Objective To study whether mechanical noise acting on the sacculus could enhance the SNR of the 8th nerve’s response.Methods Driving PZT by adding white noise of various level to periodic signals(f=100 Hz),the directly mechanical stimuli was give to the five sacculus submerged in a solution containing perilymph-like, and the afferent activity the 8th nerve was recorded.Results The SNR of the nerve signal was improved by addition nanometer-level noise to the periodic stimuli in all responsive animal(4.1 dB, on average).It was found that 2.3 nm of mechanical noise enhanced the response of the saccular nerve.Conclusion The addition of a few nanometers of noise to a periodic stimuli leads to a substantial improvement in the SNR of the nerve’s response.

Iliac arteriovenous ifstula (AVF) usually manifests in a wide range of symptoms similar to typical deep venous thrombosis (DVT), which often lead to delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. We reported a 51-year old woman who was performed lumbar discectomy and showed a progressive abdominal distention, dyspnea, and swollen left leg. She was initially diagnosed as deep vein thrombosis and the ifnal diagnosis was arteriovenous ifstula. hTe ifstula was successfully sealed by an endovascular covered stent. No further recurrence was found atfer a half year’s follow-up. hTis article summarized the experience regarding iliac arteriovenous ifstula misdiagnosed, and discussed the differential diagnosis between arteriovenous ifstula and pulmonary thromboembolism causedby deep vein thrombosis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of new bone formation in sinus augmentation with guided bone regeneration (GBR) using collagen membranes.

METHODSThe first maxillary molars of 18 adult female Beagle dogs were extracted and the sinus floors of both sides were lifted with simultaneous implantation. A combination of autografts and Bio-Oss in a 2:1 ratio was placed in the space under the membrane. On the experimental side in each dog, the collagen membrane was folded at the lateral osteotomy window, the apex of the implants and a certain part of palatal bone. On the contralateral control side, the collagen membrane only covered the osteotomy window. Six animals were sacrificed at 4, 12, and 24 weeks respectively after surgery. Gross observation, biomechanical testing and histological examinations were performed.

RESULTSThe translocation of grafted materials and bone absorption were found on the top of implants in the control side, and the grafted materials kept original shape at the experimental side at 4th week. The granule of Bio-oss absorbed obviously at 12th and 24th week. The pull-out force increased with time. At 24th week, the force of pull out was 558.1 ± 37.4 N at the study side, and 471.4 ± 31.5 N at the control side. There was a significant difference in the pull-out force was noted between the two groups (P < 0.01). Histological examination showed new bone formation on the sinus floor, and the grafted materials gradually reduced with time

CONCLUSIONSGBR with the enfolded-coverage of the membrane can effectively decrease absorption of the grafted materialon the apical surface of implants and stimulate new bone formation in the sinus augmentation.

Animals ; Collagen ; Dental Implantation ; Dental Implants ; Dogs ; Female ; Guided Tissue Regeneration ; Male ; Maxilla ; Maxillary Sinus ; surgery ; Minerals ; Molar ; Osteogenesis ; physiology ; Sinus Floor Augmentation ; methods ; Tooth Extraction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of PPAR-gamma/PGC-1alpha and Nrf2/gamma-GCS-h in lung of guinea pigs with bronchial asthma, and to explore the roles of them.

METHODSForty adult male guinea pigs were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control group (group A), asthmatic group ( group B), dexamethasone group (group C) and rogridone group (group D), 10 guinea pigs in each group. The asthmatic model was established by the ovalbumin challenge method. Expressions of PPAR-gamma/PGC-1alpha and Nrf2/gamma-GCS-h mRNA in lung tissue were assayed by in situ hybridization. Expressions of PPAR-gamma/PGC-1alpha and Nrf2/gamma-GCS-h protein were detected by immunohischemistry and by Western blot.

RESULTSIn situ hybridization showed that the expressions of PPAR-gamma/PGC-1alpha and Nrf2/gamma-GCS-h mRNA in lung tissue were the lowest in group B and the comparison among groups showed statistical significant (all P < 0.01). Immunohistochemistry and Western blot indicated that the value of PPAR-gamma/PGC-1alpha and Nrf2/gamma-GCS-h protein in lung tissue were the lowest in group B, and expressed primarily in nucleus, the differences being statistically significant (all P < 0.01). There was positive correlation between PPAR-gamma and PGC-1. gamma-GCS-h mRNA also positively correlated between PPAR-gamma/PGC-1alpha and Nrf2 in nucleus, and the expression of Nrf2 was also positively correlated with PPAR-gamma/ PGC-1alpha.

CONCLUSIONIn acute asthmatic models induced by ovalbumin, the expressions of PPAR-alpha/PGC-1alpha and Nrf2/gamma-GCS-h were decreased, and PPARgamma/PGC-1alpha could up-regulate the expressions of Nrf2/gamma-GCS-h to increase the antioxidant defense of tissues, thus being implicated that PPARgamma/PGC-1alpha might play important roles in the pathogenesis and prevention of asthma.

