Background and Objectives: A cochlear implant (CI) is an effective prosthetic device used to treat severe-to-profound hearing loss. The present study examined cognitive function in CI users by employing a web-based cognitive testing platform, i.e., BrainCheck, and explored the correlation between cognitive function and subjective evaluation of hearing. Subjects and Methods: Forty-two CI users (mean age: 58.90 years) were surveyed in the subjective evaluation of hearing, and 20/42 participated in the BrainCheck cognitive tests (immediate recognition, Trail Making A, Trail Making B, Stroop, digit symbol substitution, and delayed recognition). As controls for cognitive function, young normal-hearing (YNH, mean age=23.83 years) and older normal-hearing (ONH, mean age=52.67 years) listener groups were subjected to Brain-Check testing. Results: CI users exhibited poorer cognitive function than the normal hearing groups in all tasks except for immediate and delayed recognition. The highest percentage of CI users who had “possible” and “likely” cognitive impairment, based on BrainCheck scores (ranging from 0-200), was observed in tests assessing executive function. The composite cognitive score across domains tended to be related to subjective hearing (p=0.07). Conclusions The findings of the current study suggest that CI users had a higher likelihood of cognitive impairment in the executive function domain than in lower-level domains. BrianCheck online cognitive testing affords a convenient and effective tool to self-evaluate cognitive function in CI users.

Objective To investigate the effect of chronic restraint stress on the expression of N6-methyladenosine (m6A)and related enzymes in the hippocampus of mice. Methods Twenty C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into control group and chronic restraint stress (CRS) group, the model group was given for 3 weeks chronic restraint stress to establish a mouse anxiety model. Open field test and elevated plus maze test were used to detect anxiety-like behavior; Immunohistochemistry and m6A RNA methylation assay were used to detect the expression changes of mouse hippocampal m6A; Western blotting and Real-time PCR were used to analyze hippocampal m6A related enzymes expression. Results 1.The behavioral results showed that, compared with the control group, the CRS group showed significantly reduced time spent in the center of the open field(P<0.01), the CRS group showed significantly reduced exploration time in the open arm of elevated plus maze (P<0.0001); 2. Immunohistochemical results showed that, compared with the control group, the hippocampal m6A content in the CRS group reduced significantly (P < 0.001); The results of the m6A RNA methylation assay showed that, compared with the control group, the CRS group showed significantly reduced amount of hippocampal m6A(P<0.05); 3. Real-time PCR results showed that the expression of hippocampal demethylase anaplastic lymphoma kinase B(AlkB) homolog 5(ALKBH5) (P<0.001) and fat mass and obestity associated protein(FTO) (P< 0.05) in the CRS group significantly up-regulated, the expression of methylase Wilms' tumour 1-associating protein (WTAP) (P<0.05) was significantly down-regulated compared with the control group; The expression of m6A methylation binding protein YTH domaincontaining family protein 3 (YTHDF3) (P < 0.05) and YTH domaincontaining protein 2 (YTHDC2) (P < 0.01) was significantly up-regulated. Western blotting result showed that, compared with the control group, the mouse hippocampal demethylase ALKBH5 (P < 0.05) and FTO (P < 0.05) expression in the CRS group significantly up-regulated, the expression of WTAP (P<0.01) was significantly down-regulated; m6A methylation binding protein YTHDF3 (P<0.01) and YTHDC2 (P<0.05) were significantly up-regulated. Conclusion In the anxiety model induced by chronic restraint stress, the expression of m6A in the hippocampus of mice is down-regulated. The mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of the m6A demethylase ALKBH5 and FTO or the down-regulation of the methylase WTAP.

Objective To establish the instability model of goat cervical vertebrae, and test biomechanical stability of the novel arc cervical titanium mesh with endplate ring. Methods The anatomical data from cervical vertebrae of adult goats were measured, so as to select a new type of arch cervical titanium mesh with endplate ring which was suitable for goat cervical vertebrae. A total of 24 goats with preserved articular capsule, ligaments and intervertebral disc were randomly divided into 4 groups. Group A (n=6, normal group) didn’t receive any special treatment, while Group B (n=6, model group) received partial resection of C4 vertebrae as well as upper and lower intervertebral disc. On the basis of models in Group B, Group C (n=6, experimental group) was installed with the novel arch cervical titanium mesh and fixed by plate and screw, and Group D (n=6,control group) was installed with traditional straight titanium mesh and fixed by plate and screw. The ranges of motion (ROMs) for 4 groups of specimens during flexion, extension, left/right lateral bending, left/right rotation under 2.0 N·m load were measured, and their three-dimensional (3D) motion stability was tested. The displacement of Group C and Group D under 200 N compression force was measured, the stiffness was calculated, and the anti settlement ability of the whole specimen was tested. Results The ROMs of Group A in all directions were smaller than those of Group B,the ROMs of Group A were larger than those of Group C, and the ROMs of Group C during flexion were smaller than those of Group D (P<0.05). The stiffness of Group C was higher than that of Group D (P<0.05).The compression displacement of Group C was smaller than that of Group D(P<0.05). Conclusions Compared with the straight titanium mesh, the novel arc titanium mesh is more consistent with the physiological curvature of cervical verebrae, and has better stability than the traditional titanium mesh during the most frequent flexion activities of cervical verebrae. Moreover, compression displacement of the novel arc titanium mesh under short-term stress is smaller than that of the straight titanium mesh, and its postoperative anti-settlement is better than that of the straight titanium mesh, which is worthy of further experiment and clinical promotion.

