Plasticity in the auditory system.

Plasticity in the auditory system.

Hear Res. 2017 Oct 31;:

Authors: Irvine DRF

Abstract
Over the last 30 years a wide range of manipulations of auditory input and experience have been shown to result in plasticity in auditory cortical and subcortical structures. The time course of plasticity ranges from very rapid stimulus-specific adaptation to longer-term changes associated with, for example, partial hearing loss or perceptual learning. Evidence for plasticity as a consequence of these and a range of other manipulations of auditory input and/or its significance is reviewed, with an emphasis on plasticity in adults and in the auditory cortex. The nature of the changes in auditory cortex associated with attention, memory and perceptual learning depend critically on task structure, reward contingencies, and learning strategy. Most forms of auditory system plasticity are adaptive, in that they serve to optimize auditory performance, prompting attempts to harness this plasticity for therapeutic purposes. However, plasticity associated with cochlear trauma and partial hearing loss appears to be maladaptive, and has been linked to tinnitus. Three important forms of human learning-related auditory system plasticity are those associated with language development, musical training, and improvement in performance with a cochlear implant. Almost all forms of plasticity involve changes in synaptic excitatory - inhibitory balance within existing patterns of connectivity. An attractive model applicable to a number of forms of learning-related plasticity is dynamic multiplexing by individual neurons, such that learning involving a particular stimulus attribute reflects a particular subset of the diverse inputs to a given neuron being gated by top-down influences. The plasticity evidence indicates that auditory cortex is a component of complex distributed networks that integrate the representation of auditory stimuli with attention, decision and reward processes.

PMID: 29126650 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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CRP is linked to disease activity, impact and response to treatment in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria

Abstract

Background

Elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a sensitive marker of inflammation, have been consistently reported in chronic spontaneous urticaria. Here, we retrospectively analyzed data from 1,253 CSU patients from two centers to answer the following questions: 1) What is the prevalence of elevated levels of CRP in CSU? 2) Why do CSU patients show elevated levels of CRP? 3) Are elevated CRP levels relevant?

Methods

Serum levels of CRP were measured by the nephelometric method. We collected information regarding various laboratory tests including ESR, CBC with differential, D-dimer, fibrinogen, C3, C4, IL-6 etc. For most patients, we also collected data on age, gender, duration of CSU, presence of angioedema, activity (UAS at the time of blood sampling and for 7 days), quality of life (CU-Q2oL and/or DLQI), comorbidities and possible causes of CSU, and autologous serum skin test (ASST) response. The efficacy of second generation antihistamines was evaluated at the day of blood collecting.

Results

One third of CSU patients had elevated levels of CRP. Higher levels of CRP were associated with ASST positivity (p=0.009) and arterial hypertension (p=0.005), but not with other possible causes or comorbidities of CSU. CRP correlated with urticaria activity (p<0.001), quality of life impairment (p=0.026), inflammatory and coagulation markers (p<0.001). CRP levels were significantly higher in non-responders to antihistamines as compared to responders (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Elevated levels of CRP are common and relevant in CSU patients. The assessment of CRP levels may help to optimize the management of patients with CSU.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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[Analysis of uterus cervical cancer screening campaign results in Conakry, Guinea].

[Analysis of uterus cervical cancer screening campaign results in Conakry, Guinea].

Bull Cancer. 2017 Nov 07;:

Authors: Leno DWA, Diallo FD, Camara AY, Magassouba M, Komano FD, Traore A, Niamy D, Tolno J, Cissoko O, Bangoura M, Keita N

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Reduce morbidity and death rates of women with cervical cancer in Guinea.
METHODOLOGY: This was a five-day cross-sectional study carried out in two successive years (2012 and 2013) at the CERFFO-PCG in Conakry. The target population was women aged 25-49. Approximately 500 women for 2012 and 900 women were expected in these cervical screening campaigns by visual methods (IVA and IVL) with immediate treatment of precancerous lesions. After histologic confirmation of the cancer lesions, the management was carried out according to the protocols in force in the country. We performed a simple descriptive analysis and the results expressed as a percentage and on average.
RESULTS: The target population represented 60.4% in 2012 and 76.2% in 2013, of the total number of women received. The incidence rate of high-grade intraepithelial lesions and cancers increased from 2.6% in 2012 to 0.9% in 2013. In 2012, the 57 precancerous lesions were treated with immediate treatment and 10 cases of cancers out of the 16 had a surgical treatment. Also in 2013, all precancerous lesions were treated immediately and 2 cancers out of the 4 benefited from surgery.
CONCLUSION: Our research shows that, with creativity, flexibility, good organization and efficient use of resources, morbidity and death rates of women with cervical cancer in a very resources can be significantly reduced.

