AMutation Causes Nonsyndromic Hearing Loss in a Chinese X-linked Recessive Family / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The molecular genetic research showed the association between X-linked hearing loss and mutations in POU3F4. This research aimed to identify a POU3F4 mutation in a nonsyndromic X-linked recessive hearing loss family.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A series of clinical evaluations including medical history, otologic examinations, family history, audiologic testing, and a high-resolution computed tomography scan were performed for each patient. Bidirectional sequencing was carried out for all polymerase chain reaction products of the samples. Moreover, 834 controls with normal hearing were also tested.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The pedigree showed X-linkage recessive inheritance pattern, and pathogenic mutation (c.499C>T) was identified in the proband and his family member, which led to a premature termination prior to the entire POU domains. This mutation co-segregated with hearing loss in this family. No mutation of POU3F4 gene was found in 834 controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>A nonsense mutation is identified in a family displaying the pedigree consistent with X-linked recessive pattern in POU3F4 gene. In addition, we may provide molecular diagnosis and genetic counseling for this family.</p>

Therapeutic Effect of Carboxyamidotriazole on Adjuvant Arthritis in Rats / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of carboxyamidotriazole (CAI) on adjuvant arthritis (AA) in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The rats were randomly divided into normal group,two vehicle groups (polyethylene glycol 400 control and normal sodium control group), CAI-treated groups (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) and positive control dexamethasone group. Freund's completed adjuvant was used to induce AA in rats. The arthritis index (AI) was scored, and X-ray check of the hind limbs and histopathological examination were performed. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 in the inflamed paw tissues were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The administration of CAI significantly decreased the AI, restored the body weights, and ameliorated the radiological and histopathological features of joint destruction in AA rats (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, CAI reduced the TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels in the inflamed paw tissues (P<0.05, P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CAI has therapeutic effect on AA rats, which may be achieved by decreasing the pro-inflammatory cytokines at the site of inflammation.</p>

Prognostic factors of sudden sensorineural hearing loss in children / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the recovery rate of sudden sensorineural hearing loss in children, and explore the prognostic factors in order to guide the clinical diagnosis and treatment.@*METHOD@#A retrospective review was conducted for the prognosis of children with sudden sensorineural hearing loss during the past 5 years (from November 2010 to May 2015) in Chinese PLA General Hospital. This paper have a complete clinical data of 101 patients (113 ears)with sudden hearing loss, ranging from 0 to 18 years old Patients were divided into four groups according to hearing recovery and eight putative prognostic factors were analyzed.@*RESULT@#Among 101 patients (113 ears), the ratio of male and female was 60:53. Treatment was initiated from 1 to 183 days after disease onset, with an average of (18.5 ± 22.1) d. Bilateral and unilateral hearing loss were 24 ears and 89 ears, respectively. The proportion of mild hearing loss, moderate hearing loss, severe hearing loss and profound hearing loss were 7.1%, 6.2%, 23.9% and 62.8%, respectively. Vertigo and tinnitus occurred in 54.9% and 77.9% of the patients, respectively. After the treatment, the complete recovery rate was 9.7% and the overall recovery rate was 36.3%. The degree of hearing loss, earlier treatment onset, sex and bilateral involvement were significantly associated with hearing recovery (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Sudden sensorineural hearing loss in children was generally identified as severe and profound hearing loss, but after positive and timely treatment, it can be improved or even cured. The mild hearing loss, earlier treatment onset, unilateral hearing loss and female were positive prognostic factors. The concurrence of tinnitus or vertigo, the results of ABR and DPOAE had no significant influence on prognosis.

Next-generation sequencing in molecular diagnosis of hereditary hearing loss / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have improved as well as the costs have gradually decreased in the detections of genetic diseases. This article describes the principle, platform, and data analysis of NGS and the application of NGS technologies to the molecular diagnosis of hereditary hearing loss (HL). The use of NGS technologies makes the discovery of HL genes more feasible than ever. And the data obtained by NGS used in genetic counseling for clinical practice may assist in defining genetic profiles of HL individuals and expedite the pace of personalized medical care.