Daisuke Mohri

Expression of Activating Transcription Factor 3 and Growth-associated Protein 43 in the Rat Geniculate Ganglion Neurons after Chorda Tympani Injury

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree of damage in the geniculate ganglion and its target organ as a result of chorda tympani (CT) injury. We performed unilateral transection of the rat CT and examined expression of the activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), a neuronal injury marker, and the growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43), a regeneration-associated molecule. The mean proportion of ATF3-immunoreactive (ir) neurons in the geniculate ganglion was: 32% at 3 days after CT injury, but these neurons were never detected in the naive ganglion. Using in situ hybridization, the mean percentage of GAP-43 mRNA-labeled neurons (signal: noise ratio S 10) was observed to have increased significantly to 60% for 1-7 days after CT injury, while that in the naive ganglion was <15%. The results of morphological studies using scanning electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry indicated that atrophic change and reduction of protein gene-product 9.5-ir fibers in the denervated papillae, mainly in the intragemmal region, were observed after CT injury. Increase in GAP-43 mRNA, suggesting CT axonal regeneration, may have a role in recovery from taste disorders. However, this regenerative process may be involved in abnormal activity in the axotomized neurons or the adjacent intact neurons and so one must not disregard the existence of injured geniculate ganglions when considering the treatment of diseases that cause CT injury.

Change in gene expression in facial nerve nuclei and the effect of superoxide dismutase in a rat model of ischemic facial paralysis.

Peripheral nerve injury induces changes in gene expressions of a variety of neuroactive substances in cell somata, which may have roles in the adaptive response to the injury, neuronal survival, growth and regeneration. In this study, we designed a rat model of ischemic peripheral facial paralysis with a selective embolization technique, and observed mRNA expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), c-jun, and growth associated protein (GAP)-43 in facial nerve nuclei using in situ hybridization histochemistry. The rats were demonstrated to have a transient facial paralysis consistently, and thus this method was regarded as a model of minor peripheral nerve injury. The mRNA of CGRP, c-jun and GAP-43 showed a distinct pattern of induction and time course of increase after the ischemic nerve injury. The results suggest that the small injury to the peripheral nerve was able to induce changes in mRNA expression in the cell body of motoneurons. We also investigated the protective effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD), which is a free radical-scavenging enzyme involved in cellular antioxidant defenses. The SOD treatment clearly alleviated the behavioral impairment and decreased the CGRP mRNA expression at 3rd day after injury. These data suggest that a free radical generated by the ischemia may be partially responsible for ischemic nerve damage and the change in gene expression in motoneurons.

Reconsideration on the hyoid syndrome.

In 1975, Christiansen et al.’ reported five cases of elongated styloid process encountered in a single 12-month period. After reviewing the literature on this subject, the authors urged that this conspicuous entity be generally accepted as the cause of the neuralgia.’ Eagle’ presented the first case in which clinical symptoms resulting from an elongated styloid process were noted. In 1962, Eagle3 also reiterated the importance of being aware of this syndrome when treating patients with pharyngeal pain and discomfort, many of whom are cancer-conscious and apprehensive that a malignancy may be present in the throat. Thus, the condition caused by an elongated styloid process came to be known as “Eagle’s syndrome.” However, it is generally less well appreciated that similar or identical symptoms can be produced by other parts of the hyoid apparatus (e.g., hyoid syndrome).‘ According to Kopstein; hyoid syndrome is characterized by symptoms related to any of the parts of the hyoid apparatus, which includes the styloid processes, stylohyoid ligaments, the hyoid bone, and the hyoid-thyroid cartilage junction.’ The human hyoid bone is actually suspended from the styloid process of the temporal bone by the stylohyoid ligaments, which attach to the lesser cornua. It is therefore reasonable to consider all the parts of the hyoid apparatus and the styloid process as a single unit. It is often difficult to clearly differentiate hyoid syndrome from styloid syndrome because of their similar symptoms and the anatomic proximity of these two structures. However, the greater cornu of the hyoid and the lower part of the hyoid bone arise embryologically from the third branchial arch,

Cytochemical effects of in vitro dopamine treatment on the Na-KATPase activity in strial marginal cells.

Dopamine is often used clinically for the treatment of patients with shock. In a previous study, the Na-KATPase (K-NPPase) activity of strial marginal cells was inhibited after the repeated in vivo administration of dopamine hydrochloride. In the present study, the K-NPPase activity of strial marginal cells was determined using a cerium-based cytochemistry after an in vitro incubation with dopamine. The enzyme reaction product was found in untreated normal strial marginal cells, but it was almost completely undetectable after an in vitro treatment with 10 mM dopamine. This finding suggested that dopamine directly inhibited the Na-KATPase activity of strial marginal cells, and that these cells might have a dopamine receptor.

