-
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... Jun 2024Exposure to noise by generation of free radicals causes oxidative stress in body. The aim of this study was the evaluation of oxidative stress in workers who have used...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Exposure to noise by generation of free radicals causes oxidative stress in body. The aim of this study was the evaluation of oxidative stress in workers who have used hearing protection devices during working time.
MATERIAL AND METHOD
Pressing workers (n=24) of a home appliance industry were studied using hearing protection devices to reduce noise exposure. Twenty two office staff (without exposure to noise) were considered as a control group. Two groups were matched for age, work experience and smoking. Exposure to noise was measured by dosimeter method at workstations. By obtaining 3 ml blood sample, Malondialdehyde levels, Thiol groups and total antioxidant capacity were evaluated in all subjects.
RESULTS
Exposure to sound pressure level in pressing workers by considering the noise reduction factor of the earplug was observed in 77.65 dB with minimum 75.1 dB and Maximum 81.22 dB. Plasma thiol groups (0.076 (0.041-0.119) vs (0.110 (0.076-0.197), mmol/l P =0.0001) and total antioxidant capacity (361.33± 54.65 vs 414.14± 96.82, µmol/ml P = 0.026) in pressing workers significantly decreased than control group. Pearson correlation showed significant results between exposure to noise and oxidative stress parameters.
CONCLUSION
Exposure to noise wave cause oxidative stress in different site of body. Oxidative stress is an intermediate way for different disease due to noise exposure. Reducing of noise exposure by earplug in pressing workers is not efficient protection for oxidative stress generation. Therefore, hearing protection devices are not a barrier to the harmful effects of noise in occupational exposure.
Topics: Humans; Oxidative Stress; Occupational Exposure; Adult; Male; Noise, Occupational; Case-Control Studies; Ear Protective Devices; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced; Antioxidants; Middle Aged; Follow-Up Studies; Malondialdehyde; Female; Occupational Diseases; Industry; Prognosis
PubMed: 38918653
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.6.1929 -
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... Jun 2024Iodine intake can affect thyroid and breast cells, and urinary iodine concentration (UIC) is an effective biomarker for iodine intake.
UNLABELLED
Iodine intake can affect thyroid and breast cells, and urinary iodine concentration (UIC) is an effective biomarker for iodine intake.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to analyze the correlation between urinary iodine concentration in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and breast cancer (BC) subjects.
METHODS
The study consisted of 80 subjects divided into case (20 DTC and 20 BC subjects) and control (40 subjects). Morning urine or spot urine was used for UIC measurement.
RESULTS
In thyroid cancer, UIC median patients and controls were 195.45 ± 133.61 µg/L and 145 ± 39.64 µg/L, respectively, with p =0.33. The UIC median of PTC subjects was significantly higher compared to FTC subjects, 227.12±130.98 μg/L versus 68.75±22.95 μg/L, p=0.00, and papillary thyroid cancer is closely related to a high iodine excretion in urine with contingency coefficient (c)=0.722. In BC patients, regardless of subtypes, breast cancer subjects showed a significantly lower iodine excretion level. The median of UIC patients and controls were 80.05 ± 38.24 µg/L and 144.25 ± 36.79 µg/L, respectively, p=0.000.
CONCLUSIONS
Iodine urine concentrations strongly correlate with the type of DTC histopathology, and in BC subjects, IUC was significantly lower compared to the control.
Topics: Humans; Female; Iodine; Thyroid Neoplasms; Breast Neoplasms; Case-Control Studies; Middle Aged; Adult; Prognosis; Male; Follow-Up Studies; Carcinoma, Papillary; Adenocarcinoma, Follicular; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary
PubMed: 38918646
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.6.1869 -
BMC Cancer Jun 2024Psychosocial factors and socioeconomic status have been associated with incidence, survival, and quality of life among patients with head and neck cancer. We...
BACKGROUND
Psychosocial factors and socioeconomic status have been associated with incidence, survival, and quality of life among patients with head and neck cancer. We investigated the association between different psychosocial factors, socioeconomic status, and patient delays in T3-T4 oral, oropharyngeal, and laryngeal cancer.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We conducted a nationwide prospective questionnaire-based study (n = 203) over a 3-year period.
