Knowledge and awareness of anterior cruciate ligament injury among Turkish professional athletes: an online survey.

The purpose of this study was to assess the awareness and knowledge of professional team sport athletes about ACL injuries, injury prevention programs, and the return to sports after ACL injuries. A total of 419 athletes representing soccer, basketball, volleyball and handball sports were included in the study. We utilized a 15-item self-report survey to assess the awareness of athletes about ACL injury, ACL injury prevention program, and return to sport after ACL injuries. Male and soccer players participated in prevention programs more than female athletes (p = 0.001). Participation in prevention programs was significantly higher in the ≥ 18 years old group than in the < 18 years old group (p = 0.040). Participants who were informed about ACL injuries were 8.4 times more likely to participate in the ACL injuries prevention program than others (OR: 8.38, 95% CI: 3.823-18.376, p < 0.001). The majority of participants believed that return to sport after ACL injury takes 6 months and 81.4% of them thought that it is not possible to do sport without an ACL. This study revealed that the awareness and performance of ACL prevention training programs among professional team sport athletes were insufficient. The athletes' knowledge regarding return to sports after ACL injuries was also inadequate. Improving athletes' knowledge of ACL injuries may lead to increased participation in ACL injury prevention programs. Thus, the provision of tailored educational interventions to athletes could potentially enhance their awareness and understanding of ACL injuries, consequently contributing towards the prevention of such injuries.

Comparative proteome analysis of the tear samples in patients with low-grade keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To elucidate the metabolic processes playing roles in the formation of keratoconus (KC). METHODS: Tears samples were collected using capillary glass tubes without stimulation and without prior anesthesia from 17 patients and 16 controls. Proteomic analysis by fluorescent 2D gel electrophoresis (DIGE) coupled with MALDI-TOF/TOF was performed. The identified proteins that were differentially regulated were subjected to Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Corneal topography analyses with Sirius topography system (Costruzioni Strumenti Oftalmici, Florence, Italy) were performed on all participants. The steepest keratometry index was lower than 50 diopters in all keratoconus patients. RESULTS: DIGE analysis showed changes in abundance of nine proteins. Six of these proteins, namely serum albumin, Keratin Type II Cytoskeletal 1, IgG gamma chain-1, GAPDH, alpha-1 antitrypsin and ApoA-I, were down-regulated in the KC samples in comparison with the controls. In addition, we detected up-regulation of lysozyme C, keratin type I cytoskeletal 10 and lipocalin. The subsequent IPA predicted that NADH repair pathway is activated in the KC patients. This pathway involves generation of NADHX as a by-product via catalysis by GAPDH. NADHX is an inhibitor of several dehydrogenases and must be removed. CONCLUSION: The involvement of NADHX repair pathway in KC should be investigated, since preliminary clues obtained in this study point to that direction. In particular, showing the presence of ATP-dependent NAD(P)H-hydrate dehydratase that eliminates NADHX would strengthen our findings and would be a major step toward understanding KC.

The Safety of Open Surgical Tracheotomy Performed by Otorhinolaryngology Residents.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to clarify the safety of open surgical tracheotomy performed by supervised residents, and the impact of "reason for hospitalization" on complication rates in open surgical tracheotomy technique. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, the medical files and documents of 277 patients who underwent open surgical tracheotomy (OST) over a period of 12 years from October 2005 to July 2017 were analyzed. Forty four patients were excluded due to emergent tracheotomy and presence of malignancy. Remaining 223 cases were divided into two groups as "OSTs done by supervised residents" and "OSTs done by attending surgeons". Age, gender, reason for hospitalization, observation time and complications were noted. The overall minor and major complication rates and each complication rate were compared with regard to the operating surgeons. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference between two groups was demonstrated in terms of observation time (p=0.127). Minor complication rate for residents and attending surgeons was 14.7% and 17.5%, whereas major complication rate was 6.3% and 5.0%, respectively. No significant difference was found between two groups both in terms of minor (p=0.58) and major (p=0.43) complication rates. No risk of "reason for hospitalization" on minor and major complications was found (p=0.06, p=0.15). CONCLUSION: Open surgical tracheotomy performed by supervised residents is as safer as the ones performed by the attending surgeons. The study also showed that "reason for hospitalization" does not potentiate the occurrence of tracheotomy related complications.

