The potential of miR-183 family expression in inner ear for regeneration,treatment,diagnosis and prognosis of hearing loss

miRNA-183 family, in normal biology, is expressed in a harmonious and stable manner in the neurosensory organs and cells. Studies have also shown that miRNA-183 family, in different pathways, affects the neurosensory development, maintenance, survival and function. In addition, it has potential neuroprotective effects in response to neurosensory destructive stimulations. miRNA-96 mutation causes hereditary deafness in humans and mice, and therefore affects the inner ear activity and its maintenance. Certain roles have been identified for mi R-96 in the maintenance and function of the inner ear. The comparison of the target genes of family-183 in transcriptomes of newborn and adult hair cells shows that hundreds of target genes in this family may affect development and maintenance of the ears. Identifying the genes that are regulated by miRNA-183 family provides researchers with important information about the complex development and environmental regulation of the inner ear, and can offer new approaches to the maintenance and regeneration of hair cells and auditory nerve.

A child with severe inner ear malformations with favorable hearing utilization and balance functions after wearing hearing aids

Infants with congenital deafness caused by severe bilateral inner ear malformations frequently suffer from severe hearing loss and poor balance. Unfortunately, the use of hearing aids is usually ineffective in recovering hearing, necessitating cochlear implants. We report a case of a 6-year-old boy with congenital deafness and bilateral inner ear malformations(right side, incomplete partition type I [IP-I]; left side, common cavity deformity). Hearing aids had a remarkable effect in this patient, enabling sufficient and favorable hearing recovery such as to allow the patient to engage in daily conversations. Per-rotatory nystagmus was recorded on an electronystagmogram for both right and left rotations in a damped rotational chair test. It is rare for deaf children with severe bilateral inner ear malformation to demonstrate favorable development in hearing and good equilibrium function. Our findings suggest that auditoryevestibular hair cells in this patient may have been partially preserved despite IP-I in the right ear and common cavity deformity of the left ear.

Glutamate receptor antagonist and neurotrophin can protect inner ear against damage

In this study,I focused on finding a mean of protecting against hearing loss.By infusing the cochlea with the neurotrophin factor,NT-3 alone or combined treatment with MK 801,a NMDA receptor antagonist I found hearing loss was attenuated and spiral ganglion neuron loss was nearly totally protected indicating that the importance of the combined treatment of NT-3 and NMDA receptor antagonists in the treatment of hearing disorders.

Expression ofα2-Na/K-ATPase in C57BL/6J Mice Inner Ear and Its Relationship with Age-related Hearing Loss

K^(+)cycling in the cochlea is critical to maintain hearing.Many sodium-potassium pumps are proved to participate in K^(+)cycling,such as Na/K-ATPase.Theα2-Na/K-ATPase is an important isoform of Na/K-ATPase.The expression ofα2-Na/K-ATPase in the cochlea is not clear.In this study,we used C57BL/6 mice as a model of presbycusis and implemented immunohistochemistry staining and quantitative real time-PCR,and theα2-Na/K-ATPase expression pattern was confirmed in the inner ear.It was foundα2-Na/K-ATPase was expressed widely in cochlea and its mRNA and protein expression was gradually reduced with aging(4-,14-,26-and 48-weeks old mice).We suspected that,the down-regulation ofα2-Na/K-ATPase expression might be associated with the remodeling of K^(+)cycling,degeneration of morphological structure and decrease of hearing function in aging C57 mice.In conclusion,we speculated that the reduction ofα2-Na/K-ATPase might play an important role in the pathogenesis of age-related hearing loss.

Experimental Investigation on the Bush Inner Surface Temperature of a High Speed Spiral Oil Wedge Sleeve Bearing

The temperature of bush inner surface temperature is measured by using infrared thermometer and transparent bearing,and temperature rise is measured by using thermocouple. The influence of rotating speed and axial location on the bush inner surface temperature is studied,and the influence of supply pressure and rotating speed on the temperature rise is analyzed. The results show the bush inner surface temperature and temperature rise of spiral oil wedge hydrodynamic bearing increase with the increase of rotation speed. In axial direction,the temperature is higher around the oil return hole. The temperature rise decreases with the increase of supply pressure. The highest temperature of bush inner surface and temperature rise are higher at higher speed,so the temperature rise is the fundamental reason which restricts the increase of rotation speed for high speed sleeve bearing.

