mical dependence were identified. To study the relationship between cognitive deficits and retinal neuroarchitectonics in Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and glaucoma based on optical coherence tomography. A comprehensive examination of 90 patients with Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and glaucoma was conducted. The patients were divided into three groups of 30 people each. The groups were comparable by gender and age and initial socio-economic status. All patients underwent a comprehensive neurological and neuropsychological study as well as optical coherence tomography. The results of optical coherence tomography in Alzheimer's disease and glaucoma reveal retinal changes in the perifocal region in the upper and lower quadrants. In patients with vascular dementia, the process is observed in the foveal (central) region of the retina, which can be considered as a potential biomarker of the neurodegenerative damage. The severity of cognitive deficit in the Alzheimer's disease group correlates with the degree of degenerationlion cells, and the inner plexiform layers of the retina. In the vascular dementia group, the severity of cognitive deficit positively correlates with the degree of cell degeneration in the foveal region of the inner plexiform retinal layer. Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCs) are frequently diagnosed at the local-regional advanced stage (stage IVa) but their treatment with upfront surgery vs. definite chemoradiation therapy (CRT) is controversial. The purpose of the present study is to compare overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with stage IVa HNSC treated primarily with upfront surgery vs. CRT. We reviewed data of 1033 patients with stage IVa HNSC treated with curative intent at 17 cancer centers between 2010 and 2016. Among 1033 patients, 765 (74.1%) received upfront surgery (surgery group) and 268 (25.9%) received CRT (CRT group). The 5-year OS and DFS rates were 64.4% and 62.0% in the surgery group and 49.5% and 45.4% in the CRT group. In multivariate analyses, OS and DFS were better in the surgery group than in the CRT group (odds ratio [OR] for death, 0.762; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.592-0.981; OR for recurrence, 0.628; 95%CI, 0.492-0.802). In subgroup analyses, the OS and DFS of patients with oropharyngeal cancer were better in the surgery group (OR for death, 0.548; 95%CI 0.341-0.879; OR for recurrence, 0.598; 95%CI 0.377-0.948). For patients with laryngeal cancer, OS was improved in the surgery group (OR for death, 0.432; 95%CI 0.211-0.882) and for those with hypopharyngeal cancer DFS was improved (OR for recurrence, 0.506; 95%CI 0.328-0.780) in the surgery group. A survival benefit from surgery may be achieved even in patients with stage IVa HNSC, particularly those with oropharyngeal and laryngeal cancer. Surgery led to a reduction in the recurrence rate in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer. A survival benefit from surgery may be achieved even in patients with stage IVa HNSC, particularly those with oropharyngeal and laryngeal cancer. Surgery led to a reduction in the recurrence rate in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the current university admission rate and experiences of educational support among students with cochlear implants (CIs) in South Korea. A prospective online survey was conducted to examine the university admission process and academic support for students with CIs. Thirty individuals who took the college entrance exams at least 3 years after CI surgery were invited to participate, although two did not respond. The survey consisted of three topics (demographics, university admission process, and academic support) and 25 items regarding laws and policies related to university admission and support for students with hearing disabilities in Korea. The university matriculation rate for students with CI was 85.7% (24/28), of whom 50% were admitted through the special admission process for students with disabilities. Most universities provided teaching and learning support and rental services for assistive devices for students with disabilities to help them better adapt to school life. However, only a small percentage of the students benefited from accommodation services, and 62.5% and 12.5% of the students received teaching and learning support and used assistive devices, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the university admission process and university disability services for students with CIs in South Korea. The results of this study will be helpful for young CI recipients and their parents as they prepare for university entrance. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the university admission process and university disability services for students with CIs in South Korea. The results of this study will be helpful for young CI recipients and their parents as they prepare for university entrance. A polydioxanone (PDO) stent has been developed to treat tracheomalacia in pediatric patients. However, its safety and efficacy need to be verified in animal studies before clinical trials in patients can be conducted. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of a PDO stent in normal and tracheomalacia model rabbits. In all, 29 New Zealand white rabbits were used, 13 for evaluating the biocompatibility of the PDO stent in normal rabbits and 16 for the creation of a tracheomalacia model. Of the 16, the tracheomalacia model was successfully established in 12 rabbits; PDO stents were placed in 8 of these rabbits. The PDO stent was successfully positioned in the trachea of the normal rabbits using an endoscopic approach, and its degradation was observed 10 weeks later. The stent fragments did not induce distal airway obstruction or damage, and mucosal changes that occurred after stent placement were reversed after degradation. The same procedure was performed on the tracheomalacia model rabbits. The survcheomalacia model rabbits.In cardiac arrest, if the initial rhythm is ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, the survival rates are high and good neurologic outcomes are expected. However, the mortality rate increases when refractory ventricular fibrillation (RVF) occurs. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/itacnosertib.html We report a case of RVF that was successfully resuscitated with double sequence defibrillation (DSD). A 51-year-old man visited the emergency department with chest pain. The initial electrocardiography showed markedly elevated ST-segment on V1-V5 leads, and VF arrest occurred. Although 10 defibrillations were administered over 20 minutes, there was no response. Two rounds of DSD were performed by placing additional pads on the patient's anterior-posterior areas and sequentially applying the maximum energy setting. The patient returned to spontaneous circulation and was discharged with cerebral performance category 1 after 14 days of hospital admission. Therefore, DSD could be an option for treatment and termination of RVF.