title: Micro- and Nanosized Particles in Nasal Mucosa: A Pilot Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this prospective study is to evaluate presence and quantity of micro- and nanosized particles (NPs) and interindividual differences in their distribution and composition in nasal mucosa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six samples of nasal mucosa obtained by mucotomy from patients with chronic hypertrophic rhinosinusitis were examined. Samples divided into 4 parts according to the distance from the nostrils were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and Raman microspectroscopy to detect solid particles and characterize their morphology and composition. A novel method of quantification of the particles was designed and used to evaluate interindividual differences in distribution of the particles. The findings were compared with patients' employment history.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all the samples, NPs of different elemental composition were found (iron, barium, copper, titanium, etc.), predominantly in the parts most distant from nostrils, in various depths from the surface of the mucosa and interindividual differences in their quantity and composition were found, possibly in relation to professional exposition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has proven the possibility of quantification of distribution of micro- and nanosized particles in tissue samples and that the NPs may deposit in deeper layers of mucosa and their elemental composition may be related to professional exposition to the sources of NPs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Ostrava, 17. Listopadu 1790, 708 52 Ostrava, Czech Republic ; Centre of Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery, University Hospital Ostrava, 17. Listopadu 1790, 708 52 Ostrava, Czech Republic ; Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Syllabova 19, 703 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Lenka
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2117-040X
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Čábalová
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology Centre, VŠB-Technical University of Ostrava, 17. Listopadu 15/2172, 708 33 Ostrava, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1622-8961
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Čabanová
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Ostrava, 17. Listopadu 1790, 708 52 Ostrava, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Hana
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7795-3254
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bielniková
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology Centre, VŠB-Technical University of Ostrava, 17. Listopadu 15/2172, 708 33 Ostrava, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jana
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3904-4214
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kukutschová
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Syllabova 19, 703 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic ; Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Ostrava, 17. Listopadu 1790, 708 52 Ostrava, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jana
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-0428-2119
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dvořáčková
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology Centre, VŠB-Technical University of Ostrava, 17. Listopadu 15/2172, 708 33 Ostrava, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Kateřina
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5262-5999
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dědková
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Ostrava, 17. Listopadu 1790, 708 52 Ostrava, Czech Republic ; Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Syllabova 19, 703 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Karol
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1349-9958
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zeleník
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Ostrava, 17. Listopadu 1790, 708 52 Ostrava, Czech Republic ; Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Syllabova 19, 703 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6238-0756
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Komínek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D010316:Particle Size; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000473:pathology*; D014025:Titanium / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium; D007501:Iron