Intensity patterns at the peaks of brain activity in fMRI and PET are highly correlated with neural models of spatial integration

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Intensity patterns at the peaks of brain activity in fMRI and PET are highly correlated with neural models of spatial integration Via Laryngologie Eur J Neurosci. 2021 Sep 22. doi: 10.1111/ejn.15469. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT Spatial integration during the brain's cognitive activity prompts changes in energy used by different neuroglial populations. Nevertheless, the organization of such integration in 3D -brain activity remains undescribed from a quantitative standpoint. In response, we applied a cross-correlation between brain activity and integrative models, which yielded a deeper understanding of information integration in functional brain mapping. We analyzed four datasets obtained via fundamentally different neuroimaging techniques (fMRI and PET) and found that models of spatial integration with an increasing input to each step of integration were significantly more correlated with brain activity than models with a constant input to each step of integration. In addition, marking the voxels with the maximal correlation, we found exceptionally high inter-subject consistency wi th the initial brain activity at the peaks. Our method demonstrated for the first time that the network of peaks of brain activity is organized strictly according to the models of spatial integration independent of neuroimaging techniques. The highest correlation with models integrating an increasing at each step input suggests that brain activity reflects a network of integrative processes where the results of integration in some neuroglial populations serve as an input to other neuroglial populations. PMID:34550613 | DOI:10.1111/ejn.15469 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Comparison of Olfactory Cleft Width and Volumes in Patients with COVID-19 Anosmia and COVID-19 Cases Without Anosmia

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Comparison of Olfactory Cleft Width and Volumes in Patients with COVID-19 Anosmia and COVID-19 Cases Without Anosmia Via O.R.L. Journal for oto-rhino-laryngology and its borderlands Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between olfactory cleft width/volume and COVID-19-related anosmia. Methods: This study consisted of PCR-proven COVID-19 patients. Cases with COVID-19-related anosmia constituted Group 1 and cases without any olfactory dysfunction (OD) throughout COVID-19 infection or after recovery constituted Group 2. A total of 50 patients were included in the study, comprising 24 cases in Group 1 and 26 cases in Group 2. Group 1 patients underwent a 4-item-odor identification test during active symptoms and a Sniffin' Sticks test after reconversion of PCR results to negative. All patients in Group 2 also underwent the Sniffin' Stick test to document normosmia. All cases had paranasal sinus CT performed. Olfactory cleft widths and olfactory volumes were measured. The differences in width and volume between groups and the correlation with odor test scores (threshold-discrimination-identification [TDI]) were calculated. In addition, regression analyzes analysis was performed for cleft widths, volumes, and TDI scores according to age. Results: Olfactory cleft widths and olfactory volumes were significantly higher in Group 1 than those in Group 2 (p = 0.001; p #x3c; 0.01). There was a significant negative correlation between total TDI scores and olfactory cleft widths and total olfactory volumes (r = −0.665; r = −0.731, respectively). Patients younger than 40 years of age had significantly higher right olfactory cl eft width, left olfactory cleft width, and olfactory cleft volume than those in patients older than 40 years of age (p = 0.004, p = 0.005, p = 0.003; p #x3c; 0,01, respectively). However, patients younger than 40 years of age had a significantly lower total TDI score and in all other values individually (t-d-i) than those in patients older than 40 years of age (p = 0.004; p #x3c; 0.01). Conclusion: Patients with COVID-19-related OD had larger olfactory cleft width and volumes than those without OD in this study. Total TDI score was found to be inversely correlated with cleft width and volume. ORL View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

The Effect of Somatosensorial System on Vestibular System

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader The Effect of Somatosensorial System on Vestibular System Via Otolaryngology Indian Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the somatosensory system on the vestibular system and the interconnected ways they work together to maintain balance. The study was conducted on 54 individuals (27 females and 27 males), aged between 18–25 years. vHIT as well as cVEMP tests were used to evaluate the participants. Tests were carried out while sitting, standing on firm surface and standing on foam respectively. According to the posterior vHIT results, there was a significant difference between VOR gains obtained while sitting and standing on firm surface in right side as well as on the left side (p < 0,01). Moreover, when VOR gains in standing on firm and standing on foam results were compared to each other, statistical significance was found right and left posterior canals (p < 0,05). Concerning the results obtained from VEMP, a statistically significant difference was seen in the comparison of P1-N1 amp litudes of the right side on firm surface and standing on foam (p < 0,01). When the inputs from somatosensorial system are disturbed, the parts of the vestibular system that are primarily affected are the posterior SSC, saccule and inferior vestibular nerve. This can be interpreted as the inferior vestibular nerve being more affected than the superior vestibular nerve when posture is disturbed due to somatosensory cues being unavailable or unstable. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Validation of a French version of the Sunnybrook facial grading system

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Validation of a French version of the Sunnybrook facial grading system Via Laryngologie Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis. 2021 Sep 17:S1879-7296(21)00181-2. doi: 10.1016/j.anorl.2021.08.003. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to translate the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System and its specific criteria into French and validate its use by French-speaking physicians for facial palsy evaluation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The original English version of the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System and its specific criteria was translated into French according to international standards. Twenty videos of patients with a wide range of facial palsy in terms of duration and severity were independently rated, twice each, by 6 physicians with varied experience in facial palsy care. Internal consistency and intra- and inter-rater reliability were analyzed. RESULTS: The French version of Sunnybrook Facial Grading System and its specific criteria both showed good internal consistency, with Cronbach alph a of 0.84 and 0.86 respectively. Inter-rater reliability was excellent in both sessions for the composite score, the score of symmetry at rest and during voluntary movement and synkinesis: intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between 0.77 and 0.98. Intra-rater reproducibility on the composite score and subscores was also excellent and comparable for expert, experienced and novice physicians, with an average ICC of 0.95. CONCLUSION: The French version of the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System and its specific criteria is reliable, reproducible and easy to use by French-speaking teams for facial palsy evaluation. PMID:34544661 | DOI:10.1016/j.anorl.2021.08.003 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Ki-67/MIB-1 and Recurrence in Pituitary Adenoma

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Ki-67/MIB-1 and Recurrence in Pituitary Adenoma Via Journal of Neurological Surgery Part B: Skull Base J Neurol Surg B Skull Base DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1735874 Objectives Ki-67/MIB-1 is a marker of cellular proliferation used as a pathological parameter in the clinical assessment of pituitary adenomas, where its expression has shown utility in predicting the invasiveness of these tumors. However, studies have shown variable results when using Ki-67/MIB-1 association with recurrence. The purpose of this study is to determine if a high Ki-67/MIB-1 labeling index (LI) is predictive of recurrence in pituitary adenomas. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed for patients undergoing pituitary adenoma resection with at least 1 year of follow-up. Additionally, systematic data searches were performed and included studies that correlated recurrence rate to Ki-67/MIB-1 LI. Our institutional data were included in a synthesis with previously published data. Results Our institutional review included 79 patients with a recurrence rate of 26.6%. We found that 8.8% of our patients had a high Ki-67/MIB-1 LI (>3%); however, high Ki-67/MIB-1 was not associated with recurrence. The systematic review identified 244 articles and 49 full-text articles that were assessed for eligibility. Quantitative analysis was performed on 30 articles including our institutional data and 18 studies reported recurrence by level of Ki-67/MIB-1 LI. Among studies that compared Ki-67/MIB-1 ≥3 vs. <3%, 10 studies reported odds ratios (OR) greater than 1 of which 6 were statistically significant. A high Ki-67/MIB-1 had higher odds of recurrence via the pooled odds ratio (OR = 4.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.31–7.42). Conclusion This systematic review suggests that a high Ki-67/MIB-1 should prompt an increased duration of follow-up due to the higher odds of recurrence of pituitary adenoma. [...] Georg Thieme Verlag KG Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany Article in Thieme eJournals: Table of contents  |  Abstract  |  Full text View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Moxibustion improves ovarian function based on the regulation of the androgen balance

