To enhance speech recognition, as well as Mandarin tone recognition in noice, we proposed a speech coding strategy called zero-crossing of fine structure in low frequency (LFFS) for cochlear implant based on low frequency non-uniform sampling (LFFS for short). In the range of frequency perceived boundary of human ear, we used zero-crossing time of the fine structure to generate the stimulus pulse sequences based on the frequency selection rule. Acoustic simulation results showed that although on quiet background the performance of LFFS was similar to continuous interleaved sampling (CIS), on the noise background the performance of LFFS in Chinese tones, words and sentences were significantly better than CIS. In addition to this, we also got better Mandarin recognition factors distribution by using the improved index distribution model. LFFS contains more tonal information which was able to effectively improve Mandarin recognition of the cochlear implant.
Acoustics ; Cochlear Implants ; Equipment Design ; Humans ; Language ; Noise ; Recognition (Psychology) ; Speech Perception

Objective: To investigate the expression profile of long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs) in human colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: The expressions of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and mRNAs in four CRC tissues and para-cancerous normal colorectal mucosa tissues were detected by microarray analysis. Clustering heatmaps were made to profile the lincRNAs and mRNAs expressions by MeV 4.6 software. The signal pathways were analyzed by SBC Analysis System (SAS). The linc-UCC, linc-DCC and MIR143HG expression levels were detected by real-time fluorogenic quantitative-PCR (RFQ-PCR). Results: One hundred twenty-four lincRNAs and 1 583 mRNAs out of 42 545 RNAs detected by microarray assay were identified as differentially expressed between CRC tissues and para-cancerous normal colorectal mucosa tissues. Pathway analysis indicated that 29 potential pathways corresponded to these aberrant lincRNAs. linc-UCC was frequently up-regulated in CRC tissues and its high expression had a significant correlation with lymph node metastasis. linc-DCC and MIR143HG were down-regulated in CRC tissues and the positive correlation was shown between them. Conclusion: These results suggest that the differences in lincRNAs expression profiles may provide a new target for diagnosis and treatment of CRC. Copyright © 2014 by TUMOR.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of 3-(4-~(18)F-fluorobenzyl)-8,9-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrochromeno [3,4-c]pyridin-5-one ( is F-FDTP) as a potential dopamine D4 receptor PET imaging agent.Methods ~(18)F-FDTP solution in ethanol-physiological saline was incubated with calf serum to test its in vitro stability through the determination of radiochemical purity.Normal rats were injected intravenously with ~(18)F-FDTP and then sacrificed at 2,5,10,15,30,60 and 120 min after anesthesia.Blood,organs and brain tissue samples were collected.All samples were weighed and measured for radioactivity.The uptake of samples was expressed as percentage activity of injection dose per gram of tissue ( % ID/g).Results The stability of ~(18)F-FDTP was satisfactory and its radiochemical purity was above 95% after incubation 120 min at 37℃ in calf serum.The biodistribution showed that ~(18)F-FDTP could penetrate through the blood-brain barrier and selectively accumulate in striatum,hypothalamus,frontal certex,hippocampus,cerebellum,where the D_4 receptor was reportedly located.The radioactivities in hippocampus,hypothalamus,striatum,frontal cortex,cerebellum,pons were (0.42±0.03),(0.46±0.05),(0.54±0.04),(0.39±0.04),(0.45±0.06),(0.35±0.04) %ID/g,respectively,2 min post injection.And there was difference between the normal biodistribution results and the blocking experimental results:(0.36 ±0.05),( 0.33±0.05 ),(0.55±0.05 ),(0.30±0.07 ),(0.34±0.07 ) and (0.32±0.04) % ID/g in hippocampus,hypothalamus,striatum,frontal cortex,cerebellum and pons,respectively.Conclusions ~(18)F-FDTP can penetrate through the blood-brain barrier and selectively accumulate in striatum,hypothalamus,frontal cortex,hippocampus,cerebellum,where the D_4 receptor was known to concentrate.These preliminary results suggest that ~(18)F-FDTP is a potential dopamine D_4 receptor imaging agent and further studies are needed.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the genetic polymorphism and applied value in forensic medicine of five short tandem repeats (STRs) loci(DXS7130, DXS7132, DXS7133, DXS6804 and DXS8378) on X-chromosome in Achang ethnic group.

METHODSAllele frequency and genotype distribution of five X-STR loci among 100 unrelated individuals from Achang ethnic group were analyzed by PCR following polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium of females was tested and forensic parameters were calculated.

RESULTAll the five STR loci were polymorphic in Achang ethnic group. Chi-square test indicated that genotype distribution of females was in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

CONCLUSIONThese results enrich Chinese genetic database and can be applied to individual identification, paternity testing and population genetics.

Alleles ; China ; Chromosomes, Human, X ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo assess the diagnostic value of alpha-glycosidase for epididymal lump induced obstructive azoospermia.

METHODSSeventy-six infertile men with normal spermatogenic function were divided according to sperm density into a normal density group (n = 27), an oligospermia group (n = 21) and an obstructive azoospermia group (n = 28), and another 30 fertile males were included as normal controls. Semen plasma alpha-glycosidase, leucocyte count, sexual hormone levels and the diameters of the epididymal lumps were measured and their correlations were analyzed.

RESULTSalpha-Glycosidase in the obstructive azoospermia group was significantly lower than that of the other groups (P <0.05), and negatively correlated with epididymal volume (r = -0.417, P <0.05) and leucocyte count (r = -0.342, P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONAlpha-Glycosidase has been proved of diagnostic value for epididymal obstructive azoospermia.

