Do Yang Park

Feasibility of robot-assisted submandibular gland resection via retroauricular approach: preliminary results.

To present the surgical technique and feasibility of robot‐assisted submandibular gland (SMG) resection via retroauricular approach.

Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species modulate innate immune response to influenza A virus in human nasal epithelium.

The innate immune system of the nasal epithelium serves as a first line of defense against invading respiratory viruses including influenza A virus (IAV). Recently, it was verified that interferon (IFN)-related immune responses play a critical role in local antiviral innate immunity. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by exogenous pathogens has also been demonstrated in respiratory epithelial cells and modulation of ROS has been reported to be important for respiratory virus-induced innate immune mechanisms. Passage-2 normal human nasal epithelial (NHNE) cells were inoculated with IAV (WS/33, H1N1) to assess the sources of IAV-induced ROS and the relationship between ROS and IFN-related innate immune responses. Both STAT1 and STAT2 phosphorylation and the mRNA levels of IFN-stimulated genes, including Mx1, 2,5-OAS1, IFIT1, and CXCL10, were induced after IAV infection up to three days post infection. Similarly, we observed that mitochondrial ROS generation increased maximally at 2 days after IAV infection. After suppression of mitochondrial ROS generation, IAV-induced phosphorylation of STAT and mRNA levels of IFN-stimulated genes were attenuated and actually, viral titers of IAV were significantly higher in cases with scavenging ROS. Our findings suggest that mitochondrial ROS might be responsible for controlling IAV infection and may be potential sources of ROS generation, which is required to initiate an innate immune response in NHNE cells.

Clinical Implication of Heart Rate Variability in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Patients.

AbstractObstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a common disease with the prevalence of approximately 10% in general population, and this disease entity is considered to be highly related with the development of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. In the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, maintaining the homeostasis of autonomic nervous system (ANS) is critical. To evaluate the homeostasis of ANS, heart rate variability (HRV) is commonly used. The object of this study was to evaluate the homeostasis of ANS using the parameters of HRV and to elucidate the correlation between the parameters and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Methods:Retrospective review of 806 patients was performed and 164 patients who were diagnosed as having OSAS by in-room polysomnography and met the criteria of age, sex, and body mass index were enrolled. The calculation of HRV parameters was executed using echocardiographic data from polysomnography. Results:Between the control group (N = 81, AHI < 5) and OSAS patient group (N = 83, AHI > 15), standard deviation of NN (SDNN) intervals, SDNN index, HRV triangular index, very low frequency (VLF), low frequency (LF), 5-minute total power (TP), and low-frequency to high-frequency (LF/HF) ratio showed significant differences. In the correlation analysis between AHI and HRV parameters, only LF/HF ratio was proven to be significant. Conclusions:Elucidating the imbalance of ANS in OSAS patients was feasible by HRV and its parameters.

CUT-PCR: CRISPR-mediated, ultrasensitive detection of target DNA using PCR.

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has emerged as a tumor-specific biomarker for the early detection of various cancers. To date, several techniques have been devised to enrich the extremely small amounts of ctDNA present in plasma, but they are still insufficient for cancer diagnosis, especially at the early stage. Here, we developed a novel method, CUT (CRISPR-mediated, Ultrasensitive detection of Target DNA)-PCR, which uses CRISPR endonucleases to enrich and detect the extremely small amounts of tumor DNA fragments among the much more abundant wild-type DNA fragments by specifically eliminating the wild-type sequences. We computed that by using various orthologonal CRISPR endonucleases such as SpCas9 and FnCpf1, the CUT-PCR method would be applicable to 80% of known cancer-linked substitution mutations registered in the COSMIC database. We further verified that CUT-PCR together with targeted deep sequencing enables detection of a broad range of oncogenes with high sensitivity (<0.01%) and accuracy, which is superior to conventional targeted deep sequencing. In the end, we successfully applied CUT-PCR to detect sequences with oncogenic mutations in the ctDNA of colorectal cancer patients’ blood, suggesting that our technique could be adopted for diagnosing various types of cancer at early stages.

Reliability and validity testing of automated scoring in obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis with the Embletta X100.

To verify the reliability and validity of automated scoring and compare it to that of manual scoring for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea using an Embletta X100 level 2 portable device.

Robotic nasopharyngectomy via combined endonasal and transantral port: A preliminary cadaveric study

The objective of this study was to determine the potential role of a surgical robotic system in nasopharyngeal surgery using bilateral transantral or combined endonasal/transantral port.

