Objective To evaluate and compare the results of air-conduct and bone-conduct auditory brainstem response(ABR)for the purpose of clinical application of the bone-conduct ABR.Methods A group of normal hearing young adults(61 ears)were measured with click stimulation air-conduct ABR and bone-conduct ABR in a soundproof chamber.Results The waveforms of bone-conduct ABR were almost the same as those of air-conduct ones with the threshold of 26.08?7.71 dB(nHL),but with a lower rate of wave derivation.There were no significant differences between male and female for both air-conduct and bone-conduct ABR testing.The threshold for bone-conduct ABR was higher than that of air-conduct one with a very high positive correlation(r=0.7740)and there were significant differences (P0.05) for the wave intervals.Conclusion The limitation of the bone-conduct ABR application and the differences from air-conduct should be considered when it was used clinically.

Objective To evaluate the thoracolumbar injury severity score [ thoracolumbar injury classifica-tion and severity score(TLICS)]and repeatability,and analyze its clinical significance in the treatment of injury of thoracolumbar.Methods The clinical and imaging data of our hospital (thoracolumbar X ray,CT examination,MRI examination) of intact thoracolumbar fractures in 90 patients were retrospectively analyzed ,respectively,TLICS score were made for their site of spinal injury morphology ,neural function and the posterior ligament complex three .Three months after reviewed ,TLICS was analyzed by using Cohen weighted kappa coefficient score .Its repeatability was ana-lyzed.Results According to the TLICS system ,spinal injury body ,nerve function and the integrity of the posterior ligamentous complex were evaluated , respectively, the repeatability coefficient of Kappa , the calculated total to 0.47 non operation group,operation group,the total score was 0.46,with a moderate consistency.The neural function evaluation of the highest high consistency ,consistency .No significant differences between the two groups of repetitive Kappa coefficient(statistical values =0.674 5,P>0.05).According to the TLICS system of statistical accuracy ,the diagnostic sensitivity,specificity ratios was 95.8%,86.4%,97.6%,respectively.Conclusion The reliability of TLICS system for thoracolumbar treatment and recovery is higher ,relative comprehensive evaluation ,which can effec-tively guide the clinical treatment .

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that isogeneic splenocyte transplantation can induce immune tolerance and prolong liver graft survival under the effect of immunosuppressant. It is reported that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) transplantation can also prolong the liver graft survival.OBJECTIVE: To observe the antirejection effect on liver grafts by simultaneous transplantation of isogeneic BMSC and spleen tissue in liver transplant rats.METHODS: Recipient Lewis rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: in acute rejection group, DA rats as the donor and Lewis rats as the recipients for liver transplantation; in cyclosporine A (CsA) group: recipients received CsA after liver transplantation. In the BMSC group, recipient Lewis rats received simultaneous BMSC transfusion and liver transplantation. In the spleen tissue group, the recipient Lewis rats received DA rat liver, spleen tissue and isogeneic BMSC transplantation. The serum cytokine levels were determined, and liver pathological changes and survival were observed postoperatively. The level of chimerism in the spleen of Lewis rats were also observed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The blood levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon gamma of spleen tissue group were significantly reduced compared with the other groups (P< 0.05), but IL-6 and IL-10 were increased (P< 0.05), and donor positive cells were increased at 30 days (P< 0.05). Liver pathology revealed a mild acute rejection in liver graft of CsA and BMSC groups, severe acute rejection in acute rejection group, but no rejection in spleen tissue transplantation group. Results indicate that isogeneic BMSCs transfusion combined donor spleen tissue transplantation can induce allograft tolerance in liver transplant rats.

