Objective To evaluate the open-set auditory speech perception abilities, to characterize the auditory speech development of children with cochlear implants.Methods 27 congenitally deafened children with cochlear implants were evaluated with Mandarin monosyllable and disyllable lexical neighborhood test(M-LNT-Monosyllable & M-LNT-Disyllable) and Mandarin hearing in noise test for children(MHINT-C) according to the order from M-MLNT easy test,M-MLNT hard test, M-LNT easy test ,M-LNT hard test, MHINT-C quiet condition, MHINT-C noise front condition, MHINT-C noise non-implant side condition to MHINT-C noise implant side condition in sound field.Results 27 CI children have completed M-LNT/M-MLNT, 9 of them could be tested in quiet condition with MHINT, and 7 could be tested in noise with MHINT. There were significant differences between scores of easy and hard words lists of M-LNT and M-MLNT(P

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of estrodial (E2) on intracellular free calcium in the endometrial-myometrial interface (EMI) smooth muscle cells from uteri with adenomyosis.MethodsFrom March 2011 to October 2011,16 uterus specimens were collected from patients with adenomyosis undergoing hysterectomy in Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital,which included 9 proliferative endometrium and 7 secretory endometrium.EMI smooth muscle cells from the uterus were cultured and loaded with calcium ion ( Ca2 + ) fluorescent probe fluo-4/AM.The labeled cells were stimulated with the various concentration of E2 ( 1 × 102,1 × 103,1 × 104,1 × 105 pmol/L,respectively),then the changes of intracellular Ca2+ fluorescence intensity were measured by laser scanning microscopy.The most suitable concentration of E2 was selected,and the reaction difference between the EMI smooth muscle cells of two menstrual phases were also investigated; The changes of intracellular Ca2 + fluorescence intensity were detected proliferative and secretory smooth muscle cells in E2 conjugated to bovine serum albumin (17β-E2-BSA) group,cycloheximide (CHX) group,fulvestrant (ICI182780) group and pertussis toxin (PTX) group.Results ( 1 ) The cell viability of primary cultured EMI smooth muscle cells was well at 24 hours culture.(2) 1 × 102 - 1 × 105 pmol/L E2 can rapidly increase the intracellular Ca2+ fluorescence intensity within 1 min ( P ＜ 0.01 ) ;The increased amplitudes caused by 1 × 104 pmol/L and 1 × 105 pmoL/L E2 were the most significant,but there was no significant difference between them (P ＞0.05).1 × 104 pmol/L was the most suitable concentration.( 3 ) With the 1 × 104 pmol/L E2,the Ca2+ fluorescence intensity changes showed no significant difference between the EMI smooth muscle cells from the proliferative phase and secretory phase uterus (P ＞ 0.05 ).The Ca2+ fluorescence intensity changes were 646 ± 32 in 17β-E2-BSA group and 602 ±31 in CHX group,when compared with 513 ±26 and 617 ±35 in respective control group,no significant difference was observed (P ＞ 0.05 ).The increased amplitude of 188 ± 20 in the PTX group and 302 ± 11 in ICI182780 group exhibited significant difference with 632 ± 33 and 635 ± 24 in respective control group ( P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusion E2 could increase the intracellular Ca2 + of EMI through a membrane receptor dependent and nongenomic mechanism of action.

Objective To express the hemagglutinin of H7N9 in Pichia pastoris and analyze its immunogenicity. Methods The HA [1 -525 amino acids(aa)] of H7N9 [A/Hangzhou/1/2013(H7N9)] lacking the C-terminal transmembrane anchor-coding sequence was amplified by PCR and cloned into the expression vector pPICZαA.The plasmid pPICZ-HA7-S-was transformed into P.pastoris and the HA1-525 was detected by ELISA.Then the HA1-525 was precipitated by PEG20000.After immunization with the HA1-525 , the anti-HA7 antibody in mouse serum was detected by ELISA and hemagglutinin inhibition ( HI) test.Results The HA1-525 was expressed in P.pastoris after being induced with methanol. Western blotting confirmed that there were specific dispersion bands and the molecular weight of HA1-525 decreased to 58 × 103 after being digested by endo H.Anti-HA7 antibody was found in serum of HA1-525 immunized mice and the hemaggluti-nation-inhibition titers reached 1∶700 after the third doses.Conclusion This study shows the HA1-525 expressed in P.pastoris can induce the neutralizing antibody in mice.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on mRNA expression of iron metabolism related genes. Methods Ten male mice (2 months) were injected intraperitoneally with lipopolysaccharide(0.5 μg/g). After 6 hours, mice were sacrificed and then sera, liver and spleen were collected. The mice blood routine was measured. The serum iron and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) were determined with reagent kit. The quasi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed for mRNA of hepatic hepcidin(HP), ferroportin1(Fpn1), transferrin receptor 1(TfR1) and spleenic HP, Fpn1 and interleukin-6(IL-6). Results The serum iron and TIBC were reduced in mice injected LPS, which exhibited mild anemia(P＜0.05) . LPS can increase the expression of hepatic hepcidin and decrease Fpn1 and TfR1 in liver after LPS administration 6 hours(P＜0.05). In spleen, IL-6 was upregulated and Fpn1 downregulated(P＜0.05). Conclusion LPS can influence serum iron through regulating the mRNA expression of hepatic and spleenic iron metabolism related genes, such as HP, Fpn1 and TfR1.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hepatocyte apoptosis. METHODS: Cells of the rat hepatocyte line BRL were cultured. The hepatocytes were treated with LPS, ERS inducer thapsigargin (TG), and ERS inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA), respectively or in their different combination. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The cyto-nuclear morphological changes of apoptosis cells were detected by the fluorescent dye Hoechst 33258. The apoptosis rate was assessed by flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI double-staining. Expressions of GRP78 as ERS marker protein, CHOP, caspase-12 and cleaved-caspase-3 as ERS related protein were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: LPS could cause a decrease in cell viability and an increase in apoptosis rate in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The expression of GRP78, CHOP, caspase-12 and cleaved-caspase-3 proteins were significantly increased with LPS treatment. TG led to a marked decrease in cell viability and an increase in apoptosis rate, which aggravated the hepatocyte injury induced by LPS; whereas 4-PBA alleviated LPS-induced apoptosis. CONCLUSION ERS mediates LPS-induced hepatocyte injuries, indicating that ERS may play a vital role in the pathogenesis of LPS-induced hepatocyte injuries.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Survival ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; Hepatocytes ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Phenylbutyrates ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect and differences sex the influence of hormone levels of perimenopau-sal syndrome patients between manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture (EA).

METHODSA total of 50 cases with perimenopausal syndrome were randomly assigned into an manual acupuncture group (27 cases) and an EA group (23 cases), and 1 case dropped in the EA group. The acupoints in the two groups were Guanyuan (CV 4), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Tianshu (ST 25), and Sanyinjiao (SP 6). Acupuncture with 3-time small and even manipulation of lifting, thrusting and twirling was used in the acupuncture group, once 10 min. EA with sparse-dense wave and 10 Hz/50 Hz was applied in the EA group for 30 min. The treatments in the two groups were for continuous 8 weeks (24 times in total), once the other day, 3 times a week. The scores of 24-hour hot flashes even, menopausal rating scale (MRS) and menopause-specific quality of life questionnaire (MENQOL) were recorded before treatment and after 4-week and 8-week treatment, as well as 12 and 24 weeks after treatment. Serum sex hormone levels were tested before and after 8-week treatment as well as 12 weeks after treatment, including serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estracliol (E).

RESULTSCompared with those before treatment, the 24-hour hot flashes even score, MRS and MENQOL scores were significantly lower after 4-week and 8-week treatments, 12 and 24 weeks after treatment (all<0.05). All the above scores after 8-week treatment were lower than those after 4-week treatment (all<0.05); and the scores 12 and 24 weeks after treatment were lower than those after 4-week and 8-week treatments (all<0.05); all the scores after treatment were not significantly different at any time between the two groups (all>0.05). Compared with those before treatment, serum FSH and Eapparently improved in the two groups after 8-week treatment and 12 weeks after treatment (all<0.05). LH levels did not significantly change in the two groups (all>0.05). All the serum sex hormone levels showed no significant difference between the two groups (all>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth acupuncture and EA can improve perimenopausal symptoms and serum sex hormone. The effects are similar.

The mechanism of biological actions of quercetin was studied by using metabolomic method and biomolecular network. HPLC-MS was used to analyze the serum metabolome in rats of blank group and quercetin administration group rats, and MS data were processed by MATLAB software. With multivariate statistical analysis of serum metabolite profiles, a clear separation among blank group and quercetin administration group was achieved, potential biomarkers were selected according to the parameters of variable importance in the projection (VIP) and identified according to MS information and database retrieval. Four compounds, related enzymes, action targets and metabolic pathways had been confirmed, namely retinoic acid and RARbeta, arachidonate and COX-2, 3, 5-diodotyrosine and TPO, uridine diphosphate glucose and PDEs. The mechanism of quercetin enhancing ability of retinoic acid on the induction of RARbeta, activating TPO, using as COX-2 and PDEs inhibitor was approved by biomolecular network and related literatures. In this study, a mechanism of multiple biological actions of quercetin was evaluated at the level of the biomolecular network, metabolomics and biomolecular network can be used to investigate the biological effects mechanism of quercetin, which provided a new method to further revealing mechanism of drug action.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Mass Spectrometry ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; Metabolome ; Metabolomics ; Multivariate Analysis ; Quercetin ; pharmacology ; Rats

