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Biomedical subjects

W W Lo

Publications and source records attributed to W W Lo.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Lipoma of internal auditory canal.

Lipoma of the internal auditory canal is a rare tumor. Clinically, it presents like an acoustic tumor. The diagnosis can be made with the use of a magnetic resonance imaging showing a high intensity on T1- and low intensity on T2-weighted image with no enhancement. Pathologically, this is a soft, smooth, yellow tumor with some fat in it that can resemble grossly any acoustic tumor. The lipoma is intermixed with the eighth nerve and can be adherent to adjacent structures. The growth of a lipoma can be slower than an acoustic tumor. A patient diagnosed with lipoma of the internal auditory canal can often have quite good hearing. As an alternative to surgical removal, another therapeutic option is to watch the growth of the lipoma with periodic magnetic resonance imaging, probably on a yearly basis initially.

Adult↗

Intratemporal facial nerve hemangiomas.

Facial nerve hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors that arise within the temporal bone and have a histologic appearance similar to both cavernous hemangiomas and vascular malformations. In contrast to facial nerve schwannomas, these are extraneural tumors that cause symptoms by compression and tend to produce deficits when very small in size. We report our experience at the House Ear Clinic with 34 patients having these nonglomus intratemporal vascular tumors. Hemangiomas arising in the internal auditory canal tend to produce a progressive sensorineural hearing loss and are demonstrated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), whereas those at the geniculate ganglion are usually first seen with facial nerve symptoms and may require high-resolution computerized tomography (CT) for detection. Facial electromyography is helpful in establishing the diagnosis. Because of their extraneural nature, early diagnosis can permit removal of the tumor with preservation of facial nerves in some patients.

Adult↗

Intratemporal vascular tumors: detection with CT and MR imaging.

The diagnostic contributions of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were compared in 12 patients with benign intratemporal vascular tumors (hemangioma or vascular malformation). The tumors included six in the internal acoustic canal and six in the geniculate ganglion region. Clinical and histologic correlations were made. Two of the six patients with tumors in the internal acoustic canal underwent CT, and both required gas cisternography to show the tumor. Five patients in that group underwent MR imaging, and all five studies showed the tumor. All six patients with geniculate ganglion tumors underwent CT. Results in one study were questionable, and five showed the tumor. Five patients in this group underwent MR imaging, but the MR findings were positive in only two cases. MR imaging should therefore be performed before CT in the evaluation of facial nerve dysfunction, as it demonstrated all tumors in the internal acoustic canal and some in the geniculate ganglion region. If MR findings are negative, CT should then be performed to rule out a possible geniculate ganglion lesion.

Adult↗

The narrow internal auditory canal in children: a contraindication to cochlear implants.

We suggest a new explanation for the lack of auditory response to electric stimulation in children with cochlear implants: the very narrow internal auditory canal, 1 to 2 mm in diameter, and the probable absence of the cochlear nerve. This defect can be seen on high-resolution computed tomographic x-ray studies and may represent aplasia of the auditory-vestibular nerve. We report on eight children with this anomaly, three of whom have received implants and failed to respond with a sensation of sound. Identification of this problem on screening x-ray films is a contraindication to cochlear implantation for auditory stimulation.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Differential regulation of cholecystokinin- and muscarinic-receptor-mediated phosphoinositide turnover in Flow 9000 cells.

