Cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in osteosarcoma patients: a report from the late effects surveillance system.

The aim of this study was to analyze cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in a recent study trial. Seventy-four patients who had received cisplatin for the treatment of osteosarcoma (median cumulative dose: 360 mg/m2) were investigated prospectively for ototoxicity in a multicenter trial. Hearing function was tested by audiometry.

Sequence variations of mitochondrial DNA and individual sensitivity to the ototoxic effect of cisplatin.

Background: Since mutations in the mitochondrial genome are associated with hearing loss, we analyzed whether sequence variations of mtDNA are associated with individual sensitivity to cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.

Materials And Methods: The mtDNA of 20 patients with and 19 patients without hearing impairment under therapeutic doses of cisplatin was sequenced for mutations and characterized for haplotype by restriction analysis.

Results: Neither the A7445G mutation, nor the 7472insC insertion or the A1555G mutation were identified in any of the patients.

[Test set for the evaluation of hearing and speech development after cochlear implantation in children].

Background: Since autumn 1998 the multicenter interdisciplinary study group "Test Materials for CI Children" has been compiling a uniform examination tool for evaluation of speech and hearing development after cochlear implantation in childhood.

Methods Used: After studying the relevant literature, suitable materials were checked for practical applicability, modified and provided with criteria for execution and break-off. For data acquisition, observation forms for preparation of a PC-version were developed.

Acoustically and electrically evoked responses of the human cortex before and after cochlear implantation.

Multi-channel auditory evoked potentials (AEP) were recorded before and after cochlear implantation (CI) from a patient suffering from severe high frequency hearing loss with residual, but highly fluctuating hearing around 250 Hz. Immediately after CI activation early components of the N1 were present. Later N1 components developed during the use of CI.

Spectral analysis of /s/ sound with changing angulation of the maxillary central incisors.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to measure the influence of the maxillary central incisors free from adaptation phenomena using spectral analysis.

Materials And Methods: The maxillary dentures of 18 subjects were duplicated. The central incisors were fixed in a pivoting appliance so that their position could be changed from labial to palatal direction.

[Status of hearing aid use by children in schools for the hearing impaired and deaf].

To evaluate and possibly improve the hearing aid fittings of children attending the Westphalian School for the Hearing Impaired or the Westphalian School for the Deaf, regular pedaudiologic consulting hours were established at both schools. During a 2-year period, 115 children were examined once, 35 children twice, and 5 children three times. The examinations comprised ear microscopy, audiometry, and a check of the hearing aids with a 0.

The influence of maxillary central incisor position in complete dentures on /s/ sound production.

Statement Of Problem: The insertion of prosthodontic restorations often leads to speech defects, most of which are transient but nevertheless a source of concern to the patient. For the dental practitioner, there are few guidelines on designing a prosthetic restoration with maximum phonetic success.

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of different maxillary central incisor positions on phonetic patterns.

The influence of hypothermia on outer hair cells of the cochlea and its efferents.

Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) were recorded in 21 guinea-pigs undergoing hypothermia. The minimal average body temperature during cooling was 26 degrees C/24.9 degrees C measured orally or rectally, respectively.

A novel locus for autosomal dominant, non-syndromic hearing impairment (DFNA18) maps to chromosome 3q22 immediately adjacent to the DM2 locus.

Investigating a large German pedigree with non-syndromic hearing impairment of early onset and autosomal dominant mode of inheritance, linkage to known DFNA loci was excluded and in a subsequent genomic scan the phenotype was mapped to a 10-cM interval on chromosome 3q22; a maximum two-point lod score of 3.77 was obtained for the marker D3S1292. The new locus, DFNA18, is excluded from neighbouring deafness loci, DFNB15 and USH3, and it overlaps with the recently described DM2/PROMM locus.

Atypical organisation of the auditory cortex in dyslexia as revealed by MEG.

Neuroanatomical and -radiological studies have converged to suggest an atypical organisation in the temporal bank of the left-hemispheric Sylvian fissure for dyslexia. Against the background of this finding, we applied high temporal resolution magnetoencephalography (MEG) to investigate functional aspects of the left-hemispheric auditory cortex in 11 right-handed dyslexic children (aged 8-13 years) and nine matched normal subjects (aged 8-14 years). Event-related field components during a passive oddball paradigm with pure tones and consonant-vowel syllables were evaluated.

Glutathione S-transferase genetic polymorphisms and individual sensitivity to the ototoxic effect of cisplatin.

