Validation of cost-efficient EEG experimental setup for neural tracking in an auditory attention task.

When individuals listen to speech, their neural activity phase-locks to the slow temporal rhythm, which is commonly referred to as "neural tracking". The neural tracking mechanism allows for the detection of an attended sound source in a multi-talker situation by decoding neural signals obtained by electroencephalography (EEG), known as auditory attention decoding (AAD). Neural tracking with AAD can be utilized as an objective measurement tool for diverse clinical contexts, and it has potential to be applied to neuro-steered hearing devices. To effectively utilize this technology, it is essential to enhance the accessibility of EEG experimental setup and analysis. The aim of the study was to develop a cost-efficient neural tracking system and validate the feasibility of neural tracking measurement by conducting an AAD task using an offline and real-time decoder model outside the soundproof environment. We devised a neural tracking system capable of conducting AAD experiments using an OpenBCI and Arduino board. Nine participants were recruited to assess the performance of the AAD using the developed system, which involved presenting competing speech signals in an experiment setting without soundproofing. As a result, the offline decoder model demonstrated an average performance of 90%, and real-time decoder model exhibited a performance of 78%. The present study demonstrates the feasibility of implementing neural tracking and AAD using cost-effective devices in a practical environment.

A content analysis of YouTube videos on tinnitus in South Korea.

More people use the internet for medical information, especially YouTube. Nevertheless, no study has been conducted to analyze the quality of YouTube videos about tinnitus in Korea. This study aims to review the contents and quality of YouTube videos on tinnitus. The top 100 Korean YouTube videos on tinnitus were reviewed by a tinnitus expert. This study assessed video details: title, creator, length, and popularity indicators-subscribers, views, and likes. The contents of the video clips were analyzed to determine the relevance, understandability, actionability, and quality of information. Out of 100 tinnitus videos, 27 were created by otolaryngologists, 25 by traditional Korean medicine doctors, 25 by other medical professionals, and 3 by lay persons. Sensorineural tinnitus was frequently dealt, and hearing loss, stress, and noise were introduced as main causes of tinnitus. Otolaryngologists' videos covered verified treatments, but others suggested unproven therapies including herbal medicine or acupressure. Otolaryngologists' videos showed significantly higher understandability and quality of information compared to others (p < 0.001). This study found that tinnitus YouTube videos frequently present low-quality and incorrect material, which could have an adverse effect on patients. Results highlight the need for tinnitus specialists to provide accurate information.

Treatment Strategy for Odontogenic Sinusitis.

BACKGROUND: The treatment options for odontogenic sinusitis (OS) include medical management including antibiotics and saline nasal irrigation, endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), and dental treatment. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether OS caused by dental caries and periapical abscess can be cured by dental treatment alone and which patients should consider surgery early. METHODS: A total of 33 patients with OS caused by dental caries and periapical abscess were enrolled. Patients with OS caused by dental implants, trauma, surgery, or tooth extraction were excluded. All patients were initially treated with dental treatment and medical management without ESS. The patients were divided into two groups according to the results of dental treatment and multiple clinical parameters were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Among the 33 enrolled patients, 22 patients (67%) were cured with dental and medical management, and 11 patients (33%) required ESS after the failure of dental and medical management. Based on the multivariate analysis results, patients who were smokers (OR 33.4) and had a higher Lund-Mackay score on CT (OR 2.0) required ESS after the failure of dental and medical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Two-thirds of the patients with OS caused by dental caries and periapical abscess were cured with dental treatment and medical management without ESS. We recommend dental treatment and medical management first in OS caused by dental caries and periapical abscess. However, we recommend early ESS in patients with smoking habits and severe CT findings of the sinus.

Hominis Placenta facilitates hair re-growth by upregulating cellular proliferation and expression of fibroblast growth factor-7.

BACKGROUND: Hominis Placenta (HP) known as a restorative medicine in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has been widely applied in the clinics of Korea and China as an anti-aging agent to enhance the regeneration of tissue. This study was conducted to investigate whether topical treatment of HP promotes hair regrowth in the animal model. METHODS: The dorsal hairs of 8-week-old C57BL/6 mice were depilated to synchronize hair follicles to the anagen phase. HP was applied topically once a day for 15 days. Hair growth was evaluated visually and microscopically. The incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), fibroblast growth factor-7 (FGF-7) in dorsal skin tissue was examined by immunohistochemical analysis. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure the mRNA expression of FGF-7. RESULTS: HP exhibited potent hair growth-promoting activity in C57BL/6 mice. Gross examination indicated that HP markedly increased hair regrowth as well as hair density and diameter. Histologic analysis showed that HP treatment enhanced the anagen induction of hair follicles. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that BrdU incorporation and the expressions of PCNA were increased by treatment of HP. HP treatment significantly increased the expression of FGF-7, which plays pivotal roles to maintain anagen phase both protein and mRNA levels. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our results indicate that HP has a potent hair growth-promoting activity; therefore, it may be a good candidate for the treatment of alopecia.