Cochleae of guinea pig, cat, and human fetus were studied under SEM. After tbe treatment with osmic and tannic acids, they were dehydrated by a critical point drier, then coated with carbon and gold, and observed under a JSM-35 scanning electon microscope.The organ of Corti looks like a spiral staircase winding around the modiolus. It is wider at apex and narrower at base. The vestibular membrane is composed of squamous epithelia covered with microvilli. The tectorial membrane is mainly composed of parallel fibrils, but at its surface and marginal region, the fibillae interwoven. There are three rows of outer hair cells (OHC) and one row of inner hair cell (IHC) in the organ of Corti, and the head plate of pillar cells is set in between both kinds of cells. The stereocilia of OHC are arranged in W-form, whereas those of IHC are in a curved arrangement. All the cells observed have microvilli, however, in some of the animal specimens, the stereocilia are irregularly arranged, damaged or entirely disappeared owing to noise exposure.In the four-month fetal cochlea, the cuticular plates of OHC looks just like velvet balls, which afterwards become W-shaped stereocilia, while on the surface of IHC, primitive hair bundles develop into a curved arrangement.Certain broken organ of Corti shows cylindrical body of OHC and its cup-like supporting structure. Phalangeal processes of Deiter ceils and OHC are obliquely arranged forming an angle. The pillar cell body is thin above and thick below, and twined with very thin nerve network.The tunnel cavity can be exposed by removing the roof structures, then longitudinal nerve fibers going along the tunnel bottom may be clearly seen. These fibers belong to the spirotunnel bundle——an efferent branch of olivo-cochlear bundle.

AIM: To investigate the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) on auditory and cochlear damage induced by brain ischemia and reperfusion. METHODS: The rats with brain ischemia and reperfusion were divided into two groups at random. In the experimental group, the rats were injected intramuscularly with NGF . In control group, the animals were injected with normal saline instead of NGF. Then the hearing loss and cochlear structural changes of rats in both groups were compared. RESULTS: It was found that the hearing loss of rats in NGF group were less significantly than that of control group ( P

Objective To study the feasibility,effectiveness and safety of temporary pacing at the right ventricular outflow tract area in patients with inferior acute myocardial infarction(AMI)and two or three degree atrioventricular block(AVB). Methods Ninety-five patients with inferior AMI and two or three degree AVB admitted into Cangzhou People's Hospital were randomly divided into right ventricular apex pacing group(47 cases) and right ventricular outflow tract region pacing group(48 cases). Seldinger method was used to perform the right femoral vein puncture in which a 6F sheath tube was placed,and a diode temporary pacing electrode was introduced into it in the two groups. Under the X-ray guidance,in the right ventricular apex pacing group,the electrode was pushed from the inferior vena cava to enter into the right atrium,then cross the tricuspid and finally reach the right ventricular apical portion pacing. In the right ventricular outflow tract region pacing group,under the X-ray guidance, after the electrode was withdrawn and rotated slightly clockwise,it was sent forward to the right ventricular outflow tract region pacing. The duration from the puncture at the right femoral vein to the implanted electrode reaching the pacing region,the pacing threshold,the un-favorable pacing,the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia and prognosis were observed in the two groups. Results The pacing time and pacing threshold in right ventricular apex pacing group were obviously higher than those in the right ventricular outflow tract region pacing group〔pacing time(s):336±150 vs. 354±152,pacing threshold(V):0.9±0.4 vs. 0.7±0.3,both P<0.05〕. The mortality in intensive care unit (ICU)〔0(0/48)vs. 2.13%(1/47)〕,the incidence of bad pacing〔10.42%(5/48)vs. 17.02%(8/47)〕and ventricular fibrillation(VF),sustained ventricular tachycardia,contraction of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia or frequent ventricular premature beat(VPB)and other arrhythmia incidence of complications〔10.42%(5/48)vs. 12.77%(6/47)〕in the right ventricular outflow tract region pacing group were all lower than those in the right ventricular apex pacing group. Conclusion The application of right ventricular outflow tract pacing in patients with inferior AMI and two or three degree AVB is safe and effective,and its stability is fine.

