Comparison of Short-Term Hearing Outcome in Stapedotomy Using either Vein or Fat (Adipose Tissue) as Sealing Material

Abstract Introduction Otosclerosis is a common cause of conductive hearing loss in the adult population that is caused by fixation of the stapes footplate. Cochlear otosclerosis may also present with sensorineural or mixed hearing loss. Surgery is the definitive treatment of choice and, during the procedure, sealing of the oval window with autologous tissue graft around the stapes prosthesis has been routinely done to improve hearing outcome and to mitigate postoperative complications. Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of two different types of autologous tissue (vein or fat) grafts as oval window sealing materials in stapedotomy in improving short-term hearing outcomes. Methods In our study, 70 patients with otosclerosis who underwent primary stapedotomy were included. They were divided into group 1 (vein graft) and group 2 (fat graft) based on the type of sealing material used. All patients were followed-up at the end of 3 months, undergoing an audiometric examination to assess the hearing outcome. Results A total of 80% (n = 28) of the patients in group1 had an air-bone gap (ABG) closure < 10dB, and, in group 2, 85.7% had an ABG closure < 10 dB; this difference was found to be statistically insignificant. A total of 42.9% (n = 15) of the patients in group 1 and of 31.4% (n = 11) in group 2 had a significant improvement in bone conduction, while 14.3% (n = 5) of the patients in group 1 and 17.1% (n = 6) in group 2 had worsening of average bone conduction postoperatively, which was found to be statistically insignificant. Conclusions Both vein and fat grafts had comparable effects on hearing outcomes when used as sealing materials in stapedotomy.

A Review on Ergonomics Factors Determining Working in Harmony with Exoskeletons

@#Exoskeletons are wearable devices that can enhance human strength and are used in various fields, such as healthcare and the manufacturing industry. However, poorly designed exoskeletons can strain the muscles and cause injuries to users. The objectives of this review paper are to review the ergonomics factors that contribute to a harmonious user-exoskeleton interaction and to explore the current trends, challenges, and future directions for developing ergonomically designed exoskeletons. In this review, 102 relevant papers published from 2015 to 2023 were retrieved from Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. These papers were considered in the analysis for gathering relevant information on the topic. The authors identified six ergonomics factors, namely kinematic compatibility, contact pressure, postural control, metabolic cost, cognitive workload, as well as task demands and workplace conditions, that can influence the interaction between users and exoskeletons. By understanding and addressing these ergonomics factors during the design and development process, exoskeleton designers can enhance the user experience and adoption of the devices in daily living activities and industrial applications.

Evaluation of YouTube videos as sources of information about complex regional pain syndrome

Background@#As the internet usage becomes easily accessible, the patients are more frequently searching about diseases and medicalon-medical treatments.Considering that complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a debilitating disease, it is important to check the information that patients are accessing. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the reliability, sufficiency, and accuracy of the YouTube videos about CRPS. @*Methods@#This study is a descriptive research which is derived by searching videos using the keyword ‘complex regional pain syndrome’ on YouTube. Relevancebased sequencing was used to sort the videos. Sources and video parameters were documented. To evaluate the accuracy, reliability and content quality of the videos, Global Quality Score, Journal of American Medical Association Benchmark Criteria and Modified DISCERN Questionnaire scales were used. @*Results@#A total of 167 videos were included in this study. The majority of the videos originated from USA (80.2%, n = 134). The median number of views was 639 and the viewing rate was 73.3. Most of the videos had partially sufficient data and the interaction index viewing rate parameters for videos with high content quality were greater than videos with low content quality (P = 0.010, P = 0.014). @*Conclusions@#Our results showed that videos about CRPS on YouTube mostly had partially sufficient data and include intermediate-high quality contents. Moreover, high-content quality videos had higher viewing rates, interaction indexes, number of likes, longer durations, as well as better reliability and accuracy scores. Videos with high quality and reliable content are needed to reduce misinformation about CRPS.

Hepatocyte Dysfunction in Patients with Nodular Goiter after Thyroidectomy Previously Received Hormone Suppressive Treatment

Background and Objectives@#Hepatic functions in patients with nodular goiter, who received long-term hormonal suppressive treatment was not well enlightened in publications. We studied liver specific enzymes activities in patients with nodular goiter after thyroidectomy. The aim of this study was comparative analysis of treatment outcomes of patients who were previously treated with L-thyroxine and were operated skipping hormonal treatment. @*Materials and Methods@#88 patients (basic group) with nodular goiter underwent surgical operation without any drug treatment. 86 patients in control group received hormonal suppressive treatment with L-thyroxine for 6-12 months and then underwent thyroidectomy. Liver ultrasound (US) scanning and laboratory tests were comparatively studied 3, 6, 12 months after thyroidectomy. @*Results@#Patients that received long-term hormonal suppressive treatment and then admitted for surgery, suffered from discomfort in upper right abdominal quadrant. The ALT, AST, Alkaline Phosphates and GGT activity of those patients was increased, and steatohepatitis was identified in US investigations. Also, total bilirubin, especially the unconjugated fraction concentration was higher in control group. The hepatocytes functional activity in basic group was slightly affected. @*Conclusion@#Long-term hormone suppressive therapy resulted in dysfunction of hepatocytes. It’s highly recommended to the patients with hormonal therapy resistant nodules to undergo surgical treatment.

