A CYP78As-small grain4-coat protein complex â ¡ pathway promotes grain size in rice.

CYP78A, a cytochrome P450 subfamily that includes rice (Oryza sativa L.) BIG GRAIN2 (BG2, CYP78A13) and Arabidopsis thaliana KLUH (KLU, CYP78A5), generate an unknown mobile growth signal (referred to as a CYP78A-derived signal) that increases grain (seed) size. However, the mechanism by which the CYP78A pathway increases grain size remains elusive. Here, we characterized a rice small grain mutant, small grain4 (smg4), with smaller grains than its wild type due to restricted cell expansion and cell proliferation in spikelet hulls. SMG4 encodes a multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) transporter. Loss of function of SMG4 causes smaller grains while overexpressing SMG4 results in larger grains. SMG4 is mainly localized to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) exit sites (ERESs) and partially localized to the ER and Golgi. Biochemically, SMG4 interacts with coat protein complex Ⅱ (COPⅡ) components (Sar1, Sec23, and Sec24) and CYP78As (BG2, GRAIN LENGTH 3.2 [GL3.2], and BG2-LIKE 1 [BG2L1]). Genetically, SMG4 acts, at least in part, in a common pathway with Sar1 and CYP78As to regulate grain size. In summary, our findings reveal a CYP78As-SMG4-COPⅡ regulatory pathway for grain size in rice, thus providing new insights into the molecular and genetic regulatory mechanism of grain size.

Weighted gene co-expression network analysis reveals hub genes regulating response to salt stress in peanut.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oilseed crop worldwide. However, soil salinization becomes one of the main limiting factors of peanut production. Therefore, developing salt-tolerant varieties and understanding the molecular mechanisms of salt tolerance is important to protect peanut yield in saline areas. In this study, we selected four peanut varieties with contrasting response to salt challenges with T1 and T2 being tolerance and S1 and S2 being susceptible. High-throughput RNA sequencing resulted in more than 314.63 Gb of clean data from 48 samples. We identified 12,057 new genes, 7,971of which have functional annotations. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of uniquely expressed genes in salt-tolerant peanut revealed that upregulated genes in the root are involved in the MAPK signaling pathway, fatty acid degradation, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and upregulated genes in the shoot were involved in plant hormone signal transduction and the MAPK signaling pathway. Na+ content, K+ content, K+/ Na+, and dry mass were measured in root and shoot tissues, and two gene co-expression networks were constructed based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) in root and shoot. In this study, four key modules that are highly related to peanut salt tolerance in root and shoot were identified, plant hormone signal transduction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, flavonoid biosynthesis, carbon metabolism were identified as the key biological processes and metabolic pathways for improving peanut salt tolerance. The hub genes include genes encoding ion transport (such as HAK8, CNGCs, NHX, NCL1) protein, aquaporin protein, CIPK11 (CBL-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 11), LEA5 (late embryogenesis abundant protein), POD3 (peroxidase 3), transcription factor, and MAPKKK3. There were some new salt-tolerant genes identified in peanut, including cytochrome P450, vinorine synthase, sugar transport protein 13, NPF 4.5, IAA14, zinc finger CCCH domain-containing protein 62, beta-amylase, fatty acyl-CoA reductase 3, MLO-like protein 6, G-type lectin S-receptor-like serine/threonine-protein kinase, and kinesin-like protein KIN-7B. The identification of key modules, biological pathways, and hub genes in this study enhances our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying salt tolerance in peanuts. This knowledge lays a theoretical foundation for improving and innovating salt-tolerant peanut germplasm.

Decreased grain size1, a C3HC4-type RING protein, influences grain size in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

KEY MESSAGE: We reported that DGS1 plays a positive role in regulating grain size in rice and was regulated by OsBZR1. Grain size is an important agronomic trait that contributes to grain yield. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms that determine final grain size are still largely unknown. We isolated a rice mutant showing reduced grain size in a 60Co-irradiated variety Nanjing 35 population. We named the mutant decreased grain size1 (dgs1). Map-based cloning and subsequent transgenic CRISPR and complementation assays indicated that a mutation had occurred in LOC_Os03g49900 and that the DGS1 allele regulated grain size. DGS1 encodes a protein with a 7-transmembrane domain and C3HC4 type RING domain. It was widely expressed, especially in young tissues. DGS1 is a membrane-located protein. OsBZR1 (BRASSINAZOLE-RESISTANT1), a core transcription activator of BR signaling, also plays a positive role in grain size. We provided preliminary evidence that OsBZR1 can bind to the DGS1 promoter to activate expression of DGS1.

QTL identification for seed weight and size based on a high-density SLAF-seq genetic map in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.).

BACKGROUND: The cultivated peanut is an important oil and cash crop grown worldwide. To meet the growing demand for peanut production each year, genetic studies and enhanced selection efficiency are essential, including linkage mapping, genome-wide association study, bulked-segregant analysis and marker-assisted selection. Specific locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) is a powerful tool for high density genetic map (HDGM) construction and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) mapping. In this study, a HDGM was constructed using SLAF-seq leading to identification of QTL for seed weight and size in peanut. RESULTS: A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population was advanced from a cross between a cultivar 'Huayu36' and a germplasm line '6-13' with contrasting seed weight, size and shape. Based on the cultivated peanut genome, a HDGM was constructed with 3866 loci consisting of SLAF-seq and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers distributed on 20 linkage groups (LGs) covering a total map distance of 1266.87 cM. Phenotypic data of four seed related traits were obtained in four environments, which mostly displayed normal distribution with varied levels of correlation. A total of 27 QTLs for 100 seed weight (100SW), seed length (SL), seed width (SW) and length to width ratio (L/W) were identified on 8 chromosomes, with LOD values of 3.16-31.55 and explaining phenotypic variance (PVE) from 0.74 to 83.23%. Two stable QTL regions were identified on chromosomes 2 and 16, and gene content within these regions provided valuable information for further functional analysis of yield component traits. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents a new HDGM based on the cultivated peanut genome using SLAF-seq and SSRs. QTL mapping of four seed related traits revealed two stable QTL regions on chromosomes 2 and 16, which not only facilitate fine mapping and cloning these genes, but also provide opportunity for molecular breeding of new peanut cultivars with improved seed weight and size.

SLG controls grain size and leaf angle by modulating brassinosteroid homeostasis in rice.

Grain size and leaf angle are two important traits determining grain yield in rice. However, the mechanisms regulating the two traits remain largely unknown. Here, we characterized a rice gain-of-function mutant, slender grain Dominant (slg-D), which exhibited longer and narrower grains and larger leaf angles, similar to plants with elevated brassinosteroid (BR) levels or strengthened BR signaling. The increased cell length is responsible for the mutant phenotypes in slg-D We demonstrated that the phenotype of slg-D is caused by enhanced expression of SLG, a BAHD acyltransferase-like protein gene. SLG is preferentially expressed in young panicles and lamina joints, implying its role in controlling cell growth in those two tissues. slg-D was restored to wild type by treatment with brassinazole, an inhibitor of BR biosynthesis. Overexpression of SLG in d11-2 (deficient in BR synthesis) and d61-1 (deficient in BR signaling) did not change the existing phenotypes. The slg-D plants had elevated BR contents and, accordingly, expression of BR-related genes was changed in a manner similar to BR treatment. Moreover, SLG RNAi plants displayed mild BR-deficient phenotypes including shorter grains, smaller leaf angles, and compact semi-dwarf plant types. The in vitro biochemical assays and transgenic approaches collectively demonstrated that SLG functions as homomers. Taken together, we conclude that SLG is an important regulator in BR homeostasis and that manipulation of SLG expression to an optimal level may provide a way to develop an ideal plant type.

A bibliometric study on blockchain-based supply chain: a theme analysis, adopted methodologies, and future research agenda.

The emergence of the underlying blockchain technology of bitcoin has gained extensive attention from researchers and practitioners. As distributed ledger technology, blockchain widely finds its applications in the supply chain to mitigate issues related to transparency, information sharing, process efficiency, and traceability. This study employed a knowledge-based visualization technique to create a vision beyond other review studies on the blockchain-based supply chain. We used bibliometric and network analysis to synthesize the previous literature. In total, 431 articles in the timespan of 2017 to April 2022 from Scopus and Web of Science (WOS) databases were analyzed after applying search string, inclusion, and exclusion criteria. Basic information was extracted from initial data screening; then, data was analyzed on the grounds of co-occurrence, bibliographic coupling, citation, co-authorship, and co-citation analysis. In addition, thematic analysis was performed to analyze the content of the previous studies, adopted research methods, and dynamic industries in the literature. Besides all these, we identified various research gaps and proposed research directions for future study. We believe that this study provides adequate knowledge to academic scholars and supply chain practitioners to fast-track the current research in the supply chain domain using blockchain technology.

Interfacial configuration of heterogeneous NiFe-sulfide as a highly electrocatalytic selective oxygen evolution reaction electrode toward seawater electrolysis.

Seawater electrolysis for scalable hydrogen generation has attracted much attention due to the abundance of seawater in nature. However, it is severely impeded by the chlorine ions in seawater, which can cause corrosion and an undesirable competing reaction at the anode. So it is highly desirable to exploit a highly active, chlorine corrosion resistant and selective OER electrode for seawater splitting. Here, a heterogeneous NiFe-sulfide electrode is proposed to achieve an efficient OER process in alkaline seawater. Considering the 2D lamellar architecture with a rough surface and a considerable amount of micro voids, the dual electronic configuration of sulfur and iron, the strong synergistic effect between Ni and Fe at the atomic level and the interfacial engineering between the NiS/Ni3S2 phase and FeS phase at the nanoscale level, the Ni6Fe2S-0.05 M electrode exhibits predominant catalytic activity with an overpotential of 353 mV to reach 200 mA cm-2, superior long-term stability with 50 h accelerated stability test and higher selectivity toward the OER.

Designed antimicrobial and antitumor peptides with high selectivity.

We report a new class of cationic amphiphilic peptides with short sequences, G(IIKK)(n)I-NH(2) (n = 1-4), that can kill Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as effectively as several well-known antimicrobial peptides and antibiotics. In addition, some of these peptides possess potent antitumor activities against cancer cell lines. Moreover, their hemolytic activities against human red blood cells (hRBCs) remain remarkably low even at some 10-fold bactericidal minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). When bacteria or tumor cells are cocultured with NIH 3T3 fibroblast cells, G(IIKK)(3)I-NH(2) showed fast and strong selectivity against microbial or tumor cells, without any adverse effect on NIH 3T3 cells. The high selectivity and associated features are attributed to two design tactics: the use of Ile residues rather than Leu and the perturbation of the hydrophobic face of the helical structure with the insertion of a positively charged Lys residue. This class of simple peptides hence offers new opportunities in the development of cost-effective and highly selective antimicrobial and antitumor peptide-based treatments.

Antibacterial activities of short designer peptides: a link between propensity for nanostructuring and capacity for membrane destabilization.

Amphiphilic peptides A(3)K, A(6)K, and A(9)K displayed an increasing propensity for nanoaggregation with increasing the size of hydrophobic alanine moiety, and the size and shape of the aggregates showed a steady transition from loose peptide stacks formed by A(3)K, long nanofibers by A(6)K, to short and narrow nanorods by A(9)K. This size and shape transition was broadly consistent with the trend predicted from interfacial packing and curvature change if these peptide surfactants were treated as conventional surfactants. The antibacterial capacity, defined by the killing of percentage of bacteria in a given time and peptide concentration, showed a strong correlation to peptide hydrophobicity, evident from both microscopic and fluorescence imaging studies. For A(9)K, the power for membrane permeation and bacterial clustering intensified with peptide concentration and incubation time. These results thus depict a positive correlation between the propensity for self-assembly of the peptides, their membrane penetration power, and bactericidal capacity. Although the exposure of A(9)K to a preformed DPPC membrane bilayer showed little structural disturbance, the same treatment to the preformed DPPG membrane bilayer led to substantial disruption of model membrane structure, a trend entirely consistent with the high selectivity observed from membrane hemolytic studies.

[A histopathological study: chronic rhinosinusitis in adolescents versus adults].

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a histopathology study of adolescents with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) to compare the sinus mucosa with adult CRS and to explore their different pathological characteristics and lesion patterns. METHODS: Twenty cases of adolescents (median age: 14 years; range: 11-16 years) and 16 cases of adult CRS (median age: 36 years; range: 21-56 years) were performed functional endoscopy operation despite conventional medical therapy, histopathology of uncinate process mucosa were analyzed for inflammatory cell and morphologic studies. Archival tissue from adolescents and adults with CRS were stained with HE, AB-PAS (alcian blue-periodic acid-schiff) as well as Van Gieson. Statistical analysis t-test was performed using SPSS. RESULTS: Adolescents CRS sinus mucosa, as compared with adult CRS control, had a higher density of submucosal lymphocytes (t = 2.09, P = 0.04), higher density of submucosal plasma cell (t = 2.46, P = 0.02), lower density of submucosal eosinophils (t = -3.72, P = 0.01), thinner basement membranes and more intact epithelium (t = -2.50, P = 0.02 and t = 5.63, P = 0.00 respectively) and fewer submucosal mucous glands (t = -2.13, P = 0.04). There were significant differences between two groups. CONCLUSION: Lymphocytes were the predominant inflammatory cell type in the sinus mucosa of adolescents with CRS. But it has less eosinophilic inflammation, more plasma cell infiltration, basement membrane thickening, and mucus gland hyperplasia in characteristic adult CRS. Differences between adolescents and adult CRS suggest differing pathogenic mechanisms or progression in the inflammatory response with a protracted disease.

[Pathologic diagnosis of specific infections in upper aerodigestive tract].

OBJECTIVE: To find a fast and simple method for detection of specific pathogens in upper aerodigestive tract. METHODS: Sixty-one cases of specific infections in upper aerodigestive tract encountered during a 10-year period in Beijing Tongren Hospital were retrospectively studied. Six histochemical stains, including PAS, Giemsa, Gram, methylene blue, modified Warthin-Starry and acid-fast stains were applied. The morphology of different pathogens was studied and the staining patterns were compared. RESULTS: There were 23 cases of pharyngeal treponemal infection, 10 cases of short treponemal infection, 4 cases of mycobacterial infection, 4 cases of infection by rhinoscleroma bacilli, 1 case of sinonasal fungal infection, 1 case of combined infection of bacteria and Oidium albicans, 2 cases of tonsillar Actinomycetes and 16 cases of non-specific bacterial infections. Both pharyngeal treponemal infection and infection by rhinoscleroma bacilli could be detected by modified Warthin-Starry stain. As for sinonasal fungal infection, PAS, Giemsa and modified Warthin-Starry stains were useful in differentiating different types of fungi. Mycobacteria were best demonstrated by conventional acid-fast stain. CONCLUSIONS: Special histochemical stains performed on histologic sections are useful for diagnosing specific infections in upper aerodigestive tract.

A Normal Distribution-Based Methodology for Analysis of Fatal Accidents in Land Hazardous Material Transportation.

The deaths of accident occurring in land hazardous material transport (rail and road) is a scale standard for judging accident severity in safety programmes. The f-N curve is a common practice to express the results from past scattered accident data through curve fitting method, which only estimate the overall trend. For this reason, this paper proposed a simple methodology by combination of normal distribution and f-N curve. To verify the method, the following three sets of statistical data were selected and analysed in this study: 1932 accidents in over 95 countries (1931⁻2004) and 322 accidents in China (2000⁻2008) available in the literature, and 2046 accidents investigated in China (2013⁻2017). It was found that the mean value curve is almost identical or even better than the best-fitted curve, while the predicted upper and lower limits with 96% reliability (±2σ) covering nearly all the statistical data are beyond the scope of common curve fitting. The result explains the inherent relation between accumulated frequency and deaths in different transport mode, in different country and at different period. This study also provides insights on the evolution of accident severity with the development of social economy and the requirement of safety.

[Pathologic diagnosis of early syphilis in nasal cavity and oropharynx].

OBJECTIVE: To study the pathologic changes in nasal and oropharyngeal mucosa caused by treponema pallidum (TP) infection. METHODS: Twenty-five cases of nasal and oropharyngeal syphilis were retrieved from the archival files of Department of Pathology of Beijing Tong Ren Hospital collected during the period from June 1996 to September 2005. The hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides were reviewed. Histochemical study using modified Warthin-Starry stain and immunohistochemical study using polyclonal antibody for TP were carried out. The diagnosis of early syphilis was confirmed by rapid plasma regain (RPR) and TP hemagglutination (TPHA) tests. RESULTS: Among the 25 cases studied, 20 showed neutrophil infiltration, microabscess formation and plasma cell infiltration in the lamina propria. Endothelial swelling of small blood vessels and syphilitic vasculitis was also seen. Tonsillar ulcers associated with abundant plasma cells, lymphocytes and histiocytes were noted in 14 cases. One of which demonstrated florid reactive lymphoid proliferation, with transforming lymphoid cells of various stages identified. Pseudoneoplastic squamous cell proliferation was seen in one case. Spirochetes were detected by modified Warthin-Starry stain in mucosal microabscesses and squamous epithelium in 20 cases, around small blood vessels in 5 cases, and on the surface of tonsillar ulcers in 14 cases. Abundant TP were also found in smears of exudates in 6 cases. TP antigen was detected in 4 cases by immunohistochemical staining. All the 25 cases studied were RPR (1:8 to 128) and TPHA-positive. CONCLUSIONS: Early syphilis involving nasal cavity and oropharynx has distinctive pathologic features. Detailed histologic examination, together with modified Warthin-Starry stain for demonstration of spirochetes, is important to obtain a correct diagnosis.

[Study on pathological features and diagnosis, differential diagnosis of olfactory neuroblastoma].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the common characteristics of pathological morphology and immunohistochemical staining of olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB), and to raise the diagnostic ability for ONB. METHODS: 34 cases of ONB, 11 cases of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and 76 cases of malignant lymphoma (ML) were collected, the clinical information were investigated, and the biopsy samples were stained and observed as follows: (1) Routine HE staining and viewed under the light microscope. (2) Expression of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), chromogranin-A (CgA), leukocyte common antigen (LCA), desmin, and sarcometic actin (S-actin) were determined in both ONB and RMS cases. In addition, S-100 protein, cytokeratin (AE1/AE3) were detected in the ONB and myoglobulin detected in the RMS. ML samples were stained for LCA, CD45RO, CD56, and CD20. The NSE, CgA, desmin and S-actin were stained in 10 cases of NK/T cell ML and 9 cases of B cell ML additionally. (3) 4 cases of ONB, RMS and ML were observed under transmission electron microscope respectively. RESULTS: The ages and clinical manifestations of ONB, RMS and ML were similar. The morphological characteristics of ONB included epithelial nests; net of angioma-like fibrous connective tissues; small round cells and small short spindle cells and nucleus; glandular and squamous liked epithelium; Homer-Wright and Flexner rosette; bunch of neurofibrilla, etc. NSE and CgA were expressed in small cells. S-100 protein was positive in the area of bunch of neurofibrilla. AE1/AE3 was positive in epithelial cells, LCA, while desmin and S-actin were all negative. Ultrastructurelly, there were neurosecretory granules and neurofibrilla in the cytoplasm of a few tumor cells. Although there were some similarities among ONB, RMS and ML under the light microscope, their characteristics of pathologic morphology, immunohistochemical staining and transmission electron microscope were different. CONCLUSIONS: The features of the morphological changes are the most important basis to make diagnosis for ONB. The results of immunohistochemical staining can verify it further and play an important role in its differential diagnosis. Transmission electron microscope is very important but not essential for its diagnosis.

[Transnasal endoscopic removal of orbital apex cavernous hemangioma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the strategy and indications of endoscopic transnasal resection of orbital apex cavernous hemangiomas (OACH). METHODS: Eleven patients aged from 30 to 62 years-old diagnosed as OACH bypostoperative histopathology were reviewed retrospectively. Four males and 7 females were included. Both ophthalmological examination and rhinologic evaluation were adopted preoperatively. The surgeries were carried out under general anesthesia endoscopically by the same senior surgeon. After ethmoidectomy, the orbital lamina papyracea was opened, and the orbital fat and muscles were pushed back into the orbit by using the brain cotton, and then the orbital tumor was removed. The patients were kept follow-up both in ophthalmologic and rhinologic departments. RESULTS: As suggested by preoperative imagings, 4 lesions located in the extraconal space (nasal side), 6 between the optic nerve and the internal rectus muscle of the intraconal space, and 1 outside the optic nerve in the intraconal space. Total resection was achieved in 9 cases, and orbital decompressions were done in 2 cases. Meanwhile, orbital wall reconstruction was done in 7 cases. The follow up ranged from 6 to 47 months. Seven patients achieved visual acuity improvement and no deteriorations were found in other 4 patients. Defects of vision field in 3 patients disappeared after 2 weeks. No operative or postoperative complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The OACH located in the nasal side of extraconal space and between the optic nerve and the internal rectus muscle of the intraconal space can be accessed endoscopically by intranasal approach. Using the brain cotton to push the orbital fat and muscles back into the orbit and an experienced endoscopic surgeon are important to access a successful intranasal endoscopic removal of orbital apex tumor.

Molecular mechanisms of antibacterial and antitumor actions of designed surfactant-like peptides.

Biomimicry of antimicrobial peptides secreted by innate immune systems represents a major strategy in developing novel antibacterial treatments. There are however emerging concerns over the possible compromise of host natural defenses by these biomimetic peptides due to their structural similarity. In our recent work we have extended the search by exploring the potential from unnatural synthetic antimicrobial peptides. Here we show that a series of surfactant-like peptides (A(m)K(n), m ≥ 3, n = 1, 2) can kill not only bacteria but also cancerous HeLa cells in similar manner. Under the same experimental conditions, however, these peptides showed little affinity to NIH 3T3 cells and human red blood cells (hRBCs), thus demonstrating high biocompatibility in selective responses to host mammalian cells and low hemolysis. A(9)K(1) was most effective in killing HeLa cells, a trend consistent with their bactericidal effects against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Mechanistic investigations through combined studies of SEM and fluorescence assays revealed that the killing of bacteria and cancerous cells was caused by disrupting cell membranes, initiated by electrostatic interactions between cationic peptides and negatively charged cell membranes. In contrast, the absence of such interactions in the case of NIH 3T3 and hRBCs over the same peptide concentration range rendered low cytotoxicity. The most effective killing power of A(9)K(1) within this series benefited from the combined effects of several factors including modest micellar concentration and balanced amphiphilicity, consistent with its propensity of self-assembly and effective membrane lytic power.

In vitro biological characterization of DCUN1D5 in DNA damage response.

BACKGROUND: Novel prognostic biomarkers or therapeutic molecular targets for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) are an urgent priority. We here sought to identify multiple novel LSCC-associated genes. METHODS: Using high-density microarray expression profiling, we identified multiple genes that were significantly altered between human LSCCs and paired normal tissues. Potential oncogenic functions of one such gene, DCUN1D5, were further characterized in vitro. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated that DCUN1D5 was highly expressed in LSCCs. Overexpression of DCUN1D5 in vitro resulted in 2.7-fold increased cellular migration, 67.5% increased invasive capacity, and 2.6-fold increased proliferation. Endogenous DCUN1D5 expression was decreased in a time-dependent manner after genotoxic stress, and silencing of DCUN1D5 by siRNA decreased the number of cells in the S phase by 10.2% and increased apoptosis by 11.7%. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that DCUN1D5 in vitro might have vital roles in DNA damage response, but further studies are warranted to assess its significance in vivo.

[The observation of the inflamed cells in the mucosa at the medial site compare with that at the lateral site of the normal uncinate process].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the inflammatory cells in the mucosa at the medial aspect of the normal uncinate process compared with that on the protected lateral aspect of the normal uncinate process. METHOD: The mucosa of 20 uncinate process from the nasal cavity of 17 patients with no evidence of sinus disease undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery were recruited for the study. The material was stained with HE, Chromotrope 2R, Alcian blue-periodic acid-schiff, Toluidine blue. Specimens were observed using an Olympus microscope. RESULT: The number of mast cells and goblet cells were found to be higher on the lateral aspect of the normal uncinate process than on the medial aspect. The number of plasma cells was obviously different from that of lymphocytes. We did not found any eosinophils on either sides of uncinate process. CONCLUSION: There are differences in the number of mast cells and goblet cells between the mucosa at the medial aspect of the normal uncinate process and the mucosa at the protected lateral aspect of the normal uncinate process.

Rhinoscleroma: a retrospective study of pathologic and clinical features.

OBJECTIVE: Rhinoscleroma, a chronic granulomatous bacterial disease of the nasal mucosa that often extends through the lower respiratory tract, is caused by infection with the gram-negative bacillus Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis (KR). We report the clinicopathology and histology associated with KR infection-induced rhinoscleroma in patients admitted to the Beijing Tongren Hospital over a 30-year period. METHODS: The clinical and pathologic features of 40 cases of upper aerodigestive tract infections were retrospectively studied. Histochemical examination of biopsy samples was performed, including periodic acid-Schiff, modified Warthin-Starry, and acid-fast stains. In addition, immunohistochemical staining for CD43, CD20, CD68, and lysozymes was performed in 11 specimens, and 8 specimens were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: KR infection was confirmed in each of the 40 samples. Twenty-seven patients remained relapse free 1 to 10 years following treatment with antibiotic supplemented in some cases with surgery or radiotherapy, and all 13 cases of relapse were successfully eradicated by the end of treatment. KR infection was localized to phagosomes within Mikulicz cells, as determined by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Significant tissue injury was observed in most cases. CONCLUSION: Long-term antibiotic therapy successfully eradicated KR infection in all cases. Although late diagnosis was common in this cohort, retrospective examination of biopsy samples suggests that diagnosis can be improved by combining clinical findings with histologic analysis.