Real-time Simultaneous DKG and 2D DKG Using High-speed Digital Camera

Publication date: Available online 7 November 2016
Source:Journal of Voice
Author(s): Duck-Hoon Kang, Soo-Geun Wang, Hee-June Park, Jin-Choon Lee, Gye-Rok Jeon, Ill-Sang Choi, Seon-Jong Kim, Bum-Joo Shin
IntroductionFor the evaluation of voice disorders, direct observation of vocal cord vibration is important. Among the various methods, laryngeal videostroboscopy (LVS) is widely used, but it was not a true image because it collects images from different cycles. In contrast, high-speed videoendoscopy and videokymography have much higher frame rates and can assess functional and mobility disorders.ObjectiveThe purpose of the study is to describe real-time, simultaneous digital kymography (DKG), two-dimensional scanning (2D) DKG, and multi-frame (MF) LVS system using a high-speed digital camera, and identify the efficacy of this system in evaluating vibratory patterns of pathologic voice.MethodsThe pattern of vocal fold vibration was evaluated in a vocally healthy subject and in subjects with vocal polyp, vocal nodules, vocal cord scar, and vocal cord paralysis. We used both quantitative (left-right phase symmetry, amplitude symmetry index) and qualitative (anterior-posterior phase symmetry) parameters for assessment of vocal fold vibration.ResultsOur system could record videos within seconds and required relatively little memory. The speed of replay in the DKG, 2D DKG, MF LVS, and high-speed videoendoscopy was controllable. The number of frame per cycle with MF LVS was almost the same as the fundamental frequency.ConclusionOur system can provide images of various modalities simultaneously in real time and analyze morphological and functional vibratory patterns. It can be possible to provide a greater level of information for the diagnosis and treatment of vibratory disorders.



from #Audiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2fxE6ls
via IFTTT

The Effectiveness of Low-Level Light Therapy in Attenuating Vocal Fatigue

Publication date: Available online 7 November 2016
Source:Journal of Voice
Author(s): Loraine Sydney Kagan, James T. Heaton
ObjectivesLow-level light therapy (LLLT) is effective in reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing, and preventing tissue damage, but has not yet been studied in the treatment of voice disorders. The objective of this study was to investigate the possible effectiveness of LLLT in attenuating symptoms of vocal fatigue created by a vocal loading task as measured by acoustic, aerodynamic, and self-reported vocal effort.MethodsIn a randomized, prospective study, 16 vocally healthy adults divided into four groups underwent a 1-hour vocal loading procedure, followed by infrared wavelength LLLT (828 nm), red wavelength LLLT (628 nm), heat, or no heat–light (control) treatment targeting the laryngeal region of the ventral neck surface. Phonation threshold pressure (PTP), relative fundamental frequency (RFF), and the inability to produce soft voice (IPSV) self-perceptual rating scale were recorded (1) at baseline, (2) immediately after vocal loading, (3) after treatment, and (4) 1 hour after treatment.ResultsVocal loading significantly increased PTP and IPSV and decreased onset and offset RFFs, consistent with a shift toward vocal dysfunction. Red light significantly normalized the combination of PTP, IPSV, and RFF measures compared to other conditions.ConclusionsRFF is sensitive to a vocal loading task in conjunction with PTP and IPSV, and red LLLT may have a normalizing effect on objective and subjective measures of vocal fatigue. The results of this study lay the groundwork and rationale for future research to optimize LLLT wavelength combinations and overall dose.



from #Audiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2fbc54G
via IFTTT

Effect of Levodopa + Carbidopa on the Laryngeal Electromyographic Pattern in Parkinson Disease

Publication date: Available online 7 November 2016
Source:Journal of Voice
Author(s): Gustavo Noffs, André de Campos Duprat, Ana Paula Zarzur, Berenice Oliveira Cataldo, Erich Fonoff
BackgroundVocal impairment is one of the main debilitating symptoms of Parkinson disease (PD). The effect of levodopa on vocal function remains unclear.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the effect of levodopa on electromyographic patterns of the laryngeal muscle in patients with PD.Study designThis is a prospective interventional trial.MethodsNineteen patients with PD—diagnosed by laryngeal electromyography—were enrolled. Cricothyroid and thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle activities were measured at rest and during muscle contraction (phonation), when participants were on and off medication (12 hours after the last levodopa dose).ResultsPrevalence of resting hypertonia in the cricothyroid muscle was similar in the off and on states (7 of 19, P = 1.00). Eight patients off medication and four patients on medication had hypertonic TA muscle at rest (P = 0.289). No electromyographic alterations were observed during phonation for either medication states.ConclusionDespite a tendency for increased rest tracings in the TA muscle when participants were on medication, no association was found between laryngeal electromyography findings and levodopa + carbidopa administration.



from #Audiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2fxDv3e
via IFTTT

Acoustic and Auditory Perception Effects of the Voice Therapy Technique Finger Kazoo in Adult Women

Publication date: Available online 7 November 2016
Source:Journal of Voice
Author(s): Mara Keli Christmann, Carla Aparecida Cielo
ObjectiveThis study aimed to verify and to correlate acoustic and auditory-perceptual measures of glottic source after the performance of finger kazoo (FK) technique.Study DesignThis is an experimental, cross-sectional, and qualitative study.MethodWe made an analysis of the vowel [a:] in 46 adult women with neither vocal complaints nor laryngeal alterations, through the Multi-Dimensional Voice Program Advanced and RASATI scale, before and immediately after performing three series of FK and 5 minutes after a period of silence. Kappa, Friedman, Wilcoxon, and Spearman tests were used.ResultsWe found significant increase in fundamental frequency, reduction of amplitude variation, and degree of sub-harmonics immediately after performing FK. Positive correlations were measures of frequency and its perturbation, measures of amplitude, of soft phonation index, of degree and number of unvoiced segments with aspects of RASATI. Negative correlations were voice turbulence index, measures of frequency and its perturbation, and measures of soft phonation index with aspects of RASATI.ConclusionsThere was fundamental frequency increase, within normal limits, and reduction of acoustic measures related to presence of noise and instability. In general, acoustic measures, suggestive of noise and instability, were reduced according to the decrease of perceptive-auditory aspects of vocal alteration. It shows that both instruments are complementary and that the acoustic vocal effect was positive.



from #Audiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2fb1KWr
via IFTTT

The First Scube3 Mutant Mouse Line with Pleiotropic Phenotypic Alterations.

Related Articles

The First Scube3 Mutant Mouse Line with Pleiotropic Phenotypic Alterations.

G3 (Bethesda). 2016 Nov 4;:

Authors: Fuchs H, Sabrautzki S, Przemeck GK, Leuchtenberger S, Lorenz-Depiereux B, Becker L, Rathkolb B, Horsch M, Garrett L, Östereicher MA, Hans W, Abe K, Sagawa N, Rozman J, Vargas-Panesso IL, Sandholzer M, Lisse TS, Adler T, Aguilar-Pimentel JA, Calzada-Wack J, Ehrhard N, Elvert R, Gau C, Hölter SM, Micklich K, Moreth K, Prehn C, Puk O, Racz I, Stoeger C, Vernaleken A, Michel D, Diener S, Wieland T, Adamski J, Bekeredjian R, Busch DH, Favor J, Graw J, Klingenspor M, Lengger C, Maier H, Neff F, Ollert M, Stoeger T, Yildirim AÖ, Strom TM, Zimmer A, Wolf E, Wurst W, Klopstock T, Beckers J, Gailus-Durner V, Hrabě de Angelis M

Abstract
The vertebrate Scube (Signal peptide, CUB and EGF-like domain-containing protein) family consists of three independent members Scube1-3, which encode secreted cell surface-associated membrane glycoproteins. Limited information about the general function of this gene family is available, and their roles during adulthood. Here, we present the first Scube3 mutant mouse line (Scube3(N294K/N294K)) that clearly shows phenotypic alterations by carrying a missense mutation in exon 8, and thus contributes to understand SCUBE3 functions. We performed a detailed phenotypic characterization in the German Mouse Clinic (GMC). Scube3(N294K/N294K) mutants showed morphological abnormalities of the skeleton, alterations of parameters relevant for bone metabolism, changes in renal function and hearing impairments. These findings correlate with characteristics of the rare metabolic bone disorder Paget disease of bone (PDB), associated with the chromosomal region of human SCUBE3 In addition, alterations in energy metabolism, behavior and neurological functions were detected in Scube3(N294K/N294K) mice. The Scube3(N294K/N294K) mutant mouse line may serve as a new model for further studying the effect of impaired SCUBE3 gene function.

PMID: 27815347 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2fwbDN6
via IFTTT

The First Scube3 Mutant Mouse Line with Pleiotropic Phenotypic Alterations.

Related Articles

The First Scube3 Mutant Mouse Line with Pleiotropic Phenotypic Alterations.

G3 (Bethesda). 2016 Nov 4;:

Authors: Fuchs H, Sabrautzki S, Przemeck GK, Leuchtenberger S, Lorenz-Depiereux B, Becker L, Rathkolb B, Horsch M, Garrett L, Östereicher MA, Hans W, Abe K, Sagawa N, Rozman J, Vargas-Panesso IL, Sandholzer M, Lisse TS, Adler T, Aguilar-Pimentel JA, Calzada-Wack J, Ehrhard N, Elvert R, Gau C, Hölter SM, Micklich K, Moreth K, Prehn C, Puk O, Racz I, Stoeger C, Vernaleken A, Michel D, Diener S, Wieland T, Adamski J, Bekeredjian R, Busch DH, Favor J, Graw J, Klingenspor M, Lengger C, Maier H, Neff F, Ollert M, Stoeger T, Yildirim AÖ, Strom TM, Zimmer A, Wolf E, Wurst W, Klopstock T, Beckers J, Gailus-Durner V, Hrabě de Angelis M

Abstract
The vertebrate Scube (Signal peptide, CUB and EGF-like domain-containing protein) family consists of three independent members Scube1-3, which encode secreted cell surface-associated membrane glycoproteins. Limited information about the general function of this gene family is available, and their roles during adulthood. Here, we present the first Scube3 mutant mouse line (Scube3(N294K/N294K)) that clearly shows phenotypic alterations by carrying a missense mutation in exon 8, and thus contributes to understand SCUBE3 functions. We performed a detailed phenotypic characterization in the German Mouse Clinic (GMC). Scube3(N294K/N294K) mutants showed morphological abnormalities of the skeleton, alterations of parameters relevant for bone metabolism, changes in renal function and hearing impairments. These findings correlate with characteristics of the rare metabolic bone disorder Paget disease of bone (PDB), associated with the chromosomal region of human SCUBE3 In addition, alterations in energy metabolism, behavior and neurological functions were detected in Scube3(N294K/N294K) mice. The Scube3(N294K/N294K) mutant mouse line may serve as a new model for further studying the effect of impaired SCUBE3 gene function.

PMID: 27815347 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2fwbDN6
via IFTTT

Asymmetry between lower limbs during rested and fatigued state running gait in healthy individuals

Publication date: Available online 6 November 2016
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Kara N. Radzak, Ashley M. Putnam, Kaori Tamura, Ronald K. Hetzler, Christopher D. Stickley
Although normal gait is often considered symmetrical in healthy populations, differences between limbs during walking suggest that limbs may be used preferentially for braking or propulsion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate kinematic and kinetic variables, at both rested state and following a two-stage treadmill fatiguing run, for asymmetry between limbs. Kinematic (240Hz) and kinetic (960Hz) running data were collected bilaterally for 20 physically active individuals at both rested and fatigued states. Symmetry angles were calculated to quantify asymmetry magnitude at rested and fatigued states. Paired t-tests were used to evaluate differences between right and left limbs at rested and fatigued states, as well as rested and fatigued states symmetry angles. Variables that have been previously associated with the development of overuse injuries, such as knee internal rotation, knee stiffness, loading rate, and adduction free moment, were found to be significantly different between limbs at both rested and fatigued states. Significant differences in vertical stiffness were found, potentially indicating functional asymmetry during running. Symmetry angle was used to investigate changes in percentage of asymmetry at rested and fatigued states. Small (1-6%), but significant decreases in vertical stiffness, loading rate, and free moment symmetry angles indicate that these variables may become more symmetrical with fatigue. Knee internal rotation and knee stiffness became more asymmetrical with fatigue, increasing by 14% and 5.3%, respectively. The findings of the current study indicate that fatigue educed changes in gait may progress knee movement pattern asymmetry.



from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2eOCodU
via IFTTT

Asymmetry between lower limbs during rested and fatigued state running gait in healthy individuals

