TCF1 and LEF1 promote B-1a cell homeostasis and regulatory function.

B-1 cells are innate-like immune cells abundant in serosal cavities with antibodies enriched in bacterial recognition, yet their existence in humans has been controversial. The CD5 B-1a subset expresses anti-inflammatory molecules including IL-10, PDL1 and CTLA4 and can be immunoregulatory. Unlike conventional B cells that are continuously replenished, B-1a cells are produced early in life and maintained through self-renewal.

A systematic review of SARS-CoV-2 associated sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss.

Objectives: Sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss has been associated with infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. However, little is known regarding how this differs from sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss of other aetiologies. This systematic review summarises existing literature on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 associated sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss treatment and outcomes.

Gender Differences in the Association Between Anxiety and Interoceptive Insight.

Anxiety is one of the most common and debilitating mental health disorders, and is related to changes in interoception (perception of bodily states). While anxiety is more prevalent in women than men, gender differences in interoception-anxiety associations are often overlooked. Here, we examined gender-specific relationships between anxiety and interoception in the breathing domain, utilising multicentre data pooled from four study sites (N = 175; 51% women).

Mapping Human Immunity and the Education of Waldeyer's Ring.

The development and deployment of single-cell genomic technologies have driven a resolution revolution in our understanding of the immune system, providing unprecedented insight into the diversity of immune cells present throughout the body and their function in health and disease. Waldeyer's ring is the collective name for the lymphoid tissue aggregations of the upper aerodigestive tract, comprising the palatine, pharyngeal (adenoids), lingual, and tubal tonsils. These tonsils are the first immune sentinels encountered by ingested and inhaled antigens and are responsible for mounting the first wave of adaptive immune response.

A systematic review of antimicrobial therapy in children with tracheostomies.

Tracheostomies are indicated in children to facilitate long-term ventilatory support, aid in the management of secretions, or manage upper airway obstruction. Children with tracheostomies often experience ongoing airway complications, of which respiratory tract infections are common. They subsequently receive frequent courses of broad-spectrum antimicrobials for the prevention or treatment of respiratory tract infections.

Developing an Evidence-Based Surgical Curriculum: Learning from a Randomized Controlled Trial of Surgical Rehearsal in Virtual Reality.

Background: Surgical rehearsal - patient-specific preoperative surgical practice - can be provided by virtual reality simulation. This study investigated the effect of surgical rehearsal on cortical mastoidectomy performance and procedure duration.

Methods: University students (n=40) were randomized evenly into a rehearsal and control group.

The utility of a symptom model to predict the risk of oesophageal cancer.

Objective: To assess whether extra-oesophageal symptoms are predictive of oesophageal malignancy.

Methods: A prospective, single-centre cross-sectional questionnaire study at a tertiary referral unit for oesophageal cancer using the Comprehensive Reflux Symptoms Scale (CReSS) questionnaire tool. Respondents with oesophageal malignancy were compared with historical cohorts undergoing airway examination or upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and found to have benign diagnoses.

Baseline Psychological Traits Contribute to Lake Louise Acute Mountain Sickness Score at High Altitude.

Talks, Benjamin James, Catherine Campbell, Stephanie J. Larcombe, Lucy Marlow, Sarah L. Finnegan, Christopher T.

Dysregulation of immune response in otitis media.

Objective: Otitis media (OM) is a common reason for children to be prescribed antibiotics and undergo surgery but a thorough understanding of disease mechanisms is lacking. We evaluate the evidence of a dysregulated immune response in the pathogenesis of OM.

Methods: A comprehensive systematic review of the literature using search terms [otitis media OR glue ear OR AOM OR OME] OR [middle ear AND (infection OR inflammation)] which were run through Medline and Embase via Ovid, including both human and animal studies.

Automated assessment of cortical mastoidectomy performance in virtual reality.

Introduction: Cortical mastoidectomy is a core skill that Otolaryngology trainees must gain competency in. Automated competency assessments have the potential to reduce assessment subjectivity and bias, as well as reducing the workload for surgical trainers.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop and validate an automated competency assessment system for cortical mastoidectomy.

The Melbourne Mastoidectomy Scale: Validation of an end-product dissection scale for cortical mastoidectomy.

Introduction: Cortical mastoidectomy is a common otolaryngology procedure and represents a compulsory part of otolaryngology training. As such, a specific validated assessment score is needed for the progression of competency-based training in this procedure. Although multiple temporal bone dissection scales have been developed, they have all been validated for advanced temporal bone dissection including posterior tympanotomy, rather than the task of cortical mastoidectomy.

No Evidence of Systemic Inflammation in Symptomatic Patients With Femoroacetabular Impingement.

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a common cause of hip pain and represents a major cause of early osteoarthritis. The role of systemic inflammation in pre-arthritic hip conditions remains largely unknown and uninvestigated. Serum-free light chains (sFLCs) are inflammatory markers produced by B cells.