Glottal Voice Distortions: Nasolaryngoscopic and Spectral Analysis of Anatomophysiologic Changes in Singing Voice

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Glottal Voice Distortions: Nasolaryngoscopic and Spectral Analysis of Anatomophysiologic Changes in Singing Voice Via Journal of Voice The distorted voices, commonly called vocal drives in Brazil and in some other South American countries, are vocal ornaments belonging to the aesthetics of popular singing and desired by singers of different styles. The advances in vocal sciences have allowed the demystification of this type of technique in the last four decades, classifying them as glottal, supraglottic or mixed distortions/drives. The interdisciplinary approach in the evaluation of singers who use glottal distortions is fundamental for a broad understanding of the particularities of each case. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Twelve years of neonatal hearing screening: audiological and etiological results

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Twelve years of neonatal hearing screening: audiological and etiological results Via http://link.springer.com/journal/405,European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology,The European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 Aug 31. doi: 10.1007/s00405-021-07060-5. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT PURPOSE: Most developed countries have implemented some form of universal newborn hearing screening program. Early identification and rehabilitation of congenital hearing loss is important in functional outcome, and the need to identify the cause of hearing impairment has become clear. We aimed to evaluate audiological and etiological outcomes in a large group of patients with failed neonatal hearing screening. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart analysis of patients who were referred to our tertiary referral center after failing neonatal hearing screening during a 12-year period (2007-2019). Screening was based on automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) or a combined approach of AABR and auditory steady-state response (ASSR) with chirp stimulus. Extensive audiometric testing was performed to confirm and determine the type and degree of hearing loss. In case of permanent hearing loss, a standardized etiological protocol was followed to determine the cause. RESULTS: Of the 802 referred newborns, hearing loss was confirmed by diagnostic ABR in 78%. Main causes of hearing loss included otitis media with effusion (56%, higher in patients screened by AABR/ASSR compared to AABR), a genetic disorder (12%), congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV, 5%) and atresia/stenosis of the external ear canal (5%). Of the patients with permanent hearing loss, 15% showed changes in hearing loss severity over time. CONCLUSION: In the majority of newborns referred after failing universal neonatal hearing screening, hearing loss could be confirmed. The leading cause was reversible hearing loss due to otitis media with effusion, but hearing loss proved permanent in about 35% of referred newborns, with genetics as predominant cause. Follow-up of congenital hearing loss patients is important as deterior ation as well as improvement was observed over time. PMID:34463816 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-021-07060-5 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Clinical Characteristics of Older Adults Seeking Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Clinical Characteristics of Older Adults Seeking Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Via ear nose throat Ear Nose Throat J. 2021 Aug 31:1455613211042126. doi: 10.1177/01455613211042126. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder with numerous clinical correlates. Although effective treatments abound, patient acceptance and adherence is low. Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) is a surgical treatment alternative for the treatment of OSA; however, the demographic and clinical characteristics of individuals seeking HNS are not well categorized. This study sought to determine the clinical characteristics of older adults seeking HNS for the treatment of OSA. METHODS: Self-report questionnaires were administered to all patients older than 50 years seeking a HNS consultation at a large university medical center. Questionnaires included validated National Institutes of Health Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (NIH PROMIS) measures of physical functioning, sleep-related impairment, cognitive abilities, depression, anxiety, and anger along with the Information extracted from electronic medical records included age, sex, race, and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). RESULTS: Patients included 113 adults (mean age 63.30 years, 57% male, 79% white) with severe OSA (AHI = 33.91, standard deviation = 20.63). Overall, 88% of patients reported elevated insomnia symptoms, 30% reported mild difficulty with physical functioning, and 36% indicated that they had experienced moderate-severe day time impairments attributed to poor sleep. Additionally, we found 28% of sampled individuals reported moderate-severe depressive symptomology, over 19% reported moderate-severe anxiety, and over 17% reported moderate to severe anger issues. Approximately, 38% of the sample reported moderate to severe cognitive difficulties. CONCLUSIONS: The aim of the study was to better understand the clinical characteristics of older patients with OSA seeking HNS treatment. Utilizing NIH PROMIS questionnaires, we identified unique clinical and psychosocial correlates in this sample, which included higher rates of insomnia symptoms, physical dysfunction, cognitive deficits, and depressive symptoms than the general population. Future studies will be needed to investigate these relationships more thoroughly and throughout the course of the treatment. PMID:34464165 | DOI:10.1177/01455613211042126 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Treatment of Postinfectious Olfactory Dysfunction Using Corticosteroids

