Inter-Reader Variability of Volumetric Subsolid Pulmonary Nodule Radiomic Features.

Objective: To evaluate the inter-observer consistency for subsolid pulmonary nodule radiomic features.

Materials And Methods: Subsolid nodules were selected by reviewing radiology reports of CT examinations performed December 1, 2015 to April 1, 2016. Patients with CTs at two time points were included in this study.

Customized Versus Noncustomized Sound Therapy for Treatment of Tinnitus: A Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial.

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of a customized sound therapy and compare its effectiveness to that of masking with broadband noise.

Methods: Subjects were randomized to receive either customized sound therapy or broadband noise for 2 hours per day for 3 months and then switched to the other treatment after a washout period. The outcome variables were tinnitus loudness (scored 0-10), Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), minimum masking levels (MML), and residual inhibition (RI).

The prevalence and characteristics of tinnitus in the youth population of the United States.

Objectives/hypothesis: To evaluate the prevalence, characteristics, and associated risk factors of tinnitus in U.S. adolescents.

Transcanal approach for implantation of a cochlear nerve electrode array.

Objectives/hypothesis: To evaluate a transcanal approach for placement of a stimulating electrode array in the cochlear nerve.

Study Design: Prospective cadaveric temporal bone study.

Methods: Ten human cadaveric temporal bones were dissected.

Efficacy of commercial earplugs in preventing water intrusion during swimming.

Objective: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of commercially available earplugs in preventing water intrusion in healthy individuals.

Study Design: Experimental study.

Setting: Tertiary care medical center.

Investigation of a novel completely-in-the-canal direct-drive hearing device: a temporal bone study.

Hypothesis: Whether a prototype direct-drive hearing device (DHD) is effective in driving the tympanic membrane (TM) in a temporal bone specimen to enable it to potentially treat moderate-to-severe hearing loss.

Background: Patient satisfaction with air conduction hearing aids has been low because of sound distortion, occlusion effect, and feedback issues. Implantable hearing aids provide a higher quality sound but require surgery for placement.

Posterior semicircular canal dehiscence following endolymphatic sac surgery.

Posterior semicircular canal dehiscence is a rare otologic entity that presents with third window signs and symptoms. Petrous apex cholesteatoma, fibrous dysplasia, high riding jugular bulb, and eosinophilic granuloma have been reported to be associated with posterior semicircular canal dehiscence. Here we report a case of development of posterior semicircular canal dehiscence following an endolymphatic sac surgery for the first time.

Horizontal central ridge of the lamina cribrosa and regional differences in laminar insertion in healthy subjects.

Purpose: To assess the general morphology and position of the lamina cribrosa (LC) in healthy subjects using enhanced depth imaging-optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT).

Methods: Serial horizontal and vertical B-scans of the optic nerve head (interval between images, approximately 30 μm) were prospectively obtained using EDI-OCT for both eyes of each healthy subject. After delineation of the anterior laminar surface, mean and maximum LC depths were measured in 11 equally spaced horizontal B-scans, and the depth of the anterior LC insertion was measured at 32 points along its circumference (reference plane, Bruch's membrane edges) for one randomly selected eye of each subject.

In vivo evaluation of focal lamina cribrosa defects in glaucoma.

Objectives: To assess focal lamina cribrosa (LC) defects in glaucoma using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography and to investigate their spatial relationships with neuroretinal rim and visual field loss.

Methods: Serial horizontal and vertical enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomographic images of the optic nerve head were obtained from healthy subjects and those with glaucoma. Focal LC defects defined as anterior laminar surface irregularity (diameter, >100 μm;depth, >30 μm) that violates the normal smooth curvilinear contour were investigated regarding their configurations and locations.

Prevention and treatment of corneal neovascularization: comparison of different doses of subconjunctival bevacizumab with corticosteroid in experimental rats.

Background: To evaluate and compare the effect of different doses of subconjunctival bevacizumab with betamethasone on the development of corneal major new vessels in a rat model of corneal chemical injury.

