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Nutrients Jan 2022Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the pharynx caused by viral, bacterial, or non-infectious factors. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory efficacy of carvacrol...
Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the pharynx caused by viral, bacterial, or non-infectious factors. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory efficacy of carvacrol was assessed using an in vitro model of streptococcal pharyngitis using human tonsil epithelial cells (HTonEpiCs) induced with cell wall antigens. HTonEpiCs were stimulated by a mixture of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and peptidoglycan (PGN) for 4 h followed by exposure to carvacrol for 20 h. Following exposure, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, human beta defensin-2 (HBD-2), epithelial-derived neutrophil-activating protein-78 (ENA-78), granulocyte chemotactic protein-2 (GCP-2), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and prostaglandin (PGE) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6, IL-8, ENA-78, and GCP-2 were decreased in a carvacrol dose-dependent manner. The production of HBD-2 was significantly suppressed over 24 h carvacrol treatments. PGE and COX-2 levels in the cell suspensions were affected by carvacrol treatment. TNF-α was not detected. The cell viability of all the tested carvacrol concentrations was greater than 80%, with no morphological changes. The results suggest that carvacrol has anti-inflammatory properties, and carvacrol needs to be further assessed for potential clinical or healthcare applications to manage the pain associated with streptococcal pharyngitis.
Topics: Biomarkers; Cell Wall; Cymenes; Epithelial Cells; Humans; Lipopolysaccharides; Palatine Tonsil; Peptidoglycan; Teichoic Acids
PubMed: 35276864
DOI: 10.3390/nu14030503 -
Radiation Oncology (London, England) Jan 2022To define the clinical characteristics of irradiation-induced nasopharyngeal necrosis (INN) after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and identify the influence of...
Irradiation-induced nasopharyngeal necrosis (INN) in newly diagnosed nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated by intensity-modulated radiation therapy: clinical characteristics and the influence of treatment strategies.
PURPOSE
To define the clinical characteristics of irradiation-induced nasopharyngeal necrosis (INN) after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and identify the influence of treatment strategies on INN in primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
From 2008 to 2019, NPC patients pathologically diagnosed with INN after primary IMRT were reviewed. Those patients were matched with propensity scores for patients without INN in our center. The impact of treatment strategies on INN occurrence was assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS
The incidence rate of INN was 1.9% among the primary NPC population, and 53 patients with INN were enrolled. Headache and foul odor were the main symptoms, and 71.7% of cases had pseudomembrane during or at the end of radiotherapy. All patients were in early or middle stage INN, and no one presented with skull-based osteoradionecrosis. Then 212 non-INN patients were included based on propensity scores match. Overall survival (p = 0.248) and progression-free survival (p = 0.266) curves were similar between the INN and non-INN groups. Treatment strategies including combining chemotherapy or molecular targeted therapy with radiotherapy were not associated with INN occurrence, while boost dose (OR 7.360; 95% CI 2.301-23.547; p = 0.001) was a predictor factor for it. However, the optimal threshold for an accumulated dose to predict INN's occurrence was failed to determine.
CONCLUSION
In the IMRT era, the severity of INN in primary NPC patients is lessened. This study showed that treatment strategies contributed little to develop INN, while the accumulated dose of radiation may relate to its occurrence.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; Nasopharynx; Necrosis; Radiation Injuries; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated; Retrospective Studies; Young Adult
PubMed: 35062991
DOI: 10.1186/s13014-022-01980-0 -
Medicine Jan 2022The nature of pharyngeal swallowing function during the course of recovery of dysphagia due to lateral medullary syndrome (LMS) is unclear. Vacuum swallowing is a...
INTRODUCTION
The nature of pharyngeal swallowing function during the course of recovery of dysphagia due to lateral medullary syndrome (LMS) is unclear. Vacuum swallowing is a compensatory swallowing method that improves the pharyngeal passage of a bolus by creating negative pressure during swallowing in the esophagus in patients with dysphagia due to LMS. We present a case involving a patient with dysphagia due to LMS who involuntarily acquired a swallowing method with prolonged and increased pharyngeal contraction and vacuum swallowing.
PATIENT CONCERNS
We report a unique case involving a 52-year-old patient with dysphagia due to LMS. His dysphagia was severe but improved gradually with swallowing rehabilitation. The patient involuntarily acquired a swallowing method with prolonged and increased pharyngeal contraction and vacuum swallowing.
DIAGNOSIS
The patient presented with dysphagia due to left LMS. A videofluoroscopic examination of swallowing revealed pharyngeal residue.
INTERVENTIONS
Forty-five days after the onset of the dysphagia, the swallowing pressure along the pharynx and esophagus was measured using high-resolution manometry.
OUTCOMES
Vacuum swallowing was observed in six out of 19 swallows (32.5%). The velopharyngeal contractile integral (CI) and mesohypopharyngeal CI values increased during swallowing, reflecting prolonged and increased pharyngeal contraction. We named this swallowing method "prolonged swallowing."
CONCLUSION
The findings in this case indicate that vacuum and prolonged swallowing may be compensatory swallowing methods observed in individuals recovering from dysphagia due to LMS. Further research is needed to clarify the relationship between these swallowing methods and the pathophysiology, prognosis, and treatment of dysphagia in patients with LMS.
Topics: Deglutition Disorders; Humans; Lateral Medullary Syndrome; Manometry; Middle Aged; Pharynx; Pressure; Vacuum
PubMed: 35029918
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000028524 -
Journal of Advanced Research Jan 2022Honokiol (HO) exerts neuroprotective effects in several animal models of Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the poor dissolution hampers its bioavailability and therapeutic...
INTRODUCTION
Honokiol (HO) exerts neuroprotective effects in several animal models of Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the poor dissolution hampers its bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy.
OBJECTIVES
A novel honokiol nanoscale drug delivery system (Nano-HO) with smaller size and excellent stability was developed in this study to improve the solubility and bioavailability of HO. The anti-AD effects of Nano-HO was determined.
METHODS
Male TgCRND8 mice were daily orally administered Nano-HO or HO at the same dosage (20 mg/kg) for 17 consecutive weeks, followed by assessment of the spatial learning and memory functions using the Morris Water Maze test (MWMT).
RESULTS
Our pharmacokinetic study indicated that the oral bioavailability was greatly improved by Nano-HO. In addition, Nano-HO significantly improved cognitive deficits and inhibited neuroinflammation via suppressing the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in the brain, preventing the activation of microglia (IBA-1) and astrocyte (GFAP), and reducing β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition in the cortex and hippocampus of TgCRND8 mice. Moreover, Nano-HO was more effective than HO in modulating amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing via suppressing β-secretase, as well as enhancing Aβ-degrading enzymes like neprilysin (NEP). Furthermore, Nano-HO more markedly inhibited tau hyperphosphorylation via decreasing the ratio of p-Tau (Thr 205)/tau and regulating tau-related apoptosis proteins (caspase-3 and Bcl-2). In addition, Nano-HO more markedly attenuated the ratios of p-JNK/JNK and p-35/CDK5, while enhancing the ratio of p-GSK-3β (Ser9)/GSK-3β. Finally, Nano-HO prevented the gut microflora dysbiosis in TgCRND8 mice in a more potent manner than free HO.
CONCLUSION
Nano-HO was more potent than free HO in improving cognitive impairments in TgCRND8 mice via inhibiting Aβ deposition, tau hyperphosphorylation and neuroinflammation through suppressing the activation of JNK/CDK5/GSK-3β signaling pathway. Nano-HO also more potently modulated the gut microbiota community to protect its stability than free HO. These results suggest that Nano-HO has good potential for further development into therapeutic agent for AD treatment.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Animals; Biphenyl Compounds; Cognition; Cognitive Dysfunction; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; Lignans; Male; Mice; Neuroinflammatory Diseases
PubMed: 35024199
DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2021.03.012 -
Lin Chuang Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai... Dec 2021In recent years, with the increase of magnetic toys, the intake of magnetic foreign bodies is an increasing problem in pediatric emergency.The strong suction of the...
In recent years, with the increase of magnetic toys, the intake of magnetic foreign bodies is an increasing problem in pediatric emergency.The strong suction of the magnetic foreign body can lead to necrosis, perforation, and infection of surrounding tissues.The site of magnetic foreign body injury is mainly the esophagus, intestines, stomach, a few in the pharynx, etc.This requires early assessment and appropriate intervention to avoid further harm.Because of its unique physical properties, magnetic foreign bodies in bilateral nasal cavity are rarely reported. Now we have a case of a bilateral magnetic foreign body in the nasal cavity.
Topics: Child; Esophagus; Foreign Bodies; Humans; Magnetic Phenomena; Nasal Cavity; Pharynx
PubMed: 34886632
DOI: 10.13201/j.issn.2096-7993.2021.12.017 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2021Tonsil hyperplasia is the most common cause of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Despite the growing knowledge in tissue immunology of tonsils, the...
Tonsil hyperplasia is the most common cause of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Despite the growing knowledge in tissue immunology of tonsils, the immunopathology driving tonsil hyperplasia and OSA remains unknown. Here we used multi-parametric flow cytometry to analyze the composition and phenotype of tonsillar innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), T cells, and B cells from pediatric patients with OSA, who had previous polysomnography. Unbiased clustering analysis was used to delineate and compare lymphocyte heterogeneity between two patient groups: children with small tonsils and moderate OSA (n = 6) or large tonsils and very severe OSA (n = 13). We detected disturbed ILC and B cell proportions in patients with large tonsils, characterized by an increase in the frequency of naïve CD27CD21 B cells and a relative reduction of ILCs. The enrichment of naïve B cells was not commensurate with elevated Ki67 expression, suggesting defective differentiation and/or migration rather than cellular proliferation to be the causative mechanism. Finally, yet importantly, we provide the flow cytometry data to be used as a resource for additional translational studies aimed at investigating the immunological mechanisms of pediatric tonsil hyperplasia and OSA.
Topics: Child, Preschool; Female; Flow Cytometry; Humans; Hyperplasia; Immunity, Innate; Lymphocytes; Male; Memory B Cells; Palatine Tonsil; Receptors, CXCR5; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7
PubMed: 34745084
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.674080 -
Dysphagia Oct 2022Lateral medullary syndrome/Wallenberg syndrome is a stroke in the lateral medulla with symptoms often including dysphagia and dysphonia. In adults, this stroke is the...
Lateral medullary syndrome/Wallenberg syndrome is a stroke in the lateral medulla with symptoms often including dysphagia and dysphonia. In adults, this stroke is the most common brainstem stroke, but it is rare in the pediatric population. Insults to the medulla can involve the "swallowing centers," the nucleus ambiguus and nucleus tractus solitarius, and the cranial nerves involved in swallowing, namely IX (glossopharyngeal) and X (vagus). These individuals can develop severe dysphagia with an inability to trigger a swallow due to pharyngeal weakness and impaired mechanical opening of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) which can result in aspiration. We present a 7-year-old male with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (velocardiofacial syndrome) and velopharyngeal insufficiency who underwent pharyngeal flap surgery at an outside hospital whose post-operative course was complicated by adenovirus, viral myocarditis, and dorsal medullary stroke. He required a tracheostomy and gastrostomy tube. He was discharged from that hospital and readmitted to our hospital 4 months later for increased oxygen requirement, requiring a 5 month admission in the intensive care units. His initial VFSS revealed absent UES opening with the entire bolus remaining in the pyriform sinuses resulting in aspiration. His workup over the course of his admission included multiple videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS), flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), and pharyngeal and esophageal manometry. Intervention included intensive speech therapy, cricopharyngeal Botox® injection, and cricopharyngeal myotomy. Nineteen months after his stroke, he transitioned to oral intake of solids and liquids with adequate movement of the bolus through the pharynx and UES and no aspiration on his VFSS.
Topics: Adult; Brain Stem Infarctions; Child; Deglutition; Deglutition Disorders; Esophageal Sphincter, Upper; Humans; Lateral Medullary Syndrome; Male; Manometry; Stroke
PubMed: 34705083
DOI: 10.1007/s00455-021-10376-3 -
Lin Chuang Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai... Oct 2021To observe the effect of nasal mucosa flap in the repair of nasopharyngeal skull base bone exposure after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and to provide a...
