Publications by authors named "Irena Hocevar-Boltezar"

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is caused by human papillomaviruses (HPV) 6 and 11, but the role of their genomic variants in the disease's clinical course is unclear. This study investigated whether long-term persistence of a particular HPV genotype, subtype or genomic variant influences the RRP clinical course. HPV genotyping was performed in paired baseline and follow-up RRP laryngeal tissue specimens of 59 patients.

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Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a multifaceted disease with variable clinical courses and outcomes. We aimed to determine CRS-associated nasal-tissue transcriptome in clinically well-characterized and phenotyped individuals, to gain a novel insight into the biological pathways of the disease. RNA-sequencing of tissue samples of patients with CRS with polyps (CRSwNP), without polyps (CRSsNP), and controls were performed.

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: This study aimed to identify the prevalence of feeding and swallowing disorders (FSD) in very low birth weight (VLBW, 1500 g or less) infants in the first two years after discharge from the maternity hospital, their possible risk factors, and the consequences of them. : A total of 117 preterm children with VLBW born between 2013 and 2015 were included. The data concerning possible FSD after discharge from the hospital were obtained through accessible medical documentation for the child and a short parental questionnaire.

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Our aim was to track the changes in voice quality for two years after radiotherapy (RT) for early glottic cancer. A videoendostroboscopy, subjective patient and phoniatrician voice assessments, a Voice Handicap Index questionnaire, and objective acoustic measurements (F0, jitter, shimmer, maximal phonation time) were performed on 50 patients with T1 glottic carcinomas at 3, 12, and 24 months post-RT. The results were compared between the subsequent assessments, and between the assessments at 3 months and 24 months post-RT.

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Objectives/hypothesis: Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) has been proposed both as a trigger for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) onset and as a factor favoring an aggressive clinical course.

Study Design: In this prospective study, 106 participants were recruited within a period of 24 months at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervicofacial Surgery, University Medical Centre Ljubljana.

Methods: This study compared a group of RRP patients (N = 36) with a group of LPR patients (N = 28) and a group of healthy participants (N = 42) based on Reflux Symptom Index (RSI), Reflux Finding Scores (RFS), and saliva analyses (pH, pepsin concentration, bile acid concentration, and pepsin enzymatic activity).

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Background: The incidence and risk factors for the development of high-grade dysplasia (HG-D) and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) were assessed in patients with laryngeal squamous cell papillomas (LSP).

Methods: Clinical data, human papillomaviruses (HPV) typing, HPV E6/E7 mRNA in situ hybridization, and sequencing of host genes in LSP biopsies of 163 patients were analyzed.

Results: Progression to HG-D and LSCC was identified in 21.

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Introduction: The purpose was to determine the incidence of voice disorders in a group of professional actors and singers, to compare the two groups, and to investigate the potential causes of their voice problems.

Methods: 65 actors and 63 singers from professional theatres and choirs were included. The data concerning voice problems, their possible causes, and factors adversely affecting voice quality were obtained through a questionnaire.

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Purpose: According to the classification of glottic lesions by narrow-band imaging (NBI) proposed by the European Laryngological Society (ELS), lesions without perpendicular patterns are benign, while wide- and narrow-angled perpendicular lesions include both papilloma and carcinoma/high-grade lesions, respectively. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of the ELS classification.

Methods: One hundred and forty four patients with glottic lesions underwent microlaryngoscopy with NBI.

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Background Radiotherapy (RT) is a successful mode of treatment for early glottic cancer. The aim of the study was to assess voice quality both before and 3 months after successful RT using multimodal methods while also identifying the factors affecting it. Patients and methods In 50 patients with T1 glottic carcinoma, the subjective (patients' assessment of voice quality [VAS], Voice Handicap Index [VHI] questionnaire, phoniatricians' assessment using the grade/roughness/ breathiness [GRB] scale), and objective assessments (fundamental laryngeal frequency [F0], jitter, shimmer, maximum phonation time [MPT]) of voice quality were performed before RT and 3 months post-RT.

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Background Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) current therapeutic approaches still fail in some patients with severe persistent symptoms and recurrences after surgery. We aimed to evaluate the master transcription factors gene expression levels of T cell subtypes in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) that could represent new, up-stream targets for topical DNAzyme treatment. Patients and methods Twenty-two newly diagnosed CRS patients (14 CRSwNP and 8 CRSsNP) were prospectively biopsied and examined histopathologically.

