Evaluating the accuracy of a self-administered smartphone hearing test application in a geriatric population.

Background: As the global population ages, hearing loss becomes increasingly prevalent, and is associated with neurocognitive and psychiatric comorbidities, impacting quality of life. Early screening and timely intervention might prevent or delay cognitive decline, a gap in care that can potentially be addressed by self-administered smartphone hearing tests.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of Mimi™ (Berlin, Germany), a commercially available self-administered smartphone hearing test compared to pure tone audiogram (PTA) in terms of both hearing levels and hearing thresholds in our local geriatric population > 65 years-old.

MicroRNA Landscape in Endometrial Carcinomas in an Asian population: Unraveling Subtype-Specific Signatures.

MicroRNAs (MiRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules that function in RNA silencing and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. We analyzed the differential expression of miRNAs in 119 endometrial carcinomas, measuring their expression in histological subtypes, molecular subtypes, and tumors with mutations. Tumors were subdivided into histological and molecular subtypes as defined by The Cancer Genome Atlas.

"Vertigo, likely peripheral": the dizzying rise of ChatGPT.

Purpose: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical decision-making has once again come to the forefront with the prevalence of Natural Language Processing (NLP). In this exploratory article, we tested one such model, ChatGPT, for its ability to identify vestibular causes of dizziness METHODS: Eight hypothetical scenarios were presented to ChatGPT, which included varying clinical pictures and types of prompts. The responses given by ChatGPT were evaluated for coherence, clarity, consistency, accuracy, appropriateness, and recognition of limitations.

Radiopathologic predictors of 1- and 2-year frontal sinusotomy outcomes in a southeast Asian chronic rhinosinusitis population.

Background: The frontal sinus and its drainage pathway are difficult spaces to navigate surgically. The complexity of the frontal recess anatomy as well as inflammatory factors may influence outcomes of endoscopic frontal sinusotomy. It is not clear which factors are more important in determining post-operative frontal ostium patency.

Digits in noise testing in a multilingual sample of Asian adults.

Objective: Appropriate speech-in noise assessment is challenging in multilingual populations. This study aimed to assess whether first preferred language affected performance on an English Digits-in-noise (DIN) test in the local Asian multilingual population, controlling for hearing threshold, age, sex, English fluency and educational status. A secondary aim was to determine the association between DIN test scores and hearing thresholds.

Pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 Infection of Nasal Respiratory and Olfactory Epithelia and Its Clinical Impact.

Purpose Of Review: While the predominant cause for morbidity and mortality with SARS-CoV-2 infection is the lower respiratory tract manifestations of the disease, the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the sinonasal tract have also come to the forefront especially with the increased recognition of olfactory symptom. This review presents a comprehensive summary of the mechanisms of action of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, sinonasal pathophysiology of COVID-19, and the correlation with the clinical and epidemiological impact on olfactory dysfunction.

Recent Findings: ACE2 and TMPRSS2 receptors are key players in the mechanism of infection of SARS-CoV-2.

Epidemiology and aetiology of chronic rhinosinusitis in Asia-A narrative review.

Background: Despite having a similar prevalence to Western populations, literature on chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in the Asian population is sparse. There is limited data on the epidemiology and aetiology of CRS in Asia.

Objectives: To review the current literature on the epidemiology and aetiology of CRS in Asia.

Diabetes is a risk factor for hearing loss in older adults: Results of a community screening programme.

Objectives: To investigate the association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and the prevalence and severity of hearing loss in a population of community-dwelling older adults in Singapore.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional study of 1787 adults aged 60-100 who had undergone a comprehensive audiological assessment in a community-based audiology clinic. Data extracted included their age, hearing profile, medical history, and comorbidities collected through verbal interview at the point of audiologic assessment.

Clinical-Pathological Correlation of the Pathophysiology and Mechanism of Action of COVID-19 - a Primer for Clinicians.

