The aims of this study were to evaluate the expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) driven by 6 different promoters, including cytomegalovirus IE enhancer and chicken β−actin promoter (CAG), cytomegalovirus promoter (CMV), neuron-specific enolase promoter (NSE), myosin 7A promoter (Myo), elongation factor 1α promoter (EF-1α), and Rous sarcoma virus promoter (RSV), and assess the dose response of CAG promoter to transgene expression in the cochlea. Serotype 1 adeno-associated virus (AAV1) vectors with various constructs were transduced into the cochleae, and the level of EGFP expression was examined. We found the highest EGFP expression in the inner hair cells and other cochlear cells when CAG promoter was used. The CMV and NSE promoter drove the higher EGFP expression, but only a marginal activity was observed in EF-1α promoter driven constructs. RSV promoter failed to drive the EGFP expression. Myo promoter driven EGFP was exclusively expressed in the inner hair cells of the cochlea. When driven by CAG promoter, reporter gene expression was detected in inner hair cells at a dose as low as 3 × 10 7 genome copies, and continued to increase in a dosedependent manner. Our data showed that individual promoter has different ability to drive reporter gene expression in the cochlear cells. Our results might provide important information with regard to the role of promoters in regulating transgene expression and for the proper design of vectors for gene expression and gene therapy.

Background To investigate the feasibility of an endoscopic‐assisted postauricular‐groove approach parotidectomy and to evaluate the advantages and limitations of such an approach. Methods A total of 72 patients with parotid gland tumors underwent a parotidectomy procedure between January 2014 and January 2016. Of the aforementioned patients, 15 were treated by a postauricular‐groove approach (group I), whereas the remaining 57 were treated by the Blair “S” incision (group II). Results Difference in visual analogue scale score for aesthetic outcome (0 vs 3) and median intraoperative blood loss (30 vs 50 mL) was statistically significant. Operation time and transient facial nerve paralysis were comparable. No recurrence of tumors was found in either group. Conclusion The endoscopic‐assisted postauricular‐groove approach for limited parotid tumor resection offers several advantages over the conventional “S” incision parotidectomy. In addition, it is arguably safer and results in a superior aesthetic outcome.

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Purpose To evaluate the value of Brodsky tonsil scale in predicting the objective tonsil volume and to identify the potential factors that might interfere with the accuracy of prediction. Methods A total of 87 adult patients who underwent single tonsillectomy or uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) procedure including tonsillectomy in our hospital between Jan 2015 and Dec 2016 were included. The data of Brodsky tonsil scale evaluated preoperatively and objective tonsil volume evaluated postoperatively were collected for analysis. Results Among the 87 adult patients included, 85 patients underwent bilateral tonsillectomy, while only 2 underwent unilateral procedure. Therefore, a total of 172 tonsils were included. Significant positive correlations were established between Brodsky scale and objective volume for either right (R = 0.647), left (R = 0.664), or overall tonsils (R = 0.654) (all p < 0.001). However, volume overlaps could be found between 2+ and 3+ tonsils. Age [odds ratio (OR) = 4.053, p = 0.003] and body mass index (BMI; OR=1.740, p = 0.044) were found to be independent factors that could influence the consistency between the Brodsky scale and objective volume. As a result, a formula “Index = -1.409+1.399×age+0.554×BMI” was constructed for the evaluation of the consistency. Conclusion Tonsil grading was significantly correlated with tonsil volume; preoperative tonsil grading that reflected the real tonsil volume was regarded as the protocol for the evaluation of the tonsil size. Age and BMI were independent factors that could affect the consistency between tonsil grade and tonsil volume. A mathematical model was estimated to predict the consistency accurately.

Tubomanometry (TMM) is a relatively novel method for testing the eustachian tube (ET) function, which is speculated to be closely related to otitis media with effusion (OME). The purpose of this study is to explore the predictive power of TMM value for medication outcomes in adult acute OME. A cohort of 41 adult acute OME patients with 53 affected ears was studied retrospectively. All these patients completed a 2-week treatment including oral Myrtol Standardized Enteric capsules, nasal steroid, and oral antihistamine. The results showed that the response rate was 41.5% (22/53). The ratio of tympanometry C and TMM value differed significantly between responders and non-responders (P < 0.05), and the TMM value is the only predictive variable for treatment outcomes (P < 0.001, odds ratio 1.873). A ROC analysis of the TMM value for the treatment outcome showed that the area under the curve could achieve 0.773 (P < 0.001), while the optimal cutoff value calculated by Youden index was 1.5, with 72.7% sensitivity and 74.2% specificity. The response rate of ears with 2-6 TMM values could reach 66.7% (16/24), which was significantly higher than that of ears with TMM values 0-1, 20.7% (6/29) (P < 0.001). These findings showed that acute OME patients with a high TMM value and tympanometry C of the affected ear could potentially benefit from medication. The TMM value was an independent predictive factor of the treatment outcomes that could guide treatment decisions.

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Background Intranasal corticosteroids are the most efficacious anti-inflammatory medications for allergic rhinitis (AR). However, the efficacy and safety of intranasal corticosteroids in children have not yet been subject to specific research in China. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of fluticasone furoate nasal spray (FFNS) in a Chinese pediatric population. Methods In this phase 4 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study, pediatric AR patients aged 2–12 years were randomized 1:1:1, receiving either FFNS 55 or 110 µg or placebo. Electronic diary cards were completed to record symptoms, rescue medication use, and treatment compliance. Anterior rhinoscopy and overall response to therapy were evaluated and recorded. Results Patients treated with FFNS at either dose experienced a significantly greater reduction in daily reflective total nasal symptom score compared with placebo. This was maintained in a younger subset of patients (2–6 years). Drug-related adverse events occurred in <20% of patients in all groups. FFNS was well tolerated at both doses. Conclusions This study demonstrates favorable efficacy and safety profiles for FFNS 55 or 110 µg in Chinese pediatric populations (2–12 years), supporting its use in clinical treatment for AR children, including younger children aged 2–6 years. Impact The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of intranasal fluticasone furoate in Chinese pediatric allergic rhinitis.This research not only addresses the deficiency in efficacy and safety data for intranasal corticosteroids in very young patients (aged 2–6 years) worldwide but also demonstrates that fluticasone furoate nasal spray shows a favorable benefit/risk profile at different dose levels.Our data will be of interest to the broad readership of Pediatric Research and will positively contribute to the dialog regarding the treatment of allergic rhinitis in children aged 2–6 years.

The Journal of International Advanced Otology (J Int Adv Otol) is an international, peer reviewed, open access publication that is fully sponsored and owned by the European Academy of Otology and Neurotology and the Politzer Society. The journal is published triannually in April, August, and December and its publication language is English.The scope of the Journal is limited with otology, neurotology, audiology (excluding linguistics) and skull base medicine.The Journal of International Advanced Otology aims to publish manuscripts at the highest clinical and scientific level. J Int Adv Otol publishes original articles in the form of clinical and basic research, review articles, short reports and a limited number of case reports. Controversial patient discussions, communications on emerging technology, and historical issues will also be considered for publication.Target audience of J Int Adv Otol includes physicians and academics who work in the fields of otology, neurotology, audiology and skull base medicine.