The Quantitative Evaluation of Automatic Segmentation in Lumbar Magnetic Resonance Images.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to overcome challenges in lumbar spine imaging, particularly lumbar spinal stenosis, by developing an automated segmentation model using advanced techniques. Traditional manual measurement and lesion detection methods are limited by subjectivity and inefficiency. The objective is to create an accurate and automated segmentation model that identifies anatomical structures in lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging scans. METHODS: Leveraging a dataset of 539 lumbar spinal stenosis patients, the study utilizes the residual U-Net for semantic segmentation in sagittal and axial lumbar spine magnetic resonance images. The model, trained to recognize specific tissue categories, employs a geometry algorithm for anatomical structure quantification. Validation metrics, like Intersection over Union (IOU) and Dice coefficients, validate the residual U-Net's segmentation accuracy. A novel rotation matrix approach is introduced for detecting bulging discs, assessing dural sac compression, and measuring yellow ligament thickness. RESULTS: The residual U-Net achieves high precision in segmenting lumbar spine structures, with mean IOU values ranging from 0.82 to 0.93 across various tissue categories and views. The automated quantification system provides measurements for intervertebral disc dimensions, dural sac diameter, yellow ligament thickness, and disc hydration. Consistency between training and testing datasets assures the robustness of automated measurements. CONCLUSION: Automated lumbar spine segmentation with residual U-Net and deep learning exhibits high precision in identifying anatomical structures, facilitating efficient quantification in lumbar spinal stenosis cases. The introduction of a rotation matrix enhances lesion detection, promising improved diagnostic accuracy, and supporting treatment decisions for lumbar spinal stenosis patients.

A through-space charge transfer pyrene-based fluorophore with anti-quenching behavior for deep-blue organic light-emitting devices.

A through-space charge transfer pyrene-based fluorophore has been developed for organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs). This material exhibits deep-blue fluorescence, bipolar characteristics, and anti-quenching behavior in the solid state. It proves to be an effective emitter for both doped and nondoped deep-blue OLEDs.

Role of Trace Cadmium Exposure on the Development of Occlusal Traumatic Temporomandibular Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether heavy metal cadmium acts as a risk factor for temporomandibular joint disorder disease and to study its pathogenic mechanism. METHODS: A total of 57 rats were allocated into 6 distinct groups, distinguished by 2 interventions: occlusal elevation and cadmium water gavage. These groups included a blank control group, occlusal elevation group, occlusal elevation + 0.42 mg/mL cadmium water gavage group, occlusal elevation + 4.2 mg/mL cadmium water gavage group, no occlusal elevation + 0.42 mg/mL cadmium water gavage group, and no occlusal elevation + 4.2 mg/mL cadmium water gavage group. The impact of cadmium exposure on cartilage oxidative stress was evaluated through the assessment of SOD, CAT, GST, and GSH-Px enzyme activities. In addition, the influence of cadmium exposure on alterations in the extracellular matrix and inflammatory mediators was examined by analyzing the expression levels of type II collagen, protein aggregation polysaccharide, glycosaminoglycan, IL1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α. Histologic examination of the condylar process cartilage of rats in the occlusal elevation + cadmium water gavage group was conducted to ascertain the occurrence of osteoarthritis. RESULTS: The variance in the expression levels of inflammatory factors did not demonstrate statistical significance between the occlusal elevation group and the blank control group; however, statistical significance was observed between the occlusal elevation + cadmium water gavage group and both the control and occlusal elevation groups. CONCLUSION: The severity of inflammation and condylar lesions correlates directly with the concentration of cadmium.

A new dicyanophenanthrene-based thermally activated delayed fluorophore: Design, synthesis, photophysical study, and electroluminescence application.

A novel thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitter, DCNP-SCF, is developed based on a dicyanophenanthrene acceptor. DCNP-SCF is prepared by a simple C-N coupling reaction. Its thermal, theoretical, photophysical, and electroluminescent properties are investigated, emphasizing its potential in organic electroluminescence devices. DCNP-SCF demonstrates highly distorted donor-acceptor conformation, facilitating significant TADF for efficient triplet harvesting in electroluminescence devices. Additionally, due to the moderate electron push-pull effect, DCNP-SCF exhibits appropriate intramolecular charge transfer for considerable photoluminescence quantum yield for electroluminescence applications.

Predictive approach for liberation from acute dialysis in ICU patients using interpretable machine learning.

