Publications

The role of nasal potential difference (NPD) measurement as a diagnostic test for cystic fibrosis (CF) is a subject of global controversy because of the lack of validation studies, clear reference values, and standardized protocols for diagnostic NPD.

BACKGROUND: The transepithelial nasal potential difference (NPD) is used to assess cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) activity. Unreliability, excessive artifacts, and lack of standardization of current testing systems can compromise its use as a diagnostic test and outcome measure for clinical trials. METHODS: To determine whether a nonperfusing (agar gel) nasal catheter for NPD measurement is more reliable and less ...

BACKGROUND: 5T polymorphism is a CFTR mutation with unclear clinical consequences: the phenotype varies from healthy individuals to Cystic Fibrosis (CF). The aim of this study was to evaluate if nasal potential difference (NPD) and sweat testing correlate with symptoms and CF diagnosis in 5T patients. METHODS: 86 patients with 5T who had undergone NPD measurement, were included (6 homozygous (5T/5T), 41 with a PI-CF causing mutation in trans ...

Nasal potential difference (NPD) quantifies abnormal ion transport in cystic fibrosis. It has gained acceptance as an outcome measure for the investigation of new therapies. To quantify the effect of solution temperature on NPD, we first examined the effect of switching from room temperature (20-25°C) to warmed (32-37°C) solutions and vice versa during each perfusion step. Secondly, standard protocols were repeated at both temperatures in the ...

BACKGROUND: Nasal Potential Difference (NPD) is a biomarker of CFTR activity used to diagnose CF and monitor experimental therapies. Limited studies have been performed to assess agreement between expert readers of NPD interpretation using a scoring algorithm. METHODS: We developed a standardized scoring algorithm for "interpretability" and "confidence" for PD (potential difference) measures, and sought to determine the degree of agreement on ...

To increase the power of nasal potential difference (NPD) as a biomarker of CFTR function, improvement of its repeatability is needed. We evaluated the improvement in repeatability resulting from measuring NPD (1) over a larger surface area and (2) at a fixed location.

Measurement of nasal potential difference (NPD) is increasingly used as diagnostic test for cystic fibrosis (CF) and for in vivo evaluation of treatments aimed at correcting the defective function of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) protein. Several methods are used to measure NPD. This study explores the influence of the site of measurement and compares NPD results obtained on the nasal floor and under the inferior turbinate.

Background Tissue remodeling caused by increased MMPs is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP). We previously found higher levels of periostin and tenascin C in CRSwNPs, but whether they are associated with the dysregulation of MMPs is unknown. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the regulatory roles of these two ECM proteins in the expression of MMPs in nasal polyps. Methods The ...

Nasal airway obstruction (NAO) is a routinely encountered complaint by ear-nose-throat (ENT) physicians, affecting all age groups. NAOs yearly reduces the overall quality of life for millions of patients and, together with sinus diseases, cost the European healthcare systems billions of euros. The aetiology of NAO is determined by different conditions. If pharmacological treatment fails, as in many cases of anatomic abnormalities, surgery is ...