IL-17A-producing sinonasal MAIT cells in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Background: Diverse immune cells contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), an inflammatory disease of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. However, whether mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are present in human sinonasal tissues remains unclear. Furthermore, the characteristics of sinonasal MAIT cells have not been studied in patients with CRS.

Urban Particulate Matters May Affect Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Tight Junction Disruption in Nasal Epithelial Cells.

Background: Exposure to airborne urban particulate matter (UPM) has been closely related to the development and aggravation of respiratory disease, including sinonasal disorders.

Objective: The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of UPM on nasal epithelial tight junctions (TJs) and mucosal barrier function and delineate the underlying mechanism by using both in vitro and in vivo models.

Methods: In this study, human nasal epithelial cells (hNECs) and BALB/c mice were exposed to UPMs.

EGR1/GADD45α Activation by ROS of Non-Thermal Plasma Mediates Cell Death in Thyroid Carcinoma.

(1) Background: Nonthermal plasma (NTP) induces cell death in various types of cancer cells, providing a promising alternative treatment strategy. Although recent studies have identified new mechanisms of NTP in several cancers, the molecular mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effect on thyroid cancer (THCA) have not been elucidated. (2) Methods: To investigate the mechanism of NTP-induced cell death, THCA cell lines were treated with NTP-activated medium -(NTPAM), and gene expression profiles were evaluated using RNA sequencing.

Chloroquine Treatment Suppresses Mucosal Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

Purpose: The Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) signaling pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyposis. The aim of this study was to assess the therapeutic potential of the TLR9 pathway inhibitor chloroquine in CRS mice.

Methods: The expression of type I interferons (IFNs) in human CRS tissues was evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), western blotting, and immunofluorescence.

Effect of Urban Particulate Matter on Vocal Fold Fibrosis through the MAPK/NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

Particulate matter (PM) is an environmental exposure factor that adversely affects human health. PM is a risk factor for various diseases. However, the mechanism by which PM affects the vocal folds (VF) has not yet been evaluated.

Effects of povidone-iodine composite on the elimination of bacterial biofilm.

Background: Povidone-iodine (PVP-I) is well known as an antiseptic and exhibits extensive activity against various pathogens. However, due to its uniquely unpleasant nature, it cannot be used locally to deactivate various sinonasal pathogens. Therefore, we developed a PVP-I composite that blocks the unpleasant odor of PVP-I for use as a local antiseptic in the sinonasal cavity and evaluated its effect on bacterial biofilm's formation and elimination in in vivo and in vitro models.

Altered Mitochondrial Functions and Morphologies in Epithelial Cells Are Associated With Pathogenesis of Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps.

Purpose: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a complex inflammatory disease of the nasal and paranasal sinus mucosa. The disease is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, structural changes in the mitochondria, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. This study investigated whether there are functional and morphological changes in the mitochondria in the epithelial cells of nasal polyps (NPs) and enterotoxin B (SEB)-stimulated nasal epithelial cells.

HOXB5 acts as an oncogenic driver in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma via EGFR/Akt/Wnt/β-catenin signaling axis.

Introduction: Identification of therapeutic targets in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is essential because most of the patients with advanced HNSCC have a poor prognosis. Homeobox genes constitute a large cluster of transcription factors with important regulatory roles in mammalian embryonic development and cell differentiation. The oncogenic role of homeobox B5 (HOXB5) in HNSCC has not been investigated.

Clinicopathological and Radiological Features of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Eosinophilic Mucin in Chungcheong Province of Korea.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with eosinophilic mucin is considered rare in Korea. The object of this study was to categorize CRS patients with eosinophilic mucin into several groups and compared the groups based on their clinicopathological and radiological features.

Methods: In total, 105 CRS patients with eosinophilic mucin from four tertiary medical centers which are located at Chungcheong province of Korea were included for this study.

Long-term Breastfeeding in the Prevention of Allergic Rhinitis: Allergic Rhinitis Cohort Study for Kids (ARCO-Kids Study).

Objectives: There is a great deal of interest in the possibility that environmental factors may influence the risk of developing allergic rhinitis (AR) in early life. We investigated the simultaneous effects of mode of delivery and duration of breastfeeding on the development of AR in children.

Methods: Data from 1,374 children participating in the Allergic Rhinitis Cohort Study for kids (ARCO-kids study) was analyzed.

Nasality Changes With Age in Normal Korean-Speaking Adults.

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the effects of aging on nasality and the influence of age-related changes in nasal cavity volume and nasal patency on nasality.

Methods: A total of 180 healthy Korean-speaking adult volunteers, who had no nasal or voice-related complaints, were enrolled in this study. Nasometry, acoustic rhinometry, and rhinomanometry were performed to obtain the nasalance score, nasal cavity volume, and nasal resistance, respectively.

Toll-like receptor 9 ligands increase type I interferon induced B-cell activating factor expression in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.

B-cell activating factor (BAFF) has been proposed to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp (CRSwNP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of toll-like receptor (TLR) 9-mediated BAFF activation on the pathogenesis of CRSwNP. NP and uncinate tissue (UT) were obtained from patients with CRSwNP or CRS without NP, and control subjects.

Role of Toll-like receptor 9 signaling on activation of nasal polyp-derived fibroblasts and its association with nasal polypogenesis.

