Production and perception of mandarin tone in adults with cerebral palsy

The primary objective of the present study was to document tone production and intelligibility deficits in Mandarin‐speaking persons with cerebral palsy (CP). Spastic, athetoid, and mixed types of CP were studied, along with a control group, to investigate the possibility of tone production and intelligibility deficits that were differentially affected by type of CP. Speakers produced a 78‐word list that included contrasts for all four Mandarin tones. Intelligibility data were obtained for these words from 26 native speakers of Mandarin, and F0 contour analyses were implemented in CSpeech (Milenkovic) for a subset of the words. Mean tone intelligibility for speakers with CP was 73%, significantly different from the 91% value for control speakers. F0 contour analysis showed that speakers with CP maintained some contrast among the F0 contours for the four tones, but with less distinction than contrasts observed for control speakers. Discussion focuses on the role of tone in a model of the dysarthria associated with CP.     

2种不同微创手术方法治疗良性前列腺增生症的临床观察

目的:观察经尿道前列腺等离子双极电切(TUPKP)与经尿道前列腺单极电切术(TURP)治疗良性前列腺增生症患者的临床效果。方法:回顾性分析我院自2009年10月～2011年10月住院的130例良性前列腺增生症患者,随机分为实验组和对照组,每组各65例。实验组采用TUPKP,对照组采用TURP。结果:实验组和对照组术中、术后手术时间、术中出血量、术后平均住院天数、膀胱冲洗时间以及留置尿管时间,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);实验组和对照组术后半年IPSS评分、QOL评分、残余尿和并发症等指标,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:TUPKP与TURP治疗良性前列腺增生症患者的临床效果相当,经尿道前列腺等离子双极电切术相对更安全,值得临床推广应用。     

Development of anti-adhesive spongy sheet composed of hyaluronic acid and collagen containing epidermal growth factor

Anti-adhesive products need to be designed while considering the concept of wound healing. Two main events must proceed simultaneously: facilitating wound healing in surgically excised tissue, as well as preventing injured tissue from adhering to the surrounding tissue. The present study aimed to develop an anti-adhesive spongy sheet composed of hyaluronic acid and collagen (Col) containing epidermal growth factor, and to investigate the potential of this spongy sheet using an in vitro wound surface model (placing a spongy sheet on a fibroblast-incorporating Col gel sheet) and an in vitro inter-tissue model (placing a spongy sheet between two fibroblast-incorporating Col gel sheets). These in vitro experiments demonstrated that this spongy sheet effectively stimulates fibroblasts to release an increased amount of vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor, which are essential for wound healing to proceed succesfully. In addition, anti-adhesive performance of this spongy sheet was evaluated in animal experiments using Sprague Dawley rats. Under anesthesia, a 1?cm?×?2?cm segment of peritoneum was superficially excised from walls, and the cecum was then abraded by scraping with a scalpel blade over a 1?cm?×?2?cm area. A piece of spongy sheet was placed on the peritoneal defect. Both defects were placed in contact, and the incision was closed by suturing. Peritoneal condition was evaluated after one week. This spongy sheet was capable of facilitating the wound healing of surgically excised tissue and preventing surgically excised tissue from adhering to surrounding tissues.     

The impact of Salmonella Enteritidis on lipid accumulation in chicken hepatocytes

Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) is a public health concern and infected chickens serve as a reservoir that potentially transmits to humans through food. Although SE seldom causes systemic disease in chickens, virulent SE strains can colonize in intestines and lead a persistent infection of the liver. The liver is the primary organ for lipid metabolism in chickens and the site for production and assembly of main components in yolk. We performed a time-course experiment using LMH-2A cells that were infected with SE and co-incubated with β-oestradiol to evaluate if SE infection affected lipid metabolism and subsequently changed lipoprotein formation for egg yolk. The results indicated that lipid accumulation significantly increased in infected LMH-2A cells while the viability of these cells was only slightly decreased. The mRNA expressions of lipid transportation and most lipogenetic genes including sterol regulatory element binding protein 1, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty-acid synthase, long-chain-fatty-acid-CoA ligase 1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, and very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs) II were significantly up-regulated while the expression of lipogenetic-related stearoyl-CoA denaturase 1 was down-regulated. Moreover, decline in lipid transportation of hepatocytes was evidenced by the down-regulation of oestrogen receptor α which promotes VLDLy formation, an increase of intra-cellular accumulation of Apoprotein B (ApoB) protein, and a decrease of cellular excretion of VLDL protein. Conclusively, SE infection could elevate lipid synthesis and reduce lipid transportation in the chicken hepatocytes. These changes may lead excessive lipid accumulation in liver and slower lipoprotein deposition in yolk.     

