Immunological dynamics in orthotopic versus subcutaneous murine models of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer.

The necessity of reliable preclinical models for evaluating the efficacy of novel therapeutic strategies is imperative. Nevertheless, the degree to which tumor-bearing murine models represent the immunological characteristics of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) has largely been unexplored. Utilizing single-cell RNA sequencing technology, our research elucidated that subcutaneous (SC) murine models more accurately reflect the early immunogenic phase of human HPV-positive OPSCC, marked by a stage-dependent increase in effector T cell infiltration.

Neutrophil-specific targeting of STAT3 impairs tumor progression via the expansion of cytotoxic CD8 T cells.

Neutrophils have emerged as key players in tumor progression and are often associated with poor prognosis. Despite ongoing efforts to target neutrophil functions in cancer, therapeutic success has been limited. In this study, we addressed the possibility of blocking STAT3 signaling in neutrophils as a targeted therapeutic intervention in cancer.

Cobalamin and iron deficiency still presents a challenge in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) leads to fragile blood vessels, causing frequent bleeding and anemia. Treatment mainly addresses iron levels and substitution. Although cobalamin (vitamin B12) is routinely tested in chronic anemia, its role in HHT has not been studied until now.

German Translation and Validation of the FACE-Q Nose and Nostrils Subscales.

Background: Septorhinoplasty addresses both functional and aesthetic concerns, and patient satisfaction is a critical outcome. The FACE-Q rhinoplasty module is a validated tool used to assess patient satisfaction in aesthetic procedures, but a German version was previously unavailable. This study aimed to translate and validate the FACE-Q nose and nostrils subscales into German to ensure their reliability and cultural relevance for German-speaking patients.

[Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on acute mastoiditis in children - a multicentric study].

Already in 2021 it was reported, that the COVID-19 pandemic influences the incidence of acute mastoiditis in children. The goal of this multicenter cross-regional study was to collect and analyze a substantial pre-, peri- and postpandemic data set.Absolute case frequencies were inquired from six segments: epidemiology, medical history taking, spectrum of pathogens, course of disease, therapy, and imaging.

Evidence-based guideline diagnosis, treatment, prevention and aftercare of oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

The guideline is being drawn up as a joint guideline for oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma. Oropharyngeal carcinoma in particular has experienced the greatest increase in incidence among all head and neck carcinomas in the last 20 years and is now the sixth most common cancer in men in Germany. Together with hypopharyngeal carcinoma, these tumors are currently the most common cancer entity in the head and neck region.

Pre-treatment anemia in head and neck cancer: risk factors, subtypes, and survival outcomes.

Introduction: Anemia in head and neck cancer (HNC) may be due to additive, overlapping or competing causes. Here we aim to investigate the prevalence of pre-therapeutic anemia, associated risk factors, subtypes, and impact on survival among HNC patients, including the clinically relevant subgroups of HPV-associated HNC.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective chart review of HNC patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2020 identified a study cohort of 921 patients.

Performing the HINTS-exam using a mixed-reality head-mounted display in patients with acute vestibular syndrome: a feasibility study.

Background: In patients with acute vestibular syndrome (AVS) differentiating between benign acute peripheral vestibular disorders and possible life-threatening central, causes such as stroke, can be challenging due to similar symptoms. AVS patients experience dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, nausea, vomiting, and abnormal eye movements. This research evaluates the feasibility of using the eye-tracking capability of a mixed reality optical-see-through head-mounted display (MR-OST-HMD) to detect pathological eye movement patterns in patients with AVS.

[Simulation of possible effects of the Hospital Care Improvement Act on inpatient care in ENT medicine].

A fundamental hospital reform is urgently needed due to the existing shortage of specialists, postpandemic productivity changes, and increasing financial deficits faced by hospitals in Germany. Starting from a hospital reform initiated in North-Rhine Westphalia (NRW), the so-called Hospital Care Improvement Act ("Krankenhausversorgungsverbesserungsgesetz", KHVVG) was launched at the federal level with the aim of ensuring more adequate funding, safeguarding and improving treatment quality, and reducing bureaucracy. This was passed by the Federal Council and officially came into force on 1 January 2025.

[Current aspects of nanoparticle-based therapy in head and neck cancer].

The rapid expansion and application of nanoparticles in medicine has meanwhile contributed to a large number of experimental and clinical studies, especially in cancer research. Numerous different fields within nanomedicine have now become established more clearly. These are based on the one hand on the properties of different types of nanoparticles (chemical, physical, and biological) and on the other hand on the possible specific applications such as drug carrier, radioenhancer, in vivo monitoring of drug distribution within the tumor, or tumor-specific immune-modulating effects.

Tumor cells that resist neutrophil anticancer cytotoxicity acquire a prometastatic and innate immune escape phenotype.

In the tumor host, neutrophils may exhibit protumor or antitumor activity. It is hypothesized that in response to host-derived or therapy-induced factors, neutrophils adopt diverse functional states to ultimately execute these differential functions. Here, we provide an alternative scenario in which the response of an individual tumor cell population determines the overall protumor versus antitumor outcome of neutrophil‒tumor interactions.

Increased Serum Neurofilament Light Chain Concentration Associated With Microglial Morphology Changes in Chronically-Starved Mice.

Objective: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with hyperactivity, amenorrhea, and brain atrophy. Weight rehabilitation reversed these symptoms, although the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are mostly unknown. Serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels are widely used as a biomarker of neurodegeneration.

Impact of Two Visualization Methods for Electrocochleographic Potentials on Hearing and Vestibular Function During Cochlear Implantation.

Purpose: This study investigates the impact of two distinct visualization methods for electrocochleographic potentials during cochlear implant electrode insertion on residual hearing preservation and vestibular function. Previous research has demonstrated the benefits of visualizing electrocochleographic (ECochG) potentials in preserving residual hearing during cochlear implantation. In this project, ECochG potentials are represented either through a graph or as arrows that provide a pre-interpreted version of the graph.

Decoding pan-cancer treatment outcomes using multimodal real-world data and explainable artificial intelligence.

Despite advances in precision oncology, clinical decision-making still relies on limited variables and expert knowledge. To address this limitation, we combined multimodal real-world data and explainable artificial intelligence (xAI) to introduce AI-derived (AID) markers for clinical decision support. We used xAI to decode the outcome of 15,726 patients across 38 solid cancer entities based on 350 markers, including clinical records, image-derived body compositions, and mutational tumor profiles.

Changes in Circadian Rhythm in Chronically-Starved Mice Are Associated With Glial Cell Density Reduction in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus.

Objective: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder characterized by severe weight loss and associated with hyperactivity and circadian rhythm disruption. However, the cellular basis of circadian rhythm disruption is poorly understood. Glial cells in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the principal circadian pacemaker, are involved in regulating circadian rhythms.

[Diagnosis, treatment and oncological outcome of cervical CUP-syndrome depending on p16 status].

The incidence of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)-CUP is increasing, with a significant proportion being HPV-associated. In this 10-year retrospective study, we analyzed clinical and therapeutic parameters of patients with cervical SCC-CUP. Primary tumor detection rates in patients with initial SCC-CUP (SCC-CUP) were assessed and mean overall survival and disease-free survival of patients without primary tumor detection after an extended diagnostic workup, i.

Muscular tension in ear surgeons during cochlear implantations: does a new microscope improve musculoskeletal complaints?

Purpose: Musculoskeletal complaints and fatigue are commonly described symptoms in daily work of ear nose and throat surgeons using a microscope. Long ear surgical procedures are associated with prolonged microscope use, which can lead to unconsciously tense and uncomfortable body posture. The digital microscope RoboticScope allows visualization of surgical site through a Head-Mounted Display, independent from camera head and is therefore much easier on the back, as the sitting position can be adjusted flexibly.

Comparative Analysis of Fistula Development After Parotid Gland Surgery: Lateral Parotidectomy Versus Extracapsular Dissection Technique.

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to explore the potential disparity in postoperative fistula occurrence rates between patients who undergo (partial) lateral parotidectomy and those who undergo the extracapsular dissection technique for the management of benign parotid gland tumours.

Methods: A consecutive series of 363 patients treated with (partial) lateral parotidectomy and extracapsular dissection technique for benign parotid gland tumours at one tertiary centre between 2018 and 2022 were included. To evaluate the impact of the surgical technique and possible other risk factors (tumour location, tumour size, Body Mass Index, age, smoking, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension) for the development of fistulas, multivariate logistic regression analyses using backward lection were applied to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95%-confidence intervals (CIs).

Bacterial biofilm formation on headpieces of Cochlear implants.

Introduction: Bacterial biofilm formation on medical devices, such as Cochlear implants (CI), can lead to chronic infections. Not only the inner parts of the implant but also the externally located headpiece might be associated with prolonged superficial skin eczema resulting in the inability of wearing the headpiece. In this study, the surface of three CI headpieces from different manufacturers were examined for bacterial biofilm formation.

Standardized Digital Image Analysis of PD-L1 Expression in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Reveals Intra- and Inter-Sample Heterogeneity with Therapeutic Implications.

For practical reasons, in many studies PD-L1 expression is measured by combined positive score (CPS) from a single tumor sample. This does not reflect the heterogeneity of PD-L1 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We investigated the extent and relevance of PD-L1 expression heterogeneity in HNSCC analyzing primary tumors and recurrences (LRs), as well as metastases.

[Nodal metastasis and value of neck dissection in T1/2 oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas].

Background: Due to heterogeneous data, the indication for elective neck dissection (END) in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx and oropharynx (HPSCC and OPSCC) in stages T1/2N0 is somewhat unclear. Therefore, in this multicenter study, we performed detailed analysis of the metastatic behavior of HPSCC and OPSCC.

Material And Methods: The nodal metastatic patterns of 262 HPSCC and OPSCC patients who had undergone surgery was retrospectively investigated.