Oncogenic miR-1825 promotes head and neck carcinogenesis via targeting FREM1.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common malignant cancer type worldwide. Although the therapeutic modalities currently used for patients with HNSCC improved in recent decades, HNSCC prognosis is still poor. Therefore, it is an urgent necessity to understand the pathogenesis of HNSCC, to develop novel and effective treatment strategies, and to characterize and identify the oncogenes that are responsible for an aggressive HNSCC phenotype. In this study, we aimed to better understand the roles of miR-1825 in the pathogenesis of HNSCC. We examined the impacts of miR-1825 deregulation on the cancer-associated phenotypes using in vitro tests evaluating cell viability, clonogenicity, cell migration, invasion, apoptosis, and stem cell characteristics. In addition, we investigated the effects of miR-1825 overexpression on the tumor formation capacity of head and neck cancer cells in vivo using nude mice. We searched for potential targets of miR-1825 using microarray analysis and luciferase assay. We found that miR-1825 expression is upregulated in head and neck cells and clinical tumor samples in comparison to corresponding controls, where it potentially acts as an oncogene. We, then, showed that ectopic miR-1825 overexpression promotes cellular phenotypes related to head and neck cancer progression in vitro and has a stimulating potential on cancer formation in vivo. We also identified FREM1 as a direct target of miR-1825 and demonstrated its reduced expression in HNSCC samples using immunohistochemistry analysis. Collectively, we suggest that the miR-1825/FREM1 axis serves as an important mediator of HNSCC development, where miR-1825 acts as an oncogene.

Overexpression of POFUT1 promotes malignant phenotype and mediates perineural invasion in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most aggressive neoplasms, which requires more effective prevention and treatment modalities. Previous studies found that protein O-fucosyltransferase 1 (POFUT1) upregulation promotes carcinogenesis, although the potential roles, underlying molecular mechanisms, and biological implications of POFUT1 in HNSCC were not investigated. In this study, in silico analyses referred POFUT1 as a potential oncogene in HNSCC. Further analysis of tumor and normal tissue samples as well as HNSCC cells with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry showed significant overexpression of POFUT1 in HNSCC clinical tumor tissue specimens and cell lines compared to corresponding controls. In vitro investigations revealed that overexpression of POFUT1 promoted phenotypes associated with cancer aggressiveness and its knockdown in HNSCC cells suppressed those phenotypes. Further xenograft experiments demonstrated that POFUT1 is an oncogene in vivo for HNSCC. Immunohistochemical analysis with human clinical samples and cancer cell-dorsal root ganglion ex-vivo coculture model showed that deregulation of POFUT1 is involved in the perineural invasion of HNSCC cells. These results suggest POFUT1 expression as a potential prognostic marker for patients with head and neck cancer and highlight its potential as a target for HNSCC therapy, although more molecular clues are needed to better define the functions of POFUT1 related to HNSCC carcinogenesis.

Low vitamin D and high cholesterol facilitate oral carcinogenesis in 4NQO-induced rat models via regulating glycolysis.

OBJECTIVES: Diets and nutritional habits are critical during carcinogenic processes, where a diet poor in fruits and vegetables and rich in meat and other foods of animal origin facilitates carcinogenesis. In this study, we aimed at investigating the possible involvement of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and high cholesterol (HC) together in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) through modulating glycolysis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We compared total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, LDH, and vitamin D levels of OSCC patients and control individuals. We used GEO datasets for gene set enrichment and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide induced in vivo oral carcinogenesis models to investigate contribution of VDD and HC during carcinogenesis via possible modulation of glycolysis. RESULTS: We found that VDD and HC co-exist in OSCC patients, and deregulation of cholesterol and vitamin D levels results in enrichment of genes related to glycolysis. We, then, demonstrated that VDD and HC on their own and together facilitated the formation of larger tumors in 4NQO-induced in vivo cancer models, which are suppressed by glycolysis inhibition. CONCLUSION: We reported collaborative contribution of HC and VDD during oral carcinogenesis, which is mainly carried out via altering energy metabolism in tumor cells.

Mitochondrial DNA deletions in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media.

