Recovery rates of persistent post-COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction using psychophysical assessment: A longitudinal cohort study.

Objectives: Persistent olfactory dysfunction (OD) following loss of smell associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection is a major feature of long COVID. Perspectives on the prevalence of persistent OD predominantly rely on self-reported olfactory function. Few studies have tracked longitudinal rates of recovery using psychophysical assessment among patients presenting for evaluation of persistent OD beyond a window of acute recovery.

Expert Consensus on Clinical Decision Making in the Disease Trajectory of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Adults: An International Delphi Study.

To date, no consensus exists on the complex clinical decision-making processes involved in oropharyngeal dysphagia, or swallowing disorders. This study aimed to develop an international consensus on a clinical decision tree for the disease trajectory of oropharyngeal dysphagia in adults, taking into account physiological impairments of swallowing, risk factors for the development of complications from oropharyngeal dysphagia, and prognostic factors for treatment outcomes. Using the Delphi technique, consensus was achieved among dysphagia experts across 31 countries, resulting in a total of 10 physiological impairments, 23 risk factors and 21 prognostic factors identified as relevant factors in the clinical decision-making process.

Exosomal PD-L1 derived from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma promotes immune evasion by activating the positive feedback loop of activated regulatory T cell-M2 macrophage.

The positive feedback loop of activated regulatory T cells (aTregs) and M2 macrophages (M2) play a vital role in promoting the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the key factors regulating the positive feedback loop remain unclear. Herein, we investigated the effect of PD-L1 carried on exosomes derived from tumor cells (TEXs) on the aTreg-M2 positive feedback loop, as well as their role in mediating immunosuppression.

Upper Airway Disease in Adults with Cystic Fibrosis in the Era of CFTR Modulators.

Objectives: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is prevalent in people with cystic fibrosis (PwCF) and is often refractory to treatments. Uncontrolled CRS might negatively impact the lower airways and the quality of life. The aim of this study is to evaluate the burden of cystic fibrosis (CF)-related CRS in the era of CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators.

Challenges in conducting post graduate otorhinolarygology-head and neck surgery specialty examination in the time of pandemic.

No abstract provided.

Association between well-being and compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures by healthcare professionals: A cross-sectional study.

Importance: Knowledge and attitude influence compliance and individuals' practices. The risk and protective factors associated with high compliance to these preventive measures are critical to enhancing pandemic preparedness.

Objective: This survey aims to assess differences in mental health, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of preventive measures for COVID-19 amongst healthcare professionals (HCP) and non-healthcare professionals.

Assessing Agreement between Frequency-Specific Chirp Auditory Steady-State Response and Pure Tone Audiometry in Adults by Intraclass Correlation Coefficient.

Introduction: Chirp auditory steady-state response (ASSR) can be used to assess frequency-specific hearing thresholds. However, its reliability has not been confirmed yet. The purpose of this proposed study is to analyze the agreement of thresholds measured by chirp-ASSR and pure tone audiometry (PTA) to investigate the value of chirp-ASSR in hearing threshold evaluation.

Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on irritable bowel syndrome.

Background And Aim: Gastrointestinal manifestations of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may mimic irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and social distancing measures may affect IBS patients negatively. We aimed to study the impact of COVID-19 on respondents with self-reported IBS.

Methods: We conducted an anonymized survey from May to June 2020 in 33 countries.

Significance of Extra-Esophageal Symptoms in Pediatric Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

 Current practice guidelines in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) often require invasive diagnostic testing.  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the significance of extra-esophageal symptoms and reliability of a screening risk score that is simple to use.  A longitudinal retrospective single-institution cohort study.

Isolated congenital tracheal stenosis: A rare and deadly condition.

Introduction: Congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) is a serious and rare condition. In most cases, CTS is associated with cardiopulmonary abnormalities; however, isolated CTS is present in 10%-30% of patients. The severity of the disorder is dependent on the symptoms, which correlate with the CTS classification.

Silencing Nrf2 attenuates chronic suppurative otitis media by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion through up-regulating TLR4.

Compromised TLR-mediated chronic inflammation contributes to bacterial infection-caused chronic suppurative otitis media, but the mechanisms are unclear. The present study examined the expression status of nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and TLRs in human middle-ear mucosae tissues collected from patients with chronic suppurative otitis media, chronic otitis media and non-otitis media, and found that Nrf2 was high-expressed, whereas TLR4, instead of other TLRs, was low expressed in chronic suppurative otitis media compared to chronic otitis media and non-chronic otitis media groups. Consistently, inflammatory cytokines were significantly up-regulated in the chronic suppurative otitis media group, instead of the chronic otitis media and non-chronic otitis media groups.

