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Introduction: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on head and neck cancer (HNC) has been suggested, but the causal relationship remains unclear. Methods: We explore this connection by utilizing the Mendelian randomization (MR) approach applied to publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary datasets for COVID-19 and HNC. The datasets included critical COVID-19 (13,769 cases, 1,072,442 controls), hospitalized COVID-19 (32,519 cases, 2,062,805 controls), SARS-CoV-2 infection (122,616 cases, 2,475,240 controls), and HNC (2,131 cases, 287,137 controls). Mechanistic underpinnings of the causal relationships identified by MR analysis were explored through functional annotation augmented by AI-based literature data mining. Results: Surprisingly, a genetic predisposition to contracting a milder form of COVID-19 substantially reduced the risks of developing HNC (OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.35-0.78, p = 1.42E-03), with no significant association between genetic liability to severe COVID-19 and the risk of HNC detected. Additionally, our findings highlighted 14 genes linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection, potentially playing a protective role in the context of HNC. These genes include OAS1, LOC107985887, BCL11A, DPP9, LOC107984685, LINC02326, MUC4, NXPE3, IFNAR2, LZTFL1, LOC105372437, NAPSA, LOC105376622, LOC107986082, and SLC6A20. Conclusion: Our study emphasizes the protective role of the genetic liability to milder COVID-19 in reducing the risk of HNC while refuting a causal relationship between severe COVID-19 and HNC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and identify risk factors for postoperative recurrence of PTC with recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) involvement. Methods: In total, 171 patients (112 women and 59 men, age: 18-80 years, and 65 patients aged ≥ 55) with T4a PTC with RLN involvement, treated at Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, from January 2006 to December 2020, were retrospectively examined. Clinicopathological characteristics, including voice analysis results, and survival outcomes were assessed. The Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were used to analyze differences in acoustic parameters. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free (RFS) rates. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed of the clinical data. Results: The postoperative follow-up period ranged from 12 to 196 months (mean: 66.18 months). Of the 171 patients, 16 had recurrence and 8 died of thyroid-related diseases. The 5-year OS rate was 95.22%. The 5-year RFS rate was 89.38%. Jitter and shimmer were higher and maximum phonation time was shorter in patients with preoperative vocal cord paralysis (VCP) than in those without RLN involvement, and in those with RLN involvement but without preoperative VCP. Acoustic parameters were similar in patients with no preoperative VCP and those without RLN involvement. Voice analysis results did not differ between cases with RLN adhesion and RLN invasion. Univariate analysis showed that age at onset ≥ 55 years, preoperative RLN palsy, and esophageal invasion were risk factors for postoperative recurrence of PTC with RLN involvement. Multivariate analysis showed that onset age ≥ 55 years (OR 4.52, 95% confidence interval: 1.44-14.19, P = 0.010) was an independent risk factor for recurrence. Conclusions: PTC patients with RLN invasion can achieve good outcomes. Preoperative voice analysis may offer insights into RLN function. Age of onset ≥ 55 years is an independent risk factor for postoperative recurrence in T4a PTC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate a novel combined microinvasive transsubmandibular and nasendoscopy surgical approach for nasopharyngeal carcinoma involving the parapharyngeal space. Methods: Seven patients diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma involving the parapharyngeal space between May 2018 and April 2021, two males and five females, aged 37-63 years.Six of the 7 patients underwent submental flap preparation and dissection of the lymph nodes in the upper neck and parapharyngeal space on the lesion side. The nasopharynx lesions and tumor margins were dissected under nasal endoscopy. The medial boundary of internal carotid artery separated by open cervical approach was used as the lateral boundary of the tumor to realize en bloc resection of the tumor. Results: The patients were preoperatively diagnosed with T2~3N0M0 nasopharyngeal carcinoma, including mucoepidermoid carcinoma (n=2), papillary adenocarcinoma (n=1), and nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma (n=4). The tumors were removed completely, and patients achieved primary healing of the incision. No recurrence and no serious