Effect of Asian dust on pulmonary function in adult asthma patients in western Japan: A panel study

AbstractBackgroundAsian dust (AD) has become a major health concern. The concentration of AD is typically expressed in particulate matter less than 10 μm (PM10) and 2.5 μm (PM2.5). However, PM10 and PM2.5 consist of various substances besides AD. Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems can selectively measure the quantity of AD particles to distinguish non-spherical airborne particles from spherical airborne particles. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between pulmonary function in adult asthma patients and AD using LIDAR data.MethodsSubjects were 231 adult asthma patients who had their morning peak expiratory flow (PEF) measured from March to May 2012. A linear mixed model was used to estimate the association of PEF with sand dust particles detected by LIDAR.ResultsIncreases in the interquartile range of AD particles (0.018 km−1) led to changes in PEF of −0.42 L/min (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.85 to 0.01). An increase of 11.8 μg/m3 in suspended particulate matter and 6.9 μg/m3 in PM2.5 led to decreases of −0.17 L/min (−0.53 to 0.21) and 0.03 L/min (−0.35 to 0.42), respectively. A heavy AD day was defined as a day with a level of AD particles >0.032 km−1, which was the average plus one standard deviation during the study period, and six heavy AD days were identified. Change in PEF after a heavy AD day was −0.97 L/min (−1.90 to −0.04).ConclusionsHeavy exposure to AD particles was significantly associated with decreased pulmonary function in adult asthma patients

The relationship between spino-pelvic-hip mobility and quality of life before and after total hip arthroplasty

Introduction Total hip arthroplasty (THA) can significantly improve quality of life (QOL) in patients with hip osteoarthritis. A relationship exists between activity levels and postoperative QOL, but its determinants are not well known. The aim of this work was to investigate the relationship between hip, pelvis and lumbar spine mobility and alignment before and after THA with QOL. Material and methods Consecutive patients with hip arthrosis and an indication for THA were included prospectively between July 2019 and December 2020, and they underwent lateral radiographs in free-standing, extension, relaxed- and flexed-seated position. Spinopelvic and hip parameters were measured, as well as their changes between positions to assess hip, pelvis and lumbar spine mobility. Patients were also administered QOL questionnaires. Data were collected preoperatively and 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Results Seventy patients were included; QOL significantly increased 6 months after THA (from 18 [10; 27] to 61 [48; 72], p < 0.001). QOL further increased by 10 points or more after 6 months in 18% of patients, while it decreased in 16%. The latter showed higher pelvic range of motion (between flexion and extension) than the former. Conclusions This study confirmed that QOL is significantly improved by THA, and that spinopelvic alignment and function can play a role. Future work should elucidate how to better predict postoperative QOL from preoperative patient characteristics to improve patient treatment and establish early postoperative physical therapy for patients who could benefit from postoperative improvement of activity-related QOL

PETREL for Astrophysics and Carbon Business

A multi-purpose 50kg class microsatellite hosting astrophysical mission and earth remote sensing, PETREL , will be launched in 2023. In the night side, PETREL observe the ultra-violet sky with a wide-field telescope covering 50 deg^2 for surveying transient objects related to supernovae, tidal disruption events, and gravitational wave events. Our UV telescope can detect the early phase UV emission from a neutron star merger occurred within 150 Mpc. In addition to the satellite observation, PETREL sends a detection alert including the coordinate and brightness of the UV transient to the ground via the real time communication network within several minutes after detection to conduct follow-up observations with the collaborating ground based observatories over the world. In the day side, PETREL observes the surface of the earth by using the tunable multi-spectral cameras and a ultra-compact hyperspectral camera. Our potential targets are the tropical forests (Green Carbon) and coastal zones (Blue Carbon) in the tropical areas to evaluating the global biological carbon strages. For this purpose PETREL will conduct multiple scale mapping collaborating with drones and small aircraft not only satellite. The obtained data will be used for academical research and for business applications. The technical difficulty of this satellite is that carries out multi-purpose with different requirements, such as astronomical observations which requires a quite high attitude stability and the earth observations requiring a high pointing accuracy, with limited resources. If it is possible, a novel small satellite system or a business style can be realized that can share the payload with academia and industry. PETREL has been adopted as Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program No.3 led by JAXA, and development is underway with the aim of launching in FY2023

Nationwide surveillance of bacterial respiratory pathogens conducted by the surveillance committee of Japanese Society of Chemotherapy, the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases, and the Japanese Society for Clinical Microbiology in 2010: General view of the pathogens\u27 antibacterial susceptibility