PMID: 29126586 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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[Information booklet for related hematopoietic stem cell donors: Guidelines from the Francophone Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (SFGM-TC)].

[Information booklet for related hematopoietic stem cell donors: Guidelines from the Francophone Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (SFGM-TC)].

Bull Cancer. 2017 Nov 07;:

Authors: Polomeni A, Tardieu L, Ainaoui M, Andrianne C, Bancillon N, Chapel V, Chevallier N, Evrard S, Fournier I, Gargallo G, Godin S, Issarni D, Le Bars L, Renaud B, Yakoub-Agha I, Wallart A, De Bentzmann N

Abstract
Providing information to living donors is first and foremost a legal obligation as well as an ethical one, not to mention necessary to health care provision. It's been shown that quality of information concerning the procedure's practical aspects, scheduling of clinical tests and examinations, withdrawing stem cells for the donation, post-donation symptoms, and support provided by healthcare teams, directly impacts the donor's quality of experience. Taking this into consideration our group decided it was essential to create an informational support for donors in the form of a booklet to be provided in different hematopoietic stem cell transplant centers across France. In September 2016 in Lille, France, the Francophone Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (SFGM-TC) organized the 7th allergenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation clinical practices harmonization workshops. As part of these workshops, our group worked collectively to develop a basis of indispensable information to be included in the booklet and presented using clear and accessible language.

PMID: 29126585 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Surgical Management of Oral Cancer.

Surgical Management of Oral Cancer.

Dent Clin North Am. 2018 Jan;62(1):77-86

Authors: Shanti RM, O'Malley BW

Abstract
Today, most head and neck cancer subsites, such as the larynx, hypopharynx, nasopharynx, and oropharynx, are treated with radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy as a primary treatment modality. Surgery is reserved for the salvage of recurrent tumors that occur within the head and neck in the absence of distant (ie, lung, liver) metastasis. However, unlike all other head and neck subsites, oral cancer should ideally be managed with primary surgery with the possibility of adjuvant radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy depending on the presence of certain high-risk pathologic features.

PMID: 29126495 [PubMed - in process]

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The endoscopic endonasal approach is not superior to the microscopic transcranial approach for anterior skull base meningiomas-a meta-analysis.

The endoscopic endonasal approach is not superior to the microscopic transcranial approach for anterior skull base meningiomas-a meta-analysis.

Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2017 Nov 10;:

Authors: Muskens IS, Briceno V, Ouwehand TL, Castlen JP, Gormley WB, Aglio LS, Zamanipoor Najafabadi AH, van Furth WR, Smith TR, Mekary RA, Broekman MLD

Abstract
OBJECT: In the past decade, the endonasal transsphenoidal approach (eTSA) has become an alternative to the microsurgical transcranial approach (mTCA) for tuberculum sellae meningiomas (TSMs) and olfactory groove meningiomas (OGMs). The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate which approach offered the best surgical outcomes.
METHODS: A systematic review of the literature from 2004 and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Pooled incidence was calculated for gross total resection (GTR), visual improvement, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, intraoperative arterial injury, and mortality, comparing eTSA and mTCA, with p-interaction values.
RESULTS: Of 1684 studies, 64 case series were included in the meta-analysis. Using the fixed-effects model, the GTR rate was significantly higher among mTCA patients for OGM (eTSA: 70.9% vs. mTCA: 88.5%, p-interaction < 0.01), but not significantly higher for TSM (eTSA: 83.0% vs. mTCA: 85.8%, p-interaction = 0.34). Despite considerable heterogeneity, visual improvement was higher for eTSA than mTCA for TSM (p-interaction < 0.01), but not for OGM (p-interaction = 0.33). CSF leak was significantly higher among eTSA patients for both OGM (eTSA: 25.1% vs. mTCA: 10.5%, p-interaction < 0.01) and TSM (eTSA: 19.3%, vs. mTCA: 5.81%, p-interaction < 0.01). Intraoperative arterial injury was higher among eTSA (4.89%) than mTCA patients (1.86%) for TSM (p-interaction = 0.03), but not for OGM resection (p-interaction = 0.10). Mortality was not significantly different between eTSA and mTCA patients for both TSM (p-interaction = 0.14) and OGM resection (p-interaction = 0.88). Random-effect models yielded similar results.
CONCLUSION: In this meta-analysis, eTSA was not shown to be superior to mTCA for resection of both OGMs and TSMs.

PMID: 29127655 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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The endoscopic endonasal approach is not superior to the microscopic transcranial approach for anterior skull base meningiomas-a meta-analysis.

The endoscopic endonasal approach is not superior to the microscopic transcranial approach for anterior skull base meningiomas-a meta-analysis.

Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2017 Nov 10;:

Authors: Muskens IS, Briceno V, Ouwehand TL, Castlen JP, Gormley WB, Aglio LS, Zamanipoor Najafabadi AH, van Furth WR, Smith TR, Mekary RA, Broekman MLD

Abstract
OBJECT: In the past decade, the endonasal transsphenoidal approach (eTSA) has become an alternative to the microsurgical transcranial approach (mTCA) for tuberculum sellae meningiomas (TSMs) and olfactory groove meningiomas (OGMs). The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate which approach offered the best surgical outcomes.
METHODS: A systematic review of the literature from 2004 and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Pooled incidence was calculated for gross total resection (GTR), visual improvement, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, intraoperative arterial injury, and mortality, comparing eTSA and mTCA, with p-interaction values.
RESULTS: Of 1684 studies, 64 case series were included in the meta-analysis. Using the fixed-effects model, the GTR rate was significantly higher among mTCA patients for OGM (eTSA: 70.9% vs. mTCA: 88.5%, p-interaction < 0.01), but not significantly higher for TSM (eTSA: 83.0% vs. mTCA: 85.8%, p-interaction = 0.34). Despite considerable heterogeneity, visual improvement was higher for eTSA than mTCA for TSM (p-interaction < 0.01), but not for OGM (p-interaction = 0.33). CSF leak was significantly higher among eTSA patients for both OGM (eTSA: 25.1% vs. mTCA: 10.5%, p-interaction < 0.01) and TSM (eTSA: 19.3%, vs. mTCA: 5.81%, p-interaction < 0.01). Intraoperative arterial injury was higher among eTSA (4.89%) than mTCA patients (1.86%) for TSM (p-interaction = 0.03), but not for OGM resection (p-interaction = 0.10). Mortality was not significantly different between eTSA and mTCA patients for both TSM (p-interaction = 0.14) and OGM resection (p-interaction = 0.88). Random-effect models yielded similar results.
CONCLUSION: In this meta-analysis, eTSA was not shown to be superior to mTCA for resection of both OGMs and TSMs.

PMID: 29127655 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Chiari I malformation: surgical technique, indications and limits

Abstract

Background

Chiari malformation type I (CM-I) is a rare disease characterised by herniation of cerebellar tonsils below the foramen magnum with associated anomalies of posterior fossa. We describe here the surgical technique, indications and limits of surgical treatment.

Method

The authors describe the surgical technique, including: posterior fossa decompression, opening of the foramen of Magendie and duraplasty in case of CM-I.

Conclusions

Posterior fossa decompression plus duraplasty is a safe and effective procedure for patients with CM-I malformation.

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Portable abdomen radiography: moving to thickness-based protocols

Abstract

Background

Default pediatric protocols on many digital radiography systems are configured based on patient age. However, age does not adequately characterize patient size, which is the principal determinant of proper imaging technique. Use of default pediatric protocols by inexperienced technologists can result in patient overexposure, inadequate image quality, or repeated examinations.

Objective

To ensure diagnostic image quality at a well-managed patient radiation exposure by transitioning to thickness-based protocols for pediatric portable abdomen radiography.

Materials and methods

We aggregated patient thickness data, milliamperes (mAs), kilovoltage peak (kVp), exposure index (EI), source-to-detector distance, and grid use for all portable abdomen radiographs performed in our pediatric hospital in a database with a combination of automated and manual data collection techniques. We then analyzed the database and used it as the basis to construct thickness-based protocols with consistent image quality across varying patient thicknesses, as determined by the EI.

Results

Retrospective analysis of pediatric portable exams performed at our adult-focused hospitals demonstrated substantial variability in EI relative to our pediatric hospital. Data collection at our pediatric hospital over 4 months accumulated roughly 800 portable abdomen exams, which we used to develop a thickness-based technique chart.

Conclusion

Through automated retrieval of data in our systems' digital radiography exposure logs and recording of patient abdomen thickness, we successfully developed thickness-based techniques for portable abdomen radiography.

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Characterization of Copper Algaecide (Copper Ethanolamine) Dissipation Rates Following Pulse Exposures

Abstract

Dissipation rates of copper following algaecide treatments resulting in pulse exposures can be accurately modeled if the component dissipation rates are known. Scaled experiments (in situ, laboratory and mesocosm) were used to parse and rank dominant processes from concurrent processes affecting copper fate in pulse exposures. Copper dissipation rates were measured cumulatively in situ and in mesocosms as well as individually in laboratory experiments. Predictions of the influence of individual dissipation rates on the cumulative dissipation rate were assessed mathematically. In situ aqueous copper dissipated rapidly following an algaecide treatment, with a measured half-life of 0.03 days. Based on laboratory experiments, the most rapid copper fate process was dilution with a half-life of 0.03 days, followed by sediment sorption with a half-life of approximately 3 days. Mesocosm experiments incorporating physical characteristics of the site (i.e., dilution, sediment, algae, and site water) resulted in similar copper dissipation rates (0.02 days) relative to the in situ copper dissipation rate. Prediction of the fate of copper from algaecide treatments requires incorporation of accurate estimates of dominant fate processes that can be determined physically and mathematically.

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Ethical and legal aspects in the care of singers and actors

Gustavo Polacow Korn, Carlos Michaelis Jr., Vania Rosa Moraes
Braz J Otorhinolaryngol.2017;83:609-10

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Health‐related quality of life and disability in patients with acute unilateral peripheral vestibular disorders

Maria Petri, Magdalena Chirilă, Sorana D. Bolboacă, Marcel Cosgarea
Braz J Otorhinolaryngol.2017;83:611-8

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The potential role of amlodipine on experimentally induced bacterial rhinosinusitis

Arzu Tatar, Mukadder Korkmaz, Muhammed Yayla, Elif Polat, Hakan Uslu, Zekai Halici, Secil N. Parlak
Braz J Otorhinolaryngol.2017;83:619-26

Resumo - Texto Completo - PDF

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Tracheostomy in children: a ten‐year experience from a tertiary center in southern Brazil

Cláudia Schweiger, Denise Manica, Carolina Fischer Becker, Larissa Santos Perez Abreu, Michelle Manzini, Leo Sekine, Gabriel Kuhl
Braz J Otorhinolaryngol.2017;83:627-32

Resumo - Texto Completo - PDF

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Association between desloratadine and prednisolone in the treatment of children with acute symptoms of allergic rhinitis: a double‐blind, randomized and controlled clinical trial

Gustavo F. Wandalsen, Carolina Miranda, Luis Felipe Ensina, Flavio Sano, Roberto Bleul Amazonas, Joyce Macedo da Silva, Dirceu Solé
Braz J Otorhinolaryngol.2017;83:633-9

Resumo - Texto Completo - PDF

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Are people who have a better smell sense, more affected from satiation?

Seckin Ulusoy, Mehmet Emre Dinc, Abdullah Dalgic, Murat Topak, Denizhan Dizdar, Abdulhalim İs
Braz J Otorhinolaryngol.2017;83:640-5

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Significant association between osteoporosis and hearing loss: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Sikarin Upala, Pattara Rattanawong, Wasawat Vutthikraivit, Anawin Sanguankeo
Braz J Otorhinolaryngol.2017;83:646-52

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Carotid blowout syndrome in patients treated by larynx cancer

Carlos Miguel Chiesa Estomba, Frank Alberto Betances Reinoso, Alejandra Osorio Velasquez, Olalla Castro Macia, Maria Jesus Gonzalez Cortés, Jesus Araujo Nores
Braz J Otorhinolaryngol.2017;83:653-8

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Subjective visual vertical after treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Maristela Mian Ferreira, Maurício Malavasi Ganança, Heloisa Helena Caovilla
Braz J Otorhinolaryngol.2017;83:659-64

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Free Field Word recognition test in the presence of noise in normal hearing adults

Gleide Viviani Maciel Almeida, Angela Ribas, Jorge Calleros
Braz J Otorhinolaryngol.2017;83:665-9

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