The effect of early radiofrequency turbinate reduction, intranasal steroid, and antihistamine H-1 on persistent allergic rhinitis: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effect of radiofrequency turbinate reduction as an initial treatment on clinical improvement, inflammatory mediators, and remodeling process. Methods: Between July 2018- February 2020, 32 patients with moderate-severe persistent AR were randomly divided into 2 groups. Intervention group received radiofrequency turbinate reduction followed by intranasal steroid and Antihistamine H-1 (AH-1), control group received intranasal steroid and AH-1. Both groups were evaluated for clinical improvement (using visual analogue scale based on total nasal symptoms score, peak nasal inspiratory flow, and turbinate size using imageJ) after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Inflammatory mediators (ELISA from nasal secretions was performed to measure ECP, IL-5, and HSP-70) and remodeling markers (nasal biopsy followed by immunohistochemistry examination was performed to evaluate MMP-9, TIMP-1, and PAI-1) were evaluated in week 4. Results: Three patients dropped out of the study, resulting in 16 patients in intervention group and 13 patients in control group. At week 4, clinical response improved significantly in the intervention group compared to control group (Chi-Square test, p<0.05). Compared to control, intervention group experienced a reduction of IL-5 and no significant change in ECP level (Mann Whitney test, p>0.05). Reduction in the ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 were significantly higher in intervention group (unpaired t-test, p< 0,05). Meanwhile, increase in HSP-70 in the intervention group was slightly lower than in control group, but the difference with control group was not significant (Mann Whitney test, p>0.05). Conclusion: Early radiofrequency turbinate reduction followed by pharmacotherapy given to persistent moderate-severe AR patients give more improvement only in early clinical symptoms and reduce MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio, thus it might be suggested as one of the adjuvant therapies for the management of moderate-severe persistent AR. However, further investigation with a larger sample size and longer follow-up period is needed. Level of evidence: 1B.

Prognostic factors of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in brain injury patients at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital Jakarta.

Background: This study aims to determine the association between neuroinflammation and oxidative stress with prognosis of brain injury patients and the association between neurosurgical procedure with neuroinflammation and oxidative stress condititons. Methods: The study design is a prospective observation of 40 brain injury patients who underwent surgery. IL-6, uric acid, MDA, NR2A antibodies and GSH serum level of pre- and 1 day post-operation on brain injury patients were measured, and their association with GCS, GOS and neurosurgical procedures were analyzed. Results: The post-operative IL-6 serum level showed a downward trend compared to pre-operative value (mean decrease: -190.61 pg/mL). The post-operative IL-6 level was significantly associated with GCS 7 days post-operation (p = 0.006), with OR 24. The post-operative IL-6 serum level was significantly associated with GOS 3 months post-trauma (p = 0.016) with OR 11.6. The post-operative uric acid serum level showed a downward trend compared to pre-operative value (mean decrease: -0.26 mg/dL). There was a significant difference between the mean value of post-operative uric acid serum level in patients with 7 days post-trauma with GCS ≤ 8 (mean: 4.16 mg/dL) and GCS > 8 (mean: 2.71 mg/dL), (p = 0.042). The post-operative MDA serum level showed a downward trend compared to pre-operative value (mean decrease: -0.08 nmol/mL). There is no significant association between MDA serum level, GCS and GOS and no significant association of NR2A antibody and GSH serum level with GCS, GOS and neurosurgical procedure. From the multivariate analysis, the most important neuroinflammatory variable associated with GCS and GOS is IL-6. Conclusion: Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress may have prognostic values in brain-injured patients, in particular IL-6. Neurosurgical procedures may decrease the neuroinflammation process

Demographic characteristics, risk factors and immunocytochemistry of p16INK4a, Ki-67, MCM5, and survivin as predictors for the progress of cervical precancer lesion.

Aim To identify the predictive factors and biomarkers in the progression of cervical precancer lesion or Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN). Methods The study was conducted from August 2007 to September 2008. Design of the study was case-control with stratifications of test dose response. The cases were patients with CIN. Control patients were non CIN patients. Bivariate analysis followed by multivariate analysis was conducted. Results There were 130 patients, consisting of 124 CIN patients divided into CIN 1, CIN 2 and CIN 3, with the following numbers of patients: 30, 41, and 33, respectively and 26 patients without CIN (non CIN). Bivariate analysis showed that age < 41 years, education ≥ 13 years, sexual partner ≥ 2, first sexual relationship at age < 22 years, smoking, the presence of sexuallly transmitted infections, positive HPV DNA, high p16INK4a, Ki-67, MCM5 and Survivin expression constituted independent variables for the occurrence of CIN with P value of < 0.05. However, on multivariate analysis, independent variables that emerged were age, education ≥ 13 years, sexual partner ≥ 2 persons, positive HPV DNA, and over expression of p16INK4a, Ki-67 and Survivin that showed a P value of < 0.005. Conclusion Younger ages, education age ≥ 13 years, sexual partner ≥ 2 persons, positive HPV DNA, high p16INK4a, Ki-67 and Survivin expression constituted the risk factors for the occurrence of the progress of CIN, and was used in the equation to predict the progress of cervical precancer lesion.