Predictive and prognostic factors for patients with locoregionally advanced laryngeal carcinoma treated with surgical multimodality protocol.

The prognosis is suboptimal in patients with locoregionally advanced laryngeal carcinoma even after multimodality protocols. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential influential factors that have an impact on the development of locoregional recurrence, distant metastasis, and oncological outcomes in patients with locoregionally advanced laryngeal carcinoma who had surgical multimodality protocols. A sample size of 85 cases was determined based on a power of 90% and an effect size of α 2 = 0.05. A retrospective analysis of 357 patients with a diagnosis of laryngeal cancer between 2002 and 2015 was performed. Eighteen variables based on sociodemographic, clinical, histopathological and treatment data were analyzed. Medical records of 85 consecutive patients with locoregionally advanced laryngeal carcinoma who underwent surgical multimodality protocols were reviewed. Five-year overall, disease-specific, disease-free, locoregional recurrence-free and distant metastasis-free survival were 68.7, 78.0, 69.6, 68.9 and 69.2%, respectively. Extracapsular extension was an independent predictive factor for locoregional recurrence. Pathologic tumor volume was an independent predictive factor for distant metastasis. pT-stage was an independent prognostic factor for 5-year overall survival, disease-free survival, locoregional recurrence-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival. High volume, pT4a laryngeal tumors with extracapsular extension are associated with a high risk of locoregional recurrence and distant metastasis; and have poor oncological outcomes in patients with locoregionally advanced laryngeal carcinoma treated with surgical multimodality protocols.

Effect of bone marrow and adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells on the natural course of corneal scarring after penetrating injury.

In the present study, we investigate and compare the efficacy of bone marrow- and adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) in corneal wound healing. A penetrating injury was created in the right corneas of Wistar rats (n = 40). Ten microliters of phosphate-buffered solution (PBS) containing 2 × 10(5) green fluorescent protein (GFP) labeled bone-marrow-derived MSCs to group 1 (n = 15), 10 µl of PBS containing 2 × 10(5) GFP-labeled adipose-tissue-derived MSCs to group 2 (n = 15), 10 µl PBS was injected into anterior chamber in group 3 (n = 10, control). Corneal opacity scoring, in vivo confocal microscopy, and histopathological evaluation were done at the end of 8 weeks. Immunofluorescence sections were evaluated to detect transplanted cells. Immune staining was performed to measure the expression levels of keratocan, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and CD34. The gene expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), the interleukin 6 receptor (IL-6R), interleukin 12b (IL-12b), and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß1) was measured on corneas. The establishment of stem cells in the corneas of the transplanted groups was confirmed by immunofluorescence staining. The expression of keratocan, ALDH, and CD34 increased in the transplanted groups (p < 0.05). The density of keratocytes increased significantly in both transplanted groups according to the in vivo confocal microscopy data (p < 0.05). The expression of TNF-α, IL-6R, and IL-12b decreased significantly in the transplanted groups (p < 0.05). Based on our findings, we consider that allogeneic stem cells facilitate the regeneration of corneal stroma and can be a cell source for stromal repopulation in diseased cornea.

Microscopic Transnasal Approach: A New Technique for the Reconstruction of Frontoethmoidal Meningoencephalocele.

Frontoethmoidal meningoencephalocele is a rare congenital malformation, which occurs due to a deficiency in neural tube closure. It may present as an external mass over the nose, nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea and attacks of central nervous system infections. Herein, the authors present a 3-month-old infant with naso-ethmoidal form of frontoethmoidal meningoencephalocele, who was operated on using a newly described approach that was performed under microscope.

