Clinical effectiveness of dupilumab in CRSwNP: unaffected by baseline nasal polyp size in real-world settings.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of baseline nasal polyp score (NPS) on the effectiveness of dupilumab treatment in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP).

Methods: In this retrospective observational study, 80 CRSwNP patients treated with dupilumab 300 mg biweekly at a tertiary referral center were stratified according to the baseline NPS into two groups: low-NPS (< 5) and high-NPS (≥ 5). Treatment outcomes were evaluated at the 6-month follow-up visit and compared.

Fibrous Histiocytoma in the Far Lateral Frontal Sinus-A Rare Observation.

This report describes a rare occurrence of benign fibrous histiocytoma in the frontal sinus of a 38-year-old male. The patient presented with acute symptoms, including sudden-onset headache, nausea, and general discomfort, although neurological, otorhinolaryngological and laboratory examinations showed no abnormalities. A cranial CT scan revealed a cystic, osteodestructive lesion measuring 2.

Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown Measures on the Incidence of Peritonsillar Abscess: A Retrospective Study.

Background/objectives: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Austria, like many European countries, implemented lockdown measures to curb viral transmission. These public health interventions, including social distancing and improved hygiene, were anticipated to affect various infectious diseases. This study aimed to assess whether the incidence of peritonsillar abscess, a severe upper respiratory inflammatory disease, decreased during the lockdown period of 2020 compared to previous years.

Unusual Foreign Body in the Middle Ear: Surgical Removal of a Live Ant Entering the Tympanic Cavity Through an Ear Drum Perforation.

This case report details the unusual occurrence of a live ant invading the middle ear cavity through a pre-existing perforation in the tympanic membrane of a 42-year-old female patient. She presented to an outpatient clinic with symptoms of sudden-onset tinnitus ("ringing") and a foreign body sensation in her left ear. Otomicroscopy revealed an oval-shaped perforation in the posterior part of the left tympanic membrane, through which a dark, moving foreign object was observed in the middle ear.

Numerical harmonic modelling of low wattage LED lamps based on parameter estimation algorithms.

This paper presents a numerical harmonic modeling approach for 18 low-wattage Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lamps. The proposed methodology utilizes meta-heuristic algorithms, namely Multi-Stage Ant Colony Optimization (MSACO) and Harris Hawk Optimization (HHO), to estimate optimal parameters for the equivalent circuits. Additionally, the study examines eight different configurations of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Filter circuits, including their respective parameters, which function as front-end circuits for the Full Bridge Rectifier (FBR) of the LED drivers.

Investigation of the effectiveness of prehospital amputation devices on cadavers.

Amputations take place in the operating rooms. At dangerous sites, circumstances may necessitate on-site amputation to save lives. Currently, there are no evidence-based guidelines for the execution of the amputation or the instruments to be chosen.

Impact of Overweight on Response to Dupilumab Treatment in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) significantly impacts quality of life and often presents therapeutic challenges, with biologics like dupilumab showing promise in managing severe, uncontrolled cases. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of overweight on the effectiveness of dupilumab in patients with uncontrolled CRSwNP. This retrospective study analyzed treatment outcomes of 75 CRSwNP patients receiving dupilumab, categorizing them into underweight/normal-weight (BMI ≤ 24.

Evaluation of NO and PN Emission in Relation to Actuator Control.

This study aimed to investigate the interrelationships between key harmful emission components, nitrogen oxides (NO), and particulate numbers (PNs) in diesel engine exhaust and the control actuators of diesel engines. This research involved conducting a series of experiments under fixed parameters within an engine brake laboratory environment to elucidate these correlations. The objectives of this study were to conduct a comprehensive review of the relevant emissions technology literature and a comparative assessment of particle measurement methods based on dilution ratios and develop innovative aerosol preparation principles tailored to condensation particle measurement.

The legal and ethical framework governing body donation in Europe - 2nd update on current practice.

Background: In 2008, members of the TEPARG provided first insights into the legal and ethical framework governing body donation in Europe. In 2012, a first update followed. This paper is now the second update on this topic and tries to extend the available information to many more European countries.

Endoscopic trans-sphenoidal pituitary surgery does not impact postoperative nasal quality of life.

Purpose: The aim of this prospective longitudinal study was to assess both subjective quality of life using questionnaires and objective examination of nasal function with regard to olfaction, nasal air flow and mucociliary clearance in patients after minimally invasive, turbinate-preserving endoscopic transnasal trans-sphenoidal pituitary surgery.

Methods: Patients undergoing endoscopic transnasal pituitary surgery were recruited prospectively and examined during three study visits, preoperatively and 3 and 6 months postoperatively. We examined nasal function using sniffin' sticks test, rhinomanometry, saccharin transit time test, and endoscopic and radiological scores.

Euro VI-d Compliant Diesel Engine's Sub-23 nm Particle Emission.

