A study on stress and resilience among hearing-impaired people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AIM: The aim of the study is to determine the acute stress and psychological resilience level of people with hearing impairment during the COVID-19 pandemic and to investigate the relationship between the grade of hearing impairment, psychological resilience and perceived stress level in this period. METHODS: A cross-sectional study. A total of 135 hearing-impaired individuals using hearing aids (study group) and 125 healthy individuals (control group) participated. The Turkish versions of the Acute Stress Symptoms Scale (ASSS) and Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) were applied to all participants. The Turkish version of Amsterdam Inventory for Auditory Disability and Handicap (T-AIADH) was also applied to the study group in addition to other scales. The presence of any difference between the groups in terms of ASSS and BRS scores was investigated. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the control group and the study group in terms of ASSS results (Z = -4.4, P = .00). No statistically significant difference was found between the control group and the study group in terms of BRS scores (Z = -0.248, P = .804). Furthermore, T-AIADH scale was observed not to correlate either with ASSS or BRS (P > .05). In the study group, the change in income level after the pandemic, age and sex variables were determined as a significant predictor of ASSS. CONCLUSION: Identifying risks and protective factors for hearing-impaired individuals at the early stage of the epidemic is considered to be of critical importance to predict the psychological impact of both the epidemic and the response to the COVID-19 health crisis and to reduce stress.

Serum YKL-40: a potential biomarker for psoriasis or endothelial dysfunction in psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a disease that can contribute to a risk of atherosclerosis. In several studies, impaired endothelial dysfunction (ED) is correlated with psoriasis. Serum YKL-40 is a new inflammatory biomarker of vascular damage, like ED and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the study was to compare relevance of serum YKL-40 levels in psoriasis patients and healthy subjects according to ED diagnosis and identifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Sixty (31 female, 29 male) patients with plaque psoriasis, and 30 (18 female, 12 male) healthy controls were selected according to whether they had at least one or no identifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. All subjects were evaluated ultrasonographically for endothelial function and diagnosed as with or without ED and all groups compared for serum YKL-40 levels. YKL-40 levels of psoriatic patients with ED were higher than healthy controls with ED (P = <0.05). There were no statistical differences in between subjects without ED. YKL-40 levels of patients over age of 40 were higher than younger ones (P < 0.05). But in healthy controls, there were no differences. In comparison of cardiovascular risk-positive (RP) patients and RP healthy subjects, YKL-40 levels were higher in RP patients (P = <0.05). The elevation of plasma YKL-40 in psoriasis can be associated not only with inflammation of the disease, but also with ED. YKL-40 can be used as a marker for predicting and preventing cardiovascular diseases in RP psoriatic patients with age above 40.

Comparison of Click and Level-Specific (LS) CE Chirp-Stimulated Auditory Brainstem Responses in Adults with Hearing Loss.

Background The CE-Chirp stimulus used in the ABR was developed to compensate for the cochlear wave delay. As a version of broadband CE-Chirp stimulus, the use of level-specific (LS) CE-Chirp stimuli, which are created with varying delay models suitable for the intensity levels at which the sound is transmitted, is becoming increasingly common. Purpose The aim of this study was to compare click auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) with LS CE-Chirp ABR thresholds in adults with sensorineural hearing loss. Research Design The research is a cross-sectional-analytical research. Study Sample Twenty-two adult patients (n = 44 ears) with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss were included in the study. Data Collection and Analysis Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA), click ABR and LS CE-Chirp ABR tests were performed on adult (13 male, 9 female) (42.86± 14.50 years) patients with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Click ABR and LS CE-Chirp ABR thresholds were compared in terms of proximity to behavioral hearing thresholds of 2 kHz, 4 kHz, and 2-4 kHz averages. Results: Both types of ABR stimuli were able to identify with total hearing loss (n = 6). A statistically significant difference was found between LS CE-Chirp ABR thresholds (53.81±20.28 dB nHL) and click ABR thresholds (58.81±19.11 dB nHL) in the other ears (n = 38) with hearing loss (p=0.00). When both ears were evaluated together and the right and left ears were evaluated separately, no difference was found between LS CE-Chirp ABR thresholds and 4 kHz behavioral hearing thresholds (p: 0.66, p:0.80, p: 0.69, respectively). Conclusion: We determined that in adults with hearing loss, the LS CE-Chirp provides ABR thresholds closer to the behavioral hearing thresholds of 2 kHz, 4 kHz compared to the click stimulus. Notably, there was no difference between LS CE-Chirp ABR thresholds and the 4 kHz behavioral hearing thresholds. We concluded that the LS CE-Chirp stimulus can be used effectively in the estimation of behavioral hearing thresholds in adults with hearing loss Keywords: Auditory Brainstem Response, Hearing loss, Click, Level specific CE-Chirp.

