基于GEO数据集分析嗜酸性粒细胞型慢性鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉的潜在诊断基因

目的 本研究利用GEO数据库中的RNA测序（RNA sequencing,RNA-seq）数据,筛选出对嗜酸性粒细胞型慢性鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉（eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps,ECRSwNP）具有潜在诊断价值的基因。方法 共获得3个数据集数据,分别根据CST1和CLC基因的表达水平将样本分为ECRSwNP和非嗜酸性粒细胞型慢性鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉（nonECRSwNP）两组。使用R软件及算法建立ECRSwNP的诊断模型并检测其性能。结果 将每个数据集均分为两组GSE136825(ECRSwNP 7、nonECRSwNP 19),GSE72713(ECRSwNP 3、nonECRSwN 3),GSE179265(ECRSwNP 11、nonECRSwNP 2)。基于支持向量机（support vector machine,SVM）算法构建的上调基因模型（ADH1C、CCL26、HRH1、NOS2）和下调基因模型（LCN2、MUC5B、PLAT、TMEM45A、XDH）的ECRSwNP诊断性能表现出色。结论 基于SVM模型鉴定...     

无创性临床指标在慢性鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉合并哮喘诊断中的应用价值

目的　比较无创性临床指标在预测慢性鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉（chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps,CRSwNP）合并哮喘诊断中的价值。方法　纳入30例CRSwNP不合并哮喘和40例CRSwNP合并哮喘患者。用Logistic回归分析CRSwNP伴哮喘的因素。用受试者工作特征（receiver operating characteristic,ROC）曲线评价各指标在CRSwNP合并哮喘诊断中的预测效能。结果　Logistic回归分析显 示,年龄、第1秒用力呼气容积（forced expiratory volume in one second,FEV1）/用力肺活量（forced vital capacity,FVC）和呼出气一氧化氮（fractional exhaled nitric oxide,FeNO）与CRSwNP合并哮喘相关（P 均<0.05）。ROC曲线显示FEV1/FVC和FeNO对CRSwNP合并哮喘有中等程度的准确性（AUC分别为0.816和0.768）,年龄有较低的准确性（AUC=0.658）,而联合模型可进一步提高诊断准确性（AUC=0.921）。结论　无创性临床指标FEV1/FVC、FeNO和年龄联合模型对于CRSwNP合并哮喘具有更高的诊断价值。     

与喉乳头状瘤恶变进程及预后相关分子标志物研究

目的 基于生物信息学分析筛选影响喉乳头状瘤恶变进程及预后的分子标志物。方法 从GEO和TCGA数据库分别下载成人喉乳头状瘤数据集GSE10935和喉鳞癌转录组数据,使用R语言筛选两组数据差异表达基因(DEGs)。利用韦恩图分析筛选两组共同DEGs后,使用GEPIA数据库绘制Kaplan-Meier生存曲线进行生存分析,筛选出候选基因。利用HPA数据库分析候选基因的蛋白表达情况得到关键基因后,进行单/多因素COX回归分析,及GO、KEGG功能富集分析。结果 从GSE10935数据集筛选出112个与喉乳头状瘤发生发展相关的DEGs,从喉鳞癌转录组数据筛选出1817个与喉鳞癌发生发展相关的DEGs。通过韦恩图分析得到共同DEGs 24个。GEPIA在线网站分析显示与正常组织相比,FSCN1、MMP1、IFI27在头颈鳞癌组织(HNSCC)中高表达,ALDH3A1、HLF、MMRN1低表达,差异均有统计学意义(FSCN1:P=0.002 9、MMP1:P=0.047、IFI27:P=0.035、ALDH3A1:P=0.024、HLF:P=0.008、MMRN1:P=0.036)。生存分析显示F...     

