Xianrong Xu

Objective: To investigate the longitudinal changes and temporal patterns of reproductive, thyroid, and adrenal hormones in young males following SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 infection, using a 3-month post-infection convalescent reference point. Methods: A prospective cohort of 71 young male university students with confirmed Omicron BA.2 infection was followed for 24 months. Fasting blood samples were collected at 3 (early convalescent reference), 6, 12, and 24 months post-infection. Serum levels of 15 hormones across the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG), thyroid (HPT), and adrenal (HPA) axes were measured. Linear mixed-effects models were utilized to assess longitudinal changes over time. Persistent symptoms were recorded at each visit. Results: At the 3-month post-infection convalescent reference point, 8 of 71 participants (11.3%) reported mild persistent symptoms, which decreased to 4.3% by 24 months. Testosterone remained stable throughout the follow-up (all P > 0.05). Relative to the 3-month reference, prolactin declined progressively from an initially elevated mean of 22.55 ng/mL to 14.73 ng/mL at 24 months, gradually normalizing within the clinical reference range (4.04–15.2 ng/mL). Estradiol decreased at all follow-up points (P < 0.0001), while FSH and TSH demonstrated continuous, progressive increases (P < 0.001). TT4 and FT4 showed biphasic fluctuations. Adrenal markers (ACTH, cortisol) generally declined after 6 months (P < 0.0001). Ultimately, most mean hormone values remained within normal clinical reference ranges. Conclusion: Among young males, testosterone remained robustly stable over two years following Omicron BA.2 infection, while other endocrine markers displayed measurable longitudinal dynamics relative to the 3-month post-infection convalescent reference point. These findings highlight temporal post-infection patterns rather than definitive endocrine injury. While routine extensive endocrine screening may not be necessary for asymptomatic young males, targeted evaluation is recommended for individuals with persistent symptoms.

Background: Vestibular neuritis (VN) has faced various diagnostic challenges despite years of clinical use. This study analyzes 65 cases based on diagnostic criteria for acute unilateral vestibulopathy/vestibular neuritis (AUVP/VN) 2022. Method: Through medical history, physical examinations, and vestibular function tests, including the caloric test, video-head impulse test (v-HIT), and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs), we thoroughly tested vestibular receptor dysfunction of AUVP/VN cases. Patients were divided into two groups: total vestibular nerve branch dysfunction (tVND) and partial vestibular nerve branch dysfunction (pVND). The tVND group was defined as involving all receptors innervated by the superior and/or inferior vestibular nerve. The pVND group was defined as involving any other combination pattern of vestibular receptors (at least one). Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were analyzed. All patients were followed up for 6 months. Changes in DHI scale scores and residual or new symptoms were investigated. Results: A total of 65 AUVP/VN patients with vestibular receptor dysfunction were included. There were 51 cases in the pVND group and 14 in the tVND group. Compared to the pVND group, the tVND group showed longer vertigo duration ( p < 0.05), higher rates of postural symptoms ( p < 0.01), higher rates of abnormal caloric tests ( p < 0.05), higher canal paresis values ( p < 0.001), and higher rates of deficient vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain in v-HIT ( p < 0.001). After a 6-month follow-up, the pVND group showed lower DHI scores ( p < 0.001) and higher cure rate ( p < 0.001). Conclusions: In general, patients in the tVND group showed a more severe disease and worse prognosis than those in the pVND group. The substitution of the term AUVP for VN is appropriate and aligns with the clinical characteristics of the cases. However, the diagnosis of AUVP should be further developed to include otolith organ dysfunction.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a key organelle in eukaryotic cells, responsible for a wide range of vital functions, including the modification, folding, and trafficking of proteins, as well as the biosynthesis of lipids and the maintenance of intracellular calcium homeostasis. A variety of factors can disrupt the function of the ER, leading to the aggregation of unfolded and misfolded proteins within its confines and the induction of ER stress. A conserved cascade of signaling events known as the unfolded protein response (UPR) has evolved to relieve the burden within the ER and restore ER homeostasis. However, these processes can culminate in cell death while ER stress is sustained over an extended period and at elevated levels. This review summarizes the potential role of ER stress and the UPR in determining cell fate and function in various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases, fibrotic diseases, viral infections, and cancer. It also puts forward that the manipulation of this intricate signaling pathway may represent a novel target for drug discovery and innovative therapeutic strategies in the context of human diseases.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, which is a primary cause of neurological disability in young and middle‐aged individuals in economically developed nations. Although MS is more prevalent and of ever‐increasing incidence in developed countries, patients with MS in developing nations confront unique challenges marked by significant economic and social burdens due to their limited access to the advanced diagnostic and treatment resources that are available in developed regions. Timely diagnosis is paramount for effective intervention in MS cases. Regrettably, there is limited availability of neuroimaging evaluations in low‐ and middle‐income nations, prompting the need to obtain alternative diagnostic approaches. In this article, we provide an overview of the worldwide epidemiology of MS, delving into associated risk factors, and examining serological biomarkers as alternatives to imaging. It is, therefore, imperative that strategies for the early diagnosis and treatment of MS are implemented in low‐ and middle‐income countries. This will lead to improved prognoses and quality of life, with a particular focus on enhancing outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Ménière's disease (MD) is defined as an idiopathic disorder of the inner ear characterized by the triad of tinnitus, vertigo, and sensorineural hearing loss. Although many studies have evaluated the association between variants in the KCNE1 or KCNE3 gene and MD risk, debates still exist. OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to evaluate the association between KCNE gene variants, including KCNE1 rs1805127 and KCNE3 rs2270676, and the risk of MD by a systematic review. METHODS: We searched the literature in PubMed, SCOPUS and EMBASE through May 2015. We calculated pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a fixed-effects model or a random-effects model for the risk to MD associated with different KCNE gene variants. The heterogeneity assumption decided the effect model. RESULTS: A total of three relevant studies, with 302 MD cases and 515 controls, were included in this meta-analysis. The results indicated that neither the KCNE1 rs1805127 variant (for G vs. A: OR = 0.724, 95%CI 0.320, 1.638, P= 0.438), nor the KCNE3 rs2270676 variant (for T vs. C: OR = 0.714, 95%CI 0.327, 1.559, P = 0.398) was associated with MD risk. CONCLUSIONS: Based on current evidence from published studies, neither of the two variants from KCNE was significantly associated with the risk of MD. Larger studies with mixed ethnicity subjects and stratified by clinical and sub-clinical characteristics are needed to validate our findings.

