Objective: This paper aims to evaluate the preventive effects of light music on postpartum anxiety and depression in primiparous women. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 120 primiparous women admitted to our hospital from June 2022 to June 2024. Participants were divided into two groups based on the postpartum nursing methods they received: those who received standard care (standard care group: n = 58) and those who received light music therapy (music therapy group: n = 62). Outcomes included Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), salivary cortisol, salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates, and World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) scale scores at 3-day and 6-week postpartum. Results: At 6 weeks postpartum, the music therapy group showed significantly lower scores of EPDS, PASS, and PSQI compared to the standard care group (P < 0.05). Salivary cortisol and sAA levels were also significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Additionally, the music therapy group exhibited higher EBF rates (79.03% vs. 53.45%, P < 0.05) and significantly improved scores across all domains of WHOQOL-BREF (P < 0.05). Conclusion Light music therapy significantly alleviates postpartum psychological distress, reduces physiological stress, and improves breastfeeding rate and quality of life, which supports its clinical adoption.
Abstract Background Acute vestibular syndrome (AVS) is characterized by a severe vertigo attack that lasts longer than 24 hours, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. There are numerous clinical conditions that can cause AVS, some of which require prompt attention and a suitable differential diagnosis for the best possible outcome for the patient. While there are numerous objective vestibular tests available for the diagnosis of vestibular disorders, there are few studies that show these tests’ effectiveness for differentiating between AVS conditions. Method Aim of the present study was to investigate the predictive value of vestibular tests in differential diagnosis of acute unilateral vestibular neuropathy AUVP & VM which are common causes of AVS syndrome. This was a retrospective study of 108 patients with primary complaint of vertigo. Out of these, the clinical signs and symptoms of 17 patients were suggestive of AUVP while sign and symptoms of 10 were suggestive of VM as per the Classification of Vestibular Disorders by the Bárány Society (2022). Vestibular evoked myogenic response, both cervical and ocular (cVEMP and oVEMP) and video head impulse test (vHIT) findings were reviewed and analyzed for these selected patients. Results Chi-square analysis showed a significant association of amplitude asymmetry parameter of VEMP with type of disorder (χ2 = 7.1; P < 0.01). Analysis of vHIT results showed that abnormal results were observed in 14 (82%) patients with AUVN while it was abnormal in 3 (30%) patients with VM (χ2 = 5.1, P < 0.05). Hence, VEMP and video head impulse test both should be used to differentially diagnose the patients with AUVP from VM. Conclusions VEMP and video head impulse tests both are used to differentially diagnose the patients with AUVP from VM.
Yuichi Saito, Akihito Harada, Miho Ushijima
et al.
Abstract The differentiation of B cells into plasma cells is associated with substantial transcriptional and epigenetic remodeling. H3.3 histone variant marks active chromatin via replication-independent nucleosome assembly. However, its role in plasma cell development remains elusive. Herein, we show that during plasma cell differentiation, H3.3 is downregulated, and the deposition of H3.3 and chromatin accessibility are dynamically changed. Blockade of H3.3 downregulation by enforced H3.3 expression impairs plasma cell differentiation in an H3.3-specific sequence-dependent manner. Mechanistically, enforced H3.3 expression inhibits the upregulation of plasma cell-associated genes such as Irf4, Prdm1, and Xbp1 and maintains the expression of B cell-associated genes, Pax5, Bach2, and Bcl6. Concomitantly, sustained H3.3 expression prevents the structure of chromatin accessibility characteristic for plasma cells. Our findings suggest that appropriate H3.3 expression and deposition control plasma cell differentiation.
