Abnormal cerebellar network and effective connectivity in sudden and long-term sensorineural hearing loss.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a common otology emergency and some SSNHL will develop into a long-term hearing loss (LSNHL). However, whether SSNHL and LSNHL have similar psychiatric patterns remains unknown, as well as the neural substrates. Increasing evidence has proved that the cerebellar network plays a vital role in hearing, cognition processing, and emotion control. Thus, we recruited 20 right SSNHL (RSSNHL), 20 right LSNHL (RLSNHL), and 24 well-matched healthy controls to explore the cerebellar patterns among the three groups. Every participant underwent pure tone audiometry tests, neuropsychological evaluations, and MRI scanning. Independent component analysis (ICA) was carried out on the MRI data and the cerebellar network was extracted. Granger causality analysis (GCA) was conducted using the significant cerebellar region as a seed. Pearson's correlation analysis was computed between imaging characteristics and clinical features. ICA found the effect of group on right cerebellum lobule V for the cerebellar network. Then, we found decreased outflow from right cerebellum lobule V to right middle orbitofrontal cortex, inferior frontal gyrus, anterior cingulate cortex, superior temporal gyrus, and dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex in RSSNHL group in GCA analysis. No significance was found in RLSNHL subjects. Additionally, the RSSNHL group showed increased effective connectivity from the right middle frontal gyrus (MFG) and the RLSNHL group showed increased effective connectivity from the right insula and temporal pole to the right cerebellum lobule V. Moreover, connections between right cerebellum lobule V and mean time series of the cerebellar network was negatively correlated with anxiety score in RSSNHL and negatively correlated with depression scores in RLSNHL. Effective connectivity from right MFG to right cerebellum lobule V could predict anxiety status in RSSNHL subjects. Our results may prove potential imaging biomarkers and treatment targets for hearing loss in future work.

Aberrant Functional Network of Small-World in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss With Tinnitus.

Few researchers investigated the topological properties and relationships with cognitive deficits in sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) with tinnitus. To explore the topological characteristics of the brain connectome following SNHL from the global level and nodal level, we recruited 36 bilateral SNHL patients with tinnitus and 37 well-matched healthy controls. Every subject underwent pure tone audiometry tests, neuropsychological assessments, and MRI scanning. AAL atlas was employed to divide a brain into 90 cortical and subcortical regions of interest, then investigated the global and nodal properties of "small world" network in SNHL and control groups using a graph-theory analysis. The global characteristics include small worldness, cluster coefficient, characteristic path length, local efficiency, and global efficiency. Node properties include degree centrality, betweenness centrality, nodal efficiency, and nodal clustering coefficient. Interregional connectivity analysis was also computed among 90 nodes. We found that the SNHL group had significantly higher hearing thresholds and cognitive impairments, as well as disrupted internal connections among 90 nodes. SNHL group displayed lower AUC of cluster coefficient and path length lambda, but increased global efficiency. The opercular and triangular parts of the inferior frontal gyrus, rectus gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, precuneus, and amygdala showed abnormal local features. Some of these connectome alterations were correlated with cognitive ability and the duration of SNHL. This study may prove potential imaging biomarkers and treatment targets for future studies.

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of the tyramine receptor genes in Apis cerana cerana.

Tyramine is a biological polyamine, which serves important functions as neurotransmitters, neuromodulators and neurohormone of the central nervous system. It participates in the regulation of various behavior and physiological processes in insects. For example, tyramine and its receptor genes are involved in the regulation of learning and memory in the animals. In this study, the full-length cDNA sequences of the tyramine receptor genes (Actyr1 and Actyr2) of the Chinese honeybee, Apis cerana cerana, were cloned and sequenced for the first time. Their expression patterns were examined in different tissues by qRT-PCR and localized in the head by in situ hybridization with digoxigenin (DIG)-labeled RNA probes. The full-length cDNAs of Actyr1 and Actyr2 are 1241 bp (GenBank accession no. KC814693) and 1270 bp (GenBank accession no.KC814693) in length and encode 297 amino acids and 399 amino acids, respectively. qRT-PCR results showed that the expression levels of both Actyr1 and Actyr2 were the highest in the head, followed by the abdomen, then the antennae and the lowest in the thorax. The expression level in the head was significantly higher than that in other tissues. Moreover, in situ hybridization showed that the expression of Actyr1 and Actyr2 genes were mainly localized to the Kenyon cells of the mushroom bodies and cells around the antennal lobes. These observations suggest that some interactions between these two genes in certain cells could be important in regulating various biological functions, such as learning and memory, in the honeybee.

The effect of Laminaria japonic polysaccharide on sperm characteristics and biochemical parameters in cryopreserved boar sperm.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cryoprotective effect of Laminaria japonic polysaccharide (LJP) on boar sperm. Semen samples were collected from seven mature Yorkshire boars once a week by the gloved hand technique and frozen-thawed in the extender with LJP added. Extender with LJP added at concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0mg/mL to the extender and its effects on the quality of frozen-thawed boar sperm were assessed. Results showed: (i) sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity were greater in the extender containing 0.5 and 1.0mg/mL LJP, as compared to other groups (P<0.05); (ii) extender added 1.0mg/mL LJP showed the greatest plasma membrane and acrosomal integrity percentages in comparison with other groups (P<0.05); (iii) mitochondrial activity was significantly higher at the concentration of 0.5 and 1.0mg/mL LJP than those of other groups (P<0.05); (iv) in terms of biochemical assessments, 0.5 and 1.0mg/mL LJP improved SOD (superoxide dismutase) and CAT (catalase) concentrations, compared to other groups (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was found in GSH-Px (glutathione peroxidase) concentration when supplemented with LJP. Interestingly, LJP exhibited a dose-related response and the lesser concentration represented greater protective effects. It is also important to note that 1.0mg/mL LJP provides for an enhanced cryoprotective effect in boar semen.

