bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serial section reconstruction of the neural poles of hair cells in the human organ of corti. II. outer hair cells
Authors: Nadol Joseph B. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractStudy of the anatomy of the cochlea, and in particular the morphology of synaptic relationships between hair cells and cochlear neurons, is essential for elucidation of the mechanisms of transduction of mechanical acoustic signals into electrical neural events. Because considerable gaps remain in our understanding of the microscopic anatomy of these synapses, particularly in the human, a reconstruction of the neural pole of outer hair cells of the human organ of Corti was performed. The data are based on 577 serial sections from the basal turn and 368 sections from the middle turn. This provided complete data on 11 and partial data on 9 outer hair cells.Terminal size of afferent fibers on outer hair cells was much more uniform than that found at the base of inner hair cells. Only small bouton‐like terminals were found. Branching of afferent fibers was also seen at the base of outer hair cells. Each outer hair cell received approximately two to eight afferent nerve terminals. Multiple synaptic contacts between a single afferent terminal and an outer hair cell were common.Junctional membrane specialization consisted of synapses, desmosomes, coated vesicles and arrays of microtubules and membrane cisternae. Specialization at synapses consisted of asymmetrical membrane thickening. At outer hair cells the presynaptic membrane was thicker than the postsynaptic membrane. At inner hair cells the converse was true. At outer hair cells 35% of synapses had presynaptic bodies, compared to 83% of synapses at inner hair cells. Reciprocal synapses, with both hair cell to neuron and neuron to hair cell polarities, were found only on outer hair cells.Vesiculated efferent terminals were common at the base of outer hair cells. Both axosomatic and axodendritic efferent synapses were found. In addition, the same efferent fibers were found to synapse both on an outer hair cell and on an afferent dendrite.One example of a probable dendro‐dendritic synapse in the outer spiral bundle is presented.
Hydrops following perilymph fistula repair
Authors: Potter Charles R. , Conner George H. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractA series of 15 ears were explored for perilymph fistulas. Fifteen fistulas were found in 13 ears. Two cases are presented which developed hydrops‐like symptoms only after closure of their fistulas. Closure of the other patients' fistulas was successful in relieving vertiginous symptoms, although hearing seldom improved. There were no significant complications of surgery. Fat failed as a graft material 4 of 10 times, whereas vein and perichondrium were not associated with recurrence of symptoms. The ENG‐fistula test, as described by Daspit and associates, correctly predicted the presence or absence of a fistula in 7 of 8 ears tested. Hennebert's sign correctly predicted fistulae in 2 ears, and Hennebert's symptom was associated with proven fistulae in 9 of the 10 times it was present.Because of the low morbidity and the high success rate of surgery, a patient with a history suggestive of a perilymph fistula should have exploratory tympanotomy, particularly if the ENG‐fistula test is positive.
Astemizole: Its use in patients with chronic vertigo and eng signs … A pilot study of a new drug.
Authors: Turner John S. , Jackson Richard T. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractAstemizole, a new H1 antihistamine, was tested on 10 patients with chronic dizziness and either spontaneous or positional nystagmus. Patients with Meniere's disease were excluded from the study. The patients took 10 mg of astemizole per day for 30 days. Four ENGs were performed; one pre‐drug, one after 2 weeks of drug, one after 4 weeks of drug and one post‐drug ENG.Six of the 10 patients showed a clear decrease in spontaneous and/or positional nystagmus at the second and third ENG and a rebound of nystagmus when the drug was stopped. There was a positive relation between subjective symptoms and nystagmus. No side‐effects were observed.
The elusive henry jones shrapnell.
Authors: Mcgovern Francis H. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractIn a small series of articles published in The London Gazette in 1830 Henry Jones Shrapnell, surgeon, first described the correct form and structure of the tympanic membrane. He divided the drum membrane into two parts, the pars tensa and the pars flaccida. To this day the latter structure is known to every otologist and to most medical students as Shrapnell's membrane. In addition he wrote on the function of the membrana tympani, the nerves of the ear, and the true anatomy of the os incus. Heretofore the lenticular process of the incus was considered a separate bone in the ossicular chain.In spite of his distinctive contribution to medicine, a search of over a decade failed to uncover little basic information about Shrapnell's life, and for this reason he has been called by a distinguished librarian, the elusive Mr. Shrapnell. Recently, from my continued investigation, and with the help of many fine London scholars, a clearer picture has emerged of Shrapnell's forebearers, his family, his education and his death.
