Describing the Cellular Impact of IQOS™ Smoke Extract and Vibration on Human Vocal Fold Fibroblasts.

Objectives: The isolated or combined effects of vibration and smoke extract (SE) from the IQOS™ "heat-not-burn" technology on human vocal fold fibroblasts (hVFF) were evaluated in an in vitro setting in order to elucidate their influence on vocal fold (patho-) physiology.

Study Design: Experimental pilot study using intervention with IQOS™-SE in vitro.

Methods: Immortalized hVFF were exposed to IQOS™-SE or control medium under static or vibrational conditions.

Vocal fold fibroblasts and exposure to vibration in vitro: Does sex matter?

Studies have shown that certain vocal fold pathologies are more common in one sex than the other. This is often explained by differences in the composition of the lamina propria and anatomical differences between female and male vocal folds, resulting in e.g.

Bilateral Functional Electrical Stimulation for the Treatment of Presbyphonia in a Sheep Model.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to increase muscle volume and improve phonation characteristics of the aged ovine larynx by functional electrical stimulation (FES) using a minimally invasive surgical procedure.

Methods: Stimulation electrodes were placed bilaterally near the terminal adduction branch of the recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLN). The electrodes were connected to battery powered pulse generators implanted subcutaneously at the neck region.

Effect of functional electric stimulation on phonation in an ex vivo aged ovine model.

With age, the atrophy of the thyroarytenoid muscle (TAM), and thus atrophy of the vocal folds, leads to decreased glottal closure, increased breathiness, and a loss in voice quality, which results in a reduced quality of life. A method to counteract the atrophy of the TAM is to induce hypertrophy in the muscle by functional electric stimulation (FES). In this study, phonation experiments were performed with ex vivo larynges of six stimulated and six unstimulated ten-year-old sheep to investigate the impact of FES on phonation.

In vitro mechanical vibration down-regulates pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic signaling in human vocal fold fibroblasts.

Introduction: Voice rest following phonotrauma or phonosurgery has a considerable clinical impact, but clinical recommendations are inconsistent due to inconclusive data. As biopsies of the vocal folds (VF) for molecular biology studies in humans are unethical, we established a new in vitro model to explore the effects of vibration on human vocal fold fibroblasts (hVFF) in an inflammatory and normal state, which is based on previously published models.

Methods: By using a phonomimetic bioreactor we were able to apply predefined vibrational stress patterns on hVFF cultured under inflammatory or normal conditions.

Exploring the Pathophysiology of Reinke's Edema: The Cellular Impact of Cigarette Smoke and Vibration.

Objectives: To explore the isolated or combined effects of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and vibration on human vocal fold fibroblasts (hVFF) in an in vitro setting in order to elucidate their influence in the pathophysiology of Reinke's edema (RE).

Study Design: Immortalized hVFF were exposed to CSE or control medium under static or vibrational conditions. A phonomimetic bioreactor was used to deliver vibrational patterns to hVFF over a period of 5 days.

Juvenile Ovine Ex Vivo Larynges: Phonatory, Histologic, and Micro CT Based Anatomic Analyses.

It is well known that the phonatory process changes during the life span. However, detailed investigations on potential factors concerned are rare. To deal with this issue, we performed extended biomechanical, macro anatomical, and histological analyses of the contributing laryngeal structures in ex vivo juvenile sheep models.

Development and validation of a novel phonomimetic bioreactor.

Vocal fold fibroblasts (VFF) constitute the main cell type of the vocal fold's lamina propria, produce the extracellular matrix and thereby determine the tissue characteristics. To study VFF behavior under in vitro conditions it is important to mimic the dynamic environment of the in vivo state. The aim of our study was to develop and validate a novel phonomimetic bioreactor system mainly based on commercially available components.

Functional Electrical Stimulation Leads to Increased Volume of the Aged Thyroarytenoid Muscle.

Objectives/hypothesis: To reverse sarcopenia and increase the volumes of atrophied laryngeal muscles by functional electrical stimulation (FES) using a minimal invasive surgical procedure in an aged ovine model.

Study Design: Prospective animal study.

Methods: A stimulation electrode was placed unilaterally near the terminal adduction branch of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) adjacent to the right cricothyroid joint.

Phonation Analysis Combined with 3D Reconstruction of the Thyroarytenoid Muscle in Aged Ovine Ex Vivo Larynx Models.

Objective: The aim of the study was to establish a basic data set of combined functional and anatomical measures of aged sheep larynges using ex vivo models. Combining these two approaches in one and the same larynx is an unmet goal so far yet is important as newer treatment strategies aim to preserve the organ structure and new assessment tools are required. Ovine larynges were used as their dimensions, and muscle fiber type distribution highly resemble the human larynx.

Correction: Reversing Age Related Changes of the Laryngeal Muscles by Chronic Electrostimulation of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Reversing Age Related Changes of the Laryngeal Muscles by Chronic Electrostimulation of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve.

Age related atrophy of the laryngeal muscles -mainly the thyroarytenoid muscle (TAM)- leads to a glottal gap and consequently to a hoarse and dysphonic voice that significantly affects quality of life. The aim of our study was to reverse this atrophy by inducing muscular hypertrophy by unilateral functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) in a large animal model using aged sheep (n = 5). Suitable stimulation parameters were determined by fatiguing experiments of the thyroarytenoid muscle in an acute trial.

Subjective and objective parameters in the evaluation of radiofrequency ablation of the inferior turbinate do not correlate: A pilot study.

Inferior turbinate hypertrophy is a common cause of nasal obstruction. We conducted a prospective study to correlate subjective and objective parameters in assessing the effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Our initial study population was made up of 10 patients who presented with nasal obstruction; 1 patient was lost to follow-up, leaving us with 7 women and 2 men, aged 26 to 65 years (mean: 37.

Subjective and objective vocal parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Introduction: Despite the relatively high prevalence of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affecting up to 15% of all women of reproductive age, only little is known about vocal changes related to this endocrinologic disorder that is characterized by biochemical or clinical hyperandrogenism, impaired cycles, and/or polycystic ovaries. The aim of our study was to describe objective and subjective vocal changes in women with a diagnosed PCOS compared with a control group.

Materials And Methods: Our study group comprised 34 women-24 cases with confirmed PCOS and 10 controls in whom PCOS was excluded.

Analysis of forces applied during microlaryngoscopy: a descriptive study.

Microlaryngoscopic interventions are part of daily clinical routine in modern laryngology. In most cases, fulcrum-based laryngoscopy is performed, where endolaryngeal structures are exposed by laryngoscopes of different sizes and kinds. Aim of our study was to describe forces appearing during microlaryngoscopy (MLX) as well as parameters influencing easiness of exposure and given gender differences.