Renal recovery following dialysis-requiring acute kidney injury (AKI-D) is a vital clinical outcome in critical care, yet it remains an understudied area. This retrospective cohort study, conducted in a medical center in Taiwan from 2015 to 2020, enrolled patients with AKI-D during intensive care unit stays. We aimed to develop and temporally test models for predicting dialysis liberation before hospital discharge using machine learning algorithms and explore early predictors. The dataset comprised 90 routinely collected variables within the first three days of dialysis initiation. Out of 1,381 patients who received acute dialysis, 27.3% experienced renal recovery. The cohort was divided into the training group (N = 1135) and temporal testing group (N = 251). The models demonstrated good performance, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.85 (95% CI, 0.81-0.88) and an area under the precision-recall curve of 0.69 (95% CI, 0.62-0.76) for the XGBoost model. Key predictors included urine volume, Charlson comorbidity index, vital sign derivatives (trend of respiratory rate and SpO2), and lactate levels. We successfully developed early prediction models for renal recovery by integrating early changes in vital signs and inputs/outputs, which have the potential to aid clinical decision-making in the ICU.

Prognostic impact of elective tracheotomy in resected oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: A nationwide cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Elective tracheotomy is commonly performed in resected oral squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) to maintain airway patency. However, the indications for this procedure vary among surgeons. This nationwide study evaluated the impact of tracheotomy on both the duration of in-hospital stay and long-term survival outcomes in patients with OCSCC. METHODS: A total of 18,416 patients with OCSCC were included in the analysis, comprising 7981 patients who underwent elective tracheotomy and 10,435 who did not. The primary outcomes assessed were 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS). To minimize potential confounding factors, a propensity score (PS)-matched analysis was performed on 4301 patients from each group. The duration of hospital stay was not included as a variable in the PS-matched analysis. RESULTS: Prior to PS matching, patients with tracheotomy had significantly lower 5-year DSS and OS rates compared to those without (71% vs. 82%, p < 0.0001; 62% vs. 75%, p < 0.0001, respectively). Multivariable analysis identified tracheotomy as an independent adverse prognostic factor for 5-year DSS (hazard ratio = 1.10 [1.03-1.18], p = 0.0063) and OS (hazard ratio = 1.10 [1.04-1.17], p = 0.0015). In the PS-matched cohort, the 5-year DSS was 75% for patients with tracheotomy and 76% for those without (p = 0.1488). Five-year OS rates were 66% and 67%, respectively (p = 0.0808). Prior to PS matching, patients with tracheotomy had a significantly longer mean hospital stay compared to those without (23.37 ± 10.56 days vs. 14.19 ± 8.34 days; p < 0.0001). Following PS matching, the difference in hospital stay duration between the two groups remained significant (22.34 ± 10.25 days vs. 17.59 ± 9.54 days; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: While elective tracheotomy in resected OCSCC patients may not significantly affect survival, it could be associated with prolonged hospital stays.

Promising interlayer sensitization strategy for the construction of high-performance blue hyperfluorescence OLEDs.

Multi-resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) materials are promising candidates for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with narrow electroluminescence (EL) spectra. Current researches focus on fabricating hyperfluorescence OLEDs to improve EL efficiencies of MR-TADF emitters by co-doping them with TADF sensitizers in a single host layer. However, in many cases, the polarity of the single host could be not suitable for both blue MR-TADF emitters and blue TADF sensitizers, resulting in broadened EL spectra in high-polar hosts or decreased EL efficiencies in low-polar hosts. Herein, we wish to report an efficient sensitization strategy for blue MR-TADF emitters by constructing an interlayer-sensitizing configuration, in which the blue TADF sensitizers and blue MR-TADF emitters are separated into two closely aligned host layers with high polarity and low polarity, respectively. Based on this strategy, efficient blue hyperfluorescence OLEDs are realized and verified by employing various TADF sensitizers and different MR-TADF emitters, furnishing outstanding external quantum efficiencies of up to 38.8% and narrow EL spectra. These results validate the feasibility and universality of this interlayer sensitization strategy, which provides an effective alternative to high-performance blue hyperfluorescence OLEDs.

Idiopathic young-onset Fahr's disease with schizophrenia-like presentation: a case report.

