Efficacy of combined administration of Baekhogainsam-Tang and low-dose pilocarpine on frequent intractable xerostomia: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Intractable xerostomia is defined as the subjective perception of dry mouth and persistent salivary gland hypofunction. Pilocarpine is an approved salivary sialagogue that is frequently prescribed for the treatment of intractable xerostomia; however, it often exhibits more side effects at high-doses and limited effectiveness at low-doses. Baekhogainsam-Tang (BIT) is a common herbal formula used by patients complaining of sore throats and thirst.

Targeting ferroptosis for improved radiotherapy outcomes in HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

To enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy (RT) in human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), we explored targeting ferroptosis, a regulated cell death process. We developed a gene signature associated with ferroptosis using Cox proportional hazard modeling in HPV-negative HNSCC patients who underwent RT. This ferroptosis-related gene signature (FRGS) was a significant predictor of overall survival and recurrence-free survival in HPV-negative HNSCC patients who received RT.

Poor Survival of Patients With Very Small But Locally Advanced (T4) Oropharyngeal Cancer.

The size of T4 tumor could vary in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, this study aimed to investigate the role of tumor size in the prognosis of patients with T4 OPSCC. Retrospective cross-sectional.

Efficacy and safety of fexuprazan in patients with symptoms and signs of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease: a randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) is mainly treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) such as esomeprazole, which have shortcomings like delayed absorption and increased osteoporosis. Fexuprazan is a novel potent potassium-competitive acid blocker that inhibits gastric acid secretion with rapid onset and long duration of action. To assess the efficacy and safety of fexuprazan compared to esomeprazole in patients with LPRD.

Prognostic Significance of SASP-Related Gene Signature of Radiation Therapy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

In this study, we developed and validated the clinical significance of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP)-related gene signature and explored its association with radiation therapy (RT) in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). First, we searched the three published review literature associated with SASP and selected all 81 genes to develop SASP-related gene signature. Then, 81 SASP-related genes were adapted to gene expression dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).

A SEER-based analysis of trends in HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: The proportional trends of HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) according to various factors have not been analyzed in detail in previous studies. We aimed to evaluate the trends of HPV-associated OPSCC in the United States.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 13,081 patients with OPSCC from large population-based data using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 2010-2017 database, 17 Registries.

Utilizing the AJCC 8 Staging to Discriminate Survival Outcomes in HPV-associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background/aim: The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging 8th edition introduced major changes in the TNM staging of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) based on the human papillomavirus (HPV) status. This study aimed to observe how well the AJCC staging 8 edition precisely discriminates survival outcomes in patients with HPV-associated OPSCC using a large population database.

Materials And Methods: Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database between 2010 and 2016, 7,448 patients with HPV-associated OPSCC were enrolled.

Association between genetic risk and adherence to healthy lifestyle for developing age-related hearing loss.

Background: Previous studies have shown that lifestyle/environmental factors could accelerate the development of age-related hearing loss (ARHL). However, there has not yet been a study investigating the joint association among genetics, lifestyle/environmental factors, and adherence to healthy lifestyle for risk of ARHL. We aimed to assess the association between ARHL genetic variants, lifestyle/environmental factors, and adherence to healthy lifestyle as pertains to risk of ARHL.

Polygenic risk score-based phenome-wide association study of head and neck cancer across two large biobanks.

Background: Numerous observational studies have highlighted associations of genetic predisposition of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with diverse risk factors, but these findings are constrained by design limitations of observational studies. In this study, we utilized a phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) approach, incorporating a polygenic risk score (PRS) derived from a wide array of genomic variants, to systematically investigate phenotypes associated with genetic predisposition to HNSCC. Furthermore, we validated our findings across heterogeneous cohorts, enhancing the robustness and generalizability of our results.

Arterial Distension Monitoring Scheme Using FPGA-Based Inference Machine in Ultrasound Scanner Circuit System.

This paper presents an arterial distension monitoring scheme using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based inference machine in an ultrasound scanner circuit system. An arterial distension monitoring requires a precise positioning of an ultrasound probe on an artery as a prerequisite. The proposed arterial distension monitoring scheme is based on a finite state machine that incorporates sequential support vector machines (SVMs) to assist in both coarse and fine adjustments of probe position.

Prognostic significance of senescence-related tumor microenvironment genes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

The impact of the senescence related microenvironment on cancer prognosis and therapeutic response remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the prognostic significance of senescence related tumor microenvironment genes (PSTGs) and their potential implications for immunotherapy response. Using the Cancer Genome Atlas- head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) data, we identified two subtypes based on the expression of PSTGs, acquired from tumor-associated senescence genes, tumor microenvironment (TME)-related genes, and immune-related genes, using consensus clustering.

