Jean-Baptiste Watelet

Remodeling refers to the development of specific but potentially irreversible structural changes in tissue. Caucasian eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with polyps associated or not with cystic fibrosis was discriminated by edema from CRS without nasal polyps, characterized by extensive fibrotic fields. However, changes in epithelial and extracellular matrix structures are common findings in all types of chronic inflammatory diseases of upper airways, but rarely specific and highly variable in extend. Recent studies have shown that remodeling in CRS appears to occur in parallel, rather than purely subsequent to inflammation. Furthermore, some preferential remodeling associations can be recognized. Tremendous efforts have been put in research on coagulation factors, cytokines, growth factors, and proteases supporting all phases of upper airway remodeling. The current exploration of other CRS sub-groups and of the particular link with concomitant asthma aims to optimize the classification of CRS and its staging modes and to develop novel therapies.

Several direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are now widely used in the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic events. Unlike vitamin K antagonists, DOACs exhibit predictable pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. DOACs are to be administered at fixed doses without routine coagulation monitoring. However, in some patient populations or specific clinical circumstances, measurement of drug exposure may be useful, such as in suspected overdose, in patients with a haemorrhagic or thromboembolic event during treatment with an anticoagulant, in those with acute renal failure, or in patients who require urgent surgery. This article provides practical guidance on laboratory testing of DOACs in routine practice and summarizes the influence of DOACs on commonly used coagulation assays.

A child's immune system has to initiate the immune response from scratch and cannot depend on a memory-type of immune response. Moreover, the immune system in newborns is also less efficient in inducing cytokine responses. In consequence, newborns and children are more susceptible to upper-airway infections and inflammation than adults. This manuscript summarises basic considerations relating to immune and inflammatory response in the upper airways and presents data about the processes involved in immunity development and maturation in children. Literature review. Inflammation is a complex set of interactions between soluble factors and cells that can arise in any tissue in response to both exogenous (infectious, toxic...) and endogenous (auto-immune, ischaemia...) insults. It interacts actively with the adaptive immune response by launching the antigen processing and presenting phases. Reduced cytotoxic response during foetal life, poor T-lymphocyte response to mitogens, immaturity of T and B lymphocytes, inadequate cytokine synthesis, a marked deficiency of antibody production and reduced neutrophil, complement and natural killer activity are important contributors to the complex physiological deficiency of immunological function in neonates and young children. The importance of the control and self-limitation of the inflammatory reaction is demonstrated by observations that, in certain chronic infectious or inflammatory conditions, the inflammatory response causes more damage to the host than the microbe.

Allergic diseases are characterized by the activation of inflammatory cells and by a massive release of mediators. The aim of this chapter was to describe succinctly the modes of action, indications, and side effects of the major antiallergic and antiasthmatic drugs. When considering the ideal pharmacokinetic characteristics of a drug, a poorly metabolized drug may confer a lower variability in plasma concentrations and metabolism-based drug interactions, although poorly metabolized drugs may be prone to transporter-based disposition and interactions. The ideal pharmacological properties of a drug include high binding affinity, high selectivity, and appropriate association and dissociation rates. Finally, from a patient perspective, the frequency and route of administration are important considerations for ease of use.

All living organisms can detect and identify chemical substances in their environment. The olfactory epithelium is covered by a mucus layer which is essential for the function of the olfactory neurons that are directly connected to the brain through the cribriform plate. However, little is known about the composition of this mucus in humans and its significance for the diagnosis of olfactory disorders. The olfactory epithelium consists of four primary cell types, including the olfactory receptor cells essential for odour transduction. This review examines the anatomical, histological and physiological fundamentals of olfactory mucosa. Particular attention is paid to the biochemical environment of the olfactory mucosa that regulates both peri-receptor events and several protective functions.