This case report describes an exceptionally rare case in which a prior diagnosis of schizophrenia was later determined to be early-onset Fahr's disease, linked to a genetic mutation in the SLC20A2 gene. Initially, the patient exhibited symptoms resembling schizophrenia, including aggression and hostility, and was highly susceptible to medication side effects such as restlessness and Parkinsonism. Despite maintaining independent activities of daily living, his neurological examinations revealed hidden weakness on the left side. Following adjustments to the medication regimen, stability was achieved with residual psychotic symptoms under treatment with Risperidone 1.5mg/day, Valproic acid 1500mg/day, and Quetiapine 37.5mg/day. This case underscores the importance of conducting comprehensive imaging studies at the time of initial psychiatric diagnosis, regardless of the apparent typicality of the presentation. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for patience and adherence to the "Start Low and Go Slow" approach in medication management to minimize the risk of exacerbating psychiatric symptoms and aggression.

A novel mutation in the OTOF gene in a Chinese family with auditory neuropathy.

Gene therapy for monogenic auditory neuropathy (AN) has successfully improved hearing function in target gene-deficient mice. Accurate genetic diagnosis can not only clarify the etiology but also accurately locate the lesion site, providing a basis for gene therapy and guiding patient intervention and management strategies. In this study, we collected data from a family with a pair of sisters with prelingual deafness. According to their auditory tests, subject Ⅱ-1 was diagnosed with profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), Ⅱ-2 was diagnosed with AN, Ⅰ-1 was diagnosed with high-frequency SNHL, and Ⅰ-2 had normal hearing. Using whole-exome sequencing (WES), one nonsense mutation, c.4030C>T (p.R1344X), and one missense mutation, c.5000C>A (p.A1667D), in the OTOF (NM_001287489.1) gene were identified in the two siblings. Their parents were heterozygous carriers of c.5000C>A (father) and c.4030C>T (mother). We hypothesized that c.5000C>A is a novel pathogenic mutation. Thus, subject Ⅱ-1 should also be diagnosed with AN caused by OTOF mutations. These findings not only expand the OTOF gene mutation spectrum for AN but also indicate that WES is an effective approach for accurately diagnosing AN.

Enhancing Optical and Thermal Stability of Blue-Emitting Perovskite Nanocrystals through Surface Passivation with Sulfonate or Sulfonic Acid Ligands.

This study aims to enhance the optical and thermal properties of cesium-based perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) through surface passivation with organic sulfonate (or sulfonic acid) ligands. Four different phenylated ligands, including sodium ß-styrenesulfonate (SbSS), sodium benzenesulfonate (SBS), sodium p-toluenesulfonate (SPTS), and 4-dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA), were employed to modify blue-emitting CsPbBr1.5Cl1.5 perovskite NCs, resulting in improved size uniformity and surface functionalization. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the successful anchoring of sulfonate or sulfonic acid ligands on the surface of perovskite NCs. Moreover, the photoluminescence quantum yield increased from 32% of the original perovskite NCs to 63% of the SPTS-modified ones due to effective surface passivation. Time-resolved photoluminescence decay measurements revealed extended PL lifetimes for ligand-modified NCs, indicative of reduced nonradiative recombination. Thermal stability studies demonstrated that the SPTS-modified NCs retained nearly 80% of the initial PL intensity when heated at 60 °C for 10 min, surpassing the performance of the original NCs. These findings emphasize the optical and thermal stability enhancement of cesium-based perovskite NCs through surface passivation with suitable sulfonate ligands.

Histological Features of Uterine Myometrial Dysfunction: Possible Involvement of Localized Inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: The latest perspective suggests that elevated levels of inflammation and cytokines are implicated in atonic postpartum hemorrhage. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been widely used to induce inflammation in animal models. Therefore, this study aimed to induce uterine inflammation using LPS to investigate whether local inflammation triggers dysfunction and atrophy in the myometrium, as well as the potential underlying molecular mechanisms involved. METHODS: In vivo, an animal model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 300 µg/ kg LPS in rats on gestational day 21. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining and Masson staining were employed to determine morphological changes in the rat uterine smooth muscle. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect inflammatory cytokines. Immunohistochemistry, tissue fluorescence, and Western blotting were conducted to assess the expression levels of the uterine contraction-related proteins Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. In vitro, human uterine smooth muscle cells (HUtSMCs) were exposed to 2 µg/mL LPS to further elucidate the involvement of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in LPS-mediated inflammation. RESULTS: In this study, LPS induced uterine myometrial dysfunction in rats, leading to a disorganized arrangement, a significant increase in collagen fiber deposition, and widespread infiltration of inflammatory cells. In both in vivo animal models and in vitro HUtSMCs, LPS elevated IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α levels while concurrently suppressing the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) and oxytocin receptor (OXTR). Mechanistically, the LPS-treated group exhibited TLR4 activation, and the phosphorylation levels of p65 and IκBα were notably increased. CONCLUSION: LPS triggered the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, inducing an inflammatory response in the myometrium and leading to uterine myometrial dysfunction and uterine atony.

