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Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) are thought to play roles in the insect olfactory system by binding and carrying hydrophobic odorants across the aqueous sensillar lymph. The band-winged grasshopper, Oedaleus asiaticus Bei-Bienko, is one of the most important grasshopper pests in northern China, but there is little information about its olfactory system. In order to investigate the olfactory functions of CSPs in this pest, three CSP genes (OasiCSP4, OasiCSP11 and OasiCSP12) were expressed in Escherichia coli, and the binding affinities of the three recombinant CSP proteins were measured for 16 volatiles from the host plant (Stipa krylovii), fecal material and body of live adult O. asiaticus using fluorescence competitive binding assays. To further verify their olfactory functions, RNA interference (RNAi) and electrophysiological recording were conducted. The three recombinant proteins displayed different degrees of binding to various volatiles in ligand-binding assays, with OasiCSP12 having higher binding affinities for more volatiles than OasiCSP4 and OasiCSP11. OasiCSP12 exhibited strong binding affinities (Ki

The band-winged grasshopper Oedaleus asiaticus (Orthoptera: Acridoidea) is an important insect pest in north China. Chemosensory membrane proteins are believed to be crucial factors in direct interactions with odorants in the chemosensory process. However, there is much limited information on the chemosensory system in this pest. In this study, a total of 69 candidate chemosensory membrane protein genes, including 60 olfactory receptors (ORs), 6 ionotropic receptors (IRs) and 3 sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs), were identified for the first time from the antennal transcriptomes of O. asiaticus. Blastp match and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that these chemosensory membrane proteins were the closest to their orthologous species, Locusta migratoria. The qRT-PCR analysis revealed that all tested 14 OR and two SNMP genes (OasiSNMP1 and OasiSNMP2a) were strongly expressed in adult antennae, and nearly all tested genes (15/16) displayed significant differences in the expression levels between both sexes. Moreover, two IR genes (OasiIR25a and OasiIR76b) had uniquely high expression levels in the antennae, labial palps and maxillary palps, while three IR genes (OasiIR1, OasiIR2 and OasiIR3) were highly expressed in most tested tissues (heads without antennae and mouthparts, labial palps, maxillary palps, labia without labial palps, thoraxes, tarsi, and abdomens) except for antennae, labra, and wings but OasiIR5a was just faintly expressed in the antennae, labia without labial palps, labial palps, maxillary palps and abdomen. Our results provide important molecular information for further investigation on the chemoreception mechanisms in O. asiaticus.

Breast ultrasound and mammography were used in the detection of residual tumor after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between clinical and pathological responses with breast density and IHC marker conversion to understand how this information might be used in the future to direct treatment. We included 119 patients who underwent CNB and followed NACT. The breast density assessment was based on the mammography examination performed at the time of diagnosis. We evaluated the clinical and pathological responses to NACT by the UICC and Miller–Payne grading systems, respectively. Of 119 patients who met the inclusion criteria, patients with high pre-treatment IHC markers levels showed higher expression of IHC markers regardless of the post-treatment IHC marker level at baseline. However, breast and node tumor sizes before and after NACT were negatively correlated with hormone receptor conversion and positively correlated with Ki-67 conversion (P

ObjectiveHyperuricemia (HUA) is strongly associated with abnormal glucose metabolism and insulin resistance (IR). However, the precise molecular mechanism of HUA-induced IR is still unclear. Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) has been shown to induce IR in type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study was designed to clarify the relationship between RBP4 and HUA-induced IR and its potential mechanisms.MethodsPatients with HUA were collected to detect the levels of plasma RBP4 and clinical biochemical indicators. Rats were fed with 10% high yeast and oteracil potassium (300 mg/kg) via intraperitoneal injection once daily for eight weeks, and gavage with adenine (100 mg/kg) once daily from the fifth week to induce the HUA model. Glucose consumption testing was performed to determine the capacity of glucose intake and consumption in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein level of RBP4 and insulin receptor substrate-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-active protein kinase (IRS/PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway-related proteins.ResultsThe levels of plasma RBP4 in both HUA patients and HUA rat models were significantly higher than that in the control groups. The level of plasma RBP4 was positively correlated with plasma uric acid, creatinine, fasting insulin, IR index, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in patients with HUA. In HUA rats, the level of plasma RBP4 was positively correlated with plasma uric acid, IR index, and triglycerides. HUA rats also exhibited IR. After inhibition of RBP4 expression, the phosphorylation levels of the IRS/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway were increased, and IR was significantly improved.ConclusionHUA induced IR both in vitro and in vivo. RBP4 may be involved in HUA-induced IR by inhibiting IRS/PI3K/Akt phosphorylation. Our findings may provide a new insight for the treatment of IR caused by HUA.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have reproducibly associated the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs12454712 with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI (WHRadjBMI), but the functional role underlying this intronic variant is unknown. Integrative genomic and epigenomic analyses supported rs12454712 as a functional independent variant. We further demonstrated that rs12454712 acted as an allele-specific enhancer regulating expression of its located gene

Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) play a fundamental role in insect olfaction. In recent years,Galeruca daurica(Joannis) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) has become one of the most important insect pests in the Inner Mongolian grasslands of China. This pest only feeds on the species ofAlliumplants, implying the central role of olfaction in its search for specific host plants. However, the olfaction-related proteins have not been investigated in this beetle. In this study, we identified 29 putative OBP genes, namely GdauOBP1–29, from the transcriptome database ofG. dauricaassembled in our laboratory by using RNA-Seq. All 29 genes had the full-length open reading frames except GdauOBP29, encoding proteins in length from 119 to 202 amino acids with their predicted molecular weights from 12 to 22 kDa with isoelectric points from 3.88 to 8.84. Predicted signal peptides consisting of 15–22 amino acid residues were found in all except GdauOBP6, GdauOBP13 and GdauOBP29. The amino acid sequence identity between the 29 OBPs ranged 8.33–71.83%. GdauOBP1–12 belongs to the Classic OBPs, while the others belong with the Minus-C OBPs. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that GdauOBPs are the closest to CbowOBPs fromColaphellus bowringi. RT-PCR and qRT-PCR analyses showed that all GdauOBPs were expressed in adult antennae, 11 of which with significant differences in their expression levels between males and females. Most GdauOBPs were also expressed in adult heads (without antennae), thoraxes, abdomens, legs and wings. Moreover, the expression levels of the GdauOBPs varied during the different development stages ofG. dauricawith most GdauOBPs expressed highly in the adult antennae but scarcely in eggs and pupae. These results provide insights for further research on the molecular mechanisms of chemical communications inG. daurica.

Because long-term occupational exposure to low concentrations of acrylamide (ACR) has the potential to cause neurological damage, it is important to identify biomarkers that can be used to evaluate this risk. In the present study, urine metabolomics of the ACR-exposed and non-exposed groups to identify potential metabolites was carried out using ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry. Serum biochemical indexes of the exposed and non-exposed groups were also determined. Principal component analysis showed a differential separation between exposed group and non-exposed group and a total of 7 metabolites were identified in positive and negative ionization modes; Area under curve of anthranilic acid, β-guanidinopropionic acid and mesobilirubinogen were 0.980, 0.843 and 0.801 respectively and these metabolites showed high sensitivity and specificity. The 13 biochemical indexes were divided into three classes based on physiological functions. Only biomarkers of dysregulated liver function including alanine aminotransferase, aspartic transaminase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and triglyceride were significantly higher in the exposed group than in the non-exposed group. This study identifies important related metabolic changes in the bodies of workers after long-term occupational exposure to low concentration ACR and suggests new biomarkers of nervous system injury caused by ACR. The study also provides a sound basis for exploring the biochemical mechanisms and metabolic pathways of nervous system toxicity caused by ACR.

Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) has been used extensively to analyze gene expression and decipher gene function. To obtain the optimal and stable normalization factors for qRT-PCR, selection and validation of reference genes should be conducted in diverse conditions. In insects, more and more studies confirmed the necessity and importance of reference gene selection. In this study, eight traditionally used reference genes in Galeruca daurica (Joannis) were assessed, using qRT-PCR, for suitability as normalization genes under different experimental conditions using four statistical programs: geNorm, Normfinder, BestKeeper and the comparative ΔCt method. The genes were ranked from the most stable to the least stable using RefFinder. The optimal suite of recommended reference genes was as follows: succinate dehydrogenase (SDHA) and tubulin-alpha (TUB-α) for temperature-treated larvae; ribosomal protein L32, SDHA and glutathione S-transferase were best for all developmental stages; ACT and TUB-α for male and female adults; SDHA and TUB-α were relatively stable and expressed in different tissues, both diapause and non-diapause adults. Reference gene evaluation was validated using expression of two target genes: the P450 CYP6 gene and the heat shock protein gene Hsp70. These results confirm the importance of custom reference gene selection when studies are conducted under diverse experimental conditions. A standardized qRT-PCR analysis procedure for gene functional studies is provided that could be useful in studies on other insect species.

Background In order to better assist medical professionals, this study aimed to develop and compare the performance of three models—a multivariate logistic regression (LR) model, an artificial neural network (ANN) model, and a decision tree (DT) model—to predict the prognosis of patients with advanced schistosomiasis residing in the Hubei province. Methodology/Principal findings Schistosomiasis surveillance data were collected from a previous study based on a Hubei population sample including 4136 advanced schistosomiasis cases. The predictive models use LR, ANN, and DT methods. From each of the three groups, 70% of the cases (2896 cases) were used as training data for the predictive models. The remaining 30% of the cases (1240 cases) were used as validation groups for performance comparisons between the three models. Prediction performance was evaluated using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Univariate analysis indicated that 16 risk factors were significantly associated with a patient’s outcome of prognosis. In the training group, the mean AUC was 0.8276 for LR, 0.9267 for ANN, and 0.8229 for DT. In the validation group, the mean AUC was 0.8349 for LR, 0.8318 for ANN, and 0.8148 for DT. The three models yielded similar results in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Conclusions/Significance Predictive models for advanced schistosomiasis prognosis, respectively using LR, ANN and DT models were proved to be effective approaches based on our dataset. The ANN model outperformed the LR and DT models in terms of AUC., Author summary Worldwide, approximately 240 million individuals are infected with schistosomiasis, a parasitic neglected tropical disease that continues to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in China. Effective tools that can accurately predict the prognosis of patients with advanced schistosomiasis would aid in the treatment and management of the disease. To this end, we constructed and compared the performance of three predictive models—an artificial neural network (ANN) model, a logistic regression (LR) model and a decision tree (DT) model—in their ability to predict the prognosis of patients with advanced schistosomiasis. We found that while all three models proved effective, the ANN model outperformed the LR and DT models in terms of AUC and sensitivity. Yet, to achieve the highest level of prediction accuracy and to better assist medical professionals, we recommend comparing the performance of the three predictive models to select the optimal one, which will be better than select a model at random. The findings of this study not only provide valuable information on the construction of effective predictive models for the prognosis of advanced schistosomiasis, but also offer new methodology for clinically determining patient diagnosis and prognosis.

To investigate chondrocyte apoptosis and the expression of biochemical markers associated with apoptosis in Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) and in an established T-2 toxin- and selenium (Se) deficiency-induced rat model.Cartilages were collected from the hand phalanges of five patients with KBD and five healthy children. Sprague-Dawley rats were administered a selenium-deficient diet for 4 weeks prior to T-2 toxin exposure. The apoptotic chondrocytes were observed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining. Caspase-3, p53, Bcl-2, and Bax proteins in the cartilages were visualized by immunohistochemistry, their protein levels were determined by Western blotting, and mRNA levels were determined by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.Increased chondrocyte apoptosis was observed in the cartilages of children with KBD. Increased apoptotic and caspase-3-stained cells were observed in the cartilages of rats fed with normal and Se-deficient diets plus T-2 toxin exposure compared to those in rats fed with normal and Se-deficient diets. Caspase-3, p53, and Bax proteins and mRNA levels were higher, whereas Bcl-2 levels were lower in rats fed with normal or Se-deficiency diets supplemented with T-2 toxin than the corresponding levels in rats fed with normal diet.T-2 toxin under a selenium-deficient nutritional status induces chondrocyte death, which emphasizes the role of chondrocyte apoptosis in cartilage damage and progression of KBD.

