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The ability to regulate wound contraction is critical for wound healing as well as for pathological contractures. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been demonstrated to be obligatory for normal wound healing. This study examined the effect that the broad-spectrum MMP inhibitor BB-94 has when applied topically to full-thickness skin excisional wounds in rats and its ability to inhibit the promotion of myofibroblast formation and function by the latent transforming-growth factor-[beta]1 (TGF-[beta]1). BB-94 delayed wound contraction, as well as all other associated aspects of wound healing examined, including myofibroblast formation, stromal cell proliferation, blood vessel formation, and epithelial wound coverage. Interestingly, BB-94 dramatically increased the level of latent and active MMP-9. The increased levels of active MMP-9 may eventually overcome the ability of BB-94 to inhibit this MMP and may explain why wound contraction and other associated events of wound healing were only delayed and not completely inhibited. BB-94 was also found to inhibit the ability of latent TGF-[beta]1 to promote the formation and function of myofibroblasts. These results suggest that BB-94 could delay wound closure through a twofold mechanism; by blocking keratinocyte migration and thereby blocking the necessary keratinocyte-fibroblast interactions needed for myofibroblast formation and by inhibiting the activation of latent TGF-[beta]1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of luminous structures and the acquisition of luminescence competence during the ontogeny of the velvet belly lantern shark Etmopterus spinax, a deep-sea squalid species, were investigated. The sequential appearance of nine different luminous zones during shark embryogenesis were established, and a new terminology for them given. These zones form the complex luminous pattern observed in free-swimming animals. The organogenesis of photophores (photogenic organs) from the different luminous zones was followed, and photophore maturation was marked by the appearance of green fluorescent vesicles inside the photocytes (photogenic cells). Peroxide-induced light emissions as well as spontaneous luminescence analysis indicated that the ability of E. spinax to produce light was linked to the presence of these fluorescent vesicles and occured prior to birth. The size of photogenic organs, as well as the percentage of ventral body surface area occupied by the luminous pattern and covered by photophores increased sharply during embryogenesis but remained relatively stable in free-swimming animals. All these results strongly suggest camouflage by counter-illumination in juvenile E. spinax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesna (Mistabron[sup ®]) is a mucolytic substance that is also used for chemically assisted dissection during cholesteatoma surgery. The present animal study aims to evaluate its possible ototoxic side effects. To this end, the right tympanic cavity of 9 guinea pigs was filled with either 20% mesna or 10% neomycin (serving as a positive control), while the left tympanic cavity was filled with saline (serving as a negative control). One week after administration, the inner ears were dissected out and further processed for morphological evaluation by means of either interference contrast microscopy or scanning electron microscopy. No macroscopic signs of middle ear inflammation were observed in any of the ears treated. Whereas damage was obvious in all neomycin-treated specimens, the morphology of both saline- and mesna-treated inner ears was unaffected. These findings led us to conclude that, at least on a morphological basis, no indications are at hand to assume ototoxic effects of this mucolytic substance due to a single application during cholesteatoma surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allergic and non-allergic rhinitis have been treated by many drugs with different modes of action such as topical disodium cromoglycate and ipratropium bromide, systemic antihistamines and corticosteroid drugs and topical corticosteroids. Yet, these therapies are not entirely satisfactory for all symptoms. The rationale for the topical, intranasal use of antihistamines in patients is discussed. Topical antihistamine agents are administered in order to avoid the side effects of systematically applied medications, and to reach higher local drug concentrations. H1 receptors of the nasal mucosa play an important role in the physiopathology of allergic and non-allergic rhinitis and even of infectious rhinitis. Most studies using topical antihistamines in rhinitis, had an experimental physiopathological aim and did not explore clinical efficacy. Recently, topical application of levocabastine—a potent Hi antagonist—yielded good clinical results in allergic conjunctivitis, seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and non allergic perennial rhinitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is a methodological approach to histamine nasal provocation. The test uses active anterior rhinomanometry and a histamine titration method, challenging both nasal cavities with a metered dose pump. It has been confirmed that the histamine nasal provocation test can differentiate between controls and non-allergic rhinitis patients. This study shows, moreover, that the method is more sensitive in assessing response to histamine provocation when a 25 % increase of post-saline nasal airway resistance (PD25) is considered than a PD50 or PD100 criterion. The histamine response, was found to be independent of the baseline nasal airway resistance value. Pronounced unilateral responsiveness was frequently noticed. Both nasal cavities should be challenged and the most reactive side considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The functional and anatomical results of a series of 181 consecutive allograft tympanoplasties for ears with drum perforation and an intact ossicular chain were retrospectively reviewed and related to preoperative factors. Drum closure was realized in 92% (166 of 181 cases evaluated 1 year after surgery), and 96.6% of the reconstructed drums were still intact 3 years after surgery (118 cases evaluated). An air-bone gap of less than 21 dB was reached in 79.6% (of a total of 162 cases) 1 year after surgery, and in 78% (of a total of 118 cases) 3 years after surgery. Age, contralateral pathology, the wet or dry status of the ear preoperatively, and the preoperative air-bone gap had no influence on anatomical results. The preoperative air-bone gap did not predict the postoperative air-bone gap. The influence of age and existence of contralateral pathology on hearing gain was only visible in some of the strictly defined patient groups. The wet preoperative status of the ear generally predicted lower functional gain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]