The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of the ultrasound-microbubble technique in nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) decoy oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) transfection in the gingival tissue in mice. The 6-FAM-labeled scrambled decoy ODN with microbubbles was applied to the periodontal tissue in 8-week-old male C57BL/6J mice by ultrasound radiation at low (LUM-Sc) and high (HUM-Sc) intensities to optimize the transfection condition of the ultrasound-microbubble method. Histological inspections were performed two hours after transfection to compare the expression with that in the sham-operated group without ultrasound radiation (A-Sc). Then, an NF-κB decoy was transfected into the periodontal tissue using the high-intensity ultrasound-microbubble (HUM-NF) technique to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of the decoy ODN. Western blot analysis was performed to investigate the expression of interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the gingival tissues in the HUM-Sc, the HUM-NF and control groups. The fluorescence microscopy results showed that the fluorescent intensity in the periodontal tissues in the LUM-Sc and HUM-Sc groups was significantly higher than that in the A-Sc and the control groups. The fluorescent intensity in the HUM-Sc group, especially in the gingival connective tissue, was the highest of all groups. Western blot analysis indicated that the protein expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and ICAM-1 in the HUM-NF group were significantly lower than those in the HUM-Sc and the control groups. These findings suggest that the high-intensity ultrasound-microbubble technique is an effective tool for decoy transfection into the periodontal tissue.

[Objective] Herein, we report a case of a remarkably effective combination of acupuncture and daily olfactory training for treating postinfectious olfactory dysfunction that had not improved for years.[Case] A 45-year-old woman complained of decreased sense of smell and inability to smell properly. She had postinfectious olfactory dysfunction four years ago, which resulted in olfactory deglutition. She continued taking zinc preparations prescribed by the hospital; however, they showed no therapeutic response. She discontinued a yearlong hospital visit and received approximately 10 acupuncture sessions. Her odor problems gradually recovered to some extent after the acupuncture treatment, but dysphoria appeared. Her symptoms showed no significant changes over the next 3 years.[Results] The pretreatment olfactory VAS score was 38mm and the self-administered odor questionnaire score was 30%. Acupuncture treatment was focused on the facial area; thus, she was instructed to perform daily olfactory training by smelling various odors. Consequently, the olfactory VAS score improved to 97mm and the self-administered odor questionnaire score improved to 97.5% after 18 acupuncture sessions for 18 months.[Conclusion] The results indicated that the combination of acupuncture and daily olfactory training could improve postinfectious olfactory dysfunction that had not improved over the years.