THE function and morphology study of eustachian tube based on sonotubometry and multi-slice spiral CT in normal subjects / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: In order to assess ET more comprehensively, sonotubometry (STM)combined with CT images were applied to investigate the opening features of eustachian tube (ET) in normal subjects. STM was also used as a monitor training ET opening maneuver and optimizing CT scan parameters. Methods: Following ET opening training monitored by STM, STM data of ET opening duration and maximum sound pressure from 13 healthy volunteers (10 males and 3 females, 22 to 26 years old) were acquired using maneuvers of swallowing and Valsalva in standing and supine positions. Two trials of CT scan, setting A (slice thickness 6.0 mm, manually simulated to 0.6 mm, reconstruction thickness 0.6 mm) for normal and Valsalva scans and setting B(slice thickness 0.4 mm,reconstruction thickness 0.4 mm)for Valsalva scan, were conducted in each subject. The bone area and cartilage area of ET were measured respectively in reconstructed CT images. Statistical software SPSS 19.0 was employed in data analysis. Results: The duration of ET opening and maximum sound pressure by Valsalva were longer and stronger than those by swallowing in both positions. For Valsalva maneuver, standing position resulted in longer ET opening duration compared to supine position (P<0.05). Under setting A, ET cartilage area was measured larger by Valsalva scan than by normal scan (P<0.05). By Valsalva scan, setting A captured larger ET cartilage area compared to setting B (P<0.05). CT setting B resulted in longer scan time in comparison to setting A (P<0.05). Conclusions: Techniques of STM in supine position plus CT scan under setting A can be combined by Valsalva passive ET opening. Not only the invisible ET lumen through routine CT scan can be illustrated, but also relevant ET open-close process is shown, therefore, this study provides the technique for ET research of function and structure.

Inner ear morphological study of guinea pigs with acoustically evoked short latency negative response / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a model of ototoxicity in guinea pigs with acoustically evoked short latency negative response (ASNR) and verify the responsible organ of ASNR based on microscopic characteristics of basal membranes, saccules, utricles and ampulla canalis semicircularis of the inner ear.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Total of 45 guinea pigs were employed in the experiment, which were randomly divided into the control group (15 subjects, 30 ears) and the deafened group (30 subjects, 60 ears). Each animal experienced auditory brainstem response (ABR). A quick treatment was employed for deafened group consisting of a subcutaneous injection of kanamycin at a dose of 400 mg/kg followed by jugular vein injection of ethacrynic acid at a dose of 40 mg/kg one hour later. The animals were performed ABR test from 7 to 10 days after the drug administration. The deafened group was further divided into ASNR group and non-ASNR group based on the presence of ASNR. All the guinea pigs were sacrificed after ABR tests. The Corti organ, macula sacculi, macula utriculi and crista ampullaris were observed by light microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the deafened group (60 ears), 3 subjects died postoperatively, 27 subjects (54 ears) provided full data. ASNR was elicited in 19 ears (35.2%, 19/54), the thresholds of ASNR were from 110 to 125 dBSPL with average of (121.7 ± 4.5) dBSPL. ASNR latency ranges were 1.80 - 2.08 ms, the average latency of thresholds were (1.93 ± 0.07) ms. The stretched preparation results: overall hair-cell density of macula saccule, macula utriculi and crista ampullaris decreased in order of normal control group, ASNR group and non-ASNR group. There was no difference between the normal group and ASNR group for cell density of macula saccule. Apart from this, statistical differences were found among other groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The present study evoked ASNR in an ototoxicity guinea pig model which was profound hearing loss with normal saccular function and normal saccular hair cell density. It suggested that ASNR originates from the saccule and have no relation with cochlear, utricle and semicircular canal according to morphological study.</p>

Analysis of sniffing test in otitis media with effusion / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the roles of the closure disorder of Eustachian tube in occurrence and development of otitis media with effusion (OME).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-six adults with OME, 16 children with OME, 66 health adults and 20 health children were selected according to diagnosis criteria. Sniffing test was measured by Tubo-tymanoaerodynamic graphy and the self-designed questionnaires were surveyed in all cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positive levels in sniffing test were regarded as external auditory canal press 10dapa lower than baseline of the pressure. The positive rate was 64.86% in adults with OME, which was higher than health adults (P < 0.01). The positive rate was 70.83% in children with OME which was higher than health children (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The higher positive rate of sniff test in OME patients suggests that closure disorder in Eustachian tube playing an important role in the occurrence and development of OME.</p>

