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PubMed1985

Characterization of 2,7-anhydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid in human wet cerumen.

A molecular species of sialic acid was isolated in a free form from cerumen of the wet type, but not of the dry type, by an ion-exchange column chromatography and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. Structural analysis of this sialic acid was performed by gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry with chemical ionization (CI) and electron ionization (EI). In the CI mass spectra, the protonated molecular ion of the trimethylsilyl derivative was observed at m/z 580. and that of the methyl ester-trimethylsilyl derivative was at m/z 522. In the EI mass spectrum, the methyl ester-trimethylsilyl derivative gave characteristic ions at m/z 506, 462, 418, 416, 328, 316, 238, 228, 205, 186, and 173. This mass spectrum was identical with that of 2,7-anhydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid, which was reported by Lifely and Cottee (Carbohydr. Res. 107, 187-197, 1982) as the mass spectrum of a by-product prepared from N-acetylneuraminic acid by methanolysis. These results indicate that the compound in the wet cerumen is 2,7-anhydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid. Since this sialic acid species could not be detected in cerumens of the dry type, its formation in the wet type may be controlled by an autosomal dominant gene.

Cerumen↗

PubMed1967

Cerumen in American Indians: genetic implications of sticky and dry types.

Occurrence of sticky and dry cerumen was determined in 483 Indians from various tribes of the United States. The elevated frequencies of the allele for dry cerumen, found in Indians of pure ancestry, support the theory of the mongoloid origin of the American Indian. Potential application of cerumen quality as a marker for genetic and anthropological studies is discussed.

Alleles↗

PubMed1990

Production rate and composition of cerumen: influence of sex and season.

The production rate and composition of cerumen have been studied in 11 participants (5 men and 6 women), 25 to 42 years old. The cerumen was obtained in January, May, July, and November to investigate the possible influence of the season. Only the triglyceride content decreased from November to July. Sex was not a factor, which supported the hypothesis that sex hormones play a minor role in the production rate of the lipid component of cerumen.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Cerumen impaction. Prevalence and detection in nursing homes.

1. Many people, including health care professionals, believe that hearing loss is a normal part of aging and that little can be done to improve older adults' hearing. If the staff and physicians believe that hearing loss among nursing home residents is expected due to advanced age, then the likelihood of further evaluation of hearing impairments is minimal. 2. Hearing loss is a serious health problem among the elderly. Social isolation, depression, acting out inappropriately, and paranoia have been related to impaired hearing. Cerumen impaction is a reversible, frequently overlooked cause of a conductive hearing loss. 3. Twenty-five percent of nursing home residents were found to have impacted cerumen. One of the nursing homes in the study differed from the others because no residents had cerumen impaction. This was the only home that employed two nurses who had specialty preparation in gerontological nursing. If that home had been excluded, the impaction rate would have been 34%.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Swirls, wrinkles and the whole ball of wax (the source of keratin in cerumen).

Recent work carried out at the Ear Pathology Research Laboratory has demonstrated that cerumen plugs consist of a large amount of keratin debris. In this study the site of origin of this keratin was investigated. This was done by histologically examining these cerumen plugs without disturbing the natural relationship between the plug and the surrounding epithelium. We have clearly demonstrated that a cerumen plug consists of keratin arising from the migratory epithelium of the deep external auditory canal and epithelium of the superficial external auditory canal.

Cadaver↗

PubMed1986

Incidence of occlusion due to impacted cerumen among mentally retarded adolescents.

The incidence of occlusion of the external auditory canal due to impacted cerumen was determined for 44 mentally retarded subjects in comparison with 44 nonretarded subjects. Otoscopic data were taken by qualified personnel for both groups and subjected to statistical analysis. Results confirmed that retarded adolescents have a significantly higher incidence of occlusion of the external auditory canal due to impacted cerumen than do nonretarded adolescents. Routine otoscopic examinations should be performed on the former group to ameliorate loss of hearing due to impacted cerumen.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

[Otitis externa and cerumen obturans].

