Misao Nakazawa

Detection of genomic sequences of respiratory syncytial virus in otitis media with effusion in children.

The reverse transcriptase—polymerase chain reaction and the nested polymerase chain reaction were used for detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) sequences in middle ear effusions collected from children with otitis media. Sequences of RSV were detected in 21 of 34 samples tested. These samples were collected during and/or after natural outbreaks of RSV infection in the community. In those patients from whose nasopharynges RSV was isolated, the viral sequences were highly detectable (75%) in the effusions. These observations suggest RSV as an important factor in the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion.

Leaflets and continual educational offerings led to increased coverage rate of newborn hearing screening in Akita

OBJECTIVE Newborn hearing screening (NHS) has been actively performed in Japan since 2001. The NHS coverage rate has increased each year in Akita Prefecture. We analyzed the details of the NHS program and how the Akita leaflets and the many educational offerings about the importance of NHS led to the high NHS coverage rate. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted in liveborn newborns in hospitals and in clinics where hearing screening was performed from the programs beginning in 2001 through the end of 2015. We describe the chronological history of NHS. The outcome data of NHS were collected from our department and analyzed. RESULTS From the founding of the program in 2001 to 2015, the live birth rate in Akita continually declined. Nevertheless, the number of infants receiving NHS rose each year. Since 2012, the coverage rate of NHS has been over 90%. From 2001 to 2015, 75,331 newborns constituted the eligible population for the NHS program. Since 2012, the number of NHS tests has stabilized. We prepared educational leaflets for Akita Prefecture early in 2002. We also provided many educational classes about the importance of NHS for not only pregnant women but also professionals including obstetricians and gynecologists, pediatricians and municipal staff members. The NHS program received the complete endorsement of the Akita Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 2010. The largest increase in the NHS coverage rate occurred from 2001 to 2002, and the second largest increase occurred from 2009 to 2010. The number of participating institutions increased the coverage rate. The coverage rate is strongly correlated with the number of participating institutions (rs=0.843, p<0.001, Spearmans rank correlation coefficient). Comparing the coverage rate for 5 years before and after the Akita Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reached their consensus on the importance of NHS, the coverage rate after 2010 was significantly higher than before 2010 (p<0.001, paired sample t-test). CONCLUSION The NHS coverage rate ultimately reached 95.4% without need for legislation or subsidization. The number of participating institutions increased each year, and the number of NHS tests and the coverage rate increased proportionately. The number of participating institutions statistically has a strong correlation with the number of NHS tests and the coverage rate. Our research indicates that the Akita leaflets and the provision of educational sessions about the importance of NHS were the most significant factors in establishing the high NHS coverage rate.

A 13 C 2 H 2 frequency-stabilized, polarization-maintained erbium fiber ring laser with no frequency modulation

We have constructed a new¹³C<inf>2</inf>H<inf>2</inf>frequency-stabilized fiber laser whose output beam has no frequency modulation. The frequency stability reached as high as 1.8 × 10^-10for τ of 1 s, and 1.5 × 10^-11for τ of 100 s.

Reversible Hearing Loss from a Jugular Foramen Neurinoma.

We report the case of a 19-year-old woman with a jugular foramen neurinoma who recovered from severe sensorineural hearing loss after surgical removal of her tumor. She was admitted with a history of progressive hearing loss and tinnitus for ten months.Audiometry indicated left sided deafness, but auditory brainstem response recordings revealed a wave I pattern without any waveforms II through lead V. Otoacoustic emmissions were clearly evoked on the left side. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large tumor in the left cerebellopontine angle. She underwent a left craniectomy with removal of a neurinoma originating from the glossopharyngeal nerve. Postoperatively, she showed a dramatic recovery of her hearing. We believe that the principal cause of her severe hearing loss was a blockade of conduction in the cochlear nerve by the tumor.

The Influence of RS Viral Infection on the Development of Otitis Media with Effusion

The polymerase chain reaction was used for detection of RS viral sequences in middle ear effusion collected from children with otitis media. RS viral sequences were detected in 21 out of 34 samples tested These sample were collected during and/or the after natural outbreak of RSV infection in the community. The viral sequences were highly detectable (85.7%) in the effusions of the patients from whom the nasopharynx RSV was isolated. On the other hand, several immunoregulatory cytokines were present in the ME effusions during RSV infection and in vitro mucosal RSV infection up-regulated production of certain cytokines, paticularly those with inflammatory properties. These observations suggest that RSV is an important factor in the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion and that exaggerated production of cytokines in association with RSV infection may lead to the development of infection-induced inflammation, and effusion.