Objective To investigate the neural activity in the central auditory pathway by using a tinnitus an-imal model .Methods Twenty -four rats were randomly divided into the control ,acute salicylate treatment ,chronic salicylate treatment ,and recovery groups .The gap prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle test was used to confirm tinnitus -like behavior .After delivery of an intravenous bolus of fluorine -18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F -FDG ) , small animal positron emission tomography scans were performed on rats .Results Only rats in chronic salicylate -treatment group showed evidence of experiencing tinnitus .The SUV ratios of the AC were significantly greater in the acute salicylate treatment group than in the control group (P<0 .01) ,suggesting relatively increased metabolism in the two brain regions of the rats in this group .The SUV ratios of the IC and AC (P<0 .01) ,but not of the CRB (P>0 .05) were greater in the chronic salicylate treatment group than in the control groups .There was a significant difference in whole brain SUVs between the control and acute salicylate treatment groups (P<0 .01) ,the whole brain SUVs in chronic salicylate treatment group were a little higher but showed no significant difference (P>0 .05) .There was no significant difference in the SUVs between the control and recovery groups (P>0 .05) .Conclu-sion These findings indicate that long -term salicylate administration induced tinnitus in rats and may have en-hanced neural activity corresponded to the up -regulated metabolic rate in our study .Alterations to neuroplasticity of the CNS may lead to tinnitus .

Objective To investigate the correlation between incidence rate of tinnitus and noise exposure time,age,hearing condition in noise exposure workers.Methods A total of 1 985 noise exposure workers (age between 20～60 years old;working length between 1 ～30 years) in a large dockyard were randomly selected as the subject of this study with 1 831 male workers and 154 female workers in average 36.3±8.25 years old.The average noise exposure time was 9.1±6.50 years and pure tone threshold of final candidates in sound-proofed environment was evaluated (at 0.25～8 kHz).The subjects were divided into four groups according to the subjective tinnitus level:mild tinnitus,moderate tinnitus,severe tinnitus and no tinnitus to analysis the correlation among incidence rate of tinnitus and noise exposure time,age,hearing condition,etc.Results Among all 1 985 subjects enrolled the occurrence rate of tinnitus was 20.55％ (408/1 985),with 367 acquired mild tinnitus(89.95％),39 acquired moderate tinnitus (9.56％) and 2 for severe tinnitus (0.49％).Mild tinnitus and moderate tinnitus showed a multi-step raising according to noise exposure time.Mild tinnitus increased continually with age while moderate tinnitus showed an accumulation in age group over 55 years old.Female was less likely to be annoyed by tinnitus than male.Conclusion Tinnitus can be early warning of auditory damage by noise exposure;older male group with longer noise exposure time is more vulnerable to tinnitus.Tinnitus acquired in noise environment is more likely to be mild.

OBJECTIVE To observe the changes of synaptic ultrastructures in the rat auditory center after long-term salicylate administration and to elucidate the role of neuroplasticity in some areas of the CNS and its involvement in tinnitus. METHODS The rats were divided into 4 groups: the control group, the acute treatment group, the chronic treatment group, and the recovery group. We investigated ultrastructural alterations in the synapses of inferior colliculus (IC), auditory center (AC) and cerebellum (CRB) by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS There were more synaptic vesicles (tIC=-4. 61, tAC=-7. 00, P＜0. 01), with greater postsynaptic densities(tIC=-4. 72,P＜0. 01; tAc=-3. 15, P＜0. 05), longer synaptic active zone (tIC=-4. 89, tAC=-3. 48, P＜ 0. 01), and increased synaptic interface curvature (tIC=-2. 32, tAC=-3. 17, P＜0. 05) in the chronic treatment group, as compared with the control group. There were more synaptic vesicles but no other changes in the acute salicylate-treatment group(tIC=-10. 57, tAC=-8. 34, tCRB=-9. 18,P ＜0. 01). CONCLUSION These findings showed that long-term salicylate administration have induced synaptic ultrastructural changes in the IC and AC because of neuroplasticity. These structural changes may result in increased speed and efficacy of chemical synaptic transmission. Alterations to neuroplasticity of the auditory center pathway may lead to tinnitus.

