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A realistically shaped three-dimensional single-neuron model was constructed for each of four principal cell types in the neocortex in order to infer their contributions to magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG) signals. For each cell, the soma was stimulated and the resulting intracellular current was used to compute the current dipole Q for the whole cell or separately for the apical and basal dendrites. The magnitude of Q is proportional to the magnetic field and electrical potential far from the neuron. A train of spikes and depolarization shift in an intracellular burst discharge were seen as spikes and an envelope in Q for the layer V and layer II/III pyramidal cells. The stellate cells lacked the envelope. As expected, the pyramidal cells produced a stronger Q than the stellate cells. The spikes produced by the layer V pyramidal cells (n = 4) varied between −0.78 and 2.97 pA m with the majority of the cells showing a current toward the pia (defined as positive). The basal dendrites, however, produced considerable spike currents. The magnitude and direction of dipole moment are in agreement with the distribution of the dendrites. The spikes in Q for the layer V pyramidal cells were produced by the transient sodium conductance and potassium conductance of delayed rectifier type; the conductances distributed along the dendrites were capable of generating spike propagation, which was seen in Q as the tail of a triphasic wave lasting several milliseconds. The envelope was similar in magnitude (−0.41 to −0.90 pA m) across the four layer V pyramidal cells. The spike and envelope for the layer II/III pyramidal cell were 0.47 and −0.29 pA m, respectively; these values agreed well with empirical and theoretical estimates for guinea pig CA3 pyramidal cells. Spikes were stronger for the layer IV spiny stellate (0.27 pA m) than the layer III aspiny stellate cell (0.06 pA m) along their best orientations. The spikes may thus be stronger than has been previously thought. The Q for a population of stellate cells may be weaker than a linear sum of their individual Q values due to their variable dendritic geometry. The burst discharge by pyramidal cells may be detectable with MEG and EEG when 10 000–50 000 cells are synchronously active.

Immunotherapy using T-cell epitope peptides or CpG DNA conjugated with allergenic protein is useful, although the mechanisms of these therapies differ. However, the combination of CpG DNA and peptide, but not protein, had not been documented. Therefore, we investigated CpG DNA conjugated with peptide to obtain positive synergistic effects. In the first experiment, mice were vaccinated with a conjugate of CpG DNA and Cry j 2 T-cell epitope peptide p246-259 (CpG-peptide); a mixture of CpG DNA and peptide (CpG+peptide); peptide alone, or PBS alone, and immunized with Cry j 2. In the second experiment, mice were immunized with Cry j 2 and injected with CpG-peptide, CpG+peptide, peptide only, or PBS only. In both experiments, Cry j 2-specific IgE, IL-4, and IL-5 were significantly lower in mice given CpG-peptide, versus those given CpG+peptide, peptide alone, or PBS alone. However, IgG2a, IgG2b and IFN-gamma did not increase in mice injected with CpG-peptide. In the third experiment, CpG-peptide significantly attenuated nasal symptoms (sneezing and nasal rubbing) compared to CpG+peptide, peptide alone, or PBS alone. Mice were also injected with a conjugate of CpG DNA and Cry j 2 protein (CpG-Cry j 2) or CpG-peptide to compare prime responses. Mice vaccinated with CpG-Cry j 2 generated Cry j 2-specific IgG1, whereas those vaccinated with CpG-peptide did not produce IgG1. This study demonstrated, for the first time, that immunotherapy with CpG DNA conjugated with a T-cell peptide is useful in preventing and treating allergic conditions.

The Atlantic thermohaline circulation (THC) is an important part of the earth's climate system. Previous research has shown large uncertainties in simulating future changes in this critical system. The simulated THC response to idealized freshwater perturbations and the associated climate changes have been intercompared as an activity of World Climate Research Program (WCRP) Coupled Model Intercomparison Project/Paleo-Modeling Intercomparison Project (CMIP/PMIP) committees. This intercomparison among models ranging from the earth system models of intermediate complexity (EMICs) to the fully coupled atmosphere–ocean general circulation models (AOGCMs) seeks to document and improve understanding of the causes of the wide variations in the modeled THC response. The robustness of particular simulation features has been evaluated across the model results. In response to 0.1-Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) freshwater input in the northern North Atlantic, the multimodel ensemble mean THC weakens by 30% after 100 yr. All models simulate some weakening of the THC, but no model simulates a complete shutdown of the THC. The multimodel ensemble indicates that the surface air temperature could present a complex anomaly pattern with cooling south of Greenland and warming over the Barents and Nordic Seas. The Atlantic ITCZ tends to shift southward. In response to 1.0-Sv freshwater input, the THC switches off rapidly in all model simulations. A large cooling occurs over the North Atlantic. The annual mean Atlantic ITCZ moves into the Southern Hemisphere. Models disagree in terms of the reversibility of the THC after its shutdown. In general, the EMICs and AOGCMs obtain similar THC responses and climate changes with more pronounced and sharper patterns in the AOGCMs.

