Promoting High Value, Patient-Centric Care with Alternative and Complementary Devices

Today, I want to talk about some industry challenges and opportunities that are in front us as they relate to changes in the marketplace with the aging population and the influx of baby boomers. We will talk about some alternative and complementary devices, one of which is Hypersound, and why and how that might be a viable treatment option for patients.

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Promoting High Value, Patient-Centric Care with Alternative and Complementary Devices

Today, I want to talk about some industry challenges and opportunities that are in front us as they relate to changes in the marketplace with the aging population and the influx of baby boomers. We will talk about some alternative and complementary devices, one of which is Hypersound, and why and how that might be a viable treatment option for patients.

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Promoting High Value, Patient-Centric Care with Alternative and Complementary Devices

Today, I want to talk about some industry challenges and opportunities that are in front us as they relate to changes in the marketplace with the aging population and the influx of baby boomers. We will talk about some alternative and complementary devices, one of which is Hypersound, and why and how that might be a viable treatment option for patients.

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Cure Tinnitus By Meditating

If you suffer from tinnitus, you may go to great lengths to find a cure. Many people will unfortunately try everything from ear drops to surgery in an effort to ease the symptoms. Tinnitus may be characterized by a ringing, hissing, tingling or other sound in the ears, and it may be loud, soft, constant or intermittent. In many cases, the sound is most noticeable when there is minimal background noise, such as when you are trying to fall asleep, reading a book or working in a quiet office. This is a condition that can have a truly negative impact on your quality of life, and you may be wondering if you can cure tinnitus by meditating.

Why Choose Meditation as a Treatment
Meditation is a holistic form of therapy that is effective for many people who have tinnitus. You should be aware that you cannot cure tinnitus by meditating, but you may be able to reduce the suffering that you experience because of the condition. When you have tinnitus, your mind may be focused on the sound, and this can make it difficult to focus on anything else. Through meditation, you focus your brain on relaxing, and this can help you to tune out the noise more easily. Altogether, meditation can help you to live more comfortably with the condition while you try to find a cure.

Finding an Effective Cure for Tinnitus
There are different cures available for tinnitus, but meditation is not one of them. The cure that may work for you will be dependent on the cause of the condition. For example, if tinnitus is caused by a blockage in the ear, removing the blockage and applying medicated ear drops for several days or weeks may work well. If there is actual cochlear damage to the inner ear, surgery may be necessary as a cure. Some people also respond well to tonal therapy for tinnitus, and this is a holistic, non-medicated solution that some will try before scheduling surgery.

Many who have this condition want to know if you can cure tinnitus by meditating, and it is understandable that you would want to try anything you can to alleviate your bothersome symptoms. Meditation can alleviate symptoms, but it will not cure tinnitus. You may consider using meditation while searching for an effective cure. This can improve your quality of life while you work to overcome this issue.

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Sine-wave and noise-vocoded sine-wave speech in a tone language: Acoustic details matter

Sine-wave speech (SWS) is a highly simplified version of speech consisting only of frequency- and amplitude-modulated sinusoids representing the formants. That listeners can successfully understand SWS has led to claims that speech perception must be based on abstract properties of the stimuli far removed from their specific acoustic form. Here it is shown, in bilingual Cantonese/English listeners, that performance with Cantonese SWS is improved by noise vocoding, with no effect on English SWS utterances. This manipulation preserves the abstract informational structure in the signals but changes its surface form. The differential effects of noise vocoding likely arise from the fact that Cantonese is a tonal language and hence more reliant on fundamental frequency (F0) contours for its intelligibility. SWS does not preserve tonal information from the original speech but does have false tonal information signalled by the lowest frequency sinusoid. Noise vocoding SWS appears to minimise the tonal percept, which thus interferes less in the perception of Cantonese. It has no effect in English, which is minimally reliant on F0 variations for intelligibility. Therefore it is not only the informational structure of a sound that is important but also how its acoustic detail interacts with the phonological structure of a given language.

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Ventriloquism effect with sound stimuli varying in both azimuth and elevation

When presented with a spatially discordant auditory-visual stimulus, subjects sometimes perceive the sound and the visual stimuli as coming from the same location. Such a phenomenon is often referred to as perceptual fusion or ventriloquism, as it evokes the illusion created by a ventriloquist when his voice seems to emanate from his puppet rather than from his mouth. While this effect has been extensively examined in the horizontal plane and to a lesser extent in distance, few psychoacoustic studies have focused on elevation. In the present experiment, sequences of a man talking were presented to subjects. His voice could be reproduced on different loudspeakers, which created disparities in both azimuth and elevation between the sound and the visual stimuli. For each presentation, subjects had to indicate whether the voice seemed to emanate from the mouth of the actor or not. Results showed that ventriloquism could be observed with larger audiovisual disparities in elevation than in azimuth.