Since occupational exposure to acrylamide (ACR) may cause nerve damage, sensitive biomarkers to evaluate the early effects of ACR on human health are needed. In the present study, we have compared a group of individuals with occupational exposure to ACR (contact group, n = 65) with a group of individuals with no exposure (non-contact group, n = 60). Serum metabolomics analysis of the contact and non-contact groups was carried out using ultra performance liquid chromatograph/time of flight mass spectrometry, combined with multivariate analysis, to identify potential metabolites. Serum biochemical indexes of the contact and non-contact groups were also determined using an automatic biochemistry analyzer. There was a clear separation between the contact group and the non-contact group; receiver operator characteristic curve analysis suggested that phytosphingosine, 4E,15Z-bilirubin IXa and tryptophan were the best metabolites to use as biomarkers. Liver function was also found to be abnormal in the contact group. Important, ACR-related, metabolic changes were seen in the contact group and new biomarkers for assessing the toxicity of ACR on the central nervous system have been proposed. This study will provide a sound basis for exploring the toxic mechanisms and metabolic pathways of ACR.

To understand the dynamic schistosomiasis situation in Hubei Province so as to provide the evidence for formulating the effective control strategy.According to the Scheme of Schistosomiasis Surveillance in Hubei Province (the 2009 edition) , 207 endemic villages were selected and investigated for the schistosome infections of residents and livestock, and the distribution of Oncomelania hupensis snails.The average infection rates of residents and cattle were 0.35% and 0.15% respectively, and the endemic situation of fishermen and farmers were relatively serious (0.44% and 0.42%, respectively). The density of living snails was 0.30 snail/0.1m2, but no infected snails were found.The endemic situation of schistosomiasis in Hubei Province was stable in 2013, but the efforts for the infectious source control still should be strengthened.

To analyze the latency of posture evoked response of normal lower limb muscle in different stimulations and explore its influencing factors.The normal lower limb was induced to produce postural evoked response by the dynamic posturography through two kinds of perturbations, the supporting surface rotation stimulation (Toes-up and Toes-down) and the horizontal perturbation stimulation (Forward and Backward). The latencies of tibialis anterior muscle and gastrocnemius muscle were recorded by surface electromyography acquisition system. The differences of the left and right limb, gender and height on the latency of postural evoked response were analyzed.(1) Under the Toes-up and Backward perturbation, the latency of tibialis anterior muscle was longer than gastrocnemius muscle; under the Toes-down and Forward perturbation, the latency of gastrocnemius muscle was longer than tibialis anterior muscle. (2) The latencies of left limb and right limb had no significant difference. (3) The latency in male was longer than that in female. (4) The latency gradually increased with the increase of height.In the postural evoked response, different perturbations, gender and height have significant impacts on the latency of posture evoked response of lower limb muscle. However, the effect of height and gender should be not considered referring to the same individual.

To quantify the posture control ability of patients with peripheral vertigo by computed dynamic posturography (CDP).Ninety-one subjects diagnosed with peripheral vertigo by caloric test were divided into unilateral vestibular dysfunction group (unilateral group) and bilateral vestibular disorder dysfunction group (bilateral group). CDP tests including sensory organization test (SOT) and motor control test (MCT) were performed on all subjects. The CDP results were compared with the normal data by t-test.In unilateral group, there was no statistically significant difference in SOT compared with normal data (P0.05). In bilateral group, the composite equilibrium score was lower than the normal data, especially during the moving of the platform and the changes of visual stimulation (P0.05). In MCT test, the latencies of both groups showed no statistically significant difference compared with normal data (P0.05).During the non-acute period of peripheral vertigo, patients could maintain static equilibrium. Compared with normal people, dynamic equilibrium function is normal in patients with unilateral vestibular dysfunction, but declined in patients with bilateral vestibular dysfunction.

