Effect of minor loop on magnetic characteristics of permanent magnet type of MRI

A modeling technique of the minor loop using typical hysteresis loops is shown. The effect of the minor loop and eddy current in the pole piece of a permanent magnet type of MRI on the residual flux density of the probe coil is examined. It is illustrated that the change &#916;B of residual flux density occurs due to the minor loop of the pole piece. It is also pointed out that the choice of time interval &#916;t is important in a nonlinear analysis considering the minor loop</p

The influence of self‐determination on the social functioning of long‐term day hospitals users with schizophrenia: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract Aim In Japan, day hospitals are a method of rehabilitation for psychiatric disorders, especially for recovering social functioning. Currently, 60% of day hospital users have schizophrenia, the majority of whom are long‐term users (for over 1 year). However, they show no progress in community participation. This study aimed to investigate whether people with schizophrenia who use day hospitals can improve their social functioning and recovery levels, and alleviate psychiatric symptoms, when they engage in self‐determination regularly. Methods This study employed a multicenter randomized controlled design with a 3‐month intervention. Participants were divided into two groups. The intervention group (n = 24) determined their daily goals in life and attended the day hospitals' programs, while the control group (n = 25) only participated in the day hospitals' programs. Participants' social functioning was assessed using the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale, psychiatric symptoms using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and recovery using the Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS), before and after the intervention. Results In the intergroup factors, there were no significant differences in GAF, PANSS, or RAS scores. Conclusion The results suggest that participants' regular self‐determination of their daily goals did not lead to significantly positive behavior in improving their social functioning. However, the social functioning and psychiatric symptoms of participants in day hospitals improved after 3 months

Effects of Productive Activities with Reminiscence in Occupational Therapy for People with Dementia: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Study

Objective/Background: Although a number of studies have considered the effects of reminiscence therapy, none have examined whether a therapy that combines reminiscence with productive activity has a beneficial effect on elderly dementia patients. This study tests our hypothesis that productive activities with reminiscence in occupational therapy (PAROT) can alleviate depressive symptoms and improve task performance of elderly dementia patients. Methods: Thirty-six patients with dementia were randomly divided into two groups, namely, an intervention group (n = 17) and a control group (n = 19). The intervention group had six activity sessions (making rice balls and cakes; one session/week) while reminiscing about the activity. Measurements were performed using the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD), Multidimensional Observation Scale for Elderly Subjects (MOSES), Vitality Index, and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The performance of the patients was assessed based on photographs of the products after the first and sixth sessions. Results: Six patients dropped out while the study was in progress, thus leaving 15 patients in the intervention group and 15 patients in the control group. The scores of depression symptoms in CSDD and MOSES were significantly improved for the intervention group, while within-group comparison showed no significant differences in CSDD, MOSES, or MMSE total scores. In terms of task performance, 88% of the patients in the intervention group, including two patients with severe dementia, showed significant improvement in making the product. Conclusion: Our study suggests that PAROT may alleviate depressive symptoms and improve the task performance of elderly people with dementia

Protocol for a Sepsis Model Utilizing Fecal Suspension in Mice : Fecal Suspension Intraperitoneal Injection Model

BackgroundVarious animal models of sepsis have been developed to optimize sepsis treatment. However, therapeutic agents that were successful in animal models were rarely effective in human clinical trials. The cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model is currently the gold standard for sepsis studies. However, its limitations include the high variability among researchers and the difficulty in comparing animals with different cecum shapes and sizes. In this study, we established a protocol for the creation of a simple and accessible sepsis rodent model using fecal suspensions that minimized differences in technical effects among researchers and individual differences in animals. MethodsA mouse model of sepsis using fecal suspension intraperitoneal injection (FSI) was created using fresh stool excreted within 24 h. The collected fresh stool was dissolved in saline solution and filtered. The obtained fecal suspension was injected intraperitoneally into the mice. Moreover, fecal suspensions with different concentrations were prepared, and the survival rates were compared among the fecal suspensions for each concentration. To assess the validity of the FSI as a sepsis model, CLP and FSI with similar mortality rates were compared pathologically, physiologically, immunologically, and bacteriologically. Histopathological comparison was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin and Gram staining of the parenchymal organs. Physiological evaluation was performed by comparing the respiratory rate, body temperature, and blood gas analysis results. Immunological assessment was performed using multiplex analysis. Bacteriological comparisons were performed by culturing ascites fluid. ResultsThe FSI model increased mortality in proportion to the fecal suspension concentration. The mortality rate was reduced with antibiotic administration. In various comparative experiments conducted using the FSI and CLP models, both models showed findings consistent with sepsis. Furthermore, the FSI model showed less variability among the individuals in each test. ConclusionThis is the first detailed and accurate report of a protocol for creating a sepsis model using fecal suspension. The FSI model is a minimally invasive and accessible sepsis rodent model. Its clinical validity as a sepsis model was proven via histological, physiological, microbiological, and immunological evaluation methods. The FSI model minimizes individual differences between mice and helps to conduct accurate studies after the onset of sepsis

Neutrophil phenotypes implicated in the pathophysiology of post-traumatic sepsis

Background: The disruption of immune homeostasis after trauma is a major cause of post-traumatic organ dysfunction and/or sepsis. Recently, a variety of neutrophil phenotypes with distinct functions have been identified and suggested as involved in various clinical conditions. The association between neutrophil phenotypes and post-traumatic immunodeficiency has also been reported, yet the specific neutrophil phenotypes and their functional significance in post-traumatic sepsis have not been fully clarified. Therefore, we sought to investigate neutrophil phenotypic changes in a murine model, as these may hold prognostic value in post-traumatic sepsis. Materials and methods: Third-degree burns affecting 25% of the body surface area were used to establish trauma model, and sepsis was induced 24 h later through cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The Burn/CLP post-traumatic sepsis model and the Sham/CLP control model were established to assess the immunological status after trauma. Histopathological evaluation was performed on the spleen, liver, kidneys, and lung tissues. Immunological evaluation included the assessment of neutrophil markers using mass cytometry as well as cytokine measurements in serum and ascitic fluid through multiplex analysis using LUMINEX (R). Results: The Burn/CLP group had a lower survival rate than the Sham/CLP group. Histopathological examination revealed an impaired immune response and more advanced organ damage in the Burn/CLP group. Furthermore, the Burn/CLP group exhibited higher levels of transforming growth factor-beta 1 in the blood and generally lower levels of cytokines than the Sham/CLP group. CD11b, which is involved in neutrophil adhesion and migration, was highly expressed on neutrophils in the Burn/CLP group. The expression of CD172a, which is related to the inhibition of phagocytosis, was also upregulated on neutrophils in the Burn/CLP group. The expression of sialic acid-binding lg - like lectin F and CD68 also differed between the two groups. Conclusion: Different neutrophil phenotypes were observed between Burn/CLP and Sham/CLP groups, suggesting that neutrophils are implicated in the immune imbalance following trauma. However, further studies are needed to prove the causal relationships between neutrophil phenotypes and outcomes, including survival rate and organ dysfunction