Petrogenesis of Early Permian Intrusive Rocks from Southeastern Inner Mongolia, China: Constraints on the Tectonic Framework of the Southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The late Paleozoic tectonic framework of the southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt is key to restricting the accretion orogeny between the Siberia Craton and the North China Craton. To clarify the framework, petrogenesis of early Permian intrusive rocks from southeastern Inner Mongolia was studied. Zircon U-Pb dating for bojite and syenogranite from Ar-Horqin indicate that they were emplaced at 288–285 Ma. Geochemical data reveal that the bojite is highly magnesian and low-K to middle-K calc-alkaline, with E-MORB-type REE and IAB-like trace element patterns. The syenogranite is a middle-K calc-alkaline fractionated A-type granite and shows oceanic-arc-like trace element patterns, with depleted Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes,(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)I = 0.7032–0.7042, ε_(Nd)(t) = +4.0 to +6.6 and zircon ε_(Hf)(t) = +11.14 to +14.99. This suggests that the bojite was derived from lithospheric mantle metasomatized by subducted slab melt, while the syenogranite originated from very juvenile arc-related lower crust. Usng data from coeval magmatic rocks from Linxi-Ar-Horqin, the Ar-Horqin intra-oceanic arc was reconstructed, i.e., initial transition in 290–280 Ma and mature after 278 Ma. Combined with regional geological and geophysical materials in southeastern Inner Mongolia, an early Permian tectonic framework as ‘one narrow ocean basin of the PAO', ‘two continental marginal arcs on its northern and southern' and ‘one intra-oceanic arc in its southern' is proposed.

Finite Element Dynamics of Human Ear System Comprising Middle Ear and Cochlea in Inner Ear

A human middle ear consists of an eardrum and three ossicles which are linked by each other, and connect with the eardrum and an inner ear. The inner ear consists of a cochlea and a vestibular system. An abnormality of the human middle ear such as ossicular dislocation may cause conductive hearing loss. The conductive hearing loss is generally treated by surgery using artificial ossicles. The treatments of conductive hearing loss require a better understanding of characteristics and dynamic behaviors of the human middle ear when the sounds transmit from outer inner to inner ear. The purpose of this research is to simulate the dynamic behaviors of a human ear system comprising the middle ear and the cochlea in the inner ear using the finite element method (FEM). Firstly, the eigen-value analysis was performed to obtain the natural frequencies and vibration modes of the total ear system. Secondly, the frequency response analysis was carried out. Thirdly, the time history response analyses were performed using human voices as the external forces. In the time history response analyses, the sounds created as input sound pressures were used. Human voices, for example vowels “I”, “u” and “e” as input sound pressures were created by using the sound pressures downloaded from the opening samples of human voices as wav files in a website. Then it was clarified that the high frequency components of sounds are reduced by the middle ear system.

New prospects in the diagnosis and treatment of immune-mediated inner ear disease

Autoimmune inner ear disease(AIED) represents a very fertile research field and the advancements in the understanding of this disease have a direct application not only in patients affected with this condition but also in other inner ear disorders that share the same injury mechanism, damage to the inner ear hair cells. AIED also presents many challenges that have still to be overcome. Firstly, access to the inner ear is limited, as many interventions such as biopsies can result in great irreversible damage. Secondly, there are no completely specific markers for AIED. Lack of a definitive diagnosis can result in the treatment of patients not affected with the disease and, therefore, no response. Finally, some patients become refractory to glucocorticoids and new therapies are needed. This review offers an overview of the animal models that have contributed to the understanding of AIED pathophysiology, the value of currently available diagnostic tests, and therapeutic options, with a special focus on new therapies for non responders or patients refractory to glucocorticoids. Among these new options for therapy, biological agents have been tested recently, whereas gene and stem celltherapy may have a role in the future. The intratympanic route of administration avoids the systemic side effects associated with currently used drugs, and may become a more frequent approach in the future.

