Expression and clinical significance of PLUNC protein in nasal polyp and chronic sinusitis tissue.

We conducted a study to validate the expression of PLUNC (palate, lung, and nasal epithelial clone) protein in nasal polyp and chronic sinusitis tissue by immunohistochemistry. We also explored the relationship between the intensity of positive immunohistochemical staining for PLUNC protein and postoperative therapeutic efficacy. Our study population consisted of 34 patients with nasal polyps and 30 with chronic sinusitis who had undergone surgical treatment, along with 18 healthy controls who did not undergo surgery. All samples were stained according to the streptavidin-peroxidase immunohistochemical method to examine PLUNC protein expression. The surgical patients were evaluated for clinical therapeutic efficacy 6 months postoperatively. The association between efficacy and the intensity of PLUNC protein positivity was examined by the Spearman rank correlation analysis. Intensity was rated as either +++(>50% positive cells), ++ (26 to 50% positive cells),+ (≤25% positive cells), or -(no positive cells). We found that the most common levels of PLUNC positivity were + in the patients with nasal polyps, +++ in the patients with chronic sinusitis, and ++ in the controls (p< 0.01). Analysis of the Spearman rank correlation indicated that the intensity of PLUNC protein expression was significantly correlated with postoperative therapeutic efficacy (p< 0.001). We conclude that PLUNC protein is an essential factor in the innate defense mechanism of the nasal mucosa. The immunohistochemical staining of PLUNC protein could have clinical benefit in terms of predicting therapeutic efficacy and outcomes in patients with nasal polyps or chronic sinusitis.

Heterotopic gastric mucosa in the upper and middle esophagus: 126 cases of gastroscope and clinical characteristics.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In this retrospective study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of heterotopic gastric mucosa (HGM) in the upper and middle esophagus, to identify its macroscopic characteristics and evaluate clinical features. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and twenty-six patients (82 males, 44 females; mean age 43.08 ± 12.84 years, range 15-81) with HGM in the upper and middle esophagus diagnosed by gastroscopy and biopsies were admitted to this retrospective study. Disease histories of all patients were carefully inquired, especially the associated complaints including discomfort of throat, heartburn or dysphagia, etc. RESULTS: The prevalence was 0.21%. Patch size ranged between 5-20mm, mean diameter was 7.5 ± 3.7mm; 80 cases appeared as a single patch; 96.83% had the patch in the upper esophagus. Male gender was predominant (male:female ratio, 1.86), but age was not significant. The mean distance from the incisors to the patch was 18.83 ± 2.23cm and 17.20 ± 2.48cm in the male and the female respectively, with a significant difference (t=3.749, p<0.001). In 39 of 126 patients (26 male, 13 female), the esophageal and laryngopharyngeal symptoms were remarkable. Twelve were associated with other diseases of the esophagus. There were no correlations to esophageal symptom, gender, age, location, quantity or diameter. Among the 126 cases, 29 patients were associated with other esophageal diseases. CONCLUSIONS: HGM patches in the esophagus should not be overlooked during endoscopy because they may lead to esophageal symptoms and even important complications in relation to their acid secretions.

[Determination of differentially expressed proteins and it's significance among chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps and normal nasal mucosa].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differentially expressed proteins among chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps and normal nasal mucosa by means of proteomic technology, and select the candidate biomarkers of chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps. METHODS: Proteins extracted from chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps and normal nasal mucosa were separated and the differentially expressed proteins were identified by series of proteomic tools, including immobilized pH4-7 gradient two-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, modified coomassie brilliant blue staining, images scanning by the Image Scanner apparatus, PDQuest analysis software, peptide mass fingerprinting based on matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) by in-gel digestion extract, and Mascot searching in NCBInr and SWISS-PROT databases. RESULTS: The 2-DE patterns with high resolution and reproducibility were obtained. The protein spots separated and visualized in chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps and normal nasal mucosa gel were 1020 +/- 40, 1112 +/- 10 and 1008 +/- 25, respectively. And the match rates were (93 +/- 2)%, (95 +/- 1)% [see text] (90 +/- 3)% respectively. Thirteen differentially expressed spots were found from chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps and normal nasal mucosa gel. We selected and recommend Keratin 8 and APOA1 proteins as candidate biomarkers of nasal polyps, and PLUNC protein, PACAP protein, NKEF-B and SOD as candidate biomarkers of chronic sinusitis. CONCLUSIONS: The differentially expressed proteins among chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps and normal nasal mucosa can be efficiently and relatively reliably identified via the techniques of proteomics. These techniques will play a very important role in the researches for new objective indicators possibly employed in the future classifying, staging and prognosis.