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BACKGROUND Hearing loss is highly prevalent among older adults with cognitive impairment and may exacerbate neuropsychiatric symptoms and affect interactions with others. Although audiometry is the gold standard for measuring hearing, it is not always used in research or clinical settings focused on the care of individuals with cognitive impairment. Subjective assessments of hearing, both self- and proxy-rated, are widespread but may not adequately capture the presence of hearing loss as compared to audiometry. This study investigates the concordance between subjective and objective hearing assessments among older adults with and without cognitive impairment and evaluates factors associated with concordance. METHODS Participants were a subset of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Neurocognitive Study (ARIC-NCS), a prospective cohort study representing four US communities with adjudicated cognitive diagnoses and audiometric data, totaling 3326 self-rated and 520 proxy-rated hearing assessments. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated, and multivariable logistic regression estimated the magnitude of the association between the concordance of hearing assessments and variables of interest. RESULTS Sensitivity and specificity for self-rated hearing status were 71.2% and 85.9% among cognitively normal older adults, 61.1% and 84.9% among persons with MCI, and 52.6% and 81.2% among persons with dementia, respectively. For proxy-rated hearing, sensitivity and specificity were 65.7% and 83.3% for persons with MCI and 73.3% and 60.3% for persons with dementia, respectively. Female sex was positively associated with concordance for self-rated hearing assessments. CONCLUSIONS The low sensitivity of self- and proxy-rated hearing assessments compared to audiometry suggests that hearing loss among older adults with cognitive impairment may go underreported and unaddressed in subjective assessments. Clinicians and researchers should recognize the limitations of using self- and proxy-rated hearing assessments as measures of hearing status and incorporate objective audiometric evaluation whenever possible.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in persons with dementia (PWD) are common and can lead to poor outcomes, such as institutionalization and mortality, and may be exacerbated by sensory loss. Hearing loss is also highly prevalent among older adults, including PWD. Objective This study investigated the association between hearing loss and NPS among community- dwelling patients from a tertiary memory care center. Design, Setting, and Participants Participants of this cross-sectional study were patients followed at the Johns Hopkins Memory and Alzheimer's Treatment Center who underwent audiometric testing during routine clinical practice between October 2014 and January 2017. Outcome Measurements Included measures were scores on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory–Questionnaire and the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia. Results Participants (n = 101) were on average 76 years old, mostly female and white, and had a mean Mini-Mental State Examination score of 23. We observed a positive association between audiometric hearing loss and the number of NPS (b = 0.7 per 10 dB; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.2, 1.1; t = 2.86; p = 0.01; df = 85), NPS severity (b = 1.3 per 10 dB; 95% CI: 0.4, 2.5; t = 2.13; p = 0.04; df = 80), and depressive symptom severity (b = 1.5 per 10 dB; 95% CI: 0.4, 2.5; t = 2.83; p = 0.01; df = 89) after adjustment for demographic and clinical characteristics. Additionally, the use of hearing aids was inversely associated with the number of NPS (b = −2.09; 95% CI −3.44, −0.75; t = −3.10; p = 0.003; df = 85), NPS severity (b = −3.82; 95% CI −7.19, −0.45; t = −2.26; p = 0.03; df = 80), and depressive symptom severity (b = −2.94; 95% CI: −5.93, 0.06; t = 1.70; p = 0.05; df = 89). Conclusion Among patients at a memory clinic, increasing severity of hearing loss was associated with a greater number of NPS, more severe NPS, and more severe depressive symptoms, while hearing aid use was associated with fewer NPS, lower severity, and less severe depressive symptoms. Identifying and addressing hearing loss may be a promising, low-risk, non-pharmacological intervention in preventing and treating NPS.

