Objective To develop and evaluate the equivalence of the Mandarin test material for tracking of noise tolerance(TNT)test.Methods Six different speech materials were developed(themes including daily life,entertainment,family,festivals,outdoors,and school).Four-minute TNT tests were measured in 21 normal hear-ing subjects using six different test materials.For each session,the tolerable noise level(TNL)and TNT scores were acquired and calculated for 3 time windows(31～240 s,31～120 s,151～240 s).Results Statistic analysis showed significant differences in the TNL(F=43.611,P＜0.05)among the normal hearing listeners.There were statistically significant differences in standardize z-scored TNT scores of the six different materials in the three time windows(P＜0.05).Post-hoc comparisons revealed that all significant differences involved the family and daily life themes.Conclusion Entertainment,festival,outdoors and school themed test materials can serve as the materials of Mandarin tracking of noise tolerance test and can be appied in research and clinical testing.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of auricular needle-embedding therapy for treating primary insomnia. Methods:A total of 63 patients were randomly divided into a conventional acupuncture group and an auricular needle-embedding group.The conventional acupuncture group received acupuncture at meridian points,while the auricular needle-embedding group received acupuncture at auricular points.Treatments were given once a day for 6 consecutive days,followed by a 1-day break,as a course of treatment.Both groups were treated for 2 courses.Before treatment,and after 1 course and 2 courses of treatment,the Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI)score was assessed,and the efficacy was evaluated. Results:The cured and markedly effective rate and total effective rate of the auricular needle-embedding group were higher than those of the conventional acupuncture group,but there was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).After 1 course of treatment,the PSQI global score and the scores of subjective sleep quality,sleep latency,sleep duration,habitual sleep efficiency,and daytime dysfunction of both groups decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.01);there was no statistical significance in comparing the PSQI global score and individual component scores between the two groups(P>0.05).After 2 courses of treatment,the PSQI global score and the scores of sleep latency and habitual sleep efficiency of the auricular needle-embedding group decreased compared with those after 1 course of treatment(P<0.01 or P<0.05),while only the score of sleep latency of the conventional acupuncture group decreased compared with that after 1 course of treatment(P<0.05);the PSQI global score and the scores of subjective sleep quality and sleep latency of the auricular needle-embedding group were lower than those of the conventional acupuncture group(P<0.05). Conclusion:Both therapies can improve insomnia.Compared to conventional acupuncture,auricular needle-embedding therapy demonstrates a therapeutic advantage in improving sleep latency and sleep quality,making it worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of Masquelet technique with the transfer of free iliac inguinal flap in reconstruction of infectious bone and soft tissue defect after metacarpal fracture surgery.Methods:From January 2014 to January 2020, 16 patients suffered from infectious bone and soft tissue defect after surgery of metacarpal fracture were treated in Department of Hand Surgery, Institute for Hygiene of Ordnance Industry (Weapon Industry 521 Hospital). Debridement and vacuume sealing drainage (VSD) coverage of wound were carried out in emergency surgery, and Masquelet technique combined with free iliac inguinal flap for reconstruction of infected metacarpal bone defect were performed in sub-emergency surgery. The patients were 14 males and 2 females with an average age of 38 (20-50) years old. Plates were removed in 10 patients and retained in 6 patients. Defects of metacarpal bone ranged from 0.8 cm×0.8 cm×2.0 cm to 1.5 cm×2.0 cm× 5.1 cm in size. Soft tissue defects ranged from 3.6 cm×6.8 cm to 7.8 cm×11.6 cm. Tendon defects were found in all 16 patients. After the primary procedure of Masquelet technique combined with free iliac inguinal flap, routine anti-infection, anticoagulant, antispasmodic and other treatments were offered to all patients. Then all patients were observed by fortnightly reviews. After infection was cleared, the second phase of Masquelet treatment began. The defects of metacarpal bone were reconstructed with autologous cancellous bone grafts, and measures to prevent from infection together with other therapies were offered after the surgery. Follow-up of the second phase surgery was carried out once per 1-2 weeks and then per 2-4 months after bone union. The follow-up review items included: wound infection and necrosis, appearance, shape, texture and sensory recovery of flap. Bone union of infectious metacarpal defect was evaluated, recurrence of infection was closely observed as well as the resorption or nonunion of bone by X-rays. Hand function was assessed according to the Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association. Donor sites healing and functional recovery were also included in the postoperative observation.Results:The follow-up time ranged from 1.5-3.0 (average 2.4) years. There was no necrosis of iliac inguinal flap, no recurrence of infection, and the flaps all healed well. The appearance, shape and texture of flaps were found close to the adjacent skin in all patients. Two-point discriminations (TPD) of the transferred iliac inguinal flaps were at 8-10 mm. X-ray reviews showed that bone union achieved in all patients. The time of bone union were 2.1-3.4 months (2.9 months in average) after bone grafting. There was no bone resorption, infection or nonunion. According to the Evaluation Standard of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association, 13 patients were excellent and 3 patients were good. All donor sites had primary healing with the motion of donor hips unaffected.Conclusion:Masquelet technique combined with free iliac inguinal flap is an effective, safe and feasible surgical procedure in reconstruction of infectious bone and soft tissue defect after metacarpal fracture surgery. It offers a satisfactory outcome with relatively less damage to the donor site.

