Cancer stem cell phenotype relates to radio-chemotherapy outcome in locally advanced squamous cell head-neck cancer.

Background: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) tend to repopulate malignant tumours during radiotherapy and, therefore, prolongation of the overall treatment time may result in radiotherapy failure. Thus, an estimate of the number of CSCs in tumour biopsies may prove most useful in predicting resistance to radiotherapy and a guide for development therapies aimed to eradicate a cancer cell population with effects on radiotherapy-related cancer regrowth.

Methods: The CSC population was investigated semi-quantitatively in 74 locally advanced squamous cell head-neck cancers (HNSCC) from an equal number of patients, treated with accelerated platinum-based radiotherapy.

The physiological basics of the olfactory neuro-epithelium.

All living organisms can detect and identify chemical substances in their environment. The olfactory epithelium is covered by a mucus layer which is essential for the function of the olfactory neurons that are directly connected to the brain through the cribriform plate. However, little is known about the composition of this mucus in humans and its significance for the diagnosis of olfactory disorders.

Rhinosinusitis in the intensive care unit patients: a review of the possible underlying mechanisms and proposals for the investigation of their potential role in functional treatment interventions.

Purpose: Nosocomial rhinosinusitis (NS) is diagnosed in 2% to 26% of intubated patients and is associated with ventilator-associated pneumonia, septicemia, and fever of unknown etiology. The purpose of this study was to review the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms and the treatment options that derive from them.

Result: The pathogenesis of NS seems to be mainly a combination of the failure of the local defenses and self-clearance mechanisms and the development of topical factors, which favor the colonization of the nasal and antral cavities with pathogens.

Relative diagnostic importance of electronystagmography and magnetic resonance imaging in vestibular disorders.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of electronystagmography and magnetic resonance imaging to the aetiological diagnosis of vertigo and unsteadiness, in a population in which the history and clinical examination provide no conclusive diagnosis of the origin of the dysfunction (i.e. peripheral or central).

Management of inner nasal valve insufficiency.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of the upper lateral caudal edge management in treating patients with inner nasal valve insufficiency and collapse.

Design: This was a prospective study in a group of patients suffering from nasal obstruction owing to nasal valve insufficiency. Forty-three patients, who had undergone septoplasty and inferior turbinectomy, were included.