Objective : To explore the protective effect and mechanism of salvianolic acid salt on acute lung injury induced by one lung ventilation(OLV) in rabbits. Methods : 24 rabbits were randomly divided into three groups : control group , model group and treatment group , with 8 rabbits in each group. The W/D value of lung was measured , and the morphological changes of lung tissue were observed by HE staining and electron microscopy; The contents of arachidonic acid(AA) , leukotriene B4( LTB4) , thromboxaneA2( TXA2) and prostacyclin 2( PGI2) in rabbit lung tissue were detected by ELISA ; The expressions of cyclooxygenase⁃2(COX⁃2) ,5 ⁃lipoxygenase(5 ⁃LOX) in lung tissue were detected by RT⁃qPCR; The expressions of COX⁃2 , 5 ⁃LOX , clara cell secretory protein(CCSP) and cytoplasmic phospholipase A2(C⁃PLA2) in lung tissue were detected by Western blot. Results : The W/D ratio of model group was higher than that of control group , but decreased after treatment ( P < 0. 05) ; HE staining showed that in the model group , the capillaries were dilated and congested , there were red exudates in the alveoli , the walls of alveoli were thickened , and inflammatory cells were infiltrated , but the treatment of salvianolic acid salt was relieved ; The mitochondria swelling , crista breaking and even disappearing were observed by transmission electron microscope in the model group , and alveolar epithelial cell Ⅰ (AT⁃ Ⅰ ) ultrastructural damage in the treatment group significantly improved compared with that in the model group ; The AA , LTB4 , TXA2 and PGI2 contents in the treatment group were lower than those in the model group (P < 0. 05) . RT⁃qPCR showed that the expression of 2 and 5 ⁃LOX decreased after Salvianolic acid salt treatment (P < 0. 05) ; Western blot showed that the expression of COX⁃2 , 5 ⁃LOX and C ⁃PLA2 in treatment group was lower than that in model group , while the expression of CCSP increased (P < 0. 05 ) . Conclusion Salvianolic acid salt has protective effect on lung injury induced by one⁃lung ventilation. Its mechanism may be related to down⁃regulation of COX⁃2 , 5 ⁃LOX and C ⁃PLA2 expression , up⁃regulation of CCSP expression.

Objective : To analyze the effects of transglutaminase 2(TGM2) gene interference on the malignant proliferation and movement of lung cancer cells . Methods : A549 cells in logarithmic growth phase were divided into control group , shRNA⁃NC group and TGM2⁃shRNA1 group . After transfection , expression levels of TGM2 mRNA A549 cells in logarithmic growth phase were divided into control group , shRNA⁃NC group and TGM2⁃shRNA1 group . After transfection , expression levels of TGM2 mRNA clone formation assay . The proliferation activity of cells was detected by CCK⁃8 . The apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometer. The invasion of cells was detected by Transwell . The number of tubule formation in each group was observed under microscope . The expression of E ⁃cadherin (E⁃cad) , N ⁃cadherin (N⁃cad) , fibronectin (FN) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in each group was detected by Western blot . Results : Compared with shRNA⁃NC group , the mRNA level and protein expression of TGM2 in TGM2⁃shRNA1 group were decreased (P <0. 05) , and the rate of clone formation , proliferation activity , number of invasive cells and number of tubules formation were decreased ( P < 0. 05) . The apoptosis rate and the expression of E ⁃cad protein were increased ( P <0. 05) , while the expression of N ⁃cad , FN and VEGF protein were decreased (P < 0. 05) . Conclusion TGM2 gene silencing can inhibit the expression of VEGF protein , inhibit the malignant proliferation and invasion of A549 cells , and promote apoptosis .

Objective : To analyze the effects of miR⁃346 on alleviating cardiac function damage and oxidative stress in rats undergoing myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) . Methods : A total of 48 rats were randomly divided into control group , I/R group , I/R + agomiR⁃NC group and I/R + agomiR⁃346 group. I/R model was replicated by the ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery. The recombinant adeno⁃associated virus miR⁃346 was injected through the tail vein for overexpression intervention. After 120 minutes of reperfusion , heart rate (HR) , left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) , fractional shortening (FS) and left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT) , levels of serum creatine kinase MB (CK⁃MB) , myoglobin (Mb) , lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) , and levels of superoxide dismutase ( SOD) , glutathion peroxidase ( GSH⁃Px ) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in myocardial tissues were detected. The apoptosis of myocardial tissue cells was detected by TUNEL staining. The expression of B⁃cell lymphoma/leukemia⁃2 (Bcl⁃2) gene , Bcl⁃associated x protein (Bax) , cysteine protease 3 ( Cas⁃3 ) and Cas⁃9 in myocardial tissues was detected by Western blot. Results : HR , LVEF , FS and LVWT in I/R group were lower than those in control group , the levels of serum CK⁃MB , LDH , Mb and cTnI were higher than those in control group , the expression of MDA , Bax/Bcl⁃2 , cleaved Cas⁃3/Cas⁃3 and cleaved Cas⁃9/Cas⁃9 proteins in myocardial tissues was higher than that in control group , the levels of SOD and GSH⁃px were lower than those in control group , and the apoptosis rate of myocardial tissue cells was higher than that in control group (P < 0. 05) . HR , LVEF , FS and LVWT in I/R + agomiR⁃346 group were higher than those in I/R + agomiR⁃NC group , the levels of serum CK⁃MB , LDH , Mb and cTnI were lower than those in I/R + agomiR⁃NC group , the expression of MDA , Bax/Bcl⁃2 , cleaved Cas⁃3/Cas⁃3 and cleaved Cas⁃9/Cas⁃9 proteins in myocardial tissues was lower than that in I/R + agomiR⁃NC group , the levels of SOD and GSH⁃px were higher than those in I/R + agomiR⁃NC group , and the apoptosis rate of myocardial tissue cells was lower than that in I/R + agomiR⁃NC group ( P <0. 05) . Conclusion The miR⁃346 overexpression can reduce oxidative stress level in I/R rats , alleviate myocardial tissue damage , and improve cardiac function.

Objective: To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of polysaccharide from atractylodes atractylodes(PAMK) on rheumatoid arthritis(RA) rats and its effect on Toll like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa-B(TLR4/NF-κB) signaling pathway. Methods: RA rat model was induced by type Ⅱ collagen, after successful modeling, the rats were divided into model group, positive drug group(Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside tablet), PAMK low-dose and high-dose groups, normal control group was also set, with 12 rats in each group. Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside tablets or Atractylodes macrocephala polysaccharide were administered intragastric administration, once a day for 4 weeks. The body weight, paw swelling rate and arthritis index of rats were measured; the thymus index and spleen index were calculated; HE staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of synovial membrane of ankle joint; The levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in serum and synovial tissue of ankle were determined by ELISA; The expression levels of total protein TLR4, MyD88, phosphorylated NF-κB p65(Ser536) and nuclear protein NF-κB p65 in synovial tissue of ankle were detected by Western blot. Results: Compared with the normal control group, synovial hyperplasia and unclear layers were observed in the model group, body weight decreased(P<0.05), paw swelling rate, arthritis index, thymus index and spleen index increased(P<0.05), the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in serum and synovial tissue of ankle, and the protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, p-NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p65 in synovial tissue of ankle increased(P<0.05). Compared with model group, the histomathological changes of synovial of ankle joint in positive drug group and PAMK high-dose group were significantly improved, body weight increased(P<0.05), paw swelling rate, arthritis index, thymus index and spleen index decreased(P<0.05), the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in serum and synovial tissue of ankle, and the protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, p-NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p65 in synovial tissue of ankle decreased(P<0.05), however, there were no significant differences in the above indexes between PAMK low-dose group and model group(P>0.05). Conclusion PAMK can reduce the inflammatory response and improve RA, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway activation.

Objective To investigate the virus epidemiological characteristics in patients with acute upper respiratory tract infection, so as to provide a basis for clinical treatment. Methods A total fo 1 306 inpatients or outpatients with acute upper respiratory tract infection in our hospital from January 2017 to January 2020 were enrolled. The respiratory viruses in nasopharyngeal swab samples were detected by fluorescence immunoassay. The detection rate, clinical characteristics, seasonal distribution, and age distribution of each virus were analyzed. Results In 1 306 patients with acute upper respiratory tract infection, 679 cases were positive for virus culture, with a total positive detection rate of 51.99%. Among the single virus infections, 463 cases were positive for FluV, with a positive detection rate of 35.45%. Five different virus infections showed significant difference among 0 ~ years old, 14 ~ years old, 50 ~ years old and 65 ~ years old groups (P<0.05). The positive detection rates of FluV, PIV, RSV, and RV were the highest in the 0 ~ years old group, while ADV detection rate was the highest in the 65 ~years old group. The distribution of the 5 different viruses in spring, autumn and winter was significantly different (P<0.05). Conclusion Acute upper respiratory tract infection is mainly caused by a single virus, and different viruses has significant differences in age and seasonal distribution.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of rotenone （ROT） on cognitive function of rats， as well as on Warburg effect and microglia polarization in the hippocampus of rats. MethodsMale Sprague Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into ROT-treated group and control group which were subcutaneously injected with ROT （2 mg/kg） and same volume of saline respectively. The cognitive function of rats was evaluated by Y-maze test and novel object recognition （NOR） test. Western blot （WB） was conducted to detect the expression levels of Warburg effect related proteins including hexokinase 2 （HK2）， pyruvate kinase isozyme M2 （PKM2）， pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 （PDK-1）， pyruvate dehydrogenase （PDH）， and lactate dehydrogenase A （LDHA） in the hippocampus， as well as the expression levels of the microglia polarization marker proteins including inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， arginase-1 （Arg-1）， and chitinase 3-like protein 3 （Ym-1） in the hippocampus. The lactate production and concentration of nitric oxide （NO） in the hippocampus were determined by lactate assay kit and Griess method， respectively. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-4 （IL-4）， and transforming growth factor β1 （TGF-β1） in the hippocampus. ResultsThe ROT-treated rats showed impaired cognitive function， presented as a significantly lower alternation rate （P < 0.05） in Y-maze test and recognition index （P < 0.001） in NOR test compared with control rats. In the hippocampus of ROT-treated rats， the expressions of HK2 （P < 0.05）， PKM2 （P < 0.01）， PDK-1 （P < 0.05） and LDHA （P < 0.05） were downregulated， The PDH expression was upregulated （P < 0.05）， and the lactate production （P < 0.05） was reduced， indicating that ROT inhibited Warburg effect in the hippocampus of rats. The hippocampus of ROT-treated rats also exhibited increased iNOS expression （P < 0.05）， NO concentration （P < 0.05）， and IL-1β level （P < 0.01）， decreased expression of Arg-1（P < 0.01） and Ym-1 （P < 0.01）， and reduced levels of IL-4 （P < 0.05） and TGF-β1 （P < 0.05）， indicating that ROT promoted M1 polarization of hippocampal microglia. ConclusionROT impairs the cognitive function of rats， inhibits the hippocampal Warburg effect and promotes M1 polarization of hippocampal microglia.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship of oxidative stress with DNA integrity and semen parameters in infertile men with varicocele (VC).

METHODSThis prospective study included 98 infertile males with VC. According to the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the semen, we divided the patients into a high ROS group (n=44) and a low ROS group (n=54), determined the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), motility and morphology, and analyzed their correlation with ROS in the two groups of patients.

RESULTSCompared with the patients of the low ROS group, those of the high ROS group showed a significantly higher DFI (27.38±8.10 vs 34.49±6.05, P=0.039) and a higher concentration of seminal leukocytes (［0.65±0.15］×10⁶/ml vs ［0.86±0.41］×10⁶/ml, P=0.022), but lower sperm motility (［36.16±22.83］% vs ［18.22±25.21］%, P=0.017), percentage of progressively motile sperm (［23.34±11.53］% vs ［16.34±9.22］%, P=0.041), sperm curvilinear velocity (［27.03±6.21］ vs ［20.62±4.38］ μm/s, P=0.013), and sperm linearity (［29.75±8.24］% vs ［18.30±7.93］%, P=0.024). Spearman correlation analysis indicated that the ROS level was correlated positively with the concentration of seminal leukocytes (r=0.41, P<0.01) and DFI (r=0.21, P=0.006), but negatively with sperm curvilinear velocity (r=－0.24, P=0.017), linearity (r=－0.24, P=0.021), motility (r=－0.31, P=0.002), and the percentage of progressively motile sperm (r=－0.41, P=0.012). Additionally, the sperm DFI manifested a significant negative correlation with sperm motility (r=－0.29, P<0.01) and the percentage of progressively motile sperm (r=－0.34, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe level of seminal ROS is positively correlated with the sperm DFI in infertile men with varicocele, and both the ROS level and DNA integrity are associated with semen parameters.

DNA Fragmentation ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; complications ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; Prospective Studies ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Semen ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; pathology ; Varicocele ; complications