Jong Ouck Choi

Clinical Analysis of Voice Change as a Parameter of Premenstrual Syndrome

We have evaluated the relationship between voice change and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) by comparing acoustic measurements made during the follicular phase and the premenstrual phase. Twenty-eight women were followed for 2 months for this study. Each participant was asked to produce an /a/ sound for 5 seconds at the midfollicular phase of the menstrual cycle and then 2-3 days before menstruation. Each voice sample was stored and analyzed by the Dr. Speech Science program. The voice data collected from all subjects during the two phases were compared. After that, the subjects were divided into a PMS-positive and PMS-negative group according to the criteria cited in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV); the voice data from each group were compared separately between the two phases. There was no significant difference in the acoustic parameters between the two phases in all subjects (N = 28). In the PMS-positive group (N = 16), jitter was significantly increased during the premenstrual phase compared to the follicular phase (p = 0.048). The patients PMS score was not correlated with the severity of voice change. We conclude that the change of voice parameter was objectively identified in the PMS-positive group, therefore more careful voice habituation is required during the premenstrual phase in that group.

Antimicrobial defensin peptides of the human nasal mucosa

Defensins, a prominent group of antimicrobial peptides, are an important component of the innate immune response, particularly at mucosal surfaces that are vulnerable to colonization by potential pathogens. The present study was undertaken to investigate the expression of defensins in inferior turbinate mucosa of normal subjects and inferior turbinate mucosa and nasal polyps of patients with chronic sinusitis. Expression of β-defensin 1 and 2 and α-defensin 5 and 6 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) was investigated by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction, and their expression level was semiquantitatively evaluated by dot blot hybridization. Immunohistochemical analysis was used for detection of α-defensins 1, 2, and 3 in tissue sections. β-Defensin 1 mRNA was expressed in all tissue samples, at levels that did not differ significantly. β-Defensin 2 mRNA was detected in the turbinate mucosa and nasal polyps of patients with chronic sinusitis, but not in normal mucosa. Its expression level was significantly higher in nasal polyps than in turbinate mucosa. α-Defensin 5 and 6 mRNAs were not expressed in any tissues, but α-defensins 1, 2, and 3 were detected in all tissue samples obtained from patients with chronic sinusitis. These results suggest that β-defensin 1 may play a constitutive role in nasal defenses, whereas α-defensins 1, 2, and 3 and β-defensin 2 may be induced in response to local infection or inflammation.

Olfactory Mucosal Findings in Patients with Persistent Anosmia after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Sixty-three biopsy specimens were obtained from the olfactory region of 15 patients with persistent anosmia and 6 patients with normosmia after sinus surgery. Immunohistochemical examination of all specimens with microtubule-associated protein 5 (MAP5) antisera demonstrated olfactory epithelium in 11 of 18 specimens from normosmic patients and in 12 of 45 samples from anosmic patients. There was a significant difference in the proportion of specimens containing olfactory epithelium between the two groups of patients. In normosmic patients, most of the biopsy samples contained normal-appearing olfactory tissue. However, 2 main patterns of histologic findings were noted in the olfactory mucosa of anosmic patients. First, the olfactory receptor cells were remarkably decreased in number. Second, the orderly arrangement of cells characteristic of normal olfactory epithelium was lost, demonstrating a degenerative appearance. These data suggest that olfactory epithelium can be degenerated even in chronic sinusitis and thereafter extensively replaced with respiratory epithelium, resulting in increased sampling error. Moreover, an unimproved olfactory deficit after sinus surgery may be due to the abnormalities observed at the olfactory epithelium level.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in otitis media.

Increased vascular permeability and endothelial cell growth are important in the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion (OME) and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to play an important role in the increased vascular permeability and angiogenesis. To date, at least five isoforms of the VEGF family have been identified as VEGF transcripts, encoding polypeptides of 206, 189, 165, 145 and 121, but their physiological roles are unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of VEGF, in both endotoxin-induced OME of the rat and human otitis media. We instilled endotoxin and saline as a control into the middle ear cavity of the rat. Middle ear mucosa were taken at 0 h, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 1 day, 3 days, 7 days and 14 days and the expression of VEGF mRNA and VEGF protein was evaluated using semi-quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Expression of VEGF164 mRNA and VEGF120 mRNA was first identified 1 h after endotoxin instillation and was dramatically increased over the period 6 h-1 day and then progressively decreased by day 7. The level of expression of VEGF120 mRNA was slightly higher than that of VEGF164 mRNA and that of VEGF164 mRNA was much higher than that of VEGF188 mRNA. Immunostaining revealed expression of VEGF during 6 h to day 3 and its expression was localized to ciliated cells and some inflammatory cells. We also performed RT-PCRs of cDNA from middle ear fluids of 8 human OME patients and middle ear mucosa of 4 chronic otitis media patients for the identification of VEGF mRNA expression. VEGF121 mRNA was highly expressed in all samples compared with VEGF165 mRNA. These results suggest that VEGF may be primarily responsible for increased vascular permeability and endothelial cell growth in OME and that VEGF seems to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of OME.

Expression of myosin heavy chain mRNA in rat laryngeal muscles

The composition of myosin heavy chain mRNA was analysed quantitatively in 5 intrinsic laryngeal muscles of rats, using a competitive polymerase chain reaction. Intrinsic laryngeal muscles with the fastest contraction times, e.g. ventricular thyroarytenoid muscle. lateral cricoarytenoid muscle. and vocalis muscle, contained 2 fast isoforms, comprising mainly type 2B myosin heavy chains (52.1, 44.6 and 8.2%, respectively) and type 2X myosin heavy chains (21.9, 37.6 and 80.8%, respectively). Conversely, muscles with slower contraction times, such as posterior cricoarytenoid muscle and cricothyroid muscle, contained more than 85% of 2 fast isoforms; mainly type 2X myosin heavy chains (52.4-72.1%, respectively) and type 2A myosin heavy chains (34.6-25.2%, respectively). The results show a strong correlation between the composition of fast myosin heavy chain isoforms and muscle contraction times. Type 2L myosin heavy chain transcripts specific for laryngeal muscles and extra-ocular muscles were expressed in the order of ventricular thyroarytenoid (9.5%) > lateral cricoarytenoid (4.8%) > vocalis (2.5%) > posterior cricoarytenoid muscle (0.9%), but were not expressed in cricothyroid muscle. Neonatal myosin heavy chain was also expressed in all laryngeal muscles, ranging from 0.04 to 3%, but embryonic myosin heavy chain was expressed in ventricular thyroarytenoid, posterior cricoarytenoid and cricothyroid muscle at very low levels. These results suggest that intrinsic laryngeal muscles have different expression patterns for myosin heavy chain isoforms and may have different regulatory roles related to their functional requirement.

Expression of human β-defensin 1 mRNA in human nasal mucosa

Antimicrobial peptides are cationic proteins that are found in a wide range of organisms. Recent reports suggested that human -defensin 1 (hBD-1), a prominent group of antimicrobial peptides, is an important component of the innate immune response, particularly at mucosal surfaces that are vulnerable to colonization by potential pathogens. Therefore, hBD-1 may participate in providing intrinsic nasal mucosal defence against microbial infections. The present study aimed to look for hBD-1 mRNA in human nasal mucosa without obvious signs of inflammation. Total RNA was isolated from human inferior turbinate mucosa and hBD-1 mRNA was detected in these tissues by using reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). By in situ hybridization, hBD-1 mRNA was predominantly localized in superficial epithelial cells and submucosal glandular epithelium of human inferior turbinate mucosa. These data suggest that nasal epithelia and submucosal glands may secrete hBD-1, contributing to the mucosal defences of the nose. Key words: inferior turbinate mucosa, in situ hybridization, mucosal defence, RT-PCR.Antimicrobial peptides are cationic proteins that are found in a wide range of organisms. Recent reports suggested that human -defensin 1 (hBD-1), a prominent group of antimicrobial peptides, is an important component of the innate immune response, particularly at mucosal surfaces that are vulnerable to colonization by potential pathogens. Therefore, hBD-1 may participate in providing intrinsic nasal mucosal defence against microbial infections. The present study aimed to look for hBD-1 mRNA in human nasal mucosa without obvious signs of inflammation. Total RNA was isolated from human inferior turbinate mucosa and hBD-1 mRNA was detected in these tissues by using reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). By in situ hybridization, hBD-1 mRNA was predominantly localized in superficial epithelial cells and submucosal glandular epithelium of human inferior turbinate mucosa. These data suggest that nasal epithelia and submucosal glands may secrete hBD-1, contributing to the mucosal defences of the nose.

Tortuous common carotid artery encountered during neck dissection.

Abstract Anomalies of the carotid artery are rare in clinical experience. To our knowledge a tortuous common carotid artery with an abnormal course encountered during neck dissection has never been reported in the available world literature. During dissection of the lower neck in a 60-year-old Korean man, a tortuous right common carotid artery was found to cross over the lower cervical trachea anteriorly and then was positioned in its usual site in the carotid sheath in the mid-neck.

Intraductal papilloma of the parotid gland in a child.

Intraductal papillomas of the salivary glands are rare benign solitary tumors arising from the excretory duct; they are usually found in minor salivary glands and are presented as a cystic mass.1,2 Intraductal papillomas of the parotid gland are extremely rare. To date, only 3 cases arising in the parotid gland have been reported in the literature.3-5 There is 1 report of an intraductal papilloma of the parotid gland, which was regarded as the possible origin of an adenoid cystic carcinoma.5 All cases of the previous reports were documented in adults but not in a child. Here, we present a child who was found to have intraductal papilloma as a cause of a parotid mass.

