Objective To investigate the effects of cochlear implantation on residual hearing and to evaluate the potential impact of long -term electrical stimulations on residual hearing .Methods 58 hearing impaired children with cochlear implants were included in this study .All subjects could cooperate with behavioral audiometry .Audio-metric evaluations were carried out pre -implantation and 3 ,12 ,24 months post -implantation respectively .Of 58 subjects ,43 were followed up more than 1 year and 17 were followed up more than 2 years .Results All 58 subjects showed significant differences (P<0 .05) between pre- and 3 months post-implantation of residual hearing at the individual frequencies of 0 .25 ,0 .5 ,1 ,2 and 4 kHz .43 subjects followed up more than 1 year showed statistic differences (P<0 .05) between pre- and 3 months post -implantation ,pre- and 12 months post-implantation at 0 .25 ,0 .5 ,1 ,2 and 4 kHz respectively .Comparing 3 months with 12 months post -implantation ,there were sta-tistic differences at 0 .25 and 0 .5 kHz ,while no significant difference (P>0 .05) at 1 ,2 and 4 kHz .Of 17 subjects followed up more than 2 years ,there were significant differences (P<0 .05) between pre- and various return visits post-implantation .Post-implantation return visits ,there were significant differences between 3 months and 12 , 24 months at 0 .25 and 0 .5 kHz respectively ,not any significant differences on 1 ,2 and 4 kHz .There were no sig-nificant differences on each frequency between 12 months and 24 months post- implantation .Conclusion Residual hearing after cochlear implantation could decrease to some extent for various reasons .There were significant differ-ences between 3 and 12 months post-implantation at 0 .25 and 0 .5 kHz .Not any significant differences were ob-served between 12 months and 24 months post-implantation at each frequency .

Dengue virus (DENV) envelope [E] protein is the major surface protein of the virions that indued neutralizing antibodies. The domain III of envelope protein (EDIII) is an immunogenic region that holds potential for the development of vaccines; however, the epitopes of DENV EDIII, especially neutralizing B-cell linear epitopes, have not been comprehensively mapped. We mapped neutralizing B-cell linear epitopes on DENV-1 EDIII using 27 monoclonal antibodies against DENV-1 EDIII proteins from mice immunized with the DENV-1 EDIII. Epitope recognition analysis was performed using two set of sequential overlapping peptides (16m and 12m) that spanned the entire EDIII protein from DENV-1, respectively. This strategy identified a DENV-1 type- specific and a group-specific neutralizing epitope, which were highly conserved among isolates of DENV-1 and the four DENV serotypes and located at two regions from DENV-1 E, namely amino acid residues 309-320 and 381-392(aa 309-320 and 381-392), respectively. aa310 -319(310KEVAETQHGT319)was similar among the four DENV serotypes and contact residues on aa 309 -320 from E protein were defined and found that substitution of residues E309 , V312, A313 and V320 in DENV-2, -3, -4 isolates were antigenically silent. We also identified a DENV-1 type-specific strain-restricted neutralizing epitope, which was located at the region from DENV-1 E, namely amino acid residues 329-348 . These novel type- and group-specific B-cell epitopes of DENV EDIII may aid help us elucidate the dengue pathogenesis and accelerate vaccine design.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Antibodies, Neutralizing ; immunology ; Dengue ; virology ; Dengue Virus ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology ; Epitope Mapping ; Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Mice ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology

Objective To investigate the effect of local injection of Botulinum toxin type A(BTXA) on spasticity and function of the affected upper limb in stroke patients.Methods A total of 32 stroke patients were re- cruited and randomly divided into two groups:a BTXA group and a control group.All the patients had spasticity of upper limb muscles,which scored grade 2 to 3 with the Modified Ashworth Scale(MAS) ,and decreased elbow joint range of motion.The 16 patients in the BTXA group received BTXA injection in the biceps brachii muscles and flexor muscles of forearm on 10～15 points,while those in the control group did not.All the patients in both groups were treated with rehabilitation training techniques.The MAS,Fugl-Meyer upper limb function assessment and Barthel In- dex were employed to evaluate the changes of muscle tone,upper limb function and activity of living (ADL)perform- ance of the patients before injection and at 1st,2nd,6th 12th weeks after injection.Results The therapeutic effect between the BTXA group anti control group was significantly different in terms of biceps muscle tone,the scores of Fugl-Meyer upper limb function assessment and Barthel Index.Compared with preinjection,muscle tone was de- creased significantly and ADL performance was improved after injection in BTXA group.The effects of BTXA lasted more than 12 weeks.Conclusion Intramuscular muhipoint injection of BTXA was useful in reducing muscle spas- ticity,and was helpful for increasing motor ability of the affected upper limb and ADL performance of the stroke pa- tients.

Objective To localize the sinoatrial node (SAN) of the newborn rabbits in vivo and cut it for purifying cultivation and study the morophologic characters of primary cultured pacemaker cells of SAN under light microscope and transmissional electron microscope. Methods Hearts of the newborn rabbits were embedded in paraffin for HE-staining and observed the location, form of SAN under optical microscope; SAN cells isolated from neonatal rabbits cultured and purified with the method of differential attachment and BrdU-treatment.Results SAN localized in the anterior wall of the superior vena cava and the posterior-lateral atrial wall.There was about 0.32 mm between its lowest point and sulcus terminalis. Three distinctly different types of cells were observed among the cultured cells of SAN: spindle, araneiform and polygon. The spindle cells covered the greatest proportion of the cultured cells of SAN (59.6%?7.3%). The frequency of spontaneous contraction of spindle cells was the highest among the constrcting cells (145 ?9)time/min. The results of ultrastructure observation showed that myofibrils and other organelles in spindle cells were poorly organized and significantly decreased in number compared with araneiform cells. There was no significant difference between araneiform cells isolated from SAN and from atrial muscle.Conclusion Among the cultured cells from neonatal rabbits SAN, the spindle cells are the pacemaker cells of SAN.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of comprehensive rehabilitation therapy on hand function after nerve and tendon repair in wrist.Methods22 patients after nerve and tendons repaired in wrist accepted comprehensive rehabilitation treatment such as ultrasound therapy,electrical nerve stimulating and function training in the whole course.1,3,6 and 12 months after treatment,re-assessment of the involved hand were performed with digital movement,sensation function and Carroll upper extremities function test(UEFT).ResultsThe excellent rate of hand function recovery in all measures were 95% 12 months after treatment.ConclusionComprehensive rehabilitation therapy is effective significantly in the improvement of hand function after nerve and tendon repaired in wrist.

