Prostaglandin content in human middle ear effusions.

The concentrations of prostaglandins (PGs) were measured by a radioimmunoassay in human middle ear effusions (MEEs) obtained from patients with otitis media with effusions. Each sample of MEE was divided into two groups: serous effusions and mucoid ones. The main PG in both the serous and mucoid effusions was TXB2 (375 and 857 pg/ml, respectively), followed by PGE2 (173 and 459 pg/ml, respectively).

[Facial bone fracture--statistical analysis and clinical aspects].

We experienced 102 cases of facial bone fracture during 16 months of 1986 to 1987. These cases were analyzed statistically concerning causes, age and locations of the fracture. These fractures have increased rapidly in number.

Prostaglandin synthesis by the cochlea.

The exogenous and endogenous syntheses of prostaglandins (PG's) by the cochlea of adult mongolian gerbils were studied in vitro. After incubation of the whole membraneous cochlea with [3H]-arachidonic acid (AA), syntheses of PGF2 alpha, 6-keto PGF1 alpha, PGE2, thromboxane (TX) P2 and PGD2 were evidenced in this order. The synthesis of radioactive PG's was almost completely inhibited by incubation with 10(-5) M indomethacin.

Ciliated mucous cells found in the nasal mucosa of a patient with Kartagener's syndrome.

Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of ciliated cells containing many mucous secretory granules in the nasal surface epithelium of a 13-year-old patient suffering from Kartagener's syndrome. In these cells, mucous secretory granules were accumulated in the apical cytoplasm, and the Golgi apparatus was well developed in the supranuclear region. Mucous secretory granules were discharged infrequently through the apical cell membranes by single or compound exocytosis.

In vitro synthesis of IgE antibody by human tonsil mononuclear cells. Preliminary report.

Using anti-human IgE monoclonal antibody E235I63, an IgE antibody to mite extract response by peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and tonsillar lymphoid cells from 3 atopic patients suffering nasal allergy and 2 normal individuals was detected by a sensitive radioimmunoassay of culture supernatants. Although the spontaneous IgE antibody response was characteristic of atopic PBL, PBL of normal controls did not produce anti-mite IgE antibody spontaneously. IgE antibody to mite extracts were detected in supernatants of all tonsillar cells cultured with mite antigen or PWM, but PBL from only atopic donors could produce IgE antibody in the same conditions.