Efficacy of virtual reality pure-tone audiometry in training of hearing test for audiologist.

Background And Objectives: The immersive virtual reality (VR) simulator is advantageous because it is cost-effective, realistic, can be controlled directly by the user, and can be integrated into education and training in otorhinolaryngology. The present study explored the feasibility of incorporating VR pure-tone audiometry (PTA) into an audiologist training curriculum, and assessed audiology experts' willingness to use a VR PTA.

Materials And Methods: A total of 31 audiologists (16 skilled audiologists and 15 undergraduate students) participated in the study, using a developed VR PTA application with a Meta Quest 2 device.

Correction: Association of dietary factors with noise-induced hearing loss in Korean population: A 3-year national cohort study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Deep Vein Thrombosis after Foot and Ankle Surgery.

Background: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common complication in orthopedic surgery and has the potential to lead to fatal complications such as pulmonary thromboembolism. However, the precise incidence and risk factors for DVT in the foot and ankle fields remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of DVT and identify its risk factors after foot and ankle surgery.

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.

Gut Bacterial Metabolites from Tryptophan and Phenylalanine Induce Melatonin Synthesis and Extend Sleep Duration in Mice.

The human gut microbiota significantly influences various physiological systems, including immune, nervous, and metabolic systems. Recent studies suggest that gut microbiota may affect sleep quality with certain bacteria and metabolites being linked to sleep patterns. However, the underlying chemical signaling pathway remains unclear.

Simple Enzymatic Incorporation of 2'OMeU Nucleotide at the End of the Poly-A Tail for Enhancement of the mRNA Stability and Protein Expression.

This study focused on the efficient post-transcriptional incorporation of a modified nucleoside at the end of the poly-A tail of mRNA. The modified mRNA was obtained in high yield and served to enhance protein expression. Utilizing poly-U polymerase, our method successfully enabled a single 2'OMeU residue to be incorporated into mRNA, which unexpectedly provided significant stabilization, even with only a single incorporation, to enhance the resistance of mRNA to degradation by cellular exonuclease.

Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index and 30-Day Postoperative Mortality in Geriatric Burn Patients.

Introduction: The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) can easily identify malnutrition-associated morbidity and mortality. We investigated the association between preoperative GNRI and 30-d mortality in geriatric burn patients who underwent surgery.

Methods: The study involved geriatric burn patients (aged ≥ 65 y) who underwent burn surgery between 2012 and 2022.

Can ultrasonography be used to differentiate parathyroid masses abutting the thyroid gland from thyroid masses extending into the parathyroid area?

Aim: To determine the ultrasonographic (US) features that could help to distinguish between parathyroid masses abutting the thyroid gland and thyroid masses extending into the parathyroid area.

Materials And Methods: Two blinded readers retrospectively evaluated the US images of 76 histopathologically confirmed parathyroid masses abutting the thyroid gland and 34 thyroid masses extending into the parathyroid area. Maximal diameter, transverse diameter/anterior-posterior diameter (T/AP) ratio, longitudinal diameter/AP diameter (L/AP) ratio, margin, shape, echogenicity, echotexture, and echogenic interface were evaluated and compared between the two groups.

I-motif sensor for the fluorometric detection of Monkeypox.

In this study, we developed an isothermal fluorometric diagnostic method for DNA virus-generating disorders such as Mpox. Our results showed that the release of a large number of protons during multiplex-LAMP markedly lowered the pH level, which transformed the retinoblastoma (Rb) linear ssDNA into i-motifs. Consequently, thiazole orange (TO; a fluorometric probe sensitive to the i-motif) boosted the signal-on fluorescence because of its ability to bind selectively to i-motifs.

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.

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Pharyngeal Gonorrhea in Korean Men With Urethritis.

Background: Pharyngeal infection is more difficult to diagnose and treat than genital or rectal infection and can act as a reservoir for gonococcal infection. We determined the prevalence of pharyngeal gonorrhea in Korean men with urethritis and analyzed the molecular characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates.

Methods: Seventy-two male patients with symptoms of urethritis who visited a urology clinic in Wonju, Korea, between September 2016 and March 2018 were included.

A Rare Case of Stroke in a 76-Year-Old Woman: Left Atrial Papillary Fibroelastoma as the Culprit.

BACKGROUND Papillary fibroelastoma is the most common type of benign primary cardiac tumor and is usually asymptomatic. However, tumor fragments or surface thrombus can embolize and cause transient ischemic attacks, strokes, or myocardial infarction. This report describes a 76-year-old woman who presented with dysarthria and right-sided weakness due to a stroke associated with a left atrial papillary fibroelastoma.

Development of Hsp90 inhibitor to regulate cytokine storms in excessive delayed- and acute inflammation.

Background: The surplus cytokines remaining after use in the early stages of the inflammatory response stimulate immune cells even after the response is over, causing a secondary inflammatory response and ultimately damaging the host, which is called a cytokine storm. Inhibiting heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), which has recently been shown to play an important role in regulating inflammation in various cell types, may help control excessive inflammatory responses and cytokine storms.

Methods: We discovered an anti-inflammatory compound by measuring the inhibitory effect of CD86 expression on spleen DCs (sDCs) using the chemical compounds library of Hsp90 inhibitors.

The manganese transporter SLC39A8 links alkaline ceramidase 1 to inflammatory bowel disease.

The metal ion transporter SLC39A8 is associated with physiological traits and diseases, including blood manganese (Mn) levels and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The mechanisms by which SLC39A8 controls Mn homeostasis and epithelial integrity remain elusive. Here, we generate Slc39a8 intestinal epithelial cell-specific-knockout (Slc39a8-IEC KO) mice, which display markedly decreased Mn levels in blood and most organs.

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Yukwool-tang for major depressive disorder in women: A randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel trial.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) occurs more often in women than that in men due to various complex causes. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Yukwool-tang (YWT) for MDD in women.

Methods: A total of 72 patients diagnosed with MDD and Korean version of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (K-HDRS) ≥ 14 points were randomly assigned to the YWT or placebo group, and 1 bottle (30 mg) of No-S solution and placebo was administered to the YWT and placebo groups, respectively, orally thrice a day for 8 weeks.

Computed tomography Scan Size Analysis of stapedius and tensor tympani muscles in middle ear myoclonic tinnitus.

Objectives: To analyze the sizes of the stapedius and tensor tympani (TT) muscles using a temporal bone CT (TBCT) scan in patients with middle ear myoclonic tinnitus (MEMT) and investigate their value for the diagnosis of this rare cause of tinnitus.

Methods: Medical records and TBCT of patients with MEMT or vascular tinnitus (VT) at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital from January 2012 to December 2022 were reviewed.