Brain Stem and Audio-Vestibular Regulation

Abstract

The central pathologies present with perverted auditory perception and compromised postural control. Considering the existing controversy this study involves assessments of 100 cases of post fossa tumefactions in which a detailed clinical and neuro-otological (pure tone audiometry, electronystagmography, brainstem evoked response audiometry) profile is compared with their imaging patterns. The CP angle schwannomas (N = 26) presented with abnormal speech tests (N = 18), abnormal auditory adaptation (N = 7) and ABR with pathologically increased latency of wave V (N = 32), poor formation of wave I (N = 31) along with abnormal inter-wave interval (N = 32). In lesions (N = 32) compressing deeper nuclei, vermis and axial parts of brain stem, a gross truncal ataxia, incoordination, nystagmus, speech defects, subtotal deafness and bilateral ABR abnormalities were observed. The abnormal optomotor activities were seen as saccadic (N = 44) and deformed slow pursuit eye movements (N = 20). Inability to sustain holding function resulted in gaze nystagmus (N = 71), and poor timing manifested as fixation overshoots (N = 42). The midline cerebellar and upper brain stem lesions revealed bilateral OKN abnormalities whereas paramedian pathology showed only ipsilateral distortion. Caloric tests revealed culmination frequency as the most sensitive parameter for assessment of the hypo-reflexia in diffuse cerebellopathies while slow phase velocity in cases of posterior fossa lesion. The caloric hypo-activity appears to be of a better localizing value than the directional preponderance. The slow pursuit tracking revealed Type III curve perhaps due to defective regulation of slow movements in partially intact cerebellum (N = 15), while gross cerebellar dysfunctioning resulted into Type IV curve (N = 5).

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Influence of external ear occlusion on food perception

Abstract

Purpose

The present study aimed to explore if food perception can be influenced by sound mastication level when the external ear canal was occluded.

Methods

Fifty-nine adults (38 women) with normal hearing, smell, and taste participated in the study. They tasted five crispy and five soft food items over two sessions: one with and one without an earplug inserted in the external ear canal. Participants were asked to rate freshness and taste of the food as well as their willingness to eat more of it and how much they usually like this kind of food. The sound pressure level related to the food mastication was recorded with a probe microphone placed in the external ear canal.

Results

Compared to the open ear canal condition, levels of the mastication sounds were higher when the participants had their ears occluded, as well as for crispy than for soft food. Regarding food freshness, food appreciation, and willingness to eat more of the same food, there was no significant difference concerning food type, ear condition, and sex. For soft foods, men rated their usual liking of this food higher when they were wearing ear plugs compared to the opened condition.

Conclusion

Plugging the ear canals led to increased mastication sound levels. Participants did not seem to consider these additional acoustic cues when they rated food freshness, food appreciation, and willingness of eating the specific food. Only men seemed to take these cues into account when they rated their habit consumption of soft food.

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Correction to: Clinical manifestations of hydropic ear disease (Menière’s)

In the original publication, Fig. 1 was incorrectly published with incomplete legends.

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Unusual and multiple variations of head and neck veins: a case report

Abstract

We report an unusual and multiple variation involving the right head and neck veins which were found during routine dissection in a 50-year-old male cadaver, facial vein draining into both external and internal jugular veins, fenestration in external jugular vein transmitting the supraclavicular nerve trunk, the anterior division of the retromandibular vein draining into anterior jugular vein and the absence of the common facial vein. The knowledge about these variations is important during various surgical and diagnostic procedures involving head and neck region.

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Influence of external ear occlusion on food perception

Abstract

Purpose

The present study aimed to explore if food perception can be influenced by sound mastication level when the external ear canal was occluded.

Methods

Fifty-nine adults (38 women) with normal hearing, smell, and taste participated in the study. They tasted five crispy and five soft food items over two sessions: one with and one without an earplug inserted in the external ear canal. Participants were asked to rate freshness and taste of the food as well as their willingness to eat more of it and how much they usually like this kind of food. The sound pressure level related to the food mastication was recorded with a probe microphone placed in the external ear canal.

Results

Compared to the open ear canal condition, levels of the mastication sounds were higher when the participants had their ears occluded, as well as for crispy than for soft food. Regarding food freshness, food appreciation, and willingness to eat more of the same food, there was no significant difference concerning food type, ear condition, and sex. For soft foods, men rated their usual liking of this food higher when they were wearing ear plugs compared to the opened condition.

