Objective To investigate the number changes of the ribbon synapses(RS) in the inner hair cell of C57BL/6J mice with age .Methods The cochlear basilar membrane was obtained from C57BL/6J mice in 2 ,6 ,10 , 12 months old .RIBEYE on the presynaptic membrane and AMPA receptor on the postsynaptic membrane were double labeled by immunofluorescence histochemical technique .The stained sections were observed under a confocal laser-scanning microscope .Then the number of RS of the basilar membrane was calculated by three dimensional reconstruction images using 3DS max software .Results The numbers of RS reduced gradually from the cochlear a‐pex to base in the same developing stages .The numbers of RS in apex and middle turn of cochlea were gradually re‐duced with the age increasing .The number of RS in basilar turn reduced first and increased slowly then .Conclusion The decreases of the number of RS maybe the main pathological change at the early stage of presbycusis .In addi‐tion ,there may be a kind of compensatory mechanism by increaseing the number of RS to delay the hearing deficits .

Objective:To evaluate the meaning and value of high-frequency ultrasound in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).Methods:In this study,48 patients (unilateral hand)with CTS were analyzed.The thickness of transverse carpal ligaments at the pisiform bone was measured using high-fre-quency ultrasound.Open carpal tunnel release procedure was performed in the 48 CTS patients,and the thickness of transverse carpal ligaments at the hamate hook bone measured using vernier caliper under di-rect vision.The accuracy of thickness of transverse carpal ligaments was evaluated using high-frequency ultrasound.High-frequency ultrasound measurement of thickness of transverse carpal ligaments at the ha-mate hook bone and pisiform bone,and determination of the diagnostic threshold measurement index using receiver operating characteristic (ROC)curve,sensitivity and specificity were performed and the correlation between the thickness of transverse carpal ligaments and nerve conduction study (NCS)ana-lyzed.Results:The thickness of transverse carpal ligaments in the CTS patients were (0.42 ±0.08)cm (high-frequency ultrasound)and (0.41 ±0.06)cm (operation)at hamate hook bone,and there was no significant difference between the two ways (t =0.672,P>0.05 ).The optimal cut-off value of the transverse carpal ligaments at hamate hook bone was 0.385 cm,the sensitivity 0.775,and the specificity 0.788.The optimal cut-off value of the transverse carpal ligaments at the pisiform bone was 0.315 cm, the sensitivity 0.950,and the specificity 1 .000.The transverse carpal ligaments thickness and wrist-in-
dex finger sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV),wrist-middle finger SCV showed a negative correla-tion.Conclusion:High frequency ultrasound measurements of thickness of transverse carpal ligaments is a valuable method for the diagnosis of CTS.

Objective To explore the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts from 2 sources co-cultured with SD rat Schwann cells(SCs) . Methods Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were obtained by washing the femoral and tibial bone marrow cavities in SD rats. Osteoblast differentiation of the third passage of BMSCs was induced by incubation in osteogenic medium. Primary rat calvarial osteoblasts were obtained by digestion of the calvarial bone in one day old SD rats. The cells were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum(FBS) . SCs of passage 2 were obtained by digestion of sciatic nerve. The SCs were identified by S-100. The proliferation of 2 kinds of osteoblasts co-cultured with SCs was tested using 96 co-culture plate by methyl thiazdyl tetrazolium(MTF). Real-time PCR was used to test the osteoblast differentiation through co-culturing with SCs in 3 d and 7 d. The osteoblasts were implanted in the subtus chamber. The SCs were implanted in the superior chamber. Results SCs enhanced significantly the proliferation of calvarial osteoblasts at 7 time points. The expression levels of OPN mRNA, OCN mRNA, ALP mRNA, and BMP-2 mRNA of the osteoblasts were significantly lower in the experiment group than in the control group in 3 d and 7 d. SCs also enhanced significantly the proliferation of the induced osteoblasts in 5 d, 7 d and 9 d. The expression levels of OPN mRNA, OCN mRNA, ALP mRNA, and BMP-2 mRNA of the induced osteoblasts were significantly higher in the experiment group than in the control group in 3 d and 7 d, except the level of ALP mRNA in 7 d.Conclusions The BMSCs-induced osteoblasts cocultured with SCs may be used as seed cells to construct neurotized tissue engineered bone.

