The effects of Cricothyroid Visor Maneuver (CVM) therapy on the voice characteristics of patients with muscular tension dysphonia: A Case Series Study

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader The effects of Cricothyroid Visor Maneuver (CVM) therapy on the voice characteristics of patients with muscular tension dysphonia: A Case Series Study Via Journal of Voice The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a novel manual therapy, the Cricothyroid visor maneuver (CVM) therapy, on acoustic, auditory perceptual and self-assessment ratings in Muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) patients. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Voice Symptoms and Wellbeing in School Teachers in England

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Voice Symptoms and Wellbeing in School Teachers in England Via Journal of Voice Negative psychological factors such as depression and other common mental disorders have been found to be associated with voice problems in teachers. However, there is little research with teachers that investigates the relationship between positive psychological factors such as wellbeing and voice problems. Although negative and positive mental states are on a continuum of psychological health, research suggests negative and positive effects are not necessarily inversely correlated and therefore need to be investigated separately. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Deep Learning Forecasts the Occurrence of Sleep Apnea from Single-Lead ECG

xlomafota.13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Deep Learning Forecasts the Occurrence of Sleep Apnea from Single-Lead ECG Via Latest Results for Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology Abstract Objectives Sleep apnea is the most common sleep disorder that leads to serious health complications if not treated early. Forecasting apnea occurrence ahead in time provides the opportunity to take appropriate actions to control and manage it. Methods A novel framework for forecasting the occurrence of apnea from single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) based on deep recurrent neural networks is proposed. ECG R-peak amplitudes and R-R intervals are extracted and aligned using power spectral analysis, and recurrent deep learning models are developed to extract the most predictive ECG features and forecast the occurrence of apnea. Results The performance of the proposed approach was validated in forecasting apnea events up to five minutes in future on a dataset of 70 sleep recordings. A forecasting accuracy of up to 94.95% was achieved which was higher than the performance of conventional multilayer perceptron (p < 0.05) and other state-of-the-art techniques. Conclusions The proposed deep learning approach was successful in forecasting the occurrence of sleep apnea from single-lead ECG. It can therefore be adopted in wearable sleep monitors for the management of sleep apnea. Our developed algorithms are publicly available on GitHub. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Real-time eye state recognition using dual convolutional neural network ensemble

xlomafota.13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Real-time eye state recognition using dual convolutional neural network ensemble Via Latest Results for Journal of Real-Time Image Processing Abstract Automatic recognition of the eye states is essential for diverse computer vision applications related to drowsiness detection, facial emotion recognition (FER), human–computer interaction (HCI), etc. Existing solutions for eye state detection are either parameter intensive or suffer from a low recognition rate. This paper presents the design and implementation of a vision-based system for real-time eye state recognition on a resource-constrained embedded platform to tackle these issues. The designed system uses an ensemble of two lightweight convolutional neural networks (CNN), each trained to extract relevant information from the eye patches. We adopted transfer-learning-based fine-tuning to overcome the over-fitting issues when training the CNNs on small sample eye state datasets. Once trained, these CNNs are integrated and jointly fine-tuned to achieve enhanced performance. Experimental results manifest the effectiveness of the proposed eye state recognizer that is robust and computationally efficient. On the ZJU dataset, the proposed DCNNE model delivered the state-of-the-art recognition accuracy of 97.99% and surpassed the prior best recognition accuracy of 97.20% by 0.79%. The designed model also achieved competitive results on the CEW and MRL datasets. Finally, the designed CNNs are optimized and ported on two different embedded platforms for real-world applications with real-time performance. The complete system runs at 62 frames per second (FPS) on an Nvidia Xavier device and 11 FPS on a low-cost Intel NCS2 embedded platform using a frame size of 640 \(\times\) 480 pixels resolution. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Microglia phenotypes are associated with subregional patterns of concomitant tau, amyloid-β and α-synuclein pathologies in the hippocampus of patients with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies

xlomafota.13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Microglia phenotypes are associated with subregional patterns of concomitant tau, amyloid-β and α-synuclein pathologies in the hippocampus of patients with Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies Via Latest Results for Acta Neuropathologica Communications Abstract The cellular alterations of the hippocampus lead to memory decline, a shared symptom between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) patients. However, the subregional deterioration pattern of the hippocampus differs between AD and DLB with the CA1 subfield being more severely affected in AD. The activation of microglia, the brain immune cells, could play a role in its selective volume loss. How subregional microglia populations vary within AD or DLB and across these conditions remains poorly understood. Furthermore, how the nature of the hippocampal local pathological imprint is associated with microglia responses needs to be elucidated. To this purpose, we employed an automated pipeline for analysis of 3D confocal microscopy images to assess CA1, CA3 and DG/CA4 subfields microglia responses in post-mortem hippocampal samples from late-onset AD (n = 10), DLB (n = 8) and age-matched control (CTL) (n =� ��11) individuals. In parallel, we performed volumetric analyses of hyperphosphorylated tau (pTau), amyloid-β (Aβ) and phosphorylated α-synuclein (pSyn) loads. For each of the 32,447 extracted microglia, 16 morphological features were measured to classify them into seven distinct morphological clusters. Our results show similar alterations of microglial morphological features and clusters in AD and DLB, but with more prominent changes in AD. We identified two distinct microglia clusters enriched in disease conditions and particularly increased in CA1 and DG/CA4 of AD and CA3 of DLB. Our study confirms frequent concomitance of pTau, Aβ and pSyn loads across AD and DLB but reveals a specific subregional pattern for each type of pathology, along with a generally increased severity in AD. Furthermore, pTau and pSyn loads were highly correlated across subregions and conditions. We uncovered tight associations between microglial changes and the subfield pathological imprint. Our findi ngs suggest that combinations and severity of subregional pTau, Aβ and pSyn pathologies transform local microglia phenotypic composition in the hippocampus. The high burdens of pTau and pSyn associated with increased microglial alterations could be a factor in CA1 vulnerability in AD. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Laser‐Assisted Sialolithotripsy: A Correlation of Objective and Subjective Outcomes

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Laser‐Assisted Sialolithotripsy: A Correlation of Objective and Subjective Outcomes Via The Laryngoscope Objective To analyze the long-term symptomatic results of laser-assisted sialolithotripsy (LAS) in cases of obstructive sialolithiasis and correlate with objective criteria using diagnostic sialendoscopy (DS) as a method of examination. Methods This is a retrospective study comprising 50 consecutive patients who underwent holmium-YAG LAS and completed follow-up of at least 6 months. Symptom scoring and endoscopic scoring were done at 6 weeks and 6 months intervals for further study purposes. Results At the end of 6 weeks post-LAS, 70% patients were asymptomatic (A-sym) and only 30% had residual symptoms (Sym). However, obstructed duct (OB-duct) was observed on endoscopic scoring in 88% due to stenosis, residual stones, or both stenosis and residual stones. The obstructed ducts were treated in outpatient clinic and followed up over time, leading to 98% of patients being in A-sym group at the end of study period of 6 months. At the end of study, 82% of patients had clear duct (CL-duct). Conclusion Holmium LAS is a viable option for the management of intermediate-sized stones. LAS if used judiciously, and in properly selected cases, has high rate of stone fragmentation and symptom resolution. A vigilant postoperative protocol taking into account residual mealtime symptoms and altered salivary characteristics combined with early DS can help identify and treat patients with residual stone fragments and ductal stenosis. Level of Evidence 3 Laryngoscope, 2022 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Coblation intracapsular tonsillectomy: a cohort study of NHS practice in England using Hospital Episode Statistics

