Combination of a membrane bioreactor with a rotating biological contactor holding several diverse metazoans can reduce excess sludge with fouling mitigation.

In a membrane bioreactor (MBR) system, in situ sludge reduction techniques induce membrane fouling. To address this challenge, we incorporated a rotating mesh carrier, which can adsorb organic matter and provide a habitat for metazoans, into the anoxic tank of a conventional anoxic/oxic-MBR (A/O-MBR) system, termed rotating biological contactor-MBR (RBC-MBR), and evaluated treatment performance. Over 151 days, lab-scale RBC-MBR and A/O-MBR were used to treat municipal sewage.

Optimizing Tinnitus Management: The Important Role of Hearing Aids with Sound Generators.

Hearing aids (HAs), especially those with sound generators (SGs), are used in the management of tinnitus. However, their comparative efficacies and long-term outcomes remain unknown. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy and long-term outcomes of tinnitus therapy using various HA SG models.

Tympanic Membrane Regeneration Therapy for Pediatric Tympanic Membrane Perforation.

Objective: To evaluate tympanic membrane regeneration therapy (TMRT) for pediatric tympanic membrane perforations (TMPs).

Study Design: Intervention study.

Setting: Research institute hospital.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Omalizumab in Severe Cedar Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis in Japan.

Traditional treatments for cedar seasonal allergic rhinitis include second-generation antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids, and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). Omalizumab (Xolair®), an anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) monoclonal antibody, is an additional option for severe cases unresponsive to existing therapies. Numerous studies have demonstrated the therapeutic effectiveness of omalizumab for cedar seasonal allergic rhinitis; however, most reported results after only up to four weeks of follow-up.

Effectiveness of Anti-Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Medication in Vestibular Migraine: A Retrospective Cohort Study in an Asian Population.

Background: Migraine and dizziness often coexist, with vestibular migraine (VM) presenting with vestibular symptoms and headaches. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) may be involved in motion-induced symptoms; however, studies on the use of anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for the treatment of VM have yielded conflicting results. This study aimed to clarify the effectiveness of anti-CGRP mAbs in VM treatment.

Comprehensive Equilibrium Function Tests for an Accurate Diagnosis in Vertigo: A Retrospective Analysis.

: An accurate diagnosis of vertigo is crucial in patient care. Traditional balance function tests often fail to offer independent, conclusive diagnoses. This study aimed to bridge the gap between traditional diagnostic approaches and the evolving landscape of automated diagnostic tools, laying the groundwork for advancements in vertigo care.

Gap Junction Beta-2 p.Val84Met Can Cause Autosomal Dominant Syndromic Hearing Loss With Keratoderma.

In this study, we report a case of bilateral mild hearing loss and keratoderma caused by a gap junction beta-2 (GJB2) variant. The proband was a nine-year-old Japanese boy with bilateral mild hearing loss at birth. The proband's father, sister, paternal aunt, and cousins had mild sensorineural hearing loss.

Contribution of circulating monocytes in maintaining homeostasis of resident macrophages in postnatal and young adult mouse cochlea.

The percentage of macrophage subpopulations based on their origins in the adult cochlea remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the origins of cochlear macrophages during the onset phase and development of auditory function. We used three types of mice: wildtype ICR mice, colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (Csf1r)-deficient mice, and Ms4a3Cre-Rosa tdTomato (Ms4a3) transgenic mice.

Diagnosing Middle Ear Malformation by Pure-Tone Audiometry Using a Three-Dimensional Finite Element Model: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Hearing loss caused by middle ear malformations is treated by tympanoplasty to reconstruct the acoustic conduction system. The mobility of the ossicles plays a crucial role in postoperative success. However, identifying the location of ossicular malformation based solely on preoperative audiograms is challenging due to the complex relationship between fixation location, deformity levels, and ossicular mobility.

Outcomes of regenerative treatment for over 200 patients with tympanic membrane perforation.

Objective: To evaluate outcomes of a regenerative treatment (RT) for over 200 patients with tympanic membrane perforation (TMP). The RT-TMP method involves a gelatin sponge, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and fibrin glue.

Methods: The study population included 216 patients and 234 ears (male: female =100:116; age 1-93 years).

Different solubilizing ability of cyclodextrin derivatives for cholesterol in Niemann-Pick disease type C treatment.

Background: Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by abnormal intracellular cholesterol trafficking. Cyclodextrins (CDs), the most promising therapeutic candidates for NPC, but with concerns about ototoxicity, are cyclic oligosaccharides with dual functions of unesterified cholesterol (UC) shuttle and sink that catalytically enhance the bidirectional flux and net efflux of UC, respectively, between the cell membrane and the extracellular acceptors. However, the properties of CDs that regulate these functions and how they could be used to improve treatments for NPC are unclear.