Adult ; Epididymis ; Genital Diseases, Male ; complications ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Oligospermia ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; alpha-Glucosidases ; analysis

Objective To compare the diagnostic value of renal ultrasound scan (RUS) and 99Tcmdimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scintigraphy in children with acute pyelonephritis (APN). Methods In all, 165 children with initial clinical diagnosis of APN, aged from 1.5 months to 11 yrs ( median 20 months), were included in the study, all of which were examined with RUS and DMSA renal scientigraphy. The diagnosis with DMSA renal scientigraphy results was taken as the standard reference to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of RUS. Results Of 99 out of all 330 kidneys that were found abnormal on DMSA renal scientigraphy, 31 were abnormal on RUS. Of the rest normal kidneys on DMSA scans renal scientigraphy, 4 were abnormal on RUS. Thus diagnostic sensitivity of RUS for APN was 31.3%(31/99) and specificity was 98.3% (227/231). Conclusions Although RUS provides with high diagnostic specificity for children with APN, its low sensitivity may underestimate the clinical evaluation of APN.More often than not, 99Tcm-DMSA renal scientigraphy is a clinical necesscity for the definite RUS diagnosis.

OBJECTIVESTo analyze the mood factors in prostatitis and evaluate the effects of Molida psychological therapy.

METHODSTwo hundred and thirty-six chronic prostatitis patients were divided according to the course of disease into above 6 months group (n = 31) and below 6 months group(n = 205) as well as into sexual disease group(n = 25) and non-sexual disease group(n = 211). An investigation was made by self-rating method on the basis of the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index(NIH-CPSI) and Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) and 56 cases were rated again after Molida therapy.

RESULTS1. The scores of SCL-90 in 236 prostatitis patients were significantly higher than normal(P < 0.01). The factor scores of SCL-90 showed one-item positive in 107 patients (45.2%), of whom 27 (25.2%) had depressive disorder and 80(74.77%) had anxiety (23 with significant compulsion). Thirty-eight cases(16.1%) were two items positive. 2. The scores of SCL-90 were significantly higher in the > 6 months group of history and the sexual disease group than in the control group (P < 0.01). 3. The scores of NIH-CPSI showed a positive correlation with those of SCL-90 and both scores in 43/56 cases were significantly decreased after psychological treatment (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe mood factor plays an important role in aggravating symptoms in chronic prostatis patients and causes difficulty for management. Molida may significantly improve the mood and symptoms of the chronic prostatitis patient.

Adult ; Affect ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatitis ; psychology ; therapy ; Psychotherapy

OBJECTIVETo analyze the risk factors of colorectal cancer-related anemia.

METHODThe clinical data of 319 patients with colorectal cancer were retrospectively analyzed for the possible risk factors of tumor-related anemia including tumor location, clinical stage, clinical symptoms, pathology, gender, and age.

RESULTSOf these 319 cases, 141 (44.20%) had anemia. The incidence of anemia was 62.20% among patients with right hemicolon cancers (including caecum cancer), and was 23.82% among patients with rectal cancer and 36.23% among those with transverse descending or sigmoid colon cancer. Cardia insufficiency, melena, tumor location, T staging, hypoproteinemia were also found to be related with anemia. Anemia and hypoproteinemia were the risk factors for perioperative blood transfusion (odds ratio = 3.004, odds ratio = 8.356, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSThe colorectal cancer-related anemia is not associated with the clinical stage of the tumor, while cardiac insufficiency, melena, tumor location, tumor stage, and hypoproteinemia constitute the possible risk factors. Anemia and hypoproteinemia are the risk factors of perioperative blood transfusion.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anemia ; etiology ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relation between p16 gene expression and the carcinogenesis and progress of hepatitis B virus (HBV) related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSIn 35 specimens of HCC tissue and the adjacent liver tissue, the integration of HBV X gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot. The point mutation of exon-1alpha, 2 and 3 of p16 gene were detected by PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). The expression of p16 mRNA and p16 protein was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTSThe integration of X gene correlated with the expression loss of p16 mRNA and p16 protein in HCC (P < 0.05). The expression loss rates of p16 protein in HCC and adjacent tissues were 62.9% (22/35) and 40.0% (14/35) with significant difference (P < 0.05). The expression loss of p16 protein in HCC correlated with the differentiation degrees of HCC and the infiltration of tumor cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe integration of X gene correlates with the expression loss of p16 protein. The alteration of p16 gene, playing an important role in all stages of hepatocarcinogenesis, correlates with the progress and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; metabolism ; virology ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Exons ; Female ; Genes, p16 ; Hepatitis B Antigens ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Point Mutation ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Trans-Activators ; genetics ; Virus Integration

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences of radiographical and functional outcomes between traditional and minimally invasive approach in treating Hawskins type I fractures of the talar neck.

METHODSFrom February 2000 to February 2008, 37 patients underwent reduction and internal fixation using two different approaches. In minimally invasive approach group, there were 16 males and 2 females, ranging in age from 20 to 47 years, averaged (35.2 +/- 3.1) years, and in traditional approach group, there were 15 males and 4 females, ranging in age from 22 to 44 years, averaged (35.3 +/- 2.3)years. All the patients had Hawskins type I fractures. The following data were compared between two groups: operation time, blood loss, length of incision and function of ankle joint. All the patients were graded by Hawkins points-scoring system after operation.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up. The duration ranged from 2 to 10 years, with an average of 5.6 years. The index such as operation time, blood loss and the length of incision of patients in minimally invasive approach group were significantly less than those of patients in traditional approach group. According to AOFAS points-scoring system, the score of minimally invasive group was higher than that of traditional approach group.

CONCLUSIONCompared with traditional approach, minimally invasive approach can protect blood supply better, get better clinical effects,which is worth of choosing to treat Hawskins type II fractures of talar neck.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Neck Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Recovery of Function ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult