Descriptive Analysis of the Arterial Supply to the Auricle in Patients with Unilateral Microtia

Background: Microtia is a congenital auricular deformity that occurs in 1:5,000–10,000 births. It can cause severe impairment to the patient's self-esteem and problems regarding social integration. Multiple measures have been described in attempt to better operative outcomes of these patients. We used computed tomography (CT) angiography to analyze the vascular pattern of the auricular region before surgery. Methods: Fourteen patients with unilateral microtia were included. All underwent CT angiogram plus tridimensional reconstruction. Both healthy and microtic auricles were analyzed descriptively in terms of main arterial supply, pattern, diameter of subbranches, and angulation. The sample was divided in 2 age groups for better understanding of the data. Results: Blood supply to the auricle was found to depend on 2 main vessels: temporal superficial artery (TSA) and its subbranches (superior, middle, and lower branch) and posterior auricular (PA) artery. In the microtic group, TSA was the dominant artery in 13 of 14 cases (92%). Superior, middle, and inferior branches were present in 4, 3, and 0 cases, respectively. Three of the microtic auricles presented supply from PA artery, from which in 1 case, it represented the only supply to the region. Conclusions: There is wide variability in the blood supply of both healthy and microtic auricles; however, we were able to identify some tendencies in our sample. Further research is needed to prove the benefit of a preoperative imaging study in these patients. Still, in our experience, we found it useful as a complement for surgical planning.

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Monitoring key organic indoor pollutants and their elimination in a biotrickling biofilter

Abstract

A biotrickling filter was evaluated to treat the air of the interior of a bioprocess research laboratory. Initially, various solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers were used to identify and quantify the volatile organic pollutants and hexane, methyl isobutyl ketone, benzene, toluene, and xylene were further selected as indicators due to their prevalence and relative abundance. The system treated organic loading rates between 0.16 mg_carbon m⁻³ h⁻¹ and close to 30 mg_carbon m⁻³ h⁻¹ achieving removal efficiencies (RE) over 85% during 136 operational days. Respirometry experiments demonstrated that moderate acidification (below 5.0), due to microbial activity, adversely affected biofilter performance and consequently pH control was necessary to maintain performance.

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Development and Validation of the Cholinergic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire: CholU-QoL

Abstract

Background

Cholinergic urticaria (CholU), a common form of chronic inducible urticaria, is characterized by itchy wheals that occur in response to physical exercise or passive warming. CholU patients frequently exhibit a high burden of disease. As of yet, no specific instrument is available to assess their disease-related quality of life (QoL) impairment.

Objective

The aim of this study was to develop and validate the first disease specific QoL instrument for CholU patients, the Cholinergic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (CholU-QoL).

Methods

Using a combined approach of literature search, semi-structured patient interviews and expert opinion we developed 96 potential CholU-QoL items. Subsequent item selection was performed by means of impact analysis complemented by an expert review for face validity. The resulting final CholU-QoL was then tested for levels of validity, reliability and influence factors in 88 CholU patients. In parallel, an US American-Canadian English version of the CholU-QoL was developed.

Results

The final 28-item CholU-QoL was found to have a 5-domain structure ('symptoms', 'functional life', 'social interaction', 'therapy', 'emotions') with excellent internal consistency. The CholU-QoL also showed a valid total score, and good levels of convergent validity, known-groups validity, as well as test-retest reliability. Multiple regression analysis found no significant drivers of the CholU-QoL total score.

Conclusions & Clinical Relevance

The CholU-QoL is the first disease specific QoL instrument for CholU and also the first specific QoL measure in the field of chronic inducible urticarias. It may serve as a valuable tool for clinical trials and improve routine patient management.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Prevalence of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus in Tonsil Tissue in Healthy Adults

This retrospective, cross-sectional study examines the prevalence of oropharyngeal human papillomavirus and the spatial relationship between the virus and crypt biofilm in tonsil tissue of otherwise healthy adults.

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Clinical reactivity of celery cultivars in allergic patients – Role of Api g 1

Abstract

Background

Celery (Apium graveolens L.) is a vegetable consumed worldwide. Celery stalks and celeriac roots are often ingredients in convenient food products like spice blends and soups.

Objective

In this study, we examined the allergenicity of distinct celeriac cultivars.

Methods

Sixteen celery allergic patients were identified using a double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC). Ten different celeriac cultivars were used for skin prick testing in the patients. Two cultivars were further applied for oral food challenges, their protein composition were analysed by immunoblotting, and contents of major allergen Api g 1 were quantified.

Results

From the 10 investigated celeriac cultivars, two cultivars elicited significantly different skin reactivity ('Anita': 5.0 [2.0 – 12.0] mm vs. 'Prinz': 7.0 [3.0 – 9.5] mm; p = 0.047). Moreover, 'Anita' induced fewer symptoms after a controlled oral celeriac challenge in 14 patient (p < 0.001). The protein profiles on 2DE protein gels showed distinct protein patterns and higher protein amounts of Api g 1 in 'Prinz' than in 'Anita'.

Conclusions & Clinical Relevance

Taken together, the data from this study suggest that cultivar Anita is better tolerated in celery allergic patients than 'Prinz'. Differences in the protein expression profile between the cultivars, particularly the different content of Api g 1, could cause the different allergenicity.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Otolaryngologic Manifestations of Klippel-Feil Syndrome in Children

This review examines a series of children with Klippel-Feil syndrome to define the otolaryngologic diagnoses made and procedures performed in this challenging patient population.

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Heart Failure and Hearing Loss Among Older Adults in the United States

This secondary analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey examines the prevalence and correlates of hearing loss among older adults with and without heart failure in the United States.

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