Zn complexed on hybrid manganese doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles covered by silica as a catalyst in the synthesis of 2-amino-4H-pyran and N- arylquinoline derivatives.

In the present work, Zn complexed on hybrid manganese doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles covered by silica were synthesized. These MNPs were characterized using different techniques including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Field emission-scanning electron micro-scope (FE-SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Vibration sample magnetometer (VSM), Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP), Zeta potential and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). FE-SEM Images showed uniform spherical shape with rough surfaces and an aggregation in structure of MNPs. A decrease in Ms is visible in VSM analysis due to the increase in particle diameter as a result of loading the organic coating on the surface of the magnetic nanoparticles. According to TGA analysis, the synthesized MNPs have good stability up to 125 °C. The ICP analysis indicates the presence of 0.13 mmol/g zinc on the surface of loaded MNPs. The effect of these prepared MNPs as a catalyst was studied in the synthesis of 2-amino-4H-pyran and N- arylquinoline derivatives. This method provides excellent yield of products with short reaction time, simple purification and easy separation of the catalyst. Furthermore, the reusability of the catalyst during five periods was not associated with a significant decrease in its activity.

Identification of a Novel Homozygous Mutation in PRDM12 Gene in a Patient with Hereditary Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathy Type VIII.

Hereditary sensory autonomic neuropathy type VIII (HSAN-VIII) is a rare genetic disease that occurs due to mutations in the PRDM12 gene. Here, we describe a novel homozygous mutation c.826_840dupTGCAACCGCCGCTTC (p.Cys276_Phe280dup) on exon 5 in the PRDM12 gene identified by WES and confirmed using Sanger sequencing method.

Simple and inexpensive microwave setup for industrial based applications: Quantification of flower honey adulteration as a case study.

A simple and inexpensive microwave measurement setup based on measurements of magnitudes of transmission properties ( | S 21 | dB ) is proposed for industrial-based microwave aquametry (moisture or water content) applications. An easy-to-apply calibration procedure based on normalization is implemented to eliminate systematic errors in the measurement system. As a case study, we applied this setup for the quantification of water-adulteration in flower honey. After validating this system by distilled water and pure flower honey measurements, | S 21 | dB measurements of the pure flower honey with various adulteration percentages ( δ ) up to 9% are conducted to examine the performance of the measurement setup for quantification of water adulteration. A multi-dimensional fitting procedure is implemented to predict δ using the proposed inexpensive microwave measurement setup. It is shown that it is possible to quantify an adulteration level with an accuracy better than ∓ 1 % by the proposed measurement setup and the applied multi-dimensional fitting procedure.

Two bits dual-band switchable terahertz absorber enabled by composite graphene and vanadium dioxide metamaterials.

This article presents the design of a 2-bit dual-band switchable terahertz absorber using a stacked combination of graphene and vanadium dioxide (VO2) metamaterials. For the first time, the proposed absorber design offers four switchable states by controlling the conductivity of graphene and VO2 metamaterial layers. The lower absorption band is produced by the graphene metamaterial, whereas the upper band is implemented by the VO2 metamaterial pattern. The structure shows two absorption bands (State 11) at 0.745-0.775 THz and 2.3-5.63 THz, when the Fermi graphene level of graphene is 0.2 eV and the VO2 is in the metallic phase. The lower absorption band is turned off, while keeping the upper band (State 01), when the graphene Fermi level is 0 eV and the VO2 layer is in the metallic phase. The upper absorption band is turned off, while preserving the lower absorption band (State 10) by switching the VO2 into the insulator phase and keeping the graphene Fermi level at 0.2 eV. Finally, both of the absorption bands are turned off by setting the graphene Fermi level to 0 eV and switching the VO2 into the insulating phase. Equivalent circuit modelling analysis and full-wave electromagnetic simulations are used to explain the operation principle of the proposed absorber. Very good agreement is obtained between the theoretical analysis and the simulations confirming the presented design principle for the 2-bit switchable absorber.

Over-expression of mir-181a-3p in serum of breast cancer patients as diagnostic biomarker.

