Effects of chin-up posture on the sequence of swallowing events

ABSTRACT

Background

Chin-up posture is frequently used to manage oral dysphagia after head and neck cancer. This prospective study investigates the effects of chin-ups on the sequence of pharyngeal swallowing events.

Methods

Twelve healthy young adults performed 45 consecutive swallows of 5 mL water across 3 phases on videofluoroscopy: 5 swallows in the neutral head position; 30 swallows during chin-up posture; and 10 swallows in the neutral head position. Swallowing kinematic and bolus flow measures for 9 swallowing events were recorded. Linear trends were analyzed across 30 chin-up swallows; pairwise comparison was used to compare the 3 phases.

Results

Time to hyoid peak and laryngeal vestibule closure changed abruptly during chin-up swallowing compared to the initial neutral position. No measure changed across 30 chin-up swallows. Time of hyoid burst decreased upon returning to the neutral position.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that chin-up posture challenges the pharyngeal sequence of events for both swallowing kinematics and bolus flow. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2017

http://ift.tt/2ltRFVt

Effects of chin-up posture on the sequence of swallowing events

ABSTRACT

Background

Chin-up posture is frequently used to manage oral dysphagia after head and neck cancer. This prospective study investigates the effects of chin-ups on the sequence of pharyngeal swallowing events.

Methods

Twelve healthy young adults performed 45 consecutive swallows of 5 mL water across 3 phases on videofluoroscopy: 5 swallows in the neutral head position; 30 swallows during chin-up posture; and 10 swallows in the neutral head position. Swallowing kinematic and bolus flow measures for 9 swallowing events were recorded. Linear trends were analyzed across 30 chin-up swallows; pairwise comparison was used to compare the 3 phases.

Results

Time to hyoid peak and laryngeal vestibule closure changed abruptly during chin-up swallowing compared to the initial neutral position. No measure changed across 30 chin-up swallows. Time of hyoid burst decreased upon returning to the neutral position.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that chin-up posture challenges the pharyngeal sequence of events for both swallowing kinematics and bolus flow. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2017

http://ift.tt/2ltRFVt

Data on the auditory duration mismatch negativity for different sound pressure levels and visual perceptual loads

Publication date: Available online 8 February 2017
Source:Data in Brief
Author(s): Stefan Wiens, Malina Szychowska, Rasmus Eklund, Mats E. Nilsson
The data presented in this article are related to our research article entitled "Effects of sound pressure level and visual perceptual load on the auditory mismatch negativity" [1]. The duration MMN was recorded at three sound pressure levels (SPLs) during two levels of visual perceptual load. In an oddball paradigm (standard=75ms, deviant=30ms, within-subjects design), participants were presented with tones at 56, 66, or 76dB SPL (between-subjects design). At the same time, participants focused on a letter-detection task (find X in a circle of six letters). In separate blocks, perceptual load was either low (the six letters were the same) or high (the six letters differed). In the first data collection, tones had only 76dB SPL [2]. In a follow-up data collection with exactly the same procedure, tones had 56 and 66dB SPL [1]. Here, we report the procedure, the recording of electroencephalography (EEG) and its preprocessing in terms of event-related potentials (ERPs), the preprocessing of behavioral data, as well as the grand mean ERPs in figures. For each participant, the reported ERP data include mean amplitudes for standards, deviants, and the difference wave (MMN) at Fz (with tip of nose as a reference), separately for the combinations of SPL and load. Reported behavioral data include the signal-detection measure d' as an index of detection performance.



http://ift.tt/2kuCxbV

No evidence of a role for mitochondrial complex I in Helicobacter pylori pathogenesis

Abstract

Background

Complex I is the first enzyme complex in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, responsible for generating a large fraction of energy during oxidative phosphorylation. Recently, it has been identified that complex I deficiency can result in increased inflammation due to the generation of reactive oxygen species by innate immune cells. As a reduction in complex I activity has been demonstrated in human stomachs with atrophic gastritis, we investigated whether complex I deficiency could influence Helicobacter pylori pathogenesis.

Materials and Methods

Ndufs6^gt/gt mice have a partial complex I deficiency. Complex I activity was quantified in the stomachs and immune cells of Ndufs6^gt/gt mice by spectrophotometric assays. Ndufs6^gt/gt mice were infected with H. pylori and bacterial colonization assessed by colony-forming assay, gastritis assessed histologically, and H. pylori -specific humoral response quantified by ELISA.

Results

The immune cells and stomachs of Ndufs6^gt/gt mice were found to have significantly decreased complex I activity, validating the model for assessing the effects of complex I deficiency in H. pylori infection. However, there was no observable effect of complex I deficiency on either H. pylori colonization, the resulting gastritis, or the humoral response.

