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Αλέξανδρος Γ. Σφακιανάκης

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

The Expression and Regulation of Na+-K+-ATPase in Nasal Epithelial Cells of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps

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Objective: Na+-K+-ATPase (NKA) is essential in maintaining cell permeability, reserving potential energy, and preventing cellular edema. Nevertheless, how NKA expression is altered and regulated in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNPs) remain uncertain. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the expression and regulation of NKA in CRSwNP. Methods: NKA immunolabeling was assessed by the immunohistochemistry method, NKA prote in levels were detected with the Western blotting method, and mRNA levels of NKA and aquaporin-5 (AQP5) were assayed by real-time PCR in nasal tissues from CRSwNP and control subjects. The co-localization of NKA with inflammatory cells was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining. In addition, human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) were cultured and stimulated using various stimulators to evaluate the regulation of NKA. Results: We found significantly decreased NKA positive cells, NKA protein levels, and mRNA levels of NKA and AQP5 in nasal tissues from CRSwNP patients compared to control subjects, especially in eosinophilic CRSwNP. Furthermore, NKA mRNA levels in HNECs were downregulated by staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), inflammatory cytokine (IFN)-γ, IL-4, IL-13, and IL-1β. Conclusion: NKA and AQP5 expressions were decreased in CRSwNP. NKA in HNECs could be suppressed by SEB, LPS, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-13, and IL-1β. Impairm ent of NKA may contribute to the genesis and development of CRSwNP via inducing AQP5 downregulation and edema.
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Complications Associated With Nasopharyngeal COVID-19 Testing: An Analysis of the MAUDE Database and Literature Review

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Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2021 Sep 21:19458924211046725. doi: 10.1177/19458924211046725. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngeal swab testing, which has greatly increased in utilization due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is generally safe and well-tolerated, although it may be rarely associated with adverse events.

METHODS: Publicly reported adverse events associated with nasopharyngeal COVID-19 testing within the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database and the published literature were queried.

RESULTS: A total of 129 adverse events were reported, including 66 from the MAUDE database and 63 from literature review. The most common complications were swab fracture resulting in retained foreign body (47%), followed by epistaxis (17%), and headache (11%). Seven (12%) of the reported retained foreign body cases required removal under general anesthesia, while 1 (5%) of the epistaxis cases required su rgical intervention. The most serious adverse event was meningitis following cerebrospinal fluid leak.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients and healthcare providers should be aware of the potential risks associated with testing, with attention to ensuring proper technique, and be prepared to recognize and manage adverse events.

PMID:34547903 | DOI:10.1177/19458924211046725

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Central nystagmus and alterations in vestibular tests due to an inadvertent gentamicin administration into spinal space: A CARE case report

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Publication date: Available online 21 September 2021

Source: European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases

Author(s): H.A. Breinbauer, M. Eyzaguirre, D. Herrero, P.H. Delano

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Assessment of Proton Resonance Frequency Shift Magnetic Resonance Thermography Imaging Quality for Head and Neck Tumors

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Ear Nose Throat J. 2021 Sep 22:1455613211043673. doi: 10.1177/01455613211043673. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:34547952 | DOI:10.1177/01455613211043673

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Menopause and its Effect on Voice

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Abstract

This study was designed to study the impact of menopause on voice quality. Cross-sectional Observational study with a total of 100 subjects. All subjects underwent biochemical analysis which included thyroid function tests, estrogen levels, progesterone levels and underwent voice analysis using the VAUGHMI voice analyser software. 50 postmenopausal females as cases and 50 premenopausal females as controls were taken for the study. The females were of the age group 35–55 yrs in order to remove age as confounding factor. The primary outcome measure was Total score, calculated based on harshness, hoarseness and breathiness. The postmenopausal females had a poorer voice quality than the premenopausal females (Total score 1.62 vs 2.48, p < 0.001). There was a significant difference between the fundamental frequency and pitch and perturbation in frequency of the postmenopausal females as compared to premenopausal females. The difference in the pertu rbation in the intensity of the voice was not significant. No linear correlation could be established between the voice quality and oestrogen or progesterone levels but the intergroup variation of the two parameters was significant. The premenopausal females have better voice quality than postmenopausal females. The relationship between hormonal level and voice quality couldn't be established. Further studies are required to assess the relation of hormone levels & voice quality with the possibility of exploring voice cosmesis.

Level of Evidence

Level 3.

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Hyperbilirobinemia and Its Effect on Auditory Perception and Speech Intelligibility in Cochlear Implanted Children (Cochlear Implantation Outcomes in Children Who Have Experienced Hyperbilirobinemia)

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Abstract

The goal of this study was to investigate the probable difference in auditory perception and speech intelligibility performance amongst cochlear implanted children who experienced hyperbilirubinemia or auditory neuropathy in comparison to the cochlear implanted children with unknown etiology for hearing loss. This case–control study was carried out on 106 cochlear implanted children with mean age of 32.36 ± 11.98 months who were purposively selected and allocated into four groups. Out of the total, 30 had no specific etiology for hearing loss, while the others had experienced auditory neuropathy or hyperbilirubinemia with/without blood exchange. The auditory perception and speech intelligibility performance of all the participants who had received auditory verbal therapy were assessed after 6 and 12 months of rehabilitation. Then, the data was analyzed, using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences-version 21(SPSS-21). Results indicated poor audit ory perception and speech intelligibility performance of the cochlear implanted children with hyperbilirubinemia and blood exchange (P ≤ 0.05), while the participants in the control group with no specific etiology for hearing loss, the children with hyperbilirubinemia with no blood exchange, and those who suffered from auditory neuropathy performed better, respectively. Also, a significant correlation between auditory neuropathy and hyperbilirubinemia was observed. Despite lower improvement of auditory perception and speech intelligibility of the hearing impaired children who were experiencing moderate to severe degrees of hyperbilirubinemia or auditory neuropathy, cochlear implantation is highly recommended not only for children with unknown etiology for severe hearing loss but also for this group of hearing impaired children.

