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Biomedical subjects

Josef Pesák

Publications and source records attributed to Josef Pesák.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Report on the course of study BZ-1003-BR following the changes in airways in stutterers with the help of pulse oscillometry (MasterScreen IOS).

Stuttering affects people all over the world. At the age of six years, about 1.5 percent of children suffers from stuttering. Although stuttering resolves spontaneously upon reaching adulthood in approximately 80% of those affected, it continues to have significant health and social consequences. So far, its etiology remains unknown. The organic differences in those with stuttering and those free of speech problems have been evaluated. As a result of these examinations, it has been hypothesized that stuttering results from functional pneumoobstruction of the tracheobronchial tree in the peripheral respiratory passages. As for now, no similar therapeutic procedure, using a bronchodilating agent in the treatment of stuttering, has been described. Preliminary findings of a pilot study are surprisingly positive. In October of 2003, a multicenter open clinical trial (Stage III) to verify the effect of a sympathomimetic agent formoterol was initiated. The study is being realized in six centers in Moravia and enrolls approx. 40 patients (children, adolescents and young adults). First experience and initial evaluation of the cohort are presented here.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

In reference to phonation larynx fixation: computer graphic record.

The vocal apparatus serves phonation. It represents a biocybernetic self-regulating system, disposing of a feedback network of the central nervous system. The larynx is a self-induced vibrating system. The larynx, functioning as the phonation apparatus of the vocal apparatus, is a source of human voice. In every individual its frequency range corresponds to about eight semitones in speech and about two octaves of the so-called chest register in singing, denoted also as a thoracic or modal voice. This is followed by one more octave of the so-called cranial register or falsetto voice. We were interested in changes of the larynx positions at intonation in the fundamental singing registers, both modal and falsetto, in professional male singers. At our disposal were 11 professional male singers. We investigated changes in the position of the laryngeal structures simultaneously with the aid of an X-ray apparatus, the acoustic and mechanical signals registered by means of the B & K 4369 acceleration recorder. It has been found that at phonation with the modal voice a change in the position of the laryngeal structures takes place in two different ways, whereas the larynx movements at falsetto remain the same. It has been suggested that a complex fixation apparatus participates in the phonation larynx movements. Of the same complex character are also the problems connected with the examination of the entire vocal apparatus. For the purpose of compiling the present pieces of knowledge in the field of human voice studies, we have made the most advantageous use of the presently most complex system Authorware for the production of some interactive multimedial programmes on personal computers.

Computer Graphics↗
PubMed2003

Analysis of articulation of fricative praealveolar sibilant "S" in control population.

Defective pronunciation of one or more mother language phones, i.e. dyslalia, represents the most frequent speech impairment both in children and adult people. Cases of persisting speech disorder need professional approach and help. The aim of the study was to obtain a model of physiological articulation of the sibilant "s" in children. The method of FFT spectral analysis was made use of. Results will serve for further use in evaluation of speech impairment.

Articulation Disorders↗
PubMed2002

Pneumoobstruction of the tracheobronchial tree as a hypothetical cause of balbuties.

The occurrence of balbuties is a common phenomenon. Balbuties is defined as frequent repetition and lengthening of syllables and words, alternatively frequent halting with pauses impairing the rhythmic flow of speech. Balbuties may have a negative influence upon the psychic as well as social development of an individual. Psychiatric co-morbidity of balbuties usually includes some other defects in behaviour, such as states of anxiety, depression, etc. The ethiology of balbuties has not yet been discovered, neither its casual therapy is possible. The phonating apparatus is formed by: the lungs with the trachea, the larynx, and the vocal tract. The source of the expired air flow is given by the expiring lungs. In balbuties the fatal defect probably results from a pneumoobstruction of the tracheobronchial tree in the peripheral respiratory passages. The present paper gives a hypothetical explanation of the cause.

Bronchi↗
PubMed2002

The spectral analysis of syllables in patients using dentures.

Changes in the oral cavity resulting from the loss of teeth and the ensuing reconstruction of a set of teeth by dentures (partial or complete) may cause changes in the speech and voice of the patient. The aim of the present investigation was to study the changes in speech and voice in patients suffering from teeth loss and the degree of speech improvement using dentures. Voice and speech parameters of a set of tested syllables were analysed in 10 patients at the 2nd Clinic of Stomatology. The analysis was carried out by means of an FFT, SoundForge 5.0 programme. Differently expressed acoustic changes in both consonants and vowels were ascertained in a percentage of the patients under examination. These concerned especially the sibilant ("s", "(see text)"), labiodental ("f", "v") and vibrating ("r", "(see text)") consonants. Changes in the FFT spectrum and air leakage in constrictive consonants were also found. In some patients the vowels, especially the closed ones ("i", "u"), may change their fundamental frequency and show noise admixture manifested as a blurred delimitation of the formants. A denture should, inter alia, render it possible for the patient to produce the same articulation to which he/she had been accustomed before the loss of teeth. For the construction of dentures the most important factors from a phonetic point of view appear to be the following: overbite, overjet, the height of the plate, the thickness of the palatal material, the incisor position, and the modelling of the ruga palatina on the hard palate. In case of wrong denture construction the acoustic changes may continue, resulting in the patient's stress load dependent upon sex, age, psychic condition and seriousness of the problem.

Aged↗