Pregnancy rhinitis in Turkish women: Do gestational week, BMI and parity affect nasal congestion?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the cumulative incidence of pregnancy rhinitis along with prevalence in different trimesters and to find out whether gestational age, BMI and parity have any effect on pregnancy related nasal congestion. METHODS: In the prospective protocol at the obstetrics outpatient clinic, 167 pregnant women were enrolled consecutively. According to exclusion criteria, 67 of them were excluded. Visual-Analogue-Scale (VAS), Nasal-Obstructive-Symptom-Evaluation (NOSE) scale and Discharge-Inflammation-Polyps/Oedema (DIP) scoring were utilized for diagnosis of pregnancy rhinitis. Besides, weight, length, age, parity and week of pregnancy were recorded. RESULTS: Total prevalence of pregnancy rhinitis was 17.17% and cumulative incidence was 38.89%. Our study revealed significant relation of NOSE score with both gestational week (r=0.474, p=0.001) and BMI (r=0.301, p=0.003). VAS score was significantly related with gestational week (r=0.409, p=0.001) and BMI (r=0.270, p=0.007). DIP score was found to be correlated only with gestational week (r=0.375, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Cumulative incidence of pregnancy rhinitis was 38.89%. Nasal congestion was significantly associated with BMI and gestational week. Patients should be informed about unfavorable fetal and maternal outcomes of pregnancy related nasal congestion which is triggered by obesity and excessive weight gain in pregnancy.

The role of platelet large cell ratio in determining mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Inflammatory mechanisms have been implicated and have been subject to research in the clinical course of COVID-19 patients. In this study, platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR) has been examined as a novel prognostic and inflammatory parameter. A total of 1992 COVID-19-positive patients admitted to COVID-19 unit of Infectious Diseases were included. In order to identify a potential relationship between P-LCR and mortality, surviving patients were compared with subjects who died as a result of the disease. Although P-LCR levels showed a steady increase in all COVID-19 patients after admission, they were significantly higher in those who eventually died (P < .001), indicating a positive correlation between mortality and P-LCR. The P-LCR levels of patients followed up in the intensive care unit were statistically significantly higher than those followed up in the ward (P < .001). P-LCR levels of patients intubated in intensive care unit were statistically significantly higher than those who were not intubated (P < .001). Also, P-LCR levels were subdivided into 3 categories as normal, low, and elevated. Elevated P-LCR was found to be positively correlated with leukocyte count, neutrophil count, D-dimer, troponin, ferritin, and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and showed negative correlation with fibrinogen, lymphocyte count, and platelet count. As P-LCR was correlated with the severity of inflammation in all COVID-19 patients, it was significantly higher in those patients who died. Elevated P-LCR was considered to be associated with the risk of severe disease and death. This inexpensive, readily available test may be incorporated into our clinical practice as a novel marker of poor prognosis in addition to other valuable laboratory parameters.

Endoscopic versus microscopic ossiculoplasty: Does the functional outcome vary according to the type of osciculoplasty?

OBJECTIVE: To compare functional outcome of microscopic and endoscopic approach regarding type of ossiculoplasty. METHODS: In this retrospective study, cases who had undergone type-II and type-III tympanoplasty between February 2007 to September 2019 were divided into two groups according to the type of approach as microscopic and endoscopic. In cases with type-II reconstruction; Partial Ossicular chain Replacement Prosthesis (PORP), incus interposition and bone cement were used in order of frequency. Whereas in cases with type-III reconstruction, only Total Ossicular chain Replacement Prosthesis (TORP) was used. The average Air Bone Gap (ABG) was determined pre- and post-operatively for the calculation of Air Conductance Gain (ACG). The ACG, pre- and post-operative ABG values of each group were compared with regard to the type of ossiculoplasty. RESULTS: A total of 79 cases consisting of 32 females and 47 males who had undergone type-II and type-III tympanoplasty were enrolled. No statistically significant difference between microscopic and endoscopic approach was found in terms of ACG (p = 0.42), pre-(p = 0.23) and postoperative ABG (p = 0.99). We did not find any significant difference in terms of ACG, pre- and postoperative ABG between two approaches for type-II and type-III reconstructions (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to the current study, endoscopic approach in type-II and type-III reconstruction is at least reliable as microscopic approach regarding functional outcome. Since both techniques have similar functional results, other factors (anatomic characteristics, habitude of the surgeon and duration of the surgery) should be considered when choosing the technique. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: In the current paper we present a retrospective comparative study of two different approaches of a particular type of otologic surgery. Level of evidence corresponds to level III.

