Akihito Kuboki

The prevalence of highly-palatable, ultra-processed food in our modern diet has exacerbated obesity rates and contributed to a global health crisis. While accumulating evidence suggests that chronic consumption of ultra-processed semi-synthetic food is detrimental to sensory and neural physiology, it is unclear whether its short-term intake has adverse effects. Here, we assessed how short-term consumption (<2 months) of three ultra-processed diets (one grain-based diet, and two semi-synthetic) influence olfaction and brain metabolism in mice. Our results demonstrate that short-term consumption of semi-synthetic diets, regardless of macronutrient composition, adversely affect odor-guided behaviors, physiological responses to odorants, transcriptional profiles in the olfactory mucosa and brain regions, and brain glucose metabolism and mitochondrial respiration. These findings reveal that even short periods of ultra-processed semi-synthetic food consumption are sufficient to cause early olfactory and brain abnormalities, which has the potential to alter food choices and influence the risk of developing metabolic disease.

Background: The prelacrimal approach, termed endoscopic modified medial maxillectomy (EMMM), has recently been applied for treatment of inverted papilloma (IP) in the maxillary sinus. EMMM provides wider access to the maxillary sinus while preserving the inferior turbinate and nasolacrimal duct.Methods: We reviewed patients with IP in the maxillary sinus to compare the surgical results obtained by conventional surgery (ie, endoscopic maxillary sinus antrostomy or in combination with the Caldwell‐Luc approach) with those obtained by EMMM.Results: All patients had a T3 on the Krouse staging system, and the average follow‐up time was 46.0 months. Of the 18 patients in the conventional group, recurrence was seen in 3 patients (16.6%). No recurrence was seen in the 27 patients who showed preservation of the inferior turbinate and nasolacrimal duct, and no complications occurred in the EMMM group.Conclusions: EMMM is an effective surgical approach that reduces recurrence with fewer complications.

Background: The C‐reactive protein/albumin (CRP/Alb) ratio has been recently established as a prognostic indicator in various cancer types. However, few reports regarding the prognostic value of the CRP/Alb ratio in head and neck cancer exist. This study aimed to investigate the significance of the CRP/Alb ratio in clinical outcomes after invasive surgery involving laryngectomy for hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancer.Methods: We evaluated 56 patients who underwent total laryngectomy or total pharyngolaryngectomy between 2003 and 2012. Univariate and multivariate analyses were retrospectively performed to examine the prognostic value of the CRP/Alb ratio in these patients.Results: The optimal cutoff value of the CRP/Alb ratio was 0.32. Multivariate analysis showed that the CRP/Alb ratio was a significant and independent predictor of poor overall and disease‐free survival.Conclusion: The CRP/Alb ratio may be a novel and useful indicator for predicting postoperative outcomes in patients with hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancer.

Although nasal splints and trans-septal sutures are preferred for septal closure following septoplasty, quilting sutures, also known as continuous mattress sutures, are technically challenging and thus time consuming. Recently, the utility of a novel stitch device was demonstrated for quilting sutures; however, whether it contributes to the technical solution and time management of septal sutures remains unclear. This study aims to quantify the time and cost of septal closure following septoplasty by comparing nasal splints with quilting sutures using the septum stitch device.

Objectives: Yellow nail syndrome (YNS) is a rare disease of unknown cause characterized by the triad of yellow nails, respiratory manifestations, and lymphedema. Although several therapies for YNS have been reported, there is no common consensus in the treatment. In this case report, we present a case of 56-year-old woman with YNS, whose nail manifestation was dramatically improved after endoscopic sinus surgery for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis. Methods: Endoscopic sinus surgery involving middle meatal antrostomy was performed for the case of YNS with chronic rhinosinusitis and bronchiectasis resistant to antibacterial drugs. Results: A month after the surgery, the patient’s nails eventually showed dramatic improvement. Conclusions: Otorhinolaryngologists should recognize that chronic rhinosinusitis can be a symptom of YNS, and that the aggressive treatment including surgical approach for chronic rhinosinusitis may be a useful in the control of nail manifestation in YNS.