Metastasis to parotid gland from non Head and Neck tumors

Most primary tumors spreading metastasis to the parotid gland are usually located in the head and neck region, nonetheless, rarely, parotid gland can also be the target of metastatic localization site of distant primary tumors. The purpose of this study was to describe a clinical series of metastasis to the parotid gland from distant primary tumors (non Head & Neck)

TUSC (TUrbinate Surgery Classification): A Novel Classification Proposal for Turbinate Surgery

Aim of this manuscript is to propose a clear and easily applicable classification for turbinate surgery, based on the use of a numerical model, which could be introduced in the practice of Otolaryngologists and Maxillo-Facial surgeons.Applying this classification, it will be possible to offer an easy format when describing which turbinates are involved in a procedure, and to offer a quick method to record and analyse clinical data, also for scientific purpose

Placental thrombomodulin expression in recurrent miscarriage

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Early pregnancy loss can be associated with trophoblast insufficiency and coagulation defects. Thrombomodulin is an endothelial-associated anticoagulant protein involved in the control of hemostasis and inflammation at the vascular beds and it's also a cofactor of the protein C anticoagulant pathway.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>We evaluate the Thrombomodulin expression in placental tissue from spontaneous recurrent miscarriage and voluntary abortion as controls. Thrombomodulin mRNA was determined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Reduced expression levels of thrombomodulin were found in recurrent miscarriage group compared to controls (1.82-fold of reduction), that corresponds to a reduction of 45% (from control group Delta CT) of thrombomodulin expression in spontaneous miscarriage group respect the control groups.</p> <p>Summary</p> <p>We cannot state at present the exact meaning of a reduced expression of Thrombomodulin in placental tissue. Further studies are needed to elucidate the biological pathway of this important factor in the physiopathology of the trophoblast and in reproductive biology.</p

HEMOTROPIC MYCOPLASMA IN DOMESTIC CATS FROM THE CENTRAL REGION OF RIO GRANDE DO SUL STATE, BRAZIL

Hemotropic mycoplasmas, also known as hemoplasmas, are bacteria that attach to the red blood cells and are the causative agents of feline infectious anemia (AIF). AIF can be mild or severe and can eventually lead to death. The hemoplasmas have been described in several countries, including Brazil; however, studies on the frequency of infection in central Rio Grande do Sul state is yet unknown. The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of hemoplasmas in this region as well as to evaluate the hematological changes and risk factors such age and sex, associated with infection. For this, 192 blood samples from domestic cats were collected and analyzed by species-specific conventional &nbsp; polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Overall, 14,6% cats were infected by at least one hemoplasma, but structures morphologically compatible with hemoplasmas were not identified in blood smears. Concerning age, animals aged ≤3 years had a higher incidence of infection than cats older than 3 years of age with 75% of infected samples being males. There was no statistical difference in hematological variables between infected and uninfected cats. Thus, we conclude that the prevalence of hemotropic mycoplasmas in Central Rio Grande do Sul state is 14.6% and that infection was not correlated with the presence of anemia and young male cats were more likely to be infected.Os micoplasmas hemotróficos também conhecidos como hemoplasmas são bactérias que se aderem aos eritrócitos e podem levar ao desenvolvimento de uma doença conhecida como anemia infecciosa felina (AIF). A AIF pode ser leve ou grave e pode levar à morte. Os hemoplasmas foram descritos em vários países, incluindo o Brasil, contudo, estudos sobre a frequência de infecção na região central do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, não foram descritos até o momento. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a prevalência de hemoplasmas nessa região, bem como avaliar alterações hematológicas, e fatores de risco para infecção, como idade e sexo. Para isso, 192 amostras de sangue de gatos domésticos foram coletadas e analisadas através da reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), método de escolha para diagnóstico de infecção. Dos felinos testados, 14,6% apresentaram-se positivos para infecção por hemoplasmas, no entanto, não foram identificadas estruturas compatíveis com micoplasmas na superfície de eritrócitos na avaliação do esfregaço sanguíneo. Em relação à idade, animais com idade ≤3 anos apresentaram maior incidência de infecção do que felinos com mais de 3 anos de idade. Sendo que, 75% das amostras infectadas eram de machos. Não houve diferença nas variáveis hematológicas entre felinos infectados e não infectados. Assim, conclui-se que a prevalência de micoplasmas hemotrópicos na região central do Rio Grande do Sul é de 14,6% e que a infecção não está relacionada à anemia, além de ser mais frequente em animais jovens e machos

Are sinonasal dissection courses a valid instrument for endoscopic sinus surgeons? A report on 7-years of experience

