A MAUDE database analysis on the new generation of active bone conduction hearing implants.

Objective: To analyze medical device reports (MDR) submitted to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Manufacturer and User Device Facility Experience (MAUDE) database to identify adverse events (AEs) in patients implanted with novel active bone conduction hearing implants (BCIs).

Methods: We conducted a search of the FDA MAUDE database on the newest generation of BCIs. Data were collected concerning device malfunctions, patient injuries, factors triggering these incidents, and the subsequent actions taken.

Metformin Treatment Is Not Associated with Altered PD-L1 Expression in Diabetic Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

: The anti-neoplastic activity of metformin is a subject of current debate. Preclinical data have suggested that metformin enhances PD-L1 anti-tumor effects in various cancer entities by decreasing insulin levels and inducing energetic stress. However, its impact on PD-L1 expression remains unclear in a clinical setting.

Characteristics and Outcome of Surgically Treated Patients with Intradural Extra- and Intramedullary Spinal Metastasis-A Single-Center Retrospective Case Series and Review.

Objective: Intradural spinal metastases are considered rare. At present, limited information is available on incidence, surgical management, and outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective patient chart review from 2002 to 2024, identifying all patients surgically treated for intradural spinal metastases.

Changes in management of head and neck malignancies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: Despite multiple studies from high-income countries, reports from low- and middle-income countries on the impact of COVID-19 on head and neck cancer care remain sparse. This study aimed to assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on head and neck cancer patients at a tertiary reference centre in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Methods: We included 228 patients with malignant head and neck tumours evaluated and treated between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2021.

Early Results With the New Active Bone-Conduction Hearing Implant: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The bone conduction implant (BCI) 602 is a new transcutaneous BCI with smaller dimensions. However, limited patient numbers restrict the statistical power and generalizability of the current studies. The present systematic review and meta-analysis summarize early audiological and medical outcomes of adult and pediatric patients implanted with the BCI 602 due to mixed or conductive hearing loss.

Immunohistochemical Assessment of Microvessel Density in OSCC: Spatial Heterogeneity of Angiogenesis and Its Impact on Survival.

(1) Background Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) are a common malignancy of the oral cavity and are often diagnosed when they have already spread to the regional lymph nodes. Advanced stages of cancer are characterized by the development of distant metastases. Angiogenesis, a hallmark of cancer, is known to contribute to cancer progression and metastasis.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on management of surgically treated laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted the treatment of cancer patients, particularly in terms of treatment choices. This study aimed to assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management of surgically treated laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) patients, focusing specifically on changes in treatment modalities. We retrospectively analyzed the data from 102 patients who underwent surgical treatment for LSCC between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2021, at our tertiary medical center.

Early on-treatment C-reactive protein and its kinetics predict survival and response in recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck cancer patients receiving first-line pembrolizumab.

Purpose: First-line immune checkpoint blockade has improved the prognosis of recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC), but response rates remain low. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prognostic value of CRP and its early kinetics to predict response and survival in R/M HNSCC.

Methods: A total of 87 patients who received first-line pembrolizumab for R/M HNSCC were analyzed.

Low free triiodothyronine and immune-related hyperthyroidism are associated with overall and progression-free survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with pembrolizumab.

Introduction: Thyroid function is frequently impaired in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC). In patients treated with pembrolizumab, immune-related adverse events (irAEs) of the thyroid are common. However, the prognostic significance of baseline and on-treatment thyroid dysfunction is currently unclear.

In vitro antineoplastic effects of MK0752 in HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: Gamma-secretase inhibitor MK0752 has shown a high therapeutic potential in different solid malignant tumors. Up to now, its antineoplastic effects were not investigated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and particularly in human-papillomavirus (HPV)-positive tumors.

Methods: We conducted cytotoxic, migration, and clonogenic assays in two HPV-negative HNSCC cell lines (Cal27 and FaDu) and one HPV-positive cell line (SCC154).

Targeting TGF beta receptor 1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: The transforming growth factor-Beta (TGF-ß) pathway may be involved in the radioresistance of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This study analyzed TGF-ß receptor 1 (TGFBR1) expression in HNSCC patients and evaluated the antineoplastic and radiosensitizing effects of vactosertib, a novel TGFBR1 inhibitor, in vitro.

Materials And Methods: TGFBR1 expression was examined in HNSCC patients at the mRNA level in silico and the protein level by immunohistochemistry, including surgical specimens of primary tumors, matched lymph node metastasis, and recurrent disease.

Meteorological extremes and their impact on tinnitus-related emergency room visits: a time-series analysis.

Purpose: Extreme weather events are rising due to the accelerating pace of climate change. These events impact human health and increase emergency room visits (EV) for many morbidities. Tinnitus is a common cause of EVs within otolaryngology in Germany and Austria.

The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) as a Prognostic Biomarker for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Response in Recurrent and/or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer.

