OBJECTIVE To investigate the prognostic value of pre-treatment serum lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)levels in patients with locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)treated with salvage intensity-modulated radiotherapy(IMRT)and to determine its association with rT staging.METHODS The records of 97 patients with locally relapsed and non-metastatic NPC who received salvage IMRT treatment in our center from January 2018 to April 2022 were collected,including 51 patients who died,18 patients with distant metastases,30 patients with local failure,and 67 patients with prognostic adverse events(death,distant tumors/local metastases).Clinical data,local failure-free survival(LFFS),distant metastasis-free survival(DMFS)and overall survival(OS)were obtained from all patients,and the relationship between LDH and the prognosis of salvage IMRT therapy in NPC patients was analyzed.RESULTS The serum LDH level before salvage IMRT was significantly higher in the death[221.25(178.24,339.13)U/L vs.124.82(79.0,159.50)U/L,Z=-5.122],local failure[230.75(170.89,394.50)U/L vs.157.85(91.78,216.95)U/L,Z=-3.442],distant metastasis[261.62(153.55,465.50)U/L vs.168.98(101.75,237.75)U/L,Z=-2.478]and poor prognosis group[220.05(167.20,506.16)U/L vs.93.45(69.95,154.35)U/L,Z=-6.018],and all P<0.05.Serum LDH levels were divided into dichotomous variables according to median values(≥177.50 U/L vs.<177.50 U/L),the Cox univariate model found that the hazard ratios of LDH affecting LFFS,DMFS,OS and toxic-related death(TRD)were 3.759(1.660-8.558),4.217(1.383-12.861),3.226(1.715-6.069),3.363(1.750-6.463),P<0.05.LDH remained an independent prognostic factor for LFFS,DMFS,OS,and TRD in multivariate regression analysis(P<0.05).Compared with patients with LDH<177.50 U/L,more patients in the LDH≥177.50 U/L group had local progression-related death,and the no LFFS stage,no DMFS stage and OS were shorter in the LDH≥177.50 U/L group(log rank=11.624,7.559,14.758),P<0.05.In predicting overall survival,adding LDH to the rT stage is preferable to the rT stage alone.CONCLUSION LDH is an important factor in predicting LFFS,DMFS,OS,and TRD after saving IMRT in patients with locally relapsed,non-metastatic NPC,and the value of LDH combined with rT staging in predicting overall survival is high.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the diagnostic efficacy of serum calcitonin(Ctn)in medullary thyroid cancer(MTC),the correlation between preoperative serum Ctn and clinicopathological features,and the risk factors affecting the progression of MTC disease during follow-up.METHODS The clinical data of 50 patients admitted to the Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from 2011 to 2022 were systematically reviewed,the ROC curve calculated the diagnostic efficacy of Ctn and CEA levels on MTC,and the risk factors for lymph node metastasis in the central region of MTC were analyzed in univariate and multivariate,and the survival curve without disease progression was drawn to predict risk factors.RESULTS The ROC curve yields the preoperative cut-off value of Ctn was 23.81 pg/ml and the cut-off value of CEA was 3.035 ng/ml for the diagnosis of MTC.The age of disease,tumor diameter,and preoperative serum Ctn and CEA levels in MTC patients were higher than those in non-MTC patients.Ctn≥289.62 pg/ml was an independent risk factor for central lymph node metastasis in MTC.The survival curve showed that invasion of the capsule,central region metastasis,and TNM stage above T2 were risk factors for predicting disease progression(P<0.05).Patients with MTC who have disease progression have higher preoperative Ctn.CONCLUSION Serum Ctn has important clinical value in the differential diagnosis,preoperative evaluation and postoperative follow-up of MTC.

OBJECTIVE The expression of cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A(CIP2A)in hypopharyngeal carcinoma FaDu cells(FaDu cells)was reduced by shRNA to understand its role in the occurrence and development of hypopharyngeal carcinoma.METHODS Specific shRNA sequence was designed,lentivirus was packaged and transfected into hypopharyngeal carcinoma FaDu cells,and CIP2A expression was specifically knocked down.The expression of CIP2A was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.RESULTS 1.After shRNA knocked down CIP2A in FaDu cells,the CIP2A mRNA expression in the experimental group(CIP2A knocked down group)was significantly lower than that in the blank group,and the CIP2A protein expression in the experimental group was also significantly lower than that in the blank group.2.Cell cloning and CCK8 experiments showed that the cell proliferation ability of the experimental group was significantly decreased compared with that of the blank group(t=50.86,P<0.01;t=12.406,P<0.001);The results of cell scratch test showed that the transverse migration ability of the experimental group was significantly decreased compared with the blank group,and the longitudinal migration ability of the experimental group was significantly decreased compared with the blank group by Transwell test(t=40.038,P<0.01;t=12.247,P<0.001).CONCLUSION After knockdown CIP2A expression in hypopharyngeal carcinoma FaDu cells,the proliferation and migration ability of hypopharyngeal cancer cells decreased,suggesting that CIP2A is involved in regulating the biological behavior of hypopharyngeal cancer cells and can be used as a potential anticancer target.

