Correlation between the Degree of Hearing Loss and the Levels of Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Tinnitus.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the correlation between the degree of hearing loss (HL) and the degrees of anxiety and depression in patients with tinnitus. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study involved the use of basic clinical data from 600 enrolled patients with tinnitus who visited the otolaryngology clinic in Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from April 2020 to June 2022. The tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) scale was used to assess the tinnitus status among the participants. The pure tone audiometry (PTA) test was used to conduct audiological assessments for all patients to determine their hearing condition. The self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were used to assess the levels of anxiety and depression among the participants, respectively. The correlation between the HL and anxiety/depression scores from the questionnaires was tested through Pearson correlation analysis. Results: Among the 600 enrolled patients with tinnitus, most patients had mild-to-moderate degree of tinnitus, accounting for 248 cases (41.3%) and 179 cases (29.8%), respectively. PTA results showed that a large proportion of patients with tinnitus were accompanied with HL (467 cases, 77.8%). Among them, patients with mild HL accounted for the largest proportion with a total of 241 cases (40.2%). Based on the results of SAS and SDS test, almost half of the patients had symptoms of anxiety and depression, accounting for 52.3% (314 cases) and 48.8% (293 cases), respectively. Similarly, patients with mild anxiety and depression occupy the largest proportion, accounting for 35.8% (215 cases) and 23% (138 cases), respectively. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the degree of HL was closely related to THI/SAS/SDS scores (P < 0.001). Conclusion: These findings indicate a strong positive correlation between the degree of HL and anxiety/depression scores in patients with tinnitus.

Ineffectiveness of watchful waiting on mouth breathing in children with obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of watchful waiting on mouth breathing in children with OSA. METHODS: Children in the Childhood Adenotonsillectomy Trial (CHAT) dataset were divided into two groups according to the treatment they received. One question in the OSA-18 Quality-of-Life Survey was chosen to evaluate the severity of mouth breathing. RESULTS: In total, 392 children (adenotonsillectomy group, n = 197 and watchful waiting group, n = 195) were enrolled in the study. There was no significant correlation between the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) and the severity of mouth breathing, r=.09,p=.073. In watchful waiting group, there is no statistically significant difference of mouth breathing score (p = .555) between baseline and followup. CONCLUSIONS: The watchful waiting of mouth breathing in children with less severe OSA is ineffective. More caution should be taken to choose watchful waiting for children with mild OSA but severe mouth breathing.

Comparison of the efficacy of vocal training and vocal microsurgery in patients with early vocal fold polyp / Comparação entre a eficácia do treinamento vocal e da fonocirurgia em pacientes com pólipo de prega vocal incipiente

Abstract Introduction: Vocal fold polyp is a benign proliferative disease in the superficial lamina propria of the vocal fold, and vocal microsurgery can improve the voice quality of patients with vocal fold polyp. In preliminary studies, we found that vocal training could improve the vocal quality of patients with early vocal fold polyp. Objective: This study aimed to compare the efficacies of vocal training and vocal microsurgery in patients with early vocal fold polyp. Methods: A total of 38 patients with early vocal fold polyp underwent 3 months of vocal training (VT group); another 31 patients with early vocal fold polyp underwent vocal microsurgery (VM group). All subjects were assessed using laryngostroboscopy, voice handicap index, and dysphonia severity index, and the efficacies of vocal training and vocal microsurgery were compared. Results: The cure rates of vocal training and vocal microsurgery were 31.6% (12/38) and 100% (31/31), respectively. The intragroup paired-sample t-test showed that the post treatment vocal handicap index, maximum phonation time, highest frequency (F0-high), lowest intensity (I-low), and dysphonia severity index in both the VT and VM groups were better than those before treatment, except for the jitter value. The intergroup independent-sample t-test revealed that the emotional values of vocal handicap index (t = − 2.22, p = 0.03), maximum phonation time (t = 2.54, p = 0.013), jitter (t = − 2.11, p = 0.03), and dysphonia severity index (t = 3.24, p = 0.002) in the VT group were better than those in the VM group. Conclusions: Both, vocal training and vocal microsurgery could improve the voice quality of patients with early vocal fold polyp, and these methods present different advantages.

Resumo Introdução: O pólipo de prega vocal é uma doença proliferativa benigna da camada superficial da lâmina própria da prega vocal e a microfonocirurgia pode melhorar a qualidade vocal desses pacientes. Em estudos preliminares, observamos que o treinamento vocal era capaz de melhorar a qualidade vocal de pacientes com pólipo incipiente de prega vocal. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar a eficiência entre treinamento vocal e microfonocirurgia em pacientes com pólipo incipiente de prega vocal. Método: Um total de 38 pacientes com pólipo incipiente de prega vocal foram submetidos a três meses de treinamento vocal (grupo TV); outros 31 pacientes foram submetidos à microfonocirurgia (grupo MC). Todos os indivíduos foram avaliados por meio de laringoestroboscopia, índice de desvantagem vocal e índice de severidade da disfonia e a eficácia entre treinamento vocal e microfonocirurgia foi comparada. Resultados: As taxas de cura do treinamento vocal e da microfonocirurgia foram de 31,6% (12/38) e 100% (31/31), respectivamente. O teste t para amostras pareadas intragrupo mostrou que o índice de desvantagem vocal pós-tratamento, tempo máximo de fonação, frequência máxima, intensidade mínima e índice de severidade da disfonia nos grupos TV e MC foram melhores do que aqueles antes do tratamento, exceto pelo valor do jitter. O teste t para amostras independentes intergrupos revelou que o valor emocional do índice de desvantagem vocal (t = -2,22, p = 0,03), tempo máximo de fonação (t = 2,54, p = 0,013), jitter (t = -2,11, p = 0,03) e índice de severidade da disfonia (t = 3,24, p = 0,002) no grupo TV foram melhores do que os do grupo MC. Conclusões: Tanto o treinamento vocal quanto a microfonocirurgia podem melhorar a qualidade da voz de pacientes com pólipo incipiente de prega vocal e esses métodos apresentam diferentes vantagens.

Baicalein Exerts Anticancer Effect in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma In Vitro and In Vivo.

Baicalein, an active ingredient separated from Astragalus membranaceus, has shown its anticancer ability in various cancers. However, its effect on nasopharyngeal carcinoma has not been explored yet. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of baicalein on the growth, proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells, as well as transplanted nude mouse xenograft. The results showed that baicalein inhibited the growth and proliferation of CNE1 and CNE2 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. It also caused a significant increase in the number of cells in the G0/G1 phase and a decrease in the G2/M phase, thereby reducing the number of cells entering mitosis and inhibiting the proliferation of tumor cells. Baicalein also significantly induced apoptosis of CNE1 and CNE2 cells. Western blots showed that baicalein decreased the expression of Bcl-xl and Mcl-1 and increased the expression of Bax, Bad, and caspase 3, 8, and 9. In CNE1- and CNE2-transplanted tumors of mice, baicalein significantly inhibited tumor growth. In conclusion, baicalein could inhibit the growth and proliferation of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells, change their cell cycle, and induce apoptosis. Baicalein also effectively limits both CNE1- and CNE2-transplanted tumors in nude mice. Downregulation of Bcl-xl and Mcl-1 proteins and upregulation of Bax and Bad may be involved in the mechanism.

Comparison of the efficacy of vocal training and vocal microsurgery in patients with early vocal fold polyp.

INTRODUCTION: Vocal fold polyp is a benign proliferative disease in the superficial lamina propria of the vocal fold, and vocal microsurgery can improve the voice quality of patients with vocal fold polyp. In preliminary studies, we found that vocal training could improve the vocal quality of patients with early vocal fold polyp. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the efficacies of vocal training and vocal microsurgery in patients with early vocal fold polyp. METHODS: A total of 38 patients with early vocal fold polyp underwent 3 months of vocal training (VT group); another 31 patients with early vocal fold polyp underwent vocal microsurgery (VM group). All subjects were assessed using laryngostroboscopy, voice handicap index, and dysphonia severity index, and the efficacies of vocal training and vocal microsurgery were compared. RESULTS: The cure rates of vocal training and vocal microsurgery were 31.6% (12/38) and 100% (31/31), respectively. The intragroup paired-sample t-test showed that the post treatment vocal handicap index, maximum phonation time, highest frequency (F0-high), lowest intensity (I-low), and dysphonia severity index in both the VT and VM groups were better than those before treatment, except for the jitter value. The intergroup independent-sample t-test revealed that the emotional values of vocal handicap index (t=-2.22, p=0.03), maximum phonation time (t=2.54, p=0.013), jitter (t=-2.11, p=0.03), and dysphonia severity index (t=3.24, p=0.002) in the VT group were better than those in the VM group. CONCLUSIONS: Both, vocal training and vocal microsurgery could improve the voice quality of patients with early vocal fold polyp, and these methods present different advantages.

