OBJECTIVE: To investigate hidden hearing loss in tinnitus patients with normal audiograms by means of auditory brainstem response (ABR) and explore the origin of tinnitus. METHOD: Pure tone thresholds, ABR thresholds, amplitude of wave I and wave V of ABR were analyzed in 40 tinnitus patients and 15 controls. RESULT: There was no significantly difference in pure tone thresholds and ABR thresholds between those tinnitus patients and controls while a reduced amplitude of wave I and normal amplitude of wave V of ABR in the tinnitus patients became evident. CONCLUSION Tinnitus patients with normal audiograms have hidden hearing loss at the level of primary auditory nerve and the generation of tinnitus is likely attributed to a homeostatic response of neurons in brainstem.
Acoustic Stimulation ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; Auditory Threshold ; Case-Control Studies ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Female ; Hearing Loss ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tinnitus ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

Line scanning quantitative analysis method on silicate with small laser beam ( < 15 μm) was developed using laser ablation sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-SF-ICP-MS). Differences on signal intensity and elemental fractionation induced by different laser sampling patterns were compared. While spot ablation with small laser beam, the elemental signal intensity decreased with time significantly, and the elemental fractionation was obvious. In contrast, the elemental signal intensity by line scanning was higher and more stable and line scanning was free of elemental fractionation. Therefore, identical ablation pattern and condition should be used for the standard and the unknown sample in LA-ICP-MS quantitative analysis. A single pulse experiment was carried out to investigate the washout time when coupled to two-volume ablation cell. The result indicated that the elemental intensity decayed to the background value needed 2-3 s. The optimal parameters on SF-ICP-MS were set to reduce the effect of signal overlapping. Homogeneous sample KL2-G and titanite grains with composition zoning were analyzed by this method. Accurate element contents and element ratios indicated that fast washout time and optimal instrument parameters made it feasible to perform line scanning quantitative analysis accurately. Comparing to traditional microanalysis, line scanning quantitative analysis could reduce the laser beam size (<15 μm) and improve the spatial resolution efficiently. The potential of the technique to unveil compositional complexities in greater detail would help to improve our understanding of geochemical processes in mineral scale.

BACKGROUNDCalcium phosphate cement (CPC) is a biocompatible and osteoconductive bone substitute, and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) has strong osteoinductibility, therefore we developed a composite bone substitute with CPC and rhBMP-2 and evaluate its reconstruction effect in rabbit orbital defect.

METHODSThirty-six rabbits were randomly divided into two groups and a 5 mm × 5 mm × 2 mm bone defect in the infraorbital rim was induced by surgery in each orbit (72 orbits in all). The orbital defects were treated with pure CPC or composite of CPC and rhBMP-2. The osteogenesis ability of different bone substitute was evaluated by gross observation, histological examination, histomorphometrical evaluation, compressive load-to-failure testing, and scanning electron microscope (SEM).

RESULTSGross observation showed that both bone substitutes were safe and effective for reconstruction of orbital defect. However, histological examination, histomorphometrical evaluation and SEM showed that CPC/rhBMP-2 group had faster speed in new bone formation and degradation of substitute material than CPC group. Compressive load-to-failure testing showed that CPC/rhBMP-2 group had stronger compressive strength than CPC group at every stage with significant difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONComposite of CPC/rhBMP-2 is an ideal bioactive material for repairing orbital defect, with good osteoconductibility and osteoinductibility.

Animals ; Bone Cements ; therapeutic use ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; therapeutic use ; Bone Substitutes ; therapeutic use ; Calcium Phosphates ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Orbit ; pathology ; surgery ; ultrastructure ; Osteogenesis ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo understand the projects completion and research progresses in pediatrics which were funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), and evaluate the accomplishment objectively and justly.

METHODSThe completion status of projects in pediatrics funded by department of clinical medicine II from 2002 to 2006 was analysed retrospectively, and important research achievement and outstanding development in some projects were reported.

RESULTSDuring the period between 2002 and 2006, 420 articles were published, and the average was 8.1 papers per project, which included 56 papers that were published in journals indexed by SCI (the average was 1.1 papers per project). The completion of general project was better than that of "the Young Researchers Fund" and small grant project. Ten post-doctors, 102 doctors and 109 masters were trained. Two projects were awarded with the first grade prize and another 2 with the second grade prize at the provincial and ministerial level, 4 items applied for patent and 1 was granted. These completed projects, which were mainly related to 7 of 12 subspecialties in the field of pediatrics, such as the respiratory disease, nephrology, neurology, cardiology, endocrinology, hematology, neonatology, are the major portion of the application projects and subsidized projects funded by NSFC, and achieved great research progresses.