Objective:To explore the effects of miRNA-373-3p (miR-373-3p) on the proliferation of nephroblastoma G401 cells through targeted regulation of CD44 expression.Methods:Bioinformatic method was used to predict the possible targeted genes of miR-373-3p based on bioinformatic databases including miRDB, miRanda, PITA and DIANA-microT. G401 cells were taken and transfected with miR-373-3p mimic, mimic negative control, miR-373-3p inhibitor or inhibitor negative control, respectively. Cell proliferation ability was detected by using CCK-8 assay. The number of clones was detected by using clone formation assay. The relative expression level of CD44 mRNA was detected by using real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and the expression level of CD44 protein was detected by using Western blotting. The dual luciferase gene reporter assay was carried out in HEK-293T cells to vertify the target gene of miR-373-3p.Results:Bioinformatic analysis indicated that CD44 was a targeted gene of miR-373-3p. After 24 h transfection, the proliferation activity of G401 cells in miR-373-3p mimic group was decreased compared with that in mimic negative control group (all P < 0.05). After 48 h transfection, the proliferation activity of tumor cells in miR-373-3p inhibitor group was increased compared with that inhibitor negative control group (all P < 0.05). The formed number of clones in miR-373-3p mimic group was reduced compared with that in the mimic negative control group (55.3±2.5 vs. 90.7±2.9), and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 14.57, P < 0.01). The formed number of clones in miR-373-3p inhibitor group was more than that in inhibitor negative control group (115.0±2.7 vs. 92.0±2.4), and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 8.86, P < 0.01). The dual-luciferase gene reporter assay showed that CD44 was a direct targeted gene of miR-373-3p. The relative expression levels of CD44 mRNA in miR-373-3P mimic and mimic negative control group were 0.62±0.03 and 1.00±0.01, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 11.28, P < 0.01). The relative expression levels of CD44 mRNA in miR-373-3p inhibitor and inhibitor negative control group were 1.31±0.02 and 1.00±0.00, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 12.65, P < 0.01). The CD44 protein expression was decreased in miR-373-3p mimic group, while increased in miR-373-3p inhibitor group. Conclusion:miR-373-3p can inhibit tumor cell proliferation by targeting CD44 in nephroblastoma.

Objective:To evaluate the accuracy of serum surfactant protein concentration in predicting postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in the patients at moderate risk for PPCs undergoing abdominal surgery.Methods:Fifty-eight patients of both sexes, with the predicted ARISCAT score of 26-44 points, scheduled for elective abdominal gastrointestinal surgery, were studied.Central venous blood samples were collected before operation (T 0), at 30 min after extubation (T 1) and at 1 day after surgery (T 2) for determination of serum surfactant protein A (SP-A) and surfactant protein B (SP-B) in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The occurrence of PPCs during the postoperative hospitalization was recorded.The patients were divided into PPCs group and non-PPCs group according to whether PPCs occurred. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the accuracy of serum SP-A and SP-B concentrations in predicting PPCs. Results:Compared with the baseline value at T 0, the serum SP-B concentrations were significantly increased at T 1 in group PPCs, and the concentrations of serum SP-A and SP-B were significantly decreased at T 2 in both groups ( P<0.05). The concentrations of serum SP-A and SP-B were significantly decreased at T 2 than at T 1 in both groups ( P<0.05). Compared with non-PPCs group, the serum concentrations of SP-A at T 0 and SP-B at T 1 were significantly increased in group PPCs ( P<0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of serum SP-B concentrations in predicting PPCs at T 1 was 0.908 (95% confidence interval 0.821-0.996), and the cut-off value was 26.3 ng/ml, sensitivity 0.90, and specificity 0.81. Conclusion:The accuracy of serum SP-B concentrations measured at 30 min after extubation in predicting PPCs is higher in the patients at moderate risk for PPCs undergoing abdominal surgery.