BACKGROUND: Recently, the significance of epigenetics, particularly in breast cancer (BC), has become increasingly recognized. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as an epigenetic factor, are offering valuable insights into various aspects of BC, such as its origins and clinical features. Therefore, studying the disruption of specific miRNAs through microarray and RNA-seq techniques is considered useful. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We analyzed two microarray datasets (GSE106817 and GSE113486) in order to discover dysregulated miRNAs in the serum of BC patients. Subsequently, RNA-seq analysis was employed on the TCGA data. Two miRNAs, mir-450a-5p and mir-181a-3p, as novel miRNAs in BC studies, were selected for assessment in the serum of 100 BC patients versus 100 healthy female participants. The quantities of the miRNAs described above were determined through the utilization of RT-qPCR. Furthermore, ROC curve assessments were conducted for each individual miRNA. Next, an assessment was conducted to determine the prognostic significance of these miRNAs. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the utilization of microarray and RNA-seq analysis techniques has demonstrated that mir-450a-5p and mir-181a-3p exhibit elevated expression levels in the serum of BC patients. However, it is noteworthy that only mir-181a-3p displayed clinical dysregulation, as confirmed by RT-PCR findings. These miRNAs have been found to play a crucial role in modulating essential cellular processes and biological functions that contribute to cancer development. Furthermore, noteworthy outcomes have been observed for mir-181a-3p in relation to diagnostic and prognostic clinical characteristics.

Transcriptional analysis of Helicobacter pylori cytotoxic-associated gene-pathogenicity island in response to different pH levels and proton pump inhibitor exposure.

BACKGROUND: Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can increase the risk of gastric cancer in Helicobacter pylori-infected patients; nevertheless, there is no data about their impact on the pathogenicity of H. pylori. This study aimed at investigating the transcriptional alteration of key gene mediators of cytotoxin-associated gene-pathogenicity island (cag-PAI) among clinical H. pylori isolates in response to omeprazole at different pH levels. METHODS: Accordingly, H. pylori isolates with the same virulence genotypes selected from the gastric biopsies of patients and transcriptional alteration in the cag-PAI genes studied in the presence or absence of omeprazole (2 mg/mL) at pH 2.0, 4.0 and 7.0 after 30 and 90 minutes of the treatment. Relative changes in the transcriptional levels were recorded in each assay, separately. RESULTS: Of 18 H. pylori isolates, the cag-PAI empty site was detected in four strains, while the presence of cagA, cagL and cagY was characterized in 77.7%, 83.3% and 83.3% of the cag-PAI-positive strains, respectively. Transcriptional analysis of the selected strains showed up-regulation of cagA and cagL, mainly at pH 2.0 and 4.0 after 30 and 90-minute exposure. A diversity in the expression levels of cag-PAI genes was seen among the strains at the extent and time of induction. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that omeprazole could increase the expression of H. pylori cagA and cagL at acidic pH. Heterogeneity among the strains probably has an impact on the extent of their interplay with PPIs. Further studies are needed to establish this correlation.

Prevalence of Chromosomal Abnormalities in Iranian Patients with Infertility.

BACKGROUND: The numerical and structural abnormalities of chromosomes are the most common cause of infertility. Here, we evaluated the prevalence and types of chromosomal abnormalities in Iranian infertile patients. METHODS: We enrolled 1750 couples of reproductive age with infertility, who referred to infertility clinics in Tehran during 2014- 2019, in order to perform chromosomal analysis. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from all couples and chromosomal abnormalities were evaluated by G-banded metaphase karyotyping. In some cases, the detected abnormalities were confirmed using fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH). RESULTS: We detected various chromosomal abnormalities in 114/3500 (3.257%) patients with infertility. The prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities was 44/114 (38.596%) among infertile females and 70/114 (61.403%) among infertile males. Structural chromosomal abnormalities were found in 27/1750 infertile females and 35/1750 infertile males. Numerical chromosomal abnormalities were found in 17/1750 of females and 35/1750 of males. The 45, XY, rob (13;14) (p10q10) translocation and Klinefelter syndrome (47, XXY) were the most common structural and numerical chromosomal abnormalities in the Iranian infertile patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: In general, we found a high prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities in Iranian patients with reproductive problems. Our study highlights the importance of cytogenetic studies in infertile patients before starting infertility treatments approaches.

The impact of microRNAs on the resistance of breast cancer subtypes to chemotherapy.

