Clinical evaluation of expanded input dynamic range in Nucleus cochlear implants.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether expanded instantaneous input dynamic ranges (IIDRs) in the Nucleus cochlear implant system benefit speech perception in the laboratory and listening in the real world. DESIGN: Until recently, Nucleus cochlear implants have used an IIDR of approximately 30 dB. In this study, an IIDR of 31 dB was compared with 46 dB and 56 dB in the SPEAR3 research processor with nine adult implant recipients. Subjects were given two, 2-wk blocks of take-home experience with each of the three IIDRs. A single IIDR setting was used in each trial period. During the take-home experience with the expanded IIDRs, subjects used two programs: a standard program (with clinically measured electrode dynamic ranges) and a program with adjusted thresholds (decreased T levels). After each block of take-home experience, speech perception testing was conducted for CNC words in quiet (at 45 dB and 55 dB SPL) and for CUNY sentences in the presence of multi-taker babble. RESULTS: On average, CNC word recognition at low presentation levels was significantly better with the 46 dB and 56 dB IIDRs, compared with the 31 dB IIDR; however, there was no significant difference between the 46 dB and 56 dB IIDR conditions. These benefits were greater for standard programs than for reduced T level programs. For CUNY sentences in babble, group results indicated no significant difference in performance across IIDR. The three IIDRs were rated similarly in real-life listening situations, and two of the subjects expressed tolerance problems with the expanded standard IIDRs. CONCLUSIONS: IIDRs of 46 and 56 dB provided benefit in accessing low-level speech without a decrement in sentence perception in babble. Most subjects accepted the standard, wider IIDR programs in everyday life. No significant differences were found between the 46 dB and 56 dB IIDR programs.

Preliminary results with the AVR ImpaCt frequency-transposing hearing aid.

Currently, the only behind-the-ear hearing aid that provides a frequency transposition function is the ImpaCt DSR675, recently introduced by AVR Communications Ltd. of Israel. In tests with three hearing-impaired adults, the performance of the ImpaCt aid(s) was compared with that of each subject's own (nontransposing) hearing aids. Recognition of monosyllabic words and medial consonants did not differ significantly between the two types of aids. This suggests that the transposition function of the ImpaCt was not effective at providing these subjects with increased high-frequency speech information, at least for the programmable parameters applied in the experiments. However, the subjects' understanding of sentences in a competing noise was significantly poorer with the ImpaCt than with the subjects' own aids. In that test, the ImpaCt aids were programmed to attenuate parts of the noise. The decreased sentence recognition may have resulted from this program, which effectively reduced the bandwidth of the ImpaCt aids.

The moss, Physcomitrella patens, transformed with apoaequorin cDNA responds to cold shock, mechanical perturbation and pH with transient increases in cytoplasmic calcium.

The gene for apoaequorin has been used previously to indicate cytosolic calcium changes in higher plants. Here we report the transformation of the moss Physcomitrella patens with the cDNA for apoaequorin. Stable transformants were obtained in the wild type which reconstitute the calcium-sensitive luminescent protein aequorin in vivo after incubation in coelenterazine, and continue to grow normally. The wild type responds to cold-shock (0-10 degrees C) with increases in cytosolic calcium. Mechanical perturbation, in the form of touch, also induces transient increases in cytosolic calcium. A smaller response to pH, distinct from the touch response and exhibiting different kinetics, can also be detected.

Ontogenetic regulation and photoregulation of members of the Phaseolus vulgaris L. rbcS gene family.

The rbcS1, 2 and 3 genes of Phaseolus vulgaris are identical in coding sequence and we have studied their expression using gene-specific probes derived from their 3' non-coding regions. The genes differ in their relative levels of expression but show only minor qualitative differences in their regulation. Transcripts of the three genes are undetectable in primary leaves in the imbibed seed, accumulate early in leaf expansion reaching a maximum 7-10 d after sowing and decrease to low levels by the time expansion is complete. Both dark-grown and light-grown primary leaves exhibit this ontogenetic pattern of expression, although the light-grown leaves have two to three times more rbcS transcripts. Light can over-ride the ontogenetic control of rbcS expression; for example, when 7-d-old dark-grown primary leaves are illuminated there is a 6- to 12-fold increase in the transcript levels of the rbcS genes. Transfer of illuminated leaves to darkness results in the loss of transcripts of all three genes, but rbcS2 transcripts persist in the dark-adapted leaves. Possible physiological mechanisms of the ontogenetic regulation of expression are discussed.

Genes encoding the small subunit of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase in Phaseolus vulgaris L.: nucleotide sequence of cDNA clones and initial studies of expression.

The small subunit of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (EC 4.1.1.39) in the French bean Phaseolus vulgaris L. is encoded by a small gene family consisting of a minimum of three members. Three small subunit genes (rbcS genes) represented in a light-grown primary leaf cDNA library were characterised by sequencing two cDNAs which were full-length and one which was deficient in part of the sequence encoding the transit peptide. The cDNA clones are identical in their coding sequences, for both the transit peptide and the mature polypeptide, but divergent in their untranslated sequences. The derived amino acid sequence is very similar to that reported for other species, although the first amino acid of the mature polypeptide is isoleucine, which differs from the methionine found in all other higher plant rbcS genes. Surprisingly, one of the cDNA clones contains two introns, which are at positions conserved in rbcS genes from other species. It is concluded that this cDNA resulted from the cloning of an unprocessed transcript. Alternative polyadenylation sites are found for two of the genes. Expression of the rbcS genes in the primary leaves is stimulated by light, although transcripts can readily be detected in dark-grown leaves. Expression is also organ-specific, as in other species. The frequency of cDNA clones in the library indicates that the different genes show quantitative differences in expression and S1 nuclease analysis suggests that individual rbcS genes are photoregulated.