Systematic analysis of ocular features and responses of cultured spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor).

A better understanding of unique anatomical and functional features of the visual systems of teleost fish could provide key knowledge on how these systems influence the health and survival of these animals in both wild and culture environments. We took a systematic approach to assess some of the visual systems of spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor), a species of increasing importance in North Atlantic aquaculture initiatives. The lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) was included in these studies in a comparative manner to provide reference. Histology, light and electron microscopy were used to study the spatial distribution and occurrence of cone photoreceptor cells and the nature of the retinal tissues, while immunohistochemistry was used to explore the expression patterns of two photoreceptor markers, XAP-1 and XAP-2, in both species. A marine bacterial infection paradigm in lumpfish was used to assess how host-pathogen responses might impact the expression of these photoreceptor markers in these animals. We define a basic photoreceptor mosaic and present an ultrastructural to macroscopic geographical configuration of the retinal pigment tissues in both animals. Photoreceptor markers XAP-1 and XAP-2 have novel distribution patterns in spotted wolffish and lumpfish retinas, and exogenous pathogenic influences can affect the normal expression pattern of XAP-1 in lumpfish. Live tank-side ophthalmoscopy and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) revealed that normal cultured spotted wolffish display novel variations in the shape of the retinal tissue. These two complementary imaging findings suggest that spotted wolffish harbour unique ocular features not yet described in marine teleosts and that visual function might involve specific retinal tissue shape dynamics in these animals. Finally, extensive endogenous biofluorescence is present in the retinal tissues of both animals, which raises questions about how these animals might use retinal tissue in novel ways for visual perception and/or communication. This work advances fundamental knowledge on the visual systems of two economically important but now threatened North Atlantic teleosts and provides a basic foundation for further research on the visual systems of these animals in health versus disease settings. This work could also be useful for understanding and optimizing the health and welfare of lumpfish and spotted wolffish in aquaculture towards a one health or integrative perspective.

Increased water temperature contributes to a chondrogenesis response in the eyes of spotted wolffish.

Adult vertebrate cartilage is usually quiescent. Some vertebrates possess ocular scleral skeletons composed of cartilage or bone. The morphological characteristics of the spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor) scleral skeleton have not been described. Here we assessed the scleral skeletons of cultured spotted wolffish, a globally threatened marine species. The healthy spotted wolffish we assessed had scleral skeletons with a low percentage of cells staining for the chondrogenesis marker sex-determining region Y-box (Sox) 9, but harboured a population of intraocular cells that co-express immunoglobulin M (IgM) and Sox9. Scleral skeletons of spotted wolffish with grossly observable eye abnormalities displayed a high degree of perochondrial activation as evidenced by cellular morphology and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and phosphotyrosine. Cells staining for cluster of differentiation (CD) 45 and IgM accumulated around sites of active chondrogenesis, which contained cells that strongly expressed Sox9. The level of scleral chondrogenesis and the numbers of scleral cartilage PCNA positive cells increased with the temperature of the water in which spotted wolffish were cultured. Our results provide new knowledge of differing Sox9 spatial tissue expression patterns during chondrogenesis in normal control and ocular insult paradigms. Our work also provides evidence that spotted wolffish possess an inherent scleral chondrogenesis response that may be sensitive to temperature. This work also advances the fundamental knowledge of teleost ocular skeletal systems.

The Role of Eye Color in the Emergence of Tinnitus in Silence

Abstract Introduction Previous research suggests that African Americans are less likely than Caucasians to perceive tinnitus in sustained silence. Objective To evaluate the association between non-cutaneous melanin as indicated by eye color and the emergence of temporary tinnitus during a brief period of silence. Methods A cross-section of adults grouped according to their eye color were exposed to silence. A total of 62 adults, aged 18 to 35 years (10 males, 52 females) were required to sit in silence for 10 minutes, after which they filled out a questionnaire to report their eye color and any perception of sounds in the ears or head. Results In total, 63% of the participants perceived tinnitus while sitting in silence, and, of these 95% perceived the tinnitus sounds within 5 minutes of sitting in silence. Though African Americans were less likely to perceive tinnitus in silence, this difference was not significant (p = 0.6). After a period of silence, 69% of the subjects with light-colored eyes and 58% of the dark-eyed subjects perceived tinnitus. This difference was not statistically significant (χ2(1) = 0.77; p = 0.38). Conclusion When exposed to reduced auditory stimulation, 3 out of 5 normal-hearing people are likely to experience tinnitus. However, there was no relationship between eye color and the perception of tinnitus in silence. Although melanin has been shown to play a role in the protection of the ear against noise trauma and the effects of age-related hearing loss, its role in the emergence of tinnitus needs further investigation.

