Objective To study the Mandarin long-term average speech spectrum (LTASS),the effects of gender,language and region material on LTASS were explored.This research would provide reference for clinical and academic use of Mandarin LTASS.Methods One hundred and sixty subjects from eight major dialectic regions of China,aging 16~30 (average 22.3±3.3),were asked to read two materials (storybook,newspaper)in Manda-rin at a steady speed and conversational level inside a standard soundproof booth.Ten males and ten females were in each dialectic region.A microphone (B&K 4192)was used to monitor each subject's speech which was analyzed with a real-time spectrum analyzer to obtain the long-term spectrum (B&K PULSE 3560C).Results Different Man-darin LTASS spectra were obtained based on gender,material and regions.The spectra were tested with profile a-nalysis.Language material had no significant effects on the Mandarin LTASS (F =2.52,P =0.11 ).There was, however,significant gender difference (F =116.39,P =0.00).Males had spoken with intensity levels higher than females at 100 Hz to 200 Hz.There was also a dialectic difference in the Mandarin LTASS (F =1.29,P =0.02). Speakers from Guangdong had the lowest intensity levels compared to those from other regions.Conclusion Genders and regions are factors that need to be considered when LTASS is used for clinical purpose and academic study.

Objective:To compare the clinical and imaging outcomes of fascia lata autograft bridging repair reinforecd with an artificial ligament as the internal brace with the autograft bridging repair for the treatment of irreparable massive rotator cuff tears (IMRCTs).Methods:The data of 26 patients with IMRCT who underwent fascia lata autograft bridging repair augmented with artificial ligament as the internal brace (internal brace group) and of 24 patients with IMRCT who underwent bridging autograft repair alone (control group) were retrospectively evaluated preoperatively and at 2-year follow-up. Clinical outcomes were assessed using shoulder activity, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Score, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Score, and visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain. Imaging outcomes were evaluated using acromiohumeral distance (AHD), Goutallier grade, and status of fascia lata grafts according to radiographs or magnetic resonance imaging results.Results:All 50 cases were followed up for 34.2±7.2 months (range 24-45 months). Compared to the control group, the internal brace group showed better ASES score (93.5±5.3 vs. 89.5±5.7, P<0.05), UCLA score (31.7±3.8 vs. 28.5±5.6, P<0.05), improvement in UCLA score (19.6±4.2 vs. 15.9±5.7, P<0.05), active elevation (167.3°±8.4° vs. 159.4°±13.6°, P<0.05), abduction strength (8.9±1.2 vs. 8.2±1.2, P<0.05), improvement in abduction strength (4.1±1.2 vs. 3.3± 1.0, P<0.05), AHD (7.0±1.4 mm vs. 5.9±1.0 mm, P<0.05), improvement in AHD (3.3±1.5 mm vs. 2.0±0.6 mm, P<0.05), and healing rate of fascia lata autografts (92% vs. 54%, P<0.05) at 2-year follow-up. Conclusion:Fascia lata autograft bridging repair reinforced with an artificial ligament as the internal brace improves healing rate of bridging graft and postoperatively short-term clinical outcomes of patients with IMRCT.