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Background Dysphagia is a common consequence of treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC). The purpose of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of dysphagia in a group of patients treated for HNC in Slovenia, and to identify factors contributing to the development of dysphagia. Patients and methods One-hundred-nine consecutive patients treated for HNC at two tertiary centers were recruited during their follow-up visits.

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Background Tongue posture plays an important role in the etiology of anterior open bite (AOB) and articulation disorders, and is crucial for AOB treatment planning and posttreatment stability. Clinical assessment of tongue posture in children is unreliable due to anatomical limitations. The aim of the study was to present functional diagnostics using three-dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) assessment of resting tongue posture in comparison to clinical assessment, and the associations between the improper tongue posture, otorhinolaryngological characteristics, and articulation disorders in preschool children with AOB.

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Introduction: The voice represents a basic working tool for carrying out certain occupations. Hoarseness, as a consequence of vocal fold lesions, presents an important cause of work-related absences for voice professionals.

Methods: Our study was designed as a retrospective cohort one.

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Exercise-inducible laryngeal obstruction (EILO) has been recognized as a not rare respiratory problem in youth practicing sports. The aim of the study was to test the mechanosensitivity of the larynx, and to identify the factors affecting it in a group of youth with proven EILO. Laryngeal sensory testing was performed in 54 adolescents and young adults with EILO.

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Skeletal anterior open bite (AOB) or apertognathism is characterized by the absence of contact of the anterior teeth and affects articulation parameters, chewing, biting and voice quality. The treatment of AOB consists of orthognatic surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of treatment on voice quality, articulation and nasality in speech with respect to skeletal changes.

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Background: Gastroesophageal reflux is suspected to be an etiological factor in laryngeal and pharyngeal cancer. The aim of this study was to establish, using a non-invasive method, whether laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) appears more often in patients with early laryngeal cancer than in a control group.

Patients And Methods: We compared the pH, the level of bile acids, the total pepsin and the pepsin enzymatic activity in saliva in a group of 30 patients with T1 laryngeal carcinoma and a group of 34 healthy volunteers.

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Background: A laryngectomy affects many of a patient's functions. Besides speech and respiratory-tract problems, olfaction and gustation problems can also have an influence on the quality of life. The aim of this study was to find out how often various nasal problems and decreased gustation appear after a laryngectomy.

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In the case of an aggressive course of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), adjuvant therapy can be used besides surgery. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of vaccination with a quadrivalent vaccine against human papilloma viruses (HPV) types 6, 11, 16 and 18 on the course of RRP. Eleven subjects aged 13-46 years with a rapid growth of laryngeal papillomas were included in the study.

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Seventy initial and 125 follow-up tissue specimens of laryngeal papillomas, obtained from 70 patients who had had recurrent respiratory papillomatosis for from 1-22 years, were investigated for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA and HPV E5a, LCR and/or full-length genomic variants. HPV-6 was found in 130/195, HPV-11 in 63/195, and HPV-6/HPV-11 in 2/195 samples. Within 67/70 (95.

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Smoking, laryngopharyngeal reflux and voice misuse/overuse are known possible etiological factors for the development of Reinke's edema (RE) on vocal folds. RE is found more frequently in women. The disparity between the incidence of RE in women and men suggests that endogenous sex hormones such as estrogens, progesterone and/or testosterone may have a significant influence on vocal folds.

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Anogenital warts and laryngeal papillomas are two most important benign tumors etiologically linked with HPV. In the study, which included both the largest number of laryngeal papilloma tissue specimens (152 specimens from 152 patients) to date and the largest number of prospectively collected and histologically confirmed tissue specimens of anogenital warts obtained from both genders (422 specimens from 315 patients), HPV DNA was detected in 413/422 (97.9%) of anogenital warts and 139/152 (91.

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Respiratory papillomatosis affects the larynx in most cases. It is a relatively rare disease, with potentially devastating consequences for the patient. Many studies have proven the viral etiology of the disease.

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Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess unilateral posterior crossbite, sucking habits, orofacial functions, and otolaryngological findings in the deciduous dentition. These findings would allow us to establish a preventive program for posterior crossbite, based on interceptive treatment at an early stage of dental development. We would determine the predictive value for posterior crossbite development in correlation with the duration of sucking habits.

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Aim: To identify the role of allergy in the occurrence of Reinke's edema on vocal folds.

Methods: This was a prospective study in patients with Reinke's edema on vocal folds (n = 80) and a control group of patients without Reinke's edema (n = 80). All the patients were examined by the same ENT specialist at an ENT outpatient center in the period 2001-2003.

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