The Role of Eye Color in the Emergence of Tinnitus in Silence.

Introduction Previous research suggests that African Americans are less likely than Caucasians to perceive tinnitus in sustained silence. Objective To evaluate the association between non-cutaneous melanin as indicated by eye color and the emergence of temporary tinnitus during a brief period of silence. Methods A cross-section of adults grouped according to their eye color were exposed to silence. A total of 62 adults, aged 18 to 35 years (10 males, 52 females) were required to sit in silence for 10 minutes, after which they filled out a questionnaire to report their eye color and any perception of sounds in the ears or head. Results In total, 63% of the participants perceived tinnitus while sitting in silence, and, of these 95% perceived the tinnitus sounds within 5 minutes of sitting in silence. Though African Americans were less likely to perceive tinnitus in silence, this difference was not significant ( p = 0.6). After a period of silence, 69% of the subjects with light-colored eyes and 58% of the dark-eyed subjects perceived tinnitus. This difference was not statistically significant (χ 2 (1) = 0.77; p = 0.38). Conclusion When exposed to reduced auditory stimulation, 3 out of 5 normal-hearing people are likely to experience tinnitus. However, there was no relationship between eye color and the perception of tinnitus in silence. Although melanin has been shown to play a role in the protection of the ear against noise trauma and the effects of age-related hearing loss, its role in the emergence of tinnitus needs further investigation.

Evaluation of Medial Olivocochlear Neural Efferent Pathway in Tinnitus Perception in Normal-hearing Individuals.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate a possible role of the Medial Olivocochlear (MOC) efferent neural pathway and neural connections responsible for tinnitus generation in silence/sensory deprivation. DESIGN: By placing normal hearing participants in a sound booth for 10 minutes, silence/sensory deprivation was created. This offered assessment of MOC neural pathway in normal hearing participants in silence. Hyperactivity of MOC neural pathway was assessed by its more suppressive effect on Transient Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAEs) in silence. The required auditory measurements were recorded in the sound booth using recommended diagnostic protocols to ensure the effect of 'only silence' on auditory structures. TEOAE were recorded from the right ear and suppression was measured by placing noise in the left ear. Fifty-eight normal hearing male individuals between age 18-35 years were recruited as participants in this study. RESULTS: Approximately, forty-one percent of the participants perceived some type of tinnitus during/after 10 minutes of silence. No statistically significant difference was found in the total TEOAE amplitude and TEOAE suppression amplitude before and after ten minutes of silence. Post silence total TEOAE suppression between tinnitus perceiving and non-perceiving tinnitus participants were not statistically significantly different. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the medial olivocochlear efferent pathway or lower brain stem area does not appear to play a role in the emergence of temporary tinnitus in silence however indicate the involvement of higher central auditory nervous system structures in perception of the tinnitus which support the well-accepted notion that tinnitus is the central auditory processing phenomenon.

Evaluation of cochlear activity in normal-hearing musicians.

OBJECTIVE: The present study compared wave I amplitude of auditory brainstem responses (ABRs), a potential indicator of cochlear synaptopathy, among musicians and non-musicians with normal audiograms. DESIGN: Noise exposure background (NEB) was evaluated using an online questionnaire. Two-channel ABRs were recorded from the left ear using click stimuli. One channel utilized an ipsilateral tiptrode, and another channel utilized an ipsilateral mastoid electrode. ABRs were collected at 90, 75, and 60 dBnHL. A mixed model was used to analyze the effect of group, electrodes, and stimulus levels on ABR wave I amplitude. STUDY SAMPLE: 75 collegiate students with normal hearing participated in the study and were grouped into a non-music major group (n = 25), a brass major group (n = 25), and a voice major group (n = 25). RESULTS: The NEB was negatively associated with the action potential (AP) and ABR wave I amplitude for click intensity levels at 75 dBnHL. The mean amplitude of the ABR wave I was not significantly different between the three groups. CONCLUSION: The weak negative association of AP and ABR wave I amplitude with NEB cannot be solely attributed to evidence of cochlear synaptopathy in humans as the possibility of hair cell damage cannot be ruled out. Future research should investigate the effects of reduced cochlear output on the supra-threshold speech processing abilities of student musicians.

Quality of life and speech perception in two late deafened adults with cochlear implants.

