Gene expression of cytokines and prostaglandin metabolism-related proteins in eosinophilic otitis media

The objective of this study was to investigate the levels of gene expression in the middle ear mucosa of 2 patients diagnosed with eosinophilic otitis media. One patient with severe hearing loss showed high expression levels of genes encoding IL-5 and IL-33 receptors.

Speech Perception in Noise and Sound Localization for Cochlear Implant With Single-Sided Deafness Compared With Contralateral Routing of Signal Hearing Aids

OBJECTIVE

Cochlear implantation (CI) for the treatment of single-sided deafness (SSD) is a relatively new treatment modality. Although comparing the effectiveness of CI and contralateral routing of signal (CROS) hearing aids (HAs) is important, very few reports on this topic exist. In this study, objective assessments and subjective assessments were conducted to determine which SSD individuals would prefer CI or CROS HAs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Objective assessments (speech perception and sound localization) and subjective assessments (Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA), Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB), MOS Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey version 2 (SF-36v2)) were performed on 87 SSD patients. Of the 87 SSD patients, 33 patients hoped for CROS HAs, and 17 patients hoped for CI. The CI group underwent subjective and objective assessments at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The CROS HAs group underwent objective assessments at 1 month after wearing CROS HAs.

RESULTS

After the intervention, the localization ability was significantly improved in the CI group (p < 0.05) with no significant improvement in that of the CROS HAs group (p = 0.48). No significant improvement in speech perception in noise was observed in the CROS (Signal-to-Noise ratio + 10, p = 0.08; SN + 0, p = 0.17); however, a significant improvement in the CI group was observed at 12 months postoperatively. The APHAB subscale "background noise" and SF-36v2 health concepts of role-physical, general health, vitality, role-emotional, and mental health were significantly higher in the CI group.

CONCLUSION

CI was superior to CROS HAs in speech perception in terms of noise and sound localization. Patients with postlingual acute-onset hearing loss and more handicaps and a more positive view of their hearing loss possibly tend to choose CI.

IgG4 Expression in Patients with Eosinophilic Otitis Media

OBJECTIVE

Eosinophilic otitis media (EOM) is an intractable middle ear disease recognized by an eosinophil enriched middle ear effusion and mucosa. Although precise pathogenesis of EOM remains unclear, it is characterized by type 2 inflammation. Since IgG4 is an IgG subclass induced by type 2 cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-13, we sought to characterize and compare local IgG4 expression in patients with and without EOM.

METHODS

Twelve patients with bilateral profound hearing loss, 9 of which underwent a cochlear implant surgery, were enrolled in this study (6 with EOM and 6 without EOM). The surgical specimens were harvested during surgery and were subjected to IgG4 immunostaining.

RESULT

The middle ear mucosa showed the presence of a large number of IgG4-positive cells in patients with EOM, which was significantly higher than that in patients without EOM.

CONCLUSION

Local IgG4 expression was observed in patients with EOM in comparison to those without EOM, suggesting that IgG4 contributes to EOM pathogenesis.

Active middle ear implant (vibrant soundbridge) in children with unilateral congenital aural atresia

BACKGROUND

Detailed studies have not been conducted on sound localization and speech perception in noise in patients with unilateral congenital aural atresia (UCAA).

AIMS/OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the benefits of the use of the Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) for UCAA by performing audiometric and sound localization tests.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four children with UCAA underwent VSB (VORP 503) implantation from 2018 to 2019. Speech perception tests in noise were conducted using the Japanese monosyllable test. The spatial configuration for speech testing consisted of speech presented from the front and noise presented into the normal ear (S₀N₉₀). The sound localization test was conducted using nine loudspeakers equally distributed in a semicircle.

RESULTS

The children's speech perception in noise 6 months after VSB activation was significantly better than before activation (p < .05). Additionally, the children's sound localization ability after VSB activation was significantly better than before VSB activation.

CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE

The benefits of VSB use in children with UCAA were revealed using audiometric and sound localization tests.

Algorithms for the pharmacotherapy psychotic depression

Psychotic depression is reported and requires different pharmacological treatment from other mood disorders, however, sufficient studies to guide us in selecting successful treatment strategies have not been performed. In this study, algorithm for the treatment of psychotic depression was developed by the Japan Psychopharmacology Algorithm Project. The following three issues are emphasized: (1) risk of suicide; (2) agitation; and (3) oral intake ability. When patients show a high risk of suicide and/or agitation, prompt treatment strategies, such as tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)/neuroleptics therapy or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), are necessary. If patients show no suicidal risk without agitation, TCA therapy is recommended. ECT is recommended as the first choice when the symptoms are severe or when there is an inability of oral intake.

[Crystal growth on human dentin surface]

Gypsum crystal growth on human dentin surface was investigated using a crystal growth agent composed of 4-20% ammonium sulfate and 5-60% acrylic acid aqueous admixtures. In the treatment with 4% ammonium sulfate which contains the concentration of acrylic acid from 5% to 60%, fine half-spherical aggregates of 25 microns in diameter of needle-like crystals were obtained from 35% acrylic acid and large ones from 30% acrylic acid. Using the crystal growth agent of 4% ammonium sulfate-35% acrylic acid aqueous admixture, the human dentin surface pretreated with sulfates of different cations was evaluated from crystal growth. All sulfates without 4% ZnSO4 formed half-spherical aggregates of needle-like crystals. Diameter of their half-spherical aggregates increased as follows; 4% Na2SO4 less than none-treatment less than saturated CaSO4.2H2O less than 4% K2SO4 less than 4% MgSO4 less than 4% ZnSO4. The half-spherical aggregates from sulfates of Na+ and K+ (alkali metal) grew finer than those from sulfates of Ca2+ and Mg2+ (alkali-earth metal) and Zn2+ (zinc) and their area on dentin surface increased more with sulfates of alkali metal than with those of alkali-earth.

[An immunohistologic study of reactive lymphocytes in breast tissue]

A series of T-cell specific monoclonal antibodies (Leu-4; CD-3, OKT-4; CD-4, OKT8; CD-8) and a B-cell specific monoclonal antibody (Leu-12; CD-19) were used to detect the localization and intensity of lymphocytes in breast tissue. Frozen sections of 12 fibrocystic diseases, 11 fibroadenomas and 17 carcinomas of the breast were examined during this study. CD-3 and CD-8 positive lymphocytes predominated in and around the ducts of the fibrocystic disease and the fibroadenoma. Similarly, almost all of the reactive lymphocytes around the cancerous tissue also were CD-3 and CD-8 positive suppressor/cytotoxic cells.