Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2020 May 26:194599820931041. Epub 2020 May 26.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Objective: To highlight emerging preoperative screening protocols and document workflow challenges and successes during the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a large urban tertiary care medical center. Thirty-two patients undergoing operative procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic were placed into 2 preoperative screening protocols. Read More

Biotechnol Lett 2020 May 25. Epub 2020 May 25.

Department of Spine Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, 324 Jingwuweiqi Road, Jinan, Shandong, China.

Objectives: To investigate the role of YAP in cyclic mechanical stress induced up-regulation of HIF-1α in rat cartilage chondrocytes.

Results: Our in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that cyclic mechanical stress promoted HIF-1α and YAP proteins expression in a magnitude dependent manner. Cyclic mechanical stress at 4000μ strain exhibited most significant effect in promoting HIF-1α and YAP up-regulation. Read More

Polymers (Basel) 2020 May 20;12(5). Epub 2020 May 20.

Centre for Polymer and Material Technologies (CPMT), Department of Materials, Textiles and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Technologiepark 130, B-9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium.

The mixing of polymers, even structurally similar polyolefins, inevitably leads to blend systems with a phase-separated morphology. Fundamentally understanding the changes in mechanical properties and occurring deformation mechanisms of these immiscible polymer blends, is important with respect to potential mechanical recycling. This work focuses on the behavior of binary blends of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene (PP) under tensile deformation and their related changes in crystallinity and morphology. Read More

J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev 2020 Feb 18;4(2). Epub 2020 Feb 18.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN.

Orthopaedic surgeons are in a position to assist in identifying intimate partner violence (IPV) patients. It was the purpose of this study to analyze the demographics and fracture patterns of IPV patients in the United States.

Methods: Data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System All Injury Program from 2005 through 2013 were used. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2020 May 21;21(1):319. Epub 2020 May 21.

Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 84, 8001, Zurich, Switzerland.

Background: Musculoskeletal and sleep disorders have been reported to be very common among health care and hospital workers and particularly nurses. They are assumed or found to be a result of psychological stress and/or physical strain or pain. However, no other study so far - at least in a hospital setting and for Switzerland - has considered and investigated musculoskeletal as well as sleep disorders in consequence of or rather in association with both physical workload and psychological stress. Read More

Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2020 May 21. Epub 2020 May 21.

University of Roehampton, Life Sciences , Danebury Avenue , London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland , SW15 4JD ;

The effect of localised head and neck per-cooling on central and peripheral fatigue during high thermal strain was investigated. Fourteen participants cycled for 60 min at 50% V̇O2peak on three occasions: CON (18°C), HOT (35°C) and HOT with cooling (HOTcooling). Maximal voluntary force (MVF) and central activation ratio (CAR) of the knee extensors were measured every 30s during a sustained maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Read More

Am J Obstet Gynecol 2020 May 17. Epub 2020 May 17.

The Kelly Gynecologic Oncology Service, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Background: Social determinants of health are known to contribute to disparities in health outcomes. Routine screening for basic social needs is not a part of standard care, though the association with those needs and increased healthcare utilization and poor compliance with guideline-directed care is well established.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the prevalence of basic social resource needs identified through a quality improvement initiative in a gynecologic oncology outpatient clinic. Read More

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2020 May 19:194599820931011. Epub 2020 May 19.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has placed tremendous strain on health care systems, leading to unprecedented challenges and obstacles in the delivery of patient care. Otolaryngologists are frequently called on for inpatient consultations for an array of pathologies, ranging from chronic benign conditions to acutely life-threatening processes. Professional otolaryngologic societies across the world have proposed limiting patient care to time-sensitive and urgent matters; however, limited literature is available to describe how this transient change in philosophy may translate to clinical practice. Read More

Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2020 Apr 28;76:105020. Epub 2020 Apr 28.

Ramsay Générale de Santé, Hôpital privé Le Bois, 59000 Lille, France.

Background: The role of the axial pre-strain on the torsional response of the intervertebral disc remains largely undefined. Moreover, the chemo-mechanical interactions in disc tissues are still unclear and corresponding data are rare in the literature. The paper deals with an in-vitro study of the pre-strain effect on the chemical sensitivity of the disc torsional response. Read More

Accid Anal Prev 2020 May 12;142:105571. Epub 2020 May 12.