Calcineurin inhibitors affect B cell antibody responses indirectly by interfering with T cell help

In general, humoral immune responses depend critically upon T cell help. In transplantation, prevention or treatment of humoral rejection therefore require drugs that ideally inhibit both B cell and T helper cell activity. Here, we studied the effects of commonly used immunosuppressive drugs [tacrolimus, cyclosporin, mycophenolic acid (MPA) and rapamycin] on T cell helper activity and on T cell‐dependent B cell responses. T cells were activated polyclonally in the presence of immunosuppressive drugs in order to analyse the effect of these drugs on T cell proliferation, co‐stimulatory ligand expression and cytokines. The impact of immunosuppressive drugs on T cell‐dependent immunoglobulin production by B cells was addressed in T–B cell co‐cultures. All drugs affected T cell proliferation and attenuated T cell co‐stimulatory ligand (CD154 and CD278) expression when T cells were activated polyclonally. Tacrolimus, cyclosporin and rapamycin also attenuated B cell stimulatory cytokine mRNA levels in T cells. As a consequence, a decrease in immunoglobulin levels was observed in autologous T–B cell co‐cultures, where T cell help is essential for immunoglobulin production. In contrast, when pre‐activated T cells were used to stimulate autologous B cells, calcineurin inhibitors failed to inhibit B cell immunoglobulin production, whereas MPA and rapamycin did show inhibition. From these studies, it is evident that calcineurin inhibitors affect the humoral immune response by interfering with T helper signals, but not by targeting B cells directly. Furthermore, our studies support the necessity of intervening in T cell helper function to attenuate humoral responses.     

Washed red cells: theory and practice

Washing of red cells is sometimes performed to reduce allergic reactions due to contaminating plasma proteins or to reduce the concentration of potassium accumulating in the supernatant of red cells during storage as an alternative to transfusion of fresher red cells in patients at risk of hyperkalaemia. There are a variety of methods for washing red cells, and the laboratory data suggest that variables such as age of red cell before washing, washing method and solution, storage medium and length of storage time after washing can all effect the final red cell quality. Studies suggest that washing removes 90–95% plasma, but the proportion of units below 0·05 mg/dl IgA (equivalent to IgA deficient) is variable dependent upon methods used. Although potassium levels are reduced immediately following washing, the rate of leakage following subsequent storage is method-dependent, requiring careful consideration of shelf life if potassium reduction is the goal. Other markers of red cell quality such as haemolysis are negatively impacted by washing so a reduced shelf life compared to standard red cells is appropriate, especially following irradiation. Data from animal models and clinical studies on possible additional benefits of washing, such as reduced lung or kidney injury, are mixed, ranging from some benefit to some harm, and further studies are warranted.     

10份饲用燕麦品种在北疆平原荒漠区的生产性能评价

为了筛选出适宜于平原荒漠区种植的高产燕麦新品种,在呼图壁旱生牧草种子基地采用随机区组试验设计,对10份饲用燕麦品种的生产性能进行分析和比较。结果表明,各燕麦品种6月下旬进入抽穗期;收获时,太阳神、美达和牧乐思的株高均在106 cm以上,它们的鲜草产量也均达到3 000 kg/666.67 m^2以上,显著高于其他品种,但由于受干鲜比影响,大汉的干草产量最高为781.90 kg/666.67 m^2,其次是太阳神。经综合评价,太阳神的株高、鲜干草产量均较高,且其干鲜比低,适口性好,生育期居中,表现优良,适宜在北疆平原荒漠区推广种植。     

加拿大肉用褐牛种公牛后代生产性能对比分析

为了筛选适宜的种公牛用于新疆褐牛肉用类型选育及群体杂交改良,选择两个家系的12、18、24月龄种公牛后代120头,比较分析其后代的超声波活体测定、体重、体尺等各项指标,结果表明:188号公牛后代12、18、24月龄背膘、眼高、12-13肋QIB、眼肌面积与4008号公牛后代差异均不显著(P>0.05),12月龄、18月龄、24月龄体重显著大于4008号公牛后代(P<0.05),12月龄、24月龄体高和18月龄体斜长、尻长显著高于4008号公牛后代(P<0.05),12月龄、24月龄胸围、尻长极显著高于4008号公牛后代(P<0.01)。结论:188号公牛后代产肉性能、尻部发育、体格等各项性能指标均好于4008号公牛后代,将188号公牛定位首选种公牛。