Spatial and temporal change of tetrabromobisphenol A and hexabromocyclododecane in mangrove sediments from the Pearl River Estuary, South China.

Spatial and temporal trends of tetrabromobisphenol (TBBPA) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) in mangrove sediments from the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) in South China were evaluated. Concentrations of TBBPA and HBCD in mangrove sediments ranged from 0.23 to 13.

Down-regulation of EVA1A by miR-103a-3p promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cells proliferation and migration.

Background: EVA1A (Eva-1 homolog A), a novel protein involved in autophagy and apoptosis, functions as a tumor suppressor in some human primary cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While it is consistently downregulated in several cancers, its involvement in hepatocarcinogenesis is still largely unknown.

Methods: We first detected the expression of EVA1A in HCC tissues and cell lines using RT‒qPCR, immunohistochemistry and western blotting and detected the expression of miR-103a-3p by RT‒qPCR.

The Degradation of TMEM166 by Autophagy Promotes AMPK Activation to Protect SH-SY5Y Cells Exposed to MPP.

Neuronal oxidative stress caused by mitochondrial dysfunction plays a crucial role in the development of Parkinson's disease (PD). Growing evidence shows that autophagy confers neuroprotection in oxidative-stress-associated PD. This work aims to investigate the involvement of TMEM166, an endoplasmic-reticulum-localized autophagy-regulating protein, in the process of PD-associated oxidative stress through the classic cellular PD model of neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells exposed to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP).

Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane in Biota from Qilianyu Island, South China Sea.

Six biota species were collected from Qilianyu Island, South China Sea to determine the bioaccumulation and biomagnification of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs). Concentrations of ΣPCBs and ΣDDTs in biota from Qilianyu Island ranged from 6.88 to 519.

Effects of Atmospheric Fine Particulate Matter and Its Carrier Microbes on Pulmonary Microecology in Patients with COPD.

Objective: The aim of this paper was to analyse the influence of atmospheric fine particulate matter (AFPM) and atmospheric microorganisms on the pulmonary microecology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in northeast China.

Methods: Collected bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of COPD patients in the high-risk period (group A) and low-risk period (group B) of AFPM inhalation and samples of AFPM in the same time range (group C) were collected. DNA sample sequencing, the bacterial abundance, and diversity bioinformatics of BALFs were performed by methods of Illumina MiSeq™ platform and Mothur and Uclust.

Environmental and Genetic Factors in the Pathogenesis of COPD in the Road-Working Population.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a typical heterogeneous condition caused by environmental and genetic risk factors.

Objectives: We investigated extrinsic (environmental) and intrinsic (genetic) factors contributing to the development of COPD in a nonsmoker road-working population in Northeast China.

Method: The target population was divided into a COPD group and an exposed control group.

SMAD4 Defect Causes Auditory Neuropathy Via Specialized Disruption of Cochlear Ribbon Synapses in Mice.

More than 100 genes have been associated with deafness. However, SMAD4 is rarely considered a contributor to deafness in humans, except for its well-defined role in cell differentiation and regeneration. Here, we report that a SMAD4 defect in mice can cause auditory neuropathy, which was defined as a mysterious hearing and speech perception disorder in human for which the genetic background remains unclear.

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.

Genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity in Chinese patients with Waardenburg syndrome type II.

Waardenburg Syndrome (WS) is an autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by sensorineural hearing loss and pigmentary abnormalities of the eyes, hair, and skin. Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) gene mutations account for about 15% of WS type II (WS2) cases. To date, fewer than 40 different MITF gene mutations have been identified in human WS2 patients, and few of these were of Chinese descent.

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.

Exome sequencing and linkage analysis identified tenascin-C (TNC) as a novel causative gene in nonsyndromic hearing loss.

In this study, a five-generation Chinese family (family F013) with progressive autosomal dominant hearing loss was mapped to a critical region spanning 28.54 Mb on chromosome 9q31.3-q34.

Cochlear inner hair cell ribbon synapse is the primary target of ototoxic aminoglycoside stimuli.

The ribbon synapses of inner hair cells (IHCs) play an important role in sound encoding and neurotransmitter release. However, it remains unclear whether IHC ribbon synapse plasticity can be interrupted by ototoxic aminoglycoside stimuli. Here, we report that quantitative changes in the number of IHC ribbon synapses and hearing loss occur in response to gentamicin treatment in mice.

Clinical investigation on the beneficial effects of the Chinese medicinal herb Gushen Pian on sensorineural deafness and tinnitus.

The objective is to study the therapeutic effects of Gushen Pian on sensorineural deafness according to the Phase II clinical trial protocol, as approved for novel traditional Chinese medicines by Ministry of Health of PRC. This is a double blind study in which 120 patients were allocated randomly into treatment and control groups and an open treatment group (40 cases in each group). Patients in the treatment groups were administrated with Gushen Pian and controls received placebo.

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.

Genetic basis of Y-linked hearing impairment.

A single Mendelian trait has been mapped to the human Y chromosome: Y-linked hearing impairment. The molecular basis of this disorder is unknown. Here, we report the detailed characterization of the DFNY1 Y chromosome and its comparison with a closely related Y chromosome from an unaffected branch of the family.

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.

Novel missense mutations in MYO7A underlying postlingual high- or low-frequency non-syndromic hearing impairment in two large families from China.

The myosin VIIA (MYO7A) gene encodes a protein classified as an unconventional myosin. Mutations within MYO7A can lead to both syndromic and non-syndromic hearing impairment in humans. Among different mutations reported in MYO7A, only five led to non-syndromic sensorineural deafness autosomal dominant type 11 (DFNA11).

[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.

[Surface tractotomy of trigeminal nerve sensory root:a new tractotomy for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia].

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of surface tractotomy of trigeminal nerve sensory root (STS) for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN).

Method: Seven patients with TN were operated on using the STS. The six patients were followed up for 4.

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.