bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of an intervention focusing on diet and walking during pregnancy in the primary health care service
Authors: Malta Maíra Barreto , Gomes Caroline de Barros , Barros Aluísio J. D. , Baraldi Larissa Gastraldi , Takito Monica Yuri , Benício Maria Helena D’Aquino , Carvalhaes Maria Antonieta de Barros Leite
Published: May 2021

Abstract: Interventions during prenatal care can mitigate negative outcomes of a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet during pregnancy. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention that promoted healthy diet and leisure-time walking during antenatal care in a pragmatic, controlled, non-randomized intervention study. Physicians and nurses from all health care units of the Family Health Strategy model of health assistance participated in educational training to promote leisure-time walking and healthy diet during antenatal care visits. Pregnant women who received health care from these professionals constituted the intervention group (n = 181). The control group (n = 172) included pregnant women who received routine antenatal care, in health care units of the traditional model of health assistance. Data were collected in each trimester of pregnancy. Diet was investigated using a food frequency questionnaire adapted from Risk and Protective Factors Surveillance System for Chronic Non-Comunicable Diseases Through Telephone Interview (Vigitel). Leisure-time walking in a typical week was assessed using questions from the Physical Activity in Pregnancy Questionnaire. There were positive effects on leisure-time walking during the second trimester and the third trimester of pregnancy and on the women who achieved 150 minutes per week of walking during the third trimester. The intervention reduced the risk of pregnant women consuming soft drinks and/or commercially prepared cookies in the third trimester. This lifestyle intervention was partially effective, tripling the proportion of pregnant women who achieved the recommended walking time and reducing by half the proportion of women who had a high weekly consumption of soft drinks and industrially processed cookies.
Stuart Hall: Marx, Gramsci y la cuestión de la crisis
Authors: Vásquez Jorge Daniel
Published: May 2021

Resumen El objetivo de este artículo es delinear dos perspectivas para el análisis del neoliberalismo a partir del pensamiento de Stuart Hall. En este sentido, se reconstruye la aproximación de este autor con el pensamiento de Marx y Gramsci, así como su análisis de la crisis de la sociedad británica en tanto fenómeno cultural, social y político en su obra Policing the crisis (1978) y The hard road to renewal (1988). Este artículo complejiza la lectura tanto del “momento althusseriano” como de la “mirada gramsciana” de Stuart Hall para comprender los principales dilemas teóricos de años setenta y ochenta. Finalmente, se observa el lugar del racismo y de la producción de sentido común como pilares del análisis de la crisis de hegemonía.
Impacto da pandemia de Covid-19 ao sistema social e seus subsistemas: reflexões a partir da teoria social de Niklas Luhmann
Authors: Rodrigues Léo Peixoto , Costa Everton Garcia da
Published: May 2021

Resumen Este artigo tem como objetivo tecer algumas reflexões, a partir de uma abordagem sociológica, acerca do impacto da pandemia de Covid-19 sobre o funcionamento dos sistemas e subsistemas sociais. Para levar a cabo esta proposta, nos ancoramos nos pressupostos teórico-epistemológicos da teoria social desenvolvida pelo sociólogo alemão Niklas Luhmann, principal expoente do pensamento sistêmico nas Ciências Sociais. Defendemos o argumento de que a pandemia do novo coronavírus causa uma perturbação sistêmica que impacta profundamente o funcionamento de toda a sociedade global, bem como, por seus sistemas e subsistemas sociais, impõe uma série de desafios à reprodução da vida social.
Evidências da anomalia e atipicidade da Política de Ciência e Tecnologia nos discursos de gestores de Agências de Inovação
Authors: Spatti Ana Carolina , Serafim Milena Pavan , Dagnino Renato Peixoto
Published: May 2021

Resumo A comunidade de pesquisa, que abrange profissionais que se dedicam ao ensino, à pesquisa e/ou ao fomento e planejamento da Ciência e Tecnologia (C&T), tem uma participação hegemônica na conformação da Política de Ciência, Tecnologia (PCT) brasileira. Partindo dessa consideração, o objetivo deste trabalho é ilustrar como esses profissionais fazem valer seu modelo cognitivo no processo decisório dessa política. Para tanto, via entrevistas semiestruturadas, as falas de gestores de três agências de inovação de universidades públicas foram analisadas segundo a metodologia da análise de conteúdo. Ao fazê-lo, fortalecemos a afirmação de que a PCT é caracterizada e condicionada por duas dinâmicas: a anomalia genérica e a atipicidade periférica. A primeira dinâmica é evidenciada pela crença dos dirigentes no benefício infinito da tecnociência, de sua neutralidade e do seu determinismo. A segunda ressalta-se pela convicção na emulação da PCT dos países de capitalismo avançado, dos quais os gestores internalizam critérios de qualidade e relevância para a conformação de suas agendas de C&T. Essa racionalidade vai sendo reproduzida, de maneira ampliada e em escala institucional, na forma de percepções deslocalizadas da produção científica e tecnológica.
“E o Verbo se fez carne”: a Teoria dos Sistemas entre nós
Authors: Maia Vinicius Madureira
Published: May 2021

Resumo O texto apresenta e discute os dois últimos volumes de Teoria dos sistemas na prática, publicados pela Editora Vozes em 2019 e 2020, respectivamente. A trilogia foi editada a partir da seleção e tradução de nove estudos — igualmente distribuídos em cada edição — de um conjunto de vinte e seis trabalhos publicados por Niklas Luhmann ao longo, sobretudo, das décadas de 1980 e 1990. Voltados à análise detida de conceitos clássicos da tradição sociológica, os textos aí reunidos revelam a percepção epistemológica luhmanniana de que transformações das estruturas sociais — no caso, a transição da sociedade estamental do Antigo Regime para a sociedade moderna, sob a perspectiva de um primado da diferenciação funcional dos sistemas sociais — acarretam necessariamente transformações das estruturas semânticas. Em tese, tais implicações reclamam das ciências sociais uma teoria unificada e condizente com a sociedade moderna, acautelada contra a imposição de pregressas convenções conceituais.
O “estatativismo” como uso militante da quantificação
Authors: Didier Emmanuel , Bruno Isabelle
Published: May 2021

Resumo Este artigo apresenta o estatativismo. Trata-se tanto de um conceito que descreve um conjunto de práticas estatísticas voltadas para a emancipação, como de uma palavra de ordem que convoca atores sociais a utilizarem-se do poder da quantificação em suas lutas, ao invés de rejeitá-lo e entregá-lo às instituições poderosas. Quatro formas de estatativismo são apresentadas: mostrar as contradições internas das instituições, flexibilizar as regras, identificar grupos sociais em luta e propor indicadores alternativos.◊
Crise, crítica e reflexividade: problemas conceituais e teóricos na produção de diagnósticos de época
Authors: Maia Felipe
Published: May 2021

Resumo Há na bibliografia recente de sociologia e ciências sociais um interesse renovado no conceito de crise, como parte dos esforços para compreensão de tendências de desenvolvimento que se desdobram no tempo, usualmente associadas à produção de “diagnósticos de época”. Há, entretanto, ainda pouco esclarecimento sobre o sentido que o conceito assume na teoria social, permanecendo incerta sua relação com problemas funcionais e normativos, assim como sua própria utilidade para a qualificação do tempo histórico. O artigo trata dessas questões a partir da comparação entre as abordagens de Reinhart Koselleck e Jürgen Habermas, que são mobilizadas para se pensar as possibilidades de desenvolvimento do conceito de crise. Argumenta-se que ele deve ser compreendido no escopo de teorias dos processos e mudanças sociais, referindo-se a momentos específicos no tempo em que se conjugam problemas normativos e funcionais, sem que isso implique um pressuposto dualista de percepção do mundo social, sob os critérios de instabilidade e estabilidade. Argumenta-se também que, embora a história dos conceitos afirme a relação entre crítica e crise, é prudente evitar a conflação entre os dois conceitos e situar a crítica como um dos modos possíveis de reflexividade em períodos de crise, o que traria vantagens para uma melhor compreensão das possibilidades da teoria crítica e da crítica social em tempos de crise.
Suitability of the muscle O2 resaturation parameters most used for assessing reactive hyperemia: a near-infrared spectroscopy study
Authors: Oliveira Gustavo Vieira de , Volino-Souza Mônica , Leitão Renata , Pinheiro Vivian , Conte-Júnior Carlos Adam , Alvares Thiago Silveira
Published: May 2021

Abstract Background There is a spectrum of possibilities for analyzing muscle O2 resaturation parameters for measurement of reactive hyperemia in microvasculature. However, there is no consensus with respect to the responsiveness of these O2 resaturation parameters for assessing reactive hyperemia. Objectives This study investigates the responsiveness of the most utilized muscle O2 resaturation parameters to assess reactive hyperemia in the microvasculature of a clinical group known to exhibit impairments of tissue O2 saturation (StO2). Methods Twenty-three healthy young adults, twenty-nine healthy older adults, and thirty-five older adults at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) were recruited. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to assess StO2 after a 5-min arterial occlusion challenge and the following parameters were analyzed: StO2slope_10s, StO2slope_30s, and StO2slope_until_baseline (upslope of StO2 over 10s and 30s and until StO2 reaches the baseline value); time to StO2baseline and time to StO2max (time taken for StO2 to reach baseline and peak values, respectively); ∆StO2reperfusion (the difference between minimum and maximum StO2 values); total area under the curve (StO2AUCt); and AUC above the baseline value (StO2AUC_above_base). Results Only StO2slope_10s was significantly slower in older adults at risk for CVD compared to healthy young individuals (p < 0.001) and to healthy older adults (p < 0.001). Conversely, time to StO2max was significantly longer in healthy young individuals than in older adult at CVD risk. Conclusions Our findings suggest that StO2slope_10s may be a measure of reactive hyperemia, which provides clinical insight into microvascular function assessment.
Avaliação da pentoxifilina e do sulfato ferroso no tratamento da úlcera varicosa dos membros inferiores
Authors: Lemos Priscilla Cardoso , Lins Esdras Marques , Pinto Flavia Cristina Morone , Aguiar José Lamartine de Andrade , Appolonio Fernanda , Breno Francisco
Published: May 2021

Resumo Contexto A úlcera varicosa (UV) é o estágio mais avançado da doença venosa crônica (DVC) dos membros inferiores (MMII), frequentemente associada a episódios de hemorragia que podem provocar anemia crônica (AC) e retardar a sua cicatrização. Não há, na literatura, trabalhos que avaliem a prevalência da AC nos portadores de UV dos MMII, e poucos trabalhos analisam o uso da pentoxifilina no tratamento das UV dos MMII. Objetivos Avaliar a prevalência da AC nos pacientes portadores de UV de MMII e a resposta terapêutica ao sulfato ferroso (SF) e a associação da pentoxifilina com SF no tratamento adjuvante das UV dos MMII. Métodos Foram avaliados 67 pacientes portadores de UV de MMII atendidos no ambulatório de Cirurgia Vascular do Hospital das Clínicas, Recife, PE. Após as avaliações clínica e laboratorial iniciais, os pacientes diagnosticados com AC foram randomizados em dois grupos: o grupo controle, que recebeu SF (900 mg/dia via oral), e o grupo de estudo, tratado com SF (900 mg/dia via oral) e pentoxifilina (1.200 mg/dia). Todos foram reavaliados após 90 dias. Resultados Entre os pacientes avaliados, 27 (40%) apresentavam AC. Após o tratamento, foram observados aumento dos níveis de hemoglobina e de hematócrito e melhora das taxas da cinética do ferro, assim como a diminuição da profundidade e da área das UV em ambos os grupos, sem diferença estatística. Conclusões Foi encontrada alta prevalência de anemia na população estudada. A associação do SF com a pentoxifilina não se mostrou mais eficaz do que o emprego isolado do SF no tratamento adjuvante da UV dos MMII.
Gestational echobiometry in brachycephalic bitches using high-definition ultrasonography
Authors: Maronezi Marjury C. , Simões Ana Paula R. , Uscategui Ricardo A.R. , Pavan Letícia , Rodrigues Mariana G.K. , Mariano Renata S.G. , Santos Victor J.C. , Feliciano Marcus A.R.
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACT: The objective of the present study was to obtain echobiometric values for the most important canine maternal-fetal tissues using high-definition ultrasonography (HDUS) trying to update the formulas for predicting gestational age. Twelve healthy bitches of brachycephalic breeds weighing 7-13kg and aged one to four years were included. The fetuses were analyzed every day using conventional and high-definition ultrasonography from the eighth day after artificial insemination until the day of delivery, using the ACUSON S2000/SIEMENS ultrasound equipment and specific software. Embryonic and fetal structures; diameter of the embryonic vesicle; length of the embryo; biparietal diameter, abdominal length and kidney height; length of the femur, humerus, scapula, radius, and tibia; thickening of the stomach wall; adrenal length; and cardiac size were measured. These variables were correlated with gestational and adjusted tested according to regression models. The results obtained (P<0.001) for: lateral diameter of the gestational sac (R2=81.8%); length of the embryo (R2=85.7%); biparietal (R2=99.1%) and abdominal diameter (R2=97.2%); thickness of the gastric wall (R2=86.9%); length of the femur (R2=96.6%), radius (R2=97.5%), humerus (R2=96.5%), scapula (R2=95.8%) and tibia (R2=97.3%); kidney length (R2=95.8%) and height (R2=96.0%); adrenal length (R2=89.6%); heart length (R2=93.0%) and height (R2=91.5%) of the canine fetuses showed significant correlation with gestational days. This allowed monitoring fetal growth and estimation of age with high accuracy in different gestational periods.
Ultrastructural and morphometric description of the ear skin and cartilage of two South American wild histricognate rodents (Dasyprocta leporina and Galea spixii)
Authors: Pereira Alexsandra F. , Aquino Leonardo V.C , Nascimento Matheus B. , Bezerra Ferdinando V.F. , Borges Alana A. , Praxedes Érika A. , Oliveira Moacir F.
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACT: Skin and cartilage have been the main source for the recovery of somatic cells to be used in conservation strategies in wild mammals. In this sense, an important step for the cryopreservation of these samples is to recognize the properties of the skin and cartilage. Thus, knowing that the skin may differ among species and aiming to contribute to the establishment of cryobanks, the study examined the differences in the ear skin and cartilage of wild rodents from South America, agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) and spix’s yellow-toothed cavy (Galea spixii). Ultrastructural and quantitative methods were used to measure skin and cartilage thickness, density of collagen and elastic fibers, cell type number and distribution, and proliferative activity. Although ultrastructural analysis revealed a similar pattern between species, morphometric analysis of the skin and cartilage showed differences between agoutis and cavies regarding thickness of epidermis layers (corneum: 5.3±2.5μm vs. 3.9±0.6μm; intermediate: 16.4±6.2μm vs. 23.4±8.1μm; basal: 9.9±2.1μm vs. 4.8±0.5μm), dermis (183.1±44.0μm vs. 258.2±22.9μm), total skin (211.8±46.0μm vs. 290.3±23.7μm) and perichondrium (27.6±6.1μm vs. 10.5±1.8μm). A greater number of epidermal cells (61.7±15.2 vs. 24.8±7.6) and chondrocytes (32.7±9.0 vs. 27.5±4.7) were observed in agouti, while the cavy presented a greater number of melanocytes (12.6±4.7 vs. 29.9±6.2), keratinocytes (14.7±4.2 vs. 29.8±7.6), and fibroblasts (103.6±24.7 vs. 112.2±11.3). Moreover, a higher percentage of collagen fibers and proliferative activity was observed in the skin of cavies, when compared to the skin of agoutis. Therefore, there are differences between agouti and cavy for ear skin and cartilage, requiring the establishment of species-specific cryopreservation protocols.
Pathological, microbiological and immunohistochemical characterization of avian colibacillosis in broiler chickens of Mozambique
Authors: Taunde Paula Augusto , Bianchi Matheus V. , Mathai Velosa M. , Lorenzo Cintia De , Gaspar Benigna D.C.B. , Correia Irisalda Maria S.M. , Laisse Claudio João M. , Driemeier David
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACT: Avian colibacillosis is an acute and globally occurring infectious disease of domestic and wild birds caused by Escherichia coli, and it is associated with considerable economic losses mainly due to the morbidity and mortality associated. The present study aimed to describe the pathological, bacteriological and immunohistochemical aspects of avian colibacillosis in broiler chickens of Mozambique. Forty-nine broiler chicken presented anorexia, decreased weight gain, ataxia, diarrhea, dyspnea, and death in a clinical course of 3-5 days. The birds were raised in five farms (small, medium and large farms) with manual and automatic breeding system, with flocks ranging from 100 to 20,000 birds. At the necropsy, all birds had poor body condition, and the pericardium and the Glisson’s capsule of all avian exhibited different degrees of adherence often associated with severe fibrin deposition. The thoracic and abdominal air sacs were thickened and adhered to the costal wall. Mild, moderate or marked hepatomegaly associated with white pinpoint multifocal areas (100%, 49/49) and mild to moderate splenomegaly in 75.5% (37/49) with a mottled surface were observed. The lungs and kidney were enlarged and reddish. Histologically, a multiorgan fibrinoheterophilic polyserositis was observed in 75.5% of the cases (37/49), which were characterized by inflammatory infiltrates composed mainly of degenerative heterophils, macrophages and plasma cells, associated with fibrin deposits and intermixed by coccobacillary bacterial basophilic aggregates. These affected mainly the pericardium (28.6%, 14/49), the pleura (18.4%, 9/49), the Glisson’s capsule (10.2%, 5/49), the ventriculus (10.2, 5/33), and the proventriculus (8.2%, 4/49) serosa. Multifocal to coalescing areas of coagulative necrosis associated with similar inflammatory cells were observed mainly in the spleen (28.6%, 14/49), liver (24.5%, 12/49), and intestines (22.4%, 11/49). A similar infiltrate was also observed affecting the the lungs (16.3%, 8/49), the kidney (16.3%, 8/49) and the myocardium (14.3%, 7/49). Isolation and identification of E. coli was obtained in 12 cases through bacterial culture. Some organs (2 cases of each farms) were selected and submitted to immunohistochemistry anti-E. coli, and a positive stain was observed in all tested cases in liver (3/3), heart (4/4), spleen (1/1), lungs (4/4), intestines (4/4), bursa of Fabricius (1/1), ventriculus (1/1), and proventriculus (1/1) tissue sections. These results demonstrate that E. coli was the cause of mortality in these birds. Therefore, biosecurity and management measures should be employed to prevent and control the disease occurrence in Mozambique’s poultry farming.
CA-125 and CCL2 may indicate inflammation in peritoneal dialysis patients
Authors: Oliveira Júnior Wander Valadares de , Turani Sylvia Dias , Marinho Maria Aparecida Silva , Pinto Sérgio Wyton Lima , Otoni Alba , Figueiredo Roberta Carvalho , Rios Danyelle Romana Alves
Published: May 2021

Abstract Introduction: Progressive structural changes in the peritoneal membrane occur over the course of treatment in peritoneal dialysis (PD), resulting in an increase in cytokines such as CCL2 and structural changes in peritoneal membrane triggering an increase in CA-125 in dialysate, which reflects a probable local inflammatory process, with possible loss of mesothelial cells. Thus, the current study aimed to evaluate the association between plasma and CCL2 and CA-125 dialysate levels in patients undergoing PD. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted with 41 patients undergoing PD. The assessments of CA-125 and CCL2 levels were performed using a capture ELISA. Correlations were estimated using Spearman's correlation and the investigation of the association between the explanatory variables (CCL2) and response variable (CA-125) was done for crude ratio of arithmetic means and adjusted utilizing generalized linear models. Results: A moderate positive correlation was observed between the levels of CA-125 and CCL2 in the dialysate (rho = 0.696). A statistically significant association was found between the levels in the CCL2 and CA-125 dialysate (RoM=1.31; CI = 1.20-1.43), which remained after adjustment for age (RoM = 1.31; CI=1.19-1.44) and for time in months of PD (RoM=1.34, CI=1.22-1.48). Conclusion: The association of CA-125 levels with CCL2 in the dialysate may indicate that the local inflammatory process leads to temporary or definitive changes in peritoneal membrane. A better understanding of this pathogenesis could contribute to the discovery of new inflammatory biomarkers.
Parasitism by Amblyomma humerale (Acari: Ixodidae) on Chelonoidis denticulatus (Testudines: Testudinidae) in the Atlantic Forest
Authors: Machado Ygor , Acosta Igor Cunha Lima , Martins Thiago Fernandes , Srbek-Araujo Ana Carolina
Published: May 2021

Abstract The present study reports on patterns of parasitism by Amblyomma humerale on yellow-footed tortoise, Chelonoidis denticulatus, in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. The tortoises were sampled occasionally, from July 2005 to January 2020. We collected 81 adult ticks from seven tortoises (mean = 11.57 ± 6.90 ticks/host), of which 72 were males (88.9%) and nine females (11.1%), resulting in an 8:1 sex ratio (males:females). Males were found in clusters, attached to the carapace. Females occurred mainly isolated, attached to coriaceous integumental areas (n = 7; 77.8%), especially the engorged females (100%). We suggest that the difference between attachment sites is a strategy used by fertilized females to avoid mechanical removal from their host through friction with elements of the environment. Because they undergo a considerable increase of volume when engorged, they move to more sheltered places on their host's surface. The parasitism patterns by A. humerale on C. denticulatus were compatible with those observed in the Amazon region and in the Cerrado-Amazonia transition. The present work provides information about the life history and host-parasite interface of the two species and contributes to understanding the parasitism patterns by A. humerale on C. denticulatus in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil.
The Effect of Chinese AI Hotel Users’ Perception of Self-Service Technology on the Hotel Revisit Intention
Authors:   The Tourism Sciences Society Of Korea, Li Siyuan , Kim Hyun-Kyu , Chung Nam-Ho
Published: May 2021

Self-service technology has recently spotlighted due to the Covid-19 situation, bringing companies a wide range of benefits especially in the hotel industry. Self-service technology also gives satisfaction to customers. By using the balance theory, this study examined whether tendency maintains a consistent attitude toward the related targets, and the relationship between positive attitudes to technology and the hotel's re-visit intentions. An online survey was conducted to users who had experienced self-service technology at AI Hotel in China within a year. The findings show that the degree of expected confirmation and personal absorption of users had a positive effect on the satisfaction of use of hotel self-service technology, and satisfaction of use affected the attitude and revisit of hotels. Specifically, perceived benefits had a strong impact on satisfaction with use compared to perceived risks. However, unlike we hypothesized, perceived risks had a positive effect on satisfaction with use. Overall, these results show that self-service technologies need to be considered in terms of attracting hotel revisit customers, and suggest the benefits for customers that increase satisfaction from using the technology of customers.
Effects of Social Capital within Delivery Platform-restaurant on Restaurants’ Continuity Intention to Use Delivery Platforms
Authors:   The Tourism Sciences Society Of Korea, Lee Jung-Hoon , Lee Gyu-Min
Published: May 2021

This study examined the effect of how social capital between the restaurant owners and delivery platforms on the intention to maintain their supply chain partnership. Nolinear relationships were reviewed through hierarchical regression analysis to investigate the quality of relationship and the contiunity of the supply chair partnership, which was not consistently examined in the previous studies. In addition, the focal relationship was hypothesized to be contingent on restaurants’ dependency on delivery platforms. Hypotheses were tested with questionnaire survey data collected from April 6th to May 27th, 2020 and total of 282 usuable data was collected. The results from hierarchical regression analysis provided support for the hypothesized nonlinear relationship as well as the moderating effect of dependency. Moreover, the finding confirmed that when the more social capital was formed, intention to maintain chain supply partnership increased, and the nonliner (U-shaped) influence relationship to increased. However, the moderate effects of restaurant owners’ dependency on delivery platforms had a non-linearly positive effect on the restaurant owners with high dependency, while there was a linearly positive effect on low dependency restaurant owners. This study draws scholarly interests to the new supply chain of the food service industry, including delivery platforms and provides practical implications for supply chain relationship management among the industry participants.
FREQUENCY FOLLOWING RESPONSE
AND MUSICAL EXPERIENCE: A REVIEW
Authors: Rodrigues Madel , Donadon Caroline , Guedes-Weber Mariana , Sant’anna Sandra , Skarzynski Piotr , Hatzopoulos Stavros , Colella-Santos Maria , Sanfins Milaine
Published: May 2021

The aim of this review is to compare published FFR studies for groups of musicians and non-musicians. Musicians are taken to be those who
have used their instrument at least twice a week for many years. The review considers sample size, age, gender, native language, preliminary
and complementary assessments, equipment, stimuli, objective results, and conclusions of the studies.
Medline/PubMed and Web of Science databases were accessed. Keywords were restricted to English Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms
and included: auditory brainstem response, speech ABR, speech perception, frequency following response, musicians. The search identified 140 articles published between 2008 and 2015. After filtering the total number of papers according to inclusion and exclusion criteria,
11 studies remained.
Analysis showed that individuals with musical experience, that is, play a musical instrument at least 2 to 3 hours per week, show an improved
development of their FFR. Musical experience improves a broad range of abilities: detection, recognition, and discrimination of sound stimuli are processed more accurately and effectively in musicians. The improvement also relates to the encoding of speech, facilitating literacy.
Assessment by FFR allows neural changes from musical training to be monitored.
STAPES SURGERY FOR OTOSCLEROSIS: AUDIOMETRIC AND SELF-REPORTED HEARING OUTCOMES
Authors: Skarzynski Henryk , Dziendziel Beata , Swierniak Weronika , Gos Elzbieta , Skarzynski Piotr
Published: May 2021

Background

Stapes surgery is widely used to treat otosclerosis and its effectiveness is reported in audiometric terms – closure of the preoperative air-bone gap and improvement in air conduction thresholds. The objective of our study was to measure audiometric and self-assessed hearing changes in otosclerosis patients after stapes surgery. A secondary objective was to gauge the relationship between self-reported hearing and audiometric hearing thresholds.

Material and Methods

This prospective study included 236 patients with otosclerosis who underwent primary stapedotomy. The Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit questionnaire (APHAB) was used to measure subjective hearing before surgery and 6 months postoperatively. Pure-tone audiometry was also conducted at the same observation periods.

Results

The air- and bone-conduction thresholds, as well as the air-bone gap, confirmed that there was a significant improvement in hearing. The difference between the pre- and postoperative APHAB Total score was 26.7 points and was statistically significant (p < 0.001). A weak correlation was found between the pre- and postoperative change of APHAB Total score and air conduction thresholds (rho = 0.23; p < 0.01) as well as between the change in the APHAB Total score and the size of the air-bone gap (rho = 0.19; p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The results of the audiometric tests demonstrate the effectiveness of stapedotomy in improving the hearing of the majority of patients. However, audiometric results give limited information about the status of the patient’s hearing. The patient’s subjective perspective, together with the audiometric data, provide valuable information that can be helpful in clinical decision-making and counselling.
A RARE CASE OF LATE DIAGNOSIS
OF ELONGATED STYLOID
PROCESS SYNDROME
Authors: Olszewski Jurek , Miłoński Jarosław , Jałocha-Kaczka Anna
Published: May 2021

Background

Eagle's syndrome comes from the name of the American otolaryngologist – Watt Weems Eagle, who in 1937 was the first to distinguish a separate disease entity for symptoms associated with excessive elongation of the styloid process of the temporal bone.

Case report

A 42-year old patient was admitted to the Department of Otolaryngology, Laryngological Oncology, Audiology and
Phoniatrics in November 2018, in a planned mode, with persistent throat pain radiating to the right ear, right side head pain, tongue numbness and hoarseness. Symptoms of variable severity maintained for about 9 years, which is why the patient underwent bilateral tonsillectomy in October 2016. Due to persistent hoarseness, the patient was also qualified for micro-direct laryngoscopy with the removal of vocal
cord nodules, the procedure was performed in March 2017. Despite the surgical treatment, the pain persisted. On the basis of the medical
history, clinical observation, after analyzing the results of the tests with particular consideration of the neck CT scan with 3D reconstruction, the patient was diagnosed with right-sided Eagle's syndrome. The patient was qualified for surgery under general endotracheal anesthesia. In November 2018 partial resection of the right elongated styloid process was performed using an intraoral approach. After wound healing the patient reported complete pain relief.

Conclusions

The elongated styloid process syndrome is most frequently a diagnosis of exclusion. Lack of proper diagnosis often delays significantly the implementation of proper management and thus exposes patients to long-term struggle with pain. If non-specific throat pain
persists, the Eagle’s syndrome should always be considered, which can be treated effectively.
TINNITUS SOUND THERAPY WITH A MOBILE
APPLICATION: CASE STUDY
Authors: Kutyba Justyna , Jedrzejczak W. , Raj-Koziak Danuta , Gos Elżbieta , Skarzynski Piotr
Published: May 2021

Background

Every year more people suffer from tinnitus. Therapy for the condition requires a comprehensive approach to the patient. Despite
the existence of many treatment methods, none is 100% effective. After a physician has excluded organic diseases, it is standard practice to try
sound therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of sound therapy by means of a free mobile application ReSound Tinnitus
Relief in a patient with very troublesome tinnitus.

Case study

The patient, a 34-year-old woman, reported very troublesome tinnitus, described as a constant, non-pulsating ringing sound felt
“inside the head”. The patient was offered sound therapy using a widely available application installed on a mobile phone. Progress of the
therapy and changes in tinnitus perception were evaluated using two standardized questionnaires: the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and
the Tinnitus Functional Index. Results from both questionnaires showed that overall tinnitus annoyance decreased after 3 and 6 months of use

Conclusions

The data demonstrate that the use of sound therapy on a mobile app can provide satisfactory results, at least in this patient.
However, it is not possible to say that such sound therapy will bring relief to all patients. Nevertheless, it is an option that a doctor can
offer to their patient. A further study is needed on a large group of people to confirm whether it is possible to replace conventional sound
generators with mobile solutions.
TREATMENTS FOR PARTIAL DEAFNESS USING COMBINED
ELECTRIC AND ACOUSTIC STIMULATION OF THE AUDITORY
SYSTEM
Authors: Wilson Blake
Published: May 2021

This paper provides a summary of the experience to date with (1) combined electric and acoustic stimulation of the auditory
system (combined EAS) for persons with some residual hearing at low frequencies, and (2) a procedure called “partial deafness cochlear implantation” (PDCI) for persons with higher levels of residual hearing at low frequencies, including persons
with normal or nearly normal hearing at 500 Hz and lower frequencies. The paper also presents new results on the dependence of outcomes according to the levels of the residual hearing. In broad terms, both combined EAS and PDCI are highly
beneficial treatments, especially for speech reception in noise. In some cases synergistic effects are found, in which the speech
reception score for combined EAS or PDCI is greater than the sum of the scores for electric or acoustic stimulation only. In
addition, the new results demonstrate that patients with high levels of residual hearing (PDCI levels) receive benefits from
cochlear implantation that are at least as great as the benefits received by patients with lower levels of residual hearing. This
finding strongly supports the concept of providing cochlear implants for persons with substantial residual hearing at low frequencies; indeed, a “point of diminishing returns” has yet to be identified.
ACOUSTIC STRUCTURE OF THE VOICE IN CHILDREN
CONSIDERED FOR PARTIAL DEAFNESS TREATMENT
Authors: Szkielkowska Agata , Ratynska Joanna , Skarzynski Henryk , Michalak Tomasz
Published: May 2021

Background

Partial deafness (PD) is a condition in which normal hearing is preserved in the low frequency range, while severe to profound hearing loss is observed in the middle and high frequency ranges. The aim of this study was to assess the
acoustic structure of the voice in children considered for partial deafness treatment (PDT).

Material and Methods

The material included 127 children aged from 5 to 12 years old. The study group included children
with partial deafness (PD). Depending on age, patients in the study group were divided into 2 groups. The first included 40
children aged 5–6 years, and the second consisted of 44 school-age children aged 7–12 years. The control group included 20
healthy normally hearing children aged 5–6 years and 23 healthy, normally hearing children with clear voices, aged 7–12 years.
Children’s voices were assessed subjectively by the physician and objectively with the use of a digital CSL KAY Multidimensional Voice Profile analyser (MDVP). The sustained vowel “a” was used for analysis.

