Binaural hearing in monaural conductive or mixed hearing loss fitted with unilateral Bonebridge

Objective

To determine the benefits of binaural hearing rehabilitation in patients with monaural conductive or mixed hearing loss treated with a unilateral bone conduction implant (BCI).

Methods

This monocentric study includes 7 patients with monaural conductive or mixed hearing loss who underwent surgical implantation of a unilateral BCI (Bonebridge, Med-El). An ITA Matrix test was performed by each patient included in the study - without and with the BCI and in three different settings - to determine the summation effect, squelch effect and head shadow effect. Subjective hearing benefits were assessed using the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) questionnaire.

Results

The difference in signal to noise ratio of patients without and with BCI was 0.79 dB in the summation setting (p < 0.05), 4.62 dB in the head shadow setting (p < 0.05) and 1.53 dB (p = 0.063) in the squelch setting. The APHAB questionnaire revealed a subjective discomfort in the presence of unexpected sounds in patients using a unilateral BCI (aversiveness score) compared to the same environmental situations without BCI, with a mean discomfort score of 69.00% (SD ± 21.24%) with monaural BCI versus 25.67% (SD ± 16.70%) without BCI (difference: -43.33%, p < 0.05). In terms of global score, patients wearing a unilateral Bonebridge implant did not show any significant differences compared to those without hearing aid (difference: -4.00%, p = 0.310).

Conclusions

Our study shows that the use of a unilateral BCI in patients affected by monaural conductive or mixed hearing loss can improve speech perception under noise conditions due to the summation effect and to the decrease of the head shadow effect. However, since monaural BCIs might lead to discomfort under noise conditions in some subjects, a pre-operative assessment of the possible individual benefit of a monaural BCI should be carried out in patients affected by unilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss in order to investigate the possible additional effect of the fitting of hearing aids.

Therapeutic approaches to sinonasal NUT carcinoma: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Sinonasal nuclear protein in testis carcinoma (SNUTC) is a rare, aggressive malignancy caused by genetic rearrangements in the NUTM1 gene. The prognosis of SNUTC ranks among the most unfavorable within the naso-sinusal district, with an overall survival of 9.7 months. This systematic review aimed to determine the best therapeutic strategy for SNUTC.

METHODS

We reviewed eligible articles for patient demographics, TNM and stage at presentation, best response after primary treatment, disease-free survival and overall survival (OS) times, other following therapy lines, and final outcomes.

RESULTS

Among 472 unique citations, 17 studies were considered eligible, with reported treatment data for 25 patients. Most studies (n = 12) were case reports. The most frequently administered treatment regimen was surgery as primary treatment and combined radiochemotherapy as second-line or adjuvant treatment. Four patients were alive at follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Basing on the existing literature, a standardized line in the treatment of SNUTC is not yet well delineated. A self-personalized strategy of therapy should be drawn on each patient affected by SNUTC.

Clinical Efficacy and Metabolomics Modifications Induced by Polyphenol Compound Supplementation in the Treatment of Residual Dizziness following Semont Maneuver in Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) of the Posterior Semicircular Canal (PSC): Preliminary Results

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) represents the most frequent cause of peripheral vertigo. In most cases, it is successfully treated using the canalith repositioning procedure, but it is often followed by continuous lightheadedness in the absence of vertigo or nystagmus (residual dizziness, RD). Our aim is to describe the clinical effectiveness and the urine metabolomics profile of treating these patients with polyphenol compound supplementation. We enrolled 30 patients reporting RD after BPPV of the posterior semicircular canal (PSC) successfully treated using the Semont maneuver. Supplementation with a polyphenol compound was administered for 60 days, and patients were evaluated after 30 and 60 days of treatment using self-administered questionnaires (Visual Analog Scales for Dizziness and Nausea, Dizziness Handicap Inventory, DHI) and urine metabolomics analysis performed using 1H-NMR spectroscopy and multivariate followed by univariate analysis. Most patients reported excellent or good efficacy in the treatment of RD with a significant decrease in VAS and DHI values. The metabolomics analysis identified six significant metabolites related to the treatment, namely 1-methylnicotinamide, anserine, hippurate, lysine, methyl succinate and urea, indicating the inflammatory activities and antioxidant properties of the polyphenol compound. These preliminary data suggest that supplementation with a polyphenol compound could induce some metabolic changes that can help in recovery from RD. However, future steps will require confirmation with a more significant cohort of patients and an extension of the metabolomics evaluation to other problems concerning the different clinical aspects of BPPV, such as the high rate of relapse.

Daily speaking time and voice intensity before and after hearing aids rehabilitation in adult patients with hearing loss

Introduction Hearing loss (HL) strongly impacts communication abilities and impairs social interactions. Moreover, it modifies the vocal parameters of affected patients. The effects of hearing rehabilitation through hearing aids (HA) on the vocal production of patients suffering from HL have not been thoroughly analyzed in literature. The aim of this study is to use the Ambulatory Phonation Monitor (APM), a portable vocal dosimeter, to evaluate the variations in the vocal production of a group of patients suffering from moderate-to-severe HL treated with HA, and the relationship between such modifications and quality of life (QoL). Materials and Methods Twenty-six patients suffering from a variable degree of HL and treated with HA have been enrolled. Each of them underwent an evaluation before and 4 months after rehabilitation with HA. The analysis of daily voice production was carried out with the APM, while subjective QoL data were collected through the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities questionnaire (SSQ) and the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA). The differences in phonatory measurements and subjective evaluations before and after HA rehabilitation were assessed using Wilcoxon signed rank test. The Spearman correlation test was used to analyze the correlation between phonatory measurements, auditory measurements and SSQ scores. Results Significant differences in the APM parameters before and after HA rehabilitation were found. After 4 months of HA use, we recorded a significant increase in phonation time and percentage of phonation time, and a significant decrease in average amplitude in dB SPL. We also found a significant increase in the SSQ scores after HA rehabilitation. Finally, we were able to detect low but significant correlations between phonatory measurements and SSQ results. Conclusions The APM proved to be a useful instrument in the evaluation of the benefits of HA and its measurements can be used as indicators of the participation in communication and social life of patients with HL, which are strongly related to QoL.

High-Definition 3D Exoscope in Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology: A Systematic Literature Review

This PRISMA-compliant systematic review aimed to investigate the use of and the most common procedures performed with the novel 3D 4K exoscope in surgical pediatric head and neck settings.

