Prevalence and etiotypes of persistent airflow obstruction in the general population across the lifetime.

Background And Objectives: Different factors (etiotypes) can lead to persistent airflow obstruction (PAO) across the lifetime, including genetic factors, abnormal lung development, cigarette smoking, traffic pollution exposure, respiratory infections and asthma. Here we explore the prevalence of PAO and associated etiotypes in the general population in different age bins.

Methods: We studied 664 individuals with PAO (FEV1/FVC post bronchodilation (post-BD) below the lower limit of normal (LLN)) and 11,522 with normal lung function (FEV1/FVC, FEV1 and FVC ≥ LLN and ≤ upper limit of normal (ULN) post-BD) included in the LEAD Study (NCT01727518), a general population cohort in Vienna (Austria).

Survival Outcome in True Carcinoma of Unknown Primary (tCUP) with p16 + Cervical Metastasis.

 Age and lymph node ratio have been attributed as independent predictors for survival and recurrence in carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP).  The purpose of this study was to analyze the prognostic value of p16 overexpression for CUP in the absence of true primary (TP).  The study involved 43 patients who underwent therapeutic lymph node dissection (LND) from 2000 to 2015 after all the diagnostic work up for CUP.

A successful intervention to improve conceptual knowledge of medical students who rely on memorization of disclosed items.

The mere memorization of isolated facts without the claim of integrating them is detrimental to the desired learning outcomes in medical education. The current study was conducted within an environment where items from summative assessments are regularly disclosed by the university and consequently collected into an item bank that is shared between students. Within this environment, we aimed to quantify 1) to which extent students use disclosed items for their preparation for the summative exam, 2) a putative mismatch between (isolated factual) knowledge regarding distinct questions from the item bank and conceptual knowledge, and 3) to which extent this mismatch can be ameliorated by a project aiming to steer student learning away from the memorization of isolated facts toward the acquisition of conceptual knowledge.

A new nomogram to predict oncological outcome in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma patients after laryngopharyngectomy.

Background: To create nomograms for better prediction of the oncological outcome in advanced laryngeal (LxCAs) or hypopharyngeal (HpxCAs) cancer after laryngopharyngectomy.

Materials: 239 patients who underwent total laryngectomy or laryngopharyngectomy due to LxCA (52.7%) or HpxCA (47.

Long-Term Swallowing Outcome and Dysphagia in Advanced Staged Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas after Radiotherapy.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of radiotherapy (RT) on dysphagia and long-term swallowing outcome in patients with stage III and IV head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Material and Methods: Between 2005 and 2008, 189 patients with HNSCCs underwent primary or adjuvant RT in a curative setting. Long-term swallowing outcome was evaluated in 50 patients.

Influence of Grading on Management and Outcome in Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Parotid-A Multi-institutional Analysis.

Objective: To evaluate clinical outcome of low (G1), intermediate (G2), and high-(G3) grade mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MEC) of the parotid gland.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review including 212 patients. Clinicopathological data was statistically analyzed regarding grading, overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS).

Prognostic factors in mammary analogue secretory carcinomas of the parotid gland: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Mammary analogue secretory carcinomas (MASCs) of the parotid gland are considered as low-grade malignancies with good clinical outcome but lacking data regarding prognostic factors. We performed meta-analysis assessing prognostic factors for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in 256 patients with MASCs of the parotid gland. A total of 73 studies have met the inclusion criteria and 76.

Management and outcome of vagus nerve stimulator implantation: experience of an otolaryngeal/neuropediatric cooperation.

Objective: Vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) implantation is an established therapy for pharmacoresistant epilepsy that is not amenable to curative epilepsy surgery. Historically, VNS implantation has been performed by neurosurgeons, but otolaryngologist involvement is increasingly common. In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of VNS implantation in children and adolescents from the otolaryngologists' perspective.

A New Classification System to Predict Functional Outcome after Laryngectomy and Laryngopharyngectomy.

(1) Objective: To evaluate long-term functional outcome in patients who underwent primary or salvage total laryngectomy (TL), TL with partial (TLPP), or total pharyngectomy (TLTP), and to establish a new scoring system to predict complication rate and long-term functional outcome; (2) Material and Methods: Between 1993 and 2019, 258 patients underwent TL ( = 85), TLPP ( = 101), or TLTP ( = 72). Based on the extent of tumor resection, all patients were stratified to (i) localization I: TL; II: TLPP; III: TLTP and (ii) surgical treatment (A: primary resection; B: salvage surgery). Type and rate of complication and functional outcome, including oral nutrition, G-tube dependence, pharyngeal stenosis, and voice rehabilitation were evaluated in 163 patients with a follow-up ≥ 12 months and absence of recurrent disease; (3) Results: We found 61 IA, 24 IB, 63 IIA, 38 IIB, 37 IIIA, and 35 IIIA patients.