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Moxibustion improves ovarian function based on the regulation of the androgen balance Via Experimental and therapeutic medicine Exp Ther Med. 2021 Nov;22(5):1230. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.10664. Epub 2021 Aug 30. ABSTRACT The effect of androgens on follicular development and female reproduction has become an active research topic. Moxibustion is a Traditional Chinese Medicine therapy that has been reported to be able to prevent and treat numerous ovary-related problems. However, studies on the effect of moxibustion for diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) on androgen balance are still lacking. The present study aimed to assess the efficacy of moxibustion intervention prior to disease onset and at the early stage of disease in a rat model of DOR and explore the mechanisms of its effect on ovarian function. A total of 32 rats were randomly divided into four groups: Blank group, Model group (a drug-induced model of DOR), Moxibustion group 1 and Moxibustion group 2. Moxibustion was performed on the BL23 and RN4 acupoints of female rats daily for a total of 20 days (once a day, five times a week for a total of 4 weeks). The two moxibustion groups were established with different intervention times: One group was subjected to pre-disease intervention and the other group to early-disease intervention. The ovarian function was evaluated by detecting anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and androgen receptor (AR) levels in the serum or the ovary samples. To further investigate the downstream regulatory factors for AR after moxibustion treatment for pre-disease or early-disease intervention, FSH receptor (FSHR) and microRNA (miR)-125b expression in ovaries were also analyzed. The results indicated that AMH and DHT levels were reduced in the model group compared with those in the blank group, while FSH, T and DHEA levels were increased. AMH and DHT levels were increased in Moxibustion group 1 compared with those in the model group, while F SH, T and DHEA levels were reduced. There was no difference in E2 levels between Moxibustion group 1 and the model group. Compared with that in the model group, the AR content in the ovary was increased in Moxibustion group 1. There was no difference in FSHR mRNA in the ovaries between Moxibustion group 1 and the model group. miR-125b levels were significantly increased in Moxibustion group 1 as compared with those in the model group. Furthermore, AMH and DHT levels were increased in Moxibustion group 2 compared with those in the model group, while FSH, T and DHEA levels were reduced. E2 levels were significantly decreased in Moxibustion group 2 compared with those in the model group. The relative mRNA expression of AR, FSHR and miR-125b was decreased following establishment of the model. Compared with that in the model group, the AR content in the ovary was increased in Moxibustion group 2. In comparison with the blank and model groups, the FSHR content in the ovary of Moxibustion group 2 was significantly increased. miR-125b levels were not obviously altered in Moxibustion group 2 as compared with those in the model group. In addition, there was no significant difference in AMH, FSH, T and DHEA levels between the two moxibustion groups. E2 and DHT levels were higher in Moxibustion group 1 than in Moxibustion group 2. There was no difference in AR mRNA expression between the two moxibustion groups. FSHR mRNA levels were lower in Moxibustion group 1 than in Moxibustion group 2, while miR-125b mRNA levels were higher in Moxibustion group 1 than in Moxibustion group 2. In conclusion, the present study suggested that moxibustion intervention prior to disease onset and at the early disease stage was able to improve ovarian function via modulation of the AR-mediated stable equilibrium of androgens. However, the effects and mechanisms of moxibustion intervention for pre-disease and early-disease intervention of DOR appear to be different. The appropriate duration of treatment and the time-effect relationship require to be further studied. PMID:34539826 | PMC:PMC8438671 | DOI:10.3892/etm.2021.10664 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Bilateral vocal cord paralysis caused by accidental button battery ingestion in children: A case report and literature review

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Bilateral vocal cord paralysis caused by accidental button battery ingestion in children: A case report and literature review Via ear nose throat Ear Nose Throat J. 2021 Sep 19:1455613211043678. doi: 10.1177/01455613211043678. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT Button battery ingestion in pediatric populations is a common occurrence with severe sequelae. Multiple case reports have established the occurrence of death, fistula formation, mucosal erosion, esophageal perforation, and bleeding post-ingestion of button batteries. However, there is a gap in the literature on the occurrence of bilateral vocal cord paralysis post -lithium battery ingestion. We present a case in which a 12-month-old male developed bilateral vocal cord paralysis following ingestion of a button battery. We compare our case to eleven other reports that exist in the literature based on age, sex, time until removal, clinical presentation, day upon which vocal cord paralysis developed, anatomic location, and post-operative course. We conclude that bilateral vocal cord paralysis is a time-sensitive complication which requires prompt diagnosis. Any child with stridor following button battery ingestion should undergo consultation with pediatric otolaryngology immediately. In addition, long-term follow-up is necessary to evaluate return of normal vocal cord function. PMID:34541933 | DOI:10.1177/01455613211043678 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Effects of acrylonitrile on apoptosis of rat cerebral nerve cells

