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.

The potential of miR-183 family expression in inner ear for regeneration,treatment,diagnosis and prognosis of hearing loss

miRNA-183 family, in normal biology, is expressed in a harmonious and stable manner in the neurosensory organs and cells. Studies have also shown that miRNA-183 family, in different pathways, affects the neurosensory development, maintenance, survival and function. In addition, it has potential neuroprotective effects in response to neurosensory destructive stimulations. miRNA-96 mutation causes hereditary deafness in humans and mice, and therefore affects the inner ear activity and its maintenance. Certain roles have been identified for mi R-96 in the maintenance and function of the inner ear. The comparison of the target genes of family-183 in transcriptomes of newborn and adult hair cells shows that hundreds of target genes in this family may affect development and maintenance of the ears. Identifying the genes that are regulated by miRNA-183 family provides researchers with important information about the complex development and environmental regulation of the inner ear, and can offer new approaches to the maintenance and regeneration of hair cells and auditory nerve.

The anatomic determinants of conductive hearing loss secondary to tympanic membrane perforation

Objectives: Recent studies have introduced middle ear volume(MEV) as a novel determinant of perforation-induced conductive hearing loss(CHL) in a mechanism driven by trans-tympanic membrane pressure differences. The primary aims of this preliminary report are to: 1) correlate CHL with perforation size; 2) describe the relationship between CHL and MEV; and 3) compare CHL across a range of cholesteatoma involvement.Design: A retrospective pilot study was performed in 31 subjects with audiometry indicative of conductive hearing loss, temporal bone CT scans,and no prior middle ear surgery. Perforation size and MEV were analyzed with respect to CHL in a cohort of 10 perforated ears with no cholesteatoma. CHLs were compared in 3 groups defined by extent of cholesteatoma involvement.Results: Ears with large and small perforations showed mean ABG values of 32.0 ± 15.7 dB and 16.0 ± 16.4 dB, respectively. A direct relationship was observed between MEV and CHL for ears with large perforations across all frequencies, whereas this relationship for small perforations was frequency-dependent. Finally, a statistically significant increase in CHL was found across ears with increasing cholesteatoma involvement at 1000 Hz(X^2(2) = 9.786, p = 0.008),2000 Hz(x^2(2) = 8.455, p = 0.015),and 4000 Hz(x^2(2)= 8.253, p = 0.016).Conclusions: These pilot data suggest that greater perforation-induced conductive hearing losses may be associated with larger perforation sizes and cholesteatoma. The correlation between MEV and CHL may require additional study.

Histone deacetylases in hearing loss: Current perspectives for therapy

Hearing loss is one of the most frequent health issues in industrialized countries. The pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms of hearing loss are still unclear. Histone deacetylases(HDACs) are emerging as key enzymes in many physiological processes, including chromatin remodeling,regulation of transcription, DNA repair, metabolism, genome stability and protein secretion. Recent studies indicated that HDACs are associated with the development and progression of hearing loss. Dysfunction of HDACs could promote the oxidative stress and aging in the inner ear. In light of considering the current stagnation in the development of therapeutic options, the need for new strategies in the treatment of hearing loss has never been so pressing. In this review, we will summarize the reported literatures for HDACs in hearing loss and discuss how HDAC family members show different performances for the possibility of process of diseases development. The possibility of pharmacological intervention on hearing loss opens a novel path in the treatment of hearing loss.

基于MFDC-SSD网络的接触网定位线夹缺陷识别

针对接触网应用环境复杂,定位线夹体积小、安装方向特殊、不易识别,传统的目标检测算法效果较差等问题,基于多尺度特征融合密集连接网络模型,提出了一种接触网定位线夹缺陷检测新方法。首先结合DenseNet与Inception模块对SSD模型的特征提取网络进行改进,在特定的特征层间共享上下文信息,提升特征提取能力。然后从网络深层到浅层,逐级采用FPN融合SSD检测的多尺度特征图,设计多特征融合的密集连接网络模型,最后将f GIoU作为边框损失函数,在训练中优化真实框和预测框的重合度。对采集的某段接触网定位线夹图像数据集进行检测识别。结果表明:该定位线夹缺陷检测方法可在复杂接触网背景下,对定位线夹脱落和松动进行检测,且在不同角度、亮度的图像中均具有较强的鲁棒性。

中耳细菌感染对内耳损伤的研究进展

中耳细菌感染造成内耳微环境改变是中耳炎内耳损伤的主要原因。我们就近年来有关中耳细菌感染对内耳影响的相关文献进行综述,分析总结中耳炎细菌感染的主要类型、听力损失特点、中耳感染进入内耳的途径及内耳免疫微环境的变化及中耳细菌感染损伤内耳的干预措施,为中耳炎细菌感染对内耳损伤的机制和干预研究提供帮助。

