Classification of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Through Respiratory Pattern Analysis.

This study proposes a classification system for predicting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and non-patients based on image and text data. This study measured the respiratory volume based on thermal images, stored the respiratory data, and derived features related to respiratory patterns, including the total respiratory volume, average distance between expirations, average distance between inspirations, and total respiratory rate. The data for each feature were stored in text format.

Understanding Standard Procedure in Auditory Brainstem Response: Importance of Normative Data.

The auditory brainstem response (ABR) is a noninvasive test that measures neural activity in response to auditory stimuli. Racial differences in head shape have provided strong evidence for specific normative data and accurate device calibration. International standards emphasize the need for standardized procedures and references.

miR-409-3p Regulates IFNG and p16 Signaling in the Human Blood of Aging-Related Hearing Loss.

Presbycusis, also referred to as age-related hearing loss (ARHL), is a multifaceted condition caused by the natural aging process affecting the auditory system. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in human populations can identify potential genes linked to ARHL. Despite this, our knowledge of the biochemical and molecular mechanisms behind the condition remains incomplete.

Improving Accuracy and Reliability of Hearing Tests: Measurement Standards for Audiometric Devices.

Pure-tone audiometry, using an audiometer, is the fundamental hearing test for diagnosing hearing loss. The requirements of the devices and the detailed process for calibrating the related equipment are described in international standards. However, traceable calibration and uncertainty evaluation processes are not widely accepted or applied to the qualification and maintenance of audiometric equipment.

Performance Comparison of Convolutional Neural Network-Based Hearing Loss Classification Model Using Auditory Brainstem Response Data.

This study evaluates the efficacy of several Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) models for the classification of hearing loss in patients using preprocessed auditory brainstem response (ABR) image data. Specifically, we employed six CNN architectures-VGG16, VGG19, DenseNet121, DenseNet-201, AlexNet, and InceptionV3-to differentiate between patients with hearing loss and those with normal hearing. A dataset comprising 7990 preprocessed ABR images was utilized to assess the performance and accuracy of these models.

Auditory Brainstem Response Data Preprocessing Method for the Automatic Classification of Hearing Loss Patients.

Auditory brainstem response (ABR) is the response of the brain stem through the auditory nerve. The ABR test is a method of testing for loss of hearing through electrical signals. Basically, the test is conducted on patients such as the elderly, the disabled, and infants who have difficulty in communication.

Lactobacillus plantarum Reduces Low-Grade Inflammation and Glucose Levels in a Mouse Model of Chronic Stress and Diabetes.

This study aimed to examine the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum, a lactic acid bacteria strain isolated from kimchi, on the development of low-grade inflammation and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) exacerbated by chronic stress. C57BL/6 mice were fed either a high-fat diet (HFD) and randomized into an HFD group or a group that was fed an HFD and subjected to chronic cold exposure-related stress (HFDS), or mice were fed a normal diet (ND) and randomized into an ND group or a group that was fed an ND and subjected to chronic cold exposure-related stress (NDS). Lactobacillus plantarum LRCC5310 (10, 10 CFU) and LRCC5314 (10, 10 CFU) as well as L.

Nimodipine and Steroid Combination Therapy for Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Objective: To evaluate the treatment outcomes of nimodipine and steroid combination therapy for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL).

Study Design: Retrospective case review.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Potential benefits of salvage intratympanic dexamethasone injection in profound idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Purposes: To compare hearing recovery levels after initial treatment or salvage intratympanic dexamethasone injection (ITDI), and to find the prognostic factor on salvage ITDI therapy in profound ISSNHL.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 115 patients with profound ISSNHL. All patients were treated with combination or systemic steroid therapy as the initial treatment.

Impaired Glycolysis Promotes AlcoholExposure-Induced Apoptosis in HEI-OC1 Cells via Inhibition of EGFR Signaling.

Glucose metabolism is an important metabolic pathway in the auditory system. Chronic alcohol exposure can cause metabolic dysfunction in auditory cells during hearing loss. While alcohol exposure has been linked to hearing loss, the mechanism by which impaired glycolysis promotes cytotoxicity and cell death in auditory cells remains unclear.

Clinical characteristics and associated factors of canal switch in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Background: Canal switch benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (CS-BPPV) is a transition of BPPV involving one canal to another canal during or after canalith repositioning procedures (CRP).

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of CS-BPPV and its associated factors.

Methods: The data of 2,303 patients with BPPV involving the lateral canal (LC) or posterior canal (PC) were retrospectively analyzed.

Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity in Rats Is Driven by RIP3-Dependent Necroptosis.

Cisplatin-induced early-onset ototoxicity is linked to hearing loss. The mechanism by which cisplatin causes ototoxicity remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to identify the involvement of receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIP)3-dependent necroptosis in cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in vitro and in vivo.

Significance of 1 kHz Pure-tone Threshold in Acute Low-frequency Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Objectives: To analyze risk factors for acute low-frequency hearing loss (ALFHL), and compare treatment outcomes in the presence or absence of such risk factors.

Study Design: A case series featuring retrospective chart review.

Setting: An academic university hospital.

Potential Risk Factors Affecting Repeated Canalith Repositioning Procedures in Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

Objective: To define the risk factors and adverse effects associated with repeated canalith repositioning procedures (CRPs).

Study Design: A case series featuring chart review.

Setting: An academic university hospital.

Differences in clinical characteristics and prognosis of sudden low- and high-frequency hearing loss.

Objectives/hypothesis: We compared the clinical characteristics between acute low- and high-frequency hearing loss (LF and HF, respectively) patients, and the efficacy of three different treatment protocols (systemic steroids, intratympanic steroid injection, and combination therapy).

Study Design: Prospective, randomized controlled study.

Methods: A total of 111 patients diagnosed with LF or HF were treated on an outpatient basis.

Effect of low frequency on speech performance with bimodal hearing in bilateral severe hearing loss.

Objectives/hypothesis: Unilateral cochlear implantation has emerged as a widely accepted procedure to treat severe to profound hearing loss, but many studies have reported benefits in terms of speech comprehension when listeners with residual low-frequency hearing in the nonimplanted ear use a hearing aid.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Methods: In this study, we analyzed the speech performance and satisfaction of bimodal hearing according to the residual low-frequency hearing level in the nonimplanted ear.

Canal Paresis in Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Secondary to Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Objectives: To review the clinical features of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) secondary to sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and to analyze the correlation between canal paresis and the effectiveness of canalith repositioning procedures (CRPs) for the treatment.

Design: Study case series with chart review.

Setting: Academic university hospital.

Potential Benefits of Combination Therapy as Primary Treatment for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Objective: We analyzed the effectiveness of combination therapy (CT) for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) and the utility of intratympanic dexamethasone injection (ITDI) reapplication as salvage treatment for ISSNHL refractory to CT.

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Setting: Academic university hospital.

Tumor-Targeting Co-Delivery of Drug and Gene from Temperature-Triggered Micelles.

Co-delivery strategy using multifunctional nanocarriers is an attractive option for the synergistic and enhanced effects in cancer treatment, but one system integrating multiple functions for controlled release at the target is still challenging. Herein, this study shows the synthesis and characterization of our stimulus-responsive co-delivery system for the controlled release into tumors, which is composed of polyethylenimine (PEI)-linked Pluronic F127 (PF127) and folic acid (FA), called PF127-PEI-FA. PF127-PEI-FA system facilitated drug loading and gene complex formation, and showed controlled release behaviors in response to hitting temperature to hyperthermia.

Effect of adenotonsillar hypertrophy on right ventricle function in children.

Purpose: Chronic upper airway obstruction causes hypoxemic pulmonary vasoconstriction, which may lead to right ventricle (RV) dysfunction. Adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) is the most common cause of upper airway obstruction in children. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate RV function in children with ATH.

Structure, biodegradation behavior and cytotoxicity of alkali-containing alkaline-earth phosphosilicate glasses.

We report on the effect of sodium on the structure, chemical degradation and bioactivity of glasses in the CaO-MgO-SiO2-P2O5-CaF2 system. The (29)Si and (31)P magic angle spinning-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of melt-quenched glasses with varying Na2O/MgO ratios exhibit a silicate glass network with the dominance of Q(2)(Si) units and phosphorus mainly forming orthophosphate species. Sodium incorporation in the glasses did not induce a significant structural change in the silicate network, while it did influence the phosphate environment due to its lower ionic field strength in comparison with that of magnesium.

Targeted disruption of Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated gene in miniature pigs by somatic cell nuclear transfer.

Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is a recessive autosomal disorder associated with pleiotropic phenotypes, including progressive cerebellar degeneration, gonad atrophy, and growth retardation. Even though A-T is known to be caused by the mutations in the Ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene, the correlation between abnormal cellular physiology caused by ATM mutations and the multiple symptoms of A-T disease has not been clearly determined. None of the existing ATM mouse models properly reflects the extent to which neurological degeneration occurs in human.