Comparing Round Window Membrane Permeability Enhancers: An Animal Study.

Intratympanic (IT) delivery of dexamethasone (DEX) is widely used for treating inner ear disorders; however, its therapeutic efficacy is limited by poor permeability of the round window membrane (RWM). This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of three pharmacological agents-histamine (HIS), 3% hypertonic saline (3% HS), and sodium caprate (SC)-as adjuvants for enhancing RWM permeability and improving IT-DEX delivery in a murine model. Following IT administration of each permeability enhancer followed by DEX injection, perilymph DEX concentrations were measured using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography, and DEX receptor expression in the organ of Corti was assessed by immunofluorescence.

Two new polyketides and a new γ-lactone-derived furanone from a soil fungus Trichoderma spirale BHM2-5.

Two previously undescribed polyketides, bukhansanketides A (1) and B (2), along with a γ-lactone-derived furanone, (S)-(-)-bukhansanfuranone (3), were isolated from Trichoderma spirale BHM2-5, together with four known compounds (4-7). Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and HR-ESI-MS data, as well as DP4+ probability analysis, the modified Mosher's method, or VCD calculations. All isolated compounds (1-7) were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against A549, SK-OV-3, and HCT-8 cancer cell lines.

Cytotoxic Peptidic Metabolites Isolated from the Soil-Derived Fungus .

Twelve undescribed peptidic compounds, bukhansantaibols A-K (-) and bukhansantaibals A-B (-), were isolated from the soil fungus through LC-MS and bioactivity-guided purification. Their structures were elucidated by the analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra, HRESIMS, and acid hydrolysis using modified Marfey's method. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against HCT-8 (colon cancer) and SK-OV-3 (ovarian cancer) cells.

Molecular Networking-Guided Isolation of Anti-Inflammatory Isolariciresinol and Seco-Isolariciresinol Type Lignans from.

A comparative analysis of UPLC-DAD and MS chromatograms revealed distinct chemical profiles between the methanolic extracts of the branch and cortex of . MS/MS-based molecular networking further identified unique molecular features present in the branch extract, which facilitated the targeted isolation of five previously undescribed lignan derivatives. The structures of these compounds were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, along with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS).

Efficacy and Safety of Intratympanic Botulinum Toxin Injection on Middle Ear Myoclonic Tinnitus.

Objectives: Investigating the efficacy and safety of intratympanic Botulinum toxin (IT-BTX) injection as a novel treatment for middle ear myoclonic tinnitus (MEMT).

Methods: Medical records and tinnitus questionnaires of the patients with MEMT who underwent IT-BTX were retrospectively reviewed. The efficacy of IT-BTX on MEMT as well as its safety were evaluated by audiology tests and tinnitus questionnaires.

A Cure for Tinnitus After Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: Insights From a Large Case Series.

Objectives: To identify the clinical features of sensorineural tinnitus patients who achieved complete symptom resolution or "cure" after tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) and to determine significant factors that influence tinnitus resolution duration after TRT.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of sensorineural tinnitus patients who underwent TRT and achieved a cure between January 2017 and January 2022 was performed. Cure of tinnitus was defined as patients experiencing symptoms for less than 5 minutes of awareness per day.

Evaluation of Efficacy of Water-Soluble Fraction of Gall Extract and Penta-O-Galloyl-β-D-Glucose on Mitigation of Hair Loss: An In Vitro and Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study.

Hair loss, a prevalent condition affecting individuals across various demographics, is associated with hormonal imbalances, oxidative stress, inflammation, and environmental factors. This study evaluated the anti-hair loss potential of the water-soluble fraction of gall extract (WRGE) and its primary component, Penta-O-Galloyl-β-D-Glucose (PGG), through both in vitro and clinical studies. WRGE was obtained using a standardized extraction process, and PGG was identified via HPLC-DAD and HRESIMS/MS techniques.

Comparing Tinnitus Suppression in Asymmetric Hearing Loss and Single-Sided Deafness: Cochlear Versus Bone Conduction Implants.

Objectives: Implantable hearing devices, such as cochlear implants (CI) and bone conduction implants (BCI), are options for hearing rehabilitation in patients with asymmetric hearing loss (AHL) and single-sided deafness (SSD). This study aimed to compare the effects of CI and BCI on tinnitus in AHL/SSD patients with tinnitus.

Methods: This retrospective study enrolled adult AHL/SSD patients with significant tinnitus who underwent CI or BCI placement between 2017 and 2023.

Faster recovery in patients with facial nerve palsy treated with contralateral botulinum toxin injection: a case-control study.

Purpose: Botulinum toxin (BTX, Botox) is increasingly used as an adjunct therapy to oral steroids in the management of facial paralysis, with positive outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the additive effect of BTX injection on the non-paralyzed side and propose optimal injection timing for recovery time.

Methods: A total of 48 atraumatic facial paralysis patients who visited Seoul St.

Risk Factors Associated With the Occurrence and Recurrence of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo in Koreans: A Nested Case-Control Study.

Objectives: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most prevalent cause of vertigo. This study aims to analyze the risk factors associated with the occurrence and recurrence of BPPV.

Methods: A database maintained by the Korean National Health Insurance Service was used to analyze 434,552 patients diagnosed with BPPV from 2011 to 2017.

Surgical outcomes of simultaneous subtotal petrosectomy and cochlear implantation: a single institutional study.

Objectives: To report our institution's experience with patients who underwent subtotal petrosectomy (STP) for refractory ear disease who are candidates for cochlear implant (CI) and to highlight simultaneous STP with CI its advantages, surgical outcomes, post-operative complications management, and considerations for staging a procedure.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed in a single tertiary referral university hospital. The medical records of seventy patients (70 ears) who underwent STP for refractory ear disease who were candidates for CI were retrospectively evaluated.

