Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Cancer Risk, Tumor Recurrence, or Survival of Head and Neck Cancer Patients.

Objective: This paper aims at studying the influence of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on cancer risk, tumor recurrence, and survival in head and neck (H&N) cancer patients.

Methods: A total of 45 SNPs in 41 genes were investigated. A total of 174 Caucasian H&N cancer patients and 245 healthy blood donors were enrolled in the study.

Effect of Total Nucleated and CD34(+) Cell Dose on Outcome after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

During more recent years only few studies have analyzed the effect of total nucleated cell (TNC) and CD34(+) cell dose in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). A single-center analysis included 544 patients, 227 with a sibling donor and 317 with an unrelated donor. Most patients (n = 292) were treated with myeloablative conditioning, whereas the remaining patients (n = 252) received reduced-intensity conditioning.

[Residual states in 30 percent of adult patients with Bell's palsy. Early treatment with cortisone improves the healing process].

Bell's palsy is an acute unilateral weakness or paralysis of the face of unknown cause. The incidence of the disease is 30 individuals per 100,000 per year. It is a diagnosis of exclusion and other known causes for acute peripheral facial palsy must be ruled out.

Home care during neutropenia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children and adolescents is safe and may be more advantageous than isolation in hospital.

After ASCT, children are isolated in hospital to prevent neutropenic infections. Patients living within two-h drive from the hospital were given the option of treatment at home after ASCT. Daily visits by an experienced nurse and phone calls from a physician from the unit were included in the protocol.

Validation of a Swedish version of the Facial Disability Index (FDI) and the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation (FaCE) scale.

Conclusion: Swedish versions of the Facial Disability Index (FDI) and Facial Clinimetric Evaluation (FaCE) scale are psychometrically valid. Both questionnaires can be used for clinical studies on peripheral facial palsy patients, and provide important information on quality of life.

Objectives: To translate and validate Swedish versions of the FDI and FaCE scale in patients with peripheral facial palsy.

The combined effects of single-nucleotide polymorphisms, tobacco products, and ethanol on normal resting blood mononuclear cells.

Introduction: Tobacco and ethanol consumption are crucial factors in the development of various diseases including cancer. In this investigation, we evaluated the combined effects of a number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), with ethanol and tobacco products on healthy individuals.

Methods: Pure nicotine, cigarette smoke extract, and Swedish snuff (snus) extract were used.

The effect of prednisolone on sequelae in Bell's palsy.

Objective: To study whether prednisolone reduces sequelae in Bell's palsy.

Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial with 12 months of follow-up.

Setting: Seventeen referral centers.

Prediction of nonrecovery in Bell's palsy using Sunnybrook grading.

Objectives/hypothesis: To develop a clinical prognostic model to identify Bell's palsy patients with risk for nonrecovery at 12 months.

Study Design: Data from a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study.

Methods: There were 829 patients with Bell's palsy randomized in a factorial fashion to treatment with prednisolone or no prednisolone.

Sunnybrook and House-Brackmann systems in 5397 facial gradings.

Objectives: To study the correlation between Sunnybrook and House-Brackmann facial grading systems at different time points during the course of peripheral facial palsy.

Study Design: Prospective multicenter trial.

Setting: Seventeen otorhinolaryngological centers.

Prednisolone in Bell's palsy related to treatment start and age.

Objective: To evaluate if treatment start and age are related to the outcome in Bell's palsy patients treated with prednisolone.

Study Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial.

Setting: Sixteen otorhinolaryngologic centers in Sweden and 1 in Finland.

Early deterioration in Bell's palsy: prognosis and effect of prednisolone.

Objective: To assess if early deterioration is a negative prognostic factor in Bell's palsy and if prednisolone treatment reduces early progression and enhances recovery.

Study Design: Data extracted from the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter, Scandinavian Bell's palsy study.

Setting: Sixteen tertiary referral centers in Sweden and one in Finland.

The use of closo-dodecaborate-containing linker improves targeting of HNSCC xenografts with radioiodinated chimeric monoclonal antibody U36.

Radionuclide imaging of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) has the potential to contribute to improved diagnosis and staging, thereby making more effective treatment possible. Chimeric monoclonal antibody U36 (cMAb U36), specific to CD44v6 antigen, is a candidate for the targeting of HNSCC. The aim of this study was to compare the influence of indirect iodination via closo-dodecaborate-based linker (DABI) with the influence of direct radioiodination on the biodistribution of the chimeric anti-CD44v6 antibody U36.