New Schizolepis Fossils from the Early Cretaceous in Inner Mongolia, China and its Phylogenetic Position

Three Schizolepis species collected from the Lower Cretaceous layer of the Huolinhe Basin, Inner Mongolia, China are described. These fossils are Schizolepis longipetiolus Xu XH et Sun BN sp. nov., which is a new species, Schizolepis cf. heilongjiangensis Zheng et Zhang, and Schizolepis neimengensis Deng. The new species is a well-preserved female cone, slender and cylindrical in shape. The seed-scale complexes have long petioles and are arranged on the cone axis loosely and helically. The seed scales are divided into two lobes from the base. Each lobe is semicircular or elongate ligulate in shape, widest at the middle or the lower middle part, with an obtuse or bluntly pointed apex. The inner margin is almost straight and the outer margin is strongly arched. On the surface of the lobe, there are longitudinal and somewhat radial striations from the base to the margin. The seed is borne on the adaxial surface at the base or middle of each lobe. Schizolepis was estabfished in 1847, and, although more than twenty species have been discovered and reported, its phylogenetic position is controversial because of the imperfection of fossils. Most authors have considered there to be a close evolutionary relationship between Schizolepis and extant Pinaceae. Here, we analyze characteristics and compare Schizolepis with Picea crassifolia Kom, which is morphologically most similar to Schizolepis. The results indicate that the genus probably has a distant evolutionary relationship with extant Pinaceae. A detailed statistical analysis of the global paleogeographic distribution of Schizolepis showed that all the fossils of this genus appeared in strata ranging from the Upper Triassic to the Lower Cretaceous in the North Hemisphere, being rare in the Upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic, but being very common from the Middle Jurassic to the Lower Cretaceous, and particularly abundant in the Lower Cretaceous. According to the statistical results, we speculate that the genus originated in Europe in the Late Triassic then spread from Europe to Asia between the Late Triassic and the Late Jurassic. In the Early Cretaceous most species existed in China＇s three northeastern Provinces and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and adjacent areas. Combining the paleogeographic distribution of the genus with ancient climatic factors, we deduced that Schizolepis began to decline and became extinct in the Early Cretaceous, and the reason for its extinction is closely related to the icehouse climate during the Early Cretaceous.

Zircon U-Pb Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Early Cretaceous Volcanic Rocks from the Manitu Formation in the Hongol Area, Northeastern Inner Mongolia

We undertook zircon U-Pb dating and geochemical analyses of volcanic rocks from the Manitu Formation in the Hongol area, northeastern Inner Mongolia, to determine their age, petrogenesis and sources, which are important for understanding the Late Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the Great Xing＇an Range. The volcanic rocks of the Manitu Formation from the Hongol area consist primarily of trachyandesite, based on their chemical compositions. The zircons from two of these trachyandesites are euhedral-subhedral in shape, display clear oscillatory growth zoning and have high Th/U ratios （0.31- 1.15）, indicating a magmatic origin. The results of LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating indicate that the volcanic rocks from the Manitu Formation in the Hongol area formed during the early Early Cretaceous with ages of 138.9-140.5 Ma. The volcanic rocks are high in alkali （Na2O ＋ K2O = 6.22-8.26 wt%）, potassium （K2O = 2.49-4.58 wt%） and aluminium （Al2O3 = 14.27-15.88 wt%）, whereas they are low in iron （total Fe2O3 = 3.76-6.53 wt%） and titanium （TiO2 = 1.02-1.61 wt%）. These volcanic rocks are obviously enriched in large ion lithophile elements, such as Rb, Ba, Th and U, and light rare earth elements, and are depleted in high field strength elements, such as Nb, Ta and Ti with pronounced negative anomalies. Their Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions show positive εNd（t） （＋0.16%o t0＋1.64%o） and low TDM（t） （694--767 Ma）. The geochemical characteristics of these volcanic rocks suggest that they belong to a shoshonitic series and were likely generated from the partial melting of an enriched lithospheric mantle that was metasomatised by fluids released from a subducted slab during the closure of the Mongol- Okhotsk Ocean. Elemental and isotopic features reveal that fractional crystallization with the removal of ferromagnesian minerals, plagioclase, ilmenite, magnetite and apatite played an important role during the evolution of the magma. These shoshonitic rocks were produced by the partial melting of the enriched lithospheric mantle in an extensional regime, which resulted from the gravitational collapse following the final closure of the Mongoi-Okhotsk Ocean in the Middle-Late Jurassic.