Objective To evaluate the speech recognition ability in noise enviroment in older adults with age-related hearing loss and to discuss the influences of age ,hearing loss and cognitive function on the ability of speech recognition in noise enviroment .Methods A total of 90 older adults aged over 60 years at the hearing clinic of Xinhua hospital were divided into three groups according to the age ,which were 60~69 y group (88 ears) ,70~79 y group (64 ears) ,> 79 y group (28 ears) .All the participants completed pure tone audiometry ,the Mandarin hearing in noise test (MHINT) and the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) .The pure tone average hearing threshold (PTA) ,signal-to -noise ratio (SNR) of MHINT and MMSE scores were obtained .We used the statis_tical software SPSS 17 .0 to analyze the correlations among age ,PTA ,adaptive SNR and MMSE scores .ResuIts ①PTA and SNR increased with the age .The difference of PTA and SNR for different age groups was statistically sig_nificant (P<0 .01) .②The difference SNR among different PTA groups were significant (P<0 .01) ,and when the influence of MMSE scores was controlled the difference was still significant .There was a significant linear correlation between PTA and SNR (r=0 .326 ,P<0 .01) .MMSE scores decreased with the increasing of PTA ,and there was also a linear correlation between PTA and MMSE scores (-0 .187 ,P<0 .05) .③Adaptive SNR and MMSE scores were correlated (r= -0 .201 ,P<0 .01) ,but there was no significant linear relationship .Besides ,SNR of the cog_nitive function impairment group (<27 points) was significantly greater than that of the normal cognitive function group (27~30 points) (P<0 .01) .However ,among the three PTA groups ,the differences were not statistically significant .ConcIusion The hearing in noise test reflects the ability of speech recognition in noise enviroment in ol_der adults ,and can be used to assess the hearing functions in elder .Speech recognition in noise ,peripheral hearing loss and cognitive functions are relevant .Cognitive functions have an influence on the evaluation of the hearing func_tion for older adults .

Objective To investigate the relationship between pure -tone audiometry (PTA ) ,speech dis‐crimination abilities in quiet or in noise and the international outcome inventory for hearing aids (IOI-HA) in pres‐bycusis patients .Methods Twenty presbycusis subjects were tested in this study .Pure-tone audiometry (PTA) and speech discrimination threshold were obtained before being fitted with hearing aids .They weared hearig aids more than six months ,and pure-tone audiometry ,speech discrimination scores in quite(the level = 65 dB SPL) and in noise(signal to noise ratio = 10 dB) were carried out in sound field .A stepwise forward multiple-regression analysis was performed to investigate the impact of PTA and speech discrimination scores to IOI-HA .Results The PTAs before or after hearing aid fittings showed a negative association with IOI-HA ,while speech discrimination scores in quiet or in noise before or after hearing aid fittings showed a positive association with IOI-HA .Speech discrimination threshold in noise was identified as a single predictor of IOI-HA(P<0 .001) .Conclusion The relation between speech discrimination scores in noise and IOI-HA suggests that a poor score might limit the hearing aids outcome .The speech discrimination scores in noise help the clinicians predict the outcomes of hearing aid in real‐ities .

