Comparison of molecular models used in molecular dynamics simulation for tracer diffusion coefficients of naphthalene and dimethylnaphthalene isomers in supercritical carbon dioxide

金沢大学大学院自然科学研究科生産プロセスNVT ensemble molecular dynamics simulation was performed to calculate the tracer diffusion coefficients of naphthalene and dimethylnaphthalene isomers in supercritical carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide was treated as a Lennard-Jones molecule (single site model) and solutes were treated as a rigid model of multi sites (united atom model) and a flexible model of all atoms (all atom model). The calculated results are compared with the experimental data and the calculated results by a single site model. The united atom model gives the best results to the experimental data among the three models. The calculated tracer diffusion coefficients by the all atom model show fairly good results without adjustable interaction parameters. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Solubilities and diffusion coefficients of high boiling compounds in supercritical carbon dioxide

金沢大学大学院自然科学研究科生産プロセスA brief introduction of the data sources and the applications of correlation methods for the solubilities and diffusion coefficients of hig-boiling compounds (mainly in solid state) in supercritical carbon dioxide are reviewed. Empirical equations, equations of state, solution models, and the Monte Carlo simulation for the calculation of solubilities in supercritical carbon dioxide are discussed. The application of empirical equation based on the Stokes-Einstein model, rough hard sphere theory, Schmidt number correlation, and molecular dynamics simulation for the calculation of diffusion coefficients in supercritical carbon dioxide at infinite dilution condition are reviewed. Further, the application of the Darken equation and the Leffler and Cullinan equation for the calculation of concentration dependence of diffusion coefficients in supercritical carbon dioxide is presented. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

Differential determinants of physical daily activities in frail and nonfrail community-dwelling older adults

AbstractBackground/PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine whether or not daily activities determined by average daily steps are associated with age, gender, body mass index, fear of falling, and physical functions (locomotive function, balance function, and muscle power) in community-dwelling nonfrail and frail older adults.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study conducted in community-dwelling older adults in Japan. Based on the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, 629 elderly adults were divided into two groups: 515 were grouped to nonfrail elderly (TUG time less than 13.5 seconds, mean age 77.0±7.2 years) and 114 to frail elderly (TUG time of 13.5 seconds or more, mean age 76.1±7.5 years). Daily physical activities were determined by average daily steps measured by pedometer and four other physical function tests (10-m walk test, single-leg standing, functional reach, and five-chair stand test) were performed along with the assessment of fear of falling.ResultsStepwise regression analysis revealed that age, gender, 10-m walk test, and single-leg standing were significant and independent determinants of the average step counts in the nonfrail elderly (R2=0.282, p<0.001), whereas fear of falling was the only significant and independent determinant of the average step counts in the frail elderly (R2=0.119, p<0.001).ConclusionThese results indicate that differential factors may be related to daily activities depending on the level of frailty in community-dwelling older adults

Self-Management Group Exercise Extends Healthy Life Expectancy in Frail Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Preventing frailty and its adverse health outcomes is crucial in countries with a large elderly population, such as Japan. Since the long-term care insurance (LTCI) system was launched, the number of certified older adults with LTCI service requirement has continued to increase. This is a serious problem, because the LTCI service requirement certification is equivalent to disability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a self-management group intervention on new LTCI service requirement certifications in community-dwelling older adults in Japan. We analyzed the cohort data from a prospective study. In this study, we recruited community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older who were independent in a city in Kyoto prefecture in 2012. The subjects in the participation group (n = 1620) attended 60-min group training sessions once or twice every two weeks from December 2012 to December 2016. The exercise sessions consisted of mild-intensity aerobic exercise, mild strength training, flexibility and balance exercises, and cool-down activities. These exercise classes were facilitated by well-trained volunteer staff. The outcome measure was the number of new LTCI requirement certifications during a four-year follow-up period. During the four-year follow-up period, 247 subjects (15.2%) in the participation group and 334 (20.6%) in the control group were newly certified for LTCI service requirements. The hazard ratio for new LTCI service requirements in the participation group compared with the control group was 0.73 (95% CI = 0.62–0.86) in the four-year follow-up period. These results indicate the usefulness of self-management group exercise to reduce the incidence of disability in older adults. Thus, increasing self-management group activities in each community should be encouraged

