Robust fundamental frequency-detection algorithm unaffected by the presence of hoarseness in human voice.

The fundamental frequency (fo) is pivotal for quantifying vocal-fold characteristics. However, the accuracy of fo estimation in hoarse voices is notably low, and no definitive algorithm for fo estimation has been previously established. In this study, we introduce an algorithm named, "Spectral-based fo Estimator Emphasized by Domination and Sequence (SFEEDS)," which enhances the spectrum method and conducted comparative analyses with conventional estimation methods.

Validation of Subharmonics Quantification Using Two-Stage Cepstral Analysis.

Objectives: Hoarseness is primarily perceived as breathiness or roughness. Despite the various tools that quantitatively assess hoarseness, roughness has been difficult to quantify because of its complex acoustic structure, such as subharmonics. The parameter obtained from the two-stage cepstral analysis is promising for evaluating roughness.

The Minimal Important Difference of Acoustic Voice Quality Index in the Treatment of Voice Disorders.

Objectives: The acoustic voice quality index (AVQI) is a reliable tool that objectively assesses dysphonia levels using six acoustic parameters. Despite its high criterion-related concurrent validity, diagnostic accuracy, and minimal detectable change derived from test-retest reliability, the minimal important difference (MID) of the AVQI has not been tested before. This study aimed to estimate the MIDs of AVQI for improvement audibly perceived by clinicians and self-reported improvement by patients.

The Significant Influence of Hoarseness Levels in Connected Speech on the Voice-Related Disability Evaluated Using Voice Handicap Index-10.

Objectives: This retrospective study examines the influence of voice quality in connected speech (CS) and sustained vowels (SV) on the voice-related disability in patients' daily living documented by Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10).

Methods: A total of 500 voice recordings of CS and SV samples from 338 patients with voice disturbances were included, along with the patients' age, diagnoses, maximum phonation time, and VHI-10. Dataset-1 comprised of 338 untreated patients, whereas Dataset-2 included 162 patients before and after phonosurgeries.

Acoustic Breathiness Index for the Japanese-Speaking Population: Validation Study and Exploration of Affecting Factors.

Objectives The purposes of this study were to validate the Acoustic Breathiness Index (ABI) for the Japanese-speaking population and to determine whether it is independent of factors such as sex, age, and perceptual ratings of roughness. Method First, the concurrent validity of the ABI for perceptual breathiness was evaluated on the concatenations of continuous speech and sustained vowels from 288 patients with varying degrees of dysphonia. The diagnostic accuracy was examined on 343 samples with 55 additional normophonic speakers.

Intertext Variability of Smoothed Cepstral Peak Prominence, Methods to Control It, and Its Diagnostic Properties.

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the intertext variability of smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPS), examine whether sound-processing techniques improved its variability and diagnostic capability, and evaluate the degree of intertext variability in detail with reference to the CPPS variabilities in sustained vowels.

Study Design: This was a retrospective study.

Methods: Text readings of 58 Japanese syllables were recorded from 210 speakers with different diagnoses and varying degrees of dysphonia, and were divided into six passages.

The Acoustic Voice Quality Index Version 03.01 for the Japanese-speaking Population.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the most appropriate syllable number for analyzing the Acoustic Voice Quality Index for the Japanese-speaking population (AVQIv3-JP) and to validate AVQIv3-JP using the determined syllable number.

Methods: First, we counted how many syllables should be included in each continuous speech (CS) sample to achieve time-balanced analysis between CS and sustained vowel samples using our previous dataset including 336 CS samples with 58 syllables. From the descriptive statistics of the counted syllable numbers, the most appropriate syllable number was identified.

Immediate effects of humming on computed electroglottographic parameters in patients with muscle tension dysphonia.

Objectives: To investigate the immediate effects of humming and subsequent um-hum phonation on the computed parameters of electroglottographic (EGG) signals in muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) patients and nondysphonic speakers.

Methods: We included 21 MTD participants exhibiting both vocal roughness and supraglottic compression, who were able to produce successful humming and um-hum phonation. Twenty nondysphonic participants were selected as controls.

[Present and future state of cancer screening for esophageal cancer and gastric cancer].

Recently, endoscopic examinations have played a major role in the diagnosis and treatment in the field of gastroenterology. It is considered that endoscopy would be an important examination for cancer screening of the esophagus and the stomach. However, endoscopic services for cancer screening are in short supply.

Endoscopic resection for T1a-MM and T1b-SM1 squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

In Japan, the first paper on endoscopic resection (ER) for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus confined to the mucosa was reported as endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) in 1988. Since publication of that article, ER has been recommended as the standard treatment for squamous and mucosal cancer of the esophagus. T1a-EP and T1a-LPM esophageal cancer seldom involves lymph node metastasis.

[Association between laryngeal findings and vocal qualities in muscle tension dysphonia with supraglottic contraction].

Muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) is a voice disorder associated with abnormal laryngeal posture or glottic configuration induced by excessive contraction of the laryngeal muscles, and supraglottic contraction is one of the characteristic findings in MTD. In recent study we investigated the changes in laryngeal findings and voice quality and the association between them in the course of voice therapy for MTD with supraglottic contraction. The effects of voice therapy on the laryngeal and the vocal findings were assessed by two rating methods: the MTD score and the conventional GRBAS scores and both scores were gradually improved.

Superficial basaloid squamous carcinoma of the esophagus. A clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study of 12 cases.

Basaloid squamous carcinoma (BSC) is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). In this study, clinicopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of 12 superficial esophageal BSCs were examined and compared with those of typical superficial SCCs. Eight cases were classified into an elevated type, and the other four into a depressed type.

[Endoscopic mucosal resection for esophageal cancer].

Lymph node metastasis or microvascular permeation is rare among esophageal cancer which remains within the epithelium or the lamina propria mucosae. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is recommended for them as a radical treatment. Radical esophagectomy had been indicated for esophageal cancer reaching to the muscularis mucosae for their incidence of lymph node metastasis (10%).

Detection and treatment of an asymptomatic case of early esophageal cancer using chromoendoscopy and endoscopic mucosal resection.

Recent trends in the management of superficial esophageal cancer consist of improved detection and curative endoscopic therapy. However, successful endoscopic therapy has not been reported in Taiwanese patients with this disease. We describe the case of a male, 38-year-old habitual drinker admitted for a general health check-up, whose endoscopic examination revealed a slightly depressed discolored lesion in the middle esophagus.

[Endoscopic evaluation of the depth of invasion in cases of superficial esophageal cancer in determining indications for endoscopic mucosal resection].

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) should be performed for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus limited to the lamina propria mucosae (m1 and m2 cancers), because lymph node metastasis is rare in these cases. The lymph node metastasis rate is 6% when cancers reach the muscularis mucosa(m3) or slightly invade the submucosa (sm1). Lymph node metastasis is noted in 47% of esophageal cancers moderately or severely invading the submucosa(sm2 and sm3).