Functional Expression of an Osmosensitive Cation Channel, Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4, in Rat Vestibular Ganglia

Transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) 4 is a nonselective cation channel expressed in sensory neurons such as those in the dorsal root and trigeminal ganglia, kidney, and inner ear. TRPV4 is activated by mechanical stress, heat, low osmotic pressure, low pH, and phorbol derivatives such as 4α-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4α-PDD). We investigated the expression of TRPV4 in rat vestibular ganglion (VG) neurons. The TRPV4 gene was successfully amplified from VG neuron mRNA using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, immunoblotting showed positive expression of TRPV4 protein in VG neurons. Immunohistochemistry indicated that TRPV4 was localized predominantly on the plasma membrane of VG neurons. Calcium (Ca²⁺) imaging of VG neurons showed that 4α-PDD and/or hypotonic stimuli caused an increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) that was almost completely inhibited by ruthenium red, a selective antagonist of TRPV channels. Interestingly, a [Ca²⁺]_i increase was evoked by both hypotonic stimuli and 4α-PDD in approximately 38% of VG neurons. These data indicate that TRPV4 is functionally expressed in VG neurons as an ion channel and that TRPV4 likely participates in VG neurons for vestibular neurotransmission as an osmoreceptor and/or mechanoreceptor.
Audiol Neurotol 2016;21:268-274

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A tool for assessing case history and feedback skills in audiology students working with simulated patients.

A tool for assessing case history and feedback skills in audiology students working with simulated patients.

Int J Audiol. 2016 Dec;55(12):765-774

Authors: Hughes J, Wilson WJ, MacBean N, Hill AE

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To develop a tool for assessing audiology students taking a case history and giving feedback with simulated patients (SP).
DESIGN: Single observation, single group design.
STUDY SAMPLE: Twenty-four first-year audiology students, five simulated patients, two clinical educators, and three evaluators.
RESULTS: The Audiology Simulated Patient Interview Rating Scale (ASPIRS) was developed consisting of six items assessing specific clinical skills, non-verbal communication, verbal communication, interpersonal skills, interviewing skills, and professional practice skills. These items are applied once for taking a case history and again for giving feedback. The ASPIRS showed very high internal consistency (α = 0.91-0.97; mean inter-item r = 0.64-0.85) and fair-to-moderate agreement between evaluators (29.2-54.2% exact and 79.2-100% near agreement; κweighted up to 0.60). It also showed fair-to-moderate absolute agreement amongst evaluators for single evaluator scores (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] r = 0.35-0.59) and substantial consistency of agreement amongst evaluators for three-evaluator averaged scores (ICC r = 0.62-0.81). Factor analysis showed the ASPIRS' 12 items fell into two components, one containing all feedback items and one containing all case history items.
CONCLUSION: The ASPIRS shows promise as the first published tool for assessing audiology students taking a case history and giving feedback with an SP.

PMID: 27696974 [PubMed - in process]

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A tool for assessing case history and feedback skills in audiology students working with simulated patients.

A tool for assessing case history and feedback skills in audiology students working with simulated patients.

Int J Audiol. 2016 Dec;55(12):765-774

Authors: Hughes J, Wilson WJ, MacBean N, Hill AE

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To develop a tool for assessing audiology students taking a case history and giving feedback with simulated patients (SP).
DESIGN: Single observation, single group design.
STUDY SAMPLE: Twenty-four first-year audiology students, five simulated patients, two clinical educators, and three evaluators.
RESULTS: The Audiology Simulated Patient Interview Rating Scale (ASPIRS) was developed consisting of six items assessing specific clinical skills, non-verbal communication, verbal communication, interpersonal skills, interviewing skills, and professional practice skills. These items are applied once for taking a case history and again for giving feedback. The ASPIRS showed very high internal consistency (α = 0.91-0.97; mean inter-item r = 0.64-0.85) and fair-to-moderate agreement between evaluators (29.2-54.2% exact and 79.2-100% near agreement; κweighted up to 0.60). It also showed fair-to-moderate absolute agreement amongst evaluators for single evaluator scores (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] r = 0.35-0.59) and substantial consistency of agreement amongst evaluators for three-evaluator averaged scores (ICC r = 0.62-0.81). Factor analysis showed the ASPIRS' 12 items fell into two components, one containing all feedback items and one containing all case history items.
CONCLUSION: The ASPIRS shows promise as the first published tool for assessing audiology students taking a case history and giving feedback with an SP.

PMID: 27696974 [PubMed - in process]

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Tyrosine Hydroxylase Expression in Type II Cochlear Afferents in Mice.

Tyrosine Hydroxylase Expression in Type II Cochlear Afferents in Mice.

J Assoc Res Otolaryngol. 2016 Sep 30;:

Authors: Vyas P, Wu JS, Zimmerman A, Fuchs P, Glowatzki E

Abstract
Acoustic information propagates from the ear to the brain via spiral ganglion neurons that innervate hair cells in the cochlea. These afferents include unmyelinated type II fibers that constitute 5 % of the total, the majority being myelinated type I neurons. Lack of specific genetic markers of type II afferents in the cochlea has been a roadblock in studying their functional role. Unexpectedly, type II afferents were visualized by reporter proteins induced by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-driven Cre recombinase. The present study was designed to determine whether TH-driven Cre recombinase (TH-2A-CreER) provides a selective and reliable tool for identification and genetic manipulation of type II rather than type I cochlear afferents. The "TH-2A-CreER neurons" radiated from the spiral lamina, crossed the tunnel of Corti, turned towards the base of the cochlea, and traveled beneath the rows of outer hair cells. Neither the processes nor the somata of TH-2A-CreER neurons were labeled by antibodies that specifically labeled type I afferents and medial efferents. TH-2A-CreER-positive processes partially co-labeled with antibodies to peripherin, a known marker of type II afferents. Individual TH-2A-CreER neurons gave off short branches contacting 7-25 outer hair cells (OHCs). Only a fraction of TH-2A-CreER boutons were associated with CtBP2-immunopositive ribbons. These results show that TH-2A-CreER provides a selective marker for type II versus type I afferents and can be used to describe the morphology and arborization pattern of type II cochlear afferents in the mouse cochlea.