LC-HRMS/MS-Guided Isolation of Unusual Diarylheptanoids from the Rhizomes of .

LC-HRMS/MS analysis facilitated the precise targeting, isolation, and identification of unusual dimeric diarylheptanoids from (). The tandem MS data for (4)-1,7-diphenyl-4-hepten-3-one () revealed fragment ions at / 91, 105, and 117, which are fragmentation patterns specific to diarylheptanoids. In the tandem MS data, peaks with / values ranging from 450 to 600 that exhibited these specific fragment ions were selected and isolated.

Molecular networking-guided isolation of melanogenesis inhibitory dihydro-β-agarofuran sesquiterpenoids from Celastrus orbiculatus.

Seven previously undescribed dihydro-β-agarofurans (1-7) together with 28 known compounds were isolated from Celastrus orbiculatus fruits using LC-MS/MS-based molecular networking-guided purification. Their structures were elucidated through 1D and 2D-NMR, HRESIMS analysis, and ECD quantum chemical calculations. The inhibitory effects of all isolated compounds on α-MSH-induced melanin production in B16F0 melanoma cells were tested.

The biphasic impact of apolipoprotein E ε4 allele on age-related hearing loss.

Both the ε4 variant of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene and hearing loss are well-known risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. However, previous studies have produced inconsistent findings regarding the association between APOE genotypes and hearing levels, necessitating further investigation. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between APOE genotypes and hearing levels.

Targeted isolation of dimeric sesquiterpene lactones and sesquiterpene derivatives from the roots of Inula helenium.

LC-HRMS/MS-based molecular networking was applied to investigate the bioactive sesquiterpene lactones and their analogs contained in Inula helenium, enabling the isolation of four undescribed eudesmane-eudesmane sesquiterpene dimers (1-4), a sesquiterpene-amino acid adduct (5), and 17 known sesquiterpenes (6-22). The structures were determined based on 1D, 2D NMR, and HRESIMS data analysis, as well as DP4+ probability analyses and ECD calculations. The biosynthetic pathway of the sesquiterpene dimers is postulated to proceed via the Diels-Alder reaction as the key step.

Cytotoxic Peptaibols from , a Fungus Isolated from an Urban Soil Sample.

Soil sustains human life by nourishing crops, storing food sources, and housing microbes, which may affect the nutrition and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, some of which are used as drugs. To identify lead compounds for a new class of drugs, we collected soil-derived fungal strains from various environments, including urban areas. As various human pathogens are assumed to influence the biosynthetic pathways of metabolites in soil fungi, leading to the production of novel scaffolds, we focused our work on densely populated urban areas and tourist attractions.

Computed tomography Scan Size Analysis of stapedius and tensor tympani muscles in middle ear myoclonic tinnitus.

Objectives: To analyze the sizes of the stapedius and tensor tympani (TT) muscles using a temporal bone CT (TBCT) scan in patients with middle ear myoclonic tinnitus (MEMT) and investigate their value for the diagnosis of this rare cause of tinnitus.

Methods: Medical records and TBCT of patients with MEMT or vascular tinnitus (VT) at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital from January 2012 to December 2022 were reviewed.

Vitamin D Deficiency as a Risk Factor of Tinnitus: An Epidemiological Study.

Objectives: Vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor of tinnitus has not been well known. We tried to evaluate the association between the serum 25-(OH) vitamin D levels and tinnitus among the Korean population to propose the possible role of serum vitamin D in patients with tinnitus.

Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated the potential risk factors of tinnitus in relation to serum 25(OH)D levels within the Korean population.

Evaluation of the reliability and validity of the upright head roll test for lateral semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Background: The upright head roll test (UHRT) is a recently introduced diagnostic maneuver for lateral semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (LSC-BPPV).

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the UHRT.

Methods: Two separate studies were conducted.

Hearing Rehabilitation With a Chat-Based Mobile Auditory Training Program in Experienced Hearing Aid Users: Prospective Randomized Controlled Study.

Background: Hearing rehabilitation with auditory training (AT) is necessary to improve speech perception ability in patients with hearing loss. However, face-to-face AT has not been widely implemented due to its high cost and personnel requirements. Therefore, there is a need for the development of a patient-friendly, mobile-based AT program.

Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation Effects on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Over Time: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGS) in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

Data Sources: PubMed, Cochrane database, Embase, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar.

Review Methods: Five databases were reviewed to identify relevant studies that measured polysomnography parameters such as the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and oxygen desaturation index, as well as quality of life and functional outcomes of sleep questionnaire scores, before and after HGS.

Association between HbA1c and hearing loss: a tertiary care center-based study.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and hearing loss (HL) using data from a tertiary hospital. Our hypothesis regarding the relationship between HL and HbA1c levels was that elevated HbA1c levels are associated with an increased risk of HL. We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of patients diagnosed with sensorineural HL or diabetes between 2006 and 2021 at the Catholic Medical Center (CMC).

Targeted Isolation of -Acetylcysteine-Containing Angucycline Derivatives from sp. MC16 and Their Antiproliferative Effects.

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based molecular networking analysis was applied to sp. MC16. The automatic classification of the MolNetEnhancer module revealed that its major constituent was an angucycline derivative.

Feasibility of a Smartphone-Based Hearing Aid App for Mild-to-Moderate Hearing Loss: Prospective Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Hearing loss is a growing health concern worldwide. Hearing aids (HAs) are the treatment of choice for hearing rehabilitation in most cases of mild-to-moderate hearing loss. However, many patients with hearing loss do not use HAs due to their high cost, stigma, and inaccessibility.