Effects of sitting, supine, and prone postures on nasal patency in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Studies have found that in healthy individuals without nasal disease, changes in posture cause an increase in nasal resistance, especially in the prone posture. Many patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) sleep in a prone posture, but no studies have examined the effect of this change in posture on nasal resistance in patients with OSAS. Therefore, we conducted this study to investigate this posture-related physical phenomenon in individuals with OSAS. METHODS: We evaluated the nasal patency of 29 patients diagnosed with OSAS using the visual analog scale (VAS), acoustic rhinometry, and video-endoscopy in the sitting, supine, and prone postures. RESULTS: In the OSAS group, both supine and prone postures significantly influenced subjective nasal blockage and led to a notable reduction in the minimal cross-sectional area (mCSA) as determined by acoustic rhinometry, compared to the sitting posture. The prone posture exhibited a more pronounced effect than the supine posture. Endoscopic evaluations further revealed increased hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate in the supine posture for the right nasal passage and the prone posture for the left. However, no significant differences were observed between the prone and supine postures. CONCLUSION: In OSAS patients, nasal resistance significantly increased in supine and prone postures compared to sitting, with the prone posture showing a greater effect. Clinicians should consider a patient's habitual sleep posture and the effects of postural changes when assessing OSAS severity and devising treatment plans.

The difference in pathogenic bacteria between chronic rhinosinusitis in patients with and without Sjogren's syndrome: a retrospective case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) affects the quality of life of many people worldwide and can cause comorbidities. Our previous research proved that Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a predisposing factor for CRS, with a 2.5-fold associated risk. Antibiotics are important in CRS treatment; however, there is a paucity of research on the pathogenic bacteria of SS-CRS in the past. We conducted this study to investigate the pathogenic difference of SS-CRS and non-SS-CRS and aimed to give clinicians references when selecting antibiotics to treat SS-CRS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 14,678 patients hospitalized for CRS operation from 2004 to 2018 were identified from the Chang Gung Research Database. These CRS cases were classified as either SS-CRS or non-SS-CRS. We analyzed their bacterial distribution by studying the results of the pus cultures performed alongside surgery. RESULTS: The top three facultative anaerobic or aerobic isolated bacteria in the SS-CRS group were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS: 34.3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (28.6%), methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA: 20%), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (20%). In the non-SS-CRS group, S. epidermidis (29.3%), CoNS (25.7%), and MSSA (14.2%) were identified. The top three anaerobic bacterial genera were Cutibacterium (54.3%), Peptostreptococcus (11.4%), and Fusobacterium (11.4%) in the SS-CRS group and Cutibacterium (53.8%), Peptostreptococcus (25%), and Prevotella (12.9%) in the non-SS-CRS group. CONCLUSIONS: P. aeruginosa is a major pathogen in SS-CRS patients. In addition, physicians should be aware of potential Fusobacterium and antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection in patients with SS-CRS.

Clinical and Cellular Evidence of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Platycodon grandiflorus for Vocal Fold Nodules Complementary Treatment.

Vocal fold nodules (VFNs) are the most frequent cause of hoarseness. The management comprised medical, surgical and physical therapy but the effectiveness is not always satisfactory. In this study, we try to figure out an alternative treatment from our clinical experience summary. We retrospectively reviewed VFNs patients who received traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments from July 2018 to August 2020 and traced their Chinese Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-C10) and multidimensional voice program (MDVP) analysis results. For further evaluation, we conducted an inflammatory response of porcine vocal fold epithelial (PVFE) cells with 50 ng/mL TNF-alpha. The inflamed PVFE cells were separately cultured in the aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra (G. glabra) and Platycodon grandifloras (P. grandifloras). In these VFNs patients (n = 22), the average VHI-C10 score decreased from 17.6 to 6.6 (p < 0.001). MDVP analysis revealed improvements in jitter, shimmer, noise-harmonic ratio, and GRBAS scoring system. Of the TCM prescription patterns, G. glabra and P. grandiflorus were used most frequently. In the MTT assay of PVFE cells, no adverse effects of our extracts were observed at doses of 1-200 µg/mL. Western blot analysis revealed downregulation of p65 and mitogen activated protein kinase pathway proteins. The results from both the clinical and in vitro aspects of this study revealed that the herbs G. glabra and P. grandiflorus may offer beneficial outcomes as alternative treatments for VFNs after precise diagnosis.

Preoperative prognostic nutritional index predicts prognosis of patients with oral cavity cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether prognostic nutritional index (PNI) predicts patient survival outcomes in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of a total of 360 patients subjected to primary surgery for OSCC were retrospectively analysed. Patients were categorised into high-PNI (≥51.75) and low-PNI (<51.75) groups based on the PNI cut-off value attained from receiver operating characteristic analyses (p < .001), and the intergroup differences in clinicopathological features were determined. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard model were employed to determine the survival prediction ability of the PNI, and a nomogram based on the PNI was established for individualised survival prediction. RESULTS: A low PNI was noted to exhibit a significant association with shorter overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) (both p < .001). Multivariate Cox analyses showed that a lower PNI independently indicated shorter OS and DFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.187; p = .001 and HR = 1.459; p = .023, respectively). The concordance index and calibration plots of the PNI-based nomogram revealed the high discriminative ability for OS. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative PNI is a valuable biomarker for predicting OSCC prognosis, and the proposed PNI-based nomogram can provide individualised prognostic prediction.

Retrospective study on the potential of albumin/globulin ratio as a prognostic biomarker for oral cavity cancer patients.

PURPOSE: Although the serum albumin/globulin ratio (AGR) is recognized as a valuable prognostic biomarker in various cancers, its clinical value in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is still unclear. We aimed to probe the prognostic value of AGR in patients with OSCC undergoing curative surgery. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 306 patients who were newly diagnosed as having OSCC and receiving curative surgery between 2008 and 2017. The correlation of AGR with survival outcomes was estimated using Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan-Meier analysis. A nomogram based on AGR was established, and its accuracy was assessed according to the concordance index. RESULTS: The log rank test and Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that patients who had low AGR had significantly shorter disease-free survival (DFS) as well as 5-year overall survival (OS) than those with high AGR. The multivariate Cox analysis revealed that low AGR was an independent predictor of poor OS and DFS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 2.812; 95% CI 1.729-4.573; p < 0.001, and aHR = 1.743; 95% CI 1.201-2.530; p = 0.003, respectively). The concordance index of the nomogram model based on TNM staging alone was 0.656 and could increase to 0.783 with the inclusion of AGR and other prognostic variables in the calculation. CONCLUSION: Preoperative AGR may represent an accessible, valuable prognostic biomarker in patients with OSCC. The nomogram model incorporating AGR and clinicopathological prognostic variables may improve the accuracy of prognostic predictions in these patients.

Patients with comorbid rheumatoid arthritis are predisposed to peritonsillar abscess: real-world evidence.

PURPOSE: The peritonsillar abscess (PTA)-rheumatoid arthritis (RA) association remains unclear. Here, the effects of RA on PTA incidence and prognosis are elucidated. METHODS: We compared PTA incidence and prognosis of 30,706 RFCIP-registered patients with RA (RA cohort) with matched individuals without RA from another database of 1 million randomly selected people representing Taiwan's population (non-RA cohort). RESULTS: The RA cohort had significantly higher PTA incidence [incidence rate ratio (IRR) (95% CI) 1.73 (1.10-2.71), P = 0.017) and cumulative incidence (P = 0.016, Kaplan-Meier curves). Cox regression analyses demonstrated RA cohort to have an estimated 1.72-fold increased PTA risk (95% CI 1.09-2.69, P = 0.019). PTA was more likely within the first 5 years of RA diagnosis (for < 1, 1-5, and ≥ 5 postdiagnosis years, IRRs: 2.67, 2.31, and 1.10, respectively, and P = 0.063, 0.021, and 0.794, respectively; average onset duration: 4.3 ± 3.3 years after RA diagnosis). PTA increased length of hospital stay significantly and risk of complication with deep neck infection nonsignificantly [6.5 ± 4.5 vs 4.6 ± 2.8 days (P = 0.045) and 18.52% vs 7.81% (P = 0.155), respectively]. Moreover, RA-cohort patients not receiving RA therapy exhibited 5.06-fold higher PTA risk than those receiving RA-related therapy (95% CI 1.75-14.62, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with RA, PTA incidence is the highest within 5 years of RA diagnosis, and RA therapy is essential for reducing PTA risk. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Factors Impacting Survival in Patients With Major Burn-Induced Acute Kidney Injury Postrenal Replacement Therapy: A Nationwide Study With 15 Years Follow-Up in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Major burn-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) causes extremely high mortality, even though renal replacement therapy (RRT) was thought of as the most efficient treatment. There was scanty research for investigating the characteristic of burn-AKI-RRT patients during intensive care. This study aims to investigate the factors impacting the survival outcomes in those burn-AKI-RRT cases. METHODS: Using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database and its affiliated database, the Registry for Catastrophic Illness Patients, we defined a cohort composed of 171 patients encountering major burn-induced AKI and receiving RRT during burn care for a 15-year observation period. Demographic characteristic, comorbidities, total body surface area (TBSA), major procedures, and complications were analyzed to explore the factors affecting the survival outcomes during acute burn care and 1 year after discharge. RESULTS: Patients who underwent tracheostomy and skin grafting had higher survival rates during acute burn care (tracheostomy: mortality vs survival, 15.7% vs 30.2%; P = 0.0257; skin grafting: mortality vs survival, 57.4% vs 76.2%; P = 0.0134). Multivariate regression analysis showed that tracheostomy group significantly presented with lower mortality risk by 65% (odds ratio [OR], 0.35; P = 0.0372), and subgroup analysis of delaminating follow-up duration showed that patients with tracheostomy had higher overall survival by 22% (90-day postburn mortality: nontracheostomy vs tracheostomy, 58.3% vs 36.3%; adjusted hazards ratio, 0.39; 95% confidence interval, 0.22-0.69; P = 0.0011), especially during postburn first 30 days (adjusted hazards ratio, 0.15; 95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.49; P = 0.0016). Total body surface area did not significantly affect survival; however, mortality risk was significantly higher in those with a larger TBSA (TBSA, ≥80%; OR, 6.48; P = 0.0022; TBSA, 60-79%; OR, 3.12; P = 0.0518; TBSA, 40-59%; OR, 1.88; P = 0.2402; TBSA, 30-39% as reference). CONCLUSIONS: For patients with major burn-induced AKI receiving RRT, tracheostomy and skin grafting may improve survival in the cases living through acute burn stage.

Dihydroisotanshinone I as a Treatment Option for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are the most common cancers of the head and neck, and their prevalence is rapidly increasing. HNSCCs present a clinical challenge because of their high recurrence rate, therapeutic resistance to radiation and chemotherapy drugs, and adverse effects. Hence, traditional Chinese herbal treatment may be advantageous to therapeutic strategies for HNSCCs. Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), a well-known Chinese herb, has been extensively applied in treatments for various diseases, including cancer, because of its high degree of safety and low rate of adverse effects despite its unclear mechanism. Thus, we aimed to explore the possible anticancer effects and mechanisms of dihydroisotanshinone I (DT), a compound in danshen (extract from danshen), on HNSCCs. Three HNSCCs cell lines were used for in vitro studies, and a Detroit 562 xenograft mouse model was chosen for in vivo studies. Our in vitro results showed that DT could initiate apoptosis, resulting in cell death, and the p38 signaling partially regulated DT-initiated cell apoptosis in the Detroit 562 model. In the xenograft mouse model, DT reduced tumor size with no obvious adverse effect of hepatotoxicity. The present study suggests that DT is a promising novel candidate for anti-HNSCCs therapy.

Antrodia cinnamomea extract inhibits the proliferation of tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells through apoptosis and skp2/microRNAs pathway.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and affects 1.38 million women worldwide per year. Antiestrogens such as tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulator, are widely used in clinics to treat ER-positive breast tumors. However, remissions of breast cancer are often followed by resistance to tamoxifen and disease relapse. Despite the increasing understanding of the resistance mechanisms, effective regimens for treating tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer are limited. Antrodia cinnamomea is a traditional medicinal mushroom native only to Taiwan. In this study, we aimed to examine in vitro effect of antrodia cinnamomea in the tamoxifen-resistant cancer. METHODS: Antrodia cinnamomea was studied for its biological activity against proliferation of tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer by XTT assay. Next, the underlying mechanism was studied by flow cytometry, qPCR and Western's blotting assay. RESULTS: Our results revealed that the ethanol extract of antrodia cinnamomea (AC) can inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells, including MCF-7 cell and tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7 cell lines. Combination treatment with AC and 10- 6 M tamoxifen have the better inhibitory effect on the proliferation of tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7 cells than only AC did. AC can induce apoptosis in these breast cancer cells. Moreover, it can suppress the mRNA expression of skp2 (S-phase kinase-associated protein 2) by increasing the expressions of miR-21-5p, miR-26-5p, and miR-30-5p in MCF-7 and tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7 cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the ethanol extract of antrodia cinnamomea could be a novel anticancer agent in the armamentarium of tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer management. Moreover, we hope to identify additional pure compounds that could serve as promising anti-breast cancer candidates for further clinical trials.