Background Intranasal ketorolac has been proposed as a diagnostic test for aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) and a faster, safer, and reliable addition to facilitating aspirin (ASA) desensitization. Objective We conducted the first prospective study to dissect the impact of intranasal ketorolac incorporation during ASA desensitization vs standard oral protocols in concert with evaluating its diagnostic use for AERD. Methods Patients with AERD were enrolled in a prospective open-label observational study between November 2006 and August 2013. Participants selected either one of the following desensitization protocols: intranasal ketorolac 1 day before oral ASA (group 1, combined) or ketorolac challenge with greater than 2 weeks elapsing until oral ASA (group 2, washout). All patients were on a leukotriene-modifying drug (montelukast) for at least 1 week before the challenge. Results A total of 20 patients were enrolled: 13 in group 1 and 7 in group 2. No significant differences were seen for baseline symptom scores or forced expiratory volume in 1 second. Group 1 exhibited significant increases for the threshold dose of ASA (P = .009), the likelihood of having silent ASA desensitization (P = .01), and decreased reaction severity to oral ASA (P = .04). There were no significant differences in reaction forced expiratory volume in 1 second, the incidence of extrapulmonary symptoms, limited nasoocular reactions, rescue treatment requirements, or time to symptom resolution. There was 100% concordance between reactions to intranasal ketorolac and oral ASA for group 2, supporting its use as a diagnostic test for AERD. Conclusion Intranasal ketorolac is a useful diagnostic test and adjunct within the combined ketorolac/ASA protocol to achieve effective, efficient, and perhaps safer desensitization to ASA for patients with AERD.

Tympanic membrane (TM) perforations can occur at any age, but limited population-level data are available. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we performed a cross-sectional analysis of the prevalence and population estimates for TM perforations among individuals ≥12 years old in the United States. Overall, TM perforations have a prevalence of 2.1% (95% CI, 1.7%-2.6%), corresponding to 5.8 million Americans. Across the life course, older adults have the highest prevalence of TM perforations at 6.1% (95% CI, 4.7%-7.6%), corresponding to nearly 3 million Americans, as opposed to a prevalence of 0.6% (95% CI, 0.3%-0.9%) in adolescents, which equates to 0.2 million Americans. Males and females have a similar prevalence at 2.3% (95% CI, 1.6%-3.0%) among males and 2.0% (95% CI, 1.4%-2.6%) among females. These prevalence and population estimates provide the first US-based population estimates of the burden of TM perforations over the life course.

Persistent inflammation is the key aggravator in many cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, aneurysm, injury/reperfusion, thrombosis, and neointimal hyperplasia following surgical or percutaneous interventions. Resolution is an active process orchestrated by specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs) which tamp down acute inflammatory signals, promote healing and facilitate a return to homeostasis. SPMs are endogenously derived from poly-unsaturated fatty acids, and their biologic activity is mediated via specific G-protein coupled receptor binding. The potency of SPM in regulating the inflammatory response has encouraged investigation into their therapeutic and diagnostic use in cardiovascular pathologies. Herein we describe the translational groundwork which has established the synthesis and interactions of SPM in cardiovascular and hematologic cells, the therapeutic effects of SPM in animal models of cardiovascular disease, and some early technologies that harness and attempt to optimize SPM delivery and "resolution pharmacology". Further studies are required to precisely determine the mechanisms of resolution in the cardiovascular system and to determine the clinical settings in which SPM can be utilized to optimize patient outcomes.

