Calcitonin gene-related peptide in human nasal mucosa.

To explore the potential range of functions for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in human mucosa, we quantified human inferior turbinate nasal mucosal CGRP content by radioimmunoassay, localized CGRP-immunoreactivity by immunohistochemistry, detected 125I-CGRP binding sites by autoradiography, and tested the ability of CGRP to induce submucosal gland secretion in short-term explant culture of human nasal mucosa. Nasal mucosa contained 0.45-0.54 pmol CGRP/g wet wt (n = 18). Immunoreactive CGRP was found in nerve fibers that densely innervated the walls of small muscular arteries arterioles. Venules and venous sinusoids were innervated by individual CGRP staining fibers. Occasional CGRP-containing nerve fibers were also noted adjacent to submucosal gland acini, near the epithelial basement membrane, and between epithelial cells. Specific 125I-CGRP binding sites were concentrated on small muscular arteries and arterioles. CGRP (4 microM) did not stimulate glycoconjugate or lactoferrin release from mucosal explants. These results indicate that in the human nasal mucosa, CGRP is present in nerve fibers, which most likely represent nociceptive sensorimotor nerves that innervate vascular structures (muscular arteries, arterioles, veins and venous sinusoids). It is likely that CGRP release from sensory neurons may play a role in the regulation of vasomotor responses, but no evidence for a role of CGRP in glandular secretion was found.

[Concentration of trace elements in the inferior turbinates and in the nasal septum of the human]. / Konzentration der Spurenelemente in der unteren Nasenmuschel und im Septum des Menschen.

The trace elements in 47 inferior turbinates (concha nasalis inferior) and in the nasal septum were examined by means of synchrotron radiation, spectroscopy of characteristic x-rays, and "sub-micron elemental mapping with the Oxford scanning proton microprobe", and the results compared. Both first methods displayed an age-dependent reduction of Zn and an increase of Pb concentration. In some specimens the As concentration was very high. The disposition of all elements except Zn, As and Fe was uniform. Zn and As were concentrated on the surface of the septum and Fe in the region of vascular channels.

The effects of nasal surgery on airflow.

Although nasal surgery for form and function is commonplace, knowledge of its effects on nasal airflow has been scanty. This study was undertaken to clarify that relationship. Prior to our investigation, we reviewed the pertinent physics of airflow. We noted that during laminar flow, the air in contact with the walls of a tube is motionless, whereas the air in the center moves. Moreover, according to Poiseuille's law, as the radius of the tube increases, the flow increases to the fourth power. Finally, tubes that are irregular, such as the nose, cause turbulent flow. When air passes through the nose, the flow is regulated by four values: the external valve, the internal valve (the angle formed by the junction of the upper lateral cartilages and the septal cartilages are the most important), the nasal turbinates, and the septum. Using anterior rhinomanometry, the nasal airflow was measured in 69 control subjects and in 329 patients who underwent a rhinoplasty, septoplasty, septectomy (submucous resection), or inferior turbinate resection, alone or in combination. We found that a rhinoplasty does not adversely affect the nasal airflow, and those patients who had procedures to improve their nasal airflow did indeed obtain it. These data were statistically significant. The data from our airflow studies frequently failed to correlate with patient assessments of their own nasal airways as well as our evaluations by rhinoscopy. Furthermore, rhinomanometric findings varied considerably even within the same testing session. At present, on the basis of our investigations, we cannot recommend rhinomanometry with enthusiasm because of its questionable reliability and validity.

Efficacy of different phosphorus supplements for sows during gestation and lactation.

PIP: This study was undertaken to compare dicalcium, Curacao, and soft ph sophates as supplemental feeding during gestation and lactation. In Exp eriment 1, 37 crossbred sows at 11 months of age were mated and each of 4 groups given an experimental diet. The basal diet was a 16% crude pro tein-fortified corn-soybean meal containing .34% of phosphorus and .72% of calcium. The test diets were fortified with either dicalcium, Curaca o, or soft phosphate to provide .52% of phosphorus. Limestone was given to maintain .72% of calcium. Animals were confined in a concrete feedin g area and fed 1.8 kg of diet per head per day until Day 94 of gestation . At that time the diet was increased to 2.3 kg/day. On Day 109 of gestation animals were moved to farrowing crates until 10 days postpartu m and then to wooden units until weening at 8 weeks. Sows were sacrific ed after 8 weeks lactation, or if they developed posterior paralysis. In this experiment, the different phosphate sources were without observed influence on the livability or performance of pigs up to 8 weeks of age (p less than .05). Gilts receiving no supplemental phosphorus had significantly lower bone ash and phosphorus than did those receiving either of the supplements. Posterior paralysis was observed in 5 of 9 sows fed the unsupplemented diet, in 3 of 9 fed the soft supplemented diet, and in 2 of 10 fed the Curacao phosphate supplement. None fed dicalcium phosphate developed paralysis. The paralysis usually occurred after 6 weeks of lactation and was often accompanied by a fractured femur. In Experiment 2, 70 sows were bred at 10 months of age and fed 1.8 kg of the experimental diets. During 36 days of lactation, phosphorus digestibility, retention, and balance were shown to be lower for those fed only the basal diet. Bone ash, bone phosphorus, and bone strength were lower in those fed the unsupplemented diet. Results of these studies indicate the need for supplemental phosphorus in sow feeding. When feeding dicalcium phosphate or Curacao phosphate the use of over .5% phosphorus in the sow's diet is unnecessary during gestation and lactation.^ieng