BACKGROUND The zona pellucida (ZP) domain is part of many extracellular proteins with diverse functions from structural components to receptors. The mammalian β-tectorin is a protein of 336 amino acid residues containing a single ZP domain and a putative signal peptide at the N-terminus of the protein. It is 1 component of a gel-like structure called the tectorial membrane which is involved in ...

The Kresge Hearing Research Institute-3 (KHRI-3) antibody binds to a guinea pig inner ear supporting cell antigen (IESCA) and causes hearing loss. To gain insight into the mechanism of antibody-induced hearing loss, we used antibody immunoaffinity purification to isolate the IESCA, which was then sequenced by mass spectroscopy, revealing 10 guinea pig peptides identical to sequences in human ch...

Classical studies have postulated the action of an endomesodermal signal initiating inner ear induction, subsequently followed by a neural tube-derived signal to complete the process of otic placode formation in the surface ectoderm. Members of the Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) gene family have been implicated in these processes. In this review, expression analysis and recent experimental evid...

Isolated inner ear decompression sickness (DCS) is recognised in deep diving involving breathing of helium-oxygen mixtures, particularly where breathing gas is switched to a nitrogen-rich mixture during decompression. The biophysical basis for this selective vulnerability of the inner ear to DCS has not been established. A compartmental model of inert gas kinetics in the human inner ear was con...

Case 3 is a rare congenital abnormality of the inner ear which usually presents as recurrent meningitis. This abnormality is now well documented.4 It should be suspected as a cause of recurrent meningitis in a child who has a sensorineural deafness. The presence of fluid behind the tympanic membrane should make one suspicious and the diagnosis can be confirmed by tomograms of the inner ear. The...

BACKGROUND Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) displayed strong activities in anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal studies and were reportedly efficient in treating otitis media. Information on distribution of AgNPs in different compartments of the ear is lacking. OBJECTIVE To detect distribution of Ag NPs in the middle and inner ear and transportation pathways after transtympanic injection....

Introduction:Visualization of inner ear structures is a valuable strategy for researchers and clinicians working on hearing pathologies. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution imaging technology which may be used for the visualization of tissues. In this experimental study we aimed to evaluate inner ear anatomy in well-prepared human labyrinthine bones.Materials and Methods:Thr...

tory canal. The external auditory canal then channels the vibration toward the eardrum, or tympanic membrane (TM). This in turn causes the eardrum to vibrate, which sets into motion the mechanical structures of the middle ear. The middle ear ossicles, or middle ear bones. These 3 tiny bones are attached to the TM and move as it moves. They transmit the sound waves further along the auditory cha...