Relationship Between Voice Problems and Depression Among American Adults.

OBJECTIVE: Voice problems have a large impact on quality-of-life and societal participation. It has been previously reported that persons with voice problems have a higher likelihood of depression than those without voice problems. Despite this knowledge, little has changed in clinical practice related to screening for depression or incorporating the presence of depression in treatment planning. This study aims to provide an updated analysis of the prevalence of depressive symptoms in persons with voice disorders to elucidate the current magnitude of the relationship in hopes that this will provoke greater awareness of the co-occurrence of voice problems and depression and improve clinical care. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional design with a national survey. SETTING: None. METHODS: The study examined the 23,706 adults from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey database. A series of logistic regression models with propensity score matching approaches were used to examine the association between voice problems and depression by accounting for demographics and health conditions. RESULTS: When comparing persons with and without voice problems, there were statistical differences in demographics and health conditions (all P < .05); however, those differences were balanced by propensity score matching methods (all P > .05). The balanced samples revealed that those with voice problems were approximately twice as likely to experience depressive symptoms (odds ratios ranged from 1.532 to 2.024, all P < .05) compared to those without voice problems. Depressive symptoms increased with the severity (P < .0001) and duration of the voice problem (P = .0328). CONCLUSION: The study found robust associations between voice problems and depression within the current American adult population in 2022. To achieve optimal treatment outcomes, it is critical that the co-occurrence of voice problems and depression is understood, and that treatment planning addressed both conditions, when applicable.

Prevalence of Dysphonia and Dysphagia Among Adults in the United States in 2012 and 2022.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of dysphonia and dysphagia among adults in the United States between 2012 and 2022. METHOD: A retrospective and cross-sectional design with national surveys was used. The 2012 and 2022 National Health Interview Surveys were utilized to estimate the number of adults reporting dysphonia and dysphagia in the past 12 months. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine associations between the survey year (2022 vs. 2012) and the prevalence rate of dysphonia and dysphagia while accounting for demographics and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: The population-estimated mean age was 46.63 years in 2012, which increased to 48.12 years in 2022. In 2012, adults reporting dysphonia and dysphagia were 17.89 million (7.62%) and 9.44 million (4.02%), respectively. In 2022, these estimates increased to 29.92 million adults (11.71%) and 15.10 million adults (5.91%), respectively. Adults in 2022 had significantly higher odds for reporting dysphonia (odds ratio [OR] = 1.602, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] [1.486, 1.726], p < .0001) and dysphagia (OR = 1.461, 95% CI [1.328, 1.606], p < .0001) in the past 12 months compared to adults in 2012. CONCLUSIONS: The population-estimates indicated that in 2022, dysphonia affected one in 8.5 adults and dysphagia affected one in 17 adults. The increase in prevalence of these disorders should serve as a call-to-action to improve access to care and research for voice and swallowing disorders.

One-Pot Synthesis and Characterization of CuCrS2/ZnS Core/Shell Quantum Dots as New Blue-Emitting Sources.

In this paper, we introduce a new blue-emitting material, CuCrS2/ZnS QDs (CCS QDs). To obtain bright and stable photoluminescent probes, we prepared a core/shell structure; the synthesis was conducted in a one-pot system, using 1-dodecanethiol as a sulfur source and co-ligand. The CCS QDs exhibited a semi-spherical colloidal nanocrystalline shape with an average diameter of 9.0 nm and ZnS shell thickness of 1.6 nm. A maximum photoluminescence emission peak (PL max) was observed at 465 nm with an excitation wavelength of 400 nm and PLQY was 5% at an initial [Cr3+]/[Cu+] molar ratio of one in the core synthesis. With an off-stoichiometric modification for band gap engineering, the CCS QDs exhibited slightly blue-shifted PL emission spectra and PLQY was 10% with an increase in initial molar ratio of 2.0 (462 nm PL max). However, when the initial molar ratio exceeded two, the CCS QDs exhibited a lower photoluminescence quantum yield of 4.5% with 461 nm of PL max at the initial molar ratio of four due to the formation of non-emissive Cr2S3 nanoflakes.

Simply Fabricated Inexpensive Dual-Polymer-Coated Fabry-Perot Interferometer-Based Temperature Sensors with High Sensitivity.

We designed simply fabricated, highly sensitive, and cost-effective dual-polymer-coated Fabry-Perot interferometer (DFPI)-based temperature sensors by employing thermosensitive polymers and non-thermosensitive polymers, as well as different two successive dip-coating techniques (stepwise dip coating and polymer mixture coating). Seven sensors were fabricated using different polymer combinations for performance optimization. The experiments demonstrated that the stepwise dip-coated dual thermosensitive polymer sensors exhibited the highest sensitivity (2142.5 pm °C-1 for poly(methyl methacrylate)-polycarbonate (PMMA_PC) and 785.5 pm °C-1 for poly(methyl methacrylate)- polystyrene (PMMA_PS)). Conversely, the polymer-mixture-coated sensors yielded low sensitivities (339.5 pm °C-1 for the poly(methyl methacrylate)-polycarbonate mixture (PMMA_PC mixture) and 233.5 pm °C-1 for the poly(methyl methacrylate)-polystyrene mixture (PMMA_PS mixture). Thus, the coating method, polymer selection, and thin air-bubble-free coating are crucial for high-sensitivity DFPI-based sensors. Furthermore, the DFPI-based sensors yielded stable readouts, based on three measurements. Our comprehensive results confirm the effectiveness, reproducibility, stability, fast response, feasibility, and accuracy of temperature measurements using the proposed sensors. The excellent performance and simplicity of our proposed sensors are promising for biomedical, biochemical, and physical applications.

Enhancing Temperature Sensitivity of the Fabry-Perot Interferometer Sensor with Optimization of the Coating Thickness of Polystyrene.

The exploration of novel polymers for temperature sensing with high sensitivity has attracted tremendous research interest. Hence, we report a polystyrene-coated optical fiber temperature sensor with high sensitivity. To enhance the temperature sensitivity, flat, thin, smooth, and air bubble-free polystyrene was coated on the edge surface of a single-mode optical fiber, where the coating thickness was varied based on the solution concentration. Three thicknesses of the polystyrene layer were obtained as 2.0, 4.1, and 8.0 µm. The temperature sensor with 2.0 µm thick polystyrene exhibited the highest temperature sensitivity of 439.89 pm °C-1 in the temperature range of 25-100 °C. This could be attributed to the very uniform and thin coating of polystyrene, along with the reasonable coefficient of thermal expansion and thermo-optic coefficient of polystyrene. Overall, the experimental results proved the effectiveness of the proposed polystyrene-coated temperature sensor for accurate temperature measurement.

Influence of Gold-Silver Rough-Surface Nanoparticles on Plasmonic Light Scattering in Organic Solar Cells.

Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Gachon University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 461-701, Korea Among metallic nanomaterials used as plasmonic structures in organic photovoltaics (OPVs), gold (Au) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted significant attention owing to their remarkable localized surface plasmon resonance optical properties and relatively high scattering efficiency. In this study, we propose rough-surface Au@Ag core-shell NPs (RSAu@Ag NPs) as an advanced plasmonic material to combine the high scattering power of Ag NPs and broad spectral response of Au NPs in the long-wavelength range. We coat an Au nanoflower core with a thin Ag shell to fabricate the RSAu@Ag NPs. Highly efficient plasmonic organic solar cells were fabricated by embedding RSAu@Ag NPs at the bottom of the organic active layer consisting of a polymer blend of poly[2,6-(4,4-bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-cyclopenta[2,1-b;3,4-b']dithiophene)-alt-4,7(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)]. The size, controlled morphology, and distribution of the metallic NPs are considered to determine the plasmonic effect, as these are the main factors contributing to the light absorption enhancement and power conversion efficiency of an OPV device.

Drug holiday as a prognostic factor of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

OBJECTIVES: To identify post-treatment prognostic factors for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 54 MRONJ patients who visited the Department of Dentistry, Ajou University Hospital, from May 2007 to March 2014. Twenty-one patients were surgically managed with debridement or sequestrectomy and 33 patients were conservatively managed using antibiotics. Correlations of age, sex, stage, bisphosphonate duration and type, and drug holiday with the prognosis of MRONJ were investigated. Correlations were verified by logistic regression analysis and t-tests with a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: Clinical outcomes were evaluated on the basis of both clinical and radiographic findings. Twelve out of 21 surgically managed patients showed a favorable prognosis and nine patients relapsed. Thirty-one of the 33 conservatively managed patients showed no specific change in prognosis, and two patients worsened. Statistical analyses of the conservative management group did not reveal any correlation of the above factors with the prognosis of conservative management. Drug holiday was the only prognostic factor in the surgical management group (P=0.031 in logistic regression analysis, P=0.004 in t-test). CONCLUSION: Drug holiday is a prognostic factor in the surgical management of MRONJ. Because the drug holiday in the patients of the poor prognosis group occurred 1.5 to 4 months prior to surgical management, we recommend a drug holiday more than 4 months before surgery.

