Rapid Increase in Neural Conduction Time in the Adult Human Auditory Brainstem Following Sudden Unilateral Deafness

Individuals with sudden unilateral deafness offer a unique opportunity to study plasticity of the binaural auditory system in adult humans. Stimulation of the intact ear results in increased activity in the auditory cortex. However, there are no reports of changes at sub-cortical levels in humans. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate changes in sub-cortical activity immediately before and after the onset of surgically induced unilateral deafness in adult humans. Click-evoked auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) to stimulation of the healthy ear were recorded from ten adults during the course of translabyrinthine surgery for the removal of a unilateral acoustic neuroma. This surgical technique always results in abrupt deafferentation of the affected ear. The results revealed a rapid (within minutes) reduction in latency of wave V (mean pre = 6.55 ms; mean post = 6.15 ms; p < 0.001). A latency reduction was also observed for wave III (mean pre = 4.40 ms; mean post = 4.13 ms; p < 0.001). These reductions in response latency are consistent with functional changes including disinhibition or/and more rapid intra-cellular signalling affecting binaurally sensitive neurons in the central auditory system. The results are highly relevant for improved understanding of putative physiological mechanisms underlying perceptual disorders such as tinnitus and hyperacusis.     

In vivo epigenetic effects induced by engineered nanomaterials: A case study of copper oxide and laser printer-emitted engineered nanoparticles

Evidence continues to grow on potential environmental health hazards associated with engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). While the geno- and cytotoxic effects of ENMs have been investigated, their potential to target the epigenome remains largely unknown. The aim of this study is two-fold: 1) determining whether or not industry relevant ENMs can affect the epigenome in vivo and 2) validating a recently developed in vitro epigenetic screening platform for inhaled ENMs. Laser printer-emitted engineered nanoparticles (PEPs) released from nano-enabled toners during consumer use and copper oxide (CuO) were chosen since these particles induced significant epigenetic changes in a recent in vitro companion study. In this study, the epigenetic alterations in lung tissue, alveolar macrophages and peripheral blood from intratracheally instilled mice were evaluated. The methylation of global DNA and transposable elements (TEs), the expression of the DNA methylation machinery and TEs, in addition to general toxicological effects in the lung were assessed. CuO exhibited higher cell-damaging potential to the lung, while PEPs showed a greater ability to target the epigenome. Alterations in the methylation status of global DNA and TEs, and expression of TEs and DNA machinery in mouse lung were observed after exposure to CuO and PEPs. Additionally, epigenetic changes were detected in the peripheral blood after PEPs exposure. Altogether, CuO and PEPs can induce epigenetic alterations in a mouse experimental model, which in turn confirms that the recently developed in vitro epigenetic platform using macrophage and epithelial cell lines can be successfully utilized in the epigenetic screening of ENMs.     

整合素α5β1在苯妥英钠促进大鼠PDLSCs和BMMSCs黏附于牙骨质中的作用

目的 探讨在苯妥英钠(Phenytoin,PHT)促进大鼠牙周膜干细胞(Rat periodontal ligament stem cells,rPDLSCs)、大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(Rat Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells,rBMMSCs)黏附于牙骨质过程中,整合素α5β1(Integrin α5β1)起到的作用。方法 提取大鼠BMMSCs和PDLSCs,培养并纯化。通过细胞鉴定后,将获得的两种细胞各分为4组:40 mg/L PHT处理组、40 mg/L PHT+整合素α5抗体处理组、40 mg/L PHT+整合素β1抗体处理组、PBS处理组,每组细胞放入置有牙骨质片的96孔板处理4 h后,检测黏附于牙骨质片上的细胞量并做以比较。最后,利用qRT-PCR和Western blot检测40 mg/L PHT组与对照组细胞的整合素α5、β1亚基的mRNA与蛋白表达量。结果 40 mg/L PHT可促进rBMMSCs及rPDLSCs黏附于牙骨质片,加入整合素α5、β1抗体后,均明显抑制了40 mg/L PHT对rBMMSCs、rPDLSCs黏附于牙骨质的促进作用(P＜0.01)。qRT-PCR、Western-blot结果显示PHT处理组的整合素α5、β1亚基表达量高于空白对照组(P＜0.05)。结论 40 mg/L PHT能促进rBMMSCs、rPDLSCs黏附于牙骨质,该作用与整合素α5β1的表达上调密切相关。     

Haemodynamic profiles of etomidate vs propofol for induction of anaesthesia: a randomised controlled trial in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Background

Etomidate is frequently selected over propofol for induction of anaesthesia because of a putatively favourable haemodynamic profile, but data confirming this perception are limited.

Congenital focal abnormalities of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium

This paper reviews the published literature on a group of developmental disorders of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium which result in focal abnormalities in one or both eyes. They are often asymptomatic, found on routine examination and are generally non-progressive. Some are associated with other systemic abnormalities.Subject terms: Retinal diseases, Eye abnormalities