Olfactory Dysfunction and Limbic Hypoactivation in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

The epileptogenic network in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) contains structures of the primary and secondary olfactory cortex such as the piriform and entorhinal cortex, the amygdala, and the hippocampus. Olfactory auras and olfactory dysfunction are relevant symptoms of TLE. This study aims to characterize olfactory function in TLE using olfactory testing and olfactory functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Cochlear measurement in computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging data sets by the Otoplan measurement tool: a retrospective comparative study.

Background: Using Otoplan software, it is possible to measure the cochlea before cochlear implant surgery. Until now, computed tomography (CT) of the cochlea has been necessary for this purpose. The aim of this study was to find out whether measuring the cochlea with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using Otoplan is possible with the same accuracy.

3D-exoscopic microlaryngoscopy in phonosurgery for glottic insufficiency.

Purpose: We hypothesized that using a 3D-exoscope (3Dex) in microlaryngoscopic phonosurgery is non-inferior to using a standard operating microscope (OM). To compare the above, we utilized a 3Dex and an OM for microlaryngoscopic vocal fold augmentation with autologous fat in patients with glottic insufficiency and compared the procedure itself and the long-term impact of vocal fold augmentation on subjective and objective voice parameters in both groups.

Methods: 36 patients with glottic insufficiency received microlaryngoscopic laryngeal augmentation with autologous fat.

Impact of COVID-19-Mediated Olfactory Loss on Quality of Life.

Introduction: COVID-19 can be associated with a variety of longer-lasting impairments that can have a significant impact on patients' quality of life (QoL). While this is well described in the literature for limitations in lung capacity or permanent headaches, there is little research on the impact of olfactory dysfunction in the context of COVID-19 on patients' QoL.

Methods: In 65 patients with a history of COVID-19, the present olfactory ability was assessed using the Sniffin' Sticks test.

Patients with COVID-19-associated olfactory impairment also show impaired trigeminal function.

Objective: Next to olfactory function, the nose can also perceive chemestetic sensations mediated by the trigeminal nerve. While olfactory dysfunction as a symptom of COVID-19 is well described, there has been little research on the limitation of other nasal sensory inputs due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim of this study was to determine possible limitations of nasal chemesthesis after COVID-19 infection by a psychophysiological diagnostic tool.

Persisting olfactory dysfunction improves in patients 6 months after COVID-19 disease.

Background: Smell disorders persist in about half of the patients with other symptoms of COVID-19 disease, but the exact duration of the symptoms is yet unknown. Especially, only a few studies used validated olfactory tests for this.

Aims/objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate how many patients with olfactory function impairment, which was detected in a validated olfactory test 3 months after COVID-19 disease, showed improvement in olfactory function after 6 months.

Olfactory dysfunction in patients after recovering from COVID-19.

Background: Smell and taste disorders occur in COVID-19 with a high prevalence, but little is known about the duration of the symptoms. In particular, studies using validated olfactory tests are very rare to date.

Aims/objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the olfactory function of COVID-19 recoveries by a detailed olfactory test.

[Smell disorders at COVID-19 - the current level of knowledge].

Early reports of SARS-CoV-2 infections only rarely mentioned smell and taste disorders. Several studies, particularly from Europe and the USA, have now confirmed these symptoms as an early key feature of COVID-19. About 70 % of patients seem to experience a reduction of smell and taste in the course of the disease, with most of the studies published to date based on questionnaires and anamnestic data.

Prolonged IKKβ Inhibition Improves Ongoing CTL Antitumor Responses by Incapacitating Regulatory T Cells.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) prevent autoimmunity but limit antitumor immunity. The canonical NF-κB signaling pathway both activates immunity and promotes thymic Treg development. Here, we report that mature Tregs continue to require NF-κB signaling through IκB-kinase β (IKKβ) after thymic egress.

Inhibitor of NFκB Kinase Subunit 2 Blockade Hinders the Initiation but Aggravates the Progression of Crescentic GN.

The NFκB transcription factor family facilitates the activation of dendritic cells (DCs) and CD4(+) T helper (Th) cells, which are important for protective adaptive immunity. Inappropriate activation of these immune cells may cause inflammatory disease, and NFκB inhibitors are promising anti-inflammatory drug candidates. Here, we investigated whether inhibiting the NFκB-inducing kinase IKK2 can attenuate crescentic GN, a severe DC- and Th cell-dependent kidney inflammatory disease.