Daptomycin approved in Japan for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Daptomycin is a lipoglycopeptide antibacterial drug that is rapidly bactericidal for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection and has antibiotic activity against a wide range of Gram-positive organisms. It has been approved by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan for the treatment for bacteremia, right-sided endocarditis, and skin and skin-structure infections, such as necrotizing fasciitis, due to MRSA on the basis of a Phase III trial conducted in Japan since July, 2011. In Japanese Phase I and III trials, daptomycin therapy given at 4 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg once per day was well tolerated and effective as standard therapy for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin-structure infections and bacteremia caused by MRSA, but side effects remain to be evaluated in large-scale trials

Evaluation of the effectiveness of X-ray protective aprons in experimental and practical fields

Few practical evaluation studies have been conducted on X-ray protective aprons in workplaces. We examined the effects of exchanging the protective apron type with regard to exposure reduction in experimental and practical fields, and discuss the effectiveness of X-ray protective aprons. Experimental field evaluations were performed by the measurement of the X-ray transmission rates of protective aprons. Practical field evaluations were performed by the estimation of the differences in the transit doses before and after the apron exchange. A 0.50-mm lead-equivalent-thick non-lead apron had the lowest transmission rate among the 7 protective aprons, but weighed 10.9 kg and was too heavy. The 0.25 and 0.35-mm lead-equivalent-thick non-lead aprons differed little in the practical field of interventional radiology. The 0.35-mm lead apron had lower X-ray transmission rates and transit doses than the 0.25-mm lead-equivalent-thick non-lead apron, and each of these differences exceeded 8 % in the experimental field and approximately 0.15 mSv/month in the practical field of computed tomography (p < 0.01). Therefore, we concluded that the 0.25-mm lead-equivalent-thick aprons and 0.35-mm lead apron are effective for interventional radiology operators and computed tomography nurses, respectively

A novel removable shield attached to C-arm units against scattered X-rays from a patient\u27s side.

13301甲第4113号博士（保健学）金沢大学博士論文要旨Abstract 要約Outline 以下に掲載：European Radiology 24(8) pp.1794-1799 2014.Springer Verlag. 共著者：Hiroshige Mori, Kichiro Koshida, Osamu Ishigamori, Kosuke Matsubar

Evaluation of the effectiveness of X-ray protective aprons in experimental and practical fields

Few practical evaluation studies have been conducted on X-ray protective aprons in workplaces. We examined the effects of exchanging the protective apron type with regard to exposure reduction in experimental and practical fields, and discuss the effectiveness of X-ray protective aprons. Experimental field evaluations were performed by the measurement of the X-ray transmission rates of protective aprons. Practical field evaluations were performed by the estimation of the differences in the transit doses before and after the apron exchange. A 0.50-mm lead-equivalent-thick non-lead apron had the lowest transmission rate among the 7 protective aprons, but weighed 10.9 kg and was too heavy. The 0.25 and 0.35-mm lead-equivalent-thick non-lead aprons differed little in the practical field of interventional radiology. The 0.35-mm lead apron had lower X-ray transmission rates and transit doses than the 0.25-mm lead-equivalent- thick non-lead apron, and each of these differences exceeded 8% in the experimental field and approximately 0.15 mSv/month in the practical field of computed tomography (p <0.01). Therefore, we concluded that the 0.25-mm lead-equivalent-thick aprons and 0.35-mm lead apron are effective for interventional radiology operators and computed tomography nurses, respectively. © The Author(s) 2013

A novel removable shield attached to C-arm units against scattered X-rays from a patient\u27s side

Objectives We invented a drape-like shield against scattered X-rays that can safely come into contact with medical equipment or people during fluoroscopically guided procedures. The shield can be easily removed from a C-arm unit using one hand. We evaluated the use of the novel removable shield during the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure. Methods We measured the dose rate of scattered X-rays around endoscopists with and without this removable shield and surveyed the occupational doses to the ERCP staff. We also examined the endurance of the shield. Results The removable shield reduced the dose rate of scattered X-rays to one-tenth and reduced the monthly dose to an endoscopist by at least two-fifths. For 2.5 years, there was no damage to the shield and no loosening of the seam. The bonding of the hook-and-loop fasteners did not weaken, although the powerful double-sided tapes made especially for plastic did. Conclusions The removable shield can reduce radiation exposure to the ERCP staff and may contribute to reducing the exposure to the eye lenses of operators. It would also be possible to expand its use to other fluoroscopically guided procedures besides ERCP because it is a light, simple, and useful device. Key Points • We invented a shield that can be removed from C-arm units with one hand.• The removable shield reduces the dose rate of X-rays to one-tenth.• The removable shield reduces operator exposure by two-fifths.• The removable shield is durable, lasting for several years.• The drape-like removable shield is light, simple, and useful. © 2014 European Society of Radiology