METHODS

Search criteria were applied to PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Review databases and included all studies published up to January 2023 reporting 3D 4K exoscope-assisted surgeries in pediatric patients. After the removal of duplicates, selection of abstracts and full-text articles, and quality assessment, we reviewed eligible articles for number of patients treated, age, surgical procedures, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Among 54 potentially relevant records, 5 studies were considered eligible and included in this systematic review, with reported treatment data for 182 patients. The surgical procedures belong to the otologic field (121 cases), head and neck surgery (25 cases) and transoral surgery (36 cases). Exoscopy allowed high quality visualization of anatomical structures during cochlear implantation and during reconstruction in head and neck surgery; moreover, it improved the surgical view of surgeons, spectators and ENT students.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of 3D 4K exoscopy has shown promising potential as a valuable tool in pediatric ORL-head and neck surgery; nevertheless, further validation of these encouraging outcomes is necessary through larger-scale studies specifically focused on pediatric patients.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric otolaryngology: a nationwide study

Objective

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly modified the work routine in healthcare; however, its impact on the field of paediatric otorhinolaryngology (ORL) has been rarely investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on paediatric ORL.

Methods

A questionnaire was developed by the Young Otolaryngologists of the Italian Society of ORL-Head and Neck Surgery (GOS). The questionnaire consisted of 26 questions related to workplace and personal paediatric ORL activities. The link was advertised on the official social media platforms and sent by e-mail to 469 Italian otolaryngologists.

Results

The questionnaire was completed by 118 responders. During the pandemic, the main reduction was observed for surgical activity (78.8%), followed by outpatient service (16.9%). The conditions that were mostly impacted by a delayed diagnosis were respiratory infections in 45.8% of cases and sensorineural hearing loss in 37.3% of cases.

Conclusions

Paediatric ORL was highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a significant reduction of surgical and outpatient activities and a delay in time-sensitive diagnosis. Therefore, the implementation of new strategies, such as telemedicine, is recommended.

Comparison of Active Bone Conduction Hearing Implant Systems in Unilateral and Bilateral Conductive or Mixed Hearing Loss

BACKGROUND

To assess and compare binaural benefits and subjective satisfaction of active bone conduction implant (BCI) in patients with bilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss fitted with bilateral BCI and patients with monaural conductive hearing loss fitted with monaural BCI.

METHODS

ITA Matrix test was performed both on patients affected by bilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss fitted with monaural bone conduction hearing implant (Bonebridge, Med-El) before and after implantation of contralateral bone conduction hearing implant and on patients with monaural conductive or mixed hearing loss before and after implantation of monaural BCI. The Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) questionnaire was administered to both groups of subjects and the results were compared with each other.

RESULTS

Patients of group 1 reported a difference of 4.66 dB in the summation setting compared to 0.79 dB of group 2 (p < 0.05). In the squelch setting, group 1 showed a difference of 2.42 dB compared to 1.53 dB of group 2 (p = 0.85). In the head shadow setting, patients of group 1 reported a difference of 7.5 dB, compared to 4.61 dB of group 2 (p = 0.34). As for the APHAB questionnaire, group 1 reported a mean global score difference of 11.10% while group 2 showed a difference of -4.00%.

CONCLUSIONS

Bilateral BCI in patients affected by bilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss might show more advantages in terms of sound localisation, speech perception in noise and subjective satisfaction if compared to unilateral BCI fitting in patients affected by unilateral conductive hearing impairment. This may be explained by the different individual transcranial attenuation of each subject, which might lead to different outcomes in terms of binaural hearing achievement. On the other hand, patients with unilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss fitted with monaural BCI achieved good results in terms of binaural hearing and for this reason, there is no absolute contraindication to implantation in those patients.

Italian version of the brief Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders (brief-IT-QOD)

Objective

To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Italian brief-QOD (Brief-IT-QOD).

Methods

The study consisted of six phases: item generation, reliability analysis (112 dysosmic patients for internal consistency analysis and 61 for test-retest reliability analysis), normative data generation (303 normosmic subjects), validity analysis (comparison of Brief-IT-QOD scores of healthy and dysosmic subjects and scores correlation with psychophysical olfactory testing (TDI) and SNOT-22 scores), responsiveness analysis (10 dysosmic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) patients before and after biologic therapy), and cut-off value determination (ROC curve analysis of Brief-IT-QOD sensitivity and specificity).

Results

All subjects completed the Brief-IT-QOD. Internal consistency (α > 0.70) and test-retest reliability (ICC > 0.7) were acceptable and satisfactory for both questionnaire subscales. A significant difference between dysosmic and control subjects was found in both subscales (p < 0.05). Significant correlations between subscales scores and TDI and SNOT-22 scores were observed. Brief-IT-QOD scores before treatment were significantly higher than after biological therapy.

Conclusions

Brief-IT-QOD is reliable, valid, responsive to changes in QoL, and recommended for clinical practice and outcome research.

Current trends on subtotal petrosectomy with cochlear implantation in recalcitrant chronic middle ear disorders

Objective

To establish the safety and effectiveness of subtotal petrosectomy with cochlear implantation in patients affected by chronic middle ear disorders to refractory to previous surgical treatments.

Methods

A multicentre, retrospective study was conducted on patients affected by recalcitrant chronic middle ear disorders who underwent cochlear implantation in combination with subtotal petrosectomy. Patients' details were collected from databases of 11 Italian tertiary referral centres. Additionally, a review of the most updated literature was carried out.

Results

55 patients were included with a mean follow-up time of 44 months. Cholesteatoma was the most common middle ear recurrent pathology and 50.9% of patients had an open cavity. 80% of patients underwent a single stage surgery. One case of explantation for device failure was reported among the 7 patients with post-operative complications.

Conclusions

Subtotal petrosectomy with cochlear implantation is a benchmark for management of patients with recalcitrant chronic middle ear disorders. A single stage procedure is the most recommended strategy. Optimal follow-up is still debated. Further studies are required to investigate the role of this surgery in paediatric patients.

Binaural Hearing Using the ADHEAR Bone Conduction System in the Monaurally Occluded Ear

INTRODUCTION

The study aimed to investigate binaural cues in the rehabilitation of unilateral occluded ears with a bone conduction hearing aid.

