Olfactory Research Articles

L-Systems: a mathematical paradigm for designing full length human genes and genomes

We have shown how L-Systems can generate both an exon (human OR) and a system containing both exons and introns (human mitochondria). Ligands for only two human olfactory (OR) receptors are known. One of them, OR1D2, binds to Bourgeonal, a volatile chemical constituent of the fragrance Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis). OR1D2, OR1D4 and OR1D5 are three full- length olfactory receptors present in an olfactory locus in human genome. These receptors are more than 80% identical in DNA sequences and have 108 base pair mismatches among them. We have used L-system mathematics to show a closely related subfamily of OR1D2, OR1D4 and OR1D5. Craig Venter's group reported experimental construction of long DNA molecules adopting several working hypotheses. A mathematical rule for generating such long sequences would shed light on several fundamental problems in various areas of biology, for example evolution of long DNA chains in chromosomes, the reasons for existence of long stretches of non-coding regions, as well as usher in automated methods for the preparation of long DNA chains to enable chromosome engineering. However, this mathematical principle must have room for editing/correcting DNA sequences locally in the areas of genomes where mutation and/or DNA polymerase has introduced errors over millions of years of evolution. Here we present the whole mitochondrial genome (exons and introns) generated by the L-Systems.

The repair of acute spinal cord injury in rats by olfactory ensheathing cells graft modified by glia cell line-derived neurotrophic factor gene in combination with the injection of monoclonal antibody IN-1

To research the repair effect of transplantation of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) modified olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) combination with injecting axonal growth inhibiting protein antibody (IN-1) in vivo. To construct lentivirus vector with GDNF gene and infect OECs in vitro, use the immunoblotting (Western Blot) to observe the expression of GDNF was detected through Western Blot. Fifty adult female SD rats which to establish thoracic spinal cord transection injury model were randomly divided into A (control group), B (IN-1 antibody group), C (OECs group), D (GDNF-OECs group), and E (GDNF-OECs+IN-1 group) 5 groups of each 10 rats. To observe regeneration of the impaired nerve axon by NF200 immunohistochemistry, Biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) anterograde tracing corticospinal tract. Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) score was used to evaluating hindlimb motor function recovery. Add up to 13 rats died post operation. OECs labeled by hoechst still survived and migrated in spinal cord 8 weeks post operation. Lots of confused and disorderly regenerated axons which crossing the injured region of spinal cord were displayed between spinal cord stumps in GDNF-OECs+IN-1 group and GDNF-OECs group; some of axons existed in OECs group, but there is no obviously continue nerve fibers crossing the injured region of spinal cord;in contrast to IN-1 and control groups, few of regenerated axons and atrophy of spinal cord stumps were observed. The results of BBB hindlimb motor rating scale were 7.70+/-0.24, 7.89+/-0.15, 10.50+/-0.25, 11.43+/-0.23 and 12.81+/-0.40 for the control group, IN-1 group, OECs group, GDNF-OECs group and the allied treatment group respectively. The transplantation of GDNF-OECs combination with IN-1 antibody may benefit the survival and regeneration of the injured axons, and accelerate the repair of the injured spinal cord and functional recover of hindlimb locomotor in rats in a more efficient way than that with OECs or IN-1 alone.

The treatment of the bilateral frontal brain contusion by the way of unilateral approach of cerebral falx incision