Arginine-Rich Cell-Penetrating Peptide-Mediated Transduction of Mouse Nasal Cells with FOXP3 Protein Alleviates Allergic Rhinitis.

Intranasal corticosteroids are effective medications against allergic rhinitis (AR). However, mucociliary clearance promptly eliminates these drugs from the nasal cavity and delays their onset of action. Therefore, a faster, longer-lasting therapeutic effect on the nasal mucosa is required to enhance the efficacy of AR management.

Initiation and progression of Early-Stage microbial-driven membrane fouling in membrane bioreactors: a review.

Microbial biofilm development on the membrane surface of bioreactors results in membrane flux decline (biofouling). Biofouling is one of the most severe problems limiting the use of these bioreactors. For detailed understanding of the biofouling, microbial community and dissolved organic matter analyses have been performed in recent decades.

Mitochondrial alterations in the cochlea of Cdk5rap1-knockout mice with age-related hearing loss.

Previous studies have revealed that age-related hearing loss (AHL) in Cdk5 regulatory subunit-associated protein 1 (Cdk5rap1)-knockout mice is associated with pathology in the cochlea. Here, we aimed to identify mitochondrial alterations in the cochlea of Cdk5rap1-knockout mice with AHL. Mitochondria in the spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) and hair cells (HCs) were normal despite senescence; however, the mitochondria of types I, II, and IV spiral ligament fibrocytes were ballooned, damaged, and ballooned, respectively, in the stria vascularis.

Inoculation of lymphocytes from young mice prevents progression of age-related hearing loss in a senescence-associated mouse model.

Despite the increase in age-related hearing loss (ARHL) prevalence owing to increased population aging, preventive measures against ARHL have not yet been established. The immune system becomes one of the most dysfunctional systems upon aging, and immunosenescence greatly affects homeostasis and promotes systemic aging along with chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. This study aimed to determine whether immuno-rejuvenation procedures can prevent ARHL and have clinical applications as well as to analyze the communication mechanisms between the systemic immune system and the cochlea using a murine model.

Modified Fukuda stepping motion assessment of young healthy adults using portable inertial measurement units.

Currently, vestibular rehabilitation approaches used to monitor body position and movement during rehabilitation training require specialized equipment or rely on clinician observation. Thus, a simpler position-sensing approach that can be used to monitor movement during vestibular rehabilitation is required. This study used wearable motion sensors with built-in accelerometers and gyrometers to assess movement in adults.

Long-term exposure to high-concentration dexamethasone in the inner ear via intratympanic administration.

The first-line treatment for inner ear disorders is usually oral/systemic steroids. Intratympanic steroid therapy is an alternative option; however, it requires multiple office visits owing to the short residence time of steroids in the inner ear (systemic: 24 h, intratympanic: 2-3 h). Therefore, intratympanic injections of higher steroid concentrations could result in longer drug exposure, providing better treatment outcomes.

Metformin Reduces the Incidence of Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Retrospective Chart Review.

Introduction and objectives Acquired sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) has become a critical societal issue in recent years. SNHL is considered a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Metformin is commonly used to treat T2DM.

An increase in sludge loading rate induces gel fouling in membrane bioreactors treating real sewage.

The main objective of this study was to investigate the cause of gel fouling in membrane bioreactors (MBRs) treating real sewage in terms of soluble microbial products (SMPs) and microbial aspects. Two anoxic/oxic-MBRs were operated as the control reactor (S1) and the sludge loading rate increased reactor (S2). The reactors were operated under low-temperature around 11 °C conditions.

Effects of Kampo medicine hangebyakujutsutemmato on persistent postural-perceptual dizziness: A retrospective pilot study.

Background: Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a functional disorder, typically preceded by acute vestibular disorders. It is characterized by a shift in processing spatial orientation information, to favor visual over vestibular and somatosensory inputs, and a failure of higher cortical mechanisms. To date, no therapies for PPPD have been approved.

Temporal virtual reality-guided, dual-task, trunk balance training in a sitting position improves persistent postural-perceptual dizziness: proof of concept.

Background: Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a newly defined disorder characterized by functional dizziness. Due to its recent discovery, definitive treatment for PPPD has not been established; therefore, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR)-guided, dual-task, trunk balance training for the management of PPPD using the mediVR KAGURA system.

Methods: We analyzed data of patients who presented with PPPD from January 1, 2021, to February 28, 2021.

Diagnosis of Spontaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea Using Thin-Slice Computed Tomographic Images With Multiplanar Reconstruction and Three-Dimensional Virtual View Endoscopy.

Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea represents an important clinical entity, which is associated with elevated intracranial pressure and is rarely treated successfully without surgical intervention. Here we report a case of spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea. The patient was a 54-year-old male, who presented with bacterial meningitis and was referred to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology for a detailed examination of the nose and sinuses.