The authors observed the development of the organ of Corti in the temporal bones of 64 human fetuses of various fetal ages by means of comparing celloid sections with surface preparations. The organ of Corti just begins to appear in the second month. Most rapid development occurs in the period from the third to the fifth month. Afterwards, the principal structure of the organ of Corti tends to be stable with no further major changes, except for the differentiation and maturation of the intracellular components. In the fifth month, the major part of the higher columnar epithelial cells on the inner Side of the tunnel begins to degenerate and disintegrate before the formation of the inner spiral sulcus. But a few epithelial cells turn into large wandering cells. The authors discussed the characteristics, function and possible transformation of the wandering cells and compared them with essentially similar cells that appear in the developing central nervous system.

Objective At present, the risk factors for cognitive impairment in epilepsy patients are not quite clear.This study was to explore the impacts of the clinical features, emotional health and quality of life (QOL) on the cognitive function of the adult patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Methods Using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scales, we evaluated the cognitive functions of the 109 adult epileptics of the outpatient clinic of neurology in Jinling Hospital.We assessed their emotional health with Hamilton Depression Scale-24 (HAMD-24), estimated their QOL with Quality Of Life in Epilepsy-31 (QOLIE-31), and collected their baseline clinical data by questionnaire survey.Results There were 67 cases of MCI (61.5%) among the 109 patients.The residential area was the strongest predictor of MCI in the adult epileptics (OR=0.226, 95% CI: 0.082-0.627).Among other risk factors of post-epileptic MCI were the total scores of HAMD-24 (OR=0.770, 95% CI: 0.644-0.921) and QOLIE-31 (OR=0.712, 95% CI: 0.575-0.880), QOL (OR=1.070, 95% CI: 1.015-1.128), cognitive function (OR=1.120, 95% CI: 1.043-1.203), and social function (OR=1.103, 95% CI: 1.035-1.175).Conclusion The incidence of MCI is high in adult patients with epilepsy.The development and progression of post-epileptic MCI can be delayed by more emphasis on the evaluation of cognitive function, emotional health, and quality of life.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of current smoking and smoking cessation, and identify the influencing factors among hypertensive patients in Nanshan District, Shenzhen City, so as to provide insights into smoking control among hypertensive patients. Methods: The demographic features, life style, status of smoking and smoking cessation in hypertensive patients were collected from 69 community health centers in Nanshan District from 2017 to 2019. The gender- and age-specific prevalence of smoking and smoking cessation was estimated among hypertensive patients, and the factors affecting hypertensive patients' smoking and smoking cessation were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Totally 4 385 patients with hypertension were enrolled, with a mean age of (58.41±11.19) years, and the participants included 2 265 men (51.65%) and 2 120 women (48.35%). There were 724 current smokers, and the prevalence of current smoking was 16.51%, with 29.71% prevalence in males and 2.41% in females. There were 424 hypertensive patients quitting smoking, and the prevalence of smoking cessation was 36.93%, with 38.20% prevalence in males. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified male ( OR=12.885, 95%CI: 9.567-17.354 ) and drinking ( OR=2.567, 95%CI: 2.118-3.111 ) as facilitating factors for current smoking among hypertensive patients, and increasing age (OR=0.723, 95%CI: 0.642-0.815) and high exercise frequency (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.817-0.950) as barrier factors, while male ( OR=7.309, 95%CI: 3.304-16.165), increasing age ( OR=1.381, 95%CI: 1.120-1.703 ), unmarried ( OR=1.819, 95%CI: 1.329-2.490 ), divorced ( OR=7.837, 95%CI: 1.254-48.975 ), retired ( OR=1.545, 95%CI: 1.095-2.180 ), unemployed (OR=1.801, 95%CI: 1.057-3.066), and high exercise frequency ( OR=1.221, 95%CI: 1.096-1.360 ) were identified as facilitating factors for smoking cessation among hypertensive patients and widowed ( OR=0.285, 95%CI: 0.089-0.906 ), high educational level ( OR=0.766, 95%CI: 0.619-0.949 ), and drinking ( OR=0.488, 95%CI: 0.368-0.647 ) as barrier factors. Conclusions The prevalence of smoking is lower, and the prevalence of smoking cessation is higher among hypertensive patients than among general populations in Nanshan District. Young and middle-aged, employed, widowed men with a high educational level are key populations for tobacco control, and alcohol consumption control and intensified exercises are important measures to reduce the prevalence of smoking and improve the prevalence of smoking cessation.

