Clinical characteristics of persistent postural-perceptual dizziness and its visual subtype in Korean patients: A multicenter cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a chronic functional vestibular disorder for which the Bárány Society has established diagnostic criteria. This nationwide multicenter study aims to investigate the clinical features of individuals with definite PPPD and clinical variant PPPD who do not fully meet the diagnostic criteria, with a particular focus on visual exaggeration.

Methods: Between September 2020 and September 2021, a total of 76 individuals with definite PPPD and 109 individuals with clinical variant PPPD who did not meet all three exacerbating factors outlined in Criterion B were recruited from 18 medical centers in South Korea.

A Rat Model for Oral Mucositis Induced by a Single Administration of 5-Fluorouracil.

Background/aim: This study aimed to develop a reliable chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis (CIOM) rat model by intraperitoneally administering a single dosage of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) combined with a chemical stimulus.

Materials And Methods: The 5-FU dosage for CIOM development was determined by the survival rate of rats administrated 160 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 240 mg/kg of 5-FU. Thirty rats were assigned to normal control (NC) and three experimental groups: i) ulcer formation without 5-FU administration (PBS/U+), ii) 5-FU administration without ulcer formation (5-FU/U-), and iii) ulcer formation after 5-FU administration (5-FU/U+).

Changes in the Laryngeal Mucosa After Thyroid Surgery: A Rat Model.

Background/aim: Thyroidectomy can cause various airway symptoms affecting the quality of life. We investigated the changes in extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and markers for inflammation and microcirculation of laryngeal mucosa.

Materials And Methods: Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were categorized into control and three surgical groups based on the extent of surgeries, 1) flap elevation (FE) group, 2) thyroid and trachea exposure (TE) group, and 3) thyroid isthmectomy (TI) group.

Restoration of Homeostasis in the Tracheal Mucosa After Thyroid Surgery in a Rat Model.

Background/aim: This study aimed to investigate the process of homeostatic restoration in the tracheal mucosa (TM) after thyroid surgery.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-four rats were divided into normal controls (NC) and three experimental groups: (i) flap elevation (FE), (ii) thyroid exposure (TE), and (iii) thyroid isthmusectomy (TI). Expression of mRNA and proteins of key factors regulating homeostasis were evaluated in the TM obtained 3, 7, and 21 days after thyroid surgery.

Effects of allergic rhinitis on the progression and recovery of acute otitis media in a mouse model.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of allergic rhinitis (AR) on the development, progression, and recovery of acute otitis media (OM) in an animal model and investigate the secondary effects of bacterial infection.

Methods: BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: AR + OM, AR, OM, and control groups. AR + OM and AR groups were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and alum and then challenged intranasally with OVA.

The Clinical Manifestations and Chest Computed Tomography Findings of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Patients in China: A Proportion Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to identify the clinical features and chest computed tomography (CT) findings of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and to compare the characteristics of patients diagnosed in Wuhan and in other areas of China by integrating the findings reported in previous studies.

Methods: We conducted a proportion meta-analysis to integrate the results of previous studies identified in online databases, and subsequently compared the overlapping of 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between locations of diagnosis. The heterogeneity of the results of the included studies was also demonstrated.

Changes in Tracheal Respiratory Mucosa After Thyroidectomy: A Rat Model.

Background/aim: This study aimed to investigate changes in the tracheal mucosa after thyroidectomy, that can be a cause of post-thyroidectomy discomfort.

Materials And Methods: Forty rats were divided into normal controls and 3 surgical groups: (i) thyroid isthmectomy with cauterization, (ii) isthmectomy by a cold instrument without hemostasis, and (iii) sham (exposure of the trachea and thyroid gland without thyroidectomy by dissection through pretracheal fascia). Animals were euthanized at 1 and 4 weeks.

Effects of Amniotic Membrane Extract on the Hyperplastic Response of the Middle Ear Mucosa in a Bacterially-Induced Otitis Media Rat Model: A Preliminary Study.