The aim of this study was to investigate the 4977 and 7400 bp deletions of mitochondrial DNA in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media and to indicate the possible association of mitochondrial DNA deletions with chronic suppurative otitis media. Thirty-six patients with chronic suppurative otitis media were randomly selected to assess the mitochondrial DNA deletions. Tympanomastoidectomy was applied for the treatment of chronic suppurative otitis media, and the curettage materials including middle ear tissues were collected. The 4977 and 7400 bp deletion regions and two control regions of mitochondrial DNA were assessed by using the four pair primers. DNA was extracted from middle ear tissues and peripheral blood samples of the patients, and then polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) were performed. PCR products were separated in 2 % agarose gel. Seventeen of 36 patients had the heterozygote 4977 bp deletion in the middle ear tissue but not in peripheral blood. There wasn't any patient who had the 7400 bp deletion in mtDNA of their middle ear tissue or peripheral blood tissue. The patients with the 4977 bp deletion had a longer duration of chronic suppurative otitis media and a higher level of hearing loss than the others (p < 0.01). Long time chronic suppurative otitis media and the reactive oxygen species can cause the mitochondrial DNA deletions and this may be a predisposing factor to sensorineural hearing loss in chronic suppurative otitis media. An antioxidant drug as a scavenger agent may be used in long-term chronic suppurative otitis media.

Effects of radiofrequency thermal ablation on the nasal cycle measured using rhinomanometry.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to research the effects of radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFTA) surgery on the nasal cycle, with anterior rhinomanometry being used for assessment. METHODS: Thirty patients with inferior concha hypertrophy and 13 healthy volunteers were included in this study. An anterior rhinomanometry was performed on each of the patients before surgery and at 1 month and 6 months after surgery, and on the volunteers in the control group, simultaneously. RESULTS: Nineteen of the 30 patients and 8 of the 13 healthy participants showed a distinct type of nasal cycle at different periods of measurement. The mean of the total nasal airflow of the patients was lower before RFTA surgery but increased at a rate of 71.07%, closer to the value of the control group, after RFTA surgery. After RFTA, the unilateral nasal airflow (fmin and fmax) values increased at ratios of 22.36% and 94.44%, respectively. The amplitude (fmax-fmin) showed a statistically significant decrease in the postoperative period (108.43 ± 54.37), when compared with that of the preoperative period (202.80 ± 81.24) (P < .01). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the RFTA is a useful method for treating inferior concha hypertrophy, because it positively affects the nasal physiology, increasing the total nasal airflow without changing the nasal cycle time.

The effects of dexamethasone and levobupivacaine on postoperative pain in modified radiofrequency assisted uvulopalatoplasty (MRAUP) surgery.

The objective of this prospective, randomized study was to evaluate the effect of pre-emptive local infiltration of lidocaine, lidocaine plus dexamethasone, levobupivacaine and levobupivacaine plus dexamethasone on postoperative pain in Modified Radiofrequency Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (MRAUP) cases. Sixty adult patients (44 males and 16 females) aged 32-51 years with simple snoring were divided into four groups. The anesthesia of the patients in the first group was achieved with lidocaine HCl, in the second group, with lidocaine HCl and dexamethasone sodium phosphate, in the third group, with levobupivacaine, and in the fourth group, levobupivacaine and dexamethasone sodium phosphate. All the patients were applied Modified Radiofrequency Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty technique. The pain experienced by the patients during swallowing and at rest on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 10th day and analgesic consumption were evaluated using standard 10 cm visual analog scales. The mean duration of operation in the group that received lidocaine HCl was 22 ± 3 min, while in the group that received levobupivacaine HCl was 27 ± 4 min. There were statistically significant differences between the groups for analgesic effects on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th day and for the amount of analgesics used, on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th day. The best results were obtained in the group that received levobupivacaine HCl and steroid (p < 0.001). Steroid and local anesthetic combinations are superior to controls in the management of postoperative pain in MRAUP surgery.

IP3R1 dysregulation via mir-200c-3p/SSFA2 axis contributes to taxol resistance in head and neck cancer.

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide. Although current modalities offer a wide variety of therapy choices, head and neck carcinoma has poor prognosis due to its diagnosis at later stages and development of resistance to current therapeutic tools. In the current study, we aimed at exploring the roles of miR-200c-3p during head and neck carcinogenesis and acquisition of taxol resistance. We analyzed miR-200c-3p levels in HNC clinical samples and cell lines using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and evaluated the effects of differential miR-200c-3p expression on cancer-related cellular phenotypes using in-vitro tools. We identified and characterized a direct target of miR-200c-3p using in-silico tools, luciferase and various in-vitro assays. We investigated potential involvement of miR-200c-3p/SSFA2 axis in taxol resistance in-vitro. We found miR-200c-3p expression as significantly downregulated in both HNC tissues and cells compared to corresponding controls. Ectopic miR-200c-3p expression in HNC cells significantly inhibited cancer-related phenotypes such as viability, clonogenicity, migration, and invasion. We, then, identified SSFA2 as a direct target of miR-200c-3p and demonstrated that overexpression of SSFA2 induced malignant phenotypes in HNC cells. Furthermore, we found reduced miR-200c-3p expression in parallel with overexpression of SSFA2 in taxol resistant HNC cells compared to parental sensitive cells. Both involved in intracellular cytoskeleton remodeling, we found that SSFA2 works collaboratively with IP3R1 to modulate resistance to taxol in HNC cells. When considered collectively, our results showed that miR-200c-3p acts as a tumor suppressor microRNA and targets SSFA2/IP3R1 axis to sensitize HNC cells to taxol.

Bioinformatics approach combined with experimental verification reveals OAS3 gene implicated in paclitaxel resistance in head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify a candidate gene associated with paclitaxel (PTX) resistance and to evaluate functionally its biological role in the PTX-resistant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines and clinical specimens. METHODS: Microarray data series containing samples of different types of cancers resistant to PTX were analyzed and then a candidate gene associated with PTX resistance was identified using various bioinformatics tools. After the suppression of the target gene expression, changes in cell viability and colony-forming ability were evaluated in PTX-resistant FaDu and SCC-9 cell lines. RESULTS: Bioinformatics analyses of upregulated genes in PTX-resistant cancer cells indicated that OAS3 was associated with PTX resistance. The downregulation of OAS3 expression significantly reduced the viability and colony-forming capacity of PTX-resistant SCC-9 cells by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase. CONCLUSIONS: The therapeutic targeting of OAS3 may resensitize PTX-resistant HNSCC cells with high OAS3 expression to PTX treatment.

AZD4547 targets the FGFR/Akt/SOX2 axis to overcome paclitaxel resistance in head and neck cancer.

PURPOSE: Development of chemoresistance is one of the major obstacles to the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The PI3K/Akt pathway, involved in drug resistance, has been found to be overactivated in > 90% of HNSCCs. Aberrant activation of the FGF receptors (FGFRs) has been reported to cause overactivation of the PI3K/Akt pathway and to be associated with the maintenance of stem cell features, which is controlled via SOX2 expression. In this study, we aimed at investigating the potential of using AZD4547, an orally bioavailable FGFR inhibitor, to overcome taxol-resistance by targeting the FGFR/Akt/SOX2 axis in HNSCC. METHODS: We initially evaluated FGFR2 and SOX2 expression using in silico tools. We analyzed the FGFR/Akt/SOX2 axis in normal/tumor tissue pairs and in recombinant FGF2 treated HNSCC cells. Next, we explored the effects of AZD4547 alone and in combination with taxol on the proliferation, migration and colony forming capacities of parental/taxol-resistant cells using in vitro models. RESULTS: We found that the p-FGFR, p-AKT, p-GSK-3ß and SOX2 expression levels were higher in tumor tissues than in its corresponding normal tissues, and that AZD4547 effectively suppressed the expression of FGFR and its downstream targets in recombinant FGF2 treated HNSCC cells. We also found that AZD4547 diminished the viability, migration and colony forming capacity of HNSCC cells, and that co-treatment with taxol potentiated the impact of taxol on these cells. Finally, we found that AZD4547 inhibited the overexpressed FGFR/Akt/SOX2 axis and profoundly suppressed cancer-related phenotypes in taxol-resistant HNSCC cells. CONCLUSION: From our data we conclude that AZD4547 may increase the impact of taxol during HNSCC treatment. We suggest AZD4547 as a therapeutic agent to overcome taxol-resistance.

Molecular Genetics and Cytotoxic Responses to Titanium Diboride and Zinc Borate Nanoparticles on Cultured Human Primary Alveolar Epithelial Cells.