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Pilomatrixoma and its Imitators

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Ear Nose Throat J. 2021 Sep 22:1455613211044778. doi: 10.1177/01455613211044778. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Pilomatrixomas are benign neoplasms derived from hair follicle matrix cells. They are among the most common soft tissue head and neck tumors of childhood. Pilomatrixomas are typically isolated, slow-growing, firm, nontender masses that are adherent to the epidermis but mobile in the subcutaneous plane. This clinical presentation is so characteri stic that many experienced surgeons will excise suspected pilomatrixomas without prior imaging. We reviewed the results of this approach to determine whether physical examination alone differentiates pilomatrixomas from other similar soft tissue lesions of the pediatric head and neck. Methods: Computerized review of all pilomatrixomas over a 20-year period in a single academic pediatric otolaryngology practice. Results: 18 patients presented to our pediatric otolaryngology practice between 2001 and 2021 with historical and physical findings consistent with pilomatrixoma. Of the 18 patients, 7 were male and 11 were female. Ages ranged from 1.5 to 14 years, with a mean of 7.5 years. Most of the lesions (12) were located in the head and face, while the rest (6) were found in the neck. All patients were treated with complete surgical excision. Pathology confirmed pilomatrixoma in 15 patients. The remaining 3 children were found to have an epidermal inclusion cyst, a ruptur ed trichilemmal cyst, and a giant molluscum contagiosum lesion, respectively. One additional patient presented with a small lesion of the auricular helix that was thought to be a dermoid cyst, but proved to be a pilomatrixoma on histologic examination. Discussion: As pilomatrixomas are common and have a very characteristic presentation, surgical excision without prior diagnostic imaging will lead to correct treatment in the majority of cases. High resolution ultrasonography can help to confirm the diagnosis preoperatively, but is not definitive in large case series. Most of the cystic lesions that imitate pilomatrixoma will ultimately require surgical excision.

PMID:34549614 | DOI:10.1177/01455613211044778

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Contralateral Pectoralis Flap for Repair of Spinal Hardware-Associated Fistula

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Ear Nose Throat J. 2021 Sep;100(6_suppl):884S-887S. doi: 10.1177/01455613211039043.

ABSTRACT

We report a case of a recurrent hypopharyngeal fistula following spinal hardware placement that required multiple procedures. The course was complicated by a medication error and ultimately the fistula resolved after contralateral pectoralis muscle flap.

PMID:34550017 | DOI:10.1177/01455613211039043

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Does the wearing of masks change voice and speech parameters?

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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 Sep 22. doi: 10.1007/s00405-021-07086-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The authors aim to review available reports on the potential effects of masks on voice and speech parameters.

METHODS: A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases through July 2021. Several targeted populations, mask scenarios and methodologies were approached. The assessed voice parameters were divided into self-reported, acoustic and aerodynamic.

RESULTS: It was observed that the wearing of a face mask has been shown to induce several changes in voice parameters: (1) self-reported-significantly increased vocal effort and fatigue, increased vocal tract discomfort and increased values of voice handicap index (VHI) were observed; (2) acoustics-increased voice intensity, altered formants frequency (F2 and F3) with no changes in fundamental frequency, increased harmonics-to-noise ra tio (HNR) and increased mean spectral values in high-frequency levels (1000-8000 Hz), especially with KN95 mask; (3) aerodynamics-maximum phonatory time was assessed in only two reports, and showed no alterations.

CONCLUSION: Despite the different populations, mask-type scenarios and methodologies described by each study, the results of this review outline the significant changes in voice characteristics with the use of face masks. Wearing a mask shows to increase the perception of vocal effort and an alteration of the vocal tract length and speech articulatory movements, leading to spectral sound changes, impaired communication and perception. Studies analyzing the effect of masks on voice aerodynamics are lacking. Further research is required to study the long-term effects of face masks on the potential development of voice pathology.

PMID:34550454 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-021-07086-9

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Intensity patterns at the peaks of brain activity in fMRI and PET are highly correlated with neural models of spatial integration

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Eur J Neurosci. 2021 Sep 22. doi: 10.1111/ejn.15469. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Spatial integration during the brain's cognitive activity prompts changes in energy used by different neuroglial populations. Nevertheless, the organization of such integration in 3D -brain activity remains undescribed from a quantitative standpoint. In response, we applied a cross-correlation between brain activity and integrative models, which yielded a deeper understanding of information integration in functional brain mapping. We analyzed four datasets obtained via fundamentally different neuroimaging techniques (fMRI and PET) and found that models of spatial integration with an increasing input to each step of integration were significantly more correlated with brain activity than models with a constant input to each step of integration. In addition, marking the voxels with the maximal correlation, we found exceptionally high inter-subject consistency wi th the initial brain activity at the peaks. Our method demonstrated for the first time that the network of peaks of brain activity is organized strictly according to the models of spatial integration independent of neuroimaging techniques. The highest correlation with models integrating an increasing at each step input suggests that brain activity reflects a network of integrative processes where the results of integration in some neuroglial populations serve as an input to other neuroglial populations.

PMID:34550613 | DOI:10.1111/ejn.15469

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