Introduction The impact of COVID-19 on surgical education has been profound, and clinical learning experiences transitioned to virtual formats. This study investigated the impact of virtual experiences created to facilitate learning during the pandemic for medical students. Methods We performed a cohort study to determine the perceived clinical preparedness for medical students enrolled in the preclinical surgery pilot course, surgical Extended Mastery Learning Rotation (EMLR), and longitudinal surgical clerkship (LC). The preclinical surgery pilot course took place before COVID-19 disruptions, and the EMLR and LC experiences took place virtually. Specialty choice was examined in the EMLR and LC cohorts. Performance on the NBME surgical assessments was analyzed among students enrolled in the traditional clerkship and pandemic-disrupted courses and compared to national data using a two-sample t-test. Results Compared to preclinical students, EMLR and LC students demonstrated improvements in their perceived surgical clerkship readiness. After the 3-week EMLR course, in the setting of completing only one-third of the clerkship year, students had an average NBME Surgical Self-Assessment Exam score of 72 (SD 12), comparable to the national average of 71 (SD 9) p = 0.33. The average shelf exam score for students (N = 24) enrolled in the traditional clerkship (block 1), prior to COVID-19, disruptions was 66 (SD 9) compared to an average score of 69 (SD 9) for the longitudinal clerkship students (N = 20) that took the shelf exam later in the year (p = 0.36). COVID-19 disruptions did not affect specialty choice. All LC students have decided on a specialty; 50% nonsurgical and 50% surgical. From the EMLR cohort, 36% and 38% plan to pursue surgical and nonsurgical specialties, respectively, with 26% still undecided. Conclusions Courses were well-liked and will be implemented in future clerkships. Surgical educators demonstrated flexibility and creativity in the development of the EMLR. Despite COVID-19 disruptions, medical students made progress in their clinical skills and foundational science knowledge. COVID-19 disruptions did not appear to impact specialty choice.

IntroductionThis study describes perceived knowledge gaps of third-year medical students after participating in a virtual surgical didactic rotation (EMLR) and shortened in-person surgery rotation during the COVID-19 Pandemic.MethodsOpen-ended and Likert questions were administered at the end of the virtual rotation and inperson-surgical rotation to medical students. Three blinded coders identified themes by semantic analysis.Results82 students (51% of all MS3s) participated in the EMLR. Semantic analysis revealed gaps in perioperative management (Post-EMLR:18.4%, Post-Inpatient:26.5%), anatomy (Post-EMLR:8.2%, PostInpatient:26.5%). and surgical skills (Post-EMLR: 43.0%, Post-Inpatient: 44.1%). Students also described gaps related to OR etiquette (Post-EMLR: 12.2%, Post-Inpatient: 8.8%) and team dynamics/the hidden curriculum (Post- Inpatient:26.6%). There was a significant improvement in perceived confidence to perform inpatient tasks after completing the inpatient clinical experience (p≤0.01).ConclusionVirtual interactive didactics for cognitive skills development cannot replace a full clinical surgical experience for third-year medical students. Future curricula should address perceived gaps.

Background Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a multifactorial disease with a high co-occurrence with asthma. In this multicohort study, we tested whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with childhood asthma and rhinovirus (RV)-associated disease are related to an increased susceptibility to adult CRS in a multicohort retrospective case-control study. Methods Participants at two tertiary academic rhinology centers, University of Arizona (UofA) and University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) were recruited. Cases were defined as those with physician diagnosed CRS (UofA, n = 149; UPenn, n = 250), and healthy controls were those without CRS (UofA, n = 66; UPenn, n = 275). Genomic DNA was screened for the GSDMB rs7216389 SNP and CDHR3 rs6967330 SNP. Gene dosage, or the number of combined risk alleles in a single subject was calculated. Meta-analysis of the association between GSDMB or CDHR3 genotypes and CRS was performed and additive gene dosage effect for each population calculated using p for trend. Results A meta-analysis revealed a combined increased risk for CRS in subjects with the GSDMB rs7216389 SNP (odds ratio [OR] 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-1.76; p = 0.004). Both the UofA (OR 1.73; 95% CI, 1.23-2.43; p = 0.002) and UPenn (OR 1.27; 95% CI, 1.02-1.58; p = 0.035) populations showed a significant positive association between the number of combined risk alleles of GSDMB rs7216389 SNP and CDHR3 rs6967330 SNP and risk for CRS. Conclusion Carriers of the GSDMB rs7216389 SNP and CDHR3 rs6967330 SNP are at increased susceptibility for CRS. These data suggest that therapeutic approaches to target aberrant responses to RV infection may play a role in the treatment of unified airway disease.