The CXCL9/10/11-CXCR3 axis as a predictor of COVID-19 progression: a prospective, case-control study.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the relationship between levels of the chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, and CXCR3 and mortality in patients with COVID-19.. METHODS: A total of 71 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and 35 health workers with no symptoms and negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR results were included in the study. CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, and CXCR3 levels were measured in blood samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Participants were divided into three groups: healthy individuals, patients with mild to moderate pneumonia, and patients with severe pneumonia. Patients were also divided into sub-groups according to the outcome: dead and survived. RESULTS: Serum CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, and CXCR3 levels were significantly higher in patients with severe COVID-19 than in those with non-severe COVID-19; were higher in both patient groups than in the control group; and were higher in patients who died than in those who survived. Lymphocyte counts, and fibrinogen and PaO2/FiO2 levels were significantly lower in patients with severe COVID-19 than in those with moderate disease. Patients with COVID-19 also had elevated neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios, neutrophil counts, and lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, D-dimer, and ferritin levels. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, and CXCR3 levels are associated with disease severity in patients with COVID-19. These laboratory parameters can help to estimate disease severity and predict outcomes, and are useful in clinical decision-making.

A surface plasmon resonance sensor with synthetic receptors decorated on graphene oxide for selective detection of benzylpenicillin.

Antibiotic residues in foods, water and the environment reveal antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, disrupting the ecological balance and causing serious health problems. For these reasons, the detection of antibiotic residues is crucial for the protection of human health. Herein, the detection of benzylpenicillin antibiotic from aqueous and milk sample solutions was carried out by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor using synthetic receptor-molecularly imprinted polymer. The benzylpenicillin-imprinted poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate-graphene oxide-N-methacryloyl-l-phenylalanine) (MIP-GO) SPR sensor was prepared. Benzylpenicillin detection was performed by MIP-GO SPR sensor in a 1-100 ppb concentration range of benzylpenicillin with 0.9665 linear correlation and 0.021 ppb detection limit. Selectivity analysis showed that the MIP-GO SPR sensor detected the benzylpenicillin molecule 8.16 times more selectively than amoxicillin and 14.04 times more selectively than ampicillin. To examine the imprinting efficiency, non-imprinted poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate-graphene oxide-N-methacryloyl-l-phenylalanine) (NIP-GO) SPR sensor was also prepared using the same procedure without benzylpenicillin addition. Since graphene oxide (GO) was added to enhance the sensor signal response by increasing sensitivity, the control analyses were performed by a poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate-N-methacryloyl-l-phenylalanine) (MIP) SPR sensor without adding GO. Moreover, repeatability studies of MIP-GO SPR sensor were statistically evaluated and the RSD of intra-day assays less than 1% specified that there was no loss of performance for the benzylpenicillin detection ability even after four cycles. As a real food sample analysis, the benzylpenicillin spiked and unspiked milk samples were evaluated and high-performance liquid chromatography experiments were carried out for validation.

Regulatory-T, T-helper 1, and T-helper 2 cell differentiation in nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis with olive pollen sensitivity.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a disease in which T-helper (Th)2 response is predominant and its pathogenic mechanism is still poorly understood. AIM: To evaluate the possible role of Th1, Th2 and regulatory-T (Treg) cells in the pathogenesis of AR. METHODS: This case-control study enrolled 41 patients with seasonal AR (10-62 years old), sensitive to olive pollens, and 15 healthy controls (18-60 years old). Nasal biopsy was performed and specimens of nasal lavage fluid were obtained from all participants. The levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-γ and transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) were measured in nasal lavage fluid specimens. The expression of FOXP3, GATA-3 and T-bet was measured by immunohistochemical methods in the nasal biopsy specimens. RESULTS: The levels of IFN-γ in the group with AR were significantly lower than those in the control group (p = 0.008). The levels of IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-ß did not differ between the two groups. The expression of FOXP3 and T-bet in patients with AR was significantly lower than that in the control group (both p = 0.001). Expression of GATA-3 in the nasal mucosa was similar between the groups (p = 0.2). The ratios of T-bet/GATA-3 and FOXP3/GATA-3 in the AR group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Insufficient Treg and Th1 cells may be associated with the allergic inflammation that may be attributed to the Th2 immune response in patients suffering from AR who are sensitive to olive pollen.