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Coblation intracapsular tonsillectomy: a cohort study of NHS practice in England using Hospital Episode Statistics Via Clinical Otolaryngology Abstract Objectives To identify paediatric intracapsular Coblation tonsillectomy procedures from routine administrative data in England, and determine their safety. Design Retrospective observational cohort study of four ENT centres using routine data from Hospital Episode Statistics (HES). Setting Acute NHS trusts in England conducting exclusively intracapsular Coblation tonsillectomy Participants Children (≤16 years old) undergoing bilateral intracapsular Coblation tonsillectomy Main outcome measures Number of procedures, readmissions for pain, readmissions for bleeding and requirement for additional surgery for regrowth. Results 5525 procedures were identified. The median patient age was 4 (IQR 2-5). In-hospital complications occurred in 1%, with 0.1% returning to theatre for arrest of primary tonsil bleeding. Almost half of the procedures were conducted as a day-case (44%), with only a small proportion staying in hospital more than one night (7%). Within 28 days, 1.2% of patients were readmitted with bleeding, 0.7% with infection and 0.3% with pain. 0.2% of patients required return to theatre for control of secondary haemorrhage. Longitudinal follow-up has found that revision tonsil surgery is 0.3% at 1 year (n=4498), 1.1% at 2 years (n=2938), 1.7% at 3 years (n=1781), 1.9% at 4 years (n=905), 2.2% at 5 years (n=305) Conclusions Intracapsular coblation tonsillectomy safety outcomes in this study show primary and secondary bleed rates and emergency return to theatre rates are lower than all tonsillectomy techniques reported in the National Prospective Tonsillectomy Audit and also lower than previously published Hospital Episode Statistics analysis of tonsillectomy procedures. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Endoscopic Treatment of Sellar Arachnoid Cysts via a Simple Cyst-Opening Technique: Long-Term Outcomes From a Single Center

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Endoscopic Treatment of Sellar Arachnoid Cysts via a Simple Cyst-Opening Technique: Long-Term Outcomes From a Single Center Via leak of cerebrospinal fluid World Neurosurg. 2022 Feb 23:S1878-8750(22)00219-4. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.02.072. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Sellar arachnoid cysts (SACs) are rare lesions that require treatment only if symptomatic. The endoscopic endonasal approach has been widely used. Despite their simple cystic appearance and the straight-forward surgical intervention, important associated risks exist, with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak the prevalent risk. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients with pathologically confirmed SAC between January 2006 and December 2019 was conducted. A homogeneous simple cyst-opening technique and skull base reconstruction with nasoseptal flaps was used. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients were identified (7 women and 3 men; median age, 54.5 years; range, 20-77 years). Of the 10 patients, 8 had had newly diagnosed SACs and 2 patients had had recurrence from a previously microsurgically fenestrated SAC. Ei ght patients had presented with visual symptoms, one with visual symptoms and fatigue, and one with intractable headaches. Neuro-ophthalmological and endocrinological assessments had revealed visual field deficits in 6, visual acuity decline in 5, and hypopituitarism in 2 patients. The median calculated volume was 1.71 mL (range, 0.27-2.54 mL). Postoperatively, no CSF leak and no further surgical complications were noted. The visual field had improved in 4 of 6 patients and visual acuity had improved in 4 of 5 patients. Anterior pituitary function had improved in 1, worsened in 1, and remained stable in 8 patients. One patient had developed diabetes insipidus. One recurrence was recorded at 54 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The results from the present study have shown that SACs can be effectively treated using a simple cyst-opening technique. The routine use of nasoseptal flaps significantly reduced the risk of CSF leakage without compromising nasal quality of life in t he long term or mandating additional incisions. Long-term follow-up is important to monitor for late recurrence. PMID:35217229 | DOI:10.1016/j.wneu.2022.02.072 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Biodegradation of poly(L-lactic acid) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) patches by human amniotic fluid in an in-vitro simulated fetal environment

