Current Inflammatory Status of Monocyte Ratios in Bell's Palsy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the contribution of monocyte/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio (MHR) and monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR) to the inflammatory process and the severity and prognosis of the disease in patients with Bell's palsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was designed retrospectively by analyzing our electronic database. A study group consisted of 48 patients who were referred to our clinic with Bell's palsy between January 2018 and June 2020. The control group consisted of 45 healthy individuals. Monocyte, HDL, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet values were recorded. The hematological parameters obtained from the blood tests of the patients in the study group at the time of admission were statistically compared with the values in the control group. Radiologic images were also collected. RESULTS: The MHR value of the study group was 12.85±1.02, while the MHR value of the control group was 12.29±1.33, and it showed a statistically significant difference (p=0.027). However, no statistically significant difference between the groups was found in other parameters, including MLR, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR). A positive correlation was found between the MHR value and the House-Brackmann stage. The NLR value of the patients who showed contrast enhancement in facial nerves on MRI was found to be statistically significant compared to those without contrast enhancement. CONCLUSION: High MHR values in patients with Bell's palsy support the role of inflammatory and ischemic processes in etiopathogenesis. Further studies are needed to confirm our results in a multi-center manner with larger patient populations.

Consequences of FFP3 mask usage on venous blood gases.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To investigate the effect of FFP3 mask usage on venous blood gases (VBG) and some subjective symptoms METHODS: VBG analyses and subjective symptom questionary were obtained from 15 healthcare proffesionals before and after 4-h FFP3 mask usage. RESULTS: Wearing an FFP3 mask for 4 hours did not change any venous blood gas parameters between pre- and post-values, statistically. According to an 8-symptom questionary, only nausea did not show any significance. Headache, lightheadedness, visual difficulties, shortness of breath, palpitation, confusion, and difficult communication showed statistically significant difference between pre and post values. CONCLUSION: Four-hour use of FFP3 mask did not cause any significant VBG change. Although the participants complained about some subjective symptoms, this study indicated that long-term use of FFP3 mask did not cause any significant discomforts, and it was well tolerated.

The Protective Effect of Nigella sativa Oil against Experimentally Induced Cisplatin Ototoxicity: An Animal Study.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the potential protective effect of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) against cis-diamminedichloroplatinum or cisplatin (CDDP)-induced ototoxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar albino rats were randomly and equally divided into four groups. Groups 1 and 2 were given a total of 15 mg/kg CDDP intraperitoneally, which was divided equally into three doses on days 1, 3, and 5. Group 2 was treated via gavage feeding with 15 ml NSO that was divided into five doses on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. Groups 3 and 4 received only 15 ml of NSO and 15 ml of 0.9% saline solution, respectively, which were orally administered and divided into five doses on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. Baseline high-frequency (8, 12, 16, and 32 kHz) auditory brainstem response (ABR) measurements were collected in all the groups before the medical administrations and were repeated on the 14th day before sacrifice. Afterward, a histopathological evaluation of the cochlea was performed. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the histopathological changes between group 1 and the other groups (p<0.01). Changes in the spiral ganglion cells, the stria vascularis, and the external ciliated cells were significantly different between groups 1 and 2 (p=0.019, 0.039, and 0.045, respectively). The ABR results revealed significant differences in the 16 and 32 kHz measurements between groups 1 and 2 (p=0.013 and p<0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: According to the results, NSO may have a protective effect on cochlear function against the disruptive effects of CDDP in rats.

Investigation of the Protective Effect of Nigella Sativa Oil in Cisplatin Induced Oral Mucositis: An Experimental Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the histopathologic effect of Nigella Sativa oil (NSO) on cisplatin (Cis) induced oral mucositis (OM) in rats. METHODS: Twenty-four rats were divided into four equal groups. The animals in Group 1 and Group 2 were given 5 mg/kg intraperitoneal (ip) Cis systemically on the 1st, 3rd and 5th days of the study. Additionally, 15 mL NSO were given to the rats in Group 2, with gavage feeding on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. The animals in Group 3 were given per oral 15 ml NSO on days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. As the control group, Group 4 received a total of 15 mL 0.9% saline solution divided into 5 doses on days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 by oral gavage. On the 14th day, animals were euthanized and buccal mucosa from both sides, including submucosal tissues, were excised and taken to histopathological examination. RESULTS: The mean mucosal thicknesses of the groups were 224.58 µm, 276.1 µm, 323.33 µm, and 331.33 µm, respectively for Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 (p<0.05). When the degree of mucosal inflammation was examined, the most intense inflammation was detected in Group 1 and the least intense inflammation was in Group 4 (p<0.01). The degree of inflammation in Group 2 and Group 3 were similar to Group 4 (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, NSO, for which anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties have been shown in previous studies, may also be effective in preventing Cis-induced OM.

In Vitro Investigation of the Antibacterial Activity of Nigella sativa Oil on Some of the Most Commonly Isolated Bacteria in Otitis Media and Externa.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of Nigella sativa (NS) seed oil against the most frequently isolated infectious bacteria of the middle and external ear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The in vitro antibacterial activity of NS oil was evaluated against 34 clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, 32 clinical isolates of Moraxella catarrhalis, 32 clinical isolates of Haemophilus influenzae, and 32 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and P. aeruginosa were also evaluated for their sensitivity to the NS oil. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the NS oil was determined via a broth dilution technique. Serial solutions were prepared in a Mueller Hinton-F broth to achieve an ultimate concentration of NS oil within the microplate wells ranging from 256 µg/mL to 0.25 µg/mL. The growth control wells and medium were used for each bacterial strain, and the microplates were incubated at 35°C for 24 h. Those wells having no visible growth and the lowest concentration of NS oil were accepted as showing the MIC. RESULTS: In this study, a comparison was made between NS oil and the various antibiotics known to be effective against the bacterial strains mentioned above. The NS was shown to have bactericidal activity against H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis, and S. pneumoniae. However, the NS was not found to be effective against P. aeruginosa at any concentration. CONCLUSION: The results of this laboratory-based study support the use of NS oil as an alternative treatment for ear infections. However, it is necessary to conduct clinical studies to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of NS oil on patients with ear infections.

Facial canal dehiscence rate: a retrospective analysis of 372 chronic otitis media cases.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the rate and location of facial canal dehiscence (FCD) observed during surgery for chronic otitis media (COM) with or without cholesteatoma. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Operative details of 1296 patients who underwent chronic otitis media surgery from January 2000 to January 2017 by the same surgeon were included in this retrospective study focusing on intraoperative observations of FCD. RESULTS: Because of the type of the surgery, the Fallopian canal could not be seen completely, so 924 of the cases which only involved performing a tympanoplasty were not included in the study. A total of 372 patients (196 males and 176 females) who had a canal wall down (CWD) or canal wall up (CWU) mastoidectomy were included in the study. A CWD mastoidectomy was performed on 250 patients, while 122 patients underwent a CWU mastoidectomy. The prevalence of FCD was 11.29% (42/372 patients). The dehiscence was more common in patients with cholesteatoma (n = 37; 88.1%) than those with non-cholesteatoma (n = 5; 11.9%). The tympanic segment (n = 32; 76.19%) was the most common location for FCD. When we compared the ossicular erosion results of the cases that had FCD, erosion in three ossicles together was more statistically significantly frequent than the other possibilities. CONCLUSION: It is possible to see FCD because of COM, especially with cholesteatoma. FCD is most commonly seen around the oval window. If stapes or all three ossicles are eroded, the surgeons must be more careful regarding FCD to be more effective in preventing facial nerve damage.