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Zusammenfassung Einleitung Die SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie hat an den Universitätskliniken für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde (HNO) zu tiefgreifenden Einschränkungen im Bereich der Krankenversorgung und der studentischen Lehre geführt. Die Auswirkungen auf den Bereich Forschung sind dagegen uneinheitlich. Zur Einordnung der pandemiebedingten Effekte auf die Forschung wurde die Entwicklung der Anzahl der wissenschaftlichen Publikationen der HNO-Universitätskliniken in Deutschland vor und während der Pandemie analysiert. Material und Methoden Es wurde die Publikationsleistung aus den Jahren 2015–2020 der derzeitigen 39 Klinikdirektoren mithilfe einer Literaturrecherche (PubMed) erhoben. Eingeschlossen wurden alle Nennungen der Klinikdirektoren als Erst-, Letzt- oder Co-Autor einer Arbeit. Es wurde die absolute und relative Entwicklung der Publikationsleistung jedes Autors ermittelt und statistisch ausgewertet. Ergebnisse Die Literaturrecherche ergab 2420 Publikationen. Zwischen 2015 und 2019 wurden pro Jahr durchschnittlich 368 Publikationen von allen Autoren veröffentlicht. 2020 stieg diese Zahl um 57,9 % auf 581 Publikationen an. Während zwischen 2015 und 2019 die Anzahl der monatlichen Publikationen konstant blieb, zeigte sich ab Mai 2020 ein deutlicher Anstieg bis zu einem Maximum von 74 Veröffentlichungen im September 2020. 34 Arbeiten (5,9 %) aus dem Jahr 2020 wiesen einen thematischen Bezug zur SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie auf, wobei 7 dieser Arbeiten (20,6 %) durch standortübergreifende Veröffentlichungen entstanden sind. Schlussfolgerung Im Jahr 2020 konnte die Zahl der wissenschaftlichen Publikationen auf mehr als das 1,5-fache der Veröffentlichungen der Vorjahre gesteigert werden. Diese Steigerung stand in einem deutlichen zeitlichen Zusammenhang zur Reduktion der elektiven Krankenversorgung während der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie ab Mitte März 2020. Wahrscheinlich haben freie zeitliche Kapazitäten diese gesteigerte Publikationsleistung ermöglicht. Unsere Ergebnisse belegen das große wissenschaftliche Potenzial der universitären HNO-Kliniken, das trotz der Pandemie erfolgreich umgesetzt werden konnte.

Purpose Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replicates predominantly in the upper respiratory tract and is primarily transmitted by droplets and aerosols. Taking the medical history for typical COVID-19 symptoms and PCR-based SARS-CoV-2 testing have become established as screening procedures. The aim of this work was to describe the clinical appearance of SARS-CoV-2-PCR positive patients and to determine the SARS-CoV-2 contact risk for health care workers (HCW). Methods The retrospective study included n = 2283 SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests from n = 1725 patients with otorhinolaryngological (ORL) diseases performed from March to November 2020 prior to inpatient treatment. In addition, demographic data and medical history were assessed. Results n = 13 PCR tests (0.6%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The positive rate showed a significant increase during the observation period (p n = 4) or had symptoms that were interpreted as symptoms typical of the ORL disease or secondary diagnoses (n = 9). Conclusion The identification of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients is a considerable challenge in clinical practice. Our findings illustrate that taking a medical history alone is of limited value and cannot replace molecular SARS-CoV-2 testing, especially for patients with ORL diseases. Our data also demonstrate that there is a high probability of contact with SARS-CoV-2-positive patients in everyday clinical practice, so that the use of personal protective equipment, even in apparently “routine cases”, is highly recommended.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to profound limitations in patient care and student teaching at the University Hospitals of Otorhinolaryngology (ORL). In contrast, the impact on research has been variable. To classify the pandemic-related effect on research, the development of the number of scientific publications of the German ORL university hospitals before and during the pandemic was analyzed.The publication performance between 2015 and 2020 of the 39 current chairmen was surveyed using a literature search (Pubmed). All entries relating to the chairmen of the university hospital as first, last or co-author were included. The absolute and relative development of each author's publication performance was determined and evaluated using nonparametric statistical methods.A total of 2420 publications could be documented. From 2015 to 2019, an average of 368 publications were published per year. In 2020, this number increased by 57.9 % to 581 publications. While the number of monthly publications remained constant between 2015 and 2019, a significant increase was seen from May 2020 up to a maximum of 74 publications in September 2020. In 2020, 34 articles (5.9 %) had a thematic relation to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, with 7 of these papers (20.6 %) resulting from cross-site publications.In 2020, the number of scientific publications was raised to more than 1.5 times the usual annual publications. This increase was clearly related in time to the reduction of elective patient care during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic starting in mid-March 2020. Probably, free time capacities enabled this increased publication output. Our results confirm the great scientific potential of the ORL university hospitals, which has been successfully implemented despite the pandemic.Die SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie hat an den Universitätskliniken für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde (HNO) zu tiefgreifenden Einschränkungen im Bereich der Krankenversorgung und der studentischen Lehre geführt. Die Auswirkungen auf den Bereich Forschung sind dagegen uneinheitlich. Zur Einordnung der pandemiebedingten Effekte auf die Forschung wurde die Entwicklung der Anzahl der wissenschaftlichen Publikationen der HNO-Universitätskliniken in Deutschland vor und während der Pandemie analysiert.Es wurde die Publikationsleistung aus den Jahren 2015–2020 der derzeitigen 39 Klinikdirektoren mithilfe einer Literaturrecherche (PubMed) erhoben. Eingeschlossen wurden alle Nennungen der Klinikdirektoren als Erst-, Letzt- oder Co-Autor einer Arbeit. Es wurde die absolute und relative Entwicklung der Publikationsleistung jedes Autors ermittelt und statistisch ausgewertet.Die Literaturrecherche ergab 2420 Publikationen. Zwischen 2015 und 2019 wurden pro Jahr durchschnittlich 368 Publikationen von allen Autoren veröffentlicht. 2020 stieg diese Zahl um 57,9 % auf 581 Publikationen an. Während zwischen 2015 und 2019 die Anzahl der monatlichen Publikationen konstant blieb, zeigte sich ab Mai 2020 ein deutlicher Anstieg bis zu einem Maximum von 74 Veröffentlichungen im September 2020. 34 Arbeiten (5,9 %) aus dem Jahr 2020 wiesen einen thematischen Bezug zur SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie auf, wobei 7 dieser Arbeiten (20,6 %) durch standortübergreifende Veröffentlichungen entstanden sind.Im Jahr 2020 konnte die Zahl der wissenschaftlichen Publikationen auf mehr als das 1,5-fache der Veröffentlichungen der Vorjahre gesteigert werden. Diese Steigerung stand in einem deutlichen zeitlichen Zusammenhang zur Reduktion der elektiven Krankenversorgung während der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie ab Mitte März 2020. Wahrscheinlich haben freie zeitliche Kapazitäten diese gesteigerte Publikationsleistung ermöglicht. Unsere Ergebnisse belegen das große wissenschaftliche Potenzial der universitären HNO-Kliniken, das trotz der Pandemie erfolgreich umgesetzt werden konnte.

