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The experiments were conducted on tomato plants to study the interactive responses of water levels (W70%: 70% of water consumption and W90%: 90% water consumption) and nitrogen rates (N100%: 100% of recommended and N80%:80% of N1.0) under two straw mulching conditions (NS; no straw introduced and WS: with buried straw layer) on growth and physiological parameters for two fruit growing years to assess the interactive responses of fertigation under buried straw layer on the changes in plant fresh and dry biomass, roots biomass, photosynthesis rate (PN), stomatal conductance (GS) and chlorophyll fluorescence of tomato plants. Buried straw layer was proved to improve plant biomass, photosynthesis rate and other physiological traits such as chlorophyll contents (Chl), maximum electron transport rate (ETRmax), maximum quantum yield (FV/FM) and GS under the lower fertilizer (N80%) and irrigation levels (W70%). However, increasing fertilizer and irrigation level decreased these parameters significantly (p <.05 to p <.001) under buried straw layer. Conversely, increased fertilizer (N100%) and irrigation (W90%) levels increased these parameters significantly (p <.05 to p <.001) under no straw condition. The overall findings revealed that buried straw layer could relieve stress developed by limited irrigation water and fertilizer and benefit plant growth, physiological parameters and fruit yield of tomato plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusions: This study is the first to demonstrate noninvasive evaluation of the effect of endolymphatic sac decompression (ESD) in Ménière's disease using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Objective: To evaluate the effect of ESD for the treatment of Ménière's disease by applying noninvasive intratympanic gadolinium (Gd) perfusion through the eustachian tube and three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion MRI (3D-FLAIR MRI). Methods: This was a prospective study. 3D-FLAIR MRI was performed with a 3 Tesla unit 24 h after intratympanic administration of Gd through the eustachian tube in five patients with intractable Ménière's disease before and 3 months after ESD, with a 2-year follow-up on the effect of ESD. Results: Gd was present in the perilymph of the inner ear in all the patients, which clearly displayed the endolymphatic space on 3D-FLAIR MRI with a visible borderline between the perilymph and the endolymph. According to the normal values for the endolymphatic space, four of five patients had a ratio of more than 26% in the cochlea, and three of five patients had a ratio of more than 41% in the vestibule preoperatively. All the patients had a ratio of less than 26% in the cochlea and 41% in the vestibule postoperatively. ESD was effective in reducing the incidence and severity of vertigo attacks with significant improvement in 60% of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusions: The comparison of noninvasive standard evaluation of endolymphatic hydrops in Meniere's disease and the endolymphatic space in healthy volunteers using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation should be carried out first. Objective: To compare the standard evaluation of endolymphatic hydrops in Meniere's disease and the endolymphatic space in healthy volunteers in the cochlea and the vestibule in the same age group by applying noninvasive intratympanic gadolinium (Gd) perfusion through the eustachian tube and three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (3D-FLAIR MRI). Methods: This was a prospective study. 3D-FLAIR MRI was performed with a 3 Tesla (3 T) unit 24 h after intratympanic administration of Gd through the eustachian tube in 6 patients with medically active and intractable Meniere's disease and 20 healthy volunteers. Pure tone test and tympanometry were performed 24 h before Gd was administered, and 24 h and 1 month after Gd administration. Results: Gd was present in the perilymph of the inner ear, which clearly displayed the endolymphatic space on 3D-FLAIR MRI with a visible borderline between the perilymph and the endolymph. In 45-55-year-old healthy volunteers, the normal value for the endolymphatic space in the cochlea ranged between 8% and 26%, and that in the vestibule was between 20% and 41%. According to the normal value for the endolymphatic space, four of six patients had a ratio of more than 26% in the cochlea; moreover, four of six patients had a ratio of more than 41% in the vestibule. All the patients had a ratio of more than the normal value in the cochlea and/or the vestibule. No significant changes in pure tone test and tympanometry were noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusions: The combined analysis of axial, coronal, and sagittal planes can increase the positive rate of diagnosis for dehiscence of the facial nerve canal. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scanning of the condition of the tympanic portion of the facial nerve canal in patients with chronic otitis media. Methods: A total of 76 ears of 72 inpatients with chronic suppurative otitis media and with cholesteatoma or granulation tissues in the attic were examined by routine HRCT. The condition (including dehiscence) of the tympanic portion of the facial nerve canal observed by CT on multi-planar images and surgical findings were recorded. Results: The condition of the tympanic portion of the facial nerve canal observed by CT could be confirmed by surgical findings in 67/76 ears, but was not confirmed in 9/76 ears. Axial-transverse images could clearly show the position and length of dehiscence on the lateral wall of the facial nerve, while coronal images were superior to axial-transverse images in showing the bony circumference of the facial nerve, and sagittal images could show the inferior wall of the facial nerve canal more clearly than images on the former planes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusions: A new method for noninvasive standard evaluation of normal endolymphatic space and endolymphatic hydrops using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is indicated. Objective: To standardize the evaluation of endolymphatic space in the cochlea and the vestibule in healthy volunteers by applying noninvasive intratympanic gadolinium (Gd) perfusion through the eustachian tube and three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (3D-FLAIR MRI). Methods: This was a prospective study. 3D-FLAIR MRI was performed with a 3 Tesla (3 T) unit 24 h after intratympanic administration of Gd through the eustachian tube in 20 healthy volunteers. Pure tone test and tympanometry were performed 24 h before Gd was administered, and 24 h and 1 month after Gd administration. Results: Gd was present in the perilymph of the inner ear, which clearly displayed the endolymphatic space on 3D-FLAIR MRI with a visible borderline between the perilymph and the endolymph. In healthy volunteers, the normal value for the endolymphatic space in the cochlea ranged between 9% and 28%, and that in the vestibule was between 14% and 40%. No significant changes in pure tone test and tympanometry were noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusions: Scutum erosion has an important role in the diagnosis of attic cholesteatoma, but it does not appear in other types of cholesteatoma in temporal bone. Without scutum erosion, the existence of cholesteatoma cannot be excluded. Objective: To evaluate the value of scutum erosion in the diagnosis of cholesteatoma in temporal bone and its limitations. Subjects and methods: CT scanning and otoscopy were used in all patients who were suspected of developing, or were probably diagnosed with, cholesteatoma in temporal bone. The condition of the scutum was recorded by otoscopy, CT scanning and surgical findings in all patients with cholesteatomas. Results: Scutum erosion can be shown in attic retraction with cholesteatoma at an early stage, but not in marginal perforation or with posterior retraction with cholesteatoma, or in central perforation or intact tympanic membrane with cholesteatoma, even in relatively late stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusions. The facial nerve courses shown by preoperative CT imaging coincide with the surgical findings in most congenital aural atresia cases. CT scanning is critical in evaluation of a patient's candidacy for atresia surgery. Objectives. To evaluate the diagnostic value of preoperative CT scanning of the facial nerve course in congenital aural atresia. Subjects and methods. All inpatients (135 cases) with congenital aural atresia had routine preoperative CT examination. The facial nerve courses were observed in the operation and compared with the preoperative CT imaging. Results. CT imaging showed that the mastoid portions of the facial nerves in 57% of cases (77/135) were located at the level of the round window, and 17% (23/135) were located at the levels of the oval window and the cochlea. Differential overlapping of the oval window by the facial nerve could also be shown in most of the cases. In the majority of cases (75%, 61/81) the tympanic portions of the facial nerve on CT imaging could be confirmed by surgical findings. In severe overlapping of the oval window or cases with anterior displacement, stapedectomy or tympanoplasty, respectively, could not be performed as usual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]