Effects of Panax species and their bioactive components on allergic airway diseases

Panax species include Panax ginseng Meyer, Panax quinquefolium L., Panax notoginseng, Panax japonicum, Panax trifolium, and Panax pseudoginseng, which contain bioactive components (BCs) such as ginsenosides and polysaccharides. Recently, growing evidence has revealed the pharmacological effects of Panax species and their BCs on allergic airway diseases (AADs), including allergic asthma (AA) and allergic rhinitis (AR). AADs are characterized by damaged epithelium, sustained acquired immune responses with enforced Th2 responses, allergen-specific IgE production, and enhanced production of histamine and leukotrienes by activated mast cells and basophils. In this review, we summarize how Panax species and their BCs modulate acquired immune responses involving interactions between dendritic cells and T cells, reduce the pro-inflammatory responses of epithelial cells, and reduce allergenic responses from basophils and mast cells in vitro. In addition, we highlight the current understanding of the alleviative effects of Panax species and their BCs against AA and AR in vivo. Moreover, we discuss the unmet needs of research and considerations for the treatment of patients to provide basic scientific knowledge for the treatment of AADs using Panax species and their BCs.

Redox Regulation of PTEN by Reactive Oxygen Species: Its Role in Physiological Processes

Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a tumor suppressor due to its ability to regulate cell survival, growth, and proliferation by downregulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In addition, PTEN plays an essential role in other physiological events associated with cell growth demands, such as ischemia-reperfusion, nerve injury, and immune responsiveness. Therefore, recently, PTEN inhibition has emerged as a potential therapeutic intervention in these situations. Increasing evidence demonstrates that reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), are produced and required for the signaling in many important cellular processes under such physiological conditions. ROS have been shown to oxidize PTEN at the cysteine residue of its active site, consequently inhibiting its function. Herein, we provide an overview of studies that highlight the role of the oxidative inhibition of PTEN in physiological processes.

Mucosal TLR5 activation controls healthspan and longevity

Addressing age-related immunological defects through therapeutic interventions is essential for healthy aging, as the immune system plays a crucial role in controlling infections, malignancies, and in supporting tissue homeostasis and repair. In our study, we show that stimulating toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) via mucosal delivery of a flagellin-containing fusion protein effectively extends the lifespan and enhances the healthspan of mice of both sexes. This enhancement in healthspan is evidenced by diminished hair loss and ocular lens opacity, increased bone mineral density, improved stem cell activity, delayed thymic involution, heightened cognitive capacity, and the prevention of pulmonary lung fibrosis. Additionally, this fusion protein boosts intestinal mucosal integrity by augmenting the surface expression of TLR5 in a certain subset of dendritic cells and increasing interleukin-22 (IL-22) secretion. In this work, we present observations that underscore the benefits of TLR5-dependent stimulation in the mucosal compartment, suggesting a viable strategy for enhancing longevity and healthspan.

What matters in aging is signaling for responsiveness

Biological responsiveness refers to the capacity of living organisms to adapt to changes in both their internal and external environments through physiological and behavioral mechanisms. One of the prominent aspects of aging is the decline in this responsiveness, which can lead to a deterioration in the processes required for maintenance, survival, and growth. The vital link between physiological responsiveness and the essential life processes lies within the signaling systems. To devise effective strategies for controlling the aging process, a comprehensive reevaluation of this connecting loop is imperative. This review aims to explore the impact of aging on signaling systems responsible for responsiveness and introduce a novel perspective on intervening in the aging process by restoring the compromised responsiveness. These innovative mechanistic approaches for modulating altered responsiveness hold the potential to illuminate the development of action plans aimed at controlling the aging process and treating age-related disorders.

The relationship between depressive mood and subjective health in centenarians and near-centenarians: a cross-sectional study from Korean centenarian cohort

BACKGROUND

With the rapid increase in population longevity, more clinical attention is being paid to the overall health of long-lived people, especially centenarians. Subjective health, which is the perception of one's health status, predicts both mortality and declining physical function in older adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors related to subjective health among centenarians and near-centenarians (ages ≥95) living in a rural area of South Korea.