自噬相关基因Atg3、Ambra1与慢性单纯性鼻窦炎、鼻息肉及鼻息肉伴发哮喘的相关性研究

目的 自噬是机体的一种重要的保护和防御机制.研究拟通过对自噬相关基因Atg3、Ambra1表达的观察,探讨自噬与慢性鼻窦炎(CRS)及哮喘之间的关联性及可能的作用机制.方法收集24例鼻中隔偏曲患者的下鼻甲黏膜作为正常对照组,选取21例慢性单纯性鼻窦炎患者(CRSsNP组)、22例慢性鼻窦炎鼻息肉患者(CRSwNP组)及18例慢性鼻窦炎鼻息肉伴发哮喘患者(CRSwNP伴哮喘组)的鼻腔黏膜组织为实验组.采用免疫组织化学染色技术检测Atg3、Ambra1在各组中的表达强度及分布,分析自噬相关基因在各组间表达的差异,并分析各组中两基因之间的相关性.结果 ①自噬相关基因Atg3在对照组、CRSsNP组、CRSwNP组、CRSwNP伴哮喘组中表达逐渐增强,在各组间表达差异有统计学意义(x2=31.080,P＜0.001);进一步两两比较,在对照组与CRSsNP组之间(P=0.002)、对照组与CRSwNP组之间(P＜0.001)、对照组与CRSwNP伴哮喘组之间(P＜0.001)、CRSsNP组与CRSwNP伴哮喘组之间(P =0.002)、CRSwNP组与CRSwNP伴哮喘组之间(P =0.024)表达差异均有统计学意义,在CRSsNP组与CRSwNP组之间(P=0.304)表达差异无统计学意义.②自噬相关基因Ambra1在对照组、CRSsNP组、CRSwNP组、CRSwNP伴哮喘组中表达逐渐增强,在各组间表达差异有统计学意义(x2=33.000,P＜0.001);进一步两两比较,在对照组与CRSsNP组之间(P=0.009)、对照组与CRSwNP组之间(P＜0.001)、对照组与CRSwNP伴哮喘组之间(P ＜0.001)、CRSsNP组与CRSwNP伴哮喘组之间(P ＜0.001)、CRSwNP组与CRSwNP伴哮喘组之间(P=0.009)表达差异均有统计学意义,在CRSsNP组与CRSwNP组之间(P =0.205)表达差异无统计学意义.③8.Atg3与Ambra1在CRSsNP组(r=0.619,P=0.003)、CRSwNP组(r=0.392,P=0.022)和CRSwNP伴哮喘组(r =0.552,P=0.033)中表达呈正相关性,在对照组中无相关性(r=0.316,P=0.133).结论 细胞自噬与CRS疾病的发生发展密切相关,可能参与了CRSwNP伴哮喘的发生,且自噬相关基因Atg3与Ambra1在CRS的发生发展过程中可能存在协同作用,自噬可成为CRS诊疗新的研究方向.     

腺样囊性癌关键基因表达的生物信息学分析

目的 研究使用生物信息学的方法来获得腺样囊性癌(adenoid cystic carcinoma, ACC)相关的关键基因,探寻其病因和发病机制。方法 通过GEO数据库中GSE36820和GSE88804数据集获取腺样囊性癌的基因表达谱,筛选出腺样囊性癌组织与正常涎膜组织共同差异表达基因(DEGs),对DEGs进行基因本体论(GO)分析、京都基因与基因组百科全书(KEGG)信号通路分析,并通过String在线软件和Cytoscape软件构建DEGs蛋白互作网络,经cytoHubba获得关键基因,在GSE59702数据集对关键基因表达进行验证。结果 GO分析在生物过程中包括多细胞生物的体内平衡、抗菌体液反应、视网膜内稳态;KEGG通路富集于唾液分泌、PPAR信号通路和酪氨酸代谢;GSEA分析基因在细胞循环有丝分裂、TP53介导的转录调节、Rho家族的鸟苷三磷酸酶介导的信号、肿瘤通路和M期富集。在PPI网络筛选出前10个关键基因,对关键基因表达验证显示,DTL、CENPU、BUB1B、ANLN、CENPF、TOP2A的mRNA表达水平在肿瘤组织中显著升高,而CDK1、NUSAP1、CCNB...     

慢性鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉患者嗅觉功能丧失危险因素及预测模型构建研究

目的　探讨慢性鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉（chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps,CRSwNP）患者嗅觉功能丧失危险因素并构建预测模型,为后续嗅觉功能损伤评估及临床治疗提供更多参考。方法　研究纳入存在嗅觉功能异常的CRSwNP患者共172例,根据嗅觉功能异常程度分组,分析嗅觉功能丧失独立危险因素,描绘ROC曲线评价相关模型临床预测效能。结果　多因素分析结果显示,嗅裂前区评分、血尿素氮及上鼻甲黏膜嗅觉标记蛋白阳性细胞计数均是CRSwNP患者嗅觉功能丧失独立影响因素（P <0.05）;基于上述独立影响因素构建模型用于CRSwNP患者嗅觉功能丧失发生风险预测AUC=0.89（95%CI =0.80~0.97）。结论　CRSwNP患者嗅觉功能丧失与嗅裂前区评分、血尿素氮及上鼻甲黏膜嗅觉标记蛋白阳性细胞计数密切相关;同时基于上述独立影响因素构建模型具有良预测效能。     

慢性鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉患者嗅觉障碍的影响因素分析

目的分析慢性鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉(chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps,CRSwNP)患者嗅觉障碍的影响因素。方法回顾性分析2014—2018年就诊于北京安贞医院行内镜鼻窦手术治疗的CRSwNP患者88例,男性22例,女性66例,年龄(48.1±11.3)岁(±s,下同)。所有入选患者均于术前行Sniffin′Sticks嗅觉测试、Lund-Mackay评分及改良鼻窦CT嗅区评分、鼻阻力及声反射检查、血常规及血生化等实验室检测、血清特异性IgE检测;术中取鼻息肉组织进行嗜酸粒细胞计数。根据Sniffin′Sticks嗅觉测试结果将患者分成嗅觉功能正常组和嗅觉功能障碍组,两组之间进行临床基线资料比较,根据单因素分析结果,结合临床有意义的指标进一步行多因素Logistic回归模型分析,并初步建立CRSwNP嗅觉障碍的预测模型。设P<0.05为差异有统计学意义。结果88例CRSwNP患者中,嗅觉正常32例(36.4%),嗅觉障碍56例(63.6%),其中嗅觉下降40例(45.5%)、失嗅16例(18.2%)。单因素分析发现,两组间组织嗜酸粒细胞数、血嗜酸粒细胞百分比、血尿素的差异存在统计学意义[12.7[2.0,52.3]个/高倍视野(M[P25,P75],下同)比38.6[16.2,87.0]个/高倍视野、2.75[1.60,4.80]%比4.35[2.50,6.60]%、(5.56±1.15)mmol/L比(4.98±1.33)mmol/L,P值均<0.05];改良鼻窦CT嗅区评分、除窦口鼻道复合体评分外的Lund-Mackay评分的差异均存在统计学意义(P值均<0.05)。多因素Logistic回归模型分析发现,改良鼻窦CT双侧嗅区总分和血尿素的差异具有统计学意义,其中双侧嗅区总分是嗅觉功能的危险因素(OR=2.108,95%CI:1.407~3.159,P<0.001);一定浓度的血尿素是嗅觉功能的保护因素(OR=0.461,95%CI:0.240~0.884,P=0.020)。进一步研究发现,由组织嗜酸粒细胞计数、血嗜酸粒细胞百分比、改良鼻窦CT双侧嗅区总分、总吸气、血尿素组成的预测模型受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线下面积(AUC)的值为0.888(P<0.01),对CRSwNP嗅觉障碍预测效果较好。结论改良鼻窦CT嗅区评分与CRSwNP患者的嗅觉障碍密切相关,一定程度的血尿素升高可能对CRSwNP患者的嗅觉功能有保护作用。     

