Hearing care aspects in universal face mask use during the COVID 19 pandemic

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Hearing care aspects in universal face mask use during the COVID 19 pandemic Via Vestnik otorinolaringologii Vestn Otorinolaringol. 2021;86(4):9-12. doi: 10.17116/otorino2021860419. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Typical cloth and medical masks, which are mandatory to wear during the COVID 19 pandemic, create visual barrier, obscure linguistic and nonverbal communication and interaction. Ski-slope hearing loss patients often don't admit their auditory insufficiency and do not use hearing aids due to acceptable speech intelligibility by using visual access to the mouth and other potential facial cues. PURPOSE: To assess the impact of universal face medical masks in public places on motivation to using hearing aids of patients with ski-slope hearing loss. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All the 504 patients (18-65 years old), who applied for < hearing care assistance and for the first time bought hearing aid were included. 266 patients (group A) applied from June to November 2020, when wearing facial masks was mandatory; 238 patients (group B) appli ed from June to November 2019, when wearing facial masks wasn't required. In both groups patients, who fulfilled the following criteria, were selected: 1) binaural mild to severe sensorineural ski-slope hearing loss lasting more than 3 years; 2) no progression of hearing loss within the last 3 years; 3) pure tone audiometry <20 dB HL at 125-1000 Hz frequencies; 4) hearing care with mono- or binaural hearing aids with the receiver-in-the-canal open-type. Questionnaires were administered to eligible patients in group A to assess the motivational components of acquiring hearing aids. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In group A, 74 (28%) patients received hearing aids according to the inclusion criteria, and in group B, 46 (19%) patients received hearing aids (p=0.033). Significant factors determining hearing aid acquisition were lack of visual contact when wearing a mask, communication difficulties in noisy environments and lack of intelligibility in a concert hall or lecture. CONCLUSION: Patients' motivation to hearing care grows in mandatory wearing facial masks conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic leading to an increase in patients using hearing aids. PMID:34499440 | DOI:10.17116/otorino2021860419 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Augmented Reality for Retrosigmoid Craniotomy Planning

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Augmented Reality for Retrosigmoid Craniotomy Planning Via Journal of Neurological Surgery Part B: Skull Base J Neurol Surg B Skull Base DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1735509 While medical imaging data have traditionally been viewed on two-dimensional (2D) displays, augmented reality (AR) allows physicians to project the medical imaging data on patient's bodies to locate important anatomy. We present a surgical AR application to plan the retrosigmoid craniotomy, a standard approach to access the posterior fossa and the internal auditory canal. As a simple and accurate alternative to surface landmarks and conventional surgical navigation systems, our AR application augments the surgeon's vision to guide the optimal location of cortical bone removal. In this work, two surgeons performed a retrosigmoid approach 14 times on eight cadaver heads. In each case, the surgeon manually aligned a computed tomography (CT)-derived virtual rendering of the sigmoid sinus on the real cadaveric heads using a see-through AR display, allowing the surgeon to plan and perform the craniotomy accordingly. Postprocedure CT scans were acquired to assess the accuracy of the retrosigmoid craniotomies with respect to their intended location relative to the dural sinuses. The two surgeons had a mean margin of davg = 0.6 ± 4.7 mm and davg = 3.7 ± 2.3 mm between the osteotomy border and the dural sinuses over all their cases, respectively, and only positive margins for 12 of the 14 cases. The intended surgical approach to the internal auditory canal was successfully achieved in all cases using the proposed method, and the relatively small and consistent margins suggest that our system has the potential to be a valuable tool to facilitate planning a variety of similar skull-base procedures. [...] Georg Thieme Verlag KG Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany Article in Thieme eJournals: Table of contents  |  Abstract  |  Full text View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Comparison of 24-month voice outcomes after injection laryngoplasty with calcium hydroxylapatite or hyaluronic acid in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Comparison of 24-month voice outcomes after injection laryngoplasty with calcium hydroxylapatite or hyaluronic acid in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis Via American Journal of Otolaryngology Publication date: Available online 10 September 2021 Source: American Journal of Otolaryngology Author(s): Beata Miaśkiewicz, Aleksandra Panasiewicz, Katarzyna Nikiel, Elżbieta Włodarczyk, Elżbieta Gos, Agata Szkiełkowska View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

