AntiBiofilm Molecules on Tracheo‐esophageal Speaking Valves

Abstract

Conclusion: Normative vagal and RLN data is presented. The mean amplitude of the RLN was greater than the vagus nerve. The mean latency of the left vagus is longer than the right side. The threshold of stimulation is well below the standard stimulation current of 1 to 2 milliamps. Head and Neck Surgery AntiBiofilm Molecules on Tracheoesophageal Speaking ValvesAdam Shakir (presenter); Grant Burgess; Nick Jakubovics; Robert Shields; Mohamed Reda El-Badawey, MBChB, FRCS Objective: The collection of biofilms on tracheo-esophageal speaking valves (TESV) detrimentally shortens their lifespan. A novel nontoxic enzyme (NucB) was discovered in the University of Newcastle and proved effective for dispersing marine biofilms. We propose to ascertain the effect of NucB on disrupting and removing mixed organism biofilms on TESVs. Method:We designed a case control study of ex-vivo TESVs, with build up of biofilms. Each TESV was divided into 2 equal parts. One half was treated with NucB and the other half with a nonactive control solution. Outcomes are measured by microscopy and culture of biofilm organisms.Results: Ten TESVs were collected for our analysis in the microbiology laboratory. The more efficient our agent is in dispersing biofilms, the more organisms are released that can be cultured. With aerobic growth mediums, more organisms were cultured in 9 samples (90%, 95% CI 57-99%). With the use of growth mediums favouring fungal organisms, more organisms were cultured in 6 samples (60%, 95% CI 31-83%). The macroscopic appearances of TESVs were noticeably improved after treatment with NucB, with less visible contamination compared to control treated valves. Conclusion:NucB, which is a nontoxic nuclease, was effective in the dispersion of the biofilms matrix collecting on TESVs. The treatment effect was greater for aerobic bacteria than fungal organisms. Our aim would be to use this agent to prolong the lifespan of TESVs and thus reduce costs. Head and Neck SurgeryAssociation of DNA Copy Number and miRNA Expression in OSCC Nicholas Anthony Serrano (presenter); Chang Xu; John Houck; Pei Wang; Wenhong Fan; Yan Liu; Pawadee Lohavanichbutr, MD Objective: Better understand possible mechanisms involved in the dysregulation unique to OSCC metastasis, we examined whether DNA copy number aberrations (CNAs) are associated with differential expression of miRNA that are found in OSCC metastasis.Method: Tumor cells were laser capture microdissected from 17 nonmetastatic primary tumors and 20 metastatic lymph nodes. CNAs and gene expression profiles were previously determined using Affymetrix 250K Nsp I SNP Arrays and HU133 plus 2.0 expression profiles. MiRNAs were interrogated with Exiqon's Ready-to-use PCR Panels. Results:We found 155 miRNAs expressed in >80% of metastatic or nonmetastatic samples with 31 of them differentially expressed in metastatic tumor cells (FDR<0.4; 27 over-expressed, 4 underexpressed). We found the expression of 11 miRNAs to be significantly associated with their DNA copy numbers (p < 0.5) and 7 of these were a...