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Facial nerve paralysis associated with middle ear cholesteatoma, although well known, is only occasionally encountered and its clinical features and management have been evaluated in only a few studies. We studied its clinical features associated with facial paralysis. Subjects numbered 20 [15 males and 5 females] from 3-82 years old (mean: 42.6 years) with facial nerve paralysis due to middle ear cholesteatoma undergoing surgery between 1990 and 2008. After cholesteatoma lesion resection, a limited area of the fallopian canal in which facial nerve edema or redness was evident was opened, although the epineural sheath was not incised for nerve decompression. Initial paralysis was incomplete in 13 (65%). Paralysis onset was sudden in 16 (80%). The facial paralysis outcome was favorable in 14 (70%). Facial paralysis outcome was largely favorably, although poor outcomes were observed in cases with petrosal cholesteatoma and in those undergoing surgery ≥2 months after paralysis onset.

We report a rare pediatric case of congenital cholesteatoma initially manifesting as facial paralysis. A 3-year-old boy seen for acute facial palsy had developed left facial paralysis on January 4, 2008, undergoing predonisolone therapy by a local pediatrician from January 10. Upon referred on March 5, facial palsy was a severe Grade V in House-Brackman classification. Middle-ear computed tomography showed soft tissue filling the mastoid antrum through the epitympanic recess to the tympanic cavity. Endoscopic examination identified swelling of the tympanic membrane and a yellowish-white tumor of the tympanic cavity. Based on a diagnosis of congenital cholesteatoma, he underwent surgery under general anesthesia on June 27. The cholesteatoma lesion occupied the tympanic cavity, extending to the aperture of the mastoid antrum. In staged surgery, the exposed facial nerve in the tympanic cavity appeared hyperemic and adjacent to the cholesteatoma lesion. Postoperatively, facial paralysis improved incompletely remaining in Grade III in House-Brackmann classification.

We report a case of hemorrhage from brainstem cavernous angioma that caused various symptoms including neurootological, gustatory and facial sensory disturbances. A man experienced nausea and numbness of his right ear. It was confirmed that the symptom were derived not from a peripheral lesion but from retrocochlear and brainstem impairment based upon the findings of the DPOAE, ABR, VEMP, caloric test, optokinetic nystagmus etc. We detected an area of retrocochlear lesion that was responsible for both the auditory and vestibular disturbances based upon detailed neurootological examination in addition to MRI findings, and showed that the impairment was improved one year later without specific treatment.

The golden cuttlefish, Sepia esculenta Hoyle, 1885 (Cephalopoda: Sepiidae) is a valuable and important fishery resource for China, Japan and Korea. This fishery has experienced severe population decline largely due to overexploitation in past decades. To provide guidelines for fisheries management, we estimated genetic diversity and population structure across four locations along the coast of Japan and one location in China (a total 281 individuals) using nine microsatellite DNA loci. Sepia esculenta showed high genetic variability with mean allele richness ranging from 15.8 to 21.4, and mean heterozygosity from 0.80 to 0.90. Weak but significant genetic differentiation was present and the FST value was 0.020 across all five populations. The useful information obtained in this study will offer insights into how to fine-tune conservation and fishery management measures for this species and resource in the future.

This paper describes the use of a Helmholtz coil as a generator of a uniform magnetic field for the calibration of low frequency magnetic field sensors. Magnetic field meters were calibrated using the coil to test its accuracy. The obtained results were then compared to the meter’s calibration sheet.

Multiple sclerosis patients sometimes complain of vertigo as one of their symptoms. We experienced a case in which vertigo was seen as the chief complaint. MRI and neurootological examinations led to the diagnosis that the vertigo was caused by recurrent multiple sclerosis lesions of the posterior cranial fossa. We then considered five earlier multiple sclerosis patients who had vertigo. Their pure tone audiogram and caloric tests were almost normal. However, neurootological examinations ETT, OKP and gravicorder showed abnormalities. Therefore, in addition to MRI T2 and T2 FLAIR image examinations, neurootological examinations are valuable for diagnosis, especially in order to detect posterior cranial fossa lesions.

Intractable oropharyngeal mucosa disease is common and its diagnosis may be delayed if the mucosal lesion is simply a symptom of systemic disease. We report two cases of pemphigus vulgaris localized in the oropharyngeal mucosa. Case 1: A 50-year-old man showed multiple oropharyngeal erosiones and was biopsied at his first visit. The histopathological diagnosis was pemphigus vulgaris and antidesmogleinauto antibody 3 based on a blood examination positive. Case 2: A 66-year-old woman originally diagnosed histopathologically with inflamed mucosa was reconsiderd for pemphigus vulgaris and checked for antidesmogleinauto antibodies 1 and 3, both found to be positive. Based on the additional immunopathological findings of the earlier rechecked specimen, the definitive diagnosis was pemphigus vulgaris. Both cases were treated by steroids. The numerical value of antidesmogleinauto antibody gradually decreased based on the recovery from symptoms. We found antidesmogleinauto antibody blood testing to be valuable for diagnosis and for evaluating therapeutic effect and symptom progress. It is also important to check for antidesmogleinauto antibody early with such intractable oropharyngeal mucosal disease patients.

We systematically investigated the role of the top interface for TaC x and HfC x /HfO 2 gate stacks on the effective work function (Φ m,eff ) shift by inserting a SiN layer at the gate/HfO 2 top interface or HfO 2 /SiO 2 bottom interface. We found that Φ m,eff of the TaN gate electrode on HfO 2 was larger than that on SiO 2 because of the HfO 2 /SiO 2 -bottom-interface dipole. On the other hand, we found that Φ m,eff values of the TaC x and HfC x gate electrodes on HfO 2 agree with Φ m,eff on SiO 2 . This is because the potential offset of the opposite direction with respect to the bottom interface dipole appears at the metal carbide/HfO 2 interface. It is thus concluded that the top interface in the metal carbide/HfO 2 gate stacks causes the negative Φ m,eff shift.

Allozyme variation of the littleneck clam Ruditapes philippinarum was evaluated in four samples from Nameishi and Matsuo in the Ariake Sea, Ryugatake and Ushibuka in the Shiranui Sea off Kyushu Island, Japan, and in one sample from Jinzhou, China, in the Bohai Sea. A Ruditapes bruguieri sample imported from the Korean Bay off Nampo, North Korea was also studied. Among the R. philippinarum samples, heterozygosity varied from 0.265 to 0.301 and F is estimates indicated significant homozygosity excess in 15 of 40 loci analyzed. Deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were significant in all samples (P

Brainstem disorders are often characterized by abnormal eye movements, however, the type of abnormal movements vary depending on the localization and severity of the damage. Here, we report a case of pontine hemorrhage who exhibited horizontal conjugate gaze palsy and disorder of speech discrimination. The 34-year-old man presented with eye pain and dull feeling malaise?, disorder of speech articulation and torpor paralysis ?? of the left side of the body of sudden onset, that developed while he was driving a car. Clinical examination revealed horizontal conjugate gaze palsy, both rightward and leftward, while vertical gaze and convergence were normal. Although the pure-tone audiogram and DPOAE were within normal range, ABR showed prolongation of latency, and reduction of speech discrimination was recognized. MRI revealed evidence of hematoma and edema extending from the mid-dorsal aspect to the right side of the pons. Based on the findings, the patient was diagnosed to have pontine hemorrhage due to hypertension affecting the right facial nerve nucleus, right pyramidal tract, bilateral abducens nuclei, MLF, PPRF and the auditory neural pathway. Although the symptoms of pyramidal tract and auditory disorder resolved by day 19 when he was?? moved to another hospital, the other neurological symptoms were persistent.

The deterioration in the circumstances of the economy and human resources for hospitals and medical industry is now broadly recognized. We succeeded in reducing the assessed loss of the Otolaryngology Department Outpatient Clinic, which resulted in a gain of over 75% profit through the cooperation of the doctors and office staff. It was assumed that the communication and knowledge management between doctors and office staff was important. While this project was planned by a doctor, it was found that creative suggestions and ideas from office staff as professionals also had a desirable effect. It appears that the resolution of problems by establishing procedures of good communication and knowledge management leads to better quality of medical treatment and would ultimately raise awareness, resulting in a better hospital and more desirable workplace.

We have developed a process for forming an ultra-thin HfSiO"x interfacial layer (HfSiO"x-IL) for high-k gate stacks. The HfSiO"x-IL was grown by the solid-phase reaction between HfO"2 and Si-substrate performed by repeating the sequence of ALD HfO"2 deposition and RTA. The HfSiO"x-IL grown by this method enables the formation of very uniform films consisting of a few mono-layers, and the dielectric constant of the HfSiO"x-IL is about 7. The FUSI-NiSi/HfO"2 gate stacks with HfSiO"x-IL have achieved 0.6 nm EOT, a very low gate leakage currents between 1 A/cm^2 and 5x10^-^2 A/cm^2, an excellent subthreshold swing of 66mV/dec, and a high peak mobility of 160 cm^2/Vs compared to the reference samples without HfSiO"x-IL. These results indicate that the HfSiO"x-IL has a good quality compared to the SiO"2 interfacial layer grown by oxygen diffusion through HfO"2 films.

We report a case of Hunt syndrome with the primary complaint of lower cranial nerve paralysis. The patient experienced not only lower cranial nerve paralysis, but also, finally, paralysis of the facial nerve. The patient was a 68-year-old woman. She came to the hospital complaining of herpetic vesicles around the right ear and pain, vertigo, and hoarseness, but there was no facial palsy. Hydrocortisore sodium succinate and acyclovir were administered intravenously.Twelve days after, she developed right facial palsy. Prednisolone and Valaciclovir hydrochloride were orally administered. Fifty Four days after disease onset, the function of all cranial nerves recovered completely.A review of the Japanese literature revealed 44 cases of Hunt syndrome with multiple cranial nerve palarisis from 1954-2005. In our case, the development of right facial palsy occurred later than all other symptoms. The late-onset facial palsy was only 5 cases and rare.

A 3 M NaCl solution does not stimulate the trigeminal nerve in the human tongue. Objectives. In rats, the trigeminal nerve has been reported to respond when the tongue is stimulated by a solution with an NaCl concentration of 0.4 M or greater. We have attempted to clarify whether or not relatively high concentrations of NaCl stimulate the trigeminal nerves of the human tongue.We examined four patients whose bilateral chorda tympani nerves were resected during middle ear surgeries. We performed subjective tactile and taste tests. Next, we conducted objective examinations of the subjects' tactile and gustatory functions by magnetoencephalography (MEG).The subjective examination confirmed that all four subjects maintained normal tactile sensory functions in their tongues and that the gustatory sensation at their lingual apexes was totally abolished. Furthermore, the objective examination of the tactile function using MEG indicated that their brain responses to trigeminal nerve stimulations were normal. Further examination using MEG failed to produce brain responses to a 3 M NaCl solution in spite of their normally functioning trigeminal nerves. Therefore, we concluded that a 3 M NaCl solution does not stimulate the trigeminal nerve at the tip of the human tongue.