Reaction-Diffusion Algorithm for Quantitative Analysis of Periodic V-Shaped Bundles of Hair Cells in the Inner Ear

Columnar outer hair cells of the inner ear form V-shaped bundles, which are arranged in three rows in the cochlea. If the formation of these V-shaped bundles is disturbed, sensorineural hearing loss occurs. To quantify the distribution of V-shaped bundles, the use of a Turing-type reaction-diffusion (RD) system, including anisotropic diffusion, should be considered. We found that a periodic triangle pattern appears based on the anisotropy in the RD system. Then, using the proposed RD system, the image of the V-shaped bundle was examined. The results showed that the correlation between the RD pattern and V-shape bundles not only classifies the experimental result but also significantly differs in the number of directional changes in a set of V-shape bundle. Therefore, this process can help quantify the images of V-shaped bundles.

Transformations of phosphatidylinositol phosphates in the outer and inner nuclear membrane are linked to synthesis and restitution of cellular membranes

The ultimate goal in phosphoinositides cellular metabolism is to decipher their global functional organization and coordination of the com- partmentalized signaling processes. In this report we present evidence linking nuclear phos- phoinositides cycle with endoplasmic reticulum synthesis and function. The rapid transformation of [3H]inositol-labeled phosphoinositides in the intact nuclei (IN) was captured in chase studies for 0-5 min, followed by examination of phosphatidylinositides in the inner nuclear me- mbrane (INM), the outer nuclear membrane (ONM) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We revealed that synthesis of phosphatidylinositol phosphates (PIPs) occurs in ONM and the de- phosphorylation takes place in the INM. The rapid transformation of the radiolabeled PIPs in ONM reverberated in their appearance and successive transformation in INM, and in the 5min chased nuclei was tracked to ONM as the re- emerging radiolabeled phosphatidylinositol (PI). These chase-uncovered changes in ONM and INM PIPs profiles allow us to conclude that the observed conversions in the nuclear membrane continuum are induced by the lateral movement of the membrane and its transit from the cytosolic to nuclear and back to cytosolic environment. The suggested membrane synthesisinduced movement provides the means to transport the membrane- and the membrane lipid ligand-associated cytosolic proteins to the intranuclear spaces and renewal of INM. Export of the nuclear components interacting with the modified INM, by exiting from nuclear to cytosolic site, endows ER with a steady influx of the membrane that is conditioned to generate vesicles according to the nucleus delivered templates.

Research on Development Strategy of Rare Earth Industry in Inner Mongolia

Rare earth (RE) industries in Inner Mongolia experienced a rapid development in recent years, which is mainly reflected in the aspects of primary products and new materials, but the development of its application is still slow in progress. In particular, the over-competition in primary products not only results in the unfavorable situation for environmental protection and ineffective use of rare earth resources, but also brings about many problems for the survival and development of enterprises. Rare earth industry is not an industry with large scale, and its contribution to the economy is generated by applying rare earths in other industries. Therefore, the development level of rare earth industry can not be evaluated by its economic scale. The rare earth industry in Inner Mongolia will place great emphasis on the development of “Five bases”, “One center”, and “Six industrial chains”. Based on these focal points the products structure should be upgraded, a system for RE human resource in which talents can be shared in the industries should be built up, the level of research and development and technology introduction should be improved, more channels for financing should be developed and more fund solutions should be provided, comprehensive environment that will be favorable to the concentration and development of the industries should be promoted greatly, and a supporting system for the industrial policies should be built up in order to strengthen the advantages and competitiveness of RE industry.