In silico analysis reveals EP300 as a panCancer inhibitor of anti-tumor immune response via metabolic modulation.

The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) and other solid malignancies is a key determinant of therapy response and prognosis. Among other factors, it is shaped by the tumor mutational burden and defects in DNA repair enzymes. Based on the TCGA database we aimed to define specific, altered genes associated with different TIME types, which might represent new predictive markers or targets for immuno-therapeutic approaches.

Broncho-vaxom alleviates persistent allergic rhinitis in patients by improving Th1/Th2 cytokine balance of nasal mucosa.

Background: Probiotics are mainly distributed in the mucosal system and have the ability to enhance mucosal barrier function and regulate immune responses. Broncho-Vaxom (BV), as a probiotic, has been applied to patients suffering from respiratory tract infections, but its potential effectiveness in allergic rhinitis (AR) has not been evaluated in human. This study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of BV in patients with persistent AR and to elucidate the underlying cellular mechanisms.

Evaluation of the Facial Soft-Tissue Thickness in Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate.

Aim: In this study the authors aimed to evaluate craniofacial morphology and facial soft tissue thickness of the patients with cleft lip and palate.(CLP), and to compare the results with a sex and age-matched noncleft healthy control group.

Methods: Craniofacial and soft tissue thickness measurements of 20 patients with unilateral cleft lip palate (UCLP) and 20 patients with bilateral cleft lip palate (BCLP) were compared with 20 noncleft control subjects.

Introducing the "ChOLE" Classification and Its Comparison to the EAONO/JOS Consensus Classification for Cholesteatoma Staging.

: Many previous attempts have been made to classify or categorize cholesteatomas. Recently, the European Academy of Otology and Neurotology and the Japanese Otological Society proposed a classification system based primarily on extension and complications. The European Academy of Otology and Neurotology/Japanese Otological Society consensus statement makes an effort to standardize reporting of surgical techniques.

Semilunar conchal cartilage graft in saddle nose reconstruction.

Introduction: The saddle nose deformity is easily recognized by the loss of septal support and nasal dorsal height with adverse functional and aesthetic consequences.

Technique: We treated a 50-year-old woman and a 54-year old man that presented with a moderate saddle nose deformity following a previous septorhinoplasty (female patient) and a posttraumatic severe saddle nose deformity (male patient). The patients were treated by open approach rhinoplasty under general anesthesia, and the saddle nose deformity was reconstructed with a semilunar conchal cartilage graft.

1-Hz rTMS in the treatment of tinnitus: A sham-controlled, randomized multicenter trial.

Background: Chronic tinnitus is a frequent, difficult to treat disease with high morbidity.

Objective: This multicenter randomized, sham-controlled trial investigated the efficacy and safety of 1-Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied to the left temporal cortex in patients with chronic tinnitus.

Methods: Tinnitus patients were randomized to receive 10 sessions of either real or sham 1-Hz-rTMS (2000 stimuli, 110% motor threshold) to the left temporal cortex.

Delivering irrigation to the anterior ethmoid region: evaluation of a lacrimal diversion device in a cadaver model.

Background: Topical solutions to the sinus cavity are primarily administered via a transnasal route with inherent limitations of distribution. Here we describe an alternate method of sinus access via lacrimal sinus diversion using a novel lacrimal diversion device (LDD).

Methods: A cadaveric study was performed using 12 disarticulated fresh heads.

Ectopic Pituitary Adenomas Presenting as Sphenoid or Clival Lesions: Case Series and Management Recommendations.

 An ectopic pituitary adenoma presenting as a clival or sphenoid mass is a rare clinical occurrence that may mislead the clinician and result in unnecessary interventions or potential medicolegal consequences. Here, we present one of the largest multi-institutional case series and review the literature with an emphasis on radiological findings and critical preoperative workup.  Retrospective chart review.

Rhinophototherapy in persistent allergic rhinitis.

Previous published results have revealed that Rhinolight intranasal phototherapy is safe and effective in intermittent allergic rhinitis. The present objective was to assess whether phototherapy is also safe and effective in persistent allergic rhinitis. Thirty-four patients with persistent allergic rhinitis were randomized into two groups; twenty-five subjects completed the study.

Minimally Invasive Cochlear Implantation Assisted by Bi-planar Device: An Exploratory Feasibility Study .

Background: A single drilled tunnel from the lateral mastoid cortex to the cochlea via the facial recess is essential for minimally invasive cochlear implant surgery. This study aimed to explore the safety profile of this kind of new image-guided and bi-planar device-assisted surgery procedure in vitro.

Methods: Image-guided minimally invasive cochlear implantations were performed on eight cadaveric temporal bone specimens.