Objective To study the clinical values of dynamic changes of yon Willebrand factor (vWF) and ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin repeats-13 ) in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Methods Twenty-nine patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage admitted to Department of Neurosurgery from April 2010 through April 2011 were enrolled for retrospective study.They could be categorized into 3 sets of grouping:delayed cerebral ischemia group ( DCI group) and non-delayed cerebral ischemia group ( no DCI group ),cerebral vasospasm group ( CVS group ) and no vasospasm group (no CVS group),and good prognosis group and poor prognosis group,and another 20 healthy subjects as control group.All patients were examined with CT,DSA,or/and CTA to identify the intracranial subarachnoid hemorrhage resulted from aneurysm rupture.The exclusion criteria included:(1)the time from onset to admission was longer than 72 hours or patient was in imminent danger of death; (2)patients had surgery,interventiona] or conservative treatment outside the hospital; (3) patients were under the treatment of antiplatelet medicine such as aspirin,clopidogrel,or other anticoagulants such as warfarin,etc ; (4) patients had blood diseases,impaired kidney or liver function,pregnant,or with recent infections.Venous blood were taken one day,4 days and 10 days after SAH to determine plasma concentrations of ADAMTS13 and vWF by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) was used to measure mean blood flow velocity of middle cerebral artery (VMCA).Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) score was measured before discharge. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 13.0 software. Results The levels of vWF were significantly higher in DCI group,CVS group and poor prognosis group compared with those in the control group 1 day,4 days and 10 days after SAH.There were differences in vWF between DCI group and no DCI group 1 day and 4 days after SAH ( P ＜ 0.05 ).There were significantly differences in vWF between CVS group and no CVS group,and between good prognosis group and poor prognosis group 4 days and 10 days after SAH ( P ＜ 0.01 ).In DCI group and poor prognosis group,the level of plasma ADAMTS13 was significantly lower 1 day after SAH than that in the normal control group (P ＜0.01) and in the no DCI group (P ＜0.O1 ); and there were no differences in ADAMTS13 between CVS group and no CVS group.Conclusions In the early stage,the increase in plasma vWF and decrease in ADAMTS13 activity are associated with DCI,and the decrease in ADAMTS13 activity can be used to predict the outcome.

Objective To explore the causal influences between activated regions in executive control network when participants were performing attention network test (ANT)under passive hyperthermia using Granger causality analysis.Methods Thirty male healthy participants which were randomly divided into control group (n=1 5)and experimental group (n=1 5)performed ANT task during two thermal conditions:hyperthermic condition (50℃)and normothermic condition (20℃)during functional magnetic reso-nance imaging.The data processing was performed using statistical parametric mapping 8 (SPM8).Granger causality analysis was performed on the resulted activated regions,as well as the correlations of the GC values with the reaction time in both groups.Results Between-group comparisons on Granger causality analysis revealed significantly enhanced influences of anterior cingulate gyrus and right inferior parietal lobule on dorsolateral prefrontal cortex,and bidirectional influences between dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and right superior parietal lobule,but decreased influence between right superior parietal lobule and right inferior parietal lobule.The correlation analysis showed significant correlation between GC value of right superior parietal lobule to dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the reaction time in control group (r=-0.558,P =0.031),but yet there was no significant correlation in experimental group (r=0.355,P =0.257).Conclusion Heat stress affected the causal influences within the executive control network,which subse-quently disrupted the executive control performance during passive hyperthermia.

AIM: To investigate the effects of dexamethasone (DM) on expression of fas and bcl-2 mRNA and apoptosis in eosinophils (Eos) of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in asthmatic guinea pig. METHODS: The guineas pigs were stimulated with ovalbumin (OVA) for 48 hours. Hypodense Eos (HEos) and normodense Eos (NEos) were purified from BALF by gradients of Percoll. Eos was cultured in PRMI-1640 medium and DM (10 -10-10 -5 mol/L) was added. The mRNA of fas and bcl-2 in Eos was measured by hybridization. Apoptosis was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). RESULTS: Eos was cultured under the condition of DM administration in vitro. Apoptotic Eos increased, fas mRNA expression increased and the bcl-2 mRNA expression decreased in a dose-dependent manner. There was significant correlation between Eos apoptosis and fas mRNA expression. The expression of bcl-2 mRNA was inversely correlated with Eos apoptosis. CONCLUSION: DM promoted Eos apoptosis, increased expression of fas and inhibited expression of bcl-2 in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. fas and bcl-2 might be one of mechanisms of DM promoting apoptosis in Eos.

