The Distribution and Therapeutic Effectiveness of Clinical Unilateral Ménière's Disease Phenotypes.

Objectives: The first purpose of this study was to ascertain the distribution of unilateral Ménière's disease (MD) clinical subgroups in China and compare with the population reported in Europe and the United States. The second purpose was to investigate the effectiveness in different clinical phenotypes.

Methods: Participants were categorised into one of five subtypes using a previously reported classification scheme based on cluster analysis.

Ferroptosis contributes to lead-induced cochlear spiral ganglion neurons injury.

The underlying mechanisms of lead exposure-induced cochlear spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) injury are not yet clear. This study explored whether ferroptosis is involved in lead-induced SGNs injury and investigated the mechanism of lead-induced iron overload in SGNs. A primary culture cell model of lead acetate-induced SGNs damage was established.

ABCC1 deficiency potentiated noise-induced hearing loss in mice by impairing cochlear antioxidant capacity.

The ABCC1 gene belongs to the ATP-binding cassette membrane transporter superfamily, which plays a crucial role in the efflux of various endogenous and exogenous substances. Mutations in ABCC1 can result in autosomal dominant hearing loss. However, the specific roles of ABCC1 in auditory function are not fully understood.

Triphenyl phosphate interferes with the synthesis of steroid hormones through the PPARγ/CD36 pathway in human trophoblast JEG-3 cells.

Triphenyl phosphate (TPhP), a chemical commonly found in human placenta and breast milk, has been shown to disturb the endocrine system. Our previous study confirmed that TPhP could accumulate in the placenta and interference with placental lipid metabolism and steroid hormone synthesis, as well as induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress through PPARγ in human placental trophoblast JEG-3 cells. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this disruption remains unknown.

Susceptibility of immature spiral ganglion neurons to aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity is mediated by the TRPV1 channel in mice.

Aminoglycoside antibiotics are among the most common agents that can cause sensorineural hearing loss. From clinical experience, premature babies, whose inner ear is still developing, are more susceptible to aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity, which is echoed by our previous study carried out in organotypic cultures. This study aimed to investigate whether a nonselective cation channel, TRPV1, contributes to the susceptibility of immature spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) to the damage caused by aminoglycosides.

Short-term effects of intravenous batroxobin in treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a propensity score-matched study.

Background: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) can cause great panic in patients. Whether it is advantageous to add intravenous batroxobin in the treatment of SSNHL remains to be determined. This study aimed to compare the short-term efficacy of therapy combined with intravenous batroxobin and that without intravenous batroxobin in SSNHL patients.

Gestation and lactation triphenyl phosphate exposure disturbs offspring gut microbiota in a sex-dependent pathway.

Triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) is an Organophosphate flame retardant (OPFR) that has been widely used in many commercial products. Following its widely usage, its health risk has been concerned. In this study, mice were exposed to TPhP (1 mg/kg) during pregnancy and lactation (E0-PND21), the effect of TPhP on gut microbiota and its role in TPhP mediated lipid metabolism disturbance of offspring was investigated.

Novel ZnFeO/BC/ZnO photocatalyst for high-efficiency degradation of tetracycline under visible light irradiation.

Developing broad-spectrum light reactions, effective charge separation, and easily recoverable photocatalysts were considered cost-effective pollution remediation methods. The ZnFeO/BC/ZnO composite was prepared to achieve these objectives, where biochar (BC) was used as a conductive channel and ZnFeO as a magnetic substance. Among them, the 0.

Triphenyl phosphate disturbs placental tryptophan metabolism and induces neurobehavior abnormal in male offspring.

Epidemiological studies have shown that prenatal triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) exposure is related to abnormal neurobehavior in children. However, the neurodevelopmental toxicity of TPhP in mammals is limited. To study the neurodevelopmental toxicity of TPhP in mammals and investigate the underlying mechanism, we used a mouse intrauterine TPhP exposure model.

Establishment of a risk index for early complications after trans-canal endoscopic ear surgery.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the risk factors associated with early postoperative complications of trans-canal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES), then to develop a risk index.

Materials And Methods: This single-institution retrospective study reviewed TEESs from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2019 in a tertiary hospital. In the derivation cohort, univariable and multivariable logistic regression were performed to identify factors significantly associated with early postoperative complications of TEES.

Effects of long-term exposure to TDCPP in zebrafish (Danio rerio) - Alternations of hormone balance and gene transcriptions along hypothalamus-pituitary axes.

Background: TDCPP is one of the major chemical of organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) that has been detected ubiquitously in both the environment and biota. Previously we observed that it influenced the concentrations of sex and thyroid hormones in a sex-dependent pattern, leading to reproductive impairments after short-term exposure in zebrafish. Here we investigate the consequences of longer-term exposure to TDCPP on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad (HPG), hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal (HPI), and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axes of zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Prenatal exposure to triphenyl phosphate activated PPARγ in placental trophoblasts and impaired pregnancy outcomes.