Objective To establish a stably overexpressing miR-31 transgenic mouse and detect the expression of miR-31 in the organs and tissues,and to provide qualified tool mice with overexpression of miR-31 in vivo. Methods The miR-31 overexpression vector was constructed by Gateway cloning technology. The vector was injected into fertilized ovum by DNA microinjection technology,then transferred to the pseudopregnant mice and waited for eutocia. Newborn mouse tail DNA was extracted and PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis were performed to identify the positive miR-31 transgenic mice. microRNA was extracted from the organs and tissues of miR-31 transgenic mice and the expression of miR-31 was de-tected by RT-PCR. The expression of Nestin and number of neural stem cells in the nervous system were compared in the positive and WT mice. Results The miR-31 transgenic mice were constructed successfully and bred more than 14 genera-tions in barrier environment. Expression of miR-31 was increased in major organs and tissues. The expression of Nestin and the number of neural stem cells in the positive mice were higher than those in the wild type mice. Conclusions MiR-31 overexpressing transgenic mice are constructed by Gateway cloning technology and the expression of miR-31 is stable in sub-sequent generations. The number of neural stem cells in the nervous system is higher than that in wild-type mice. The miR-31 overexpressing transgenic mice can be a good tool for experimental research of the function of overexpressed miR-31 in vivo and the treatment of nervous system diseases.

Objective To evaluate the protective effect of apneic oxygen insufflation on the operated lung of patients undergoing one-lung ventilation (OLV).Methods Fifty-four American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ patients of both sexes,aged 50-75 yr,scheduled for elective pulmonary tumorectomy,were divided into 2 groups using a random number table method:conventional group (group C,n=27) and apneic oxygen insufflation group (group A,n=27).The patients were intubated with a double-lumen tube after induction of anesthesia.Apneic oxygen insufflation was performed on the operated lung immediately after OLV by continuously administrating oxygen at 5 L/min with inspiratory oxygen fraction of 100％.Blood samples were taken from the radial artery at 1 min before OLV (T1) and 3 and 33 min after OLV (T2,3) for blood gas analysis,pulmonary oxygenation index and intrapulmonary shunt rate were calculated,and the occurrence of oxygen index less than 200 and 300 mmHg was recorded.Blood samples of the internal jugular vein were collected to detect the concentrations of surfactant protein B (SPB) and surfactant protein C (SP-C) in serum.The lung on the operated side was lavaged at T3,and the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid was collected for determination of the concentrations of SP-B and SP-C by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results Compared with group C,the oxygenation index was significantly increased at T2,3,the intrapulmonary shunt rate was decreased,the concentrations of SP-B and SPC in serum were decreased,and the concentrations of SP-B and SP-C in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid were increased in group A (P＜0.05).Conclusion Giving apneic oxygen insufflation 5 L/min to the operated lung during OLV can reduce the damage to the operated lung.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of the new investigational drug pegylated interferon α-2b (Peg-IFN-α-2b) (Y shape, 40 kD) injection (180 µg/week) combined with ribavirin in the treatment of patients with genotype 1/6 chronic hepatitis C (CHC), with standard-dose Peg-IFN-α-2a combined with ribavirin as a positive control. Methods: A multicenter, randomized, open-label, and positive-controlled phase III clinical trial was performed. Eligible patients with genotype 1/6 CHC were screened out and randomly divided into Peg-IFN-α-2b(Y shape, 40kD) group and Peg-IFN-α-2a group at a ratio of 2:1. The patients in both groups were given oral ribavirin for 48 weeks in addition and then followed up for 24 weeks after drug withdrawal. Abbott Real Time HCV Genotype II was used to determine HCV genotype, and Cobas TaqMan quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure HCV RNA level at 0, 4, 12, 24, 48, and 72 weeks. Adverse events were recorded in detail. The primary efficacy endpoint was sustained virological response (SVR), and a