Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and c-myc expression are the determinants of cetuximab-induced enhancement of squamous cell carcinoma radioresponse.

Purpose: Radiation therapy cures malignant tumors of the head and neck region more effectively when it is combined with application of the anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody cetuximab. Despite the successes achieved, we still do not know how to select patients who will respond to this combination of anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody and radiation. This study was conducted to elucidate possible mechanisms which cause the combined treatment with cetuximab and irradiation to fail in some cases of squamous cell carcinomas.

Balance ability and muscle response of the preferred and nonpreferred leg in soccer players.

The aim of this study was to evaluate balance abilities and electromyographic (EMG) latency times of the preferred and nonpreferred leg in soccer players. Whereas side differences between the two legs in force, kicking speed, and joint laxity have been demonstrated in athletes in previous studies, no data are so far available on balance differences. Low balance ability is generally associated with an increased risk of ligament injuries, and the detection of a possible asymmetry in balance is important because a bilateral difference may be a contributing factor to injury.

Intracellular signaling pathways regulating radioresistance of human prostate carcinoma cells.

Radiation therapy plays an important role in the management of prostate carcinoma. However, the problem of radioresistance and molecular mechanisms by which prostate carcinoma cells overcome cytotoxic effects of radiation therapy remains to be elucidated. In order to investigate possible intracellular mechanisms underlying the prostate carcinoma recurrences after radiotherapy, we have established three radiation-resistant prostate cancer cell lines, LNCaP-IRR, PC3-IRR, and Du145-IRR derived from the parental LNCaP, PC3, and Du145 prostate cancer cells by repetitive exposure to ionizing radiation.

Antimicrobial activity of dexamethasone and its combination with N-chlorotaurine.

Objective: To investigate the antimicrobial effect of dexamethasone phosphate, the endogenous antiseptic N-chlorotaurine (NCT), and their combination on ear, nose, and throat microorganisms.

Design: In vitro study.

Subjects: Strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus milleri, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus fumigatus.

Antibacterial activity of mometasone furoate.

Objective: To test the antibacterial properties of the topical corticoid mometasone furoate, which is used as a nasal spray.

Design: The activity of mometasone (0.01%, 0.

Influence of essential and fatty oils on ciliary beat frequency of human nasal epithelial cells.

Background: In alternative and complementary medicine, the use of essential and fatty oils has become more and more popular. In addition to conventional medical therapies, self-medication is showing increasing popularity, using agents with unclear compounds and poorly controlled dosages. Among other disorders, these alternative treatments are used in bronchitis and rhinitis, including some topical applications.

Antitumor activity of CTFB, a novel anticancer agent, is associated with the down-regulation of nuclear factor-kappaB expression and proteasome activation in head and neck squamous carcinoma cell lines.

This study aimed to characterize the antitumor activity of 5-Chloro-N-[2-[2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-3-methyl-butoxy]-5-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-2-hydroxy-benzamide (CTFB), a novel anticancer agent, in head and neck cancer cell lines, FaDu, SCC-25 and cisplatin-resistant CAL-27. CTFB was generated as a result of an extensive medicinal chemistry effort on a lead compound series discovered in a high-throughput screen for inducers of apoptosis. All cell lines showed significant growth delay in response to CTFB treatment at a concentration of 1 micromol/L with 17.

N-chlorotaurine--a new safe substance for postoperative ear care.

Objectives: The new endogenous substance N-chlorotaurine (NCT), which for the first time was synthesized and introduced into clinical practice by our research group, was now used for postoperative ear care following tympanoplasty. The antiseptic and drying effect of NCT was evaluated and compared to the standard postoperative procedure in our department.

Methods: Prospective randomized trial on 10 patients.

A novel N-chlorotaurine-corticosteroid combination as a preservative-free local disinfectant: influence on the ciliary beat frequency in vitro.

Conclusions: The combination of N-chlorotaurine (NCT) and a corticosteroid seems to be a very promising substance for the local therapy of ENT infections. As it can be used without any preservatives, the effect on the ciliary beat frequency (CBF) is much less than that of products containing benzalkonium chloride (BAC). The in vitro results obtained in this study encourage us to perform clinical trials on this novel combination for intranasal application.

Protein sites of attack of N-chlorotaurine in Escherichia coli.

N-Chlorotaurine sodium (NCT) is a promising microbicidal agent for topical treatment of infections. Its targets of attack in Escherichia coli have been investigated by proteomics. Incubation in 1% NCT for 10 and 30 min revealed a change of the charge and a separation of numerous proteins into a series of spots with a different pI.