Objective To investigate the development regularity of the bilateral frontal brain contusion,and its clinical features and treatment experience.The surgical methods of unilateral approach of cerebral falx incision was used to treat non-symmetry bilateral frontal brain contusion.Methods 120 patients with bilateral frontal brain contusion addimted from March 2004 to March 2008 were divided into two groups:a group of 60 cases of unilateral craniotomy;another group of 60 cases of conventional bilateral craniotomy,the were no significant difference between two groups about the the age ,sex and the time from injury to surgery (P＞0.05),all patients had preoperative and postoperative CT to confirmed intracranial changes.Results GOS in 6 month postinjury was used to judge the prognosis,there was no significant difference between two groups (P＞0.05).48 cases of good recovery,5 cases of residue,3 cases of severely disabled,2 cases of vegetative being,2 cases of dead in unilateral group .45 cases of good recovery,4 cases of residue,6 cases of severely disabled,2 cases of vegetative being,3 cases of dead in bilateral group.However,there was significant difference between the two groups when comparing with operative time,blood transfusion,hospital costs,length of stay in hospital,mental disorders and olfactory nerve injury (P＜0.01).Conclusion The use of unilateral approach of cerebral falx incision to remove bilateral frontal brain contusion and hematoma in the brain can significantly reduce the occurrence of delayed hematoma opportunities and the occurrence of cingulate gyrus hernia and central cerebral hernia.The operative indication should be strictly grasped. Key words: Craniocerebral trauma; Contusion and laceration of bilateral frontal lobe; Delayed intracranial hematoma; Surgical procedures,operative

Stem cells and neuronal repair

For the longest time, neurology, embryology and related textbooks have testified that development of the central nervous system (CNS) in humans is complete shortly after birth and that neuronal damage cannot be repaired endogenously since no cell proliferation is present and no new neurogenesis occurs in the mature brain. Nonetheless, early in 20th century evidence began to accumulate, from anatomical and autoradiographic studies, that mitotic activity in the nervous system persists into adult life, especially in the subependymal layer of experimental rodents. Hypotheses were proposed in the 1940 and 1950 that newly-formed cells might migrate from their site of origin into other brain areas and give rise to new neurons and glia. A decade later, H -thymidine incorporation was demonstrated in the spinal cord, hippocampus, subependymal layer and olfactory bulb in mouse and rat suggestive of DNA replication and cell division. It became clear that a majority of newly postmitotic cells from the subependymal layer migrate to the olfactory bulb, with small proportions migrating to the anterior neocortex and basal ganglia in young adult rats. However, it was not until the mid 1990s that the concept of neurogenesis in the adult central nervous system and the possibility for its regeneration was embraced and the textbooks re-written. A few years earlier, the first neural stem cell lines had been generated and propagated in vitro from fetal brain tissue. doi : 10.5214/ans.0972.7531.2009.160401

Effects of distilled fluid of olfactory ensheathing cells by intracerebreventricular injection on treatment of Aizheimer's disease rat

Objective To probe the effects of distilled fluid of olfactory ensheathing cells(DFOECs)by intracerebreventricular injection on treatment of Alzheimer's disease(AD)rat.Methods The model of AD rats were builded by intracerebreventficular injection of Aβ1-40.The rats were divided into the normal control groups,the model of AD ones,the manpower cerebral spinal fluid(MCSF)injected ones and the DFOECs injected ones at random,and there were eight rats every group.Four weeks alter being injected,the change of memory recovery was observed by Y maze test,the total number of nitric oxide synthase positive neurons and senile plaques of hippocampus were observed by NADPH-d and Congo red histochemical staining.Results ①Y msze test：TN.EN，D，TRT of DFOECs injected group obviously decreased compared to the model of AD group(P=0.000).The former was separately(18.82±2.64)times,(4.81±1.85)times,(5.18±4.86)s,(1236.78±97.26)s,the latter was (48.33±5.10)times,(10.83±2.98)times，(11.32±12.23)s，(2264.32±244.60)s.② NADPH-d histochemical staining:the total number of NOS positive neurons of DFOECs injected group were higher than that of the model of AD group(P=0.000),they were separately(16.08±2.51)entries/eye shot,(5.08±0.89)entries/eye shot.③Congo red histochemical staining：compared to the model of AD group and the DFOECs injected ones were significantly changed in SP-IA(P=0.000)，they were separately(481.15±144.18)，(74.39±9.14).④ There was not significant differences between the model of AD group and MCSF injected group.Conclusion The distilled fluid of olfactory ensheathing cells can greatly improve the effects on treatment of Alzheimer's disease rat by intracerebreventricular injection. Key words: Alzheimer's disease; Olfactory ensheathing cells; Distilled fluid

Transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells irradiated by low power laser irradiation to repair spinal cord injury in rats

Objective To investigate the effects of transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) irradiated by low power laser irradiation(LPLI) on the repair of transversal spinal cord injury in rats. Methods Twenty-four SD rats were randomized into 3 even groups after the animal models of spinal cord completely transected at T12 had been established for 4 weeks. OECs(group A), OECs ir-radiated by LPLI(group B) and DMEM fluid(empty control group) were transplanted into the caudal zone of the spinal cord in the 3 groups(n=8) respectively. The functional repair was evaluated by Bundle branch block (BBB) score, pathology and Flumgold label, respectively. The BBB scores before and after transplantation were statistically analyzed by one-factor analysis of variance or repeated measurement anal-ysis of variance, respectively (α=0.05). Results The methods of transplantation and the evaluation time had significant effects on the BBB scores in the 3 groups (P=0.000), and the BBB scores were significantly different among the 3 groups (P=0.000). Anti-NGRFp75 and anti-GFAP staining positive OECs were observed in the cephalic and caudal areas in group B, only anti-GFAP staining positive OECs were observed in group A, but nothing was found in the empty control group. The neural fibers labeled by Flurogold passed through the lesion area and extended into the cephalic and caudal areas in groups A and B, but were not present in the empty control group. Conclusion Although transplantation with both OECs and OECs irradiated by LPLI can promote the repair of spinal cord injury in rats, OECs irradiated by LPLI may be more effective. Key words: Olfactory ensheathing cells; Spinal cord injury; Cell transplantation; Laser therapy, low-level

Experimental study of implantation of neurotropin-3 modified olfactory ensheathing cells in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

To investigate the therapeutic effect of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) modified olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) upon experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). OEC-NT-3 gene engineering cell, constructed by neurotrophin-3 transinfecting GEC inducted by retrovirus, was transplanted into lateral ventricle. The migration and distribution were observed and compared with control group and OEC transplantation group. Then myelin repairing and axon regeneration were evaluated from conical somatosensory evoked potential (CSEP), function score and ultrastructural morphology. (1) OEC-NT-3 could survive, migrate within axons and spread diffusely away from the focus at Day 28 post-transplantation; (2) as compared with other two groups, more nerve fibers, better myelin repair and more distinct myelin structure were observed in the transgene group; (3) as compared with other two groups, the latent time was obviously shortened and the amplitude higher in the transplantation group (P < 0.05); (4) the transcription level of NT-3mRNA in the transgene group was significantly higher than the GEC group and the contrast group (212.32 +/- 16.14) x 10(-2) vs. (1.98 +/- 0.19) x 10(-2), (1.23 +/- 0.13) x 10(-2) (P < 0.01). OEC-NT-3 cell expresses NT-3 stably and effectively in EAE. It may contribute to the repairing of myelin and the regeneration of axon.

Expression of odorant receptor genes on the olfactory epithelium following olfactory nerve disconnection

To constitute the animal model of unilateral olfactory nerve transection and observe the expression level and distribution of odorant receptors. Thirty-two rats were divided into two groups: the olfactory nerve transection group (20) and the control group (12). The former group received the operation to transect the left olfactory nerve following the left olfactory bulb was exposed under microscope and the latter group did not give any disposal. At every stage of five days, two weeks, four weeks and six weeks after the operation, five rats from the nerve transection group and three from the control group were anaesthetized simultaneously, and olfactory epithelium were taken out after transcardial perfusion, then paraffin imbedding. Coronal sections were sliced for HE staining to observe the thickness changes of the olfactory epithelium, and for in situ hybridization (ISHs) to investigate the expression of olfactory receptor genes (Olr287, Olr226, Olr1493 and Olr1654) in the epithelium, also to evaluate the changes of the expression level and location of the selected receptors during the regeneration of olfactory epithelium. HE staining showed that 5 days after the operation cell quantity and thickness of the olfactory epithelium decreased obviously, which increased gradually 2 or 4 weeks after operation. After 6 weeks' recovery, the thickness of the epithelium could reach the control level. The pattern of cell staining by ISH showed a specific spatial distribution along the anteroposterior (AP) and dorsoventral (DV) axis. Evidence suggested that odorant receptors were distributed in continuous and multiple overlapping bands in the normal or nerve transected-recovered epithelium rather than in the conventionally accepted three or four zones. The data also demonstrated that the distribution of sensory neuron types, as identified and defined by odorant receptor expression, was restored to normal or nearly so by 6 weeks after operation. Likewise, the numbers of probe-labeled neurons in the nerve transected-recovered had an obvious decrease 5 days after olfactory nerve transection. Reactive cells (x(-) +/- s) of Olr1493 in the operated side was (53.9 +/- 19.9), compared with (419.0 +/- 21.2) in the unoperated side, there was statistic significance between them (t = 63.960, P < 0.01). Reactive cells increased gradually according to the regeneration of the epithelium, and were nearly equivalent to the normal side 6 weeks later without significant differentiation (t = 2.600, P > 0.05), according to the absolute positive cells in the operated and unoperated side of (417.8 +/- 32.4) and (445.3 +/- 10.0) respectively. The regeneration of the sensory neurons and receptors, both the number and the distribution, can recover to normal after olfactory nerve transection.