RESULTS
We found no association between psychosocial factors (depression, social isolation, loneliness, and cynical hostility) and patient delay. Depression was three times more common among head and neck cancer patients compared with the general Finnish population. Head and neck cancer patients had lower educational levels and employment status, and were more often current smokers and heavy drinkers.
CONCLUSIONS
Although we found no association between patient delay and psychosocial factors, patients diagnosed with a large head and neck cancer appeared to have a lower socioeconomic status and higher risk for developing depression, which should be considered in clinical practice.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Laryngeal Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Oropharyngeal Neoplasms; Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Prospective Studies; Depression; Mouth Neoplasms; Adult; Quality of Life; Finland; Social Class; Neoplasm Staging; Socioeconomic Factors; Time-to-Treatment
PubMed: 38914952
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12517-x -
Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal Jun 2024Myhre syndrome (MS) is a rare genetic condition that presents with multiple genetic anomalies including cleft lip and palate and Eustachian tube dysfunction. These...
Myhre syndrome (MS) is a rare genetic condition that presents with multiple genetic anomalies including cleft lip and palate and Eustachian tube dysfunction. These patients are at a high risk for airway scarring from intubation and mucosal inflammation. Hearing loss (conductive or mixed, of varying severity) is a common comorbidity in these patients, the exact etiology of which is still unclear. We present the cases of 2 unrelated children with MS who suffered progressive mixed hearing loss from fibrosis and obliteration of the middle ear spaces. Both patients had multiple sets of ear tubes that demonstrated early extrusion. The older patient underwent bone conduction implantation at age 11 which resulted in dramatic improvement of speech recognition and interactive skills. The other younger patient demonstrates a similar trajectory but has not yet undergone implantation. Otolaryngologists should take a cautious approach to surgery of the eardrum and middle ear to avoid unnecessary induction of fibrosis in this susceptible patient population. These cases highlight a newly described etiology for hearing loss and suggest a benefit to bone conduction implantation.
PubMed: 38907583
DOI: 10.1177/01455613241256474 -
Acta Neuropathologica Communications Jun 2024Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is caused by loss of function variants in the NF1 gene. Most patients with NF1 develop skin lesions called cutaneous neurofibromas (cNFs)....
snRNA-seq of human cutaneous neurofibromas before and after selumetinib treatment implicates role of altered Schwann cell states, inter-cellular signaling, and extracellular matrix in treatment response.
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is caused by loss of function variants in the NF1 gene. Most patients with NF1 develop skin lesions called cutaneous neurofibromas (cNFs). Currently the only approved therapeutic for NF1 is selumetinib, a mitogen -activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitor. The purpose of this study was to analyze the transcriptome of cNF tumors before and on selumetinib treatment to understand both tumor composition and response. We obtained biopsy sets of tumors both pre- and on- selumetinib treatment from the same individuals and were able to collect sets from four separate individuals. We sequenced mRNA from 5844 nuclei and identified 30,442 genes in the untreated group and sequenced 5701 nuclei and identified 30,127 genes in the selumetinib treated group. We identified and quantified distinct populations of cells (Schwann cells, fibroblasts, pericytes, myeloid cells, melanocytes, keratinocytes, and two populations of endothelial cells). While we anticipated that cell proportions might change with treatment, we did not identify any one cell population that changed significantly, likely due to an inherent level of variability between tumors. We also evaluated differential gene expression based on drug treatment in each cell type. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) was also used to identify pathways that differ on treatment. As anticipated, we identified a significant decrease in ERK/MAPK signaling in cells including Schwann cells but most specifically in myeloid cells. Interestingly, there is a significant decrease in opioid signaling in myeloid and endothelial cells; this downward trend is also observed in Schwann cells and fibroblasts. Cell communication was assessed by RNA velocity, Scriabin, and CellChat analyses which indicated that Schwann cells and fibroblasts have dramatically altered cell states defined by specific gene expression signatures following treatment (RNA velocity). There are dramatic changes in receptor-ligand pairs following treatment (Scriabin), and robust intercellular signaling between virtually all cell types associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) pathways (Collagen, Laminin, Fibronectin, and Nectin) is downregulated after treatment. These response specific gene signatures and interaction pathways could provide clues for understanding treatment outcomes or inform future therapies.