Impact of pregnancy on voice: a prospective observational study.

PURPOSE: We aimed to assess if there is a significant change in voice of pregnant women by the end of third trimester. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-nine pregnant women were enrolled in this study between April 2019 and March 2020. Subjective and objective voice evaluation was conducted in the third trimester and three months after delivery. The Turkish version of the VHI-10 questionnaire was filled out by every participant. GRBAS scale was used for perceptual voice evaluation. Acoustic analyses were conducted by Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (MDVP) (Computerized Speech Lab, Kay Elemetrics Corporation, Lincoln Park, NJ). Fundamental frequency (fo), Jitter percent (Jitt), Shimmer percent (Shim), noise to harmonic ratio (NHR), maximum phonation time (MPT), voice turbulence index (VTI), vocal intensity, and scale parameters were categorized as predelivery (a) and postdelivery (b). RESULTS: Comparison of acoustic parameters of the third trimester with the third month postpartum revealed statistically significant increases for fo (p = .013), MPT (p = .008), and vocal intensity (p≤.001) as well as a significant decrease for VTI (p≤ .001). No statistically significant difference was found for NHR, Jitt, and Shim. Comparison of both VHI-10 and GRBAS scores revealed statistically significant decreases. CONCLUSIONS: Disturbances in certain vocal parameters suggest that vocal abnormalities observed during pregnancy are mainly due to anatomical alterations of the lower respiratory system. It would be appropriate to warn pregnant women about bad vocal habits and vocal hygiene. In addition, it would be appropriate to recommend professional voice support to pregnant women who use their voices intensively due to their profession.

[Our experience in nasal reconstruction with local nasal and regional flaps]. / Nazal rekonstrüksiyonda lokal nazal ve bölgesel flep uygulamalarimiz.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we evaluated the patients, who underwent nasal reconstruction with local nasal or regional flaps and compared our approach with the algorithms of nasal reconstruction in literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients (15 males, 12 females; mean age 68.7 years; range 42 to 86 years) who underwent nasal reconstruction with local nasal or regional flaps due to excision of skin cancers on the nose, between November 2007 and December 2009 were included in this study. The demographic data (age, sex and occupation), the location, histopathologic type, subtype and size of the tumor, the size and thickness of the defect area, the reconstruction technique and complications were recorded. All patients were photo-documented pre-, intra- and postoperatively, and were followed up at regular intervals. RESULTS: Basal cell carcinoma was detected in 23 patients and squamous cell carcinoma was detected in four patients. The tumors were most frequently located on the nasal dorsum (n=8, 29%) and the side walls (n=6, 22%). The tumor size was >15 mm in 14 (52%) patients. The size of the nasal defect was >20 mm in 18 (66%) patients. Reconstruction was performed with local nasal flaps in 10 patients and with regional flaps in 17 patients. CONCLUSION: The surgical flaps for nasal reconstruction should be selected individually. The ideal technique of nasal reconstruction should be determined based on the location, size, and thickness of the nasal defects, the preferences of the patients and the surgeon's experience.

A New Perspective on Cryotherapy: Pathogen Elimination Using Plant Shoot Apical Meristem via Cryogenic Techniques.

Plant pathogens cause different diseases on crops and industrial plant species that result in economic losses. Pathogen-free plant material has usually been obtained by traditional procedures such as meristem culture, thermotherapy, and chemotherapy. However, there are many limitations of these procedures such as mechanical challenges of meristem excision and low regeneration rate, low resistance to high temperatures, phytotoxicity, and mutagenic effects of the chemicals used in the procedures. Cryotherapy is a newly developed biotechnological tool that has been very effective in virus elimination from economically important plant species. This tool has overcome the abovementioned limitations. This chapter aims to highlight the importance of the cryogenic procedures (vitrification, encapsulation-vitrification, droplet vitrification, two-step freezing, dehydration, encapsulation-dehydration) in order to generate virus-free germplasm.

