Taste is a critical component of a person's overall sense of well-being and quality of life. Loss of taste interferes with pleasure derived from food and food-related activities. Clinically, taste disorders are less common than smell disorders and therefore the work-up and understanding of taste disorders are limited. Taste is typically ignored by otolaryngologists, even though some otolaryngologic operative procedures compromise the functioning of this sense. Long-lasting postoperative dysgeusia is less frequent but has significant consequences on patients' quality of life, with some cases leading to medicolegal issues. Many drugs can affect the patient's sense of taste and contribute significantly to the morbidity of the associated illness. This report provides a brief overview of iatrogenic taste disorders and emphasizes the need for increased awareness among clinicians regarding these problems.
Dysgeusia ; Iatrogenic Disease ; Olfaction Disorders ; Pleasure ; Quality of Life ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Taste Disorders ; Tonsillectomy

No abstract available.
Bell Palsy ; Clinical Coding* ; Herpes Zoster Oticus ; Prognosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) and 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) taste sensitivity varies among individuals. Recently, it is reported that PROP taste responsiveness is associated with carbonic anhydrase 6 (CA6) gene polymorphism. The CA6 gene, a zinc metalloprotein in human saliva, is affected in taste function and might be correlated with gustatory diversity. The aim of this study was to examine whether PTC taste sensitivity and taste disorder is associated with the CA6 gene polymorphism rs2274327 (C/T), rs2274328 (A/C), and rs2274333 (A/G). SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A total of 217 healthy normal subjects were recruited as controls, and 50 taste disorder patients were recruited as experimental group. The polymorphisms of CA6 gene were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. All statistical analyses were calculated using the statistical package for the social science software. Haplotypes were estimated by Haploveiw and the PHASE programs. RESULTS: The CA6 gene polymorphisms showed association with taste disorder but not with PTC sensitivity (taster/nontaster). The number of control subjects carrying AA genotype of single nucleotide polymorphism rs2274328 (A/C) in the CA6 gene was higher than the number of the subjects with taste disorder (p=0.048). However, there was no association between controls and taste disorder subjects in the haplotype analysis. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the CA6 gene polymorphism rs2274328 could affect taste function impairment in patients with taste disorder. This observation requires a further functional study of gustin protein to clarify the association of the CA6 gene polymorphisms with the taste disorder and sensitivity.
Carbon ; Carbonic Anhydrases ; Factor IX ; Genes, vif ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Lifting ; Phenylthiourea ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Saliva ; Social Sciences ; Taste Disorders ; Zinc

There is a wide variety of dietary supplements on the market that are taken by patients of all walks of life. Unfortunately their use is self-prescribed and patients rarely view them as medication reveal their use to hospital staff. Garlic has been reported to inhibit platelet aggregation and may interact with anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents. Other alternative supplements have also been associated with potential increased bleeding, including ginkgo biloba, ginger, ginseng, and omega-3 fatty acid. It is essential for surgeons to be apprised of all substances ingested by patients, so they can identify potential adverse effects and drug interactions.
Anticoagulants ; Dietary Supplements* ; Drug Interactions ; Garlic ; Ginger ; Ginkgo biloba ; Hemorrhage* ; Herbal Medicine ; Humans ; Panax ; Platelet Aggregation ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; Postoperative Hemorrhage

PURPOSE: Fungi, rhinoviruses (RVs), and eosinophils are associated with upper respiratory diseases. We evaluated the effects of fungal stimulation and eosinophil co-culture on the expression of mucin genes in RV-infected nasal polyp epithelial cells. METHODS: Nasal polyp epithelial cells were obtained from chronic rhinosinusitis patients. Cultured epithelial cells were stimulated with Alternaria and Aspergillus with or without RV-16 infection. The epithelial cells were co-cultured with eosinophils for 16 h. MUC4, MUC5AC, MUC5B, and MUC8 mRNA expressions in the epithelial cells were quantified using real-time RT-PCR. To determine the underlying mechanism, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), activator protein-1 (AP-1), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors were used to inhibit mucin gene expression. RESULTS: Fungi and RV-16 induced mucin gene expression in nasal polyp epithelial cells. However, there was no synergistic increase in mucin gene expression, with the exception of MUC4 mRNA expression stimulated by 25 microg/mL Aspergillus. When RV-16-infected epithelial cells were stimulated with fungi and then co-cultured with eosinophils, MUC4, MUC5B, and MUC8 mRNA expressions increased. Mucin gene expression was inhibited by NF-kappaB inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: RV-16, airborne fungi, and eosinophils may exacerbate the inflammatory process in nasal mucosal diseases by enhancing mucin gene expression.
Alternaria ; Aspergillus ; Coculture Techniques ; Eosinophils* ; Epithelial Cells* ; Fungi* ; Gene Expression* ; Humans ; Methods ; Mucins* ; Nasal Polyps ; NF-kappa B ; Protein Kinases ; Rhinovirus ; RNA, Messenger ; Transcription Factor AP-1

