bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preliminary Outcomes Report for CO2 Laser Assisted Electric-Acoustic Cochlear Implantation
Authors: Stevens Shawn M. , Redmann Andrew , Whitaker Kayla , Ruotanen Alyson , Houston Lisa , Hammer Theresa , Samy Ravi N. 
Published: April 2018

Objective:
Report on the safety/efficacy of a novel, carbon dioxide (CO2) laser-assisted protocol for hearing-preservation cochlear implantation (HPCI) and electric-acoustic stimulation (EAS).

Study Design:
Retrospective case review.

Setting:
Tertiary referral center.

Patients:
Adult patients meeting established criteria for HPCI and EAS.

Intervention:
Therapeutic/rehabilitative. A standardized protocol used CO2 laser to achieve meticulous hemostasis and perform cochleostomy was evaluated.

Main Outcome Measures:
Audiometric assessments included low-tone pure tone average (LtPTA), consonant-nucleus-consonant (CNC), and AzBio scores. Primary outcomes were low-tone hearing-preservation (LtHP) and EAS usage rates. Secondary outcomes included change in LtPTA, outcomes durability, and the rate/onset/presentation of delayed hearing loss (DHL). Subset analyses stratified data by presenting LtPTA and surgeon experience.

Results:
Forty-seven patients and 52 ears were included. Mean follow-up was 20.7 ± 12.6 months. When adjusted for preoperative LtPTA less than 60 dB, the LtHP rate was 77%. This was significantly better than for patients with LtPTA more than 60 dB (24%; p < 0.0001). Outcomes were highly durable. EAS usage was excellent in those with LtPTA less than 60 dB (100%). Nine patients developed DHL. Three additional patients (25%) were successfully salvaged via steroids. Both CNC and AzBio scores improved significantly (p < 0.0001) at definitive testing. Speech-hearing scores did not differ significantly between patients using/not using EAS. The complication rate was 3.8%; none were caused by the laser. Surgeon experience was associated with significantly better outcomes.

Conclusion:
Use of a CO2 laser-assisted HPCI protocol was safe and effective. Outcomes were consistent with contemporary literature reporting. Patient selection and surgeon experience both significantly impacted outcomes.
Comparison of Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT) Gains Between Two Commercially Available Devices and by Different Gain Analytical Methods
Authors: Lee Sang Hun , Yoo Myung Hoon , Park Jun Woo , Kang Byung Chul , Yang Chan Joo , Kang Woo Suk , Ahn Joong Ho , Chung Jong Woo , Park Hong Ju 
Published: April 2018

Objectives:
To evaluate whether video head impulse test (vHIT) gains are dependent on the measuring device and method of analysis.

Study Design:
Prospective study.

Methods:
vHIT was performed in 25 healthy subjects using two devices simultaneously. vHIT gains were compared between these instruments and using five different methods of comparing position and velocity gains during head movement intervals.

Results:
The two devices produced different vHIT gain results with the same method of analysis. There were also significant differences in the vHIT gains measured using different analytical methods. The gain analytic method that compares the areas under the velocity curve (AUC) of the head and eye movements during head movements showed lower vHIT gains than a method that compared the peak velocities of the head and eye movements. The former method produced the vHIT gain with the smallest standard deviation among the five procedures tested in this study.

Conclusion:
vHIT gains differ in normal subjects depending on the device and method of analysis used, suggesting that it is advisable for each device to have its own normal values. Gain calculations that compare the AUC of the head and eye movements during the head movements show the smallest variance.
Recurrence in Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: A Large, Single-Institution Study
Authors: Luryi Alexander L. , Lawrence Juliana , Bojrab Dennis I. , LaRouere Michael , Babu Seilesh , Zappia John , Sargent Eric W. , Chan Eleanor , Naumann Ilka , Hong Robert S. , Schutt Christopher A. 
Published: April 2018

Objective:
To report rates of recurrence in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and associated patient and disease factors.

Study Design:
Retrospective chart review.

Setting:
Single high-volume otology practice.

Patients:
Patients diagnosed with BPPV from 2007 to 2016 with documented resolution of symptoms.

Intervention:
Diagnostic and particle repositioning maneuvers for BPPV.

Main Outcome Measures:
BPPV recurrence, time to recurrence, and ear(s) affected at recurrence.

Results:
A total of 1,105 patients meeting criteria were identified. Of this population, 37% had recurrence of BPPV in either ear or both ears. Overall same-ear recurrence rate was 28%; 76% of recurrences involved the same ear(s) as initial presentation. Recurrences that occurred after longer disease-free intervals were more likely to involve the opposite ear than early recurrences (p = 0.02). Female sex (40.4% versus 32.7%, p = 0.01) and history of previous BPPV (57.5% versus 32.4%, p < 0.0005) were associated with increased risk of recurrence, while history of Menière's disease, diabetes mellitus, and traumatic etiology were not. Approximately, half (56%) of recurrences occurred within 1 year of resolution.

Conclusions:
A large single-institution study of recurrence in BPPV is presented along with Kaplan–Meier disease-free survival curves. Female sex and history of previous BPPV were associated with increased recurrence, while previously suspected risk factors for recurrence including history of Menière's disease, diabetes, and trauma were not. Remote recurrence is more likely to involve the contralateral ear than early recurrence. These data solidify the expected course of treated BPPV allowing for improved clinical care and patient counseling.
Birth Month as a Risk Factor for the Diagnosis of Celiac Disease Later in Life
Authors: Assa Amit , Waisbourd‐Zinman Orith , Daher Saleh , Shamir Raanan 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTVarious perinatal factors have been implicated in association with the risk of developing celiac disease (CD) in genetically susceptible individuals. Our aim was to investigate the association of month and season of birth with the development of CD later in life in a large National cohort in Israel. Data were retrieved from a National database of more than 2 million Israeli Jewish adolescents born between 1971 and 1998. Overall, 10,566 CD cases out of 2,001,353 subjects (0.53%) were identified and analyzed. CD risk was significantly higher for subjects born in May (odds ratio [OR] 1.07, P = 0.04) and June (OR 1.09, P = 0.008). Birth during the winter season (December to February) showed a marginal significance toward reduced risk (OR 0.97, P = 0.05). In conclusion, children born in May and June are at increased risk for CD. This increased risk provides further evidence that perinatal environmental factors increase the risk of developing CD.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Reduces Resting Pain in Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Authors: Lee Jennifer E. , Anderson Carryn M. , Perkhounkova Yelena , Sleeuwenhoek Brittany M. , Louison Rebecca R. 
Published: April 2018

Background
Individuals receiving radiation for head and neck cancer (HNC) often develop painful oral mucositis that impairs function, possibly leading to feeding tubes, hospitalization, and treatment delays. Although pharmacologic medications provide some relief, many report inadequate analgesia and adverse effects. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a safe, nonpharmacologic intervention; it decreases pain and analgesics and improves function, yet no studies examined TENS for HNC.

Objective
The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of TENS for pain and function in HNC patients.

Methods
This study used a randomized, double-blinded crossover design; participants received 3 TENS treatments during weeks 4 to 6 of radiation: active, placebo, and no TENS over the temporomandibular joint and upper cervical region. Pain (McGill Pain Questionnaire, visual analog scale [VAS] resting and function), function (mouth opening, tongue movement, speaking), fatigue (VAS), and treatment effectiveness (VAS) were assessed before and after TENS at 3 visits.

Results
Resting pain (McGill Pain Questionnaire and VAS) decreased significantly more after active TENS than placebo or no TENS; changes in function and pain with function did not differ between conditions. Active TENS decreased fatigue significantly more than no TENS and was rated as more effective than placebo TENS.

Conclusion
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation improves pain in HNC patients receiving radiation but not function or pain with function relative to placebo or no TENS.

Implications for Practice
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation may be a viable tool for radiation-induced HNC pain to complement pharmacologic approaches. This nonpharmacologic intervention could decrease the debilitating effects of radiation and analgesics, and improve quality of life. Clinical trials should examine the effects and safety of repeated, daily TENS in HNC patients receiving radiation.
Common and Dissociable Neural Activity After Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Relaxation Response Programs
Authors: Sevinc Gunes , Hölzel Britta K. , Hashmi Javeria , Greenberg Jonathan , McCallister Adrienne , Treadway Michael , Schneider Marissa L. , Dusek Jeffery A. , Carmody James , Lazar Sara W. 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACT

Objective
We investigated common and dissociable neural and psychological correlates of two widely used meditation-based stress reduction programs.

Methods
Participants were randomized to the Relaxation Response (RR; n = 18; 56% female) or the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR; n = 16; 56% female) programs. Both programs use a “bodyscan” meditation; however, the RR program explicitly emphasizes physical relaxation during this practice, whereas the MBSR program emphasizes mindful awareness with no explicit relaxation instructions. After the programs, neural activity during the respective meditation was investigated using functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Results
Both programs were associated with reduced stress (for RR, from 14.1 ± 6.6 to 11.3 ± 5.5 [Cohen's d = 0.50; for MBSR, from 17.7 ± 5.7 to 11.9 ± 5.0 [Cohen's d = 1.02]). Conjunction analyses revealed functional coupling between ventromedial prefrontal regions and supplementary motor areas (p < .001). The disjunction analysis indicated that the RR bodyscan was associated with stronger functional connectivity of the right inferior frontal gyrus—an important hub of intentional inhibition and control—with supplementary motor areas (p < .001, family-wise error [FWE] rate corrected). The MBSR program was uniquely associated with improvements in self-compassion and rumination, and the within-group analysis of MBSR bodyscan revealed significant functional connectivity of the right anterior insula—an important hub of sensory awareness and salience—with pregenual anterior cingulate during bodyscan meditation compared with rest (p = .03, FWE corrected).

Conclusions
The bodyscan exercises in each program were associated with both overlapping and differential functional coupling patterns, which were consistent with each program's theoretical foundation. These results may have implications for the differential effects of these programs for the treatment of diverse conditions.
EEG Patterns in Patients With Calcified Neurocysticercosis With or Without Hippocampal Atrophy
Authors: Issa Naoum P. , Sedler Mark J. , Del Brutto Victor J. , Darsan Elizabeth , Milla Lucía , Montes Jessica , Zambrano Mauricio , Del Brutto Oscar H. 
Published: April 2018

Purpose:
To assess whether hippocampal atrophy develops in conjunction with clinical or subclinical epileptiform or encephalopathic activity in subjects with neurocysticercosis (NCC).

Methods:
Using a population-based and nested case–control study design, scalp EEGs and brain MRIs were performed in Atahualpa residents aged ≥40 years, who have imaging-confirmed NCC (case patients), as well as in age- and sex-matched NCC-free control subjects.

Results:
Sixty-two case patients and 62 control subjects were included. Encephalopathic EEG patterns were more common in five NCC subjects with epilepsy than in those without a history of seizures. Epileptiform EEG activity was noted in one patient with NCC but in none of the control subjects. This subject's focal epileptiform discharges correlated with the location of calcified cysticerci in the brain parenchyma, and the hippocampus ipsilateral to the epileptiform discharges was more atrophic than the contralateral hippocampus. The degree of hippocampal atrophy in patients with NCC without a history of seizures was significantly greater than in control subjects (P < 0.01) and tended to be even greater in patients with NCC with a history of seizures.

Conclusions:
Hippocampal atrophy may not be exclusively related to seizure activity in patients with NCC. Other mechanisms, such as recurrent bouts of inflammation around calcified cysticerci, might explain the association between NCC and hippocampal atrophy.
Structural MRI Correlates of Cognitive Event-Related Potentials in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Artemiadis Artemios K. , Anagnostouli Maria C. , Zalonis Ioannis G. , Chairopoulos Konstantinos G. , Triantafyllou Nikos I. 
Published: April 2018

Purpose:
Cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis has been associated with cognitive event-related potentials and MRI abnormalities. This study aims to explore for the first time the association between P300 and MRI in multiple sclerosis.

