Differential attainment at national selection for higher surgical training: a retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: National selection for higher surgical specialty training (HST) in the UK is a high-stakes gatekeeping assessment. If barriers, such as differential attainment, exist at HST selection for some groups and not others, then this will have a significant and lasting impact on trainees' career progression and the diversity of the workforce, which should reflect the population it provides care for. The objective of this study was to characterise the relationship between candidate sociodemographic factors and performance at National Selection for HST in the UK.

Temporal impacts of diverse concentrations of pilocarpine ophthalmic solution on human accommodation.

Clinical Relevance: Accommodation is crucial for clear near vision and is predominantly affected by presbyopia. The ability to modulate accommodative function with eye drops could offer a pharmacological approach to manage presbyopia.

Background: To investigate the effects of different concentrations of pilocarpine eye drops on ocular accommodation in young volunteers.

Otolaryngological manifestations of cystic fibrosis in children: A systematic review.

Purpose: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common autosomal recessive disorder in the Caucasian population. Otolaryngological manifestations pose a significant impact on the quality of life of children with CF. The primary aim of this review is to provide a state of the art update of current literature on the otolaryngological manifestations of CF in children.

Hearing care in low-resourced and humanitarian settings: findings from a pilot study in South Sudan.

Objectives: This longitudinal experimental study aimed to profile audiometric hearing loss, explore the feasibility and efficacy of low-cost hearing devices, and examine their social and emotional impact on participants in South Sudan, a low-resource humanitarian setting.

Design: We performed pure tone hearing screenings on adults with self-reported hearing disability, randomly providing eligible participants with one of two inexpensive devices-Asana Pro 800, a non-customizable hearing device fit unilaterally, or the Super Ear SE9000, a hand-held amplifier with headphones given one per individual.

Study Sample: Between October 2022 and January 2023, 142 adults underwent hearing screening at the Juba Teaching Hospital ENT clinic, of whom 19 eligible individuals were provided with hearing devices.

Health Benefits in a Cohort of Children 6 Months After Tonsil Surgery in Relation to the Perioperative Period: An Observational Prospective Cohort Study.

Background And Aim: Tonsil-surgery is a common treatment for tonsillitis and upper-airway obstruction. Health benefits are a key point of clinical concern. Aim: To evaluate health benefits 6-months after pediatric tonsil-surgery and to examine the influence of the perioperative period on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Benign Laryngeal Lesions: Insights from a Decade of Experience in a Tertiary Hospital.

Background: Benign laryngeal lesions, characterized by non-cancerous growths in the larynx, significantly impact voice quality and respiratory function. These lesions, which include vocal cord polyps, nodules, papillomas, and cysts, often result from factors such as vocal abuse, viral infections, and chronic inflammation. While studies on benign laryngeal lesions are well-documented globally, data specific to Northern Nigeria remains sparse.

A Comprehensive Analysis on the Readability of Rhinoplasty-Based Web Content for Patients.

Rhinoplasty is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed by plastic surgeons and otolaryngologists. Previous studies have concluded that the readability of rhinoplasty information does not meet the recommended guidelines for the 8th grade reading level. In this study, we performed an updated readability analysis and a comprehensive online review of decision-making factors for patients considering rhinoplasty.

Portable Video Otoscope for Intra-Tympanic Dexamethasone in ISSNHL Treatment: A Promising Method.

This retrospective study aimed to compare the efficacy of portable ear endoscopic tympanic injection versus conventional ear endoscopic tympanic injection in the treatment of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Clinical data of 128 patients with ISSNHL who did not respond to conventional treatment were collected from January 2019 to June 2023. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (n = 60) received portable ear endoscopic tympanic injection, while Group 2 (n = 68) received conventional ear endoscopic tympanic injection.

Pathogenic variants in SHROOM3 associated with hemifacial microsomia.

Hemifacial microsomia (HFM) is a rare congenital disorder that affects facial symmetry, ear development, and other congenital anomalies. However, known causal genes account for only approximately 6% of patients, indicating the need to discover more pathogenic genes. Association tests demonstrated an association between common variants in SHROOM3 and HFM (P = 1.

Measurement of inferior colliculus volume based on MRI image stacks and its relationship with age and hearing status.

The inferior colliculus is a key nucleus in the central auditory pathway, integrating acoustic stimuli from both cochleae and playing a crucial role in sound localization. It undergoes functional and structural development in childhood and experiences age-related degeneration later in life, contributing to the progression of age-related hearing loss. This study aims at finding out, whether the volume of the human inferior colliculus can be determined by analysis of routinely performed MRIs and whether there is any age-related variation.

Cochlear Organ Dissection, Immunostaining, and Confocal Imaging in Mice.

The organ of Corti, located in the inner ear, is the primary organ responsible for animal hearing. Each hair cell has a V-shaped or U-shaped hair bundle composed of actin-filled stereocilia and a kinocilium supported by true transport microtubules. Damage to these structures due to noise exposure, drug toxicity, aging, or environmental factors can lead to hearing loss and other disorders.

A Novel Technique for Nasopharyngeal Stenosis Repair: Combined Transoral Robotic and Endonasal Approaches for Enhanced Visualization and Surgical Precision.

Nasopharyngeal stenosis is a challenging condition characterized by a narrowed nasopharynx, leading to nasal congestion, impaired breathing, and recurrent sinus issues. In this report, we present a unique surgical approach that combines the use of both the Da Vinci Xi robot and a 70-degree nasal endoscope in a patient with a type II stenosis of the nasopharynx. The benefits of improved visualization, maneuverability, and precision of this novel combined approach are highlighted.