In most cases, pendular tonsils are benign. We report a 75-year-old man who presented with a pendular tonsil which was finally diagnosed as a squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil. The patient was seen with the chief complaint of a foreign body in his throat. On his first visit, a smooth-surfaced pedunculated mass protruding from the lower pole of the right palatine tonsil was observed. Biopsy of the pendular lesion revealed a squamous cell carcinoma. Extended right tonsillectomy was performed. Pathological examination of the lesion revealed squamous cell carcinomas in the pendular tonsil as well as in the palatine tonsil. At present, no recurrence has been observed and his clinical course is favorable. It is necessary to perform a histological examination for every case of pendular tonsil.

Two-dimensional faceted crystal growth of silicon from undercooled melt of Si-20 mass%Ni alloy was experimentally investigated, in which a droplet sample from 10 to 100 mg was undercooled on a single-crystal sapphire and growing crystals were observed in situ. Observed crystals were classified according to the shapes of square, wedge and irregular shapes. The growth velocity was measured for different undercooling conditions. The growth velocity of square shaped crystals was about half times smaller than that of wedge shaped crystals. The growth of square shaped crystals is regarded to be two-dimensional and it is compared with the results of two-dimensional phase-field simulations. Growth velocity in both is in good agreement and the linear kinetic coefficient is estimated to be 0.002 m/sK.

The feelings of dizziness and unsteadiness of the patients with fibromyalgia supposed specifically amplified by the hypersensitivity mechanism of CSS (central sensitivity syndrome) of them. The severity of subjective pain and physical distress according to the questionnaires were not correlated with the objective body sway on the stabilometer.Fibromyalgia manifests primarily as chronic pain of the entire body, but is also often associated with a variety of physical symptoms including dizziness and unsteadiness. This study assessed whether objective measures of body sway and unsteadiness of them are associated with their subjective dizziness findings.Subjects were 24 patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but one patient who had the past history of sudden deafness was excluded. The 23 patients were assessed by a stabilometer as the objective measures of body sway, and JFIQ (Japanese version of the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire), DHI (dizziness handicap inventory) and ABC (activities-specific balance confidence) as the subjective questionnaires.The significant correlations were shown between the scores of JFIQ and DHI, JFIQ and ABC, and DHI and ABC. Then, the body sway index of stabilometer environmental area was significantly correlated with DHI score. However, the stabilometer index was not correlated neither with JFIQ or ABC.

In this paper, a method of suppressing pulsations of compensation voltage of a voltage sag/swell compensator utilizing single-phase matrix converter is proposed. First, system configuration of proposed system and its operation are described. Next, the power loss in a damping resistor in output LC filter and the effect of the damping resistor on suppressing pulsation of compensation voltage are analyzed with transfer function. Furthermore, the effect of the output filter inductor current feedback on suppressing pulsation is also analyzed with transfer function. Finally, in the proposed system, suppressing effects are compared between two cases. One is the case connecting the damping resistor in series with the output filter capacitor and the other case using output filter inductor current feedback. As a result, experimental results demonstrate that the damping resistor has superior effect of suppressing pulsation to the output filter inductor current feedback.

Background Impaired epithelial barrier function renders the airway vulnerable to environmental triggers associated with the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. We investigated the influence of protocadherin-1 (PCDH1), a susceptibility gene for bronchial hyperresponsiveness, on airway epithelial barrier function. Methods We applied transepithelial electric resistance and dextran permeability testing to evaluate the barrier function of cultured airway epithelial cells. We studied PCDH1 function by siRNA-mediated knockdown and analyzed nasal or bronchial tissues from 16 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and nine patients with bronchial asthma for PCDH1 expression. Results PCDH1 was upregulated with the development of epithelial barrier function in cultured airway epithelial cells. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that PCDH localized to cell-cell contact sites and colocalized with E-cadherin at the apical site of airway epithelial cells. PCDH1 gene knockdown disrupted both tight and adhesion junctions. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed strong PCDH1 expression in nasal and bronchial epithelial cells; however, expression decreased in inflamed tissues sampled from patients with CRS or bronchial asthma. Dexamethasone (Dex) increased the barrier function of airway epithelial cells and increased PCDH1 expression. PCDH1 gene knockdown eradicated the effect of Dex on barrier function. Conclusion These results suggest that PCDH1 is important for airway function as a physical barrier, and its dysfunction is involved in the pathogenesis of allergic airway inflammation. We also suggest that glucocorticoids promotes epithelial barrier integrity by inducing PCDH1.

HfOxN p-channel metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) with a low threshold voltage (|Vth|) were successfully fabricated using a partially silicided (PASI) platinum gate electrode for scaled complementary MOS (CMOS). The PASI platinum (PASI-PtSi) gate electrode is composed of a monoclinic-Pt3Si phase in the vicinity of a HfOxN dielectric. The reduced silicon content of the PASI gate electrodes is effective in suppressing the Fermi-level pinning on the Hf-based gate dielectrics which induces a significant |Vth| shift in p-channel MOSFETs. It is shown that the |Vth| of HfOxN p-channel MOSFETs with the PASI-PtSi gate electrode is sufficiently low and applicable to low-standby-power devices. The mobility of the holes at 0.8 MV/cm is as high as about 90% of the universal mobility. It is concluded that the PASI technology in which the gate electrode has a reduced silicon content is useful for scaled CMOSs.

Barfin flounder and spotted halibut have been selected as target species for stock enhancement in Japan. Understanding the genetic condition of the wild stock is a principal requirement in any stock enhancement program. The genetic variability of barfin flounder and spotted halibut, and the population structure of spotted halibut were evaluated using microsatellite DNA markers (msDNA) and the control region of the mitocondrial DNA (mtDNA). Barfin flounder and spotted halibut showed high genetic variability at the msDNA level. Barfin flounder A was 16.7 and H e was 0.860; spotted halibut A n ranged from 7.7 to 10.2 and H e ranged from 0.710 to 0.774. At the mtDNA level, high haplotype (h=0.922) and low nucleotide (π=0.002) diversities were observed for barfin flounder; however, low haplotype and nucleotide diversities (h=0.603–0.620 and π=0.001–0.002), and very low haplotype and nucleotide diversities (h=0.193 and π=0.0003) were observed for spotted halibut in the north and south locations, respectively. Slight genetic differentiation among spotted halibut sampling locations was observed from the msDNA. MtDNA analyses showed genetic differentiation between north and south locations, but not within them. The designation of north-specific and south-specific management units in the future stock enhancement activities of spotted halibut is recommended.

The clinical and surgical findings of this study indicated advanced cholesteatoma in many patients with facial paralysis. The outcome of facial paralysis was good. Poor outcomes were observed in cases with petrosal cholesteatoma and in those who underwent surgeryor = 2 months after the onset of paralysis.To investigate clinical features of cholesteatoma associated with facial paralysis.Sixteen patients with facial paralysis due to middle ear cholesteatoma were reviewed. After removal of the cholesteatoma lesion, a limited area of the fallopian canal, that in which facial nerve edema or redness was evident, was opened. Incision of the epineural sheath for nerve decompression was not performed.Initial paralysis was incomplete in 11 patients (69%). The onset of paralysis was sudden in 12 patients (75%). Labyrinthine fistulae (n = 9; 56%) and bone destruction in the cranial fossa (n = 10; 63%) were frequently observed. Six patients (38%) were totally deaf due to labyrinthitis. The outcome of facial paralysis was good in 13 patients (81%). Patients who underwent surgeryor = 2 months after the onset of paralysis frequently had a poor outcome. Paralysis was not improved in two cases with petrosal cholesteatoma.

Two-dimensional faceted dendrite growth of silicon from undercooled melt of Si–6 wt%Ni alloy was experimentally investigated, in which molten alloy film from 10 to 20 μm in thickness was undercooled up to 115 K and growing dendrites were observed in situ. Both the in situ observation of dendrite morphology and the EBSP crystallographic analysis for solidified samples showed that both a 〈2 1 1〉 twin dendrite and a 〈1 0 0〉 twin-free dendrite grew in the range of undercooling from 50 to 115 K. Dendrite growth velocity was also measured for different undercooling conditions. The growth velocity of 〈2 1 1〉 dendrites was slightly larger than that of 〈1 0 0〉 dendrites. It is concluded that the upper envelope of the data provide the correct dendrite growth velocity and it is compared with that obtained by phase-field simulations. Growth velocity in both follows power relationships to undercooling and the linear kinetic coefficient is estimated to be 0.01 m/s K.

In relation to the stock enhancement program for barfin flounder, hatchery juveniles produced in 2001 were genotyped using microsatellite DNA markers (msDNA) and then released to natural waters. Subsequently, recaptured individuals, designated as ‘tentative recaptured’, were examined using msDNA. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the stock enhancement program, pairwise F ST and genic differentiation tests were used to estimate the genetic divergence between the wild samples, the hatchery broodstock, and the tentative recaptured samples. Analysis showed significant differentiation among these three groups. Pedigree determination by msDNA was used to establish the origin of the tentative recaptured individuals, in order to elucidate whether they were hatchery produced, ‘real recaptured’, or wild specimens. Wild individuals were not found. The effective population size of the real recaptured stock was very low (N e=16.6). Equal family survivability was observed between the released and real recaptured stocks, indicating that the genetic variability of the released stock was maintained in the natural environment. Future broodstock management, breeding designs, and family contribution equalization of the offspring to be released will be required in this rare species to avoid unintended genetic differentiation between the wild population and the hatchery broodstock.

Objective: To show the significance of various factors when predicting the outcome of facial nerve paralysis. Design: Retrospective chart review. Setting: Nihon University Itabashi Hospital in Tokyo. Subjects Four hundred sixty-seven patients with facial paralysis who visited the hospital within 14 days of disease onset. Methods: The failure rate of complete recovery was studied for each of these nine factors: sex, age, varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection as the cause of paralysis, initial severity of paralysis, number of days from onset of paralysis to the beginning of medical treatment, nerve excitability test (NET), stapedial reflex, lacrimal secretion, and severity of facial paralysis 1 month after onset. These factors were analyzed by logistic regression. Results: Logistic regression clarified that age, VZV infection, NET response, loss of stapedial reflex, and the state of paralysis 1 month after the onset had statistical significance for the prognosis of facial paralysis. The poor recovery rate was greater than 50% in the patients who exhibited abnormal responses on NET or failed to attain recovery to grade III or better during the 1-month period after the onset of paralysis. These findings were therefore considered as high risk factors for the prognosis. The poor recovery rate was between 25% and 50% in patients who were 50 years or older or whose initial grading of paralysis was V or worse. These findings were classified as moderate risk factors. Patients with VZV-caused paralysis and loss of stapedial reflex had poor recovery rates of below 25%, and these were classified as low risk factors. Conclusion: It is possible to predict the prognosis of facial paralysis on the basis of several clinical findings. NET response, severe initial paralysis, age 50 years or older, and, as a second-stage factor, severity of facial paralysis 1 month after the onset were found to be especially important factors for predicting the prognosis of facial paralysis.

We have measured and compared several metallic elements and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in saliva from patients with taste disorder and healthy subjects. Stimulated whole saliva was collected from 20 patients and 35 healthy subjects. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used for the determination of metallic elements in saliva. Amounts of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9 and IL-1alpha, IL-6 in saliva were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay systems. Zinc in the serum was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Our results provide evidence that levels of zinc, manganese and the amount of MMP-3 in saliva are significantly decreased in the patients with taste disorder compared to the healthy subjects; Zn (p.p.b.): healthy subjects 79.8 +/- 42.6, patients 47.22 +/- 17.1, (P < 0.001), Mn (p.p.b.): healthy subjects 4.48 +/- 2.46, patients 2.78 +/- 1.23, (P < 0.004), MMP-3 (ng/ml), healthy subjects 0.820 +/- 0.417, patients 0.594 +/- 0.179 (P < 0.01). In contrast, copper is significantly increased in the patients; Cu (p.p.b.): healthy subjects 34.5 +/- 13.5, patients 45.9 +/- 20.8 (P < 0.049). These differences may be closely related with this disease. ICP-MS is an easy and accurate instrument for measurements of salivary metallic elements and may be useful in establishing a diagnosis of taste disorder.

The authors would like to thank Ms. Adelaida L Arago, Messrs. Bienvenido Banaag and Federico Reyes for their technical assistance. The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and SEAFDEC are gratefully acknowledged for funding this study.

We analyzed microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism (mtDNA-RFLP) in two domesticated (NIFI and Israel) and four genetically improved (GIFT, GMT, FAC-selected and SEAFDEC-selected) Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) as well as five red hybrid tilapia ( Oreochromis mossambicus × O. niloticus ) stocks (BFS, FACred, NIFIred, HL, and PF) farmed in Asia. Microsatellite variation at five loci ( UNH216 , UNH172 , UNH123 , UNH147 , UNH222 ) was more informative in characterizing stock differences than the mtDNA-RFLP markers that were based only on 14 restriction morphs. Contemporary microsatellite data showed that GIFT Nile tilapia had the highest mean expected heterozygosity ( H e =0.813), while GMT had the lowest ( H e =0.666). The unselected NIFI stock and SEAFDEC-selected were genetically similar, while GMT differed significantly from the other Nile tilapia stocks. Among the red tilapias, NIFIred had the highest H e (0.715), while BFS had the lowest variability ( H e =0.567). The Taiwanese red tilapia HL and Thai NIFIred were genetically similar. Except for NIFI, most of the Nile and red tilapia stocks exhibited remarkably significant homozygote excess relative to Hardy–Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE), suggesting some degree of inbreeding. Asian Nile tilapias were more genetically diverse (pooled H e =0.791; mtDNA nucleotide divergence value d A =0.009) than the red tilapias (pooled H e =0.697; mean d A =0.004). This slight divergence between the Nile and red tilapias was also seen in the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA; F CT =0.0018) and in genetic distance and nucleotide divergence dendrograms. However, the AMOVA revealed that the greater percentage of variation (99.33%) in the total genetic diversity of the surveyed stocks is principally due to differences at the individual level and not between nor within groups. The significance of these results is that they reflect and lead to new inferences regarding the selective breeding and culture methods used in managing these farmed stocks.

A 58-year-old man presents with bilateral total ophthalmoplegia caused by malignant lymphoma in the cavernous sinuses. He reported right retrobulbar pain and diplopia; however, corticosteroid therapy was not effective. After admission, right total ophthalmoplegia progressed to bilateral involvement within a few days. From biopsy of the ethmoidal sinus and axillary lymph nodes, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was diagnosed. Chemotherapy was started immediately, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was completely remitted within 3 months. Bilateral total ophthalmoplegia also improved; however, tonic pupils became prominent in both eyes. Paraneoplastic effects of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma may be responsible for the tonic pupils.

We systematically investigated the oxygen diffusion in both amorphous and γ-Al2O3 films using 18O as a tracer and observing depth profiles by secondary ion mass spectroscopy. The oxygen diffusion coefficients for amorphous Al2O3 films were two or three orders of magnitude larger than those of the γ-Al2O3 films. The activation energies of about 1.2 eV for both films were considerably lower than those for bulk α-Al2O3. These results could be explained by the difference in Al2O3 structure: α-Al2O3 has a dense corundum structure while γ-Al2O3 has a defective spinel structure with cation site vacancies. We found that the amorphous Al2O3 films prepared by atomic layer deposition could function as a barrier layer against oxygen diffusion only within a limited range of heat treatment conditions.

