呼気筋トレーニングが在宅要介護認定者の呼吸指標および嚥下機能に与える効果

Expiratory muscle training（EMT） for improving cough function and prevention of aspiration pneumonia in healthy elderly individuals as well as patients with neurological disorders has received recent attention. Although 2 studies elucidated its effects on swallowing function in a small population of patients with Parkinson’s disease, its overall efficacy remains uncertain. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of EMT on respiratory indices and swallowing function in elderly individuals receiving home care. The subjects were 22 community-dwelling elderly individuals receiving home care. An EMT training device（Threthold IMT） was applied with reversed use and the training period was 4 weeks. The loading pressure was 30% of baseline MEP and the training sessions were performed for 15 minutes twice a day. Each training session was monitored by a family member and recorded. Respiratory function［forced-vital capacity（FVC） and %FVC］ and respiratory muscle strength ［maximal expiratory pressure （MEP） and maximal inspiratory pressure （MIP）］ were measured at baseline and after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of EMT, while swallowing function ［repetitive saliva swallowing test （RSST）］ was measured at baseline and after 4 weeks. Two-way ANOVA was performed with the factors of ADL score and measurement week. Statistical analysis showed that both factors had effects, though there was no correlation between them. MEP was significantly improved at 3 and 4 weeks after EMT as compared to the baseline, whereas other respiratory indices and RSST were unchanged after EMT. Our findings indicate that EMT can strengthen expiratory muscles and suggest the need for higher expiratory loading pressure. Further research should define the target population more clearly and establish an effective EMT protocol to improve swallowing function

Studies on Ra, U, Th and Minor Element Contents in DVDP Cores and Deposits from Vestfold Hills

The ignition loss and the Ra contents in the 10% HClO_4-soluble fraction and Na_2CO_3-fusion fraction were respectively determined for the DVDP 13 and 14 cores and four lake deposits in the Vestfold Hills. The powdered sample dried at 110℃ to constant weight, was weighed, added with 10% HClO_4 solution, then heated on a water bath and filtered. The filtrate is called the HClO_4-soluble fraction. The residue was fused with sodium carbonate. The fused mass was leached with water and HCl, which is called the Na_2CO_3-fusion fraction. Radium in each fraction was separated by coprecipitation with barium sulfate. It was then left standing in a Curie\u27s bottle for a month. Determination of Ra was carried out with a liquid scintillation counter by measuring the activity of Rn in the radioactive equilibrium. The other radioactive elements such as U and Th and other minor elements were determined in the same samples. The U content was obtained by the fluorometry and the Th content by the colorimetry of thorin after separation of some interfering ions with cation exchange resins. For minor elements, the nondestructive neutron activation method was employed and 23 elements were determined by irradiating the samples with the reactor (TRIGA Mark II) at St. Paul\u27s University, followed by the γ-ray spectrometry with a multichannels pulse height analyzer. Some of the results are shown in Tables. Discussion will be based upon these data

A Geochemical Study on the Distribution of Some Minor Elements in Deposits and Water Samples of the Antarctic Oases No. 1. The Ra Content of DVDP 13 Core and the Deposits of the Vestfold Hills

The ignition loss and the Ra content in the 10% HClO_4-soluble fraction and Na_2CO_3-fusion fraction were respectively determined for the 17 core samples (DVDP 13 core), down to the depth of 50 meters and for the four lake deposits in the Vestfold Hills. The determination of Ra was performed by measuring the activity of Ra in radioactive equilibrium state with a liquid scintillation counter. The detection limit of Ra with 2 grams of sample wag (0.25±0.04)×10^ Ci/g, taking one-eighth of the BG counting rate, 45 cpm, as the limit in this case. Based on the differences between U and Th in geochemical behaviors, it is thought that U is transported into sea water and decays to ^Th which tends to precipitate in the site. From ^Th is produced ^Ra which attains the radioactive equilibrium within a little under ten thousand years. And then, the ^Ra content gradually increases with a half life of 7.5×10^4 years. Therefore, by determining the ratio of Ra in the HClO_4-soluble fraction to that in the Na_2CO_3-fusion fraction of a sample, it is possible to determine its age since the time of sedimentation. The results obtained indicate that the Dry Valley sediment is the oldest while the Lake Stinear sediment is the latest because the ratio is the largest for the former and the smallest for the latter

Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor Producing Infiltrating Urothelial Carcinoma of the Left Renal Pelvis: A Case Report

We report a case of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) producing infiltrating urothelial carcinoma of the left renal pelvis. The patient was referred to our hospital for fever and anorexia. Blood tests showed elevated level of leukocytosis without any infectious diseases. The serum concentration of G-CSF was remarkably elevated. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a huge mass in the left renal pelvis and para-aortic lymph node enlargement. He was underwent left nephroureterectomy and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. The histological examination revealed infiltrating urothelial carcinoma with positive staining for G-CSF antibody. The postoperative course was smooth and the leukocyte count became normalized within a week postoperatively. However, multiple lung metastasis and leukocytosis were revealed about 2 months after the operation. G-CSF producing infiltrating urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis is reported to have a significantly poor prognosis, so it is very important to monitor closely after the operation

OWC1 Performance Comparison of Optical Burst and Circuit Switched Networks

Abstract: This paper presents quantitative performance comparisons between the OBS and OCS networks. The simulation results indicate that, under the identical traffic demand and network capacity, OBS networks achieve a higher throughput than OCS networks