European position paper on diagnostic tools in rhinology

The accurate diagnosis of rhinologic disease depends on the clinical history, examination findings and, in many cases, further investigations. There are a wide variety of diagnostic tests available, the choice of which depends upon the condition being assessed. This position paper is intended to provide an up-to-date comprehensive description of the diagnostic tools available to rhinologists, allergists, general otolaryngologists and other physicians with an interest in sinonasal disease. The literature has been reviewed and evidence-based recommendations are included. The relevant history and examination techniques are described, including endoscopic assessment of the nose. General and disease-specific quality of life instruments are an important tool in assessing the impact of rhinologic disease and the response to treatment. Relevant blood tests are discussed, as well as the various methods of allergy testing. Techniques for collecting microbiological and tissue samples are described, as well as the use of more specialised tests such as nasal nitric oxide and those evaluating ciliary structure and function. Imaging techniques and their indications are included. Chemosensory (smell and taste) testing is explained, and the available techniques for objective measurement of nasal airflow and patency are reviewed. Prompt and accurate diagnosis allows appropriate management to be initiated; an understanding of the currently available diagnostic tools is a vital part of the assessment of rhinologic disease.

Secretion of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) by WEHI-3B myelomonocytic leukemia cells

In order to investigate the role of Fibroblast Growth Factors in hematopoietic cells, we studied the expression of FGF-1, FGF-2, FGF-3, FGF-4, FGF-5 and FGF-6 mRNAs both in murine myelomonocytic leukemia WEHI-3B and in a murine stromal cell line SR-4987. Secretion of FGF-2 in the cell culture supernatant was also studied. Expression of mRNA encoding for the above-mentioned FGFs was analyzed by RT-PCR. The production of FGF-2 in the conditioned media of WEHI-3B and SR-4987 cell cultures was evaluated by techniques of affinity chromatography, chromatofocusing and immunoblotting. The biological activity of FGF-2 was checked on SR-4987 cells by a agar clonogenic assay. In both cell lines mRNA was found encoding for FGF-1, FGF-2 and FGF-6 and WEHI-3B cells express also mRNA for FGF-3 (int-2) and FGF-4 (K-FGF/hst). Furthermore, supernatant from WEHI-3B cells was found to stimulate dramatically the agar clonogenicity of SR-4987 cells which have a very poor basal capacity for growth in agar. The clonogenic activity of WEHI-3B conditioned medium is due to FGF-2 secreted into cell culture supernatant whereas SR-4987 cells, although express FGF-2 mRNA, do not seem able to secrete this factor. The expression in myeloid leukemia cells of oncogene-related factors such as FGF-3, FGF-4 and FGF-6 together with the secretion of FGF-2 able to support a positive regulation of bone marrow stromal cells function suggest that FGFs may have an important role in sustaining the leukemogenic process and related disorders.

Environmental exposure to dioxin: the Seveso experience

The toxicity in humans of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, a man-made compound and environmental pollutant, is still debated. The industrial accident at Seveso, Italy, in 1976 exposed a large population of both sexes and of all ages to a massive concentration of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Monitoring of soil and measurement of blood samples allowed classification of the exposed population into three categories: A, B and R (high, medium and low exposure, respectively). This article presents data from longitudinal health monitoring of the population, including liver function, immune function, neurological impairment, dermatological effects, reproductive pathology, and mortality.

Cytochrome P450 1B1 mRNA measured in blood mononuclear cells by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1B1 activates polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and aryl aromatic hydrocarbons to carcinogens. We describe a competitive reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assay for the quantification of CYP1B1 mRNA in blood mononuclear cells (BMCs) by simultaneous RT and PCR amplification of cellular RNA with decreasing amounts of an internal standard. The concentration of CYP1B1 mRNA is derived from the ratio between the intensities of the bands corresponding to the amplified products. To reduce the variability of mRNA extraction efficiency, the measured amount of CYP1B1 has been calculated in relation to the β-actin gene products. We measured CYP1B1 expression in the BMCs of 75 human subjects; no significant differences in the CYP1B1:β-actin ratio were detected between women (range, 0.47–4.35; median, 2.0) and men (range, 0.72–3.85; median, 2.09). The analytical imprecision (CV) of duplicates was 14% (n = 25 pairs), and the intraindividual CV for two samples, 1 month apart, was 22% (n = 20). No significant differences were detected in smokers (n = 25; range, 0.77–3.55; median, 2.14) compared with nonsmokers (n = 50; range, 0.47–4.35; median, 2.0). The method has a wide range of linearity, good sensitivity and precision, and is suitable for studies of individual susceptibility as indicated by CYP1B1 expression in BMCs.

Cytochrome P450 1B1 mRNA measured in blood mononuclear cells by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1B1 activates polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and aryl aromatic hydrocarbons to carcinogens. We describe a competitive reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assay for the quantification of CYP1B1 mRNA in blood mononuclear cells (BMCs) by simultaneous RT and PCR amplification of cellular RNA with decreasing amounts of an internal standard. The concentration of CYP1B1 mRNA is derived from the ratio between the intensities of the bands corresponding to the amplified products. To reduce the variability of mRNA extraction efficiency, the measured amount of CYP1B1 has been calculated in relation to the beta-actin gene products. We measured CYP1B1 expression in the BMCs of 75 human subjects; no significant differences in the CYP1B1:beta-actin ratio were detected between women (range, 0.47-4.35; median, 2.0) and men (range, 0.72-3.85; median, 2.09). The analytical imprecision (CV) of duplicates was 14% (n = 25 pairs), and the intraindividual CV for two samples, 1 month apart, was 22% (n = 20). No significant differences were detected in smokers (n = 25; range, 0.77-3.55; median, 2.14) compared with nonsmokers (n = 50; range, 0.47-4.35; median, 2.0). The method has a wide range of linearity, good sensitivity and precision, and is suitable for studies of individual susceptibility as indicated by CYP1B1 expression in BMCs.