Objective:To observe the acoustic characteristics of glottal stops produced by patients with cleft palate.Methods:Twenty boys with cleft palate who were judged to be glottal-stop-producers and 20 normal peers were included. In their own way, all the children were asked to produce following sounds: /iu/ /pai/ /t′u/, /s/ /k′/ /p′u/ /t′u/, /tA/ /ku/ and /i/ /k′u/ /ti/ /suan/. Then the speech spectroanalysis and the comparison were performed by one investigator.Results:The acoustic characteristics of glottal stops changed a lot when they substitute or accompany with different oral stops, which included the emergence of spikes, changes of voice onset time, the formant transitions and spetroanalysis of spikes. Conclusion:The acoustic changes of glottal stops are complicated. Every single aspects of acoustic analysis should be considered in the identification of the acoustic characteristics.

Objective In order to study the level chang e of HSP70 in trauma shock patients as well as to explore the relationship betwe en HSP70 and pathogenesis of trauma shock.Methods Serum HS P70 level in 30 healthy volunteers (rved as normal controls) and 36 trauma shock patients were measured by western blot. Results HSP70 was (4301.3?1155.3) in trauma shock group, 6092.3?1233.5 in the control group, and there was significance divination (P

Objective To detect the role of P-Selectin(P-Sel), vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and nitric oxide(NO) on the etiology of traumatic shock.Methods The levels of plasma P-Sel and VEGF in 43 cases traumatic shock patients and 30 normal controls were measured by means of enzyme linked immuno -sorbent assay (ELISA) and that of No was measured by colorimeteric method.Results (1) The plasma levels of P-Sel, VEGF and NO in patients with traumatic shock were much higher than those in the control (all P

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rhTPO (recombinant human thromobopoietin) employed for the treatment of sepsis-associated thrombocytopenia. Method There were 47 patients with sepsis-associaiod thrombocytopcnia eligible for the prospective, randomized (random number) and controlled clinical study from January 2009 to November 2009 in ICU of the Tianjin First center Hospital. According to the principle of minimum distribution imbalance index, these patients were randomly divided into the rhTPO group (n = 21) and the IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin) control group (n = 22). In the rhTPO group, rhTPO was given subcutaneously to patients in a dose of 300 U/kg/d for 2 ～ 8 d, and in the IVIG control group, IVIG was used instead of rhTPO in a dose of 400 mg/kg/d for 5 days. Laboratory tests included blood routine examination, hepatic function, kidney function, coagulation function. The amount of blood products used, bleeding events, the days of ICU and hospital stay, total therapy cost and 28-day mortality were compared between two groups. Results The maximal platelet count in the rhTPO group was significantly higer than that in the contral group (t = 2.21, P =0.032). The mean value of difference between minimal and maximal platelet counts in the rhTPO group was much higher than that in the control group (t =7.40, P ＜0. 001). The average platelet count was no statistical difference between two groups before treatment (t =0. 458, P ＞ 0.05), but the average platelet counts in the rhTPO group were significantly higer than those in the contral group on the second and third day after treatment(t = 2. 166 and t = 2. 132, P =0. 036 and P =0.041. There were no statistical differences in incidence of bleeding, length of ICU stay and mortality between two groups (χ2 =0.720, t =0.91 and χ2 =0.264, P ＞0.05) , but the amounts of plasma and platelet transfusion were significantly less in the rhTPO group than those in the control group (t = 2.038 and t =2.252, P=0.048 and P=0.030) and the medical cost was cut down significantly in rhTPO group (t = 16.93, P ＜ 0.001). There was no adverse reaction occurred during period of observation. Conclusions The rhTPO can significantly increase platelet count, and decrease the amount of blood transfused and the medical cost. The administration of rhTPO is safe and efficient for the treatment of sepsis-associated thrombocytopenia.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; Interleukin-1beta ; NF-kappa B ; Osteoarthritis/drug therapy* ; Rats ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of medicines for activating blood and reinforcing Qi on the number of new micro-vessels and the protein expressions of VEGF and bFGF in the infarcted myocardium edge area of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) model in rats.

METHODThe AMI model of rats was established. After the successful model establishment, rats were randomly divided into the sham-operated group, the model group, the Danshen-Huangqi (1 : 2) group, the Danshen-Huangqi (1 : 1) group, the Chuanxiong-Huangqi (1 : 2) group, the Danshen group, the Chuanxiong group, the Chishao group and the Shexiang Baoxin pill group, with five rats in each group. Rats in each medicated group were orally administered with drugs as per 13.5 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) once everyday for three weeks. The immunohistochemical SP method was adopted to detect the expression of vWF in myocardial tissues, and count the number of micro-vessels (MVC). The protein expression of VEGF and bFGF in myocardial tissues were determined by Western blot.