OBJECTIVES: Respiratory epithelial cells are the first site of interaction of allergens with the immune system. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of epithelial cells, which were stimulated with house dust mite (HDM) extracts, on the immune response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). METHODS: Primary nasal polyp epithelial cells were exposed to dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and dermatophagoides farina for 48 hr, and then the supernatant and cells were collected. After stimulation with HDM extract, the epithelial cells were co-cultured with PBMCs for 72 hr and then the supernatant was collected. We measured the interleukin (IL)-8 and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor to determine the activation of the epithelial cells. The tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-5 and interferon-gamma were measured to evaluate the interaction between the epithelial cells and the PBMCs. The mRNA expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) was assessed using the anti-ICAM-1 antibody. RESULTS: The HDM extracts activated the nasal epithelial cells and enhanced the expression of ICAM-1 mRNA and cell membrane ICAM-1. When the activated epithelial cells were co-cultured with PBMCs, the PBMCs produced lager amounts of TNF-alpha and IL-5. However the cytokine production was not inhibited by pretreatment with ICAM-1 antibody. CONCLUSION: HDM allergens induce allergic inflammation by activating nasal epithelial cells, yet the interaction of the epitheila cells and the PBMCs may not be associated with an ICAM-1 medicated mechanism.
Allergens ; Cell Membrane ; Colony-Stimulating Factors ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Dust ; Epithelial Cells ; Immune System ; Inflammation ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Interferon-gamma ; Interleukin-5 ; Interleukins ; Nasal Polyps ; Pyroglyphidae ; RNA, Messenger ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

OBJECTIVES: Silver has long been known as a strong antimicrobial and disinfectant. Several types of nano-silver coated products have been developed. However, the antimicrobial and disinfectant characteristics of nano-silver have not been well studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nano-silver on allergic inflammation in a mouse model. METHODS: Female BALB/C mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin (OVA) and aluminium hydroxide on days 0, 7, 14, and 21. Mice were challenged with intranasal instillation of OVA. Nano-silver was also administered nasally prior to intranasal instillation of OVA. Severity of allergic rhinitis was assessed according to nasal symptoms, serum OVA-specific IgE level, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, and interferon (INF)-gamma levels in nasal lavage fluid. Hematoxylin-eosin stain and periodic acid-Schiff stain were performed for evaluation of histological change. RESULTS: Nano-silver attenuated manifestation of nasal symptoms in sensitized mice and inhibited production of OVA-specific IgE, IL-4, and IL-10, however, it had no effect on INF-gamma level. In addition, the degree of inflammatory cell infiltration and goblet cell hyperplasia was attenuated by nano-silver. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that nano-silver may effectively reduce allergic inflammation in a mouse model of allergic rhinitis. Through its properties as an anti-inflammatory agent, nano-silver may be a useful therapeutic strategy.
Animals ; Female ; Goblet Cells ; Humans ; Hydroxides ; Hyperplasia ; Immunoglobulin E ; Inflammation ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Interferons ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukins ; Mice ; Nasal Lavage Fluid ; Ovalbumin ; Ovum ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; Silver

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Isolated sphenoid sinus disease is rare and difficult to diagnosis. Due to the close proximity of the sphenoid sinus to important structures, serious complications can develop. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics of isolated sphenoid sinusitis. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Thirty-four patients with isolated sphenoid sinusitis were analyzed. A retrospective chart review was performed with respect to the symptoms, radiologic findings, treatment outcomes, and complications. RESULTS: Twenty-one of 34 cases were bacterial sphenoid sinusitis, and 13 cases were fungal sinusitis. Headache was the most common symptom (76.9%), followed by visual disturbance and diplopia. Endoscopic sphenoidotomy was performed, and symptoms completely improved in 88.5% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory diseases commonly involve the sphenoid sinus, but the presenting symptoms can be nonspecific. Early diagnosis and endoscopic surgical treatment can be successfully employed to treat the majority of patients with isolated sphenoid sinusitis.
Diplopia ; Early Diagnosis ; Headache ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Sinusitis ; Sphenoid Sinus ; Sphenoid Sinusitis

This study was carried out with 436 college students in Chungnam to investigate the relationship between residences and eating patterns of college students. The subjects were devided into two groups; those who live in self-boarding house(SB) and home with parents(HWP). The results were as follows. An average height, weight and BMI were 173.5cm, 66.0kg and 21.9 in male SB and 161.8cm, 50.2kg and 19.2 in female SB and 172.9cm, 67.6kg and 22.6 in male HWP and 161.2cm, 50.9kg and 19.6 in female HWP, respectively. There were no significant differences in the general characteristics between the SB and the HWP. The proportions of disease possession, vitamin/mineral supplements and physical exercise were not significantly different between two groups by residences. Sleeping time of the SB was longer than that of the HWP. And, frequency of cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking of the SB were higher than those of the HWP. The proportions of skipping meals in the SB were higher than those in the HWP. Approximately 40.42% of the SB tended to skip the breakfast, while 11.26% of the HWP did. It turns out that the most common reason why skipped meals was due to a eating habit(44.21%) in the SB and a lack of time(48.85%) in the HWP, respectively. The survey shows that while a great majority of the SB had lunch at campus(50.00%) and home(30.00%), the HWP ate lunch at campus(33.79%) and restaurant(33.33%). About 48% of the SB ate out more than 2~3 times a week compared to 42% of the HWP. The daily intakes of calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B2, niacin and vitamin C in the SB were significantly higher than those in the HWP. The percent RDAs of calcium and iron intakes were lower in female students than in male students. In conclusions, students of self-boarding had more dietary problems than students of home with parents. These results suggest that college students of self-boarding might have low ability of meal management. Therefore, nutrition education for college students is needed, and menus of campus cafeterias should be developed to meet the various needs of students.
Alcohol Drinking ; Ascorbic Acid ; Breakfast ; Calcium ; Chungcheongnam-do* ; Eating* ; Education ; Exercise ; Female ; Humans ; Iron ; Lunch ; Male ; Meals ; Niacin ; Parents* ; Riboflavin ; Smoking ; Vitamin A

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The mucosal immune response depends on the surveillance network established by dendritic cells (DC) localized within the respiratory epithelium. Fungi have been increasingly recognized as important pathogens in respiratory diseases. We hypothesized that DCs play a central role in the immune response against airborne fungi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Monocyte-derived DCs were developed by incubating monocytes with interleukin-4 (IL-4) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. DCs were stimulated with Alternaria alternata and Aspergillus nigra for 24 hours and then co-cultured with CD4-positive lymphocytes for 6 days. Levels of IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured to determine activation of the DCs, and levels of TNF-alpha, IL-5, and interferon-gamma (INF-gamma) were measured to determine Th polarization. DC migration was induced with conditioned media from nasal polyp epithelial cells stimulated with fungi. RESULTS: Alternaria and Aspergillus activated DCs with enhanced production of cytokines. When activated DCs were co-cultured with CD4-positive lymphocytes, Th2 cytokine and IL-5 production was significantly increased by Alternaria. DC migration was significantly increased by conditioned media from cells that were activated with Alternaria. CONCLUSION: Airborne fungi induced different immune responses depending on the fungi. Alternaria strongly induced DC migration and a Th2 immune response.
Alternaria ; Aspergillus ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Cytokines ; Dendritic Cells ; Epithelial Cells ; Fungi ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Immunity, Mucosal ; Interferon-gamma ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-5 ; Interleukin-6 ; Monocytes ; Nasal Polyps ; Respiratory Mucosa ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha