BACKGROUND: Speech audiometry is decisive in selecting hearing aid,but it is seldom used in clinic in China.OBJECTIVE: To understand the differences in the speech resolution with speech audiometry between in-the-ear (ITE) and behind-the-ear (BTE)hearing aids.DESIGN: Paired controlled study.SETTING: Auditory Center of the 414 Hospital of Chinese PLA, Auditory Rehabilitation Center of Jiangsu Province.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 62 patients with auditory disability were selected from the Auditory Center of the 414 Hospital of Chinese PLA and Auditory Rehabilitation Center of Jiangsu Province. Among 32 ITE hearing aid users, average hearing loss at 500, 1 000, 2 000 and 4 000 Hz, was less than 85 dB, and the patients were aged from 16 to 60 years. Among 30 BTE hearing aid users, average hearing loss at 500, 1 000, 2 000 and 4 000 Hz, was also less than 85 dB, and the patients were aged from 16 to 60 years. All patients were consent.METHODS: Open and close methods were adopted for speech audiometry among ITE and BTE hearing aids users. Monosyllabic and disyllabic words were chosen as the type of speech and 20 words were given to one ear, respectively.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of speech resolution with monosyllabic and disyllabic words test between ITE and BTE hearing aid.RESULTS: In aspect of the effect of ITE and BTE hearing aids, there were no significant differences of both monosyllabic and disyllabic words no matter through open or close method (P ＞ 0.05). At the opening state, there were significant differences in resolution of monosyllabic and disyllabic words (P ＜ 0.05); while, there were no significant differences (P ＞ 0.05) at the closing state.CONCLUSION: Carrying out speech audiometry in the selection hearing aid is influenced by many factors.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that Schwann cells form a Bunger band in the basement tube and guide the extension of regenerating axons after peripheral nerve injury, but the exact mechanism remains to be explored.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of Wal erian degeneration on biological characteristics and secretory function of Schwann cells in rats with sciatic nerve injury.
METHODS:A rat model of sciatic nerve injury was established and divided into two groups:sciatic nerve transection group and surgical control group. Schwann cells were isolated and cultured from sciatic nerve segments by one enzyme digestion. The cellmorphology was observed under light microscope and S-100 protein expression was determined by immunofluorescence staining. After subculture, the first generation of Schwann cells were chosen to draw the growth curve by the counting method within 14 days. The cellactivity was detected by MTT assay. The adhesion of Schwann cells was examined by acid phosphatase analysis and the concentration of nerve growth factor was detected by ELISA method.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At 14 days after primary culture, a great number of Schwann cells were observed near the edges of nerve segments in the sciatic nerve transection group, but only smal number of Schwann cells scattered around nerve segments in the control group. Schwann cells in both groups showed S-100 positive expression. At 3 days after subculture, Schwann cells reached the logarithm proliferative phase, the cellnumber and proliferation absorbance values in both groups were increased along with time extension. Furthermore, the number of Schwann cells and absorbance value in the sciatic nerve transection group were significantly higher than those of control group (P<0.05). The adhesion ability in the sciatic nerve transection group was also significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). ELISA results showed that, the concentrations of nerve growth factor in the sciatic nerve transection group were significantly higher than those in the control group at 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 days (P<0.05). After sciatic nerve injury, Wal erian degeneration can induce Schwann cells dedifferentiate into the precursors, significantly influence the biological function of Schwann cells, promote the proliferation of Schwann cells within the short term, secrete large amounts of neurotrophic factors, enhance celladhesion, and provide a suitable microenvironment for regenerated axons. In addition, it creates the necessary microenvironment for peripheral nerve regeneration.

Objective To observe morphological characteristics and activity distribution of T. asahii biofilm. Methods The morphological characteristics of T. asahii biofilm were observed under an inverted microscope and scanning electron microscope, and activity was measured and quantitatively analyzed by 2,3-bis (2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino) carbonyl]-2H-tetrazo-lium hydroxide (XTT) assay and viable count, respectively. Spatial distribution of dead/vital cells, activity and thickness of biofilm at different layers were assessed under a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) following double staining with FDA/PI. Results T. asahii formed a biofilm in vitro on the surface of polystyrene materials. Under a scanning microscope, the biofilm displayed a complex three-dimensional structure which composed of spores, pseudohy-pha and true hypha. As time prolonged, the activity and quantity of biofilm increased. The results of XTT assay were correlated with those of viable count (r = 0.94, P < 0.01). The activity was of no obvious difference between different layers of the biofilm. The thickness of biofilm varied from 14.3 μm to 31 μm. Conclusions The structure of T. asahii biofilm in vitro is more complex than that of planktonic T. asahii. The activity is of no significant difference between different layers of T. asahii biofilm.