Conclusion

Plugging the ear canals led to increased mastication sound levels. Participants did not seem to consider these additional acoustic cues when they rated food freshness, food appreciation, and willingness of eating the specific food. Only men seemed to take these cues into account when they rated their habit consumption of soft food.

from #Head and Neck by Sfakianakis via simeraentaxei on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2DT2ryr

Correction to: Clinical manifestations of hydropic ear disease (Menière’s)

In the original publication, Fig. 1 was incorrectly published with incomplete legends.

from #Head and Neck by Sfakianakis via simeraentaxei on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2NcHJhf

Unusual and multiple variations of head and neck veins: a case report

Abstract

We report an unusual and multiple variation involving the right head and neck veins which were found during routine dissection in a 50-year-old male cadaver, facial vein draining into both external and internal jugular veins, fenestration in external jugular vein transmitting the supraclavicular nerve trunk, the anterior division of the retromandibular vein draining into anterior jugular vein and the absence of the common facial vein. The knowledge about these variations is important during various surgical and diagnostic procedures involving head and neck region.

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The need for combination immunotherapy in oncology

Publication date: Available online 18 February 2019

Source: Oral Oncology

Author(s): A. Thirumal Raj, Supriya Kheur, Archana A. Gupta, Vikrant R. Patil, Avinash Kharat

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JUUL electronic cigarette use patterns, other tobacco product use, and reasons for use among ever users: Results from a convenience sample

Publication date: Available online 18 February 2019

Source: Addictive Behaviors

Author(s): Eleanor L.S. Leavens, Elise M. Stevens, Emma I. Brett, Emily T. Hébert, Andrea C. Villanti, Jennifer L. Pearson, Theodore L. Wagener

Abstract

Introduction

JUUL, an e-cigarette from PAX Labs, has captured 70% of the e-cigarette market. The current study examines JUUL use patterns and reasons for initiation in a large convenience sample of U.S. adults.

Methods

Respondents were 979 U.S. adults registered on Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) who reported ever using JUUL. Items included frequency/quantity of JUUL use, reasons for trying JUUL, flavor preferences, and use of other tobacco products.

Results

The majority of participants reported only trying JUUL once or twice (59.5%), 29.2% reported regular nondaily use and 10.3% reported daily use. The average quantity of JUUL pod use was low in the overall sample (4 pods per month). Daily users reported using ~10 pods per month and engaging in 4–9 separate vaping sessions per day. The most frequently reported reasons for JUUL use were because friends were using it (26.5%), curiosity (20.5%), and similarity to a cigarette (7.7%). Approximately 26% of current JUUL users reported current exclusive JUUL use, while 56% reported using JUUL and another e-cigarette. Of the entire sample, 37.1% were former smokers. Of those, 14.9% were daily JUUL users, 21.4% were nondaily JUUL users, and 63.8% were JUUL triers.

Conclusions

This is the first study to examine patterns and reasons for use of the most popular e-cigarette on the market. In this convenience sample, nearly 40% of those who ever tried JUUL reported current daily or non-daily use. JUUL use may be associated with limited puffing patterns compared to earlier generation e-cigarettes. Research is needed to investigate if JUUL puffing patterns result in decreased exposure to potentially harmful non-nicotine e-liquid constituents compared to other e-cigarettes.

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Mediation analysis with zero-inflated substance use outcomes: Challenges and recommendations

Publication date: Available online 18 February 2019

Source: Addictive Behaviors

Author(s): Holly P. O'Rourke, Edwin Vazquez

Abstract

Mediating mechanisms are important components of substance use research, as many substance use interventions work by targeting mediating variables. One issue that is common in substance use research is the presence of many responses of zero in a count variable that is the primary outcome of interest, such as number of drinks per week or number of substances used in the past month. The goal of this paper is to highlight the unique challenges that substance use researchers face when conducting mediation analysis with a zero-inflated count outcome. In this paper, we first describe the models that are commonly used for zero-inflated count data, and when it is appropriate to use them. We then describe general mediation analysis and summarize the small body of work that has focused on mediation for count and zero-inflated count outcomes. We identify the main issue of computing the mediated effect when outcomes are zero-inflated, namely, that the path leading to the zero-inflated count outcome (or mediator) is modeled in two parts. We then provide two examples of mediation models with different conclusions that have zero-inflated count outcomes using adolescent substance use data and define the issues that arise when assessing mediation for each. Finally, we describe the directions in which we must target future methodological research to create accessible solutions for handling mediation with zero-inflated count data in substance use research.

from #Head and Neck by Sfakianakis via simeraentaxei on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2Ndc4fA

The need for combination immunotherapy in oncology

Publication date: Available online 18 February 2019

Source: Oral Oncology

Author(s): A. Thirumal Raj, Supriya Kheur, Archana A. Gupta, Vikrant R. Patil, Avinash Kharat

from #Head and Neck by Sfakianakis via simeraentaxei on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2DPqMVW

JUUL electronic cigarette use patterns, other tobacco product use, and reasons for use among ever users: Results from a convenience sample

Publication date: Available online 18 February 2019

Source: Addictive Behaviors

Author(s): Eleanor L.S. Leavens, Elise M. Stevens, Emma I. Brett, Emily T. Hébert, Andrea C. Villanti, Jennifer L. Pearson, Theodore L. Wagener

Abstract

Introduction

JUUL, an e-cigarette from PAX Labs, has captured 70% of the e-cigarette market. The current study examines JUUL use patterns and reasons for initiation in a large convenience sample of U.S. adults.

Methods

Respondents were 979 U.S. adults registered on Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) who reported ever using JUUL. Items included frequency/quantity of JUUL use, reasons for trying JUUL, flavor preferences, and use of other tobacco products.

Results

The majority of participants reported only trying JUUL once or twice (59.5%), 29.2% reported regular nondaily use and 10.3% reported daily use. The average quantity of JUUL pod use was low in the overall sample (4 pods per month). Daily users reported using ~10 pods per month and engaging in 4–9 separate vaping sessions per day. The most frequently reported reasons for JUUL use were because friends were using it (26.5%), curiosity (20.5%), and similarity to a cigarette (7.7%). Approximately 26% of current JUUL users reported current exclusive JUUL use, while 56% reported using JUUL and another e-cigarette. Of the entire sample, 37.1% were former smokers. Of those, 14.9% were daily JUUL users, 21.4% were nondaily JUUL users, and 63.8% were JUUL triers.

Conclusions

This is the first study to examine patterns and reasons for use of the most popular e-cigarette on the market. In this convenience sample, nearly 40% of those who ever tried JUUL reported current daily or non-daily use. JUUL use may be associated with limited puffing patterns compared to earlier generation e-cigarettes. Research is needed to investigate if JUUL puffing patterns result in decreased exposure to potentially harmful non-nicotine e-liquid constituents compared to other e-cigarettes.

from #Head and Neck by Sfakianakis via simeraentaxei on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2T0xHoF

Mediation analysis with zero-inflated substance use outcomes: Challenges and recommendations

Publication date: Available online 18 February 2019

Source: Addictive Behaviors

Author(s): Holly P. O'Rourke, Edwin Vazquez

Abstract

Mediating mechanisms are important components of substance use research, as many substance use interventions work by targeting mediating variables. One issue that is common in substance use research is the presence of many responses of zero in a count variable that is the primary outcome of interest, such as number of drinks per week or number of substances used in the past month. The goal of this paper is to highlight the unique challenges that substance use researchers face when conducting mediation analysis with a zero-inflated count outcome. In this paper, we first describe the models that are commonly used for zero-inflated count data, and when it is appropriate to use them. We then describe general mediation analysis and summarize the small body of work that has focused on mediation for count and zero-inflated count outcomes. We identify the main issue of computing the mediated effect when outcomes are zero-inflated, namely, that the path leading to the zero-inflated count outcome (or mediator) is modeled in two parts. We then provide two examples of mediation models with different conclusions that have zero-inflated count outcomes using adolescent substance use data and define the issues that arise when assessing mediation for each. Finally, we describe the directions in which we must target future methodological research to create accessible solutions for handling mediation with zero-inflated count data in substance use research.

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Health related quality of life (HRQoL) among Aboriginal South Australians: a perspective using survey-based health utility estimates

Australian health surveys occasionally include health utility measures in describing health related quality of life (HRQoL) across the general population. However, the HRQoL of specific population groups, such...

from #Head and Neck by Sfakianakis via simeraentaxei on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2SJe19m

Health related quality of life (HRQoL) among Aboriginal South Australians: a perspective using survey-based health utility estimates

Australian health surveys occasionally include health utility measures in describing health related quality of life (HRQoL) across the general population. However, the HRQoL of specific population groups, such...

from #Head and Neck by Sfakianakis via simeraentaxei on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2SJe19m

Assessing image artifacts from radiotherapy electromagnetic transponders with metal-artifact reduction imaging

Publication date: Available online 17 February 2019

Source: Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Author(s): Robert V. Bergen, Lawrence Ryner

Abstract

Image artifacts due to 14 gauge radiotherapy electromagnetic (EM) transponders were assessed on conventional spin echo images, and corrected using metal artifact reduction techniques: high bandwidth, view angle tilting (VAT), and slice encoding for metal artifact correction (SEMAC). Large areas of signal loss and/or pile-up were produced in an area extending up to 15.3 mm in radius for 14G transponders in standard imaging. Using high bandwidth imaging with VAT, in-plane artifact sizes were reduced by up to 35%. SEMAC did not significantly reduce in-plane or through plane artifact size for axially oriented images, but was effective in reducing through-plane artifacts for sagittal images. Using the experimental data, magnetic field maps were simulated so that the magnetic susceptibility of the transponder could be estimated and slice profiles could be visualized. Due to the large susceptibilities involved, current correction techniques are unable to fully correct artifacts due to EM transponders and significant areas of signal loss and distortion remain. Care should be taken when planning MRI following EM transponder implantation.

from #Head and Neck by Sfakianakis via simeraentaxei on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2SI1G5n

Assessing image artifacts from radiotherapy electromagnetic transponders with metal-artifact reduction imaging

Publication date: Available online 17 February 2019

Source: Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Author(s): Robert V. Bergen, Lawrence Ryner

Abstract

Image artifacts due to 14 gauge radiotherapy electromagnetic (EM) transponders were assessed on conventional spin echo images, and corrected using metal artifact reduction techniques: high bandwidth, view angle tilting (VAT), and slice encoding for metal artifact correction (SEMAC). Large areas of signal loss and/or pile-up were produced in an area extending up to 15.3 mm in radius for 14G transponders in standard imaging. Using high bandwidth imaging with VAT, in-plane artifact sizes were reduced by up to 35%. SEMAC did not significantly reduce in-plane or through plane artifact size for axially oriented images, but was effective in reducing through-plane artifacts for sagittal images. Using the experimental data, magnetic field maps were simulated so that the magnetic susceptibility of the transponder could be estimated and slice profiles could be visualized. Due to the large susceptibilities involved, current correction techniques are unable to fully correct artifacts due to EM transponders and significant areas of signal loss and distortion remain. Care should be taken when planning MRI following EM transponder implantation.

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Early photochemical events of a ruthenium(II) molecular dyad capable of performing photochemical water oxidation and of its model compounds

Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2019, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/C8PP00530C, Paper

Francesco Nastasi, Antonio Santoro, Scolastica Serroni, Sebastiano Campagna, Nattawut Kaveevivitchai, Randolph P. Thummel
The early photochemical events occurring in the dinuclear metal complex [(ttb-terpy)(I)Ru(μ-dntpz)Ru(bpy)2]3+ (2; ttb-terpy = 4,4',4"-tri-tert-butyl-terpy; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; dntpz = 2,5-di-(1,8-dinaphthyrid-2-yl)pyrazine) - a species containing the chromophoric {(bpy)2Ru(μ-dntpz)}2+ subunit and...
The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry

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Early photochemical events of a ruthenium(II) molecular dyad capable of performing photochemical water oxidation and of its model compounds

Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2019, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/C8PP00530C, Paper

Francesco Nastasi, Antonio Santoro, Scolastica Serroni, Sebastiano Campagna, Nattawut Kaveevivitchai, Randolph P. Thummel
The early photochemical events occurring in the dinuclear metal complex [(ttb-terpy)(I)Ru(μ-dntpz)Ru(bpy)2]3+ (2; ttb-terpy = 4,4',4"-tri-tert-butyl-terpy; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; dntpz = 2,5-di-(1,8-dinaphthyrid-2-yl)pyrazine) - a species containing the chromophoric {(bpy)2Ru(μ-dntpz)}2+ subunit and...
The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry

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Successful Mandibular MucormycosisTreatment in the Severe Neutropenic Patient

Publication date: Available online 18 February 2019

Source: Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Author(s): Adir Cohen, Fady Louis Shoukair, Maya Korem, Adir Shaulov, Nardy Casap

Abstract

Mucormycosis is a rare opportunistic and aggressive deep fungal infection that predominantly affects immunocompromised patients and its mortality rate has been reported to be up to 80%.

Typing of the infection is based mainly on the clinical and anatomical presentation, the most common being rhino-cerebral type.

We present three cases of oncology patients who had successful treatment of mandibular mucormycosis. Chemotherapy was administered 13-30 days prior to diagnosis of the infection, resulting in neutropenia in all patients. Each case is thoroughly presented from initial admission through its diagnosis and treatment sequence.

Early surgical ablative treatment along with anti-fungal treatment resulted in the resolution of infection in all patients. Absolute neutrophil count increased 7-8 days after the surgical debridement. We found that if we could bring patients to the post-neutropenic state, the patient odds for survival would increase tremendously.

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