Malnutrition is a frequent comorbidity in head and neck cancer patients and has been shown to impair immunotherapy response in other cancer types. The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) assesses malnutrition using the patient's ideal weight, actual weight, and serum albumin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic relevance of malnutrition as determined by the GNRI for the response to immunotherapy in recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC).

Tumor Immune Microenvironment Heterogeneity at the Invasion Front and Tumor Center in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma as a Perspective of Managing This Cancer Entity.

Background: Evaluating the tumor microenvironment and its influence on clinical management and therapy response is becoming increasingly important. However, only a few studies deal with the spatial distribution of immune cells within the tumor. This study aimed to describe the topology of immune cells in the microenvironment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) sectioned by tumor invasion front and tumor center and to test their prognostic relevance regarding patient survival.

Characteristics of primary care and rates of pediatric hospitalizations in Brazil.

Objective: To evaluate the association among characteristics of primary health care center (PHCC) with hospitalizations for primary care sensitive conditions (PCSC) in Brazil.

Method: In this study, a cross-sectional ecological study was performed. This study analyzed the 27 capitals of Brazil's federative units.

Lymphangioma Circumscriptum Post Radiotherapy for Penile Cancer Treated with CO₂ Laser.

Lymphangioma circumscriptum (LC) is a rare, benign condition, predominantly characterized by the malformation of lymphatic skin vessels. Its onset may be congenital or due to secondary causes such as radiotherapy, infections, or surgical procedures. We present the case of a 55-year-old patient with a pathologic history of squamous cell carcinoma of the penis followed by radical penectomy.

A cross-sectional exploratory study of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of emergency health care providers in the assessment of child maltreatment in Maputo, Mozambique.

Background: In Mozambique, and other low-income countries (LICs), there is little information on the burden of child maltreatment (CM). Emergency care services (ECS) play an important role in recognizing, treating, and intervening in situations of CM. We aim to identify knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding CM among health care providers in ECS at Mavalane General Hospital in Maputo, Mozambique.

Zika virus infection and microcephaly: Evidence regarding geospatial associations.

Background: Although the Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic ceased to be a public health emergency by the end of 2016, studies to improve knowledge about this emerging disease are still needed, especially those investigating a causal relationship between ZIKV in pregnant women and microcephaly in neonates. However, there are still many challenges in describing the relationship between ZIKV and microcephaly. The few studies focusing on the epidemiological profile of ZIKV and its changes over time are largely limited to systematic reviews of case reports and dispersal mapping of ZIKV spread over time without quantitative methods to analyze patterns and their covariates.

Spatially balanced provision of health equipment: a cross-sectional study oriented to the identification of challenges to access promotion.

Background: Access to health services is in part defined by the spatial distribution of healthcare equipment. To ensure equity in the provision of health services, it is important to examine availability across different health care providers taking into account population demand. Given the importance of the equitable provision of health equipment, we evaluate its spatial distribution in Brazil.

Addressing geographic access barriers to emergency care services: a national ecologic study of hospitals in Brazil.

Background: Unequal distribution of emergency care services is a critical barrier to be overcome to assure access to emergency and surgical care. Considering this context it was objective of the present work analyze geographic access barriers to emergency care services in Brazil. A secondary aim of the study is to define possible roles to be assumed by small hospitals in the Brazilian healthcare network to overcome geographic access challenges.

Access to emergency care services: a transversal ecological study about Brazilian emergency health care network.

Objectives: Studies of health geography are important in the planning and allocation of emergency health services. The geographical distribution of health facilities is an important factor in timely and quality access to emergency services; therefore, the present study analyzed the emergency health care network in Brazil, focusing the analysis at the roles of small hospitals (SHs).

Study Design: Cross-sectional ecological study.

Primary Health Care and Cervical Cancer Mortality Rates in Brazil: A Longitudinal Ecological Study.

Cervical cancer is a common neoplasm that is responsible for nearly 230 000 deaths annually in Brazil. Despite this burden, cervical cancer is considered preventable with appropriate care. We conducted a longitudinal ecological study from 2002 to 2012 to examine the relationship between the delivery of preventive primary care and cervical cancer mortality rates in Brazil.

[Abundance and activity of microorganisms at the water-sediment interface and their effect on the carbon isotopic composition of suspended organic matter and sediments of the Kara Sea].

At ten stations of the meridian profile in the eastern Kara Sea from the Yenisei estuary through the shallow shelf and further through the St. Anna trough, total microbial numbers (TMN) determined by direct counting, total activity of the microbial community determined by dark CO2 assimilation (DCA), and the carbon isotopic composition of organic matter in suspension and upper sediment horizons (δ13C, per thousand) were investigated. Three horizons were studied in detail: (1) the near-bottom water layer (20-30 cm above the sediment); (2) the uppermost, strongly hydrated sediment horizon, further termed warp (5-10 mm); and (3) the upper sediment horizon (1-5 cm).