Determining Invasion Depth in Superficial Pharyngeal Carcinoma by Transoral Ultrasonography.

Objectives: To examine the clinical usefulness of transoral ultrasonography (US) in determining the invasion depth of superficial pharyngeal carcinoma (SPC). Determining the invasion depth of SPC is crucial for transoral surgery including determining treatment strategy. This study aimed to examine the usefulness of transoral US in determining the invasion depth of SPC.

A 14-year nationwide epidemiological analysis of delayed endolymphatic hydrops in Japan.

Background: Delayed endolymphatic hydrops (DEH) is an inner ear disease that causes recurrent vertigo in the ipsilateral ear or fluctuating hearing in the contralateral ear due to endolymphatic hydrops secondary to preceding deafness. There are few reports of large, multicentre studies investigating the clinical-epidemiological characteristics of DEH.

Objective: This study aimed to clarify the characteristics of DEH in Japan.

Swallowing function after transoral surgery for laryngopharyngeal cancer.

Transoral surgery (TOS) has been widely used to treat laryngopharyngeal cancers. Although TOS is a minimally invasive procedure, postoperative complications, such as postoperative dysphagia, may occur, which can lead to a poor quality of life for patients undergoing TOS. This study aimed to investigate factors that may affect swallowing function in patients who underwent TOS for laryngopharyngeal cancers.

Baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is associated with clinical outcome in recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer patients treated with nivolumab.

Nivolumab has been approved for recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer (R/M HNC) on March 2017 in Japan. Recently, many researchers have been actively studying the prognostic and predictive markers. However, they have not been clarified.

Localization of melatonin and its receptors (melatonin 1a and 1b receptors) in the mouse inner ear.

In the inner ear, evidence has been gathered indicating that melatonin plays important roles in inner ear physiology and pathophysiology. However, no attempt has been made previously to investigate the localization or expression of melatonin and its receptors in the whole inner ear. To analyze the presence of melatonin and its receptors in the normal mouse inner ear.

Low-dose dexamethasone with fosaprepitant and palonosetron to prevent cisplatin-induced nausea and vomiting in head and neck cancer patients.

Objective: To determine if a lower dose of dexamethasone can be used in combination with fosaprepitant and palonosetron for cisplatin-induced nausea and vomiting in head and neck cancer patients, we conducted a single-center, two-arm, cross-over comparison study.

Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to either standard dose dexamethasone group: intravenous 9.9 mg on day 1 and 6.

Gastric-type H,K-ATPase in mouse vestibular end organs.

Conclusion: Gastric type H,K-ATPase in the vestibular end organs may be of importance for K circulation and may also be related to pH regulation in vestibular end organs and endolymphatic sac.

Objective: To analyze the expression of gastric-type H,K-ATPase in normal mouse vestibular end organs.

Methods: 8 weeks old CBA/J mice were used in this study.

Localization of histamine (H1, H2, H3 and H4) receptors in mouse inner ear.

Conclusion The present findings show that all four types of histamine receptors (H1R, H2R, H3R, and H4R) are present in the inner ear, thus supporting the hypothesis that histamine plays a physiological role in the inner ear. Objective To analyse the presence of histamine receptors in the normal mouse inner ear. Methods CBA/J mice were used in this study.

Localization of sirtuins (SIRT1-7) in the aged mouse inner ear.

Conclusion: The expression of sirtuin in vestibular end organs and cochlea responds differently to age-related changes. Down-regulation of SIRT1, 3, and 5 in the cochlea may weaken the protective activity regarding degeneration of the organ of Corti as well as of spiral ganglion cells, resulting in the development of age-related hearing loss. An increase in SIRT 1, 4, or 5 in vestibular tissue could indicate an increased need of detoxification of reactive oxygen species and an increased anti-ageing potential.

Long-term administration of vasopressin can cause Ménière's disease in mice.

