bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Mucosal Biofilms on Human Adenoid Tissues
Authors: Kania Romain E. , Lamers Gerda E. M. , Vonk Marcel J. , Dorpmans Esmee , Struik Joyce , Tran Huy Patrice , Hiemstra Pieter , Bloemberg Guido V. , Grote Jan J. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjectives: To demonstrate the presence of mucosal biofilm in adenoid tissue using double staining for visualization of both the bacterial matrix and the bacterial cells. To identify bacterial species present on the surface of the studied adenoids.Study Design: Prospective study.Methods: A total of 39 specimens of adenoidectomy were removed from children with chronic and/or recurrent otitis media. The specimens were prepared for light microscopy using Gram staining, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Double staining was performed with CLSM to visualize both the bacteria and the glycocalyx matrix. Nine adenoids on which bacterial biofilms were visualized with CLSM were used for identification of bacterial species by 16S‐DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and homology analysis.Results: Of the 39 adenoids investigated, 22 (54%) showed evidence of mucosal biofilms. Gram staining, SEM and CLSM showed the presence of bacterial cells, organized in bacterial microcolonies. CLSM with double staining demonstrated mucosal biofilms by showing the presence of both bacteria and the glycocalyx. The use of 16S‐DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and subsequent sequence analyses identified the presence of Corynebacterium argentoratense, Streptococcus salivarius, Micrococcus luteus, and Staphylococcus aureus.Conclusions: This study demonstrates that adenoid tissue in children with chronic or/and recurrent otitis media contains mucosal biofilms in 54% of the cases. The existence of living bacteria has been demonstrated. Further studies are required to describe the panel of bacteria that can be harbored in the biofilms present in adenoids and the mechanisms involved in the physiopathology of otitis prone children.
The Effect of Surface Electrical Stimulation on Vocal Fold Position
Authors: Humbert Ianessa A. , Poletto Christopher J. , Saxon Keith G. , Kearney Pamela R. , Ludlow Christy L. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis: Closure of the true and false vocal folds is a normal part of airway protection during swallowing. Individuals with reduced or delayed true vocal fold closure can be at risk for aspiration and may benefit from intervention to ameliorate the problem. Surface electrical stimulation is currently used during therapy for dysphagia, despite limited knowledge of its physiological effects.Design: Prospective single effects study.Methods: The immediate physiological effect of surface stimulation on true vocal fold angle was examined at rest in 27 healthy adults using 10 different electrode placements on the submental and neck regions. Fiberoptic nasolaryngoscopic recordings during passive inspiration were used to measure change in true vocal fold angle with stimulation.Results: Vocal fold angles changed only to a small extent during two electrode placements (P ≤ .05). When two sets of electrodes were placed vertically on the neck, the mean true vocal fold abduction was 2.4 degrees; while horizontal placements of electrodes in the submental region produced a mean adduction of 2.8 degrees (P = .03).Conclusions: Surface electrical stimulation to the submental and neck regions does not produce immediate true vocal fold adduction adequate for airway protection during swallowing, and one position may produce a slight increase in true vocal fold opening.