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography findings in bilateral peripheral cone dystrophy.

INTRODUCTION: To report spectral domain optical coherence (OCT) tomography findings in a case of bilateral peripheral cone dystrophy. CASE REPORT: A 21-year-old man complained of blurred visual fields on the lateral sides of both eyes. The patient's best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes. Fundus examination revealed mild temporal pallor, while fluorescein angiography did not show any abnormalities. Humphrey's visual field revealed a C-shaped scotoma. Photopic electroretinogram (ERG) and 30-Hz flicker revealed decreased cone function; however, scotopic ERG noted a normal response. Multifocal ERG revealed a relatively well-preserved macular area but with reduced amplitude in the peripheral areas of both eyes. On OCT, the photoreceptor inner and outer segment junction and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layers were well preserved in both eyes, except for a slight decrease in outer layer thickness. Moreover, on the macular thickness map obtained from Cirrus HD-OCT, a reduction in internal limiting membrane-RPE thickness that correlated well with visual field defects was revealed in both eyes. On the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness map obtained from Cirrus HD-OCT, the superior quadrant showed decreased RNFL thickness; however, thickness in the temporal quadrant corresponded with thickness in the macular area and was normal in both eyes. DISCUSSION: The OCT of a patient with peripheral cone dystrophy revealed decreased thickness of the macula with well-preserved retinal structures, which may be one of the distinctive features of this condition.

Analysis of spectral domain optical coherence tomography findings in occult macular dystrophy.

PURPOSE: To describe findings of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in the diagnosis of occult macular dystrophy (OMD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five visually disturbed patients who had shown normal findings in full field electroretinogram (ERG), fundus photography and fluorescein angiography but abnormal findings in multifocal ERG had undergone SD-OCT. The morphologic changes in retina and macular thickness were detected and imaged by SD-OCT. We analysed the results of SD-OCT including macular thickness, inner segment and outer segment (IS/OS) boundary and external limiting membrane (ELM). RESULTS: Mean age was 41.6 (22-63) in three male and two female patients in this study. Mean central foveal thickness was 142.9 (76-161) µm. All patients had shown decreased bowing of IS/OS boundary, and five of nine eyes were noted with disrupted IS/OS boundary of the photoreceptors according to SD-OCT. The interruption of external limiting membrane was noted in three of nine eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Spectral domain optical coherence tomography findings are useful in diagnosing OMD. Morphologic changes of the retina including deformity of the OS/IS boundary of the photoreceptors, disruption of the ELM and decreased foveal thickness may be important characteristics to consider when determining the pathophysiology and diagnosing criteria of OMD.

Citicoline reduces upregulated clusterin following kainic acid injection in the rat retina.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of citicoline on upregulated clusterin and retinal damage induced by kainic acid (KA). METHODS: KA was injected into the vitreous of rats. Effects of systemic citicoline treatments were estimated by measuring the thickness of the various retinal layers, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemical techniques. RESULTS: One day after KA injection, the immunoreactivity of clusterin increased significantly. In rats treated with KA plus citicoline, clusterin immunoreactivity was markedly reduced compared to KA-treated rats. Western blot analysis showed that clusterin protein levels were increased in KA-treated rats, but decreased in KA plus citicoline-treated rats. Apoptotic cell death was determined by TUNEL method. Citicoline reduced the expression of clusterin, as well as the expression of TUNEL after KA injection in the rat retina. CONCLUSION: The increased expression of clusterin following KA injection in the rat retina suggests the presence of neurodegenerative events; citicoline may provide neuroprotection against neuronal cell damage.

The suppressive effect of myeloid Elf-1-like factor (MEF) in osteogenic differentiation.

