Head and neck cancer is the seventh leading cancer diagnosis worldwide. One of the most common cancers in the head and neck region is laryngeal cancer. In past years, the incidence of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma has risen by 23%, and despite progress in treatment modalities, the survival rate has not changed. It is well known that genetic alterations may contribute to individuals’ susceptibility to cancer. Research of genetic alterations, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms, is essential to understanding carcinogenesis and susceptibility of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. A total of 200 LSCC patients and 200 controls were included in this retrospective case-control study; both groups were matched by age and sex. In the present study, we analyzed six SNPs in genes essential for apoptosis regulation: TP53 (rs9895829, rs17884306), BCL2 (rs1564483, rs4987855), BAX (rs704243), NOXA (PMAIP1) (rs1041978, rs78800940). We evaluated their associations with the risk of LSCC development, its pathomorphological manifestation, and patients’ overall survival rate. Genotyping was carried out using RT-PCR. The AG genotype of rs9895829 was more prevalent in controls than in cancer patients, leading to lower susceptibility to LSCC (OR = 0.301; 95%CI 0.096–0.940; p = 0.039). None of the analyzed SNPs showed an association with pathomorphological features of LSCC, but NOXA rs1041978 T allele carriers were found to be diagnosed with LSCC at an older age (OR = 1.962; 95%CI 1.072–3.592; p = 0.031). There was no statistically significant association between investigated SNPs and patient OS. The present study indicates that the AG genotype of rs9895829 provides a protective effect against LSCC development.

Background: Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is one of the most common types of cancer in the upper respiratory tract. It is well-known that it has a high mortality rate and poor prognosis in advanced stages. There are well-known risk factors for LSCC, though new specific and prognostic blood-based markers for LSCC development and prognosis are essential. The current study aimed to evaluate the impact of four different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), E2F1 (rs3213183 and rs3213180) and E2F2 (rs2075993 and rs3820028), on LSCC development, morphological features, and patient 5-year survival rate. Methods: A total of 200 LSCC patients and 200 controls were included in this study; both groups were matched by age and sex. In the present study, we analyzed four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes E2F1 (rs3213183 and rs3213180) and E2F2 (rs2075993 and rs3820028) and evaluated their associations with the risk of LSCC development, its clinical and morphological manifestation, and patients 5-year survival rate. Genotyping was carried out using RT-PCR. Results: None of the analyzed SNPs showed a direct association with LSCC development. E2F2 rs2075993 G allele carriers (OR = 4.589, 95% CI 1.050-20.051, p = 0.043) and rs3820028 A allele carriers (OR = 4.750, 95% CI 1.088–20.736, p = 0.038) had a statistically significantly higher risk for poor differentiated or undifferentiated LSCC than non-carriers. E2F1 rs3213180 GC heterozygotes were found to have a 3.7-fold increased risk for lymph node involvement (OR = 3.710, 95% CI 1.452–9.479, p = 0.006). There was no statistically significant association between investigated SNPs and patient 5-year survival rate. Conclusions: The present study indicates that E2F2 rs2075993 and rs3820028 impact LSCC differentiation, whereas E2F1 rs3213180 - on lymph node involvement.

Objectives: To assess the relation between the type of nasal septum deviation and the degree of subjective complaint of nasal obstruction. Methods: One hundred healthy controls and one hundred-fourteen septoplasty patients were investigated for nasal obstruction using endoscopic examination and Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale. Septal deviations were classified as septal spur, C or S shape deformity at coronal or axial plane and combined deformity. The degree of septal deviation was assessed, whether the septal deviation was in contact with lateral nasal wall or not. Results: Septoplasty patients showed to have higher NOSE scores when compared to the controls. According to multiple comparison test results, patients with septal spur had significantly lower NOSE scores compared with patients with different type of septal deformity (septal spur 45.00(SD=15.80) vs. C type deformity 60.95(SD=15.25), S type deformity 63.40(SD=14.95), combined deformity 76.25(SD=8.55), p˂0.05). There was no significant difference in NOSE score according to septal deviation degree, whether the septal deviation contacts with the lateral nasal wall or not. After septoplasty the mean intervention groups’ NOSE score improved from 61.30(SD=17.20) points to 17.00(SD=15.45) points (p<0.01). Conclusions: Septal deviation, regardless of the anatomical location or shape of deviation results in impaired nasal breathing when measured by NOSE scale and compared to population average. Septal spur deformity causes significantly lower NOSE scores when compared with C or S type deformity, or combined deformity, indicating that patients with septal spur express milder symptoms of nasal obstruction. After septoplasty patients’ breathing improves significantly despite the type and location of septal deformity.

Reikšminiai žodžiai: ūminis vidurinės ausies uždegimas, otalgija, skubios pagalbos skyrius. Ūminis vidurinis otitas yra viena dažniausių mažų vaikų infekcinių ligų, kuri ypač paplitusi 3 mėnesių–3 metų amžiaus grupėje. 2013 metų lapkričio–2014 metų kovo mėnesiais Vilniaus universiteto ligoninės Santariškių klinikų filialo Vaikų ligoninės priėmimo skyriuje buvo atliekamas tyrimas, siekiant išsiaiškinti vidurinio ausies uždegimo gydymo taktikos pasirinkimą tretinio lygio sveikatos priežiūros įstaigoje bei tėvų pasirenkamus pirmosios pagalbos teikimo būdus. Į tyrimą buvo įtraukta 116 pacientų, kurie atvykę skundėsi ausies skausmu. Apklausiant tėvus apie teiktas pirmosios pagalbos priemones dažniausiai būdavo prisipažįstama, jog jokių priemonių nebuvo imtasi ir skausmui nepraeinant jie atvyko į priėmimo skyrių (N = 50, 43,10 proc.). Kiti tėvai rinkdavosi pagalbą duodami ibuprofeno arba paracetamolio (N = 40, 34,48 proc.). Karščiuojantys vaikai statistiškai reikšmingai dažniau gaudavo antibakterinį gydymą negu nekarščiuojantys (p < 0,01). Esant išpūstam ausies būgneliui, antibakterinis gydymas buvo skiriamas dažniau negu nesant būgnelio išsipūtimui (p < 0,01). Esant nepermatomam ausies būgneliui, antibakterinis gydymas buvo skiriamas dažniau negu esant permatomam ar silpnai permatomam (p < 0,01), o pacientai, kurių timpanograma buvo B tipo, gaudavo antibakterinį gydymą statistiškai reikšmingai dažniau nei esant A ar C tipo timpanogramoms (p < 0,01). Remiantis atlikto tyrimo metu gautais rezultatais galima teigti, jog antibakterinis gydymas pacientams buvo skiriamas motyvuotai ir atitiko naujausias ūminio vidurinio otito gydymo rekomendacijas tretinio lygio gydymo įstaigos priėmimo skyriuje (atsižvelgiant į pacientų amžių, jų simptomų sunkumą ir trukmę). Reikėtų pastebėti, jog didžioji dalis tėvų nesiėmė pirmosios pagalbos veiksmų namuose ir stengėsi atvykti į skubios pagalbos skyrių į budinčio otorinolaringologo konsultaciją