Acoustic assessment of erygmophonic speech of Moroccan laryngectomized patients.

INTRODUCTION: Acoustic evaluation of alaryngeal voices is among the most prominent issues in speech analysis field. In fact, many methods have been developed to date to substitute the classic perceptual evaluation. The Aim of this study is to present our experience in erygmophonic speech objective assessment and to discuss the most widely used methods of acoustic speech appraisal. through a prospective case-control study we have measured acoustic parameters of speech quality during one year of erygmophonic rehabilitation therapy of Moroccan laryngectomized patients. METHODS: We have assessed acoustic parameters of erygmophonic speech samples of eleven laryngectomized patients through the speech rehabilitation therapy. Acoustic parameters were obtained by perturbation analysis method and linear predictive coding algorithms also through the broadband spectrogram. RESULTS: Using perturbation analysis methods, we have found erygmophonic voice to be significantly poorer than normal speech and it exhibits higher formant frequency values. However, erygmophonic voice shows also higher and extremely variable Error values that were greater than the acceptable level. And thus, live a doubt on the reliability of those analytic methods results. CONCLUSION: Acoustic parameters for objective evaluation of alaryngeal voices should allow a reliable representation of the perceptual evaluation of the quality of speech. This requirement has not been fulfilled by the common methods used so far. Therefore, acoustical assessment of erygmophonic speech needs more investigations.

Chiral ligands derived from monoterpenes: application in the synthesis of optically pure secondary alcohols via asymmetric catalysis.

The preparation of optically pure secondary alcohols in the presence of catalysts based on chiral ligands derived from monoterpenes, such as pinenes, limonenes and carenes, is reviewed. A wide variety of these ligands has been synthesized and used in several catalytic reactions, including hydrogen transfer, C-C bond formation via addition of organozinc compounds to aldehydes, hydrosilylation, and oxazaborolidine reduction, leading to high activities and enantioselectivities.

The superomedial thigh flap in scrotal reconstruction: Technical steps to improve cosmetic results.

The superomedial thigh flap is a reliable and easy method for scrotal reconstruction described in 1980 and infrequently reported in the literature since its description. We used it for four patients presenting scrotal defects after Fournier's gangrene with some technical modifications to improve the esthetic results and to facilitate the closure of the donor area. We describe the technical steps and the results.

Nickel-catalysed hydroalkoxylation reaction of 1,3-butadiene: ligand controlled selectivity for the efficient and atom-economical synthesis of alkylbutenyl ethers.

The nickel-catalysed hydroalkoxylation of butadiene is promoted by a nickel(0)/dppb catalyst (dppb = 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane; see scheme). By following this new synthetic procedure, alkylbutenyl ethers are readily obtained from an alcohol and 1,3-butadiene with exclusion of dimerisation and telomerisation products.

α-Amino-oximes based on optically pure limonene: a new ligands family for ruthenium-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation.

A new family of bifunctional, optically pure α-amino-oxime ligands based on (R)-limonene has been synthesized and used as chiral inducers for enantioselective hydrogen transfer reactions on various ketones in the presence of ruthenium catalysts. The X-ray structures of Ru-amino-oxime complexes are also described.

[Laryngeal tuberculosis]. / La tuberculose laryngée.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to highlight the diagnostic problems posed by laryngeal tuberculosis and to incite practitioners to seek it more frequently, especially with the current resurgence in tuberculosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eleven cases of laryngeal tuberculosis were diagnosed over a period of 4 years and included in a retrospective study. RESULTS: We identified seven men and four women (average age 43 years). Dysphonia was the primary symptom. Direct laryngoscopy revealed more often a budding ulcerative aspect and allowed us to perform laryngeal biopsy; the pathologic study confirmed the diagnosis in all patients. Medical treatment for tuberculosis for a short period of 6 months was introduced. In all cases, the long-term evolution was favourable, with an average of 15 months. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The topography of tuberculosis is diverse, with many sites of localization. The otorhinolaryngologist must be able to discuss the diagnosis of laryngeal tuberculosis, especially when suggested by the clinical context.

[Solitary giant retroperitoneal neurofibroma]. / Neurofibrome rétropéritonéal solitaire géant.

Retroperitoneal nerve sheath tumors (RNST), which include benign and malignant schwannomas and neurofibromas, are rare. A 71-year-old woman was complaining of flank pain. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a retroperitoneal tumor measuring 22 x 15. It was successfully removed and extirpated through a midline laparotomy incision. It weighed 7 kgs. Histochemical and immunohistochemical staining of the tumor are useful for the diagnosis of solitary neurofibroma. After a two year follow-up, the patient is in good health, asymptomatic and without evidence of local recurrence.

[Hydronephrosis arterial hypertension. Report of 4 cases]. / Hydronéphrose et hypertension artérielle. A propos de quatre observations.

Four cases of ureteropelvic junction syndrome associated with arterial hypertension were reported. The authors discuss the ethiopathogenic of hypertension, on the basis of these observations and a review of the literature. They conclude that union bilateral hydronephrosis can lead to hypertension and renal failure by both inappropriate production of renin and water chronic retention. The correction of ureteropelvic junction should return blood pressure to normal levels.