To analyze the difference of subjective hearing threshold and objective hearing threshold, and to discuss the importance of standard for hearing evaluation in forensic medicine.Three hundred and fifty-five cases (387 ears) of forensic medical identification with hearing impairment were retrospectively analyzed including the items entrusted and hearing test results. All cases were collected from 2004 to 2012 in the forensic science center.In the 387 ears, 218 ears (56.3%) were evaluated the degree of disability and 106 ears (27.4%) were identified the degree of damage. In the disability degree evaluation, the subjective hearing threshold and the objective hearing threshold were significant different in 120 ears (55.0%), while in damage degree evaluation, the subjective hearing threshold and the objective hearing threshold were significant different in 69 ears (65.1%).Because of camouflaging or exaggerating the hearing impairment by the wounded, the subjective hearing threshold can't accurately assess the existence and the degree of hearing impairment. In the forensic identification, auditory brainstem response, 40 Hz auditory event related potential and auditory steady-state response should be combined in the application to evaluate the hearing impairment for the wounded in order to ensure the reliability of the evaluation of hearing impairment.

To develop an objective criteria with computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) for identification of non-organic or malingering symptoms of balance disorders.One hundred and four normal subjects were instructed to feign balance disturbance after naturally performing on CDP. Paired t-test was used to determine if there was significant difference of CDP equilibrium scores between normal and malingering performance. The CDP records including raw curve of 50 subjects were critically evaluated by previously published seven criteria in indicating malingering performance. If the sensitivity of a criterion was greater than 90%, it would be accepted as our laboratory's identifying criterion. The CDP records of remaining 54 subjects were used to test the sensitivity and specificity of the accepted criteria.There were statistically significant differences of CDP equilibrium scores between normal and malingering performance (P0.01). The mean equilibrium scores of malingering performance were lower than that of normal performance. The sensitivity and specificity of our criteria for identifying malingerers were 92.5% and 98.2%, respectively.It is necessary to identify malingering performance before analyzing the CDP equilibrium scores. Our identifying criteria of malingerers seems to be quite useful and accurate.

To study the value of slow vertex response (SVR) in the evaluation of hearing loss by comparing the hearing thresholds acquired with SVR and pure tone audiometry (PTA).Twenty-five subjects (40 ears) with sensorineural hearing loss were tested by PTA and SVR. According to the thresholds of PTA, these ears were subdivided into mild, moderate and severe hearing loss groups, and rank sum test was performed on the thresholds of SVR and PTA for all the hearing loss groups. Then, the correlation between PTA thresholds and SVR thresholds was analyzed and the mathematical models were established for predicting behavioral thresholds by the thresholds of SVR.At four test frequencies (0.5, 1, 2 and 4kHz), the thresholds of SVR had high correlations with thresholds of PTA. Four liner regression equations were established, and the correlation coefficient(r) were 0.971, 0.976, 0.957 and 0.928, respectively (P0.05). Back substitution test showed that the liner regression equations would be an easy method for estimating the behavior thresholds.The behavioral threshold can be well judged and evaluated by the liner regression equations established with SVR thresholds.

To explore characteristics and causes of equilibrium function deficits after traumatic brain injury(TBI).Ninety-five patients after TBI in traffic accidents were tested using computerized dynamic posturography (CDP). The CDP findings of patients were compared with normal value. The patients were grouped based on TBI and audition disorders degrees. The results were compared within the patients groups.The equilibrium scores of the TBI group were significantly lower than the normal value. The utilization rate decreased for vision and vestibular sensation information in the TBI group, especially for vestibular sensation. The primary TBI degree and audition decrease had no significant affect on posture stability.The poor posture stability was observed in TBI patients without limbs disturbance. The response and adaptation abilities decrease in these patients. This could be explained by the damage to peripheral vestibular and central balance structures.

To summarize experiences of serious perioperative complications management of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), and evaluate the effect of intervention in decreasing the incidence of serious complications.Retrospective analysis of clinical data in Shenyang General Hospital of PLA and Liaoning Province Jinqiu Hospital of OSAHS surgery cases from January 1995 to December 2009 were included in this study, patients were divided into two groups according to with or without intervention. Experience and lessons were analyzed.Patients without and with intervention were 402 and 521 respectively, and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) cases in each group were 387 and 390. Five patients in the first group who accepted UPPP had breathing difficulty and were all successfully rescued, while no one in the second group had breathing difficulty. The difference was significant (P0.05). Sixteen patients in the first group had severe bleeding after UPPP, while only 5 patients had the severe bleeding in the second group. The difference was significant, too P0.05. No breathing difficulty cases in the second group, and serious bleeding cases in each group was 5 and in 1, there was no significant difference (P0.05).Breath difficulty and serious bleeding are serious perioperative complications of OSAHS surgery, and with systemic intervention the incidence of the complications can be decreased.

