Objective:To explore the trend of hearing changes in infants with GJB2 gene p.V37I mutation at different months. Methods:The subjects were 54 children（108 ears） with p.V37I homozygous or compound heterozygous mutation in GJB2 gene. All the subjects underwent auditory brainstem response, auditory steady-state response, acoustic immittance and other audiological tests. Children were divided into three groups according to their age, 26 cases in group A were ≤3 months old, 17 cases in group B were>3~≤6 months old, and 11 cases in group C were>6 months old. Statistical analysis was performed on the three groups of ABR response threshold, hearing degree, the ASSR average response threshold of four frequencies and the ASSR response thresholds for each frequency of 500, 1 000, 2 000 and 4 000 Hz. Results:Among the 54 cases, 35 were male and 19 were female, with an age rang of 2-27 months and a median age of 4 months. The ABR response threshold of the three groups were ranked from low to high as group A, group B and group C, and the difference was statistically significant（P<0.05）. The ABR response thresholds of the three groups were ranked from low to high as group A, group B, and group C. The comparison between groups showed that the ABR response thresholds of group C was higher than that of group A（P=0.006）. The proportion of confirmed hearing loss in the three groups was 34.61%, 50.00% and 63.64%, respectively, and the difference of hearing level among the three groups was statistically significant（P<0.05）. The comparison between groups showed that the difference between group A and group C was statistically significant（P=0.012）, normal hearing accounted for the highest proportion in group A（65.39%）, while mild hearing loss accounted for the highest proportion in group C（45.46%）. The ASSR average response thresholds of the four frequencies in the three groups were ranked from low to high as group A, group B and group C, and the difference is statistically significant（P<0.05）. The comparison between groups showed that response ASSR thresholds of group C was higher than that of group A（P=0.002）. Response thresholds of ASSR in each frequency in the three groups were all ranked from low to high as in group A, group B and group C, and the differences were statistically significant（P<0.05）. Compared with each other between groups, response ASSR thresholds of group C was higher than those of group A（P=0.003） and group B（P=0.015） at 500 Hz, while response ASSR thresholds of group C was higher than group A at 1 000 Hz（P=0.010） and 2 000 Hz（P<0.001）, and there was no statistical difference at 4 000 Hz. Conclusion:The incidence of hearing loss in GJB2 gene p.V37I mutation increased with age, and the degree of hearing loss increased, the hearing progression was mainly 500, 1 000 and 2 000 Hz suggesting regular follow-up and alert to hearing changes.
Humans ; Connexin 26 ; Male ; Female ; Infant ; Child, Preschool ; Mutation ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Connexins/genetics* ; Auditory Threshold ; Hearing/genetics* ; Hearing Loss/genetics*

Objective:To explore the hearing changes of children with different genotypes of SLC26A4 with enlarged vestibular aqueduct（EVA） using the linear mixed effect model（LMM）, providing evidence for the risk prediction of progressive hearing loss. Methods:A total of 48 children with EVA diagnosed in our hospital from January 2017 to January 2024. All subjects underwent two or more auditory tests. According to the results of deafness gene screening and sequencing, the genotypes are divided into: type A: homozygous mutation of c. 919-2A>G, type B: compound heterozygous or heterozygous mutation containing c. 919-2A>G, and type C: no mutation site of c. 919-2A>G of SLC26A4 gene. LMM was used to analyze the hearing thresholds change of 500 Hz, 1 000 Hz, 2 000 Hz, 4 000 Hz and the average in children with different genotypes with age. Results:A total of 92 ears, 314 audiograms of 48 children were included, the median number of audiograms was 3, the median age of initial diagnosis was 4 months, and the median follow-up time was 13 months. According to LMM, the standard deviation of random effects between patients and ears was large. There was no significant difference in hearing thresholds of different frequencies and the average in genotype A, genotype B, and genotype C, indicating that genotype had no effect on hearing threshold. There is an interaction between age and genotype. Taking genotype C as the reference, children with genotype B had the lowest increase in 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and the average hearing threshold, followed by type A. Conclusion:EVA children exhibit substantial inter-individual/ear hearing threshold variability. Low-frequency thresholds progress slower than high frequencies. Genotype modulates progression rates, with wild-type（Type C） demonstrating fastest deterioration, supporting personalized auditory monitoring strategies.