Exploring the clinical features of aviatic nasal diseases to provide references for medical evaluation, prevention and control measures in aircrew. To analysis and summary 605 cases with 503 pilots of nasal diseases in aircrew during 1966 to 2013. (1) There were 605 cases of aviatic nasal diseases, including 550 cases of general diseases and 55 cases of specific diseases. The general nasal diseases included 140 cases of anatomical abnormalities in nasal cavity type, 290 cases of inflammation in nasal cavity, 73 cases of allergy type, 47 cases of cyst and tumor type, and the specific nasal diseases were 55 cases of sinus barotrauma (SB). (2) The, constituent ratio of SB, which was happened in frontal sinus and /or maxillary sinus, was 95.55%. (3) The constituent ratio of cyst and tumor type in nasal cavity was easier causing to SB than anatomical abnormalities, inflammation, allergy disease in nasal cavity (P < 0.05). (4) The grounded constituent ratio of secondary SB was higher than anatomical abnormalities, inflammation, allergy, cyst and tumor disease in nasal cavity (P < 0.05). (5) The ways of hypobaric chamber tests were different for the kinds of aircrew. The qualified adjustment function of sinuses for barometric pressure was an essential condition for aircrew to continue flying. (6) The key point for the treatment of aviatic nasal diseases was to remove pathological change in nasal cavity and sinus and restore sinus ostium patency. The key point for the medical evaluation was to restore normal sinus pressure balance function. The key point of medical evaluation about aviatic nasal diseases is to assess the sinus pressure balance function in hypobaric chamber tests. Normative treatment and medical evaluation can effectively avoid flight accidents and improve the attendance rate for aircrew.