Cell Death Induced by the Combination of Extract and Radiation in HNSCC is Positively Related to BAX and p-MLKL Expression.

Background: Numerous studies have proven the efficacy and safety of natural products, and are widely used as attractive cancer treatments. The investigation of effective natural products for improving cancer treatment is a promising strategy. Combination treatment with radiosensitizers and radiotherapy (RT) is considered necessary for therapeutic improvement in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC).

Guidelines for the Use of Botulinum Toxin in Otolaryngology From the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics Guideline Task Force.

The Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics created a task force to establish clinical practice guidelines for the use of botulinum toxin (BT) in otolaryngology. We selected 10 disease categories: spasmodic dysphonia, essential vocal tremor, vocal fold granuloma, bilateral vocal fold paralysis, Frey's syndrome, sialocele, sialorrhea, cricopharyngeal dysfunction, chronic sialadenitis, and first bite syndrome. To retrieve all relevant papers, we searched the CORE databases with predefined search strategies, including Medline (PubMed), Embase, the Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed.

Somatic anxiety in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and anxiety in patients with LPR.

Design: Prospective, case-control study.

Setting: This study was conducted at a tertiary care center.

Association between Metabolic Syndrome and Risk of Hypopharyngeal Cancer: A Nationwide Cohort Study from Korea.

This study evaluated the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MS) and the risk of hypopharyngeal cancer. This retrospective cohort study used data from the Korean National Health Insurance Research Database. A total of 4,567,890 participants who underwent a health checkup in 2008 were enrolled.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Oropharyngeal Dysphagia.

Objective: Dysphagia is a common clinical condition characterized by difficulty in swallowing. It is sub-classified into oropharyngeal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the mouth and pharynx, and esophageal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the esophageal body and esophagogastric junction. Dysphagia can have a significant negative impact one's physical health and quality of life as its severity increases.

Malignant Transformation of Warthin Tumor in the Cervical Lymph Node.

Warthin tumor is the second most common benign tumor of salivary glands. Here we present an interesting case of squamous cell carcinoma arising from the Warthin tumor in the cervical lymph node. The patient had another Warthin tumor in the parotid gland as well.

Concurrent FDG-Avid and Non-FDG-Avid Pleomorphic Adenomas in the Submandibular Gland and Parapharyngeal Space.

Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign tumor of salivary glands. Here we present an interesting case of concurrent pleomorphic adenomas in the parapharyngeal space and submandibular gland. The tumors showed stark differences in the imaging findings on FDG PET/CT and MRI.

Guideline for the Surgical Management of Locally Invasive Differentiated Thyroid Cancer From the Korean Society of Head and Neck Surgery.

The aim of this study was to develop evidence-based recommendations for determining the surgical extent in patients with locally invasive differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Locally invasive DTC with gross extrathyroidal extension invading surrounding anatomical structures may lead to several functional deficits and poor oncological outcomes. At present, the optimal extent of surgery in locally invasive DTC remains a matter of debate, and there are no adequate guidelines.

Changes of Pepsin Concentration in Saliva Sample According to Storage Period.

Objectives: To determine whether the concentration of pepsin in the saliva sample changes according to the storage period of the sample.

Methods: Forty eight patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux were included in this study. Saliva samples were collected from each patient and each sample divided into six and stored for different period of time.

The importance of compression time in stapled hemorrhoidopexy: is patience a virtue?

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether longer compression time before firing the stapler reduced the postoperative complications related to staple line formation in stapled hemorrhoidopexy.

Methods: This retrospective case-control study was conducted at a colorectal-anal specialty hospital. Consecutive patients with grades III and IV hemorrhoids who underwent stapled hemorrhoidopexy between January 2016 and November 2019 were included.

The key timing of pharyngeal reflux in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux.

Objective: To analyze the incidence of pharyngeal reflux in laryngopharyngeal reflux patients over a 24-hour period and find out the key timing of pharyngeal reflux.

Methods: We reviewed 69 patients who visited our clinic with LPR-related symptoms and were proven to have pharyngeal reflux via 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (24hr MII-pH) monitoring. Quantitative analysis was conducted for the LPR profiles, such as the acidity of reflux, nighttime reflux, and positional reflux.

Gene signature predicting recurrence in oral squamous cell carcinoma is characterized by increased oxidative phosphorylation.

Although numerous studies have used systemic approaches to identify prognostic predictors in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the effectiveness of these approaches has not been assessed clinically. Further, the mechanism underlying malignant behaviors in OSCC is poorly characterized. This study aimed to develop and verify accurate prognostic predictors for OSCC patients and assess the associated biology.