Dai Shibata

Nitric Oxide Synthase in the Nasal Mucosa

Objective: The amount of nitric oxide (NO) in the nasal cavity is significantly higher in allergic rhinitis patients than in healthy individuals. The purpose of this study was to identify NO synthase (NOS) isoforms (NOS-1, NOS-2, and NOS-3) and examine their localization, gene expression, and protein expression in allergic rhinitis model mice. Method: Male BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally administered Cryptomeria japonica 1 (Cryj1) and adjuvant (primary immunization) 3 times; thereafter, Cryj1 was administered daily into the nasal cavity (secondary immunization). The expression of NOS-1, NOS-2, and NOS-3 in the nasal mucosa was investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis. Results: The expression of NOS-1 mRNA was significantly decreased, and NOS-2 and NOS-3 mRNA levels were significantly increased in the allergy group compared to the control group. Protein expression of NOS-1 was significantly decreased and that of NOS-2 was significantly increased in the allergy group compared with the control group, but no significant difference was noted in the levels of NOS-3 protein. Conclusion: This study shows that not only NOS-2 but also NOS-1 and NOS-3 are involved in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis.

The Continuum of Biofilms in Different Types of Otitis Media

Objective: It is recognized that the various types of otitis media (OM) follow a continuum with early forms of the disease leading to more chronic forms over time. This study investigates if biofilms play a role in conjunction with the continuum of pathological changes in different stages of OM. Method: Thirty human temporal bones of each type, sero- purulent OM (SPOM), purulent OM (POM), chronic OM with purulent effusion (PCOM), and fourteen mucoid OM (MOM), were selected. We defined “web-like structures” with host defense cells and bacterial bodies as biofilm. We examined the occurrence, frequency, and anatomic locations of biofilms. Results: Biofilms were observed in 10 (33.3%) of the 30 temporal bones with SPOM, 19 (63.3%) with POM, and 20 (66.7%) with PCOM. A significant difference of biofilms’ frequency between SPOM and POM (P = .038), and SPOM and PCOM (P = .017), was observed. The most common anatomic location was mastoid antrum and mastoid cells (35 of 49 temporal bones, 71.4%). The number of anatomic locations with biofilms was 2.20 ± 1.03 in SPOM, 2.89 ± 1.70 in POM, and 4.15 ± 1.60 in PCOM. There was a significant difference of locations between PCOM and SPOM (P < .001), and PCOM and POM (P = .022). Conclusion: The frequency of biofilms suggests that the presence of biofilms is associated with the severity of OM. The growth and development of biofilms may play an important role in the progression of chronicity of OM.

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Effective Steroid Dose

has a correlation with the air-volume of temporal bone. In other words, for a bad-development temporal bone, the second genu of facial nerve presents also with underdevelopment, with a short tympanic segment and an anteriorly located mastoid segment. 2) There is no doubt that the CT of temporal bone is very important in diagnosis of facial nerve abnormalities in congenital aural malformation. The theory is confirmed by surgery that the more serious the congenital aural malformation, the worse the course of the facial nerve is.