COVID associated mucormycosis: A preliminary study from a dedicated COVID Hospital in Delhi

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader COVID associated mucormycosis: A preliminary study from a dedicated COVID Hospital in Delhi Via American Journal of Otolaryngology Publication date: Available online 11 September 2021 Source: American Journal of Otolaryngology Author(s): Ravi Meher, Vikram Wadhwa, Vikas Kumar, Daphylla, Junior, Raman Sharma, Ishwar Singh, P.K. Rathore, Ruchi Goyal, Ritu Arora, Sandeep Garg, Suresh Kumar, Jyoti Kumar, Munisha Agarwal, Meeta Singh, Nita Khurana, Tanu Sagar, Vikas Manchanda, Sonal Saxena View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of Beclin 1 expression in melanoma: a meta-analysis

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Diagnostic and prognostic value of Beclin 1 expression in melanoma: a meta-analysis Via Melanoma Research - Published Ahead-of-Print Autophagy plays a complicated role in the occurrence and development of cancer. Beclin 1 is a significant autophagy-related protein that plays an essential role in tumorigenesis, but its expression is controversial in melanoma. In this meta-analysis, we searched seven studies involving 638 melanoma patients. PubMed, Web o f Science, Google Scholar, Elsevier, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure were used for literature retrieval. The I2 index was used to assess heterogeneity. The expression of Beclin 1 in the primary melanoma group was significantly lower than the non-tumor group tissues (P 0.05). Different expression intensities of Beclin 1 did not affect the overall survival and disease-free survival of melanoma patients. This study showed a trend of low expression of Beclin 1 in melanoma; patients with low expression of Beclin 1 were prone to the possibility of distant metastasis. The inconsistent profile of Beclin 1 expression in the prognosis of melanoma patients warrants further clinical investigation. Received 8 May 2021 Accepted 12 August 2021 Correspondence to Ping Huang, MD, Department of Stomatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1095 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China, Tel: +86 15807192632; e-mail: huangping_hust@hotmail.com Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Free vascularized fascia lata flap for total columella reconstruction

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Free vascularized fascia lata flap for total columella reconstruction Via American Journal of Otolaryngology Publication date: Available online 11 September 2021 Source: American Journal of Otolaryngology Author(s): Rachel E. Aliotta, Joseph Meleca, Allison Vidimos, Michael A. Fritz View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

A Novel Two Surgeons Approach to Bronchial Foreign Body Removal by Optical Instruments- An 11 Years Institutional Experience

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader A Novel Two Surgeons Approach to Bronchial Foreign Body Removal by Optical Instruments- An 11 Years Institutional Experience Via Otolaryngology Indian Abstract A potentially life-threatening emergency in ENT practice is the aspiration of tracheobronchial foreign body. This commonly affects young children and requires early extraction. Successful removal provides immediate relief. However procedural complications can cause devastating morbidity like anoxic encephalopathy or instant death. The aim of this study is to describe the experience in our institution with two surgeons approach for removal of tracheobronchial foreign bodies by telescope and optical forceps. This is an observational study from the period of March 2010 to April 2021 in which 96 patients (59 males, 37 females; age range 3 months to 15 years) were diagnosed with foreign body aspiration. In all cases rigid bronchoscopy and FB removal under general anaesthesia was performed using the two surgeons technique. This technique was instituted once Storz make paediatric telescope (2.9 mm diameter 36 cm length), optical grasping forceps and optical suction were procured in March 2010. Aspirated material was inorganic or organic with varying location in right main bronchus, left main bronchus or the trachea. We highlight the OT setup, surgical algorithm and the advantages of this technique. Visual and tactile coordination between the two surgeons being the crux of this procedure; allows hands on mentoring of the next generation of budding surgeons in a real-life scenario without compromising patient safety. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Effect of Efferent Stimulation on the Differential Sensitivity in Individuals with Normal Hearing

