Objective The study was to investigate the spectrum and incidence of the hot-spot deafness gene mutations from non-syndromic hearing loss(NSHL)in Guizhou province.Methods Genomic DNAs of 356 patients of NSHI in Guizhou were obtained from peripheral blood and a deafness gene test chip was used to screen nine hot spot mutation in the gene GJB2,SLC26A4,GJB3 and mitochondria 12SrRNA.Results Eighty-eight (24.72%)out of 356 patients were found carrying at least one pathogenic gene mutation.Among them,40 patients with the GJB2 mutations were found(11.24%),including 19 cases(5.34%)of homozygous matutions,5 cases(1.40%)of com-pound heterozygous mutations,and 15 cases(4.21%)of single heterozygous mutations.Twenty-nine patients with the SLC26A4 mutations were found (8.15%),including 9 cases(2.53%)of homozygous mutations and 19 cases (5.34%)of single heterozygous mutations.Homogenic mitochondrial 12SrRNA 1555A>G mutations were in 10 patients(2.81%)and 1494C>T mutations in 10 patients (0.56%),and heterogeneous mitochondrial 12SrRNA 1555A>G mutations in 7 patients(1.97%).GJB3 gene c.538C>T heterozygous mutations was found in 1 patients. Conclusion The mutations of GJB2 and SLC26A4 gene are two major pathogenic genes for patients with NSHL in Guizhou province.Our study provides a theoretical basis for the early diagnosis,genetic counseling and treatment of deafness.

Objective To undertake a survey on the prevalence, pathogenic factors and treatment needs of hearing impairment in children under 14 years old in Guizhou province. Methods Using the probability proportion to size (PPS) method, 2 068 children aged 0～14 years were included in the study and in 30 clusters in Guizhou province based on the WHO protocol. Results For children aged 0～14 years, the prevalence of hearing impairment was 3.48% and the prevalence of hearing disability was 1.84 %. There were statistically differences of the prevalence of hearing disability between children aged 7～ 14 years (2.66 %) and 0～ 6 years (0. 51%), and the differences also in hearing impairment between male children (4.22%) and female children (2.54%). The main causes of hearing impairment were ear diseases (50.00%), non-infective conditions (11.11%), genetic conditions (20.83 %) and unknown causes (27. 77%). 3. 58% of all subjects needed medical or surgical treatment and 2. 32% needed hearing aids. Conolusion The prevalence of hearing disability of children under 14 years old in Guizhou province was higher than that of other cities. The main cause of the hearing impairment of children was otitis media with hereditary deafness also ranked in top.

Objective To investigate the role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) synthases/H2S pathway in the pathogenesis of renovascular hypertension.Methods Wistar rats were subdivided into 4 groups:(1) 2-kidney,1-clip (2K-1C group,n=7),(2) control (n=7),(3)sham (n=7),and (4) 2K-1C plus sodium hydrosulfide (NariS) (NariS-treated group,n=7).The systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured by a tail-cuff method using a pulse transducer once a week.Four weeks later,all rats were killed and the concentration of plasma hydrogen sulfide (H2S),the activity of the H2S syntha.ses in the kidneys on both sides,the plasma angiotensin Ⅱ concentration,and the left-to-whole heart weight ratio were measured.Results The SBP was significantly increased in the 2K-IC group (185.4± 14.0mmHg) comparing with those in the sham group (112.9±6.5mmHg,,or the NariS-treated group(134.8±9.5mmHg) (both P＜0.01).At 4 weeks,the angiotensin Ⅱ concentration in the plasma was increased in the 2K-1C and NariS-treated group,comparing with the control and the sham group (306.92±7.03 pg/ml and 240.73±13.22 pg/ml vs 122.6±25.49 pg/ml and 125.95±10.55 pg/ml,respectively,both P＜0.05).The plasma H2S concentration and the activity of H2S synthases in the left kidney were decreased in the 2K-1C group comparing with those in the sham and the control groups.There was no difference of the activity of the H2S synthases in the right kidneys among the 4 groups.The left-to-whole heart weight ratio was increased in the 2K-1C and the NariS-treated group camparing with that in the sham and natural control groups.Conclusions Dysfunction of the H2S synthases/H2S pathway was involved in the 2K-1C-induced renovascular hypertension in rat.Exogenous administration of H2S donor can attenuate the development of hypertension.These findings suggest that the H2S synthases/H2S pathway participates in the pathogenesis of renovascular hypertension.