CONCLUSIONDuring the period between 2002 and 2006, the 52 completed projects in pediatrics showed difference in the distribution and quality of accomplishment among subspecialties and among types of supported projects; there are some gaps between pediatrics and some other clinical basic subspecialties II, this situation released the research status and problems in development of pediatrics in China. The general projects completion was good, and many projects obtained research achievements, which reflect the leading function of NSFC in pediatric research.

Foundations ; Pediatrics ; Periodicals as Topic ; economics ; Research ; economics

Oxidative stress is implicated in male infertility and significantly higher reactive oxygen species are detected in 25% of infertile males. Although different agents of various alternative medicines, including traditional Chinese medicine, have been tried with varying success, evidence remains limited on whether and how much herbs or supplements might help increase the anti-oxidant ability of the sperm. This study examined the anti-oxidative effects of icariin, a flavonoid isolated from Herba Epimedii, on the human sperm. We prepared the FeSO4/H2O2-damaged human sperms, which were co-cultured with icariin in vitro, and then observed the changes of the sperm by employing Raman micro-spectroscopy. The results showed that Raman mapping with a 514 nm excitation laser allowed clear differentiation of the nucleus, neck, and, in particular, the mitochondria-rich middle piece of a human sperm cell. The effect of icariin on different organelles of the sperm was quantified by localized spectral Raman signatures obtained within milli-seconds, and icariin could keep the "Raman fingerprint" of the human sperm the same as the control groups, suggesting that icariin could protect the human sperm from being damaged by FeSO4/H2O2. Icariin may serve as a tonifying and replenishing agent of herbal origin for enhancing reproductive functions.

In order to investigate the relationship between gut microbiota and type 2 diabetic erectile dysfunction (T2DED),we analyzed the characteristics of gut microbiota in the Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with T2DED.Thirty-five SD rats were randomly divided into two groups:control group (n=15)with normal diet,and experimental group (n=20) with construction of T2D model.Faecal and serum samples were collected at 2nd and 8th week after establishment of T2D model,respectively.Faecal samples were used for analysis of gut microbiota,and serum samples for detection of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO),lipopolysaccharide (LPS),and inflammatory factors like interleukin-1 (IL-1),IL-2,IL-10,and monocyte chemoattractantprotein-1 (MCP-1).The main compositions of gut microbiota were Bacteroidetes,Proteobacteria and Firmicutes at the phylum level,and Oscillospira,Allobaculum,Bacteroides,Ruminococcus,SMB53,Prevotella,Coprococcus,Sutterella and Blautia at the genus level with relatively higher abundance in all SD rats.The relative abundance of Enterococcus,Corynebacterium,Aerococcus,Facklamia (opportunistic pathogens in most case) increased,and that ofAllobaculum,Bifidobacterium,Eubacterium,Anaerotruncus (beneficial bacteria) decreased in T2DED group as compared with that at 2nd week after establishment of T2D model (T2D2 group).The serum contents of TMAO,LPS,IL-1,IL-2,IL-10 and MCP-1 in T2DED group were significantly higher than those in control group.The gut microbiota of T2DED rats was inhibited.The gut microbiota of T2DED rats had changed,as the relative abundance of beneficial bacterium was decreased while that of opportunistic pathogens was increased.The variations of gut microbiota might lead to inflammation and prompt the emergence of erectile dysfunction in the rats with T2D.TMAO might play an important role in the formation of T2DED.

Oxidative stress is implicated in male infertility and significantly higher reactive oxygen species are detected in 25% of infertile males. Although different agents of various alternative medicines, including traditional Chinese medicine, have been tried with varying success, evidence remains limited on whether and how much herbs or supplements might help increase the anti-oxidant ability of the sperm. This study examined the anti-oxidative effects of icariin, a flavonoid isolated from Herba Epimedii, on the human sperm. We prepared the FeSO4/H2O2-damaged human sperms, which were co-cultured with icariin in vitro, and then observed the changes of the sperm by employing Raman micro-spectroscopy. The results showed that Raman mapping with a 514 nm excitation laser allowed clear differentiation of the nucleus, neck, and, in particular, the mitochondria-rich middle piece of a human sperm cell. The effect of icariin on different organelles of the sperm was quantified by localized spectral Raman signatures obtained within milli-seconds, and icariin could keep the "Raman fingerprint" of the human sperm the same as the control groups, suggesting that icariin could protect the human sperm from being damaged by FeSO4/H2O2. Icariin may serve as a tonifying and replenishing agent of herbal origin for enhancing reproductive functions.
Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Ferrous Compounds ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; pharmacology ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidants ; pharmacology ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Spectrum Analysis, Raman ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Time Factors