Humans ; Vestibular Aqueduct/abnormalities* ; Genotype ; Sulfate Transporters ; Mutation ; Auditory Threshold ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/genetics* ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Hearing Loss/genetics* ; Hearing Tests ; Linear Models ; Infant

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between 23-site chip genetic screening failures and the results of newborns hearing screening,and to provide clinical reference for the diagnosis and treatment of genetic screening failures.METHODS There were 1 916 newborns born in the Beijing area from November 2022 to May 2024,who did not pass the 23-site chip genetic screening tests and underwent newborn hearing screening with definite initial screening results.Chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between different mutation types and genotypes and the initial hearing screening results.RESULTS The overall neonatal hearing screening failure rate was 5.27%(101/1 916),with a higher failure rate of 61.54%(56/91)for homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations than the failure rate of 2.54%(45/1 772)for heterozygous mutations,0%(0/34)for digenic gene heterozygous mutations,and 0(0/19)for mtDNA 12S rRNA mutations,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.001).Among the homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations,the failure rates of homozygous and compound heterozygous for GJB2 gene and SLC26A4 gene were 59.76%(49/82)and 77.78%(7/9),respectively,with no statistically significant difference between the two groups(P=0.488).The homozygous and compound heterozygous for GJB2 gene were divided into three groups based on genotype:c.109G>A homozygous mutations,c.109G>A compound heterozygous mutations,and other homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations.The hearing screening failure rates of the three groups,from highest to lowest,were as follow:other homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations(88.89%,8/9),c.109G>A homozygous mutations(65.12%,28/43),and c.109G>A compound heterozygous mutations(43.33%,13/30),with a statistically significant difference(P=0.029).The failure rates of heterozygous for GJB2 gene,SLC26A4 gene and GJB3 gene were 2.86%(40/1 398),1.25%(4/321)and 1.89%(1/53),respectively,with no statistically significant difference among the three groups(P=0.241).The failure rate of hearing screening for individuals with GJB2 heterozygotes of different genotypes and individuals with SLC26A4 heterozygotes of different genotypes did not show statistically significant differences.CONCLUSION The failure rate of newborn hearing screening for homozygous and compound heterozygous mutation of 23-site chip genetic screening is higher than that of other mutation types,verifying the effectiveness of the newborn hearing screening program.Some newborns of homozygous and compound heterozygous mutation can pass the hearing screening,especially those with the c.109G>A homozygous and compound heterozygous mutation,who need clinical follow-up.

Objective To investigate the sequencing results of the SLC26A4 gene in 34 nuclear families and the genetic diagnosis on the offspring in the nuclear families who have been screened for SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation in the deafness genetic screening,to provide a basis for genetic consulting.Methods A retrospective anal-ysis was performed on the results of SLC26A4 gene testing in 34 nuclear families,in which the offspring with SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation in deafness genetic screening of each nuclear family.The offspring of 34 nucle-ar families with the second mutation site detected by sequencing,their audiological results were included in the anal-ysis;and if they suffered from hearing loss,the results of temporal bone CT or inner ear MRI were also included in the analysis.Results The sequencing results of 34 nuclear families showed that there were 23 offsprings(67.65％,23/34)with SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation,and one parent was SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation.There were 11 offsprings(32.35％,11/34)with second site,among which 7 offsprings(63.64％,7/11)with SLC26A4 gene complex heterozygous mutations,and their parents were SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutations.Among the 7 offsprings with SLC26A4 gene complex heterozygous mutation,3 cases were with hearing loss,all of which were diagnosed as large vestibular aqueduct syndrome,and the other 4 cases were normal.While 4 offsprings(36.36％,4/11)with SLC26A4 gene double heterozygous mutation(cis mutation),and one parent was SLC26A4 gene double heterozygous mutation.The hearing 4 offsprings with SLC26A4 gene double heterozygous mutations were normal.Among the 34 nuclear families,3 pairs of parents were SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation,and both mutation sites were pathogenic,risk of reproducing children with hereditary hearing loss was 25％.Conclusion The detec-tion sites of deafness gene chip are limited.Using gene sequencing technology to sequence the nuclear family can fur-ther clarify the gene mutation type in offspring and provide guidance for parents to reproduce.