Detection of Simulated Vocal Dysfunctions Using Complex sEMG Patterns.

Symptoms of voice disorder may range from slight hoarseness to complete loss of voice; from modest vocal effort to uncomfortable neck pain. But even minor symptoms may still impact personal and especially professional lives. While early detection and diagnosis can ameliorate that effect, to date, we are still largely missing reliable and valid data to help us better screen for voice disorders.

Submandibular gland injury and delayed airway compromise caused by a seat belt.

Isolated blunt injury to the submandibular gland (SMG) is rare owing to the protection afforded by the overlying mandible. Like other causes of submandibular swelling, glandular trauma can lead to life-threatening airway compromise, and this possibility should be considered in patients presenting with acute pain and fullness in the jaw and neck after trauma. We describe a patient with SMG disruption caused by a seat belt shoulder strap, discuss the diagnosis and treatment, and present a review of the literature.

Small intestinal volvulus caused by loose surgical staples.

Small intestinal volvulus beyond infancy is rare and usually has an iatrogenic cause. The authors describe an adolescent boy with small bowel volvulus secondary to the presence of free intraperitoneal surgical staples after a laparoscopic appendectomy.

Newborn and toddler intestinal obstruction owing to congenital mesenteric defects.

Transmesenteric hernia is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction most commonly affecting the small bowel. The mesenteric defect is usually 2 to 3 cm in diameter. The authors describe 2 cases of young pediatric patients presenting with bowel obstruction resulting from a congenital mesenteric defect.

Desmin ensheathment ratio as an indicator of vessel stability: evidence in normal development and in retinopathy of prematurity.

We developed a measure of pericyte/endothelial interaction, the desmin ensheathment ratio (DER), using the intermediate filament desmin as an indicator of pericyte ensheathment and have examined the DER in normal retinal vascular development and in the kitten retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) model. We also examined the role of mural cells in the pathogenesis of ROP. Postnatal day 1 to 45 kitten retinae were labeled for desmin, alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA), and isolectin-B4.