Παρασκευή 30 Σεπτεμβρίου 2016

Tyrosine Hydroxylase Expression in Type II Cochlear Afferents in Mice

Abstract

Acoustic information propagates from the ear to the brain via spiral ganglion neurons that innervate hair cells in the cochlea. These afferents include unmyelinated type II fibers that constitute 5 % of the total, the majority being myelinated type I neurons. Lack of specific genetic markers of type II afferents in the cochlea has been a roadblock in studying their functional role. Unexpectedly, type II afferents were visualized by reporter proteins induced by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-driven Cre recombinase. The present study was designed to determine whether TH-driven Cre recombinase (TH-2A-CreER) provides a selective and reliable tool for identification and genetic manipulation of type II rather than type I cochlear afferents. The “TH-2A-CreER neurons” radiated from the spiral lamina, crossed the tunnel of Corti, turned towards the base of the cochlea, and traveled beneath the rows of outer hair cells. Neither the processes nor the somata of TH-2A-CreER neurons were labeled by antibodies that specifically labeled type I afferents and medial efferents. TH-2A-CreER-positive processes partially co-labeled with antibodies to peripherin, a known marker of type II afferents. Individual TH-2A-CreER neurons gave off short branches contacting 7–25 outer hair cells (OHCs). Only a fraction of TH-2A-CreER boutons were associated with CtBP2-immunopositive ribbons. These results show that TH-2A-CreER provides a selective marker for type II versus type I afferents and can be used to describe the morphology and arborization pattern of type II cochlear afferents in the mouse cochlea.



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Processing Mechanisms in Hearing-Impaired Listeners: Evidence from Reaction Times and Sentence Interpretation.

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Objective: The authors aimed to determine whether hearing impairment affects sentence comprehension beyond phoneme or word recognition (i.e., on the sentence level), and to distinguish grammatically induced processing difficulties in structurally complex sentences from perceptual difficulties associated with listening to degraded speech. Effects of hearing impairment or speech in noise were expected to reflect hearer-specific speech recognition difficulties. Any additional processing time caused by the sustained perceptual challenges across the sentence may either be independent of or interact with top-down processing mechanisms associated with grammatical sentence structure. Design: Forty-nine participants listened to canonical subject-initial or noncanonical object-initial sentences that were presented either in quiet or in noise. Twenty-four participants had mild-to-moderate hearing impairment and received hearing-loss-specific amplification. Twenty-five participants were age-matched peers with normal hearing status. Reaction times were measured on-line at syntactically critical processing points as well as two control points to capture differences in processing mechanisms. An off-line comprehension task served as an additional indicator of sentence (mis)interpretation, and enforced syntactic processing. Results: The authors found general effects of hearing impairment and speech in noise that negatively affected perceptual processing, and an effect of word order, where complex grammar locally caused processing difficulties for the noncanonical sentence structure. Listeners with hearing impairment were hardly affected by noise at the beginning of the sentence, but were affected markedly toward the end of the sentence, indicating a sustained perceptual effect of speech recognition. Comprehension of sentences with noncanonical word order was negatively affected by degraded signals even after sentence presentation. Conclusion: Hearing impairment adds perceptual processing load during sentence processing, but affects grammatical processing beyond the word level to the same degree as in normal hearing, with minor differences in processing mechanisms. The data contribute to our understanding of individual differences in speech perception and language understanding. The authors interpret their results within the ease of language understanding model. Copyright (C) 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Processing Mechanisms in Hearing-Impaired Listeners: Evidence from Reaction Times and Sentence Interpretation.

wk-health-logo.gif

Objective: The authors aimed to determine whether hearing impairment affects sentence comprehension beyond phoneme or word recognition (i.e., on the sentence level), and to distinguish grammatically induced processing difficulties in structurally complex sentences from perceptual difficulties associated with listening to degraded speech. Effects of hearing impairment or speech in noise were expected to reflect hearer-specific speech recognition difficulties. Any additional processing time caused by the sustained perceptual challenges across the sentence may either be independent of or interact with top-down processing mechanisms associated with grammatical sentence structure. Design: Forty-nine participants listened to canonical subject-initial or noncanonical object-initial sentences that were presented either in quiet or in noise. Twenty-four participants had mild-to-moderate hearing impairment and received hearing-loss-specific amplification. Twenty-five participants were age-matched peers with normal hearing status. Reaction times were measured on-line at syntactically critical processing points as well as two control points to capture differences in processing mechanisms. An off-line comprehension task served as an additional indicator of sentence (mis)interpretation, and enforced syntactic processing. Results: The authors found general effects of hearing impairment and speech in noise that negatively affected perceptual processing, and an effect of word order, where complex grammar locally caused processing difficulties for the noncanonical sentence structure. Listeners with hearing impairment were hardly affected by noise at the beginning of the sentence, but were affected markedly toward the end of the sentence, indicating a sustained perceptual effect of speech recognition. Comprehension of sentences with noncanonical word order was negatively affected by degraded signals even after sentence presentation. Conclusion: Hearing impairment adds perceptual processing load during sentence processing, but affects grammatical processing beyond the word level to the same degree as in normal hearing, with minor differences in processing mechanisms. The data contribute to our understanding of individual differences in speech perception and language understanding. The authors interpret their results within the ease of language understanding model. Copyright (C) 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Processing Mechanisms in Hearing-Impaired Listeners: Evidence from Reaction Times and Sentence Interpretation.

wk-health-logo.gif

Objective: The authors aimed to determine whether hearing impairment affects sentence comprehension beyond phoneme or word recognition (i.e., on the sentence level), and to distinguish grammatically induced processing difficulties in structurally complex sentences from perceptual difficulties associated with listening to degraded speech. Effects of hearing impairment or speech in noise were expected to reflect hearer-specific speech recognition difficulties. Any additional processing time caused by the sustained perceptual challenges across the sentence may either be independent of or interact with top-down processing mechanisms associated with grammatical sentence structure. Design: Forty-nine participants listened to canonical subject-initial or noncanonical object-initial sentences that were presented either in quiet or in noise. Twenty-four participants had mild-to-moderate hearing impairment and received hearing-loss-specific amplification. Twenty-five participants were age-matched peers with normal hearing status. Reaction times were measured on-line at syntactically critical processing points as well as two control points to capture differences in processing mechanisms. An off-line comprehension task served as an additional indicator of sentence (mis)interpretation, and enforced syntactic processing. Results: The authors found general effects of hearing impairment and speech in noise that negatively affected perceptual processing, and an effect of word order, where complex grammar locally caused processing difficulties for the noncanonical sentence structure. Listeners with hearing impairment were hardly affected by noise at the beginning of the sentence, but were affected markedly toward the end of the sentence, indicating a sustained perceptual effect of speech recognition. Comprehension of sentences with noncanonical word order was negatively affected by degraded signals even after sentence presentation. Conclusion: Hearing impairment adds perceptual processing load during sentence processing, but affects grammatical processing beyond the word level to the same degree as in normal hearing, with minor differences in processing mechanisms. The data contribute to our understanding of individual differences in speech perception and language understanding. The authors interpret their results within the ease of language understanding model. Copyright (C) 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Signia Expert Series: Speech-in-Noise Testing for Selection and Fitting of Hearing Aids: Worth the Effort?

In 2010, I conducted a survey at two audiology professional meetings, of 107 audiologists who routinely fit hearing aids. The purpose of the survey was to look at audiologists’ use of speech-in-noise testing in their clinical practice. This survey was given after I had conducted a talk on different speech-in-noise tests, so everyone who took the survey was familiar with the speech-in-noise tests that were listed in the survey.

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Signia Expert Series: Speech-in-Noise Testing for Selection and Fitting of Hearing Aids: Worth the Effort?

In 2010, I conducted a survey at two audiology professional meetings, of 107 audiologists who routinely fit hearing aids. The purpose of the survey was to look at audiologists’ use of speech-in-noise testing in their clinical practice. This survey was given after I had conducted a talk on different speech-in-noise tests, so everyone who took the survey was familiar with the speech-in-noise tests that were listed in the survey.

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Signia Expert Series: Speech-in-Noise Testing for Selection and Fitting of Hearing Aids: Worth the Effort?

In 2010, I conducted a survey at two audiology professional meetings, of 107 audiologists who routinely fit hearing aids. The purpose of the survey was to look at audiologists’ use of speech-in-noise testing in their clinical practice. This survey was given after I had conducted a talk on different speech-in-noise tests, so everyone who took the survey was familiar with the speech-in-noise tests that were listed in the survey.

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Ossicular Bone Damage and Hearing Loss in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Correlated Functional and High Resolution Morphometric Study in Collagen-Induced Arthritic Mice

by Rensa Chen, Martin Schwander, Mary F. Barbe, Marion M. Chan

Globally, a body of comparative case-control studies suggests that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are more prone to developing hearing loss (HL). However, experimental evidence that supports this hypothesis is still lacking because the human auditory organ is not readily accessible. The aim of this study was to determine the association between bone damage to the ossicles of the middle ear and HL, using a widely accepted murine model of collagen-induced arthritis (RA mice). Diarthrodial joints in the middle ear were examined with microcomputer tomography (microCT), and hearing function was assessed by auditory brainstem response (ABR). RA mice exhibited significantly decreased hearing sensitivity compared to age-matched controls. Additionally, a significant narrowing of the incudostapedial joint space and an increase in the porosity of the stapes were observed. The absolute latencies of all ABR waves were prolonged, but mean interpeak latencies were not statistically different. The observed bone defects in the middle ear that were accompanied by changes in ABR responses were consistent with conductive HL. This combination suggests that conductive impairment is at least part of the etiology of RA-induced HL in a murine model. Whether the inner ear sustains bone erosion or other pathology, and whether the cochlear nerve sustains pathology await subsequent studies. Considering the fact that certain anti-inflammatories are ototoxic in high doses, monitoring RA patients’ auditory function is advisable as part of the effort to ensure their well-being.

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Enhancing speech envelope by integrating hair-cell adaptation into cochlear implant processing

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Publication date: Available online 30 September 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Mahan Azadpour, Robert L. Smith
Cochlear implants (CIs) bypass some of the mechanisms that underlie normal neural behavior as occurs in acoustic hearing. One such neural mechanism is short-term adaptation, which has been proposed to have a significant role in speech perception. Acoustically-evoked neural adaptation has been mainly attributed to the depletion of neurotransmitter in the hair-cell to auditory-nerve synapse and is therefore not fully present in CI stimulation. This study evaluated a signal processing method that integrated a physiological model of hair-cell adaptation into CI speech processing. The linear high-pass adaptation model expanded the range of rapid variations of the electrical signal generated by the clinical processing strategy. Speech perception performance with the adaptation-based processing was compared to that of the clinical strategy in seven CI users. While there was large variability across subjects, the new processing improved sentence recognition and consonant identification scores in quiet in all the tested subjects with an average improvement of 8% and 6% respectively. Consonant recognition scores in babble noise were improved at the higher signal-to-noise ratios tested (10 and 6 dB) only. Information transfer analysis of consonant features showed significant improvements for manner and place of articulation features, but not for voicing. Enhancement of within-channel envelope cues was confirmed by consonant recognition results obtained with single-channel strategies that presented the overall amplitude envelope of the signal on a single active electrode. Adaptation-inspired envelope enhancement techniques can potentially improve perception of important speech features by CI users.



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Auditory steady-state responses as neural correlates of loudness growth

S03785955.gif

Publication date: Available online 29 September 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Maaike Van Eeckhoutte, Jan Wouters, Tom Francart
The aim of this study was to find an objective estimate of individual, complete loudness growth functions based on auditory steady-state responses. Both normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners were involved in two behavioral loudness growth tasks and one EEG recording session. Behavioral loudness growth was measured with Absolute Magnitude Estimation and a Graphic Rating Scale with loudness categories. Stimuli were sinusoidally amplitude-modulated sinusoids with carrier frequencies of either 500 Hz or 2000 Hz, a modulation frequency of 40 Hz, a duration of 1 s, and presented at intensities encompassing the participants’ dynamic ranges. Auditory steady-state responses were evoked by the same stimuli using durations of at least 5 minutes. Results showed that there was a good correspondence between the relative growth of the auditory steady-state response amplitudes and the behavioral loudness growth responses for each participant of both groups of listeners. This demonstrates the potential for a more individual, objective, and automatic fitting of hearing aids in future clinical practice.



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Enhancing speech envelope by integrating hair-cell adaptation into cochlear implant processing

alertIcon.gif

Publication date: Available online 30 September 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Mahan Azadpour, Robert L. Smith
Cochlear implants (CIs) bypass some of the mechanisms that underlie normal neural behavior as occurs in acoustic hearing. One such neural mechanism is short-term adaptation, which has been proposed to have a significant role in speech perception. Acoustically-evoked neural adaptation has been mainly attributed to the depletion of neurotransmitter in the hair-cell to auditory-nerve synapse and is therefore not fully present in CI stimulation. This study evaluated a signal processing method that integrated a physiological model of hair-cell adaptation into CI speech processing. The linear high-pass adaptation model expanded the range of rapid variations of the electrical signal generated by the clinical processing strategy. Speech perception performance with the adaptation-based processing was compared to that of the clinical strategy in seven CI users. While there was large variability across subjects, the new processing improved sentence recognition and consonant identification scores in quiet in all the tested subjects with an average improvement of 8% and 6% respectively. Consonant recognition scores in babble noise were improved at the higher signal-to-noise ratios tested (10 and 6 dB) only. Information transfer analysis of consonant features showed significant improvements for manner and place of articulation features, but not for voicing. Enhancement of within-channel envelope cues was confirmed by consonant recognition results obtained with single-channel strategies that presented the overall amplitude envelope of the signal on a single active electrode. Adaptation-inspired envelope enhancement techniques can potentially improve perception of important speech features by CI users.



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Auditory steady-state responses as neural correlates of loudness growth

S03785955.gif

Publication date: Available online 29 September 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Maaike Van Eeckhoutte, Jan Wouters, Tom Francart
The aim of this study was to find an objective estimate of individual, complete loudness growth functions based on auditory steady-state responses. Both normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners were involved in two behavioral loudness growth tasks and one EEG recording session. Behavioral loudness growth was measured with Absolute Magnitude Estimation and a Graphic Rating Scale with loudness categories. Stimuli were sinusoidally amplitude-modulated sinusoids with carrier frequencies of either 500 Hz or 2000 Hz, a modulation frequency of 40 Hz, a duration of 1 s, and presented at intensities encompassing the participants’ dynamic ranges. Auditory steady-state responses were evoked by the same stimuli using durations of at least 5 minutes. Results showed that there was a good correspondence between the relative growth of the auditory steady-state response amplitudes and the behavioral loudness growth responses for each participant of both groups of listeners. This demonstrates the potential for a more individual, objective, and automatic fitting of hearing aids in future clinical practice.



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Enhancing speech envelope by integrating hair-cell adaptation into cochlear implant processing

alertIcon.gif

Publication date: Available online 30 September 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Mahan Azadpour, Robert L. Smith
Cochlear implants (CIs) bypass some of the mechanisms that underlie normal neural behavior as occurs in acoustic hearing. One such neural mechanism is short-term adaptation, which has been proposed to have a significant role in speech perception. Acoustically-evoked neural adaptation has been mainly attributed to the depletion of neurotransmitter in the hair-cell to auditory-nerve synapse and is therefore not fully present in CI stimulation. This study evaluated a signal processing method that integrated a physiological model of hair-cell adaptation into CI speech processing. The linear high-pass adaptation model expanded the range of rapid variations of the electrical signal generated by the clinical processing strategy. Speech perception performance with the adaptation-based processing was compared to that of the clinical strategy in seven CI users. While there was large variability across subjects, the new processing improved sentence recognition and consonant identification scores in quiet in all the tested subjects with an average improvement of 8% and 6% respectively. Consonant recognition scores in babble noise were improved at the higher signal-to-noise ratios tested (10 and 6 dB) only. Information transfer analysis of consonant features showed significant improvements for manner and place of articulation features, but not for voicing. Enhancement of within-channel envelope cues was confirmed by consonant recognition results obtained with single-channel strategies that presented the overall amplitude envelope of the signal on a single active electrode. Adaptation-inspired envelope enhancement techniques can potentially improve perception of important speech features by CI users.



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Auditory steady-state responses as neural correlates of loudness growth

S03785955.gif

Publication date: Available online 29 September 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Maaike Van Eeckhoutte, Jan Wouters, Tom Francart
The aim of this study was to find an objective estimate of individual, complete loudness growth functions based on auditory steady-state responses. Both normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners were involved in two behavioral loudness growth tasks and one EEG recording session. Behavioral loudness growth was measured with Absolute Magnitude Estimation and a Graphic Rating Scale with loudness categories. Stimuli were sinusoidally amplitude-modulated sinusoids with carrier frequencies of either 500 Hz or 2000 Hz, a modulation frequency of 40 Hz, a duration of 1 s, and presented at intensities encompassing the participants’ dynamic ranges. Auditory steady-state responses were evoked by the same stimuli using durations of at least 5 minutes. Results showed that there was a good correspondence between the relative growth of the auditory steady-state response amplitudes and the behavioral loudness growth responses for each participant of both groups of listeners. This demonstrates the potential for a more individual, objective, and automatic fitting of hearing aids in future clinical practice.



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Effects of belt speed on the body’s center of mass motion relative to the center of pressure during treadmill walking

Publication date: Available online 29 September 2016
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Hsuan-Lun Lu, Tung-Wu Lu, Hsiu-Chen Lin, Hong-Jung Hsieh, Wing P. Chan
Treadmills are often used in clinical settings to improve walking balance control in patients with gait impairments. However, knowledge of the effects of belt speed on balance control remains incomplete. The current study determined such effects in terms of inclination angles (ia) and the rate of change (rcia) of the center of mass (com) motion relative to the center of pressure (cop) in twelve healthy adults at five belt speeds, including the subjects' preferred walking speed (pws), as measured using a motion capture system and an instrumented treadmill. The values of ias and rcias at key gait events and their average values over single-limb support (sls) and double-limb support (dls) were compared between speeds using one-way repeated measures analysis of variances. While the com-cop controls were different between sls and dls, they were inter-related to form an integrated whole. Among the belt speeds, the range of frontal ia during sls was smallest at the pws (p<0.05). With increasing speed, most variables of the sagittal ias and rcias, and of the frontal rcias during dls showed a linearly increasing trend (p<0.001). A linearly decreasing trend was found in the frontal ia at toe-off and in the average frontal rcia during sls (p<0.05). The pws appeared to be the best compromise between frontal stability during sls and smooth weight-transfer during dls. The current results provide useful baseline data for selecting speeds according to training needs, and may be helpful for developing protocols for gait retraining for patients with gait impairment.



