bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neural Indices of Vowel Discrimination in Monolingual and Bilingual Infants and Children
Authors: Yu Yan H. , Tessel Carol , Han Henry , Campanelli Luca , Vidal Nancy , Gerometta Jennifer , Garrido-Nag Karen , Datta Hia , Shafer Valerie L. 
Published: April 2019

Objectives:
To examine maturation of neural discriminative responses to an English vowel contrast from infancy to 4 years of age and to determine how biological factors (age and sex) and an experiential factor (amount of Spanish versus English input) modulate neural discrimination of speech.

Design:
Event-related potential (ERP) mismatch responses (MMRs) were used as indices of discrimination of the American English vowels [ε] versus [I] in infants and children between 3 months and 47 months of age. A total of 168 longitudinal and cross-sectional data sets were collected from 98 children (Bilingual Spanish–English: 47 male and 31 female sessions; Monolingual English: 48 male and 42 female sessions). Language exposure and other language measures were collected. ERP responses were examined in an early time window (160 to 360 msec, early MMR [eMMR]) and late time window (400 to 600 msec, late MMR).

Results:
The eMMR became more negative with increasing age. Language experience and sex also influenced the amplitude of the eMMR. Specifically, bilingual children, especially bilingual females, showed more negative eMMR compared with monolingual children and with males. However, the subset of bilingual children with more exposure to English than Spanish compared with those with more exposure to Spanish than English (as reported by caretakers) showed similar amplitude of the eMMR to their monolingual peers. Age was the only factor that influenced the amplitude of the late MMR. More negative late MMR was observed in older children with no difference found between bilingual and monolingual groups.

Conclusions:
Consistent with previous studies, our findings revealed that biological factors (age and sex) and language experience modulated the amplitude of the eMMR in young children. The early negative MMR is likely to be the mismatch negativity found in older children and adults. In contrast, the late MMR amplitude was influenced only by age and may be equivalent to the Nc in infants and to the late negativity observed in some auditory passive oddball designs.
Persistent Use of Extended Fractionation Palliative Radiotherapy for Medicare Beneficiaries With Metastatic Breast Cancer, 2011 to 2014
Authors: Yu James B. , Pollack Craig E. , Herrin Jeph , Zhu Weiwei , Soulos Pamela R. , Xu Xiao , Gross Cary P. 
Published: April 2019

Introduction:
With no evidence to support extended radiation courses for the palliation of bone metastases, multiple guidelines were issued discouraging its use. We assessed contemporary use and cost of prolonged palliative radiotherapy in Medicare beneficiaries with bone metastases from breast cancer.

Methods:
We conducted a retrospective, longitudinal study of palliative radiotherapy use among fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries with bone metastasis from breast cancer who underwent palliative radiotherapy during 2011 to 2014. Patients were categorized according to the number of days (fractions) on which they received palliative radiotherapy: 1, 2 to 10, 11 to 19, or 20 to 30. We examined the association of clinical, demographic, and provider characteristics with the use of extended (≥11 fractions) or very extended (≥20 fractions) fractionation with logistic regression models. We also compared the cost of different fractionation schemes from the payer perspective.

Results:
Of the 7547 patients in the sample (mean age, 71 y), 3084 (40.8%) received extended fractionation. The proportion of patients receiving 11 to 19 (34.7% in 2011 and 28.1% in 2014, trend P<0.001) and 20 to 30 treatments (10.3% in 2011 to 9.0% in 2014, trend P=0.07) decreased modestly over time. Patients with comorbidities were less likely to undergo extended fractionation (34.4% for ≥3 comorbidities vs. 44.9% for 0 comorbidities; adjusted odds ratio 0.67 [95% confidence interval, 0.58-0.76]). Patients treated at free-standing practices were more likely to undergo extended fractionation (47.9%) compared with those treated at hospital-based practices (37.3%, P<0.001; adjusted odds ratio, 1.49 [95% confidence interval, 1.35-1.65]). The mean cost of treatment varied from $633 (SD $240) for single-fraction treatment, to $3566 (SD $1349) for 11 to 19 fractions, to $6597 (SD $2893) for 20 to 30 fractions.

Conclusion:
The use of prolonged courses of palliative radiotherapy among Medicare beneficiaries with breast cancer remained high in 2011 to 2014. The association between free-standing facility status and use of extended fractionation suggests that provider financial incentives may impact choice of treatment.
Nonsurgical Treatments for Infraorbital Rejuvenation: A Review
Authors: Lipp Michael , Weiss Eduardo 
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND
Tear trough and infraorbital region changes are one of the first signs recognizable aging. This is a common consultation for cosmetic dermatologists and there are many treatment options available.

OBJECTIVE
This article provides a review of the anatomy and changes that occur in the infraorbital region as we age. We also suggest the use of the osseous, color, underlying anatomy, laxity, adipose, rhytides (OCULAR) mnemonic to evaluate these changes and review the literature for treatments options.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
A literature search was performed through PubMed, using search terms “Tear trough,” “Infra-orbital,” “Dark-circles,” “Lower-Eyelid,” and “Midface.”

RESULTS
Fillers, lasers, radiofrequency devices, chemical peels, various topicals, and botulinum toxin are available non-surgical treatment options discussed in the literature found to significantly improve and rejuvenate the infraorbital region.

CONCLUSION
A complete understanding of the anatomy and changes that occur with aging are of most importance when assessing the infraorbital region. Organizing these changes into the OCULAR mnemonic is one way to assess the infraorbital region and achieve optimal rejuvenation.
Far-lateral Vascularized Rib Graft for Cervical and Lumbar Spinal Arthrodesis: Cadaveric Technique Description
Authors: Bohl Michael A. , Hlubek Randall J. , Turner Jay D. , Kakarla U. Kumar , Preul Mark C. , Reece Edward M. 
Published: April 2019

Background:
Rotational vascularized autografts are ideal for achieving spinal arthrodesis because they maintain bony vascularization while avoiding the morbidity and challenges of free-tissue transfer. Although proximal ribs are ideal candidates for vascularized bone grafts, their use is restricted to the thoracic spine. This study describes a novel technique for harvesting lateral rib grafts on an intercostal pedicle for use in cervical and lumbar posterolateral arthrodesis.

Methods:
Six cadaveric dissections were performed (2 included upper and all 6 included lower rib dissections). Measurements included graft width and thickness, distance reached from harvest level to the top of the graft, and ipsilateral and contralateral spine levels reached by the graft.

Results:
Overall, 60 lateral rib grafts were harvested. Intercostal vessel pedicles were torn during harvest in 4/48 (8.3%) of the lower rib and 5/12 (41.7%) of the upper rib grafts. Mean measurements of successful upper rib grafts were 1.4 ± 0.12 cm × 0.5 ± 0.15 cm (width × thickness), 14.1 ± 2.79 cm (distance) reached, and C2 (occiput–C4) reached ipsilaterally and C3 (occiput–C5) reached contralaterally. Mean lower rib graft measurements were 1.4 ± 0.26 cm × 0.4 ± 0.15 cm (width × thickness), 18.0 ± 6.19 cm (distance), S1 (L1–S2) reached ipsilaterally, and L4 (L1–S1) reached contralaterally.

Conclusions:
It is technically feasible to rotate a far-lateral rib graft on an intercostal pedicle into the posterolateral cervical or lumbar spine for the augmentation of arthrodesis. Upper ribs seem to be more difficult to harvest and rotate while keeping the intercostal pedicle intact than lower ribs.
Role of Radiofrequency (Votiva, InMode) in Pelvic Floor Restoration
Authors: Dayan Erez , Ramirez Henry , Westfall Lacy , Theodorou Spero 
Published: April 2019

Background:
Postpartum pelvic floor disorders are estimated to impact 24% of women in the United States. This study describes the use of a radiofrequency device (Votiva, InMode) for postpartum pelvic floor restoration using an electrostimulator to objectively measure treatment effect.

Methods:
A retrospective evaluation was conducted between April 2017 and May 2018 of consecutive patients undergoing vaginal radiofrequency treatment. Inclusion criteria were patients at least 6 weeks postvaginal delivery with symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. Resting pelvic floor muscle tone and maximal pelvic floor contraction were measured.

Results:
Fifty women were included in the study with an average age of 32 (29–40) years old, average of 2.6 pregnancies, and 1.8 vaginal deliveries. Two patients were lost to follow-up and excluded. Three complete radiofrequency treatments were performed in 31/50 patients, whereas 19 patients received 1–2 treatments. There were no adverse events from the radiofrequency treatment. No changes were found in resting pelvic muscle tone after Votiva treatment [Wilks’ lambda = 0.98, F (1, 45) = 0.86, P = 0.36]. The quantity of treatments seemed to impact mean values of maximal pelvic floor contraction [F (1, 45) = 105.14, P < 0.001]. On the patient questionnaire, patients felt subjective improvement correlated to number of treatments.

Conclusions:
Radiofrequency is safe for the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction. This study showed no changes in resting pelvic muscle tone but an improvement in maximal pelvic floor contraction. A prospective randomized study is being conducted to further evaluate the efficacy of this technology.
A Novel Medial Canthal Reconstruction Technique in Children With Blepharophimosis Syndrome
Authors: Parvizi Sahar , Ong Juling , Abou Rayyah Yassir , Dunaway David 
Published: April 2019

Purpose:
There are different techniques for medial canthoplasty in blepharophimosis syndrome where individuals have epicanthus inversus and telecanthus leading to typical facial appearances. These methods have potential problems with scarring, epistaxis, and extrusion of metal plates.

Methods:
The authors describe a novel technique of medial canthal reconstruction using titanium microplates with microscrew fixation to the anterior lacrimal crest, with effective, safe, and reproducible results.

Results:
Seven children with blepharophimosis syndrome underwent medial canthus reconstruction surgery at a single center with the collaboration of a pediatric oculoplastic surgeon and craniofacial plastic surgeon to improve eye opening through correction of the lid contours and telecanthus.

Conclusions:
This is a safe, effective, and reproducible technique, with minimal morbidity and rapid postoperative recovery in children. It produces cosmetically acceptable scars and a strong stable reconstruction of the medial canthal insertion.
Safety and Efficacy of Resident-Performed Functional Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty
Authors: Hellman Justin B. , Mahmood Bilawal , Lin Lily Koo 
Published: April 2019

Resident-performed functional upper eyelid blepharoplasty under the direct supervision of an attending is a safe and effective procedure with similar complication rate, number of revision procedures, and patient satisfaction to attending-performed functional upper eyelid blepharoplasty.

Purpose:
To determine the safety and efficacy of resident-performed functional upper eyelid blepharoplasty.

Methods:
The authors retrospectively looked at functional upper eyelid blepharoplasty surgery performed on 836 eyes of 448 patients under the supervision of one oculoplastic surgery attending at the University of California Davis Eye Center from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2017. The primary surgeon was a resident on 427 eyes and was an attending on 409 eyes. Patients (73.5%) were female, and the mean age was 66.0 ± 10.0. All patients had at least 2 postoperative visits, and eyes that underwent other concurrent upper eyelid or brow procedures were excluded. The authors looked at major and minor complications, percentage of initially dissatisfied patients, and percentage of cases that required a revision procedure within 6 months. Chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis.

Results:
There were no major complications in either group. There was no difference in the rate of minor complications (10.8% vs. 7.6%, p = 0.11), percentage of patients who were initially dissatisfied with the procedure (3.5% vs. 2.0%, p = 0.17), or percentage of patients requiring a revision procedure (5.2% vs. 3.2%, p = 0.15). The most common minor complications were inclusion cysts (45, 5.4%), wound dehiscence (9, 1.1%), and hypertrophic scars (9, 1.1%), and the most common revision procedures were removal of inclusion cyst(s) (17, 2.0%) and suturing or placement of topical skin adhesive for wound dehiscence (9, 1.1%).

Conclusions:
Ophthalmology residents can perform functional upper eyelid blepharoplasty safely and effectively under the supervision of an attending physician.
Factors Affecting Self-care Maintenance and Management in Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Chuang Hui-Wan , Kao Chi-Wen , Lin Wei-Shiang , Chang Yue-Cune 
Published: April 2019

Background:
Self-care is indispensable for health maintenance and well-being. This naturalistic decision-making process involves behavioral choices to maintain physiological stability (self-care maintenance) and response to occurring symptoms (self-care management). However, several factors affect self-care, but some have contradictory results.

Objective:
We aimed to examine how depressive symptoms, social support, eHealth literacy, and heart failure (HF) knowledge directly and indirectly affect self-care maintenance and management and to identify the mediating role of self-care confidence in self-care maintenance and management.

Methods:
The study included a total of 141 patients with HF (average age, 65.2 years; male, 55.3%). We analyzed their data, including demographic and clinical characteristics, obtained from the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, eHealth Literacy Scale, Dutch Heart Failure Knowledge Scale, and Self-Care of Heart Failure Index. Furthermore, path analysis was conducted to examine the effects of the study variables on self-care maintenance and management.

Results:
Self-care confidence significantly and directly affected self-care maintenance and management and mediated the relationships between factor variables (depressive symptoms, social support, and HF knowledge) and outcome variables (self-care maintenance and management). Specifically, depressive symptoms had a negative and direct effect on self-care maintenance, whereas eHealth literacy had significant and direct effects on self-care management and HF knowledge.

Conclusion:
Self-care confidence decreases the negative effects of depressive symptoms on self-care. This study underscores the need for interventions targeting patients' self-care confidence to maximize self-care among patients with HF.
Optimization of Intraoperative Imaging Protocol to Confirm Placement of Cochlear Implant Electrodes
Authors: Cooper Timothy , Hildrew Douglas , McAfee Jacob S. , Piatt Brian K. , Branstetter Barton , McCall Andrew A. , Hirsch Barry E. 
Published: April 2019

Objectives:
The need to intraoperatively confirm correct placement of the active electrode of a cochlear implant may occur in various clinical settings. These include a malformed cochlea, difficulty with insertion, or suboptimal or abnormal electrical responses (impedance or evoked action potentials) obtained during intraoperative testing. Frustration with inconsistent images using portable x-ray machines prompted this study to determine the technique needed to reliably image the electrode within the cochlea. Our objective was to establish a radiology protocol that would be reproducible and reliable across institutions.

Methods:
Prospective cadaveric imaging study. Access to the round window via the facial recess was established using cadaver heads. Electrodes provided by three cochlear implant manufacturers were inserted into the cochlea. The position of the head, angle of the x-ray tube, and beam settings were varied. A compendium of electrode images was obtained and analyzed by neurotologists and a head and neck radiologist to reach a consensus on an optimal imaging protocol.

Results:
The optimal position for intraoperative x-ray confirmation of cochlear implant electrode placement is obtained by turning the head 45 degrees toward the contralateral ear. The portable digital x-ray machine and central ray was angled 15 degrees (aiming cephalic) from vertical with exposure settings of 32 mAs at 70 kVp and the digital radiography image receptor was positioned under the mattress of the operating table.

Conclusion:
A protocol for patient and beam source positioning and exposure using a portable digital x-ray unit can provide reliable imaging for intraoperative confirmation of cochlear implant electrode positioning.
Electrical Impedance as a Biomarker for Inner Ear Pathology Following Lateral Wall and Peri-modiolar Cochlear Implantation
Authors: Shaul Chanan , Bester Christofer W. , Weder Stefan , Choi June , Eastwood Hayden , Padmavathi K.V. , Collins Aaron , O’Leary Stephen J. 
Published: April 2019

Objectives/Hypothesis:
Spikes in cochlear implant impedance are associated with inner ear pathology after implantation. Here, we correlate these spikes with episodes of hearing loss and/or vertigo, with a comparison between lateral wall and peri-modiolar electrode arrays.

Methods:
Seven hundred seventy recipients of Cochlear's slim-straight, lateral wall electrode (CI422), or peri-modiolar (CI512) electrode were investigated for impedance spikes. Impedance fluctuations were defined as a median rise of ≥ 4 kΩ across all intracochlear electrodes from baseline measurements taken 2 weeks after switch-on. Medical records were analyzed from 189 of the 770 patients.