Passenger and commercial transportation significantly contribute to hazardous air pollution. Exhaust gas after-treatment technology advances closely to the emission regulations throughout the world. The upcoming legislation will be EURO VII in European Union, which requirements are not set yet, but the Solid Particle Number (SPN) diameter range is expected to be more severe compared to EURO VI.

Trichoblastic carcinosarcoma of the neck: Case report and molecular analysis of a seldom, relapsing entity and a review of the literature.

Trichoblastic carcinosarcoma is a seldom biphasic adnexal tumor with malignant epithelial and mesenchymal components. The authors report the first tumor on the neck developed from preexistent trichoblastoma showing aggressive, recurrent behavior. An 82-year-old man presented with a solitary 3-cm exophytic lesion.

Distribution and postnatal development of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in the perineuronal nets of cholinergic motoneurons innervating extraocular muscles.

Fine control of extraocular muscle fibers derives from two subpopulations of cholinergic motoneurons in the oculomotor-, trochlear- and abducens nuclei. Singly- (SIF) and multiply innervated muscle fibers (MIF) are supplied by the SIF- and MIF motoneurons, respectively, representing different physiological properties and afferentation. SIF motoneurons, as seen in earlier studies, are coated with chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan rich perineuronal nets (PNN), whereas MIF motoneurons lack those.

The provenance of the raw material and the manufacturing technology of copper artefacts from the Copper Age hoard from Magyaregres, Hungary.

In 2016, a Stollhof-type copper hoard was found during an excavation in Magyaregres, Hungary. It was placed in a cooking pot, and deposited upside down within the boundaries of an Early Copper Age settlement. Similar hoards dating to the end of the 5th millennium BCE are well-known from Central Europe, however, this hoard represents the only one so far with thoroughly documented finding circumstances.

Deep learning-based atherosclerotic coronary plaque segmentation on coronary CT angiography.

Objectives: Volumetric evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD) allows better prediction of cardiac events. However, CAD segmentation is labor intensive. Our objective was to create an open-source deep learning (DL) model to segment coronary plaques on coronary CT angiography (CCTA).

Protective Effects of PACAP in a Rat Model of Diabetic Neuropathy.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide with a widespread occurrence and diverse effects. PACAP has well-documented neuro- and cytoprotective effects, proven in numerous studies. Among others, PACAP is protective in models of diabetes-associated diseases, such as diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy.

Wood ants as biological control of the forest pest beetles Ips spp.

Climate change is one of the major threats to biodiversity, but its impact varies among the species. Bark beetles (Ips spp.), as well as other wood-boring pests of European forests, show escalating numbers in response to the changes driven by climate change and seriously affect the survival of the forests through the massive killing of trees.

Scala vestibuli cochlear implant supported by 3D modeling of the inner ear.

Patients with scala tympani (ST) ossification present a distinct surgical challenge. Three-dimensional (3D) segmentation of the inner ear offers accurate identification of ossification and surgical planning of the cochleostomy to access the scala vestibuli. The scala vestibuli placement of cochlear implantation electrode is an alternate solution in these patients and is well supported by the literature.

Lesion-induced changes of brevican expression in the perineuronal net of the superior vestibular nucleus.

Damage to the vestibular sense organs evokes static and dynamic deficits in the eye movements, posture and vegetative functions. After a shorter or longer period of time, the vestibular function is partially or completely restored via a series of processes such as modification in the efficacy of synaptic inputs. As the plasticity of adult central nervous system is associated with the alteration of extracellular matrix, including its condensed form, the perineuronal net, we studied the changes of brevican expression in the perineuronal nets of the superior vestibular nucleus after unilateral labyrinth lesion.

Optic nerve injury in preoperative imaging is associated with visual improvement outcome in endoscopic optic nerve decompression.

Objective: To evaluate potential clinical parameters having an impact on visual outcome after endoscopic optic nerve decompression in acute optic neuropathy patients.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients with acute optic neuropathy, who underwent endoscopic optic nerve decompression between June 2001 and November 2018 at an academic center was performed. Patients were divided into groups according to visual improvement after surgical treatment (yes/no).

Preservation of nasal turbinates in endoscopic, anterior skull base surgery-yes, we can!

Objective: To evaluate the frequency, type and indications of nasal turbinate (NT) resection during endoscopic, anterior skull base surgery and to analyze factors that may have an impact on the need of NT removal.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 306 subjects (150 males and 156 females, mean age 55.4 ± 15.

Sinonasal mucosal melanoma: treatment strategies and survival rates for a rare disease entity : A single center experience and review of literature.

Background: Sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SNMM) is a rare disease entity comprising 0.4-1.3% of all melanomas.

Intratympanic Triamcinolone Acetonide as a Salvage Treatment for Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Introduction: Intratympanic steroid (ITS) injections represent an increasingly used salvage treatment option for patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss -(ISSHL) after systemic treatment. The most effective corticosteroid for this treatment modality still remains unclear. Triamcinolone acetonide has been used for ITS treatment in various clinical settings.