RNA interference (RNAi) therapies have significant potential for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Although administering small interfering RNA (siRNA) via an oral route is desirable, various hurdles including physicochemical, mucus, and cellular uptake barriers of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) impede both the delivery of siRNA to the target site and the action of siRNA drugs at the target site. In this review, we first discuss various physicochemical and biological barriers in the GI tract. Furthermore, we present recent strategies and the progress of oral siRNA delivery strategies to treat IBD. Finally, we consider the challenges faced in the use of these strategies and future directions of oral siRNA delivery strategies.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of bilateral cochlear implants (CIs) use on speech perception in quiet and noise. The eleven children included in our study were prelingually deaf. With the two-stage technique, the two CIs were performed in all children. They underwent testing from four to 28 months after activation of bilateral hearing. Speech perception tests in quiet and in noise were performed in all children with the first CI alone and bilaterally. In speech-in-noise test, words and noise were presented from the front. Subjects showed varying degrees of improved performance on speech perception tests in quiet and noise according to bilateral auditory experience. Bilateral CIs can offer a substantial benefit in speech perception in quiet and noise.

Background and ObjectivesThe latency of auditory brainstem response (ABR) wave V shifts depending on age, hearing threshold, and stimulus intensity. This study was performed to examine the latencies of ABR wave V in infants with normal hearing and sensorineural hearing loss. Subjects and MethodThe retrospective review of ABR of 318 infants (539 ears) was performed. The patients were divided into four groups according to age at the time of the ABR test (group A: 0-2 months, group B: 3-5 months, group C: 6-8 months, and group D: 9-11 months). The test was performed using click sound under sedation, with the stimulus intensity adjusted by 10 dB intervals. The latency of wave V was analyzed according to age, hearing threshold, and stimulus intensity. Results Normal hearing was detected in 320 ears (wave V threshold of 20 dBnHL or less) and sensorineural hearing loss was found in 219 ears. Wave V latencies decreased with increase in age and stimulus intensity in both normal hearing infants and hearing-impaired infants. The ears with higher thresholds showed longer latencies at the same stimulus intensity. The normative data of wave V latency of infants with varying hearing thresholds according to age and stimulus intensity could be determined. Conclusion The present study examined the latencies of ABR wave V of hearing-impaired and normal hearing infants according to age and stimulus intensity. The data will help audiologists to evaluate the hearing of infants who are referred for ABR test.