BACKGROUND: As transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach grows in popularity, there is a need for data on cost in order to better characterize its value to patients. To this end, we compared the variable direct cost of transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach and transcervical approach thyroidectomy and determined which factors drive the increased cost for the transoral approach. METHODS: Patients undergoing thyroid lobectomy and total thyroidectomy that met inclusion criteria for transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach, including those patients that opted for management via the transcervical approach, between 8/2016 and 4/2019 were reviewed. The variable direct cost for the surgical encounter was collected and means were compared between the transoral and transcervical cohorts for lobectomy and total thyroidectomy respectively. The operative time independent variable direct cost was similarly compared between cohorts. RESULTS: Out of 238 patients, 118 (50%) were managed via transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach and 120 (50%) were managed via transcervical approach thyroidectomy. Mean variable direct cost, our primary outcome, was $4,455 (SD 1,129, 95% CI: 4,204–4,706) for transoral lobectomy and $3,179 (SD 687, 95% CI: 2,990–3,369) for transcervical lobectomy [t(132.05)=8.09, P

Highlights • The COVID-19 pandemic has suspended the surgery clinical clerkship for third-year medical students at numerous institutions across the world. • In response to the pandemic, surgical educators at the University of California, San Francisco rapidly developed a virtual surgically focused curriculum to keep students connected and solidify their foundational science knowledge before their return to clinical medicine., Problem The COVID-19 pandemic has suspended the surgery clinical clerkship for third-year medical students at numerous institutions across the world. As a result, educators and students have adapted rapidly. There is a paucity of precedents regarding urgent and brusque formal curricular changes for medical students enrolled in surgical clinical rotations. Approach The University of California, San Francisco Department of Surgery created a surgically focused extended mastery learning rotation (EMLR). The surgery clerkship leadership designed a curriculum consisting of multiple learning strategies compatible with virtual learning environments. The primary aims of the newly developed EMLR were to help students consolidate their foundational science knowledge before their return to clinical medicine in an altered learning environment. The EMLR is currently underway, and further studies are necessary to evaluate its effectiveness.

Purpose To investigate long-term outcomes of a modified bleb needling technique performed in the operating room in controlling intraocular pressure (IOP) and to report risk factors for procedure failure. Design Retrospective, observational cohort study. Participants One hundred six eyes of 98 consecutive patients undergoing intraoperative bleb needling with a continuous infusion of balanced salt solution at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, in the setting of a failed trabeculectomy or express shunt, between May 2011 and December 2015. Methods Postoperative data were collected between May 2011 and August 2019. Success was defined as achieving a previously determined target IOP regardless of (qualified success) or without (complete success) glaucoma medications. Patients who underwent additional glaucoma surgery were censored in the survival analysis. Main Outcome Measures Primary outcome measures included IOP, attainment of target IOP, and number of glaucoma medications used at different time points pre- and post-operatively. Results Needling was performed in 106 eyes at an average of 4.3 years from the time of trabeculectomy (standard deviation [SD], 6.5 years) and an average baseline IOP of 20.7 mmHg (SD, 7.2 mmHg). Further glaucoma surgery was required for 33 eyes. We observed a 70% qualified success rate with a mean IOP lowering of 25% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.8%–36.4%) at 1 year after surgery and a 52% qualified success rate and 44.3% reduction in IOP (95% CI, 34.9%–53.6%) at 5 years after surgery. Nearly half and a third of the eyes did not require medications after 1 and 5 years, respectively. The average medication reduction was 0.8 at year 1 (95% CI, 0.5–1.1) and 0.4 at year 5 (95% CI, –0.2 to 1.0). Postoperative complications were uncommon. Poorer outcomes were not associated with the age of the bleb but were more likely in Black patients. Conclusions Reductions in IOP were maintained in most patients over the long term using a modified bleb needling technique, despite an average time from trabeculectomy of over 4 years. No significant adverse events were observed. Bleb needling may defer or avoid more invasive procedures such as tube-shunts or repeat trabeculectomy.

