How Does Preoperative Pure Tone Audiometry Relate to the Findings at Surgery to Explain the Hearing Status in Chronic Otitis Media?

Objective: Pure tone audiometry (PTA) guides surgical decision-making in chronic otitis media (COM), and PTA values depend upon the type and extent of COM.

Methods: Our cross-sectional study included patients with COM with/without cholesteatoma who were scheduled for surgery. Findings on examination of the middle ear under the microscope and at surgery which could explain the hearing loss were corroborated with preoperative PTA through appropriate statistical methods.

Comparative analysis of human papillomavirus type 6 complete genomes originated from head and neck and anogenital disorders.

It is increasingly recognized that fundamental differences exist between high-risk and low-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes regarding interactions with the host. This study aims to join the recently emerging efforts to uncover these differences at the complete genome level and to study how they may influence the disease caused. Sixteen samples of thirteen patients with various HPV6-mediated benign mucosal disorders (nine recurrent respiratory papillomatoses with 2-8 recurrences, one condyloma acuminatum and three premalignant lesions of the genital mucosa) were sampled to determine the complete virus genomes.

The use of buccal smears for a non-invasive screening of the 35delG mutation of the Connexin-26 gene in hearing impaired young children.

Objectives: Recent advances in genetic research indicate that about 50% of congenital deaf patients have a genetic background, with mutations in the Connexin-26 gene being the most frequent one. Screening methods for the genetic cause of deafness have so far mostly been based on the use of peripheral whole blood as DNA source. The use of buccal smears for the genetic screening of deaf patients presents an interesting alternative to drawing blood, especially in young children.

Potassium-induced slow motility is partially calcium-dependent in isolated outer hair cells.

Low flow rate (0.6 microl/min) administration of high concentration potassium solutions (12.5, 25 and 37.