Silent Hearing Loss in Kidney Transplant Patients Receiving Tacrolimus: A Fact or a Myth?

Background: It has been claimed that tacrolimus may have harmful effects on the auditory system, where it has been linked to ototoxicity and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). We evaluated silent SNHL in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) receiving tacrolimus and the different factors affecting it compared to healthy controls.

Materials And Methods: In this case control study, hearing functions were studied in 42 KTRs receiving tacrolimus as maintenance immunosuppressive therapy for more than 3 months in comparison to 27 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects using tympanometry, pure-tone audiometry (PTA), extended high frequency audiometry (EHFA), and transient evoked oto-acoustic emissions (TEOAEs).

The Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Repair of Tympanic Membrane Perforation.

 Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains high platelet concentration and growth factors that help in rapid wound healing, hemostasis, and decreased scarring. It has been used in various conditions to aid in healing, but its use in ear, nose, and throat (ENT) is not yet common.  To compare the outcome of using PRP with myringoplasty with that of myringoplasty alone in the repair of tympanic membrane perforations.

Semaphorin 3A Confers Protection against Oxidative Stress-induced Damage in Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells through the Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway.

Objectives: The osteogenic potential of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) is crucial for periodontal tissue regeneration. Prolonged and excessive oxidative stress (OS) impairs the osteogenic function of PDLSCs. Recently, Semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) has been reported to have multiple roles in bone protection.

Pleomorphic Adenoma of the Submandibular Gland with Skull Metastasis: A Case Report.

Metastasizing pleomorphic adenoma is a rare entity that has the propensity for distant metastasis despite being histologically benign. We report the case of a 56-year-old woman with a long-standing right upper neck swelling and a recent-onset swelling over the left side of the scalp. Clinical workup did not reveal any other tumor deposits in the body.

Long-Lasting Auditory and Vestibular Recovery Following Gene Replacement Therapy in a Novel Usher Syndrome Type 1c Mouse Model.

Usher syndrome type 1C (USH1C) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the USH1C gene, which encodes harmonin, a key component of the mechanoelectrical transduction complex in auditory and vestibular hair cells. USH1C leads to deafness and vestibular dysfunction in humans. An Ush1c knockout (KO) mouse model displaying these characteristic deficits is generated in our laboratory.

Wnt signalling facilitates neuronal differentiation of cochlear Frizzled10-positive cells in mouse cochlea via glypican 6 modulation.

Degeneration of cochlear spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) leads to irreversible sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), as SGNs lack regenerative capacity. Although cochlear glial cells (GCs) have some neuronal differentiation potential, their specific identities remain unclear. This study identifies a distinct subpopulation, Frizzled10 positive (FZD10+) cells, as an important type of GC responsible for neuronal differentiation in mouse cochlea.

Multimodal machine learning enables AI chatbot to diagnose ophthalmic diseases and provide high-quality medical responses.

Chatbot-based multimodal AI holds promise for collecting medical histories and diagnosing ophthalmic diseases using textual and imaging data. This study developed and evaluated the ChatGPT-powered Intelligent Ophthalmic Multimodal Interactive Diagnostic System (IOMIDS) to enable patient self-diagnosis and self-triage. IOMIDS included a text model and three multimodal models (text + slit-lamp, text + smartphone, text + slit-lamp + smartphone).

Targeting glycolytic reprogramming by tsRNA-0032 for treating pathological lymphangiogenesis.

Lymphangiogenesis is vital for tissue fluid homeostasis, immune function, and lipid absorption. Abnormal lymphangiogenesis has been implicated in several diseases such as cancers, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases. In this study, we elucidate the role of tsRNA-0032 in lymphangiogenesis and its molecular mechanism.

Comparison of behind-the-ear vs. off-the-ear speech processors in cochlear implants: A systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Background: Cochlear implants (CI) with off-the-ear (OTE) and behind-the-ear (BTE) speech processors differ in user experience and audiological performance, impacting speech perception, comfort, and satisfaction.

Objectives: This systematic review explores audiological outcomes (speech perception in quiet and noise) and non-audiological factors (device handling, comfort, cosmetics, overall satisfaction) of OTE and BTE speech processors in CI recipients.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review following PRISMA-S guidelines, examining Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses.

Co-cropping of , and : a study of metal uptake interactions and nickel phytoextraction efficiency.

Co-cropping of hyperaccumulators is still poorly understood, while associations between hyperaccumulators and other plant species may promote beneficial plant interactions and lead to increased metal phytoextraction from contaminated soils. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytoextraction potential of the Ni-hyperaccumulator in different co-cropping combinations with and . Plants were grown in ultramafic soil in a growth chamber for 45 days and Al, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations in roots and leaves were analyzed.

Clinical Efficacy and Outcomes of Electro-Pneumatic Intracorporeal Lithotripsy in the Management of Sialolithiasis.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of electro-pneumatic intracorporeal lithotripsy for the treatment of salivary gland stones.

Study Design: A prospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with obstructive salivary gland syndrome, where basket-assisted sialendoscopy alone failed to remove the calculi.

Setting: This study was conducted at the "Queen Maria" Military Hospital in Brașov, Romania, and a private practice, between February 2023 and May 2024.

Indications for an antidepressive effect of thymosin alpha-1 in a small open-label proof of concept study in common variable immune deficiency patients with depression.

Background: A considerable proportion (21%) of patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) suffers from depression. These subjects are characterized by reduced naïve T cells and a premature T cell senescence similar to that of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). It is known that T cells are essential for limbic system development/function.