Objectives: Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) has been used in the clinical setting to heal problem wounds, yet its direct effects on fibroblasts are not clear. The present study evaluates the effects of HBO on the growth and autocrine production of growth factors by fibroblasts grown in an in vitro, serum-free environment.Methods: Human dermal fibroblasts were propagated in serum-free media and subjected to daily 90-minute HBO treatments at 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 atm of pressure for 7 consecutive days. Cell proliferation and growthfactor assays for basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor ␤1 (TGF-␤1) were performed on days 1, 3, 5, and 7.

OBJECTIVE To assess methods of evaluating the function of the facial nerve that have been introduced over the past 15 years, particularly in comparison with the House-Brackmann scale. DATA SOURCES A Medline search was undertaken of the English-language medical literature between 1983 and 2000 to identify proposed methods of evaluating facial nerve function. STUDY SELECTION Although all grading systems were considered, attention was focused on the systems that provided improvements in either precision or ease of use. CONCLUSIONS Because of the limitations and subjectivity of the House-Brackmann scale, several new scales of various degrees of objectivity and ease of use have been introduced. The Nottingham system offers a more objective but easy-to-use facial nerve grading system that has been demonstrated to be valid and that would be easy for the average practitioner to adopt. The authors propose a more systematic evaluation of this system to determine whether its widespread application is appropriate.

Objective/Hypothesis: To determine if angiogenic growth factors including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet‐derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD‐ECGF) are expressed in human paragangliomas. Study Design: A histopathologic and molecular examination of paraganglioma specimens obtained from surgical cases or retrieved from the Pathology Department of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Methods: Fresh tumor or archival, paraffin‐embedded paraganglioma specimens were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and ELISA. Results: Positive immunohistochemical staining for VEGF was observed in five of nine surgical specimens and in six of eight archival specimens (11/17, or 65%). PD‐ECGF immunoreactivity was detected in four of five surgical specimens and six of eight archival specimens (10/13, or 77%). The presence of PD‐ECGF was confirmed by Western blot assay and ELISA confirmed the presence of VEGF in tumor extract. Conclusions: Both VEGF and PD‐ECGF are expressed in paragangliomas and may contribute to the extreme vascularity of these tumors.

To evaluate the effects of copper tripeptide (GHK-Cu) on the growth and autocrine production of basic fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor ␤1, and vascular endothelial growth factor by normal and irradiated fibroblasts in a serum-free in vitro environment. Methods: Primary human dermal fibroblast cell lines were established after explantation from intraoperative specimens obtained from patients who had undergone radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. Normal and irradiated fibroblasts were propagated in serum-and growth factor-free media. Treatment groups were exposed to GHK-Cu (1ϫ10 −9 mol/L). We measured cell counts and production of basic fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor ␤1, and vascular endothelial growth factor. Results: Irradiated fibroblasts survived and replicated in serum-free media. The population-doubling times of normal and irradiated fibroblasts exposed to GHK-Cu were faster than those of nontreated controls. Irradiated fibroblasts treated with GHK-Cu doubled at a rate that approximated that of untreated controls, and produced significantly more basic fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor than untreated controls early after GHK-Cu exposure. Conclusions: Irradiated fibroblasts survive and replicate in serum-free media, establishing this model as ideal for evaluating growth factor production in vitro. Copper tripeptide accelerates the growth of normal and irradiated fibroblasts to the point where treated irradiated fibroblasts approximate the population-doubling time of normal controls. An early increase in basic fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor production by GHK-Cu-treated irradiated fibroblasts may improve wound healing.