82 research outputs found
Do PPARγ Ligands Suppress the Growth of Cholangiocarcinoma or the Cholangiohepatitis Induced by the Tumor?
Cholangiocarcinoma is a predominantly fatal cancer, which can be difficult to treat. It has been reported that the administration of pioglitazone temporarily improved not only diabetic control, but also bile duct carcinoma-induced cholangiohepatitis. Pioglitazone is considered to have both direct and indirect mechanisms of action on the tumor-related hepatitis. Several molecules induced by thiazolidinedione, including Smad pathway-related molecules, adipokines, and other lipid metabolism-related proteins, may directly or indirectly suppress tumor development and/or tumor-induced cholangiohepatitis. Although the most frequent and critical side effect of thiazolidinedione is drug-induced hepatitis, it can probably be avoided by careful monitoring of serum hepatic enzyme levels. Thiazolidinedione should be considered for management of tumor-induced hepatitis in the presence of diabetes unless severe side effects occur
A Prospective Study of Long-term Outcomes in Female Patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Using Age- and Body Mass Index-matched Cohorts
In patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the prevalence of cirrhosis is higher among women than men, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) develops mainly in the cirrhotic stage among women. However, the long-term outcomes in female patients with NASH have not been fully elucidated, and age, gender and BMI were not simultaneously adjusted in previous studies on the prognosis of NASH. To elucidate the outcomes in female patients with NASH, we prospectively compared NASH patients with advanced fibrosis (advanced NASH) with hepatitis C virus-related advanced fibrosis (advanced CHC) patients and NASH patients with mild fibrosis (mild NASH) using study cohorts that were adjusted for body mass index (BMI) in addition to age. The median follow-up period was 92.5 months. Liver-related complication-free survival was significantly reduced in the advanced NASH group compared to the mild NASH group. No liver-related complications developed in the mild NASH group. The overall survival, liver-related complication- and cardiovascular/cerebrovascular disease-free survival were not significantly different between the advanced NASH and CHC groups. Female patients with NASH and advanced fibrosis may have a less favorable prognosis for liver-related complications than the matched cohorts with NASH and mild fibrosis, but may have a similar prognosis to the matched cohorts with CHC
LATEST RESEARCHES ON RUNNING-SPECIFIC PROSTHESES: TOWARD SOCIAL IMPLEMENTATIONS OF BIOMECHANICS
Recent developments in running-specific prostheses (RSPs) have allowed individuals with lower extremity amputation (ILEAs) to regain the functional capability of running and jumping. However, the biomechanical characteristics of ILEAs using RSPs remain largely unknown. Understanding the biomechanical adaptations that occur during running and jumping with RSPs will assist clinicians and coaches in making objective decisions regarding the most appropriate prostheses, as well as in the fitting and alignment of these devices, for performance improvements in ILEAs. This presentation introduces our project regarding biomechanics of amputee athletes wearing RSPs, and its applications to athletes, prosthetists, manufacturers, and clinicians for the promotion of activity among amputees
BRAKING AND PROPULSIVE IMPULSES ACROSS A RANGE OF RUNNING SPEEDS IN UNILATERAL TRANSFEMORAL AMPUTEES
Braking and propulsive ground reaction force impulses (GRIs) are mechanical parameters affecting the running performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the braking and propulsive GRIs across a range of speeds in unilateral transfemoral amputees. Ten unilateral transfemoral amputees ran on an instrumented treadmill at incremental speeds of 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, and 70% of their maximum speed. At all given speeds, the braking GRI of affected limb was significantly smaller than unaffected limb; however, the propulsive GRIs were similar for both limbs. Consequently, the net anteroposterior GRI was positive in affected limb and negative in unaffected limb. These results suggest that the functional role of braking and propulsion is not the same between the limbs. Training for unilateral transfemoral amputees could focus on reducing the braking GRI of unaffected limb
COMPARISONS OF SPATIOTEMPORAL PARAMETERS OF 100-M SPRINT AMONG ELITE-, SUB-ELITE AND NON-ELITE AMPUTEE SPRINTERS
We investigated differences of the spatiotemporal parameters in a 100-m sprint among elite, sub-elite, and non-elite sprinters with a unilateral transtibial amputation. Using publicly available Internet broadcasts, we analyzed 125, 19, and 33 records from 30 elite, 12 sub-elite, and 22 non-elite sprinters, respectively. Average speed, step frequency, and step length were calculated Average speed was greatest in elite sprinters, followed by the sub-elite and non-elite groups. Although there was no significant differences in average step frequency, the average step length was longest in elite sprinters, followed by the sub-elite and non-elite groups. These results suggest that the differences in sprint performance between the three groups is mainly due to the average step length rather than step frequency
Fundamental Studies on the Improvement of Bed Logs for Shiitake Mushroom (I) : Variations in the Bark Characteristics of Quercus acutissima
RUNNING MECHANICS IN UNILATERAL TRANSFEMORAL AMPUTEES ACROSS A RANGE OF SPEEDS
Running-specific prostheses (RSP) allows individuals with lower extremity amputations to participate in running activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the average vertical ground reaction force (Favg), step frequency (Freqstep) and contact length (Lc) between intact and prosthetic limb across a range of running speeds. Nine unilateral transfemoral amputees with RSP performed running on instrumented treadmill at incremental speeds of 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70% of their maximum speed. We found that prosthetic limb generated smaller Favg than intact limb, and had similar Freqstep between limbs. However, prosthetic limb had longer Lc than intact limb at faster speeds. These results suggest that unilateral transfemoral amputees using RSP have asymmetrical running mechanics between limbs to adapt to the increasing running speed
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRUNK KINEMATIC VARIABLES AND UNDERWATER UNDULATORY SWIMMING PERFORMANCE IN COMPETITIVE SWIMMERS
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between selected trunk kinematic variables and undulatory underwater swimming performance in competitive swimmers. Eight male and 2 female swimmers performed 15 m UUS with their maximum efforts. Three-dimensional coordinate of markers attached to bony configurations were corrected during Pearson’s product moment by using the underwater motion capture system. The range of motion and the corresponding angular velocity were computed for lower waist, upper waist and chest. The relationship between horizontal velocity of center of mass and each kinematic variable was then examined. No significant correlations were found between horizontal velocity and each range of motion. The horizontal velocity was significantly correlate with the angular velocity of lower waist and of chest, but not with the corresponding value of upper waist. The current results suggest that the swimmers produce the great horizontal velocity by increase in trunk angular velocities rather than by increase in trunk range of motion
Drawing of Site Curve and Relation between Site Conditions and Growth in Konara (Quercus serrata) Secondary Stands
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