A 18-year-old female patient after cleft lip and palate surgery with an uncommon complication-precardium area pain were reported. The psychological treatment and nursing along with routine clinical treatment to the patient were applied. The patient had recovered from the precardium area pain after one week treatment.

To investigate the value of slow vertex response (SVR) for forensic appraisement of hearing dysfunction by comparing the thresholds acquired with SVR and pure tone audiometry (PTA).Forty-six subjects with normal hearing were tested with PTA (0.125-8 kHz) and SVR (0.5-4 kHz). Paired t-test analysis was performed on the thresholds of SVR and PTA at each frequency (0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz), and analysis of variance was performed on the difference between the pure tone audiometry threshold and the evoked potential threshold among different frequency.At each frequency(0.5, 1, 2 kHz and 4 kHz), difference between the thresholds acquired with SVR and PTA was statistically significant(P0.05). The mean difference of the two thresholds were (5.98 +/- 6.72) dB HL at 0.5 kHz, (3.86 +/- 6.12) dB HL at 1 kHz, (7.12 +/- 6.56) dB HL at 2 kHz, (8.53 +/- 7.90) dB HL at 4kHz, and the mean difference at 1 kHz was the smallest. This variation between frequencies was also statistically significant.The thresholds acquired with SVR were higher than those acquired with PTA. The adjusted thresholds should be established at each frequency, when the SVR thresholds are used to evaluate the behavioural hearing thresholds.

To explore the correlativity between the thresholds acquired with auditory steady-state responses (ASSR) and pure tone audiometry (PTA).Eighty-six subjects with normal and abnormal hearing (172 ears) were tested with ASSR and PTA at 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 Hz to get the thresholds of ASSR (single frequency) and PTA. Correlation analysis were done between the thresholds acquired with ASSR and PTA at different frequency (500, 1000, 2000, 4000 Hz) for each different hearing loss degree (or = 20, 21-39, 40-59, 60-79,or = 80 dB).At each frequency, there was a close correlativity between the thresholds acquired with ASSR and PTA. The rectified threshold of ASSR and PTA at different frequency and hearing loss degree had been obtained.The rectified ASSR threshold could be applied as an objective method for evaluating hearing loss to distinguish malingering deafness in the practice of forensic medicine.

To provide new objective technology in evaluating hearing loss for forensic expert by comparing the thresholds acquired with auditory steady-state responses (ASSR) and pure tone audiometry (PTA) in our laboratory.Twenty-seven subjects with normal hearing (54 ears, 18-28 years) were tested with PTA and ASSR at 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz. Paired t-test analysis was performed on threshold of ASSR and PTA at difference frequency (500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz).At each frequency (500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz), the thresholds acquired with ASSR were higher than those acquired with PTA (P0.05). The mean difference of each frequency were (22.04+/-5.79) dB (500 Hz), (11.02+/-5.44) dB (1000 Hz), (12.59+/-5.89) dB (2000 Hz) and (17.78+/-7.25) dB (4000 Hz). The mean difference between the system automatically adjusted threshold of ASSR and PTA were (-3.96+/-5.79) dB at 500 Hz, (0.02+/-5.44) dB at 1000 Hz, (-0.41+/-5.89) dB at 2000 Hz, and(-1.25+/-7.25) dB at 4000 Hz.At each frequency (500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz), the thresholds acquired with ASSR were higher than those acquired with PTA. The mean difference is 16.9 dB. As an objective and mature method, ASSR could be used in evaluation of hearing-loss degree for forensic expert. But adjusted threshold value should be established when ASSR is used to estimate hearing threshold in each laboratory.

By measuring lengths of tibias and fibulas in computed radiography (CR) of living body, regression formulae for stature estimation were obtained from these measurements that were adapted to the population of northern adults of Han.The length of tibias and fibulas were measured in radiography, including 422 subjects (207 men and 215 women). The body height of each subject was also recorded. Linear regression analysis between body height and the length of tibias and fibulas , analysis of variance of hypothesis test of linear regression model and t-test of the partial regression coefficient were applied to establish the regression equations for stature estimation. Then the paired t-test between the predictive value and the actual body height, the residual analysis, the tests of equal scedasticity and colinearity had been done to evaluate whether the equations accord with the model.Thirty five regression equations which were statistical significant were obtained. The multiple correlation coefficient was from 0.909 to 0.823 and the standard error of the estimation was between 2.48-3.87 cm.The lengths of tibias and fibulas on the CR films could be helpful to estimate stature. These equations could be used to estimate the body height of the Han population in North China.

To obtain regression formula for estimation of stature in Han population in Sichuan Province from length of the upper extremity long bones by digital radiography.The statures of 365 healthy adults and digital radiographs of their right upper extremity long bones were measured. All statistical dispositions were done in SPSS including description and regression analysis.Twenty-seven simple regression and 3 multiple regression formulae with statistic significance in estimation of the stature from the sum of the length of the upper extremity long bones were established. Regression coefficient was higher in ulna than in radius, in male than in female, and was more accurate in multiple regression formulae than in simple regression formulae.Digital radiograph measurement of the length of the upper extremity long bones seems to be a simple and practical method to estimate human stature in forensic practice.

To study the expression and activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in rats with ethanol-induced liver injury and their relation with liver damage, activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) expression in the liver.Female Sprague-Dawley rats were given fish oil (0.5 mL) along with ethanol or isocaloric dextrose daily via gastrogavage for 4 or 6 wk. Liver injury was assessed using serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and pathological analysis. Liver malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide contents, iNOS and eNOS activity were determined. NF-kappaB p65ìiNOS, eNOS and TNF-alpha protein or mRNA expression in the liver were detected by immunohistochemistry or reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Chronic ethanol gavage for 4 wk caused steatosis, inflammation and necrosis in the liver, and elevated serum ALT activity. Prolonged ethanol administration (6 wk) enhanced the liver damage. These responses were accompanied with increased lipid peroxidation, NO contents, iNOS activity and reduced eNOS activity. NF-kappaB p65, iNOS and TNF-alpha protein or mRNA expression were markedly induced after chronic ethanol gavage, whereas eNOS mRNA expression remained unchanged. The enhanced iNOS activity and expression were positively correlated with the liver damage, especially the necro-inflammation, activation of NF-kappaB, and TNF-alpha mRNA expression.iNOS expression and activity are induced in the liver after chronic ethanol exposure in rats, which are correlated with the liver damage, especially the necro-inflammation, activation of NF-kappaB and TNF-alpha expression. eNOS activity is reduced, but its mRNA expression is not affected.

To evaluate four therapeutic measures on acute tetramethylene disulphotetramine (TETS) poisoning and the effects of it on intelligence of children.All 86 patients of acute TETS poisoning were randomly divided into 4 groups (the control group, sodium valproate group, sodium dimercaptopropane sulfonate group and the hemoperfusion group). The therapeutic effects were observed after the arranged treatment was administrated. According to age, residence, sex, education and domestic economy, 30 children were matched by 1:1 with children of TETS poisoning.The termination time of seizure, doses of diazepam, mental symptoms and the continual time of mental symptoms were not significantly different among these three groups. After hemoperfusion, the seizure of patients was terminated or the frequency was obviously decreased, but the level of TETS in blood was not reduced. The average scores of full intelligence quotient (FIQ), the verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ) and the performance intelligence quotient (PIQ) of children in poisoning group were 9.1, 8.8 and 7.7 less than the controls. The average scores of FIQ of children with bad state were 15 less than the controls.Therapeutic effects of sodium valproate and sodium dimercaptopropane sulfonate on acute TETS poisoning should be not better than using diazepam and sodium phenobarbital. Therapeutic effects of hemoperfusion on TETS poisoning is good. TETS poisoning should have a great influence on intelligence of children.