Interleukin-8 and chemotactic activity of middle ear effusions.

The importance of interleukin (IL)-8 in the chemotactic activity of middle ear effusions (MEEs) was evaluated. There was a significantly higher IL-8 concentration in MEEs of children with acute otitis media (AOM) (n = 17; 136 ng/mL) than in children with otitis media with effusion (OME) (n = 28; 65 ng/mL). The IL-8 concentration in MEEs with bacteria (149 ng/mL) was significantly higher than in MEEs without bacteria (66 ng/mL).

Quantification of in vitro growth and synthesis in rabbit middle ear epithelial cells.

The purpose of the present study was a quantitative description of middle ear epithelial cell reactions in a standardized model system under controlled conditions. The model is based on a newly developed culture method for rabbit middle ear epithelial cells. The growth pattern of identical subcultures was determined by measurement of total cell protein, DNA synthesis and DNA amount during a 15-day period.

Histological examination of the rabbit middle ear in secretory otitis media with and without a ventilation tube.

To study the time-related histopathological lesions in secretory otitis media as it develops into the chronic stage, including the influence of ventilation of the middle ear, we examined the middle ear mucosa in a rabbit model. The observation period was from two weeks until 18 months. The histological method applied included haematoxylin-eosin and Sirius red staining for morphometric quantification of the goblet cells, the thickness of the connective tissue layer, the area fractions of blood vessels, inflammatory cells, fibroblasts and collagen fibres.

[Treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax. Immediate results and cumulative frequency of recurrence].

From 1975 through 1987, 142 patients were treated for their first spontaneous pneumothorax. A total of 745 patient-years (mean 5.2 years, maximum 12.

Independent risk factors for cumulative recurrence rate after first spontaneous pneumothorax.

From 1975 until 1987, 122 patients without (Group I, mean age 34 yrs) and 20 with pre-existing lung disease (Group II, mean age 66 yrs) were treated for their first spontaneous pneumothorax. Mean follow-up was 5.2 yrs (max.