Objective:To express SARS-CoV nucleocapsid protein in Bac-to-Bac Baculovirus Expression System and analyze the antigenicity of the recombinant protein.Methods: The SARS-CoV nucleocapsid gene was amplified by PCR.The PCR product digested with BamHⅠand SalⅠrestriction endonucleases was cloned into vector pFastBac HTC of Bac-to-Bac Baculovirus expression system.Recombinant plasmid was transformed DH 10Bac cells to obtain the recombinant Bacmid DNA.Recombinant Bacmid DNA was transferred into Sf9 cells which were inducted to express the recombinant protein in High Five cells.After purified by Ni affinity chroma-tography ,the antigenicity of the recombinant protein was analyzed by Western blot and ELISA.Results:Recombinant plasmid was con-structed successfully.The recombinant protein with the relative molecular mass of 48 kD was efficiently expressed in High Five cells and purified successfully by Ni affinity chromatography.Western blot and ELISA analysis showed that the recombinant protein could be spe -cifically recognized by the monoclonal antibody to SARS-CoV N protein and immune serum from rabbits ,respectively.The recombinant protein can specifically reacted with serum from SARS patients ,not with serum from healthy persons and patients infected with hCoV-229 E and hCoV-OC43.Conclusion: SARS-CoV nucleocapsid protein has been expressed successfully in the Bac-to-Bac Baculovirus Expression System ,and obtained good antigenicity.It is preliminary deemed that it can't reacted with serum from patients infected with hCoV-229E and hCoV-OC43.

Objective To investigate the reliability and practicality of Chinese version the hearing handicap in-ventory for the elderly -screening version(HHIE -S) scale for elderly hearing screening in China .Methods We compared the HHIE -S scores with results of pure -tone audiometry test .A total of 840 Chinese individuals older than 60 years filled in the scale all by themselves first ,then refilled it according to explanations of each question translated by researchers .All participants finished pure -tone audiometry test with frequencies of 0 .25 ,0 .5 ,1 .0 , 2 .0 ,and 4 .0 kHz .Sensitivity ,specificity ,positive predictive value (PPV ) ,false-negative rate and false -positive rate were compared with HHIE -S cut -off points of >8 or >10 and pure-tone averages (PTAs) greater than 25 ,40 and 60 dB HL .Analysis the area under the curve (AUC) values of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for each three PTA levels .Results Cronbach's α of the scale was 0 .85 .HHIE -S scale pre -explanatory score was 7 .6 ± 10 .6 ,and post-explanatory score was 10 .8 ± 16 .7(P<0 .01) .HHIE -S> 8 points higher than H HIE-S> 10 points in the sensitivity ,positive predictive value increase ,specificity ,false-positive rate ,false negative rate decreased ,paired samples t - test sensitivity and false -negative rate (P< 0 .05) .After the guide meanwhile HHIE-S cut-off points of > 8 when grouping with PTA> 25 dB HL ,PTA> 40 dB HL and PTA>60 dB HL ,conducted ROC curve analysis ,the AUC value was 0 .70 ± 0 .03 ,0 .84 ± 0 .01 and 0 .88 ± 0 .02 .Conclusion The score of HHIE-S scale>8 points can be used when PTA> 40 dB HL as goal for hearing loss of old people , it can be more accurate after explanations ,so HHIE-S scale can be used as a preliminary hearing screening method for Chinese elderly people .

Objective To evaluate the role of thoracic three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC).Methods A total of 171 patients with ES-SCLC admitted from 2004 to 2009 were included in the study.Eighty-six patients received thoracic 3DCRT and systemic chemotherapy (CT),while 85 patients received systemic CT alone.3DCRT was delivered at 1.5 Gy/fraction twice daily or 2.0 Gy/fraction once daily,with a total dose ranging from 40 to 62 Gy.The CT regimen consisted of carboplatin/cisplatin and etoposide.The survival time and survival rate were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method,and the log-rank test was used for univariate prognostic analysis;the Cox model was used for multivariate prognostic analysis.Results The follow-up rate was 100％.The median overall survival (OS) time and the 2-and 5-year OS rates were 15 months,31.5％,and 2.4％,respectively,for all patients;they were 18 months,35.3％,and 2.4％,respectively,for the CT/3DCRT group,versus 12 months,14.5％,and 2.4％ for the CT group (P =0.023).The median progression-free survival (PFS) time and the 1-and 2-year PFS rates were 8 months,27.5％,and 2.4％,respectively,for all patients;they were 9 months,35.4％,and 6.0％,respectively,for the CT/3DCRT group,versus 6 months,20.5％,and 6.0％ for the CT group (P =0.004).In the CT/3DCRT group,the 22 patients who received 45 Gy at 1.5 Gy/fraction twice daily had a median PFS time of 11 months,versus 9 months for the 26 patients who received 60 Gy at 2.0 Gy/fraction once daily (P =0.037).Multivariate analysis revealed that receiving ≥ 4 cycles of CT (P =0.001) and 3DCRT (P =0.008) were favorable prognostic factors for OS.Conclusions Thoracic 3DCRT can improve the OS and PFS in patients with EDSCLC,and it has good efficacy when delivered with a total dose of 45 Gy at 1.5 Gy/fraction twice daily.Thoracic 3DCRT and receiving ≥4 cycles of CT are independent favorable prognostic factors for OS.

Tinnitus is the most common disease in Otology, and extremely difficult for treatment in clinic, abnormal events in the cochlea (the abnormal events can result in abnormal neuronal activity in central auditory pathways that can then be finally perceived as tinnitus). Neuroplasticity events at the auditory cortex (AC) have been reported to include hyperactive of cortical neurons and an increase in neuronal synchronization. Our recent studies showed the changes markedly, in the expression of the excitatory glutamate receptor subtype NR2B in mRNA and protein levels, and also some changes in synaptic ultrastructure of neurons in auditory cortex of tinnitus animal. We propose that the mechanisms of tinnitus centralization may arise from abnormal events in the cochlea, and result in abnormal neuronal activity at multiple levels which promote abnormal propagation of neural activity in the central auditory pathway. The plastic change may be positive and adaptive as with learning or memory, or in the compensation after abnormal events in the cochlea that results in new neuronal networks that restore normal function. Alternatively, the neuroplasticity changes might be maladaptive leading perhaps to an imbalance in excitatory and inhibitory events in the brain. Indeed, tinnitus may be the consequence of such maladaptive neuroplasticity brain alterations (synaptic structure) has even gone a step further and described tinnitus as the perceptual manifestation of plastic brain changes that result in abnormal neuronal activity. The neuroplasticity changes may also make tinnitus persists, eventually leading to the existence of tinnitus cochlear-originated in the central pathway. They may also extend to non-sensory areas of the brain giving rise to the attentional and emotional aspects that often accompany the disorder. New pathophysiological insights maybe prompt the development of management approaches to directly target the neuroplasticity processes correlates of tinnitus.
Auditory Cortex ; Humans ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Tinnitus ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of electrode impedance, THR/MCL values, and dynamic range (DR) in Combi 40+ cochlear implant after implantation. METHOD: A respective study was carried out collecting 20 consecutively implanted children's electrode impedances, THR/MCL values, and DR at seven time point during the first three years after implantation. Their variation and correlations were analyzed. RESULT: Overall, electrode impedances were lowest during the operation, and significantly rise to the highest at the first stimulation, then followed by a gradual decrease. After three months, electrode impedance of apical and medial cochlear segment were basically stable, while that of the basal segment was gradually increased. Dynamic range (DR) of apical and medial group electrode increased early after the operation and showed a stabilization from the second year, whereas that of basal group have a downward trend since the first year. However, the electric charge of each group increased significantly after three months, and then become stable after first year. Otherwise, a stronger negative rectilinear correlation was found between impedance changes with DR than with THR/MCL level. CONCLUSION The electrode impedances vary clue to different electrode position. Measuring the electrode impedance can effectively evaluate the working status of Combi C40+ cochlear implant. The dynamic range of the electrode was negatively correlated with the impedances, which made it possible to predict the width of the dynamic range by measuring the impedance 3 or 6 months after operation.
Auditory Threshold ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cochlear Implantation ; Cochlear Implants ; Electric Impedance ; Electrodes ; Female ; Hearing Loss ; physiopathology ; rehabilitation ; Humans ; Male