The health risks of triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) have increased since its widespread application. Using placental trophoblast cell line JEG-3, we demonstrated that TPhP could induce endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and cell apoptosis through PPARγ-mediated lipid metabolism. However, the developmental toxicity of TPhP through the placenta is not known.

Removal efficiencies and risk assessment of endocrine-disrupting chemicals at two wastewater treatment plants in South China.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the effluent from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are an important pollutant sources of the aquatic system. In this study, the removal efficiencies of eight typical EDCs at two domestic WWTPs in Dongguan City, China, are reported based on instrumental analysis and bioassay results. Bioactivities, including steroidogenesis-disrupting effects, estrogen receptor (ER)-binding activity, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-binding activity were evaluated using the H295R, MVLN, and H4IIE cell bioassays, respectively.

Impact of physician-based palliative care delivery models on health care utilization outcomes: A population-based retrospective cohort study.

Background: Increasing involvement of palliative care generalists may improve access to palliative care. It is unknown, however, if their involvement with and without palliative care specialists are associated with different outcomes.

Aim: To describe physician-based models of palliative care and their association with healthcare utilization outcomes including: emergency department visits, acute hospitalizations and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions in last 30 days of life; and, place of death.

Does the public feel prepared to be substitute decision-makers? Gaps in preparedness and support for a high school curriculum: a national survey.

Background: Substitute decision-makers (SDMs) make decisions on behalf of patients who do not have capacity, in line with previously expressed wishes, values and beliefs. However, miscommunications and poor awareness of previous wishes often lead to inappropriate care. Increasing public preparedness to communicate on behalf of loved ones may improve care in patients requiring an SDM.

Gaps in public preparedness to be a substitute decision-maker and the acceptability of high school education on resuscitation and end-of-life care: a mixed-methods study.

Background: When a patient is incapable of making medical decisions for him- or herself, a substitute decision-maker makes choices according to the patient's previously expressed wishes, values and beliefs; however, little is known about public readiness to act as a substitute decision-maker in Canada. Our primary objective was to measure public self-reported preparedness to act as a substitute decision-maker, and explore the attitudes, barriers and enablers associated with preparedness.

Methods: From November 2017 to June 2018, we conducted a mixed-methods street intercept survey at 12 pedestrian areas in Ottawa, Ontario.

Epidemiologic Evaluation of Human Papillomavirus Type Competition and the Potential for Type Replacement Post-Vaccination.

Background: Millions of women have been vaccinated with one of two first-generation human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines. Both vaccines remain in use and target two oncogenic types (HPVs 16 and 18); however, if these types naturally compete with others that are not targeted, type replacement may occur following reductions in the circulating prevalence of targeted types. To explore the potential for type replacement, we evaluated natural HPV type competition in unvaccinated females.

Screening polypectomy rates below quality benchmarks: a prospective study.

Aim: To estimate and compare sex-specific screening polypectomy rates to quality benchmarks of 40% in men and 30% in women.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was undertaken of patients aged 50-75, scheduled for colonoscopy, and covered by the Québec universal health insurance plan. Endoscopist and patient questionnaires were used to obtain screening and non-screening colonoscopy indications.

Feasibility of a call-in centre to deliver colorectal cancer screening in primary care.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of a call-in centre to deliver colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in primary care through self-administered fecal occult blood testing (FOBT).

Design: Four-month intervention study (September 2010 to January 2011) with randomly selected follow-up interviews.

Setting: The family medicine clinics of 3 hospitals in Montreal, Que.

Epidemiologic approaches to evaluating the potential for human papillomavirus type replacement postvaccination.

Currently, 2 vaccines exist that prevent infection by the genotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancer cases worldwide. Although vaccination is expected to reduce the prevalence of these HPV types, there is concern about the effect this could have on the distribution of other oncogenic types. According to basic ecological principles, if competition exists between ≥2 different HPV types for niche occupation during natural infection, elimination of 1 type may lead to an increase in other type(s).

Endoscopist specialty is associated with colonoscopy quality.

Background: Some studies have shown that endoscopist specialty is associated with colorectal cancers missed by colonoscopy. We sought to examine the relationship between endoscopist specialty and polypectomy rate, a colonoscopy quality indicator. Polypectomy rate is defined as the proportion of colonoscopies that result in the removal of one or more polyps.

Developing model-based algorithms to identify screening colonoscopies using administrative health databases.

Background: Algorithms to identify screening colonoscopies in administrative databases would be useful for monitoring colorectal cancer (CRC) screening uptake, tracking health resource utilization, and quality assurance. Previously developed algorithms based on expert opinion were insufficiently accurate. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the accuracy of model-based algorithms to identify screening colonoscopies in health administrative databases.

Patient-identified quality indicators for colonoscopy services.

Background: Current quality improvement tools for endoscopy services, such as the Global Rating Scale (GRS), emphasize the need for patient-centred care. However, there are no studies that have investigated patient expectations and/or perceptions of quality indicators in endoscopy services.

Objectives: To identify quality indicators for colonoscopy services from the patient perspective; to rate indicators of importance; to determine factors that influence indicator ratings; and to compare the identified indicators with those of the GRS.