Modeling study of gamma oscillations in the mammalian olfactory bulb

or> Meeting abstracts - A single PDF containing all abstracts in this Supplement is available here . http://www. biomedcentral.co m/content/pdf/14 71-2202 -10-S1-info.pdf

The morphology of olfactory route for cerebrospinal fluid drainage into the peripheral lymphatic system in rabbit

Objective To demonstrate the morphology of drainage of the cerebrospinal fluid through the olfactory nerves into the cervical lymphatics. Methods Microfil was injected into the cisterna magna of the rabbit, cervical lymphatics, the olfactory bulbs, olfactory tracts and the nasal mucosa were observed by macroscopic anatomy and light microscopy. Results Under the operative microscope, Microfil was found within the subarachnoid space and along the olfactory nerves. At the nasal mucosa, a lymphatic network stained in yellow was identified near the olfactory nerves, which cross nasopharyngeal region and finally emptied into the superficial and deep cervical lymph nodes. Light microscopically, Microfil was distributed around the olfactory nerves and within the lymphatic vessels. At the nasal mucosa, the lymphatics were frequently located close to the nerves. Conclusion These results indicate that the cerebrospinal fluid drains from the subarachnoid space along the olfactory nerves to the nasal Lymphatics, which in turn, empties into the cervical lymph nodes. This anatomical communication, thus, allows the central nervous system to connect with the lymphatic system. The presence of this route may play an important role in immune disease of the central nervous system and regulation of the cerebrospinal fluid circulation. Key words: Lymph; Cerebrospinal fluid; Subarachnoid space; Central nervous system

MRI findings of congenital dysosmia

Objective To study the MRI findings of congenital dysosmia. Methods Forty-seven patients with congenital dysosmia (39 with Kallmann syndrome and 8 with isolated dysosmia) and 21 normal volunteers underwent MRI examination. The features of congenital malformation were recorded. The volume of olfactory bulbs, depth of olfactory sulei as well as diameters of pituitary glands and stalks were measured. The rate of dysplasia of olfactory bulbs and tracts in the two patients groups was compared with χ2 test. The difference of volume of olfactory bulbs between the two groups was evaluated with nonparametrie test. And the difference of diameters of pituitary glands and stalks was analyzed with analysis of variance. Results All the patients had abnormal findings in olfactory bulbs, tracts and/or olfactory sulci on MR images. The patterns of congenital malformation may be dysplastic or hypoplastic, symmetric or asymmetric. The proportion of patients with dysplasia of olfactory bulbs and tracts in Kallmann syndrome patients ( 31/39 ) was higher than that in isolated dysosmia ones ( 2/8 ) ( χ2= 6. 998, P = 0. 008 ), and the olfactory bulbs' volume of patients with Kallmann syndrome ( median 8 mm3 ) was smaller than that of patients with isolated dysosmia ( median 22 mm3 ) ( Z = - 2. 902, P = 0. 004 ). The pituitary glands were smaller and the stalks were thinner in patients with Kallmann syndrome than those in volunteers [ the anteroposterior diameter of pituitary glands in Kallmann syndrome (7. 22±1.93) mm, that in normal volunteers (9. 94±1.59) ram, F=16.835, P=0. 000; height of pituitary glands in Kallmann syndrome (3.71±1.74) mm, that in normal volunteers (6. 00±1.24) ram, F = 16. 092, P = 0. 000; the anteroposterior diameter of pituitary stalks in Kallmann syndrome ( 1.19±0. 55 ) mm, that in normal volunteers ( 1.88±0. 49 ) mm, F = 13.060, P =0. 000]. Conclusions In congenital dysosmic patients, dysplasia or hypoplasia of olfactory bulbs, tracts and sulei can be clearly depicted on MR images. MR imaging is valuable for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Key words: Olfaction disorders; Kallmann syndrome; Magnetic resonance imaging