鼻呼出一氧化氮对慢性鼻窦炎诊断的临床应用价值

目的 探讨鼻呼出一氧化氮(nNO)在慢性鼻窦炎(CRS)临床诊断中的应用价值。 方法 回顾性分析135例CRS患者及40例非CRS患者的临床资料,包括患者nNO水平的差异,nNO水平与年龄、BMI、外周血嗜酸性粒细胞计数及百分比、CT Lund-Mackay评分及E/M比值的相关性,通过Logistic回归及ROC曲线分析nNO在CRS中的诊断应用价值。 结果 CRS组、CRSsNP组及CRSwNP组的nNO水平显著低于非CRS组(P<0.001),CRSwNP组的nNO水平显著低于CRSsNP组(P<0.001);eCRSwNP组及non-eCRSwNP组患者的nNO水平显著低于非CRS组患者(P<0.001),eCRSwNP组的nNO水平显著低于non-eCRSwNP组患者(P<0.05)。CRS组和CRSwNP组nNO水平均与E/M比值及Lund-Mackay评分呈显著负相关性(r=-0.423, P<0.001;r=-0.650, P<0.001;r=-0.434, P<0.001;r=-0.608, P<0.001)。Logistic回归分析发现nNO水平与CRS分型显著相关(P<0.01)。nNO对鉴别非CRS与CRS、CRSsNP及CRSwNP具有中度预测价值(AUC=0.849,P<0.001;AUC=0.771,P<0.001;AUC=0.894,P<0.001),对鉴别CRSsNP与CRSwNP具有中度预测价值(AUC=0.776,P<0.01)。对鉴别非CRS与non-eCRSwNP具有中度预测价值(AUC=0.861,P<0.001),eCRSwNP具有高度预测价值(AUC=0.910,P<0.001)。 结论 nNO水平对CRS、CRSsNP和CRSwNP、eCRSwNP和non-eCRSwNP的初步诊断以及鼻息肉病变范围的预测具有一定的临床应用价值。     

人乳头状瘤病毒阳性的头颈鳞状细胞癌特异性基因生物信息学研究

目的分析人乳头状瘤病毒(HPV)阳性的头颈鳞状细胞癌(鳞癌)特异表达基因及关键信号通路,为HPV相关头颈鳞癌筛选有价值的基因标记物,并为进一步的肿瘤机制研究提供参考。方法从GEO高通量基因芯片数据库中筛选出头颈鳞癌具有HPV感染信息的芯片,从中筛出差异基因进行基因本体分析及京都基因和基因组(KEGG)信号通路富集分析,并筛出头颈鳞癌的特征基因簇和通路,以及关键基因并进行蛋白质相互作用网络可视化分析。通过Cbioportal信息门户以及癌症基因组图谱(TCGA)数据库验证这些特异基因在HPV(+)与HPV(-)头颈鳞癌中的表达差异并分析特异基因与头颈鳞癌患者生存预后的相关性。结果从数据集GSE52088与GSE39366中筛选出42个共同差异基因,其中上调基因25个,下调基因17个,经Cytoscape两轮筛选确定白介素-6(IL-6)、细胞表面标记物CD44、基质金属蛋白酶1(MMP1)、CXC趋化因子配体基序1(CXCL1) 4个特异基因。信号通路富集分析显示共同差异基因参与细胞周期、NOD样受体信号通路、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)信号通路途径等信号通路(P < 0.01)。经TCGA数据库以及Cbioportal检验证实特异基因在HPV(+)与HPV(-)头颈鳞癌中的表达差异,且IL-6、CD44表达水平与头颈鳞癌生存预后呈负相关(P < 0.01)。结论HPV(+)头颈鳞癌具有特异性基因表达,并可能参与关键信号通路调控肿瘤的发生发展。IL-6、CD44、MMP1、CXCL1 4个特异基因可能参与HPV(+)头颈鳞癌发展及侵袭过程,其中MMP1、CXCL1有望作为诊断及预后的标志物,IL-6、CD44与头颈鳞癌预后存在相关性,有望成为治疗HPV(+)头颈鳞癌的潜在靶点。     

早期甲状腺乳头状癌颈部淋巴结转移相关分子标志物的转录组测序分析

目的　使用转录组测序技术筛选早期甲状腺乳头状癌（papillary thyroid carcinoma，PTC）与淋巴结转移相关的差异表达基因，使用生物信息学技术进一步探讨和验证具有关键调控预测作用的功能性靶基因。方法　应用转录组测序技术对7例出现颈部淋巴结转移和9例无颈部淋巴结转移的早期（T1级）PTC肿瘤样本进行差异表达基因筛选，并进一步对差异表达基因进行生物信息学验证，寻找早期PTC淋巴结转移潜在分子标志物。结果　转录组测序共筛选出1805个差异表达基因，其中上调1049个，下 调756个。经过GO数据库分析，差异基因主要聚类在细胞代谢、黏附、分裂增殖等集合中（P <0.05）；KEGG数据库分析发现差异基因显著富集于癌症途径通路、黏附作用通路、PI3K-Akt信号通路和氧化磷酸化等通路中（P <0.05）。分别构建蛋白质-蛋白质互作网络和随机森林后，发现差异表达基因FN1、ADCY7、LDLR、NOS1和GNA13既处于互作网络核心区域同时在随机森林分类中对淋巴结转移具有显著特征选择价值。TCGA数据库验证发现差异基因FN1在伴淋巴结转移早期PTC中显著低表达（P <0.001），LDLR（P <0.001）、NOS1（P <0.05）、GNA13（P <0.05）在伴淋巴结转移早期PTC中显著高表达，且通过绘制ROC曲线和计算曲线下面积发现这4个基因对早期PTC淋巴结转移有较高的预测价值。结论　伴/不伴有淋巴结转移早期PTC在整体基因表达上存在较明显的差异，其中差异表达基因FN1、LDLR、NOS1和GNA13具有作为早期PTC淋巴结转移相关分子标志物的潜在价值。     

鳞状细胞癌抗原在慢性鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉患者血清中的表达及组织分型中的意义

目的探讨鳞状细胞癌抗原(SCCA)在慢性鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉(CRSwNP)患者血清中的表达情况及其在组织分型中的应用价值。方法选取74例CRSwNP患者以及40例健康志愿者作为研究对象,根据CRSwNP患者术后组织病理切片中嗜酸性粒细胞浸润情况将CRSwNP分为非嗜酸性CRSwNP组(non-eCRSwNP,n=33)和嗜酸性CRSwNP组(eCRSwNP,n=41)。术前收集入组患者的外周血检测SCCA在血清中的浓度,观察其与临床指标的联系及其在不同组织分型患者中浓度差异。结果与对照组相比,CRSwNP组患者血清SCCA表达水平显著升高(P＜0.000 1);与non-eCRSwNP组相比,eCRSwNP组患者血清SCCA表达水平显著升高(P＜0.000 1)。CRSwNP患者血清SCCA浓度与外周血嗜酸性粒细胞计数(r=0.404,P=0.000 4)、组织嗜酸性粒细胞比例(r=0.283,P=0.015)均呈正相关。二元Logistic回归及受试者工作曲线(ROC)分析提示血清SCCA水平与CRSwNP组织亚型具有明显的相关性并能较好地将两者进行区分[曲线下面积(AUC)=0.844,P=0.000]。结论CRSwNP患者血清SCCA表达上调且与组织嗜酸性炎症相关,其表达水平可能有助于术前鉴别CRSwNP亚型。     

Identification of key genes and pathways in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps using bioinformatics analysis

Purpose

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a prevalent inflammatory disease of yet unknown etiology. The purpose of this study was to uncover key genes and pathways related to the pathogenesis of CRSwNP via bioinformatics approaches.

变应性鼻炎特异性病毒应答相关基因的生物信息学分析

目的 变应性鼻炎（AR）患者感染鼻病毒后病情及气道炎症加重，但其分子机制尚未完全阐明。本研究通过生物信息学方法分析双链RNA （dsRNA）刺激后AR鼻黏膜上皮细胞中特异的基因表达特征。方法 基于GEO数据库的GSE51392数据集，利用R语言的Limma函数筛选出dsRNA刺激后AR上皮细胞特异性差异表达基因（DEGs）。通过GO和KEGG进行通路富集分析，以确定这些基因参与的生物学过程及功能。此外，通过STRING数据库构建蛋白质相互作用（PPI）网络，并使用Cytoscape寻找AR特异性的hub基因和集簇。结果 共筛选出545个上调和400个下调的AR特异性DEGs，包括上调基因PPBP/CXCL7和下调基因IL20、BLNK、CEBPD、LY96。通过GO和KEGG分析，我们发现dsRNA刺激后AR与健康对照受试者（HC）上皮相比具有不同的功能和信号通路。此外，AR特异性的DEGs构建了由791个节点和603条连线组成的PPI网络。并利用MCODE从该PPI网络中筛选出PPBP/CXCL7等16个hub基因和5个重要集簇。结论 本研究通过生物信息学对数据进行挖掘并筛选出dsRNA刺激后AR特异性病毒应答相关基因，提示上调的hub基因以及下调的IL20、BLNK、CEBPD和LY96可能是鼻病毒诱发AR加重的重要因素。为下一步的研究提供参考。     

The expression of cancerous inhibitor protein phosphatase 2A in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

Conclusion: The study suggests that cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A) expression and eosinophilia associate with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps with aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (CRSwNP?+?AERD). Further studies with a larger sample size are needed to evaluate further the role of CIP2A and related pathways in CRSwNP?+?AERD.

Objectives: Low prostaglandin E2 levels putatively associate with CRSwNP?+?AERD and decreased c-Myc levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression and revision-predictive role of oncoprotein CIP2A, another c-Myc modulator, in CRSwNP with/without AERD, and in antrochoanal polyps.

Method: Ninety retrospective archival objective glasses of nasal polyp tissue from CRSwNP or ACP patients were used for assessing mucosal eosinophilia. Of this population, 90 archival nasal polyp specimens were available for immunohistochemical staining with a polyclonal anti-CIP2A antibody, together with 19 control nasal mucosa specimens. CIP2A staining intensity and tissue eosinophilia were assessed by two blinded observers with a light microscope. Subject characteristics from 90 patients and 19 controls were obtained from patient records and additionally by a questionnaire from controls. The follow-up data was available from patient records of 84 patients and 16 controls.

Results: The expression of epithelial CIP2A was detected both in control inferior turbinate mucosa and nasal polyps. The expression was significantly lower in the CRSwNP?+?AERD group compared to controls and CRSwNP without AERD (p?p?p?>?0.05), whereas previous surgery, allergic rhinitis, and use of corticosteroids did predict the need for revision surgery (p?相似文献   

Role of blood inflammatory cells in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

Background/Objective: The pathophysiological and prognostic role of blood inflammatory cells in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) emerging from recent studies was investigated.

Material and Methods: The main available evidence and largely-recent publications were critically analyzed.

Results: Several authors reported a direct association between blood eosinophilia and CRSwNP recurrence rates. In some large series, a direct association between recurrent CRSwNP and blood basophil values emerged too. CRSwNP patients’ blood eosinophil and basophil values were strongly related. It was also found that preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte, eosinophil-to-lymphocyte, and basophil-to-lymphocyte ratios were significantly higher in patients who experienced a disease relapse than in those who did not. In histologically-confirmed eosinophilic-type CRSwNP treated with endoscopic sinus surgery, mean blood eosinophil values dropped significantly from before to after the surgical procedure.

Conclusions/Significance: CRSwNP endotypes have different inflammatory profiles reflected in the relative proportions of different types of blood cells. The available data support the theory that blood eosinophil and basophil levels should be included in the routine preoperative work-up of CRSwNP patients in order to give patients accurate prognostic information, adopt rational follow-up protocols after surgery, and provide dedicated postoperative medical treatments.     

Diagnostic significance of serum periostin in eosinophilic chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps

Objectives: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a heterogeneous disease. Eosinophilic CRSwNP (ENP) exhibits a strong tendency for recurrence after surgery. Given that the treatment strategy of ENP differs from that of non-eosinophilic CRSwNP (nENP), clinical diagnostic criteria that distinguish ENP from nENP are needed.