Objective To derive the formulae for likelihood ratio （LR） calculation of half sibling relationships when both mothers participate. Methods Based on the fact that both biological mothers participate in the identification of half sibling relationship between the two individuals, test hypothesis for the identification of half sibling relationship was established. Conditional probability ratios of genetic evidence under null hypothesis and alternative hypothesis conditions were simplified, and then applied to a real case of half sibling relationship identification. At the same time, the LR of half sibling relationships under the assumption that only a single biological mother or none of the biological mothers participate were respectively calculated. Results In the cases of identification of half sibling relationship from same fathers, with no biological father involved, after the same genetic indicator test analysis, when both biological mothers participate in the identification, the accumulated LR value was higher than that of accumulated LR with only a single biological mother or no parents participating. Conclusion When the autosome STR test is used for the identification and analysis of half sibling relationship between two individuals, the calculation of LR is more simple, intuitive and operable with both mothers participating. The biological mothers should participate in the test as much as possible, otherwise the number of STR loci would need to be increased for a more specific conclusion.
Alleles ; Female ; Forensic Genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Likelihood Functions ; Models, Genetic ; Mothers ; Population Groups ; Siblings

INTRODUCTIONMacular oedema is the main cause of visual impairment following retinal vein occlusion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anatomical and functional outcome of pars plana vitrectomy and internal limited membrane (ILM) peeling for macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion.

CLINICAL PICTUREThis pilot study is a prospective nonrandomised series of 11 eyes of 11 patients with macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), foveal thickness on optical coherence tomography, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and multifocal electroretinography were evaluated.

TREATMENT AND OUTCOMEAll 11 patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy with ILM peeling. The mean postoperative follow-up was 13.5 months (range, 1.5 to 24). The mean thickness at the foveal centre decreased from 794 +/- 276 microm preoperatively to 373 +/- 150 microm, 302 +/- 119 microm, 249 +/- 203 microm and 185 +/- 66 microm at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and the final visit postoperatively, respectively (all P <0.001, paired t- test, compared to preoperative thickness). Postoperative FFA demonstrated markedly reduced leakage in the macular region. At the final visit, BCVA improved 2 lines or more in 72.7% (8/11) of patients and was unchanged in 27.3% (3/11) patients. Complications included cataract in 7 patients and vitreous haemorrhage, recurrence of macular oedema and visual field defect in 1 case each.

CONCLUSIONPars plana vitrectomy and ILM peeling rapidly reduced the macular oedema caused by retinal vein occlusion, with improvement in BCVA.

Adult ; Aged ; Epiretinal Membrane ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Macular Edema ; etiology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pars Planitis ; pathology ; surgery ; Pilot Projects ; Prospective Studies ; Retinal Vein Occlusion ; complications ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy

BACKGROUNDNeovascularization can cause vision loss in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and may be affected by many factors. Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) is a potent stimulator of angiogenesis. The study was aimed to investigate the expression of SDF-1 and its correlation with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the eyes with diabetic retinopathy.

METHODSThe levels of SDF-1 and VEGF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the vitreous of 41 eyes of 41 patients with PDR and 12 eyes of 12 patients with idiopathic macular hole (IMH). Vitreous fluid samples and fibrovascular preretinal membranes were obtained at vitrectomy. SDF-1 and VEGF were localized using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe vitreous concentration of VEGF was significantly higher in eyes with PDR ((2143.7 +/- 1685.21) pg/ml) than in eyes with IMH ((142.42 +/- 72.83) pg/ml, P < 0.001). The vitreous level of SDF-1 was also significantly higher in eyes with PDR ((306.37 +/- 134.25) pg/ml) than in eyes with IMH ((86.91 +/- 55.05) pg/ml, P < 0.001). The concentrations of both VEGF and SDF-1 were higher in eyes with active PDR than in eyes with inactive PDR. Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) could decrease the SDF-1 levels in the vitreous of PDR patients. The vitreous concentration of SDF-1 correlated with that of VEGF in eyes with PDR (r = 0.61, P < 0.001). The costaining of SDF-1 and VEGF was confined to the vascular components in preretinal membranes.

CONCLUSIONSSDF-1 protein is highly expressed in both the vitreous and preretinal membranes of PDR patients; SDF-1 may be correlated with VEGF in angiogenesis in PDR.

Chemokine CXCL12 ; metabolism ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Retinal Perforations ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Vitrectomy ; Vitreous Body ; metabolism