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The purpose of this study was to explore the role of the newly emerging concept that involves "shifting" the tinnitus pitch and loudness in relation to the efficacy of precision sound therapy. In the case of children, the prevalence rate of tinnitus is difficult to estimate because even if children have tinnitus symptoms that are similar to those of adults, they may not be able to perceive them or to adequately express how they feel.5,6 Since the mechanisms of tinnitus are different, the related treatment should also vary in differently affected participants. The follow-up treatment should continue to retest the tinnitus matching including tinnitus frequency, tinnitus loudness. After treatment, the tinnitus intensity did not change, but the tinnitus frequency changed to the frequency that would make the tinnitus less unbearable, and the THI score decreased. [Extracted from the article]

Power conditioning system (PCS) is the crucial component of superconducting magnetic storage system (SMES), which determines its power control performance and ability. This paper investigates the feasibility of applying Z source converter (ZSC) as the PCS for SMES. A ZSC-based PCS (ZSC-PCS) for SMES is presented, parameter design methods are analyzed, and a novel minimum power losses control scheme is proposed. By dynamically regulating open zero vector duty ratio to its minimum required level, the ZSC-PCS can enlarge both active and reactive power capability of SMES with lowest power losses. The feasibility of the proposed approach is verified by the experimental results on a kVA scale prototype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, melatonin (MT) promoted lipid accumulation in Monoraphidium sp. QLY-1 under nitrogen deficiency conditions. The lipid accumulation increased 1.22- and 1.36-fold compared with a nitrogen-starved medium and a normal BG-11 medium, respectively. The maximum lipid content was 51.38%. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in the presence of melatonin was lower than that in the control group, likely because of the high antioxidant activities. The application of melatonin upregulated the gibberellin acid (GA) production and rbcL and accD expression levels but downregulated the abscisic acid (ABA) content and pepc expression levels. These findings demonstrated that exogenous melatonin could further improve the lipid production in Monoraphidium sp. QLY-1 by regulating antioxidant systems, signalling molecules, and lipid biosynthesis-related gene expression under nitrogen deficiency conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hearing loss is a major unresolved problem in the world, which has brought a heavy burden to society, economy, and families. Hair cell damage and loss mediated by oxidative stress are considered to be important causes of hearing loss. The nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a major regulator of antioxidant capacity and is involved in the occurrence and development of a series of toxic and chronic diseases associated with oxidative stress. In recent years, studies on the correlation between hearing loss and Nrf2 target have continuously broadened our knowledge, and Nrf2 has become a new strategic target for the development and reuse of hearing protection drugs. This review summarized the correlation of Nrf2 in various types of hearing loss, and the role of drugs in hearing protection through Nrf2 from the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corn defense systems against insect herbivory involve activation of genes that lead to metabolic reconfigurations to produce toxic compounds, proteinase inhibitors, oxidative enzymes, and behavior-modifying volatiles. Similar responses occur when the plant is exposed to methyl jasmonate (MeJA). To compare the defense responses between stalk borer feeding and exogenous MeJA on a transcriptional level, we employed deep transcriptome sequencing methods following Ostrinia furnacalis leaf feeding and MeJA leaf treatment. 39,636 genes were found to be differentially expressed with O. furnacalis feeding, MeJA application, and O. furnacalis feeding and MeJA application. Following Gene Ontology enrichment analysis of the up- or down- regulated genes, many were implicated in metabolic processes, stimuli-responsive catalytic activity, and transfer activity. Fifteen genes that indicated significant changes in the O. furnacalis feeding group: LOX1, ASN1, eIF3, DXS, AOS, TIM, LOX5, BBTI2, BBTI11, BBTI12, BBTI13, Cl-1B, TPS10, DOX, and A20/AN1 were found to almost all be involved in jasmonate defense signaling pathways. All of the data demonstrate that the jasmonate defense signal pathway is a major defense signaling pathways of Asian corn borer's defense against insect herbivory. The transcriptome data are publically available at NCBI SRA: SRS965087. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is a devastating disease of flue-cured tobacco production. Amendments of biochar in soil suppress the incidence of bacterial wilt disease by improving soil health and functional diversity of rhizosphere microbes. In this study, we observed the effect of 0–5% application rate of tobacco stem biochar on soil health and the occurrence of tobacco bacterial wilt disease. Results demonstrated that the application of 2% tobacco stem biochar significantly improves soil physicochemical properties, microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, and the functional diversity of microbes in the rhizosphere. The ability of rhizosphere microorganisms to utilize six types of carbon sources was significantly improved under the 2% application rate of tobacco stem biochar, which reduced the incidence of bacterial wilt disease and R. solanacearum population in the rhizosphere of tobacco plants. Biochar also increases the accumulation of dry matter contents in the roots, stems, and leaves of tobacco plant. We conclude that tobacco stem biochar at a certain level improves the soil physicochemical properties, functional diversity of rhizosphere microorganisms, mitigates the pathogen population, and reduces disease incidence. This study highlights the potential use of tobacco stem biochar to manage the bacterial wilt disease. • Soil health and microbial diversity plays an important role in disease development • Application of biochar in soil improves soil physicochemical properties • Amendments of biochar in soil suppress the incidence of tobacco bacterial wilt • Microbial diversity is potentially improved in the presence of biochar [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Childhood obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is underdiagnosed. The aim of this study was to assess the awareness level of OSA among parents in the general population of Guangdong province of South China.Methods: This descriptive epidemiological study was conducted from July to November 2019 using an anonymous questionnaire that evaluated the knowledge of OSA-related symptoms and complications. Exclusion criteria included age under 18 years, refusal to fill out the questionnaire, and a linguistic barrier.Results: A total of 1123 respondents participated in the survey. Among them, 530 (47.2%) respondents were aware of childhood OSA. The most common source of information about childhood OSA was the internet (49.9%). On multivariate analysis, the respondents obtained higher scores if they were mothers (B: -0.105, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.153,-0.057), lived in an urban area (B: -0.077, 95% CI: -0.125,-0.28), and knew about childhood OSA previously (B: -0.55, 95% CI:-0.598,-0.502).Conclusion: Parents demonstrated limited awareness of OSA complications. Innovative educational campaigns must be organized to inform medical practitioners and the general public about this disease and raise awareness about its complications. The effectiveness of the ongoing health education campaigns to increase awareness should be monitored by examining the temporal trends in public knowledge of childhood sleep apnea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irreversible sensorineural hearing loss is one of the most common side effects after cisplatin treatment. Prevention and reversal of hearing loss caused by cisplatin are of great importance for cancer patients, especially children. Oxidative stress is an important cause of hearing loss resulted from cisplatin, unfortunately, there is no drug yet available that can completely prevent and reverse the ototoxicity from cisplatin. Polydatin (PD) possesses excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, however, its role in the cisplatin-induced hearing loss has not been investigated. Herein, we have explored the preventive and therapeutic effects of PD on cisplatin-induced hearing loss and the possible underlying mechanisms. In the in vivo setting with guinea pigs, we have demonstrated that PD can reduce the threshold shift of auditory brainstem response (ABR) caused by cisplatin, promote the nuclear translocation of Nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), increase the expression of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and thus reduce the loss of outer hair cells (OHCs). PD can ameliorate cisplatin-induced hearing loss through activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. This study provides a potential strategy for preventing and improving hearing loss resulted from cisplatin treatment in clinics., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Li, Zhao, Xu, Lin, Zhao, Li, Cui and Tian.)

Introduction: In recent years, tobacco control policy initiatives have emerged at the subnational level in China. In 2013, for example, Qingdao enacted a 100% smoke-free policy that gave regulatory authority to multiple enforcement agencies. Given that little is known about the extent of smoke-free policy compliance in smaller Chinese cities, this study assessed compliance with Qingdao's Tobacco Control Regulation and whether compliance differed by enforcement agency., Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was undertaken between October and November 2018. Venues were selected based on enforcement agency and included restaurants, retail stores, schools, government buildings, hospitals, business offices, and other hospitality venues. Comprehensive lists of venues were identified where they existed, and a random sample of venues were subsequently selected. For venue categories for which there were no comprehensive lists, a walking protocol was used. Observational data included evidence of smoking, the presence of no-smoking signage, and designated smoking areas (DSAs). Descriptive statistics were obtained. Subsequently, logistic regression models were used to determine the association between enforcement agency and policy compliance., Results: A total of 694 venues were observed. For all venue types, 64.7% were compliant with the composite indicator 'evidence of smoking'. Findings also showed that smoke-free compliance varied by enforcement agency (p<0.001). Venues with evidence of smoking and not posting of no-smoking signs at the main entrance were lowest among venues that fall under Public Security Bureau. Compliance with posting no-smoking signs inside was lowest in venues that fall under the Industry and Commercial Administration (I&C). While Qingdao's smoke-free policy prohibits DSAs, our findings showed that 2% of venues that fall under the jurisdiction of I&C had DSAs., Conclusions: An effective coordination mechanism that can ensure a consistent and standardized approach is urgently needed in Qingdao. With such a concerted effort, it will be possible to achieve the target of 100% smoke-free indoor places in Qingdao., Competing Interests: The authors have each completed and submitted an ICMJE form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. The authors declare that they have no competing interests, financial or otherwise, related to the current work. C. Hoe, X. Ning, X Wang, D. Li, K. Wright and R.D. Kennedy report that this work was funded through a grant from the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use. C. Hoe also reports that she has received additional funding from the World Health Organization and core funding from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. R.D. Kennedy also reports that he has received additional funding from FDA, NIH, Burroughs Welcome Trust, and core funding from JHU. He also received honoraria for performing grant reviews for the State of California TRDRP (Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program). In addition, R.D. Kennedy declares that he performed a grant review for the State of California and received travel support to cover cost of attending a meeting in California TRDRP, and that he was involved with the Society for Research in Nicotine and Tobacco Control (SRNT) and has a leadership role in the Global Health working group., (© 2021 Hoe C. et al.)

In this work, an effective sensing platform based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from quantum dots (QDs) to graphene oxide (GO) was developed. Firstly, the aptamer of MUC-1 protein was coupled to CdTe QDs. The interactions between MUC-1 aptamer and GO made CdTe QDs close to GO, which quenched the fluorescence of QDs because of the FRET. However, the stronger interaction between MUC-1 and aptamer weakened the interaction between aptamer and GO, which led to the release of CdTe QDs from GO and thus, the recovery of QDs fluorescence. Based on this, the method was used to detect MUC-1. This approach was successfully extended to detect MCF-7 cells through its interaction with MUC-1 aptamer. The detection limits of MUC-1 and MCF-7 cells were 16 nM and 36 cells/mL, respectively. The method could be extended for detection of other biomolecules by substituting aptamer and the corresponding target.