Considerable progress has recently been made in the understanding of airway inflammation by cell culture assays and in vivo provocation studies. Inasmuch as ethical considerations limit experimental work in humans, physiologically relevant in vitro models are required to better understand cellular and molecular tissue interactions in human nasal mucosa. Here we describe a human nasal mucosa culture model utilizing a simple gelatin sponge-supported histoculture system at the air-liquid interface. Viable mucosa was preserved for at least 48 h, as shown by morphology and immunohistochemical staining with Ki-67 as marker for proliferation. Pro-inflammatory mediators (kinins, histamine, thromboxane B2, prostaglandin F2 alpha, and substance P) are detectable in serum-containing as well as serum-free culture medium. Incubation with 10(-8) M substance P increases the number of degranulated mast cells after 48 h by 26% (P < 0.01). In this model, biochemical responses can be correlated with histologic alterations of the target tissue. Inflammatory parameters can be examined and compared in various patient groups and different stimulators/inhibitors. This culture method provides a valuable research tool for analyzing all compartments present in nasal mucosa under physiologically relevant conditions, and for studying complex interactions and responses of mucosal cell populations in their natural tissue environment.

Nowadays, several options are available to treat patients with conductive or mixed hearing loss. Whenever surgical intervention is not possible or contra-indicated, and amplification by a conventional hearing device (e.g., behind-the-ear device) is not feasible, then implantable hearing devices are an indispensable next option. Implantable bone-conduction devices and middle-ear implants have advantages but also limitations concerning complexity/invasiveness of the surgery, medical complications, and effectiveness. To counsel the patient, the clinician should have a good overview of the options with regard to safety and reliability as well as unequivocal technical performance data. The present consensus document is the outcome of an extensive iterative process including ENT specialists, audiologists, health-policy scientists, and representatives/technicians of the main companies in this field. This document should provide a first framework for procedures and technical characterization to enhance effective communication between these stakeholders, improving health care.

Our investigations showed that the superficial cervical plexus function is assessable by cutaneous sensitivity tests. The minor occipital nerve seemed to be less affected. Fewer pain symptoms in cases with preserved cervical plexus could be demonstrated. We can conclude that preservation of the superficial cervical plexus is important to diminish postoperative shoulder pain.

Light and electron microscopic as well as immunohistochemical investigations were performed on the basement membrane (BM) of the nasal mucosa from the inferior nasal conchae of 20 patients, aged 15-50 years. Two of the patients served as controls. Clinical disorders requiring the turbinectomies were hyperplastic nasal inferior conchae (17 patients) and immobile cilia syndrome (1 patient). In all cases light microscopy demonstrated a 10-15 microns thick homogeneous BM underneath an intact epithelium. Electron microscopic findings revealed a typical subepithelial basal lamina (BL). The remaining parts of the BM consisted of single, isolated 25-mm-thick collagenous fibrils. Only a few cells and small unmyelinated nerves occurred in this layer. Immunohistochemical investigations showed BL components (collagen type IV, laminin, nidogen and heparan sulfate proteoglycan) directly underneath the epithelium. Collagen types I, III, V, and VI could also be demonstrated immunohistochemically in the remaining parts of the BM. Collagen type VII was allocated to the anchor filaments beneath the BL. This special BM is presumed to contribute to mechanical stabilization of the epithelium. The significance of the BL and the subepithelial connective tissue for the behavior of the epithelium--e.g. direction of differentiation--are discussed.

Our study shows that the Ames test could be used to show genotoxic effects in saliva specimens. In combination with other biomarkers, this test may help to develop a valid concept for detecting cancer-endangered people.