Objective To compare the speech recognition by severe - to - profound hearing - impaired children using digital hearing aids and microlink FM system.Methods Hearing - impaired children were given respectively bilateral 100% omnidirection digital hearing aids, bilateral 100% omnidirection digital hearing aids and lateral FM system, bilateral 100% omnidirection digital hearing aids and bilateral FM system in noise and quiet environment. Speech recognition of these children was tested using different intensity.Results There was significant difference between children using microlink FM system and none FM system ( P

BACKGROUND:With unique structure and physicochemical property, carbon nanotubes have promising application prospects in the fields of drug delivery, biosensor and biomaterials. However, carbon nanotubes are highly hydrophobic and trend to aggregate, and thus carbon nanotubes are hard to be dispersed in solution. Furthermore, carbon nanotubes induce blood coagulation and have cytotoxicity, which greatly limit the application of carbon nanotubes. OBJECTIVE:To prepare heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes and to study the effects of heparin-immobilization on the water solubility, stability as wel as biocompatibility of carbon nanotubes. METHODS:By the method of covalent grafting, heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes was fabricated and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and carbazole assay. Transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate the dispersing performance and suspension stability of heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes in aqueous solution. Anti-Xa activity and activated partial thromboplastin time assays were used to measure the anticoagulation activity of heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes. MTT assay was used to evaluate the cytocompatibility of heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Heparin was covalently linked to the surface of single-wal ed carbon nanotubes successful y. The amount of heparin on single-wal ed carbon nanotubes was measured to be 257.53 mg/g. Heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes were wel dispersed and stable in an aqueous solution without aggregation. The anti-Xa activity of heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes was measured to be 36.53 U/mg, suggesting a significant anticoagulant activity. Further study of activated partial thromboplastin time assay found that the anticoagulant effect of heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes could be prolonged. MTT assay revealed that heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes had no cytotoxicity and showed good cytocompatibility. Taken together, the immobilization of heparin on single-wal ed carbon nanotubes wil not only improve its solubility and stability in water, but also endow it with excellent biocompatibility.

Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy(TAO)is a multifactorial-mediated autoimmune orbital disease with the highest incidence of orbital disease in adults.Due to the complex clinical manifestations and prolonged course,TAO seriously affect the physical and mental health of patients.The pathogenesis of TAO has not been fully elucidated and the treatment lacks specificity.Therefore,in-depth research on the pathogenesis of TAO is to find effective treatments.In recent years,studies have suggested that there is gut microbiota disorder in TAO,and the risk factors of TAO can promote gut microbiota disorder.Disordered gut microbiota can participate in the occurrence and development of TAO via influencing T cell differentiation,mimicking autoantigens,and influencing host non-coding RNA expression.Modulating the gut microbiota also has therapeutic effects on TAO and is a promising therapeutic approach.

There are many serotypes of human adenovirus (HAdV), and different serotypes can cause infections in different systems of the human body, one example being community acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, the clinical symptoms of HAdV infections are similar to those caused by other pathogens. To detect and serotype adenovirus rapidly and accurately is crucial towards the clinical diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the virus. This can facilitates the control of nosocomial infection and epidemiological monitoring. This article briefly reviews the molecular characteristics, epidemiology, and typing of human adenovirus, aiming to help formulate effective treatments towards HAdV infection in a clinical setting.

To improve the evaluation indicators of medical quality in TCM hospitals; To realize objective, fair, and accurate evaluation of the quality of TCM. Based on relevant literature on medical quality in traditional Chinese medicine hospitals research and thematic group discussions, 21 evaluation indicators for TCM characteristics were formed. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 40 experts, and 37 were effectively collected, with a positive coefficient of 92.50%. After two rounds of expert consultation, the evaluation indicators were determined to be: the intensity of outpatient use of TCM decoction pieces (utilization rate of TCM decoction pieces, prescription number of TCM decoction pieces, dosage of TCM decoction pieces, and service price of TCM decoction pieces), the intensity of the use of TCM technology (proportion of TCM technology, number of TCM projects, cost of TCM technology, and course of treatment). Case studies were conducted on relevant data from 10 departments using the operational decision support system (BI) platform of Yueyang Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital affiliated with Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine to verify the rationality of indicators. The 10 departments were analyzed and evaluated, and the results obtained were basically consistent with the actual medical quality situation of the hospital. The indicators used in this study can reflect the actual medical quality situation, and have a certain degree of scientificity, feasibility, and applicability, providing reference for improving the medical quality evaluation indicators of TCM hospitals.

Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy(TAO)is a rare organ-specific autoimmune disease with an unclear pathogenesis. At present, the treatment still relies mainly on glucocorticoids and traditional immunosuppressants. However, some patients respond poorly to these drugs and experience treatment-related adverse reactions, highlighting the urgent need for novel drugs for TAO treatment. In recent years, with the deepening of research on the pathogenesis of TAO, a multitude of biologics targeting specific targets have emerged. Among them, teprotumumab, which targets the insulin-like growth factor-I receptor(IGF-IR), has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of TAO, and several other biologics are currently in clinical trials. This review provides the latest reference for the clinical prevention, treatment, and research of TAO by summarizing the current clinical research status of biologics targeting IGF-IR, neonatal Fc receptor(FcRn), thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor(TSHR), B cells, cytokines, and other biological agents in TAO and analyzing their impact on clinical treatment and future research trends.

Graves' ophthalmopathy is the most common clinical orbital disease, and T helper (Th) cells play an important role in the development of Graves' ophthalmopathy. Th17 cells are a major subpopulation of Th cells and abnormally highly expressed in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy. Th17 cells and the related cytokines interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-21 and IL-23 are involved in regulating the inflammatory response, fibrosis and adipogenesis. Th17 cells are unstable and exhibit a degree of plasticity, and they can differentiate into IL-17A and interferon (IFN)-γ dual-producing Th17.1 cells, which exacerbate the pathogenicity of Th17 cells. In addition, Th17 cells and the relevant factors are strongly associated with disease activity and severity in Graves' ophthalmopathy.
Humans ; Cytokines ; Th17 Cells ; Graves Ophthalmopathy ; Adipogenesis

In recent years, the potential hepatotoxicity of green tea extract (GTE) has attracted more and more attention. With reference to the current studies on liver injury caused by GTE and the latest drug hepatotoxicity classification, this article systematically elaborates on the objectivity and causal mechanisms of liver injury caused by GTE. Based on the main risk factors for liver injury caused by GTE, this article also proposes recommendations for safe and rational use of such products, so as to provide valuable insights for in-depth research on the mechanism of liver injury caused by GTE and risk prevention and control, and meanwhile, it also provides an important reference for the therapeutic use of GTE to improve health conditions.