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Background Air pollution is positively associated with some childhood cancers, whereas greenness is inversely associated with some adult cancers. The interplay between air pollution and greenness in childhood cancer etiology is unclear. We estimated the association between early-life air pollution and greenness exposure and childhood cancer in Texas (1995 to 2011). Methods We included 6101 cancer cases and 109 762 controls (aged 0 to 16 years). We linked residential birth address to census tract annual average fine particulate matter <2.5 µg/m³ (PM2.5) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between PM2.5/NDVI interquartile range increases and cancer. We assessed statistical interaction between PM2.5 and NDVI (likelihood ratio tests). Results Increasing residential early-life PM2.5 exposure was associated with all childhood cancers (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.06 to 1.15), lymphoid leukemias (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.07 to 1.23), Hodgkin lymphomas (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.58), non-Hodgkin lymphomas (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.51), ependymoma (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.60), and others. Increasing NDVI exposure was inversely associated with ependymoma (0- to 4-year-old OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.58 to 0.97) and medulloblastoma (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.62 to 0.91) but positively associated with malignant melanoma (OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.23 to 2.47) and Langerhans cell histiocytosis (OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.07 to 2.28). There was evidence of statistical interaction between NDVI and PM2.5 (P  < .04) for all cancers. Conclusion Increasing early-life exposure to PM2.5 increased the risk of childhood cancers. NDVI decreased the risk of 2 cancers yet increased the risk of others. These findings highlight the complexity between PM2.5 and NDVI in cancer etiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health and societal impacts of COVID-19 have created tremendous interest in the scientific community, resulting in interdisciplinary research teams that combine their expertise to provide new insights into the epidemic. However, spatial computation, exploratory data analysis, and spatial data exploration tools have yet to be integrated into these dashboards. We present a Spatial Online Analytical Platform that integrates spatial analysis tools that enable users to explore and learn more about spatial patterns of COVID-19. We present three interaction classes to support users needs. Our first class allows users to apply userdefined data classifications and custom map color choices. The second class applies a risk index across the time series, informing users of the recent temporal trends. The third class allows users to hypothesize about the presence of spatial clusters and receive results on demand. Our SOLAP platform supports the data analysis and exploration needs of big spatial-temporal data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community outreach and engagement has been a regular activity of the National Cancer Institute at its designated Cancer Centers. However, in 2016, community outreach and engagement became a required activity for all cancer centers. Yet there is a gap in the literature that provides guidelines for developing materials that resonate with communities. We developed the PEARL rubric to fulfill that gap from our work developing culturally sensitive breast cancer education materials for African American and Immigrant African women. We conducted a targeted literature review to understand the approaches that have been used for developing education materials for communities. We reviewed the literature and distilled key elements into our PEARL guide for creating culturally appropriate education materials. PEARL consists of five elements: Plain language and understandability, Explicit data, statistics, and graphs, Affirmative framing, Representative content, and Local connection. PEARL is a modern comprehensive guide that researchers can use for creating culturally sensitive materials. It is designed to guide researchers develop educational materials who have little to no experience in community engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-round Delphi study was conducted to explore priorities for addressing online risk to individuals. A corpus of literature was created based on 69 peer-reviewed articles about privacy risk and the privacy calculus published between 2014 and 2019. A cluster analysis of the resulting text-base using Pearson's correlation coefficient resulted in seven broad topics. After two rounds of the Delphi survey with experts in information security and information literacy, the following topics were identified as priorities for further investigation: personalisation versus privacy, responsibility for privacy on social networks, measuring privacy risk, and perceptions of powerlessness and the resulting apathy. The Delphi approach provided clear conclusions about research topics and has potential as a tool for prioritising future research areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite its advantages in improving access to information, metadata has the potential to cause harm, if used inappropriately. For instance, mass surveillance of phone calls can be used by intelligence agencies to target individuals. Language use can reinforce prejudices; poor language control undermines the efficiency of subject searches; and the opacity of discovery systems reduces the effectiveness of retrieval systems. There are also concerns about who owns the intellectual property associated with metadata creation. The talk concluded with a description of two proposed initiatives: by ISKO to investigate ways of improving metadata use in information discovery systems; and the recruitment for a fully-funded PhD studentship at Edinburgh Napier University to investigate the ethics of metadata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To