The role of vection, eye movements and postural instability in the etiology of motion sickness

Motion sickness is a term that is commonly used to describe the ill effects of many provocative motion (e.g. seagoing or air travel) and apparent motion (e.g. IMAX movies and virtual reality) environments on human well-being and performance. It can be extremely debilitating and yet we do not have a precise understanding of its cause. This study evaluates the importance of three factors that are purported to be involved in the etiology of motion sickness (MS). Most provocative motion environments cause three distinct, but possibly related, responses: reflexive eye movements (EM), sensory conflict (SC), and postural instability (PS). Three current theories, concerning the etiology of motion sickness, emphasize one of these responses, but deny the importance of the others. Such theoretical approaches preclude the possibility of a synergistic interaction of these factors. This experiment employed a three-factor experimental design wherein each factor was manipulated alone or in combination with the others. The independent variables involved two levels of: PS (induced by having the subject stand on a stationary platform or on a posturally challenging platform mounted atop a partially inflated rubber inner tube); SC (with or without illusory self movement elicited visually by whole field stimulation); and EM (unrestricted or controlled by a stable fixation point). Analysis of measures of PS, SC and EM confirmed the effectiveness of these manipulations. Analysis of MS measures (questionnaires, magnitude ratings, tolerance times) revealed a main effect of SC (p < 0.01), increased MS found with illusory self motion conditions. In addition, measures of MS symptomatology revealed a significant three-way interaction between SC, PS and EM (p < 0.05), greater amounts of MS found with conditions of illusory self motion, postural challenge, and unrestricted EM. This suggests support for a multi-factorial approach to the study of MS etiology. These findings suggest a major role of SC in the elicitation of MS, but also suggest important contributions from the EM and PS mechanisms.     

Studies of transnasal pressure and airflow values in a Japanese population

The proportions of subjects who attained transnasal pressure and flow values of different magnitudes during spontaneous nasal breathing at rest were determined. Several co-ordinate points on transnasal pressure: flow curves generated by 77 (34 M, 43 F) healthy Japanese subjects aged 15-65 years were examined. By posterior rhinomanometry the proportion approximated 100% at Brom's radii R1 and R2 and 80-90% at 0.25 l/sec flow and at 0.5 cm H2O (50 Pa) pressure when both nasal cavities were patent. When one nasal cavity was occluded the results were 100% at radius R1 and 80-90% at radius R2 and 0.5 cm H2O (50 Pa) pressure. By anterior rhinomanometry, the proportion approximated 100% at radius R1 and 0.5 cm H2O (50 Pa) pressure and was quite high at radius R2 and 1.0 cm H2O (100 Pa) pressure. Pressure and flow are more representative at points where the pressure: flow curve includes the turbulent flow component than at radius R1 and 0.5 cm H2O (50 Pa) pressure. Calculation of total nasal resistance from unilateral resistances at 1.0 cm H2O (100 Pa) appears a suitable compromise and this point is recommended for a Japanese population.     

uPA及nm23-H1蛋白表达与喉鳞癌侵袭转移的关系

目的探讨喉鳞癌中uPA及nm23-H1的表达与喉鳞癌侵袭转移的关系。方法采用免疫组织化学方法检测uPA及nm23-H1在55例喉癌中蛋白水平的的表达。结果喉癌中uPA及nm23-H1的阳性表达率分别为67．3％（37／55）和54．5％（30／55），且二者表达呈负相关（P〈0．05）。uPA的表达与临床分期、颈淋巴结转移呈正相关（P〈0．05）。nm23-H1的表达与临床分期、颈淋巴结转移呈负相关（P〈0．05）。uPA阳性同时nm23-H1阴性表达者，颈淋巴结转移率明显高于uPA阴性同时nm23-H1阳性表达者（P〈0．05）。结论uPA及nm23-H1的表达与喉癌的颈淋巴结转移及临床分期密切相关，联合检测具有一定的临床意义。     

Naive and memory T cells in hypertrophied adenoids in children according to age

The anatomic location of the adenoid implies that this organ is the first site of contact with inhaled antigens. Depending on the expression of different isoforms of the CD45 molecules, T cells can be divided into naive (CD45RA(+)) and memory (CD45R0(+)) cells, the latter representing T cells that have already been exposed to antigens. The purpose of this study was to analyse the lymphoid cells' subsets in adenoids and relate the findings to the age. The analysed material was adenoid tissue removed on the grounds of hypertrophy from 22 children. The patients were divided into two groups: up to 5 and above 5 years of age. The analyses of the lymphocytes subpopulations in the adenoid were performed in an EPICX XL (Coulter) flow cytometry. The results are expressed as the percentage of positively labeled cells (CD4(+), CD8(+), CD4(+)/CDB(+), CD4(+)CD45RA(+), CD8(+)CD45RA(+), CD4(+)CD45R0(+), CD8(+)CD45R0(+)). The percentage of CD4(+)/CD45R0(+) in children up to 5 years of age was significantly lower than in older children. We found the positive regression between age and the percentage of CD4(+) cells was CD45R0(+) (r=0.64). There were no statistically significant differences between study subgroups for the other parameters. The positive regression for CD4(+)/CD45R0(+) cells and age may result from increased stimulation by bacterial, viral and other antigens. Our results indicate that the adenoid have an important role in the development of an immunological memory among younger children.     

Immunohistochemical localization of histamine receptor subtypes in human inferior turbinates

Histamine is an important chemical mediator in allergic rhinitis and plays an important role in eliciting the nasal symptoms of the disorder. However, the immunohistochemical localization of histamine receptor subtypes (H1R, H2R, H3R, and H4R) in human nasal mucosa is unknown. There are also no prior studies of H3R and H4R in human nasal mucosa. The objective of this study was to examine the distribution of histamine receptor subtypes in the human inferior turbinates by an immunohistochemical method. H1R was localized primarily in the epithelium, vessels, and nerves. H2R was localized primarily in the epithelium and the glands. H3R and H4R were clearly distributed on the nerves. In addition, H1R, H3R, and H4R were clearly localized on the same nerves. This result indicates that H1R, H3R, and H4R adjoin and regulate each other in the same nerves. All histamine receptor subtypes may play some role in patients with allergic rhinitis.     

Radioprotective effectiveness of amifostine on the salivary glands of the rat during fractionated irradiation

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytoprotective potency of amifostine during a fractioned irradiation of salivary glands but also on the tumor response of rhabdomyosarcomas R1H in rats. METHOD: The head-neck-area of male WAG/RijH rats and the tumor in the flank were irradiated with 60Co-gamma-rays (60 Gy/30 f/6 weeks). Amifostine (250 mg/m2) was applicated 15 min before irradiation. The control group was treated with an equal volume of physiologic sodium chloride. The salivary glands were exstirpated and examined histopathologically. Tumour volume was measured, the body-weight of rats determined. RESULTS: A dose dependent radiosialadenitis developed in all salivary glands. Amifostine had no influence on the response of R1H tumours to radiation. The animal weight loss in the amifostine group was higher as compared to control group. CONCLUSIONS: No cytoprotective effects on acute toxicity of salivary glands of rats could be detected under irradiation with synchronous application of amifostine. In addition, no effects on tumor response were observed. The general animal constitution decreased by additional medication of amifostine.     

Effects of anti-cholinergic and cholinergic drugs on habituation to motion in rats

The effects of the anti-cholinergic drug scopolamine, an anti-motion sickness drug, and of the cholinergics physostigmine and neostigmine on habituation to motion sickness in rats were examined using pica, measured as eating of kaolin, as a behavioural index of motion sickness in rats. Rats were rotated around two axes for 1 h once a day for 10 or 11 days. Rotation-induced kaolin intake of control rats gradually decreased from day 9 of daily rotation. Test rats were not treated for the first 3 days, given drugs on days 4-7 of rotation and then again given no drugs for the next 3 or 4 days. Rotation-induced kaolin intake of test rats was compared to that of controls. Results showed that TTS (Transdermal Therapeutic System)-scopolamine administration facilitated habituation to rotation, whereas physostigmine, a centrally acting cholinesterase inhibitor, suppressed it, and neostigmine, a peripherally active cholinesterase inhibitor, had no effect on habituation at all. These findings suggest that the central cholinergic neuron system plays an important role in the neural mechanism of habituation to motion in rats.     

小鼠变应性鼻炎合并急性细菌性鼻窦炎的初步研究

目的 探讨变应性鼻炎动物模型合并急性细菌性鼻窦炎的方法.方法 清洁级C57BL6/J小鼠40只,随机分为4组:A组(卵清蛋白+肺炎链球菌);B组(卵清蛋白+生理盐水);C组[磷酸盐缓冲溶液(phosphate buffered solution,PBS)+肺炎链球菌];D组(PBS+生理盐水),每组各10只.①实验第1～9天,A组和B组每天腹腔注射200μl 10%卵清蛋白,第10～17天A、B组用6%卵清蛋白鼻腔局部激发建立变应性鼻炎模型,C组和D组用等量PBS替代,步骤同前;②于实验第13天A组和C组鼻腔接种肺炎链球菌ATCC 49619 200μl;B组和D组用等量生理盐水代替.接种后第6天处死动物,处死前各组动物行内眦静脉采血,以间接酶联免疫吸附试验检测血清白介素5水平.取鼻面骨,石蜡包埋,连续切片,行HE染色和0.5%甲苯胺蓝染色,计算机辅助显微镜下观察肥大细胞脱颗粒情况,并计算每平方毫米鼻窦黏膜中多形核中性粒细胞和嗜酸粒细胞的数量.结果 A组和B组分别有9只和8只动物变应性鼻炎建模成功,鼻部症状、黏膜水肿和黏膜下微血管明显扩张,C组症状轻微,D组无任何症状.A组鼻窦黏膜多形核中性粒细胞密度(-x±s)为(139.3±26.5)个/mm2,高于B组(70.7±16.7)个/mm2、C组(63.0±14.7)个/mm2和D组(40.2±14.1)个/mm2(P值均＜0.01);A组和B组嗜酸粒细胞密度和白介素5水平(-x±s)分别为(134.6±25.5)个/mm2、(48.2±13.9)pg/ml和(116.2±25.2)个/mm2、(40.8±7.8)pg/ml,均高于C组(16.7±2.7)个/mm2、(23.9±8.7)pg/ml(P值均＜0.05)和D组(13.4±4.9)个/mm2、(24.6±6.5)pg/ml(P值均＜0.05).结论 变应性鼻炎合并细菌性鼻窦炎造模成功.     

无创通气治疗儿童阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征的临床观察

目的研究无创通气治疗儿童阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(obstructive sleepapnea hypopnea syndrom e,OSAHS)的有效性和安全性。方法2002年5月至2004年6月经多道睡眠监测(polysomnography,PSG)仪或便携式睡眠呼吸监测仪诊断为OSAHS的21例患儿行无创通气治疗,其中男17例,女4例;年龄40 d~11岁,平均年龄4.5岁。所有患儿经鼻持续正压通气(nasalcontinuous positive airway pressure,nCPAP)治疗后再次行PSG监测。无创通气治疗顺应性的数据通过临床随访、电话随访而获得。统计数据以x-±s表示,nCPAP治疗前后的呼吸参数变化采用配对t检验。结果患儿使用nCPAP的压力在4.8~16.0 cm H2O(1 cm H2O=0.098 kPa)之间。nCPAP治疗前平均的睡眠呼吸暂停低通气指数(apnea hypopnea index,AH I)、最低血氧饱和度及血氧饱和度低于0.90占睡眠时间的百分比分别为(80.8±45.1)次/h、0.557±0.135和(42.9±31.9)%,与治疗后(6.7±12.4)次/h、0.862±0.082和(1.1±2.5)%相比有显著改善(P值均<0.01)。结论无创通气可以安全有效治疗儿童OSAHS,既可长期家庭治疗,也可短期应用。     

Analysis of histamine as a hair-cell transmitter in the lateral line of Xenopus laevis

The actions of histamine and histamine antagonists on afferent nerve activity were investigated in the lateral line of Xenopus laevis. Histamine (0.002-2.0 mM) had no effect on spontaneous activity or excitatory responses to water motion. In contrast, pyrilamine, an H1 receptor antagonist, suppressed spontaneous activity beginning at 0.01-0.05 mM. Below 0.3 mM the suppression was often preceded by a small excitatory response and responses to high (24-30 dB re threshold), but not low (0-18 dB) levels of water motion were selectively suppressed. Higher concentrations (0.3-2.0 mM) abolished spontaneous activity and suppressed responses at all levels of water motion. Cimetidine, an H2 receptor antagonist, had similar actions but was one-tenth as potent as pyrilamine. Tetrodotoxin (0.001-0.1 microM), which blocks voltage-sensitive Na+ channels, mimicked the suppressive effects of the histamine antagonists. Histamine (2.0 mM) failed to block the actions of pyrilamine (0.1 mM) indicating its effects are mediated through a mechanism other than histamine receptors. In addition, pyrilamine (0.05-0.1 mM) non-selectively suppressed excitation to exogenously applied L-glutamate (1.0-2.0 mM), L-aspartate (1.0-2.0 mM), kainate (0.005-0.01 mM), and quisqualate (0.002-0.005 mM) and altered responses to N-methyl-D-aspartate (0.5-1.0 mM). The results are inconsistent with histamine being a transmitter in the Xenopus lateral line and reveal that the actions of histamine antagonists are nonspecific, possibly due, in part, to blockade of voltage-sensitive Na+ channels.     

Animal model of motion sickness in rats

Complex accelerative stimuli can induce pica in rats as well as the treatment with poisons, which means eating of non-nutritive substances such as kaolin, in proportion to the severity of their sickness. For the purpose of using pica as an index of motion sickness in rats, we examined what kind of rotation was effective for inducing pica in rats with or without normal bilateral labyrinth functions. Clinically potent anti-motion sickness drugs, such as scopolamine, methamphetamine, diphenhydramine, were examined in reducing rotation-induced pica in rats. Rats ate more kaolin after double rotation with continuously changing acceleration, than after single rotation. Both the animals treated with anti-motion sickness drugs or labyrinthectomy ate less kaolin even after double rotation. Since the physiological and pharmacological mechanisms for inducing pica in rats were similar with those of motion sickness in humans, pica in rats should be an acceptable index of their motion sickness. In order to study neural mechanisms of motion sickness in rats, we examined the effects of an anti-cholinergic as a potent anti-motion sickness drug and cholinergics as an antagonistic drug treated during the 4th-7th day of rotation on both habituation to double rotation within daily rotations for 10-11 days, using pica as an index of motion sickness. Rats were separated into three groups according to their initial susceptibility, and rats with low susceptibility were omitted in these experiments. Scopolamine (TTS-scopolamine) as an anticholinergic facilitated habituation to motion, especially in rats with moderate susceptibility. Treatment of physostigmine suppressed residual habituation to motion sickness in rats, especially with moderate susceptibility, though neostigmine, peripherally acting anti-cholinesterase, had no effect. These results suggested that centrally acting acetylcholine play an important role in suppressing habituation of motion sickness. In conclusion, rats should be a convenient model for studying for motion sickness, as we examined one of the neural mechanisms in motion sickness using pica as an index.     

质膜钙ATP酶异构体1～4的剪接体在新生大鼠前庭器官的表达

目的：研究质膜钙 ATP 酶异构体（plasma membrane Ca2＋－ATPase isoforms,PMCAs）1～4（PM-CA1～4）的 A 端和 C 端剪接变异体在新生大鼠前庭器官的表达。方法取出生2天的健康 SD 大鼠10只,断头后分离出前庭器官（椭圆囊斑和球囊斑）,提取总 RNA,通过逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT－PCR）方法,检测 PMCA1～4的 A 端和 C 端剪接变异体的表达。结果在新生大鼠的椭圆囊斑和球囊斑 PMCA1～4表达的剪接体分别为PMCA1x／b,PMCA2w／（a、b）,PMCA3z／（a、b、c）和 PMCA4（x、z）／b。结论在新生大鼠前庭器官,PMCA1、PM-CA2、PMCA3和 PMCA4之间表达的 A 端和 C 端剪接变异体类型均不同,这可能是由于椭圆囊斑和球囊斑对这些 PMCA 亚型有着不同的 Ca2＋调节需求。     

Basilar membrane motion in the pigeon measured with the M?ssbauer technique

Vibration measurements were made of the basilar membrane (BM), limbi and columella footplate (CFP) of pigeon using the M?ssbauer technique. Recordings were located at 0.23-1.33 mm from the basal end of the BM. The existence of a travelling wave mode, propagating from base to apex, was established for papillae in apparently good physiological condition. For these papillae the characteristic frequency (CF) of the BM isovelocity (0.08 mm X s-1) response was an exponential function of distance with a frequency mapping constant of 0.91 +/- 0.10 mm (equivalent to 0.63 +/- 0.07 mm X oct-1); BM CF at the base was 5.95 +/- 0.65 kHz. Travelling wave motion was not demonstrated for papillae in poor physiological condition; tonotopy of BM CF was still evident, although the correlation with distance was less (1.08 +/- 0.30 mm X oct-1; 4.35 +/- 0.73 kHz at the base). BM motion was linear and the isovelocity responses were less sensitive and less sharp than single unit threshold tuning curves: for papillae in good physiological condition the SPL at BM CF at 0.08 mm X s-1 was 51 +/- 6 dB SPL; Q10 dB was 1.24 +/- 0.38; high- and low-frequency slopes were 20 +/- 6 dB X oct-1 and -14 +/- 4 dB X oct-1, respectively. The response of the BM relative to the CFP for papillae in good physiological condition was reminiscent of a second order resonant system with damping constant of 0.33 +/- 0.06 and group delay at BM CF of 0.89 +/- 0.36 periods.     

