Myogenin expression in facial muscle following damage to the facial nerve.

Conclusion: Gene analysis of facial muscle may be a promising way to detect denervation of facial muscle, helping to determine the prognosis of a facial palsy early in its progression.

Objectives: In the treatment of intratemporal facial palsy, early diagnosis of neural damage is important in deciding about therapeutic modalities. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the severity of facial palsy and the level of myogenin expressed in the facial muscle.

Resection of peripheral branches of the posterior nasal nerve compared to conventional posterior neurectomy in severe allergic rhinitis.

Objective: Transnasal resection of the posterior nasal nerve (TRPN) is the surgical procedure for drug therapy-resistant, intractable allergic rhinitis (AR). Submucous inferior turbinectomy also improves nasal symptoms in severe AR. Surgical injury to this peripheral nerve fibre may be the major cause of the decrease in allergic symptoms.

Facial nerve decompression surgery using bFGF-impregnated biodegradable gelatin hydrogel in patients with Bell palsy.

Objective: Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) promotes the regeneration of denervated nerves. The aim of this study was to evaluate the regeneration-facilitating effects of novel facial nerve decompression surgery using bFGF in a gelatin hydrogel in patients with severe Bell palsy.

Study Design: Prospective clinical study.

Basic fibroblast growth factor combined with biodegradable hydrogel promotes healing of facial nerve after compression injury: an experimental study.

Conclusion: Topical application of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) hydrogel facilitates faster healing from traumatic facial paralysis due to continuous release of bFGF.

Objectives: bFGF is considered a potent agent to facilitate recovery from neuronal damage; however, exogenously applied bFGF does not work well because of its short acting time. To enhance the effects in vivo, we developed a new drug delivery system by embedding bFGF in a gelatin hydrogel that degrades slowly.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 treatment via hydrogels rescues cochlear hair cells from ischemic injury.

This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor 1 (rhIGF1), applied locally via a hydrogel, against ischemic damage of the cochleae in gerbils. A hydrogel was immersed in rhIGF1 or saline and was applied on the round window membrane 30 min after the ischemia. Local rhIGF1 treatment significantly reduced the elevation of auditory brain responses thresholds at a frequency of 8 kHz on days 1, 4, and 7 after ischemia.