METHODS

The study sample consisted of 40 adult volunteers with normal hearing. Unilateral pseudo-conductive hearing loss was induced by inserting an earplug into the external auditory canal (EAC) and silicone material in the concha for ear impression. The adaptive speech-in-noise test (Italian Matrix test) was performed in three spatial orientations to assess binaural cues (summation, squelch, and head shadow effects). All evaluations were performed in the normal condition, after EAC occlusion, and after application of an adhesive bone conduction hearing aid. Binaural contrast differences were calculated in the three conditions.

RESULTS

In the EAC occlusion condition, there was a significant increase in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in both the S0N0 (2.4 dB) and the S90N-90 (7.7 dB) settings, and a slight albeit significant increase in the S0N90 setting (1.35 dB). After fitting the BC hearing aid, there was a reduction of -1.8 dB SNR (p < 0.001) in the S0N0 setting and -2 dB (p = 0.003) in the S90N-90 setting. There was no improvement in the SNR (p = 0.405) in evaluation of the squelch effect (S0N90). These data were corroborated by a better binaural contrast due to a reduction in the summation effect in the monaural occlusion condition and a subsequent reduction in binaural contrast after fitting the hearing aid due to an increase in the summation effect (-2.5 dB vs. 0.3 dB; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Application of a bone conduction hearing aid in unilateral pseudo-conductive hearing loss strengthens speech recognition of noise by improving the summation effect and impeding the shadow effect of the head; however, there appears to be no improvement in speech perception in noise due to spatial release from masking.

Ambulatory Phonation Monitoring in Prelingual and Postlingual Deaf Patients after Cochlear Implantation

INTRODUCTION

Hearing loss is known to play a fundamental role in voice production due to a lack of auditory feedback. In this study, we evaluated both fundamental frequency (F0) and loudness of voice on adult deaf patients subjected to cochlear implantation, and we analyzed these results according to the prelingual or postlingual onset of the deafness.

METHODS

The study population, balanced in terms of sex, consisted of 32 adults who had undergone cochlear implantation due to severe or profound bilateral hearing loss (16 with prelingual deafness and 16 with postlingual deafness) and their outcomes were compared with a control group of 32 normal hearing (NH) subjects. All subjects were asked to utter the sustained vowel /a/ for at least 5 s and then to read an Italian phonetically balanced text. Voice recordings were performed by means of an ambulatory phonation monitoring (APM 3200). Measurements were performed without cochlear implant (CI), then with CI switched on, both in quiet condition and with background noise.

RESULTS

Compared to NH subjects, deaf individuals were overall characterized by higher F0 and loudness values, especially in the vowel task than the reading. In the sustained vowel task, no patients demonstrated significant voice changes after switching on the CI; contrarily, in the reading task, the use of the CI reduced both loudness and F0 up to values comparable to NH subjects, although only in males. There was no significant difference in speech parameters between prelingual and postlingual deafness, although overall lower values were evident in case of postlingual deafness. The use of the CI showed a significant reduction of F0 in males with postlingual deafness and of loudness, both for patients with prelingual and postlingual deafness. Finally, there was a positive correlation between postoperative hearing thresholds and overall speech loudness, highlighting how subjects with better hearing outcomes after CI positioning generally speak with a lower loudness and therefore a reduced vocal effort and load.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

We found similar speech performances between prelingual and postlingual deafness, both in the vowel /a/ phonation and in the reading, providing a further suggestion that prelingual adult patients may benefit from cochlear implantation in phonation as well, in addition to the known excellent hearing outcomes. Overall, these results highlight the ability of the CI to adjust in everyday speech certain phonatory aspects such as F0 and loudness by restoring the auditory feedback.

Transoral Approach to Parotid Tumors: A Review of the Literature

Different surgical techniques have been proposed for parapharyngeal space tumors, including transcervical, transparotid, trans-mandibular, infratemporal, and transoral. The choice of the correct approach depends on the size, localization and nature of the tumor. The transoral approach can be used for benign prestyloid masses, such as tumors of the deep lobe of the parotid gland. It guarantees a short hospitalization without skin scars. The narrowed access represents the main limitation of this technique. This review will summarize and analyze the current knowledge about the transoral approach to parotid lesions. Thirty-seven studies were included in a qualitative and quantitative synthesis. The novelty of this review is the quantitative analyses of the clinical data reported in the included studies.

The Value of Hearing Aids for the Italian NHS: A Cost-utility Analysis

Objective

Hearing loss (HL) prevalence in Italy is expected to increase due to population aging. Hearing aids (HAs) are the main tool for HL rehabilitation; however, cost-utility analyses of HAs are limited. Our objective was to estimate the cost-utility of HAs use.

Study Design

Cost-utility analysis.

Setting

Italian National Healthcare Service, societal perspective.

Patients Interventions and Main Outcome Measures

A multistate Markov model was developed to model a cohort of 55-year-old individuals starting from normal hearing and moving across HL states to compare cost-utility and net monetary benefit of HA use accompanied by post-purchase service, HA use alone, and no treatment. Parameters were estimated using secondary data. Incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) and incremental net monetary benefit (INMB) were computed against a €16,625/quality-adjusted life year (QALY) willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analysis (DSA, PSA) was implemented to assess how uncertainty affected results. Scenario analysis was performed on different assumptions on costs, dropout and compliance rates.

Results

The model suggests HAs use is a cost-effective strategy compared to no treatment (in the base case: incremental costs €429-€476, incremental QALY gain 0.18 and 0.19, ICUR €2'404/QALY-€2'450/QALY, INMB €2'476-€2'682 for male and female cohort, respectively). By assuming no dropout, INMBs increase up to €10,643-€10,728. DSA highlights that utility weights contribute the most to model uncertainty, PSA shows that the treatment has 97.8%-97.3% probability of being cost-effective at the WTP threshold considered.

Conclusions

We proposed an original model to assess the cost-utility of HAs use; the application to the Italian setting suggests the treatment is cost-effective, reinforcing the importance of early uptake.

Metabolomics in Otorhinolaryngology

Otorhinolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat-ENT) focuses on inflammatory, immunological, infectious, and neoplastic disorders of the head and neck and on their medical and surgical therapy. The fields of interest of this discipline are the ear, the nose and its paranasal sinuses, the oral cavity, the pharynx, the larynx, and the neck. Besides surgery, there are many other diagnostic aspects of ENT such as audiology and Vestibology, laryngology, phoniatrics, and rhinology. A new advanced technology, named metabolomics, is significantly impacting the field of ENT. All the “omics” sciences, such as genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, converge at the level of metabolomics, which is considered the integration of all “omics.” Its application will change the way several of ENT disorders are diagnosed and treated. This review highlights the power of metabolomics, including its pitfalls and promise, and several of its most relevant applications in ENT to provide a basic understanding of the metabolites associated with these districts. In particular, the attention has been focused on different heterogeneous diseases, from head and neck cancer to allergic rhinitis, hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, noise trauma, sinusitis, and Meniere’s disease. In conclusion, metabolomics study indicates a “fil rouge” that links these pathologies to improve three aspects of patient care: diagnostics, prognostics, and therapeutics, which in one word is defined as precision medicine.