To observe the effect of nasal mucosa flap in the repair of nasopharyngeal skull base bone exposure after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and to provide a basis for the repair with nasal mucosa flap in skull base bone exposure after radiotherapy. The clinical data of 8 patients who underwent nasal endoscopic surgery were analyzed retrospectively. The survival of mucosal flap, the mucosal epithelialization of bone defect or exposed site, the improvement of main clinical symptoms and complications were followed up after operation. Severe mucosal flap necrosis and bone exposure occurred in 1 case after operation, in the other 7 cases, the mucosal flap survived and the mucosal epithelium of nasopharynx recovered well. After operation, most of the patients' clinical symptoms such as headache and nasal odor were improved compared with those before operation. Nasal mucosal flap is a safe and minimally invasive autogenous material with good biocompatibility. It has a good application prospect in repairing bone defect or exposure of nasopharyngeal skull base after radiotherapy and is worth popularizing in clinic.
Topics: Humans; Nasal Mucosa; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; Nasopharynx; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Retrospective Studies; Skull Base
PubMed: 34628818
DOI: 10.13201/j.issn.2096-7993.2021.10.014 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2021The intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), known as CD54, is a transmembrane cell surface glycoprotein that interacts with two integrins (i.e., LFA-1 and Mac-l)...
Molecular Characterization and Expression Analysis of Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1) Genes in Rainbow Trout () in Response to Viral, Bacterial and Parasitic Challenge.
The intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), known as CD54, is a transmembrane cell surface glycoprotein that interacts with two integrins (i.e., LFA-1 and Mac-l) important for trans-endothelial migration of leukocytes. The level of ICAM-1 expression is upregulated in response to some inflammatory stimulations, including pathogen infection and proinflammatory cytokines. Yet, to date, our knowledge regarding the functional role of ICAM-1 in teleost fish remains largely unknown. In this study, we cloned and characterized the sequence of ICAM-1 in rainbow trout () for the first time, which exhibited that the molecular features of ICAM-1 in fishes were relatively conserved compared with human ICAM-1. The transcriptional level of ICAM-1 was detected in 12 different tissues, and we found high expression of this gene in the head kidney, spleen, gills, skin, nose, and pharynx. Moreover, upon stimulation with infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV), G (), and (Ich) in rainbow trout, the morphological changes were observed in the skin and gills, and enhanced expression of ICAM-1 mRNA was detected both in the systemic and mucosal tissues. These results indicate that ICAM-1 may be implicated in the mucosal immune responses to viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections in teleost fish, meaning that ICAM-1 emerges as a master regulator of mucosal immune responses against pathogen infections in teleost fish.
Topics: Animals; Ciliophora Infections; Fish Diseases; Fish Proteins; Flavobacteriaceae Infections; Flavobacterium; Gene Expression Regulation; Hymenostomatida; Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; Oncorhynchus mykiss; Rhabdoviridae Infections
PubMed: 34489953
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.704224 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2021In mucosa such as tonsil, antibody-producing plasmocytes (PCs) lie in sub-epithelium space, which is thought to provide a suitable environment for their survival. A...
In mucosa such as tonsil, antibody-producing plasmocytes (PCs) lie in sub-epithelium space, which is thought to provide a suitable environment for their survival. A proliferation inducing ligand (APRIL) is one key survival factor for PCs present in this area. According to staining, apical epithelial cells produced APRIL, and the secreted product had to migrate all through the stratified surface epithelium to reach basal cells. A similar process also occurred in the less-organized crypt epithelium. Tonsil epithelial cells captured secreted APRIL, thanks to their surface expression of the APRIL coreceptor, either syndecan-1 or -4 depending on their differentiation stage. In the most basal epithelial cells, secreted APRIL accumulated inside secretory lamp-1 vesicles in a polarized manner, facing the sub-epithelium. The tonsil epithelium upregulated APRIL production by apical cells and secretion by basal cells upon Toll-like receptor stimulation. Furthermore, LPS-stimulated epithelial cells sustained PC survival in a secreted APRIL-dependent manner. Taken together, our study shows that the tonsil epithelium responds to pathogen sensing by a polarized secretion of APRIL in the sub-epithelial space, wherein PCs reside.
Topics: Biomarkers; Cell Line; Cell Polarity; Epithelium; Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein 1; Mucous Membrane; Palatine Tonsil; Toll-Like Receptors; Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13
PubMed: 34484218
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.715724