The evaluation of head and neck neoplasm in young and old adults

Background: Head and neck neoplasm (HNN) is one of the most common neoplasms in 6th and 7th of life. Its incidence rate is different in various human societies. Some neoplasms have an increasing trend in the young population, and some have a decreasing trend. According to the limited evidence in Iran, we decided to investigate the types and basic characteristics of HNN in young patients with less than 40 years and old patients more than 40 years of age. Methods: In this cross sectional study, we assessed the medical records of 695 patients in the department of Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) of Loghman Hakim Hospital during 2007- 2017 to compare the fundamental characteristics and types of HNN in young and old adults. Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test were used and interpreted with a significant level of less than 0.05. Results: The average age of our patients was 51.80±17.39 years old. The majority of the patients were more than 40 years old (n=514, 73.95%) and the rest were younger (n=181, 26.05%). Significantly, the percentage of male patients, diabetic patients, positive history of smoking were more predominant in old adults as compared to young adults (72.76% vs. 49.18%, 10.31% vs. 2.20%, 66.99% vs. 25.44%; all P<0.001). However the neoplasms of salivary glands, thyroid, and paranasal sinus had a significantly higher frequency in young adults (41.98%(n=76); P<0.001, 21.55%(n=39);P<0.001, 6.10%(n=11); P=0.033 respectively). There was a high percentage of larynx neoplasm in old adults as compared to young adults (42.22 %(n=217) vs. 4.41%(n=8); P=0.001). Conclusion: Larynx neoplasm was common among old smokers. The percentage of salivary glands and thyroid neoplasms were higher than other HNN in young adults (≤40 years old), especially female patients and non-smokers. Therefore, HNN is not rare in young people and the physicians must consider it while cancer screening young adults

The Improvement Rate of Otitis Media with Effusion in Children under Gastroesophageal Reflux Therapy

Background: Otitis media with effusion (OME) is one of the most common causes of hearing impairment in children and if not treated, can result in many complications. It seems that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) plays an important role in OME. Aim: to determine the improvement rate of otitis media with effusion in children under gastroesophageal reflux therapy. Methods: The study was conducted as a retrospective study. Medical records of forty children with OME were reviewed. Some patients were treated with antibiotic and anti-reflux. The others were managed only with antibiotic. All patients were treated for 2 weeks. Two weeks after treatment complement, the response rates of patients were determined by clinical examination and tympanometry. Type A, C, and B tympanometry were interpreted as a good, moderate, and no response respectively. Pre-and post-treatment conditions were compared. Results: Overall 78 ears (40 in in the anti-reflux therapy group and 38 in the other group) were enrolled in the survey. The overall good, moderate, and no responses to medical treatment were 35.9%, 35.9%, and 28.2%, respectively. Among 40 ears in the anti-reflux therapy group, the rates of good, moderate, and no response were 50%, 37.5%, and 12.5%, respectively. These rates in 38 other ears were 21%, 34.2%, and 44.8% respectively. The differences between two groups were statistically significant (all p-value of <0.05). Conclusion: Anti-reflux therapy should be considered as an essential component of medical management in the children with OME

Protective Effect of Retinoic acid preconditioning on H2O2-induced Apoptosis in Hair Cell-like Cells

Background: Several researches have proven that high levels of noise can induce oxidative stress and increase free radical's formation, particularly hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide (NO) production. Retinoids are polyisoprenoid lipids derived from vitamin A or retinol. These molecules are essential regulatory elements in cell processes. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) plays a vital function in cellular growth, apoptosis, reproduction, cell differentiation, and immune feature by binding to its nuclear receptors. Aim: In this study, we studied the protective effect of ATRA on H2O2-induced damage to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSCs)-derived hair cells in culture. Methods: Expression of MATH1 and SOX2 genes were assayed by immunocytochemistry (ICC). In order to evaluate the tolerance of ATRA-treated cells, after incubation of hair cells-like cells with ATRA, it was exposed to H2O2 as an oxidative stress model. Then, the apoptosis percentage of cultivated hair cell-like cells was evaluated by acridin-orange staining method. Results: Our findings revealed that apoptotic cells were markedly diminished in the ATRA +H2O2 co-treated cells in comparison with the H2O2 only–treated group. Conclusion: ATRA has the protective effect against oxidative stress damage in the cultivated hair cells- like cells by reducing the apoptosis

Stem Cells Injected into the Deaf Rat Cochlea via Round Window Could Survive for at Least One Week in the Endolymph

Background: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is caused by chronic exposure to high-intensity sound. Although noise hazard has been extensively studied in the past decades, cochlear implants and hearing aids are only safe and clinically effective intervention in hearing-impaired person. In recent years, stem cell therapy has been studied to repair damaged inner ear tissue including hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). Because of small size and complex structure of the cochlea, it is difficult to transplant stem cells. It is necessary; stem cell injection procedure has a minimal adverse effect on target tissue. Cochleostomy are currently used to inject stem cells that can impair hearing. In addition, cell viability is an essential factor in the regeneration of damaged hair cells. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the survival of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) injected through the round window of the NIHL rat model. Methods: Adult male rats were exposed to the 110 dB white noise paradigm for 6 hours in 5 days to induce deafness. Distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) was recorded before and after noise exposure. Hoechst labeled-cells were transplanted into the rat cochlea through the round window. Hoechst- labelled MSCs were assayed in the endolymph for 24h, 72h, seven and 10 days after injection. Results: Our findings revealed that stem cell transplantation into the cochlea via round window niche is a safe surgical approach. As well, cells transplanted into the endolymph survived for a postoperative period of at least 1 week. Conclusion: BMSC can survive at least one week in adult rat cochlea after injection through the round window niche

The Evaluation of Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients with Nasal Polyposis

Background: Despite performing surgical treatment, chronic rhinosinusitis coexisting with polyposis has recurrent episodes. Considering the strong association between nasal polyposis and asthma, the role of Vitamin D deficiency has been demonstrated in most of the asthma attacks. Purpose :To investigate the serum level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D in chronic rhino sinusitis among the patients with and without nasal polyposis. Methods :In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the vitamin D deficiency in 38 patients with nasal polyposis and 38 control patients, using immunoassay examination.  Data of the two groups were compared and analyzed via SPSS software version 18. The significant level was considered as less than 0.05. Results: We found severe vitamin D deficiency in 47.4% of the polyposis patients, while this rate decreased to13.3% in the control group (p=0.004). Based on the age group classification, there was no statistically significant difference in terms of the vitamin D deficiency between the polyposis patients and control group (p=0.66).   Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency can be associated with the prevalence of nasal polyposis in the patients affected by chronic rhinosinusitis. Further studies can prove the essential role of vitamin D in pathogenesis of nasal polyposis. &nbsp

Nasal Hump Resection by Guiding a Simple Needle: How We Do It?

Background: The nasal hump is an aesthetic problem for which hump resection can be done through various techniques. In order to prevent improper resection and post-operative deformity, we applied a new measurement instrument during rhinoplasty.Aim: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the outcome of hump resection under a guiding needle.Methods: This report was conducted on 80 candidate patients for nasal hump removal in Loghman Hakim hospital (Tehran, Iran). In the intervention group, hump modification was done by a guided needle while for the control group, eye inspection was used. Patients’ and surgeon’ satisfaction was evaluated after rhinoplasty and 3 months after the procedure. The significant level was considered less than 0.05.Results: All patients completed the course of study.  According to nasal inspection and palpation, the surgical results were better in the hump resection with needle guided localization. The patient satisfaction rate was 90% and 70% in the needle guided group and control group respectively (p=0.048). The observed deformities at 3 months after rhinoplasty had no significant differences between the two groups.Conclusion: According to the findings, the needle guided localization method can be better than eye inspection during rhinoplasty for reducing the cartilage portion of nasal hump

The Online Attention to Otorhinolaryngology Research: An Altmetric Analysis (1967-2021)

Background: As a new approach and complementary to traditional bibliometrics, altmetrics measures the influence of scientific research in social media tools and applications. Aim: This study aimed at comprehensively analyzing research output in otorhinolaryngology research from its beginning in 1967 to 2021. Methods: Using Scimago Journal Ranking (SJR), 107 otorhinolaryngology journals were retrieved. Of them, 84 journals with their 89044 papers as well as their altmetric scores were extracted from the Altmetric Explorer in 28 February 2022. The citation rates of the top ten papers having high altmetric scores were retrieved from Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science and Dimensions. Data were analyzed in excel. Results: 67,529 otorhinolaryngology papers (75%) were mentioned 2,901,187 times in 17 different social media tools. The highest altmetric score of papers amounted to 3,989. The top-ranked media were Nendeley and Twitter, respectively. The USA was the first ranked country in Twitter and Facebook and the UK was such in News Outlet and Policy. The highest mentioned journal was JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. The top affiliation in sharing papers was Harvard University with 1621 shared papers. All of the top 10 papers in altmetric scores were multi-authored original research articles.. Conclusion: As one of the first altmetric studies in otorhinolaryngology field, this study provided helpful information for potential authors, researchers, research institutes and journals in the field in increasing the reach and influence of their researches

Ribbon Synapse Reformation: A Key Role for the Hearing Restoration; A Review

Background: Auditory sensory epithelium of mammals has two types of mechanosensory cells including the inner hair cells (IHC) and outer hair cells (OHC). IHC in the mammalian inner ear is an important component for the sound perception. Information about the frequency, intensity, and timingof acoustic signals is transmitted rapidly and precisely via ribbon synapses of the IHCs to the type 1 spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). Even in the absence of stimulation, these synapses drive spontaneous spiking into the afferent neuron. Evidence has shown that cochlear neuropathy leading to hearing loss may be a result of the damage to ribbon synapses Aim:Here, we review how these synapses promote the rapid neurotransmitter release and sustained signal transmission. We also discuss the mechanisms involved in ribbon synapse reformation for hearing restoration. Conclusion:Although cochlear ribbon synapses fail to regenerate spontaneously when injured, recent studies have provided evidence for cochlear synaptogenesis that will be relevant to regenerative methods for cochlear neural loss. A better understanding of mechanisms underlying synaptic reformation would be helpful in achieving reversal of sensorineural hearing loss

Neuroprotective Effects of Curcumin on the Proliferation and Viability of Neural Stem Cells against H2O2

Background: Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation have found to be implicated in several neurodegenerative disorders (ND). Neuroprotection against oxidative agents has been proposed as a therapy on the basis that it might prevent neuroinflammation. Curcumin is an anti-oxidant with anti-inflammatory properties which has been proposed to be used as a therapeutic agent in ND.Aim: In this study, we examined the neuroprotective effect of curcumin on neural stem cells (NSCs) exposed to H2O2 as an oxidative injury model.Methods: After culturing NSCs, they were co-treated with curcumin and H2O2, after which their effects were tested on cell viability using MTT assay.Results: Our results indicated that the high concentration of H2O2 significantly promoted cell death. Specifically, after using 250 µM of H2O2, the mortality increased dramatically in comparison with the control groups. On the other hand, the presence of curcumin encouraged cell survival of NSCs treated with H2O2.Conclusion: Our result showed that curcumin has a protective effect on NSCs against H2O2 and it may ameliorate the mortality rate induced by H2O2