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Treatment of Postinfectious Olfactory Dysfunction Using Corticosteroids Via ear nose throat Ear Nose Throat J. 2021 Aug 31:1455613211040368. doi: 10.1177/01455613211040368. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of different doses and forms of corticosteroids in the treatment of postinfectious olfactory dysfunction and to specify the factors related to the curative effects. METHODS: The medical records of patients diagnosed with postinfectious olfactory dysfunction from January 2018 to May 2019 were reviewed. All p atients received different doses of oral corticosteroids for 12 days or inhaled corticosteroids for 1 month. RESULTS: A review of the records of 43 patients showed that the mean follow-up time was 6.66 months, and the overall effective rate of treatment was 48.8%. Postinfectious olfactory dysfunction exhibited distinct seasonality, with the highest incidence in March. The curative effect was significantly related to the olfactory discrimination threshold at the first consultation (P = .022), but not significantly associated with age (P = .325), sex (P = .924), duration of disease (P = .526), follow-up time (P = .489), or treatment program (P = .330). CONCLUSIONS: Different doses and forms of corticosteroids showed no significant difference in the therapeutic effect on postinfectious olfactory dysfunction. The olfactory discrimination threshold at the first consultation was the most important factor influencing the prognosis. < p>PMID:34464164 | DOI:10.1177/01455613211040368 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Optimized fitting of a midface implant to anchor a magnetic nasal prosthesis using 3D printing

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Optimized fitting of a midface implant to anchor a magnetic nasal prosthesis using 3D printing Via hno HNO. 2021 Aug 31. doi: 10.1007/s00106-021-01100-6. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Plate-based anchorage systems for craniofacial prostheses offer advantages over extraoral solitary titanium implants in terms of the flexible choice of mounting points and higher stability. Disadvantages become apparent in the complex individual intraoperative adaptation of the plate-based systems to the usually poorly accessible bone. The current article presents a method to overc ome these disadvantages and make greater use of the advantages of plate-based systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The bony midface of a patient who had undergone rhinectomy for cancer of the nasal entrance was reconstructed as a virtual 3D model based on preoperative CT. The open-source software (3D-Slicer) allowed easy and fast reconstruction as well as adaptation for 3D printing using transparent plastic (MED610; stratasys Ltd., MN, USA). RESULTS: A titanium mini-plate (MEDICON) for anchoring the nasal prosthesis could be fitted extremely precisely on the midface 3D print. Important anatomical structures were spared, and screw placement was selected according to the individual bone thickness. Implantation of the in-advance fitted titanium plate was performed without complications and without further adjustments. CONCLUSION: In-advance fitting of plate-based systems for anchorage of craniofacial prostheses using 3D printing of the midface overcomes their disadvantages of time-consuming and possibly imprecise individual adaptation. This method further exploits the advantages of higher stability through more possible mounting points, even in thinner bone, to prevent loosening. In addition, in-advance fitting of titanium plates on the 3D model enables better identification and protection of important anatomical structures and shortens operative time. PMID:34463790 | DOI:10.1007/s00106-021-01100-6 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

The potential of the incorporated collagen microspheres in alginate hydrogel as an engineered three-dimensional microenvironment to attenuate apoptosis in human pancreatic islets

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader The potential of the incorporated collagen microspheres in alginate hydrogel as an engineered three-dimensional microenvironment to attenuate apoptosis in human pancreatic islets Via histochem Acta Histochem. 2021 Aug 24;123(7):151775. doi: 10.1016/j.acthis.2021.151775. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Tissue engineering is considered as a promising tool for remodeling the native cells microenvironment. In the present study, the effect of alginate hydrogel and collagen microspheres integrated with extracellular matrix components were evaluated in the decrement of apoptosis in human pancreatic islets. MATERIALS/METHODS: For three-dimensional cultur e, the islets were encapsulated in collagen microspheres, containing laminin and collagen IV and embedded in alginate scaffold for one week. After that the islets were examined in terms of viability, apoptosis, genes and proteins expression including BAX, BCL2, active caspase-3, and insulin. Moreover, the islets function was evaluated through glucose-induced insulin and C-peptide secretion assay. In order to evaluate the structure of the scaffolds and the morphology of the pancreatic islets in three-dimensional microenvironments, we performed scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Our findings showed that the designed hydrogel scaffolds significantly improved the islets viability using the reduction of activated caspase-3 and TUNEL positive cells. CONCLUSIONS: The reconstruction of the destructed matrix with alginate hydrogels and collagen microspheres might be an effective step to promote the culture of the islets. PMID:34450327 | DOI:10.1016/j.acthis.2021.151775 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

