Objective To study normal hearing children's speech perception in Speech Spectrum -Shaped Noise (SSN) and Babble Noise (BN) using the Mandarin lexical neighborhood test .Methods Thirty -four children with normal hearing were included in this study and randomly assigned to the SSN group and the BN group .Each child was given the 12 lists of Mandarin lexical neighborhood test ,word recognition scores were acquired at different SNRs .Results SNR50 of dissyllablic easy word lists ,dissyllablic hard word lists ,monosyllable easy word lists , monosyllable hard word lists in SSN were -3 dB ,-0 .5 dB ,-1 dB and 3 .5 dB ,respectively ;SNR50 of the four categories lists in BN were -3 dB ,2 dB ,0 .5 dB and 10 dB ,respectively .Lexical effects had a significant influence on spoken word recognition in noise .Especially ,word recognition scores of easy words were higher than those of hard words ,dissyllablic words were better than monosyllable words .Conclusion The masking effects of babble noise on spoken speech perception are stronger than speech spectrum -shaped noise for 3-6 year-old normal hearing chil‐dren .Lexical effects also affet children's speech recognition in noise .

Objective To explore the impact of pre-implant hearing aid fitting on the early open-set word recognition in children who received a cochlear implant(CI) when they were infants .Methods A total of 289 chil‐dren who received a cochlear implant between 0 .9 and 3 .0 years of age were included in this study .According to pre-implant hearing aid fitting ,participants were divided into hearing aid group and non-hearing aid group .The open-set word identification abilities of the cochlear implant children were evaluated via Mandarin Lexical Neighborhood test(M -LNT) .Results Comparisons of the scores of M -LNT between two groups displayed no significant differ‐ence at the same identification age or duration of CI use .Conclusion The abilities of the early open-set word rec‐ognition between hearing aid group and non-hearing aid group didn’t make significant differences for the CI chil‐dren w ho received a cochlear implant betw een 0 .9 and 3 .0 years old .

Objective To evaluate the clinical and radiographic characteristics and function of erosive hand osteoarthritis (EOA) patients. Methods Data were obtained from 19 patients with EOA, including their social conditions, clinical conditions, radiographic scores and hand function evaluation. The number of hand osteoarthritis (HOA) patients was 312. The control group consisted of non-EOA patients with hand osteoarthritis with a ratio of 4:1 to EOA patients. A non-parameter test analysis was performed. All data were analyzed by SPSS 23.0 statistical analysis, t test, χ2 test, Fisher exact probility and Spearman's correlations analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results Totally data of 19 patients were collected. Eighteen were female. Onset age was (56±8). Average duration was 56 (12~120) months. FIHOA scores of all the EOA patients were at least 5. All the erosions of 39 joints were characteristically central and erosive changes in 7 joints (18%) showed up as gull-wing. Among 39 erosive joints, including 12 (31%) E and 27 (69%) R, 34 (87%) distal interphalangeal joints were involved. Data analysis found out that EOA patients had longer disease duration (Z=2.610, P=0.009), more severe K-L level (44 ±11 vs 26 ±7, t=7.134, P<0.01), higher AUSCAN total score (28±6 vs 21±7, t=3.781, P<0.01) and higher AUSCAN function score (18±6 vs 12±6, t=4.042, P<0.01). The differences of ESR and CRP were not significant between EOA and non-EOA patients. Conclusion Erosions seen in EOA patients are centrally located gull-wing in the DIP joints. EOA patients have longer duration, more severe radiographic damage and worse joint function.

Objective To purify native F1 antigen from E pestis EV76 strain and determine its ef-ficacy against Y. pestis. Methods A new purification method was developed by the substitution of physical disruption ( glass beads) for organic solvent ( acetone and toluene) one, followed by a combination of ammo-nium sulfate fractionation and SephacrylS-200HR column filtration chromatography. Groups of mice were im-munized with F1 antigen adsorbed to 25% aluminum hydroxide in PBS by intramuscular route. The immu-nized animals were challenged subeutaneously(s, c. ) with 104 CFU of Y. pestis strain 141 at 18 weeks after the primary immunization. Results There was no IgG titre difference between two groups of mice with one-dose immunization, whereas in the two-dose immunization groups, the group F1-40 μg induced a statistically higher antibody titre than the group F1-20 μg. Complete protection was observed for animals immunized with purified F1 antigen by s.c. route. In contrast, the control mice immunized with aluminum hydroxide suc-cumbed to a same dose of Y. pestis 141 challenge. Conclusion This purification strategy is a simple and ef-fective, and can be operated in a large scale. Native F1 antigen extracted from Y. pestis EV76 is highly im-munagenic, and can be used as a key antigen component to develop sub-unit vaccine of plague.