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Effect of Efferent Stimulation on the Differential Sensitivity in Individuals with Normal Hearing Via Otolaryngology Indian Abstract The aim of the article was to compare the conditions of silent and contralateral noise on Differential sensitivity in normal hearing individuals. A total of 40 participants (20 males and 20 females) were enrolled in the study with a mean age of 21.7 years, participants with normal hearing thresholds and no history of middle ear pathology were enrolled for the study. Difference limen tests such as difference limen for intensity (DLI), difference limen for frequency (DLF), and difference limen for time (DLT) were carried out in these 40 individuals in the two conditions of silent and contralateral noise using MATLAB. Statistical analysis was carried out using the SPSS version 25.0 were descriptive and inferential statistics were carried out. Data was normally distributed on the Shapiro–Wilk's test of normality due to which a paired t test was carried out to establish the nature of significance between the silent and contralateral noise condition. Results r eveal the presence of significant difference (P < 0.01) between the groups for DLF and DLT with contralateral noise condition performing better than silent condition for the parameters. However, no significant difference was obtained for DLI. There is a positive effect of the efferent auditory pathway on the Differential sensitivity thus implying that speech perception in noise is improved in the presence of background noise for normal hearing individuals due to this effect. But in case of DLI, the reduced spread of excitation could be the reason why there were no significant differences between silent and contralateral noise condition. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Non‐invasive evaluation of subjective sensitive skin by transcriptomics using mRNA in skin surface lipids

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Non‐invasive evaluation of subjective sensitive skin by transcriptomics using mRNA in skin surface lipids Via Experimental Dermatology Abstract Sensitive skin is a condition characterized by hypersensitivity to environmental stimuli, and its pathophysiology has not been fully elucidated. Questionnaires based on subjective symptoms, intervention tests, and measuring devices are used to diagnose sensitive skin; however, objective evaluation methods, including biomarkers, remain to be established. This study aimed to investigate the molecular profiles of self-reported sensitive skin, understand its pathophysiology, and explore its biomarkers. Here, we analyzed RNAs in skin surface lipids (SSL-RNAs), which can be obtained non-invasively by wiping the skin surface with an oil-blotting film, to compare the transcriptome profiles between questionnaire-based 'sensitive' (n = 11) and 'non-sensitive' (n = 10) skin participants. Exactly 417 differentially expressed genes in SSL-RNAs from individuals with sensitive skin were identified, of which C-C motif chemokine ligand 17 and interferon-γ pathways were elevated, while 50 olfactory receptor (OR) genes were downregulated. The expression of the detectable 101 OR genes was lower in individuals with sensitive skin compared to that in those with non-sensitive skin and was particularly associated with the subjective sensitivity among skin conditions. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve demonstrated that the mean expression levels of OR genes in SSL-RNAs could discriminate subjective skin sensitivity with an area under the ROC curve of 0.836. SSL-RNA profiles suggest a mild inflammatory state in sensitive skin, and overall OR gene expression could be a potential indicator for sensitive skin. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Cochlear Implantation in Inner Ear Malformations: Considerations Related to Surgical Complications and Communication Skills

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Cochlear Implantation in Inner Ear Malformations: Considerations Related to Surgical Complications and Communication Skills Via O.R.L. Journal for oto-rhino-laryngology and its borderlands Introduction: There are particular challenges in the implantation of malformed cochleae, such as in cases of facial nerve anomalies, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, erroneous electrode insertion, or facial stimulation, and the outcomes may differ depending on the severity of the malformation. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of inner ear malformations (IEMs) on surgical complications and outcomes of cochlear implantation. Methods: In order to assess the impact of IEMs on cochlear implant (CI) outcomes, 2 groups of pati ents with similar epidemiological parameters were selected from among 863 patients. Both the study group (patients with an IEM) and control group (patients with a normal inner ear) included 25 patients who received a CI and completed at least 1 year of follow-up. Auditory performance, receptive and expressive language skills, and production and use of speech were evaluated preoperatively and at least 1 year after implantation. Types of surgical complications and rates of revision surgeries were determined in each group. Results: In the study group, the most common malformation was an isolated enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) (44.8%). Overall, the patients with IEMs showed significant improvement in auditory-verbal skills. In general, the patients who had normal cochleae scored significantly better compared to patients with IEMs (p #x3c; 0.05). The complication rate was significantly lower in the control group compared to the study group (p = 0.001), but the rate of revision surgeries did not differ significantly (p = 0.637). Conclusion: It is possible to improve communication skills with CIs in patients with IEMs despite the variations in postoperative performances. Patients with EVA, incomplete partition type 2, and cochlear hypoplasia type 2 were the best performers in terms of auditory-verbal skills. Patients with IEMs scored poorly compared to patients with normal cochleae. CSF leak (gusher or oozing) was the most common complication during surgery, which is highly likely in cases of incomplete partition type 3. ORL View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Pain Management Following Otological Surgery: A Prospective Study of Different Strategies

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Pain Management Following Otological Surgery: A Prospective Study of Different Strategies Via The Laryngoscope Objectives The aim of this study was to prospectively assess pain and associated analgesic consumption after otological surgery comparing two prescription patterns. Study Design A prospective nonrandomized consecutive cohort study. Methods 125 adult patients undergoing ambulatory otologic surgery-cochlear implantation and endaural middle ear surgery, were assigned (according to surgeon's preference) and prospectively studied in two arms: 1) acetaminophen 500 mg + ibuprofen 400 mg; 2) acetaminophen 500 mg + codeine 30 mg. Pain levels, medication dose, disposal patterns of opioids, and suspected side effects were evaluated. Results All patients reported mild to moderate pain. There was a statistically significant reduction of pain from day to day, which was on average 0.26 lower than the day before. Sufficient pain control could be achieved with both drug regimens with no significant difference in pain levels. Only 50% of patients who were prescribed opioids used them. Additionally, the median tablet intake was 3 tablets while 10 to 20 tablets were prescribed. The majority of patients (97%) did not dispose of these drugs safely. Conclusion Adequate analgesia was achieved in both arms of this study. Pain control following otologic surgery with a combination of acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is recommended unless contraindications or chronic opioid use are present. If opioids such as codeine (30 mg) are prescribed, the amount should be reduced as low as possible, such as five tablets, based on our studied population. Level of Evidence Level 3—a prospective nonrandomized consecutive cohort study Laryngoscope, 2021 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Τhe combined HT-SVV and HU-SVV test could be a powerful neuro-otologic examination for detecting pathologies in the vestibular otolithic pathway.

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Message: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anl.2021.08.010 Abstract Objective We previously established the head-tilt subjective visual vertical (HT-SVV) test to evaluate head-tilt perception gain (HTPG) in addition to the original head-upright SVV (HU-SVV) test (Wada-Y et al.: Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol, 2020). In this study, we aimed to investigate the HU-SVV and HT-SVV abnormality rates among patients with vertigo/dizziness. Methods Between July 2014 and December 2020, 357 patients were hospitalized for examining the HU-SVV and HT-SVV at our vertigo/dizziness center. Among these patients, 120 had Meniere's disease (MD), 99 had unilateral vestibular disease (UVD), 76 had benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), 14 had vestibular migraine (VM), 13 had orthostatic dysfunction (OD), 12 had bilateral vestibular disease (BVD), 12 had central dizziness (CD), 7 had vestibular schwannoma (VS), and 4 had psychogenic dizziness (PD). We determined the reference values of the absolute HU-SVV (<2.5°) and HTPG (0.80–1.25) for the sitting position and used these for calculating the HU-SVV and HT-SVV abnormality rates in each type of vertigo/dizziness. Results Among the 357 patients, 111 had abnormal HU-SVV results (31.1%), 132 had abnormal HT-SVV results (37.0%), and 185 had abnormal HU-SVV and/or HT-SVV results (51.8%). The modified HT-SVV test in combination with the original HU-SVV test could detect gravity perception disturbance in patients with vertigo/dizziness significantly better than the original test alone (chi-square: p=0.00019). The HU-SVV, HT-SVV, and HU-SVV and/or HT-SVV abnormality rates were significantly higher in patients with peripheral vestibular diseases, i.e., MD, UVD, BPPV, and BVD than in those with other types of vertigo/dizziness, i.e., VM, OD, CD, VS, and PD (chi-square: p=0.010, p=0.020, and p=0.0025, respectively). Conclusion These findings suggest that the combined HT-SVV and HU-SVV test could be a powerful neuro-otologic examination for detecting pathologies in the vestibular otolithic pathway. Keywords Gravity perceptionOtolith functionSubjective visual verticalHead-tilt perception gainMeniere's diseaseBenign paroxysmal positional vertigo Results of subjective visual vertical tests in patients with vertigo/dizziness Via Auris Nasus Larynx Publication date: Available online 8 September 2021 Source: Auris Nasus Larynx Author(s): Masaharu Sakagami, Yoshiro Wada, Tomoyuki Shiozaki, Ichiro Ota, Tadashi Kitahara View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.