End-stage renal disease: a risk factor of deep neck infection - a nationwide follow-up study in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Uremia is likely a risk factor for deep neck infection (DNI). However, only a few relevant cases have been reported, and evidence sufficient to support this hypothesis is lacking. The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on DNI. METHODS: We used the database of the Registry for Catastrophic Illness Patients (RFCIP), a subset of the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan, to conduct a retrospective follow-up study. Between 1997 and 2013, a total of 157,340 patients in Taiwan with ESRD who received dialysis were registered in the RFCIP, whom were matched with a database consisting of 1,000,000 randomly selected patients who represented the national population, to conduct the follow-up study for investigating the incidence of DNI in the ESRD and control cohorts. RESULTS: In the ESRD group, 280 DNIs were identified with an incidence rate of 43 per 100,000 person-years. In the comparison group, 194 DNIs were identified with an incidence rate of 20 per 100,000 person-years. The incidence rate ratio was 2.16 (p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that the ESRD group had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of DNI (p < 0.001). According to Cox regression analysis, the hazard ratio of ESRD for DNI was 2.23 (p < 0.001). The therapeutic methods (non-surgery and surgery), performance of tracheostomy, duration of hospitalization did not differ significantly between the two groups, except more ESRD-DNI patients were admitted to intensive care units. The mortality rate of patients with DNI in the ESRD group was significantly higher than that in the control group (8.6% for ESRD vs 3.6% for control, p = 0.032). Furthermore, the Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated a poorer survival outcome in the ESRD group (p = 0.029). However, the individual survival outcomes following non-surgical and surgical therapies in the ESRD group did not differ significantly (p = 0.31). CONCLUSIONS: ESRD is a predisposing factor for DNI, increasing its risk by twofold. In the patients with ESRD, DNI was not associated with higher rates of surgical debridement, tracheostomy, and mediastinal complications or longer hospital stays; however, it was associated with poorer survival outcomes, regardless of the therapeutic method.

Nasal Patency Across Seated, Supine, and Recumbent Postures in Individuals With and Without Allergic Rhinitis.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of seated, supine, and recumbent postures on nasal resistance in individuals with allergic rhinitis (AR) and healthy controls, which has not been investigated in the past. Methods: A visual analog scale (VAS) assessed subjective nasal obstruction, while acoustic rhinometry and video endoscopy provided objective measures. Sixty participants, comprising 30 AR patients and 30 healthy controls, were evaluated across 4 postures without decongestion: seated, supine, left recumbent, and right recumbent. Results: In patients with AR, we noted no significant changes in subjective nasal blockage under various postures (all P > .18). However, significant reductions of minimal cross-sectional area (mCSA) were found (seated vs supine, P = .014; seated vs left recumbent, P = .001; seated vs right recumbent, P < .001) and significant increases in the inferior turbinate hypertrophy were observed on the dependent side of the nose when in recumbent posture (right nose: seated vs right recumbent, P = .013; left nose: seated vs left recumbent, P = .003). On the contrary, healthy controls experienced increased subjective nasal obstruction (VAS scores: seated vs supine, P < .001; seated vs left recumbent, P = .003; seated vs right recumbent, P < .001), reductions in mCSA (seated vs supine, P = .002; seated vs right or left recumbent, both P = .001), and increased inferior turbinate hypertrophy on the dependent side of the nose (right nose: seated vs right recumbent, P = .003; left nose: seated vs left recumbent, P = .006). Conclusions: Healthy controls reported better nasal patency when shifting from supine or recumbent to more upright or less gravity-dependent seated postures, which was further supported by objective examinations. On the contrary, despite patients with AR not subjectively perceiving increased nasal patency while adopting more upright postures, objective evaluations demonstrated an improvement in their nasal airflow in these less gravity-dependent postures.Level of Evidence: 4.