Methods: In total, 94 CRSwNP patients were enrolled in the cohort. Factors associated with ENP were determined with regression analysis, and optimal cutoff points of the predictors were determined by a receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results: Serum periostin levels, blood eosinophils and basophils counts significantly differed between ENP and nENP. A combination of the cut-off values for the three predictors, including absolute blood eosinophil and basophil counts, yielded a sensitivity of 79.2% and 70.8%, and a specificity of 84.8% and 73.9%, respectively. Serum periostin levels yielded a sensitivity of 72.9% and a specificity of 60.9% for the diagnosis of ENP. The predicted probability of periostin in combination with blood eosinophils and basophils counts (AUC, 0.872) exhibited moderate accuracy. In addition, patients with ENP displayed an increased prevalence of smoking.

Conclusions: Periostin in combination with blood eosinophils and basophils counts has the potential to better refine current CRSwNP phenotypes.     

Identification of key pathways and genes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma based on WGCNA

ObjectiveWe aim to identify the potential genes and signaling pathways associated with the nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) prognosis using Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA).MethodsGene Expression Omnibus (GEO) query was utilized to download two NPC mRNA microarray data. WGCNA was conducted on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to obtain tumor-associated gene modules. Genes in core modules were intersected with DEGs for gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional enrichment analysis. GSE102349 dataset was devoted to identifying prognostic hub genes by survival analysis and the results were confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).ResultsCo-expression networks were built, and we detected 12 gene modules. The Brown module and Magenta module were extremely associated with NPC samples. GO functional analysis and KEGG pathway analysis was carried out to the genes in the Brown and Magenta modules. Our data indicated that DEGs in Brown module and Magenta module were correlated with the biological regulation, metabolic process, reproduction, and cellular proliferation. Twenty-six hub genes were obtained and were considered to be closely related to NPC. GSE102349 dataset was devoted to identifying prognostic hub genes by survival analysis. The expression of IL33, MPP3 and SLC16A7 in GSE102349 dataset was significantly correlated with the progression-free survival (PFS). The results of qPCR indicated a strong correlation between SLC16A7 expression and the overall survival (OS).ConclusionsWGCNA contributed to the detection of gene modules and identification of hub genes and crucial genes. These crucial genes might be potential targets for pharmaceutic therapies with potential clinical significance.     

Relative frequencies of symptoms and risk factors among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps using a case-control study

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relative frequency of important symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), the link between CRSwNP and the lower airways and the importance of smoking in CRSwNP.

Method: Three hundred and sixty-eight patients with CRSwNP and 1349 controls were recruited to the study and underwent a structured interview about symptoms from the upper and lower airways, and about smoking habits. Furthermore, all participants were clinically examined using nasal endoscopy.

Results: Due to interactions between the outcome variables, a multiple logistic regression model was fitted to the data. Nasal secretions, nasal blockage and impaired sense of smell were symptoms associated with CRSwNP. Furthermore, male gender, increasing age and asthma were also associated with the disease. Current smoking was less frequent among patients with CRSwNP.

Conclusion: By comparing symptoms and risk factors of patients with CRSwNP with those of a large population-based control group and testing them in a multiple logistic regression model, we have been able to generate data that address key research interests in CRSwNP.     

Long-term evaluation of nasal polyposis recurrence: A focus on multiple relapses and nasal cytology

PurposeRecurrence of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is highly variable, reaching 55–60% of cases. Different results about clinical parameters as recurrence predictors has been reported. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate CRSwNP recurrence risk after a long-term follow-up (up to 20 years). Moreover, the role of nasal cytology was assessed.Materials and methodsSixty-one patients who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery for CRSwNP were enrolled. Clinical parameters were recorded. Nasal cytology was performed at follow-up examinations. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to obtain the recurrence-free survival curves. The median number of recurrences per year was evaluated.ResultsFive- and 10-year recurrence rates were 30.29% and 66.06%, respectively. Median recurrence-free survival was 106 months. Asthma and Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease represented predictors of multiple recurrences (p < 0.05). Intranasal steroids were the main treatment to prevent relapses (p < 0.05). Patients with normal cytology at follow-up evaluation had a lower probability to have first recurrence within 10 years (59% of cases), compared to neutrophil or eosinophil infiltrate (100% and 88% of cases, respectively) (p < 0.05).ConclusionsCRSwNP has a high recurrence risk, also more than 10 years after surgery. Nasal cytology may identify subjects with a higher risk of early recurrence.