[ 1] As part of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, integrations with a common design have been undertaken with eleven different climate models to compare the response of the Atlantic thermohaline circulation ( THC) to time-dependent climate change caused by increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration. Over 140 years, during which the CO2 concentration quadruples, the circulation strength declines gradually in all models, by between 10 and 50%. No model shows a rapid or complete collapse, despite the fairly rapid increase and high final concentration of CO2. The models having the strongest overturning in the control climate tend to show the largest THC reductions. In all models, the THC weakening is caused more by changes in surface heat flux than by changes in surface water flux. No model shows a cooling anywhere, because the greenhouse warming is dominant.

Eustachian tube dysfunctions of patulous eustachian tube frequently cause full sensation of the ear, own breathing heard andlor autophony. However, detailed mechanism ofthe symptoms is still unknown and little treatment is used for this condition. We develop a new treatment with use of adhesive tape of Steri-Strip, putting it on the eardrum. Ear fullness improved immediately in 86%. own brrathing heard in 44% and autophony in 33% of the patients. Long-term relief was achieved in 36 (63%) patients after repeated treatments, but symptoms recurred in 1 I (37%) patients whenever the tape peeled off. Our new treatment is effective mostly patients with mild and moderate condition.

We present a rare case of bilateral cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) otorrhea via multiple bony defects in the left tegmen and a single defect with the herniated brain tissue on the right side. Initially, the patient complained of left hearing loss and fullness and was diagnosed with serous otitis media. After myringotomy, the pulsating watery discharge suggested CSF otorrhea. Five months after surgical repair of the left side, right-side CSF leakage occurred. The right side was repaired surgically, and the patient recovered without incident. From our findings and a review of the literature, we postulate that bilateral CSF otorrhea resulted mainly from the thinness of the tegmen because of well-pneumatized mastoid air cells and the weakness of the dura after chronic inflammatory changes. In case of spontaneous CSF otorrhea, the roof of tegmen should be assessed bilaterally with care using radiologic examinations so as not to overlook a subclinical condition on the contralateral side.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of acyclovir and prednisolone in relation to the timing of treatment in Bell's palsy. Study design This was a retrospective study of 480 Bell's palsy patients who were treated with oral acyclovir and prednisolone (94 cases) or prednisolone alone (386 cases). Patients Patients met the after criteria: (1) severe or complete Bell's palsy with a score lower than 20 on the 40-point Yanagihara facial score and (2) treatment started within 7 days after onset. The patients were treated with oral prednisolone (60-40 mg/day) with or without oral acyclovir (2,000 mg/day). Main outcome measure Rate of recovery, which was defined as a facial score of 36 or more, and the absence of contracture with synkinesis. Results The overall recovery rate of patients treated with acyclovir and prednisolone was 95.7 percent, which was better than that of patients treated with prednisolone alone (88.6%). The recovery rate in patients who began the combined therapy within 3 days of the onset of palsy was 100 percent and early treatment resulted in early remission. In contrast, the recovery rate in patients who started the combined therapy more than 4 days after onset was 86.2 percent. Conclusion These results suggest that early diagnosis and treatment within 3 days of the onset of paralysis are necessary for maximal efficacy of combined acyclovir and prednisolone therapy for Bell's palsy.

