Association between CYP1B1 gene polymorphisms and risk factors and susceptibility to laryngeal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between polymorphism of the cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) gene, a metabolic enzyme gene, and the susceptibility to laryngeal cancer among the Chinese Han population. MATERIAL/METHODS: In a case-control study, we investigated polymorphisms in the CYP1B1 gene (rs10012, rs1056827, and rs1056836) with a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay (TaqMan). The study was conducted with 300 Chinese Han patients with laryngeal cancer and 300 healthy Chinese Han subjects in a control group. We also studied the interactions between genetic polymorphism and risk factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption in the pathogenesis of laryngeal cancer. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in the distributions of the rs1056827 and rs1056836 genotypes between the 2 groups. Regarding rs1056827, carriers of the T allele had a significantly higher risk of laryngeal cancer than the G-allele carriers (OR=1.4339, 95% CI: 1.1268-1.8247; P=0.0034). The difference was still statistically significant after adjusting for factors such as age, sex, smoking, and drinking (adjusted OR=1.743, 95% CI: 1.124-3.743, P<0.001). However, regarding rs1056836, the G allele carriers had a significantly lower risk of laryngeal cancer than the C allele carriers (OR=0.5557, 95% CI: 0.3787-0.8154; P=0.0027). The difference was statistically significant even after adjusting for factors such as age, sex, smoking, and drinking (adjusted OR=0.5641, 95% CI: 0.3212-0.8121, P=0.001). Subjects who carry the C-T-C haplotype have a significantly increased incidence of laryngeal cancer. We also found that CYP1B1 rs1056827 polymorphism had synergistic effects with smoking or alcohol consumption regarding the risk of laryngeal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: CYP1B1 gene polymorphism is closely related to the onset of laryngeal cancer. There is a mutually synergistic effect between smoking, alcohol consumption, and CYP1B1 gene polymorphisms regarding laryngeal cancer.

Classification of non-allergic rhinitis based on inflammatory characteristics.

The study aims to investigate nasal and lower airway inflammation in patients with non-allergic rhinitis (NAR), and to discuss a method of NAR classification based on inflammatory characteristics and its clinical significance. A total of 117 NAR patients admitted to our hospital from June 2010 to June 2011 were enrolled in this study, 162 healthy participants were employed as healthy controls. Nasal and lower airway inflammation were evaluated using the skin prick test, nasal and pulmonary visual analogue scale scoring, cell blood count, nasal douche, induced sputum assay, nasal provocation test, and bronchial provocation test. Compared to the healthy controls, NAR patients have significant higher levels of nasal douche eosinophils, more induced sputum eosinophils as well as blood eosinophils, and higher rates of nasal and bronchial provocation. Patient with high level of eosinophil in nasal douch tended to be with higher concentrations of eosinophils in induced sputum. Scores on the nasal and bronchial provocation tests are also correlated to each other. Among all NAR patients, 28 cases (23.9%) were with no abnormality detectable by eosinophil measurement or a provocation test, 39 cases (33.3%) were with elevated levels of eosinophils, and 50 cases (42.7%) exhibited a nasal provocation response. Based on this, all studied NAR cases were classified into 3 groups: non-specific type (group A, 28/117), increased eosinophil type (group B, 39/117), and hyper-reactive type (group C, 50/117). Some NAR cases may be considered as systemic inflammatory disease characterized by increased nasal eosinophil and nasal hyperreactivity.

Isolated frontal sinusitis treated using an anterior-to-ethmoidal bulla surgical approach.

Traditional frontal sinus surgery is associated with a significant trauma. Herein, we have discussed the feasibility, technique, and efficacy of a minimally invasive anterior-to-ethmoidal bulla surgical approach performed under nasal endoscopy to treat isolated frontal sinusitis. Fifteen patients with isolated frontal sinusitis underwent the anterior-to-ethmoidal bulla surgical procedure under general anesthesia. The opening of the frontal sinus was located by frontal mini-trephination in 1 patient. The effects of the operation were evaluated by regular postoperative follow-up. The average postoperative follow-up period was 12.7 months (range 6-24 months). The postoperative symptom of headache was completely resolved in all 15 patients, and 12 patients had good opening of the frontal sinus and complete epithelization was observed by nasal endoscopy. The frontal sinus of 3 patients was not opened, but these patients did not show subjective symptoms. The anterior-to-ethmoidal bulla surgical approach is ideal for isolated frontal sinusitis.

Repair of ear cartilage defects with allogenic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in rabbits.