Background: Nasal polyposis is characterized by persistent inflammation and remodeling in sinonasal mucosa. Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) is a DNA receptor of the innate immune system that plays a pivotal role in fibrosis and inflammatory responses. The aim of this study is to explore the expression, activity, and potential pathogenic role of TLR9 signaling in tissue remodeling in nasal polyp-derived fibroblasts (NPDFs).

Organized hematoma of the sphenoid sinus causing acute visual loss.

Sinonasal organized hematoma, which has locally aggressive characteristics, is a non-neoplastic disease. We report a rare case of sphenoid sinus organized hematoma causing acute visual loss. A 35-year-old male presented with progressive headaches, retro-orbital pain, and frequent epistaxis.

LAMB3 mediates metastatic tumor behavior in papillary thyroid cancer by regulating c-MET/Akt signals.

Laminin subunit beta-3 (LAMB3) encodes one of the three subunits of LM-332, a protein of the extracellular matrix secreted by cultured human keratinocytes. While LAMB3 is involved in the invasive and metastatic abilities of several tumor types, including those found in the colon, pancreas, lung, cervix, stomach, and prostate, its mechanism of action in thyroid cancer has not been investigated previously. Our results show that LAMB3 is up-regulated in papillary thyroid cancer, and that its suppression reduces cell migration/invasion via down-regulation of epithelial‒mesenchymal transition-associated proteins (N-cadherin, vimentin, slug) and inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase 9.

A retrospective analysis of 538 sinonasal fungus ball cases treated at a single tertiary medical center in Korea (1996-2015).

Background: Sinonasal fungus ball (FB) is a type of noninvasive fungal rhinosinusitis affecting immunocompetent hosts. FB, previously considered rare, has been reported with increasing frequency. We reviewed our experience of 538 cases over the past 20 years.

IL-25-induced activation of nasal fibroblast and its association with the remodeling of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.

Background And Objective: Interleukin (IL)-25 has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Nasal polyps are associated with chronic inflammation of the mucous membranes in the paranasal sinuses and are involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of IL-25 on myofibroblast differentiation, ECM production and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases in nasal polyp derived fibroblasts (NPDFs) and to determine the molecular mechanism underlying these processes.

The effects of uvulopalatal flap operation on speech nasalance and the acoustic parameters of the final nasal consonants.

Objective: The acoustic characteristics of voice are determined by the source of the sound and shape of the vocal tract. Various anatomical changes after uvulopalatal flap (UPF) operation can change nasalance and/or other voice characteristics. Our aim was to explore the possible effects of UPF creation on speech nasalance and the resonatory features of the final nasal consonants, and thus voice characteristics.

Isolated sphenoid sinus fungus ball: a retrospective study conducted at a tertiary care referral center in Korea.

Fungus ball (FB) is the most common form of extramucosal fungal rhinosinusitis involving one or more paranasal sinuses. The sphenoid sinus is an uncommon site of this disease. Here, we present our 20-year experience of managing isolated sphenoid sinus FB (SSFB).

Role of Interleukin-10 on Nasal Polypogenesis in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps.

Background And Objectives: Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine. The dysregulation of IL-10 is associated with an enhanced immunopathologic response to infection, as well as with an increased risk for developing numerous autoimmune diseases. In this study, we investigated IL-10 expression in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and assessed the possible role of IL-10 in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP.

Effects of triamcinolone-impregnated nasal dressing on subjective and objective outcomes following endoscopic sinus surgery.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of triamcinolone (TA)- and saline-soaked biodegradable nasal dressing on subjective symptoms, wound healing and improvement of olfactory dysfunction in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) after undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). The study was a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. A total of 80 patients undergoing bilateral ESS for CRSwNP were enrolled and randomly assigned to two groups.

Pediatric aggressive giant cell granuloma of nasal cavity.

Introduction: Giant cell granuloma (GCG) is a non-neoplastic osseous proliferative lesion of unknown etiology. Although a benign disease process, GCG can be locally destructive. It is extremely rare to have a pediatric case of GCG occurring in the nasal cavity with intracranial invasion.

Effects of nutritional status and cognitive ability on olfactory function in geriatric patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of olfactory dysfunction and evaluate the relationship between olfactory function and nutritional status, comorbidity, and the results of a neurocognitive test in geriatric patients who do not suffer from neurodegenerative disease.

Materials And Methods: A total of 45 patients who visited the Geriatric Health Center of Chungnam National University Hospital were enrolled in this study. Olfactory function was assessed using a Korean Version of Sniffin' Stick Test II.

Transient and permanent hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy: Early predictive factors and long-term follow-up results.

Background: Post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia is among the most common complications of total thyroidectomy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate early predictive factors and long-term changes in intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels in patients with transient and permanent hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy.

Patients And Methods: A total of 349 consecutive patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with or without neck dissection between 2009 and 2011 were reviewed.

Podoplanin is involved in the prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma through interaction with VEGF-C.

We investigated the clinical significance of podoplanin expression in relation to clinicopathological variables in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), to determine its effectiveness as a marker for high-risk HNSCC patients. Upregulation of podoplanin in HNSCC tissues was examined using immunohistochemistry and clinicopathological analyses. Wound healing and invasion assays were performed using HNSCC cells that were transfected with podoplanin siRNA, podoplanin vector and cotransfection with both the podoplanin vector and VEGF-C siRNA.