Study on individual rehabilitation nursing for 5 cases with minimally conscious state

Objective To study the individual rehabilitation nursing for patients with minimally conscious state (MCS). Methods The individual rehabilitation nursing measures were adopted in five cases of the minimally conscious state patients. The stimulus of vision, sense of hearing, olfactory sense and sense of taste, the stimus of voicing were taken for awakening. Results The total score of patients' vegetative state improved by 6.6 (P <0.05). The evaluation for patients also showed significantly different in terms of executing order, body movement, ocular movement, semiment response (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Complications in respect of lung and uropoiesis infection, malnutrition and ulcer were prevented. Conclusions The high quality of individual nursing measures are beneficial for the minimally conscious state patients. Key words: Consciousness Disorders; Minimally conscious state; Rehabilitation Nursing

Individual olfactory responses of students repeatedly exposed to essential oils

The study demonstrated that periodical exposure students to essential oils throughout a session enhanced parasympathetic influence on the cardiac rhythm and decreased the level of psychoemotional stress.

The study of diffusion tensor imaging in damage of white matter integrity in cerebellum and olfactory tracts of Parkinson's disease

帕金森病(Parkinson's disease,PD)患者有运动和非运动系统的临床症状,嗅觉减退为其主要非运动症状之一.DWI及DTI已经成功应用于PD和帕金森叠加综合征的诊断和鉴别诊断[1].咖是研究脑白质纤维结构完整性改变的一种先进技术,而基于体素分析法(voxel based analysis,VBA)可以不依赖操作者从全脑角度客观分析局部脑白质的改变[2]。

The treatment of olfactory ensheathing cells-neurotrophin-3 gene engineering cell transplantation on experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

Objective To explore the repair mechanism of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs)-neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) gene engineering cell on neuron myeline and axon of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE).Methods OECs-NT-3 gene engineering cell, constructed by ueurotrophin-3 transinfecting OECs inducted by retrovirus, was transplanted into lateral ventricle.The migration and distribution were observed and compared with control group and OECs transplantation group.Then myeline repair and axon regeneration were evaluated in the aspects of function score, morphological structure, SYN grey level Results (1) OECs-NT-3 could survive, diffuse, migrate with axons, spread in the focus diffusely on the 28th day after transplantation.(2) OECs-NT-3 survived and migrated to the transcription level of NT-3 mRNA in transgene group, being (212.3±16.1)×10-2, significantly higher than OECs group ((1.98±0.19)×10-2) and the contrast group ((1.23±0.13)×10-2, t = - 31.161, -31.928, P < 0.01).(3) The myeline of transgene group was kept complete and the number of inflamatory focus was lower than those of other groups (t = 11.388-22.728, P <0.01).(4) The SYN grey level of transgene group was obviously higher (P < 0.01).Conclusion OECs-NT-3 cell expresses NT-3 in EAE stably and effectively, which contributes to the repair of myeline and the regeneration of axon. Key words: Encephalomyelitis, autoimmune, experimental; Gene therapy; Neurotrophic 3; Gene transfer techniques

Depressant-like effects of parthenolide in a rodent behavioural antidepressant test battery