Fluid shear stress plays an important role in vascular biology. In vivo, endothelial cells are continuously exposed to mechanical shear stress generated by the flowing blood. Previous studies have identified the exposure of vascular endothelial cells to fluid mechanical forces can modulate the expression of many genes involved in vascular physiology and pathophysiology. To investigate the role of fluid shear stress on IL-8 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), we employed quantitative reversal transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to assay the expression of IL-8 mRNA. Here we show that IL-8 mRNA did not express in HUVECs untreated with fluid shear stress. IL-8 mRNA expression increased when HUVECs exposed to fluid shear stress for 1 h, and it reached the summit when HUVECs exposed to fluid shear stress for 2 h. Then IL-8 expression gradually decreased at 3 h of stimulation by shear stress and remained at a constant level throughout the time course of the study. The increase of IL-8 expression by shear stress was time-dependent. The biphasic response of IL-8 gene expression was found in experiments in which the applied shear stress was 2.23 dyne/cm2, 4.20 dyne/cm2, or 6.08 dyne/cm2. IL-8 gene expression in response to shear stress was very similar to NF-kappa B in response to shear stress. The induction of IL-8 gene expression by fluid shear stress is probably due to the activation of NF-kappa B. This in vitro study demonstrates the expression of IL-8 gene can be regulated by shear stress. Fluid shear stress induces a biphasic response of human IL-8 gene expression in HUVECs. These considerations suggest that IL-8 expression induced by fluid shear stress in HUVECs may play an important role in the genesis and development of both inflammation and arterioatherosclerosis.
Cells, Cultured ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Interleukin-8 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stress, Mechanical

Objective The hearing and speech rehabilitation effects by hearing aid use and cochlear implanta‐tion in hearing -impaired children were compared .Methods A total of infants aged from 6 months to 3 years with severe hearing loss of prelingual nature were included .They were divided into 2 groups :group 1 (18 with hearing aids) and group 2 (14 with cochlear implantation) .There was no significant difference in the degree of hearing loss and age between the 2 groups .They received rehabilitation education of the same content for a year .Their unaided and aided thresholds were tested in sound field while the IT -MAIS was used for evaluating hearing ability of two groups before and after 3 ,6 ,9 ,and 12 months of hearing aid use and cochlear implantation .Results In both groups ,hearing were better in aided conditions than those of in unaided ,while those from the cochlear group were significantly improved at more frequencies than those of the hearing aid group .In general ,the longer use and train‐ing ,the better hearing improvement .The mean scores of auditory performance in the cochlear implantation group at 6 months were significantly higher in comparison with those at 3 months (P<0 .05) .There were significant differ‐ences in mean scores between the two groups at 6 ,9 ,12 months after fitting (P<0 .05) .The verbal ability scores ,hearing and speech rehabilitation levels in the cochlear group were higher than those of in the hearing aid group (P<0 .05) .Conclusion For severe hearing loss children ,cochlear implantation could produce more noticeable effects than hearing aids .

Fluid shear stress plays an important role in many physiological and pathophysiological processes of the cardiovascular system. Previous studies have identified the exposure of vascular endothelial cells to fluid mechanical forces can modulate the expression of many genes, including IL-8 gene expression, and IL-8 expression induced by fluid shear stress was time-dependent. To investigate the role of intensity of fluid shear stress on IL-8 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), we had HUVECs exposed to shear stress 2.23, 4.20, 6.08, 8.19, 9.67, 12.15, 14.40, 16.87, and 19.29 dyne/cm2 respectively and employed quantitative reversal transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to assay the expression of IL-8 mRNA. The results show that IL-8 mRNA did not express in HUVECs untreated with fluid shear stress. The IL-8 mRNA expression by shear stress was force intensity-dependent. After HUVECs exposed to low fluid shear stress (2.23 dyne/cm2) for 1 h or 2 h, IL-8 mRNA expression increased near 68 or 52 times as that of HUVECs exposed to high fluid shear stress (19.29 dyne/cm2). The linear regression equations between IL-8 mRNA expression (log (copies), y) and shear stress (dyne/cm2, x) are: y = 7.57 - 0.11x, r = 0.97 (for 1 h); y = 7.92 - 0.10x, r = 0.96 (for 2 h). This in vitro study demonstrates the expression of IL-8 gene can be regulated by fluid shear stress. The low shear stress could induces much more expression of IL-8 mRNA, which plays probably an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammation and arteroatherosclerosis.
Cells, Cultured ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; Gene Expression ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; Stress, Mechanical

OBJECTIVETo investigate the genetic mechanism of maternal nonsyndromic inherited sensorineural hearing loss(SNHL), to identify the incidence of the 7445(G) mutation in such pedigrees and sporadic patients with SNHL, and to provide the theoretical evidence for the diagnosis of this disease.

