The distribution of thermoreceptors within the nasal cavity

The distribution of thermoreceptors within the nasal vestibule (that part of the nasal cavities lined with skin) and nasal cavum (that part of the nasal cavities lined with respiratory epithelium) was studied in 20 subjects. The distribution was compared with that of the malar skin adjacent to the nose. No thermoreceptors were located in the nasal cavum but the nasal vestibule contained a dense distribution of cold receptors (3.5 receptors per cm2) and warm receptors (3.2 receptors per cm2). The corresponding density of receptors in the malar skin was 2.7 receptors per cm2 and 2.6 receptors per cm2. The difference in distribution density between the nasal vestibule and the malar skin was significant (P less than 0.05). The implications of these findings are discussed.     

Ultrastructural localization of Ca2+-binding sites in the spiral limbus, the stria vascularis and Reissner's membrane of the guinea pig

Cations were precipitated with potassium antimonate in the cochlea of the guinea pig and electron microscopy was used to analyze the distribution of the formed reaction products. Differences in precipitate density between neighboring cells in Reissner's membrane, in the stria vascularis and in the limbus are described. Electron spectroscopic imaging was performed to obtain information about the spatial distribution of the precipitates and their elemental composition.     

Ultrastructural localization of Ca2+-binding sites in the middle ear mucosa of the rat

Summary Cations were precipitated with potassiumpyroantimonate in the middle ear mucosa of the rat and the distribution of the formed precipitates was studied by electron microscopy. The precipitate density in various cells of the different epithelia of the middle ear mucosa was determined on electron micrographs by counting the number of precipitates per unit area. Electron spectroscopic imaging was also performed to obtain information about the spatial distribution of the precipitates and their elemental composition.     

神经生长因子在豚鼠耳蜗中的分布及其意义

目的观察神经生长因子(nerve growthfactor,NGF)在正常豚鼠耳蜗中的定位分布,为进一步研究其在听觉通路中的作用机制提供依据。方法健康杂色豚鼠20只,制备耳蜗石蜡切片,用兔抗小鼠神经生长因子多克隆抗体行免疫组织化学染色(SP法),检测NGF在耳蜗中的表达。结果在正常豚鼠耳蜗中,NGF在螺旋神经节细胞、内外毛细胞、支持细胞、听觉神经纤维中均有表达,细胞内定位主要在胞浆。结论NGF在听觉感受器和听觉通路中有分布,表明在听觉功能的维持中起着一定的作用。     

Quantitative study of goblet cells in the upper lobe of the normal human lung

Goblet-cell density and distribution were studied in ten specimens of the human adult lung. The bronchial tree of the left upper lobe was dissected, and the bronchial mucosa separated and stained by the whole-mount periodic acid-Schiffalcian blue method. There was a significant fall in the goblet-cell density from the proximal to the distal airways. In the upper division, the number decreased from 144 cells per field (second generation) to 80 cells per field (14th generation), and in the lingular division it decreased from 137 (fourth generation) to 77 cell (18th generation). The overall goblet-cell density for the upper lobe was 113 cells per field, corresponding to 6,400 cells per square millimeter. No particular pattern in cell distribution was noticed; the cells were irregularly distributed all along the bronchial tree without any well-defined distribution pattern. In the ten lung specimens studied, goblet-cell density did not correlate with smoking habit, sex, or age.     

Innervation of the nasal mucosa of the guinea pig

The autonomic and the peptidergic nerve fibers which control the blood flow and gland secretion in the nasal mucosa of the guinea pig were studied using histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques. There was a dense distribution of adrenergic nerve fibers (Adn) around the blood vessels, especially the vein, but a very sparse distribution in the glandular tissue. There was a dense distribution of cholinergic nerve fibers (Chn) both around the blood vessels and in the glandular tissue. The distribution of fibers containing vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was dense in the glandular tissue but sparse around blood vessels and very sparse in the subepithelial layer. Fibers containing calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were densely distributed around blood vessels, glandular tissue and the subepithelial layer. A moderate number of CGRP containing fibers were observed in the intraepithelial layer. Fibers containing substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA) were sparsely distributed around blood vessels, glandular tissue and the subepithelial layer. Radioimmunoassay for NKA and SP in the nasal mucosa revealed a greater content both of NKA and SP in the nasal concha than in the nasal septum. There was a greater content of NKA than SP in both the nasal septum and the nasal concha, with a higher SP/NKA ratio in the nasal concha than in the nasal septum.     

Cation distribution in the organ of Corti of the guinea pig

Summary Cations were precipitated with potassium antimonate in the cochlea of the guinea pig and the distribution of the formed precipitates was studied by electron microscopy. The precipitate density in different cells of the organ of Corti was determined on electron micrographs by counting numbers of precipitates per unit area. The spatial distribution of the precipitates was also determined by electron spectroscopic imaging (ESI). Significant differences were found among the cells of the same tissue being analyzed. These precipitate-rich cells may play a role in a postulated current flow in the organ of Corti.     

Cation distribution in the organ of Corti of the guinea pig

Cations were precipitated with potassium antimonate in the cochlea of the guinea pig and the distribution of the formed precipitates was studied by electron microscopy. The precipitate density in different cells of the organ of Corti was determined on electron micrographs by counting numbers of precipitates per unit area. The spatial distribution of the precipitates was also determined by electron spectroscopic imaging (ESI). Significant differences were found among the cells of the same tissue being analyzed. These precipitate-rich cells may play a role in a postulated current flow in the organ of Corti.     

Dix-Hallpike maneuver results are not influenced by the time of day of the test

CONCLUSION: The result of the DH maneuver does not appear to be affected by the time of day at which it is performed. OBJECTIVE. To determine whether the time of day at which the Dix-Hallpike (DH) maneuver is performed influences the result. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study. We reviewed the records of all electronystagmagrams (n = 1220) performed at our facility between January 2001 and January 2003, looking at the results of the DH maneuver, the medical history of the patients and the time of day of the test. The distribution of the time of day at which the DH maneuver was performed and induced a positive response was compared to the distribution of the time of day at which all the tests were performed. RESULTS: The distribution of the times during the day when the DH maneuver was positive was not statistically different from that when the DH maneuver was negative.     

Relative distribution of the tumours of ear, nose and throat in the paediatric patients

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to observe the type and anatomical distribution of various tumours of the otolaryngological region in the paediatric age group of patients. METHODS: A prospective study was carried out over a period of 2 years between May 2001 and April 2003 in a Teaching Hospital and tertiary referral centre in India. Patients 15 years of age or under who presented with a tumour of the otolaryngological region to the department of Otolaryngology were included in this study. Lymphoma of the cervical lymph nodes was not included in this study. Site of origin and histology of the tumours were noted. The minimum follow-up period was 18 months. RESULTS: Forty-three patients of above age group with a neoplasm of the otolaryngological region were managed in our department, the incidence was 0.5%. The ratio of benign to malignant lesion was 7.6:1. Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma was the commonest tumour (11 cases, 26%) and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma was the commonest malignant tumour (3 cases, 7%). The commonest site of neoplasm was the nose and paranasal sinuses (13 cases, 30%). CONCLUSION: A tumour in the otolaryngological site in the paediatric population is rare, the incidence being 1 in 200 new cases in the age group of 15 years or under, 12% of the tumours were malignant. Awareness of relative distribution of neoplastic lesions is valuable for early detection and correct management. This study indicates that the distribution of otolaryngological tumours in the Indian subcontinent is different from the western countries, particularly the juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma and laryngeal papilloma.     

Collagen fiber and versican distribution within the lamina propria of fetal vocal folds

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the presence and distribution of collagen fibers and versican in human vocal fold lamina propria of fetal larynges. STUDY DESIGN: Cross sectional analysis of cadaveric vocal folds of human fetuses. METHODS: Seven fetal larynges obtained from 28- to 36-week-old fetuses were analyzed with the Picrosirius-polarization method, immunohistochemistry, and image analysis. RESULTS: Collagen fibers within the lamina propria exhibited a monolaminar distribution pattern and spatial arrangement in "wicker basket." Versican distribution was larger in the superficial and intermediate layers when compared to the deep layer. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that collagen and versican distribution and arrangement within the lamina propria in the developing fetus are important for vocalization at birth.     

Correlation between regional changes in the distributions of GABA-containing neurons and unit response properties in the medial geniculate body of the cat