Objective: To investigate the status and identify the influencing factors of smoking behaviors among residents in Nanshan District, Shenzhen City, so as to provide insights into tobacco control. Methods: Permanent residents at ages of more than 18 years were recruited from 17 communities in Nanshan District, Shenzhen City using the stratified multistage random sampling method from July to November, 2018. Participants' demographic features, smoking, smoking cessation and exposure to secondhand smoke were collected using the Individual Questionnaire for 2018 Chinese Adult Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance. The factors affecting current smoking were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Totally 1 700 questionnaires were allocated, and 1 625 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 95.59%. The respondents included 714 men and 911 women, with a male to female ratio of 1∶1.27, and had a mean age of ( 45.13±13.59 ) years. The prevalence of current smoking was 15.51%, with 28.15% prevalence in men and 5.60% in women. The mean age of starting daily smoke was ( 21.00±5.52 ) years, and the mean daily smoking frequency was (13.53±9.15) cigarettes/d. The prevalence of smoking cessation was 6.58%, with 10.64% in men and 3.40% in women, and the prevalence of exposure to secondhand smoke was 41.42%, including 46.63% in men and 37.32% in women. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that an educational level of junior high school ( OR=1.683, 95%CI: 1.088-2.602 ), an educational level of high school/technical secondary school/vocational school (OR=1.687, 95%CI: 1.185-2.402), an occupation of farmers ( OR=2.514, 95%CI: 1.404-4.500 ), and an occupation of commercial and service personnel ( OR=1.939, 95%CI: 1.093-3.439 ) were associated with current smoking. Conclusion The prevalence of current smoking is low among residents in Nanshan District, but the prevalence of current smoking in women is higher than the national level. Educational level and occupation are main factors affecting current smoking.

Objective To evaluate the effect of the different Child-Pugh classification on the recurrence and survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recipients after liver transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 125 HCC recipients undergoing liver transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were calculated by Kaplan-Meier survival curve. The independent risk factors probably affecting the recurrence and survival of HCC recipients after liver transplantation were identified by using Cox's proportional hazards regression model. Results The median follow-up time was 25.6 months. The 3-year DFS and OS rates were 68.4% and 65.7% for all patients. The 3-year DFS and OS rates in 113 patients with Child-Pugh class A/B HCC were 68.6% and 66.2%, whereas 66.7% and 65.6% for 12 patients with Child-Pugh class C HCC with no statistical significance (all P>0.05). Cox's proportional hazards regression model demonstrated that vascular invasion (P=0.001)and the number of tumors>3 (P=0.025) were the independent risk factors for the postoperative recurrence of HCC in recipients undergoing liver transplantation. Alpha fetoprotein (AFP)>400μg/L (P=0.035), vascular invasion (P=0.031) and number of tumors>3 (P=0.008) were the independent risk factors affecting the survival of HCC patients. Conclusions The postoperative prognosis does not significantly differ between Child-Pugh class C and A/B HCC patients after liver transplantation. AFP, vascular invasion and number of tumors are the risk factors affecting the clinical prognosis of HCC patients after liver transplantation. Liver transplantation is an efficacious treatment for HCC patients with Child-Pugh class C.