Olfactory ensheathing cells promote the survival of newborn rat spiral ganglion cells in vitro / 生理学报

The objective of this study is to explore whether olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) can promote the survival of newborn rat spiral ganglion cells (SGCs) and the underlying possible mechanisms. Co-culture of OECs from adult rats with SGCs from newborn rat cochlea was established and single culture of SGCs acted as control. OECs were obtained and purified based on their special rate of attachment which was different from the other harvested cell types during culture. OECs and SGCs were immunocytochemically characterized and confirmed by expression of low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor p75 or positive label of neuron-specific betaIII-tubulin. To investigate the mechanisms of the role of OECs in survival of SGCs, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and anti-BDNF antibody (IgY) were added into the media of the co-cultures respectively, and the surviving SGCs were examined after treatment. Single layer of OECs (92% pure) was seen seven days after plating. Surviving SGCs, which extended their primary neurites, were found on the surface of the layer in the co-cultures. When OECs and SGCs were co-cultured, the number of surviving SGCs was significantly greater than that in the single culture (P<0.01). Nine days after culture, there was even no change in the number of surviving SGCs in the co-culture while the number reduced to almost zero in the single culture. In comparison with co-culture without treatment, addition of BDNF (500 pg/mL) into the media had no obvious promoting effect on the survival of SGCs. The number of surviving SGCs reduced significantly when anti-BDNF antibody was applied into the media of co-cultures (P<0.01). These results suggest that OECs can promote the survival of SGCs when they are co-cultured in vitro. BDNF released from OECs, as one of the survival factors, plays an important role in the survival of SGCs.

CT multiplane reconstruction images of superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical application of multi-planar reformation (MPR) for the diagnosis of superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective study was conducted on 9 patients who were diagnosed with SSCD syndrome in the Otology and Skull Base Surgery group of Fudan University. Three radiologists analyzed all the patients' 0.75 mm-collimated axial and coronal images and 0.75 mm-collimated MPR images, and they came up with the same results.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 18 superior semicircular canal in the 9 patients, of whom 9 were intact and 9 were defective. All the defective superior semicircular displayed a definite dehiscence in all the MPR images, which indicated the sensitivity was 100%; however, 7 of the 9 defective superior semicircular canal were diagnosed as dehiscence in axial images, while 8 of the 9 were diagnosed in coronal images, but the sensitivities were 77.8% and 88.9% respectively. The results of the other 9 with intact superior semicircular canal displayed in the MPR, axial, and coronal images were also different. In the MPR images, they all displayed definite intact roof over the superior semicircular canal. There were 2 dehiscence in all axial and coronal images, and the specificities were 77.8%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The MPR image is more useful in diagnosis of superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome than that of the routine axial and coronal images.</p>

Diagnosis of superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To better understand superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective study was conducted on 6 patients who were diagnosed with SSCD syndrome in the Otology and Skull Base Surgery group of Fudan University. The clinical presentations including symptoms, signs, auditory tests and high resolution temporal bone computed tomography were reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Four patients presented with low frequency hearing loss while acoustic reflex responses were intact. Another patient was concomitance with chronic otitis media demonstrated profound sensorineural hearing loss. The sixth patient demonstrated normal hearing. Two patients also complained of autophony, but they were unable to tolerate their own voice. Five patients presented with vertigo while 2 patients were unable to tolerate the environmental noise. All patients showed slow component vertical torsional eye movement away from the effected eye which was induced by the presence of loud sound or pressure in the middle ear or valsalva maneuver. Four patients also demonstrated vertigo induced by the loud sound, 1 patient was induced head movement by 110 dB tone. All patients were revealed variable bone defect overlying on the SSC using high resolution temporal bone CT scan with SSC reformation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The diagnosis of SSCD syndrome was established on both the presence of bone defect overlying superior semicircular canal which was demonstrated using high resolution temporal bone CT scan, and the presence of associated vestibular and auditory symptoms and signs.</p>