Objectives: To present and execute a protocol for the capture of 3D facial images using photogrammetry through the open access software Blender and its add-on OrtogOnBlender (OOB) and to evaluate the compatibility of the 3D meshes generated with Computed tomography (CT) of the sinuses. Methods: Individuals >18 years old, candidates for Rhinoseptoplasty in a tertiary hospital, were submitted to a photographic session to perform the standardized protocol. In the session, divided into 3 phases, sequential photos were taken for processing the photogrammetry in the OOB and producing 3D meshes of the face. The photogrammetry reconstructions were compared with the reference mesh of the soft tissue surface of the Sinus CT scan to assess compatibility between them. Results: 21 patients were included, 67% female. 3 photogrammetry meshes and 1 CT reference mesh were generated, which demonstrated matching compatibility, as most of the mean distances between cloud points were <1.48 mm. Phase 3 of the session with the highest number of photos (54.36 ± 15.05) generated the most satisfactory mesh with the best resolution. Conclusions: The proposed protocol is reproducible and feasible in clinical practice, generated satisfactory 3D meshes of the face, being a potential tool for surgical planning and comparison of results. For the implementation of photogrammetry for use in 3D anthropometry, it is necessary to validate this method. Level of evidence: 3.OCEBM Levels of Evidence Working Group.11 OCEBM Table of Evidence Working Group = Jeremy Howick, Iain Chalmers (James Lind Library), Paul Glasziou, Trish Greenhalgh, Carl Heneghan, Alessandro Liberati, Ivan Moschetti, Bob Phillips, Hazel Thornton, Olive Goddard and Mary Hodgkinson. ''The Oxford 2011 Levels of Evidence''. Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. http://www.cebm.net/index.aspx?o=5653
Translational research is a process that focuses on advancing basic research-based clinical solutions and is characterized by a structured process accelerating the implementation of scientific discoveries in healthcare. Translational research originated in oncology but has spread to other disciplines in recent decades. A translational project may refer to pharmacological research, the development of non-pharmacological therapies, or to disease monitoring processes. Its stages are divided into basic research focused on the clinical problem (T0), testing the developed means in humans (T1), conducting trials with patients (T2), implementation and dissemination of successful approaches (T3), and improving community health (T4). Many audiological studies are translational in nature. Accordingly, this scoping review aimed to evaluate the use of the terms “translational audiology” and “translational research in audiology” in the literature and examine the goals of the identified studies. PubMed and Web of Science search identified only two publications meeting the search criteria. We conclude that identifying translational audiological studies in the literature may be hampered by the lack of use of the terms “translational audiology” or “translational research”. We suggest using these terms when describing translational work in audiology, with a view to facilitating the identification of this type of research and credit it appropriately.
<i>Objective:</i> The aim of this project was to develop the Arabic CAPT (A-CAPT), a Standard Arabic version of the CHEAR auditory perception test (CAPT) that assesses consonant perception ability in children. <i>Method:</i> This closed-set test was evaluated with normal-hearing children aged 5 to 11 years. Development and validation of the speech materials were accomplished in two experimental phases. Twenty-six children participated in phase I, where the test materials were piloted to ensure that the selected words were age appropriate and that the form of Arabic used was familiar to the children. Sixteen children participated in phase II where test–retest reliability, age effects, and critical differences were measured. A computerized implementation was used to present stimuli and collect responses. Children selected one of four response options displayed on a screen for each trial. <i>Results:</i> Two lists of 32 words were developed with two levels of difficulty, easy and hard. Assessment of test–retest reliability for the final version of the lists showed a strong agreement. A within-subject ANOVA showed no significant difference between test and retest sessions. Performance improved with increasing age. Critical difference values were similar to the British English version of the CAPT. <i>Conclusions:</i> The A-CAPT is an appropriate speech perception test for assessing Arabic-speaking children as young as 5 years old. This test can reliably assess consonant perception ability and monitor changes over time or after an intervention.
