Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated(HCN)channels are widely expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems.They can generate hyperpolarization-activated current(Ih)that regulates the resting membrane potential and excitability of neurons.Furthermore,it can affect the precise processing and con-duction of hearing,which plays a crucial role in the accurate analysis of temporal information.Therefore,through the review of HCN channel structure and distribution,as well as electrophysiological effects,the role and mecha-nism of HCN channels in the auditory pathways of the normal and unilateral or bilateral deafness patients will be fur-ther investigated.

Objective: To explore the influencing factors for depressive symptoms in adolescents in China, so as to provide insights into promoting mental health of adolescents. Methods: The 2020 follow-up survey data of China Family Panel Studies were collected, including demographic information, lifestyle, family factors and academic factors of adolescents aged 10-19 years. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the 8-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. The influencing factors for depressive symptoms in adolescents were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 2 777 adolescents were analyzed, including 1 470 males (52.93%) and 1 307 females (47.07%). There were 1 186 adolescents (42.71%) from urban areas and 1 591 adolescents (57.29%) from rural areas, 106 smokers (3.82%), and 459 adolescents (16.53%) with depressive symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that academic stress (OR=1.268, 95%CI: 1.151-1.396), poor self-rated health (OR=1.255, 95%CI: 1.116-1.411), smoking (OR=1.901, 95%CI: 1.127-3.207), low trust in parents (OR=0.780, 95%CI: 0.729-0.835) and large family size (OR=1.095, 95%CI: 1.035-1.158) were associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms in adolescents. Conclusion The influencing factors for depressive symptoms in adolescents were academic stress, self-rated health, smoking, trust in parents and family size.

Objective:This study investigates the effect of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), frequency, and bandwidth on horizontal sound localization accuracy in normal-hearing young adults.Methods:From August 2022 to December 2022, a total of 20 normal-hearing young adults, including 7 males and 13 females, with an age range of 20 to 35 years and a mean age of 25.4 years, were selected to participate in horizontal azimuth recognition tests under both quiet and noisy conditions. Six narrowband filtered noise stimuli were used with central frequencies (CF) of 250, 2 000, and 4 000 Hz and bandwidths of 1/6 and 1 octave. Continuous broadband white noise was used as the background masker, and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was 0, -3, and -12 dB. The root-mean-square error (RMS error) was used to measure sound localization accuracy, with smaller values indicating higher accuracy. Friedman test was used to compare the effects of SNR and CF on sound localization accuracy, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the impact of the two bandwidths on sound localization accuracy in noise.Results:In a quiet environment, the RMS error in horizontal azimuth in normal-hearing young adults ranged from 4.3 to 8.1 degrees. Sound localization accuracy decreased with decreasing SNR: at 0 dB SNR (range: 5.3-12.9 degrees), the difference from the quiet condition was not significant ( P>0.05); however, at -3 dB (range: 7.3-16.8 degrees) and -12 dB SNR (range: 9.4-41.2 degrees), sound localization accuracy significantly decreased compared to the quiet condition (all P<0.01). Under noisy conditions, there were differences in sound localization accuracy among stimuli with different frequencies and bandwidths, with higher frequencies performing the worst, followed by middle frequencies, and lower frequencies performing the best, with significant differences (all P<0.01). Sound localization accuracy for 1/6 octave stimuli was more susceptible to noise interference than 1 octave stimuli (all P<0.01). Conclusions:The ability of normal-hearing young adults to localize sound in the horizontal plane in the presence of noise is influenced by SNR, CF, and bandwidth. Noise with SNRs of ≥-3 dB can lead to decreased accuracy in narrowband sound localization. Higher CF signals and narrower bandwidths are more susceptible to noise interference.

Objective:To evaluate auditory spatial discrimination capabilities in patients with mild to moderately severe symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and to compare the impact of different psychophysical testing methods on Minimum Audible Angle (MAA) and test duration.Methods:A total of 105 symmetrical SNHL patients aged from 18 to 60 years old were enrolled from April to July 2023, including 56 males and 49 females. They were divided into three groups based on PTA: mild, moderate, and moderately severe hearing loss, with 35 individuals in each group. Additionally, a control group of 35 individuals with normal hearing was tested, including 18 males and 17 females. Participants underwent four distinct psychophysical discrimination tests: the block up-down, 1-up/1-down, 1-up/2-down, and 1-up/3-down procedures. We recorded the MAA and test duration for each. We employed repeated measures of ANOVA to compare the MAA and test duration across different methods and groups, and Pearson′s correlation to assess the relationship between MAA and degree of hearing loss.Results:MAA of sound localization in patients with symmetrical SNHL was significantly positively correlated with the degree of hearing loss ( r=0.59, P<0.01). Significant deterioration in MAA was observed as hearing loss progressed to the moderate level (PTA≥35 dBHL, P<0.01). The testing methods significantly influenced MAA and testing duration ( F=24.02, P<0.01; F=75.56, P<0.01) and the 1-up/1-down method was the quickest, averaging only (0.69±0.32) mins. Conclusions:The horizontal plane auditory spatial discrimination abilities in patients with symmetrical SNHL is impaired progressively with increasing hearing loss, notably beyond moderate hearing loss levels. Different psychophysical methods influence both MAA and test duration, the quicker 1-up/1-down method is recommended for assessing MAA in symmetrical SNHL patients.

