No abstract available.
Action Potentials*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Evaluating the olfactory function is as important in animal research as morphological study. However, it is difficult to gauge the smell function in rats because of the underdevelopment of current electrophysiologic measuring devices. The aim of this study is to assess changes in smell dysfunction induced by 3-methylindole (3-MI) in rats using an 8-odor olfactometer. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Ethyl acetate at 10(-4.0) (v/v) concentration was used as an S+ odorant, and six different concentrations (10 (-4.0), 10(-4.5), 10(-5.0), 10(-5.5), 10(-6.0), 10(-6.5)) of butanol mixed with ethyl acetate were used as an S- odorant. S+ and S- stimuli were delivered randomly using the 8-odor olfactometer. After injection of 3-MI at a dosage of 300 mg/kg, mixed odor discrimination test was performed for five weeks. RESULTS: Normal rats were able to discriminate ethyl acetate from ethyl acetate mixed with butanol to a concentration down to 10(-6.2) (v/v). Immediately after the 3-MI injection, the rats lost all capacity for smell. From 16 days later, the smell function began improving spontaneously. At the end of the fifth week, the discrimination threshold was 10(-5.7) (v/v), which was almost equal to the original level. CONCLUSIONS: Systematically administered 3-MI caused smell loss in rats. Though not completely, the smell function was recovered spontaneously. An olfactometer is a reliable and accurate device in evaluating the olfactory function in rats.
Animal Experimentation ; Animals ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Female ; Humans ; Odors ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skatole* ; Smell*

No abstract available.
Hearing*

No abstract available.
Foreign Bodies*

No abstract available.
Apnea* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Tracheal Stenosis*

No abstract available.

Allergic rhinitis refractory to medical therapy may be challenging. Inferior turbinate hypertrophy has been suggested as a major cause of nasal obstruction. In addition, nasal septal deviation and chronic rhinosinusitis are possible causes. Various procedures exist for surgical reduction of inferior turbinate volume, including lateral out fracture, partial turbinectomy, submucosal resection, laser-assisted turbinoplasty, radiofrequency-assisted turbinoplasty, and microdebrider-assisted turbinoplasty. In recent years, conservative turbinate surgery has been widely applied to decrease the risk of complications such as empty nose syndrome, crust formation, osteitis, and synechia. In some cases, septoplasty would be an important treatment method for allergic rhinitis when patients have coexisting nasal septal deviation. Recently, highly selective neurectomy to reduce the function of inferior turbinate is being implemented. Standard surgical treatment for allergic rhinitis has not been established, But a variety of surgery for patients who do not respond to appropriate medication can help relieve allergic symptoms. Because surgical management for allergic rhinitis may cause troublesome complications, these effective but invasive procedures should be chosen carefully.
Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Nasal Obstruction ; Nose ; Osteitis ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; Turbinates

Allergic rhinitis is defined as an immunologic response moderated by IgE and is characterized by sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and nasal itching. Allergic rhinitis represents a global health problem. It is an extremely common disease worldwide affecting 10 to 25% of the population. Because of its increasing prevalence over the last decades, allergic rhinitis has been identified as one of the top ten reasons for visits to primary care clinics. Although allergic rhinitis is not a severe disease usually, it significantly affects the social life of patients and compromises school performance as well as work productivity. In addition, allergic rhinitis is associated with asthma, sinusitis, otitis media, nasal polyposis, lower respiratory tract infection and dental occlusion. Therefore, the cost incurred by rhinitis is substantial. Allergic rhinitis was previously classified into seasonal, perennial, and occupational. From a therapeutic point of view, however, it is often difficult to differentiate between seasonal and perennial symptoms. In 2001, therefore, a new classification has been proposed by the ARIA as 'ntermittent' or 'persistent' rhinitis. The severity of allergic rhinitis can be classified as 'mild' or 'moderate-severe' on the basis of symptoms as well as the quality of life of the patient. Treatment of allergic rhinitis involves allergen avoidance, pharmacotherapy, and in selected cases, immunotherapy. Surgical procedures can be performed in refractory cases. This article reviews the predisposing factors to allergic rhinitis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and the recommended treatment options.
Asthma ; Causality ; Classification ; Dental Occlusion ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Efficiency ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunotherapy ; Otitis Media ; Prevalence ; Primary Health Care ; Pruritus ; Quality of Life ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Rhinitis* ; Seasons ; Sinusitis ; Sneezing

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is characterized by persistent symptomatic inflammation of the nasal and paranasal sinus mucosa resulting from the interaction of multiple host and environmental factors. Although the etiology of CRS remains a matter of vigorous debate, research into CRS has implicated that the epithelium plays an important role as both a mediator and a regulator of innate and adaptive immune responses, as well as the transition from innate immunity to adaptive immunity. Recently, alterations of epithelial barrier functions, dysregulation of the innate immune system and inappropriate activation of the adaptive immune system have been identified as active processes in the pathogenesis of CRS. This review summarizes recent emerging evidence regarding the underlying pathogenic mechanism in CRS, which highlights the increasing recognition of the epithelium as a central factor in CRS etiology and pathogenesis.
Adaptive Immunity ; Epithelium* ; Immune System ; Immunity, Innate ; Inflammation ; Mucous Membrane