The nationwide surveillance on antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial respiratory pathogens from patients in Japan, was conducted by Japanese Society of Chemotherapy, Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases and Japanese Society for Clinical Microbiology in 2010.The isolates were collected from clinical specimens obtained from well-diagnosed adult patients with respiratory tract infections during the period from January and April 2010 by three societies. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted at the central reference laboratory according to the method recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institutes using maximum 45 antibacterial agents.Susceptibility testing was evaluable with 954 strains (206 Staphylococcus aureus, 189 Streptococcus pneumoniae, 4 Streptococcus pyogenes, 182 Haemophilus influenzae, 74 Moraxella catarrhalis, 139 Klebsiella pneumoniae and 160 Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Ratio of methicillin-resistant S.aureus was as high as 50.5%, and those of penicillin-intermediate and -resistant S.pneumoniae were 1.1% and 0.0%, respectively. Among H.influenzae, 17.6% of them were found to be β-lactamase-non-producing ampicillin (ABPC)-intermediately resistant, 33.5% to be β-lactamase-non-producing ABPC-resistant and 11.0% to be β-lactamase-producing ABPC-resistant strains. Extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing K.pneumoniae and multi-drug resistant P.aeruginosa with metallo β-lactamase were 2.9% and 0.6%, respectively.Continuous national surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility of respiratory pathogens is crucial in order to monitor changing patterns of susceptibility and to be able to update treatment recommendations on a regular basis

The Impact of Hip Mobility on Lumbar and Pelvic Mobility before and after Total Hip Arthroplasty

Hip arthrosis and total hip arthroplasty (THA) can alter a patient’s balance and spinopelvic mobility. In this study, we hypothesized that lumbar, pelvic, and hip mobility and their inter-relations are affected by THA and that their study could give an insight in our understanding of postoperative balance and mobility. A total of 165 patients with hip arthrosis and with an indication for THA were included in this single-center prospective cohort. Sagittal radiographs were acquired in four positions: free-standing, standing extension, relaxed-seating and flexed-seating preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months. Spinopelvic parameters were measured (pelvic tilt and incidence, sacral slope, lumbar lordosis, pelvic-femoral angle). Standing spinopelvic parameters did not significantly change postoperatively. However, the postural changes occurring between positions were significantly altered after THA. In particular, pelvic and lumbar mobility was significantly reduced postoperatively, while hip mobility was increased. Correlations were observed between the changes in lumbar, pelvic and hip mobility before and after THA. This study confirmed that there is a relationship between lumbar, pelvic and hip mobility in osteoarthritis, and that this relationship is modified by the postoperative compensation mechanisms deployed by the patient in dynamic postures. Hence, surgeons should consider these relationships when planning surgery, in order to obtain a physiological pelvic tilt postoperatively and to account for the potential increased risk of impingement and dislocation with hip hypermobility

The Impact of Hip Mobility on Lumbar and Pelvic Mobility before and after Total Hip Arthroplasty

International audienceHip arthrosis and total hip arthroplasty (THA) can alter a patient’s balance and spinopelvic mobility. In this study, we hypothesized that lumbar, pelvic, and hip mobility and their inter-relations are affected by THA and that their study could give an insight in our understanding of postoperative balance and mobility. A total of 165 patients with hip arthrosis and with an indication for THA were included in this single-center prospective cohort. Sagittal radiographs were acquired in four positions: free-standing, standing extension, relaxed-seating and flexed-seating preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months. Spinopelvic parameters were measured (pelvic tilt and incidence, sacral slope, lumbar lordosis, pelvic-femoral angle). Standing spinopelvic parameters did not significantly change postoperatively. However, the postural changes occurring between positions were significantly altered after THA. In particular, pelvic and lumbar mobility was significantly reduced postoperatively, while hip mobility was increased. Correlations were observed between the changes in lumbar, pelvic and hip mobility before and after THA. This study confirmed that there is a relationship between lumbar, pelvic and hip mobility in osteoarthritis, and that this relationship is modified by the postoperative compensation mechanisms deployed by the patient in dynamic postures. Hence, surgeons should consider these relationships when planning surgery, in order to obtain a physiological pelvic tilt postoperatively and to account for the potential increased risk of impingement and dislocation with hip hypermobility

Effect of Asian dust on pulmonary function in adult asthma patients in western Japan: A panel study

Background: Asian dust (AD) has become a major health concern. The concentration of AD is typically expressed in particulate matter less than 10 μm (PM10) and 2.5 μm (PM2.5). However, PM10 and PM2.5 consist of various substances besides AD. Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems can selectively measure the quantity of AD particles to distinguish non-spherical airborne particles from spherical airborne particles. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between pulmonary function in adult asthma patients and AD using LIDAR data. Methods: Subjects were 231 adult asthma patients who had their morning peak expiratory flow (PEF) measured from March to May 2012. A linear mixed model was used to estimate the association of PEF with sand dust particles detected by LIDAR. Results: Increases in the interquartile range of AD particles (0.018 km−1) led to changes in PEF of −0.42 L/min (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.85 to 0.01). An increase of 11.8 μg/m3 in suspended particulate matter and 6.9 μg/m3 in PM2.5 led to decreases of −0.17 L/min (−0.53 to 0.21) and 0.03 L/min (−0.35 to 0.42), respectively. A heavy AD day was defined as a day with a level of AD particles >0.032 km−1, which was the average plus one standard deviation during the study period, and six heavy AD days were identified. Change in PEF after a heavy AD day was −0.97 L/min (−1.90 to −0.04). Conclusions: Heavy exposure to AD particles was significantly associated with decreased pulmonary function in adult asthma patients