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Orthogonal matching pursuit applied to the deconvolution approach for the mapping of acoustic sources inverse problem

Microphone arrays and beamforming have become a standard method to localize aeroacousticsources.Deconvolution techniques have been developed to improve spatial resolution of beamforming maps. The deconvolution approach for the mapping of acoustic sources (DAMAS) is a standard deconvolution technique, which has been enhanced via a sparsity approach called sparsity constrained deconvolution approach for the mapping of acoustic sources (SC-DAMAS). In this paper, the DAMAS inverse problem is solved using the orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) and compared with beamforming and SC-DAMAS. The resulting noisesource maps show that OMP-DAMAS is an efficient source localization technique in the case of uncorrelated or correlated acoustic sources. Moreover, the computation time is clearly reduced as compared to SC-DAMAS.

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The influence of edge geometry on end-correction coefficients in micro perforated plates

Global expressions are proposed for end-correction coefficients in micro perforated plates (MPPs) using non-dimensional parameters. MPPs are sound absorbers with small perforation diameters such that the Stokes boundary layers fill up almost the entire perforation. Sound absorption does not only occur within the perforation, but also takes place just outside of it. The latter contribution plus the outside inertia effect on the transfer impedance of the MPP are referred to as end-corrections. In order to determine them, an analytical solution employing the very thin Stokes layer assumption has been derived. However, this assumption requires empirical coefficients in the end-corrections for accurate results. To explore the effects of various parameters a numerical model is used. This model is verified with open-end reflection coefficient measurements. The most prominent result from this study is that compared to plate thickness, the ratio of perforation diameter to Stokes layer thickness (Shear number) and edge geometry affect the end-correction coefficients more significantly. The effect of plate thickness can be neglected for practical purposes, therefore, expressions for the end-corrections in terms of Shear number and edge geometry are provided. The relative error of these expressions is

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The influence of edge geometry on end-correction coefficients in micro perforated plates

Global expressions are proposed for end-correction coefficients in micro perforated plates (MPPs) using non-dimensional parameters. MPPs are sound absorbers with small perforation diameters such that the Stokes boundary layers fill up almost the entire perforation. Sound absorption does not only occur within the perforation, but also takes place just outside of it. The latter contribution plus the outside inertia effect on the transfer impedance of the MPP are referred to as end-corrections. In order to determine them, an analytical solution employing the very thin Stokes layer assumption has been derived. However, this assumption requires empirical coefficients in the end-corrections for accurate results. To explore the effects of various parameters a numerical model is used. This model is verified with open-end reflection coefficient measurements. The most prominent result from this study is that compared to plate thickness, the ratio of perforation diameter to Stokes layer thickness (Shear number) and edge geometry affect the end-correction coefficients more significantly. The effect of plate thickness can be neglected for practical purposes, therefore, expressions for the end-corrections in terms of Shear number and edge geometry are provided. The relative error of these expressions is

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A model for acoustic vaporization of encapsulated droplets

The use of encapsulated liquid nanoparticles is currently largely investigated for medical applications, mainly because their reduced size allows them to enter targeted areas which cannot be reached by large microbubbles (contrast agents). Low-boiling point perfluorocarbon droplets can be vaporized on-site under the action of the ultrasonic field, in order to turn them into echogeneous—eventually cavitating—microbubbles. This paper presents a theoretical model describing this phenomenon, paying particular attention to the finite size of the droplet and its encapsulation by a thin viscoelastic layer. Numerical simulations are done for droplets of radii 1 and 10 μm and for frequencies of 1–5 MHz. Results reveal that dropletsurface tension and shell rigidity are responsible for an increase of the acoustic dropletvaporization threshold. Furthermore, this threshold does not vary monotonically with frequency, and an optimal frequency can be found to minimize it. Finally, the role of some physical properties on the dynamics of the particle is analyzed, such as the contrast of inner and outer liquids densities and the mechanical properties of the shell.

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Mach stem formation in outdoor measurements of acoustic shocks

Mach stem formation during outdoor acoustic shock propagation is investigated using spherical oxyacetylene balloons exploded above pavement. The location of the transition point from regular to irregular reflection and the path of the triple point are experimentally resolved using microphone arrays and a high-speed camera. The transition point falls between recent analytical work for weak irregular reflections and an empirical relationship derived from large explosions.

