Chronic cholesterol depletion by lovastatin suppresses MUC5AC gene expression in human airway epithelial cells.

Background: We recently showed that acute cholesterol depletion in the plasma membrane of NCI-H292 cells by methyl-β-cyclodextrin suppressed IL-1beta-induced MUC5AC gene expression. Because cholesterol depletion is clinically used as an antihypersecretory method, chronic cholesterol depletion by lovastatin is more rational and safe than acute depletion. Therefore, we sought to investigate whether chronic cholesterol depletion by lovastatin is feasible and, if so, suppresses the expression of GMUC5AC in NCI-H292 cells.

Clinical characteristics of vocal polyps with underlying sulcus vocalis.

Objective: This study aims to find a correlation between vocal fold polyps and sulcus vocalis and to investigate the character of such vocal fold polyps associated with sulcus vocalis.

Study Design: Retrospective clinical research.

Methods: A retrospective review of 280 patients who have been admitted and operated under general anesthesia for vocal fold polyps at a tertiary care medical center from March 2009 to July 2012 was performed.

Cholesterol depletion in cell membranes of human airway epithelial cells suppresses MUC5AC gene expression.

Purpose: If cholesterol in the cell membrane is depleted by treating cells with methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD), the activities of transmembrane receptors are altered in a cell-specific and/or receptor-specific manner. The proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1β is potent inducers of MUC5AC mRNA and protein synthesis in human airway epithelial cells. Cells activated by IL-1β showed increased phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK).

Nasal Colonization of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Patients with Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media.

Background And Objectives: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of major pathogens in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM). In addition to intrinsic MRSA infection of the mastoid air cell system, nasal colonization of MRSA, a known predictor of postoperative surgical site infection, may pose increased risk of postoperative complications. The purpose of this study is to describe microbiology of preoperative nasal swab screening and localized middle ear specimens in patients undergoing otologic surgeries.