Clinical analyses of sudden sensorineural hearing loss in 14 nasopharyngeal carcinomas following radiotherapy / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical characteristics and effects of sudden sensorineural hearing loss in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) following radiotherapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical characteristics and effects in 14 NPC patients (15 ears) with sudden sensorineural hearing loss following radiotherapy were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The sudden sensorineural hearing loss happened more in male subjects than female subjects and more in the left ear than the right ear. Its occurrence time was averaged 6.6 years following radiotherapy. Most of the patients suffered hearing loss prior to the sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 Hz average hearing thresholds: sudden hearing loss ears (78.5 ± 24.7) dBHL, none-sudden hearing loss ears (57.0 ± 32.4) dBHL, among which, 73.33% (11/15) for sensorineural hearing loss, 26.67% (4/15) for mixed hearing loss. 12 cases had complications following radiotherapy. At least one case had posterior circulation barrier. The total effective rate was 26.67% (4/15) and four cases had relapsed and in vain thereafter.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In NPC patients who received radiotherapy, it caused more serious sudden sensorineural hearing loss and the treatment effects were poor and hearing loss was susceptible to relapse. The pathogenesis may be related to the radiation caused posterior circulation disorders.</p>

Origin of acoustically evoked short latency negative response in guinea pigs / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a model of acoustically evoked short latency negative response (ASNR) in guinea pigs, a model of profound hearing loss with normal saccular functions, and verify the correlation between ASNR and vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two healthy guinea pigs were employed in the experiment, which were randomly divided into control group (16 subjects) and deafened group (16 subjects). Each animal experienced auditory and vestibular tests including auditory brainstem response (ABR), VEMP and caloric test. A quick treatment was employed for deafened group consisting of a subcutaneous injection of kanamycin at a dose of 400 mg/kg followed by a jugular vein injection of ethacrynic acid at a dose of 40 mg/kg one hour later. The animals were received ABR, VEMP and caloric test 7 - 10 days following the drug administration. The deafened group was further divided into ASNR group and non-ASNR group, based on the presence of ASNR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In deafened group, five subjects died postoperatively, 11 subjects (22 ears) provided full data, ASNR was elicited in eight ears (36.4%), the threshold was 120 - 130 dB SPL with mean of (124.4 ± 4.96) dB SPL. Its latency range was 1.75 - 2.60 ms with mean of (2.15 ± 0.27) ms. The mean latency of threshold was (2.34 ± 0.18) ms. All eight ASNR ears presented with VEMP. The VEMP threshold, positive and negative potential latencies proved no statistical difference (P > 0.05) between ASNR group and control group. Significant difference was detected between the VEMP presence of ASNR group and non-ASNR group (P = 0.002). There was no statistically significant correlation between VEMP and caloric test neither between ASNR and caloric test in deafened group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This study evoked ASNR in an ototoxicity guinea pig model which has profound hearing loss with normal saccular functions. The presence of ASNR correlated with VEMP, however, not correlated with caloric test, suggesting that ASNR and VEMP are both originated from the saccule.</p>

Analysis of Epstein-Barr viral DNA load, EBV-LMP2 specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes and levels of CD4+CD25+ T cells in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinomas positive for IgA antibody to EBV viral capsid antigen / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a herpesvirus commonly associated with several malignant diseases including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), which is a common cancer in Southeastern Asia. Previous studies showed that plasma levels of EBV-DNA might be a sensitive and reliable biomarker for the diagnosis, staging and evaluating of therapy for NPC. There are a few analyses of the levels of EBV-latent membrane protein 2 (LMP2)-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) in patients with NPC. This study was conducted to investigate the levels of EBV-LMP2-specific CTLs, EBV-DNA load and the level of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells in such patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From February 2006 to April 2006, 62 patients with NPC, 40 healthy virus carriers positive for EBV viral capsid antigen (EBV-IgA-VCA) and 40 controls were enrolled in the study. We used a highly sensitive ELISPOT assay, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and flow cytometry to measure the EBV-LMP2-specific CTL response, the EBV DNA load and the level of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The EBV-LMP2-specific CTL responses of the samples from the control, healthy virus carriers and patients with NPC were significantly different from the LMP2 epitopes, with the control and healthy virus carrier samples displaying a stronger response in three cases. There were significant differences in EBV DNA load in serum between NPC and the healthy groups; patients with NPC at stages III or IV had significantly higher viral loads compared with those at stages I or II. A significantly higher percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+) T lymphocytes were detected in the patients, compared with healthy virus carriers and healthy controls. Moreover, patients with advanced stages of NPC (III and IV) had significantly higher percentages than the patients with early stages (I and II).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Patients with NPC are frequently unable to establish or maintain sufficient immunosurveillance to control proliferating B cells harboring EBV and to destroy the tumor cells that express immunodominant LMP2 proteins. Controlling the activity of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells and elevating CD8(+) cells specific for LMP2 epitopes could be an effective immunotherapy for patients with NPC.</p>

Dendritic cells transfected with recombinant adenovirus Ad5F35-LMP2 induces LMP2 specific immunity mediated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes in vitro / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe whether dendritic cells (DCs) transfected with recombinant adenovirus Ad5F35-LMP2 induces LMP2 specific immunity mediated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Dendritic cells have been generated in vitro, and cocultured with autologous T cell after the DCs were infected with Ad5F35-LMP2, then the proliferation of the induced T cells and their cytotoxic activity against CNE-2 tumor cells which express EBV-LMP2 protein on membrane were assessed by MTT method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The dendritic cells could be transfected with Ad5F35-LMP2 and the CTL activated by Ad5F35-LMP2-DC could effectively suppress the proliferation of CNE-2 cells compared with control groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The dendritic cells transfected with recombinant adenovirus Ad5F35-LMP2 showed cytotoxicity effect by activating T lymphocytes.</p>

Relationship between the expression of TrkB and anoikis resistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma line / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the regulation of anoikis by tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma lines. METHODS; Expression levels of TrkB and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were evaluated by RT-PCR and Western blot. Colony formation ability of C666-1 was observed in soft agar. Proliferation rate and apoptosis, that change in cells by treating the TrkB inhibitor K252a and specificity ligand BDNF respectively under suspension culture, were measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and the flow cytometry assay. The expression change of TrkB, BDNF and phosphorylation of serine threonine kinase (p-Akt) were investigated by Western blot analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TrkB and BDNF were identified in C666-1 cells. C666-1 cells could be decreased the proliferation of colony in soft agar by effect of K252a, but BDNF could make the colony prolific. K252a can inhibit the expression of TrkB in C666-1, and prevent p-Akt activation. And exogenous BDNF stimulated up-regulation TrkB and p-Akt, induced anoikis resistance.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TrkB inhibits anoikis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Inhibiton of TrkB by K252a can induce anoikis, and may prove particularly effective in treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.</p>

Effect of sodium salicylate on the auditory brain stem response threshold and expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase in spiral ganglion of juvenile and adult guinea pigs / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the differences of regulation of sodium salicylate on the auditory brain stem response (ABR) threshold and expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) protein in spiral ganglion of juvenile and adult guinea pigs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fourty juvenile guinea pigs which were born just four days and fourty adult guinea pigs which were born thirty days were selected. They were divided four groups (group A; group B; group C; group D). ABR threshold was detected before administration, after administration for 15 days and after administration stopped for 30 days. The protein expression of GAD were measured after administration for 15 days and after administration stopped for 30 days by the method of immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>ABR threshold of juvenile sodium salicylate groups (group C) was increased remarkably than that of before administration and the control after administration for 15 days (P < 0.001). ABR threshold of group C was returned to the level of that of before administration and after administration stopped for 30 days. ABR threshold of adult sodium salicylate groups (group D) was increased remarkably than that of before administration and the control after administration for 15 days (P < 0.001). ABR threshold of group D was kept the high level after administration stopped for 30 days. The protein expression of GAD of sodium salicylate groups (group C and D) was decreased than that of the control after administration for 15 days. The protein expression of group C was more visible regression than that of group D (t = 4.7, P < 0.001). The protein expression of group C was returned the level of before administration after administration stopped for 30 days, but the protein expression of group D was kept the high level.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results suggest that sodium salicylate can regulate differently ABR threshold and expression of GAD protein in spiral ganglion of juvenile and adult guinea pigs. The effects of sodium salicylate on ABR threshold and expression of GAD protein in spiral ganglion of juvenile pigs are more noticeable than that of adult guinea pigs, but these changes are easier to return the normal than that of adult guinea pigs.</p>

