Characteristics of Haptic Peripersonal Spatial Representation of Object Relations

Haptic perception of space is known to show characteristics that are different to actual space. The current study extends on this line of research, investigating whether systematic deviations are also observed in the formation of haptic spatial representations of object-to-object relations. We conducted a haptic spatial reproduction task analogous to the parallelity task with spatial layouts. Three magnets were positioned to form corners of an isosceles triangle and the task of the participant was to reproduce the right angle corner. Weobserved systematic deviations in the reproduction of the right angle triangle. The systematic deviations were not observed when the task was conducted on the mid-sagittal plane. Furthermore, the magnitude of the deviation was decreased when non-informative vision was introduced. These results suggest that there is a deformation in spatial representation of object-to-object relations formed using haptics. However, as no systematic deviation was observed when the task was conducted on the mid-saggital plane, we suggest that the perception of object-to-object relations use a different egocentric reference frame to the perception of orientation

Combined index to evaluate N0 neck

To predict occult nodal metastasis in clinical N0 patients with tongue cancer, we developed combined index (CI) : SUVmax of the largest lymph node in PET/CT by weighting coefficient plus its maximum minor axis (< 10 mm) in contrast-enhanced CT (CECT). In this retrospective study, 57 clinical N0 patients with tongue cancer, who underwent elective supraomohyoid neck dissection at cervical levels of I-III were enrolled. The cutoff value of SUVmax of 2.0 obtained using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis predicted the postoperative positive cervical levels containing metastatic lymph nodes from clinical N0 cervical levels in tongue cancer patients with a sensitivity of 54.5% and a specificity of 78.2%. The cutoff value of CI with weighting coefficient of 1.5 obtained using ROC analysis was 9.8 at the maximum area under the curve of 0.750. The cutoff value of 9.8 predicted the postoperative positive cervical levels containing metastatic lymph nodes from clinical N0 cervical levels in tongue cancer patients with a sensitivity of 68.2% and a specificity of 81.5%. These findings suggest that CI of functional PET/CT and morphological CECT components might improve the diagnostic performance of occult nodal metastasis to select clinical N0 patients with tongue cancer preferable for elective neck dissection

Risk factors of first bite syndrome

Objective : First bite syndrome is a complication of surgical resection of parapharyngeal space tumors and the development of cramping pain in the parotid region with the first bite of a meal. The present study aimed to identify the potential risk factors for the development of first bite syndrome. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 30 consecutive patients with parapharyngeal space tumors who had been surgically treated between August 2003 and December 2015 at our department. Results : The tumor site (prestyloid or retrostyloid) and surgical approach (transcervical-parotid, transparotid, or transcervical) were not correlated with the development of first bite syndrome. Ligation and mobilization of the external carotid artery was significantly correlated with the development of first bite syndrome. Moreover, patients with complete resection of the parotid gland did not experience first bite syndrome. Discussion : The present findings suggest that concomitant surgical settings of 1) sympathetic denervation of the parotid gland with ligation of the external carotid artery or injury of the sympathetic nerve plexus around the external carotid artery during its mobilization, and 2) residual parotid gland tissue are risk factors for the development of first bite syndrome after surgical resection of parapharyngeal space tumors

Dietary Supplementation with Monosodium Glutamate Suppresses Chemotherapy-Induced Downregulation of the T1R3 Taste Receptor Subunit in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

(Background) We investigated the effect of dietary supplementation with monosodium glutamate (MSG) on chemotherapy-induced downregulation of the T1R3 taste receptor subunit expression in the tongue of patients with advanced head and neck cancer. (Methods) Patients undergoing two rounds of chemoradiotherapy were randomly allocated to a control or intervention group (dietary supplementation with MSG at 2.7 g/day during the second round of chemotherapy). The relative expression of T1R3, a subunit of both umami and sweet taste receptors, in the tongue was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Dysgeusia was assessed with a visual analog scale and daily energy intake was evaluated. (Results) T1R3 expression levels in the tongue, taste sensitivity, and daily energy intake were significantly reduced after the first round of chemotherapy compared with before treatment. Furthermore, these parameters significantly decreased after the second round of chemotherapy, but the extent of decrease was significantly attenuated in the MSG group compared with the control group. (Conclusions) MSG supplementation suppresses chemotherapy-induced dysgeusia, possibly due to the inhibition of the T1R3-containing taste receptor downregulation in the tongue, thereby increasing energy intake in patients with advanced head and neck cancer