Prognostic factors influencing postoperative air-bone gap in stapes surgery

Objective

Otosclerosis is an osteodystrophic disease of the otic capsule, determining conductive or mixed hearing loss, which can be successfully treated with stapedotomy. The aim of the present multicentric retrospective study was to identify prognostic factors related to better auditory outcomes in stapes surgery.

Methods

581 patients affected by otosclerosis were submitted to stapedotomy under local anaesthesia in two different hospitals. Both Teflon and titanium prostheses were adopted.

Results

A statistically significant decrease of postoperative air-conduction thresholds and air-bone gap (ABG) values was seen, whereas the mean bone-conduction threshold did not differ from the preoperative condition. Among the various parameters investigated, the prosthetic material, duration of surgery and intraoperative detection of unexpected anatomical anomalies of the middle ear were found to be related to lower postoperative ABG values.

Conclusions

All the previously mentioned parameters played a significant role in determining the postoperative auditory outcomes and can therefore be considered prognostic factors for the success of the stapedotomy.

Long-term evaluation of nasal polyposis recurrence: A focus on multiple relapses and nasal cytology

PURPOSE

Recurrence of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is highly variable, reaching 55-60% of cases. Different results about clinical parameters as recurrence predictors has been reported. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate CRSwNP recurrence risk after a long-term follow-up (up to 20 years). Moreover, the role of nasal cytology was assessed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-one patients who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery for CRSwNP were enrolled. Clinical parameters were recorded. Nasal cytology was performed at follow-up examinations. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to obtain the recurrence-free survival curves. The median number of recurrences per year was evaluated.

RESULTS

Five- and 10-year recurrence rates were 30.29% and 66.06%, respectively. Median recurrence-free survival was 106 months. Asthma and Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease represented predictors of multiple recurrences (p < 0.05). Intranasal steroids were the main treatment to prevent relapses (p < 0.05). Patients with normal cytology at follow-up evaluation had a lower probability to have first recurrence within 10 years (59% of cases), compared to neutrophil or eosinophil infiltrate (100% and 88% of cases, respectively) (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

CRSwNP has a high recurrence risk, also more than 10 years after surgery. Nasal cytology may identify subjects with a higher risk of early recurrence.

Cochlear Implant Results in Older Adults with Post-Lingual Deafness: The Role of “Top-Down” Neurocognitive Mechanisms

To date, no clear specific cognitive predictors of speech perception outcome in older adult cochlear implant (CI) users have yet emerged. The aim of this prospective study was to increase knowledge on cognitive and clinical predictors of the audiological outcome in adult cochlear implant users. A total of 21 patients with post-lingual deafness, who were candidates for cochlear implantation, were recruited at the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, University of Torino (Italy) and subjected to a pre-operatory neuropsychological assessment (T0) and an audiological examination after 12 months of implantation (T12). Patients who, at T12, had a 60 dB verbal recognition above 80%, were younger (z = −2.131, p = 0.033) and performed better in the Verbal Semantic Fluency Test at T0 (z = −1.941, p = 0.052) than subjects who had a 60 dB verbal recognition at T12 below 80%. The most significant predictors of the CI audiological outcome at T12 were age (β = −0.492, p = 0.024) and patients’ TMT-A performance at baseline (β = −0.486, p = 0.035). We conclude that cognitive processing speed might be a good predictor of the level of speech understanding in older adult patients with CI after one year of implantation.

Contralateral delayed endolymphatic hydrops: Clinical features and long term outcome

BACKGROUND

Contralateral delayed endolymphatic hydrops (CDEH) is a clinical entity characterized by fluctuating low frequency hearing loss and/or vertigo, mimicking Ménière's disease (MD), that manifests after the appearance of severe non-hydropic hearing loss (NHHL) at the other ear.

OBJECTIVES

to describe the clinical features and the course of 57 patients affected by CDEH.

METHOD

this is a retrospective study; 57 patients affected by CDEH, out of 1065 patients seen in the same period and affected by MD, were subjected to otoscopy, PTA threshold evaluation, impedance testing, ABR, research of positioning nystagmus, vestibular function evaluated by means of bithermal caloric test under video-oculographic, and MRI with gadolinium.

RESULTS

the CDEH was definite in 24 cases (42%), probable in 2 (4%) and possible in 31 (54%). The mean PTA threshold at the hydropic ear was 41 dB. At the last follow-up, 40 patients (70%) did not report vertigo or fluctuating hearing loss. Among the 17 patients who still reported symptomatology, 11 (64%) were affected by fluctuating hearing loss alone, 4 (23%) reported a subjective worsening of hearing loss and 2 (12%) an acute vertigo crisis.

CONCLUSIONS

contralateral delayed endolymphatic hydrops is a relatively rare form of Ménière disease that manifests more frequently as a definite form or with fluctuating low-frequency hearing loss. The prognosis at a long term follow-up is relatively good in terms of vertigo resolution. Contralateral delayed endolymphatic hydrops rarely determines a severe hearing loss in the better ear.

Estimates of non-genetic effects and genetic parameters for semen traits in Piemontese bulls

Male reproductive performances are often ignored in cattle breeding programmes, although semen traits might be used to improve bull breeding soundness. Effects of genetic and environmental factors on semen production and quality traits were estimated in 693 Piemontese bulls with the aim of providing the first estimates of genetic parameters for semen traits for this breed. Volume and concentrations of individual ejaculates (up to three per each test-day), and volume, concentration, total number of spermatozoa and post-thawing progressive motility of within test-day pooled semen were available for 19 060 ejaculates. Bulls reached the maximum amount of daily semen production after their third year of age, with concentration rapidly increasing until 23 months of age, and then slowly decreasing. Semen volume was at its highest when collection days were at least 15 days apart, whereas the maximum concentration was reached when the interval was 6 days. Heritability estimates were generally moderate (0.14-0.26), and low for progressive motility (0.08). Estimates of genetic correlation among the volumes of the individual ejaculates were high and positive (≥0.79), as were the genetic correlations among their concentrations (≥0.46). Genetic correlations among volume and concentration traits varied from -0.47 (with a 95% high posterior density interval ranging from -0.65 to -0.23) to -0.32 (with a 95% high posterior density interval ranging from -0.55 to -0.09). Progressive motility was unrelated with the other traits, but moderately positively correlated with volumes of the second and third ejaculates. The magnitude of heritabilities showed that selection for semen traits is possible. However, the unfavourable relationship between volume and concentration must be taken into account if a future selection programme is to be established.