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Mach stem formation in outdoor measurements of acoustic shocks

Mach stem formation during outdoor acoustic shock propagation is investigated using spherical oxyacetylene balloons exploded above pavement. The location of the transition point from regular to irregular reflection and the path of the triple point are experimentally resolved using microphone arrays and a high-speed camera. The transition point falls between recent analytical work for weak irregular reflections and an empirical relationship derived from large explosions.

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Low prevalence of patients with mitochondrial disease in the German/Austrian DPV diabetes registry.

Low prevalence of patients with mitochondrial disease in the German/Austrian DPV diabetes registry.

Eur J Pediatr. 2015 Dec 15;

Authors: Reinauer C, Meissner T, Roden M, Thon A, Holterhus PM, Haberland H, Binder E, Marg W, Bollow E, Holl R

Abstract
The aim of this study was to characterize the phenotype and treatment of young patients (manifestation <30 years) with diabetes of mitochondrial origin (DMO), based on the German/Austrian DPV (Diabetes Patienten Verlaufsdokumentation) registry. Only 13 (0.02 %) of all patients with diabetes in this cohort were identified with DMO, mainly due to the Kearns-Sayre (n = 5), Pearson (n = 3), or mitochondrial myopathy, encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome (n = 2). The onset of DMO (14.2, interquartile range (IQR) 7.1-16 years) was later than diabetes onset in individuals with T1D but earlier than in T2D. At manifestation, patients exhibited a mild elevation of blood glucose concentrations (251, IQR 178-299 mg/dl) without ketoacidosis. They had lower body mass index (BMI) values (-1.39 ± 0.28 kg/m(2)) than peers with T1D or T2D (p < 0.0001) and higher triglycerides (211, IQR 134-574 mg/dl) than in T1D (p = 0.04) while there was a high rate of dyslipidemia (86 %). Insulin requirements (0.58, IQR 0.37-0.90 U/kg/d) were between T1D and T2D while glucometabolic control (glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 7.4 ± 0.52 %) in DMO was comparable to age-matched T2D and stable over a 5-year follow-up.
CONCLUSION: Primary mitochondrial disorders are a rare cause of juvenile diabetes and likely to be underdiagnosed. As there is clinical overlap with T1D and T2D, dyslipidemia and low body weight may help to identify further DMO cases. What is Known: • In adults diabetes of mitochondrial origin (DMO) is a rare cause of non-autoimmune diabetes, affecting about 0.8 % of diabetes cases. • Common features are a maternal family history of diabetes, hearing loss and neurological abnormalities. What is New: • In our juvenile cohort 0.02 % of diabetes patients (age < 30 years) were affected by DMO, while Kearns Sayre, MELAS and Pearson syndrome were the most frequent entities. • Juvenile DMO patients exhibited dyslipidemia, higher triglycerides and a lower BMI than peers with T1D or T2D, while some patients also showed retinal changes.

PMID: 26670026 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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The evolutionarily conserved Tre2/Bub2/Cdc16 (TBC), Lysin motif (LysM), Domain catalytic (TLDc) domain is neuroprotective against oxidative stress.

The evolutionarily conserved Tre2/Bub2/Cdc16 (TBC), Lysin motif (LysM), Domain catalytic (TLDc) domain is neuroprotective against oxidative stress.

J Biol Chem. 2015 Dec 14;

Authors: Finelli MJ, Sanchez-Pulido L, Liu KX, Davies KE, Oliver PL

Abstract
Oxidative stress is a pathological feature of many neurological disorders, therefore utilizing proteins that are protective against such cellular insults is a potentially valuable therapeutic approach. Oxidation resistance 1 (OXR1) has been shown previously to be critical for oxidative stress resistance in neuronal cells; deletion of this gene causes neurodegeneration in mice, yet conversely, over-expression of OXR1 is protective in cellular and mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the molecular mechanisms involved are unclear. OXR1 contains the Tre2/Bub2/Cdc16 (TBC), Lysin motif (LysM), Domain catalytic (TLDC) domain, a motif present in a family of proteins including TBC1 domain family member 24 (TBC1D24), a protein mutated in a range of disorders characterized by seizures, hearing loss and neurodegeneration. The TLDc domain is highly conserved across species, although the structure-function relationship is unknown. To understand the role of this domain in the stress response, we carried out systematic analysis of all mammalian TLDc domain-containing proteins, investigating their expression and neuroprotective properties in parallel. In addition, we performed a detailed structural and functional study of this domain, in which we identified key residues required for its activity. Finally, we present a new mouse insertional mutant of Oxr1, confirming that specific disruption of the TLDc domain in vivo is sufficient to cause neurodegeneration. Our data demonstrate that the integrity of the TLDc domain is essential for conferring neuroprotection, an important step in understanding the functional significance of all TLDc domain-containing proteins in the cellular stress response and disease.

