Long-term effect of transcranial direct current stimulation in the treatment of chronic tinnitus: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Introduction: Tinnitus is an intrusive and chronic illness affecting a significant portion of the population, decreasing affected individuals' quality of life and socioeconomic functioning. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulatory method utilizing weak electrical currents to elicit short and long-term central nervous system changes. Several studies have proven its effect on tinnitus.

Results of stapedotomy in otosclerosis with severe and profound hearing loss.

Objective: To evaluate the technical and functional results of 144 stapedotomies in patients with severe to profound hearing loss (SPHL) and to compare the success rate in this group with that of 1001 primary stapedotomies for mild to moderate hearing loss (MMHL).

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Tertiary referral centre.

Bilateral hearing results of 751 unilateral stapedotomies evaluated with the Glasgow benefit plot.

Aims: We aimed to evaluate bilateral hearing function in patients undergoing primary unilateral stapedotomy, according to the 1995 American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery guidelines and the Glasgow benefit plot. We also aimed to analyse the effect of pre-operative hearing impairment type on post-stapedotomy hearing.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

The Markham-Stouffville hospital experience with malleovestibulopexy.

Objective: To analyze the hearing results of malleovestibulopexy (MVP) technique in the special situations encountered in revision stapedotomies and congenital middle ear malformations.

Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Tertiary referral stapes surgery center, community hospital.

Functional results of 394 bilateral stapedotomies evaluated with the Glasgow Benefit Plot.

This study aimed to evaluate the results of 394 bilateral stapedotomies according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) guidelines and with the Glasgow Benefit Plot (GBP) and also analyze the benefit of a second-ear stapedotomy in achievement of normal and symmetrical hearing using retrospective chart review. The charts of 1,369 stapedotomies performed by senior author (J.H.

Hearing results of stapedotomy and malleo-vestibulopexy in congenital hearing loss.

Aims: To analyze hearing results of surgical treatment of hearing loss associated with the congenital stapes ankylosis with or without malformations of ossicular chain.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: The charts of 1369 stapedotomies performed by senior author (JH) from 1991 to 2006 were reviewed.

Hearing results of 1145 stapedotomies evaluated with Amsterdam hearing evaluation plots.

Aims: To evaluate the hearing results of a large series of primary stapedotomies, according to American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery guidelines and Amsterdam hearing evaluation plots.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: The charts for 1369 consecutive stapedotomy cases were reviewed; 1145 cases of primary stapedotomy were included.

Argon laser assisted small fenestra stapedotomy for otosclerosis.

To report and analyse our results and complications of argon laser assisted stapedotomy for primary otosclerosis. A retrospective analysis of 135 consecutive cases of primary otosclerosis operated by the senior author (JH) has been performed. The air-bone gap was calculated by using the pure tone average at 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz.

Formation of trans-verbenol and verbenone from alpha-pinene catalysed by immobilised Picea abies cells.

Both enantiomers and the racemate of alpha-pinene were transformed by Picea abies cells immobilised on alginate. The main products were cis- and trans-verbenol, the later being further transformed to verbenone. The enantiomeric purity of each product more or less corresponded to that of the substrate.

Ten-year experience with percutaneous bone-anchored hearing aids: a 3- to 10-year follow-up Markham Stouffville Hospital, 1990 to 2000.

Patients with bilateral conductive hearing losses continue to be a source of frustration for both otologists and audiologists. Efforts to rehabilitate their hearing have included medical and surgical treatment, as well as the use of conventional hearing aids and, less frequently, conventional bone-conduction hearing aids. In the late 1980s, a percutaneous bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) developed by Dr.

Charged-particle multiplicity near midrapidity in central Au+Au collisions at sqrt[SNN]=56 and 130 GeV.

We present the first measurement of pseudorapidity densities of primary charged particles near midrapidity in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 56 and 130 GeV. For the most central collisions, we find the charged-particle pseudorapidity density to be dN/deta|(|eta|<1) = 408+/-12(stat)+/-30(syst) at 56 GeV and 555+/-12(stat)+/-35(syst) at 130 GeV, values that are higher than any previously observed in nuclear collisions. Compared to proton-antiproton collisions, our data show an increase in the pseudorapidity density per participant by more than 40% at the higher energy.

Bone conduction implants: transcutaneous vs. percutaneous.

Clinical experience with transcutaneous bone conduction implants has demonstrated that they are most beneficial for patients with purely conductive hearing loss in at least one ear. Percutaneous bone conduction implants, however, have been reported to provide adequate benefit for patients with mixed hearing loss with bone conduction pure-tone averages up to 45 dB HL (Tjellstrom, 1989). The results of 24 Xomed Audiant osseointegrated bone conduction hearing devices (including a clinical trial on two patients using a new, larger magnet [Neodynium Iron Boron]), plus the results of eleven patients implanted and fitted with the percutaneous bone-anchored hearing aid are reported.

The safety and efficacy of Emla cream topical anesthesia for myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion.

Emla cream is a eutectic mixture of lignocaine and prilocaine which can be used to anesthetize the tympanic membrane for myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion. This paper describes the anesthetic method and considers the safety and efficacy of this technique in 37 tympanic membranes from 29 adult patients. All of the patients easily tolerated the procedure.

[Psycho-social precursors of arterial hypertension in men and women in light of clinical cohort studies].

Following two prevalence studies of arterial hypertension carried out at 5-year interval on 6487 adult inhabitants of Ochota District, Warsaw, screening for new cases was performed at the end of the five- or ten-year observation period. Interviews were collected from 472 incident and unknown prevalence cases and 499 randomly chosen non-cases regarding social and work conditions, selected behavioral traits and personal habits. The risk of hypertension was more closely associated with blue collar social status, poor economic self-assessment and repetitive type of work in women than men.

Infectious mononucleosis complicated by necrotizing epiglottitis, dysphagia, and pneumonia.

Although infectious mononucleosis is usually a benign illness, life-threatening complications may occur. We describe a 17-year-old pregnant girl who developed necrotizing epiglottitis and dysphagia progressing to aspiration pneumonia and respiratory failure. The factors predisposing to this life-threatening complication are discussed.

Long-term results of tympanic membrane repair.

Long-term results of tympanic membrane repair were analyzed in 605 patients operated upon from 1970 to 1975. By survival life table analysis, 81% closure of perforations was found at 11 years, and only 74% of patients had normally healed tympanic membranes. Children less than 10 years of age and with anterior perforations healed more poorly.

Determining the basic characteristics of aerosols suitable for studies of deposition in the respiratory tract.

Studies of aerosol particle deposition in the respiratory tract requires experimental inhalation of artificial model aerosols. The paper formulates some of the most important requirements for the properties of such aerosols. Several suitable fractions were prepared as part of a research project dealing with the use of microporous polymers for diagnostic purposes.