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Current Biology : CB Mar 2023Bass describes the fascinating life history, behavior, and neurobiology of the California singing fish, including its remarkable vocal abilities.
Bass describes the fascinating life history, behavior, and neurobiology of the California singing fish, including its remarkable vocal abilities.
Topics: Animals; Singing; Fishes; California; Vocalization, Animal
PubMed: 36977377
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.02.014 -
The Laryngoscope Nov 2020The aims of this work were 1) to investigate whether office laryngoscopy is an aerosol-generating procedure with an optical particle sizer (OPS) during clinical...
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS
The aims of this work were 1) to investigate whether office laryngoscopy is an aerosol-generating procedure with an optical particle sizer (OPS) during clinical simulation on healthy volunteers, and 2) to critically discuss methods for assessment of aerosolizing potentials in invasive interventions.
STUDY DESIGN
Prospective quantification of aerosol and droplet generation during clinical simulation of rigid and flexible laryngoscopy.
METHODS
Two healthy volunteers were recruited to undergo both flexible and rigid laryngoscopy. An OPS was used to quantify aerosols and droplets generated for four positive controls relative to ambient particles (speech, breathing, /e/ phonation, and /ae/ phonation) and for five test interventions relative to breathing and phonation (flexible laryngoscopy, flexible laryngoscopy with humming, flexible laryngoscopy with /e/ phonation, rigid laryngoscopy, and rigid laryngoscopy with /ae/ phonation). Particle counts in mean diameter size range from 0.3 to >10 μm were measured with OPS placed at 12 cm from the subject's nose/mouth.
RESULTS
None of the laryngoscopy interventions (n = 10 each) generated aerosols above that produced by breathing or phonation. Breathing (n = 40, 1-3 μm, P = .016) and /ae/ phonation (n = 10, 1-3 μm, P = .022; 3-5 μm. P = .083; >5 μm, P = .012) were statistically significant producers of aerosols and droplets. Neither speech nor /e/ phonation (n = 10 each) were associated with statistically significant aerosols and droplet generation.
CONCLUSIONS
Using OPS to detect droplets and aerosols, we found that office laryngoscopy is likely not an aerosol-generating procedure. Despite its prior use in otolaryngological literature, an OPS has intrinsic limitations. Our study should be complemented with more sophisticated methods of droplet distribution measurement.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
3 Laryngoscope, 130:2637-2642, 2020.
Topics: Adult; Aerosols; Air; Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; COVID-19; Disease Transmission, Infectious; Female; Healthy Volunteers; Humans; Laryngoscopy; Male; Particle Size; Patient Simulation; Phonation; Prospective Studies; Respiration; SARS-CoV-2; Speech
PubMed: 32671840
DOI: 10.1002/lary.28973 -
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... Sep 2021Synthetic vocal fold (VF) models used for studying the physics of voice production are comprised of silicone and fabricated using traditional casting processes. The...
OBJECTIVE
Synthetic vocal fold (VF) models used for studying the physics of voice production are comprised of silicone and fabricated using traditional casting processes. The purpose of this study was to develop and demonstrate a new method of creating synthetic VF models through 3D printing in order to reduce model fabrication time, increase yield, and lay the foundation for future models with more life-like geometric, material, and vibratory properties.
STUDY DESIGN
Basic science.
METHODS
A 3D printing technique based on embedding a UV-curable liquid silicone into a gel-like medium was selected and refined. Cubes were printed and subjected to tensile testing to characterize their material properties. Self-oscillating VF models were then printed, coated with a thin layer of silicone representing the epithelium, and used in phonation tests to gather onset pressure, frequency, and amplitude data.
RESULTS
The cubes were found to be anisotropic, exhibiting different modulus values depending on the orientation of the printed layers. The VF models self-oscillated and withstood the strains induced by phonation. Print parameters were found to affect model vibration frequency and onset pressure. Primarily due to the design of the VF models, their onset pressures were higher than what is found in human VFs. However, their frequencies were within a comparable range.
CONCLUSION
The results demonstrate the ability to 3D print synthetic, self-oscillating VF models. It is anticipated that this method will be further refined and used in future studies exploring flow-induced vibratory characteristics of phonation.
Topics: Humans; Models, Anatomic; Models, Biological; Phonation; Printing, Three-Dimensional; Vibration; Vocal Cords; Voice
PubMed: 32312610
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2020.01.030 -
Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal Feb 2024This case highlights the consequences of colon interposition on phonation and swallowing. Findings in this patient included laryngopharyngeal reflux, vocal fold...
SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT
This case highlights the consequences of colon interposition on phonation and swallowing. Findings in this patient included laryngopharyngeal reflux, vocal fold paralysis, poor esophageal peristalsis, failed bolus transfers, and others. The mechanical and functional differences between the colon and the esophagus can impact bolus transfer, reflux, and phonation. Further research is required to identify the mechanisms by which colon interposition can impact voice and swallowing.
Topics: Humans; Dysphonia; Voice; Phonation; Laryngopharyngeal Reflux; Colon
PubMed: 34427138
DOI: 10.1177/01455613211041786 -
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... Mar 2021
Topics: Humans; Music; Pandemics; Singing; Voice Quality
PubMed: 32826118
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2020.07.031 -
ELife Feb 2020MRI experiments have revealed how throat singers from Tuva produce their characteristic sound.