OBJECTIVE To compare the influence of age on the recovery of sudden sensorineural hearing loss.METHODS Detailed medical data of patients were reviewed.The patients were diagnosed as sudden sensorineural hearing loss from Jan 2010 to June 2018 and accepted treatments with neurotrophic drugs,steroid or hyperbaric oxygen.Age grouping was performed by every 5 years'interval.The treatment efficacy and hearing improvement were compared according to the age.RESULTS There were one hundred and sixty-three patients in this study.The majority of patients had moderate or above hearing loss,and most of the hearing curve was flat and profound type.The overall recovery rate was 56.44%,hearing gain was averaged 21.88 dB.55-60 years group had largest number of patients in the 11 age groups.Even with different treatment,the patients aged 57-66 years had the bad recovery,including the hearing gain data and total effective rate.CONCLUSION Ages has influence on the recovery of sudden sensorineural hearing loss,it maybe correlated with the etiology and patients'condition.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of individualized repositioning maneuver in the treatment of posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(PC-BPPV)with limited neck movement.METHODS There were 163 patients with PC-BPPV admitted to the Department of Otolaryngology of Xiaolan People's Hospital of Zhongshan from January,2019 to July,2022 who were selected and divided into observation group(57 cases)and control group(106 cases)according to whether there was neck movement limitation or not.The control group was divided into control group 1(51 cases)and control group 2(55 cases)based on different reduction methods.The control group 1 were treated with modified Epley maneuver,and the observation group and the control group 2 were treated with individualized Epley maneuver.The cure rate and effective rate were compared among the three groups.The scores of vestibular symptom index(VSI),Berg balance scale(BBS)and the dimension scores of vertigo handicap inventory(DHI)were compared among the three groups before and after treatment.RESULTS There was no significant difference in the cure rate(84.37%vs.81.82%vs.80.70%)and effective rate(11.76%vs.10.91%vs.12.28%)among the three groups(P>0.05).After treatment,the scores of each dimension of VSI and DHI of PC-BPPV patients of the three groups decreased(P<0.01),and the scores of BBS increased(P<0.01),and there was no statistically significant difference in the scores of VSI(23.19±3.88 vs.23.70±4.01 vs.23.46±3.92),BBS(45.56±5.02 vs.45.14±4.98 vs.44.84±5.11)and each dimension of DHI among the three groups(P>0.05),respectively.CONCLUSION The individual Epley maneuver can effectively improve the vertigo status of patients with PC-BPPV with limited neck movement.

OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence and prognosis of olfactory,gustatory and auditory dysfunctions related to the COVID-19 Omicron strain infection.METHODS A cross-sectional investigation was performed through online questionnaires.Data of patients with Omicron strain infection from December 24th,2022 to January 2nd,2023 were collected.The visual analogue scale(VAS)was used to evaluate the self-reported olfactory,gustatory and auditory functions of patients.RESULTS A total of 869 valid questionnaires were obtained.The incidence of otolaryngology-related symptoms associated with omicron strain infection was 96.8%.The incidence of olfactory,gustatory and auditory dysfunction was 44.4%,44.2%and 10.7%,respectively.There were statistically significant differences(P<0.001)in VAS scores for olfactory,gustatory,and auditory impairments between all surveyed individuals before and after infection,as well as in the corresponding VAS scores for those who experienced these impairments.The median duration of olfactory,gustatory and auditory dysfunction were 5,4 and 3 days,respectively.CONCLUSION The incidence of olfactory,gustatory,and auditory impairments is high after Omicron infection,with most cases experiencing rapid spontaneous improvement.For the long-term symptoms,the otolaryngology doctors are responsible for exploring and developing effective intervention measures.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)infection on the expression of key factors in the epithelial barrier of the human nasal epithelial cells(hNECs)derived from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps(CRSwNP)and normal control mucosa.METHODS RSV with different multiplicity of infection(MOI)(0.1 and 0.3)infected hNECs derived from patients with CRSwNP(n=21)and normal control mucosa(n=9)for 24 h and 48 h,respectively.To detect the gene expression ZO-1,ZO-2,Claudin-1,Claudin-4,Occludin,E-cadherin and N-cadherin,total RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed into cDNA for real-time fluorescence quantification PCR.RESULTS The relative expression level of ZO-1,ZO-2,Claudin-1,Claudin-4,Occludin,E-cadherin and N-cadherin were decreased in hNECs post RSV infection.However,there was a statistical difference only in hNECs derived from CRSwNP(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in hNECs infected with RSV between eosinophilic CRSwNP(ECRSwNP)and non-eosinophilic CRSwNP(nonECRSwNP).CONCLUSION RSV infection could disrupt the epithelial barrier of the nasal mucosa,and patients with CRSwNP are more severely affected by RSV infection compared to healthy controls.The impact of RSV infection on mucosa between ECRSwNP group and nonECRSwNP group was no significant difference.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of sublingual immunotherapy(SLIT)on the balance of Treg/Th17 cells and related cytokines in preschool children aged 3-6 years with allergic rhinitis(AR).METHODS Seventy preschool children aged 3-6 years with AR were divided into the SLIT group and the medication group,and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.The medication group received symptomatic treatment alone,while the SLIT group received a combined treatment of SLIT and symptomatic medication,with a 3-year follow-up period.The Treg/Th17 cell balance,serum levels of TGF-β,IL-10,IL-17,IL-21,as well as the total nasal symptom score(TNSS),total medication score(TMS),and visual analog scale(VAS)scores were compared before and after treatment between the two groups.RESULTS After 3 years of treatment,both groups showed significant improvements(P<0.05)in the percentages of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg and CD4+IL-17+Th17 cells among CD4+T cells,percentages of Treg and Th17 cells,serum levels of TGF-β,IL-10,IL-17,IL-21,TNSS,TMS,and VAS scores.Moreover,the SLIT group exhibited significantly better outcomes compared to the medication group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION SLIT can modulate the balance of Treg/Th17 cells and improve serum levels of TGF-β,IL-10,IL-17,and IL-21.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of nasal microflora on nasal function after endoscopic surgery in patients with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps.METHODS There were 88 patients with chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps who underwent elective nasal endoscopic surgery in Daxing District People's Hospital from May 2021 to May 2022.High-throughput sequencing technology was used to analyze the distribution of microflora in nasal secretions,and the patients were divided into a microbial-negative group(24 cases),a bacteria-positive group(42 cases)and a fungus-positive group(22 cases).Visual analog scale,Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score and Lund-Mackay CT were used to evaluate the nasal function of the patients before and 6 months after surgery,respectively.After surgery,nasal endoscopy was used to evaluate the degree of nasal mucosal injury and the thickness of the basement membrane of the nasal mucosal tissue was measured.RESULTS There were 64 pathogens who were detected in nasal secretions of 88 patients with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps,accounting for 47.73%of bacteria and 25.00%of fungi.After operation,the nasal function score of the three groups was significantly lower than that before operation,and the pair-to-pair comparison between the three groups had statistical significance(P<0.05).The damage degree and basement membrane thickness of nasal mucosal epithelium in bacteria positive group and fungi positive group were higher than those in microbial negative group(P<0.05),but there was no difference between groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Bacteria and fungi in nasal secretions can affect the recovery of nasal function after endoscopic surgery in patients with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps,and affect the effect of endoscopic surgery.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the relationship between LPR and common pharyngeal diseases and its risk factors.METHODS A total of 280 patients who were admitted to the Inpatient Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery or Laryngoscopy Room of the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University due to throat discomfort from September 2022 to May 2023 were selected as the study objects.All enrolled patients were required to complete the RSI and RFS scoring scales.According to the 2022 LPRD expert Consensus,RSI>13 and/or RFS>7 were classified as LPR group,and RSI≤13 and RFS≤7 are classified as non-LPR group.Chi-square test was used to analyze the differences in the incidence of common pharyngeal diseases such as upper respiratory tract papilloma,epiglottic cyst,vocal cord polyp,vocal cord leucoplakia,vocal cord cancer and hypopharyngeal cancer among different groups.Univariate Chi-square test analysis and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis were performed for gender,age,BMI,smoking and drinking history.All differences were statistically significant with P<0.05.RESULTS The prevalence of LPR in 280 patients with throat discomfort was 70.0%(196/280).There were statistically significant differences in the incidence of LPR group and non-LPR group in patients with vocal cord polyp(χ2=4.228,P<0.05),vocal cord leukoplakia(χ2=12.283,P<0.05),vocal cord cancer(χ2=4.103,P<0.05)and hypopharyngeal cancer(χ2=4.907,P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in the incidence of LPR group and non-LPR group in patients with papilloma of upper respiratory tract(χ2=0.183,P>0.05)and epiglottic cyst(χ2=0.556,P>0.05).Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in the incidence rates of smoking(χ2=20.403,P<0.05)and drinking(χ2=7.704,P<0.05)between the LPR group and the non-LPR group,while gender(χ2=0.01,P>0.05),age(χ2=8.147,P>0.05),BMI(χ2=2.060,P>0.05)had no significant difference.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that smoking(OR=3.390,95%CI:1.761-6.526,P<0.05)was an independent risk factor for LPR.CONCLUSION There is a high co-prevalence of LPR with vocal cord polyps,vocal cord leukoplakia,vocal cord cancer and hypopharyngeal cancer.Therefore,LPR should be evaluated when treating throat related diseases,and LPR should be actively treated if necessary.In addition,smoking and drinking are risk factors for LPR,so it is necessary to stop smoking and drinking alcohol when treating LPR.