Contamination of ground red pepper with fungi and mycotoxin

http://orl-medicine.blogspot.com/2016/11/mycobiota-of-ground-red-pepper-and.html

Alexandros Sfakianakis
Anapafseos 5 . Agios Nikolaos
Crete.Greece.72100
2841026182

6948891480

alsfakia@gmail.com

Paediatric spinal cord infarction : A previously healthy 14-year-old female who began having difficulty breathing at school immediately after experiencing a burning sensation down her neck and back.

http://orl-medicine.blogspot.gr/2016/11/paediatric-spinal-cord-infarction.html

Alexandros Sfakianakis
Anapafseos 5 . Agios Nikolaos
Crete.Greece.72100
2841026182

6948891480

alsfakia@gmail.com

Adaptation and Validation of the Kannada Version of the Singing Voice Handicap Index

Publication date: Available online 29 November 2016
Source:Journal of Voice
Author(s): Dhanshree R. Gunjawate, Venkataraja U. Aithal, Vasudeva Guddattu, Rajashekhar Bellur
ObjectiveThe present study aimed to adapt and validate the Singing Voice Handicap Index (SVHI) into Kannada language using standard procedures.Study DesignThis is a cross-sectional study.MethodsThe original English version of SVHI was translated into Kannada. It was administered on 106 Indian classical singers, of whom 22 complained of voice problems. Its internal consistency was determined using Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α), test-retest reliability using Pearson's product moment correlation and paired t test, and the difference in mean scores by independent sample t test.ResultsThe results revealed that the Kannada SVHI exhibited an excellent internal consistency (α = 0.96) with a high item-to-total correlation. Further, excellent test-retest reliability (r = 0.99) and significant differences in SVHI scores were also obtained by singers with and without a voice problem (t = 12.93, df = 104, P = 0.005).ConclusionThe Kannada SVHI is a valid and reliable tool for self-reported assessment of singers with voice problems. It will provide a valuable insight into the singing-related voice problems as perceived by the singers themselves.



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Evaluation of Phonatory Behavior and Voice Quality in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Treated with Deep Brain Stimulation

Publication date: Available online 30 November 2016
Source:Journal of Voice
Author(s): Manfred Pützer, Wolfgang Wokurek, Jean Richard Moringlane
ObjectivesThe effect of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on phonatory behavior and voice quality in eight patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) was examined instrumentally and perceptually. The acoustic signals of vowel productions obtained from patients (produced with and without stimulation) and from a group of 16 healthy control speakers were analyzed to prove statistically the changes of phonatory behavior and voice quality.Study DesignThis is a randomized study.MethodsFirstly, a new parametrization was used to determine phonatory behavior. Secondly, a perceptual evaluation of voice quality of the same speech material was performed.ResultsWith stimulation, phonation has a greater tendency to be strained. The results of perceptual evaluation support this strained phonation behavior under stimulation, resulting in a smaller degree of breathiness ratings of all raters. Without stimulation, an impaired and partly disturbed adduction of the vocal folds can be shown. These findings are also supported in the perceptual experiment providing a higher degree of hoarseness ratings of all raters for these signals.ConclusionsHigh-frequency electrical impulses to the thalamus in patients with MS influence the phonatory behavior of their vocal folds. The results suggest the need for long-term monitoring of phonatory behavior during DBS to initiate adequate treatments without delay.



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Long-term Symptom-specific Outcomes for Patients With Petrous Apex Cholesterol Granulomas: Surgery Versus Observation.

Objective: Review long-term symptom-specific outcomes for petrous apex cholesterol granulomas (PACG). Study Design: Retrospective review. Setting: Tertiary center. Patients: Adults with PACG were assessed from 1998 to 2015. Intervention(s): Symptomatic patients were stratified into surgical and observation subgroups. Main Outcome Measure(s): Resolution rates of individual symptoms and chief complaints were assessed as was the impact of surgical approach and stent usage on symptom-specific outcomes. Symptom recurrence rates were tabulated. Results: Twenty-seven patients were included whose mean age was 44.8 +/- 3.3 years. Fourteen and 13 patients stratified into the surgical and observation subgroups respectively. The surgical subgroup trended toward a longer follow-up period (mean 68.5 vs. 33.8 mo; p = 0.06). Overall, the most frequent symptoms encountered were headache (52%), aural fullness, tinnitus, and vestibular complaints (41% each). Visual complaints, retro-orbital pain, and cranial neuropathies were less common (18%, 15%, 11%). The overall symptom resolution rate was significantly higher in the surgical subgroup (48% vs. 26%, p = 0.03). In both subgroups, headache, retro-orbital pain, and visual complaints had the highest resolution rates. Vestibular complaints and tinnitus were very unlikely to resolve. Significantly more patients in the surgical group resolved their chief complaints (70% vs. 25%, p = 0.02). While approach type and stent usage did not significantly influence symptom outcomes, all patients with symptom recurrence (11%) were initially managed without stents. Conclusion: Symptom-specific outcomes were better in patients managed surgically for PACG. Individual symptom resolution rates were highly variable. Some symptoms were refractory regardless of management strategy. Surgical approach and stent usage did not significantly influence symptom outcomes. Copyright (C) 2016 by Otology & Neurotology, Inc. Image copyright (C) 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health/Anatomical Chart Company

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Initial Results of a Safety and Feasibility Study of Auditory Brainstem Implantation in Congenitally Deaf Children.

Objective: To determine the safety and feasibility of the auditory brainstem implant (ABI) in congenitally deaf children with cochlear aplasia and/or cochlear nerve deficiency. Study Design: Phase I feasibility clinical trial of surgery in 10 children, ages 2 to 5 years, over a 3-year period. Setting: Tertiary children's hospital and university-based pediatric speech/language/hearing center. Intervention(s): ABI implantation and postsurgical programming. Main Outcome Measure(s): The primary outcome measure is the number and type of adverse events during ABI surgery and postsurgical follow-up, including behavioral mapping of the device. The secondary outcome measure is access to and early integration of sound. Results: To date, nine children are enrolled. Five children have successfully undergone ABI surgery and postoperative behavioral programming. Three children were screen failures, and one child is currently undergoing candidacy evaluation. Expected adverse events have been documented in three of the five children who received the ABI. One child experienced a cerebral spinal fluid leak, which resolved with lumbar drainage. One child demonstrated vestibular side effects during device programming, which resolved by deactivating one electrode. One child experienced postoperative vomiting resulting in an abdominal radiograph. Four children have completed their 1-year follow-up and have speech detection thresholds of 30 to 35 dB HL. Scores on the IT-MAIS/MAIS range from 8 to 31 (out of a total of 40), and the children are demonstrating some ability to discriminate between closed-sets words that differ by number of syllables (pattern perception). Conclusion: ABI surgery and device activation seem to be safe and feasible in this preliminary cohort. Copyright (C) 2016 by Otology & Neurotology, Inc. Image copyright (C) 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health/Anatomical Chart Company

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Facial Nerve Meningioma: A Cause of Pediatric Facial Weakness.

Objective: To present an unusual case of a temporal bone meningioma with intrafascicular spread throughout the temporal facial nerve from cerebellopontine angle (CPA) to stylomastoid foramen. Patient: Four-year-old female with progressive facial weakness and normal hearing. Main Outcome Measure: Clinical, radiological, and histopathological findings of temporal bone meningiomas. Results: A patient presented with progressive facial weakness and normal hearing. Imaging demonstrated a mass within the left internal auditory canal radiologically consistent with a schwannoma. Asymmetric enlargement with enhancement of the left facial nerve from CPA to the stylomastoid foramen suggested facial schwannoma. At surgery, gross tumor was noted in the internal auditory canal, the fallopian canal seemed expanded and the facial nerve was enlarged and had an irregular contour. Resection of the facial nerve from the CPA to just proximal to its exit at the stylomastoid foramen was necessary to achieve negative margins. Cable grafting was performed. The histopathologic diagnosis was transitional meningioma with intraneural growth throughout the length of the resected facial nerve segment. Conclusion: Meningiomas involving the temporal bone are exceedingly rare. We report a rare case of a child presenting with progressive facial weakness due to a presumed facial schwannoma spreading along the facial nerve throughout its intratemporal course that at surgery was found to be an intrafascicular CN VII meningioma. Copyright (C) 2016 by Otology & Neurotology, Inc. Image copyright (C) 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health/Anatomical Chart Company

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Effects of Intratympanic Dexamethasone on High-Dose Radiation Ototoxicity In Vivo.

Background: Stereotactic radiosurgery for lateral skull base tumors can cause hearing loss when the cochleae are exposed to high doses of single-fraction radiation. Currently, there are no known nondosimetric preventative treatments for radiation-induced ototoxicity. Hypothesis: Intratympanic (IT) dexamethasone (DXM), a synthetic steroid, protects against radiation-induced auditory hair cell (HC) and hearing losses in rats in vivo. Methods: Seven rats received radiation (12 Gy) to both cochleae. In irradiated rats and six nonirradiated rats, IT DXM was randomized to one ear, while tympanic puncture without DXM was performed on the contralateral ear. Baseline and 4-week postradiation auditory-evoked potential tests were performed. The cochleae were processed for HC viability. Results: Cochleae exposed to radiation demonstrated more outer HC (OHC) loss in all turns than nonirradiated ears (p

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Effect of Spatial Orientation of the Horizontal Semicircular Canal on the Vestibulo-ocular Reflex.

Objective: To determine if an alignment of the horizontal semi-circular canal (hSCC) with the plane of rotation would enhance the vestibular-ocular reflex (VOR) gain result as it has been previously suggested. Study Design: Comparative study of a physiological vestibular function test in healthy subjects. Setting: Tertiary referral center for otology and neurotology. Patients: Twenty two healthy volunteers were recruited for this study. Their mean age was 25.6 years and the sex distribution was 14:8 (M:F). None of the subjects had a history of audiovestibular disorders. Intervention: The video Head Impulse Test (v-HIT) was performed with the hSCC in the conventional position (head upright, horizontal gaze) and also with the hSCC in-line with the earth horizontal. Main Outcome Measures: 1. the VOR gain at 60 ms, 2. the regression slope VOR gain, depending on the alignment of the hSCC with the plane of head rotation. Results: There was no significant difference between the results, either for the VOR gain at 60 ms, or the regression slope gain, when the two alternative head positions were compared. Conclusions: The data acquired in this study show that the VOR as measured by the v-HIT is not enhanced by aligning the plane of the hSCC with the plane of rotation during the testing procedure. Hence, we recommend that the positioning of the patient, with the head upright and a horizontal gaze direction should be routinely used in the clinical evaluation of the angular VOR by v-HIT. Copyright (C) 2016 by Otology & Neurotology, Inc. Image copyright (C) 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health/Anatomical Chart Company

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The Effect of Scala Tympani Morphology on Basilar Membrane Contact With a Straight Electrode Array: A Human Temporal Bone Study: Erratum.

No abstract available

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