Background The optimal maxillary antrostomy size to surgically treat sinusitis is not well known. In this study, we examined clinical metrics of disease severity and symptom scores, measured secreted inflammatory markers, and characterized the sinus microbiome to determine if there were significant differences in outcome between different maxillary ostial sizes. Methods Prospective randomized, single-blinded clinical trial enrolling 12 individuals diagnosed with recurrent acute or chronic rhinosinusitis. Each patient was blinded and randomized to receive minimal maxillary ostial dilation via balloon sinuplasty on 1 side vs a mega-antrostomy on the contralateral side. Data collected included symptom scores (20-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test [SNOT-20]), endoscopy, and radiologic Lund-Mackay scores. During surgery and at their postoperative visit swabs were obtained from each maxillary sinus, and 16S DNA and inflammatory cytokine levels analyzed. The use of each patient as their own control allowed us to minimize confounding variables. Results There was statistically significant improvement in SNOT-20 symptom scores postoperatively in all patients. There were no significant differences between maxillary ostial size in postoperative endoscopy scores, cytokine profile, or bacterial burden. There were statistically significant differences in relative postoperative abundance of Staphylococcus, Lactococcus, and Cyanobacteria between the mega-antrostomy and mini-antrostomy. Conclusions The method used in surgical maxillary antrostomies had no effect on endoscopy scores or cytokine profiles. Microbiome analysis determined significant differences between the different antrostomy sizes in postoperative Staphylococcus, Lactococcus, and Cyanobacteria abundance. The clinical significance of these changes in the sinus microbiome are not known but may be a result of increased access to postoperative sinonasal irrigations.

BACKGROUND Clear patient-physician communication is critical in improving patient compliance, outcomes, and satisfaction. However, constraints of shortened clinic visits, patient anxiety, and poor recall can cause significant barriers to effective communication. We hypothesized that the ability to view patient-physician counseling videos at home would improve health outcomes. METHODS Patients in a tertiary rhinology clinic were enrolled into a single-blinded prospective study after obtaining institutional review board (IRB) approval and informed consent. All enrollees had a short summary of their clinical encounter video-recorded with a tablet using Medical Memory, a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant software system. Patients were randomized to receive access to their videos by our research coordinator, and outcomes included questionnaires at the first postoperative visit to assess patient recall and satisfaction. RESULTS A total of 101 patients were enrolled. Half of those with video access watched the video at least once, on average 3.44 times. Of those without access, 90% would have liked the option. Those with video access had a higher percentage of correct answers to questions regarding surgical risk and extent of surgery; however, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION Our results show that patients in both groups were enthusiastic about this technology and often shared their videos with family and friends. Video-recordings of physician-patient encounters may be a possible solution to improve physician-patient communication.

A 34-year-old woman with severe persistent asthma, atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis presents for evaluation of asthma refractory to conventional therapy. The patient has a history of asthma commencing in early childhood, with progression to uncontrolled disease in the last two years. Allergen skin prick testing in childhood was positive to dust mites, cat and dog dander, as well as multiple pollens. Her principle triggers are inhaled allergens, especially animal dander, as well as irritants including tobacco smoke. Despite compliance with maximal dose inhaled corticosteroid/long acting beta agonist (ICS/LABA), leukotriene receptor antagonist, nasal corticosteroid and avoidance measures, she continues to experience nightly wheezing and chest tightness that requires daily beta-agonist inhalations. Furthermore, in the last year she has been hospitalized twice for asthma exacerbations following viral infections and has received five courses of oral corticosteroids. Her Asthma Control Test (ACT) score at initial consultation is 7. Physical exam is notable for bilateral expiratory wheezes in the lower lung fields. Total IgE level is 650 IU/mL and previous allergen sensitivities are confirmed. Lung function testing reveals a baseline FEV1 of 50% of predicted by age, improving to 66% post-bronchodilator administration (460cc increase). Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide levels (FeNO) is 125 and her peripheral eosinophils are elevated at 1350 cells per microliter. Additionally, the patient’s inhaler technique is assessed and she demonstrates excellent technique with both controller and rescue devices. Further questioning addresses any gaps in her asthma management. The patient has excellent medication compliance corroborated by her significant other, has installed dust-mite covers, and denies first or second-hand smoking or furry animal ownership or exposure. A recently performed pregnancy test is negative, and she denies a history chronic sinus disease including nasal polyposis, aspirin/NSAID sensitivity, occupational exposures or gastroesophogeal reflux disease. There are no socioeconomic or psychological stressors identified as possible contributors to her uncontrolled asthma and no clinical evidence to support paradoxical vocal fold motion. Evaluations for Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA) and Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) are negative. What therapeutic strategies (present and future) can be utilized to optimize her severe uncontrolled asthma?

