Mesut Kaya

The protective role of thymoquinone in the prevention of gentamicin ototoxicity

OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential protective effect of thymoquinone in gentamicin-induced ototoxicity through auditory brain stem responses (ABR) testing and histomorphological evaluation of the cochlea. METHODS This study was conducted on 48 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats that were randomized into 4 groups. Group 1 received intraperitoneal gentamicin; group 2 received intraperitoneal gentamicin plus corn oil solution; group 3 received intraperitoneal thymoquinone; and group 4 received intraperitoneal gentamicin plus thymoquinone. All groups received the drugs (once daily) in the above-mentioned protocols over 15 days. After conducting repeated ABR measurements, the rats were sacrificed, and their cochleae were isolated. RESULTS ABR thresholds were preserved in the gentamicin plus thymoquinone group when compared with the group receiving gentamicin alone. There were fewer TUNEL-positive cells and caspase-3 and caspase-9 expressions were weaker in the inner and outer hairy cells of the organ of Corti in the gentamicin plus thymoquinone group compared with the group receiving gentamicin alone. CONCLUSION The ABR values and number of apoptotic cells did not significantly increase in the group receiving gentamicin plus thymoquinone when compared to the group receiving gentamicin alone. Again, the cochlear histomorphological findings were supportive of the auditory findings. In light of these findings, we conclude that gentamicin-induced ototoxicity may be prevented by thymoquinone use in rats.

Association of Oral Antireflux Medication With Laryngopharyngeal Reflux and Nasal Resistance

Importance Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is thought to be a potential exacerbating factor in upper airway diseases. Objective To describe the effect of pharmacologic therapy of laryngopharyngeal reflux on nasal resistance. Design, Setting, and Participants Prospective observational study performed between August 30, 2014, and October 1, 2015, at a tertiary care academic center including 50 patients with Reflux Symptom Index higher than 13 and Reflux Finding Score higher than 7 and 50 controls with no history of LPR and nasal disease. Interventions Oral antireflux medication was given to the LPR group for 12 weeks. Main Outcomes and Measures The measurements of total nasal resistance (TNR) were performed by means of active anterior rhinomanometry technique and Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) was assessed. Results The LPR group had 29 (58%) women and a median age of 41.5 years (range, 18-64 years). The control group had 27 (54%) women and a median age of 38.5 years (range, 19-63 years). After treatment, a significant decrease was observed in all parameters. The median (range) TNR scores of the LPR group before and after treatment were 0.29 (0.12-0.36) and 0.19 (0.10-0.31), respectively. The median TNR score of the control group was 0.20 (range, 0.11-0.32). Whereas the TNR scores of the LPR group were higher than those of the control group before treatment (difference, −0.77; 95% CI, −0.10 to 0.05), they were almost the same after treatment (difference, 0.01; 95% CI, −0.01 to 0.03). The median (range) NOSE scores of the LPR group before and after treatment were 0.29 (0.12-0.36) and 0.19 (0.10-0.31), respectively. The median NOSE score of the control group was 0.20 (range, 0.11-0.32). Conclusions and Relevance In this study, laryngopharyngeal reflux had a negative effect on nasal resistance and nasal congestion. Treatment was associated with improved subjective and objective nasal findings.

Chronologic presentation of a severe case of progressive hemifacial atrophy (parry-romberg syndrome) with the loss of an eye.

Progressive hemifacial atrophy, also known as Parry-Romberg syndrome, is a slowly advancing degenerative disease that mostly affects the cutaneous, subcutaneous fatty tissue, muscle tissue, and bone structures on one side of the face. We describe the chronological progression of this very rare syndrome from early childhood until adulthood in a patient who developed severe atrophy and lost one eye. We also discuss the aetiology and pathophysiology of this syndrome.

Functional analysis of ESM1 by siRNA knockdown in primary and metastatic head and neck cancer cells

BACKGROUND Genetic factors play a large role in cancer, and thus, there is a great desire to understand the effects of different genes in cancer and to also develop gene therapy for better treatments. Therefore, the development of alternative diagnosis and therapy modalities is of utmost importance. The aim of our study was to illuminate the role of ESM1 (endothelial cell-specific molecule-1, also known as Endocan) in proliferation and migration of head and neck cancer, thus helping to pave the way for new treatment modalities and predictive biomarkers. METHODS ESM1 expression was shown with immunofluorescence assay using confocal laser scanning microscope in primary and metastatic head and neck cancer cells. ESM1 expression was knocked down by RNA interference in head and neck cancer cells. Knockdown efficiency was evaluated by quantitative real-time RT-PCR and Western blot. Cell proliferation and migration assays were performed by xCELLigence real-time cell analysis system. RESULTS Immunofluorescence assay showed nuclear localization and high expression of ESM1 in primary and metastatic head and neck cancer cells. ESM1 mRNA and protein levels were significantly decreased in ESM1-knockdown cells compared to control. ESM1-knockdown cells showed reduced proliferation and migration activity when compared to control cells. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that ESM1 has roles on proliferation and migration of head and neck cancer cells.

Stafne bone cavity containing ectopic parotid gland

Em 1942, Stafne descreveu, em 35 casos assintomáticos, uma depressão cortical no lado lingual da mandíbula como uma série de cavidades radiolucentes unilaterais localizadas na região posterior da mandíbula, entre o terceiro molar e o ângulo mandibular, abaixo do canal mandibular inferior e acima da base mandibular. Esse autor descreveu os casos como ‘‘cavidades ósseas situadas nas proximidades do ângulo da mandíbula’’.1 Essas lesões são definidas como pseudocistos desprovidos de revestimento epitelial. Embora, na maioria dos casos, esses cistos sejam observados no ângulo da mandíbula abaixo do nervo mandibular, também são diagnosticados em outros locais, como, por exemplo, no aspecto anterior da mandíbula. Graças às explicações controversas da patogênese, essa lesão tem sido denominada de várias formas, entre elas cavidade ou defeito

Does Nasal Septal Deviation Affect the Eustachian Tube Function and Middle Ear Ventilation

Objective Our aim is to evaluate the effect of nasal septal deviation on the middle ear pressure and Eustachian Tube (ET) functions with regard to the side of deviation. Methods A prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted. Overall, 50 patients (22 female, 28 male) undergoing septoplasty because of nasal septum deviation were included. The nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) scale was used to evaluate surgical satisfaction. Middle ear ventilation and the ET functions of a total of 100 ears were assessed with basal tympanometry and insufflation tests (Valsalva and Toynbee). The tests were performed on the operation day and eight weeks after surgery. The ears were divided into two groups: the affected side (the side of nasal obstruction) (Group 1) and the contralateral side (Group 2). The study parameters obtained before and after septoplasty were compared. Results The NOSE scores decreased after septoplasty (12.48±4.78/7.56±3.4) (p<0.001). There were 20 functional ETs (40%) in the affected side preoperatively, which increased to 36 ears (72%) postoperatively, and functional tubes increased to 35 (70%) from 29 (58%) after surgery in the contralateral side. The changes in the tympanometry results were statistically significant for both the affected side (-33.56 daPA/-21.18 daPA) and contralateral side (29.24daPA/-24.96daPA) (p<0.05), but the alteration in the side of deviation was more evident. Conclusion Our study shows that septoplasty may have a beneficial effect on middle ear ventilation and ET functions.

Effects of early postoperative nasal decongestant on symptom relief after septoplasty: Nasal Decongestant Use After Septoplasty

A randomized, prospective, double‐blinded clinical study was conducted at a single, tertiary referral center. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of nasal decongestant use in the early postoperative period after septoplasty.

Analysis of Auditory Evoked Late Latency Potentials in Stuttering

Objective: Our aim is to evaluate and compare the cortical responses of stutterers and fluents by using auditory late latency responses with the hypothesis of stuttering may result with the auditory feedback delay. The relationship between the auditory late latencies and stuttering durations were also investigated. Material and Methods: Fifteen male right-handed stutterers aged between 18 and 43 years without any hearing loss and neurological problems, and 15 male fluents participated in this study. Immitansmetric evaluation, distortion product otoacoustic emission, and pure tone audiometry were performed to all fluent and stutterer individuals after otoscopic examination. Auditory late latency responses were obtained for those with normal audiological findings. Click stimulus was given to their right ears. Silent images on the computer were shown to the subjects during the test. Results: P1 wave of the auditory evoked late latency potential latencies were found as 56.68±7.37 msec for stutterers, and 57.36±7.74 msec for fluents. P1 amplitudes were 0.71±0.53 μV for stutterers, and as 0.73±0.51 μV for the control group. Stuttering duration of stutterer subjects ranged from 11 to 33 years (mean 20.2 years), and was not correlated to P1 latencies. Conclusion: Stutterers and fluents were not significantly different regarding the P1 latency or amplitude of the auditory evoked late latency potentials. This shows that stutterers have no problem of realization of sounds. Absence of any relationship between stuttering duration and auditory late latency responses is another result of our study.

Evaluation of Acoustic Reflex and Reflex Decay Tests in Geriatric Group

Objective To determine average acoustic reflex thresholds in geriatric groups by assessing ipsilateral and contralateral acoustic reflex and reflex decay tests. Methods A total of 25 elders between ages 65-84 years (74.3±5.4) and 25 individuals between ages 18-45 years (30.4±4.2) were recruited for the study. After ear, nose, and throat examination, ipsilateral and contralateral acoustic reflex thresholds at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hertz (Hz) were determined and a reflex decay test at contralateral 500 Hz was conducted. Ipsilateral acoustic reflex thresholds were obtained with high-frequency band, low-frequency band, and wide band noise, and the results were compared with ipsilateral acoustic reflexes at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz. Results There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in ipsilateral and contralateral acoustic reflex measurements at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz (p>0.05). Negative reflex decay was obtained in all participants and no statistically significant difference between the two groups was observed in terms of reflex decay thresholds (p>0.05). Acoustic reflex with high-frequency band noise was observed in five of nine elders whose acoustic reflexes were not obtained at 2000 and 4000 Hz, whereas acoustic reflex with low-frequency band noise was observed in one of six elders who did not show reflexes at 500 and 1000 Hz. Conclusion It was concluded that although some changes were observed due to age, middle ear and stapes muscles work normally in geriatric group. In the reflex decay test, reliable results were obtained at contralateral 500 Hz. Acoustic reflex measurements with low- and high-frequency band noise may also be used to assess middle ear functions.