ATP6AP2, a regulator of LRP6/ß-catenin protein trafficking, promotes Wnt/ß-catenin signaling and bone formation in a cell type dependent manner.

Wnt/ß-catenin signaling is critical for various cellular processes in multiple cell types, including osteoblast (OB) differentiation and function. Exactly how Wnt/ß-catenin signaling is regulated in OBs remain elusive. ATP6AP2, an accessory subunit of V-ATPase, plays important roles in multiple cell types/organs and multiple signaling pathways. However, little is known whether and how ATP6AP2 in OBs regulates Wnt/ß-catenin signaling and bone formation. Here we provide evidence for ATP6AP2 in the OB-lineage cells to promote OB-mediated bone formation and bone homeostasis selectively in the trabecular bone regions. Conditionally knocking out (CKO) ATP6AP2 in the OB-lineage cells (Atp6ap2Ocn-Cre) reduced trabecular, but not cortical, bone formation and bone mass. Proteomic and cellular biochemical studies revealed that LRP6 and N-cadherin were reduced in ATP6AP2-KO BMSCs and OBs, but not osteocytes. Additional in vitro and in vivo studies revealed impaired ß-catenin signaling in ATP6AP2-KO BMSCs and OBs, but not osteocytes, under both basal and Wnt stimulated conditions, although LRP5 was decreased in ATP6AP2-KO osteocytes, but not BMSCs. Further cell biological studies uncovered that osteoblastic ATP6AP2 is not required for Wnt3a suppression of ß-catenin phosphorylation, but necessary for LRP6/ß-catenin and N-cadherin/ß-catenin protein complex distribution at the cell membrane, thus preventing their degradation. Expression of active ß-catenin diminished the OB differentiation deficit in ATP6AP2-KO BMSCs. Taken together, these results support the view for ATP6AP2 as a critical regulator of both LRP6 and N-cadherin protein trafficking and stability, and thus regulating ß-catenin levels, demonstrating an un-recognized function of osteoblastic ATP6AP2 in promoting Wnt/LRP6/ß-catenin signaling and trabecular bone formation.

Oral immunotherapy with enteric-coated capsules for allergic rhinitis caused by house dust mites.

Background: Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is a promising allergen-specific approach in the management of food allergy; however, studies on OIT for allergic rhinitis (AR) have rarely been reported. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of OIT using enteric-coated capsules for AR induced by house dust mites. Methods: A total of 49 patients with AR were enrolled, including 25 who received subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) and 24 who received OIT. The clinical efficacy and safety in both groups were evaluated. Results: After 1 year of treatment, both SCIT and OIT demonstrated significant therapeutic effects. OIT was found to be more effective than SCIT in reducing the total AR symptom score and improving the results of nasal provocation tests. Local and systemic adverse reactions were observed in the SCIT group, while none were reported in the OIT group. Conclusion: OIT is an effective and safe treatment for mite-induced AR.

Integrated and DC-powered superconducting microcomb.

Frequency combs, specialized laser sources emitting multiple equidistant frequency lines, have revolutionized science and technology with unprecedented precision and versatility. Recently, integrated frequency combs are emerging as scalable solutions for on-chip photonics. Here, we demonstrate a fully integrated superconducting microcomb that is easy to manufacture, simple to operate, and consumes ultra-low power. Our turnkey apparatus comprises a basic nonlinear superconducting device, a Josephson junction, directly coupled to a superconducting microstrip resonator. We showcase coherent comb generation through self-started mode-locking. Therefore, comb emission is initiated solely by activating a DC bias source, with power consumption as low as tens of picowatts. The resulting comb spectrum resides in the microwave domain and spans multiple octaves. The linewidths of all comb lines can be narrowed down to 1 Hz through a unique coherent injection-locking technique. Our work represents a critical step towards fully integrated microwave photonics and offers the potential for integrated quantum processors.