Results:
The slim straight, lateral wall electrode was found to spike in impedance at a significantly higher rate than the peri-modiolar array (17% vs 12%). The peri-modiolar electrode tended to spike in impedance earlier than the slim-straight electrode. Impedance spikes were found to significantly correlate with medical events (hearing loss, vertigo, or tinnitus). Overall, in the “spike” group, 42 of 75 patients (56%) demonstrated a clinical event during the impedance spike, whereas 26 of 114 patients (22%) of the “non-spike” group had a clinical event. This significant difference existed with both implant types.

Conclusion:
These results demonstrate a small, but significant increase in impedance spikes in lateral wall electrodes, and support the relationship between spikes in cochlear implant impedances and postoperative inner-ear events, including the loss of residual hearing and vertigo. Monitoring cochlear implant impedance may be a method for early detection, and so the prevention, of these events in the future.
Characteristics of Mid-Frequency Sensorineural Hearing Loss Progression
Authors: Birkenbeuel Jack , Abouzari Mehdi , Goshtasbi Khodayar , Moshtaghi Omid , Sahyouni Ronald , Moshtaghi Afsheen , Cheung Dillon , Gelnett Donna , Lin Harrison W. , Djalilian Hamid R. 
Published: April 2019

Objectives:
To characterize the progression of mid-frequency sensorineural hearing loss (MFSNHL) over time.

Methods:
A retrospective chart review spanning 2012 to 2017 was performed at a tertiary care audiology and neurotology center. Our cohort included 37 patients met the criteria for MFSNHL also known as “cookie bite hearing loss.” It was defined as having a 1, 2, and 4 kHz average pure tone audiometry greater than 10 dB in intensity compared with the average threshold at 500 Hz and 8 kHz.

Results:
Average age at initial presentation was 11.8 years (range, 8 mo to 70 yr). Across all individuals, the average mid-frequency threshold was 47 dB, compared with 27 dB at 500 Hz and 8 kHz. Twenty-three patients (62%) had multiple audiograms with 4-year median follow up time. Average values across all frequencies (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 kHz) in the initial audiogram was 37 dB, compared with an average of 39 dB demonstrated on final audiogram. Of those with serial audiograms, only five patients demonstrated threshold changes of 10 dB or more. Of these five patients, only one was found to have clinical worsening of MFSNHL.

Conclusions:
MFSNHL is an uncommon audiometric finding with unspecified long-term outcomes. We demonstrated that most patients (96%) with MFSNHL do not experience clinical worsening of their hearing threshold over almost 4 years of follow up. Future prospective studies aimed at collecting longer-term data are warranted to further elucidate the long-term trajectory of MFSNHL patients.
Systematic Review of Hearing Loss Genes in the African American Population
Authors: Worden Cameron P. , Jeyakumar Anita 
Published: April 2019

Objective:
Literature review of the genetic etiology of hearing loss (HL) in the African American (AA) population.

Data Sources:
PubMed, EBSCO, and CINAHL were accessed from 1966 to 2018.

Review Methods:
PRISMA guidelines were followed. Search terms included permutations of “hearing loss,” “African American,” “black,” and “genetic”; “African American” was then cross-referenced against documented HL genes. AA subjects included in multiethnic cohorts of genetic HL testing were identified by searching the key terms “hearing loss” and “ethnic cohort” and “genetic.” The Q-Genie tool was used in the quality assessment of included studies. An allele frequency meta-analysis of pathogenic GJB2 variants in the AA population was performed and stratified by hearing status.

Results:
Four hundred seventeen articles were reviewed, and 26 met our inclusion criteria. Ten studies were included in the GJB2 meta-analysis. In the general AA population, pathogenic GJB2 variants are rare, including the 35delG allele, which displayed a carrier frequency of 0.05%. Pathogenic variants were discovered in seven nonsyndromic HL genes (GJB2, MYO3A, TECTA, STRC, OTOF, MYH14, TMC1), eight syndromic HL genes, and one mitochondrial HL gene. Recent comprehensive genetic testing using custom genetic HL testing platforms has yielded only a 26% molecular diagnosis rate for HL etiologies in the AA population.

Conclusions:
Investigators should be encouraged to provide an ethnic breakdown of results. Sparse literature and poor diagnosis rates indicate that genes involved in HL in the AA population have yet to be identified. Future explorative investigations using next-generation sequencing technologies, such as whole-exome sequencing, into the AA population are warranted.