We have explored the hypothesis that the apparent greater efficiency of cholecystokinin (CCK-8) receptor-second messenger coupling compared with that of muscarinic receptor in Flow 9000 cells is due to differential feedback inhibitory control mechanisms. Pretreatment of Flow 9000 cells with the tumour-promoting protein kinase C (PKC)-activating agent 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) produced a time- and dose-dependent inhibition of CCK-8 and acetylcholine (ACh) stimulation of inositol phosphate production. The inhibition by TPA of ACh-induced PI (phosphoinositide) response involved reduction of the maximal response, but no change in the concentration of ACh required to evoke a half-maximal response. In contrast, TPA inhibition of CCK-8 responses could be overcome by increasing the CCK-8 concentrations. Flow 9000 cells pretreated with TPA exhibited a 52-68% reduction in [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate ([3H]QNB) binding capacity, whereas [125I]CCK-8 binding was unchanged. In saponin-permeabilized Flow 9000 cells, TPA pretreatment had no effect on guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S])-induced inositol phosphate formation, indicating that G-protein linkage to phosphoinositidase C (PIC) was not affected. However, TPA significantly inhibited the potentiating effect of GTP[S] on CCK-8 and ACh activation of PI response, suggesting that the coupling between the receptors and the G-protein was impaired. The PKC-activator 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG), a diacylglycerol analogue, also significantly reduced CCK-8 and ACh stimulation of inositol phosphate accumulation in these cells. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that muscarinic activation of PI hydrolysis is subjected to rapid feedback inhibition via the 1,2-diacylglycerol-PKC pathway. CCK-receptor activation of PI turnover is modulated to a lesser extent, and this may partially explain apparent differences in the efficiency of receptor-second messenger coupling. It is proposed that TPA acting through PKC exerts its inhibitory action on muscarinic-agonist-mediated PI response mainly at the receptor level, whereas the inhibitory effect on CCK-8 response is at a site close to the receptor-G-protein coupling step.

Acetylcholine↗

Specific and nonspecific effects of nucleotides on hormone-induced phosphoinositide turnover in permeabilized human pituitary tumour cells (Flow 9000).

Previous studies have shown that agonist-induced inositol phosphate formation in the human embryonic pituitary cell line Flow 9000 is regulated by guanine nucleotides, and it is likely that a guanine nucleotide-binding protein is involved in coupling receptors to phosphoinositidase C (PIC) [(1986) Biochem.Soc.Trans. 14, 1135-1136]. We have now tested the specificity of various nucleotides in regulating PIC activity in the absence or presence of the hormone cholecystokinin (CCK-8) in saponin-permeabilized [3H]inositol-labelled Flow 9000 cells. We found that all nucleotides tested (i.e. CTP, UTP, ITP, TTP, GTP, GppNHp, GTP[S], ATP, AppNHp and ATP[S]) stimulated total [3H]inositol phosphate ([3H]IP) formation in a dose-dependent manner with similar potency and efficacy. However, only guanine nucleotides significantly enhanced CCK-8 stimulation of [3H]IP production. These results indicate a physiological role for guanine nucleotides in regulating hormone-induced phosphoinositide turnover. In addition, the effects of nucleotides on calcium-dependent PIC activity are discussed.

Calcium↗

Receptor-phosphoinositidase C coupling. Multiple G-proteins?

Recent evidence has suggested that receptor-mediated phosphoinositide turnover, like that of the adenylate cyclase cAMP pathway, is regulated by guanine nucleotides. It is likely that one or more guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins) couple calcium-mobilizing receptors to the activation of phosphoinositidase C. Recent studies utilizing various bacterial toxins have strongly suggested the presence of multiple G-proteins in the regulation of receptor-phosphoinositidase C coupling in a variety of cell types.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Specific binding of [3H]inositol trisphosphate to rat cerebral cortical microsomal membranes.

Specific binding sites for inositol-(1,4,5)-trisphosphate (IP3) were demonstrated in rat cerebral cortical microsomal membranes using [3H]IP3 as the ligand. The binding was displaceable (IC50 for IP3 = 28 nM), high affinity (Kd = 20 nM) and saturable (Bmax = 7.75 pmol/mg protein). Kinetic studies showed an extremely rapid time-course of [3H]IP3 binding with half-maximal binding achieved in less than 1 min and equilibrium binding was attained by around 5 min. These results are in accord with the proposed function of IP3 in mobilizing intracellular calcium from endoplasmic reticulum.

Animals↗

Histamine stimulates inositol phosphate accumulation via the H1-receptor in cultured human endothelial cells.

