[Hyperbaric oxygen therapy : Selected indications in the discipline of otorhinolaryngology].

Hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) represents the controlled exposure to positive pressure with simultaneous inhalation of pure oxygen. It is considered to be an effective treatment option for diseases with restricted blood flow as oxygen not only binds chemically to hemoglobin but also physically dissolves in blood plasma. With the help of a hyperbaric chamber the ambient pressure of a patient can be modified and the physiological characteristics in positive pressure can be medically used.

Contribution of ambient noise and hyperbaric atmosphere to olfactory and gustatory function.

Introduction: Taste and smell are important for occupational performance and quality of life. Previous studies suggested that the function of these senses might be influenced by ambient pressure and noise. This knowledge would be helpful for divers, submarine crews, or mine workers.

[Multimodal training concept for temporal bone surgery].

Background: Surgical training is increasingly supported by the use of simulators. For temporal bone surgery, shown here by means of mastoidectomy, there are other training models besides cadaver specimens, such as artificial temporal bones or computer-based simulators.

Objectives: A structured training concept was created which integrates different training methods of mastoidectomy with regard to effectiveness and current learning theory in education.

Does ambient noise or hypobaric atmosphere influence olfactory and gustatory function?

Multidimensional food perception is based mainly on gustatory and olfactory function. Recent research has demonstrated that hypobaric pressure impairs gustatory function and that background noise or distracting auditory stimulation impairs olfactory function. Using a hypobaric chamber, the odor identification, discrimination, and thresholds as well as taste identification and threshold scores were measured in 16 healthy male volunteers under normal and hypobaric (6380 ft) conditions using clinically validated tests.

On the origin of ear clicks during deglutition or pressure equalization.

To explore the origin of clicking sounds in the ear during deglutition or other pharyngeal movements, which are interpreted differently in the literature. Experimental study at a tertiary referral centre. Acoustic phenomena during a forced opening test of the Eustachian tube (ET) were studied in a temporal bone model.

The measurement of Eustachian tube function in a hyperbaric chamber using an ear canal microphone.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to further the understanding of the opening of the Eustachian tube in relation to changes in barometric pressure.

Design: An ear canal microphone was used to measure the specific sounds related to tube opening and possible eardrum movements. Five subjects with normal tube function were examined in a hyperbaric chamber (up to 304 kPa).

"Physiological" Ear Clicking: Its Origin and Potential Usability as a Test Tool for the Eustachian Tube Function.

Objective: To explore the origin of "physiological" ear clicks during deglutition or other pharyngeal movements, which, in contrast to disturbing frequent clicks under pathologic conditions, mostly remain unnoticed by the patient.

Study Design: Clinical experimental study at a tertiary referral center.

Methods: Ear clicks were recorded by a microphone sealing the external ear canal parallel to endoscopic or manometric evaluations of the Eustachian tube function.

Changes in neuronal DNA content variation in the human brain during aging.

The human brain has been proposed to represent a genetic mosaic, containing a small but constant number of neurons with an amount of DNA exceeding the diploid level that appear to be generated through various chromosome segregation defects initially. While a portion of these cells apparently die during development, neurons with abnormal chromosomal copy number have been identified in the mature brain. This genomic alteration might to lead to chromosomal instability affecting neuronal viability and could thus contribute to age-related mental disorders.

Toxoplasma gondii eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A associated with tachyzoite virulence is down-regulated in the bradyzoite stage.

Comparative proteome analysis of mouse-virulent and attenuated Toxoplasma gondii strain revealed that steady-state synthesis of an unknown 53 kDa protein is markedly reduced in attenuated parasites. The results from protein microsequencing allowed isolation of a single-copy gene encoding a T. gondii homologue of eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF)4A.

Dendritic cells and dendritic-like microglia in focal cortical ischemia of the mouse brain.

Intracerebral dendritic cells (DC) have recently been identified in neuroinflammation initiated peripherally by brain-targeted autoimmunity or infection. The present study detects DC in photochemically induced cortical ischemia of the mouse brain, a brain-intrinsic lesion model characterized by the lack of an overt T cell response. Concomitant to leukocyte infiltration of the infarcted area, cells expressing the pan-DC surface marker CD11c appeared at the lesion and persisted for weeks.

Expression variance, biochemical and immunological properties of Toxoplasma gondii dense granule protein GRA7.

During intracellular stay, Toxoplasma gondii secretes dense granule proteins (GRA) which remodel the parasitophorous vacuole and are considered functional in parasite-host interrelation. Comparative analysis of parasites from mouse-virulent strain BK and an in vitro attenuated variant revealed that the level of GRA7 expression correlates with T. gondii virulence: proteome analysis and quantitation by immunoblot demonstrated a massive decrease in GRA7 steady-state synthesis parallel to the loss of virulence.

Characterization of TgROP9 (p36), a novel rhoptry protein of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites identified by T cell clone.

T cell clone 3Tx19 detects a Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite protein which, in high resolution 2D gel electrophoresis, runs at 36 kDa apparent MW with two spots of pI 5.9 and 6.5, thus exhibiting a migration pattern distinct from those of other known Toxoplasma antigens.