complications were recorded during the 13-48 month follow-up. Conclusion: Complete resection of the tumor was obtained in the 7 patients without recurrence and serious complications during the follow-up. The findings of this cohort study suggest that, patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy and radiotherapy-insensitive types of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the combined microinvasive transsubmandibular and nasendoscopy surgical approach may be considered as an surgical options. The results of this study provide an additional option for surgical treatment of NPC in the clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and advantages of Fang's capillary fascia preservation right recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) dissection technique (F-RRLN dissection) with preservation of the capillary network and fascia between the RLN and common carotid artery for greater neuroprotective efficiency compared with traditional techniques. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 102 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma undergoing right level VI lymph node dissection in our department from March 2021 to January 2022. Sixty patients underwent FR-RLN dissection (the experimental group) and 42 patients underwent standard dissection (the control group). The intraoperative electrical signal amplitude ratios of the RLN, the number of dissected lymph nodes, and the preservation rates of the parathyroid glands were recorded and compared between the two groups. Results: The electrical signal amplitude ratio of the lower neck part point of the RLN to the upper laryngeal inlet point in the experimental group was significantly lower than the ratio in the control group (p = 0.006, Z-score = -2.726). One patient suffered transient RLN paralysis in both groups, but this resolved within 1 month after operation. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the number of level VIa or level VIb lymph nodes dissected, nor in the rate of preservation of the parathyroid glands. Conclusions: F-R-RLN dissection is a thorough dissection technique that is effective at preventing an electrical signal amplitude decrease in the RLN, and at preventing RLN paralysis by preserving its blood supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of thyroid cancer (TC) is high in the elderly. The present study was based on the hypothesis that genes, which have increased activity with aging, may play a role in the development of TC. A large-scale literature-based data analysis was conducted to explore the genes that are implicated in both TC and aging. Subsequently, a mega-analysis of 16 RNA expression datasets (1,222 samples: 439 healthy controls, and 783 patients with TC) was conducted to test a set of genes associated with aging but not TC. To uncover a possible link between these genes and TC, a functional pathway analysis was conducted, and the results were validated by analysis of gene co-expression. A multiple linear regression (MLR) model was employed to study the possible influence of sample size, population region and study age on the gene expression levels in TC. A total of 262 and 816 genes were identified to have increased activity with aging and TC, respectively; with a significant overlap of 63 genes (P<3.82×10-35). The mega-analysis revealed two aging-associated genes (CHI3L1 and TNFRSF12A) to be significantly associated with TC (P<2.05x10-8), and identified the association with multiple hypoxia-driven pathways through functional pathway analysis, also confirmed by the co-expression analysis. The MLR analysis identified population region as a significant factor contributing to the expression levels of CHI3L1 and TNFRSF12A in TC samples (P<3.24×10-4 ). The determination of genes that promote aging was warranted due to their possible involvement in TC. The present study suggests CHI3L1 and TNFRSF12A as novel common risk genes associated with both aging and TC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Narrow band imaging (NBI) and stroboscopy are non-invasive techniques to detect the malignant lesions of the vocal cord. This study was to assess the diagnostic value of combined endoscopic analysis in the applanate indiscernible early-stage vocal cord cancer. Methods: A total of 110 patients with 160 suspicious vocal cord malignant lesions were included in this retrospective study. Stroboscopy was immediately performed after NBI and white light endoscopy (WLE) were performed in all patients. Excisional biopsy was performed to examine histopathology examination. Results: We found that the diagnostic specificity and PPV were higher in the NBI and WLE combined with stroboscopy group than in the NBI and WLE group without stroboscopy (88.9% vs 72.5%, 88.4% vs 60.9%). However, the diagnostic sensitivity was not significantly different in those two groups (69.3% vs 67.7%). Conclusion: NBI and WLE combined with stroboscopy is a promising method to detect early-stage vocal cord cancer with the advantage of clinical feasibility and diagnostic specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The role of minimally invasive endoscopic resection (MIER) in the treatment of sinonasal malignancy is controversial. Herein, we performed a retrospective review of a large case series of sinonasal malignancy patients treated with MIER aimed at evaluating the outcomes and identifying the risk factors for recurrence. Methods: Patients with sinonasal malignancy who underwent MIER from March 2000 to May 2015 were enrolled, and their clinical data were collected. The clinical outcomes were evaluated by determining the 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). The predictive factors for survival and potential independent risk factors for recurrence were explored. Results: A total of 120 patients were enrolled, including 62 males and 58 females. The mean follow-up period was 51.4 (95% confidence interval: 44.0-59.1) months. The most frequent histological type was mucosal malignant melanoma. The positive margin rate was 19.2% (23/120). Seventy-one patients had the safety anatomic plane (SAP). Age ≥50 years, nodal metastasis, and not having the SAP were found to be predictive factors for survival, and absence of SAP was found to be an independent risk factor for recurrence. Conclusion: Our study indicated that MIER is an effective and safe surgical procedure in appropriately selected patients. Tumor resection with a safety anatomic boundary is likely to lead to improved survival and decreased recurrence. However, a larger sample and longterm prospective observation are still required to establish the role of MIER in treatment of sinonasal malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kinetic frictional force between a nanowire and its supporting flat substrate was measured using nanomanipulation with optical microscopy at ambient atmosphere. During testing, the nanowire was pushed at its center point by a sharp tip and thus exhibited an arc shape held by the frictional shear stress (kinetic friction per area). The arc-shaped nanowire slid along the supporting substrate with further pushing. The frictional shear stress was derived from the arc shape of the nanowire based on the theory of elasticity. The frictional shear stresses of Al2O3 nanowires on the Si and SiN substrates were measured to be 2.0 ± 0.2 and 1.5 ± 0.2 MPa, respectively. It was found that the lengths of the nanowires and their angular orientations with the substrate, the arc shapes being formed and the driving mode of the tip had insignificant effects on the measured frictional shear stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An improved loop test, which consists of twisting a loop in a nanoscale whisker adhered to a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grid or other flat substrate and pulling the ends until the loop breaks, was developed for experimentally approaching the intrinsic strength of the whisker material. Alumina whiskers with diameters in the 82-320 nm range, as test targets, exhibited an average fracture strength of 39.1 GPa with a maximum of 48:8 ± 1:8 GPa, which is close to the theoretical prediction of ∼46 GPa. In situ TEM fracture analysis demonstrated the brittle fracture of alumina whiskers with thicknesses down to 82 nm. Conventional SEM/TEM imaging induced fracture of the whisker loops that had experienced high strain and a possible mechanism were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We investigated the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of the larynx in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods: Thirty-two cases of MG were analyzed. The laryngeal behaviors and characteristics of laryngeal electromyography were evaluated, and voice assessment and repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) tests were conducted. Results: The initial symptoms of patients were ptosis and/or diplopia in 28, dysphagia and slurred speech in 3, and limb weakness in 1. Only 8 patients had slight hoarseness and vocal fatigue, and 4 patients had positive laryngeal .signs. When compared with normal subjects, the patients with MG had worse results on the acoustic analysis of shimmer, their normalized noise energy was greater, and the harmonics-to-noise ratio and maximum phonation time were significantly lower. The RNS findings were positive in 28 patients and negative in 4 patients. The average (±SD) amplitude decrement was 31.9% ± 19.1%. The mean number of involved laryngeal muscles was 2.22 ± 1.35. Cricothyrold mu.scles were involved in 26 cases, thyroarytenoid muscles were involved in 14 cases, posterior cricoarytenoid muscles were involved in 6 cases, and lateral cricoarytenoid muscles were