Enhanced Interferon-β Response Contributes to Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Type I interferon (IFN-I, including IFN-α and IFN-β) response has been implicated in eosinophilic inflammation, in addition to antiviral function. This study aimed to investigate the role of IFN-I in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS). IFN-α, IFN-β, cytokine expression, and IFN-β cellular localization in the sinonasal tissue from control subjects and ECRS patients with nasal polyps (NP) were determined using real time-PCR, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry. ECRS was induced in wild-type (WT) and IFNAR1 knockout (Ifnar1−/−) mice by intranasal challenge with Aspergillus protease and ovalbumin. Stromal cells cultured from NP tissue were stimulated by exogenous IFN-β, and their CCL11 production and IRF3, IRF7, STAT1, STAT2, and IRF9 gene and/or protein expression were measured. IFN-β, IL-5, IL-13, and CCL11 expression was higher in the NP tissue from ECRS patients, compared to the control group. IFN-β was highly colocalized with the CD11c+ cells in NP. IFN-β levels positively correlated with IL-5, IL-13, and CCL11 levels as well as the number of eosinophils in the NP tissue and CT score. The histological severity of ECRS, levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and CCL11 in the nasal lavage fluid, and total serum IgE levels were less in Ifnar1−/− mice than in WT mice. CCL11 production, and STAT1 and STAT2 mRNA and STAT1, phospho-STAT1, and phospho-STAT2 protein expression were significantly increased by exogenous IFN-β in NP stromal cells. Our data suggest that IFN-β response was upregulated in ECRS and may play role in ECRS development. IFN-β may contribute to ECRS by enhancing CCL11 production. Thus, increased IFN-β response in the sinonasal mucosa may underlie ECRS pathogenesis

Analysis of Facial Deformities in Korean Leprosy

ObjectivesThe clinical features of various facial deformities in Korean leprosy patients were evaluated according to the type of leprosy.MethodsOne hundred ninety six patients with leprosy were examined for various facial deformities using a nasal speculum, endoscope, and digital camera. The frequency and severity of external nasal deformities and septal perforations were evaluated according to the type of leprosy. Eye deformities, ear deformities, and facial palsy were also assessed.ResultsSeventy-one patients (36.2%) displayed external nasal deformities: 28 minimal contractures, three cartilage contractures, two bony-cartilage contractures, and 38 skin defects. The external nasal deformity and severe form deformity in lepromatous types were more frequent compared to other types (P0.05 for each variable). Sixty-one patients (31.1%) had eye deformities and 19 patients (9.7%) had facial nerve palsy, common in the borderline type. No cases of ear deformities were observed.ConclusionKorean patients had characteristic deformities according to the type of leprosy. They were different from those seen in the prior analyses of Caucasian populations

Selection of internal reference genes for SYBR green qRT-PCR studies of rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) tissues

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The rhesus monkey (<it>Macaca mulatta</it>) is a valuable and widely used model animal for biomedical research. However, quantitative analyses of rhesus gene expression profiles under diverse experimental conditions are limited by a shortage of suitable internal controls for the normalization of mRNA levels. In this study, we used a systematic approach for the selection of potential reference genes in the rhesus monkey and compared their suitability to that of the corresponding genes in humans.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Eight housekeeping genes (HKGs) (<it>GAPDH, SDHA, ACTB, RPL13A, RPL32, UBA52, PGK1Y</it>, and <it>YWHAZ</it>) from rhesus monkeys and humans were selected to test for normalization of expression levels in six different tissue types (brain, colon, kidney, liver, lung, and stomach). Their stability and suitability as reference genes were validated by <it>geNorm</it>, <it>NormFinder </it>and <it>BestKeeper </it>programs. Intriguingly, <it>RPL13A </it>and <it>RPL32 </it>were selected as ideal reference genes only in rhesus monkeys.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results clearly indicated the necessity of using different reference genes for normalization of expression levels between rhesus monkeys and humans in various tissues.</p

Excision of a Nasal Dermoid Sinus Cyst via Open Rhinoplasty Approach and Primary Reconstruction Using Tutoplast-Processed Fascia Lata

