Nitric Oxide and Biological Mediators in Pediatric Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Asthma

A Comprehensive Review of Biomarker Sensors for a Breathalyzer Platform

Detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is increasingly recognized as a pivotal tool in non-invasive disease diagnostics. VOCs are metabolic byproducts, mostly found in human breath, urine, feces, and sweat, whose profiles may shift significantly due to pathological conditions. This paper presents a thorough review of the latest advancements in sensor technologies for VOC detection, with a focus on their healthcare applications. It begins by introducing VOC detection principles, followed by a review of the rapidly evolving technologies in this area. Special emphasis is given to functionalized molecularly imprinted polymer-based biochemical sensors for detecting breath biomarkers, owing to their exceptional selectivity. The discussion examines SWaP-C considerations alongside the respective advantages and disadvantages of VOC sensing technologies. The paper also tackles the principal challenges facing the field and concludes by outlining the current status and proposing directions for future research.

Nasal Nitric Oxide in Children: A Review of Current Outreach in Pediatric Respiratory Medicine

Nasal nitric oxide (nNO) is a gas synthesized by the inducible and constitutive NO synthase (NOS) enzyme in the airway cells of the nasal mucosa. Like lung nitric oxide, it is thought to be associated with airway inflammation in various respiratory diseases in children. The aim of our review was to investigate the current state of use of nNO measurement in children. A comprehensive search was conducted using the Web of Science and PubMed databases specifically targeting publications in the English language, with the following keywords: nasal NO, children, allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, acute rhinosinusitis, primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), and cystic fibrosis (CF). We describe the use of nNO in pediatric allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, acute rhinosinusitis, PCD, and CF based on the latest literature. nNO is a noninvasive, clinically applicable test for use in pediatric allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, acute rhinosinusitis, PCD, and CF. It can be used as a complementary method in the diagnosis of these respiratory diseases and as a monitoring method for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and acute and chronic rhinosinusitis.

Nasal Nitric Oxide as a Biomarker in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Sinonasal Inflammatory Diseases: A Review of the Literature

OBJECTIVE

To critically review the literature on nasal nitric oxide (nNO) and its current clinical and research applicability in the diagnosis and treatment of different sinonasal inflammatory diseases, including acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS), allergic rhinitis (AR), and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

METHODS

A search of the PubMed database was conducted to include articles on nNO and sinonasal diseases from January 2003 to January 2020. All article titles and abstracts were reviewed to assess their relevance to nNO and ABRS, AR, or CRS. After selection of the manuscripts, full-text reviews were performed to synthesize current understandings of nNO and its applications to the various sinonasal inflammatory diseases.

RESULTS

A total of 79 relevant studies from an initial 559 articles were identified using our focused search and review criteria. nNO has been consistently shown to be decreased in ABRS and CRS, especially in cases with nasal polyps. While AR is associated with elevations in nNO, nNO levels have also been found to be lower in AR cases with higher symptom severity. The obstruction of the paranasal sinuses is speculated to be an important variable in the relationship between nNO and the sinonasal diseases. Treatment of these diseases appears to affect nNO through the reduction of inflammatory disease burden and also mitigation of sinus obstruction.

CONCLUSION

nNO has been of increasing interest to researchers and clinicians over the last decade. The most compelling data for nNO as a clinical tool involve CRS. nNO can be used as a marker of ostiomeatal complex patency. Variations in measurement techniques and technology continue to impede standardized interpretation and implementation of nNO as a biomarker for sinonasal inflammatory diseases.

Application of fractional exhaled nitric oxide and nasal nitric oxide in control evaluation of bronchial asthma and diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in children

OBJECTIVES

To study the association of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and nasal nitric oxide (nNO) with asthma control and their value in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in children.

METHODS

A total of 186 children aged 5-12 years, who attended the outpatient service of the Department of Respiration, Shanghai Children's Hospital due to bronchial asthma and/or allergic rhinitis or who underwent physical examination, were enrolled as subjects, with 52 children in the asthma group, 60 children in the asthma+allergic rhinitis group, 36 children in the allergic rhinitis group, and 38 children in the control group. FeNO, nNO, and pulmonary function were compared between groups.

RESULTS

The asthma+allergic rhinitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis groups had a significantly higher level of FeNO than the control group (P<0.05). The asthma+allergic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis groups had a significantly higher level of nNO than the asthma and control groups (P<0.05). The uncontrolled asthma and partially controlled asthma groups had significantly higher levels of FeNO and nNO than the completely controlled asthma group (P<0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that nNO had an area under the ROC curve of 0.91, with a sensitivity of 80.0% and a specificity of 89.5% in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in children with asthma (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The combined measurement of nNO and FeNO can be used to evaluate the control of asthma, and the measurement of nNO can help with the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in children with bronchial asthma.

Application of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in pediatric asthma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Fractional concentration of Nitric Oxide in the exhaled air (FeNO) is a moderately good biomarker of type-2 airway inflammation, and its measurement is feasible also in children. The available evidence is still not enough to support the routine use of FeNO to diagnose or manage asthma in every patient in clinical practice. However, its role in identifying asthma with eosinophilic inflammation is of particular interest in the management of severe asthma.

RECENT FINDINGS

In healthy subjects, FeNO levels increase with age and height, particularly in males, and are also influenced by ethnicity. FeNO measurement can support asthma diagnosis and help in predicting asthma development later in life in young children with recurrent wheezing. FeNO-guided asthma management is effective in reducing asthma exacerbations but may result in a higher daily dose of inhaled corticosteroids. FeNO can also be used as a marker to evaluate adherence to asthma treatment and predict response to different biologicals, especially Omalizumab and Dupilumab.

SUMMARY

This review outlines recent data on the application of FeNO in childhood-onset asthma diagnosis and management, as well as in phenotyping subjects with severe asthma who may benefit from monoclonal antibodies administration.

The Role of Nasal Nitric Oxide and Anterior Active Rhinomanometry in the Diagnosis of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma: A Message for Pediatric Clinical Practice

Background

Allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma are two common atopic diseases, often associated with a common ethiopathogenesis characterized by a Th2 inflammatory response with the release of many biomarkers, such as nitric oxide (NO).

Purpose

To evaluate and compare inflammatory (nFeNO and eFeNO) and functional (mNF and FEV1) parameters in AR children with or without asthma in comparison to controls. Secondly, we aimed to identify nFeNO cut-off values and verify their reliability to predict the presence of rhinitis or asthma alone or in combination.

Patients and Methods

We enrolled 160 children (6-12 years of age) with AR and/or asthma divided into four groups: controls, AR, asthma, and AR + asthma. All children underwent the following inflammatory and functional measurements: nFeNO, eFeNO, mNF and FEV1.

Results

We observed that levels of nFeNO were extremely higher in children with AR and even more in those with AR + asthma in respect to controls. Notably, all the pathological conditions, especially AR + asthma, showed significantly lower values of mNF compared to healthy children. A negative correlation linked mNF and nFeNO. Then, we found eFeNO values significantly higher in all the pathological groups compared to controls, with major values of this marker in patients affected by asthma and AR + asthma, as well as FEV1 values significantly lower in all the disease groups, especially in children with asthma and AR+ asthma. ROC curve analysis showed that nFeNO was a great predictor for rhinitis alone or with asthma, revealing an accurate cut-off of 662 ppb.

Conclusion

nFeNO measurement is non-invasive, easy to perform, economic and a valuable test in case of AR alone or in association with asthma. Thus, it should be used in patients with rhinitis, together with anterior active rhinomanometry (AAR) to diagnose and estimate the degree of nasal obstruction but also in children with asthma to assess their nasal involvement and improve the therapeutic management.

Baicalin regulates the development of pediatric asthma via upregulating microRNA-103 and mediating the TLR4/NF-κB pathway

Pediatric asthma seriously endangers the well-being and health of children worldwide. Baicalin (BA) protects against diverse disorders, including asthma. Therefore, this study explored the mechanism of BA in pediatric asthma. The ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic mouse model was established to evaluate BA efficacy from aspects of oxidative stress, inflammation, blood cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and collagen deposition. Differentially expressed microRNAs (miRs) in BA-treated mice were analyzed. Effects of BA on PDGF-BB-induced smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were assessed. miR downstream mRNA and the related pathway were predicted and verified, and their effects on asthmatic mice were evaluated. BA effectively reversed OVA-induced oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as decreased the number of total cells, eosinophils and neutrophils in BALF, and collagen deposition. miR-103 was significantly upregulated after BA treatment. BA inhibited the abnormal proliferation of PDGF-BB-induced SMCs, which was prevented by miR-103 knockdown. miR-103 targeted TLR4 and regulated the extent of NF-κB phosphorylation. In vivo, miR-103 inhibition weakened the alleviating effects of BA on asthma, which was then reversed after silencing of TLR4. We highlighted that BA has the potency to halt the pediatric asthma progression via miR-103 upregulation and the TLR4/NF-κB axis inhibition.

Cardiovascular bioimaging of nitric oxide: Achievements, challenges, and the future

Nitric oxide (NO) is a ubiquitous, volatile, cellular signaling molecule that operates across a wide physiological concentration range (pM-µM) in different tissues. It is a highly diffusible messenger and intermediate in various metabolic pathways. NO plays a pivotal role in maintaining optimum cardiovascular function, particularly by regulating vascular tone and blood flow. This review highlights the need for accurate, real-time bioimaging of NO in clinical diagnostic, therapeutic, monitoring, and theranostic applications within the cardiovascular system. We summarize electrochemical, optical, and nanoscale sensors that allow measurement and imaging of NO, both directly and indirectly via surrogate measurements. The physical properties of NO render it difficult to accurately measure in tissues using direct methods. There are also significant limitations associated with the NO metabolites used as surrogates to indirectly estimate NO levels. All these factors added to significant variability in the measurement of NO using available methodology have led to a lack of sensors and imaging techniques of clinical applicability in relevant vascular pathologies such as atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease. Challenges in applying current methods to biomedical and clinical translational research, including the wide physiological range of NO and limitations due to the characteristics and toxicity of the sensors are discussed, as are potential targets and modifications for future studies. The development of biocompatible nanoscale sensors for use in combination with existing clinical imaging modalities provides a feasible opportunity for bioimaging NO within the cardiovascular system.

Predictive and Diagnostic Value of Nasal Nitric Oxide in Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps

BACKGROUND

A hallmark of eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (eCRSwNP) is mucosal eosinophil-predominant inflammation. Nasal nitric oxide (nNO) is a known biomarker of eosinophilic inflammation in the upper airway. However, the utility of nNO measurement in the upper airway remains controversial. The present study aimed to compare the use of other clinical parameters with nNO to prediagnose patients with eCRSwNP from Central China.

METHODS

From June 2019 to December 2019, 70 patients with CRSwNP undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery and 30 healthy subjects were enrolled. nNO measurements were performed in all of these subjects. Computed tomography scans, full blood count with differential analysis, and determination of total immunoglobulin E (total IgE) and plasma cytokines were performed before surgery. Receiver operating characteristic curves and logistic regression analysis were used to assess the predictive potential of the clinical parameters.

RESULTS

We recruited 24 patients with eCRSwNP and 46 with noneosinophilic CRSwNP (non-eCRSwNP). In patients with eCRSwNP, nNO levels were significantly higher than those in patients with non-eCRSwNP (p < 0.0001). Blood eosinophil percentages and counts, total IgE, and CT-derived ethmoid sinus and maxillary sinus ratio (E/M ratio) were all significantly higher compared with those in patients with non-eCRSwNP (p < 0.05). To diagnose eCRSwNP, the highest area under the curve (0.803) was determined for nNO. At a cutoff of >329 parts per billion (ppb), the sensitivity was 83.30% and the specificity was 71.70%. However, the levels of plasma cytokines Th1/Th2 were not significantly different between the histological types of CRSwNP (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Measurement of nNO is useful for the early diagnosis of eCRSwNP.

Modern approaches to the treatment of chronic polypous rhinosinusitis

Introduction: Today, chronic polypous rhinosinusitis (CPR) occupies a special place among otolaryngological diseases, the incidence rate of which increases every year. To date, the main causes of chronic polypous rhinosinusitis are Staphylococcus aureus and anatomical abnormalities.

Diagnostics: Knowledge of a universal algorithm for the diagnosis of this disease, consisting of the collection of anamnesis, endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity, computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses, anterior active rhinomanometry and bacteriological determination of the microbial spectrum, allows diagnosing chronic polyposis rhinosinusitis in time, and, as a consequence, to prescribe a treatment.

Treatment: This review describes conservative therapies, including antibiotics and glucocorticosteroids. Today, the main task of doctors is to find the most effective method of administration of glucocorticosteroids to achieve the maximum effect. One of these methods is the introduction of the drug with the help of nebulizer, as in this case, the drug will remain in the perirhinal cavity for a long time and have the maximum effect due to the directed action only in the area of the pathological process.

Features of chronic polypous rhinosinusitis in childhood: It should be noted that children under 12 years of age due to the formation of the paranasal sinuses at different stages of ontogenesis will be characterized by different forms of chronic polyposis rhinosinusitis. That is why they should be known and taken into account when making a diagnosis and prescribing a treatment.

Conclusion: Today, the frequency of chronic rhinosinusitis increases exponentially, which makes the question of the modern approach to its treatment the most relevant. It is possible that additional research in this area will solve the issue of searching for both the optimal path of therapy and treatment of CPR in children.