Noise exposure levels in stock car auto racing.

Noise-induced hearing loss associated with the workplace has been well described. Far less is known, however, about the risks to hearing from recreational sources of noise. We investigated the popular sport of stock car racing as a potentially significant source of noise exposure, and we conducted a sound-level survey at a National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) event.

Nitric oxide in glutamate-induced compound action potential threshold shifts.

Objective: Investigate the role of NO as a neurotransmitter in the gerbil cochlea and the effects of (7-NI) on compound action potential (CAP) threshold elevations induced by l-glutamate, an agonist at the NMDA glutamate receptor subtype, to further elucidate the role of NO in cochlear excitotoxicity.

Method: In anesthetized gerbils, CAP thresholds were recorded before and after cochlear perfusions with a control solution of artificial perilymph (APS) and a test solution of L-glutamate (GA) in three experimental groups.

Results: The control group showed no CAP threshold elevations (p<0.

Immune modulatory oligonucleotides in the prevention and treatment of OVA-induced eustachian tube dysfunction in rats.

Background: Otitis media with effusion (OME) is often associated with allergies. Immune modulatory oligonucleotides (IMO) mediate allergic inflammation and may therefore be efficacious in the treatment of airway inflammation.

Objective: To evaluate the role of an IMO via transtympanic mucosal application in prevention and treatment of ovalbumin-induced OME.

Immune modulatory oligonucleotides in prevention of nasal allergen-induced Eustachian tube dysfunction in rats.

Objectives: Develop a model of nasal allergen-induced Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) in a rat and investigate the role of immune modulatory oligonucleotides (IMOs) in the prevention of nasal allergen-induced ETD.

Study Design And Setting: Prospective, randomized study. Brown Norway rats were sensitized to ova albumin (OVA) and randomized to receive pretreatment with IMOs or phosphate-buffered saline.

The role of immunomodulatory oligonucleotides in prevention of OVA-induced Eustachian tube dysfunction.

Objective: To evaluate the potential role of immunomodulatory oligonucleotides (IMO) in the prevention of OVA-induced Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) in a rat model.

Methods: Brown-Norway rats were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) and randomized to receive pre-treatment with IMO or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). After systemic sensitization, subjects received a transtympanic OVA challenge followed by evaluation of the Eustachian tube's dynamic function.

The role of soluble interleukin-4 receptor and interleukin-5 antibody in preventing late-phase allergy-induced eustachian tube dysfunction.

Objectives: We investigated the role of soluble interleukin (IL)-4 receptors (sIL-4R) and IL-5 antibodies (IL-5Ab) in preventing allergic eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) and middle ear effusion (MEE).

Study Design: Brown-Norway rats were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) and challenged transtympanically. Two groups of rats received either IL-4R or IL-5Ab transtympanically 1 hour before challenge.

Gastroesophageal reflux and eustachian tube dysfunction in an animal model.

Objective: To explore the possible relationship between gastroesophageal reflux and eustachian tube dysfunction in an animal model.

Study Design: Randomized trial.

Methods: Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into two groups, the control (phosphate-buffered saline, n = 10) and experimental (hydrochloric acid [HCl]/pepsin, n = 10) groups.

Effect of intranasal histamine challenge on Eustachian tube function.

Objective: To show a relationship between intranasal histamine challenge, the development of middle ear effusion and Eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction in a rat model.

Methods: Non-allergic Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 450-600 g were randomly assigned to receive an intranasal infusion of 16 microl of 10% histamine or normal saline. ET function was assessed by using the forced-response test to measure passive and active opening and closing pressures at time intervals of 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, and 26 min and 24 h post-infusion.

Eustachian tube dysfunction after tobacco smoke exposure.

Objective: To examine the effects of tobacco smoke exposure on eustachian tube (ET) function.

Study Design: ET pressures of Sprague Dawley Rats (n = 16) were measured after 1, 7, and 15 exposures and in control animals. Passive opening pressure, passive closing pressure, active clearance of positive pressure, and active clearance of negative pressure were measured.