Capsule release surgery temporarily reduces contracture in a rat elbow model of arthrofibrosis.

Elbow trauma can lead to joint contracture and reduced range of motion (ROM). Nonsurgical interventions can improve ROM, but in some cases capsule release surgery is required. Although surgery can improve ROM, it often does not restore full ROM.

Computed tomography in measuring electrode insertion angle and depth for cricopharyngeal muscle electromyography.

Background: Electromyography of the cricopharyngeal muscle (CP-EMG) is one of many assessment tools for dysphagia. The key to performing EMG and BTX injections is to precisely locate the cricopharyngeal muscle with an electrode. One of the main difficulties of electrode insertion is the fact that the CP muscle is located deep within the neck.

Force-Bioreactor for Assessing Pharmacological Therapies for Mechanobiological Targets.

Tissue fibrosis is a major health issue that impacts millions of people and is costly to treat. However, few effective anti-fibrotic treatments are available. Due to their central role in fibrotic tissue deposition, fibroblasts and myofibroblasts are the target of many therapeutic strategies centered primarily on either inducing apoptosis or blocking mechanical or biochemical stimulation that leads to excessive collagen production.

The Influence of Voice Training on Vocal Learners' Supraglottal Activities and Aerodynamic Evaluation.

Objective: Among music majors with only 18 months of training, supraglottal activities and aerodynamic parameters were studied to facilitate understanding of the influence of voice training on characteristics of voice production.

Methods: Twenty-three students at the Xiamen Music School were examined over the course of 18 months of singing training. Only 17 students completed all data collection sessions.

Relationship between short-term and mid-term hearing outcomes after stapedotomy in patients with otosclerosis: an investigation.

Background: Although stapedotomy is effective for patients with clinical otosclerosis, the time of hearing stabilization has not yet been consistent.

Objective: To investigate the relationships between post-operative follow-up times, hearing outcomes, and threshold shift after stapedotomy.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-five patients with clinical otosclerosis that underwent stapedotomy were retrospectively studied.

Spectral arc length as a method to quantify pharyngeal high-resolution manometric curve smoothness.

Background: Pharyngeal high-resolution manometry (HRM) has emerged over the last decade as a valuable assessment tool for oropharyngeal dysphagia. Data analysis thus far has focused primarily on measures of pressure and duration within key anatomic regions. We apply spectral arc length (SPARC), a dimensionless metric for quantifying smoothness felt to indirectly reflect neuromuscular coordination, as a new method of describing manometric curves.

The Influence of Voice Training on Vocal Learner's Objective Acoustic Voice Components.

Objective: Acoustic parameters of voice were studied in music majors throughout 18 months of training to understand the influence of voice training on voice.

Methods: Twenty-three students from Xiamen Music School between 12 and 15 years old were enrolled. Acoustic examination was performed three times- every 6 months for 18 months.

Age and Sex Comparison of Aerodynamic Phonation Measurements Using Noninvasive Assessment.

Purpose The goal of this study was to present vocal aerodynamic measurements from pediatric and adult participant pools. There are a number of anatomical changes involving the larynx and vocal folds that occur as children age and become adults. Data were collected using two methods of noninvasive aerodynamic assessment: mechanical interruption and labial interruption.

To Explore the Changes and Differences of Microstructure of Vocal Fold in Vocal Fold Paralysis and Cricoarytenoid Joint Dislocation by Diffusion Tensor Imaging.

Objective: The diffusion characteristics of water molecules were measured in the vocal folds of canines exhibiting unilateral vocal fold paralysis and unilateral cricoarytenoid joint dislocation. These characteristics were used in conjunction with a histological examination of the microstructural changes of vocal fold muscle fibers to explore the feasibility of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in distinguishing unilateral vocal fold paralysis and unilateral cricoarytenoid joint dislocation as well as evaluating microstructural changes.

Methods: Ten beagles were randomly divided into three groups: four in the unilateral vocal fold paralysis group, four in the unilateral cricoarytenoid joint dislocation group, and two in the normal group.

Study of spatiotemporal liquid dynamics in a vibrating vocal fold by using a self-oscillating poroelastic model.

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the spatiotemporal interstitial fluid dynamics in a vibrating vocal fold. A self-oscillating poroelastic model is proposed to study the liquid dynamics in the vibrating vocal folds by treating the vocal fold tissue as a transversally isotropic, fluid-saturated, porous material. Rich spatiotemporal liquid dynamics have been found.

Simulation of Pediatric Endoscopic Cricoid Reduction and Expansion.

Endoscopic cricoid expansion and reduction are newer approaches to the management of pediatric bilateral vocal fold immobility and postlaryngotracheal reconstruction glottic insufficiency, respectively. These procedures offer a less invasive, endoscopic alternative to procedures that typically required open management with a more prolonged recovery. These technically demanding procedures are currently performed only in select centers, and there is no currently described training model for practicing them.

Retest Reliability for Complete Airway Interruption Systems of Aerodynamic Measurement.

Introduction: Measures of subglottal pressure (Ps), phonation threshold pressure (PTP), and laryngeal resistance (LR) can be used as indicators of vocal cord disorders. The gold standard non-invasive measurement uses labial interruption, which has been shown to have reliability inconsistencies. Mechanical interruption methods have demonstrated promise in measurement reliability.

The Therapeutic Effects of Straw Phonation on Vocal Fatigue.

