Hideyuki Kataoka

Effect of aging on oral and swallowing function after meal consumption.

Background/purpose Dysphagia may worsen due to fatigue of the infrahyoid and suprahyoid muscle groups as a result of repetitive swallowing during a meal. We investigated the hypothesis that meal consumption may reduce tongue strength and endurance in older adults (OAs). Methods Tongue–palate pressure, oral diadochokinesis, repetitive saliva swallowing, and surface electromyography activity before and after a meal were measured in 23 young adults (YAs) and 23 OA volunteers. Results There was a statistically significant difference in both tongue pressure and the number of voluntary swallows between YAs and OAs. Peak tongue pressure was significantly lower in OAs than YAs both before and after meal consumption. The most notable finding was that the first time interval (the time from test initiation to the beginning of the first swallow) was prolonged after meal consumption only in OAs, whereas the first time interval showed no difference between YAs and OAs before meal consumption with reference to the repetitive saliva swallowing test. The initiation of swallowing was prolonged by both meal consumption and aging; there was a significant interaction between these two factors. The number of repetitions of the monosyllable/pa/was statistically similar between YAs and OAs before meal consumption, but it was significantly lower in OAs after meal consumption. Conclusion Aging leads to declining tongue pressure and motor function of the lips. It is possible that swallowing function declines in older individuals when meal consumption is prolonged, especially at the end of mealtime, as a result of their efforts in mastication and swallowing.

Relationship between quality of life instruments and phonatory function in tracheoesophageal speech with voice prosthesis

BackgroundThe use of tracheoesophageal speech with voice prosthesis (T-E speech) after total laryngectomy has increased recently as a method of vocalization following laryngeal cancer. Previous research has not investigated the relationship between quality of life (QOL) and phonatory function in those using T-E speech. This study aimed to demonstrate the relationship between phonatory function and both comprehensive health-related QOL and QOL related to speech in people using T-E speech.MethodsThe subjects of the study were 20 male patients using T-E speech after total laryngectomy. At a visit to our clinic, the subjects underwent a phonatory function test and completed three questionnaires: the MOS 8-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-8), the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), and the Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) Measure.ResultsA significant correlation was observed between the physical component summary (PCS), a summary score of SF-8, and VHI-10. Additionally, a significant correlation was observed between the SF-8 mental component summary (MCS) and both VHI-10 and VRQOL. Significant correlations were also observed between voice intensity in the phonatory function test and both VHI-10 and V-RQOL. Finally, voice intensity was significantly correlated with the SF-8 PCS.ConclusionsQOL questionnaires and phonatory function tests showed that, in people using T-E speech after total laryngectomy, voice intensity was correlated with comprehensive QOL, including physical and mental health. This finding suggests that voice intensity can be used as a performance index for speech rehabilitation.

Deleted in Esophageal Cancer 1(DEC1) Is Down-Regulated and Contributes to Migration in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines

Background: Previous studies have shown that the expression of Deleted in Esophageal Cancer 1 (DEC1) is significantly reduced in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) often develop esophageal carcinomas. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the expression of DEC1 and histone modifications in HNSCC cell lines. The motility and invasive ability of the HNSCC cell lines were also studied. Results: Of 18 cell lines, 12 (66.7%) showed down-regulation of DEC1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays indicated that H3 K27 trimethylation levels in the DEC1-down-regulated cell lines were greater than that in the DEC1-expressed cell lines. Migration assays showed that the DEC1-down-regulated cell lines tended to be more motile than the DEC1-expressed cell lines. Conclusion:DEC1 is down-regulated and tends to contribute to the migration ability of HNSCC cell lines. In addition, H3 K27 trimethylation potentially plays an important role in the regulation of DEC1 expression.

Sequential motion of the ossicular chain measured by laser Doppler vibrometry

Abstract Objective: In order to help a surgeon make the best decision, a more objective method of measuring ossicular motion is required. Methods: A laser Doppler vibrometer was mounted on a surgical microscope. To measure ossicular chain vibrations, eight patients with cochlear implants were investigated. To assess the motions of the ossicular chain, velocities at five points were measured with tonal stimuli of 1 and 3 kHz, which yielded reproducible results. The sequential amplitude change at each point was calculated with phase shifting from the tonal stimulus. Motion of the ossicular chain was visualized from the averaged results using the graphics application. Results: The head of the malleus and the body of the incus showed synchronized movement as one unit. In contrast, the stapes (incudostapedial joint and posterior crus) moved synchronously in opposite phase to the malleus and incus. The amplitudes at 1 kHz were almost twice those at 3 kHz. Conclusions: Our results show that the malleus and incus unit and the stapes move with a phase difference.

Post-laryngectomy voice rehabilitation with a voice prosthesis in a young girl with advanced thyroid cancer.

The aim of this report is to evaluate the effects of voice rehabilitation with a voice prosthesis in a young patient with thyroid cancer. A 17-year-old girl underwent voice restoration with a voice prosthesis after laryngectomy to treat thyroid cancer. She completed voice-related questionnaires (the Voice Handicap Index-10 and Voice-Related Quality Of Life Survey) at ages 17 and 21 and underwent phonetic functional evaluation. The sound spectrograms of her phonation using the voice prosthesis showed low frequency sounds without an obvious basic frequency. She was ashamed of her hoarse voice and did not use her voice prosthesis during high school. However, after beginning to work at age 20, she used her voice to communicate in the workplace. At age 21, her questionnaire scores, especially those related to the physical and functional domains, improved compared with those at age 17. Voice restoration with a voice prosthesis is recommended for young patients who undergo laryngectomy for advanced thyroid cancer. The advantages of voice restoration with a voice prosthesis may increase when the patient reaches working age, and it may improve post-laryngectomy quality of life considerably.