Animals ; Asthma ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Guinea Pigs ; Lung ; metabolism ; Male ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ovalbumin ; PPAR gamma ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the protective effect of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-3 PUFAs ) on hypoxic ischemic brain damage(HIBD) in neonatal rats.Methods Eighteen pregnant rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, control group (6 pregnant rats, 26 new-born rats), sham operation group (6 pregnant rats, 24 neonatal rats), intervention group ( 6 pregnant rats , 28 newborn rats ) . Intervention group was administration with ω-3PUFAs (1 mg? g-1? d -1 ) by ga-vage , from 2 d after pregnancy to childbirth after 14 d.The rats in con-trol group and sham operation group were given the same amount of 0.9%NaCl.The newborn mice of 7 d old were made into HIBD model . Brain edema was measured using the gravimetric method .The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase ( iNOS) and interleukin -6 ( iL-6 ) in brain tissue were detected by Western blot .The learning and memory function was assessed by the modified Morris water maze .Results Com-pared with control group , the newborn mice brain edema degree of inter-vention group was more ease , the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).The expression of iNOS and interleukin -6 in newborn rat cerebral cortex of intervention group was more higher , the difference was statistically significant ( P <0.05 ) .The rats of learning and memory abilityininterventiongroupwasstronger,thedifferencewasstatisticallysignificant(P<0.05).Conclusion ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may inhibit the expression of interleukin -6 and iNOS, and play a protective role in HIBD of newborn rat.

OBJECTIVETo search for the dystrophin gene mutations of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients without gross deletions, in order to offer accurate genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for those families.

METHODSAll 79 exons of the dystrophin gene as well as its 5'-UTR and 3'-UTR of 14 Chinese DMD/Becker muscular dystrphy (BMD) patients without detectable gross deletions were screened by denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) and heteroduplex fragments were identified by subsequent sequencing.

RESULTSSeven causative point mutations, including two novel ones, were detected in 7 patients. Fourteen known polymorphisms and 7 unknown intronic variations were also detected. Five mothers of the patients were obligate carriers.

CONCLUSIONDHPLC is an efficient way of identifying point mutations and the female carriers in DMD families.

Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Dystrophin ; genetics ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Counseling ; Genetic Testing ; methods ; Humans ; Introns ; genetics ; Male ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Point Mutation ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Sequence Deletion ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo analyze the mutation of the keratin 9 gene (KRT9) in a pedigree with epidermolytic plamoplantar keratoderma (EPPK).

METHODSBlood samples were obtained from 4 affected and 3 normal individuals in this family. Mutation screening was carried out by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct DNA sequencing.

RESULTSA heterozygous nucleotide C to T transition at position 484 in exon 1 of the KRT9 gene was detected in the 3 affected in this family, but was not found in normal individuals in the family and 100 unrelated individuals.

CONCLUSIONA missense mutation (484 C to T) in the KRT9 gene has been detected in this EPPK family, which is probably one of the molecular bases of the pathogenesis of the disease.

Adult ; Child, Preschool ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Keratin-9 ; genetics ; Keratoderma, Palmoplantar ; genetics ; Male ; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques ; Mutation ; Mutation, Missense ; Pedigree

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; genetics ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; SMN Complex Proteins ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Spinal Muscular Atrophies of Childhood ; diagnosis ; genetics

Objective Based on Chinese guidelines for the management of ischemic stroke, a standardized stroke management program was performed to provide intensive education and training for medical physicians, aiming to enhance their knowledge and ability for ischemic stroke prevention and treatment, thereby reducing patients′ in-hospital cost and length of stay, and improving patients′ clinical prognosis. Methods This study was conducted in 20 general hospitals throughout Hainan province. A total of 163 physicians from 20 hospitals involved in the management of stroke patients were trained by highly experienced physicians based on the Chinese guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of acute ischemic stroke 2014 and the Chinese guidelines for secondary prevention of ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack 2014. Prior to and post the standardized stroke management training, the data of 3218 and 3367 patients with ischemic stroke were respectively collected. Quality of life assessments including the Barthel index (BI) and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of all patients were recorded at baseline and after discharge. The length of stay and in-hospital cost were directly collected from the hospital information system. Results Physicians′ knowledge and ability manifested as testing scores were significantly improved after training (78.2 ± 15.5 vs 55.6 ± 10.7, t=69.1, P<0.01). The average length of stay of post-training patients was significantly shorter than that of pre-training patients ((8.7 ± 0.9) vs (11.7 ± 1.5) days, t=97.9, P<0.01). The average in-hospital cost of post-training patients was significantly less than that of pre-training patients ((7681.7 ± 1397.7) vs (11846.2 ± 2514.6) Yuan, t=82.5, P<0.01). Both BI (68.2 ± 3.2 vs 43.5 ± 5.3, t=227.7, P<0.01) and mRS score (2.74±0.51 vs 3.65±0.71, t=59.5, P<0.01) were significantly improved for post-training patients. Multivariate linear regression analysis illustrated that standardized stroke management was negatively associated with in-hospital cost (r=-0.461, P<0.01), length of stay (r=-0.357, P<0.01) and mRS score (r=-0.298, P<0.01), and was positively associated with levels of BI (r=0.376, P<0.01). Conclusion Standardized stroke management program might be a cost-effective choice for the management of ischemic stroke as it reduces the in-hospital cost and improves patients′BI and mRS levels.

Multiple institutions at home and abroad have established and issued the standards,guidelines,criteria or reports of the quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) of radiotherapy.At present,no institutions in China have implemented systematic classification of QA-and QC-related criteria of radiotherapy.Complete standard system of QA and QC of radiotherapy should consist of clinical and physical technologies.Physical technology includes equipment,technological flow and radiation protection.The QA and QC of physical technology play a pivotal role in tumor radiotherapy.This paper introduces relevant criteria of QA and QC of radiotherapy at home and abroad.