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Objectives: Disruption of the oxidative stress defense system is involved in developing various diseases. Sulfur compounds such as glutathione (GSH) and cysteine (CysSH) are representative antioxidants in the body. Recently, supersulfides, including reactive persulfide and polysulfide species, have gained attention as potent antioxidants regulating oxidative stress and redox signaling. However, their involvement in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) remains unclear. Methods: To clarify the changes in sulfur compounds within the sinus mucosa of each CRS subtype, we measured sulfur compound levels in the sinus mucosa of control individuals (n = 9), patients with eosinophilic CRS (ECRS) (n = 13), and those with non‐ECRS (nECRS) (n = 11) who underwent sinus surgery using mass spectrometry. Results: GSH and CysSH levels were significantly reduced, and the glutathione disulfide (GSSG)/GSH ratio, an oxidative stress indicator, was increased in patients with ECRS. Despite the absence of notable variations in supersulfides, patients with ECRS and nECRS exhibited a significant reduction in glutathione trisulfide (GSSSG), which serves as the precursor for supersulfides. Conclusions: This study is the first quantitative assessment of supersulfides in normal and inflamed sinus mucosa, suggesting that sulfur compounds contribute to the pathogenesis of CRS. Level of Evidence: N/A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) comprises several heterogenous groups, now classified based on endotype more often than on phenotype. A number of studies aimed at finding a useful biomarker for type 2 CRS suggest that periostin is a promising surrogate. A comprehensive overview of the clinical significance of tissue periostin expression and serum periostin in CRS patients is provided. The effects of comorbid asthma on serum periostin and samples other than serum in which periostin can be detected in CRS patients are also discussed. Moreover, the functional roles of periostin in CRS pathogenesis are summarized. The position of periostin as a signature biomarker of type 2 CRS has been well established, enabling us to classify CRS patients by endotyping. Serum periostin is useful not only for endotyping CRS patients, but also for estimating disease severity, comorbidity, prognosis, and response to treatment, and in particular, predicting recurrence after surgery. However, it remains to be addressed how we apply serum periostin to using biologics for CRS patients. Further studies aimed at showing periostin to be a therapeutic target for CRS are awaited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Congenital infection with Toxoplasma gondii is known to result in neurological and brain disorders including ophthalmic disorders later in life. Research in Ghana revealed high sero-prevalence among pregnant women and eye patients. This study determines the risk of congenital transmission of T. gondii infection in Accra, Ghana. Methods One hundred consented pregnant women aged 18-45 years (mean 29.85 ± 5.76) participated. Venous blood and tissue samples were taken from the maternal side of each placenta after delivery. Cord blood samples were also taken after they were separated from the infants. Finger-prick blood was taken from infants of participating women at 2 or 6 weeks post-natal. ELISA was used to detect T. gondii antibodies in all blood samples while Nested-PCR was used to detect T. gondii DNA from placental tissues. Data was analysed using SPSS v. 16. Results Overall, 37.6 % of maternal blood, 39.5 % of umbilical cord blood, and 57.5 % of post-natal infant blood were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG. No anti-T. gondii IgM was detected in any of those samples. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in 39.8 % of placental tissue samples. Strong association was observed in the occurrence of placental T. gondii DNA and anti-T. gondii IgG positive women (ø = 0.810, p < 0.00001) as well as high Relative risk shown in the likelihood of foetal exposure to infection in latently-infected women (RR 10.39; CI 4.47-24.17; p < 0.00001). Conclusions for Practice The presence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies only, and T. gondii DNA in placental tissues indicate the women might have been infected early during the pregnancy, placing about 39.8 % of the babies at risk. These results can strongly influence policy to screen and treat pregnant women for T. gondii infection., Author(s): Kofi Dadzie Kwofie[sup.1] [sup.2] , Anita Ghansah[sup.1] , Joseph Harold Nyarko Osei[sup.1] , Kwadwo Kyereme Frempong[sup.1] , Samuel Obed[sup.3] , Eric H. Frimpong[sup.2] , Daniel A. Boakye[sup.1] , Takashi [...]