The effects of histamine on [3H]inositol phosphate ([3H]IP) accumulation was examined in the presence of lithium in [3H]inositol-prelabelled human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Histamine stimulated total [3H]IP formation in a dose-dependent manner with a half-maximal value (EC50) of around 1-2 X 10(-6) M. Mepyramine, but not cimetidine, completely abolished the histamine response indicating that activation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis is mediated via H1-receptors. These data are the first to suggest that activation of inositol lipid hydrolysis is the underlying transmembrane signalling mechanism histamine H1-receptors employ in mediating various endothelial cell functions.

Cells, Cultured↗

A novel cholera toxin-sensitive G-protein (Gc) regulating receptor-mediated phosphoinositide signalling in human pituitary clonal cells.

Recent studies have implicated that a GTP-binding protein (G-protein) is involved in the coupling of both CCK-8 and muscarinic cholinergic receptors to phosphoinositidase C (PIC) in the human embryonic pituitary cell line, Flow 9000. Pretreatment of these cells with cholera toxin, but not pertussis toxin, inhibited the stimulation of [3H]inositol phosphate production by CCK-8 and acetylcholine. These inhibitory effects of cholera toxin could not be reproduced by treating the cells with the B-subunit of cholera toxin or cAMP-generating agents such as forskolin. These data suggest the presence of a novel Gc protein which is responsible for receptor-PIC coupling in Flow 9000 cells.

Cholera Toxin↗

Pertussis toxin distinguishes between muscarinic receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase and stimulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis in Flow 9000 cells.

Pretreatment of human embryonic pituitary tumour cells (Flow 9000) with pertussis toxin significantly reduced carbachol-mediated inhibition of isoprenaline and prostaglandin E2 stimulation of cyclic AMP formation. This is in accord with an action on the inhibitory Gi-protein by pertussis toxin. In contrast, pertussis toxin-pretreatment had no effect on either muscarinic agonist or GTP[S] (a non-hydrolysable GTP analogue) stimulation of [3H]inositol phosphate production in intact and permeabilized [3H]inositol-prelabelled Flow 9000 cells, respectively. These results suggest that muscarinic receptors are linked to the inhibition of adenylate cyclase and the stimulation of phosphoinositidase C via two different G-proteins in Flow 9000 cells.

Adenylate Cyclase Toxin↗

Intratemporal vascular tumors: evaluation with CT.

Eleven patients each with a benign intratemporal vascular tumor (hemangioma or vascular malformation) were assessed with computed tomography (CT). Clinical, surgical, and histologic correlations were also available. On CT scans, most of the 11 tumors were smaller than 10 mm. Four occurred in or around the internal acoustic canal, six at the geniculate ganglion, and one at the posterior genu. The involved bone margins were often unsharp, and "honeycomb" bone or intratumoral bone spicules were sometimes present. Intratemporal vascular tumors cause profound nerve deficits despite their small size and must be resected early to salvage nerve function.

Adult↗

Aberrant internal carotid artery: classic findings on computed tomography.

An aberrant internal carotid artery passing through the middle ear is rare and may be misdiagnosed. Surgical intervention can lead to massive bleeding, possible hemiparesis, or both, as demonstrated by the following cases. The purpose of this article is to alert the otolaryngologist and the radiologist to the condition and to subtle computed tomographic features of an aberrant internal carotid artery. Recognition of these features should spare both surgeon and patient the consequences of ill-advised surgery.

Adolescent↗

Cholesterol granuloma of the petrous apex.

Cholesterol granuloma of the petrous apex is a newly recognized clinical entity distinct from cholesteatoma. Cholesterol granuloma usually produces symptoms of trigeminal, facial, and abducens nerve palsy and may not affect the auditory nerve. The characteristic computerized cranial tomographic (CCT) finding is a nonenhancing, smooth-walled, expansile lesion that is isodense with brain tissue in a patient with bilaterally well pneumatized mastoids and petrous apices. Treatment is limited to drainage of the cyst and insertion of a stent for permanent aeration of the petrous apex. Of ten cases of cholesterol granuloma of the petrous apex recently diagnosed at the Otologic Medical Group, the correct preoperative diagnosis was made in nine patients on the basis of CCT findings. Six of the nine patients had serviceable hearing preoperatively; serviceable hearing was maintained postoperatively in five patients.

Adult↗