miR-206-3p Targets Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Affects Postoperative Cognitive Function in Aged Mice.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) occurs after surgery and severely impairs patients' quality of life. Finding POCD-associated variables can aid in its diagnosis and prognostication. POCD is associated with noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), involved in metabolic function, immune response alteration, and cognitive ability impairment; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate hub miRNAs (i.e., miRNAs that have an important regulatory role in diseases) regulating postoperative cognitive function and the associated mechanisms. Hub miRNAs were identified by bioinformatics, and their expression in mouse hippocampus tissues was determined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Hub miRNAs were overexpressed or knocked down in cell and animal models to test their effects on neuroinflammation and postoperative cognitive function. Six differentially expressed hub miRNAs were identified. miR-206-3p was the only broadly conserved miRNA, and it was used in follow-up studies and animal experiments. Its inhibitors reduced the release of proinflammatory cytokines in BV-2 microglia by regulating its target gene, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and the downstream signaling pathways. miR-206-3p inhibition suppressed microglial activation in the hippocampi of mice and improved learning and cognitive decline. Therefore, miR-206-3p significantly affects POCD, implying its potential as a therapeutic target.

AgNWs/AZO composite electrode for transparent inverted ZnCdSeS/ZnS quantum dot light-emitting diodes.

Fully transparent inverted quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) were fabricated by incorporating a Ag-nanowire-based anode. Aluminum-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Al, AZO) was inserted by atomic layer deposition and reduced the sheet resistance by promoting adhesion of Ag nanowires (AgNWs) film and increasing its chemical stability towards oxygen. The performance of the QLEDs was optimal when the thickness of AZO was 20 nm. The current efficiency of the fully transparent inverted QLEDs integrated with the AgNWs/AZO anode reached 15.33 cd A-1. The main peak wavelength and optical transmittance of the inverted QLEDs were 530 nm and 75.66%, respectively. This discovery is expected to provide a basic method for the production of flexible displays with full transparency by AgNWs-based electrodes.

Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome: a retrospective study of 44 patients.

CONCLUSION: When patients with recurrent facial paralysis are encountered, otolaryngologists should check for fissured tongue, and question those patients about orofacial edema, minor symptoms, and family history. Histologic evidence is not necessary for the diagnosis of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS), while coronary high-resolution CT (HRCT) reconstruction of temporal bone and food allergen detection may be beneficial. Prophylactic decompression of the facial nerve for patients with appropriate electrophysiological indication may prevent further facial palsy attacks. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical features of a group of patients with MRS with major complaints of facial palsy treated at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, and to comment on MRS from the perspective of otolaryngologists. METHODS: A retrospective review of patient database for the last 6 years in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology in Beijing Shijitan Hospital was performed to find patients diagnosed with MRS. RESULTS: A total of 44 MRS patients were included in this study. The mean age at onset was 14.1 years. A total of 13 (29.5%) patients had family history, 17 (38.6%) revealed broadened fallopian canal on coronary HRCT reconstruction of temporal bone, and 20/23 (87.0%) patients showed positive results in food allergen detection. Thirty-one patients accepted subtotal facial nerve decompression and only one patient had facial palsy recurrence on the same side as the operation.

Subtotal facial nerve decompression for recurrent facial palsy in Melkersson Rosenthal syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS: Subtotal facial nerve decompression seems effective to prevent further episodes of facial palsy and promote facial nerve recovery for recurrent facial palsy in Melkersson Rosenthal syndrome (MRS). The main inflammatory sites of recurrent facial palsy in MRS may be the mastoid segment, tympanic segment, geniculate ganglion, and labyrinthine segment. OBJECTIVE: To present our surgical experience in preventing further episodes of facial palsy and improving facial nerve recovery of patients with recurrent facial palsy in MRS. METHODS: We performed transmastoid subtotal facial nerve decompression on eight patients with recurrent facial palsy in MRS. They were followed up for 3.3 years on average (range 2-5 years). RESULTS: There were no further attacks of facial palsy in any of the cases. Seven cases (87.5%) recovered to grade I or grade II, and three of eight cases (37.5%) recovered completely. We found obvious edema of the facial nerve at the mastoid segment in all cases, at the tympanic segment and geniculate ganglion in five cases (62.5%), and at the labyrinthine segment in only one case (12.5%).

[Elementary quantitative study on factors of phytoplankton bloom].

This study investigated the effect quantitatively on phytoplankton population by various factors such as sinking velocity, diffusivity, growth, mortality and water depth, through both numerically and theoretical methods, then proposed an initial judgment criterion for estimating phytoplankton population development. To the conventional simplification about even growth rate and vertical turbulent diffusivity, which is not consistent with the fact, this study investigated the influence by the asymmetric growth rate, as a result of light attenuation and nutrient limit, and uneven vertical turbulent diffusivity. It was shown that the 'shade effect' by light attenuation and nutrient flux limit both led. phytoplankton population from blooming or collapsing to quasi-steady condition. The uneven vertical turbulent diffusivity influenced the phytoplankton population by l/H which is upper euphotic layer depth by water depth. The influence is not apparent only if the water depth is large enough while l/H is small. Hence even vertical turbulent diffusivity can be utilized approximately in very shallow lakes.

Surgical experience of nine cases with intratemporal facial hemangiomas and a brief literature review.

CONCLUSIONS: It was practicable to remove hemangiomas at the labyrinth region and distal internal auditory canal with complete or serviceable hearing preservation by the transmastoid approach. The majority of cases where the nerve integrity was preserved achieved acceptable recovery of facial nerve function during the first few years according to our study. Long-term outcomes of nerve graft were acceptable, while short-term outcomes were unsatisfactory based on the literature. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to present our surgical experience of nine intratemporal facial nerve hemangiomas and provide a brief literature review. METHODS: Clinical data for the cases were retrospectively analyzed. They were followed up for 5-59 months and related literature was reviewed. RESULTS: All of the hemangiomas were removed by the transmastoid approach, and only three cases developed mild conductive hearing loss. Nerve integrity was preserved for all cases. In all, 66.7% of patients maintained or recovered to grade III or better, and one patient with grade VI recovered to grade V during the average follow-up period of 2 years. In the literature the majority of grafted patients recovered to an acceptable level 5 years later, although recovery was usually poor during the first year.

Lateral hump anomaly of pyramid segment of facial nerve in living patients.

CONCLUSIONS: A lateral hump anomaly of the pyramid segment of the facial nerve deserves special attention during otologic surgery. Coronary high-resolution CT (HRCT) reconstruction of temporal bone was highly valuable in preoperative detection of the anomaly. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate lateral hump anomaly of the pyramid segment of the facial nerve in adult patients and assess the value of coronary HRCT reconstruction of the temporal bone in preoperative detection of the anomaly. METHODS: We carried out a prospective study in 439 Han Chinese adults who underwent unilateral facial nerve decompression due to Bell's palsy in our department between April 2005 and October 2012, focusing on lateral hump anomaly of the pyramid segment of the facial nerve, detection sensitivity, and accuracy of coronary HRCT reconstruction of the temporal bone. RESULTS: Lateral hump anomaly of the pyramid segment was observed in 21 cases (4.83%) undergoing surgery. The detection sensitivity and accuracy of coronary HRCT reconstruction were both 100%.

Surgical experience of intratemporal facial nerve neurofibromas.

CONCLUSIONS: The first presentation of intratemporal facial neurofibromas was variable, with facial palsy most common. The tumors often involve two or more segments of facial nerve. Outcomes of the tumors were closely related to nerve integrity, preoperative facial nerve function level, and follow-up period. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to present surgical experience of 11 cases with intratemporal facial neurofibroma. METHODS: Clinical data of the 11 cases with the tumors was retrospectively collected and analyzed. They were followed up for 37.9 ± 1.7 months, range 13-59 months, except for one case that was only followed up for 5 months and was excluded from the analysis of outcomes. RESULTS: Facial palsy was the first presentation in 10 cases, with repetitive facial palsy and vertigo in 1 case; 6 cases (54.5%) were insidious and 5 (45.5%) were sudden in terms of onset. Ear pain around the onset of facial palsy was found in four cases (36.4%). The tumor involved more than one segment in six cases. Among the non-grafted cases one patient with grade V facial nerve function recovered to grade III and another patient with grade VI facial nerve function recovered to grade IV, whereas only one case with grade VI recovered to grade IV among the grafted cases.