Titanium diboride (TiB2) and zinc borate (Zn3BO6) have been utilized in wide spectrum industrial areas because of their favorable properties such as a high melting point, good wear resistance, high hardness and thermal conductivity. On the other hand, the biomedical potentials of TiB2 and Zn3BO6 are still unknown because there is no comprehensive analysis that uncovers their biocompatibility features. Thus, the toxicogenomic properties of TiB2 and Zn3BO6 nanoparticles (NPs) were investigated on human primary alveolar epithelial cell cultures (HPAEpiC) by using different cell viability assays and microarray analyses. Protein-Protein Interaction Networks Functional Enrichment Analysis (STRING) was used to associate differentially expressed gene probes. According to the results, up to 10 mg/L concentration of TiB2 and Zn3BO6 NPs application did not stimulate a cytotoxic effect on the HPAEpiC cell cultures. Microarray analysis revealed that TiB2 NPs exposure enhances cellular adhesion molecules, proteases and carrier protein expression. Furthermore, Zn3BO6 NPs caused differential gene expressions in the cell cycle, cell division and extracellular matrix regulators. Finally, STRING analyses put forth that inflammation, cell regeneration and tissue repair-related gene interactions were affected by TiB2 NPs application. Zn3BO6 NPs exposure significantly altered inflammation, lipid metabolism and infection response activator-related gene interactions. These investigations illustrated that TiB2 and Zn3BO6 NPs exposure may affect different aspects of cellular machineries such as immunogenic responses, tissue regeneration and cell survival. Thus, these types of cellular mechanisms should be taken into account before the use of the related NPs in further biomedical applications.

In Vitro Transcriptome Analysis of Cobalt Boride Nanoparticles on Human Pulmonary Alveolar Cells.

Nanobiotechnology influences many different areas, including the medical, food, energy, clothing, and cosmetics industries. Considering the wide usage of nanomaterials, it is necessary to investigate the toxicity potentials of specific nanosized molecules. Boron-containing nanoparticles (NPs) are attracting much interest from scientists due to their unique physicochemical properties. However, there is limited information concerning the toxicity of boron-containing NPs, including cobalt boride (Co2B) NPs. Therefore, in this study, Co2B NPs were characterized using X-ray crystallography (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) techniques. Then, we performed 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl) 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and neutral red (NR) assays for assessing cell viability against Co2B NP exposure on cultured human pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells (HPAEpiC). In addition, whole-genome microarray analysis was carried out to reveal the global gene expression differentiation of HPAEpiC cells after Co2B NP application. The cell viability tests unveiled an IC50 value for Co2B NPs of 310.353 mg/L. The results of our microarray analysis displayed 719 gene expression differentiations (FC ≥ 2) among the analyzed 40,000 genes. The performed visualization and integrated discovery (DAVID) analysis revealed that there were interactions between various gene pathways and administration of the NPs. Based on gene ontology biological processes analysis, we found that the P53 signaling pathway, cell cycle, and cancer-affecting genes were mostly affected by the Co2B NPs. In conclusion, we suggested that Co2B NPs would be a safe and effective nanomolecule for industrial applications, particularly for medical purposes.

Toxicity of Glycyl-l-Prolyl-l-Glutamate Pseudotripeptides: Cytotoxic, Oxidative, Genotoxic, and Embryotoxic Perspectives.

The tripeptide H-Gly-Pro-Glu-OH (GPE) and its analogs began to take much interest from scientists for developing effective novel molecules in the treatment of several disorders including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and stroke. The peptidomimetics of GPEs exerted significant biological properties involving anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and anticancer properties. The assessments of their hematological toxicity potentials are critically required for their possible usage in further preclinical and clinical trials against a wide range of pathological conditions. However, there is so limited information on the safety profiling of GPE and its analogs on human blood tissue from cytotoxic, oxidative, and genotoxic perspectives. And, their embryotoxicity potentials were not investigated yet. Therefore, in this study, measurements of mitochondrial viability (using MTT assay) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release as well as total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assays were performed on cultured human whole blood cells after treatment with GPE and its three novel peptidomimetics for 72 h. Sister chromatid exchange (SCE), micronucleus (MN), and 8-oxo-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) assays were performed for determining the genotoxic damage potentials. In addition, the nuclear division index (NDI) was figured out for revealing their cytostatic potentials. Embryotoxicity assessments were performed on cultured human pluripotent NT2 embryonal carcinoma cells by MTT and LDH assays. The present results from cytotoxicity, oxidative, genotoxicity, and embryotoxicity testing clearly propounded that GPEs had good biosafety profiles and were trouble-free from the toxicological point of view. Noncytotoxic, antioxidative, nongenotoxic, noncytostatic, and nonembryotoxic features of GPE analogs are worthwhile exploring further and may exert high potentials for improving the development of novel disease-modifying agents.