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Effects of acrylonitrile on apoptosis of rat cerebral nerve cells Via International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology Int J Clin Exp Pathol. 2021 Aug 15;14(8):908-914. eCollection 2021. ABSTRACT The brain, especially the hippocampus, is sensitive to damage caused by anoxic chemicals. In this study, we established a rat model of acrylonitrile poisoning with administration by gavage, aiming to determine the influence of acrylonitrile on rat cerebral nerve cells. Transmission electron microscopy observation and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) staining were used to explore preliminarily the apoptotic changes of cerebral nerve cells. The pathogenesis revealed by transmission electron microscopy indicated that apoptosis in the control group was more serious than that of the exposure groups. The results of TUNEL staining showed the apoptotic rate was significantly higher in the control group than that of other exposure groups. All the results indicated that acrylonitrile can inhibit the apoptosis of rat cerebral nerve cells, which is closely rel ated to its animal carcinogenicity. PMID:34527134 | PMC:PMC8414433 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma. An indolent but aggressive tumour. Part B: treatment and prognosis

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Adenoid cystic carcinoma. An indolent but aggressive tumour. Part B: treatment and prognosis Via Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2021 Aug;41(4):296-307. doi: 10.14639/0392-100X-N1729. NO ABSTRACT PMID:34533533 | DOI:10.14639/0392-100X-N1729 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Development of a questionnaire to investigate socio-cultural differences in the perception of smell, taste and flavour

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Development of a questionnaire to investigate socio-cultural differences in the perception of smell, taste and flavour Via Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2021 Aug;41(4):336-347. doi: 10.14639/0392-100X-N0766. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: Clinical experience and daily life indicate that the importance of smell, taste and flavour is variable among individuals. Therefore, the aim of this research was to develop a questionnaire to investigate the importance attributed to smell, taste and flavour and socio-cultural differences among individuals. METHODS: Cross-cultural adaptation of the questionnaire was executed by two professional translators and one bilingual investigator and pre-tested on a pilot group of 25 subjects with normal smell and taste abilities. The final version of the questionnaire was sent by e-mail to 850 healthy subjects. The Google form consisted of three parts: "The importance of olfaction" developed by Croy et al. in 2010, "The importance of taste and flavour" developed by our team and a section to collect demographic data. The questions were classified into "association", "application", "consequence" and "aggravation". Statistical differences were assessed using t-test with p ≤ 0.05. Correlations were calculated using Spearman's test. Internal consistency was assessed using the Cronbach's Alpha, while test-retest reliability was analysed by calculating the Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC2k). RESULTS: The questionnaire received a non-response rate of 10.7%. Calculation of Cronbach's alpha showed good internal reliabi lity (a = 0.87). Test-retest evaluation was satisfactory for all subscales, with an overall ICC2k = 0.84 (CI 0.79-0.89). Statistical analysis showed that smell, taste and flavour appeared to be more important for women when compared to men (p < 0.001). No statistical differences were seen between individuals with various educational background (p > 0.05), and the importance of smell (r = 0.16; p < 0.01), taste and flavour (r = 0.08; p < 0.05) did not decline with age. CONCLUSIONS: The development of this original test provides an overview into the importance of smell, taste and flavour among individuals. Although further research is needed, it can help in the evaluation and investigation of aspects that influence people to seek medical attention in the presence of sensory alterations. PMID:34533537 | DOI:10.14639/0392-100X-N0766 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Nasal autoinflation devices for middle ear disease in cleft palate children: are they effective?

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Nasal autoinflation devices for middle ear disease in cleft palate children: are they effective? Via Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2021 Aug;41(4):364-370. doi: 10.14639/0392-100X-N1277. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: Cleft lip palate (CLP) and cleft palate (CP) patients have a higher incidence of otitis media with effusion (OME) and conductive hearing problems. This article aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a 6-month course of self-administered autoinflation therapy in paediatric CP/CLP patients in terms of conductive hearing loss (CHL) and OME prevalence. METHODS: Fifty-one p atients with surgically corrected CP/CLP and diagnosis of OME received indication to 6-months autoinflation therapy with an Otovent® device. Clinical evaluation, tympanogram and pure tone audiometry were carried out at the time of prescription (T0), at the end of treatment (T1) and at 6-month follow-up (T2). Patients were divided in 2 groups based on therapeutic compliance (29 compliant children, group A, vs 22 non-compliant children, group B). RESULTS: Case series showed better audiological results and tympanometries at both time points (p < 0.001). Group A showed better outcomes at tympanograms and at each frequency, but were statistically significant only in terms of CHL at 250 and 1000 Hz frequencies at T1 (respectively 0.024 and 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Nasal autoinflation therapy accelerates improvement of OME and hearing thresholds at short-/mid-term, leading to an earlier improved hearing performance. PMID:34533540 | DOI:10.14639/0392-100X-N1277 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.