Qualitative and Quantitative Analyses of the Enantiomers of Nicotine and Nornicotine Employing Chiral Supercritical Fluid Chromatography.

An optimized method employing chiral supercritical fluid chromatography with diode array UV-VIS detection has been developed for the quantitative analysis of nicotine and nornicotine enantiomer distributions. The method parameters that were optimized included: column type (stationary phases, Chiralpak IG-3), column temperature (40°C), modifier types and concentration (isopropyl alcohol, 10%), additive types and concentrations (diethylamine, 0.2%), elution times (<6 min, flow rate 3 mL/min) and resolution factor (>1.

Chiral Separation of Cannabichromene, Cannabicyclol, and Their Acidic Analogs on Polysaccharide Chiral Stationary Phases.

Until recently, chirality has not been a major focus in the study of cannabinoids, as most cannabinoids of interest, such as cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol, exist as a single isomer from natural sources. However, this is changing as more cannabinoids are identified, and compounds such as cannabichromene and cannabicyclol are emerging as potential investigatory candidates for varying indications. Because these molecules are chiral, the separation and study of the individual enantiomers' biological and physiological effects should therefore be of interest.

Auditory nerve phase-locked response recorded from normal hearing adults using electrocochleography.

Objective: The auditory nerve overlapped waveform response (ANOW), a new measure that can be recorded non-invasively from humans, holds promise for providing more accurate assessment of low frequency hearing thresholds than currently used objective measures. This research aims to investigate the robustness and the nature of the ANOW response in humans.

Design: Repeated within-session recordings of the ANOW response using low-frequency Tone Bursts (TBs) were obtained at multiple stimulus levels.

Medial Olivocochlear Reflex Effect on Cochlear Response in Humans: Elicitor Side and Level.

Background: Understanding the functional differences between crossed and uncrossed medial olivocochlear (MOC) neurons has been of interest to researchers for decades. Previous reports revealed conflicting results about which MOC pathway, crossed or uncrossed, is stronger in humans. Both crossed and uncrossed MOC neurons synapse at the base of the outer hair cells (OHCs) in each ear.

Comparing Simultaneous Electrocochleography and Auditory Brainstem Response Measurements Using Three Different Extratympanic Electrodes.

Background: Various extratympanic recording electrodes have been used to make electrocochleography (ECochG) and auditory brainstem response (ABR) measurements in clinics, translational research, and basic science laboratories. However, differences may exist in ECochG and ABR measurements depending on the different types of extratympanic electrodes that are used.

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to compare simultaneously recorded ECochG and ABR responses using three different extratympanic electrodes.

Minimally Invasive Posterior Cervical Fusion With Facet Cages to Augment High-Risk Anterior Cervical Arthrodesis: A Case Series.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and results of minimally invasive posterior cervical fusion with facet cages as an augment to high-risk patients and patients status post multilevel anterior cervical decompression and fusion.

Methods: Thirty-five patients with symptomatic cervical stenosis with high risk for pseudoarthrosis underwent circumferential cervical decompression and fusion via staged anterior and posterior approach.

Electrocochleography: New Uses for an Old Test and Normative Values.

Purpose This article combines the results of 3 studies that were presented at the HeAL 2018 Conference in Lake Como, Italy, in June 2018. Each study involved electrocochleography (ECochG), a neurodiagnostic evaluation that has been used clinically for over 80 years but whose applications continue to expand. The 1st study describes recent research wherein ECochG was recorded from asymptomatic subjects who were siblings or offspring of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Ménière's disease (MD).

Human medial olivocochlear reflex: Contralateral activation effect on low and high frequency cochlear response.

The role of the medial olivocochlear (MOC) reflex has been investigated by assessing changes of cochlear responses (CR) in humans. The CR consists of pre-neural and neural potentials originating from the inner ear, and at high signal levels is dominated by cochlear microphonic (CM). The CM originates from the outer hair cells, where the MOC fibers synapse, and there is little research about using it to investigate the MOC reflex in humans.