Distance teaching of experimental scientific methodology and scientific thinking.

The aim of this project was to convert a traditional face-to-face seminar for the teaching of experimental scientific methodology to remote teaching in a timely manner due to the COVID-19 related restrictions to teaching in presence. The main focus of the course was on flow cytometry. Basics were developed in a virtual presence phase.

Histone citrullination as a novel biomarker and target to inhibit progression of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). This study has addressed the notion that NET components might serve as AAA biomarkers or novel targets of AAA therapy. Thus, parameters of neutrophil activation and NET formation were measured in plasma.

Diagnostic accuracy of two commercially available rapid assays for detection of IgG and IgM antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 compared to ELISA in a low-prevalence population.

New commercially available point-of-care (POC) immunodiagnostic tests are appearing, which may yield rapid results for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of rapid antibody detection tests compared to a validated laboratory-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and to investigate infections amongst healthcare workers (HCWs) after unprotected close contact to COVID-19 patients. Blood serum and whole blood of 130 participants were tested with NADAL COVID-19 IgG/IgM rapid test and mö-screen 2019-NCOV coronavirus test against a validated ELISA test.

Panendoscopy during follow-up in laryngeal carcinoma patients after radiotherapy.

Background: Early detection of a recurrent disease remains essential during follow-up to improve outcome and reduce morbidity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of panendoscopy after radiotherapy for recurrent laryngeal carcinoma.

Methods: In this retrospective analysis, 623 patients were included.

Does the tutors' academic background influence the learning objectives in problem-based learning?

Problem-based learning (PBL) is an essential element of the curriculum of the Medical University of Vienna (MUV) and is performed in an eight steps model with: clarifying, defining, analysing, shifting & sorting, identifying learning objectives, going to learn and coming back to talk and feedback. With an annual intake of up to 740 students the MUV has to recruit PBL tutors from various academic backgrounds including undergraduate near-peer students. Therefore, we were interested to see whether a tutor's academic background had an influence on the resulting PBL sessions as reflected by the percentage of learning objectives (LOs) which were actually achieved in relation to the intended LOs.

Cross-sectional study on the occurrence of Frey's syndrome following superficial parotidectomy or extracapsular dissection.

Background: Most studies that examine postoperative outcomes after parotidectomy in patients with benign parotid gland tumors are based on retrospective chart reviews. Data about long-term results in patients with parotid gland surgery with patient contact are still sparsely published.

Methods: During the period of 1960-2005, a total of 127 patients underwent either extracapsular dissection (ECD) or superficial parotidectomy (SP) and were available for interview.

Bacterial colonization of Montgomery salivary bypass tubes after hypopharyngeal reconstruction in head and neck cancer patients.

Background: Hypopharyngeal reconstruction after salvage pharyngolaryngectomy results in high postoperative morbidity. The use of salivary bypass tubes can reduce pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) formation. The influence of bacterial colonization has not been described in literature.

A Nomogram to Predict the Outcome of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Head and Neck Masses.

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is an important diagnostic tool for tumors of the head and neck. However, non-diagnostic or inconclusive results may occur and lead to delay in treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors that predict a successful FNAC.

Lymph node ratio as a prognostic marker in advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma after primary total laryngopharyngectomy.

Background: We evaluated the prognostic value of lymph node ratio (LNR) in patients with advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: Between 1994 and 2018, 79 patients underwent total laryngopharyngectomy and adjuvant therapy.

Nodal Metastases in Acinic Cell Carcinoma of the Parotid Gland.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of patients with acinic cell carcinomas of the parotid gland after elective neck dissection (END). A retrospective chart review was performed including 66 patients with acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland. Clinical parameters were retrieved and statistically analyzed regarding disease-free survival (DFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS).

Preoperative plasma fibrinogen as a predictive factor for post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage.

Objectives: To assess whether preoperative plasma fibrinogen is able to predict severe post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: We included 456 patients who underwent tonsillectomy between 2008 and 2013.