Wang Ningyu

Association Between Sex and Speech Auditory Brainstem Responses in Adults, and Relationship to Sex Hormone Levels

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the association between sex and speech-ABR in adults, and its relationship to sex hormone levels. Material/Methods Speech-ABR were elicited with the consonant-vowel syllable (/da/) in a total of 35 adults. Reproductive hormone levels were also measured. Results The transient response of the speech-ABR (waves V, A, and O) in females show a shorter latency (waves V, A and O) and a larger amplitude (waves V and A) than in males (P<0.05), except for the amplitude of peak O (P>0.05). The sustained response of females exhibited a larger amplitude (wave F, P<0.05) and a shorter latency (wave D, E, and F, P<0.05) than in males, except for the amplitude of peak D and E (P>0.05). The latencies of speech-ABR were positively correlated with testosterone level (P<0.05), and were negatively correlated with estradiol (E2) levels (P<0.05), except for wave E (P>0.05). The E2 showed a positive correlation with the absolute value of amplitude of the speech-ABR (P < 0.05). On the contrary, total testosterone showed a negative correlation with the absolute value of amplitude the speech-ABR (P<0.05), except for wave D and wave O (P>0.05). Conclusions Sex differences in speech-ABR are significant in adults. The latencies and amplitude of the speech-ABR waves were correlated with the E2 concentration and testosterone level. The sex hormones likely affect speech encoding in the brainstem.

The Pneumatization and Adjacent Structure of the Posterior Superior Maxillary Sinus and Its Effect on Nasal Cavity Morphology

Background The aim of this study was to observe the pneumatization degree and adjacent structure of the posterior superior maxillary sinus (PSMS) and its effect on nasal cavity morphology. Material/Methods The study included a total of 103 cases whose paranasal sinus CT scans had been analyzed. The pneumatization of the PSMS and its relationship with posterior ethmoid sinus (PEs) and sphenoid sinus (SS) were observed. The effects of the pneumatization of PSMS on nasal cavity width and morphology also were evaluated. Results 1) The PSMS was adjacent to orbit or middle nasal meatus (MNM) as type I in 5.82% of cases. The PSMS was adjacent to the orbit and superior nasal meatus (SNM) as follows: the superior part of medial wall of maxillary sinus (MMS) was not abutting on PEs as type II (4.35%) and abutting on PEs as type III (85.9%). If the type III was not accompanied by MMS shift toward medial it was identified as type IIIa (33.50%), and if it was accompanied MMS shift toward medial, it was identified as type IIIb (45.63%). The ethmomaxillary sinus (EMS) was identified as type IIIc (6.80%). The PSMS directly abutted on the SS as type IV in (3.88%). 2) The higher the degree of the pneumatization of PSMS was, the narrower the width of the upper part of the posterior nasal cavity (p<0.05 respectively). Conclusions The relationship of PSMS with the orbit, SNM, PEs, and SS should be identified pre-operation; it is important for safety and complete removal of retromaxillary lesions during endoscopic sinus surgery. The pneumatization degree of PSMS also should be considered as it can influence the morphology of posterior nasal cavity.

Hearing Impairment in Senile Dementia of Alzhaimer's Type*

Abstract Objectives To evaluate peripheral auditory dysfunction in senile dementia of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and its relationship with cognitive dysfunction. Methods Pure tone thresholds, word recognition scores (WRS), acoustic immittance and auditory brain-stem responses (ABR) were tested to evaluate the auditory function in 43 AD patients and 50 normal subjects. The test reliability in these subjects was examined before the test results were evaluated for their correlation with the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score. Results There were no statistically significant differences in peripheral auditory functions between the two ears in the tested subjects or between the two groups when the auditometric results of the right ear were compared (P > 0.05). Also, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups when audiometric test reliability, acoustic impedance and ABR results were compared (P > 0.05). Conclutions The pure tone audiometric threshold and WRS in AD patients are similar to those in comparable non-AD senile subjects. Peripheral auditory dysfunction is not related to cognitive dysfunction.