PMID: 27696081 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Tyrosine Hydroxylase Expression in Type II Cochlear Afferents in Mice.

Tyrosine Hydroxylase Expression in Type II Cochlear Afferents in Mice.

J Assoc Res Otolaryngol. 2016 Sep 30;:

Authors: Vyas P, Wu JS, Zimmerman A, Fuchs P, Glowatzki E

Abstract
Acoustic information propagates from the ear to the brain via spiral ganglion neurons that innervate hair cells in the cochlea. These afferents include unmyelinated type II fibers that constitute 5 % of the total, the majority being myelinated type I neurons. Lack of specific genetic markers of type II afferents in the cochlea has been a roadblock in studying their functional role. Unexpectedly, type II afferents were visualized by reporter proteins induced by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-driven Cre recombinase. The present study was designed to determine whether TH-driven Cre recombinase (TH-2A-CreER) provides a selective and reliable tool for identification and genetic manipulation of type II rather than type I cochlear afferents. The "TH-2A-CreER neurons" radiated from the spiral lamina, crossed the tunnel of Corti, turned towards the base of the cochlea, and traveled beneath the rows of outer hair cells. Neither the processes nor the somata of TH-2A-CreER neurons were labeled by antibodies that specifically labeled type I afferents and medial efferents. TH-2A-CreER-positive processes partially co-labeled with antibodies to peripherin, a known marker of type II afferents. Individual TH-2A-CreER neurons gave off short branches contacting 7-25 outer hair cells (OHCs). Only a fraction of TH-2A-CreER boutons were associated with CtBP2-immunopositive ribbons. These results show that TH-2A-CreER provides a selective marker for type II versus type I afferents and can be used to describe the morphology and arborization pattern of type II cochlear afferents in the mouse cochlea.

PMID: 27696081 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Experience Requirement for Nomination to Board or President

There has been considerable discussion over the past few weeks regarding a change to the policies and procedures for nomination to the Board of the Academy. Primarily, there has been concern expressed about the 10-year experiential requirement to the Board and the 15-year experiential requirement for nomination for President. The primary concern has been that this requirement excludes younger professionals from serving on the Board, some of who may have experiences that are felt to prepare them for service at this level.

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[Analysis of the relevant factors for recurrent sudden sensorineural hearing loss].

Related Articles

[Analysis of the relevant factors for recurrent sudden sensorineural hearing loss].

Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2016 Sep 7;51(9):691-694

Authors: Liang H, Zhong SX

Abstract
Objective: To investigate the possible factors related to recurrence and prognosis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss(SSNHL). Methods: Four hundred and ninety-five patients with unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss between January 2013 to April 2014 were analyzed retrospectively(34 patients lost to follow-up with a dropout rate of 6.87%). Twenty of the 495 patients were diagnosed as recurrent SSNHL and treated again in the same hospital. The data of the patients were summarized to analyze the related factors which might influence the recurrence and prognosis of SSNHL. Results: In the 20 patients with recurrent SSNHL, 19 had the second attack in same ear as the first attack, and the other one had in both ears. There were seven male patients, and thirteen female patients. Patients ranged in age from 24 to 77years, with a median age of 39.5 years. Types of hearing loss: low frequency in eight patients, high frequency in two patients, flat frequency in eight patients, total deafness in two patients, the types of the second attack in 17 patients were same as the first attack, only one patient was changed from total deafness to flat frequency, one case was changed from flat frequency to high frequency, one case changed from flat frequency to total deafness. The intervals between of the first attack time and the second attack time were 1-36 months with the median time of 3.5 months. After systemic oral and (or) transtympanic steroid treatment, recovered in three cases, effective in three cases and 14 cases invalid, the cure rate was 15%, and the total effective rate was 30%. There were statistically significant differences in the recovery rate(χ(2)=8.640, P<0.05) and the overall response rate(χ(2)=12.379, P<0.01)between the first and the second treatments. For the patients with vertigo and/or dizziness, with a history more than seven days, with hypertension or diabetes mellitus, and with a type of hearing loss except low frequency type, the treatment effect was invalid. The patients with hearing loss at low frequency had the best outcomes. The total effective rates were significant different between patients younger and old than 34 years old(P<0.05). There was no difference in the total effective rate between genders, and patients with or without tinnitus and/or aural fullness in the recurrent SSNHL(P>0.05). The recurrence rates of patients with various types of hearing loss were different(F=7.744, P<0.05), with a highest recurrence rate in patients with hearing loss at low frequency. Other factors such as gender, age, accompanied diseases (hypertension or diabetes mellitus), associated symptoms, interval from onset to treatment had no effects on the recurrence rate. Conclusions: Recurrence of SSNHL is more likely to be found in patients with hearing loss of low frequency and flat type. The prognosis of recurrent SSNHL is poorer than that of the first episode, and may be related to the age and type of hearing loss.

PMID: 27666709 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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