Objective:Acoustic neuroma(AN)is a benign tumor that usually affects a patient's hearing and balance function.For the screening and diagnosis of AN,the traditional approach mainly relies on audiological examination and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),often ignoring the importance of vestibular function assessment in the affected area.As an emerging method of vestibular function detection,video head impulse test(vHIT)has been widely used in clinic,but research on its use in AN diagnosis is relatively limited.This study aims to explore the value of vHIT in the diagnosis of AN,vestibular dysfunction assessment,and postoperative compensation establishment in unilateral AN patients undergoing unilateral AN resection through labyrinthine approach. Methods:This retrospective study was conducted on 27 AN patients who underwent unilateral AN resection via labyrinthine approach from October 2020 to March 2022 in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery,the Second Xiangya Hospital,Central South University.vHIT was performed 1 week before surgery to assess vestibular function,pure tone audiometry(PTA)was used to assess hearing level,and ear MRI was used to assess tumor size.Follow-up vHIT was conducted at 1 week,1 month,6 months,and 1 year post-surgery.The correlation of vHIT with hearing and tumor size was analyzed. Results:Preoperative vHIT showed that the posterior semicircular canal on the affected side was the most common semicircular canal with reduced vestibulo-ocular reflex(VOR)gain.There was a correlation between the VOR gain of vHIT on the affected side and the hearing level(r=-0.47,P<0.05)or tumor size(r=-0.54,P<0.01).The results of vHIT on the affected side showed that the hearing level and mean VOR gain of the anterior semicircular canal increased slightly with time,and the amplitude and saccade percentage of the dominant saccades of the 3 semicircular canals increased,while the latency time decreased,with the most obvious changes occurring 1 week post-surgery. Conclusion:vHIT can effectively monitor the changes of vestibular function in AN patients before and after surgery and has application value in assisting the diagnosis of vestibular dysfunction in AN patients.

Objective:Ménière's disease(MD)is an idiopathic inner ear disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of episodic rotational vertigo,fluctuating hearing loss,tinnitus,and a feeling of ear stuffiness.Endolymphatic sac(ES)-related surgery is used primarily in patients with MD who have failed to respond to pharmacologic therapy.Endolymphatic duct blockage(EDB)is a new procedure for the treatment of MD,and related clinical studies are still scarce.This study aims to investigate the dynamic changes in endolymphatic hydrops(EH)and the long-term surgical outcomes in MD patients undergoing EDB,and to evaluate the impact of different types of ES on the surgical efficacy. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 33 patients with refractory MD who underwent EDB.Based on the morphology of their endolymphatic sacs,patients were divided into a normal-type group(n=14)and an atrophic-type group(n=19).The frequency of vertigo symptoms,hearing,vestibular function,and the dynamic changes of gadolinium-enhanced MRI of the inner ear were compared were compared before and after surgery between the 2 groups. Results:Compared with the atrophic-type group,the patients in the normal-type group had a higher rate of complete vertigo control,better cochlear and vestibular function,and a lower endolymph to vestibule volume ratio(all P<0.05).In addition,7 patients in the normal-type group were found to have reversal of EH,while no reversal of EH was detected in the atrophic-type group after surgery. Conclusion:The response to EDB treatment varies between normal and atrophic MD patients,suggesting that the 2 pathological types of endolymphatic sacs may have different underlying mechanisms of disease.

The geographical origin of forensic evidence provides important information for crime investigation and solving cases,and is one of the key elements of criminal cases.Previous studies have shown significant differences in the distribution of microorganisms in different regions.Detecting environmental DNA samples and inferring the geographical and spatial sources can provide clues and evidence for case handling.However,due to the diversity of criminal environments and the trace amount of frequently encountered exhibits,stable and reliable technical methods for inferring geographical origin from environmental DNA are not yet available.This article summarizes the sample collection and DNA extraction methods for four types of environmental samples:dust,soil,water,and air.It compares the differences between amplicon sequencing and metagenomic sequencing in studying environmental biological populations,outlines the full process of high-throughput sequencing-based data analysis,and focuses on reviewing the research progress in inferring geographical sources of environmental samples based on bacteria,fungi,and other eukaryotes,to provide references for establishing sequencing and analysis methods for environmental DNA in forensic DNA laboratories and exploring environmental DNA information for forensic applications.

Objective To genotype mixed samples with next generation sequencing and evaluate its prospects in forensic DNA application. Methods Three mixed biological samples from rapes cases and their reference samples were collected. DNA was extracted using the MagAttract M48 DNA Manual Kit(200). The ForenSeqTMDNA Signature Prep Kit was used for library preparation, and next generation sequencing was performed on the MiSeq FGx system. The ForenSeqTMUniversal Analysis v1.2.1 software was used for data analysis. NGS-based STR results were compared with CE-based genotypes. Results A single length polymorphic STR allele in the mixed profile could be recognized as two sequence polymorphic STR alleles from different donors, which would assist mixed profile analysis. Such phenomenon was observed in D3S1358, D9S1122 and D13S317 in this work. Conclusion Our results suggested that precision STR genotyping of mixed samples based on NGS can provide more information and hints for mixed STR profile separation.

Capillary electrophoresis-based STR genotyping is accepted as the gold standard for human individual identification. Next generation sequencing (NGS) allows for the full resolution of STR base composition, and has the potential to be widely used in the field of forensics. Compared with length polymorphism, STR sequencing could provide more information, and quantitatively calculating the forensic parameters is necessary. In this paper, we established simple models for length-based and sequence-based STRs, and calculated the forensic parameters for both models. The results showed that for a single STR locus, compared with length polymorphism, STR sequence polymorphism could provide higher power of discrimination and power of exclusion, indicating sequence-based STR marker have stronger ability for identifying unrelated individuals and exclude non biological father. By combining 15 non-linkage loci for forensic DNA analysis, the cumulative matching probability values for length-based and sequence-based STR models are at 10-18and 10-26levels, respectively. Only 10 non-linkage sequence-based STR is required to reach a cumulative matching probability of as high as 15 length-based STR loci. It is hoped that these simulated models and calculations can provide a reference for the forensic application of NGS-based STR genotyping.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) of the temporal bone in children. METHOD: Seven children with LCH of the temporal bone n our hospital were retrospectively summed up from April 2009 to April 2014. The patients were followed up 1-5 years, their clinical manifestations, imaging findings, diagnosis, therapy and prognosis were studied. Correlation between clinical classifications and prognosis was also analyzed. RESULT: Among the 7 patients, 4 were boys and 3 were girls. 5 cases belonged to the single system group and 2 cases belonged to the multisystem group. The most common clinical characters were temporal tumor, otorrhea, otalgia, hearing loss and granulation of external auditory canal. CT of the temporal bones showed extensive osteolytic destructions with diffuse soft tissure density, without border sclerotization. The cases were. received different therapies. Followed up for 1-5 years, 4 cases were regressive, 1 case kept stable, while 2 cases showed progressive. The two boys then received standard treatment combined steroids with vinblastine. The prognosis in the multisystem group was significantly different from the single system group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The clinical manifestations of LCH vary a lot. The diagnosis is based on histological and immunophenotypic examination of lesion tissue. The main therapy includs surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The prognosis of the single system group is much better than the multisystem group.
Child ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Deafness ; etiology ; Ear Canal ; pathology ; Ear Diseases ; etiology ; Female ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Steroids ; therapeutic use ; Temporal Bone ; pathology

OBJECTIVE: To establish the kanamycin-induced deafness model in SD rats, and to investigate the expression and significance of transmembrane protease, serine 3 (TMPRSS3) in the cochlea following kanamycin ototoxicity. METHODS: A total of 40 male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. The experimental rats received intramuscular kanamycin sulfate for 3, 7, and 14 consecutive days, and the control group were treated with normal saline for 14 days. Auditory brainstem responses (ABR) were obtained before and after the kanamycin administration. The expression of TMPRSS3 in the cochlea was identified and detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: Kanamycin-induced deafness model in the SD rats was successfully established. ABR thresholds were increased and the expression of TMPRSS3 in the cochlea was reduced after the kanamycin injection (P<0.01). CONCLUSION TMPRSS3 may play an important role in normal cochlea function and involve in the process of aminoglycoside antibiotics induced deafness.
Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; toxicity ; Cochlea ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Deafness ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; physiology ; Kanamycin ; toxicity ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serine Endopeptidases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To observe the expression of proteinase transmembrane protease, serine 3 (TMPRSS3) in mouse cochlea, and to investigate the significance of TMPRSS3 in the inner ear. METHODS: The protein expression of TMPRSS3 in C57/BL mouse cochlea was identified and detected by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Different cochlear tissues, such as spiral ganglion neurons, corti organ, stria vascularis and so on, were separated to detect the gene expression of TMPRSS3 by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The cochlear tissues with different ages were collected and the expression of TMPRSS3 mRNA was detected by qPCR. RESULTS: TMPRSS3 was mainly expressed in the spiral ganglion neurons, and there was TMPRSS3 mRNA in the cochlea in groups with different age. The expression level of TMPRSS3 mRNA was much weaker. CONCLUSION The distribution of TMPRSS3 was observed in many regions of the mouse cochlea, but mainly in the spiral ganglion neurons. This indicates that TMPRSS3 may be involved in the physiological functional regulation of the spiral ganglion neurons.
Animals ; Cochlea ; metabolism ; Female ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Serine Proteases ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective:To study the clinical manifestations and treatment of the primary cervical tracheal malig-nant tumor of children. Method:Five cases diagnosed as primary tracheal malignant tumor with fibrolaryngoscopy, CT scan and pathology were retrospectively analyzed and reviewed. Extraction of malignant tumor was performed with tracheoscope and nasal endoscope after emergent tracheotomy below the tumor in 4 cases, and tracheotomy after intubation in 1 case. After operation, 4 children received radiotherapy, and 1 case received laser therapy add radiotherapy. Result:Five cases were followed up for three to eight years, and no recurrence was found. Conclu-sion: There was no specific manifestation in early tracheal malignant tumor, but it was critical and emergent during symptoms appear. Imaging examination was a very invaluable dignosis method. Optimal and effective therapeutic protocol is tracheostomy under local anesthesia to keep upper airway patency followed by surgical extraction and radiotherapy. It was not appropriate to have tracheal wall resection for children.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical manifestations and treatment of the primary cervical tracheal malignant tumor of children. METHOD: Five cases diagnosed as primary tracheal malignant tumor with fibrolaryngoscopy, CT scan and pathology were retrospectively analyzed and reviewed. Extraction of malignant tumor was performed with tracheoscopy and nasal endoscope after emergent tracheotomy below the tumor in 4 cases, and tracheotomy after intubation in 1 case. After operation, 4 children received radiotherapy, and 1 case received laser therapy add radiotherapy. RESULT: Five cases were followed up for three to eight years, and no recurrence was found. CONCLUSION There was no specific manifestation in early tracheal malignant tumor, but it was critical and emergent during symptoms appear. Imaging examination was a very invaluable diagnosis method. Optimal and effective therapeutic protocol is tracheostomy under local anesthesia to keep upper airway patency followed by surgical extraction and radiotherapy. It was not appropriate to have tracheal wall resection for children.
Adolescent ; Child ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nose ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Trachea ; surgery ; Tracheal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Tracheotomy ; methods