EDITORIAL
First, as we come to the end of the year, I would like to thank everyone who has performed peer-review of manuscripts for the International Forum of Allergy and Rhinology (IFAR) over the past year. Performing timely, detailed, and well-researched reviews of manuscripts submitted for publication is frequently a difficult, timeconsuming, and often relatively thankless task, especially in an era when there are major pressures for clinical and research productivity. However, it is the superior quality of the reviews and a timely editorial process that has made IFAR such a success in a short period of time. Accordingly, I and the Associate Editors would like to take a moment to recognize all of our reviewers who have taken their time over the past year to participate in this effort (see list on page 1035 of this issue). Additionally, I would like to thank both the Associate Editors and the Editorial Board for their enormous work in helping to make IFAR so successful. I want to make it clear that this time and effort is, indeed, very much appreciated. Moving forward, I am very pleased to announce that both the American Rhinologic Society and the American Academy of Otolaryngologic Allergy have decided to recognize the top reviewers for IFAR at their annual meetings. The role of Staphylococcus aureus in chronic rhinosinusitis has been highlighted by research demonstrating both the role of exotoxins A and B in the superantigen response, as well as by their potential for intracellular residency. In this issue, the Adelaide group evaluate the stability of S. aureus cultures over time in patients and demonstrate persistence of the same strains despite multiple courses of culture directed antibiotics.1 The study suggests that this bacterial persistence is due to biofilm formation. However, a very interesting article recently published online from the University of Colorado, using 16 S sequencing, demonstrates that culture actually demonstrates the dominant microbial taxa in less than 50% of cases.2 An article from DeConde et al.3 evaluates domain scores on the SNOT-22 as a potential predictive factor in terms of which patients are likely to opt for surgical intervention when provided with the choice. Surprisingly, rather than the
Potential conflict of interest: D.W.K. serves on the Medical Advisory Board, and as a consultant to Merck (a producer of a SLIT product) and IntersectEnt, manufacturer of the Propel implant. DOI: 10.1002/alr.21465 View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. How to Cite this Article: Kennedy DW. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2014;4:951–952.
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International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology, Vol. 4, No. 12, December 2014
disease-specific domains, they found that higher psychological and sleep dysfunction scores were predictive of opting for surgical intervention, although these 2 domains also demonstrated the smallest improvement following surgery. The etiology of inverted papilloma (IP) has been debated for many years, especially with regard to the relative roles of chronic inflammation and human papillomavirus (HPV). In an interesting retrospective study of their own patients and a literature review, Justice et al.4 reevaluate the incidence of HPV, especially in early metaplastic IP. Their study identifies an increasing pattern of HPV detection in more dysplastic tumors. The implication of the their study is that HPV involvement occurs as a result of metaplasia from inflammation and environmental exposures such as tobacco smoke, rather than as the primary instigating event. If this indeed does turn out to be correct it may help to explain the frequent persistence of inflammation following IP excision and have potential implications in terms of avoiding future tumor recurrence. Given the relative frequency of this tumor, it is certainly an area worthy of further study. Odontogenic sinusitis is another cause of what is typically unilateral disease on imaging, but, based upon academic medical center experience, is frequently missed in general otolaryngologic practice. Saibene et al.5 review a large series (315 patients) with odontogenic sinusitis and demonstrate that in nearly 60% of the cases the disease extends outside of the maxillary sinus, and in nearly 20% of the cases the inflammation had spread to the opposite side. One potential explanation for the spread might be the propensity for bony inflammation. Given the known relationship between pollution in chronic rhinosinusitis, Cho et al.6 evaluate the effects of particulate matter exposure using nasal mucosal cell cultures. They show increased hydrogen peroxide production and show, apparently for the first time, a relationship between particulate matter exposure and oxidative stress. The frequency of asthma is known to increase away from the equator, and some studies have indicated that vitamin D deficiency may lead to an increased frequency of asthma and wheezing attacks. Demirel et al.7 report a study designed to evaluate vitamin D levels in children who had been diagnosed as wheezy and compare the levels to healthy age- and gender-matched children. Not surprisingly, serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were significantly higher in the patient group, but the study also demonstrated significantly lower vitamin D (25(OH)D) serum levels in the patient group. The duration of breast-feeding and the patient group was also significantly shorter than in the controls.
Editorial
I, the Associate Editors, and the Editorial Board hope that you enjoy these, and the other articles in this issue of IFAR, and would again like to thank all of you who have participated in the peer review process over the past year.
David W. Kennedy, MD Editor-in-Chief
References 1. Drilling A, Coombs GW, Tan H, et al. Cousins, siblings, or copies: the genomics of recurrent Staphylococcus aureus infections in chronic rhinosinusitis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2014;4:953–960. 2. Hauser LJ, Feazel LM, Ir D, et al. Sinus culture poorly predicts resident microbiota. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2014; doi: 10.1002/alr.21428. 3. DeConde AS, Mace JC, Bodner T, et al. SNOT-22 quality of life domains differentially predict treatment
modality selection in chronic rhinosinusitis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2014;4:972–979. 4. Justice JM, Davis KM, Saenz DA, Lanza DC. Evidence that human papillomavirus causes inverted papilloma is sparse. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2014;4:995– 1001. 5. Saibene AM, Pipolo GC, Lozza P, et al. Redefining boundaries in odontogenic sinusitis: a retrospective evaluation of extramaxillary involvement in 315
patients. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2014;4:1020– 1023. 6. Cho DY, Le W, Bravo DT, et al. Air pollutants cause release of hydrogen peroxide and interleukin-8 in a human primary nasal tissue culture model. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2014;4:966–971. 7. Demirel S, Guner SN, Celiksoy MH, Sancak R. Is vitamin D insufficiency to blame for recurrent wheezing? Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2014;4:980–985.
International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology, Vol. 4, No. 12, December 2014
952
First, as we come to the end of the year, I would like to thank everyone who has performed peer-review of manuscripts for the International Forum of Allergy and Rhinology (IFAR) over the past year. Performing timely, detailed, and well-researched reviews of manuscripts submitted for publication is frequently a difficult, timeconsuming, and often relatively thankless task, especially in an era when there are major pressures for clinical and research productivity. However, it is the superior quality of the reviews and a timely editorial process that has made IFAR such a success in a short period of time. Accordingly, I and the Associate Editors would like to take a moment to recognize all of our reviewers who have taken their time over the past year to participate in this effort (see list on page 1035 of this issue). Additionally, I would like to thank both the Associate Editors and the Editorial Board for their enormous work in helping to make IFAR so successful. I want to make it clear that this time and effort is, indeed, very much appreciated. Moving forward, I am very pleased to announce that both the American Rhinologic Society and the American Academy of Otolaryngologic Allergy have decided to recognize the top reviewers for IFAR at their annual meetings. The role of Staphylococcus aureus in chronic rhinosinusitis has been highlighted by research demonstrating both the role of exotoxins A and B in the superantigen response, as well as by their potential for intracellular residency. In this issue, the Adelaide group evaluate the stability of S. aureus cultures over time in patients and demonstrate persistence of the same strains despite multiple courses of culture directed antibiotics.1 The study suggests that this bacterial persistence is due to biofilm formation. However, a very interesting article recently published online from the University of Colorado, using 16 S sequencing, demonstrates that culture actually demonstrates the dominant microbial taxa in less than 50% of cases.2 An article from DeConde et al.3 evaluates domain scores on the SNOT-22 as a potential predictive factor in terms of which patients are likely to opt for surgical intervention when provided with the choice. Surprisingly, rather than the
Potential conflict of interest: D.W.K. serves on the Medical Advisory Board, and as a consultant to Merck (a producer of a SLIT product) and IntersectEnt, manufacturer of the Propel implant. DOI: 10.1002/alr.21465 View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. How to Cite this Article: Kennedy DW. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2014;4:951–952.
951
International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology, Vol. 4, No. 12, December 2014
disease-specific domains, they found that higher psychological and sleep dysfunction scores were predictive of opting for surgical intervention, although these 2 domains also demonstrated the smallest improvement following surgery. The etiology of inverted papilloma (IP) has been debated for many years, especially with regard to the relative roles of chronic inflammation and human papillomavirus (HPV). In an interesting retrospective study of their own patients and a literature review, Justice et al.4 reevaluate the incidence of HPV, especially in early metaplastic IP. Their study identifies an increasing pattern of HPV detection in more dysplastic tumors. The implication of the their study is that HPV involvement occurs as a result of metaplasia from inflammation and environmental exposures such as tobacco smoke, rather than as the primary instigating event. If this indeed does turn out to be correct it may help to explain the frequent persistence of inflammation following IP excision and have potential implications in terms of avoiding future tumor recurrence. Given the relative frequency of this tumor, it is certainly an area worthy of further study. Odontogenic sinusitis is another cause of what is typically unilateral disease on imaging, but, based upon academic medical center experience, is frequently missed in general otolaryngologic practice. Saibene et al.5 review a large series (315 patients) with odontogenic sinusitis and demonstrate that in nearly 60% of the cases the disease extends outside of the maxillary sinus, and in nearly 20% of the cases the inflammation had spread to the opposite side. One potential explanation for the spread might be the propensity for bony inflammation. Given the known relationship between pollution in chronic rhinosinusitis, Cho et al.6 evaluate the effects of particulate matter exposure using nasal mucosal cell cultures. They show increased hydrogen peroxide production and show, apparently for the first time, a relationship between particulate matter exposure and oxidative stress. The frequency of asthma is known to increase away from the equator, and some studies have indicated that vitamin D deficiency may lead to an increased frequency of asthma and wheezing attacks. Demirel et al.7 report a study designed to evaluate vitamin D levels in children who had been diagnosed as wheezy and compare the levels to healthy age- and gender-matched children. Not surprisingly, serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were significantly higher in the patient group, but the study also demonstrated significantly lower vitamin D (25(OH)D) serum levels in the patient group. The duration of breast-feeding and the patient group was also significantly shorter than in the controls.
Editorial
I, the Associate Editors, and the Editorial Board hope that you enjoy these, and the other articles in this issue of IFAR, and would again like to thank all of you who have participated in the peer review process over the past year.
David W. Kennedy, MD Editor-in-Chief
References 1. Drilling A, Coombs GW, Tan H, et al. Cousins, siblings, or copies: the genomics of recurrent Staphylococcus aureus infections in chronic rhinosinusitis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2014;4:953–960. 2. Hauser LJ, Feazel LM, Ir D, et al. Sinus culture poorly predicts resident microbiota. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2014; doi: 10.1002/alr.21428. 3. DeConde AS, Mace JC, Bodner T, et al. SNOT-22 quality of life domains differentially predict treatment
modality selection in chronic rhinosinusitis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2014;4:972–979. 4. Justice JM, Davis KM, Saenz DA, Lanza DC. Evidence that human papillomavirus causes inverted papilloma is sparse. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2014;4:995– 1001. 5. Saibene AM, Pipolo GC, Lozza P, et al. Redefining boundaries in odontogenic sinusitis: a retrospective evaluation of extramaxillary involvement in 315
patients. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2014;4:1020– 1023. 6. Cho DY, Le W, Bravo DT, et al. Air pollutants cause release of hydrogen peroxide and interleukin-8 in a human primary nasal tissue culture model. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2014;4:966–971. 7. Demirel S, Guner SN, Celiksoy MH, Sancak R. Is vitamin D insufficiency to blame for recurrent wheezing? Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2014;4:980–985.
International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology, Vol. 4, No. 12, December 2014
952