S270 – Maxillaly Sinusitis Caused by Dental Treatments

Objectives Dental implant therapy has been widely performed in clinical setting to improve esthetics and mastication disorders due to tooth loss by embedding such artificial materials as titanium and BioCelum into the jawbone. Recently, orthodontic specialists make the anchor a fixed source that teeth are moved. The presenters therefore clinically investigated implant-induced maxillary sinusitis because the number of dental treatment is increasing. Methods Subjects were 42 patients with 43 cases of maxillary sinusitis caused by a dental implant between 1973 and 2007. Results 1) Gender and age: The 42 patients comprised 16 men and 26 women. Mean age was 52.6 years. 2) Cause: Dental implant: 42, Anchor treatment by orthodontist: 1. 3) Duration from implant surgery to onset of maxillary sinusitis: Mean duration was 36.3 months (range, 1 month to 12years). 4) Treatment methods: Therapy comprised implant removal, Caldwell-Luc procedure and fistula closure in 20 cases, implant removal and fistula closure in 10 cases, implant or anchor removal and conservative therapy in 11 cases, and conservative therapy alone in 2 cases. Conclusions 1) In the treatment of maxillary sinusitis caused by a dental implant, the basic strategy was based on the Caldwell-Luc procedure. 2) It is thought that the generation of maxillary sinusitis by the anchor treatment increases in the future. 3) For prevention, thorough anatomical and morphological examinations of the maxilla and proper selection of materials and procedures matching each patient are important.

Effect of Oral Moisture on Taste Sensation

Taste disorders can be caused by various factors, including zinc deficiency, adverse drug reactions, cold and xerostomia, and the number of patients seeking medical assistance for such disorders is increasing. However, because taste disorders are often difficult to treat, some medical institutions will not treat these complaints.In the Department of Otolaryngology at Osaka Dental University Hospital, a clinic was opened on September 1, 2004, to treat patients with taste disorders.We treated 1 outpatient who lost one side of parotid gland due to malignancy, then lost the function of the remaining salivary gland due to Sjogrens syndrome.Subjects comprised 17 patients complaining of taste disorders with xerostomia without subjective symptoms of other otolaryngological diseases.In the present study, 4 patients were prescribed zinc by another physician, but only 2 patients actually displayed zinc deficiency. Zinc administration did not improve symptoms in any of the patients.According to the diagnostic criteria for xerostomia in our department, 17 patients had xerostomia, and 4 of these 17 patients were diagnosed with Sjogrens syndrome. These patients were instructed to gargle with cevimeline hydrochloride, and taste sensation improved in 12 patients.We have examined 17 patients to data and consider this number insufficient to draw definitive conclusions but the data we have currently suggests to the following conclusions:1. Latent Sjogrens syndrome should be suspected in patients presenting with taste disorder with xerostomia.2. In taste disorder patients with xerostomia, gargling with cevimeline hydrochloride appears very useful.3. One patient had lost a side of salivary gland, and Sjogrens syndrome caused loss of function of the remaining salivary gland. In this patient, favorable results were also obtained by gargling with cevimeline hydrochloride.

P171: Cases of Maxillary Sinusitis Caused by Dental Implants

felt teaching by pediatricians would be beneficial. If yes, they were asked to clarify whether it was lectures/rounds, clinics or rotation. What areas they perceive would be important for relating to pediatrics. Similarly, pediatricians were asked the same questions. RESULTS: A total of 164 on-call otolaryngology trainees were contacted; 155 of these completed the survey (94.5%). On average they saw five pediatric patients per week; 130 (84%) trainees said that they don’t receive any formal training by pediatricians. The majority felt that pediatric clinical experience either through clinics (38.9%), lectures (32.2%), rotation (22.5%) or pediatric courses (12.9%) would be beneficial. Formal teaching on resuscitation, dealing with the sick child was considered beneficial. Some 144 on-call pediatric trainees were contacted; 124 responded (86.1%); 85 (68.5%) said they will see five patients with ENT problems per week. N 118 (95.1%) said that they don’t receive any formal training in ENT. Similar responses were observed from the pediatric trainee responses. CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated that otolaryngology and pediatric trainees feel cross-training is important. This ultimately impacts on patient care.

R018: Effects of Oral Moisture on Taste Sensation

There were no complications observed as a result of the operative procedure or the materials used. CONCLUSION: Demineralized bone matrix appears to be a safe and effective alternative to fat autograft for frontal sinus obliteration. Longer time periods will need to be studied to evaluate the long-term efficacy of this material. SIGNIFICANCE: Demineralized bone matrix represents an alternative to autologous fat in frontal sinus obliteration. SUPPORT: This study is funded by Synthes Maxillofacial.