Objectives. Particulate matter (PM) is a well-established environmental hazard associated with an increased risk of disease. Although numerous studies have examined PM-induced cellular responses, a comprehensive understanding of PM toxicity requires integrating advanced imaging techniques with quantitative biochemical assays. Methods. Herein, we addressed this gap by combining advanced imaging with quantitative and functional assays to investigate the cellular effects of PM. PM collected in South Korea was used to assess toxicity in macrophages exposed to PM-containing medium.Three-dimensional holotomography revealed PM distribution and microstructural changes in cells following exposure. Results. Analyses of cell viability and inflammation across PM concentrations highlighted harmful effects. Lipid metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction assays helped elucidate underlying mechanisms, whereas a comparative analysis of oxidative potential between PM and gold nanoparticles further demonstrated PM-induced hazards. Oxidative stress drove PM-induced physicochemical changes in macrophages, and PM oxidative potential was a measurable determinant of oxidative stress-related activity. In addition, PM contains several components, including transition metals and organic chemicals; metallic components in particular exhibited redox activity associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. Conclusion. Overall, our findings advance the mechanistic understanding of PM-cell interactions and introduce a novel methodological paradigm for studying the toxicological effects of environmental pollutants.
The complex mucosal microenvironment of the upper aerodigestive tract influences otorhinolaryngologic diseases. Therefore, establishing preclinical models that recapitulate the structural and functional characteristics of otorhinolaryngologic tissues is important for understanding disease pathophysiology and evaluating therapeutic responses. Recently, organ-on-a-chip (OoC) has emerged as a promising in vitro approach to address limitations of conventional models. OoC can reproduce key tissue-level features under controlled microenvironmental conditions by integrating relevant cell or tissue sources, spatial organization, dynamic culture conditions, and multicellular interactions. In this review, we focus on representative OoC applications in oral mucosa and gingiva, nasal mucosa and airway, and head and neck cancer (HNC). We discuss how OoC design strategies are tailored to the intended biological or preclinical application and summarize the current applications, translational challenges, and future directions of these models. Continued advances in patient-relevant model development, reproducibility, standardization, and validation against in vivo and clinical findings may further strengthen the role of OoC as a complementary preclinical platform in otorhinolaryngology.
Pediatric voice disorders are common conditions that may significantly affect communication, psychosocial development, and quality of life in children. Despite their clinical importance, considerable variation exists in diagnostic approaches and treatment strategies, partly due to difficulties in performing invasive examinations and limited high-quality evidence. To address these challenges, the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics developed evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of pediatric voice disorders. These guidelines were developed de novo through a systematic literature review addressing predefined key clinical questions related to pediatric vocal fold mucosal lesions and vocal fold paralysis. Searches were conducted in Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed for studies published up to May 31, 2025. Evidence was critically appraised using standardized tools according to study design, and the certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Recommendations were formulated by considering the balance of benefits and harms, quality of evidence, patient values and preferences, clinical feasibility, and resource implications. A total of nine key clinical questions were addressed, covering diagnostic strategies, voice assessment, noninvasive imaging, voice therapy, surgical intervention, and postoperative management in children with voice disorders. Most recommendations were conditional due to low or very low certainty of evidence, reflecting current limitations in pediatric voice research. These guidelines aim to support consistent, patient-centered clinical decision-making, reduce unwarranted practice variation, and promote optimal outcomes in the care of children with voice disorders.
Objectives.:Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of tonotopic fitting on speech-in-noise perception in new cochlear implant (CI) users. However, these studies used different coding strategies (CIS, HDCIS, FSP, FS4, or mixed) with different frequency spectra. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of fine structure (FS) cues on speech perception in noise and in quiet and music perception, in new CI users with a tonotopic fitting map. Methods.:A prospective, randomized, double-blind, 2-period crossover study was performed from April 2023 to June 2024. All participants had tonotopic fitting determined by using flat-panel computed tomography (CT) and reconstruction software based on the Greenwood function. 24 new CI users aged 18 years or older with either bilateral severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss or complete hearing loss for less than 5 years were recruited at a single tertiary referral center. Participants were randomized to FS followed by conventional coding, or the reverse sequence, for 6-week periods with speech and music assessments after each period. Results.:FS cues significantly improved speech recognition in noise for high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR = +9 dB, Mean Effect (ME) = 6.0%, Standardized effect size (SES) = 0.62, p = 0.010). A period effect was observed beyond + 6 dB of SNR (SNR = +9 dB, p = 0.010; SNR = +6 dB, p = 0.018) without a statistically significant group effect. Speech recognition and tonal audiometry in quiet were not affected by FS coding. Melodic contour identification was enhanced by FS cues (ME = 7.2%, SES = 0.51, p = 0.030), and, in an exploratory subset analysis, low-frequency pitch discrimination was also improved (ME = 8.5 Hz, SES = 0.72, p = 0.04). Over 75% of the participants retained the tonotopic map with FS coding after study completion. Conclusion.:FS coding strategies on tonotopic maps may improve speech recognition in noise at favorable SNRs, without compromising speech understanding in quiet. It may also enhance selected complex sound perception aspects, particularly pitch- and contour-related processing, while benefits for subjective music perception appear less consistent.
Objectives.:To evaluate multidimensional outcomes of cochlear implantation (CI) in adults with single-sided deafness (SSD) or asymmetric hearing loss (AHL), and to examine how duration of deafness influences speech perception, tinnitus severity, and hearing-related quality of life. Methods.:This retrospective cohort study included 124 adults with SSD or AHL who underwent unilateral CI at a tertiary referral center (September 2019-October 2024) with at least 12 months of postoperative follow-up. The primary outcome, hearing-related quality of life, was assessed using the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ); secondary outcomes included the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE), Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Short Form-36 (SF-36), and open-set speech perception (n = 61). The association between duration of deafness and postoperative outcomes was evaluated using duration as a continuous predictor in linear regression. Results.:Significant postoperative improvements occurred in SSQ Speech (+0.97; d = 0.53; p < 0.001) and Spatial domains (+1.60; d = 0.88; p < 0.001), HHIE (- 13.0; d = 0.50; p < 0.001), THI (-15.8; d = 0.61; p < 0.001), and SF-36 (+4.2; d = 0.27; p = 0.031). Speech perception improved markedly under CI-only conditions (monosyllabic d = 1.98; bisyllabic d = 2.92; sentence recognition d = 3.59). Longer duration of deafness was significantly associated with smaller THI improvement (β = 1.13 points/year, 95% CI 0.43-1.84; p = 0.002; adjusted β = 0.98, 95% CI 0.18-1.78; p = 0.017), whereas quality-of-life and sentence recognition outcomes were not associated with deafness duration. Conclusion.:Unilateral CI produces clinically meaningful improvements in hearingrelated quality of life, tinnitus severity, hearing handicap, and speech perception in adults with SSD and AHL. Quality-of-life and speech outcomes were preserved regardless of deafness duration, whereas tinnitus suppression declined with increasing deaf duration. These findings support earlier CI for candidates with bothersome tinnitus.