Objectives: Human amniotic membrane extract (AME) is known to contain numerous bioactive factors and anti-inflammatory substances. However, the anti-inflammatory effects of AME on the middle ear (ME) mucosa are unclear. This study assessed the effects of AME on the growth of the ME mucosa in response to bacterially-induced otitis media (OM).

Abnormalities of Otoacoustic Emissions in Myasthenia Gravis: Association With Serological and Electrophysiological Features.

To investigate whether otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) are impaired in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) and whether such dysfunction is associated with serological and electrophysiological features of MG. We tested 15 patients with MG (30 ears) and 10 healthy age- and sex-matched subjects (20 ears) for transiently evoked OAE (TEOAE) and distortion product OAE (DPOAE). Compared with controls, MG patients revealed a significant reduction in the amplitude of TEOAEs ( < 0.

A comparison of single-dose and multiple divided daily-dose oral steroids for sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Introduction: Glucocorticoids are considered the first-line therapy for sudden sensorineural hearing loss. But there is currently no consensus on administering them as a single dose versus multiple divided daily doses.

Objective: We aim to evaluate the treatment outcome of sudden sensorineural hearing loss between a single-dose and multiple divided daily doses of steroid treatment.

Expression of surfactant Protein-A in the Haemophilus influenzae-induced otitis media in a rat model.

The objective of this study was to investigate the expression and the role of surfactant protein A (SP-A) in the middle ear (ME) mucosa in response to bacterial infection in a rat model. Otitis media (OM) was induced by surgical inoculation of non-typeable Haemophilus influenza (NTHi) into the ME cavity of Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were divided into an NTHi-induced OM group and a phosphate-buffered saline-injected control group.

Influence of Vitamin D Deficiency on Progression of Experimental Otitis Media in Rats.

Background: Vitamin D plays an important role in the immune response against infection. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of vitamin D deficiency on the progression of otitis media (OM) using an experimental rat model.

Methods: Four-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=72) were divided into two groups based on their diet: a control diet group (n=36) and a vitamin D-deficient diet group (n=36).

Effects of excessive fibrin deposit and polylactide adhesion barrier on wound healing in thyroidectomy murine wound model.

Background: We hypothesize that excessive fibrin formation and inflammation induced by antiadhesive material, SurgiWrap (SW), would have an adverse effect on wound healing. It was evaluated by a thyroidectomy murine wound model.

Methods: Excessive fibrin formation was induced by isthmectomy without hemostasis.

Both canonical and non-canonical NF-κB activation contribute to the proliferative response of the middle ear mucosa during bacterial infection.

A major aspect of pathology in otitis media (OM), the most common childhood bacterial disease, is hyperplasia of the middle ear mucosa. Activation of innate immune receptors during OM leads to the activation of NF-κB, a pleiotropic transcription factor involved both in inflammation and tissue growth. To explore the role of NF-κB in mucosal hyperplasia during OM, we evaluated the expression of genes involved in two modes of NF-κB activation during a complete episode of acute, bacterial OM in mice.

Role of group 3 innate lymphoid cells during experimental otitis media in a rat model.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3) in the middle ear (ME) mucosal response to bacterial infection in a rat model. To confirm the role of ILC3 in bacterially induced otitis media (OM), the serum concentrations of IL-17 and IL-22 were determined by ELISA, and the tissue expression of IL-17 and IL-22 in infected ME mucosa was assessed by immunohistochemical staining. Immunohistochemical staining of specific cell surface markers was also assessed to confirm the origin of the cells expressing IL-17 and IL-22.

Enhanced mucosal healing with curcumin in animal oral ulcer model.

Objectives/hypothesis: Oral ulcers are very common and can compromise the quality of life of patients with pain. The objective of this study was to evaluate mucosal healing with curcumin in an animal oral ulcer model.

Study Design: Experimental study.

Evaluation of anxiety and depressive levels in tinnitus patients.

