Cytokine expression in sinus tissues.

<p>The graphs represent median, upper and lower quartiles. High IgE, IL-5 and ECP concentrations characterize the inflammation in IL5&SE-IgE positive NPs. In CRS with TNFα >20 pg/mL, the expression of IFNγ and IL-22 are elevated. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn’s multiple comparisons test. An asterisk (*) refers to <i>p</i> values ≤0.05. The <i>p</i> values between 0.001 and 0.01 are displayed with two asterisks (**), <i>p</i> values between 0.0001 and 0.001 are shown with three asterisks (***), and <i>p</i> values less than 0.0001 are labeled with four (****) asterisks.</p

Total mucosal scores for the presence of bacteria in sample tissues, detected by PNA-FISH.

<p>Each point represents the score from the individual sample. The data for each group are expressed as median and interquartile range. The total score of <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i> was specifically high in IL5&SE-IgE positive NPs and CF-NPs compared with the controls. CRS with TNFα >20 pg/mL showed the highest score for <i>P</i>. <i>aeruginosa</i> compared with the controls and NPs, but not with CF-NP. The significance between groups was tested using Kruskal-Wallis test. Dunn’s test was employed to correct the significance for between-group comparisons. The * <i>p</i> values ≤ 0.05, ** <i>p</i> values between 0.001 and 0.01 were recorded.</p

Sample characteristics.

<p>Sample characteristics.</p

PNA-FISH.

<p>The graphs illustrate percentages of samples of bacterial presence for each of the probes in the different patient groups. The highest percentage of positive samples for <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i> was identified among the IL5&SE-IgE positive NPs and patients with NPs and CF, whereas <i>P</i>. <i>aeruginosa</i> was discovered in high numbers in CRS samples with TNFα>20pg/mL. Differences from the control group were calculated using the Chi-square test. The <i>* p</i> values ≤0.05, ** <i>p</i> values between 0.001 and 0.01,*** <i>p</i> values between 0.0001 and 0.001 were recorded</p

IL-5 and IL-13 levels in asthmatics according sputum cellular profile.

<p>IL-5 and IL-13 levels in asthmatics according sputum cellular profile.</p

Total sputum and serum IgE and sputum cytokine levels in “IgE high” vs “IgE low” asthmatics.

*<p>p<0.05, ** p<0.01, **** p<0.0001 vs IgE low asthmatics. ND =  not done, spec = specific. Results are expressed as median (range) except as otherwise stated.</p

Demographic, functional, airway inflammatory and treatment characteristics according to sputum cellular profile.

<p>Age, BMI, lung function, hospi/patient/year and exacerbation/patient/year are expressed as mean ± SD, PC20M as geometric mean and other parameters as median (range), becl = beclomethasone, * p<0.05, ** p<0.01, *** p<0.001 vs healthy subjects; † p<0.05, †† p<0.01, ††† p<0.001 vs eosinophilic; ‡ p<0.05, ‡‡ p<0.01, ‡‡‡ p<0.001 vs neutrophilic. ND = not defined.</p

Total sputum and serum IgE, serum specific IgE and sputum cytokine levels according to sputum cellular phenotype.

<p>*p<0.05, **p<0.01, *** p<0.001 vs healthy subjects, † p<0.05, †† p<0.01, ††† p<0.001 vs eosinophilic asthmatics, ND =  not done, spec = specific. Results are expressed as median (range) except as otherwise stated.</p

Demographic, functional and airway inflammatory characteristics according to disease severity.

<p>Age, BMI and lung function are expressed as mean ± SD, PC20M as geometric mean and other paramaters as median (range) * p<0.05, ** p<0.01, *** p<0.001 vs healthy subjects; † p<0.05, †† p<0.01, ††† p<0.001 vs mild-to-moderate untreated; ‡ p<0.05, ‡‡ p<0.01, ‡‡‡ p<0.001 vs mild-to-moderate treated. ND = not defined.</p

Cytokine levels in “IgE high” and “IgE low” asthmatics.

<p>Cytokine levels in “IgE high” and “IgE low” asthmatics.</p