Objective To study the expression of BCL10 and associated chromosomal aberration in primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (PCMZL). Methods Tissue specimens were collected from 17 patients with PCMZL. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of BCL10. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed to examine the presence of API2-MALT1 fusion gene and chromosomal aberration in BCL10, MALT1 as well as IgH genes in these cases. Results Of these patients,94.1% (16/17) expressed BCL10 protein. The cytoplasmic expression of BCL10 was observed in 64.7% (11/17) of the patients, and nuclear expression in 29.4% (5/17). As shown by FISH test, neither API2-MALT1 fusion gene nor chromosomal aberration in BCL10, MALT1 or IgH genes was present in these patients. Conclusions Compared with MALT lymphomas originating from tissues other than skin, PCMZL is uncommonly associated with chromosomal abnormalities; it is possible that there are unknown factors contributing to its tumorigenesis. Nuclear BCL10 is unrelated to the presence of chromosomal aberration in BCL10, MALT1 or IgH genes. Further follow-up is required to clarify the association between nucle ar BCL10 and poor prognosis of PCMZL.

Objective:To summarize the clinical experience of treating patients with severe acute organic fluorine poisoning using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).Methods:In January 2021, an acute mass organic fluorine gas poisoning incident occurred in Quzhou, Zhejiang Province. The clinical data of 4 severe patients with acute poisoning of organic fluorine treated by ECMO in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed, and the epidemiological characteristics, clinical symptoms, signs, the abnormal laboratory studies/examinations, and treatments of this kind poisoning patients, especially, the treatment pattern, support time, complications, and outcomes of ECMO were collected and analyzed.Results:All the 4 patients were male, with an average age of (52±9) years, and all of them came to the emergency department complaining chest tightness, cough and pharyngeal discomfort 6 h after exposure by inhalation. The patient’s condition progressed rapidly with severe acute respiratory failure and circulatory failure as the prominent manifestations. The mechanical ventilations were performed (13.0±4.8) h after poisoning, and ECMO treatment was performed (15.5±5.3) h after poisoning. Among them, 2 patients were treated using venoarterial (VA) ECMO, and 2 patients using venovenous (VV) ECMO, but 1 patient was converted to VA-ECMO 8 h later. The duration of ECMO support for the patients was (8.8±3.6) d. The duration of mechanical ventilation was (23.0±28.7) d and stay in intensive care unit was (42.0±55.4) d. Among them, one patient was transferred to a specialized rehabilitation hospital after the amputation surgery due to lower limb necrosis after VA-ECMO support, and the remaining 3 patients were discharged after recovery.Conclusions:ECMO support might have the irreplaceable value in the treatment of patients with severe acute organic fluorine poisoning, and should be considered as one of the reserves of regional health care system in dealing with public health emergencies.

Objective:To analyze the fail mode of neoadjuvant therapy combined with surgery for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after long-term follow-up.Methods:Clinical data of consecutive 238 patients with locally advanced resectable ESCC who underwent neoadjuvant therapy combined with surgery in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from September 2012 to October 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The failure mode in the whole cohort was analyzed after long-term follow-up. The overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) rates were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method. Survival differences were determined by log-rank test.Results:The pathological complete response (pCR) rate was 42.0% in 238 patients. After a median follow-up of 46.1 months, tumor progression occurred in 96 patients (40.3%), including 25 patients (10.5%) with local recurrence, 61 patients (25.6%) with distant metastases, and 10 patients (4.2%) with simultaneous local recurrence and distant metastases. The median OS and DFS were 64.7 months and 49.9 months. And the 3-, 5-, and 7-year OS and DFS rates were 70.0%, 52.8%, 36.4% and 63.5%, 42.5%, and 30.0%, respectively. The 3-, 5-, and 7-year locoregional recurrence-free survival rates and distant metastasis-free survival rates were 86.0%, 71.4%, 61.2% and 70.6%, 55.9%, 43.0%. Compared with non-pCR patients, the overall progression rate and distant metastasis rate of pCR patients were lower (26.0% vs. 50.7%, 16.0% vs. 32.6%, both P<0.05). And the 3-, 5-, and 7-year OS (83.0% vs. 60.2%, 69.7% vs. 41.7%, 50.4% vs. 27.7%, all P<0.001) and DFS rates (80.4% vs. 51.4%, 63.9% vs. 31.2%, 45.9% vs. 20.3%, all P<0.001) were significantly better in pCR patients. Conclusions:Distant metastasis is the main failure mode of patients with locally advanced ESCC after neoadjuvant therapy. Patients with postoperative pCR can achieve better long-term survival.