The comparison of nasal surgery and CPAP on daytime sleepiness in patients with OSAS.

OBJECTIVE: Residual sleepiness after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a critical problem in some patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). However, nasal surgery is likely to reduce daytime sleepiness and feelings of unrefreshed sleep. The aim of this study is to clarify the effects of nasal surgery and CPAP on daytime sleepiness. METHODOLOGY: This is a retrospective and matched-case control study. The participants were consecutive 40 patients with OSAS who underwent nasal surgery (Surgery group) and 40 matched patients who were treated with CPAP (CPAP group). RESULTS: In the Surgery group, although the nasal surgery did not decrease either apnea or hypopnea, it improved oxygenation, the quality of sleep. In the CPAP Group, the CPAP treatment reduced apnea and hypopnea, and improved oxygenation, quality of sleep. The degree of relief from daytime sleepiness was different between the two groups. The improvement of Epworth Sleepiness Scale was more significant in the Surgery Group than those in the CPAP Group (Surgery from 11.0 to 5.1, CPAP from 10.0 to 6.2). DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that the results of the nasal surgery is more satisfactory for some patients with OSAS than CPAP on daytime sleepiness.

Inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique as a useful procedure for macular hole-associated retinal detachment in highly myopic eyes.

PurposeTo determine whether the inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique contributes to high reattachment and closure rates in patients with macular hole-associated retinal detachment (MHRD).Patients and methodsIn all, 15 eyes of 15 patients with MHRD undergoing 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with the inverted ILM flap technique or ILM peeling. The patients were divided into the inverted ILM flap technique group (6 eyes) and ILM peeling group (9 eyes). The logarithm of minimal angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and retinal attachment and macular hole closure rates were compared between the two groups before and after surgery.ResultsNo significant differences were found in the pre- and postoperative BCVA at 1 and 3 months after surgery in either group (inverted ILM flap technique group, preoperatively 1.04±0.55, 1 month 0.95±0.30, 3 months 0.83±0.22; ILM peeling group, preoperatively 1.00±0.44, 1 month 1.05±0.38, 3 months 1.06±0.49; P>0.05, respectively). The postoperative BCVA at 6 months after surgery was significantly better in the inverted ILM flap technique group than in the ILM peeling group (inverted ILM flap technique group, 0.62±0.35; ILM peeling group, 1.02±0.41, P=0.045). The improvement in BCVA was significantly better in the inverted ILM flap technique group than in the ILM peeling group (inverted ILM flap technique group, -0.41±0.29; ILM peeling group, 0.02±0.36; P=0.021). The primary macular hole closure rates were 100% in the inverted ILM flap technique group and 55.5% in the ILM peeling group. The primary reattachment rates were 100% in the inverted ILM flap technique group and 55.5% in the ILM peeling group. The primary macular hole closure and reattachment rates were not significantly different in both groups (P=0.056, respectively).ConclusionThe inverted ILM flap technique is a useful procedure for MHRD in highly myopic eyes.

A thermal control system for long-term survival of scientific instruments on lunar surface.

A thermal control system is being developed for scientific instruments placed on the lunar surface. This thermal control system, Lunar Mission Survival Module (MSM), was designed for scientific instruments that are planned to be operated for over a year in the future Japanese lunar landing mission SELENE-2. For the long-term operations, the lunar surface is a severe environment because the soil (regolith) temperature varies widely from nighttime -200 degC to daytime 100 degC approximately in which space electronics can hardly survive. The MSM has a tent of multi-layered insulators and performs a "regolith mound". Temperature of internal devices is less variable just like in the lunar underground layers. The insulators retain heat in the regolith soil in the daylight, and it can keep the device warm in the night. We conducted the concept design of the lunar survival module, and estimated its potential by a thermal mathematical model on the assumption of using a lunar seismometer designed for SELENE-2. Thermal vacuum tests were also conducted by using a thermal evaluation model in order to estimate the validity of some thermal parameters assumed in the computed thermal model. The numerical and experimental results indicated a sufficient survivability potential of the concept of our thermal control system.

Polymorphisms in genes involved in the free-radical process in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss and Ménière's disease.

The etiologies of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and Ménière's disease remain unclear. Recently, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that free radicals are related to the pathology of inner ear disease. Because genetic factors may contribute partly to the etiologies of SSNHL and Ménière's disease, we investigated the association between genetic polymorphisms located in genes related to the free-radical process and susceptibility to SSNHL and Ménière's disease. We compared 83 patients affected by SSNHL and 83 patients affected by Ménière's disease with 2048 adults (for SSNHL) and 1946 adults (for Ménière's disease) who participated in the National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Longitudinal Study of Aging. Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) for SSNHL and Ménière's disease in individuals with polymorphisms in the genes: methionine synthase (MTR; rs1805087); methionine-synthase reductase (MTRR; rs1801394); nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3; rs1799983); caveolin 1 (Cav1; rs3840634); melatonin receptor 1B (MTNR1B; rs1387153); NAD(P)H oxidase p22(phox) subunit (NADH/NADPHp22phox; rs4673); and mitochondria 5178 (MT5178; rs28357984). The NOS3 polymorphism was significantly associated with a risk of SSNHL; in addition, the OR for the NOS3 polymorphism and SSNHL risk was 2.108 (CI, 1.343-3.309) with adjustment for age and sex. The Cav1 polymorphism was significantly associated with a risk of Ménière's disease; moreover, the OR for the Cav1 polymorphism and Ménière's disease risk was 1.849 (CI, 1.033-3.310) with adjustment for age and sex. In conclusion, the NOS3 and Cav1 polymorphisms were significantly associated with the risk of SSNHL and Ménière's disease, respectively.

Association of interleukin-1 gene polymorphisms with sudden sensorineural hearing loss and Ménière's disease.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and Ménière's disease are the most common inner ear diseases in which the causes are unknown. As recent magnetic resonance imaging has demonstrated disruption of the blood-labyrinth barrier in these inner ear diseases, inflammatory reaction associated with increased permeability of the blood vessels may be involved. The genotypes of interleukin 1A (IL1A) (-889C/T; rs1800587) and interleukin 1B (IL1B) (-511C/T; rs16944) were determined using an allele-specific primer-polymerase chain reaction method in 72 patients with SSNHL, 68 patients with Ménière's disease, and 2202 control subjects living almost in the same area as the patients. A significantly higher prevalence of the IL1A-889T allele was observed in SSNHL and Ménière's disease compared with controls, although no significant difference in distribution of IL1B-511C/T genotypes was observed between the patients and controls. Adjusted odd ratios for SSNHL and Ménière's disease risks in the -889TT genotypes were 25.89 (95% confidence interval (CI) 12.19-54.98) and 18.20 (95% CI 7.80-42.46), respectively, after age and gender were taken as moderator variables. Our results suggested that IL1A is closely associated with susceptibility of SSNHL and Ménière's disease.

Morphological features of elderly patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: a prospective controlled, comparative cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the pharyngeal morphologic features and its pathogenic role on obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome in the elderly population. DESIGN: Prospective controlled, comparative cohort study. SETTING: Territory referral centre. PARTICIPANTS: We enroled 320 consecutive patients with complaints of snoring who visited Nagoya University Hospital from January 2004 to December 2007. We also collected 26 control subjects aged over 60 years from community-dwelling people. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We underwent a morphological evaluation, measurement of nasal resistance, assessment of daytime sleepiness and nocturnal polysomnography. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Two hundred and ninety-two patients were analysed. The constitution ratio of men, the body mass index and Epworth sleepiness scale were decreased with ageing. Tonsil size was reduced progressively with ageing. Retroglossal space was wider, and soft palate was lower in ≥ 60 year group than in < 40 year group. Retroglossal space was wide in elderly patients with sleep apnoea compared with control subjects. Tonsil size was not correlated to apnoea/hypopnoea index in ≥ 60 year group unlike the other generations. Modified Mallampati Score and tongue size were significantly but mildly correlated only in ≥ 60 year group. Width of fauces was correlated in all the groups. Multiple regression analysis showed that body mass index, age, gender, tonsil size and width of fauces were independent factors for apnoea/hypopnoea index. CONCLUSIONS: Morphologically, the tonsil could play a minor role but the width of fauces could play relatively a major role. Additionally, wide retroglossal space, low positional soft palate and large tongue size may be characteristics for elderly patients of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.

Inherited XX sex reversal originating from wild medaka populations.

The teleost fish, medaka (Oryzias latipes), has an XX/XY sex-determining mechanism. A Y-linked DM domain gene, DMY, has been isolated by positional cloning as the sex-determining gene in this species. Previously, we conducted a field survey of genotypic sex and found that approximately 1% of wild medaka are sex-reversed (XX males and XY females). Here, we performed genetic analyses of nine spontaneous XX sex-reversed males to elucidate its genetic basis. In all cases, the F(1) progeny were all females, whereas XX males reappeared in the backcross (BC) progeny, suggesting that XX sex reversal is a recessive trait. Although the incidences of sex reversal in the BC progeny were mostly low, 40% were males derived from one XX male. We performed linkage analysis using 55 BC males and located a single major factor, sda-1 (sex-determining autosomal factor-1), controlling sex reversal in an autosomal linkage group. Thus, genes involved in the sex-determining pathway can be isolated from spontaneous mutants in wild populations.

Anatomy-based surgery to remove thyroglossal duct cyst: two anomalous cases.

OBJECTIVE: To review previous reports and to discuss the management of branching polycystic and giant thyroglossal duct cysts. CASE REPORT: We present two cases of thyroglossal duct cyst: one a branching, polycystic thyroglossal duct cyst in an 11-year-old boy, and the other a giant thyroglossal cyst in a 41-year-old man. Such cysts are rare. Both patients were operated upon according to the methods of Sistrunk and Horisawa, and both had a satisfactory post-operative course. DISCUSSION: We discuss the most important aspects of such cyst removal procedures. CONCLUSION: Our experience suggests that surgery to remove an anomalous thyroglossal duct cyst should be performed using a technique based on the anatomy of the hyoid bone region.

Heritable artificial sex chromosomes in the medaka, Oryzias latipes.

Chromosomal sex determination is widely used by vertebrates, however, only two genes have been identified as master sex-determining genes: SRY/Sry in mammals and DMY in the teleost medaka. Transfer of both genes into genetically female (XX) individuals can induce male development. However, transgenic strains have not been established in both cases because of infertility of the transgenic founders in mammals and low germline transmission rates in medaka. In this study, we used a BAC clone containing DMY in a 117 kb genomic region and two types of fluorescent marker to establish two DMY-transgenic medaka strains. In these strains, exogenous DMY is completely linked to a male phenotype and early gonadal development is not different from that of the wild-type strain. Sex-linkage analysis showed that the exogenous DMY was located on linkage group (LG) 23 in one strain and on LG 5 in the other strain, whereas the sex chromosome in medaka is on LG 1. Real-time PCR analysis indicated that these strains have multiple copies of DMY and higher DMY expression levels than the wild-type strain. These results showed that LGs 23 and 5 function as sex chromosomes in the two strains, respectively. This is not only the first example of the artificial generation of heritable sex chromosomes in vertebrates but also the first evidence showing plasticity of homomorphic sex chromosomes. This plasticity appears to be a characteristic of lower vertebrates and the underlying cause of frequent sex chromosome switching, recently reported in several fish and frog species.

Lunar global shape and polar topography derived from Kaguya-LALT laser altimetry.

A global lunar topographic map with a spatial resolution of finer than 0.5 degree has been derived using data from the laser altimeter (LALT) on board the Japanese lunar explorer Selenological and Engineering Explorer (SELENE or Kaguya). In comparison with the previous Unified Lunar Control Network (ULCN 2005) model, the new map reveals unbiased lunar topography for scales finer than a few hundred kilometers. Spherical harmonic analysis of global topographic data for the Moon, Earth, Mars, and Venus suggests that isostatic compensation is the prevailing lithospheric support mechanism at large scales. However, simple rigid support is suggested to dominate for the Moon, Venus, and Mars for smaller scales, which may indicate a drier lithosphere than on Earth, especially for the Moon and Venus.

Blood flow to the promontory in cochlear otosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate Schwartze sign with measurements of blood flow to the promontory in patients with cochlear otosclerosis. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: Tertiary referral centre. PARTICIPANTS: Five patients with cochlear otosclerosis and five control subjects. Significant decalcification around the cochlea was observed by computed tomography (CT) in patients with cochlear otosclerosis. However, no recognizable lesion was observed at the oval window in two patients. One patient had mixed hearing loss and four patients had sensorineural hearing loss without an air-bone gap. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The relationship between CT findings and the presence or absence of Schwartze sign was investigated. Blood flow to the promontory was measured through the tympanic membrane using laser speckle flowgraphy and laser Doppler flowmetry. RESULTS: The Schwartze sign correlated significantly with otosclerotic lesions invading the promontory. Patients with otosclerosis exhibited elevated and pulsating blood flow to the promontory with the Schwartze sign. CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography demonstrated that cochlear otosclerosis can exist without the oval window lesion. Schwartze sign can be used as a sign of the otosclerotic invasion to the promontory. The reddening of the Schwartze sign is likely due to increased blood flow.

No correlations between the urinary ratio of 6beta-hydroxycortisol to free cortisol and pharmacokinetics of alprazolam.

OBJECTIVE: The urinary ratio of 6beta-hydroxycortisol to cortisol is known as a possible marker of CYP3A4 activity. We investigated the correlation between this ratio and the disposition of alprazolam, which is a substrate of CYP3A4. METHODS: Twelve healthy volunteers took a single dose (0.8 mg) of alprazolam at 0800 hours. Blood samplings were conducted up to 48 h after the dosing. Urine was collected during the 24 h prior to dosing. Quantification of alprazolam in plasma and that of cortisol and 6beta-hydroxycortisol in urine was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Mean (+/-SD) values of peak plasma concentration (Cmax), time to Cmax (tmax), area under the plasma concentration-time curve [AUC(0-48)] and elimination half-life (tl/2) of alprazolam were 12.0+/-3.0 ng/ml, 1.5+/-0.9 h, 200+/-41 ng/ml h and 16.0+/-4.3 h, respectively. Mean (+/-SD) urinary ratio of 6beta-hydroxycortisol to cortisol was 3.28+/-0.67. No significant correlations were found between urinary ratio of 6beta-hydroxycortisol to cortisol and any pharmacokinetic parameters of alprazolam (Cmax: rs= -0.06; tmax: r(s)= 0.34; AUC(0-48): rs=0.08; t1/2: r(s)= -0.36). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the urinary ratio of 6beta-hydroxycortisol to cortisol is unlikely to predict pharmacokinetics of alprazolam.

[Role of ultrasonography in diagnosis of neutropenic enteritis: a study of 4 cases].

Neutropenic enteritis is a septic or inflammatory disease of the colon. It is usually encountered in patients with hematological malignancy who have undergone chemotherapy, and it presents as fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, although the symptoms are not always specific. The diagnostic features of neutropenic enteritis revealed by barium enema, CT and ultrasonography have been reported previously. Here we report 4 cases of neutropenic enteritis in which ultrasound was used for diagnosis, and also for monitoring the clinical course of the disease. Because neutropenic enteritis is rapidly progressive, early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention are required. We believe that ultrasonography is a useful method for examining patients with neutropenic enteritis, being noninvasive, mobile, and providing rapid results in real time, thus aiding early diagnosis and clinical follow-up.

[Usefulness of 18F-FDG PET for diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis].

Cardiac sarcoidosis, the main cause of death among patients with sarcoidosis, frequently becomes clinically apparent when the disease is far advanced. To evaluate the usefulness of the 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in detecting cardiac sarcoidosis, 18F-FDG PET was performed in 16 patients with sarcoidosis (13 female, 63 +/- 12 yrs), compared with scintigraphic findings of 99mTc-MIBI and 67Ga. Ten of 16 patients were considered to have cardiac complications on clinical grounds with tissue confirmation such as positive endomyocardial biopsy, severe ventricular arrhythmia, more than second degree atrioventricular block, and echocardiographically proven ventricular dysfunction. Among these patients with cardiac complications, abnormal myocardial uptake of FDG were observed in all (100%), which confirms significantly higher frequency compared to 67Ga scintigraphy (50%) (abnormality of 99mTc-MIBI SPECT were observed in 80%). Although abnormal FDG accumulations were observed in region with decreased uptake of 99mTc-MIBI in many cases, localization of regional abnormality of each tracer was frequently independent. This discrepancy may reflect inflammatory and degenerative process of myocardium in cardiac sarcoidosis. 18F-FDG PET is thought to be a useful noninvasive method in detecting cardiac involvement of sarcoidosis and may provide a useful information on the activity of the disease.

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (bilateral acoustic schwannomas) demonstrated by Tc-99m (V) DMSA SPECT.

Tc-99m (V) DMSA clearly demonstrated several cranial meningiomas, bilateral acoustic neurinomas and multiple subcutaneous neurofibromas in a patient of neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF-2). The present paper describes accumulation of Tc-99m (V) DMSA in cranial schwannomas and meningiomas as well as multiple peripheral neurofibromas.