Docetaxel (DTX) combined with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil has been used as induction chemotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the development of acquired resistance remains a major obstacle to treatment response. Tumor-associated macrophages are associated with chemotherapeutic resistance. In the present study, increased infiltration of macrophages into the tumor microenvironment (TME) was significantly associated with shorter overall survival and increased resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs, particularly DTX, in patients with HNSCC. Macrophage coculture induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1), which promotes stemness and the formation of polyploid giant cancer cells, thereby reducing the efficacy of DTX. Both genetic silencing and pharmacological inhibition of ICAM1 sensitized HNSCC to DTX. Macrophage secretion of IL-1β was found to induce tumor expression of ICAM1. IL-1β neutralization and IL-1 receptor blockade reversed DTX resistance induced by macrophage coculture. IL-1β activated superoxide dismutase 2 and inhibited catalase, thereby modulating intracellular levels of ROS and inducing ICAM1 expression. Arsenic trioxide (ATO) reduced macrophage infiltration into the TME and impaired IL-1β secretion by macrophages. The combinatorial use of ATO enhanced the in vivo efficacy of DTX in a mouse model, which may provide a revolutionary approach to overcoming acquired therapeutic resistance in HNSCC.

We explored the effects of 6-week whole-body vibration (WBV) and balance training programs on female athletes with chronic ankle instability (CAI). This randomized controlled study involved female athletes with dominant-leg CAI. The participants were randomly divided into three groups: WBV training (Group A), balance training (Group B), and nontraining (control group; Group C). Groups A and B performed three exercise movements (double-leg stance, one-legged stance, and tandem stance) in 6-week training programs by using a vibration platform and balance ball, respectively. The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), a joint position sense test, and an isokinetic strength test were conducted. In total, 63 female athletes with dominant-leg CAI were divided into three study groups (all n = 21). All of them completed the study. We observed time-by-group interactions in the SEBT (p = 0.001) and isokinetic strength test at 30°/s of concentric contraction (CON) of ankle inversion (p = 0.04). Compared with the control group, participants of the two exercise training programs improved in dynamic balance, active repositioning, and 30°/s of CON and eccentric contraction of the ankle invertor in the SEBT, joint position sense test, and isokinetic strength test, respectively. Furthermore, the effect sizes for the assessed outcomes in Groups A and B ranged from very small to small. Female athletes who participated in 6-week training programs incorporating a vibration platform or balance ball exhibited very small or small effect sizes for CAI in the SEBT, joint position sense test, and isokinetic strength test. No differences were observed in the variables between the two exercise training programs.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that, in Asian patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), obesity is a better predictor of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) failure than Friedman stage III. Objectives: This study evaluated UPPP success rates in obese and non-obese Asian patients treated for severe OSA. Methods: Records of patients who underwent UPPP for treatment of OSA were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score, and Friedman stage were compared in non-obese (body mass index (BMI) 50% reduction in preoperative AHI or postoperative AHI of <20 events/h. Results: Treatment success was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) in the obese group (24.6%) compared with the non-obese group (62.5%). After adjusting for gender, age, BMI, Friedman stage, and preoperative AHI and ESS score, obesity was a significant independent negative predictor of treatment success (adjusted OR = 0.297, 95% CI = 0.114–0.773, p = 0.013).

Background: Unilateral vocal palsy (UVFP) affects the voice and swallowing function and could be treated by various materials to achieve improved mucosal wave and better closure during phonation. Injection laryngoplasty is considered an exemplary method for these patients and could be injected as early as possible. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis for the subjective and objective outcomes of autologous fat injection laryngoplasty (AFIL) and assessed the effects for patients with UVFP. Methods: We searched studies from PubMed and EBSCO databases with PRISMA appraisal to search for articles about the effects of AFIL on UVFP. The published articles were reviewed according to our inclusion and exclusion criteria. The short- and long-term outcomes of perceptual, acoustic analysis, and quality of life were also analyzed by meta-analysis. Results: Eleven articles were reviewed, and seven studies were selected for meta-analysis. AFIL improves the perceptual outcome and some voice parameters in short-term and long-term results, i.e., jitter, shimmer, and maximal phonation time (MPT). It also significantly improved the voice handicap index (VHI) in the long term, suggesting an increase in quality of life. Conclusions: AFIL is considered a reliable treatment method for UVFP and could even last for over 12 months.

Sulcus vocalis is a frequent cause of glottic insufficiency that leads to incomplete vocal fold closure during phonation. Type II sulcus vocalis is defined as a partial defect of the lamina propria (LP). Treatment with fillers, such as fat or hyaluronic acid (HA), in the vocal folds is widely used, but the duration of effect is variable. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can enhance the survival of autologous fat in fat grafting, and also is used to treat sulcus vocalis. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of autologous fat graft versus fat graft plus PRP to treat type II sulcus vocalis. Thirty-four patients with a voice handicap index (VHI) ≥ 11 were randomized to two groups, which received LP injections of fat graft (n = 17) or fat graft plus PRP (n = 17). At 1 month and 6 months after injection, the VHI decreased significantly in both groups. The fat plus PRP group had better Jitter, Shimmer, and noise to harmonic ratio (NHR) in 1 month and 6 months after surgery. The fat plus PRP group resulted in lower VHI scores one month after surgery, and stroboscopy revealed sustained smaller gaps after six months. These results indicate that a combination of fat graft plus PRP is safe and effective for treating sulcus vocalis type II and associated vocal atrophy.