Background: Regenerating gene (REG) family is composed of antiapoptotic factors and growth factors that affect

epithelial cells within the digestive system. Regenerating gene-I has been studied in different cancers. However, it

has never been studied in head and neck cancer. We investigated the expression of REG-I in head and neck SCC

and its relevance to patient survival rates.

 Methods: Untreated biopsy specimens of 60 patients with stage IV head and neck SCC were collected, and the

expression of REG-I was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. The association between REG-I expression and

clinico-pathological features or survival status of the patients was assessed by Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and

Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify the independent prognostic factors.

 Results: Incidence of lymphatic permeation, vascular invasion and pathological lymph nodes was significantly

higher in REG-I negative group (p = 0.008, 0.030 and 0.015, respectively). Overall and cancer-free survival rates were

significantly higher in REG-I positive group (p = 0.000434 and 1.0847E-8, respectively). Univariate analysis showed

that REG-I was an independent prognostic factor for predicting long-term overall survival (p = 0.002), and multivariate

analysis showed that REG-I and lymphatic permeation were independent prognostic factors for predicting long-term

disease-free survival (p = 0.001 and 0.022, respectively).

 Conclusion: Our results showed for the first time that, REG-I is expressed in head and neck SCC. REG-I expression is

associated with a longer survival status. We conclude that, REG-I might be a prognostic marker in head and neck SSC

and should be further investigated.

 Introduction: Patency of the eustachian tube has been proved to be mandatory for successful tympanoplasty. Preoperative evaluation of the eustachian tube through Saccharin and methylene blue tests provides adequate information about the mucociliary function and patency of the eustachian tube

 Objective: We aimed to evaluate the mucociliary function of the eustachian tube using saccharin and methylene blue tests, hence we could predict the outcome of tympanoplasty.

Patients and methods: This prospective study was done on 50 adult patients who were diagnosed as having unilateral tubotympanic type of chronic suppurative otitis media. All patients were subjected to preoperative evaluation of hearing and eustachian tube mucociliary function through saccharin and methylene blue dye clearance tests. Then, we correlated the results and the outcome of the surgery.

 Results: According to our results, normal eustachian tube function (ETF) was found in 39 patients, while mild and gross dysfunction was found in eight and three patients respectively. The correlation between ETF and the outcome of tympanoplasty was proved to be statistically significant (P< 0.001), as 85.3% of patients with successful tympanoplasty had a normally functioning ET, while all of the patients with a gross dysfunction of ET had a failed surgery.

 Conclusion: We found that both tests could be a helpful tool to assess the mucociliary function and anatomical patency of the eustachian tube. While, the Saccharin test has the advantages of cost-effectiveness, avoiding the painting produced by the dye, and lacking the need for an endoscope.