Objective To discuss the application of Chinese version of Speech intelligibility rating (SIR) in e-valuating the speech intelligibility of Chinese children with hearing disorder ,and analyze its scorer reliability .Meth-ods 50 children with cochlear implants or hearing aids were interviewed using SRI Chinese version .Each child was rated by a parent and a speech and language therapist .The reliability of scores was analyzed with Spearman correla-tion coefficient ,Kendall's coefficient of concordance and Kappa coefficient .Results The complete agreement was foud in 34 cases(68% ) ,with a disagreement of one category in 14 cases(28% ) ,and a disagreement of 2 categories was found in 2 cases (4% ) .Spearman correlation coefficient was 0 .885 ,Kendall's coefficient of concordance was 0 .801 ,Kappa coeffi-cient was 0 .593 ,the result was statistically significant (P<0 .001) .Conclusion SRI Chinese version has good reliability and is helpful in evaluating Chinese speech producing ability of children with hearing disorder in everyday life .

We determined molecular characteristics of Listeria monocytogenes foodborne isolates in Hangzhou and investigated the characterization of local strains.Multi-locus sequence typing(MLST) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis(PFGE) were applied to identify molecular types of Listeria monocytogenes isolates.Results showed that a total of 133 strains of 6 serotypes were divided into 19 MLST types including a new type ST767.ST9 and ST121 were the major ST types.There were 33 and 45 PFGE patterns characterized by AscⅠ and ApaⅠ.The molecular types of Listeria monocytogenes strains were widely distributed in Hangzhou.It is indicated that the major clusters were Lineage Ⅰ and Lineage Ⅱ which will cause listeriosis.The contamination of Listeria monocytogenes in food is serious in Hangzhou and the surveillance and management should be strengthened to prevent the food borne diseases.

Objective To analyze the impact of multiple factors on the incidence of pneumothorax associated with CT-guided transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy.Methods The sign of pneumothorax after 162 cases(lesion diameter from 1cm to 6cm)CT-guided transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy was observed and its relationship with multivariate factors were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression model.Results Thirty-two cases presented pneumothorax accounting for 19.8%.Single variate analysis showed that the sign of pneumothorax ralated to intercurrent COPD,distance from lesion and chest wall,needle dwelling time and lesion diameter.67 patients of intercurrent COPD with postoperative pneumothorax occurred in 22 cases (32.8%);With respect to those having lesions close to the chest wall(48 cases),and the cases with the distance between the chest wall and lesions less than 2cm(55 cases)and greater than 2cm(59 cases), the postoperative pneumothorax occurred in 0,14(25.5%),18(30.5%)cases respectively;For those patients with needle in the chest residence time of less than 10 minutes(82 cases),10—20 minutes (51 cases),more than 20 minutes(28 cases)after the occurrence of pneumothorax were 8(9.6%), 10(19.6%),14(50%)cases respectively;In contrast,those with lesion diameter less than 2 cm (65 cases),2—4cm(52 cases),more than 4cm(45 cases)were 19(29.2%),8(15.4%) and 5(11.1%)respectively.The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the prior three factors were risk factors of pneumothorax(OR=4.652,4.030,2.855 respectively).Conclusions To avoid the pneumothorax,caution must be taken with respect to CT-guided transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy, patients with intercurrent COPD,long distance between lesion and chest wall,and smaller lesion diameter. For operation the needle dwell time within thorax should be minimized.

OBJECTIVETo study a new method of simultaneous repair of alveolar cleft and the deformity of the nose and lip.

METHODS42 patients with cleft of alveolar process were included in this study. We filled the cleft of alveolar process with iliac cancellous bone and covered the depression of piriform aperture and the nasal side with iliac cartilage. Simultaneously, we corrected the nasal deformity using V-Y plasty of a mucosa-cartilage compound flap at the nasal vestibule.

RESULTSIn the patients aged 9 approximately 11 years, the mean height of the repaired alveolar process was 86.7%; the mean thickness was 89.6%; the contour and function of the alveolar process was grade I or II. The canine erupted at the place of bone grafting. The depression of the piriform aperture and alae nasi was repaired. The contour of the nares was symmetrical. In the patients over 12 years, the mean height of the alveolar process was 70.1%; the mean thickness was 71.7%; the contour and function of the alveolar process was grade II or III. The deflexion of nasal dorsum and nasal dome was not ameliorated in 2 patients of 18 years old.

CONCLUSIONSThe application of iliac cancellous and chondral bone to simultaneously repair cleft of alveolar process and the nasal deformity is an ideal plastic method. It can recover the height of alveolar process and the continuity of dental arch, ameliorate the nasal deformity, and redress the deflexion of nasal dorsum and nasal end. It can also eliminate the psychological obstacle of the patients at an early stage.

Adolescent ; Alveolar Process ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Bone Transplantation ; Child ; Cleft Palate ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Jaw Abnormalities ; surgery ; Male ; Nasal Cavity ; surgery ; Nose ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Reproducibility of Results ; Surgery, Plastic ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of pH0 on the electrophysiological properties of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in brain artery of spontaneously hypertension rats (SHR).

METHODSWe studied the effects and the ion mechanism of pH0 on whole-cell membrane current of VSMCs in brain artery of 200 - 250 g SHR by whole-cell patch clamp recordings.

RESULTS1. Acidic pH0 could inhibit the outward current of VSMCs of brain artery in SHR in a voltage-dependent manner. It induced a more pronounced inhibition of the outward current from 0 to + 60mV; 2. In the presence of 1 mmol/L TEA, the inhibition of acidic pH0 on the outward current of VSMCs of brain artery was inhibited.

CONCLUSIONThe changes of outward current of VSMCs of brain artery in SHR induced by pH0 may be connected with BKCa channel.

Animals ; Cerebral Arteries ; cytology ; Electrophysiological Phenomena ; Extracellular Fluid ; physiology ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR

Qumazi is a commonly used Tibetan medicine. With a long history, it can be found in the Four Medical Tantras written by gYu-thog rNying-ma Yon-tan mGon-po since the 8th century AD. Qumazi grows in mudflats and fields, including species growing in highlands, lowlands, mountains and farmlands. According to records in Crystal Beads Materia Medica, it features green sword-shaped leaves, thin stems with red veins, inserted panicles, white chicken-like flowers and copper needle row-like roots. However, there are many inconsistent morphological descriptions for Qumazi plants in many Chinese versions of Tibetan medicine books. In this article, after studying ancient and modern Tibetan medicine books, consulting experts and conducting surveys, the authors confirmed that Qumazi belongs to Rheum of Polygonaceae, including Rheum nobile Hook. f. et. Thoms, R. globulosum Gage, R. alexandrae Hook. f. et. Thoms, R. pumilum Maxim and R. delavayi Franch. In some regions, Qumazi is substituted by R. spiciforme Royle and R. przewalskyi Losinsk. After the Chinese version of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Drug Illustrations was published in 1972, Qumazi has been miswritten as P. sibiricum Laxm in many Chinese versions of Tibetan medicine books, perhaps because P. sibiricum Laxm has many similar features with Qumazi as described in Crystal Beads Materia Medica and then is mistranslated from Tibetan to Chinese versions. According to records, Qumazi can reduce edema and is mainly applied to treat the minamata disease in clinic.
China ; History, Ancient ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; history ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Polygonaceae ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Reference Books, Medical

OBJECTIVETo study the recovery method of facial nerve function and to compare the clinical effect after operation of parotid carcinoma, which invades stylomastoid foramen and peripheral bone in deep lobe.

METHODSThree operation methods were taken: (1) The tumor, parotid, invasive facial nerve and bone around the tumor were resected with transplantation of facial nerve. (2) Tumor parotid and facial nerve were resected without transplantation of facial nerve. (3) Tumor and parotid were dislocated from facial nerve, keeping the continuity of facial nerve.

RESULTSFor the first method, facial nerve function of 68.2% patients came back to the patients without facial paralysis before operation, while facial nerve function of 16.7% patients came back to the patients with facial paralysis before operation. There was obvious difference between them (P < 0.05). To the patients with facial paralysis before operation, the first and the second method were taken. The ratio of local control was 33.3% and 10.0% respectively. And survival for 5 years were 25.0% and 10.0% respectively. There was no obvious difference between the two methods (P > 0.05). To the patients without facial paralysis before operation, three methods of operation were taken. The ratio of local control was 77.3%, 48.0% and 33.3% respectively. And survival for 5 years were 86.4%, 52.0% and 41.7% respectively. There was obvious difference between the first method and the other two (P < 0.05). There was no obvious difference between the second and the third methods (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFacial canal dissection in operation of parotid carcinoma with recovery of facial nerve can not only resect tumor completely, but also fit for development of functional surgery. It is an ideal method for surgery operation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Facial Nerve ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Facial Paralysis ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parotid Neoplasms ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene plasmid carried by polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) vascular graft materials could transfect endothelial cells (ECs) and promote their growth.

