Effect of Betamethasone on the cAMP of olfactory receptor neurons in rat / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of Betamethasone on the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) and explore the possible mechanisms of the recovery of olfactory disorders by steroid treatment</p><p><b>METHODS</b>ORNs membrane was extracted and incubated with 0.1 mg/ml and 1.0 mg/ml Betamethasone. The concentrations of cAMP were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at different times.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, all Betamethasone groups showed differences, indicating 0.1 mg/ml (P < 0.05) and 1.0 mg/ml (P < 0.01) Betamethasone could rise the concentration of cAMP. The Betamethasone had obvious effects on cAMP production in rat ORNs and there was a dose-dependent effect. There was no difference between 5 minutes groups and 30 minutes groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Steroid hormone could enhance the production of cAMP of ORNs. Steroid hormone may thus contribute to the recovery of olfactory disorders partially, at least, through the effect on AC-cAMP in olfactory transduction.</p>

Clinical features of primary ciliary dyskinesia / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three cases of PCD received endoscopic sinus surgery and were followed up for life quality and recovery. Among these 3 cases, two were twin brothers and the other girl was twin born with a healthy brother. The mucosa of inferior turbinate was extracted prior to the operation without narcotic and decongestant. The ultrastructure of mucosal cilia was detected with electron microscope. Nine exons of gene DNAH5 and chromosome in one case and her fraternal twin were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Nasal and sinus CT imaging of the 3 cases showed chronic pansinusitis (1 case accompanied with situs inversus according with the diagnosis of Kartagener syndrome). The nasal polyp was resected, and the sinuses were opened. The twin brothers received the adenoidectomy. All patients felt nasal ventilation improved while the surgical field still covered with thick discharges during follow-up for 2 - 4 years. Ciliary ultrastructures of the three cases showed lateral dynein absent, the sequence of 9 exons of DNAH5 and chromosome presented no change in the fraternal twins.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Surgery could improve the symptoms of sinusitis in PCD. Change of ciliary ultrastructure was an important indication of its pathological changes and molecular biology evaluation needs further study.</p>