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Olfactory receptors were found to be expressed also in human sperm giving rise to the hypothesis that they might play a role in fertility and sexual behavior. For instance, bourgeonal was demonstrated to be an agonist of sperm cells olfactory receptor, OR1D2. OR1D2 has been found to be expressed in human olfactory epithelium and to play a critical role in human sperm chemotaxis. Recent preliminary evidence showed that olfaction sensitivity (determined by n-butanol olfactory threshold) and sexual desire were associated in young adult males. It is reasonable to hypothesize that bourgeonal olfactory threshold could be related with human sexual behavior and desire. In 37 healthy young adult male volunteers (age range 20-36 years), the bourgeonal odor threshold and the intensity of sexual desire [the latter using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scale] were examined. In addition, samples of DNA were collected. Allele and genotype frequency of the OR1D2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were then evaluated in order to study the relationship between sexual desire and OR1D2 SNPs expression. The olfactory threshold was categorized as

Objective:To discover the anatomist who first identified the upper oesophageal sphincter.Method:The authors searched dozens of antique anatomy textbooks kept in the old section of the ‘Vincenzo Pinali’ Medical Library of Padua University, looking for descriptions of the upper oesophageal sphincter.Results:The oesophageal sphincter was drawn correctly only in 1601, by Julius Casserius, in the book De vocis auditusque organis historia anatomica… (which translates as ‘An Anatomical History on the Organs of Voice and Hearing …’), and was properly described by Antonio Maria Valsalva in 1704 in the book De aure humana tractatus… (‘Treatise on the Human Ear …’).Conclusion:Anatomists Casserius and Valsalva can be considered the discoverers of the ‘oesophageal sphincter’.

Objectives Before the widespread use of antibiotics, most deep neck infections (DNIs) stemmed from complicated pharyngeal infections. Nowadays, they seem to be due mainly to dental infections. In 2010, our group reported that DNIs originated from a major salivary gland in 14% of cases. The main endpoint of the present investigation was to review our experience of the diagnosis and treatment of DNIs of salivary gland origin. We also compared the characteristics of DNIs originating from salivary glands with those originating elsewhere. Methods Between 2000 and 2011, 44 patients were treated for DNIs of salivary origin at our institution. These patients were compared with 191 cases of DNI diagnosed as having other sites of origin. Results/conclusions In the present series, DNIs originating from a major salivary gland accounted for 19% of all cases of DNI of known origin. Patients with DNI of salivary gland origin were more likely to be elderly than those whose DNI originated from elsewhere (p = 0.000). Our multivariate statistical model showed that comorbidities (p = 0.051, statistical trend) and the need for surgical treatment (p = 0.028) independently predicted long-term hospitalization for DNIs originating from a major salivary gland.

To use image analysis and multivariate analysis to investigate the prognostic significance of Nm23-H1 subcellular localization in a large cohort of laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas (LSCCs).Nm23-H1 total and nuclear levels were immunohistochemically determined and calculated with an image analysis system in 104 consecutively operated LSCCs. The mean follow-up was 58.3 ± 35.1 months (median 45 months). Total Nm23-H1 levels correlated only with patient stratification by pT (P=0.01). Mean nuclear Nm23-H1 levels were lower in patients with recurrent disease (P=0.01), and disease-free survival (DFS) was longer in patients whose nuclear levels of Nm23-H1 were2.0% than in those with levels ≤ 2.0% (P=0.019). On multivariate analysis, Nm23-H1 nuclear expression [hazard ratio (HR) 2.59, P=0.005] and N stage (HR 3.60, P=0.0001) were prognostically significant in relation to DFS.In LSCC, Nm23-H1 nuclear expression may be useful for identifying patients at higher risk of recurrence after treatment and who might be considered for more aggressive therapy. Further investigations are needed before Nm23-H1 can be considered for use in targeted treatments for LSCC.

Smoking is a self-destructive behavior that is known to induce remodeling of the lower airways, leading to squamous metaplasia, but little is known about its effects on the nose and paranasal sinuses. Nasal irrigations are often mentioned as measures for treating sinonasal inflammations. The purpose of our study was to compare the effects of nasal irrigations with sulfurous-arsenical-ferruginous thermal water or isotonic sodium chloride solution in smokers with nonallergic chronic rhinosinusitis, based on clinical and olfactory evidence.The present study was a prospective, randomized, double-blind study performed in a tertiary academic referral center. Seventy smokers with nonallergic chronic rhinitis were enrolled. Nasal endoscopy, rhinomanometry, nasal cytology, and odor threshold measurements were performed in subjects randomized to daily nasal irrigations with either thermal water or isotonic sodium chloride solution for 1 month.Immediately after the treatment, the thermal water irrigations revealed a positive pharmacologic action, judging from a tendency toward lower nasal resistances (P = .07) and larger numbers of ciliated cells in the patients treated (P = .003). Endoscopic findings in the thermal water group were still better than in the control group a further 2 months later (P = .03).Our results indicate that nasal irrigations with thermal water had a good effect on endoscopic objective signs, nasal resistances, and epithelial trophism.

Objectives Nasal irrigations are mentioned among the adjunctive measures for treating several sinonasal conditions. Hyperchromatic supranuclear stria (HSS) in the ciliated cells (CCs) has recently been suggested as a potential cytological marker of the anatomofunctional integrity of nasal mucosa. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of nasal irrigations with sulfurous, salty, bromic, iodic (SSBI) thermal water or isotonic sodium chloride solution (ISCS) in patients with nonallergic chronic rhinosinusitis, considering the endoscopic, functional, microbiological, and cytological evidence (including the ratio of HSS-positive CCs to total CCs [the HSS+ rate]). Methods In a prospective, randomized, double-blind setting, 80 patients were recruited for nasal irrigations with SSBI water or ISCS for 1 month. Results An endoscopically assessed significant clinical improvement was seen after both SSBI thermal water and ISCS irrigations. Before treatment, Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 5 patients in the SSBI thermal water group and 4 in the ISCS group. After the nasal irrigations, there was no sign of the bacteria in either group. Only the SSBI water irrigations significantly reduced total nasal resistance, as determined by rhinomanometry. Mild nasal irritation (6 cases) and episodes of extremely limited epistaxis (5 cases) were only reported after SSBI thermal water irrigations. Neither type of nasal irrigation significantly increased the mean HSS+ rate at cytological control after 1 month. Conclusions Both types of nasal irrigation improved the endoscopic and microbiological features of patients with nonallergic chronic rhinosinusitis, whereas only SSBI irrigations significantly reduced total nasal resistance. Further investigations are needed based on longer treatments and follow-up periods to establish whether the HSS+ rate is useful for monitoring clinical improvements in chronic rhinosinusitis treated with nasal irrigations.

Gastrointestinal haemorrhage is extremely frequent, but in some cases the aetiology may remain unknown. Haemorrhage from the small bowel especially can create important diagnostic problems. We report the case of a patient admitted to hospital with intestinal bleeding in an ileal site in association with aortic stenosis. Enteric angiodysplasia is a frequent pathology in the surgery of the gastrointestinal tract. Recognizing bleeding lesions in the small intestine can be really difficult. Concerning the case reported here, the most probable diagnostic hypothesis is Heyde's syndrome, which is characterised by valvular aortic stenosis together with gastrointestinal bleeding due to cryptogenetic angiodysplasias. The choice to be made in the therapeutic management of angiodysplasia is still a debatable issue and should be suited to the patient's clinical state and the site and extent of the bleeding. In the literature the link between aortic valvular stenosis and intestinal angiodysplasia is unclear. The physiopathological relationship between the two entities is still mysterious.

It is known that 15-20% of oropharyngeal carcinomas develop distant metastases that involve most commonly lung, liver and bone. Clival metastasis from oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma has not been previously reported in the English literature. We describe the rare occurrence of clival metastasis from tonsillar carcinoma presenting with abducent paralysis and discuss diagnostic and therapeutic rational approaches. Despite neoadjuvant chemotherapy (cisplatinum/etoposide/epirubicin followed by taxotere), extended left tonsillectomy and ipsilateral radical neck dissection and external radiotherapy (60 Gy) for tonsillar carcinoma, the patient developed clival metastasis and died of disease. The overall prognosis of patients with clival metastases is extremely poor, with an overall median survival of about 2.5 years. Cranial nerve palsy occurrence is associated with a poorer prognosis with an average survival of only 5 months.

Tumour angiogenesis is the result of an inbalance between anti- and pro-angiogenic factors. CD105 (endoglin) is a component of the receptor complex of transforming growth factor (TGF-beta1). Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2 or Flk-1/KDR) belongs to the high-affinity VEGF receptors. The aim of the study was to investigate the expression, cellular localization and role of CD105 and VEGFR2 in laryngeal carcinoma.Sections of 62 laryngeal carcinomas were stained with CD105 and VEGFR2/Flk-1/KDR antibodies.A significant association between CD105 expression and locoregional recurrence was found (p = 0.009). Interestingly, in N0 patients CD105 expression was significantly associated with locoregional recurrence of the carcinoma (p = 0.03). The log-rank test showed a significant difference in the disease-free interval in patients stratified according to CD105 expression (p = 0.02). Statistical analysis showed no significant associations between vessel endothelial cell or laryngeal carcinoma cell VEGFR2 expressions and recurrence of disease or disease-free intervals.CD105 expression but not VEGFR2 expression correlated with carcinoma recurrence after treatment and shorter disease free interval. The CD105 expression may be useful to detect cervical node-negative patients with a higher risk of early laryngeal carcinoma recurrence.

Respiratory fluoroquinolones are currently considered by several guidelines among the most effective antimicrobial agents for the treatment of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. The aim of this study was to assess levofloxacin penetration into paranasal sinuses mucosa of 15 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis 1 h (n = 4), 2 h (n = 5) and 3 h (n = 6) after a single 500 mg oral dose. Levofloxacin concentrations in plasma and tissue samples were assessed by means of HPLC. Median of mucosal concentrations were 0.96 mg l−1 at 1 h, 2.50 mg l−1 at 2 h, 5.84 mg l−1 at 3 h. Average paranasal sinuses mucosa-to-plasma ratios raised from 1.46 at 1 h, to 1.81 at 2 h and to 2.56 at 3 h. These data are consistent with 500 mg oral levofloxacin ensuring appropriate therapeutic exposure in sinonasal tissue of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, the concentrations between 1 and 3 h post-dosing being almost always higher than the MIC90 against the major bacterial pathogens responsible for upper respiratory tract infections.