The First Very Long Baseline Interferometry Image of 44 GHz Methanol Maser with the KVN and VERA Array (KaVA)

We have carried out the first very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) imaging of 44 GHz class I methanol maser (7_{0}-6_{1}A^{+}) associated with a millimeter core MM2 in a massive star-forming region IRAS 18151-1208 with KaVA (KVN and VERA Array), which is a newly combined array of KVN (Korean VLBI Network) and VERA (VLBI Exploration of Radio Astrometry). We have succeeded in imaging compact maser features with a synthesized beam size of 2.7 milliarcseconds x 1.5 milliarcseconds (mas). These features are detected at a limited number of baselines within the length of shorter than approximately 650 km corresponding to 100 Mlambda in the uv-coverage. The central velocity and the velocity width of the 44 GHz methanol maser are consistent with those of the quiescent gas rather than the outflow traced by the SiO thermal line. The minimum component size among the maser features is ~ 5 mas x 2 mas, which corresponds to the linear size of ~ 15 AU x 6 AU assuming a distance of 3 kpc. The brightness temperatures of these features range from ~ 3.5 x 10^{8} to 1.0 x 10^{10} K, which are higher than estimated lower limit from a previous Very Large Array observation with the highest spatial resolution of ~ 50 mas. The 44 GHz class I methanol maser in IRAS 18151-1208 is found to be associated with the MM2 core, which is thought to be less evolved than another millimeter core MM1 associated with the 6.7 GHz class II methanol maser.Comment: 19 pages, 3 figure

Effect of Low-Dose Triple Therapy Using Gabapentin, Amitriptyline, and a Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug for Overactive Bladder Symptoms in Patients With Bladder Pain Syndrome

Purpose: Patients with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) can have pain as a main symptom and overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms that are directly or indirectly related to a major mechanism that causes pain. The primary purpose of this study is firstly to identify the prevalence rate of OAB symptoms in patients with BPS/IC, secondly to identify changes in OAB symptoms after low-dose triple therapy, and thirdly to build a theoretical foundation to improve quality of life for patients. Methods: Patients who met the inclusion criteria of BPS/IC through basic tests including the O’Leary-Sant symptom index, overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS), and visual analog scale (VAS) were identified. Treatment-based changes in OAB symptoms were identified using the IC Symptom Index and IC Problem Index (ICSI/ICPI), OABSS, and VAS before, and 4 and 12 weeks after low-dose triple therapy. Results: The patients consisted of 3 men and 20 women, and their mean age was 61.9 years (41.0–83.2 years). Comparing values before treatment, and 4 and 12 weeks after treatment (baseline vs. 4 weeks to baseline vs. 12 weeks), the rates of improvement were as follows: ICSI, 44.2% to 63.7%; ICPI, 46.9% to 59.4%; OABSS, 34.3% to 58.2%; and VAS, 53.6% to 75.0%, which showed statistically significant differences (P0.05). Conclusions: Low-dose triple therapy in BPS/IC results in a clear decrease in OAB symptoms in the first 4 weeks after treatment, and additional treatment for 8 weeks had a partial effect with varied statistical significances depending on the questionnaires

Inverted Papilloma of the Maxillary Sinus: A Recurrence Analysis According to Surgical Approaches

(1) Background: Various surgical approaches have been introduced to resect inverted papillomas (IP) stemming from the maxillary sinus (MS). This study aimed to compare the recurrence rates of IPs originating from the MS according to various surgical modalities. (2) Methods: A total of 155 surgical cases of sinonasal IPs originating from the MS were categorized into three groups according to the surgical approach adopted: endoscopic resection via middle or inferior meatus antrostomy (ESS), ESS with Caldwell-Luc approach or canine fossa trephination (ESS with CL), and expanded endoscopic approaches (ExEA) including endoscopic medial maxillectomy or a prelacrimal recess approach. A Kaplan-Meier curve was generated to examine the recurrence rates. (3) Results: The overall recurrence rate was 5.8% (9/155) with a mean follow-up period of 24.2 months. The recurrence rates for the ESS, ESS with CL, and ExEA groups were 10.0% (7/70), 3.5% (2/57), and 0% (0/28), respectively. The ExEA group had a significantly lower recurrence rate than the ESS group (p = 0.024) and there was a tendency for lower recurrence compared to the ESS within the CL group (p = 0.145). The ExEA required a shorter postoperative hospitalization period than in ESS with CL (p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: ExEAs to the maxillary sinus such as the PLR and EMM approaches are excellent surgical options for IPs originating from the MS.N