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Perceiving slipperiness and grip: A meaningful relationship of the shoe-ground interface

Publication date: Available online 29 September 2016
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Cédric Morio, Aurore Bourrelly, Lise Sissler, Nils Gueguen
The present study investigated the relationship between objective measurements of the available (CoFA), the utilized (CoFU) coefficient of friction and subjective perception of grip or slipperiness. It was hypothesized that significant correlations exist between the perception of grip or slip and the CoF during sports movement and that a minimum CoF was needed to ensure an optimal grip/slipperiness perception. Eighteen healthy active females performed forward and backward cutting tasks onto a forceplate. Six shoes and two floors were used to induce different grip conditions. Subjective ratings and CoFU were assessed for each shoe-floor combination, and mechanical CoFA was also measured in a specific test bed. Significant relationships (p<0.001) were found between grip, slipperiness ratings or CoFA with the CoFU (r=0.98, r=−0.97, r=0.88, respectively). Individual sensory thresholds of the minimum required CoFU were also determined using probit models between the CoFU and the grip acceptability. The mean threshold defined in the present study was 0.70±0.11. This meant that below this threshold, the grip perception was not acceptable, whereas above this threshold, the grip was felt good enough to perform the task. In conclusion, strong relationships between subjective perceptions and objective measurements of friction were found in sports-like movements. Moreover, a minimum friction requirement was defined for indoor dry shoe-floor conditions. The present study gives new insights of the shoe-floor interaction and outlines friction requirements for the manufacturers of sports floor or footwear.



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Effects of belt speed on the body’s center of mass motion relative to the center of pressure during treadmill walking

Publication date: Available online 29 September 2016
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Hsuan-Lun Lu, Tung-Wu Lu, Hsiu-Chen Lin, Hong-Jung Hsieh, Wing P. Chan
Treadmills are often used in clinical settings to improve walking balance control in patients with gait impairments. However, knowledge of the effects of belt speed on balance control remains incomplete. The current study determined such effects in terms of inclination angles (ia) and the rate of change (rcia) of the center of mass (com) motion relative to the center of pressure (cop) in twelve healthy adults at five belt speeds, including the subjects' preferred walking speed (pws), as measured using a motion capture system and an instrumented treadmill. The values of ias and rcias at key gait events and their average values over single-limb support (sls) and double-limb support (dls) were compared between speeds using one-way repeated measures analysis of variances. While the com-cop controls were different between sls and dls, they were inter-related to form an integrated whole. Among the belt speeds, the range of frontal ia during sls was smallest at the pws (p<0.05). With increasing speed, most variables of the sagittal ias and rcias, and of the frontal rcias during dls showed a linearly increasing trend (p<0.001). A linearly decreasing trend was found in the frontal ia at toe-off and in the average frontal rcia during sls (p<0.05). The pws appeared to be the best compromise between frontal stability during sls and smooth weight-transfer during dls. The current results provide useful baseline data for selecting speeds according to training needs, and may be helpful for developing protocols for gait retraining for patients with gait impairment.



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Perceiving slipperiness and grip: A meaningful relationship of the shoe-ground interface

Publication date: Available online 29 September 2016
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Cédric Morio, Aurore Bourrelly, Lise Sissler, Nils Gueguen
The present study investigated the relationship between objective measurements of the available (CoFA), the utilized (CoFU) coefficient of friction and subjective perception of grip or slipperiness. It was hypothesized that significant correlations exist between the perception of grip or slip and the CoF during sports movement and that a minimum CoF was needed to ensure an optimal grip/slipperiness perception. Eighteen healthy active females performed forward and backward cutting tasks onto a forceplate. Six shoes and two floors were used to induce different grip conditions. Subjective ratings and CoFU were assessed for each shoe-floor combination, and mechanical CoFA was also measured in a specific test bed. Significant relationships (p<0.001) were found between grip, slipperiness ratings or CoFA with the CoFU (r=0.98, r=−0.97, r=0.88, respectively). Individual sensory thresholds of the minimum required CoFU were also determined using probit models between the CoFU and the grip acceptability. The mean threshold defined in the present study was 0.70±0.11. This meant that below this threshold, the grip perception was not acceptable, whereas above this threshold, the grip was felt good enough to perform the task. In conclusion, strong relationships between subjective perceptions and objective measurements of friction were found in sports-like movements. Moreover, a minimum friction requirement was defined for indoor dry shoe-floor conditions. The present study gives new insights of the shoe-floor interaction and outlines friction requirements for the manufacturers of sports floor or footwear.



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Effects of belt speed on the body’s center of mass motion relative to the center of pressure during treadmill walking

Publication date: Available online 29 September 2016
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Hsuan-Lun Lu, Tung-Wu Lu, Hsiu-Chen Lin, Hong-Jung Hsieh, Wing P. Chan
Treadmills are often used in clinical settings to improve walking balance control in patients with gait impairments. However, knowledge of the effects of belt speed on balance control remains incomplete. The current study determined such effects in terms of inclination angles (ia) and the rate of change (rcia) of the center of mass (com) motion relative to the center of pressure (cop) in twelve healthy adults at five belt speeds, including the subjects' preferred walking speed (pws), as measured using a motion capture system and an instrumented treadmill. The values of ias and rcias at key gait events and their average values over single-limb support (sls) and double-limb support (dls) were compared between speeds using one-way repeated measures analysis of variances. While the com-cop controls were different between sls and dls, they were inter-related to form an integrated whole. Among the belt speeds, the range of frontal ia during sls was smallest at the pws (p<0.05). With increasing speed, most variables of the sagittal ias and rcias, and of the frontal rcias during dls showed a linearly increasing trend (p<0.001). A linearly decreasing trend was found in the frontal ia at toe-off and in the average frontal rcia during sls (p<0.05). The pws appeared to be the best compromise between frontal stability during sls and smooth weight-transfer during dls. The current results provide useful baseline data for selecting speeds according to training needs, and may be helpful for developing protocols for gait retraining for patients with gait impairment.



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Perceiving slipperiness and grip: A meaningful relationship of the shoe-ground interface

Publication date: Available online 29 September 2016
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Cédric Morio, Aurore Bourrelly, Lise Sissler, Nils Gueguen
The present study investigated the relationship between objective measurements of the available (CoFA), the utilized (CoFU) coefficient of friction and subjective perception of grip or slipperiness. It was hypothesized that significant correlations exist between the perception of grip or slip and the CoF during sports movement and that a minimum CoF was needed to ensure an optimal grip/slipperiness perception. Eighteen healthy active females performed forward and backward cutting tasks onto a forceplate. Six shoes and two floors were used to induce different grip conditions. Subjective ratings and CoFU were assessed for each shoe-floor combination, and mechanical CoFA was also measured in a specific test bed. Significant relationships (p<0.001) were found between grip, slipperiness ratings or CoFA with the CoFU (r=0.98, r=−0.97, r=0.88, respectively). Individual sensory thresholds of the minimum required CoFU were also determined using probit models between the CoFU and the grip acceptability. The mean threshold defined in the present study was 0.70±0.11. This meant that below this threshold, the grip perception was not acceptable, whereas above this threshold, the grip was felt good enough to perform the task. In conclusion, strong relationships between subjective perceptions and objective measurements of friction were found in sports-like movements. Moreover, a minimum friction requirement was defined for indoor dry shoe-floor conditions. The present study gives new insights of the shoe-floor interaction and outlines friction requirements for the manufacturers of sports floor or footwear.



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SPATA5 mutations cause a distinct autosomal recessive phenotype of intellectual disability, hypotonia and hearing loss.

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SPATA5 mutations cause a distinct autosomal recessive phenotype of intellectual disability, hypotonia and hearing loss.

Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2016;11(1):130

Authors: Buchert R, Nesbitt AI, Tawamie H, Krantz ID, Medne L, Helbig I, Matalon DR, Reis A, Santani A, Sticht H, Abou Jamra R

Abstract
We examined an extended, consanguineous family with seven individuals with severe intellectual disability and microcephaly. Further symptoms were hearing loss, vision impairment, gastrointestinal disturbances, and slow and asymmetric waves in the EEG. Linkage analysis followed by exome sequencing revealed a homozygous variant in SPATA5 (c.1822_1824del; p.Asp608del), which segregates with the phenotype in the family. Molecular modelling suggested a deleterious effect of the identified alterations on the protein function. In an unrelated family, we identified compound heterozygous variants in SPATA5 (c.[2081G > A];[989_991delCAA]; p.[Gly694Glu];[.Thr330del]) in a further individual with global developmental delay, infantile spasms, profound dystonia, and sensorineural hearing loss. Molecular modelling suggested an impairment of protein function in the presence of both variants.SPATA5 is a member of the ATPase associated with diverse activities (AAA) protein family and was very recently reported in one publication to be mutated in individuals with intellectual disability, epilepsy and hearing loss. Our results describe new, probably pathogenic variants in SPATA5 that were identified in individuals with a comparable phenotype. We thus independently confirm that bi-allelic pathogenic variants in SPATA5 cause a syndromic form of intellectual disability, and we delineate its clinical presentation.

PMID: 27683084 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Gilles de la Tourette syndrome in a cohort of deaf people.

http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-imag Related Articles

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome in a cohort of deaf people.