Clinical efficacy of nasal endoscope-assisted low temperature plasma adenoidectomy / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of nasal endoscope-assisted low temperature plasma adenoidectomy. Methods 100 patients who underwent adenoidectomy from May 2012 to August 2016 were enrolled in the study. All the patients were randomly divided into the observation group (50 cases) and control group (50 cases). Patients in the observation group underwent nasal endoscope-assisted low-temperature plasma adenoidectomy, and patients in control group was treated with nasal endoscope-assisted electric adenoidectomy. The operation time, bleeding volume, recovery time of nasal ventilation, clinical efficacy, postoperative complications of the two groups were analyzed and compared. Results In the observation group, the operation time, bleeding volume, recovery time of nasal ventilation was (4.9 ± 1.6) min, (19.6 ± 5.6) ml and (2.9 ± 0.5) d, respectively, which was significantly less than that of the control group (11.9 ± 3.9) min, (61.6 ± 12.1) ml and (5.9 ± 1.6) d, respectively (P < 0.05). The clinical efficacy of the observation group and the control group was 92.0%, and 86.0%, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). In the observation group, the pain index was (1.8 ± 1.0), which was significantly lower than that of the control group (5.6 ± 2.1), the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference with respect to postoperative hemorrhage, fever and snoring (P > 0.05). In addition, there was no postoperative complication observed in the observation group, while, the complication rate of the control group was 10.0%, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion Nasal endoscope-assisted low temperature plasma adenoidectomy is effective and safe in the treatment of adenoid hypertrophy with less pain and fewer complications, which can be used as a routine clinical treatment for adenoid hypertrophy in children.

Clinical efficacy of nasal endoscope-assisted low temperature plasma adenoidectomy / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of nasal endoscope-assisted low temperature plasma adenoidectomy. Methods 100 patients who underwent adenoidectomy from May 2012 to August 2016 were enrolled in the study. All the patients were randomly divided into the observation group (50 cases) and control group (50 cases). Patients in the observation group underwent nasal endoscope-assisted low-temperature plasma adenoidectomy, and patients in control group was treated with nasal endoscope-assisted electric adenoidectomy. The operation time, bleeding volume, recovery time of nasal ventilation, clinical efficacy, postoperative complications of the two groups were analyzed and compared. Results In the observation group, the operation time, bleeding volume, recovery time of nasal ventilation was (4.9 ± 1.6) min, (19.6 ± 5.6) ml and (2.9 ± 0.5) d, respectively, which was significantly less than that of the control group (11.9 ± 3.9) min, (61.6 ± 12.1) ml and (5.9 ± 1.6) d, respectively (P < 0.05). The clinical efficacy of the observation group and the control group was 92.0%, and 86.0%, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). In the observation group, the pain index was (1.8 ± 1.0), which was significantly lower than that of the control group (5.6 ± 2.1), the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference with respect to postoperative hemorrhage, fever and snoring (P > 0.05). In addition, there was no postoperative complication observed in the observation group, while, the complication rate of the control group was 10.0%, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion Nasal endoscope-assisted low temperature plasma adenoidectomy is effective and safe in the treatment of adenoid hypertrophy with less pain and fewer complications, which can be used as a routine clinical treatment for adenoid hypertrophy in children.

An Analysis of the Effects of Voice Therapy on Patients With Early Vocal Fold Polyps.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the voice characteristics of patients with early vocal fold polyps and to investigate the effects of voice therapy on patients. METHODS: Voice therapy was conducted on 88 patients with early vocal fold polyps in an experimental group. Laryngostroboscopy, the voice handicap index (VHI), and the dysphonia severity index (DSI) were applied to evaluate the patients' voice quality before and after treatment. Thirty-one healthy volunteers also underwent evaluation of voice quality as a control group. The intergroup and intragroup differences in the results of laryngostroboscopy, VHI, and DSI were compared statistically. RESULTS: In the experimental group, 22 patients withdrew from the treatment for various reasons. After voice therapy, the cure rate was 30.3% (20/66). All the VHI values in the experimental group before treatment were statistically worse than the values in the control group. The P and T values of the VHI in the experimental group were still worse after treatment than the values in the control group, although the VHI did improve after treatment in the experimental group. The maximum phonation time (MPT), jitter, I-low, and DSI were statistically different between the control group and the experimental group both before and after treatment. Furthermore, the MPT, jitter, F0-high, I-low, and DSI improved after treatment in the experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with early vocal fold polyps have some degree of subjective and objective dysphonia. Voice therapy can improve the voice quality in these patients.

Association of C722T polymorphism in XRCC3 gene with larynx cancer: a meta-analysis.

Several case-control studies indicated that XRCC3 genetic polymorphism (C722T) was associated with larynx cancer. The present study aimed to further evaluate the relation between the XRCC3 gene C722T polymorphism and larynx cancer. We selected five case-control studies related to XRCC3 gene C722T polymorphism and larynx cancer by searching PubMed, EMBase, Chinese CNKI, and Wanfang database. RevMan 5.0 software was used to perform the analysis. We directly utilized Q test and I (2) test to test the heterogeneity between each study. We utilized the fixed effects model to merge the odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval. There were 1,507 larynx cancer patients and 3,623 cancer-free control subjects included in the present study. By meta-analysis, we did not find any association of XRCC3 gene C722T polymorphism with larynx cancer [OR=1.54, 95 % CI (0.77-3.08); P=0.22]. The present study indicated that XRCC3 gene C722T polymorphism was not associated with larynx cancer.