The Effectiveness of Medical Prophylactic Treatment on Vestibular Migraine and Its Effect on the Quality Of Life.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of propranolol treatment in patients with vestibular migraine by the Visual Analog Scale, Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Vertigo Symptom Scale, and Vestibular Disorders Activities of Daily Living Scale (VADL) and its effect on the quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 38 patients with vertigo/dizziness who underwent routine evaluation and vestibular examinations, were diagnosed with definitive vestibular migraine, and received the same medical treatment protocol (propranolol). The questionnaires and scales that were applied to the patients before and after treatment were evaluated. The results were evaluated with 95% confidence interval, and p<0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 47.55 (18-75) years, and 27 (71%) patients were female, and 11 (29%) were male. The mean total scores of the DHI before and after treatment were 50.21±22.39 (range: 8-92) and 9.31±9.86 (range: 0-58), respectively (p<0.001). The degree of disability after treatment was low in all patients (p<0.001). The total scores of the VADL before and after treatment were 186.63±79.65 (range: 32-280) and 55.52±51.89 (range: 28-273), respectively (p<0.001). There was no correlation between these two scales (p=0.235). CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate both the efficacy of propranolol treatment and its effects on the quality of life in vestibular migraine. The severity, frequency, and number of attacks and disability scores were reduced, and the quality of life was improved in patients with vestibular migraine with propranolol treatment.

The ratio of facial nerve to facial canal as an indicator of entrapment in Bell's palsy: A study by CT and MRI.

OBJECTIVES: To find out if the ratio of facial nerve to facial canal diameter plays any role in the etiopathogenesis and grade of Bell's palsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine consecutive patients (16 females, 13 males) diagnosed with unilateral Bell's palsy were enrolled into the study. At admission, 5 patients were grade V, 11 were grade IV, 11 were grade III and 2 were grade II. The grade of Bell's palsy was documented by House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system at admission, 15th day, 1st month and 3th month. Temporal MRI and CT scans were obtained at the time of diagnosis. Diameter of facial nerve and facial canal at the middle of five different segments were measured equidistantly at the same workstation. Both sides of every patient (affected and unaffected) were measured by one radiologist who was not informed about the side of the paralysis. MRI and CT values of each segment were compared between affected and unaffected sides. In addition, FN/FC ratio of affected and non-affected sides was calculated and compared for each segment. We also analyzed if a relationship exists between above-mentioned measurements and the House-Brackmann grade. RESULTS: Considering MRI values; statistically significant thickening of facial nerve between affected and unaffected sides was found at labyrinthine (p = 0.012), tympanic (p = 0.023) and geniculate parts (p = 0.04). Considering CT values; statistically significant difference between affected and unaffected sides was not found at any segment. Comparison of FN/FC ratio of both sides revealed statistically significant increment of the affected side at labyrinthine segment (p = 0.015) and geniculate ganglion (p = 0.032). We determined positive correlation between diameter of FN and HB grade at labyrinthine segment (p = 0.03, R = 0.531). On the other hand, we determined negative correlation between diameter of FC and HB grade at labyrinthine segment (p < 0.001, R = -318). A positive correlation between HB grade and FN/FC ratio was found only at the labyrinthine segment (p = 0.003, R = 0.673). CONCLUSION: FN/FC ratio of labyrinthine segment and geniculate ganglion was found to be increased in patients with Bell's palsy. In addition, a positive correlation was determined between this ratio and grade of Bell's palsy particularly at labyrinthine segment. Basing the current study, if FN decompression is recommended in Bell's palsy patients with objective findings of bad prognosis, conservative surgery targeting the labyrinthine segment and geniculate ganglion alone might be safer.