Phenotypic and genetic variation of ultraviolet-visible-infrared spectral wavelengths of bovine meat

Spectroscopic predictions can be used for the genetic improvement of meat quality traits in cattle. No information is however available on the genetics of meat absorbance spectra. This research investigated the phenotypic variation and the heritability of meat absorbance spectra at individual wavelengths in the ultraviolet-visible and near-infrared region (UV-Vis-NIR) obtained with portable spectrometers. Five spectra per instrument were taken on the ribeye surface of 1185 Piemontese young bulls from 93 farms (13,182 Herd-Book pedigree relatives). Linear animal model analyses of 1481 single-wavelengths from UV-Vis-NIRS and 125 from Micro-NIRS were carried out separately. In the overlapping regions, the proportions of phenotypic variance explained by batch/date of slaughter (14 ± 6% and 17 ± 7%,), rearing farm (6 ± 2% and 5 ± 3%), and the residual variances (72 ± 10% and 72 ± 5%) were similar for the UV-Vis-NIRS and Micro-NIRS, but additive genetics (7 ± 2% and 4 ± 2%) and heritability (8.3 ± 2.3% vs 5.1 ± 0.6%) were greater with the Micro-NIRS. Heritability was much greater for the visible fraction (25.2 ± 11.4%), especially the violet, blue and green colors, than for the NIR fraction (5.0 ± 8.0%). These results allow a better understanding of the possibility of using the absorbance of visible and infrared wavelengths correlated with meat quality traits for the genetic improvement in beef cattle.

Cochlear Implant Outcomes in Prelingually Deafened Adults with and without Sound Deprivation: Are There Differences in Quality of Life?

BACKGROUND Indications for cochlear implantation (CI) are constantly being updated, and with them, the audiometric results achieved by patients. Patient satisfaction should always be considered, even in patients with lower audiological results. The aim of the present study was to compare quality of life (QoL), self-perceived hearing benefit, and audiometric results between prelingually and postlingually deafened patients, with and without sound deprivation, after CI. MATERIAL AND METHODS The sample included 46 patients with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss: 22 postlingually deafened and 24 prelingually deafened, further subdivided into sound-deprived (n=10) and non-sound-deprived (n=14). Auditory performance was evaluated with pure tone audiometry, speech recognition scores (SRS), and self-perceived hearing benefit, whereas QoL was evaluated with 2 self-reported questionnaires (Comprehensive Cochlear Implant Questionnaire and World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF). RESULTS Audiometric results were worse in the prelingually deafened than in the postlingually deafened group, and worse in the prelingually deafened patients with sound deprivation. There was no marked difference in perceived CI benefit or QoL between the 2 groups or within the 2 prelingually deafened subgroups. No correlation was found between SRS and duration of CI use or between QoL and SRS in the prelingually and postlingually deafened groups. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate better auditory performance for the postlingually deafened group and no differences in perceived QoL or benefit of CI between the groups. The sound-deprived patients had equal scores on the perceived QoL questionnaire. These analyses suggest that sound-deprived, prelingually deafened patients may benefit from CI.

Stapedial Reflex: A Possible Novel Biomarker of Early Bulbar Involvement in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neuromuscular progressive disorder, characterized by limb and bulbar muscle wasting and weakness. 30% of patients present a bulbar onset, while 70% a spinal outbreak, although most of them develop bulbar impairment later on. Due to the lack of an early biomarker of bulbar involvement, we chose to evaluate the role of stapedial reflex (SR) in order to predict preclinical bulbar impairment in ALS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We enrolled 36 ALS patients. We assessed revised-ALS functional-rating-scale and SR for a total of 4 visits. We established the presence of SR, acoustic reflex latency test (ARLT), and SRs Decay. Patients who had not develop bulbar signs at fourth visit continued follow-up up to 15 months. Data were analyzed by using Mann-Whitney U test, Friedman test, and Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

We observed that SRs Decay at 500 and 1,000 Hz is the first parameter of SR to get altered in all ALS patients before the development of bulbar impairment. Twenty-eight patients developed bulbar impairment during the study. We highlighted a correlation between the progression rate of disease and both time of SRs Decay alteration and time of bulbar impairment from disease onset. Four patients who did not develop bulbar impairment had a progression rate lower than the other ones (p < 0.05).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that SR Decay test could be a sensitive measure for detecting pre-symptomatic bulbar involvement in ALS and could represent a simple, noninvasive, and useful biomarker of disease progression.

Prediction of meat quality traits in the abattoir using portable near-infrared spectrometers: heritability of predicted traits and genetic correlations with laboratory-measured traits

Background

The possibility of assessing meat quality traits over the meat chain is strongly limited, especially in the context of selective breeding which requires a large number of phenotypes. The main objective of this study was to investigate the suitability of portable infrared spectrometers for phenotyping beef cattle aiming to genetically improving the quality of their meat. Meat quality traits (pH, color, water holding capacity, tenderness) were appraised on rib eye muscle samples of 1,327 Piemontese young bulls using traditional (i.e., reference/gold standard) laboratory analyses; the same traits were also predicted from spectra acquired at the abattoir on the intact muscle surface of the same animals 1 d after slaughtering. Genetic parameters were estimated for both laboratory measures of meat quality traits and their spectra-based predictions.

Results

The prediction performances of the calibration equations, assessed through external validation, were satisfactory for color traits (R² from 0.52 to 0.80), low for pH and purge losses (R² around 0.30), and very poor for cooking losses and tenderness (R² below 0.20). Except for lightness and purge losses, the heritability estimates of most of the predicted traits were lower than those of the measured traits while the genetic correlations between measured and predicted traits were high (average value 0.81).

Conclusions

Results showed that NIRS predictions of color traits, pH, and purge losses could be used as indicator traits for the indirect genetic selection of the reference quality phenotypes. Results for cooking losses were less effective, while the NIR predictions of tenderness were affected by a relatively high uncertainty of estimate. Overall, genetic selection of some meat quality traits, whose direct phenotyping is difficult, can benefit of the application of infrared spectrometers technology.

What factors influence treatment decision making in acoustic neuroma? Our experience on 103 cases

Acoustic Neuromas (AN) are benign tumors of the vestibulocochlear nerve with symptomatology that includes unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, facial and/or trigeminal neuropathy. There are different treatment options of AN: watchful waiting, microsurgical resection, stereotactic radiation and the choice depends by many variables such age, health and hearing of patients as size, location and growing status of tumor. The objective of this retrospective study is to better understand the differences in demographic, hearing status, symptoms, tumor characteristics in patients affected by AN presenting at our clinic and analyze the factors that influence the therapeutic choice. One-hundred three patients affected by AN were included in the study. All subjects underwent a detailed clinical interview and audio-vestibular examination, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Tumor status, growing or stable was estimated comparing new size to any previous MRI with at least a 6-month interval. Descriptive statistics were used for clinical and demographic features of patients. Therapeutic choices related to subjective symptoms were assessed with the chi-square test. Treatment options in our sample included watchful waiting, surgical resection and stereotactic radiosurgery. Overall, 17 patients (16.5%) pursued surgical resection via the retrosigmoid approach, 3 patients (2.9%) were treated with gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery and 83 patients (80.6%) underwent watchful waiting. The decision-making process for AN treatment was based on size of tumor, age, and hearing loss; a statistically significant difference was found at Z test about size of tumor and PTA of patients that underwent retrosigmoid surgery. No statistically significant difference was found at chi-square test between the type of treatment and symptoms (p=0.719). The analysis of the data showed that the main elements taken into consideration for surgery were the size of tumor (p<0.000004) and, secondly, the PTA threshold; the latter may be due to the fact that patients with bigger tumors had greater hearing impairment (p<0.001). Disease progression influenced the therapeutic decision making with a positive correlation between tumor progression and surgery (p<0.001). In our sample, active surveillance was the most adopted option for small tumor, slow growth and old age. Microsurgical resection was the preferred treatment in patients with large tumors, hearing deterioration and rapid growth. Stereotactic radiation has been proposed in a few cases of elderly patients with slow growing tumor and mild hearing loss.

Genetics of Arthrogryposis and Macroglossia in Piemontese Cattle Breed

Simple Summary

The study was carried out in order to investigate the genetic background of arthrogryposis and macroglossia in the Piemontese cattle breed, for which limited information is available so far. The genotyping of affected and healthy animals with a high-density chip and the subsequent genome-wide association study did not evidence a single strong association with the two pathologies. Therefore, for arthrogryposis, the results do not support the existence of a single-gene model, as reported for other breeds. Rather, 23 significant markers on different chromosomes were found, associated to arthrogryposis, to macroglossia, or to both pathologies, suggesting a more complex genetic mechanism underlying both diseases in the Piemontese breed. The significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) allowed the identification of some genes (NTN3, KCNH1, KCNH2, and KANK3) for which a possible role in the pathologies can be hypothesized. The real involvement of these genes needs to be further investigated and validated.

Abstract

Arthrogryposis and macroglossia are congenital pathologies known in several cattle breeds, including Piemontese. As variations in single genes were identified as responsible for arthrogryposis in some breeds, we decided: (i) to test the hypothesis of a similar genetic determinism for arthrogryposis in the Piemontese breed by genotyping affected and healthy animals with a high-density chip and applying genome-wide association study (GWAS), F_ST and canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) procedures, and (ii) to investigate with the same approach the genetic background of macroglossia, for which no genetic studies exist so far. The study included 125 animals (63 healthy, 30 with arthrogryposis, and 32 with macroglossia). Differently from what reported for other breeds, the analysis did not evidence a single strong association with the two pathologies. Rather, 23 significant markers on different chromosomes were found (7 associated to arthrogryposis, 11 to macroglossia, and 5 to both pathologies), suggesting a multifactorial genetic mechanism underlying both diseases in the Piemontese breed. In the 100-kb interval surrounding the significant SNPs, 20 and 26 genes were identified for arthrogryposis and macroglossia, respectively, with 12 genes in common to both diseases. For some genes (NTN3, KCNH1, KCNH2, and KANK3), a possible role in the pathologies can be hypothesized, being involved in processes related to muscular or nervous tissue development. The real involvement of these genes needs to be further investigated and validated.

Microdrill stapedotomy for otosclerosis with small and large preoperative air-bone gap: a retrospective comparison of results

Background: In otosclerosis mixed hearing loss is the most frequent symptom and arises when the focus involves the stapes footplate. Surgeons usually prefer to wait a minimum air-bone gap of 25 - 35 dB before surgery.Objectives: To evaluate the outcome of microdrill stapedotomy for otosclerosis in patients with a preoperative air-bone gap (ABG) <25 dB versus patients with a preoperative gap ≥ 25 dB.Material and methods: For this retrospective study, the outcomes and complications after microdrill stapedotomy were compared between adult patients with a preoperative small ABG (n = 127, ABG <25 dB) and those with a large ABG (n = 254, ABG ≥25 dB).Results: The postoperative ABG was significantly smaller than the preoperative ABG (p < .05) in both groups; there were no differences in complications rates (severe sensorineural hearing loss, footplate fracture or early postoperative vertigo) between the two groups.Conclusions: Our findings show that microdrill stapedotomy is safe and can be performed even in patients with a preoperative small ABG without increasing the risk of sensorineural hearing loss due to inner ear damage.

Recurrences in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Long-Term Observational Study

Purpose Long-term outcomes of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) are poorly studied. The recurrence rate is heterogeneous, and the prognosis of relapses is uncertain. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the recurrence rate of SSNHL and to analyze the correlation with clinical and audiometric characteristics. Method Seventy-three patients with idiopatic SSNHL were evaluated. Clinical and audiometric features were recorded. Seventy patients (95.8%) had at least a 2-year follow-up, whereas 50 (68.4%) had a 5-year follow-up. Results Two- and 5-year recurrence rates were 5.60% and 10.34%, respectively. Mean time lapse between 1st episode and recurrence was 29.33 ± 26.60 months. About 70% of patients had a partial recovery at recurrence. The same ear was affected in 42.8% of patients, the contralateral ear was affected in 42.8% of patients, and recurrence was bilateral in 14.4% of cases. Recurrence correlated only with the presence of tinnitus during follow-up. However, the small number of participants with recurrence represented a limiting factor of our study. Conclusions Recurrences of SSNHL are rare events that can involve ipsilateral or contralateral ear. Further studies are necessary to identify predictors of recurrence.

Prediction of meat quality traits in the abattoir using portable and hand-held near-infrared spectrometers

The use of near-infrared spectrometers (NIRS) for predicting meat quality traits directly in the abattoir was tested with three trials. For the calibration trial, spectra were acquired from the cross-cut surface of the Longissimus thoracis muscle on 1166 carcasses of Piemontese young bulls with a portable visible-near-infrared spectrometer (Vis-NIRS) and with a small hand-held instrument (Micro-NIRS). A sample of the same muscle was analyzed to provide the reference. Validation statistics of the two instruments were similar. Predictabilities of meat color and purge loss were good, whereas for the other traits they were less promising. The repeatability trial showed that post-slaughter factors, not predictable by NIR spectra collected in the abattoir, affect reference meat quality values. A trial under operative conditions showed that both spectrometers were able to capture the major sources of variation in most of the meat quality traits. Overall, NIRS could be used to predict the animals' "native" characteristics exploitable for genetic improvement of meat quality traits.

A new bone conduction hearing aid to predict hearing outcome with an active implanted device

PURPOSE

We compared our historical medium-term data obtained with an active semi-implanted bone conduction device and the hearing results of a new passive bone conduction hearing device to determine its predictive value for the hearing results with the semi-implanted device.

METHODS

The study sample was 15 patients with an active bone conduction implant (mean follow-up 26 months). Pure tone audiometry was performed with headphones, sound field speech audiometry was conducted unaided, and free-field speech audiometry was carried out with both the active bone conduction system and the passive device switched off.

RESULTS

As compared with the unaided condition, speech reception was significantly improved with both devices. Comparison of speech reception threshold at 100% of word recognition showed no difference between the active and the passive device. At lower intensity the difference in speech perception was significant in the patients with monaural fitting (group A) and was non-statistically significant in those with binaural fitting (group B); the speech reception threshold at 50% of word recognition was 26.00 dB (± 10.22) with the active implant and 30.50 dB (± 7.98) with the passive device in group A (p = 0.047) and 24.00 dB (± 5.48) and 29.00 dB (± 2.24) in group B (p = 0.052), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The hearing outcome after active bone conduction implant was comparable to published data. Compared with the unaided condition, speech recognition was significantly improved with the passive device. The device may also provide value to predict the hearing outcome with the implanted device, especially at higher intensities.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Characterisation of beef production systems and their effects on carcass and meat quality traits of Piemontese young bulls

Using the Piemontese breed as a case study, we characterised beef production systems within the EU classification, and investigated their effects on carcass and meat quality traits. The research involved 1,327 young bulls fattened on 115 farms. The production systems identified by hierarchical cluster analysis were: traditional (restricted feeding and either tie-stalls or loose-housing), modern breeders and fatteners and specialised fatteners (the last two were divided in those using or not using total mixed rations). Despite the large variability in management techniques within production systems, production systems affected (P < 0.05) farm size, animal density, environmental scoring, diet, slaughter age and all carcass traits except weight. Lightness (L*) of Longissimus thoracis was the only meat quality trait affected (P < 0.05), with values greater in the traditional tie-stall system (+0.9 L*). Given the very limited effect of production systems on meat quality traits, factors related to individual animals within farms, such as genetics, should be considered for their improvement.

Vertigo returning to the sitting position after the Semont manoeuvre. Is it a prognostic symptom?

SUMMARY

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a frequent benign vestibular condition usually managed with particle repositioning manoeuvres, such as Semont manoeuvre (SM). Since few authors have described prognostic aspects of liberatory manoeuvres, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the possibility of considering vertigo in the final sitting position of the SM as a prognostic symptom in the outcome of posterior BPPV. One hundred and thirteen patients with diagnosis of unilateral posterior BPPV were taking into account in our retrospective cohort study: 41 men and 72 women, aged 22 to 85 years. All were submitted to one repositioning SM and afterwards controlled 3 to 5 days later by means of an additional Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre. The main outcomes investigated were the occurrence of Ny and vertigo in the different phases of the SM, as well as their characteristics in relation to outcome of the disease. Among all patients, 75 (66%) presented both orthotropic Ny and vertigo in the second SM position and 72% obtained a complete resolution of the disease after the liberatory manoeuvre. Contrarily, 17 subjects (15%) manifested vertigo in the final sitting position of the SM and among these, only 7 (41%) completely recovered from BPPV. According to our data, in case of sudden vertigo returning to the final sitting position of the SM, the failure rate of the liberatory manoeuvre was higher, even though not statistically significant: therefore, it can be considered as a negative prognostic factor of posterior BPPV after SM.

Effects of Smoking on Eustachian Tube and Hearing

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of tobacco use on the Eustachian tube and inner ear function.

STUDY DESIGN

Case-control study.

SUBJECTS AND SETTINGS

Thirty-one nonsmoking volunteers and 34 smoking subjects recruited in an University Hospital, submitted to an audiological evaluation including pure tone audiometry, basal tympanogram, stapedial reflexes analysis, and nine-step eustachian tube (ET) function test.

RESULTS

Pure Tone Average (PTA) threshold at all frequencies tested was 12.5 dB in smokers and 3.7 in nonsmoking subjects. Nine smokers (27%) presented some degree of hearing loss versus none in the nonsmoker group. Linear regression analysis showed a higher degree of sensorineural hearing loss with age in smokers. Among the smokers, 20 subjects (59%) presented an impaired tubal function for the nine-step inflation/deflation tympanometric test, while only 6 (19%) subjects in the group of nonsmokers showed a tubal dysfunction.

CONCLUSION

Tobacco use may reduce the ability to hear, mainly causing a sensorineural hearing loss for higher frequencies. We also found the presence of a high number of smokers suffering from tubal dysfunction. This has an important clinical relevance, not only because smoking increases the incidence of middle ear diseases, but also because tubal dysfunction may cause nonspecific symptoms characterised by ear fullness and difficulties in middle ear equalisation.