Topics: Humans; Schwann Cells; Skin Neoplasms; Benzimidazoles; Extracellular Matrix; Signal Transduction; Neurofibroma; Female; Male; RNA-Seq; Middle Aged; Adult; Neurofibromatosis 1; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Transcriptome
PubMed: 38907342
DOI: 10.1186/s40478-024-01821-z -
Noise & HealthOtitis media (OM) refers to a common clinical ear disease. Noise seriously damages human hearing function. This study aimed to investigate the effects of various noise...
BACKGROUND
Otitis media (OM) refers to a common clinical ear disease. Noise seriously damages human hearing function. This study aimed to investigate the effects of various noise types on the hearing function of patients who have recovered from mild OM.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 160 patients with mild OM treated at our hospital from May 2020 to May 2023 were retrospectively selected for this study. Based on clinical data, the patients were divided into the non-noise group (n = 80) and the noise (n = 80) group. The hearing thresholds of the two groups were compared across various noise types at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz. In addition, the hearing thresholds of the noise group were compared under the same conditions.
RESULTS
The noise group exhibited significantly higher hearing thresholds at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz than the non-noise group (P < 0.05). Under traffic, urban construction, and industrial noises, the auditory thresholds at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz in the noise group were significantly higher than those observed under domestic and speech noises (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Noise shows a close relationship with the hearing function of patients with OM. Traffic, urban construction, and industrial noises greatly influence the hearing function of patients who have recovered from mild OM.
Topics: Humans; Otitis Media; Male; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Auditory Threshold; Noise; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced; Aged
PubMed: 38904828
DOI: 10.4103/nah.nah_6_24 -
Noise & HealthDigital noise reduction (DNR) minimizes the effect of noise on speech signals by continuously monitoring frequency bands in the presence of noise. In the present study,...
AIMS
Digital noise reduction (DNR) minimizes the effect of noise on speech signals by continuously monitoring frequency bands in the presence of noise. In the present study, we explored the effect of DNR technology on speech intelligibility in individuals using hearing aids (HAs) and investigated implications for daily use.
METHODS AND MATERIAL
Eighteen participants with bilateral moderate sensorineural hearing loss (aged 16-45 years) were included. Bilateral receiver-in-the-ear HAs were fitted in the participants. The adaptive and nonadaptive (with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of +5 and -5 dB, respectively) Turkish matrix sentence test (TURMatrix) in noise and free-field hearing assessments, including hearing thresholds with hearing aids, speech recognition thresholds (SRT), and speech discrimination scores, were conducted in two different conditions: HA in the DNR-on and DNR-off conditions.
RESULTS
No significant difference was observed between free-field hearing assessments with the HA in the DNR-off and DNR-on conditions (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the adaptive and nonadaptive TURMatrix revealed significant differences between the scores under the DNR-on and DNR-off conditions (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, under the DNR-on condition, there was no correlation between free-field hearing assessments with HA and TURMatrix results (P > 0.05). However, a significant correlation was observed between SRT scores with HA and TURMatrix scores (adaptive and nonadaptive, +5 and -5 dB SNR, respectively) under the DNR-off condition (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Our study findings suggest that DNR can improve speech intelligibility in noisy environments. Therefore, DNR can enhance an individual's auditory comfort by improving their capacity to grasp speech in background noise.
Topics: Humans; Hearing Aids; Adult; Noise; Male; Middle Aged; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Female; Young Adult; Adolescent; Speech Intelligibility; Signal-To-Noise Ratio; Auditory Threshold; Speech Perception; Speech Reception Threshold Test
PubMed: 38904826
DOI: 10.4103/nah.nah_67_23 -
Noise & HealthPresbycusis can be mediated by the effects of inflammatory processes on the auditory system, and these aging biological mechanisms remain poorly studied.
CONTEXT
Presbycusis can be mediated by the effects of inflammatory processes on the auditory system, and these aging biological mechanisms remain poorly studied.
AIMS
The aim of this study was to determine whether plasma biomarkers are associated with hearing disorders caused by aging in the elderly.
SETTINGS AND DESIGN
Cross-sectional study with 106 participants in the Active Aging Project, 93 (88%) females and 13 (12%) males, with an average age of 70 years.
METHODS AND MATERIAL
Audiological evaluation was performed with pure tone audiometry and collection of peripheral blood for the measurement of plasma levels of interleukins 2, 4, 6, and 10, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ by means of flow cytometry.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED
The SPSS (v.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA) was used for the analysis of the data obtained. For all data analyzed, the significance level adopted was P < 0.05 and 95% confidence interval.
RESULTS
There were statistically significant correlations between male and IL-2 (P = 0.031; rs = 0.210), mean II of the right ear (P = 0.004; rs = 0.279), longer in years (P = 0.002; rs = 0.307) and in hours (P = 0.004; rs = 0.281) of noise exposure also in males.
CONCLUSIONS
In the present study, there was an association between the male gender and higher plasma levels of IL-2, an increase in the average hearing in the right ear, and greater time in years and hours of exposure to noise. There was a predominance of mild sensorineural hearing loss and worsening of hearing related to age, characteristics of presbycusis.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Interleukin-2; Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Biomarkers; Presbycusis; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Interferon-gamma; Middle Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging
PubMed: 38904818
DOI: 10.4103/nah.nah_3_23 -
Ugeskrift For Laeger Jun 2024Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) is an infection with the Varicella Zoster virus in the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve. The syndrome consists of a triad of peripheral...
Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) is an infection with the Varicella Zoster virus in the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve. The syndrome consists of a triad of peripheral facial nerve palsy, ear pain and concurrent zoster rash in the ear canal. However, vesicles in the mouth can be seen. A rare complication of RHS is viral meningitis. This is a case report of a patient with orally manifested RHS and concurrent asymptomatic viral meningitis. This case aims to raise awareness of RHS with atypical presentation and concurrent viral meningitis and, thereby, the importance of a thorough neurological examination.
Topics: Humans; Herpes Zoster Oticus; Meningitis, Viral; Male; Female; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38903036
DOI: 10.61409/V02240092 -
NPJ Digital Medicine Jun 2024Middle-ear conditions are common causes of primary care visits, hearing impairment, and inappropriate antibiotic use. Deep learning (DL) may assist clinicians in...
Middle-ear conditions are common causes of primary care visits, hearing impairment, and inappropriate antibiotic use. Deep learning (DL) may assist clinicians in interpreting otoscopic images. This study included patients over 5 years old from an ambulatory ENT practice in Strasbourg, France, between 2013 and 2020. Digital otoscopic images were obtained using a smartphone-attached otoscope (Smart Scope, Karl Storz, Germany) and labeled by a senior ENT specialist across 11 diagnostic classes (reference standard). An Inception-v2 DL model was trained using 41,664 otoscopic images, and its diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by calculating class-specific estimates of sensitivity and specificity. The model was then incorporated into a smartphone app called i-Nside. The DL model was evaluated on a validation set of 3,962 images and a held-out test set comprising 326 images. On the validation set, all class-specific estimates of sensitivity and specificity exceeded 98%. On the test set, the DL model achieved a sensitivity of 99.0% (95% confidence interval: 94.5-100) and a specificity of 95.2% (91.5-97.6) for the binary classification of normal vs. abnormal images; wax plugs were detected with a sensitivity of 100% (94.6-100) and specificity of 97.7% (95.0-99.1); other class-specific estimates of sensitivity and specificity ranged from 33.3% to 92.3% and 96.0% to 100%, respectively. We present an end-to-end DL-enabled system able to achieve expert-level diagnostic accuracy for identifying normal tympanic aspects and wax plugs within digital otoscopic images. However, the system's performance varied for other middle-ear conditions. Further prospective validation is necessary before wider clinical deployment.
PubMed: 38902477
DOI: 10.1038/s41746-024-01159-9