Objective To report computer-aided three-dimensional visualization of simulated surgery for distal femoral fractures using software Unigraphics NX and Mimics. Methods The preoperative CT scans of 6 patients with distal femoral fractures were used for three-dimensional reconstruction of distal femoral fractures using software Mimics. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the surgical instruments using the modeling function of software Unigraphics NX. The assembly function of software Unigraphics NX was used to vi-sualize the simulated internal fixations of distal femoral fractures with both Less Invasive Stable System plates and the retrograde nails. The operative procedures simulated by the software Unigraphics NX were analyzed preoperatively. Results The simulated operative procedures were clearly and vividly visualized in three-dimensions, The fracture reduction and operative effects could be predicted. Conclusion This system of three-dimensional visualization of simulated surgery for distal femoral fractures using software Unigraphics NX and Mimics can help surgeons make preoperative predictions and select reliable methods to improve the reliability and effectiveness of the orthopaedic surgery.

Objective To establish three-dimensional (3D) simulation model of acetabular fracture based on Letournel-Judet classification and analyze its significance. Methods Pelvis of one healthy female volunteer was scanned with 16 slice spiral CT. Dicom format data were processed by software Mimics 10.01 to reconstruct 3D model of hip bone. Different fracture types were simulated based on Letournel-Judet classification of acetabular fracture. The fracture fragments were displayed with different color. Screen-captures of fracture model from different directions were saved and video mode of fracture model was exported. Five orthopedic doctors and 10 medical students were employed to compare 3D fracture model with two-dimensional planar schematic diagram and made preliminary evaluation. Results The 3D simulation model of acetabular fracture had realistic form and stereoscopic sense, with satisfactory visual effect. The fracture could be observed and charted from optional direction and angle. Fracture model could rotate for 360° in the corresponding video mode. Four orthopedic doctors and nine medical students considered that 3D simulation model of acetabular fracture was helpful for understanding fracture classification. Conclusion The 3D simulation model of acetabular fracture is intuitive, realistic and dynamic and is helpful for clinical work and medical teaching.

Objective:To explore the reasons for delayed medical treatment in diabetic foot patients using the health ecology model as a framework.Methods:From November of 2021 to March of 2022, descriptive phenomenological research methods was used in 20 patients with diabetic foot who delayed medical treatment were interviewed face-to-face semi-structured in depth, and the data analysis was carried out using the seven-step method of Colaizzi phenomenology to refine the theme.Results:According to the five levels of the health ecology model, the reasons for delayed medical treatment were summarized into 11 themes, and the reasons for the personal trait layer included foot ulcers are not detected promptly, and the perceptual decline of advanced patients. Behavioral characteristics included lack of knowledge of diabetic foot, negative medical psychology. Reasons for the interpersonal network included insufficient family support and lack of social support; reasons for living and working conditions included high economic pressure, low electronic health literacy, and inconvenient medical treatment; the reasons for the policy environment included uneven medical insurance reimbursement ratios and limited medical conditions.Conclusions:The reason for the delay in seeking medical treatment for diabetic foot patients is multi-layered and systematic, and medical staff need to improve the self-management ability of diabetic patients′ feet from the individual level, and also need to guide patients from the system level on how to obtain the best medical resources.