Expression of mRNA of Trefoil Factor Peptides in Human Nasal Mucosa

Trefoil factor family (TFF) peptides are typical secretory products of gastrointestinal mucus epithelia. Three TFF peptides exist in humans, TFF1 (formerly pS2), TFF2 (formerly hSP) and TFF3 (formerly hP1.B hITF), acting as link peptides and influencing the rheological properties of mucous gels. The combined actions of TFF peptides and mucins have been shown to provide significant protection to mucosal surfaces. In this respect, TFF peptides may play a key role in the maintenance of the surface integrity of nasal mucosa. The present study aimed to investigate the expression of mRNA of TFF peptides in human inferior turbinate mucosa using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization. TFF1 and TFF3 mRNA were detected in the human turbinate tissues examined. In contrast, TFF2 mRNA was not expressed in any samples. Using in situ hybridization, TFF1 and TFF3 mRNA were predominantly localized in epithelial cells and submucosal glandular epithelium. These data suggest that nasal epithelia and submucosal glands may secrete TFF1 and TFF3, contributing to the stabilization of the mucous lining of human nasal mucosa.Trefoil factor family (TFF) peptides are typical secretory products of gastrointestinal mucus epithelia. Three TFF peptides exist in humans, TFF1 (formerly pS2), TFF2 (formerly hSP) and TFF3 (formerly hP1.B/hITF), acting as link peptides and influencing the rheological properties of mucous gels. The combined actions of TFF peptides and mucins have been shown to provide significant protection to mucosal surfaces. In this respect, TFF peptides may play a key role in the maintenance of the surface integrity of nasal mucosa. The present study aimed to investigate the expression of mRNA of TFF peptides in human inferior turbinate mucosa using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization. TFF1 and TFF3 mRNA were detected in the human turbinate tissues examined. In contrast, TFF2 mRNA was not expressed in any samples. Using in situ hybridization, TFF1 and TFF3 mRNA were predominantly localized in epithelial cells and submucosal glandular epithelium. These data suggest that nasal epithelia and submucosal glands may secrete TFF1 and TFF3, contributing to the stabilization of the mucous lining of human nasal mucosa.

Analysis of Proteoglycan Gene Messages in Human Nasal Mucosa and Nasal Polyp using Dot Blot Hybridization

It has been suggested that the formation and growth of nasal polyp require the remodeling of extracellular matrix. Proteoglycans (PGs) are major components of the extracellular matrix that maintain the integrity of structural tissue. The leucine-rich repeat PGs include lumican, decorin and biglycan and have many important biologic activities in various pathologic conditions, including the remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Therefore, these small-PG families may be involved in the formation and growth of nasal polyp. In the present study, surgical specimens of nasal polyps and nasal mucosa were assessed for expression of mRNA coding for lumican, decorin and biglycan using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction followed by dot blot hybridization. Lumican, decorin and biglycan mRNA were expressed in all tissue samples examined. Semiquantitative dot blot hybridization revealed that the levels of the lumican and biglycan messages are lower in nasal polyp tissues than in nasal mucosa. The decorin messages in nasal polyp were expressed at levels similar to those in nasal mucosa. These results suggest that lumican, decorin and biglycan may be important components of the extracellular matrix in nasal mucosa. Considering the function of these PGs, normal levels of decorin associated with low levels of biglycan and lumican may play a role in the pathogenesis of nasal polyposis.It has been suggested that the formation and growth of nasal polyp require the remodeling of extracellular matrix. Proteoglycans (PGs) are major components of the extracellular matrix that maintain the integrity of structural tissue. The leucine-rich repeat PGs include lumican, decorin and biglycan and have many important biologic activities in various pathologic conditions, including the remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Therefore, these small-PG families may be involved in the formation and growth of nasal polyp. In the present study, surgical specimens of nasal polyps and nasal mucosa were assessed for expression of mRNA coding for lumican, decorin and biglycan using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction followed by dot blot hybridization. Lumican, decorin and biglycan mRNA were expressed in all tissue samples examined. Semiquantitative dot blot hybridization revealed that the levels of the lumican and biglycan messages are lower in nasal polyp tissues than in nasal mucosa. The decorin messages in nasal polyp were expressed at levels similar to those in nasal mucosa. These results suggest that lumican, decorin and biglycan may be important components of the extracellular matrix in nasal mucosa. Considering the function of these PGs, normal levels of decorin associated with low levels of biglycan and lumican may play a role in the pathogenesis of nasal polyposis.