Serum exosome-derived miR-146a-3p promotes macrophage M2 polarization in allergic rhinitis by targeting VAV3 via PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Background: Our previous study showed that miR-146a-3p was elevated in serum exosomes of allergic rhinitis (AR) patients, but the underlying mechanisms were unclarified. This study was to investigate the impact of exosome-derived miR-146a-3p on macrophage polarization in the pathology of AR.

Method: We detected the expression of miR-146a-3p in nasal tissues of AR patients and healthy controls (HCs), and investigated its correlation with macrophage polarization markers.

Serum exosomal miR-146a-3p associates with disease severity and efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis.

Background: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is an effective treatment for allergic rhinitis (AR), but its efficacy is variable among individuals. This study aimed to characterize serum exosome-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) and evaluate their abilities in predicting the efficacy of SLIT in AR.

Methods: RNA sequencing was performed to explore differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs in serum exosomes between AR patients and healthy controls (HCs).

Predictive Values of Serum IL-33 and sST2 in Endotypes and Postoperative Recurrence of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a common inflammatory disease with high heterogeneity and postoperative recidivation. The IL-33/ST2 axis is known to be involved in Th2 immune responses. This study is aimed at exploring levels of serum IL-33 and soluble ST2 (sST2) in CRSwNP patients and their potential for predicting CRSwNP endotypes and postoperative recurrence.

Multiple-Cytokine Profiling: A Novel Method for Early Prediction of the Efficacy of Sublingual Immunotherapy in Allergic Rhinitis Patients.

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common inflammatory airway disease, and allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is the only disease-modifying treatment for it. However, not all AR patients respond to AIT, and early prediction of patient response is extremely important. This study aimed to example serum levels of multiple cytokines in AR and explore their association with the efficacy of AIT.

Serum Soluble ST2 Correlated with Symptom Severity and Clinical Response of Sublingual Immunotherapy for House Dust Mite-Induced Allergic Rhinitis Patients.

Background: Suppressor of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) is a key biomarker in inflammation and cardiovascular diseases, but limited data is available on its role in allergic rhinitis (AR).

Objective: The aim of this study is to explore the role of serum soluble ST2 (sST2) in evaluating disease severity and predicting the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in house dust mite- (HDM-) induced AR patients.

Methods: Eighty healthy controls (HC group) and 160 HDM-induced AR patients, including 40 mild patients (MAR group) and 120 moderate-severe patients (MSAR group), were recruited in this study.

Broadband High-Efficiency Grating Couplers for Perfectly Vertical Fiber-to-Chip Coupling Enhanced by Fabry-Perot-like Cavity.

We propose a broadband high-efficiency grating coupler for perfectly vertical fiber-to-chip coupling. The up-reflection is reduced, hence enhanced coupling efficiency is achieved with the help of a Fabry-Perot-like cavity composed of a silicon nitride reflector and the grating itself. With the theory of the Fabry-Perot cavity, the dimensional parameters of the coupler are investigated.

Anterior wall resection plus radiofrequency ablation versus simple aspiration in the treatment of auricular pseudocyst: a retrospective study.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of two different treatment approaches for auricular pseudocyst.

Methods: This retrospective study reviewed data from patients with auricular pseudocyst that were treated with either anterior wall resection plus radiofrequency ablation compression (surgical group) or simple aspiration and compression suturing (control group). The following outcomes were compared between the two groups: therapeutic response (cure, good or none), duration of postoperative medication (antibiotics) use, duration of postoperative pain, duration of recovery of appearance and rate of complications (infection, auricular thickening, incision swelling and recurrence).

Efficiency Enhanced Grating Coupler for Perfectly Vertical Fiber-to-Chip Coupling.

In this work, a bidirectional grating coupler for perfectly vertical coupling is proposed. The coupling efficiency is enhanced using a silicon nitride (SiN) layer above a uniform grating. In the presence of SiN layer, the back-reflected optical power into the fiber is diminished and coupling into the waveguide is increased.

Vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea.

Objective: Previous studies have shown that patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) may have various vestibular abnormalities, and these mainly present as subclinical lesions. In this study, we attempted to combine ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) and cervical (VEMPs) to investigate vestibular dysfunction in patients with OSAS.

Methods: Thirty-eight patients with severe OSAS and 42 healthy controls were enrolled and divided into two groups according to results of polysomnography.

MicroRNA expression profile is altered in the upper airway skeletal muscle tissue of patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.

Objective: To investigate the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

Methods: In this study, we investigated miRNA profiles in the upper airway (UA) skeletal muscles of four patients with OSAHS and four matched controls using the miRCURY miRNA array. In another cohort of 12 OSAHS cases and 7 controls, the mRNA expression levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and Lin-28 homolog A (Lin28A), targets of the downregulated let-7 family members, were measured by real-time quantitative-PCR.

Multi-wavelength optical data processing and recording based on azo-dyes doped organic-inorganic hybrid film.

While single wavelength all-optical information encoding through optically induced orientation of azobenzene dyes is being extensively pursued, we propose multi-wavelength optical data processing and recording based on disperse red 1 (DR1) and 4-(4-hydroxybutyloxy) azobenzene doped organic-inorganic hybrid films to increase the density of recording data. By investigating the change of absorbance spectrum of the doped film under different irradiations, results indicate a laser pulses around 470 nm would be suitable as the probe beam. In the measurement of optical data processing and recording, two cw lasers pulse at 532 nm and 355 nm induce trans-cis isomerization of the azo-dyes in the film, while the output of the probe beam record the processed data as {(-1), (0), (1)} according to different inputs of the pump beams.

Management of traumatic tympanic membrane perforation: a comparative study.

This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of sea buckthorn oil patches in treating traumatic tympanic membrane (TM) perforations. We enrolled 370 patients with traumatic TM perforations of different sizes. These patients were randomly assigned to control group and treatment group.

[Bio-modification of polyhydroxyalkanoates and its biocompatibility with chondrocytes].

Objective: To study the hydrophilicity and the cell biocompatibility of the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co- 3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) coated with a fusion protein polyhydroxyalkanoates granule binding protein (PhaP) fused with Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide (PhaP-RGD).

Methods: PHBV and PHBHHx films were fabricated by solvent evaporation. Scanning electronic microscope (SEM) was used to study the morphology of the films.