Uptake and accumulation of gentamicin by mouse hair cells from the cochlear explants in vitro / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the upstaging and accumulation of gentamicin by mouse hair cells in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cochlear explants were prepared from the microdissected neonatal mouse cochlea. Cochlear explants were cultured with gentamicin-Texas-red conjunction (GTTR) for different time. Laser confocal microscopy was used to observe the distribution of GTTR in the cochlear sensory cells after labeling with phalloidin-alexa-488.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Soon after culture, there was diffuse red staining all tissue cells in the explants. At later time the hair cells were more staining than other cells in the explants. There was no obviously accumulation of GTTR in the supporting cells. The peak level of fluorescent density was reached at 24 hours culture. The GTTR was seen in the infracuticular zone of the hair cells. There was still accumulation of GTTR in the hair cells of the explants after 7 days culturing.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>GTTR and cochlea explants were useful methods to investigate the pharmacokinetics and mechanisms of gentamicin accumulation over time.</p>

Etiological factor analysis of facial nerve paralysis due to chronic inflammation of middle ear / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the etiological factors of facial nerve paralysis due to chronic inflammation of middle ear.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This retrospective research included 41 patients operated for facial nerve paralysis due to chronic inflammation of middle ear. Careful exploration was made in facial canal in order to identify pathological tissue involvement. Pathological examination was performed in all operative specimens.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Four intact fallopian canals were observed. There was a defect on the fallopian canal in 37 patients (90%) and it was most commonly located on the tympanic segment of the canal (89%). Pathological report was cholesteatoma, granulation and tuberculosis, which was found in 24 cases (59%) 14 cases (34%) and 3 cases (7%), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Facial nerve paralysis due to chronic inflammation of middle ear was frequently relevant with cholesteatoma,the tympanic segment of the fallopian canal was most location to be involved in. Its major factor was the infection spreading along the nerve tissue, but not atrophy due to compression. The defect on the fallopian canal was not necessary for infection diffusion.</p>

Distribution of gentamicin in inner ear after intratympanic gentamicin injection / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate uptake and accumulation of gentamicin by cells in the guinea pig inner ear after intratympanic injection using a fluorescent probe--gentamicin-Texas-red conjunction (GTTR).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Adult guinea pigs (n = 80) were administered a single dose of GTrR to the middle ear cavity through the intact membrane and survived for 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 3 d, 4 d, 7 d, 14 d and 28 d. The distribution of GTTR in the cochlear and vestibular cells was observed after staining with phalloidin-alexa-488. Texas Red and DMSO were injected into the tympanum as control.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Diffuse staining of gentamicin in the labyrinth was observed initially after local drug administration. At later time point the outer hair cells and sensory cells of vestibular organ were staining more densely than the support cells in the inner ear. The peak level of fluorescent density was reached 3 days after local injection. The GTTR was observed in the infracuticular zone.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>GTTR was a potential fluorescent probe to investigate the pharmacokinetics and mechanisms of gentamicin accumulation in local application.</p>

Clinical and experimental study of treatment of nanmiqing capsule for chronic prostatitis / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To investigate the clinical effect and therapeutic mechanism of Nanmiqing capsule made of rheum palmatum, leech, astragalus memberanaceus on patients with chronic prostatitis(CP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-six CP cases were treated with Nanmiqing, while 32 CP cases were treated with Qianliekang as a control. The changes of EPS were observed pre- and post-treatment. The rat model of CP got by Xiaozhiling inducing were treated with Nanmiqing and Qianliekang respectively. The concentration of endothelin, TXB2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and SOD, IgG, IgA in plasma were measured pre- and post-treatment, meanwhile, pathological changes of prostate tissues were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 89.47% in treatment group, which was significantly higher than 71.88% in the control group (P < 0.01). Experimental study for CP rats showed that the Nanmiqing was more effective medicine than Qianliekang (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Nanmiqing was an effective medicine for CP. The mechanism of clearing heat and resolving toxin, activating blood and removing stasis and reinforcing Qi in chinese medicine could be the explanation of the useful treatment including three therapentic ways.</p>