Cervical Vestibular-Evoked Myogenic Potentials and Balance Testing in Children with Down Syndrome.

Introduction Vestibular otolith function plays a major role in balance control. Objective To investigate the saccular and balance functions of children with Down syndrome (DS). Methods In total, 15 children with DS aged between 9 and 11 years were included. An age- and gender-matched control group (CG) composed of 15 normal participants was also included. The subjects with DS had trisomy 21, without hearing or organic problems, and they had independence in stance. The saccular function among the children with DS and among the controls was tested using air-conduction cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs). In addition, the static and dynamic balance statuses were evaluated using the following assessments; the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB), the Romberg test, and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Results In the present study, the results of the saccular function test showed that there was a significant difference between children with and without DS ( p < 0.05). The DS subjects had significantly earlier N1 latancy and lower amplitude of the cVEMPs (< 70 µV) compared with the control subjects. The static-dynamic balance ability was statistically and significantly different in children with DS compared with the controls ( p < 0.05). Conclusion These results revealed that saccular function seems to be affected in DS subjects. The dysfunction in static and dynamic balance abilities of the children with DS may be attributed to vestibular dysfunction as well as low gross motor skills. This knowledge should be taken into account when assessing motor performance in those subjects. Additional larger studies testing other dimensions of the vestibular system in children with DS are needed.

Multifrequency multicomponent tympanometry in children with a history of ventilation tube insertion.

OBJECTIVES: To use multifrequency multicomponent tympanometry (MF-MCT) for evaluating the middle ear mechano-acoustics of children with a history of ventilation tube (VT) insertion and to determine the effects of tube insertion sequelae on middle ear function. METHODS: A prospective case-control study in a tertiary referral center involving 26 children (51 ears) aged 3-15 years. The children had undergone VT insertion surgery at least one-year previously and had no other known ear diseases. In addition, 13 age-matched healthy controls (26 ears) with no prior history of ear disease were included. The patients and control subjects underwent an otoscopic examination, standard 226 Hz tympanometry, and MF-MCT. RESULTS: In 13.7% of cases, the VT was still in place in the operated ears. Post-operative myringosclerosis and/or eardrum retraction were noticed in 30% of ears with intact tympanic membranes in the patient group. While patients exhibited a great variability of tympanometric types (with standard 226 Hz tympanometry and tympanometric patterns with 1000 Hz MF-MCT), all cases in the control group had type A tympanograms and 3B1G patterns. CONCLUSION: The effects of VT treatment on the mechano-acoustics of the middle ear have been revealed in this study. It has also been determined that VT application may increase the mass effect on the middle ear functions, which can be detected in the tympanometric shape and pattern.

Wideband tympanometry findings in inner ear malformations.

OBJECTIVE: The deficits in the cochlea which is at the one end of the ear sound transfer system, may effect middle ear functions. Wideband typanometry (WBT) is frequently used to evaluate these transfer functions which play a crucial role in setting the impedance matching between the external ear and the cochlea. To this end, the aim of this study was to investigate the ear transfer functions in inner ear malformations via WBT, and to question whether these functions change depending on the types of inner ear malformation. METHODS: This prospective case-control study was conducted in a university hospital. One hundered-fifty-seven ears (aged 3-37 years) under the groups of cochlear hypoplasia, incomplete partition I, incomplete partition II, cochlear aplasia and complete labyrinthine aplasia were evaluated. In the control group, 30 ears with normal hearing were enrolled and WBT was carried out. Tympanometric peak pressure, equivalent middle ear volume, static admittance, tympanogram width, resonance frequency, average wideband tympanometry and absorbance measurements were analyzed. RESULTS: The inner ear malformation groups demonstrated statistically significant differences than the control group and from each other in terms of traditional tympanometric parameters and WBT test parameters (p<0.05). The most remarkable difference was between the group of complete labyrinthine aplasia and the control group, most probably because of complete labyrinthine aplasia's structural effects. However, on some parameters, incomplete partition II and the control group showed similarities. In absorbance measurements, there was significant difference between all patient groups and the control group, especially at high frequencies (p<0.05). The largest difference was between the control group and the group of complete labyrinthine aplasia which has revealed the lowest absorbance values (p<0.05). In averaged-wideband tympanogram analysis, all patient groups obtained a lower amplitude peak than the control group; complete labyrinthine aplasia group had the flattest peaked amplitude, while the incomplete partition II group had a near-normal curve. CONCLUSION: The results of the study revealed the distinctive effects of inner ear malformations in middle ear transfer functions. It is concluded that the absence of inner ear structures causes negative effects on energy absorbance and the other transfer functions of the middle ear. WBT may provide additional information on diagnosis of patients with inner ear malformations.

Effect of zinc on the lipid peroxidation and the antioxidant defense systems of the alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits.

The effects of oral zinc supplementation on lipid peroxidation and the antioxidant defense system of alloxan (80-90 mg/kg)-induced diabetic rabbits were examined. Forty-five New Zealand male rabbits, 1 year old, weighing approximately 2.5 kg, were allocated randomly and equally as control, diabetic, and zinc-supplemented diabetic groups. After diabetes was induced, zinc-supplemented diabetic rabbits had 150 mg/L of zinc as zinc sulfate (ZnSO(4)) in their drinking tap water for 3 months. The feed and water consumption was higher in diabetic groups than (P<0.01) healthy rabbits. The body weight was lower in diabetic rabbits compared to control. The blood glucose levels were higher in diabetic groups than controls. The elevated plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined in the diabetic group (P<0.01). The glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and ceruloplasmin levels in the diabetic group were decreased by the effect of diabetes but there was no difference between zinc-supplemented diabetic and control rabbits. Serum zinc concentrations were lower in diabetic rabbits but iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) levels in sera were not different among the groups. As a result, it was concluded that daily zinc supplementation could reduce the harmful effects of oxidative stress in diabetics.

Regional differences of Turkey in risk factors of newborn hearing loss.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to discover Turkish regional differences in the risk factors of newborn hearing loss. METHOD: A multi-centered retrospective design was used. A total of 443 children, registered to the national newborn hearing screening programme, with bilateral hearing loss, from five different regions of Turkey, were evaluated in terms of the types of hearing loss, the degree of hearing loss, the types of risk factors, parental consanguinity, age at diagnosis and age of auditory intervention, respectively. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the prevalence of hearing loss between regions (χ2 = 3.210, P = 0.523). Symmetric Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL) was the most common type of HL in all regions (91.8%). Profound HL was the most common degree of HL in all regions (46.2%). There were statistically significant differences between regions in terms of types of HL (χ2 = 14.151, P = 0.000). As a total, 323 (72.9%) of subjects did not have any risk factors. There were statistically significant differences between regions in terms of the types of risk factors (pre, peri and post-natal) for SSNHL (χ2 = 16.095, P = 0.000). For all regions, the age of diagnosis was convenient with the JCIH criteria. However the age of hearing aid application was prolonged in some regions. There were statistically significant differences between regions in terms of the age of diagnosis (χ2 = 93.570, P = 0.000) and the age of auditory intervention (χ2 = 47.323, P = 0.000). The confounding effects of gender, age of diagnosis, age of hearing aids applications, HL in the family, types of risk factors for HL on SSNHL were detected. CONCLUSION: To reach the goal of a high quality newborn hearing screening, there is a need to develop an evidence-based standard for follow up guideline. In addition, risk factors should be re-evaluated according to regional differences and all regions should take their own precautions according to their evidence based data.

The clinical significance of hematologic parameters in patients with sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND: Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic inflammatory granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. No suitable biomarkers are available to evaluate the prognosis of this disease, which still has an unpredictable clinical course. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential clinical usefulness of hematologic markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated 172 subjects: 116 patients with sarcoidosis and 56 healthy individuals at Suleyman Demirel University and Dr. Suat Seren Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training Hospital. Complete blood count, demographics and pulmonary function test data from sarcoidosis patients between 2008 and 2013 were evaluated and collated retrospectively. The cut-off values were determined by calculating the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and mean platelet volume (MPV) of the patients. RESULTS: The cut-off values were determined as 2 and 8.95 for NLR and MPV, respectively. NLRs were significantly higher in sarcoidosis patients than in healthy controls (P < 0.001) and were directly correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels (R = 0.183, P = 0.017). Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed a 0.83 [confidence interval (CI) 68.8%-88.4%] area under the curve, 80% sensitivity and 59% specificity at the cut-off of NLR. Higher NLRs (≥2) were detected in patients with sarcoidosis than in the control group (P < 0.001). Also, high NLRs were more frequent in patients with extrapulmonary involvement (P = 0.031). MPV values were not different between control and patient groups. CONCLUSIONS: NLR may be a biomarker with good sensitivity that is easily detected in serum. It can be proposed in clinical practice to identify a patient's prognosis. However, large prospective studies are required to further demonstrate the prognostic significance of these values.

Feeding diets supplemented with zinc and vitamin A in laying hens: effects on histopathological findings and tissue mineral contents.

The effects of different dietary levels of zinc and vitamin A on tissue mineral accumulation and histopathological alterations were examined in laying hens. For this purpose, 130 Hisex brown laying hens aged 56 weeks were divided into two main groups. Each group of hens were fed on diets supplemented with two different levels of vitamin A (0-10,000 IU kg(-1)). Then, laying hens in both of the main groups were subdivided into five treatment groups given different levels of zinc (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg kg(-1)) for 12 weeks. Dietary additions of zinc and/or vitamin A did not significantly affect the zinc concentrations of the pancreas, liver, gizzard, thyroid, and copper concentrations of the pancreas, gizzard, and thyroid. The group fed the highest zinc (200 mg kg(-1)) in the diet had twofold iron concentration in their thyroid tissue compared to the concentration of the control group receiving no extra zinc. Histopathologically, there was slight oedema, degranulation, and vacuolation in exocrine cells and some fibrotic areas in the pancreas and reduced follicular size. Follicular cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia occurred in the thyroids, and gizzard erosions were seen in some cases.

The relationship between early reversibility test and maximal inspiratory pressure in patients with airway obstruction.

Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) is a marker for assessing the degree of respiratory muscle dysfunction. Muscle dysfunction represents a pathophysiological feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We aimed to determinate the MIP value in patients with airway obstruction, to evaluate the change in MIP with bronchodilator drug, and to show the relationship between the changes in MIP and disease characteristics. We evaluated 21 patients with airway obstruction at the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Samsun Medicalpark Hospital, Samsun, Turkey. We performed pulmonary function tests, measurement of MIP values, and reversibility tests with salbutamol. The baseline spirometry results were: mean forced vital capacity (FVC), 3,017±1,020 mL and 75.8%±20.8%; mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), 1,892±701 mL and 59.2%±18.2%; FEV1/FVC, 62.9%±5.5%; peak expiratory flow, 53%±19%. The pre-bronchodilator MIP value was 62.1±36.9 cmH2O. The reversibility test was found to be positive in 61.9% of patients with salbutamol. The absolute change and percentage of change in FEV1 were 318±223 mL and 19.8%±16.7%, respectively. The MIP value was increased by 5.5 cmH2O (8.8%) and was 67.7±30.3 cmH2O after bronchodilation. There was no significant relationship between age, FEV1, reversibility, and change in MIP with bronchodilator. However, the increase in MIP with bronchodilator drug was higher in patients with low body mass index (<25 kg/m(2)). We noted a 13.1% increase in FVC, a 19.8% increase in FEV1, a 20.2% increase in peak expiratory flow, and an 8.8% increase in MIP with salbutamol. In conclusion; MIP increases with bronchodilator therapy, regardless of changes in lung function, in patients with airway obstruction. The reversibilty test can be used to evaluate change in MIP with salbutamol.