Purpose: Malignant gliomas are aggressive spinal cord tumors. In this study, we hypothesized that combination therapy using an anti-angiogenic agent, bevacizumab, and hypoxia-inducible glioblastoma-specific suicide gene could reduce tumor growth. Materials and Methods: In the present study, we evaluated the effect of combination therapy using bevacizumab and pEpo-NI2-SV-TK in reducing the proliferation of C6 cells and tumor growth in the spinal cord. Spinal cord tumor was generated by the injection of C6 cells into the T5 level of the spinal cord. Complexes of branched polyethylenimine (bPEI)/pEpo-NI2-SV-TK were injected into the spinal cord tumor. Bevacizumab was then administered by an intraperitoneal injection at a dose of 7 mg/kg. The anti-cancer effects of combination therapy were analyzed by histological analyses and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan scale scores for all of the treatment groups were recorded every other day for 15 days to assess the rat hindlimb strength. Results: The complexes of bPEI/pEpo-NI2-SV-TK inhibited the viability of C6 cells in the hypoxia condition at 5 days after treatment with ganciclovir. Bevacizumab was decreased in the cell viability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Combination therapy reduced the tumor size by histological analyses and MRI. The combination therapy group showed improved hind-limb function compared to the other groups that were administered pEpo-NI2-SV-TK alone or bevacizumab alone. Conclusion This study suggests that combination therapy using bevacizumab with the pEpo-NI2-SV-TK therapeutic gene could be useful for increasing its therapeutic benefits for intramedullary spinal cord tumors.

Transoral thyroidectomy is a promising technique because of its superior postoperative cosmesis. Although tract implantation after remote-access thyroidectomy is extremely rare, it can result in poor outcomes. A 45-year-old female presented with multiple palpable nodules in the anterior neck after a transoral thyroidectomy for which thyroid function tests, CT, ultrasonography, and fine-needle aspiration were performed. The thyroid function test results were normal. CT and ultrasonography revealed multiple, well-defined nodules at levels Ia and VI along the tracks left by the endoscopic instrument inserted during transoral thyroidectomy. Fineneedle aspiration revealed a microfollicular structure derived from thyroid tissue without evidence of atypia. Wash-out fluid from the nodules revealed elevated thyroglobulin levels. Initially, the patient was hesitant about surgical removal, but the nodules grew larger, so surgical removal was performed. Final histopathological examination revealed follicular thyroid carcinoma. The patient was recommended extensive resection but was lost to follow-up.

Presbylarynx is a condition characterized by age-related changes in the laryngeal structures that result in altered voice quality and function. This review explores the pathological mechanisms, clinical symptoms, and treatment options for presbylarynx. Pathologically, presbylarynx involves structural changes in the vocal folds, including muscle atrophy, thinning of the vocal fold mucosa, and alterations in connective tissue, which collectively contribute to decreased vocal fold elasticity and closure. Clinically, individuals with presbylarynx often experience a weakened voice, hoarseness, vocal fatigue, and reduced voice stability. These symptoms are compounded by changes in respiratory function and neurological control of the vocal folds. Treatment strategies for presbylarynx include voice therapy to strengthen vocal fold muscles and improve voice quality, pharmacological interventions such as anti-inflammatory medications and steroids to manage inflammation, and surgical approaches like vocal fold augmentation to restore vocal fold function. Emerging technologies such as neural-machine interfaces offer potential for future advancements in treating this condition. This review highlights the need for comprehensive management approaches to improve the quality of life for individuals affected by presbylarynx.

Nuclear protein in testis (NUT) midline carcinoma (NMC) is a rare and aggressive tumor that is genetically characterized by chromosomal rearrangement of the NUT gene. NMC predominantly involves the midline structures of the body and the sinonasal tract is considered a preferential site. While the optimal management of NMC is unclear, more than 80% of patients will die within one year of their diagnosis despite intensive treatment. We report two cases of NMC of the sinonasal tract. Histopathologic results of the punch biopsy showed undifferentiated and poorly differentiated carcinoma. NUT immunohistochemical staining results were positive. Multimodal treatments including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were performed. We also present a literature review to compare with the present cases. In our cases, we emphasize the importance of the early diagnosis and intensive treatment of NMC.
Biopsy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Nuclear Proteins* ; Nuts ; Radiotherapy ; Testis*

Balloon laryngoplasty is a noninvasive procedure for managing pediatric subglottic stenosis with promising outcomes of a lower rate of tracheostomy and a higher decannulation rate. It can be applied even in a severely narrowed airway stenosis such as Myer-Cotton grade III. It is gaining popularity because, unlike the traditional rigid dilation method, it is considered an option to avoid shearing mucosal damages. Endoscopic balloon laryngoplasty may be recommended as a primary treatment option in a symptomatic pediatric subglottic stenosis before performing an invasive laryngotracheal reconstruction surgery. Herein, we introduce our institute’s balloon laryngoplasty procedure step-by-step.

Extended endotracheal intubation in infancy causes various complications. Upper airway disruption is very rare but reversible cause of respiratory insufficiency. Tracheostomy may not be avoidable in severe upper respiratory tract lesions especially in large subglottic cysts and severe subglottic stenosis; however, avoiding it is a priority when possible. A 7-month-old child who had a history of newborn respiratory distress syndrome and extended endotracheal intubation developed respiratory symptoms including stridor. A subglottic cyst was found by bronchoscopy and surginally removed with the tubeless anesthesia technique without tracheostomy. This method was successful even on infants. We report this case with a review of literature.

Background and Objectives: Parotid cancer is a rare malignancy tumor, constituting about 3% of head and neck cancers. Treatment of parotid carcinoma is challenging because of its rarity and unpredictable clinical course. Therefore, it is important to evaluate risk factors associated with prognosis and to predict adverse outcomes. In this article, we aimed to analyze risk factors associated with recurrence free survival in our 10-year single center retrospective study.Subjects and Method Retrospective medical chart review was performed for patients with parotid gland cancer who underwent parotidectomy with or without adjuvant treatment in our institute 2011 to 2020. Patient demographics, histopathologic results, operative method, treatment outcome were assessed. Results: A total of 8 patients (15%) experienced recurrence. Old age and low body mass index was associated with recurrence. Univariate analysis also revealed that high clinical stage, tumor involvement in deep lobe and facial nerve, postoperative radiotherapy or concurrent chemo radiotherapy, positive resection margin, and high histologic grade were statistically significant with recurrence. Multivariate analysis concluded that facial nerve involvement with tumor was associated with higher incidence of recurrence. Deep lobe and facial nerve involvement, postoperative radiotherapy or concurrent chemo radiotherapy, positive resection margin, clinical stage, and histologic grade were statistically significant factors associated with recurrence free survival. Conclusion Our 10-year single institute study will be helpful for predicting adverse outcomes in parotid cancer patients.

PURPOSE: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with permanent neurological damage, and treatment thereof with a single modality often does not provide sufficient therapeutic outcomes. Therefore, a strategy that combines two or more techniques might show better therapeutic effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we designed a combined treatment strategy based on neural stem cells (NSCs) introduced via a neuronal cell type-inducible transgene expression system (NSE::) controlled by a neuron-specific enolase (NSE) promoter to maximize therapeutic efficiency and neuronal differentiation. The luciferase gene was chosen to confirm whether this combined system was working properly prior to using a therapeutic gene. The luciferase expression levels of NSCs introduced via the neuronal cell type-inducible luciferase expression system (NSE::Luci) or via a general luciferase expressing system (SV::Luci) were measured and compared in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: NSCs introduced via the neuronal cell type-inducible luciferase expressing system (NSE::Luci-NSCs) showed a high level of luciferase expression, compared to NSCs introduced via a general luciferase expressing system (SV::Luci-NSCs). Interestingly, the luciferase expression level of NSE::Luci-NSCs increased greatly after differentiation into neurons. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that a neuronal cell type-inducible gene expression system is suitable for introducing NSCs in combined treatment strategies. We suggest that the proposed strategy may be a promising tool for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, including SCI.
Cell Differentiation/genetics/physiology ; *Gene Expression ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; *Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Luciferases/genetics/*metabolism ; *Neural Stem Cells ; Neurons/metabolism ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase/metabolism ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Spinal Cord Injuries/*therapy ; Stem Cells/*metabolism

Foreign bodies in the upper airway and the esophagus are common and often removed in the outpatient setting using the rigid or flexible laryngoscope. Although most esophageal foreign bodies are removed from the digestive tract, in some cases, surgical intervention is required due to its difficult location. Esophageal foreign bodies often removed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy, but when they penetrate the esophagus and move to deep neck spaces, other approaches should be taken into consideration. We report a rare case of a 13-year-old patient whose esophageal foreign body moved to a deep neck compartment, which was embedded in the anterior vertebral muscle. We decided to perform neck exploration under C-arm guidance, successfully targeted and removed the foreign body.

In Parkinson’s disease (PD) research, human neuroblastoma and immortalized neural cell lines have been widely used as in vitro models. The advancement in the field of reprogramming technology has provided tools for generating patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) as well as human induced neuronal progenitor cells (hiNPCs). These cells have revolutionized the field of disease modeling, especially in neural diseases. Although the direct reprogramming to hiNPCs has several advantages over differentiation after hiPSC reprogramming, such as the time required and the simple procedure, relatively few studies have utilized hiNPCs. Here, we optimized the protocol for hiNPC reprogramming using pluripotency factors and Sendai virus. In addition, we generated hiNPCs of two healthy donors, a sporadic PD patient, and a familial patient with the LRRK2 G2019S mutation (L2GS). The four hiNPC cell lines are highly proliferative, expressed NPC markers, maintained the normal karyotype, and have the differentiation potential of dopaminergic neurons. Importantly, the patient hiNPCs show different apoptotic marker expression. Thus, these hiNPCs, in addition to hiPSCs, are a favorable option to study PD pathology.
Cell Line ; Dopaminergic Neurons ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells ; Karyotype ; Neuroblastoma ; Neurons ; Pathology ; Sendai virus ; Stem Cells ; Tissue Donors