These findings support the assumption that a correct distinction of HNSCC by site, together with the use of more sensitive HPV DNA detection methods, should be considered as essential prerogatives in designing future investigations into viral prevalence in head and neck tumors.

No abstract

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a heterogeneous and progressive neurodegenerative disease, which in Western society mainly accounts for senile dementia. Today many countries have rising aging populations and are facing an increased prevalence of age-related diseases, such as AD, with increasing health-care costs. Understanding the pathophysiology process of AD plays a prominent role in new strategies for extending the health of the elderly population. Considering the future epidemic of AD, prevention and treatment are important goals of ongoing research. However, a better understanding of AD pathophysiology must be accomplished to make this objective feasible. In this paper, we review some hot topics concerning AD pathophysiology that have an important impact on therapeutic perspectives. Hence, we have focused our attention on inflammation, cytokines, immune response, apolipoprotein E (APOE), cholesterol, oxidative stress, as well as exploring the related therapeutic possibilities, i.e., nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, cytokine blocking antibodies, immunotherapy, diet, and curcumin.

Local symptoms in the neck such as swallowing and voice disorders, and throat discomfort might be related to a goiter if present, but are also reported by patients suffering from reflux laryngopharyngitis. The aim of our study was to investigate the presence of reflux laryngopharyngitis in patients with nodular goiter before and after uncomplicated total thyroidectomy (TT) using a prospective study in University Hospital setting. We considered 25 patients, affected by non-toxic nodular goiter and candidates for TT, who complained of local symptoms in the neck. All the patients were carefully interviewed, with emphasis on swallowing and voice disorders, throat discomfort and reflux-related symptoms and underwent a videolaryngoscopy (VLS) and a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) before and 3 months after TT. Before thyroidectomy, reflux laryngopharyngitis-related alterations were present in 68 and 50% at VLS and VFSS, respectively. After thyroidectomy, the swallowing and voice disorders persisted in 79 and 75%, respectively, while throat discomfort persisted in 91%. The results show that patients with a non-toxic nodular goiter who complain of local neck symptoms, before surgery it is appropriate to see if a reflux laryngopharyngitis is present; VLS and VFSS could be indicated for this and if necessary an antireflux treatment should be administered.

The detection rate of the central scar and spoke-wheel sign in FNH at CEUS is strongly dependent on lesion size and CEUS can confidently diagnose most FNHs larger than 3 cm.