METHODS

A total of 101 participants were enrolled from four different regions (Gurye, Gokseong, Sunchang, and Damyang), known as the Longevity Belt in Korea. Variables assessing physical and mental health, including the results of blood tests, were examined. Factors associated with good subjective health were identified with logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Fifty-six participants (59.6%) were subjectively healthy among the centenarians and near-centenarians. Logistic regression analysis revealed that depressive mood was the only factor associated with subjective health and was negatively correlated. The regression model explained 39% of the variance in subjective health.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings emphasize the importance of mental health at very advanced ages. Because depressive mood negatively correlates with subjective health, more attention is needed to prevent and manage mood symptoms of people of advanced ages, including centenarians.

ANT2 Accelerates Cutaneous Wound Healing in Aged Skin by Regulating Energy Homeostasis and Inflammation

An effective healing response is critical to healthy aging. In particular, energy homeostasis has become increasingly recognized as a factor in effective skin regeneration. ANT2 is a mediator of adenosine triphosphate import into mitochondria for energy homeostasis. Although energy homeostasis and mitochondrial integrity are critical for wound healing, the role played by ANT2 in the repair process had not been elucidated to date. In our study, we found that ANT2 expression decreased in aged skin and cellular senescence. Interestingly, overexpression of ANT2 in aged mouse skin accelerated the healing of full-thickness cutaneous wounds. In addition, upregulation of ANT2 in replicative senescent human diploid dermal fibroblasts induced their proliferation and migration, which are critical processes in wound healing. Regarding energy homeostasis, ANT2 overexpression increased the adenosine triphosphate production rate by activating glycolysis and induced mitophagy. Notably, ANT2-mediated upregulation of HSPA6 in aged human diploid dermal fibroblasts downregulated proinflammatory genes that mediate cellular senescence and mitochondrial damage. This study shows a previously uncharacterized physiological role of ANT2 in skin wound healing by regulating cell proliferation, energy homeostasis, and inflammation. Thus, our study links energy metabolism to skin homeostasis and reports, to the best of our knowledge, a previously unreported genetic factor that enhances wound healing in an aging model.

Calprotectin in chronic rhinosinusitis eosinophil extracellular traps

BACKGROUND

Calprotectin is an antimicrobial peptide primarily secreted by neutrophils. Furthermore, calprotectin secretion increases in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with polyps (CRSwNP) and positively correlates with neutrophil markers. However, CRSwNP is known to be associated with type 2 inflammation related to tissue eosinophilia. Therefore, the authors investigated calprotectin expression in eosinophils and eosinophil extracellular traps (EETs) and explored the associations between tissue calprotectin and the clinical findings of patients with CRS.

METHODS

A total of 63 patients participated, and patients diagnosed with CRS were classified based on the Japanese Epidemiological Survey of Refractory Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis (JESREC) score. The authors performed hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence with calprotectin, myeloperoxidase (MPO), major basic protein (MBP), and citrullinated histone H3 with the participant's tissues. Finally, correlations between calprotectin and the clinical data were examined.

RESULTS

Calprotectin-positive cells are co-localized not only in MPO-positive cells but also in MBP-positive cells in human tissues. Calprotectin was also involved in EETs and neutrophil extracellular traps. The number of calprotectin-positive cells in the tissue was positively correlated with the number of tissue and blood eosinophils. In addition, calprotectin in the tissue is associated with the olfactory function, Lund-Mackay computed tomography score, and JESREC score.

CONCLUSIONS

Calprotectin, known to be secreted by neutrophils, in CRS was also expressed in eosinophils. In addition, calprotectin, which functions as an antimicrobial peptide, may play an important role in the innate immune response based on its EET involvement. Therefore, calprotectin expression could reflect as a disease severity biomarker for CRS.

