Lower Diet Quality Associated with Subclinical Gastrointestinal Inflammation in Healthy United States Adults.

BACKGROUND: Higher diet quality has been associated with lower risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease, but associations between diet and gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation in healthy adults prior to disease onset are understudied. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this project was to examine associations between reported dietary intake and markers of GI inflammation in a healthy adult human cohort. METHODS: In a cross-sectional observational trial of 358 healthy adults, participants completed ≤3 unannounced 24-h dietary recalls using the Automated Self-Administered Dietary Assessment Tool and a Block 2014 Food Frequency Questionnaire to assess recent and habitual intake, respectively. Those who provided a stool sample were included in this analysis. Inflammation markers from stool, including calprotectin, neopterin, and myeloperoxidase, were measured by ELISA along with LPS-binding protein from plasma. RESULTS: Recent and habitual fiber intake was negatively correlated with fecal calprotectin concentrations (n = 295, P = 0.011, 0.009). Habitual soluble fiber intake was also negatively correlated with calprotectin (P = 0.01). Recent and habitual legume and vegetable intake was negatively correlated with calprotectin (P = 0.013, 0.026, 0.01, 0.009). We observed an inverse correlation between recent Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores and calprotectin concentrations (n = 295, P = 0.026). Dietary Inflammatory Index scores were calculated and positively correlated with neopterin for recent intake (n = 289, P = 0.015). When participants with clinically elevated calprotectin were excluded, recent and habitual fiber, legume, vegetable, and fruit intake were negatively correlated with calprotectin (n = 253, P = 0.00001, 0.0002, 0.045, 0.001, 0.009, 0.001, 0.004, 0.014). Recent total HEI score was inversely correlated with subclinical calprotectin (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Higher diet quality may be protective against GI inflammation even in healthy adults. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02367287.

No Associations between Dairy Intake and Markers of Gastrointestinal Inflammation in Healthy Adult Cohort.

Dairy products are a good source of essential nutrients and past reviews have shown associations of dairy consumption with decreased systemic inflammation. Links between dairy intake and gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation are under-investigated. Therefore, we examined associations between reported dairy intake and markers of GI inflammation in healthy adults in a cross-sectional observational study, hypothesizing a negative association with yogurt intake, suggesting a protective effect, and no associations with total dairy, fluid milk, and cheese intake. Participants completed 24-h dietary recalls and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess recent and habitual intake, respectively. Those who also provided a stool sample (n = 295), and plasma sample (n = 348) were included in analysis. Inflammation markers from stool, including calprotectin, neopterin, and myeloperoxidase, were measured along with LPS-binding protein (LBP) from plasma. Regression models tested associations between dairy intake variables and inflammation markers with covariates: age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). As yogurt is episodically consumed, we examined differences in inflammation levels between consumers (>0 cup equivalents/day reported in recalls) and non-consumers. We found no significant associations between dairy intake and markers of GI inflammation. In this cohort of healthy adults, dairy intake was not associated with GI inflammation.

Dietary Intake of Monosaccharides from Foods is Associated with Characteristics of the Gut Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Inflammation in Healthy US Adults.

BACKGROUND: Current assessment of dietary carbohydrates does not adequately reflect the nutritional properties and effects on gut microbial structure and function. Deeper characterization of food carbohydrate composition can serve to strengthen the link between diet and gastrointestinal health outcomes. OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to characterize the monosaccharide composition of diets in a healthy US adult cohort and use these features to assess the relationship between monosaccharide intake, diet quality, characteristics of the gut microbiota, and gastrointestinal inflammation. METHODS: This observational, cross-sectional study enrolled males and females across age (18-33 y, 34-49 y, and 50-65 y) and body mass index (normal, 18.5-24.99 kg/m2; overweight, 25-29.99 kg/m2; and obese, 30-44 kg/m2) categories. Recent dietary intake was assessed by the automated self-administered 24-h dietary recall system, and gut microbiota were assessed with shotgun metagenome sequencing. Dietary recalls were mapped to the Davis Food Glycopedia to estimate monosaccharide intake. Participants with >75% of carbohydrate intake mappable to the glycopedia were included (N = 180). RESULTS: Diversity of monosaccharide intake was positively associated with the total Healthy Eating Index score (Pearson's r = 0.520, P = 1.2 × 10-13) and negatively associated with fecal neopterin (Pearson's r = -0.247, P = 3.0 × 10-3). Comparing high with low intake of specific monosaccharides revealed differentially abundant taxa (Wald test, P < 0.05), which was associated with the functional capacity to break down these monomers (Wilcoxon rank-sum test, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Monosaccharide intake was associated with diet quality, gut microbial diversity, microbial metabolism, and gastrointestinal inflammation in healthy adults. As specific food sources were rich in particular monosaccharides, it may be possible in the future to tailor diets to fine-tune the gut microbiota and gastrointestinal function. This trial is registered at www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov as NCT02367287.