Publication date: Available online 6 November 2016
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Kara N. Radzak, Ashley M. Putnam, Kaori Tamura, Ronald K. Hetzler, Christopher D. Stickley
Although normal gait is often considered symmetrical in healthy populations, differences between limbs during walking suggest that limbs may be used preferentially for braking or propulsion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate kinematic and kinetic variables, at both rested state and following a two-stage treadmill fatiguing run, for asymmetry between limbs. Kinematic (240Hz) and kinetic (960Hz) running data were collected bilaterally for 20 physically active individuals at both rested and fatigued states. Symmetry angles were calculated to quantify asymmetry magnitude at rested and fatigued states. Paired t-tests were used to evaluate differences between right and left limbs at rested and fatigued states, as well as rested and fatigued states symmetry angles. Variables that have been previously associated with the development of overuse injuries, such as knee internal rotation, knee stiffness, loading rate, and adduction free moment, were found to be significantly different between limbs at both rested and fatigued states. Significant differences in vertical stiffness were found, potentially indicating functional asymmetry during running. Symmetry angle was used to investigate changes in percentage of asymmetry at rested and fatigued states. Small (1-6%), but significant decreases in vertical stiffness, loading rate, and free moment symmetry angles indicate that these variables may become more symmetrical with fatigue. Knee internal rotation and knee stiffness became more asymmetrical with fatigue, increasing by 14% and 5.3%, respectively. The findings of the current study indicate that fatigue educed changes in gait may progress knee movement pattern asymmetry.



from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2eOCodU
via IFTTT

Asymmetry between lower limbs during rested and fatigued state running gait in healthy individuals

Publication date: Available online 6 November 2016
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Kara N. Radzak, Ashley M. Putnam, Kaori Tamura, Ronald K. Hetzler, Christopher D. Stickley
Although normal gait is often considered symmetrical in healthy populations, differences between limbs during walking suggest that limbs may be used preferentially for braking or propulsion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate kinematic and kinetic variables, at both rested state and following a two-stage treadmill fatiguing run, for asymmetry between limbs. Kinematic (240Hz) and kinetic (960Hz) running data were collected bilaterally for 20 physically active individuals at both rested and fatigued states. Symmetry angles were calculated to quantify asymmetry magnitude at rested and fatigued states. Paired t-tests were used to evaluate differences between right and left limbs at rested and fatigued states, as well as rested and fatigued states symmetry angles. Variables that have been previously associated with the development of overuse injuries, such as knee internal rotation, knee stiffness, loading rate, and adduction free moment, were found to be significantly different between limbs at both rested and fatigued states. Significant differences in vertical stiffness were found, potentially indicating functional asymmetry during running. Symmetry angle was used to investigate changes in percentage of asymmetry at rested and fatigued states. Small (1-6%), but significant decreases in vertical stiffness, loading rate, and free moment symmetry angles indicate that these variables may become more symmetrical with fatigue. Knee internal rotation and knee stiffness became more asymmetrical with fatigue, increasing by 14% and 5.3%, respectively. The findings of the current study indicate that fatigue educed changes in gait may progress knee movement pattern asymmetry.



from #Audiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2eOCodU
via IFTTT

[Alport syndrome: Hereditary nephropathy associated with mutations in genes coding for type IV collagen chains].

Related Articles

[Alport syndrome: Hereditary nephropathy associated with mutations in genes coding for type IV collagen chains].

Nephrol Ther. 2016 Nov 2;:

Authors: Heidet L, Gubler MC

Abstract
Alport syndrome is an inherited disorder characterized by the association of a progressive haematuric nephropathy with ultrastructural abnormalities of the glomerular basement membranes, a progressive sensorineural hearing loss and sometimes ocular involvement. Its incidence is less than 1 per 5000 individuals and the disease is the cause of about 2% of end stage renal disease in Europe and the United States. Alport syndrome is clinically and genetically heterogeneous. It is related to mutations in the genes encoding one of three chains, α3, α4 α5 of type IV collagen, the main component of basement membranes, expressed in the glomerular basement membrane. COL4A5 mutations are associated with X-linked Alport syndrome, which represents 80 to 85% of cases and is more severe in boys than in girls. Mutations in COL4A3 or COL4A4 are associated with autosomal Alport syndrome. The expression of collagen chains in skin and kidney basement membranes allows for the diagnosis and characterization of the mode of transmission in most patients. It is necessary to diagnose this syndrome because its family involvement, its severity, and the importance of genetic counseling. Angiotensin blockers are increasingly prescribed in proteinuric patients. Prospective studies are needed to assess the effectiveness of these treatments on proteinuria and progression of kidney failure, and to specify indications. Animal studies have shown the potential value of different molecules (protease inhibitors, chemokine receptor blockers, transforming growth factor-β1 inhibitors, hydroxy-methyl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, bone morphogenetic protein-7 inhibitors), hematopoietic stem cells, and of a anti-micro-RNA.

PMID: 27816395 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

from #Audiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2fs0gFz
via IFTTT