Endoscopic Anatomy of the Pterygopalatine Fossa and the Transpterygoid Approach: Development of a Surgical Instruction Model
Authors: Fortes Felipe S. G. , Sennes Luis U. , Carrau Ricardo L. , Brito Rubens , Ribas Guilherme C. , Yasuda Alexandre , Rodrigues Aldo J. , Snyderman Carl H. , Kassam Amin B. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIntroduction: The pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) is a narrow space located between the posterior wall of the antrum and the pterygoid plates. Surgical access to the PPF is difficult because of its protected position and its complex neurovascular anatomy. Endonasal approaches using rod lens endoscopes, however, provide better visualization of this area and are associated with less morbidity than external approaches. Our aim was to develop a simple anatomical model using cadaveric specimens injected with intravascular colored silicone to demonstrate the endoscopic anatomy of the PPF. This model could be used for surgical instruction of the transpterygoid approach.Methods: We dissected six PPF in three cadaveric specimens prepared with intravascular injection of colored material using two different injection techniques. An endoscopic endonasal approach, including a wide nasoantral window and removal of the posterior antrum wall, provided access to the PPF.Results: We produced our best anatomical model injecting colored silicone via the common carotid artery. We found that, using an endoscopic approach, a retrograde dissection of the sphenopalatine artery helped to identify the internal maxillary artery (IMA) and its branches. Neural structures were identified deeper to the vascular elements. Notable anatomical landmarks for the endoscopic surgeon are the vidian nerve and its canal that leads to the petrous portion of the internal carotid artery (ICA), and the foramen rotundum, and V2 that leads to Meckel's cave in the middle cranial fossa. These two nerves, vidian and V2, are separated by a pyramidal shaped bone and its apex marks the ICA.Conclusion: Our anatomical model provides the means to learn the endoscopic anatomy of the PPF and may be used for the simulation of surgical techniques. An endoscopic endonasal approach provides adequate exposure to all anatomical structures within the PPF. These structures may be used as landmarks to identify and control deeper neurovascular structures. The significance is that an anatomical model facilitates learning the surgical anatomy and the acquisition of surgical skills. A dissection superficial to the vascular structures preserves the neural elements. These nerves and their bony foramina, such as the vidian nerve and V2, are critical anatomical landmarks to identify and control the ICA at the skull base.
Localization by Postlingually Deafened Adults Fitted With a Single Cochlear Implant
Authors: Grantham D Wesley , Ricketts Todd A. , Ashmead Daniel H. , Labadie Robert F. , Haynes David S. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjective: The main purpose of the study was to assess the ability of adults with unilateral cochlear implants to localize noise and speech signals in the horizontal plane.Design: Six unilaterally implanted adults, all postlingually deafened and all fitted with MED‐EL COMBI 40+ devices, were tested with a modified source identification task. Subjects were tested individually in an anechoic chamber, which contained an array of 43 numbered loudspeakers extending from –90° to +90° azimuth. On each trial, a 200 millisecond signal (either a noise burst or a speech sample) was presented from one of nine active loudspeakers, and the subject had to identify which source (from the 43 loudspeakers in the array) produced the signal.Results: The relationship between source azimuth and response azimuth was characterized in terms of the adjusted constant error (Ĉ). Ĉ for three subjects was near chance (50.5°), whereas Ĉ for the remaining three subjects was significantly better than chance (35°–44°). By comparison, Ĉ for a group of normal‐hearing listeners was 5.6°. For two of the three subjects who performed better than chance, monaural cues were determined to be the basis for their localization performance.Conclusions: Some unilaterally implanted subjects can localize sounds at a better than chance level, apparently because they can learn to make use of subtle monaural cues based on frequency‐dependent head‐shadow effects. However, their performance is significantly poorer than that reported in previous studies of bilaterally implanted subjects, who are able to take advantage of binaural cues.
Compensative Shuttling of Merlin to Phosphorylation on Serine 518 in Vestibular Schwannoma
Authors: Lü Jingrong , Zou Jing , Wu Hao , Cai Lihui 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground: Vestibular schwannoma (VS) is a benign tumor with malignant biological consequence because of its special location, and its occurrence is highly related to merlin. Cell culture studies have demonstrated that merlin acts as a molecular linker between the cytoskeleton and specific membrane proteins and is linked to cell cycle control. Therefore, we sought to detect the expression of endogenous merlin and its subcellular distribution using cyclin D1 as a cell cycle marker in VS.Methods: To confirm endogenous merlin protein expression in abiogenous VS cells, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot was performed in tumor tissues surgically resected from patients. Merlin's subcellular distribution linked cell cycle in VS was analyzed and compared with cyclin D1 expression evaluated with confocal microscopy.Results: We found that merlin appeared in 98% of the VS tissue samples, with a mean cellular positivity of 46.66 ± 5.75%. Merlin is inversely correlated with cyclin D1 in regard to subcellular localization. Merlin locates in the cytoplasm during G0/G1 phase, moves to the nucleus at S phase, and accumulates in the cytoplasm at S phase after phosphorylation on serine 518 (S518).Conclusion: In line with the pathologic characteristic of VS as a benign tumor, merlin compensates for the malignant effect of S518 phosphorylation by limiting the loss of contact inhibition of growth and controlling proliferation. S518 phosphorylation can trigger re‐entry into the cell cycle, failing to control transcription because of mislocalization and an inability to interact with the cytoskeleton.
