Nasal and pharyngeal mucosal immunity to poliovirus in children following routine immunization with inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) in the United States of America.

BACKGROUND: Although polioviruses (PVs) replicate in lymphoid tissue of both the pharynx and ileum, research on polio vaccine-induced mucosal immunity has predominantly focused on intestinal neutralizing and binding antibody levels measured in stool. METHODS: To investigate the extent to which routine immunization with intramuscularly injected inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) may induce nasal and pharyngeal mucosal immunity, we measured PV type-specific neutralization and immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgA, and IgM levels in nasal secretions, adenoid cell supernatants, and sera collected from 12 children, aged 2 to 5 years, undergoing planned adenoidectomies. All participants were routinely immunized with IPV and had no known contact with live PVs. RESULTS: PV-specific mucosal neutralization was detected in nasal and adenoid samples, mostly from children who had previously received four IPV doses. Across the three PV serotypes, both nasal (Spearman's rho ≥ 0.87, p≤0.0003 for all) and adenoid (Spearman's rho ≥0.57, p≤0.05 for all) neutralization titers correlated with serum neutralization titers. In this small study sample, there was insufficient evidence to determine which Ig isotype(s) was correlated with neutralization. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide policy-relevant evidence that routine immunization with IPV may induce nasal and pharyngeal mucosal immunity. The observed correlations of nasal and pharyngeal mucosal neutralization with serum neutralization contrast with previous observations of distinct intestinal and serum responses to PV vaccines. Further research is warranted to determine which antibody isotype(s) correlate with polio vaccine-induced nasal and pharyngeal mucosal neutralizing activity and to understand the differences from intestinal mucosal immunity.

Early corticosteroid treatment enhances recovery from SARS-CoV-2 induced loss of smell in hamster.

Among the numerous long COVID symptoms, olfactory dysfunction persists in ∼10 % of patients suffering from SARS-CoV-2 induced anosmia. Among the few potential therapies, corticoid treatment has been used for its anti-inflammatory effect with mixed success in patients. In this study, we explored its impact using hamster as an animal model. SARS-CoV-2 infected hamsters lose their smell abilities and this loss is correlated with damage of the olfactory epithelium and persistent presence of innate immunity cells. We started a dexamethasone treatment 2 days post infection, when olfaction was already impacted, until 11 days post infection when it started to recover. We observed an improvement of olfactory capacities in the animals treated with corticoid compared to those treated with vehicle. This recovery was not related to differences in the remaining damage to the olfactory epithelium, which was similar in both groups. This improvement was however correlated with a reduced inflammation in the olfactory epithelium with a local increase of the mature olfactory neuron population. Surprisingly, at 11 days post infection, we observed an increased and disorganized presence of immature olfactory neurons, especially in persistent inflammatory zones of the epithelium. This unusual population of immature olfactory neurons coincided with a strong increase of olfactory epithelium proliferation in both groups. Our results indicate that persistent inflammation of the olfactory epithelium following SARS-CoV-2 infection may alter the extent and speed of regeneration of the olfactory neuron population, and that corticoid treatment is effective to limit inflammation and improve olfaction recovery following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Dolosigranulum savutiense sp. nov., isolated from human upper respiratory samples collected in Botswana.

Four strains (MSK211, MSK294T, MSK312, MSK433) of a novel Dolosigranulum species were cultured from nasopharyngeal swabs collected from mother-infant dyads in southern Botswana. These strains grew optimally on tryptic soy agar with 5% sheep blood solid medium and in fastidious bacteria broth. Colonies on tryptic soy agar with 5% sheep blood agar appeared grey or white with a flat, smooth surface and variable alpha haemolysis. Cells were Gram-positive, non-spore-forming, non-motile cocci that lacked catalase or oxidase activity. Major fatty acids were C16 : 0 (palmitic acid), C18 : 1 ω9c (oleic acid), and C18 : 0 (stearic acid). Analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences identified these strains as belonging to the genus Dolosigranulum (family Carnobacteriaceae), which currently contains only a single validly published species (Dolosigranulum pigrum). Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the genomes of these strains are 1.98-2.07 Mbp in size and have a G+C content of 39.6-39.9 mol%. Comparisons of these genomes to publicly available genomes of D. pigrum yielded average nucleotide identities and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization values of 92.3-92.9% and 49.1-51.4%, respectively. These results indicate that these strains represent a novel species of Dolosigranulum, for which we propose the name Dolosigranulum savutiense sp. nov., with the type strain MSK294T (=DSM 117171T=JCM 36673T).

The potential health effects associated with electronic-cigarette.

A good old gateway theory that electronic-cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are widely recognized as safer tobacco substitutes. In actuality, demographics also show that vaping cannibalizes smoking, the best explanation of the data is the "common liability". However, the utilization of e-cigarette products remains a controversial topic at present. Currently, there has been a widespread and substantial growth in e-cigarette use worldwide owing to their endless new flavors and customizable characteristics. Furthermore, e-cigarette has grown widespread among smokers as well as non-smokers, including adolescents and young adults. And some studies have shown that e-cigarette users are at greater risk to start using combustible cigarettes while e-cigarettes use was also observed the potential benefits to people who want to quit smoking or not. Although it is true that e-cigarettes generally contain fewer toxic substances than combustible cigarettes, this does not mean that the chemical composition in e-cigarettes aerosols poses absolutely no risks. While concerns about toxic substances in e-cigarettes and their widespread use in the population are reasonable, it is also crucial to consider that e-cigarettes have been associated with the potential for promoting smoking cessation and the clinically relevant improvements in users with smoking-related pathologies. Meanwhile, there is still short of understanding of the health impacts associated with e-cigarette use. Therefore, in this review, we discussed the health impacts of e-cigarette exposure on oral, nasal, pulmonary, cardiovascular systems and brain. We aspire for this review to change people's previous perceptions of e-cigarettes and provide them with a more balanced perspective. Additionally, we suggest appropriate adjustments on regulation and policy for e-cigarette to gain greater public health benefits.

Clinical analysis and treatment progress of NUT carcinoma in the nasal cavity and sinuses: a retrospective study from a single institution.

OBJECTIVE: Nuclear protein in testis (NUT) carcinoma is characterized by NUT gene rearrangement on chromosome 15. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical features, immunohistochemistry, treatment, diagnosis and prognosis of sinonasal NUT carcinoma specifically. METHODS: Clinical data for 10 cases of NUT cancer confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analyzed, and the relevant literature was reviewed. RESULTS: Among the 10 patients, 6 were males, and 4 were females. The median age was 34 years (15-69 years). Nine patients presented with locally advanced cT4a stage. The most common treatment was complete resection combined with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. All 10 patients had pathologically poorly differentiated or undifferentiated carcinoma. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining showed that NUT protein was positive in all 10 patients, and most cases expressed p63, p40 and CK. The Ki-67 positive index of 8 patients ranged from 40 to 80%, with a median of 50%, and NUTM1 gene disruption was detected in both of the remaining cases by FISH. As of April, 2023, all patients were followed up with for 1-51 months, with a median follow-up time of 14 months. Three patients died due to widespread systemic metastasis, 3 relapsed, and 4 had no recurrence or metastasis. CONCLUSION: Sinonasal NCs (NUT carcinomas) is a rare and highly aggressive malignant tumor with rapid progression and a poor prognosis. Correct histopathological diagnosis is the primary prerequisite for determining appropriate treatment. There are currently no effective treatment options for NCs. Targeted therapy may become an effective method to treat NCs.

Non-intestinal-type adenocarcinoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses: an analysis of clinical characteristics and prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Non­intestinal adenocarcinoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses (non­ITAC) is a heterogeneous tumour that has rarely been reported in previous studies. We compared and analysed the symptoms, radiographic and pathological features, treatment methods, and prognosis of patients with low-grade (G1) and high-grade (G3) tumours. METHODS: This was a retrospective study included 22 patients with pathologically confirmed non-ITAC of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses who were treated between January 2008 and December 2021 at a single centre. Of these, 11 patients had G1 tumours, and 11 patients had G3 tumours. Clinicopathological features, treatment methods, and survival outcomes were analysed. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 48.5 months. Nasal congestion was the most common initial symptom, and the nasal cavity was the most frequently involved site. For G1 tumours, the main treatment was simple surgery, 1 and 3­year overall survival (OS) rates were 100 and 88.9%, while the 1 and 3­year local control (LC) rates were 100 and 100%, respectively. For G3 tumours, the main treatments were surgery combined with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy,1 and 3­year OS rates were 72.7 and 72.7%, while the 1 and 3­year LC rates were 100 and 90.91%, respectively. G3 tumours was associated with significantly shorter overall survival than G1 tumours (P = 0.035). Patients with stage III-IV showed shorter overall survival compared to stage I-II patients (P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Non-ITAC of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses may frequently occur in the nasal cavity. The main treatment modality is surgery, supplemented by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Pathological grade and tumour stage were poor prognostic factors for the disease.

Radiographic Study of the Nasal Valve in Different CT Evaluation Method in Asian Patients with Unilateral Cleft Lip Nose.

OBJECTIVE(S): It was the first study to apply and compare two CT methods to assess the validity and clinical significance of structural alterations of the nasal valve in patients with cleft lip nose for assessing nasal ventilation disturbance. METHODS: The study collected data from the NOSE score, as well as internal nasal valve area, internal nasal valve angle, external nasal valve area, and septal deviation angle, to evaluate the differences and correlations between those factors in patients with cleft lip and nose. RESULTS: There were significant differences among INV transverse and coronal area and INV angle on different axial standardized planes between clefted side and non-clefted side. There were statistically significant negative correlations between NOSE scores and those indicators of standard plane and acoustic-axis standardized coronal plane. NOSE score and NSD angle were the indicators of significant differences in the measured data of different complications groups (p = 0.002, p = 0.017). The correlation comparison showed that two standardized CT imaging transverse planes have similar correlations in NOSE score, NSD angle, and complications. CONCLUSION: The results of the two CT evaluation methods showed that there was a significant difference in nasal valve area on the cleft and non-cleft sides, which was significantly associated with nasal ventilation disturbance. The CT evaluation method based on standard axial 3D reconstruction is more convenient to use in the clinic, can be used for pre-surgical evaluation of nasal repair in patients with secondary nasal deformities of unilateral cleft lip, and is valuable for treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography For Appropriate Nostril Selection in Nasotracheal Intubation.

OBJECTIVES: Nasotracheal intubation is a standard blind procedure associated with various complications. The selection of the appropriate nostril is crucial to preventing most of these complications. The present study aimed to evaluate the predictive ability of CBCT images to select the correct nostril for nasotracheal intubation. METHODS: The study encompassed 60 patients who underwent maxillofacial surgery with nasotracheal intubation under general anesthesia. While the anesthetist made the appropriate nostril selection clinically according to a simple occlusion test and spatula test, the radiologist made the selection after analyzing various CBCT findings such as the angle and direction of nasal septum deviation (NSD), minimum bone distance along the intubation path, and the presence of inferior turbinate hypertrophy. The appropriateness of these choices made blindly at different times was evaluated using descriptive statistics, chi-squared test, and independent samples t-test. RESULTS: The study found that 83.3% of the suggested nostril intubations were successful. We also observed that intubation duration was longer when inferior turbinate hypertrophy was present (p = 0.031). However, there was no statistical relationship between the presence of epistaxis and septal deviation (p = 0.395). Nonetheless, in 64.3% of cases with epistaxis, the intubated nostril and the septum deviation direction were the same. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-operative evaluations using CBCT can aid anesthetists for septum deviation and turbinate hypertrophy, as both can impact intubation success rates and duration.

[Prevalence of mucosal injuries during flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing in the presence of a nasogastric tube]. / Prävalenz von Schleimhautläsionen bei Durchführung der transnasalen endoskopischen Dysphagiediagnostik und angelegter Nasogastralsonde.

BACKGROUND: The flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) is an established low-risk examination method to assess the risk of penetration or aspiration in patients with dysphagia. FEES might be more difficult or of higher-risk when a nasogastric tube is in place. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify whether the prevalence of mucosal lesions is higher when the endoscopy is carried out with a nasogastric tube in place. Pre-existing mucosal lesions were also documented. METHODS: In a retrospective, monocentric study, a total of 918 FEES procedures routinely performed in hospitalized patients of a university hospital from January 2014 to March 2019 were evaluated. Mucosal lesions were identified and characterized for descriptive statistics. RESULTS: In the video material analysed here, no endoscopy-related injuries were identified. However, pre-existing mucosal lesions, which often occurred as multiple lesions, were detected in 48.6% of the endoscopies. Further analysis showed that these pre-existing lesions were not worsened by the endoscopy performed. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that transnasal flexible endoscopy is a safe, low-risk examination method, even in patients with a nasogastric tube. A very high number of pre-existing mucosal lesions were found, which is probably related to the previous insertion of the nasogastric tube. Due to the high number of pre-existing lesions, strategies should be developed to minimize injuries when placing nasogastric tubes.

Cancer of the Nasal Cavity, Middle Ear and Accessory Sinuses - 15 Year Comparative Survival and Mortality Analysis by Age, Sex, Race, Stage, Grade, Cohort Entry Time-Period, Disease Duration and Topographic Primary Sites: A Systematic Review of 13,404 Cases for Diagnosis Years 2000-2017: (NCI SEER*Stat 8.3.8).

BACKGROUND: .-Sinonasal malignancies are rare, aggressive, deadly and challenging tumors to diagnose and treat. Since 2000, age-adjusted incidence rates average less than 1 case per 100,000 per year, male and female combined, in the United States. For the entire cohort, 2000-2017, overall median age-onset was 62.6 years. Carcinoma constitutes over 90% of these upper respiratory cancers and most cases are advanced, more than 72% (regional or distant stage) when the diagnosis is made. Composite mortality at 5 years was 108 excess deaths/1000/year with a mortality ratio of 558%, and 41% of deaths occurred in this time frame. As a consequence, observed median survival was approximately 6 years with 5-year cumulative observed survival (P) and relative survival rates (SR) 53% and 60%. This mortality and survival update study follows the World Health Organization International Classification of Diseases for Oncology-3rd Edition (ICD-O-3)1 topographical identification, coding, labeling and listing of 13,404 patient-cases accessible for analysis in the United States National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program (NCI SEER Research Data, 18 Registries), 2000-2017 located in 8 primary anatomical sites: C30.0-Nasal cavity, C30.1-Middle ear, C31.0-Maxillary sinus, C31.1-Ethmoid sinus, C31.2-Frontal sinus, C31.3-Sphenoid sinus, C31.8-Overlapping lesion of accessory sinuses, C31.9-Accessory sinus, NOS. OBJECTIVES: .-1) Utilize national population-based SEER registry data for 2000-2017 to update cancer survival and mortality outcomes for 8 ICD-O-3 topographically coded sinonasal primary sites. 2) Discern similarities and contrasts in NCI-SEER case characteristics. 3) Identify current risk pattern outcomes and shifts in United States citizens, 2000-2017. METHODS: .-SEER Research Data, 18 Registries, Nov 2019 Sub (2000-2017)2,3 are used to examine the risk consequences of 13,404 patients diagnosed with sinonasal malignancies, 2000-2017, in this retrospective population-based study employing prognostic data stratified by topography, age, sex, race, stage, grade, 2 cohort entry time-periods (2000-06 & 2007-17), and disease-duration to 15 years. General methods and standard double decrement life table methodologies for displaying and converting SEER site-specific annual survival and mortality data to aggregate average annual data units in durational intervals of 0-1, 0-2, 1-2, 2-5, 0-5, 5-10, and 10-15 years are employed. The reader is referred to the "Registrar Staging Assistant (SEER*RSA)" for local-regional-distant Extent of Disease (EOD) sources used in the development of staging descriptions for the Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses (maxillary and ethmoid sinuses only) and Summary Stage 2018 Coding Manual v2.0 released September 1, 2020. Cancer staging & grading procedural explanations, statistical significance & 95% confidence levels4 are described in previous Journal of Insurance Medicine articles5,6 and other publications.7,8 Poisson confidence intervals at the 95% level based on the number of observed deaths are used in this study but not displayed here to conserve space on the mortality tables. Excluded were all death certificate only and those alive with no survival time. RESULTS: .-In the SEER 18 registries, a total of 13,404 patient cases (2000-2017) were available for analysis with an incidence of less than one patient per 100,000 people. From this group, analysis for survival and mortality totaled 10,624 patients. Males comprised 59.3% of cases and females 40.7%. Whites represented 80.3% of cases and black, others & unknown patients comprised 19.7%. The most common anatomic site of malignancy was the nasal cavity (49.7%); least common was the frontal sinus (1.2%). From diagnosis, across the span of 8 primary sites, first-year mortality rates q ranged from 14.3% (C30.0-nasal cavity) to 30.2% (C31.8-overlapping sinus) with corresponding excess death rates (EDR) of 118/1000/year and 279/1000/year. For single sites, the 5-year cumulative survival ratio (SR) was highest for the nasal cavity (69.5%) and lowest for overlapping lesions of the accessory sinuses (47.2%) with EDRs of 76 and 169 per 1000 per year respectively Overall, 5-year relative survival (SR) for all sinonasal tract malignancies combined was 60.3%, excess mortality (EDR) 108 per 1000 per year and mortality ratio 558%. CONCLUSIONS: .-The 8 sinonasal cancer primary sites are characterized by a low percentage of cases in the localized stage (28%). Since excess mortality is high even in the localized stage, overall prognosis is very poor for all patients. Excess mortality persists in cancer of the sinonasal tract as long as 10-15 years after diagnosis and treatment. EDR in the 15-year durational-interval, all sinonasal sites combined remained significant at 27.6 per 1000 per year with continuing decrease in cumulative survival ratio (SR) to 43.9%.

[Translocated sinonasal tumors]. / Tumeurs nasosinusiennes à translocation.

In recent years, several nasal cavity and sinus entities have been described with fusion genes. Salivary gland tumors with fusion genes will not be discussed in this article, but it should be kept in mind that accessory salivary glands are present in the nasal cavity and sinuses and can therefore lead to tumoral lesions. Entities with specific or more frequently described rearrangements in the nasal cavities and sinuses are DEK::AFF2 squamous cell carcinomas,;non-intestinal and non-salivary nasosinusal adenocarcinomas, some of which displaying ETV6 gene rearrangements; biphenotypic nasosinusal sarcomas, most of which displaying PAX3 gene rearrangements; and Ewing's adamantinoma-like sarcomas, which display the same rearrangements as conventional Ewing's sarcomas, mainly the EWSR1::FLI1 rearrangement. Each entity will be described morphologically, immunohistochemically, and prognostically.

Olfactory neuroblastoma: A rare sinonasal malignancy.

Olfactory neuroblastoma is a rare malignant tumour arising from the olfactory nerve and extending into the nasal cavity. In this case report, the case of a 42-year-old male is presented. The patient had a two-month history of progressive nasal blockage and episodes of epistaxis. No complaint of anosmia or facial pain was reported. All the necessary examinations were performed. Upon investigation, the CT scan and MRI showed a polypoid mass involving the right maxillary sinus, eroding the medial wall and expanding into the osteo-meatal complex. The diagnosis of olfactory neuroblastoma was confirmed through histopathological examination and further validated by immunohistochemistry as it was positive for synaptophysin, chromogranin, gamma enolase, and neurofilament. On staging, the tumour was Kadish B. The mass was excised by lateral rhinotomy. The patient was kept on radiotherapy and was free from recurrence upon follow-up 10 months later. It was concluded that based on the analysis of findings related to olfactory neuroblastomas, clinicians should contemplate the possibility of an ONB when radiographic images depict a dumbbell-shaped mass within the nasal cavity, accompanied by peritumoural cysts. Using a multimodal treatment approach is advisable.

Pathogenesis of chemically induced nasal cavity tumors in rodents: contribution to adverse outcome pathway.

The pathogenesis of nasal cavity tumors induced in rodents has been critically reviewed. Chemical substances that induce nasal cavity tumors in rats, mice, and hamsters were searched in the National Toxicology Program (NTP), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and Japan Bioassay Research Center (JBRC) databases, in addition to PubMed. Detailed data such as animal species, administration routes, and histopathological types were extracted for induced nasal cavity tumors. Data on non-neoplastic lesions were also extracted. The relationship between the tumor type and non-neoplastic lesions at equivalent sites was analyzed to evaluate tumor pathogenesis. Genotoxicity data were also analyzed. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most frequent lesion, regardless of the dosing route, and its precursor lesions were squamous metaplasia and/or respiratory epithelial hyperplasia, similar to squamous cell papilloma. The precursor lesions of adenocarcinoma, the second most frequent tumor type, were mainly olfactory epithelial hyperplasia, whereas those of adenoma were respiratory epithelial lesions. These pathways were consistent among species. Our results suggest that the responsible lesions may be commonly linked with chemically-induced cytotoxicity in each tumor type, irrespective of genotoxicity, and that the pathways may largely overlap between genotoxic and non-genotoxic carcinogens. These findings may support the documentation of adverse outcome pathways (AOPs), such as cytotoxicity, leading to nasal cavity tumors and the integrated approaches to testing and assessment (IATA) for non-genotoxic carcinogens.

[Sinonasal hemangiomas: principles of diagnosis and treatment. Literature review]. / Sinonazal'nye gemangiomy: printsipy diagnostiki i lecheniya (obzor literatury).

Hemangiomas of the nasal cavity are extremely rare in the practice of an otorhinolaryngologist and can be presented in various histopathological variants. Scientific data on hemangiomas of the sinonasal region are analyzed and systematized. The article describes the principles of diagnosis and choice of the method of surgical treatment of hemangiomas. An analysis of the literature data shows that with hemangiomas of the nasal cavity, a comprehensive examination of the patient is required, including collection of complaints and anamnesis, endoscopy of the nasal cavity and computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses, and with significant hemangiomas spreading to neighboring anatomical areas, magnetic resonance imaging with intravenous contrast.

In situ hybridization analysis of olfactory receptor expression in the sea turtle olfactory organ.

The olfactory organ of turtles consists of an upper chamber epithelium (UCE) with associated glands, and a lower chamber epithelium (LCE) devoid of glands. The UCE and LCE are referred to as the air-nose and the water-nose, respectively, because the UCE is thought to detect airborne odorants, while the LCE detects waterborne odorants. However, it is not clear how the two are used in the olfactory organ. Odorant receptors (ORs) are the major olfactory receptors in turtles; they are classified as class I and II ORs, distinguished by their primary structure. Class I ORs are suggested to be receptive to water-soluble ligands and class II ORs to volatile ligands. This study analyzed the expression of class I and II ORs in hatchlings of the green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas, through in situ hybridization, to determine the localization of OR-expressing cells in the olfactory organ. Class I OR-expressing cells were distributed mainly in the LCE, implying that the LCE is receptive to waterborne odorants. Class II OR-expressing cells were distributed in both the UCE and LCE, implying that the entire olfactory organ is receptive to airborne odorants. The widespread expression of class II ORs may increase opportunities for sea turtles to sense airborne odorants.

Assessment of the nasal microbiota in dogs with fungal rhinitis before and after cure and in dogs with chronic idiopathic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Pathogenesis of canine fungal rhinitis is still not fully understood. Treatment remains challenging, after cure turbinate destruction may be associated with persistent clinical signs and recurrence of fungal rhinitis can occur. Alterations of the nasal microbiota have been demonstrated in dogs with chronic idiopathic rhinitis and nasal neoplasia, although whether they play a role in the pathogenesis or are a consequence of the disease is still unknown. The objectives of the present study were (1) to describe nasal microbiota alterations associated with fungal rhinitis in dogs, compared with chronic idiopathic rhinitis and controls, (2) to characterize the nasal microbiota modifications associated with successful treatment of fungal rhinitis. Forty dogs diagnosed with fungal rhinitis, 14 dogs with chronic idiopathic rhinitis and 29 healthy control dogs were included. Nine of the fungal rhinitis dogs were resampled after successful treatment with enilconazole infusion. RESULTS: Only disease status contributed significantly to the variability of the microbiota. The relative abundance of the genus Moraxella was decreased in the fungal rhinitis (5.4 ± 18%) and chronic idiopathic rhinitis (4.6 ± 8.7%) groups compared to controls (51.8 ± 39.7%). Fungal rhinitis and chronic idiopathic rhinitis groups also showed an increased richness and α-diversity at species level compared with controls. Increase in unique families were associated with fungal rhinitis (Staphyloccaceae, Porphyromonadaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Neisseriaceae) and chronic idiopathic rhinitis (Pasteurellaceae and Lactobacillaceae). In dogs with fungal rhinitis at cure, only 1 dog recovered a high relative abundance of Moraxellaceae. CONCLUSIONS: Results confirm major alterations of the nasal microbiota in dogs affected with fungal rhinitis and chronic idiopathic rhinitis, consisting mainly in a decrease of Moraxella. Besides, a specific dysbiotic profile further differentiated fungal rhinitis from chronic idiopathic rhinitis. In dogs with fungal rhinitis, whether the NM returns to its pre-infection state or progresses toward chronic idiopathic rhinitis or fungal rhinitis recurrence warrants further investigation.

Icex: Advances in the automatic extraction and volume calculation of cranial cavities.

The use of non-destructive approaches for digital acquisition (e.g. computerised tomography-CT) allows detailed qualitative and quantitative study of internal structures of skeletal material. Here, we present a new R-based software tool, Icex, applicable to the study of the sizes and shapes of skeletal cavities and fossae in 3D digital images. Traditional methods of volume extraction involve the manual labelling (i.e. segmentation) of the areas of interest on each section of the image stack. This is time-consuming, error-prone and challenging to apply to complex cavities. Icex facilitates rapid quantification of such structures. We describe and detail its application to the isolation and calculation of volumes of various cranial cavities. The R tool is used here to automatically extract the orbital volumes, the paranasal sinuses, the nasal cavity and the upper oral volumes, based on the coordinates of 18 cranial anatomical points used to define their limits, from 3D cranial surface meshes obtained by segmenting CT scans. Icex includes an algorithm (Icv) for the calculation of volumes by defining a 3D convex hull of the extracted cavity. We demonstrate the use of Icex on an ontogenetic sample (0-19 years) of modern humans and on the fossil hominin crania Kabwe (Broken Hill) 1, Gibraltar (Forbes' Quarry) and Guattari 1. We also test the tool on three species of non-human primates. In the modern human subsample, Icex allowed us to perform a preliminary analysis on the absolute and relative expansion of cranial sinuses and pneumatisations during growth. The performance of Icex, applied to diverse crania, shows the potential for an extensive evaluation of the developmental and/or evolutionary significance of hollow cranial structures. Furthermore, being open source, Icex is a fully customisable tool, easily applicable to other taxa and skeletal regions.

Histological features and Gαolf expression patterns in the nasal cavity of sea turtles.

Sea turtles use olfaction to detect volatile and water-soluble substances. The nasal cavity of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) comprises morphologically defined the anterodorsal, anteroventral, and posterodorsal diverticula, as well as a single posteroventral fossa. Here, we detailed the histological features of the nasal cavity of a mature female green turtle. The posterodorsal diverticulum contained spongy-like venous sinuses and a wave-shaped sensory epithelium that favored ventilation. Secretory structures that were significant in sensory and non-sensory epithelia were probably involved in protection against seawater. These findings suggested that green turtles efficiently intake airborne substances and dissolve water-soluble substances in mucous, while suppressing the effects of salts. In addition, positive staining of Gαs/olf that couples with olfactory, but not vomeronasal, receptors was predominant in all three types of sensory epithelium in the nasal cavity. Both of airborne and water-soluble odorants seemed to be detected in cells expressing Gαolf and olfactory receptors.

Numerical study on the distribution of nitric oxide concentration in the nasal cavity of healthy people during breathing.

BACKGROUND: In the nasal cavity, nitric oxide (NO) is involved in many physiological functions, including antibacterial and antiviral activity, promotion of nasal mucociliary clearance, and regulation of blood vessel expansion in the nasal mucosa. We investigated the distribution of NO concentration in the nasal cavity of healthy individuals during breathing. METHODS: A three-dimensional numerical model of the nasal airway, including the bilateral maxillary sinuses, was created to simulate NO distribution in the nasal cavity during normal breathing. The effect of different nasal airflow velocities and NO concentrations in the maxillary sinus on NO distribution in the nasal cavity was evaluated. The NO concentration in the nasal exhalation of 50 healthy people in Dalian was measured using an NO analyzer, and the growth rate of the NO concentration in the nasal cavity was measured under breath-holding conditions. RESULTS: The distribution of NO concentration in the nasal cavity of healthy people during breathing was obtained from numerical simulation results. Lower the airflow rate, higher was the NO concentration and greater was the diffusion range in the nasal cavity. The NO concentration in the nasal cavity increased with an increase in its concentration in the maxillary sinus, indicating a linear relationship. The NO concentration in the nasal exhalation of healthy people in Dalian and the growth rate of the NO concentration in the nasal cavity under breath-holding conditions were obtained through experiments. The numerical results correspond with the experimental results. CONCLUSIONS: The NO entered the nasal cavity mainly by diffusion and followed the convection flow of the respiratory air in the nasal cavity. NO concentration in the nasal cavity was related to the respiratory airflow velocity and NO concentration in the maxillary sinus. During inspiration, NO was present only in the nasal airway posterior to the maxillary sinus ostium, whereas during exhalation, the exhaled NO diffusely distributed throughout the nasal cavity.

Characteristics of the nasal mucosa of commercial pigs during normal development.

The nasal mucosa is constantly exposed to inhaled pathogens and is the first defence against respiratory infections. Here, we investigated the structural and compositional characteristics of the nasal mucosa of commercial pigs at various growth stages. The epithelial thickness, number of capillaries, and secretion function of the nasal mucosa dramatically increased with age; however, underlying lymphoid follicles in the respiratory region were rarely observed across the growth stages. The nasal mucosa was explored at the epithelial, immunological, and biological (commensal microbiota) barriers. In the epithelial barrier, the proliferative capacity of the nasal epithelia and the expression of tight junction proteins were high after birth; however, they decreased significantly during the suckling stage and increased again during the weaning stage. In the immunological barrier, most pattern recognition receptors were expressed at very low levels in neonatal piglets, and the innate immune cell distribution was lower. During the suckling stage, increased expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR4 was observed; however, TLR3 expression decreased. TLR expression and innate immune cell quantity significantly increased from the weaning to the finishing stage. In the biological barrier, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes comprised the dominant phyla in neonatal piglets. A dramatic decrease in nasal microbial diversity was observed during the suckling stage, accompanied by an increase in potentially pathogenic bacteria. Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes were identified as the core phyla of the nasal microbiota; among these, the three dominant genera, Actinobacter, Moraxella, and Bergerella, may be opportunistic pathogens in the respiratory tract. These characteristics comprise an essential reference for respiratory infection prevention at large-scale pig farms.