Branchial cleft cysts (BCCs) are common in daily practice, however, BCC patients suffer aesthetic problems due to postoperative scars on visible parts after surgery. To analyze the feasibility, surgical outcomes and possible risks and complications encountered during a facelift procedure for patients with BCC. This retrospective analysis examined patients who had undergone surgery for branchial cleft cyst using a facelift procedure (n = 16) or conventional transcervical resection (n = 20) at our institutes between April 2015 and August 2021. There was no significant difference between the groups that underwent the facelift procedure or conventional transcervical resection as to the average size of the cysts, operating time, bleeding, drain out, or recurrence. None of the patients needed to switch from the facelift procedure to conventional transcervical resection. In all the patients in the facelift procedure group, postoperative scars were fully concealed by the auricle and hair. However, four patients in the facelift procedure group experienced a transient auricular complication after surgery. The facelift procedure provides adequate visualization, workspace and excellent cosmetic results in suitably selected cases with BCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The olfactory epithelium can regenerate after damage; however, the regeneration process is affected by various factors, such as viral infections, head trauma, and medications. Zinc is an essential trace element that has important roles in organ development, growth, and maturation. Zinc also helps regulate neurotransmission in the brain; nevertheless, its relationship with olfactory epithelium regeneration remains unclear. Therefore, we used a severe zinc deficiency mouse model to investigate the effects of zinc deficiency on olfactory epithelium regeneration. Male wild-type C57BL/6 mice were divided into zinc-deficient and control diet groups at the age of 4 weeks, and methimazole was administered at the age of 8 weeks to induce severe olfactory epithelium damage. We evaluated the olfactory epithelium before and 7, 14, and 28 days after methimazole administration by histologically analyzing paraffin sections. RNA sequencing was also performed at the age of 8 weeks before methimazole administration to examine changes in gene expression caused by zinc deficiency. In the zinc-deficient group, the regenerated olfactory epithelium thickness was decreased at all time points, and the numbers of Ki-67-positive, GAP43-positive, and olfactory marker protein-positive cells (i.e. proliferating cells, immature olfactory neurons, and mature olfactory neurons, respectively) failed to increase at some time points. Additionally, RNA sequencing revealed several changes in gene expression, such as a decrease in the expression of extracellular matrix-related genes and an increase in that of inflammatory response-related genes, in the zinc-deficient group. Therefore, zinc deficiency delays olfactory epithelium regeneration after damage in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The commonest sites for liposarcoma are the retroperitoneum and lower extremities. Liposarcoma of the head and neck region is a rare and potentially life-threatening malignancy. Tumors originating in the right cervical space cause special diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. In the present report, we describe a case of differentiated liposarcoma of the right cervical region. The tumor continued to grow slowly over 3 years before a definitive diagnosis was established. Extended extirpation of the tumor was performed and proved efficacious in that no recurrence has been observed for 4 years. Recommendations for earlier and accurate diagnosis and treatment of this rare neoplasm are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective/Hypothesis: Middle ear cholesteatoma is characterized by abnormal growth of the keratinizing squamous epithelium of the temporal bone. d‐β‐aspartic acid is the major isomer of d‐aspartic acid found in elderly tissue. We assessed the immunoreactivity to k‐β‐aspartic acid of congenital and acquired middle ear cholesteatomas. Study Design: Case–control studies. Material and Methods: Tissue samples were collected from 21 patients comprising 21 ears with congenital middle ear cholesteatoma and 26 patients comprising 29 ears with acquired type. Their clinical and histopathological features were investigated. We divided the middle ear cholesteatoma samples into three layers: the perimatrix, matrix, and cystic contents. The patterns of immunoreactivity to d‐β‐aspartic acid expression were then assessed immunohistochemically. Results: Two patterns of immunoreactivity to d‐β‐aspartic acid were detected in middle ear cholesteatoma: infiltrative and diffuse. In congenital middle ear cholesteatoma, d‐β‐aspartic acid expression was observed throughout all the layers (perimatrix, matrix, and cystic contents), and immunoreactivity to d‐β‐aspartic acid was dramatically strong in all layers. The expression levels of d‐β‐aspartic acid to the cystic content and perimatrix were significantly higher in congenital middle ear cholesteatoma than in the acquired type. Conclusions: This study showed the expression levels of d‐β‐aspartic acid in middle ear cholesteatoma to differ significantly between congenital and acquired middle ear cholesteatoma. Our results indicate that overexpression of d‐β‐aspartic acid is likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of cholesteatoma, and we speculate that d‐β‐aspartic acid could be a novel biomarker for, and a therapeutic target in, congenital and acquired middle ear cholesteatoma. Level of Evidence: 4 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Plunging ranula intruding into the cervical region is rare and a standard therapy has not yet been consolidated. This paper investigates the outcomes and side effects of OK-432 treatment in patients with a ranula extending into the cervical region. Methods: The study design and setting consisted of a planned data collection at Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University and Fukase Clinic. Eight patients with ranula extending into the cervical region received OK-432 treatment between January 2016 and February 2019. OK-432 treatment was performed for patients with ranula extending into the cervical region. Results: In all patients, a total shrinkage and marked reduction in lesions were observed without local scars or deformations after OK-432 treatment. Complications were local swelling and mild fever (37.5–38.5 °C), which lasted a few days in half of the patients. Conclusions: OK-432 treatment is straightforward, secure, and efficacious and can be substituted for surgery in the treatment of ranula extending into the cervical region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]