TBHQ Alleviates Particulate Matter-Induced Pyroptosis in Human Nasal Epithelial Cells.

Pyroptosis represents a type of cell death mechanism notable for its cell membrane disruption and the subsequent release of proinflammatory cytokines. The Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing inflammasome 3 (NLRP3) plays a critical role in the pyroptosis mechanism associated with various diseases resulting from particulate matter (PM) exposure. Tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) is a synthetic antioxidant commonly used in a variety of foods and products.

Sinonasal microbiome and inflammatory profiles in fungal ball and chronic rhinosinusitis.

Objective: Fungal balls (FB) are the main form of non-invasive fungal rhinosinusitis found in immunocompetent hosts. Bacterial coinfection affects clinical symptoms. We investigated the sinonasal microbiome and inflammatory profiles in FB and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients.

Diagnostic Performance of Various Ultrasound Risk Stratification Systems for Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of ultrasound risk-stratification systems for the discrimination of benign and malignant thyroid nodules and to determine the optimal cutoff values of individual risk-stratification systems.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Cochrane library databases were searched up to August 2022. Sensitivity and specificity data were collected along with the characteristics of each study related to ultrasound risk stratification systems.

Practical Review of Olfactory Training and COVID-19.

Olfactory disorders one of the most frequent distinctive symptoms of COVID-19 infection. COVID-19-induced olfactory disorder can be classified as post-infectious olfactory dysfunction (PIOD). The effect of drugs on olfactory disorder following upper respiratory infection, including PIOD, has not been clearly established, which adds to the difficulty with treating the disorder.

Efficacy of Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Discrimination of Oral Cancerous Lesions from Normal Mucosa Based on the Oral Mucosal Image: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The accuracy of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted discrimination of oral cancerous lesions from normal mucosa based on mucosal images was evaluated. Two authors independently reviewed the database until June 2022. Oral mucosal disorder, as recorded by photographic images, autofluorescence, and optical coherence tomography (OCT), was compared with the reference results by histology findings.

Patch augmentation does not provide better clinical outcomes than arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for large to massive rotator cuff tears.

Purpose: Patch augmentation for large and massive rotator cuff tears (LMRCTs) has been suggested as a repair strategy that can mechanically reinforce tendons and biologically enhance healing potential. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients who underwent patch augmentation would have lower rates of retears and superior functional outcomes.

Methods: Patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) with patch augmentation (group A) were matched by age, sex, degree of retraction, and supraspinatus muscle occupation ratio to those treated with ARCR without using a patch (group B) with a minimum follow-up of 24 months.

Clinical Trial to Reconfirm the Efficacy and Safety of Cefetamet Pivoxil Treatment in Sinusitis Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Parallel Designed, Multicenter, Active Comparator Study (CASIS Study).

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of cefetamet pivoxil for the treatment of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis in Korean patients compared to treatment with cefdinir.

Methods: A prospective, multicenter, randomized double-blind, comparative study was conducted by the Departments of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at 17 hospitals or universities in the Republic of Korea from March 2017 to April 2019. A total of 309 patients were screened and 249 patients participated in the study.

Association of Olfactory and Pulmonary Function in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Objectives: To identify the relationship between pulmonary function and subjective olfactory dysfunction in middle-aged and older adults.

Materials And Methods: We used Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2010 to 2012 to analyze 6191 participants in their 50s or older.

Results: The frequency of olfactory dysfunction was 6.

Eupatilin Inhibits Reactive Oxygen Species Generation via Akt/NF-κB/MAPK Signaling Pathways in Particulate Matter-Exposed Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells.

Background: Eupatilin is an active flavon extracted from the Artemisia species and has properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer. We examined the effect of eupatilin using fine particulate matter (FPM) and human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) to confirm the potential of eupatilin as a therapeutic agent for respiratory diseases caused by FPM.

Methods: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were checked by flow cytometry to identify if FPM and eupatilin affect ROS production.

The association between olfactory dysfunction and cardiovascular disease and its risk factors in middle-aged and older adults.

While previous studies have reported olfactory dysfunction (OD) in relation to cardiovascular disease (CVD), few population-based studies have investigated whether such associations differ by sex. The purpose of this study was to identify the association between CVD and its risk factors with OD, and the sex-associated differences within the general population. We examined 20,016 adults aged 40 and older from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Protection of Medical Staff during Tracheotomy: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: During the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19, tracheotomy under emergency situation is considered a high-risk procedure that causes probable expose to aerosolized secretion.

Summary: We reviewed our case and previous reports, and summarized a detailed protocol that is needed to protect medical staffs who perform tracheotomy under the COVID-19 pandemic, considering the patient's condition, experience of medical staff members, and available facilities and equipment. Key Messages: For efficient protection of medical staff who perform tracheotomy under the COVID-19 pandemic period, we suggest that the following needs to be considered: assessment of patient's condition (COVID-19 infection and the airway problem), route (safest route to the operating room), experienced surgical team, negative-pressure isolation facility and appliance (personal protective equipment) availability, and safe and appropriate post-tracheotomy care.

