ETS-5, ETS-6, and COMETS projects in Japan

Three satellite communication projects now in progress in Japan are described. The first is a project to establish a telecommunication network for tele-education, TV conference, and tele-medicine in the Asia-Pacific region by using the Japan's Engineering Test Satellite-5 (ETS-5). The second is a project of the ETS-6 satellite, to be launched in 1993, for inter-satellite communication, mobile and fixed communication, and millimeter wave personal communication experiments. The third is a project of the Communications and Broadcasting Engineering Test Satellite (COMETS), to be launched in 1997, for advanced mobile satellite communication, inter-satellite link, and advanced broadcasting experiments at higher frequencies

Radiographic Analysis of Preoperative and Postoperative 3DCT Images of Trochanteric Femoral Fractures

The present study compared a 3-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) classification (Nakano classification) with conventional x-ray classifications (Jensen classification and AO classification) in 44 patients with trochanteric femoral fractures, and evaluated the patterns of fracture lines using 3DCT images. The concordance rate between the Jensen and 3DCT classification, and between the AO and 3DCT classification was 65.9% and 75.0%, respectively. 3DCT scans enabled the creation of detailed images of fracture lines. The anterior fracture line was found to run along the intertrochanteric crest in 90.9% of patients, while the location of the posterior fracture line was in the same approximate position in all patients, including those with comminuted fractures (34.1%). Posterior destruction along lateral fracture lines was present in 63.6% of patients. Furthermore, the preoperative and postoperative CT images of 33 patients with fractures treated via insertion of short femoral nails demonstrated that there was difficulty reducing greater trochanteric fractures. This included reducing fracture sites separated by nail insertion (42.4%) and greater trochanteric fracture sites displaced after surgery (54.5%), suggesting that the use of short femoral nails is limited

Short or Irregular Sleep Duration in Early Childhood Increases Risk of Injury for Primary School-Age Children: A Nationwide Longitudinal Birth Cohort in Japan

The aim of this study was to investigate the longitudinal relationship between shorter or irregular sleep duration (SD) in early childhood and increased risk of injury at primary school age using data from a nationwide survey in Japan. We categorized SD into seven groups: 6 h, 7 h, 8 h, 9 hrs, 10 or 11 h, >12 h, and irregular, based on questionnaire responses collected at 5.5 years old. The relationship between SD and incidence of injury at 5.5-nine years of age is shown. In addition, we completed a stratified analysis on children with or without problematic behavior at eight years old. We included 32,044 children, of which 6369 were classified as having an injury and 25,675 as not having an injury. Logistic regression model showed that shorter or irregular SD categories were associated with an increased adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for injuries (6 h: aOR 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19-1.66, 7 h: aOR 1.10, 95% CI, 0.98-1.23, 8 h: aOR 1.13, 95% CI, 1.02-1.26, irregular: aOR 1.26, 95% CI 1.10-1.43). The same tendency was observed with shorter or irregular SD in subgroups with or without behavioral problems. Shorter or irregular sleep habits during early childhood are associated with injury during primary school age

Radiation in an emergency situation: attempting to respect the patient's beliefs as reported by a minor

Background　Each individual's unique health-related beliefs can greatly impact the patient-clinician relationship. When there is a conflict between the patient's preferences and recommended medical care, it can create a serious ethical dilemma, especially in an emergency setting, and dramatically alter this important relationship. Case presentation　A 56-year-old man, who remained comatose after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, was rushed to our hospital. The patient was scheduled for emergency coronary angiography when his adolescent daughter reported that she and her father held sincere beliefs against radiation exposure. We were concerned that she did not fully understand the potential consequences if her father did not receive the recommended treatment. A physician provided her with in depth information regarding the risks and benefits of the treatment. While we did not want to disregard her statement, we opted to save the patient's life due to concerns about the validity of her report. Conclusions　Variations in beliefs regarding medical care force clinicians to incorporate patient beliefs into medical practice. However, an emergency may require a completely different approach. When faced with a patient in a life-threatening condition and unconscious, we should take action to prioritize saving their life, unless we are highly certain about the validity of their advance directives

