A manual of Eustachian tube function tests-illustration of representative test results obtained from healthy subjects and typical disorders with suggestion of the appropriate test method of choice.

In the 19th century, Politzer devised a method to measure passage of the Eustachian tube (ET) by pressurizing the nasopharyngeal cavity, which marked the beginning of the ET function test. Since then, various examination methods have been developed. While ET function testing is important, recent advancements in diagnostic imaging and treatments have renewed interest on its importance.

Estimation of adverse events associated with P2Y12 receptor inhibitors stratified by academic research consortium for high bleeding risk criteria in acute coronary syndrome.

Background: The usefulness of the Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk (ARC-HBR) criteria in the selection of P2Y12 receptor inhibitors for acute coronary syndrome is unknown. This study investigated whether the selection of antiplatelet agents according to the ARC-HBR criteria could improve clinical outcomes.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 1261 patients with acute coronary syndrome who received dual antiplatelet therapy, namely clopidogrel (75 mg, n = 529) or prasugrel (3.

Postoperative Course of Pars Flaccida Cholesteatoma Patients With Habitual Sniffing.

Objective: To investigate the effects of habitual sniffing on the postoperative course of pars flaccida cholesteatoma.

Study Design: Retrospective case series study.

Setting: University hospital.

Overexpression of Sal-like protein 4 in head and neck cancer: epigenetic effects and clinical correlations.

Background: Sal-like protein 4 (SALL4), an embryonic stem cell factor, has been reported to play an essential role in embryogenesis and oncogenesis. As yet, however, the expression and role of this transcription factor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has not been established.

Methods: We assessed SALL4 mRNA expression in a well-characterised dataset of 230 HNSCC samples (test cohort 110 cases and validation cohort 120 cases).

Neuropeptide receptor genes GHSR and NMUR1 are candidate epigenetic biomarkers and predictors for surgically treated patients with oropharyngeal cancer.

Pathological staging and histological grading systems are useful, but imperfect, predictors of recurrence in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Aberrant promoter methylation is the main type of epigenetic modification that plays a role in the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. To identify new potential prognostic markers, we investigated the promoter methylation status of five neuropeptide receptor genes.

Prostanoid receptor genes confer poor prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma via epigenetic inactivation.

Background: Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and other diseases. Prostanoid receptors are clearly involved in the development of many types of cancer. However, their role is not simple and is poorly understood in HNSCC.

5-Hydroxymethylcytosine and ten-eleven translocation dioxygenases in head and neck carcinoma.

Ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes are implicated in DNA demethylation through dioxygenase activity, which converts 5-methylcytosine to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC). However, the specific roles of TET enzymes and 5-hmC levels in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have not yet been evaluated. In this study, we analyzed 5-hmC levels and mRNA expression in a well-characterized dataset of 117 matched pairs of HNSCC tissues and normal tissues.

Effect of lutein on the acute inflammation-induced c-Fos expression of rat trigeminal spinal nucleus caudalis and C1 dorsal horn neurons.

Although lutein is known to inhibit chronic inflammation, its effect on acute inflammation-induced nociceptive processing in the trigeminal system remains to be determined. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether pretreatment with lutein attenuates acute inflammation-induced sensitization of nociceptive processing in rat spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis (SpVc) and upper cervical (C1) dorsal horn neurons, via c-Fos immunoreactivity. Mustard oil, a transient receptor potential ankyrin-1 channel agonist, was injected into the whisker pads to induce inflammation.

Efficacy of a silicone plug for patulous eustachian tube: A prospective, multicenter case series.

Objectives/hypothesis: To report the efficacy and safety of transtympanic plugging of the eustachian tube (ET) using a silicone plug (Kobayashi plug) for chronic patulous ET (PET).

Study Design: Prospective and multicenter trial conducted in which 30 PET patients were resistant to at least 6 months of conservative treatment.

Methods: The efficacy and safety of 28 and 27 patients, respectively, were analyzed.

Is a Novel Prognostic Methylation Marker in Patients with Oral Squamous Carcinomas: Associations with and Methylation Status.

Staging and pathological grading systems are convenient, but imperfect predictors of recurrence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Therefore, to identify potential alternative prognostic markers, we investigated the methylation status of the promoter of Sal-like protein 2 (). mRNA expression was absent in 8/9 (88.

An Ameloblastoma in the Middle Ear.

An ameloblastoma is a locally aggressive odontogenic tumour that commonly develops from the odontogenic epithelium within the jawbone. Here we present for the first time a case of a rare primary ameloblastoma in the middle ear cavity, along with some consideration of its treatment and a new classification. A 65-year-old woman presented with a left middle ear cavity tumour.

Aberrant Epigenetic Regulation in Head and Neck Cancer Due to Distinct EZH2 Overexpression and DNA Hypermethylation.

Enhancer of Zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) overexpression is associated with tumor proliferation, metastasis, and poor prognosis. Targeting and inhibition of EZH2 is a potentially effective therapeutic strategy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We analyzed EZH2 mRNA expression in a well-characterized dataset of 230 (110 original and 120 validation cohorts) human head and neck cancer samples.

Association of TET3 epigenetic inactivation with head and neck cancer.

