Otoacoustic Estimate of Astronauts' Intracranial Pressure Changes During Spaceflight.

Purpose: To investigate the potential correlation between prolonged exposure to microgravity on the International Space Station and increased intracranial fluid pressure, which is considered a risk factor for the astronauts' vision, and to explore the feasibility of using distortion product otoacoustic emissions as a non-invasive in-flight monitor for intracranial pressure changes.

Methods: Distortion product otoacoustic emission phase measurements were taken from both ears of five astronauts pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight. These measurements served as indirect indicators of intracranial pressure changes, given their high sensitivity to middle ear transmission alterations.

NMR-based metabolomics for investigating urinary profiles of metal carpentry workers exposed to welding fumes and volatile organic compounds.

Introduction: Metal carpentry includes a wide range of work activities such as welding and cutting metallic components, use of solvents and paints. Therefore, the employees in these types of activities are mainly exposed to welding fumes and volatile organic solvents. Here, we present an NMR-based metabolomic approach for assessing urinary profiles of workers in the same company that are exposed to two different risk factors.

The tonotopic cochlea puzzle: A resonant transmission line with a "non-resonant" response peak.

The peaked cochlear tonotopic response does not show the typical phenomenology of a resonant system. Simulations of a 2 D viscous model show that the position of the peak is determined by the competition between a sharp pressure boost due to the increase in the real part of the wavenumber as the forward wave enters the short-wave region, and a sudden increase in the viscous losses, partly counteracted by the input power provided by the outer hair cells. This viewpoint also explains the peculiar experimental behavior of the cochlear admittance (broadly tuned and almost level-independent) in the peak region.

Hearing dysfunction heralds an increase in non-motor burden and a worse quality of life in Parkinson's disease: new insights from non-motor spectrum.

Background: Sensorial non-motor symptoms (NMSs) in Parkinson's disease (PD) still lack appropriate investigation in clinical practice. This study aimed to assess if and to what extent auditory dysfunction is associated with other NMSs in PD and its impact on patient's quality of life (QoL).

Methods: We selected patients with idiopathic PD, without other concomitant neurological diseases, dementia, or diagnosis of any audiological/vestibular disease.