Objective To examine how stroke affects muscle coordination and whether muscle function will be improved after rehabilitation.Methods Ten stroke patients with mild hemiparesis and six age-and sex-matched controls were investigated at baseline.Velocity-encoded phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (VE-PC MRI) and surface eleetromyography (sEMG) were performed to evaluate muscle coordination of thigh muscles during knee extension and flexion and the effect of rehabilitation. Results Using VE-PC MRI,we found that the peak velocity of rectus femoris was lower in the affected limb (P

Objective To investigate the genetic etiologies in the 0 -3 years old infants with hearing loss and to analyze the interaction between genetics and environmental factors. Methods Total of 130 infants were performed detailed audiological evaluation as well as the detection of the popular deafness gene mutations in GJB2 gene, SLC26A4 and mtDNAI2SrRNA. Of them, 84 cases were performed the computer tomography or magnetic resonance imaging examinations. Results Of the 130 cases, 54 infants were diagnosed as large vestibular aqueduct syndrome, while seven of 130 were as auditory neuropathy and the others were diagnosed as sensorineural hearing loss. Considering of the risks of etiologies for hearing loss, 85 of them had the experiences of the high risk factors at birth(65.4% ,85/130), while 23 of them had the exposure of aminoglycoside antibiotics, and 13 had the family history background as well as two eases were from the consanguineous families. In the causative genes screening, 42 infants were caused by the mutations of SLC26A4 gene (32.3%), but 14 infants found the mutations in GJB2 gene (4.6%), and no infants carried the mutation in mtDNA 12SrRNA 1555G and 1494T points in our studies. Conclusions In our studies, about 36. 9% infants hearing loss cases can be found the mutations in SLC26A4 and GJB2 genes. It is essential to put the idea into the hearing evaluation combined with genetic testing for the diagnoses of heating loss. It is also helpful for exploring the etiologies of hearing loss and performing the target genetic consulting for decreasing the prevalence of deafness in the future.

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between genetic polymorphism of P53, P21, CCND1 and susceptibility of chromosomal damage induced by vinyl chloride monomer (VCM).

METHODS183 workers occupationally exposed to VCM were involved in our study. Cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CB-MN) assay was used to detect chromosome damage in peripheral lymphocyte. PCR-RFLP technique was applied to detect polymorphisms in P53 gene (exon4, intron3 and intron6), P21 gene (exon2 and exon3) and CCND1 (exon4).

RESULTSThe risk of chromosomal damage for VCM-exposed workers with more than 30 yr was 1.2202 (95% CI: 1.0580 approximately 1.4072, P = 0.0062) compared with the younger workers, and the risk of female workers was 1.1491 (95% CI: 0.9841 approximately 1.3416, P = 0.0772) compared with male workers. The MN frequency in subjects with P53 intron6 mutant homozygous and heterozygous was higher than their wild-type homozygous counterparts (OR = 1.3032, 95% CI: 1.1285 approximately 1.6405, P = 0.0285). P53 exon4, intron3 and intron6 haplotype pairs of BBB/AAA and BAB/AAA were associated with the increased frequencies of micronucleus.

CONCLUSIONAmong VCM-exposed workers, more than 30ys, female, carrying P53 intron6 mutated allele and BBB/AAA and BAB/AAA haplotype pairs have higher risk of chromosomal damage.

Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Humans ; Micronucleus Tests ; Occupational Exposure ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Vinyl Chloride

OBJECTIVETo study apoptosis-related gene expression of human villous trophoblasts exposed to 50 Hz magnetic field and to investigate the possible mechanism of human reproductive health effects caused by 50 Hz magnetic field.

METHODSCultured human villous trophoblasts were exposed to 50 Hz magnetic field at 0.4 mT for 6, 48, 72 hours. Gene expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3, p53 and Fas were analyzed using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay.

RESULTSWithin 72 hours, the average fold change for each gene was near 1.00, and there was no significant difference on expression pattern in each gene between exposure and control groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION0.4 mT 50 Hz magnetic field does not affect the apoptosis-related gene expression of human villous trophoblasts in vitro.

Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Magnetic Fields ; adverse effects ; Pregnancy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Trophoblasts ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism ; fas Receptor ; metabolism

Here we report a case of 41-year-old man with a soft tissue density mass at right upper lung and palpable abscesses at right upper backside and right wrist. ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography demonstrated a 7.8 × 5.0 cm mass with soft-tissue density in the upper lobe of the right lung with high metabolic activity. The infiltrative mass extended to adjacent chest wall soft tissue. Final diagnosis of pulmonary actinomycosis with multiple abscesses was made. The patient responded well to antibiotics treatment.
Abscess ; Actinomycosis/*diagnosis/drug therapy/microbiology ; Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18/chemistry ; Humans ; Lung Diseases/*diagnosis/drug therapy/microbiology ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology ; Male ; *Positron-Emission Tomography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed