Orphan receptor GPR37L1 contributes to the sexual dimorphism of central cardiovascular control.

Background: Over 100 mammalian G protein-coupled receptors are yet to be matched with endogenous ligands; these so-called orphans are prospective drug targets for the treatment of disease. GPR37L1 is one such orphan, abundant in the brain and detectable as mRNA in the heart and kidney. GPR37L1 ablation was reported to cause hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, and thus, we sought to further define the role of GPR37L1 in blood pressure homeostasis.

Metalloprotease cleavage of the N terminus of the orphan G protein-coupled receptor GPR37L1 reduces its constitutive activity.

Little is known about the pharmacology or physiology of GPR37L1, a G protein (heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein)-coupled receptor that is abundant in the cerebellum. Mice deficient in this receptor exhibit precocious cerebellar development and hypertension. We showed that GPR37L1 coupled to the G protein Gα(s) when heterologously expressed in cultured cells in the absence of any added ligand, whereas a mutant receptor that lacked the amino terminus was inactive.

The Olfactory Strip and Its Preservation in Endoscopic Pituitary Surgery Maintains Smell and Sinonasal Function.

Background The return of olfaction and of sinonasal function are important end points after pituitary surgery. Opinions differ on the impact of surgery because techniques vary greatly. A modified preservation of the so-called olfactory strip is described that utilizes a small nasoseptal flap and wide exposure.

Sinonasal morbidity following tumour resection with and without nasoseptal flap reconstruction.

Background: Sinonasal function can be affected by multiple treatment modalities but surgical techniques, such as the nasoseptal flap or Draf 3 procedure, have been implicated in poor post-treatment function. Prior studies have rarely used comparable populations and this study aims to assess the impact of surgical technique, mainly the nasoseptal flap, on sinonasal function in a group of comparable patients.

Methods: A prospective cohort of patients undergoing endoscopic surgery for sinonasal and skull base tumours was studied.

Remodeling changes of the upper airway with chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background: Although remodeling changes of the lower airway are well described, similar changes in the upper airway are less well known. Remodeling changes of the upper airway in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) relevant to different phenotypes and endotypes and their clinical characteristics are investigated.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of adult patients with CRS was performed.

Airflow and patient-perceived improvement following rhinoplastic correction of external nasal valve dysfunction.

Importance: External nasal valve dysfunction (ENVD) is a common cause of nasal obstruction. Although many techniques are described to help correct ENVD, evidence of the objective changes in the airway achieved by these interventions is mainly unknown.

Objective: To document the airway changes in patients with ENVD by comparing subjective and objective measures obtained before and after rhinoplasty.

Cellular comparison of sinus mucosa vs polyp tissue from a single sinus cavity in chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background: Nasal polyposis is a common development in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and sinus mucosa and polyp tissue have been used interchangeably in studies investigating CRS. However, potential differences may exist between these 2 tissue types, which have not been entirely characterized.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of CRS with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery was conducted.