The neutrophil-to-C3 ratio: unveiling diagnostic efficacy for lupus nephritis and association with reduced retinal vascular density in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: Lupus nephritis (LN) frequently manifests as a significant complication in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, with emerging research indicating a plausible correlation between subclinical retinal involvement and renal manifestations. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the neutrophil-to-C3 ratio (NC3R) and both LN as well as retinal microvasculature damage among SLE patients.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a cohort of 220 participants (78 LN and 142 non-LN) was recruited.

Development of clinical practice guidelines and primary care referral pathways for management of otorhinolaryngological conditions in Pakistan.

Background: Diseases of the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) account for a significant portion of a primary care physician's practice in Pakistan, a South Asian lower-middle income country. This increasing burden demands comprehensive clinical practice guidelines and primary care clinical referral algorithms to be devised so that general physicians can adequately provide standardized primary health care and prevent needless specialist ENT referrals.

Methods: We selected eight guidelines regarding epistaxis, neck masses, hearing loss, Meniere's disease, dysphonia, allergic rhinitis, acute otitis externa, and rhinosinusitis from the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation as the source guidelines and employed the GRADE-ADOLOPMENT approach to contextualize guidelines by adopting, adapting, or excluding recommendations from these guidelines.

Multi-omics insights into the molecular signature and prognosis of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Approximately two-thirds of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, with the worst prognosis among head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Identifying biomarkers for high-risk patients requiring aggressive treatment is crucial. We present mutational, transcriptomic, and proteomic studies of 103 Chinese HPSCC patients and observe a higher prevalence and poorer prognosis in males.

Minimal clinical impact of embolization to new territory on outcomes in medium vessel occlusion strokes treated with mechanical thrombectomy: a retrospective multicenter study.

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is established as an effective treatment for large vessel occlusion strokes, but its efficacy and safety for medium vessel occlusions (MeVOs) remain less clear. This study examines the impact of periprocedural embolization to a new vascular territory (ENT) on clinical outcomes in patients with MeVO stroke treated with MT.

Methods: A multicenter, retrospective analysis was conducted using the MAD-MT (Multicenter Analysis of primary Distal medium vessel occlusions: effect of Mechanical Thrombectomy) registry, including 2122 patients with MeVO stroke w-ho underwent MT between September 2017 and July 2023.

Risk prediction models for dental caries in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate published predictive models for dental caries in children and adolescents.

Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Data Sources: Comprehensive searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP) and SinoMed for relevant studies published up to 18 January 2024.

Impaction of third molars and localized cancer of the oral cavity: a simple occasional finding? A retrospective case series and literature review.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to analyze, through a literature review and the description of four clinical cases, whether prolonged tooth impaction may represent a trigger for the onset of oral carcinoma.

Materials E Methods: In this report, four cases of patients needing the extraction of third molars in complete mucosal or bone impaction are described, which, due to the presence of an unusual radiographic and/or clinical aspect, were found to represent cases of oral carcinomas on histologic analysis. Patients were then referred to the ENT department for further care.

Kangaroo Stimulation Game in Tracheostomized Intensive Care-Related Dysphagia: Interventional Feasibility Study.

Background: Dysphagia is common in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Using surface electromyography (sEMG) signals as biofeedback training exercises might offer a promising path to improving swallowing function. The Rephagia biofeedback system uses sEMG to assess muscle strength, stamina, and timing of the swallowing action.

Pocket guide: biologics in upper and lower airways in adults.

The introduction of biologics for the treatment of severe upper and lower (type 2) airway inflammation has been a gamechanger in the management of these diseases. Biologics are injectable medications targeting different molecules relevant in (type 2) inflammation in patients with severe (type 2) airway diseases, like asthma, eosinophilic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and those who remain uncontrolled despite regular treatment (1-3). After the phase 3 trials, showing significant impact on symptoms, quality of life and interventions like surgery (for the upper airways) and exacerbations needing hospitalisation (for the lower airways), biologics are now used in daily practice in many parts of the world (4, 5).

Chinese Position Paper on Biologic Therapy for Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps.

Emerging biologics that selectively target key cytokines present a promising therapeutic alternative for patients suffering from severe, uncontrollable chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Despite the limited availability of registered biologics for CRSwNP treatment in China, the country is experiencing rapid development in this field. It is imperative to standardize the application of biologic agents in CRSwNP management in preparation for their future integration into the CRSwNP care pathway.

Discovery of a novel thiophene carboxamide analogue as a highly potent and selective sphingomyelin synthase 2 inhibitor for dry eye disease therapy.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent and intractable ocular disease induced by a variety of causes. Elevated sphingomyelin (SM) levels and pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected on the ocular surface of DED patients, particularly in the meibomian glands. Sphingomyelin synthase 2 (SMS2), one of the proteins involved in SM synthesis, would light a novel way of developing a DED therapy strategy.

Comparison of myopia-related behaviors among Chinese school-aged children and associations with parental awareness of myopia control: a population-based, cross-sectional study.

Background: In China, approximately 30 and 70% of primary and middle school students, respectively, have myopia, making myopia prevention and control necessary. Eye-use behaviors are closely related to myopia, highlighting the importance of determining the behavioral compliance rates of children. Parental awareness also affects children's behaviors.

Biomechanical impact of cortical bone vs. traditional pedicle screw trajectories: a finite element study on lumbar spinal instrumentation.