Farnesol prevents aging-related muscle weakness in mice through enhanced farnesylation of Parkin-interacting substrate

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) is a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis. Reduced PGC-1α abundance is linked to skeletal muscle weakness in aging or pathological conditions, such as neurodegenerative diseases and diabetes; thus, elevating PGC-1α abundance might be a promising strategy to treat muscle aging. Here, we performed high-throughput screening and identified a natural compound, farnesol, as a potent inducer of PGC-1α. Farnesol administration enhanced oxidative muscle capacity and muscle strength, leading to metabolic rejuvenation in aged mice. Moreover, farnesol treatment accelerated the recovery of muscle injury associated with enhanced muscle stem cell function. The protein expression of Parkin-interacting substrate (PARIS/Zfp746), a transcriptional repressor of PGC-1α, was elevated in aged muscles, likely contributing to PGC-1α reduction. The beneficial effect of farnesol on aged muscle was mediated through enhanced PARIS farnesylation, thereby relieving PARIS-mediated PGC-1α suppression. Furthermore, short-term exercise increased PARIS farnesylation in the muscles of young and aged mice, whereas long-term exercise decreased PARIS expression in the muscles of aged mice, leading to the elevation of PGC-1α. Collectively, the current study demonstrated that the PARIS-PGC-1α pathway is linked to muscle aging and that farnesol treatment can restore muscle functionality in aged mice through increased farnesylation of PARIS.

Silver electroceutical technology to treat sarcopenia

While the world is rapidly transforming into a superaging society, pharmaceutical approaches to treat sarcopenia have hitherto not been successful due to their insufficient efficacy and failure to specifically target skeletal muscle cells (skMCs). Although electrical stimulation (ES) is emerging as an alternative intervention, its efficacy toward treating sarcopenia remains unexplored. In this study, we demonstrate a silver electroceutical technology with the potential to treat sarcopenia. First, we developed a high-throughput ES screening platform that can simultaneously stimulate 15 independent conditions, while utilizing only a small number of human-derived primary aged/young skMCs (hAskMC/hYskMC). The in vitro screening showed that specific ES conditions induced hypertrophy and rejuvenation in hAskMCs, and the optimal ES frequency in hAskMCs was different from that in hYskMCs. When applied to aged mice in vivo, specific ES conditions improved the prevalence and thickness of Type IIA fibers, along with biomechanical attributes, toward a younger skMC phenotype. This study is expected to pave the way toward an electroceutical treatment for sarcopenia with minimal side effects and help realize personalized bioelectronic medicine.

Targeting Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress as a Strategy to Treat Aging and Age-Related Diseases

Mitochondria are one of the organelles undergoing rapid alteration during the senescence process. Senescent cells show an increase in mitochondrial size, which is attributed to the accumulation of defective mitochondria, which causes mitochondrial oxidative stress. Defective mitochondria are also targets of mitochondrial oxidative stress, and the vicious cycle between defective mitochondria and mitochondrial oxidative stress contributes to the onset and development of aging and age-related diseases. Based on the findings, strategies to reduce mitochondrial oxidative stress have been suggested for the effective treatment of aging and age-related diseases. In this article, we discuss mitochondrial alterations and the consequent increase in mitochondrial oxidative stress. Then, the causal role of mitochondrial oxidative stress on aging is investigated by examining how aging and age-related diseases are exacerbated by induced stress. Furthermore, we assess the importance of targeting mitochondrial oxidative stress for the regulation of aging and suggest different therapeutic strategies to reduce mitochondrial oxidative stress. Therefore, this review will not only shed light on a new perspective on the role of mitochondrial oxidative stress in aging but also provide effective therapeutic strategies for the treatment of aging and age-related diseases through the regulation of mitochondrial oxidative stress.

Functional restoration of lysosomes and mitochondria through modulation of AKT activity ameliorates senescence

Senescence is a phenomenon defined by alterations in cellular organelles and is the primary cause of aging and aging-related diseases. Recent studies have shown that oncogene-induced senescence is driven by activation of serine/threonine protein kinases (AKT1, AKT2 and AKT3). In this study, we evaluated twelve AKT inhibitors and revealed GDC0068 as a potential agent to ameliorate senescence. Senescence-ameliorating effect was evident from the finding that GDC0068 yielded lysosomal functional recovery as observed by reduction in lysosomal mass and induction in autophagic flux. Furthermore, GDC0068-mediated restoration of lysosomal function activated the removal of dysfunctional mitochondria, resulting in restoration of mitochondrial function. Together, our findings revealed a unique mechanism by which senescence is recovered by functional restoration of lysosomes and mitochondria through modulation of AKT activity.

