The maturation state of the auditory nerve and brainstem in rats exposed to lead acetate and supplemented with ferrous sulfate

Publication date: Available online 23 January 2017
Source:Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
Author(s): Fernanda Zucki, Thais C. Morata, Josilene L. Duarte, Maria Cecília F. Ferreira, Manoel H. Salgado, Kátia F. Alvarenga
IntroductionThe literature has reported the association between lead and auditory effects, based on clinical and experimental studies. However, there is no consensus regarding the effects of lead in the auditory system, or its correlation with the concentration of the metal in the blood.ObjectiveTo investigate the maturation state of the auditory system, specifically the auditory nerve and brainstem, in rats exposed to lead acetate and supplemented with ferrous sulfate.Methods30 weanling male rats (Rattus norvegicus, Wistar) were distributed into six groups of five animals each and exposed to one of two concentrations of lead acetate (100 or 400mg/L) and supplemented with ferrous sulfate (20mg/kg). The maturation state of the auditory nerve and brainstem was analyzed using Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential before and after lead exposure. The concentration of lead in blood and brainstem was analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry.ResultsWe verified that the concentration of Pb in blood and in brainstem presented a high correlation (r=0.951; p<0.0001). Both concentrations of lead acetate affected the maturation state of the auditory system, being the maturation slower in the regions corresponding to portion of the auditory nerve (wave I) and cochlear nuclei (wave II). The ferrous sulfate supplementation reduced significantly the concentration of lead in blood and brainstem for the group exposed to the lowest concentration of lead (100mg/L), but not for the group exposed to the higher concentration (400mg/L).ConclusionThis study indicate that the lead acetate can have a deleterious effects on the maturation of the auditory nerve and brainstem (cochlear nucleus region), as detected by the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials, and the ferrous sulphate can partially amend this effect.



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Primary Ameloblastoma of the Temporal Bone

Publication date: Available online 24 January 2017
Source:Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Author(s): Andro Košec, Jakov Ajduk, Mihael Ries, Robert Trotić
Ameloblastoma is a locally aggressive tumor derived from odontogenic epithelium. Although benign, its clinical behavior may often times exhibit malignant characteristics. It is marked by slow and persistent growth with infiltration of adjacent tissues. Almost 70% occur in the mandible in patients over 30 years of age. Recurrence of ameloblastoma due to inadequate treatment is frequent. Due to its slow growth, recurrences may present decades after primary surgery. A primary ameloblastoma in an area outside of the mandible, maxilla and infratemporal fossa regions has not been described in detail to date, with only one possible case mentioned in literature. The authors present a case of primary temporal bone ameloblastoma in a 17-year-old male patient. The tumor originated in the left mastoid, infiltrating the lateral semicircular canal, facial nerve and cochlea, adhering to the sigmoid sinus and posterior cranial fossa dura. Although invasion of multiple structures in the infratemporal fossa and the temporal bone leads to variable disease presentation, this case is unique when considering that the first symptom of disease was unilateral recurring sensorineural sudden hearing loss. Surgery required transection of the facial nerve. Histopathology confirmed primary temporal bone ameloblastoma. The difficulties in achieving wide surgical margins, diagnostics and further management are also addressed.



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Sinonasal quality of life outcomes following laser treatment of epistaxis related to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

Abstract

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an inherited vascular disorder which manifests as recurrent, episodic, and potentially debilitating epistaxis. In this study, we aim to (1) characterize baseline sinonasal symptoms for HHT patients and to (2) analyze changes in sinonasal symptoms before and after laser surgical treatment for HHT. We performed a retrospective chart review of sinonasal outcome test-22 (SNOT-22) scores before and after one or more laser surgical treatments for HHT-related epistaxis between January 1, 2010 and December 1, 2015 at a tertiary academic medical center with an HHT Foundation-approved Center of Excellence. Preoperative and all subsequent postoperative SNOT-22 scores (short-term, <45 days and long-term, ≥45 days) were compared. Twenty consecutive HHT patients underwent 51 laser surgeries for recurrent epistaxis. Mean preoperative, short-term postoperative, and long-term postoperative SNOT-22 scores were 34.6 ± 5.4, 33.9 ± 5.5, and 18.8 ± 4.6, respectively. When analyzing subcategory scores, there was a significant improvement in the rhinologic domain from short-term to long-term postoperatively (13.5 vs. 7.3; p = 0.004), in the non-rhinologic otolaryngic domain from short-term to long-term postoperatively (2.8 vs. 1.7; p = 0.014), and in the psychological domain from preoperative and short-term postoperative to long-term postoperatively (12.2 and 10.0 vs. 6.0; p = 0.015 and 0.01, respectively). Following laser surgery for HHT-related epistaxis, patients' rhinologic symptoms worsened on the short run postoperatively but improved over time. The main benefit of laser treatment appears to be long-term improvement in psychological factors. This study once again underscores the important role of the otolaryngologist in managing sinonasal manifestations of HHT.

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Nail apparatus melanoma thickness is associated with side and age

Abstract

Nail apparatus melanoma (NAM) is a rare variant of cutaneous melanoma that arises in the nail unit and typically appears as melanonychia in its early stage.¹ Since the factors associated with the progression of NAM are not fully understood, 102 cases of NAM were analysed to identify clinical factors associated with Breslow's thickness.

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Cross-sectional evaluation of acute adverse reactions during UVA1 phototherapy

Abstract

Phototherapy with ultraviolet A-1 (UVA1) can induce durable remissions in sclerosing disorders such as morphea¹. Optimal UVA1 dosing remains an area of research^2-4. Acute adverse reactions to UVA1 include erythema, pruritus and polymorphic light eruption (PMLE)⁵. The acute adverse reaction rate during UVA1 phototherapy has been reported to be as high as 15%, half of which was attributable to erythema⁶. However, other articles report minimal acute UVA1 toxicity⁷. Our objectives were to report on the chronology of acute adverse reactions and to identify associated factors.

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Cathepsin K modulates invasion, migration, and adhesion of oral squamous cell carcinomas in vitro

Abstract

Objective

Cathepsin K was initially discovered as an osteoclast-specific cysteine proteinase, but the enzyme is also expressed in various cancers including oral squamous cell carcinomas. The present study aimed to clarify the function of cathepsin K in oral squamous cell carcinomas.

Materials and methods

Expression levels of cathepsin K were examined in six types of cell carcinomas. Carcinomas overexpressing cathepsin K were constructed. Effects of cathepsin K overexpression and treatment with odanacatib, a specific cathepsin K inhibitor, on cell invasion, migration, and adhesion were analysed.

Results

Different levels of cathepsin K was expressed in carcinomas. Cathepsin K was predominantly localized in lysosomes. Cathepsin K overexpression impaired the proliferation of carcinomas. Invasion analysis showed that cathepsin K overexpression enhanced invasion and migration of carcinomas, whereas inhibition of cathepsin K by odanacatib caused the opposite effects in carcinomas. Cathepsin K overexpression also increased cell adhesion and slightly increased surface expression of the adhesion receptor CD29/integrin β₁.

Conclusions

The enhanced invasion of carcinomas resulting from cathepsin K overexpression is probably due to the increased cell migration and adhesion. Thus, cathepsin K is implicated not only in protein degradation but also in invasion, migration, and adhesion of oral squamous cell carcinomas.

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Rebamipide, an anti-ulcerative drug, inhibits induction of salivary dysfunction by benzodiazepines

Abstract

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine whether rebamipide, an anti-stomach ulcer agent, ameliorated benzodiazepine-induced hyposalivation in rat parotid gland (PG) and submandibular gland (SMG).

Methods

Saliva was collected from PG and SMG through a capillary cannula inserted into the parotid duct and sublingual papillae, respectively, every 15 min for 1 hr after stimulation with pilocarpine dissolved in physiological saline and intraperitoneally administered at 1 mg/kg. Diazepam (DZP) was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg twice daily for 7 days. Rebamipide was administered at 10, 20, 30, or 100 mg/kg concomitantly with DZP to determine its effect on hyposalivation. The effect of rebamipide on movement of intracellular calcium ([Ca²⁺]i) in isolated parotid acinar cells was analyzed by using Fluo4, a fluorescent dye used to detect Ca²⁺.

Results

Repetitive administration of DZP decreased salivary secretion in PG and SMG. This inhibitory effect was weakened by administration of rebamipide. Prior administration of DZP (10^-6M) significantly suppressed carbachol (10^-7M)-induced increase in [Ca²⁺]i. This　inhibitory effect was ameliorated by combined use with rebamipide (5 x 10^-4M).

Conclusion

The present findings suggest that rebamipide weakens the down-regulatory effect of DZP on salivary secretion by preventing DZP-induced suppression of increase in [Ca²⁺]i.

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