To find out the clinical characteristics of Meniere's disease in flight aircrew and discuss relevant principles of clinical aviation medicine, in order to summarize experience in medical evaluation of aircrew. Collect the data of 35 cases that were diagnosed with Meniere's disease from 1966 to 2011 in our hospital and analyze the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and flight conclusion of them. Among the 35 cases, 34 patients complained of vertigo. 27 patients complained of tinnitus and 21 patients complained of hearing loss. (1) 18 cases manifested typical symptoms of Meniere's disease (paroxysmal vertigo, fluctuating neurosensory hearing loss, tinnitus and ear fullness); (2) 7 patients showed the symptoms of vertigo and tinnitus, not complaining of significant hearing loss (after inspection. 4 of them proved the low-frequency hearing loss); (3) 7 patients only manifested as vertigo; (4) 2 patients manifested as tinnitus and hearing loss. 1 patients manifested only hearing loss. On the basis of the diagnostic criteria of Meniere's disease formulated hy Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. 22 patients were diagnosed with definite Meniere's disease, 2 patients were diagnosed with probable Meniere's disease, 11 patients were diagnosed with possible Meniere's disease. For patients with definite Meniere's disease and probable Meniere's disease, the phases of the disease were: 11 cases of phase I, 7 case of phase II and 6 case of phase III. The flight conclusion of all the 35 patients was permanent grounding. The time from the attack of the disease to receiving the conclusion of permanent grounding fluctuated from three months to 11 years. The diagnosis of Meniere's disease of flight aircrew must he cautious. For patients with atypical symptoms of Meniere's disease, the diagnosis should be made in the case of completely ruling out other possible diseases. Once be diagnosed, a patient should normally be flight unqualified. The flying waiver would he recommended only under exceptional circumstances. The criterion of waiver condition need to be further explored in the future.

To comparatively analyze the disease data of nasal sinus between helicopter and (strike) fighter pilots under flying qualification, and then to provide references for aeromedical support as a significant part of new logistics service union in army, The CT data of nasal sinus in 138 pilots who accepted physical examination for change to new-type aircraft, were collected included 46 cases of helicopter pilots and 92 cases of (strike)fighter pilots). The incidence of chronic sinusitis and cyst of nasal sinus were computed respectively in helicopter pilots and (strike)fighter pilots. (1) Fourteen cases suffered from chronic sinusitis (6 cases of maxillary sinusitis, 4 cases of ethmoiditis and 4 cases of maxillary sinusitis and ethmoiditis) in helicopter pilots whose incidence rate of chronic sinusitis was 30.4% (14/46). Of which, 3 cases of antracele were treated. Twelve cases suffered from chronic sinusitis (8 cases of maxillary sinusitis, 1 case of ethmoiditis, 3 cases of maxillary sinusitis and ethmoiditis) in (strike)fighter pilots whose incidence of chronic sinusitis was 13.0% (12/92). Of which, 1 case of antracele was treated. The incidence of chronic sinusitis was higher in helicopter pilots than (strike) fighters pilots (Chi2 = 6.07, P < 0.05). (2) Four cases suffered from unilateral mucosa cysts in maxillary sinus in helicopter pilots whose incidence of cyst of nasal sinus was 8.7% (4/46). Ten cases suffered from mucosa cysts in maxillary sinus (unilateral 8 cases and bilateral 2 cases) in (strike) fighters pilots whose incidence of cyst of nasal sinus was 10.87% (10/92). The difference of the incidence of cyst of nasal sinus was not statistically significant between the helicopter pilots and(strike)fighters pilots. The cysts of nasal sinus did not need treatment in 14 cases of this group data. The incidence of symptomless chronic sinusitis and cyst of nasal sinus are high in pilots. It is related with repeatedly changes of atmosphere pressure during flying. But most chronic sinusitis and cyst of nasal sinus do not need treatment. The incidence of chronic sinusitis is higher in helicopter pilots than(strike)fighter pilots. It may be related with the environment of helicopter which have unclosed cockpit and load other aircrew.

To sum up the experiences of diagnosis, treatment and medical evaluation of head and neck tumors in aircrew. Sixty-seven cases of pilot patients with head and neck tumors in our hospital since September in 1979 to July in 2009 were retrospective analyzed in the study. Among 44 aircrew with benign head and neck tumors there were 37 cases continued their flying jobs and 7 cases were permanently grounded; whereas in 23 aircrew with malignant tumors there were 6 cases qualified for flight and 17 patients unqualified. Benign or malignant of the head and neck neoplasm in the pilots are not the exclusive basis for their medical assessment. Tumor nature, location, efficacy of treatment and the impact on the function of their body should be considered as making the flight medical evaluation for the aircrew with head and neck tumors. Early diagnosis and treatment of head and neck tumors in aircrew are very important for reducing the rate of grounded.