Results

Acoustic features of PD vs. normally hearing children were different. Statistically significant parameters differentiating voices in the group of younger children were fundamental frequency (Fo); shimmer, a parameter describing changes in
amplitude (ShdB); and noise-to-harmonic-ratio (NHR). In the group of older children more acoustic parameters characterizing voices of PD children were defined. They included fundamental frequency (Fo); fundamental frequency variation (vFo);
amplitude change (vAm, sAPQ); noise-to-harmonic-ratio (NHR); and voice tremor (FTRI).

Conclusions

The acoustic structure of the voice in children with partial deafness is different from that in children with normal hearing.
SUPRASEGMENTAL FEATURES OF CI CHILDREN VIA
CLASSIFICATION OF PRE-LINGUISTIC UTTERANCES:
TWO LONGITUDINAL CASE STUDIES
Authors: Binos Paraskevas , Okalidou Areti , Botinis Antonios , Kiriafinis Georgios , Vital Victor
Published: May 2021

Background

The speech prosody of young children who have CIs has not been the subject of detailed investigation. This case
study is a longitudinal investigation of the vocalizations of two young children with CIs. The aims were to examine the suprasegmental characteristics of the prelinguistic utterances of these CI children and to develop a method for deriving phonoprosodic classifications using acoustical and auditory analyses.

Material and Method

Spontaneous productions by two congenitally hearing-impaired Greek children fitted with a Nucleus-24 multichannel CI (ages 1: 10 and 2: 7; post-implant ages 0: 0 and 0: 6) were sampled for 6 months and, following transcription, classification of protophones was made. The analysis aimed to detect the frequency of occurrence of different protophone types in the infants’ utterances and to examine utterance duration and pitch contour via spectrography. Utterance
characteristics were analyzed in relation to a) child’s age and b) post-implant age.

Results

At post-implant age of 6 months, the younger and earlier implanted child showed more prelinguistic vocalizations
and more complex structures than the older, later fitted child. The older, later CI recipient produced CV vocalizations at the
beginning of implantation and gained a facility for frequent CV productions after 4 months of CI use.

Conclusions

The findings are in agreement with other studies which observe that later CI recipients produce CV combinations at earlier phases of the prelexical period until the necessary auditory input is provided by CIs. Protophone vocalizations
serve as a comparative parameter of speech production level in pre-lingual speech.
Screening checklist for auditory processing
in adults (SCAP-A): Development and preliminary
findings
Authors: Vaidyanath Ramya , Yathiraj Asha
Published: May 2021

Background

Auditory processing deficits can exist in older adults who have normal hearing sensitivity. However, checklists
to screen for the condition are sparse. Hence, the study aimed to develop two screening checklists to identify auditory processing deficits in older adults, one for the individual and one for the family. The study also aimed to compare the responses on the two checklists.

Material and Methods

Through an interview, data were collected using the two developed checklists. The checklists, with 12 questions each, tapped auditory separation/closure, auditory integration, temporal ordering, as well as memory and attention. The
checklists were administered on 102 participants aged 55 to 75 years and on 84 family members.

Results

It was found that 98% of the individuals had difficulty on at least one item of the checklist. Values on the kappa measure of agreement were higher when a 2-point rating scale was used instead of a 3-point one. Responses of older individuals
formed five clusters, while those of the family members formed four. Responses to questions within each of the clusters varied; despite this variation, questions that were rated high or low were similar on the two checklists.

Conclusions

The study revealed that a large number of older individuals have symptoms of auditory processing disorders,
and the checklists help to detect them. Validation of the checklists, which is in progress, would confirm their utility in detecting subjects with auditory processing difficulties.
SELF-REPORTED TINNITUS HANDICAP IN INDIVIDUALS WITH AUDITORY NEUROPATHY SPECTRUM DISORDER
Authors: Prabhu P. , Sneha P.
Published: May 2021

Background

Tinnitus is one of the symptoms reported by individuals with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorders (ANSD). There are no studies examining the handicap caused by tinnitus in these cases. The study administered the ‘Self report tinnitus handicap questionnaire’ (SR-THQ) and estimated the pitch and loudness of tinnitus in individuals with ANSD.

Material and Methods

SR-THQ was administered to 30 individuals diagnosed with ANSD. The participants subjectively rated their tinnitus pitch, loudness, and severity. Tinnitus was also determined by matching pitch and loudness in 25 of these individuals.

Results

The mean percentage tinnitus handicap in individuals with ANSD was 59.3%. The majority of the participants reported their tinnitus frequency to be low-pitched, moderately loud, and the severity ranged from moderate to severe. There was a weak or moderately negative correlation between SR-THQ scores and tinnitus pitch and loudness.

Conclusions

Tinnitus can cause emotional problems and affect daily life in individuals with ANSD. Thus, clinically, one should attempt to manage tinnitus in individuals with ANSD.
INTERSUBJECT VARIABILITY OF THALAMIC ACTIVATION
DURING GENERATION OF BERGER’S ALPHA RHYTHM
Authors: Rusiniak Mateusz , Lewandowska Monika , Pluta Agnieszka , Ciesla Katarzyna , Wojcik Joanna , Wolak Tomasz
Published: May 2021

Background

The aim of the present work is to investigate the relationship between spontaneous electroencephalographic (EEG) brain activity at 8–13 Hz frequency (Berger’s rhythm) and thalamus activation. The leading theory of how Berger’s
rhythm is generated suggests a thalamo–occipital circuit, but there is still much uncertainty as to the role of the thalamus.