Faculty of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.

Background: Cervical spine injury is a common result of traffic crashes, and such injuries range in severity from minor (i.e. sprain/strain) to moderate (intervertebral disk derangement) to serious and greater (fractures, dislocations, and spinal cord injuries). Read More

Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol 2020 May 15. Epub 2020 May 15.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea.

Objectives: Limited information is available regarding strain-related differences in mouse models of allergic rhinitis induced by Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f1). In this study, we compared differences between two mouse strains and determined the optimal dose of Der f1 for allergic rhinitis mouse models.

Methods: Forty-eight mice were assigned to the following six groups (n=8 per group): group A (control, BALB/c), group B (Der f1-sensitized BALB/c, 25 µg), group C (Der f1-sensitized BALB/c, 100 µg), group D (control, C57BL/6), group E (Der f1-sensitized C57BL/6, 25 µg), and group F (Der f1-sensitized C57BL/6, 100 µg). Read More

Med Ultrason 2020 May;22(2):145-151

"Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 55 Bd 21 December, 400012, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Aims: To assess the usefulness of real time elastography (RTE) strain ratio (SR) in diagnosing cervical cancer (CC) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), using a synthetic experimental device (ED) as reference material.

Material And Methods: Seventy-nine participants were enrolled, divided in three groups: Group 1 - benign cervix (n=39); Group 2 - CIN (n=32); Group 3 - CC (n=8). Transvaginal RTE was performed, with SR determination, as the ratio between the ED and the cervical tissue. Read More

J Craniofac Surg 2020 May 6. Epub 2020 May 6.

Tampa Bay Craniofacial Center, Tampa Bay, FL.

In late 2019, a novel coronavirus strain, SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), also known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), triggered a global pandemic as the virus spread from the Wuhan Province, China, across all continents. Although infrequent, severe respiratory infection and death caused by SARS-CoV-2 is disproportionately high amongst healthcare providers such as craniofacial surgeons who work in the head and neck region. Factors this impact SARS-CoV-2 transmission include: (1) high viral loads in the mucosa of the oral and nasopharynx, (2) limited and/or imprecise disease screening/confirmation testing, (3) access to and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Read More

Facial Plast Surg Aesthet Med 2020 May 11. Epub 2020 May 11.

Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, USA.

The relationship between nasal flora and infection rates in patients undergoing nasal surgery is of interest. This relationship has been studied though changes that may take place due to surgery have never been elucidated. To assess colonization rates and changes in colonization patterns of methicillin-resistant or methicillin-sensitive (MRSA/MSSA) in nasal flora in patients undergoing nasal surgery and to determine whether colonization is a risk factor for postoperative infection. Read More

PLoS One 2020 11;15(5):e0232975. Epub 2020 May 11.

Laboratoire de Biomécanique Appliquée (LBA), UMR T24, Aix-Marseille Université, IFSTTAR, Marseille, France.

Finite element models combined with animal experimental models of spinal cord injury provides the opportunity for investigating the effects of the injury mechanism on the neural tissue deformation and the resulting tissue damage. Thus, we developed a finite element model of the mouse cervical spinal cord in order to investigate the effect of morphological, experimental and mechanical factors on the spinal cord mechanical behavior subjected to transverse contusion. The overall mechanical behavior of the model was validated with experimental data of unilateral cervical contusion in mice. Read More

J Voice 2020 May 26;34(3):486.e13-486.e22. Epub 2018 Oct 26.

Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the short-term and long-term effects of voice rehabilitation in patients treated with radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer as measured by both the acoustic measure smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPS) and perceptual measures. A secondary aim was to investigate the relationship between acoustic and perceptual measures.

Methods: In total, 37 patients received voice rehabilitation post-radiotherapy and 37 patients constituted the irradiated control group. Read More

Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2020 May;70(5):2981-2987

Department of Dermatology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650101, PR China.

A novel nocardioform strain, CICC 11023, was isolated from a tissue biopsy of neck lesions of a patient with primary cutaneous nocardiosis and characterized to establish its taxonomic position. The morphological, biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic properties of strain CICC 11023 were consistent with classification in the genus . Whole-cell hydrolysates were rich in meso-diaminopimelic acid, galactose, arabinose and fructose. Read More

J Clin Pathol 2020 May 4. Epub 2020 May 4.

Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milano, Italy

In the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, pathologists can be exposed to infection handling surgical specimens. Guidelines related to safety procedures in the laboratory have been released. However, there is a lack of studies performed on biopsy and surgical resection specimens. Read More

J Voice 2020 Apr 30. Epub 2020 Apr 30.

Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois. Electronic address:

Introduction: The Lombard effect (LE) is a phenomenon in which speakers adjust their vocal production by raising the volume in noisy environments. As a result, the LE can create problems of vocal strain, fatigue and potential injury.

Objectives: This study aims to examine the difference in vocal intensity output in subjects wearing unilateral hearing protection versus no hearing protection in the presence of background noise. Read More

Syst Appl Microbiol 2020 May 13;43(3):126083. Epub 2020 Apr 13.

Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/no., 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; CIMAR/CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal. Electronic address:

The phylum Planctomycetes comprises bacteria with peculiar and very unique characteristics among prokaryotes. In marine environments, macroalgae biofilms are well known for harboring planctomycetal diversity. Here, we describe a novel isolate obtained from the biofilm of the red alga Chondrus crispus collected at a rocky beach in Porto, Portugal. Read More

Sci Rep 2020 Apr 29;10(1):7231. Epub 2020 Apr 29.

Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuoka Shimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui, 910-1193, Japan.

The pathomechanisms of initiation and progression of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) are unclear. Indian hedgehog (Ihh) and related signaling molecules are key factors in normal enchondral ossification. The purpose of this study is to investigate the contribution of mechanical strain to OPLL and the relationship of Ihh with OPLL. Read More

Acad Radiol 2020 Apr 24. Epub 2020 Apr 24.

PET-CT/MR Department, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China. Electronic address:

Rationale And Objectives: This study was designed to assess left ventricular deformation after chronic myocardial infarction (CMI) using cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) technology, and analyze its relationship with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and infarcted transmurality.

Materials And Methods: Ninety-six patients with CMI and 72 controls underwent 3.0 T CMR scanning. Read More

Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2020 Apr 27. Epub 2020 Apr 27.

Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Seewartenstr. 10, 20459, Hamburg, Germany.

Objective: To assess whether there are differences in musculoskeletal pain among different types of occupations offshore and their relationship to ergonomic demands.

Methods: We conducted a web-based cross-sectional survey among workers from offshore wind energy companies operating within the German exclusive economic zone. We selected workers with regular offshore commitments and at least 28 days spent offshore in the past year (n = 268). Read More

Curr Osteoporos Rep 2020 Jun;18(3):301-311

Medical Device Research Institute, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Tonsley, SA, 5042, Australia.

Purpose Of Review: We review the literature on hip fracture mechanics and models of hip strain during exercise to postulate the exercise regimen for best promoting hip strength.

Recent Findings: The superior neck is a common location for hip fracture and a relevant exercise target for osteoporosis. Current modelling studies showed that fast walking and stair ambulation, but not necessarily running, optimally load the femoral neck and therefore theoretically would mitigate the natural age-related bone decline, being easily integrated into routine daily activity. Read More

Sensors (Basel) 2020 Apr 22;20(8). Epub 2020 Apr 22.

Department of Organic Materials and Fiber Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul 156-743, Korea.

Electronic textiles, also known as smart textiles or smart fabrics, are one of the best form factors that enable electronics to be embedded in them, presenting physical flexibility and sizes that cannot be achieved with other existing electronic manufacturing techniques. As part of smart textiles, e-sensors for human movement monitoring have attracted tremendous interest from researchers in recent years. Although there have been outstanding developments, smart e-textile sensors still present significant challenges in sensitivity, accuracy, durability, and manufacturing efficiency. Read More

Head Neck 2020 06 28;42(6):1173-1178. Epub 2020 Apr 28.

Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Tata Memorial Centre and HBNI, Mumbai, India.

Background: The coronavirus infection is rapidly spreading, putting a strain on health care services across the globe. Patients with oral cancer are susceptible often immunosuppressed due to the disease and/or the treatment received.

