176 research outputs found
Estimation of Muscle Fatigue of Low Back upon the Muscle Stiffness
An estimation of muscle fatigue is very important study and many laboratory researchers had done actively in this field. The excellent measurement and analysis methods, however, have not established yet. The aim of this study was to investigate the muscle fatigue of low back, caused by sitting on the vehicle seat for a long time. The muscle viscoelasticity and the EMG (Electromyogram) were measured. The authors proposed the objective muscle fatigue index that was obtained from the result of PCA (Principal Component Analysis) by using the measured varlables. The objective muscle fatigue index suggests an adequate correlation with the subjective fatigue on the vehicle seat
Percutaneous Discectomy—Continuous Irrigation and Drainage for Tuberculous Lumbar Spondylitis: A Report of Two Cases
Percutaneous curettage and continuous irrigation were performed
for definitive diagnosis and treatment of tuberculous (TB) lumbar
spondylitis. Under local anaesthesia, affected lumbar discs were
curetted using a procedure of percutaneous nucleotomy, and in-tube
and the out-tube were placed for continuous irrigation. The period
of continuous irrigation was 12–16 days. Mycobacterium
tuberculosis was demonstrated in case 1 by culture and PCR,
whereas histology showed tuberculous lesion with caseous necrosis
in both cases. Postoperative MRI showed markedly reduced abscesses
after 3 months in both cases. The signal intensity in vertebral
bodies was improved. In Case 2, CT observations showed remodeling
over time in the vertebral body cavities. This method is
advantageous in that although minimally invasive, it achieves
identification of pathogenic bacteria and treatment
simultaneously. This surgical procedure is expected to prove
effective for both TB and pyogenic spondylitis
Optimization temperature sensitivity using the optically detected magnetic resonance spectrum of a nitrogen-vacancy center ensemble
Temperature sensing with nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers using quantum
techniques is very promising and further development is expected. Recently, the
optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) spectrum of a high-density
ensemble of the NV centers was reproduced with noise parameters [inhomogeneous
magnetic field, inhomogeneous strain (electric field) distribution, and
homogeneous broadening] of the NV center ensemble. In this study, we use ODMR
to estimate the noise parameters of the NV centers in several diamonds. These
parameters strongly depend on the spin concentration. This knowledge is then
applied to theoretically predict the temperature sensitivity. Using the
diffraction-limited volume of 0.1 micron^3, which is the typical limit in
confocal microscopy, the optimal sensitivity is estimated to be around 0.76
mK/Hz^(1/2) with an NV center concentration of 5.0e10^17/cm^3. This sensitivity
is much higher than previously reported sensitivities, demonstrating the
excellent potential of temperature sensing with NV centers.Comment: 17 pages, 4 figures, 1 tabl
Two Cases of Increased Gastrointestinal Polyps in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis following Antiacid Agent Intake
Introduction: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), a hereditary disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, is an autosomal dominant inherited condition caused by germline mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene. It is characterized by the development of hundreds to thousands of colorectal adenomatous polyps, which, if left untreated, can eventually develop into colorectal carcinomas. Representative extracolonic tumors in FAP include multiple duodenal adenomas and desmoid tumors. Moreover, multiple fundic gland polyps are frequently identified in the stomachs of patients with FAP. Case Presentation: Herein, we report the two cases. A 52-year-old woman who underwent total colectomy for FAP, and pancreatoduodenectomy was initiated on esomeprazole for the treatment of anastomotic erosion. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy performed 42 months later showed an increased number and size of gastric fundic gland polyps, which subsequently decreased after replacing esomeprazole with ranitidine. Similarly, a 39-year-old woman with FAP was initiated on vonoprazan for the treatment of reflux symptoms. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy performed 14 months later indicated an increase in the number of gastric fundic gland polyps and colorectal polyps, which subsequently decreased after vonoprazan discontinuation. In these two cases, the increase and decrease in the number and size of fundic gland polyps and colon adenoma were associated with serum gastrin levels. Conclusion: Gastric fundic gland polyps and colon polyps may rapidly increase in number and size due to increased gastrin levels induced by proton pump inhibitor/potassium-competitive acid blocker use. Hence, these drugs should be prescribed with caution
Third-Generation Capsule Endoscopy Outperforms Second-Generation Based on the Detectability of Esophageal Varices
Background and Aim. The third-generation capsule endoscopy (SB3) was shown to have better image resolution than that of SB2. The aim of this study was to compare SB2 and SB3 regarding detectability of esophageal varices (EVs). Methods. Seventy-six consecutive liver cirrhosis patients (42 men; mean age: 67 years) received SB3, and 99 (58 men; mean age, 67 years old) received SB2. All patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy within 1 month prior to capsule endoscopy as gold standard for diagnosis. The diagnosis using SB3 and SB2 for EVs was evaluated regarding form (F0–F3), location (Ls, Lm, and Li), and the red color (RC) sign of EVs. Results. SB2 and SB3 did not significantly differ on overall diagnostic rates for EV. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of SB2/SB3 for EV diagnosis were, respectively, 65%/81%, 100%/100%, 100%/100%, and 70%/62%. However, the diagnostic rates for EV form F1 were 81% using SB3 and 52% using SB2 (P=0.009). Further, the diagnostic rates for Ls/Lm varices were 79% using SB3 and 81% using SB2, and, for Li, varices were 84% using SB3 and 52% using SB2 (P=0.02). Conclusion. SB3 significantly improved the detectability of EVs compared with SB2
Clinical Usefulness of the VS Classification System Using Magnifying Endoscopy with Blue Laser Imaging for Early Gastric Cancer