estimate associations of residential mobility with body mass index (BMI), physical activity, and diet and whether associations differ across demographics. Longitudinal cohort with 4 waves of survey follow-up over 15 years. A total of 2,110 adolescents and young adults originally from the Twin Cities of Minnesota responded to at least 2 waves of follow-up, beginning at ages 15 to 23 years. Self-reported BMI, physical activity, fast food consumption, breakfast frequency, sugary drink consumption, fruit and vegetable consumption, and screen time. Each outcome was modeled as a continuous variable using hierarchical linear regression. Residential mobility—change in residential address—was the main effect of interest. Models adjusted for demographics, marriage during follow-up, and previous level of the outcome. Inverse propensity weights accounted for loss to follow up. No weight-related outcomes differed between movers and nonmovers in the whole sample. When examining effect modification by age, as participants aged, moving was increasingly associated with improvements in weight-related outcomes, particularly BMI. Results suggest that moving may be associated with poorer weight-related outcomes during a brief window from late teens and early-20s and less associated with weight-related outcomes in the mid-20s and 30s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case report demonstrates the possibility of sarcoma biopsy needle track seeding from FNA/Core Needle Biopsy during the workup of a pediatric head and neck mass. Though not currently widely practiced in head and neck tumors, surgeons may consider placing biopsy tracks in the area of planned resection for suspected head and neck malignancies as is more common in approaches to extremity sarcoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Big Geo Data promises tremendous benefits to the GIS Science community in particular and the broader scientific community in general, but has been primarily of use to the relatively small body of GIScientists who possess the specialized knowledge and methods necessary for working with this class of data. Much of the greater scientific community is not equipped with the expert knowledge and techniques necessary to fully take advantage of the promise of big spatial data. IPUMS-Terra provides integrated spatiotemporal data to these scholars by simplifying access to thousands of raster and vector datasets, integrating them and providing them in formats that are useable to a broad array of research disciplines. IPUMS-Terra exemplifies a new class of National Spatial Data Infrastructure because it connects a large spatial data repository to advanced computational resources, allowing users to access the needle of information they need from the haystack of big spatial data. The project is trailblazing in its commitment to the open sharing of spatial data and spatial tool development, including describing its architecture, process development workflows, and openly sharing its products for the general use of the scientific community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Big geospatial data is an emerging sub-area of geographic information science, big data, and cyberinfrastructure. Big geospatial data poses two unique challenges. First, raster and vector data structures and analyses have developed on largely separate paths for the last 20 years. This is creating an impediment to geospatial researchers seeking to utilize big data platforms that do not promote heterogeneous data types. Second, big spatial data repositories have yet to be integrated with big data computation platforms in ways that allow researchers to spatio-temporally analyze big geospatial datasets. IPUMS-Terra, a National Science Foundation cyberInfrastructure project, addresses these challenges by providing a unified framework of integrated geospatial services which access, analyze, and transform big heterogeneous spatio-temporal data. As IPUMS-Terra's data volume grows, we seek to integrate geospatial platforms that will scale geospatial analyses and address current bottlenecks within our system. However, our work shows that there are still unresolved challenges for big geospatial analysis. The most pertinent is that there is a lack of a unified framework for conducting scalable integrated vector and raster data analysis. We conducted a comparative analysis between PostgreSQL with PostGIS and SciDB and concluded that SciDB is the superior platform for scalable raster zonal analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fisheries observer data recorded between 2003 and 2015 on-board purse seine and longline vessels operating in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean reported more than 10 000 pollution incidents within the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of 25 Pacific countries and territories, and in international waters. A majority of the reported purse seine pollution incidents related to dumping of plastics waste. Other common pollution incidents related to oil spillages and to abandoned, lost or dumped fishing gear. Data analysis highlighted the need for increased monitoring, reporting, and enforcement of pollution violations by all types of fishing vessels operating in the Pacific region; a regional outreach and compliance assistance programme on marine pollution prevention and improvements in Pacific port waste reception facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is to identify the risks faced by users of online social networking services (SNSs) in the UK and to develop a typology of risk that can be used to assess regulatory effectiveness. Design/methodology/approach -- An initial investigation of the literature revealed no detailed taxonomies of risk in this area. Existing taxonomies were reviewed and merged with categories identified in a pilot survey and expanded in purposive sample survey directed at the library and information services (LIS) community in the UK. Findings -- Analysis of the relationships between different risk categories yielded a grouping of risks by their consequences. This aligns with one of the objectives of regulation, which is to mitigate risks. Research limitations/implications -- This research offers a tool for evaluation of different modes of regulation of social media. Practical implications -- Awareness of the risks associated with use of online SNSs and wider social media contributes to the work of LIS professionals in their roles as: educators; intermediaries; and users of social media. An understanding of risk also informs the work of policy makers and legislators responsible for regulating access to personal data. Originality/value -- A risk-based view of regulation of personal data on social media has not been attempted in such a comprehensive way before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We trapped freshwater turtles using hoop nets and 3 different bait types along a short section of Oyster Creek, Fort Bend County, TX. Using a model-selection approach, we tested the effectiveness of different baits on capture success, taking into consideration the length of time the bait was in the water, time of day, and the number of hours for the set (trap hours). We had significantly more success when we used dry dog food and dry cat food than traditional canned sardine bait. Bait age and time of day when traps were checked had no influence on capture success. Contrary to our expectations, the number of captures decreased throughout the study. Our results suggest that turtle researchers should consider using alternative bait types to maximize trap effort. However, there was a significant interaction between canned sardines and bait age for Trachemys scripta elegans (Red-eared Slider) captures, suggesting that canned sardines should be replaced often. In addition, more research is needed to test capture success when baits are older than one day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDAC) is emerging as a novel approach to treat a variety of diseases. Recently, broad acting inhibitors of HDAC have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects both in vitro and in vivo. It is significant that these anti-inflammatory effects are observed at 10-100 fold lower concentrations than their anti-cancer effects. The broad action of these compounds makes it difficult to determine which HDAC enzymes are important in inflammation. Although showing promise it is unlikely that these drugs will progress to the clinic for treating inflammatory diseases due to number of HDACs they affect and the widespread activity of the enzymes throughout the body. Accordingly, research is now progressing to targeting specific HDAC enzymes to improve efficacy of treatment as well as reduce the risk of any unwanted side effects. Understanding the role specific HDACs play in inflammatory disease will help us to identify novel anti-inflammatory treatments. This manuscript is designed to review our limited knowledge in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Previous studies have shown a higher incidence of alveolar bone loss in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and that patients with periodontitis are at a greater risk of developing RA. The aim of this study was to develop an animal model to assess the relationship between pre-existing periodontitis and experimental arthritis (EA). Methods: Periodontitis was first induced in mice by oral gavage with Porphyromonas gingivalis followed by EA using the collagen antibody-induced arthritis model. These animals were compared with animals with periodontitis alone, EA alone and no disease (controls). Visual changes in paw swelling were assessed to determine clinical development of EA. Alveolar bone and joint changes were assessed using micro-CT, histological analyses and immunohistochemistry. Serum levels of C-reactive protein were used to monitor systemic inflammation. Results: Mice with pre-existing periodontitis developed more severe arthritis, which developed at a faster rate. Mice with periodontitis only also showed evidence of loss of bone within the radiocarpal joint. There was also evidence of alveolar bone loss in mice with EA alone. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that pre-existing periodontitis exacerbated experimental arthritis in a mouse model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and multivariate statistical analyses were used to partition the United States into Human Influenced Water Environmental Classes (HIWECs) for the purpose of determining hydrologically similar units within the conterminous United States. Such a framework could be used to investigate various categories of watersheds throughout the country or to establish observatory sites in variant hydrologies. These HIWECs represent areas that are relatively homogeneous with respect to the human influence variables of land cover, population density, and water use; the climate variables of temperature and precipitation; and the physical variables of slope, bedrock permeability, and soil permeability. These variables combine to characterize hydrologic condition and collectively represent the major hydrologic variability that exists across the U.S. GIS was first used to break each of the variables into low to high ranges. Multivariate statistics were then used to identify and cluster areas that share similar characteristics in multivariate data space. HIWECS can serve as a framework for development of water research and management; observatory sites can be selected to capture variant hydrologies that incorporate the human influence element with the criteria that each type of human-influenced hydrologic condition, or class, be represented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design trades made in choosing an appropriate protocol for the conveyance of meter data are discussed. The paper identifies "context" as the mechanism by which communication efficiencies are sometimes obtained. This paper concludes that while generalized protocols are commonly used to communicate between utility back-office applications, specialized protocols can yield an optimum solution when reaching endpoints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The short story "Dear Daniel Davis or How I Came to Know Jesus Christ As My Personal Lord and Savior," by David Haynes.

