1 . When delivering medications to patients, one of the most effective methods is direct injection (注射) into the bloodstream using a needle. But this can be an uncomfortable experience, especially for kids or adults with a fear of needles. While patients do have the option to take oral pills instead, drugs containing large molecules (分子) are not absorbed effectively this way.

Now, inspired by octopus suckers (章鱼吸盘), researchers from China and Switzerland have designed a needle-free alternative: a tiny, drug-filled, cup-like patch (贴片) that sticks to the inside of the cheeks. The device is easily accessible, and it can be removed at any time and the drug gets absorbed through the lining of the inner cheek, the team reports in a paper in Science Translational Medicine.

To test the design, the team 3D printed the suckers. They loaded each with the drug and stuck them inside the cheeks of three beagles, a kind of dog which has a similar inner cheek lining to humans. For comparison, they also delivered the drug to beagles via a pill. After three hours, the team found that drug blood concentrations in dogs with the patch were more than 150 times higher than in the dogs that took a tablet. They also found patches worked effectively for drugs with large molecules.

40 healthy human volunteers self-applied water-filled patches to see how well they would stay on while talking and moving their mouths. After 30 minutes, only five of the 40 patches had fallen off, which was because of improper placement. Most volunteers said they would prefer a patch over injections for daily applications.

Still, the team only tested the patch for a short time so they would need to find out what would happen if it was used repeatedly. They’d also need to determine which drugs would work with the technology: the target is large molecules, such as those used to treat obesity or osteoporosis, but they can’t be too large to fit in the cup.

1. Why do the researchers develop the patch?

A．To help patients overcome the fear of needles.

B．To enable kids to swallow tablets smoothly.

C．To offer a better way of drug delivery.

D．To guarantee the efficiency of oral pills.

2. What does the research on dogs prove?

A．It is technologically possible to 3D print the patches.

B．The cheek lining of dogs is similar to that of humans.

C．Patches fall easily with their mouth movement.

D．Drugs are absorbed better through patches than pills.

3. Which of the following can best describe the device?

A．Innovative and profitable.

B．Effective and user-friendly.

C．Affordable and accessible.

D．Flexible and long-lasting.

4. What does the last paragraph stress?

A．The related issues to be solved.

B．The risk of using patches repeatedly.

C．The way to identity large molecules.

D．The trouble of improving the technology.

2 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

For Dr. Janice Graham, an anthropologist in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, vaccines are more than medicine—they are social products. “    1    vaccines are developed for the public’s health, not    2    (simple) individuals, they are particularly interesting.” says Dr. Graham. “We’re making fantastic inroads in developing new vaccines for old and    3     (emerge) diseases, but the ability to keep outbreaks    4    happening effectively when they do occur,     5    (lie)in the social determinants of health.”

A flu vaccination is particularly important,especially during severe flu seasons. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced in its    6    (late)flu update on Feb.14 that flu activity is still at    7    high level. Since last October, at least 26 million Americans have suffered from the flu, resulting in the    8    (die) of at least 14,000 adults and 92 children. While flu vaccinations must be done annually, a researcher says that the effectiveness of other vaccinations adults    9    (receive)as children weakens over time,so they might find    10    (they) no longer protected.

3 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

On June 5 China launched the three-person Shenzhou 14 mission, which is     1     third crew(乘组)for the country’s space station project. Together with the ground team, in the next six     2     (month) the three taikonauts will work     3     (complete) the construction of the Tiangong Space Station.

They will also carryout 24 in-orbit medical experiments during     4     (they) six-month stay in China’s space station, according     5     the China Manned Space Agency on Thursday.

“These space medical experiments are designed     6     (main) to study how taikonauts     7     (affect) by the weightless environment and spacefights,” said Li Yinghui,     8     is the chief designer of China’s manned space program taikonaut system.

Li also noted that the body data     9     (collect) by the previous taikonauts has laid a good foundation for future research by the Shenzhou 14 crew. The scientific and technological achievements     10     (benefit) people worldwide in the future.

4 . 阅读下面短文, 在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

The culture of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) became     1     (increasing) popular with the arrival of the 31st FISU World University Games in Chengdu in July, capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province. “We mainly promote TCM culture by displaying TCM     2     (element) such as TCM-themed backdrops, samples, 3D paintings made from acupuncture (针灸) tools, and herbal bags,” explained Deng Hongyuan,     3     staff member at the TCM culture area.

