Audiology by Alexandros G. Sfakianakis

Παρασκευή 13 Ιανουαρίου 2017

An ecological approach to hearing-health promotion in workplaces.

An ecological approach to hearing-health promotion in workplaces.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Jan 12;:1-12

Authors: Reddy R, Welch D, Ameratunga S, Thorne P

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To develop and assess use, acceptability and feasibility of an ecological hearing conservation programme for workplaces.
DESIGN: A school-based public health hearing preservation education programme (Dangerous Decibels®) was adapted for workplaces using the Multi-level Approach to Community Health (MATCH) Model. The programme was delivered in small manufacturing companies and evaluated using a questionnaire before the training and at one week and two-months after training.
STUDY SAMPLE: Workers (n = 56) from five small manufacturing companies were recruited.
RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of workers at the intrapersonal level; in behaviour motivation and safety culture at the interpersonal and organisational levels; and an overall improvement in hearing-health behaviour after two months post-intervention.
CONCLUSIONS: The developed programme offers a simple, interactive and theory-based intervention that is well accepted and effective in promoting positive hearing-health behaviour in workplaces.

PMID: 28079408 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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PARS2 and NARS2 mutations in infantile-onset neurodegenerative disorder.

PARS2 and NARS2 mutations in infantile-onset neurodegenerative disorder.

J Hum Genet. 2017 Jan 12;:

Authors: Mizuguchi T, Nakashima M, Kato M, Yamada K, Okanishi T, Ekhilevitch N, Mandel H, Eran A, Toyono M, Sawaishi Y, Motoi H, Shiina M, Ogata K, Miyatake S, Miyake N, Saitsu H, Matsumoto N

Abstract
Here we present four unrelated families with six individuals that have infantile-onset developmental delay/regression and epilepsy. Whole-exome sequencing revealed compound heterozygous mutations, c.[283G>A];[607G>A] in a gene encoding prolyl-tRNA synthetase (PARS2) in one family. Two pairs of compound heterozygous mutations, c.[151C>T];[1184T>G] and c.[707T>G];[594+1G>A], and a homozygous mutation, c.[500A>G];[500A>G], in a gene encoding asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase (NARS2) were also identified in the other three families. Mutations in genes encoding aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases cause gene-specific mitochondrial disorders. Biallelic PARS2 or NARS2 mutations are reported to cause Alpers' syndrome, which is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by psychomotor regression and epilepsy with variable degree of liver involvement. Moreover, it is known that NARS2 mutations cause various clinical phenotypes, including non-syndromic hearing loss, Leigh syndrome, intellectual disability with epilepsy and severe myopathy. The individuals with PARS2 and NARS2 mutations, we have reported here demonstrate similar neurological features as those previously reported, with diversity in clinical presentation such as hearing loss and seizure type. Our data broaden the clinical and mutational spectrum of PARS2- and NARS2-related disorders.Journal of Human Genetics advance online publication, 12 January 2017; doi:10.1038/jhg.2016.163.

PMID: 28077841 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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An ecological approach to hearing-health promotion in workplaces.

An ecological approach to hearing-health promotion in workplaces.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Jan 12;:1-12

Authors: Reddy R, Welch D, Ameratunga S, Thorne P

PMID: 28079408 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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An ecological approach to hearing-health promotion in workplaces.

An ecological approach to hearing-health promotion in workplaces.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Jan 12;:1-12

Authors: Reddy R, Welch D, Ameratunga S, Thorne P

PMID: 28079408 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Three-dimensional lumbar segment movement characteristics during paediatric cerebral palsy gait

Publication date: March 2017
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 53
Author(s): D. Kiernan, A. Malone, T. O’Brien, C.K. Simms
Kinematic analysis of the trunk during cerebral palsy (CP) gait has been well described. In contrast, movement of the lumbar spine is generally ignored. This is most likely due to the complex nature of the spine. As an alternative to using complex sensor protocols, this study modelled the lumbar region as a single segment and investigated characteristic patterns of movement during CP gait. In addition, the impact of functional level of impairment and the relationship with lower lumbar spinal loading were examined. Fifty-two children with CP (26 GMFCS I and 26 GMFCS II) and 26 controls were recruited. A full barefoot 3-dimensional kinematic and kinetic analysis were conducted. Lumbar segment movement demonstrated increased forward flexion for CP children. This movement became more pronounced according to GMFCS level with GMFCS II children demonstrating increases of up to 8°. In addition, a moderate correlation was present between lumbar flexion/extension and L5/S1 sagittal moments (r=0.427 in the global frame and r=0.448 with respect to the pelvis, p<0.01). Children with CP demonstrated increased movement of the lumbar region compared to TD, with movement becoming more excessive as GMFCS level increased. Excessive forward flexion and loading at the lumbar spine were linked. However, the moderate correlation suggests other contributors to increased loading were present. In conclusion, this study is a first step at identifying how lumbar segment movement is altered during CP gait.

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Walking mechanics for patellofemoral pain subjects with similar self-reported pain levels can differ based upon neuromuscular activation

Publication date: March 2017
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 53
Author(s): Matthew K. Seeley, S. Jun Son, Hyunsoo Kim, J. Ty Hopkins
Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is often studied on subjects who are classified using only self-reported data. Neuromuscular activation influences movement mechanics for PFP subjects, but is not likely to be self-reported. We compared lower-extremity mechanics, during a common movement (walking), between two subdivisions of a group of PFP subjects that were similar, based on common self-report tools, but different, based on a common objective measure of quadriceps activation. Our intent was to highlight the importance of objectively considering neuromuscular activation when researching PFP movement mechanics. Thirty similar PFP research subjects (based on four common self-report tools) were divided into two subdivisions, based on different quadriceps central activation ratios (CAR): a quadriceps deficit (QD; CAR <0.95) group and a no quadriceps deficit (NQD; CAR ≥0.95) group. All subjects in both groups performed five walking trials, while common mechanical characteristics were measured: 3D ground reaction force, and 3D joint kinematics and kinetics. Functional statistics were used to compare mechanical characteristics between the groups across the entire stance phase of gait (α=0.05). Numerous differences were found between the two groups for ground reaction force, and joint kinematics and kinetics. For example, the NQD group exhibited 5% greater vertical ground reaction force at peak impact, and 5% less vertical ground reaction force during the unloading portion of stance, relative to the QD group. The results indicate that when researching movement mechanics associated with PFP, it is important to consider objectively-measured neuromuscular activation characteristics that are not likely to be self-reported by PFP subjects.

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Πληροφορίες

Παρασκευή 13 Ιανουαρίου 2017