RESULTThe new micro-vessels stained by vWF factor could be found in the infarcted myocardium edge area of the sham-operated group, the model group and all of medicated groups. The sham-operated group show unobvious new micro-vessels in myocardial tissues. A small amount of new micro-vessels could be seen in the infarcted myocardium edge area of the model group. Whereas a larger number of micro-vessels could be seen in the infarcted myocardium edge area of all of medicated groups. The differences between the sham-operated group and the model group had statistical significance (P < 0.05). The differences between each medicated group and the model group had statistical significance as well (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The lowest protein expression of VEGF and bFGF was found in myocardium of the sham-operated group, with the statistical significance compared with the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, each medicated group showed significant increase in the protein expression of VEGF and bFGF, with the statistical significance between them (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe Danshen group, the Chuanxiong group, the Chishao group, the Danshen-Huangqi (1 : 2) group, the Danshen-Huangqi (1 : 1) group and the Chuanxiong-Huangqi (1 : 2) group show the effect in promoting angiogenesis. Their mechanism for promoting angiogenesis may be related to the improvement of the protein expressions of VEGF and bFGF, so as to increase the contents of VEGF and bFGF and promote the angiogenesis of new vessels.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Microcirculation ; drug effects ; Microvessels ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Qi ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between articulation, velopharyngeal function, and surgical age by comparing the changes in articulation after velopharyngeal closure is performed. This study is also conducted to investigate the influencing factors of omission change between pre- and post-operation.

METHODSA total of 48 patients, including 18 males and 30 females, mean age (13.3 ± 5.8) years, with non-syndromic cleft lips and palates were selected from January 2011 to December 2011. Their speech data and articulation between pre- and post-operation were retrospectively analyzed using non-parametric tests. Correlation study was performed to analyze the influencing factors of the changes in articulation. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTSThe difference in articulation after velopharyngeal closure occurred was significant (Z = -3.796, P = 0.000). A negative correlation between the ratio of post-operative normal articulation and surgical age (R = -0.487, P = 0.000) was observed. The change in omission was positively correlated with surgical age (R = 0.589, P = 0.000) and gender (R = 0.404, P = 0.047). By comparison, the change in omission was negatively correlated with follow-up time (R = -0.235, P = 0.040).

CONCLUSIONArticulation and intelligibility are significantly improved after velopharyngeal closure is performed. These parameters are negatively correlated with surgical age to some extent. In addition, the change in omission is positively correlated with surgical age and gender, whereas the change in omission is negatively correlated with follow-up time.

Adolescent ; Articulation Disorders ; Child ; Cleft Lip ; Cleft Palate ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Velopharyngeal Insufficiency ; Young Adult

Objective To compare the effect and cost of three different α-thalassemia prenatal screening strategies used in Guangdong, China, and to provide evidence for α-thalassemia prevention. Methods In total, 13 284 hospital-delivery couples and 13 369 newborns/fetuses (offspring) from 21 counties or districts of Guangdong Province were included in this study, who were treated from June to December 2012. Mean cell volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and hemoglobin A2 (Hb A2) were detected in the couples, and 6 types ofα-globin gene mutations were found in all couples and newborns. The strategies were MCV/MCH and serum Hb A2 (protocolⅠ) or parallel screening based on pregnant women (protocolⅡ), and serum screening based on couples (protocolⅢ). The validity and reliability of the three strategies were then compared using the Chi-square test. Results The sensitivity and the specificity of pregnant women who wereα-thalassemia carriers in protocolⅠwere 74.82%(1 352/1 807) and 74.11%(8 506/11 477), and were 89.82%(1 623/1 807) and 48.60%(5 578/11 477) in protocol Ⅱ , respectively. And 1.67% (221/13 284) couples were bothα-thalassemia carriers by the gene test. The rate of missed diagnosis in bothα-thalassemia carrier couples in protocolsⅠ,ⅡandⅢwas 50.68%(112/221), 11.76%(26/221) and 11.31%(25/221), respectively. In couples who needed prenatal diagnosis, the rates of missed diagnosis, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 17.46%(11/63), 82.54%(52/63),98.35%(13 003/13 221), 19.26%(52/270) and 99.92%(13 003/13 014) in protocolⅠ;4.76%(3/63), 95.24%(60/63), 88.18%(11 658/13 221), 3.70%(60/1 623) and 99.97%(11 658/11 661) in protocolⅡ;and 3.17%(2/63), 96.83%(61/63), 59.31%(7 842/13 221), 1.12%(61/5 440) and 99.97%(7 842/7 844) in protocol Ⅲ , respectively. The diagnosis of severeα-thalassemia was not missed in all three screening strategies. The mean cost of protocols Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ for detecting a couple who needed prenatal diagnosis was 37 049.23, 50 836.00 and 40 321.64 RMB, respectively. Conclusions The three screening protocols have good efficiency in screening forα-thalassemia. However, protocolsⅡandⅢare preferred when financial conditions permit.