Four-Level Cervical Disc Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion inevitably yields a higher chance of pseudarthrosis or require more reoperations than single-level procedures. Therefore, multilevel cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) could be an alternative surgery for cervical spondylosis, as it (particularly 3- and 4-level CDA) could preserve more functional motility than single-level disc diseases. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and radiological outcomes of 4-level CDA, a relatively infrequently indicated surgery. METHODS: The medical records of consecutive patients who underwent 4-level CDA were retrospectively reviewed. These highly selected patients typically had multilevel disc herniations with mild spondylosis. The inclusion criteria were symptomatic cervical spondylotic myelopathy, radiculopathy, or both, that were medically refractory. The clinical outcomes were assessed. The radiographic outcomes, including global and individual segmental range of motion (ROM) at C3-7, and any complications were also analyzed. RESULTS: Data from a total of 20 patients (mean age: 56 ± 8 years) with an average follow-up of 34 ± 20 months were analyzed. All patients reported improved clinical outcomes compared with that of preoperation, and the ROMs at C3-7 were not only preserved but also trended toward an increase (35 ± 8 vs 37 ± 10 degrees, pre- vs postoperation, P = 0.271) after the 4-level CDA. However, global cervical alignment remained unchanged. There was one permanent C5 radiculopathy, but no other neurological deteriorations or any reoperations occurred. CONCLUSION: For these rare but unique indications, 4-level CDA yielded clinical improvement and preserved segmental motility with low rates of complications. Four-level CDA is a safe and effective surgery, maintaining the ROM in patients with primarily disc herniations and mild spondylosis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: For patients with mild spondylosis, whose degeneration at the cervical spine is not so severe, CDA is more suitable.

Comparing the clinical outcomes of initial surgery and primary definitive radiotherapy with a dosage of 6600 cGy or higher in cT1-2N0M0 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: A nationwide cohort study.

BACKGROUND: To compare the clinical outcomes of two treatment modalities, initial surgery and primary definitive radiotherapy (RT), in Taiwanese patients diagnosed with cT1-2N0M0 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC). METHODS: Between 2011 and 2019, we analyzed data for 13,542 cT1-2N0M0 patients who underwent initial surgery (n = 13,542) or definitive RT with a dosage of at least 6600 cGy (n = 145) for the treatment of OCSCC. To account for baseline differences, we employed propensity score (PS) matching, resulting in two well-balanced study groups (initial surgery, n = 580; definitive RT, n = 145). RESULTS: Before PS matching, the 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rates were 88% for the surgery group and 58% for the RT group. After PS matching, the 5-year DSS rates of the two groups were 86% and 58%, respectively. Similarly, the 5-year overall survival (OS) rates before PS matching were 80% for the surgery group and 36% for the RT group, whereas after PS matching, they were 73% and 36%, respectively. All these differences were statistically significant (p < 0.0001). A multivariable analysis identified treatment with RT, older age, stage II tumors, and a higher burden of comorbidities as independent risk factors for both DSS and OS. We also examined the 5-year outcomes for various subgroups (margin ≥5 mm, margin <5 mm, positive margins, RT combined with chemotherapy, and RT alone) as follows: DSS, 89%/88%/79%/63%/51%, respectively, p < 0.0001; OS, 82%/79%/68%/39%/32%, respectively, p < 0.0001. CONCLUSIONS: In Taiwanese patients with cT1-2N0M0 OCSCC, a remarkably low proportion (1.1%) completed definitive RT. A significant survival disparity of 30% was observed between patients who underwent initial surgery and those who received definitive RT. Interestingly, even patients from the surgical group with positive surgical margins exhibited a significantly superior survival compared to those in the definitive RT group.

Early absolute lymphocyte count was associated with one-year mortality in critically ill surgical patients: A propensity score-matching and weighting study.

BACKGROUND: Absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) is a crucial indicator of immunity in critical illness, but studies focusing on long-term outcomes in critically ill patients, particularly surgical patients, are still lacking. We sought to explore the association between week-one ALC and long-term mortality in critically ill surgical patients. METHODS: We used the 2015-2020 critical care database of Taichung Veterans General Hospital (TCVGH), a referral hospital in central Taiwan, and the primary outcome was one-year all-cause mortality. We assessed the association between ALC and long-term mortality by measuring hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Furthermore, we used propensity score-matching and -weighting analyses, consisting of propensity score matching (PSM), inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW), and covariate balancing propensity score (CBPS), to validate the association. RESULTS: A total of 8052 patients were enrolled, with their one-year mortality being 24.2%. Cox regression showed that low ALC was independently associated with mortality (adjHR 1.140, 95% CI 1.091-1.192). Moreover, this association tended to be stronger among younger patients, patients with fewer comorbidities and lower severity. The association between low ALC and mortality in original, PSM, IPTW, and CBPS populations were 1.497 (95% CI 1.320-1.697), 1.391 (95% CI 1.169-1.654), 1.512 (95% CI 1.310-1.744), and 1.511 (95% CI 1.310-1.744), respectively. Additionally, the association appears to be consistent, using distinct cutoff levels to define the low ALC. CONCLUSIONS: We identified that early low ALC was associated with increased one-year mortality in critically ill surgical patients, and prospective studies are warranted to confirm the finding.