The article demonstrates the effect of treatment with disease-modifying agents on the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and RANKL in the synovial tissue from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. It correlates these changes with radiologic damage measured on sequential radiographs of the hands and feet.

Utilizing the latest technology, improving our communication skills, celebrating diversity wherever we encounter it, and increasing our political activism are the keys to success for OT's next 100 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease in which destruction of bone in the joints causes major morbidity. Recent research has shed light on the cell and molecular mechanisms that lead to this osteolysis, all due directly or indirectly to the chronic inflammation. The aspects of this research covered in this review include the alteration of cell proliferation and survival that results in growth of the RA synovium. This process depends upon an increase in angiogenesis and local blood flow, which is also a feature of increased bone turnover. In addition, the inflammatory environment increases expression of chemokines, which are involved in the recruitment of monocytic osteoclast precursors. Chronic inflammation also promotes an overall catabolic state, with increased osteoclast differentiation and resorptive activity, driven by disregulation of receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and the synergistic activity of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1. Osteoclast survival is increased in this environment, but osteoblast differentiation and survival are decreased, with a consequent reduction in bone formation and a net loss of bone. Recognition of these processes and the factors involved will enable more effective and targeted treatments for RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focal bone erosion is a major pathological feature of several common inflammatory diseases. Over the past decade there have been major advances in our understanding of the factors that regulate osteoclast formation and activity. It is now apparent that receptor activator for NFκB (RANK), its ligand RANKL (also known as TRANCE, osteoclast differentiation factor and osteoprotegerin (OPG) ligand) and the RANKL inhibitor OPG, are the major factors regulating osteoclast formation. These molecules influence normal bone physiology and now there is growing evidence that RANK-RANKL interactions also regulate osteoclast formation in disease. This paper reviews recent findings showing expression of RANK, RANKL and OPG in inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, periodontal disease and peri-implant loosening. It is emerging that OPG and RANKL are key molecules regulating bone loss in disease and therapeutic intervention that targets these molecules may be helpful in treating a wide range of diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the surgical management of pediatric cochlear implant patient. Preoperative considerations; Contraindications; Complications.

When surgically treating chronic ear disease, the physician strives to accomplish several surgical objectives. Chief among them is to achieve a safe ear. This article discusses specific techniques that the surgeon can employ to reach these goals, whether he or she is performing tympanoplasty, atticotomy, intact canal wall mastoidectomy, or an open-cavity procedure. The author has found that the techniques discussed in this article are useful, and sometimes even essential, to achieving surgical objectives and maximizing outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the evaluation and treatment of the patient with vertigo. Types of vertigo; Causes of peripheral vertigo; Central vertigo; Physical examination; Diagnostic tests; Vestibular abnormalities; Meniere's disease.