The aim of this study was to clarify the epigenetic regulation of ten eleven translocation protein (TET) family genes, which can provide insights into the mechanisms of tumorigenesis and the risk of disease recurrence in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We generated methylation profiles of , and genes in tumor samples obtained from 233 patients with HNSCC; these included 57 hypopharynx, 44 larynx, 69 oral cavity, and 63 oropharynx tumor samples. The mRNA expression and promoter DNA methylation of family genes were examined via quantitative RT-PCR and methylation-specific PCR, respectively.

The neuropeptide genes , , , , and are powerful epigenetic biomarkers in head and neck cancer: a site-specific analysis.

Background: Staging and pathological grading systems are convenient but imperfect predictors of recurrence in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Identifying biomarkers for HNSCC that will progress and cause death is a critical research area, particularly if the biomarker can be linked to selection of patients. Therefore, to identify potential alternative prognostic markers, we investigated the methylation status of five neuropeptide gene promoters.

Epigenetic modification of as a novel biomarker for the prognosis of early stage head and neck cancer.

This study examined ( methylation profiles in head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients at diagnosis and follow-up, and evaluated their prognostic significance and value as a biomarker. expression was examined in a panel of cell lines by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Promoter methylation was determined by quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (qMSP) and was compared to the clinical characteristics of 205 samples.

Involvement of peripheral alpha2A adrenoceptor in the acceleration of gastrointestinal transit and abdominal visceral pain induced by intermittent deprivation of REM sleep.

Many studies have associated sleep alterations with the severity of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, but the direct pathophysiological relationship has not been clarified. In addition, alterations in noradrenergic signaling have been implicated in the pathophysiology of IBS, and alpha2-adrenoceptors are potential treatment targets. We have previously shown that acceleration of gastrointestinal transit (GIT) elicited by intermittent rapid eye movement (REM) sleep deprivation stress may fulfill the profile of a model of IBS.

Genes encoding neuropeptide receptors are epigenetic markers in patients with head and neck cancer: a site-specific analysis.

Staging and pathological grading systems are useful but imperfect predictors of recurrence in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). To identify potential prognostic markers, we examined the methylation status of eight neuropeptide receptor gene promoters in 231 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. The , , , , , , , and promoters were methylated in 80.

Evaluation of epigenetic inactivation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

The aim of this study was to determine the methylation status of the genes encoding the vascular endothelial growth factor receptors and to evaluate the usefulness of VEGFR methylation as a prognostic indicator in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. VEGFR messenger RNA expression and promoter methylation were examined in a panel of cell lines via quantitative reverse transcription and methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Promoter methylation was compared with clinical characteristics in 128 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma samples.

A case of improved hearing with cochlear implantation in Gaucher disease type 1.

Gaucher disease is a lysosomal storage disorder that is caused by congenital defective function of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase. Glucocerebroside that is not hydrolyzed by glucocerebrosidase mainly accumulates in the reticular tissue. We describe a Japanese boy with Gaucher disease type 1 who developed bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss within approximately 4years.

Epigenetic silencing of is an independent predictor of poor survival in head and neck cancer.

Background: This study examined ( methylation profiles of head and neck cancer (HNSCC) patients at diagnosis and follow-up and evaluated their prognostic significance and value as a biomarker. expression was examined in a panel of cell lines by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The methylation status of the promoter was examined by quantitative methylation-specific PCR.

Human papillomavirus-associated small cell carcinoma/neuroendocrine carcinoma of the oropharynx: a report of two cases.

Introduction: Small cell carcinoma/neuroendocrine carcinoma (SCNEC) of the oropharynx is uncommon. Two cases of SCNEC in an 81-year-old woman and in a 54-year-old man are presented here.

Case Description: We have documented two cases of SCNEC arising in the oropharynx with evidence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

Site-specific methylation patterns of the GAL and GALR1/2 genes in head and neck cancer: Potential utility as biomarkers for prognosis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of the promoter methylation status of galanin (GAL) and galanin receptor 1/2 (GALR1/2) by assessing their association with disease-free survival and known prognostic factors in head and neck cancer. We generated methylation profiles of GAL and GALR1/2 in tumor samples obtained from 202 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC); these included 43 hypopharynx, 42 larynx, 59 oral cavity, and 58 oropharynx tumor samples. CpG island hypermethylation status of the three genes was analyzed using quantitative methylation-specific PCR (Q-MSP).

Late recurrence of breast carcinoma metastasis to the hypopharynx: a case report.

Background: We report a rare case of a patient with a hypopharyngeal metastasis from breast cancer.

Case Presentation: Isolated breast cancer metastasis to the hypopharynx has been previously reported in only one autopsy case. Herein, we report a 56-year-old woman with metastases to the hypopharynx almost 24 years after receiving a mastectomy and chemotherapy to treat primary breast carcinoma.

Primary combined small and squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx: A case report.

We herein report a very rare case of combined small-cell carcinoma (SmCC) of the hypopharynx, with a squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) element. A 74-year-old man presented with a 3-month history of throat pain and hoarseness. On hypopharyngoscopy, a tumor was identified in the right anterior wall of the piriform sinus and, following examination of a biopsy sample, the lesion was diagnosed as SqCC.