Endoscopic transcanal versus conventional microscopic tympanoplasty in treatment of anterior tympanic membrane perforations.

PURPOSE: To compare the surgical outcomes of endoscopic transcanal tympanoplasty (ETT) and conventional microscopic tympanoplasty (CMT) in repairing anterior tympanic membrane perforations (ATMPs). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the graft success rate, hearing outcomes, operative time, hospitalization period and complications in patients who underwent ETT and CMT between October 2015 and July 2018. In addition, the authors investigated whether anterior canal wall protrusion (ACWP) affects the graft success rate and operative time. RESULTS: The graft success rates for ETT and CMT were 93.7% (30 out of 32 patients) and 91.4% (32 out of 35 patients), respectively (p = 0.640). There was no significant relationship between ACWP and graft success rates in either the endoscopic (p = 0.685) and microscopic (p = 0.894) group. The mean operative time was significantly shorter in the ETT group (37.2 ± 3.1 min) than in the CMT group (52.9 ± 9.2 min) (p < 0.001). Regarding operative time, there was no statistically significant difference between patients with and without ACWP (38.3 versus 36.3 min, respectively (p = 0.124)) in the ETT group. However, the mean operative time of patients with ACWP in the CMT group was significantly longer than patients without ACWP [62.3 versus 48.8 min, respectively (p < 0.001)]. CONCLUSIONS: ETT offering fewer complication rates and shorter duration of surgery may serve as a reasonable alternative to CMT in repairing ATMPs, with comparable graft success rates.

RBPSponge: genome-wide identification of lncRNAs that sponge RBPs.

SUMMARY: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can act as molecular sponge or decoys for an RNA-binding protein (RBP) through their RBP-binding sites, thereby modulating the expression of all target genes of the corresponding RBP of interest. Here, we present a web tool named RBPSponge to explore lncRNAs based on their potential to act as a sponge for an RBP of interest. RBPSponge identifies the occurrences of RBP-binding sites and CLIP peaks on lncRNAs, and enables users to run statistical analyses to investigate the regulatory network between lncRNAs, RBPs and targets of RBPs. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: The web server is available at https://www.RBPSponge.com. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Cost analysis of medical device spare parts.

OBJECTIVE: To establish estimation method on budget management of medical device spare parts and to evaluate the cost of medical device spare parts in affiliated hospitals of Istanbul Public Hospital Unions (PHUs). METHODS: While this evaluation was performed, the relationship between paid cost for spare parts according to technological development level of device groups and total inventory value was used. Spare part cost analysis was carried out by using the normalized weighted arithmetic average method. Cost analysis of medical equipment spare parts of Istanbul PHUs was performed by using the data retrieved from Ministry of Health Business Intelligence Decision Support System for spending of spare parts in 2015. RESULTS: The medical device spare part groups were categorized based on technological development. Among 1 to 6 PHUs, the cost ratios were acquired for high, middle, low and simple technology group as 17.31 - 40.08%, 29.14 - 43.36%, 22.62 - 27.44% and 8.16 - 11.89%, respectively. The ratio between the spare part and total inventory costs for 1-6 PHUs were calculated as 1.66%, 2.87%, 3.03%, 3.31%, 2.57% and 4.69% respectively. Expected rates based on normalized weighted method were obtained as follows; 5.76%, 4.67%, 5.31%, 4.87%, 4.34% and 4.27%. CONCLUSION: The expenditure analysis and budget planning for medical device spare parts in PHU could be predicted more accurately by taking into consideration the expected rate calculated by the normal weight method. In additon, the importance of Clinical Engineering Service Units in management of medical devices has been determined.