Role of Phosphate Transport System Component PstB1 in Phosphate Internalization by Nostoc punctiforme.

In bacteria, limited phosphate availability promotes the synthesis of active uptake systems, such as the Pst phosphate transport system. To understand the mechanisms that facilitate phosphate accumulation in the cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme, phosphate transport systems were identified, revealing a redundancy of Pst phosphate uptake systems that exists across three distinct operons. Four separate PstB system components were identified.

Expression profiles and clinical correlations of degradome components in the tumor microenvironment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are characterized by high morbidity and mortality, largely due to the high invasive and metastatic potential of these tumors, high recurrence rates, and low treatment responses. Proteinases have been implicated in several aspects of tumor growth and metastasis in a broad range of tumors including HNSCC.

Experimental Design: Comprehensive expression profiling of proteinases [matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), A disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAMs), and ADAMs with thrombospondin motif (ADAMTSs)] and their inhibitors [tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs)] was done using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis of a large cohort of tissue samples representing the tumor (n = 83), the invasive margin (n = 41), and the adjacent tissue (n = 41) from 83 HNSCC patients, along with normal tissue controls (n = 13), as well as cell lines established from tumors of 34 HNSCC patients.

Primary, combined, atypical carcinoid and squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx: a new variety of composite tumour.

Objective: We report the first case of a laryngeal composite tumour consisting of a squamous cell carcinoma combined with an atypical carcinoid.

Methods: Case report and review of the literature concerning laryngeal composite tumours.

Results: Primary laryngeal carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the upper aerodigestive tract.

A study of olfactory testing in patients with rhinological pathology in the ENT clinic.

Background: Despite the common occurrence of rhinological pathology presenting to the ENT clinic, routine testing of olfactory ability is rarely performed.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the role of routine olfactory testing.

Methods: This was a prospective study conducted in the outpatient clinic of a district general hospital.

Multifocal multi-site Warthin tumour.

The unique case of a 55-year-old man with multifocal adenolymphoma (Warthin's tumour) of both parotid glands, the neck and post-nasal space is presented. Warthin tumour is almost exclusively a parotid tumour but is known to be bilateral in 7-10% of cases and multifocal in 2% of cases. Most extraglandular Warthin tumours have been located in neck lymph nodes and only a few cases have been reported from other sites.

Intracapsular (in situ) carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma with unusual clinical and histological features.

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma poses a challenge to diagnosis and treatment. Herein we describe an extremely unusual case, which presented initially as an intracapsular carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma in the right parotid gland. The first recurrence, after an interval of 8 years, showed only recurrence of the benign component.

To "EE" or not to "EE".

Objective: To assess whether /i:/ ("ee") is the best sound to use during indirect laryngoscopy to produce the optimal view of the larynx.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: District general hospital otolaryngology outpatient clinic.

Management of retrosternal goitres: results of early surgical intervention to prevent airway morbidity, and a review of the English literature.

We present our experience and also review the world literature on the management of retrosternal goitres (RSGs). There is now irrefutable evidence that almost all RSGs will continue to grow and eventually cause airway compression. We describe the diagnosis, investigation and surgical approach to the management of this condition.

Research tissue banking in otolaryngology: organization, methods and uses, with reference to practical, ethical and legal issues.

The field of molecular biology is an important part of research into neoplastic conditions. Much of this research requires access to human tissue samples, which may need to be collected and stored in a specific way, according to the type of study for which they are intended. Anonymous clinical information about the samples enables researchers to apply results to different patient groups.

Effects of neem and spinosad on Ceratothripoides claratris (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), an important vegetable pest in Thailand, under laboratory and greenhouse conditions.

Toxicity of three biopesticides, i.e., two neem products and spinosad, was determined on foliage-dwelling life stages of Ceratothripoides claratris (Shumsher) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), a major thrips pest on tomatoes, Lycopersicon spp.

The myth of tracheomalacia and difficult intubation in cases of retrosternal goitre.

Although it is widely believed that management of the airway is difficult in surgery for retrosternal goitre, a review of the literature, revealing management of 1969 patients with retrosternal goitre, provided scant evidence of difficult intubation or post-operative tracheomalacia resulting in tracheal collapse. This was reflected in our own series of 18 thyroidectomies for retrosternal goitre performed at our hospitals.

Reidel's thyroiditis and Tolosa-Hunt syndrome, a rare association.

A previously undescribed association of Reidel's thyroiditis with Tolosa-Hunt syndrome is reported. A 33 year-old Caucasian female presented with a two-year history of painful progressive goitre, histologically a Reidel's thyroiditis. She underwent left partial thyroidectomy.

Use of a disposable electrode for recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring.

Our experience with a non-invasive, disposable electrode for intra-operative identification and monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is described. The electrode system, while simply attached to the endotracheal tube, acts as a laryngeal surface electrode and detects electromyographic activity of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles when the recurrent laryngeal nerve is stimulated. We have successfully used this electrode to monitor 19 recurrent laryngeal nerves in 15 patients who have undergone partial or total thyroidectomy.

Non-recurrent laryngeal nerve: identification during thyroid surgery.

The non-recurrent course of the inferior laryngeal nerve is a rare anomaly. The incidence varies from 0.3 to 4% on the right side.

Long-term results of the use of cultured autologous epithelial cell grafting to mastoid cavities.

Thirty-nine patients (42 ears) who have had a cultured autologous epithelial cell graft technique to a continuously discharging mastoid cavity have been evaluated to determine the continued effectiveness of this procedure. A postal questionnaire indicated a 58% improvement in both the smell and quantity of discharge, and our conclusion is that this is a very effective measure to provide extended symptomatic improvement in this troublesome condition.

Lipoma of the parotid gland presenting with facial palsy.

Facial palsy in the presence of ipsilateral parotid tumour is considered to be pathognomonic of malignancy. However, benign neoplasms and inflammatory lesions of the parotid gland have been reported to present with facial palsy. A case of lipoma of the parotid gland associated with partial facial paralysis is reported.

Topical active H1-antihistamines and their effect on nasal airway resistance.

The introduction of a topically active H1-antihistamine nasal spray Azelastine, has given an extra dimension in the management of allergic rhinitis. The drug acts rapidly and avoids the systemic adverse effects of antihistimines. An objective prospective study was performed to detect the effect of Azelastine nasal spray on nasal airway resistance.

Long-term results of mastoid cavities grafted with cultured epithelium prepared from autologus epidermal cells to prevent chronic otorrhea.

Chronic otorrhea and recurrent infection from open mastoid cavities are common and troublesome clinical problems for which there is no very satisfactory treatment. The authors have previously described a simple procedure to solve this problem, using autologous cultured keratinocyte layers grafted onto the unepithelialized open mastoid cavities. All procedures are carried out on an outpatient basis without anesthesia, except for local anesthesia for the skin biopsy.

Dominant maxillary artery as a cause of failure in maxillary artery ligation for posterior epistaxis.

Ligation of the maxillary artery is a logical and effective method for the arrest of severe uncontrollable posterior epistaxis. The failure rates for arrest of haemorrhage are given in the literature as 10-13%. In our centre, over the last 9 years, 23 patients have undergone maxillary artery ligation to control epistaxis without a failure.

Treatment of chronic mastoiditis by grafting of mastoid cavities with autologous epithelial layers generated by in vitro culture of buccal epithelium.

Autologous cultured epithelial layers were established from biopsies from the mucosa of the cheek, a non-keratinizing region of the oral cavity. These were grafted to the unepithelialized mastoid cavities of nine patients with chronic mastoiditis and severe otorrhoea varying from two to 30 years' duration. All procedures were performed on an out-patient basis, with no anaesthesia except for topical anaesthesia for the mucosal biopsy.

Childhood haemangiomas of the head and neck.

Haemangiomas of the head and neck in children may be of several histological types, the clinical course depending on the group to which the haemangioma belongs. Treatment may be required if the haemangioma interferes with the airway, as in the subglottic group, or if the lesion becomes ulcerated with subsequent haemorrhage, as in capillary cavernous haemangiomas. Most haemangiomas require no immediate treatment as they involute spontaneously, though parental reassurance will be of paramount importance.

Massive haemorrhage from the vallecula: a diagnostic difficulty. Case report.

A case is presented of massive bleeding from a vessel in the vallecula. This was confused with haemoptysis and haematemesis. The bleeding may have resulted from trauma to the vessel during intubation for emergency surgery.