Visitors to the TCM culture area     4     (treat) to live shows of therapeutic massages (治疗性按摩) , Taijiquan, and Wuqinxi, a set of exercises     5     (inspire) by the movements of five animals as well as Baduanjin. Baduanjin, a form of gentle exercise that is a part of TCM culture,     6     is similar to Taijiquan and other TCM therapies, became a hit for its health benefits. Ancient Chinese medical books, TCM equipment, and medicinal materials unique     7     Sichuan are also on display.

“Foreign guests particularly enjoyed experiencing Chinese therapeutic massages. They were highly     8     (appreciate) of our massage services. They even asked if they could have this experience every day,” Deng noted.

“TCM culture is an important part of traditional Chinese culture and we are committed to     9     (broaden) its reach through the World University Games of Chengdu. We hope to enable more people     10     (learn) about TCM culture,” Deng concluded.

5 . In a first-of-its-kind surgery, a 57-year-old patient with terminal (晚期的) heart disease received a successful transplant of a genetically-modified (转基因的) pig heart and is still doing well three days later. It was the only currently available option for the patient. The historic surgery was conducted by the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC).

This organ transplant showed for the first time that a genetically-modified animal heart can function like a human heart without immediate rejection by the body. The patient, David Bennett, a Maryland resident, is being carefully monitored over the next weeks to determine whether the transplant provides lifesaving benefits. He had been considered ineligible for a traditional heart transplant at UMMC and several other leading transplant centers that reviewed his medical records.

“It was either die or do this transplant. I want to live. I know it’s a shot in the dark, but it’s my last choice,” said Mr. Bennett, the patient, a day before the surgery was conducted. He had been hospitalized for the past few months.

Before the surgery, three genes, responsible for the rejection of pig organs by humans, were “knocked out” in the donor pig (供体猪). Six human genes responsible for immune acceptance of the pig heart were put in. Lastly, one additional gene in the pig was knocked out to prevent unreasonable growth of the pig heart tissue, which totaled 10 unique gene edits made in the donor pig.

“This was a breakthrough surgery and brings us one step closer to solving the organ shortage crisis. There are simply not enough donor human hearts available to meet the long list of potential receivers,” said Bartley P. Griffith, Doctor of Medicine, who surgically transplanted the pig heart into the patient. Daniel Maluf, Doctor of Medicine, said: “This event is the final achievement of years of research and testing from our multidisciplinary (多学科的) team and represents a beginning of a new era in the field of organ transplantation medicine.”

1. Why is the transplant seen as the first of its kind?

A．A major breakthrough to cure cancer.	B．A new technology to edit genes.
C．An available option for all patients.	D．A successful use of a pig heart.

2. Which of the following can replace the underlined word “ineligible” in paragraph 2?

A．Grateful.

B．Unqualified.

C．Suitable.

D．Irresponsible.

3. Why were some gene edits made in the donor pig?

A．To increase the success rate of the surgery.

B．To give the donor pig a better survival rate.

C．To stop the overgrowth of the pig lung tissue.

D．To improve the acceptance of the additional gene.

4. What problem may be solved according to the last paragraph?

A．The lack of heart medicine.	B．The lack of donor human organs.
C．The lack of clinical tests.	D．The lack of medical facilities.

6 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

In April, Zhejiang’s elementary schools made the set of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) textbooks available to the public, which were     1     first of their kind in China, making the province a pioneer in teaching the subject to     2     (pupil) in the country. With 36 lessons for fifth-grade students so far, the textbooks include fundamental knowledge of TCM.

TCM, which has made great contributions to the prosperity of China,     3     (be) an integral part of Chinese culture. TCM, with its unique diagnostic methods, long history and remarkable effects, has been used     4     (treat) cancer and other serious diseases. It is widely used in China and is becoming     5     (increasing) popular and recognized worldwide. Today     6     of TCM and western medicine are being used in providing medical and health services in China.

TCM has achieved a new level in the prevention and treatment of common diseases. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, TCM     7     (play) a vital role. Zhong Nanshan,     8     has been devoting his life to medicine, said that TCM     9     (combine) with western medicine made great contributions to the cure for COVID-19. According to the statistics, the rate of recovery was up to 90%.     10    , it’s thought that the spring of TCM is not far away.