Background. Blue laser imaging (BLI) enables the acquisition of more information from tumors’ surfaces compared with white light imaging. Few reports confirm the validity of magnifying endoscopy (ME) with BLI (ME-BLI) for early gastric cancer (EGC). We aimed to assess the detailed endoscopic findings from EGCs using ME-BLI. Methods. We enrolled 386 consecutive patients with 417 EGCs that were diagnosed using ME-BLI and resected by endoscopic submucosal dissection. Using the VS classification system, three highly experienced endoscopists (HEEs) and three less experienced endoscopists (LEEs) evaluated the demarcation line (DL), microsurface pattern (MSP), and microvascular pattern (MVP) within the endoscopic images of EGCs obtained using ME-BLI, assigning high-confidence (HC) or low-confidence (LC) levels. We investigated the clinicopathological features associated with each confidence level. Results. The HEEs’ evaluations determined the presence of DL in 99%, irregular MSP in 96%, and irregular MVP in 96%, and the LEEs’ evaluations determined the presence of DL in 98%, irregular MSP in 95%, and irregular MVP in 95% of the EGCs. When DL was present, HC levels in the Helicobacter pylori- (H. pylori-) eradicated group and noneradicated group were evident in 65% and 89%, a difference that was significant (p<0.001). Conclusions. In the diagnosis of EGC with ME-BLI, the VS classification system with ME-NBI can be applied, but identifying the DL after H. pylori was difficult
Serum phosphate levels modify the impact of parathyroid hormone levels on renal outcomes in kidney transplant recipients
Separate assessment of mineral bone disorder (MBD) parameters including calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone (PTH), fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25D) predict renal outcomes in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs), with conflicting results. To date, data simultaneously evaluating these parameters and interwoven relations on renal outcomes are scarce. We conducted a prospective long-term follow-up cohort study included 263 KTRs with grafts functioning at least 1 year after transplantation. The outcome was a composite of estimated GFR halving and graft loss. Cox regression analyses were employed to evaluate associations between a panel of six MBD parameters and renal outcomes. The outcome occurred in 98 KTRs during a median follow-up of 10.7 years. In a multivariate Cox analysis, intact PTH (iPTH), phosphate, and 1,25D levels were associated with the outcome (hazard ratio, 1.60 per log scale; 95% confidence interval, 1.19–2.14, 1.60 per mg/dL; 1.14–2.23 and 0.82 per 10 pg/mL; 0.68–0.99, respectively). Competing risk analysis with death as a competing event yielded a similar result. After stratification into four groups by iPTH and phosphate medians, high risks associated with high iPTH was not observed in KTRs with low phosphate levels (P-interaction < 0.1). Only KTRs not receiving active vitamin D, poor 1,25D status predicted the worse outcome (P-interaction < 0.1). High iPTH, phosphate, and low 1,25D, but not FGF23, levels predicted poor renal outcomes. Simultaneous evaluation of PTH and phosphate levels may provide additional information regarding renal allograft prognosis.Doi Y., Hamano T., Ichimaru N., et al. Serum phosphate levels modify the impact of parathyroid hormone levels on renal outcomes in kidney transplant recipients. Scientific Reports 10, 13766 (2020); https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-70709-4
Usefulness of fecal calprotectin by monoclonal antibody testing in adult Japanese with inflammatory bowel diseases: a prospective multicenter study
Background/Aims Noninvasive objective monitoring is advantageous for optimizing treatment strategies in patients inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Fecal calprotectin (FCP) is superior to traditional biomarkers in terms of assessing the activity in patients with IBD. However, there are the differences among several FCP assays in the dynamics of FCP. In this prospective multicenter trial, we investigated the usefulness of FCP measurements in adult Japanese patients with IBD by reliable enzyme immunoassay using a monoclonal antibody. Methods We assessed the relationship between FCP levels and disease or endoscopic activity in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC, n=64) or Crohn’s disease (CD, n=46) compared with healthy controls (HCs, n=64). Results FCP levels in UC patients strongly correlated with the Disease Activity Index (rs=0.676, P<0.0001) and Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES; rs=0.677, P<0.0001). FCP levels were significantly higher even in patients with inactive UC or CD compared with HCs (P=0.0068, P<0.0001). The optimal cutoff value between MES 1 and 2 exhibited higher sensitivity (94.1%). FCP levels were significantly higher in active UC patients than in inactive patients (P<0.001), except those with proctitis. The Crohn’s Disease Activity Index tended to correlate with the FCP level (rs=0.283, P=0.0565). Conclusions Our testing method using a monoclonal antibody for FCP was well-validated and differentiated IBD patients from HCs. FCP may be a useful biomarker for objective assessment of disease activity in adult Japanese IBD patients, especially those with UC
Clinical Usefulness of Dual Red Imaging in Gastric Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A Pilot Study
Background/Aims Dual red imaging (DRI) is a new, image-enhanced endoscopy technique. There are few reports about the usefulness of DRI during gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). We aimed to examine the usefulness of DRI in endoscopic hemostasis during gastric ESD. Methods We enrolled a total of 20 consecutive patients who underwent gastric ESD. Five endoscopists compared DRI with white light imaging (WLI) for the visibility of blood vessels and bleeding points while performing endoscopic hemostasis. Results The visibility of blood vessels was increased in 56% (19/34) of the cases, and the visibility of bleeding points was improved in 55% (11/20) of the cases with the use of DRI compared with the use of WLI. Conclusions DRI improved the visibility of blood vessels and bleeding points in cases with oozing bleeding, blood pooling around the bleeding points, and multiple bleeding points
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