Reliability and validity of industrial audiometry: Implications for hearing conservation program design.
Authors: Dobie Robert A. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractHearing conservation in industry relies heavily on monitoring audiometry to detect early noise‐induced hearing loss in workers who are exposed to potentially damaging noise, with or without hearing protectors. The “real‐world” reliability and validity of these measurements, as well as otoscopic observations in industry, have not been extensively investigated. In addition, there is considerable controversy over the selection of a definition of “significant threshold shift” in industrial audiometry. These and related issues were considered in a series of three studies utilizing data from an active hearing conservation program. Test‐retest variability in industry is much higher than has been reported for clinical settings; this variability is reduced by pure‐tone averaging. Workers referred for otologic evaluation were found to have hearing levels which were, on the average, about 5 dB better than indicated by plant audiometry, even without excluding 4% of referred workers who had unilateral deafness and showed “shadow curves” on the plant audiograms. Otoscopic data obtained by the plant audiometrists were uncorrelated with the results of otoscopy by consultant otologists. Techniques borrowed from decision theory and signal detection theory were used to evaluate possible criteria for significant threshold shift. Criteria based on pure‐tone averaging were superior to those based on a certain amount of threshold shift for any frequency tested.It is proposed that a significant threshold shift be defined as a 10 dB or greater change for the worse for either the 0.5, 1,2 kHz pure‐tone average or the 3, 4, 6 kHz pure‐tone average, in either ear, and that such shifts be validated by prompt retesting. Even with this criterion, a substantial number of shifts (most shifts, in some situations) will be either spurious or attributable to disorders other than noise‐induced hearing loss, such as presbycusis. Otologic referral in cases of large or repeated shifts may prevent unjustified administrative actions, to the advantage of both workers and management. A practical consequence of the use of monitoring audiometry may be a de facto lowering of the permissible exposure level to 85 dBA TWA.
Bacteriological study in chronic maxillary sinusitis.
Authors: Su Wen‐Yang , Liu Chen , Hung Shuian‐Yeng , Tsai Wei‐Fu 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe bacterial findings of 73 maxillary sinuses in 48 patients with chronic maxillary sinusitis, together with 7 non‐inflamed sinuses, are reported. Employing an intraoperative technique and simultaneous collection of 3 different types of specimens in the present investigation made possible comparison of their bacterial characteristics. The results indicated that intraoperative culture of antral mucosa seems to provide the most reliable finding of bacterial flora in chronic maxillary sinusitis.The anaerobic bacteria were never found in the mucosal culture of non‐inflamed sinus. The anaerobes appeared to invade the sinus cavity following the sealing of the ostium through the lymphatic or venous system and maintain the inflammatory process. Microbiological analysis of the results between the infected and non‐inflamed sinuses established anerobic bacteria as the most important pathogen in chronic maxillary sinusitis. The predominant anaerobes recovered in descending order of frequency were Veillonella sp., Peptococcus sp., Propionibacterium acne and anaerobic nonspore‐forming GPB.Statistical analysis of the results of mucosal culture of inflamed and control materials demonstrated that those aerobic and faculatative bacteria recovered in the inflamed sinus appeared to be the normal inhabitants of non‐inflamed sinus mucosa. The presence of normal flora in the normal healthy sinus mucosa may explain the chain of events that follows the occlusion of the ostium. These aerobic bacteria may become pathogenic and play a role in the pathogenesis of sinusitis.