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at the front-Mu points and the lower He-sea points combined with Western medication in the treatment of diarrhea induced by anti-tuberculosis drugs,as well as the effects on clinical symptoms and serum albumin.Methods:Seventy patients with diarrhea caused by anti-tuberculosis drugs were divided into an observation group and a control group according to the different treatment methods,with 35 cases in each group.Both groups were treated with the same Western medication,and the observation group was additionally treated with acupuncture at the front-Mu points and the lower He-sea points.After treatment,changes in the Hart score,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptom score,and serum albumin were observed in both groups.Results:There was no statistically significant difference in the Hart score,TCM symptom score,and serum albumin level between the two groups before treatment(P>0.05).No adverse reactions occurred during treatment in either group.After 3 d of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 68.6%,which was higher than 25.7%of the control group(P<0.01);after 7 d of treatment,the total effective rate of both the observation group and the control group was 100.0%,but the cured rate of the observation group was 80.0%,which was significantly higher than 2.9%of the control group(P<0.01).The Hart score and TCM symptom score of both groups after 3 d and 7 d of treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05),and the scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group(P<0.05).After 7 d of treatment,the albumin level of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The addition of acupuncture at the front-Mu points combined with lower He-sea points to routine Western mediation treatment for diarrhea induced by anti-tuberculosis drugs is more effective than Western medication alone and can improve the clinical symptoms and nutritional status of the patients at an early stage.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at the front-Mu points and the lower He-sea points combined with Western medication in the treatment of diarrhea induced by anti-tuberculosis drugs,as well as the effects on clinical symptoms and serum albumin.Methods:Seventy patients with diarrhea caused by anti-tuberculosis drugs were divided into an observation group and a control group according to the different treatment methods,with 35 cases in each group.Both groups were treated with the same Western medication,and the observation group was additionally treated with acupuncture at the front-Mu points and the lower He-sea points.After treatment,changes in the Hart score,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptom score,and serum albumin were observed in both groups.Results:There was no statistically significant difference in the Hart score,TCM symptom score,and serum albumin level between the two groups before treatment(P>0.05).No adverse reactions occurred during treatment in either group.After 3 d of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 68.6%,which was higher than 25.7%of the control group(P<0.01);after 7 d of treatment,the total effective rate of both the observation group and the control group was 100.0%,but the cured rate of the observation group was 80.0%,which was significantly higher than 2.9%of the control group(P<0.01).The Hart score and TCM symptom score of both groups after 3 d and 7 d of treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05),and the scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group(P<0.05).After 7 d of treatment,the albumin level of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The addition of acupuncture at the front-Mu points combined with lower He-sea points to routine Western mediation treatment for diarrhea induced by anti-tuberculosis drugs is more effective than Western medication alone and can improve the clinical symptoms and nutritional status of the patients at an early stage.

Objective To investigate the sequencing results of the SLC26A4 gene in 34 nuclear families and the genetic diagnosis on the offspring in the nuclear families who have been screened for SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation in the deafness genetic screening,to provide a basis for genetic consulting.Methods A retrospective anal-ysis was performed on the results of SLC26A4 gene testing in 34 nuclear families,in which the offspring with SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation in deafness genetic screening of each nuclear family.The offspring of 34 nucle-ar families with the second mutation site detected by sequencing,their audiological results were included in the anal-ysis;and if they suffered from hearing loss,the results of temporal bone CT or inner ear MRI were also included in the analysis.Results The sequencing results of 34 nuclear families showed that there were 23 offsprings(67.65％,23/34)with SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation,and one parent was SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation.There were 11 offsprings(32.35％,11/34)with second site,among which 7 offsprings(63.64％,7/11)with SLC26A4 gene complex heterozygous mutations,and their parents were SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutations.Among the 7 offsprings with SLC26A4 gene complex heterozygous mutation,3 cases were with hearing loss,all of which were diagnosed as large vestibular aqueduct syndrome,and the other 4 cases were normal.While 4 offsprings(36.36％,4/11)with SLC26A4 gene double heterozygous mutation(cis mutation),and one parent was SLC26A4 gene double heterozygous mutation.The hearing 4 offsprings with SLC26A4 gene double heterozygous mutations were normal.Among the 34 nuclear families,3 pairs of parents were SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation,and both mutation sites were pathogenic,risk of reproducing children with hereditary hearing loss was 25％.Conclusion The detec-tion sites of deafness gene chip are limited.Using gene sequencing technology to sequence the nuclear family can fur-ther clarify the gene mutation type in offspring and provide guidance for parents to reproduce.

ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of modified Gegen Qinlian Decoction （葛根芩连汤） in treatment of ulcerative colitis （UC） from the view of intestinal mucosal epithelial barrier damage and epithelial mesenchymal transition. MethodsSixty male C57BL/6J mice were divided into blank group， model group， western medicine control group， and low-， medium-， and high-dose modified Gegen Qinlian Decoction groups， with 10 mice in each group. Except for the blank group， 3% dextran sodium sulfate （DSS） was used to induce colitis model by free drinking for 7 days， and on the first day of modelling， 6， 12， and 24 g/（kg·d） of modified Gegen Qinlian Decoction were given to the low-， medium-， and high-dose groups respectively， 5-aminosalicylic acid （5-ASA） 100 mg/（kg·d） given by gavage to western medicine control group， and 10 ml/kg distilled water were given to blank and model group by gavage， once a day for 7 days. Body mass of mice was recorded and disease activity index （DAI） scores were performed daily. The mice were anesthetized after 24h of the last administration and the colon was taken to observe the length of colon， HE staining was applied to observe the damage of colonic mucosa and score pathological states， Masson staining to detect the deposition of colonic collagen fibers， immunofluorescence to observe the distribution of F-actin in colonic mucosal epithelium， and immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of tight junction protein ZO-1， Occludin， E-cadherin and Vimentin. ResultsCompared with the blank group at the same time， the percentage of body mass of mice in the model group on day 7 of modelling significantly reduced and the DAI score was significantly increased （P＜0.01）； compared with the model group at the same time， the body mass of mice in the western medicine control group and all of modified Gegen Qinlian Decoction groups decreased， and the DAI scores of mice in the western medicine control group and the high-dose modified Gegen Qinlian Decoction group decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； compared with the same time of mice in the low-dos Gegen Qinlian Decoction group， the body mass of mice in the high-dose Gegen Qinlian Decoction group and the western medicine control group significantly elevated （P＜0.05）. Compared with the blank group， the length of the colon of mice in the model group was significantly shortened， the pathological score and the percentage of collagen area were significantly increased， the average fluorescence intensity of F-actin was reduced， the protein levels of ZO-1， Occludin and E-cadherin in the colon tissue decreased， and the protein level of Vimentin elevated （P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， the length of colon significantly increased， patholo-gical score， collagen area percentage decreased， ZO-1， Occludin， E-cadherin protein levels increased and Vimentin levels decreased in all medicated groups； the average fluorescence intensity of F-actin increased in the western medicine control group and the middle- and high-dose Gegen Qinlian Decoction groups （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the low-dose Gegen Qinlian Decoction group， the proportion of collagen fibre area in the middle-dose Gegen Qinlian Decoction group and the western medicine control group reduced； the mean fluorescence intensity of F-actin increased in the middle-dose Gegen Qinlian Decoction group； the protein levels of ZO-1 and E-cadherin increased in the western medicine control group， and the protein levels of ZO-1 increased in the high-dose Gegen Qinlian Decoction group （P＜0.05）. Compared with the medium-dose Gegen Qinlian Decoction group， the protein levels of ZO-1 elevated in the high-dose Gegen Qinlian Decoction group （P＜0.05）. Comapred with the high-dose Gegen Qinlian Decoction group， level of E-cadherin and Vimentin protein of the western medicine control group increased （P＜0.05）. ConclusionModified Gegen Qinlian Decoction was able to reduce colonic inflammation and mucosal barrier damage and inhibit the process of epithelial mesenchymal transition in mice models of ulcerative colitis， which may be one of its action mechanisms .