Conclusions

Although complex I activity is described to suppress innate immune responses and is decreased during atrophic gastritis in humans, our data suggest it does not affect H. pylori pathogenesis.

http://ift.tt/2ln2QlT

No evidence of a role for mitochondrial complex I in Helicobacter pylori pathogenesis

Abstract

Background

Complex I is the first enzyme complex in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, responsible for generating a large fraction of energy during oxidative phosphorylation. Recently, it has been identified that complex I deficiency can result in increased inflammation due to the generation of reactive oxygen species by innate immune cells. As a reduction in complex I activity has been demonstrated in human stomachs with atrophic gastritis, we investigated whether complex I deficiency could influence Helicobacter pylori pathogenesis.

Materials and Methods

Ndufs6^gt/gt mice have a partial complex I deficiency. Complex I activity was quantified in the stomachs and immune cells of Ndufs6^gt/gt mice by spectrophotometric assays. Ndufs6^gt/gt mice were infected with H. pylori and bacterial colonization assessed by colony-forming assay, gastritis assessed histologically, and H. pylori -specific humoral response quantified by ELISA.

Results

The immune cells and stomachs of Ndufs6^gt/gt mice were found to have significantly decreased complex I activity, validating the model for assessing the effects of complex I deficiency in H. pylori infection. However, there was no observable effect of complex I deficiency on either H. pylori colonization, the resulting gastritis, or the humoral response.

Conclusions

Although complex I activity is described to suppress innate immune responses and is decreased during atrophic gastritis in humans, our data suggest it does not affect H. pylori pathogenesis.

http://ift.tt/2ln2QlT

Defining the value of magnetic resonance imaging in prostate brachytherapy using time-driven activity-based costing

Publication date: Available online 8 February 2017
Source:Brachytherapy
Author(s): Nikhil G. Thaker, Peter F. Orio, Louis Potters
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) simulation and planning for prostate brachytherapy (PBT) may deliver potential clinical benefits but at an unknown cost to the provider and healthcare system. Time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) is an innovative bottom-up costing tool in healthcare that can be used to measure the actual consumption of resources required over the full cycle of care. TDABC analysis was conducted to compare patient-level costs for an MRI-based versus traditional PBT workflow. TDABC cost was only 1% higher for the MRI-based workflow, and utilization of MRI allowed for cost shifting from other imaging modalities, such as CT and ultrasound, to MRI during the PBT process. Future initiatives will be required to follow the costs of care over longer periods of time to determine if improvements in outcomes and toxicities with an MRI-based approach lead to lower resource utilization and spending over the long-term. Understanding provider costs will become important as healthcare reform transitions to value-based purchasing and other alternative payment models.



http://ift.tt/2lthdlk

Enhanced high-energy protocol using a fractional bipolar radiofrequency device combined with bipolar radiofrequency and infrared light for improving facial skin appearance and wrinkles

Summary

Background

Fractional bipolar radiofrequency treatment and treatment with bipolar radiofrequency combined with infrared light have been shown in previous trials to safely and effectively improve the appearance of facial wrinkles.

Aims

To evaluate a high-energy protocol with combined bipolar radiofrequency and infrared light energies for improvement in photoaged facial skin.

Patients/Methods

Seventy-two patients presenting with mild to moderate facial wrinkles underwent a single full-face treatment (n=54) or two treatments (n=18) at 6-week intervals. Independent blinded assessment and investigator assessment were performed, using the Fitzpatrick Wrinkle and Elastosis Scale (0-9) and the Global Aesthetic Improvement scale. Patients also completed a self-assessment questionnaire concerning satisfaction with the treatment.

Results

All patients achieved some degree of improvement in their wrinkles and skin appearance, following a single treatment or two treatments with the enhanced-energy protocol. Blinded evaluation demonstrated 71% and 70% of the patients showing improvement of one unit or greater on the Fitzpatrick Scale, at the 12-week and 24-week follow-ups post-treatment, respectively. Similar results were reported by investigators. Under the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale, investigators observed 87%, 91% and 81% of patients showing improvement at the 6-, 12-, and 24-week post-treatment end, respectively. Patients tolerated the treatments well and were satisfied with the clinical results.

Conclusion

The enhanced-energy treatment protocol, with fractional bipolar radiofrequency treatment and treatment with bipolar radiofrequency combined with infrared light applications, yields significant improvement of skin texture, wrinkling, and overall appearance following a single treatment. The results appear gradually over time and are maintained for at least 6 months' post-treatment.

http://ift.tt/2k5mYbU