Malignant melanoma of cervical and parotid lymph nodes with an unknown primary site
Authors: Nasri Sina , Namazie Ali , Dulguerov Pavel , Mickel Robert 
Published: November 2006

AbstractForty‐six patients with malignant melanoma metastatic to cervical or parotid lymph nodes with an unknown primary site were treated at UCLA Medical Center from 1964 through 1991. Treatment consisted of parotidectomy and/or neck dissection with or without adjuvant therapy. The initial presentation was a cervical mass in 74% and a parotid mass in 26% of patients. Metastasis distal to the head and neck nodal basins developed in 22% of patients.Involvement of more than four cervical or parotid nodes resulted in a significant increase in distant metastasis (P>.01). Adjuvant therapy was found to have no significant effect on survival rates. However, age at the time of diagnosis influenced the survival rates. The significance of the improved survival of these patients as compared to those with a known primary melanoma is discussed.
Distant metastases from head and neck squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Calhoun Karen H. , Fulmer Paul , Weiss Raymond , Hokanson James A. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractDistant metastases (DMs) occurred in 83 (11.4%) of 727 retrospectively studied head and neck cancer patients. Primary tumor location and initial treatment did not influence DM development; larger primaries (P<.04) or more extensive neck disease (P<.007) more often caused DMs. Initial diagnosis to DMs averaged 11.7 months (range, 0 to 60 months), with 84% diagnosed within 24 months. With the exception of laryngeal primaries, no facet of tumor, host, or initial treatment influenced where or how rapidly DMs developed. Lung was the most common DM site (83.4%), then bone (31.1%) and liver (6.0%). Survival with DMs averaged 4.3 months (range, 1 day to 2.7 years); 86.7% died within 1 year. This report yields the following conclusions: 1. Initial tumor size and neck disease are the only predictors of DMs. 2. DMs usually occur within 2 years of the initial diagnosis. 3. Lung is the most common DM site, making chest x‐ray the most effective DM screen. 4. Survival with DMs is usually less than a year.
Congenital Aural Atresia
Authors: Bauer George P. , Wiet Richard J. , Zappia John J. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractCongenital aural atresia is an unusual anomaly that is difficult to surgically correct. Altered anatomical landmarks, especially of the facial nerve, and variability of the middle ear configuration, contribute to the difficulty of the procedure. In addition, the unpredictable healing process can make for variable outcomes. Choosing appropriate candidates for surgical repair minimizes risks and enhances patient care.This report reviews the outcome with evaluation and management of 17 patients with congential aural atresia. Surgical techniques for repair, including use of a hydroxylapatite canal wall prosthesis to help reconstruct the posterior canal wall are described. As expected, patients with less severe anomalies had better postoperative hearing results. Lateralized tympanic membrane, canal stenosis, and meatal narrowing were complications encountered. The anatomy and embryology of the ear and facial nerve are reviewed to assist surgeons in safe, successful surgery.
Localization of il‐1β mrna and cell adhesion molecules in the maxillary sinus mucosa of patients with chronic sinusitis
Authors: Tokushige Eiichiro , Itoh Kazunori , Ushikai Miharu , Katahira Shoko , Fukuda Katsunori 
Published: November 2006

AbstractInterleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) is a predominant cytokine in retained paranasal sinus fluid of chronic sinusitis where infiltration by polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) of nasal and paranasal mucosa is characteristic. The authors investigated the localization of IL‐1β messenger RNA (mRNA) in the maxillary sinus mucosa of patients with chronic sinusitis, using digoxigenin‐labeled oligonucleotide probes. IL‐1β mRNA was detected in some extravascular PMNs and small numbers of mononuclear leukocytes but was not detected in other tissue cells or intravascular leukocytes. The expression and distribution of the cell adhesion molecules, intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) and endothelial‐leukocyte adhesion molecule‐1 (ELAM‐1), were also studied in cultured human mucosal microvascular endothelial cells and in the maxillary sinus mucosa in chronic sinusitis by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies against these cell adhesion molecules. Only ICAM‐1 was expressed on cultured human mucosal microvascular endothelial cells without IL‐1β stimulation. With IL‐1β activation of these cells, ELAM‐1 was expressed strongly and the expression of ICAM‐1 was enhanced. In the maxillary sinus mucosa, ICAM‐1 was strongly and universally expressed on endothelial cells of all small vessels, whereas ELAM‐1 was expressed only in the subepithelial region. These findings suggest that IL‐1β, one of mediators in chronic sinusitis, is produced by PMNs, induces the expression of ICAM‐1 and ELAM‐1 on endothelial cells, and, thereby, stimulates PMN infiltration in chronic sinusitis.
Is the older ear more susceptible to noise damage?
Authors: Sun John C. , Bohne Barbara A. , Harding Gary W. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractEight chinchillas aged 8.9 to 12.8 years were used to examine the effect of noise on the aging ear. The left malleus/incus complex was removed to produce a 50‐dB conductive hearing loss which protected those ears from noise damage. The animals were then exposed for 36 days to an octave band of noise with a center frequency of 0.5 kHz and a sound pressure level of 95 dB. After 1 hour (n=2) or 1 month (n=6) of recovery, their cochleas were prepared for microscopic examination. The percentages of missing inner hair cells (IHCs) were 7.4 &pm; 6.0% and 7.8 &PM; 5.1% for their protected and exposed ears, respectively. Outer hair cell (OHC) loss was 12.8 &PM; 8.7% and 20.6 &PM; 7.8% for their protected and exposed ears, respectively. A paired sample Student's t test revealed that OHC loss was significantly greater (P=.003) in the older‐exposed compared to the older‐protected ears whereas IHC loss was not significantly different. For younger‐exposed ears (i.e., 1 to 3 years), the percentages of missing IHCs and OHCs averaged 2.6 &PM; 2.0% and 12.3 &PM; 4.6%, respectively. When the aging‐related cell loss was subtracted from total loss in the younger‐and older‐exposed ears, the noise‐induced loss of sensory cells in the older ears was not significantly different from that in the younger ears. Therefore, it is concluded that older chinchilla ears are not more susceptible to noise damage than younger ears.
Breastfeeding and Verbal Ability of 3-Year-Olds in a Multicity Sample
Authors: Gibson-Davis Christina M. , Brooks-Gunn Jeanne 
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVES. Our goal was to analyze the effect of maternal verbal ability and education on the association between breastfeeding and children’s cognitive functioning. First, we hypothesized that maternal verbal abilities account for a large portion of the association between breastfeeding and child verbal abilities. Second, we hypothesized that after adjusting for maternal verbal abilities, a positive effect of breastfeeding will be most evident among highly educated mothers, because these mothers may have more opportunity to engage in cognitively stimulating parenting than do mothers with less education.
PATIENTS AND METHODS. With data on 1645 American-born mothers participating in a longitudinal birth cohort study, we used linear regression to determine the influence of breastfeeding for at least 1 month on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Third Edition scores of 3-year-old children. Models were adjusted for an extensive set of demographic characteristics, including mother’s Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment score. Mothers were categorized into 1 of 3 educational-status groups: no high school diploma, high school diploma, and some post–secondary education.
RESULTS. In unadjusted mean comparisons, breastfed children had Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test scores that were 6.6 points higher than children who were not breastfed. After adjusting for demographic characteristics and maternal verbal ability, the coefficient dropped to 1.72. Among mothers with education beyond high school, the children’s Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test scores in adjusted models were 2.2 points higher for breastfed children. Among mothers with a high school diploma or less, there were no significant differences in the children’s Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test scores by breastfeeding status. These results were consistent in white, black, and Hispanic children.
CONCLUSIONS. Maternal Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test scores mediate much of the association between breastfeeding and child verbal abilities. The beneficial effects of breastfeeding on children’s cognition may emerge only when breastfeeding is done in conjunction with other positive parenting behaviors. The advantageous effects of breastfeeding do not seem to be solely attributable to the superior nutrient content of breast milk.
Changes in the Use of Postnatal Steroids for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in 3 Large Neonatal Networks
Authors: Walsh Michele C. , Yao Qing , Horbar Jeffrey D. , Carpenter Joseph H. , Lee Shoo K. , Ohlsson Arne 
Published: November 2006

BACKGROUND. Postnatal corticosteroids were widely used in the 1990s in an attempt to reduce the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. However, high rates of short-term adverse effects and impaired neurodevelopmental outcomes were seen. In early 2002, a joint statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Canadian Paediatric Society called for limitation in the use of postnatal corticosteroids. The impact of this statement is not known.
OBJECTIVES. The purpose of this work was to determine the frequency of postnatal corticosteroid use and mortality and morbidities over time, particularly before and after the joint statement.
DESIGN/METHODS. We conducted a retrospective analysis of cohort data within 3 large network registries (the National Institute of Child Health and Development Neonatal Research Network [18 centers], the Vermont Oxford Network [444 centers], and the Canadian Neonatal Network [10 centers]) for the following 3 periods: prestatement (2001), statement (2002), and poststatement (2003) of very low birth-weight infants (501–1500 g). The National Institute of Child Health and Development Neonatal Research Network and the Vermont Oxford Network were also analyzed for longer-term trends from 1990 to 2003. Postnatal corticosteroid use, mortality at discharge, and neonatal morbidities (bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 36 weeks, late-onset infection &gt;72 hours of age, necrotizing enterocolitis treated with surgery, and length of stay) between periods were compared.
RESULTS. Mean birth weight (range: 1022–1060 g), postmenstrual age (28 weeks), and gender (51% male) were similar between the networks. Race differed with more black infants in the National Institute of Child Health and Development Neonatal Research Network than the Vermont Oxford Network (38% vs 24%). Antenatal steroid use was similar (range: 61%–75%). Postnatal corticosteroid use rose from 1990 (8%–16%), peaked in 1996–1998 (24%–28%), and began to decline in 1999. Use in 2003 was significantly less than in 2001. Mortality and major morbidities were similar.
CONCLUSIONS. Postnatal corticosteroid use had decreased significantly in 3 large neonatal networks before the joint statement with further decreases after the statement with no apparent impact on mortality and short-term morbidity. Despite substantial decreases, ∼8% of very low birth-weight infants continue to be treated with postnatal corticosteroid.
Racial/Ethnic Differences in Breastfeeding Initiation and Continuation in the United Kingdom and Comparison With Findings in the United States
Authors: Kelly Yvonne J. , Watt Richard G. , Nazroo James Y. 
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVE. Patterns of breastfeeding vary considerably across different racial/ethnic groups; however, little is known about factors that might explain differences across and within different racial/ethnic groups. Here we examine patterns of breastfeeding initiation and continuation among a racially/ethnically diverse sample of new mothers and compare this with patterns seen in the United States. The effects of demographic, social, economic, and cultural factors on racial/ethnic differences in breastfeeding practices are assessed.METHODS. The sample includes all singleton infants whose mothers participated in the first survey of the United Kingdom Millennium Cohort Study. Missing data reduced the sample to 17474 (96%) infants with complete data.RESULTS. After adjustment for demographic, economic, and psychosocial factors, logistic regression models showed that Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, black Caribbean, and black African mothers were more likely to initiate breastfeeding compared with white mothers. Further adjustment for a marker of cultural tradition attenuated these relationships, but all remained statistically significant, suggesting that some of the difference was a consequence of cultural factors. After adjustment for demographic, economic, and psychosocial factors, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, black Carribbean, and black African mothers were more likely to continue breastfeeding at 3 months compared with white mothers. Additional adjustment for a marker of cultural tradition attenuated the relationship for Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and black African mothers, but all remained statistically significant. Models run for breastfeeding continuation at 4 and 6 months were consistent with these results.CONCLUSIONS. We have shown that in the United Kingdom the highest breastfeeding rates are among black and Asian mothers, which is in stark contrast to patterns in the United States, where the lowest rate is seen among non-Hispanic black mothers. The contrasting racial/ethnic patterns of breastfeeding in the UnitedKingdom and United States necessitate very different public health approaches to reach national targets on breastfeeding and reduce health disparities. Those who implement future policies aimed at increasing breastfeeding rates need to pay attention to different social, economic, and cultural profiles of all racial/ethnic groups.