Background And Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate the relationship between tinnitus and the level of anxiety and depression experienced by subjective tinnitus patients, and to determine the effect of the level of anxiety and depression to the results of tinnitus treatment.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 104 patients were included in this study. All the patients conducted Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State Trait Anxiety Inventory 1, 2 (STAI 1, 2) to evaluate their psychometric properties.

Vocal fold augmentation with injectable polycaprolactone microspheres/pluronic F127 hydrogel: long-term in vivo study for the treatment of glottal insufficiency.

There is increasing demand for reconstruction of glottal insufficiency. Several injection materials have been examined for this purpose, but all had limitations, such as poor long-term durability, migration from the injection site, inflammation, granuloma formation, and interference with vocal fold vibration due to viscoelastic mismatch. Here, we developed a novel injection material, consisting of polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres, which exhibits better viscoelasticity than conventional materials, and Pluronic F127 carrier, which decreases the migration of the injection materials.

Selective delivery of a therapeutic gene for treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using human neural stem cells.

Objectives: Based on studies of the extensive tropism of neural stem cells (NSCs) toward malignant brain tumor, we hypothesized that NSCs could also target head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and could be used as a cellular therapeutic delivery system.

Methods: To apply this strategy to the treatment of HNSCC, we used a human NSC line expressing cytosine deaminase (HB1.F3-CD), an enzyme that converts 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) into 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), an anticancer agent.

Tracheal reconstruction with asymmetrically porous polycaprolactone/pluronic F127 membranes.

Background: Congenital and acquired tracheal stenosis continues to be challenging problems. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an asymmetrically porous membrane (APM) to induce tracheal reconstruction by inhibition of granulation tissue growth into the tracheal lumen whereas minimizing graft failure.

Methods: The APM was fabricated with polycaprolactone (PCL) and pluronic F127 to have nano-size pores at top side, whereas the bottom side had micro-size pores.

Polycaprolactone spheres and theromosensitive Pluronic F127 hydrogel for vocal fold augmentation: in vivo animal study for the treatment of unilateral vocal fold palsy.

Objectives/hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to explore a novel strategy to restore vocal gap by using polycaprolactone (PCL) spheres with thermosensitive Pluronic F127 in a paralyzed rabbit vocal fold.

Study Design: In vivo study using a rabbit model.

Methods: The PCL spheres were fabricated by an isolated particle-melting method.

Expression of ENaC in LPS-induced inflammation of middle ear mucosa.

Conclusion: The expression of all three subunits of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) decreased after the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection and normalized as the fluid collection resolved. This implies that fluid collection in acute otitis media may be caused by the inhibition of ENaC function.

Objectives: We investigated the expression levels of subunits of ENaC after an injection of LPS into the middle ear cavity of rats.

Gene expression profile of early in vitro biofilms of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

In this study, the gene expression profile of early in vitro Streptococcus pneumoniae biofilm with respect to planktonic cells in cDNA microarray analysis is reported. Microarray analysis with respect to planktonic cells was performed on total RNA extracted from biofilms grown in 24-well microtiter plates. To validate the microarray results, real-time RT-PCR was performed on 13 differentially expressed genes and one constitutively expressed gene.

Tracheal reconstruction by mesenchymal stem cells with small intestine submucosa in rabbits.

Aim: The increasing number of newborns requiring intubation and artificial ventilation in the sophisticated premature and intensive care units of recent years has been followed by a concomitant increase in the number of children who develop tracheal stenosis as a sequela of prolonged intubation, with a consequent increasing need for tracheal surgical repair. The aim of this study was to evaluate tracheal reconstruction by monolayered autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with small intestine submucosa (SIS) in a rabbit model.

Methods: Twelve male rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: rabbits with tracheal defects without reconstruction (untreated group, n=4), rabbits with tracheal defects given porcine small intestine submucosa graft (SIS group, n=4), and rabbits with tracheal defects that underwent transplantation of monolayered mesenchymal stem cells on SIS (SIS+MSC group, n=4).