Localization of histamine (H1, H2, H3 and H4) receptors in mouse inner ear

Conclusion The present findings show that all four types of histamine receptors (H1R, H2R, H3R, and H4R) are present in the inner ear, thus supporting the hypothesis that histamine plays a physiological role in the inner ear. Objective To analyse the presence of histamine receptors in the normal mouse inner ear. Methods CBA/J mice were used in this study. The localization of H1R, H2R, H3R, and H4R in the inner ear, i.e. cochlea, vestibular end organs, vestibular ganglion, and endolymphatic sac, was studied by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Results The mRNA for each receptor sub-type was detected in the inner ear. In the immunohistochemical study, the organ of Corti, spiral ganglion, vestibular ganglion, vestibular sensory epithelium, and endolymphatic sac cells showed an immunofluorescent reaction to all histamine receptors.     

鼻咽癌患者血清中活性氧、超氧化物歧化酶和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性测定

目的 :测定鼻咽癌患者血清中活性氧 (ROS)、超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶 (GSH PX)的活性水平 ,以探讨鼻咽癌患者体内自由基代谢状态及其在鼻咽癌发生、发展中的作用。方法 :分别采用Fenton反应显色法 ,黄嘌呤氧化酶法和二硫代二硝基苯甲酸法对 4 0例鼻咽癌患者 (鼻咽癌组 )和 2 0例健康体检者 (对照组 )血清中ROS、SOD和GSH PX水平进行检测。结果 :鼻咽癌组血清中ROS活性 [(11 32 7.835±4 83.777) /(U·ml-1) ]显著高于对照组 [(10 2 6 2 .712± 5 2 5 .2 87) /(U·ml-1) ](P <0 .0 5 ) ,SOD和GSH PX活性[(76 .6 19± 2 2 .2 83) /(NU·ml-1) ,(98.6 5 3± 4 6 .374 ) /AU ]显著低于对照组 [(15 4 .6 0 3± 2 7.2 4 1) /(NU·ml-1) ,(30 7.872± 116 .2 75 ) /AU](P <0 .0 5 ) ;不同病理类型鼻咽癌患者血清中ROS、SOD和GSH PX活性间的差异均无显著性意义 (P >0 .0 5 )。结论 :鼻咽癌患者体内自由基代谢紊乱 ,抗氧化损伤能力显著下降 ,给予抗氧化治疗有利于抑制鼻咽癌的发展     

Vestibular functions in motion sickness susceptible individuals

There exists no functional guide that can serve as a diagnostic tool for individual susceptibility to motion sickness (MS). We evaluated vestibular system functioning via a caloric test (which assesses functioning of the superior vestibular nerve) and the vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) test (which assesses inferior vestibular nerve functioning) in 20 MS susceptible and 20 nonsusceptible individuals. Susceptibility to MS was determined by self-declaration and with MS susceptibility questionnaire and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAS). We found statistically significant differences for scores on the MS susceptibility questionnaire and HAS questionnaire; however, we found no correlation between VEMP and caloric test results. We suggest that VEMP and caloric test results are not affected by individuals’ susceptibility to MS. We could not find vestibular system deficits using the VEMP and caloric test combination. Our findings do not support vestibular function asymmetry in MS patients.     

天麻素对前庭功能障碍大鼠前庭内侧核组胺受体表达的影响

目的 观察天麻素对单侧迷路破坏(Unilateral labyrinthectomy,UL)后大鼠前庭内侧核(Medial vestibular nucleus,MVN)组胺受体H1、H2、H3亚型表达的影响,探讨天麻素对前庭功能损伤大鼠的干预作用及机制.方法 将99只健康SD大鼠随机分为空白对照组(n=9)、假手术组...