I corsi di chirurgia endoscopica naso-sinusale sono rivolti sia a giovani specialisti per il training chirurgico, sia a chirurghi più esperti per migliorare le abilità chirurgiche. Ad un totale di centotrenta (130) partecipanti, ad 8 corsi di dissezione in totale, tra il 2013 e il 2019, è stato somministrato un questionario strutturato standardizzato, comprendente domande sulla strumentazione ricevuta e problemi riscontrati durante la pratica di dissezione. L’uncinectomia e l’etmoidectomia anteriore sono state considerate le procedure più semplici del corso, dalla maggior parte dei partecipanti, mentre l’approccio al seno frontale, indipendentemente dall’esperienza e dall’età, è stato ritenuto il passaggio più complicato. Tutti i partecipanti hanno considerato il corso di dissezione come un mezzo utile per migliorare le loro conoscenze anatomiche, ed il grado di confidenza con la strumentazione e con la dissezione. I corsi di chirurgia endoscopica naso-sinusale sono stati ritenuti utili sia dai giovani specialisti, che dai chirurghi più esperti. Il miglioramento delle conoscenze anatomiche può ridurre efficacemente l’insorgenza di complicazioni indesiderate, in particolare per gli approcci endoscopici.Sinonasal dissection courses have been reported to be effective in teaching sinonasal anatomy to trainees, and in improving surgical skills for trained surgeons. Between 2013 and 2019, a standardised structured questionnaire was handed out to 130 participants of 8 sinonasal dissection courses. Each questionnaire included questions about the medical equipment the surgeons were fitted, and the problems encountered during the dissection.The majority of the participants, regardless of their experience and age, considered uncinectomy and anterior ethmoidectomy as the simplest parts of the dissection, whereas the most complicated step was the approach to the frontal sinus. All participants considered the dissection course as a useful way to improve their medical skills while performing an endoscopic surgery procedure, such as their anatomical knowledge, and confidence with instrumentation and the dissection. Sinonasal dissection courses can be considered to be useful for both trainees and trained surgeons. Improving anatomical knowledge can reduce the occurrence of complications, especially in endoscopic surgery

Identification and Characterization of Cancer Stem Cells from Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines

Background/Aims: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) ranks sixth worldwide for tumor-related mortality. A subpopulation of tumor cells, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs), has the ability to support cancer growth. Therefore, profiling CSC-enriched populations could be a reliable tool to study cancer biology. Methods: We performed phenotypic characterization of 7 HNSCC cell lines and evaluated the presence of CSCs. CSCs from Hep-2 cell line and HNSCC primary cultures were enriched through sphere formation and sphere-forming cells have been characterized both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we investigated the expression levels of Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), an enzyme overexpressed in several malignancies. Results: CSC markers were markedly expressed in Hep-2 cell line, which was found to be highly tumorigenic. CSC-enriched populations displayed increased expression of CSC markers and a strong capability to form tumors in vivo. We also found an overexpression of CSC markers in tumor formed by CSC-enriched populations. Interestingly, NNMT levels were significantly higher in CSC-enriched populations compared with parental cells. Conclusion: Our study provides an useful procedure for CSC identification and enrichment in HNSCC. Moreover, results obtained seem to suggest that CSCs may represent a promising target for an anticancer therapy

Prognostic value of H-index in patients surgically treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.

OBJECTIVE: Recently, a novel host-related index, the Host-index (H-index), including both inflammatory and nutritional markers, has been described and observed to stratify prognosis in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity more accurately than other host-related indexes This study aimed to investigate the prognostic performance of the H-index using pretreatment blood tests in patients receiving up-front surgery for SCC of the larynx. METHODS: This retrospective observational study included a multicenter series of consecutive patients with SCC of the larynx diagnosed between 1 January 2009 and 31 July 2018, whose pretreatment blood tests were available and included the parameters necessary for the calculation of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the H-index. Their association with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) was measured. RESULTS: A total of 231 patients were eligible for the present analysis (median [range] age, 68 [37-96] years; 191 [82.7%] men). The median follow-up was 73 months. In multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models, increasing age (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.07 per year; 95% CI, 1.04-1.09), advanced pT stage (aHR = 1.71 95% CI: 1.07-2.71), and having close or positive surgical margins (aHR = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.21-3.33) were significantly associated with poor OS. Among blood parameters, a higher neutrophil count was a strong predictor of both worse DFS (aHR for recurrence/death = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.24-4.40) and OS (aHR for death = 2.67; 95% CI: 1.51-4.71). Among inflammatory blood indexes, while NLR was not significantly associated with DFS or OS, patients with H-index ≥8.37 showed a higher aHR for both recurrence/death (2.82; 95% CI: 1.65-4.79) and death (2.22; 95% CI: 1.26-3.89). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the present study confirms the prognostic value of pretreatment H-index, an easily measurable inflammatory and nutritional index, in patients with SCC of the larynx. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III