Nystagmus as a Sign of Labyrinthine Disorders-Three-Dimensional Analysis of Nystagmus-

In order to diagnose the pathological condition of vertiginous patients, a detailed observation of nystagmus in addition to examination of body equilibrium and other neurotological tests are essential. How to precisely record the eye movements is one of the goals of the researchers and clinicians who are interested in the analysis of eye movements for a long time. For considering that, one has to think about the optimal method for recording eye movements. In this review, the author introduced a new method, that is, an analysis of vestibular induced eye movements in three-dimensions and discussed the advantages and limitations of this method

Liquid Level Indicator for Metal Dewar

A simple liquid level indicator for a metal dewar has been constructed with the use of superconducting elemental Ta and Nb-Ti alloy as well as carbon resistor. Electrical and superconducting properties, repeatability, sensitivity, and a practical operation of the indicator have been investigated at 78°K and 4.2°K. The hysteresis or instability effect of the resistance for Nb-Ti wire was found at the magnetic field of 17 kG. Evaporation rate of liquid helium can be estimated in the dewar with a few indicators

DEGRADATION OFSODIUMALGINATE BYLOWENERGYELECTRON BEAM

DEGRADATION OFSODIUMALGINATE BYLOWENERGYELECTRON BEAM. High viscosity (HV) and low viscosity (LV) alginate prepared in 5% solutions were irradiated by low energy electron beam (LEEB) at 55oC and ambient temperature respectively. Oligoalginates with molecular weight lower than 20,000 Da and broad molecular weight distribution were obtained until 60 minutes of irradiation. The decrease in molecular weight was accompanied by appearance of UV absorbance peak at 265 nm. LV alginate was preferable to use as raw material for LEEB irradiation process than HV alginate

LOW TEMPERATURE NMR APPARATUS WITH MOSFETS (3SK45) AND A1 20 27

Thermal hysteresis tests have been made between 300 and 77 K for the static characteristics of commercial MOSFETs (3SK45) which are to be used as active elements in our steady-state NMR apparatus. The newly constructed apparatus using this type of FETs works well at low temperatures, with respect to the reproducibility, stability, and signal-to-noise ratio. With this device, the A127 NMR in ruby crystal (A1203:cr3+) has been measured at 77 K and liquid helium temperatures. Both the dipolar splitting width and the absorption intensity in the NMR spectrum depend on temperature and the angle between the magnetic field and the trigonal axis. These results are explained by the spin diffusion model, in which the A127 nuclei see the local fields arising from identical nucear spins and the paramagnetic electron spins of cr3+ ions existing in the crystal

Free Flap Blood Flow Evaluated Using Two-Dimensional Laser Speckle Flowgraphy

Objective. We investigated the efficiency of laser speckle flowgraphy for evaluating blood flow in free flaps used for plastic surgery. Methods. We measured blood flow using a visual laser meter capable of providing two-dimensional color graphic representations of flow distribution for a given area using a dynamic laser speckle effect. Using laser speckle flowgraphy, we examined the blood flow of 20 free flaps applied following the excision of head and neck tumors. Results. After anastomosis of the feeding and draining blood vessels and sewing the flap, musculocutaneous (MC) flaps showed significantly lower blood flow than jejunal or omental flaps (P < .05). The ratio of blood flow decrease from the edge to the center was significantly greater in MC flaps than in jejunal or omental flaps (P < .001). Conclusion. Laser speckle flowgraphy is useful for the perioperative measurement of blood flow in free flaps used in plastic surgery. This method is a highly useful, practical, and reliable tool for assessing cutaneous blood flow and is expected to be applicable to several clinical fields

Clinical effects of a selective urate reabsorption inhibitor dotinurad in patients with hyperuricemia and treated hypertension : a multicenter, prospective, exploratory study (DIANA)

Introduction Dotinurad is a newer urate-lowering agent that selectively inhibits urate transporter 1 in the renal proximal tubule and increases urinary urate excretion. Currently, little is known about the clinical efficacies of dotinurad in patients with hyperuricemia and hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical effects of a selective urate reabsorption inhibitor dotinurad on serum uric acid (SUA) levels and relevant vascular markers in patients with hyperuricemia and treated hypertension. Methods This investigator-initiated, multicenter, prospective, single-arm, open-label, exploratory clinical trial in Japan enrolled patients with hyperuricemia and treated hypertension who received a 24-week dotinurad therapy (a starting dose at 0.5 mg once daily and up-titrated to 2 mg once daily). The primary endpoint was a percentage change in the SUA level from baseline to week 24. The secondary endpoints were cardiovascular and metabolic measurements, including changes in the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) concentration at week 24. Results Fifty patients (mean age 70.5 ± 11.0 years, with 76.0% being men, and mean SUA level 8.5 ± 1.2 mg/dL) were included in the analysis. The percentage change from baseline in the SUA level at week 24 was − 35.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] − 39.7% to − 32.0%, P < 0.001), with approximately three quarters of patients achieving an SUA level of ≤ 6.0 mg/dL at week 24. The proportional changes from baseline in the geometric mean of CAVI and d-ROMs at week 24 were 0.96 (95% CI 0.92 to 1.00, P = 0.044) and 0.96 (95% CI 0.92 to 1.00, P = 0.044), respectively. Conclusion In addition to meaningful SUA-lowering effects, 24 weeks of dotinurad therapy may favorably affect arterial stiffness and oxidative stress markers, suggesting off-target vascular protection of dotinurad. Further research is expected to verify our findings and elucidate the entire off-target effects of dotinurad