The anti-serotonergic effects of parthenolide (PTL) demonstrated in platelets inspired the present psychopharmacological investigation, which employs a battery of rodent behavioural assays of depression. In mice, PTL (0.5-2 mg kg(-1)) exhibited dose-dependent depressant-like effects in a forced swim test and a tail suspension test, without affecting the baseline locomotor status. The doses (1 and 2 mg kg(-1)) that induced depressant-like effects were found to significantly reduce 5-hydroxytryptophan-induced head twitch response. Interaction studies revealed that the depressant-like effects of PTL (1 mg kg(-1)) were reversed more efficiently by serotonergic antidepressants (venlafaxine, escitalopram, citalopram, fluoxetine) than by others (desipramine, bupropion) tested. Chronic treatment of PTL (1 and 2 mg kg(-1)) augmented the hyper-emotionality of olfactory bulbectomized rats, when compared with sham rats, as observed in modified open field, elevated plus maze and social interaction paradigms. This study depicts the severe depressogenic potential of PTL (in its pure form) plausibly mediated by platelet/neuronal hypo-serotonergic effects.

Olfactory ensheathing cells versus Schwann cells in repairing nerve defects

Objective To compare olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) and Schwann cells (SCs) in respect of their abilities to repair nerve defects. Methods OECs and SCs were cultured in vitro for 2 weeks before they were purified and condensed for later transplantation. Sixty adult female Wistar rats were randomized into 3 even groups. After a 25 mm length of axons was excised but the epineurial lumen was re-tained, the left sciatic nerves were anastomosed to the proximal ends. Cell culture medium, SCs and OECs were transplanted into the epineurial lumen in A, B, C groups respectively. Three months postoperatively, regeneration of the injured sciatic nerves was evaluated by gross observation, microscopy, transmission elec-tron microscopy, transportation distance of retro-marked fluorescence red, immunofluorescence assay of the glial fiber acid protein and nerve growth factors, enzyme linked immunoassay of myelin basic protein and neurofilament protein, as well as ankle function evaluation. Results By gross observation, regeneration of the injured sciatic nerves was the best in group C and the poorest in group A. In aspects of growth of nerve fibers observed by microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, the transportation distance of retro-marked fluorescence red in the injured sciatic nerves observed by fluoroscopy, glial fiber acid protein and nerve growth factors tested by immunofluorescence assay, concentrations of myelin basic protein and neuro-filament protein in the injured nerves tested by enzyme linked immunoassay, as well as in the mean ankle function score, group C was the best, next was group B , and group A was the poorest. The differences be-tween groups had statistical significance (P < 0.05). Conclusion OECa transplantation can repair in-jured nerves and has better effects than SCs transplantation. Key words: Peripheral nerve; Defects; Rat

Progenitors from the postnatal forebrain subventricular zone differentiate into cerebellar-like interneurons and cerebellar-specific astrocytes upon transplantation

Forebrain subventricular zone (SVZ) progenitor cells give rise to glia and olfactory bulb interneurons during early postnatal life in rats. We investigated the potential of SVZ cells to alter their fate by transplanting them into a heterotypic neurogenic and gliogenic environment—the cerebellum. Transplanted cells were examined 1 to 7 weeks and 6 months post transplantation. Forebrain progenitors populated the cerebellum and differentiated into oligodendrocytes, cerebellar-specific Bergmann glia and velate astrocytes, and neurons. The transplanted cells that differentiated into neurons maintained an interneuronal fate: they were GABA-positive, expressed interneuronal markers, such as calretinin, and exhibited membrane properties that are characteristic of interneurons. However, the transplanted interneurons lost the expression of the olfactory bulb transcription factors Tbr2 and Dlx1, and acquired a cerebellar-like morphology. Forebrain SVZ progenitors thus have the potential to adapt to a new environment and integrate into diverse regions, and may be a useful tool in transplantation strategies.