Asian J Psychiatr. 2015 Oct;17:65-70

Authors: Robertson MM, Roberts S, Pillai S, Eapen V

Abstract
We present six patients with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (TS) who are also deaf. TS has been observed previously, but rarely reported in deaf people, and to date, so called "unusual" phenomenology has been highlighted. TS occurs almost worldwide and in all cultures, and the clinical phenomenology is virtually identical. In our cohort of deaf patients (we suggest another culture) with TS, the phenomenology is the same as in hearing people, and as in all other cultures, with classic motor and vocal/phonic tics, as well as associated phenomena including echo-phenomena, pali-phenomena and rarer copro-phenomena. When "words" related to these phenomenon (e.g. echolalia, palilalia, coprolalia or mental coprolalia) are elicited in deaf people, they occur usually in British Sign Language (BSL): the more "basic" vocal/phonic tics such as throat clearing are the same phenomenologically as in hearing TS people. In our case series, there was a genetic predisposition to TS in all cases. We would argue that TS in deaf people is the same as TS in hearing people and in other cultures, highlighting the biological nature of the disorder.

PMID: 26216703 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]



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Mobile Communication Devices, Ambient Noise, and Acoustic Voice Measures

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Publication date: Available online 29 September 2016
Source:Journal of Voice
Author(s): Youri Maryn, Femke Ysenbaert, Andrzej Zarowski, Robby Vanspauwen
ObjectivesThe ability to move with mobile communication devices (MCDs; ie, smartphones and tablet computers) may induce differences in microphone-to-mouth positioning and use in noise-packed environments, and thus influence reliability of acoustic voice measurements. This study investigated differences in various acoustic voice measures between six recording equipments in backgrounds with low and increasing noise levels.MethodsOne chain of continuous speech and sustained vowel from 50 subjects with voice disorders (all separated by silence intervals) was radiated and re-recorded in an anechoic chamber with five MCDs and one high-quality recording system. These recordings were acquired in one condition without ambient noise and in four conditions with increased ambient noise. A total of 10 acoustic voice markers were obtained in the program Praat. Differences between MCDs and noise condition were assessed with Friedman repeated-measures test and posthoc Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, both for related samples, after Bonferroni correction.Results(1) Except median fundamental frequency and seven nonsignificant differences, MCD samples have significantly higher acoustic markers than clinical reference samples in minimal environmental noise. (2) Except median fundamental frequency, jitter local, and jitter rap, all acoustic measures on samples recorded with the reference system experienced significant influence from room noise levels.ConclusionsFundamental frequency is resistant to recording system, environmental noise, and their combination. All other measures, however, were impacted by both recording system and noise condition, and especially by their combination, often already in the reference/baseline condition without added ambient noise. Caution is therefore warranted regarding implementation of MCDs as clinical recording tools, particularly when applied for treatment outcomes assessments.



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Stimulation from Cochlear Implant Electrodes Assists with Recovery from Asymmetric Perceptual Tilt: Evidence from the Subjective Visual Vertical Test.

Stimulation from Cochlear Implant Electrodes Assists with Recovery from Asymmetric Perceptual Tilt: Evidence from the Subjective Visual Vertical Test.

Front Integr Neurosci. 2016;10:32

Authors: Gnanasegaram JJ, Parkes WJ, Cushing SL, McKnight CL, Papsin BC, Gordon KA

Abstract
Vestibular end organ impairment is highly prevalent in children who have sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) rehabilitated with cochlear implants (CIs). As a result, spatial perception is likely to be impacted in this population. Of particular interest is the perception of visual vertical because it reflects a perceptual tilt in the roll axis and is sensitive to an imbalance in otolith function. The objectives of the present study were thus to identify abnormalities in perception of the vertical plane in children with SNHL and determine whether such abnormalities could be resolved with stimulation from the CI. Participants included 53 children (15.2 ± 4.0 years of age) with SNHL and vestibular loss, confirmed with vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) testing. Testing protocol was validated in a sample of nine young adults with normal hearing (28.8 ± 7.7 years). Perception of visual vertical was assessed using the static Subjective Visual Vertical (SVV) test performed with and without stimulation in the participants with cochleovestibular loss. Trains of electrical pulses were delivered by an electrode in the left and/or right ear. Asymmetric spatial orientation deficits were found in nearly half of the participants with CIs (24/53 [45%]). The abnormal perception in this cohort was exacerbated by visual tilts in the direction of their deficit. Electric pulse trains delivered using the CI shifted this abnormal perception towards center (i.e., normal; p = 0.007). Importantly, this benefit was realized regardless of which ear was stimulated. These results suggest a role for CI stimulation beyond the auditory system, in particular, for improving vestibular/balance function.

PMID: 27679562 [PubMed]



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Stimulation from Cochlear Implant Electrodes Assists with Recovery from Asymmetric Perceptual Tilt: Evidence from the Subjective Visual Vertical Test.

Stimulation from Cochlear Implant Electrodes Assists with Recovery from Asymmetric Perceptual Tilt: Evidence from the Subjective Visual Vertical Test.

Front Integr Neurosci. 2016;10:32

Authors: Gnanasegaram JJ, Parkes WJ, Cushing SL, McKnight CL, Papsin BC, Gordon KA

Abstract
Vestibular end organ impairment is highly prevalent in children who have sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) rehabilitated with cochlear implants (CIs). As a result, spatial perception is likely to be impacted in this population. Of particular interest is the perception of visual vertical because it reflects a perceptual tilt in the roll axis and is sensitive to an imbalance in otolith function. The objectives of the present study were thus to identify abnormalities in perception of the vertical plane in children with SNHL and determine whether such abnormalities could be resolved with stimulation from the CI. Participants included 53 children (15.2 ± 4.0 years of age) with SNHL and vestibular loss, confirmed with vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) testing. Testing protocol was validated in a sample of nine young adults with normal hearing (28.8 ± 7.7 years). Perception of visual vertical was assessed using the static Subjective Visual Vertical (SVV) test performed with and without stimulation in the participants with cochleovestibular loss. Trains of electrical pulses were delivered by an electrode in the left and/or right ear. Asymmetric spatial orientation deficits were found in nearly half of the participants with CIs (24/53 [45%]). The abnormal perception in this cohort was exacerbated by visual tilts in the direction of their deficit. Electric pulse trains delivered using the CI shifted this abnormal perception towards center (i.e., normal; p = 0.007). Importantly, this benefit was realized regardless of which ear was stimulated. These results suggest a role for CI stimulation beyond the auditory system, in particular, for improving vestibular/balance function.

PMID: 27679562 [PubMed]



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GeneReviews(®)

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GeneReviews(®)

Book. 1993

Authors: Pagon RA, Adam MP, Ardinger HH, Wallace SE, Amemiya A, Bean LJH, Bird TD, Ledbetter N, Mefford HC, Smith RJH, Stephens K

Abstract
CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is characterized by: Sun sensitivity (severe sunburn with blistering, persistent erythema on minimal sun exposure in ~60% of affected individuals), with marked freckle-like pigmentation of the face before age two years in most affected individuals; Sunlight-induced ocular involvement (photophobia, keratitis, atrophy of the skin of the lids); Greatly increased risk of sunlight-induced cutaneous neoplasms (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma). Approximately 25% of affected individuals have neurologic manifestations (acquired microcephaly, diminished or absent deep tendon stretch reflexes, progressive sensorineural hearing loss, and progressive cognitive impairment). The most common causes of death are skin cancer, neurologic degeneration, and internal cancer. The median age at death in persons with XP with neurodegeneration (29 years) was found to be younger than that in persons with XP without neurodegeneration (37 years).
DIAGNOSIS/TESTING: The diagnosis of XP is made on the basis of clinical findings and family history and/or by the identification of biallelic pathogenic variants in DDB2, ERCC1,ERCC2, ERCC3, ERCC4, ERCC5, POLH, XPA, or XPC.
MANAGEMENT: Treatment of manifestations: Small, premalignant skin lesions such as actinic keratoses can be treated by freezing with liquid nitrogen; larger areas can be treated with field treatments such as topical 5-fluorouracil or imiquimod. Rarely, therapeutic dermatome shaving or dermabrasion has been used; skin neoplasms can be treated (as in persons without XP) with electrodesiccation and curettage, or surgical excision; skin cancers that are recurrent or in locations at high risk for recurrence are best treated with Mohs micrographic surgery. Oral isotretinoin or acitretin can prevent new skin neoplasms but have many side effects. Neoplasms of the eyelids, conjunctiva, and cornea can be treated surgically; corneal transplantation may improve the visual impairment resulting from severe keratitis. Hearing loss may be treated with hearing aids. Prevention of primary manifestations: Avoid sun and other UV exposure to the skin and eyes; measurement of UV light with a light meter in an affected individual’s home, school, and/or work environment so that high levels of environmental UV can be identified and eliminated. Prevention of secondary complications: Dietary supplementation with oral vitamin D as needed. Surveillance: Skin examinations by a physician every three to 12 months; periodic routine eye and neurologic examinations and audiograms. Agents/circumstances to avoid: UV exposure from sunlight and artificial sources of UV radiation, cigarette smoke. Evaluation of relatives at risk: If family-specific pathogenic variants have been identified, molecular genetic testing of at-risk sibs can permit early diagnosis and rigorous sun protection from an early age. Pregnancy management: Systemic retinoids (isotretinoin, acitretin) may be used as skin cancer chemopreventive agents. These drugs are known to be teratogenic to a developing fetus and pose a high risk for birth defects. Women of reproductive age who are taking a systemic retinoid must use effective contraception and be monitored with regular pregnancy tests.
GENETIC COUNSELING: XP is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. At conception, each sib of an affected individual has a 25% chance of being affected, a 50% chance of being an asymptomatic carrier, and a 25% chance of being unaffected and not a carrier. Once the pathogenic variants have been identified in an affected family member, carrier testing for at-risk family members and prenatal testing for pregnancies at increased risk are possible options.


PMID: 20301571



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