When a ribosome complex is stalled during the translation elongation process in eukaryotes, the mono-ubiquitination of Rps3 has recently been shown to be critical to ribosome quality control. We have discovered that the regulatory role of Rps3 mono-ubiquitination is controlled by a deubiquitinase. We also showed that an autophagic signal appears to be coupled to the mono-ubiquitination of Rps3p through the entrance of Ubp3p into the autophagosome in yeasts. The mono-ubiquitination of the Rps3 protein is tightly modulated by reciprocal action between the Hel2p E3 ligase and the Ubp3p deubiquitinase in yeasts and the reciprocal action between the RNF123 E3 ligase and the USP10 deubiquitinase in mammalian cells. We also found that the Ubp3p/USP10 deubiquitinases critically modulate Hel2p/RNF123-mediated Rps3p mono-ubiquitination. In addition, we found that Hel2p/RNF123 and Ubp3p/USP10 appeared to be differently localized in the ribosome complex after ultraviolet irradiation. Together, our results support a model in which coordinated ubiquitination and deubiquitination activities can finely balance the level of regulatory Rps3p mono-ubiquitination in ribosome-associated quality control and autophagy processes.
Autophagy ; Eukaryota ; Quality Control* ; Ribosomes ; Ubiquitin ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases* ; Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases ; Ubiquitination ; Yeasts

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of once-daily ciclesonide in comparison to both levocetirizine alone, and a ciclesonide/levocetirizine combination in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) and perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR). METHODS: Subjects exhibiting moderate to severe allergic rhinitis for longer than 1 year were randomized in an open-label, 3-arm, parallel group, multicenter study. Subjects received 200 microg ciclesonide, 5 mg levocetirizine, or a combination of both. Changes from baseline until the end-of-study visit (2 weeks following) were evaluated by reflective total nasal symptom scores (rTNSSs), reflective total ocular symptom scores (rTOSSs), physician-assessed overall nasal signs and symptoms severity (PANS), and rhinoconjunctivitis quality-of-life questionnaires (RQLQ). RESULTS: Significant improvements in rTNSS, PANS, and RQLQ in the ciclesonide monotherapy group were observed in comparison to the levocetirizine alone group. Three individual symptoms of rTNSS, including runny nose, nasal itching, and congestion, were improved in the ciclesonide-treated group. rTOSS scores for ciclesonide monotherapy improved from baseline, but no superiority over levocetirizine was shown. The absolute score and changes in rTNSS and PANS were positively correlated. Ciclesonide spray was more effective than levocetirizine in reducing nasal symptoms in both SAR and PAR patients. Ciclesonide and levocetrizine were well tolerated alone and in combination. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide support for an AR and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) recommendation stipulating that ciclesonide is superior to levocetirizine for the treatment of AR, with tolerable safety. Addition of levocetirizine to ciclesonide did not give further clinical benefit over monotherapy.
Asthma ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Humans ; Nose ; Pruritus ; Rhinitis* ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Pleomorphic adenomas are the most common benign salivary gland neoplasms. However, they are rarely present in the minor salivary glands, neck, ear, mediastinum, external nose and nasal cavity. This case report describes a rare and unusual lesion found in a 48-year-old man, who, diagnosed as pleomorphic adenoma of the minor salivary glands in the inferior nasal turbinate, was treated with endoscopic removal.
Adenoma, Pleomorphic ; Ear ; Mediastinum ; Nasal Cavity ; Neck ; Nose ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms ; Salivary Glands, Minor ; Turbinates

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Prostasin is a protease that activates epithelial sodium channels (ENaC), which mediate Na+ absorption across epithelial surfaces. Human nasal polyps absorb more ENaC-mediated Na+ than normal mucosa. We investigated the expression and distribution of prostasin in normal mucosa and nasal polyp. STUDY DESIGN: This was a controlled, prospective study. METHODS: The distribution patterns and levels of expression of prostasin in normal sinus mucosa and nasal polyps were evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunohistochemical staining and western blotting. RESULTS: Real-time PCR revealed that the mRNA expression of prostasin was higher in nasal polyps than in normal sinus mucosa. The expression of prostasin was faint in immunohistochemical staining of superficial epithelial cells and submucosal glandular epithelial cells of normal sinus mucosa, but was intense in superficial epithelial cells and submucosal glandular epithelial cells in nasal polyps. Inflammatory cells infiltrating into the nasal mucosa also showed prostasin immunoreactivity in nasal polyps. Western blot analysis with prostasin antiserum detected prostasin protein in normal sinus mucosa and nasal polyps. The expression levels of prostasin were increased in nasal polyps compared with normal sinus mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: The levels of expression of prostasin were upregulated in nasal polyps compared to normal sinus mucosa, suggesting a role in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps. However, the exact pathophysiologic function of prostasin in nasal epithelium warrants further investigation.
Absorption ; Blotting, Western ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelial Sodium Channels ; Humans ; Mucous Membrane ; Nasal Mucosa ; Nasal Polyps ; Prospective Studies ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; Serine Endopeptidases ; Up-Regulation

BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural effusion is a common condition in neoplastic patients and palliative therapy is the usual treatment. Talc has been generally accepted to be the most effective sclerosant for chemical pleurodesis, but the optimal route of administration remains controversy. We compared the results of video-assisted thoracoscopic talc poudrage (VTP) with administering a bedside talc slurry through a chest tube (BTS) for the treatment of malignant pleural effusion. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From December 2004 to May 2006, 20 patients with malignant pleural effusion underwent chemical pleurodesis via VTP (group A, n=10), and BTS (group B, n=10). RESULT:The durations of chest tube placement after the procedure were 7.0+/-4.0 days (group A) and 6.7+/-3.6 days (group B). The hospital stays were 24.3+/-9.4 days (group A) and 30.7+/-21.5 days (group B), respectively. The symptoms of dyspnea were much more improved in group A (p-value=0.014) after discharge (mean f/u group A=8.5+/-2.2 months, group B 8.0+/-7.4 months). The collapsed portions of lung were better expanded in group A than in group B (p-value= 0.011). CONCLUSION: We recommend VTP for the selected patients with malignant pleural effusion because of the advantages of dissecting the fibrous peel to relieve the atelectasis and dyspnea, and excising the pleura for diagnosis with direct viewing of the lesion.
Chest Tubes ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Lung ; Palliative Care ; Pleura ; Pleural Effusion ; Pleural Effusion, Malignant* ; Pleurodesis ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Talc* ; Thoracoscopy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The presence of leukocytosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been reported to be related to the extent of MI and with the prognosis. However, whether the leukocytosis itself is a cause or result of the myocardial injury has not been determined. The relationship between the leukocyte count and the extent of myocardial injury was investigated in patients with AMI that had undergone reperfusion therapy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients with AMI that had undergone thrombolysis (n=60) or primary PCI (n=36) were included. The initial leukocyte counts were analyzed with regard to the peak and initial CK-MB levels. The relationship between leukocytosis and the time elapsed from the onset of symptoms, infarct related coronary arteries and the proximity of the lesions were also investigated. RESULTS: In both groups, the initial leukocyte count did not show a significant relationship with the initial CK-MB level or the time elapsed from symptoms onset, which could be an indication of the extent of early myocardial injury. Furthermore, no significant relationship was shown with the infarct related coronary artery or proximity of the lesion. However, a relationship was shown with the maximum CK-MB level, which could be an indication of the extent of myocardial injury following reperfusion therapy in both groups (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the initial leukocyte count in patients with AMI might is an important prognostic factor that determines the extent of myocardial injury following reperfusion therapy, rather than being a simple indicator of the extent of early myocardial injury.
Coronary Vessels ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count* ; Leukocytes* ; Leukocytosis ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Myocardial Reperfusion ; Prognosis ; Reperfusion*