Objective To investigate the relationship between inflammation and blood coagulation function in the patients with acute exacerbation of chronic cor pulmonale (AECCP) and discuss the potential mechanism and influence on the patients. Methods The present study was based on 30 healthy controls and 141 cases of AECCP in our hospital from January 2011 to June 2014.Levels of white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil (NEUT), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP, Complement 3 (C3), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB) and thrombin time (TT) in the patients were determined. Results Compared with the healthy controls, the patients had higher levels of WBC, NEUT, hs-CRP, PT, APTT, FIB, TT (all P < 0.001) and lower level of C3 (P < 0.001). Significant positive correlations were found between the levels of WBC, NEUT and FIB (r = 0.196 and r = 0.199, both P < 0.05); hs-CRP and APTT, FIB(r = 0.234, P < 0.01 and r = 0.466, P < 0.001); C3 and FIB(r = 0.466, P < 0.001), and significant negative correlations were observed between the levels of C3 and PT, APTT, TT (r=-0.258, P<0.01;r=-0.279, P < 0.01 and r = -0.168, P < 0.05, respectively). Compared with the survival patients, the cases of death had higher levels of WBC and NEUT (both P < 0.01). The area under receiver operating characteristic curve of WBC and NEUT, predicting the prognosis, was 0.666 (95% CI 0.552, 0.780; P < 0.01) and 0.695 (95% CI 0.558, 0.801; P = 0.001) respectively. Conclusions Inflammation and blood coagulation function disorder usually coexist in the patients with AECCP, and are closely associated with the severity. Levels of both WBC and NEUT can be used as prognosis predictors for the patients.

Objective To investigate clinical characteristics of elderly patients with sepsis combined with congestive heart failure and risk factors for short-term mortality.Methods Clinical data of elderly patients with sepsis combined with congestive heart failure who were admitted in our hospital from January 2013 to January 2018 were selected and retrospectively analyzed.They were divided into the survival group(n=134)and the death group(n=83)according to survival status during hospitalization.The clinical characteristics and risk factors for mortality were analyzed and compared.Results A total of 217 elderly patients were enrolled,with 113 males and a mean age of(72.3 ± 7.5)years.The death rate of sepsis was 38.3％ (83/217 cases),and 29 cases died of sepsis and 54 cases died of other diseases.Pneumonia accounted for 78.8％ (171/217 patients) in all patients of two groups,and skin and soft tissue infection for 12.9 ％ (28/217 cases).There were significant differences between two groups in age,body mass index,smoking,diabetes,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,mean arterial pressure,arterial oxygen partial pressure(PaO2),C-reactive protein,white blood cell counts,neutrophil and lymphocyte counts,glomerular filtration rate,serum sodium level,albumin level,lactate level,and left ventricular ejection fraction(P ＜0.05).Furthermore,the rates of invasive mechanical ventilation and continuous renal replacement therapy were higher in the death group than in the survival group(x2=13.209 and 7.402,P＜0.001 and 0.007).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that advanced age,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,low albumin level and low glomerular filtration rate were risk factors for mortality(P＜0.05).Conclusions Elderly patients with sepsis combined with congestive heart failure often have severe pneumonia and violent skin and soft tissue infection,with worse heart and renal function.Advanced age,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,low albumin level and low glomerular filtration rate are risk factors for mortality.

OBJECTIVE: A current technology for detecting and controlling transient noise in hearing aids (AntiShock) was evaluated. The objective was to evaluate AntiShock on loudness control and whether results in negative changes in sound quality of speech, transient noise and environmental noise and provide implications for hearing aid fitting. METHOD: Twenty-four subjects with sensorineural hearing loss participated in the study. In a single-blinded paradigm, the subjects were asked to rate loudness of transient noise and distortion of speech, transient noise and environmental noise with the AntiShock in both on and off conditions. RESULT: (1) The percentage of the transient noise rated as soft, comfortable, loud, too loud was 3.0%, 72.7%, 22.9% and 1.4%, respectively. There were significant differences in mean scores of loudness perception among listening conditions and between genders by a Two-Way ANOVA, the P values were 0.009 and 0.001, respectively. (2) The percentage of the speech rated as mild distorted, understandable, clear and very clear was 2.5%, 30.6%, 32.9% and 34.0%, respectively. There were significant differences in mean scores of speech distortion under different listening conditions by an One-Way ANOVA (P < 0.01). (3) The percentage of the transient noise rated as mild distorted, clear and natural was 2.9% and 97.1%, respectively. No significant differences in mean scores of nature of transient noise was found under different listening conditions by an One-Way ANOVA (P > 0.05). (4) The percentage of the environmental noise rated as mild distorted, clear but soft, clear and natural was 0.4%, 0.8% and 98.8%, respectively. No significant differences in mean scores of nature of environmental noise was found between different listening conditions by an Independent-Samples T Test (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION AntiShock showed positive effects on the loudness control of the transient noise. Quality of speech, transient noise and environmental noise were not impacted by AntiShock.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Equipment Design ; Female ; Hearing Aids ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; rehabilitation ; Humans ; Loudness Perception ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Noise ; Quality Control ; Single-Blind Method ; Young Adult