Technologies around the world produce and interact with geospatial data instantaneously, from mobile web applications to satellite imagery that is collected and processed across the globe daily. Big raster data allow researchers to integrate and uncover new knowledge about geospatial patterns and processes. However, we are at a critical moment, as we have an ever-growing number of big data platforms that are being co-opted to support spatial analysis. A gap in the literature is the lack of a robust assessment comparing the efficiency of raster data analysis on big data platforms. This research begins to address this issue by establishing a raster data benchmark that employs freely accessible datasets to provide a comprehensive performance evaluation and comparison of raster operations on big data platforms. The benchmark is critical for evaluating the performance of spatial operations on big data platforms. The benchmarking datasets and operations are applied to three big data platforms. We report computing times and performance bottlenecks so that GIScientists can make informed choices regarding the performance of each platform. Each platform is evaluated for five raster operations: pixel count, reclassification, raster add, focal averaging, and zonal statistics using three raster different datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on topical antibiotics for the treatment of ear disease that can cause ototoxicity. Importance of topical therapy in the treatment of ear diseases; Incidence of topical aminoglycoside toxicity; Indicators of ototoxicity; Number of patients with true, unmitigated ototoxicity caused by commercially available aminoglycoside-containing drops applied topically to the ear.

Addresses the differences in the treatment for chronic suppurative otits media (CSOM). Debate over the definition of CSOM; Assessment on the use preoperative prophylactic antibiotics; Discussion on postoperative care.

Introduction The middle fossa craniotomy (MFCs) is commonly utilized for spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, encephaloceles, and superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD). This study compares postoperative outcomes of MFCs with and without LD use. Methods A retrospective cohort study of adults over the age of 18 years presenting for the repair of nonneoplastic CSF leak, encephalocele, or SSCD via MFC from 2009 to 2021 was conducted. The main exposure of interest was the placement of an LD. The primary outcome was the presence of postoperative complications (acute/delayed neurologic deficit, meningitis, intracranial hemorrhage, and stroke). Secondary outcomes included operating room (OR) time, length of stay, recurrence, and need for reoperation. Results In total, 172 patients were included, 96 of whom received an LD and 76 who did not. Patients not receiving an LD were more likely to receive intraoperative mannitol (n = 24, 31.6% vs. n = 16, 16.7%, p = 0.02). On univariate logistic regression, LD placement did not influence overall postoperative complications (OR: 0.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.05–2.02, p = 0.28), CSF leak recurrence (OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.25–2.29, p = 0.61), or need for reoperation (OR: 1.47, 95% CI: 0.48–4.96, p = 0.51). While OR time was shorter for patients not receiving LD (349 ± 71 vs. 372 ± 85 minutes), this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.07). Conclusion No difference in postoperative outcomes was observed in patients who had an intraoperative LD placed compared to those without LD. Operative times were increased in the LD cohort, but this difference was not statistically significant. Given the similar outcomes, we conclude that LD is not necessary to facilitate safe MCF for nonneoplastic skull base pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Evaluate potential effects of calcium channel blockers (CCB) and bisphosphonates (BP) on residual hearing following cochlear implantation. Methods: Medications of 303 adult hearing preservation (HP) candidates (low frequency pure tone average [LFPTA] of 125, 250, and 500 Hz ≤80 dB HL) were reviewed. Postimplantation LFPTA of patients taking CCBs and BPs were compared to controls matched by age and preimplantation LFPTA. Results: Twenty-six HP candidates were taking a CCB (N = 14) or bisphosphonate (N = 12) at implantation. Median follow-up was 1.37 years (range 0.22–4.64y). Among subjects with initial HP, 29% (N = 2 of 7) CCB users compared to 50% (N = 2 of 4) controls subsequently lost residual hearing 3–6 months later (OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.04–4.32, p = 0.58). None of the four BP patients with initial HP experienced delayed loss compared to 50% (N = 2 of 4) controls with initial HP (OR = 0.00, 95% CI = 0.00–1.95, P = 0.43). Two CCB and one BP patients improved to a LFPTA <80 dB HL following initial unaided thresholds that suggested loss of residual hearing. Discussion: There were no significant differences in the odds of delayed loss of residual hearing with CCBs or BPs. Conclusion: Further investigation into potential otoprotective adjuvants for maintaining residual hearing following initial successful hearing preservation is warranted, with larger cohorts and additional CCB/BP agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neighborhood deprivation indices are widely used in research, but the performance of these indices has rarely been directly compared in the same analysis. We examined the Area Deprivation Index, Neighborhood Deprivation Index, and Yost index, and compared their associations with breast cancer mortality. Indices were constructed for Georgia census block groups using 2011–2015 American Community Survey data. Pearson correlation coefficients and percent agreement were calculated. Associations between each index and breast cancer mortality were estimated among 36,795 women diagnosed with breast cancer using Cox proportional hazards regression. The indices were strongly correlated (absolute value of correlation coefficients > 0.77), exhibited moderate (41.4%) agreement, and were similarly associated with a 36% increase in breast cancer mortality. The similar associations with breast cancer mortality suggest the indices measure the same underlying construct, despite only moderate agreement. By understanding their correlations, agreement, and associations with health outcomes, researchers can choose the most appropriate index for analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physiological bone formation and bone regeneration occurring during bone repair can be considered distinct but similar processes. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and associated biologic factors are crucial to both bone formation and bone regeneration. Aim: To perform a narrative review of the current literature regarding the role of MSC and biologic factors in bone formation with the aim of discussing the clinical relevance of in vitro and in vivo animal studies. Methods: The literature was searched for studies on MSC and biologic factors associated with the formation of bone in the mandible and maxilla. The search specifically targeted studies on key aspects of how stem cells and biologic factors are important in bone formation and how this might be relevant to bone regeneration. The results are summarized in a narrative review format. Results: Different types of MSC and many biologic factors are associated with bone formation in the maxilla and mandible. Conclusion: Bone formation and regeneration involve very complex and highly regulated cellular and molecular processes. By studying these processes, new clinical opportunities will arise for therapeutic bone regenerative treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the use of topical aminoglycosides in chronic ear disease. Definition of chronic suppurative otitis media; Combined market share of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin, aminoglycoside-containing eardrops; Effect of medicolegal concerns on medicine prescription.

To investigate whether revision surgery with the same device results in a change in three key indicators of electrode positioning: scalar location, mean modiolar distance ( M ¯ ), and angular insertion depth (AID). Retrospective analysis of a cochlear implant database at a university-based tertiary medical center. Intra-operative CT scans were obtained after initial and revision implantation. Electrode array (EA) position was calculated using auto-segmentation techniques. Initial and revision scalar location, M ¯ , and AID were compared. Mean change in M ¯ for all ears was −0.07 mm (SD 0.24 mm; P = 0.16). The mean change in AID for all ears was −5° (SD 67°; P = 0.72). Three initial implantations with pre-curved EAs resulted in a translocation from Scala Tympani (ST) to Scala Vestibuli (SV). Two remained translocated after revision, while one was corrected when revised with a straight EA. An additional five translocations occurred after revision. In this study examining revision cochlear implantation from a single manufacturer, we demonstrated no significant change in key indicators of EA positioning, even when revising with a different style of electrode. However, the revision EA is not necessarily confined by the initial trajectory and there may be an increased risk of translocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The aim of this short study was to test the combinations of RNA extracts (both the connective tissue extracts-cartilage and synovia along with yeast extract) found in natural ribonucleotide extract Osteochondrin S (OST) on human osteoclast formation and activity in vitro. Methods: In vitro human osteoclasts were treated with the RNA extracts (cartilage, synovia and yeast) at concentrations equivalent to those in OST starting from day 7 of the culture. A tartrate resistant acid phosphatase stain (TRAP) was used to indicate osteoclast formation and activity assessed by determining area of dentine resorption. Results: The combination of all components as is found in OST suppressed both osteoclast formation and activity. The yeast extract suppressed osteoclast activity at similar levels to that observed with all components combined. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that yeast RNA extracts found in OST may be the key component responsible for suppression of osteoclast activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When in-person experiences were taken away from medical students and residency applicants during the COVID-19 pandemic, institutions had to pivot to virtual experiences. We present here a comprehensive overview of virtual engagement for medical students. As we increasingly embrace virtual opportunities, it may be possible to continue utilizing these programs for many years to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the benefits of using aminoglycoside eardrops for treating chronic ear disease. Side effect of the drug; Alternative medicine for the treatment of chronic ear disease.

