A new method for correcting type I and type II constricted (cup and lop) ears.

PubMed

Xiaogeng, Hu; Hongxing, Zhuang; Qinghua, Yang; Haiyue, Jiang; Yanyong, Zhao

2006-01-01

Tanzer suggested the term "constricted ear," denoting a spectrum of deformities limited to the superior third of the ear. Tanzer classified the constricted ear into three types. Type I ears have involvement of the helix, which usually is flattened. Type II ears show involvement of both the helix and the scapha. With type III ears, the auricle is rolled into a nearly tubular form that some authors regard as a form of microtia. The authors' new method for correcting the constricted ear varies in accordance with the diverse degree of deformity. The new method was used to correct constricted ears through a one-stage operation in eight type I cases. For the remaining six type 2 cases, the methods were combined with composite grafting. Most of the patients were satisfied with the final results. Therefore, the authors conclude that their approach is suitable for the treatment of type I and type II constricted ears.

40 CFR 211.210-2 - Labeling requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... constant); (ii) Ear cup volume or shape; (iii) Mounting of ear cup on head band; (iv) Ear cushion; (v... tension (spring constant); (ii) Mounting of plug on head band; (iii) Shape of plug; (iv) Material...

Severe Postoperative Complications may be Related to Mesenteric Traction Syndrome during Open Esophagectomy.

PubMed

Ambrus, R; Svendsen, L B; Secher, N H; Goetze, J P; Rünitz, K; Achiam, M P

2017-09-01

During abdominal surgery, traction of the mesenterium provokes mesenteric traction syndrome, including hypotension, tachycardia, and flushing, along with an increase in plasma prostacyclin (PGI 2 ). We evaluated whether postoperative complications are related to mesenteric traction syndrome during esophagectomy. Flushing, hemodynamic variables, and plasma 6-keto-PGF 1α were recorded during the abdominal part of open ( n = 25) and robotically assisted ( n = 25) esophagectomy. Postoperative complications were also registered, according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Flushing appeared in 17 (open) and 5 (robotically assisted) surgical cases ( p = 0.001). Mean arterial pressure was stable during both types of surgeries, but infusion of vasopressors during the first hour of open surgery was related to development of widespread (Grade II) flushing ( p = 0.036). For patients who developed flushing, heart rate and plasma 6-keto-PGF 1α also increased ( p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, severe postoperative complications were related to Grade II flushing ( p = 0.037). Mesenteric traction syndrome manifests more frequently during open than robotically assisted esophagectomy, and postoperative complications appear to be associated with severe mesenteric traction syndrome.

A randomised controlled trial of active chronic otitis media comparing courses of eardrops versus one-off topical treatments suitable for primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare settings.

PubMed

Loock, J W

2012-08-01

Primary: to compare one-off administration of boric acid powder with courses of 1% acetic acid and ciprofloxacin eardrops in treating active chronic otitis media. Secondary: to evaluate the effectiveness of Quadriderm® cream in resistant active chronic otitis media; and to document side effects of these treatments, especially hearing loss. Randomised controlled trial. Outpatient department of a tertiary ENT unit. Hundred and fifty-nine patients over 6 years old with active chronic mucosal (without cholesteatoma) otitis media randomised to receive one of the three primary agents. All techniques employed were suitable for primary healthcare givers as well as specialists. After confirming eligibility, patients were randomly allocated to treatment. All ears underwent toilet with irrigation using clean water, a syringe and ambient light, with or without dry mopping, until the perforation was visible. The randomised solution was flushed through the middle ear and eustachian tube using a 'tragal pump' technique: saline was used as the solution for flushing in the boric acid powder arm. Patients allocated topical ear medication were given a bottle of eardrops to administer (six drops twice daily, 'pumped in') until finished. Those allocated boric acid powder had the external ear canals filled as a one-off treatment. Patients were followed up monthly thereafter. Primary: Dry (inactive) middle ears as assessed by the doctor. Secondary: Patient assessment of success; microbiologic culture and sensitivity; audiologic changes because of treatment; complications of treatment; costs of therapies. Ciprofloxacin eardrops and boric acid powder were statistically superior to 1% acetic acid eardrops in rendering active chronic otitis media inactive (73% dry ears for ciprofloxacin; 67% for boric acid powder; and 24% for acetic acid). There was no difference between the success rates of ciprofloxacin eardrops and boric acid powder. Quadriderm cream was effective in 85% of patients failing first-line therapy. No agent caused significant complications and specifically no hearing loss. This study showed a single application of boric acid powder following external auditory canal irrigation until the perforation was visible to be as effective as the current best practice of topical quinolone eardrops in active chronic otitis media. Boric acid powder is inexpensive and does not require patient compliance. Boric acid powder is a viable, less costly alternative to topical antibiotic/steroid ear drops in the developing world for active chronic otitis media. Acetic acid eardrops 1% are ineffective. Quadriderm cream, given as a one-off therapy, also appears to be effective. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Rocky Mountain Arsenal North Boundary Treatment Facility: Chemical Data, 1985. Volume 2

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-04-01

SEP OCT NOV DEC 86 SAMPLE DATE (YEAR AND MONTH) SITE PNDW35 FOR ISODR 0.7i 0.8 0.7 0.6-1 2 • 0.5 -~ 0,2 0.2 06 II AI DAT IyA. AND ! I SJ F .MAR APR MAY...MONTH) SITE PNDW43 FOR CPMSO so- 40 . 38 30 0 25 ai a a U I I I I I I I U 5 JAN FM MAR APR MAY JiN JL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC WB SAMPLE DATE ClEAR AND MONTH...I I I I 5 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC S SAMPLE DATE tfEAR AND MONTN) SITE PNDW54 FOR DLDRN 0.7a.6 0.4 0.3 0.2 " AI 0 0 0 I I I I I

Epitope predictions indicate the presence of two distinct types of epitope-antibody-reactivities determined by epitope profiling of intravenous immunoglobulins.

PubMed

Luštrek, Mitja; Lorenz, Peter; Kreutzer, Michael; Qian, Zilliang; Steinbeck, Felix; Wu, Di; Born, Nadine; Ziems, Bjoern; Hecker, Michael; Blank, Miri; Shoenfeld, Yehuda; Cao, Zhiwei; Glocker, Michael O; Li, Yixue; Fuellen, Georg; Thiesen, Hans-Jürgen

2013-01-01

Epitope-antibody-reactivities (EAR) of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs) determined for 75,534 peptides by microarray analysis demonstrate that roughly 9% of peptides derived from 870 different human protein sequences react with antibodies present in IVIG. Computational prediction of linear B cell epitopes was conducted using machine learning with an ensemble of classifiers in combination with position weight matrix (PWM) analysis. Machine learning slightly outperformed PWM with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.884 vs. 0.849. Two different types of epitope-antibody recognition-modes (Type I EAR and Type II EAR) were found. Peptides of Type I EAR are high in tyrosine, tryptophan and phenylalanine, and low in asparagine, glutamine and glutamic acid residues, whereas for peptides of Type II EAR it is the other way around. Representative crystal structures present in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) of Type I EAR are PDB 1TZI and PDB 2DD8, while PDB 2FD6 and 2J4W are typical for Type II EAR. Type I EAR peptides share predicted propensities for being presented by MHC class I and class II complexes. The latter interaction possibly favors T cell-dependent antibody responses including IgG class switching. Peptides of Type II EAR are predicted not to be preferentially presented by MHC complexes, thus implying the involvement of T cell-independent IgG class switch mechanisms. The high extent of IgG immunoglobulin reactivity with human peptides implies that circulating IgG molecules are prone to bind to human protein/peptide structures under non-pathological, non-inflammatory conditions. A webserver for predicting EAR of peptide sequences is available at www.sysmed-immun.eu/EAR.

POST-OPERATIONAL TREATMENT OF RESIDUAL NA COOLLANT IN EBR-2 USING CARBONATION

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sherman, S.; Knight, C.

2011-03-08

At the end of 2002, the Experimental Breeder Reactor Two (EBR-II) facility became a U.S. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) permitted site, and the RCRA permit1 compelled further treatment of the residual sodium in order to convert it into a less reactive chemical form and remove the by-products from the facility, so that a state of RCRA 'closure' for the facility may be achieved (42 U.S.C. 6901-6992k, 2002). In response to this regulatory driver, and in recognition of project budgetary and safety constraints, it was decided to treat the residual sodium in the EBR-II primary and secondary sodium systemsmore » using a process known as 'carbonation.' In early EBR-II post-operation documentation, this process is also called 'passivation.' In the carbonation process (Sherman and Henslee, 2005), the system containing residual sodium is flushed with humidified carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}). The water vapor in the flush gas reacts with residual sodium to form sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and the CO{sub 2} in the flush gas reacts with the newly formed NaOH to make sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO{sub 3}). Hydrogen gas (H{sub 2}) is produced as a by-product. The chemical reactions occur at the exposed surface of the residual sodium. The NaHCO{sub 3} layer that forms is porous, and humidified carbon dioxide can penetrate the NaHCO{sub 3} layer to continue reacting residual sodium underneath. The rate of reaction is controlled by the thickness of the NaHCO{sub 3} surface layer, the moisture input rate, and the residual sodium exposed surface area. At the end of carbonation, approximately 780 liters of residual sodium in the EBR-II primary tank ({approx}70% of original inventory), and just under 190 liters of residual sodium in the EBR-II secondary sodium system ({approx}50% of original inventory), were converted into NaHCO{sub 3}. No bare surfaces of residual sodium remained after treatment, and all remaining residual sodium deposits are covered by a layer of NaHCO{sub 3}. From a safety standpoint, the inventory of residual sodium in these systems was greatly reduced by using the carbonation process. From a regulatory standpoint, the process was not able to achieve deactivation of all residual sodium, and other more aggressive measures will be needed if the remaining residual sodium must also be deactivated to meet the requirements of the existing environmental permit. This chapter provides a project history and technical summary of the carbonation of EBR-II residual sodium. Options for future treatment are also discussed.« less

MAD ointment ameliorates Imiquimod-induced psoriasiform dermatitis by inhibiting the IL-23/IL-17 axis in mice.

PubMed

OuYang, Qiong; Pan, YaQian; Luo, HanQiong; Xuan, ChunXiao; Liu, JinE; Liu, Jun

2016-10-01

Psoriasis is a chronic auto-immune inflammation disease with skin lesions and abnormal keratinocyte proliferation. The IL-23/IL-17 axis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Madecassoside (MAD) was the most important constituents isolated from Centella asiatica, which has long been used in dermatology, and it is supposed that MAD may have effects on psoriasis. In the present study, the BALB/c mice ear and back skin received IMQ for 6 consecutive days to induce psoriasis-like dermatitis. MAD ointment was applied 6h later after IMQ treatment, and the IL-23/IL-17 pathway was investigated. The HE staining, BrdU and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) were used to score the severity of keratinocyte proliferation and inflammation of the skin. Real-time PCR and Western Blot were used to detect the IL-23/IL-17 related cytokines. Flow Cytometry were applied to observe the numbers of Th17 cells. Daily application of IMQ for 6days on mouse ear skin and back skin induced psoriasis-like dermatitis. Real-time PCR showed that mRNA level of IL-23, IL-22, IL-17A were significantly decreased by MAD ointment treatment in ear skin. HE staining and BrdU incorporation implied that MAD ointment reduced keratinocyte proliferation. Flow Cytometry results showed MAD ointment decreased the numbers of Th17 cells. Thus, MAD ointment ameliorates Imiquimod-induced skin inflammation and abnormal keratinocyte through regulate the IL-23/IL-17 axis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Nutrient-Enhanced Diet Reduces Noise-Induced Damage to the Inner Ear and Hearing Loss

PubMed Central

Le Prell, C. G.; Gagnon, P. M; Bennett, D. C.; Ohlemiller, K. K.

2011-01-01

Oxidative stress has been broadly implicated as a cause of cell death and neural degeneration in multiple disease conditions; however, the evidence for successful intervention with dietary antioxidant manipulations has been mixed. In this study, we investigated the potential for protection of cells in the inner ear using a dietary supplement with multiple antioxidant components, selected for their potential interactive effectiveness. Protection against permanent threshold shift (PTS) was observed in CBA/J mice maintained on a diet supplemented with a combination of β-carotene, vitamins C and E, and magnesium when compared to PTS in control mice maintained on a nutritionally complete control diet. Although hair cell survival was not enhanced, noise-induced loss of Type II fibrocytes in the lateral wall was significantly reduced (p<0.05), and there was a trend towards less noise-induced loss in strial cell density in animals maintained on the supplemented diet. Taken together, our data suggest that pre-noise oral treatment with the high-nutrient diet can protect cells in the inner ear and reduce PTS in mice. Demonstration of functional and morphological preservation of cells in the inner ear with oral administration of this antioxidant supplemented diet supports the possibility of translation to human patients, and suggests an opportunity to evaluate antioxidant protection in mouse models of oxidative stress-related disease and pathology. PMID:21708355

Niacin and biosynthesis of PGD2 by platelet COX-1 in mice and humans

PubMed Central

Song, Wen-Liang; Stubbe, Jane; Ricciotti, Emanuela; Alamuddin, Naji; Ibrahim, Salam; Crichton, Irene; Prempeh, Maxwell; Lawson, John A.; Wilensky, Robert L.; Rasmussen, Lars Melholt; Puré, Ellen; FitzGerald, Garret A.

2012-01-01

The clinical use of niacin to treat dyslipidemic conditions is limited by noxious side effects, most commonly facial flushing. In mice, niacin-induced flushing results from COX-1–dependent formation of PGD2 and PGE2 followed by COX-2–dependent production of PGE2. Consistent with this, niacin-induced flushing in humans is attenuated when niacin is combined with an antagonist of the PGD2 receptor DP1. NSAID-mediated suppression of COX-2–derived PGI2 has negative cardiovascular consequences, yet little is known about the cardiovascular biology of PGD2. Here, we show that PGD2 biosynthesis is augmented during platelet activation in humans and, although vascular expression of DP1 is conserved between humans and mice, platelet DP1 is not present in mice. Despite this, DP1 deletion in mice augmented aneurysm formation and the hypertensive response to Ang II and accelerated atherogenesis and thrombogenesis. Furthermore, COX inhibitors in humans, as well as platelet depletion, COX-1 knockdown, and COX-2 deletion in mice, revealed that niacin evoked platelet COX-1–derived PGD2 biosynthesis. Finally, ADP-induced spreading on fibrinogen was augmented by niacin in washed human platelets, coincident with increased thromboxane (Tx) formation. However, in platelet-rich plasma, where formation of both Tx and PGD2 was increased, spreading was not as pronounced and was inhibited by DP1 activation. Thus, PGD2, like PGI2, may function as a homeostatic response to thrombogenic and hypertensive stimuli and may have particular relevance as a constraint on platelets during niacin therapy. PMID:22406532

Optimization of Perioperative Conditions to Prevent Ischemic Cholangiopathy in Donation After Circulatory Death Donor Liver Transplantation.

PubMed

Kubal, Chandrashekhar; Mangus, Richard; Fridell, Jonathan; Saxena, Romil; Rush, Natalia; Wingler, Matthew; Ekser, Burcin; Tector, Joseph

2016-08-01

Donation after circulatory death (DCD) donor pool remains underutilized for liver transplantation (LT). We describe optimizing "modifiable risk factors," such as cold ischemia time (CIT) recipient warm ischemia time (WIT) and the use of thrombolytic flush at the time of procurement to minimize ischemic cholangiopathy (IC). From July 2011 (era II), to improve outcomes after DCD LT, measures were taken to minimize CIT, operative time and recipient WIT along with the use of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) flush during DCD procurements. Thirty consecutive DCD LTs were performed prospectively in era II. Outcomes were compared with 61 historic controls (era I). Reperfusion biopsies were evaluated for the presence of necrosis and biliary epithelial damage. Median CIT (4.9 [3.5-5.9] vs 6.4 [4.3-12]; P < 0.001), hepatectomy time (70 [42-120] vs 81 [58-207]; P = 0.02), and recipient WIT (16 [13-31] vs 24[15-40]; P < 0.001) were significantly shorter in era II. All patients in era II received tPA flushed liver grafts. None of the patients in era II developed IC (0% vs 18%; P = 0.013). There were fewer biliary complications in era II, and there was no increased risk of bleeding associated with the use of tPA. One-year graft survival was slightly better in era II (n = 24 patients with 1 year follow-up) (88% vs 80%; P = 0.14). Optimizing peritransplant conditions, such as shortening ischemic times with the use of thrombolytic donor flush, may prevent IC after DCD LT. With this approach, the DCD donor pool may be expanded.

Environmental contamination by Aspergillus spp. in laying hen farms and associated health risks for farm workers.

PubMed

Cafarchia, Claudia; Camarda, Antonio; Iatta, Roberta; Danesi, Patrizia; Favuzzi, Vincenza; Di Paola, Giancarlo; Pugliese, Nicola; Caroli, Anna; Montagna, Maria Teresa; Otranto, Domenico

2014-03-01

Data on the occurrence and epidemiology of Aspergillus spp. in laying hens farms are scant. With the aims of determining levels of airborne contamination in laying hen farms and evaluating the potential risk of infection for workers and animals, 57 air samples from 19 sheds (Group I), 69 from faeces (Group II), 19 from poultry feedstuffs (Group III) and 60 from three anatomical sites (i.e. nostrils, pharynx, ears) of 20 farm workers (Group IV) were cultured. The Aspergillus spp. prevalence in samples ranged from 31.6% (Group III) to 55.5% (Group IV), whereas the highest conidia concentration was retrieved in Group II (1.2 × 10(4) c.f.u. g(-1)) and in Group III (1.9 × 10(3) c.f.u. g(-1)). The mean concentration of airborne Aspergillus spp. conidia was 70 c.f.u. m(-3) with Aspergillus fumigatus (27.3%) being the most frequently detected species, followed by Aspergillus flavus (6.3%). These Aspergillus spp. were also isolated from human nostrils (40%) and ears (35%) (P<0.05) (Group IV). No clinical aspergillosis was diagnosed in hens. The results demonstrate a relationship between the environmental contamination in hen farms and presence of Aspergillus spp. on animals and humans. Even if the concentration of airborne Aspergillus spp. conidia (i.e. 70 c.f.u. m(-3)) herein detected does not trigger clinical disease in hens, it causes human colonization. Correct management of hen farms is necessary to control environmental contamination by Aspergillus spp., and could lead to a significant reduction of animal and human colonization.

Performance of WVSS-II hygrometers on the FAAM Research Aircraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vance, A. K.; Abel, S. J.; Cotton, R. J.; Woolley, A. M.

2014-08-01

We compare the performance of five hygrometers fitted to the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurement's (FAAM) BAe 146-301 research aircraft using data from approximately one hundred flights executed over the course of two years under a wide range of conditions. Bulk comparison of cloud free data show good agreement between chilled mirror hygrometers and a WVSS-II fed from a modified Rosemount inlet but that a WVSS-II fed from the standard flush inlet appears to over read compared to the other instruments, except at higher humidities. Statistical assessment of hygrometer performance in cloudy conditions is problematic due to the variable nature of clouds, so a number of case studies are used instead to investigate the performance of the hygrometers in sub optimal conditions. It is found that the flush inlet is not susceptible to either liquid or solid water but that the Rosemount inlet has a significant susceptibility to liquid water; it is not susceptible to ice. In all conditions the WVSS-II respond much more rapidly than the chilled mirror devices, with the flush inlet-fed WVSS-II being more rapid than that connected to the Rosemount.

Performance of WVSS-II hygrometers on the FAAM research aircraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vance, A. K.; Abel, S. J.; Cotton, R. J.; Woolley, A. M.

2015-03-01

We compare the performance of five hygrometers fitted to the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurement's (FAAM) BAe 146-301 research aircraft using data from approximately 100 flights executed over the course of 2 years under a wide range of conditions. Bulk comparison of cloud free data show good agreement between chilled mirror hygrometers and a WVSS-II fed from a modified Rosemount inlet, but that a WVSS-II fed from the standard flush inlet appears to over-read compared to the other instruments, except at higher humidities. Statistical assessment of hygrometer performance in cloudy conditions is problematic due to the variable nature of clouds, so a number of case studies are used instead to investigate the performance of the hygrometers in sub-optimal conditions. It is found that the flush inlet is not susceptible to either liquid or solid water but that the Rosemount inlet has a significant susceptibility to liquid water and may also be susceptible to ice. In all conditions the WVSS-II responds much more rapidly than the chilled mirror devices, with the flush inlet-fed WVSS-II being more rapid than that connected to the Rosemount.

Ontogenetic patterns of CO sub 2 exchange of Quercus rubra L. leaves during three flushes of shoot growth II. insertion gradients of leaf photosynthesis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hanson, P.J.; Isebrands, J.G.; Dickson, R.E.

1988-03-01

Carbon dioxide exchange rates (CERs) of all leaves along the stem of northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) seedlings (a leaf insertion gradient of profile) were determined at several stages of ontogeny. Seedlings were grown and measured under growth chamber conditions favorable for the production of multiple flushes of shoot growth. The CERs were measured with a portable closed-circuit CO{sub 2} analyzer at ambient photosynthetic photon flux densities and were determined for every leaf of each seedling. Carbon dioxide exchange rates per unit projected area of individual leaves (CERA) increased along leaf-maturation gradients in expanding flushes. After flush growth wasmore » completed, all leaves of a flush has similar CERA. However, because median flush leaves were the largest, they accounted for the greatest proportion of an expanded-flush's CER. First-flush leaves were the major contributors to total seedling CER through the second flush of growth-encompassing half of the period required to produce a three-flush oak seedling. This study's data, based on short-term CER measurements, showed ontogenetic pattern of CO{sub 2} exchange similar to those reported for northern red oak under steady state laboratory conditions.« less

The application of direct current electrical stimulation of the ear and cervical spine kinesitherapy in tinnitus treatment.

PubMed

Mielczarek, Marzena; Konopka, Wieslaw; Olszewski, Jurek

2013-02-01

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of electrical stimulations of the hearing organ in tinnitus treatment adapting the frequency of stimulation according to tinnitus frequency, to assess the influence of cervical spine kinesitherapy on tinnitus, as well as to evaluate hearing after electrical stimulations alone and together with cervical spine kinesitherapy. The study comprised 80 tinnitus, sensorineural hearing loss patients (119 tinnitus ears) divided into two groups. In group I (n - 58 tinnitus ears) electrical stimulation of the hearing organ was performed, in group II (n - 61 tinnitus ears) electrical stimulation together with cervical spine kinesitherapy. Hydrotransmissive, selective electrical stimulations were conducted using direct, rectangular current. The passive electrode was placed on the forehead, the active--a silver probe--was immersed in the external ear canal in 0.9% saline solution. The treatment involved fifteen applications of electrical stimulations (each lasted for 4 min) administered three or four times a week (whole treatment lasted approximately 30 days). The evaluation of the results considered a case history (change from permanent to temporary tinnitus), questionnaires (the increase/decrease of the total points) and the audiometric evaluation of hearing level. Before the treatment, group I comprised 51 ears (87.93%) with permanent, and 7 ears (12.07%) with temporary tinnitus; group II - 55 ears (90.17%) with permanent and 6 ears (9.83%) with temporary tinnitus. After the treatment, in both groups the number of ears with permanent tinnitus decreased considerably obtaining the pauses or disappearing of tinnitus. Directly after the treatment, group I comprised 25 ears (43.11%) with permanent, and 10 ears (17.24%) with temporary tinnitus, in 23 ears (39.65%) tinnitus disappeared; group II - 33 ears (54.1%) with permanent and 11 ears (18.03%) with temporary tinnitus, in 17 ears (27.87%) tinnitus disappeared. Regarding questionnaires, improvement was observed in group I - in 43.11% of ears, in group II - 32.8%. In both groups audiometric improvement of hearing was recognized. (1) Electrical stimulation of the hearing organ, with the application of current frequencies according to tinnitus frequencies (selective electrical stimulation), was an efficient method in severe tinnitus treatment. (2) Cervical spine kinesitherapy in the treatment of tinnitus, using electrical stimulation, did not have any supporting influence. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Perspectives for the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss by cellular regeneration of the inner ear.

PubMed

Almeida-Branco, Mario S; Cabrera, Sonia; Lopez-Escamez, Jose A

2015-01-01

Sensorineural hearing loss is a caused by the loss of the cochlear hair cells with the consequent deafferentation of spiral ganglion neurons. Humans do not show endogenous cellular regeneration in the inner ear and there is no exogenous therapy that allows the replacement of the damaged hair cells. Currently, treatment is based on the use of hearing aids and cochlear implants that present different outcomes, some difficulties in auditory discrimination and a limited useful life. More advanced technology is hindered by the functional capacity of the remaining spiral ganglion neurons. The latest advances with stem cell therapy and cellular reprogramming have developed several possibilities to induce endogenous regeneration or stem cell transplantation to replace damaged inner ear hair cells and restore hearing function. With further knowledge of the cellular and molecular biology of the inner ear and its embryonic development, it will be possible to use induced stem cells as in vitro models of disease and as replacement cellular therapy. Investigation in this area is focused on generating cellular therapy with clinical use for the treatment of profound sensorineural hearing loss. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología y Patología Cérvico-Facial. All rights reserved.

Optimization of the Yield of Lingzhi or Reishi Medicinal Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (Higher Basidiomycetes), Cultivated on a Sunflower Seed Hull Substrate Produced in Argentina: Effect of Olive Oil and Copper.

PubMed

Bidegain, Maximiliano A; Cubitto, Maria Amelia; Curvetto, Nestor Raul

2015-01-01

Sunflower seed hulls were used as the main component of a solid substrate for the cultivation of the lingzhi or reishi medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum. This study evaluated the effects of supplementing the substrate with olive oil and copper (II) on the mushroom production (MP) parameters and fruiting body total triterpenoid content. The addition of 1.5% olive oil increased total MP by 21.7% (dry basis) in 3 flushes. Copper (60 ppm) increased the daily productivity of the first flush (MP per day) by both reducing the time needed to harvest the crop and increasing the MP. However, the MP at the second and third flushes was reduced. When both supplements were combined, the MP at the first flush was 43% higher than with control treatment. No significant change in mushroom total triterpenoid content was observed by the addition of supplements to the substrate. An increase of 145-155% in the mushroom copper content was obtained by the addition of 60 ppm copper to the substrate. It is thus recommended to use substrate formulations containing both olive oil and copper (II) and harvest just the first flush.

Protection Against Hearing Loss in General Aviation Operations, Phase II

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parker, J. F., Jr.

1972-01-01

An inflight evaluation of four aural protectors is presented. The hearing protection devices studied were ear muffs, plastic ear plugs, rubber ear plugs, and wax ear plugs. It is concluded that ear plugs are satisfactory for providing adequate sound attenuation in general aviation aircraft. However, two problems were found in the use of ear plugs; comfort and interference with cabin communications.

Evaluation of the Normal Cochlear Second Interscalar Ridge Angle and Depth on 3D T2-Weighted Images: A Tool for the Diagnosis of Scala Communis and Incomplete Partition Type II.

PubMed

Booth, T N; Wick, C; Clarke, R; Kutz, J W; Medina, M; Gorsage, D; Xi, Y; Isaacson, B

2018-05-01

Cochlear malformations may be be subtle on imaging studies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the angle and depth of the lateral second interscalar ridge or notch in ears without sensorineural hearing loss (normal ears) and compare them with ears that have a documented incomplete type II partition malformation. The second interscalar ridge notch angle and depth were measured on MR imaging in normal ears by a single experienced neuroradiologist. The images of normal and incomplete partition II malformation ears were then randomly mixed for 2 novice evaluators to measure both the second interscalar ridge notch angle and depth in a blinded manner. For the mixed group, interobserver agreement was calculated, normal and abnormal ear measurements were compared, and receiver operating characteristic curves were generated. The 94 normal ears had a mean second interscalar ridge angle of 80.86° ± 11.4° and depth of 0.54 ± 0.14 mm with the 98th percentile for an angle of 101° and a depth of 0.3 mm. In the mixed group, agreement between the 2 readers was excellent, with significant differences for angle and depth found between normal and incomplete partition type II ears for angle and depth on average ( P < .001). Receiver operating characteristic cutoffs for delineating normal from abnormal ears were similar for both readers (depth, 0.31/0.34 mm; angle, 114°/104°). A measured angle of >114° and a depth of the second interscalar ridge notch of ≤0.31 mm suggest the diagnosis of incomplete partition type II malformation and scala communis. These measurements can be accurately made by novice readers. © 2018 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.

Effect of bradykinin antagonists on bradykinin-induced plasma extravasation, venoconstriction, prostaglandin E2 release, nociceptor stimulation and contraction of the iris sphincter muscle in the rabbit.

PubMed Central

Griesbacher, T.; Lembeck, F.

1987-01-01

1 The inhibition of the bradykinin-induced plasma extravasation by six bradykinin (Bk) antagonists was tested on rabbit skin. All of them showed inhibitory effects without an agonistic action in the does used. B4310 (Lys-Lys-3-Hyp-5,8-Thi-7-DPhe-Bk) was the most active antagonist and was therefore used in the subsequent experiments. 2 B4310 (5-500 nM) antagonized the bradykinin-induced reduction of the venous outflow from the rabbit isolated ear in dose-dependent manner without affecting the arterial vasoconstriction induced by angiotensin II. 3 The bradykinin-induced release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) from the perfused rabbit ear was reduced by 63% when B4310 (800 nM) was infused before, during and after the bradykinin injection. 4 Bradykinin was injected into the ear artery of anaesthetized rabbits and the reflex hypotensive response was used as indicator of the nociception. The response was antagonized by a local infusion of B4310 (50 and 500 nM). The antagonism was dose-dependent and reversible. The parallel shift of the dose-response curve to bradykinin suggests a competitive inhibition. However, B4310 did not antagonize acetylcholine-induced nociceptor stimulation. 5 B4310 inhibited bradykinin-induced stimulation of the trigeminal nerve which results in a substance P-mediated contraction of the iris sphincter muscle. A pA2 of 7.59 was calculated. B4310 did not inhibit capsaicin-induced contractions. 6 It is concluded that B4310 inhibits specifically five different actions of bradykinin which are related to its possible pathophysiological role. PMID:3479223

Physiological and behavioral effects of tilt-induced body fluid shifts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parker, D. E.; Tjernstrom, O.; Ivarsson, A.; Gulledge, W. L.; Poston, R. L.

1983-01-01

This paper addresses the 'fluid shift theory' of space motion sickness. The primary purpose of the research was the development of procedures to assess individual differences in response to rostral body fluid shifts on earth. Experiment I examined inner ear fluid pressure changes during head-down tilt in intact human beings. Tilt produced reliable changes. Differences among subjects and between ears within the same subject were observed. Experiment II examined auditory threshold changes during tilt. Tilt elicited increased auditory thresholds, suggesting that sensory depression may result from increased inner ear fluid pressure. Additional observations on rotation magnitude estimation during head-down tilt, which indicate that rostral fluid shifts may depress semicircular canal activity, are briefly described. The results of this research suggest that the inner ear pressure and auditory threshold shift procedures could be used to assess individual differences among astronauts prior to space flight. Results from the terrestrial observations could be related to reported incidence/severity of motion sickness in space and used to evaluate the fluid shift theory of space motion sickness.

Inverted u-shaped purse and rotation flaps: correcting the inferoposterior deformity of reconstructed ears after canaloplasty of the external auditory meatus.

PubMed

Ji, Chenyang; Zhang, Jinming; An, Geng; Liang, Weiqiang; Pan, Shujuan; Chen, Yuhong; Wei, Zhe; Zhang, Ganlin

2012-06-01

After patients with congenital microtia receive external ear canal plasty, the mastoid area usually has insufficient space for ear reconstruction. Hence, after ear reconstruction, an inferoposterior position deformity of the ear appears to some extent. Using inverted U-shaped purse and rotation flaps can correct this deformity effectively. From May of 2009 to September of 2011, five patients received the described procedures in the authors' department. Inverted U-shaped purse and rotation flaps were used for all the patients. The inverted U-shaped purse flap was used to reduce the area of the canal orifice and to lower the position, and the rotation flap was applied to turn the ear in a more superoposterior position. Two patients also received full-thickness skin grafting to cover the secondary wound. In four patients, V-Y-plasty or Z-plasty was used to adjust the flap transition. For the five patients, the distances between the ear antihelix and canal orifice were shortened, and the areas of the canal orifice were diminished. The retroversion of the auricle was corrected in various degrees, and the angles of the long axis of the auricle and the horizontal line were increased an average of 14.4°. The vertical distance between the top of the helix and the center of the canal orifice was increased an average of 15.2 mm. A slight dog ear deformity in front of the crus of the helix was left after the operation, but it was alleviated in the follow-up period. By using inverted U-shaped purse and rotation flaps, the inferoposterior position deformity of the reconstructed ear after external ear canal plasty in congenital microtia can be resolved effectively. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors http://www.springer.com/00266.

Effect of (3,5,6-trimethylpyrazin-2-yl)methyl 2-[4-(2-methylpropyl)phenyl]propanoate (ITE), a newly developed anti-inflammatory drug, on type II collagen-induced arthritis in mice.

PubMed

Ma, Tao; Cao, Ying-Lin; Xu, Bei-Bei; Zhou, Xiao-Mian

2004-06-01

The effect of (3,5,6-trimethylpyrazin-2-yl)methyl 2-[4-(2-methylpropyl)phenyl]propanoate (ITE) on type II collagen (CII)-induced arthritis in mice was studied. Mice were immunized twice with CII, ITE being given orally once a day for 40 d after the 1st immunization. Clinical assessment showed that ITE had no effect on the day of onset of arthritis but did lowered the incidence rate of arthritis and the arthritis score. And ITE had a marked suppressive effect on the mouse hind paw edema induced by CII. ITE suppressed the delayed-type mouse ear skin reaction to CII but had no effect on the level of serum anti-CII antibodies. These results suggest that ITE inhibits the development of CII-induced arthritis in mice by suppressing delayed-type hypersensitivity to CII.

Characteristics of laser-induced shock wave injury to the inner ear of rats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurioka, Takaomi; Matsunobu, Takeshi; Niwa, Katsuki; Tamura, Atsushi; Kawauchi, Satoko; Satoh, Yasushi; Sato, Shunichi; Shiotani, Akihiro

2014-12-01

Recently, the number of blast injuries of the inner ear has increased in the general population. In blast-induced inner ear injury, a shock wave (SW) component in the blast wave is considered to play an important role in sensorineural hearing loss. However, the mechanisms by which an SW affects inner ear tissue remain largely unknown. We aimed to establish a new animal model for SW-induced inner ear injury by using laser-induced SWs (LISWs) on rats. The LISWs were generated by irradiating an elastic laser target with 694-nm nanosecond pulses of a ruby laser. After LISW application to the cochlea through bone conduction, auditory measurements revealed the presence of inner ear dysfunction, the extent of which depended on LISW overpressure. A significantly lower survival rate of hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons, as well as severe oxidative damage, were observed in the inner ear exposed to an LISW. Although considerable differences in the pressure characteristics exist between LISWs and SWs in real blast waves, the functional and morphological changes shown by the present LISW-based model were similar to those observed in real blast-induced injury. Thus, our animal model is expected to be useful for laboratory-based research of blast-induced inner ear injury.

Characteristics of laser-induced shock wave injury to the inner ear of rats.

PubMed

Kurioka, Takaomi; Matsunobu, Takeshi; Niwa, Katsuki; Tamura, Atsushi; Kawauchi, Satoko; Satoh, Yasushi; Sato, Shunichi; Shiotani, Akihiro

2014-12-01

Recently, the number of blast injuries of the inner ear has increased in the general population. In blast-induced inner ear injury, a shock wave (SW) component in the blast wave is considered to play an important role in sensorineural hearing loss. However, the mechanisms by which an SW affects inner ear tissue remain largely unknown. We aimed to establish a new animal model for SW-induced inner ear injury by using laser-induced SWs (LISWs) on rats. The LISWs were generated by irradiating an elastic laser target with 694-nm nanosecond pulses of a ruby laser. After LISW application to the cochlea through bone conduction, auditory measurements revealed the presence of inner ear dysfunction, the extent of which depended on LISW overpressure. A significantly lower survival rate of hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons, as well as severe oxidative damage, were observed in the inner ear exposed to an LISW. Although considerable differences in the pressure characteristics exist between LISWs and SWs in real blast waves, the functional and morphological changes shown by the present LISW-based model were similar to those observed in real blast-induced injury. Thus, our animal model is expected to be useful for laboratory-based research of blast-induced inner ear injury.

Mammomonogamus auris infection in the middle ear of a domestic cat in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, USA.

PubMed

Tudor, Edgar G; Lee, Alice C Y; Armato, Danielle G; Bowman, Dwight D

2008-10-01

A 2-year-old female domestic shorthair cat on the island of Saipan was presented to a local veterinarian for headshaking. Otoscopic examination showed mild erythema of the right tympanic membrane, but was otherwise unremarkable. Headshaking resolved with topical gentamicin/betamethasone/clotrimazole therapy; however, erythema persisted. Further otoscopy revealed movement of the erythematous region, which was in fact the red-colored strongylid nematode, Mammomonogamus auris, residing within the middle ear. Myringotomy and a saline flush were performed under heavy sedation. A silastic tube was inserted into the incision and the worms were retrieved by applying negative pressure. Follow-up treatment included topical thiabendazole/dexamethasone/neomycin ointment as well as selamectin. Mammomonogamus auris has previously been documented only three times, once each in China, Sri Lanka and Japan. This is the first report of M auris in cats from Saipan.

Flavones Isolated from Scutellariae radix Suppress Propionibacterium Acnes-Induced Cytokine Production In Vitro and In Vivo.

PubMed

Tsai, Po-Jung; Huang, Wen-Cheng; Hsieh, Ming-Chi; Sung, Ping-Jyun; Kuo, Yueh-Hsiung; Wu, Wen-Huey

2015-12-24

Scutellariae radix, the root of Scutellaria baicalensis, has long been applied in traditional formulations and modern herbal medications. Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) in follicles can trigger inflammation and lead to the symptom of inflammatory acnes vulgaris. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of Scutellariae radix extract and purified components isolated from it on inflammation induced by P. acnes in vitro and in vivo. The results showed the ethyl acetate (EA) soluble fraction from the partition of crude ethanolic extract from Scutellariae radix inhibited P. acnes-induced interleukin IL-8 and IL-1β production in human monocytic THP-1 cells. Seven flavones were isolated from the EA fraction by repeated chromatographies, and identified as 5,7-dihydroxy-6-methoxyflavone (FL1, oroxylin), 5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone (FL2, wogonin), 5-hydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavone (FL3, 7-O-methylwogonin), 5,6'-dihydroxy-6,7,8,2'-tetramethoxy flavone (FL4, skullcapflavone II), 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone (FL5), 5,2',6'-trihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavone (FL6, viscidulin II), and 5,7,2',5'-tetrahydroxy-8,6'-dimethoxyflavone (FL7, ganhuangenin). They all significantly suppressed P. acnes-induced IL-8 and IL-1β production in THP-1 cells, and FL2 exerted the strongest effect with half maximal inhibition (IC50) values of 8.7 and 4.9 μM, respectively. Concomitant intradermal injection of each of the seven flavones (20 μg) with P. acnes effectively attenuated P. acnes-induced ear swelling, and decreased the production of IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in ear homogenates. Our results suggested that all the seven flavones can be potential therapeutic agents against P. acnes-induced skin inflammation.

Benefit of heparin in peripheral venous and arterial catheters: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

PubMed Central

Randolph, Adrienne G; Cook, Deborah J; Gonzales, Calle A; Andrew, Maureen

1998-01-01

Objective: To evaluate the effect of heparin on duration of catheter patency and on prevention of complications associated with use of peripheral venous and arterial catheters. Design: Critical appraisal and meta-analysis of 26 randomised controlled trials that evaluated infusion of heparin intermittently or continuously. Thirteen trials of peripheral venous catheters and two of peripheral arterial catheters met criteria for inclusion. Main outcome measures: Data on the populations, interventions, outcomes, and methodological quality. Results: For peripheral venous catheters locked between use flushing with 10 U/ml of heparin instead of normal saline did not reduce the incidence of catheter clotting and phlebitis or improve catheter patency. When heparin was given as a continuous infusion at 1 U/ml the risk of phlebitis decreased (relative risk 0.55; 95% confidence interval 0.39 to 0.77), the duration of patency increased, and infusion failure was reduced (0.88; 0.72 to 1.07). Heparin significantly prolonged duration of patency of radial artery catheters and decreased the risk of clot formation (0.51; 0.42 to 0.61). Conclusions: Use of intermittent heparin flushes at doses of 10 U/ml in peripheral venous catheters locked between use had no benefit over normal saline flush. Infusion of low dose heparin through a peripheral arterial catheter prolonged the duration of patency but further study is needed to establish its benefit for peripheral venous catheters. Key messages Despite almost universal use, agreement has not been reached on the need to administer heparin through peripheral intravascular catheters The results of 13 trials on peripheral venous catheters and two trials on peripheral arterial catheters were critically appraised to clarify what evidence supports the use of heparin Flushing peripheral venous catheters locked between use with heparinised saline at 10 U/ml is no more beneficial than flushing with normal saline Heparin significantly prolongs the duration of peripheral arterial catheter patency and decreases the risk of clot formation In peripheral venous catheters heparin added to the infusion at 1 U/ml decreases phlebitis and may prolong duration of catheter patency and decrease infusion failure PMID:9550955

15 CFR 736.2 - General prohibitions and determination of applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

....-origin commodities, foreign-made commodities that are “bundled” with controlled U.S.-origin software, foreign-made software that is commingled with controlled U.S.-origin software, or foreign-made technology... of controlled U.S. content, as defined in § 734.4 of the EAR concerning the scope of the EAR. (A) It...

15 CFR 736.2 - General prohibitions and determination of applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

....-origin commodities, foreign-made commodities that are “bundled” with controlled U.S.-origin software, foreign-made software that is commingled with controlled U.S.-origin software, or foreign-made technology... of controlled U.S. content, as defined in § 734.4 of the EAR concerning the scope of the EAR. (A) It...

15 CFR 736.2 - General prohibitions and determination of applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

....-origin commodities, foreign-made commodities that are “bundled” with controlled U.S.-origin software, foreign-made software that is commingled with controlled U.S.-origin software, or foreign-made technology... of controlled U.S. content, as defined in § 734.4 of the EAR concerning the scope of the EAR. (A) It...

Flush Development Dynamics in First-Year Nursery-Grown Seedlings of Eight Oak Species

Treesearch

Shi-Jean S. Sung; Paul P. Kormanik; Stanley J. Zarnoch

2004-01-01

Two experiments were conducted to follow flush development dynamics exhibited by various oak species. In experiment I, southern red oak acorns were sown in mid-March 2001 at Whitehall Nursery (Athens, GA). In experiment II, acorns of black oak, cherrybark oak, Nuttall oak, Shumard oak, southern red oak, swamp chestnut oak, white oak, and willow oak were sown in...

Herbal Medicine for Hot Flushes Induced by Endocrine Therapy in Women with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PubMed

Li, Yuanqing; Zhu, Xiaoshu; Bensussan, Alan; Li, Pingping; Moylan, Eugene; Delaney, Geoff; McPherson, Luke

2016-01-01

Objective. This systematic review was conducted to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of herbal medicine (HM) as an alternative management for hot flushes induced by endocrine therapy in breast cancer patients. Methods. Key English and Chinese language databases were searched from inception to July 2015. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of HM on hot flushes induced by endocrine therapy in women with breast cancer were retrieved. We conducted data collection and analysis in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Statistical analysis was performed with the software (Review Manager 5.3). Results. 19 articles were selected from the articles retrieved, and 5 articles met the inclusion criteria for analysis. Some included individual studies showed that HM can relieve hot flushes as well as other menopausal symptoms induced by endocrine therapy among women with breast cancer and improve the quality of life. There are minor side effects related to HM which are well tolerated. Conclusion. Given the small number of included studies and relatively poor methodological quality, there is insufficient evidence to draw positive conclusions regarding the objective benefit of HM. Additional high quality studies are needed with more rigorous methodological approach to answer this question.

Role of HCA₂ (GPR109A) in nicotinic acid and fumaric acid ester-induced effects on the skin.

PubMed

Hanson, Julien; Gille, Andreas; Offermanns, Stefan

2012-10-01

Nicotinic acid (NA) and fumaric acid esters (FAE) such as monomethyl fumarate or dimethyl fumarate are drugs that elicit a cutaneous reaction called flushing as a side effect. NA is used to reduce progression of atherosclerosis through its anti-dyslipidemic activity and lipid-independent mechanisms involving immune cells, whereas FAE are used to treat psoriasis via largely unknown mechanisms. Both, NA and FAE, induce flushing by the activation of the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) Hydroxy-carboxylic acid receptor 2 (HCA₂, GPR109A) in cells of the epidermis. While the wanted effects of NA are at least in part also mediated by HCA₂, it is currently not clear whether this receptor is also involved in the anti-psoriatic effects of FAE. The HCA₂-mediated flushing response to these drugs involves the formation of prostaglandins D₂ and E₂ by Langerhans cells and keratinocytes via COX-1 in Langerhans cells and COX-2 in keratinocytes. This review summarizes recent progress in the understanding of the mechanisms underlying HCA₂-mediated flushing, describes strategies to mitigate it and discusses the potential link between flushing, HCA₂ and the anti-psoriatic effects of FAE. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Influence of Stenocarpella maydis infected corn on the dry grind ethanol process

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Widespread epidemics of Stenocarpella ear rot (formerly Diplodia ear rot) have occurred throughout the central U.S. Corn Belt in recent years with reports of some fields containing more than 50% mummified ears. Ears infected within two weeks of silking may be completely mummified with white to grayi...

Influence of Stenocarpella maydis infected corn on the dry grind ethanol process

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Widespread epidemics of Stenocarpella ear rot (formerly Diplodia ear rot) have occurred throughout the central U.S. Corn Belt in recent years with reports of some fields containing more than 50% mummified ears. Ears infected within two weeks of silking may be completely mummified with white to gray...

Cigarette smoking, androgen levels, and hot flushes in midlife women.

PubMed

Cochran, Chrissy J; Gallicchio, Lisa; Miller, Susan R; Zacur, Howard; Flaws, Jodi A

2008-11-01

To test the hypothesis that cigarette smoking is associated with hot flushes through a mechanism involving androgen levels, progesterone levels, sex hormone-binding globulin levels, or the ratio of androgens to estrogens. Women with and without hot flushes were recruited from Baltimore, Maryland, and the surrounding counties. Women were between 45 and 54 years of age, with at least three menstrual periods in the previous 12 months, and were not postmenopausal. Study participants completed a questionnaire and gave a blood sample for hormone measurements. Current smokers had significantly higher androstenedione levels and a higher androgen-to-estrogen ratio than never smokers. Current smokers had significantly lower progesterone levels compared with never smokers. Former and current cigarette smokers had increased odds of experiencing hot flushes compared with never smokers (former: odds ratio [OR] 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.99-2.01; current: OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.28-4.62). This association, however, was not attenuated by the addition of hormones to the smoking and hot-flush model. Cigarette smoking is associated with hot flushes through a mechanism that may not involve alterations in hormone levels or their ratios. II.

Modulation by glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives of TPA-induced mouse ear oedema.

PubMed Central

Inoue, H.; Mori, T.; Shibata, S.; Koshihara, Y.

1989-01-01

1. The anti-inflammatory effects of glycyrrhetinic acid and its derivatives on TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate)-induced mouse ear oedema were studied. The mechanisms of TPA-induced ear oedema were first investigated with respect to the chemical mediators. 2. The formation of ear oedema reached a maximum 5 h after TPA application (2 micrograms per ear) and the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production of mouse ear increased with the oedema formation. 3. TPA-induced ear oedema was prevented by actinomycin D and cycloheximide (0.1 mg per ear, respectively) when applied during 60 min after TPA treatment. 4. Of glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives examined, dihemiphthalate derivatives (IIe, IIe', IIIa, IIIa', IVa, IVa') most strongly inhibited ear oedema on both topical (ID50, 1.6 mg per ear for IIe, 2.0 mg per ear for IIIa and 1.6 mg per ear for IVa) and oral (ID50, 88 mg kg-1 for IIe', 130 mg kg-1 for IIIa' and 92 mg kg-1 for IVa') administration. 5. Glycyrrhetinic acid (Ia) and its derivatives applied 30 min before TPA treatment were much more effective in inhibiting oedema than when applied 30 min after TPA. A dihemiphthalate of triterpenoid compound IVa completely inhibited oedema, even when applied 3 h before TPA treatment. 6. Glycyrrhetinic acid (Ia) and deoxoglycyrrhetol (IIa), the parent compounds, produced little inhibition by oral administration at less than 200 mg kg-1. 7. These results suggest that the dihemiphthalate derivatives of triterpenes derived from glycyrrhetinic acid by chemical modification are useful for the treatment of skin inflammation by both topical and oral application. PMID:2924072

Neurokinin B administration induces hot flushes in women.

PubMed

Jayasena, Channa N; Comninos, Alexander N; Stefanopoulou, Evgenia; Buckley, Adam; Narayanaswamy, Shakunthala; Izzi-Engbeaya, Chioma; Abbara, Ali; Ratnasabapathy, Risheka; Mogford, Julianne; Ng, Noel; Sarang, Zubair; Ghatei, Mohammad A; Bloom, Stephen R; Hunter, Myra S; Dhillo, Waljit S

2015-02-16

Neurokinin B (NKB) is a hypothalamic neuropeptide binding preferentially to the neurokinin 3 receptor. Expression of the gene encoding NKB is elevated in postmenopausal women. Furthermore, rodent studies suggest that NKB signalling may mediate menopausal hot flushes. However, the effects of NKB administration on hot flushes have not been investigated in humans. To address this, we performed a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, 2-way cross-over study. Ten healthy women were admitted to a temperature and humidity-controlled research unit. Participants received 30 minute intravenous infusions of NKB and vehicle in random order. Symptoms, heart rate, blood pressure, sweating and skin temperature were compared between NKB and vehicle in a double-blinded manner. Eight of ten participants experienced flushing during NKB infusion with none experiencing flushing during vehicle infusion (P = 0.0007). Significant elevations in heart rate (P = 0.0106 vs. pre-symptoms), and skin temperature measured using skin probe (P = 0.0258 vs. pre-symptoms) and thermal imaging (P = 0.0491 vs. pre-symptoms) characteristic of menopausal flushing were observed during hot flush episodes. Our findings provide evidence that NKB administration can cause hot flushes in women. Further studies are required to determine if pharmacological blockade of NKB signalling could inhibit hot flushes during the menopause and during treatment for sex-steroid dependent cancers.

Early uneven ear input induces long-lasting differences in left-right motor function.

PubMed

Antoine, Michelle W; Zhu, Xiaoxia; Dieterich, Marianne; Brandt, Thomas; Vijayakumar, Sarath; McKeehan, Nicholas; Arezzo, Joseph C; Zukin, R Suzanne; Borkholder, David A; Jones, Sherri M; Frisina, Robert D; Hébert, Jean M

2018-03-01

How asymmetries in motor behavior become established normally or atypically in mammals remains unclear. An established model for motor asymmetry that is conserved across mammals can be obtained by experimentally inducing asymmetric striatal dopamine activity. However, the factors that can cause motor asymmetries in the absence of experimental manipulations to the brain remain unknown. Here, we show that mice with inner ear dysfunction display a robust left or right rotational preference, and this motor preference reflects an atypical asymmetry in cortico-striatal neurotransmission. By unilaterally targeting striatal activity with an antagonist of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), a downstream integrator of striatal neurotransmitter signaling, we can reverse or exaggerate rotational preference in these mice. By surgically biasing vestibular failure to one ear, we can dictate the direction of motor preference, illustrating the influence of uneven vestibular failure in establishing the outward asymmetries in motor preference. The inner ear-induced striatal asymmetries identified here intersect with non-ear-induced asymmetries previously linked to lateralized motor behavior across species and suggest that aspects of left-right brain function in mammals can be ontogenetically influenced by inner ear input. Consistent with inner ear input contributing to motor asymmetry, we also show that, in humans with normal ear function, the motor-dominant hemisphere, measured as handedness, is ipsilateral to the ear with weaker vestibular input.

Comparison of flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry in non-radioisotopic murine lymph node assay using bromodeoxyuridine.

PubMed

Jung, Kyoung-Mi; Bae, Il-Hong; Kim, Bae-Hwan; Kim, Wang-Ki; Chung, Jin-Ho; Park, Young-Ho; Lim, Kyung-Min

2010-02-01

Non-radioisotopic local lymph node assay (LLNA) employing 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) with flow cytometry (FACS) or immunohistochemistry (IHC) is gaining attention due to a regulatory issue of using radioisotope, (3)H-thymidine, in vivo in traditional LLNA. In this study, to compare the performance of these non-radioisotopic endpoints, 7 chemicals with known sensitizing potencies were examined in LLNA. Mice were topically treated with chemicals or vehicle on both ears for 3 days. After intraperitoneal injection of BrdU, bilateral lymph nodes were isolated separately and undergone respectively, FACS or IHC to determine BrdU incorporated lymph node cells (LNCs). Weight and histology of treated ears were also examined to evaluate chemical-induced edema and irritation. Both FACS and IHC could successively identify the skin sensitizers from non-sensitizers. Comparison of FACS and IHC with traditional LLNA revealed that FACS has a higher sensitivity although both assays produced comparable sensitivity and performance to traditional LLNA. In conclusion, non-radioisotopic LLNA using FACS and IHC can successfully detect sensitizers with a good correlation to traditional LLNA. Notably, FACS showed almost equivalent sensitivity and accuracy to traditional LLNA. 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Proposal of a Classification System for the Assessment and Treatment of Prominent Ear Deformity.

PubMed

Lee, Youngdae; Kim, Young Seok; Lee, Won Jai; Rha, Dong Kyun; Kim, Jiye

2018-06-01

Prominent ear is the most common external ear deformity. To comprehensively treat prominent ear deformity, adequate comprehension of its pathophysiology is crucial. In this article, we analyze cases of prominent ear and suggest a simple classification system and treatment algorithm according to pathophysiology. We retrospectively reviewed a total of 205 Northeast Asian patients' clinical data who underwent an operation for prominent ear deformity. Follow-up assessments were conducted 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Prominent ear deformities were classified by diagnostic checkpoints. Class I (simple prominent ear) includes prominent ear that developed with the absence of the antihelix without conchal hypertrophy. Class II (mixed-type prominent ear) is defined as having not only a flat antihelix, but also conchal excess. Class III (conchal-type prominent ear) has an enlarged conchal bowl with a well-developed antihelix. Among the three types of prominent ear, class I was most frequent (162 patients, 81.6%). Class II was observed in 28 patients (13.6%) and class III in 10 patients (4.8%). We used the scaphomastoid suture method for correction of antihelical effacement, the anterior approach conchal resection for correction of conchal hypertrophy, and Bauer's squid incision for lobule prominence. The complication rate was 9.2% including early hematoma, hypersensitivity, and suture extrusion. Unfavorable results occurred in 4% including partial recurrence, overcorrection, and undercorrection. To reduce unfavorable results and avoid recurrence, we propose the use of a classification and treatment algorithm in preoperative evaluation of prominent ear. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Deletion of the UT receptor gene results in the selective loss of urotensin-II contractile activity in aortae isolated from UT receptor knockout mice

PubMed Central

Behm, David J; Harrison, Stephen M; Ao, Zhaohui; Maniscalco, Kristeen; Pickering, Susan J; Grau, Evelyn V; Woods, Tina N; Coatney, Robert W; Doe, Christopher P A; Willette, Robert N; Johns, Douglas G; Douglas, Stephen A

2003-01-01

Urotensin-II (U-II) is among the most potent mammalian vasoconstrictors identified and may play a role in the aetiology of essential hypertension. Currently, only one mouse U-II receptor (UT) gene has been cloned. It is postulated that this protein is solely responsible for mediating U-II-induced vasoconstriction. This hypothesis has been investigated in the present study, which assessed basal haemodynamics and vascular reactivity to hU-II in wild-type (UT(+/+)) and UT receptor knockout (UT(−/−)) mice. Basal left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes/pressures, stroke volumes, mean arterial blood pressures, heart rates, cardiac outputs and ejection fractions in UT(+/+) mice and in UT(−/−) mice were similar. Relative to UT(+/+) mouse isolated thoracic aorta, where hU-II was a potent spasmogen (pEC50=8.26±0.08) that evoked relatively little vasoconstriction (17±2% 60 mM KCl), vessels isolated from UT(−/−) mice did not respond to hU-II. However, in contrast, the superior mesenteric artery isolated from both the genotypes did not contract in the presence of hU-II. Reactivity to unrelated vasoconstrictors (phenylephrine, endothelin-1, KCl) and endothelium-dependent/independent vasodilator agents (carbachol, sodium nitroprusside) was similar in the aorta and superior mesenteric arteries isolated from both the genotypes. The present study is the first to directly link hU-II-induced vasoconstriction with the UT receptor. Deletion of the UT receptor gene results in loss of hU-II contractile action with no ‘nonspecific' alterations in vascular reactivity. However, as might be predicted based on the limited contractile efficacy recorded in vitro, the contribution that hU-II and its receptor make to basal systemic haemodynamics appears to be negligible in this species. PMID:12770952

Hot flushes and biochemical markers for cardiovascular disease: a randomized trial on hormone therapy.

PubMed

Tuomikoski, P; Mikkola, T S; Tikkanen, M J; Ylikorkala, O

2010-10-01

Menopausal hot flushes may affect the responses of various vascular risk factors to hormone therapy (HT). We compared the responses of biochemical markers for cardiovascular diseases to HT in recently postmenopausal women with tolerable or intolerable hot flushes. Healthy, non-smoking freshly postmenopausal women (n = 150) with no previous HT use were studied. Seventy-two women reported intolerable hot flushes (> or =7 moderate/severe episodes/day) and 78 women tolerable hot flushes (< or =3 mild episodes/day). The participants were treated in randomized order with either transdermal estradiol gel (1 mg), oral estradiol valerate (2 mg) with or without medroxyprogesterone acetate (5 mg), or placebo for 6 months. Treatment-induced changes in lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were compared. The trial is registered in the US National Institutes of Health Clinical Research Registry (no. NCT00668603). Pretreatment hot flush status was not related to the responses of these markers to different forms of HT. However, when all active regimens were evaluated together as a post-hoc analysis, 7/10 markers showed a tendency toward greater beneficial changes in women with intolerable hot flushes. Furthermore, in women with intolerable hot flushes and with HT use, the increases in SHBG (Spearman's rho = - 0.570, p < 0.001) were related to the reductions in hot flushes during the use of HT. Hot flushes appear to be no significant determinant for the responses of vascular markers to HT use.

Worldwide U.S. Active Duty Military Deaths. Alphabetical Index by Name, 1 October 1979 Through 30 September 1994

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-09-30

DE LME NDO G E R A R D O MAR I GZA A I R F O R C E D E LMUNDO L I LY F E D E R I S NAVY D E LOACH B O B B Y D E A N A I R F ORCE D E LOGE B...YAN LAMON EAR LE JAME S ARTHUR EAR LEY KEN W EAR LEY R OB E R T WI L L IAM J R EAR LS M I CHAE L G EAR LS OMAR DALE EAR LY BE N JAMIN J R...8 9 B R OOK LYN E 0 4 2 2 F e b 8 2 KEN TON E 0 7 14 D e c 9 1 R OCKH I L L 0 0 2 1 4 J u l 8 1 T E XAS C I T Y E 0 6 24 Oc t 7 9

Replication of type 5 adenovirus promotes middle ear infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae in the chinchilla model of otitis media

PubMed Central

Murrah, Kyle A.; Turner, Roberta L.; Pang, Bing; Perez, Antonia C.; Reimche, Jennifer L.; King, Lauren B.; Wren, John; Gandhi, Uma; Swords, W. Edward; Ornelles, David A.

2015-01-01

Adenoviral infection is a major risk factor for otitis media. We hypothesized that adenovirus promotes bacterial ascension into the middle ear through the disruption of normal function in the Eustachian tubes due to inflammation-induced changes. An intranasal infection model of the chinchilla was used to test the ability of type 5 adenovirus to promote middle ear infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The hyperinflammatory adenovirus mutant dl327 and the nonreplicating adenovirus mutant H5wt300ΔpTP were used to test the role of inflammation and viral replication, respectively, in promotion of pneumococcal middle ear infection. Precedent infection with adenovirus resulted in a significantly greater incidence of middle ear disease by S. pneumoniae as compared to nonadenovirus infected animals. Infection with the adenovirus mutant dl327 induced a comparable degree of bacterial ascension into the middle ear as did infection with the wild-type virus. By contrast, infection with the nonreplicating adenovirus mutant H5wt300ΔpTP resulted in less extensive middle ear infection compared to the wild-type adenovirus. We conclude that viral replication is necessary for adenoviral-induced pneumococcal middle ear disease. PMID:25251686

Sox2 and Jagged1 Expression in Normal and Drug-Damaged Adult Mouse Inner Ear

PubMed Central

Campbell, Sean; Taylor, Ruth R.; Forge, Andrew; Hume, Clifford R.

2007-01-01

Inner ear hair cells detect environmental signals associated with hearing, balance, and body orientation. In humans and other mammals, significant hair cell loss leads to irreversible hearing and balance deficits, whereas hair cell loss in nonmammalian vertebrates is repaired by the spontaneous generation of replacement hair cells. Research in mammalian hair cell regeneration is hampered by the lack of in vivo damage models for the adult mouse inner ear and the paucity of cell-type-specific markers for non-sensory cells within the sensory receptor epithelia. The present study delineates a protocol to drug damage the adult mouse auditory epithelium (organ of Corti) in situ and uses this protocol to investigate Sox2 and Jagged1 expression in damaged inner ear sensory epithelia. In other tissues, the transcription factor Sox2 and a ligand member of the Notch signaling pathway, Jagged1, are involved in regenerative processes. Both are involved in early inner ear development and are expressed in developing support cells, but little is known about their expressions in the adult. We describe a nonsurgical technique for inducing hair cell damage in adult mouse organ of Corti by a single high-dose injection of the aminoglycoside kanamycin followed by a single injection of the loop diuretic furosemide. This drug combination causes the rapid death of outer hair cells throughout the cochlea. Using immunocytochemical techniques, Sox2 is shown to be expressed specifically in support cells in normal adult mouse inner ear and is not affected by drug damage. Sox2 is absent from auditory hair cells, but is expressed in a subset of vestibular hair cells. Double-labeling experiments with Sox2 and calbindin suggest Sox2-positive hair cells are Type II. Jagged1 is also expressed in support cells in the adult ear and is not affected by drug damage. Sox2 and Jagged1 may be involved in the maintenance of support cells in adult mouse inner ear. PMID:18157569

Meteorological Data near Rabbit Ears Pass, Colorado, U.S.A., 1984-2008

USGS Publications Warehouse

Halm, Douglas R.; Beaver, Larry D.; Leavesley, George H.; Reddy, Michael M.

2009-01-01

In 1983, a snowmelt energy budget study was initiated by the U.S. Geological Survey on a small watershed near Rabbit Ears Pass, Colorado, to better understand snowmelt processes. The study included data collection from hydrological and meteorological instrumentation. Interest in long term, high-altitude meteorological sites has increased recently due to the increased awareness of global climate change. The meteorological data collected near Rabbit Ears Pass may aid researchers involved in global climate change studies. Meteorological data from 1984 to 2008 are presented.

15 CFR 750.7 - Issuance of licenses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... other restrictions appearing on the license itself or in the EAR. (b) Issuance of a license. BIS may... Supplement No. 1 to part 748 of the EAR, Block 11): (i) Decrease in unit price or total value; (ii) Increase... Country Group B (see Supplement No. 1 to part 740 of the EAR) port not in the country of ultimate...

76 FR 72405 - Notice of Receipt of Requests to Voluntarily Cancel Certain Pesticide Registrations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-23

.... Permethrin. 013283-00025 Rainbow Flying & Crawling Bug Killer Bioallethrin. II. 028293-00212 Unicorn Ear Miticide III Pyrethrins Piperonyl butoxide. 028293-00348 Unicorn Ear Miticide IV Pyrethrins Piperonyl...

Efficacy of Minocycline and EDTA Lock Solution in Preventing Catheter-Related Bacteremia, Septic Phlebitis, and Endocarditis in Rabbits

PubMed Central

Raad, Issam; Hachem, Ray; Tcholakian, Robert K.; Sherertz, Robert

2002-01-01

To determine the efficacy of antibiotic catheter lock solution in preventing catheter-related infections, silicone catheters were tunneled and inserted into the jugular veins of 18 rabbits. The catheters were challenged with an intraluminal injection of 105 CFU of slime-producing Staphylococcus epidermidis in 0.1 ml of water. The catheters were maintained on heparin (100 IU/ml) flush for the first 3 days. On day 3, quantitative blood samples for culture were obtained from the catheters and ear veins, which documented catheter-related bacteremia, and the rabbits were randomized to have their catheters flushed as follows: five animals were continued on heparin (100 IU/ml), five animals received vancomycin (3 mg/ml) with heparin (100 IU/ml), and eight animals received 3 mg of minocycline per ml with 30 mg of EDTA per ml (M-EDTA). All animals were killed at day 7. Blood, catheters, jugular veins, and heart valves were cultured quantitatively. Animals maintained on heparin developed catheter-related colonization, bacteremia, septic phlebitis, and endocarditis. Vancomycin-heparin partially prevented catheter colonization, bacteremia, and phlebitis (P = 0.2). M-EDTA completely prevented catheter colonization, catheter-related bacteremia, and phlebitis in all of the animals (P < 0.01). Tricuspid endocarditis was equally prevented by vancomycin-heparin and M-EDTA (P ≤ 0.06). In conclusion, the M-EDTA catheter flush solution was highly efficacious in preventing catheter-related colonization, bacteremia, septic phlebitis, and endocarditis in rabbits. PMID:11796338

Tidal flushing and wind driven circulation of Ahe atoll lagoon (Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia) from in situ observations and numerical modelling.

PubMed

Dumas, F; Le Gendre, R; Thomas, Y; Andréfouët, S

2012-01-01

Hydrodynamic functioning and water circulation of the semi-closed deep lagoon of Ahe atoll (Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia) were investigated using 1 year of field data and a 3D hydrodynamical model. Tidal amplitude averaged less than 30 cm, but tide generated very strong currents (2 ms(-1)) in the pass, creating a jet-like circulation that partitioned the lagoon into three residual circulation cells. The pass entirely flushed excess water brought by waves-induced radiation stress. Circulation patterns were computed for climatological meteorological conditions and summarized with stream function and flushing time. Lagoon hydrodynamics and general overturning circulation was driven by wind. Renewal time was 250 days, whereas the e-flushing time yielded a lagoon-wide 80-days average. Tide-driven flush through the pass and wind-driven overturning circulation designate Ahe as a wind-driven, tidally and weakly wave-flushed deep lagoon. The 3D model allows studying pearl oyster larvae dispersal in both realistic and climatological conditions for aquaculture applications. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor and CD74 in the inner ear and middle ear in lipopolysaccharide-induced otitis media.

PubMed

Ishihara, Hisashi; Kariya, Shin; Okano, Mitsuhiro; Zhao, Pengfei; Maeda, Yukihide; Nishizaki, Kazunori

2016-10-01

Significant expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor and its receptor (CD74) was observed in both the middle ear and inner ear in experimental otitis media in mice. Modulation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor and its signaling pathway might be useful in the management of inner ear inflammation due to otitis media. Inner ear dysfunction secondary to otitis media has been reported. However, the specific mechanisms involved are not clearly understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor and CD74 in the middle ear and inner ear in lipopolysaccharide-induced otitis media. BALB/c mice received a transtympanic injection of either lipopolysaccharide or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The mice were sacrificed 24 h after injection, and temporal bones were processed for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, histologic examination, and immunohistochemistry. PCR examination revealed that the lipopolysaccharide-injected mice showed a significant up-regulation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in both the middle ear and inner ear as compared with the PBS-injected control mice. The immunohistochemical study showed positive reactions for macrophage migration inhibitory factor and CD74 in infiltrating inflammatory cells, middle ear mucosa, and inner ear in the lipopolysaccharide-injected mice.

A randomised trial of the cool pad pillow topper versus standard care for sleep disturbance and hot flushes in women on endocrine therapy for breast cancer.

PubMed

Marshall-McKenna, R; Morrison, A; Stirling, L; Hutchison, C; Rice, A M; Hewitt, C; Paul, L; Rodger, M; Macpherson, I R; McCartney, E

2016-04-01

Quality of life in women receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy for breast cancer (BC) may be impaired by hot flushes and night sweats. The cool pad pillow topper (CPPT) is a commercial product, promoted to improve quality of sleep disrupted by hot flushes. This study aimed to identify if the CPPT reduces severity of sleep disturbance by minimising effects of hot flushes. This randomised phase II trial, recruited women with BC, on adjuvant endocrine therapy, experiencing hot flushes and insomnia. Participants were randomised (stratified by baseline sleep efficiency score (SES) and menopausal status) to the intervention arm (CPPT + standard care) or control arm (standard care). Participants completed Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) questionnaires and fortnightly sleep/hot flush diaries (where responses were averaged over 2-week periods). The primary endpoint was change in average SES from -2 to 0 weeks to 2 to 4 weeks. Seventy-four pre- (68.9 %) and post-menopausal (31.1 %) women were recruited. Median age was 49.5 years. Endocrine therapies included tamoxifen (93.2 %). Median SES at weeks 2 to 4 improved in both arms but the increase on the intervention arm was almost twice that on the control arm (p = 0.024). There were significantly greater reductions in hot flushes and HADS depression in the intervention arm (p = 0.09 and p = 0.036, respectively). There were no significant differences in FACT-B or HADS anxiety. This study supports the use of the CPPT as an aid to reduce sleep disturbance and the frequency/severity of hot flushes.

15 CFR 750.7 - Issuance of licenses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... other restrictions appearing on the license itself or in the EAR. (b) Issuance of a license. BIS may... Supplement No. 1 to part 748 of the EAR, Block 11): (i) Decrease in unit price or total value; (ii) Increase... at a country listed in Country Group B (see Supplement No. 1 to part 740 of the EAR) port not in the...

15 CFR 750.7 - Issuance of licenses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... other restrictions appearing on the license itself or in the EAR. (b) Issuance of a license. BIS may... Supplement No. 1 to part 748 of the EAR, Block 11): (i) Decrease in unit price or total value; (ii) Increase... at a country listed in Country Group B (see Supplement No. 1 to part 740 of the EAR) port not in the...

Pressure chamber tests of eustachian tube function document lower efficiency in adults with colds when compared to without colds.

PubMed

Doyle, William J; Singla, Alok; Banks, Juliane; El-Wagaa, Jenna; Swarts, J Douglas

2014-07-01

Fractional gradient equilibrated (FGE) for ears with applied positive but not negative middle ear (ME)-ambient pressure gradients is highly sensitive to a cold-like illness (CLI). The sequential development of eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction, ME under-pressure, and otitis media (OM) characterizes many children during a CLI. If linked, OM burden would be lessened by interventions that promote/preserve good ET function during a CLI. Evaluating this requires a quantitative ET function test for MEs with an intact tympanic membrane responsive to a CLI. Pressure chamber testing of ET function was performed at +200 and -200 daPa in 3 groups of adults: group I, 21 subjects with an extant CLI and groups II and III, 14 and 57 adults, respectively, without a CLI. ME-chamber pressure gradient was recorded by tympanometry before and after the subject swallowed twice. ET functional efficiency was quantified as the FGE, which was then compared among groups using a Mann-Whitney U test. At chamber pressures of 200 daPa, the ME-chamber pressure gradient was negative, and FGE was low and not different among groups. At chamber pressures of -200 daPa that gradient was positive, and FGE was significantly higher in groups II and III when compared with group I.