PMID: 26668325 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Identification of Two Disease-causing Genes TJP2 and GJB2 in a Chinese Family with Unconditional Autosomal Dominant Nonsyndromic Hereditary Hearing Impairment.

Identification of Two Disease-causing Genes TJP2 and GJB2 in a Chinese Family with Unconditional Autosomal Dominant Nonsyndromic Hereditary Hearing Impairment.

Chin Med J (Engl). 2015 20th Dec;128(24):3345-3351

Authors: Wang HY, Zhao YL, Liu Q, Yuan H, Gao Y, Lan L, Yu L, Wang DY, Guan J, Wang QJ

Abstract
BACKGROUND: There are more than 300 genetic loci that have been found to be related to hereditary hearing impairment (HHI), including 92 causative genes for nonsyndromic hearing loss, among which 34 genes are related to autosomal dominant nonsyndromic HHI (ADNSHHI). Traditional linkage analysis and candidate gene sequencing are not effective at detecting the ADNSHHI, especially for the unconditional families that may have more than one pathogenic cause. This study identified two disease-causing genes TJP2 and GJB2 in a Chinese family with unconditional ADNSHHI.
METHODS: To decipher the genetic code of a Chinese family (family 686) with ADNSHHI, different gene screening techniques have been performed, including linkage analysis, candidate genes screening, high-throughput sequencing and Sanger sequencing. These techniques were done on samples obtained from this family over a period of 10 years.
RESULTS: We identified a pathogenic missense mutation, c. 2081G>A (p.G694E), in TJP2, a gene that plays a crucial role in apoptosis and age-related hearing loss (ARHL). The mutation was co-segregated in this pedigree in all, but not in the two patients who presented with different phenotypes from the other affected family members. In one of the two patients, we confirmed that the compound heterozygosity for p.Y136FNx01 and p.G45E in the GJB2 gene may account for the phenotype shown in this patient.
CONCLUSIONS: We identified the co-occurrence of two genetic causes in family 686. The possible disease-causing missense mutation of TJP2 in family 686 presents an opportunity for further investigation into ARHL. It is necessary to combine various genes screening methods, especially for some unconventional cases.

PMID: 26668150 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Whole exome sequencing identifies mutations in Usher syndrome genes in profoundly deaf Tunisian patients.

Related Articles

Whole exome sequencing identifies mutations in Usher syndrome genes in profoundly deaf Tunisian patients.

PLoS One. 2015;10(3):e0120584

Authors: Riahi Z, Bonnet C, Zainine R, Lahbib S, Bouyacoub Y, Bechraoui R, Marrakchi J, Hardelin JP, Louha M, Largueche L, Ben Yahia S, Kheirallah M, Elmatri L, Besbes G, Abdelhak S, Petit C

Abstract
Usher syndrome (USH) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by combined deafness-blindness. It accounts for about 50% of all hereditary deafness blindness cases. Three clinical subtypes (USH1, USH2, and USH3) are described, of which USH1 is the most severe form, characterized by congenital profound deafness, constant vestibular dysfunction, and a prepubertal onset of retinitis pigmentosa. We performed whole exome sequencing in four unrelated Tunisian patients affected by apparently isolated, congenital profound deafness, with reportedly normal ocular fundus examination. Four biallelic mutations were identified in two USH1 genes: a splice acceptor site mutation, c.2283-1G>T, and a novel missense mutation, c.5434G>A (p.Glu1812Lys), in MYO7A, and two previously unreported mutations in USH1G, i.e. a frameshift mutation, c.1195_1196delAG (p.Leu399Alafs*24), and a nonsense mutation, c.52A>T (p.Lys18*). Another ophthalmological examination including optical coherence tomography actually showed the presence of retinitis pigmentosa in all the patients. Our findings provide evidence that USH is under-diagnosed in Tunisian deaf patients. Yet, early diagnosis of USH is of utmost importance because these patients should undergo cochlear implant surgery in early childhood, in anticipation of the visual loss.

PMID: 25798947 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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