Determination of Benefits of Cochlear Implantation in Children with Auditory Neuropathy

BackgroundAuditory neuropathy (AN) is a recently recognized hearing disorder characterized by intact outer hair cell function, disrupted auditory nerve synchronization and poor speech perception and recognition. Cochlear implants (CIs) are currently the most promising intervention for improving hearing and speech in individuals with AN. Although previous studies have shown optimistic results, there was large variability concerning benefits of CIs among individuals with AN. The data indicate that different criteria are needed to evaluate the benefit of CIs in these children compared to those with sensorineural hearing loss. We hypothesized that a hierarchic assessment would be more appropriate to evaluate the benefits of cochlear implantation in AN individuals.MethodsEight prelingual children with AN who received unilateral CIs were included in this study. Hearing sensitivity and speech recognition were evaluated pre- and postoperatively within each subject. The efficacy of cochlear implantation was assessed using a stepwise hierarchic evaluation for achieving: (1) effective audibility, (2) improved speech recognition, (3) effective speech, and (4) effective communication.ResultsThe postoperative hearing and speech performance varied among the subjects. According to the hierarchic assessment, all eight subjects approached the primary level of effective audibility, with an average implanted hearing threshold of 43.8 ± 10.2 dB HL. Five subjects (62.5%) attained the level of improved speech recognition, one (12.5%) reached the level of effective speech, and none of the subjects (0.0%) achieved effective communication.ConclusionCIs benefit prelingual children with AN to varying extents. A hierarchic evaluation provides a more suitable method to determine the benefits that AN individuals will likely receive from cochlear implantation.     

Optimization of Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor with Ag/Au Multilayer Structure and Fiber-Optic Miniaturization

In this paper, we report a novel wavelength interrogation-based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) system, in which a film of three Ag layers and three Au layers are alternately deposited on a Kretschmann configuration as sensing element. This multilayer film shows higher sensitivity for refractive index (RI) measurement by comparing with single Au layer structure, which is consistent with its theoretical calculation. A sensitivity range of 2056–5893 nm/RIU can be achieved, which is comparable to RI sensitivities of other wavelength-modulated SPR sensors. Compared with Ag film, this Ag/Au multilayer arrangement offers anti-oxidant protection. This SPR biosensor based on a cost-effective Ag/Au multilayer structure is applicable to the real-time detection of specific interactions and dissociation of low protein concentrations. To extend the application of this highly-sensitive metal film device, we integrated this concept on an optical fiber. The range of RI sensitivities with Ag/Au multilayer was 1847–3309 nm/RIU. This miniaturized Ag/Au multilayer-based fiber optic sensor has a broad application in chemical and biological sensing.     

药用植物学野外实习教学模式思考与探索

当代人崇尚健康的生活理念,在“天然药物”“自然疗法”等思潮的影响下植物资源的开发利用备受关注。药用植物学是高等医药院校中药类专业的一门基础课,野外实习是药用植物学教学的重要环节。本文综述了新形势下药用植物学实习过程中的突出存在的问题,提出了改革创新的方式,以期为药用植物学教学改革提供参考。     

植物叶缘和叶脉发育调控的研究进展

通常可通过植物叶片的形态来区分不同植物的种类。叶片由茎顶端分生组织侧翼发育而成,为多种多样大小和形状的扁平结构。叶片的结构看似简单,但调控叶片形态和结构发育的分子机理错综复杂,叶片的发育受植物激素、转录因子、一系列蛋白因子及环境的共同调控。本文回顾了叶片边缘形态和叶脉发育研究的最新进展。在叶边缘形态方面,Aux/IAA生长素响应抑制家族蛋白通过调节生长素浓度最大点的离散分布影响小叶的起始和生长以及叶边缘结构;NAM/CUC转录因子促进叶边缘锯齿的分离以及复叶中小叶的分离和分化,NAM/CUC和Aux/IAA通过不同通路实现对生长素的调控;拟南芥RAX1基因/番茄Potato-leaf基因和拟南芥JAG基因/番茄LYR基因促进叶边缘锯齿发育;RCO调控复叶小叶的发育不通过改变生长素的分布来实现;在番茄中反式小干扰RNA途径中的因子参与叶边缘形态发育;另外,在拟南芥中,mir164A、CUC2、PIN1、DPA4、SVR9-1及SVR9L-1构成复杂的调控网络影响叶边缘锯齿的发育。在叶脉发育方面,PIN1能否正确的定位会影响叶脉发育;AS1和AS2共同参与叶片远近轴极性的分化;另外AXR6、MP、BDL、CVP因子功能的缺失影响叶脉发育;生长素、PIN1、Aux/IAA、MP、ATHB8构成反馈循环调控子叶叶脉的形成。     

