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Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) has several aetiologies and may be a presenting symptom of vestibular schwannoma (VS). The aim of this study was to investigate the recovery rate after steroid treatment and the prognostic factors of SSNHL with VS. This was a retrospective observational study wherein 32 patients with VS who presented with SSNHL were analysed at a tertiary referral centre. Hearing gain and prognostic factors were the main outcome measures for steroid treatment intervention. Among the 1698 patients presenting with SSNHL, VS was found in 43 (2.5%) patients. Eleven cases (34.3%) showed good recovery, with significant improvements in the pure-tone audiometry values. Even though age was a significant factor, there were no associations between steroid response and initial hearing level, presence of vertigo, tumour size, and tumour extension. Our study showed that hearing recovery of SSNHL does not exclude a VS diagnosis. We suggest that steroid treatment be considered in patients with VS presenting SSNHL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the independent influence of maternal age on the risk of emergency cesarean section (CS) due to nonreassuring fetal heart rate or arrest disorder. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on women with nulliparous pregnancies, who are attempting vaginal delivery at term and have a cephalic presentation without the indication of elective CS at the onset of labor. The primary outcome was the rate of emergency CS. Independent risk factors were elucidated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Of 3513 women, 541 (15.4%) delivered by emergency CS during a trial of vaginal delivery, with theses being due to nonreassuring fetal heart rate (N = 150) or arrest disorder (N = 391). In univariate analysis, both individual CS rate due to nonreassuring fetal heart rate or arrest disorder and total emergent CS rate increased with maternal age. The risk of emergency CS was also significantly higher when labor induction was performed (odds ratio (OR) 2.489, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.043–3.033), while fetal weight was heavier (neonatal weight ≥3.5 kg; OR 2.396, 95% CI 1.956–2.934), and maternal BMI was higher (before pregnancy ≥25 kg/m2; OR 2.751, 95% CI 1.980–3.823, at delivery ≥28 kg/m2; OR 2.375 95% CI 1.915–2.946). Multivariate stepwise regression analysis showed a statistically significant increase in the risk of total emergency CS in mothers over 35 years of age, compared to that in women less than 30 years old (35–39 years group; adjusted OR 1.805 95% CI 1.347–2.418, ≥40 years group; adjusted OR 4.659 95% CI 2.709–8.013). CS due to nonreassuring fetal heart rate increased in mothers over 40 years of age (adjusted OR 5.354, 95% CI 2.386–12.017) and CS due to arrest disorder was also increased in mothers over 30 years of age (30–34 years group; adjusted OR 1.343, 95% CI 1.010–1.785, 35–39 years group; adjusted OR 1.906, 95% CI 1.357–2.679, ≥40 years group; adjusted OR 4.663, 95% CI 2.480–8.768). Similar to the result of univariate analysis, labor induction increased the risk of emergency CS (adjusted OR 2.241, 95% CI 1.828–2.747). Conclusions: Advanced maternal age is an independent risk factor of emergency CS due to nonreassuring fetal heart rate or arrest disorder during the trial of vaginal delivery. The risk of emergency CS was also increased when labor induction was performed. Therefore, the risk of emergency CS needs to be considered, especially when the labor induction is planned, in women aged 40 or more. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymorphisms in the genes encoding enzymes in the folate metabolism pathway have been associated with male infertility and chromosome abnormalities. The aim of this study was to analyze the distribution of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), methionine synthase (MTR), and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) polymorphisms in fertile men and infertile men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). A case-control study comprising 85 infertile men with NOA and 246 fertile men as controls was carried out.MTHFRc.677C > T (rs1801133),MTHFRc.1298A > C (rs1801131),MTRc.2756A > G (rs1805087), andMTRRc.66A > G (rs1801394) polymorphisms were determined using the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. There were significant differences in AC + CC genotype (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.1–3.2) and C allele frequencies (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.2–2.8) ofMTHFRc.1298A > C polymorphism between NOA patients and controls after applying the Bonferroni correction. Moreover, the 1298AC genotype, 1298AC + CC genotype, and 1298C allele frequencies were statistically significant in NOA with chromosomal abnormalities and/or a Y chromosome deletion compared to the controls (AC genotype: OR = 3.0; AC + CC genotype: OR = 3.0; C allele: OR = 2.3). Considering the other polymorphisms, no differences were found between cases and controls. Our findings suggest theMTHFRc.1298A > C polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of male infertility, i.e., NOA. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The optical film made of liquid crystal molecules can have useful anisotropic optical properties by controlling the alignment of molecules. In order to apply those films to commercial display, we have to know the way to control the thickness, appearance, refractive index, adhesion, and many properties in macroscopic scale. In this presentation, we show how can we control alignment of liquid crystal molecules in macroscopic scale and make the Film Patterned Retarder (FPRTM) used in the polarization type stereoscopic 3D-displays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between anti-angiogenic factor soluble c-Met (sMet) concentrations in maternal plasma and the risk of preeclampsia. Methods: The pregnant women included in this study (1) had subsequent preeclampsia ( n = 52) and were compared to normal controls ( n = 104) at the time of amniocentesis (15-20 weeks); and (2) had preeclampsia ( n = 63) and were compared to normal controls ( n = 112) at the time of diagnosis of preeclampsia (29-40 weeks). sMet concentrations were measured by ELISA. Non-parametric statistics were used for analysis. Results: Maternal plasma sMet concentrations were significantly higher in both women with subsequent preeclampsia (median: 1372.7 ng/ml versus 1100.5 ng/ml; p = 0.036) and women with preeclampsia (median: 1651.9 ng/ml versus 1364.7 ng/ml; p < 0.001) than in the controls. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the risks of developing preeclampsia were as follows: adjusted odds ratio 2.5 (95% confidence interval, 1.2-5.2; p = 0.016) for second trimester sMet concentration with a cut-off value of 1223.5 ng/ml and 4.4 (95% confidence interval, 2.2-9.1; p < 0.001) for third trimester sMet concentration with a cut-off value of 1460.3 ng/ml. Conclusion: Elevated maternal plasma sMet concentrations were independently associated with the increased risk of preeclampsia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective: Mutations in the GJB2 gene are a major cause of hereditary hearing loss. However, only a few studies have investigated carrier frequencies of GJB2 mutations in the general population. The aim of this study was to estimate the carrier frequencies of three GJB2 mutations, including 235delC, V37I, and G45E, in the general Korean population. Design: A standard questionnaire of self-reported hearing loss was used to identify and recruit subjects. Screening for three mutations was performed using an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism, and direct DNA sequencing. Study sample: A total of 1256 unrelated healthy individuals were analysed in the present study. Results: Of the 1256 individuals, 24 had GJB2 mutations; 11 were found to be heterozygous for 235delC, 11 were heterozygous and one was homozygous for V37I, and one was heterozygous for G45E. One individual had a compound heterozygous mutation of 235delC/V37I. The allele frequencies of 235delC, V37I, and G45E mutations were 0.44%, 0.52%, and 0.04%, respectively. The carrier frequency of either the 235delC or V37I mutation was estimated to be 0.88% with 95% binomial CI, 0.44-1.56. Conclusions: These results will facilitate diagnosis of, and genetic counseling for, hearing loss in Koreans. Sumario Objetivo: Las mutaciones del gene GJB2 son una causa muy importante de pérdidas auditivas hereditarias. No obstante, solamente pocos estudios han investigado las frecuencias portadoras de las mutaciones del GJB2 en la población general. El objetivo de este estudio fue estimar las frecuencias portadoras de tres mutaciones del GJB2, incluyendo la 235delC, V37I y G45E, en la población general de Corea. Diseño: Se utilizó un cuestionario estándar de pérdida auditiva auto-reportada para identificar y reclutar sujetos. El tamiz de las tres mutaciones se realizó usando una reacción en cadena de la polimerasa alelo-específica (PCR), el polimorfismo de los fragmentos de restricción PCR y la secuenciación directa de DNA. Muestra de estudio: Se analizaron en este estudio 1,256 individuos sanos, no relacionados, (sanos en este estudio). Resultados: De los 1,256 individuos, 24 tenían mutaciones del GJB2; 11 se encontraron como heterocigóticos para el 235delC, 11 fueron heterocig ticos y uno fue homocigótico para V37I y uno fue heterocigótico para G45E. Un individuo tenía una mutación heterocigótica compuesta del 235delC/V37I. Las frecuencias de las mutaciones del alelo de 235delC, V37I, y G45E fueron del 0.44%, 0.52%, y 0.04%, respectivamente. La frecuencia portadora de las mutaciones tanto del 235delC como del V37I se estimó en 0.88%, con CI binomial del 95% de 0.44-1.56. Conclusiones: Estos resultados facilitarán el diagnóstico y el asesoramiento genético en casos de pérdida auditiva en la población de Corea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]