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Background: Gene expression patterns (particularly, cilia-associated genes) of nasal mucosa, the first-line defense system, in allergic rhinitis (AR) are not well understood. Objective: We sought to screen for AR-associated genes in inferior turbinate (IT) from patients with AR, and to validate the expression of common cilia-related genes and ciliary shedding. Methods: Prime View™ Human Gene Expression Array, which consisted of more than 530 000 probes covering more than 36 000 transcripts and variants, was employed to compare individual gene expression of ITs from control subjects (n = 11) and patients with AR (n = 19). Gene ontology (GO) analysis was performed with Cytoscape software. Eight of the common cilia-related genes were validated with quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We applied a semiquantitative scoring system for immunofluorescence assay to demonstrate ciliary shedding in 5 areas per paraffin section, with individual sections being scored between 0 (normal ciliary distribution) and 1 (ciliary shedding). Results: Compared with control subjects, 160 (38 upregulated and 122 downregulated) genes were differentially expressed for at least 2 folds (all P <.05) in AR. Seven GO categories were significantly enriched, 4 of which were related to cilium assembly and motility. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction validated the predicted direction of change for common cilia-related gene expression. The ciliary distribution score was significantly higher (more prominent ciliary shedding) in AR than in controls (P <.05). Conclusion: The significant aberrant cilia-related gene expression, revealed by microarray assays, might be the critical driver of AR where ciliary shedding is prominent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous work has proposed that celecoxib may be able to enhance the effects of radiotherapy. However, the underlying mechanism of this activity has not yet been determined. Methods: The cell colony formation assay after the combination of celecoxib and radiation treatment was done on C666-1, CNE-1 and CNE-2 nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells, which expressed different COX-2 levels. Moreover, COX-2 knocked down or overexpressed cells were developed, and apoptosis and cell cycle analysis were performed. Results: Celecoxib enhances radiation cytotoxicity in C666-1 and CNE-1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells that expressed high COX-2 but not in CNE-2 cells that expressed low COX-2. The radiosensitization of celecoxib in C666-1 cells disappeared after the COX-2 knocked down, while the CNE-2 cells were radiosensitized by celecoxib after the transfection of COX-2. Moreover, celecoxib enhanced radiation-induced G2-M phase arrest was observed in some of the tested cells. Furthermore, we found that the radiosensitivity of celecoxib in nasopharyngeal carcinoma was correlated with the apoptosis induction. Additionally, the combination of celecoxib (25 mg/kg) and radiation (6 Gy) treatment significantly reduced tumor volume in C666-1 and CNE-2 nasopharyngeal carcinoma xenograft models. Conclusion: These results indicate that the combination of celecoxib and radiation treatment has potential application in radiotherapy, and these effects may be attributable to the G2-M cell phase arrest and enhancement of cell apoptosis. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusion: Nasal polyposis (NP) is frequently found to run in families. Earlier onset of the condition strongly suggested the genetic basis for the development of NP and implied that it might be a genetic disease involving multiple genes. Objective: The etiology and pathogenesis of NP remain largely unknown, although it is assumed to be associated with allergic reaction and infection. The reported familial cases suggested hereditary factors existing in NP. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a hereditary factor could be implicated in NP. Methods: A total of 418 NP patients admitted to our department were questioned concerning the existence of familial history (parents, siblings or children) and other accompanying diseases. Results: In all, 253 cases were successfully followed up. Among these, 44 cases (17.4%) were confirmed to have a familial history of NP, most (59.1%) of which had two immediate family members with a positive family history, with the distribution significantly greater among first-degree and second-degree relatives. Patients with familial NP reported an earlier onset (mean age = 27.7 years) than the sporadic group (mean age = 32.7 years, t = 2.133, p < 0.05). No statistical significance was found when both groups were associated with fungal and allergic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the efficacy and compliance of conventional immunotherapy(CIT)and rush immunotherapy(RIT)in patients with allergic rhinitis. Method: This trial was a prospective study involved 404 patients with persistent AR who were allergic to house dust mite.328 patients were assigned to the conventional immunotherapy reaching the maintenance dose within 14 weeks,and 76 patients were assigned to the rush immunotherapy reaching the maintenance dose within 1 week.The visual analog scale(VAS)score and the patients' compliance were recorded during treatment and follow-up. Result: After CIT and RIT,the VAS score were significantly reduced in each group,but the decrement of VAS score of RIT group was more evident than that of CIT in half ayear( P <0.05).After 5 years follow-up,the VAS score of two groups was also significantly reduced.The rate of treatment continuation of CIT group in 1 year,2 years and 3 years were 18.5%,39.0% and 57.3%,higher than RIT group(11.8%,26.3%,42.1%),respectively. Conclusion: Both CIT and RIT were beneficial for allergic rhinitis patients,and the clinical efficacy lasts for at least 5 years.But RIT has the superiority of faster onset and better compliance.

Objective: To discuss the clinical characteristics and treatments for chondrosarcoma of paranasal sinus and the skull base., Methods: The clinical characteristics of chondrosarcoma of paranasal sinus and skull base in 7 patients underwent endoscopic surgeries between 2001 and 2008 were analyzed. Of the patients, 4 men and 3 women. The patients' age ranged from 18 to 47 years, with a median of 31 years., Clinical Symptoms: stuffy, nose bleeding, runny, headache, diplopia, eye outreach limited, blurred vision and even blindness. Surgery methods: under nasal endoscopy, after the attachment sites of the tumors to normal tissues were confirmed, the tumors were peeled off along the clear boundary between the tumors and normal tissues, and the potential residual tumor tissues on bones were cleared by a drill., Results: The patients were followed up postoperatively for 24 to 108 months, with a median of 36 months. Five of 7 patients were no recurrence, 2 were alive with tumor., Conclusions: Chondrosarcoma of paranasal sinus and skull base can be treated by nasal endoscopic surgery, with good clinical outcome.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) occurs with high frequency in Southeast Asian populations. The high prevalence and familial clustering of NPC in these populations suggest that genetic factors may contribute to the increased cancer risk by affecting susceptibility. The aim of the present study was to map chromosomal loci linked to susceptibility genes predisposing for NPC. We carried out a genome-wide scan by multipoint affected-only allele-sharing methods in 15 Chinese NPC families with two to six affected members per family. The families were from the Guangdong province in the south of China, where the highest risk of NPC is documented. These samples were genotyped using 800 microsatellite markers covering all autosomal chromosomes with an average marker distance of 5 cM. Using multipoint linkage analysis, four loci (2q, 5p, 12p, and 18p) showed LOD scores above 1.5. After genotyping additional markers in these four regions, only one locus on 5p13 showed an increased LOD of 2.1. In further haplotype analysis, affected individuals in six families shared three marker haplotypes between D5S674 and D5S418. In conclusion, a region on 5p13 may harbor a susceptibility gene for NPC.