A consistent change in the distribution of single units as a function of several of their properties of response to clicks, noise and tone bursts was observed along the rostro-caudal axis in the ventral division of the medial geniculate body (vMGB). From posterior to anterior, the proportion of inhibitory response patterns and non-monotonic intensity functions progressively decreased; response latencies were progressively shorter and less dispersed from caudal to rostral. This functional heterogeneity is consistent with the segregation of the thalamocortical interconnections: the anterior part of vMGB projects to the anterior and primary auditory cortical fields, whereas the posterior part of vMGB projects mainly to the posterior auditory cortical field. Changes in the distribution of response properties from posterior to anterior in vMGB were found to be correlated with a progressive decrease of the density of GABA-immunoreactive neurons from caudal to rostral. Since GABAergic neurons in sensory thalamic nuclei are believed to be interneurons, these data suggest that interneurons might contribute to regional changes in the distribution of some response properties along the rostro-caudal axis in vMGB. In particular, the high proportion of inhibitory response patterns and non-monotonic intensity functions in the posterior vMGB might well be related to the high density of GABA-containing neurons caudally, where they exert a strong inhibitory influence on principal cells. Intrinsic neurons might contribute to the segregation of the acoustic information transferred from vMGB to the various auditory cortical fields. In contrast, no clear and systematic change in the distribution of response properties along the rostro-caudal axis was observed in the medial division of the MGB, in which the GABA-immunoreactive neurons were evenly distributed.     

Optical recordings reveal the differential distribution of glutamatergic transmission in the cochlear and vestibular nuclei in the newborn mouse brainstem

Objective Using optical imaging in brainstem slices, we studied evoked responses in the mouse cochlear (CN) and vestibular (VN) nuclei. Methods The use of optical imaging allowed us to visualize the.spa-tiotemporal patterns of excitatory propagation in the CN and VN. Optical recordings can differentiate excitatory propagation in the ventral CN(VCN) from that in the dorsal CN(DCN). Furthermore, we assessed the relative dis-tribution of NMDA and non-NMDA receptors in these regions using the glutamate antagonists APV (NMDA recep-tor antagonist) and CNQX (non-NMDA receptor antagonist) in mouse brainstem slices during postnatal days 1 to 3. Results The average sensitivity to APV was 99.1% in the VCN, 76.0% in the DCN and 64.9% in the VN. The average sensitivity to CNQX was 0.9% in the VCN, 24.0% in the DCN and 35.1% in the VN. These results indi-cate that the effect of APV dominated in the VCN, while both APV and CNQX were effective antagonists in the DCN and VN. In the VN, the distribution of APV-and CNQX-sensitive cells was almost completely uniform. However, in the DCN the distribution of APV- and CNQX-sensitive cells was highly complex. The area that was more sensitive to CNQX was located in the superficial layer of the DCN while the area with a higher sensitivity to APV was located progressively in the deep layer. Conclusion This optical recording data suggests that there is a differential distribution of NMDA and non-NMDA receptor mediated neurotransmission in the VCN, DCN and VN.     

Differential expression of purinergic receptor subtypes in the outer hair cells of the guinea pig

ATP acts as a neuro-modulator through purinoceptors in many different tissues. Many subtypes of these receptors have been identified in the inner ear, but so far only two types have been shown to be present in the membrane of the isolated outer hair cells (OHCs). The aim of this study was to detect and visualize the existence and distribution of purinoceptor subtypes as well as to study the [Ca(2+)](i) response of these cells in response to stimulation with ATP. Four P2X and three P2Y receptor subtypes were identified with different expression pattern in the membrane of guinea pig outer hair cells. Whereas intense labeling was observed for P2X1, P2X2, P2X4, P2Y1, P2Y2, and P2Y4, the labeling for the subtype P2X7 was weak. There was a marked difference in the distribution of the receptors along the surface of the cells with a homogenous distribution in cases of P2X1, P2X4, and P2Y1. In contrast, P2X2 and P2Y2 receptor density was high mainly at the apical, while P2X7 and P2Y4 at the basal pole of the cells. Similarly a heterogeneity was observed in the ATP-induced transient elevation in [Ca(2+)](i), which had either fast kinetics without desensitization or slow rise with desensitization.     

豚鼠耳蜗螺旋器细胞微管蛋白的表达

目的研究正常生理状态下微管蛋白(tubulin)的结构特征和分布规律。方法采用免疫荧光标记技术,借助激光扫描共聚焦显微镜,逐层观察耳蜗毛细胞中微管蛋白的分布特点。结果豚鼠耳蜗内毛细胞、外毛细胞和支持细胞内都有微管蛋白的特异性染色,支持细胞内微管蛋白的分布自基底转到顶转逐渐减弱(纵向梯度),豚鼠耳蜗感觉细胞的微管蛋白表达则无此特征,外毛细胞静纤毛中微管蛋白着色明亮,三排"V"形清晰可见,这与以往结果不同。结论豚鼠耳蜗外毛细胞中微管蛋白的结构和分布无差异,支持细胞内的分布存在差异。表明局部结构的梯度决定局部功能的差异。     

Pharmacodynamics of adenovector distribution within the inner ear tissues of the mouse