Myeloid Elf-1 like factor (MEF) is a member of the Ets transcription factor family. Ets family proteins control the expression of genes that are critical for biological processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and cell death. Some of Ets factors are also known to regulate bone development. In this study, we investigated the role of MEF in osteoblast differentiation. MEF expression was highest early in the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts and was reduced by treatment with BMP-2. The expression of MEF suppressed the alkaline phosphatase activity and expression induced by BMP-2 stimulation and mediated by Runx2. The expression of MEF also reduces osteocalcin mRNA levels, and mineralization in MC3T3-E1 cells. We found that the MEF-mediated suppression of osteogenic differentiation was critically related to Runx2 regulation. The MEF and Runx2 proteins physically interact to form a complex, and this interaction interferes with Runx2 binding to the cis-acting element OSE2 derived from the osteocalcin promoter. Co-transfection of MEF inhibited the 6xOSE2-luciferase reporter activity induced by Runx2. In addition, MEF stimulated the transcription of a negative mediator Msx2, and a transcriptional repressor, Mab21L1, and suppressed the transcription of a positive mediator, Dlx5 in osteoblast differentiation. MEF overexpression stimulated C2C12 cell proliferation. Together, our findings suggest that MEF promotes cell proliferation and functions as a negative regulator of osteogenic differentiation by directly interacting with Runx2 and suppressing its transcriptional activity.

Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) reduces vascular endothelial growth factor expression in allergen-induced airway inflammation.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) has been implicated in regulating cell survival signaling through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. The key role of PI3K in VEGF-mediated signal transduction is established. However, the effects of PTEN on VEGF-mediated signaling in asthma are unknown. This study aimed to determine the effect of PI3K inhibitors and PTEN on VEGF expression in allergen-induced airway inflammation. We have used a female C57BL/6 mouse model for asthma to determine the role of PTEN in allergen-induced airway inflammation, specifically in the expression of VEGF. Allergen-induced airway inflammation leads to increased activity of PI3K in lung tissue. These mice develop the following typical pathophysiological features of asthma in the lungs: increased numbers of inflammatory cells of the airways; airway hyper-responsiveness; increased expression of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), and eotaxin; increased vascular permeability; and increased levels of VEGF. Administration of PI3K inhibitors or adenoviruses carrying PTEN cDNA reduced the symptoms of asthma and decreased the increased levels of plasma extravasation and VEGF in allergen-induced asthmatic lungs. These results indicate that PTEN reduces VEGF expression in allergen-induced airway inflammation.

Radiofrequency thermal ablation of primary pleural synovial sarcoma.

Percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) thermal ablation has received attention as an effective minimally invasive approach for the treatment of a variety of neoplasms. However, the therapeutic efficacy of RF thermal ablation on primary pleural synovial sarcoma has not yet been reported. A 76-year-old man with a primary pleural synovial sarcoma who was medically inoperable received RF thermal ablation to achieve local control. Therefore, an RF electrode was inserted into the lesion and connected to an RF generator. In this report, a case of successful treatment of a primary pleural synovial sarcoma using RF ablation without complication is presented.

The left end of IS2: a compromise between transpositional activity and an essential promoter function that regulates the transposition pathway.

Cut-and-paste (simple insertion) and replicative transposition pathways are the two classical paradigms by which transposable elements are mobilized. A novel variation of cut and paste, a two-step transposition cycle, has recently been proposed for insertion sequences of the IS3 family. In IS2 this variation involves the formation of a circular, putative transposition intermediate (the minicircle) in the first step. Two aspects of the minicircle may involve its proposed role in the second step (integration into the target). The first is the presence of a highly reactive junction formed by the two abutted ends of the element. The second is the assembly at the minicircle junction of a strong hybrid promoter which generates higher levels of transposase. In this report we show that IS2 possesses a highly reactive minicircle junction at which a strong promoter is assembled and that the promoter is needed for the efficient completion of the pathway. We show that the sequence diversions which characterize the imperfect inverted repeats or ends of this element have evolved specifically to permit the formation and optimal function of this promoter. While these sequence diversions eliminate catalytic activity of the left end (IRL) in the linear element, sufficient sequence information essential for catalysis is retained by the IRL in the context of the minicircle junction. These data confirm that the minicircle is an essential intermediate in the two-step transposition pathway of IS2.