We have studied the impact of the magnetic field on the electromagnon excitations in TbMnO3 crystal. Applying a magnetic field along the c axis, we show that the electromagnons transform into pure antiferromagnetic modes, losing their polar character. Entering in the paraelectric phase, we are able to track the spectral weight transfer from the electromagnons to the magnon excitations and we discuss the magnetic excitations underlying the electromagnons. We also point out the phonons involved in the phase transition process. This reveals that the Mn-O distance plays a key role in understanding the ferroelectricity and the polar character of the electromagnons. Magnetic field measurements along the b~axis allow us to detect a new electromagnon resonance in agreement with a Heisenberg model.

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection leads to sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and neurodevelopmental delays. However, the long-term outcomes of cCMV infection with severe neurological manifestations in infancy remain unclear. The patient was a one-month-old girl visited owing to abnormalities in neonatal hearing screening. Central nervous system involvement including intracranial calcification and extensive white matter abnormalities was identified. Right SNHL (50 dB) was detected by auditory brain response (ABR) testing. The cause of her hearing loss was determined to be cCMV infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a dried blood spot. At 1.5 months of age, the patient was treated with intravenous ganciclovir (GCV) for 5 weeks followed by oral valganciclovir (VGCV) for an additional 6 weeks. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) loads in her urine continued to be detected until she was 10 years old. Fortunately, during this time, her right hearing loss did not deteriorate, and her left hearing remained normal. Furthermore, the extensive abnormal areas of white matter observed at 1 month of age mostly disappeared by the time the patient was 9 years old. Her neurodevelopmental score was normal, and motor milestones were not delayed as of 10 years of age. Here, we report the 10-year follow-up of a patient with cCMV who showed normal neurodevelopment, no progression of hearing loss, and ameliorating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, despite having various complications and severe neurological findings during infancy.

The temperature dependence of the low frequency dielectric dispersion caused by domain wall motion has been studied. The dispersion strength increases monotonically from room temperature toward T_c, while the relaxation frequency increases first, reaches a maximum around 130°C and then drops rapidly toward T_c. The observed slowing down of domain wall motion is explained as a result of weakening of impurity pinning toward T_c. The process of domain pattern coarsening has been studied by observing the time evolution of the dielectric dispersion. The average domain width increasa as t in the late stage of the coarsening process in agreement with the result of kink dynamics developed by Kawasaki, Ohta and Nagai.

Background: Hearing loss prevalence increases with age, affecting over 25% of the global population aged 60 years or older. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between the development of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and the blood levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). Methods: A single-center, observational study was conducted at Kawagoe Otology Institute in Japan. A total of 80 patients were included and allocated to four groups of 20 patients each: patients aged 50 - 79 years with or without unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), and patients aged ≥ 80 years with or without bilateral age-related hearing loss (ARHL). The distribution of whole-blood NAD+ levels was investigated. We also measured oxidative stress markers (diacron-reactive oxygen metabolites (dROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP)) and examined the relationship between the development of SNHL and whole-blood NAD+ levels, dROMs, and BAP. Results: Comparison of NAD+ levels with and without hearing loss in the same age group by analysis of covariance showed a significantly lower NAD+ level in those with hearing loss than those without in the ≥ 80 age group (P = 0.047), whereas there was no difference between the two groups in the 50 - 79 age group (P = 0.232). All 80 patients, without consideration of age or type of hearing loss, were subjected to multivariate analysis to explore factors contributing to the development of hearing loss. With each 1 µM increase in the NAD+ level, the probability of developing SNHL decreased to 0.9-fold (P = 0.047), and each 1 U.CARR increase in dROMs was associated with a 1.01-fold increase in the risk of developing SNHL (P = 0.014). Whole-blood NAD+ levels in ARHL patients were significantly lower than those in non-ARHL patients. There was no association between whole-blood NAD+ and dROMs or BAP levels. This study has some limitations, including a sample size that was not large enough to detect a significant difference and an imbalance in the male-to-female ratio. Conclusions: Decreased amount of NAD+ in the body and increased dROMs levels were associated with increased risk of developing SNHL, and the development of ARHL was especially highly associated with a decreased amount of NAD+ in the body.

There is no report on acute sensorineural hearing loss with congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection in basic experiments.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dexamethasone, an an... 背景：没有关于在基础实验中先天性巨细胞病毒(cCMV)感染引起的急性感觉神经性听力损失的报道。目的：本研究的目的是评估地塞米松（一种抗炎类固醇）对小鼠巨细胞病毒 (MCMV) 感染范例小鼠的急性感觉神经性听力损失的影响。材料与方法：感音神经性听力损失范例小鼠分为两组, 一组鼓室内接受地塞米松, 另一组鼓室内没有接受地塞米松。地塞米松只注入右耳鼓膜腔, 在 3、6 和 8 周时通过听觉脑干反应...