Immediate re-insertion of non-autologous materials in revision augmentation rhinoplasty.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to study whether immediate re-insertion of non-autologous augmentation material in revision augmentation rhinoplasty is a safe surgical strategy creating a successful and functional aesthetic outcome. Study DesignRetrospective review and analysis of medical records. SettingTertiary referral hospital. Subjects and MethodsA retrospective analysis of 11 consecutive patients who had undergone removal of previous augmentation material and immediate re-insertion of non-autologous material in revision augmentation rhinoplasty was performed. Demographics, surgical approaches, augmentation materials, material-related complications, time interval between surgeries, surgical outcome, and follow-up period were included in the analysis to evaluate our surgical strategy. ResultsA successful surgical outcome with respect to both functional and aesthetic aspects was obtained in nine of the 11 enrolled patients. In 1 patient, there was a recurrence of material-related complication, while another patient experienced unsatisfactory graft displacement. The unsuccessful cases had 2 common features in that silicone and endonasal approaches were used in the primary and revision surgeries, respectively. ConclusionRemoval of previous augmentation material and immediate re-insertion of non-autologous material for dorsal augmentation in revision rhinoplasty is feasible with respect to functional and aesthetic aspects of patient outcome.

Surgical outcomes of primary and revision augmentation rhinoplasty using a processed fascia lata.

Background Dorsal augmentation is the most commonly performed procedure in rhinoplasty for Asian patients. Due to the anatomic features of the Asian nose, the use of nonautologous materials to obtain a proper degree of augmentation is inevitable in most cases. Because the use of nonautologous materials possesses a higher risk of complications, surgeons are concerned about selecting suitable materials for the procedure, especially in revision rhinoplasty. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the suitability and usefulness of a homologous material, Tutoplast-processed fascia lata (TPFL), in revision augmentation rhinoplasty. Methods Retrospective analysis of 104 rhinoplasty patients (primary, 86; revision, 18) who had undergone dorsal augmentation using TPFL was conducted. The comparison of surgical outcomes between primary and revision surgery was made using objective [dorsal height (DH) and radix height (RH), complication rate] and subjective (patient satisfaction) parameters. Results The degree of augmentation represented by DHand RH was comparable between primary and revision rhinoplasty using TPFL. In comparing the rate of postoperative complications, only minor incidents were noted, in six cases after primary surgery and in one case after revision surgery. Patient satisfaction was measured in both primary and revision augmentation, with a significant difference observed between the two groups (40.57 ∓ 9.25 versus 31.48 ∓ 7.59; p < 0.05). Conclusion TPFL is a feasible implant material that delivers suitable augmentation and patient satisfaction with minimal morbidity in both primary and revision rhinoplasty.

Alteration of Inflammatory Mediators in the Upper and Lower Airways under Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia: Preliminary Animal Study

Purpose We hypothesized that CIH may affect the upper airway immune system and aimed to verify whether CIH can induce airway inflammation in a murine obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) model. Methods C57BL6 male mice were exposed to intermittent hypoxia (CIH group; 5 ~ 21% FiO2, 120 sec cycles, 12 h/d, n = 6) or room air (Sham group, n = 6) for up to 4 weeks in identical chambers. Nasal and lung tissues and lavage fluid were collected and analyzed by multiplex assay. Lung lavage fluid was also utilized for FACS analysis to determine eosinophil count. Results We determined the protein level of 24 different cytokines, chemokines, and inflammatory mediators. Among various cytokines, levels of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-13 were significantly elevated in nose or lung tissue from the CIH group. In addition, MCP-1 and periostin were elevated in nose and lung tissue and lavage fluid from the CIH group. Conclusions CIH for 4 weeks altered the levels of inflammatory mediators in both the nose and lungs of mouse model. We suggest that the airway immune system may be deteriorated by CIH and allergic inflammation in the upper or lower airway could be worsened by sleep apnea.

Infratemporal fossa cellulitis caused by a remnant iatrogenic foreign body after a bimaxillary operation.

Infratemporal fossa cellulitis is rare and mostly occurs because of sinusitis and dental procedures. Furthermore, cellulitis caused by iatrogenic foreign bodies is very rare. A 28-year-old woman who had previously undergone cosmetic bimaxillary operation visited our hospital complaining of left facial swelling, oppressive pain, and nasal obstruction since 2 years. She had been attending another clinic, but despite having additional procedures and taking medications, her symptoms persisted. A subsequent operation was performed, during which we found a remnant surgical gauze from the previous operation, which was decomposed and trapped around the necrotic soft tissue and had eroded the bony structure around the pterygoid fossa. The material was successfully removed by endoscopic surgery, and the necrotic tissue was debrided. After the operation, all symptoms disappeared, and the patient was discharged without sequelae. During any procedure, surgeons must meticulously check for remnant material. Additionally, physicians must carefully note patient history and perform a physical examination, even in patients without serious symptoms. We report a case of advanced infratemporal fossa cellulitis due to remnant gauze material during a previous operation that was undetected.