H. pylori infection increases levels of exhaled nitrate.

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections worldwide. Despite the existence of a breath test for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection, no study has described the composition of volatile compounds, especially the levels of nitrate, in the exhaled air of patients with H.

Tolerability of N-chlorotaurine in chronic rhinosinusitis applied via yamik catheter.

Objectives: A rational approach in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is the intranasal application of antiseptic agents, due to the pathogenetic role of bacteria and fungi. N-Chlorotaurine (NCT), a mild endogenous oxidant with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, has been tested for the first time in CRS.

Methods: This one-arm phase IIa clinical study is the first step in the clinical development of this promising substance for local therapy of CRS.

Solitary subglottic neurofibroma: a report of an unusual manifestation.

Neurofibromas of the larynx are extremely rare, especially in the subglottic part. Most of the patients with neurofibromas suffer from neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1, von Recklinghausen's disease), which is characterized by cafe-au-lait spots and neurofibromas of any type. We present a case of a solitary neurofibroma in the subglottic region that relapsed 4 years after the primary diagnosis.

Phenotypic characterization and distribution of dendritic cells in parotid gland tumors.

Evidence on the relationship between the infiltration of dendritic cells (DCs) and prognosis in head and neck tumors exists. Interestingly, only limited information is available regarding the maturation state and distribution of DCs in parotid gland tumors. The purpose of our study was therefore to extend these observations and to investigate in more detail the density and distribution of mature DCs and Langerhans cells (LCs) in parotid gland tumors.

Influence of amphotericin B on the ciliary beat frequency of nasal mucosa.

Objective: A new therapeutic approach in eosinophilic fungal rhinosinusitis is topical application of antifungals such as amphotericin B. The tolerability of a recently applied concentration of this drug by human nasal mucosa was tested in vitro.

Methods: Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) was measured by a photometric technique, combining a light microscope, a photometer, a photograph-multiplier, and a computed analyzing unit.

High-resolution image cytometry on smears of normal oral mucosa: a possible approach for the early detection of laryngopharyngeal cancers.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of identifying laryngopharyngeal cancers by nuclear chromatin texture feature analysis of cell nuclei from mucosal scrapings obtained from clinically and cytologically noncancerous areas of the soft palate in patients with cancer.

Methods: The collective consisted of 68 controls and 77 cases of laryngopharyngeal carcinomas. After Feulgen staining, 3000 cell nuclei were automatically measured using a high-resolution image analyser (CytoSavant Oncometrics, Vancouver, BC, Canada).

Acute otitis externa: efficacy and tolerability of N-chlorotaurine, a novel endogenous antiseptic agent.

Objective: The study's objective was to test the tolerability and efficacy of the endogenous antiseptic N-chlorotaurine (NCT) in comparison with a standard clinical treatment according to a phase IIb clinical trial protocol.

Study Design: The antimicrobial agent NCT was compared with the antibiotic component drops Otosporin (containing neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone) for topical treatment of acute otitis externa in a randomized and rater-blinded clinical study.

Methods: Fifty patients suffering from acute otitis externa were divided into two groups according to a randomized list.

Tolerability of N-chlorotaurine in the guinea pig middle ear: a pilot study using an improved application system.

The tissue tolerance of N-chlorotaurine (NCT), a mild endogenous antimicrobial oxidant, has been investigated by application to the guinea pig middle ear. The animals were implanted with a novel cannula system that allows chronic external drug delivery to the round window niche. In the first part of the study, 3 animals each received 100 microL of 0.

Refractory rhinosinusitis complicating immunosuppression: application of N-chlorotaurine, a novel endogenous antiseptic agent.

Severe infections are a frequent complication in immunosuppression following transplantations. In the case reported here, a heart-transplanted patient was treated for refractory rhinosinusitis with a combination of sinus surgery and rinsing with N-chlorotaurine (NCT). The daily rinse was well tolerated and effective.

In vitro study on the influence of N-chlorotaurine on the ciliary beat frequency of nasal mucosa.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro effects of N-chlorotaurine (NCT), a new endogenous antimicrobial agent, on the nasal ciliary beat frequency (CBF) in nasal mucosa samples of 10 adult patients who underwent conchotomy.

Methods: CBF was measured by a photometric technique, combining a light microscope, a photometer, a photograph multiplier, and a computed analyzing unit.

Results: CBF decreased approximately 10% after 20 minutes of incubation in aqueous 1% NCT solution compared with 3% in 0.