DIAPH1-Deficiency is Associated with Major T, NK and ILC Defects in Humans.

Loss of function mutations in Diaphanous related formin 1 (DIAPH1) are associated with seizures, cortical blindness, and microcephaly syndrome (SCBMS) and are recently linked to combined immunodeficiency. However, the extent of defects in T and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) remain unexplored. Herein, we characterized the primary T, natural killer (NK) and helper ILCs of six patients carrying two novel loss of function mutation in DIAPH1 and Jurkat cells after DIAPH1 knockdown. Mutations were identified by whole exome sequencing. T-cell immunophenotyping, proliferation, migration, cytokine signaling, survival, and NK cell cytotoxicity were studied via flow cytometry-based assays, confocal microscopy, and real-time qPCR. CD4+ T cell proteome was analyzed by mass spectrometry. p.R351* and p.R322*variants led to a significant reduction in the DIAPH1 mRNA and protein levels. DIAPH1-deficient T cells showed proliferation, activation, as well as TCR-mediated signaling defects. DIAPH1-deficient PBMCs also displayed impaired transwell migration, defective STAT5 phosphorylation in response to IL-2, IL-7 and IL-15. In vitro generation/expansion of Treg cells from naïve T cells was significantly reduced. shRNA-mediated silencing of DIAPH1 in Jurkat cells reduced DIAPH1 protein level and inhibited T cell proliferation and IL-2/STAT5 axis. Additionally, NK cells from patients had diminished cytotoxic activity, function and IL-2/STAT5 axis. Lastly, DIAPH1-deficient patients' peripheral blood contained dramatically reduced numbers of all helper ILC subsets. DIAPH1 deficiency results in major functional defects in T, NK cells and helper ILCs underlining the critical role of formin DIAPH1 in the biology of those cell subsets.

Phenotypic and molecular characterization of five patients with PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS).

Somatic and germline PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway pathogenic variants are involved in several segmental overgrowth phenotypes such as the PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS), Proteus syndrome, and PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome. In this study, we describe five patients with PROS. We identified by high-throughput sequencing four different somatic PIK3CA pathogenic variants in five individuals. The Glu726Lys variant, which was previously reported in megalencephaly-capillary malformation-polymicrogyria (MCAP) syndrome, was identified in two patients with unclassified PROS. The Cys420Arg substitution, which was previously reported in CLOVES, was found in a patient with fibroadipose hyperplasia. Additionally, relatively rare pathogenic variants, His1047Tyr and Tyr1021Cys, were detected in two patients with MCAP. Therefore, we suggest performing deep sequencing of PIK3CA in all patients with suspected PROS, instead of targeted polymerase chain reaction for hotspot pathogenic variants.

Antipsychotic prescribing patterns in Australia: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: To examine real-world patterns of antipsychotic use in patients with schizophrenia Australia. METHODS: This retrospective cohort analysis was conducted using the Australian Commonwealth Department of Human Services Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) 10% sample data. Included data were for patients aged 16-years or older who initiated treatment for the first time with a PBS-reimbursed antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia between July 2013 and September 2017. Patterns of treatment usage were summarised descriptively. Differences in prescribing patterns by age and prescribing year were reported. Treatment persistence was estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods, with differences explored using log-rank tests. Values of p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: 6,740 patients, representing 8,249 non-unique patients, received prescriptions for antipsychotic medications. Patients were aged 16 years to over 85 years (54.5% were < 55 years) and two-thirds of patients were male (61%). The majority of treatment episodes (62%, n = 5,139/8,249) were prescribed an atypical oral antipsychotic. Typical long-acting antipsychotic therapies (LATs) were prescribed 19% of the treatment episodes (n = 1,608/8,249. There was a small increase in prescribing of atypical LAT and typical LAT and a small decrease in atypical oral and clozapine prescribing over the study period. Treatment persistence was greatest in patients treated with clozapine, than in those treated with atypical LATs. CONCLUSIONS: While the majority of patients receive atypical antipsychotic medications, one in five continue to use older typical LAT therapies. Patient age and time on therapy may be associated with choice of therapy. Persistence to atypical LAT therapy is better than for other treatment modalities in this real-world cohort.

Why Do Muse Stem Cells Present an Enduring Stress Capacity? Hints from a Comparative Proteome Analysis.

Muse cells are adult stem cells that are present in the stroma of several organs and possess an enduring capacity to cope with endogenous and exogenous genotoxic stress. In cell therapy, the peculiar biological properties of Muse cells render them a possible natural alternative to mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) or to in vitro-generated pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Indeed, some studies have proved that Muse cells can survive in adverse microenvironments, such as those present in damaged/injured tissues. We performed an evaluation of Muse cells' proteome under basic conditions and followed oxidative stress treatment in order to identify ontologies, pathways, and networks that can be related to their enduring stress capacity. We executed the same analysis on iPSCs and MSCs, as a comparison. The Muse cells are enriched in several ontologies and pathways, such as endosomal vacuolar trafficking related to stress response, ubiquitin and proteasome degradation, and reactive oxygen scavenging. In Muse cells, the protein-protein interacting network has two key nodes with a high connectivity degree and betweenness: NFKB and CRKL. The protein NFKB is an almost-ubiquitous transcription factor related to many biological processes and can also have a role in protecting cells from apoptosis during exposure to a variety of stressors. CRKL is an adaptor protein and constitutes an integral part of the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) pathway. The identified pathways and networks are all involved in the quality control of cell components and may explain the stress resistance of Muse cells.

A comparative study on normal and obese mice indicates that the secretome of mesenchymal stromal cells is influenced by tissue environment and physiopathological conditions.

BACKGROUND: The term mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) designates an assorted cell population comprised of stem cells, progenitor cells, fibroblasts, and stromal cells. MSCs contribute to the homeostatic maintenance of many organs through paracrine and long-distance signaling. Tissue environment, in both physiological and pathological conditions, may affect the intercellular communication of MSCs. METHODS: We performed a secretome analysis of MSCs isolated from subcutaneous adipose tissue (sWAT) and visceral adipose tissue (vWAT), and from bone marrow (BM), of normal and obese mice. RESULTS: The MSCs isolated from tissues of healthy mice share a common core of released factors: components of cytoskeletal and extracellular structures; regulators of basic cellular functions, such as protein synthesis and degradation; modulators of endoplasmic reticulum stress; and counteracting oxidative stress. It can be hypothesized that MSC secretome beneficially affects target cells by the horizontal transfer of many released factors. Each type of MSC may exert specific signaling functions, which could be determined by looking at the many factors that are exclusively released from every MSC type. The vWAT-MSCs release factors that play a role in detoxification activity in response to toxic substances and drugs. The sWAT-MSC secretome contains proteins involved in in chondrogenesis, osteogenesis, and angiogenesis. Analysis of BM-MSC secretome revealed that these cells exert a signaling function by remodeling extracellular matrix structures, such as those containing glycosaminoglycans. Obesity status profoundly modified the secretome content of MSCs, impairing the above-described activity and promoting the release of inflammatory factors. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that the content of MSC secretomes depends on tissue microenvironment and that pathological condition may profoundly alter its composition. Video abstract.

Effects of mesenchymal stem cell transfer on orthodontically induced root resorption and orthodontic tooth movement during orthodontic arch expansion protocols: an experimental study in rats.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to evaluate the effects of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transfer to periodontal ligament (PDL) on the inhibition and/or repair of orthodontically induced root resorption (OIRR) during and after arch expansion and on the orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) rate of the maxillary first molar teeth of rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty Wistar rats were divided into three groups as the untreated group, MSC and control injections during the expansion period group (EMSC-EC), and MSC and control injections at the retention period group (RMSC-RC). Fifty grams of orthodontic force was applied to the maxillary first molar teeth of the rats for 14 days in the vestibular direction, and then, 20 days of retention was carried out. MSCs and control injections were performed every 3 days in the EC, RC, EMSC, and RMSC groups. At the end of the experiment, samples were prepared for OTM evaluation, mRNA expression analysis, micro-computed tomography measurements, cementum thickness calculations, and structural examinations. RESULTS: The amount of OTM in EMSC group was significantly higher than in EC group (P < 0.001). MSC transfer during the expansion and retention periods reduced the number of resorption lacunae, volumetric and linear resorptive measurements, and cyclooxygenase-2 and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) mRNA expression levels, and increased the osteoprotegerin (OPG) expression levels, OPG/RANKL ratio, and cementum thickness in the EMSC and RMSC groups. CONCLUSIONS: MSC transfer to PDL during expansion increased the amount of OTM. Injection of MSC during the retention period was found to be slightly more effective in prevention and/or repair of OIRR than MSC transfer during the expansion period.

Synthesis, in vivo anticonvulsant testing, and molecular modeling studies of new nafimidone derivatives.

An estimated 50 million people suffer epilepsy worldwide and 30% of the cases do not respond to current antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Here, we report synthesis and anticonvulsant screening of new derivatives of nafimidone, a well-known member of (arylakyl)azole anticonvulsants. The compounds showed promising protection against maximal electroshock (MES)-induced seizures in mice and rats when administered via intraperitoneal (ip) and oral route. Especially, 5b, 5c, and 5i displayed outstanding activity in rats in MES test when given ip (ED50 : 16.0, 15.8, and 11.8 mg/kg, respectively). Additionally, 5l was active against 6 Hz and corneal-kindled mice models. Behavioral toxicity of the compounds was very low and their therapeutic indexes were high compared to some currently available AEDs. A number of pharmaceutically relevant descriptors and properties were predicted for the compounds in silico in comparison with a set of known drugs. Favorable results were obtained such as good blood-brain barrier permeability and high oral absorption, as well as drug-likeness. 5l was found to show affinity to the benzodiazepine binding site of A-type GABA receptor via molecular docking simulations.

Side-to-side asymmetry in lower limb strength and hamstring-quadriceps strength ratio among collegiate American football players.

[Purpose] The present study aimed to investigate the lower limbs injury risk factors that are based on conventional Hamstring to Quadriceps ratio and limb asymmetry index in varsity American football players. [Participants and Methods] Twenty-six varsity American football players aged 19-27 years and with 2.31 ± 1.29 years of American football experience from Dogu Akdeniz University volunteered to undergo measurements of average peak torque for isokinetic flexion and extension of dominant limb and non-dominant limb at 60°·s-1 and 300°·s-1. Hamstring to Quadriceps ratio and limb asymmetry index were also calculated for Hamstring and Quadriceps muscles. [Results] Statistical analysis revealed that dominant Quadriceps is stronger than non-dominant Quadriceps at 60°·s-1 speed. No statistical difference was found between dominant and non-dominant Hamstring peak torque at 60°·s-1 . Hamstring to Quadriceps ratio determined as normal both for 60°·s-1 and 300°·s-1according to the currently reported cut off value (H:Q ratio >60). Hamstring and Quadriceps limb asymmetry index also determined as normal (cut off value for LSI 10%) at 60°·s-1. However, for both Hamstring and Quadriceps, side- to- side strength asymmetry at 300°·s-1 was observed. [Conclusion] To prevent possible lower limb injury and to increase performance, varsity American football players who are actively training and competing might consider taking strength asymmetry into account to tailor their strength training program accordingly.

Is resveratrol therapeutic when used to treat allergic rhinitisinitis in rats?

PURPOSE: Resveratrol has anti-infective, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of resveratrol in a rat experimental model of allergic rhinitis (AR). METHODS: Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: control (n=7), AR with no treatment (AR+NoTr, n=7) and AR with resveratrol treatment (AR+Res, n=7). For AR+Res, AR was induced and resveratrol given on days 21-28. On day 28, the total blood IgE levels were measured. Allergic symptoms (sneezing, nose-rubbing, eye lacrimation and nasal congestion) were scored on a 0-3 point scale, and histopathological changes in the nasal mucosa were evaluated. RESULTS: Allergic symptom score of AR+NoTr was higher than the other two groups and the score of AR+Res was higher than the control group. Histopathologically, neither ciliary loss nor chondrocyte hypertrophy differed among the three groups; however, vascular congestion, inflammatory and plasma cell numbers, eosinophil and mast cell infiltration and goblet cell numbers were higher and mast cell infiltration was more prominent in AR+NoTr than in AR+Res and control. AR+Res and control did not differ significantly in any histological parameter. In AR+NoTr, nasal mucosa exhibited ciliary loss, squamous epithelial metaplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration, vascular congestion of the lamina propria and goblet cell epithelial metaplasia. In AR+Res, goblet cell metaplasia was focal or absent and infiltration of the lamina propria by inflammatory cells, eosinophils, and plasma cells was reduced relative to AR+NoTr. CONCLUSION: Allergic symptoms and tissue reactions were reduced by resveratrol treatment in rats with experimentally-induced AR.

Association of Interleukin-10 gene promoter polymorphisms with obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-10 (IL) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that regulates normal sleep patterns, and recent studies have reported that it is a potential useful biomarker to identify presence and severity of sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Promoter polymorphisms of IL-10 gene have been associated with altered expression levels, which contributes to OSAS. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of -1082 G/A, -819 C/T, and -592 C/A promoter polymorphisms of IL-10 gene in individuals with OSAS and controls. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: An open-label study was performed in the Otorhinolaryngology and Sleep Disorders Outpatient Clinics. One hundred four cases with OSAS were included as the study group, and 78 individuals without OSAS were included as the controls. DNAs were extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes, and the sites that encompassed those polymorphisms were identified by DNA sequencing analyses. Data were analyzed with SNPStats and multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) software. RESULTS: The prevalence of OSAS was higher in males in the study group when compared to controls (P = 0.0003). The IL-10-1082 G/A, -819 C/T, and -592 C/A SNPs, and their minor alleles were associated with a significantly increased risk for OSAS compared to the controls (P ˂ 0.05 for all). Furthermore, ATA haplotype frequency was significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group, but the GCC haplotype frequency was lower (P = 0.0001 and P = 0.0001). As indicated in MDR analysis, combinations of IL-10 gene were associated with OSAS in single-, double-, and triple-locus analyses. CONCLUSION: The prevalences of the IL-10 gene promoter polymorphisms were different in OSAS patients and the controls in Turkish population. IL-10 gene polymorphisms may lead to altered inflammatory cascade, which might contribute to OSAS. Further studies on larger cohorts are needed to validate our findings.

Is There a Relationship Between Snoring Sound Intensity and Frequency and OSAS Severity?

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the relationship between snoring sounds and severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). METHODS: A total number of 103 snoring patients (60 males and 43 females) were evaluated by means of polysomnographic findings and snoring sound recordings. Snoring sound intensity was assessed using fast Fourier transform (FFT) method by measuring maximal frequency (Fmax) and average snoring sound intensity level (SSIL). RESULTS: Maximal frequency and SSIL are correlated with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), REM AHI, and severity of the OSAS. So, as the severity of the OSAS increased, so did the Fmax and SSIL of the snoring recordings, meaning patients started snoring louder with more frequency. In older patients, in females, in severe OSAS group, and in patients with higher body mass index (BMI), AHI and AHI REM values and SSIL and Fmax values increased. As mean oxygen (O2) saturation and lowest O2 saturation decreased, SSIL and Fmax values increased. CONCLUSION: Maximal frequency and SSIL analysis of the snoring sound increased in severe OSAS patients. People should be aware of the importance of snoring sounds. In particular, patients with snoring sounds increasing in intensity and of higher frequency should discuss with their physicians the possibility of OSAS.

Effects of nasal continuous positive airway pressure therapy on partners' sexual lives.

To assess sexual functioning in male and female partners before and after nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in men with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Twenty-one male patients with moderate to severe OSA and erectile dysfunction, and their female partner, were recruited into this prospective study. Males diagnosed with OSA were treated with nasal CPAP therapy for 12 weeks. Women were assessed for sexual functioning using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and for mood status using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), before and after their male partner underwent nasal CPAP therapy. Sexual functioning was assessed in men using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), before and after nasal CPAP therapy. After nasal CPAP therapy for OSA in men, IIEF scores were significantly higher than pre-treatment scores. Total pre- and post-treatment IIEF scores (mean ± standard deviation) were 50.28 ± 15.88 and 65.42 ± 7.47, respectively, P < 0.01. Pre- and post-treatment FSFI scores in women were 21.54 ± 6.62 and 29.94 ± 3.76, respectively, P < 0.01. Pre- and post-treatment BDI scores in women were 14.61 ± 9.69 and 12.42 ± 8.92, respectively, P < 0.01. Following treatment of men with OSA, our data indicate benefits for nasal CPAP therapy on sexual functioning in both the male and female partners. Moreover, our findings indicate that improved sexual function in women after their male partner underwent nasal CPAP also had psychological benefits.

Antioxidant activities of curcumin in allergic rhinitis.

We investigated the antioxidant effects of curcumin in an experimental rat model of allergic rhinitis (AR). Female Wistar albino rats (n = 34) were divided randomly into four groups: healthy rats (control group, n = 8), AR with no treatment (AR + NoTr group, n = 10), AR with azelastine HCl treatment (AR + Aze group, n = 8), and AR with curcumin treatment (AR + Curc group, n = 8). On day 28, total blood IgE levels were measured. For measurement of antioxidant activity, the glutathione (GSH) level and catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were measured in both inferior turbinate tissue and serum. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured only in inferior turbinate tissue, and paraoxonase (PON) and arylesterase (ARE) activities were measured only in serum. Statistically significant differences were found for all antioxidant measurements (GSH levels and CAT, SOD, GSH-Px activities in the serum and tissue, MDA levels in the tissue, and PON and ARE activities in the serum) between the four groups. In the curcumin group, serum SOD, ARE, and PON and tissue GSH values were higher than the control group. Moreover, tissue GSH levels and serum GSH-Px activities in the curcumin group were higher than in the AR + NoTr group. In the azelastine group, except MDA, antioxidant measurement values were lower than in the other groups. Curcumin may help to increase antioxidant enzymes and decrease oxidative stress in allergic rhinitis. We recommend curcumin to decrease oxidative stress in allergic rhinitis.

Fat-plug myringoplasty of ear lobule vs abdominal donor sites.

The purpose of this study is to compare the success rates of fat-graft myringoplasties harvesting adipose grafts from different donor sites (ear lobule vs abdomen). The clinical records of 61 patients (24 males and 37 females) who underwent fat-plug myringoplasty (FPM) were reviewed retrospectively. Fat from ear lobule (FEL) and abdominal fat were used as graft materials. The impact of age, gender, systemic diseases, topography of the perforation, utilization of fat graft materials of different origin on the tympanic membrane closure rate and the effect of FPM on hearing gain was analyzed. Our tympanic membrane (TM) closure rate was 82 %. No statistical significant difference was observed regarding age, gender, comorbidities (septal deviation, hypertension and diabetes mellitus) or habits (smoking). Posterior TM perforations had significantly lower healing rate. The change in TM closure rate considering different adipose tissue donor sites was not statistically significant. The hearing gain of the patients was mostly below 20 dB. Fat-plug myringoplasty (FPM) is a safe, cost-effective and easy operation for selected patients. Abdominal fat graft is as effective as ear lobe fat graft on tympanic membrane healing, has cosmetic advantages and should be taken into consideration when planning fat as the graft source.

Analysis of acute impact of oleoresin capsicum on rat nasal mucosa using scanning electron microscopy.

Analysis of acute cellular changes seen in nasal mucosa of Wistar-Albino rats exposed to different doses of oleoresin capsicum for various time periods by means of scanning electron microscopy. Thirty-five Wistar-Albino rats were divided into five groups of seven rats each. 6-gram oleoresin capsicum per second was sprayed into cages of the groups except group 1. Spray times and duration of exposure to pepper gasses were different for each group. Thirty minutes after the exposure, the animals were killed and specimens from their nasal mucosas were harvested and examined under scanning electron microscope. Mucosal damage was scored from 0-4 points. Mean values of nasal mucosa damage scores of the groups were calculated and compared statistically. Average damage scores of the groups exposed to identical doses of oleoresin capsicum for various exposure times were compared and a statistically significant difference was seen between Groups 2 and 3 (p < 0.05), however the difference between Groups 4 and 5 was insignificant (p > 0.05). Average damage scores of the groups exposed to various doses for identical exposure times were compared, and statistically significant differences were observed between Groups 2 and 4 and also Groups 3 and 5 (p < 0.05). Outcomes of our study have demonstrated that pepper gas exerts destructive changes on rat nasal mucosa. The extent of these destructive changes increases with the prolonged exposure to higher doses. Besides, exposure time also stands out as an influential factor on the extent of the destructive changes.

Importance of yawning in the evaluation of excessive daytime sleepiness: a prospective clinical study.

As a dark and not fully understood side of human nature, yawning is believed to be a signs of various physiological or pathological behaviors of human. In this study, we aimed to investigate the importance of yawning in the evaluation of sleepiness. One hundred and twenty-nine snorers who were suspected to have obstructive sleep apnea syndrome underwent polysomnography and were asked to fill the Epworth sleepiness scale. The number of yawnings of patients was counted during the day following polysomnography. Patients were stratified into two groups: those have apnea hypopnea index <5 (n = 43, group 1) and those have apnea hypopnea index >30 (n = 86, group 2). Mean duration of sleep phases, oxygen saturations, sleep efficacies, yawning frequencies and Epworth scores of the groups were compared. Correlations of yawning frequency with Epworth scores, duration of sleep phases and mean oxygen saturations were investigated. Sleep efficacies were similar between the groups (p > 0.05). Yawning frequencies in group 1 and group 2 were 43.48 and 75.76 (mean rank), respectively (p < 0.01). Mean N1, N2, N3 phase durations and oxygen saturations were significantly lower in group 2 (p < 0.01). While there was a negative correlation between yawning frequency and duration of the non-REM phases and mean oxygen saturation (r = -0.53 and r = -0.31, respectively, p < 0.05), yawning frequency was positively correlated with Epworth scores (r = 0.46, p < 0.05). In addition to the shortened phases of sleep, increased Epworth score and decreased oxygen saturation, increased yawning frequency may indicate sleep deprivation.

Effects of surfactant on biofilm formation on silicone nasal splints.

Biofilms are sessile communities of bacteria embedded in self-produced extracellular polysaccharide matrix and are considered to be responsible for bacterial infections in humans. Topical surfactant use on silicone nasal splints may have a preventive effect on biofilm formation. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of surfactant-containing nasal solutions on biofilm formation over the surface of silicone nasal splints. Forty patients were randomized after septoplasty to receive surfactant-containing saline solution (group 1) or saline without surfactant (group 2). At the postoperative 48th, 72th and 96th hours, pieces of splint samples were taken and prepared for scanning electron microscopic evaluation. Biofilm formation was observed in 3, 6 and 14 of 20 samples in group 1 (surfactant used) and 3, 14 and 20 of 20 samples in group 2 (control) at 48th, 72th and 96th hours, respectively. Biofilm formation incidences of groups at 48th hour were similar (p > 0.05), whereas it was significantly lower at group 1 regarding 72th and 96th hours (p < 0.05). Surfactant-containing nasal solutions have an inhibitory effect on biofilm formation over the surface of silicone nasal splints especially after 48 h. Surfactant-containing nasal solutions may have an important role in nasal septal dressing in the future.

Efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy for house dust mite allergic rhinitis.

In the present study, we investigated the outcomes of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in house dust mite-induced allergic rhinitis (HDM-AR) patients. In this prospective, multicentric study, 186 patients with AR who had positive skin prick test results for HDMs were included. The patients were administered SLIT using Staloral 300 for 1 year. Evaluation of the patients regarding symptom scores, clinical findings and Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) scores was performed at baseline, and then at 6 and 12 months of therapy. Our results showed that, for all of the evaluated items (symptom scores, clinical findings and RQLQ scores), 12-month values were significantly lower than those at 6 months and baseline. Similarly, 6-month values were significantly lower than those at baseline. There were no complications in any of our patients. SLIT for HDM-AR is a treatment modality that can be used safely. We obtained better results than expected, and the treatment showed a positive psychological effect; the patients believed that SLIT was the final step of treatment and, which made them feel better.

Maxillary Sinus Aeration in Allergic Rhinitis.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the relationship between allergic rhinitis, which is an important reason of nasal obstruction, and maxillary sinus aeration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred fifteen patients who have a complaint of nasal obstruction and scheduled to undergo skin prick test (SPT) with a suspicion of allergic rhinitis (AR) were enrolled for this study. Thirty-two patients with positive SPT result and 30 patients with a negative SPT result were determined as group 1 and 2 (control group), respectively. A 3-dimensional reconstruction of computed tomography images of the 62 patients was used to assess and calculate maxillary sinus volumes (MSVs). RESULTS: Total maxillary sinus volumes were measured as 21.87 cm(3) and 30.15 cm(3) in group 1 and group 2, respectively. A statistically significant difference was observed between the MSVs of the groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Total maxillary sinus volumes were found to be significantly smaller for patients with a positive SPT compared to patients with a negative SPT. Thus, we may conclude that AR has a negative impact on maxillary sinus aeration.

Influence of surface properties of Merocel® (polyvinyl acetal) and silicone nasal splints on biofilm formation.

The objective of the study was to investigate biofilm formation on Merocel(®) and silicone nasal splint after nasal septal surgery. 50 patients who were scheduled to undergo nasal septal surgery were included in this study. The patients were randomized into receiving an insert of Merocel(®) or silicone splint after septoplasty. In group 1 (8 females, 17 males) and group 2 (10 females, 15 males), Merocel (®) packs or silicone splints were inserted into nasal cavities at the end of the procedures, respectively. All packs were removed 48 h after insertion, and samples were taken from the packs under sterilized conditions. Scanning electron microscopy was performed to observe biofilm formation on the surfaces of Merocel(®) and silicone splints. Biofilm formation was observed in 25 (100%) and 3 (12%) of the Merocel(®) and silicone splint samples, respectively. Our study revealed that biofilm formation on Merocel(®) packs is significantly higher than silicone splints, mainly due to the different texture and surface properties of these materials. Considering the hazardous effects of biofilm formation on humans, our observations in this study may guide surgeons to choose the most appropriate packing material after nasal septal surgery.