Methods: (i) Animal experiments. This study conducted experiments using specific pathogen-free (SPF) grade male C57BL/6J wild-type (WT) mice and APP/PS1 double transgenic mice. The animals were divided into three groups: WT group (WT mice, n = 5, receiving distilled water daily), APP/PS1 group (APP/PS1 double transgenic mice, n = 5, receiving distilled water daily), and BSTSD group [APP/PS1 double transgenic mice, n = 5, treated with BSTSD suspension at a dosage of 27 g/(kg·d) for 90 d]. Cognitive function was assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM). Post-experiment, hippocampal tissues were collected for analysis of pyramidal cell and synaptic morphology through hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). (ii) Cell experiments. The HT-22 cells were divided into control group (untreated), Aβ25-35 group (treated with 20 μmol/L Aβ25-35 for 24 h), icariin group (pre-treated with 20 μmol/L icariin for 60 min, followed by 20 μmol/L Aβ25-35 for an additional 24 h), and icariin + LY294002 group [treated with 20 μmol/L icariin and 20 μmol/L LY294002 (an inhibitor of the phosphoinostitide 3-kinases (PI3K) signaling pathway) for 60 min, then exposed to 20 μmol/L Aβ25-35 for 24 h], and cell viability was measured. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of synapse-associated proteins [synaptophysin (SYP) and postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95)] and PI3K signaling pathway associated proteins [phosphorylated (p)-PI3K/PI3K, p-protein kinase B (Akt)/Akt, and p-mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)/mTOR]. Results: (i) Animal experiments. Compared with APP/PS1 group, BSTSD group showed that escape latency was significantly shortened (P < 0.01) and the frequency of crossing the original platform was significantly increased (P < 0.01). Morphological observation showed that pyramidal cells in the hippocampal CA1 region were arranged more regularly, nuclear staining was uniform, and vacuole-like changes were reduced after BSTSD treatment. TEM showed that the length of synaptic active zone in BSTSD treatment group was increased compared with APP/PS1 group (P < 0.01), and the width of synaptic gap was decreased (P < 0.01). (ii) Cell experiments. Icariin had no obvious toxicity to HT-22 cells when the concentration was not more than 20 μmol/L (P > 0.05), and alleviated the cell viability decline induced by Aβ25-35 (P < 0.01). Western blot results showed that compared with Aβ25-35 group, the ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR in icariin group were significantly increased (P < 0.01), while the protein expression levels of SYP and PSD-95 were increased (P < 0.01). These effects were blocked by LY294002 (P < 0.01). Conclusion BSTSD and icariin enhance cognitive function and synaptic integrity in AD models and provide potential therapeutic strategies through activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is the most common thyroid dysfunction, and its relationship with blood pressure (BP) has been controversial. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between SCH and newly-diagnosed hypertension. Methods: Based on data from the Thyroid disease, Iodine nutrition and Diabetes Epidemiology (TIDE) study, 49,433 euthyroid individuals and 7,719 SCH patients aged ≥18 years were enrolled. Patients with a history of hypertension or thyroid disease were excluded. SCH was determined by manufacturer reference range. Overall hypertension and stage 1 and 2 hypertension were diagnosed according to the guidelines issued by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association in 2017. Results: The prevalence of overall hypertension (48.7%), including stage 1 (28.9%) and 2 (19.8%) hypertension, increased significantly in SCH patients compared with euthyroid subjects. With elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level, the hypertension prevalence also increased significantly from the euthyroid to different SCH subgroups, which was more profound in females or subjects aged <65 years. The age- and sex-specific regression analysis further demonstrated the same trends in the general population and in the 1:1 propensity matched population. Similarly, several BP components (i.e., systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial BP) were positively associated with TSH elevation, and regression analysis also confirmed that all BP components were closely related with SCH in female subjects aged <65 years. Conclusion The prevalence of hypertension increases for patients with SCH. SCH tends to be associated with hypertension and BP components in females younger than 65 years.