Profiling bitter taste receptors (TAS2R) along the gastrointestinal tract and their influence on enterohormone secretion. Gender- and age-related effects in the colon.

Extraoral bitter taste receptors offer intriguing potential for modulating metabolism and the gut-brain axis through dietary interventions. Our understanding of these receptors is limited, and data on their effects on ageing are scarce. The complexity conveyed by their high diversity, low expression levels and species-dependent variability challenges our comprehension.

Transcriptional expression of SLC16A7 as a biomarker of occult lymph node metastases in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: Glucose is the main energy substrate of tumor cells. This study aims to assess whether the transcriptional expression of glucose metabolism-related genes is associated with occult lymph node metastases in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients.

Methods: We examined the transcriptional expression of a panel of glucose metabolism-related genes in a cohort of 53 patients with HNSCC without cervical lymph node involvement at the time of diagnosis (cN0) and subsequently treated with elective neck dissection.

Predictive capacity for local disease control of neogenin-1 (NEO1) transcriptional expression in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: To analyze the predictive capacity for local disease control of the transcriptional expression of neogenin-1 (NEO1) gene in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods/patients: A retrospective study was performed on tumor biopsies from 107 patients with HNSCC treated surgically. The transcriptional expression of NEO1 was determined by RT-PCR.

Survivin/BIRC5 as a novel molecular effector at the crossroads of glucose metabolism and radioresistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Metabolic reprogramming and abnormal glucose metabolism are hallmarks of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Certain oncogenes can promote cancer-related metabolic changes, but understanding their crosstalk in HNSCC biology and treatment is essential for identifying predictive biomarkers and developing target therapies.

Methods: We assessed the value of survivin/BIRC5 as a radioresistance factor potentially modulated by glucose for predicting therapeutic sensitivity and prognosis of HNSCC in a cohort of 32 patients.

Relationship between transcriptional expression of pyruvate dehydrogenase and local control of disease in patients with oral cavity carcinomas.

Background: The altered cellular metabolism is one of the hallmarks of the cancer cells, favoring the process of aerobic glycolysis, known as the Warburg effect. The pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex is one of the elements involved in this metabolic process. The present study aims to evaluate the relationship between the transcriptional expression of PDHB and the risk of local recurrence in patients with oral cavity carcinomas.

Prognostic capacity of the transcriptional expression of lactate dehydrogenase A in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: To analyze the relationship between the transcriptional expression of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) and the disease control in patients with a head and squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods: We determined the transcriptional expression of LDHA in 110 HNSCC patients treated with surgery.

Results: Five-year disease-free survival for patients with a high transcriptional expression of LDHA (n = 51) was 39.

CO-TOLMS for laryngeal cancer in the elderly, pushing the boundaries of partial laryngectomy.

Introduction: CO transoral laser microsurgery (CO-TOLMS) has pushed the indications of partial surgery of the larynx regardless the age of the patient.

Objective: To evaluate the complications and the oncologic and functional outcomes of CO-TOLMS in patients older and younger than 70 years.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 1244 consecutive laryngeal carcinomas treated with CO-TOLMS.

Semaphorin-3F/Neuropilin-2 Transcriptional Expression as a Predictive Biomarker of Occult Lymph Node Metastases in HNSCC.

The expression of the semaphorin-3F (SEMA3F) and neuropilin-2 (NRP2) is involved in the regulation of lymphangiogenesis. The present study analyzes the relationship between the transcriptional expression of the SEMA3F-NRP2 genes and the presence of occult lymph node metastases in patients with cN0 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. We analyzed the transcriptional expression of SEMA3F and NRP2 in a cohort of 53 patients with cN0 squamous cell carcinoma treated with an elective neck dissection.

Predictive capacity of IL-8 expression in head and neck squamous carcinoma patients treated with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy.

Objective: To analyse the relationship between the transcriptional expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and response to treatment with radiotherapy or chemo-radiotherapy in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

Material And Methods: Retrospective study from tumour biopsies obtained before a treatment with radiotherapy or chemo-radiotherapy in 87 patients with SCCHN. We had a sample of healthy mucosa in 35 cases.

Transoral laser microsurgery in locally advanced laryngeal cancer: Prognostic impact of anterior versus posterior compartments.

Background: To evaluate the importance of larynx compartments in the prognosis of T3-T4a laryngeal cancer treated with transoral laser microsurgery.

