1. Why was the man on the roof yesterday?
| A．To cool himself. | B．To repair it. | C．To put something on it. |
| A．By having an X-ray. |
| B．By taking his temperature. |
| C．By looking at his throat and ear. |
| A．Do more exercise. | B．Get some rest. | C．Drink more water. |
| A．Three times a day. | B．Twice a day. | C．Once a day. |
2 . Many of us remember the feeling of having our braces (牙套) regularly adjusted and retightened at the dentist’s. And interventions are based entirely upon the estimate of dentists and involve a great deal of trial and error, which can lead to too many visits to the dentist’s.
Professor Erleben and his team created a computer model that creates accurate 3D simulations (模拟) of an individual patient’s jaw, which dentists can use to predict how sets of braces should be designed to best straighten a patient’s teeth and plan the best possible treatment. To create these simulations, the computer model was used to map sets of human teeth after getting detailed CT images of teeth and the small, fine structures between the jawbone and the teeth. This type of precise digital simulation is referred to as a digital twin, a virtual model that lives in the cloud.
The virtual model can answer what’s happening in the real world, and do so instantly. For example, one can ask what would happen if you pushed on one tooth and get answers with regards to where it would move and how it would affect other teeth. The model also helps to predict the post treatment effect, achieve “visualization” of treatment, and facilitate patients to understand the plan of straightening their teeth. What’s more, it has enabled more flexible and convenient digital medical follow-up services.
The area of research that uses digital twins is relatively new. “However, we need to set up a sufficiently big database if digital twins are to really take root and benefit the healthcare industry,” Erleben said, “In the future, the virtual model can be used to plan, design and improve, and can therefore be used to operate companies, robots, factories and used much more in the energy, healthcare and other fields.”
1. What is Paragraph 1 mainly about?| A．The professional integrity of dentists. | B．The current state of dental treatment. |
| C．The procedure of retightening braces. | D．The intervention of modern technology. |
| A．Predicting treatment effect. | B．Designing a computer model. |
| C．Drawing the shape of a mouth. | D．Obtaining the details of teeth. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Curious. | C．Favorable. | D．Dismissive. |
| A．Why digital twins make a hit | B．Where virtual treatment goes |
| C．What trouble dentists encounter | D．How a virtual model aids dentists |
3 . Nightmare disorder is characterized by frequent nightmares that cause unhappiness and greatly impact our life. But a new approach is added to existing therapy (疗法) by introducing certain sounds which can help a person to turn their nightmare into a sweet dream.
The existing therapy, called Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT), is already used as a way to reduce the frequency and intensity of nightmares. “You write down the bad dream in a very detailed way and then create new endings that are nonfrightening for nightmares,” said Dr. Kilkenny, the director of the Institute of Sleep Medicine at Staten Island University Hospital.
In this newly published study, the 36 participants were divided into 2 equal-sized groups. Both groups practiced IRT, but the second group additionally used Targeted Memory Reactivation (TMR). TMR works by associating the stimulation (刺激) of a specific sound with a specific thought while you’re awake. The daily practice saw them completing IRT with added TMR. The 36 participants were then recorded for 2 weeks as they slept.
Fortunately for the dreamers, both groups saw an improvement in their sleep and a drop in nightmare frequency. However, the group who had received the combination of IRT and TMR saw a drop in nightmare frequency that lasted for three months beyond the study — and even began to experience more joyful dreams instead of nightmares. “The study shows again that IRT alone works to improve nightmare disorder, but the new change is that the addition of TMR to IRT not only improves nightmare disorder but also increases the amount of positive dream experiences,” said Kilkenny.
While the results of this study are encouraging, it might be difficult to carry out them on your own. “If you’re experiencing frequent or serious nightmares, it may be helpful to first address your sleeping habits and make sure your are getting enough sleep with regular sleep and wake times,” said Dr. Dimitriu, the founder of Menlo Sleep Medicine in California.
1. What are patients required to do in IRT?| A．Listen to calming music during sleep. |
| B．Record their frequency of nightmares. |
| C．Recreate a pleasant ending for the nightmare. |
| D．Tell the doctor about details of their nightmares. |
| A．By taking sleeping medicine. |
| B．By practicing IRT more times. |
| C．By introducing sound stimulation. |
| D．By recording sounds in nightmares. |
| A．Participants tend to sleep longer than before. |
| B．TMR could enhance the effectiveness of IRT. |
| C．The sound treatment can help improve sleeplessness. |
| D．The nightmares can be avoided by both TMR and IRT. |
| A．Taking regular exercises. | B．Doing a medical checkup. |
| C．Seeking accurate examination. | D．Adjusting the sleeping habits. |
| A．At 8:20. | B．At 9:20. | C．At 8:50. |
5 . Thousands of lives have been saved by giving blood-thinning drugs to people with a heart condition that leaves them at risk of a stroke (中风), according to the head of the NHS.
