Cost minimization analysis of nasopharyngoscope reprocessing in community practice.

Background: Reprocessing of nasopharyngoscopes represents a large financial burden to community physicians. The aim of this study was to perform a cost analysis of nasopharyngoscope reprocessing methods at the community level.

Methods: Electronic surveys were distributed by email to community otolaryngologists.

Use of the microdebrider in the surgical management of rhinophyma.

Rhinophyma is a disfiguring end-stage manifestation of acne rosacea. It is characterized by a painless hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands and connective tissues of the nose. Numerous surgical modalities-including scalpel surgery, dermabrasion, CO laser ablation, and electrocautery-have been reported with varying results.

Discontinuing routine histopathological analysis after adult tonsillectomy for benign indication.

Objective: This study examines the rate of occult malignancy in routine histopathological analysis of tonsillectomy specimens from benign surgical cases in adults.

Study Design: Retrospective data review.

Methods: 181 consecutive charts of tonsillectomies performed for benign indications between March 2007 and March 2014 were reviewed.

High frequency of activating PIK3CA mutations in human papillomavirus-positive oropharyngeal cancer.

Importance: Large-scale whole-exome sequencing studies of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have established that the disease is dominated by frequent mutations in tumor suppressor genes with rare activating mutations in oncogenes that would be easily targetable with molecular agents. There was evidence in these reports, however, that activating mutations in phosphoinositide 3-kinase catalytic subunit p110α (PIK3CA) were common in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive tumors. We set out to test this prediction in oropharyngeal patient samples from our institution.

Recognizing BRCA gene mutation risk subsequent to breast cancer diagnosis in southwestern Ontario.

Objective: To describe the population of women in southwestern Ontario who were diagnosed with potentially preventable BRCA mutation-related breast cancer.

Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: The Cancer Genetics Clinic of the London Regional Cancer Program in London, Ont.

Glycogen synthase kinase 3beta regulation of nuclear factor of activated T-cells isoform c1 in the vascular smooth muscle cell response to injury.

The migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) are critical events in neointima formation during atherosclerosis and restenosis. The transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T-cells-isoform c1 (NFATc1) is regulated by atherogenic cytokines, and has been implicated in the migratory and proliferative responses of vSMCs through the regulation of gene expression. In T-cells, calcineurin de-phosphorylates NFATc1, leading to its nuclear import, while glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3beta) phosphorylates NFATc1 and promotes its nuclear export.

Epigenetic mechanisms in the dopamine D2 receptor-dependent inhibition of the prolactin gene.

Transcription of the prolactin gene is dynamically controlled by positive and negative hormone signals that target the regulatory promoter region. Based on the inducibility of prolactin gene expression by inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDACs), we examined the role of histone acetylation at the genomic prolactin promoter as a late step in transcriptional regulation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis of GH4 cells revealed elevated levels of acetylated histones in the promoter and enhancer regions of the gene, compared with downstream intron sequences.