The obstructive sleep apnea syndrome can occur due to various etiologies in children. In otherwise healthy children, adenotonsillar hypertrophy is the leading cause of childhood obstuctive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea caused by adenotonsillar hypertrophy can lead to a variety of symptoms and sequelae such as behavioral disturbance, enuresis, failure to thrive, developmental delay, cor pulmonale, and hypertension. So if obstructive sleep apnea is clinically suspected, proper treatment should be administered to the patient after diagnostic examinations. More than 80% improvement is seen in symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea caused by adenotonsillar hypertrophy in children after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. However, when it is impossible to treat the patient using surgical methods or residual symptoms remained after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, additional treatments such as weight control, sleep position change, and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), should be considered. This paper reports a case using weight control and Auto-PAP to control mild sleep apnea and snoring, which in long-term follow-up were not resolved after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for severe obstructive sleep apnea.
Adenoidectomy ; Adenoids ; Child ; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ; Enuresis ; Failure to Thrive ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertrophy ; Palatine Tonsil ; Pulmonary Heart Disease ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* ; Snoring ; Tonsillectomy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was done to evaluate the safety of Gore-Tex as a nasal implant. Materials and METHOD: A retrospective multicenter study was carried out on 15 surgeons from 11 general hospitals and 4 private practice clinics regarding the safety of the Gore-Tex as a nasal implant. The study involved 853 patients, of whom 656 received primary surgery and 197 revision surgery. Gore-Tex was mainly used as a dorsal implant in a form of sheet or as a reinforced nasal implant. RESULTS: The overall complication rate associated with Gore-Tex was 2.5% (21 cases). Infection was the most common complication (18 cases ; 2.1%) followed by 2 cases of seroma and 1 case of persistent nasal swelling. In 19 out of 21 complication cases, the graft needed removal to control the infection or seroma (91% removal rate). Nine cases of infection developed in both primary cases (1.37%) and in revision cases (4.57%), which suggests a higher association rate between infection and revision cases (p=0.0062). Infection developed within 1 month in 5 cases while 9 cases developed infection after 6 months of operation. Other complications such as aesthetic problems (malpositioning of the implant or dorsal irregularities) were found in 15 cases (1.8%) and hematoma in 1 case. CONCLUSION: The infection rate of Gore-Tex used in rhinoplasty was about 2% and it rose significantly in the revision cases. If infected, almost all of the implanted Gore-Tex needs removal; therefore, we suggest judicious use of Gore-Tex in rhinoplasty.
Hematoma ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Polytetrafluoroethylene* ; Private Practice ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhinoplasty* ; Seroma ; Transplants

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Electrolyte transport by nasal epithelia has been suggested to be important for controlling the quantity and composition of the nasal fluid and may play an important role in the development of nasal polyps. One of various mechanisms involving translocation of Na+ and Cl- across cell membranes includes electroneutral processes, such as Na+/H+ exchange (NHE) and Cl-/HCO3- exchange (AE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study evaluated the presence of mRNAs for various members of the human NHE and AE gene families in human inferior turbinate mucosa and nasal polyp using RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. RESULTS: The mRNA for NHE1 was detected in human turbinate mucosa and nasal polyp while the mRNAs for NHE2 and NHE3 could not be detected in all samples examined. Of the AE isoforms, AE2 mRNA was expressed in inferior turbinate mucosa but not in nasal polyp. In situ hybridization revealed that NHE1 mRNA in the turbinate mucosa and nasal polyp was localized in the epithelial layer and submucosal glands. AE2 mRNA was also expressed in the epithelial layer and in the submucosal glands of inferior turbinate mucosa. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the expression of AE2 mRNA is altered in nasal polyp, compared with inferior turbinate mucosa, suggesting that the altered expression of these genes in nasal polyp may cause impaired electrolyte and water transport across the epithelial cells.
Cell Membrane ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans* ; In Situ Hybridization ; Mucous Membrane ; Nasal Mucosa* ; Nasal Polyps ; Protein Isoforms* ; RNA, Messenger* ; Turbinates

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Electrolyte transport by nasal epithelia has been suggested to be important for controlling the quantity and composition of the nasal fluid and may play an important role in the development of nasal polyps. Transepithelial transport of ion and water in various fluid-transporting epithelia is strictly dependent on the localization of specific membrane proteins in the polarized epithelial cells. Na+ : HCO3-cotransporter (NBC) transports Na+ and HCO3- into the intracellular from extracellular space and induces the evacuation of H+, regulating pH. K+ : Cl- cotransporter (KCC) controls the cell volume and resorption of NaCl which is associated with the extracellular transport of K+ and Cl-. The present study evaluated the presense of mRNA for NBC and KCC in human inferior turbinate and nasal polyp. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The expression of NBC and KCC mRNA isoforms in inferior turbinate mucosa and nasal polyp was evaluated, using RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. RESULTS: RT-PCR revealed that the inferior turbinate and nasal polyp mucosa expressed kNBC, KCC1 and 4 mRNA. In in situ hybridization, their distribution was noted in the epithelial layer and submucosal glands of both mucosa. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that these types of ion transporters are expressed in human nasal mucosa and nasal polyp, controlling the fluid and ion transport in nasal epithelium and submucosal glands.
Cell Size ; Epithelial Cells ; Extracellular Space ; Humans* ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; In Situ Hybridization ; Ion Transport ; Membrane Proteins ; Mucous Membrane ; Nasal Mucosa* ; Nasal Polyps* ; RNA Isoforms ; RNA, Messenger* ; Turbinates ; Water