A mathematical model was used to analyse the contributions of different types of ionic currents in the pyramidal cells of longitudinal CA3 slices to the magnetic fields and field potentials generated by this preparation. Murakami et al. recently showed that a model based on the work of Traub et al. provides a quantitatively accurate account of the basic features of three types of empirical data (magnetic fields outside the slice, extracellular field potentials within the slice and intracellular potentials within the pyramidal neurons) elicited by stimulations of the soma and apical dendrites. This model was used in the present study to compute the net current dipole moment (Q) due to each of the different voltage- and ligand-gated channels in the cells in the presence of fast GABAA inhibition. These values of Q are proportional to the magnetic field and electrical potential far away from the slice. The intrinsic conductances were found to be more important than the synaptic conductances in determining the shape and magnitude of Q. Among the intrinsic conductances, the sodium (gNa) and delayed-rectifier potassium (gK(DR)) channels were found to produce sharp spikes. The high-threshold calcium channel (gCa) and C-type potassium channel (gK(C)) primarily determined the overall current waveforms. The roles of gCa and gK(C) were independent of small perturbations in these channel densities in the apical and basal dendrites. A combination of gNa, gK(DR), gCa, and gK(C) accounted for most of the evoked responses, except for later slow components, which were primarily due to synaptic channels.

We have improved DUV laser reticle inspection system LM7000 for 90 nm technology node devices. To increase inspection sensitivity, we developed a reflected light inspection as a supplementary method to transmittance light inspection. We have also strengthened inspection algorithm to distinguish between real defects and very small features from optical proximity effect correction (OPC). Finally, we have improved reference image for die to database inspection. With the merit of short wavelength of LM7000 (266 nm), the inspection sensitivity of the high-transmittance half-tone phase shift mask (HTPSM) does not deteriorated so severely compared to that of binary mask. With the help of these series of improvements, LM7000 could shows inspection capability for OPC masks and HTPSM for ArF lithography. The inspection capability of LM7000 was proved with the programmed defect masks and printability experiment using ArF scanner.

The classification system of the Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) is currently used to evaluate postoperative hearing results. This system is suitable for evaluating patients who have useful preoperative hearing of class A or B. However, the system is not suitable for evaluating patients who have poor hearing of class C or D. To evaluate both patients with good and those with poor preoperative hearing, we propose the following new evaluation system. Unchanged: postoperative hearing change is less than 15 dB-15%. Improved: postoperative hearing is improved more than 20 dB-20%. Worse: postoperative hearing is decreased more than 20 dB-20%.

Semiconductor industry still inspect reticle with the i-line wavelength and ITRS indicates only minimum defect size corresponds to 20 percent of the pattern size on mask in the same light. Currently defect definition, however, varies from the fixed minimum defect size to non-printable-maximum defect size due to increased reticle cost. This paper provides an investigation of requirements of current inspection system 193nm lithography. The lines and contact holes patterns were also investigated by both simulation and experiment. The printability of defects was observed under the various circumstances such as pitch variation and transmission of halftone film. From the defect printability study we found that defect printability behave non-linearly as the exposure condition varies and the size defect should be treated importantly as the ArF lithography extends till 70nm era. It is also understood that there is a possibility to miss the important meaning of the size defects from the simple definition of reticle defect. From the analysis of various types of defects and exposure conditions we suggested detail level of inspection sensitivity that new reticle inspection system should be ready.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) has been proven to be a cause of Bell's palsy; however, the underlying pathophysiology of the facial nerve paralysis is not fully understood. We established a mouse model with facial nerve paralysis induced by HSV-1 infection simulating Bell's palsy and investigated the pathophysiology of the facial nerve paralysis. The time course of the R1 latency in the blink reflex tests paralleled the recovery of the facial nerve paralysis well, whereas electroneurographic recovery tended to be delayed, compared to that of the paralysis; these responses are usually seen in Bell's palsy. On histopathologic analysis, intact, demyelinated, and degenerated nerves were intermingled in the facial nerve in the model. The similarity of the time course of facial nerve paralysis and the electrophysiological results in Bell's palsy and the model strongly suggest that the pathophysiological basis of Bell's palsy is a mixed lesion of various nerve injuries.

In this study, horizontal semicircular canal of the pigeon was inserted with a microfill, 164 micrometers in outer diameter, to gauge the pressure change in the canal and to clarify two things. One is whether the endolymph passes through the crista ampullaris or not. The other is as to the space where the endolymph passes through in the crista ampullaris if the endolymph goes through the crista. The pressure applications were performed by using Evans blue solution and as a result three pressure groups, i.e., 1) high, 2) moderate and 3) low were discriminated. Our results suggest that the endolymphatic fluid passes through the subcupular space or the top of the crista ampullaris when the pressure is enough small like the head rotates in daily life. Accordingly we present a new hypothesis as to the functional anatomy of the cupula in contrast to current hypotheses e.g. drum membrane or revolving door.

Granular cell tumour is a rare neoplasm that can occur in various sites. This report describes a 48-year-old female with a malignant granular cell tumour originating from the cervical sympathetic nerve trunk, who presented with hyperaesthesia of the left shoulder. The tumour had a maximum diameter of 86 mm and involved adjacent tissues directly. Histopathologically, it showed considerable variation in the size and shape of nuclei, with occasional mitosis and an abundant granular cytoplasm. Immunohistochemically, the tumour reacted positively for S-100 protein and neuron-specific enolase, indicating its neural origin. Following total local excision of the lesion, the patient has been well without recurrence.

The prompt progress of photomask pattern shrinking leads to the overlooking for significant defects. To improve the defect detection performance, patterns must be observed thoroughly at first. These observations are also important for a total diagnostic of the lithography process. Our developing reticle inspection machine LM5000 is very suitable for such analyses. With LM5000, users are able to point any positions on the reticle very easily, view the images, measure the lengths or widths of the patterns, and the intensity at each pixel. Users are also able to apply various image processing algorithms. To follow the growth of the semiconductor processes, inspection algorithms should be developed within very short terms. LM5000 adopts a special image processing core consisted of IMAP. It has strong processing power of a super computer class, and it is programmable even by a C-like language. Libraries for development include most of the standard image processing functions. Its flexibility helps us for reducing the development periods of the new algorithms. In this presentation, the functions of the user interface of LM5000 are displayed as a mask analyzing tool, and the effects of the IMAP processing is explained.

T2Rs comprise a G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily that contains functionally defined bitter taste receptors. Here we report the tissue expressions and coding single-nucleotide polymorphisms (cSNPs) in human T2R genes (hT2R3, hT2R4, and hT2R5) on chromosome 7q31. We first demonstrated that hT2R3, hT2R4, and hT2R5 are actually expressed in the circumvallate papillae of the human tongue by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We identified six cSNPs within the T2R receptor genes. The hT2R4 and hT2R5 contained four and one cSNPs that cause missense mutations, respectively, while hT2R3 included one silent nucleotide mutation. However, we could not find any nonsense mutations that resulted in a frameshift or a premature stop codon within the open reading frames. Genotype frequencies of each cSNP were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. The identification of nucleotide diversity and amino acid polymorphisms in human T2R receptors could help clarify individual differences in the acceptability and sensitivity to bitter compounds.

The authors report on a patient with a greater superficial petrosal nerve neurinoma. The patient developed severe acute facial palsy and the palsy improved soon after removal of the tumor. We review of the literature and describe its rarity and surgical treatment with regard to other facial nerve neurinomas originating from the main trunk of the facial nerve.

In a retrospective study, 52 children were diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. The facial palsy was milder and complete recovery of the function was achieved in 78.6% of patients. Associated cranial neuropathies were less common in children than in adults. The timing of vesicle appearance tended to be delayed in children. In preschool children, Ramsay Hunt syndrome was rare, although the frequency has recently increased. The syndrome is relatively common in older children. This study suggested that vaccination can prevent or reduce the occurrence of Ramsay Hunt syndrome.

Many have reported on the effectiveness of laser surgery therapy for perennial allergic rhinitis. However, the suppressive effects of laser irradiation on allergic rhinitis and its symptoms have not been reported in patients with pollinosis. This is because therapeutic effects on pollinosis are difficult to evaluate. The amount of pollen in the air varies during the year, and from year to year. Also, allergic symptoms develop due to exposure to the amount of pollen which is markedly influenced by the weather. In this study, the severity of allergic symptoms in the pollen season was compared between patients treated with early medication, non-treated patients and patients treated with preseasonal contact Nd: YAG laser surgery. Results suggests that laser surgery was effective in reducing the severity of symptoms in patients with cedar pollinosis. Symptoms were milder in the laser group than in the medication group and non-treated group for 3-4 weeks after the start of seasonal pollinosis, although no differences were noted in the early weeks. This may be explained by the fact that laser irradiation reduces the lamina propria of the nasal mucosa, the site of allergic reactions. This also suggests that allergic pollen can't penetrate the mucosal surface which shows squamous epithelization after laser irradiation.

