Relationship between Electrically Evoked Compound Action Potential Thresholds and Auditory, Language, and Speech Progress after Cochlear Implant Surgery

Introduction: Electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP) is an objective auditory response that can be used in the programing of cochlear implants. The aims of this study were to monitor ECAP thresholds and auditory, language and speech progress for 6 months after cochlear implant surgery and to evaluate any relationship between them.   Materials and Methods: Ten children with a mean age of 4.2 (±0.6) years and bilateral congenital and profound sensorineural hearing loss underwent cochlear implant surgery and post-operation auditory and speech training. The auditory, language, and speech abilities (Newsha level) and ECAP thresholds (for apical, medial and basal region of cochlea) were evaluated 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery.                                                                                                                            Results: ECAP threshold showed no significant improvement in any of the evaluated areas in the 6 months after surgery (P>0.05); however, the Newsha level improved for all patients (P=0.00).   Conclusion: There was no relationship between ECAP thresholds and auditory, language, and speech abilities (Newsha level) in the first 6 months after surgery. ECAP thresholds may be a poor indicator of improvement in auditory, language, and speech abilities, and depend on many factors

Prevalence of fungal biofilms in patients with nasal polyposis: a systematic review

Introduction: There are many internal and external factors that are considered as the main causes of nasal infections and inflammation in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) leading to polyposis. It is suggested that bacterial and fungal elements have an important role in the development of these diseases. Method: Scopus and PubMed were searched thoroughly on 1 February 2015 with the following search terms: (fungal biofilms) AND (nasal polyposis) to find the articles in which the prevalence of fungal biofilms had been evaluated in patients with nasal polyposis. Only English language articles with no time limitation were included in this study.Result: Of 48 records found by initial search, only 10 articles met the inclusion criteria. Data showed that the presence of biofilms is associated with nasal polyposis in 110 of 303 patients and 13 of controls.Discussion: The results of studies confirm that the fungal biofilms play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.Conclusions: According to the results of included studies, there is a close association between the presence of fungal biofilm and different types of nasal disorders including nasal polyposis

The over expression of thioredoxin during malignancies

Thioredoxin system comprised of thiorexin and NADPH dependent thiorexin reductase, is responsible for redox regulation of cells by controlling the apoptosis, proliferation and other vital processes of cells. The efficacy of thioredoxin system has been represented in a wide range of physiological and biological reactions in bacteria, yeast, plants, mammals and etc. including DNA synthesis, regulation of transcription factors, protein repairing, regulating the photosynthesis and controlling the apoptosis and preventing oxidative stresses, filamentous phage assembly, immune-modulating, neuronal survival, pregnancy and birth and many other  physiological and biological functions. The up-regulation of thioredoxin has been observed in various malignancies, which was associated with tumor angiogenesis and development. In this regard, the thiordoxin system has become a putative target in new chemotherapeutic methods. In this study, we mentioned various features of thioredoxin system in malignant cells and reviewed the articles which have evaluated the expression rate of thioredoxin system in malignancies

Could Neonatal Hypernatremia Dehydration Influence Hearing Status?

Introduction: Neonatal hypernatremia dehydration (NHD) is a dangerous condition in neonates, which is accompanied by acute complications (renal failure, cerebral edema, and cerebral hemorrhage) and chronic complications (developmental delay). Children begin learning language from birth, and hearing impairment interferes with this process. We assessed the hearing status of infants with hypernatremia dehydration.   Materials and Methods: In a case-control study in 110 infants presenting at the Ghaem Hospital (Mashhad, Iran) between 2007 and 2011, we examined the incidence of hearing impairment in infants suffering from hypernatremia dehydration (serum sodium >150 mEq/L) in comparison with infants with normal sodium level (serum sodium ≤150 mEq/L).   Results: Three of 110 cases examined in the study group showed a transient hearing impairment. A mean serum sodium level of 173mg/dl was reported among hearing-impaired infants.   Conclusion:  Transient hearing impairment was higher in infants with hypernatremia; although this difference was not significant (P>0.05). Hearing impairment was observed in cases of severe hypernatremia.

Bilateral congenital cholesteatoma: a case report

Abstract Background Cholesteatoma is regarded as a critical health issue in the world. Nevertheless, congenital cholesteatoma (CC) is an unusual problem, and bilateral CC is extremely rare. Case presentation The present work reports a young boy with conductive hearing loss because of CC. The left side was operated using a canal-wall-down mastoidectomy method for immense destruction of the middle ear structures and mastoid air cells, and endoscopic ear surgery was performed on the second side. Conclusion Although CC is very rare, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hearing loss in children. Moreover, it should be carefully followed up because it can probably occur on the second side