Objective:To investigate the aspiration risk of preventive placement of nasal jejunum nutrition tube in advanced esophageal cancer patients receiving radiotherapy and the influencing factors.Methods:The clinical data of 220 patients with advanced esophageal cancer who received radiotherapy and preventive placement of nasal jejunum nutrition tube feeding from November 2020 to November 2021 in Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were retrospectively analyzed. The level of aspiration risk was measured according to the standard swallowing function assessment scale (SSA). The questionnaire collected the following data: (1) the general data including gender, age, educational level, history of smoking, history of alcoholism, knowledge of aspiration; (2) the disease factors including tumor staging, tumor site, swallowing function, abdominal distention; (3) the nosocomial factors including history of esophageal cancer surgery, sedation and analgesia treatment, combination of chemotherapy or not, cumulative radiotherapy dose, grade of radiation esophagitis, the position, time and tube feeding method of enteral nutrition. The standard swallowing function of patients was measured and repeated saliva swallowing test (RSST) was used to screen the patients with the difficulty in the esophageal function swallowing. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the factors affecting aspiration risk.Results:A total of 220 patients with advanced esophageal cancer were enrolled in the investigation. Finally, 70 patients (31.8%) had grade 0 aspiration risk, and SSA score was 19; 23 patients (10.5%) had grade I aspiration risk, and SSA score was (23.4±1.3); 103 patients (46.8%) had grade Ⅱ aspiration risk, and SSA score was (27.5±1.1); 24 patients (10.9%) had grade Ⅲ aspiration risk, and SSA score was (33.2±1.5); 136 patients (61.8%) in total had aspiration risk. There were 32.7% (72/220) patients knowing the knowledge of aspiration. Multifactor analysis showed that esophageal tumor site ( t = -2.869, P = 0.005), cumulative radiotherapy dose ( t = 5.558, P < 0.001), grade of radiation esophagitis ( t = 11.405, P < 0.001), the duration time of enteral nutrition ( t = 4.050, P < 0.001) were independent factors affecting the aspiration risk. Conclusions:The aspiration risk of preventive placement of nasal jejunum nutrition tube in advanced esophageal cancer patients receiving radiotherapy is high, which is related to esophageal tumor site, grade of radiation esophagitis, cumulative radiotherapy dose and the duration time of enteral nutrition.

Objective:To explore the application effect of mindfulness meditation training in patients with heart failure treated by left bundle branch area pacing cardiac resynchronization therapy.Methods:Using the convenient sampling method, a total of 86 patients with heart failure who were admitted to the Heart Center of Henan Provincial People's Hospital from March 2019 and March 2020 were selected as the research objects. According to the random number table method, a total of 86 patients were divided into the observation group and the control group, with 43 cases in each group. Patients in the control group were given routine nursing and health education, while patients in the observation group were given mindfulness meditation intervention on this basis. Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) , Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to compare the intervention effects.Results:After intervention, scores of SAS, SDS and PSQI of patients in the two groups were all lower than those before intervention, and scores of SAS, SDS and PSQI of patients in the observation group were all lower than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P< 0.05) . Conclusions:Mindfulness meditation intervention in patients with chronic heart failure treated by left bundle branch area pacing cardiac resynchronization therapy can effectively reduce their negative emotions and improve their sleep quality.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of noise competition on word perception in normal hearing (NH) children and children with cochlear implantation (CI). Methods: To estimate the contribution of noise competition on speech perception, word perception in speech-shaped noise(SSN)and 4-talker babble noise(BN) with Mandarin Lexical Neighborhood Test were performed in 80 NH children and 89 children with CI. Corrected perception percentages were acquired in each group. Results: Both signal to noise ratio (SNR) and noise type influenced the word perception. In NH group, corrected percentages of disyllabic word perception in SSN were 24.2%, 55.9%, 77.1%, 85.1% and 88.9% at -8, -4, 0, 4 and 8 dB SNR, corresponding corrected percentages of monosyllabic word were 13.9%, 39.5%, 60.1%, 68.8% and 80.1%, respectively. In BN noise, corrected percentages of disyllabic word were 2.4%, 24.3%, 55.6%, 74.3% and 86.2%, corresponding monosyllabic word were 2.3%, 20.8%, 47.2%, 61.1% and 74.8%, respectively. In CI group, corrected percentages of dissyllabic word in SSN and BN at 10 dB SNR were 65.5% and 58.1%, respectively. Corresponding monosyllabic word were 49.0% and 41.0%. For SNR=5 dB, corrected percentages of disyllabic word in SSN and BN were 50.0% and 38.1%, corresponding corrected percentages of monosyllabic word were 40.8% and 25.1%, respectively. Analysis indicated that the masking effect were significantly higher in BN compared with SSN. Conclusions Noise competition influence word perception performance significantly. In specific, the influence of noise on word perception is bigger in children with CI than in NH children. The masking effect is higher in BN noise when compared with SSN.