Detection of fast neuronal signals in the motor cortex from functional near infrared spectroscopy measurements using independent component analysis

Fast changes, in the range of milliseconds, in the optical properties of cerebral tissue are associated with brain activity and can be detected using non-invasive near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). These changes are assumed to be caused by changes in the light scattering properties of the neuronal tissue. The aim of this study was to develop highly sensitive data analysis algorithms to detect this fast signal, which is small compared with other physiological signals. A frequency-domain tissue oximeter, whose laser diodes were intensity modulated at 110 MHz, was used. The amplitude, mean intensity and phase of the modulated optical signal were measured at a sample rate of 96 Hz. The probe, consisting of four crossed source detector pairs was placed above the motor cortex, contralateral to the hand performing a tapping exercise consisting of alternating rest and tapping periods of 20 s each. An adaptive filter was used to remove the arterial pulsatility from the optical signals. Independent component analysis allowed further separation of a signal component containing the fast signal. In nine out of 14 subjects, a significant fast neuronal signal related to the finger tapping was found in the intensity signals. In the phase signals, indications of the fast signal were found in only two subjects.

Polysomnographic effects of nasal surgery for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea

OBJECTIVE

It has been hypothesized that nasal obstruction causes an increase in negative pressure in the upper airway and induces an inspiratory collapse at the pharyngeal level. We used portable polysomnography (PSG) to assess the efficacy of nasal surgery for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We reviewed 21 patients who presented with nasal obstruction and snoring. Septal surgery with or without inferior turbinectomy was performed. Each patient was assessed pre- and postoperatively using PSG. We measured the respiratory distress index (RDI), apnea index (AI), oxygen saturation index (OSI) and the duration of snoring. Selection criteria were an RDI of > 15 as determined by PSG and clinical nasal obstruction and a deviated nasal septum as determined by physical examination.

RESULTS

Nasal surgery had the following effects: RDI decreased from 39 to 29 (p = 0.0001), AI decreased from 19 to 16 (p = 0.0209), OSI decreased from 48 to 32 (p = 0.0001) and the duration of snoring decreased from 44% to 39% (p = 0.1595). Snoring and OSA were completely relieved in 4 patients (19%) who did not require any additional surgical therapy.

CONCLUSION

Snoring and OSA may be corrected merely by septal surgery in some patients, and secondary surgery (uvulopalatoplasty) may be considered after a thorough evaluation by means of postoperative PSG.

Large bowel obstruction caused by sclerosing peritonitis: contrast-enhanced CT findings

Sclerosing peritonitis (SP) is a rare but serious complication of chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). SP is characterized by thickening of the peritoneum that encloses some or all of the small intestine. However, the early clinical features of SP are non-specific and are often not recognized until the patient develops complications. The most common complications of SP appear to be partial or complete small bowel obstruction, small bowel necrosis, and enterocutaneous fistulae, all of which, necessitate surgical intervention and have high mortality rates. Although the CT findings of SP are well recognized, to our knowledge, large bowel obstruction due to SP without peritoneal change have not been reported. We report a case of large bowel obstruction due to peritoneal sclerosis following long-term CAPD.

Primary clear cell sarcoma of bone

Clear cell sarcoma is a rare soft tissue sarcoma of young adults with melanocytic differentiation. It occurs predominantly in the soft tissue of extremities, typically involving tendons and aponeuroses. Primary clear cell sarcoma of bone is extremely rare. We report a case of primary clear cell sarcoma of the right first metatarsal in a 48-year-old woman and provide a literature review of the entity.

Antioxidant activity from the stem bark of Albizzia julibrissin

The antioxidant activity of the stem bark from Albizzia julibrissin was evaluated for its potential to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, to inhibit the generation of the hydroxyl radical (*OH), total reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to scavenge authentic peroxynitrites (ONOO-). The methanol extract of A. julibrissin exhibited strong antioxidant activity in the tested model systems. Therefore, it was further fractionated using several solvents. The antioxidant activity of the individual fractions were in the order of ethyl acetate (EtOAc) > n-butanol (n-BuOH) > dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) > and water (H2O). The ethyl acetate soluble fraction, which exhibited strong antioxidant activity, was further purified by repeated silicagel, Sephadex LH-20 and RP-18 gel column chromatography. Sulfuretin (1) and 3',4',7-trihydroxyflavone (2) were isolated as the active principles. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited good activity in all tested model systems. Compound 1 exhibited five times more inhibitory activity on the total ROS than Trolox. Compound 2 showed six times stronger DPPH radical scavenging activity than L-ascorbic acid. These results show the possible antioxidant activity of the A. julibrissin crude extract and its major constituents.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease with papulopustular skin manifestations

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease commonly presents with cervical lymphadenopathy accompanied by fever, myalgia, neutropaenia, and rarely cutaneous eruption. Most cutaneous lesions present as erythematous macules, papules, plaques, nodules, or ulcers on the upper part of the body such as trunk, upper extremities, and face. We present a case of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease with a papulopustular eruption on the whole body including the lower extremities.

Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor and its ligands in chronic sinusitis

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) system plays a crucial role in mucus production in vitro and in rats. However, the role of the EGF-R system in humans is not known. We compared the localization of EGF-R and its ligands (epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor alpha) in the epithelia of sinuses with chronic sinusitis and in those of healthy controls. Immunohistochemical techniques were employed to identify the presence of EGF-R and its ligands in the sinus mucosa. We found EGF-R in goblet cells, basal cells, and submucosal gland cells, but not in ciliated cells. Immunoreactivity for both epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor alpha was found in the epithelial cells and inflammatory cells and in some submucosal gland cells. There was stronger staining of EGF-R and its ligand proteins in chronic sinusitis specimens than in controls. The interrelated localization of EGF-R and its ligands suggests a role in mucus production in the epithelium of the sinus mucosa.

Indications of neutrino oscillation in a 250 km long-baseline experiment

The K2K experiment observes indications of neutrino oscillation: a reduction of nu(mu) flux together with a distortion of the energy spectrum. Fifty-six beam neutrino events are observed in Super-Kamiokande (SK), 250 km from the neutrino production point, with an expectation of 80.1(+6.2)(-5.4). Twenty-nine one ring mu-like events are used to reconstruct the neutrino energy spectrum, which is better matched to the expected spectrum with neutrino oscillation than without. The probability that the observed flux at SK is explained by statistical fluctuation without neutrino oscillation is less than 1%.

Sparganosis presenting as a lateral neck mass

BACKGROUND

Cervical sparganosis is rare, and its rarity makes it difficult to be distinguished from tumors. A case of cervical sparganosis is reported.

METHODS AND RESULTS

An 80-year-old man was initially seen with a painless lateral neck mass for 3 months, which was initially diagnosed as cervical lymphadenopathy. Laboratory studies revealed eosinophilia, and the patient recalled that he had frequently taken mountain water. Serologic study of human sparganosis by a monoclonal antibody-based competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was positive. Surgical excision was performed, and the sparganosis was confirmed by histologic examination.

CONCLUSIONS

Sparganosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue tumors, especially among patients who have frequently ingested mountain water and consumed raw snakes or frogs.

Antioxidant principles from the needles of red pine,Pinus densi?ora

Antioxidant activity of Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. (Pinaceae) was evaluated for potential to inhibit hydroxyl radicals, inhibit total reactive oxygen species generation in kidney homogenates using 2',7'-dichlorodihydro fluorescein diacetate (DCHF-DA) and scavenge authentic peroxynitrites. The methanolic extract of P. densiflora showed strong antioxidant activity in the tested model systems and thus fractionated with several solvents. The antioxidant activity potential of the individual fraction was in the order of ethyl acetate > n-butanol > water > dichloromethane fraction. The ethyl acetate soluble fraction exhibiting strong antioxidant activity was further puri fi ed by repeated silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies. An active lignan (+)-isolarisiresinol xylopyranoside, as well as two active flavonoids [kaempferol 3-O-beta-galactopyranoside and its 6"-acetyl derivative], were isolated.

A case of Trichosporon cutaneum folliculitis and septicaemia

Trichosporon cutaneum, a saprophytic fungal organism normally found in the soil, has been increasingly recognized as a cause of life-threatening systemic illness in immunosuppressed patients including those with leukaemia. Cutaneous involvement occurs in about 30% of patients with T. cutaneum septicaemia although disseminated folliculitis has not been described to our knowledge. We now describe a case of T. cutaneum follicultis due to fungaemia in a neutropenic patient.

Rationale for osteotome selection in rhinoplasty

Proper selection of an osteotome for nasal osteotomy is important for minimizing soft tissue trauma. Radiographic analysis of the facial bony lateral wall thickness was performed to suggest a guideline for an appropriate osteotome size for Asians. Facial bone computed tomography (CT) of 100 patients (50 male, 50 female) were studied. The thickness of the facial bony lateral wall at three points along the track of a lateral osteotomy, and two points along the track of a medial osteotomy and intermediate osteotomy were measured. The average bony thickness along the track of a lateral osteotomy was 2.61 +/- 0.66 mm at the low level, 2.75 +/- 0.76 mm at the middle level, and 2.72 +/- 0.53 mm at the high level in subjects. The average bony thickness along the track of an intermediate osteotomy were 1.26 +/- 0.34 mm at the low level, and 1.31 +/- 0.32 mm at the high level in the subjects. The average bony thickness along the track of the medial osteotomy were 2.54 +/- 0.31 mm at the low level, and 2.77 +/- 0.30 mm at the high level in subjects. These results may provide a guideline for choosing an osteotome of appropriate size for the Asian population.