Correction: Masticatory muscle index for indicating skeletal muscle mass in patients with head and neck cancer.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251455.].

Microbial Analysis in Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and End-Stage Renal Disease.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to elucidate the bacterial profile of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared with nonrenal patients, guiding antibiotic selection for clinicians. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 13,906 inpatients from the Chang Gung Research Database who underwent sinus surgery (2004-2018). Patients were categorized into ESRD-CRS, CKD-CRS, and non-CKD-CRS based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate. Bacterial cultures from surgical samples were classified as facultative anaerobes or aerobes (e.g., Klebsiella pneumoniae [KP], Pseudomonas aeruginosa [Ps.a]), anaerobes, and fungi and ranked by prevalence. RESULTS: Data from 47 ESRD-CRS, 230 CKD-CRS, and 13,123 non-CKD-CRS patients were analyzed. In ESRD-CRS, the predominant species were KP (31.6%), Ps.a (21.1%), and Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS, 15.8%). CKD-CRS showed Staphylococcus epidermidis (27.7%), CoNS (20.5%), and Ps.a (20.5%). Non-CKD-CRS had Staphylococcus epidermidis (29.8%), CoNS (25.0%), and Staphylococcus aureus (15.5%). For anaerobes, ESRD-CRS was dominated by Fusobacterium nucleatum (10.5%) and Peptostreptococcus micros (10.5%), whereas CKD-CRS and non-CKD-CRS showed Propionibacterium acnes as a primary strain (14.5% and 28.7%, respectively). CONCLUSION: For CRS in ESRD, antibiotics targeting KP and Fusobacterium nucleatum are recommended. In CKD-CRS, a focus on Staphylococcus epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes is suggested. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 134:3499-3507, 2024.

Survival-weighted quality of life profiles in patients treated for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers.

Objectives: This study assessed functional outcomes and quality of life (QoL) in the long term in individuals treated for laryngohypopharyngeal cancer (LHC) by estimating their life expectancy (LE), survival-weighted psychometric scores (SWPSs), and quality-adjusted LE (QALE). Materials and methods: To estimate survival outcomes, we retrospectively reviewed the data of 1576 patients treated for primary LHC between January 2010 and December 2018 and followed them until death or December 2020. We also prospectively collected QoL and functional data between October 2013 and November 2022 from 232 patients by administering the Taiwanese Chinese versions of the QoL Questionnaire Core 30, Head and Neck 35, and EQ-5D-3L. To estimate LE, we employed linear extrapolation of a logit-transformed curve. We calculated QALE and SWPSs by combining the QoL data with the LE results. Results: We estimated the LE of the patients with LHC to be 7.8 years and their loss of LE to be 15.7 years. The estimated QALE was 7.0 QALYs, with a loss of QALE of 16.5 QALYs. Lifetime impairment durations were estimated for cognitive (4.9 years), physical (4.2 years), emotional (3.4 years), social (3.4 years), and role functions (2.7 years). We estimated the durations of problems related to swallowing, speech, and teeth to be 6.2, 5.6, and 4.8 years, respectively. The patients were expected to be dependent on feeding tubes for 1.2 years. Conclusions: Patients with LHC experience significant reductions in both LE and QALE. SWPSs may constitute a valuable tool for obtaining subjective information regarding how LHC affects multifaceted QoL outcomes.

Association Between Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Laryngeal Disorders: Real-World Evidence.

OBJECTIVE: The association between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and laryngeal disorders remains debatable, although it has been the focus of extensive clinical and laboratory research. We conducted this study to obtain evidence on the association. STUDY DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. SETTING: Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). METHODS: Using data from Taiwan's NHIRD (January 2000 to December 2018), we performed a population-based analysis to estimate the risk of laryngeal disorders in patients with GERD and those without GERD. RESULTS: The GERD and non-GERD cohorts comprised 176,319 and 705,276 patients, respectively. The cohorts were matched at a ratio of 1:4 based on sex, age, urbanization level, and income level. The risk of laryngeal disorders was higher in the GERD cohort than in the non-GERD cohort (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.64; 95% confidence interval: 1.61-1.67). CONCLUSION: This study is the first to use population data for identifying the association between GERD and laryngeal disorders for real-world findings. Our population-based analysis indicates that patients with GERD have an elevated risk of laryngeal disorders.

