Diagnosis and Evaluation of Aggressiveness Using Circulating Plasma miRNAs in Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma.

MicroRNAs are emerging as valuable diagnostic markers for various diseases, including papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). However, there is limited research on circulating miRNA expression in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). Therefore, we conducted a study to explore whether plasma-derived miRNAs can distinguish PTMC from benign nodules or predict aggressiveness.

Efficacy of Grayscaling Photoglottography Using High-Speed Videolaryngoscopic Images in the Evaluation of Vocal Fold Vibration.

Objectives: Methods for evaluating vocal fold vibration can be divided into indirect methods and directly observed vocal fold vibration. Indirect methods that can monitor the real-time opening and closing movements of the vocal folds include glottal inverse filtering, electroglottography (EGG), and photoglottography (PGG), with near-infrared PGG recently being reported. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of grayscaling photoglottography (GSP) to analyze vocal fold vibration.

Preoperative localization of single gland disease in primary hyperparathyroidism: a comparative study for preoperative localization with four-dimensional computed tomography, ultrasonography, and technetium-99m-sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography.

Background: Treatment guidelines for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) recommend high-resolution neck ultrasonography (US), technetium-99m-sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography (Tc-sestamibi SPECT), and contrast-enhanced four-dimensional computed tomography (4D CT) as image evaluation methods. This study aimed to compare the sensitivity and accuracy of the three image evaluation methods recommended in the guidelines for patients with PHPT and evaluate the utility of 4D CT for preoperative localization in single gland disease.

Methods: A retrospective medical chart review was performed on 41 patients who underwent surgery for single gland disease at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Pusan National University Hospital, between January 2021 and March 2023.

Guidelines for the Treatment of Laryngeal Cancer from the Korean Society of Head and Neck Surgery.

Objectives: Effective treatment of laryngeal cancer requires clinical decision-making that balances survival outcomes with the preservation of essential functions, such as voice and swallowing. This study, led by the Clinical Practice Guideline Committee of the Korean Society of Head and Neck Surgery, aims to establish evidence-based recommendations to guide surgeons in optimizing treatment decisions for patients with laryngeal cancer.

Methods: A literature search was performed in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed databases by a literature search expert and subsequently reviewed by a panel of 39 committee experts.

Acoustic Analysis for Predicting Voice Recovery Following Injection Laryngoplasty in Patients With Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of injection laryngoplasty (IL) in improving voice quality in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP), as measured by acoustic parameters.

Methods: A cohort of 177 patients with UVFP underwent preIL and postIL assessment using maximum phonation time (MPT), Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI), and Acoustic Breathiness Index (ABI), in conjunction with auditory-perceptual (A-P) ratings and the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10).

Results: Significant improvements were observed across all acoustic and perceptual measures following IL.

Inhibiting Ferroptosis Prevents the Progression of Steatotic Liver Disease in Obese Mice.

Ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death characterized by lipid peroxidation and iron accumulation, has been implicated in the progression of metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in obesity. This study investigated the role of ferroptosis in the development of hepatic steatosis and MASH in obese mice and assessed the therapeutic potential of ferrostatin-1, a ferroptosis inhibitor. C57BL/6J wild-type (n = 8) and ob/ob mice (n = 16) were maintained on a standard chow diet.

Amifostine and Melatonin Prevent Acute Salivary Gland Dysfunction 10 Days After Radiation Through Anti-Ferroptosis and Anti-Ferritinophagy Effects.

Irradiation of the head and neck inevitably leads to decreased salivary gland function. It is postulated that radiation generates excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduces salivary gland function by ferroptosis, a new cell death mechanism; however, research in this area is currently lacking. In this study, we investigated the effects of amifostine and melatonin on acute salivary gland dysfunction and ferroptosis.

Development of a multi-modal learning-based lymph node metastasis prediction model for lung cancer.

Purpose: This study proposed a three-dimensional (3D) multi-modal learning-based model for the automated prediction and classification of lymph node metastasis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using computed tomography (CT) images and clinical information.

