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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results from sudden accidents, leading to brain damage, subsequent organ dysfunction, and potentially death. Despite extensive studies on rodent TBI models, there is still high variability in terms of target points, and this results in significantly different symptoms between models. In this study, we established a more concise and effective TBI mouse model, which included locomotor dysfunctions with increased apoptosis, based on the controlled cortical impact method. Behavioral tests, such as elevated body swing, rotarod, and cylinder tests were performed to assess the validity of our model. To investigate the underlying mechanisms of injury, we analyzed the expression of proteins associated with immune response and the apoptosis signaling pathway via western blotting analysis and immunohistochemistry. Upon TBI induction, the mouse subjects showed motor dysfunctions and asymmetric behavioral assessment. The expression of Bax gradually increased over time and reached its maximum 3 days post-surgery, and then declined. The expression of Mcl-1 showed a similar trend to Bax. Furthermore, the expression of caspase-3, ROCK1, and p53 were highly elevated by 3 days post-surgery and then declined by 7 days post-surgery. Importantly, immunohistochemistry revealed an immediate increase in the level of Bcl-2 at the lesion site upon TBI induction. Also, we found that the expression of neuronal markers, such as NeuN and MAP2, decreased after the surgery. Interestingly, the increase in NFH level was in line with the symptoms of TBI in humans. Collectively, our study demonstrated that the established TBI model induces motor dysfunction, hemorrhaging, infarctions, and apoptosis, closely resembling TBI in humans. Therefore, we predict that our model may be useful for developing effective treatment option for TBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors promote differentiation through post-translational modifications of histones. BML-281, an HDAC6 inhibitor, has been known to prevent tumors, acute dextran sodium sulfate-associated colitis, and lung injury. However, the neurogenic differentiation effect of BML-281 is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of BML-281 on neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell differentiation into mature neurons by immunocytochemistry (ICC), reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), quantitative PCR (qPCR), and western blotting analysis. We found that the cells treated with BML-281 showed neurite outgrowth and morphological changes into mature neurons under a microscope. It was confirmed that the gene expression of neuronal markers (NEFL, MAP2, Tuj1, NEFH, and NEFM) was increased with certain concentrations of BML-281. Similarly, the protein expression of neuronal markers (NeuN, Synaptophysin, Tuj1, and NFH) was upregulated with BML-281 compared to untreated cells. Following treatment with BML-281, the expression of Wnt5α increased, and downstream pathways were activated. Interestingly, both Wnt/Ca2+ and Wnt/PCP pathways activated and regulated PKC, Cdc42, RhoA, Rac1/2/3, and p-JNK. Therefore, BML-281 induces the differentiation of SH-SY5Y cells into mature neurons by activating the non-canonical Wnt signaling pathway. From these results, we concluded that BML-281 might be a novel drug to differentiation into neuronal cells through the regulation of Wnt signaling pathway to reduce the neuronal cell death. Headings: BML-281 promotes neuronal differentiation. BML-281 modulates Wnt/Ca2+ and Wnt/PCP pathway. Non-canonical Wnt pathway regulates the cell differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of a novel active transcutaneous bone conduction implant (BCI) device for patients with single‐sided deafness (SSD). Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Tertiary referral hospitals. Methods: This prospective multicenter study was conducted at 15 institutions nationwide. Thirty adult (aged ≥19 years) SSD patients were recruited. They underwent implantation of an active transcutaneous BCI device (Bonebridge BCI602). Objective outcomes included aided pure‐tone thresholds, aided speech discrimination scores (SDSs), and the Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) and sound localization test results. The Bern Benefit in Single‐Sided Deafness (BBSS) questionnaire, the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) questionnaire, and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) were used to measure subjective benefits. Results: The mean aided pure‐tone threshold was 34.2 (11.3), mean (SD), dB HL at 500 to 4000 Hz. The mean total BBSS score was 27.5 (13.8). All APHAB questionnaire domain scores showed significant improvements: ease of communication, 33.6 (23.2) versus 22.6 (21.3), P =.025; reverberation, 44.8 (16.6) versus 32.8 (15.9), P =.002; background noise, 55.5 (23.6) versus 35.2 (18.1), P <.001; and aversiveness, 36.7 (22.8) versus 25.8 (21.4), P =.028. Moreover, the THI scores were significantly reduced [47.4 (30.1) versus 31.1 (27.0), P =.003]. Congenital SSD was a significant factor of subjective benefit (−11.643; 95% confidence interval: −21.946 to −1.340). Conclusion: The BCI602 active transcutaneous BCI device can provide functional hearing gain without any adverse effects and is a feasible option for acquired SSD patients with long‐term deafness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hearing loss in older people can cause communication impairments, decreased quality of life, social isolation, depression, and dementia. Cochlear implant surgery is an effective treatment for older patients with hearing loss who cannot achieve satisfactory audiologic outcomes with hearing aids. However, older people have an increased risk of heart disease and often take medications that affect heart rhythm. Herein, we report a case of an 80-year-old woman who underwent cardioversion at 50J after cochlear implant surgery. Electrical impedance before and after cardioversion showed only minor changes without abnormality, and the cochlear implant functioned well. We believe that the electronic circuits of the cochlear implant may have been relatively tolerant to the electrical shock from the external defibrillator. Typically, cardioversion should be avoided in cochlear implant recipients because it may damage the implant. If cardioversion cannot be avoided, we strongly recommend starting cardioversion at the lowest energy level (50 J) and removing the sound processor of the implant during the procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congenital cholesteatoma is a whitish mass in the middle ear medial to an intact tympanic membrane. It is often without symptoms and therefore incidentally diagnosed. Pediatric congenital cholesteatoma generally starts as a small pearl-like mass in the middle ear cavity that eventually expands to involve the ossicles, epitympanum, and mastoid. The location, size, histopathological type, and extent of the mass must be evaluated to select the appropriate surgical method. Although microscopic ear surgery has traditionally been performed to remove congenital cholesteatoma, a recently introduced alternative is endoscopic surgery, which allows a minimally invasive approach and has better visualization. Here, we report the first known case of a patient with congenital cholesteatoma in the anterior epitympanic recess and discuss the utility of an endoscopic approach in the removal of a congenital cholesteatoma in the hidden area within the middle ear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]