Immune responses induced by recombinant adenovirus Ad5F35-LMP2 in rhesus monkeys / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the specific cellular and humoral immune responses after immunization with recombinant adenovirus Ad5F35-LMP2 in rhesus monkeys.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixteen rhesuses were immunized with Ad5F35-LMP2 through intra-muscular injection in three groups: high dosage group (1.5 x 10(10) TCID(50)/rhesus), medium dosage group (1.5 x 10(9)TCID(50)/rhesus), low dosage group (1.5 x 10(8)TCID50/rhesus) and the last group was control (PBS 4 ml/rhesus). They were totally immunized three times at intervals of one month. The EBV-LMP2 specific cellular immune responses were tested during the 0, 4, 8, 12 weeks by Elispot after immunization respectively. And the titers of anti-LMP2 antibody were tested by EIA at the same time.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>EBV-LMP2 specific cellular and humoral immune responses which were induced by recombinant adenovirus Ad5F35-LMP2 can be found in all the three dosage groups. The potency of immune responses was related with the dosage of immunization. Higher dosage elicited more potent immune response.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The recombinant adenovirus Ad5F35-LMP2 could elicit LMP2 specific cellular and humoral immune responses in rhesus.</p>

Effects of sodium salicylate on the expressions of gamma-aminobutyricacid and glutamate and auditory response properties of the inferior colliculus neurons / 生理学报

The effects of sodium salicylate (NaSA) on the expressions of gamma-aminobutyricacid (GABA) and glutamate (Glu), and auditory response properties of the inferior colliculus neurons in mice were studied. Thirty-six Kunming mice were divided into three groups: control group (saline injection); NaSA group (NaSA 450 mg/kg, i.p., each day for 15 d); NaSA + lidocaine group (NaSA 450 mg/kg + lidocaine 10 mg/kg, i.p., each day for 15 d). The expressions of GABA and Glu were examined with immunohistochemical method. The intensity-rate function, intensity-latency function and frequency-tuning curve were determined with extracellular electrophysiological recording. Results are as follows: (1) The expression of GABA in the NaSA and NaSA + lidocaine groups decreased remarkably compared with that in the control group; there was no noticeable difference between the NaSA and NaSA + lidocaine groups. The expression of Glu in the NaSA group increased significantly compared with that in the control and NaSA + lidocaine groups. No difference in the expression of Glu was found between the control and NaSA + lidocaine groups. (2) In NaSA group, the intensity-rate function displayed a non-monotonic pattern, rising at low intensity and descending at high intensity; the tip of frequency-tuning curves became broad after administration of NaSA. (3) The changes in intensity-rate function and intensity-latency function were not evident and the tips of the frequency-tuning curves sharpened in the NaSA + lidocaine group. These results suggest that administration of NaSA increases the expression of Glu-positive neurons and reduces that of GABA-positive neurons in the inferior colliculus. NaSA changes the auditory response properties of the inferior colliculus and lidocaine can reverse these changes.

Characteristics of hearing loss in 299 high-risk neonates / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the occurrence of hearing loss in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and very low-birth weight infant (VLBW) body mass, and to provide evidence for early intervention.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 299 high-risk neonates (598 ears) were divided into six groups: pure hyperbilirubinemia group, pure HIE group, hyperbilirubinemia with HIE group, hyperbilirubinemia with VLBW group, HIE with LBWI group, hyperbilirubinemia with VLBW and HIE mass group. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) was detected in all groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The hearing threshold of ABR and the abnormal rate of hyperbilirubinemia with LBWI and HIE were much higher than that of pure hyperbilirubinemia and pure HIE neonates.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Of the three high-risk factors, hearing loss occurs more often and more serious in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia and with VLBW while as HIE body mass. So the babies should receive hearing screening with ABR and be treated in time or following up as early as possible.</p>