 5.0 GHz(8.9–13.9 GHz),covering most of the X band,owing to the intense polarization provided by lattice defects and the heterogeneous interface.The three-dimensional(3D)foam structure circumvented the high density and magnetic agglomeration issues of CoFe_(2)O_(4)nanoparticles,and the good conductivity of 2D curved surfaces could effectively elevate the complex permittivity to ameliorate the dielectric loss of pure CoFe_(2)O_(4).This study provides a novel idea for the theoretical design and practical production of lightweight and broadband pure ferrites.

Small Rb^+ Doping in CaCu_3Ti_4O_(12)——A Possible Approach to Reduce Dielectric Loss

Ca1-xRbxCu3Ti4O12 （x=0, 0.01, 0.02 and 0.03） ceramics were synthesized by the sol-gel method. Doping Rb＋ reduces dielectric loss, which reaches minimum when x=0.02. By measuring properties of electrical conduction, larger leakage current density and height of grain-boundary Sehottky potential barrier （φB） were found in the doped samples, and φB became maximum when x=0.02. These results are attributed to the increase in the amount of oxygen vacancies and the formation of Cu-rich/Ti-poor grain-boundary layers, and it can be concluded that the dielectric loss in CCTO ceramic can be reduced by manipulating the composition and electrical properties of grain boundary.

Fabrication of BaTiO3/Epoxy Composites Exhibiting Large Dielectric Constant, Low Dielectric Loss and High Flexural Strength

BaTiO3/epoxy composites consisting of two three-dimensionally interpenetrating networks of BaTiO3 and epoxy phases were prepared using a new approach. The BaTiO3/epoxy composites exhibit a colossal dielectric constant, low dielectric loss and high flexural strength. In the BaTiO3 networks, chemically bonded grain boundaries between neighboring BaTiO3 grains were established, and they are responsible for the colossal dielectric constant and high flexural strength of the BaTiO3/epoxy composites. Furthermore, unlike the conventional ceramic/polymer composites, this approach also makes high loadings of BaTiO3 contents possible for the BaTiO3/epoxy composites without compromising their high flexural strength.

Periodicity-suppressing effect of periodic lossy-dielectric-loaded cylindrical waveguide

Periodic dielectric-loaded waveguide is one of the diaphragmatic waveguides. For the excellent mode-selective propagation ability, it is of value for applications in gyrotron-traveling-wave amplifiers （gyro-TWT）, accelerators, and other microwave propagation systems. This paper focuses on studying the application of the strong lossy-dielectric- loaded periodic waveguide in millimeter-wave gyro-TWT. It is revealed that due to the lossy property of the dielectric, the energy in the dielectric slots is absorbed effectively and the high order Bloch harmonics induced by the periodicity of the structure are suppressed, which changes the discrete spectrum under losstess condition into a continuous one. As a result, the periodicity of the system is severely suppressed and a mode in the hollow region could be approximated by a fast wave mode in an empty waveguide. These results bring specific guidance for the applications of the lossy dielectric-loaded waveguide in gyro-TWTs and other devices.

Dielectric loss of half-doped manganite La_(0.5)Ca_(0.5)MnO_3

The dielectric loss tanfi of half-doped manganite Lao.sCao.sMnO3 is investigated using Green＇s function technique. The Lao.sCao.sMnO3 is described by the Kondo-lattice model in the double exchange limit, taking into account the Jahn- Teller distortion and the super-exchange interaction between the localized electrons. It is found that the intensity of tans decreases with increasing [e]TI, V, and U. It is also observed that the transition temperature Tp rises as l eJTI and U increase. It is worth noting that Tp remains unchanged and the strength of tans increases with increasing g. The calculated dielectric loss results are explained theoretically, and these behaviors are in qualitative agreement with the experimental results.

Analysis on the Influence Factors of Capacitor Voltage Transformer Dielectric Loss Measurement

Capacitor voltage transformer (CVT), which is with simple structure, convenient maintenance, functional diversity and high impact pressure strength, is widely used. And its capacitance and dielectric loss Angle measurement is an important test on testing the insulation of the equipment. This paper is mainly to introduce and discuss one of the CVT test methods——the “self excitation method”, combined with the actual situation encountered in the work, sums up and expounds the maintenance of CVT and preventive test of influence factors.

Test and analysis of the influence of the transformer insulation resistance and dielectric loss

In view of long-term transformer insulation resistance and dielectric loss measurement, measurement and according to the national standard formula conversion values are not completely consistent, in this paper, a variety of transformers are studied, and the applicable scope of the conversion formula is discussed emphatically, combined with the test results are analyzed of transformer insulation resistance value to temperature and oiliness and dielectric loss tangent to temperature and oiliness, and puts forward suggestions on how to improve the insulation performance of transformer.

ELECTROMAGNETIC SCATTERING FROM A LOSSY DIELECTRIC CYLINDER WITH ARBITRARY CROSS SECTION

In this paper,the electromagnetic scattering of plane wave with TM and TEpolarizations from a lossy dielectric cylinder with arbitrary cross section is analyzed andcomputed by using the boundary element method.The numerical results of scattering pat-tern for a circular cylinder completely coincide with the analytical solution and that of thescattering properties in the near-or far-field region for elliptical and regular triangularcylinders are presented,which point out some valuable conclusions.

High Dielectric Constant and Low-loss Dielectric Ceramics of Sr_5 LnTi_3Ta_7O_(30)(Ln=La,Nd,Sm and Y)

Polycrystalline Sr5LnTi3Ta7O30 （Ln=La, Nd, Sm and Y） ceramics were prepared as single-phase materials through conventional solid-state ceramics method. The structure was characterized by X-ray diffraction method and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The dielectric properties were measured from room temperature to 400℃. All compounds are paraelectric phases adopting the filled tetragonal tungsten bronze （TB） structure at room temperature. At 1 MHz their dielectric constant （ετ） varied from 109 to 139, dielectric loss changed from 0.003 3 to 0.005 8, and the temperature coefficients of the dielectric constant （τε） moved from -710 to -880×10^-6℃^-1.

USE OF FINITE-DIFFERENCE TIME-DOMAIN METHOD FOR CALCULATING EM ABSORPTION IN LOSSY DIELECTRIC SCATTERER

The problem for calculating EM energy absorption by lossy dielectric scatterer ir-radiated by plane wave are discussed.The factors affecting the accuracy of computation arediscussed.The calculated results of EM energy absorption and its distribution in homogeneousand layered homogenous lossy dielectric spheres are presented,and a comparison of these resultswith analytical solution is given.The calculation is carried out for dielectric cylinder on conduct-ing ground as well,and the results are compared with the image theory.All the computationsshew that the finite-difference time-domain method can give satisfactory results.

Improvement of dielectric （Ba,Sr）TiO3 thin tunability and loss tangent of films with K doping

Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 thin films doped with K were deposited on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates by the chemical solution deposition method. The structure, surface morphology and the dielectric and tunable properties of Bao.6Sro.4TiO3 thin films have been studied in detail. The K content in Ba0.6Sro.4TiO3 thin films has a strong influence on the material＇s properties including surface morphology and the dielectric and tunable properties. It was found that the Curie temperature of K-doped Bao.6Sr0.4TiO3 films shifts to a higher value compared with that of undoped Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 thin films, which leads to a dielectric enhancement of K-doped Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 films at room temperature. At the optimized content of 0.02 mol, the dielectric loss tangent is reduced significantly from 0.057 to 0.020. Meanwhile, the tunability is enhanced obviously from 26% to 48% at the measured frequency of 1 MHz and the maximum value of the figure of merit is 23.8. This suggests that such films have potential applications for tunable devices.

Effect of foot reflexology on an infant with sensorineural hearing loss:A case report

BACKGROUND Our study contributes to the further understanding of the mechanism of foot reflexology.Foot reflexology has been reported to affect hearing recovery,but no physiological evidence has been provided.This lack of evidence hampers the acceptance of the technique in clinical practice.CASE SUMMARY A girl was taken to North Sichuan Medical University Affiliated Hospital for a hearing screen by her parents.Her parents reported that her hearing level was the same as when she was born.The girl was diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss(SNHL)by a doctor in the otolaryngology department.After we introduced the foot reflexology project,the parents agreed to participate in the experiment.After 6 months of foot reflexology treatment,the hearing threshold of the girl recovered to a normal level,below 30 dB.CONCLUSION Foot reflexology should be encouraged in clinical practice and for families of infants with SNHL.