Identification and characterization of a novel splice variant of beta3 subunit of GABA(A) receptor in rat testis and spermatozoa.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA(A)) receptors are the major sites of inhibitory action of fast synaptic neurotransmission in the brain. Their receptors are also widely distributed in peripheral and endocrine tissues. A full-length cDNA encoding a novel splice variant of beta3 subunit of GABA(A) receptor, designated as beta3t, was identified in rat testis. This isoform contains a segment, having identical amino acid sequence as the beta3 subunit of neuronal GABA(A) receptors except for a section composed of 25 different amino acid sequence in the N-terminus. Northern blot shows that this isoform is found in rat testis. The beta3t isoform mRNA was detected in germ cells in the late step of spermatogenesis by in situ hybridization assay. Results of immunohistochemical and immunocytochemical assays indicate that the beta3t isoform is expressed in rat testis and spermatozoa. To determine a possible function of the N-terminal 25 amino acid segment, a recombinant plasmid of beta3t-EGFPC was constructed by fusing green fluorescent protein to the C-terminus of the beta3t isoform. The chimera product failed to be translocated unto the cell surface when expressed in HEK 293 cells; whereas, the beta3 subunit of rat brain is incorporated into the plasma membrane. In conclusion, the present results show that one variant of beta3 subunit of GABA(A) receptor, designated as beta3t, is found in germ cells of rat testis and sperm. The inability of the beta3t variant to target into the plasma membrane maybe a consequence of the unique 25 amino acid segment in the N-terminus.

(1R,2R)-(-)-Bis[mu4-1-[[1,1-dimethyl-2-(trimethylsilyl)amidino]amino]-2-([1,1-dimethyl-2-[1,1-dimethyl-2-(trimethylsilyl)amidino]amidino]amino)cyclohexane]tetralithium(I).

The title compound, [Li(4)(C(21)H(46)N(8)Si(2))(2)], has been prepared and its structure determined. The whole molecule can be regarded as a molecular cage made up of the central eight-membered ring and six contiguous rings of three types. As the first example of a bridged amidinate-dicyanamide framework, this noteworthy structure and its electronic features are presented.

[Correlation of clinical features with pathology in chronic viral hepatitis].

BACKGROUND: To investigate the correlation of clinical features with pathology in chronic viral hepatitis (CH). METHODS: Analyses of single factor and multiple factors of serum biochemical indices, imaging examination results, symptoms and signs with degree of pathological lesion of hepatic tissue in 973 cases of CH were conducted. Meanwhile, the hepatic functional index (AAPEA index) was used to investigate the role of serum biochemical indices in diagnosis of CH. RESULTS: In these patients with CH,the severity of hepatic lesion was closely correlated to symptoms and signs, biochemical indices such as PTA, ALT, TBIL, ALB, A/G, gamma-globulin (gamma-G) by electrophoresis, AST and cholinesterase (CHE) as well as splenic thickness. AST was superior to ALT in reflecting degree of hepatic inflammatory activity. The total mistaken judgment rate of multiple factor analysis was 28.1%. The correlation coefficient of AAPEA index to degrees of hepatic inflammatory activity, fibrosis and pathological grading was 0.559, 0.545 and 0.529, respectively (P<0.000 1) CONCLUSIONS: The biochemical indices such as PTA, ALT, TBIL, ALB, A/G, gammaG, AST, CHE and the determination of splenic thickness by ultrasonography B could reflect hepatic pathological changes to certain extent. AST was superior to ALT in reflecting degree of hepatic inflammatory activity. Incorrect judgment rate was high in determination of moderate and severe CH by multiple factor analysis. Conformity rate between AAPEA index and pathological diagnosis was better than any of them alone in diagnosing CH.

Subunit composition and function of GABAA receptors of rat spermatozoa.

GABA triggers mammalian sperm acrosome reaction (AR). Here, evidence is presented, showing that rat spermatozoa contain GABAA receptors, composed of alpha5, beta1 and beta3 subunits. The effects of GABAA receptor agonist and antagonist on the induction of AR in rat spermatozoa were assessed using the chlortetracycline assay. Muscimol, a GABAA receptor agonist, triggered AR; whereas bicuculline, a GABAA receptor antagonist and picrotoxin, a GABAA receptor/Cl- channel blocker, inhibited the ability of GABA or progesterone to induce AR. In conclusion, GABAA receptors appear to mediate the action of progesterone in inducing AR in rat spermatozoa.

Identification of gamma1 subunit of GABA(A) receptor in rat testis.

The isoform type of gamma subunits of GABA(A) receptor is a molecular determinant of its pharmacological characteristics. At present, the existence of GABA(A) receptor in mammalian sperm is still a controversy. By using degenerate primers designed according to highly conserved region in all three gamma (gamma1, gamma2 and gamma3) subunits cloned in rat brain, we performed reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to examine the expression pattern of gamma subunits of GABA(A) receptor in rat testis. Only one 370 bp fragment was obtained from RT-PCR in rat testis and sequencing results showed that it represented gamma1 subunit, but not gamma2 or gamma3 subunit. Using the cloned fragment as probe, a 3.8 kb transcript which in size as same as gamma1 subunit in rat brain was detected in rat testis mRNA by performing Northern blot assay. Furthermore, results of in situ hybridization assay confirmed that gamma1 subunit was expressed in round spermatids and spermatozoa, maybe also in secondary spermatocyte. These evidences proved that gamma1 subunit of GABA(A) receptor is exclusively expressed in rat testis and this feature may be the structural basis of the specific function of GABA(A) receptors in sperm acrosome reaction.