Saturday allied health services for geriatric evaluation and management: A controlled before-and-after trial.

Objective: To assess the effect of Saturday allied health services on a geriatric evaluation and management ward.

Methods: A controlled before-and-after trial at two wards. Allied health services were added to usual weekday staffing on Saturdays for 6 months on the experimental ward.

Normative data for TM electrocochleography measures.

Objective: Establish normative data for tympanic electrocochleography (TM ECochG) parameters in normal hearing adults without Ménière's disease's (MD) symptoms. Describe TM ECochG variables that help to distinguish normal from MD ears.

Material And Methods: We enrolled 100 subjects (N = 200 ears), 59 females, aged between 19 and 71 years from 09/2010 to 04/2014.

Whole Recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae Yeast Expressing Ras Mutations as Treatment for Patients With Solid Tumors Bearing Ras Mutations: Results From a Phase 1 Trial.

We are developing whole, heat-killed, recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast, engineered to encode target proteins, which stimulate immune responses against malignant cells expressing those targets. This phase 1 trial, enrolling patients with advanced colorectal or pancreas cancer, was designed to evaluate safety, immunogenicity, response, and overall survival of ascending doses of the GI-4000 series of products, which express 3 different forms of mutated Ras proteins. The study enrolled 33 heavily pretreated subjects (14 with pancreas and 19 with colorectal cancer), whose tumors were genotyped before enrollment to identify the specific ras mutation and thereby to identify which GI-4000 product to administer.

Human Summating Potential Using Continuous Loop Averaging Deconvolution: Response Amplitudes Vary with Tone Burst Repetition Rate and Duration.

Electrocochleography (ECochG) to high repetition rate tone bursts may have advantages over ECochG to clicks with standard slow rates. Tone burst stimuli presented at a high repetition rate may enhance summating potential (SP) measurements by reducing neural contributions resulting from neural adaptation to high stimulus repetition rates. To allow for the analysis of the complex ECochG responses to high rates, we deconvolved responses using the Continuous Loop Averaging Deconvolution (CLAD) technique.

Otolith Dysfunction in Persons With Both Diabetes and Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

Objective: Vestibular dysfunction is a well-recognized complication of type 2 diabetes (DM) that may contribute to increased fall risk. The prevalence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is higher in people with DM. The impact of DM on the otolith organs of the vestibular system in people with BPPV is unknown.

The Effect of Contralateral Pure Tones on the Compound Action Potential in Humans: Efferent Tuning Curves.

Background: The compound action potential (CAP) has been suggested in the literature as an alternative to otoacoustic emissions for evaluating the efferent auditory system. However, very few studies have examined efferent influence on auditory nerve potentials in humans.

Purpose: This study examines the effects of presenting contralateral pure tones on the ipsilateral CAP onset and offset amplitudes as a potential clinical tool for the assessment of efferent auditory function.

Quantification of Total Particulate Matter and Benzene-Soluble Fraction Inhalation Exposures in Roofing Workers Performing Tear-off Activities.

Asphalt shingle removal (tear-off) from roofs is a major job task for an estimated 174,000 roofers in the United States. However, a literature search showed that there are no published studies that characterize worker inhalation exposures to asphalt particulates during shingle tear-off. To begin to fill this gap, the present study of inhalation exposures of roofers performing asphalt shingle tear-off was undertaken.

Age-related changes in vestibular evoked myogenic potentials using a modified blood pressure manometer feedback method.

Purpose: To collect age-specific vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) data and to characterize age-related differences in VEMP parameters using a modified blood pressure manometer (BPM) method of sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle monitoring.

Methods: VEMPs were recorded on healthy adults ranging in age from 23 to 84 years with no history of dizziness, neuromuscular pathologies, or cervical complaints. Participants were assigned to 3 groups using a nonprobability static group assignment based on their age.

Electrocochleography: a review of recording approaches, clinical applications, and new findings in adults and children.

Research related to expanding and improving the clinical use of electrocochleography (ECochG) has been ongoing for 25 yr at the University of Kansas Medical Center. This article presents highlights of findings from our laboratory during this period that have contributed to current ECochG recording approaches and clinical applications. A review of new data related to improving the sensitivity of ECochG in the diagnosis of Ménière's disease, the use of an ear canal recording approach for improving auditory brain stem response testing in newborns, and technical aspects related to recording the cochlear microphonic in newborns also will be presented.

Improved sensitivity of electrocochleography in the diagnosis of Meniere's disease.

ECochG has long been shown to complement the diagnosis of MD, primarily through measurement of the SP/AP amplitude ratio. While reported in the literature to be highly specific to this disorder, ECochG's sensitivity in the general MD population remains relatively low (ranging from 20-65%). The current study assessed the sensitivity and specificity of the ECochG protocol we employ for suspected MD patients, which includes measuring both the amplitudes and areas of the SP and AP to clicks (to derive the SP/AP amplitude and area ratios), and the SP amplitudes to 1000 and 2000 Hz tone bursts.

ABR recordings in newborns using an ear canal electrode.

The objective of this study was to improve the sensitivity of ABR recordings in newborns via a procedure that utilizes the ear canal as a recording site. Conventional recordings were compared to ear canal recordings of the ABR in 45 normally-hearing newborns who passed their newborn hearing screening. Responses were obtained at stimulus levels of 80, 60, 40, and 20 dBnHL using forehead (+) to ear canal (-), versus forehead (+) to mastoid (-) electrode configurations.

Observations on mastoid versus ear canal recorded cochlear microphonic in newborns and adults.

The cochlear microphonic (CM) may play an important role in the diagnosis of auditory neuropathy (AN) in newborns. However, since the CM tends to mirror the waveform of the acoustic stimulus, conscientious recording methodology must be applied to separate true response from artifact. The difficulty in achieving this separation has limited the clinical usefulness of the CM.

Are standard instruments valid for the assessment of quality of life and symptoms in glaucoma?

Purpose: To determine if the impact of Visual Impairment Instrument (IVI) and Glaucoma Symptom Scale (GSS) are valid instruments to assess participation in daily living and ophthalmic complaints, respectively, in a glaucoma population.

Methods: Patients with glaucoma were recruited from private and public clinics and completed the IVI and GSS questionnaires. The two scales were assessed for fit to the Rasch model.

Rapid and cost-effective method to assess vision disorders in a population.

Purpose: The aim was to develop a means of rapidly assessing eye health in a cost- and time-effective way to monitor changes over time.

Methods: Key features of the five main eye diseases that cause vision loss in Australia were assessed. Participation was volunteer-based from randomly selected Melbourne suburbs.

Utilization of eye care services in Victoria.

Purpose: To determine baseline eye care utilization by older Victorians in order to assess change in 2 years after an eye health promotion campaign.

Methods: A letter of invitation to participate was sent to all people aged 70-79 years in randomly selected Melbourne postcode areas. A questionnaire was designed to allow gathering of eye health-related information.

Electrocochleography in the evaluation of patients with Ménière's disease/endolymphatic hydrops.

Electrocochleography (ECochG) has evolved as an important tool in the diagnosis/assessment/monitoring of Ménière's disease/endolymphatic hydrops (MD/ELH). This manuscript provides an update on the use of ECochG for these purposes. The material presented includes descriptions of the components of the electrocochleogram; ECochG recording approaches and parameters; how to prepare for an exam, including subject/patient considerations; construction and placement of a tympanic membrane recording electrode; and interpretation the electrocochleogram.

Evaluation of an eye health program: the vision initiative.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop an innovative, rapid and economical assessment methodology to determine the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours regarding eye health and to determine the rates of the most common causes of visual impairment and undiagnosed eye disease.

Methods: Letters were posted to Seniors Card holders aged 70-79 in 18 randomly selected areas, stratified by socio-economic status. A questionnaire was developed to measure knowledge, attitudes and behaviours regarding eye health.