Effect of dupilumab on otitis media associated with eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis.

Objective: Eosinophilic Otitis Media (EOM) is an intractable disease caused by type 2 inflammation, such as Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis (ECRS) and bronchial asthma. Biologics have recently been used to treat ECRS and bronchial asthma. Biologics are not indicated for EOM; however, because approximately 10% of ECRS cases has concomitant EOM, concomitant EOM improvement has been observed when dupilumab is administered for ECRS.

SWI/SNF-Related Matrix-Associated Actin-Dependent Regulator of Chromatin Subfamily B Member 1 (SMARCB1)-Deficient Tumor in the Parapharyngeal Space: A Case Report.

SWI/SNF-related matrix-associated actin-dependent regulator of chromatin subfamily B member 1 (SMARCB1) is a tumor suppressor gene, and SMARCB1 deficits have been associated with numerous malignant tumors. Carcinomas with a SMARCB1 deficit generally have a poor prognosis. In the head and neck region, there have been many recent cases of SMARCB1-deficient sinonasal carcinoma, but reports of extrasinonasal sites are extremely rare.

Long-term effect of posterior nasal neurectomy for perennial allergic rhinitis.

Background: Surgical treatment is recommended for patients with severe allergic rhinitis (AR) refractory to medical treatment. Endoscopic posterior nasal neurectomy (PNN) is primarily performed to improve rhinorrhea in severe perennial AR, however studies on its long-term prognosis are lacking.

Aims/objectives: This study aimed to investigate the long-term prognosis of PNN.

Age-related change in mammographic breast density of women without history of breast cancer over a 10-year retrospective study.

Background: Women with higher breast density are at higher risk of developing breast cancer. Breast density is known to affect sensitivity to mammography and to decrease with age. However, the age change and associated factors involved are still unknown.

Muscle mass, quality, and strength; physical function and activity; and metabolic status in cachectic patients with head and neck cancer.

Background & Aims: Cancer cachexia is commonly associated with poor prognosis in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). However, its pathophysiology and treatment are not well established. The current study aimed to assess the muscle mass/quality/strength, physical function and activity, resting energy expenditure (REE), and respiratory quotient (RQ) in cachectic patients with HNC.

Association of phase angle with muscle function and prognosis in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing chemoradiotherapy.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate the correlation of phase angle (PhA) with other parameters (e.g., muscle mass/quality/strength and physical function), assess the prognostic relevance of prechemoradiotherapy (CRT) PhA, and suggest a reference value of PhA in Asian patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).

Effects of sublingual immunotherapy with tablets or drops containing Japanese cedar pollen antigens on nasal symptoms and sleep disturbance in patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis.

Objective: We examined the effects of SLIT with tablets containing JCP antigens on nasal symptoms and sleep disturbance in patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis during pollen dispersal season.

Methods: A total of 128 patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis were categorized into four groups:19 one-year SLIT with tablets group, 16 two-year SLIT with drops group, 19 antihistamine group, and 74 untreated group. The scores of nasal symptoms and sleep disturbance were evaluated based on the Japanese guidelines for allergic rhinitis and the Athens Insomnia Scale.

Effects of narrow-band UVB on nasal symptom and upregulation of histamine H receptor mRNA in allergic rhinitis model rats.

Background: Phototherapy with narrow-band ultraviolet B (narrow-band UVB) is clinically effective treatment for atopic dermatitis. In the present study, we examined the effects of intranasal irradiation with narrow-band UVB on nasal symptom, upregulation of histamine H receptor (H1R) gene expression and induction of DNA damage in the nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis (AR) model rat.

Methods: AR model rats were intranasally irradiated with 310 nm of narrow-band UVB.

Elucidation of Inverse Agonist Activity of Bilastine.

H-antihistamines antagonize histamine and prevent it from binding to the histamine H receptor (H1R). Some of them also act as inverse agonists, which are more potent than pure antagonists because they suppress the constitutive H1R activity. Bilastine is a non-sedative antihistamine which is one of the most satisfy the requirements for oral antihistamines.

ALDH2 Polymorphism rs671, but Not ADH1B Polymorphism rs1229984, Increases Risk for Hypo-HDL-Cholesterolemia in a/a Carriers Compared to the G/G Carriers.

It has been reported that polymorphisms within the gene-encoding enzymes related to alcohol metabolism are associated with levels of serum HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) in East Asian populations. We evaluated the effects of genetic variants within the aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) gene and the alcohol dehydrogenase-1B (ADH1B) gene on changes in the lipid profile in an 11-year longitudinal study. We genotyped rs1229984 within ADH1B and rs671 within ALDH2.

No causal impact of serum vascular endothelial growth factor level on temporal changes in body mass index in Japanese male workers: a five-year longitudinal study.

Purpose: It has been reported that adipocytes secrete vascular endothelial growth factor. Therefore, we conducted a 5-year longitudinal epidemiological study to further elucidate the association between vascular endothelial growth factor levels and temporal changes in body mass index.

Methods: Our study subjects were Japanese male workers, who had regular health check-ups.

Efficacy of proton pump inhibitor in combination with rikkunshito in patients complaining of globus pharyngeus.

Objective: Globus pharyngeus (GP) is a common symptom of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD), and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and rikkunshito, a traditional Japanese medicine having prokinetic effect improve LPRD symptoms. In the present study, we examined the efficacy of high-dose PPI in combination with rikkunshito in patients complaining of GP.

Methods: 106 patients complaining of GP without any organic endoscopic findings were enrolled.

Postoperative recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma: Comparison between percutaneous ethanol injection and radiofrequency ablation.

Aim: Recently percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) turned into percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA), and it has become widely used for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The present study was to compare the incidence in postoperative HCC recurrence between these two therapeutic approaches.

Methods: One hundred and sixty-eight first-time HCC in patient cases were chosen for PEI (n=94) and PRFA (n=74).

Effects of esophageal varices obliteration by endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy on asialoscintigraphy and liver function test.

Background: hepatic functional reserve is determined by the function and number of hepatocytes, as well as hepatic blood flow. In Japan, endoscopic injection sclerotherapy is often performed prophylactically in patients with high-risk esophageal varices. We examined the effects of blocking portosystemic shunts by this treatment on hepatic circulation and hepatocyte function as evaluated by 99mTc-GSA scintigraphy (HH15, LHL15), an examination via asialoglycoprotein receptors on hepatocytes.