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Biodegradation of poly(L-lactic acid) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) patches by human amniotic fluid in an in-vitro simulated fetal environment Via leak of cerebrospinal fluid Sci Rep. 2022 Mar 10;12(1):3950. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-07681-8. ABSTRACT Open spina bifida or myelomeningocele (MMC) is a devastating neurologic congenital defect characterized by primary failure of neural tube closure of the spinal column during the embryologic period. Cerebrospinal fluid leak caused by the MMC spinal defect in the developing fetus can result in a constellation of encephalic anomalies that include hindbrain herniation and hydrocephalus. The exposure of extruded spinal cord to amniotic fluid also poses a significant risk for inducing partial or complete paralysis of the body parts beneath the spinal aperture by progressive spinal cord damage in-utero. A randomized trial demonstrated that prenatal repair by fetal surgery, sometimes using patches, to cover the exposed spinal cord with a watertight barrier is effective in reducing the postnatal neurologic morbidity as evidenced by decreased incidence and severity of postnatal hydrocephalus and the reduced need for ventricular-peritoneal shunting. Currently, the use of inert or collagen-based patches are associated with high costs and inadequate structural properties. Specifically, the inert patches do not degrade after implantation, causing the need for a post-natal removal surgery associated with trauma for the newborn. Our present study is aimed towards in-vitro degradation studies of a newly designed patch, which potentially can serve as a superior alternative to existing patches for MMC repair. This novel patch was fabricated by blending poly(L-lactic acid) and poly(ε-caprolactone). The 16-week degradation study in amniotic fluid was focused on tracking changes in crystallinity and mechanical properties. An additional set of designed patches was exposed to phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), as a time-paired control. Crystallinity studies indicate the progress of hydrolytic degradation of the patch in both media, with a preference to bulk erosion in ph osphate buffered saline and surface erosion in amniotic fluid. Mechanical testing results establish that patch integrity is not compromised up to 16 weeks of exposure either to body fluids analog (PBS) or to amniotic fluid. PMID:35273223 | PMC:PMC8913814 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-022-07681-8 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Local estrogen for nonsurgical recontouring of auricular cartilage

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Local estrogen for nonsurgical recontouring of auricular cartilage Via Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2022 Feb 18:S1748-6815(22)00073-0. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2022.02.002. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: 5% of children are born with auricular deformities. Permanent recontouring can be achieved through splinting during early infancy. Beyond this time, splinting is ineffective, and patients require surgical correction. Neonatal cartilage malleability is hypothesized to be secondary to retained maternal estrogens, increasing hyaluronic acid concentration. In this article, we evaluate the efficacy of local estrogen treatments for the nonsurgical recontouring of mature auricular cartilage. METHODS: Ears of New Zealand rabbits were folded and splinted and then were randomly assigned to an experimental group, n = 10 (injected estrogen, topical estrogen, saline, or untreated). Treatment ears received injected estrogen or saline twice weekly or topical estrogen daily for 4 weeks. Two weeks post-t reatment, splints were removed, and ear angles were measured. Biopsies were taken for histologic and mechanical analysis, and systemic estrogen levels were assayed. RESULTS: Ear angles stabilized by 9 days post-splinting. Topical estrogen led to a significantly smaller resting angle (121.6° ± 13.5°) compared with saline and control (135.9° ± 11.2° and 145.3° ± 13.0°, respectively). Injected estrogen led to the most pronounced angle decrease (64.5° ± 35.3°). Ears injected with estrogen also showed a significant increase in cartilage thickness. Hyaluronic acid concentration was increased in both estrogen treatment groups compared with saline. At 3 weeks post-treatment, there was no significant differences in the elastic modulus of the cartilage or serum estrogen levels among the groups. CONCLUSION: Results show the potential result of local estrogen treatment to achieve a stable nonsurgical remodeling of mature auricular cartilage. Further study is needed to ev aluate the molecular mechanism and improve the transdermal estrogen delivery to optimize treatment regimen. PMID:35288037 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2022.02.002 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Detection of Vocal Fold Image Obstructions in High-Speed Videoendoscopy During Connected Speech in Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia: A Convolutional Neural Networks Approach

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Detection of Vocal Fold Image Obstructions in High-Speed Videoendoscopy During Connected Speech in Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia: A Convolutional Neural Networks Approach Via Journal of Voice Adductor spasmodic dysphonia (AdSD) is a neurogenic voice disorder, affecting the intrinsic laryngeal muscle control. AdSD leads to involuntary laryngeal spasms and only reveals during connected speech. Laryngeal high-speed videoendoscopy (HSV) coupled with a flexible fiberoptic endoscope provides a unique opportunity to study voice production and visualize the vocal fold vibrations in AdSD during speech. The goal of this study is to automatically detect instances during which the image of the vocal folds is optically obstructed in HSV recordings obtained during connected speech. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.