Shu-Yu Tai

Heat Shock Protein 70 Gene Polymorphisms in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Background: Heat shock proteins protect cells and tissues against different types of damage. Previous studies have revealed that the serum level of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) increases in sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) patients. We hypothesized that genetic variants of the HSP70 gene are associated with susceptibility to SSNHL. Methods: We conducted a case-control study with 160 SSNHL cases and 178 controls. Three tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected. The genotypes were determined using TaqMan technology. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was tested for each SNP, and genetic effects were evaluated according to three inheritance modes. A haplotype analysis was also performed. Results: All three SNPs were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The CT genotype of rs2075800 exhibited an adjusted odds ratio of 0.59 (95% confidence interval 0.37–0.94; p = 0.027). The T allele of SNP rs2075800 was associated with SSNHL under the dominant model (p = 0.019; odds ratio 0.59). Haplotype analysis of the three SNPs demonstrated that the haplotype TGC (rs2075800/rs1043618/rs2763979) was statistically significant (p = 0.0137). Conclusions: These results suggest that HSP70 gene polymorphisms influence the susceptibility to the development of SSNHL in the Taiwanese population.

Association Between Serum Leptin and Adiponectin Levels with Risk of Insulin Resistance and Impaired Glucose Tolerance in Non-diabetic Women

Obesity is a well known risk factor for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Recently discovered adipocyte‐derived proteins (leptin and adiponectin) might contribute to the pathologic mechanism linking obesity and insulin resistance. A total of 190 non‐diabetic women were recruited from the Obesity Clinic of Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao‐Kang Hospital, Taiwan, between February 2003 and February 2004. All participants completed a simple questionnaire. Blood pressure and body mass index were measured; blood samples for fasting glucose, total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, leptin, adiponectin, and fasting insulin level were collected after an overnight fast. Two‐hour glucose level after a 75‐g glucose tolerance test was determined. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) was calculated as the index of insulin resistance. Multivariate linear regression analyses were used to analyze the relationship between adipocytokines and insulin resistance after adjusting for possible confounding factors. Leptin and adiponectin were found to be independently associated with HOMA‐IR and fasting insulin concentration, but in divergent directions, after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Adiponectin, but not leptin, was associated with impaired glucose tolerance after adjusting for potential confounding factors. The results suggest that leptin and adiponectin may be involved in the pathophysiologic link between obesity and insulin resistance independently. Low levels of adiponectin may increase the risks of developing impaired glucose metabolism and type 2 diabetes.

Metabolic Syndrome Increases the Risk of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Taiwan A Case-Control Study

Objective Sudden sensorineural hearing loss has been reported to be associated with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia in previous studies. The aim of this study was to examine whether metabolic syndrome increases the risk of sudden sensorineural hearing loss in Taiwan. Study Design A case-control study. Setting Tertiary university hospital. Subjects and Methods We retrospectively investigated 181 cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss and 181 controls from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, in southern Taiwan from 2010 to 2012, comparing their clinical variables. We analyzed the relationship between metabolic syndrome and sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III with Asian modifications. The demographic and clinical characteristics, audiometry results, and outcome were reviewed. Results Subjects with metabolic syndrome had a 3.54-fold increased risk (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.00-6.43, P < .01) of having sudden sensorineural hearing loss compared with those without metabolic syndrome, after adjusting for age, sex, smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. With increases in the number of metabolic syndrome components, the risk of sudden sensorineural hearing loss increased (P for trend <.01). Vertigo was associated with a poor outcome (P = .02; 95% CI = 1.13~5.13, adjusted odds ratio = 2.39). The hearing loss pattern may influence the outcome of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (P < .01). Conclusion These results suggest that metabolic syndrome is an independent risk factor for sudden sensorineural hearing loss in Taiwan. Vertigo and total hearing loss were indicators of a poor outcome in sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease predicts chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps: A population-based study.

Background Few studies have investigated the relationship between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between COPD and the risk of CRSsNP in a large national sample. Methods Patients 15 years or older with a new primary diagnosis of COPD (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth edition [ICD-9], 491, 492, 494, and 496) between 2000 and 2007 were identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. The patients were compared with sex-, age-, residence-, and insurance premium–matched controls, and both groups were followed up until the end of 2008 for instances of CRSsNP, defined as ICD-9 codes CRS (473, 473.0, 473.1, 473.2, 473.3, 473.8, and 473.9), excluding NP (471, 471.0, 471.1, 471.8, and 471.9). Competing risk-adjusted Cox regression analyses were applied after adjusting for sex, age, residence, insurance premium, steroid use (topical or systemic), hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, hospital admission days, and mortality. Results We included 34,029 cases and 34,029 matched controls in this study. Among the 68,058 subjects, 569 developed CRSsNP during a mean (standard deviation [SD]) follow-up period of 5.0 years (SD 2.2 years). COPD was an independent predictor of CRSsNP in the fully adjusted model (hazard ratio = 3.24; 95% CI = 2.65-3.96; p < 0.01). Conclusion COPD was associated with an increased risk of CRSsNP in this study population, independent of a number of potential confounding factors.

Asthma associated with chronic rhinosinusitis: a population-based study.

Few studies have investigated the relationship between asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The present study investigated the association between asthma and the risk of CRS in a large national sample.

Statin use after intracerebral hemorrhage: a 10-year nationwide cohort study.