METHODSPTFE vascular graft materials carried with pCDI-hVEGF(121), pCDI or pEGFP were incubated in Tris-buffer solution and the values of optical density of 260 nm at different time were plotted, then the DNA controlled release curve was made. ECs derived from human umbilical vein were seeded on the pCDI-hVEGF(121)/pCDI/pEGFP-PTFE materials or tissue culture plates, ECs numbers were counted and VEGF protein concentrations at different time were measured by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay method. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression in ECs on pEGFP-PTFE materials was examined with fluorescence microscopy.

RESULTSThe controlled release curve showed that the gene released from PTFE materials was rapid within 8 h, then slowed down and that the gene released continuously even after 72 h. At 24, 72 and 120 h, ECs number and proliferation rate of pCDI-hVEGF(121)-PTFE materials were higher than those of pCDI or pEGFP-PTFE materials (P<0.05). VEGF protein concentration of pCDI-hVEGF(121)-PTFE materials was higher than that of pCDI or pEGFP-PTFE materials at 6, 24, 72 and 120 h (P<0.01). GFP expression in ECs on the pEGFP-PTFE materials could be detected by fluorescence microscopy.

CONCLUSIONPTFE graft can be used as a carrier of VEGF gene plasmid, VEGF gene carried by PTFE can transfect ECs and promote ECs growth.

Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Cell Adhesion ; physiology ; Cell Growth Processes ; physiology ; DNA ; chemistry ; genetics ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Humans ; Plasmids ; chemistry ; genetics ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; Transfection ; methods ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study a new method for repair of facial depression and facial nerve defect after parotid carcinoma resection.

METHODS12 patients with parotid carcinoma and peripheral bone invasion were treated using facial nerve canal dissection and radical resection of the tumor, the parotid gland and the involved facial nerve and bone, including the mastoid, stylomastoid foramen, styloid process and the rear part of the mandible. A sternocleidomastoid muscle flap was elevated and transferred to repair the facial depression. The great annular nerve in the flap was anastomosed with the severed end of the facial nerve in the canal.

RESULTSThe depressed deformity of the parotid area was well corrected in 9 patients. The aesthetic results were compromised in 2 patients because of tumor recurrence and reoperation. The depressed deformity was not corrected in 1 patient because of infection. Postoperatively, the function of the facial nerve recovered to a normal level. The recovery time ranged from 12 to 20 weeks ,with an average of 16.3 weeks. The local control rate of tumor was improved.

CONCLUSIONSImmediate transplantation of the sternocleidomastoid muscle-great auricular nerve flap and facial nerve canal dissection in radical parotidectomy can repair the depressed deformity of the parotid area, restore facial nerve function,and decrease tumor recurrence. The method is an ideal operation with functional recovery.

Adult ; Cervical Plexus ; Facial Nerve ; transplantation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck Muscles ; transplantation ; Parotid Neoplasms ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; innervation ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo improve cell retention on the graft with dual cell seeding technique, adding a layer of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) between the graft and endothelial cells (ECs).

METHODSPolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts pretreated with fibronectin were seeded with SMC followed by ECs one day later and exposure to an in vitro flow system. The number of ECs on grafts was counted under microscope.

RESULTSAfter exposure to the flow for 1 hour, 61% of the ECs lost when the ECs were seeded alone, whereas only 27% of the ECs lost when the ECs were seeded on the top of SMCs. Preconditioning of a cell seeded graft in a low rate flow did not improve cell retention when late exposure to a higher rate flow.

CONCLUSIONThis in vitro study indicates that using SMCs as a media layer between ECs and graft surface can improve the retention of seeded ECs on PTFE graft.

Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Cell Adhesion ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Fibronectins ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; Prosthesis Design ; Tissue Engineering ; methods