To investigate the γ pass rate limit of plan verification equipment for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plan verification and its sensitivity on the opening and closing errors of multi-leaf collimator (MLC), 50 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma VMAT plan with clockwise and counterclockwise full arcs were randomly selected. Eight kinds of MLC opening and closing errors were introduced in 10 cases of them, and 80 plans with errors were generated. Firstly, the plan verification was conducted in the form of field-by-field measurement and true composite measurement. The γ analysis with the criteria of 3% dose difference, distance to agreement of 2 mm, 10% dose threshold, and absolute dose global normalized conditions were performed for these fields. Then gradient analysis was used to investigate the sensitivity of field-by-field measurement and true composite measurement on MLC opening and closing errors, and the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to investigate the optimal threshold of γ pass rate for identifying errors. Tolerance limits and action limits for γ pass rates were calculated using statistical process control (SPC) method for another 40 cases. The error identification ability using the tolerance limit calculated by SPC method and the universal tolerance limit (95%) were compared with using the optimal threshold of ROC. The results show that for the true composite measurement, the clockwise arc and the counterclockwise arc, the descent gradients of the γ passing rate with per millimeter MLC opening error are 10.61%, 7.62% and 6.66%, respectively, and the descent gradients with per millimeter MLC closing error are 9.75%, 7.36% and 6.37%, respectively. The optimal thresholds obtained by the ROC method are 99.35%, 97.95% and 98.25%, respectively, and the tolerance limits obtained by the SPC method are 98.98%, 97.74% and 98.62%, respectively. The tolerance limit calculated by SPC method is close to the optimal threshold of ROC, both of which could identify all errors of ±2 mm, while the universal tolerance limit can only partially identify them, indicating that the universal tolerance limit is not sensitive on some large errors. Therefore, considering the factors such as ease of use and accuracy, it is suggested to use the true composite measurement in clinical practice, and to formulate tolerance limits and action limits suitable for the actual process of the institution based on the SPC method. In conclusion, it is expected that the results of this study can provide some references for institutions to optimize the radiotherapy plan verification process, set appropriate pass rate limit, and promote the standardization of plan verification.
Humans ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; Immune Tolerance ; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ; ROC Curve ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/radiotherapy*

Objective:For tympanosclerosis patients with ossicular chain fixation, we use ossicular chain bypass technique and evaluate its long-term effects. Methods:From June 2017 to June 2019, 147 patients with tympanosclerosis who underwent middle ear surgery with otoscopy in Yinchuan First People's Hospital were reviewed. The subjects were divided into three groups according to the implemented operation plan, 51 cases in the ossicular chain mobilization group（OCM）, 56 cases in the ossicular chain bypass reconstruction group（OCB）, and 40 cases in the malleus-incus complex resection reconstruction group（MICR）. Through a three-year follow-up, the medium and long-term effects of different operation plans were compared and analyzed. Results:There was no significant difference among the three groups in the incidence of tympanic membrane perforation, delayed facial nerve palsy, and the dispatch and displacement of PORP. The incidence of tympanic membrane retraction pocket or cholesteatoma after operation in OCB group（0） was significantly lower than that in OCM group（11.76%） and MICR group（7.5%）（P<0.05）. At 12 months after operation, ΔABG of OCB group and MICR group were better than that in the OCM group（P<0.05）. At 36 months after operation, ΔABG of OCB group was better than that in the OCM group（P<0.05）, and there was no significant difference between OCB group and MICR group. The audiological performance of patients with epitympanic sclerosis（ETS） at 12, 24 and 36 months after operation was better than that of patients with posterior tympanosclerosis（PTS） and total tympanosclerosis（TTS）（P<0.05）. Conclusion:Compared with patients undergoing ossicular chain mobilization and malleus-incus complex resection for ossicular chain reconstruction, patients with tympanosclerosis undergoing bypass technique have better and stable hearing prognosis in medium and long term. This technique can effectively prevent the formation of retracted pocket and cholesteatoma in patients with tympanosclerosis after operation.
Humans ; Tympanosclerosis ; Ear Ossicles/surgery* ; Ear, Middle ; Malleus/surgery* ; Cholesteatoma ; Retrospective Studies ; Ossicular Prosthesis ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To investigate the correlation of functional connectivity (FC) and the integrity of connective fibres between hippocampus and thalamus in Alzheimer′s disease(AD) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Methods: Both resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data of 40 AD patients, 37 aMCI patients and 41 normal control subjects matching with age and educational level were collected. These subjects were all recruited from outpatient Department of Neurology in the Second Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, as well as poster, from May 2016 to January 2018. The FC strength between bilateral hippocampus and thalamus, as well as the parameters representing integrity of connective fibres, including fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity(MD),were analyzed. Also, the correlations between FC strength and FA or MD strength were analyzed in the study. Results: Compared to that of normal control subjects, the FC strength between billateral hippocampus and thalamus in patients with AD, aMCI were not significantly different(P>0.05). The integrity of bilateral connective fibres between hippocampus and thalamus were damaged in AD patients when compared to normal control subjects(P<0.01). A positive correlation of connective fibres integrity with FC strength between hippocampus and thalamus was found in the left side(r=0.25,P<0.05) but rather in the right side. Conclusion In AD and aMCI patients, structural connectivity between left hippocampus and thalamus affects the functional connectivity between them.

Objective To explore a method of detecting the horizontal localization ability in normal children aged 1~3 years old, and to obtain the minimum audible angle (MAA) at horizontal 0° degree in these children.Methods Using minimum audible angle measure procedure on the basis of conditioned play audiometry and behavioral audiometry methods, sound localization test at horizontal 0° degree was conducted in 37 children aged from 1 to 7 years old with stimulus of different frequencies.Results All 37 children completed the 1 000 Hz tests, 35 children completed the 500 Hz tests, and 30 children completed the 4 000 Hz test.An analysis of 30 children who completed all the tests was performed, 15 of them aged 1~3 years old and the rest aged 4~7 years old.The results for children aged 1~3 years old were as below: 1 000 Hz MAA(0°) =3.57°±1.35°,500 Hz MAA(0°) =5.03°±2.96°,and 4 000 Hz MAA(0°) =5.4°±2.86°, respectively.The results for children aged 4~7 years old were as below: 1 000 Hz MAA(0°) =3.56°±1.48°,500 Hz MAA(0°) =3.5°±2.17°,and 4 000 Hz MAA(0°) =6.13°±4.09°, respectively.There was no significant difference in MAA (0 °) at corresponding frequencies between the two groups.For the children aged 1~3 years old, there was no significant difference in MAA (0 °) among 500 Hz, 1 000 Hz and 4 000 Hz frequencies.For the children aged 4~7 years old, there was significant difference in MAA(0 °) between 500 Hz and 4 000 Hz as well as between 1 000 Hz and 4 000 Hz frequencies.However, there was no significant difference in MAA (0 °) between 500 Hz and 1 000 Hz frequencies.Conclusion MAA test procedure on the basis of conditioned behavioral audiometry and play audiometry could be used to evaluate the ability of sound localization in 1~3 years old children.The frequencies may have effects on children''s sound localization test results and there was no significant difference in MAA (0 °) between the 1~3 years old group and the 4~7 years age group.

Objective To investigate the effects of aging on the brain stem speech encoding in spontaneous post-menopause women.Methods There were twenty post-menopause women with normal hearing for test and twenty ovariectomized women with normal hearing for contrast.Speech-evoked auditory brainstem response (speech-ABR) was used.The speech syllable /da/ as stimulus sound was transmitted to right ear by the insert earphones in speech-ABR test.Results Response waves of speech-ABR in ovariectomized women were similar to those in post-menopause women, which contained the onset response (peak V and A), the transition (peak C), the frequency following responses (peak D, E and F) and the offset response (peak O).The characteristics of speech-ABR's peak latency and magnitude were similar between the two groups.Except that the bilateral ovariectomized women had a shorter latency of waves O for the transient response (P<0.01), the larger amplitude of peak F for the periodic portion than post-menopause women (P<0.05).No significant differences were found in the amplitude the latency of the other waves, and V/A slope between bilateral ovariectomized women (0.21±0.10 μV /ms)and post-menopause women (-0.20±0.09 μV/ms) was similar and had no statistical significance (P>0.05).After the combination of ovariectomized women and post-menopause women, the age of these subjects was positively correlated with the latency of O wave (P<0.05).Others had no correlation with age in the amplitude and latency of the waves of speech-ABR.Conclusion Aging does not affect on brain stem speech encoding in spontaneous post-menopause women.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of modified test system for sound localization (SL) in children. Methods: Modified system (6 male, 9 female) and traditional method ( 5 male, 5 female) were used for evaluation of minimum audible angle(MAA) and root-mean-square error(RMS) error of 4 to 6 years old children, and the results were compared to verify the accuracy and effectiveness of the modified test system for children sound localization.SPSS 17.0 software was used to analyze the data(t test). Results: (1) Comparison of veracity of modified system and traditional test: when tested at the positive front position using modified system, MAA and RMS error were(3.23±1.00)° and (13.68±5.18)° respectively.When using traditional method, MAA and RMS error were(3.17±0.59)°and (13.96±4.56)° respectively. No statistical differences were found between two groups(t value was 0.16, -0.14, both P>0.05). (2) Comparison of time used were as followed: when using modified system, it was (14.67±1.95) min for MAA, and (6.67±1.35) min for RMS error. When using traditional method, it was (36.30±6.81) min for MAA, and (21.00±3.50) min for RMS error. Time used were significant shorter in modified system than in traditional method (t value was-9.78, -12.37, both P<0.05). Conclusion Modified test system for children sound localization is useful and reliable in children′s horizontal SL test.The time used of modified test system is shorter than that of traditional test system.