Purpose Of Review: Increasing knowledge of the pathogenesis of the SARS-CoV-2 infection and the complex interaction between host and viral factors have allowed clinicians to stratify the severity of COVID-19 infection. Epidemiological data has also helped to model viral carriage and infectivity. This review presents a comprehensive summary of the pathophysiology of COVID-19, the mechanisms of action of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and the correlation with the clinical and biochemical characteristics of the disease.

Design and Multicenter Clinical Validation of a 3-Dimensionally Printed Nasopharyngeal Swab for SARS-CoV-2 Testing.

Importance: Three-dimensionally printed nasopharyngeal swabs (3DP swabs) have been used to mitigate swab shortages during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Clinical validation for diagnostic accuracy and consistency, as well as patient acceptability, is crucial to evaluate the swab's performance.

Objective: To determine the accuracy and acceptability of the 3DP swab for identifying severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Clinical Diagnostic Study of a Novel Injection Molded Swab for SARS-Cov-2 Testing.

Introduction: The gold standard for COVID-19 diagnosis is currently a real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect SARS-CoV-2. This is most commonly performed on respiratory secretions obtained via a nasopharyngeal swab. Due to supply chain limitations and high demand worldwide because of the COVID-19 pandemic, access to commercial nasopharyngeal swabs has not been assured.

Frequency and Clinical Utility of Olfactory Dysfunction in COVID-19: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) has been gaining recognition as a symptom of COVID-19, but its clinical utility has not been well defined.

Objectives: To quantify the clinical utility of identifying OD in the diagnosis of COVID-19 and determine an estimate of the frequency of OD amongst these patients.

Methods: PubMed was searched up to 1 August 2020.

Using 3D-printed nose models in nasopharyngeal swab training.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has swept across the globe with massive effects on health care systems as well as global economies. Enhanced testing has been put forward as a means to reduce transmission while awaiting the development of targeted therapy or effective vaccination. However, achieving accurate testing necessitates proper nasopharyngeal swab techniques.

Defining a cohort of oligometastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with improved clinical outcomes.

Objectives: To compare the clinical outcomes of oligometastatic versus widely metastatic NPC patients.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective review of 157 patients with metastatic NPC at a tertiary hospital was performed. Multivariate analysis was carried out to compare the overall and progression-free survival (OS and PFS) of these two cohorts of NPC patients.

Prognostic stratification of patients with metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma using a clinical and biochemical scoring system.

Purpose: Metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is known to have poor survival outcomes. Clinical and biochemical parameters may impact survival outcomes among patients with metastatic NPC and may be used for prognostication.

Methods: One-hundred and fifty-eight patients with metastatic NPC treated at a single tertiary institution were analyzed retrospectively.

Prognostic significance of cystic lymph nodal metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of cystic lymph nodal metastasis (CLNM) and its prognostic value in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on 257 patients with NPC, analyzing the presence of CLNM on MRI or CT scans. Oncologic outcomes were performed using the Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Topical versus oral antibiotics, with or without corticosteroids, in the treatment of tympanostomy tube otorrhea.

Objective: Antibiotic treatment is the standard of care for tympanostomy tube otorrhea. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy of topical antibiotics with or without corticosteroids versus oral antibiotics in the treatment of tube otorrhea in children.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and ProQuest.

Relapse status as a prognostic factor in patients receiving salvage surgery for recurrent or residual nasopharyngeal cancer after definitive treatment.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic value of relapse status (recurrent vs residual disease) in patients receiving surgical salvage for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: Retrospective review was conducted on 52 patients who underwent salvage surgery for locoregional relapse of NPC. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate the prognostic value of relapse status.

Clinical Outcome among Nasopharyngeal Cancer Patients in a Multi-Ethnic Society in Singapore.

Background: Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is endemic among Chinese populations in Southeast Asia. However, the outcomes of non-Chinese NPC patients in Singapore are not well reported.

Aim: To determine if non-Chinese NPC patients have a different prognosis and examine the clinical outcomes of NPC patients in a multi-ethnic society.