involved in 2 cases. Conclusions: Although few patients presented with laryngeal symptoms as their initial symptoms, most patients with MG exhibited asymmetry and abnormal findings on laryngeal electromyography. The RNS test for laryngeal muscles is a more sensitive indicator for the diagnosis of MG, especially in the cricothyroid muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We sought to determine the value of laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) and evoked LEMG in the diagnosis of vocal fold. immobility. Methods: We analyzed 110 cases of vocal fold immobility by their clinical manifestations and LEMG characteristics, including spontaneous potential activity, motor unit potential measurement, recruitment pattern analysis, and evoked LEMG signals. Results: With LEMG, we identified 87 patients with neuropathic laryngeal injuries. Neurogenic vocal fold immobility showed a wide variety of abnormal activity. Fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves were found in patients with laryngeal nerve injuries. For laryngeal paralysis, there was no reaction with LEMG and evoked LEMG. For incomplete laryngeal paralysis, decreased evoked LEMG signals were also seen with delayed latency (thyroarytenoid muscle, 2.2 ± 1.0 ms, p < .01; posterior cricoarytenoid muscle, 2.4 ± 1.0 ms, p < .05) and lower amplitude (thyroarytenoid muscle, 0.9 ± 0.7 mV, p < .05; posterior cricoarytenoid muscle, 1.2 ± 1.0 mV, p < .01). Nineteen patients with vocal fold mechanical limitations generally had normal LEMG and evoked LEMG signals. Four patients with neoplastic infiltration of the laryngeal muscles demonstrated abnormal LEMG signals but nearly normal evoked LEMG signals. Conclusions: We conclude that LEMG and evoked LEMG behavior plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of vocal fold immobility. The decreased recruitment activities on LEMG and the decreased evoked LEMG signals with longer latency and lower amplitude reflect the severity of neuropathic laryngeal injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FeCo-C core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) with diameters of 10–50 nm have been fabricated on a large scale by one-step metal-organic chemical vapor deposition using the mixture of cobalt acetylacetonate and iron acetylacetonate as the precursor. The Fe/Co molar ratio of the alloy nanocores and graphitization degree of C shells, and thus the magnetic and electric properties of the core–shell NPs, can be tuned by the deposition temperature ranging from 700 °C to 900 °C. Comparative tests reveal that a relatively high Fe/Co molar ratio and low graphitization degree benefit the microwave absorption (MA) performance of the core–shell NPs. The composite with 20 wt% core–shell NP obtained at 800 °C and 80 wt% paraffin exhibits an optimal reflection loss of −60.4 dB at 7.5 GHz with a thickness of 3.3 mm, and an effective absorption bandwidth (frequency range for RL ≤10 dB) of 9.2 GHz (8.8–18.0 GHz) under an absorber thickness of 2.5 mm. Our study provides a facile route for the fabrication of alloy-C core–shell nanostructures with high MA performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple criterion was developed to assess the appropriateness of the currently available models that estimate the static friction force between nanowires and substrates using the ‘most-bent-state’ method. Our experimental testing of the static friction force between Al2O3 nanowires and Si substrate verified our theoretical analysis, as well as the establishment of the criterion. It was found that the models are valid only for the bent nanowires with the ratio of wire length over the minimum curvature radius no greater than 1. For the cases with greater than 1, the static friction force was overestimated as it neglected the effect of its tangential component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe3C–C core–shell nanoparticles were fabricated on a large scale by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition at 700 °C with ferric acetylacetonate as the precursor. Analysis results of x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope and Raman spectroscope showed that the Fe3C cores with an average diameter of ∼35 nm were capsulated by the graphite-like C layers with the thickness of 2–5 nm. The comparative experiments revealed that considerable Fe3O4–Fe3C core–shell nanoparticles and C nanotubes were generated simultaneously at 600 and 800 °C, respectively. A formation mechanism was proposed for the as-synthesized core–shell nanostructures, based on the temperature-dependent catalytic activity of Fe3C nanoclusters and the coalescence process of Fe3C–C nanoclusters. The Fe3C–C core–shell nanoparticles exhibited a saturation magnetization of 23.6 emu g−1 and a coercivity of 550 Oe at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]