Methods: We performed a simulation of the currently available data using a multistate and hazards model to provide an objective model for counseling and decision making for health care workers. Read More

Head Neck 2020 06 28;42(6):1332-1338. Epub 2020 Apr 28.

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

Background: In the context of COVID-19, cancer survivors represent a particularly vulnerable population that may be "doubly hit" by both costs of cancer treatment and financial strain imposed by the pandemic.

Methods: We performed a review of the literature pertaining to cancer, financial toxicity, and economic challenges.

Results: Multiple societies have put forth recommendations to modify delivery of cancer care in order to minimize patient exposure to the virus. Read More

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2020 May 29;12(19):22200-22211. Epub 2020 Apr 29.

Institute of Biomedical & Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China.

Flexible strain sensors have been widely used in wearable electronic devices for body physical parameter capturing. However, regardless of the stretchability of the sensing material, the resolution of small strain changes or the hysteresis between loading/unloading states has always limited the various applications of these sensors. In this paper, a microfluidic flexible strain sensor was achieved by introducing liquid metal eutectic gallium indium (EGaIn) embedded into a wave-shaped microchannel elastomeric matrix (300 μm width × 70 μm height). Read More

Stapp Car Crash J 2019 Nov;63:65-82

Prasad Engineering, LLC, Plymouth, MI, USA.

An anatomically detailed rhesus monkey brain FE model was developed to simulate in vivo responses of the brain of sub-human primates subjected to rotational accelerations resulting in diffuse axonal injury (DAI). The material properties used in the monkey model are those in the GHBMC 50th percentile male head model (Global Human Body Model Consortium). The angular loading simulations consisted of coronal, oblique and sagittal plane rotations with the center of rotation in neck to duplicate experimental conditions. Read More

Head Neck 2020 06 23;42(6):1137-1143. Epub 2020 Apr 23.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA.

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has rapidly spread across the world, placing unprecedented strain on the health care system. Health care resources including hospital beds, ICUs, as well as personal protective equipment are becoming increasingly rationed and scare commodities. In this environment, the laryngectomee (patient having previously undergone a total laryngectomy) continues to represent a unique patient with unique needs. Read More

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2020 Apr 14:194599820919751. Epub 2020 Apr 14.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery and Center for Bioethics & Social Sciences in Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has unfolded with remarkable speed, posing unprecedented challenges for health care systems and society. Otolaryngologists have a special role in responding to this crisis by virtue of expertise in airway management. Against the backdrop of nations struggling to contain the virus's spread and to manage hospital strain, otolaryngologists must partner with anesthesiologists and front-line health care teams to provide expert services in high-risk situations while reducing transmission. Read More

Emerg Radiol 2020 Jun 13;27(3):229-232. Epub 2020 Apr 13.

Radiology Department of Maimonides Medical Center, 4802 10th Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11219, USA.

Purpose: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by a novel strain of coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that has quickly spread around the globe. Health care facilities in the USA currently do not have an adequate supply of COVID-19 tests to meet the growing demand. Imaging findings for COVID-19 are non-specific but include pulmonary parenchymal ground-glass opacities in a predominantly basal and peripheral distribution. Read More

BMC Oral Health 2020 Apr 7;20(1):98. Epub 2020 Apr 7.

School of Dentistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, San-Ming, District, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan.

Background: We aimed to investigate the load-induced strain variation in teeth with unrestored and resin-based composite restored non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs).

Methods: Twelve extracted premolars were provided for measuring buccal-side root NCCLs. Strain gauges were fixed at four measuring sites of each tooth, two at the buccal surface and two at the lingual surface. Read More

Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020 18;8:172. Epub 2020 Mar 18.

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States.

Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is a severe form of traumatic brain injury and often induced by blunt trauma. The closed head impact acceleration (IA) model is the most widely used rodent DAI model. However, this model results in large variations of injury severity. Read More

Bone 2020 Jul 31;136:115348. Epub 2020 Mar 31.

Bioengineering and Computing Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy.

Despite evidence of the biomechanical role of cortical bone, current state of the art finite element models of the proximal femur built from clinical CT data lack a subject-specific representation of the bone cortex. Our main research hypothesis is that the subject-specific modelling of cortical bone layer from CT images, through a deconvolution procedure known as Cortical Bone Mapping (CBM, validated for cortical thickness and density estimates) can improve the accuracy of CT-based FE models of the proximal femur, currently limited by partial volume artefacts. Our secondary hypothesis is that a careful choice of cortical-specific density-elasticity relationship may improve model accuracy. Read More

Laryngoscope 2020 Apr 2. Epub 2020 Apr 2.

Department of Neurology, EpiCURA Hospital, Baudour, Belgium.

Objective: To assess the usefulness of orofacial strength and voice quality as assessment of response to levodopa challenge test (LCT) used in the diagnosis of early idiopathic Parkinson disease (IPD).

Study Design: Controlled Prospective Study.

Methods: From January 2014 to April 2019, patients with early IPD and healthy individuals were recruited and evaluated for clinical findings (Hoehn and Yahr scale; Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale); Voice Handicap Index (VHI); grade of dysphonia, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain and instability (GRBASI); maximal phonation time; phonation quotient; acoustic parameters; and orofacial muscle strength Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI; IOPI Medical, Woodinville, WA, USA) t) at baseline and 45 minutes after the levodopa intake (LCT). Read More

J Voice 2020 Mar 28. Epub 2020 Mar 28.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Objectives: Uniform evaluation of treatment effect on the quality of voice in adductor spasmodic dysphonia (AdSD) is challenging due to the broad variety of available outcome measurement instruments (OMIs). The European Laryngological Society categorized five types of measurement domains for voice quality evaluations: patient-reported outcome measures, perceptual analyses, acoustic analyses, visual analyses, and aerodynamic measurements. The aim of this study was to propose a core outcome set (COS) for these domains, enabling systematic assessments of treatment effects on the quality of voice in patients with AdSD. Read More

Br Poult Sci 2020 Apr 1. Epub 2020 Apr 1.

Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil.

1. Changes in feather length and weight and daily losses of down, contour feathers, remiges and retrices were studied in two commercial broiler strains to determine feather growth and moult in broilers up to 112 d of age.2. Read More

Saudi J Biol Sci 2020 Feb 24;27(2):706-712. Epub 2019 Dec 24.

Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea.

The present study aimed to explore the anticancer potentials of the gold nanoparticles (NPs) obtained by green synthesis method using an endophytic strain ATLOY - 8 has been isolated from the plant The formation of the NPs was analyzed by UV, FTIR, SEM and XRD. The synthesized NPs showed pink-ruby red colors and high peak plasmon band was observed between 510 and 560 nm. It is observed that intensity of absorption steadily increases the wavelength and band stabilizes at 551 nm. Read More

J Prosthet Dent 2020 Mar 20. Epub 2020 Mar 20.

Associate Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, State University of Ponta Grossa (UEPG), Ponta Grossa, Brazil.

Statement Of Problem: Information regarding the shrinkage kinetics and monomer conversion of dual-polymerized conventional and self-adhesive resin luting agents (RLA) in situ is lacking.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the shrinkage strain and ratio of 1 conventional and 1 self-adhesive RLA by using fiber optic sensors based on Bragg gratings and Vickers hardness in the root canal.

Material And Methods: The root canals of 34 single-rooted premolars were endodontically treated and assigned to 2 groups according to the RLA: RelyX ARC (ARC) and RelyX U200 (U200). Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Mar 19;138:369-373. Epub 2020 Mar 19.

Department of Neurosurgery, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Background: In a standard surgical operating room, advanced imaging is projected on a separate monitor screen away from the surgical field of view. This setup requires surgeons to repeatedly shift their attention between the operative field and a screen. Such movement may result in a disruption of focus that can extend surgical time, cause physical strain, and lead to surgical errors. Read More

Ultraschall Med 2020 Mar 20. Epub 2020 Mar 20.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saarland-University, Saarbrücken, Germany.

Purpose:  The prediction of successful induction of labor (IOL) has been the subject of a series of studies. The predictive role of cervical sonographic and elastographic parameters has been controversially discussed. Lower uterine segment (LUS) thickness and strain values have not been discussed yet in this regard. Read More

Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020 4;8:154. Epub 2020 Mar 4.

Department of Orthopedics, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.

Hybrid surgery (HS) allows surgeons to tailor fusion and arthroplasty in the treatment of multiple-level cervical disc degeneration. However, the decision making of selecting either ACDF or ADR for each level in three-level HS remains controversial and has not been fully investigated. This study was aimed to optimize three-level cervical hybrid constructs by systematically investigating their biomechanical properties and their effect on adjacent levels. Read More

JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2020 Mar 19. Epub 2020 Mar 19.

Research Group on Ventilatory Handicap (EA 3830 GRHV), The Rouen Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine, Rouen, Normandy, France.

Importance: Bilateral vocal fold paralysis (BVFP) in pediatric patients is a challenging entity with multiple causes. Traditional approaches to managing BVFP include tracheostomy, arytenoidectomy, suture lateralization, cordotomy, and posterior cricoid enlargement. These interventions are used to create a stable airway but risk compromising voice quality. Read More

Nutrients 2020 Mar 14;12(3). Epub 2020 Mar 14.

Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.

Some lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are known to improve atopic dermatitis (AD) through the regulation and stimulation of the host immune system. In this study, we found that ingestion of yogurt containing 11/19-B1 strain ( 11/19-B1) daily for 8 weeks significantly improved the severity scoring of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) system score from 38.8 ± 14. Read More

Otol Neurotol 2020 Apr;41(4):e516-e525

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Hypothesis: To develop a mouse model for temporary and persistent tinnitus using the gap startle paradigm.

Background: Behavioral animal models for tinnitus are classified into conditioning- and reflex-based types. Gap prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle (GPIAS) is based on the acoustic startle modification by a silent gap and gap detection deficit caused by tinnitus gap filling. Read More

J Voice 2020 Mar 13. Epub 2020 Mar 13.

Department of Otolaryngology, Tenri Hospital, Tenri, Nara, Japan.

Objectives: Auditory-perceptual voice analysis is a standard method for quantifying pathological voice quality, but perceptual ratings are based on subjective evaluations and therefore may vary among examiners. Although many acoustic metrics have been studied for potential use in the objective evaluation of pathological voices, the interpretation of acoustic metrics in individual cases is difficult and the technique is not widely used by clinicians. The aim of this study was to establish standardized methods to discriminate grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, strain (GRBAS) scale scores of pathological voices directly using one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D-CNN) models. Read More

J Endod 2020 May 12;46(5):668-674. Epub 2020 Mar 12.

Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address:

Introduction: Microtissue engineering root canal dentin with biopolymeric nanoparticles has the potential to improve mechanical properties of iatrogenically compromised root dentin. This study aims to characterize the surface mechanical property, bulk biomechanical response, and fatigue resistance of microtissue-engineered root dentin using photodynamically (photodynamic-activated [PDA]) cross-linked chitosan nanoparticles (CSnps).

Methods: Experiments were conducted in 3 parts: part 1, root canal dentin sections were subjected to nanoindentations before/after treatment with CSnps and chemically (1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide [EDC] cross-linked CSnps) and photodynamically cross-linked CSnps to determine the properties of treated surfaces (n = 84 points/group); part 2, root canal dentin specimens treated with PDA cross-linked CSnps were subjected to strain analysis using customized moiré interferometry (n = 5/group); and part 3, root canal dentin specimens treated with EDC cross-linked CSnps, PDA cross-linked CSnps, and instrumented controls were tested using an accelerated fatigue loading protocol to evaluate the sustained loads and cycles at failure (n = 15/group). Read More

Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2020 Mar 11:1-6. Epub 2020 Mar 11.

Independent Researcher, Austin, Texas.

Objectives: Injuries may occur when putting up and taking down hurricane (storm) shutters. This study described hurricane shutter-related injuries managed at emergency departments (EDs).

Methods: Hurricane shutter-related injuries were identified through the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), a database of consumer product-related injuries collected from the EDs of approximately 100 United States hospitals. Read More

World J Surg 2020 Mar 10. Epub 2020 Mar 10.

Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.

Background: Adequate surgical training is paramount to produce competent surgeons to address the global burden of surgical disease. The Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS) has general surgery training programs in eight countries. Operative case volumes have been positively associated with improved trainee performance and patient outcomes. Read More