The sensation of vertigo is a complex symptom that many patients find difficult to describe to their physician. Indeed, many physicians find evaluating and treating patients with the vertigo a difficult task. This chapter will attempt to outline the work up, evaluation and treatment of a patient with the complaint of vertigo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the impact of otolaryngology programs' social media on residency candidates in the 2020 to 2021 application cycle. Methods: An anonymous survey was distributed via Otomatch, Headmirror, and word of mouth to otolaryngology residency applicants in the 2021 Match. Survey items included demographics, social media usage, and impact of programs' social media on applicant perception and ranking. Descriptive statistics were performed, and responses based on demographic variables were compared using Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: Of 64 included respondents, nearly all (61/64, 95%) used Facebook, Instagram, and/or Twitter for personal and/or professional purposes. Applicants (59/64, 92%) most commonly researched otolaryngology residency programs on Instagram (55/59, 93%) and Twitter (36/59, 61%), with younger (P = .023) and female (P = .043) applicants being more likely to engage with programs on Instagram. Program accounts were most helpful in showcasing program culture (50/59, 85%) and highlighting its location (34/59, 58%). Nearly one third (19/59, 32%) reported that social media impacted their rank list. Age, gender, reapplication, home program status, or time taken off before and/or during medical school did not significantly influence social media's usefulness in the application cycle. Conclusion: Social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter are frequently used by applicants to assess otolaryngology residency programs. Programs' social media accounts effectively demonstrate program culture and affect applicants' rank lists. As social media usage continues to rise in the medical community, these findings can help otolaryngology residency programs craft a beneficial online presence that aids in recruitment, networking, and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  This study was aimed to evaluate the impact of a multidisciplinary perioperative pathway on length of stay (LOS) and postoperative outcomes after vestibular schwannoma surgery. Setting  This study was conducted in a tertiary skull base center. Main Outcome Measures  The impact of the pathway on intensive care unit (ICU) LOS was evaluated as the primary outcome measure of the study. Overall resource LOS, postoperative complications, and readmission rates were also evaluated as secondary outcome measures. Methods  Present study is a retrospective review. Results  A universally adopted perioperative pathway was developed to include standardization of preoperative education and expectations, intraoperative anesthetic delivery, postoperative nursing education, postoperative rehabilitation, and utilization of stepdown and surgical floor units after ICU stay. Outcomes were measured for 95 consecutive adult patients who underwent surgical resection for vestibular schwannoma (40 cases before implementation of the perioperative pathway and 55 cases after implementation). There were no significant differences in the two groups with regard to tumor size, operative time, or medical comorbidities. The mean ICU LOS decreased from 2.1 in the preimplementation group to 1.6 days in the postimplementation group (p  = 0.02). There were no significant differences in overall resource LOS postoperative complications or readmission rates between groups. Conclusion  Multidisciplinary, perioperative neurotologic pathways can be effective in lowering ICU LOS in patients undergoing vestibular schwannoma surgery without compromising quality of care. Further research is needed to continue to sustain and continuously improve these and other measures, while continuing to provide high-quality care to this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spallation targets for neutron production with high energy protons are made of high density and high atomic number materials in order to maximise the yield of neutrons for all the instruments around. Operating a proton beam onto a spallation target produces residual radioactive nuclei either as direct product of the spallation process and as secondary low energy neutron absorption. A reliable estimation of the overall activation and decay heat, as a function of the cooling time and irradiation profile history, is fundamental for a valuable design of the radiation shielding and cooling system during the operation phase as well for envisaging the optimal storage solution at the end of life of the target. This work presents the comparison between the FLUKA predictions of the decay heat in the ISIS TS1 target operated between 2014 and 2019 and the decay heat estimations derived from the measurement of the temperature in each plate at different cooling times. The agreement between the FLUKA predictions and the experimentally assessed values shows and quantifies the goodness of the FLUKA model in predicting measurable physical quantities relevant for the engineering thermal design of the target/reflector and moderator (TRAM) assembly. In addition, it also provides an indirect evidence of the accuracy of the simulated spallation physics and neutron transport throughout the TRAM assembly. Finally this work attempts to highlight and propose a general empirical procedure that could be eventually applied and used to proficiently measure the decay heat at whatever cooling time in targets with similar ISIS design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare outcomes of endoscope-assisted middle cranial fossa MCF) repair of superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) compared to microscopic MCF repair. Study design: Retrospective cohort. Setting: Tertiary medical center neurotology practice. Methods: Retrospective chart review and cohort study of patients who underwent surgical repair of SSCD via MCF approach from 2010 to 2019 at our institution. Patients were categorized according to use of endoscope intraoperatively. Pre- and post-operative symptom number was calculated from 8 patient-reported symptoms. Pre- and post-operative changes in symptom number were assessed using paired t -tests. Single-predictor binary logistic regression was used to compare final reported symptoms between cohorts. Linear regression was performed to assess air-bone gap (ABG) changes postoperatively between cohorts. Results: Forty-six patients received surgical management for SSCD. Of these, 27 (59%) were male and 19 (41%) were female. Bilateral SSCD was present in 14 cases (29%), of which 3 underwent surgical management bilaterally, for a total of 49 surgical ears. Surgery was performed on the right ear in 19 cases (39%) and on the left in 30 cases (61%). Forty ears (82%) underwent microscopic repair while 9 (18%) underwent endoscope-assisted repair. Microscopic and endoscope-assisted MCF repair both demonstrated significantly improved symptom number postoperatively (P <.001 for each). There was no significant difference in change in ABG between the 2 cohorts. On average, patient-reported symptoms and audiometrically-tested hearing improved postoperatively in both groups. Conclusion: While endoscopic-assisted MCF repair has the potential to provide better visualization of medial and downslope defects, repair via this technique yields similar results and is equivalent to MCF repair utilizing the microscope alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periprosthetic osteolysis is a serious complication of total hip replacement (THR) in the medium to long term. Although often asymptomatic, osteolysis can lead to prosthesis loosening and periprosthetic fracture. These complications cause significant morbidity and require complex revision surgery. Here, we review advances in our understanding of the cell and tissue response to particles produced by wear of the articular and non-articular surfaces of prostheses. We discuss the molecular and cellular regulators of osteoclast formation and bone resorptive activity, a better understanding of which may lead to pharmacological treatments for periprosthetic osteolysis. We describe the development of imaging techniques for the detection and measurement of osteolysis around THR prostheses, which enable improved clinical management of patients, provide a means of evaluating outcomes of non-surgical treatments for periprosthetic osteolysis, and assist in pre-operative planning for revision surgery. Finally, there have been advances in the materials used for bearing surfaces to minimise wear, and we review the literature regarding the performance of these new materials to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Osteochondrin S, a natural product derived from connective tissues and yeast, is used to treat osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Osteochondrin S on human osteoclast activity in vitro. Methods Osteoclasts were derived from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with macrophage colony-stimulating factor and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK) ligand. Cells were treated with 23.5-587.2 ng/ml Osteochondrin S or 0.2-5 mg/ml of RNA components (synovia, placenta, intervertebral disc or cartilage). The effects on osteoclast formation and resorptive activity were assessed. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was conducted to assess the expression of key osteoclast genes. Key findings Osteochondrin S and the individual RNA extracts resulted in a concentration-dependent inhibition of human osteoclast activity. Osteochondrin S did not affect RANK, nuclear factor of activated T cells ( NFATc1), osteoclast-associated receptor or cathepsin K expression. However, there was a significant ( P < 0.05) reduction in mRNA expression of calcitonin receptor. Osteochondrin S treatment also significantly increased the expression of osteoclast inhibitory factor interferon-β and, interestingly, increased the expression of tumour necrosis-α-like weak inducer of apoptosis ( TWEAK). Conclusions Osteochondrin S inhibited the resorptive ability of osteoclasts. These actions are likely to occur at a late stage during osteoclast formation, downstream of NFATc1. Overall, the findings show that Osteochondrin S inhibition of osteoclast activity may be responsible for its beneficial effects on diseases such as osteoarthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]