The treatment of patients with severe hearing loss or deafness with a cochlear implant (CI) represents a standard in Germany today. However, there is hardly any data on the current number of clinical CI centers (CI clinics) and their geographical distribution. The patient self-help organization, German Cochlear Implant Society (DCIG), and the German Society for Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (DGHNO-KHC) have therefore initiated a survey to determine the regional distribution, the range of services, the consideration of existing quality standards and cooperation with patient self-help organizations of the individual clinical CI centers.For this purpose, a total number of 170 ENT departments or their directors (37 professors and 133 chief physicians), respectively, were contacted by e-mail and provided with a questionnaire. The survey took place from October 2019 to February 2020.Of the 170 departments contacted, 71 (41.8 %) took part in the survey. Of these, 70 departments (98.6 %) confirmed to perform CI surgeries. Thus, 41.8 % of all clinics contacted reported to perform CI surgeries (70 of 170 clinics), while this information was not available from 99 clinics. All 70 clinical CI centers (100 %) reported to conduct CI surgeries on adults, 60 centers (85.7 %) also on children ( 18 years). 36 departments (51.4 %) reported that the total number of CI surgeries at their facility in 2018 was more than 50. In 64 departments (91.4 %), the recommendations of the DGHNO-KHC on CI care (according to the White Paper CI care 2018) were followed. A collaboration between the department and patient self-help organization was confirmed by 67 institutions (95.7 %). The geographical distribution of the clinical CI centers showed a heterogeneous distribution pattern between the individual federal states and also within the respective federal state.The work presented here is a first assessment of the situation with regard to the regional distribution of clinical CI centers in Germany. A clustering of CI centers was noticeable in metropolitan areas, sometimes with several facilities in one city. The predominant attention to quality-related aspects, such as the consideration of the DGHNO-KHC white paper and the cooperation with patient self-help, is gratifying. The limitations of the study result from limited participation in the survey (41.8 % of the contacted clinics).Die Versorgung von Patienten mit einer hochgradigen Schwerhörigkeit oder Taubheit mit einem Cochlea-Implantat (CI) stellt heute in Deutschland einen Standard dar. Umso überraschender ist es, dass kaum Daten zur aktuellen Anzahl der CI-versorgenden Einrichtungen (CI-Kliniken) und zu deren geografischer Verteilung existieren. Der Selbsthilfeverband Deutsche Cochlea Implantat Gesellschaft (DCIG) e. V. und die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie (DGHNO-KHC) haben daher eine Umfrage zur Erfassung der regionalen Verteilung, des Leistungsspektrums, der Berücksichtigung existierender Qualitätsstandards sowie der Zusammenarbeit mit Patientenselbsthilfe-Organisationen der einzelnen CI-versorgenden Einrichtungen initiiert.Hierfür wurden insgesamt 170 Kliniken für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde bzw. deren ärztliche Leiter (37 Lehrstuhlinhaber und 133 Chefärzte) per E-Mail kontaktiert und mittels Fragebogens befragt. Die Befragung erfolgte von Oktober 2019 bis Februar 2020.Von den 170 kontaktierten Kliniken nahmen 71 (41,8 %) an der Umfrage teil. Hiervon bestätigten 70 Kliniken (98,6 %), CI-Operationen durchzuführen. Damit gaben 41,8 % aller kontaktierten Kliniken an, CI-Operationen durchzuführen (70 von 170 Kliniken), während diese Information von 99 Kliniken nicht verfügbar war. Alle 70 CI-versorgenden Einrichtungen (100 %) gaben an, CI-Operationen an Erwachsenen, 60 Kliniken (85,7 %) ebenfalls bei Kindern ( 18 Jahre) durchzuführen. 36 Kliniken (51,4 %) berichteten, dass die Gesamtanzahl der CI-Operationen an ihrer Einrichtung im Jahr 2018 mehr als 50 betrug. In 64 Kliniken (91,4 %) werden, nach den erhobenen Daten, die Empfehlungen der DGHNO-KHC zur CI-Versorgung (gemäß Weißbuch CI-Versorgung, Stand 2018) berücksichtigt. Eine Zusammenarbeit der Klinik mit der CI-Selbsthilfe wurde von 67 Kliniken (95,7 %) angegeben. Die geografische Verteilung der CI-versorgenden Einrichtungen, die an der Umfrage teilgenommen haben, zeigte ein heterogenes Verteilungsmuster zwischen den einzelnen Bundesländern und auch innerhalb der jeweiligen Bundesländer.Die hier präsentierte Arbeit ist eine erste Standortbestimmung im Hinblick auf die regionale Verteilung der CI-versorgenden Einrichtungen in Deutschland. Auffällig ist eine Clusterbildung der CI-Kliniken in Ballungsräumen, teils mit mehreren Einrichtungen in einer Stadt. Erfreulich ist die weit überwiegende Beachtung qualitätsbezogener Aspekte, wie die Berücksichtigung des CI-Weißbuchs der DGHNO-KHC und die Zusammenarbeit mit der Patientenselbsthilfe. Limitationen der Studie ergeben sich aus der begrenzten Teilnahme an der Umfrage (41,8 % der kontaktierten Kliniken).

The corona crisis not only affects professional activities but also teaching and learning at universities. Buzzwords, such as e‑learning and digitalization suggest the possibility of innovative teaching approaches that are readily available to solve the problems of teaching in the current COVID-19 pandemic. The current conversion to digital teaching is not primarily driven by didactic rationale or institutional strategy but by external circumstances.The aim of the study was to determine the teaching situation at national university ENT clinics and academic teaching hospitals at the start of the virtual corona summer semester in 2020.A specifically self-designed questionnaire regarding the local situation and conditions as well as nationwide scenarios was sent to all 39 national university ENT clinics and 20 ENT departments at academic teaching hospitals.A total of 31 university hospitals and 10 academic teaching hospitals took part in the survey. There were obvious discrepancies between available resources and effectively available digital teaching and learning contents. Further criticism was expressed regarding the communication with the medical faculty, the digital infrastructure and particularly the frequent lack of collaboration with central support facilities, such as media, didactics and datacenters.There are positive examples of successful transformation of classroom teaching to an exclusively virtual summer semester 2020 within the university ENT clinics; however, critical ratings of assistant professors and medical directors regarding the current teaching situation predominated. A time-critical strategic advancement is urgently needed.HINTERGRUND: Die Corona-Krise beeinflusst nicht nur das professionelle Handeln, sondern auch die Lehre an den Universitäten. Schlagworte wie „E-Learning“ und „Digitalisierung“ suggerieren die Möglichkeit innovativer, ad hoc verfügbarer Lösungsansätze für die Lehre in der aktuellen COVID-19-Situation. Die aktuelle Umstellung auf digitale Lehre ist aber nicht primär durch eine didaktische Sinnhaftigkeit oder institutionelle Strategie, sondern durch äußere Notwendigkeit geprägt.Ziel der Arbeit war die Erfassung der Lehrsituation an nationalen Universitäts-HNO-Kliniken und akademischen Lehrkrankenhäusern zu Beginn des virtuellen Corona-Sommersemesters 2020.Ein eigens erstellter Fragebogen zur jeweiligen lokalen Situation, den örtlichen Rahmenbedingungen sowie zu bundesweiten Szenarien wurde an alle 39 nationalen Universitäts-HNO-Kliniken und 20 akademischen Lehrkrankenhäuser mit HNO-Hauptabteilung versandt.Die ausgefüllten Fragebögen von 31 Universitätskliniken (UK) und 10 akademische Lehrkrankenhäuser (ALK) gingen in die Auswertung ein. Es zeigten sich offensichtliche Diskrepanzen zwischen verfügbaren Ressourcen und tatsächlich verfügbaren digitalisierten Lehrinhalten. Weitere Kritikpunkte offenbarten sich in Bezug auf die Kommunikation mit der Medizinischen Fakultät, die digitale Infrastruktur und insbesondere in der oftmals mangelnden Kollaboration mit den zentralen Supportstrukturen, wie Medien‑, Didaktik- und Rechenzentren.Es gibt durchaus positive Beispiele für eine gelungene Überführung der Präsenzlehre in das ausschließlich virtuelle Sommersemester 2020 innerhalb der Universitäts-HNO-Kliniken. Mehrheitlich aber überwiegen kritische Einschätzungen der Lehrbeauftragten bzw. Ärztlichen Direktoren gegenüber der aktuellen Lehrsituation. Eine zeitkritische strategische Weiterentwicklung ist dringend erforderlich.

Trotz beeindruckender technischer Fortschritte auf dem Gebiet der konventionellen Horgerate und der implantierbaren Horsysteme richten sich die Hoffnungen in der Behandlung von Innenohrerkrankungen wie Schwerhorigkeit und Tinnitus zunehmend auf regenerative Therapieansatze. In der vorliegenden Ubersicht werden die gegenwartig vielversprechendsten Strategien fur die Regeneration von Haarzellen im Innenohr zur Therapie der Schwerhorigkeit wie stammzell- bzw. gentransferbasierte sowie pharmakologische Interventionen diskutiert und die bisherigen Meilensteine und wegweisenden Arbeiten auf diesem Forschungsgebiet identifiziert. Nach vielen Jahren der Grundlagenforschung sind nun kurzlich die ersten klinischen Studien mit regenerativem Therapieansatz fur schwerhorige Patienten angelaufen. Auch wenn bis zu einem echten Durchbruch noch ein weiter und steiniger Weg zu gehen sein wird, scheint es realistischer denn je, dass regenerative Therapien fur das Innenohr den Weg in die klinische Anwendung finden konnten.

Despite impressive technical progress in the field of conventional hearing aids and implantable hearing systems, the hopes for the treatment of inner ear diseases such as hearing loss and tinnitus have become increasingly directed toward regenerative therapeutic approaches. This review discusses the currently most promising strategies for hair cell regeneration in the inner ear to treat hearing loss, including stem cell-based, gene transfer-based, and pharmacological interventions. Furthermore, previous milestones and ground-breaking work in this scientific field are identified. After many years of basic research, the first clinical trials with a regenerative therapeutic approach for hearing-impaired patients were recently initiated. Although there is still a long and bumpy road ahead until a true breakthrough is achieved, it seems more realistic than ever that regenerative therapies for the inner ear will find their way into clinical practice.

Despite impressive technical progress in the field of conventional hearing aids and implantable hearing systems, the hopes for the treatment of inner ear diseases such as hearing loss and tinnitus have become increasingly directed toward regenerative therapeutic approaches. This review discusses the currently most promising strategies for hair cell regeneration in the inner ear to treat hearing loss, including stem cell-based, gene transfer-based, and pharmacological interventions. Furthermore, previous milestones and ground-breaking work in this scientific field are identified. After many years of basic research, the first clinical trials with a regenerative therapeutic approach for hearing-impaired patients were recently initiated. Although there is still a long and bumpy road ahead until a true breakthrough is achieved, it seems more realistic than ever that regenerative therapies for the inner ear will find their way into clinical practice.

Recent studies have shown BI2536 and bortezomib to be effective in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) cell lines. In this systemic in vitro study, we examined the antitumor effect of the small molecules BI2536 and bortezomib in combination with cisplatin or docetaxel in nine squamous cell carcinoma cell lines, most of head and neck origin. Dose escalation studies were performed with these cell lines using bortezomib, BI2536, cisplatin and docetaxel in cell line-specific concentrations. Growth inhibitory and proapoptotic effects were measured quantitatively using cytohistology and the Human Apoptosis Array kit. The combination of bortezomib and BI2536 with cisplatin or docetaxel showed a significantly higher antiproliferative and apoptotic activity in all SCCHN cell lines investigated compared with single agent cisplatin or docetaxel alone (P≤0.021). Combination of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, such as cisplatin and docetaxel, with small molecules in the clinical setting may enhance the antitumor activity of these agents and may lead to less toxic side-effects and a more effective cancer therapy.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of cochlear implant performance depends, among many other factors, on the number of excitable spiral ganglion cells (SGCs) and the nerve-electrode interface. In earlier animal studies it has been demonstrated that neurotrophic factors are effective to improve SGC survival after experimentally induced deafness. With regard to their anti-inflammatoric and anti-proliferative effects, glucocorticoids (e. g. dexamethasone) are potentially interesting therapeutic agents to reduce connective tissue formation around the inserted electrode. The biological effects of a combined intervention of neurotrophic factors with steroids on SGCs are unknown. Therefore the objective of the study was to investigate possible trophic or even toxic effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and dexamethasone on neurite outgrowth of cultivated SGCs. METHODS: By using dissociated postnatal spiral ganglion cells (p3 - 5) for cultivation in the present study, the influence of the mentioned factors in various concentrations and combinations on neurite outgrowth of SGCs was analysed. RESULTS: Our results indicate significant trophic effects for BDNF (50 ng/ml) and a combination of BDNF with dexamethasone (100 ng/ml) on SGC neurite outgrowth. In contrast, single application of GDNF or dexamethasone in different concentrations caused no significant changes on neurite outgrowth when compared to the control condition. CONCLUSIONS: Neurite outgrowth induced by neurotrophic factors could not be observed to be reduced when dexamethasone is given at the same time. Therefore the demonstrated results provide a basis for further animal studies in this field of research.

The vestibular schwannoma is a benign, slow-growing neoplasm that originates from the neurolemmal sheath of the vestibular branch of the VIIIth cranial nerve. This tumor entity accounts for 6 % of all intracranial tumors and the annual incidence of newly diagnosed vestibular schwannoma is reported as 13 per million. The molecular pathogenesis of both sporadic vestibular schwannoma and those occurring in neurofibromatosis type II appears to be associated with an aberration of a tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 22q12. The biological background for the various growth patterns of vestibular schwannoma is, however, largely unknown. This differing clinical and biological behaviour of vestibular schwannoma may be explained by the presence of neurotrophic factors. The results of recent immunohistochemical studies demonstrate the co-expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in vestibular schwannoma and suggest a trophic synergism of both neurotrophic factors in this tumor. Moreover, expression of numerous different neurotrophic factors has been shown in studies of nerve growth factor (NGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), neuregulin (NRG) and erythropoietin (EPO) indicating a biological role in development, maintainance or growth of vestibular schwannoma. In this article, we summarize the findings on neurotrophic factor expression and discuss their characteristics and biological role in vestibular schwannoma.

Depressed skull fractures are seen in about 5% of children admitted to hospital with head injury. The clinical signs, imaging techniques, and therapy for depressed skull fractures in children are reviewed, exemplified by the case of a 1.5-year-old child with a ping-pong-ball fracture. Surgical and non-surgical treatment is assessed; treatment recommendations vary depending on the severity of the fracture and accompanying injuries. The literature on the different therapeutic options is reviewed, and the options are discussed.

Inhibition of the polo-like-kinase-1 (PLK-1) has been shown to be effective in several haematological and solid tumor models. In this systemic in vitro study, the antitumor effect of BI2536, a small molecule inhibitor of PLK-1, in combination with cisplatin and docetaxel was examined in nine squamous cell carcinoma cell lines, most of which had a head and neck origin (SCCHN). Dose escalation studies were conducted with nine SCCHN cell lines using BI2536, cisplatin and docetaxel in cell line-specific concentrations. Growth inhibitory and proapoptotic effects were measured quantitatively using cytohistology and a Human Apoptose Array kit. BI2536 in combination with cisplatin and docetaxel showed a markedly higher antiproliferative and apoptotic activity in the SCCHN cell lines investigated (P≤0.008), compared with single agent cisplatin or docetaxel alone. The findings of this study showed that the addition of PLK-1-inhibitor BI2536 to conventional chemotherapeutic drugs led to a statistically higher antiproliferative and apoptotic effect in SCCHN cell lines compared with cisplatin or docetaxel alone. Inaugurating BI2536 in the clinical setting might enhance the antitumoral activity of conventional drugs, possibly leading to less toxic side effects of cancer therapy.

Inhibition of the proteasome with Bortezomib as well as inhibition of Polo-like-kinase-1 (PLK-1) has been shown to be effective in many solid tumour models and also in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) cell lines. For the first time, we systematically examined the antitumour effect of Bortezomib in combination with BI2536 in SCCHN in an in vitro study. Dose escalation studies were performed with nine SCCHN cell lines using Bortezomib and BI2536 as single agent and combination treatments. Growth-inhibitory and pro-apoptotic effects were measured quantitatively using cytohistology and Human Apoptose Array kit. The combination of Bortezomib and BI2536 showed significant anti-proliferative and apoptotic activity in all SCCHN cell lines investigated (P=0.008) compared to both the untreated control group and Bortezomib alone. A combination treatment regime consisting of the proteasome inhibitor, Bortezomib, and the inhibitor of PLK-1, BI2536, leads to an enhanced anti-proliferative and apoptotic effect in SCCHN cell lines, compared to single agent treatment with Bortezomib alone.

Inhibition of the Polo-like-kinase-1 (PLK1) has been shown to be effective in a number of solid tumor models. In this in vitro study, we examined the antitumor effect of BI2536, a small molecule inhibitor of PLK1, in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) cell lines. Dose escalation studies were performed with nine SCCHN cell lines using BI2536. Growth inhibitory and proapoptotic effects were measured quantitatively using cytohistology and a Human Apoptosis Array Kit. BI2536 demonstrated a significant antiproliferative and apoptotic activity in all nine SCCHN cell lines investigated (p

In contrast to regenerating hair cell-bearing organs of nonmammalian vertebrates the adult mammalian organ of Corti appears to have lost its ability to maintain stem cells. The result is a lack of regenerative ability and irreversible hearing loss following auditory hair cell death. Unexpectedly, the neonatal auditory sensory epithelium has recently been shown to harbor cells with stem cell features. The origin of these cells within the cochlea's sensory epithelium is unknown.We applied a modified neurosphere assay to identify stem cells within distinct subregions of the neonatal mouse auditory sensory epithelium. Sphere cells were characterized by multiple markers and morphologic techniques.Our data reveal that both the greater and the lesser epithelial ridge contribute to the sphere-forming stem cell population derived from the auditory sensory epithelium. These self-renewing sphere cells express a variety of markers for neural and otic progenitor cells and mature inner ear cell types.Stem cells can be isolated from specific regions of the auditory sensory epithelium. The distinct features of these cells imply a potential application in the development of a cell replacement therapy to regenerate the damaged sensory epithelium.

Introduction: The vestibular schwannoma (VS) is a benign, slow-growing neoplasm that originates from the VIIIth cranial nerve sheath with an annual incidence of 13 per million. The pathogenesis of both sporadic VS and those associated with neurofibromatosis type II appears to be associated with an aberration[for full text, please go to the a.m. URL], ESBS 2005: Skull Base Surgery: An Interdisciplinary Challenge; 7th Congress of the European Skull Base Society held in association with the 13th Congress of the German Society of Skull Base Surgery