KAAACI Allergic Rhinitis Guidelines: Part 2. Update in Non-pharmacological Management

Allergic rhinitis is the most common chronic disease worldwide. Various upper airway symptoms lower quality of life, and due to the recurrent symptoms, multiple treatments are usually attempted rather than one definitive treatment. There are alternatives to medical (medication-based) and non-medical treatments. A guideline is needed to understand allergic rhinitis and develop an appropriate treatment plan. We have developed guidelines for medical treatment based on previous reports. The current guidelines herein are associated with the "KAAACI Evidence-Based Guidelines for Allergic Rhinitis in Korea, Part 1: Update in pharmacotherapy" in which we aimed to provide evidence-based recommendations for the medical treatment of allergic rhinitis. Part 2 focuses on non-pharmacological management, including allergen-specific immunotherapy, subcutaneous or sublingual immunotherapy, nasal saline irrigation, environmental management strategies, companion animal management, and nasal turbinate surgery. The evidence to support the treatment efficacy, safety, and selection has been systematically reviewed. However, larger controlled studies are needed to elevate the level of evidence to select rational non-medical therapeutic options for patients with allergic rhinitis.

KAAACI Allergic Rhinitis Guidelines: Part 1. Update in Pharmacotherapy

The prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) and the socioeconomic burden associated with the medical cost and quality of life (QOL) of AR have progressively increased. Therefore, practical guidelines for the appropriate management of AR need to be developed based on scientific evidence while considering the real-world environment, values, and preferences of patients and physicians. The Korean Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology revised clinical guidelines of AR to address key clinical questions of the management of AR. Part 1 of the revised guideline covers the pharmacological management of patients with AR in Korea. Through a meta-analysis and systematic review, we made 4 recommendations for AR pharmacotherapy, including intranasal corticosteroid (INCS)/intranasal antihistamine (INAH) combination therapy, oral antihistamine/INCS combination therapy, leukotriene receptor antagonist treatment in AR patients with asthma, and prophylactic treatment for patients with pollen-induced AR. However, all recommendations are conditional because of the low or very low evidence of certainty. Well-designed and strictly executed randomized controlled trials are needed to measure and report appropriate outcomes.

Identification and evaluation of midbrain specific longevity-related genes in exceptionally long-lived but healthy mice

Brain aging is a complex biological process that is affected by both genetic background and environment. The transcriptomic analysis of aged human and rodent brains has been applied to identify age-associated molecular and cellular processes for which intervention could possibly restore declining brain functions induced by aging. However, whether these age-associated genetic alterations are indeed involved in the healthy aging of the brain remains unclear. We herein characterized a naturally occurring, extremely long-lived (34 months of age) but healthy mouse group retaining well-preserved motor functions. Strikingly, these long-lived mice maintained tyrosine hydroxylase expression and dopaminergic fiber densities, even in the presence of persistent neuroinflammation and expression of aging markers. Combined with Endeavor gene prioritization, we identified the following midbrain-specific longevity-associated genes in the midbrain of these mice: aimp2, hexb, cacybp, akt2, nrf1, axin1, wwp2, sp2, dnajb9, notch, traf7, and lrp1. A detailed biochemical analysis of the midbrain of these long-lived mice confirmed the increased expression of Nrf1 and the activation of Akt1 and 2. Interestingly, dopaminergic neuroprotective and age-associated E3 ubiquitin ligase parkin expression was retained at high levels in the aforementioned midbrains, possibly supporting the suppression of its toxic substrates AIMP2 and PARIS. In contrast, the 24-month-old mice with dopaminergic neurite deficits failed to maintain parkin expression in the midbrain. AIMP2-induced cytotoxicity, mitochondrial stress, and neurite toxicity can be prevented by overexpression of parkin, Akt1, and Nrf1 in SH-SY5Y and PC12 cells, and basal expression of parkin, Akt1, and Nrf1 is required for maintenance of mitochondrial function and neurite integrity in PC12 cells. Taken together, this longevity-associated pathway could be a potential target of intervention to maintain nigrostriatal dopaminergic fibers and motor ability to ensure healthy longevity.

The Role of Oxidative Inactivation of Phosphatase PTEN and TCPTP in Fatty Liver Disease

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide. Despite the different etiologies, their spectra and histological feature are similar, from simple steatosis to more advanced stages such as steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Studies including peroxiredoxin knockout models revealed that oxidative stress is crucial in these diseases, which present as consequences of redox imbalance. Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are a superfamily of enzymes that are major targets of reactive oxygen species (ROS) because of an oxidation-susceptible nucleophilic cysteine in their active site. Herein, we review the oxidative inactivation of two tumor suppressor PTPs, phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) and T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (TCPTP), and their contribution to the pathogenicity of ALD and NAFLD, respectively. This review might provide a better understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of these diseases and help develop new therapeutic strategies to treat fatty liver disease.

Long-term Outcomes of Turbinate Surgery in Patients With Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Importance

Turbinate surgery is an effective treatment for allergic rhinitis (AR) refractory to medical treatment. However, the long-term outcomes of turbinate surgery are still unclear and have not yet been confirmed by a meta-analysis and systematic review of the literature.

Objective

To investigate the long-term outcomes and safety of turbinate surgery in AR by performing a meta-analysis.

Data Sources

MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched through April 2021.

Study Selection

Studies that analyzed turbinate surgery alone, had a follow-up period of more than 1 year, examined long-term efficacy of turbinate surgery, used current turbinate surgery methods, and were published in a peer-reviewed journal were included. Full-text reviews were performed by 2 independent reviewers. Conflicts were resolved by a third reviewer.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Descriptive and quantitative data were extracted; weighted mean difference (WMD) was synthesized under a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Q statistic and the I2 metric. This study was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The long-term outcomes of turbinate surgery on subjective nasal symptoms and objective parameters.

Results

Of the 3962 citations retrieved, 18 studies comprising 1411 patients were included. Findings showed significantly decreased symptom scores in nasal obstruction (WMD, 4.60, 95% CI, 3.43-5.76), rhinorrhea (WMD, 3.12; 95% CI, 1.97-4.28), sneezing (WMD, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.74-3.54), itching (WMD, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.20-2.30), and nasal resistance (WMD, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.08-0.24) and a significant increased total nasal volume (WMD, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.73-1.19). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of any complication. More than 1 year after surgery, the improvements in nasal obstruction (WMD, 5.18; 95% CI, 3.00-7.37), rhinorrhea (WMD, 3.57; 95% CI, 1.78-5.37), and sneezing (WMD, 2.95; 95% CI, 1.58-4.32) were maintained.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, turbinate surgery was associated with positive outcomes in AR and maintained the association during long-term follow-up. The rate of complications is also low. These findings can guide the preoperative counseling of patients with AR being considered for turbinate surgery.

Co-inhibition of ATM and ROCK synergistically improves cell proliferation in replicative senescence by activating FOXM1 and E2F1

The multifaceted nature of senescent cell cycle arrest necessitates the targeting of multiple factors arresting or promoting the cell cycle. We report that co-inhibition of ATM and ROCK by KU-60019 and Y-27632, respectively, synergistically increases the proliferation of human diploid fibroblasts undergoing replicative senescence through activation of the transcription factors E2F1 and FOXM1. Time-course transcriptome analysis identified FOXM1 and E2F1 as crucial factors promoting proliferation. Co-inhibition of the kinases ATM and ROCK first promotes the G2/M transition via FOXM1 activation, leading to accumulation of cells undergoing the G1/S transition via E2F1 activation. The combination of both inhibitors increased this effect more significantly than either inhibitor alone, suggesting synergism. Our results demonstrate a FOXM1- and E2F1-mediated molecular pathway enhancing cell cycle progression in cells with proliferative potential under replicative senescence conditions, and treatment with the inhibitors can be tested for senomorphic effect in vivo.

Inhibitors to ATM and ROCK kinases increases the proliferation via transcriptional changes in human diploid fibroblasts undergoing replicative senescence in a synergistic manner

Piperine: An Anticancer and Senostatic Drug

BACKGROUND

Cancer is a representative geriatric disease closely related to senescent cells and cell aging in tissues. Senescent cells that surround cancer tissues reduce the effects of various cancer treatments and induce cancer recurrence through senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) secretion. Thus, for good therapeutic effect, candidate drugs should be selective for both cancer and senescent cells. In this study, we investigated the selective effect of piperine as a potential senostatic agent as well as an anticancer drug.

METHODS

The effect of piperine on cytotoxicity and cell proliferation was tested by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) or water-soluble tetrazolium salt (WST) assay. The levels of p16INK4a and p21, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were analyzed by Western blot analysis. The rejuvenation effects of piperine on the senescent cells were investigated by senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) stain, mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) secretion after treatment with piperine in senescent cells.

RESULTS

While piperine induced high cytotoxicity in various cancer cell lines, it led to proliferating of premature senescent cells similar with nicotinamide (NA), which is known as a rejuvenating drug of senescent cells. Piperine differently affected cancer cells and premature senescent cells due to the different responses of intracellular signaling pathways and also reversed premature senescence phenotypes and modulated SASP secretion in premature senescent cells.

CONCLUSIONS

From these results, we propose piperine as an effective cancer treatment that can simultaneously induce senostatic effects and the removal of cancer cells, not as an adjuvant to the existing senostatics for cancer treatment.

Targeting Mitochondrial Metabolism as a Strategy to Treat Senescence

Mitochondria are one of organelles that undergo significant changes associated with senescence. An increase in mitochondrial size is observed in senescent cells, and this increase is ascribed to the accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria that generate excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS). Such dysfunctional mitochondria are prime targets for ROS-induced damage, which leads to the deterioration of oxidative phosphorylation and increased dependence on glycolysis as an energy source. Based on findings indicating that senescent cells exhibit mitochondrial metabolic alterations, a strategy to induce mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming has been proposed to treat aging and age-related diseases. In this review, we discuss senescence-related mitochondrial changes and consequent mitochondrial metabolic alterations. We assess the significance of mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming for senescence regulation and propose the appropriate control of mitochondrial metabolism to ameliorate senescence. Learning how to regulate mitochondrial metabolism will provide knowledge for the control of aging and age-related pathologies. Further research focusing on mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming will be an important guide for the development of anti-aging therapies, and will provide novel strategies for anti-aging interventions.

Effectiveness of cross-linked human acellular dermal matrix in primary and revision augmentation rhinoplasty

BACKGROUND

Among the materials used for dorsal augmentation rhinoplasty (DAR), cross-linked human acellular dermal matrix (ADM) has been claimed for its low risk of infection and extrusion. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of ADM in subjects undergoing primary versus revision dorsal augmentation rhinoplasties.

METHODS

Using a retrospective cohort study design, the investigators enrolled a cohort set of DAR patients operated by a single surgeon during a 65-month interval. The predictor variable was the treatment group (primary or revision DAR). The main outcome variables were postoperative changes with regard to the degree of augmentation (ratio of the dorsal height [DH] and radix height [RH] to the nasal length) and patients' and surgeons' satisfaction with the aesthetic and functional results. Other study variables were grouped into the following categories: demographic, surgical, and pathological. Descriptive, uni-, and bivariate statistics were computed using P ≤ 0.05 as a cutoff value.

RESULTS

The study cohort comprised 145 subjects (75.2% with primary DAR; 39.3% females) with a mean age of 30.7 ± 9.4 years (range, 19-58). DAR was linked to the significant changes in DH and RH in both the treatment groups. Comparison of the two groups revealed that there was no significant difference in DH and RH between both the groups. Surgeons' and patients' satisfaction rates were comparable between the two surgery groups, neither of which experienced serious complications. Microscopic findings of the removed ADM showed abundant collagen tissue with newly formed vessels without signs of foreign body reaction.

CONCLUSION

Despite significant differences in patient characteristics (age; number of osteotomy, tip plasty, and hump reduction surgeries), the results of this study suggest that ADM can be used in both primary and revision DAR, with minimal complications.