Culícideos areas found in the next pool of old National Park in Brasilia (DF)

O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a fauna de culícideos presentes no entorno da piscina velha do Parque Nacional de Brasília após o registro de epizootias de primatas não-humanos humanos e de alguns casos humanos de febre amarela silvestre. As informações das coletas dos culícedeos foram georeferenciados e espacializados com o uso de um Sistema de Informações Geográficas e de Sensoriamento Remoto. Os resultados permitiram identificar as espécies de culícedeos presentes no entorno da piscina velha do Parque Nacional de Brasil e de mostrar a importância do uso ferramentas de análise espacial para o auxílio de levantamentos entomológicos e epidemiológicos de áreas propícias para o de senvolvimento de possíveis epizootias. _________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThis paper aims to examine the fauna of culícideos present in the environment of the old pool of the National Park of Brasilia after the record of epidemics of human nonhuman primates and some human cases of yellow fever wild. The information collected from the culícedeos were georeferenced and with the use of a Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing. The results helped identify the species of culícedeos present in the environment of the old pool of the National Park of Brazil and show the importance of the use of spatial analysis tools to the aid of entomological and epidemiological surveys of areas conducive to the development of possible epidemics

Surveys of postpartum depression in Miyagi, Japan, after the Great East Japan Earthquake

This study explores the correlation between the impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the incidence of postpartum depression in Miyagi prefecture, Japan. The design used was a cross-sectional study with self-administered questionnaires, 6–9 months after the disaster. The results showed the prevalence of postnatal women with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score of ≥9 to be 21.3 %. Multivariate analysis showed that exposure to tsunami (odds ratio, 1.80; 95 % confidence interval, 1.16–2.78) was significantly and independently associated with an EPDS score of ≥9. Postnatal women and their children should be treated as a vulnerable population, and a protective framework must be established to prepare for future devastating disasters

Delay in Emergency Medical Service Transportation Responsiveness during the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Minimally Affected Region

Few studies have investigated the influence of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on emer-gency medical service (EMS) systems, especially in areas less affected or unaffected by COVID-19. In this study, we investigated changes in prehospital EMS activity and transport times during the COVID-19 pandemic. All patients transported by EMS in the city of Okayama from March–May 2019 or March–May 2020 were included. Interfacility transports were excluded. The primary outcome was the time from a patient’s first emergency call until hospital arrival (total prehospital time). Secondary outcomes included three segments of total prehospital time: the response time, on-scene time, and transportation time. Total prehospital time and the durations of each segment were compared between corresponding months in 2020 (COVID19-affected) and 2019 (control). The results showed that total prehospital times in April 2020 were significantly higher than those in 2019 (33.8 ± 11.6 vs. 32.2 ± 10.8 min, p < 0.001). Increases in total prehospital time were caused by longer response time (9.3 ± 3.8 vs. 8.7 ± 3.7 min, p < 0.001) and on-scene time (14.4 ± 7.9 vs. 13.5 ± 6.2min, p < 0.001). The COVID-19 pandemic was thus shown to affect EMS and delayed arrival/response even in a minimally affected region. A system to minimize transportation delays should be developed for emerging pandemics

Occurrence of Panstrongylus guentheri Berg (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil

Relata-se a primeira ocorrência de Panstrongylus guentheri Berg no Brasil. Essa espécie, até então, havia sido observada somente na Argentina, Paraguai, Bolívia e Uruguai. Desta feita, amplia-se a distribuição geográfica desse Triatominae por meio de dois exemplares capturados nos municípios de Bodoquena e Itaporã, ambos no Mato Grosso do Sul. Esses exemplares estavam em ambiente intradomiciliarThe first occurrence of Panstrongylus guentheri Berg in Brazil is presented. This species had been reported only in the territories of Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia and Uruguay. We have extended the geographic distribution of this Triatominae, with two specimens captured in Bodoquena and Itaporã cities, both in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. These specimens were found in the intradomestic environmen

