Altered adrenal and gonadal steroids biosynthesis in patients with burn injury

Peer reviewe

Matrix Metalloproteinases-8 and-9 and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 in Burn Patients. A Prospective Observational Study

Introduction Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) -8 and -9 are released from neutrophils in acute inflammation and may contribute to permeability changes in burn injury. In retrospective studies on sepsis, levels of MMP-8, MMP-9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) differed from those of healthy controls, and TIMP-1 showed an association with outcome. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between these proteins and disease severity and outcome in burn patients. Methods In this prospective, observational, two-center study, we collected plasma samples from admission to day 21 post-burn, and burn blister fluid samples on admission. We compared MMP-8, -9, and TIMP-1 levels between TBSA20% (N = 30) injured patients and healthy controls, and between 90-day survivors and non-survivors. MMP-8, -9, and TIMP-1 levels at 24-48 hours from injury, their maximal levels, and their time-adjusted means were compared between groups. Correlations with clinical parameters and the extent of burn were analyzed. MMP-8, -9, and TIMP-1 levels in burn blister fluids were also studied. Results Plasma MMP-8 and -9 were higher in patients than in healthy controls (P20% groups. MMP-8 and -9 were not associated with clinical severity or outcome measures. TIMP-1 differed significantly between patients and controls (P20% groups (PPeer reviewe

Electro-acoustic performance of the new bone vibrator Radioear B81: A comparison with the conventional Radioear B71

Objective: The objective is to evaluate the electro-acoustic performance of a new audiometric bone vibrator, the B81 from Radioear Corporation, USA. Comparison will be made with the widely used B71 which has well-known limitations at low frequencies. Design: The B81 is based on the balanced electromagnetic separation transducer (BEST) principle where static forces are counterbalanced so that nonlinear distortion forces are reduced and maximum hearing levels can be increased. Study sample: Maximum hearing level, total harmonic distortion (THD), frequency response, and electrical impedance were measured for six devices of each bone vibrator type on an artificial mastoid. Results: It was found that B81 reaches 10.7-22.0 dB higher maximum (@ THD. 6% or V-in. 6 V-RMS) hearing levels than B71 for frequencies below 1500 Hz, and had significantly lower THD up to 1000 Hz. There was no statistically significant difference between their frequency response, except a deviation at the mid frequencies (alpha = 0.01) where B81 was more efficient and the electrical impedances were practically the same. Conclusions: In general, B81 had an improved electro-acoustic performance compared to B71 and is compatible with same audiometers. In particular, B81 allows for sensorineural hearing loss to be measured at considerably higher hearing levels than with B71 below 1500 Hz

VEMP using a new low-frequency bone conduction transducer

Bo Håkansson,1 Karl-Johan Fredén Jansson,1 Tomas Tengstrand,2 Leif Johannsen,3 Måns Eeg-Olofsson,4 Cristina Rigato,1 Elisabeth Dahlström,4 Sabine Reinfeldt1 1Department of Electrical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden; 2Department of Audiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; 3Ortofon A/S, Nakskov, Denmark; 4Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden Objective: A new prototype bone conduction (BC) transducer B250, with an emphasized low-frequency response, is evaluated in vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) investigations. The aim was to compare cervical (cVEMP) and ocular (oVEMP) responses using tone bursts at 250 and 500 Hz with BC stimulation using the B250 and the conventional B81 transducer and by using air conduction (AC) stimulation.Methods: Three normal subjects were investigated in a pilot study. BC stimulation was applied to the mastoids in cVEMP, and both mastoid and forehead in oVEMP investigations.Results: BC stimulation was found to reach VEMP thresholds at considerably lower hearing levels than in AC stimulation (30–40 dB lower oVEMP threshold at 250 Hz). Three or more cVEMP and oVEMP responses at consecutive 5 dB increasing mastoid stimulation levels were only obtained in all subjects using the B250 transducer at 250 Hz. Similar BC thresholds were obtained for both ipsilateral and contralateral mastoid stimulation. Forehead stimulation, if needed, may require a more powerful vibration output.Conclusion: Viable VEMP responses can be obtained at a considerably lower hearing level with BC stimulation than by AC stimulation. The cVEMP and oVEMP responses were similar when measured on one side and with the B250 attached to both ipsilateral and contralateral mastoids. Keywords: vestibular investigation, air conduction, bone conduction, VEMP, cVEMP, oVEM

VEMP using a new low-frequency bone conduction transducer [Erratum]

Håkansson B, Fredén Jansson KJ, Tengstrand T, et al. Med Devices (Auckl). 2018;11:301–312.On page 307, Table 1, there is an error in the placement of the lines in the “Average” column. All measured values in Table 1 are correct, but the lines to the right, showing how the conclusive values “39 dB” and “32 dB” were calculated, were erroneously scaled in the final preparation, and point to wrong values in their lower end. The correct placement of the lines is shown in the corrected version in this erratum.Read the original article