Mapping naso-ocular symptom scores to EQ-5D-5L utility values in Japanese cedar pollinosis.

Background: The total naso-ocular symptom score (TSS) is widely used as an endpoint to evaluate the severity of seasonal allergic rhinitis. However, it is not a generic preference-based measure. We sought to develop an algorithm for mapping between the TSS and health utility in Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCP).

Effect of Prostaglandin D on mRNA Expression of Three Isoforms of Hyaluronic Acid Synthase in Nasal Polyp Fibroblasts.

Background: Hyaluronan is one of the major extracellular matrixes in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) associated with tissue remodeling. Prostaglandin D (PGD) is also associated with the pathogenesis of CRS. However, little is known about whether PGD regulates hyaluronan production by human airway fibroblasts.

Determining an Appropriate Time to Start Prophylactic Treatment with Intranasal Corticosteroids in Japanese Cedar Pollinosis.

Prophylactic treatment with intranasal corticosteroids is effective for pollen-induced seasonal allergic rhinitis. However, the appropriate time to start this treatment remains unclear. We performed a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Evaluation of a new and simple classification for endoscopic sinus surgery.

Objective: In 2013, the Japanese Rhinologic Society proposed a simple classification for endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). This classification consists of five procedures (type I, fenestration of the ostiomeatal complex, with uncinectomy and widening of the natural ostium; type II, single-sinus procedure, with manipulating the inside of the sinus; type III, polysinus procedure; type IV, pansinus procedure; type V, extended procedure beyond the sinus wall). The clinical relevance of this classification in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and paranasal sinus cyst was evaluated.

Neck metastasis in patients with T1-2 supraglottic cancer.

Objectives: Unlike glottic cancer, supraglottic cancer often presents with neck metastases. This different might be attributable to the location of the primary lesion. This study aimed to clarify the relationships between the sublocation of T1-2 supraglottic cancer, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, neck metastasis, and prognosis of supraglottic cancer.

IL-22/IL-22R1 signaling regulates the pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps via alteration of MUC1 expression.

Background: IL-22 is an IL-10-family cytokine that regulates chronic inflammation. We investigated the role of IL-22 and its receptor, IL-22R1, in the pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP).

Methods: IL-22 and IL-22R1 protein and mRNA expression in NP and in uncinate tissues (UT) from CRS and non-CRS patients was examined using immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR, respectively.

Effect of prostaglandin D2 on VEGF release by nasal polyp fibroblasts.

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to be associated with the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). VEGF is produced by a variety of cells including fibroblasts. It was recently reported that prostaglandin (PG) E induces VEGF release by nasal polyp fibroblasts.

Effect of intranasal corticosteroid on pre-onset activation of eosinophils and mast cells in experimental Japanese cedar pollinosis.

Background: Minimal persistent inflammation (MPI) contributes to hyperreactivity in allergic rhinitis. However, little is known regarding whether pre-onset activation of eosinophils and mast cells is present or not in Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCP). Furthermore, a prophylactic effect of intranasal corticosteroids on such MPI in JCP has not been investigated.

Regulatory effect of TLR3 signaling on staphylococcal enterotoxin-induced IL-5, IL-13, IL-17A and IFN-γ production in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Background: Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) is expressed in upper airways, however, little is known regarding whether Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) signals exert a regulatory effect on the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), especially on eosinophilic inflammation. We sought to investigate the effect of Poly(IC), the ligand for TLR3, on cytokine production by dispersed nasal polyp cells (DNPCs).

Methods: DNPCs were pretreated with or without Poly(IC), and were then cultured in the presence or absence of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), following which the levels of IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17A and interferon (IFN)-γ in the supernatant were measured.

Staphylococcal protein A-formulated immune complexes suppress enterotoxin-induced cellular responses in nasal polyps.

Background: Recent studies have revealed that Staphylococcus aureus and its components participate in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic airway diseases, such as chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Objective: We sought to determine whether staphylococcal protein A (SpA) from S aureus regulated cellular responses in nasal polyps, especially when coupled to immunoglobulins in immune complexes (ICs).

Methods: Dispersed nasal polyp cells (DNPCs) or peripheral blood monocytes were cultured in vitro with SpA in the presence or absence of IgG, and IL-5, IL-13, IFN-γ, IL-17A, and IL-10 levels were measured in the supernatants.