Nasal dermoid sinus cysts are the most common congenital midline nasal lesion, accounting for 1% to 3% of all dermoid cysts, and 4% to 12% of all head and neck dermoids. Selection of the appropriate reconstruction technique, after dermoid resection, is important for treatment. Here we describe the successful management of a case with a nasal dermoid sinus cyst using an open rhinoplasty approach, and primary reconstruction using Tutoplast-processed fascia lata and crushed septal cartilage

Dietary behavior and its influencing factors among experienced shiftwork nurses: a secondary analysis

Purpose This study investigated the dietary behavior of experienced shiftwork nurses and aimed to identify factors related to dietary behavior. Methods This study was a secondary analysis based on the Shift Work Nurses’ Health and Turnover study (2018-2021) among Korean nurses. In total, 247 experienced (>12 months) shiftwork nurses were included in this study. The participants’ dietary behavior, depression, level of occupational stress, fatigue, physical activity, and general characteristics were measured. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and multiple regression analysis were conducted. Results The dietary behavior score of the participants using the Mini-Dietary Assessment Index was 29.35±5.67. Thirty percent of the participants were depressed, the participants experienced moderate occupational stress, and 74.1% of the participants engaged in an inadequate amount of physical activity. The factors influencing shiftwork nurses’ dietary behavior were having child(ren) (β=.16, p=.027), depression (β=–.13, p=.032), level of occupational stress related to occupational climate (β=–.13, p=.035), and an inadequate amount of physical activity (β=–.17, p=.006). These factors explained 10.4% of the variance in experienced shiftwork nurses’ dietary behavior scores. Conclusion Experienced nurses with child(ren) tended to have healthier diets. However, a higher level of occupational stress related to occupational climate, depression, and engaging in an inadequate amount of physical activity were associated with a higher risk of having an unhealthy diet. Therefore, strategies are needed to encourage physical activity and alleviate adverse occupational climate and depression among experienced nurses

Intranasal immunization with plasmid DNA encoding spike protein of SARS-coronavirus/polyethylenimine nanoparticles elicits antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Immunization with the spike protein (S) of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus (CoV) in mice is known to produce neutralizing antibodies and to prevent the infection caused by SARS-CoV. Polyethylenimine 25K (PEI) is a cationic polymer which effectively delivers the plasmid DNA.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the present study, the immune responses of BALB/c mice immunized via intranasal (i.n.) route with SARS DNA vaccine (pci-S) in a PEI/pci-S complex form have been examined. The size of the PEI/pci-S nanoparticles appeared to be around 194.7 ± 99.3 nm, and the expression of the S mRNA and protein was confirmed <it>in vitro</it>. The mice immunized with i.n. PEI/pci-S nanoparticles produced significantly (<it>P </it>< 0.05) higher S-specific IgG1 in the sera and mucosal secretory IgA in the lung wash than those in mice treated with pci-S alone. Compared to those in mice challenged with pci-S alone, the number of B220⁺cells found in PEI/pci-S vaccinated mice was elevated. Co-stimulatory molecules (CD80 and CD86) and class II major histocompatibility complex molecules (I-A^d) were increased on CD11c⁺dendritic cells in cervical lymph node from the mice after PEI/pci-S vaccination. The percentage of IFN-γ-, TNF-α- and IL-2-producing cells were higher in PEI/pci-S vaccinated mice than in control mice.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results showed that intranasal immunization with PEI/pci-S nanoparticles induce antigen specific humoral and cellular immune responses.</p

Compliance with Positive Airway Pressure Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