Efficacy of proton pump inhibitor in combination with rikkunshito in patients complaining of globus pharyngeus

Objective : Globus pharyngeus (GP) is a common symptom of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD), and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and rikkunshito, a traditional Japanese medicine having prokinetic effect improve LPRD symptoms. In the present study, we examined the efficacy of high-dose PPI in combination with rikkunshito in patients complaining of GP. Methods : 106 patients complaining of GP without any organic endoscopic findings were enrolled. Results : Patients were first administrated with high-dose PPI alone for 4 to 8 weeks and the symptom was improved in 65 patients. Among 41 patients with PPI-refractory GP, 22 patients were administrated with high-dose PPI in combination with rikkunshito, and the symptom was improved in 14 of 22 patients 4 weeks later. The average value of a modified reflux symptom index of the responders was similar to that of non-responders. Only a few patients had positive values in reflux finding scores in both groups. Conclusion : The present findings suggest the existence of a high prevalence of LPRD in patients complaining of GP. The data also suggest that gastroesophageal dysmotility is involved in GP, in addition to excessive acid reflux. The pretherapeutic laryngopharyngeal symptoms and endoscopic findings could not predict the efficacy of the treatment for GP

monosodium glutamate increases T1R3 expression

We previously showed that chemotherapy-induced dysgeusia was associated with lingual taste receptor gene expression, and monosodium glutamate (MSG) improved dysgeusia by upregulating taste 1 receptor 3 (T1R3) gene expression. In recent years, decreased taste sensitivity has also been reported in some young people, and these are partly due to their disordered eating habits. From these background, we investigated the effects of MSG supplementation on taste receptor expression and dietary intake in healthy females. Fifteen young healthy volunteers were enrolled for the present crossover study and divided in two groups (dietary supplementation with MSG at 2.7 g / day or 0.27 g / day). The relative expression of T1R3, a subunit of both umami and sweet taste receptors, in the tongue was assessed by quantitative PCR analysis. Food intake was assessed by food frequency questionnaire (FFQg), and body composition was measured using Omron HBF-701. T1R3 expression levels in the tongue and taste sensitivity increased significantly in participants who consumed 10 g of MSG daily. Furthermore, protein, fat, and carbohydrate (PFC) balance and salt and sugar intake improved by MSG supplementation. In conclusion, MSG supplementation increased T1R3 expression in the tongue and improved dietary balance

Characteristics of Haptic Peripersonal Spatial Representation of Object Relations.

Haptic perception of space is known to show characteristics that are different to actual space. The current study extends on this line of research, investigating whether systematic deviations are also observed in the formation of haptic spatial representations of object-to-object relations. We conducted a haptic spatial reproduction task analogous to the parallelity task with spatial layouts. Three magnets were positioned to form corners of an isosceles triangle and the task of the participant was to reproduce the right angle corner. Weobserved systematic deviations in the reproduction of the right angle triangle. The systematic deviations were not observed when the task was conducted on the mid-sagittal plane. Furthermore, the magnitude of the deviation was decreased when non-informative vision was introduced. These results suggest that there is a deformation in spatial representation of object-to-object relations formed using haptics. However, as no systematic deviation was observed when the task was conducted on the mid-saggital plane, we suggest that the perception of object-to-object relations use a different egocentric reference frame to the perception of orientation

An example of the positive directions for each axis in each condition from a top view (rightward rotation).

<p>An example of the positive directions for each axis in each condition from a top view (rightward rotation).</p

Absolute deviations of the reproduced magnet for all three experiments (cm).

<p>Absolute deviations of the reproduced magnet for all three experiments (cm).</p

A schematic diagram of the 8 layouts used in the experiment.

<p>For each layout, the right angle corner was the corner which the participant reproduced.</p