Recent studies have demonstrated that delivery of genes to the inner ear can achieve a variety of effects ranging from support of auditory neuron survival to protection and restoration of hair cells, demonstrating the utility of vector based gene delivery. Translation of these findings to useful experimental systems or even clinical applications requires a detailed understanding of the pharmacokinetics of gene delivery in the inner ear. Ideal gene delivery systems will employ a well tolerated vector which efficiently transduces the appropriate target cells within a tissue, but spare non-target structures. Adenovectors based on serotype 5 (Ad 5) are commonly used vectors, are easy to construct and have a long track record of efficacious gene transfer in the inner ear. In this study we demonstrate that distribution of Ad5 vector occurs in a basal to apical gradient with rapid distribution of vector to the vestibule after delivery via a round window cochleostomy. Transduction of the vector and expression of the delivered transgene occurs by 10 min post vector delivery. At 24 h post delivery only 16% of vector that was initially detectable within the inner ear by quantitative PCR remained. Perilymph sampling was used to determine that vector concentrations in perilymph peaked at 30 min post delivery and then declined rapidly. Understanding these basic distribution patterns and parameters for delivery are important for the design of gene delivery vectors and vital for modeling dose responses to achieve safe efficacious delivery of a therapeutic agent.     

A simple method for the demonstration of the bacterial spectrum in the nose and the nasopharynx in the infection-free interval in children with adenoid hypertrophy

The implications of bacterial colonization and distribution patterns in the nasopharynx and nasal cavities of children with adenoidal hypertrophy without clinical signs of acute infection are to be determined. We examined the spectrum and distribution of the facultative pathogenic bacterial flora in nasal cavities and nasopharynx of children with clinical apparent symptoms or signs of adenoid hypertrophy in an infection free interval. Compared with the nasal cavity we found an accumulation of pathogenic bacteria in the nasopharynx. A transnasal single swab from the nasopharynx showed to be the most effectively practical way to detect clinically relevant pathogenic bacteria. A thin flexible calcium-alginate swab was used in our experiments. Swabbing from the anterior nasal cavities proved to be a minor successful diagnostic method.     

Secretory otitis media--a question of surface activity in the eustachian tube?

An improved thin-layer chromatographic assay for monitoring phospholipid ratio in mucus was used to study the respiratory system distribution of children with and without secretory otitis media. Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and sphingomyelin abound, while only traces of other phospholipids are found. Analyses show more sphingomyelin and less phosphatidylcholine in the Eustachian tube and nose than in the lung, while phosphatidylethanolamine has about the same distribution. The phosphatidylcholine/sphingomyelin ratio is significantly less in Eustachian tube mucus from children with secretory otitis media compared with otologically healthy children, which indicates a different secretory pattern of the cells in the Eustachian tube of these children. The distribution of phospholipids in middle ear secretion is different from the distribution obtained from the Eustachian tube in children with secretory otitis media thus verifying a clearance 'blocking' of the tube caused by the disease.     

The effect of head position on the distribution of drops within the nose

Nose drops are commonly prescribed in the United Kingdom, yet clinicians vary considerably in the instructions they give on how to instill them. This is important because how they are used affects how well they work. In this study, a visual assessment of the intranasal distribution of drops was made using endoscopic examination after the instillation of betamethasone drops containing methylene blue. Drops instilled with the head tipped back were found along the nasal floor and in the nasopharynx, with none visible in the middle meatus or elsewhere on the lateral nasal wall. Drops instilled in Mygind's position or in the praying-to-Mecca position were found predominantly in the middle meatus and on the middle and inferior turbinates. No difference was seen between these two positions in the distribution of drops achieved, and this is likely to lead to similar clinical efficacy. Because Mygind's position is much more comfortable for patients, it should be recommended by all doctors prescribing nose drops.     

Radiotherapy of the neck influences the distribution of laryngeal secretory glands

To elucidate the influence of radiation therapy on the larynx in patients who receive radiotherapy to the neck, we observed the changes in the distribution of the laryngeal glands. Human adult larynges from patients with either laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer were histopathologically examined, and the changes in the glandular distribution as well as in the ratio of serous or mucous type cells were surveyed using an image analysis system. The mean ratio of the area occupied by glandular acini in the subglottic larynx was 0.182 in the non-radiation group and 0.098 in the radiation group (p < 0.001). Although no statistical difference was observed, the average density of the glands decreased and the average ratio of serous-type/mucous-type glandular cells decreased in the irradiated larynx. The glandular acini are often replaced with fibrous connective tissue and the ratio of serous-type glandular cells decreases. These results indicate that not only the voice function but also the local defence function of the larynx might be impaired after radiotherapy.