Assessing game experience: heart rate variability, in-game behavior and self-report measures

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Complications with Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing in 2,820 Examinations

Objective: To perform a retrospective evaluation of the incidence of complications and adverse events during fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) in 2,820 examinations. Patients and Methods: Subjects included in- and outpatients at Pisa University Hospital referred for FEES by other physicians due to dysphagia symptoms. Neurologic diseases were the most commonly diagnosed conditions in the patients tested (48.3%). Informed consent was obtained from all subjects. Results: Our study showed minor side effects (discomfort, occasional gagging and vomiting) and a few complications [three cases of anterior epistaxis (0.1%), one case of posterior epistaxis (0.04%), three cases of vasovagal syncope (0.1%) and two cases of laryngospasm (0.07%)]. These cases of laryngospasm occurred in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spontaneously resolved after some difficulty. Conclusions: Our study confirms the published data regarding the safety of FEES and the incidence of complications with this procedure, but also highlights that in neurologic patients with neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, laryngospasm is more likely to occur as a severe complication. The overall risk of FEES is minimal, but it is recommended that clinicians be well trained in recognising the signs and symptoms of adverse reactions and be ready to take appropriate action if these occur.
Folia Phoniatr Logop 2016;68:37-45

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Tongue and Lower Lip Movement in Semivowel /w/ Production

Aims: Previous studies have shown significant correlations between the acoustic characteristics of /w/ and speech intelligibility. To understand the articulatory pattern in /w/ production, the current study investigated the movement characteristics of the tongue and lower lip in whip productions in comparison to bib productions. Methods: Data from 19 typical adult male participants were collected using electromagnetic articulography. A number of kinematic measures of tongue body (approximately 25 mm posterior to the tongue apex) and lower lip movements were analyzed. Results: The findings suggested different movement patterns of the tongue body and lower lip in whip and bib productions. The amount of lip movement in the anterior-posterior plane exhibited by each speaker did not vary between whip and bib. However, speakers did exhibit more tongue retraction/advancement, greater overall tongue movement, and faster tongue movement speed in whip than in bib. Conclusion: Tongue movement in the anterior-posterior plane, such as tongue retraction and advancement, was found to be crucial for the production of /w/ in typical male speakers. Thus, the articulatory kinematics of the tongue in the anterior-posterior plane and its coordination with the lips need to be further examined in speakers with dysarthria to understand the underlying kinematic characteristics that influence speech intelligibility.
Folia Phoniatr Logop 2016;68:46-51

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Victims Seeking Help from Speech-Language Pathologists: Bullying, Preparedness, and Perceptions

Objective: Antibullying initiatives indicate that all school-based personnel should accept responsibility for changing the school climate and eliminating bullying. This study examined if victims seeking assistance for bullying contacted speech-language pathologists (SLPs), SLPs' preparation to address bullying and their current perceptions of responsibilities and interventions. Methods: A mailed survey consisting of a questionnaire and scale on bullying intervention strategies was completed by 418 school-based SLPs. Results: Sixty-one (14.6%) SLPs reported that victims on their caseloads told them directly about being bullied during the last month. The majority of SLPs (84.9%) reported that bullying was a problem in schools, and 65.1% reported that they had observed students being bullied in the past month. Less than half of the SLPs (46.7%) reported feeling prepared to deal with bullying episodes. Thirty-six SLPs (7.9%) reported that they did not address bullying issues because it was outside the scope of practice or job responsibilities. Conclusions: This is the first large study to report that victims seek help from SLPs directly for assistance with bullying incidents. SLPs stated that they received some training in addressing bullying issues but did not feel prepared. SLPs thought bullying was a problem but were undecided about the best strategies for assisting the students.
Folia Phoniatr Logop 2016;68:29-36

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Factors Influencing the Quality of Sunscreen Application in a Pilot Comparative Study

Occupational UV exposure represents a considerable part of the cumulative lifelong UV exposure in many outdoor professions ¹, and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin has recently been recognized as an occupational disease in Germany ². Prevention is thus required by law. Sunscreens are popular methods of sun protection. This explorative pilot study aimed to compare the quality of sunscreen application in an occupational and a leisure setting and the factors which may influence it.

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Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide promotes eccrine gland sweat secretion

Summary

Background

Sweat secretion is the major function of eccrine sweat glands; when this process is disturbed (paridrosis), serious skin problems can arise. To elucidate causes of paridrosis, an improved understanding of the regulation, mechanisms and factors underlying sweat production is required. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) exhibits pleiotropic functions that are mediated via its receptors (PAC1R, VPAC1R and VPAC2R). Although some studies suggested a role for PACAP in the skin and several exocrine glands, the effects of PACAP on the process of eccrine sweat secretion have not been examined.

Objectives

To investigate the effect of PACAP on eccrine sweat secretion.

Methods

RT-PCR and immunostaining were used to determine the expression and localization of PACAP and its receptors in mouse and human eccrine sweat glands. We subcutaneously injected PACAP into the footpads of mice and used the starch iodine test to visualize sweat-secreting glands.

Results

Immunostaining showed PACAP and PAC1R expression by secretory cells from mouse and human sweat glands. PACAP immunoreactivity was also localized in nerve fibres around eccrine sweat glands. PACAP significantly promoted sweat secretion at the injection site, and this could be blocked by the PAC1R-antagonist PACAP6-38. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), an agonist of VPAC1R and VPAC2R, failed to induce sweat secretion.

Conclusions

This is the first report demonstrating that PACAP may play a crucial role in sweat secretion via its action on PAC1R located in eccrine sweat glands. The mechanisms underlying the role of PACAP in sweat secretion may provide new therapeutic options to combat sweating disorders.

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Saliva induces expression of antimicrobial peptides and promotes intracellular killing of bacteria in keratinocytes by EGFR-transactivation

Summary

Background

Wounds in the oral cavity, constantly exposed to both saliva and bacteria, heal quickly without infection. Furthermore, during licking of skin wounds, saliva promotes wound healing and plays a role in keeping the wound free of infection.

Objectives

To investigate whether saliva induced expression of antimicrobial peptides in human epidermal keratinocytes and whether saliva promoted clearance of intracellular bacteria in these cells.

Methods

Expression of antimicrobial peptides were investigated in the oral mucosa and ex vivo injured skin by immunohistochemistry. hBD-3 expression were investigated in epidermal keratinocytes after saliva stimulation with real time PCR and immunofluorescence.

Results

We found higher expression of antimicrobial peptides in the oral mucosa compared to the epidermis. Saliva accelerated the injury-induced expression of antimicrobial peptides in human skin ex vivo and was a potent inducer of the expression of antimicrobial peptides in epidermal keratinocytes. The expression of antimicrobial peptides was induced by metalloprotease-dependent EGFR transactivation mediated by a salivary lipid. Saliva increased the intracellular clearance of Staphylococcus aureus in keratinocytes through EGFR-activation.

Conclusions

These findings suggest a previously unreported role of saliva in innate immunity and demonstrate for the first time that saliva induces gene expression in epidermal keratinocytes.

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