肘の内外反変形に伴う尺骨神経の伸長度変化に関する生体力学的研究

Background: Cubital tunnel syndrome can be caused by overtraction and dynamic compression in elbow deformities. The extent to which elbow deformities contribute to ulnar nerve strain is unknown. Here, we investigated ulnar nerve strain caused by cubitus valgus/varus deformity using fresh-frozen cadavers. Methods: We used six fresh-frozen cadaver upper extremities. A strain gauge was placed on the ulnar nerve 2 cm proximal to the medial epicondyle of the humerus. For the elbow deformity model, osteotomy was performed at the distal humerus, and plate fixation was performed to create cubitus valgus/varus deformities (10°, 20°, and 30°). Ulnar nerve strain caused by elbow flexion (0–125°) was measured in both the normal and deformity models. The strains at different elbow flexion angles within each model were compared, and the strains at elbow extension and at maximum elbow flexion were compared between the normal model and each elbow deformity model. However, in the cubitus varus model, the ulnar nerve deflected more than the measurable range of the strain gauge; elbow flexion of 60° or more were considered effective values. Statistical analysis of the strain values was performed with Friedman test, followed by the Williams’ test (the Shirley‒Williams’ test for non-parametric analysis). Results: In all models, ulnar nerve strain increased significantly from elbow extension to maximal flexion (control: 13.2%; cubitus valgus 10°: 13.6%; cubitus valgus 20°: 13.5%; cubitus valgus 30°: 12.2%; cubitus varus 10°: 8.3%; cubitus varus 20°: 8.2%; cubitus varus 30°: 6.3%, P < 0.001). The control and cubitus valgus models had similar values, but the cubitus varus models revealed that this deformity caused ulnar nerve relaxation. Conclusions: Ulnar nerve strain significantly increased during elbow flexion. No significant increase in strain 2 cm proximal to the medial epicondyle was observed in the cubitus valgus model. Major changes may have been observed in the measurement behind the medial epicondyle. In the cubitus varus model, the ulnar nerve was relaxed during elbow extension, but this effect was reduced by elbow flexion.博士（医学）・甲第865号・令和5年3月15

The effect of Liquid ice after high-intensity exercise on muscle function compared to Block ice

Cryotherapy is used to recover muscle damage after exercise and to treat acute sports injuries. Liquid ice (LI) can keep cold for a long time, and is assumed more effective than block ice (BI). From this, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of LI on the change of passive stiffness (PS) as muscle function and to validate the effectiveness of LI compared to BI. We performed the experiment as part of a case series of verification of the effects of cryotherapy. 22 healthy men (target area: right leg) were randomized to two groups: LI group and BI group. PS was measured three times during experiment protocol, pre: before exercise; post; after treating each cryotherapy after exercise; 48h: 48 hours after pre. Statistical analysis compared the PS, the amount of change in PS, and the rate of change in PS between the two groups. The rate of change between pre and 48h in LI was significantly lower compared to that in BI (p = 0.03). There was no significant difference regarding other results between groups. It revealed that the difference of effect between LI and BI for PS of muscles after high-intensity exercises. These results could be helpful for the choice of intervention for reducing muscle stiffness after exercise and at sports field

Isolation, Characterization, and Cloning of α-l-Arabinofuranosidase Expressed during Fruit Ripening of Japanese Pear

α-l-Arabinofuranosidase (α-l-arafase) was purified from fruit of Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia). The enzyme solubilized from the cell wall by NaCl and Triton X-100 had the homogeneity of a single 62-kD polypeptide on SDS-PAGE after purification through the steps of hydroxyapatite, anion-exchange chromatography, and size-exclusion chromatography. A related cDNA clone was isolated (PpARF2). The transcript and related protein were detected solely in the ripening fruit corresponding to the increase of α-l-arafase activity. Transcripts of PpARF2 were not detected in buds, leaves, roots, or shoots of the Japanese pear. The deduced amino acid sequences of PpARF2 had low identity with those of other plants or bacteria. This α-l-arafase belonged to glycoside hydrolase family 3, which includes some β-xylosidases. The purified enzyme hydrolyzed mainly p-nitrophenyl α-l-arabinofuranoside and also reacted bifunctionally with p-nitrophenyl β-d-xylopyranoside. However, it released only arabinose from native cell wall polysaccharides prepared from Japanese pear and from sugar beet arabinan. The enzyme did not release xylose from arabinoxylan and xylan. The only activity of the α-l-arafase presented here was hydrolyzing the arabinosyl residue from native polysaccharides, whereas it showed bifunctional activity against artificial substrates. According to the expression pattern and properties of the enzyme, it is a new member of the glycoside hydrolase family 3 isolated from fruit, and it may be responsible for modification of the cell wall architecture during fruit softening

Exploring the significance of interleukin-33/ST2 axis in minimal change disease

Abstract Minimal change disease (MCD), a common cause of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, has been postulated to exhibit an association with allergic conditions. Recent studies revealed the crucial role of interleukin (IL)-33 in type 2 innate immunity. We hypothesized that development of MCD involves an IL-33–related immune response. We examined 49 patients with biopsy-proven MCD, 6 healthy volunteers, and 29 patients in remission. In addition to clinical features, serum and urinary levels of IL-33 and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 protein (sST2), a secreted form of the receptor of IL-33, were analyzed. Although IL-33 was barely detectable in either MCD or control samples, sST2 levels at diagnosis were elevated in MCD patients. Serum sST2 levels of MCD patients were correlated with serum total protein level (r =  − 0.36, p = 0.010) and serum creatinine level (r = 0.34, p = 0.016). Furthermore, the elevated sST2 levels were observed to decrease following remission. Immunofluorescence revealed IL-33 expression in the podocytes among MCD patients, with a significant increase compared with controls. In vitro, mouse podocyte cells incubated with serum from a MCD patient at disease onset showed increased IL-33 secretion. These results suggest an IL-33–related immune response plays a role in MCD

A Cadaveric Study of Ulnar Nerve Movement and Strain around the Elbow Joint

There is a lack of data on how ulnar nerve strain varies according to the location around the elbow joint. Therefore, we measured the longitudinal movement of the ulnar nerve around the elbow joint. Four fresh-frozen cadaveric upper extremities were used. A linear displacement sensor was attached to the ulnar nerve at eight measurement points at 20-mm intervals. At each point, the longitudinal movement of the ulnar nerve was measured during elbow flexion. We calculated the strain on the ulnar nerve based on the change in movement between neighboring points. Ulnar nerve movement with elbow flexion had a maximum value (mean, 10.5 mm; p &lt; 0.001) at 2 cm proximal to the medial epicondyle. In the site distal to the medial epicondyle, the movement was small and demonstrated no significant difference between points (p = 0.1). The change in strain between mild flexion (0–60°) and deep flexion (60–120°) significantly differed at 2–4 cm and 6–8 cm proximal to the medial epicondyle (15% versus 3%, p &lt; 0.01; 5% versus 9%, p &lt; 0.05, respectively). The longitudinal movement of the ulnar nerve during elbow flexion occurred mainly at the site proximal to the medial epicondyle and became smaller away from the medial epicondyle

Rectal obstruction due to endometriosis: A case report and review of the Japanese literature

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal obstructive endometriosis is relatively rare in Japan and its differentiation from malignancy is often difficult. We report a case of rectal obstructive endometriosis. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 37-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a suspected ileus. Her chief symptoms were left lower abdominal pain and vomiting. Colonoscopy showed an intraluminal mass of redness in the upper rectum. A proctectomy was performed because of the bowel obstruction. The rectum was filled with an intraluminal mass measuring 5 cm × 4 cm, and endometriosis was diagnosed pathologically. DISCUSSION: A preoperative diagnosis of colorectal obstructive endometriosis is often difficult because of the lack of definite diagnostic, clinical, sonographic, or radiological findings that are characteristic of this disease. Medical treatment is not always effective for colorectal obstructive endometriosis, and surgery is often performed. CONCLUSION: Colorectal obstructive endometriosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of various gastrointestinal symptoms in women who are of reproductive age

A cadaveric study of ulnar nerve strain at the elbow associated with cubitus valgus/ varus deformity

Background: Cubital tunnel syndrome can be caused by overtraction and dynamic compression in elbow deformities. The extent to which elbow deformities contribute to ulnar nerve strain is unknown. Here, we investigated ulnar nerve strain caused by cubitus valgus/varus deformity using fresh-frozen cadavers. Methods: We used six fresh-frozen cadaver upper extremities. A strain gauge was placed on the ulnar nerve 2 cm proximal to the medial epicondyle of the humerus. For the elbow deformity model, osteotomy was performed at the distal humerus, and plate fixation was performed to create cubitus valgus/varus deformities (10°, 20°, and 30°). Ulnar nerve strain caused by elbow flexion (0–125°) was measured in both the normal and deformity models. The strains at different elbow flexion angles within each model were compared, and the strains at elbow extension and at maximum elbow flexion were compared between the normal model and each elbow deformity model. However, in the cubitus varus model, the ulnar nerve deflected more than the measurable range of the strain gauge; elbow flexion of 60° or more were considered effective values. Statistical analysis of the strain values was performed with Friedman test, followed by the Williams’ test (the Shirley‒Williams’ test for non-parametric analysis). Results: In all models, ulnar nerve strain increased significantly from elbow extension to maximal flexion (control: 13.2%; cubitus valgus 10°: 13.6%; cubitus valgus 20°: 13.5%; cubitus valgus 30°: 12.2%; cubitus varus 10°: 8.3%; cubitus varus 20°: 8.2%; cubitus varus 30°: 6.3%, P < 0.001). The control and cubitus valgus models had similar values, but the cubitus varus models revealed that this deformity caused ulnar nerve relaxation. Conclusions: Ulnar nerve strain significantly increased during elbow flexion. No significant increase in strain 2 cm proximal to the medial epicondyle was observed in the cubitus valgus model. Major changes may have been observed in the measurement behind the medial epicondyle. In the cubitus varus model, the ulnar nerve was relaxed during elbow extension, but this effect was reduced by elbow flexion.博士（医学）・甲第865号・令和5年3月15日© The Author(s) 2022. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated in a credit line to the data.identifier:BMC musculoskeletal disorders Vol.23 No.1 Article No.829 (2022 Sep)identifier:14712474identifier:http://ginmu.naramed-u.ac.jp/dspace/handle/10564/4097identifier:BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 23(1): Article No.82