This cross-sectional cohort study uses census data to approximate population estimates of obstructive eustachian tube dysfunction among US adolescents.

Background Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is characterized by tissue eosinophilia and mast cell activation, including abundant production of prostaglandin D 2 (PGD 2 ). Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s), which promote tissue eosinophilia and mast cell responses, undergo chemotaxis and cytokine production in response to PGD 2 , but it is unknown whether ILC2s are active in patients with AERD. Objective We sought to determine whether ILC2 numbers change in peripheral blood and the nasal mucosa during COX-1 inhibitor–induced reactions in patients with AERD. Methods Blood and nasal scrapings were collected at baseline, during reactions, and after completion of ketorolac/aspirin challenge/desensitization in 12 patients with AERD. ILC2s and eosinophils were quantitated by means of flow cytometry. Urine was also collected, and quantification of PGD 2 metabolite and leukotriene E 4 levels was done by using ELISA. Baseline and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug reaction clinical data were correlated with cell changes. Results ILC2 numbers significantly increased in nasal mucosal samples and decreased in blood at the time of COX-1 inhibitor reactions in 12 patients with AERD. These changes were not observed in 2 patients without AERD. Furthermore, eosinophil numbers decreased in blood concurrently with significant increases in urinary PGD 2 metabolite and leukotriene E 4 levels. The magnitude of increases in nasal mucosal ILC2 numbers positively correlated with maximum symptom scores during challenges. Furthermore, blood ILC2 numbers during the reaction correlated with time for the reaction to resolve, possibly reflecting reaction severity. Conclusions ILC2s are recruited to the nasal mucosa during COX-1 inhibitor–induced reactions in patients with AERD, correlating with enhanced production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes.

Keywords: contact dermatitis; cross-reactivity; delayed hypersensitivity; mango; patch testing; urushiol

Keywords: contact dermatitis; cross-reactivity; delayed hypersensitivity; mango; patch testing; urushiol

A 17-yr-old, 56-kg male was referred to our institution with a 2-wk history of left-sided stabbing chest pain, cough, and progressive dyspnea. The patient was initially evaluated in the emergency room of a nearby hospital where chest radiography demonstrated a left-sided chest mass. The patient’s medical history was significant for asymptomatic mitral valve prolapse without mitral regurgitation. Diagnostic evaluation included a chest computed tomography (CT) scan with a needle-guided biopsy and a transthoracic echocardiogram. The CT scan results confirmed a highly vascular anterior mediastinal mass measuring 10 cm and compressing the left mainstem bronchus and the pulmonary artery. The biopsy results confirmed a malignant germ-cell tumor. Chemotherapy was initiated, yet the patient’s dyspnea increased over 2 days. Transthoracic echocardiogram confirmed compression of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) and main pulmonary artery (maximal systolic dimension was 4 mm with complete diastolic collapse). Peak Doppler velocity through the pulmonary arteries was 3 m/s. A moderately sized apical pericardial effusion was also noted. The patient was urgently taken to the operating room for surgical resection with cardiopulmonary bypass. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography