摘要:

In humans the sense of smell plays an important role in protecting the organism from external hazards like fire, gas or spoiled food, in the consumption of food and in chemical communication with one another. Increasingly, the study of human olfaction is relevant to a number of medical problems connected with olfactory dysfunction, i.e. neurodegenerative diseases which are also manifested in the olfactory epithelium. Although much is known about behavioral aspects and neuronal activities elicited by odorants, we still cannot clearly describe the molecular mechanisms by which odor stimuli are transformed into an electrical cell signal. Here recent progress in our knowledge about the molecular elements of the transduction machinery are reviewed. It can help to understand the general principles underlying our sense of smell.

ISSN:0301-1569    

DOI:10.1159/000276834

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1996

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Eleven patients suffering from chronic disabling tinnitus underwent an FDG-PET study (positron emission tomography with [18F]deoxyglucose). Nine tinnitus patients revealed a significantly increased metabolic activity in the left, 1 in the right primary auditory cortex (PAC, Brodmann area 41). These results were statistically significant when compared to 14 healthy control individuals without tinnitus. A negative result was obtained from a chronic tinnitus patient but who had no subjective complaints during the period of PET investigation. One patient was first investigated during a disabling tinnitus period, later during a period with tinnitus relief and again when suffering from severe tinnitus. The metabolic activity of his left PAC was in good accordance with the subjective degree of tinnitus complaints present during each PET investigation. Although for the first time these results give objective evidence of tinnitus sensation and localization, they are difficult to interpret because of the limited research data available that combine functional brain imaging and acoustic stimuli.

ISSN:0301-1569    

DOI:10.1159/000276835

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1996

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

To evaluate the usefulness of quantitative analysis of computed tomographic images in diagnosing stapedial otosclerosis, high-resolution temporal bone computed tomography (CT) of 32 ears with otosclerosis and 19 control ears was used. The images on the section containing the oval window were digitized using a scanner, and the ratio of the mean gray scale value of 5 areas in the otic capsule including the area anterior to the oval window to that of the cortical bone was calculated. The mean value of the ratio of the area anterior to the oval window was significantly lower in the otosclerosis group (0.85 ± 0.10) than in the control group (1.03 ± 0.03; Student t test: t = 7.94, p < 0.0001). In 30 of 32 (93.7 %) otosclerotic ears, the values were lower than the normal range calculated in the control group. This method of quantitative CT image analysis comparing the area anterior to the oval window was considered useful in diagnosing stapedial otosclerosi

ISSN:0301-1569    

DOI:10.1159/000276836

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1996

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Damped pendular rotation was given with the initial maximum speed of 180°/s. The subject’s head was tilted forward at an angle of 30° from the upright position, or kept in the upright position, or tilted backward at 30° from the upright position. Electronystagmography was used to evaluate the maximal slow-phase eye velocity (mx SPEV) of the horizontal nystagmus. Differences existed in mx SPEVs of the horizontal nystagmus for the head-tilted positions at 30° forward or backward and that obtained in the upright position. The mx SPEV of the horizontal nystagmus in the upright position was higher than those acquired in the head-tilted posi

ISSN:0301-1569    

DOI:10.1159/000276837

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1996

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

The course of the ampullary nerve to the anterior and lateral ampullae was studied using 25 human temporal bones. Sudan Black B staining was applied to decalcified temporal bones in order to stain nerve fibers. After removing the external and middle ear, each temporal bone was divided into four blocks by three parallel planes, making an angle of 45° to the long axis of the stapes footplate or a line along the stapedial tendon. Two planes were in contact with the anterior and posterior margin of the oval window, respectively. The third plane passed through the capitulum of the stapes. Distances from the upper margin of the oval window, to the distal and proximal part of the ampullary nerve, to the facial nerve, and to the utricular macula were measured in the third plane. The thickness of the thinnest part of the wall of the facial canal facing the stapes was also measured. A new surgical approach to the ampullary nerve is discussed

ISSN:0301-1569    

DOI:10.1159/000276838

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1996

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Eight human temporal bones (4 patients) were fixed within 2 h after death by perilymphatic perfusion through the oval and round windows. After preparation, 30-µm-thick sections were cut for light microscopy and ultrathin sections for ultrastructural evaluation. Under the light microscope, the diameter, the circumference and the area of the vestibular ganglion cells were measured. The data were statistically analyzed. The histograms of cell measurements showed two maxima. When observing the diameter of cells, one was at 40 µm and the other at 28 µm. Under the light microscope, we could distinguish two cell types, which mainly differed in size and content of granules in the cytoplasm. Ultrastructurally we identified also two cell types: larger cells with many mitochondria, dark clusters of endoplasmic reticulum and a varying amount of dark-stained lysosomes in the cytoplasm and smaller cells with only few mitochondria, no lysosomes and an extended rough endoplasmic reticulum. None of the ultrastructurally analyzed ganglion cells were myelinat

ISSN:0301-1569    

DOI:10.1159/000276839

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1996

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Organophosphorus compounds (OPC) are widely used as insecticides and cause a high number of acute and chronic intoxications in man. Their toxico logical properties lead among others to disturbances of the central nervous system. Hearing disturbances have been reported after chronic exposure to OPC, and changes in bioelectric brain activity have been observed during the acute state of intoxication. The EEG showed no characteristic alterations. We performed a threshold auditory brainstem response (ABR) in 12 mini pigs before, during and after paraoxon (a typical OPC) intoxication with a high dose of 27 mg/kg BW. During the application of paraoxon we saw a prolongation of the interpeak latencies Jewett I-V of approximately 1 ms. A threshold shift of 10–20 dB was seen in 8 animals. After the application, while the systemic effect of the paraoxon intoxication was still apparent, the threshold shift disappeared except for 2 animals and the prolongation of the interpeak latencies could not be observed any more. No characteristic signs of paraoxon intoxication could be seen in the ABR after the application was completed. Acute intoxication with an OPC only leads to temporary, limited hearing impairment and increased interpeak latency. We could not observe characteristic changes in the ABR corresponding to the state of intoxicatio

ISSN:0301-1569    

DOI:10.1159/000276840

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1996

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

The effects of the stimulus rate on the auditory brainstem reponses (ABRs) of acoustic neuroma (AN) patients were studied. Ninety-decibel click stimuli at a normal hearing level were delivered at stimulus rates of 9.5,20,40 and 90 Hz, and ABRs were recorded of 40 AN patients (40 ears) at each stimulus rate. Subjects with normal hearing (42 ears) and patients with sensorineural hearing loss (30 ears) were also studied to obtain normative data. The following two parameters were examined: the interpeak latency difference between wave I and wave V (IPLI-V) at each stimulus rate, and the increase in IPLI-V (ΔIPL I-V) when the stimulus rate was increased from 9.5 Hz. AN patients showed significantly larger values for both parameters at all stimulus rates compared to those of the control groups. Among 6 AN patients with normal ABRs at 9.5 Hz, 5 showed abnormal IPL I-V or abnormal ΔIPL I-V at 90 Hz, when the upper normal limits of both parameters were defined as the mean plus 2 SD of the group with normal hearing. These results suggest that recording ABR at high stimulus rates provides valuable information for detecting AN patients with normal ABR

ISSN:0301-1569    

DOI:10.1159/000276841

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1996

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

The presence of neuropeptide-containing sensory, parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves in human nasal mucosa is well established. However, information regarding the neuropeptide distribution in nasal polyps is still lacking. The aim of this study was to compare immunohistologically the presence and distribution of substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and bombesin-flanking peptide (BFP) in normal nasal mucosa and nasal polyps. The expression was studied using Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded biopsy sections from 20 patients with nasal polyps and 10 controls with normal nasal mucosa from the anterior part of the inferior turbinate. Indirect immunohistochemistry (APAAP method) with mono- and polyclonal antibodies was used. None of the control group but 5 patients of the nasal polyp group had an atopic disease. Comparing localization and intensity of the immunohistological reaction in nasal mucosa and nasal polyp tissue, there was no difference in the expression of the three neuroendocrine substances. There was no difference of expression in the polyposis group itself concerning allergic and nonallergic subjects. The results indicate that VIP, SP and BFP have an equal distribution in nasal polyps and normal nasal mucosa.

ISSN:0301-1569    

DOI:10.1159/000276842

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1996

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Harada’s disease is an autoimmune disorder involving melanocytes. Twenty patients with Harada’s disease underwent otoneurological examination to investigate the inner ear involvement in Harada’s disease and the function of the melanocytes in the inner ear. All 20 exhibited clinical and/or laboratory abnormal inner ear findings. The incidence of inner ear involvement in Harada’s disease is very high. The melanocytes in the inner ear play important roles in both auditory and equilibrium f

ISSN:0301-1569    

DOI:10.1159/000276843

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1996

数据来源: Karger