non-inferiority test was also performed. Results: A total of 561 patients with genotype 1/6 CHC were enrolled, among whom 529 received treatment; 90.9% of these patients had genotype 1 CHC. The data of the full analysis set showed that SVR rate was 69.80% (95% CI 65.00%-74.60%) in the trial group and 74.16% (95% CI 67.73%-80.59%) in the control group (P = 0.297 0). The data of the per protocol set (PPS) showed that SVR rate was 80.63% (95% CI 76.04%-85.23%) in the trial group and 81.33% (95% CI 75.10%-87.57%) in the control group (P = 0.849 8), and the 95% CI of rate difference conformed to the non-inferiority standard. The analysis of the PPS population showed that of all subjects, 47.9% achieved rapid virologic response, with a positive predictive value of 93.8%. The incidence rate of adverse events was 96.30% in the trial group and 94.94% in the control group, and the incidence rate of serious adverse events was 5.13% in the trail group and 5.06% in the control group. Conclusion In the regimen of Peg-IFN-α combined with ribavirin for the treatment of genotype 1/6 CHC, the new investigational drug Peg-IFN-α-2b(Y shape, 40 kD) has comparable clinical effect and safety to the control drug Peg-IFN-α-2a.

Objective To detect the expressions of Wnt2 and dishevelled (Dvl) protein in esophageal squamous carci-noma, and analyze their relationship with the occurrence and development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Meth-ods The expression levels of Wnt2 and Dvl protein were detected by Western blot assay in 60 samples of esophageal carci-noma and adjacent non-carcinomatous esophageal tissues, and their relationship with clinical pathological features were ana-lyzed. Results The relative expression levels of Wnt2 and Dvl protein were higher in esophageal squamous carcinoma tis-sue (0.512 ± 0.406, 1.218±1.082) than those of esophageal tissue adjacent to carcinoma (0.153 ± 0.189, 0.505±0.358). There were significant differences in the expression levels of Wnt2 and Dvl protein between different infiltration depth, different TNM stages, and lymph node metastasis (P<0.01). There was a positive correlation between Wnt2 and Dvl protein in esopha-geal squamous carcinoma (r=0.718, P<0.01). Conclusion The high expression levels of Wnt2 and Dvl protein promote the development and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas collaboratively via Wnt2 signal transduction path-ways.

BACKGROUND:Stem cel s can be induced to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons in vivo and in vitro, which provides a theoretical basis for stem cel transplantation in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease
OBJECTIVE:To explore the feasibility and mechanism of intracerebral transplantation of umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cel s for treatment of Parkinson’s disease rats.
METHODS:Intracerebral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine was used to make Parkinson’s disease models in SD rats. Twenty-two model rats were randomized into cel transplantation group (n=12) and control group (n=10) and respectively injected intracerebral y with umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cel suspension and PBS. At 1-8 weeks after cel transplantation, intra-abdominal injection of apomorphine was performed every week to observe the rotation behaviors of rats;at the 2nd and 8th weeks, rat’s striatum and substantia nigra were taken for immunohistochemistry staining.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The rotation behaviors were gradual y decreased with time in the cel transplantation, but had no changes in the control group. At 3-8 weeks after transplantation, there were significant differences in the rotation behaviors between the two groups (P<0.05). At 2 weeks after transplantation, tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cel s were found within and around the striatum of the cel transplantation group;but there were no exogenous cel s in the control group. At 8 weeks after transplantation, there were stil active cel s and tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cel s in the striatum of cel transplantation group, and there was no tyrosine hydroxylase expression in the striatum of the control group. These findings suggest that transplanted umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cel s can survive in the brain that are positive for tyrosine hydroxylase, which can improve the behavior abnormalities of Parkinson’s disease rats.