Miklós Bauer

Ionomer cement for reconstruction of the long process of the incus: the Pécs experience

•  Experience gained with the repair of the defects of the long process of the incus with ionomer cement in 35 patients is reported. •  The integrity of the reconstructed tympanic membrane and the four‐frequency average of the air‐bone gaps of the postoperative audiograms (best, most recent and at around 1 year) were evaluated. •  This ‘physiological’ reconstruction of the ossicular chain fulfilled our expectations in 40% of the patients (air‐bone gap ≤ 10 dB). •  The background of the unsuccessful cases was investigated.

Changes in expression of oncogenes and TP53 tumour suppressor gene as biomarkers in head and neck cancers

Despite modern diagnostic procedures and up-to-date therapy, the survival of head and neck tumour patients is unfavourable. This can be explained by several factors, one of which is the late recognition of the tumour. This study related to the changes in expression of the c-myc and Ha-ras oncogenes and the p53 tumour suppressor gene as biomarkers in head and neck cancer cases. The gene expressions were investigated on RNA gained from peripheral white blood cells of head and neck cancers patients before and after definitive treatment. The results were compared with those on a control group of patients with non-tumorous diseases. The gene expressions were significantly higher in the cancer group than that in the control group (volunteer medical staff and medical students). After definitive treatment, the expressions of all these genes were decreased in patients in whom there was no recurrence of the tumour, but enhanced in the event of recurrence. Such measurement may serve as reliable biomarkers to monitor tumour development and the efficiency of therapy. The method may also be useful for the early identification of populations exposed to noxe, which may lead to the development of head and neck cancers.