Association of Diet and Antimicrobial Resistance in Healthy U.S. Adults.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a significant source of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with expectations that AMR-associated consequences will continue to worsen throughout the coming decades. Since resistance to antibiotics is encoded in the microbiome, interventions aimed at altering the taxonomic composition of the gut might allow us to prophylactically engineer microbiomes that harbor fewer antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs). Diet is one method of intervention, and yet little is known about the association between diet and antimicrobial resistance. To address this knowledge gap, we examined diet using the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ; habitual diet) and 24-h dietary recalls (Automated Self-Administered 24-h [ASA24®] tool) coupled with an analysis of the microbiome using shotgun metagenome sequencing in 290 healthy adult participants of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nutritional Phenotyping Study. We found that aminoglycosides were the most abundant and prevalent mechanism of AMR in these healthy adults and that aminoglycoside-O-phosphotransferases (aph3-dprime) correlated negatively with total calories and soluble fiber intake. Individuals in the lowest quartile of ARGs (low-ARG) consumed significantly more fiber in their diets than medium- and high-ARG individuals, which was concomitant with increased abundances of obligate anaerobes, especially from the family Clostridiaceae, in their gut microbiota. Finally, we applied machine learning to examine 387 dietary, physiological, and lifestyle features for associations with antimicrobial resistance, finding that increased phylogenetic diversity of diet was associated with low-ARG individuals. These data suggest diet may be a potential method for reducing the burden of AMR. IMPORTANCE Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a considerable burden to health care systems, with the public health community largely in consensus that AMR will be a major cause of death worldwide in the coming decades. Humans carry antibiotic resistance in the microbes that live in and on us, collectively known as the human microbiome. Diet is a powerful method for shaping the human gut microbiome and may be a tractable method for lessening antibiotic resistance, and yet little is known about the relationship between diet and AMR. We examined this relationship in healthy individuals who contained various abundances of antibiotic resistance genes and found that individuals who consumed diverse diets that were high in fiber and low in animal protein had fewer antibiotic resistance genes. Dietary interventions may be useful for lessening the burden of antimicrobial resistance and might ultimately motivate dietary guidelines which will consider how nutrition can reduce the impact of infectious disease.

Voice Onset Time in Patients Using Speech Prosthesis After Total Laryngectomy.

AIM: Our study was carried out to investigate the presence of known differences in voice and articulation quality after total laryngectomy. Patients provided phonation with tracheoesophageal speech prosthesis. We recorded patients' voice onset time (VOT) values - an important parameter of acoustic analysis. METHODS: The study included 18 patients with total laryngectomy who received valvular speech prosthesis via a primary or secondary tracheoesophageal fistula between 2009 and 2011 at the Istanbul Training and Research Hospital Otorhinolaryngology Clinic. Twenty healthy male volunteers were included as the control group. All subjects produced the /pa/, /ta/, /ka/ syllables three times, and the VOT values were determined by recording the voices on a computer. RESULTS: A total of 38 male patients, 18 of which were patients with total laryngectomy and tracheoesophageal speech prosthesis (aged between 46 and 75 years, mean: 59) and 20 controls (aged between 50 and 70 years, mean: 58), were included in the study. The age distribution of the groups did not differ statistically (P > 0.05). In the total laryngectomy and tracheoesophageal speech prosthesis group, the VOT mean values of the /ka/ syllable were significantly lower than the control group, whereas the /pa/ (P = 0.848) and /ta/ VOT mean values (P = 0.809) were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that there is no significant difference in the articulation of voiceless plosives, except for the /ka/ sound, between patients using speech prostheses after total laryngectomy and controls. For standardization of these measured values and their use in clinical practice, it may be beneficial to support this study with studies that involve more patients and examine different indicators showing the quality and intelligibility of other voice characteristics.

The Coping Strategies Questionnaire: Translation, cultural adaptation, reliability and validity in Turkish-speaking patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

BACKGROUND: The use of pain coping questionnaires is advantageous when selecting cognitive and behavioral targets for chronic pain management. The objective of this study was to investigate adaptation, validity, and reliability of the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ) in Turkish population with chronic musculoskeletal pain. METHODS: The Turkish version of the questionnaire (CSQ-T) was checked in terms of reliability and validity with a convenience sample of 123 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Reliability (test-retest) analyses were conducted by means of a retest 48 hours later with a sub-group of 40 patients. Construct validity of the CSQ was checked through convergent validity with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) health survey. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha of the subscales ranged from 0.814 to 0.934 and the test-retest reliability ranged from 0.800 to 0.944. Neither floor nor ceiling effects (15%) were found in the subscales (13.8%) and the total score (4.1%) of the CSQ-T. Factor analysis indicated that the scale had two factors. The total CSQ-T score was correlated with both the HADS (r: -0.636/-0.549) and the SF-36 (r: 0.701/0.768). CONCLUSION: The CSQ-T is a reliable and valid measure for assessing patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Anatomical landmarks for cochlear implantation in ossified cochleas.

PURPOSE: In this study, we aimed to introduce the facial nerve as a new anatomical landmark which can be used in ossified cochleas during cochlear implantation. We also set out to define a safe line to preserve the internal auditory canal (IAC) while drilling the basal turn of the cochlea. METHODS: Thirty patients who had temporal computed tomography (CT) were studied. The distances from the facial nerve and the round window to the IAC, carotid artery, and jugular bulb were measured in the reformatted CT images. We have created a line in the direction of the stapedial tendon from the round window to the IAC and called it ROWIAC (Round window-IAC) line. We have investigated whether this line intersects the IAC and measured the distances from this line to the IAC. RESULTS: Fifty-four temporal CT scans were included to the study. The mean distances from the facial nerve to the IAC, carotid artery, and jugular bulb were 8.8 ± 0.9, 15.0 ± 2.0, and 12.2 ± 2.9 mm, respectively. The mean distances from the round window to these structures were 3.8 ± 0.7, 9.4 ± 2.2, and 8.3 ± 2.9 mm, respectively. ROWIAC line did not intersect the IAC in any of the patients. The mean distance between this line and the IAC was 0.8 ± 0.4 mm. CONCLUSION: We propose that facial nerve and ROWIAC line can be used as potential landmarks during cochlear implantation in ossified cochleas to protect the adjacent neurovascular structures.

Air Injection and Transillumination in Phonosurgery: A Novel Technique.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The goal of this study was to introduce two novel techniques in phonomicrosurgery, air injection (AIR), and transillumination (TI), to improve the diagnosis and surgical excision of pathological tissue in vocal folds during suspension laryngoscopy while preserving the healthy tissue as much as possible. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical case series. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with benign vocal cord lesions who underwent phonomicrosurgery between January 2016 and May 2017 were evaluated. Pre- and intraoperative recordings were evaluated by three experienced laryngologists. Stroboscopic video images taken during the preoperative diagnosis and interoperative video recordings made before and after AIR and TI were performed were reviewed and compared. During the preoperative evaluation, the surgeons declared their surgical plans and noted changes while observing the intraoperative evaluation during AIR and TI. RESULTS: Sixty-eight vocal folds were evaluated. The initial diagnosis was found to be consistent with the final diagnosis in only 10 patients (29.4%). The diagnoses of 29 vocal folds (42.6%) and the surgical plans changed after AIR and TI. In six cases, submucosal bands, additional morphological structures in the vicinity of the primary pathology, were observed; these could only be visualized with AIR and TI. AIR and TI revealed new pathologies in four vocal folds that were noted to be normal in the preoperative evaluation. CONCLUSION: AIR and TI are useful and promising techniques to identify undiagnosed lesions in vocal folds and to increase the success of minimally invasive phonosurgery.

Temporal changes in postprandial blood transcriptomes reveal subject-specific pattern of expression of innate immunity genes after a high-fat meal.

