Patterns of non-conductive olfactory disorders in eastern Austria: a study of 120 patients from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at the University of Vienna.

Background: About 1% of the population suffer from disorders of the chemosensory system. In the United States at least two million people have problems related to smell and taste. The sense of smell enables the individual to determine the flavour of food and beverages and is most important as a sophisticated warning system.

The role of fibroblasts from oropharyngeal mucosa in producing proinflammatory and mitogenic cytokines without prior stimulation.

Cytokine production by fibroblasts is not only important for immunological and inflammatory reactions in the epidermis and mucosa, but also for growth and differentiation of epithelial cells. To characterize the role of fibroblasts in the oropharyngeal mucosa, the expression of a panel of cytokines and cytokine receptors by fibroblasts isolated from normal human oropharyngeal mucosa was investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcribed polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and flow cytometry (FACS). Oropharyngeal fibroblasts produced the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), IL-6 and IL-8 without addition of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) or biological response modifiers, suggesting an active involvement of these cells in host defence mechanisms.

Different KGF expression in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck and in normal mucosa.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are major factors mediating epithelial-mesenchymal interactions in the epidermis and mucosa. In this study the expression of the FGFs keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), acidic FGF (aFGF) and basic FGF (bFGF) was examined in tumour tissue specimens from 14 patients with advanced-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) and 3 SCC cell lines by reverse-transcribed polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. None of the SCC cell lines was positive for KGF mRNA, whereas all cell lines were highly positive for aFGF and bFGF.

Variant petrotympanic fissure as possible cause of an otologic complication during TMJ arthroscopy. A case report.

In this reported case, a variant petrotympanic fissure--opening at the height of the orifice of the Eustachian tube into the hypotympanon--was identified by high resolution computed tomography (CT) as the possible cause of a tympanic membrane perforation. Inner ear function was preserved by an otosclerotic stapes which prevented destruction of the labyrinth. The perforation was closed by a myringoplasty and was to be followed by a stapedectomy after six months to restore normal hearing.

Substance P in the auditory hair cells in the guinea pig.

Previous immunohistochemical and electrophysiological studies on various neurotransmitters revealed the tachykinin substance P (SP) as a neuromodulator in the auditory system of mammals. This study was performed in order to determine the immunohistochemical expression and distribution pattern of SP in the organ of Corti, especially in the inner (IHC) and outer hair cell (OHC) region of the guinea pig. We examined the immunoreactivity of SP of surface preparations by means of a fluorescence and a laser scanning microscope.

Immunohistochemical and electrophysiological demonstration of substance P in human vestibular ganglion cells.

This study was performed in order to determine the immunohistochemical expression and distribution pattern as well as the electrophysiological actions of substance P in human vestibular ganglion cells. Substance P-like immunostaining was mainly found in the cytoplasm of small vestibular ganglion cells. In contrast, nerve fibers were not labeled.