One of the side effects of cisplatin therapy in malignant neoplasms is ototoxicity. This effect shows a wide inter-individual range which is more variable than the pharmacokinetic parameters. Oxidative stress has been implicated in cisplatin ototoxicity.

Hearing screening in healthy newborns: feasibility of different methods with regard to test time.

Clicked-evoked otoacoustic emissions and automated auditory brainstem response are both considered appropriate hearing screening tools. The aim of this study was to compare their practicability with respect to test duration. In the first part of the study, clicked-evoked otoacoustic emissions were recorded in 388 healthy infants on the newborn ward in the first days of life.

[Effect of dental prosthesis on the voice].

It is well known that alterations to the oral cavity caused by dental prostheses may affect speech articulation, although influences on the voice are not assumed. In addition to the vocal fundamental frequency, vibrations of the vocal chords generate overtones. Through the shape of the larynx and the upper airway, resonances and antiresonances are formed, and in this way overtones are amplified to a variable extent.

Can dental prostheses influence vocal parameters?

Statement Of The Problem: Alterations to the oral cavity caused by dental prostheses can affect speech articulation, whereas the influence of dental prostheses on the voice is unknown. For 1 patient, the fundamental frequency rose by up to 5 semitones during speech and his voice range was enlarged by up to 4 semitones when a thin denture was used instead of his normal denture. In this patient, intraoral needlepoint registration revealed a more rostral position of the mandible with the thin denture when compared with the normal denture.

The influence of body temperature on transient evoked otoacoustic emissions.

Thirty patients undergoing open heart surgery under induced hypothermia had transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) recorded during cooling to 26.07 degrees C (standard deviation (SD) 4.25 degrees C) vesically measured temperature and 24.

Effects of age, gender and ear side on SOAE parameters in infancy and childhood.

We investigated 267 infants and children aged 9 days to 16.8 years to study the spontaneous otoacoustic emission (SOAE) data prevalence, number per ear, level and frequency as a function of growth. Dependence on age, gender and ear side was statistically analyzed using the method of generalized estimation equations.

Articulation in children with Down's syndrome. A pilot study.

The articulation of children with Down's syndrome (trisomie 21, T21) in comparison to a group of age-matched normal probands was investigated in a clinical study, using digital sonagraphics (recording of frequency, amplitude and time of the speech signal), with peripheral factors taken into consideration. The T21-Group (n = 10) revealed a higher variability as well as a longer articulation of the test word "Tasse" than the Control Group (n = 10). There was no clear-cut dependence of speed and quality of articulation on all of the peripheral factors evaluated (Angle Class, overbite, oral motor ability, hearing disorder, logopedics, Castillo-Morales stimulating plate treatment).

Dentistry and speech production. Correlations between the morphology of the articulation zone and acoustics exemplified in /s/ articulation.

Many factors are thought to be responsible for misarticulation. Maxillomandibular or dental irregularities play an important role as one of these factors. Correlations between morphological changes in dental status and speech disorders are well known, but different opinions are discussed in the literature.

[Molecular analysis of the heterogeneity of hereditary monosymptomatic sensorineural hearing loss].

Background: Genetic characterization of hereditary hearing impairment has progressed considerably with the mapping of nine chromosomal loci for monosymptomatic autosomal-inherited hearing loss over the last three years.

Methods: Following thorough clinical evaluation, linkage analysis using microsatellite markers was performed in two large families from Westphalia/West Germany.

Results: For all the dominant (DFNA1--4) and three autosomal-recessive loci (DFNB1--3) described to date, linkage was finally excluded.

[After-care of children and young adults surviving cancer. Initial recommendations by the late sequelae study group].

An increasing number of children suffering from cancer has been treated successfully during the last 25 years using therapy protocols of the Gesellschaft für Pädiatrische Onkologie und Hämatologie. The patients had to undergo an interdisciplinary treatment modality and a mostly intensive chemotherapy. Late effects could result from this approach for the now 20,000 survivors in the Federal Republik of Germany.

[Personality markers of patients with vocal cord granuloma].

Particular features of the personality of patients with vocal cord granuloma have been reported in the literature based on intuitive observation of individual cases in clinical examination. The present study was designed to examine systematically a larger number of patients with vocal cord granuloma by means of a psychosomatic interview and with objective standardised personality inventories. The aim was to investigate characteristics of personality structure, the extent and form of psychosomatic complaints, and the psychosocial self-image of these patients.