15 CFR 758.3 - Responsibilities of parties to the transaction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... principal party in interest the exporter for EAR purposes. One writing may cover multiple transactions between the same principals. See § 748.4(a)(3) of the EAR. Note to paragraph (b): For statistical purposes.... principal party in interest. For purposes of licensing responsibility under the EAR, the U.S. agent of the...

15 CFR 758.3 - Responsibilities of parties to the transaction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... principal party in interest the exporter for EAR purposes. One writing may cover multiple transactions between the same principals. See § 748.4(a)(3) of the EAR. Note to paragraph (b): For statistical purposes.... principal party in interest. For purposes of licensing responsibility under the EAR, the U.S. agent of the...

15 CFR 758.3 - Responsibilities of parties to the transaction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... principal party in interest the exporter for EAR purposes. One writing may cover multiple transactions between the same principals. See § 748.4(a)(3) of the EAR. Note to paragraph (b): For statistical purposes.... principal party in interest. For purposes of licensing responsibility under the EAR, the U.S. agent of the...

78 FR 65417 - Notice of Request To Release Airport Property

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-31

... purposes. The sale of the subject property will result in the land at the Kearney Regional Airport (EAR... Release Airport Property at the Kearney Regional Airport (EAR), Kearney, Nebraska. SUMMARY: The FAA... property at the Kearney Regional Airport (EAR) under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47107(h)(2). On July 1...

15 CFR 758.3 - Responsibilities of parties to the transaction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... principal party in interest the exporter for EAR purposes. One writing may cover multiple transactions between the same principals. See § 748.4(a)(3) of the EAR. Note to paragraph (b): For statistical purposes.... principal party in interest. For purposes of licensing responsibility under the EAR, the U.S. agent of the...

15 CFR 758.3 - Responsibilities of parties to the transaction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... principal party in interest the exporter for EAR purposes. One writing may cover multiple transactions between the same principals. See § 748.4(a)(3) of the EAR. Note to paragraph (b): For statistical purposes.... principal party in interest. For purposes of licensing responsibility under the EAR, the U.S. agent of the...

Risks associated with the environmental release of pharmaceuticals on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration "flush list".

PubMed

Khan, Usman; Bloom, Raanan A; Nicell, James A; Laurenson, James P

2017-12-31

A select few prescription drugs can be especially harmful and, in some cases, fatal with just one dose when not used as prescribed. Therefore, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that expired, unwanted, or otherwise unused portions of most of these drugs be disposed of quickly through a take-back program. If such an option is not readily available, FDA recommends that they be flushed down the sink or toilet. The goal of the current investigation was to evaluate the ecological and human-health risks associated with the environmental release of the 15 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) currently on the FDA "flush list". The evaluation suggests that even when highly conservative assumptions are used-including that the entire API mass supplied for clinical use is flushed, all relevant sources in addition to clinical use of the API are considered, and no metabolic loss, environmental degradation, or dilution of wastewater effluents are used in estimating environmental concentrations-most of these APIs present a negligible eco-toxicological risk, both as individual compounds and as a mixture. For a few of these APIs, additional eco-toxicological data will need to be developed. Using similar conservative assumptions for human-health risks, all 15 APIs present negligible risk through ingestion of water and fish. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Blast-related Ear Injuries among U.S. Military Personnel

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-08-01

ment outcomes. The exclusion of servicemembers with history of hearing loss and/or tinnitus before injury was a strength of this study, which allowed...and explore hearing loss and tinnitus outcomes within one year after injury. The Expeditionary Medical Encounter Database was used to identify... tinnitus . The prevalence of ear injuries was 30.7% (1,223 of 3,981). The most common ear injury diagnoses were “inner or middle ear injury involving

Endometrial protein PP14 and CA-125 in recurrent miscarriage patients; correlation with pregnancy outcome.

PubMed

Dalton, C F; Laird, S M; Estdale, S E; Saravelos, H G; Li, T C

1998-11-01

The concentrations of endometrial proteins PP14 and CA-125 were measured in uterine flushings taken on days LH+10 and LH+12 (10 and 12 days after luteinizing hormone surge) of the menstrual cycle from 15 normal, fertile women and 49 women who suffered recurrent miscarriage. The concentration of PP14 was significantly lower in the flushings from the recurrent miscarriage patients than in those from fertile controls on both day LH+10 (median: 1300, range: 3-10 300 ng/ml versus median: 13 933, range: 2174-40 404 ng/ml; P < 0.01) and LH+12 (median: 1560, range: 820-12 100 ng/ml versus median: 14 047, range 1402-62 108 ng/ml; P < 0.05). Similarly concentrations of CA-125 were significantly lower in flushings from recurrent miscarriage women compared to controls on both day LH + 10 (median: 1555, range: 47-6710 U/ml versus median: 6385.5, range 2884-27 731 U/ml, P < 0.01) and LH+12 (median: 2892, range: 956-9974 U/ml versus median: 7127.5, range: 1591-21 343 U/ml; P < 0.05). In contrast there was no significant difference in the concentration of PP14 in plasma samples taken on the same days as the flushings from recurrent miscarriage patients and fertile controls. The concentrations of PP14 in uterine flushings obtained on day LH + 10 or LH + 12 from recurrent miscarriage women during a pre-pregnancy investigative cycle were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in patients who went on to miscarry (median: 1000, range: 9-2900 ng/ml) than those who went on to have a live birth (median: 1440, range: 4-12 100 ng/ml) during a subsequent pregnancy. In contrast there was no significant difference in uterine CA-125 or plasma PP14 concentrations between these two groups of recurrent miscarriage patients. The results suggest that measurements of uterine PP14 and CA-125 may be useful in the assessment of endometrial development in recurrent miscarriage patients and suggest the importance of PP14 in preparing the endometrium for embryo implantation. In addition pre-pregnancy uterine PP14 measurements may be useful in predicting subsequent pregnancy outcome.

SphK1 inhibitor II (SKI-II) inhibits acute myelogenous leukemia cell growth in vitro and in vivo

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yang, Li; Weng, Wei; Sun, Zhi-Xin

Previous studies have identified sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) as a potential drug target for treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In the current study, we investigated the potential anti-leukemic activity of a novel and specific SphK1 inhibitor, SKI-II. We demonstrated that SKI-II inhibited growth and survival of human AML cell lines (HL-60 and U937 cells). SKI-II was more efficient than two known SphK1 inhibitors SK1-I and FTY720 in inhibiting AML cells. Meanwhile, it induced dramatic apoptosis in above AML cells, and the cytotoxicity by SKI-II was almost reversed by the general caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk. SKI-II treatment inhibited SphK1 activation, andmore » concomitantly increased level of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) precursor ceramide in AML cells. Conversely, exogenously-added S1P protected against SKI-II-induced cytotoxicity, while cell permeable short-chain ceramide (C6) aggravated SKI-II's lethality against AML cells. Notably, SKI-II induced potent apoptotic death in primary human AML cells, but was generally safe to the human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from healthy donors. In vivo, SKI-II administration suppressed growth of U937 leukemic xenograft tumors in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. These results suggest that SKI-II might be further investigated as a promising anti-AML agent. - Highlights: • SKI-II inhibits proliferation and survival of primary and transformed AML cells. • SKI-II induces apoptotic death of AML cells, but is safe to normal PBMCs. • SKI-II is more efficient than two known SphK1 inhibitors in inhibiting AML cells. • SKI-II inhibits SphK1 activity, while increasing ceramide production in AML cells. • SKI-II dose-dependently inhibits U937 xenograft growth in SCID mice.« less

Effects of topical oxiconazole and boric acid in alcohol solutions to rat inner ears.

PubMed

Özdemir, Süleyman; Tuncer, Ülkü; Tarkan, Özgür; Akar, Funda; Sürmelioğlu, Özgür

2013-06-01

The aim of this study is to evaluate the ototoxicity of topical oxiconazole and boric acid in alcohol solutions. Prospective controlled animal study. Research laboratory. Fifty adult Wistar albino rats were divided into 5 groups consisting of 10 animals each. The right tympanic membranes were perforated, and baseline and posttreatment distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) measurements were performed. The solutions were applied through the external ear canal to the middle ear twice a day for 14 days. The rats in group I and group II received 0.1 mL of oxiconazole-containing solution drops and 4% boric acid in alcohol solution drops, respectively. Group III received gentamicin solution (40 mg/mL) (ototoxic control), group IV received saline solution, and group V was followed without any medication. The baseline DPOAE results of the right ears of all animals tested were normal. Animals in groups I, II, IV, and V showed no statistically significant change in the DPOAE amplitudes. The rats in the gentamicin group showed a significant decrease. This study demonstrates that topically used oxiconazole and boric acid in alcohol solutions to the middle ear appear to be safe on the inner ear of rats. The safety of these drugs has not yet been confirmed in humans. Caution should be taken when prescribing these drugs, especially to patients who had tympanic membrane perforation. Ear drops should be chosen more carefully in an external ear infection for patients with tympanic membrane perforation to avoid ototoxicity.

Analysis of the Effect of Locally Applied Inhomogeneous Static Magnetic Field-Exposure on Mouse Ear Edema – A Double Blind Study

PubMed Central

Kiss, Balázs; László, János F.; Szalai, Andrea; Pórszász, Róbert

2015-01-01

The effect static magnetic field (SMF)-exposure may exert on edema development has been investigated. A 6 h long whole-body (WBSMF) or local (LSMF), continuous, inhomogeneous SMF-exposure was applied on anesthetized mice in an in vivo model of mustard oil (MO)-induced ear edema. LSMF was applied below the treated ear, below the lumbar spine, or below the mandible. Ear thickness (v) was checked 8 times during the exposure period (at 0, 0.25, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 h). The effect size of the applied treatment (η) on ear thickness was calculated by the formula η = 100% × (1–v j/v i), where group i is the control group and j is the treated group. Results showed that MO treatment in itself induced a significant ear edema with an effect of 9% (p<0.001). WBSMF or LSMF on the spine in combination with MO treatment increased ear thickness even further resulting in an effect of η>11% in both cases compared to SMF-exposure alone (p<0.001). In these cases SMF-exposure alone without MO treatment reduced ear thickness significantly (p<0.05), but within estimated experimental error. In cases of LSMF-exposure on the head, a significant SMF-exposure induced ear thickness reduction was found (η = 5%, p<0.05). LSMF-exposure on the spine affected ear thickness with and without MO treatment almost identically, which provides evidence that the place of local SMF action may be in the lower spinal region. PMID:25695832

Induction of estrus during the non-breeding season in Egyptian Baladi goats.

PubMed

Medan, Mohamed; Shalaby, Abdel-Hamid; Sharawy, Sayed; Watanabe, Gen; Taya, Kazuyoshi

2002-01-01

The induction of estrus during the non-breeding season was investigated in 100 Egyptian Baladi goats (Capra hircus). All animals assigned to treatments had low progesterone concentrations (<0.5 ng/ml) tested 2 times 10 days apart to confirm anestrous condition. Animals were assigned to three experimental groups. A group of animals received subcutaneous norgestomet ear implant for 11 days and a single i.m. injection of PGF2alpha 24 hr before implant removal (group I; n=40). Second group of animals received subcutaneous norgestomet ear implant for 11 days and a single i.m. injection of PGF2alpha 24 hr before implant removal and gonadotropin releasing hormone 24 hr after implant removal (group II; n=40). Third group of animals received no treatment (control group; n=20). The percentage of goats that showed estrous behavior during the first 72 hr after implant removal was 77.5, 85.0% and 10.0% in group I, group II and control group, respectively. The fertility rate was 57.5, 70.0% and 10.0% in group I, group II and control group, respectively. In conclusion, estrus can be induced in seasonally anestrous Egyptian Baladi goats using norgestomet and PGF2alpha and the injection of GnRH 24 hr after norgestomet implant removal synchronized ovulation in a higher percentage of goats.

Competing retention pathways of uranium upon reaction with Fe(II)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Massey, Michael S.; Lezama-Pacheco, Juan S.; Jones, Morris E.; Ilton, Eugene S.; Cerrato, José M.; Bargar, John R.; Fendorf, Scott

2014-10-01

Biogeochemical retention processes, including adsorption, reductive precipitation, and incorporation into host minerals, are important in contaminant transport, remediation, and geologic deposition of uranium. Recent work has shown that U can become incorporated into iron (hydr)oxide minerals, with a key pathway arising from Fe(II)-induced transformation of ferrihydrite, (Fe(OH)3·nH2O) to goethite (α-FeO(OH)); this is a possible U retention mechanism in soils and sediments. Several key questions, however, remain unanswered regarding U incorporation into iron (hydr)oxides and this pathway's contribution to U retention, including: (i) the competitiveness of U incorporation versus reduction to U(IV) and subsequent precipitation of UO2; (ii) the oxidation state of incorporated U; (iii) the effects of uranyl aqueous speciation on U incorporation; and, (iv) the mechanism of U incorporation. Here we use a series of batch reactions conducted at pH ∼7, [U(VI)] from 1 to 170 μM, [Fe(II)] from 0 to 3 mM, and [Ca] at 0 or 4 mM coupled with spectroscopic examination of reaction products of Fe(II)-induced ferrihydrite transformation to address these outstanding questions. Uranium retention pathways were identified and quantified using extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Analysis of EXAFS spectra showed that 14-89% of total U was incorporated into goethite, upon reaction with Fe(II) and ferrihydrite. Uranium incorporation was a particularly dominant retention pathway at U concentrations ⩽50 μM when either uranyl-carbonato or calcium-uranyl-carbonato complexes were dominant, accounting for 64-89% of total U. With increasing U(VI) and Fe(II) concentrations, U(VI) reduction to U(IV) became more prevalent, but U incorporation remained a functioning retention pathway. These findings highlight the potential importance of U(V) incorporation within iron oxides as a retention process of U across a wide range of biogeochemical environments and the sensitivity of uranium retention processes to operative (bio)geochemical conditions.

Competing retention pathways of uranium upon reaction with Fe(II)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Massey, Michael S.; Lezama Pacheco, Juan S.; Jones, Morris

Biogeochemical retention processes, including adsorption, reductive precipitation, and incorporation into host minerals, are important in contaminant transport, remediation, and geologic deposition of uranium. Recent work has shown that U can become incorporated into iron (hydr)oxide minerals, with a key pathway arising from Fe(II)-induced transformation of ferrihydrite, (Fe(OH)3•nH2O) to goethite (α-FeO(OH)); this is a possible U retention mechanism in soils and sediments. Several key questions, however, remain unanswered regarding U incorporation into iron (hydr)oxides and this pathway’s contribution to U retention, including: (i) the competitiveness of U incorporation versus reduction to U(IV) and subsequent precipitation of UO2; (ii) the oxidation statemore » of incorporated U; (iii) the effects of uranyl aqueous speciation on U incorporation; and, (iv) the mechanism of U incorporation. Here we use a series of batch reactions conducted at pH ~7, [U(VI)] from 1 to 170 μM, [Fe(II)] from 0 to 3 mM, and [Ca] at 0 or 4 mM) coupled with spectroscopic examination of reaction products of Fe(II)-induced ferrihydrite transformation to address these outstanding questions. Uranium retention pathways were identified and quantified using extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy, x-ray powder diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Analysis of EXAFS spectra showed that 14 to 89% of total U was incorporated into goethite, upon reaction with Fe(II) and ferrihydrite. Uranium incorporation was a particularly dominant retention pathway at U concentrations ≤ 50 μM when either uranyl-carbonato or calcium-uranyl-carbonato complexes were dominant, accounting for 64 to 89% of total U. With increasing U(VI) and Fe(II) concentrations, U(VI) reduction to U(IV) became more prevalent, but U incorporation remained a functioning retention pathway. These findings highlight the potential importance of U(V) incorporation within iron oxides as a retention process of U across a wide range of biogeochemical environments and the sensitivity of uranium retention processes to operative (bio)geochemical conditions.« less

Heparin or 0.9% sodium chloride to maintain central venous catheter patency: a randomized trial.

PubMed

Schallom, Marilyn E; Prentice, Donna; Sona, Carrie; Micek, Scott T; Skrupky, Lee P

2012-06-01

To compare heparin (3 mL, 10 units/mL) and 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl, 10 mL) flush solutions with respect to central venous catheter lumen patency. Single-center, randomized, open label trial. Medical intensive care unit and Surgical/Burn/Trauma intensive care unit at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO. Three hundred forty-one patients with multilumen central venous catheters. Patients with at least one lumen with a minimum of two flushes were included in the analysis. Patients were randomly assigned within 12 hrs of central venous catheter insertion to receive either heparin or 0.9% sodium chloride flush. The primary outcome was lumen nonpatency. Secondary outcomes included the rates of loss of blood return, inability to infuse or flush through the lumen (flush failure), heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, and catheter-related blood stream infection. Assessment for patency was performed every 8 hrs in lumens without continuous infusions for the duration of catheter placement or discharge from intensive care unit. Three hundred twenty-six central venous catheters were studied yielding 709 lumens for analysis. The nonpatency rate was 3.8% in the heparin group (n = 314) and 6.3% in the 0.9% sodium chloride group (n = 395) (relative risk 1.66, 95% confidence interval 0.86-3.22, p = .136). The Kaplan-Meier analysis for time to first patency loss was not significantly different (log rank = 0.093) between groups. The rates of loss of blood return and flush failure were similar between the heparin and 0.9% sodium chloride groups. Pressure-injectable central venous catheters had significantly greater rates of nonpatency (10.6% vs. 4.3%, p = .001) and loss of blood return (37.0% vs. 18.8%, p <.001) compared to nonpressure-injectable catheters. The frequencies of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and catheter-related blood stream infection were similar between groups. 0.9% sodium chloride and heparin flushing solutions have similar rates of lumen nonpatency. Given potential safety concerns with the use of heparin, 0.9% sodium chloride may be the preferred flushing solution for short-term use central venous catheter maintenance.

Influence of Stenocarpella maydis infected corn on the composition of corn kernel and its conversion into ethanol

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Widespread epidemics of Stenocarpella ear rot (formerly Diplodia ear rot) have occurred throughout the central U.S. Corn Belt in recent years, but the influence of S. maydis infected grain on corn ethanol production is unknown. In this study, S. maydis infected ears of variety 'Heritage 4646' were h...

The pharmacological and hormonal therapy of hot flushes in breast cancer survivors.

PubMed

Wiśniewska, Iwona; Jochymek, Bożena; Lenart-Lipińska, Monika; Chabowski, Mariusz

2016-03-01

The side effects of oncological treatment, which appear during or after therapy, are sometimes very annoying for patients and are not adequately treated by physicians. Among the symptoms experienced by breast cancer patients are hot flushes, which result from a natural or cancer therapy-induced menopause. The intensity of hot flushes in breast cancer patients may be more severe than those experienced by women undergoing a natural menopause. Taking into account the incidence of breast cancer and long-lasting hormone-suppression therapies, the problem of hot flushes will affect many women. Hormonal replacement therapy, the most effective therapeutic means for alleviating hot flushes, is usually contraindicated for breast cancer patients. For intense and severe hot flushes, pharmacological treatment using agents from a group of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors such as venlafaxine or citalopram may be introduced. Other agents from different pharmacological groups, such as clonidine, gabapentin, or pregabalin, have also proved to be effective in treating hot flushes. The efficacy of phytoestrogens has not been proven in randomized clinical trials. The importance of the placebo effect in decreasing vasomotor symptoms has also been reported in many research papers. Educating breast cancer patients in lifestyle changes which decrease the frequency and intensity of vasomotor symptoms can offer significant help too. This paper reviews the current state of research in order to assess the options for the treatment of hot flushes in breast cancer survivors.

Leupeptin reduces impulse noise induced hearing loss

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Exposure to continuous and impulse noise can induce a hearing loss. Leupeptin is an inhibitor of the calpains, a family of calcium-activated proteases which promote cell death. The objective of this study is to assess whether Leupeptin could reduce the hearing loss resulting from rifle impulse noise. Methods A polyethelene tube was implanted into middle ear cavities of eight fat sand rats (16 ears). Following determination of auditory nerve brainstem evoked response (ABR) threshold in each ear, the animals were exposed to the noise of 10 M16 rifle shots. Immediately after the exposure, saline was then applied to one (control) ear and non-toxic concentrations of leupeptin determined in the first phase of the study were applied to the other ear, for four consecutive days. Results Eight days after the exposure, the threshold shift (ABR) in the control ears was significantly greater (44 dB) than in the leupeptin ears (27 dB). Conclusion Leupeptin applied to the middle ear cavity can reduce the hearing loss resulting from exposure to impulse noise. PMID:22206578

Exercise training reduces the acute physiological severity of post‐menopausal hot flushes

PubMed Central

Bailey, Tom G.; Cable, N. Timothy; Aziz, Nabil; Atkinson, Greg; Cuthbertson, Daniel J.; Low, David A.

2016-01-01

Key points A post‐menopausal hot flush consists of profuse physiological elevations in cutaneous vasodilatation and sweating that are accompanied by reduced brain blood flow. These responses can be used to objectively quantify hot flush severity.The impact of an exercise training intervention on the physiological responses occurring during a hot flush is currently unknown.In a preference‐controlled trial involving 21 post‐menopausal women, 16 weeks of supervised moderate intensity exercise training was found to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and attenuate cutaneous vasodilatation, sweating and the reductions in cerebral blood flow during a hot flush.It is concluded that the improvements in fitness that are mediated by 16 weeks of exercise training reduce the severity of physiological symptoms that occur during a post‐menopausal hot flush. Abstract A hot flush is characterised by feelings of intense heat, profuse elevations in cutaneous vasodilatation and sweating, and reduced brain blood flow. Exercise training reduces self‐reported hot flush severity, but underpinning physiological data are lacking. We hypothesised that exercise training attenuates the changes in cutaneous vasodilatation, sweat rate and cerebral blood flow during a hot flush. In a preference trial, 18 symptomatic post‐menopausal women underwent a passive heat stress to induce hot flushes at baseline and follow‐up. Fourteen participants opted for a 16 week moderate intensity supervised exercise intervention, while seven participants opted for control. Sweat rate, cutaneous vasodilatation, blood pressure, heart rate and middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv) were measured during the hot flushes. Data were binned into eight equal segments, each representing 12.5% of hot flush duration. Weekly self‐reported frequency and severity of hot flushes were also recorded at baseline and follow‐up. Following training, mean hot flush sweat rate decreased by 0.04 mg cm2 min−1 at the chest (95% confidence interval 0.02–0.06, P = 0.01) and by 0.03 mg cm2 min−1 (0.02–0.05, P = 0.03) at the forearm, compared with negligible changes in control. Training also mediated reductions in cutaneous vasodilatation by 9% (6–12%) at the chest and by 7% (4–9%) at forearm (P ≤ 0.05). Training attenuated hot flush MCAv by 3.4 cm s−1 (0.7–5.1 cm s−1, P = 0.04) compared with negligible changes in control. Exercise training reduced the self‐reported severity of hot flushes by 109 arbitrary units (80–121, P < 0.001). These data indicate that exercise training leads to parallel reductions in hot flush severity and within‐flush changes in cutaneous vasodilatation, sweating and cerebral blood flow. PMID:26676059

Selective attention: psi performance in children with learning disabilities.

PubMed

Garcia, Vera Lúcia; Pereira, Liliane Desgualdo; Fukuda, Yotaka

2007-01-01

Selective attention is essential for learning how to write and read. The objective of this study was to examine the process of selective auditory attention in children with learning disabilities. Group I included forty subjects aged between 9 years and six months and 10 years and eleven months, who had a low risk of altered hearing, language and learning development. Group II included 20 subjects aged between 9 years and five months and 11 years and ten months, who presented learning disabilities. A prospective study was done using the Pediatric Speech Intelligibility Test (PSI). Right ear PSI with an ipsilateral competing message at speech/noise ratios of 0 and -10 was sufficient to differentiate Group I and Group II. Special attention should be given to the performance of Group II on the first tested ear, which may substantiate important signs of improvements in performance and rehabilitation. The PSI - MCI of the right ear at speech/noise ratios of 0 and -10 was appropriate to differentiate Groups I and II. There was an association with the group that presented learning disabilities: this group showed problems in selective attention.

Channel Maintenance and Flushing Flows for the Klamath River Below Iron Gate Dam, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Holmquist-Johnson, Cristopher L.; Milhous, Robert T.

2010-01-01

The Klamath River is a major river in northern California and southern Oregon. Iron Gate Dam divides the river into the two subunits where there is a significant change in utilization of the river. Downstream of Iron Gate Dam, the river is very important for the propagation of salmon. To address concerns relating to substrate conditions in the mainstem Klamath River below Iron Gate Dam, the Arcata, California, office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contracted with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to determine flushing flows required to improve and maintain quality spawning and rearing habitats for salmon, and to reduce the abundance of preferred habitats of the polychaete worm suspected of being the intermediate host for Ceratomyxa shasta, a species of bacteria that infects fish. Historically, the river has had the capacity to move sediment just below Iron Gate Reservoir, but there have been periods when the capacity was very low. The results indicate that if the future is more like the pre-1961 period (low transport capacity) than the more recent period, there will be significant sediment issues in the Klamath River below Iron Gate Dam. It seems that during normal or wet years, winter months, and periods of high flow, sediments are flushed either downstream or deposited on higher surfaces. The recent drought conditions during 2000-2005 probably resulted in extensive fine-grained sedimentation along the river, which in turn may have caused increased establishment of aquatic vegetation and increased concentrations of C. shasta. It appears that releases from Iron Gate Dam as far downstream as Seiad Valley are important in maintaining flow conditions to flush the fines and clean the gravels in the river during summer months, or during drought years. Sediment transport studies indicate that supplemental flows during dry or drought conditions may provide some flushing flows in reaches downstream of the dam. For purposes of flushing fine sediments during drought years or dry summer months, flows in the range of 2,500-5,000 cubic feet per second during a period of days may be necessary. Providing these types of flows in a manner similar to a storm pulse would provide the best opportunity to flush the fines and clean some of the gravels given the upper ranges of flows are achieved.

Impact of Bioreactor Environment and Recovery Method on the Profile of Bacterial Populations from Water Distribution Systems.

PubMed

Luo, Xia; Jellison, Kristen L; Huynh, Kevin; Widmer, Giovanni

2015-01-01

Multiple rotating annular reactors were seeded with biofilms flushed from water distribution systems to assess (1) whether biofilms grown in bioreactors are representative of biofilms flushed from the water distribution system in terms of bacterial composition and diversity, and (2) whether the biofilm sampling method affects the population profile of the attached bacterial community. Biofilms were grown in bioreactors until thickness stabilized (9 to 11 weeks) and harvested from reactor coupons by sonication, stomaching, bead-beating, and manual scraping. High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons was used to profile bacterial populations from flushed biofilms seeded into bioreactors as well as biofilms recovered from bioreactor coupons by different methods. β diversity between flushed and reactor biofilms was compared to β diversity between (i) biofilms harvested from different reactors and (ii) biofilms harvested by different methods from the same reactor. These analyses showed that average diversity between flushed and bioreactor biofilms was double the diversity between biofilms from different reactors operated in parallel. The diversity between bioreactors was larger than the diversity associated with different biofilm recovery methods. Compared to other experimental variables, the method used to recover biofilms had a negligible impact on the outcome of water biofilm analyses based on 16S amplicon sequencing. Results from this study show that biofilms grown in reactors over 9 to 11 weeks are not representative models of the microbial populations flushed from a distribution system. Furthermore, the bacterial population profile of biofilms grown in replicate reactors from the same flushed water are likely to diverge. However, four common sampling protocols, which differ with respect to disruption of bacterial cells, provide similar information with respect to the 16S rRNA population profile of the biofilm community.

Early investigational drugs for hearing loss

PubMed Central

Mukherjea, Debashree; Ghosh, Sumana; Bhatta, Puspanjali; Sheth, Sandeep; Tupal, Srinivasan; Borse, Vikrant; Brozoski, Thomas; Sheehan, Kelly E; Rybak, Leonard P; Ramkumar, Vickram

2017-01-01

Introduction Sensorineural hearing loss (HL) is becoming a global phenomenon at an alarming rate. Nearly 600 million people have been estimated to have significant HL in at least one ear. There are several different causes of sensorineural HL included in this review of new investigational drugs for HL. They are noise-induced, drug-induced, sudden sensorineural HL, presbycusis and HL due to cytomegalovirus infections. Areas covered This review presents trends in research for new investigational drugs encompassing a variety of causes of HL. The studies presented here are the latest developments either in the research laboratories or in preclinical, Phase 0, Phase I or Phase II clinical trials for drugs targeting HL. Expert opinion While it is important that prophylactic measures are developed, it is extremely crucial that rescue strategies for unexpected or unavoidable cochlear insult be established. To achieve this goal for the development of drugs for HL, innovative strategies and extensive testing are required for progress from the bench to bedside. However, although a great deal of research needs to be done to achieve the ultimate goal of protecting the ear against acquired sensorineural HL, we are likely to see exciting breakthroughs in the near future. PMID:25243609

Randomised clinical trial of five ear acupuncture points for the treatment of overweight people.

PubMed

Yeo, Sujung; Kim, Kang Sik; Lim, Sabina

2014-04-01

To evaluate the efficacy of the five ear acupuncture points (Shen-men, Spleen, Stomach, Hunger, Endocrine), generally used in Korean clinics for treating obesity, and compare them with the Hunger acupuncture point. A randomised controlled clinical trial was conducted in 91 Koreans (16 male and 75 female, body mass index (BMI)≥23), who had not received any other weight control treatment within the past 6 months. Subjects were divided randomly into treatment I, treatment II or sham control groups and received unilateral auricular acupuncture with indwelling needles replaced weekly for 8 weeks. Treatment I group received acupuncture at the five ear acupuncture points, treatment II group at the Hunger acupuncture point only and the sham control group received acupuncture at the five ear acupuncture points used in treatment I, but the needles were removed immediately after insertion. BMI, waist circumference, weight, body fat mass (BFM), percentage body fat and blood pressure were measured at baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. For the 58 participants who provided data at 8 weeks, significant differences in BMI, weight and BFM were found between the treatment and control groups. Treatment groups I and II showed 6.1% and 5.7% reduction in BMI, respectively (p<0.004). There were no significant differences between the two treatment groups. This finding suggests that the five ear acupuncture points, generally used in Korean clinics, and the Hunger point alone treatment are both effective for treating overweight people.

NOD2/RICK-Dependent β-Defensin 2 Regulation Is Protective for Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae-Induced Middle Ear Infection

PubMed Central

Woo, Jeong-Im; Oh, Sejo; Webster, Paul; Lee, Yoo Jin; Lim, David J.; Moon, Sung K.

2014-01-01

Middle ear infection, otitis media (OM), is clinically important due to the high incidence in children and its impact on the development of language and motor coordination. Previously, we have demonstrated that the human middle ear epithelial cells up-regulate β-defensin 2, a model innate immune molecule, in response to nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), the most common OM pathogen, via TLR2 signaling. NTHi does internalize into the epithelial cells, but its intracellular trafficking and host responses to the internalized NTHi are poorly understood. Here we aimed to determine a role of cytoplasmic pathogen recognition receptors in NTHi-induced β-defensin 2 regulation and NTHi clearance from the middle ear. Notably, we observed that the internalized NTHi is able to exist freely in the cytoplasm of the human epithelial cells after rupturing the surrounding membrane. The human middle ear epithelial cells inhibited NTHi-induced β-defensin 2 production by NOD2 silencing but augmented it by NOD2 over-expression. NTHi-induced β-defensin 2 up-regulation was attenuated by cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of actin polymerization and was enhanced by α-hemolysin, a pore-forming toxin. NOD2 silencing was found to block α-hemolysin-mediated enhancement of NTHi-induced β-defensin 2 up-regulation. NOD2 deficiency appeared to reduce inflammatory reactions in response to intratympanic inoculation of NTHi and inhibit NTHi clearance from the middle ear. Taken together, our findings suggest that a cytoplasmic release of internalized NTHi is involved in the pathogenesis of NTHi infections, and NOD2-mediated β-defensin 2 regulation contributes to the protection against NTHi-induced otitis media. PMID:24625812

Applications of radon and radium isotopes to determine submarine groundwater discharge and flushing times in Todos os Santos Bay, Brazil.

PubMed

Hatje, Vanessa; Attisano, Karina Kammer; de Souza, Marcelo Friederichs Landim; Mazzilli, Barbara; de Oliveira, Joselene; de Araújo Mora, Tamires; Burnett, William C

2017-11-01

Todos os Santos Bay (BTS) is the 2nd largest bay in Brazil and an important resource for the people of the State of Bahia. We made measurements of radon and radium in selected areas of the bay to evaluate if these tracers could provide estimates of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) and flushing times of the Paraguaçu Estuary and BTS. We found that there were a few areas along the eastern and northeastern shorelines that displayed relatively high radon and low salinities, indicating possible sites of enhanced SGD. A time-series mooring over a tidal cycle at Marina do Bonfim showed a systematic enrichment of the short-lived radium isotopes 223 Ra and 224 Ra during the falling tide. Assuming that the elevated radium isotopes were related to SGD and using measured radium activities from a shallow well at the site, we estimated groundwater seepage at about 70 m 3 /day per unit width of shoreline. Extrapolating to an estimated total shoreline length provided a first approximation of total (fresh + saline) SGD into BTS of 300 m 3 /s, about 3 times the average river discharge into the bay. Just applying the shoreline lengths from areas identified with high radon and reduced salinity results in a lower SGD estimate of 20 m 3 /s. Flushing times of the Paraguaçu Estuary were estimated at about 3-4 days based on changing radium isotope ratios from low to high salinities. The flushing time for the entire BTS was also attempted using the same approach and resulted in a surprisingly low value of only 6-8 days. Although physical oceanographic models have proposed flushing times on the order of months, a simple tidal prism calculation provided results in the range of 4-7 days, consistent with the radium approach. Based on these initial results, we recommend a strategy for refining both SGD and flushing time estimates. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Antibodies Mediate Formation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in the Middle Ear and Facilitate Secondary Pneumococcal Otitis Media

PubMed Central

Short, Kirsty R.; von Köckritz-Blickwede, Maren; Langereis, Jeroen D.; Chew, Keng Yih; Job, Emma R.; Armitage, Charles W.; Hatcher, Brandon; Fujihashi, Kohtaro; Reading, Patrick C.; Hermans, Peter W.

2014-01-01

Otitis media (OM) (a middle ear infection) is a common childhood illness that can leave some children with permanent hearing loss. OM can arise following infection with a variety of different pathogens, including a coinfection with influenza A virus (IAV) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus). We and others have demonstrated that coinfection with IAV facilitates the replication of pneumococci in the middle ear. Specifically, we used a mouse model of OM to show that IAV facilitates the outgrowth of S. pneumoniae in the middle ear by inducing middle ear inflammation. Here, we seek to understand how the host inflammatory response facilitates bacterial outgrowth in the middle ear. Using B cell-deficient infant mice, we show that antibodies play a crucial role in facilitating pneumococcal replication. We subsequently show that this is due to antibody-dependent neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation in the middle ear, which, instead of clearing the infection, allows the bacteria to replicate. We further demonstrate the importance of these NETs as a potential therapeutic target through the transtympanic administration of a DNase, which effectively reduces the bacterial load in the middle ear. Taken together, these data provide novel insight into how pneumococci are able to replicate in the middle ear cavity and induce disease. PMID:24191297

Classification of Newborn Ear Malformations and their Treatment with the EarWell Infant Ear Correction System.

PubMed

Daniali, Lily N; Rezzadeh, Kameron; Shell, Cheryl; Trovato, Matthew; Ha, Richard; Byrd, H Steve

2017-03-01

A single practice's treatment protocol and outcomes following molding therapy on newborn ear deformations and malformations with the EarWell Infant Ear Correction System were reviewed. A classification system for grading the severity of constricted ear malformations was created on the basis of anatomical findings. A retrospective chart/photograph review of a consecutive series of infants treated with the EarWell System from 2011 to 2014 was undertaken. The infants were placed in either deformation or malformation groups. Three classes of malformation were identified. Data regarding treatment induction, duration of treatment, and quality of outcome were collected for all study patients. One hundred seventy-five infant ear malformations and 303 infant ear deformities were treated with the EarWell System. The average age at initiation of treatment was 12 days; the mean duration of treatment was 37 days. An average of six office visits was required. Treated malformations included constricted ears [172 ears (98 percent)] and cryptotia [three ears (2 percent)]. Cup ear (34 ears) was considered a constricted malformation, in contrast to the prominent ear deformity. Constricted ears were assigned to one of three classes, with each subsequent class indicating increasing severity: class I, 77 ears (45 percent); class II, 81 ears (47 percent); and class III, 14 ears (8 percent). Molding therapy with the EarWell System reduced the severity by an average of 1.2 points (p < 0.01). Complications included minor superficial excoriations and abrasions. The EarWell System was shown to be effective in eliminating or reducing the need for surgery in all but the most severe malformations. Therapeutic, IV.

Column Testing and 1D Reactive Transport Modeling to Evaluate Uranium Plume Persistence Processes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Johnson, Raymond H.; Morrison, Stan; Morris, Sarah

Motivation for Study: Natural flushing of contaminants at various U.S. Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management sites is not proceeding as quickly as predicted (plume persistence) Objectives: Help determine natural flushing rates using column tests. Use 1D reactive transport modeling to better understand the major processes that are creating plume persistence Approach: Core samples from under a former mill tailings area Tailings have been removed. Column leaching using lab-prepared water similar to nearby Gunnison River water. 1D reactive transport modeling to evaluate processes

Is Attention Shared Between the Ears?1

PubMed Central

Shiffrin, Richard M.; Pisoni, David B.; Castaneda-Mendez, Kicab

2012-01-01

This study tests the locus of attention during selective listening for speech-like stimuli. Can processing be differentially allocated to the two ears? Two conditions were used. The simultaneous condition involved one of four randomly chosen stop-consonants being presented to one of the ears chosen at random. The sequential condition involved two intervals; in the first S listened to the right ear; in the second S listened to the left ear. One of the four consonants was presented to an attended ear during one of these intervals. Experiment I used no distracting stimuli. Experiment II utilized a distracting consonant not confusable with any of the four target consonants. This distractor was always presented to any ear not containing a target. In both experiments, simultaneous and sequential performance were essentially identical, despite the need for attention sharing between the two ears during the simultaneous condition. We conclude that selective attention does not occur during perceptual processing of speech sounds presented to the two ears. We suggest that attentive effects arise in short-term memory following processing. PMID:23226838

Topical atorvastatin ameliorates 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate induced skin inflammation by reducing cutaneous cytokine levels and NF-κB activation.

PubMed

Kulkarni, Nagaraj M; Muley, Milind M; Jaji, Mallikarjun S; Vijaykanth, G; Raghul, J; Reddy, Neetin Kumar D; Vishwakarma, Santosh L; Rajesh, Navin B; Mookkan, Jeyamurugan; Krishnan, Uma Maheswari; Narayanan, Shridhar

2015-06-01

Atorvastatin is a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A reductase inhibitor used in the treatment of atherosclerosis and dyslipidemia. Studies have evaluated the utility of statins in the treatment of skin inflammation but with varied results. In the present study, we investigated the effect of atorvastatin on TNF-α release and keratinocyte proliferation in vitro and in acute and chronic 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induced skin inflammation in vivo. Atorvastatin significantly inhibited lipopolysacharide induced TNF-α release in THP-1 cells and keratinocyte proliferation in HaCaT cells. In an acute study, topical atorvastatin showed dose dependent reduction in TPA induced skin inflammation with highest efficacy observed at 500 µg/ear dose. In chronic study, topical atorvastatin significantly reduced TPA induced ear thickness, ear weight, cutaneous cytokines, MPO activity and improved histopathological features comparable to that of dexamethasone. Atorvastatin also inhibited TPA stimulated NF-κB activation in mouse ear. In conclusion, our results suggest that atorvastatin ameliorates TPA induced skin inflammation in mice at least in part, due to inhibition of cytokine release and NF-κB activation and may be beneficial for the treatment skin inflammation like psoriasis.

High-resolution computed tomography of the middle ear and mastoid. Part II. Tubotympanic disease

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Swartz, J.D.; Goodman, R.S.; Russell, K.B.

1983-08-01

Of more than 200 patients who underwent high-resolution computed tomography (CT) of the middle ear, the vast majority had tubotympanic disease in one of its forms: middle ear effusion, tympanosclerosis, granulation tissue, tympanic membrane retractions, or acquired cholesteatoma. The CT appearance of each of these conditions is discussed and illustrated. Emphasis is placed on the differential diagnosis of tubotympanic disease by determining dependent from nondependent soft-tissue opacity using two CT projections.

Transcriptome analysis in oak uncovers a strong impact of endogenous rhythmic growth on the interaction with plant-parasitic nematodes.

PubMed

Maboreke, Hazel R; Feldhahn, Lasse; Bönn, Markus; Tarkka, Mika T; Buscot, Francois; Herrmann, Sylvie; Menzel, Ralph; Ruess, Liliane

2016-08-12

Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.), an important forest tree in temperate ecosystems, displays an endogenous rhythmic growth pattern, characterized by alternating shoot and root growth flushes paralleled by oscillations in carbon allocation to below- and aboveground tissues. However, these common plant traits so far have largely been neglected as a determining factor for the outcome of plant biotic interactions. This study investigates the response of oak to migratory root-parasitic nematodes in relation to rhythmic growth, and how this plant-nematode interaction is modulated by an ectomycorrhizal symbiont. Oaks roots were inoculated with the nematode Pratylenchus penetrans solely and in combination with the fungus Piloderma croceum, and the systemic impact on oak plants was assessed by RNA transcriptomic profiles in leaves. The response of oaks to the plant-parasitic nematode was strongest during shoot flush, with a 16-fold increase in the number of differentially expressed genes as compared to root flush. Multi-layered defence mechanisms were induced at shoot flush, comprising upregulation of reactive oxygen species formation, hormone signalling (e.g. jasmonic acid synthesis), and proteins involved in the shikimate pathway. In contrast during root flush production of glycerolipids involved in signalling cascades was repressed, suggesting that P. penetrans actively suppressed host defence. With the presence of the mycorrhizal symbiont, the gene expression pattern was vice versa with a distinctly stronger effect of P. penetrans at root flush, including attenuated defence, cell and carbon metabolism, likely a response to the enhanced carbon sink strength in roots induced by the presence of both, nematode and fungus. Meanwhile at shoot flush, when nutrients are retained in aboveground tissue, oak defence reactions, such as altered photosynthesis and sugar pathways, diminished. The results highlight that gene response patterns of plants to biotic interactions, both negative (i.e. plant-parasitic nematodes) and beneficial (i.e. mycorrhiza), are largely modulated by endogenous rhythmic growth, and that such plant traits should be considered as an important driver of these relationships in future studies.

Nitrogen gas flushing can be bactericidal: the temperature-dependent destiny of Bacillus weihenstephanensis KBAB4 under a pure N2 atmosphere.

PubMed

Munsch-Alatossava, Patricia; Alatossava, Tapani

2014-01-01

Gram-negative Pseudomonas and Gram-positive Bacillus are the most common spoilage bacteria in raw and pasteurized milk, respectively. In previous studies, nitrogen (N2) gas flushing treatments of raw and pasteurized milk at cold chain-temperatures inhibited bacterial spoilage and highlighted different susceptibilities to the N2 treatment with the exclusion of certain bacterial types. Here, we investigated the effects of pure N2 gas flushing on representative strains of these genera grown in mono- or co-cultures at 15 and 25°C. Bacillus weihenstephanensis, a frequent inhabitant of fluid dairy products, is represented by the genome-sequenced KBAB4 strain. Among Pseudomonas, P. tolaasii LMG 2342(T) and strain C1, a raw milk psychrotroph, were selected. The N2 gas flushing treatment revealed: (1) temperature-dependent responses; (2) inhibition of the growth of both pseudomonads; (3) emergence of small colony variants (SCVs) for B. weihenstephanensis strain KBAB4 at 15°C induced by the N2 treatment or when grown in co-culture with Pseudomonas strains; (4) N2 gas flushing modulates (suppressed or stimulated) bacterial antagonistic reactions in co-cultures; (5) most importantly, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses revealed that at 25°C the majority of the KBAB4 cells were killed by pure N2 gas flushing. This observation constitutes the first evidence that N2 gas flushing has bactericidal effects.

Cell proliferation and hair cell addition in the ear of the goldfish, Carassius auratus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lanford, P. J.; Presson, J. C.; Popper, A. N.

1996-01-01

Cell proliferation and hair cell addition have not been studied in the ears of otophysan fish, a group of species who have specialized hearing capabilities. In this study we used the mitotic S-phase marker bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) to identify proliferating cells in the ear of one otophysan species, Carassius auratus (the goldfish). Animals were sacrificed at 3 h or 5 days postinjection with BrdU and processed for immunocytochemistry. The results of the study show that cell proliferation occurs in all of the otic endorgans and results in the addition of new hair cells. BrdU-labeled cells were distributed throughout all epithelia, including the primary auditory endorgan (saccule), where hair cell phenotypes vary considerably along the rostrocaudal axis. This study lays the groundwork for our transmission electron microscopy study of proliferative cells in the goldfish ear (Presson et al., Hearing Research 100 (1996) 10-20) as well as future studies of hair cell development in this species. The ability to predict, based on epithelial location, the future phenotype of developing hair cells in the saccule of the goldfish make that endorgan a particularly powerful model system for the investigation of early hair cell differentiation.

Effect of doublecortin on self-renewal and differentiation in brain tumor stem cells

PubMed Central

Santra, Manoranjan; Santra, Sutapa; Buller, Ben; Santra, Kastuv; Nallani, Ankita; Chopp, Michael

2011-01-01

Analysis of Affymetrix Probe data from glioma patient samples in conjuction with patient Kaplan-Meier Survival Plot indicate that expression of a glioma suppressor gene doublecortin (DCX) favors glioma patient survival. From neurosphere formation in culture, Time-Lapse Microscopy video recording and tumor xenograft, we show that DCX synthesis significantly reduces self-renewal of brain tumor stem cells (BTSCs) in human primary glioma (YU-PG, HF66) cells from surgically-removed human glioma specimens and U87 cells in vitro and in vivo. Time-Lapse Microscopic video recording revealed that double transfection of YU-PG, HF66 and U87 cells with DCX and neurabin II caused incomplete cell cycle with failure of cytokinesis, i.e. endomitosis by dividing into three daughter cells from one mother BTSC. Activation of c-jun NH2-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) after simvastatin (10nM) treatment of DCX+neurabin II+ BTSCs from YU-PG, HF66 and U87 cells induced terminal differentiation into neuron-like cells. TUNEL staining data demonstrated that JNK1 activation also induced apoptosis only in double transfected BTSCs with DCX and neurabin II, but not in single transfected BTSCs from YU-PG, HF66 and U87 cells. Western blot analysis showed that procaspase-3 was induced after DCX transfection and activated after simvastatin treatment in YU-PG, HF66 and U87 BTSCs. Sequential immunoprecipitation and Western blot data revealed that DCX synthesis blocked protein phosphatase-1 (PP1)/caspase-3 protein-protein interaction and increased PP1-DCX interaction. These data demonstrate that DCX synthesis induces apoptosis in BTSCs via a novel JNK1/neurabin II/DCX/PP1/caspase-3 pathway. PMID:21477071

Effect of doublecortin on self-renewal and differentiation in brain tumor stem cells.

PubMed

Santra, Manoranjan; Santra, Sutapa; Buller, Ben; Santra, Kastuv; Nallani, Ankita; Chopp, Michael

2011-07-01

Analysis of microarray probe data from glioma patient samples, in conjunction with patient Kaplan-Meier survival plots, indicates that expression of a glioma suppressor gene doublecortin (DCX) favors glioma patient survival. From neurosphere formation in culture, time-lapse microscopic video recording, and tumor xenograft, we show that DCX synthesis significantly reduces self-renewal of brain tumor stem cells (BTSC) in human primary glioma (YU-PG, HF66) cells from surgically removed human glioma specimens and U87 cells in vitro and in vivo. Time-lapse microscopic video recording revealed that double transfection of YU-PG, HF66, and U87 cells with DCX and neurabin II caused incomplete cell cycle with failure of cytokinesis, that is, endomitosis by dividing into three daughter cells from one mother BTSC. Activation of c-jun NH2-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) after simvastatin (10 nM) treatment of DCX(+) neurabin II(+) BTSC from YU-PG, HF66, and U87 cells induced terminal differentiation into neuron-like cells. dUTP nick end labeling data indicated that JNK1 activation also induced apoptosis only in double transfected BTSC with DCX and neurabin II, but not in single transfected BTSC from YU-PG, HF66, and U87 cells. Western blot analysis showed that procaspase-3 was induced after DCX transfection and activated after simvastatin treatment in YU-PG, HF66, and U87 BTSC. Sequential immunoprecipitation and Western blot data revealed that DCX synthesis blocked protein phosphatase-1 (PP1)/caspase-3 protein-protein interaction and increased PP1-DCX interaction. These data show that DCX synthesis induces apoptosis in BTSC through a novel JNK1/neurabin II/DCX/PP1/caspase-3 pathway. © 2011 Japanese Cancer Association.

Induction of cytosine arabinoside-resistant human myeloid leukemia cell death through autophagy regulation by hydroxychloroquine.

PubMed

Kim, Yundeok; Eom, Ju-In; Jeung, Hoi-Kyung; Jang, Ji Eun; Kim, Jin Seok; Cheong, June-Won; Kim, Young Sam; Min, Yoo Hong

2015-07-01

We investigated the effects of the autophagy inhibitor hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on cell death of cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C)-resistant human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. Ara-C-sensitive (U937, AML-2) and Ara-C-resistant (U937/AR, AML-2/AR) human AML cell lines were used to evaluate HCQ-regulated cytotoxicity, autophagy, and apoptosis as well as effects on cell death-related signaling pathways. We found that HCQ-induced dose- and time-dependent cell death in Ara-C-resistant cells compared to Ara-C-sensitive cell lines. The extent of cell death and features of HCQ-induced autophagic markers including increase in microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) I conversion to LC3-II, beclin-1, ATG5, as well as green fluorescent protein-LC3 positive puncta and autophagosome were remarkably greater in U937/AR cells. Also, p62/SQSTM1 was increased in response to HCQ. p62/SQSTM1 protein interacts with both LC3-II and ubiquitin protein and is degraded in autophagosomes. Therefore, a reduction of p62/SQSTM1 indicates increased autophagic degradation, whereas an increase of p62/SQSTM1 by HCQ indicates inhibited autophagic degradation. Knock down of p62/SQSTM1 using siRNA were prevented the HCQ-induced LC3-II protein level as well as significantly reduced the HCQ-induced cell death in U937/AR cells. Also, apoptotic cell death and caspase activation in U937/AR cells were increased by HCQ, provided evidence that HCQ-induced autophagy blockade. Taken together, our data show that HCQ-induced apoptotic cell death in Ara-C-resistant AML cells through autophagy regulation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Redefinition of the helical rim in cauliflower-ear surgery.

PubMed

Schonauer, F; La Rusca, I; Pereira, J A; Molea, G

2002-01-01

Cauliflower ear is a serious deformity of the auricle induced by single or repeated injury to the external ear. Few papers deal with surgical techniques for correcting this deformity. We describe the use of ipsilateral excess cartilage to restore the helical rim. Copyright 2002 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons.

Simulating Reflex Induced Changes in the Acoustic Impedance of the Ear.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sirlin, Mindy W.; Levitt, Harry

1991-01-01

A simple procedure for measuring changes in the acoustic impedance of the ear is described. The technique has several applications, including simulation using a standard coupler of changes in real ear impedance produced by the acoustic reflex, and calibration of response time of an otoadmittance meter. (Author/DB)

Hearing with an atympanic ear: good vibration and poor sound-pressure detection in the royal python, Python regius.

PubMed

Christensen, Christian Bech; Christensen-Dalsgaard, Jakob; Brandt, Christian; Madsen, Peter Teglberg

2012-01-15

Snakes lack both an outer ear and a tympanic middle ear, which in most tetrapods provide impedance matching between the air and inner ear fluids and hence improve pressure hearing in air. Snakes would therefore be expected to have very poor pressure hearing and generally be insensitive to airborne sound, whereas the connection of the middle ear bone to the jaw bones in snakes should confer acute sensitivity to substrate vibrations. Some studies have nevertheless claimed that snakes are quite sensitive to both vibration and sound pressure. Here we test the two hypotheses that: (1) snakes are sensitive to sound pressure and (2) snakes are sensitive to vibrations, but cannot hear the sound pressure per se. Vibration and sound-pressure sensitivities were quantified by measuring brainstem evoked potentials in 11 royal pythons, Python regius. Vibrograms and audiograms showed greatest sensitivity at low frequencies of 80-160 Hz, with sensitivities of -54 dB re. 1 m s(-2) and 78 dB re. 20 μPa, respectively. To investigate whether pythons detect sound pressure or sound-induced head vibrations, we measured the sound-induced head vibrations in three dimensions when snakes were exposed to sound pressure at threshold levels. In general, head vibrations induced by threshold-level sound pressure were equal to or greater than those induced by threshold-level vibrations, and therefore sound-pressure sensitivity can be explained by sound-induced head vibration. From this we conclude that pythons, and possibly all snakes, lost effective pressure hearing with the complete reduction of a functional outer and middle ear, but have an acute vibration sensitivity that may be used for communication and detection of predators and prey.

Oncolytic vesicular stomatitis virus induces apoptosis in U87 glioblastoma cells by a type II death receptor mechanism and induces cell death and tumor clearance in vivo.

PubMed

Cary, Zachary D; Willingham, Mark C; Lyles, Douglas S

2011-06-01

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a potential oncolytic virus for treating glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), an aggressive brain tumor. Matrix (M) protein mutants of VSV have shown greater selectivity for killing GBM cells versus normal brain cells than VSV with wild-type M protein. The goal of this research was to determine the contribution of death receptor and mitochondrial pathways to apoptosis induced by an M protein mutant (M51R) VSV in U87 human GBM tumor cells. Compared to controls, U87 cells expressing a dominant negative form of Fas (dnFas) or overexpressing Bcl-X(L) had reduced caspase-3 activation following infection with M51R VSV, indicating that both the death receptor pathway and mitochondrial pathways are important for M51R VSV-induced apoptosis. Death receptor signaling has been classified as type I or type II, depending on whether signaling is independent (type I) or dependent on the mitochondrial pathway (type II). Bcl-X(L) overexpression inhibited caspase activation in response to a Fas-inducing antibody, similar to the inhibition in response to M51R VSV infection, indicating that U87 cells behave as type II cells. Inhibition of apoptosis in vitro delayed, but did not prevent, virus-induced cell death. Murine xenografts of U87 cells that overexpress Bcl-X(L) regressed with a time course similar to that of control cells following treatment with M51R VSV, and tumors were not detectable at 21 days postinoculation. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated similar levels of viral antigen expression but reduced activation of caspase-3 following virus treatment of Bcl-X(L)-overexpressing tumors compared to controls. Further, the pathological changes in tumors following treatment with virus were quite different in the presence versus the absence of Bcl-X(L) overexpression. These results demonstrate that M51R VSV efficiently induces oncolysis in GBM tumor cells despite deregulation of apoptotic pathways, underscoring its potential use as a treatment for GBM.

In vivo over-expression of KGF mimic human middle ear cholesteatoma.

PubMed

Yamamoto-Fukuda, Tomomi; Akiyama, Naotaro; Shibata, Yasuaki; Takahashi, Haruo; Ikeda, Tohru; Koji, Takehiko

2015-10-01

We reported previously that keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), a mesenchymal cell-derived paracrine growth factor, plays an important role in middle ear cholesteatoma formation, which is characterized by marked proliferation of epithelial cells. Here, we investigated whether KGF, the main factor that induces cholesteatoma, overexpression in vivo results in the formation of cholesteatoma. Flag-hKGF cDNA driven by CMV14 promoter was transfected through electroporation into the external auditory canal (EAC) of rats once (short-term model) or five times on every fourth day (long-term model). Ears transfected with empty vector were used as controls. Successful transfection of plasmids into epithelial and stromal cells was confirmed by Flag immunohistochemistry. In the short-term model, the intensity of KGF protein was the strongest in hKGF transfected ear at day 4. KGF expression induced epithelial cell proliferation, reaching a peak level at day 4 and then decreased later, while in the long-term model, KGF expression in the EAC led to middle ear cholesteatoma formation. In conclusion, we described here a new experimental model of human middle ear cholesteatoma, and demonstrated that KGF and KGF receptor paracrine action play an essential role in middle ear cholesteatoma formation in an in vivo model.

The effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester and thymoquinone on otitis media with effusion in rats.

PubMed

Gülmez, Mehmet İhsan; Okuyucu, Şemsettin; Dokuyucu, Recep; Gökçe, Hasan

2017-05-01

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of CAPE and thymoquinone in experimental rat otitis media with effusion (OME) model. Intraoral approach of eustachian tube orifice cauterization were administered to 36 of 40 rats participating the study. After application of exclusion criterias, 22 rats with appropriate conditions were determined. Totally 26 rats (44 otitis model ears and 8 normal ears) were randomly divided into 5 groups. While group I was consisted of healthy rats, the other groups were consisted of rats with otitis model. Group I (saline + control group; n = 8 normal ears) and group II (saline + otitis model; n = 10 otitis model ears) received intraperitoneally saline solution. CAPE was given intraperitoneally to group III (CAPE + otitis model; n = 12 otitis model ears) at a concentration of 10 mg/kg for treatment of otitis media. Group IV (thymoquinone + otitis model; n = 12 otitis model ears) was treated orally with 10 mg/kg of thymoquinone. Group V (methylprednisolone + otitis model; n = 10 otitis model ears) was treated intraperitoneally with 1 mg/kg of methylprednisolone. Tympanic bulla samples were excised after 10th day of treatment and examined under light microscopy. Submucosal neutrophil leukocyte count of group I was significantly lower than other groups (II, IV, V) (respectively p < 0,0001, p < 0,001, p < 0,0001, Tukey test), while it was not significantly different from group III (p = 0,056, Tukey test). Submucosal neutrophil leukocyte count of group III was significantly lower than group II and group V (p = 0.029 ve p = 0.03, Tukey test). There was no significant difference between group IV and group V (p = 0,28, Tukey test). Based on these findings, it could be suggested that CAPE, anti inflammatory properties proven in the literature, plays an important role in OME treatment. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Experimentally induced otitis and audiogenic seizure in the mouse.

PubMed

Niaussat, M M

1977-04-15

Audiogenic seizures can be induced in genetically non-susceptible 17-day-old mice (Rb/3 strain) with various results. Priming only induces 9% of seizures, auditory insulation 3,8%, while experimental otitis leads to 79%. The hypothesis concerning disuse supersensitivity subsequent to acoustic deprivation was not confirmed by the experiment. However, modification of acoustic transmission at middle ear level induced by otitis or ear physical damage during the maturation period, exposes the upper nervous centers to intense stimulation to which the reaction is a recruiting response.

Identification of a role for the nuclear receptor EAR-2 in the maintenance of clonogenic status within the leukemia cell hierarchy

PubMed Central

Ichim, CV; Atkins, HL; Iscove, NN; Wells, RA

2016-01-01

Identification of genes that regulate clonogenicity of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cells is hindered by the difficulty of isolating pure populations of cells with defined proliferative abilities. By analyzing the growth of clonal siblings in low passage cultures of the cell line OCI/AML4 we resolved this heterogeneous population into strata of distinct clonogenic potential, permitting analysis of the transcriptional signature of single cells with defined proliferative abilities. By microarray analysis we showed that the expression of the orphan nuclear receptor EAR-2 (NR2F6) is greater in leukemia cells with extensive proliferative capacity than in those that have lost proliferative ability. EAR-2 is expressed highly in long-term hematopoietic stem cells, relative to short-term hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, and is downregulated in AML cells after induction of differentiation. Exogenous expression of EAR-2 increased the growth of U937 cells and prevented the proliferative arrest associated with terminal differentiation, and blocked differentiation of U937 and 32Dcl3 cells. Conversely, silencing of EAR-2 by short-hairpin RNA initiated terminal differentiation of these cell lines. These data identify EAR-2 as an important factor in the regulation of clonogenicity and differentiation, and establish that analysis of clonal siblings allows the elucidation of differences in gene expression within the AML hierarchy. PMID:21637284

Photosynthetic thermotolerance of woody savanna species in China is correlated with leaf life span

PubMed Central

Zhang, Jiao-Lin; Poorter, L.; Hao, Guang-You; Cao, Kun-Fang

2012-01-01

Background and Aims Photosynthetic thermotolerance (PT) is important for plant survival in tropical and sub-tropical savannas. However, little is known about thermotolerance of tropical and sub-tropical wild plants and its association with leaf phenology and persistence. Longer-lived leaves of savanna plants may experience a higher risk of heat stress. Foliar Ca is related to cell integrity of leaves under stresses. In this study it is hypothesized that (1) species with leaf flushing in the hot-dry season have greater PT than those with leaf flushing in the rainy season; and (2) PT correlates positively with leaf life span, leaf mass per unit area (LMA) and foliar Ca concentration ([Ca]) across woody savanna species. Methods The temperature-dependent increase in minimum fluorescence was measured to assess PT, together with leaf dynamics, LMA and [Ca] for a total of 24 woody species differing in leaf flushing time in a valley-type savanna in south-west China. Key Results The PT of the woody savanna species with leaf flushing in the hot-dry season was greater than that of those with leaf flushing in the rainy season. Thermotolerance was positively associated with leaf life span and [Ca] for all species irrespective of the time of flushing. The associations of PT with leaf life span and [Ca] were evolutionarily correlated. Thermotolerance was, however, independent of LMA. Conclusions Chinese savanna woody species are adapted to hot-dry habitats. However, the current maximum leaf temperature during extreme heat stress (44·3 °C) is close to the critical temperature of photosystem II (45·2 °C); future global warming may increase the risk of heat damage to the photosynthetic apparatus of Chinese savanna species. PMID:22875810

Pathophysiology of the inner ear after blast injury caused by laser-induced shock wave

PubMed Central

Niwa, Katsuki; Mizutari, Kunio; Matsui, Toshiyasu; Kurioka, Takaomi; Matsunobu, Takeshi; Kawauchi, Satoko; Satoh, Yasushi; Sato, Shunichi; Shiotani, Akihiro; Kobayashi, Yasushi

2016-01-01

The ear is the organ that is most sensitive to blast overpressure, and ear damage is most frequently seen after blast exposure. Blast overpressure to the ear results in sensorineural hearing loss, which is untreatable and is often associated with a decline in the quality of life. In this study, we used a rat model to demonstrate the pathophysiological and structural changes in the inner ear that replicate pure sensorineural hearing loss associated with blast injury using laser-induced shock wave (LISW) without any conductive hearing loss. Our results indicate that threshold elevation of the auditory brainstem response (ABR) after blast exposure was primarily caused by outer hair cell dysfunction induced by stereociliary bundle disruption. The bundle disruption pattern was unique; disturbed stereocilia were mostly observed in the outermost row, whereas those in the inner and middle rows stereocilia remained intact. In addition, the ABR examination showed a reduction in wave I amplitude without elevation of the threshold in the lower energy exposure group. This phenomenon was caused by loss of the synaptic ribbon. This type of hearing dysfunction has recently been described as hidden hearing loss caused by cochlear neuropathy, which is associated with tinnitus or hyperacusis. PMID:27531021

Pathophysiology of the inner ear after blast injury caused by laser-induced shock wave.

PubMed

Niwa, Katsuki; Mizutari, Kunio; Matsui, Toshiyasu; Kurioka, Takaomi; Matsunobu, Takeshi; Kawauchi, Satoko; Satoh, Yasushi; Sato, Shunichi; Shiotani, Akihiro; Kobayashi, Yasushi

2016-08-17

The ear is the organ that is most sensitive to blast overpressure, and ear damage is most frequently seen after blast exposure. Blast overpressure to the ear results in sensorineural hearing loss, which is untreatable and is often associated with a decline in the quality of life. In this study, we used a rat model to demonstrate the pathophysiological and structural changes in the inner ear that replicate pure sensorineural hearing loss associated with blast injury using laser-induced shock wave (LISW) without any conductive hearing loss. Our results indicate that threshold elevation of the auditory brainstem response (ABR) after blast exposure was primarily caused by outer hair cell dysfunction induced by stereociliary bundle disruption. The bundle disruption pattern was unique; disturbed stereocilia were mostly observed in the outermost row, whereas those in the inner and middle rows stereocilia remained intact. In addition, the ABR examination showed a reduction in wave I amplitude without elevation of the threshold in the lower energy exposure group. This phenomenon was caused by loss of the synaptic ribbon. This type of hearing dysfunction has recently been described as hidden hearing loss caused by cochlear neuropathy, which is associated with tinnitus or hyperacusis.

Effects of an inhibitor of tripeptidyl peptidase II (Ala-Ala-Phe-chloromethylketone) and its combination with an inhibitor of the chymotrypsin-like activity of the proteasome (PSI) on apoptosis, cell cycle and proteasome activity in U937 cells.

PubMed

Bury, M; Młynarczuk, I; Pleban, E; Hoser, G; Kawiak, J; Wójcik, C

2001-01-01

AAF-AMC is not a specific TPP II substrate, since it is also hydrolyzed by purified proteasomes. Moreover, AAF-cmk, claimed to be a specific TPP II inhibitor, also inhibits the chymotrypsin-like activity of the proteasome. While AAF-cmk itself is mildly cytostatic to U-937 cells and induces cell cycle block in G1, its combination with PSI does not induce an increase in the cytostatic/cytotoxic effects. This suggests that TPP II is possibly less important for cell metabolism than it was previously believed and it is less probable that it can be able to fully compensate for the loss of the proteasome function.

Hearing of the African lungfish (Protopterus annectens) suggests underwater pressure detection and rudimentary aerial hearing in early tetrapods.

PubMed

Christensen, Christian Bech; Christensen-Dalsgaard, Jakob; Madsen, Peter Teglberg

2015-02-01

In the transition from an aquatic to a terrestrial lifestyle, vertebrate auditory systems have undergone major changes while adapting to aerial hearing. Lungfish are the closest living relatives of tetrapods and their auditory system may therefore be a suitable model of the auditory systems of early tetrapods such as Acanthostega. Therefore, experimental studies on the hearing capabilities of lungfish may shed light on the possible hearing capabilities of early tetrapods and broaden our understanding of hearing across the water-to-land transition. Here, we tested the hypotheses that (i) lungfish are sensitive to underwater pressure using their lungs as pressure-to-particle motion transducers and (ii) lungfish can detect airborne sound. To do so, we used neurophysiological recordings to estimate the vibration and pressure sensitivity of African lungfish (Protopterus annectens) in both water and air. We show that lungfish detect underwater sound pressure via pressure-to-particle motion transduction by air volumes in their lungs. The morphology of lungfish shows no specialized connection between these air volumes and the inner ears, and so our results imply that air breathing may have enabled rudimentary pressure detection as early as the Devonian era. Additionally, we demonstrate that lungfish in spite of their atympanic middle ear can detect airborne sound through detection of sound-induced head vibrations. This strongly suggests that even vertebrates with no middle ear adaptations for aerial hearing, such as the first tetrapods, had rudimentary aerial hearing that may have led to the evolution of tympanic middle ears in recent tetrapods. © 2015. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

A long-term high-fat diet increases oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage and apoptosis in the inner ear of D-galactose-induced aging rats.

PubMed

Du, Zhengde; Yang, Yang; Hu, Yujuan; Sun, Yu; Zhang, Sulin; Peng, Wei; Zhong, Yi; Huang, Xiang; Kong, Weijia

2012-05-01

In humans, chronic dyslipidemia associated with elevated triglycerides may reduce auditory function. However, there is little evidence available in the literature concerning the effects of a long-term high-fat diet (HFD) on the inner ears of animals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 12 month-HFD on the inner ear of Sprague-Dawley rats and on the D-galactose (D-gal)-induced aging process in the inner ear. We found that 12 month-HFD markedly elevated the auditory brainstem response (ABR) threshold in the high-frequency region. The HFD significantly increased the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the expressions of NADPH oxidase (NOX) and the uncoupling proteins (UCP). Furthermore, an elevated accumulation of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) common deletion (CD) and mitochondrial ultrastructural changes in the inner ear suggested that there was mitochondrial damage in response to the excessive fat intake. The expression level of cleaved caspase-3 and the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick-end-labelling (TUNEL)-positive cells in the inner ear were increased by the HFD. The effects of D-gal on the inner ears were similar with 12 month-HFD. We found that rats receiving both the HFD and D-gal exhibited a greater shift in the ABR threshold, larger increases in the expression levels of NOX, UCP and cleaved caspase-3 and an increased number of TUNEL-positive cells in the inner ear. The present study demonstrated that HFD may induce oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage and apoptosis in the inner ear, and it provided evidence regarding the link between HFD and an increased risk of age-related hearing loss. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Type II first branchial cleft anomaly.

PubMed

Al-Mahdi, Akmam H; Al-Khurri, Luay E; Atto, Ghada Z; Dhaher, Ameer

2013-01-01

First branchial cleft anomaly is a rare disease of the head and neck. It accounts for less than 8% of all branchial abnormalities. It is classified into type I, which is thought to arise from the duplication of the membranous external ear canal and are composed of ectoderm only, and type II that have ectoderm and mesoderm. Because of its rarity, first branchial cleft anomaly is often misdiagnosed and results in inappropriate management. A 9-year-old girl presented to us with fistula in the submandibular region and discharge in the external ear. Under general anesthesia, complete surgical excision of the fistula tract was done through step-ladder approach, and the histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of type II first branchial cleft anomaly.

Ethanol extract of Angelica gigas inhibits croton oil-induced inflammation by suppressing the cyclooxygenase - prostaglandin pathway

PubMed Central

Shin, Sunhee; Joo, Seong Soo; Park, Dongsun; Jeon, Jeong Hee; Kim, Tae Kyun; Kim, Jeong Seon; Park, Sung Kyeong

2010-01-01

The anti-inflammatory effects of an ethanol extract of Angelica gigas (EAG) were investigated in vitro and in vivo using croton oil-induced inflammation models. Croton oil (20 µg/mL) up-regulated mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-I and COX-II in the macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7, resulting in the release of high concentrations of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). EAG (1~10 µg/mL) markedly suppressed croton oil-induced COX-II mRNA expression and PGE2 production. Application of croton oil (5% in acetone) to mouse ears caused severe local erythema, edema and vascular leakage, which were significantly attenuated by oral pre-treatment with EAG (50~500 mg/kg). Croton oil dramatically increased blood levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and PGE2 without affecting tumor-necrosis factor (TNF)-α and nitric oxide (NO) levels. EAG pre-treatment remarkably lowered IL-6 and PGE2, but did not alter TNF-α or NO concentrations. These results indicate that EAG attenuates inflammatory responses in part by blocking the COX-PGE2 pathway. Therefore, EAG could be a promising candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. PMID:20195064

30 CFR 71.402 - Minimum requirements for bathing facilities, change rooms, and sanitary flush toilet facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

...) Showers shall be provided with both hot and cold water. (ii) At least one shower head shall be provided... urinal. (iv) An adequate supply of toilet paper shall be provided with each toilet. (v) Adequate...

30 CFR 71.402 - Minimum requirements for bathing facilities, change rooms, and sanitary flush toilet facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

...) Showers shall be provided with both hot and cold water. (ii) At least one shower head shall be provided... urinal. (iv) An adequate supply of toilet paper shall be provided with each toilet. (v) Adequate...

30 CFR 71.402 - Minimum requirements for bathing facilities, change rooms, and sanitary flush toilet facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

...) Showers shall be provided with both hot and cold water. (ii) At least one shower head shall be provided... urinal. (iv) An adequate supply of toilet paper shall be provided with each toilet. (v) Adequate...

30 CFR 71.402 - Minimum requirements for bathing facilities, change rooms, and sanitary flush toilet facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

...) Showers shall be provided with both hot and cold water. (ii) At least one shower head shall be provided... urinal. (iv) An adequate supply of toilet paper shall be provided with each toilet. (v) Adequate...

30 CFR 71.402 - Minimum requirements for bathing facilities, change rooms, and sanitary flush toilet facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

...) Showers shall be provided with both hot and cold water. (ii) At least one shower head shall be provided... urinal. (iv) An adequate supply of toilet paper shall be provided with each toilet. (v) Adequate...

COAST (Cisplatin ototoxicity attenuated by aspirin trial): A phase II double-blind, randomised controlled trial to establish if aspirin reduces cisplatin induced hearing-loss.

PubMed

Crabb, Simon J; Martin, Karen; Abab, Julia; Ratcliffe, Ian; Thornton, Roger; Lineton, Ben; Ellis, Mary; Moody, Ronald; Stanton, Louise; Galanopoulou, Angeliki; Maishman, Tom; Geldart, Thomas; Bayne, Mike; Davies, Joe; Lamb, Carolynn; Popat, Sanjay; Joffe, Johnathan K; Nutting, Chris; Chester, John; Hartley, Andrew; Thomas, Gareth; Ottensmeier, Christian; Huddart, Robert; King, Emma

2017-12-01

Cisplatin is one of the most ototoxic chemotherapy drugs, resulting in a permanent and irreversible hearing loss in up to 50% of patients. Cisplatin and gentamicin are thought to damage hearing through a common mechanism, involving reactive oxygen species in the inner ear. Aspirin has been shown to minimise gentamicin-induced ototoxicity. We, therefore, tested the hypothesis that aspirin could also reduce ototoxicity from cisplatin-based chemotherapy. A total of 94 patients receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy for multiple cancer types were recruited into a phase II, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial and randomised in a ratio of 1:1 to receive aspirin 975 mg tid and omeprazole 20 mg od, or matched placebos from the day before, to 2 days after, their cisplatin dose(s), for each treatment cycle. Patients underwent pure tone audiometry before and at 7 and 90 days after their final cisplatin dose. The primary end-point was combined hearing loss (cHL), the summed hearing loss at 6 kHz and 8 kHz, in both ears. Although aspirin was well tolerated, it did not protect hearing in patients receiving cisplatin (p-value = 0.233, 20% one-sided level of significance). In the aspirin arm, patients demonstrated mean cHL of 49 dB (standard deviation [SD] 61.41) following cisplatin compared with placebo patients who demonstrated mean cHL of 36 dB (SD 50.85). Women had greater average hearing loss than men, and patients treated for head and neck malignancy experienced the greatest cHL. Aspirin did not protect from cisplatin-related ototoxicity. Cisplatin and gentamicin may therefore have distinct ototoxic mechanisms, or cisplatin-induced ototoxicity may be refractory to the aspirin regimen used here. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

How brain asymmetry relates to performance – a large-scale dichotic listening study

PubMed Central

Hirnstein, Marco; Hugdahl, Kenneth; Hausmann, Markus

2014-01-01

All major mental functions including language, spatial and emotional processing are lateralized but how strongly and to which hemisphere is subject to inter- and intraindividual variation. Relatively little, however, is known about how the degree and direction of lateralization affect how well the functions are carried out, i.e., how lateralization and task performance are related. The present study therefore examined the relationship between lateralization and performance in a dichotic listening task for which we had data available from 1839 participants. In this task, consonant-vowel syllables are presented simultaneously to the left and right ear, such that each ear receives a different syllable. When asked which of the two they heard best, participants typically report more syllables from the right ear, which is a marker of left-hemispheric speech dominance. We calculated the degree of lateralization (based on the difference between correct left and right ear reports) and correlated it with overall response accuracy (left plus right ear reports). In addition, we used reference models to control for statistical interdependency between left and right ear reports. The results revealed a u-shaped relationship between degree of lateralization and overall accuracy: the stronger the left or right ear advantage, the better the overall accuracy. This u-shaped asymmetry-performance relationship consistently emerged in males, females, right-/non-right-handers, and different age groups. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that performance on lateralized language functions depends on how strongly these functions are lateralized. The present study further stresses the importance of controlling for statistical interdependency when examining asymmetry-performance relationships in general. PMID:24427151

In vivo interference with AtTCP20 function induces severe plant growth alterations and deregulates the expression of many genes important for development.

PubMed

Hervé, Christine; Dabos, Patrick; Bardet, Claude; Jauneau, Alain; Auriac, Marie Christine; Ramboer, Agnès; Lacout, Fabrice; Tremousaygue, Dominique

2009-03-01

AtTCP20 is a transcription factor belonging to the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) TCP-P subfamily, characterized by its capacity to bind to site II motifs (TGGGCY). Our aim was to understand the role of AtTCP20 in plant development. The expression pattern of a translational fusion of Prom(TCP20):CDS20GUSGFP suggested a function for AtTCP20 in several plant organs and stages of development. The role of AtTCP20 was challenged in planta by inducing expression of AtTCP20 proteins fused with either a transcriptional activator domain (VP16) or a repressor domain (EAR). Expression of both modified proteins led to severe developmental phenotypes. In-depth analysis suggested that AtTCP20 may participate in the regulation of cell expansion, cell division, and cell differentiation. Gene expression profiling in roots and hypocotyls revealed that 252 genes were down-regulated in both organs after induction of the AtTCP20EAR repressor gene. Site II motifs (TGGGCY) were underrepresented in their promoters. Conversely, GG(A/T)CCC sequences related to binding sites identified for TCP proteins in rice (Oryza sativa) were overrepresented, and a TCP20 fusion protein was shown to bind to these sequences in vitro. Gene ontology indicated that many targeted genes were involved in cell wall biogenesis and modification during expansion and also encoded numerous transcription factors controlling plant development. Our results are consistent with the previous proposal that AtTCP20 is involved in cell division and growth coordination. Moreover, they further suggest that AtTCP20 also contributes to cell expansion control and indicate a different involvement of this protein in plant morphogenesis depending on the organ and the developmental stage.

Genetics Home Reference: Czech dysplasia

MedlinePlus

... for making a protein that forms type II collagen. This type of collagen is found mostly in the clear gel that ... in the nose and external ears. Type II collagen is essential for the normal development of bones ...

Genetics Home Reference: Kniest dysplasia

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... for making a protein that forms type II collagen. This type of collagen is found mostly in the clear gel that ... in the nose and external ears. Type II collagen is essential for the normal development of bones ...

Genetics Home Reference: hypochondrogenesis

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... for making a protein that forms type II collagen. This type of collagen is found mostly in the clear gel that ... in the nose and external ears. Type II collagen is essential for the normal development of bones ...

Expression of a Truncated ATHB17 Protein in Maize Increases Ear Weight at Silking

PubMed Central

Creelman, Robert A.; Griffith, Cara; Ahrens, Jeffrey E.; Taylor, J. Philip; Murphy, Lesley R.; Manjunath, Siva; Thompson, Rebecca L.; Lingard, Matthew J.; Back, Stephanie L.; Larue, Huachun; Brayton, Bonnie R.; Burek, Amanda J.; Tiwari, Shiv; Adam, Luc; Morrell, James A.; Caldo, Rico A.; Huai, Qing; Kouadio, Jean-Louis K.; Kuehn, Rosemarie; Sant, Anagha M.; Wingbermuehle, William J.; Sala, Rodrigo; Foster, Matt; Kinser, Josh D.; Mohanty, Radha; Jiang, Dongming; Ziegler, Todd E.; Huang, Mingya G.; Kuriakose, Saritha V.; Skottke, Kyle; Repetti, Peter P.; Reuber, T. Lynne; Ruff, Thomas G.; Petracek, Marie E.; Loida, Paul J.

2014-01-01

ATHB17 (AT2G01430) is an Arabidopsis gene encoding a member of the α-subclass of the homeodomain leucine zipper class II (HD-Zip II) family of transcription factors. The ATHB17 monomer contains four domains common to all class II HD-Zip proteins: a putative repression domain adjacent to a homeodomain, leucine zipper, and carboxy terminal domain. However, it also possesses a unique N-terminus not present in other members of the family. In this study we demonstrate that the unique 73 amino acid N-terminus is involved in regulation of cellular localization of ATHB17. The ATHB17 protein is shown to function as a transcriptional repressor and an EAR-like motif is identified within the putative repression domain of ATHB17. Transformation of maize with an ATHB17 expression construct leads to the expression of ATHB17Δ113, a truncated protein lacking the first 113 amino acids which encodes a significant portion of the repression domain. Because ATHB17Δ113 lacks the repression domain, the protein cannot directly affect the transcription of its target genes. ATHB17Δ113 can homodimerize, form heterodimers with maize endogenous HD-Zip II proteins, and bind to target DNA sequences; thus, ATHB17Δ113 may interfere with HD-Zip II mediated transcriptional activity via a dominant negative mechanism. We provide evidence that maize HD-Zip II proteins function as transcriptional repressors and that ATHB17Δ113 relieves this HD-Zip II mediated transcriptional repression activity. Expression of ATHB17Δ113 in maize leads to increased ear size at silking and, therefore, may enhance sink potential. We hypothesize that this phenotype could be a result of modulation of endogenous HD-Zip II pathways in maize. PMID:24736658

Expression of a truncated ATHB17 protein in maize increases ear weight at silking.

PubMed

Rice, Elena A; Khandelwal, Abha; Creelman, Robert A; Griffith, Cara; Ahrens, Jeffrey E; Taylor, J Philip; Murphy, Lesley R; Manjunath, Siva; Thompson, Rebecca L; Lingard, Matthew J; Back, Stephanie L; Larue, Huachun; Brayton, Bonnie R; Burek, Amanda J; Tiwari, Shiv; Adam, Luc; Morrell, James A; Caldo, Rico A; Huai, Qing; Kouadio, Jean-Louis K; Kuehn, Rosemarie; Sant, Anagha M; Wingbermuehle, William J; Sala, Rodrigo; Foster, Matt; Kinser, Josh D; Mohanty, Radha; Jiang, Dongming; Ziegler, Todd E; Huang, Mingya G; Kuriakose, Saritha V; Skottke, Kyle; Repetti, Peter P; Reuber, T Lynne; Ruff, Thomas G; Petracek, Marie E; Loida, Paul J

2014-01-01

ATHB17 (AT2G01430) is an Arabidopsis gene encoding a member of the α-subclass of the homeodomain leucine zipper class II (HD-Zip II) family of transcription factors. The ATHB17 monomer contains four domains common to all class II HD-Zip proteins: a putative repression domain adjacent to a homeodomain, leucine zipper, and carboxy terminal domain. However, it also possesses a unique N-terminus not present in other members of the family. In this study we demonstrate that the unique 73 amino acid N-terminus is involved in regulation of cellular localization of ATHB17. The ATHB17 protein is shown to function as a transcriptional repressor and an EAR-like motif is identified within the putative repression domain of ATHB17. Transformation of maize with an ATHB17 expression construct leads to the expression of ATHB17Δ113, a truncated protein lacking the first 113 amino acids which encodes a significant portion of the repression domain. Because ATHB17Δ113 lacks the repression domain, the protein cannot directly affect the transcription of its target genes. ATHB17Δ113 can homodimerize, form heterodimers with maize endogenous HD-Zip II proteins, and bind to target DNA sequences; thus, ATHB17Δ113 may interfere with HD-Zip II mediated transcriptional activity via a dominant negative mechanism. We provide evidence that maize HD-Zip II proteins function as transcriptional repressors and that ATHB17Δ113 relieves this HD-Zip II mediated transcriptional repression activity. Expression of ATHB17Δ113 in maize leads to increased ear size at silking and, therefore, may enhance sink potential. We hypothesize that this phenotype could be a result of modulation of endogenous HD-Zip II pathways in maize.

Enzymatic recontouring of auricular cartilage in a rabbit model.

PubMed

Massengill, Phillip L; Goco, Paulino E; Norlund, L Layne; Muir-Padilla, Jeanne

2005-01-01

To evaluate the effectiveness of contouring auricular cartilage in a rabbit model using biologically active enzymes injected subcutaneously. The first phase determined the most effective volume and concentration required to affect the cartilage. To accomplish this task, we used ex vivo rabbit ears from a slaughterhouse. In the second phase, we injected 1 mL of hyaluronidase (150 U per milliliter of isotonic sodium chloride solution [saline]), elastase (1 mg per milliliter of saline), or saline into the ears of live rabbits. The study took place at the Madigan Army Medical Center (Tacoma, Wash), and included 10 animals. In each rabbit, we injected the test compound in one ear and saline in the other ear (control). We injected hyaluronidase in 5 ears and elastase in 5 ears. After injection, the ears were contoured and splinted for 4 weeks. In the third phase, we changed the injection pathway in 5 animals. At 4 weeks, 4 (80%) of the 5 ears injected with hyaluronidase showed full response and 1 (20%) had a partial response. Of the 5 ears injected with elastase, 4 (80%) showed a full response while 1 (20%) demonstrated a partial response. There was a response in all 10 of the ears injected with a test compound. Of the 10 control ears, 3 (30%) showed a partial response. At 6 weeks, approximately 6 (30%) of the ears had maintained contour demonstrating a full response. The difference between the test ears and the control ears was statistically significant (P = .006). Compared with the control ears, the results were statistically significant for elastase (P = .004) and hyaluronidase (P = .02). Overall, both agents demonstrated a subjective and objective response compared with control ears. This study demonstrates that bioactive enzymes and splinting can be effective in correcting ear deformities in a rabbit model.

Facial palsy following trauma to the external ear: 3 case reports.

PubMed

Vögelin, E; Jones, B M

1997-12-01

We report two children and a young adult who developed unilateral facial palsy shortly after injury to the external ear. In two instances the paralysis followed a prominent ear correction and in the other a laceration to the concha. The trauma-triggered facial palsy was most likely idiopathic although the anatomy of the facial nerve near the ear leads one to speculate on a possible pathway of a virally induced palsy (Bell's palsy). Each patient recovered over a period of 6 months.

First flush reactor for stormwater treatment for elevated linear transportation projects : tech summary.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-06-01

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Municipal Separate Storm Water Sewer System (MS4) Program : regulations require municipalities and government agencies including the Louisiana Department of Transportation : and Development (LADOTD) to d...

Protective effects of papaverine salicylate in mouse ear dermatitis and PAF-induced rat paw oedema.

PubMed

de Bernardis, E; Leonardi, G; Caruso, A; Cutuli, V M; Amico-Roxas, M

1994-08-01

Papaverine salicylate (MR-800) has been tested as a topical antiinflammatory agent in several models of skin inflammation in rodents, such as mouse ear dermatitis induced by croton oil, cantharidin or zymosan, and rat paw oedema induced by PAF. MR-800 exerted a dose-dependent inhibitory activity in all assays, when equimolar doses of sodium salicylate or papaverine were less effective, suggesting the existence of a favourable synergism between salicylate and papaverine.

[Analysis of the main components of inner ear antigens inducing autoimmune Meniere's disease in guinea pigs].

PubMed

Lu, Ling; Tan, Chang-Qiang; Cui, Yu-Gui; Ding, Gui-Peng; Ju, Xiao-Bin; Li, Yu-Jin; Cai, Wen-Jun

2008-08-01

To investigate the main components of inner ear antigens inducing autoimmune Meniere's disease (AIMD) in guinea pigs. The guinea pigs were immunized with isologous crude inner ear antigens (ICIEAg). Then, the hearing function was measured with auditory brainstem response (ABR), the vestibular function was measured with electronystagmography (including spontaneous nystagmus and caloric test), and inner ear histopathological changes were observed by inner ear celloidin section with haematoxylin-eosin staining and observed under light microscope. According to these results, the AIMD-model animals from non-AIMD-model ones were distinguished. The special antibodies against ICIEAg in sera were measured with ELISA. The antigen-antibody reactions against different components of ICIEAg were detected by Western blotting with sera of AIMD and non-AIMD guinea pigs respectively. Then, we analysed the contrast between them and found the main components of the ICIEAg that were positive reaction in AIMD guinea pigs and negative reaction in non-AIMD guinea pigs. The result of ELISA demonstrated that the sera of both the AIMD and non-AIMD guniea pigs contained the special antibodies against ICIEAg after immunized with ICIEAg. The difference of the amount of antibody against ICIEAg between AIMD guinea pig group and non-AIMD guinea pig group was not significant. Western blotting assay showed only the sera of AIMD guinea pig contained the antibodies against the specific antigens with the molecular of 68 000, 58 000, 42 000 and 28 000. ICIEAg contain many different components, the AIMD might only happen in the guinea pigs in which the special immunization against the main components that could induce this kind of disorder appeared. The inner ear antigens with molecular of 68 000, 58 000, 42 000 and 28 000 might be the main components inducing AIMD in guinea pigs.

Risk in the mist? Deriving data to quantify microbial health risks associated with aerosol generation by water-efficient devices during typical domestic water-using activities.

PubMed

O'Toole, J; Keywood, M; Sinclair, M; Leder, K

2009-01-01

The aim of this study was to address existing data gaps and to determine the size distribution of aerosols associated with water-efficient devices during typical domestic activities. This information is important to assist in understanding infection spread during water-using activities and in designing water regulations. Three water-using scenarios were evaluated: i) showering using a water-efficient showerhead; ii) use of a high pressure spray unit for cleaning cars and iii) toilet flushing using a dual flush low volume flush device. For each scenario a control condition (conventional lower efficiency device) was selected for benchmarking purposes. Shower module results highlighted the complexity of particle generation and removal processes and showed that more than 90% of total particle mass in the breathing zone was attributed to particle diameters greater than 6 mum. Conversely, results for car washing experiments showed that particle diameters up to 6 mum constituted the major part of the total mass generated by both water-efficient and conventional devices. Even under worse case scenario conditions for toilet flushing, particle measurements were at or below the level of detection of the measuring instrumentation. The data provide information that assists in health risk assessment and in determining future research directions, including methodological aspects.

Sensitivity and Specificity of Eustachian Tube Function Tests in Adults

PubMed Central

Doyle, William J.; Swarts, J. Douglas; Banks, Julianne; Casselbrant, Margaretha L; Mandel, Ellen M; Alper, Cuneyt M.

2013-01-01

Objective Determine if Eustachian Tube (ET) function (ETF) tests can identify ears with physician-diagnosed ET dysfunction (ETD) in a mixed population at high sensitivity and specificity and define the inter-relatedness of ETF test parameters. Methods ETF was evaluated using the Forced-Response, Inflation-Deflation, Valsalva and Sniffing tests in 15 control ears of adult subjects after unilateral myringotomy (Group I) and in 23 ears of 19 adult subjects with ventilation tubes inserted for ETD (Group II). Data were analyzed using logistic regression including each parameter independently and then a step-down Discriminant Analysis including all ETF test parameters to predict group assignment. Factor Analysis operating over all parameters was used to explore relatedness. Results The Discriminant Analysis identified 4 ETF test parameters (Valsalva, ET opening pressure, dilatory efficiency and % positive pressure equilibrated) that together correctly assigned ears to Group II at a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 83%. Individual parameters representing the efficiency of ET opening during swallowing showed moderately accurate assignments of ears to their respective groups. Three factors captured approximately 98% of the variance among parameters, the first had negative loadings of the ETF structural parameters, the second had positive loadings of the muscle-assisted ET opening parameters and the third had negative loadings of the muscle-assisted ET opening parameters and positive loadings of the structural parameters. Discussion These results show that ETF tests can correctly assign individual ears to physician-diagnosed ETD with high sensitivity and specificity and that ETF test parameters can be grouped into structural-functional categories. PMID:23868429

Malformations of the middle and inner ear on CT imaging in 22q11 deletion syndrome.

PubMed

Loos, Elke; Verhaert, Nicolas; Willaert, Annelore; Devriendt, Koenraad; Swillen, Ann; Hermans, Robert; Op de Beeck, Katya; Hens, Greet

2016-11-01

The 22q11 deletion syndrome (22q11DS), the most frequent microdeletion syndrome in humans, presents with a large variety of abnormalities. A common abnormality is hearing impairment. The exact pathophysiological explanation of the observed hearing loss remains largely unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the middle and inner ear malformations as seen on computer tomographic imaging in patients with 22q11DS. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 11 22q11DS patients who had undergone a CT of the temporal bone in the past. Of the 22 examined ears, two showed an abnormal malleus and incus, 10 presented with a dense stapes superstructure, and three ears had an abnormal orientation of the stapes. With regard to the inner ear, 12 ears showed an incomplete partition type II with a normal vestibular aqueduct. In four ears the vestibule and lateral semicircular canal were composed of a single cavity, in 14 ears the vestibule was too wide, and three ears had a broadened lateral semicircular canal. These findings suggest that malformations of the stapes, cochlea, vestibule, and lateral semicircular canal are frequent in 22q11DS. To our knowledge, the current study involves the largest case series describing middle and inner ear malformations in 22q11DS. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Preventing hearing damage using topical dexamethasone during reversible cochlear ischemia: an animal model.

PubMed

Morawski, Krzysztof; Telischi, Fred F; Bohorquez, Jorge; Niemczyk, Kazimierz

2009-09-01

Local application of dexamethasone to the round window (RW) niche prevents cochlear damage caused by local reversible ischemia. Cochlear ischemia induced by internal auditory artery (IAA) compression/stretching is thought to cause postoperative sensory hearing loss after attempted hearing preservation removal of acoustic neuroma tumors. Dexamethasone administered to the RW niche traveling through the membrane to the cochlear fluids may prevent ischemic damage. Ten young albino rabbits were used for this study. Ischemic episodes were induced by compressing the IAA. Laser Doppler cochlear blood flow was measured using a probe positioned at the RW niche. Transtympanic electrocochleography was measured at 4, 8, and 12 kHz. In 5 test ears, dexamethasone was administered topically at the RW for approximately 50 minutes before the IAA compressions, whereas in 5 control ears, saline was applied in the same way. Each ear underwent one 10-minute IAA compression with a 60-minute postischemic period of transtympanic electrocochleography monitoring. In both control- and dexamethasone-treated ears, ischemic episodes measured by Laser Doppler cochlear blood flow were comparable. Fifty minutes after IAA decompression, in dexamethasone-pretreated ears, cochlear microphonic and compound action potential amplitudes at all test frequencies were 10 to 15% less reduced than those in control ears. Compound action potential latencies in dexamethasone-pretreated ears resulted in shorter latency delay than in control ears. The RW seems to be an efficacious route for the administration of dexamethasone into the inner ear. Dexamethasone showed a protective effect on cochlear function after local ischemia. Transtympanic electrocochleography was found to be a sufficient and effective tool in monitoring hearing.

15 CFR 734.3 - Items subject to the EAR.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

..., and foreign-made technology that is commingled with controlled U.S.-origin technology: (i) In any....S. origin technology or software, as described in § 736.2(b)(3) of the EAR. The term “direct product... technology or software; and Note to paragraph (a)(4): Certain foreign-manufactured items developed or...

15 CFR 734.3 - Items subject to the EAR.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

..., and foreign-made technology that is commingled with controlled U.S.-origin technology: (i) In any....S. origin technology or software, as described in § 736.2(b)(3) of the EAR. The term “direct product... technology or software; and Note to paragraph (a)(4): Certain foreign-manufactured items developed or...

15 CFR 734.3 - Items subject to the EAR.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

..., and foreign-made technology that is commingled with controlled U.S.-origin technology: (i) In any....S. origin technology or software, as described in § 736.2(b)(3) of the EAR. The term “direct product... technology or software; and Note to paragraph (a)(4): Certain foreign-manufactured items developed or...

15 CFR 734.3 - Items subject to the EAR.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

..., and foreign-made technology that is commingled with controlled U.S.-origin technology: (i) In any....S. origin technology or software, as described in § 736.2(b)(3) of the EAR. The term “direct product... technology or software; and Note to paragraph (a)(4): Certain foreign-manufactured items developed or...

15 CFR 734.3 - Items subject to the EAR.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

..., and foreign-made technology that is commingled with controlled U.S.-origin technology: (i) In any....S. origin technology or software, as described in § 736.2(b)(3) of the EAR. The term “direct product... technology or software; and Note to paragraph (a)(4): Certain foreign-manufactured items developed or...

15 CFR 748.6 - General instructions for license applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... concerning pending applications. This number is used for tracking purposes within the U.S. Government. The... submit additional information beyond that stated in the EAR confirming or amplifying information.... If a license has been granted and such changes are not excepted in § 750.7(c) of the EAR, they must...

15 CFR 748.6 - General instructions for license applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... concerning pending applications. This number is used for tracking purposes within the U.S. Government. The... submit additional information beyond that stated in the EAR confirming or amplifying information.... If a license has been granted and such changes are not excepted in § 750.7(c) of the EAR, they must...

15 CFR 748.6 - General instructions for license applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... concerning pending applications. This number is used for tracking purposes within the U.S. Government. The... submit additional information beyond that stated in the EAR confirming or amplifying information.... If a license has been granted and such changes are not excepted in § 750.7(c) of the EAR, they must...

15 CFR 748.6 - General instructions for license applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... concerning pending applications. This number is used for tracking purposes within the U.S. Government. The... submit additional information beyond that stated in the EAR confirming or amplifying information.... If a license has been granted and such changes are not excepted in § 750.7(c) of the EAR, they must...

The effect of superior-canal opening on middle-ear input admittance and air-conducted stapes velocity in chinchilla

PubMed Central

Songer, Jocelyn E.; Rosowski, John J.

2009-01-01

The recent discovery of superior semicircular canal (SC) dehiscence syndrome as a clinical entity affecting both the auditory and vestibular systems has led to the investigation of the impact of a SC opening on the mechanics of hearing. It is hypothesized that the hole in the SC acts as a “third window” in the inner ear which shunts sound-induced stapes volume velocity away from the cochlea through the opening in the SC. To test the hypothesis and to understand the third window mechanisms the middle-ear input admittance and sound-induced stapes velocity were measured in chinchilla before and after surgically introducing a SC opening and after patching the opening. The extent to which patching returned the system to the presurgical state is used as a control criterion. In eight chinchilla ears a statistically significant, reversible increase in low-frequency middle-ear input admittance magnitude occurred as a result of opening the SC. In six ears a statistically significant reversible increase in stapes velocity was observed. Both of these changes are consistent with the hole creating a shunt pathway that increases the cochlear input admittance. PMID:16875223

The effect of superior-canal opening on middle-ear input admittance and air-conducted stapes velocity in chinchilla.

PubMed

Songer, Jocelyn E; Rosowski, John J

2006-07-01

The recent discovery of superior semicircular canal (SC) dehiscence syndrome as a clinical entity affecting both the auditory and vestibular systems has led to the investigation of the impact of a SC opening on the mechanics of hearing. It is hypothesized that the hole in the SC acts as a "third window" in the inner ear which shunts sound-induced stapes volume velocity away from the cochlea through the opening in the SC. To test the hypothesis and to understand the third window mechanisms the middle-ear input admittance and sound-induced stapes velocity were measured in chinchilla before and after surgically introducing a SC opening and after patching the opening. The extent to which patching returned the system to the presurgical state is used as a control criterion. In eight chinchilla ears a statistically significant, reversible increase in low-frequency middle-ear input admittance magnitude occurred as a result of opening the SC. In six ears a statistically significant reversible increase in stapes velocity was observed. Both of these changes are consistent with the hole creating a shunt pathway that increases the cochlear input admittance.

Modeling non-steady state radioisotope transport in the vadose zone--A case study using uranium isotopes at Pena Blanca, Mexico

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ku, T. L.; Luo, S.; Goldstein, S. J.

2009-06-01

Current models using U- and Th-series disequilibria to study radioisotope transport in groundwater systems mostly consider a steady-state situation. These models have limited applicability to the vadose zone (UZ) where the concentration and migratory behavior of radioisotopes in fluid are often transitory. We present here, as a first attempt of its kind, a model simulating the non-steady state, intermittent fluid transport in vadose layers. It provides quantitative constraints on in-situ migration of dissolved and colloidal radioisotopes in terms of retardation factor and rock-water interaction (or water transit) time. For uranium, the simulation predicts that intermittent flushing in the UZ leadsmore » to a linear relationship between reciprocal U concentration and {sup 234}U/{sup 238}U ratio in percolating waters, with the intercept and slope bearing information on the rates of dissolution and {alpha}-recoil of U isotopes, respectively. The general validity of the model appears to be borne out by the measurement of uranium isotopes in UZ waters collected at various times over a period during 1995-2006 from a site in the Pena Blanca mining district, Mexico, where the Nopal I uranium deposit is located. Enhanced {sup 234}U/{sup 238}U ratios in vadose-zone waters resulting from lengthened non-flushing time as prescribed by the model provide an interpretative basis for using {sup 234}U/{sup 238}U in cave calcites to reconstruct the regional changes in hydrology and climate. We also provide a theoretical account of the model's potential applications using radium isotopes.« less

Modeling non-steady state radioisotope transport in the vadose zone - A case study using uranium isotopes at Peña Blanca, Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ku, T. L.; Luo, S.; Goldstein, S. J.; Murrell, M. T.; Chu, W. L.; Dobson, P. F.

2009-10-01

Current models using U- and Th-series disequilibria to study radioisotope transport in groundwater systems mostly consider a steady-state situation. These models have limited applicability to the vadose zone (UZ) where the concentration and migratory behavior of radioisotopes in fluid are often transitory. We present here, as a first attempt of its kind, a model simulating the non-steady state, intermittent fluid transport in vadose layers. It provides quantitative constraints on in-situ migration of dissolved and colloidal radioisotopes in terms of retardation factor and rock-water interaction (or water transit) time. For uranium, the simulation predicts that intermittent flushing in the UZ leads to a linear relationship between reciprocal U concentration and 234U/ 238U ratio in percolating waters, with the intercept and slope bearing information on the rates of dissolution and α-recoil of U isotopes, respectively. The general validity of the model appears to be borne out by the measurement of uranium isotopes in UZ waters collected at various times over a period during 1995-2006 from a site in the Peña Blanca mining district, Mexico, where the Nopal I uranium deposit is located. Enhanced 234U/ 238U ratios in vadose-zone waters resulting from lengthened non-flushing time as prescribed by the model provide an interpretative basis for using 234U/ 238U in cave calcites to reconstruct the regional changes in hydrology and climate. We also provide a theoretical account of the model's potential applications using radium isotopes.

Anti-inflammatory activity of different agave plants and the compound cantalasaponin-1.

PubMed

Monterrosas-Brisson, Nayeli; Ocampo, Martha L Arenas; Jiménez-Ferrer, Enrique; Jiménez-Aparicio, Antonio R; Zamilpa, Alejandro; Gonzalez-Cortazar, Manases; Tortoriello, Jaime; Herrera-Ruiz, Maribel

2013-07-10

Species of the agave genus, such as Agave tequilana, Agave angustifolia and Agave americana are used in Mexican traditional medicine to treat inflammation-associated conditions. These plants' leaves contain saponin compounds which show anti-inflammatory properties in different models. The goal of this investigation was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory capacity of these plants, identify which is the most active, and isolate the active compound by a bio-directed fractionation using the ear edema induced in mice with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) technique. A dose of 6 mg/ear of acetone extract from the three agave species induced anti-inflammatory effects, however, the one from A. americana proved to be the most active. Different fractions of this species showed biological activity. Finally the F5 fraction at 2.0 mg/ear induced an inhibition of 85.6%. We identified one compound in this fraction as (25R)-5α-spirostan-3β,6α,23α-triol-3,6-di-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (cantalasaponin-1) through 1H- and 13C-NMR spectral analysis and two dimensional experiments like DEPT NMR, COSY, HSQC and HMBC. This steroidal glycoside showed a dose dependent effect of up to 90% of ear edema inhibition at the highest dose of 1.5 mg/ear.

Intra- and Intersexual swim bladder dimorphisms in the plainfin midshipman fish (Porichthys notatus): Implications of swim bladder proximity to the inner ear for sound pressure detection.

PubMed

Mohr, Robert A; Whitchurch, Elizabeth A; Anderson, Ryan D; Forlano, Paul M; Fay, Richard R; Ketten, Darlene R; Cox, Timothy C; Sisneros, Joseph A

2017-11-01

The plainfin midshipman fish, Porichthys notatus, is a nocturnal marine teleost that uses social acoustic signals for communication during the breeding season. Nesting type I males produce multiharmonic advertisement calls by contracting their swim bladder sonic muscles to attract females for courtship and spawning while subsequently attracting cuckholding type II males. Here, we report intra- and intersexual dimorphisms of the swim bladder in a vocal teleost fish and detail the swim bladder dimorphisms in the three sexual phenotypes (females, type I and II males) of plainfin midshipman fish. Micro-computerized tomography revealed that females and type II males have prominent, horn-like rostral swim bladder extensions that project toward the inner ear end organs (saccule, lagena, and utricle). The rostral swim bladder extensions were longer, and the distance between these swim bladder extensions and each inner-ear end organ type was significantly shorter in both females and type II males compared to that in type I males. Our results revealed that the normalized swim bladder length of females and type II males was longer than that in type I males while there was no difference in normalized swim bladder width among the three sexual phenotypes. We predict that these intrasexual and intersexual differences in swim bladder morphology among midshipman sexual phenotypes will afford greater sound pressure sensitivity and higher frequency detection in females and type II males and facilitate the detection and localization of conspecifics in shallow water environments, like those in which midshipman breed and nest. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Aronia melanocarpa Concentrate Ameliorates Pro-Inflammatory Responses in HaCaT Keratinocytes and 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-Acetate-Induced Ear Edema in Mice.

PubMed

Goh, Ah Ra; Youn, Gi Soo; Yoo, Ki-Yeon; Won, Moo Ho; Han, Sang-Zin; Lim, Soon Sung; Lee, Keun Wook; Choi, Soo Young; Park, Jinseu

2016-07-01

Abnormal expression of pro-inflammatory mediators such as cell adhesion molecules and cytokines has been implicated in various inflammatory skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of Aronia melanocarpa concentrate (AC) and its action mechanisms using in vivo and in vitro skin inflammation models. Topical application of AC on mouse ears significantly suppressed 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced ear edema formation, as judged by measuring ear thickness and weight, and histological analysis. Topical administration of AC also reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in TPA-stimulated mouse ears. Pretreatment with AC suppressed TNF-α-induced ICAM-I expression and subsequent monocyte adhesiveness in human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. In addition, AC significantly decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation as well as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in TNF-α-stimulated HaCaT cells. AC and its constituent cyanidin 3-glucoside also attenuated TNF-α-induced IKK activation, IκB degradation, p65 phosphorylation/nuclear translocation, and p65 DNA binding activity in HaCaT cells. Overall, our results indicate that AC exerts anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting expression of pro-inflammatory mediators in vitro and in vivo possibly through suppression of ROS-MAPK-NF-κB signaling pathways. Therefore, AC may be developed as a therapeutic agent to treat various inflammatory skin diseases.

75 FR 5350 - Investigations Regarding Certifications of Eligibility To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-02

... 73028 TRW Automotive (Wkrs)...... Galesville, WI........ 12/07/09 10/11/09 73029 Faurecia Exhaust... Taconite Plant, Keewatin, MN 12/08/09 12/07/09 U.S. Steel Corporation (State). 73048 Mohawk Flush Door (UBC...

Pharmacological assay of Cordia verbenacea. III: Oral and topical antiinflammatory activity and gastrotoxicity of a crude leaf extract.

PubMed

Sertié, J A; Basile, A C; Panizza, S; Oshiro, T T; Azzolini, C P; Penna, S C

1991-02-01

The antiinflammatory effects and gastrotoxicity of a lyophilized 70% ethanol extract of the leaves of Cordia verbenacea were investigated through experimental models in rats and mice. The oral administration of 1.24 mg/kg of the extract significantly inhibited nystatin-induced oedema. Topical application of the extract at a dose of 0.09 mg/ear in mice was clearly more effective than 1.0 mg/ear of naproxen in the reduction of the ear oedema induced by corton oil. At antiinflammatory doses, the extract showed an important protective effect on the gastric mucosa, reducing significantly the number of gastric lesions.

21 CFR 520.2325a - Sulfaquinoxaline drinking water.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

...) Chickens. (i) As an aid in the control of outbreaks of coccidiosis caused by Eimeria tenella, E. necatrix... not change litter unless absolutely necessary. Do not give flushing mashes. (3) Chickens and turkeys... sulfaquinoxaline and fowl typhoid caused by Salmonella gallinarum susceptible to sulfaquinoxaline. (ii) Administer...

21 CFR 520.2325a - Sulfaquinoxaline drinking water.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

...) Chickens. (i) As an aid in the control of outbreaks of coccidiosis caused by Eimeria tenella, E. necatrix... not change litter unless absolutely necessary. Do not give flushing mashes. (3) Chickens and turkeys... sulfaquinoxaline and fowl typhoid caused by Salmonella gallinarum susceptible to sulfaquinoxaline. (ii) Administer...

21 CFR 520.2325a - Sulfaquinoxaline drinking water.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

...) Chickens. (i) As an aid in the control of outbreaks of coccidiosis caused by Eimeria tenella, E. necatrix... not change litter unless absolutely necessary. Do not give flushing mashes. (3) Chickens and turkeys... sulfaquinoxaline and fowl typhoid caused by Salmonella gallinarum susceptible to sulfaquinoxaline. (ii) Administer...

Could ionizing radiation forestall cauliflower ear?

PubMed

Hwang, K; Kim, C W; Lee, S I; Park, I S; Kim, W C; Loh, J J

2001-02-01

Repeated trauma to the ear very often results in "cauliflower ear." Many methods have been suggested to prevent an injured ear from demonstrating a cauliflowerlike deformity. The principles of treatment are evacuation of the hematoma, control of the reaccumulation of fluid, and maintenance of the cartilage contour. The authors studied the effect of ionizing radiation on deformed rabbit ears induced by repeated trauma. Twenty ears (10 rabbits) were used in the experiment. The animals were divided into four groups (control, preradiation, low dose, and high dose). Hematoma was produced by pounding the lateral side of the auricle 10 times with a 50-g weight at a height of 15 cm. The thickness of the injured and uninjured sites was measured, and histological analysis was performed for each group. The thickness of the ears of the irradiated groups was significantly less than the control group. The authors think that radiation treatment of repeatedly injured ears could prevent ear deformity, and could possibly be an adjunctive form of management of cauliflower ear in addition to hematoma evacuation and compression therapy.

Characterization of hearing loss in aged type II diabetics

PubMed Central

Frisina, Susan T.; Mapes, Frances; Kim, SungHee; Frisina, D. Robert; Frisina, Robert D.

2009-01-01

Presbycusis – age-related hearing loss – is the number one communicative disorder and a significant chronic medical condition of the aged. Little is known about how type II diabetes, another prevalent age-related medical condition, and presbycusis interact. The present investigation aimed to comprehensively characterize the nature of hearing impairment in aged type II diabetics. Hearing tests measuring both peripheral (cochlea) and central (brainstem and cortex) auditory processing were utilized. The majority of differences between the hearing abilities of the aged diabetics and their age-matched controls were found in measures of inner ear function. For example, large differences were found in pure-tone audiograms, wideband noise and speech reception thresholds, and otoacoustic emissions. The greatest deficits tended to be at low frequencies. In addition, there was a strong tendency for diabetes to affect the right ear more than the left. One possible interpretation is that as one develops presbycusis, the right ear advantage is lost, and this decline is accelerated by diabetes. In contrast, auditory processing tests that measure both peripheral and central processing showed fewer declines between the elderly diabetics and the control group. Consequences of elevated blood sugar levels as possible underlying physiological mechanisms for the hearing loss are discussed. PMID:16309862

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester inhibits diesel exhaust particle-induced inflammation of human middle ear epithelial cells via NOX4 inhibition.

PubMed

Jo, Sun-Young; Lee, Naree; Hong, Sung-Moon; Jung, Hak Hyun; Chae, Sung-Won

2013-09-01

Otitis media is one of the most common diseases in pediatric populations. Recent research on its pathogenesis has focused on air pollution. Chronic exposure to particulate air pollution is associated with the impairment of middle ear function. However, the mechanisms and the underlying inhibitory pathways, especially in the human middle ear, remain unknown. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a biologically active ingredient of propolis, a product of honeybee hives, which has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of CAPE on diesel exhaust particle (DEP)-induced inflammation of human middle ear epithelial cells and to determine the underlying pathway of the action of CAPE. The inflammatory damage caused by DEPs and the anti-inflammatory effects of CAPE were determined by measuring the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) 4 with real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. The oxidative stress induced by DEPs and the anti-oxidative effects of CAPE were directly evaluated by measuring reactive oxygen species production by use of flow cytometric analysis of 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate. The effects of CAPE were compared with those of N-acetyl-L-cysteine, which has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Use of CAPE significantly inhibited DEP-induced up-regulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha and NOX4 expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The accumulation of reactive oxygen species induced by DEPs was decreased by pretreatment with CAPE. The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of CAPE were similar to those of N-acetyl-L-cysteine. The inflammation induced by DEP is reduced by CAPE via the inhibition of NOX4 expression. These findings suggest that CAPE might be used as a therapeutic agent against DEP-induced inflammation of human middle ear epithelial cells.

[The percutaneous action of a heparin-allantoin-dexpanthenol combination in a specific ointment base. Thrombolytic action on the rabbit ear].

PubMed

Tauschel, H D; Bonacina, F; Galetti, F

1984-01-01

Experimentally induced thrombi of ear veins in albino rabbits have been treated locally with heparin-containing ointments in presence or absence of allantoin and dexpanthenol, the heparin concentration varying. While the ointments, containing heparin only, induce no or only minor thrombolytic activity, the combination ointments Hepathrombin Adenylchemie containing heparin, allantoin and dexpanthenol show significant thrombolytic activity. This effect is dependent upon the heparin concentration, yet, heparin doses above 50 000 IU per 100 g of ointment do not enhance the thrombolysis furthermore. Further, the studies show that the effective components of Hepathrombin do penetrate into and through the skin, allantoin and dexpanthenol being important components of the ointment probably supporting the transdermal penetration of heparin. The studies also demonstrate the only local thrombolytic effect of the Hepathrombin ointments because the thrombus of the right ear, always treated with ointment base only, did not show any change in length as contrasted to that of the left ear of the same animal treated with the Hepathrombin ointments. Mechanisms of the locally by Hepathrombin/heparin induced thrombolysis will be discussed.

Cyclopiazonic Acid Is a Pathogenicity Factor for Aspergillus flavus and a Promising Target for Screening Germplasm for Ear Rot Resistance.

PubMed

Chalivendra, Subbaiah C; DeRobertis, Catherine; Chang, Perng-Kuang; Damann, Kenneth E

2017-05-01

Aspergillus flavus, an opportunistic pathogen, contaminates maize and other key crops with carcinogenic aflatoxins (AFs). Besides AFs, A. flavus makes many more secondary metabolites (SMs) whose toxicity in insects or vertebrates has been studied. However, the role of SMs in the invasion of plant hosts by A. flavus remains to be investigated. Cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), a neurotoxic SM made by A. flavus, is a nanomolar inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPases (ECAs) and a potent inducer of cell death in plants. We hypothesized that CPA, by virtue of its cytotoxicity, may serve as a key pathogenicity factor that kills plant cells and supports the saprophytic life style of the fungus while compromising the host defense response. This proposal was tested by two complementary approaches. A comparison of CPA levels among A. flavus isolates indicated that CPA may be a determinant of niche adaptation, i.e., isolates that colonize maize make more CPA than those restricted only to the soil. Further, mutants in the CPA biosynthetic pathway are less virulent in causing ear rot than their wild-type parent in field inoculation assays. Additionally, genes encoding ECAs are expressed in developing maize seeds and are induced by A. flavus infection. Building on these results, we developed a seedling assay in which maize roots were exposed to CPA, and cell death was measured as Evans Blue uptake. Among >40 maize inbreds screened for CPA tolerance, inbreds with proven susceptibility to ear rot were also highly CPA sensitive. The publicly available data on resistance to silk colonization or AF contamination for many of the lines was also broadly correlated with their CPA sensitivity. In summary, our studies show that i) CPA serves as a key pathogenicity factor that enables the saprophytic life style of A. flavus and ii) maize inbreds are diverse in their tolerance to CPA. Taking advantage of this natural variation, we are currently pursuing both genome-wide and candidate gene approaches to identify novel components of maize resistance to Aspergillus ear rot.

Comparison of Microbiological Flora in the External Auditory Canal of Normal Ear and an Ear with Acute Otitis Externa.

PubMed

Ghanpur, Asheesh Dora; Nayak, Dipak Ranjan; Chawla, Kiran; Shashidhar, V; Singh, Rohit

2017-09-01

Acute Otitis Externa (AOE) is also known as swimmer's ear. Investigations initiated during World War II firmly established the role of bacteria in the aetiology of Acute Otitis Externa. To culture the microbiological flora of the normal ear and compare it with the flora causing AOE and to know the role of normal ear canal flora and anaerobes in the aetiology. A prospective observational study was conducted on 64 patients clinically diagnosed with unilateral AOE. Ear swabs were taken from both the ears. Microbiological flora was studied considering diseased ear as test ear and the normal ear as the control. Aerobic and anaerobic cultures were done. Severity of the disease was assessed by subjective and objective scores. Effect of topical treatment with ichthammol glycerine pack was assessed after 48 hours and scores were calculated again. Patients with scores < 4 after pack removal were started on systemic antibiotics and were assessed after seven days of antibiotics course. Data was analysed using Paired t-test, Wilcoxon signed ranks test and Chi-square test. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (33%) was the most common bacteria cultured from the ear followed by Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (18%). Patients with anaerobic organism in the test ear had severe symptoms and needed systemic antibiotic therapy. Most of the cases may respond to empirical antibiotic therapy. In cases with severe symptoms and the ones refractory to empirical treatment, a culture from the ear canal will not be a tax on the patient. This helps in giving a better understanding about the disease, causative organisms and helps in avoiding the use of inappropriate antibiotics that usually result in developing resistant strains of bacteria.

48 CFR 252.204-7008 - Export-Controlled Items.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

...) Defense items, defined in the Arms Export Control Act, 22 U.S.C. 2778(j)(4)(A), as defense articles, defense services, and related technical data, and further defined in the ITAR, 22 CFR part 120. (2) Items, defined in the EAR as “commodities, software, and technology,” terms that are also defined in the EAR, 15...

48 CFR 252.204-7008 - Export-Controlled Items.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

...) Defense items, defined in the Arms Export Control Act, 22 U.S.C. 2778(j)(4)(A), as defense articles, defense services, and related technical data, and further defined in the ITAR, 22 CFR part 120. (2) Items, defined in the EAR as “commodities, software, and technology,” terms that are also defined in the EAR, 15...

48 CFR 252.204-7008 - Export-Controlled Items.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

...) Defense items, defined in the Arms Export Control Act, 22 U.S.C. 2778(j)(4)(A), as defense articles, defense services, and related technical data, and further defined in the ITAR, 22 CFR part 120. (2) Items, defined in the EAR as “commodities, software, and technology,” terms that are also defined in the EAR, 15...

75 FR 5150 - Investigations Regarding Certifications of Eligibility To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-01

... Automotive (Wkrs)...... Galesville, WI........ 12/07/09 10/11/09 73029 Faurecia Exhaust Systems, Troy, OH 12... Taconite Plant, Keewatin, MN 12/08/09 12/07/09 U.S. Steel Corporation (State). 73048 Mohawk Flush Door (UBC...

Comparison between the phase I and phase II 6 m coke oven batteries of C. Still type in China Steel Corporation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chiao-Hwa, H.; Tai-Heng, C.; Cheng-Hwa, L.

1983-01-01

The 98 ovens built for phase II batteries at China Steel Corporation show significant improvements over those of phase I, although they are operated in series with these. Improvements discussed in this paper include those associated with the single collection main, water sealing for the ascension pipe, aspiration by high pressure flushing liquor, self-sealing doors, wall head armour structures, waste gas flues and thermal efficiency.

Associations of planting date, drought stress, and insects with Fusarium ear rot and fumonisin B1 contamination in California maize.

PubMed

Parsons, M W; Munkvold, G P

2010-05-01

Fusarium ear rot, caused by Fusarium verticillioides, is one of the most common diseases of maize, causing yield and quality reductions and contamination of grain by fumonisins and other mycotoxins. Drought stress and various insects have been implicated as factors affecting disease severity. Field studies were conducted to evaluate the interactions and relative influences of drought stress, insect infestation, and planting date upon Fusarium ear rot severity and fumonisin B1 contamination. Three hybrids varying in partial resistance to Fusarium ear rot were sown on three planting dates and subjected to four irrigation regimes to induce differing levels of drought stress. A foliar-spray insecticide treatment was imposed to induce differing levels of insect injury. Populations of thrips (Frankliniella spp.), damage by corn earworm (Helicoverpa zeae), Fusarium ear rot symptoms, and fumonisin B1 levels were assessed. There were significant effects of hybrid, planting date, insecticide treatment, and drought stress on Fusarium ear rot symptoms and fumonisin B1 contamination, and these factors also had significant interacting effects. The most influential factors were hybrid and insecticide treatment, but their effects were influenced by planting date and drought stress. The more resistant hybrids and the insecticide-treated plots consistently had lower Fusarium ear rot severity and fumonisin B1 contamination. Later planting dates typically had higher thrips populations, more Fusarium ear rot, and higher levels of fumonisin B1. Insect activity was significantly correlated with disease severity and fumonisin contamination, and the correlations were strongest for thrips. The results of this study confirm the influence of thrips on Fusarium ear rot severity in California, USA, and also establish a strong association between thrips and fumonisin B1 levels.

15 CFR 734.4 - De minimis U.S. content.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... requirements of this paragraph. (1) The U.S. origin commodities or software, if controlled under ECCNs 5A002.a...-made commodity incorporating controlled U.S.-origin commodities or “bundled” with U.S.-origin software....S.-origin software is not eligible for the de minimis exclusion and is subject to the EAR when...

15 CFR 734.4 - De minimis U.S. content.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... requirements of this paragraph. (1) The U.S. origin commodities or software, if controlled under ECCNs 5A002.a...-made commodity incorporating controlled U.S.-origin commodities or “bundled” with U.S.-origin software....S.-origin software is not eligible for the de minimis exclusion and is subject to the EAR when...

15 CFR 734.4 - De minimis U.S. content.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... requirements of this paragraph. (1) The U.S. origin commodities or software, if controlled under ECCNs 5A002.a...-made commodity incorporating controlled U.S.-origin commodities or “bundled” with U.S.-origin software....S.-origin software is not eligible for the de minimis exclusion and is subject to the EAR when...

Three-dimensional analysis of cranial and facial asymmetry after helmet therapy for positional plagiocephaly.

PubMed

Lee, Myung Chul; Hwang, Jin; Kim, Yong Oock; Shim, Kyu Won; Park, Eun Kyung; Lew, Dae Hyun; Yun, In Sik

2015-07-01

Helmet therapy is a non-surgical option for treating positional plagiocephaly, and its effectiveness has been validated by various researches. In addition to cranial flattening and asymmetry, ipsilateral prominence of the mid-face and relative anterior transposition of the ipsilateral ear is also common. Hence, we investigated the impact of helmet therapy on mid-facial asymmetry. Ninety-nine patients diagnosed with positional plagiocephaly and treated by helmet therapy between September 2005 and July 2012 were enrolled. Therapy was initiated at various ages: group I, <6 months (n = 35); group II, 6 months to 1 year (n = 43); group III, >1 year (n = 21). A cranial vault asymmetry index was measured at the levels of the inferior orbital rim (CVAIIOR-MF) and superior orbital rim (CVAISOR-LC) and midway from the superior orbital rim to the vertex (CVAIMID-UC). Anterior transposition of the ipsilateral ear was verified by measuring the distance (D EAR) between the actual position of the ear and its expected position relative to the contralateral ear. All variables were compared before and after helmet therapy and were categorized by age at treatment initiation. CVAIIOR-MF and CVAISOR-LC were lower in all three age groups after helmet therapy, confirming therapeutic efficacy. CVAIMID-UC (upper level cranial asymmetry) and D EAR (mid-facial soft tissue asymmetry) also improved significantly in groups I and II which were younger than 1 year old. In positional plagiocephaly, helmet therapy is effective in correcting both cranial and mid-facial asymmetries. Outcomes were optimal in patients <1 year of age, but older patients also showed some improvement.

Modeling Analysis of Biomechanical Changes of Middle Ear and Cochlea in Otitis Media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gan, Rong Z.; Zhang, Xiangming; Guan, Xiying

2011-11-01

A comprehensive finite element (FE) model of the human ear including the ear canal, middle ear, and spiral cochlea was developed using histological sections of human temporal bone. The cochlea was modeled with three chambers separated by the basilar membrane and Reissner's membrane and filled with perilymphatic fluid. The viscoelastic material behavior was applied to middle ear soft tissues based on dynamic measurements of tissues in our lab. The model was validated using the experimental data obtained in human temporal bones and then used to simulate various stages of otitis media (OM) including the changes of morphology, mechanical properties, pressure, and fluid level in the middle ear. Function alterations of the middle ear and cochlea in OM were derived from the model and compared with the measurements from temporal bones. This study indicates that OM can be simulated in the FE model to predict the hearing loss induced by biomechanical changes of the middle ear and cochlea.

Estimate of the risk of radiation-induced cancers after linear-accelerator-based breast-cancer radiotherapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koh, Eui Kwan; Seo, Jungju; Baek, Tae Seong; Chung, Eun Ji; Yoon, Myonggeun; Lee, Hyun-ho

2013-07-01

The aim of this study is to assess and compare the excess absolute risks (EARs) of radiation-induced cancers following conformal (3D-CRT), fixed-field intensity-modulated (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc (RapidArc) radiation therapy in patients with breast cancer. 3D-CRT, IMRT and RapidArc were planned for 10 breast cancer patients. The organ-specific EAR for cancer induction was estimated using the organ equivalent dose (OED) based on computed dose volume histograms (DVHs) and the secondary doses measured at various points from the field edge. The average secondary dose per Gy treatment dose from 3D-CRT, measured 10 to 50 cm from the field edge, ranged from 8.27 to 1.04 mGy. The secondary doses per Gy from IMRT and RapidArc, however, ranged between 5.86 and 0.54 mGy, indicating that IMRT and RapidArc are associated with smaller doses of secondary radiation than 3D-CRT. The organ specific EARs for out-of-field organs, such as the thyroid, liver and colon, were higher with 3D-CRT than with IMRT or RapidArc. In contrast, EARs for in-field organs were much lower with 3D-CRT than with IMRT or RapidArc. The overall estimate of EAR indicated that the radiation-induced cancer risk was 1.8-2.0 times lower with 3D-CRT than with IMRT or RapidArc. Comparisons of EARs during breast irradiation suggested that the predicted risk of secondary cancers was lower with 3D-CRT than with IMRT or RapidArc.

Transtympanic injections of N-acetylcysteine for the prevention of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity: a feasible method with promising efficacy.

PubMed

Riga, Maria G; Chelis, Leonidas; Kakolyris, Stylianos; Papadopoulos, Stergios; Stathakidou, Sofia; Chamalidou, Eleni; Xenidis, Nikolaos; Amarantidis, Kyriakos; Dimopoulos, Prokopios; Danielides, Vasilios

2013-02-01

Ototoxicity is a common and irreversible adverse effect of cisplatin treatment with great impact on the patients' quality of life. N-acetylcysteine is a low-molecular-weight agent which has shown substantial otoprotective activity. The role of transtympanic infusions of N-acetylcysteine was examined in a cohort of patients treated with cisplatin-based regimens. Twenty cisplatin-treated patients were subjected, under local anesthesia, to transtympanic N-acetylcysteine (10%) infusions in 1 ear, during the hydration procedure preceding intravenous effusion of cisplatin. The contralateral ear was used as control. The number of transtympanic infusions was respective to the number of administered cycles. Hearing acuity was evaluated before each cycle with pure tone audiometry by an audiologist blinded to the treated ear. A total of 84 transtympanic infusions were performed. In treated ears, no significant changes in auditory thresholds were recorded. In the control ears cisplatin induced a significant decrease of auditory thresholds at the 8000 Hz frequency band (P=0.008). At the same frequency (8000 Hz), the changes in auditory thresholds were significantly larger for the control ears than the treated ones (P=0.005). An acute pain starting shortly after the injection and lasting for a few minutes seemed to be the only significant adverse effect. Transtympanic injections of N-acetylcysteine seem to be a feasible and effective otoprotective strategy for the prevention of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. Additional studies are required to further clarify the efficiency of this treatment and determine the optimal dosage and protocol.

Method and apparatus for non-invasive monitoring of blood glucose

DOEpatents

Thomas, Graham H.; Watson, Roger M.; Noell, J. Oakey

1992-06-09

A new and improved method and apparatus are provided for non-invasive monitoring of changes in blood glucose concentration in a tissue specimen and particularly in an individual. The method uses acoustic velocity measurements for monitoring the effect of glucose concentration upon the density and adiabatic compressibility of the serum. In a preferred embodiment, the acoustic velocity measurements are made through the earlobe of a subject by means of an acoustic probe or monitor which includes a transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic energy pulses to and from the blood flowing in the subject's earlobe and a reflector for facilitating reflection of the acoustic pulses from the blood. The probe is designed in such a way that when properly affixed to an ear, the transducer is positioned flush against the anterior portion of an earlobe while the reflector is positioned flush against the interior portion of the earlobe. A microthermocouple is provided on the probe for monitoring the internal temperature of the blood being sampled. An electrical system, essentially comprising a frequency generator, a time intervalometer and an oscilloscope, is linked to the glucose monitoring probe. The electrical system analyzes selected ones of the pulses reflected from the blood sample in order to determine therefrom the acoustic velocity of the blood which, in turn, provides a representation of the blood glucose concentration levels at the time of the acoustic velocity measurements.

Towards a Molecular Understanding of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-10-01

gene expression following different types of noise exposure and their treatments, in the inner ear. To this end, we have (a) Established the hair ...in hair cells, support cells and whole inner ears, 6 and 24 hours after noise exposure; (c) Collected and processed most of the tissue for TTS...SUBJECT TERMS Permanent threshold shift, Temporary threshold shift, Noise induced hearing loss, Ribotag, RNA-seq, hair cell, supporting cell, SAHA

A challenge for the seed mixture refuge strategy in Bt maize: impact of cross-pollination on an ear-feeding pest, corn earworm.

PubMed

Yang, Fei; Kerns, David L; Head, Graham P; Leonard, B Rogers; Levy, Ronnie; Niu, Ying; Huang, Fangneng

2014-01-01

To counter the threat of insect resistance, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize growers in the U.S. are required to plant structured non-Bt maize refuges. Concerns with refuge compliance led to the introduction of seed mixtures, also called RIB (refuge-in-the-bag), as an alternative approach for implementing refuge for Bt maize products in the U.S. Maize Belt. A major concern in RIB is cross-pollination of maize hybrids that can cause Bt proteins to be present in refuge maize kernels and negatively affect refuge insects. Here we show that a mixed planting of 5% nonBt and 95% Bt maize containing the SmartStax traits expressing Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab2 and Cry1F did not provide an effective refuge for an important above-ground ear-feeding pest, the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie). Cross-pollination in RIB caused a majority (>90%) of refuge kernels to express ≥ one Bt protein. The contamination of Bt proteins in the refuge ears reduced neonate-to-adult survivorship of H. zea to only 4.6%, a reduction of 88.1% relative to larvae feeding on ears of pure non-Bt maize plantings. In addition, the limited survivors on refuge ears had lower pupal mass and took longer to develop to adults.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Licorice and Roasted Licorice Extracts on TPA-Induced Acute Inflammation and Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Mice

PubMed Central

Kim, Ki Rim; Jeong, Chan-Kwon; Park, Kwang-Kyun; Choi, Jong-Hoon; Park, Jung Han Yoon; Lim, Soon Sung; Chung, Won-Yoon

2010-01-01

The anti-inflammatory activity of licorice (LE) and roated licorice (rLE) extracts determined in the murine phorbol ester-induced acute inflammation model and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model of human rheumatoid arthritis. rLE possessed greater activity than LE in inhibiting phorbol ester-induced ear edema. Oral administration of LE or rLE reduced clinical arthritis score, paw swelling, and histopathological changes in a murine CIA. LE and rLE decreased the levels of proinflammatory cytokines in serum and matrix metalloproteinase-3 expression in the joints. Cell proliferation and cytokine secretion in response to type II collagen or lipopolysaccharide stimulation were suppressed in spleen cells from LE or rLE-treated CIA mice. Furthermore, LE and rLE treatment prevented oxidative damages in liver and kidney tissues of CIA mice. Taken together, LE and rLE have benefits in protecting against both acute inflammation and chronic inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis. rLE may inhibit the acute inflammation more potently than LE. PMID:20300198

Distribution and viability of spermatozoa in the canine female genital tract during post-ovulatory oocyte maturation

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Unlike other domestic mammals, in which metaphase-II oocytes are ovulated, canine ovulation is characterized by the release of primary oocytes, which may take 12 to up to 36 hours. Further 60 hours are needed for maturation to secondary oocytes which then remain fertile for about 48 hours. Oestrus takes 7 to 10 days on average and may start as early as a week before ovulation. This together with the prolonged process of post-ovulatory oocyte maturation requires an according longevity of spermatozoa in the female genital tract in order to provide a population of fertile sperm when oocytes have matured to fertilizability. Therefore the distribution and viability of spermatozoa in the bitch genital tract was examined during post-ovulatory oocyte maturation. Methods Thirteen beagle bitches were inseminated on the day of sonographically verified ovulation with pooled semen of two beagle dogs containing one billion progressively motile spermatozoa. Ovariohysterectomy was performed two days later (group 1, n = 6) and four days later (group 2, n = 7). The oviduct and uterine horn of one side were flushed separately and the flushing’s were checked for the presence of gametes. The oviducts including the utero-tubal junction and the uterine horns, both the flushed and unflushed, were histologically examined for sperm distribution. Results The total number of spermatozoa recovered by flushing was low and evaluation of viability was limited. Prophase-I oocytes were collected from oviduct flushing in group 1, whereas unfertilized metaphase-II oocytes were detected in group 2. From day 2 to day 4 after ovulation a significant decrease in the percentage of glands containing sperm (P<0.05) and a marked reduction of the mean sperm number in uterine horn glands were observed. A concomitant diminution of spermatozoa was indicated in the utero-tubal junction accompanied by a slight increase in sperm numbers in the mid oviduct. Conclusions Oocyte maturation to metaphase-II stage is accompanied by a continuous sperm detachment and elimination in the uterine horns. Entrance of spermatozoa into the caudal oviduct seems to be steadily controlled by the utero-tubal junction thus providing a selected sperm population to be shifted towards the site of fertilization when oocyte maturation is completed. PMID:22932162

The effect of adhesion molecule blockade on pulmonary reperfusion injury.

PubMed

Levine, Adrian J; Parkes, Karen; Rooney, Stephen J; Bonser, Robert S

2002-04-01

Selectins are the molecules involved in the initial adhesion of the activated neutrophil on pulmonary endothelium. We investigated the efficacy of selectin blockade in a selective (monoclonal antibody RMP-1) and nonselective (Fucoidin) manner in pulmonary reperfusion injury. Groups of six rat lungs were flushed with University of Wisconsin solution then stored at 4 degrees C for 4 hours. They then underwent sanguinous reperfusion for 30 minutes during which functional measures (gas exchange, pulmonary artery pressure, and airway pressure) of lung performance were made. After reperfusion we estimated their capillary filtration coefficient (Kfc units g/cm water/minute/g wet lung tissue) using a gravimetric technique. Four groups were studied: group I had no reperfusion, group II had 30 minutes of reperfusion, group III had infusion of 20 mg/kg Fucoidin before reperfusion, and group IV had infusion of 20 microg/mL RMP-1 before reperfusion. Reperfusion injury was found between groups I and II by an increase in capillary filtration coefficient (1.048 +/- 0.316 to 3.063 +/- 0.466, p < 0.01). Groups III and IV had a significantly lower Kfc than group II (0.967 +/- 0.134 and 1.205 +/- 0.164, respectively, p < 0.01). There was no significant functional difference between groups II, III, and IV. Reperfusion-induced hyperpermeability was ameliorated by selective (RMP-1) and nonselective (Fucoidin) selectin blockade.

Middle ear application of a sodium hyaluronate gel loaded with neomycin in a Guinea pig model.

PubMed

Saber, Amanj; Laurell, Göran; Bramer, Tobias; Edsman, Katarina; Engmér, Cecilia; Ulfendahl, Mats

2009-02-01

Establishing methods for topical administration of drugs to the inner ear have great clinical relevance and potential even in a relatively short perspective. To evaluate the efficacy of sodium hyaluronate (HYA) as a vehicle for drugs that could be used for treatment of inner ear disorders. The cochlear hair cell loss and round window membrane (RWM) morphology were investigated after topical application of neomycin and HYA into the middle ear. Sixty-five albino guinea pigs were used and divided into groups depending on the type of the treatment. Neomycin was chosen as tracer for drug release and pharmacodynamic effect. HYA loaded with 3 different concentrations of neomycin was injected to the middle ear cavity of guinea pigs. Phalloidin stained surface preparations of the organ of Corti were used to estimate hair cell loss induced by neomycin. The thickness of the midportion of the RWM was measured and compared with that of controls using light and electron microscopy. All animal procedures were pe rformed in accordance with the ethical standards of Karolinska Institutet. Neomycin induced a considerable hair cell loss in guinea pigs receiving a middle ear injection of HYA loaded with the drug, demonstrating that neomycin was released from the gel and delivered to the inner ear. The resulting hair cell loss showed a clear dose-dependence. Only small differences in hair cell loss were noted between animals receiving neomycin solution and animals exposed to neomycin in HYA suggesting that the vehicle neither facilitated nor hindered drug transport between the middle ear cavity and the inner ear. One week after topical application, the thickness of the RWM had increased and was dependent upon the concentration of neomycin administered to the middle ear. At 4 weeks the thickness of the RWM had returned to normal. HYA is a safe vehicle for drugs aimed to pass into the inner ear through the RWM. Neomycin was released from HYA and transported into the inner ear as evidenced by hair cell loss.

A generalized regression model of arsenic variations in the shallow groundwater of Bangladesh

PubMed Central

Taylor, Richard G.; Chandler, Richard E.

2015-01-01

Abstract Localized studies of arsenic (As) in Bangladesh have reached disparate conclusions regarding the impact of irrigation‐induced recharge on As concentrations in shallow (≤50 m below ground level) groundwater. We construct generalized regression models (GRMs) to describe observed spatial variations in As concentrations in shallow groundwater both (i) nationally, and (ii) regionally within Holocene deposits where As concentrations in groundwater are generally high (>10 μg L−1). At these scales, the GRMs reveal statistically significant inverse associations between observed As concentrations and two covariates: (1) hydraulic conductivity of the shallow aquifer and (2) net increase in mean recharge between predeveloped and developed groundwater‐fed irrigation periods. Further, the GRMs show that the spatial variation of groundwater As concentrations is well explained by not only surface geology but also statistical interactions (i.e., combined effects) between surface geology and mean groundwater recharge, thickness of surficial silt and clay, and well depth. Net increases in recharge result from intensive groundwater abstraction for irrigation, which induces additional recharge where it is enabled by a permeable surface geology. Collectively, these statistical associations indicate that irrigation‐induced recharge serves to flush mobile As from shallow groundwater. PMID:27524841

Micro- and Nano-scale Diffusion Domains Acting as Kinetic Controls for U(VI) Release to the Hanford 300-Area Aquifer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stoliker, D. L.; Hay, M. B.; Davis, J. A.; Zachara, J. M.

2008-12-01

The 300-Area of the Hanford reservation, a cold-war era nuclear processing facility, is plagued by long-term elevated concentrations of U(VI) in the underlying aquifer. While the sediment U(VI) concentration is relatively low, it continues to act as a source and sink for the contaminant, allowing for persistent groundwater concentrations well above the maximum contamination limit (MCL). Simple Kd modeling of the attenuation of U(VI) in the aquifer predicted that groundwater U(VI) concentrations would decrease to below the drinking water standard by the year 2002. However, grain-scale morphology of the aquifer material suggests that intra-grain flow paths and mineral coatings, in which sorption complexes and precipitates formed over years of waste disposal, provide a significant kinetic constraint that slows groundwater flushing of the sediments. In order to quantify the impact of diffusion kinetics on the release of U(VI), high-resolution, non-reactive tracer studies were conducted on vadose zone sediments in both column and batch reactors. Systems were equilibrated for long time scales with tritated artificial groundwater and then flushed with flow and stop-flow events included for columns. Previously collected U(VI) release data from batch dissolution/desorption studies is compared with tritium tracer diffusion kinetics as well as porosimetry and detailed microscopy characterization. The micro-scale and nano-scale diffusion regimes, including intra-granular regions as well as mineral coatings, represent a significant potential long-term source of contaminant U(VI). Understanding the physical kinetic limitations coupled with the complex chemistry of U(VI) sorption processes within natural systems is an important step forward in providing information to strengthen field-scale reactive transport simulations.

15 CFR 744.13 - Restrictions on exports and reexports to persons designated pursuant to Executive Order 12947...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... pursuant to Executive Order 12947 (Specially Designated Terrorist) (SDT). Consistent with the purpose of... applies to the export or reexport to an SDT of any item subject to the EAR. (2) To avoid duplication, U.S... subject both to the EAR and to OFAC's Terrorism Sanctions Regulations in 31 CFR part 595. Therefore, if...

15 CFR 758.7 - Authority of the Office of Export Enforcement, the Bureau of Industry and Security, Customs...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... EAR. Officials of BIS, the Office of Export Enforcement, the U.S. Customs Service and postmasters... with the EAR. This includes assuring that: (1) Exports without a license issued by BIS are either...) Inspection of items— (i) Purpose of inspection. All items declared for export are subject to inspection for...

15 CFR 758.7 - Authority of the Office of Export Enforcement, the Bureau of Industry and Security, Customs...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... EAR. Officials of BIS, the Office of Export Enforcement, the U.S. Customs Service and postmasters... with the EAR. This includes assuring that: (1) Exports without a license issued by BIS are either...) Inspection of items— (i) Purpose of inspection. All items declared for export are subject to inspection for...

15 CFR 758.7 - Authority of the Office of Export Enforcement, the Bureau of Industry and Security, Customs...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... EAR. Officials of BIS, the Office of Export Enforcement, the U.S. Customs Service and postmasters... with the EAR. This includes assuring that: (1) Exports without a license issued by BIS are either...) Inspection of items— (i) Purpose of inspection. All items declared for export are subject to inspection for...

15 CFR 744.13 - Restrictions on exports and reexports to persons designated pursuant to Executive Order 12947...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... pursuant to Executive Order 12947 (Specially Designated Terrorist) (SDT). Consistent with the purpose of... applies to the export or reexport to an SDT of any item subject to the EAR. (2) To avoid duplication, U.S... subject both to the EAR and to OFAC's Terrorism Sanctions Regulations in 31 CFR part 595. Therefore, if...

15 CFR 744.13 - Restrictions on exports and reexports to persons designated pursuant to Executive Order 12947...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... pursuant to Executive Order 12947 (Specially Designated Terrorist) (SDT). Consistent with the purpose of... applies to the export or reexport to an SDT of any item subject to the EAR. (2) To avoid duplication, U.S... subject both to the EAR and to OFAC's Terrorism Sanctions Regulations in 31 CFR part 595. Therefore, if...

15 CFR 744.13 - Restrictions on exports and reexports to persons designated pursuant to Executive Order 12947...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... pursuant to Executive Order 12947 (Specially Designated Terrorist) (SDT). Consistent with the purpose of... applies to the export or reexport to an SDT of any item subject to the EAR. (2) To avoid duplication, U.S... subject both to the EAR and to OFAC's Terrorism Sanctions Regulations in 31 CFR part 595. Therefore, if...

15 CFR 744.13 - Restrictions on exports and reexports to persons designated pursuant to Executive Order 12947...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... pursuant to Executive Order 12947 (Specially Designated Terrorist) (SDT). Consistent with the purpose of... applies to the export or reexport to an SDT of any item subject to the EAR. (2) To avoid duplication, U.S... subject both to the EAR and to OFAC's Terrorism Sanctions Regulations in 31 CFR part 595. Therefore, if...

15 CFR 758.7 - Authority of the Office of Export Enforcement, the Bureau of Industry and Security, Customs...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... EAR. Officials of BIS, the Office of Export Enforcement, the U.S. Customs Service and postmasters... with the EAR. This includes assuring that: (1) Exports without a license issued by BIS are either...) Inspection of items— (i) Purpose of inspection. All items declared for export are subject to inspection for...

Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects of Lepidagathis anobrya Nees (Acanthaceae).

PubMed

Richard, Sawadogo Wamtinga; Marius, Lompo; Noya, Somé; Innocent Pierre, Guissou; Germaine, Nacoulma-Ouedraogo Odile

2011-01-01

This study investigated the general acute, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects of methanol extract of Lepidagathis anobrya Nees (Acanthaceae). Carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and croton oil-induced ear edema in rats were used for the evaluation of general acute anti-inflammatory effects. Acetic acid-induced writhing response and yeast-induced hyperpyrexia in mice were used to evaluate the analgesic and antipyretic activities respectively. The extract at doses of 10, 25, 50 and 100 mgkg(-1) for carrageenan test and doses of 0.5 mg/ear for croton oil test induced a significant reduction (p < 0.001) of paw and ear edemas in rats. In the analgesic and antipyretic tests, the extract has shown a significant inhibition of writhes and hyperpyrexia with all the doses used when compared to the untreated control group. These results clearly show the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects of the methanol extract of Lepidagathis anobrya and give the scientific basis for its traditional use. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanism of action and the components responsible for these pharmacological effects.

Genetic divergence analysis of the Common Barn Owl Tyto alba (Scopoli, 1769) and the Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus (Pontoppidan, 1763) from southern Chile using COI sequence

PubMed Central

Colihueque, Nelson; Gantz, Alberto; Rau, Jaime Ricardo; Parraguez, Margarita

2015-01-01

Abstract In this paper new mitochondrial COI sequences of Common Barn Owl Tyto alba (Scopoli, 1769) and Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus (Pontoppidan, 1763) from southern Chile are reported and compared with sequences from other parts of the World. The intraspecific genetic divergence (mean p-distance) was 4.6 to 5.5% for the Common Barn Owl in comparison with specimens from northern Europe and Australasia and 3.1% for the Short-eared Owl with respect to samples from north America, northern Europe and northern Asia. Phylogenetic analyses revealed three distinctive groups for the Common Barn Owl: (i) South America (Chile and Argentina) plus Central and North America, (ii) northern Europe and (iii) Australasia, and two distinctive groups for the Short-eared Owl: (i) South America (Chile and Argentina) and (ii) north America plus northern Europe and northern Asia. The level of genetic divergence observed in both species exceeds the upper limit of intraspecific comparisons reported previously for Strigiformes. Therefore, this suggests that further research is needed to assess the taxonomic status, particularly for the Chilean populations that, to date, have been identified as belonging to these species through traditional taxonomy. PMID:26668551

World Health Organization and Its Initiative for Ear and Hearing Care.

PubMed

Chadha, Shelly; Cieza, Alarcos

2018-06-01

The World Health Organization (WHO) addresses ear diseases and hearing loss through its program on prevention of deafness and hearing loss. Recently, the World Health Assembly called for action at global and national levels to tackle the rising prevalence and adverse impact of unaddressed hearing loss. Following a public health approach toward this issue, WHO is focusing on i) raising awareness among policymakers and civil society; and ii) providing technical support to countries for promoting hearing care. Meeting this challenge requires a coordinated global effort with all stakeholders working together to make ear and hearing care accessible to all. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ethanol-extracted Cameroonian propolis exerts estrogenic effects and alleviates hot flushes in ovariectomized Wistar rats.

PubMed

Zingue, Stéphane; Nde, Chantal Beatrice Magne; Michel, Thomas; Ndinteh, Derek Tantoh; Tchatchou, Jules; Adamou, Moïse; Fernandez, Xavier; Fohouo, Fernand-Nestor Tchuenguem; Clyne, Colin; Njamen, Dieudonné

2017-01-21

Since the biological properties of propolis depend to the plants that can be found in a specific region, propolis from unexplored regions attracts the attention of scientists. Ethanolic extract of Cameroonian propolis (EEP) is used to treat various ailments including gynecological problems and amenorrhea. Since there were no scientific data to support the above claims, the present study was therefore undertaken to assess estrogenic properties of Cameroonian propolis. To achieve our goal, the ability of EEP to induce MCF-7 cells proliferation in E-screen assay as well as to activate estrogen receptors α (ERα) and β (ERβ) in cell-based reporter gene assays using human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293T) transfected with ERs was tested. Further, a 3-day uterotrophic assay was performed and the ability of EEP to alleviate hot flushes in ovariectomized adult rats was evaluated. In vitro, EEP showed an antiestrogenic activity in both HEK293T ER-α and ER-β cells. In vivo, EEP induced a significant increase in a bell shape dose response manner of the uterine wet weight, the total protein levels in the uterus, the uterine and vaginal epithelium height and acini border cells of mammary gland with the presence of abundant eosinophil secretions. Moreover, EEP induced a significant decrease in the total number, average duration as well as frequency of hot flushes after 3 days of treatment in rat (equivalent to a month in woman). The dose of 150 mg/kg exhibited the most potent estrogenic effects among all the tested doses. The UPLC-HRMS analysis showed the presence of caffeic acid derivatives and trirtepernoids in EEP, which are well known endowed with estrogenic properties. These results suggest that Ethanolic extract of Cameroonian propolis has estrogen-like effects in vivo and may alleviate some menopausal problems such as vaginal dryness and hot flushes. Ethanol-extracted Cameroobian propolis exhibited in vitro and in vivo estrogen-like effects. This extract may contain promising phytoestrogens.

The effects of experimentally induced conductive hearing loss on spectral and temporal aspects of sound transmission through the ear.

PubMed

Eric Lupo, J; Koka, Kanthaiah; Thornton, Jennifer L; Tollin, Daniel J

2011-02-01

Conductive hearing loss (CHL) is known to produce hearing deficits, including deficits in sound localization ability. The differences in sound intensities and timing experienced between the two tympanic membranes are important cues to sound localization (ILD and ITD, respectively). Although much is known about the effect of CHL on hearing levels, little investigation has been conducted into the actual impact of CHL on sound location cues. This study investigated effects of CHL induced by earplugs on cochlear microphonic (CM) amplitude and timing and their corresponding effect on the ILD and ITD location cues. Acoustic and CM measurements were made in 5 chinchillas before and after earplug insertion, and again after earplug removal using pure tones (500 Hz to 24 kHz). ILDs in the unoccluded condition demonstrated position and frequency dependence where peak far-lateral ILDs approached 30 dB for high frequencies. Unoccluded ear ITD cues demonstrated positional and frequency dependence with increased ITD cue for both decreasing frequency (±420 μs at 500 Hz, ±310 μs for 1-4 kHz) and increasingly lateral sound source locations. Occlusion of the ear canal with foam plugs resulted in a mild, frequency-dependent conductive hearing loss of 10-38 dB (mean 31 ± 3.9 dB) leading to a concomitant frequency dependent increase in ILDs at all source locations. The effective ITDs increased in a frequency dependent manner with ear occlusion as a direct result of the acoustic properties of the plugging material, the latter confirmed via acoustical measurements using a model ear canal with varying volumes of acoustic foam. Upon ear plugging with acoustic foam, a mild CHL is induced. Furthermore, the CHL induced by acoustic foam results in substantial changes in the magnitudes of both the ITD and ILD cues to sound location. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The effects of experimentally induced conductive hearing loss on spectral and temporal aspects of sound transmission through the ear

PubMed Central

Lupo, J. Eric; Koka, Kanthaiah; Thornton, Jennifer L.; Tollin, Daniel J.

2010-01-01

Conductive hearing loss (CHL) is known to produce hearing deficits, including deficits in sound localization ability. The differences in sound intensities and timing experienced between the two tympanic membranes are important cues to sound localization (ILD and ITD, respectively). Although much is known about the effect of CHL on hearing levels, little investigation has been conducted into the actual impact of CHL on sound location cues. This study investigated effects of CHL induced by earplugs on cochlear microphonic (CM) amplitude and timing and their corresponding effect on the ILD and ITD location cues. Acoustic and CM measurements were made in 5 chinchillas before and after earplug insertion, and again after earplug removal using pure tones (500 Hz to 24 kHz). ILDs in the unoccluded condition demonstrated position and frequency dependence where peak far-lateral ILDs approached 30 dB for high frequencies. Unoccluded ear ITD cues demonstrated positional and frequency dependence with increased ITD cue for both decreasing frequency (± 420 µs at 500 Hz, ± 310 µs for 1–4 kHz ) and increasingly lateral sound source locations. Occlusion of the ear canal with foam plugs resulted in a mild, frequency-dependent conductive hearing loss of 10–38 dB (mean 31 ± 3.9 dB) leading to a concomitant frequency dependent increase in ILDs at all source locations. The effective ITDs increased in a frequency dependent manner with ear occlusion as a direct result of the acoustic properties of the plugging material, the latter confirmed via acoustical measurements using a model ear canal with varying volumes of acoustic foam. Upon ear plugging with acoustic foam, a mild CHL is induced. Furthermore, the CHL induced by acoustic foam results in substantial changes in the magnitudes of both the ITD and ILD cues to sound location. PMID:21073935

Plasma substance-P in neuroendocrine tumors and idiopathic flushing: the value of pentagastrin stimulation tests and the effects of somatostatin analog.

PubMed

Vinik, A I; Gonin, J; England, B G; Jackson, T; McLeod, M K; Cho, K

1990-06-01

We examined the role of the potent vasoactive kinin substance-P (SP) in flushing derived from various causes. SP was measured in plasma after acetone/ether extraction using an antiserum directed at the carboxy-terminal 5-11 amino acid region of undecapeptide SP. The antiserum had less than 1% cross-reaction with the other neurokinins, neurokinin-A and neuropeptide-K, that derive from the beta-preprotachykinin gene and share carboxy-terminal residues. Basal and pentagastrin-stimulated SP levels were measured in 22 healthy controls, 11 patients with histologically proven carcinoid tumors, 8 patients with tumors other than carcinoid, and 7 patients with idiopathic flushing (IF). Basal SP levels were less than 10 pg/mL in normal subjects. All patients with midgut carcinoid tumors had SP levels greater than 25 pg/mL, as did 7 of 8 patients with noncarcinoid tumors and 5 of 7 patients with IF. Using 50 pg/mL as the cutoff point, the sensitivity was 63% for detection of a tumor, and 100% of nontumor patients were excluded. Pentagastrin administration uniformly induced flushing and caused a rise in SP levels greater than 150 pg/mL in 5 of 10 patients with carcinoid tumors, 3 of 8 with noncarcinoid tumors, and 0 of 7 with IF, i.e. a SP rise of more than 100 pg/mL suggests a tumor. Administration of somatostatin (150 micrograms) 0.5 h before the pentagastrin abolished flushing in all carcinoid patients and reduced SP levels, but not into the normal range. Long term treatment with SMS significantly reduced flushing and lowered SP levels, but did not restore these to normal. We conclude that 90% of patients with carcinoid/noncarcinoid tumor have raised COOH-terminal SP levels. A basal level above 50 pg/mL or a pentagastrin-stimulated rise of more than 100 pg/mL distinguishes carcinoid from IF. The dissociation between SP concentrations and flushing suggests that SP may not be the only kinin involved in the flushing associated with carcinoid tumors.

Modeling the Flushing Response to the Construction of a Low Crested Weir in the Banana River

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saberi, A.; Weaver, R. J.

2014-12-01

The ADCIRC hydrodynamic model coupled with a Lagrangian Particle Tracking Model (LPTM) is applied to study circulation in the Banana River. The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which constructing a low crested weir adjacent to Port Canaveral can improve flushing in this region. The Banana River a 50 km long sub-basin of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), located on the central-east coast of Florida in Brevard County between Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island. Although Banana River has an outlet to the ocean through the Port Canaveral locks, the locks remain closed when there is no passing vessel resulting in limited circulation, long flushing time and poor water quality. Recent high mortality events of different species, e.g. dolphins, manatees and pelicans in the lagoon ecosystem, can be linked to the decline in the water quality. ADCIRC is used to simulate the hydrodynamic properties of the study area and determine the 2D depth-averaged velocity field for two separate cases: one with only tidal and another with both tidal and meteorological forces considered. Simulations are run, first to establish the baseline hydrodynamics of the unmodified system, and then to predict the effects of modifying the domain. Passive particles are placed in the Banana River portion of our domain, and the movement of these particles is tracked using LPTM for both cases. Flushing and residence time are then computed. Results indicate an improvement in flushing in both the Banana River and the central Indian River Lagoon, driven by an induced southerly current. In the portion of the Banana River to the south of the port complex, tidal flushing time is significantly reduced for the case of modified domain. In this southern region the flushing time based on 50% renewal time, is decreased from 100 days down to 15 days, after the addition of the weir to the domain.

Further studies on the effects of magnetic resonance imaging fields on middle ear implants.

PubMed

Applebaum, E L; Valvassori, G E

1990-10-01

We investigated the effects of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) fields on 21 stapedectomy prostheses and other middle ear implants and two different receiver-stimulator modules from 22-channel cochlear implants. None of the middle ear implants was displaced by the magnetic field, except for one platinum-stainless steel stapedectomy piston. Magnetism was not induced in any of the middle ear implants subjected to prolonged exposure in the MRI scanner. We conclude that MRI could pose a hazard to patients who have had stapedectomy using certain platinum-stainless steel piston prostheses and to patients with cochlear implants. Magnetic resonance imaging should pose no hazard to patients who have had the other middle ear implants reported on in this and our previous investigation.

Single-stage autologous ear reconstruction for microtia.

PubMed

Kasrai, Leila; Snyder-Warwick, Alison K; Fisher, David M

2014-03-01

The authors have been using the Nagata technique since 2002. In this review of 100 consecutive ear reconstructions, the authors present technique modifications that have evolved over this period that have contributed to improved auricular contour and that now allow for auricular reconstruction in a single stage. This study is a retrospective review of a prospectively acquired database. The series is restricted to primary reconstructions performed for congenital microtia. Photographs of 10 consecutive patients are presented to demonstrate the results of the technique. Surgical complication rates are discussed. One hundred ear reconstructions were performed in 96 patients. There were 75 primary cases of congenital microtia. Twenty-four ears underwent a two-stage reconstruction, and 51 ears were reconstructed with a Nagata stage I procedure or a single-stage reconstruction. There was a gradual shift in technique, with a trend to perform fewer Nagata stage II outsetting procedures and more single-stage reconstructions. In patients who underwent an ear reconstruction in two stages, the surgical complication rate was 22 percent. In the last 40 consecutive ear reconstructions since abandoning the two-stage approach, the surgical complication rate is now 15 percent. A modification of Nagata's technique of autologous ear reconstruction for microtia is described. Modifications of the three-dimensional framework address the contour of the inferior crus and control tragal projection and position. Inclusion of a projection block and recruitment of retroauricular skin allow for symmetric projection of the ear in a single stage. Therapeutic, IV.

The unpredictability of lymphatic drainage from the ear in melanoma patients, and its implications for management.

PubMed

Peach, Howard S; van der Ploeg, Augustinus P T; Haydu, Lauren E; Stretch, Jonathan R; Shannon, Kerwin F; Uren, Roger F; Thompson, John F

2013-05-01

The ear is known to have variable lymphatic drainage. The purpose of this study was to define better the lymphatic drainage patterns of the ear by correlating the location of primary tumors, classified according to the embryologically derived anatomical subunits of the ear, with their mapped sentinel nodes (SNs) identified by lymphoscintigraphy (LS). Lymphatic drainage data for patients with a primary melanoma of the ear were reviewed and correlated with the precise primary melanoma site. Between 1993 and 2010, LS was performed in 111 patients with a primary melanoma on the ear, identifying 281 SNs in 195 lymph node (LN) fields. The mean numbers of SNs and LN fields identified by LS per patient were 2.65 and 1.76. SN biopsy was performed in 71 patients (64 %). The mean number of SNs removed was 2.36. The 111 ear melanomas were mostly located on the helical rim (55 %), followed by the lobule (24.3 %). The five different primary ear sites drained mainly to SNs in level CII, level CV and the preauricular region. Drainage was most often to level CII (36.4 %). Drainage to the contralateral neck was not observed. Lymphatic drainage of the ear has no predictable pattern and can be to SNs anywhere in the ipsilateral neck. Most commonly drainage is to cervical level II and the preauricular and postauricular LN fields. LS defines the lymphatic drainage pattern in individual melanoma patients and is essential for accurate SN identification and reliable SN biopsy.

Adoptive Cellular Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Experimental Autoimmune Polychondritis Ear Disease.

PubMed

Zhou, Bin; Liao, Yonggan; Guo, Yunkai; Tarner, Ingo H; Liao, Chunfen; Chen, Sisi; Kermany, Mohammad Habiby; Tu, Hanjun; Zhong, Sen; Chen, Peijie

2017-01-01

In the past, the clinical therapy for autoimmune diseases, such as autoimmune polychondritis ear disease, was mostly limited to nonspecific immunosuppressive agents, which could lead to variable responses. Currently, gene therapy aims at achieving higher specificity and less adverse effects. This concept utilizes the adoptive transfer of autologous T cells that have been retrovirally transduced ex vivo to express and deliver immunoregulatory gene products to sites of autoimmune inflammation. In the animal model of collagen-induced autoimmune polychondritis ear disease (CIAPED), the adoptive transfer of IL-12p40-expressing collagen type II (CII)-specific CD4+ T-cell hybridomas resulted in a significantly lower disease incidence and severity compared with untreated or vector-only-treated animals. In vivo cell detection using bioluminescent labels showed that transferred CII-reactive T-cell hybridomas accumulated in the inflamed earlobes of the mice with CIAPED. In vitro analysis demonstrated that IL-12p40-transduced T cells did not affect antigen-specific T-cell activation or systemic anti-CII Ab responses. However, IL-12p40-transduced T cells suppressed IFN-γ and augmented IL-4 production, indicating their potential to act therapeutically by interrupting Th1-mediated inflammatory responses via augmenting Th2 responses. These results indicate that the local delivery of IL-12p40 by T cells could inhibit CIAPED by suppressing autoimmune responses at the site of inflammation. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Effect Of Electromagnetic Waves Emitted From Mobile Phone On Brain Stem Auditory Evoked Potential In Adult Males.

PubMed

Singh, K

2015-01-01

Mobile phone (MP) is commonly used communication tool. Electromagnetic waves (EMWs) emitted from MP may have potential health hazards. So, it was planned to study the effect of electromagnetic waves (EMWs) emitted from the mobile phone on brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) in male subjects in the age group of 20-40 years. BAEPs were recorded using standard method of 10-20 system of electrode placement and sound click stimuli of specified intensity, duration and frequency.Right ear was exposed to EMW emitted from MP for about 10 min. On comparison of before and after exposure to MP in right ear (found to be dominating ear), there was significant increase in latency of II, III (p < 0.05) and V (p < 0.001) wave, amplitude of I-Ia wave (p < 0.05) and decrease in IPL of III-V wave (P < 0.05) after exposure to MP. But no significant change was found in waves of BAEP in left ear before vs after MP. On comparison of right (having exposure routinely as found to be dominating ear) and left ears (not exposed to MP), before exposure to MP, IPL of IIl-V wave and amplitude of V-Va is more (< 0.001) in right ear compared to more latency of III and IV wave (< 0.001) in left ear. After exposure to MP, the amplitude of V-Va was (p < 0.05) more in right ear compared to left ear. In conclusion, EMWs emitted from MP affects the auditory potential.

Lack of TAK1 in dendritic cells inhibits the contact hypersensitivity response induced by trichloroethylene in local lymph node assay.

PubMed

Yao, Pan; Hongqian, Chu; Qinghe, Meng; Lanqin, Shang; Jianjun, Jiang; Xiaohua, Yang; Xuetao, Wei; Weidong, Hao

2016-09-15

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant. Occupational TCE exposure has been associated with severe, generalized contact hypersensitivity (CHS) skin disorder. The development of CHS depends on innate and adaptive immune functions. Transforming growth factor-β activated kinase-1 (TAK1) controls the survival of dendritic cells (DCs) that affect the immune system homeostasis. We aimed to investigate the role of TAK1 activity in DC on TCE-induced CHS response. Control mice and DC-specific TAK1 deletion mice were treated with 80% (v/v) TCE using local lymph node assay (LLNA) to establish a TCE-induced CHS model. The draining lymph nodes (DLNs) were excised and the lymphocytes were measure for proliferation by BrdU-ELISA, T-cell phenotype analysis by flow cytometry and signaling pathway activation by western blot. The ears were harvested for histopathological analysis. Control mice in the 80% TCE group displayed an inflammatory response in the ears, increased lymphocyte proliferation, elevated regulatory T-cell and activated T-cell percentages, and more IFN-γ producing CD8(+) T cells in DLNs. In contrast to control mice, DC-specific TAK1 deletion mice in the 80% TCE group showed an abolished CHS response and this was associated with defective T-cell expansion, activation and IFN-γ production. This effect may occur through Jnk and NF-κB signaling pathways. Overall, this study demonstrates a pivotal role of TAK1 in DCs in controlling TCE-induced CHS response and suggests that targeting TAK1 function in DCs may be a viable approach to preventing and treating TCE-related occupational health hazards. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Anatomic Malformations of the Middle and Inner Ear in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: Case Series and Literature Review.

PubMed

Verheij, E; Elden, L; Crowley, T B; Pameijer, F A; Zackai, E H; McDonald-McGinn, D M; Thomeer, H G X M

2018-05-01

The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is characterized by a heterogenic phenotype, including hearing loss. The underlying cause of hearing loss, especially sensorineural hearing loss, is not yet clear. Therefore, our objective was to describe anatomic malformations in the middle and inner ear in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. A retrospective case series was conducted in 2 tertiary referral centers. All patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome who had undergone CT or MR imaging of the temporal bones were included. Radiologic images were evaluated on predetermined parameters, including abnormalities of the ossicular chain, cochlea, semicircular canals, and vestibule. There were 26 patients (52 ears) with a CT or MR imaging scan available. A dense stapes superstructure was found in 18 ears (36%), an incomplete partition type II was suspected in 12 cochleas (23%), the lateral semicircular canal was malformed with a small bony island in 17 ears (33%), and the lateral semicircular canal and vestibule were fused to a single cavity in 15 ears (29%). Middle and inner ear abnormalities were frequently encountered in our cohort, including malformations of the lateral semicircular canal. © 2018 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.

Acceleration induced water removal from ear canals.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kang, Hosung; Averett, Katelee; Jung, Sunghwan

2017-11-01

Children and adults commonly experience having water trapped in the ear canals after swimming. To remove the water, individuals will shake their head sideways. Since a child's ear canal has a smaller diameter, it requires more acceleration of the head to remove the trapped water. In this study, we theoretically and experimentally investigated the acceleration required to break the surface meniscus of the water in artificial ear canals and hydrophobic-coated glass tubes. In experiments, ear canal models were 3D-printed from a CT-scanned human head. Also, glass tubes were coated with silane to match the hydrophobicity in ear canals. Then, using a linear stage, we measured the acceleration values required to forcefully eject the water from the artificial ear canals and glass tubes. A theoretical model was developed to predict the critical acceleration at a given tube diameter and water volume by using a modified Rayleigh-Taylor instability. Furthermore, this research can shed light on the potential of long-term brain injury and damage by shaking the head to push the water out of the ear canal. This research was supported by National Science Foundation Grant CBET-1604424.

Effects of a Bug-in-the-Ear Intervention to Increase Physical Activity Prompting and Level during Preschool Recess

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kahan, David; Nicaise, Virginie; Reuben, Karen

2016-01-01

Teacher prompting is a means to increase preschool children's physical activity. Twelve 4- and 5-year-olds at one preschool in the southwest U.S. participated in an ABA prompting intervention that utilized a bug-in-the-ear device to signal teachers to prompt sedentary children to increase physical activity level during unstructured recess.…

The effects of V2 antagonist (OPC-31260) on endolymphatic hydrops.

PubMed

Takeda, Taizo; Sawada, Shoichi; Takeda, Setsuko; Kitano, Hiroya; Suzuki, Mikio; Kakigi, Akinobu; Takeuchi, Shunji

2003-08-01

In the present study, two experiments were performed to investigate the influence of OPC-31260 on experimentally induced endolymphatic hydrops in guinea pigs and the regulation of aquaporin-2 (AQP2) mRNA expression in the rat inner ear. In morphological studies, the increases in the ratios of the length of Reissner's membrane (IR-L) and the cross-sectional area of the scala media (IR-S) were quantitatively assessed among normal guinea pigs (normal ears) and three groups with hydropic ears: hydropic ears with no infusion (non-infusion hydropic ears), hydropic ears with an infusion of physiological saline into the scala tympani (saline-infused hydropic ears) and hydropic ears with infusion of 0.3% OPC-31260 into the scala tympani (OPC-infused hydropic ears). IR-Ls in the experimental groups were markedly larger than in the normal ear group, but there was no significant difference among the groups of non-infusion hydropic ears, saline-infused hydropic ears and OPC-infused hydropic ears. The IR-Ss of non-infusion hydropic ears and saline-infused hydropic ears (48.8-49.3%) were statistically different from that of normal ears (6.5%) (Dunnet multiple comparison test, P<0.01). However, IR-S of the OPC-infused hydropic ears (-14.8%) was significantly smaller than those of non-infusion hydropic ears and saline-infused hydropic ears (one-way ANOVA, P<0.01). In the quantitative polymerase chain reaction study, a comparison of the ratio of AQP2 and beta-actin mRNA (MAQP2/Mbeta-actin) was made between water-injected and OPC-31260-injected rats. An intravenous injection of OPC-31260 resulted in a significant decrease in MAQP2/Mbeta-actin both in the cochlea and in the endolymphatic sac (t-test, P<0.001). These results indicate that water homeostasis in the inner ear is regulated via the vasopressin-AQP2 system, and that the vasopressin type-2 antagonist OPC-31260 is a promising drug in the treatment of Meniere's disease.

Topical anti-inflammatory potential of Physalin E from Physalis angulata on experimental dermatitis in mice.

PubMed

Pinto, N B; Morais, T C; Carvalho, K M B; Silva, C R; Andrade, G M; Brito, G A C; Veras, M L; Pessoa, O D L; Rao, V S; Santos, F A

2010-08-01

The anti-inflammatory effect of physalin E, a seco-steroid isolated from Physalis angulata L. was evaluated on acute and chronic models of dermatitis induced by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and oxazolone, respectively, in mouse ear. The changes in ear edema/thickness, production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and histological and immunohistochemical findings were analysed, as indicators of dermal inflammation. Similar to dexamethasone, topically applied Physalin E (0.125; 0.25 and 0.5 mg/ear) potently inhibited the TPA and oxazolone-induced dermatitis, leading to substantial reductions in ear edema/thickness, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and MPO activity. These effects were reversed by mifepristone, a steroid antagonist and confirmed by immunohistochemical and histopathological analysis. The data suggest that physalin E may be a potent and topically effective anti-inflammatory agent useful to treat the acute and chronic skin inflammatory conditions. 2010 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Comparative analysis of ear-hole closure identifies epimorphic regeneration as a discrete trait in mammals

PubMed Central

Gawriluk, Thomas R.; Simkin, Jennifer; Thompson, Katherine L.; Biswas, Shishir K.; Clare-Salzler, Zak; Kimani, John M.; Kiama, Stephen G.; Smith, Jeramiah J.; Ezenwa, Vanessa O.; Seifert, Ashley W.

2016-01-01

Why mammals have poor regenerative ability has remained a long-standing question in biology. In regenerating vertebrates, injury can induce a process known as epimorphic regeneration to replace damaged structures. Using a 4-mm ear punch assay across multiple mammalian species, here we show that several Acomys spp. (spiny mice) and Oryctolagus cuniculus completely regenerate tissue, whereas other rodents including MRL/MpJ ‘healer' mice heal similar injuries by scarring. We demonstrate ear-hole closure is independent of ear size, and closure rate can be modelled with a cubic function. Cellular and genetic analyses reveal that injury induces blastema formation in Acomys cahirinus. Despite cell cycle re-entry in Mus musculus and A. cahirinus, efficient cell cycle progression and proliferation only occurs in spiny mice. Together, our data unite blastema-mediated regeneration in spiny mice with regeneration in other vertebrates such as salamanders, newts and zebrafish, where all healthy adults regenerate in response to injury. PMID:27109826

BONE MARROW MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS ARE PROGENITORS IN VITRO FOR INNER EAR HAIR CELLS

PubMed Central

Jeon, Sang-Jun; Oshima, Kazuo; Heller, Stefan; Edge, Albert S.B.

2011-01-01

Stem cells have been demonstrated in the inner ear but they do not spontaneously divide to replace damaged sensory cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from bone marrow have been reported to differentiate into multiple lineages including neurons, and we therefore asked whether MSCs could generate sensory cells. Overexpression of the prosensory transcription factor, Math1, in sensory epithelial precursor cells induced expression of myosin VIIa, espin, Brn3c, p27Kip, and jagged2, indicating differentiation to inner ear sensory cells. Some of the cells displayed F-actin positive protrusions in the morphology characteristic of hair cell stereociliary bundles. Hair cell markers were also induced by culture of mouse MSC-derived cells in contact with embryonic chick inner ear cells, and this induction was not due to a cell fusion event, because the chick hair cells could be identified with a chick-specific antibody and chick and mouse antigens were never found in the same cell. PMID:17113786

Validated Smartphone-Based Apps for Ear and Hearing Assessments: A Review

PubMed Central

Pallawela, Danuk

2016-01-01

Background An estimated 360 million people have a disabling hearing impairment globally, the vast majority of whom live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Early identification through screening is important to negate the negative effects of untreated hearing impairment. Substantial barriers exist in screening for hearing impairment in LMICs, such as the requirement for skilled hearing health care professionals and prohibitively expensive specialist equipment to measure hearing. These challenges may be overcome through utilization of increasingly available smartphone app technologies for ear and hearing assessments that are easy to use by unskilled professionals. Objective Our objective was to identify and compare available apps for ear and hearing assessments and consider the incorporation of such apps into hearing screening programs Methods In July 2015, the commercial app stores Google Play and Apple App Store were searched to identify apps for ear and hearing assessments. Thereafter, six databases (EMBASE, MEDLINE, Global Health, Web of Science, CINAHL, and mHealth Evidence) were searched to assess which of the apps identified in the commercial review had been validated against gold standard measures. A comparison was made between validated apps. Results App store search queries returned 30 apps that could be used for ear and hearing assessments, the majority of which are for performing audiometry. The literature search identified 11 eligible validity studies that examined 6 different apps. uHear, an app for self-administered audiometry, was validated in the highest number of peer reviewed studies against gold standard pure tone audiometry (n=5). However, the accuracy of uHear varied across these studies. Conclusions Very few of the available apps have been validated in peer-reviewed studies. Of the apps that have been validated, further independent research is required to fully understand their accuracy at detecting ear and hearing conditions. PMID:28582261

Stem Cell Therapy for the Inner Ear

PubMed Central

Okano, Takayuki

2012-01-01

In vertebrates, perception of sound, motion, and balance is mediated through mechanosensory hair cells located within the inner ear. In mammals, hair cells are only generated during a short period of embryonic development. As a result, loss of hair cells as a consequence of injury, disease, or genetic mutation, leads to permanent sensory deficits. At present, cochlear implantation is the only option for profound hearing loss. However, outcomes are still variable and even the best implant cannot provide the acuity of a biological ear. The recent emergence of stem cell technology has the potential to open new approaches for hair cell regeneration. The goal of this review is to summarize the current state of inner ear stem cell research from a viewpoint of its clinical application for inner ear disorders to illustrate how complementary studies have the potential to promote and refine stem cell therapies for inner ear diseases. The review initially discusses our current understanding of the genetic pathways that regulate hair cell formation from inner ear progenitors during normal development. Subsequent sections discuss the possible use of endogenous inner ear stem cells to induce repair as well as the initial studies aimed at transplanting stem cells into the ear. PMID:22514095

Measurements of Human Middle- and Inner-Ear Mechanics With Dehiscence of the Superior Semicircular Canal

PubMed Central

Chien, Wade; Ravicz, Michael E.; Rosowski, John J.; Merchant, Saumil N.

2008-01-01

Objectives (1) To develop a cadaveric temporal-bone preparation to study the mechanism of hearing loss resulting from superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SCD) and (2) to assess the potential usefulness of clinical measurements of umbo velocity for the diagnosis of SCD. Background The syndrome of dehiscence of the superior semicircular canal is a clinical condition encompassing a variety of vestibular and auditory symptoms, including an air-bone gap at low frequencies. It has been hypothesized that the dehiscence acts as a “third window” into the inner ear that shunts acoustic energy away from the cochlea at low frequencies, causing hearing loss. Methods Sound-induced stapes, umbo, and round-window velocities were measured in prepared temporal bones (n = 8) using laser-Doppler vibrometry (1) with the superior semicircular canal intact, (2) after creation of a dehiscence in the superior canal, and (3) with the dehiscence patched. Clinical measurements of umbo velocity in live SCD ears (n = 29) were compared with similar data from our cadaveric temporal-bone preparations. Results An SCD caused a significant reduction in sound-induced round-window velocity at low frequencies, small but significant increases in sound-induced stapes and umbo velocities, and a measurable fluid velocity inside the dehiscence. The increase in sound-induced umbo velocity in temporal bones was also found to be similar to that measured in the 29 live ears with SCD. Conclusion Findings from the cadaveric temporal-bone preparation were consistent with the third-window hypothesis. In addition, measurement of umbo velocity in live ears is helpful in distinguishing SCD from other otologic pathologies presenting with an air-bone gap (e.g., otosclerosis). PMID:17255894

Influenza Virus Induces Bacterial and Nonbacterial Otitis Media

PubMed Central

Diavatopoulos, Dimitri A.; Thornton, Ruth; Pedersen, John; Strugnell, Richard A.; Wise, Andrew K.; Reading, Patrick C.; Wijburg, Odilia L.

2011-01-01

Otitis media (OM) is one of the most common childhood diseases. OM can arise when a viral infection enables bacteria to disseminate from the nasopharynx to the middle ear. Here, we provide the first infant murine model for disease. Mice coinfected with Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza virus had high bacterial load in the middle ear, middle ear inflammation, and hearing loss. In contrast, mice colonized with S. pneumoniae alone had significantly less bacteria in the ear, minimal hearing loss, and no inflammation. Of interest, infection with influenza virus alone also caused some middle ear inflammation and hearing loss. Overall, this study provides a clinically relevant and easily accessible animal model to study the pathogenesis and prevention of OM. Moreover, we provide, to our knowledge, the first evidence that influenza virus alone causes middle ear inflammation in infant mice. This inflammation may then play an important role in the development of bacterial OM. PMID:21930608

Straight Flush

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Allen, Jim

2006-01-01

When there's less rainfall, communities often restrict water use to conserve water. But as the U.S. population expands into more arid, drought-stricken areas, the increasing demand for water can stress water districts even in years that see average water supplies. As such, education facilities, which use large amounts of water, are placed under…

Weigh-in-motion for planning applications in Louisiana : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1988-04-01

Weigh-In-Motion (WIM) is a method of weighing vehicles at highway speeds with the use of scales on or flush with the road surface. It has been used experimentally in Louisiana since 1976, but until recently little was done to prove its accuracy and u...

Increasing Plant Based Foods or Dairy Foods Differentially Affects Nutrient Intakes: Dietary Scenarios Using NHANES 2007-2010.

PubMed

Cifelli, Christopher J; Houchins, Jenny A; Demmer, Elieke; Fulgoni, Victor L

2016-07-11

Diets rich in plant foods and lower in animal-based products have garnered increased attention among researchers, dietitians and health professionals in recent years for their potential to, not only improve health, but also to lessen the environmental impact. However, the potential effects of increasing plant-based foods at the expense of animal-based foods on macro- and micronutrient nutrient adequacy in the U.S. diet is unknown. In addition, dairy foods are consistently under consumed, thus the impact of increased dairy on nutrient adequacy is important to measure. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to use national survey data to model three different dietary scenarios to assess the effects of increasing plant-based foods or dairy foods on macronutrient intake and nutrient adequacy. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2010 for persons two years and older (n = 17,387) were used in all the analyses. Comparisons were made of usual intake of macronutrients and shortfall nutrients of three dietary scenarios that increased intakes by 100%: (i) plant-based foods; (ii) protein-rich plant-based foods (i.e., legumes, nuts, seeds, soy); and (iii) milk, cheese and yogurt. Scenarios (i) and (ii) had commensurate reductions in animal product intake. In both children (2-18 years) and adults (≥19 years), the percent not meeting the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) decreased for vitamin C, magnesium, vitamin E, folate and iron when plant-based foods were increased. However the percent not meeting the EAR increased for calcium, protein, vitamin A, and vitamin D in this scenario. Doubling protein-rich plant-based foods had no effect on nutrient intake because they were consumed in very low quantities in the baseline diet. The dairy model reduced the percent not meeting the EAR for calcium, vitamin A, vitamin D, magnesium, and protein, while sodium and saturated fat levels increased. Our modeling shows that increasing plant-based foods could lead to unintended dietary outcomes without simultaneous changes in the types and amounts of plant foods currently consumed. Increasing dairy foods, which are currently under-consumed, could assist in improving the intakes of many nutrients of concern.

Intradermal immunization in the ear with cholera toxin and its non-toxic β subunit promotes efficient Th1 and Th17 differentiation dependent on migrating DCs.

PubMed

Meza-Sánchez, David; Pérez-Montesinos, Gibrán; Sánchez-García, Javier; Moreno, José; Bonifaz, Laura C

2011-10-01

The nature of CD4(+) T-cell responses after skin immunization and the role of migrating DCs in the presence of adjuvants in the elicited response are interesting issues to be investigated. Here, we evaluated the priming of CD4(+) T cells following ear immunization with low doses of model antigens in combination with either cholera toxin (CT) or the non-toxic β CT subunit (CTB) as an adjuvant. Following immunization with CT, we found efficient antigen presentation that is reflected in the production of IFN-γ and IL-17 by CD4(+) T cells over IL-4 or IL-5 production. The CTB-induced activation of DCs in the ear occurred without visible inflammation, which reflects a similar type of CD4(+) T-cell differentiation. In both cases, the elicited response was dependent on the presence of migrating skin cells. Remarkably, immunization with CT or with CTB led to the induction of a delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response in the ear. The DTH response that was induced by CT immunization was dependent on IL-17 and partially dependent on IFN-γ activity. These results indicate that both CT and CTB induce an efficient CD4(+) T-cell response to a co-administered antigen following ear immunization that is dependent on migrating DCs. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Toxicity, repellency and flushing out in Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) exposed to the repellents DEET and IR3535

PubMed Central

Reynoso, Mercedes M.N.; Seccacini, Emilia A.; Calcagno, Javier A.; Zerba, Eduardo N.

2017-01-01

DEET and IR3535 are insect repellents present worldwide in commercial products; their efficacy has been mainly evaluated in mosquitoes. This study compares the toxicological effects and the behavioral responses induced by both repellents on the blood-sucking bug Triatoma infestans Klug (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), one of the main vectors of Chagas disease. When applied topically, the Median Lethal Dose (72 h) for DEET was 220.8 µg/insect. Using IR3535, topical application of 500 µg/insect killed no nymphs. The minimum concentration that produced repellency was the same for both compounds: 1,15 µg/cm2. The effect of a mixture DEET:IR3535 1:1 was similar to that of their pure components. Flushing out was assessed in a chamber with a shelter containing groups of ten nymphs. The repellents were aerosolized on the shelter and the number of insects leaving it was recorded for 60 min. During that time, 0.006 g/m3 of the positive control tetramethrin flushed out 76.7% of the nymphs, while 1.76 g/m3 of DEET or IR3535 flushed out 30 and 0%, respectively. The concentrations required for both compounds to produce toxicity or flushing out are too high to have any practical applications. However, they showed a promising repellency. Additional research should be done to evaluate their possible use for personal protection against T. infestans bites. PMID:28533956

Production flush of Agaricus blazei on Brazilian casing layers

PubMed Central

Colauto, Nelson Barros; da Silveira, Adriano Reis; da Eira, Augusto Ferreira; Linde, Giani Andrea

2011-01-01

This study aimed to verify the biological efficiency and production flushes of Agaricus blazei strains on different casing layers during 90 cultivation days. Four casing layers were used: mixture of subsoil and charcoal (VCS), lime schist (LSC), São Paulo peat (SPP) and Santa Catarina peat (SCP); and two genetically distant A. blazei strains. The fungus was grown in composted substratum and, after total colonization, a pasteurized casing layer was added over the substratum, and fructification was induced. Mushrooms were picked up daily when the basidiocarp veil was stretched, but before the lamella were exposed. The biological efficiency (BE) was determined by the fresh basidiocarp mass divided by the substratum dry mass, expressed in percentage. The production flushes were also determined over time production. The BE and production flushes during 90 days were affected by the strains as well as by the casing layers. The ABL26 and LSC produced the best BE of 60.4%. Although VCS is the most used casing layer in Brazil, it is inferior to other casing layers, for all strains, throughout cultivation time. The strain, not the casing layer, is responsible for eventual variations of the average mushroom mass. In average, circa 50% of the mushroom production occurs around the first month, 30% in the second month, and 20% in third month. The casing layer water management depends on the casing layer type and the strain. Production flush responds better to water reposition, mainly with ABL26, and better porosity to LSC and SCP casing layers. PMID:24031673

Comparison of three methods of sampling for endometrial cytology in the mare. Preliminary study.

PubMed

Defontis, M; Vaillancourt, D; Grand, F X

2011-01-01

This prospective study aims to compare three different sampling techniques for the collection of endometrial cytological specimens in the mare: the guarded culture swab, the uterine cytobrush and the low volume uterine flush. The study population consisted of six healthy Standardbred mares in dioestrus. In each mare an acute endometritis was induced by performing a low- volume uterine flush 6days after ovulation using a sterile isotonic solution (lactated Ringer's solution or ViGro™ Complete Flush Solution). Two days after initiating inflammation, samples were collected from each mare using the three compared techniques: the double guarded cotton swab, the uterine cytobrush and the low volume uterine flush. The cytological evaluation of the samples was based on following criteria: the quality and cellularity of the samples and the number of neutrophils recovered. The uterine cytobrush yielded slides of significantly (p=0.02) better quality than the low volume uterine flush. There was no significant difference between the cytobrush and the double guarded swab technique for the quality. There was no difference between techniques in the number of endometrial cells (p=0.55) and neutrophils recovered (p=0.28). Endometrial cytology is a practical method for the diagnosis of acute endometrial inflammation in the mare. Since no difference in the number of neutrophils was found between the three techniques, the choice of the sampling method should be based on other factors such as practicability, costs and disadvantages of each technique.

[Effect of the middle ear status on the recording of vestibular evoked myogenic potential--VEMP].

PubMed

Kurzyna, Agnieszka; Hassmann-Poznańska, Elzbieta; Topolska, Małgorzata Maria

2005-01-01

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the middle ear status on the recording of air- and bone-conducted vestibular evoked myogenic potential. Forty eight children were included in the study, ranging in age from 4 to 10 years. All of the children underwent otoscopy, pure tone audiometry, tympanometry and air- and bone-conducted VEMP in response to click. There were 3 groups according to the condition of the middle ear: group I--52 ears (type A and C1 tympanogram, pure tone average < or = 20 dB), group II--23 ears (type C2 and B tympanogram, pure tone average < or = 20 dB), group III--21 (type B tympanogram, pure tone average > 20 dB). The threshold, presence of correct waveform morphology of the response and latency was evaluated. The condition of the middle ear has no significant effect on the recording of VEMP and mean level of the response threshold with bone stimulation, based on the performed studies. However, with air stimulation it has effect on the recording of VEMP, increase of the mean threshold response and shortening of latency p13 and n23.

Auricular reconstruction for microtia: Part II. Surgical techniques.

PubMed

Walton, Robert L; Beahm, Elisabeth K

2002-07-01

Reconstruction of the microtic ear represents one of the most demanding challenges in reconstructive surgery. In this review the two most commonly used techniques for ear reconstruction, the Brent and Nagata techniques, are addressed in detail. Unique to this endeavor, the originator of each technique has been allowed to submit representative case material and to address the pros and cons of the other's technique. What follows is a detailed, insightful overview of microtia reconstruction, as a state of the art. The review then details commonly encountered problems in ear reconstruction and pertinent technical points. Finally, a glimpse into the future is offered with an accounting of the advances made in tissue engineering as this technology applies to auricular reconstruction.

[A physiological investigation of chronic electrical stimulation with scala tympani electrodes in kittens].

PubMed

Ni, D

1992-12-01

A physiological investigation of cochlear electrical stimulation was undertaken in six two-month-old kittens. The scala tympani electrodes were implanted and electrically stimulated using biphasic balanced electrical pulses for periods of 1000-1500h in four ears. Four ears received implants for same period but without electrical stimulation. The other two ears served as normal control. The results indicated: 1) Chronic electrical stimulation of the cochlea within electrochemically safe limits did not influence the hearing of kittens and the normal delivery of impulses evoked by acoustic and electrical signals on the auditory brainstem pathway. 2) The wave shapes of EABRs were similar to those of ABRs. The amplitudes of EABRs showed a significant increase following chronic electrical stimulation, resulting in a leftward shift in the input/output function. The absolute latencies and interwave latencies of waves II-III, III-IV and II-IV were significantly shorter than those of ABRs. These results imply that there was no adverse effect of chronic electrical stimulation on the maturing auditory systems of kittens using these electrical parameters and the mechanism of electrical hearing should be further studied.

Shape and 3D acoustically induced vibrations of the human eardrum characterized by digital holography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khaleghi, Morteza; Furlong, Cosme; Cheng, Jeffrey Tao; Rosowski, John J.

2014-07-01

The eardrum or Tympanic Membrane (TM) transfers acoustic energy from the ear canal (at the external ear) into mechanical motions of the ossicles (at the middle ear). The acousto-mechanical-transformer behavior of the TM is determined by its shape and mechanical properties. For a better understanding of hearing mysteries, full-field-of-view techniques are required to quantify shape, nanometer-scale sound-induced displacement, and mechanical properties of the TM in 3D. In this paper, full-field-of-view, three-dimensional shape and sound-induced displacement of the surface of the TM are obtained by the methods of multiple wavelengths and multiple sensitivity vectors with lensless digital holography. Using our developed digital holographic systems, unique 3D information such as, shape (with micrometer resolution), 3D acoustically-induced displacement (with nanometer resolution), full strain tensor (with nano-strain resolution), 3D phase of motion, and 3D directional cosines of the displacement vectors can be obtained in full-field-ofview with a spatial resolution of about 3 million points on the surface of the TM and a temporal resolution of 15 Hz.

Ear Plastic Surgery

MedlinePlus

... Programs Professional Development Home AcademyU Home Study Course Maintenance of Certification Conferences & Events Practice Management Home Resources Quality Clinical Data Registry Research Reimbursement ...

Ears and Altitude

MedlinePlus

... Programs Professional Development Home AcademyU Home Study Course Maintenance of Certification Conferences & Events Practice Management Home Resources Quality Clinical Data Registry Research Reimbursement ...

Pharmacologically active phenylpropanoids from Senra incana.

PubMed

Farah, M H; Samuelsson, G

1992-02-01

Coniferaldehyde, scopoletin, sinapaldehyde, and syringaldehyde were isolated from an aqueous extract of Senra incana. All four compounds inhibited prostaglandin synthetase in a dose-dependent way. Compared to aspirin, the potency of coniferaldehyde and scopoletin was about five times higher, whereas syringaldehyde and sinapaldehyde had about half the potency of this reference compound. On topical application, sinapaldehyde and scopoletin dose-dependently inhibited ethyl phenylpropiolate-induced edema of the rat ear. The active dose range was 1-10 micrograms/ear. Higher doses had a lower effect. Syringaldehyde was active in the range 20-100 micrograms/ear, whereas the effect of coniferaldehyde was inconclusive. Coniferaldehyde and sinapaldehyde inhibited electrically induced contractions of the guinea pig ileum in a dose-dependent way. Syringaldehyde showed a weak inhibition at a concentration of 550 microM.

Improved cellular thermotolerance in cloned Holstein cattle derived with cytoplasts from a thermotolerant breed.

PubMed

Lee, Jai-Wei; Li, Hung; Wu, Hung-Yi; Liu, Shyh-Shyan; Shen, Perng-Chin

2016-03-01

The objective of this study was to compare the thermotolerance of ear fibroblasts derived from various SCNT cattle. Specimens were produced from cloned embryos that had been reconstructed using donor cells (d) from the same Holstein cow (Hd) and the ooplasm (o) from Holstein cattle (Ho) or Taiwan yellow cattle (Yo). Polymorphism in the D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA in ear fibroblasts derived from SCNT cattle reconstructed with the Y ooplasm and H donor cells (SCNT-Yo-Hd) indicates that the cytoplasm originated from Bos indicus. The rates of apoptosis in heat-shocked ear fibroblasts derived from SCNT-Yo-Hd cattle (1.9%) and purebred Y cattle (1.5%) were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of cells derived from SCNT cattle reconstructed with the H ooplasm (SCNT-Ho-Hd: 3.4%), donor cells (4.0%), and purebred Holstein (4.1%) cattle. At the protein level, the relative abundances of apoptosis-inducing factor, B cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein, endonuclease G, cytochrome c, cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinases 3, 8 and 9 in ear fibroblasts derived from SCNT-Yo-Hd cattle were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of cells derived from SCNT-Ho-Hd cattle after heat shock. In contrast, the relative abundances of heat shock proteins 27, 70 and B cell lymphoma 2 in ear fibroblasts derived from SCNT-Yo-Hd cattle were higher (P < 0.05) than those of fibroblasts derived from SCNT-Ho-Hd cattle. Moreover, heat-shocked ear fibroblasts derived from SCNT-Yo-Hd cattle have a significantly (P < 0.05) lower percentage of apoptosis-inducing factor-positive nuclei than do heat-shocked ear fibroblasts derived from SCNT-Ho-Hd cattle (11.1% vs. 18.5%). Taken together, these results report that ear fibroblasts derived from SCNT cattle reconstructed using the Y ooplasm are more thermotolerant than ear fibroblasts derived from SCNT cattle reconstructed using the H ooplasm. This is an indication that the cytoplasm may be a major determinant of thermal sensitivity in bovine ear fibroblasts. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Assessment of Masses of the External Ear With Diffusion-Weighted MR Imaging.

PubMed

Razek, Ahmed Abdel Khalek Abdel

2018-02-01

To assess masses of the external ear with diffusion-weighted MR imaging. Retrospective analysis of 43 consecutive patients with soft tissue mass of the external ear. They underwent single shot diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the ear. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of the mass of the external ear was calculated. The final diagnosis was performed by biopsy. The ADC value correlated with the biopsy results. The mean ADC value of malignancy (=27) of external ear (0.95 ± 0.19 × 10 mm/s) was significantly lower (p = 0.001) than that of benign (n = 16) lesions (1.49 ± 0.08 × 10 mm/s). The cutoff ADC used for differentiation of malignancy from benign lesions was 1.18 × 10 mm/s with an area under the curve of 0.959, an accuracy of 93%, a sensitivity of 92%, and specificity of 93%. There was a significant difference in the ADC of well and moderately differentiated malignancy versus poorly and undifferentiated squamous cell carcinoma (p = 0.001), and stages I and II versus stages III and IV (p = 0.04) of squamous cell carcinoma. ADC value is a non-invasive promising imaging parameter that can be used for differentiation of malignancy of the external ear from benign lesions, and grading and staging of squamous cell carcinoma of the external ear.

Ear Infection and Vaccines

MedlinePlus

... Programs Professional Development Home AcademyU Home Study Course Maintenance of Certification Conferences & Events Practice Management Home Resources Quality Clinical Data Registry Research Reimbursement ...

How the Ear Works

MedlinePlus

... Programs Professional Development Home AcademyU Home Study Course Maintenance of Certification Conferences & Events Practice Management Home Resources Quality Clinical Data Registry Research Reimbursement ...

Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease

MedlinePlus

... Programs Professional Development Home AcademyU Home Study Course Maintenance of Certification Conferences & Events Practice Management Home Resources Quality Clinical Data Registry Research Reimbursement ...

[An experimental study on the therapeutic effects of eustachian tube surfactant in barotitis media].

PubMed

Feng, Lining; Chen, Wenxian; Cong, Rui; Zheng, Guoxi; Gou, Lin; Guo, Qun

2002-11-01

To observe the effect of surfactant on eustachian tube (ET) on the opening of ET as well as it's therapeutic role in barotitis media (BM). 50 guinea pigs were successfully established as BM models by stimulated ascending in altitude chamber. Parts of the models were treated with by middle ear flushing with nature ETS, artificial ETS, artificial phospholipid and saline, after which the eustachian tube pressure opening level (POL) of each group was tested. Others were injected with 1 ml artificial ETS in on side of the middle ear, and 1 ml of saline in the other served as control. Natural ETS decreased the POL from 11.98 to 6.11 kPa (P < 0.01); Artificial ETS reduced the POL from 11.91 to 6.67 kPa (P < 0.01), there were no significant differences between the two groups. Artificial phospholipid decreased the POL from 11.86 to 8.61 kPa (P < 0.05), which was not as effective as natural ETS. While the POL of saline group remained unchanged. After one week of artificial ETS treatment, the congestion in drum membrane alleviated, the hearing threshold of ETS group improved and the effusion in tympanic cavity lessened. The results suggest that artificial ETS is as effective as nature ETS to facilitates the opening of eustachian tube. Artificial ETS may exert therapeutic effects on BM.

Recent advances in therapeutics and drug delivery for the treatment of inner ear diseases: a patent review (2011-2015).

PubMed

Nguyen, Kim; Kempfle, Judith S; Jung, David H; McKenna, Charles E

2017-02-01

Inner ear disorders such as hearing loss, tinnitus, and Ménière's disease significantly impact the quality of life of affected individuals. Treatment of such disorders is an ongoing challenge. Current clinical approaches relieve symptoms but do not fully restore hearing, and the search for more effective therapeutic methods represents an area of urgent current interest. Areas covered: Thirty four patents and patent applications published from 2011 to 2015 were selected from the database of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), covering new approaches for the treatment of inner ear disorders described in the patent literature: 1) identification of new therapeutic agents, 2) development of sustained release formulations, and 3) medical devices that facilitate delivery of such agents to the inner ear. Expert opinion: The search for effective treatments of inner ear disorders is ongoing. Increased understanding of the molecular mechanisms of hearing loss, Ménière's disease, and tinnitus is driving development of new therapeutic agents. However, delivery of these agents to the inner ear is a continuing challenge. At present, combination of a suitable drug with an appropriate mode of drug delivery is the key focus of innovative research to cure inner ear disorders.

Design and experimental analysis of a new malleovestibulopexy prosthesis using a finite element model of the human middle ear.

PubMed

Vallejo Valdezate, Luis A; Hidalgo Otamendi, Antonio; Hernández, Alberto; Lobo, Fernando; Gil-Carcedo Sañudo, Elisa; Gil-Carcedo García, Luis M

2015-01-01

Many designs of prostheses are available for middle ear surgery. In this study we propose a design for a new prosthesis, which optimises mechanical performance in the human middle ear and improves some deficiencies in the prostheses currently available. Our objective was to design and assess the theoretical acoustic-mechanical behaviour of this new total ossicular replacement prosthesis. The design of this new prosthesis was based on an animal model (an iguana). For the modelling and mechanical analysis of the new prosthesis, we used a dynamic 3D computer model of the human middle ear, based on the finite elements method (FEM). The new malleovestibulopexy prosthesis design demonstrates an acoustical-mechanical performance similar to that of the healthy human middle ear. This new design also has additional advantages, such as ease of implantation and stability in the middle ear. This study shows that computer simulation can be used to design and optimise the vibroacoustic characteristics of middle ear implants and demonstrates the effectiveness of a new malleovestibulopexy prosthesis in reconstructing the ossicular chain. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier España, S.L.U. y Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología y Patología Cérvico-Facial. All rights reserved.

[European Portuguese EARS test battery adaptation].

PubMed

Alves, Marisa; Ramos, Daniela; Oliveira, Graça; Alves, Helena; Anderson, Ilona; Magalhães, Isabel; Martins, Jorge H; Simões, Margarida; Ferreira, Raquel; Fonseca, Rita; Andrade, Susana; Silva, Luís; Ribeiro, Carlos; Ferreira, Pedro Lopes

2014-01-01

The use of adequate assessment tools in health care is crucial for the management of care. The lack of specific tools in Portugal for assessing the performance of children who use cochlear implants motivated the translation and adaptation of the EARS (Evaluation of Auditory Responses to Speech) test battery into European Portuguese. This test battery is today one of the most commonly used by (re)habilitation teams of deaf children who use cochlear implants worldwide. The goal to be achieved with the validation of EARS was to provide (re)habilitation teams an instrument that enables: (i) monitoring the progress of individual (re)habilitation, (ii) managing a (re)habilitation program according to objective results, comparable between different (re)habilitation teams, (iii) obtaining data that can be compared with the results of international teams, and (iv) improving engagement and motivation of the family and other professionals from local teams. For the test battery translation and adaptation process, the adopted procedures were the following: (i) translation of the English version into European Portuguese by a professional translator, (ii) revision of the translation performed by an expert panel, including doctors, speech-language pathologists and audiologists, (iii) adaptation of the test stimuli by the team's speechlanguage pathologist, and (iv) further review by the expert panel. For each of the tests that belong to the EARS battery, the introduced adaptations and adjustments are presented, combining the characteristics and objectives of the original tests with the linguistic and cultural specificities of the Portuguese population. The difficulties that have been encountered during the translation and adaptation process and the adopted solutions are discussed. Comparisons are made with other versions of the EARS battery. We defend that the translation and the adaptation process followed for the EARS test battery into European Portuguese was correctly conducted, respecting the characteristics of the original instruments and adapting the test stimuli to the linguistic and cultural reality of the Portuguese population, thus meeting the goals that have been set.

Preservation of vestibular function after scala vestibuli cochlear implantation.

PubMed

Suzuki, Mitsuya; Goto, Takio; Kashio, Akinori; Yasui, Takuya; Sakamoto, Takashi; Ito, Ken; Yamasoba, Tatsuya

2011-10-01

A 58-year-old man, in whom the cochlear implant (CI) had been inserted into the left ear, had right middle-ear cancer. The CI was removed immediately before receiving subtotal removal of right temporal bone. Four months later, the CI was again inserted in his left cochlea. Because of obliterated scala tympani, the 22 active electrodes of the CI were placed into the scala vestibuli. After the surgery, the patient complained that he experienced rotary vertigo and "jumbling of vertical direction" of objects on walking. Using rotation test, we evaluated vestibular function of remaining left ear. Numerous horizontal nystagmus beats were induced during earth-vertical axis rotation, whereas vertical downbeat nystagmus was scarcely induced during off-vertical axis rotation. The horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) was almost normally induced by sinusoidal stimulation at 0.8Hz. These data suggest that the scala vestibuli insertion of CI would be not so invasive against the lateral semicircular canal. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

An ear punch model for studying the effect of radiation on wound healing.

PubMed

Deoliveira, Divino; Jiao, Yiqun; Ross, Joel R; Corbin, Kayla; Xiao, Qizhen; Toncheva, Greta; Anderson-Evans, Colin; Yoshizumi, Terry T; Chen, Benny J; Chao, Nelson J

2011-08-01

Radiation and wound combined injury represents a major clinical challenge because of the synergistic interactions that lead to higher morbidity and mortality than either insult would produce singly. The purpose of this study was to develop a mouse ear punch model to study the physiological mechanisms underlying radiation effects on healing wounds. Surgical wounds were induced by a 2 mm surgical punch in the ear pinnae of MRL/MpJ mice. Photographs of the wounds were taken and the sizes of the ear punch wounds were quantified by image analysis. Local radiation to the ear was delivered by orthovoltage X-ray irradiator using a specially constructed jig that shields the other parts of body. Using this model, we demonstrated that local radiation to the wound area significantly delayed the healing of ear punch wounds in a dose-dependent fashion. The addition of sublethal whole body irradiation (7 Gy) further delayed the healing of ear punch wounds. These results were replicated in C57BL/6 mice; however, wound healing in MRL/MpJ mice was accelerated. These data indicate that the mouse ear punch model is a valuable model to study radiation and wound combined injury.

Don’t Flush! Why Your Drug Disposal Method Matters

EPA Science Inventory

April 30th is the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Drug Take-Back Day. All over the country there will be facilities accepting any unwanted or expired medications from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM – it is the perfect opportunity to clean out your medicine cabinet while simu...

A Comparison of the Single-sided (Gen II) and Double-sided (Gen I) Combat Arms Earplugs (CAE): Acoustic Properties, Human Performance, and User Acceptance

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-12-01

results of steady-state and impulse noise attenuation objective and real-ear measurements; localization and speech intelligibility human performance... Intelligibility 12 6.1 Method...12 Figure 8. Speech intelligibility testing of Gen I CAE and Gen II CAE

21 CFR 801.420 - Hearing aid devices; professional and patient labeling.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

.... (ii) History of active drainage from the ear within the previous 90 days. (iii) History of sudden or...). (ii) Frequency response curve. (iii) Average saturation output (HF-Average SSPL 90). (iv) Average full-on gain (HF-Average full-on gain). (v) Reference test gain. (vi) Frequency range. (vii) Total...

21 CFR 801.420 - Hearing aid devices; professional and patient labeling.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

.... (ii) History of active drainage from the ear within the previous 90 days. (iii) History of sudden or...). (ii) Frequency response curve. (iii) Average saturation output (HF-Average SSPL 90). (iv) Average full-on gain (HF-Average full-on gain). (v) Reference test gain. (vi) Frequency range. (vii) Total...

76 FR 34845 - Medical Devices; Ear, Nose, and Throat Devices; Classification of the Wireless Air-Conduction...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-15

... control by other users with a similar medical device. Exposure to non-ionizing radiation Wireless... Administration (FDA) is classifying the wireless air-conduction hearing aid into class II (special controls). The Agency is classifying the device into class II (special controls) in order to provide a reasonable...

First Branchial Cleft Fistula Associated with External Auditory Canal Stenosis and Middle Ear Cholesteatoma

PubMed Central

Abdollahi fakhim, Shahin; Naderpoor, Masoud; Mousaviagdas, Mehrnoosh

2014-01-01

Introduction: First branchial cleft anomalies manifest with duplication of the external auditory canal. Case Report: This report features a rare case of microtia and congenital middle ear and canal cholesteatoma with first branchial fistula. External auditory canal stenosis was complicated by middle ear and external canal cholesteatoma, but branchial fistula, opening in the zygomatic root and a sinus in the helical root, may explain this feature. A canal wall down mastoidectomy with canaloplasty and wide meatoplasty was performed. The branchial cleft was excised through parotidectomy and facial nerve dissection. Conclusion: It should be considered that canal stenosis in such cases can induce cholesteatoma formation in the auditory canal and middle ear. PMID:25320705

First branchial cleft fistula associated with external auditory canal stenosis and middle ear cholesteatoma.

PubMed

Abdollahi Fakhim, Shahin; Naderpoor, Masoud; Mousaviagdas, Mehrnoosh

2014-10-01

First branchial cleft anomalies manifest with duplication of the external auditory canal. This report features a rare case of microtia and congenital middle ear and canal cholesteatoma with first branchial fistula. External auditory canal stenosis was complicated by middle ear and external canal cholesteatoma, but branchial fistula, opening in the zygomatic root and a sinus in the helical root, may explain this feature. A canal wall down mastoidectomy with canaloplasty and wide meatoplasty was performed. The branchial cleft was excised through parotidectomy and facial nerve dissection. It should be considered that canal stenosis in such cases can induce cholesteatoma formation in the auditory canal and middle ear.

Comparison of palanosetron, granisetron and ondansetron as anti-emetics for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing middle ear surgery.

PubMed

Basu, Anjana; Saha, Debdas; Hembrom, Bani P; Roy, Amit; Naaz, Anjum

2011-05-01

The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy of palanosetron (0.25 mg), granisetron (3.0 mg) and ondansetron (8.0 mg) used as anti-emetics for the prevention of postoperative nausea/vomiting in patients undergoing middle ear surgery. The study was done among 75 adult patients (age group 30-45 years) of which 50 were males and rest (25) females, all of ASA I and ASA II. The patients were randomly allocated into 3 equal groups: Group I (n = 25) received injection palanosetron (0.25 mg) IV, group II (n = 25) received injection granisetron (3 mg) IV and group III (n = 25) received injection ondansetron (8.0 mg) IV at the end of the surgical procedure. A standard general anaesthesia technique was employed. Emetic episodes and safety assessments were performed during two periods of 0-6 hours in the postanaesthesia care unit and 6-24 hours in the ward after anaesthesia. The incidence of emesis-free patients during the 0-6 hours period was 100% for group I; 72% for group II and 56% for group III. During the 6-24 hours period incidence of emesis-free patients were 96% for group I; 56% for group II and 32% for group III. So to conclude, a single dose of palanosetron (0.25 mg) is a superior anti-emetic to granisetron (3.0 mg) or ondansetron (8.0 mg) in complete prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after middle ear surgery during the first 24 hours period.

Synthesis, structural characterization, and pro-apoptotic activity of 1-indanone thiosemicarbazone platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes: potential as antileukemic agents.

PubMed

Gómez, Natalia; Santos, Diego; Vázquez, Ramiro; Suescun, Leopoldo; Mombrú, Alvaro; Vermeulen, Monica; Finkielsztein, Liliana; Shayo, Carina; Moglioni, Albertina; Gambino, Dinorah; Davio, Carlos

2011-08-01

In the search for alternative chemotherapeutic strategies against leukemia, various 1-indanone thiosemicarbazones, as well as eight novel platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes, with the formula [MCl₂(HL)] and [M(HL)(L)]Cl, derived from two 1-indanone thiosemicarbazones were synthesized and tested for antiproliferative activity against the human leukemia U937 cell line. The crystal structure of [Pt(HL1)(L1)]Cl·2MeOH, where L1=1-indanone thiosemicarbazone, was solved by X-ray diffraction. Free thiosemicarbazone ligands showed no antiproliferative effect, but the corresponding platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. Platinum(II) complexes also displayed selective apoptotic activity in U937 cells but not in peripheral blood monocytes or the human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell line used to screen for potential hepatotoxicity. Present findings show that, in U937 cells, 1-indanone thiosemicarbazones coordinated to palladium(II) were more cytotoxic than those complexed with platinum(II), although the latter were found to be more selective for leukemic cells suggesting that they are promising compounds with potential therapeutic application against hematological malignancies. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Roles of autolysin and pneumolysin in middle ear inflammation caused by a type 3 Streptococcus pneumoniae strain in the chinchilla otitis media model.

PubMed Central

Sato, K; Quartey, M K; Liebeler, C L; Le, C T; Giebink, G S

1996-01-01

Streptococcus pneumoniae cell wall and pneumolysin are important contributors to pneumococcal pathogenicity in some animal models. To further explore these factors in middle ear inflammation caused by pneumococci, penicillin-induced inflammatory acceleration was studied by using three closely related pneumococcal strains: a wild-type 3 strain (WT3), its pneumolysin-negative derivative (P-1), and into autolysin-negative derivative (A-1). Both middle ears of chinchillas were inoculated with one of the three pneumococcal strains. During the first 12 h, all three strains grew in vivo at the same rate, and all three strains induced similar inflammatory cell responses in middle ear fluid (MEF). Procaine penicillin G was given as 12 h to one-half of the animals in each group, and all treated chinchillas had sterile MEF at 24 h. Penicillin significantly accelerated MEF inflammatory cell influx into WT3-and P-1-infected ears at 18 and 24 h in comparison with the rate for penicillin-treated A-1-infected ears. Inflammatory cell influx was slightly, but not significantly, greater after treatment of WT3 infection than after treatment of P-1 infection. Interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6, but not IL-8, concentrations in MEF at 24 h reflected the penicillin effect on MEF inflammatory cells; however, differences between treatment groups were not significant. Results suggest that pneumococcal otitis media pathogenesis is triggered principally by the inflammatory effects of intact and lytic cell wall products in the middle ear, with at most a modes additional pneumolysin effect. Investigation strategies that limit the release of these products or neutralize them warrant further investigation. PMID:8606070

Ear Plastic Surgery

MedlinePlus

... Humanitarian Efforts International Outreach Advocacy Board of Governors Industry Programs Professional Development Home AcademyU Home Study Course Maintenance of Certification Conferences & Events Practice Management Home Resources ...

Better Ear Health

MedlinePlus

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Anti-inflammatory activity of Heliotropium strigosum in animal models.

PubMed

Khan, Haroon; Khan, Murad Ali; Gul, Farah; Hussain, Sajjid; Ashraf, Nadeem

2015-12-01

The current project was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of crude extract of Heliotropium strigosum and its subsequent solvent fractions in post carrageenan-induced edema and post xylene-induced ear edema at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg intraperitoneally. The results revealed marked attenuation of edema induced by carrageenan injection in a dose-dependent manner. The ethyl acetate fraction was most dominant with 73.33% inhibition followed by hexane fraction (70.66%). When the extracts were challenged against xylene-induced ear edema, again ethyl acetate and hexane fractions were most impressive with 38.21 and 35.77% inhibition, respectively. It is concluded that various extracts of H. strigosum possessed strong anti-inflammatory activity in animal models. © The Author(s) 2012.

Murine CMV-Induced Hearing Loss Is Associated with Inner Ear Inflammation and Loss of Spiral Ganglia Neurons

PubMed Central

Golemac, Mijo; Pugel, Ester Pernjak; Jonjic, Stipan; Britt, William J.

2015-01-01

Congenital human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) occurs in 0.5–1% of live births and approximately 10% of infected infants develop hearing loss. The mechanism(s) of hearing loss remain unknown. We developed a murine model of CMV induced hearing loss in which murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection of newborn mice leads to hematogenous spread of virus to the inner ear, induction of inflammatory responses, and hearing loss. Characteristics of the hearing loss described in infants with congenital HCMV infection were observed including, delayed onset, progressive hearing loss, and unilateral hearing loss in this model and, these characteristics were viral inoculum dependent. Viral antigens were present in the inner ear as were CD3+ mononuclear cells in the spiral ganglion and stria vascularis. Spiral ganglion neuron density was decreased after infection, thus providing a mechanism for hearing loss. The lack of significant inner ear histopathology and persistence of inflammation in cochlea of mice with hearing loss raised the possibility that inflammation was a major component of the mechanism(s) of hearing loss in MCMV infected mice. PMID:25875183

Evaluation of plasma fibrinogen concentration as a diagnostic indicator of inflammation in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans).

PubMed

Moore, A Russell; Allender, Matthew C; Mitchell, Mark A; MacNeill, Amy L

2015-01-15

To critically evaluate plasma fibrinogen concentration as a diagnostic indicator of inflammation in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). Prospective induced-disease model and prospective cross-sectional study. Plasma samples from 12 purpose-bred red-eared sliders and 153 farm-raised red-eared sliders. A modification of the Jacobsson method was developed to measure fibrinogen concentration in platelet-poor plasma from red-eared sliders. Purpose-bred turtles had been inoculated with a ranavirus (n = 4) or sterile PBS solution (8) as part of another study. Farm-raised red-eared sliders were categorized as healthy (n = 138) or overtly ill (15) on the basis of physical examination findings at the time of blood sample collection. Samples from 124 of the 138 healthy red-eared sliders were used to establish a fibrinogen concentration reference interval as measured by the modified Jacobsson method. Fibrinogen concentrations in ranavirus-infected and physically ill turtles were compared with those of healthy turtles to determine whether fibrinogen concentration would be a useful diagnostic indicator of inflammation in red-eared sliders. The modified Jacobsson method was reliably used to measure fibrinogen concentration. The fibrinogen concentration reference interval from healthy reproductively active female red-eared sliders was right skewed. Fibrinogen concentration did not differ significantly between healthy red-eared sliders and ranavirus-infected or overtly ill red-eared sliders. A reference interval for red-eared slider plasma fibrinogen concentration was established and partitioned by sex to account for considerable right skewing observed for females. Fibrinogen concentration was not a useful indicator of inflammation in red-eared sliders with ranavirus infection or other overt illnesses.

Isotopic studies of the late Archean plutonic rocks of the Wind River Range, Wyoming.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stuckless, J.S.; Hedge, C.E.; Worl, R.G.; Simmons, K.R.; Nkomo, I.T.; Wenner, D.B.

1985-01-01

Two late Archaean intrusive events were documented in the Wind River Range by isotopic studies of the Rb-Sr and U-Th-Pb systems in whole-rock samples and the U-Pb systematics for zircon. An age of approx 2630(20) m.y. for the Louis Lake batholith and apparent ages of 2504(40) to 2575(50) m.y. for the Bear Ears pluton were obtained. Post-magmatic hydrothermal events approximately Tertiary in age, lowered delta 18O values and disturbed parent-daughter relationships in most of the isotopic systems investigated. The two intrusive units apparently were derived from different protoliths. Initial isotopic ratios and petrochemistry for the Louis Lake batholith are consistent with an early Archaean trondhjemitic to tonalitic source. The protolith for the Bear Ears pluton must have been subjected to high-grade metamorphism that caused loss of Rb and U prior to magma generation. -L.C.H.

Reducing the Effect of Transducer Mount Induced Noise on Aeroacoustic Wind Tunnel Testing Data with a New Transducer Mount Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herron, Andrew J.; Reed, Darren K.; Nance, Donald K.

2015-01-01

Flight vehicle aeroacoustic environments induced during transonic and supersonic flight are usually predicted by subscale wind tunnel testing utilizing high frequency miniature pressure transducers. In order to minimize noise induced by the measurement itself, transducer flush mounting with the model surface is very important. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has accomplished flushness in recent testing campaigns via use of a transducer holder that can be machined and sanded. A single hole in the holder allows the flow medium to interact with the transducer diaphragm. Noise is induced by the resulting cavity however, and is a challenge to remove in post-processing. A new holder design has been developed that minimizes the effects of this transducer mount induced noise (XMIN) by reducing the resonance amplitude or increasing its resonance frequency beyond the range of interest. This paper describes a test conducted at the NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center Trisonic Wind Tunnel intended to verify the effectiveness of this design. The results from this test show that this new transducer holder design does significantly reduce the influence of XMIN on measured fluctuating pressure levels without degrading a transducer's ability to accurately measure the noise external to the model.

Effect of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on vestibular system after gentamicin ototoxicity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rhee, ChungKu; Hyun, Jai-Hwan; Suh, Myung-Whan; Ahn, Jin Chul; Jung, Jae Yun

2013-03-01

Aim: To develop a bilateral vestibulopathy animal model induced by gentamicin using RS rat and to see the effect of LLLT on this bilateral vestibulopathy model. Method: RS rats were divided into 3 groups, control group (C), laser group (L), and histology group (H). All animals in the 3 groups received gentamicin (GM) 110 mg/kg, intravenously once daily for 3 days. The animals underwent sinusoidal oscillation about a vertical axis before the GM injection, 1, 3, and 7 days post injections. Transcanal low level laser therapy (LLLT) was irradiated to left ear canal for 7 days, starting 1 day post the GM injection. The H group animals were irradiated into the left ear of L group for 3 days, starting 1 day post GM injections for 3 days. C and L groups were sacrifice on 9th day and H group was sacrificed on 7th day. Results: The gain of the C group was significantly decreased in 3 and 7 days. The gain of the right ear of L group was decreased significantly in 3 and 7 days. The gain of left ear of L group was decreased in 3 days post LLLT but the decreased gain was improved significantly comparing to the level of 7 days gain of right ear and it was much closer to the pre-GM level. The average number of cells in cupula of H group after laser treatment for 3 days was significantly lower in non laser treated right ear comparing to the laser treated left ear and ears of the normal rats. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that LLLT restores vestibular function and vestibular hair cells in rats post gentamicin induced ototoxic damage. LLLT may have clinical implications in the treatment of various vestibular dysfunction. Further studies are essential to verify the exact mechanisms and the most effective application of LLLT to rescue vestibular dysfunction.

Ear Infection and Vaccines

MedlinePlus

... Humanitarian Efforts International Outreach Advocacy Board of Governors Industry Programs Professional Development Home AcademyU Home Study Course Maintenance of Certification Conferences & Events Practice Management Home Resources ...

How the Ear Works

MedlinePlus

... Humanitarian Efforts International Outreach Advocacy Board of Governors Industry Programs Professional Development Home AcademyU Home Study Course Maintenance of Certification Conferences & Events Practice Management Home Resources ...

Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease

MedlinePlus

... Humanitarian Efforts International Outreach Advocacy Board of Governors Industry Programs Professional Development Home AcademyU Home Study Course Maintenance of Certification Conferences & Events Practice Management Home Resources ...

78 FR 9359 - Order Renewing Order Temporarily Denying Export Privileges and Making That Temporary Denial of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-08

... by the EAR by knowingly re- exporting to Iran three U.S.-origin aircraft, specifically Boeing 747s... that Mahan Airways was involved in the attempted re- export of three additional U.S.-origin Boeing 747s... and the TDO when it negotiated for and acquired an additional U.S.-origin aircraft. The additional...

Variable-Volume Flushing (V-VF) device for water conservation in toilets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jasper, Louis J., Jr.

1993-01-01

Thirty five percent of residential indoor water used is flushed down the toilet. Five out of six flushes are for liquid waste only, which requires only a fraction of the water needed for solid waste. Designers of current low-flush toilets (3.5-gal. flush) and ultra-low-flush toilets (1.5-gal. flush) did not consider the vastly reduced amount of water needed to flush liquid waste versus solid waste. Consequently, these toilets are less practical than desired and can be improved upon for water conservation. This paper describes a variable-volume flushing (V-VF) device that is more reliable than the currently used flushing devices (it will not leak), is simple, more economical, and more water conserving (allowing one to choose the amount of water to use for flushing solid and liquid waste).

Limited hair cell induction from human induced pluripotent stem cells using a simple stepwise method.

PubMed

Ohnishi, Hiroe; Skerleva, Desislava; Kitajiri, Shin-ichiro; Sakamoto, Tatsunori; Yamamoto, Norio; Ito, Juichi; Nakagawa, Takayuki

2015-07-10

Disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) cells are expected to contribute to exploring useful tools for studying the pathophysiology of inner ear diseases and to drug discovery for treating inner ear diseases. For this purpose, stable induction methods for the differentiation of human iPS cells into inner ear hair cells are required. In the present study, we examined the efficacy of a simple induction method for inducing the differentiation of human iPS cells into hair cells. The induction of inner ear hair cell-like cells was performed using a stepwise method mimicking inner ear development. Human iPS cells were sequentially transformed into the preplacodal ectoderm, otic placode, and hair cell-like cells. As a first step, preplacodal ectoderm induction, human iPS cells were seeded on a Matrigel-coated plate and cultured in a serum free N2/B27 medium for 8 days according to a previous study that demonstrated spontaneous differentiation of human ES cells into the preplacodal ectoderm. As the second step, the cells after preplacodal ectoderm induction were treated with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for induction of differentiation into otic-placode-like cells for 15 days. As the final step, cultured cells were incubated in a serum free medium containing Matrigel for 48 days. After preplacodal ectoderm induction, over 90% of cultured cells expressed the genes that express in preplacodal ectoderm. By culture with bFGF, otic placode marker-positive cells were obtained, although their number was limited. Further 48-day culture in serum free media resulted in the induction of hair cell-like cells, which expressed a hair cell marker and had stereocilia bundle-like constructions on their apical surface. Our results indicate that hair cell-like cells are induced from human iPS cells using a simple stepwise method with only bFGF, without the use of xenogeneic cells. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The ethanol extract of Leonurus sibiricus L. induces antioxidant, antinociceptive and topical anti-inflammatory effects.

PubMed

Oliveira, Alan Santos; Cercato, Luana Mendonça; de Santana Souza, Marília Trindade; Melo, Allan John de Oliveira; Lima, Bruno Dos Santos; Duarte, Marcelo Cavalcante; Araujo, Adriano Antunes de Souza; de Oliveira E Silva, Ana Mara; Camargo, Enilton Aparecido

2017-07-12

Leonurus sibiricus L. (Lamiaceae), popularly known as motherwort, or "erva-de-macaé" or "rubim" in Brazil, is a plant used for the treatment of inflammatory conditions, but few studies have evaluated this anti-inflammatory activity or other activities that may be relevant. This study was undertaken to investigate the antioxidant, antinociceptive and topical anti-inflammatory effects of the ethanol extract of L. sibiricus (EELs). Chromatographic analysis, determination of total phenolic and flavonoid contents and in vitro antioxidant assays were performed, while the formalin test and ear inflammation induced by 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) were performed in mice. We observed that total phenolic and flavonoids content in EELs were respectively 60.1mg of gallic acid equivalent/g of extract and 15.4mg of catechin equivalent/g of extract. Chlorogenic, caffeic, p-coumaric and ferulic acids, as well as quercetin were identified in EELs. This extract also led to the consumption of the radicals 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and nitric oxide, increased the ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) and inhibited the spontaneous or FeSO 4 -induced in vitro lipid peroxidation. In the formalin test, oral pretreatment with EELs (400mg/kg) reduced (p<0.001) the licking/biting time in the second phase, but not in the first phase. In the ear inflammation induced by TPA, the concomitant topical administration of EELs (0.3-3mg/ear) significantly reduced the edema, myeloperoxidase activity, levels of tumoral necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β and lipoperoxidation, as well as increased FRAP in ear tissue when compared to vehicle-treated ears. These results indicate that EELs has antioxidant, antinociceptive and topical anti-inflammatory activities, supporting the use of this plant in folk medicine. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ear malformations, hearing loss and hearing rehabilitation in children with Treacher Collins syndrome.

PubMed

Rosa, Francisco; Coutinho, Miguel Bebiano; Ferreira, João Pinto; Sousa, Cecilia Almeida

2016-01-01

The aim of this study was to assess the main ear malformations, hearing loss and auditory rehabilitation in children with Treacher Collins syndrome. We performed a retrospective study of 9 children with Treacher Collins syndrome treated in a central hospital between January 2003 and January 2013. This study showed a high incidence of malformations of the outer and middle ear, such as microtia, atresia or stenosis of the external auditory canal, hypoplastic middle ear cavity, dysmorphic or missing ossicular chain. Most patients had bilateral hearing loss of moderate or high degree. In the individuals studied, there was functional improvement in patients with bone-anchored hearing aids in relation to conventional hearing aids by bone conduction. Treacher Collins syndrome is characterized by bilateral malformations of the outer and middle ear. Hearing rehabilitation in these children is of utmost importance, and bone-anchored hearing aids is the method of choice. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier España, S.L.U. y Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología y Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello. All rights reserved.

15 CFR 748.15 - Authorization Validated End-User (VEU).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

..., Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW... People's Republic of China. (2) India. (c) Item restrictions. Items controlled under the EAR for missile... Services, Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue...

78 FR 20638 - Petitions to Revise General Permit for U.S. Navy to Transport Vessels for the Purpose of Sinking...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-05

... a screw driver. --Drain and flush hydraulic equipment, heat transfer equipment, high/low pressure... insulation; and other non-liquid coatings and material, before sinking the vessel.'' To the extent that their... must be removed by heat, chemical stripping, scraping, abrasive blasting or similar process, or if...

A new 3D finite element model of the IEC 60318-1 artificial ear: II. Experimental and numerical validation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bravo, Agustín; Barham, Richard; Ruiz, Mariano; López, Juan Manuel; De Arcas, Guillermo; Alonso, Jesus

2012-12-01

In part I, the feasibility of using three-dimensional (3D) finite elements (FEs) to model the acoustic behaviour of the IEC 60318-1 artificial ear was studied and the numerical approach compared with classical lumped elements modelling. It was shown that by using a more complex acoustic model that took account of thermo-viscous effects, geometric shapes and dimensions, it was possible to develop a realistic model. This model then had clear advantages in comparison with the models based on equivalent circuits using lumped parameters. In fact results from FE modelling produce a better understanding about the physical phenomena produced inside ear simulator couplers, facilitating spatial and temporal visualization of the sound fields produced. The objective of this study (part II) is to extend the investigation by validating the numerical calculations against measurements on an ear simulator conforming to IEC 60318-1. For this purpose, an appropriate commercially available device is taken and a complete 3D FE model developed for it. The numerical model is based on key dimensional data obtained with a non-destructive x-ray inspection technique. Measurements of the acoustic transfer impedance have been carried out on the same device at a national measurement institute using the method embodied in IEC 60318-1. Having accounted for the actual device dimensions, the thermo-viscous effects inside narrow slots and holes and environmental conditions, the results of the numerical modelling were found to be in good agreement with the measured values.

Reducing the Effect of Transducer Mount Induced Noise (XMIN) on Aeroacoustic Wind Tunnel Testing Data with a New Transducer Mount Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herron, Andrew J.; Reed, Darren K.; Nance, Donald K.

2015-01-01

Characterization of flight vehicle unsteady aerodynamics is often studied via large scale wind tunnel testing. Boundary layer noise is measured by miniature pressure transducers installed in a model. Noise levels (2-5 dB ref. 20 µPa) can be induced when transducer is mounted out of flush with model outer surface. This effect must be minimized to accurately determine aerodynamically induced acoustic environments.

An ear punch model for studying the effect of radiation on wound healing

PubMed Central

DeOLIVEIRA, DIVINO; JIAO, YIQUN; ROSS, JOEL R.; CORBIN, KAYLA; XIAO, QIZHEN; TONCHEVA, GRETA; ANDERSON-EVANS, COLIN; YOSHIZUMI, TERRY T.; CHEN, BENNY J.; CHAO, NELSON J.

2011-01-01

Purpose Radiation and wound combined injury represents a major clinical challenge because of the synergistic interactions that lead to higher morbidity and mortality than either insult would produce singly. The purpose of this study was to develop a mouse ear punch model to study the physiological mechanisms underlying radiation effects on healing wounds. Materials and methods Surgical wounds were induced by a 2 mm surgical punch in the ear pinnae of MRL/MpJ mice. Photographs of the wounds were taken and the sizes of the ear punch wounds were quantified by image analysis. Local radiation to the ear was delivered by orthovoltage X-ray irradiator using a specially constructed jig that shields the other parts of body. Results Using this model, we demonstrated that local radiation to the wound area significantly delayed the healing of ear punch wounds in a dose-dependent fashion. The addition of sublethal whole body irradiation (7 Gy) further delayed the healing of ear punch wounds. These results were replicated in C57BL/6 mice; however, wound healing in MRL/MpJ mice was accelerated. Conclusions These data indicate that the mouse ear punch model is a valuable model to study radiation and wound combined injury. PMID:21480768

Effects of obstructive sleep apnea surgery on middle ear function.

PubMed

Lin, Hsin-Ching; Friedman, Michael; Chang, Hsueh-Wen; Shao, Chi-Hsin; Pulver, Tanya M; Chen, Yung-Che

2011-04-01

To study the effect of Z-palatopharyngoplasty plus radiofrequency of the base of the tongue on middle ear function. A retrospective review of a prospective data set at a tertiary care center. University-affiliated medical center. The study population included 47 patients (42 men and 5 women; mean age, 40.8 years) who underwent Z-palatopharyngoplasty plus radiofrequency of the base of the tongue for obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome. All patients had healthy eardrums and no previous history of chronic ear disease. Pure-tone audiometric and tympanometric assessments were performed preoperatively and at 3 days, 7 days, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively. Levels of baseline and postoperative middle ear pressure were compared. Twelve patients (26%) reported otologic concerns, such as ear pressure and/or otalgia, within 1 week postoperatively. No permanent otologic discomfort occurred. A trend toward reduced middle ear pressure was noted in this study. The decrease in middle ear pressure became apparent on day 3. However, mean pressure changes were no longer significantly different than preoperative values by 1 week after surgery. We found that Z-palatopharyngoplasty plus radiofrequency of the base of the tongue for obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome induces changes in middle ear function. However, the changes were temporary and not significant after 3 months of follow-up.

Lack of TAK1 in dendritic cells inhibits the contact hypersensitivity response induced by trichloroethylene in local lymph node assay

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yao, Pan; Hongqian, Chu; Qinghe, Meng

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant. Occupational TCE exposure has been associated with severe, generalized contact hypersensitivity (CHS) skin disorder. The development of CHS depends on innate and adaptive immune functions. Transforming growth factor-β activated kinase-1 (TAK1) controls the survival of dendritic cells (DCs) that affect the immune system homeostasis. We aimed to investigate the role of TAK1 activity in DC on TCE-induced CHS response. Control mice and DC-specific TAK1 deletion mice were treated with 80% (v/v) TCE using local lymph node assay (LLNA) to establish a TCE-induced CHS model. The draining lymph nodes (DLNs) were excised and themore » lymphocytes were measure for proliferation by BrdU-ELISA, T-cell phenotype analysis by flow cytometry and signaling pathway activation by western blot. The ears were harvested for histopathological analysis. Control mice in the 80% TCE group displayed an inflammatory response in the ears, increased lymphocyte proliferation, elevated regulatory T-cell and activated T-cell percentages, and more IFN-γ producing CD8{sup +} T cells in DLNs. In contrast to control mice, DC-specific TAK1 deletion mice in the 80% TCE group showed an abolished CHS response and this was associated with defective T-cell expansion, activation and IFN-γ production. This effect may occur through Jnk and NF-κB signaling pathways. Overall, this study demonstrates a pivotal role of TAK1 in DCs in controlling TCE-induced CHS response and suggests that targeting TAK1 function in DCs may be a viable approach to preventing and treating TCE-related occupational health hazards. - Highlights: • Lack of TAK1 in DC caused an abolished TCE-induced CHS response. • TAK1 in DCs was essential to maintain the homeostasis of T cells in TCE-induced CHS. • Intact TAK1 in DCs was critical to promote T-cell priming in TCE-induced CHS. • DC-specific TAK1 deficiency abolished the TCE-mediated phosphorylation of Jnk.« less

Pathogenesis of middle ear cholesteatoma: a new model of experimentally induced cholesteatoma in Mongolian gerbils.

PubMed

Yamamoto-Fukuda, Tomomi; Hishikawa, Yoshitaka; Shibata, Yasuaki; Kobayashi, Toshimitsu; Takahashi, Haruo; Koji, Takehiko

2010-06-01

Middle ear cholesteatoma is characterized by enhanced proliferation of epithelial cells with aberrant morphological characteristics. To investigate the origin of the cholesteatoma cells, we analyzed spontaneously occurring cholesteatomas associated with a new transplantation model in Mongolian gerbils (gerbils). Cholesteatomas were induced in gerbils with a transplanted tympanic membrane by using the external auditory canal (EAC) ligation method. After the pars flaccida of the tympanic membranes were completely removed from male gerbils, corresponding portions of tympanic membranes of female gerbils were transplanted to the area of defect, and then we ligated the EAC (hybrid-model group). As a control group, the EAC of normal male and female gerbils was ligated without myringoplasty. In all ears of each group, the induced cholesteatomas were seen. In situ PCR was then performed to detect the mouse X chromosome-linked phosphoglycerate kinase-1 (pgk-1) gene on the paraffin sections. One pgk-1 spot in the epithelial nuclei was detected in male cholesteatoma, and two pgk-1 spots were detected in female cholesteatoma, respectively. On the other hand, in the hybrid-model group, we detected not only one but also two pgk-1 spots in the epithelial nuclei of cholesteatoma. These results strengthened the evidence that the origin of epithelial cells in cholesteatoma is the tympanic membrane in this model, but not the residential middle ear epithelial cells or the skin of the EAC.

Functionality of a maize chitinase potentially involved in ear rot pathogen resistance

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Chitinases are thought to play a role in plant resistance to fungal pathogens by degrading the fungal cell wall, but few have been investigated to any great extent. The gene for a maize (Zea mays) chitinase “chitinase 2” previously reported to be induced by two ear rot pathogens in infected tissues ...

Bone conduction responses of middle ear structures in Thiel embalmed heads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arnold, Andreas; Stieger, Christof; Caversaccio, Marco; Kompis, Martin; Guignard, Jérémie

2015-12-01

Thiel-embalmed human whole-head specimens offer a promising alternative model for bone conduction (BC) studies of middle ear structures. In this work we present the Thiel model's linearity and stability over time as well as its possible use in the study of a fixed ossicle chain. Using laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV), the motion of the retroauricular skull, the promontory, the stapes footplate and the round window (RW) were measured. A bone-anchored hearing aid stimulated the ears with step sinus tones logarithmically spread between 0.1 and 10 kHz. Linearity of the model was verified using input levels in steps of 10 dBV. The stability of the Thiel model over time was examined with measurements repeated after hours and weeks. The influence of a cement-fixed stapes was assessed. The middle ear elements measured responded linearly in amplitude for the applied input levels (100, 32.6, and 10 mV). The variability of measurements for both short- (2 h) and long-term (4-16 weeks) repetitions in the same ear was lower than the interindividual difference. The fixation of the stapes induced a lowered RW displacement for frequencies near 750 Hz (-4 dB) and an increased displacement for frequencies above 1 kHz (max. +3.7 dB at 4 kHz). LDV assessment of BC-induced middle ear motion in Thiel heads can be performed with stable results. The vibratory RW response is affected by the fixation of the stapes, indicating a measurable effect of ossicle chain inertia on BC response in Thiel embalmed heads.

Middle Ear Infection (Chronic Otitis Media) and Hearing Loss

MedlinePlus

... Programs Professional Development Home AcademyU Home Study Course Maintenance of Certification Conferences & Events Practice Management Home Resources Quality Clinical Data Registry Research Reimbursement ...

Age and paragenesis of mineralisation at Coronation Hill uranium deposit, Northern Territory, Australia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orth, Karin; Meffre, Sebastien; Davidson, Garry

2014-06-01

Coronation Hill is a U + Au + platinum group elements deposit in the South Alligator Valley (SAV) field in northern Australia, south of the better known unconformity-style U East Alligator Rivers (EAR) field. The SAV field differs from the EAR by having a more complex basin-basement architecture. A volcanically active fault trough (Jawoyn Sub-basin) developed on older basement and then was disrupted by renewed faulting, before being buried beneath regional McArthur Basin sandstones that are also the main hanging wall to the EAR deposits. Primary mineralisation at Coronation Hill formed at 1607 ± 26 Ma (rather than 600-900 Ma as previously thought), and so it is likely that the SAV was part of a single west McArthur Basin dilational event. Most ore is hosted in sub-vertical faults and breccias in the competent volcanic cover sequence. This favoured fluid mixing, acid buffering (forming illite) and oxidation of Fe2+ and reduced C-rich assemblages as important uranium depositional mechanisms. However, reduction of U in fractured older pyrite (Pb model age of 1833 ± 67 Ma) is an important trap in diorite. Some primary ore was remobilised at 675 ± 21 Ma to form coarse uraninite + Ni-Co pyrite networks containing radiogenic Pb. Coronation Hill is polymetallic, and in this respect resembles the `egress'-style U deposits in the Athabascan Basin (Canada). However, these are all cover-hosted. A hypothesis for further testing is that Coronation Hill is also egress-style, with ores formed by fluids rising through basement-hosted fault networks (U reduction by diorite pyrite and carbonaceous shale), and into veins and breccias in the overlying Jawoyn Sub-basin volcano-sedimentary succession.

[Effects on hearing due to the occupational noise exposure of marble industry workers in the Federal District, Brazil].

PubMed

Harger, Marília Rabelo Holanda Camarano; Barbosa-Branco, Anadergh

2004-01-01

To evaluate the prevalence of hearing loss, its degree and type, among workers in the marble industry in the Brazilian Federal District (FD). Workers from eight marble industries in the FD were evaluated by means of a cross sectional epidemiological study. An audiometry screening test (air conduction) was performed. Workers with hearing loss were submitted to liminal tonal audiometry air & bone conduction and speech audiometry tests using an audiometer AD-28 (Interacoustics). All subjects studied were submitted to a visual inspection of the external acoustic meatus. One hundred and fifty two workers were examined; mean age was 32 years (SD = 8.6); average occupational noise exposure was of 8.3 years (SD = 6.8). Audiometries demonstrated that 48.0% (n = 73) had some type of hearing loss. Among the workers with hearing loss, 50.0% had results compatible with noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL); 41.0% with incipient noise induced hearing loss, 5.0% with sensorineural hearing loss (all except NIHL) and 4.0% with conductive and mixed hearing losses. Among workers with NIHL, 57.1% had bilateral involvement, 17.1% in the right ear and 25.7% in the left ear. Among those with incipient NIHL, 13.9% were bilateral, 19.4% were only in the right ear and 66.7% were only in the left ear. Abnormal audiograms were found in 48.0% of the sample. Among those with hearing loss, the predominant cause was NIHL, followed by those classified as having incipient noise induced hearing loss. Hearing loss usually started at 6 kHz, frequently in the left ear.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase is required for the behavioral desensitization that occurs after repeated injections of angiotensin II

PubMed Central

Vento, Peter J.; Daniels, Derek

2013-01-01

Angiotensin II (AngII) acts on central angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptors to increase water and saline intake. Prolonged exposure to AngII in cell culture models results in a desensitization of the AT1 receptor that is thought to involve receptor internalization, and a behavioral correlate of this desensitization has been shown in rats after repeated central injections of AngII. Specifically, rats given repeated injections of AngII drink less water than controls after a subsequent test injection of AngII. Under the same conditions, however, repeated injections of AngII have no effect on AngII-induced saline intake. Given earlier studies indicating that separate intracellular signaling pathways mediate AngII-induced water and saline intake, we hypothesized that the desensitization observed in rats may be incomplete, leaving the receptor able to activate mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases (ERK1/2), which play a role in AngII-induced saline intake without affecting water intake. In support of this hypothesis, we found no difference in MAP kinase phosphorylation after an AngII test injection in rats given prior treatment with repeated injections of vehicle, AngII, or Sar1,Ile4,Ile8-AngII (SII), an AngII analog that activates MAP kinase without G protein coupling. In addition, we found that pretreatment with the MAP kinase inhibitor U0126 completely blocked the desensitizing effect of repeated AngII injections on water intake. Furthermore, AngII-induced water intake was reduced similarly by repeated injections of AngII or SII. The results suggest that G protein-independent signaling is sufficient to produce behavioral desensitization of the angiotensin system and that the desensitization requires MAP kinase activation. PMID:22581747

Mitogen-activated protein kinase is required for the behavioural desensitization that occurs after repeated injections of angiotensin II.

PubMed

Vento, Peter J; Daniels, Derek

2012-12-01

Angiotensin II (Ang II) acts on central angiotensin type 1 (AT(1)) receptors to increase water and saline intake. Prolonged exposure to Ang II in cell culture models results in a desensitization of the AT(1) receptor that is thought to involve receptor internalization, and a behavioural correlate of this desensitization has been shown in rats after repeated central injections of Ang II. Specifically, rats given repeated injections of Ang II drink less water than control animals after a subsequent test injection of Ang II. In the same conditions, however, repeated injections of Ang II have no effect on Ang II-induced saline intake. Given earlier studies indicating that separate intracellular signalling pathways mediate Ang II-induced water and saline intake, we hypothesized that the desensitization observed in rats may be incomplete, leaving the receptor able to activate mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases (ERK1/2), which play a role in Ang II-induced saline intake without affecting water intake. In support of this hypothesis, we found no difference in MAP kinase phosphorylation after an Ang II test injection in rats given prior treatment with repeated injections of vehicle, Ang II or Sar(1),Ile(4),Ile(8)-Ang II (SII), an Ang II analogue that activates MAP kinase without G protein coupling. In addition, we found that pretreatment with the MAP kinase inhibitor U0126 completely blocked the desensitizing effect of repeated Ang II injections on water intake. Furthermore, Ang II-induced water intake was reduced to a similar extent by repeated injections of Ang II or SII. The results suggest that G protein-independent signalling is sufficient to produce behavioural desensitization of the angiotensin system and that the desensitization requires MAP kinase activation.

Induction of Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Production by Nonanoic Acid and Exacerbation of Allergic Inflammation in Mice

PubMed Central

Yamashita, Saori; Segawa, Ryosuke; Satou, Nozomi; Hiratsuka, Masahiro; Leonard, Warren J.; Hirasawa, Noriyasu

2013-01-01

Background Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) plays critical roles in the induction and exacerbation of allergic diseases. We tested various chemicals in the environment and found that xylene and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene induced the production of TSLP in vivo. These findings prompted us to search for additional chemicals that induce TSLP production. In this study, we examined whether fatty acids could induce the production of TSLP in vivo and exacerbate allergic inflammation. Methods Various fatty acids and related compounds were painted on the ear lobes of mice and the amount of TSLP in the homogenate of ear lobe tissue was determined. The effects of nonanoic acid on allergic inflammation were also examined. Results Octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, and decanoic acid markedly induced TSLP production, while a medium-chain aldehyde and alcohol showed only weak activity. Nonanoic acid induced the production of TSLP with a maximum at 24 h. TSLP production was even observed in nonanoic acid-treated C3H/HeJ mice that lacked functional toll-like receptor 4. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist β-naphthoflavone did not induce TSLP production. Nonanoic acid promoted sensitization to ovalbumin, resulting in an enhancement in the cutaneous anaphylactic response. In addition, painting of nonanoic acid after the sensitization augmented picryl chloride-induced thickening of the ear, which was reversed in TSLP receptor-deficient mice. Conclusion Nonanoic acid and certain fatty acids induced TSLP production, resulting in the exacerbation of allergic inflammation. We propose that TSLP-inducing chemical compounds such as nonanoic acid be recognized as chemical allergo-accelerators. PMID:24060765

[The pharmacodynamic research on fuxiye, a Chinese herbal lotion for external wash].

PubMed

Chen, Xue-Qi; Ge, Bei-Fen; Shen, Wei; Liu, Pei; Cao, Jun-Ming; Chen, Zhe

2013-05-01

To observe antisepsis, anti-swelling, and therapeutic effects of Fuxiye (FXY), a Chinese medical lotion for external wash in treating vaginitis model rats. The cervicitis rat model was induced by agar plate diffusion, ear auricle swelling induced by dimethylbenzene, and chemical stimulus. The in vitro antibiotic actions of FXY were observed. Besides, its effects on the swelling and inflammation in model rats were also observed. FXY at 25 mg/mL could completely inhibit the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, pyogenic Streptococcus, and Streptococcus agalactiae. FXY at 50 mg/mL could completely inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. It obviously restrained dimethylbenzene induced ear auricle swelling. It significantly alleviated cervicitis induced by chemical stiumli. FXY showed better effects on antisepsis, anti-inflammation, and treating cervicitis.

IN VIVO ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS OF TARAXASTEROL AGAINST ANIMAL MODELS

PubMed Central

Wang, Ying; Li, Guan-Hao; Liu, Xin-Yu; Xu, Lu; Wang, Sha-Sha; Zhang, Xue-Mei

2017-01-01

Background: Traditional Chinese medicine Taraxacum officinale has been widely used to treat various inflammatory diseases. Taraxasterol is one of the main active components isolated from Taraxacum officinale. Recently, we have demonstrated that taraxasterol has the in vitro anti-inflammatory effects. This study aims to determine the in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of taraxasterol against animal models. Materials and Methods: Anti-inflammatory effects were assessed in four animal models by using dimethylbenzene-induced mouse ear edema, carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, acetic acid-induced mouse vascular permeability and cotton pellet-induced rat granuloma tests. Results: Our results demonstrated that taraxasterol dose-dependently attenuated dimethylbenzene-induced mouse ear edema and carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, decreased acetic acid-induced mouse vascular permeability and inhibited cotton pellet-induced rat granuloma formation. Conclusion: Our finding indicates that taraxasterol has obvious in vivo anti-inflammatory effects against animal models. It will provide experimental evidences for the traditional use of Taraxacum officinale and taraxasterol in inflammatory diseases. PMID:28480383

The educational potential of alcohol-related flushing among Chinese young people

PubMed Central

Shell, Duane F.; Huang, Zhaoqing; Qian, Ling

2015-01-01

Aim: This paper describes Chinese university students' understanding of the meaning of the alcohol-related flushing response and how they reacted to their own and someone else's flushing in a group drinking situation. Method: The researcher surveyed 530 Chinese university students about their understanding of flushing and their perception of how people respond to a person who visibly flushes while drinking alcohol. Findings: Most students did not know about the physiological cause of flushing. There were significant gender differences in both reactions to and perception of responses to a person who flushes. There was no direct relationship between flushing and drinking behaviour. Conclusions: This description of flushing behaviour and responses to a flushing person is discussed in terms of educational opportunities to change behaviours that could reduce the cancer related risks of this visibly at-risk group. PMID:25983401

The Tympanic Membrane Motion in Forward and Reverse Middle-Ear Sound Transmission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Jeffrey Tao; Harrington, Ellery; Horwitz, Rachelle; Furlong, Cosme; Rosowski, John J.

2011-11-01

Sound-induced displacement of the tympanic membrane (TM) is the first stage in the forward transformation of environmental sound to sound within the inner ear, while displacement of the TM induced by mechanical motions of the ossicular chain is the last stage in the reverse transformation of sound generated within the inner ear to clinically valuable otoacoustic emissions (OAEs). In this study, we use stroboscopic holographic interferometry to study motions of the human cadaveric TM evoked by both forward and reverse stimuli. During forward acoustic stimulation, pure tones from 500 to 10000 Hz are used to stimulate the TM, while reverse stimulation is produced by direct mechanical stimulation of the ossicular chain. The TM surface motions in response to both forward and reverse stimuli show differences and similarities, including the modal motion patterns at specific frequencies as well as the presence and directions of traveling waves on the TM surface.

Saline Flush After Rocuronium Bolus Reduces Onset Time and Prolongs Duration of Effect: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PubMed

Ishigaki, Sayaka; Masui, Kenichi; Kazama, Tomiei

2016-03-01

Circulatory factors modify the onset time of neuromuscular-blocking drugs. Therefore, we hypothesized that infusion of a saline flush immediately after rocuronium administration would shorten the onset time without influencing the duration of the rocuronium effect. Forty-eight patients were randomly allocated to the control or saline flush group. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol and remifentanil, and all patients received 0.6 mg/kg rocuronium in 10 mL of normal saline. In the saline flush group, 20 mL normal saline was immediately infused after rocuronium administration. Neuromuscular blockade was assessed using acceleromyography at the adductor pollicis muscle with train-of-four (TOF) stimulation. The neuromuscular indices for rocuronium were calculated as follows: the latent onset time, defined as the time from the start of rocuronium infusion until first occurrence of depression of the first twitch of the TOF (T1) ≥5%; onset time, defined as the time from the start of rocuronium infusion until first occurrence of depression of the T1 ≥95%; clinical duration, defined as the time from the start of rocuronium administration until T1 recovered to 25% of the final T1 value; recovery index, defined as the time for recovery of T1 from 25% to 75% of the final T1 value; and the total recovery time, defined as the time from the start of rocuronium administration until reaching a TOF ratio of 0.9. Significance was designated at P <0.05. The measured latent onset time and onset time were significantly shorter in the saline flush group than the control group by 15 seconds (95.2% confidence interval, 0-15, P = 0.007) and 15 seconds (0-30, P = 0.018), respectively. Saline flush significantly depressed the T1 height at 30, 45, and 60 seconds after the rocuronium bolus by 17%, 24%, and 14%, respectively. In addition, the recovery phase was significantly prolonged in the saline flush group. The mean clinical duration (5th-95th percentile range) in the saline flush group and control group was 35 minutes (27-63 minutes) and 31 minutes (19-48 minutes; P = 0.032), respectively; the recovery index was 13 minutes (8-25 minutes) and 10 minutes (7-19 minutes; P = 0.019), respectively; and the total recovery time was 61 minutes (44-108 minutes) and 50 minutes (35-93 minutes; P = 0.048), respectively. Administering a 20-mL saline flush immediately after infusion of 0.6 mg/kg rocuronium in 10 mL normal saline shortened the onset time and prolonged the recovery phase of neuromuscular blockade.

Influenza-Induced Inflammation Drives Pneumococcal Otitis Media

PubMed Central

Reading, Patrick C.; Brown, Lorena E.; Pedersen, John; Gilbertson, Brad; Job, Emma R.; Edenborough, Kathryn M.; Habets, Marrit N.; Zomer, Aldert; Hermans, Peter W. M.; Diavatopoulos, Dimitri A.; Wijburg, Odilia L.

2013-01-01

Influenza A virus (IAV) predisposes individuals to secondary infections with the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus). Infections may manifest as pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis, or otitis media (OM). It remains controversial as to whether secondary pneumococcal disease is due to the induction of an aberrant immune response or IAV-induced immunosuppression. Moreover, as the majority of studies have been performed in the context of pneumococcal pneumonia, it remains unclear how far these findings can be extrapolated to other pneumococcal disease phenotypes such as OM. Here, we used an infant mouse model, human middle ear epithelial cells, and a series of reverse-engineered influenza viruses to investigate how IAV promotes bacterial OM. Our data suggest that the influenza virus HA facilitates disease by inducing a proinflammatory response in the middle ear cavity in a replication-dependent manner. Importantly, our findings suggest that it is the inflammatory response to IAV infection that mediates pneumococcal replication. This study thus provides the first evidence that inflammation drives pneumococcal replication in the middle ear cavity, which may have important implications for the treatment of pneumococcal OM. PMID:23319557

Vinpocetine Inhibits Streptococcus pneumoniae–Induced Upregulation of Mucin MUC5AC Expression via Induction of MKP-1 Phosphatase in the Pathogenesis of Otitis Media

PubMed Central

Lee, Ji-Yun; Komatsu, Kensei; Lee, Byung-Cheol; Miyata, Masanori; O’Neill Bohn, Ashley; Xu, Haidong

2015-01-01

Mucin overproduction is a hallmark of otitis media (OM). Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the most common bacterial pathogens causing OM. Mucin MUC5AC plays an important role in mucociliary clearance of bacterial pathogens. However, if uncontrolled, excessive mucus contributes significantly to conductive hearing loss. Currently, there is a lack of effective therapeutic agents that suppress mucus overproduction. In this study, we show that a currently existing antistroke drug, vinpocetine, a derivative of the alkaloid vincamine, inhibited S. pneumoniae–induced mucin MUC5AC upregulation in cultured middle ear epithelial cells and in the middle ear of mice. Moreover, vinpocetine inhibited MUC5AC upregulation by inhibiting the MAPK ERK pathway in an MKP-1–dependent manner. Importantly, ototopical administration of vinpocetine postinfection inhibited MUC5AC expression and middle ear inflammation induced by S. pneumoniae and reduced hearing loss and pneumococcal loads in a well-established mouse model of OM. Thus, these studies identified vinpocetine as a potential therapeutic agent for inhibiting mucus production in the pathogenesis of OM. PMID:25972475

[Modified two-stage surgery for total auriculoplasty with autogenous rib cartilage].

PubMed

Zhang, Zheng-wen; Kang, Shen-song; Xie, Feng; Ma, Teng-xiao; Li, Lei; Zhai, Hong-feng; Chou, Hai-yan; Li, Hao; Zhong, Ai-mei; Zhang, Dong-yi

2011-09-01

To introduce a modified surgery for total auriculoplasty and the experience in one hundred and forty-six cases (155 ears). The procedure was a two-stage operation. The first stage involved fabrication and grafting of a costal cartilage framework. A U-shaped skin incision was made on the posterior edge of the lobule and the remnant ear cartilage was removed completely. The area for the insertion of the cartilage framework was undermined. Skin flaps were sutured after insertion of the cartilage framework. The second-stage surgery was usually performed six months after the first-stage operation. The reconstructed auricle was elevated, and a costal cartilage block was fixed to the posterior part of the auricle. A temporoparietal fascia flap was then used to cover the costal cartilage block. Finally, the posterior aspect of the projected auricle was covered with a spit-thickness skin graft. The incisions healed in one hundred and forty-one patients (150 ears) after the first stage operation. Partial necrosis of the postauricular flap was observed in five cases (5 ears) after the first stage operation, but no exposure or absorption of the cartilage took place. The skin grafts survived in one hundred and thirty-nine cases (147 ears) after the second-stage surgery. Partial necrosis of the skin graft was observed in seven cases (8 ears), but healed after one-week of dressing changes. Ninety-four cases (97 ears) were followed up, but fifty-two cases (58 ears) were lost to follow up. The follow-up at six months to two years showed satisfactory contour and projection of the constructed ears. This two-stage surgery is simple and ideal for auricloplasty with few complications.

Hot flushes in healthy aging men differ from those in men with prostate cancer and in menopausal women.

PubMed

Holm, Anna-Clara Spetz; Thorell, Lars-Håkan; Theodorsson, Elvar; Hammar, Mats

2012-01-01

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) seems to be involved in hot flushes in women and in castrated men. Therefore, we studied whether the plasma concentrations of CGRP changed during flushes in a group of healthy aging men. Twelve men (49-71 years) with no history of current or former prostate cancer or hormonal treatment reporting ≥ 20 flushes/week were investigated. Blood samples were drawn during and between flushes for analysis of CGRP and also androgen concentrations, that is, testosterone and bioavailable testosterone were analysed. Skin temperature and skin conductance were monitored. Thirty-five flushes were reported by 10 men. The plasma concentrations of CGRP did not increase during flushes. No significant change in skin temperature or conductance was found. CGRP is probably not involved in the mechanisms of flushes in healthy aging men. Therefore, flushes in aging healthy men seem to be different from flushes in men and women deprived of sex steroids where CGRP increases during flushes.

Rotational Response of Toe-Restrained Retaining Walls to Earthquake Ground Motions

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-12-01

v CG I CG θ In fo rm at io n T ec h n ol og y La b or at or y Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. Infrastructure...the Internet . The major disadvantage of FLUSH is that it does not allow for permanent displacement of the wall (although strain softening associated...and ( )2 tan sin cosA Su u uCONSTANT S L S Lα α− α= + • • • + • • A.30 The dynamic active earth pressure force, PAE, is equal to the maximum value

33 CFR 162.20 - Flushing Bay near La Guardia Airport, Flushing, N.Y.; restricted area.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Flushing Bay near La Guardia Airport, Flushing, N.Y.; restricted area. 162.20 Section 162.20 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST... NAVIGATION REGULATIONS § 162.20 Flushing Bay near La Guardia Airport, Flushing, N.Y.; restricted area. (a...

Shoot Development and Extension of Quercus serrata Saplings in Response to Insect Damage and Nutrient Conditions

PubMed Central

MIZUMACHI, ERI; MORI, AKIRA; OSAWA, NAOYA; AKIYAMA, REIKO; TOKUCHI, NAOKO

2006-01-01

• Background and Aims Plants have the ability to compensate for damage caused by herbivores. This is important to plant growth, because a plant cannot always avoid damage, even if it has developed defence mechanisms against herbivores. In previous work, we elucidated the herbivory-induced compensatory response of Quercus (at both the individual shoot and whole sapling levels) in both low- and high-nutrient conditions throughout one growing season. In this study, we determine how the compensatory growth of Quercus serrata saplings is achieved at different nutrient levels. • Methods Quercus serrata saplings were grown under controlled conditions. Length, number of leaves and percentage of leaf area lost on all extension units (EUs) were measured. • Key Results Both the probability of flushing and the length of subsequent EUs significantly increased with an increase in the length of the parent EU. The probability of flushing increased with an increase in leaf damage of the parent EU, but the length of subsequent EUs decreased. This indicates that EU growth is fundamentally regulated at the individual EU level. The probabilities of a second and third flush were significantly higher in plants in high-nutrient soil than those in low-nutrient soil. The subsequent EUs of damaged saplings were also significantly longer at high-nutrient conditions. • Conclusions An increase in the probability of flushes in response to herbivore damage is important for damaged saplings to produce new EUs; further, shortening the length of EUs helps to effectively reproduce foliage lost by herbivory. The probability of flushing also varied according to soil nutrient levels, suggesting that the compensatory growth of individual EUs in response to local damage levels is affected by the nutrients available to the whole sapling. PMID:16709576

Loop induced type-II seesaw model and GeV dark matter with U(1)B - L gauge symmetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nomura, Takaaki; Okada, Hiroshi

2017-11-01

We propose a model with U(1) B - L gauge symmetry and several new fermions in no conflict with anomaly cancellation where the neutrino masses are given by the vacuum expectation value of Higgs triplet induced at the one-loop level. The new fermions are odd under discrete Z2 symmetry and the lightest one becomes dark matter candidate. We find that the mass of dark matter is typically O (1)- O (10) GeV. Then relic density of the dark matter is discussed.

Metabolomic profiling in inner ear fluid by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in guinea pig cochlea.

PubMed

Fujita, Takeshi; Yamashita, Daisuke; Irino, Yasuhiro; Kitamoto, Junko; Fukuda, Yuriko; Inokuchi, Go; Hasegawa, Shingo; Otsuki, Naoki; Yoshida, Masaru; Nibu, Ken-ichi

2015-10-08

The composition and homeostasis of inner ear fluids are important in hearing function. The purpose of this study was to perform metabolomic analysis of the inner ear fluid in guinea pig cochlea, which has not been previously reported in literature, using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Seventy-seven kinds of metabolites were detected in the inner ear fluid. Six metabolites, ascorbic acid, fructose, galactosamine, inositol, pyruvate+oxaloacetic acid, and meso-erythritol, were significantly more abundant, and nine metabolites, phosphate, valine, glycine, glycerol, ornithine, glucose, citric acid+isocitric acid, mannose, and trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline, were less abundant in the inner ear fluid than in plasma. The levels of ten metabolites, 3-hydroxy-butyrate, glycerol, fumaric acid, galactosamine, pyruvate+oxaloacetic acid, phosphate, meso-erythritol, citric acid+isocitric acid, mannose, and inositol, in the inner ear fluid significantly changed after loud noise exposure. These observations may help to elucidate various clinical conditions of sensorineural hearing loss, including noise-induced hearing loss. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Preservative-free 0.9% sodium chloride for flushing and locking peripheral intravenous access device: a prospective controlled trial.

PubMed

Wang, Rui; Luo, Ou; He, Liu; Li, Jia-Xin; Zhang, Ming-Guang

2012-11-01

In Mainland China, heparin saline solution is commonly used for flushing and locking peripheral intravenous access devices in clinical practice for a long time. We conducted a prospective controlled trial to compare the effectiveness and safety of preservative-free 0.9% sodium chloride solution versus heparin saline solution as flushing and locking solution for peripheral intravenous access devices. Patients with gastroenterological or hepatic diseases were enrolled for this study from August 2011 to October 2011. After non-randomized allocation, preservative-free 0.9% sodium chloride was used as flushing and locking solution in the sodium chloride solution group, while hepatic solution (10 U/mL) was given in the heparin saline solution group. The device related complications and its maintenance duration were compared between two groups. One-way ANOVA, Chi(2), or Mantel-Haenszel test were performed using SPSS 13.0 and RevMan 5.0. Totally, 181 and 178 peripheral intravenous access devices in the sodium chloride solution and heparin saline solution groups were included and analyzed. Results indicated than sodium chloride solution did not increase the risks of occlusion (7.7% vs. 7.9%) and other adverse events of peripheral intravenous access devices (P = 0.163). Sodium chloride solution neither shortened the duration of peripheral intravenous access devices maintenance (3.6 ± 1.1 days vs. 3.7 ± 1.2 days, P = 0.651), nor increased the proportion of abnormal withdrawal (29.3% vs. 31.5%, P = 0.654). Sodium chloride solution is as effective and safe as conventional heparin saline solution for flushing and locking peripheral intravenous access devices, which results from our evidence-based study and should be transferred to other nurses in China. © 2012 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd and Chinese Cochrane Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University.

Column Testing and 1D Reactive Transport Modeling to Evaluate Uranium Plume Persistence Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, R. H.; Morrison, S.; Morris, S.; Tigar, A.; Dam, W. L.; Dayvault, J.

2015-12-01

At many U.S. Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management sites, 100 year natural flushing was selected as a remedial option for groundwater uranium plumes. However, current data indicate that natural flushing is not occurring as quickly as expected and solid-phase and aqueous uranium concentrations are persistent. At the Grand Junction, Colorado office site, column testing was completed on core collected below an area where uranium mill tailings have been removed. The total uranium concentration in this core was 13.2 mg/kg and the column was flushed with laboratory-created water with no uranium and chemistry similar to the nearby Gunnison River. The core was flushed for a total of 91 pore volumes producing a maximum effluent uranium concentration of 6,110 μg/L at 2.1 pore volumes and a minimum uranium concentration of 36.2 μg/L at the final pore volume. These results indicate complex geochemical reactions at small pore volumes and a long tailing affect at greater pore volumes. Stop flow data indicate the occurrence of non-equilibrium processes that create uranium concentration rebound. These data confirm the potential for plume persistence, which is occurring at the field scale. 1D reactive transport modeling was completed using PHREEQC (geochemical model) and calibrated to the column test data manually and using PEST (inverse modeling calibration routine). Processes of sorption, dual porosity with diffusion, mineral dissolution, dispersion, and cation exchange were evaluated separately and in combination. The calibration results indicate that sorption and dual porosity are major processes in explaining the column test data. These processes are also supported by fission track photographs that show solid-phase uranium residing in less mobile pore spaces. These procedures provide valuable information on plume persistence and secondary source processes that may be used to better inform and evaluate remedial strategies, including natural flushing.

Intraosseous Hydroxocobalamin in the Treatment of Acute, Severe Cyanide Induced Cardiotoxicity in a Swine (Sus Scrofa) Model - An Alternate Administration Route for Chemical Mass Casualties

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-04-05

Ut:IVI:I... I 11:111VI:> Hydroxocobalamin, hypotension, cyanide, poisoning , intraosseous, Vitamin B 12a, Vitamin B 12 I 1:). :>CI...U I111 T L.L~:>:>II...34II...A I IUIII Ul": I I. LIIVIII ~II UN Ur- I 0. IIIUIVItl1:11 I ::1a . 1\\I~ IVI I: ur- 111:.:>t’UN:>It:ILC 1ŕ:11:>UN II. 111:1"UI1 I D.Ati:>II1~L.I c

RhoA/ROCK Signaling Pathway Mediates Shuanghuanglian Injection-Induced Pseudo-allergic Reactions.

PubMed

Han, Jiayin; Zhao, Yong; Zhang, Yushi; Li, Chunying; Yi, Yan; Pan, Chen; Tian, Jingzhuo; Yang, Yifei; Cui, Hongyu; Wang, Lianmei; Liu, Suyan; Liu, Jing; Deng, Nuo; Liang, Aihua

2018-01-01

Background: Shuanghuanglian injection (SHLI) is a famous Chinese medicine used as an intravenous preparation for the treatment of acute respiratory tract infections. In the recent years, the immediate hypersensitivity reactions induced by SHLI have attracted broad attention. However, the mechanism involved in these reactions has not yet been elucidated. The present study aims to explore the characteristics of the immediate hypersensitivity reactions induced by SHLI and deciphers the role of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway in these reactions. Methods: SHLI-immunized mice or naive mice were intravenously injected (i.v.) with SHLI (600 mg/kg) once, and vascular leakage in the ears was evaluated. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test was conducted using sera collected from SHLI-immunized mice. Naive mice were administered (i.v.) with a single dose of 150, 300, or 600 mg/kg of SHLI, and vascular leakage, histamine release, and histopathological alterations in the ears, lungs, and intestines were tested. In vitro , human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) monolayer was incubated with SHLI (0.05, 0.1, or 0.15 mg/mL), and the changes in endothelial permeability and cytoskeleton were observed. Western blot analysis was performed and ROCK inhibitor was employed to investigate the contribution of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway in SHLI-induced hypersensitivity reactions, both in HUVECs and in mice. Results: Our results indicate that SHLI was able to cause immediate dose-dependent vascular leakage, edema, and exudates in the ears, lungs, and intestines, and histamine release in mice. These were pseudo-allergic reactions, as SHLI-specific IgE was not elicited during sensitization. In addition, SHLI induced reorganization of actin cytoskeleton and disrupted the endothelial barrier. The administration of SHLI directly activated the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway both in HUVECs and in the ears, lungs, and intestines of mice. Fasudil hydrochloride, a ROCK inhibitor, ameliorated the SHLI-induced hypersensitivity reactions in both endothelial cells and mice indicating its protective effect. SHLI-induced pseudo-allergic reactions were mediated by the activation of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway. Conclusion : This study presents a novel mechanism of SHLI-induced immediate hypersensitivity reactions and suggests a potential therapeutic strategy to prevent the associated adverse reactions.

Motion of tympanic membrane in guinea pig otitis media model measured by scanning laser Doppler vibrometry.

PubMed

Wang, Xuelin; Guan, Xiying; Pineda, Mario; Gan, Rong Z

2016-09-01

Otitis media (OM) is an inflammatory or infectious disease of the middle ear. Acute otitis media (AOM) and otitis media with effusion (OME) are the two major types of OM. However, the tympanic membrane (TM) motion differences induced by AOM and OME have not been quantified in animal models in the literature. In this study, the guinea pig AOM and OME models were created by transbullar injection of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 and lipopolysaccharide, respectively. To explore the effects of OM on the entire TM vibration, the measurements of full-field TM motions were performed in the AOM, OME and untreated control ears by using scanning laser Doppler vibrometry (SLDV). The results showed that both AOM and OME generally reduced the displacement peak and produced the traveling-wave-like motions at relatively low frequencies. Compared with the normal ear, OME resulted in a significant change of the TM displacement mainly in the inferior portion of the TM, and AOM significantly affected the surface motion across four quadrants. The SLDV measurements provide more insight into sound-induced TM vibration in diseased ears. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Optoacoustic induced vibrations within the inner ear.

PubMed

Zhang, K Y; Wenzel, G I; Balster, S; Lim, H H; Lubatschowski, H; Lenarz, T; Ertmer, W; Reuter, G

2009-12-07

An acoustic transient can be generated inside an absorbing tissue as a result of laser-tissue interaction after pulsed laser irradiation. Herein we report a novel application of this physical process, the optoacoustic wave generation in the inner ear and subsequently the induction of basilar membrane vibrations. These laser induced vibrations show a direct correlation to the laser energy and an indirect correlation to the distance from the irradiation focus. Through these characteristics they may be used, in a new generation of cochlear implants, to improve the frequency specific cochlear activation and consequently improve speech perception in hearing impaired patients with residual hearing.

Response of respiration and nutrient availability to drying and rewetting in soil from a semi-arid woodland depends on vegetation patch and a recent wild fire

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Q.; Meyer, W. S.; Koerber, G.; Marschner, P.

2015-06-01

Semi-arid woodlands, which are characterised by patchy vegetation interspersed with bare, open areas, are frequently exposed to wild fire. During summer, long dry periods are occasionally interrupted by rainfall events. It is well-known that rewetting of dry soil induces a flush of respiration. However, the magnitude of the flush may differ between vegetation patches and open areas because of different organic matter content which could be further modulated by wild fire. Soils were collected from under trees, under shrubs or in open areas in unburnt and burnt sandy Mallee woodland, where part of the woodland experienced a wild fire which destroyed or damaged most of the aboveground plant parts four months before sampling. In an incubation experiment, the soils were exposed to two moisture treatments: constantly moist (CM) and drying and rewetting (DRW). In CM, soils were incubated at 80% of maximum water holding capacity for 19 days; In DRW, soils were dried for four days, kept dry for another five days, then rewet to 80% WHC and maintained at this water content until day 19. Soil respiration decreased during drying and was very low in the dry period; rewetting induced a respiration flush. Compared to soil under shrubs and in open areas, cumulative respiration per g soil in CM and DRW was greater under trees, but lower when expressed per g TOC. Organic matter content, available P, and microbial biomass C, but not available N were greater under trees than in open areas. Wild fire decreased the flush of respiration per g TOC in the open areas and under shrubs, and reduced TOC and MBC concentrations only under trees, but had little effect on available N and P concentrations. We conclude that of the impact wild fire and DRW events on nutrient cycling differ among vegetation patches of a native semiarid woodland which is related to organic matter amount and availability.

U.S. EPA, Pesticide Product Label, HOGUE AND KNOTT BLEACH, 09/26/1972

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

2011-04-14

... _, I' " , / I '. .t(:t. / /' / 11"" F"p,j( 11 'c, 0" '\\In (', ,( i tt·~~~d:: ... f·l I .... hln.jr. ('<1.,I,un Do not uSf' t, ,I,'! h 0 ':. i c i ear-, er ':. ! n (" 0 rl) bin at Ion \\fy! tt ...

78 FR 45497 - Final Decision and Order

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-29

... of 1979, as amended (50 U.S.C. app. 2401-2420 (2000)) (``Act'').\\3\\ The Charging Letter included the... were issued under the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended (50 U.S.C. app. 2401-2420 (2000... Temporarily Denying Export Privileges) of the Regulations by purchasing 30 inverters, items subject to the EAR...

Nonpeptidic urotensin-II receptor antagonists I: in vitro pharmacological characterization of SB-706375

PubMed Central

Douglas, Stephen A; Behm, David J; Aiyar, Nambi V; Naselsky, Diane; Disa, Jyoti; Brooks, David P; Ohlstein, Eliot H; Gleason, John G; Sarau, Henry M; Foley, James J; Buckley, Peter T; Schmidt, Dulcie B; Wixted, William E; Widdowson, Katherine; Riley, Graham; Jin, Jian; Gallagher, Timothy F; Schmidt, Stanley J; Ridgers, Lance; Christmann, Lisa T; Keenan, Richard M; Knight, Steven D; Dhanak, Dashyant

2005-01-01

SB-706375 potently inhibited [125I]hU-II binding to both mammalian recombinant and ‘native' UT receptors (Ki 4.7±1.5 to 20.7±3.6 nM at rodent, feline and primate recombinant UT receptors and Ki 5.4±0.4 nM at the endogenous UT receptor in SJRH30 cells). Prior exposure to SB-706375 (1 μM, 30 min) did not alter [125I]hU-II binding affinity or density in recombinant cells (KD 3.1±0.4 vs 5.8±0.9 nM and Bmax 3.1±1.0 vs 2.8±0.8 pmol mg−1) consistent with a reversible mode of action. The novel, nonpeptidic radioligand [3H]SB-657510, a close analogue of SB-706375, bound to the monkey UT receptor (KD 2.6±0.4 nM, Bmax 0.86±0.12 pmol mg−1) in a manner that was inhibited by both U-II isopeptides and SB-706375 (Ki 4.6±1.4 to 17.6±5.4 nM) consistent with the sulphonamides and native U-II ligands sharing a common UT receptor binding domain. SB-706375 was a potent, competitive hU-II antagonist across species with pKb 7.29–8.00 in HEK293-UT receptor cells (inhibition of [Ca2+]i-mobilization) and pKb 7.47 in rat isolated aorta (inhibition of contraction). SB-706375 also reversed tone established in the rat aorta by prior exposure to hU-II (Kapp∼20 nM). SB-706375 was a selective U-II antagonist with ⩾100-fold selectivity for the human UT receptor compared to 86 distinct receptors, ion channels, enzymes, transporters and nuclear hormones (Ki/IC50>1 μM). Accordingly, the contractile responses induced in isolated aortae by KCl, phenylephrine, angiotensin II and endothelin-1 were unaltered by SB-706375 (1 μM). In summary, SB-706375 is a high-affinity, surmountable, reversible and selective nonpeptide UT receptor antagonist with cross-species activity that will assist in delineating the pathophysiological actions of U-II in mammals. PMID:15852036

Constraint-induced sound therapy for sudden sensorineural hearing loss – behavioral and neurophysiological outcomes

PubMed Central

Okamoto, Hidehiko; Fukushima, Munehisa; Teismann, Henning; Lagemann, Lothar; Kitahara, Tadashi; Inohara, Hidenori; Kakigi, Ryusuke; Pantev, Christo

2014-01-01

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is characterized by acute, idiopathic hearing deterioration. We report here the development and evaluation of “constraint-induced sound therapy”, which is based on a well-established neuro-rehabilitation approach, and which is characterized by the plugging of the intact ear (“constraint”) and the simultaneous, extensive stimulation of the affected ear with music. The sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients who received the constraint-induced sound therapy in addition to the standard corticosteroid therapy showed significantly better recovery of hearing function compared to those who had only received corticosteroid treatments. Additionally, the brain activity obtained in a subgroup of patients suggested that the constraint-induced sound therapy could have prevented maladaptive auditory cortex reorganization. Constraint-induced sound therapy thus appears to be an effective, practical, and safe treatment option for sudden sensorineural hearing loss. PMID:24473277

Effect of Intermediate Flush Using Different Devices to Prevent Chemical Smear Layer Formation.

PubMed

Silva, Camilla Corrêa; Ferreira, Vivian Maria Durange; De-Deus, Gustavo; Herrera, Daniel Rodrigo; Prado, Maíra do; Silva, Emmanuel João Nogueira Leal da

2017-01-01

This study compared the effect of intermediate flush with distilled water delivered by conventional irrigation, EndoVac microcannula or Self-Adjusting File (SAF) system in the prevention of chemical smear layer (CSL) formation. Thirty human premolars were used. Canals were prepared with Reciproc system and 5.25% NaOCl. After chemomechanical preparation, samples were divided in 3 groups (n=10) according to the intermediate irrigation protocol with distilled water using: conventional irrigation, EndoVac microcannula or SAF. A final flush with 2% chlorhexidine solution was used and scanning electron microscopy was performed to assess protocol effectiveness. Two calibrated evaluators attributed scores according the presence or absence of CSL on the surface of the root canal walls at the coronal, middle and apical thirds, as follows: (1) no CSL; (2) small amounts of CSL; (3) moderate CSL; and (4) heavy CSL. Differences between protocols were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Friedman and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used for comparison between each root canal third. SAF resulted in less formation of CSL when compared with the conventional irrigation and EndoVac microcannula (p<0.05). When root canal thirds were analyzed, conventional irrigation and EndoVac groups showed less CSL formation at coronal and middle thirds in comparison to the apical third (p<0.05). In SAF group, there was no difference among the thirds (p>0.05). It may be concluded that an intermediate flush of distilled water, delivered by the SAF system resulted in a better reduction of CSL formation during chemomechanical preparation.

Wake Island Supplemental Environmental Assessment

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-02-01

operations, the oxidizer transfer system would be flushed with water . This operation is expected to yield approximately 5 grams (0.2 ounces) of nitric...Defense System (BMDS) to provide a defensive capability for the U.S., its deployed forces, friends, and allies from ballistic missile threats. The...infrastructure, land use, physical resources, noise, socioeconomics, transportation, and water resources. MDA determined that six of the thirteen resource

Leukotriene B4—leukotriene B4 receptor axis promotes oxazolone-induced contact dermatitis by directing skin homing of neutrophils and CD8+ T cells

PubMed Central

Lv, Jiaoyan; Zou, Linlin; Zhao, Lina; Yang, Wei; Xiong, Yingluo; Li, Bingji; He, Rui

2015-01-01

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a lipid mediator that is rapidly generated in inflammatory sites, and its functional receptor, BLT1, is mostly expressed on immune cells. Contact dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin disease characterized by skin oedema and abundant inflammatory infiltrates, primarily including neutrophils and CD8+ T cells. The role of the LTB4–BLT1 axis in contact dermatitis remains largely unknown. In this study, we found up-regulated gene expression of 5-lipoxygenase and leukotriene A4 hydrolase, two critical enzymes for LTB4 synthesis, BLT1 and elevated LTB4 levels in skin lesions of oxazolone (OXA)-induced contact dermatitis. BLT1 deficiency or blockade of LTB4 and BLT1 by the antagonists, bestatin and U-75302, respectively, in the elicitation phase caused significant decreases in ear swelling and skin-infiltrating neutrophils and CD8+ T cells, which was accompanied by significantly reduced skin expression of CXCL1, CXCL2, interferon-γ and interleukin-1β. Furthermore, neutrophil depletion during the elicitation phase of OXA-induced contact dermatitis also caused significant decreases in ear swelling and CD8+ T-cell infiltration accompanied by significantly decreased LTB4 synthesis and gene expression of CXCL2, interferon-γ and interleukin-1β. Importantly, subcutaneous injection of exogenous LTB4 restored the skin infiltration of CD8+ T cells in neutrophil-depleted mice following OXA challenge. Collectively, our results demonstrate that the LTB4–BLT1 axis contributes to OXA-induced contact dermatitis by mediating skin recruitment of neutrophils, which are a major source of LTB4 that sequentially direct CD8+ T-cell homing to OXA-challenged skin. Hence, LTB4 and BLT1 could be potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of contact dermatitis. PMID:25959240

Leukotriene B₄-leukotriene B₄ receptor axis promotes oxazolone-induced contact dermatitis by directing skin homing of neutrophils and CD8⁺ T cells.

PubMed

Lv, Jiaoyan; Zou, Linlin; Zhao, Lina; Yang, Wei; Xiong, Yingluo; Li, Bingji; He, Rui

2015-09-01

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4 ) is a lipid mediator that is rapidly generated in inflammatory sites, and its functional receptor, BLT1, is mostly expressed on immune cells. Contact dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin disease characterized by skin oedema and abundant inflammatory infiltrates, primarily including neutrophils and CD8(+) T cells. The role of the LTB4 -BLT1 axis in contact dermatitis remains largely unknown. In this study, we found up-regulated gene expression of 5-lipoxygenase and leukotriene A4 hydrolase, two critical enzymes for LTB4 synthesis, BLT1 and elevated LTB4 levels in skin lesions of oxazolone (OXA)-induced contact dermatitis. BLT1 deficiency or blockade of LTB4 and BLT1 by the antagonists, bestatin and U-75302, respectively, in the elicitation phase caused significant decreases in ear swelling and skin-infiltrating neutrophils and CD8(+) T cells, which was accompanied by significantly reduced skin expression of CXCL1, CXCL2, interferon-γ and interleukin-1β. Furthermore, neutrophil depletion during the elicitation phase of OXA-induced contact dermatitis also caused significant decreases in ear swelling and CD8(+) T-cell infiltration accompanied by significantly decreased LTB4 synthesis and gene expression of CXCL2, interferon-γ and interleukin-1β. Importantly, subcutaneous injection of exogenous LTB4 restored the skin infiltration of CD8(+) T cells in neutrophil-depleted mice following OXA challenge. Collectively, our results demonstrate that the LTB4 -BLT1 axis contributes to OXA-induced contact dermatitis by mediating skin recruitment of neutrophils, which are a major source of LTB4 that sequentially direct CD8(+) T-cell homing to OXA-challenged skin. Hence, LTB4 and BLT1 could be potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of contact dermatitis. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Increasing Plant Based Foods or Dairy Foods Differentially Affects Nutrient Intakes: Dietary Scenarios Using NHANES 2007–2010

PubMed Central

Cifelli, Christopher J.; Houchins, Jenny A.; Demmer, Elieke; Fulgoni, Victor L.

2016-01-01

Diets rich in plant foods and lower in animal-based products have garnered increased attention among researchers, dietitians and health professionals in recent years for their potential to, not only improve health, but also to lessen the environmental impact. However, the potential effects of increasing plant-based foods at the expense of animal-based foods on macro- and micronutrient nutrient adequacy in the U.S. diet is unknown. In addition, dairy foods are consistently under consumed, thus the impact of increased dairy on nutrient adequacy is important to measure. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to use national survey data to model three different dietary scenarios to assess the effects of increasing plant-based foods or dairy foods on macronutrient intake and nutrient adequacy. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2010 for persons two years and older (n = 17,387) were used in all the analyses. Comparisons were made of usual intake of macronutrients and shortfall nutrients of three dietary scenarios that increased intakes by 100%: (i) plant-based foods; (ii) protein-rich plant-based foods (i.e., legumes, nuts, seeds, soy); and (iii) milk, cheese and yogurt. Scenarios (i) and (ii) had commensurate reductions in animal product intake. In both children (2–18 years) and adults (≥19 years), the percent not meeting the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) decreased for vitamin C, magnesium, vitamin E, folate and iron when plant-based foods were increased. However the percent not meeting the EAR increased for calcium, protein, vitamin A, and vitamin D in this scenario. Doubling protein-rich plant-based foods had no effect on nutrient intake because they were consumed in very low quantities in the baseline diet. The dairy model reduced the percent not meeting the EAR for calcium, vitamin A, vitamin D, magnesium, and protein, while sodium and saturated fat levels increased. Our modeling shows that increasing plant-based foods could lead to unintended dietary outcomes without simultaneous changes in the types and amounts of plant foods currently consumed. Increasing dairy foods, which are currently under-consumed, could assist in improving the intakes of many nutrients of concern. PMID:27409633

40 CFR 131.35 - Colville Confederated Tribes Indian Reservation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... would be limited to the extent that bacterial infections of eyes, ears, respiratory, or digestive... Creek Class I Coyote Creek Class II Deerhorn Creek Class III Dick Creek Class III Dry Creek Class I...

Ear-like poly (acrylic acid)-activated carbon nanocomposite: A highly efficient adsorbent for removal of Cd(II) from aqueous solutions.

PubMed

Ge, Huacai; Wang, Jincui

2017-02-01

Poly (acrylic acid) modified activated carbon nanocomposite (PAA-AC) was synthesized. The structure and morphology of this nanocomposite were characterized by FTIR, SEM, TEM, XRD and Zeta potential. The adsorption of some heavy metal ions on PAA-AC was studied. The characterization results indicated that PAA-AC was a novel and ear-like nanosheet material with the thickness of about 40 nm and the diameter of about 300 nm. The adsorption results exhibited that the introduction of carboxyl groups into activated carbon evidently increased the uptake for heavy metal ions and the nanocomposite had maximum uptake for Cd(II). Various variables affecting adsorption of PAA-AC for Cd(II) were systematically explored. The maximum capacity and equilibrium time for adsorption of Cd(II) by PAA-AC were 473.2 mg g -1 and 15 min. Moreover, the removal of Cd(II) for real electroplating wastewater by PAA-AC could reach 98.5%. These meant that the removal of Cd(II) by PAA-AC was highly efficient and fast. The sorption kinetics and isotherm fitted well with the pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir model, respectively. The adsorption mainly was a chemical process by chelation. Thermodynamic studies revealed that the adsorption was a spontaneous and endothermic process. The results revealed that PAA-AC could be considered as a potential candidate for Cd(II) removal. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Diphtheria Toxin-Induced Cell Death Triggers Wnt-Dependent Hair Cell Regeneration in Neonatal Mice.

PubMed

Hu, Lingxiang; Lu, Jingrong; Chiang, Hao; Wu, Hao; Edge, Albert S B; Shi, Fuxin

2016-09-07

Cochlear hair cells (HCs), the sensory cells that respond to sound, do not regenerate after damage in adult mammals, and their loss is a major cause of deafness. Here we show that HC regeneration in newborn mouse ears occurred spontaneously when the original cells were ablated by treatment with diphtheria toxin (DT) in ears that had been engineered to overexpress the DT receptor, but was not detectable when HCs were ablated in vivo by the aminoglycoside antibiotic neomycin. A variety of Wnts (Wnt1, Wnt2, Wnt2b, Wnt4, Wnt5a, Wnt7b, Wnt9a, Wnt9b, and Wnt11) and Wnt pathway component Krm2 were upregulated after DT damage. Nuclear β-catenin was upregulated in HCs and supporting cells of the DT-damaged cochlea. Pharmacological inhibition of Wnt decreased spontaneous regeneration, confirming a role of Wnt signaling in HC regeneration. Inhibition of Notch signaling further potentiated supporting cell proliferation and HC differentiation that occurred spontaneously. The absence of new HCs in the neomycin ears was correlated to less robust Wnt pathway activation, but the ears subjected to neomycin treatment nonetheless showed increased cell division and HC differentiation after subsequent forced upregulation of β-catenin. These studies suggest, first, that Wnt signaling plays a key role in regeneration, and, second, that the outcome of a regenerative response to damage in the newborn cochlea is determined by reaching a threshold level of Wnt signaling rather than its complete absence or presence. Sensory HCs of the inner ear do not regenerate in the adult, and their loss is a major cause of deafness. We found that HCs regenerated spontaneously in the newborn mouse after diphtheria toxin (DT)-induced, but not neomycin-induced, HC death. Regeneration depended on activation of Wnt signaling, and regeneration in DT-treated ears correlated to a higher level of Wnt activation than occurred in nonregenerating neomycin-treated ears. This is significant because insufficient regeneration caused by a failure to reach a threshold level of signaling, if true in the adult, has the potential to be exploited for development of clinical approaches for the treatment of deafness caused by HC loss. Copyright © 2016 the authors 0270-6474/16/369479-11$15.00/0.

Diphtheria Toxin-Induced Cell Death Triggers Wnt-Dependent Hair Cell Regeneration in Neonatal Mice

PubMed Central

Hu, Lingxiang; Lu, Jingrong; Chiang, Hao; Shi, Fuxin

2016-01-01

Cochlear hair cells (HCs), the sensory cells that respond to sound, do not regenerate after damage in adult mammals, and their loss is a major cause of deafness. Here we show that HC regeneration in newborn mouse ears occurred spontaneously when the original cells were ablated by treatment with diphtheria toxin (DT) in ears that had been engineered to overexpress the DT receptor, but was not detectable when HCs were ablated in vivo by the aminoglycoside antibiotic neomycin. A variety of Wnts (Wnt1, Wnt2, Wnt2b, Wnt4, Wnt5a, Wnt7b, Wnt9a, Wnt9b, and Wnt11) and Wnt pathway component Krm2 were upregulated after DT damage. Nuclear β-catenin was upregulated in HCs and supporting cells of the DT-damaged cochlea. Pharmacological inhibition of Wnt decreased spontaneous regeneration, confirming a role of Wnt signaling in HC regeneration. Inhibition of Notch signaling further potentiated supporting cell proliferation and HC differentiation that occurred spontaneously. The absence of new HCs in the neomycin ears was correlated to less robust Wnt pathway activation, but the ears subjected to neomycin treatment nonetheless showed increased cell division and HC differentiation after subsequent forced upregulation of β-catenin. These studies suggest, first, that Wnt signaling plays a key role in regeneration, and, second, that the outcome of a regenerative response to damage in the newborn cochlea is determined by reaching a threshold level of Wnt signaling rather than its complete absence or presence. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Sensory HCs of the inner ear do not regenerate in the adult, and their loss is a major cause of deafness. We found that HCs regenerated spontaneously in the newborn mouse after diphtheria toxin (DT)-induced, but not neomycin-induced, HC death. Regeneration depended on activation of Wnt signaling, and regeneration in DT-treated ears correlated to a higher level of Wnt activation than occurred in nonregenerating neomycin-treated ears. This is significant because insufficient regeneration caused by a failure to reach a threshold level of signaling, if true in the adult, has the potential to be exploited for development of clinical approaches for the treatment of deafness caused by HC loss. PMID:27605621

Anti-inflammatory and antiallergic activity in vivo of lipophilic Isatis tinctoria extracts and tryptanthrin.

PubMed

Recio, María-Carmen; Cerdá-Nicolás, Miguel; Potterat, Olivier; Hamburger, Matthias; Ríos, José-Luis

2006-05-01

The effects of a supercritical CO2 (SFE) extract, a dichloromethane (DCM) extract from Isatis tinctoria leaf and the alkaloidal constituent tryptanthrin were studied in acute and subchronic experimental models of inflammation. The SFE and DCM extracts showed anti-inflammatory activity in the carrageenan-induced acute mouse paw oedema (ED50 values of 78 mg/kg and 165 mg/kg P. O., respectively) and in the acute tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear oedema in oral (62% and 32% oedema reduction at 100 and 125 mg/kg, respectively) and topical application (37% and 33% reduction of oedema at 0.5 mg/ear). In contrast, tryptanthrin showed no significant anti-inflammatory effect. The DCM extract inhibited oedema formation and neutrophil infiltration in subchronic inflammation in mice induced by repeated application of TPA. The extract showed activity after oral and topical administration by reducing the various parameters of the inflammatory response. The DCM extract (1 mg/ear) inhibited the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction induced by application of dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) after topical application. The response during the induction phase (24 h) was decreased by 48%, and the inflammatory phase (48 to 96 h) was reduced by 53 to 56%. The extract had no effect in this model when administered orally. The DCM extract (200 mg/kg P. O.) inhibited the acetic acid-induced writhing by 49%.

Policy Analysis of Surgical Utilization at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-04-09

orthopedics/podiatry, eyes/ears/nose/throat (EENT), general surgery , and specialized clinics in optical refractory care and bariatric surgery . Patients that...numbers of surgeries , and the access to care. The first three courses of action show improvement with these projected outcomes, however, the... surgery , surgical, utilization, in room time, resource sharing, swing shift 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: a. REPORT U b. ABSTRACT U c. THIS PAGE U

Distribution of spermatozoa and embryos in the female reproductive tract after unilateral deep intra uterine insemination in the pig.

PubMed

Tummaruk, P; Sumransap, P; Techakumphu, M; Kunavongkrit, A

2007-12-01

The present study was performed to investigate the number of either the spermatozoa or the embryos in the reproductive tracts of sows after unilateral, deep, intra uterine insemination (DIUI). Two experiments were conducted, 10 sows were used in experiment I and eight sows were used in experiment II. Transrectal ultrasonography was used to examine the time when ovulation took place in relation to oestrus behaviour. The sows were inseminated with a single dose of diluted fresh semen 6-8 h prior to expected ovulation, during the second oestrus after weaning. In experimental I, five sows were inseminated by a conventional artificial insemination (AI) technique using 100 ml of diluted fresh semen, containing 3000 x 10(6) motile spermatozoa and five sows were inseminated by the DIUI technique with 5 ml of diluted fresh semen, containing 150 x 10(6) motile spermatozoa. The sows were anesthetized and ovario-hysterectomized approximately 24 h after insemination. The oviducts and the uterine horns on each side of the reproductive tracts were divided into seven segments, namely ampulla, cranial isthmus, caudal isthmus, utero-tubal junction (UTJ), cranial uterine horn, middle uterine horn and caudal uterine horn. Each segment of the reproductive tracts was flushed with Beltsville thawing solution (BTS) through the lumen. The total number of spermatozoa in the flushing from each segment were determined. In experimental II, eight sows were inseminated by the DIUI technique using 5.0 ml diluted fresh semen containing 150 x 10(6) motile spermatozoa. The sows were anesthetized 61.1 +/- 12 h after insemination (48-72 h) and the embryos were flushed from the oviduct through the proximal part of the uterine horn. It was revealed that, in experimental I, the spermatozoa were recovered from both sides of the reproductive tract in the AI-group, and from unilateral side of the reproductive tract in the DIUI-group (three sows from the left and two sows from the right sides). The number of spermatozoa recovered from the reproductive tracts was higher in the AI- than the DIUI-group (p < 0.001). In experiment II, fertilization occurred in five of eight sows (62.5%) after DIUI. The number of ova that ovulated were 16.4 +/- 2.6 per sow and the embryos numbering 11.4 +/- 2.3 per sow were recovered from both sides of the reproductive tract. In conclusion, the spermatozoa given by DIUI could be recovered from only one side of the reproductive tract of sows at approximately 24 h after DIUI via the flushing technique. However, embryos were found in both sides of the oviducts and the proximal part of the uterine horns 48-72 h after insemination, indicating that the fertilization occurred in both sides of the oviducts.

Modulation of experimental atopic dermatitis by topical application of Gami-Cheongyeul-Sodok-Eum

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Gami-Cheongyeul-Sodok-Eum (GCSE), an herbal formula of traditional Korean medicine, comprises nine herb components. GCSE has various biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral activities. However, it is still unclear whether GCSE has any immunomodulatory effect on atopic dermatitis (AD). Methods GCSE was treated to primary B cells and CD4+ T cells isolated from atopic mice to compare its inhibitory effects on IgE secretion and cytokine expression. Experimental AD was established by alternative treatment of 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and house dust mite extract to the ears of BALB/c mice. GCSE was topically applied to ears of atopic mice every day for 3 weeks. AD progression was analyzed by measuring ear thickness, serum IgE level, histological examination of ear tissue by H&E staining and cytokine profile of CD4+ T cells and CD19+ B cells by real time PCR and ELISA. Results Treatment of GCSE significantly reduced IgE production and expression of AD associated pathogenic cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, TNF-α, and IFN-γ by lymphocytes isolated from AD-induced mice. Topical application of GCSE on the ears of AD-induced mice significantly reduced ear thickness, clinical score and lymphocytes infiltration to ears as compared to control group. GCSE treatment also reduced serum IgE level and the levels of major pathogenic cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13 and IL-17. In addition, GCSE treatment significantly increased Foxp3 expression level. Conclusions The protective effect of GCSE in experimental AD is mediated by inhibition of IgE production, by reduction in the levels of pathogenic cytokines and by induction of Foxp3, all of which are suggesting the beneficial effect of GCSE on modulating atopic dermatitis. PMID:24499290

A new optical intra-tissue fiber irradiation ALA-PDT in the treatment of acne vulgaris in rabbit model: improved safety and tolerability.

PubMed

Wang, Qian; Jiang, Can; Liu, Wei; Chen, Jin; Lin, Xinyu; Huang, Xiangning; Duan, Xiling

2017-01-01

Photodynamic therapy with topical aminolevulinic acid (ALA-PDT) has been suggested to be effective in treatment of acne vulgaris. However, adverse events occur during and after treatment. To compare the efficacy and tolerability of optical intra-tissue fiber irradiation (OFI) ALA-PDT versus traditional ALA-PDT in treatment of acne vulgaris in rabbit models. Twenty-five rabbits of clean grade were used. Twenty rabbits were randomly selected to establish acne model and the other five were used as control. Rabbits in model group (40 ears) were further divided into four groups (10 ears/group): I, OFI-ALA-PDT with the head of optical fiber inserted into the target lesion (intra-tissue); II, traditional ALA-PDT group; III, OFI group; IV, blank control group without any treatment. Uncomfortable symptoms, adverse events, and effectiveness rates were recorded on post-treatment day 14, 30, and 45. On post-treatment day 14, the effectiveness rate in OFI-ALA-PDT group was obviously higher than that of the other three groups (P<0.05). However, no improved effects were observed in OFI-ALA-PDT group on day 30 and 45. During the period of treatment, the frequencies of uncomfortable symptoms in ALA-PDT group were obviously higher than those in the other three groups (P<0.05). The adverse event rate in OFI-ALA-PDT group was obviously lower than that of the ALA-PDT group (P<0.05). The unblindness of the study and temporary animal models of acne induced may hamper the assessment and monitoring of the results, and future studies are still needed to clarify it further. The OFI-ALA-PDT group (intra-tissue irradiation) showed no improved efficacy on treating rabbit ear acne but had higher safety and better tolerability.

Phenol induced acute cutaneous inflammation (AI) in mice: Diminished response in mast cell-deficient (W/W sup v ) mice and evidence of a role for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wershil, B.K.; Wang, Z.S.; Gordon, J.R.

1991-03-11

AI can be induced by a variety of chemical agents. The authors examined AI in mast cell-deficient (WBB6F{sub 1}-W/W{sup v}) and congenic normal (WBB6F{sub 1}-+/+) mice; AI was induced by the epicutaneous application to the ear of phenol (2 mg), benzalkonium chloride (BC; 1 mg) and ethyl phenylpropiolate (EPP, 2 or 5 mg). Phenol induced significantly greater swelling in +/+ than in W/W{sup v} mice. No difference in swelling was seen in +/+ versus W/W{sup v} mice with BC or EEP. Phenol application induced significantly greater neutrophil infiltration in +/+ than in W/W{sup v} mice. Mast cells represent a richmore » source of TNF and TNF has been shown to participate in the neutrophil accumulation seen in mast cell-dependent, IgE-mediated cutaneous late phase reactions. The authors injected +/+ mice i.d. with 20 {mu}l of 1:100 dilution of a polyclonal rabbit anti-mouse TNF antiserum or 20 {mu}l of medium and then applied 2 mg phenol at the same sites. At 24 hrs, significantly less neutrophil accumulation was seen in the ear treated with anti-TNF antibodies than in the control ear. The authors conclude that mast cells may participate in phenol-induced AI, and that TNF contributes to this response.« less

The effect of noise-induced hearing loss on the intelligibility of speech in noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smoorenburg, G. F.; Delaat, J. A. P. M.; Plomp, R.

1981-06-01

Speech reception thresholds, both in quiet and in noise, and tone audiograms were measured for 14 normal ears (7 subjects) and 44 ears (22 subjects) with noise-induced hearing loss. Maximum hearing loss in the 4-6 kHz region equalled 40 to 90 dB (losses exceeded by 90% and 10%, respectively). Hearing loss for speech in quiet measured with respect to the median speech reception threshold for normal ears ranged from 1.8 dB to 13.4 dB. For speech in noise the numbers are 1.2 dB to 7.0 dB which means that the subjects with noise-induced hearing loss need a 1.2 to 7.0 dB higher signal-to-noise ratio than normal to understand sentences equally well. A hearing loss for speech of 1 dB corresponds to a decrease in sentence intelligibility of 15 to 20%. The relation between hearing handicap conceived as a reduced ability to understand speech and tone audiogram is discussed. The higher signal-to-noise ratio needed by people with noise-induced hearing loss to understand speech in noisy environments is shown to be due partly to the decreased bandwidth of their hearing caused by the noise dip.

[The acoustics of the open mastoid cavity (so-called "radical cavity") and its modification by surgical measures. II. Clinical studies].

PubMed

Hartwein, J

1992-09-01

The acoustic resonance of a severely altered outer ear channel (radical mastoid cavity) is investigated in a series of 18 patients who underwent revision surgery by means of in-situ measurements of the sound-pressure-level near the tympanic membrane. While the average volume of the open cavity differs from the normal ear channel for the factor 2.5, the size of the external meatus is--in average--only 20% larger. This leads to an average frequency in patients with open cavity of 1939 Hz, more than 1000 Hz less than in a series (n = 20) of normal ears (average resonance frequency: 2942 Hz). The altered acoustic behaviour of the open cavity leads to partial extensive discrepancies of the resonance-caused sound-pressure augmentation in the frequencies of 3 and 4 kHz, which are important for speech perception. The average difference is more than 10 dB (SPL). Proved surgical techniques of cavity obliteration and meatoplasty can lead to a nearly normalized acoustic behaviour of the outer ear in a statistic significant way. Due to these surgical procedures, an average postoperative resonance frequency of 2421 Hz could be reached in our patients. Especially, the resonance-caused sound-pressure augmentation in 3-4 kHz could nearly be equalized to such of a normal outer ear. Differences in the acoustic behaviour of the outer ear as can be found between patients with an open mastoid cavity and normal ears can almost be eliminated surgically.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Interaction Between Allergy and Middle Ear Infection.

PubMed

Oh, Jeong-Hoon; Kim, Woo Jin

2016-09-01

Recent studies have attempted to identify interactions among the causes of otitis media with effusion (OME). This review discusses the interaction between allergy and infection with regard to host and environmental factors in terms of the development of OME. Protection of the upper airway against microbial invasion requires active interaction between the defense mechanisms of the respiratory epithelium, including innate and adaptive immunity, and mechanical factors. The impairment of these defenses due to allergy and/or increased bacterial resistance may lead to increased susceptibility to infectious organisms in the respiratory tract and middle ear mucosa. Recent genetic studies have provided valuable information about the association of Toll-like receptor signaling variations with clinical phenotypes and the risk of infection in the middle ear. Among the causal factors of OME, allergy not only induces an inflammatory reaction in the middle ear cavity but also facilitates the invasion of infectious pathogens. There is also evidence that allergy can affect the susceptibility of patients to infection of the upper respiratory tract, including the middle ear cavity.

Oral administration of glucosylceramide ameliorates inflammatory dry-skin condition in chronic oxazolone-induced irritant contact dermatitis in the mouse ear.

PubMed

Yeom, Mijung; Kim, Sung-Hun; Lee, Bombi; Han, Jeong-Jun; Chung, Guk Hoon; Choi, Hee-Don; Lee, Hyejung; Hahm, Dae-Hyun

2012-08-01

Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is an inflammatory skin disease triggered by exposure to a chemical that is toxic or irritating to the skin. A major characteristic of chronic ICD is an inflammatory dry-skin condition with associated itching. Although glucosylceramide (GlcCer) is known to improve the skin barrier function, its mechanism of action is unknown. Using a mouse model of oxazolone-induced chronic ICD, this study investigated the effects of oral administration of GlcCer on inflammatory dry skin. Chronic ICD was induced by repeated application of oxazolone in mice. GlcCer was orally administered once daily throughout the elicitation phase. The beneficial efficacy of GlcCer on cutaneous inflammation was evaluated by assessing ear thickness, lymph node weight, histological findings, and mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6. Additionally, parameters of the itch-associated response, including scratching behavior, water content of the skin, and aquaporin-3 levels in the lesional ear, were measured. Oral GlcCer administration significantly suppressed mRNA expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6. GlcCer also suppressed ear swelling, lymph node weight gains, and infiltration of leukocytes and mast cells in ICD mice. In oxazolone-induced ICD mice, GlcCer significantly inhibited irritant-related scratching behavior and dehydration of the stratum corneum, and decreased aquaporin-3 expression. Our results indicate that GlcCer suppressed inflammation not only by inhibiting cytokine production but also by repairing the skin barrier function, suggesting a potential beneficial role for GlcCer in the improvement of chronic ICD. Copyright © 2012 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Proneurotrophin-3 may induce Sortilin dependent death in inner ear neurons

PubMed Central

Tauris, Jacob; Gustafsen, Camilla; Christensen, Erik Ilsø; Jansen, Pernille; Nykjaer, Anders; Nyengaard, Jens R.; Teng, Kenneth K.; Schwarz, Elisabeth; Ovesen, Therese; Madsen, Peder; Petersen, Claus Munck

2010-01-01

The precursor of the neurotrophin NGF (proNGF) serves physiological functions distinct from its mature counterpart as it induces neuronal apoptosis through activation of a p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) and Sortilin death-signalling complex. The neurotrophins BDNF and NT3 provide essential trophic support to auditory neurons. Injury to the neurotrophin secreting cells in the inner ear is followed by irreversible degeneration of spiral ganglion neurons with consequences such as impaired hearing or deafness. Lack of mature neurotrophins may explain the degeneration of spiral ganglion neurons, but another mechanism is possible since unprocessed proNTs released from the injured cells may contribute to the degeneration by induction of apoptosis. Recent studies demonstrate that proBDNF, like proNGF, is a potent inducer of Sortilin:p75NTR mediated apoptosis. In addition, a coincident upregulation of proBDNF and p75NTR has been observed in degenerating spiral ganglion neurons, but the Sortilin expression in the inner ear is unresolved. Here we demonstrate that Sortilin and p75NTR are coexpressed in neurons of the neonatal inner ear. Furthermore, we establish that proNT3 exhibits high affinity binding to Sortilin and has the capacity to enhance cell surface Sortilin:p75NTR complex formation as well as to mediate apoptosis in neurons coexpressing p75NTR and Sortilin. Based on examination of wt and Sortilin deficient mouse embryos, Sortilin does not significantly influence the developmental selection of spiral ganglion neurons. However, our results suggest that proNT3 and proBDNF may play important roles in the response to noise-induced injuries or ototoxic damage via the Sortilin:p75NTR death-signalling complex. PMID:21261755

Anti-inflammatory effect of ethanolic extract from Myagropsis myagroides on murine macrophages and mouse ear edema

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background This study aims to investigate anti-inflammatory effect of ethanolic extract of Myagropsis myagroides (EMM) in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced ear edema in mice, and to clarify its underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods The levels of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured by Griess assay and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and Akt were measured using Western blotting. Nuclear translocation and transcriptional activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were determined by immunocytochemistry and reporter gene assay, respectively. PMA-induced mouse ear edema was used as the animal model of inflammation. Anti-inflammatory compounds in EMM were isolated using high-performance liquid chromatography and identified by nuclear magnetic resonance. Results EMM significantly inhibited the production of NO, PGE2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent manner and suppressed the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. EMM strongly suppressed nuclear translocation of NF-κB by preventing degradation of inhibitor of κB-α as well as by inhibiting phosphorylation of Akt and MAPKs. EMM reduced ear edema in PMA-induced mice. One of the anti-inflammatory compounds in EMM was identified as 6,6’-bieckol. Conclusions These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of EMM are associated with the down-regulation of iNOS, COX-2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines through the inhibition of NF-κB pathway in LPS-stimulated macrophages. PMID:23031211

Geochemical control on uranium(IV) mobility in a mining-impacted wetland.

PubMed

Wang, Yuheng; Bagnoud, Alexandre; Suvorova, Elena; McGivney, Eric; Chesaux, Lydie; Phrommavanh, Vannapha; Descostes, Michael; Bernier-Latmani, Rizlan

2014-09-02

Wetlands often act as sinks for uranium and other trace elements. Our previous work at a mining-impacted wetland in France showed that a labile noncrystalline U(IV) species consisting of U(IV) bound to Al-P-Fe-Si aggregates was predominant in the soil at locations exhibiting a U-containing clay-rich layer within the top 30 cm. Additionally, in the porewater, the association of U(IV) with Fe(II) and organic matter colloids significantly increased U(IV) mobility in the wetland. In the present study, within the same wetland, we further demonstrate that the speciation of U at a location not impacted by the clay-rich layer is a different noncrystalline U(IV) species, consisting of U(IV) bound to organic matter in soil. We also show that the clay-poor location includes an abundant sulfate supply and active microbial sulfate reduction that induce substantial pyrite (FeS2) precipitation. As a result, Fe(II) concentrations in the porewater are much lower than those at clay-impacted zones. U porewater concentrations (0.02-0.26 μM) are also considerably lower than those at the clay-impacted locations (0.21-3.4 μM) resulting in minimal U mobility. In both cases, soil-associated U represents more than 99% of U in the wetland. We conclude that the low U mobility reported at clay-poor locations is due to the limited association of Fe(II) with organic matter colloids in porewater and/or higher stability of the noncrystalline U(IV) species in soil at those locations.

Infantile inflammatory pseudotumor of the facial nerve as a complication of epidermal nevus syndrome with cholesteatoma.

PubMed

Hato, Naohito; Tsujimura, Mika; Takagi, Taro; Okada, Masahiro; Gyo, Kiyofumi; Tohyama, Mikiko; Tauchi, Hisamichi

2013-12-01

The first reported case of facial paralysis due to an inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) of the facial nerve as a complication of epidermal nevus syndrome (ENS) is herein presented. A 10-month-old female patient was diagnosed with ENS at 3 months of age. She was referred to us because of moderate left facial paralysis. Epidermal nevi of her left auricle extended deep into the external ear canal. Otoscopy revealed polypous nevi and cholesteatoma debris filling the left ear. Computed tomography showed a soft mass filling the ear canal, including the middle ear, and an enormously enlarged facial nerve. Surgical exploration revealed numerous polypous nevi, external ear cholesteatoma, and tumorous swelling of the facial nerve. The middle ear ossicles were completely lost. The facial paralysis was improved after decompression surgery, but recurred 5 months later. A second operation was conducted 10 months after the first. During this operation, facial nerve decompression was completed from the geniculate ganglion to near the stylomastoid foramen. Histological diagnosis of the facial nerve tumor was IPT probably caused by chronic external ear inflammation induced by epidermal nevi. The facial paralysis gradually improved to House-Blackmann grade III 5 years after the second operation. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Integration of ceramic membrane and compressed air-assisted solvent extraction (CASX) for metal recovery.

PubMed

Li, Chi-Wang; Chiu, Chun-Hao; Lee, Yu-Cheng; Chang, Chia-Hao; Lee, Yu-Hsun; Chen, Yi-Ming

2010-01-01

In our previous publications, compressed air-assisted solvent extraction process (CASX) was developed and proved to be kinetically efficient process for metal removal. In the current study, CASX with a ceramic MF membrane integrated for separation of spent solvent was employed to remove and recover metal from wastewater. MF was operated either in crossflow mode or dead-end with intermittent flushing mode. Under crossflow mode, three distinct stages of flux vs. TMP (trans-membrane pressure) relationship were observed. In the first stage, flux increases with increasing TMP which is followed by the stage of stable flux with increasing TMP. After reaching a threshold TMP which is dependent of crossflow velocity, flux increases again with increasing TMP. At the last stage, solvent was pushed through membrane pores as indicated by increasing permeate COD. In dead-end with intermittent flushing mode, an intermittent flushing flow (2 min after a 10-min or a 30-min dead-end filtration) was incorporated to reduce membrane fouling by flush out MSAB accumulated on membrane surface. Effects of solvent concentration and composition were also investigated. Solvent concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1% (w/w) have no adverse effect in terms of membrane fouling. However, solvent composition, i.e. D(2)EHPA/kerosene ratio, shows impact on membrane fouling. The type of metal extractants employed in CASX has significant impact on both membrane fouling and the quality of filtrate due to the differences in their viscosity and water solubility. Separation of MSAB was the limiting process controlling metal removal efficiency, and the removal efficiency of Cd(II) and Cr(VI) followed the same trend as that for COD.

Morphological correlation between caloric tests and vestibular hydrops in Ménière's disease using intravenous Gd enhanced inner ear MRI.

PubMed

Choi, Ji Eun; Kim, Yi-Kyung; Cho, Young Sang; Lee, Kieun; Park, Hyun Woo; Yoon, Sung Hoon; Kim, Hyung-Jin; Chung, Won-Ho

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to prove the hypothesis that caloric response in Ménière's disease (MD) is reduced by hydropic expansion of the vestibular labyrinth, not by vestibular hypofunction, by evaluating the correlation morphologically using an intravenous Gadolinium (IV-Gd) inner ear MRI. In study I, the prevalence of abnormal video Head Impulse Test (vHIT) results among the patients with definite unilateral MD (n = 24) and vestibular neuritis (VN) (n = 22) were investigated. All patients showed abnormal canal paresis (CP) (> 26%) on caloric tests. The prevalence of abnormal vHIT in patients with abnormal CP was significantly lower in MD patients (12.5%) than that in VN patients (81.8%) (p < 0.001). In study II, morphological correlation between caloric tests and vestibular hydrops level was evaluated in unilateral MD patients (n = 16) who had normal vHIT results. Eleven patients (61%) had abnormal CP. After taking the images of IV-Gd inner ear MRI, the vestibular hydrops ratio (endolymph volume/total lymph volume = %VH) was measured. In addition, the relative vestibular hydrops ratio (%RVH = (%VHaffected ear-%VHunaffected ear) / (%VHaffected ear + %VHunaffected ear)) was calculated. Each ratio (%VH and %RVH) was compared with average peak slow phase velocity (PSPV) and CP, respectively. In the MD patients, %VH of the affected ear correlated significantly with mean PSPV on the same side (rs = -0.569, p = 0.024), while %RVH correlated significantly with CP (rs = 0.602, p = 0.014). In most MD patients (87.5%) compared to VN patients, vHIT results were normal even though the caloric function was reduced. In addition, the reduced caloric function with normal vHIT was related to the severity of the vestibular hydrops measured by the IV-Gd inner ear MRI. These findings concluded that the abnormal caloric tests with normal vHIT in MD indicated severe endolymphatic hydrops rather than vestibular hypofunction.

[Intrabronchial migratory cereal-ear, an unusual foreign body inhalation].

PubMed

Douira-Khomsi, W; Merghni, A; Louati, H; Ben Hassine, L; Khemakhem, R; Ould Mohamed Sghair, Y; Jlidi, S; Hamzaoui, M; Chaouachi, B; Bellagha, I

2009-09-01

Bronchial foreign body inhalation is a frequent and potentially serious accident in children. It can provoke long-term complications such as bronchiectasis and recurrent pulmonary infections. The foreign body is generally blocked in a bronchus and induces obstructive emphysema with superinfection. We report 2 cases of bronchial inhalation of a migrating cereal-ear, eliminated by parietal fistulization, in 9- and 11-year-old boys.

Identification of a maize (Zea mays) chitinase allele sequence suitable for a role in ear rot fungal resistance

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Chitinases are thought to play a role in plant resistance to pathogens, but the extent of this role is unknown. The gene for a maize chitinase “chitinase 2” previously reported to be induced by two ear rot pathogens in one maize inbred, was cloned from mRNA isolated from milk stage kernels of severa...

Training to Use Voice Onset Time as a Cue to Talker Identification Induces a Left-Ear/Right-Hemisphere Processing Advantage

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Francis, Alexander L.; Driscoll, Courtney

2006-01-01

We examined the effect of perceptual training on a well-established hemispheric asymmetry in speech processing. Eighteen listeners were trained to use a within-category difference in voice onset time (VOT) to cue talker identity. Successful learners (n = 8) showed faster response times for stimuli presented only to the left ear than for those…

Occupational noise-induced hearing loss in auto part factory workers in welding units in Thailand.

PubMed

Sriopas, Apiradee; Chapman, Robert S; Sutammasa, Saravudh; Siriwong, Wattasit

2017-01-24

Most workers in auto part factories in Thailand are usually exposed to excessive noise in their workplace. This study aimed to assess the level of occupational noise-induced hearing loss and investigate risk factors causing hearing loss in auto part factory workers in the welding units in Thailand. This was a cross-sectional study. One hundred eighty subjects were recruited from 356 workers in the welding unit of three factories. Sixty eligible subjects in each factory were selected by systemic random sampling. The subjects were interviewed using a face-to-face questionnaire. Noise exposure levels and audiograms were measured by a noise dosimeter and an audiometer, respectively. The findings confirmed that noise exposure levels of 86-90 dB (A) and exceeding 90 dB (A) significantly increased the risk of hearing loss in either ear. A noise exposure level exceeding 90 dB (A) significantly increased the prevalence of hearing loss in both ears. Regarding, a 10-pack-year smoking history increased the prevalence of hearing loss in either ear or both ears. In addition, subjects with employment duration exceeding 10 years significantly developed hearing loss in either ear. The engineering control or personal control by wearing hearing protection device should be used to decrease noise exposure levels lower than 85 dB (A) for 8 h. Moreover, if the exposure level reaches 85 dB (A) for 8 h, the employer needs to implement a hearing conservation program in the workplace.

Oval window transport of Gd-dOTA from rat middle ear to vestibulum and scala vestibuli visualized by in vivo magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Zou, Jing; Poe, Dennis; Ramadan, Usama Abo; Pyykkö, Ilmari

2012-02-01

We tested our hypothesis that the oval window (OW) potentially functions as a route to carry substances from the middle ear to the vestibulum and then the scala vestibuli through the annular ligament across the stapediovestibular joint. Gd-DOTA was either injected into the lateral attic compartment of rats with a high-performance polyimide tube in a selective OW delivery group, or administered to the middle ear cavity of two groups of rats in which the OW was either sealed or not sealed. The dynamic uptake of Gd-DOTA in the inner ear was visualized with a 4.7-T magnetic resonance imaging machine. In the selective OW delivery group, Gd-DOTA appeared in the vestibulum and in the basal turn of the scala vestibuli but not in the scala tympani on T1-weighted images acquired at 10 minutes after Gd-DOTA administration (the earliest available time point of magnetic resonance imaging). In the sealed-OW group, immediate uptake of Gd-DOTA was absent in the vestibulum and scala vestibuli. Measurement of the signal ratio of the vestibulum to that of the scala tympani showed that selective OW delivery induced the greatest signal ratio and that sealing of the OW induced the lowest signal ratio. The OW is a genuine and efficient pathway to transport Gd-DOTA from the middle ear to the vestibulum.

Neural Representation of Scale Illusion: Magnetoencephalographic Study on the Auditory Illusion Induced by Distinctive Tone Sequences in the Two Ears

PubMed Central

Kuriki, Shinya; Yokosawa, Koichi; Takahashi, Makoto

2013-01-01

The auditory illusory perception “scale illusion” occurs when a tone of ascending scale is presented in one ear, a tone of descending scale is presented simultaneously in the other ear, and vice versa. Most listeners hear illusory percepts of smooth pitch contours of the higher half of the scale in the right ear and the lower half in the left ear. Little is known about neural processes underlying the scale illusion. In this magnetoencephalographic study, we recorded steady-state responses to amplitude-modulated short tones having illusion-inducing pitch sequences, where the sound level of the modulated tones was manipulated to decrease monotonically with increase in pitch. The steady-state responses were decomposed into right- and left-sound components by means of separate modulation frequencies. It was found that the time course of the magnitude of response components of illusion-perceiving listeners was significantly correlated with smooth pitch contour of illusory percepts and that the time course of response components of stimulus-perceiving listeners was significantly correlated with discontinuous pitch contour of stimulus percepts in addition to the contour of illusory percepts. The results suggest that the percept of illusory pitch sequence was represented in the neural activity in or near the primary auditory cortex, i.e., the site of generation of auditory steady-state response, and that perception of scale illusion is maintained by automatic low-level processing. PMID:24086676

Hormonal control of second flushing in Douglas-fir shoots.

Treesearch

Morris Cline; Mark Yoders; Dipti Desai; Constance Harrington; William Carlson

2006-01-01

Spring-flushing, over-wintered buds of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) produce new buds that may follow various developmental pathways. These include second flushing in early summer or dormancy before flushing during the following spring. Second flushing usually entails an initial release of apical dominance as some of the...

A combined process coupling phytoremediation and in situ flushing for removal of arsenic in contaminated soil.

PubMed

Yan, Xiulan; Liu, Qiuxin; Wang, Jianyi; Liao, Xiaoyong

2017-07-01

Phytoremediation and soil washing are both potentially useful for remediating arsenic (As)-contaminated soils. We evaluated the effectiveness of a combined process coupling phytoremediation and in situ soil flushing for removal of As in contaminated soil through a pilot study. The results showed that growing Pteris vittata L. (P.v.) accompanied by soil flushing of phosphate (P.v./Flushing treatment) could significantly decrease the total As concentration of soil over a 37day flushing period compared with the single flushing (Flushing treatment). The P.v./Flushing treatment removed 54.04% of soil As from contaminated soil compared to 47.16% in Flushing treatment, suggesting that the growth of P. vittata was beneficial for promoting the removal efficiency. We analyzed the As fractionation in soil and As concentration in soil solution to reveal the mechanism behind this combined process. Results showed that comparing with the control treatment, the percent of labile arsenate fraction significantly increased by 17% under P.v./Flushing treatment. As concentration in soil solution remained a high lever during the middle and later periods (51.26-56.22mg/L), which was significantly higher than the Flushing treatment. Although soil flushing of phosphate for more than a month, P. vittata still had good accumulation and transfer capacity of As of the soil. The results of the research revealed that combination of phytoremediation and in situ soil flushing is available to remediate As-contaminated soils. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Ethnopharmacological study and topical anti-inflammatory activity of crude extract from Poikilacanthus glandulosus (Nees) Ariza leaves.

PubMed

de Brum, Thiele Faccim; Camponogara, Camila; da Silva Jesus, Roberta; Belke, Bianca Vargas; Piana, Mariana; Boligon, Aline Augusti; Pires, Fernanda Brum; Oliveira, Sara Marchesan; da Rosa, Marcelo Barcellos; de Freitas Bauermann, Liliane

2016-12-04

Ethnopharmacological studies are important tools as records and documentation of the empirical uses of medicinal plants in traditional communities with the purpose of generating useful knowledge to lead to the development of new medicines, biodiversity conservation and enhancement of knowledge and local culture. Poikilacanthus glandulosus is widely used by the population of City of Santiago, in Brazil, nevertheless, it does not have any validation regarding its use and its medicinal effects. The objective of this study was to perform one ethnopharmacological survey about P. glandulosus in the City of Santiago and determine the anti-inflammatory activity in order to prove its uses in popular medicine. Personal and ethnopharmacological data were collected through a prepared questionnaire. The phytochemical analysis was performed observing the individual methodology for each reaction and by HPLC-UV. The antiedematogenic and anti-inflammatory (cell infiltration and histological procedure) activities of the P. glandulosus (0.01-1000μg/ear) were evaluated in the ear edema model induced by topical application of croton oil. P. glandulosus is known in City of Santiago as "Gaiana" and its macerated leaves and branches are prepared with alcohol or sugarcane liquor especially for insect bites, cicatrization and inflammation. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of maslinic acid (2.024±0.10mg/g), uvaol (0.124±0.02mg/g) and sitosterol (0.502±0.05mg/g). The topical application of crude extract of P. glandulosus reduced in a dose-dependent manner the croton oil-induced ear edema and myeloperoxidase activity (neutrophils infiltration marker) with maximum inhibition of 87±2% and 64±12%, respectively at 1000µg/ear. Dexamethasone (100µg/ear), used as a positive control, inhibited croton oil-induced ear edema in 89±3% and decreased myeloperoxidase activity in 50±3%. Both P. glandulosus as dexamethasone reduced cell infiltration when evaluated by histological procedure CONCLUSION: This work allowed us to understand the specie P. glandulosus through ethnopharmacological study and it showed that the crude extract presented antiedematogenic and anti-inflammatory actions, proving their traditional use as anti-inflammatory. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Methylation of CIITA promoter IV causes loss of HLA-II inducibility by IFN-γ in promyelocytic cells

PubMed Central

De Ambrosis, Alessandro; Banelli, Barbara; Pira, Giuseppina Li; Aresu, Ottavia; Romani, Massimo; Ferrini, Silvano; Accolla, Roberto S.

2008-01-01

The human promyelocytic cell line THP-1 expresses high level of HLA class II (HLA-II) molecules after IFN-γ treatment. Here, we report a variant of THP-1 that does not express HLA-II after IFN-γ. The variant's HLA-II phenotype is constant over time in culture and it is not related to a defective IFN-γ-signalling pathway. Transfection of CIITA, the HLA-II transcriptional activator, under the control of a cytomegalovirus promoter rescues high level of HLA-DR surface expression in the variant indicating that the biosynthetic block resides in the expression of CIITA and not in the CIITA-dependent transactivation of the HLA-II promoters. Treatment of the variant with 5-azacytidine (5-aza), which inhibits CpG methylation, restores inducibility of HLA-II by IFN-γ both at transcriptional and phenotypic level and antigen presenting and processing function of the variant. DNA studies demonstrate that the molecular defect of the THP-1 variant originates from the methylation of the CIITA promoter IV. Furthermore, treatment with 5-aza produces a substantial demethylation of CIITA promoter IV and a significant increase of IFN-γ-dependent HLA-II expression in another myelomonocytic cell line, U937. Therefore hyper-methylation of CIITA promoter IV may be a relevant mechanism of epigenetic control preventing HLA-II IFN-γ inducibility in the myelomonocytic cell lineage. PMID:18829986

The prosurvival role of autophagy in Resveratrol-induced cytotoxicity in human U251 glioma cells

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

Background Previous study reported that resveratrol has anti-tumor activity. In this study, we investigated the involvement of autophagy in the resveratrol-induced apoptotic death of human U251 glioma cells. Methods The growth inhibition of U251 cells induced by resveratrol was assessed with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT). The activation of autophagy and proapoptotic effect were characterized by monodansylcadaverine labeling and Hoechst stain, respectively. Mitochondrialtransmembrane potential (ΔΨm) was measured as a function of drug treatment using 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide (JC-1). The role of autophagy and apoptosis in the resveratrol-induced death of U251 cells was assessed using autophagic and caspase inhibitors. Immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and Western blot analysis were used to study the apoptotic and autophagic mechanisms. Results Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assays indicated that resveratrol decreased the viability of U251 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that resveratrol increased cell population at sub-G1 phase, an index of apoptosis. Furthermore, resveratrol-induced cell death was associated with a collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential. The pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk suppressed resveratrol-induced U251 cell death. Resveratrol stimulated autophagy was evidenced by punctuate monodansylcadaverine(MDC) staining and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) immunoreactivty. Resveratrol also increased protein levels of beclin 1 and membrane form LC3 (LC3-II). Autophagy inhibitors 3-methylademine (3-MA) and bafilomycin A1 sensitized the cytotoxicity of resveratrol. Conclusion Together, these findings indicate that resveratrol induces autophagy in human U251 glioma cells and autophagy suppressed resveratrol-induced apoptosis. This study thus suggests that autophagy inhibitors can increase the cytotoxicity of resveratrol to glioma cells. PMID:19566920

Vitamin U has a protective effect on valproic acid-induced renal damage due to its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic properties.

PubMed

Gezginci-Oktayoglu, Selda; Turkyilmaz, Ismet Burcu; Ercin, Merve; Yanardag, Refiye; Bolkent, Sehnaz

2016-01-01

The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of vitamin U (vit U, S-methylmethionine) on oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis within the context of valproic acid (VPA)-induced renal damage. In this study, female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: Group I consisted of intact animals, group II was given vit U (50 mg/kg/day, by gavage), group III was given VPA (500 mg/kg/day, intraperitonally), and group IV was given VPA + vit U. The animals were treated by vit U 1 h prior to treatment with VPA every day for 15 days. The following results were obtained in vit U + VPA-treated rats: (i) the protective effect of vit U on renal damage was shown by a significant decrease in histopathological changes and an increase in Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity; (ii) anti-oxidant property of vit U was demonstrated by a decrease in malondialdehyde levels and xanthine oxidase activity and an increase in glutathione levels, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities; (iii) anti-inflammatory property of vit U was demonstrated by a decrease in tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels, and adenosine deaminase activity; (iv) anti-fibrotic effect of vit U was shown by a decrease in transforming growth factor-β, collagen-1 levels, and arginase activity. Collectively, these data show that VPA is a promoter of inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis which resulted in renal damage. Vit U can be proposed as a potential candidate for preventing renal damage which arose during the therapeutic usage of VPA.

Factors Affecting Loss of Tympanic Membrane Mobility in Acute Otitis Media Model of Chinchilla

PubMed Central

Guan, Xiying; Chen, Yongzheng; Gan, Rong Z.

2014-01-01

Recently we reported that middle ear pressure (MEP), middle ear effusion (MEE), and ossicular changes each contribute to the loss of tympanic membrane (TM) mobility in a guinea pig model of acute otitis media (AOM) induced by S. pneumoniae (Guan and Gan, 2013). However, it is not clear how those factors vary along the course of the disease and whether those effects are reproducible in different species. In this study, a chinchilla AOM model was produced by transbullar injection of Haemophilus influenzae. Mobility of the TM at the umbo was measured by laser vibrometry in two treatment groups: 4 days (4D) and 8 days (8D) post inoculation. These time points represent relatively early and later phases of AOM. In each group, the vibration of the umbo was measured at three experimental stages: unopened, pressure-released, and effusion-removed ears. The effects of MEP and MEE and middle ear structural changes were quantified in each group by comparing the TM mobility at one stage with that of the previous stage. Our findings show that the factors affecting TM mobility do change with the disease time course. The MEP was the dominant contributor to reduction of TM mobility in 4D AOM ears, but showed little effect in 8D ears when MEE filled the tympanic cavity. MEE was the primary factor affecting TM mobility loss in 8D ears, but affected the 4D ears only at high frequencies. After the release of MEP and removal of MEE, residual loss of TM mobility was seen mainly at low frequencies in both 4D and 8D ears, and was associated with middle ear structural changes. Our findings establish that the factors contributing to TM mobility loss in the chinchilla ear were similar to those we reported previously for the guinea pig ears with AOM. Outcomes did not appear to differ between the two major bacterial species causing AOM in these animal models. PMID:24406734

Usefulness of a novel slim type FlushKnife-BT over conventional FlushKnife-BT in esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection.

PubMed

Ohara, Yoshiko; Toyonaga, Takashi; Hoshi, Namiko; Tanaka, Shinwa; Baba, Shinichi; Takihara, Hiroshi; Kawara, Fumiaki; Ishida, Tsukasa; Morita, Yoshinori; Umegaki, Eiji; Azuma, Takeshi

2017-03-07

To investigated the usefulness of a novel slim type ball-tipped FlushKnife (FlushKnife-BTS) over ball-tipped FlushKnife (FlushKnife-BT) in functional experiments and clinical practice. In order to evaluate the functionality of FlushKnife-BTS, water aspiration speed, resistance to knife insertion through the scope, and waterjet flushing speed were compared between FlushKnife-BTS and BT. In clinical practice, esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) performed using FlushKnife-BTS or BT by an experienced endoscopist between October 2015 and January 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. The treatment speed and frequency of removing and reinserting the knife to aspirate fluid and air during ESD sessions were analyzed. Functional experiments revealed that water aspiration speed by the endoscope equipped with a 2.8-mm working channel with FlushKnife-BTS was 7.7-fold faster than that with conventional FlushKnife-BT. Resistance to knife insertion inside the scope with a 2.8-mm working channel was reduced by 40% with FlushKnife-BTS. The waterjet flushing speed was faster with the use of FlushKnife-BT. In clinical practice, a comparison of 6 and 7 ESD using FlushKnife-BT and BTS, respectively, revealed that the median treatment speed was 25.5 mm 2 /min (range 19.6-30.3) in the BT group and 44.2 mm 2 /min (range 15.5-55.4) in the BTS group ( P = 0.0633). However, the median treatment speed was significantly faster with FlushKnife-BTS when the resection size was larger than 1000 m 2 ( n = 4, median 24.2 mm 2 /min, range 19.6-27.7 vs n = 4, median 47.4 mm 2 /min, range 44.2-55.4, P = 0.0209). The frequency of knife replacement was less in the BTS group (median 1.76 times in one hour, range 0-5.45) than in the BT group (7.02 times in one hour, range 4.23-15) ( P = 0.0065). Our results indicate that FlushKnife-BTS enhances the performance of ESD, particularly for large lesions, by improving air and fluid aspiration and knife insertion during ESD and reducing the frequency of knife removal and reinsertion.

Usefulness of a novel slim type FlushKnife-BT over conventional FlushKnife-BT in esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection

PubMed Central

Ohara, Yoshiko; Toyonaga, Takashi; Hoshi, Namiko; Tanaka, Shinwa; Baba, Shinichi; Takihara, Hiroshi; Kawara, Fumiaki; Ishida, Tsukasa; Morita, Yoshinori; Umegaki, Eiji; Azuma, Takeshi

2017-01-01

AIM To investigated the usefulness of a novel slim type ball-tipped FlushKnife (FlushKnife-BTS) over ball-tipped FlushKnife (FlushKnife-BT) in functional experiments and clinical practice. METHODS In order to evaluate the functionality of FlushKnife-BTS, water aspiration speed, resistance to knife insertion through the scope, and waterjet flushing speed were compared between FlushKnife-BTS and BT. In clinical practice, esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) performed using FlushKnife-BTS or BT by an experienced endoscopist between October 2015 and January 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. The treatment speed and frequency of removing and reinserting the knife to aspirate fluid and air during ESD sessions were analyzed. RESULTS Functional experiments revealed that water aspiration speed by the endoscope equipped with a 2.8-mm working channel with FlushKnife-BTS was 7.7-fold faster than that with conventional FlushKnife-BT. Resistance to knife insertion inside the scope with a 2.8-mm working channel was reduced by 40% with FlushKnife-BTS. The waterjet flushing speed was faster with the use of FlushKnife-BT. In clinical practice, a comparison of 6 and 7 ESD using FlushKnife-BT and BTS, respectively, revealed that the median treatment speed was 25.5 mm2/min (range 19.6-30.3) in the BT group and 44.2 mm2/min (range 15.5-55.4) in the BTS group (P = 0.0633). However, the median treatment speed was significantly faster with FlushKnife-BTS when the resection size was larger than 1000 m2 (n = 4, median 24.2 mm2/min, range 19.6-27.7 vs n = 4, median 47.4 mm2/min, range 44.2-55.4, P = 0.0209). The frequency of knife replacement was less in the BTS group (median 1.76 times in one hour, range 0-5.45) than in the BT group (7.02 times in one hour, range 4.23-15) (P = 0.0065). CONCLUSION Our results indicate that FlushKnife-BTS enhances the performance of ESD, particularly for large lesions, by improving air and fluid aspiration and knife insertion during ESD and reducing the frequency of knife removal and reinsertion. PMID:28321167

An Investigation of Laser Induced Surface Damage in glass.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-06-01

ROA-RI60 669 RN INVESTIGATION OF LASER INDUCED SURFACE DAMAG IN In1 1 6lo GLASS (U) NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA R D UYAK JUN 85IUNCLASSIFIED...ii -0 NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL Monterey, California bor OCT THESIS AN INVESTIGATION OF LASER INDUCED SURFACE DAMAGE IN GLASS by )Richard David Uyak ,L...Subtitle) EPORT 6 PERIOD COVERED %An Investigation of Laser Induced Master’s Thesis Surface Damage in Glass June 1985S. PERFORMING ORG. REPORT MUMMER 7

Right Ear Advantage of Speech Audiometry in Single-sided Deafness.

PubMed

Wettstein, Vincent G; Probst, Rudolf

2018-04-01

Postlingual single-sided deafness (SSD) is defined as normal hearing in one ear and severely impaired hearing in the other ear. A right ear advantage and dominance of the left hemisphere are well established findings in individuals with normal hearing and speech processing. Therefore, it seems plausible that a right ear advantage would exist in patients with SSD. The audiometric database was searched to identify patients with SSD. Results from the German monosyllabic Freiburg word test and four-syllabic number test in quiet were evaluated. Results of right-sided SSD were compared with left-sided SSD. Statistical calculations were done with the Mann-Whitney U test. Four hundred and six patients with SSD were identified, 182 with right-sided and 224 with left-sided SSD. The two groups had similar pure-tone thresholds without significant differences. All test parameters of speech audiometry had better values for right ears (SSD left) when compared with left ears (SSD right). Statistically significant results (p < 0.05) were found for a weighted score (social index, 98.2 ± 4% right and 97.5 ± 4.7% left, p < 0.026), for word understanding at 60 dB SPL (95.2 ± 8.7% right and 93.9 ± 9.1% left, p < 0.035), and for the level at which 100% understanding was reached (61.5 ± 10.1 dB SPL right and 63.8 ± 11.1 dB SPL left, p < 0.022) on a performance-level function. A right ear advantage of speech audiometry was found in patients with SSD in this retrospective study of audiometric test results.

The influence of small-scale interlayer heterogeneity on DDT removal efficiency for flushing technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xingwei; Chen, Jiajun

2017-06-01

With an aim to investigate the influence of small-scale interlayer heterogeneity on DDT removal efficiency, batch test including surfactant-stabilized foam flushing and solution flushing were carried out. Two man-made heterogeneous patterns consisting of coarse and fine quartz sand were designed to reveal the influencing mechanism. Moreover, the removal mechanism and the corresponding contribution by foam flushing were quantitatively studied. Compared with surfactant solution flushing, the DDT removal efficiency by surfactant-stabilized foam flushing increased by 9.47% and 11.28% under heterogeneous patterns 1 and 2, respectively. The DDT removal contributions of improving sweep efficiency for heterogeneous patterns 1 and 2 by foam flushing were 40.82% and 45.98%, and the contribution of dissolving capacity were 59.18% and 54.02%, respectively. The dissolving capacity of DDT played a major role in DDT removal efficiency by foam flushing under laboratory conditions. And the DDT removal contribution of significant improving sweep efficiency was higher than that of removal decline caused by weak solubilizing ability of foam film compared with solution flushing. The obtained results indicated that the difference of DDT removal efficiency by foam flushing was decreased under two different heterogeneous patterns with the increase of the contribution of improving foam flushing sweep efficiency. It suggested that foam flushing can reduce the disturbance from interlayer heterogeneity in remediating DDT contaminated heterogeneous medium.

Strategies of immunization against mucosal infections.

PubMed

Russell, M W; Martin, M H; Wu, H Y; Hollingshead, S K; Moldoveanu, Z; Mestecky, J

2000-12-08

The presence of secretory (S-) IgA in middle-ear fluid and localization of IgA-secreting cells in its mucosae suggest that the middle ear is an effector site of the mucosal immune system. Several strategies have been devised to induce potent, long-lasting, and recallable mucosal S-IgA antibodies, as well as circulating IgG antibodies and Th1- or Th2-type help, according to the most appropriate responses for a particular infection. Application of immunogens to inductive sites in the upper respiratory tract may be most effective for generating responses in the middle ear and nasopharynx for protection against the organisms responsible for otitis media.

33 CFR 162.20 - Flushing Bay near La Guardia Airport, Flushing, N.Y.; restricted area.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... Airport, Flushing, N.Y.; restricted area. 162.20 Section 162.20 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY INLAND WATERWAYS NAVIGATION REGULATIONS § 162.20 Flushing Bay near La Guardia Airport, Flushing, N.Y.; restricted area. (a...

33 CFR 162.20 - Flushing Bay near La Guardia Airport, Flushing, N.Y.; restricted area.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Airport, Flushing, N.Y.; restricted area. 162.20 Section 162.20 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY INLAND WATERWAYS NAVIGATION REGULATIONS § 162.20 Flushing Bay near La Guardia Airport, Flushing, N.Y.; restricted area. (a...

Development and recovery from winter embolism in silver birch: seasonal patterns and relationships with the phenological cycle in oceanic Scotland.

PubMed

Strati, Sara; Patiño, Sandra; Slidders, Caley; Cundall, Edward P; Mencuccini, Maurizio

2003-07-01

Silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) is increasingly used in the United Kingdom for reforestation. However, recent evidence indicates that, under some circumstances, planted birch can suffer serious and repeated mortality of the apical leaders and branches, with consequent loss of apical dominance and the formation of a contorted stem. Plants from 37 seed sources of silver birch from Scotland and northern England planted at two sites were compared for several characteristics related to hydraulic architecture, vulnerability to freeze-thaw cycle induced embolism and spring recovery from winter embolism during the period 2000-2002. Phenological rhythms were also monitored in late winter-early spring to document relationships between phenology and water relations parameters. Significant differences were found across seed sources in stage of bud flushing for four dates in spring. Early flushing seed sources differed by about 1 to 2 weeks from late-flushing seed sources across the two sites. Wintertime xylem embolism in stems reached a peak of about 50 to 70% loss of xylem hydraulic conductivity, depending on the size and position of the sample shoots in the canopy. Small apical shoots were significantly more embolized than large basal shoots. Development of winter embolism was coupled to the occurrence of frost events. As percent loss of hydraulic conductivity increased during the winter, wood relative water content declined. Embolism reversal occurred rapidly in spring at the time of development of positive root pressure. No significant differences in the degree of winter embolism in 2001 were found among the three seed sources examined. The investigation was expanded in the winter-spring of 2002 to include 10 seed sources across both sites. Significant differences were found in degree of winter embolism across sites, dates and seed sources. For each date, there was a significant relationship between flushing scores and wood relative water contents across the two sites and all seed sources, suggesting that differences in time of flushing across sites and seed sources were likely caused by differences in the time of occurrence of root pressure, a necessary precondition to flushing.

The optimal pressure for initial flush with UW solution in heart procurement.

PubMed

Mohara, Jun; Tsutsumi, Hirofumi; Takeyoshi, Izumi; Tokumine, Masahiko; Aizaki, Masahiro; Ishikawa, Susumu; Matsumoto, Koshi; Morishita, Yasuo

2002-03-01

University of Wisconsin (UW) solution is widely used in organ preservation. Some investigators have reported that high pressure during initial flush with UW solution may induce vasoconstriction and endothelial damage, because of its high potassium content and high viscosity. However, using lower pressure during the initial flush may lead to irregular distribution of the solution and incomplete flushing of blood components from coronary vascular beds. This experimental study evaluated the effects of a range of initial flush pressures during heart procurement, followed by orthotopic transplantation of the graft after 12 hours of preservation. Twelve pairs of adult mongrel dogs, weighing 9 to 14 kg, formed the recipient-donor combinations. After determining hemodynamic status by measuring cardiac output, left ventricular pressure (LVP), and maximum positive and negative change in LVP (+/-LVdP/dt), donor hearts were excised. Coronary vascular beds were flushed with 4 degrees C UW solution at a pressure of 60 mm Hg in the low-pressure group (n = 6) and at 120 mm Hg in the high-pressure group (n = 6). After 12 hours of cold preservation, orthotopic transplantation was performed using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The hemodynamics of the transplanted graft were assessed by comparing recovery rates (%) from donor hearts 2 hours after weaning from CPB. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels were measured in the blood obtained from the coronary sinus 30 minutes after reperfusion. The transplanted grafts were then harvested for histologic study and measurement of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content. Cardiac output, LVP, LVdP/dt and myocardial tissue ATP content were significantly better (p < 0.05) in the high-pressure group than in the low-pressure group. We found no significant differences in ET-1 levels between the groups. Transmission electron microscopic findings revealed that degeneration of the mitochondria was less extensive in the high-pressure group than in the low-pressure group. We observed no obvious ultrastructural damage to the endothelial cells in either group. When using UW solution in heart procurement, high pressure is better to completely wash out the blood components and distribute the solution.

Factors constraining the benefit to speech understanding of combining information from low-frequency hearing and a cochlear implant.

PubMed

Dorman, Michael F; Cook, Sarah; Spahr, Anthony; Zhang, Ting; Loiselle, Louise; Schramm, David; Whittingham, JoAnne; Gifford, Rene

2015-04-01

Many studies have documented the benefits to speech understanding when cochlear implant (CI) patients can access low-frequency acoustic information from the ear opposite the implant. In this study we assessed the role of three factors in determining the magnitude of bimodal benefit - (i) the level of CI-only performance, (ii) the magnitude of the hearing loss in the ear with low-frequency acoustic hearing and (iii) the type of test material. The patients had low-frequency PTAs (average of 125, 250 and 500 Hz) varying over a large range (<30 dB HL to >70 dB HL) in the ear contralateral to the implant. The patients were tested with (i) CNC words presented in quiet (n = 105) (ii) AzBio sentences presented in quiet (n = 102), (iii) AzBio sentences in noise at +10 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) (n = 69), and (iv) AzBio sentences at +5 dB SNR (n = 64). We find maximum bimodal benefit when (i) CI scores are less than 60 percent correct, (ii) hearing loss is less than 60 dB HL in low-frequencies and (iii) the test material is sentences presented against a noise background. When these criteria are met, some bimodal patients can gain 40-60 percentage points in performance relative to performance with a CI. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled . Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The Phytotoxicity of Designated Pollutants

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-12-01

necrotic injury on tomato and barley leaves .* . . .* . . . . . . . .e .o . . . . o . . . . .o . 74 A4 Pictorial key for necrotic injury on lettuce and...water flushed with water. ................ 58 43 Growth of barley seedlings from soil previously treated with jet fuel .................. 60 44 Growth of...Variety or Cultivar Alfalfa Medicago sativa L. Cu F101, Bonanza Barley Hordeum vulgare L. CM67 Bean Phaseolus vulgaris L. Pinto U.I. III Carrot Daucus

Vinpocetine inhibits Streptococcus pneumoniae-induced upregulation of mucin MUC5AC expression via induction of MKP-1 phosphatase in the pathogenesis of otitis media.

PubMed

Lee, Ji-Yun; Komatsu, Kensei; Lee, Byung-Cheol; Miyata, Masanori; O'Neill Bohn, Ashley; Xu, Haidong; Yan, Chen; Li, Jian-Dong

2015-06-15

Mucin overproduction is a hallmark of otitis media (OM). Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the most common bacterial pathogens causing OM. Mucin MUC5AC plays an important role in mucociliary clearance of bacterial pathogens. However, if uncontrolled, excessive mucus contributes significantly to conductive hearing loss. Currently, there is a lack of effective therapeutic agents that suppress mucus overproduction. In this study, we show that a currently existing antistroke drug, vinpocetine, a derivative of the alkaloid vincamine, inhibited S. pneumoniae-induced mucin MUC5AC upregulation in cultured middle ear epithelial cells and in the middle ear of mice. Moreover, vinpocetine inhibited MUC5AC upregulation by inhibiting the MAPK ERK pathway in an MKP-1-dependent manner. Importantly, ototopical administration of vinpocetine postinfection inhibited MUC5AC expression and middle ear inflammation induced by S. pneumoniae and reduced hearing loss and pneumococcal loads in a well-established mouse model of OM. Thus, these studies identified vinpocetine as a potential therapeutic agent for inhibiting mucus production in the pathogenesis of OM. Copyright © 2015 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) can detect asymptomatic saccular hydrops.

PubMed

Lin, Ming-Yee; Timmer, Ferdinand C A; Oriel, Brad S; Zhou, Guangwei; Guinan, John J; Kujawa, Sharon G; Herrmann, Barbara S; Merchant, Saumil N; Rauch, Steven D

2006-06-01

The objective of this study was to explore the useful of vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) testing for detecting endolymphatic hydrops, especially in the second ear of patients with unilateral Ménière disease (MD). This study was performed at a tertiary care academic medical center. Part I consisted of postmortem temporal bone specimens from the temporal bone collection of the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary; part II consisted of consecutive consenting adult patients (n = 82) with unilateral MD by American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery criteria case histories. Outcome measures consisted of VEMP thresholds in patients and histologic saccular endolymphatic hydrops in postmortem temporal bones. Saccular hydrops was observed in the asymptomatic ear in six of 17 (35%) of temporal bones from donors with unilateral MD. Clinic patients with unilateral MD showed elevated mean VEMP thresholds and altered VEMP tuning in their symptomatic ears and, to a lesser degree, in their asymptomatic ears. Specific VEMP frequency and tuning criteria were used to define a "Ménière-like" response. This "Ménière-like" response was seen in 27% of asymptomatic ears of our patients with unilateral MD. Bilateral involvement is seen in approximately one third of MD cases. Saccular hydrops appears to precede symptoms in bilateral MD. Changes in VEMP threshold and tuning appear to be sensitive to these structural changes in the saccule. If so, then VEMP may be useful as a detector of asymptomatic saccular hydrops and as a predictor of evolving bilateral MD.

The Effects of Age at Cleft Palate Repair on Middle Ear Function and Hearing Level.

PubMed

Lou, Qun; Zhu, Hongping; Luo, Yi; Zhou, Zhibo; Ma, Lian; Ma, Xiaoran; Fu, Yuan

2018-05-01

To investigate the age effects of cleft palate repair on middle ear function and hearing level in patients who underwent cleft palate repair at different ages by audiologic examination. Medical histories were gathered in detail, and audiologic tests (ie, tympanometry and pure tone hearing threshold) were conducted in 126 patients after palatoplasty. The patients were divided into the following 4 groups according to their ages when they underwent cleft palate repair: group I (0-3 years, 73 patients), group II (4-7 years, 29 patients), group III (8-11 years, 16 patients), and group IV (12 years and older, 8 patients). The data regarding tympanograms, hearing levels, and the average hearing thresholds of each group were analyzed using chi-square tests. The prevalence of middle ear dysfunction and hearing loss in the patients who underwent palatoplasty before 3 years old (27.4% and 2.0% respectively) was significantly lower than that in patients who underwent palatopalsty at 12 years or older (75.0% and 43.7%, respectively). Linear-by-linear association revealed that the prevalences of middle ear dysfunction and hearing loss among the 4 groups were significantly different ( P < .05). The prevalence of middle ear dysfunction and hearing loss tended to increase with advancing age at the time of cleft palate repair. From an audiologist's perspective, palatoplasty at an early age is very beneficial in helping children with cleft palates acquire better middle ear function and hearing level.

40 CFR 211.203 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... entering the ear. This includes devices of which hearing protection may not be the primary function, but... -carrying case. (u) Primary Panel. The surface that is considered to be the front surface or that surface...

40 CFR 211.203 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... entering the ear. This includes devices of which hearing protection may not be the primary function, but... -carrying case. (u) Primary Panel. The surface that is considered to be the front surface or that surface...

40 CFR 211.203 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... entering the ear. This includes devices of which hearing protection may not be the primary function, but... -carrying case. (u) Primary Panel. The surface that is considered to be the front surface or that surface...

Why You Shouldn't Use Cotton Swabs to Clean Your Ears

MedlinePlus

Skip to main Content U.S. Department of Health & Human Services National Institutes of Health National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders You are here Home > Have You Heard? > ...

Morphology and Length Correlated in Terminal Flushes of Longleaf Pine Saplings

Treesearch

R.M. Allen; N.M. Scarbrough

1970-01-01

In longleafpine (Pinuspalustris Mill.) saplings growing in southern Mississippi the length of the first or spring flush was significantly correlated with that of the second flush; the correlation of length between flushes two and three was also statistically significant. The correlations were due more to similarities in internode elongation than to node number. Flush...

Comparative analysis of Lacistema pubescens and dexamethasone on topical treatment of skin inflammation in a chronic disease model and side effects.

PubMed

da Silva, Josiane M; Conegundes, Jéssica L M; Pinto, Nícolas C C; Mendes, Renata F; Castañon, Maria Christina M N; Scio, Elita

2018-04-01

This study aimed to evaluate the chronic topical anti-inflammatory activity of the pharmaceutical formulation ProHLP containing the hexane fraction of Lacistema pubescens (HLP). It was also investigated the possible cutaneous and systemic adverse effects of HLP and ProHLP in mice when compared to dexamethasone. The chronic topical anti-inflammatory activity was determined by croton oil multiple application-induced mouse ear oedema model. Histopathological analyses of ear tissue samples sensitized with croton oil were performed. Cutaneous atrophy induced by HLP and topical glucocorticoid treatments and excision skin wounds model to evidenced possible adverse reactions were also determined. ProHLP significantly reduced the mice ear oedema and considerably accelerated the wound-healing process. Also, HLP did not lead cutaneous atrophy and preserved the clinical aspect of the thymus, adrenal and spleen, unlike dexamethasone. The results suggested that ProHLP is an efficient and safer pharmaceutical formulation to treat chronic inflammatory diseases. © 2018 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Inhibitory activity of Sargassum hemiphyllum sulfated polysaccharide in arachidonic acid-induced animal models of inflammation.

PubMed

Hwang, Pai-An; Hung, Yu-Lan; Chien, Shih-Yung

2015-03-01

Sargassum hemiphyllum is a common plant found on the coasts of Taiwan; it has been used as an anti-inflammatory agent in traditional herbal medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of S. hemiphyllum sulfated polysaccharide (SHSP) using two different mouse models. In both arachidonic acid-induced ear inflammatory gavage and paint models, SHSP decreased ear swelling and erythema. In addition, SHSP decreased the production of myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in a dose-dependent manner. Histological examination results showed that SHSP reduced the area of neutrophilic infiltration in inflamed ears. The anti-inflammatory activity of SHSP has already been demonstrated in vitro. In this study, SHSP extracted from the same species of brown seaweed exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in both oral and topical applications in vivo. Therefore, SHSP may play a role in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Immediate contact reactions to chemicals in the fragrance mix and a study of the quenching action of eugenol.

PubMed

Safford, R J; Basketter, D A; Allenby, C F; Goodwin, B F

1990-11-01

In this study, the nature of non-immune immediate contact reactions (NIICR) produced by cinnamic aldehyde, benzoic acid and sorbic acid were investigated, with particular interest in the 'quenching' ability of eugenol. Three groups of human subjects were studied, and the guinea-pig ear was also used as a model of NIICR. Cinnamic aldehyde, benzoic acid and sorbic acid were all able to produce NIICR in the majority of subjects studied. There was a strong correlation between the susceptibility of each subject to each urticant, but no correlation between the susceptibility to NIICR and age, atopic status or tanning ability. Eugenol caused a reduction in NIICR induced by all three urticants. This 'quenching' effect was apparent even when the eugenol was applied up to 60 min prior to application of cinnamic aldehyde, and its effect was not eliminated by washing. In the guinea-pig-ear model, ear thickening was induced by all three urticants, and this response was inhibited by eugenol.

An oral vaccine based on U-Omp19 induces protection against B. abortus mucosal challenge by inducing an adaptive IL-17 immune response in mice.

PubMed

Pasquevich, Karina A; Ibañez, Andrés E; Coria, Lorena M; García Samartino, Clara; Estein, Silvia M; Zwerdling, Astrid; Barrionuevo, Paula; Oliveira, Fernanda S; Seither, Christine; Warzecha, Heribert; Oliveira, Sergio C; Giambartolomei, Guillermo H; Cassataro, Juliana

2011-01-14

As Brucella infections occur mainly through mucosal surfaces, the development of mucosal administered vaccines could be radical for the control of brucellosis. In this work we evaluated the potential of Brucella abortus 19 kDa outer membrane protein (U-Omp19) as an edible subunit vaccine against brucellosis. We investigated the protective immune response elicited against oral B. abortus infection after vaccination of mice with leaves from transgenic plants expressing U-Omp19; or with plant-made or E. coli-made purified U-Omp19. All tested U-Omp19 formulations induced protection against Brucella when orally administered without the need of adjuvants. U-Omp19 also induced protection against a systemic challenge when parenterally administered. This built-in adjuvant ability of U-Omp19 was independent of TLR4 and could be explained at least in part by its capability to activate dendritic cells in vivo. While unadjuvanted U-Omp19 intraperitoneally administered induced a specific Th1 response, following U-Omp19 oral delivery a mixed specific Th1-Th17 response was induced. Depletion of CD4(+) T cells in mice orally vaccinated with U-Omp19 resulted in a loss of the elicited protection, indicating that this cell type mediates immune protection. The role of IL-17 against Brucella infection has never been explored. In this study, we determined that if IL-17A was neutralized in vivo during the challenge period, the mucosal U-Omp19 vaccine did not confer mucosal protection. On the contrary, IL-17A neutralization during the infection did not influence at all the subsistence and growth of this bacterium in PBS-immunized mice. All together, our results indicate that an oral unadjuvanted vaccine based on U-Omp19 induces protection against a mucosal challenge with Brucella abortus by inducing an adaptive IL-17 immune response. They also indicate different and important new aspects i) IL-17 does not contribute to reduce the bacterial burden in non vaccinated mice and ii) IL-17 plays a central role in vaccine mediated anti-Brucella mucosal immunity.

The influence of small-scale interlayer heterogeneity on DDT removal efficiency for flushing technology.

PubMed

Wang, Xingwei; Chen, Jiajun

2017-06-01

With an aim to investigate the influence of small-scale interlayer heterogeneity on DDT removal efficiency, batch test including surfactant-stabilized foam flushing and solution flushing were carried out. Two man-made heterogeneous patterns consisting of coarse and fine quartz sand were designed to reveal the influencing mechanism. Moreover, the removal mechanism and the corresponding contribution by foam flushing were quantitatively studied. Compared with surfactant solution flushing, the DDT removal efficiency by surfactant-stabilized foam flushing increased by 9.47% and 11.28% under heterogeneous patterns 1 and 2, respectively. The DDT removal contributions of improving sweep efficiency for heterogeneous patterns 1 and 2 by foam flushing were 40.82% and 45.98%, and the contribution of dissolving capacity were 59.18% and 54.02%, respectively. The dissolving capacity of DDT played a major role in DDT removal efficiency by foam flushing under laboratory conditions. And the DDT removal contribution of significant improving sweep efficiency was higher than that of removal decline caused by weak solubilizing ability of foam film compared with solution flushing. The obtained results indicated that the difference of DDT removal efficiency by foam flushing was decreased under two different heterogeneous patterns with the increase of the contribution of improving foam flushing sweep efficiency. It suggested that foam flushing can reduce the disturbance from interlayer heterogeneity in remediating DDT contaminated heterogeneous medium. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Contralateral Occlusion Test: The effect of external ear canal occlusion on hearing thresholds.

PubMed

Reis, Luis Roque; Fernandes, Paulo; Escada, Pedro

Bedside testing with tuning forks may decrease turnaround time and improve decision making for a quick qualitative assessment of hearing loss. The purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of ear canal occlusion on hearing, in order to decide which tuning fork frequency is more appropriate to use for quantifying hearing loss with the Contralateral Occlusion Test. Twenty normal-hearing adults (forty ears) underwent sound field pure tone audiometry with and without ear canal occlusion. Each ear was tested with the standard frequencies. The contralateral ear was suppressed with by masking. Ear occlusion was performed by two examiners. Participants aged between 21 and 30 years (25.6±3.03 years) showed an increase in hearing thresholds with increasing frequencies from 19.94dB (250Hz) to 39.25dB (2000Hz). The threshold difference between occluded and unoccluded conditions was statistically significant and increased from 10.69dB (250Hz) to 32.12dB (2000Hz). There were no statistically significant differences according to gender or between the examiners. The occlusion effect increased the hearing thresholds and became more evident with higher frequencies. The occlusion method as performed demonstrated reproducibility. In the Contralateral Occlusion Test, 256Hz or 512Hz tuning forks should be used for diagnosis of mild hearing loss, and a 2048Hz tuning fork should be used for moderate hearing loss. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología y Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello. All rights reserved.

Failure of antioxidants to protect against angiotensin II-induced aortic rupture in aged apolipoprotein(E)-deficient mice.

PubMed

Jiang, F; Jones, G T; Dusting, G J

2007-11-01

Oxidative stress may be involved in the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Previous studies indicate that antioxidants protect against AAA formation during chronic angiotensin (Ang) II infusion in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(0)) mice. We here examine if these protective effects also occurred in aged ApoE(0) mice. Male ApoE(0) mice (50-60 weeks) were randomly divided into 4 groups: saline, Ang II (1000 ng kg(-1) min(-1) for 4 weeks), Ang II plus antioxidants (0.1% vitamin E in food plus 0.1% vitamin C in drinking water), and Ang II plus losartan (30 mg kg(-1) day(-1)). Exogenous Ang II increased systolic blood pressure by 40 mmHg and resulted in the formation of pseudoaneurysms (rupture and extramural haematoma) in the abdominal aorta in 50% of animals. True aneurysmal dilatation was rarely observed. Antioxidants decreased systemic oxidative stress (plasma malondialdehyde), but had only minor effects on aortic rupture, relative to the complete prevention by losartan. Immunohistochemistry revealed strong matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression in atherosclerotic plaques and at the sites of rupture. Antioxidants did not affect tumour necrosis factor-alpha-stimulated MMP-9 release from U937 cells. In addition, antioxidants had little effects on Ang II-induced renal dysfunction. In contrast to previous findings in younger mice, antioxidants had only minor effects on Ang II-induced aortic rupture in aged mice. Our results demonstrate that the pathological features of the aneurysmal remodelling induced by Ang II in old ApoE(0) mice are distinct from those of human AAA.

Importance of age and postimplantation experience on speech perception measures in children with sequential bilateral cochlear implants.

PubMed

Peters, B Robert; Litovsky, Ruth; Parkinson, Aaron; Lake, Jennifer

2007-08-01

Clinical trials in which children received bilateral cochlear implants in sequential operations were conducted to analyze the extent to which bilateral implantation offers benefits on a number of measures. The present investigation was particularly focused on measuring the effects of age at implantation and experience after activation of the second implant on speech perception performance. Thirty children aged 3 to 13 years were recipients of 2 cochlear implants, received in sequential operations, a minimum of 6 months apart. All children received their first implant before 5 years of age and had acquired speech perception capabilities with the first device. They were divided into 3 age groups on the basis of age at time of second ear implantation: Group I, 3 to 5 years; Group II, 5.1 to 8 years; and Group III, 8.1 to 13 years. Speech perception measures in quiet included the Multisyllabic Lexical Neighborhood Test (MLNT) for Group I, the Lexical Neighborhood Test (LNT) for Groups II and III, and the Hearing In Noise Test for Children (HINT-C) sentences in quiet for Group III. Speech perception in noise was assessed using the Children's Realistic Intelligibility and Speech Perception (CRISP) test. Testing was performed preoperatively and again postactivation of the second implant at 3, 6, and 12 months (CRISP at 3 and 9 mo) in both the unilateral and bilateral conditions in a repeated-measures study design. Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to analyze statistical significance among device configurations and performance over time. US Multicenter. Results for speech perception in quiet show that children implanted sequentially acquire open-set speech perception in the second ear relatively quickly (within 6 mo). However, children younger than 8 years do so more rapidly and to a higher level of speech perception ability at 12 months than older children (mean second ear MLNT/LNT scores at 12 months: Group I, 83.9%; range, 71-96%; Group II, 59.5%; range, 40-88%; Group III, 32%; range, 12-56%). The second-ear mean HINT-C score for Group III children remained far less than that of the first ear even after 12 months of device use (44 versus 89%; t, 6.48; p<0.001; critical value, 0.025). Speech intelligibility for spondees in noise was significantly better under bilateral conditions than with either ear alone when all children were analyzed as a single group and for Group III children. At the 9-month test interval, performance in the bilateral configuration was significantly better for all noise conditions (13.2% better for noise at first cochlear implant, 6.8% better for the noise front and noise at second cochlear implant conditions, t=2.32, p=0.024, critical level=0.05 for noise front; t=3.75, p<0.0001, critical level=0.05 for noise at first implant; t=2.73, p = 0.008, critical level=0.05 for noise at second implant side). The bilateral benefit in noise increased with time from 3 to 9 months after activation of the second implant. This bilateral advantage is greatest when noise is directed toward the first implanted ear, indicating that the head shadow effect is the most effective binaural mechanism. The bilateral condition produced small improvements in speech perception in quiet and for individual Group I and Group II patient results in noise that, in view of the relatively small number of subjects tested, do not reach statistical significance. Sequential bilateral cochlear implantation in children of diverse ages has the potential to improve speech perception abilities in the second implanted ear and to provide access to the use of binaural mechanisms such as the head shadow effect. The improvement unfolds over time and continues to grow during the 6 to 12 months after activation of the second implant. Younger children in this study achieved higher open-set speech perception scores in the second ear, but older children still demonstrate bilateral benefit in noise. Determining the long-term impact and cost-effectiveness that results from such potential capabilities in bilaterally implanted children requires additional study with larger groups of subjects and more prolonged monitoring.

Low Level Chemical Toxicity: Relevance to Chemical Agent Defense

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-07-01

elevation in stress hormones in the blood serum. Electron microscropy indicated no damage to cochlear tissues of the ear (not shown). At the...neural activity occurring primarily in the cochlear nucleus of the brainstem auditory pathway. Peak II is usually the last major peak to disappear...IV). Peak II is generally the strongest peak and is regarded as a putative indicator of neural activity occurring primarily in the cochlear nucleus

Hot flushes, coronary heart disease, and hormone therapy in postmenopausal women

PubMed Central

Huang, Alison J.; Sawaya, George F.; Vittinghoff, Eric; Lin, Feng; Grady, Deborah

2010-01-01

Objective The aim of this study was to examine interactions between hot flushes, estrogen plus progestogen therapy (EPT), and coronary heart disease (CHD) events in postmenopausal women with CHD. Methods We analyzed data from the Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study, a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 0.625 mg conjugated equine estrogens plus 2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate in 2,763 postmenopausal women with CHD. Hot flushes were assessed at baseline using self-administered questionnaires; women reporting bothersome hot flushes “some” to ”all” of the time were considered to have clinically significant flushing. Cox regression models were used to examine the effect of EPT on risk of CHD events among women with and without significant flushing at baseline. Results The mean age of participants was 66.7 ± 6.8 years, and 89% (n = 2,448) were white. Sixteen percent (n = 434) of participants reported clinically significant hot flushes at baseline. Among women with baseline flushing, EPT increased risk of CHD events nine-fold in the first year compared with placebo (hazard ratio = 9.01; 95% CI, 1.15-70.35); among women without baseline flushing, treatment did not significantly affect CHD event risk in the first year (hazard ratio = 1.32; 95% CI, 0.86-2.03; P = 0.07 for interaction of hot flushes with treatment). The trend toward differential effects of EPT on risk for CHD among women with and without baseline flushing did not persist after the first year of treatment. Conclusions Among older postmenopausal women with CHD, EPT may increase risk of CHD events substantially in the first year of treatment among women with clinically significant hot flushes but not among those without hot flushes. PMID:19325499

Monaural Congenital Deafness Affects Aural Dominance and Degrades Binaural Processing

PubMed Central

Tillein, Jochen; Hubka, Peter; Kral, Andrej

2016-01-01

Cortical development extensively depends on sensory experience. Effects of congenital monaural and binaural deafness on cortical aural dominance and representation of binaural cues were investigated in the present study. We used an animal model that precisely mimics the clinical scenario of unilateral cochlear implantation in an individual with single-sided congenital deafness. Multiunit responses in cortical field A1 to cochlear implant stimulation were studied in normal-hearing cats, bilaterally congenitally deaf cats (CDCs), and unilaterally deaf cats (uCDCs). Binaural deafness reduced cortical responsiveness and decreased response thresholds and dynamic range. In contrast to CDCs, in uCDCs, cortical responsiveness was not reduced, but hemispheric-specific reorganization of aural dominance and binaural interactions were observed. Deafness led to a substantial drop in binaural facilitation in CDCs and uCDCs, demonstrating the inevitable role of experience for a binaural benefit. Sensitivity to interaural time differences was more reduced in uCDCs than in CDCs, particularly at the hemisphere ipsilateral to the hearing ear. Compared with binaural deafness, unilateral hearing prevented nonspecific reduction in cortical responsiveness, but extensively reorganized aural dominance and binaural responses. The deaf ear remained coupled with the cortex in uCDCs, demonstrating a significant difference to deprivation amblyopia in the visual system. PMID:26803166

Monaural Congenital Deafness Affects Aural Dominance and Degrades Binaural Processing.

PubMed

Tillein, Jochen; Hubka, Peter; Kral, Andrej

2016-04-01

Cortical development extensively depends on sensory experience. Effects of congenital monaural and binaural deafness on cortical aural dominance and representation of binaural cues were investigated in the present study. We used an animal model that precisely mimics the clinical scenario of unilateral cochlear implantation in an individual with single-sided congenital deafness. Multiunit responses in cortical field A1 to cochlear implant stimulation were studied in normal-hearing cats, bilaterally congenitally deaf cats (CDCs), and unilaterally deaf cats (uCDCs). Binaural deafness reduced cortical responsiveness and decreased response thresholds and dynamic range. In contrast to CDCs, in uCDCs, cortical responsiveness was not reduced, but hemispheric-specific reorganization of aural dominance and binaural interactions were observed. Deafness led to a substantial drop in binaural facilitation in CDCs and uCDCs, demonstrating the inevitable role of experience for a binaural benefit. Sensitivity to interaural time differences was more reduced in uCDCs than in CDCs, particularly at the hemisphere ipsilateral to the hearing ear. Compared with binaural deafness, unilateral hearing prevented nonspecific reduction in cortical responsiveness, but extensively reorganized aural dominance and binaural responses. The deaf ear remained coupled with the cortex in uCDCs, demonstrating a significant difference to deprivation amblyopia in the visual system. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press.

Concept Learning and Heuristic Classification in Weak-Theory Domains

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-03-01

age and noise-induced cochlear age..gt.60 noise-induced cochlear air(mild) age-induced cochlear history(noise) norma ]_ear speechpoor)acousticneuroma...Annual review of computer science. Machine Learning, 4, 1990. (to appear). [18] R.T. Duran . Concept learning with incomplete data sets. Master’s thesis

New Technology for Oil/Water Emulsion Treatment: Phases I and II

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-05-15

m.(Aŕ) Emulsions have long been of practical interest because of their extensive everyday applications. Emulsions are used in foods ( milk and...separating cream from milk . Valve-discharge centrifuges periodically discharge accumulated solids. Split-bowl centrifuges have a bowl that allows...fresh air. Call a physician. RVF CONTACT: Flush with water for 15 minutes. Call a physician. Wash thSroSghly with soap and rinse with water. Call

77 FR 33698 - Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Revision of U.S. Munitions List...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-07

... , search for this notice by using this rule's RIN (1400-AD16). Comments received after that date will be... Industry and Security (BIS), U.S. Department of Commerce. Both the ITAR and the EAR impose license... and components, is limited in scope to include only ceramic or composite body armor plates, laser...

9 CFR 309.18 - Official marks and devices for purposes of ante-mortem inspection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... purposes of ante-mortem inspection. 309.18 Section 309.18 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND... marks and devices for purposes of ante-mortem inspection. (a) All livestock required by this part to be identified as U.S. Suspects shall be tagged with a serially numbered metal ear tag bearing the term “U.S...

9 CFR 309.18 - Official marks and devices for purposes of ante-mortem inspection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... purposes of ante-mortem inspection. 309.18 Section 309.18 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND... marks and devices for purposes of ante-mortem inspection. (a) All livestock required by this part to be identified as U.S. Suspects shall be tagged with a serially numbered metal ear tag bearing the term “U.S...

9 CFR 309.18 - Official marks and devices for purposes of ante-mortem inspection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... purposes of ante-mortem inspection. 309.18 Section 309.18 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND... marks and devices for purposes of ante-mortem inspection. (a) All livestock required by this part to be identified as U.S. Suspects shall be tagged with a serially numbered metal ear tag bearing the term “U.S...

9 CFR 309.18 - Official marks and devices for purposes of ante-mortem inspection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... purposes of ante-mortem inspection. 309.18 Section 309.18 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND... marks and devices for purposes of ante-mortem inspection. (a) All livestock required by this part to be identified as U.S. Suspects shall be tagged with a serially numbered metal ear tag bearing the term “U.S...

9 CFR 309.18 - Official marks and devices for purposes of ante-mortem inspection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... purposes of ante-mortem inspection. 309.18 Section 309.18 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND... marks and devices for purposes of ante-mortem inspection. (a) All livestock required by this part to be identified as U.S. Suspects shall be tagged with a serially numbered metal ear tag bearing the term “U.S...

Water quality, bed-sediment quality, and simulation of potential contaminant transport in Foster Creek, Berkeley County, South Carolina, 1991-93

USGS Publications Warehouse

Campbell, T.R.; Bower, D.E.

1996-01-01

Foster Creek, a freshwater tidal creek in Berkeley County, South Carolina, is located in an area of potential contaminant sources from residential, commercial, light industrial, and military activities. The creek is used as a secondary source of drinking water for the surrounding Charleston area. Foster Creek meets most of the freshwater- quality requirements of State and Federal regulatory agencies, but often contains low concentrations of dissolved oxygen and has been characterized as eutrophic. Investigations of water- and bed-sediment quality were made between 1991 and 1993 to assess the effects of anthropogenic sources of contamination on Foster Creek. Low-flow surface-water samples were generally free of toxic compounds with the exception of laboratory artifacts and naturally occurring trace metals. Storm-runoff samples generally contained very low concentrations (near detection limits) of a small number of volatile and semivolatile organics and naturally occurring trace metals. Concentrations of toxic compounds in excess of current (1995) South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations were not detected in surface-water samples collected from Foster Creek. Chemical analyses of streambed sediments indicated minimal anthropogenic effects on sediment quality. The particle-tracking option of the U.S. Geological Survey one-dimensional unsteady-flow model (BRANCH) indicated that as the simulated volume of rainfall runoff increased in the Foster Creek Basin, simulated particles in Foster Creek were transported greater distances. Simulating flow through the Bushy Park Dam (also known as Back River Dam) had little effect on particle movement in Foster Creek. Simulating typical withdrawal rates at a water-supply intake resulted in a slight attraction of particles toward the intake during conditions of relatively low runoff. These withdrawals had a greater influence on particles downstream of the intake than on those upstream of the intake. Simulations confirmed earlier findings which suggested that the creek would not flush during baseflow conditions, with the exception of the lower 1-mile reach, where flushing results from tidal movements. According to the simulations, Foster Creek will fully flush if a 2-year, 7-day storm occurs. Flushing appears to be affected more by the total volume of storm runoff than by typical municipal withdrawals or tidal effects.

Changes in immunostaining of inner ears after antigen challenge into the scala tympani.

PubMed

Ichimiya, I; Kurono, Y; Hirano, T; Mogi, G

1998-04-01

To study the mechanisms of immune responses and immune injuries in inner ears, labyrinthitis was induced by inoculation of keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) into the scala tympani of systemically sensitized guinea pigs. Inner ears were then immunostained for KLH, immunoglobulin G (IgG), albumin, connexin26 (Cx26), and sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphate (Na,K-ATPase). Inflammatory cells containing KLH were observed in the scala tympani and in the collecting venule of the spiral modiolar vein (SMV). Spiral ligament, spiral limbus, and blood vessels including the SMV were diffusely positive for IgG and albumin. Immunoreactivity for Cx26 and Na,K-ATPase was decreased compared with the normal ears in the fibrocytes of the spiral ligament. These results suggest that inflammatory cells and blood constituents could extravasate into the cochlea from blood vessels and that fibrocyte damage in the spiral ligament could cause cochlear dysfunction.

Influence of headspace flushing on methane production in Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) tests.

PubMed

Koch, Konrad; Bajón Fernández, Yadira; Drewes, Jörg E

2015-06-01

The influence of headspace flushing on the specific methane (CH4) production of blank samples with just inoculum in Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) tests was studied. The three most common ways were applied: flushing with nitrogen (N2) gas, flushing with a mixture of N2 and CO2 (80/20 v/v), and no flushing. The results revealed that removing the oxygen is crucial to avoid aerobic respiration, which caused both hindered activity of methanogens and loss of methane potential. Furthermore it was demonstrated that 20% of CO2 in the flush gas increased significantly the methane production by over 20% compared to the flushing with pure N2. In order to mimic the same headspace conditions as in full-scale treatment plants, using a flush gas with a similar CO2 concentration as the expected biogas is suggested. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

RhoA/ROCK Signaling Pathway Mediates Shuanghuanglian Injection-Induced Pseudo-allergic Reactions

PubMed Central

Han, Jiayin; Zhao, Yong; Zhang, Yushi; Li, Chunying; Yi, Yan; Pan, Chen; Tian, Jingzhuo; Yang, Yifei; Cui, Hongyu; Wang, Lianmei; Liu, Suyan; Liu, Jing; Deng, Nuo; Liang, Aihua

2018-01-01

Background: Shuanghuanglian injection (SHLI) is a famous Chinese medicine used as an intravenous preparation for the treatment of acute respiratory tract infections. In the recent years, the immediate hypersensitivity reactions induced by SHLI have attracted broad attention. However, the mechanism involved in these reactions has not yet been elucidated. The present study aims to explore the characteristics of the immediate hypersensitivity reactions induced by SHLI and deciphers the role of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway in these reactions. Methods: SHLI-immunized mice or naive mice were intravenously injected (i.v.) with SHLI (600 mg/kg) once, and vascular leakage in the ears was evaluated. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test was conducted using sera collected from SHLI-immunized mice. Naive mice were administered (i.v.) with a single dose of 150, 300, or 600 mg/kg of SHLI, and vascular leakage, histamine release, and histopathological alterations in the ears, lungs, and intestines were tested. In vitro, human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) monolayer was incubated with SHLI (0.05, 0.1, or 0.15 mg/mL), and the changes in endothelial permeability and cytoskeleton were observed. Western blot analysis was performed and ROCK inhibitor was employed to investigate the contribution of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway in SHLI-induced hypersensitivity reactions, both in HUVECs and in mice. Results: Our results indicate that SHLI was able to cause immediate dose-dependent vascular leakage, edema, and exudates in the ears, lungs, and intestines, and histamine release in mice. These were pseudo-allergic reactions, as SHLI-specific IgE was not elicited during sensitization. In addition, SHLI induced reorganization of actin cytoskeleton and disrupted the endothelial barrier. The administration of SHLI directly activated the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway both in HUVECs and in the ears, lungs, and intestines of mice. Fasudil hydrochloride, a ROCK inhibitor, ameliorated the SHLI-induced hypersensitivity reactions in both endothelial cells and mice indicating its protective effect. SHLI-induced pseudo-allergic reactions were mediated by the activation of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway. Conclusion: This study presents a novel mechanism of SHLI-induced immediate hypersensitivity reactions and suggests a potential therapeutic strategy to prevent the associated adverse reactions. PMID:29487527

The Role of DNA Methylation Changes in Radiation-Induced Bystander Effects in cranial irradiated Mice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Meng; Sun, Yeqing; Xue, Bei; Wang, Xinwen; Wang, Jiawen

2016-07-01

Heavy-ion radiation could lead to bystander effect in neighboring non-hit cells by signals released from directly-irradiated cells. The exact mechanisms of radiation-induced bystander effect in distant organ remain obscure, yet accumulating evidence points to the role of DNA methylation changes in bystander effect. To identify the molecular mechanism that underlies bystander effects of heavy-ion radiation, the male Balb/c and C57BL mice were cranial exposed to 40, 200, 2000mGy dose of carbon heavy-ion radiation, while the rest of the animal body was shielded. The γH2AX foci as the DNA damage biomarker in directly irradiation organ ear and the distant organ liver were detected on 0, 1, 2, 6, 12 and 24h after radiation, respectively. Methylation-sensitive amplifcation polymorphism (MSAP) was used to monitor the level of polymorphic genomic DNA methylation changed with dose and time effects. The results show that cranial irradiated mice could induce the γH2AX foci and genomic DNA methylation changes significantly in both the directly irradiation organ ear and the distant organ liver. The percent of DNA methylation changes were time-dependent and tissue-specific. Demethylation polymorphism rate were highest separately at 1 h in 200 mGy and 6 h in 2000 mGy after irradiation in ear. The global DNA methylation changes tended to occur in the CG sites. We also found that the numbers of γH2AX foci and the genomic methylation changes of heavy-ion radiation-induced bystander effect in liver could be obvious 1 h after radiation and achieved the maximum at 6 h, while the changes could recover gradually at 12 h. The results suggest that mice head exposed to heavy-ion radiation can induce damage and methylation pattern changed in both directly radiation organ ear and distant organ liver. Moreover, our findings are important to understand the molecular mechanism of radiation induced bystander effects in vivo. Keywords: Heavy-ion radiation; Bystander effect; DNA methylation; γH2AX; Mice.

Atomistic and Ab Initio Calculations or Ternary II-IV-V2 Semiconductors

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-12-07

consisting of two- and three-body terms is developed reproducing crystal lattice constants, elastic and dielectric constants very well. The calculated...the lattice . This difference may well be due to defect-induced lattice distortion which plays a key role in stabilizing the hole states in the... lattice . 15. SUBJECT TERMS Chalcopyrites, Defects, Atomistic and AB Initio Calculations 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: a. REPORT u b. ABSTRACT U

Shikonin reduces oedema induced by phorbol ester by interfering with IκBα degradation thus inhibiting translocation of NF-κB to the nucleus

PubMed Central

Andújar, I; Recio, MC; Bacelli, T; Giner, RM; Ríos, JL

2010-01-01

Background and purpose: In the present paper we studied the effect of shikonin on ear oedema induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), and determined the mechanisms through which shikonin might exert its topical anti-inflammatory action. Experimental approach: Acute ear oedema was induced in mice by topical application of TPA. The in vitro assays used macrophages RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. Cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, protein kinase Cα, extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), phosphorylated ERK (pERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), pJNK, p38, p-p38, p65, p-p65, inhibitor protein of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) (IκBα) and pIκBα were measured by Western blotting, activation and binding of NF-κB to DNA was detected by reporter gene and electrophoretic mobility shift assay, respectively, and NF-κB p65 localization was detected by immunocytochemistry. Key results: Shikonin reduced the oedema (inhibitory dose 50 = 1.0 mg per ear), the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (70%) and of inducible nitric oxide synthase (100%) in vivo. It significantly decreased TPA-induced translocation of protein kinase Cα, the phosphorylation and activation of ERK, the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and the TPA-induced NF-κB-DNA-binding activity in mouse skin. Moreover, in RAW 264.7 cells, shikonin significantly inhibited the binding of NF-κB to DNA in a dose-dependent manner and the nuclear translocation of p65. Conclusions and implications: Shikonin exerted its topical anti-inflammatory action by interfering with the degradation of IκBα, thus inhibiting the activation of NF-κB. PMID:20423347

Norisoboldine, an alkaloid from Radix linderae, inhibits NFAT activation and attenuates 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced dermatitis in mice.

PubMed

Gao, Shuang; Li, Wencai; Lin, Guochao; Liu, Guangrong; Deng, Wenjuan; Zhai, Chuntao; Bian, Chunliang; He, Gaiying; Hu, Zhenlin

2016-10-01

The nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) is a family of transcription factors, essential for T-cell activation. Norisoboldine (NOR), an isoquinoline alkaloid from Radix linderae, has been demonstrated to possess anti-inflammatory activity. This study examines NOR's effect on NFAT activation and its therapeutic potential for atopic dermatitis (AD). The transcriptional activity of NFAT was examined with luciferase reporter assay, using K562-luc cells, stimulated with 20 ng/mL PMA plus 1 μM ionomycin. NFAT dephosphorylation was examined by immuno-blotting in K562-luc cells and Jurkat cells. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) expression in Jurkat cells was examined by real-time PCR. A mouse model of dermatitis, induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), was used to test NOR's therapeutic potential for AD. NOR, dose-dependently, inhibited PMA and ionomycin-induced NFAT reporter gene expression in K562-luc cells in the range of 2-50 μM. NOR also inhibited PMA and ionomycin-induced NFAT dephosphorylation in K562-luc cells and Jurkat cells. Consequently, NOR suppressed PMA plus ionomycin-induced IL-2 expression in Jurkat cells. The administration of NOR (10 mg/kg, i.p.), alleviated DNCB-induced dermatitis in mice, by the reduction of ear swelling and attenuation of inflammatory infiltration into ear tissue. Moreover, mRNA levels of INF-γ, TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-6 in ears of NOR-treated mice were reduced by 78.4, 77.8, 72.3 and 73.9%, respectively, compared with untreated controls. This study demonstrates that NOR inhibits NFAT activation in T-cells and alleviates AD-like inflammatory reaction in a DNCB-induced dermatitis model, highlighting NOR as a potential therapeutic agent for AD.

A central to peripheral progression of cell cycle exit and hair cell differentiation in the developing mouse cristae.

PubMed

Slowik, Amber D; Bermingham-McDonogh, Olivia

2016-03-01

The inner ear contains six distinct sensory organs that each maintains some ability to regenerate hair cells into adulthood. In the postnatal cochlea, there appears to be a relationship between the developmental maturity of a region and its ability to regenerate as postnatal regeneration largely occurs in the apical turn, which is the last region to differentiate and mature during development. In the mature cristae there are also regional differences in regenerative ability, which led us to hypothesize that there may be a general relationship between the relative maturity of a region and the regenerative competence of that region in all of the inner ear sensory organs. By analyzing adult mouse cristae labeled embryonically with BrdU, we found that hair cell birth starts in the central region and progresses to the periphery with age. Since the peripheral region of the adult cristae also maintains active Notch signaling and some regenerative competence, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that the last regions to develop retain some of their regenerative ability into adulthood. Further, by analyzing embryonic day 14.5 inner ears we provide evidence for a wave of hair cell birth along the longitudinal axis of the cristae from the central regions to the outer edges. Together with the data from the adult inner ears labeled with BrdU as embryos, these results suggest that hair cell differentiation closely follows cell cycle exit in the cristae, unlike in the cochlea where they are uncoupled. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A central to peripheral progression of cell cycle exit and hair cell differentiation in the developing mouse cristae

PubMed Central

Slowik, Amber D; Bermingham-McDonogh, Olivia

2016-01-01

The inner ear contains six distinct sensory organs that each maintains some ability to regenerate hair cells into adulthood. In the postnatal cochlea, there appears to be a relationship between the developmental maturity of a region and its ability to regenerate as postnatal regeneration largely occurs in the apical turn, which is the last region to differentiate and mature during development. In the mature cristae there are also regional differences in regenerative ability, which led us to hypothesize that there may be a general relationship between the relative maturity of a region and the regenerative competence of that region in all of the inner ear sensory organs. By analyzing adult mouse cristae labeled embryonically with BrdU, we found that hair cell birth starts in the central region and progresses to the periphery with age. Since the peripheral region of the adult cristae also maintains active Notch signaling and some regenerative competence, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that the last regions to develop retain some of their regenerative ability into adulthood. Further, by analyzing embryonic day 14.5 inner ears we provide evidence for a wave of hair cell birth along the longitudinal axis of the cristae from the central regions to the outer edges. Together with the data from the adult inner ears labeled with BrdU as embryos, these results suggest that hair cell differentiation closely follows cell cycle exit in the cristae, unlike in the cochlea where they are uncoupled. PMID:26826497

Ascorbic acid reduces noise-induced nitric oxide production in the guinea pig ear.

PubMed

Heinrich, Ulf-Rüdiger; Fischer, Ilka; Brieger, Jürgen; Rümelin, Andreas; Schmidtmann, Irene; Li, Huige; Mann, Wolf J; Helling, Kai

2008-05-01

Noise-induced hearing loss can be caused, among other causes, by increased nitric oxide (NO) production in the inner ear leading to nitroactive stress and cell destruction. Some studies in the literature suggest that the degree of hearing loss (HL) could be reduced in an animal model through ascorbic acid supplementation. To identify the effect of ascorbic acid on tissue-dependent NO content in the inner ear of the guinea pig, we determined the local NO production in the organ of Corti and the lateral wall separately 6 hours after noise exposure. Prospective animal study in guinea pigs. Over a period of 7 days, male guinea pigs were supplied with minimum (25 mg/kg body weight/day) and maximum (525 mg/kg body weight/day) ascorbic acid doses, and afterwards exposed to noise (90 dB sound pressure level for 1 hour). The acoustic-evoked potentials were recorded before and after noise exposure. The organ of Corti and the lateral wall were incubated differently for 6 hours in culture medium, and the degree of NO production was determined by chemiluminescence. Ascorbic acid treatment reduced the hearing threshold shift after noise exposure depending on concentration. When the maximum ascorbic acid dose was substituted, NO production was significantly reduced in the lateral wall after noise exposure and slightly reduced in the organ of Corti. Oral supplementation of the natural radical scavenger ascorbic acid reduces the NO-production rate in the inner ear in noisy conditions. This finding supports the concept of inner ear protection by ascorbic acid supplementation.

Dynamic changes in ear temperature in relation to separation distress in dogs.

PubMed

Riemer, Stefanie; Assis, Luciana; Pike, Thomas W; Mills, Daniel S

2016-12-01

Infrared thermography can visualize changes in body surface temperature that result from stress-induced physiological changes and alterations of blood flow patterns. Here we explored its use for remote stress monitoring (i.e. removing need for human presence) in a sample of six pet dogs. Dogs were tested in a brief separation test involving contact with their owner, a stranger, and social isolation for two one-minute-periods. Tests were filmed using a thermographic camera set up in a corner of the room, around 7m from where the subjects spent most of the time. Temperature was measured from selected regions of both ear pinnae simultaneously. Temperatures of both ear pinnae showed a pattern of decrease during separation and increase when a person (either the owner or a stranger) was present, with no lateralized temperature differences between the two ears. Long distance thermographic measurement is a promising technique for non-invasive remote stress assessment, although there are some limitations related to dogs' hair structure over the ears, making it unsuitable for some subjects. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

SENSORY HAIR CELL REGENERATION IN THE ZEBRAFISH LATERAL LINE

PubMed Central

Lush, Mark E.; Piotrowski, Tatjana

2014-01-01

Damage or destruction of sensory hair cells in the inner ear leads to hearing or balance deficits that can be debilitating, especially in older adults. Unfortunately, the damage is permanent, as regeneration of the inner ear sensory epithelia does not occur in mammals. Zebrafish and other non-mammalian vertebrates have the remarkable ability to regenerate sensory hair cells and understanding the molecular and cellular basis for this regenerative ability will hopefully aid us in designing therapies to induce regeneration in mammals. Zebrafish not only possess hair cells in the ear but also in the sensory lateral line system. Hair cells in both organs are functionally analogous to hair cells in the inner ear of mammals. The lateral line is a mechanosensory system found in most aquatic vertebrates that detects water motion and aids in predator avoidance, prey capture, schooling and mating. Although hair cell regeneration occurs in both the ear and lateral line, most research to date has focused on the lateral line due to its relatively simple structure and accessibility. Here we review the recent discoveries made during the characterization of hair cell regeneration in zebrafish. PMID:25045019

Training to use voice onset time as a cue to talker identification induces a left-ear/right-hemisphere processing advantage.

PubMed

Francis, Alexander L; Driscoll, Courtney

2006-09-01

We examined the effect of perceptual training on a well-established hemispheric asymmetry in speech processing. Eighteen listeners were trained to use a within-category difference in voice onset time (VOT) to cue talker identity. Successful learners (n=8) showed faster response times for stimuli presented only to the left ear than for those presented only to the right. The development of a left-ear/right-hemisphere advantage for processing a prototypically phonetic cue supports a model of speech perception in which lateralization is driven by functional demands (talker identification vs. phonetic categorization) rather than by acoustic stimulus properties alone.

Association of microRNA 146 with middle ear hyperplasia in pediatric otitis media.

PubMed

Samuels, Tina L; Yan, Justin; Khampang, Pawjai; MacKinnon, Alexander; Hong, Wenzhou; Johnston, Nikki; Kerschner, Joseph E

2016-09-01

Toll-like receptor signaling activated by bacterial otitis media pathogens in the middle ear has been shown to play a key role in OM susceptibility, pathogenesis and recovery. Recent studies implicate microRNA 146 (miR-146) in regulation of inflammation via negative feedback of toll-like receptor signaling (TLR) in a wide variety of tissues, however its involvement in otitis media is unknown. Human middle ear epithelial cells were stimulated with proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin 1 beta or tumor necrosis factor alpha, for two to twenty-four hours. Middle ear biopsies were collected from children with otitis media with effusion (n = 20), recurrent otitis media (n = 9), and control subjects undergoing cochlear implantation (n = 10). miR-146a, miR-146b expression was assayed by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Expression of miR-146 targets involved in TLR signaling, IRAK1 and TRAF6, was assayed by qPCR in middle ear biopsies. Middle ear biopsies were cryosectioned and epithelial thickness measured by a certified pathologist. Proinflammatory cytokines induced expression of miR-146 in middle ear epithelial cells in vitro. Middle ear miR-146a and miR-146b expression was elevated in otitis media patients relative to control subjects and correlated with middle ear epithelial thickness. A trend towards inverse correlation was observed between miR-146 and TRAF6 expression in the clinical population. This report is the first to assess miRNA expression in a clinical population with OM. Findings herein suggest miR-146 may play a role in OM. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of a Mobile Ear Screening and Surveillance Service versus an Outreach Screening, Surveillance and Surgical Service for Indigenous Children in Australia

PubMed Central

Nguyen, Kim-Huong; Smith, Anthony C.; Armfield, Nigel R.; Bensink, Mark; Scuffham, Paul A.

2015-01-01

Indigenous Australians experience a high rate of ear disease and hearing loss, yet they have a lower rate of service access and utilisation compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts. Screening, surveillance and timely access to specialist ear, nose and throat (ENT) services are key components in detecting and preventing the recurrence of ear diseases. To address the low access and utilisation rate by Indigenous Australians, a collaborative, community-based mobile telemedicine-enabled screening and surveillance (MTESS) service was trialled in Cherbourg, the third largest Indigenous community in Queensland, Australia. This paper aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the MTESS service using a lifetime Markov model that compares two options: (i) the Deadly Ears Program alone (current practice involving an outreach ENT surgical service and screening program), and (ii) the Deadly Ears Program supplemented with the MTESS service. Data were obtained from the Deadly Ears Program, a feasibility study of the MTESS service and the literature. Incremental cost-utility ratios were calculated from a societal perspective with both costs (in 2013–14 Australian dollars) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) discounted at 5% annually. The model showed that compared with the Deadly Ears Program, the probability of an acceptable cost-utility ratio at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000/QALY was 98% for the MTESS service. This cost effectiveness arises from preventing hearing loss in the Indigenous population and the subsequent reduction in associated costs. Deterministic and probability sensitivity analyses indicated that the model was robust to parameter changes. We concluded that the MTESS service is a cost-effective strategy. It presents an opportunity to resolve major issues confronting Australia’s health system such as the inequitable provision and access to quality healthcare for rural and remotes communities, and for Indigenous Australians. Additionally, it may encourage effective health service delivery at a time when the healthcare funding and workforce capacity are limited. PMID:26406592

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of a Mobile Ear Screening and Surveillance Service versus an Outreach Screening, Surveillance and Surgical Service for Indigenous Children in Australia.

PubMed

Nguyen, Kim-Huong; Smith, Anthony C; Armfield, Nigel R; Bensink, Mark; Scuffham, Paul A

2015-01-01

Indigenous Australians experience a high rate of ear disease and hearing loss, yet they have a lower rate of service access and utilisation compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts. Screening, surveillance and timely access to specialist ear, nose and throat (ENT) services are key components in detecting and preventing the recurrence of ear diseases. To address the low access and utilisation rate by Indigenous Australians, a collaborative, community-based mobile telemedicine-enabled screening and surveillance (MTESS) service was trialled in Cherbourg, the third largest Indigenous community in Queensland, Australia. This paper aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the MTESS service using a lifetime Markov model that compares two options: (i) the Deadly Ears Program alone (current practice involving an outreach ENT surgical service and screening program), and (ii) the Deadly Ears Program supplemented with the MTESS service. Data were obtained from the Deadly Ears Program, a feasibility study of the MTESS service and the literature. Incremental cost-utility ratios were calculated from a societal perspective with both costs (in 2013-14 Australian dollars) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) discounted at 5% annually. The model showed that compared with the Deadly Ears Program, the probability of an acceptable cost-utility ratio at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000/QALY was 98% for the MTESS service. This cost effectiveness arises from preventing hearing loss in the Indigenous population and the subsequent reduction in associated costs. Deterministic and probability sensitivity analyses indicated that the model was robust to parameter changes. We concluded that the MTESS service is a cost-effective strategy. It presents an opportunity to resolve major issues confronting Australia's health system such as the inequitable provision and access to quality healthcare for rural and remotes communities, and for Indigenous Australians. Additionally, it may encourage effective health service delivery at a time when the healthcare funding and workforce capacity are limited.

A new malleostapedotomy prosthesis. Experimental analysis by laser doppler vibrometer in fresh cadaver temporal bones.

PubMed

Vallejo, Luis A; Manzano, María T; Hidalgo, Antonio; Hernández, Alberto; Sabas, Juan; Lara, Hugo; Gil-Carcedo, Elisa; Herrero, David

One of the problems with total ossicular replacement prostheses is their stability. Prosthesis dislocations and extrusions are common in middle ear surgery. This is due to variations in endo-tympanic pressure as well as design defects. The design of this new prosthesis reduces this problem by being joined directly to the malleus handle. The aim of this study is to confirm adequate acoustic-mechanical behaviour in fresh cadaver middle ear of a new total ossicular replacement prosthesis, designed using the finite elements method. Using the doppler vibrometer laser, we analysed the acoustic-mechanical behaviour of a new total ossicular replacement prosthesis in the human middle ear using 10 temporal bones from fresh cadavers. The transfer function of the ears in which we implanted the new prosthesis was superimposed over the non-manipulated ear. This suggests optimum acoustic-mechanical behaviour. The titanium prosthesis analysed in this study demonstrated optimum acoustic-mechanical behaviour. Together with its ease of implantation and post-surgical stability, these factors make it a prosthesis to be kept in mind in ossicular reconstruction. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología y Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello. All rights reserved.

Surface Water-Groundwater Interactions as a Critical Component of Uranium Plume Persistence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Williams, K. H.; Christensen, J. N.; Hobson, C.

2015-12-01

Residual contamination of soils, sediments and groundwater by uranium milling operations presents a lingering problem at former mill sites throughout the upper Colorado River Basin in the western USA. Remedial strategies predicated upon natural flushing by low uranium recharge waters have frequently failed to achieve target concentrations set by national and state regulators. Flushing times of tens of years have often yielded negligible decreases in groundwater uranium concentrations, with extrapolated trends suggesting multiple decades or longer may be required to achieve regulatory goals. The U.S. Department of Energy's Rifle, Colorado field site serves as a natural laboratory for investigating the underlying causes for uranium plume persistence, with recent studies there highlighting the important role that surface water-groundwater interactions play in sustaining uranium delivery to the aquifer. Annual snowmelt-driven increases in Colorado River discharge induce 1-2 m excursions in groundwater elevation at the Rifle site, which enables residual tailings-contaminated materials (so-called Supplemental Standards) to become hydrologically connected to the aquifer for short periods of time during peak discharge. The episodic contact between shallow groundwater and residual contamination leads to abrupt 20-fold increases in groundwater uranium concentration, which serve to seasonally replenish the plume given the location of the Supplemental Standards along the upgradient edge of the aquifer. Uranium isotope composition changes abruptly as uranium concentrations increase reflecting the contribution of a temporally distinct contaminant reservoir. The release of uranium serves to potentially replenish organic matter rich sediments located within the alluvial aquifer at downstream locations, which have been postulated to serve as a parallel contributor to plume persistence following the uptake, immobilization, and slow re-oxidation of uranium.

Effects of pyrazole partial agonists on HCA(2) -mediated flushing and VLDL-triglyceride levels in mice.

PubMed

Li, Zhaosha; Blad, Clara C; van der Sluis, Ronald J; de Vries, Henk; Van Berkel, Theo J C; Ijzerman, Adriaan P; Hoekstra, Menno

2012-10-01

Niacin can effectively treat dyslipidaemic disorders. However, its clinical use is limited due to the cutaneous flushing mediated by the nicotinic acid receptor HCA(2) . In the current study, we evaluated two partial agonists for HCA(2) , LUF6281 and LUF6283, with respect to their anti-dyslipidaemic potential and cutaneous flushing effect. In vitro potency and efficacy studies with niacin and the two HCA(2) partial agonists were performed using HEK293T cells stably expressing human HCA(2) . Normolipidaemic C57BL/6 mice received either niacin or the HCA(2) partial agonists (400 mg·kg(-1) ·day(-1) ) once a day for 4 weeks for evaluation of their effects in vivo. Radioligand competitive binding assay showed K(i) values for LUF6281 and LUF6283 of 3 and 0.55 µM. [(35) S]-GTPγS binding revealed the rank order of their potency as niacin > LUF6283 > LUF6281. All three compounds reduced plasma VLDL-triglyceride concentrations similarly, while LUF6281 and LUF6283, in contrast to niacin, did not also exhibit the unwanted flushing side effect in C57BL/6 mice. Niacin reduced the expression of lipolytic genes HSL and ATGL in adipose tissue by 50%, whereas LUF6281 and LUF6283 unexpectedly did not. In contrast, the decrease in VLDL-triglyceride concentration induced by LUF6281 and LUF6283 was associated with a parallel >40% reduced expression of APOB within the liver. The current study identifies LUF6281 and LUF6283, two HCA(2) partial agonists of the pyrazole class, as promising drug candidates to achieve the beneficial lipid lowering effect of niacin without producing the unwanted flushing side effect. © 2012 The Authors. British Journal of Pharmacology © 2012 The British Pharmacological Society.

Otologic Manifestations of Autosomal Recessive Congenital Ichthyosis in Children.

PubMed

Martín-Santiago, A; Rodríguez-Pascual, M; Knöpfel, N; Hernández-Martín, Á

2015-11-01

Few studies have investigated ear involvement in nonsyndromic autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI). To assess the type and frequency of otologic manifestations of ARCI in patients under follow-up at the pediatric dermatology department of our hospital. We prospectively studied the presence of ear pain, ear itching, tinnitus, otitis, cerumen impaction, accumulation of epithelial debris, and hearing loss. Daily hygiene measures, topical treatments, medical-surgical interventions, and frequency of visits to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist were noted in the patients' medical records. Ear examination and hearing tests were performed in all cases. Ten patients were studied: 2 had a self-healing collodion baby phenotype and 8 had ichthyosis. There was mention of otologic manifestations in the records of all 8 patients with ichthyosis (100%); 6 of these patients (75%) had abnormalities in the external auditory canal examination and 2 (25%) had conductive hearing loss. Our findings are limited by the small number of patients studied, all of whom were younger than 19 years. The involvement of both dermatologists and ENT specialists in the management of patients with ichthyosis is crucial to ensure the application of the best therapeutic and preventive measures. More studies are needed to assess the prevalence and impact on quality of life of ear involvement in patients with ichthyosis and to determine the optimal interval between ENT visits for these patients. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and AEDV. All rights reserved.

Ear swelling test by using laser speckle imaging with a long exposure time

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalchenko, Vyacheslav; Kuznetsov, Yuri; Preise, Dina; Meglinski, Igor; Harmelin, Alon

2014-06-01

Laser speckle imaging with long exposure time has been applied noninvasively to visualize the immediate reaction of cutaneous vessels in mice in response to a known primary irritant and potential allergen-methyl salicylate. The compound has been used topically on the surface of the pinna and the reaction of the vascular network was examined. We demonstrate that irritant-induced acute vascular reaction can be effectively and accurately detected by laser speckle imaging technique. The current approach holds a great promise for application in routine screening of the cutaneous vascular response induced by contact agents, screenings of mouse ear swelling test, and testing the allergenic potential of new synthetic materials and healthcare pharmaceutical products.

Soy germ extract alleviates menopausal hot flushes: placebo-controlled double-blind trial.

PubMed

Imhof, Martin; Gocan, Anca; Imhof, Marianne; Schmidt, Mathias

2018-05-30

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed to assess the potency of a soy germ preparation for the alleviation of menopausal hot flushes. Caucasian women with at least seven hot flushes daily were treated with soy germ extract (100 mg isoflavone glycosides) daily or with placebo for 12 weeks, followed by 12 weeks of open treatment with soy. Outcome parameters were the number of hot flushes and the evaluation of the Greene Climacteric Scale. A total of 192 women were included. As the hot flush diaries from one study centre were lost, the assessment of hot flushes was based on 136 participants (soy: 54 women; placebo: 82 women). After 12 weeks, 180 women were available for the analysis of Greene Scale and safety (soy and placebo: each 90 women). Hot flushes were reduced by 43.3% (-3.5 hot flushes) with soy and by 30.8% with placebo (-2.6; p < 0.001). After the open treatment phase with soy, both original groups showed a reduction of 68% of hot flushes. A subgroup analysis showed better effects for soy when symptoms were classified as "severe" at baseline. After 12 weeks of double-blind treatment, there was an improvement from baseline values of 71 and 78% with soy with the items "hot flushes" and "sweating", compared with 24% for both items with placebo. Hormonal safety parameters remained uninfluenced. Soy germ extract with 100 mg of isoflavone glycosides was shown to modestly, but significantly reduce menopausal hot flushes.

The ERK pathway regulates Na(+)-HCO(3)(-) cotransport activity in adult rat cardiomyocytes.

PubMed

Baetz, Delphine; Haworth, Robert S; Avkiran, Metin; Feuvray, Danielle

2002-11-01

The sarcolemmal Na(+)-HCO cotransporter (NBC) is stimulated by intracellular acidification and acts as an acid extruder. We examined the role of the ERK pathway of the MAPK cascade as a potential mediator of NBC activation by intracellular acidification in the presence and absence of angiotensin II (ANG II) in adult rat ventricular myocytes. Intracellular pH (pH(i)) was recorded with the use of seminaphthorhodafluor-1. The NH method was used to induce an intracellular acid load. NBC activation was significantly decreased with the ERK inhibitors PD-98059 and U-0126. NBC activity after acidification was increased in the presence of ANG II (pH(i) range of 6.75-7.00). ANG II plus PD-123319 (AT(2) antagonist) still increased NBC activity, whereas ANG II plus losartan (AT(1) antagonist) did not affect it. ERK phosphorylation (measured by immunoblot analysis) during intracellular acidification was increased by ANG II, an effect that was abolished by losartan and U-0126. In conclusion, the MAPK(ERK)-dependent pathway facilitates the rate of pH(i) recovery from acid load through NBC activity and is involved in the AT(1) receptor-mediated stimulation of such activity by ANG II.

Therapeutic effects of eustachian tube surfactant in barotitis media in guinea pigs.

PubMed

Feng, Li-Ning; Chen, Wen-Xian; Cong, Rui; Gou, Lin

2003-07-01

Previous research has shown that the eustachian tube (ET) in animals and humans is lined with a substance that lowers surface tension and thus facilitates the opening of the eustachian tube and aeration of the middle ear. The aims of the present study were to observe the role of eustachian tube surfactant (ETS) on the opening of the ET and to explore the therapeutic effect of natural and artificial ETS on barotitis media (BOM). BOM was successfully established in 50 guinea pigs by simulated ascent in an altitude chamber. Subsets of the affected ears were treated by flushing with natural ETS, artificial ETS, artificial phospholipid, or saline. The effects were evaluated by measuring eustachian tube pressure opening level (POL). Other animals with BOM were treated with artificial ETS on one side and saline in the other, after which the clinical signs were observed. The POL of the saline group remained unchanged. Natural ETS decreased the POL from 11.98 to 6.11 kPa (p < 0.01); artificial ETS reduced the POL from 11.91 to 6.67 kPa (p < 0.01); there was no significant difference between the two treatments. Artificial phospholipid was less effective, decreasing POL from 11.86 to 8.61 kPa (p < 0.05). Clinical observations showed that after 1 wk of treatment with artificial ETS, the congestion in the tympanic membrane was alleviated, the hearing threshold improved, and the effusion in tympanic cavity diminished. Artificial ETS was as effective as natural ETS in facilitating the opening of eustachian tube and had definite therapeutic effects on BOM in this model.

Effects of Hearing Preservation on Psychophysical Responses to Cochlear Implant Stimulation

PubMed Central

Kang, Stephen Y.; Colesa, Deborah J.; Swiderski, Donald L.; Su, Gina L.; Raphael, Yehoash

2009-01-01

Previous studies have shown that residual acoustic hearing supplements cochlear implant function to improve speech recognition in noise as well as perception of music. The current study had two primary objectives. First, we sought to determine how cochlear implantation and electrical stimulation over a time period of 14 to 21 months influence cochlear structures such as hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons. Second, we sought to investigate whether the structures that provide acoustic hearing also affect the perception of electrical stimulation. We compared psychophysical responses to cochlear implant stimulation in two groups of adult guinea pigs. Group I (11 animals) received a cochlear implant in a previously untreated ear, while group II (ten animals) received a cochlear implant in an ear that had been previously infused with neomycin to destroy hearing. Psychophysical thresholds were measured in response to pulse-train and sinusoidal stimuli. Histological analysis of all group I animals and a subset of group II animals was performed. Nine of the 11 group I animals showed survival of the organ of Corti and spiral ganglion neurons adjacent to the electrode array. All group I animals showed survival of these elements in regions apical to the electrode array. Group II animals that were examined histologically showed complete loss of the organ of Corti in regions adjacent and apical to the electrode array and severe spiral ganglion neuron loss, consistent with previous reports for neomycin-treated ears. Behaviorally, group II animals had significantly lower thresholds than group I animals in response to 100 Hz sinusoidal stimuli. However, group I animals had significantly lower thresholds than group II animals in response to pulse-train stimuli (0.02 ms/phase; 156 to 5,000 pps). Additionally, the two groups showed distinct threshold versus pulse rate functions. We hypothesize that the differences in detection thresholds between groups are caused by the electrical activation of the hair cells in group I animals and/or differences between groups in the condition of the spiral ganglion neurons. PMID:19902297

'You know I've joined your club… I'm the hot flush boy': a qualitative exploration of hot flushes and night sweats in men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.

PubMed

Eziefula, C U; Grunfeld, E A; Hunter, M S

2013-12-01

Hot flushes and night sweats are common amongst menopausal women, and psychological interventions for managing these symptoms have recently been developed for women. However, flushes in men with prostate cancer, which commonly occur following androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), remain under-researched. This study is a qualitative exploration of flush-related cognitive appraisals and behavioural reactions reported by a sample of these men. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 19 men who were experiencing flushes after receiving ADT for prostate cancer. Framework analysis was used to generate and categorise emergent themes and explore associations between themes. Five main cognitive appraisals included the following: changes in oneself, impact on masculinity, embarrassment/social-evaluative concerns, perceived control and acceptance/adjustment. There were men who held beliefs about the impact of flushes on their perceptions of traditional gender roles, who experienced shame and embarrassment due to concerns about the salience of flushes and perceptions by others and who experienced feelings of powerlessness over flushes. Powerlessness was associated with beliefs about the potentially fatal consequences of discontinuing treatment. Two other dominant themes included awareness/knowledge about flushes and management strategies. Experiences of flushes appeared to be influenced by upbringing and general experiences of prostate cancer and ADT. The range of men's appraisals of, and reactions to, flushes generated from this qualitative exploration were broadly similar to those of menopausal women but differed in terms of the influence of masculinity beliefs. These findings could be used to inform future research and psychological interventions in this under-researched field. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Curcumin protects against acetaminophen-induced apoptosis in hepatic injury

PubMed Central

Li, Gang; Chen, Jun-Bao; Wang, Chao; Xu, Zhi; Nie, Hao; Qin, Xiao-Yan; Chen, Xiao-Mei; Gong, Quan

2013-01-01

AIM: To explore the effects of curcumin (CMN) on hepatic injury induced by acetaminophen (APAP) in vivo. METHODS: Male mice were randomly divided into three groups: group I (control) mice received the equivalent volumes of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) intraperitoneally (ip); Group II [APAP + carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)] mice received 1% CMC (vehicle) 2 h before APAP injection; Group III (APAP + CMN) mice received curcumin (10 or 20 mg/kg, ip) 2 h before before or after APAP challenge. In Groups II and III, APAP was dissolved in pyrogen-free PBS and injected at a single dose of 300 mg/kg. CMN was dissolved in 1% CMC. Mice were sacrificed 16 h after the APAP injection to determine alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in serum and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and hepatocyte apoptosis in liver tissues. RESULTS: Both pre- and post-treatment with curcumin resulted in a significant decrease in serum ALT compared with APAP treatment group (10 mg/kg: 801.46 ± 661.34 U/L; 20 mg/kg: 99.68 ± 86.48 U/L vs 5406.80 ± 1785.75 U/L, P < 0.001, respectively). The incidence of liver necrosis was significantly lowered in CMN treated animals. MDA contents were significantly reduced in 20 mg/kg CMN pretreatment group, but increased in APAP treated group (10.96 ± 0.87 nmol/mg protein vs 16.03 ± 2.58 nmol/mg protein, P < 0.05). The decrease of SOD activity in APAP treatment group and the increase of SOD in 20 mg/kg CMN pretreatment group were also detected (24.54 ± 4.95 U/mg protein vs 50.21 ± 1.93 U/mg protein, P < 0.05). Furthermore, CMN treatment efficiently protected against APAP-induced apoptosis via increasing Bcl-2/Bax ratio. CONCLUSION: CMN has significant therapeutic potential in both APAP-induced hepatotoxicity and other types of liver diseases. PMID:24259976

Activation of Neurokinin 3 Receptors in the Median Preoptic Nucleus Decreases Core Temperature in the Rat

PubMed Central

Dacks, Penny A.; Krajewski, Sally J.

2011-01-01

Estrogens have pronounced effects on thermoregulation, as illustrated by the occurrence of hot flushes secondary to estrogen withdrawal in menopausal women. Because neurokinin B (NKB) gene expression is markedly increased in the infundibular (arcuate) nucleus of postmenopausal women, and is modulated by estrogen withdrawal and replacement in multiple species, we have hypothesized that NKB neurons could play a role in the generation of flushes. There is no information, however, on whether the primary NKB receptor [neurokinin 3 receptor (NK3R)] modulates body temperature in any species. Here, we determine the effects of microinfusion of a selective NK3R agonist (senktide) into the rat median preoptic nucleus (MnPO), an important site in the heat-defense pathway. Senktide microinfusion into the rat MnPO decreased core temperature in a dose-dependent manner. The hypothermia induced by senktide was similar in ovariectomized rats with and without 17β-estradiol replacement. The hypothermic effect of senktide was prolonged in rats exposed to an ambient temperature of 29.0 C, compared with 21.5 C. Senktide microinfusion also altered tail skin vasomotion in rats exposed to an ambient temperature of 29.0 but not 21.5 C. Comparisons of the effects of senktide at different ambient temperatures indicated that the hypothermia was not secondary to thermoregulatory failure or a reduction in cold-induced thermogenesis. Other than a very mild increase in drinking, senktide microinfusion did not affect behavior. Terminal fluorescent dextran microinfusion showed targeting of the MnPO and adjacent septum, and immunohistochemical studies revealed that senktide induced a marked increase in Fos-activation in the MnPO. Because MnPO neurons expressed NK3R-immunoreactivity, the induction of MnPO Fos by senktide is likely a direct effect. By demonstrating that NK3R activation in the MnPO modulates body temperature, these studies support the hypothesis that hypothalamic NKB neurons could be involved in the generation of menopausal flushes. PMID:22028440

Development of a novel clinical scoring system for on-farm diagnosis of bovine respiratory disease in pre-weaned dairy calves.

PubMed

Love, William J; Lehenbauer, Terry W; Kass, Philip H; Van Eenennaam, Alison L; Aly, Sharif S

2014-01-01

Several clinical scoring systems for diagnosis of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in calves have been proposed. However, such systems were based on subjective judgment, rather than statistical methods, to weight scores. Data from a pair-matched case-control study on a California calf raising facility was used to develop three novel scoring systems to diagnose BRD in preweaned dairy calves. Disease status was assigned using both clinical signs and diagnostic test results for BRD-associated pathogens. Regression coefficients were used to weight score values. The systems presented use nasal and ocular discharge, rectal temperature, ear and head carriage, coughing, and respiratory quality as predictors. The systems developed in this research utilize fewer severity categories of clinical signs, require less calf handling, and had excellent agreement (Kappa > 0.8) when compared to an earlier scoring system. The first scoring system dichotomized all clinical predictors but required inducing a cough. The second scoring system removed induced cough as a clinical abnormality but required distinguishing between three levels of nasal discharge severity. The third system removed induced cough and forced a dichotomized variable for nasal discharge. The first system presented in this study used the following predictors and assigned values: coughing (induced or spontaneous coughing, 2 points), nasal discharge (any discharge, 3 points), ocular discharge (any discharge, 2 points), ear and head carriage (ear droop or head tilt, 5 points), fever (≥39.2°C or 102.5°F, 2 points), and respiratory quality (abnormal respiration, 2 points). Calves were categorized "BRD positive" if their total score was ≥4. This system correctly classified 95.4% cases and 88.6% controls. The second presented system categorized the predictors and assigned weights as follows: coughing (spontaneous only, 2 points), mild nasal discharge (unilateral, serous, or watery discharge, 3 points), moderate to severe nasal discharge (bilateral, cloudy, mucoid, mucopurlent, or copious discharge, 5 points), ocular discharge (any discharge, 1 point), ear and head carriage (ear droop or head tilt, 5 points), fever (≥39.2°C, 2 points), and respiratory quality (abnormal respiration, 2 points). Calves were categorized "BRD positive" if their total score was ≥4. This system correctly classified 89.3% cases and 92.8% controls. The third presented system used the following predictors and scores: coughing (spontaneous only, 2 points), nasal discharge (any, 4 points), ocular discharge (any, 2 points), ear and head carriage (ear droop or head tilt, 5 points), fever (≥39.2°C, 2 points), and respiratory quality (abnormal respiration, 2 points). Calves were categorized "BRD positive" if their total score was ≥5. This system correctly classified 89.4% cases and 90.8% controls. Each of the proposed systems offer few levels of clinical signs and data-based weights for on-farm diagnosis of BRD in dairy calves.

Development of a novel clinical scoring system for on-farm diagnosis of bovine respiratory disease in pre-weaned dairy calves

PubMed Central

Love, William J.; Lehenbauer, Terry W.; Kass, Philip H.; Van Eenennaam, Alison L.

2014-01-01

Several clinical scoring systems for diagnosis of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in calves have been proposed. However, such systems were based on subjective judgment, rather than statistical methods, to weight scores. Data from a pair-matched case-control study on a California calf raising facility was used to develop three novel scoring systems to diagnose BRD in preweaned dairy calves. Disease status was assigned using both clinical signs and diagnostic test results for BRD-associated pathogens. Regression coefficients were used to weight score values. The systems presented use nasal and ocular discharge, rectal temperature, ear and head carriage, coughing, and respiratory quality as predictors. The systems developed in this research utilize fewer severity categories of clinical signs, require less calf handling, and had excellent agreement (Kappa > 0.8) when compared to an earlier scoring system. The first scoring system dichotomized all clinical predictors but required inducing a cough. The second scoring system removed induced cough as a clinical abnormality but required distinguishing between three levels of nasal discharge severity. The third system removed induced cough and forced a dichotomized variable for nasal discharge. The first system presented in this study used the following predictors and assigned values: coughing (induced or spontaneous coughing, 2 points), nasal discharge (any discharge, 3 points), ocular discharge (any discharge, 2 points), ear and head carriage (ear droop or head tilt, 5 points), fever (≥39.2°C or 102.5°F, 2 points), and respiratory quality (abnormal respiration, 2 points). Calves were categorized “BRD positive” if their total score was ≥4. This system correctly classified 95.4% cases and 88.6% controls. The second presented system categorized the predictors and assigned weights as follows: coughing (spontaneous only, 2 points), mild nasal discharge (unilateral, serous, or watery discharge, 3 points), moderate to severe nasal discharge (bilateral, cloudy, mucoid, mucopurlent, or copious discharge, 5 points), ocular discharge (any discharge, 1 point), ear and head carriage (ear droop or head tilt, 5 points), fever (≥39.2°C, 2 points), and respiratory quality (abnormal respiration, 2 points). Calves were categorized “BRD positive” if their total score was ≥4. This system correctly classified 89.3% cases and 92.8% controls. The third presented system used the following predictors and scores: coughing (spontaneous only, 2 points), nasal discharge (any, 4 points), ocular discharge (any, 2 points), ear and head carriage (ear droop or head tilt, 5 points), fever (≥39.2°C, 2 points), and respiratory quality (abnormal respiration, 2 points). Calves were categorized “BRD positive” if their total score was ≥5. This system correctly classified 89.4% cases and 90.8% controls. Each of the proposed systems offer few levels of clinical signs and data-based weights for on-farm diagnosis of BRD in dairy calves. PMID:24482759

Enhanced Acquisition Rates of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' by the Asian Citrus Psyllid (Hemiptera: Liviidae) in the Presence of Vegetative Flush Growth in Citrus.

PubMed

Sétamou, Mamoudou; Alabi, Olufemi J; Kunta, Madhurababu; Jifon, John L; da Graça, John V

2016-10-01

The Asian citrus psyllid preferentially feeds and exclusively reproduces on young, newly emerged flush shoots of citrus. Asian citrus psyllid nymphs feed and complete their life stages on these flush shoots. Recent studies conducted under greenhouse conditions have shown that the transmission rates of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (CLas), the putative causal agent of huanglongbing disease of citrus, are enhanced when flush shoots are present. However, it is unclear if CLas acquisition by migrant adult Asian citrus psyllids is similarly enhanced. To address this knowledge gap, cohorts of Asian citrus psyllid adults were allowed 1-wk acquisition access period (AAP) on flushing and nonflushing shoots of qPCR-tested symptomatic (CLas+) and asymptomatic (CLas-) 10-yr-old sweet orange trees under field conditions. After the AAP, they were tested for CLas by qPCR. Progeny Asian citrus psyllid adults that emerged 4 wk post-AAP were similarly retrieved and tested. Eighty percent of flushing and 30% of nonflushing CLas+ trees produced infective Asian citrus psyllid adults, indicating that flush shoots have greater potential to be inoculum sources for CLas acquisition. Concomitantly, 21.1% and 6.0% infective adults were retrieved, respectively, from flushing and nonflushing CLas+ trees, indicating that Asian citrus psyllid adults acquire CLas more efficiently from flush shoots relative to mature shoots. In addition, 12.1% of infective Asian citrus psyllid adult progeny were obtained from 70% of flushing CLas+ trees. Significantly lower mean Ct values were also obtained from infective adults retrieved from flushing relative to nonflushing trees. The results underscore the role of flush shoots in CLas acquisition and the need to protect citrus trees from Asian citrus psyllid infestations during flush cycles. © The Authors 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Flushing Disorders Associated with Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Part 1, Neuroendocrine Tumors, Mast Cell Disorders and Hyperbasophila.

PubMed

Rastogi, Vaibhav; Singh, Devina; Mazza, Joseph J; Yang, Dennis; Parajuli, Dipendra; Yale, Steven H

2018-04-12

Flushing is the subjective sensation of warmth accompanied by visible cutaneous erythema occurring throughout the body with a predilection for the face, neck, pinnae, and upper trunk where the skin is thinnest and cutaneous vessels are superficially located and in greatest numbers. Flushing can be present in either a wet or dry form depending upon whether neural-mediated mechanisms are involved. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system results in wet flushing, accompanied by diaphoresis, due to concomitant stimulation of eccrine sweat glands. Wet flushing is caused by certain medications, panic disorder and paroxysmal extreme pain disorder (PEPD). Vasodilator mediated flushing due to the formation and release of a variety of biogenic amines, neuropeptides and phospholipid mediators such as histamine, serotonin and prostaglandins respectively, typically presents as dry flushing where sweating is characteristically absent. Flushing occurring with neuroendocrine tumors accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms is generally of the dry flushing variant, which may be an important clinical clue to the differential diagnosis. A number of primary diseases of the gastrointestinal tract cause flushing, and conversely extra-intestinal conditions are associated with flushing and gastrointestinal symptoms. Gastrointestinal findings vary and include one or more of the following non-specific symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. The purpose of this review is to provide a focused comprehensive discussion on the presentation, pathophysiology, diagnostic evaluation and management of those diseases that arise from the gastrointestinal tract or other site that may cause gastrointestinal symptoms secondarily accompanied by flushing. The paper is divided into two parts given the scope of conditions that cause flushing and affect the gastrointestinal tract. Part 1 covered is neuroendocrine tumors, (carcinoid, pheochromocytomas, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, medullary carcinoma of the thyroid) polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal protein, skin changes (POEMS), and conditions involving mast cells and basophils. Part 2 covered is dumping syndrome, mesenteric traction syndrome, rosacea, hyperthyroidism and thyroid storm, anaphylaxis, panic disorders, paroxysmal extreme pain disorder, and food, alcohol and medications. © 2018 Marshfield Clinic.

Response of respiration and nutrient availability to drying and rewetting in soil from a semi-arid woodland depends on vegetation patch and a recent wildfire

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Q.; Meyer, W. S.; Koerber, G. R.; Marschner, P.

2015-08-01

Semi-arid woodlands, which are characterised by patchy vegetation interspersed with bare, open areas, are frequently exposed to wildfire. During summer, long dry periods are occasionally interrupted by rainfall events. It is well known that rewetting of dry soil induces a flush of respiration. However, the magnitude of the flush may differ between vegetation patches and open areas because of different organic matter content, which could be further modulated by wildfire. Soils were collected from under trees, under shrubs or in open areas in unburnt and burnt sandy mallee woodland, where part of the woodland experienced a wildfire which destroyed or damaged most of the aboveground plant parts 4 months before sampling. In an incubation experiment, the soils were exposed to two moisture treatments: constantly moist (CM) and drying and rewetting (DRW). In CM, soils were incubated at 80 % of maximum water holding capacity (WHC) for 19 days; in DRW, soils were dried for 4 days, kept dry for another 5 days, then rewetted to 80 % WHC and maintained at this water content until day 19. Soil respiration decreased during drying and was very low in the dry period; rewetting induced a respiration flush. Compared to soil under shrubs and in open areas, cumulative respiration per gram of soil in CM and DRW was greater under trees, but lower when expressed per gram of total organic carbon (TOC). Organic matter content, available P, and microbial biomass C, but not available N, were greater under trees than in open areas. Wild fire decreased the flush of respiration per gram of TOC in the open areas and under shrubs, and reduced TOC and microbial biomass C (MBC) concentrations only under trees, but had little effect on available N and P concentrations. We conclude that the impact of wildfire and DRW events on nutrient cycling differs among vegetation patches of a native semi-arid woodland which is related to organic matter amount and availability.

Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP) Can Detect Asymptomatic Saccular Hydrops

PubMed Central

Lin, Ming-Yee; Timmer, Ferdinand C. A.; Oriel, Brad S.; Zhou, Guangwei; Guinan, John J.; Kujawa, Sharon G.; Herrmann, Barbara S.; Merchant, Saumil N.; Rauch, Steven D.

2009-01-01

Objective The objective of this study was to explore the useful of vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) testing for detecting endolymphatic hydrops, especially in the second ear of patients with unilateral Ménière disease (MD). Methods This study was performed at a tertiary care academic medical center. Part I consisted of postmortem temporal bone specimens from the temporal bone collection of the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary; part II consisted of consecutive consenting adult patients (n = 82) with unilateral MD by American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery criteria case histories. Out-come measures consisted of VEMP thresholds in patients and histologic saccular endolymphatic hydrops in postmortem temporal bones. Results Saccular hydrops was observed in the asymptomatic ear in six of 17 (35%) of temporal bones from donors with unilateral MD. Clinic patients with unilateral MD showed elevated mean VEMP thresholds and altered VEMP tuning in their symptomatic ears and, to a lesser degree, in their asymptomatic ears. Specific VEMP frequency and tuning criteria were used to define a “Ménière-like” response. This “Ménière-like” response was seen in 27% of asymptomatic ears of our patients with unilateral MD. Conclusions Bilateral involvement is seen in approximately one third of MD cases. Saccular hydrops appears to precede symptoms in bilateral MD. Changes in VEMP threshold and tuning appear to be sensitive to these structural changes in the saccule. If so, then VEMP may be useful as a detector of asymptomatic saccular hydrops and as a predictor of evolving bilateral MD. PMID:16735912

Analysis of Output Levels of an MP3 Player: Effects of Earphone Type, Music Genre, and Listening Duration.

PubMed

Shim, Hyunyong; Lee, Seungwan; Koo, Miseung; Kim, Jinsook

2018-02-26

To prevent noise induced hearing losses caused by listening to music with personal listening devices for young adults, this study was aimed to measure output levels of an MP3 and to identify preferred listening levels (PLLs) depending on earphone types, music genres, and listening durations. Twenty-two normal hearing young adults (mean=18.82, standard deviation=0.57) participated. Each participant was asked to select his or her most PLLs when listened to Korean ballade or dance music with an earbud or an over-the-ear earphone for 30 or 60 minutes. One side of earphone was connected to the participant's better ear and the other side was connected to a sound level meter via a 2 or 6 cc-couplers. Depending on earphone types, music genres, and listening durations, loudness A-weighted equivalent (LAeq) and loudness maximum time-weighted with A-frequency sound levels in dBA were measured. Neither main nor interaction effects of the PLLs among the three factors were significant. Overall output levels of earbuds were about 10-12 dBA greater than those of over-the-ear earphones. The PLLs were 1.73 dBA greater for earbuds than over-the-ear earphones. The average PLL for ballad was higher than for dance music. The PLLs at LAeq for both music genres were the greatest at 0.5 kHz followed by 1, 0.25, 2, 4, 0.125, 8 kHz in the order. The PLLs were not different significantly when listening to Korean ballad or dance music as functions of earphone types, music genres, and listening durations. However, over-the-ear earphones seemed to be more suitable to prevent noise induce hearing loss when listening to music, showing lower PLLs, possibly due to isolation from the background noise by covering ears.

Impact of Staphylococcus epidermidis lysates on middle ear epithelial proinflammatory and mucogenic response.

PubMed

Val, Stéphanie; Mubeen, Humaira; Tomney, Amarel; Chen, Saisai; Preciado, Diego

2015-02-01

Chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) develops after sustained inflammation and is characterized by secretory middle ear epithelial metaplasia and effusion, most frequently mucoid. Staphylococcus epidermidis, typically considered a commensal organism, is very frequently recovered in chronic middle ear fluid and in middle ear biofilms. Although it has been shown to drive inflammation in sinonasal epithelium, the impact of S. epidermidis on COME is markedly understudied. The goal of this study was to examine the in vitro effects of S. epidermidis lysates on murine and human middle ear epithelial cells. Staphylococcus epidermidis lysates were generated and used to stimulate submerged and differentiated human and murine epithelial cells (MEECs) for 24 to 48 hours. Quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunocytochemistry techniques were performed to interrogate the mucin gene MUC5AC and MUC5B expression and protein production, chemokine response, as well as NF-κB activation. Luciferase reporter assays were performed to further evaluate nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation and query specific promoter responses after S. epidermidis exposure. Staphylococcus epidermidis induced a time- and dose-dependent MUC5AC and MUC5B overexpression along with a parallel overexpression of Cxcl2 in mouse MEEC and IL-8 in human MEEC. Further investigations in mMEEC showed a 1.3 to 1.5 induction of the MUC5AC and MUC5B promoters. As potential mechanisms for these responses, induction of an oxidative stress marker, along with early nuclear translocation and activation of NF-κB, was found. Finally, chronic exposure induced marked epithelial thickening of cells differentiated at the air liquid interface. Staphylococcus epidermidis lysates activate a proinflammatory response in MEEC, including mucin gene expression and protein production. Although typically considered a nonpathogenic commensal organism in the ear, these results suggest that they may play a role in the perpetuation of an inflammatory and mucogenic response in COME.

Mathematical Model of the Ear’s Response to Weapons Impulses

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-04-01

A-weighted energy, eto .) produce the same ordering of effect. In this paper we will describe the models used for each of the elements in this...of tube. k = 2*PI*f/c , wavenumber of waves in tube. f = frequency in Hz. 139 Fig. 2 shows both a schematic diagram of the ear model along with...u’" ~ -10 M .. 58 ••• • ~ .. • " .. li 15 -29 40 .tK ! K !SK .tK gj -120 48 b ill d ... ~ .. .. E -130 • E 30 ~~ iil • ~ • tal ~-140 20

United States Air Force Shale Oil to Fuels. Phase II.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-11-01

and modified so that any off-gas from the LPS, stripper column, product drums, spent caustic drums, and sample ports would be sent to the caustic ...product, or in the spent caustic . After the desalted Paraho shale oil was processed in Production Run No. 2, the catalyst bed was flushed with light cycle...58 20 First-Stage Hydrotreating of Occidental Shale Oil -- Spent Catalyst Analysis - Run 1 ....... 59 21 First-Stage Hydrotreating of Occidental

[Risk of noise-induced hearing loss caused by radio communication? Audiologic findings in helicopter crews and pilots of propeller airplanes].

PubMed

Matschke, R G

1987-12-01

The affects of noise on the human inner ear have been well known for a long time, and measures to prevent occupational noise-induced hearing loss show a clear reduction in the statistics of morbidity. Nevertheless, there are working environments in which the use of ear protection seems to be inapplicable, because communication by speech is indispensable, for example in the cockpit of aircraft. Noise exposure measurements were performed on pilots of helicopters and propeller-machines of the German Federal Navy during realistic flight situations. The ambient noise levels during regular flight service were maintained at levels between 89 dB and 120 dB. Sound protection by flight-helmets and headphones is not only neutralised while using radio and intercom, but the noise during radio-communication is even louder than the noise of the engines. The use of ear protection to avoid excessive noise exposure is only of limited effectiveness. While pilots with normal hearing show only little impairment of speech intelligibility, those with noise-induced hearing loss show substantial impairment that varies in proportion to their hearing loss. Communication abilities may be drastically reduced which may compromise the reliability of radio-communication. The problem may be possibly solved in future by an electronic compensation system for noise.

46 CFR 194.20-11 - Flushing systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 46 Shipping 7 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Flushing systems. 194.20-11 Section 194.20-11 Shipping... Flushing systems. (a) Provision shall be made for flushing away chemical spills. (b) If a drainage system is installed, it shall be separate from any other drainage system. ...

46 CFR 194.20-11 - Flushing systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 46 Shipping 7 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Flushing systems. 194.20-11 Section 194.20-11 Shipping... Flushing systems. (a) Provision shall be made for flushing away chemical spills. (b) If a drainage system is installed, it shall be separate from any other drainage system. ...

46 CFR 194.20-11 - Flushing systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 7 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Flushing systems. 194.20-11 Section 194.20-11 Shipping... Flushing systems. (a) Provision shall be made for flushing away chemical spills. (b) If a drainage system is installed, it shall be separate from any other drainage system. ...

Reserpine has a direct action as a calcium antagonist on mammalian smooth muscle cells.

PubMed Central

Casteels, R; Login, I S

1983-01-01

The effects of reserpine on excitation-contraction coupling and 45Ca exchange of smooth muscle cells of the rabbit ear artery and the guinea-pig taenia coli have been studied. Reserpine inhibited the spontaneous mechanical activity of the taenia coli and the force development induced by 59 mM-external K or 10(-5) M-carbachol. In the ear artery reserpine blocked the K-induced contraction but its effect on the contraction elicited by noradrenaline was smaller. At 0.2 mM-Ca, the inhibition of the tonic component of the noradrenaline-induced contraction was more pronounced than that of the phasic component. This reserpine action was fully reversible for the noradrenaline stimulus in the ear artery but less so for K-induced contractions. The inhibitory action on contractions induced in taenia coli by K-rich solution and by carbachol was even less reversible. The analysis of the effect of reserpine on the 45Ca exchange in the ear artery has revealed that it inhibits the increase of the fractional loss induced by K depolarization, but that it does not exert a significant effect on the increased fractional loss induced by 10(-5) M-noradrenaline. Reserpine slows down the filling with 45Ca of the agonist-sensitive store without affecting the steady-state amount of Ca taken up by the store. A study of the degree of filling of the store by measuring the force development and the 45Ca release elicited by noradrenaline in Ca-free medium, reveals that the force development after loading in a reserpine-containing medium remains less than the control, although the same amount of Ca is released from the store. It was shown by using tetrabenazine that the inhibitory action of reserpine on the Ca exchange and the force development is not due to an interaction of reserpine with the receptor molecules that are responsible for its depleting action on aminergic granules. These results strongly suggest that reserpine exerts a Ca antagonistic action on smooth muscle whereby it blocks the potential-dependent channels. However, reserpine also affects the receptor-operated channels to some extent and in addition at a high concentration it seems to exert an unspecific inhibitory action on the contractile system. PMID:6310099

Loss of keratin K2 expression causes aberrant aggregation of K10, hyperkeratosis, and inflammation.

PubMed

Fischer, Heinz; Langbein, Lutz; Reichelt, Julia; Praetzel-Wunder, Silke; Buchberger, Maria; Ghannadan, Minoo; Tschachler, Erwin; Eckhart, Leopold

2014-10-01

Keratin K2 is one of the most abundant structural proteins of the epidermis; however, its biological significance has remained elusive. Here we show that suprabasal type II keratins, K1 and K2, are expressed in a mutually exclusive manner at different body sites of the mouse, with K2 being confined to the ear, sole, and tail skin. Deletion of K2 caused acanthosis and hyperkeratosis of the ear and the tail epidermis, corneocyte fragility, increased transepidermal water loss, and local inflammation in the ear skin. The loss of K2 was partially compensated by upregulation of K1 expression. However, a significant portion of K2-deficient suprabasal keratinocytes lacked a regular cytoskeleton and developed massive aggregates of the type I keratin, K10. Aggregate formation, but not hyperkeratosis, was suppressed by the deletion of both K2 and K10, whereas deletion of K10 alone caused clumping of K2 in ear skin. Taken together, this study demonstrates that K2 is a necessary and sufficient binding partner of K10 at distinct body sites of the mouse and that unbalanced expression of these keratins results in aggregate formation.

Hearing Loss, Dizziness, and Carbohydrate Metabolism

PubMed Central

Albernaz, Pedro L. Mangabeira

2015-01-01

Introduction  Metabolic activity of the inner ear is very intense, and makes it sensitive to changes in the body homeostasis. This study involves a group of patients with inner ear disorders related to carbohydrate metabolism disturbances, including hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, and episodes of vertigo. Objectives  To describe the symptoms of metabolic inner ear disorders and the examinations required to establish diagnoses. These symptoms are often the first to allow for an early diagnosis of metabolic disorders and diabetes. Methods  Retrospective study of 376 patients with inner ear symptoms suggestive of disturbances of carbohydrate metabolism. The authors present patientś clinical symptoms and clinical evaluations, with emphasis on the glucose and insulin essays. Results  Authors based their conclusions on otolaryngological findings, diagnostic procedures and treatment principles. They found that auditory and vestibular symptoms usually occur prior to other manifestations of metabolic changes, leading to an early diagnosis of hyperinsulinemia, intestinal sugar malabsorption or diabetes. Previously undiagnosed diabetes mellitus type II was found in 39 patients. Conclusions  The identification of carbohydrate metabolism disturbances is important not only to minimize the patients' clinical symptoms, but also to help maintain their general health. PMID:27413410

A method for measuring the cleaning effect of flushing disinfectors.

PubMed Central

Cederberg, A.; Osterberg, K.

1980-01-01

A method is presented with which the mechanical cleaning effect of flushing disinfectors can be estimated independently of the thermal disinfecting effect of the hot flushing water. This makes it possible to specify the demands to be placed on the disinfecting effect of flushing with water of 85 degrees C or more. Bacillus stearothermophilus spores suspended in faeces were used as indicators because of their non-sensitivity to the hot-water temperature. Their elimination by flushing could thus be attributed to the mechanical effect of the water and not to the disinfecting effect of the temperature. A simple bacteriological technique was used, and the elimination factor (EF) was calculated as the ratio of the number of micro-organisms in the contamination before and after flushing. By using flushing water below 50 degrees C for 130 s the EF on a bedpan was about 10(4)-10(6). The effect of flushing with water of the same temperature for only half that time was somewhat weaker and when the temperature was raised to 85 degrees C after half the flushing time the effect was somewhat stronger. It can be presumed that the conventional disinfecting phase with hot (85 degrees C) water for about 45 s in the commonly used flushing units could be substantially shortened and the costs of their use thereby reduced. PMID:6820026

Air Embolism During TEVAR: Carbon Dioxide Flushing Decreases the Amount of Gas Released from Thoracic Stent-Grafts During Deployment.

PubMed

Rohlffs, Fiona; Tsilimparis, Nikolaos; Saleptsis, Vasilis; Diener, Holger; Debus, E Sebastian; Kölbel, Tilo

2017-02-01

To investigate the amount of gas released from Zenith thoracic stent-grafts using standard saline flushing vs the carbon dioxide flushing technique. In an experimental bench setting, 20 thoracic stent-grafts were separated into 2 groups of 10 endografts. One group of grafts was flushed with 60 mL saline and the other group was flushed with carbon dioxide for 5 minutes followed by 60 mL saline. All grafts were deployed into a water-filled container with a curved plastic pipe; the deployment was recorded and released gas was measured using a calibrated setup. Gas was released from all grafts in both study groups during endograft deployment. The average amount of released gas per graft was significantly lower in the study group with carbon dioxide flushing (0.79 vs 0.51 mL, p=0.005). Thoracic endografts release significant amounts of air during deployment if flushed according to the instructions for use. Application of carbon dioxide for the flushing of thoracic stent-grafts prior to standard saline flush significantly reduces the amount of gas released during deployment. The additional use of carbon dioxide should be considered as a standard flush technique for aortic stent-grafts, especially in those implanted in proximal aortic segments, to reduce the risk of air embolism and stroke.

Suppressive effect of ethanol extract from mango (Mangifera indica L.) peel on IgE production in vitro and in vivo.

PubMed

Ishida, Momoko; Sasaki, Tomoko; Nishi, Kosuke; Tamamoto, Takeshi; Sugahara, Takuya

2018-04-01

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is involved in the onset of allergic reaction, and the suppression of IgE production leads to alleviation of allergic symptoms. We found that mango peel ethanol extract (MPE) significantly suppresses IgE production by human myeloma cell line U266 cells, suggesting that MPE has an anti-allergic effect by inhibiting the production of IgE. Although mangiferin is contained in mango, which suppresses IgE production by U266 cells, it was not contained in MPE. We investigated the suppressive effect of MPE in 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced allergic contact dermatitis model mice. The elevation of serum IgE level was significantly suppressed by oral administration of MPE. Intake of MPE also suppressed the expression level of IL-4 in the DNFB-challenged ears, suggesting that MPE suppresses the IL-4-mediated maturation into IgE-producing cells. Our findings indicate that MPE has a potential to alleviate the increase in serum IgE level that is feature of type I allergy.

Surfactant-enhanced flushing enhances colloid transport and alters macroporosity in diesel-contaminated soil.

PubMed

Guan, Zhuo; Tang, Xiang-Yu; Nishimura, Taku; Katou, Hidetaka; Liu, Hui-Yun; Qing, Jing

2018-02-01

Soil contamination by diesel has been often reported as a result of accidental spillage, leakage and inappropriate use. Surfactant-enhanced soil flushing is a common remediation technique for soils contaminated by hydrophobic organic chemicals. In this study, soil flushing with linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS, an anionic surfactant) was conducted for intact columns (15cm in diameter and 12cm in length) of diesel-contaminated farmland purple soil aged for one year in the field. Dynamics of colloid concentration in column outflow during flushing, diesel removal rate and resulting soil macroporosity change by flushing were analyzed. Removal rate of n-alkanes (representing the diesel) varied with the depth of the topsoil in the range of 14%-96% while the n-alkanes present at low concentrations in the subsoil were completely removed by LAS-enhanced flushing. Much higher colloid concentrations and larger colloid sizes were observed during LAS flushing in column outflow compared to water flushing. The X-ray micro-computed tomography analysis of flushed and unflushed soil cores showed that the proportion of fine macropores (30-250μm in diameter) was reduced significantly by LAS flushing treatment. This phenomenon can be attributed to enhanced clogging of fine macropores by colloids which exhibited higher concentration due to better dispersion by LAS. It can be inferred from this study that the application of LAS-enhanced flushing technique in the purple soil region should be cautious regarding the possibility of rapid colloid-associated contaminant transport via preferential pathways in the subsurface and the clogging of water-conducting soil pores. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Pathogenesis of Middle Ear Cholesteatoma

PubMed Central

Yamamoto-Fukuda, Tomomi; Hishikawa, Yoshitaka; Shibata, Yasuaki; Kobayashi, Toshimitsu; Takahashi, Haruo; Koji, Takehiko

2010-01-01

Middle ear cholesteatoma is characterized by enhanced proliferation of epithelial cells with aberrant morphological characteristics. To investigate the origin of the cholesteatoma cells, we analyzed spontaneously occurring cholesteatomas associated with a new transplantation model in Mongolian gerbils (gerbils). Cholesteatomas were induced in gerbils with a transplanted tympanic membrane by using the external auditory canal (EAC) ligation method. After the pars flaccida of the tympanic membranes were completely removed from male gerbils, corresponding portions of tympanic membranes of female gerbils were transplanted to the area of defect, and then we ligated the EAC (hybrid-model group). As a control group, the EAC of normal male and female gerbils was ligated without myringoplasty. In all ears of each group, the induced cholesteatomas were seen. In situ PCR was then performed to detect the mouse X chromosome-linked phosphoglycerate kinase-1 (pgk-1) gene on the paraffin sections. One pgk-1 spot in the epithelial nuclei was detected in male cholesteatoma, and two pgk-1 spots were detected in female cholesteatoma, respectively. On the other hand, in the hybrid-model group, we detected not only one but also two pgk-1 spots in the epithelial nuclei of cholesteatoma. These results strengthened the evidence that the origin of epithelial cells in cholesteatoma is the tympanic membrane in this model, but not the residential middle ear epithelial cells or the skin of the EAC. PMID:20413684

A drop-tower experiment to determine the threshold of gravity for inducing motion sickness in fish

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anken, R. H.; Hilbig, R.

2004-01-01

It has been repeatedly shown earlier that some fish of a given batch reveal motion sickness (a kinetosis) at the transition from 1 g to microgravity. In the course of parabolic aircraft flight experiments, it has been demonstrated that kinetosis susceptibility is correlated with asymmetric inner ear otoliths (i.e., differently weighed statoliths on the right and the left side of the head) or with genetically predispositioned malformed cells within the sensory epithelia of the inner ear. Hitherto, the threshold of gravity perception for inducing kinetotic behavior as well as the relative importance of asymmetric otoliths versus malformed epithelia for kinetosis susceptibility has yet not been determined. The following experiment using the ZARM drop-tower facility in Bremen, Germany, is proposed to be carried out in order to answer the aforementioned questions. Larval cichlid fish ( Oreochromis mossambicus) will be kept in a camcorder-equipped centrifuge during the microgravity phases of the drops and thus receive various gravity environments ranging from 0.1 to 0.9 g. Videographed controls will be housed outside of the centrifuge receiving 0 g. Based on the video-recordings, animals will be grouped into kinetotically and normally swimming samples. Subsequently, otoliths will be dissected and their size and asymmetry will be measured. Further investigations will focus on the numerical quantification of inner ear supporting and sensory cells as well as on the quantification of inner ear carbonic anhydrase reactivity. A correlation between: (1) the results to be obtained concerning the g-loads inducing kinetosis and (2) the corresponding otolith asymmetry/morphology of sensory epithelia/carbonic anhydrase reactivity will further contribute to the understanding of the origin of kinetosis susceptibility. Besides an outline of the proposed principal experiments, the present study reports on a first series of drop-tower tests, which were undertaken to elucidate the feasibility of the proposal (especially concerning the question, if some 4.7 s of microgravity are sufficient to induce kinetotic behavior in larval fish).

Determination of the threshold of gravity for inducing kinetosis in fish: A drop-tower experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anken, Ralf H.; Hilbig, R.

2004-06-01

It has been repeatedly shown earlier that some fish of a given batch reveal motion sickness (a kinetosis) at the transition from 1g to microgravity. In the course of parabolic aircraft flight experiments, it has been demonstrated that kinetosis susceptibility is correlated with asymmetric inner ear otoliths (i.e., differently weighed statoliths on the right and the left side of the head) or with genetically predispositioned malformed cells within the sensory epithelia of the inner ear. Hitherto, the threshold of gravity perception for inducing kinetotic behaviour as well as the relative importance of asymmetric otoliths versus malformed epithelia for kinetosis susceptibility has yet not been determined. The following experiment using the ZARM droptower facility in Bremen, Germany, is proposed to be carried out in order to answer the aforementioned questions. Larval cichlid fish ( Oreochromis mossambicus) will be kept in a camcorder-equipped centrifuge during the microgravity phases of the drops and thus receive various gravity environments ranging from 0.1 to 0.9g. Videographed controls will be housed outside of the centrifuge receiving 0g. Based on the videorecordings, animals will be grouped into kinetotically and normally swimming samples. Subsequently, otoliths will be dissected and their size and asymmetry will be measured. Further investigations will focus on the numerical quantification of inner ear supporting and sensory cells as well as on the quantification of inner ear carbonic anhydrase reactivity. A correlation between (1) the results to be obtained concerning the g-loads inducing kinetosis and (2) the corresponding otolith asymmetry/morphology of sensory epithelia/carbonic anhydrase reactivity will further contribute to the understanding of the origin of kinetosis susceptibility. Besides an outline of the proposed principal experiments, the present study reports on a first series of drop-tower tests which were undertaken to elucidate the feasibility of the proposal (especially concerning the question, if some 4.7s of microgravity are sufficient to induce kinetotic behaviour in larval fish).

Anti-inflammatory activity of standardized dichloromethane extract of Salvia connivens on macrophages stimulated by LPS.

PubMed

González-Chávez, Marco Martín; Ramos-Velázquez, Cinthia Saraí; Serrano-Vega, Roberto; Pérez-González, Cuauhtemoc; Sánchez-Mendoza, Ernesto; Pérez-Gutiérrez, Salud

2017-12-01

A previous study demonstrated that the chloroform extract of Salvia connivens Epling (Lamiaceae) has anti-inflammatory activity. Identification of the active components in the dicholorometane extract (DESC), and, standardization of the extract based in ursolic acid. DESC was prepared by percolation with dichlromethane and after washed with hot hexane, its composition was determined by CG-MS and NMR, and standardized by HPLC. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested on acute TPA-induced mouse ear oedema at doses of 2.0 mg/ear. The cell viability of macrophages was evaluated by MTT method, and pro- and anti-inflammatory interleukin levels were measured using an ELISA kit. Ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, dihydroursolic acid and eupatorin were identified in DESC, which was standardized based on the ursolic acid concentration (126 mg/g). The anti-inflammatory activities of DESC, the acid mixture, and eupatorin (2 mg/ear) were 60.55, 57.20 and 56.40% inhibition, respectively, on TPA-induced ear oedema. The IC 50 of DESC on macrophages was 149.4 μg/mL. DESC (25 μg/mL) significantly reduced TNF-α (2.0-fold), IL-1β (2.2-fold) and IL-6 (2.0-fold) in macrophages stimulated with LPS and increased the production of IL-10 (1.9-fold). Inflammation is a basic response to injuries, and macrophages are involved in triggering inflammation. Macrophage cells exhibit a response to LPS, inducing inflammatory mediators, and DESC inhibits the biosynthesis of the pro-inflammatory and promote anti-inflammatory cytokines. DESC has an anti-inflammatory effect; reduced the levels of IL-1β, Il-6 and TNF-α; and increases IL-10 in macrophages stimulated with LPS. Ursolic acid is a good phytochemical marker.

Biotin status affects nickel allergy via regulation of interleukin-1beta production in mice.

PubMed

Kuroishi, Toshinobu; Kinbara, Masayuki; Sato, Naoki; Tanaka, Yukinori; Nagai, Yasuhiro; Iwakura, Yoichiro; Endo, Yasuo; Sugawara, Shunji

2009-05-01

Biotin, a water-soluble B complex vitamin, is possibly involved in chronic inflammatory diseases, although the detailed mechanisms are unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of biotin status on nickel (Ni) allergy in mice. Mice were fed a basal or biotin-deficient (BD) diet for 8 wk and sensitized with an intraperitoneal injection of NiCl(2) and lipopolysaccharide. Ten days after sensitization, NiCl(2) was intradermally injected into pinnas and ear swelling was measured. For in vitro analysis, we cultured a murine macrophage cell line, J774.1, under a biotin-sufficient (C, meaning control) or BD condition for 4 wk and analyzed interleukin (IL)-1 production. Significantly higher ear swelling was induced in BD mice than C mice. Adaptive transfer of splenocytes from both C and BD mice induced Ni allergy in unsensitized mice. Regardless of donor mice, ear swelling was significantly higher in BD recipient mice than C recipient mice. Ni allergy was not induced in either C or BD IL-1(-/-) mice. Splenocytes from BD mice produced a significantly higher amount of IL-1beta than those from C mice. Production and mRNA expression of IL-1beta were significantly higher in BD J774.1 cells than in C cells. Biotin supplementation inhibited the augmentation of IL-1beta production in vitro. In vivo supplementation of biotin in drinking water dose-dependently decreased ear swelling in C and BD mice. These results indicate that biotin status affects Ni allergy in the elicitation phase via the upregulation of IL-1beta production in mice, suggesting that biotin supplementation may have therapeutic effects on human metal allergy.

Sulfur mustard induces an endoplasmic reticulum stress response in the mouse ear vesicant model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chang, Yoke-Chen; Wang, James D.; Svoboda, Kathy K.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response is a cell survival pathway upregulated when cells are under severe stress. Severely damaged mouse ear skin exposed to the vesicant, sulfur mustard (bis-2-chloroethyl sulfide, SM), resulted in increased expression of ER chaperone proteins that accompany misfolded and incorrectly made proteins targeted for degradation. Time course studies with SM using the mouse ear vesicant model (MEVM) showed progressive histopathologic changes including edema, separation of the epidermis from the dermis, persistent inflammation, upregulation of laminin γ2 (one of the chains of laminin-332, a heterotrimeric skin glycoprotein required for wound repair), and delayed wound healing frommore » 24 h to 168 h post exposure. This was associated with time related increased expression of the cell survival ER stress marker, GRP78/BiP, and the ER stress apoptosis marker, GADD153/CHOP, suggesting simultaneous activation of both cell survival and non-mitochondrial apoptosis pathways. Dual immunofluorescence labeling of a keratinocyte migration promoting protein, laminin γ2 and GRP78/BIP, showed colocalization of the two molecules 72 h post exposure indicating that the laminin γ2 was misfolded after SM exposure and trapped within the ER. Taken together, these data show that ER stress is induced in mouse skin within 24 h of vesicant exposure in a defensive response to promote cell survival; however, it appears that this response is rapidly overwhelmed by the apoptotic pathway as a consequence of severe SM-induced injury. - Highlights: ► We demonstrated ER stress response in the mouse ear vesicant model. ► We described the asymmetrical nature of wound repair in the MEVM. ► We identified the distribution of various ER stress markers in the MEVM.« less

A hazard of the Intraflo continuous flush system.

PubMed

Schwartz, A J; Stoner, B B; Jobes, D R

1977-01-01

Patency of pressure sensing systems can be provided by the Intraflow Continuous Flush System (Sorenson Research Company, Salt Lake City, UT 84115). This device allows continuous flow of flush solution through a regulatory valve while preventing transmission of the high pressure of the flush solution. The case presented describes the recognition of a false elevation of a monitored pressure secondary to the malfunction of the Intraflo regulatory valve. Elimination of the flush solution high pressure during monitoring prevents inappropriate data collection.

Inhibitory effects of Drynaria fortunei extract on house dust mite antigen-induced atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.

PubMed

Sung, Yoon-Young; Kim, Dong-Seon; Yang, Won-Kyung; Nho, Kyoung Jin; Seo, Hyeong Seok; Kim, Young Sang; Kim, Ho Kyoung

2012-10-31

Drynaria fortunei (Kunze) J. Sm has been widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammation, hyperlipidemia, arteriosclerosis, rheumatism, and bone healing. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of a 70% ethanol extract of Drynaria fortunei (DFE). We evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of topically applied DFE on house dust mite Dermatophargoides farinae-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. Treatment of NC/Nga mice with DFE reduced the dermatitis score, ear thickness, and serum levels of IgE, IgG1, and IL-6. Histopathological analyses of ear and skin lesions showed inhibition of the thickening of the epidermis and reduced epidermal/dermal infiltration of inflammatory cells. In ear lesions, mRNA expression levels of IL-4, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α were reduced by DFE treatment. DFE inhibited the development of dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. These results suggest that DFE may be a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of AD. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Comparison between the way of intravenous administration of flagellin from Salmonella typhosa to the margial vein in the ear and into the mesenteric superior vein. Preliminary note].

PubMed

Scoglio, M E; Bisignano, G; Fazio, A

1975-01-01

Rabbits receiving three injections of PFA intravenously in ear, after that first treatment gave a weak antibody response, after the second one a rapid and copious increase of agglutination titre; the third injection induced a very small increase. In rabbits injected with PFA in superior mesenteric vein the first injection produced a little effect, the second induced a little effect too; the third injection performed in auricular vein, gave a substancial rapid and copious antibody response. This behaviour is similar to that obtained after the second injection in the first set of experiments. The PFA injected two times in mesenteric vein caused certainly a massive phagocytosis of antigen by Kupffer cells. Nevertheless this copious phagocytosis can exercise only an action of "priming", not a response of secondary type. For this purpose it is necessary an injection in the ear vein to provoke a direct intervention of lymphonodal reticular phagocytes. The phenomenon can be related to the proteic nature of the antigen.

A randomized controlled comparison of flushing protocols in home care patients with peripherally inserted central catheters.

PubMed

Lyons, Margaret G; Phalen, Ann G

2014-01-01

Research has failed to demonstrate an optimal flushing solution or frequency for central catheters. In a 2002 study of 50 000 home care patients, catheter dysfunction with loss of patency was the most common complication and occurred in 29% of the peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) tracked. With the advent of the Affordable Care Act and the promise of expanded home care services, this study offers evidence as to a preferred flushing protocol to prevent catheter patency complications for home infusion patients with PICCs. This prospective, randomized, 1-way, single-blinded posttest with control group study was performed to compare 3 commonly used flushing protocols in home infusion patients with PICCs. The independent variable was the flushing protocol, and dependent variables included the development of patency-related complications and other significant issues such as sluggishness, occlusion, missed medication doses, catheter replacement, additional nursing visits, and the use of alteplase (Cathflo Activase). Each of the study groups had patients who experienced 1 or more patency-related complications. Additional factors that may affect catheter function, including patient age, gender, diagnosis, therapy type, frequency of catheter use, catheter brand/size/number of lumens, concomitant use of anticoagulant medications, and whether PICCs were used for routine lab testing, were analyzed, and no statistical significance was determined. Catheter dwell time (catheter days) was statistically significant (p = .003, confidence interval = 95%; assuming equal variance) and confirmed the assumption that the longer a home care patient's catheter was in place, the more complications occurred. There were no cases of heparin allergy, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, or line infection. The data provide some evidence to support the elimination of heparin flushing in home care patients with PICCs, although data in the saline-only group that related to additional registered nurse visits to assess PICC patency and the use of alteplase (Cathflo Activase) were trending toward significance because this group experienced a higher incidence of these complications than both the heparin groups. These findings should not be translated to home care patients with cancer or pregnancy diagnoses because these populations were excluded from this study. More studies of this topic area should be initiated. Please see video abstract, Supplemental Digital Content 1, for more information (http://links.lww.com/JIN/A3).

Mg(II) and Ni(II) induce aggregation of poly(rA)poly(rU) to either tetra-aggregate or triplex depending on the metal ion concentration.

PubMed

Biver, Tarita; Busto, Natalia; García, Begoña; Leal, José M; Menichetti, Luisa; Secco, Fernando; Venturini, Marcella

2015-10-01

The ability of magnesium(II) and nickel(II) to induce dramatic conformational changes in the synthetic RNA poly(rA)poly(rU) has been investigated. Kinetic experiments, spectrofluorometric titrations, melting experiments and DSC measurements contribute in shedding light on a complex behaviour where the action of metal ions (Na(+), Mg(2+), Ni(2+)), in synergism with other operators as the intercalating dye coralyne and temperature, all concur in stabilising a peculiar RNA form. Mg(2+) and Ni(2+) (M) bind rapidly and almost quantitatively to the duplex (AU) to give a RNA/metal ion complex (AUM). Then, by the union of two AUM units, an unstable tetra-aggregate (UAUA(M2)*) is formed which, in the presence of a relatively modest excess of metal, evolves to the UAUM triplex by releasing a single AM strand. On the other hand, under conditions of high metal content, the UAUA(M2)* intermediate rearranges to give a more stable tetra-aggregate (UAUA(M2)). As concerns the role of coralyne (D), it is found that D strongly interacts with UAUA(M2). Also, in the presence of coralyne, the ability of divalent ions to promote the transition of AUD into UAUD is enhanced, according to the efficiency sequence [Ni(2+)]≫[Mg(2+)]≫[Na(+)]. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Management of Contaminants Stored in Low Permeability Zones - A State of the Science Review

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-10-01

Tank  3:     Permanganate  ...................................................................................................  193...Treatment options explored include steady water flushing (control), enhance water flushing, flushing permanganate , a dechlorinating culture (KB1...Remediation Tank Experiments (OoM: Order of Magnitude. PV: Pore Volume) 2. Enhanced flushing (79 PVs after loading) 3. Permanganate (45 PVs

Clinical evidence for use of acetyl salicylic acid in control of flushing related to nicotinic acid treatment.

PubMed

Oberwittler, H; Baccara-Dinet, M

2006-06-01

Nicotinic acid (NA) is highly effective and widely used in the management of dyslipidaemia. For many patients, the side effect of flushing of the face and upper body leads to discontinuation. Flushing with NA is mediated by prostaglandins, and as acetyl salicylic acid (ASA, 'aspirin') is a highly effective inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, there is a rationale for its use to prevent or reduce the severity of NA-related flushing. This literature survey identified four studies specifically exploring the utility of ASA in preventing NA-related flushing in healthy volunteers. Twenty-three NA studies, where ASA was mandatory or optional within the protocol, and four studies, where background ASA therapy was reported in most participants, were also identified. Although the incidence of flushing in studies using ASA was often high, discontinuation rates due to flushing were low (mean 7.7%). This figure compares favourably with discontinuation rates with NA commonly reported in the literature (up to approximately 40%). There is good supportive evidence for the use of ASA in reducing the severity of NA-related flushing.

Conceptual design and experiments of electrochemistry-flushing technology for the remediation of historically Cr(Ⅵ)-contaminated soil.

PubMed

Li, Dong; Sun, Delin; Hu, Siyang; Hu, Jing; Yuan, Xingzhong

2016-02-01

A conceptual design and experiments, electrochemistry-flushing (E-flushing), using electrochemistry to enhance flushing efficiency for the remediation of Cr(Ⅵ)-contaminated soil is presented. The rector contained three compartments vertically superposed. The upper was airtight cathode compartment containing an iron-cathode. The middle was soil layer. The bottom was anode compartment containing an iron-anode and connected to a container by circulation pumps. H2 and OH(-) ions were produced at cathode. H2 increased the gas pressure in cathode compartment and drove flushing solution into soil layer forming flushing process. OH(-) ions entered into soil layer by eletromigration and hydraulic flow to enhance the desorption of Cr(Ⅵ). High potential gradient was applied to accelerate the electromigration of desorbed Cr(Ⅵ) ions and produced joule heat to increase soil temperature to enhance Cr(Ⅵ) desorption. In anode compartment, Fe(2+) ions produced at iron-anode reduced the desorbed Cr(Ⅵ) into Cr(3+) ions, which reacted with OH(-) ions forming Cr(OH)3. Experimental results show that Cr(Ⅵ) removal efficiency of E-flushing experiments was more than double of flushing experiments and reached the maximum of removal efficiency determined by desorption kinetics. All electrochemistry processes were positively used in E-flushing technology. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Spatio-temporal evolution of apparent resistivity during coal-seam hydraulic flushing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Dexing; Wang, Enyuan; Song, Dazhao; Qiu, Liming; Kong, Xiangguo

2018-06-01

Hydraulic flushing in gas predrainage is widely used, but the hydraulic-flushing effect is evaluated in a traditional way, by determining the desorption volume, moisture content, gas drainage rate and other conventional indices. To verify the rationality and feasibility of the multielectrode resistivity method in the evaluation of coal-seam hydraulic flushing and to research the spatio-temporal evolution of apparent resistivity during hydraulic flushing, a field test was conducted in 17# coal seam at Nuodong Mine, Guizhou. During hydraulic flushing, four stages were defined according to the variation in coal rock resistivity with time, namely, the preparation stage, the sharply decreasing stage, the rapidly increasing stage and the steady stage. The apparent resistivity of the coal rock mass is affected mainly by its own degree of fragmentation and flushing volume. A more serious rupture and a greater flushing volume yield a smaller apparent resistivity during the sharply decreasing stage and a higher resistivity during the stable stage. After three months of gas predrainage, the residual gas content and the gas pressure at different points in the expected affected area decrease below the critical value. Changes in the residual gas content and gas pressure at these points are consistent with the apparent resistivity, which validates the rationality and feasibility of the multielectrode resistivity method in evaluating coal-seam hydraulic flushing.

Immune stimulation following dermal exposure to unsintered indium tin oxide

PubMed Central

Brock, Kristie; Anderson, Stacey E.; Lukomska, Ewa; Long, Carrie; Anderson, Katie; Marshall, Nikki; Meade, B. Jean

2015-01-01

In recent years, several types of pulmonary pathology, including alveolar proteinosis, fibrosis, and emphysema, have been reported in workers in the indium industry. To date, there remains no clear understanding of the underlying mechanism(s). Pulmonary toxicity studies in rats and mice have demonstrated the development of mediastinal lymph node hyperplasia and granulomas of mediastinal lymph nodes and bronchus-associated lymphoid tissues following exposure to indium tin oxide. Given the association between exposure to other metals and the development of immune-mediated diseases, these studies were undertaken to begin to investigate the immuno-modulatory potential of unsintered indium tin oxide (uITO) in a mouse model. Using modifications of the local lymph node assay, BALB/c mice (five animals/group) were exposed topically via intact or breached skin or injected intradermally at the base of the ear pinnae with either vehicle or increasing concentrations 2.5–10% uITO (90:10 indium oxide/tin oxide, particle size <50 nm). Dose-responsive increases in lymphocyte proliferation were observed with a calculated EC3 of 4.7% for the intact skin study. Phenotypic analysis of draining lymph node cells following intradermal injection with 5% uITO yielded a profile consistent with a T-cell-mediated response. These studies demonstrate the potential for uITO to induce sensitization and using lymphocyte proliferation as a biomarker of exposure, and demonstrate the potential for uITO to penetrate both intact and breached skin. PMID:24164313

Space Science and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Summary of a Workshop

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Finarelli, Margaret G.; Alexander, Joseph K.

2008-01-01

The United States seeks to protect its security and foreign-policy interests, in part, by actively controlling the export of goods, technologies, and services that are or may be useful for military development in other nations. "Export" is defined not simply as the sending abroad of hardware but also as the communication of related technology and know-how to foreigners in the United States and overseas. The U.S. government mechanism for controlling dual-use items--items in commerce that have potential military use is the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) administered by the Department of Commerce; items defined in law as defense articles fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of State and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Because of the potential military implications of the export of defense articles, the ITAR regime imposes much greater burdens (on both the applicant and the government) than does the EAR regime during the process of applying for, and implementing the provisions of, licenses and technical-assistance agreements. Until the early 1990s export control activity related to all space satellites (commercial and scientific) was handled under ITAR. Between 1992 and 1996 the George H.W. Bush and the Clinton administrations transferred jurisdiction over the licensing of civilian communications satellites to the Commerce Department under EAR. In 1999, however, in response to broad concerns about Chinese attempts to acquire U.S. high technology, the U.S. House of Representatives convened the Select Committee on U.S. National Security and Military/Commercial Concerns with the People s Republic of China, also known as the Cox Committee. One of the many consequences of the Cox Committee's report was Congress's mandate that jurisdiction over export and licensing of satellites and related equipment and services, irrespective of military utility, be transferred from the Department of Commerce to the State Department and that such equipment and services be covered as defense articles under ITAR. Scientific satellites were explicitly included despite their use for decades in peaceful internationally conducted cooperative scientific research. It is widely recognized that the shift in regulatory regime from EAR to ITAR has had major deleterious effects on international scientific research activities that depend on satellites, spaceflight hardware, and other items that are now controlled by ITAR. Furthermore, contravening U.S. interests in attracting foreign students to U.S. universities, the capture of space technology by ITAR has caused serious problems in the teaching of university space science and engineering classes, virtually all of which include non-U.S. students. This report is a summary of a September 2007 workshop in which participants from the space research communities and the export-control administration and policy communities came together to discuss problems, effects, and potential solutions regarding the application of ITAR to space science. The principal themes and ideas that emerged from the discussions are summarized.

An intensive behavioral weight loss intervention and hot flushes in women.

PubMed

Huang, Alison J; Subak, Leslee L; Wing, Rena; West, Delia Smith; Hernandez, Alexandra L; Macer, Judy; Grady, Deborah

2010-07-12

Higher body mass index is associated with worse hot flushes during menopause but the effect of weight loss on flushing is unclear. Self-administered questionnaires were used to assess bothersome hot flushes in a 6-month randomized controlled trial of an intensive behavioral weight loss program (intervention) vs a structured health education program (control) in 338 women who were overweight or obese and had urinary incontinence. Weight, body mass index, abdominal circumference, physical activity, calorie intake, blood pressure, and physical and mental functioning were assessed at baseline and at 6 months. Repeated-measures proportional odds models examined intervention effects on bothersome hot flushes and potential mediating factors. Approximately half of participants (n = 154) were at least slightly bothered by hot flushes at baseline. Among these women, the intervention was associated with greater improvement in bothersome flushes vs control (odds ratio [OR] for improvement by 1 Likert category, 2.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-4.21). Reductions in weight (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.08-1.61; per 5-kg decrease), body mass index (1.17; 1.05-1.30; per 1-point decrease), and abdominal circumference (1.32; 1.07-1.64; per 5-cm decrease) were each associated with improvement in flushing, but changes in physical activity, calorie intake, blood pressure, and physical and mental functioning were not related. The effect of the intervention on flushing was modestly diminished after adjustment for multiple potential mediators (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 0.95-3.89). Among women who were overweight or obese and had bothersome hot flushes, an intensive behavioral weight loss intervention resulted in improvement in flushing relative to control. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00091988.

Duration of Menopausal Hot Flushes and Associated Risk Factors

PubMed Central

Freeman, Ellen W.; Sammel, Mary D.; Lin, Hui; Liu, Ziyue; Gracia, Clarisa R.

2011-01-01

OBJECTIVE To estimate the duration of moderate-to-severe menopausal hot flushes and identify potential risk factors for hot flush duration. METHODS The Penn Ovarian Aging Study cohort was followed for 13 years. Hot flushes were evaluated at 9-month to 12-month intervals through in-person interviews. The primary outcome was the duration of moderate to severe hot flushes, estimated by survival analysis (N=259). Potential risk factors included menopausal stage, age, race, reproductive hormone levels, body mass index (BMI) and current smoking. A secondary analysis included women who reported any hot flushes (N=349). RESULTS The median duration of moderate to severe hot flushes was 10.2 years and was strongly associated with menopausal stage at onset. Hot flushes that commenced near entry into the menopause transition had a median duration >greater than 11.57 years; onset in the early transition stage had a median duration of 7.35 years (95% CI 4.94, 8.89), P<0.001); and onset in the late transition to postmenopausal stages had a median duration of 3.84 years (95% CI: 1.77, 5.52), P<0.001. The most common ages at onset of moderate-to-severe hot flushes were 45–49 years (median duration 8.1 years; 95% CI 5.12, 9.28). African American women had a longer duration of hot flushes than white women in adjusted analysis. CONCLUSIONS The median duration of hot flushes considerably exceeded the time frame that is generally accepted in clinical practice. The identified risk factors, particularly menopausal stage, race, and BMI, are important to consider in individualizing treatment and evaluating the risk to benefit ratio of hormones and other therapies. PMID:21508748

Development, survival and fitness performance of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in MON810 Bt field corn.

PubMed

Horner, T A; Dively, G P; Herbert, D A

2003-06-01

Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) development, survival, and feeding injury in MON810 transgenic ears of field corn (Zea mays L.) expressing Bacillus thuringiensis variety kurstaki (Bt) Cry1Ab endotoxins were compared with non-Bt ears at four geographic locations over two growing seasons. Expression of Cry1Ab endotoxin resulted in overall reductions in the percentage of damaged ears by 33% and in the amount of kernels consumed by 60%. Bt-induced effects varied significantly among locations, partly because of the overall level and timing of H. zea infestations, condition of silk tissue at the time of egg hatch, and the possible effects of plant stress. Larvae feeding on Bt ears produced scattered, discontinuous patches of partially consumed kernels, which were arranged more linearly than the compact feeding patterns in non-Bt ears. The feeding patterns suggest that larvae in Bt ears are moving about sampling kernels more frequently than larvae in non-Bt ears. Because not all kernels express the same level of endotoxin, the spatial heterogeneity of toxin distribution within Bt ears may provide an opportunity for development of behavioral responses in H. zea to avoid toxin. MON810 corn suppressed the establishment and development of H. zea to late instars by at least 75%. This level of control is considered a moderate dose, which may increase the risk of resistance development in areas where MON810 corn is widely adopted and H. zea overwinters successfully. Sublethal effects of MON810 corn resulted in prolonged larval and prepupal development, smaller pupae, and reduced fecundity of H. zea. The moderate dose effects and the spatial heterogeneity of toxin distribution among kernels could increase the additive genetic variance for both physiological and behavioral resistance in H. zea populations. Implications of localized population suppression are discussed.

Epigenetic Analysis of Heavy-ion Radiation Induced Bystander Effects in Mice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Meng; Sun, Yeqing; Cui, Changna; Xue, Bei

Abstract: Radiation-induced bystander effect was defined as the induction of damage in neighboring non-hit cells by signals released from directly-irradiated cells. Recently, low dose of high LET radiation induced bystander effects in vivo have been reported more and more. It has been indicated that radiation induced bystander effect was localized not only in bystander tissues but also in distant organs. Genomic, epigenetic and proteomics plays significant roles in regulating heavy-ion radiation stress responses in mice. To identify the molecular mechanism that underlies bystander effects of heavy-ion radiation, the male Balb/c and C57BL mice were exposed head-only to 40, 200, 2000mGy dose of (12) C heavy-ion radiation, while the rest of the animal body was shielded. Directly radiation organ ear and the distant organ liver were detected on 1h, 6h, 12h and 24h after radiation, respectively. Methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) was used to monitor the level of polymorphic genomic DNA methylation changed with dose and time effects. The results show that heavy-ion irradiated mouse head could induce genomic DNA methylation changes significantly in both the directly radiation organ ear and the distant organ liver. The percent of DNA methylation changes were time-dependent and tissue-specific. Demethylation polymorphism rate was highest separately at 1 h in 200 mGy and 6 h in 2000 mGy after irradiation. The global DNA methylation changes tended to occur in the CG sites. The results illustrated that genomic methylation changes of heavy ion radiation-induced bystander effect in liver could be obvious 1 h after radiation and achieved the maximum at 6 h, while the changes could recover gradually at 12 h. The results suggest that mice head exposed to heavy-ion radiation can induce damage and methylation pattern changed in both directly radiation organ ear and distant organ liver. Moreover, our findings are important to understand the molecular mechanism of radiation induced bystander effects in vivo.

Why noise-induced hearing loss of industrial workers is dramatic while that of similarly assessed musicians has been described as trivial

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bies, David

2005-09-01

Criteria for noise exposure considered acceptable for hearing protection are based upon industrial experience, yet these same criteria do not describe the experience of musicians. Investigation of the physics of the human ear reveals a basic design compromise that explains this anomaly. Acoustic stimulation is encoded in the velocity response of the basilar membrane, which makes possible the use of damping control to achieve the dynamic range of the ear. The use of damping control for this purpose without unacceptable distortions is possible if damping is slowly varying. The ear is free running and guided by previous instruction, making it vulnerable to loud impulsive sounds. To protect the ear the aural reflex is provided, but this protection is limited to frequencies below about 1 to 2 kHz. In the natural environment this design compromise is satisfactory, but in the industrial environment loud impulsive sounds are common and the compromise fails. It is to be noted that impulsive sounds of high frequency and level for which the ear has no defense, and which are not characteristic of music, are averaged to zero using standard assessment procedures.

Overexpression of EAR1 and SSH4 that encode PPxY proteins in the multivesicular body provides stability to tryptophan permease Tat2, allowing yeast cells to grow under high hydrostatic pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hiraki, Toshiki; Usui, Keiko; Abe, Fumiyoshi

2010-12-01

Tryptophan uptake in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is susceptible to high hydrostatic pressure and it limits the growth of tryptophan auxotrophic (Trp-) strains under pressures of 15-25 MPa. The susceptibility of tryptophan uptake is accounted for by the pressure-induced degradation of tryptophan permease Tat2 occurring in a Rsp5 ubiquitin ligase-dependent manner. Ear1 and Ssh4 are multivesicular body proteins that physically interact with Rsp5. We found that overexpression of either of the EAR1 or SSH4 genes enabled the Trp- cells to grow at 15-25 MPa. EAR1 and SSH4 appeared to provide stability to the Tat2 protein when overexpressed. The result suggests that Ear1 and Ssh4 negatively regulate Rsp5 on ubiquitination of Tat2. Currently, high hydrostatic pressure is widely used in bioscience and biotechnology for structurally perturbing macromolecules such as proteins and lipids or in food processing and sterilizing microbes. We suggest that hydrostatic pressure is an operative experimental parameter to screen yeast genes specifically for regulation of Tat2 through the function of Rsp5 ubiquitin ligase.

Sensory hair cell regeneration in the zebrafish lateral line.

PubMed

Lush, Mark E; Piotrowski, Tatjana

2014-10-01

Damage or destruction of sensory hair cells in the inner ear leads to hearing or balance deficits that can be debilitating, especially in older adults. Unfortunately, the damage is permanent, as regeneration of the inner ear sensory epithelia does not occur in mammals. Zebrafish and other non-mammalian vertebrates have the remarkable ability to regenerate sensory hair cells and understanding the molecular and cellular basis for this regenerative ability will hopefully aid us in designing therapies to induce regeneration in mammals. Zebrafish not only possess hair cells in the ear but also in the sensory lateral line system. Hair cells in both organs are functionally analogous to hair cells in the inner ear of mammals. The lateral line is a mechanosensory system found in most aquatic vertebrates that detects water motion and aids in predator avoidance, prey capture, schooling, and mating. Although hair cell regeneration occurs in both the ear and lateral line, most research to date has focused on the lateral line due to its relatively simple structure and accessibility. Here we review the recent discoveries made during the characterization of hair cell regeneration in zebrafish. Copyright © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Propylthiouracil, Perchlorate, and Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Modulate High Concentrations of Iodide Instigated Mitochondrial Superoxide Production in the Thyroids of Metallothionein I/II Knockout Mice

PubMed Central

Duan, Qi; Wang, Tingting; Zhang, Na; Perera, Vern; Liang, Xue; Abeysekera, Iruni Roshanie

2016-01-01

Background Increased oxidative stress has been suggested as one of the underlying mechanisms in iodide excess-induced thyroid disease. Metallothioneins (MTs) are regarded as scavengers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in oxidative stress. Our aim is to investigate the effects of propylthiouracil (PTU), a thyroid peroxidase inhibitor, perchlorate (KClO4), a competitive inhibitor of iodide transport, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) on mitochondrial superoxide production instigated by high concentrations of iodide in the thyroids of MT-I/II knockout (MT-I/II KO) mice. Methods Eight-week-old 129S7/SvEvBrd-Mt1tm1Bri Mt2tm1Bri/J (MT-I/II KO) mice and background-matched wild type (WT) mice were used. Results By using a mitochondrial superoxide indicator (MitoSOX Red), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, we demonstrated that the decreased relative viability and increased LDH release and mitochondrial superoxide production induced by potassium iodide (100 µM) can be relieved by 300 µM PTU, 30 µM KClO4, or 10 U/L TSH in the thyroid cell suspensions of both MT-I/II KO and WT mice (P<0.05). Compared to the WT mice, a significant decrease in the relative viability along with a significant increase in LDH release and mitochondrial superoxide production were detected in MT-I/II KO mice(P<0.05). Conclusion We concluded that PTU, KClO4, or TSH relieved the mitochondrial oxidative stress induced by high concentrations of iodide in the thyroids of both MT-I/II KO and WT mice. MT-I/II showed antioxidant effects against high concentrations of iodide-induced mitochondrial superoxide production in the thyroid. PMID:26754589

β1- and β2-adrenergic stimulation-induced electrogenic transport by human endolymphatic sac epithelium and its clinical implications

PubMed Central

Kim, Bo Gyung; Kim, Jin Young; Jung, JinSei; Moon, In Seok; Yoon, Joo-Heon; Choi, Jae Young; Kim, Sung Huhn

2017-01-01

The endolymphatic sac (ES) is a cystic structure of the inner ear connected to the cochlea and vestibule, which plays a role in regulating ion homeostasis in inner ear fluid. Disruption of ion homeostasis can cause inner ear disorders with hearing loss and dizziness, such as Meniere’s disease. Herein, we found, for the first time, functional evidence for the involvement of β1- and β2-adrenergic receptors in apical electrogenic ion transport by human ES epithelium by using electrophysiological/pharmacological and molecular biological methods, which were dependent on K+ and Cl− ion transport. The apical electrogenic transport was absent or very weak in ES epithelia of patients with Meniere’s disease. These results suggested that adrenergic stimulation via β1- and β2-adrenergic receptors in the human ES was involved in regulation of inner ear fluid ion homeostasis and impairment of this response could be a pathological mechanism of Meniere’s disease. PMID:28165045

Using the Extended Parallel Process Model to create and evaluate the effectiveness of brochures to reduce the risk for noise-induced hearing loss in college students.

PubMed

Kotowski, Michael R; Smith, Sandi W; Johnstone, Patti M; Pritt, Erin

2011-01-01

Brochures containing messages developed according to the Extended Parallel Process Model were deployed to increase intentions to use hearing protection for college students. These brochures were presented to one-half of a college student sample, after which a questionnaire was administered to assess perceptions of threat, efficacy, and behavioral intentions. The other half of the sample completed the questionnaire and then received brochures. Results indicated that people receiving the brochure before the questionnaire reported greater perceptions of hearing loss threat and efficacy to use ear plugs when in loud environments, however, intentions to use ear plugs were unchanged. Distribution of the brochure also resulted in greater perceptions of hearing loss threat and efficacy to use over-the-ear headphones when using devices such as MP3 players. In this case, however, intentions to use over-the-ear headphones increased. Results are discussed in terms of future research and practical applications.

Maritime Options for the Future - The Means to Revitalize the U.S. Merchant Marine.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-12-01

ships per year. a / Cargo Prefer- $3.0-4.0 High Low Higher ence (II): billion Boggs Bill approach. Induce...domestic trade. Due to the vast number of ships available to the merchant marine in the eply twenties, carriage of U.S. foreign trade reached a high ...strated emphatically how acutely national security in such a conflict is dependent upon cargo shipping . At the outset of the War, the merchant

Optimizing Hearing Loss Prevention and Treatment, Rehabilitation and Re - Integration of Soldiers with Hearing Impairment

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-10-01

for whom hearing loss is more often associated with middle ear disease , but is also relevant to assess the aeration system of the ear in with ...being, the ability to cope with post-traumatic stress and the overall quality of life. Modern Militaries have highly trained and experienced specialists...impaired in that environment. In the case of evaluating the impact of noise-induced hearing loss, this would mean finding trained operators with all

Installation Restoration Program Phase 2. Confirmation/Quantification. Stage 1. Volume 1.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-10-10

FIGUR 1- EEA LNO EFIG I AiNLanfl GUARD BASESHOWING PHSE II INVTIGTOIE I 1- ........ Site No. - I MAA Site No.Northwest Landfill TS Site.No.4 West...Protective Steel PVC Cap Flush Mount in Casing Plastic Nelson Valve Box Land Surface PVC Cap . Cement Grout 0 L n aBentonite Pellet 4" Diameter Seal...12.0 feet BLS. Clays of high plasticity predominate in all three wells. No sand lenses were encountered and the topsoil at all three well locations is

Effect of wave-current interaction on wind-driven circulation in narrow, shallow embayments

USGS Publications Warehouse

Signell, Richard P.; Beardsley, Robert C.; Graber, H. C.; Capotondi, A.

1990-01-01

The effect of wind waves on the steady wind-driven circulation in a narrow, shallow bay is investigated with a two-dimensional (y, z) circulation model and the Grant and Madsen [1979] bottom-boundary layer model, which includes wave-current interaction. A constant wind stress is applied in the along-channel x direction to a channel with a constant cross-sectional profile h(y). The wind-induced flushing of shallow bays is shown to be sensitive to both the shape of the cross section and the effects of surface waves. The flushing increases with increasing , where h′ is the standard deviation of cross-channel depth and  is the mean depth. This is consistent with the findings of Hearn et al. [1987]. The flushing decreases, however, with the inclusion of surface wave effects which act to increase the bottom drag felt by the currents. Increasing effective bottom friction reduces the strength of the circulation, while the along-bay surface slope, bottom stress and the structure of current profiles remain nearly unchanged. An implication of the circulation dependence on wave-current interaction is that low-frequency oscillatory winds may drive a mean circulation when the wave field changes with wind direction.x

Methods of preventing vinorelbine-induced phlebitis: an experimental study in rabbits.

PubMed

Kohno, Emiko; Murase, Saori; Nishikata, Mayumi; Okamura, Noboru; Matzno, Sumio; Kuwahara, Takashi; Matsuyama, Kenji

2008-07-22

In order to identify methods for preventing phlebitis caused by intravenous administration of vinorelbine (VNR), we established a procedure for estimating the severity of phlebitis in an animal model. Four different factors (administration rate, dilution, flushing, and infusion of fat emulsion) were evaluated for alleviation of phlebitis caused by VNR infusion. VNR was diluted with normal saline to prepare test solutions with concentrations of 0.6 mg/mL or 0.3 mg/mL for infusion into the auricular veins of rabbits. Two days after VNR infusion, the veins were subjected to histopathological examination. VNR did not cause obvious loss of venous endothelial cells, the most sensitive and common feature of phlebitis, but VNR infusion led to inflammatory cell infiltration, edema, and epidermal degeneration. Tissue damage was significantly decreased by shortening the administration time and by diluting the VNR solution for infusion from 0.6 mg/mL to 0.3 mg/mL. However, there was no effect of flushing with normal saline after VNR infusion, while treatment with fat emulsion before and after VNR infusion only had a minimal effect. Rapid infusion and dilution are effective methods of reducing phlebitis caused by the infusion of VNR, but the efficacy of flushing with normal saline or infusion of fat emulsion was not confirmed.

Cyclodextrin-enhanced solubilization and removal of residual-phase chlorinated solvents from porous media

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Boving, T.B.; Wang, X.; Brusseau, M.L.

1999-03-01

The development of improved methods for remediation of contaminated aquifers has emerged as a significant environmental priority. One technology that appears to have considerable promise involves the use of solubilization agents such as surfactants and cosolvents for enhancing the removal of residual phase immiscible liquids. The authors examined the use of cyclodextrin, a glucose-based molecule, for solubilizing and removing residual-phase immiscible liquid from porous media. Batch experiments were conducted to measure the degree of trichloroethene (TCE) and tetrachloroethene (PCE) solubilization induced by hydroxypropyl-{beta}-cyclodextrin (HPCD) and methyl-{beta}-cyclodextrin (MCD). These studies revealed that the solubilities of TCE and PCE were enhanced bymore » up to 9.5 and 36.0 times, respectively. Column experiments were conducted to compare water and cyclodextrin-enhanced flushing of Borden sand containing residual saturations of TCE and PCE. The results indicate that solubilization and mass removal were enhanced substantially with the use of cyclodextrins. The effluent concentrations during the steady-state phase of the HPCD and MCD flushing experiments were close to the apparent solubilities measured with the batch experiments, indicating equilibrium concentrations were maintained during the initial phase of cyclodextrin flushing. Mobilization was observed for only the TCE-MCD and PCE-5%MCD experiments.« less

Cleavage of the urokinase receptor (uPAR) on oral cancer cells: regulation by transforming growth factor - β1 (TGF-β1) and potential effects on migration and invasion.

PubMed

Magnussen, Synnove Norvoll; Hadler-Olsen, Elin; Costea, Daniela Elena; Berg, Eli; Jacobsen, Cristiane Cavalcanti; Mortensen, Bente; Salo, Tuula; Martinez-Zubiaurre, Inigo; Winberg, Jan-Olof; Uhlin-Hansen, Lars; Svineng, Gunbjorg

2017-05-19

Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) receptor (uPAR) is up-regulated at the invasive tumour front of human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), indicating a role for uPAR in tumour progression. We previously observed elevated expression of uPAR at the tumour-stroma interface in a mouse model for OSCC, which was associated with increased proteolytic activity. The tumour microenvironment regulated uPAR expression, as well as its glycosylation and cleavage. Both full-length- and cleaved uPAR (uPAR (II-III)) are involved in highly regulated processes such as cell signalling, proliferation, migration, stem cell mobilization and invasion. The aim of the current study was to analyse tumour associated factors and their effect on uPAR cleavage, and the potential implications for cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Mouse uPAR was stably overexpressed in the mouse OSCC cell line AT84. The ratio of full-length versus cleaved uPAR as analysed by Western blotting and its regulation was assessed by addition of different protease inhibitors and transforming growth factor - β1 (TGF-β1). The role of uPAR cleavage in cell proliferation and migration was analysed using real-time cell analysis and invasion was assessed using the myoma invasion model. We found that when uPAR was overexpressed a proportion of the receptor was cleaved, thus the cells presented both full-length uPAR and uPAR (II-III). Cleavage was mainly performed by serine proteases and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) in particular. When the OSCC cells were stimulated with TGF-β1, the production of the uPA inhibitor PAI-1 was increased, resulting in a reduction of uPAR cleavage. By inhibiting cleavage of uPAR, cell migration was reduced, and by inhibiting uPA activity, invasion was reduced. We could also show that medium containing soluble uPAR (suPAR), and cleaved soluble uPAR (suPAR (II-III)), induced migration in OSCC cells with low endogenous levels of uPAR. These results show that soluble factors in the tumour microenvironment, such as TGF-β1, PAI-1 and uPA, can influence the ratio of full length and uPAR (II-III) and thereby potentially effect cell migration and invasion. Resolving how uPAR cleavage is controlled is therefore vital for understanding how OSCC progresses and potentially provides new targets for therapy.

The major histocompatibility complex genes impact pain response in DA and DA.1U rats.

PubMed

Guo, Yuan; Yao, Fan-Rong; Cao, Dong-Yuan; Li, Li; Wang, Hui-Sheng; Xie, Wen; Zhao, Yan

2015-08-01

Our recent studies have shown that the difference in basal pain sensitivity to mechanical and thermal stimulation between Dark-Agouti (DA) rats and a novel congenic DA.1U rats is major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes dependent. In the present study, we further used DA and DA.1U rats to investigate the role of MHC genes in formalin-induced pain model by behavioral, electrophysiological and immunohistochemical methods. Behavioral results showed biphasic nociceptive behaviors increased significantly following the intraplantar injection of formalin in the hindpaw of DA and DA.1U rats. The main nociceptive behaviors were lifting and licking, especially in DA rats (P<0.001 and P<0.01). The composite pain scores (CPS) in DA rats were significantly higher than those in DA.1U rats in both phases of the formalin test (P<0.01). Electrophysiological results also showed the biphasic increase in discharge rates of C and Aδ fibers of L5 dorsal root in the two strains, and the net change of the discharge rate of DA rats was significantly higher than that of DA.1U rats (P<0.05). The mechanical thresholds decreased after formalin injection in both strains (P<0.01), and the net change in the mechanical threshold in DA was greater than that in DA.1U rats (P<0.05). The expression of RT1-B, representation of MHC class II molecule, in laminae I-II of L4/5 spinal cord in DA rats was significantly higher than that in DA.1U rats in the respective experimental group (P<0.05). These results suggested that both DA and DA.1U rats exhibited nociceptive responses in formalin-induced pain model and DA rats were more sensitive to noxious chemical stimulus than DA.1U rats, indicating that MHC genes might contribute to the difference in pain sensitivity. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

21 CFR 870.1210 - Continuous flush catheter.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

...) MEDICAL DEVICES CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES Cardiovascular Diagnostic Devices § 870.1210 Continuous flush catheter. (a) Identification. A continuous flush catheter is an attachment to a catheter-transducer system...

21 CFR 870.1210 - Continuous flush catheter.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

...) MEDICAL DEVICES CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES Cardiovascular Diagnostic Devices § 870.1210 Continuous flush catheter. (a) Identification. A continuous flush catheter is an attachment to a catheter-transducer system...

21 CFR 870.1210 - Continuous flush catheter.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

...) MEDICAL DEVICES CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES Cardiovascular Diagnostic Devices § 870.1210 Continuous flush catheter. (a) Identification. A continuous flush catheter is an attachment to a catheter-transducer system...

Immune-Mediated Inner Ear Disease: Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

PubMed

Penêda, José Ferreira; Lima, Nuno Barros; Monteiro, Francisco; Silva, Joana Vilela; Gama, Rita; Condé, Artur

2018-03-07

Immune Mediated Inner Ear Disease (IMIED) is a rare form of sensorineural bilateral hearing loss, usually progressing in weeks to months and responsive to immunosuppressive treatment. Despite recent advances, there is no consensus on diagnosis and optimal treatment. A review of articles on IMIED from the last 10 years was conducted using PubMed ® database. IMIED is a rare disease, mostly affecting middle aged women. It may be a primary ear disease or secondary to autoimmune systemic disease. A dual immune response (both cellular and humoral) seems to be involved. Cochlin may be the inner ear protein targeted in this disease. Distinction from other (core common) forms of neurosensory hearing loss is a challenge. Physical examination is mandatory for exclusion of other causes of hearing loss; audiometry identifies characteristic hearing curves. Laboratory and imaging studies are controversial since no diagnostic marker is available. Despite recent research, IMIED diagnosis remains exclusive. Steroids are the mainstay treatment; other therapies need further investigation. For refractory cases, cochlear implantation is an option and with good relative outcome. Copyright © 2018 Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología y Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

A systematic review on external ear melanoma.

PubMed

Toia, Francesca; Garbo, Giuseppe; Tripoli, Massimiliano; Rinaldi, Gaetana; Moschella, Francesco; Cordova, Adriana

2015-07-01

External ear melanoma accounts for only 1% of all cutaneous melanomas, and data on its optimal management and prognosis are limited. We aim to review the literature on external ear melanoma to guide surgeons in the treatment of this uncommon and peculiar pathology. A systematic review of English language studies on ear melanoma published from 1993 to 2013 was performed using the PubMed electronic database. Data on epidemiology, oncological treatment (tumor resection and regional lymph nodes management), and reconstruction were extrapolated from selected papers. The total number of patients was 858 (30 studies). The helix was the most common location (57%); superficial spreading melanoma was the most common histopathological subtype (41%). The mean Breslow thickness was 2.01 mm, with 88% of stage I-II patients. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed in 45% of patients, with 8% of positive nodes. Available data on its prognosis are fragmentary and contrasting, but the Breslow thickness appears to be the main prognostic factor. There is a tendency towards reduced resection margins and preservation of the underlying perichondrium and cartilage. Local flaps are the most popular reconstructive option. To the best of our knowledge, this systematic review presents the largest data series on external ear melanoma. There is no general agreement on its surgical management, but a favorable prognosis seems to justify the tendency towards conservative treatments. Copyright © 2015 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Roy, Sumit; Laerum, Frode; Brosstad, Frank

Purpose: To develop an animal model of acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Methods: In part I of the study nine juvenile domestic pigs were used. Each external iliac vein was transluminally occluded with a balloon catheter. Thrombin was infused through a microcatheter in one leg according to one of the following protocols: (1) intraarterial (IA): 1250 U at 25 U/min in the common femoral artery (n= 3); (2) intravenous (IV): 5000 U in the popliteal vein at 500 U/min (n= 3), or at 100 U/min (n= 3). Saline was administered in the opposite leg. After the animals were killed, themore » mass of thrombus in the iliofemoral veins was measured. The pudendoepiploic (PEV), profunda femoris (PF), and popliteal veins (PV) were examined. Thrombosis in the tributaries of the superficial femoral vein (SFVt) was graded according to a three-point scale (0, +, ++). In part II of the study IV administration was further investigated in nine pigs using the following three regimens with 1000 U at 25 U/min serving as the control: (1) 1000 U at 100 U/min, (2) 250 U at 25 U/min, (3) 250 U at 6.25 U/min. Results: All animals survived. In part I median thrombus mass in the test limbs was 1.40 g as compared with 0.25 g in the controls (p= 0.01). PEV, PFV and PV were thrombosed in all limbs infused with thrombin. IV infusion was more effective in inducing thrombosis in both the parent veins (mass 1.32-1.78 g) and SVFt (++ in 4 of 6 legs), as compared with IA infusion (mass 0.0-1.16 g; SFVt ++ in 1 of 3 legs). In part II thrombus mass in axial veins ranged from 1.23 to 2.86 g, and showed no relationship with the dose of thrombin or the rate of infusion. Tributary thrombosis was less extensive with 250 U at 25 U/min than with the other regimens. Conclusion: Slow distal intravenous thrombin infusion in the hind legs of pigs combined with proximal venous occlusion induces thrombosis in the leg veins that closely resembles clinical DVT in distribution.« less

Ear fibroblasts derived from Taiwan yellow cattle are more heat resistant than those from Holstein cattle.

PubMed

Wu, Hung-Yi; Peng, Shao-Yu; Li, Hung; Lee, Jai-Wei; Kesorn, Piyawit; Wu, Hsi-Hsun; Ju, Jyh-Cherng; Shen, Perng-Chih

2017-05-01

The objective of this study was to compare the thermotolerances of ear fibroblasts derived from Holstein (H) and Taiwan yellow cattle (Y) and their apoptosis-related protein expressions with (1, 3, 6, 12, and 24h) or without heat shock treatment. The results showed that the vaginal temperatures of Y (38.4-38.5°C) were (P<0.05) lower than that of H (38.8°C) during the hot season. The apoptotic rates of ear fibroblasts derived from Y (6h: 1.1%; 12h: 1.6%; 24h: 2.6%) were lower (P<0.05) than those of cells derived from H (6h: 1.8%; 12h: 4.0%; 24h: 6.9%), respectively, after heat shock (42°C). The expression level of apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) in ear fibroblasts derived from H was higher (P<0.05) than those derived from Y after the heat shock treatment for 6h and 12h, respectively. The level of cytochrome c of ear fibroblasts derived from H was higher (P<0.05) than those derived from Y after the heat shock treatment for 1-12h, respectively. The abundances of Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 of ear fibroblasts derived from H were higher (P<0.05) than those of cells derived from Y after 12h and 24h of heat shock, respectively; the Bcl-2/Bax ratios of ear fibroblasts derived from H were lower (P<0.05) than those from Y-derived fibroblasts after heated for 1-24h. The expression level of HSP-70 of Y-derived ear fibroblasts was also higher (P<0.05) than that from H after the same duration of heat shock treatments. Taken together, the thermotolerance of ear fibroblasts derived from Taiwan yellow cattle was better than that of cells derived from Holstein cattle. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.