Prion protein E219K polymorphism: from the discovery of the KANNO blood group to interventions for human prion disease.

KANNO is a new human blood group that was recently discovered. The KANNO antigen shares the gene with the prion protein and the prion protein E219K polymorphism determines the presence or absence of the KANNO antigen and the development of anti-KANNO alloantibodies. These alloantibodies specifically react with prion proteins, which serve as substrates for conversion into pathological isoforms in some prion diseases and may serve as effective targets for resisting prion infection.

Combining Serum Procalcitonin Level, Thromboelastography, and Platelet Count to Predict Short-term Development of Septic Shock in Intensive Care Unit.

Objective: Despite the recent advances in diagnosis and treatment, sepsis continues to lead to high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential to save lives. However, most biomarkers can only help to diagnose sepsis, but cannot predict the development of septic shock in high-risk patients.

Early detection of noise-induced hearing loss.

Background: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the second most common acquired hearing loss following presbycusis. Exposure to recreational noise and minimal use of hearing protection increase the prevalence of NIHL in young females. NIHL is irreversible.

Outcome assessment alternatives for young children during the first 12 months after pediatric hearing-aid fittings.

Objective: Perform longitudinal evaluations of young children during the first 12 months after initial hearing-aid fitting. Document evidence of early prelingual auditory development (EPLAD), identify factors that affect EPLAD, and define performance milestones that can guide best practices.

Design: Unblinded, prospective, within-subject, repeated-measures design.

Development of the Mandarin early speech perception test: children with normal hearing and the effects of dialect exposure.

Objectives: The first objective of this study was to create a recorded Mandarin Early Speech Perception (MESP) test based on the English Early Speech Perception test (), a closed-set assessment tool for evaluation of early speech perception abilities in children. The second objective was to determine whether each of the MESP subtests is appropriate for children with these abilities. The third objective was to examine the effects of early exposure to and use of Putonghua (Standard Mandarin), as used for the recordings, on performance for each subtest.