Methods: The right eyes of 100 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 10 experimental groups (n = 10 per group). Chemical cauterization of the cornea was performed by using silver nitrate/potassium nitrate sticks.

Effects of intravitreal morphine administered at different time points after reperfusion in a rabbit model of ischemic retinopathy.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of morphine administered after reperfusion in a rabbit model of ischemic retinopathy.

Methods: The right eyes of 54 albino New Zealand rabbits were randomly allocated into nine treatment groups (n = 6 in each group). The eyes in saline-control group received 0.

Role of endogenous cannabinoids in ischemia/reperfusion injury following testicular torsion in rats.

Objectives: The role of endogenous cannabinoids in ischemia/reperfusion induced germ cell apoptosis in rats was investigated.

Methods: Baseline group was for basal normal values. The Sham operated group served as a control group.

Ethyl pyruvate reduces germ cell-specific apoptosis and oxidative stress in rat model of testicular torsion/detorsion.

Purpose: Testicular torsion/detorsion (T/D) results in enhanced formation of free radical metabolites, which contributes to the pathophysiology of tissue damage. We investigated the protective effects of ethyl pyruvate (EP) against testis tissue damage in an experimental model of testicular torsion.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups.

Morphine pretreatment provides histologic protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury in rabbit retina.

Purpose: Pharmacologic preconditioning with morphine has been shown to protect several kinds of tissues against ischemia-reperfusion injury. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether intravitreal administration of morphine induces structural protection against ischemic damage in a rabbit model of ischemic retinopathy.

Methods: Twenty-eight male white New Zealand rabbits were used.

Protective effects of sildenafil administration on testicular torsion/detorsion damage in rats.

Purpose: We assessed the effectiveness of sildenafil administration during ischemic period in a rat model of testicular torsion/detorsion (T/D).

Material And Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (n = 10). In those animals that underwent T/D, right testes were rotated 720 degrees for 1 h.

Salutary effects of N-acetylcysteine on apoptotic damage in a rat model of testicular torsion.

Introduction: Numerous studies performed in recent years have shown protective effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on cardiac and renal tissue damage following ischemia/reperfusion injury. We assessed the effectiveness of systemic administration of NAC, at a therapeutic dose, in a rat model of a 1-hour 720-degree testicular torsion/detorsion.

Materials And Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups, 14 animals in each: group 1 animals underwent sham operation as the control group; group 2 rats underwent torsion/detorsion and received saline injection, and the animals in groups 3, 4, and 5 received intraperitoneal injections of 150 mg/kg NAC 30 min before torsion, after torsion, and after detorsion, respectively.

Endogenous opioids modulate hepatocyte apoptosis in a rat model of chronic cholestasis: the role of oxidative stress.

Aims/background: There are increasing number of evidences indicating the contribution of endogenous opioids in the pathophysiology of cholestatic liver disease. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of the endogenous-opioid system in the modulation of hepatocytes apoptosis and liver oxidant/anti-oxidant balance during chronic cholestasis in rats.

Methods: We induced cholestasis in rats by bile duct ligation (BDL).

ATP-sensitive potassium channels mediate the anti-ischemic properties of ischemic and pharmacologic preconditioning in rat random-pattern skin flap.

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and pharmacologic preconditioning by morphine and adenosine may significantly decrease the amount of necrosis in rat random pattern skin flaps. We examined the role of ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K(ATP) channels) in mediating these protective phenomenon by using glibenclamide a nonspecific blocker of these channels. We also investigated whether administration of diazoxide an opener of the K(ATP) channels could mimic the same protective effect.

Chronic morphine treatment induces oxidant and apoptotic damage in the mice liver.

Recently many researchers have proposed a protective role for morphine against tumor growth and metastasis, especially through induction of apoptosis in tumoral cells. These findings may lead to underestimation of cytotoxic effects of opioid drugs which are usually expected only at high doses. The present study was conducted to clarify whether repeated morphine administration, which is commonly used for relief from chronic pain, would interfere with liver antioxidant defence and hepatocytes vitality.