Supplementation With Whey Peptide Rich in β-Lactolin Improves Cognitive Performance in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

Epidemiological reports showed that consumptions of fermented dairy products are beneficial for cognitive decline in elderly. Our previous preclinical studies have demonstrated that intakes of whey peptide rich in the β-lactolin [β-lactopeptide of glycine-thereonine-tryptophan-tyrosine (GTWY)] improve memory and attention by regulating monoamine system, and clinical study using neuropsychological test suggested that consumptions with GTWY-rich whey peptide enhance cognitive performance associated with the frontal cortex activity. However, corresponding interventional studies in humans are limited. Objectives: to evaluate the effects of the whey peptide on cognitive functions in healthy older adults using a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial design. 114 healthy subjects aged 50–75 were supplemented with the whey peptide or placebo for 12 weeks, and changes in cognitive function were assessed using neuropsychological tests at weeks 0, 6, and 12 of the intervention. Neuropsychological tests included assessments for memory functions (subtests from Wechsler memory scale-revised, standard verbal paired-associate learning test, and recognition memory test for faces), assessments for attention (cancelation and detection tests), and assessments for general cognitive functions (repeatable battery for assessments of neuropsychological status). Cerebral blood flow was also assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) after 6 weeks of intervention. This study was registered on the 19 November, 2017 in the database of the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) prior to enrollment of subjects (Registration No. UMIN000030461: https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index-j.htm). In the whey peptide group, visual paired-associates I and visual cancelation tests were significantly improved compared with those in the placebo group at weeks 6 and 12 of the intervention, respectively. Visuospatial and constructional scores of the repeatable battery for assessments of neuropsychological status and standard verbal paired-associate learning tests (S-PA) also tended to be improved by the intervention at week 12. Daily intakes of GTWY-rich whey peptide show beneficial effects on cognitive performance, especially associative learning memory and control of attention, in healthy older adults and might prevent age-related cognitive declines

Immunization of Mice against Infection with Salmonella blegdam : Especially Protection of Mice from Typhoid Infection by Immunization with Living Rough Variants of Salmonella

It is generally known that immunization with killed bacilli has a protective effect on bacterienda. 11 But typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever and anthrax, which are also accompanied with bacierienda, have been considered to be exceptional cases. For anthrax effective immunity could not be introduced with killed vaccine, though Louis Pasteur1) invented a preventive inoculation method hi 1881, until recently low virulent living organism inoculations have been considered to be the only effectivemethod, as far as anthrax is concerned. Recently Cromartie, Watson, Bloom and others2) have proved why immunization with living bacilli is the only preventive measure for anthrax. Based on their findings, it is now possible to provide protection with vaccines containing no living organisms. Thus one of the exceptional cases has been removed, leaving mechanism of immunity of typhoid diseases as the remaining problem. In typhoid and paratyphoid fever, it is statistically known that preventive inoculation with killed bacilli has lowered morbidity and lethality. But the immunity resulting from this vaccination is not as strong and effective as in immunity after recovery Moreover its effectiveness is not completely supported, either experimentally or theoretically. This Subject has been studied at a high level in our country, particular), by Kobayashi and his collabora- tors3). According to their opinion, the protective power against typhoid and paratyphoid. infectioncan be established by vaccination with living bacilli, whether in smooth or in rough type, but not with killed vaccine. However, Hazato and his collaborators4) have reported that intravenous injectionsof killed bacilli have given satisfactory protection to mice against the infection of Salmonella enteritidis I , equal to those of living bacilli. Hosoya and others5) have recently stated that immunization with theirso-called T.T.T. or T.A.T. vaccine, which contains no living bacilli, has protective effect on infectionof Salmonella enteritidis of mice and Salmonella abortus equi of guinea-pigs. Ominaga6) has denied