Tactile Dysgeusia: A New Clinical Observation of Middle Ear and Skull Base Surgery
Authors: Chen Joseph M. , Bodmer Daniel , Khetani Justin D. , Lin Vincent V. Y. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjective: To describe a new clinical observation of “tactile dysgeusia,” a phenomenon associated with otologic and skull base surgery likely caused by injury to the chorda tympani nerve (CTN) or the nervus intermedius (NI) with subsequent aberrant cross‐innervation with somatosensory fibers in the surgical field.Study Design: Descriptive case series.Setting: Tertiary university referral center.Method: Eight patients described a sensation of touch‐evoked dysgeusia after surgery. Seven patients underwent a variety of middle ear procedures including stapedotomies and mastoidectomies. One patient had a large cerebellopontine angle meningioma excised through a translabyrinthine approach. There were no preoperatively sensory symptoms of any kind.Results: In five of seven patients who had an otologic procedure, the CTN nerve was transected, whereas in the remaining two, the nerve was preserved but stretched. In the meningioma patient, the facial nerve was preserved without clear identification of the NI; the facial nerve function was normal postoperatively.All of the otologic patients experienced symptoms of dysgeusia and sensory alteration triggered by touching various parts of the outer ear. One also has a secondary trigger in the V2 dermatome. In the meningioma patient, taste and sensory alteration was induced by stimulating the ipsilateral V2 and V3 dermatome. In all patients, the symptom was located in the lateral aspect of the ipsilateral hemitongue.Conclusion: Tactile dysgeusia is an unusual complication after otologic and neurotologic procedures. It is likely related to aberrant re‐innervation of the special sensory fibers within the CTN nerve or the NI with somatosensory fibers. Postoperative “tactile dysgeusia” may not be so rare; its true incidence could only be ascertained through a more rigorous postoperative assessment.
Connexin 26 and 30 Genes Mutations in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: BuSaba Nicolas Y. , Cunningham Michael J. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjectives: Connexin proteins play an important role in cell‐to‐cell communication. Mutations in the genes that encode for these connexins may potentially lead to dysfunction in mucociliary clearance predisposing to chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) or recurrent acute rhinosinusitis (RARS). The objective of this study was to assess for the presence of connexin 26 and 30 gene mutations in patients with CRS and RARS.Study Design: Prospective case series.Methods: Forty‐six consecutive patients who were diagnosed with CRS or RARS at a single tertiary care facility were included in the study. Patients with known dysfunction in mucociliary clearance were excluded. The following clinical data were collected: age, gender, duration of disease and age at onset, personal history of otitis media and/or sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), and family history of paranasal sinus disease and SNHL. Buccal swab deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) specimens were sequenced for connexin 26 and 30 genes.Results: The study group consisted of 32 females and 14 males, 8 children and 38 adults. Adequate sequencing of connexin 30 gene was possible in all 46 specimens, but in only 19 specimens for connexin 26 gene. Connexin 30 gene mutations were not detected in any of the 46 specimens. Two of the 19 specimens had heterozygous mutations in the connexin 26 gene; there was one V371 mutation and one 35dG mutation. Both patients were adults; the patient with 35dG mutation had SNHL.Conclusion: Mutations in connexin 26 and 30 genes are rare in patients with CRS or RARS and do not seem to play a contributory role in the pathogensis of these disorders.