ObjectivesPositive airway pressure (PAP) is considered a standard treatment for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. However, compliance with PAP treatment is suboptimal because of several types of discomfort experienced by patients. This study investigated compliance with PAP therapy, and affecting factors for such compliance, in OSA patients.MethodsWe performed a survey on 69 patients who engaged in PAP therapy between December 2006 and November 2007. After diagnostic polysomnography and manual titration, patients trialed PAP using the ResMed instrument and explored autoadjusting PAP (APAP), continuous PAP (CPAP), and flexible PAP (using expiratory pressure relief [EPR]) at least once every week for 1 month. Compliance measures were mean daily use (hr), percentage of days on which PAP was used, and percentage of days on which PAP was used for >4 hr. Data were obtained at night using the software Autoscan version 5.7® of the ResMed Inc. We obtained data on anthropometric (age, BMI, neck circumflex, Epworth sleepiness scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, hypertension, alcohol intake), polysomnographic data (severity of apnea-hypopnea index [AHI], proportion of nonsupine sleep time, position dependence of sleep), PAP mode and AHI during PAP use for affecting factors.ResultsAfter 1 month, 41 of the 69 patients (59.4%) were pleased with PAP therapy and purchased instruments. Twenty-four patients (34.7%) used PAP for more than 3 months. The percentage of days on which PAP was used was statistically higher in patients with hypertension than in normotensive patients (P=0.003). There were negative correlations 1) between nonsupine position sleep time and percentage of days on which PAP was used (r=-0.424, P=0.039), and 2) between the AHI during PAP use and the percentage of days on which PAP was used for >4 hr (r=-0.443, P=0.030). There were no statistical differences between AHI, BMI, PAP pressure, or other measured parameters, on the one hand, and compliance, on the other.ConclusionThe affecting factors for PAP use were hypertension history, sleep posture (shorter nonsupine sleep time), and lower AHI during PAP use

Clinical Results of Atticoantrotomy with Attic Reconstruction or Attic Obliteration for Patients with an Attic Cholesteatoma

ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the clinical results of atticoantrotomy in patients with an attic cholesteatoma.MethodsNinety-eight ears in 98 patients were operated on using atticoantrotomy between October 2002 and December 2006. A retrospective review of the otology database (operative findings and methods, postoperative physical examination and pre- and postoperative audiometry) was performed.ResultsThere were 58 female and 40 male patients with a mean age of 40 yr. The cholesteatoma was limited to the attic region in 24 patients (24.5%); attic with antrum in 18 (18.4%); and attic with antrum and middle ear in 56 (57.1%). Attic obliteration was performed in 59 patients (60.2%), attic reconstruction in 39 (39.8%) and ossicular reconstruction was performed in 59 (60.2%). The mean preoperative and postoperative air-bone gaps were 29.2±13.5 dB and 25.0±15.4 dB, respectively (P=0.01) and the mean preoperative and postoperative high-tone bone conduction levels were 14.5±9.7 dB and 15.23±14.0 dB, respectively (P=0.411). A recurrent cholesteatoma was detected in 3 ears (3%) and revision surgery was performed on these patients.ConclusionAtticoantrotomy showed a low recurrence rate and no deterioration in hearing levels. If there is a intact malleus head or body of incus, attic reconstruction was possible and this procedure could lead to improved hearing. However, postoperative retraction occurred in 18% of patients, a problem that will need to be solved in the future

Bacillus subtilis spores as adjuvants against avian influenza H9N2 induce antigen-specific antibody and T cell responses in White Leghorn chickens

Low-pathogenicity avian influenza H9N2 remains an endemic disease worldwide despite continuous vaccination, indicating the need for an improved vaccine strategy. Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), a gram-positive and endospore-forming bacterium, is a non-pathogenic species that has been used in probiotic formulations for both animals and humans. The objective of the present study was to elucidate the effect of B. subtilis spores as adjuvants in chickens administered inactivated avian influenza virus H9N2. Herein, the adjuvanticity of B. subtilis spores in chickens was demonstrated by enhancement of H9N2 virus-specific IgG responses. B. subtilis spores enhanced the proportion of B cells and the innate cell population in splenocytes from chickens administered both inactivated H9N2 and B. subtilis spores (Spore + H9N2). Furthermore, the H9N2 and spore administration induced significantly increased expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 compared to that in the H9N2 only group. Additionally, total splenocytes from chickens immunized with inactivated H9N2 in the presence or absence of B. subtilis spores were re-stimulated with inactivated H9N2. The subsequent results showed that the extent of antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell proliferation was higher in the Spore + H9N2 group than in the group administered only H9N2. Taken together, these data demonstrate that B. subtilis spores, as adjuvants, enhance not only H9N2 virus-specific IgG but also CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses, with an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine production. This approach to vaccination with inactivated H9N2 together with a B. subtilis spore adjuvant in chickens produces a significant effect on antigen-specific antibody and T cell responses against avian influenza virus.This study and medical writing support were funded by Sanofi Genzyme and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc