@article{StelzigJacobMueller2011, author = {Stelzig, Yvonne and Jacob, Roland and Mueller, Joachim}, title = {Preliminary speech recognition results after cochlear implantation in patients with unilateral hearing loss: a case series}, series = {Journal of Medical Case Reports}, volume = {5}, journal = {Journal of Medical Case Reports}, number = {343}, doi = {10.1186/1752-1947-5-343}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-141722}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Introduction Cochlear implants known to provide support in individuals with bilateral hearing loss may also be of great benefit for individuals with unilateral hearing loss. This case report demonstrates the positive effects of cochlear implantation on speech understanding in noise conditions in patients with unilateral hearing loss and normal hearing on the contralateral side. To the best of our knowledge, the data presented here are from the first few cases to receive a cochlear implant for unilateral hearing loss. Case presentation Four Caucasian German men, two aged 48 and the others aged 51 and 57 years old, with post-lingual unilateral hearing loss and normal hearing on the contralateral side were implanted with a cochlear implant. All our patients were members of the German army. Before and after implantation, they were given a battery of speech tests in different hearing conditions to assess the effect of unilateral cochlear implantation on speech understanding in noise conditions. Test results showed that all patients benefited from unilateral cochlear implantation, particularly in terms of speech understanding in noise conditions. Conclusions Unilateral cochlear implantation might be a successful treatment method for patients with unilateral hearing loss not benefiting from alternative treatment options. The results of this case report open up the field of cochlear implantation for expanded criteria and new areas of research.}, language = {en} } @article{SemmlerSacconiBachetal.2014, author = {Semmler, Anna-Lena and Sacconi, Sabrina and Bach, J. Elisa and Liebe, Claus and B{\"u}rmann, Jan and Kley, Rudolf A. and Ferbert, Andreas and Anderheiden, Roland and Van den Bergh, Peter and Martin, Jean-Jacques and De Jonghe, Peter and Neuen-Jacob, Eva and M{\"u}ller, Oliver and Deschauer, Marcus and Bergmann, Markus and Schr{\"o}der, J. Michael and Vorgerd, Matthias and Schulz, J{\"o}rg B. and Weis, Joachim and Kress, Wolfram and Claeys, Kristl G.}, title = {Unusual multisystemic involvement and a novel BAG3 mutation revealed by NGS screening in a large cohort of myofibrillar myopathies}, series = {Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases}, volume = {9}, journal = {Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases}, number = {121}, issn = {1750-1172}, doi = {10.1186/s13023-014-0121-9}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-115623}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Background: Myofibrillar myopathies (MFM) are a group of phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous neuromuscular disorders, which are characterized by protein aggregations in muscle fibres and can be associated with multisystemic involvement. Methods: We screened a large cohort of 38 index patients with MFM for mutations in the nine thus far known causative genes using Sanger and next generation sequencing (NGS). We studied the clinical and histopathological characteristics in 38 index patients and five additional relatives (n = 43) and particularly focused on the associated multisystemic symptoms. Results: We identified 14 heterozygous mutations (diagnostic yield of 37\%), among them the novel p. Pro209Gln mutation in the BAG3 gene, which was associated with onset in adulthood, a mild phenotype and an axonal sensorimotor polyneuropathy, in the absence of giant axons at the nerve biopsy. We revealed several novel clinical phenotypes and unusual multisystemic presentations with previously described mutations: hearing impairment with a FLNC mutation, dysphonia with a mutation in DES and the first patient with a FLNC mutation presenting respiratory insufficiency as the initial symptom. Moreover, we described for the first time respiratory insufficiency occurring in a patient with the p. Gly154Ser mutation in CRYAB. Interestingly, we detected a polyneuropathy in 28\% of the MFM patients, including a BAG3 and a MYOT case, and hearing impairment in 13\%, including one patient with a FLNC mutation and two with mutations in the DES gene. In four index patients with a mutation in one of the MFM genes, typical histological findings were only identified at the ultrastructural level (29\%). Conclusions: We conclude that extraskeletal symptoms frequently occur in MFM, particularly cardiac and respiratory involvement, polyneuropathy and/or deafness. BAG3 mutations should be considered even in cases with a mild phenotype or an adult onset. We identified a genetic defect in one of the known genes in less than half of the MFM patients, indicating that more causative genes are still to be found. Next generation sequencing techniques should be helpful in achieving this aim.}, language = {en} }