Conclusion: A new murine model of Ménière's disease has been developed, based on long-term administration of vasopressin. Induction of vestibular dysfunction in the present animal model can cause additional stress, by reducing inner ear blood flow. Latanoprost, a selective agonist for the FP prostanoid receptor, may become a new remedy for Ménière's disease.

Localization of sirtuins in the mouse inner ear.

Conclusion: It is suggested that SIRT1 and 3, and probably SIRT4 and 5, play an important role in the neuroprotection of the inner ear. SIRT2 may be related to neuroprotection and myelin sheath formation, while SIRT6 seems to have a significant role in maintaining the energy balance by metabolic regulation.

Objective: To analyze the expression of sirtuins (SIRT1-7) in the normal mouse inner ear.

Localization of aquaporins in the mouse vestibular end organs.

Conclusion: We found that aquaporins (AQPs) in the fluid transporting cells, such as vestibular dark cells and endolymphatic sac epithelial cells, seem to be of importance in fluid transport in the inner ear, while those in the sensory and ganglion cells may play a functional role in sensory cell transduction.

Objective: Expression of AQPs (0-12) was analyzed in normal mouse vestibular end organs.

Methods: CBA/J mice were used in this study.

Expression of Trefoil factor family peptides in the nasal allergic mucosa.

Objective: Trefoil factor family peptides (TFFs) are the secretory products of mucous cells and are closely associated with mucins. TFFs appear to be important in mucosal healing processes. Although TFF1/3 are expressed in the human respiratory tract, their role in the nasal mucosa is not thoroughly understood.

Expression of prostanoid receptors (EP1, 2, 3, and 4) in normal and methimazole-treated mouse olfactory epithelium.

Conclusion: Prostanoid receptors (EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4) are expressed in the olfactory epithelium (OE), and the EP4 prostanoid receptor may play an important role in the OE.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the expression and localization of the four types of prostanoid receptors (EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4) in the OE of normal and methimazole-treated mice to gain more complete knowledge about the functional significance of the prostanoid receptors in OE.

Methods: CBA/J mice were used in this study.

Localization of aquaporins 1, 2, and 3 and vasopressin type 2 receptor in the mouse inner ear.

Conclusion: It is suggested that aquaporins (AQPs) 1, 2, and 3, and vasopressin type 2 receptors (V2Rs) in the fluid transporting cells, such as stria vascularis, vestibular dark and transitional cells, and endolymphatic sac epithelial cells, have an important role in fluid transport in the inner ear, while those in the sensory and ganglion cells may play a functional role in the sensory cell transduction system.

Objective: To analyze expression of AQP1, AQP2, and AQP3 as well as V2Rs in the normal mouse inner ear.

Methods: CBA/J mice were used in this study.

Localization of prostanoid receptors in the mouse inner ear.

Conclusion: EP4, EP2, and IP prostanoid receptors exert an otoprotective function and FP may be important for fluid homeostasis in the inner ear.

Objective: To investigate the expression of prostanoid receptors in the normal mouse inner ear.

Methods: CBA/J mice were used in this study.

Expression of transient receptor potential channel vanilloid (TRPV) 1–4, melastin (TRPM) 5 and 8, and ankyrin (TRPA1) in the normal and methimazole-treated mouse olfactory epithelium.

Conclusion: It is suggested that TRPV1, 2, 3, and 4, TRPM5 and 8, and TRPA1 may play several roles in the olfactory epithelium (OE), contributing to olfactory chemosensation, olfactory adaptation, olfactory–trigeminal interaction, and OE fluid homeostasis. In patients with olfactory disturbance, TRPV1 and TRPM8 may be closely related to a high rate of recognition of curry and menthol odors, while TRPV2 may also play a crucial role in the regeneration of olfactory receptor neurons.

Objective: Expression of TRPV1–4, TRPM5 and 8, and TRPA1 in the normal and methimazole-treated mouse OE was analyzed.

Effect of intravitreal bevacizumab on iris vessels in neovascular glaucoma patients.

Background: We aimed to investigate the effects of a single 1-mg injection of intravitreal bevacizumab on iris vessels in neovascular glaucoma (NVG) patients.

Methods: Twenty-two surgically resected irises from glaucoma patients were obtained during trabeculectomy. Eight were from patients with NVG who received a 1-mg injection of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) before glaucoma surgery, eight were from patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and six were from patients with NVG who were not administered IVB.

Clinical characteristics of delayed endolymphatic hydrops in Japan: A nationwide survey by the Peripheral Vestibular Disorder Research Committee of Japan.

Conclusion: Similarly to almost all delayed endolymphatic hydrops (DEH) cases with both precedent sudden deafness and mumps deafness, two-thirds of DEH cases with precedent deafness of unknown cause with onset in early childhood developed DEH symptoms within 40 years after the precedent deafness. In spite of the diagnosis of precedent deafness, viral labyrinthitis may build up the late endolymphatic hydrops in most DEH cases up to four decades.

Objective: To clarify the characteristics of DEH in Japan.

Expression of transient receptor potential channel mucolipin (TRPML) and polycystine (TRPP) in the mouse inner ear.

Conclusions: TRPML3 may play distinct roles in the inner ear, such as stereociliar organization, sensory cell transduction, and inner ear fluid homeostasis, and TRPP3 may be important for fluid homeostasis in the inner ear.

Objective: To study the expression of TRPML1-3 and TRPP2, 3, and 5 in the mouse inner ear.

Materials And Methods: Localization of TRPML1-3 and TRPP2, 3, and 5 in the inner ear of CBA/J mice was investigated by immunohistochemistry.

Expression of canonical transient receptor potential channel (TRPC) 1-7 in the mouse inner ear.

Conclusion: It is suggested that TRPCs play a functional role in the sensory cell transduction system in the inner ear.

Objective: To study expression of TRPC 1-7 in the mouse inner ear.

Materials And Methods: The localization of TRPC 1-7 in the inner ear of CBA/J mice was investigated by immunohistochemistry.

Age-dependent changes in the expression of klotho protein, TRPV5 and TRPV6 in mouse inner ear.

Conclusions: Klotho protein content decreases with increasing age, which weakens resistance to oxidative stress, resulting in induced cell death as well as modulating endolymph fluid homeostasis. Down-regulation of klotho also leads to down-regulation of TRPV5 and TRPV6, resulting in modified Ca(2+) homeostasis in the inner ear, dysfunction of sensory cell transduction and causing hearing loss and/or vestibular disorders.

Objective: Expression of klotho, TRPV5 and TRPV6 in the mouse inner ear and age-related changes were analysed.

Effects of age and sex on the expression of estrogen receptor alpha and beta in the mouse inner ear.

Conclusion: Estrogen receptor (ER) alpha and beta were expressed in the inner ear, and expression decreased with increasing age. ERalpha may alter cochlear and vestibular sensory transduction, and ERbeta may have a neuroprotective function in the inner ear.

Objective: Expression of ERalpha and ERbeta in the mouse inner ear and its alterations with sex and aging were analyzed.

Expression of transient receptor potential channel melastin (TRPM) 1-8 and TRPA1 (ankyrin) in mouse inner ear.

Conclusions: It has been shown that TRPMs may play a functional role in sensory cell physiology, fluid homeostasis, sensory cell death, and thermosensation in the inner ear, while TRPA1 plays an important role in sensory transduction.

Objective: To study expression of TRPM1-8 and TRPA1 in the mouse inner ear.

Materials And Methods: The localization of TRPM1-8 and TRPA1 in the inner ear of normal and gentamicin-treated CBA/J mice was investigated by immunohistochemistry.

Spatiotemporal expression of cochlin in the inner ear of rats during postnatal development.

Cochlin (encoded by COCH) constitutes 70% of non-collagenous protein in the inner ear, and the expression of cochlin is highly specific to the inner ear. Eleven missense mutation and one in-frame deletion have been reported in the COCH gene, causing hereditary progressive sensorineural hearing loss and vestibular dysfunction, DFNA9. These data imply that cochlin should bear an essential and crucial role in the inner ear function.