Methods: Two hundred and two consecutive pT3-T4a larynx carcinomas. Pre-epiglottic space involvement, anterior and posterior paraglottic space (PGS) involvement, vocal cord, and arytenoid mobility were determined.

Timing of elective tracheotomy and duration of mechanical ventilation among patients admitted to intensive care with severe COVID-19: A multicenter prospective cohort study.

Background: Optimal timing for tracheotomy for critically ill COVID-19 patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) is not established.

Methods: Multicenter prospective cohort including all COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) in 36 hospitals who required tracheotomy during first pandemic wave. With a target emulation trial framework, we studied the causal effects of early (7-10 days) versus late (>10 days) tracheotomy (LT) on time from tracheotomy to weaning, postoperative mortality, and tracheotomy complications.

Succinate Pathway in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Potential as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Marker.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is characterized by high rates of mortality and treatment-related morbidity, underscoring the urgent need for innovative and safe treatment strategies and diagnosis practices. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of cancer and can lead to the accumulation of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates, such as succinate, which function as oncometabolites. In addition to its role in cancer development through epigenetic events, succinate is an extracellular signal transducer that modulates immune response, angiogenesis and cell invasion by activating its cognate receptor SUCNR1.

The aspartate aminotransaminase/alanine aminotransaminase (De Ritis) ratio predicts sensitivity to radiotherapy in head and neck carcinoma patients.

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) and alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) ratio and local disease control in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) treated with radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: We calculated the pre-treatment AST/ALT ratio in 670 patients with HNSCC treated with radiotherapy (n = 309, 46.1%) or chemoradiotherapy (n = 361, 53.

Timing, Complications, and Safety of Tracheotomy in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19.

Importance: The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to unprecedented needs for invasive ventilation, with 10% to 15% of intubated patients subsequently requiring tracheotomy.

Objective: To assess the complications, safety, and timing of tracheotomy performed for critically ill patients with COVID-19.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This prospective cohort study assessed consecutive patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) who had COVID-19 that required tracheotomy.

Predictive capacity of IL-8 expression in head and neck squamous carcinoma patients treated with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy.

Objective: To analyse the relationship between the transcriptional expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and response to treatment with radiotherapy or chemo-radiotherapy in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

Material And Methods: Retrospective study from tumour biopsies obtained before a treatment with radiotherapy or chemo-radiotherapy in 87 patients with SCCHN. We had a sample of healthy mucosa in 35 cases.

Circulating microRNAs modulating glycolysis as non-invasive prognostic biomarkers of HNSCC.

Background: The identification of prognostic non-invasive biomarkers is a priority for cancer patients' care. Circulating microRNA (miRNAs) have been described in numerous human malignancies as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic cancer biomarkers. The aim of our study was to analyze the expression profile of a set of miRNAs, involved in the modulation of the glycolytic pathway, as prognostic factors in human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC).

Transoral reconstruction of oropharyngeal tumors. The Hospital Clínic algorithm.

Transoral approaches to the oropharynx have evolved rapidly in the past years. The development of technical instruments such as specific oropharyngeal retractors, 2D and 3D endoscopic systems, robotic platforms, and a combination of energies, has facilitated transoral resection and bleeding control. This new scenario has raised the need for new reconstructive alternatives after resection to achieve adequate oncologic and functional outcomes.

The impact of diabetes in head and neck cancer.

Purpose Of Review: A strong association between diabetes mellitus and carcinogenesis has been reported in different organs. The purpose of this review is to summarize the new evidences in relation to diabetes mellitus and its association with the development, prognosis, and therapeutic strategies of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC).

Recent Findings: Recent publications suggest that glycemic metabolism is altered in HNSCC.

Factors of local recurrence and organ preservation with transoral laser microsurgery in laryngeal carcinomas; CHAID decision-tree analysis.

Background: Indications of transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) are conditioned by the risk of local relapse.

Objective: To evaluate prognostic factors of local relapse and local control with TLM (LC-TLM).

Methods: Local relapse and LC-TLM were evaluated in 1119 patients.

Intra and interobserver agreement of narrow band imaging for the detection of head and neck tumors.

Background: Narrow band imaging (NBI) in combination with white light endoscopy (WLE) has improved the accuracy for the diagnosis and follow-up of head and neck carcinomas by identifying changes in the vascular patterns of the mucosa. However, NBI evaluation is explorer-dependent and may be influenced by the learning curve. The aim of this study is to assess the intra and interobserver agreement of NBI and WLE at the office, under local anaesthesia, by either experienced or non-experienced observers.