Objective To compare the effect of three β-thalassemia prenatal screening strategies in Guangdong province. Methods A total of 13 284 hospital-delivered couples and 13 369 newborns were recruited from 91 hospitals in 21 counties or districts of Guangdong province from June to December 2012. Mean cell volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and hemoglobin A2 (Hb A2) were tested for all the couples, and all the couples and newborns were detected by 17 types ofβ-globin gene mutations. The effect of three β-thalassemia prenatal screening strategies were compared as following:(1) MCV/MCH with Hb A2 serial screening(SS):Hb A2 was tested if the woman′s MCV<82 fl and(or)MCH<27 pg. If the woman′s Hb A2>3.5, it meant positive. And if the woman wasβ-thalassemia carrier and her husband′s Hb A2>3.5, it meant couple positive. (2) MCV/MCH with Hb A2 parallel screening(PS):if the woman′s MCV<82 fl and (or) MCH<27 pg and(or) Hb A2>3.5 pg, it meant couple positive. And the husband would be tested forβ-globin gene mutations if the woman was β-thalassemia carrier. (3) MCV/MCH with Hb A2 serial screening for couples(SSC):if one of the couple or both of them had MCV<82 fl and(or) MCH<27 pg, the couple would be tested for Hb A2, and if one of the couple got Hb A2>3.5, it meant couple positive. Results (1) For the SS strategy, the sensitivity was 92.69%(583/629);the specificity was 99.87%(12 638/12 655); the positive predictive value was 97.17%(583/600);and the negative predictive value was 99.64%(12 638/12 684). The results ofβ-globin gene mutations tested showed that the rate ofβ-thalassemia carriers was 4.74%(629/13 284) in the 13 284 pregnant women, and it was 4.29%(570/13 284) in their husbands. (2) The SS strategy detected 27 (0.20%,27/13 284) β-thalassemia carrier couples. For the SS strategy detecting β-thalassemia carrier couples, the missed diagnosis rate was 11.11%(3/27);the sensitivity was 88.89%(24/27);the specificity was 100.00%(27/27); the positive predictive value was 100.00%(24/24); and the negative predictive value was 99.98%(13 257/13 260). (3) When using the SS strategy for 13 369 offsprings, there were 582β-thalassemia carriers (4.35%,582/13 369), including 578 (99.31%,578/582) minorβ-thalassemia, 3 (0.52%,3/582) intermediaβ-thalassemia and 1 (0.17%,1/582) major β-thalassemia. The SS strategy detected 25 fetuses who neededβ-thalassemia prenatal diagnosis. (4) For the PS strategy, the sensitivity was 98.09%(617/629); the specificity was 88.73%(11 229/12 655); the positive predictive value was 30.20%(617/2 043); and the negative predictive value was 99.89%(11 229/11 241). (5) When using the PS strategy for theβ-thalassemia carrier couples, the sensitivity was 100.00%(27/27);the specificity was 95.55%(12 667/13 257);the positive predictive value was 4.38%(27/617);and the negative predictive value was 100.0%(12 667/12 667). (6) The PS strategy detected 28 fetuses who needed β-thalassemia prenatal diagnosis in 13 369 offsprings. (7) For the SSC strategy, the sensitivity was 93.80%(590/629); the specificity was 95.75%(12 117/12 655); the positive predictive value was 52.30%(590/1 128); and the negative predictive value was 99.68%(12 117/12 156). When the SSC strategy was used for the husbands, the sensitivity was 92.28%(526/570); the specificity was 95.27%(12 112/12 714);the positive predictive value was 46.63%(526/1 128); and the negative predictive value was 99.64%(12 112/12 156). (8) When the SSC strategy was used inβ-thalassemia carrier couples, the sensitivity was 100.00%(27/27);the specificity was 91.69%(12 156/13 257);the positive predictive value was 2.39%(27/1 128);and the negative predictive value was 100.00%(12 156/12 156). (9) The SSC strategy detected 28 fetuses who neededβ-thalassemia prenatal diagnosis. Conclusions All the three β-thalassemia prenatal screening strategies had good effect in clinical practice and public health. While in the high-prone area of β-thalassemia, MCV/MCH with Hb A2 parallel screening and MCV/MCH with Hb A2 serial screening for couples stratigies were better.

OBJECTIVETo determine the factors affecting post-operative velopharyngeal function of cleft palate patients aged over two years old.

METHODSThe data on 245 patients, including first visit case records and those in the database, were searched and recorded. Post-operative velopharyngeal function and clinical features, such as cleft ratio, adequate ratio, diagnosis, operative age and method, were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSCleft ratio and adequate ratio in the velopharyngeal competence (VPC) group were not statistically different from those in the velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI) group. The difference in VPC rate in different age groups and diagnosis was not significant. The post-operative VPC rates under different methods were significantly different.

CONCLUSIONThe current therapeutic schedule for patients younger than two years old is inappropriate for patients older than two years old. Cleft ratio is not the main factor affecting postoperative velopharygeal function. Sommerlad-Levator Veli Palatini reconstructional operation combined with sphincter pharyngoplasty can obviously improve the velopharyngeal function of patients aged 2 years old and up. This method should be applied in primary palatoplasty.

Child, Preschool ; Cleft Palate ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Palatal Muscles ; Pharynx ; Postoperative Period ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Retrospective Studies ; Velopharyngeal Insufficiency