节粮减损背景下国内鲜食玉米低损收获现状及路径探究

减少鲜食玉米收获机收获作业时果穗的损失是推动鲜食玉米收获机械优化发展的重要研究方向。该文结合当前国内机收鲜食玉米低损收获现状,针对鲜食玉米收获机田间收获作业果穗损失较大的问题,阐述了鲜食玉米果穗的多种损失形式及产生原因,并结合多种果穗损失形式提出了一系列鲜食玉米低损机收的实现路径,为推动鲜食玉米收获机械的发展提供参考依据,有助于提高鲜食玉米产业经济效益。

香烟烟雾对中耳黏膜组织损伤及听力影响的研究进展

吸烟是全球的一个重大公共健康问题,其对健康的危害众所周知。近年来,香烟烟雾对人体耳部疾病和听力影响的报道越来越多。香烟烟雾中的有害物质可导致中耳黏膜组织损伤、咽鼓管表面活性物质减少、引起炎症反应、使病原菌侵袭力增强,甚至影响机体免疫功能引发中耳疾病。另外,香烟烟雾中的有害成分还可损害耳蜗毛细胞,通过影响人体正常的听觉系统血液循环来导致听力损失。我们将香烟烟雾对中耳-咽鼓管黏膜组织损伤及听力的影响研究进展作一综述。

突发性耳聋临床干预的队列研究

目的探讨甲泼尼松龙琥珀酸钠联合复方甘草酸苷药物在耳后注射给药方法在突发性耳聋患者中的临床效果。方法选取2020年1月至2022年6月门诊就诊的120例突发性耳聋患者为研究对象,随机数字表法分为两组,每组60例。两组均给予常规方法治疗,对照组采用耳后注射甲泼尼松龙琥珀酸钠治疗,观察组采用耳后注射甲泼尼松龙琥珀酸钠联合复方甘草酸苷治疗,比较两组纯音听阈值、血液流变学水平、同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)、D-二聚体(D-D)、耳内微循环、T淋巴细胞水平、药物安全性及复发率。结果观察组干预前后0.5、1、2及4 kHz下纯音听阈平均值的差值均好于对照组(P<0.01);观察组治疗2周后全血高切黏度、低切黏度、血浆黏度、Hcy及D-D干预前后平均值的差值均大于对照组(P<0.01);观察组治疗2周后脂质过氧化物(LPO)、胱抑素C(CysC)和内皮素(ET)水平低于对照组(P<0.01);超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)水平高于对照组(P<0.01);观察组治疗2周后CD3^(+)、CD4^(+)、CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)平均值在干预前后差值均好于对照组(P<0.01);CD8^(+)水平低于对照组(P<0.05);两组治疗过程中咽鼓管损伤、逆行感染、耳部不适、低血钾、高血压发生率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);观察组随访6个月复发率低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论耳后注射甲泼尼松龙琥珀酸钠联合复方甘草酸苷用于突发性耳聋患者中,能降低纯音听阈值,有助于改善患者血液流变学水平和耳内微循环,降低Hcy及D-D水平,可调节患者T淋巴细胞水平,且药物安全性较高,能降低远期复发率,值得推广应用。

耳穴贴压在血瘀耳窍型突发性耳聋患者中的应用效果

目的 研究耳穴贴压在血瘀耳窍型突发性耳聋患者中的干预效果。方法 以江苏省东台市中医院于2022年4月至2023年5月收治的116例血瘀耳窍型突发性耳聋患者为研究对象,使用随机数表法将其分别纳入观察组和对照组,各58例。2组均接受常规综合治疗,观察组加用耳穴贴压。对比2组的听力损失程度、纯音听阈、心理状态和临床疗效。结果 观察组在治疗3周后的听力损失程度较对照组而言相对更轻,且组间比较存在统计学差异(P<0.05)。2组在治疗1周和3周后的纯音听阈均较治疗前下降,观察组在治疗1周和3周后的纯音听阈均较对照组而言相对更优,且差异均存在统计学意义(P均<0.05)。2组在治疗3周后的焦虑自评量表(SAS)和抑郁自评量表(SDS)评分均较治疗前下降,观察组在治疗3周后的SAS、SDS评分均较对照组而言相对更低,且差异均存在统计学意义(P均<0.05)。观察组在治疗3周后的总有效率为93.10%,较对照组的79.31%而言相对更高,且组间比较存在统计学差异(P<0.05)。结论 针对血瘀耳窍型突发性耳聋患者的治疗加用耳穴贴压,不仅能促进患者听力的进一步恢复,还能改善其心理状态和纯音听阈,以及实现临床疗效的提高。

Hearing analysis in heterozygous and homozygous klotho gene deficient mice

Objective: To understand the crucial role of the klotho gene in hearing development in mouse models.Methods: PCR was used to identify CBA mice with different genotypes, i.e. WT, heterozygous(klotho +/-)or homozygous(klotho-/-). Mice phenotype and weight were recorded postnatal 25 days(P-25) and auditory brainstem responses(ABR) were used to determine auditory function at P-60.Results: klotho-/-mice tended to have smaller size, lighter weight and higher ABR thresholds at P-60,showing early onset age-related hearing loss(ARHL).Conclusion: Heterozygous and homozygous klotho deficient mice exhibit different degrees of hearing loss at young age, with homozygous mice(klotho-/-) showing more severe hearing loss. Our results indicate that persisted expression of klotho protein in the inner ear may potentially delay the onset of ARHL and play an important role in the protection of auditory function.

Tophaceous gout of the middle ear

We present a very rare case of tophaceous gout of the middle ear causing conductive hearing loss,with special emphasis on Computed Tomography presentation.

银杏叶提取物联合复方倍他米松耳后注射治疗突发性耳聋的临床效果

目的探讨银杏叶提取物(GBE)静滴联合复方倍他米松耳后注射治疗突发性耳聋(SSNHL)的效果及对患者听力水平、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)信号通路相关指标的影响,为临床治疗SSNHL提供参考。方法选取2021年1月—2023年3月重庆市大足区人民医院收治的86例SSNHL患者为研究对象,采用随机数字表法分为对照组和观察组,每组43例。2组患者均给予基础治疗,对照组患者在基础治疗基础上采用复方倍他米松耳后注射治疗,观察组患者在对照组基础上联合GBE静滴治疗。比较2组患者治疗后的临床疗效,治疗前后听力水平及血液流变学指标[血浆黏度(PV)、全血黏度(WBV)、血细胞比容(HCT)]、内耳微循环指标[可溶性血管细胞黏附分子(s VCAM)、内皮素(ET)]、VEGF信号通路相关指标[VEGF、缺氧诱导因子1α(HIF-1α)]等指标水平,同时比较2组患者不良反应发生情况。结果观察组患者的治疗总有效率为93.02%(40/43),高于对照组的76.74%(33/43),差异有统计学意义(χ^(2)=4.440,P=0.035)。治疗前,2组患者各频区听阈比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗10 d后,2组患者高频区听阈、低频区听阈及平均听阈均低于治疗前,且观察组均低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗前,2组患者PV、WBV、HCT水平比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗10 d后,2组患者PV、WBV、HCT水平均低于治疗前,且观察组均低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗前,2组患者血清s VCAM、ET水平比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗10 d后,2组患者血清s VCAM、ET水平均低于治疗前,且观察组均低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗前,2组患者血清VEGF、HIF-1α水平比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗10 d后,2组患者血清VEGF、HIF-1α水平均低于治疗前,且观察组均低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。对照组与观察组患者不良反应发生率分别为9.30%(4/43)和11.63%(5/43),差异无统计学意义(χ^(2)=0.000,P=1.000)。结论GBE静滴联合复方倍他米松耳后注射治疗SSNHL,能够下调ET、s VCAM水平,且通过激活HIF-1α-VEGF轴,可有效调节内耳血液流变学指标,从而改善患者临床症状,提高听力水平。

A child with severe inner ear malformations with favorable hearing utilization and balance functions after wearing hearing aids

Infants with congenital deafness caused by severe bilateral inner ear malformations frequently suffer from severe hearing loss and poor balance. Unfortunately, the use of hearing aids is usually ineffective in recovering hearing, necessitating cochlear implants. We report a case of a 6-year-old boy with congenital deafness and bilateral inner ear malformations(right side, incomplete partition type I [IP-I]; left side, common cavity deformity). Hearing aids had a remarkable effect in this patient, enabling sufficient and favorable hearing recovery such as to allow the patient to engage in daily conversations. Per-rotatory nystagmus was recorded on an electronystagmogram for both right and left rotations in a damped rotational chair test. It is rare for deaf children with severe bilateral inner ear malformation to demonstrate favorable development in hearing and good equilibrium function. Our findings suggest that auditoryevestibular hair cells in this patient may have been partially preserved despite IP-I in the right ear and common cavity deformity of the left ear.

Glutamate receptor antagonist and neurotrophin can protect inner ear against damage

In this study,I focused on finding a mean of protecting against hearing loss.By infusing the cochlea with the neurotrophin factor,NT-3 alone or combined treatment with MK 801,a NMDA receptor antagonist I found hearing loss was attenuated and spiral ganglion neuron loss was nearly totally protected indicating that the importance of the combined treatment of NT-3 and NMDA receptor antagonists in the treatment of hearing disorders.

