Long-term functional swallowing and speech outcomes after transoral robotic surgery for oropharyngeal cancer.

Objectives: Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has emerged as a minimally invasive approach for oropharyngeal cancer, aiming to improve functional preservation and reduce morbidity. However, the long-term effects on speech and swallowing, crucial aspects of quality of life, remain unclear. This study investigates the long-term functional swallowing and speech outcomes of TORS for oropharyngeal cancer.

Patient-reported swallowing outcomes after transoral robotic thyroidectomy: Comparison with conventional transcervical thyroidectomy.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the swallowing outcomes after transoral robotic thyroidectomy (TORT) and compare them with those of conventional transcervical thyroidectomy.

Method: We enrolled 146 patients who underwent thyroidectomy (73 TORT; 73 conventional approach). We prospectively analyzed swallowing outcomes using the Swallowing Impairment Index-6 (SIS-6) questionnaire, a patient-reported measure, before and 1, 3, and 6 days; 1, 3, and 6 months; and 1 year after surgery.

Biotransformation of d-Xylose-Rich Rice Husk Hydrolysate by a Rice Paddy Soil Bacterium, sp. Strain JY310, to Low Molecular Weight Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate).

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is a versatile thermoplastic with superior biodegradability and biocompatibility that is intracellularly accumulated by numerous bacterial and archaeal species. sp. strain JY310 that was able to efficiently biotransform reducing sugars in d-xylose-rich rice husk hydrolysate (reducing sugar) to PHB was isolated from the soil of a rice paddy.

Comparison of the gut microbiome of sacbrood virus-resistant and -susceptible Apis cerana from South Korea.

Honey bees are important pollinators for the conservation of the ecosystem and agricultural products and provide a variety of products important for human use, such as honey, pollen, and royal jelly. Sacbrood disease (SD) is a devastating viral disease in Apis cerana; an effective preventive measure for SD is urgently needed. In this study, the relationship between the gut microbiome of honey bees and SD was investigated by pyrosequencing.

Utility of ultra-rapid real-time PCR for detection and prevalence of Rickettsia spp. in ticks.

Background: Rickettsia spp. are important tick-borne pathogens that cause various human and animal diseases worldwide. A tool for rapid and accurate detection of the pathogens from its vectors is necessary for prevention of Rickettsioses propagation in humans and animals, which are infested by ticks.

Real-time PCR biochip for on-site detection of Coxiella burnetii in ticks.

Background: Q fever, a zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii, has adverse effects on public health. Ticks are vectors of C. burnetii and they contribute to the transmission of the pathogen.

Genome based characterization of Kitasatospora sp. MMS16-BH015, a multiple heavy metal resistant soil actinobacterium with high antimicrobial potential.

An actinobacterial strain designated Kitasatospora sp. MMS16-BH015, exhibiting high level of heavy metal resistance, was isolated from soil of an abandoned metal mining site, and its potential for metal resistance and secondary metabolite production was studied. The strain was resistant to multiple heavy metals including zinc (up to 100 mM), nickel (up to 2 mM) and copper (up to 0.

Long-term functional voice outcomes after thyroidectomy, and effect of endotracheal intubation on voice.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term functional voice outcomes after thyroidectomy, and the effect of endotracheal intubation on post-operative voice impairment.

Methods: We prospectively analyzed the voice outcomes of 155 serial thyroidectomy patients for up to 2 years. The control group consisted of 69 patients who underwent parotidectomy.

Streptacidiphilus pinicola sp. nov., isolated from pine grove soil.

A moderately acidophilic actinobacterial strain, designated MMS16-CNU450, was isolated from pine grove soil, and its taxonomic position was analysed using a polyphasic approach. The isolate showed best growth at 30 °C, pH 6 and 0.5 % (w/v) NaCl.

Shewanella saliphila sp. nov., Shewanella ulleungensis sp. nov. and Shewanella litoralis sp. nov., isolated from coastal seawater.

Three Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped and motile bacterial strains, designated MMS16-UL250, MMS16-UL253 and MMS16-UL482, were isolated from coastal seawater and subjected to taxonomic characterization. All isolates grew at 4-30 °C (optimum, 25 °C), at pH 6-10 (pH 7) and in the presence of up to 8 % NaCl (2.5-4.

Pseudogracilibacillus endophyticus sp. nov., a moderately thermophilic and halophilic species isolated from plant root.

A Gram-stain-positive strain, designated DT7-02, was isolated from the surface-sterilized root of Oenotherabiennis (evening primrose) and subjected to taxonomic characterization. Cells of DT7-02 were slender rod-shaped, motile by means of flagella, and oxidase- and catalase-positive. The colonies were circular, pinkish-yellow, opaque, glistering and 1-2 mm in diameter.

Robotic Thyroidectomy: Comparison of a Postauricular Facelift Approach with a Gasless Unilateral Axillary Approach.

Objectives: Robotic thyroidectomy using remote access approaches has gained popularity with patients seeking to avoid neck scarring and enhanced cosmetic satisfaction. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and advantages of a postauricular facelift approach vs a gasless unilateral axillary (GUA) approach in robotic thyroidectomy.

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Long-Term Voice Outcomes After Robotic Thyroidectomy.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term voice function after robotic thyroidectomy in comparison with conventional transcervical thyroidectomy.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated the voice functions of 54 patients with thyroid nodules who underwent robotic thyroidectomy by a gasless unilateral axillary or axillo-breast approach and of 70 patients who underwent conventional thyroidectomy. Subjective voice symptom score (VSS) was evaluated in questionnaires before thyroidectomy and then at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery.

Donghicola tyrosinivorans sp. nov., a tyrosine-degrading bacterium isolated from seawater.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, aerobic bacterium, strain 13-93-B1T, was isolated from seawater off Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, and was subjected to polyphasic taxonomic study. Cells formed ivory colonies and were ovoid to rod-shaped. The strain was catalase-positive, oxidase-negative and grew optimally at 30 °C, in the presence of 1-2 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 7.