Material and Methods

We used a Siemens Magnetom 3T Trio scanner and a 64-channel NeuroScan SynAmps2 EEG system
to examine 36 healthy young male adults. The study paradigm consisted of 30-s blocks with eyes closed alternated with 30-s
blocks with eyes open, both repeated six times. The EEG data was preprocessed as follows: 1) fMRI gradient artifact removal;
2) BCG reduction; 3) 1–20 Hz band-pass filtration. Alpha rhythm segments were marked in the preprocessed data. fMRI data
was preprocessed using typical procedures (motion correction, normalization, smoothing), and then a general linear model (GLM) analysis was performed using alpha segments derived from the EEG as events. A modified hemodynamic response
function suitable for examining thalamus physiology was applied.

Results

EEG data produced a typical spatial distribution of the alpha rhythm, mostly elicited in the parieto–occipital electrodes. Group-level analysis of the fMRI data failed to reveal any activation in the thalamus. However, further investigation
revealed three subgroups of patients: 1) those who had a signal decrease in the left medial dorsal nucleus; 2) those with positive activation of thalamic structures; and 3) those where no activation was detected in the thalamus.

Conclusions

The thalamus might be involved differently in alpha rhythm generation from one subject to another. The observed intersubject variability might be caused by physiological mechanisms underlying Berger’s rhythm.
A REVIEW OF THE CLINICAL APPLICABILITY OF
SPEECH-EVOKED AUDITORY BRAINSTEM RESPONSES
Authors: Sanfins Milaine , Colella-Santos Maria
Published: May 2021

Through a systematic literature review, this paper evaluates the clinical applicability of speech-evoked auditory brainstem responses (ABRs). The survey was done on five databases, with the following key words: speech ABR; ABR-speech; speech auditory brainstem response; auditory evoked potential to speech; speech-evoked brainstem response; complex sounds; and
cABR. The search generated a list of 1288 items published between 2005 and 2015. After applying pre-established criteria of
inclusion and exclusion, 21 publications remained. The collected data show that: (i) research on speech ABR has been done
on diverse age groups, although teenagers and adolescents have been less studied; (ii) the speech ABR procedure has been
shown to be a reliable and effective tool in evaluating the coding of speech sounds in the brainstem, and can also be applied
to young children; and (iii) speech ABR has been shown to be effective in the differential diagnosis of diseases with similar
features and symptoms.
CLINICALLY RELEVANT LONG-TERM RELIABILITY OF CONTRALATERAL SUPPRESSION OF CLICK-EVOKED OTOACOUSTIC EMISSIONS
Authors: Killan Edward , Brooke Ruth , Farrell Alexandra , Merrett Jessica
Published: May 2021

Background

Contralateral suppression of click-evoked otoacoustic emissions (CEOAEs) is a potentially useful clinical tool. Recent studies have provided descriptions of the reliability of this measure. In terms of their clinical relevance, the studies were limited as they utilised custom-built measurement systems or were conducted by a single tester over a short time. Further, previous studies generally reported only group data. The present study addresses these limitations by reporting individual and group data collected by two testers, using standard clinical equipment over longer time-frames.

Material and Methods

Contralateral suppression of CEOAEs was recorded from 12 ears using the ILO 292 system. Clicks and contralateral broadband noise (BBN) were presented at 60 dB p.e. SPL and 65 dB SPL respectively. Global and best half-octave band suppression values (in dB) were measured on four separate occasions by two testers spanning an average period of 35.5 days. Reliability was assessed via the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the standard error of measurement (SEm). Multilevel regression analysis was used to explore potential causes of variation in suppression.

Results

Global suppression reliability was shown to be worse than previous reports, with only fair to good reliability observed. ICC and SEm values were 0.57 and 0.47 dB respectively. Corresponding values for best half-octave band suppression were 0.49 and 0.64 dB. Further analysis revealed no significant effect on contralateral suppression for a range of variables tested. Substantial variation (up to 2 dB) in contralateral suppression between test sessions was seen for individual subjects.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that contralateral suppression of CEOAEs, measured by separate testers using standard clinical equipment, is not reliable over long time periods.
COURSE OF LARYNGEAL FUNCTION RECOVERY AFTER RECONSTRUCTION OF THE LARYNGEAL NERVES
Authors: Krasnodębska Paulina , Szkielkowska Agata
Published: May 2021

Background

According to the literature, the rate of laryngeal paralysis after thyroid surgery is as high as several percent. For oncolog-ical operations the rate can reach 20%. The return of laryngeal function depends on the degree of nerve damage. Surgical procedures are required to increase the likelihood of nerve function recovery. Three methods of phonosurgery are currently used. The first is based on injecting auto or alloplastic materials into the vocal fold. The second interferes with the skeleton of the laryngeal cartilages; according to the Isshiki clas-sification, it includes type I thyreoplasty (medialisation thyreoplasty), optionally with complementary arytenoid adduction. The third method reconstructs the laryngeal nerves. Combinations of the three methods are increasingly used. Conservative treatment including phoniatric voice rehabilitation should be started as early as possible.

Case report

The paper presents a case report of a patient after thyroid surgery due to papillary carcinoma, complicated by bilateral laryn-geal paralysis and aphonia.

Conclusions

Functional Voice Therapy started just after healing of the postoperative wound in the neck eliminated abnormal compensatory mechanisms of phonation. Reconstruction of the laryngeal nerves is an opportunity to quickly return laryngeal function and prevents unwanted secondary functional mechanisms within the vocal organ.