BMP2 downregulates urokinase-type plasminogen activator via p38 MAPK: Implications in C2C12 cells myogenic differentiation

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader BMP2 downregulates urokinase-type plasminogen activator via p38 MAPK: Implications in C2C12 cells myogenic differentiation Via histochem Acta Histochem. 2021 Aug 23;123(6):151774. doi: 10.1016/j.acthis.2021.151774. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)2 strongly affects the differentiation program of myoblast cells by inhibiting myogenesis and inducing osteogenic differentiation. In turn, extracellular matrix (ECM) proteinases, such as urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), can influence the fate of muscle stem cells by participating in ECM reorganization. Although both BMP2 an d uPA have antagonistic roles in muscles cells differentiation, no connection between them has been elucidated so far. This study aims to determine whether BMP2 regulates uPA expression in the myogenic C2C12 cell line and its impact on muscle cell fate differentiation. Our results showed that BMP2 did not modify C2C12 cell proliferation in a growth medium or myogenic differentiation medium. Although BMP2 inhibited myogenesis and induced osteogenesis, these effects were achieved with different doses of BMP2. Low concentrations of BMP2 blocked myogenesis, while a higher concentration was needed to induce osteogenesis. Reduced uPA expression was noticed alongside myogenic inhibition at low concentrations of BMP2. BMP2 activated p38 MAPK signaling to inhibit uPA activity. Furthermore, ectopic human uPA expression reduced BMP2's ability to inhibit the myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells. In conclusion, BMP2 inhibits uPA expression through p38 MAPK and in vitro myogenesis at non-osteo genic concentrations, while uPA ectopic expression prevents BMP2 from inhibiting myogenesis in C2C12 cells. PMID:34450502 | DOI:10.1016/j.acthis.2021.151774 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Catamnesis after a single intervention for tinnitus patients in a specialized clinic

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Catamnesis after a single intervention for tinnitus patients in a specialized clinic Via hno HNO. 2021 Aug 27. doi: 10.1007/s00106-021-01103-3. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Patients suffering from tinnitus require individualized clarification (counseling), sometimes going beyond the scope of the field of ENT and the initiation of specific interventions. AIM: To investigate if patients who had a specific neurotological assessment including a psychosomatic medical history follow the recommendations provided to them. In addition, it should be exami ned whether compliance with the treatment suggestions has led to any psychological improvement in the suffering from tinnitus, evaluated by psychological tests. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In295 out of 699 patients audiological tests were evaluated using the mini-questionnaire (TF 12) according to Hiller and Goebel and the German language version of the Hospitality Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at 2 points in time with an interval of a least 6 months. The group of those who followed the recommendations were compared to the group of those who did not follow the recommendations. RESULTS: A total of 180 patients (64.5%) followed at least 1 of the recommendations made to them. Patients who followed at least one recommendation benefited significantly more than the whole group in the TF 12 and in both HADS categories compared to the group that did not follow the recommendations. CONCLUSION: In addition to counseling it was shown that the implementation of a specific measu re has a positive effect, detectable for the Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR). Specific for ENT, a hearing aid can initiate an improvement even if no statistically significant difference to the comparison group was found. PMID:34453187 | DOI:10.1007/s00106-021-01103-3 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Do people living with HIV face more secondary cancers than general population: From the French CANCERVIH network

