Assessment of Lacrimal Duct Patency in Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Medial Maxillectomy.

Purpose: The risk of epiphora after medial maxillectomy with lacrimal duct transection is difficult to assess. The data available in the literature are inconclusive due to various operating techniques used by the authors of medical publications, different additional procedures aimed at improving tear drainage after maxillectomy, and a variety of lacrimal duct patency assessment techniques. The aim of our work was to assess the anatomical and functional patency of lacrimal ducts after medial maxillectomy without performing additional procedures to improve tear drainage as well as comparison of the results obtained with different assessment tests.

Expression of LIGHT/TNFSF14 and Its Receptors, HVEM and LTβR, Correlates with the Severity of Fibrosis in Lacrimal Sacs from Patients with Lacrimal Duct Obstruction.

Introduction: Fibrosis is one of the factors contributing to the development of primary acquired lacrimal duct obstruction (LDO). LIGHT (homologous to lymphotoxins, exhibiting inducible expression and competing with herpes simplex virus glycoprotein D for herpes virus entry mediator [HVEM]), a receptor expressed by T lymphocytes, has recently emerged as a new regulator of connective tissue remodeling and fibrotic response. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of LIGHT in the pathogenesis of LDO through: (1) assessment of expression of LIGHT and its two receptors, HVEM and LTβR (lymphotoxin β receptor), and (2) investigation of potential relationships between expression of LIGHT and its receptors and clinical and histopathologic features.

Systemic corticosteroid therapy augments release of sCD163 by peripheral blood monocytes of asthmatic patients.

Introduction: The CD163 is exclusively expressed by mononuclear phagocytes as a transmembrane protein, which synthesis is regulated by anti- and pro-inflammatory signals. After shedding from the cell surface it exists in body fluids as a soluble protein (sCD163) which exerts anti-inflammatory effects.

Aim: To evaluate serum concentration and production of sCD163 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in asthmatic patients treated with inhaled (ICS) or oral corticosteroids (OCS).

Synergistic effect of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergens and dexamethasone on the expression of CD163 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Background: The CD163 is a marker of monocyte/macrophage anti-inflammatory function. Its soluble form (sCD163) also exert anti-inflammatory activities including inhibition of T cell proliferation.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of dexamethasone (Dx) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) on ex vivo production of sCD163 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

Cysteinyl leukotriene 1 receptor expression in nasal polyps.

Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). This study was undertaken to better understand the role of CysLTs in the development of CRS through 1). assessment of the pattern of expression of CysLT1 receptor in nasal polyps from patients with CRS and 2).

Increased expression of the TNF superfamily member LIGHT/TNFSF14 and its receptors (HVEM and LTßR) in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the potential role of the TNF superfamily member lymphocyte T-related inducible ligand that competes for glycoprotein D binding to herpesvirus entry mediator on T cells (LIGHT) in SSc through evaluation of: skin expression of LIGHT and its receptors, herpesvirus entry mediator and lymphotoxin ß-related receptor, and serum concentration of LIGHT in SSc patients.

Methods: Expression of LIGHT and its receptors was investigated by immunohistochemistry and evaluated semi-quantitatively in skin biopsies from 19 SSc patients and 9 healthy controls. Serum levels of LIGHT were measured using ELISA in 329 patients with SSc and 50 control subjects.

impact of anti-immunoglobulin E monoclonal antibodies, including omalizumab on whole blood basophil histamine release: Assessment of direct induction of basophil histamine release and evaluation of modulation of allergen-induced basophil histamine release.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) and/or anti-IgE-IgE immune complexes to release histamine from peripheral blood basophils. In addition, a potential modulating effect of anti-IgE-IgE complexes on allergen-induced peripheral blood basophil histamine release was evaluated.

Methods: Whole blood basophil histamine release (WBB-HR) tests done by using glass-fiber-based microtiter plates were performed in 62 patients with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma sensitized to perennial allergens.

The role of 12/15-lipoxygenase in production of selected eicosanoids in allergic airway inflammation.

Purpose: To evaluate the role of 12/15-lipoxygenase (LOX) in regulation of synthesis of selected eicosanoids in mice sensitized and challenged with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) allergen extract.

Materials And Methods: Both C57Bl and 12/15-LOX knockout mice were sensitized by 2 intraperitoneal injections and subsequently challenged by inhalation with Dp allergen extract. Sham sensitized and challenged mice were used as controls.