Emergent procedures for oropharyngeal bleeding during the COVID-19 pandemic: Protection of medical staff.

During an ongoing pandemic of COVID-19, controlling the oropharyngeal bleeding, such as post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage, with cauterization is considered a very vulnerable procedure for medical staff because of high probability of exposure to aerosolized secretion. The authors aimed to introduce an appropriate treatment protocol for oropharyngeal bleeding that provides first aid to patients while protecting medical staff at high-risk of infection such as COVID-19.

Activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway by curcumin inhibits oxidative stress in human nasal fibroblasts exposed to urban particulate matter.

Background: Particulate matter (PM) can cause various negative acute and chronic diseases of the respiratory system, including the upper airways. Curcumin has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects; therefore, we investigated the effects of curcumin on nasal fibroblasts exposed to urban PM (UPM).

Methods: Samples of inferior turbinate tissue were obtained from six patients.

Efficacy of pillar suture for post-tonsillectomy morbidity in children: a meta-analysis.

Introduction: Several surgical techniques have been used during tonsillectomy to reduce complications.

Objectives: To assess the effects of pillar suture in conjunction with tonsillectomy as compared to tonsillectomy without suture in children.

Methods: Two authors independently searched five databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, the Web of Science, and the Cochrane database) for studies published as recent as December 2018.

Effect of fluticasone propionate on human nasal fibroblasts exposed to urban particulate matter.

Objective: Particulate matter (PM), which contains organic compounds and toxic metals, is the major cause of air pollution. PM enters the body, causing various health problems. Although the effects of PM on the lower respiratory tract have been extensively investigated, the effects on the upper respiratory tract (including the nasal cavity) require further evaluation.

Utility of acoustic pharyngometry for screening of obstructive sleep apnea.

Objective: To determine whether combining acoustic pharyngometric parameters with cephalometric and clinical parameters could improve the predictive power for significant obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a Korean population.

Methods: A total of 229 consecutive adult patients with suspected OSA were enrolled. The predictability for significant OSA using acoustic pharyngometric or cephalometric parameters or combining these parameters and clinical factors was calculated and compared using multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

Taste test using an edible taste film kit: a randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: We developed an edible taste film test that can be stored easily as a kit. This study was conducted to confirm the agreement between the results of the edible taste film kit test and the conventional taste solution test.

Design: Prospective, randomised, controlled trial.

Sex difference in IgE sensitization associated with alcohol consumption in the general population.

The association of alcohol consumption and immunoglobulin E (IgE) sensitization is debated. Few population-based studies have investigated whether such associations differ by sex. We explored the association of alcohol consumption with IgE sensitization in the general population, stratified by sex.

External Auditory Canal Reconstruction and Mastoid Obliteration Using Modified Palva Flap in Canal Wall Down Mastoidectomy With Tympanoplasty.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a modified Palva flap used for external auditory canal reconstruction and mastoid obliteration in canal wall down mastoidectomy.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent canal wall down mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty using modified Palva flap. All patients underwent pure tone audiometry and temporal bone computed tomography (CT) before surgery, and the same tests were performed in the first year after surgery.

The neuroplastic effect of olfactory training to the recovery of olfactory system in mouse model.

Background: Several studies have reported the benefits of olfactory training (OT) in the olfactory nervous system of mouse models. Therefore, in this study we performed next-generation sequencing to evaluate the effects of OT on mRNA sequencing in the olfactory area.

Methods: Mice in each group were administered 300 mg of 3-methylindole per kilogram of mouse weight.

Protective effects of α-lipoic acid on cultured human nasal fibroblasts exposed to urban particulate matter.

Background: Exposure to urban particulate matter (UPM) has been studied as a cause of various health problems. Although the association between UPM and the respiratory tract has been well studied, further research is required to characterize the effects of UPM on the upper respiratory tract. We investigated the effects of UPM-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production on cultured human nasal fibroblasts, as well as the protective effects of α-lipoic acid (ALA) on ROS production and the underlying signaling pathways involved in ROS inhibition.

A case of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma removed using a minimally invasive endoscopic endonasal technique.

Nasopharyngeal angiofibroma is a rare head and neck tumor characterized by hypervascularity. With the development of various surgical devices and hemostatic agents, endoscopic endonasal surgery for nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, which is characterized by significant intraoperative bleeding, has become possible. We describe our experiences performing an effective endoscopic endonasal removal of a nasopharyngeal angiofibroma without embolization, using advanced devices and hemostatic agents.