Breast cancer (BC) formation is primarily influenced by genetics, epigenetics and environmental factors. Aberrant Genetics and epigenetics leads to a condition known as heterogeneity. The heterogeneity of BC can be divided into several subtypes. Among the epigenetic factors, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to play a crucial role in the development and progression of malignancies. These small non-coding RNAs regulate gene expression through a variety of mechanisms, resulting in either mRNA degradation or translation repression. As miRNAs directly control many proteins, genetic anomalies affect tumor metastasis, apoptosis, proliferation, and cell transportation. Consequently, miRNA dysregulations contribute not only in cancer development but also in invasiveness, proliferation rate and more importantly, drug response. Findings mostly indicate subtype-specified identical miRNA profile in BC. Among the BC subtypes, TNBC, HER2 + and luminal are the most resistant to therapy, respectively. Therapy resistance is greatly associated with miRNA expression profile. Hence, concentration of miRNA is the first marker of its role in chemotherapy response. Overexpressed miRNAs may disrupt drug efflux transporters and decrease the drug accumulation in cell. While down-regulated miRNAs which mediate drug resistance processes are mostly correlated with poor treatment response. Moreover, other mechanisms in which miRNAs play crucial roles in chemoresistance such as cell receptor mediations, dysregulation by environmental factors, DNA defects, etc. Recently, several miRNA-based treatments have shown promising results in cancer treatment. Inhibition of up-regulated miRNAs is one of these therapeutic approaches whilst transfecting cell with down-regulated miRNAs also show promising results. Moreover, drug-resistance could also be determined while in the pre-treatment phase via expression levels of miRNAs. Therefore, miRNAs provide intriguing insights and challenges in overcoming chemoresistance. In this article, we have discussed how miRNAs regulate breast cancer subtypes-specific chemoresistance.

The role of mir-151a-5p in tumorigenesis; A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Highly supported microRNAs (miRNAs) are key players in cancer development. Each of these miRNAs may act as an oncomir, a tumor-suppressor, or both in various cancers. Mir-151a-5p is believed to be one of these miRNAs with diverse roles. We have conducted this systematic review to clarify the role of mir-151a-5p in formation of various cancers. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We searched for existing articles in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Scopus, and RNAcentral databases up to November 2022. A total of 23 articles were qualified and included in the present systematic review. This review is registered on JBI at https://jbi.global/systematic-review-register. Expression levels, diagnostic and prognostic values, biological processes, and targeted downstream genes are included. RESULTS: Assembled data indicate the expression levels of mir-151a-5p vary from down- to up-regulated based on the type of the cancer. Its functional role depends on the genetic profile of cancerous tissue. Results mostly point to the oncogenic role of this miRNA in Pituitary adenomas, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Endometrial, Lung, Barrett's carcinogenesis, Colorectal, Myelodysplastic syndromes, Hepatocellular carcinoma and Breast cancers, as its inhibited targets seem to be controlling several signaling pathways, cell adhesion, and cell cycle. At the same time, tumor-suppressing role has also been observed only in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma, Central Nerve System (CNS) lymphoma, Chronic Myeloid and Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. Two types of cancers, prostate and colon, show contradictory results as there are studies supporting both up- and down-regulation in these cancers. Pituitary adenomas, Barrett's carcinogenesis and CNS lymphomas are top cancers diagnosed with mir-151-5p. However, prognostic feature is only applicable to Lung adenocarcinoma. DISCUSSION: Based on the present findings and further studies in the future, mir-151a-5p may be used as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers or even a therapeutic target in cancer studies. DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT: The articles used in this study can be found with the defined search phrase in mentioned databases. A list of selected articles will be available on reasonable requests.

Ex vivo evaluation of the efficacy of depotphoresis method in root canal disinfection.