Combined VSV Oncolytic Virus and Chemotherapy for Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Sung Chih‐Kwang , Choi Bryan , Wanna Georges , Genden Eric M. , Woo Savio L. C. , Shin Edward J. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjectives: Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a negative‐strand ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus that replicates specifically in tumor cells and has oncolytic effects in a variety of malignant tumors. We previously demonstrated recombinant VSV vectors incorporating viral fusion protein (rVSV‐F) and interleukin 12 (rVSV‐IL12) to have significant antitumor effects against squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in a murine model. Here we evaluate the potential to combine a potent chemotherapeutic agent for SCC (cisplatin) with rVSV‐F and rVSV‐IL12 to improve efficacy.Study Design: In vitro, three SCC cell lines were tested using rVSV‐F and rVSV‐IL12 with cisplatin, monitoring viral replication and cell survival. In an orthotopic floor of mouth murine SCC model, intratumoral injections of virus combined with systemic cisplatin were tested for tumor control and animal survival.Results: In vitro, virus and cisplatin combination demonstrated rapid replication and enhanced tumor cell kill. Human keratinocytes were unaffected by virus and cisplatin. In vivo, combined rVSV‐F with cisplatin reduced tumor burden and improved survival (P = .2 for both), while rVSV‐IL12 monotherapy had better tumor control (P = .06) and survival (P = .024) than combination therapy.Conclusions: Addition of cisplatin did not affect the ability of either virus to replicate in or kill murine SCC cells in vitro. In vivo, combination therapy enhancedrVSV‐F antitumor activity, but diminished rVSV‐IL12 antitumor activity. Combination therapy may provide useful treatment for SCC with the development of more efficient viral vectors in combination with different chemotherapy agents or immunostimulatory agents.
Waist Circumference and Sleep Disordered Breathing
Authors: Davidson Terence M. , Patel Minal R. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis: To explore how the different metrics of obesity, specifically body mass index (BMI), Mallampati, neck circumference, waist circumference, and waist‐hip ratio, correlate with metrics of sleep disordered breathing (SDB), specifically the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI), and which is/are the most likely to predict and correlate with SDB.Study Design and Methods: Four hundred fourteen patients presenting to the University of California San Diego Head and Neck Surgery Clinic for SDB had a sleep evaluation including a history and physical examination assessing the markers of obesity and a sleep test. Data comparing AHI with BMI, neck circumference, waist circumference, waist‐hip ratio, and Mallampati were analyzed by means, standard deviations, and Pearson's correlations.Results: The mean AHI for males was 34, and the mean AHI for females was 24. The mean age was 48 for both sexes. The mean waist circumference for males was 104 cm (41 inches) and for females 99 cm (39 inches). In males and females, waist measurement was most strongly correlated with SDB (males: r = 0.366, P = .00; females: r = 0.445, P = .00). The mean neck circumference for males and females was 43 cm (17 inches) and 38 cm (15 inches) (males: r = 0.358, P = .00; females: r = 0.38, P = .00). The mean waist‐hip ratio for males and females was 0.94 and 0.87 (males: r = 0.359, P = .00; females: r = 0.254, P = .03). The mean BMI for males and females was 31 kg/m2 (males: r = 0.325, P = .00; females: r = 0.40, P = .00), and the mean Mallampati for males and females was 2.84 and 2.92 (males: r = 0.176, P = .012; females: r = 0.149, P = .16). A linear regression demonstrated that waist and neck circumference were better correlates of SDB than BMI.Conclusion: Obesity correlates with SDB severity. Waist circumference is a better measure than BMI or neck circumference to predict SDB. Men and women are anthropometrically different. Even with an AHI of 5 or more, only half of SDB patients in this study were clinically obese. An abnormal waist circumference for men and women is 102 cm (40 inches) or more.
Hoarseness: Is It Really Laryngopharyngeal Reflux?
