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Purpose: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a highly heterogeneous disease with varied clinical features and treatment effects. This study aimed to investigate the additive effect of blood and tissue eosinophilia on patients with CRSwNP. Methods: Based on the blood eosinophil (Beos) count and tissue eosinophil (Teos) count, we divided 144 CRSwNP patients into four groups, analysed their clinical features and histopathologic changes, and investigated their postoperative control. Results: Patients in the Beos+Teos+ (blood eosinophil count > 0.3 × 109/L, tissue eosinophil count > 10/HPF) group had a higher incidence of allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma. Lund‐Mackay (LM) scores, hyposmia visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and Global Osteitis Scoring Scale (GOSS) scores were higher in the Beos+Teos+ group than those in the other groups. Tissue remodelling, such as connective tissue oedema and basement membrane thickening was more severe in the Beos+Teos+ group compared with other groups. There were more uncontrolled patients after surgery in Beos+Teos+, Beos+Teos− (blood eosinophil count > 0.3 × 109/L, tissue eosinophil count ≤ 10/HPF)and Beos−Teos+ (blood eosinophil count ≤ 0.3 × 109/L, tissue eosinophil count > 10/HPF)groups compared with the Beos−Teos− group. Conclusions: Eosinophilic inflammation both in blood and tissue was accompanied by more severe clinical features and tissue remodelling. Eosinophilia in blood or tissue indicated poorer disease control after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: A deep understanding of the role of Toll receptors in the innate immunity of insects is mostly restricted to the model insect Drosophila melanogaster, and much more research is needed to reveal their role in other insects. This article focuses on the BmToll9-2 receptor, one of 14 Toll-related receptors in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Similarly to its closely related paralog, BmToll9-1, BmToll9-2 acts as a positive regulator of the innate humoral response in the midgut of silkworm larvae, as evidenced by RNAi and bacterial challenge experiments. More specifically, the expression level of BmToll9-2 is positively correlated with those of intermediary genes in the Toll signaling pathway as well as with immune effector genes, such as antimicrobial peptides. Consequently, both Toll9 receptors in the silkworm, BmToll9-1 and BmToll9-2, act redundantly to stimulate antibacterial activity and immune-related gene expression in the Toll pathway. Toll receptors play important roles in the development and innate immunity of insects. Previously, we reported the immunological function of BmToll9-2 in silkworm, Bombyx mori, larvae. In this study, we focused on the role of BmToll9-2 as a regulator in the Toll signaling pathway. The expressions of most signaling genes in the Toll pathway, as well as immune effectors, were reduced after the RNAi of BmToll9-2. Coincidentally, hemolymph from BmToll9-2-silenced larvae exhibited decreased antibacterial activity in the growth of Escherichia coli, demonstrated either by growth curve or inhibitory zone experiments. The oral administration of heat-inactivated E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus following the RNAi of BmToll9-2 up-regulated the expression of most signaling genes in the Toll pathway and downstream immune effectors. The above results indicate that BmToll9-2 is positively involved in the Toll signaling pathway. As a positive regulator, BmToll9-2 is shown to be activated preferentially against E. coli and, in turn, positively modulates the humoral immune response in antibacterial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance the aerodynamic performance of centrifugal impellers, this study presents an advanced optimization design methodology. This methodology addresses the challenges associated with numerous design variables, inflexible configurations, and low optimization efficiency. We propose two distinct spline function parameterization techniques: a global mapping model for Bezier surfaces and a local mapping model for Free-Form Deformation (FFD) control bodies. We investigate the impact of these parameterization methods on blade geometry configuration and aerodynamic performance. By integrating these two parameterization approaches with multi-objective evolutionary algorithms and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques, we enable global and local optimization of centrifugal compressor blades. The optimization results demonstrate a 1.77% enhancement in isentropic efficiency under rated operating conditions, a 7.8% increase in surge margin, a 1.6% improvement in isentropic efficiency under normal operating conditions, and an 11.8% enhancement in surge margin. Through two optimization stages, the optimization space for blade geometry is thoroughly explored, enhancing solution quality and contributing to the advancement of impeller mechanical optimization design theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Insects rely on innate immunity to defend against invading pathogens in nature. BmToll9-1 is a receptor in the immune pathway of silkworms. BmToll9-1 is abundantly present in the midgut tissue of silkworm larvae. Silencing of BmToll9-1 results in smaller larval and cocoon bodies. Concomitantly, the expression of most downstream genes in the immune pathways is reduced. The antibacterial activity of hemolymph is also inhibited. The findings reveal that BmToll9-1 plays a positive role in regulating the development and immune response in silkworm. Toll receptors are involved in the development and innate immunity of insects. BmToll9-1 is an important immune receptor in the Toll pathway. Previous studies have focused on its role as a receptor in immune response. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of BmToll9-1 as a regulator in the immune response. The expression profiles demonstrated that BmToll9-1 was predominantly expressed in the midgut. RNA interference (RNAi) of BmToll9-1 was found to be effective in the midgut via the injection of dsRNA, which resulted in smaller and lighter larvae and cocoons. Most signaling genes in the Toll pathway and downstream effector genes were downregulated after the RNAi of BmToll9-1. The hemolymph from BmToll9-1-silenced larvae showed decreased antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, either in growth curve or inhibition zone experiments. The above results indicate that BmToll9-1 might be positively involved in the immune pathway of silkworm. As a positive regulator, BmToll9-1 might function mainly in the gut to maintain microbial homeostasis to regulate the growth of silkworms. Silencing of BmToll9-1 downregulates the signaling genes in the Toll pathway and antimicrobial peptide (AMP) production, resulting in decreased antibacterial activity in the hemolymph. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The etiology of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) remains unknown; inflammation may be one cause. We retrospectively studied SSHNL cases in terms of the inflammatory parameters involved. Methods: We reviewed 169 SSNHL cases. The control group contained 132 patients with vocal cord polyps. The C-reactive protein (CRP) level, CRP/serum albumin (Alb) ratio, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were compared between the 2 groups. The relationships between these parameters and the time to treatment after SSHNL onset, hearing level, and therapeutic effects were also analyzed. Results: The CRP level, CRP/Alb ratio, and NLR were higher in SSNHL patients than in controls, but only the NLR differed significantly between the 2 groups. We found no significant differences between patients with different hearing levels, those evaluated at various times after SSNHL onset, and those with different outcomes. Conclusion: The NLR is a reliable SSNHL diagnostic marker. The CRP level and CRP/Alb ratio are not useful indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]