Clinicopathologic study of sinonasal teratocarcinosarcoma and its contrast with olfactory neuroblastoma

To study the clinicopathologic features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of sinonasal teratocarcinosarcoma (SNTCS) and olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB), and to discuss the histogenesis and possible relationship between SNTCS and ONB. Seven cases of SNTCS and 34 cases of ONB were retrieved from the pathological archives together with one case each of malignant teratoma and immature embryonic tissue at 8 weeks were collected from Beijing Tongren Hospital. The clinicopathologic features were analyzed and immunohistochemical staining was performed on paraffin sections. Six of the SNTCS patients were male and one was female. The patients age range was 25 to 69 years (mean age 46). Four cases were initial presentation and three were recurrences. Histologically, the tumor shows multiple tissue components derived from three germ layers. There were mixture of teratoma-like tissue and carcinosarcoma. The components include fetal clear cell squamous epithelium derived from ectoderm. Glandular and tubular structures and ciliated columnar epithelium derived from endoderm. Fibroblasts, striated muscle, smooth muscle, cartilage and osteoid matrix derived from mesoderm. The carcinoma component exhibited mostly adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, whereas the sarcoma component mostly exhibited rhabdomyosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, and fibrosarcoma. In addition, carcinoid, and primitive mesenchymal tissue and the ONB component were also seen. The morphological characteristics of SNTCS comprised fetal clear cell squamous epithelium, carcinosarcoma and the ONB component. By immunohistochemistry, the epithelial component and cells with epithelium differentiation were positive for cytokeratin (pan) and EMA. The ONB component was positive for Syn, NSE, CD99, NF and CgA to different degrees. Neurofibril bundles were positive for S-100, and Flexner-Wintersteiner rosettes expressed cytokeratin (pan) and EMA. The spindle cells expressed vimentin, SMA, desmin, myosin and myoglobin. The primitive mesenchymal tissue expressed vimentin, and the mucoid materials and glycogen were positive for PAS. GFAP was negative in all cases. The 34 cases of ONB, included 18 men and 16 women, the age ranged from 12 to 72 years (mean 42.8 years). Microscopically, the tumor shows epithelial nests, net of angioma-like fibrous connective tissues, small round and spindle cells, glandular, squamous-like cells, and cells of rhabdomyoblastic differentiation, Homer-Wright and Flexner rosette, bundles of neurofibrils, etc. NSE and CgA were expressed in small cells. S-100 protein was positive in the areas of bunches of neurofibril. Cytokeratin (pan) was positive in epithelial cells. Myoglobin was positive in the cells of rhabdomyoblastic differentiation. The single case of immature malignant teratoma exhibited primitive nerve tissue, but fetal clear cell squamous epithelium was not found. In the immature embryonic tissue, rudimentary organs were formed, with fetal clear cell squamous epithelium lining present on the nasal and oral cavities surface. SNTCS is a rare and aggressive malignant neoplasm. Most of ONB are low-grade malignant tumors. Morphological differences are the most important basis to make differentiate SNTCS from ONB. As SNTCS may demonstrate a multiplicity of structures and pleomorphism, inadequate sampling at biopsy, therefore, may lead to errors in diagnosis. No evidence show that SNTCS are derived from germ cells and sinonasal teratoid carcinosarcoma may be a more proper name. SNTCS probably arises from primitive totipotential cells of olfactory/sinonasal membrane, and the relationship between SNTCS and ONB needs further study.

Clinical Analysis of the Etiology of Korean Olfactory Disorders

Background and Objectives：This study examined the causes and epidemiologic factors of smell loss in Koreans using the Korean Version of the Sniffin’ Sticks Test and compared the results with cases of foreign countries. Subjects and Method：The data of 386 patients who visited clinics complaining of smell loss were retrospectively analyzed with medical charts. Results： Idiopathic, upper respiratory tract infection, trauma, nasal and paranasal sinus disease were the major causes of smell loss in this study. The distribution of gender and age, severity of smell loss, association of smell loss with allergies and nasal polyps were discussed in detail. Conclusion：The proportion of each cause observed in this study was different compared with the results of other domestic reports of nasal and paranasal sinus disease, but came out similar to the results of foreign studies. (Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2008;51:717-21)