MRI experiments have revealed how throat singers from Tuva produce their characteristic sound.
Topics: Pharynx; Singing; Sound; Speech Acoustics
PubMed: 32048994
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.55749 -
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... Apr 2022While voice-related therapeutic interventions are often researched preclinically in the porcine model, there are no well-established methods to induce porcine glottic...
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
While voice-related therapeutic interventions are often researched preclinically in the porcine model, there are no well-established methods to induce porcine glottic phonation. Described approaches, such as training animals to phonate for positive reinforcement are time-consuming and plagued by inherent variability in the type of phonation produced and contamination of background noise. Thus, a reliable method of assessing glottic phonation in the porcine model is needed.
METHODS
In this study, we have created a novel pulley-based apparatus with harness for "pig-lifting" with surrounding acoustic insulation and high-directional microphone with digital recorder for recording phonation. Praat and Matlab were used to analyze all porcine vocalizations for fundamental frequency (F0), intensity, duration of phonation and cepstral peak prominence (CPP). Glottic phonation was detected using F0 (≥2000 hz), duration (≥3 seconds) and researcher perceptual judgment. Partial-glottic phonations were also analyzed. Reliability between researcher judgment and acoustic measures for glottic phonation detection was high.
RESULTS
Acoustic analysis demonstrated that glottic and partial-glottic phonation was consistently elicited, with no formal training of the minipigs required. Glottic vocalizations increased with multiple lifts. Glottic phonation continued to be elicited after multiple days but became less frequent. Glottic and partial-glottic phonations had similar CPP values over the 6 experimental days.
CONCLUSION
Our cost-effective, reliable method of inducing and recording glottic phonation in the porcine model may provide a cost effective, preclinical tool in voice research.
PubMed: 35504794
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2022.02.023 -
The Laryngoscope Jul 2022Phonation threshold pressure (P ) is the minimum subglottic pressure required to reach phonation onset and is considered a marker for vocal efficiency and health. We...
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS
Phonation threshold pressure (P ) is the minimum subglottic pressure required to reach phonation onset and is considered a marker for vocal efficiency and health. We investigated the effects of intrinsic laryngeal muscle (ILM) activation on P .
STUDY DESIGN
In vivo animal study.
METHODS
In an in vivo canine phonation model, laryngeal adductor muscles were activated together by stimulation of the recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLNs) and individually via stimulation of respective terminal nerve branches. Cricothyroid (CT) muscles were activated via stimulation of the superior laryngeal nerves. ILMs were activated in a graded manner at various combinations as transglottal airflow was gradually increased. Aerodynamic and glottal posture parameters were measured at phonation onset.
RESULTS
Graded RLN stimulation decreased glottal distance and increased P . Thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle activation alone increased P . Lateral cricoarytenoid (LCA) muscle activation alone had minimal effects. However, graded TA activation as a function of LCA activation level revealed a synergistic relationship between the two muscles in increasing P . Effects of CT activation were dependent on adductor stimulation level: CT activation increased P at low RLN stimulation levels and decreased P at high RLN levels.
CONCLUSIONS
The effects of ILM activation on P were consistent with their expected effects on vocal fold stiffness and tension. TA was the primary adductor controlling P . While LCA alone had minimal effects on P , it enhanced the role of TA in controlling P . TA and CT have antagonistic roles in controlling P . These relationships should be considered in clinical efforts to improve ease of phonation and vocal efficiency.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
NA, basic science Laryngoscope, 132:1427-1432, 2022.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Electric Stimulation; Glottis; Humans; Laryngeal Muscles; Phonation; Vocal Cords
PubMed: 34784055
DOI: 10.1002/lary.29944 -
Archives of Women's Mental Health Oct 2021There is strong evidence that engaging with music can improve our health and well-being. Music-based interventions, approaches and practices, such as group music-making... (Review)
Review
There is strong evidence that engaging with music can improve our health and well-being. Music-based interventions, approaches and practices, such as group music-making (singing or playing musical instruments), listening to music and music therapy, have all been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Although the existing literature needs expanding, mounting evidence suggests that music-based interventions, approaches and practices may help support maternal mental health prenatally and postnatally. The purpose of this descriptive overview is to provide a broad view of this area by bringing together examples of research across different practices and research disciplines. Selected evidence is examined, showing how music-based interventions, approaches and practices can reduce labour anxiety and pain, anxiety symptoms in pregnancy, postnatal depression symptoms and support maternal-infant bonding. The examined research includes single studies and reviews that use both qualitative and quantitative methods. Drawing on animal and human models, the effect of music on foetal behaviour and various possible biological, psychological and social mechanisms are discussed. The potential preventive effect of music-based interventions, approaches and practices and their possible use across different cultures are also considered. Overall, we highlight how music, employed in a variety of ways, may support perinatal mental health with the aim of stimulating more interest and research in this area.
Topics: Anxiety; Female; Humans; Mental Health; Music; Music Therapy; Pregnancy; Singing
PubMed: 34453597
DOI: 10.1007/s00737-021-01178-5 -
Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal Jul 2020
Topics: Cheek; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Medical Illustration; Middle Aged; Mucositis; Palate, Soft; Pharyngeal Diseases; Pharynx; Plasma Cells; Singing
PubMed: 31072192
DOI: 10.1177/0145561319849001