First record of Early Cretaceous pterosaur from the Ordos Region, Inner Mongolia,China

A new dsungaripterid pterosaur,Ordosipterus planignathus gen.et sp.nov.,is established on the incomplete articulated lower jaws from the Lower Cretaceous Luohandong Formation in Otog Qi,Ordos Region,Inner Mongolia,China.It differs from other dsungaripterids mainly by having broad and low dentary at and just behind the mandibular symphysis,flat dentary dorsal plane forming the distinct lateral ridge with the curved dentary lateral side,and lower alveoli arranged along the dentary dorsolateral margin with wide spacing that increases from rostral to caudal.It represents the first diagnostic pterosaur from the Ordos Region in Inner Mongolia,and further enlarges the geographical distribution of the family Dsungaripteridae from northwestern China(together with western Mongolia)to central North China.

Research on the Drought Forecast of Potato in Central Inner Mongolia Based on Precipitation Anomaly

In order to explore the method and index of potato fine drought forecast in central Inner Mongolia,based on the data of potato yield and precipitation in Wuchuan County of Hohhot City,Guyang County of Baotou City,and Chayou Middle Banner of Ulan Qab City from 1979 to 2013,the relationship between precipitation anomaly percentage and meteorological yield during potato growth period in central Inner Mongolia was analyzed by regression analysis.According to the precipitation anomaly percentage meteorological drought index,the light drought,medium drought and heavy drought indexes of the seedling stage and flowering stage in the above-mentioned areas were obtained as follows:-5%--25%,-25%--40%,and<-40%,respectively.The results show that the models are more accurate in determining the yield reduction caused by drought,and can well predict the occurrence of drought.

The progenitors of inner ear hair cells and their regulating genes

Hair cells in the mammalian inner ear are very fragile and are often injured as a result of acoustic trauma or exposure to ototoxic drugs (cisplatin, aminoglycosides, etc) [1]. In amphibians and birds, spontaneous

Lack of <i>Rbl</i>1/p107 Effects on Cell Proliferation and Maturation in the Inner Ear

Loss of postnatal mammalian auditory hair cells (HCs) is irreversible. Earlier studies have highlighted the importance of the Retinoblastoma family of proteins (pRBs) (i.e., Rb1, Rbl1/p107, and Rbl2/p130) in the auditory cells’ proliferation and emphasized our lack of information on their specific roles in the auditory system. We have previously demonstrated that lack of Rbl2/p130 moderately affects HCs’ and supporting cells’ (SCs) proliferation. Here, we present evidence supporting multiple roles for Rbl1/p107 inthe developing and mature mouse organ of Corti (OC). Like other pRBs, Rbl1/p107 is expressed in the OC, particularly in the Hensen’s and Deiters’ cells. Moreover, Rbl1/p107 impacts maturation and postmitotic quiescence of HCs and SCs, as evidenced by enhanced numbers of these cells and the presence of dividing cells in the postnatal Rbl1/p107-/-OC. These findings were further supported by microarray and bioinformatics analyses, suggesting downregulation of several bHLH molecules, as well as activation of the Notch/Hes/Hey signaling pathway in homozygous Rbl1/p107 mutant mice. Physiological assessments and detection of ectopic HC marker expression in postnatal spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) provided evidence for incomplete cell maturation and differentiation in Rbl1/p107﹣/﹣OC. Collectively, the present study highlights an important role for Rbl1/p107 inOC cell differentiation and maturation, which is distinct from other pRBs.

Three Dimensional Numerical Simulation of Cup-Shaped Thin-Walled Inner Gear Spin-Forming

The cyclic symmetry and local fine-mesh technology were adopted in the establishment of numerical simulation model for inner gear spin-forming. And the processing experiment was proceeded to verify the reliability of the established model. The simulation result indicates that besides radial and axial flows, there also exists rather large tangential flow, which results in an increase of forming force in tangential direction. Furthermore, the un-uniform deformation of metal during spin-forming would cause forming defects, such as underfill in tooth fillet region and indentation on the outside spun part.