Calibration-Free and Highly Sensitive Potentiometric Enzyme-Based Biosensors.

Enzyme-based amperometric biosensors have become popular for healthcare applications. However, they have been under constant pressure for technological innovation to improve their sensitivity and usability. An ideal biosensor has high sensitivity and calibration-free characteristics.

Operative Procedure of Anterior Commissure for Type II Thyroplasty.

Objective: We reviewed the clinical anatomy of the anterior commissure and examined the effectiveness of a specialized spreader developed for optimal, efficient spreading of the thyroid cartilage in type II thyroplasty.

Study Design And Methods: The present study was a multicenter retrospective study of patients with spasmodic dysphonia who underwent a primary operation either before or after the introduction of a specialized spreader (in 2008 or 2014, respectively). In these patients, we examined the size of the titanium bridge used, the presence of perforation of the mucosa directly superior to the anterior commissure, and postoperative glottic findings.

Outcomes of type II thyroplasty for adductor spasmodic dysphonia: analysis of revision and unsatisfactory cases.

Conclusion: The factors responsible for the observed failures can be broken into two major groups: (1) a wrong indication and (2) an inadequate technique to achieve relief from an excessively tight glottal closure. The use of a titanium bridge in place of a silicone shim was found to be essential. Type II thyroplasty can relieve the symptoms of adductor spasmodic dysphonia (AdSD) when implemented with a modern technique using titanium bridges.

Surgical tips for type II thyroplasty for adductor spasmodic dysphonia: modified technique after reviewing unsatisfactory cases.

Conclusion: Use of the titanium bridge, both at the top and bottom corners of the incised thyroid cartilage, is essential for success. Most importantly, these procedures should be done with minimal damage to the tissues involved, using fine instruments.

Objectives: Type II thyroplasty that aims at lateralization of the vocal folds for spasmodic dysphonia is a type of surgery that requires utmost surgical caution, because of the extremely delicate site for surgical intervention, critically sensitive adjustment, and difficult procedures to maintain the incised cartilages in a correct position.

Overall evaluation of effectiveness of type II thyroplasty for adductor spasmodic dysphonia.

Objective/hypothesis: To assess the effectiveness of type II thyroplasty with a titanium bridge in adductor spasmodic dysphonia (AdSD).

Study Design: Retrospective chart review, patient response to a questionnaire on the ease of phonation and voice quality, and pre- and postoperative fiberoptic laryngoscope findings.

Subjects: Forty-one patients who underwent type II thyroplasty with a titanium bridge between December 2002 and December 2005 who have been followed for at least 12 months postoperatively.

Influence of collimator size on three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy of the cyberknife.

Purpose: In stereotactic conformal radiotherapy of the CyberKnife, multiple narrow beams from a cylindrical collimator are delivered to a planning target volume (PTV) without an isocenter by inverse planning. The influence of collimator size on stereotactic conformal radiotherapy was examined.

Materials And Methods: Five targets including two spherical targets (2.

Type 2 thyroplasty for spasmodic dysphonia: fixation using a titanium bridge.

Objective: In order to facilitate surgery for spasmodic dysphonia, i.e. type 2 thyroplasty, a device was designed to fix the incised edges of the thyroid cartilage firmly.

Improved inhalation behavior of steroid KSR-592 in vitro with Jethaler by polymorphic transformation to needle-like crystals (beta-form).

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to improve the dry powder inhalation behavior of steroid KSR-592 with lactose by altering the crystal shape and the particle size of the drug for use in a newly designed inhalation device, Jethaler.

Method: The shape of the crystals was changed by polymorphic transformation of original crystal (alpha-form) to beta-form by agitating alpha-form crystals in hexane containing 5% ethanol. The inhalation properties of the resultant crystals in vitro were evaluated with a twin impinger and cascade impactor.

Bilateral vocal fold paralysis and adhesion in anterior spinal artery syndrome.

The purpose of this report is to present a rare case of anterior spinal artery syndrome (ASAS) in which there proved to be a combined lesion of paralysis and adhesion. A 26-year-old woman with a history of ASAS complained of difficulty of tracheal decannulation. In 1988, she was intubated and underwent tracheotomy because of respiratory muscle weakness, and she was decannulated in 1990.

A new method for detecting and localizing cell markers endocytosed by fibroblasts in epoxy resin semi-thin sections using scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis after ion-etching.

Cell marking is widely used to examine cell development and differentiation in developmental biology. We developed a new method for localizing cell markers in a semi-thin epoxy section with scanning electron microscopy. Cultured fibroblasts ingesting carbon particles were autologously transplanted into a rabbit transparent ear chamber, 6 mm in diameter and 100 microm in depth.

Laryngeal framework surgery: a proposal for classification and nomenclature by the Phonosurgery Committee of the European Laryngological Society.

Laryngeal framework surgery, developed by Isshiki in the 1970s, is one of the most dynamic areas of phonosurgery and these procedures have served to considerably widen our spectrum and options for surgical improvement and/or changing of voice. As these techniques became more accepted and became common throughout the world, several new surgical modifications and different terms have been introduced. These new developments have lead to a confusion regarding terminology and types which make it difficult to communicate between and to compare the results of different authors.

Thyroplasty for adductor spasmodic dysphonia: further experiences.

Objectives: Two different surgical techniques for midline lateralization thyroplasty (type 2 thyroplasty) for adductor spasmodic dysphonia (SD) have been described, one using a composite graft and the other without. Indications and results for each method among different types of SD were compared, together with the theoretical background for the surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective.

Three-dimensional reconstruction by scanning electron microscopy from serial epoxy resin semi-thin sections after ion-etching.

Three-dimensional reconstruction was performed using scanning electron micrographs of serial semi-thin sections of Epon embedded specimens. Connective tissue in a rabbit ear chamber was fixed in glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide, and then embedded in Epon. One-microm-thick serial sections were cut with a diamond knife, mounted on glass slides and stained with toluidine blue.

Mechanical and dynamic aspects of voice production as related to voice therapy and phonosurgery.

Laryngeal framework surgery can change the position and tension of the vocal folds safely without direct surgical intervention in the vocal fold proper. Some 23 years of experience with phonosurgery have proved its usefulness in treating dysphonia related to unilateral vocal fold paralysis, vocal fold atrophy, and pitch-related dysphonias. Meanwhile, much information about the mechanism of voice production has been obtained through intraoperative findings of voice and fiberscopic examination of the larynx.

Virtual reality in a children's hospital.

We used virtual reality technology to improve the quality of life and amenity of in-patients in a children's hospital. Children in the hospital could enjoy a zoo, amusement park, and aquarium, in virtual. They played soccer, skiing and horse riding in virtual.

Midline lateralization thyroplasty for adductor spasmodic dysphonia.

Midline lateralization thyroplasty was successfully performed on a patient with adductor spasmodic dysphonia. The thyroid cartilage was incised at the midline, and a 3 x 2-mm perforation was made at the anterior commissure to widen it. The perforation was closed with a free composite graft taken from the upper edge of the thyroid ala, and the incised thyroid cartilage edges were kept separated 4 mm apart with silicone wedges.

Anatomic study for posterior medialization thyroplasty.

To attain posterior medialization by thyroplasty type I, we simulated the surgery using 3 cadaveric larynges. Two approaches were applied to adduct the arytenoid cartilage: one involved compression of the vocal process, and the other, compression of the muscular process inward. The inner perichondrium was incised to reach the arytenoid cartilage from the framework.

Vocal mechanics as the basis for phonosurgery.

Objective: A number of modifications in laryngoplastic phonosurgery have recently been proposed. This report is intended to clarify the concept on which the surgery should be based, vocal mechanics, for further rational development of the surgery.

Study Design: The results of various previous surgeries were compared.

Mechanical and dynamic aspects of voice production as related to voice therapy and phonosurgery.

Laryngeal framework surgery can change the position and tension of the vocal folds safely without direct surgical intervention in the vocal fold proper. Some 23 years of experience with phonosurgery have proved its usefulness in treating dysphonia related to unilateral vocal fold paralysis, vocal fold atrophy, and pitch-related dysphonias . Meanwhile, much information about the mechanism of voice production has been obtained through intraoperative findings of voice and fiberscopic examination of the larynx .

Recent progress in treating patients with cleft palate.

Over the last 4 decades remarkable progress has been made in the treatment of cleft palate: the rate of attaining normal or nearly normal speech after surgery has risen from about 65% 40 years ago to nearly 90% or more nowadays. One of the main factors is intratracheal intubation anesthesia that has made the surgery much safer and easier. Improved surgical technique and speech therapy also played a great role.

Familial occurrence of electrocardiographic abnormalities of the Brugada-type.

Electrocardiographic abnormalities were pointed out in a 51-year-old Japanese male whose major complaint was dizziness. His electrocardiogram showed a complete right bundle branch block, and a prolonged His bundle-ventricle (HV) interval of 100 msec. Two members of his family died of heart disease and 3 members, including a case of sudden death, presented an abnormal electrocardiogram of the Brugada-type with persistent ST segment elevation in the right precordial leads and right bundle branch block.

Vocal fold atrophy and its surgical treatment.

The effectiveness of surgical treatment for vocal fold atrophy of various causes was examined. Type I thyroplasty was performed on 31 patients with vocal fold atrophy, often bilaterally and occasionally combined with type III thyroplasty. Of these 31 patients, 3 patients underwent the operation twice, for a total of 34 operations.