Objective To study the HRCT features of pneumatized inferior turbinate and to evaluate their diagnostic value.Methods Twelve cases of pneumatized inferior turbinates demonstrated by HRCT were retrospectively analyzed.Results Coronal HRCT could demonstrate pneumatization of the inferior turbinate clearly and directly.Unilateral pneumatization was found in 11 cases and bilateral in one case. According to the location of pneumatization,pneumatized inferior turbinates were classified into three types : bulbous,lamellar,and extensive types.Five of 12 cases were bulbous,5 were lamellar and 2 were extensive type.On coronal HRCT scans,bulbous type showed nodular shape in one case,oval and ellipse shape in 2 cases each,respectively.Lamellar pneumatization appeared as curved stripe-like shape in 4 cases communicating with the maxillary sinus and ellipse shape in one case.Extensive type was found in 2 cases, curled lamella-like shape was found in 1 case communicating with the maxillary sinus and ellipse shape in another case.In 5 cases with maxillary sinus communication,axial HRCT revealed a defect on the medial wall of the maxillary sinus.In such a condition,the maxillary process of palatine bone and maxillary bone attached to the lower turbinate separately.Conclusion HRCT was an optimal imaging modality for the diagnosis of pneumatization of the inferior turbinate and may help the clinicians to differentiate from other causes of the inferior turbinate hypertrophy.

Objective To study the CT and MRI findings of osteosarcoma in paranasal sinus and evaluate their clinical value.Methods All 9 cases of osteosarcoma were verified by histopathology.Imaging data were analyzed retrospectively.Results The lesion occurred in maxillary sinus in 5 cases,in ethmoid sinus in 3 cases and in sphenoid sinus in one case.Primary osteosarcoma was found in 7 cases.Secondary osteosarcoma occurred from fibrous dysplasia and ossifying fibroma each in one case.On CT,the involved areas revealed bony destruction associated with ill-defined and irregular soft tissue mass.The lesion showed heterogeneous density with minimal or massive tumor bone formation,cloud-like in 3 cases,ivory-like in 2 cases,spicule-like in 2 cases,cloud- and spicule -like in one case and spicule- and ivory-like in one case.Postcontrast CT showed mild to moderate inhomogeneous enhancement in 3 cases.On MR T_1 WI,the lesions showed hypointensity compared to brain in 5 cases and iso-intensity in 2 cases.On T_2WI,the lesions showed heterogeneous hyperintensity in 4 cases and isointensity in 3 cases with marked hypointense foci which corresponded to tumor bone on CT.Postcontrast MR imaging demonstrated moderate to marked inhomogeneous enhancement in these cases.MRI showed accurately the extent and associated changes of the lesions.The lesions invaded the orbit,pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae,skull base and extensive craniofacial structures in 5,4,3 cases and 1 case,respectively.Conclusion CT is the optimal modality in showing tumor bone of osteosareoma in paranasal sinus.MRI can demonstrate optimally the invading extent of the lesions.Combined imaging modalities can provide more comprehensive information for diagnosis and therapy of osteosarcoma in paranasal sinus.

Objective To investigate the CT and MRI findings of cavernous hemangioma in paranasal sinus so as to promote the diagnostic accuracy.Methods All 30 cases of cavernous hemangioma in paranasal sinus were verified with pathological examinations.The CT and MRI findings were analyzed retrospectively.Results The lesions occurred in the maxillary sinus in 25 cases,in the anterior ethmoid sinus in 3 cases and in the sphenoid sinus in 2 cases.The lesions extended and compressed adjacent structures.MRI showed the extent and the associated changes of the lesions more clearly compared to CT. On CT,all the involved paranasal sinuses invariably expanded.The bony walls of paranasal sinuses were compressed and remodeled with focal defect in 28 cases,mostly in the medial wall of the maxillary sinus (21 cases).Bony scelerosis of the residual walls of paranasal sinus were found in 8 cases.The lesions demonstrated well-defined margin and heterogeneous density with phlebolith in 10 cases.Postcontrast CT showed marked inhomogeneous enhancement in 16 cases.On MR T_1WI,canernous hemangioma showed hypointense signal compared to brain in 4 cases and isointense signal in 14 cases.On T_2WI,the lesions revealed heterogeneous hyperintense singal in 16 cases and isointense signal in 2 cases with multiple hypointense foci.Postcontrast MR imaging demonstrated marked inhomogeneous enhancement in these cases,honeycomb-like appearance in 8 cases and variegated appearance in 10 cases.The feature of progressive enhancement was found on dynamic contrast enhancement of MRI in 8 cases.Conclusions The characteristic bony change together with phlebolith can suggest the diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma in paranasal sinus on CT.The heterogeneous hyperintense singal on MR T_2WI,progressive enhancement and honeycomb-like or variegated appearance on postcontrast MRI were also the characteristic findings of cavernous hemangioma in paranasal sinus.Combination of CT and MRI findings can provide more accurate information for the diagnosis and therapy of cavernous hemangioma in paranasal sinus.