The Ryukyu-ayu, Plecoglossus altivelis ryukyuensis, is an amphidromous fish that is endemic to Amami-oshima Island in southernmost Japan. Its abundance, however, has been appreciably reduced during the last two decades such that the subspecies is now considered to be endangered. The variation of the mitochondrial DNA control region was investigated among specimens of the extant populations in the eastern and western parts of Amami-oshima Island (Sumiyo Bay and Yakeuchi Bay areas, respectively), using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis in order to estimate the extent of gene flow between the two areas. Of a total of 165 fish including temporally different samples, four haplotypes were detected and each area possessed the two haplotypes. However, the common haplotypes shared between these areas were not observed, which indicates that recent gene flow has not occurred between these populations. The nucleotide divergence between populations was much higher than the nucleotide diversity within each population, and the neighbor-joining phylogram among haplotypes showed that the haplotypes are associated with their geographic area. These results suggest that the two populations of Ryukyu-ayu on Amami-oshima Island have been historically formed.

Facial palsy may cause excessive stress due to the obviousness of its manifestations. We evaluated psychological stress in patients with facial palsy.Subjects were 57 patients with Bell's palsy, 12 with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, and 11 with zoster sine herpete. Eighteen of 50 questions from the Psychological Stress Response Scale (PSRS) were selected and used to in a questionnaire completed by each patient on 2 separate occasions the first hospital visit and after recovery from facial palsy. They also completed a second bodily condition questionnaire before and after treatment.The psychological stress response score of patients with facial palsy was high on the first visit. Intermediate and high psychological stress were observed in 35% on the first visit. These psychological stress response score decreased after recovery from facial palsy. The psychological stress response of patients under 65 years of age in those over 65 years. No gender difference was seen in psychological stress response. Those with herpes zoster showed a higher psychological stress response than others and this decreased after recovery from facial palsy.Psychological stress response score of patients with facial palsy was high on the first hospital visit, suggesting that we must treat the psychological aspects of this manifestation by adequately explaining prognosis and pathology, in addition to physical therapy.

Objective: For clarification of the direct relationship between the reactivation of herpes simplex virus and the development of Bell's Palsy, a detection of the virus genome by deoxyribonucleic acid diagnostics and a quantitative analysis of its time-course change are both needed. The authors detected the HSV genome in specimens from patients with Bell's Palsy, quantified its number of copies, and examined time-course changes. Subjects and Methods: The subjects were 16 patients with Bell's Palsy. The tear fluid and saliva from the submandibular gland and the parotid gland were separately collected from the affected and unaffected sides twice or more. A total of 244 specimens were subjected to extraction of deoxyribonucleic acid, polymerase chain reaction, and microplate hybridization. Results: Herpes simplex virus-1 deoxyribonucleic acid was detected in 38 specimens (11.8%) from 5 patients (31%). The high detection (28.5%) was obtained within 2 weeks after onset. Detection at 3 weeks and later (2.8%) was significantly lower (p < 0.05). In three cases, deoxyribonucleic acid was also found on the unaffected side in the initial phase of the disease, but detection on that side (18.9%) was significantly lower than on the affected side (83.8%) (p < 0.01). The number of copies of the herpes simplex virus-1 genome was large on the affected side and early after the onset of the disease. Conclusions: The reactivation of herpes simplex virus-1 on the affected side is involved as a pathogenic factor of Bell's Palsy. A reactivation of herpes simplex virus-1 may be generated even on the unaffected side in the early phase of the disease. Herpes simplex virus deoxyribonucleic acid was not detected in any of the examined specimens collected from the remaining 11 cases. The need for constant study to clarify other causative factors of Bell's Palsy remains.

The genetic structure and variability of four wild populations of kuruma prawn in Japan were examined by estimating relatedness among individuals. The relatedness was estimated by five microsatellites (MS) DNA markers. Examination of relatedness showed that individuals were related significantly in Kumamoto and Kagoshima. In Kagoshima, some individuals showed full-sib level of relatedness. The analysis of mitochondrial (mt)DNA polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP) was also performed, showing that the closely related individuals in Kagoshima tended to share a common haplotype. It is, therefore, supposed that there are many kins in Kumamoto and Kagoshima. However, the heterozygosities and allelic and genotypic frequencies in MS-DNA analysis were not significantly different among the localities. Moreover, the haplotype distributions of mtDNA in Kumamoto and Kagoshima were significantly different from other localities. Thus, it is suggested that no spatial differentiations occurred due to the geographic or historical effects between the localities and that there is the possibility of a mixture of hatchery populations in Kumamoto and Kagoshima.

Objective To clarify the dynamics of the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus in Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Subjects and methods Varicella zoster virus DNA in the tear fluid, submandibular gland saliva, and parotid gland saliva of 15 patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome was studied. The presence of varicella zoster virus DNA was detected quantitatively by the use of polymerase chain reaction and a microplate hybridization method. Results Of 102 specimens of the tear fluid and saliva collected from 15 patients, varicella zoster virus DNA was detected in 40 specimens (39%) from 12 patients (80%). The detection rate was 72% in the submandibular saliva, 57% in the parotid saliva, and 27% in the tear fluid. Varicella zoster virus DNA was detected not only in specimens from the affected side but also in specimens from the unaffected side at the same rate of detection, and at nearly the same number of DNA copies. Regarding the parotid saliva, varicella zoster virus DNA was detected in samples collected at an early stage of the disease. In the tear fluid and submandibular saliva, however, the detection rate was high in samples collected 2 weeks after the onset of disease or later. Conclusions Secretion of varicella zoster virus DNA into the tear fluid and saliva was confirmed in the patient with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. The increase and decrease in the detection rate and the number of varicella zoster virus DNA copies detected in samples collected at different times was considered to substantiate varicella zoster virus reactivation in Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Varicella zoster virus reactivation was thought to occur in the unaffected side at the same level as in the affected side, and some of the secreted varicella zoster virus DNA was suspected to be derived from the ganglion trigeminale.

The allelic inheritance mode of microsatellite DNA markers was examined using seven copulated wild females and their offspring. Five microsatellite loci, CSPJ002*, CSPJ010*, CSPJ012*, CSPJ014*, and CSPJ015*, were used in the study. At almost all family/locus combinations, one sire was determined and distributions of genotypes in offspring were consistent with the Mendelian segregation ratio. Distributions of genotypes were consistent with the ratio after assuming a null allele at some loci. Consequently, the alleles of CSPJ002* and CSPJ012* were inherited following the Mendelian inheritance mode in every family; however, the null allele was expected in CSPJ010*, CSPJ014*, and CSPJ015* in some families. Thus, these loci should be used carefully in population genetic analysis, but siblings could be detected in the dendrograms based on unweighted pair-group method using arithmetic averages (UPMGA).

The ayu Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis, including two ecological forms (amphidoromous and landlocked), is a common and commercially important freshwater fish in Japan, whereas the endangered subspecies P. a. ryukyuensis (Ryukyu-ayu) inhabits a limited area of the Ryukyu Islands in southern Japan. The efficiency of polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis containing the entire D-loop region was examined to evaluate genetic variability and divergence in ayu populations, including the endemic two populations of the Ryukyu-ayu on the same island, and was compared with genetic data obtained from nuclear markers presented previously. The haplotype diversities (h) of the two populations of Ryukyu-ayu (0.251 and 0) were far smaller than those of the two common forms (0.766–0.928), suggesting that strong founder and/or bottleneck effects occurred in the subspecies populations. A common haplotype was not observed between the two populations of Ryukyu-ayu, suggesting little or no gene flow between them. The net nucleotide sequence divergence value (dA) between the two populations of Ryukyu-ayu (0.276%) was almost same as that between the two forms of the former subspecies (0.265%). These results almost coincided with the results derived from nuclear markers and suggest that PCR-RFLP analysis of the mitochondrial DNA D-loop region is useful for evaluating genetic variability and divergence among ayu populations.

In 96 patients who visited our hospital with glossodynia, we conducted gustatory tests, measured serum zinc and copper levels, examined lingual papillae using biomicroscopy, conducted psychological tests and investigated the effectiveness of treatments directed at the cause of dysgeusia. Gustatory test results showed that 43 (44.8%) of the patients had dysgeusia, which was mild in 62.8%, moderate in 30.2% and severe in 7.0%. By giving higher priority to treatment of dysgeusia than to glossodynia, pain disappeared or was relieved and gustatory sensation improved in 27 (62.8%) of these 43 patients. Overall, pain disappeared or was improved in 65 (67.7%) cases. When treating glossodynia, it is important to diagnose the cause of pain and to give higher priority to treating that cause. The clinical efficacy of treatment for glossodynia will be improved when the presence or absence of dysgeusia is diagnosed early in the course of treatment.

Changes in gustatory sense were investigated in 97 pregnant women and in 30 healthy, non-pregnant women who served as controls. All 97 pregnant women completed a questionnaire regarding taste changes and 32 of them underwent serial tests of gustatory function, including electrogustometry and testing with filter paper disks placed over the areas of the chorda tympani nerve and glossopharyngeal nerve. All gustatory testing was performed by the same person. In addition, serum levels of trace elements were measured in 72 of the pregnant women. Of the 97 pregnant women, 90 (92.8%) reported in the questionnaire that they had experienced some type of change in taste during pregnancy, usually a change in sour taste (59 women; 65.6%). Pregnant women had higher gustatory thresholds than non-pregnant women, with an especially marked decrease in gustatory function being noticed in the first trimester. Although serum zinc levels decreased in pregnant women between the second and third trimesters, zinc levels were in the normal range in the early stage of pregnancy. Thus, it is difficult to explain dysgeusia in the early stage of pregnancy as being associated with a deficiency of zinc. The decrease in gustatory function during the first trimester is considered to be due to the notable changes in secretion of hormones that occur during this stage.

The course of recovery from taste receptor disturbance was studied in 119 patients with moderate-to-severe taste receptor disturbance that was cured or improved with zinc therapy. Taste receptor disturbance was idiopathic in 45 patients, drug-induced in 38 and due to zinc deficiency in 36. Recovery of taste, evaluated by filter paper disk testing and electrogustometry, followed 1 of 3 patterns: (i) in 54 (45.4%) of the 119 cases, taste improved simultaneously in the anterior (innervated by the chorda tympani nerve) and posterior (innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve) portions of the tongue; (ii) in 53 (44.5%) of the cases, taste improved in the posterior portion first; and (iii) in 12 (10.1%) of the cases, taste improved in the anterior portion first. Zinc therapy was more effective in patients with the "posterior" pattern of recovery, and these patients also recovered the ability to sense sweet and bitter tastes earlier than other tastes. These results indicate that recovery of taste begins on the posterior portion of the tongue, which has an abundance of taste buds. The results of electrogustometry were not helpful in assessing recovery from taste disturbance, but testing for taste using the filter paper disk method on the posterior portion of the tongue was useful for identifying the onset of recovery.

We treated five patients with Hunter's glossitis following total gastrectomy. The major complaints of the patients were taste disorder and abnormal glossal sensation. In all five cases, the patient's tongue was red and smooth, and laboratory testing showed the presence of macrocytic anemia and decreased serum concentration of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin). Gustometry was carried out in four cases and the results documented the presence of taste disorder. All five patients were treated by administration of vitamin B12, which led to improvements in the appearance of the tongue, the patients' subjective complaints and the results of taste testing. When patients present with a red, smooth tongue, Hunter's glossitis (which can easily be improved by administration of vitamin B12) should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

We have previously reported that S-777469 [1-([6-ethyl-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-5-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carbonyl]amino)-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid], a novel cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2) agonist, significantly suppressed compound 48/80-induced scratching behavior in mice in a dose-dependent manner when it was administered orally. Here, we demonstrated that the inhibitory effects of S-777469 on compound 48/80-induced scratching behavior are reversed by pretreatment with SR144528, a CB2-selective antagonist. In addition, we investigated the effects of S-777469 on itch-associated scratching behavior induced by several pruritogenic agents in mice and rats. S-777469 significantly suppressed scratching behavior induced by histamine or substance P in mice or by serotonin in rats. In contrast, the H1-antihistamine fexofenadine clearly inhibited histamine-induced scratching behavior but did not affect scratching behavior induced by substance P or serotonin. Moreover, S-777469 significantly inhibited histamine-induced peripheral nerve firing in mice. In conclusion, these results suggest that S-777469 produces its antipruritic effects by inhibiting itch signal transmission through CB2 agonism.

Objectives: Most tracheobronchial foreign bodies in children are radiolucent, and accurate diagnosis of such foreign bodies is not always easy. This can result in delay of diagnosis or misdiagnosis of foreign body aspiration. We report the usefulness and pitfalls of use of digital subtraction fluoroscopy (DSF) to diagnose radiolucent aspirated foreign bodies in infants. Methods: From 1991 through 1999, DSF was conducted for a total of 19 patients (ranged from 11 months to 4 years and 7 months in age (mean 1.8±0.9 years)) who were suspected to have radiolucent aspirated foreign bodies. Since DSF revealed abnormal findings in a trachea or main bronchus in 18 cases, inspection was performed for foreign body bronchofiberscopically. In the one remaining case, no abnormality was recognized on DSF, but since the symptoms at the time of onset strongly suggested aspirated foreign body, bronchofiberscopy was also performed. Results: Foreign body was verified bronchoscopically in 13 of 19 cases, and all 13 (100%) had abnormal findings on DSF, including obstruction of the trachea in two, obstruction of the bronchial lumen in nine, and indistinct visualization of the bronchial lumen in two. Bronchial stenosis was verified bronchoscopically in five of the remaining six cases, including mucus plug in three, granuloma in one and mucosal edema in one case. All five patients (100%) had abnormal findings on DSF, including obstruction of the bronchial lumen in four and indistinct visualization of the bronchial lumen in one. In the one remaining patient with normal findings of DSF, no foreign body or pathological bronchial changes were noted. Conclusions: DSF was very sensitive in the diagnosis of foreign body aspiration and stenotic changes in the bronchial lumen. However, its diagnostic specificity for aspirated foreign body itself was not high (17%). Therefore, when abnormalities are found on DSF, we recommend to perform flexible bronchofiberscopy initially under general anesthesia via a tracheal tube. When a foreign body is verified, rigid ventilation bronchoscopy is successively performed to retrieve the foreign body.

We studied the postoperative stability of canal wall down tympanoplasty with canal reconstruction for middle ear cholesteatoma with preoperative otorrhea.155 ears with middle ear cholesteatoma treated with canal wall down tympanoplasty with canal reconstruction were evaluated retrospectively. A comparison was made between the group of 80 ears which showed otorrhea, preoperatively, and the group of 75 without preoperative otorrhea. Problems observed in the tympanic membrane or reconstructed external auditory canal were evaluated both at the postoperative initial stage and more than 1 year after surgery. Postoperative hearing prognosis was also studied.1) In the postoperative initial stage, local infection and necrosis of materials for canal reconstruction were significantly more likely to be observed in ears with preoperative otorrhea. 2) In ears with postoperative local infection, necrosis of materials for canal reconstruction occurred more frequently, and the period until drying of the reconstructed external auditory canal was significantly extended. 3) No significant difference was seen in postoperative status of the tympanic membrane and reconstructed ear canal at least 1 year after surgery. 4) The presence of preoperative otorrhea had no influence on hearing prognosis.When canal wall down tympanoplasty with canal reconstruction is used for ears with preoperative otorrhea, careful attention should be paid to local treatment at the postoperative initial stage. However, no significant problem occurred in the outcome of preoperative ear draining at least 1 year after surgery.

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