AIM:We generated transgenic mice of NKCC1-/-(homozygous mutant),NKCC1+/-(heterozygous)and NKCC1+/+(wild-type)that have a targeted disruption in the NKCC1 gene to investigate the role of Na-K-2Cl(NKCC1)channel in auditory function of the inner ear.METHODS:Hearing threshold and endocochlear potential(EP)were measured in the NKCC1-/-,NKCC1+/-and NKCC1+/+ mice by auditory brainstem response(ABR)and EP recordings,respectively.The inner ears of the mice were removed and examined morphologically with the light microscope.RESULTS:The auditory function of NKCC1+/+ mice was normal,the mean value for ABR thresholds in response to click sound was [(23.13?3.78)dB,SPL],EP was(98?16)mV.The mean value for ABR thresholds to click sound was elevated in NKCC1+/-mice [(38.49?12.29)dB,SPL],relative to that significantly increased in NKCC1+/+ mice(P

Objective To observe the therapeutic efficacy of electrical stimulation and balloon dilatation in treating cricopharyngeal achalasia after a brainstem stroke.Methods Thirty dysphagia patients with cricopharyngeal achalasia after a brainstem stroke were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group, each of 15.The experimental group was given real-time electrical stimulation and balloon dilatation, while the control group was treated using common electrical stimulation and balloon dilatation.Results Twenty-six patients in the 2 groups returned to oral feeding after treatment.Videofluoroscopy revealed that the cricopharyngeal sphincter had relaxed and the food passed successfully when swallowing.No aspiration was observed.There was no significant difference in swallowing between the two groups, but the average treatment time, days of treatment and cost of therapy in the experimental group were significantly less than in the control group.Conclusions Either real-time electrical stimulation or common electrical stimulation combined with balloon dilatation can treat dysphagia effectively, but the former can shorten the course of treatment and lower its cost.

Objective To observe the clinical curative effect of ginseng cream stickon in patients suffering from lack of lactation after parturition .Methods Ninety patients suffering from lack of lactation after parturition were divided into three groups :the treatment group (patients with ginseng cream stick by acupoint application ) ,and 2 control groups (control with lactation elixir ,and control with decavitamin) .The treatment last for 5 days for each group .And the breast filling degree ,the lactigenous volume ,the neonatal weight ,artificial feeding times ,the artificial feeding volume and the prolactin level before and after the treatment were all recorded .Results Ginseng cream stick by acupoint application dramatically improved breast filling ,the lactigenous volume ,the neo‐natal weight ,artificial feeding times ,the artificial feeding volume and the neonatal urination frequency ,there was a significant differ‐ence between the treatment group and the two control groups (P<0 .05) .Conclusion Ginseng cream stick by acupoint application could significantly relieve lack of lactation ,meet the need of breastfeeding ,and increase the breast‐feeding rate .

The distribution of the Na-K-2Cl co-transporter (NKCC1) in the cochlear K+ cycling pathway in cochlea and cochlear histological changes in the NKCC1 knockout mice were investigated. By using immunohistochemistry and toluidine blue staining, the localization of NKCC1 in cochlea of the C57BL/6J mice and the cochlear histological changes in the NKCC1 knockout mice were observed. It was found that the NKCC1 was expressed mainly in the stria marginal cells and the fibrocytes in the inferior portion of the spiral ligament in the adult C57BL/6J mice. Subpopulation of the fibrocytes in the suprastrial region and the limbus was also moderately immunoreactive. While in the cochlea of the NKCC1 knockout mice, Reissner's membrane was collapsed and scala media disappeared, accompanied with the loss of inner hair cells, outer hair cells and the support cells. The tunnel of Corti was often absent. All the findings suggested the localization of NKCC1 in the cochlea was closely correlated with cochlear K+ cycling. Loss of NKCC1 led to the destruction of the cochlear structures, and subsequently influenced the physiological function of cochlea.

This study examined the expression pattern of programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) in cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) and its association with age-related hearing loss in mice. Sixty C57BL/6J (C57) mice at different ages were divided into four groups (3, 6, 9 or 12 months). PDCD5 expression was detected by using immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR and Western blot. Morphological change of the cochleae was also evaluated by using immunoassay. The results showed that the expression of PDCD5 had a gradual increase with ageing in both protein and RNA levels in C57 mice, as well as gradually increased apoptosis of cochlear hair cells and SGNs. In addition, we also found that caspase-3 activity was enhanced and its expression was enhanced with ageing. It is implied that overexpression of PDCD5 causes the increase in caspase-3 activity and the subsequent increase of apoptosis in cochlear hair cells and SGNs, and thereby plays a role in the pathogenesis of presbycusis. Thus, PDCD5 may be a new target site for the treatment and prevention of age-related hearing loss.

