Cochlear pathology in preeclamptic rats: protective effects of vitamin D and magnesium sulfate.

Background/aim: This study investigated the possible degeneration in cochlear morphology induced by preeclampsia (PE) and the therapeutic/preventive effect of vitamin D (Vit D) and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) used separately and together on feto-maternal outcomes. Materials and methods: We created PE in rats using a reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) animal model and recorded blood pressure (BP), embryonic survival (ES), and embryonic weight (EW) and evaluated cochlear morphology by electron microscopy. Results: The PE group had elevated BP, a decreased number and weight of live pups, and significant degeneration in the cochlea compared to the sham group. In the PEV group, we observed significant beneficial effects of Vit D supplementation at 14.5 and 19.5 dpc in terms of BP (p < 0.05), EW (p < 0.001), and cochlear degeneration compared to the PE group. In the PEM group, BP (p < 0.05) and cochlear degeneration nearly reached the level found in the sham group. However, although the EW was statistically different in the PE group, it did not reach sham group levels. We also observed that BP returned to sham level (p < 0.01) and noticed significant increases in the EW (p < 0.0001) and ES (p = 0.017) in the PEMV group compared to the PE group. According to the scanning electron microscope results, combined administration of VitD and MgSO4 is more effective than separate administration in improving cochlear degeneration induced by PE. Conclusion: The administration of Vit D and MgSO4 during pregnancy has beneficial effects on PE pathology and may play a significant role in preventing PE-related complications, including cochlear degeneration.

The effect of interleukin-33 expression on prognosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is a newly defined inflammatory cytokine that is a member of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) gene family. This cytokine is expressed in structural cells, such as the vascular endothelium, bronchial epithelial cells, keratinocytes, epithelial cells of the stomach, and fibroblastic reticular cells of lymphoid tissues. Several studies suggest that IL-33 plays a role in head-and-neck cancer. The aim of this study was to retrospectively examine IL-33 expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and to evaluate its relationship between clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis. METHODS: In this monocentric, retrospective analysis, the data of 43 cases diagnosed with primary NPC and 20 cases with normal nasopharyngeal tissue (diagnosed between 2014 and 2020) were evaluated regarding the relationship between the immunohistochemically analyzed IL-33 expression status and corresponding clinicopathological parameters. RESULTS: The mean age was 56.9 years. The majority (67.4%) of the patients had an early tumor stage (T1-T2). IL-33 expression was positive in 56% of the cases. The five-year overall survival rate was 77% for all patients, 90% for the patients with positive IL-33 expression, and 55% for those without IL-33 expression (p = 0.008, univariate analysis). In multivariate analysis, IL-33 expression was shown to be the only independent prognostic marker for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: This retrospective study showed that IL-33 expression could be considered an independent factor affecting positively prognosis in NPC.

The usefulness of transcervical ultrasonography for the prediction of obstructive sleep apnea in children.

OBJECTIVE: It was aimed to investigate the role of tonsil ultrasonography(USG) in the diagnosis of pediatric OSAS. METHODS: Before tonsillectomy (±adenoidectomy) for OSAS, all patients tonsil USG and polysomnography (PSG) tests were performed. Tonsil volume was measured preoperatively with the Brodsky tonsil grading scale and by postoperative water displacement test. RESULTS: In total, 47 patients were included in the study. We observed a positive correlation between tonsil volumes measured by preoperative USG and water displacement test postoperatively. There was a statistically significant correlation between tonsil sizes measured by tonsil USG, PSG AHI and questionnaire scores(p < .05). CONCLUSION: Preoperative tonsil USG may be helpful test in children with suspected OSAS.

Changes in substance P levels of inferior turbinate in patients with mucosal contact headache / Alterações nos níveis da substância P da concha inferior de pacientes com cefaleiapor ponto de contato da mucosa

Abstract Introduction Mucosal contact headache is a referred pain that arises from contact between the nasal septum and the lateral nasal wall. Evidence supports the role of substance P in a contact headache such that release of substance P from sensory nerve endings causes inflammation and allergy. Objectives This study aimed to determine possible differences in substance P levels in inferior turbinate hypertrophy creating a contact headache. Methods 28 patients who had contact headaches (study group) and 16 volunteers with no complaints were included in the study. Substance P levels in the inferior turbinate tissue samples were quantified using a commercially available substance P EIA kit. Results In the study group average substance P levels were 2.65 ± 0.27 pg/mg tissue (range: 0.61-5.44) and in the control group it was 1.77 ± 0.27 pg/mg tissue (range: 0.11-4.35). The difference was statistically significant between the two groups (p = 0.0215). Average preoperative headache group visual analog scale scores was 5.93 ± 0.38 (2-9) and the turbinate volume was 6.56 ± 0.35 cm3 (3.50-10.30). The control group turbinate volume was 4.71 ± 0.39 cm3 (2.50-7.70). We found a correlation between the visual analog scale scores and substance P levels such that substance P levels were higher in visual analog scale scores above 5 (p = 0.001). Conclusion This study demonstrates the relationship between intranasal contact headaches and increased mucosal substance P levels. We also found that there is no correlation with substance P levels and volume of the inferior turbinate.

Resumo Introdução A cefaleia por ponto de contato da mucosa é uma dor direcionada que surge do contato entre o septo nasal e a parede nasal lateral. Evidências corroboram o papel da substância P na cefaleia de contato, de tal forma que a liberação da mesma a partir de terminações nervosas sensoriais possa causar inflamação e alergia. Objetivo Determinar possíveis diferenças nos níveis da substância P na hipertrofia de conchas inferiores em relação à cefaleia de contato. Método Foram incluídos no estudo 28 pacientes que apresentaram cefaleia por ponto de contato (Grupo Estudo) e 16 voluntários sem queixas. Os níveis de substância P nas amostras de tecido da concha inferior foram quantificados com um kit substância P EIA, comercialmente disponível. Resultados No grupo do estudo, os níveis médios de substância P foram 2,65 ± 0,27 pg/mg de tecido (variação: 0,61-5,44) e no grupo controle foram de 1,77 ± 0,27 pg/mg de tecido (variação: 0,11-4,35) e a diferença foi estatisticamente significante entre os dois grupos (p = 0,0215). O escore médio da escala visual analógica do grupo de cefaleia pré-operatória foi de 5,93 ± 0,38 (2-9) e o volume das conchas foi de 6,56 ± 0,35 cm3 (3,50-10,30). O volume da concha do grupo controle foi de 4,71 ± 0,39 cm3 (2,50 ± 7,70). Encontramos uma correlação entre o escore da escala visual analógica e os níveis de substância P, de modo que os níveis de substância P foram maiores nos escores da escala visual analógica acima de 5 (p = 0,001). Conclusão Este estudo demonstra a relação entre cefaleias por contato intranasais e níveis aumentados de substância P nas mucosas. Também observamos que não há correlação com os níveis de substância P e o volume da concha inferior.