Authors: Cohen Seth M. , Garrett C Gaelyn 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjective/Hypothesis: This study will test the hypothesis that proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use is prevalent among patients referred for hoarseness and will assess the ultimate diagnosis and factors associated with patients' voice outcomes.Study Design: Retrospective review of patients in a tertiary care voice clinic.Methods: Patients with a primary diagnosis of hoarseness, who were taking or had taken PPIs in the previous 2 months and referred to a tertiary care voice clinic, were identified. The dosage and length of PPI administration, patient report of gastroesophageal reflux (GER), presence of findings suggesting muscle tension dysphonia (MTD), patient demographics, diagnosis, chronicity of symptoms, interventions, follow‐up, and outcome were determined.Results: Of 299 patients, 264 met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 47.2 years, with a range of 18 to 89 years, with 26.7% male and 73.3% female. Among patients referred for voice problems, 148 (56.1%) had previously tried PPIs or were currently on PPI treatment; 44 (29.7%) stopped taking their PPI because of continued hoarseness, and 104 (70.3%) had persistent hoarseness and associated throat complaints despite continued PPI treatment. Among patients who quit taking their PPI because of continued voice complaints, 79.5% did not have traditional GER symptoms of heartburn or regurgitation. The most common treatment after referral was voice therapy, with an overall voice therapy response rate of 62.7%.Conclusions: PPI use is prevalent among patients referred because of persistent hoarseness. Whether patients have GER or MTD may influence patients' voice outcomes in response to PPI treatment.
Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase‐9 in High‐Grade Salivary Gland Carcinomas is Associated With Their Metastatic Potential
Authors: de Vicente Juan C. , Lequerica‐Fernández Paloma , López‐Arranz Juan Sebastián , Esteban Isabel , Fresno Manuel Florentino , Astudillo Aurora 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjective: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 protein in high‐grade malignant tumors of salivary gland origin as well as its utility as a prognostic marker.Methods: Four micrometer sections from 27 malignant salivary neoplasms were immunostained using a specific antibody against MMP‐9. The staining results (proportion of the stained tumor cells and intensity of tumor stainings) were correlated with the clinical data and with patient outcomes.Results: Immunostaining for MMP‐9 was observed in 17 cases, predominantly localized in the tumor cells and occasionally in the inflammatory stroma cells. MMP‐9 protein expression correlated with N (P = .04), M (P = .02), and TNM stages (P = .03). MMP‐9 expression was prognostic for shortened survival (P = .01). Our results show that the invasiveness and prognosis of high‐grade salivary gland cancers may depend on their MMP‐9 expression profile.
Evolution in the Assessment and Management of Trigeminal Schwannoma
Authors: Guthikonda Bharat , Theodosopoulos Philip V. , van Loveren Harry , Tew John M. , Pensak Myles L. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractEducational Objective: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participants should be able to understand the contemporary assessment and management algorithm used in the evaluation and care of patients with trigeminal schwannomas.Objectives: 1) Describe the contemporary neuroradiographic studies for the assessment of trigeminal schwannoma; 2) review the complex skull base osteology involved with these lesions; and 3) describe a contemporary management algorithm.Study Design: Retrospective review of 23 cases.Methods: Chart review.Results: From 1984 to 2006, of 23 patients with trigeminal schwannoma (10 males and 13 females, ages 14–77 years), 15 patients underwent combined transpetrosal extirpation, 5 patients underwent stereotactic radiation, and 3 were followed without intervention. Of the 15 who underwent surgery, total tumor removal was achieved in 9 patients. Cytoreductive surgery was performed in six patients; of these, four received postoperative radiation. One patient who underwent primary radiation therapy required subsequent surgery. There were no deaths in this series. Cranial neuropathies were present in 14 patients pretreatment and observed in 17 patients posttreatment. Major complications included meningitis (1), cerebrospinal fluid leakage (2), major venous occlusion (1), and temporal lobe infarction (1).Conclusions: Trigeminal schwannomas are uncommon lesions of the skull base that may occur in the middle fossa, posterior fossa, or both. Moreover, caudal extension results in their presentation in the infratemporal fossa. Contemporary diagnostic imaging, coupled with selective use of both surgery and radiation will limit mor‐bidity and allow for the safe and prudent management of this uncommon lesion.