Impact of noise on hearing in the military

Hearing plays a vital role in the performance of a soldier and is important for speech processing. Noise-induced hearing loss is a significant impairment in the military and can affect combat performance. Military personnel are constantly exposed to high levels of noise and it is not surprising that noise induced hearing loss and tinnitus remain the second most prevalent service-connected disabilities. Unfortunately, unlike civilian personnel, military personnel have little option but to remain in noisy environments in order to complete specific tasks and missions. Use of hearing protection devices and follow-up audiological tests have become the mainstay of prevention of noise-induced hearing loss. This review focuses on sources of noise within the military, pathophysiology and management of patients with noise induced hearing loss.

A Comparative Study of Ear Diseases in School Children from Lower versus Higher Socioeconomic Status

Background: Preventable otologic conditions have been found to be important health issues among paediatric age group. Poor socioeconomic status and inappropriate management services in developing countries lead to various complications despite the fact that most of these diseases are self-limiting. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of ear diseases in school children of high and low socioeconomic status in Yola, Nigeria. Methods: This study was conducted in March 2017 in two primary schools (private and public) in Yola among 6 - 8 years old pupils. Approval for the study was obtained from Federal Medical Centre, Yola and consent was obtained from the parents/guardians and the school authorities. Using a health questionnaire, a brief ENT history was obtained from children in years 1 and 2 of each school. Otoscopic examination, audiometry and tympanometry were then carried out. Data collected was analysed using SPSS version 20. Results: One hundred and three children were studied. The age range was 6 - 8 with mean age of 6.8 ± 0.9 and 53 (51.5%) boys. Fifty-two (50.5%) were from public school (low socio-economic class) and 51 (49.5%) from private (high social class). Wax was the most common ear condition encountered affecting 37 (35.9%) children, and the number was similar in both groups. Otitis media with effusion (OME) was encountered in seven children evenly split between the two groups showing a point incidence of 6.8%. There was hearing loss in 13 (12.6%) children, and this was also similar in the two groups. Conclusion: Wax impaction was the commonest otologic disease encountered. Our study also showed a point incidence of 6.8% for OME, but there was no statistical difference between the two groups, and neither was there any statistically significant difference between the two groups in any of the other diseases encountered.

EFFECTS OF DIABETES ON HEARING AND COCHLEAR STRUCTURES

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic systemic disease characterized by hyperglycemia, with various patho-genic mechanisms. From absolute or relative insulin deficiency, patients with DM often demonstrate vari-ous levels of metabolic disorders. Major clinical manifestations of DM include metabolic disorders, vascu-lar lesions, circulatory disturbances and neurologic complications. Along with advances in DM research, re-ports of DM related tinnitus and hearing impairment have increased continuously. Research on DM related auditory system dysfunction has focused on cochlear microcirculation, cellular homeostasis, genetics and ag-ing. Cochlear microcirculation plays an important role in cochlear physiology and its disorders are associat-ed with many inner ear diseases. Ischemia and subsequent reperfusion seen in cochlear microcirculation dis-orders are important factors in hearing damage. Understanding cochlear microcirculation and structural as well as functional changes in DM patients with hearing loss and their causal factors will help reveal patho-genic mechanisms in diabetic hearing loss and provide new ideas in developing interventions and preventing damages caused by diabetes.

玉米小区收获机低损摘穗装置的设计与试验

针对玉米小区收获机在育种收获摘穗过程中存在的籽粒损失率高、破碎率高的问题,创新设计了一种“拉-压-摘”组合式的低损摘穗装置。通过对各关键部件的理论分析,确定了装置主要结构的整体参数,压茎轮直径62mm、长度400mm。田间试验结果表明:摘穗装置的籽粒损失率为0.72%,籽粒破碎率为0.33%,有效保证了玉米小区收获机的低损摘穗作业,可为玉米小区收获机低损摘穗技术的研究提供参考。

基于卷积神经网络的田间麦穗检测方法研究

为提高卷积神经网络对麦穗的识别检测精度,在YOLOv5检测模型基础上提出改进的识别检测模型YOLOv5-αTB,在特征提取网络末端部分加入Transformer模块,强化特征提取网络对小麦麦穗图像的颜色、纹理、几何等特征的提取,在特征融合部分将路径聚合网络(path aggregation network,PANet)替换成加权双向特征金字塔(bidirectional feature pyramid network,BiFPN),进一步优化多尺度特征的融合。针对边界框回归损失函数的计算方式IoU的局限性,引入了α-CIoU加强了边界框回归的效果。利用YOLOv5-αTB检测模型在测试集上得到的精确度(precision)、召回率(recall)和平均精度(average precision,AP)分别是99.95%、81.86%和88.64%,在平均精度上相比于传统的YOLOv5模型提升2.92个百分点。该模型检测统计麦穗数量对比人工计数结果,识别检测精度约为97.00%。