Exogenous basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has been shown to prevent death of injured cholinergic neurons and stimulate neurite outgrowth from the proximal stump of the transected sciatic nerve. The present study was designed to examine the role of endogenous bFGF, rather than exogenous bFGF in the regenerative process of the transected facial nerve of guinea pig, by using the so-called silicone tubulization model which enabled us to bridge the transected facial nerve with a silicone tube and to inject into the tube bFGF-neutralizing antibody, normal IgG, saline, or platelet factor 4 (an antagonist for bFGF receptor). Under light microscopy, treatment with bFGF-neutralizing antibody caused significant decreases in vascular number, vascular area, and regenerating axons in the middle point of regeneration chambers at the third week after facial nerve transection, even though electron microscopy revealed that the bFGF-neutralizing antibody increased the number of thin axons with caliber smaller than 1 micrometer. Treatment with platelet factor 4 exhibited similar but more conspicuous effects on facial nerve regeneration. These findings suggest that endogenous bFGF not only facilitates angiogenesis within the transected facial nerve but also acts as a neurotrophic agent during facial nerve regeneration; it appears that endogenous bFGF contributes to the enlargement of axon caliber and increases the number of relatively large caliber axons.

Patients with zoster sine herpete and Ramsay Hunt syndrome without pathognomonic vesicles at the initial visit are often misdiagnosed with Bell's palsy and treated without antiviral agents. With PCR, we found that varicella zoster virus genomes were frequently detectable in auricular skin exudate from patients with zoster sine herpete or Ramsay Hunt syndrome before the appearance of vesicles.

Protrusion of the receiver-stimulator of a cochlear implant or a piezoelectric implantable hearing aid (IHA) was masked using bone dust applied in the gap between the receiver and the surrounding bone, making a smooth transitional border. The bone dust was then fixed with fibrin glue. Bone pâté (a mixture of bone dust and fibrin glue) was also used to fix the lead wire of a cochlear implant at the region of the posterior tympanotomy and to fasten an IHA vibrator holder to the temporal bone. Over the past two years, the use of these techniques in six patients with cochlear implants and two patients with IHAs has resulted in gratifying results; the edge of the receiver remained flush in all cases. They have been free from problems such as infection of the wound, necrosis of the overlying skin, and protrusion or migration of the receiver.

Although the antiviral agent acyclovir is currently used for the treatment of Ramsay Hunt syndrome, its effects on facial nerve and hearing recovery remain controversial. We retrospectively analyzed the effects of acyclovir-prednisone treatment in 80 Ramsay Hunt patients. Of 28 patients for whom treatment was begun within 3 days of the onset of facial paralysis, the recovery from paralysis was complete in 21 (75%). By comparison, of 23 patients for whom treatment was begun more than 7 days after onset, recovery from facial paralysis was complete in only 7 (30%). A significant difference in facial nerve recovery was found between these groups. Early administration of acyclovir-prednisone was proved to reduce nerve degeneration by nerve excitability testing. Hearing recovery also tended to be better in patients with early treatment. There was no significant difference in facial nerve outcome between intravenous and oral acyclovir treatment.

Based on the analysis of the operative findings in 97 temporal bone fractures with respect to location, site of injury to the facial nerve and associated damage, we propose a new classification of the temporal bone fracture, using types 1, 2, 3 and 4, as previously described. Three-dimensional helical CT is valuable for assessment of fracture type. The incidence of each fracture type and the site of the injury to the facial nerve are described and the surgical significance of the classification is discussed.

We have been the first to succeed in producing an acute and transient facial paralysis simulating Bell's palsy, by inoculating herpes simplex virus into the auricles or tongues of mice. The KOS strain of the virus was injected into the auricle of 104 mice and the anterior two thirds of the tongue in 30 mice. Facial paralysis developed between 6 and 9 days after virus inoculation, continued for 3 to 7 days, and then recovered spontaneously. The animals were painlessly sacrificed between 6 and 20 days after inoculation for histopathologic and immunocytochemical study. Histopathologically, severe nerve swelling, inflammatory cell infiltration, and vacuolar degeneration were manifested in the affected facial nerve and nuclei. Herpes simplex virus antigens were also detected in the facial nerve, geniculate ganglion, and facial nerve nucleus. The pathophysiologic mechanisms of the facial paralysis are discussed in light of the histopathologic findings, in association with the causation of Bell's palsy.

Sensory input is essential for the normal development of sensory centers in the brain, such as the somatosensory, visual, auditory, and olfactory systems. Visual deprivation during a specific developmental stage, called the critical period, results in severe and irreversible functional impairments in the primary visual cortex. Olfactory deprivation in the early postnatal period also causes significant developmental defects in the olfactory bulb, the primary center for olfaction. Olfactory bulb interneurons are continuously generated from neural stem cells in the ventricular-subventricular zone, suggesting that the olfactory system has plasticity even in adulthood. Here, we investigated the effect of transient neonatal olfactory deprivation on the addition of interneurons to the glomerular layer of the adult mouse olfactory bulb. We found that the addition of one subtype of interneurons was persistently inhibited even after reopening the naris. BrdU pulse-chase experiments revealed that the neonatal olfactory deprivation predominantly affected an early phase in the maturation of this neuronal subtype in the olfactory bulb. Subjecting the mice to odor stimulation for 6 weeks after naris reopening resulted in significant recovery from the histological and functional defects caused by the olfactory deprivation. These results suggest that a subtype-specific critical period exists for olfactory bulb neurogenesis, but that this period is less strict and more plastic compared with the critical periods for other systems. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms of postnatal neurogenesis and a biological basis for the therapeutic effect of olfactory training.

Hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis was carried out in 20 adult guinea pigs. Electromyographic responses of orbicularis oculi muscle evoked by blink reflex were recorded 2, 4, and 6 months after surgery. Then the anastomotic site was reopened, and a segment of buccal branch and the anastomotic trunk were resected for detailed histologic study. Regenerated axons were counted and the cross-sectional area of axons and fasciculi was measured. Data obtained from both blink reflex measurement and histologic study demonstrate a good quality of regeneration of the facial nerve from the hypoglossal nerve completed 6 months after the operation. In addition a new nerve bundle was regenerated from the proximal stump of the facial nerve connecting to the anastomotic site in 80% of the animals. Postoperative change in innervation pattern of the facial nerve was also illustrated.

We report three cases of small intracanalicular acoustic tumor with sudden hearing loss (SHL). The tumors were totally removed through the middle cranial fossa approach, preserving both the facial and cochlear nerves between one and four months after the onset of deafness. From one to three months postoperatively hearing has improved significantly. Hearing improvement in acoustic tumor surgery is a new aspect to be studied more in the future. Although the data are insufficient to draw broad conclusions, surgical removal of small acoustic tumors is rational to improve hearing, reduce or eliminate tinnitus and prevent recurrent attacks of deafness or vertigo. Factors relevant to postoperative hearing improvement are considered.

Synkinesis is the most troublesome and common sequela seen in the recovery course of facial nerve palsy. However, no appropriate treatment has been developed so far. We used selective neurectomy on two patients with synkinesis and obtained good results; this technique has often been utilized for hemifacial spasm.

We reported the innervation pattern of the extratemporal ramification of the facial nerve in man at the VI International Symposium in the Facial Nerve. By further investigation, we obtained additional information on the innervation pattern.

For the last 20 years we have used the standardized electrodiagnostic tests to assess grade of nerve injury and prognosis of facial palsy. The tests involve (1) conventional nerve excitability test, (2) strength-duration curve testing at the orbicularis oris, orbicularis oculi, and frontalis muscle and (3) evoked compound muscle action potential of the orbicularis oris and oculi muscle. The test battery was applied to more than 2000 patients with conditions including Bell’s palsy, Hunt’s syndrome, traumatic facial palsy, facial palsy due to otitis media, and other intratemporal facial palsies. Reliability, advantages, and disadvantages of each test are described. We emphasize the importance of a battery test for evaluation of prognosis of facial palsy due to different etiologies.

Using evoked electromyography, Nishimura and Yanagihara [2] found that the orbicularis oris muscle in the vicinity of the midline was innervated by bilateral facial nerves. Figure la shows the evoked electromyograms (EMG) of the orbicularis oris muscle in a normal adult.

A simple and rapid diagnostic assay system was developed for detecting and identifying human alpha-herpesviruses, such as herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 and varicella-zoster virus, by polymerase chain reaction. This system was based on an amplification step, using primers that bind the DNA polymerase consensus sequence of alpha-human herpesviruses, and a detection step, using non-radioactive virus-specific probes. This method could be used to amplify any human alpha-herpesviruses, and each virus-specific probe was highly specific for identification of the amplified product. This system is readily applicable for implementation in the clinical laboratory.