The effect of study design and analysis methods on recovery rates in Bell's palsy.

Objectives/hypothesis: We investigated how study design affects the rate of recovery in Bell's palsy.

Study Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial.

Methods: Data were extracted from the Scandinavian Bell's palsy study, which included 829 patients.

The course of pain in Bell's palsy: treatment with prednisolone and valacyclovir.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of prednisolone and valacyclovir on ipsilateral pain around the ear and in the face or neck in Bell's palsy. The incidence and intensity of pain during the first 2 months of palsy and its prognostic value were also assessed.

Study Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial.

Impact of thawing on RNA integrity and gene expression analysis in fresh frozen tissue.

Biobanks of fresh, unfixed human tissue represent a valuable source for gene expression analysis in translational research and molecular pathology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of thawing on RNA integrity and gene expression in fresh frozen tissue specimens. Portions of snap frozen tonsil tissue, unfixed or immersed in RNAlater, were thawed at room temperature for 0 minute, 5 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 1 hour, 3 hours, 6 hours, and 16 hours before RNA extraction.

Cancer of the parotid gland; long-term follow-up. A single centre experience on recurrence and survival.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the results of treatment of malignant parotid gland tumours at a single centre during a 56 year period, focusing on tumour control and survival.

Patients And Methods: At Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden, 144 patients (73 male and 71 female) with parotid cancer were treated between 1948 and 2004. The mean and median ages were 62 and 65 years, respectively (range 16-89 years).

Prednisolone and valaciclovir in Bell's palsy: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial.

Background: Previous trials of corticosteroid or antiviral treatments for Bell's palsy have been underpowered or have had insufficient follow-up. The aim of this study was to compare the short-term and long-term effects of prednisolone and valaciclovir in the recovery of the affected facial nerve in a large number of patients.

Methods: In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial, patients aged 18 to 75 years who sought care directly or were referred from emergency departments or general practitioners within 72 h of onset of acute, unilateral, peripheral facial palsy, between May, 2001, and September, 2006, were assessed.

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment of postoperative neurosurgical infections.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy for neurosurgical infections after craniotomy or laminectomy.

Methods: The study involved review of medical records, office visits, and telephone contacts for 39 consecutive patients who were referred in 1996 to 2000. Infection control and healing without removal of bone flaps or foreign material, with a minimum of 6 months of follow-up monitoring, were considered to represent success.

Targeting CD44v6 expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: preclinical characterization of an 111In-labeled monoclonal antibody.

In patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) radioimmunodiagnosis could offer a more specific and sensitive tumor diagnostic method. Our aim was to evaluate the labeling and biodistribution of the novel radioimmunoconjugate (111)In-cMAb U36. In this study cMAb U36, targeting CD44v6, and huA33, as a negative control, were labeled with indium-111, using the chelator CHXA''-DTPA.

Radioimmunotherapy with astatine-211 using chimeric monoclonal antibody U36 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: In advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), there is a need for an adjuvant treatment. We aim to evaluate the biodistribution and therapeutic effect of radioimmunotherapy using the alpha emitting, astatine-211-labeled, chimeric monoclonal antibody U36 (U36) on the HNSCC cell line UT-SCC7 in vivo.

Study Design: Xenograft tumors were inoculated subcutaneously in nude mice.

Clinical impact of positron emission tomography (PET) with (18F)fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in head and neck tumours.

Conclusion: PET plays an important role in staging, on suspicion of recurrence and for detection of occult primary tumours in the head and neck.

Objective: Since 1998 we have used positron emission tomography (PET) with (18F)fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) to assess selected patients. This procedure has often helped in making decisions on staging and treatment.

Agreement between the Sunnybrook, House-Brackmann, and Yanagihara facial nerve grading systems in Bell's palsy.

Objective: To assess the agreement between the Sunnybrook facial nerve grading system and the House-Brackmann and Yanagihara systems.

Study Design: Prospective clinical facial nerve grading.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment of postoperative neurosurgical infections.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy for neurosurgical infections after craniotomy or laminectomy.

Methods: The study involved review of medical records, office visits, and telephone contacts for 39 consecutive patients who were referred in 1996 to 2000. Infection control and healing without removal of bone flaps or foreign material, with a minimum of 6 months of follow-up monitoring, were considered to represent success.