A controlled challenge study on di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in house dust and the immune response in human nasal mucosa of allergic subjects.

Background: Few studies have yet addressed the effects of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in house dust on human nasal mucosa.

Objectives: We investigated the effects of house dust containing DEHP on nasal mucosa of healthy and house dust mite (HDM)-allergic subjects in a short-term exposure setting.

Methods: We challenged 16 healthy and 16 HDM-allergic subjects for 3 hr with house dust at a concentration of 300 microg/m(3) containing either low (0.

Centrosome abnormalities in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Conclusions: Numerical and structural centrosome abnormalities play a critical role in the tumor progression of in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and may provide useful information as a prognostic factor for these patients.

Objectives: Centrosome alterations are often linked with aneuploidy, cell transformation, and tumor progress. We investigated centrosome abnormalities in HNSCC and correlated these variables to clinicopathological parameters and clinical follow up data of the patients.

Nasal fractional exhaled nitric oxide analysis with a novel hand-held device.

Aim: To assess the performance of a novel hand-held nitric oxide (NO) analyzer in the measurement of nasal fractional exhaled NO (FE(NO)).

Methods: In ten healthy subjects (controls) and ten patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), oral and nasal FENO were obtained with the NIOX MINO Airway Inflammation Monitor (Aerocrine AB, Solna, Sweden) on two consecutive days, complying with current standards.

Results: Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of oral FENO was 0.

Nasal cytologies--impact of sampling method, repeated sampling and interobserver variability.

The influence of sampling technique, repeated sampling and the interobserver variability on quantitative analysis of nasal cytologies were explored. Nasal cytologies from 12 healthy and 4 allergic volunteers were repeatedly collected with a total of three different sampling techniques. Cells were demonstrated by May-Grünwald-Giemsa staining and by immunostaining for CD45 and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO).

Nasal toxicity of benzalkonium chloride.

Background: Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is added to nasal preparations to prevent microbial contamination. Adverse effects of BAC on human nasal mucosa should be evaluated.

Methods: The ciliotoxicity of BAC was assessed in isolated human nasal epithelia from 15 donors.

Short-term exposure to urban dust alters the mediator release of human nasal mucosa.

Learning Objectives: Identify any changes in cytokine (mediator) concentrations in nasal secretions after healthy individuals were experimentally exposed to urban dust. Recall what connection there was, if any, between post-exposure cytokine levels in nasal secretions on the one hand, and, on the other, counts of inflammatory cells and nasal symptoms. Report the investigators' conclusions as to whether exposure to urban dust is a cause of persistent inflammation and chronic airway disease.

Effects of low-toxicity particulate matter on human nasal function.

Chronic nasal and paranasal sinus problems affect approximately 15% of the population in industrialized countries. Recent studies suggest that particulate matter might contribute to this condition. The effects of acute exposure to low-toxicity particulate matter on human nasal airflow, mucociliary transport, and nasal discomfort should be assessed.