Case Reports of TFE3-Rearranged Renal Cell Carcinoma: FDG-PET Uptake Might Help Diagnosis

Translocation and transcription factor E3 (TFE3)-rearranged renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a rare subtype of RCCs characterised by the fusion of the TFE3 transcription factor genes on chromosome Xp11.2 with one of the multiple genes. TFE3-rearranged RCC occurs mainly in children and adolescents, although middle-aged cases are also observed. As computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of TFE3-rearranged RCC overlap with those of other RCCs, differential diagnosis is often challenging. In the present case reports, we highlighted the features of the fluorine-18-labelled fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with CT (FDG PET-CT) in TFE3-rearranged RCCs. Due to the rarity of the disease, FDG PET-CT features of TFE3-rearranged RCC have not yet been reported. In our cases, FDG PET-CT showed high standardised uptake values (SUVmax) of 7.14 and 6.25 for primary tumours. This might imply that TFE3-rearranged RCC has high malignant potential. This is conceivable when the molecular background of the disease is considered in terms of glucose metabolism. Our cases suggest that a high SUVmax of the primary tumour is a clinical characteristic of TFE3-rearranged RCCs

movement self-screening scores and pain

Background : Various musculoskeletal screening and functional performance tests are used to evaluate physical condition. However, validated analysis tools that can identify gaps in pain knowledge during athletes’ daily training are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between pain intensity in athletes during their daily training and the KOJI AWARENESS™ test in order to determine whether body dysfunction is related to pain among athletes. Methods : This cross-sectional study was conducted in a fitness center at the authors’ affiliated institution. Thirty-five athletes (17 women and 18 men) aged 20-40 years were selected for study participation. KOJI AWARENESS™ self-evaluated test scores and pain intensity during daily training, as assessed on the numerical rating scale (NRS), were recorded. Results : The KOJI AWARENESS™ score showed a strong negative correlation with the NRS score for pain intensity during daily training (r = −0.640, P < 0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between KOJI AWARENESS™ and NRS scores, even when body mass index, sex, and age were entered as control variables. Conclusions : KOJI AWARENESS™ was highly accurate in detecting pain in athletes during their training

Effectiveness of KOJI AWARENESS tool

Background : The KOJI AWARENESS™ screening test is a self-administered screening tool for assessment of mobility, stability, and strength. It provides corrective exercises corresponding to the individual’s answers to the KOJI AWARENESS™ test questions. However, there is no evidence of the effectiveness of corrective exercises in improving KOJI AWARENESS™ screening test scores and activity-related pain. Methods : Twenty- six healthy subjects (11 female and 15 male ; age 20–50 years) were selected for participation. In a controlled laboratory setting, subjects were administered the KOJI AWARENESS™ test and were provided with individualized exercise programs based on the results of this first test. KOJI AWARENESS™ results were checked on the first day immediately after the first exercise session, and then again after the two-week program. Pain intensity was also assessed during daily training using a numerical rating scale. Results : Compared to pre-intervention, KOJI AWARENESS™ scores were significantly higher immediately after the first corrective exercise session and after 2 weeks of intervention (p < 0.001). Moreover, pain intensity was significantly lower after 2 weeks of intervention (p < 0.001). Conclusions : Individualized KOJI AWARENESS™ corrective exercises were effective immediately on the first day and also after the two-week program in improving the KOJI AWARENESS™ score and reducing pain intensity during daily training

Stepwise Thermo-Responsive Amino Acid-Derived Triblock Vinyl Polymers: ATRP Synthesis of Polymers, Aggregation, and Gelation Properties via Flower-Like Micelle Formation