Background: Pedicle screw fixation using the cortical bone trajectory (CBT) enhances stability by engaging cortical bone, offering a valuable alternative to the traditional pedicle screw trajectory (TT). This study used finite element analysis to compare L4-5 instrumentation with CBT and TT screws, investigating whether the increased cortical bone engagement in CBT improves stability but makes it more susceptible to fatigue failure.

Methods: A L3-sacrum model was generated using anonymized CT patient data, validated against existing studies, showing consistent ROM (range of motion) values.

The simultaneous occurrence of a fungal ball in maxillary and sphenoid sinuses: a case report and review of the literature.

A fungal ball is most frequently found in the maxillary sinus, though it can also occur in the sphenoid, ethmoid, and frontal sinuses. This study aims to demonstrate the pathological conditions and clinical features of a patient with unilateral left maxillary and sphenoid sinus fungal balls. A 52-year-old woman arrived with complaints of headache, facial pain, and post-nasal discharge.

Clinical Findings in Symptomatic Patients With Radiologically Isolated Sphenoid Sinus Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To explore the clinical presentations of isolated sphenoid sinus disease (ISSD).

Setting And Design: A literature search was conducted on 23 December 2023 across electronic databases including Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane. We performed a meta-analysis of proportions using a random-effects model to determine the prevalence of clinical findings in patients who presented with symptoms and had ISSD on radiological imaging.

Comparison of monovision surgery using ICL V4c or femtosecond laser LASIK for myopia correction in the presbyopia age patients.

To compare the long-term outcomes of monovision surgery using implantable collamer lens (ICL) V4c and femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) in myopic patients with early presbyopia. This case series study included 48 eyes of 24 patients (male/female: 10/14, mean age 45.50 ± 3.

Changes in the thickness of the crystalline lens components before and after cycloplegia in children with different refractive errors.

Objective: To evaluate changes in the thickness of the crystalline lens components in children with different refractive errors before and after cycloplegia.

Methods And Analysis: This prospective study recruited 132 right eyes from 132 children (age 5-15 years) with different spherical equivalent (SE) ranging from -6.00 diopters (D) to +6.

Prevalence of infratentorial superficial siderosis in a large general population sample from the UK Biobank.

Background: Classical infratentorial superficial siderosis (iSS) is considered a rare but potentially disabling neurological disorder. It results from slow chronic blood extravasation into the cerebrospinal fluid and deposition of the iron degradation product hemosiderin within the subpial layers of the central nervous system. Susceptibility-weighted (SW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the reference diagnostic modality.

Bibliometric analysis of the Top 1000 most-cited articles in otolaryngology over the past decade: global research trends and hotspots.

Background: The field of otolaryngology has achieved remarkable progress over the past decade due to technological advancements and interdisciplinary integration. Understanding research trends and hotspots is essential to drive further innovation and development.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted on Web of Science on November 22, 2024, to identify the top 1,000 most-cited otolaryngology publications from 2014 to 2024.

MicroRNA-106a regulates the apoptosis and oxidative stress of porcine trabecular meshwork cells by targeting FAS.

This study investigates the impact of miR-106a on trabecular meshwork (TM) and its potential molecular mechanism, as TM dysfunction due to decreased cell viability is a major pathological feature of POAG. Primary porcine TM (PTM) cells were isolated and exposed to hyperoxic conditions to induce senescence. Through small RNA sequencing and qPCR verification, miR-106a was downregulated in aging PTM cells.

Audiological profile of first-time hearing aid users - implications for the development of a fast-track fitting protocol.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of implementing a fast-track process (single-session assess-and-fit appointment with no ENT specialist's examination) in hearing rehabilitation by investigating the accuracy of the protocol assignment applying various cut-off criteria and describing the audiometric profile of patients being evaluated for their first hearing aids.

Design: Retrospective chart review.

Study Sample: Patients from a single institution (n = 1807, median age 75 years, IQR 67-82 years) undergoing the evaluation for their first hearing aid fitting.

Pleomorphic adenoma parotid surgery, how much margin we can reach to be safe?

Background: The extent of surgery in cases of parotid gland pleomorphic adenoma (PA) remains challenging. This study aims to evaluate the importance of surgical margins in ensuring safe surgery for patients with PA.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the risk of local recurrence based on surgical margins in patients with parotid PA who underwent superficial or total parotidectomy between May 2019 and November 2021 at a tertiary referral hospital in Tehran, Iran.

Prediction of clinical deterioration within one year in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using the systemic coagulation-inflammation index: a retrospective study employing multiple machine learning method.

Background: Inflammatory response and the coagulation system are pivotal in the pathogenesis of clinical deterioration in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), prompting us to hypothesize that the systemic coagulation-inflammation (SCI) index is associated with clinical deterioration in COPD.

Methods: A cohort of 957 COPD patients (mean age: 68.4 ± 7.

PADI4 expression in baseline circulating tumour cells acts as a prognostic biomarker in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC), one of the most prevalent cancers in developing countries. It is associated with poor prognosis due to relapse in a significant number of patients. Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) are precursors for metastasis and thought to be key players in early relapse in various cancers including OSCC.

A Comparison of the Effects of Sevoflurane, Propofol, and Propofol Combined with Butorphanol in Suppressing Sufentanil-Induced cough-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To study the safety and efficacy of sevoflurane pretreatment in preventing sufentanil-induced cough in children and to compare its antitussive effect with that of butorphanol, an opioid analgesic that has been proven effective in clinical trials.

Data And Methods: This was a prospective randomized controlled trial. A total of 174 patients who underwent ENT surgery at Chaohu Hospital Affiliated with Anhui Medical University were enrolled and divided into groups S, C and B, with 58 patients in each group, according to the random number table method.