Prognostic importance of modified geriatric nutritional risk index in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.

We probed the associations of preoperative modified geriatric nutritional risk index (mGNRI) values with prognosis in patients receiving surgery for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC). This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data of 333 patients with OCSCC and undergoing surgery between 2008 and 2017. The preoperative mGNRI was calculated using the following formula: (14.89/C-reactive protein level) + 41.7 × (actual body weight/ideal body weight). We executed receiver operating characteristic curve analyses to derive the optimal mGNRI cutoff and employed Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazard model to probe the associations of the mGNRI with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). The optimal mGNRI cutoff was derived to be 73.3. We noted the 5-year OS and DFS rates to be significantly higher in the high-mGNRI group than in the low-mGNRI group (both p < 0.001). A preoperative mGNRI below 73.3 was independently associated with unfavorable DFS and OS. A mGNRI-based nomogram was constructed to provide accurate OS predictions (concordance index, 0.781). Hence, preoperative mGNRI is a valuable and cost-effective prognostic biomarker in patients with OCSCC. Our nomogram facilitates the practical use of mGNRI and offers individualized predictions of OS.

Prognostic utility of preoperative platelet-to-albumin ratio in surgically treated oral cavity cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the prognostic utility of the preoperative platelet-to-albumin ratio (PAR) among patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed of 355 patients with surgically-treated OSCC between 2008 and 2017. The optimal PAR cutoff for patient stratification was determined through X-tile analysis. Prognostic variables for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were identified using Cox proportional hazards models. We developed a PAR-based nomogram to predict personalized OS. RESULTS: We determined the optimal PAR cutoff to be 7.45. A PAR of ≥7.45 was an independent negative prognostic factor for DFS and OS (hazard ratio = 1.748 and 2.386; p = 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively). The developed nomogram demonstrates the practical utility of PAR and accurately predicts personalized OS. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative PAR is a promising and cost-effective prognostic biomarker for patients with surgically-treated OSCC; the PAR-based nanogram accurately predicts OS for such patients.

Prognostic utility of the geriatric nutritional risk index for head and neck cancer: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

We conducted a systematic review of the literature to assess the potential prognostic utility of geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) for head and neck cancer (HNC). We selected studies and extracted data after searching the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and PubMed databases. The associations between GNRI and survival outcomes were explored by calculating hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) through a random-effects meta-analysis. We included 11 studies that involved 2887 patients with HNC. The combined HR demonstrated significant associations of low GNRI with unfavorable progression-free survival (HR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.32-2.65, p < 0.001) and overall survival (HR = 3.04, 95% CI = 2.30-4.03, p < 0.001). The association between the GNRI and overall survival persisted across various subgroups. The GNRI could serve as a valuable prognostic biomarker for patients with HNC. Low GNRI scores are significantly associated with unfavorable survival outcomes.

Intranasal fungal (Alternaria) infection related to nasal steroid spray.

During the past three decades intranasal corticosteroid sprays have been proven to be efficient and reasonably safe for the treatment of rhinitis, sinusitis and nasal polyposis. The adverse effects are generally localized and self-limited and rarely systemic or significant. We report an immunocompetent female treated with triamcinolone acetonide nasal spray for chronic rhinitis in whom an intranasal fungal infection with Alternaria species developed three months later. The infection was refractory to topical therapies alone, and was resolved with a combination of systemic and topical antifungal therapy. We also described the clinical manifestations of this rare infection and our therapeutic experience. In addition, we reviewed previous literature of fungal infections related to nasal corticosteroid sprays and compared them with our report.

Safe Removal of a Centipede From the Ear By Using an Innovative Practicable Method: A Case Report.

Arthropods may become lodged inside the ear and cause considerable emotional and physical trauma. Cases of centipedes being lodged in the external auditory canal have rarely been reported. In this article, we present the case of woman who had a centipede lodged inside her right external auditory canal. Removal using a topical local anesthetic can lead to vigorous activity of the centipede, which can cause harm to the patient and clinicians. Therefore, we developed and successfully applied a practicable method that involved using a modified plastic bottle for safe centipede removal. In conclusion, centipedes can express distinct and threatening behavior, and clinicians should pay attention to the activity of the lodged centipede and possibly use the proposed method to safely remove it.