The study aims to investigate the feasibility of repairing cartilaginous defects with chondrocytes induced from allogenic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSC) in rabbits' ear. BMMSCs were isolated and purified from New Zealand rabbits, in vitro amplified, and cultured in chondrocyte induction medium in order to acquire chondrocytes. After 3 weeks of induction, their phenotypes were confirmed as chondrocytes, then they were implanted onto novel polymeric scaffolds made from Poly (dl-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) embedded with chitosan nonwoven cloth. The experimental group was transplanted with tissue engineering cartilaginous grafts composed of chondrogenetic BMMSC/scaffolds; the scaffold group was treated with scaffolds without cells, while in the control group, nothing was implanted. Specimens were taken at 6, 12, and 18 weeks after implantation, and the healing condition was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and toluidine blue staining. The right and left ears with cartilage defects of eighteen rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. In the experimental group, after 18 weeks of transplantation, the gross observation indicated that the cartilaginous defects were completely repaired by chondrocytes with smooth surface and similar color with the surrounding tissue. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and toluidine blue staining suggested that the defective area was filled with mature cartilage cells with obvious lacunae but without obvious boundaries with the normal cartilage tissue, and that the new cartilage cells were evenly distributed with homogeneously dyed cytoplasm and smaller in size. The chondrocyte induced from allogenic BMMSC can be used to repair cartilage defects in rabbit's ear.

Haplotype analysis of the XRCC1 gene and laryngeal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Several polymorphisms in DNA repair genes have been extensively studied in association with various human cancers, including laryngeal cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the association between polymorphisms of the XRCC1 gene and laryngeal cancer in a Chinese population. METHODS: Five polymorphisms of the XRCC1 gene (rs3213403, rs1799778, rs1001581, rs3213282, and rs3810378) were genotyped by TaqMan in 234 patients with larynx cancer and 230 age- and sex-matched controls without cancer. RESULTS: The rs3213403, rs1799778, and rs3213282 polymorphisms of XRCC1 were associated with larynx cancer. Haplotype analysis indicated that CCA (odds ratio [OR], 5.707; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.277-9.938; p<0.001), TGG (OR, 4.344; 95% CI, 2.804-6.732; p<0.001), ACA (OR, 1.615; 95% CI, 1.159-2.250; p=0.004), and GCG (OR, 1.702; 95% CI, 1.164-2.489; p=0.005) were associated with an increased risk for larynx cancer, respectively. However, TGA (OR, 0.518; 95% CI, 0.398-0.673; p<0.001) and ACC (OR, 0.314; 95% CI, 0.215-0.457; p<0.001) were associated with a decreased risk for larynx cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that XRCC1 genetic polymorphisms were associated with larynx cancer in a Chinese population.

Combination of autologous fascia lata and fat injection into the vocal fold via the cricothyroid gap for unilateral vocal fold paralysis.

OBJECTIVES: To apply the technique of injection of a combination of autologous fascia lata and fat into the vocal fold via the cricothyroid gap for unilateral vocal fold paralysis and to evaluate the therapeutic effect in 12 patients who underwent the procedure. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of 12 patients. SETTING: Academic research. PATIENTS: A mixture of autologous fascia lata and fat was injected into the thyroarytenoid muscle of the paralyzed vocal fold in 12 patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Videolaryngostroboscopy was performed to observe the changes to the vocal fold. The patients' phonatory function before and after surgery was assessed by computerized acoustic analysis and by blinded perceptual evaluation. RESULTS: Videolaryngostroboscopy demonstrated that the paralyzed vocal folds in these patients were pushed medially after the procedure. Statistically significant improvements were found in the perturbation measurements (jitter and shimmer), harmonics to noise ratio, and maximum phonation time. Ratings by a panel of voice experts also showed each voice to be statistically significantly improved after the procedure. No complications were noted. CONCLUSION: A combination of autologous fascia lata and fat injected into the vocal fold for unilateral vocal fold paralysis is a safe and effective therapy.

[Endonasal anatomy of lacrimal sac and its clinical significance in dacryocystorhinostomy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the intranasal surface localization of the lacrimal sac in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. METHODS: Fifteen adult cadavers (30 sides) were studied, the data of projection position of the lacrimal sac on the lateral wall of nasal cavity were measured. RESULTS: In 2/3 cadavers, the lacrimal sac is located above the axilla of the middle turbinate, and 1/3 lies below it. A majority of the lacrimal sac (2/3) are located below the entry point of the common lacrimal canaliculus, about 1/3 lies above it. Inner canthal ligament projects on the middle of the lacrimal sac, almost equal to the level of common lacrimal canaliculus. Thirty-two cases (thirty-nine sides) of chronic dacryocystitis were followed-up > 6 months after operation. Thirty-five sides were cured, 2 sides improved and 2 sides ineffective. The cure rate was 89.8%, improve rate 5.1% and ineffective rate 5.1%, respectively, and the total effective rate was 94.9%. CONCLUSIONS: The central position of dacryocystorhinostomy should be 0.2 cm above the front of the axilla of the middle turbinate, to make an curved mucous membrane incision 0.8 cm above and 0. 4 cm below the front of the axilla of the middle turbinate and bone ostium about 1.2 cm x 1.0 cm. It is the best position in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. Locating the inner canthal ligament with a bayonet type forceps to find the projection of lacrimal sac is also a simple and easy method.