METHODSBlood samples were obtained from 2 pedigrees and 14 sporadic patients with SNHL. DNA was extracted from the isolated leukocytes. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragments were amplified by PCR. The 1555(G), 3243(G) and 7445(G) mutation was detected by Alw 26 I, Apa I and Xba I restriction endonuclease digestion respectively. The sequence of 12S rRNA, tRNA(Leu(UUR)) and tRNA(Ser(UCN)) was examined.

RESULTSRestriction endonuclease digestion analysis showed that 12 individuals from 2 pedigrees carried homoplasmic 7445(G) mutation, which was of maternal inheritance. Six individuals from 2 pedigrees and 14 sporadic patients did not have 7445(G) mutation. All individuals did not have 1555(G) and 3243(G) mutation. The sequence analysis further showed that none of them carried homoplasmic 1555(G) and 3243(G) mutation, 12 individuals had (nt)7445 A--> G substitution in tRNA(Ser(UCN)) gene.

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of 7445(G) mutation in such pedigrees is higher than that in sporadic patients. Screening for mtDNA 7445(G) mutation combined with 1555(G) examination is of much value to clinical use.

DNA Mutational Analysis ; methods ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation ; RNA, Transfer, Ser ; genetics

OBJECTIVE: To undertake a population-based survey on the prevalence, pathogenic factors and medical requirements of ear and hearing impairment. METHOD: Using the probability proportion to size (PPS) method, 6626 residents were investigated in 30 clusters with the WHO protocol. RESULT: The prevalence of hearing impairment was 17.1% (the standardized rate: 17.6% in the whole country). Degrees of hearing impairment were mild (11.0%), moderate (4.2%), severe (1.4%), and profound (0.5%). Among them, male were 663(20.2%) and female were 468 (14.0%). The prevalence of hearing disability was 6.1% (the standardized rate: 6.5% in the whole country). The causes of hearing impairment were ear disorders (31.4%), non-infectious (42. 5%), genetic condino (6.7%), infectious disease (0.4%) and undetermined cause (29.3%). 13.8% of person needed otology and/or audiology actions. 9.1% of person needed hearing aid. CONCLUSION The prevalence of hearing impairment and hearing disability is higher than last twenty years and it can provide scientific data for drawing up precaution and control strategies on deafness for government.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Ear Diseases ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hearing Disorders ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

Objective:To investigate the effect of diabetes mellitus on pulmonary uptake of sevoflurane.Methods:Twenty patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, aged 40-64 yr, with body mass index of 18.5-22.9 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ, undergoing elective surgery with general anesthesia, served as diabetes group (group D). Twenty non-diabetic patients matched by age, gender and surgery were selected as control group (group C). After anesthesia induction and tracheal intubation, sevoflurane was inhaled at a concentration of 2% (oxygen flow 2 L/min). The inhaled concentration (Fi) and exhaled concentration (Fa) at 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 min of inhalation of sevoflurane were recorded, and the Fa/Fi ratio was calculated.The time required for the Fa/Fi ratio to reach 0.7 was recorded. Results:Compared with group C, the Fa/Fi ratio was significantly increased at each time point, and the time required for the Fa/Fi ratio to reach 0.7 was shortened in group D ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Diabetes mellitus can reduce pulmonary uptake of sevoflurane in the patients.

As a new strategy for the application of sacubitril/valsartan (LCZ696) in patients with CKD, much evidence showed that it improved the prognosis of patients with CKD. This review summarizes the efficacy and safety of sacubitril/valsartan in physiology, pathology, pharmacology and clinical application by searching Wanfang, CNKI, PubMed and other databases for related articles on the application of sacubitril/valsartan in CKD patients. Although LBQ657, the active product of sacubitril, has a high drug accumulation in patients with moderate, severe renal injury, and ESRD, it is not cleared in hemodialysis, and has very little eliminated in peritoneal dialysis, which does not affect its safety. Compared with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker drugs, LCZ696 could increase the blood pressure control rate, improve cardiac function, slow down the decline of glomerular filtration rate, and significantly improve cardiovascular outcomes without more adverse events. Sacubitril/valsartan can be used in all levels of CKD patients complicated with hypertension and/or heart failure, with reliable safety and tolerance.