Methods: We utilized clinical information and CT image data from 4239 patients with NSCLC across multiple institutions. Four deep learning algorithm-based multi-modal models were constructed and evaluated for lymph node classification.

Evaluation of Vertical Level Differences Between Left and Right Vocal Folds Using Artificial Intelligence System in Excised Canine Larynx.

Objectives: This study aimed to establish an artificial intelligence (AI) system to classify vertical level differences between vocal folds during vocalization and to evaluate the accuracy of the classification.

Methods: We designed models with different depths between the right and left vocal folds using an excised canine larynx. Video files for the data set were obtained using a high-speed camera system and a color complementary metal oxide semiconductor camera with global shutter.

Efficacy of Tegoprazan in Patients with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease: A Preliminary Feasibility Study.

Tegoprazan is a novel, potent, and highly selective potassium-competitive acid blocker that inhibits gastric acid secretion with rapid onset of action and prolonged control of gastric acidity. We performed a preliminary feasibility study to evaluate whether tegoprazan could control symptoms more effectively than a placebo in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD). In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 35 patients with LPRD were randomly assigned to two groups: tegoprazan 50 mg daily and placebo.

Proliferation-Related Features of the Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Palatine Tonsils, Adipose Tissues, and Bone Marrow.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used in regenerative medicine and cell-based transplantations. However, an in-depth comparison of the different MSC origins is lacking. This study aimed to compare the expression of adipose-derived (AMSCs), bone marrow-derived (BMSCs), and tonsil-derived (TMSCs) and evaluate whether TMSCs are good alternatives for AMSCs or BMSCs.

Effect of deferoxamine and ferrostatin-1 on salivary gland dysfunction in ovariectomized rats.

The mechanism underlying xerostomia after menopause has not yet been fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of xerostomia and the effect of the ferroptosis inhibitors deferoxamine (DFO) and ferrostatin-1 (FER) on salivary gland dysfunction in a postmenopausal animal model. Twenty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: a SHAM group ( = 6, sham-operated rats), an OVX group ( = 6, ovariectomized rats), an FER group ( = 6, ovariectomized rats injected intraperitoneally with FER), and a DFO group ( = 6, ovariectomized rats injected intraperitoneally with DFO).

Esophageal wound healing by aligned smooth muscle cell-laden nanofibrous patch.

The esophagus exhibits peristalsis via contraction of circularly and longitudinally aligned smooth muscles, and esophageal replacement is required if there is a critical-sized wound. In this study, we proposed to reconstruct esophageal tissues using cell electrospinning (CE), an advanced technique for encapsulating living cells into fibers that allows control of the direction of fiber deposition. After treatment with transforming growth factor-β, mesenchymal stem cell-derived smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were utilized for cell electrospinning or three-dimensional bioprinting to compare the effects of aligned micropatterns on cell morphology.

Guideline for the Surgical Management of Locally Invasive Differentiated Thyroid Cancer From the Korean Society of Head and Neck Surgery.

The aim of this study was to develop evidence-based recommendations for determining the surgical extent in patients with locally invasive differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Locally invasive DTC with gross extrathyroidal extension invading surrounding anatomical structures may lead to several functional deficits and poor oncological outcomes. At present, the optimal extent of surgery in locally invasive DTC remains a matter of debate, and there are no adequate guidelines.

Effect of Echinochrome A on Submandibular Gland Dysfunction in Ovariectomized Rats.

Post-menopausal dry mouth or xerostomia is caused by reduced salivary secretion. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of echinochrome A (Ech A) in alleviating submandibular gland dysfunctions in ovariectomized rats that mimic menopause. Female rats that were eight-weeks-old were randomly divided into SHAM-6, -12; OVX-6, -12; and ECH-6, -12 groups (consisting of 6- and 12-weeks post-sham-operated, ovariectomized, and Ech A-treated ovariectomized rats, respectively).

Survey of Korean head and neck surgeons and endocrinologists for the surgical extent of 1.5 and 2.5 cm papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Background: The surgical extent of 1-4 cm papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is controversial. We aimed to determine the current trend in the extent of thyroidectomy and prophylactic central neck dissection (pCND) for 1.5 and 2.

Feasibility of facial nerve monitoring using adhesive surface electrodes during parotidectomy: a comparative study with needle electrodes.

Purpose: Electrophysiological monitoring of the facial nerve during parotidectomy has been reported as an adjunctive method to prevent facial nerve injury. Classically, a needle electrode is used to obtain electromyographic (EMG) signals from facial muscles during facial nerve monitoring (FNM) of parotid surgery, likewise adhesive surface electrodes. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of performing FNM with surface electrodes during parotid surgery and to compare EMG values with needle electrodes.

Diagnosis of Early Glottic Cancer Using Laryngeal Image and Voice Based on Ensemble Learning of Convolutional Neural Network Classifiers.

Objectives: The purpose of study is to improve the classification accuracy by comparing the results obtained by applying decision tree ensemble learning, which is one of the methods to increase the classification accuracy for a relatively small dataset, with the results obtained by the convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm for the diagnosis of glottal cancer.

Methods: Pusan National University Hospital (PNUH) dataset were used to establish classifiers and Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital (PNUYH) dataset were used to verify the classifier's performance in the generated model. For the diagnosis of glottic cancer, deep learning-based CNN models were established and classified using laryngeal image and voice data.

Tensin Regulates Fundamental Biological Processes by Interacting with Integrins of Tonsil-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Human tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells (TMSCs) have a superior proliferation rate and differentiation potential compared to adipose-tissue-derived MSCs (AMSCs) or bone-marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs). TMSCs exhibit a significantly higher expression of the tensin3 gene () than AMSCs or BMSCs. TNS is involved in cell adhesion and migration by binding to integrin beta-1 (ITG β1) in focal adhesion.

ACE2 and TMPRSS2 Immunolocalization and COVID-19-Related Thyroid Disorder.

Thyroid dysfunction has been reported to be an extrapulmonary symptom of COVID-19. It is important to identify the tissue subset that expresses angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), which are essential for host infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), in order to understand the viral pathogenesis of COVID-19-related thyroid dysfunction. We investigated the expression and distribution of ACE2- and TMPRSS2-expressing cells in the thyroid gland.

Tonsil mesenchymal stem cells-derived extracellular vesicles prevent submandibular gland dysfunction in ovariectomized rats.

Dry mouth that occurs after menopause significantly reduces the quality of life of the elderly. The extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells are being studied for application in various pathological conditions in the field of tissue regenerative medicine. This study is to investigate the therapeutic effect on salivary gland dysfunction occurring after ovariectomy using tonsil mesenchymal stem cells (T-MSCs)-derived extracellular vesicles.

ACE2 and TMPRSS2 immunolocalization and oral manifestations of COVID-19.

Objectives: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) entry into the host cells depends on the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2). We investigated the distribution of ACE2- and TMPRSS2-expressing cells in various oral tissues to identify the underlying mechanism of oral manifestations in patients with coronavirus disease 2019.

Subjects: We analyzed the expression patterns of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the oral mucosa (tongue, palate, and buccal mucosa), trigeminal ganglion, vessels, and salivary glands of 9 Sprague-Dawley rats using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.

Perfusion-Decellularized Larynx as a Natural 3D Scaffold in a Rabbit Model.

Introduction: Decellularized larynges could be used as scaffolds to regenerate the larynx. The purpose of this study was to establish a perfusion decellularization protocol to produce a 3-dimensional whole laryngeal extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold in a rabbit model.

Methods: The larynges of 20 rabbits assigned to the study group were harvested and decellularized using a perfusion decellularization protocol, while the larynges of 10 rabbits in the control group were harvested and untreated.