Ossicular Chain Lesions in Tympanic Perforations and Chronic Otitis Media without Cholesteatoma

OBJECTIVE

The first aim was to determine the prevalence, kind, and functional effects on hearing of ossicular chain suffering (OCS) in chronic otitis without cholesteatoma (NCOM) and tympanic perforations (TP). The second aim was to correlate the findings with clinical parameters and hearing level.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study group comprised 250 consecutive patients affected by NCOM and who were subjected to tympanoplasty and never operated on before. Each patient underwent preoperative pure tone audiometry. Ossicles were evaluated during surgery. The incidence of OCS in NCOM was reported in 15-62% of the patients.

RESULTS

Ossicular chain suffering was found in 26 out of the 250 patients included in the overall sample (10%). It was found in 7% of the patients affected by TP without otorrhea and in 19% of the patients affected by chronic ear discharge with drum perforation. OCS was found most frequently in posterior eardrum perforations and in patients with bilateral disease. The incus was the ossicle most frequently interested by resorption (92% of the patients). The air conduction threshold and air bone gap were more impaired in NCOM than in TP.

CONCLUSION

Ossicular chain damages in patients with non-cholesteatomatous middle ear pathologies are not frequent and are present in no more than 10% of the patients, but lesions found were similar to those reported in patients with cholesteatoma. Otorrhea, posterior perforation, and bilateral disease can be considered as good predictors of OCS.

Effect of polymorphisms in candidate genes on carcass and meat quality traits in double muscled Piemontese cattle

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between 10 candidate genes and carcass weight and conformation, carcass daily gain, and meat quality (pH, color, cooking loss, drip loss and shear force) in 990 double-muscled Piemontese young bulls. Animals were genotyped at each of the following genes: growth hormone, growth hormone receptor, pro-opiomelanocortin, pro-opiomelanocortin class 1 homeobox 1, melanocortin-4 receptor, corticotrophin-releasing hormone, diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase-1, thyroglobulin, carboxypeptidase E and gamma-3 regulatory subunit of the AMP-activated protein kinase. All the investigated SNPs had additive effects which were relevant for at least one of the traits. Relevant associations between the investigated SNPs and carcass weight, carcass daily gain and carcass conformation were detected, whereas associations of SNPs with meat quality were moderate. Results confirmed some of previously reported associations, but diverged for others. Validation in other cattle breeds is required to use these SNPs in gene-assisted selection programs for enhancement of carcass traits and meat quality.

Use of locally weighted scatterplot smoothing (LOWESS) regression to study selection signatures in Piedmontese and Italian Brown cattle breeds

Selection is the major force affecting local levels of genetic variation in species. The availability of dense marker maps offers new opportunities for a detailed understanding of genetic diversity distribution across the animal genome. Over the last 50 years, cattle breeds have been subjected to intense artificial selection. Consequently, regions controlling traits of economic importance are expected to exhibit selection signatures. The fixation index (Fst ) is an estimate of population differentiation, based on genetic polymorphism data, and it is calculated using the relationship between inbreeding and heterozygosity. In the present study, locally weighted scatterplot smoothing (LOWESS) regression and a control chart approach were used to investigate selection signatures in two cattle breeds with different production aptitudes (dairy and beef). Fst was calculated for 42 514 SNP marker loci distributed across the genome in 749 Italian Brown and 364 Piedmontese bulls. The statistical significance of Fst values was assessed using a control chart. The LOWESS technique was efficient in removing noise from the raw data and was able to highlight selection signatures in chromosomes known to harbour genes affecting dairy and beef traits. Examples include the peaks detected for BTA2 in the region where the myostatin gene is located and for BTA6 in the region harbouring the ABCG2 locus. Moreover, several loci not previously reported in cattle studies were detected.

Genetic associations between daily BW gain and live fleshiness of station-tested young bulls and carcass and meat quality traits of commercial intact males in Piemontese cattle

The aim of this study was to investigate genetic relationships between beef traits of station-tested young bulls and carcass and meat quality traits (MQ) of commercial intact males in Piemontese cattle. Phenotypes for daily gain (DG) and live fleshiness traits (width at withers: WW; shoulder muscularity: SM; loin width: LW; loin thickness: LT; thigh muscularity: TM; thigh profile: TP) and thinness of the shin bone (BT) were available for 3,109 and 2,183 performance-tested young bulls, respectively. Carcass daily gain (CDG), carcass conformation (SEUS), pH at 24 h (pH24h) and 8 d after slaughter (pH8d), lightness (L*), redness (a*), yellowness (b*), hue angle (HA), saturation index (SI), drip loss (DL), cooking loss (CL), and shear force (SF) were assessed for 1,208 commercial intact males. (Co) variance components were estimated in a set of twelve 9-traits analyses using REML and linear animal models including all performance-test traits and 1 carcass or MQ trait at a time. Heritabilities ± SE of beef traits ranged from 0.26 ± 0.03 (LW) to 0.47 ± 0.01 (DG), whereas those of carcass traits and MQ from 0.06 ± 0.03 (CL) to 0.63 ± 0.04 (HA). The genetic correlation (rg) between DG and CDG was 0.75 ± 0.10, indicating that DG, as measured at the test station, is a good indicator of the carcass gain achieved by commercial animals under farms conditions. Daily BW gain of station-tested bulls correlated positively with color traits (from 0.11 ± 0.12 to 0.54 ± 0.09), ph8d (rg ± SE = 0.31 ± 0.11), DL (rg ± SE = 0.29 ± 0.17), and CL (rg ± SE = 0.27 ± 0.18). Live fleshiness of station-tested bulls exhibited genetic correlations with MQ of commercial animals that were positive for L* and b* (from 0.13 ± 0.08 to 0.65 ± 0.14) and negative for pH (from -0.27 ± 0.15 to -0.57 ± 0.11), CL (from -0.16 ± 0.23 to -0.43 ± 0.22), and SF (TM: rg ± SE = -0.31 ± 0.15; TP: rg ± SE = -0.41 ± 0.17). The thinness of the shin bone correlated unfavorably with CDG (rg ± SE = -0.74 ± 0.07) and favorably with SEUS (rg ± SE = 0.65 ± 0.17), CL (rg ± SE = -0.39 ± 0.13), and SF (rg ± SE = -0.32 ± 0.17). The estimated genetic correlations indicate that selection to increase DG, as measured at the test station, exerts moderate adverse effects on MQ. Because selection emphasis is greater for live fleshiness than for DG, the correlated response in MQ and carcass traits is expected to be influenced to a greater extent by selection for muscularity, even though these traits are less heritable than DG.