Objective To evaluate the function of regulatory T (Treg)cells in peripheral blood from patients with psoriasis, and to explore the possible role of the STAT3 signaling pathway in Treg cell dysfunction. Methods Totally, 81 patients with psoriasis vulgaris, who all presented with chronic plaques and had a psoriasis area and severity index (PASI)score of 10 - 30, were enrolled into this study. Forty-six healthy blood donors served as the control group. Venous blood samples were collected from these subjects followed by isolation of Treg cells and responder T (Tresp)cells. Flow cytometry was performed to determine the proportion of Treg cells in peripheral blood as well as that of cells secreting phosphorylated-STAT3(p-STAT3), interferon γ(IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)and interleukin 17(IL-17)in Treg cells, and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR)to measure the expression levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-17 mRNAs in Treg cells. Some Treg cells and Tresp cells were cultured in vitro alone or in combination, and flow cytometry was conducted to estimate cellular proliferative activity on day 7 after stimulation with IL-2. Some patient-derived Treg cells were classified into several groups to be cultured alone or in combination with Tresp cells with or without the presence of the STAT3 pathway inhibitor, Stattic V (10 or 50 μg/L), for 7 days. Subsequently, flow cytometry was performed to evaluate the proliferative activity of Tresp cells, and qRT-PCR to measure the expression levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-17 mRNAs in Treg cells. Results No significant differences were observed in the proportion of Treg cells in peripheral blood between the patient group and control group (6.437% ± 0.186% vs. 6.812% ± 0.241%, t = 1.224, P >0.05). Compared with control-derived Treg cells, the patient-derived Treg cells showed significantly decreased proliferative activity and inhibitory effects on Tresp cells, but increased proportion of cells secreting p-STAT3, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-17 (all P < 0.05). After the treatment with 50 μg/L Stattic V, a significant increase was observed in the inhibitory effect of patient-derived Treg cells on Tresp cells (inhibition rate: 61.670% ± 4.640% vs. 28.820% ± 11.490%, P < 0.05), but a significant decrease in the mRNA expressions of IFN-γ (2-△△C t: 1.654 ± 0.879 vs. 23.350 ± 6.721, P <0.05), TNF-α(0.850 ± 0.705 vs. 4.847 ± 1.525, P < 0.05)and IL-17(0.572 ± 0.135 vs. 3.095 ± 0.650, all P < 0.05)in patient-derived Treg cells compared with untreated patient-derived Treg cells. Conclusions The negative regulatory effect of Treg cells on Tresp cells is decreased in patients with psoriasis, which may be associated with abnormal activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway, and inhibition of the pathway may restore the function of Treg cells to a certain extent.

Objective To evaluate the value of digital subtraction computed tomography angiography(DSCTA)in the diagnosis of intracranial small aneurysms.Methods 92 patients with intracranial aneurysms confirmed by digital subtraction angiography(DSA) or surgery were selected as the subjects of this study.Their clinical and CT imaging data were analyzed retrospectively.The diagnos-tic accuracy of DSCTA and conventional CTA for intracranial aneurysms was compared.Results A total of 102 aneurysms were con-firmed in the 92 patients,100 of them were detected by DSCTA and 89 by conventional CTA (χ2 =8.707,P =0.003).Two small aneurysms of less than 5.0 mm located respectively at the cavernous sinus and beneath the clinoid segments were missed by DSCTA, while 13 by conventional CTA.When aneurysms of less than 3.0 mm and 3.0-5.0 mm were combined with calculation,the sensi-tivity of DSCTA in detecting aneurysms of less than 5.0 mm was significantly higher than that of conventional CTA (χ2 =8.393,P =0.004).Conclusion DSCTA has more advantages than conventional CTA in the diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms,especially for the small aneurysms adjacent to the skull base.DSCTA can be used as a preferred technique in the screening and diagnosis of in-tracranial aneurysms.

Aim To investigate the effect of Aminophyllin e(AM) on expression of Interleukin-5 receptor ?(IL-5R?), IL-3R?, granulocy te- macrophage-colony-stimulating factor receptor ?(GM-CSFR?) and common ? receptor(?cR) in eosinophils(Eos) of BALF in asthmatic guinea pigs, and mech anism of AM promoting Eos apoptosis. Methods 18 guinea pigs wer e divided into three groups randomly, normal control group, asthma group and AM -treated group. Asthma model of guinea pigs was sensitized by ovalbumin. Hypode nse Eos(HEos) and normodense Eos(NEos) were purified from BALF by gradients of p ercoll. Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL. mRNA expression of IL-5R?, IL-3R?, GM-CSFR? and ?cR in Eos were measured by RT-PCR and hybridization.Re sults Apoptosis of HEos and NEos in asthma group(4?2,3?2) were low er than that in normal group(8?2,7?2)(P

Objective To evaluate the effects of rebuilding stove and health education on preventing coal-burning fluorosis and arsenic poisoning in Shaanxi in 2005.Methods According to "Scheme of Impmving Stove in Preventing Coal-burning Fluorosis and Arsenic Poisoning of Shaanxi in 2005",the initial meeting was convened,while liability contracts were signed,leading and technical guiding groups were established,professional training was carried out.On the basis of the epidemiologic data,stoves were improved in 7 chosen counties in Ankang and Hanzhong City where the health education in several modalities was carried out.The project was checked and accepted when the work was completed.Thirty children in fourth grade were randomly selected in one primary school of each county.Fifleen adults aged 16 years old were chosen randomly in each village in each country.They were asked to answer the questionnaire about the health knowledge.Results There were 955 322 stoves improved in 7 countries in Ankang and Hanzhong City accounting for rebuilding stove was 100%(95 322/95 314).The awareness rates of health knowledge were 88%(444/508)in the adults and 100%(210/210)in children.Conclusions The government mangement leadership,the cooperation between the related departments, the participation of residents and the assufance of fund are the essentials in long lasting control of endemic diseases.