Is There an Association Between Nasal Polyposis and ADAMTS Genes Expressions?

OBJECTIVE: Nasal polyposis (NP) is an inflammatory chronic disease in which polyps are located in the nose or paranasal sinuses. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) genes have roles in vascular biology, inflammation, tissue morphogenesis, and pathophysiological remodeling. Therefore, some members of the ADAMTS gene family may contribute to pathogenesis of NPs. This study aimed to detect the potential relation between NP and the expression levels of ADAMTS 5, 8, and 9 genes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study consisted of nasal polyp tissues from 34 patients in whom nasal polyps had been diagnosed clinically, and healthy nasal mucosal tissues from 14 controls. RNA was isolated from the nasal polyps and normal nasal mucosal tissue in each subject. The expression levels of ADAMTS 5, 8, and 9 genes in the patients and controls were detected by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) method. RESULTS: The expression levels of ADAMTS 5 and 9 genes were significantly decreased in NP tissues. In contrast, the expression levels of ADAMTS 8 genes were also decreased in NP tissues, but they were not significantly different from those in the normal nasal tissues. CONCLUSION: An association was detected between the expression levels of ADAMTS genes and NP. ADAMTS 5 and 9 genes may have an effect on the formation of NP.

Are Vitamin D Levels Associated With Risk of Deep Neck Infection?

Deep neck infection (DNI) refers to infections in spaces created by superficial and deep cervical fascia around the muscles and organs in the neck. Vitamin D is highly important for an effective immune system. Vitamin D receptors (VDR) have been identified in immune system cells, and particularly in T and B lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Vitamin D deficiency is thought to result in impaired immune response, decreased leukocyte chemotaxis, and an increased disposition to infection. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether vitamin D deficiency is an underlying occult factor in the development of DNI. Sixty-five patients aged 6 to 90, diagnosed with DNI, and 70 healthy age- and sex-compatible cases were included in the study. Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, and 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) were determined in each case. 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels above 20 ng/mL were regarded as normal, 12 to 20 ng/mL as insufficient, 5 to 12 ng/mL as deficient, and less than 5 ng/mL as severely deficient. Mean serum 25(OH)D levels were 10.4 (6.2) ng/mL in the patient group and 15.5 (6.4) ng/mL in the control group (P < .01). This difference was statistically significant (P < .01). Vitamin D was within normal limits in 9.2% (n = 6) of cases in the study group, insufficient in 29.2% (n = 19), deficient in 35.3% (n = 23), and severely deficient in 26.2% (n = 17). The equivalent values in the control group were 21.4% (n = 15), 48.5% (n = 34), 30% (n = 21), and 0% (n = 0). Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in patients with DNI compared to the healthy cases; 25(OH)D levels may be a factor in the development of DNI.

Protective Effect of Carvacrol against Paclitaxel-Induced Ototoxicity in Rat Model.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore whether carvacrol (CV) had a protective effect on paclitaxel-induced ototoxicity from biochemical, functional, and histopathological perspectives. METHODS: Forty Wistar albino male rats were randomly separated into five groups of eight rats. Group 1 was the control group, so Paclitaxel or CV was not administered. Group 2 was administered i.p. CV at 25 mg/kg once a week; Group 3, was administered i.p. paclitaxel at 5 mg/kg once a week; Group 4 was administered i.p. paclitaxel at 5 mg/kg followed (30 min later) by CV at 25 mg/kg once a week; and Group 5 was administered i.p. CV at 25 mg/kg followed (1 day later) by paclitaxel at 5 mg/kg. once a week. The drugs were administered intraperitoneally once a week for four consecutive weeks, and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) tests were performed at the beginning of the study before the first drug administration and at the end of the study after the last drug administration. All rats were sacrificed, and cochleae were removed for biochemical and histopathological analysis. RESULTS: Biochemical data indicated that paclitaxel caused oxidative stress in the cochlea. Histopathological findings revealed the loss of outer hair cells in the organ of Corti (CO) and moderate degenerative changes in the stria vascularis (SV). It was observed that DPOAE measurements were significantly reduced at high frequencies. In groups which CV was administered together with paclitaxel, these biochemical, histopathological, and functional changes were favorably reversed. CONCLUSION: CV may have a protective effect against paclitaxel-induced ototoxicity when given.

