Brain Computer Interface Using Modulation of Auditory Steady-State Response with Help of Stochastic Resonance.

This paper proposes an eye-movement independent brain computer interface based on the modulations of auditory steady-state response (ASSR-BCI) to amplitude-modulated (AM) tones elicited by paying selective attention to one of the two AM tones. Moreover, the proposed ASSR-BCI exploits a stochastic resonance effect to improve the signal separation and attained the mean classification accuracy of 77 % across nine normal subjects under a noise-added condition with sound pressures 60 dB for the two tones and 30 dB for the noise added to the two AM tones. Results from information transfer rate and its inter-individual difference suggest that it may be adequate to set an inter-trial interval at 2∽3 s for a trial time length. It is consequently feasible to develop a practical eye-movement-independent BCI available in eyes-closed state by optimizing the parameters such as the trial time length and electrode sites each user.

Severity assessment of Japanese cedar pollinosis using the practical guideline for the management of allergic rhinitis in Japan and the allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma guideline.

BACKGROUND: This study intended to assess the severity of Japanese cedar pollinosis using the Practical Guideline for the Management of Allergic Rhinitis in Japan (PG-MARJ) and the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) Guideline. METHODS: An Internet questionnaire survey of patients with pollinosis was conducted in mid-May 2011 and responses were obtained from 3382 individuals who had potential symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis from February to early May 2011 and who had experienced such symptoms for at least two pollen seasons. RESULTS: According to PG-MARJ, 23.5% of the respondents had severest rhinitis, 29.4% severe rhinitis, 31.3% moderate rhinitis, 13.8% mild rhinitis and 2.0% asymptomatic rhinitis. According to ARIA, 67.2% of them had moderate/severe persistent rhinitis, 23.8% moderate/severe intermittent rhinitis, 4.4% mild persistent rhinitis and 4.6% mild intermittent rhinitis. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate to severe rhinitis was diagnosed in more than 80% of the respondents according to PG-MARJ, while moderate/severe rhinitis was diagnosed in more than 90% of the respondents according to ARIA. Most of the respondents suffered relatively severe pollinosis. More than 80% of the respondents had all the three major symptoms (i.e., sneezing, rhinorrhea and nasal blockage). Disagreement in the severity assessment between the two guidelines was noted in approximately 20% of the respondents.

[Prediction of the date of Japanese cedar pollen release in Aomori Prefecture].

When we treat patients with pollen allergy, we require correct information about pollen release. The total count of pollen and the date of first pollen release are strongly influenced by local weather conditions, so we wanted to predict local pollen release. Patients have degrees of sensitivity to pollen, with symptoms triggered in some cases by only small amounts. Therefore, we wanted to determine the previous dates of first pollen release (A), the first of two consecutive dates when one (count/cm2) or more grains were released (B), and the first of two consecutive dates when ten (count/cm2) or more grains were released (C). Aomori Prefecture has three different weather zones because it is surrounded by three oceans the Sea of Japan, the Pacific Ocean, and Mutsu Bay. We predicted pollen release in the major cities--Aomori, Hirosaki, and Hachinohe. Using nine years (1996-2004) of temperature data for each city from January 1 through February 1, we recorded the number of days in which the daily highest temperature was higher than each of five set temperatures (0 degree C, 1 degree C, 2 degrees C, 3 degrees C, 4 degrees C) up to the dates of A, B, and C. Multiple recordings were made for each year with the initial date of recording staggered at 10-day intervals. We then calculated the standard deviation and the efficient of variation of total days and totals of temperatures over set temperatures. For Aomori, results indicated that A was predicted as day 19 with temperatures over 4 degrees C after January 21. B was day 23 over 4 degrees C after January 21. C was the day 31 with over 4 degrees C after January 21. For Hirosaki, A was expected to be day 26 having temperatures over 0 degrees C after February 1. B was day 21 over 3 degrees C after February 1. C was day 30 over 3 degrees C after January 21. For Hachinohe, A was day 34 with temperatures over 0 degrees C after February 1. B was day 33 over 1 degree C after January 21. C was day 27 over 4 degrees C after January 21. We examined the day of pollen release in 2005.

AMPA/kainate-type glutamate receptor antagonist reduces progressive inner hair cell loss after transient cochlear ischemia.

We investigated the effect of glutamate receptor antagonists on progressive inner hair cell (IHC) loss following transient cochlear ischemia in gerbils. Transient cochlear ischemia was induced by 15-min bilateral vertebral artery occlusion. An alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA)/kainate-type glutamate receptor antagonist, 6-7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX), or an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-type receptor antagonist, MK-801, was administered 10 min before the ischemic insult. Hearing was assessed by sequentially recording compound action potentials (CAPs) before, during, and after the ischemia. The degree of hair cell loss in the organ of Corti was evaluated in specimens stained with rhodamine-phalloidin and Hoechst 33342. On the seventh day after ischemia, the increases in the CAP threshold and the progressive IHC loss were significantly reduced in cochleae treated with DNQX, while MK-801 was ineffective. These results suggest that the AMPA receptor plays a critical role in the development of the progressive IHC loss induced by ischemia/reperfusion injury in the cochlea.

[Prediction of Japanese cedar pollen emission in a snowy area--surveillance in Hirosaki City].

Japanese cedar is the most common pollinosis allergen in Japan. Predictions of total pollen counts and the first 2 or more days of the Japanese cedar pollen season are beneficial to patients. We developed predictive methods for those 2 factors in Hirosaki. We conducted an atmospheric Japanese cedar pollen survey from 1996 to 2002 in Hirosaki and compared yearly data with the male flowering index counted in 50 cedar trees in the preceding autumn. The male flowering index correlated highly positively with total cedar pollen counts in regression analysis, indicating its usefulness in predicting total pollen counts. Although the number of days from January 1 to the first day of continuous pollen emission showed no correlation with the cumulative maximum temperature during these days, the number of days from the day of first detection of pollen emission (minimum of 1 particle per sq. cm) to the first day of continuous pollen emission correlated highly with the cumulative maximum temperature and cumulative amount of snowfall on these days, suggesting that it is possible to predict the first day of continuous pollen emission by the cumulated daily maximum temperature after the day of first detection of pollen emission.