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Introduction: Although sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) has been attempted to be understood for 70 years, diagnosis and treatment strategies still have strong heterogeneity worldwide, which are reflected in the guidelines issued by countries and the clinical practice of otolaryngologists. Methods: Questionnaires were sent to registered otolaryngologists nationwide via an online questionnaire system. We investigated the current views and clinical practices of otolaryngologists in mainland China about the diagnosis, examination, and treatment strategies of SSNHL. Results: Most otolaryngologists supported diagnostic classification via audiograms. Regional economic situation and hospital grade affected application strategies for differential diagnosis. Regarding corticosteroid therapy, 54.9% of respondents opted to discontinue the drug 5 days after systemic administration. Both intratympanic therapy and post-auricular injections were selected by more than half of the respondents as initial and salvage treatments. Discussion: Chinese otolaryngologists exhibit heterogeneity in clinical practices for SSNHL, including distinct approaches to combination therapy and local application of steroids. This study pointed out Chinese doctors' similarities, differences, and unique strategies in diagnosing and treating SSNHL and analyzed the possible reasons to help the world understand the current otolaryngology practices in China.

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A binary model for the classification of chronic diseases has formerly been proposed. The model classifies chronic diseases as "high Treg" or "low Treg" diseases according to the extent of regulatory T cells (Treg) activity (frequency or function) observed. The present paper applies this model to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The model correctly predicts the efficacy or inefficacy of several immune-modulating drugs in the treatment of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease. It also correctly predicts the class of pathogens mostly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The clinical implications are the following: (a) any search for new immune-modulating drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 should exclude candidates that do not induce "high Treg" immune reaction or those that do not spare CD8+ T cells; (b) immune-modulating drugs, which are effective against SARS-CoV-2, may not be effective against any variant of the virus that does not induce "low Treg" reaction; (c) any immune-modulating drug, which is effective in treating COVID-19, will also alleviate most coinfections; and (d) severe COVID-19 patients should avoid contact with carriers of "low Treg" pathogens.

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Linfocitos T CD8-positivos/inmunología , Tratamiento Farmacológico de COVID-19 , Inmunomodulación/efectos de los fármacos , Linfocitos T Reguladores/inmunología , Corticoesteroides/uso terapéutico , COVID-19/inmunología , Enfermedad Crónica/clasificación , Humanos , Inhibidores de Hidroximetilglutaril-CoA Reductasas/farmacología , Inhibidores de las Cinasas Janus/uso terapéutico , SARS-CoV-2/efectos de los fármacos , SARS-CoV-2/inmunología , Sirolimus/uso terapéutico

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INTRODUCTION: Cough is a major lower airway defense mechanism that can be triggered by exercise in asthma patients. Studies on cough reflex in experimental animal models revealed a decrease of cough reflex sensitivity during exercise in healthy animals, but a lack of desensitization in ovalbumin-sensitized rabbits. The aim of our study is to evaluate the impact of inhaled corticosteroids on cough reflex during artificial limb exercise in an animal model of eosinophilic airway inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen adult ovalbumin-sensitized rabbits were randomly divided into two groups. The "OVA-Corticoid" group (n = 8) received inhaled corticosteroids (budesonide; 1 mg/day during 2 consecutive days) while the "OVA-Control" (n = 8) group was exposed to saline nebulization. The sensitivity of defensive reflexes induced by direct mechanical stimulation of the trachea was studied in anesthetized animals, at rest and during artificial limb exercise. Cell count was performed on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and middle lobe tissue sections to assess the level of eosinophilic inflammation. RESULTS: All rabbits were significantly sensitized but there was no difference in eosinophilic inflammation on bronchoalveolar lavage or tissue sections between the two groups. Artificial limb exercise resulted in a significant (p = 0.002) increase in minute ventilation by 30% (+ 209 mL.min-1, ± 102 mL/min-1), with no difference between the two groups. 322 mechanical tracheal stimulations were performed, 131 during exercise (40.7%) and 191 at rest (59.3%). Cough reflex was the main response encountered (46.9%), with a significant increase in cough reflex threshold during artificial limb exercise in the "OVA-Corticoid" group (p = 0.039). Cough reflex threshold remained unchanged in the "OVA-Control" group (p = 0.109). CONCLUSION: Inhaled corticosteroids are able to restore desensitization of the cough reflex during artificial limb exercise in an animal model of airway eosinophilic inflammation. Airway inflammation thus appears to be involved in the physiopathology of exercise-induced cough in this ovalbumin sensitized rabbit model. Inhaled anti-inflammatory treatments could have potential benefit for the management of exercise-induced cough in asthma patients.

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BACKGROUND: Initial response to corticosteroids (CS) is recognized as a strong predictor of outcomes in ulcerative colitis (UC). AIM: To compare outcomes of early poor responders (PR) versus good responders (GR) to initial CS at 1, 2, and 3 years from diagnosis. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we report longitudinal outcomes of children with moderate-severe UC, initiating oral/IV CS < 1 month of diagnosis and a minimum follow-up (FU) of 1 year. CS resistance (CSR) and CS dependency (CSD) were combined as PR, and those with CS-free remission (CSFR) at 6 months were GR. RESULTS: Of 116 children with UC, 76 (33 males) fulfilled study criteria. Median age at diagnosis was 12 years (IQR 12-14), and a median FU was 48 months (IQR 27-65). Thirty-five (46%, CSR = 10, CSD = 25) were PR, and 41 (54%) were GR. Mean relapse (2.39 vs. 1.1, p = 0.0009), acute severe UC flare-up (40% vs. 9.7%, p = 0.002), and colectomy rates (34.2% vs. 2.4%) were greater in PR versus GR, despite frequent early (< 6 months) use of azathioprine (74% vs. 27%, p = 0.004) and anti-TNFs (43% vs. 2.4%, p = 0.0001). Cumulative colectomy at 3 years was lowest in those with GR versus CSD and CSR (2.4% vs. 28% and 50% p = 0.001). On univariate analysis, CRP > 20 mg/L at diagnosis, Mayo Clinical Score > 1 at 3 months, and PR predicted colectomy. On multivariate regression, only baseline CRP > 20 mg/L predicted colectomy (HR 4.9, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Baseline CRP and poor response to initial CS are associated with unfavorable outcomes in children with UC.

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Corticoesteroides/uso terapéutico , Proteína C-Reactiva/metabolismo , Colitis Ulcerosa/tratamiento farmacológico , Mediadores de Inflamación/sangre , Adolescente , Productos Biológicos/uso terapéutico , Biomarcadores/sangre , Niño , Colectomía , Colitis Ulcerosa/sangre , Colitis Ulcerosa/diagnóstico , Colitis Ulcerosa/inmunología , Progresión de la Enfermedad , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Recurrencia , Inducción de Remisión , Estudios Retrospectivos , Factores de Riesgo , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Factores de Tiempo , Resultado del Tratamiento

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Improving the outcome of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is an ongoing challenge, even in the setting of significant advances in antimicrobial chemotherapy and critical care. Recognition of the underlying involvement of inflammation-mediated organ dysfunction as a determinant of adverse outcomes in CAP has aroused intense interest in the protective potential of adjunctive anti-inflammatory therapies in CAP, particularly the role of corticosteroids (CS). This is the primary topic of the current review which is focused on an evaluation of the latest meta-analyses encompassing both recent and earlier clinical trials, with particular emphasis on the stringent meta-analysis undertaken by Siemieniuk and colleagues (Ann Intern Med 2015;163:519-528). The review highlights the findings and recommendations of these and related published commentaries/critiques, while providing a brief description of those sub-groups of patients who seemingly stand to benefit most from CS therapy. This is preceded by an overview of the mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory activities of CS, the interactions of these agents with macrolide antibiotics, and the potential benefits and risks of short-term administration of CS, concluding with a succinct appraisal of priority issues for ongoing and future research.

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Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is characterized as a normocytic anemia associated with reticulocytopenia and the absence of erythroblasts in the bone marrow. PRCA can be induced by various causes such as thymoma, connective tissue disease, viral infection, lymphoma, and adverse drug reactions. There have been only a few reports of PRCA associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We report a 45 year old female presented with symptomatic anemia of several months duration on a background of long standing seropositive deforming RA. Bone marrow examination revealed marked suppression of erythroid precursors with normal myeloid and megakaryocytic series, thereby confirming PRCA. Anemia improved following therapy with prednisolone 1 mg/kg/day. This article also reviews the current status of therapy in acquired PRCA.