Altered brain functional connectivity and correlation with psychological status in patients with unilateral pulsatile tinnitus.

The study investigated the alteration of brain functional connectivity (FC) patterns and analyzed the relationship between FC and psychological statue in pulsatile tinnitus (PT) patients by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. The eligible PT patients (29) and healthy subjects (29) were enrolled. Brain activity, FC and clinical characteristics, including tinnitus handicap inventory, duration, sleep quality, anxiety, and depression were evaluated. A significantly increased brain activity in the left cerebellum and left inferior temporal gyrus was observed in PT patients. An abnormally increased FC was focused on the left cerebellum and left inferior temporal gyrus, right superior temporal gyrus, and right occipital gyrus, as well as, the inferior temporal gyrus and thalamus, the putamen and caudate nucleus. Decreased FC was demonstrated between the left cerebellum and bilateral angular gyrus, as well as, the left inferior temporal gyrus and orbital gyrus of the medial prefrontal lobe. A negative correlation was established between the scores of sleep quality and anxiety and the values of FC (in the inferior temporal gyrus and bilateral thalamus). These results suggest an abnormal activity of non-auditory cortex (the cerebellum and inferior temporal gyrus), and the alteration of FC patterns are responsible for PT. Some psychological factors may not be correlated with FC in PT patients.

Chordoma located in the jugular foramen: Case report.

RATIONALE: Chordomas are rare malignant neoplasms arised from residual embryonic notochordal tissue, mostly located in the axial midline. Tumors along extra-axial locations in the head and neck are rare. Chordomas located in the jugular foramen are extremely rare, with a low incidence of 0.2%. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 64-year-old male with 20 years of dizziness history complaining of 6 months of severe dizziness: significant with the changing of the body posture, vertigo which can be self-remissioned within 1 minute and hearing loss of both ears, without headache, nausea, dysphagia, or otalgia. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed before surgery which suggests various possibilities. Immunohistochemistry helped to confirm the final diagnosis. DIAGNOSES: Immunohistochemistry demonstrated diffuse positivity for S100 (+++), positivity for D2-40 (focal +), EMA (+), and PR (+). Ki-67 labeling index was estimated at 2% focally. The final diagnosis was chordoma. INTERVENTIONS: The tumor was excised via retro-sigmoid approach without postoperative radiotherapy. OUTCOMES: Facial paralysis occurred in this case. House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system was used to evaluate the facial paralysis of this patient. It is considered as H-B grade IV. The patient was followed up regularly every month after operation, totally for 9 months. An MRI of the brain was performed 6 months after surgery which shows a small range of abnormal signals similar to the previous MRI in the jugular foramen, suggesting that there may be residual or recurrent tumor. And facial paralysis stays at H-B grade IV without any recovery. LESSONS: It is a big challenge for us to remove giant tumors located in the jugular foramen because of its unique anatomy. Access should be combined with retro-sigmoid or infra-temporal fossa approach to remove such tumors. Chordomas is a malignant neoplasm which may need radiotherapy after surgery, particularly those with subtotal and partial resection.

Characterization of B-BOX gene family and their expression profiles under hormonal, abiotic and metal stresses in Poaceae plants.

BACKGROUND: B-box (BBX) proteins play important roles in plant growth regulation and development including photomorphogenesis, photoperiodic regulation of flowering, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. RESULTS: In the present study we retrieved total 131 BBX members from five Poaceae species including 36 from maize, 30 from rice, 24 from sorghum, 22 from stiff brome, and 19 from Millet. All the BBX genes were grouped into five subfamilies on the basis of their phylogenetic relationships and structural features. The expression profiles of 12 OsBBX genes in different tissues were evaluated through qRT-PCR, and we found that most rice BBX members showed high expression level in the heading stage compared to seedling and booting stages. The expression of OsBBX1, OsBBX2, OsBBX8, OsBBX19, and OsBBX24 was strongly induced by abiotic stresses such as drought, cold and salt stresses. Furthermore, the expression of OsBBX2, OsBBX7, OsBBX17, OsBBX19, and OsBBX24 genes was up-regulated under GA, SA and MeJA hormones at different time points. Similarly, the transcripts level of OsBBX1, OsBBX7, OsBBX8, OsBBX17, and OsBBX19 genes were significantly affected by heavy metals such as Fe, Ni, Cr and Cd. CONCLUSION: Change in the expression pattern of BBX members in response to abiotic, hormone and heavy metal stresses signifies their potential roles in plant growth and development and in response to multivariate stresses. The findings suggest that BBX genes could be used as potential genetic markers for the plants, particularly in functional analysis and determining their roles under multivariate stresses.

Second branchial cleft anomalies in children: a literature review.

Branchial cleft anomalies are the second most common head and neck congenital lesions in children. It may sometimes be a part of branchio-oto-renal (BOR) syndrome, so in patients with branchial cleft anomalies associated with a complaint of auricular deformity or a similar history and findings in other family members, we should take an additional examination to find the possibility of BOR syndrome. Complete excision is essential for good prognosis. For the management of branchial cleft anomalies, various methods have been reported. Endoscopically assisted dissection technique and transoral robot-assisted surgery were used in the management of fistula and allowed excellent visualization of the pharyngeal component of the lesion and a minimally invasive approach. It is essential for the surgeon to fully comprehend the congenital lesions to attain the correct preoperative diagnosis and plan for an appropriate surgical approach to prevent the most common complication and recurrence in these lesions. The following sections discuss the anatomy, common presentation, auxiliary examination, differential diagnosis, the current principles of surgical treatment and prognosis for second branchial cleft anomalies in children, and discussed the branchio-oto-renal syndrome.