Background: Electrochemical disinfection of the root canal system (RCS) is introduced as an alternative to conventional irrigation. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of depotphoresis method in the disinfection of accessible and inaccessible RCSs. Materials and Methods: In this comparative in vitro study disinfection of Enterococcus faecalis-infected RCS using two methods, (1) depotphoresis and (2) sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) irrigation plus passive ultrasonic agitation (PUA) took place on 40 extracted maxillary anterior teeth. Decoronation was done with a diamond disc, and the canals were instrumented. The roots were divided into two phases: the specimens with canal obstruction and the specimens without canal obstruction. The smear layer was removed, and the specimens were infected for 21 days with E. faecalis. After disinfection procedures, bacterial samples were taken using two sterile #35 paper points, and colony-forming units (CFU) were counted. Data were analyzed statistically using the Kruskal-Wallis test, with a significance level at P < 0.05, to indicate differences between depotphoresis and NaOCl plus PUA groups. Results: In both phases, Log CFU after depotphoresis treatment was significantly lower than NaOCl irrigation plus PUA treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Treatment with depotphoresis was significantly more effective than NaOCl irrigation plus PUA treatment.

Helicobacter pylori Infection: Conventional and Molecular Strategies for Bacterial Diagnosis and Antibiotic Resistance Testing.

Helicobacter pylori infection is a common health problem, which can cause gastric and extragastric diseases. Accurate detection of H. pylori is critical for appropriate patient management and bacterial eradication. In this regard, there are several methods for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection, which are classically divided into two major groups of invasive and non-invasive methods. Invasive methods, such as endoscopy, histology, and relative culture are less preferred due to their operational difficulties. By contrast, non-invasive methods, such as urea breath test, (UBT) are clinically preferred. Moreover, molecular methods, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and DNA microarray, have shown good sensitivity and specificity, and are considered helpful in H. pylori diagnosis. These methods have also increasingly concentrated on the detection of bacterial antibiotic resistance patterns. Besides, point of care (POC) devices play an important role in H. pylori diagnosis, mainly by shortening the time to the result and by making the test available at the bedside or at remote care centres. Biosensors, including aptasensors, have shown to be more appropriate tools because of their low limit of detection, high selectivity, fast response, and ease of handling. Finally, new emerging techniques, like MALDI-TOF MS, have been considered as fast methods with high degree of accuracy and sensitivity to identify and differentiate new species of H. pylori. The current article reviews the most recent developments in invasive, noninvasive, and molecular approaches for the diagnosis of H. pylori infections. Moreover, the application of emerging techniques, including MALDI-TOF MS and recently developed POCs, and biomarker-based methods, is discussed.

Extremely Sensitive Microwave Microfluidic Dielectric Sensor Using a Transmission Line Loaded with Shunt LC Resonators.

In this paper, a very high sensitivity microwave-based planar microfluidic sensor is presented. Sensitivity enhancement is achieved and described theoretically and experimentally by eliminating any extra parasitic capacitance not contributing to the sensing mechanism. The sensor consists of a microstrip transmission line loaded with a series connected shunt LC resonator. A microfluidic channel is attached to the area of the highest electric field concentration. The electric field distribution and, therefore, the resonance characteristics are modified by applying microfluidic dielectric samples to the sensing area. The sensor performance and working principle are described through a circuit model analysis. A device prototype is fabricated, and experimental measurements using water/ethanol and water/methanol solutions are presented for validation of the sensing mathematical model.

Deep sequence modelling for Alzheimer's disease detection using MRI.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the deadliest diseases in developed countries. Treatments following early AD detection can significantly delay institutionalisation and extend patients' independence. There has been a growing focus on early AD detection using artificial intelligence. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have proven revolutionary for image-based applications and have been applied to brain scans. In recent years, studies have utilised two-dimensional (2D) CNNs on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for AD detection. To apply a 2D CNN on three-dimensional (3D) MRI volumes, each MRI scan is split into 2D image slices. A CNN is trained over the image slices by calculating a loss function between each subject's label and each image slice's predicted output. Although 2D CNNs can discover spatial dependencies in an image slice, they cannot understand the temporal dependencies among 2D image slices in a 3D MRI volume. This study aims to resolve this issue by modelling the sequence of MRI features produced by a CNN with deep sequence-based networks for AD detection. METHOD: The CNN utilised in this paper was ResNet-18 pre-trained on an ImageNet dataset. The employed sequence-based models were the temporal convolutional network (TCN) and different types of recurrent neural networks. Several deep sequence-based models and configurations were implemented and compared for AD detection. RESULTS: Our proposed TCN model achieved the best classification performance with 91.78% accuracy, 91.56% sensitivity and 92% specificity. CONCLUSION: Our results show that applying sequence-based models can improve the classification accuracy of 2D and 3D CNNs for AD detection by up to 10%.