Host genetic, environmental and viral factors are classified as three categories that determine clinical outcomes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The objective of this study was to detect the associations between polymorphisms rs346473 and rs346482 in Rho GTPase-activating protein 24 (ARHGAP24) gene and disease progression of HBV infection in Han Chinese population. These two SNPs were found by our DNA pooling using Affymetrix Genome-Wide Human Mapping SNP6.0 Array in HBV carriers, and verified by using TaqMan 7900HT Sequence Detection System with 758 progressed HBV carriers versus 300 asymptomatic HBV carriers (AsC) in a discovery phase and 971 progressed HBV carriers versus 328 AsC in a replication phase. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that individuals with genotype TT at variant rs346473 displayed remarkable correlations with disease progression of HBV infection both in the discovery phase (OR, 2.693; 95% CI, 1.928-3.760; P=6.2×10(-9); additive model) and the replication phase (OR, 1.490; 95% CI, 1.104-2.012; P=9.0×10(-3); additive model). These two SNPs were in strong linkage disequilibrium with D'=0.99 and r (2)=0.951, and haplotype TT disclosed an increased susceptibility to HBV progression (OR, 1.980; 95% CI, 1.538-2.545; P=8.1×10(-8)). These findings suggest that polymorphism rs346473 in the ARHGAP24 gene might be a part of the genetic variants underlying the susceptibility of HBV carriers to disease progression.

The low-frequency oscillation of electroencephalography can reflect the process of brain neuron remodeling. This article reviews the basic principles of neurobiology, measurement and analysis methods of delta (0.5-4 Hz) and theta (4-8 Hz) low-frequency oscillatory activities and their clinical applications in post-stroke motor, cognitive and language functions, and discusses the possibility of their clinical research and conversion application in the field of stroke rehabilitation.

Objective:To investigate the factors influencing the prognosis of patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive de novo stage Ⅳ breast cancer.Methods:The clinical data of 339 patients with ER-positive de novo stage Ⅳ breast cancer treated in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital and Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated TCM-WM from February 2010 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Related factors such as age, time of chief complaint, the clinical T/N stage, site of metastasis, expressions of molecular markers and treatment mode were included. Univariate log-rank test and multivariate Cox regression model were used to analyze the effects of prognostic factors on patients' overall survival (OS).Results:Univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in the OS of patients stratified by clinical N stage at first diagnosis, metastasis sites at first diagnosis, ER expression, progesterone receptor (PR) expression, Ki-67 positive index and p53 expression, endocrine therapy, chemotherapy at first diagnosis, surgery and radiotherapy of the primary lesions (all P < 0.01). Multivariate Cox regression analysis results showed that metastasis sites at first diagnosis, Ki-67 positive index, surgery and radiotherapy of the primary lesions were all independent influencing factors of OS for breast cancer patients (all P < 0.01). Conclusions:Patients with ER-positive de novo stage Ⅳ breast cancer have a good prognosis when they have oligometastasis, Ki-67 positive index ≤ 20%, and they receive surgery and radiotherapy of the primary lesions.

Host genetic,environmental and viral factors are classified as three categories that determine clinical outcomes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.The objective of this study was to detect the associations between polymorphisms rs346473 and rs346482 in Rho GTPase-activating protein 24 (ARHGAP24) gene and disease progression of HBV infection in Han Chinese population.These two SNPs were found by our DNA pooling using Affymetrix Genome-Wide Human Mapping SNP6.0 Array in HBV carriers,and verified by using TaqMan 7900HT Sequence Detection System with 758 progressed HBV carriers versus 300 asymptomatic HBV carriers (AsC) in a discovery phase and 971 progressed HBV carriers versus 328 AsC in a replication phase.Multivariable logistic regression revealed that individuals with genotype TT at variant rs346473 displayed remarkable correlations with disease progression of HBV infection both in the discovery phase (OR,2.693; 95％ CI,1.928-3.760; P=6.2× 10-9;additive model) and the replication phase (OR,1.490; 95％ CI,1.104-2.012; P=9.0× 10-3; additive model).These two SNPs were in strong linkage disequilibrium with D'=0.99 and r2=0.951,and haplotype TT disclosed an increased susceptibility to HBV progression (OR,1.980; 95％ CI,1.538-2.545;P=8.1× 10-8).These findings suggest that polymorphism rs346473 in the ARHGAP24 gene might be a part of the genetic variants underlying the susceptibility of HBV carriers to disease progression.