Cibele Aparecida da Silva Andrade, Marilia Rodrigues Freitas de Souza, Maria Cecília Martinelli Iorio
RESUMO Objetivo Comparar o Índice de Inteligibilidade de Fala e o Índice Percentual de Reconhecimento de Fala (IPRF) obtidos pré e pós-ajustes de acordo com valores prescritos, investigar correlações entre o Índice de Inteligibilidade de Fala pré e pós-ajustes e investigar correlações entre o IPRF pré e pós-ajustes em usuários de próteses auditivas intra-aurais. Métodos Participaram 20 adultos de 18 a 59 anos, com perda auditiva neurossensorial bilateral de graus moderado e severo. Foram comparados o Índice de Inteligibilidade de Fala e o IPRF obtidos com próteses auditivas, em dois momentos: com os ajustes até então utilizados (momento pré) e após a regulagem de acordo com os valores prescritos em verificação, com emprego do método NAL-NL1 (momento pós). Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva e de testes não paramétricos, com nível de significância de 0,05. Resultados Verificou-se correlação negativa entre o IPRF pré-ajuste e seu Delta pós-pré-ajuste, assim como entre o Índice de Inteligibilidade de Fala pré-ajuste e seu Delta pós-pré-ajuste. Houve correlação positiva entre o IPRF e o Índice de Inteligibilidade de Fala pós-ajuste. Conclusão Quanto menores o IPRF e o Índice de Inteligibilidade de Fala pré-ajuste, maiores suas diferenças, comparando os momentos pré e pós-regulagem. Quanto maior o acesso aos sons de fala, promovido pela regulagem ideal das próteses auditivas, maior o IPRF.
Background/Aims Clinical trials have not consistently supported the use of induction chemotherapy (IC) for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer. Hypopharynx and base of tongue (BOT) cancer has shown relatively poor survival. We investigated the role of IC in improving outcome over current chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with hypopharynx and BOT cancer. Methods Treatment-naïve patients with stage III/IV (M0) hypopharynx or BOT cancer were randomly assigned to receive CRT alone (CRT arm: cisplatin 100 mg/m2 on D1 3-weekly, two times plus radiotherapy 68.4 Gy/30 fractions on weekdays) versus two 21-day cycles of IC with TPF (docetaxel & cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on D1, and fluorouracil 75 mg/m2 on D1-4) followed by the same CRT regimen (IC arm). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Results This study closed early after enrollment of 36 patients (19 in the CRT arm, 17 in the IC arm). After a median follow-up of 47.2 months, there was no significant difference in PFS: the median PFS was 26.8 months for the CRT arm and was not reached for the IC arm (p = 0.13). However, the survival curves were widely separated with a plateau after 3 years, suggesting a potential survival benefit from IC: 3-year PFS rates were 45% and 68%, and 3-year overall survival rates were 56% and 86%, in the CRT and IC arms, respectively. Conclusions This study failed to demonstrate that induction TPF chemotherapy improves survival in patients with BOT and hypopharynx cancer. However, it suggested a favorable outcome with IC to this population.
Our health is highly determined by the diverse microbial community living within our body and upon our skin. Balance among the members of the commensal microbiota is essential for the preservation of health. New generation sequencing is a rapid, sensitive method for determining the whole microbiome without prior hypothesis and also gives information on the resistance and virulence status. Application of this method can help to identify the pathogens contributing to different diseases, and also the protective bacteria inhibiting their growth. Detecting the changes of the microbiome helps to identify new therapeutic targets and establish targeted antibiotic therapy. Broad-spectrum antibiotics also act against the beneficial members of the microbial flora, which may lead to the development of recurrent or chronic disease. Ear, nose and throat infections are the most common infective diseases in humans and the leading cause for antibiotic prescription worldwide. In recent years, many studies using molecular biology methods were performed examining the microbiome of healthy humans and in otorhinolaryngologic diseases. In the present work, the authors review the changes of the microbiological communities in the healthy state and in various pathologic states in the anatomic regions of the ear, nose and throat. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(39): 1533-1541.