Convolutional neural networks for Alzheimer's disease detection on MRI images.

Purpose: Detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using convolutional neural networks (CNNs), which is useful for detecting AD in its preliminary states. Approach: Our study implements and compares several deep models and configurations, including two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) CNNs and recurrent neural networks (RNNs). To use a 2D CNN on 3D MRI volumes, each MRI scan is split into 2D slices, neglecting the connection among 2D image slices in an MRI volume. Instead, a CNN model could be followed by an RNN in a way that the model of 2D CNN + RNN can understand the connection among sequences of 2D image slices for an MRI. The issue is that the feature extraction step in the 2D CNN is independent of classification in the RNN. To tackle this, 3D CNNs can be employed instead of 2D CNNs to make voxel-based decisions. Our study's main contribution is to introduce transfer learning from a dataset of 2D images to 3D CNNs. Results: The results on our MRI dataset indicate that sequence-based decisions improve the accuracy of slice-based decisions by 2% in classifying AD patients from healthy subjects. Also the 3D voxel-based method with transfer learning outperforms the other methods with 96.88% accuracy, 100% sensitivity, and 94.12% specificity. Conclusions: Several implementations and experiments using CNNs on MRI scans for AD detection demonstrated that the voxel-based method with transfer learning from ImageNet to MRI datasets using 3D CNNs considerably improved the results compared with the others.

Microwave Differential Frequency Splitting Sensor Using Magnetic-LC Resonators.

A differential microwave permittivity sensor and comparator is designed using a microstrip transmission line loaded with a magnetic-LC resonator. The microstrip transmission line is aligned with the electric wall of the resonator. The sensor shows a single transmission zero, when it is unloaded or loaded symmetrically on both halves. A second notch appears in the transmission response by asymmetrical dielectric loading on the two halves of the device. The frequency splitting is used to characterize the dielectric properties of the samples under test. The sensitivity of the sensor is enhanced by removing the mutual coupling between the two halves of the magnetic-LC resonator using a metallic wall. The sensors' operation principle is explained through a circuit model analysis. A prototype of the designed sensor is fabricated and measurements are used for validation of the sensing concept. The sensor can be used for determination of the dielectric properties in solid materials or detecting defects and impurities in solid materials through a comparative measurement with a reference sample.

Endodontic Treatment of a Mandibular Second Premolar with Type XVII Sert and Bayirli's Canal Anatomy.

For a successful root canal treatment, it is critical for the clinician to have a complete knowledge of the root canal morphology, interprets radiographs critically and properly assesses the pulp chamber floor. Anatomical variations are critical in diagnosis and a successful treatment outcome in endodontics. Knowledge of root canal morphology and anomalies is essential to succeed in root canal therapy. Mandibular premolars are famous for their atypical morphology. But the occurrence of type XVII Sert and Bayirli's root canal type is very rare in them. The purpose of this case report is to present treatment of a seldom root canal system in a mandibular second premolar. Reports of unusual cases cause clinicians to do an accurate clinical examination and radiographic interpretation and consider atypical root canal configurations.

An Electrostatically Enhanced Phenol as a Simple and Efficient Bifunctional Organocatalyst for Carbon Dioxide Fixation.

An electrostatically enhanced phenol as a simple and competent bifunctional organocatalyst for the atom-economical conversion of epoxides to cyclic carbonates under environmentally benign conditions is described. Incorporating a positively charged center into phenols through a modular one-step synthesis results in a bifunctional system with enhanced acidity and reactivity, capable of epoxide activation, a halide nucleophilic ring-opening process, and CO2 incorporation in a synergistic fashion. A rational survey of the efficiency of different positively charged phenols and the influence of different parameters, such as temperature, catalyst loading, and the nature of the nucleophile, on catalytic activity was conducted. In addition, the time-dependent conversion of epoxide into the corresponding cyclic carbonate was further explored by FTIR-ATR and 1 H NMR spectroscopy. This bifunctional catalytic platform is among one of the mildest and most efficient metal-free systems that is capable of converting a variety of epoxides into cyclic carbonates under virtually ambient conditions. The 1 H NMR titration experiment validated the bifunctional catalytic mechanism wherein both the epoxide activation and the nucleophilic ring-opening process occur in concert en route to carbon dioxide fixation.

Postural Control in Deaf Children.

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the reliability of static control evaluation with Synapsys Posturography System (SPS, Marseille, France) and to compare the static postural control of deaf children with typically developing children. This study was conducted in 2 phases on 81 children of 7 to 12 years old in Tehran schools. The first phase examined the reliability of static balance evaluation with SPS. In this phase, a total of 12 children with typical development were evaluated and then do a re-test 1 week later. In the second phase, 30 children with profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and high risk in their balance (selected from Baghcheban Schools for the Deaf) as the experimental group, and 37 children with typical development (selected randomly from 2 primary schools for girls and boys in District 12 of Tehran Department of Education) as control group were enrolled in the study. They were all placed under sensory organization test evaluation. Based on the results of intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), the unilateral random effects model, test-retest reliability in different sensory conditions, the moderate to excellent results were obtained (ICC between 0.68 and 0.94). Also, the mean displacement of pressure center in all sensory conditions, the limits of stability (LOS) area, the overall balance scores, and scores for balance sensory ratio (except the somatosensory ratio) of children with typical development were better than the deaf peers (P˂0.05). The SPS has acceptable reliability to evaluate static posture in children between the ages of 7 and 12 years. Furthermore, deaf children as compared to children with typical development had a lower static postural control in all sensory conditions. This finding confirms the need to examine the postural control for identifying the extent of sensory deficit that has caused poor balance function, and also the need for early intervention to address the balance deficit in deaf children.

The Effect of Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy Program on Sensory Organization of Deaf Children With Bilateral Vestibular Dysfunction.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of vestibular rehabilitation therapy program on the sensory organization of deaf children with bilateral vestibular dysfunction. This cross-sectional and analytic study was conducted on 24 students between the age of 7 and 12 years (6 girls and 18 boys) with the profound sensorineural hearing loss (PTA>90 dB). They were assessed through the balance subtest in Bruininks-Oseretsky test of motor proficiency (BOTMP). For children which the total score of the balance subtest was 3 standard deviation lower than their peers with typical development, vestibular function testing was completed pre-intervention. Posturography Sensory organization testing (SOT) was completed pre- and post-intervention with SPS (Synapsys, Marseille, France). Children with bilateral vestibular impairment were randomly assigned to either the exercise or control group. Exercise intervention consisted of compensatory training, emphasizing enhancement of visual and somatosensory function, and balance training. The exercise group entered in vestibular rehabilitation therapy program for 8 weeks. The children initially participating in the control group were provided the exercise intervention following the post-test. Based on the results there was significant difference in condition 5 and 6, areas of limits of stability (LOS), vestibular ratio and global score in posturography at the end of the intervention, but there was no significant difference in the control group in posturography (P<0.05). The results indicated that testing of vestibular, and postural control function, as well as intervention for deficiencies identified, should be included in deaf children rehabilitation program.

Balance Performance of Deaf Children With and Without Cochlear Implants.

 The aim of this study was to compare the static and dynamic balance performance of deaf children with and without cochlear implants. This is a cross-sectional study of 145 school children, aged between 7 and 12 years comprising 85 children with congenital or early acquired bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss (the hearing loss group) and 60 normal hearing aged-matched control counterparts were assessed using the balance subtest of Bruininks-Oseretsky test of Motor Proficiency (BOTMP). The hearing loss group, 50 without cochlear implants (the non-implant group) and 35 of them with unilateral cochlear implants (the implant group) were recruited from schools for the deaf and normal hearing children (the control group) randomly selected from two randomly selected elementary schools of Tehran city. The scores were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. The total score of deaf children especially the implant group were significantly lower than the control group )P<0.001). The balance performance of the control group was better than the implant group in all of the items as well as the non-implant group except the fourth tested item (walking forward on a line) (P<0.05). The balance score of the implant group was significantly lower than the non-implant group except for the third tested item (standing on the preferred leg on a balance beam with eyes closed). The findings suggested that deaf children, specifically those with cochlear implants are at risk for motor and balance deficits. Thus, vestibular and motor evaluations, as well as interventions to improve balance and motor skills, should be prioritized for this population.