Oral Clostridium butyricum on mice endometritis through uterine microbiome and metabolic alternations

Endometritis occurs frequently in humans and animals, which can negatively affect fertility and cause preterm parturition syndrome. Orally administered Clostridium butyricum, a butyrate-producing gram-positive anaerobe, exhibits anti-inflammatory effects. However, the precise mechanism by which Clostridium butyricum attenuates endometritis remains unclear. This in vivo study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of orally administered Clostridium butyricum on uterine tissues. In addition, we conducted uterine microbiome and lipid metabolome analyses to determine the underlying mechanisms. Female Balb/c mice were divided into the following four groups (n = 5–20): (1) mock group, (2) only operation group (mice only underwent operation to exposed uterine horns from the side), (3) control group (mice underwent the same operation with the operation group + perfusion of lipopolysaccharide solution from uterine horns), and (4) Clostridium butyricum administration group (mice underwent the same operation with the control group + oral Clostridium butyricum administration from days 0 to 9). Clostridium butyricum was administered via oral gavage. On day 10, we investigated protein expression, uterine microbiome, and lipid metabolism in uterine tissues. Consequently, orally administered Clostridium butyricum altered the uterine microbiome and induced proliferation of Lactobacillus and Limosilactobacillus species. The effects can contribute to show the anti-inflammatory effect through the interferon-β upregulation in uterine tissues. Additionally, oral Clostridium butyricum administration resulted in the upregulations of some lipid metabolites, such as ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid resolvin D5, in uterine tissues, and resolvin D5 showed anti-inflammatory effects. However, the orally administered Clostridium butyricum induced anti-inflammatory effect was attenuated with the deletion of G protein-coupled receptor 120 and 15-lipooxgenase inhibition. In conclusion, Clostridium butyricum in the gut has anti-inflammatory effects on uterine tissues through alterations in the uterine microbiome and lipid metabolism. This study revealed a gut-uterus axis mechanism and provided insights into the treatment and prophylaxis of endometritis

Balance of hip and trunk muscle activity is associated with increased anterior pelvic tilt during prone hip extension.

Prone hip extension has been used as a self-perturbation task to test the stability of the lumbopelvic region. However, the relationship between recruitment patterns in the hip and trunk muscles and lumbopelvic kinematics remains unknown. The present study aimed to examine if the balance of hip and trunk muscle activities are related to pelvic motion and low back muscle activity during prone hip extension. Sixteen healthy participants performed prone hip extension from 30° of hip flexion to 10° of hip extension. Surface electromyography (of the gluteus maximus, semitendinosus, rectus femoris, tensor fasciae latae, multifidus, and erector spinae) and pelvic kinematic measurements were collected. Results showed that increased activity of the hip flexor (tensor fasciae latae) relative to that of hip extensors (gluteus maximus and semitendinosus) was significantly associated with increased anterior pelvic tilt during hip extension (r=0.52). Increased anterior pelvic tilt was also significantly related to the delayed onset timing of the contralateral and ipsilateral multifidus (r=0.57, r=0.53) and contralateral erector spinae (r=0.63). Additionally, the decrease of the gluteus maximus activity relative to the semitendinosus was significantly related to increased muscle activity of the ipsilateral erector spinae (r=-0.57). These results indicate that imbalance between the agonist and antagonist hip muscles and delayed trunk muscle onset would increase motion in the lumbopelvic region

Evaluation of the effectiveness of X-ray protective aprons in experimental and practical fields

Abstract Few practical evaluation studies have been conducted on X-ray protective aprons in workplaces. We examined the effects of exchanging the protective apron type with regard to exposure reduction in experimental and practical fields, and discuss the effectiveness of X-ray protective aprons. Experimental field evaluations were performed by the measurement of the X-ray transmission rates of protective aprons. Practical field evaluations were performed by the estimation of the differences in the transit doses before and after the apron exchange. A 0.50-mm lead-equivalent-thick non-lead apron had the lowest transmission rate among the 7 protective aprons, but weighed 10.9 kg and was too heavy. The 0.25 and 0.35-mm lead-equivalent-thick non-lead aprons differed little in the practical field of interventional radiology. The 0.35-mm lead apron had lower X-ray transmission rates and transit doses than the 0.25-mm lead-equivalent-thick non-lead apron, and each of these differences exceeded 8 % in the experimental field and approximately 0.15 mSv/month in the practical field of computed tomography (p \ 0.01). Therefore, we concluded that the 0.25-mm lead-equivalent-thick aprons and 0.35-mm lead apron are effective for interventional radiology operators and computed tomog-raphy nurses, respectively