Novel thermo-responsive ABA-type triblock copolymers (poly(NAAMen-b-NAGMe240-b-NAAMen), n = 18–72) composed of naturally occurring amino acid–based vinyl polymer blocks such as poly(N-acryloyl-l-alanine methyl ester (poly(NAAMe)) as the A segment and poly(N-acryloyl-glycine methylester)(poly(NAGMe)) as the B segment have been synthesized by the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Their thermal behaviors were analyzed in dilute aqueous solutions by turbidimetry. The turbidity curves provided two-step LCST transitions, and a flower-like micelle formation was confirmed at the temperature region between the first and second LCST transitions by dynamic light scattering, AFM and TEM. At higher copolymer concentrations, hydrogels were obtained at temperatures above the first LCST due to network formation induced with the flower-like micelles as cross-linker. The hydrogels were found to be switched to a sol state when cooled below the first LCST. These hydrogels also exhibited self-healable and injectable capabilities, which were evaluated by rheological measurements

Injury-related fear in athletes returning to sports after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction - A quantitative content analysis of an open-ended questionnaire

Background/objective: Injury-related fear during sport activities are major psychological factors inhibiting a person’s return to sports (RTS) following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Currently, there are no studies that quantitatively analyse the open-ended questionnaire for knee injury-related fear in post-ACLR athletes.The purpose of this study was to identify knee injury-related fear in athletes who return to ball-centric sports via the use of an open-ended questionnaire. We aimed to determine the main concepts of injury-related fear according to sex, type of sport, and participation level. Methods: In this study, a quantitative analysis of an open-ended questionnaire was used to examine the type of fear athletes experience after returning to ball-centric sports. The RTS and fear questionnaire collected open-ended questionnaire to knee injury-related fear during sport activities; this questionnaire was completed at the outpatient visit post-RTS. Quantitative content analysis was performed to extract frequently occurring words from the responses to the questionnaire to create a co-occurrence network. The resulting co-occurrence network and extracted words were used to create concepts regarding knee injury-related fear. The relationship between each concept and subject demographics (sex, returned sports events, and participation level) were analysed using the chi-squared test. Results: Fifty-four athletes (30 females and 24 males) aged 16–45 [median age: 21.2; interquartile range (IQR): 11.0] years with an average RTS of 8.0 (IQR: 3.3) months from ACLR participated in the study. A total of 79 responses were included in the analysis. The knee injury-related fear can be summarized as follows: (1) Quick response to the opponent; (2) Ball-related play; (3) Jump-landing; (4) Contact; (5) Loss of balance; and (6) Athletic movement. Chi-squared tests showed that athletes participating in sport events with potential contact with an opponent (soccer, futsal, basketball, handball, lacrosse, and ultimate (frisbee)) were more likely to experience fear in quick response to the opponent (P < 0.01, adjusted residual = 2.943, ϕ = 0.301). Conclusion: The knee injury-related fear can be summarized into six concepts. Post-ACLR athletes participating in ball-centric sports need to assess fear in situations such as quick responses to the opponent’s movements and ball-related play, in addition to simple movements such as jumping, cutting, and contact

Cortical thickness of the tibial diaphysis reveals age- and sex-related characteristics between non-obese healthy young and elderly subjects depending on the tibial regions

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the age- and sex-related characteristics in cortical thickness of the tibial diaphysis between non-obese healthy young and elderly subjects as reference data. Methods The study investigated 31 young subjects (12 men and 19 women; mean age, 25 ± 8 years) and 54 elderly subjects (29 men and 25 women; mean age, 70 ± 6 years). Three-dimensional estimated cortical thickness of the tibial diaphysis was automatically calculated for 5000–9000 measurement points using the high-resolution cortical thickness measurement from clinical computed tomography data. In 12 assessment regions created by combining three heights (proximal, central, and distal diaphysis) and four areas of the axial plane at 90° (medial, anterior, lateral, and posterior areas) in the tibial coordinate system, the standardized thickness was assessed using the tibial length. Results As structural characteristics, there were no differences in the medial and lateral thicknesses, while the anterior thickness was greater than the posterior thickness in all groups. The sex-related difference was not shown. As an age-related difference, elderly subjects showed greater or lesser cortical thickness than the young subjects, depending on the regions of the tibia. Conclusions Cortical thickness was different depending on sex, age, and regions in the tibia. The results of this study are of clinical relevance as reference points to clarify the causes of various pathological conditions for diseases. Level of evidence Level 3