5-HT7 receptorsare over-expressed in patients with nasal polyps.

Nasal polyposis (NP) is an inflammatory disease of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity. The primary purpose of our study is to determine the expression of 5-HT7 receptors both in nasal polyps and in healthy tissue in the nasal cavity. The subsequent aim is to compare the expression of 5-HT7 receptors in patients with NP and in inferior turbinate tissue (control).The study included 60 participants (40 with NP and 20 controls) aged 35 to 62 years. Nasal polyp samples were collected from all patients and relative 5-HT7 receptor expression analyses were performed. RT-PCR analysis of nasal polyps and control tissue identified 5-HT7 receptor expression in the nasal cavities of controls. This expression was approximately 67 times higher in nasal polyp tissue than in healthy tissue. Our study identifies the expression of 5-HT7 receptors in the nasal cavity for the first time. It is also the first demonstration of increased 5-HT7 receptor expression in tissue from nasal polyps, which occur in the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity.

Primary hypogonadism, partial alopecia, and Mullerian hypoplasia: report of a third family and review.

Two sisters presented with partial alopecia, primary hypergonadotropic hypogonadism and Mullerian hypoplasia associated with mild mental retardation, microcephaly, flat occiput, sparse eyebrows, absence of breast tissue, absent ovaries, mild-moderate dorsal kyphosis, thin upper lip and unilateral sensorioneural deafness in one of them. They were the product of a Turkish consanguineous marriage. The clinical course for our patients is similar to two families reported by Al-Awadi et al. [Al-Awadi et al. (1985) Am J Med Genet 22:619-622] and Megarbane et al. [Megarbane et al. (2003) Am J Med Genet Part A 119A:214-217]. This report supports the literature by proposing an autosomal recessive syndrome which was firstly reported by Al-Awadi et al. [Al-Awadi et al. (1985) Am J Med Genet 22:619-622]. This condition may be due to a founder mutation.

Treatment of primary snoring using modified radiofrequency-assisted uvulopalatoplasty.

Snoring is a common complaint, especially among the elderly individuals. In the treatment of snoring, many options, surgical or nonsurgical, are available. In this randomized study, we used a modified technique including some components of radiofrequency-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (RAUP) and Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty UPPP (modified-RAUP, MRAUP) and RAUP in a control group. A total of 60 patients (58 male and 2 female), 30 in each group (MRAUP and RAUP groups), with an average age of 38 +/- 9 years were included in the study. In the MRAUP group, in addition to the modified surgery, preoperative steroid injection was used as a preemptive analgesic and pre-incisional steroid injection and closure of the edges of the incision were performed to achieve better relief of pain. Snoring score, pain at rest and during swallowing, analgesic consumption and speech score were evaluated using standard 10 cm visual analog scales (VAS). Operation time and other complications were recorded. The patients in the MRAUP group had better pain scores, both at rest and during swallowing, and less analgesic consumption. Although operation time was longer in the MRAUP group compared to that of the RAUP group, snoring score, evaluated from day 1 to the 6th month after operation, was significantly better in the MRAUP group. Postoperative speech scores at each visit were similar in both groups. In the MRAUP group, 87% of the patients (26 patients) had a final VAS for snoring below 3, while in the RAUP group 63% of the patients (19 patients) were below 3 on the scale (P < 0.05). Thus, MRAUP seems to be a promising technique for surgery as a treatment for snoring.

Sinonasal Burkitt lymphoma presenting as a nasal polyposis in a pregnant woman.

The incidence of Burkitt lymphoma (BL) during pregnancy is rare. We report a case of nasal BL with symptoms mimicking chronic rhinosinusitis and extensive unilateral polyposis in a pregnant woman. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery was performed. Histopathologic examination suggested a BL, and chemotherapy was initiated. She was not given radiotherapy. She has kept free of disease for 9 months since the completion of treatment. When a physician is confronted with unusual localization among the polypoid tissue described here, a complete differential diagnosis must be done.