Efficacy of Epley Maneuver on Quality of Life of Elderly Patients with Subjective BPPV.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the repositioning maneuver on quality of life in elderly patients with dizziness and/or vertigo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This controlled, prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted in elderly patients aged 65 years and above with a positive history of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), presence of vertigo, and no observable nystagmus during the Dix-Hallpike test, so-called Subjective BPPV (S-BPPV). Individuals were evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) and dizziness handicap inventory (DHI). Groups were defined as treatment (treated with Epley maneuver bilaterally) or no treatment control (no treatment modality or canalith repositioning maneuver). Ten days after the first assessment, all patients were reassessed using VAS and DHI. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients were randomized into two groups: 25 to the treatment group, and 25 to the control group. No significant differences were observed for baseline VAS and total DHI scores between the groups (p=0.636, p=0.846, respectively). On the other hand, after the reassessment, VAS and total DHI scores were both significantly reduced in the treatment group (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively), but no reduction in either score was found in the control group (p=0.216, p=0.731, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study showed that elderly patients with S-BPPV benefit from the Epley maneuver, in particular global and disease-specific quality of life.

The evaluation of pretreatment neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and derived neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in patients with laryngeal neoplasms.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic inflammatory biomarkers are promising predictive and prognostic factors for solid cancers. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and derived neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio are used to predict inflammation and used as biomarker in several malignancies. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the diagnostic, predictive and prognostic role of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and derived neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in patients with laryngeal neoplasms. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on medical records involving 229 patients with benign, premalignant and malignant laryngeal neoplasms between 2002 and 2015. The diagnostic, predictive and prognostic role of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and derived neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio were evaluated using uni- and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and derived neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio were not statistically different between patients with benign, premalignant and malignant laryngeal neoplasms. Both neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and derived neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio were predictive factors for stage, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis. Patients with high neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio value (≥4) had a poor prognosis when compared with patients with low neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio value (5 year, Overall Survival: 69.0% vs. 31.1%, p<0.001; 5 year, disease free survival: 70.0% vs. 32.7%, p˂0.001; 5 year, locoregional recurrence free survival: 69.7% vs. 32.0%, p<0.001). Furthermore, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio was an independent prognostic factor for 5 year: Overall survival (HR=2.396; 95% CI 1.408-4.077; p=0.001), Disease free survival (HR=2.246; 95% CI 1.322-3.816; p=0.006) and locoregional recurrence free survival (HR=2.210; 95% CI 1.301-3.753; p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Pretreatment neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio is a useful and reliable predictive and prognostic biomarker for patients with laryngeal carcinoma.

Endoscopic versus microscopic ossiculoplasty: Does the functional outcome vary according to the type of osciculoplasty?

Abstract Objective: To compare functional outcome of microscopic and endoscopic approach regarding type of ossiculoplasty. Methods: In this retrospective study, cases who had undergone type-II and type-III tympanoplasty between February 2007 to September 2019 were divided into two groups according to the type of approach as microscopic and endoscopic. In cases with type-II reconstruction; Partial Ossicular chain Replacement Prosthesis (PORP), incus interposition and bone cement were used in order of frequency. Whereas in cases with type-III reconstruction, only Total Ossicular chain Replacement Prosthesis (TORP) was used. The average Air Bone Gap (ABG) was determined pre- and post-operatively for the calculation of Air Conductance Gain (ACG). The ACG, pre- and post-operative ABG values of each group were compared with regard to the type of ossiculoplasty. Results: A total of 79 cases consisting of 32 females and 47 males who had undergone type-II and type-III tympanoplasty were enrolled. No statistically significant difference between microscopic and endoscopic approach was found in terms of ACG (p = 0.42), pre-(p = 0.23) and postoperative ABG (p = 0.99). We did not find any significant difference in terms of ACG, pre- and postoperative ABG between two approaches for type-II and type-III reconstructions (p>0.05). Conclusions: According to the current study, endoscopic approach in type-II and type-III reconstruction is at least reliable as microscopic approach regarding functional outcome. Since both techniques have similar functional results, other factors (anatomic characteristics, habitude of the surgeon and duration of the surgery) should be considered when choosing the technique. Level of evidence: In the current paper we present a retrospective comparative study of two different approaches of a particular type of otologic surgery. Level of evidence corresponds to level III.