Raising the rescue flap by cold knife could reduce the rate of hyposmia compared with using an electrocautery postoperatively.

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ObjectivesAlthough biofilms have been implicated in poor prognosis after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), traditional methods detecting biofilm such as scanning electron microscope and confocal scanning laser microscope were rarely used in the practice. The aims of this study was to determine whether the presence or absence of a biofilm detected by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining followed by light microscopy (LM) that is widely used in daily practice, predicts surgical outcomes after ESS.MethodsRetrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Fifty-five consecutive adult patients (>18 years) who underwent ESS for chronic rhinosinusitis with a minimum of 12-months of follow-up were enrolled in this study. Random sinonasal mucosal samples were assessed for biofilm presence using H&E staining with LM. Three independent observers scored whether a biofilm was present or absent based on H&E staining/LM, and the interrater variability was calculated. Pre- and postoperative sinus symptoms and sinonasal mucosal grading were assessed.ResultsBiofilms were present in 28 patients (51%), and the intraclass correlation coefficient according to H&E staining/LM was 0.731. The presence of a biofilm was associated with a higher preoperative Lund-MacKay computed tomography score (22.3 for biofilm-positive patients vs. 18.6 for biofilm-negative patients; P=0.021) and persistent inflammation (mucosal edema and discharge) after ESS (P<0.05).ConclusionsThe presence or absence of a biofilm based on H&E staining/LM is correlated with disease severity and surgical outcomes after ESS. H&E staining/LM for detecting biofilm could be practical and cost-effective methods for predicting prognosis of ESS.

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We discuss the effect of stray light on a high-precision camera in an LEO(Low Earth Orbit) satellite. The critical objects and illumination objects were sorted to discover the stray light sources in the optical system. Scatter modeling was applied to determine a noise effect on the surface of a detector, and the relative flux of a signal and noise were also calculated. The stable range of reflectivity of the beam splitter was estimated for various scattering models.

ObjectivesAdvancements in medical endoscopy and techniques of rigid bronchoscopy for foreign body removal have enabled higher diagnostic accuracy, reduced morbidity and precise manipulation. However, in pediatric patients, endoscope-combined forceps may be too big to fit into the small sized airway. Here we present our method of endoscope assisted rigid bronchoscopy in pediatric patients and compare the clinical benefits with conventional naked-eye rigid bronchoscopy.MethodsWe used a 2.7 mm, 0° straight endoscope and small caliber grasping forceps with 3.0 to 4.5 mm sized rigid bronchoscopy for very young (<3 years of age) patients of foreign body aspiration. As an assistant held the rigid bronchoscope in situ, the operator could manipulate the endoscope and forceps bimanually. With endoscopic guidance, the foreign body retrieval was performed carefully. The clinical advantages were compared between our endoscope-assisted method (n=29) and the conventional bronchoscopy method (n=33) in terms of operation time and recovery (hospital stay).ResultsBimanual endoscope-assisted rigid bronchoscopy method was technically feasible and safe. The operation time was less, compared to the conventional technique and the patients recovered more quickly. In all cases, our method completely removed the foreign body without need of a second bronchoscopy procedure.ConclusionBimanual endoscope-assisted retrieval of airway foreign body in very young age pediatric patients was superior to the conventional naked-eye method concerning accurate manipulation and safety.

A wavelength-selective reflector, composed of a double-ring-resonator add/drop filter and a loop-back mirror at the drop port to be used for a hybrid-integrated tunable laser is designed and fabricated. High-index-contrast polymer waveguide is used to realize a compact device as small as 2 mm x 0.4 mm. The radii of the rings are slightly different from each other to obtain a wide wavelength tuning via a vernier effect. Peak reflectivity is measured to be 52% for TE mode and polarization-dependent wavelength shift is 0.95 nm. The tuning range is measured to be about 42 nm for applied current as small as 46 mA.

Unlike the electric method capable of checking only product defect, the real time optical metrology is suggested for measuring and visualizing vibration with respect to position of surface acoustic wave in RF device. The measuring limits and conditions for surface acoustic wave is given, and the interference and diffraction due to RF signal are analyzed by optical interpretation. A single mode laser and a 105MHz-center-frequency repeater filter were employed for experiments and theoretical analysis. In this paper, the optical metrology providing visual energy distribution and real time inspection for surface acoustic wave is proposed for development of high quality multi-service and multi-frequency RF module.