White blood cells are among the first responders to dietary components and their metabolites absorbed from the gut. The objective of this study was to determine the whole blood transcriptome response to high-fat challenge meals. A total of 45 fasting and postprandial (3-h and 6-h) whole blood transcriptomes from 5 subjects in a crossover intervention trial of a high-fat meal supplemented with placebo, blueberry powder or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were analyzed using RNA sequencing. Select target genes were validated by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction in 180 samples from 20 subjects. The largest contributor to variance was the subject (13,856 genes differentially expressed), followed by the subject on a specific day (2276 genes), followed by the subject's postprandial response (651 genes). After determining the nonsignificance of individual dietary treatments (blueberry, DHA, placebo), treatments were used as replicates to examine postprandial responses to a high-fat meal. The universal postprandial response (95 genes) was associated with lipid utilization, fatty acid beta-oxidation and circadian rhythms. Subject-specific postprandial responses were enriched for genes involved in the innate immune response, particularly those of pattern recognition receptors and their downstream signaling components. Genes involved in innate immune responses are differentially expressed in a subject-specific and time-dependent manner in response to the high-fat meals. These genes can serve as biomarkers to assess individual responsiveness to a high-fat diet in inducing postprandial inflammation. Furthermore, the dynamic temporal change in gene expression in postprandial blood suggests that monitoring these genes at multiple time points is necessary to reveal responders to dietary intervention.

Fecal metatranscriptomics of macaques with idiopathic chronic diarrhea reveals altered mucin degradation and fucose utilization.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic chronic diarrhea (ICD) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality among juvenile rhesus macaques. Characterized by chronic inflammation of the colon and repeated bouts of diarrhea, ICD is largely unresponsive to medical interventions, including corticosteroid, antiparasitic, and antibiotic treatments. Although ICD is accompanied by large disruptions in the composition of the commensal gut microbiome, no single pathogen has been concretely identified as responsible for the onset and continuation of the disease. RESULTS: Fecal samples were collected from 12 ICD-diagnosed macaques and 12 age- and sex-matched controls. RNA was extracted for metatranscriptomic analysis of organisms and functional annotations associated with the gut microbiome. Bacterial, fungal, archaeal, protozoan, and macaque (host) transcripts were simultaneously assessed. ICD-afflicted animals were characterized by increased expression of host-derived genes involved in inflammation and increased transcripts from bacterial pathogens such as Campylobacter and Helicobacter and the protozoan Trichomonas. Transcripts associated with known mucin-degrading organisms and mucin-degrading enzymes were elevated in the fecal microbiomes of ICD-afflicted animals. Assessment of colon sections using immunohistochemistry and of the host transcriptome suggests differential fucosylation of mucins between control and ICD-afflicted animals. Interrogation of the metatranscriptome for fucose utilization genes reveals possible mechanisms by which opportunists persist in ICD. Bacteroides sp. potentially cross-fed fucose to Haemophilus whereas Campylobacter expressed a mucosa-associated transcriptome with increased expression of adherence genes. CONCLUSIONS: The simultaneous profiling of bacterial, fungal, archaeal, protozoan, and macaque transcripts from stool samples reveals that ICD of rhesus macaques is associated with increased gene expression by pathogens, increased mucin degradation, and altered fucose utilization. The data suggest that the ICD-afflicted host produces fucosylated mucins that are leveraged by potentially pathogenic microbes as a carbon source or as adhesion sites.

Translation, cultural adaptation, reliability, and validity of the Turkish version of the Penn Shoulder Score.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to translate the Penn Shoulder Score into Turkish and to establish its cultural adaptation, reliability, and validity in patients with shoulder dysfunctions. METHODS: The Penn Shoulder Score was translated and culturally adapted from English into Turkish. Subsequently, the Penn Shoulder Score, the Constant Score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Score, and the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index were completed by 97 patients with shoulder dysfunctions. To determine the test-retest reliability, 30 patients completed the Penn Shoulder Score again on day 3. Intraclass correlation coefficient and Cronbach alpha were calculated to assess reliability. The validity of the questionnaire was assessed in terms of convergent validity with Pearson Correlation Coefficient using the Constant Score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Score, and the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index. RESULTS: Internal consistency was good, with a Cronbach alpha of 0.81. The Intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.90 (95% confidence interval: 0.78, 0.90), demonstrating good test-retest reliability. Pearson correlation coefficients of the Penn Shoulder Score in relation with the Constant Score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Score, and the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index were 0.65, 0.78, and -0.77, respectively. CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the Penn Shoulder Score is a reliable and valid measure for assessing patients with shoulder dysfunctions. Implications for Rehabilitation The Turkish version of the Penn shoulder score is valid and reliable outcome measure for assessing patients with shoulder dysfunctions. The Turkish version of the Penn shoulder score could be easily performed by patients and it is easy to score by clinicians. It is recommended to use in clinical settings and in research.

Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index: cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Turkish version.

One way to measure the effectiveness of a specific treatment is to utilize measurements designed specifically for the disorder. Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI) is a subjective self-report scale indicating the latest condition of the patients with shoulder instability. The objective is to study the cultural adaptation, validity, and reliability of WOSI in Turkish population with shoulder disability. First, WOSI was translated and culturally adapted from English into Turkish. Afterward, in order to determine the level of reliability, internal consistency and test-retest analyses were conducted. Reliability (test-retest) analyses were conducted by means of retest 72 h later with a sub-group of 30 patients. Construct validity of the WOSI was checked through convergent validity with Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Scale, Rowe Score Questionnaire, Oxford Shoulder Instability Questionnaire, and Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index by 60 patients with shoulder instability. The Turkish version of the questionnaire displayed high internal consistency (0.77-0.91) with a Cronbach's Alpha value of 0.91. As for the test-retest reliability, the ICC value was found to be high (95% CI 0.97). Floor and ceiling effects (15%) were observed neither in sub-parameters (0-4.9%) nor in total score (0%). WOSI total score was found to have a negative good correlation with the Rowe Score (r = -0.57) and a very good-excellent correlation with other questionnaires (r = 0.67-0.89). The Turkish version of WOSI is a valid and reliable scale for use in studies to evaluate the final condition of the patients with shoulder disabilities.

Relationship between scapular muscle and core endurance in healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: Scapular muscle endurance and core endurance reportedly influence shoulder injury risk. The exact relationship between scapular muscle endurance and core endurance, and how they impact one another in the healthy subjects remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between scapular muscle endurance and core endurance in healthy subjects. METHODS: Fifty healthy volunteers (23 males, 27 females; mean age 20.42 ± 1.04 years) were participated in this study. Endurance of the serratus anterior and trapezius muscles was assessed using the scapular muscle endurance test. Sorensen test (endurance of trunk extensor muscles), trunk flexor endurance test, and side bridge test (endurance of lateral core muscles) were conducted to assess the core endurance. Pearson's product moment correlations examined relationships between scapular muscle endurance and each of the core endurance tests scores. RESULTS: Scapular muscle endurance test scores showed a positive correlation with the side bridge test scores (r = 0.414; p = 0.003). No significant correlation was found between scapular muscle endurance test scores and the other core endurance tests scores (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There appears to be a link between the scapular muscle endurance and lateral core muscles in healthy subjects; however, more research is needed to provide a definitive answer on the nature of this relationship. Further studies involving patients with shoulder pathology are warranted.

Long-term results of pillar implant procedure.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the long-term efficiency and reliability of the Pillar Implant (PI) procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2008 and January 2010, a total of 27 patients (16 males, 11 females; mean age 45.8±7.2 years; range 31 to 58 years) who were diagnosed with low obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and simple snoring underwent the PI procedure in this retrospective, nonrandomized study. The patients were evaluated preoperatively with visual analog scale (VAS) scores in terms of snoring, dysphagia, mouth dryness, foreign body sensation, and pain at the first month, third month, and sixth year intervals. RESULTS: Based on the snoring scale, VAS scores were statistically significantly lower in the first month, third month and sixth year compared to preoperative scores (p=0.001, p=0.008, p=0.017, respectively). There was no pain in any patients beyond the third day. The VAS score averages in all evaluations were higher by statistical significance relative to the preoperative averages (p=0.018, p=0.027, p=0.025, respectively). Mouth dryness was encountered in seven patients. It persisted in seven patients at the third month and in five patients at the sixth year interval. The VAS score averages were statistically significantly higher in all evaluations compared to the preoperative scores (p=0.017, p=0.018, p=0.042, respectively). CONCLUSION: Pillar implant is an efficient, reliable method in the long-term; however, it should be considered that it could cause complaints such as dysphagia, foreign body sensation, and mouth dryness.

Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain is among the most common musculoskeletal system disorders. Outcome measures are needed for the measurement of function, to establish a treatment program, and for monitoring the improvement in low back pain. There exist several questionnaires enquiring about function in low back pain. One of these is Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire, whose reliability and validity were previously established. Other than the original version of the questionnaire, only its Persian version exists. The present study aims to investigate the cross-cultural adaptation, reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire. METHODS: The study included 103 patients with low back pain. For reliability assessment of the questionnaire, test-retest and internal consistency analyses were performed. The results of test-retest analysis were assessed by Intraclass Correlation Coefficient method. For internal consistency, Cronbach Alpha value was used. Validity analyses of the questionnaire were performed by construct validity. For construct validity, convergent validity was tested. Convergent validity of the questionnaire was calculated via its correlation with suitable subscales of the Short Form-36 and the total score of the Oswestry Disability Index by using Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Intraclass Correlation Coefficient values for test-retest reliability were found to be in the range of 0.765-0.924, which indicate a sufficient level of test-retest reliability. Cronbach's Alpha value was found to be 0.804 indicating a high internal consistency. Pearson's correlation coefficient between Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire to Short Form-36 and Oswestry Disability Index values were ranged between 0.424 and -0.810, indicating a good correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Considering all these data, it was concluded that the Turkish version of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire is valid and reliable.

A novel muscle for electroneurography in peripheral facial palsy: occipitalis.

Electroneurography (ENoG) is one of the most objective tests in grading the damage and prediction of prognosis in peripheral facial palsy (PFP). We aimed to determine temporal changes of ENoG recorded over occipitalis muscle in acute idiopathic PFP. Consecutive 21 patients with unilateral acute idiopathic PFP and age- and sex-matched 15 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Nasal and occipital ENoG values were recorded once in the control group and the same procedure was repeated daily between the second and eight days of the disorder in the PFP group. Occipital ENoG value began to increase on the third day while nasal ENoG value was still within the normal range (27.04 vs 7.69 %, p = 0.0001). In the fourth, fifth and sixth days, occipital ENoG value was significantly high compared to nasal ENoG value (p = 0.0001 for each day) whereas nasal and occipital ENoG values were very similar in the seventh and eighth days (p = 0.181 and p = 0.584, respectively). Our study presents further support for technical possibility of occipital ENoG which may reflect the degree of fiber degeneration earlier than the nasalis muscle in PFP.

Selenoprotein W controls epidermal growth factor receptor surface expression, activation and degradation via receptor ubiquitination.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) is the founding member of the ErbB family of growth factor receptors that modulate a complex network of intracellular signaling pathways controlling growth, proliferation, differentiation, and motility. Selenoprotein W (SEPW1) is a highly conserved, diet-regulated 9kDa thioredoxin-like protein required for normal cell cycle progression. We report here that SEPW1 is required for EGF-induced EGFR activation and that it functions by suppressing EGFR ubiquitination and receptor degradation. SEPW1 depletion inhibited EGF-dependent cell cycle entry in breast and prostate epithelial cells. In prostate cells, SEPW1 depletion decreased EGFR auto-phosphorylation, while SEPW1 overexpression increased EGFR auto-phosphorylation. SEPW1 depletion increased the rate of EGFR degradation, which decreased total and surface EGFR and suppressed EGF-dependent EGFR endocytosis, EGFR dimer formation, and activation of EGF-dependent pathways. EGFR ubiquitination was increased in SEPW1-depleted cells--in agreement with the increased rate of EGFR degradation, and suggests that SEPW1 suppresses EGFR ubiquitination. Ubiquitination-directed lysozomal degradation controls post-translational EGFR expression and is dysregulated in many cancers. Thus, suppression of EGFR ubiquitination by SEPW1 may be related to the putative increase in cancer risk associated with high selenium intakes. Knowledge of the mechanisms underlying SEPW1's regulation of EGFR ubiquitination may reveal new opportunities for nutritional cancer prevention or cancer drug development.