SUMMARY The aim of this study is to compare the changes in impact factors and citation numbers of Open Access (OA) vs subscription-based (SB) journals between 1999 and 2016 and to explore the changing trends in ORL publishing. All data extracted from SCImago Journal and Country ranking (SJR) website have been used as input for statistical analysis. The chi-square test of independency was applied in order to understand whether the ratio of number of OA journals of ORL category have dramatically changed between years 1999 and 2016. Also, the years and impact factors of journals belonging to the OA and SB journals have been graphed separately and the changes of annual SJR ranks of both journal types have been compared using one-way Z-test. There was a significant difference as the proportion of OA Journals were not equal to the proportion of SB Journals throughout the years 1999 and 2016, and it showed the tendency to increase greater compared to SB Journals (p < 0.01). Although the overall level of impact factors of SB journals was generally high, by comparing two regression models, it was obvious that the level of increase of the impact factors of OA journals were significantly higher (p < 0.01). When choosing where to publish, it is important to consider the journal’s visibility, cost of publication, IF or SJR of the journal and speed of publication as well as changing trends in medical publishing nourished by the Web of Science.
Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a major health burden globally more so in low/middle-income countries like India. There is an increase in the prevalence of extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) because of HIV epidemics and increased usage of immunomodulating drugs. EPTB constitutes 15%–20% of all patients with TB and >50% of HIV-TB coinfected patients. We present three such atypical presentations of EPTB in head and neck region. EPTB can mimic any disease, hence knowledge of the unusual presentations helps in making early diagnosis and thereby reduces the morbidity and mortality involved with the disease.
Nasal polyps (NPs) are a multifactorial disorder associated with a chronic inflammatory state of the nasal mucosa. Fucoxanthin (Fx) is a characteristic orange carotenoid obtained from brown algae and has diverse immunological properties. The present study investigated whether Fx inhibits fibrosis-related effects in nasal polyp-derived fibroblasts (NPDFs) and elucidated the molecular signaling pathways involved. The production of collagen type I (Col-1) was investigated in NP tissue via immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. NPDFs were treated with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 (1 ng/mL) in the presence or absence of Fx (5–30 µM). The levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Col-1, and phosphorylated (p)-Smad 2/3, signal protein-1 (SP-1), MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases), and Akt were measured by western blot analysis. The expression of Col-1 was detected in NP tissues. TGF-β1 stimulated the production of α-SMA and Col-1, and stimulated the contraction of collagen gel. However, pretreatment with Fx attenuated these effects. Furthermore, these inhibitory effects were mediated through modulation of both Smad 2/3 and Akt/SP-1 signaling pathways in TGF-β1-induced NPDFs. The results from the present study suggest that Fx may be a novel anti-fibrotic agent for the treatment of NP formation.
Objectives The current study aims to determine the correlation between nutritional status upon presentation and disease severity, as well as treatment and survival outcomes. Methods Patients who were diagnosed with deep neck infection, underwent at least one surgical drainage/debridement, and had more than 1 week of hospitalization at a tertiary medical center from 2007 to 2015 were retrospectively included. Thereafter, initial serum albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and body mass index (BMI) were reviewed. Results A total of 135 patients were included in the final analysis. Accordingly, the proportion of patients with simultaneous mediastinitis (21.0%), necrotizing fasciitis (12.9%), disease extent >1 cervical level (72.6%), mean CRP (22.4 mg/dL), mean length of hospitalization (25.0 days), and mean 1-week follow-up CRP (7.2 mg/dL) was significantly higher in the hypoalbuminemia group (initial serum albumin <3.0 g/dL) than in the normoalbuminemia group (all P<0.05). No significant correlations had been observed according to BMI status. After adjusting for age and Charlson comorbidity index, odds ratios for the following outcomes were calculated in patients initially presenting with hypoalbuminemia: simultaneous mediastinitis (3.07), necrotizing fasciitis (7.89), disease extent >1 cervical level (2.12), initial serum CRP over 20 mg/dL (3.79), hospitalization of more than 14 days (4.10), 1-week follow-up CRP over 5 mg/dL (3.78), and increased duration for an over 50% decrease in initial CRP (2.70) (all P<0.05). Although intravascular albumin replenishment decreased the proportion of patients with hypoalbuminemia after 2 weeks (P<0.05), it did not significantly predict better treatment outcomes. Conclusion Among the markers reflecting an individual’s nutritional state, an initial serum albumin of less than 3.0 g/dL was an independent serologic marker predicting increased disease severity and complications in patients with deep neck infection.