Exacerbation of Mycobacterium avium pulmonary infection by comorbid allergic asthma is associated with diminished mycobacterium-specific Th17 responses

Accumulating evidence suggests that two chronic respiratory diseases, nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM)-pulmonary disease (PD) and allergic asthma, are frequently present together and that they likely influence the disease development and progression of each other. However, their precise interactions regarding the pathogenesis of comorbid diseases versus that of individual diseases are not well understood. In this study, comorbid diseases (i.e., Mycobacteria avium (Mav) pulmonary infection (PI) (Mav-PI) and ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma) were established in mice in different orders and at different time periods. Individual disease-specific characteristics, including alterations in immune cell populations and antigen-specific immune responses, were analyzed and compared. To assess Mav-PI pathogenesis, lung inflammation and bacterial burden levels were also determined. Allergic asthma induction in the presence of Mav-PI markedly aggravated Mav-PI pathogenesis by increasing the bacterial burden and the severity of lung inflammation. Interestingly, the general outcome of allergic asthma with goblet cell hyperplasia was alleviated at a chronic stage in the comorbid mouse model. Overall, the increase in the number of Mav CFUs was inversely correlated with the Mav-specific Th17 response, as confirmed by comparing BALB/c and C57BL/6J mice. Overall, the pathogenesis of existing Mav-PI is more severely affected by allergen exposure than vice versa. This Mav-PI exacerbation is associated with disruption of Mav-specific Th17 responses. This study provides the first evidence that the Mav-specific Th17 response plays an important role in the control of Mav pathogenesis in the presence of allergic asthma, indicating that targeting the Th17 response has therapeutic potential for NTM-PD accompanied by allergic asthma.

Microbiome of Unilateral Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Controlled Paired Analysis

The sinonasal microbiota in human upper airway may play an important role in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Thus, this study aimed to investigate the human upper airway microbiome in patients with unilateral CRS, and compare the sinonasal microbiome of the unilateral diseased site with that of a contralateral healthy site. Thirty samples, 15 each from the diseased and healthy sites, were collected from the middle meatus and/or anterior ethmoid region of 15 patients with unilateral CRS during endoscopic sinus surgery. DNA extraction and bacterial microbiome analysis via 16S rRNA gene sequencing were then performed. Corynebacterium showed the highest relative abundance, followed by Staphylococcus in samples from both the diseased and healthy sites. Further, the relative abundances of Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas were significantly lower in samples from diseased sites than in those from healthy sites. Conversely, anaerobes, including Fusobacterium, Bacteroides, and Propionibacterium, were abundantly present in samples from both sites, more so in samples from diseased sites. However, the sites showed no significant difference with respect to richness or diversity (p > 0.05). Our results indicate that CRS might be a polymicrobial infection, and also suggest that Corynebacterium and Staphylococcus may exist as commensals on the sinus mucosal surface in the upper respiratory tract.

Disruption of nucleocytoplasmic trafficking as a cellular senescence driver

Senescent cells exhibit a reduced response to intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli. This diminished reaction may be explained by the disrupted transmission of nuclear signals. However, this hypothesis requires more evidence before it can be accepted as a mechanism of cellular senescence. A proteomic analysis of the cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions obtained from young and senescent cells revealed disruption of nucleocytoplasmic trafficking (NCT) as an essential feature of replicative senescence (RS) at the global level. Blocking NCT either chemically or genetically induced the acquisition of an RS-like senescence phenotype, named nuclear barrier-induced senescence (NBIS). A transcriptome analysis revealed that, among various types of cellular senescence, NBIS exhibited a gene expression pattern most similar to that of RS. Core proteomic and transcriptomic patterns common to both RS and NBIS included upregulation of the endocytosis-lysosome network and downregulation of NCT in senescent cells, patterns also observed in an aging yeast model. These results imply coordinated aging-dependent reduction in the transmission of extrinsic signals to the nucleus and in the nucleus-to-cytoplasm supply of proteins/RNAs. We further showed that the aging-associated decrease in Sp1 transcription factor expression was critical for the downregulation of NCT. Our results suggest that NBIS is a modality of cellular senescence that may represent the nature of physiological aging in eukaryotes.