Methods:
Fifty-eight relapsing–remitting patients (41.5 ± 10.5 years old, 41 women, disease duration 139.7 ± 84.9 months) and 51 healthy controls were used. Visual P300 responses and a set of 2- or 3-dimensional MRI indices were obtained. Neuropsychological testing and psychological evaluations were also performed.

Results:
Multiple sclerosis patients had significantly lower P300 amplitude and more prolonged P300 latencies and reaction times than healthy controls. In total, 67.2% of patients were identified with abnormal P300 response. These patients had greater disability and physical fatigue and had lower visuospatial memory scores than those with normal P300 response. Abnormally low P300 amplitude was associated with lower peripheral gray matter volume and was correlated only with normalized frontal horn width and normalized brain volume, after adjusting for age and education. The moderating role of brain reserve was also documented.

Conclusions:
P300 event-related potential was related to both linear and volumetric MRI markers. Future studies should expand these results in other disease types and longitudinally. Event-related potentials could serve as an ancillary tool for cognitive assessment in multiple sclerosis.
Graphene platelets enhanced pressureless- sintered B
4
C ceramics
Authors: Gao Dezhi , Jing Jie , Yu Jincheng , Guo Xue , Zhang Yubai , Gong Hongyu , Zhang Yujun 
Published: April 2018

B
4
C ceramics with different contents of graphene platelets (GPL) were synthesized by a pressureless process in Ar atmosphere. The influences of GPL on mechanical properties, thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity of the B
4
C ceramics were investigated. Mechanical properties ran up to optimal condition with hardness of 29.1 GPa, bending strength of 383.9 GPa and fracture toughness of 5.72 MPa m
1/2
with 0.8 wt% GPL separately. Thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity reached extreme values of 26.35 W m
−1
k
−1
and 0.1 Ω cm
−1
. Performances of the ceramics were mainly affected by the generation of non-functional-GPL and the result indicated that a large amount of non-functional-GPL could contribute to poorer overall performance. Meanwhile, two particular pullout mechanisms concerning toughness enhancing was discussed in detail.
Cortical activation associated with motor preparation can be used to predict the freely chosen effector of an upcoming movement and reflects response time: An fMRI decoding study
Authors: Hirose Satoshi , Nambu Isao , Naito Eiichi 
Published: April 2018

AbstractMotor action is prepared in the human brain for rapid initiation at the appropriate time. Recent non-invasive decoding techniques have shown that brain activity for action preparation represents various parameters of an upcoming action. In the present study, we demonstrated that a freely chosen effector can be predicted from brain activity measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) before initiation of the action. Furthermore, the activity was related to response time (RT). We measured brain activity with fMRI while 12 participants performed a finger-tapping task using either the left or right hand, which was freely chosen by them. Using fMRI decoding, we identified brain regions in which activity during the preparatory period could predict the hand used for the upcoming action. We subsequently evaluated the relationship between brain activity and the RT of the upcoming action to determine whether correct decoding was associated with short RT. We observed that activity in the supplementary motor area, dorsal premotor cortex, and primary motor cortex measured before action execution predicted the hand used to perform the action with significantly above-chance accuracy (approximately 70%). Furthermore, in most participants, the RT was shorter in trials for which the used hand was correctly predicted. The present study showed that preparatory activity in cortical motor areas represents information about the effector used for an upcoming action, and that well-formed motor representations in these regions are associated with reduced response times.HighlightsBrain activity measured by fMRI was used to predict freely chosen effectors.M1/PMd and SMA activity predicted the effector hand prior to action initiation.Response time was shorter in trials in which effector hand was correctly predicted.Freely chosen action is represented in the M1/PMd and SMA.Well-formed preparatory motor representations lead to reduced response time.
A randomised exploratory investigation of the effects of Attention vs Working Memory Training on cognitive performance and everyday functioning following stroke
Authors: Peers Polly V , Astle Duncan E , Duncan John , Murphy Fionnuala , Hampshire Adam , Das Tilak , Manly Tom 
Published: April 2018