High-frequency hearing vulnerability associated with the different supporting potential of Hensen's cells: SMART-Seq2 RNA sequencing.

Hearing loss is the third most prevalent physical condition affecting communication, well-being, and healthcare costs. Sensorineural hearing loss often occurs first in the high-frequency region (basal turn), then towards the low-frequency region (apical turn). However, the mechanism is still unclear. Supporting cells play a critical role in the maintenance of normal cochlear function. The function and supporting capacity of these cells may be different from different frequency regions. Hensen's cells are one of the unique supporting cell types characterized by lipid droplets (LDs) in the cytoplasm. Here, we investigated the morphological and gene expression differences of Hensen's cells along the cochlear axis. We observed a gradient change in the morphological characteristics of Hensen's cells along the cochlear tonotopic axis, with larger and more abundant LDs observed in apical Hensen's cells. Smart-seq2 RNA-seq revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between apical and basal Hensen's cells that clustered in several pathways, including unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, cholesterol metabolism, and fatty acid catabolism, which are associated with different energy storage capacities and metabolic potential. These findings suggest potential differences in lipid metabolism and oxidative energy supply between apical and basal Hensen's cells, which is consistent with the morphological differences of Hensen's cells. We also found differential expression patterns of candidate genes associated with hereditary hearing loss (HHL), noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), and age-related hearing loss (ARHL). These findings indicate functional heterogeneity of SCs along the cochlear axis, contribute to our understanding of cochlear physiology and provide molecular basis evidence for future studies of hearing loss.

[Mutation spectrum analysis of 23-site chip neonatal deafness genetic screening].

Objective:To analyze the mutation spectrum of 23-site chip newborn deafness genetic screening in Beijing, and to provide basis for genetic counseling and clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods:The study included 21 006 babies born in Beijing from December 2022 to June 2023. All subjects underwent newborn deafness genetic screening in Beijing Tongren Hospital, covering 23 variants in 4 genes, the GJB2 gene（c.35delG, c.176_191del16, c.235delC, c.299_300delAT, c.109G>A, c.257C>G, c.512insAACG, c.427C>T, c.35insG）, SLC26A4 gene（c.919-2A>G, c.2168A>G, c.1174A>T, c.1226G>A, c.1229C>T, c.1975G>C, c.2027T>A, c.589G>A, c.1707+5G>A, c.917insG, c.281C>T）, Mt12SrRNA（m.1555A>G, m.1494C>T） and GJB3 gene（c.538C>T）. The mutation detection rate and allele frequency were analyzed. Results:The overall mutation detection rate was 11.516%（2 419/21 006）, with the GJB2 gene being the most frequently involved at 9.097%（1 911/21 006）, followed by the SLC26A4 gene at 2.123%（446/21 006）, the GJB3 gene at 0.362%（76/21 006） and Mt12SrRNA at 0.176%（37/21 006）. Among the GJB2 genes, c.109G>A and c.235delC mutation detection rates were the highest, with 6.579%（1 382/21 006） and 1.795%（377/21 006）, respectively. Of the SLC26A4 genes, c.919-2A>G and c.2168A>G had the highest mutation rates of 1.423%（299/21 006） and 0.233%（49/21 106）, respectively. Regarding the allele frequency, GJB2 c.109G>A was the most common variant with an allele frequency of 3.359%（1 411/42 012）, followed by the GJB2 c.235delC at 0.897%（377/42 012） and the SLC26A4 c.919-2A>G at 0.719%（302/42 012）. Conclusion:23-site chip newborn deafness genetic screening in Beijing showed that GJB2 c.109G>A mutation detection rate and allele frequency were the highest. This study has enriched the epidemiological data of 23-site chip genetic screening mutation profiles for neonatal deafness, which can provide evidence for clinical practice.