Spontaneous and Partial Repair of Ribbon Synapse in Cochlear Inner Hair Cells After Ototoxic Withdrawal.

Ototoxicity is one of the major causes of sensorineural deafness. However, it remains unclear whether sensorineural deafness is reversible after ototoxic withdrawal. Here, we report that the ribbon synapses between the inner hair cells (IHCs) and spiral ganglion nerve (SGN) fibers can be restored after ototoxic trauma.

In vivo delivery of Atoh1 gene to rat cochlea using a dendrimer-based nanocarrier.

Gene therapy is a promising clinical solution to hearing loss. However suitable gene carriers for the auditory system are currently unavailable. Given the unique structure of the inner ear, the route of delivery and gene transfer efficiency are still not optimal at present.

Structure-activity relationship of polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes as DNA intercalators, DNA photocleavage reagents, and DNA topoisomerase and RNA polymerase inhibitors.

To investigate the relationship between the molecular structure and biological activity of polypyridyl Ru(II) complexes, such as DNA binding, photocleavage ability, and DNA topoisomerase and RNA polymerase inhibition, six new [Ru(bpy)(2)(dppz)](2+) (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine; dppz=dipyrido[3,2-a:2,',3'-c]phenazine) analogs have been synthesized and characterized by means of (1)H-NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. Interestingly, the biological properties of these complexes have been identified to be quite different via a series of experimental methods, such as spectral titration, DNA thermal denaturation, viscosity, and gel electrophoresis. To explain the experimental regularity and reveal the underlying mechanism of biological activity, the properties of energy levels and population of frontier molecular orbitals and excited-state transitions of these complexes have been studied by density-functional theory (DFT) and time-depended DFT (TDDFT) calculations.

Newborn hearing concurrent gene screening can improve care for hearing loss: a study on 14,913 Chinese newborns.

Objective: Newborn hearing screening has been widely adopted and made an achievement to some degree. Current screening protocols rely solely on detecting existing auditory disorders at the time of screening and are unable to identify individuals susceptible to auditory disorders in later life. Even if the hearing loss newborn is referred, most cases could not be diagnosed until 6-12 months old with no etiology being elucidated.

[Analysis of clinical features of concomitant vertigo in idiopathic sudden deafness].

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of concomitant vertigo in patients with sudden deafness (SD).

Methods: Ninety-six cases of SD were reviewed retrospectively from January 2005 to July 2009. SD and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) were diagnosed according to the guides of China Medical Association.

[Judgement of disproportionate loss between Mandarin monosyllable discrimination and pure tone hearing thresholds].

Objective: To establish the criteria of the disproportionate loss of Mandarin monosyllable discriminative abilities to pure tone hearing thresholds.

Methods: Total of 165 patients with varying degrees of sensorineural hearing loss were recruited for routine audiological evaluations. The speech discrimination scores were obtained by Mandarin phonemic-balanced monosyllable lists via self-made speech audiometric software.

Effect of ancillary ligands on the topoisomerases II and transcription inhibition activity of polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes.

To explore the structure-activity relationship of polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes as topoisomerase II and T7 RNA polymerase inhibitors, four new complexes, [Ru(4dmb)(2)(ppd)](2+) (4dmb=4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine, ppd=pteridino[6,7-f][1,10] phenanthroline-1,13(10H,12H)-dione), [Ru(5dmb)(2)(ppd)](2+) (5dmb=5,5'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine), [Ru(dip)(2)(ppd)](2+) (dip=4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline), and [Ru(ip)(2)(ppd)](2+) (ip=imidazole[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized in detail by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. Their interaction with calf thymus DNA and the inhibitory activity towards topoisomerase II and T7 RNA polymerase were investigated. The results suggest that although all of these four Ru(II) complexes are potent DNA intercalators, topoisomerase II inhibitors and DNA transcription inhibitors, their DNA binding strength and inhibitory activities are quite different.

[Complications of canalith repositioning procedure for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo].

Objective: To investigate the incidence of complications of canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in order to recognize and intervene the complication.

Methods: Totally 430 cases of BPPV were treated by CRP between Jan., 2005 and Nov.

[Visual evoked potentials in adults with migrainous vertigo].

Objective: To investigate the visual evoked potentials in adults with migrainous vertigo (MV).

Methods: Totally 113 patients with MV were enrolled from vertigo clinic. Patients received necessary laboratory examinations as well as pattern visual evoked potential (PVEP) testing.

[Investigation and management of wound on head and neck from the disaster area in Wenchuan earthquake].

Objective: To investigate and analyze the wounded's state of ear, nose, throat, neck and head injury in Wenchuan earthquake.

Methods: The 206 wounded cases, who was treated in No. 452 Hospital of People's Liberation Army, were investigated specially with emphasis on injury cause, severity and treatment.

The large Chinese family with Y-linked hearing loss revisited: clinical investigation.

Conclusion: The DFNY1 phenotypes shared many characteristics with some autosomal dominant hearing loss, in the aspects of age of onset, severity and audiometric configuration. However, the typical, outstanding feature of this trait was its remarkable pattern of inheritance. Similar traits, if ever encountered, can be most easily identified by discerning this exceptional and rare pattern of inheritance.

[Electron microscopic observation of vocal fold polyps].

Objective: The purpose of this study was to observe the ultrastructure of the fibroblasts, collagen and elastic fibers in vocal fold polyps.

Methods: Ten vocal fold polyps and 3 normal vocal fold specimens obtained from total laryngectomy were studied by means of transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope.

Results: The result showed that in vocal fold polyps, the quantity of fibroblasts increased and there were abundant organelles, suggesting that the fibroblast were in the status of activation.

[Relevance between clinical behavior and bionomical findings of acoustic neuromas].

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between labeling index (LI) Ki-67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) with the clinical behavior of acoustic neuroma.

Methods: Expression of Ki-67, PCNA and TGF-beta1 was detected by immunohistochemistry in 53 specimens of acoustic neuromas. The relationship among tumor proliferation, histological representation, size of tumor, clinical proliferation index of tumor and tumor proliferation activity were analyzed.

[Case-control survey on risk factors of benign vocal fold lesions].

Objective: To investigate the risk factors that may relate with benign vocal fold lesions including vocal fold nodule, vocal fold polyp, chronic laryngitis and Reinke's edema

Methods: In present series, 321 cases who were performed laryngoscope were invited to participate the survey. Among them 168 cases with benign vocal fold lesions composed the case group. Another 153 cases with normal larynx composed the control group.

[Investigation of surgical managements of olfactory neuroblastoma].

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transnasal endoscopic resection and craniofacial resection through an external approach for olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB).

Methods: Thirty two patients with ONB treated between 1987 and 2006 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: The patients were followed up for 8-135 months, the median follow-up time was 20 months.

[mRNA expression of extracellular matrix proteins of vocal fold polyps and Reinke edema].

Objective: To investigate the pathogenic mechanism of vocal fold polyps and Reinke's edema.

Methods: A reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique was adopted, mRNA levels of 9 proteins were measured in 12 vocal fold polyps, 2 Reinke's edema and 5 normal vocal folds (from total laryngectomy).

Results: The results showed that in the vocal fold polyps, mRNA levels of collagenase and fibromodulin descended and levels of fibronectin increased (P < 0.

[Benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo related to inner ear disorders].

Objective: To investigate the incidence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV) and to further understand the possible mechanism of BPPV.

Methods: To observe the incidence of BPPV among vestibular neuritis, sudden deafness, Meniere's disease and Bell's palsy at vertigo clinic from January at 2004 to November at 2006 and to compare the therapeutic results with that of the primary BPPV.

Results: There are 4 types of inner ear disorders involved in the concomitant BPPV, ie, vestibular neuritis, sudden deafness, Meniere's disease and Bell's palsy and the incidence are 9.

[Mutation of GJB2 gene in nonsyndromic hearing impairment patients: analysis of 1190 cases].

Objective: To analyze the sequence of GJB2 gene in nonsyndromic hearing impairment (NSHI) patients in China.

Methods: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 1190 NSHI patients randomly selected from the Deaf and Mute Schools of Beijing, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Henan, Hubei, Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, Anhui, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Fujian, Guangdong, and Guangxi, and 301 children with normal hearing level used as controls. Genomic DNA was extracted by extraction kits to undergo polymerase chain reaction and sequencing so as to detect the mutations of GJB2 gene.

Nonsense mutations in the PAX3 gene cause Waardenburg syndrome type I in two Chinese patients.

Background: Waardenburg syndrome type I (WS1) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by sensorineural hearing loss, pigmental abnormalities of the eye, hair and skin, and dystopia canthorum. The gene mainly responsible for WS1 is PAX3 which is involved in melanocytic development and survival. Mutations of PAX3 have been reported in familiar or sporadic patients with WS1 in several populations of the world except Chinese.

[Clinical significance of vibration-induced nystagmus in patients with unilateral peripheral vestibular disorders].

Objective: To clarify the clinical significance of vibration-induced nystagmus (VIN) and to calculate the sensitivity and the specificity of the vibration test.

Methods: One hundred and twelve patients with unilateral peripheral vestibular disorders and 30 normal subjects were enrolled into this study. However, patients with spontaneous nystagmus were excluded.

[Neurootological manifestation of migrainous vertigo].

Objective: To analyzed the characteristics of migrainous vertigo (MV), a kind of paroxysmal vertigo, in order to demonstrate the extent of damage and dysfunction in MV and to judge whether MV is peripheral or central vertigo.

Methods: Twenty-two cases of acute (5 cases) or subacute (17 cases) MV were examined with oto-neurological tests, spontaneous nystagmus, positional nystagmus and auditory tests.

Results: There were 6 males and 16 females.

[Audio-vestibular function in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo].

Objective: To investigate the audio-vestibular function and the possible mechanism of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and to raise the therapeutic strategy.

Methods: Patients with BPPV were tested with pure tone audiometry, high frequency ABR audiometry, bithermal caloric test and vestibular evoked myogenic potential test (VEMP). The positive rate of these otologic function test were analyzed.

[Preliminary study of intraoperative auditory monitoring techniques in acoustic neuroma surgery].

Objective: To investigate the value of intraoperative auditory monitoring techniques in acoustic neuroma surgery.

Methods: Ten cases with acoustic neuroma were resected with retrosigmoid approach. Continuous hearing monitoring of auditory brainstem responses (ABR) and transtympanic electrocochleography (ECochG) was performed during operation.