AbstractDifficulties with attention are common following stroke and are associated with poor outcome. Home-based online cognitive training may have to the potential to provide an efficient and effective way to improve attentional functions in such patients. Little work has been carried out to assess the efficacy of this approach in stroke patients, and the lack of studies with active control conditions and rigorous evaluations of cognitive functioning pre and post training means understanding is limited as to whether and how such interventions may be effective. Here we compare the effects of 20 days of active cognitive training using either novel Selective Attention Training (SAT) or commercial Working Memory Training (WMT) programme, versus a waitlist control group, on a wide range of attentional and working memory tasks, as well as on self-reported everyday functioning. We demonstrate separable effects of each of the active training conditions, with SAT leading to improvements in both spatial and non-spatial aspects of attention and WMT leading to improvements only on very closely related working memory tasks. Both training groups reported improvements in everyday functioning, which were associated with improvements in attentional functions, suggesting that improving attention may be of particular importance in maximising functional recovery in this patient group.
First in-human PET study of 3 novel tau radiopharmaceuticals: [11C]RO6924963, [11C]RO6931643, and [18F]RO6958948
Authors: Wong Dean F. , Comley Robert A. , Kuwabara Hiroto , Rosenberg Paul B. , Resnick Susan M. , Ostrowitzki Susanne , Vozzi Cristina , Boess Frank , Oh Esther , Lyketsos Constantine G. , Honer Michael , Gobbi Luca , Klein Gregory , George Noble , Gapasin Lorena , Kitzmiller Kelly , Roberts Josh , Sevigny Jeff , Nandi Ayon , Brasic James , Mishra Chakradhar , Thambisetty Madhav , Mogekar Abhay , Mathur Anil , Albert Marilyn , Dannals Robert F. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackground[11C]RO-963, [11C]RO-643 and [18F]RO-948 (previously referred as [11C]RO6924963, [11C]RO6931643, and [18F]RO6958948, respectively) have been reported as promising PET tracers for tau imaging based on in vitro and preclinical PET data (1,2). Here we describe the first human evaluation of these novel radiotracers.MethodsAmyloid PET positive Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients and young healthy subjects (YC) each received two different tau tracers. Dynamic 90 min scans were obtained after bolus injection of [11C]RO-963, [11C]RO-643 or [18F]RO-948. Arterial blood sampling was performed in 11 healthy controls (HC) and 11 AD. Regions were defined on MRI, and PET data were quantified by plasma reference graphical analysis (for VT) and target cerebellum ratio (SUVR60-90). SUVR images were also analyzed voxelwise. Five older healthy subjects (OC) each received two scans with [18F]RO-948 for evaluation of test-retest variability. Four AD subjects received a repeat [18F]RO-948 scan over about 1 year. Six additional HC (3M: 3F; 41-67y) each received one whole body dosimetry scan with [18F]RO-948.ResultsIn YC, peak SUV values were observed in the temporal lobe with values of approximately 3.0 for [11C]RO-963, 1.5 for [11C]RO-643 and 3.5 for [18F]RO-948. Over all brain regions and subjects, the trend was that [18F]RO-948 had the highest peak SUV value, followed by [11C]RO-963, and then [11C]RO-643. Regional analysis of SUVR and VT for [11C]RO-643 and [18F]RO-948 clearly discriminated AD and HC groups. Compartmental modeling confirmed that [11C]RO-643 had lower brain entry than both [18F]RO-963 and [18F]RO-948, and [18F]RO-948 showed a better contrast between (predicted) areas of high vs low tau accumulation. Thus, our subsequent analysis focused on [18F]RO-948. Both voxelwise and region-based analysis of [18F]RO-948 binding in HC vs AD revealed multiple areas where AD and HC significantly differed. Of 22 high-binding regions, 13 showed significant group difference (following ANOVA, F=45, p<10-5). Voxelwise analysis also revealed a set of symmetrical clusters where AD>HC (threshold of p<0.001, cluster size k>50).Conclusions[18F]RO-948 demonstrates superior characteristics to [11C]RO-643 and [18F]RO-963 for characterization of tau pathology in AD. Regional binding data and kinetic properties of RO-948 compare favorably with existing other tau PET tracers.