Prognostic value and therapeutic potential of IAP family in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) ranks as the eighth most prevalent malignancy globally and has the eighth greatest fatality rate when compared to all other forms of cancer. The inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family comprises a collection of apoptosis-negative modulators characterized by at least one single baculovirus IAP repeat (BIR) domain in its N-terminal region. While the involvement of the IAP family is associated with the initiation and progression of numerous tumours, its specific role in HNSCC remains poorly understood. Thus, this study aimed to comprehensively examine changes in gene expression, immunomodulatory effects, prognosis, and functional enrichment of HNSCC utilising bioinformatics analysis. Elevated levels of distinct IAP family members were observed to varying degrees in HNSCC, with high BIRC2 expression indicating a worse prognosis. Additionally, Gene Ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were used to probe the enrichment of gene expression and biological processes related to the IAP family in HNSCC. The infiltration levels of immune cells were shown to be strongly associated with the IAP gene expression, as determined by subsequent analysis. Hence, BIRC2 could be an effective immunotherapy target for HNSCC. Collectively, novel knowledge of the biological roles and prognostic implications of IAP family members in HNSCC is presented in this study.

The Therapeutic Effect of Swallow Training with a Xanthan Gum-Based Thickener in Addition to Classical Dysphagia Therapy in Chinese Patients with Post-Stroke Oropharyngeal Dysphagia: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Objective: In patients with post-stroke oropharyngeal dysphagia (PSOD), classical dysphagia therapy (CDT) continues to provide unsatisfactory outcomes and makes it challenging for them to remove the nasal feeding tube. Increasing bolus viscosity helps prevent aspiration in PSOD. However, conventional starch thickeners enhance post-digestion residue. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of swallow training with xanthan gum-based thickener (XGT) (Softia G, NUTRI Co., Ltd., Yokkaichi, Japan) additional to CDT in Chinese PSOD patients with a nasogastric tube when compared to CDT alone. Methods: Patients with PSOD who had a nasogastric tube were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (E-group) or the control group (C-group) in this randomized controlled, single-blind, parallel-group study. Both groups received CDT for 4 weeks. The E-group cases received additional swallow training with a Softia G-prepared hydrogel training material. The Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) and modified volume-viscosity swallow test (M-VVST) for swallowing safety and efficacy according to adjusted Chinese dietary habits were administered before and after treatment. Post-training, both groups' nasogastric tube removal rates were calculated. Results: One hundred sixty-seven participants (E-group: 82 and C-group: 85) completed the study. The E-group's median score of FOIS improved significantly than the C-group after training (median = 5 vs. 3, P < 0.001). The incidence of coughing, voice changes, oxygen desaturation of 3% or more, pharyngeal residue and piecemeal deglutition in the E-group was significantly lower than that in the C-group (P < 0.05). The E-group had 100% nasogastric tube removal, while the C-group had 28.24% (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Swallow training with XGT Softia G in addition to CDT can promote swallowing safety and efficacy in Chinese patients with PSOD more effectively than CDT alone.