Antinociceptive role of neurotensin receptor 1 in rats with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

Background@#Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a major side effect of anti-cancer drugs. Neurotensin receptors (NTSRs) are widely distributed within the pain circuits in the central nervous system. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of NTSR1 by examining the effects of an NTSR1 agonist in rats with CIPN and investigate the contribution of spinal serotonin receptors to the antinociceptive effect. @*Methods@#Sprague–Dawley rats (weight 150–180 g) were used in this study. CIPN was induced by injecting cisplatin (2 mg/kg) once a day for 4 days. Intrathecal catheters were placed into the subarachnoid space of the CIPN rats. The antiallodynic effects of intrathecally or intraperitoneally administered PD 149163, an NTSR1 agonist, were evaluated. Furthermore, the levels of serotonin in the spinal cord were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. @*Results@#Intrathecal or intraperitoneal PD 149163 increased the paw withdrawal threshold in CIPN rats. Intrathecal administration of the NTSR1 antagonist SR 48692 suppressed the antinociceptive effect of PD 149163 given via the intrathecal route, but not the antinociceptive effect of intraperitoneally administered PD 149163. Intrathecal administration of dihydroergocristine, a serotonin receptor antagonist, suppressed the antinociceptive effect of intrathecally administered, but not intraperitoneally administered, PD 149163. Injecting cisplatin diminished the serotonin level in the spinal cord, but intrathecal or intraperitoneal administration of PD 149163 did not affect this reduction. @*Conclusions@#NTSR1 played a critical role in modulating CIPN-related pain. Therefore, NTSR1 agonists may be useful therapeutic agents to treat CIPN. In addition, spinal serotonin receptors may be indirectly involved in the effect of NTSR1 agonist.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and Rehabilitation Therapy / 대한이비인후과학회지

No abstract available.

Comparison of Fungus Detection between PCR and Fungus Culture in Chronic Sinusitis and Normal Controls / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fungi are found in normal flora in various amounts. However, fungi in chronic sinusitis are poorly understood, and it is not clearly defined whether it is a pathogen or simply a part of normal flora. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is proposed as a more reliable test to detect fungal DNA than the conventional culture technique. The aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity of conventional culture technique and PCR analysis in detecting fungus of the nasal cavity and to compare fungal species found in normal controls and patients with chronic sinusitis. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Sterile saline irrigation was performed and then mucin filled saline was collected from the nasal cavity of patients with chronic sinusitis and normal controls. Fungus culture and PCR analysis were carried out with irrigated saline. RESULTS: PCR for panfungal gene was positive in 92.5% and 97.5% while fungus cultures were positive in 23.3% and 30.5% of patients with chronic sinusitis and normal controls, respectively. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of fungus and species of fungus between patients with chronic sinusitis and normal controls. CONCLUSION: PCR for panfungal gene was more sensitive for fungus detection than fungus culture in patients with chronic sinusitis and normal controls. Presence of fungus alone was insufficient to implicate it as the pathogen of chronic sinusitis. It will be necessary to study further about fungal species in patients with chronic sinusitis and normal controls.

The Significance of Head-Shaking Nystagmus in the Vestibular Evaluation of the Chronic Dizzy Patient

OBJECTIVES : Nystagmus after rapid head-shaking (head-shake nystagmus) is transient horizontal nystagmus which is observed after passive horizontal headshake by yaw axis. It has been used for the evaluation of the remnant vestibular function. This study compared one patient group complaining of chronic vertigo with another normal group with no symptom. We tried to confirm the efficacy as a tool for the evaluation of the vestibular function in the old who had less knowledge of diasease itself, by searching the occurrence rate of head-shake nystagmus by age. MATERIALS AND METHODS : Of dizzy patients under Vertigo Index III, 19 patients with normal ENG and 20 patients showing only the decrease of the gain on the rotatory test were selected, and head-shake nystagmus was evaluated. Normal control (n=12) were all the heathy patients without any history of the otologic illness after consideration of their age. Eye movement was recorded with ENG testing and Frenzel glasses for 1minute in the dark room after vigorous head shaking at a frequency of 2Hz. Presence or absence of the head-shake nystagmus was judged by two otolaryngologist. RESULTS : Only 41% (16/39) of the dizzy patients showed headshake nystagmus. On the other hand, 8% (1/12) of normal control group revealed headshake nystagmus(p < 0.03). 50% (10/20) of the patient group showing the decrease of the gain, and 31% (6/19) of the another group with normal vestibular function revealed headshake nystagmus. When the detection rate of the nystagmus is compared according to the testing methods, it is 33% (17/51) by ENG testing, 12% (6/51) by Franzel glass test. Incidence rate of the headshake nystagmus by age is 25% (5/20) in the dizzy patient group under 50 years old, 58% (11/19) in the group over 50 years old(p < 0.03). CONCLUSION : Head-shake nystagmus showed some difference according to the vestibular compensatory periods, but Its sensitivity was 41% and it is thought to be used convenient just in the old. However, attention should be paid to observe the nystagmus in case of using the Frenzel glasses.

Dual Ectopic Thyroid / 대한이비인후과학회지

Dual ectopic thyroid is an uncommon entity and seven cases have been reported in the literature. Clinically, most cases in ectopic thyroid were noted at adolescence or postpartum due to increased physiologic hormonal demands. The sublingual area is the most common site of ectopic thyroid tissue, accounting for 90% of the cases, followed by the area in high cervical thyroid. Clinical manifestation, thyroid function test, and radiologic imaging should be employed for making diagnosis and therapeutic plan of this disease. The primary therapeutic goal is to restore the thyroid function. We describe a patient with dual ectopic thyroid tissue in the sublingual and subhyoid area.