Although statin therapy is beneficial to patients with ischemic stroke, statin use, and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remain a concern. ICH survivors commonly have comorbid cardiovascular risk factors that would otherwise warrant cholesterol‐lowering medication, thus emphasizing the importance of assessing the characteristics of statin therapy in this population.

NASAL SEPTUM ADENOID CYSTIC CARCINOMA: A CASE REPORT

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the nasal septum is extremely rare. We present the case of a 56‐year‐ old male who complained of nasal bleeding and nasal obstruction for 1 month. A mass arising from nasal septum was found by endoscope. The tumor was removed under lateral rhinotomy and histopathologic examination revealed adenoid cystic carcinoma with cribriform pattern. He then had postoperative radiotherapy. No recurrence was noticed after 1 year of follow‐up. Despite its rarity, adenoid cystic carcinoma should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of nasal tumor.

Glutathione peroxidase 3 gene polymorphisms and the risk of sudden sensorineural hearing loss

The glutathione peroxidase 3 gene (GPX3) is reported to be a risk factor for arterial ischaemic stroke and cerebral venous thrombosis. GPX3 may be one of the aetiologies of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), which might be attributed to the genetic effect of GPX3 by influence reactive oxygen species (ROS). Unbalanced ROS have been associated with susceptibility to SSNHL. Therefore, we conducted a case–control study with 416 SSNHL cases and 255 controls. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected. The genotypes were determined using TaqMan genotyping assays. Each SNP was tested using the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), and the genetic effects were evaluated using three inheritance models. All five SNPs were in HWE. As the result, the AG genotype of rs3805435 had an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 0.54 (95% confidence interval = 0.37–0.79, p = 0.001) compared with the AA genotype in the SSNHL cases. The GG and AG genotypes of the SNP rs3805435 were associated with SSNHL under the dominant model (p = 0.002, OR = 0.58). In conclusion, these results suggest that GPX3 polymorphisms influence susceptibility to SSNHL in southern Taiwan.

Chronic Rhinosinusitis Associated with Erectile Dysfunction: A Population-Based Study.

Few studies have investigated the relationship between chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and erectile dysfunction (ED). This case-control study aimed to investigate the association between CRS and the risk of ED in a large national sample. Tapping Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified people 30 years or older with a new primary diagnosis of CRS between 1996 and 2007. The cases were compared with sex- and age-matched controls. We identified 14 039 cases and recruited 140 387 matched controls. Both groups were followed up in the same database until the end of 2007 for instances of ED. Of those with CRS, 294 (2.1%) developed ED during a mean (SD) follow-up of 3.20 (2.33) years, while 1 661 (1.2%) of the matched controls developed ED, mean follow up 2.97 (2.39) years. Cox regression analyses were performed adjusting for sex, age, insurance premium, residence, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity, coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, allergic rhinitis, arrhythmia, ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and medications. CRS was revealed to be an independent predictor of ED in the fully adjusted model (HR = 1.51; 95% CI = 1.33–1.73; P < 0.0001).

Contents Vol. 17, 2012

Maurizio Barbara, Rome Olivier Bertrand, Bron F. Owen Black, Portland Th omas Brandt, München Barbara Canlon, Stockholm John P. Carey, Baltimore Douglas A. Cotanche, Boston Cor W.R.J. Cremers, Nijmegen Norbert Dillier, Zürich Robert Dobie, Sacramento Manuel Don, Los Angeles Jill B. Firszt, St. Louis Andrew Forge, London Bernard Fraysse, Toulouse Rick Friedman, Los Angeles Bruce J. Gantz, Iowa City Pablo Gil-Loyzaga, Madrid Anthony W. Gummer, Tübingen James W. Hall III, Gainesville Joseph W. Hall III, Chapel Hill Michael Halmagyi, Camperdown Rudolf Häusler, Bern Vicente Honrubia, Los Angeles Gary D. Housley, Auckland Karl-Bernd Hüttenbrink, Köln Pawel J. Jastreboff , Atlanta Margaret A. Kenna, Boston Philippe P. Lefebvre, Liège Bernd Lütkenhöner, Münster Linda L. Luxon, London Geoff rey A. Manley, Oldenburg Alessandro Martini, Padova Jennifer R. Melcher, Boston Brian C.J. Moore, Cambridge David R. Moore, Nottingham Cynthia C. Morton, Boston Donata Oertel, Madison Kaoru Ogawa, Tokyo Stephen J. O’Leary, Parkville Alan R. Palmer, Nottingham Lorne S. Parnes, London, Ont. Jean-Luc Puel, Montpellier Ramesh Rajan, Monash Yehoash Raphael, Ann Arbor J. Th omas Roland, Jr., New York John J. Rosowski, Boston Rudolf Rübsamen, Leipzig Mario A. Ruggero, Evanston Leonard P. Rybak, Springfi eld Richard J. Salvi, Buff alo Robert V. Shannon, Los Angeles Guido F. Smoorenburg, Besse sur Issole Haim Sohmer, Jerusalem Olivier Sterkers, Clichy Istvan Sziklai, Debrecen Peter R. Th orne, Auckland Shin-ichi Usami, Matsumoto P. Ashley Wackym, Portland Tatsuya Yamasoba, Tokyo Fan-Gang Zeng, Irvine The Science of Hearing and Balance