@article {10796, title = {Human beta defensin-1 is involved in the susceptibility to adeno-tonsillar hypertrophy.}, journal = {Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol}, volume = {107}, year = {2018}, month = {2018 Apr}, pages = {135-139}, abstract = {

INTRODUCTION: Innate immunity molecules are known to play a pivotal role in the homeostasis of the oral mucosa, permitting the presence of commensal microflora and, at the same time, providing a first line of defense against pathogens attempting to invade the oral cavity. Tonsils represent the local immune tissue in oral cavity, being able to provide a non-specific response to pathogens; however, in the presence of microbes or foreign materials present in the mouth tonsils could became infected and develop chronic inflammation, thus leading to hypertrophy. The etiology of the disease is multifactorial depending upon environmental and host factors, the latter including molecules of mucosal innate immunity.

METHODS: Ninety-five children with adeno-tonsillar hypertrophy subjected to adeno-tonsillectomy were recruited at the pediatric otorhinolaryngology service of the Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste (Italy). The specimen discarded from the surgery were used for genomic DNA extraction and genotyping, for mRNA extraction and gene expression analysis, finally the samples were cut and used to prepare slides to perform immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS: Functional polymorphisms within DEFB1 gene, encoding the human beta defensin-1 (hBD-1), were analyzed finding association between DEFB1 rare haplotypes and susceptibility to adeno-tonsillar hypertrophy. DEFB1 mRNA expression was detected in the tonsils and the hBD-1 protein was localized at the epithelia of tonsils mainly in the proximity of the basal lamina.

CONCLUSION: Our findings lead us to hypothesize an involvement of hBD-1 mediated innate immunity in the modulation of the susceptibility towards adeno-tonsillar hypertrophy development.

}, keywords = {Adenoidectomy, Adenoids, Adolescent, beta-Defensins, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Genotype, Haplotypes, Humans, Hypertrophy, Immunity, Innate, Immunohistochemistry, Italy, Male, Palatine Tonsil, Tonsillectomy}, issn = {1872-8464}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijporl.2018.01.041}, author = {Zupin, Luisa and Celsi, Fulvio and Bresciani, Martina and Orzan, Eva and Grasso, Domenico Leonardo and Crovella, Sergio} } @article {3565, title = {Sensorineural hearing loss in very low birth weight infants with histological chorioamnionitis.}, journal = {J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med}, volume = {28}, year = {2015}, month = {2015 May}, pages = {895-9}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVE: Histological chorioamnionitis (HCAM) has been associated with inflammatory diseases of preterm infants. Recently we have observed that it increased the risk of speech delay and hearing loss. So the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) of VLBW infants and HCAM.

METHODS: We performed an observational study on VLBW infants admitted to the NICU of Padua. Each patient with HCAM was matched with one control without HCAM. All infants underwent hearing screening before discharge by means of automated transient-evoked otoacustic emissions and automated auditory brainstem responses, which were repeated at 3 and 6 months of age with tympanometry measurement. Incidence of SNHL at 6 months of age was compared in the 2 groups and risk factors for hearing loss were studied.

RESULTS: Two of 77 (2.6\%) newborns with HCAM e 6/73 (8.2\%) without it presented SNHL at 6 months of corrected age (p = 0.16). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) as independent predictors of SNHL (OR: 5.75, 95\% CI 1.34-24.84, p = 0.02), whereas the effect of HCAM on SNHL was only near to statistical significance level.

CONCLUSIONS: Surgical ligation of PDA is associated with an increased risk of SNHL in VLBW infants, regardless of HCAM.

}, issn = {1476-4954}, doi = {10.3109/14767058.2014.936375}, author = {Vedovato, Stefania and Lo Iacono, Angela and Morando, Carla and Suppiej, Agnese and Orzan, Eva and Trevisanuto, Daniele and Visentin, Silvia and Cavallin, Francesco and Chiarelli, Silvia and Zanardo, Vincenzo} } @article {1962, title = {A boy with acute strabismus.}, journal = {J Pediatr}, volume = {161}, year = {2012}, month = {2012 Dec}, pages = {1178}, keywords = {Acute Disease, Child, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Mucocele, Strabismus}, issn = {1097-6833}, doi = {10.1016/j.jpeds.2012.06.055}, author = {Poropat, Federico and Ventura, Giovanna and Murru, Flora M and Orzan, Eva and Maschio, Massimo} }