Assessment of cricopharyngeal muscle aging with apoptotic markers.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to evaluate histochemical markers of apoptosis in the cricopharyngeus muscle, which is the gatekeeper of the pharyngoesophageal region during the swallowing process; to investigate the effects of primary aging on this muscle; and to determine whether a relationship exists with gastroesophageal reflux disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 30 fresh cadavers with a time of death of 12 hours or less obtained from the Turkish Ministry of Justice Forensic Medicine Unit. All cadavers were dissected with routine postmortem skin incisions to extract specimens from the cricopharyngeus muscle and the esophagocardiac junction mucosa. Muscle degeneration and primary aging were demonstrated by immunodetection of Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspase-3 proteins as markers of the apoptosis. Esophageal specimens were examined for the presence of reflux esophagitis. RESULTS: The mean age was 41.5 (14-74) years, and the study included 18 male and 9 female cadavers. Three of them were excluded because of fixation artifacts. The mean Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspase scores showed no statistically significant relationship with age (P = 0.94). The right and left sides of the muscle were investigated separately, and the Bax scores of the right side of the cricopharyngeus muscle showed a statistically significant decrease with age (P = 0.026), whereas the Bax and Bcl-2 scores were increased with age (P = 0.035 and 0.049, respectively) on the left side. Evaluation of the 23 esophagus specimens revealed 10 cases of esophagitis. No relationship was found between the mean of each apoptotic marker and esophagitis. CONCLUSIONS: It is histopathologically not possible to demonstrate muscle death due to either primary aging or reflux. This might be attributable to the defensive capability of this unique muscle to maintain the feeding process.

Effect of anti-adhesive barrier use on laryngotracheal movement after total thyroidectomy: an electrophysiological study.

Impairment of laryngotracheal movement is a possible complication after total thyroidectomy. Here, we aimed to investigate the frequency and extent of impairment of laryngotracheal movement after total thyroidectomy and the effect of anti-adhesive barrier hyaluronic acid-carboxymethylcellulose membrane positioning between strap muscles and laryngotracheal complex on deglutition. The study design is prospective clinical study. Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, Laboratory of Electrophysiology, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital. The patients who underwent total thyroidectomy were selected and dichotomized according to use of seprafilm. Each group consisted of 8 female patients. All patients were assessed clinically and electrophysiologically in the pre/postop period. Electrophysiological investigations included cricopharyngeal muscle (CPM) electromyography (EMG), submental EMG, single bolus analysis [foreburst, reburst, swallowing (pause) patterns], laryngotracheal movement analysis and results were compared between two groups. CPM EMG was normal in both groups. Duration of submental muscle activity during dry and 15 cc water swallowing was similar between two groups (P = 0.751). Pause duration was shorter in group with seprafilm (P < 0.01). Dysphagia limit was 15 cc in both groups. The fore/rebound bursts duration, the time of laryngeal elevation, closure and suspension were similar (P = 0.954). We concluded that use of seprafilm between larynx and strap muscles during total thyroidectomy does not have any adverse effects on swallowing. Anti-adhesive barrier can be used safely during thyroid surgery.

Dietary selenium supplementation and whole blood gene expression in healthy North American men.

Selenium (Se) is a trace nutrient required in microgram amounts, with a recommended dietary allowance of 55 µg/day in humans. The nutritional functions of Se are performed by a group of 25 selenoproteins containing the unusual amino acid selenocysteine at their active sites. The selenoproteins with known activities are oxidation-reduction enzymes with roles in antioxidant protection, redox homeostasis and signaling, and thyroid hormone metabolism. Both deficiencies and excesses of Se are associated with impaired innate and adaptive immune responses. We supplemented 16 healthy men for 1 year with 300 µg Se/day as high-Se yeast or placebo yeast and measured whole blood gene expression with DNA microarrays before and after supplementation. Protein phosphorylation was the main biological process in common among the Se-responsive genes, which included a prominent cluster of protein kinases, suggesting that protein phosphorylation in leukocytes is sensitive to Se supplementation. We found highly ranked clusters of genes associated with RNA processing and protein transport, suggesting that dietary Se may regulate protein expression in leukocytes at both the posttranscriptional and posttranslational levels. The main functional pathway affected by Se supplementation was FAS apoptosis signaling, and expression of genes associated with T cell and natural killer cell cytotoxicity was increased. At the same time, the numbers of circulating natural killer and T cells expressing activation markers decreased. These changes are consistent with an anti-inflammatory effect of Se supplementation exerted through regulation of protein phosphorylation.