Spatiotemporal regulation by downstream genes of in the olfactory system: from development to function.

Introduction: Olfaction is important for the quality of life; however, in Kallmann syndrome (KS), defective development results in olfactory dysfunction. Notably, the mechanism underlying olfactory development, especially in the olfactory epithelium (OE), which detects olfactory signals, remains unclear. Mutations in PROK2, which encodes prokineticin-2, have been identified in approximately 9% of the KS patients with olfactory defects.

Prognostic significance of pre-operative diagnosis in sinonasal inverted papilloma: recurrence-free survival analysis.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics associated with post-operative recurrence in patients with sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP), focusing on the prognostic factors influencing recurrence-free survival (RFS).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinical records from patients who underwent surgery for IP between January 1, 2007, and August 31, 2023. RFS was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard regression analyses to identify the prognostic factors for recurrence.

Epithelial Lining Fluid Cystatin SN is a Noninvasive Biomarker for Predicting Type 2 Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

Background: As treatment responses differ according to the inflammatory endotype of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), identifying the endotype could facilitate personalized treatment. We aimed to identify a noninvasive epithelial lining fluid (ELF) biomarker for the type 2 (T2) endotype of CRS.

Methods: Nasal tissue and ELF samples were obtained from patients with CRS and control individuals.

Selective PAR2 Inhibition Attenuates HDM-Induced Th1/Th2 Responses in Human Epithelial and Murine Models of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma.

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma are involved in complex interactions between Th1 and Th2 inflammatory pathways. House dust mite (HDM) activates protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) to trigger inflammatory responses, but current treatments often provide inadequate control.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of selective PAR2 inhibition on Th1 and Th2 responses in human nasal epithelial (HNE) cells and murine models of AR and asthma.

Dissolving Microneedle for Maintaining the Integrity of HPV Virus-Like Particles Enabling Durable Sterile Protection Across Various Mucosal Tissues.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have substantially reduced cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases in high-income countries, with male vaccination addressing transmission as well as head and neck cancers. However, in low- and middle-income countries, widespread vaccination efforts are hindered by considerable costs, insufficient medical staff, and challenges in maintaining vaccine stability. Conventional microneedle vaccine production often compromises the structural integrity of virus-like particles (VLPs), thereby reducing their effectiveness.

Inflammation-driven periostin in ECRS has contrasting effects on tissue structural integrity and osteitis.

Introduction: Eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) is a severe form of chronic rhinosinusitis characterized by type 2 inflammation, tissue remodeling, and bone thickening, known as osteitis. Periostin, a matricellular protein involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) regulation and T helper 2 (Th2)-mediated inflammation, is markedly elevated in patients with ECRS; however, its pathophysiological role remains unclear.

Methods: We investigated the role of periostin in inflammation and tissue remodeling in ECRS using samples from ECRS patients, human nasal epithelial cells and fibroblasts, as well as an ECRS mouse model including periostin knockout mice.

Clinical Characteristics of Pediatric Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Nationwide Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Background And Objectives: Pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) significantly affects children's quality of life and learning abilities. This study aimed to evaluate the postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) for CRS.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on pediatric patients who underwent FESS for CRS at 11 university hospitals.

Biologics for Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps: Current Status and Clinical Considerations in Korea.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a prevalent condition that significantly impacts quality of life and places a burden on healthcare systems. The advent of biologics targeting type 2 immune pathways offers new therapeutic options for severe and/or uncontrolled CRSwNP. Initially, biologic use was guided by the European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps (EPOS) 2020 and the European Forum for Research and Education in Allergy and Airway Diseases (EUFOREA) guidelines, despite limited data on clinical indications, response measures, and treatment duration.

Surgical Timing and Stenting in Neonatal Choanal Atresia.

Background And Objectives: Congenital choanal atresia is a rare condition that occurs in approximately 1 in 7,000 to 8,000 live births and involves the obstruction of the posterior nasal airway. It may present as either unilateral or bilateral, with bilateral cases being more severe due to the risk of immediate neonatal respiratory distress. Bilateral congenital choanal atresia (BCCA) necessitates prompt medical intervention to prevent cyanosis and significant breathing difficulties.

Insufficient Diagnostic Value of Serum Galactomannan and (1,3)-β-D-Glucan in Paranasal Sinus Fungus Balls.

Background And Objectives: The serum galactomannan test (GM test) and the (1,3)-β-D-glucan test (G test) are utilized in diagnosing invasive fungal sinusitis. However, their effectiveness in detecting paranasal sinus fungus balls (FBs) has not been established. This study aimed to explore their diagnostic value in patients with FBs.

Insufficiency of Laboratory Data in Reflecting Allergic Rhinitis Severity Based on the Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma Guideline in Korean Patients.

Background And Objectives: This retrospective study, conducted at a single tertiary medical center, aimed to investigate the correlation between the severity of allergic rhinitis (AR) based on subjective symptoms and the severity assessed through laboratory data.

Methods: In total, 584 patients who were diagnosed with AR by a multiple-allergen simultaneous test were included. Patients were classified into four groups according to the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) classification guideline.

Comparative analyses of post-infectious olfactory dysfunction between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 cases.

To identify the differences between COVID-19-associated and non-COVID-19-associated olfactory dysfunction (OD), we analyzed demographic and clinical characteristics based on the causative virus (COVID versus non-COVID groups) in patients with post-infectious olfactory dysfunction (PIOD) who underwent the olfactory questionnaire and olfactory function test. Out of 169 patients with PIOD, 99 were diagnosed with COVID-19 (COVID group), while 70 were not (non-COVID group). The COVID group was younger and had a higher percentage of male patients as well as patients with parosmia than the non-COVID group.

S100A9 induces tissue remodeling of human nasal epithelium in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp.

Background: Chronic inflammation triggers tissue remodeling in human nasal epithelial (HNE) cells. S100A9, a protein secreted by inflammatory cells, exhibits potent proinflammatory activity. However, its effect on HNE cell remodeling, such as squamous metaplasia, remains unclear.

SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific nasal-resident CD49aCD8 memory T cells exert immediate effector functions with enhanced IFN-γ production.

Virus-specific nasal resident T cells are important for protection against subsequent infection with a similar virus. Here we examine the phenotypes and functions of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells in the nasal mucosa of vaccinated individuals with breakthrough infection (BTI) or without infection. Nasal tissues are obtained from participants during sinus surgery.

Differential regulation of viral entry-associated genes modulated by inflammatory cytokines in the nasal epithelium.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of different types of nasal inflammation on the regulation of entry-associated genes of respiratory viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E), and influenza virus, in the nasal epithelium. Subjects were classified into three groups: control, eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS), and noneosinophilic CRS (NECRS) groups. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine subtype 2 (TMPRSS2), alanyl aminopeptidase (ANPEP), dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), and beta-galactoside alpha-2,6-sialyltransferase 1 (ST6GAL1), and beta-galactoside alpha-2,3-sialyltransferase 4 (ST3GAL4) were selected as key entry-associated genes for SARS-CoV-2, HCoV-229E, MERS-CoV, and influenza, respectively, and were evaluated.

Microbiome and Mycobiome Analyses of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Devices.

Objectives: Microorganisms are likely present in continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices in daily use. Given the potential risk of infection among CPAP users, we aimed to compare the microbiomes of CPAP devices with those of nasal mucosa samples obtained from patients using these devices.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study at multiple tertiary medical institutions.

Outcomes and Predictors of Success Following Multilevel Surgery in Positional and Nonpositional Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Objective: To assess the surgical outcomes and identify predictors of surgical success in patients with positional and non-positional obstructive sleep apnea following multilevel airway surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Singe-tertiary medical center.

Intermittent hypoxia induces Th17/Treg imbalance in a murine model of obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by cyclic normoxic and hypoxic conditions (intermittent hypoxia, IH) induced by the repeated closure of the upper-airway respiratory tract. As a pathomechanism of OSA, IH results in various comorbidities via chronic inflammation and related pathways. However, the role of other inflammatory cells, such as lymphocytes, has not been well-explored.