Objectives: Straw phonation has been investigated for its vocal warm-up effects on healthy populations and therapeutic effects on voice patients. The purpose of this article was to determine whether it is beneficial for vocal fatigue.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study METHODS: Twenty-five healthy participants were recruited into 1-hour vocal loading tasks followed by 10-minute vocal rest or straw phonation on 2 different days.

Evaluation of Diffusional Characteristics and Microstructure in Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging.

Objective: To investigate the value of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in the evaluation of vocal fold tissue microstructure after recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury.

Methods: Six canines were divided into 2 groups: a unilateral vocal fold paralysis group (n = 4) and a control group (n 2). The RLN was cut in the unilateral vocal fold paralysis group, and no intervention was applied in the control group.

Effects of Varying Lengths and Diameters During Straw Phonation on an Excised Canine Model.

Objective/background: Straw phonation, a well-established method of vocal exercise, started over 100 years ago. However, some of the most basic questions about best practices remain including the ideal extension length and the ideal restriction (semiocclusion) diameter. This study aims to help answer these questions by looking at both separately, with all other variables controlled.

Measurement Reliability of Laryngeal Resistance and Mean Flow Rate in Pediatric Subjects.

Objective: Mean flow rate (MFR) and laryngeal resistance (R) are sensitive to changes in glottal configuration and biomechanics. There is little reported on aerodynamic parameters in children. We conducted a pilot study to evaluate MFR and R measurement reliability in a pediatric population using labial and mechanical interruption methods.

Effects of a simulated system of straw phonation on the complete phonatory range of excised canine larynges.

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of straw phonation therapy on the aerodynamic and acoustic parameters of the vocal folds at different levels of elongation and subglottal pressure.

Methods: 20 excised canine larynges were used in both experimental (straw phonation therapy simulation) and control conditions. Aerodynamic parameters, including phonation threshold pressure (PTP), phonation instability pressure (PIP), phonation pressure range (PPR), phonation threshold flow (PTF), phonation instability flow (PIF), phonation flow range (PFR), were obtained at different levels of vocal fold elongation (0%, 10%, 20%).

Establishment of a novel and effective reflux laryngitis model in rabbits: a preliminary study.

Purpose: To establish a novel and effective reflux model with a modified nasogastric aspiration tube and to investigate the association between different types of nasogastric aspiration tubes and reflux laryngitis, we conducted this study.

Methods: Thirty-eight healthy New Zealand albino rabbits (2.5-3.

The effects of cryotherapy on vocal fold healing in a rabbit model.

Objectives/hypothesis: Cryotherapy has been shown to be a scarless treatment modality for dermal lesions; however, there are limited data addressing the effect of cryotherapy on vocal fold tissue. The aim of this study was to clarify the effectiveness of cryotherapy for prevention of postsurgical vocal fold scarring.

Study Design: Prospective animal study in rabbits.

Measurement reliability of phonation threshold pressure in pediatric subjects.

Objectives/hypothesis: Phonation threshold pressure (PTP), the minimum subglottal pressure (P ) required for phonation, is sensitive to changes in laryngeal biomechanics and is often elevated with pathology. Little is reported on PTP in children; challenges with task performance and measurement reliability represent barriers to routine clinical assessment.

Study Design: Pilot study evaluating PTP and P measurement reliability in children using labial and mechanical interruption.

Wound-healing effects of 635-nm low-level laser therapy on primary human vocal fold epithelial cells: an in vitro study.

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been promoted for its beneficial effects on tissue healing and pain relief for skin and oral applications. However, there is no corresponding literature reporting on vocal fold wound healing. Our purpose was to assess the potential wound-healing effects of LLLT on primary human vocal fold epithelial cells (VFECs).

Prolonged phonation impairs the integrity and barrier function of porcine vocal fold epithelium: a preliminary study.

Purpose: Voice abuse is known to be a common risk factor of voice disorders and prolonged; high-intensity phonation has been shown to damage the vocal fold epithelium. We aim to evaluate the effects of phonation on the integrity and barrier function of vocal fold epithelium using a porcine laryngeal model.

Methods: Ex vivo porcine larynges were phonated at low intensity or high intensity for 15, 30, or 60 min within 4 h after harvest.

Comparing the Exposure-Response Relationships of Physiological and Traditional Vocal Warm-ups on Aerodynamic and Acoustic Parameters in Untrained Singers.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of traditional and physiological warm-up exercises and to determine the optimal duration of these methods using acoustic and aerodynamic metrics.

Methods: Twenty-six subjects were recruited to participate in both straw phonation exercises (physiological vocal warm-up) and traditional singing exercises (traditional vocal warm-up) for 20 minutes each, 24 hours apart. Phonation threshold pressure (PTP), fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, and noise-to-harmonics ratio were measured before the intervention (m0), as well as after 5 minutes (m5), 10 minutes (m10), 15 minutes (m15), and 20 minutes (m20) of intervention.

The Finite Element Simulation of the Upper Airway of Patients with Moderate and Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome.

Objectives: To investigate the snoring modes of patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome and to discover the main sources of snoring in soft tissue vibrations.

Methods: A three-dimensional finite element model was developed with SolidEdge to simulate the human upper airway. The inherent modal simulation was conducted to obtain the frequencies and the corresponding shapes of the soft tissue vibrations.