Objective:To compare the consistency and detection capability of seven 2019-nCoV nucleic acid detection kits, and provide reference for detection method selection of clinical laboratory and diagnosis of new coronavirus pneumonia.Methods:Two batches of pharyngeal swab samples were collected from tenpatients with confirmed infection of 2019-nCoV and 10 suspected patients with negative 2019-nCoV test results during January 29 to February 5, 2020 in Shenzhen Luohu People′s Hospital. Seven kinds of kits were labeled as ato g and used for nucleic acid detection respectively to evaluate the consistency of the test results of the clinical samples. A 2019-nCoV positive specimen was selected and diluted to 5-concentration gradient plates (Level-1 to 5) with RNase-free water. The positive detection rate and intra-batch repeatability of different brands of kits were compared.Results:The negative and positive coincidence rates of twenty clinical samples tested by six kinds of kits were 100%, and the positive and negative coincidence rate was 8/10 and 10/10 for the other kit, respectively. The results of intra-batch repeatability showed the CVs of viral loads tested by these seven kits were all less than 5%. In the concentration range of Level-1 to 3, the detection capability for open reading frame (ORF)1ab gene of Kit b,d and f was lower than Kit a,c,e and g, and the detection capability of kit e and g was the highest (14/15). The detection capability for N gene of Kit a (15/15) was higher than the other 5 kits. The comprehensive analysis of the detection capability for ORF1ab and N gene showedthat Kit d had the lowest detection capability (ORF1ab:40%,N:53%), and there was no significant difference in the detection capability of Kit a, b, c, e, and f.Conclusions:There was no significant difference in the accuracy and repeatability of the seven kits for positive samples with high viral loads, and the detection performance was good; but some kits had poor detection capability for weak positive samples. It is suggested that the weak positive samples should be rechecked by at least two manufacturers′ kits to ensure the accuracy of the results.

The distribution of the Na-K-2Cl co-transporter (NKCC1) in the cochlear K+ cycling pathway in cochlea and cochlear histological changes in the NKCC1 knockout mice were investigated. By using immunohistochemistry and toluidine blue staining, the localization of NKCC1 in cochlea of the C57BL/6J mice and the cochlear histological changes in the NKCC1 knockout mice were observed. It was found that the NKCC1 was expressed mainly in the stria marginal cells and the fibrocytes in the inferior portion of the spiral ligament in the adult C57BL/6J mice. Subpopulation of the fibrocytes in the suprastrial region and the limbus was also moderately immunoreactive. While in the cochlea of the NKCC1 knockout mice, Reissner's membrane was collapsed and scala media disappeared, accompanied with the loss of inner hair cells, outer hair cells and the support cells.The tunnel of Corti was often absent. All the findings suggested the localization of NKCC1 in the cochlea was closely correlated with cochlear K+ cycling. Loss of NKCC1 led to the destruction of the cochlear structures, and subsequently influenced the physiological function of cochlea.

This study examined the expression pattern of programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) in cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) and its association with age-related hearing loss in mice.Sixty C57BL/6J (C57) mice at different ages were divided into four groups (3,6,9 or 12 months).PDCD5 expression was detected by using immunohistochemistry,real-time PCR and Western blot.Morphological change of the cochleae was also evaluated by using immunoassay.The results showed that the expression of PDCD5 had a gradual increase with ageing in both protein and RNA levels in C57 mice,as well as gradually increased apoptosis of cochlear hair cells and SGNs.In addition,we also found that caspase-3 activity was enhanced and its expression was enhanced with ageing.It is implied that overexpression of PDCD5 causes the increase in caspase-3 activity and the subsequent increase of apoptosis in cochlear hair cells and SGNs,and thereby plays a role in the pathogenesis of presbycusis.Thus,PDCD5 may be a new target site for the treatment and prevention of age-related hearing loss.

Due to the characteristics such as high capture, high recovery and precise control with fluid, the microfluidic chip has attracted much attention in the research field of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). The developed microfluidic system mainly included three types based on the captured principles such as biological affinity tag microfluidic chip, free label microfluidic chip and rely on biological affinity with the physical properties of integrated microfluidic chip.