The aim was to demonstrate the need for a quality of life assessment in biopsychosocial aural rehabilitation (AR) practices with late deafened adults (LDAs) with cochlear implants (CIs). We present a case report of a medical records review of two LDAs enrolled in a biopsychosocial group AR program. A speech perception test Contrasts for Auditory and Speech Training (CAST) and a quality of life (QoL) assessment the Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ) were given prior to AR therapy. CAST scores indicated both patients had excellent basic speech perception. However, NCIQ results revealed patients' difficulties in basic and advanced listening settings. NCIQ highlighted patients' self-perceived poor self-esteem and ongoing challenges to their QoL. Speech perception testing results alone are not enough to document the daily challenges of QoL needs of LDAs with CIs. The inclusion of a QoL measure such as the NCIQ is vital in evaluating outcomes of cochlear implantation in LDAs.

Maturational Changes in Ear Advantage for Monaural Word Recognition in Noise Among Listeners with Central Auditory Processing Disorders.

This study aimed to investigate differences between ears in performance on a monaural word recognition in noise test among individuals across a broad range of ages assessed for (C)APD. Word recognition scores in quiet and in speech noise were collected retrospectively from the medical files of 107 individuals between the ages of 7 and 30 years who were diagnosed with (C)APD. No ear advantage was found on the word recognition in noise task in groups less than ten years. Performance in both ears was equally poor. Right ear performance improved across age groups, with scores of individuals above age 10 years falling within the normal range. In contrast, left ear performance remained essentially stable and in the impaired range across all age groups. Findings indicate poor left hemispheric dominance for speech perception in noise in children below the age of 10 years with (C)APD. However, a right ear advantage on this monaural speech in noise task was observed for individuals 10 years and older.

Capturing Key NANDA-I Nursing Diagnoses From Actual Clinical Data for Patients With Heart Failure.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to identify key nursing diagnoses with related factors and signs/symptoms using NANDA-I for patients with heart failure (HF). METHODS: A retrospective descriptive design was used to address the research questions. Data were obtained from the records of patients discharged for 1 year with the medical diagnoses of HF from a Midwestern community hospital. A total of 272 inpatient records were analyzed to describe the frequency and percentage of NANDA-I diagnosis with related factors and signs/symptoms. RESULTS: The top 10 NANDA-I diagnoses associated with related factors and signs/symptoms were identified. CONCLUSION: Further research related to standardized nursing terminologies such as NANDA-I using large clinical databases from health information systems is needed to support evidence-based nursing diagnosis decision making.

Impact of Different Cutoff Criteria on Rate of (Central) Auditory Processing Disorders Diagnosis Using the Central Test Battery.

The purpose of this study was to quantify how the use of two different cutoff criteria affects the test failure rate and potential diagnosis of central auditory processing disorder ([C]APD) in a sample of children subjected to central auditory processing ([C]AP) assessment. Test failure rates for the central test battery (CTB) using two different cutoff criteria (1 and 2 SDs below the mean) were measured retrospectively for 98 children who completed (C)AP assessment. The rates of potential (C)APD diagnosis ranged from 86.8% [when a 1 standard deviation (SD) cutoff was used] to 66.2% (when a 2 SD cutoff was used). The current use of two different cutoffs for the CTB has a large impact on the diagnostic rate for (C)APD. These findings have clinical implications for the diagnosis of (C)APD due to the widespread use of the CTB in the United States for the assessment of (C)APD in children. Thus, it is important to create awareness among audiologists that use of the 2 SDs cutoff criterion is recommended for reducing false positives (error).

Salivary Stress-Related Responses in Tinnitus: A Preliminary Study in Young Male Subjects with Tinnitus.

OBJECTIVE: This preliminary study examined if baseline measures of stress-related biomarkers as measured by salivary secretions of specific autonomic [measured by salivary α-amylase (sAA)], endocrine (measured by salivary cortisol), and immune (measured by salivary neopterin) responses are greater in male subjects with tinnitus in response to an induced-stress task. METHOD: Twenty male subjects with no significant hearing loss, 10 with tinnitus, and 10 without tinnitus were enrolled in this study.Salivary secretions were collected before and after the induced stress task at four different time intervals. RESULTS: sAA levels were lower in the tinnitus group in comparison to subjects without tinnitus, suggesting impaired sympathetic activity in the subjects with tinnitus although these levels remained stable throughout the stress experiment.While no significant effects could be obtained for salivary cortisol or neopterin, salivary neopterin levels were trending toward significance over all measurements. Behavioral measures of stress were found to correlate negatively with measures of sAA and salivary neopterin. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest impaired stress-related sAA mechanisms in male subjects with tinnitus, as evidenced by the different stress reactions induced in the endocrine system (as measured by salivary cortisol) and the immune system (as measured by salivary neopterin).

A polymorphism in human estrogen-related receptor beta (ESRRß) predicts audiometric temporary threshold shift.

OBJECTIVE: A non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (rs61742642; C to T, P386S) in the ligand-binding domain of human estrogen-related receptor beta (ESRRß) showed possible association to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in our previous study. DESIGN: This study was conducted to examine the effect of the ESRRß rs61742642 T variant on temporary threshold shift (TTS). TTS was induced by 10 minutes of exposure to audiometric narrow-band noise centered at 2000 Hz. Hearing thresholds and distortion product otoacoustic emissions input output function (DP IO) at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz were measured before and after the noise exposure. STUDY SAMPLE: Nineteen participants with rs61742642 CT genotype and 40 participants with rs61742642 CC genotype were recruited for the study. RESULTS: Participants with the CT genotype acquired a significantly greater TTS without convincing evidence of greater DP IO temporary level shift (DPTLS) compared to participants with the CC genotype. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the ESRRß polymorphism is associated with TTS. Future studies were recommended to explore molecular pathways leading to increased susceptibility to NIHL.

The effect of silence on tinnitus perception.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of sustained silence was studied on the emergence of tinnitus perception in 120 normal hearing young adult Caucasians and African Americans. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: After sitting in a sound booth for a period of 20 minutes, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire documenting whether they perceived sounds in the silent setting and descriptions of the sounds they heard. RESULTS: Tinnitus-like sounds were perceived in 64% of listeners overall. No significant differences in tinnitus perception were observed between males and females. However, there was a significant difference in tinnitus perception between Caucasian and African American subjects, with tinnitus sounds emerging in sustained silence less frequently in African American listeners. Tinnitus emerged quickly in a majority of subjects (less than 4 minutes) and African American subjects who perceived tinnitus heard a greater number of individual tinnitus-like sounds than did Caucasian subjects. Ring (57%), buzz (21%), pulse (22%), heartbeat (21%), and hum (14%) were the most common sounds heard, with ring being the most common overall tinnitus perception. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Few investigators have documented at the emergence of tinnitus in normal hearing subjects. Results of the current study found significant differences in tinnitus perception between Caucasian and African American subjects, but found no significant differences when comparing males and female subjects. EBM RATING: C.

Pharmacologic prophylaxis and treatment of stress ulcers in critically ill patients.

Most clinicians agree that critically ill patients are at significant risk of developing stress-related ulcers and may have already developed mucosal lesions even if they are asymptomatic. Many options, including new pharmacologic advances, are available for the treatment and prophylaxis of stress-related ulcers; therefore, all critically ill patients should receive prophylaxis, even if they do not require treatment. Nutrition may play a significant role in the future in preventing stress-related ulcers. By improving stores of critical elements such as antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals before surgery, patients may lower the risk of developing stress ulcers. Critical care clinicians are critical in preventing and treating stress-related ulcers and should be vigilant in their patient care.

Effects of stimulus rate and gender on the auditory middle latency response.

The effects of stimulus rate and gender on the auditory middle latency response (AMLR) waveforms were examined in 20 young adult male and female subjects. Four different repetition rates were presented to subjects (1.1/sec, 4.1/sec, 7.7/ sec, and 11.3/sec). Stimulus repetition rate had a significant effect on Pa latency, Pa amplitude, and Pb amplitude. Pa and Pb amplitudes decreased with increasing the stimulus rate, and Pa latency significantly increased with increasing the stimulus rate. No significant differences were seen on Pb latency or site of recording. Gender had a significant effect on Pa latency and Pa amplitude. Pa latencies were longer in male subjects, and Pa amplitudes were larger in female subjects. Gender did not have a significant effect on the Pb waveform.

Area-Under-the-Curve Measure of the Auditory Middle Latency Response (AMLR) From Birth to Early Adulthood.

The area-under-the-curve (AUC) measure of the auditory middle latency response (AMLR) waveform was derived and analyzed from recordings in 50 subjects with normal hearing. The AUC metric is believed to represent the total amount of neural energy contributing to the evoked response. This proposed method of measure, therefore, may provide an alternative method of quantifying the response. The subjects were divided into five age groups (n = 10 for each group): infants, children, preteens, teens, and adults. Ipsilateral and contralateral recordings of the AMLR were obtained at two stimulus levels (70 and 40 dB nHL) and at two stimulus rates (11.3 and 3.3/s). AUC measures were obtained for each recording at 70 and 40 dB nHL and at 3.3 and 11.3 clicks/s. These area measurements were compared among the five age groups for significant differences due to age. According to the results, no significant differences in the AUC of the AMLR waveform existed as a function of age.