Otitis externa and cerumen obturans are two of the most frequently encountered disturbances in the external auditory canal. Both conditions can lead to hearing loss due to reduced sound transmission. Other symptoms include ear pressure, pain and secretion. Acute otitis externa occurs frequently during the swimming season. The main symptoms are local pain and secretion. Treatment consists of careful and frequent cleaning and application of topical medication to the outer ear canal and prescription of medication against pain. Systemic antibiotics are only rarely necessary and are indicated if perichondritis or lymphadenitis are present. Chronic otitis externa is often caused by eczema of the outer ear canal. Allergies, systemic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, and manipulation by the patient must be ruled out. Therapy includes the application of topical steroid solutions. The natural pH of the skin can be reestablished by use of diluted acetic acid solutions. Blockage of the outer ear canal by cerumen [cerumen obturans] can bring the patient to the office because of sudden hearing loss. After cleaning of the ear canal, a screening hearing test should be performed to assure that the problem has been resolved.

Cerumen↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The structure of the skin of the external auditory canal and the antiviral activity of the cerumen in carnivorous mammals].

The structure of the meatus acusticus externus skin was studied in the sable, mink, and European polecat with a parallel estimation of antiherpetic activity of the cerumen. Morphologically, these species differ in the degree of fat cellulose development, vascularization, and association with the lymphoid tissue. Lymphocytes are present both in the tissue and along the skin gland ducts and hair follicles up to the external surface only in the sable. The cerumen samples have antiviral activity also in the sable alone. The relationship between physiological properties of the mammalian cerumen and morphogenetic features is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Excess cerumen: failure rate of black and Indian preschool children from Durban on the Middle Ear Screening Protocol (MESP).

The aim of the study was to examine the failure rate of Black and Indian subjects within the excessive cerumen category of the Middle Ear Screening Protocol (MESP). The subjects included four to five year old Black and Indian children attending pre-schools in the Durban Central Region. Thus, a sample of 728 subjects (average age = 4.6 years), 312 Black (135 male and 180 female) and 413 Indian (223 male and 190 female) was screened using referral criteria based on a Middle Ear Screening Protocol (MESP). The results of the study indicated that a significant percentage of Black (38.4%) and Indian (49.9%) subjects failed, due to excessive cerumen. These results are discussed with reference to the literature. A cerumen management program has been outlined and recommended to be implemented in preschools in South Africa.

Black People↗

PubMed1991

Cerumen phenotypes in certain populations of Eurasia and Africa.

Cerumen polymorphism was studied in several populations of Eurasia and Africa. The frequencies of dry cerumen were shown to be high in Mongoloid populations and low among Europoids. Intermediate frequencies were found among peoples of subequatorial Africa. Special attention is paid to the potential for using this marker in population and anthropological studies.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Isolation of Malassezia spp. from cerumen of wild felids.

The objective of this study was to determine the presence of different species of the genus Malassezia in the healthy external auditory canal of wild felids maintained in captivity. One hundred and thirty-two adult animals (264 samples of cerumen), 77 males (58.3%) and 55 females (41.7%), were studied: large felids (55 animals) - 26 lions (Panthera leo), 13 tigers (Panthera tigris), 6 leopards (Panthera pardus), 6 jaguars (Panthera onca), 2 cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), 2 pumas (Puma concolor); small felids (77 animals) - 29 tiger cats (Leopardus tigrinus), 19 jaguarundis (Herpailurus yagouaroundi), 10 margays (Leopardus wiedii), 9 pampas cats (Oncifelis colocolo), 6 geoffroy's cats (Oncifelis geoffroyi), and 4 servals (Leptailurus serval). Samples were obtained by the introduction of a sterile swab into the ear canal after cleaning the auricle with an alcohol-ether solution. The swabs were seeded onto Petri dishes containing modified Mycosel agar and sterile olive oil was added to the surface of the medium before specimen seeding. The plates were incubated at 35oC for two weeks. The isolates were analyzed regarding macro-and micromorphology and identified through catalase tests and growth on Tween 20, 40, 60 and 80. Malassezia spp. were isolated from 58 of the felids studied (43.9%) and from 102 samples of cerumen (38.6%). Malassezia sympodialis was isolated exclusively in large felids (33 animals-56.9%), and Malassezia pachydermatis exclusively in smaller varieties (25 animals - 43.1%). The incidence of fungi was higher in lions, with yeast being isolated in 25 of 26 animals (96.2%). Forty-eight strains (47.1%) were isolated from the right ear canal and 54 (52.9%) from the left. Although M. pachydermatis is the species considered a member of the microbiota of the mammalian external ear canal these results suggest that M. sympodialis participates in the microbiota of large felids.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Do patients with otitis externa produce biochemically different cerumen?

As polyunsaturated fatty acids have better antibacterial properties than saturated fatty acids, the cerumen of seven patients with recurrent otitis externa and seven unaffected subjects was analysed to determine their ratio. There was no significant difference in either the overall ratio of unsaturated/saturated fatty acids or in the amounts of the individual fatty acids from the cerumen of either group.

Cerumen↗

PubMed1971

Cerumen genetics and human breast cancer.

International mortality and frequency rates for breast cancer seem to be associated with the frequency of the allele for wet-type cerumen. A preliminary retrospective case-control study in California indicates that phenotypically wet-type cerumen is found in Japanese women with breast cancer more often than in healthy Japanese women. Findings support the hypothesis that the apocrine system's genetically determined variation may influence susceptibility to breast cancer.

Black or African American↗

PubMed1980

Bactericidal activity of cerumen.

Freshly collected cerumen (dry form) suspended at a concentration of 3% in glycerol-sodium bicarbonate buffer showed bactericidal activity against some strains of bacteria tested. This suspension reduced the viability of Haemophilus influenzae, Escherichia coli K-12, and Serratia marcescens by more than 99%, whereas the viability of two Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, E. coli K-1, Streptococcus, and two Staphylococcus aureus isolates of human origin was reduced by 30 to 80%. The results support the hypothesis that cerumen functions to kill certain foreign organisms which enter the ear canal.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Characteristics of cerumen in diabetic patients: a key to understanding malignant external otitis?

Malignant externa otitis is a potentially fatal disease in diabetic and other immunocompromised patients. Cerumen contains defense properties that protect the patient against infection. We tested the hypothesis that patients with diabetes mellitus have abnormalities in their cerumen that affect the environment of their external auditory canals and may predispose them to malignant externa otitis.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Safe, effective techniques for cerumen removal.

Cerumen removal in older patients can prevent serious social withdrawal due to hearing loss or infection due to untreated impaction. The recommended procedure calls for taking a careful history, examining the patient for prior pathology, and using sterile instruments, good lighting, and accepted methods of cerumen removal. Knowing when to stop irrigation and to use ceruminolytic drops or refer to a specialist is key to maximizing patient comfort and minimizing complications.

Aged↗

PubMed1975

Association of race, age, menopausal status, and cerumen type with breast fluid secretion in nonlactating women, as determined by nepple aspiration.

Biologic and physiologic factors associated with the availability of breast secretions by a nipple aspiration technique were investigated in 606 normal, non-lactating women. Data obtained on race, age, menstrual status, parity, contraceptive pill use, hormone use, and cerumen type indicated that availability of secretions was related to race, age, and menopause, and to genetic factors associated with apocrine bland function. Fluid aspirates were obtained most often from Caucasians (70.2% success), least often from Chinese (24.1% success). The percentage of successful aspirations declined in women over 50 years of age in all racial groups, but distinctly less so in Caucasians. Chinese and Japanese women with dry-type cerumen had a lower percentage of successful aspirations than those with wet type, which suggested that genetic factors may be associated with breast fluid secretion in nonlactating women.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1997

Cerumen management: professional issues and techniques.

Cerumen management is now within the scope of practice for audiologists. This paper describes the knowledge and skills required to perform cerumen management safely and effectively. Procedures for mechanical removal, suction, and irrigation are provided.

Audiology↗