Since January 2022, about 460,000 people in England who suffer from atrial fibrillation (AF)—a dangerously irregular heart rate—have begun taking one of four anticoagulant (抗凝血的) drugs that are proved to reduce stroke risk. Speedy introduction of the drugs has kept 4,000 people alive who would otherwise have died and prevented about 17,000 strokes, according to Amanda Pritchard. Strokes kill about 27,000 people a year in England and lead to about 120,000 being taken to hospital.
A drive to encourage take-up of the drugs means 90% of the 1.5 million people in England with AF are using them. That should result in fewer strokes, which are a leading cause of death and disability, given that AF causes about one in five strokes.
“The rapid introduction of these drugs is a big step forward in providing the best possible care for patients with heart disease”, Pritchard, the leader of NHS (National Health Service) England, will say in a speech today at the King’s Fund health experts’ yearly conference.
The drugs, called direct oral anticoagulants, help keep blood from coagulating, therefore reducing the risk of a clot (凝块) developing and causing a stroke. In 2021 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended that doctors use four anticoagulant drugs.
Dr Maeva May, the Stroke Association’s director, thought of the widespread use of the drugs as “fantastic news”, because AF accounts for one in five strokes and strokes in people with AF are more likely to result in death or serious disability.
NHS England has used its spending power to cut deals with the makers of the four drugs, which has made them much more widely available. The British Heart Foundation praised the NHS’s “great progress towards its goal of reducing stroke deaths”.
1. What is the purpose of listing numbers in paragraph 2?| A．To attract the readers’ attention to strokes. |
| B．To introduce the specific information about AF. |
| C．To show the necessity to introduce anticoagulant drugs. |
| D．To summarize the steps towards reducing deaths. |
| A．By identifying signs of strokes. | B．By reducing blood pressure. |
| C．By keeping heart beating. | D．By preventing blood clotting. |
| A．NHS England plays a big role in popularizing anticoagulant drugs. |
| B．NHS England made a healthy profit on the deal with drug makers. |
| C．The British Heart Foundation managed to cut stroke deaths in England. |
| D．The British Heart Foundation worked with NHS England to fight stroke. |
| A．A breakthrough in stroke prevention. |
| B．NHS England’s life-saving conference. |
| C．How to identify signs of a heart attack. |
| D．How to test the effects of anticoagulant drugs. |
| A．A hotel. | B．An airport. | C．A hospital. |
For first-degree burns, first, place burns under cool running water, especially within the first ten minutes. Second, dry the burnt area
8 . A new breakthrough in material science could revolutionize medical implants. Scientists at Southeast University in China have developed a piezoelectric material that is not only highly effective but also biodegradable. This innovation surpasses previous biodegradable options by a factor of 13 in terms of piezoelectric performance.
Piezoelectric materials have the unique ability to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. This property makes them ideal for various medical implants, like pacemakers and drug delivery devices. However, traditional options lack biodegradability, necessitating a second surgery for removal after serving their purpose. This additional procedure can be expensive and carries inherent surgical risks.
The newly developed material, the discovery of which was led by Zhang Hanyue and Professor Xiong Rengen, is a kind of ferroelectric molecular crystal. The crystal offers the remarkable combination of both piezoelectricity and biodegradability. Notably, the material boasts a piezoelectric coefficient (d33) of approximately 138 picocoulombs per newton, a significant 13-fold increase compared to previous biodegradable materials.
Furthermore, the material is conveniently combined with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), granting it high flexibility and biocompatibility within the body. This translates to safe implantation that can eventually dissolve naturally, eliminating the need for removal surgery.
The researchers envision this innovative material being utilized in a diverse range of next-generation medical implants. This research, published in the March 29 issue of Science magazine, represents a significant leap forward in the field of medical implants. Media outlets in China called the discovery a landmark breakthrough since the discovery of the piezoelectric effect by the Curie brothers in 1880.
1. What makes piezoelectric materials suitable for medical implants?| A．Their ability to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. |
| B．Their biodegradability after serving their purpose. |
| C．Their unique ability to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. |
| D．Their low cost and ease of availability. |
| A．increases the piezoelectric coefficient by 13 times |
| B．is only suitable for pacemakers |
| C．requires a second surgery for removal |
| D．lacks flexibility and biocompatibility |
| A．improve its piezoelectric performance |
| B．make it biodegradable |
| C．enhance its flexibility and biocompatibility |
| D．reduce its cost of production |
| A．It was the first piezoelectric material to be developed |
| B．It surpasses previous biodegradable options significantly |
| C．It was discovered by Chinese scientists |
| D．It has been mentioned in Science magazine |
9 . EYLEA
Consumer Brief Summary
This summary contains risk and safety information for patients about EYLEA. It does not include all the information and does not take the place of talking to your eye doctor.
What is EYLEA?
EYLEA is a medicine that works by blocking vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF）, which can cause fluid to leak into the macula(视网膜黄斑).
What is EYLEA used for?
EYLEA is indicated for the treatment of patients with:
·Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion(RVO)
·Diabetic Macular Edema(DME)
·Diabetic Retinopathy(DR)
How is EYLEA given?
EYLEA is an injection(注射)administered by eye doctor and the injections are given on different schedules. Confirm with your doctor which schedule is appropriate.
What are the most common side effects of EYLEA?
·Eye pain
·Light sensitivity
·Increased eye redness
For more possible side effects, ask your eye doctor. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call1-800-FDA-1088.
What should I tell my eye doctor before receiving EYLEA?
·Infections in or around the eye
·Eye pain or redness
·Being allergic to any ingredients in EYLEA
·Being or planning to be pregnant
Where can I learn more about EYLEA?
For a more comprehensive review of EYLEA safety and risk information, talk to your health care provider and see the full information at EYLEA. com.
1. Who is the passage intended for?| A．Eye doctors. | B．Medicine students. |
| C．Drug researchers. | D．Patients with eye conditions. |
| A．Visit EYLEA.com. | B．Call1-800-FDA-1088. |
| C．Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch. | D．Talk to a medical professor. |
| A．A medical report. | B．An introduction to a book. |
| C．A healthcare contract. | D．A piece of medical instructions. |
10 . A man with Parkinson’s（帕金森）disease has experienced a substantial improvement in his ability to walk after being fitted with a device that electrically stimulates his spinal cord（脊髓）. The findings, although based on one person, suggest this could be used to treat movement disorders.
Treatments for Parkinson’s disease include drugs that target parts of the brain which regulates movement, as well as deep-brain stimulation, which changes the electrical signals that cause symptoms. However, many people don’t respond to these treatments, particularly if their condition is advanced, says Courtine.
He and his colleagues wanted to find out whether directly stimulating the spinal cord in a person with severe Parkinson’s disease could help. The team designed the device that specifically targets neurons（神经元）in the spine that are activated when legs walk, which showed promise in non-human primates with Parkinson’s-like symptoms. To test it in a person, the researchers recruited a 62-year-old man called Marc, who has experienced Parkinson’s symptoms for around 30 years. These included pace freezing-sudden and temporary inability to move.
The researchers first had to map the neurons in Marc’s spine. This helped to guide the application of stimulators so they would only target his legs’ neurons. They then placed sensors on Marc’s legs and shoes to monitor the electrical activity of the neurons that activate the muscles in these limbs and his feet. When these sensors detected this electrical activity, they activated the stimulators.
After three months’ training using the stimulators, Marc more or less stopped experiencing pace freezing. Marc says that passing through narrow paths or turning had previously caused pace freezing, which led to him falling five or six times a day. Marc has now been using the stimulator for two years and says he hardly falls any more, allowing him to walk several kilometres at a time.
The stimulation is personalised to Marc. Nevertheless, the team thinks a similar technique could help many people. But there are at least five more years of development before the treatment will reach people outside a trial, says Courtine.
1. Why does Courtine’s team design the device?| A．Conventional treatments help little. | B．Patients suffer from deep-brain stimulation. |
| C．The device is much cheaper. | D．The medicine has side-effects. |
| A．The procedure of the treatment. | B．The effects of the research. |
| C．The function of stimulators. | D．The prediction of researchers. |
| A．Marc is dissatisfied with the treatment. | B．Marc recovers after three-month’s training. |
| C．The device is specially adjusted for Marc. | D．The device has been used widely. |
| A．Small sample. | B．Low technology. | C．High cost. | D．Inconvenient operation. |