[Observation of bacterial biofilms in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the presence of bacterial biofilms (BF) in patients with CRS and the effect of BF on clinical symptoms and postoperative outcomes. METHODS: Seventy-two patients with chronic sinusitis were enrolled in this study. The control group included 15 patients with deviation of the nasal septum and 10 patients had a fracture of the nasal bone. Mucosa of the uncinate process or ethmoid near the ostium of the maxillary sinus was obtained during endoscopic sinus surgery. The specimens were subjected to scanning electron microscopy. Patients were followed for 1 year and observed by the Lund-Kennedy endoscopy, and the Haikou standard classification (ESS-1997). Statistical analysis was performed by t-test or chi-square test. RESULTS: Three patients were lost to follow-up. The scanning electron microscopy analysis showed bacterial biofilms in 49 of the 69 patients with chronic sinusitis. A marked destruction of the epithelium and cilia was observed in samples positive for bacterial biofilms. No bacterial biofilms were detected in the control group, and scanning electron microscopy showed normal epithelium and cilia in those specimens. There was no significant difference in gender, classification or duration of disease between the BF(-) and BF(+) groups. At six months and one year postoperative, the Lund-Kennedy endoscopy scores for CRS patients with BF (4.78 +/- 1.67; 4.55 +/- 1.61) were significantly higher than those without BF (3.65 +/- 1.39; 3.65 +/- 1.18) (t = -2.654, P < 0.01; t = -2.264, P < 0.05). Based on the Haikou standard classification, there was a significantly difference between patients with BF and those without BF (chi2 = 18.014, 22.063, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Different life stages of bacterial biofilms were demonstrated to be present in CRS. Gender, classification or duration of disease did not affect the presence of bacterial biofilms in patients with CRS. There is a correlation between bacterial biofilms and an unfavorable outcome in patients with CRS after ESS.

[The expression and clinical pathological significance of PDCD in laryngocarcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and clinical pathological significance of PDCD4 in laryngocarcinoma tissue and its potential significance to clinic. METHOD: Western-blotting and immunohistochemistry ana lyse to measure the protein expression of PDCD4 in 54 cases of laryngocarcinoma tissues (studying group) and their paraneoplastic normal tissues (control group). The correlations of PDCD4 with clinical pathological parameters were analyzed. RESULT: PDCD4 protein was positively expressed in paraneoplastic normal tissue while which was lost or decreased in laryngocarcinoma tissue by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemistry assay showed the location of PDCD4 protein in cells was different between the studying group and the control group. The expression level of PDCD4 was related to the pathological grades of the laryngocarcinoma. It's higher in the well-differentiated tumor group than that in the poorly differentiated ones. But the expressions of PDCD4 were no differences among other clinical parameters including sex, age, clinical classification, clinical stage and the cervical lymphonodus who had been metastases or not. CONCLUSION: PDCD4 gene is anti-oncogene. It may play an important role in the pathogenesis and development of laryngeal carcinoma and it may be a new target of therapy for laryngo carcinoma.

Factors affecting bacterial biofilm expression in chronic rhinosinusitis and the influences on prognosis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the expression of bacterial biofilm (BF) for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and to find out factors affecting BF expression and the influences on its prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All specimens were analyzed by a scanning electron microscope and bacterial cultivation from a panel of 93 patients with CRS, 20 with nasal septum deviation, and 17 with nasal bone fractures as the control group. Referring to the grade classification criteria from the sinusitis-specific questionnaire Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-20, patients were assessed preoperatively based on common clinical manifestations. Patients were followed up for condition improvement as assessed by visual analogue scale and nasal endoscopic examination. RESULTS: In the experimental group, among all the patients, 3 were lost (lost 3.2%). Bacterial biofilm was positive in 64 (71.1%) of 90 patients. Mucosal cilia were observed in varying degrees of injury. Bacterial culture was positive in 60 (66.7%) patients. In the control group, no BF was found and no bacterium was cultured. Bacterial biofilm expression was correlated with the bacterial culture. The BF(+) patients' visual analogue scale scores 6 months and 1 year postoperation were lower than the BF(-) patients' scores (P < .05). The BF(+) patients' Lund-Kennedy scores at 6 months and 1 year postoperation were higher than the BF(-) patients' scores (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Bacterial biofilm is involved in the pathogenesis of CRS and is associated with the bacterial culture. Bacterial biofilm has a certain impact on patients' prognosis.