Tectorial membrane: structure, function, and its implications for hearing loss.

The tectorial membrane (TM) is an essential extracellular matrix in the cochlea, integral to auditory processing by facilitating hair cell stimulation and sound transmission. Despite its vital role, the mechanisms underlying TM-related hearing loss remain unclear. This review aim to discuss the structure and functions of the TM, exploring its role in cochlear mechanics and auditory signal amplification.

A Comparative Study of Hearing Handicap Inventory and Pure-Tone Audiometry Scores in Unilateral Hearing Impaired Patients.

To investigate the consistency between the hearing handicap inventory (HHI) and pure-tone audiometry (PTA) scores in assessing hearing status to provide valuable insights for clinical application. Retrospective analysis of clinical data and the HHI reporting status of 6540 patients admitted between April 2020 and July 2022 for self-reported unilateral hearing loss who met the study inclusion and exclusion criteria. The kappa coefficient was used to evaluate the consistency of HHI and PTA in assessing the hearing status of the participants.

The mental health of paediatric cochlear implant recipients.

Objectives: To evaluate the mental health of paediatric cochlear implant users and analyse the relationship between six dimensions (movements, cognitive ability, emotion and will, sociality, living habits and language) and hearing and speech rehabilitation.

Methods: Eighty-two cochlear implant users were assessed using the Mental Health Survey Questionnaire. Age at implantation, time of implant use and listening modes were investigated.

The value of nonverbal intelligence in cochlear implant.

Background: Congenital sensorineural hearing loss is a common congenital condition.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between nonverbal mental development and the effect of post-cochlear implant in children.

Material And Methods: The study is a retrospective analysis of the CI program implemented at the ENT in the Lanzhou University Second Hospital (China).

Targeted next-generation sequencing identified a novel variant of in a Chinese family with Waardenburg syndrome type 2.

Objective: Waardenburg syndrome type 2 (WS2) is an autosomal dominant syndrome, characterized by bright blue eyes, hearing loss, and depigmented patches of hair and skin. It exhibits high phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity. We explored the molecular etiology in a Chinese family with WS2.

Targeted next-generation sequencing identifies a novel frameshift EYA1 variant causing branchio-otic syndrome in a Chinese family.

Objective: To evaluate the genotype-phenotype correlation of branchio-otic syndrome (BOS) in a Chinese family.

Methods: The proband in this study was an 18-month-old boy with hearing loss, preauricular pit, and branchial fistula without a renal anomaly. We collected blood samples from 6 family members, including 4 who were affected by the syndrome.

The mutation frequencies of GJB2, GJB3, SLC26A4 and MT-RNR1 of patients with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss in northwest China.

Objective: To expose the spectrum and frequency of GJB2, GJB3, SLC26A4 and MT-RNR1 in northwest China and to investigate the underlying causative genes in patients without common mutations.

Methods: We analyzed the mutation screening results of GJB2, GJB3, SLC26A4 and MT-RNR1 in 398 unrelated severe-to-profound probands with bilateral, symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss. Subsequently, we selected 10 probands with a significant family history of inherited hearing loss (HL) that did not have the above four common gene mutations to perform next-generation sequencing (NGS) of 139 known deafness genes, followed by co-segregation analysis of all available family members.

Improving the Supercapacitor Performance by Dispersing SiO Microspheres in Electrodes.

This paper describes a simple, reproducible, and scalable procedure for the preparation of a SiO-containing supercapacitor with high cycle stability. A carbon mesoporous material (CMM) with a high specific surface area, CMK-3, was adopted as an electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC) active material for the preparation of electrodes for the supercapacitor. The optimized SiO content decreased as the microsphere diameter decreased, and the optimal specific capacitance was obtained with 6 wt % SiO microspheres (100 nm size).

Pharyngeal Ectopic Thymus: A Case Report.

Pharyngeal ectopic thymus is a rare cause of pharyngeal masses and is rarely considered in the differential diagnosis of neck and head masses in children. In this paper, the case of an infant with a pharyngeal ectopic thymus is presented and our intraoral surgical approach in the patient's treatment is described.

The deafness-causing mutation c.508_511dup in the GJB2 gene and a literature review.

Conclusions: The mutation c.508_511dup in GJB2 gene has been incorrectly named as other mutations. It is essential to standardize mutation nomenclature to describe complex mutations.

Analysis of common deafness gene mutations in deaf people from unique ethnic groups in Gansu Province, China.

Conclusions: The GJB2 gene mutation characteristic of Dongxiang was the interaction result of ethnic background and geographical environment, and Yugur exhibited the typical founder effect. The SLC26A4 gene mutation characteristic of Dongxiang was related to caucasian backgrounds and selection of purpose exons, i.e.

Comparison of complications of the suprameatal approach and mastoidectomy with posterior tympanotomy approach in cochlear implantation: a meta-analysis.

Background: Cochlear implantation (CI) is a popular procedure to preserve hearing in patients with severe-to-profound hearing loss. Evidence shows that the suprameatal approach (SMA) may help reducing the risk of the incidence of complications and shortening the surgery time, but there is still dispute.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of complications of SMA and the mastoidectomy with posterior tympanotomy approach (MPTA), and to find whether SMA yields better outcomes than MPTA.

Analysis of quality of clinical practice guidelines for otorhinolaryngology in China.

Objective: To evaluate the quality of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for otorhinolaryngology in China.

Materials And Methods: A systematic search of relevant literature databases (CBM, WANFANG, VIP, CNKI, China Guideline Clearinghouse) published between 1978 and March 2012 was undertaken to identify and select CPGs related to otorhinolaryngology. Four independent reviewers assessed the eligible guidelines using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument.

[Prevalence and associated factors of school physical violence behaviors among middle school students in Beijing].

Objective: To described the prevalence of school physical violence behaviors and to explore its associated factors among middle school students in Beijing.

Methods: In 2009, a randomly selected cross-sectional survey was conducted among 5718 students in grades 7 to 12 in Beijing. A self-report anonymous questionnaire involving physical violence at school and socio-demographic variables, such as sex, grades, family economic status and family structure, peer relationships, and communication with their parents etc.

Analysis of a large-scale screening of mitochondrial DNA m.1555A>G mutation in 2417 deaf-mute students in northwest of China.

The ancient Silk Road (also called "Northwest Silk Road") in Northwest China, starting from Xi'an, passes through Gansu, Xinjiang, Central Asia, West Asia, and the land passage connecting the Mediterranean countries. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of mitochondrial DNA12SrRNA m.1555A>G mutation in a total of 2417 cases of nonsyndromic deaf-mute patients representative of the general population of Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, and Xinjiang along the Silk Road.

Identification of two novel mutations, c.232T>C and c.2006A>T, in SLC26A4 in a Chinese family associated with enlarged vestibular aqueduct.

It is known that enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome is closely related to the SLC26A4 mutation. Up to date, more than 200 of SLC26A4 mutations have been described, and novel mutations are being continually identified in different countries and ethnic groups. In this study, two novel variations were identified in a Chinese family associated with enlarged vestibular aqueduct.

[Clinical analysis of sphenoid disease manifesting orbital apex syndrome].

Objective: To investigate the relationship of sphenoid disease and orbital apex syndrome and to improve the diagnosis of sphenoid disease.

Methods: Twelve patients with sphenoid disease manifesting orbital apex syndrome from 2000 to 2004 were retrospectively analyzed, especially the processes of both diagnosis and treatment. The factors which may lead to misdiagnosis were discussed.