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Do people living with HIV face more secondary cancers than general population: From the French CANCERVIH network Via Association française pour l'étude du cancer Bull Cancer. 2021 Aug 24:S0007-4551(21)00282-4. doi: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2021.01.026. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: People living with HIV (PLWHIV) are at a higher risk of cancer compared to the general population. With improved cancer treatments and the increased life expectancy of PLWHIV, the incidence of second cancers is also expected to increase. METHODS: We reviewed the cases of PLWHIV with cancer that have been presented to the CANCERVIH national multidisciplinary board since 2014. We included all cases with a history of cancer, and studied the incidence and types of second cancers. RESULTS: In total, 719 cases were reviewed, out of which 94 (13%) had a history of at least one cancer. For the first primary cancers, 46 (49%) were AIDS-defining cancers (ADCs) and 48 (51%) were non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADCs). Kaposi sarcoma (33%) and NHL (15%) occurred most frequently as first cancers. Among the first ca ncers that were ADCs, 15% of the second cancers were NHL, 11% anal canal cancers, 9% bladder and 9% Hodgkin lymphomas. Among the first cancers that were NADCs, 38% of the second cancers were lung cancers, 8% bladder, 8% head and neck and 8% NHL. DISCUSSION: With the aging of PLWHIV, the incidence of second and subsequent cancers is expected to increase in this population. Immuno-virological control should be maintained. Increased surveillance, early prevention and screening programs should be offered to all PLWHIV, including those with an undetectable HIV viral load and/or immune restoration. PMID:34452700 | DOI:10.1016/j.bulcan.2021.01.026 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Regression of nevi, vitiligo-like depigmentation and halo phenomenon may indicate response to immunotherapy and targeted therapy in melanoma

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Regression of nevi, vitiligo-like depigmentation and halo phenomenon may indicate response to immunotherapy and targeted therapy in melanoma Via Melanoma Research - Published Ahead-of-Print We present two patients with stage IV melanoma, the first with BRAF wild-type melanoma with multiple visceral metastases treated with immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) and the second with BRAFV600E melanoma with subcutaneous and lymph nodes metastasis treated with BRAF and MEK-inhibitors (dabrafenib/trametinib). Already a fter the second cycle of immunotherapy, the first patient developed a diffuse regression of nevi, perceptible only with the use of dermoscopy and 3 months later a clinically evident poliosis of the eyebrows. The second patient, treated with dabrafenib/trametinib, developed small areas of leukoderma on his chest and white halos around nevi with a dermoscopic globular or structureless pattern. Both observations are suggestive for an immune reaction against melanocytic cells, which is further supported by the complete response to systemic therapy in both patients. It has been demonstrated that the development of vitiligo-like depigmentation during immunotherapy is associated with a better prognosis; in our patient, the phenomenon of poliosis appeared much later than the dermoscopic presence of regression among his nevi, suggesting that the latter may be an early sign (along with vitiligo-like phenomena) of good response to immunotherapy. On the other hand, the development of halo nev i and leukoderma during treatment with BRAF/MEK-inhibitors, suggests that not only immunotherapy but also targeted therapy may induce an immunologic response against melanoma and nevi, again indicative of a favorable prognosis. More data are needed to confirm these findings; however, they indicate that dermatologists should be involved in the follow-up of patients with melanoma, both in studies and clinical practice. Received 23 May 2021 Accepted 24 July 2021 Correspondence to Eleonora Farinazzo, MD, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Piazza dell'Ospitale 1, 34125, Trieste, Italy, Tel: +39 040 3992056; e-mail: farinazzo.eleonora@gmail.com Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Nivolumab exposure in a hemodialysis patient with metastatic melanoma

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Nivolumab exposure in a hemodialysis patient with metastatic melanoma Via Melanoma Research - Published Ahead-of-Print The effect of intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) on nivolumab serum concentrations in patients with severe renal impairment is largely unknown. Here, we present a 79-year-old patient with metastatic melanoma and end-stage renal disease on IHD three times a week, treated with 480 mg nivolumab every 4 weeks. A serum trough concentration of nivolumab was determined before the start of the third cycle, and two samples were taken immediately before and after a hemodialysis session during this cycle. All nivolumab serum concentrations were within a similar range as those previously measured among patients without renal insufficiency, after a comparable duration of nivolumab treatment. Therefore, we conclude that IHD does not influence nivolumab exposure. Furthermore, nivolumab treatment was continued without complications and appears to be well tolerated for patients on IHD. Received 22 March 2021 Accepted 24 July 2021 Correspondence to Robin van Geel, PharmD, PhD, Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Toxicology, Maastricht University Medical Center, P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX the Netherlands, Tel: +0031 043 3871881; e-mail: robin.van.geel@mumc.nl Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.