陇东黄土高原石油开采对土壤线虫群落的影响

为研究陇东黄土高原石油开采对土壤线虫影响的强度与范围,选择长庆油田不同开采年限(1、10a和20a)油井共6口,按照距井基不同距离(3、6、10、20m和50m)采集土壤样品90个,共鉴定出土壤线虫22科43属;其中,食细菌线虫26属、食真菌线虫2属、植物寄生线虫9属、杂食/捕食线虫6属,优势类群为小杆属Rhabditis和孔咽属Aporcelaimus。土壤线虫生活史策略以c-p 2类群占优势,不同距离采样点,土壤线虫c-p 2和c-p 5差异极显著(P0.01)。随着距井基距离增加(3、6、10、20m和50m)线虫总数显著增加;其中,植食类、捕食杂食类和食真菌类线虫数量增加显著,且线虫群落多样性指数(H')显著增加(P0.05)。但不同距离之间优势度指数(λ),均匀度指数(J)和瓦斯乐斯卡指数(WI)差异不显著。不同开采年限油井,以10a土壤线虫群落多样性指数(H')、成熟度指数(MI)和瓦斯乐斯卡指数(WI)最低,而1a油井和20a油井较高,且与10a油井差异显著(P0.05)。油井作业改变周围土壤性质,导致土壤含水率降低、总石油烃(TPH)含量增高,但土壤线虫分布与土壤TPH无明显相关。研究结果表明,油田开采影响土壤线虫的组成与群落结构,但影响范围一般局限在作业区范围,指数H'和MI能较好的指示油田开采对线虫群落的影响。     

A Multimodal MR Imaging Study of the Effect of Hippocampal Damage on Affective and Cognitive Functions in a Rat Model of Chronic Exposure to a Plateau Environment

Neurochemical Research - Prolonged exposure to high altitudes above 2500 m above sea level (a.s.l.) can cause cognitive and behavioral dysfunctions. Herein, we sought to investigate the...     

Cryptotanshinone inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by regulating ERK and NF-κB signaling pathways

Osteoporosis (OS) is one of the most common healthy problems characterized by low bone mass. Osteoclast, the primary bone-resorbing cell, is responsible for destructive bone diseases including osteoporosis (OS). Cryptotanshinone (CTS), an active component extracted from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza bunge, has been shown to prevent the destruction of cartilage and the thickening of subchondral bone in mice osteoarthritis models. However, its molecular mechanism in osteoclastogenesis needs to be determined. The aim of the current study was to explore the effect of CTS on osteoclastogenesis and further evaluate the underlying mechanism. Our results showed that CTS inhibited receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced the increase in tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity in bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMMs). In addition, the expressions of osteoclastogenesis-related marker proteins and nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) activation were suppressed by CTS treatment in BMMs. Furthermore, CTS attenuated RANKL-induced ERK phosphorylation and NF-κB activation in BMMs. These findings indicated that CTS inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by inhibiting ERK phosphorylation and NF-κB activation in BMMs. Thus, CTS may function as an inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis and may be considered as an alternative medicine for the prevention and treatment of OS.     

MicroRNA‐328 is involved in the effect of selenium on hydrogen peroxide‐induced injury in H9c2 cells

Oxidative stress induces apoptosis in cardiac cells, and antioxidants attenuate the injury. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are also involved in cell death; therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of miRNAs in the effect of selenium on oxidative stress‐induced apoptosis. The effects of sodium selenite were analyzed via cell viability, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate cell apoptosis. Fura‐2AM was used to calculate intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration. Sodium selenite could ameliorate hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)‐induced cell apoptosis and improve expression levels of glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase. Pretreatment with sodium selenite improved SOD activity and reduced MDA concentration. Treatments with H₂O₂ or sodium selenite decreased miR‐328 levels. MiR‐328 overexpression enhanced cell apoptosis, reduced ATP2A2 levels, and increased intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration, while inhibition produced opposite effects. MiR‐328 might be involved in the effect of sodium selenite on H₂O₂‐induced cell death in H9c2 cells.