Chelation activity and protective effect of Caulerpa lentillifera aqueous extract against lead acetate-induced toxicity in Sprague Dawley rats

Lead is a multisystemic toxicant when it accumulates and is hazardous to health. This study was conducted to determinethe effect of Caulerpa lentillifera aqueous extract on lead accumulation in the internal organs and liver functions oflead-intoxicated rats. Sprague Dawley rats (n = 24) were divided into four groups (n = 6). Group I was healthy ratstreated with saline (2 ml/kg bwt) daily for 28 days. Group II was healthy rats treated with C. lentillifera aqueousextract (500 mg/kg bwt) daily for 28 days. Group III was intoxicated with lead acetate (20 mg/kg bwt) daily for 4 daysand then treated with saline (2 ml/kg bwt) for another 24 days. Group IV was intoxicated with lead acetate (20 mg/kgbwt) daily for 4 days and then treated with C. lentillifera aqueous extract (500 mg/kg bwt) for another 24 days. Leadaccumulation in the internal organs was measured by the atomic absorption spectrophotometer and the liver functionmarkers were determined using assay kits. Lead intoxication significantly (p < 0.05) increased lead accumulation inthe rats’ internal organs and affected their liver functions. C. lentillifera aqueous extract supplementation to leadintoxicated rats significantly (p < 0.05) decreased lead accumulation in the rats’ internal organs and protected theirliver functions. This study concludes that C. lentillifera aqueous extract possesses the capability of a chelating agentand attenuates the effect of lead on lead-intoxicated rats

Effect of Incudostapedial Reconstruction Using Conchal Cartilage Interposition Graft on Hearing Outcome

Abstract Introduction Chronic otitis media is a widely prevalent condition in developing countries and is a cause of correctable hearing loss. The most frequent ossicular chain defect found during surgery for chronic otitis media has been a discontinuity of the incudostapedial joint. This study observes the effect of incudostapedial reconstruction using conchal cartilage on the hearing of the patient. Objectives To evaluate improvement in hearing by incudostapedial reconstruction using conchal cartilage interposition graft in tympanoplasty and to identify the independent factors associated with erosion of the long process of incus among patients with chronic suppurative otitis media tubotympanic type. Methods This study was conducted in the department of ear, nose and throat (ENT) amongst 22 patients with tubotympanic-type chronic suppurative otitis media who were found to have erosion of the long process during tympanoplasty. These patients underwent incudostapedial reconstruction using conchal cartilage. Their hearing was again reassessed at 12 weeks postsurgery, and the changes were observed. Results A statistically significant improvement in air conduction by 15.14 dB was found after undergoing incudostapedial reconstruction using conchal cartilage (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant change in bone conduction (p value > 0.05). A total of 59.1% of patients in the study had an improvement in hearing ranging from11 to 20 dB. It was also found that 50% of the patients had a postoperative hearing of 10 to 20 dB. Conclusion Conchal cartilage interposition graft effectively improved hearing when used for the reconstruction of the incudostapedial joint during tympanoplasty in patients of chronic suppurative otitis media.

Knowledge and Attitude of Neonatal Jaundice – Orang Asli Perspective / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

The incidence of neonatal jaundice among aborigines is increasing with the morbidity and mortality among this group are well recognized. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude status on neonatal jaundice among Orang Asli in Sepang, Selangor. Cross-sectional study was conducted within two weeks in Kampung Orang Asli in Sg. Pelek, Sepang, Selangor. A simple random sample of adults aged 18 years and above was selected. Data were collected by an interviewed structured questionnaire. Overall, out of 152 residents, 67% were aware about neonatal jaundice. Majority of them were female (72%), married (78.4%) and respondents who have children (86%). Among those who were aware, almost 68% have good knowledge, in which 70% recognized jaundice by yellow discoloration on the body. High pitched crying (12.7%) and not feeding (10.8%) were among symptoms they knew. Almost 50% of the respondents believed neonatal jaundice may cause mental retardation. As for management of neonatal jaundice at home, majority of them (47%) will expose the baby under the sun, 7.8% will take herbal medication whereas 2% will continue with breast feeding. Almost eighty percent of the respondents will send their jaundiced baby to the hospital immediately, whereas 23% prefer management by nurse at home. Although majority of respondents in Kg. Orang Asli Sg. Pelek have good knowledge & good attitude on neonatal jaundice, some mothers are still likely to resort to self-treatment with potentially harmful therapies.