Effects of a self-management program on antiemetic-induced constipation during chemotherapy among breast cancer patients: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Research on patient-reported outcomes indicates that constipation is a common adverse effect of chemotherapy, and the use of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin; 5HT3) receptor antagonists aggravates this condition. As cancer patients take multiple drugs as a part of their clinical management, a non-pharmacological self-management (SM) of constipation would be recommended. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a SM program on antiemetic-induced constipation in cancer patients. Thirty patients with breast cancer, receiving 5HT3 receptor antagonists to prevent emesis during chemotherapy were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. The SM program consisted of abdominal massage, abdominal muscle stretching, and education on proper defecation position. The intervention group started the program before the first chemotherapy cycle, whereas patients in the wait-list control group received the program on the day before their second chemotherapy cycle. The primary outcome was constipation severity, assessed by the constipation assessment scale (CAS, sum of eight components). The secondary outcome included each CAS component (0-2 points) and mood states. A self-reported assessment of satisfaction with the program was performed. The program produced a statistically and clinically significant alleviation of constipation severity (mean difference in CAS, -3.00; P = 0.02), decrease in the likelihood of a small volume of stool (P = 0.03), and decrease in depression and dejection (P = 0.02). With regards to program satisfaction, 43.6 and 26.4 % patients rated the program as excellent and good, respectively. Our SM program is effective for mitigating the symptoms of antiemetic-induced constipation during chemotherapy

Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE) syndrome: A case report

AbstractRemitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE) is a rare form of paraneoplastic tenosynovitis, which is more prone to occur in elderly males. A 78-year-old male had a past history of gastric cancer 23 years ago and underwent subtotal gastrectomy then. He led a fair life after the surgery. However, fever, edema in four extremities, gait disturbance, and liver function impairment bothered him for 5 months, which caused significant physical functional decline. Despite of extensive laboratory and imaging examinations, no definite diagnosis and treatment were provided. He was referred to Kyoto University hospital and RS3PE was diagnosed. After the diagnosis of RS3PE syndrome was made, systemic steroid was given and fever, edema and liver function impairment improved dramatically within 7 days. The patient was well managed by oral prednisolone 30mg per day after discharge. RS3PE should be considered when an elderly man with aforementioned presentations in order to prevent significant functional decline in daily living

Subocclusive thrombus at the origin of LSA

Optimal treatment of patients with intracranial subocclusive thrombus remains unclear. Such a rare case successfully managed with endovascular mechanical thrombectomy is presented. A 71-year-old man experienced a sudden onset of dysarthria and motor deficits. At the time of admission his National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 4. DWI demonstrated incomplete infarction within the left lenticulostriate artery (LSA) territory, MRA showed partial flow defect in the distal left M1 segment and non-visualization of the LSA, and ECG revealed atrial fibrillation, thus ischemic stroke caused by cardiogenic embolism was diagnosed. Tissue plasminogen activator was administered, but symptoms progressed and NIHSS score increased up to 8. Diagnostic angiogrpahy confirmed presence of the subocclusive thrombus within the distal left M1 segment and complete occlusion of LSA at its origin. Since conservative therapy was ineffective, mechanical thrombectomy utilizing ADAPT (a direct aspiration first-pass thrombectomy) technique was performed resulting in compete recanalization of the LSA accompanied by the prompt regress of neurological symptoms. Eventally, the patient demonstrated nearly full recovery (modified Rankin Scale score 1). Thus, mechanical thrombectomy should be considered as a reasonable option in cases of acute cerebral stroke caused by subocclusive thrombus and progressive neurological deficits despite standard conservative therapy

Overarching Goal and Intervention for Healthy Aging in Older People during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact of Rehabilitation

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a major impact on society and our lives. Many older people and those with underlying medical conditions have refrained from social activities and become housebound, increasing the risk of frailty. Therefore, we developed the Home Exercise Program for Older People, a multidisciplinary program that makes it easier for older people to exercise at home. We also provide outpatient rehabilitation for not only those affected by COVID-19, but also older people with frailty who have become confined under the COVID-19 pandemic. In this chapter, we overview the situations and lives of older people in Japan under the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss preventive strategies