The Influence of Acupressure at Extra 1 Acupuncture Point on the Spectral Entropy of the EEG and the LF/HF Ratio of Heart Rate Variability

Acupressure applied on the Extra 1 acupuncture point results in sedation, thereby reducing bispectral index (BIS) values. Mental status and hypnotic agents influence the autonomic nervous system. We hypothesized that acupressure at the Extra 1 point would induce sedation and change sympatho-parasympathetic nerve balance. We investigated the effect of acupressure at the Extra 1 point on the EEG spectral entropy values and heart rate variability (HRV). Forty-eight volunteers (24 males and 24 females) were randomly assigned to the control or Extra 1 group. The control group received acupressure at a sham point and the Extra 1 group received acupressure at the Extra 1 point. Acupressure was applied for 5 min. The record of the EEG spectral entropy values and HRV started 5 min before acupressure and stopped 5 min after acupressure. Acupressure significantly reduced the EEG spectral entropy values in both groups, but the values of the Extra 1 group were significantly smaller than those of the control group (P < .01). Acupressure significantly decreased the LF/HF ratio of HRV in both groups (P < .05). When divided upon gender, although acupressure tended to decrease the LF/HF ratio, the ratio significantly decreased during and after acupressure only in females of the Extra 1 group (P < .05). We concluded that acupressure on the Extra 1 point significantly reduced the EEG spectral entropy in both the genders, but affected the LF/HF ratio of HRV only in females

Impact of phase angle on postoperative prognosis

Objective Phase angle (PhA), by bioelectrical impedance analysis, has been used in patients with several diseases; however, its prognostic value in patients with gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary–pancreatic (HBP) cancer is unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of PhA on postoperative short-term outcomes and long-term survival in these patients. Research Methods & Procedures This retrospective study reviewed data of 501 patients with gastrointestinal and HBP cancers who underwent first resection surgery and divided the data into the following groups according to the preoperative PhA quartile values by sex: high-PhA group with the highest quartile (Q4), normal-PhA group with middle quartiles (Q3 and Q2), and low-PhA group with the lowest quartile (Q1). Preoperative nutritional statuses, postoperative short-term outcomes during hospitalization, and 5-year survival between three groups were compared. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the prognostic effect of PhA. Results PhA positively correlated with body weight, skeletal muscle mass, and handgrip strength, and negatively correlated with age and C-reactive protein levels. The low-PhA group showed a high prevalence of malnutrition (48%) than normal-PhA (25%), and high-PhA (9%) (P < 0.001). The incidence of postoperative severe complications was 10% in all patients [14% in low-PhA, 12% in normal-PhA, and 4% in high-PhA (P = 0.018)]. The incidence of prolonged postoperative high care unit or/and intensive care unit stays was 8% in all patients [16% in low-PhA, 8% in normal-PhA, and 2% in high-PhA (P < 0.001)]. The 5-year survival rate was 74% in all patients [68% in low-PhA, 74% in normal-PhA, and 79% in high-PhA (P < 0.001)]. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that a low-PhA group was an independent risk factor for mortality (hazard ratio, 1.99; 95% confidence interval 1.05–3.90; P = 0.034). Conclusion PhA is a useful short-term and long-term postoperative prognostic marker for patients with gastrointestinal and HBP cancers

Malnutrition by European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism criteria predicts prognosis in patients with gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary–pancreatic cancer

Background & Aims: The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) proposed the ESPEN diagnostic criteria (EDC) for malnutrition in 2015. There is no report on the association between the EDC and prognosis in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) and hepatobiliary–pancreatic (HBP) cancer. This study aimed to (1) determine the prevalence of EDC malnutrition, (2) investigate the validity of the EDC as a nutritional and prognostic indicator, and (3) examine which components of the EDC are most related to long-term prognosis in patients with GI and HBP cancers. Methods: A total of 634 patients with primary GI and HBP cancers who underwent their first resection surgery between July 2014 and March 2018 were retrospectively recruited. According to the EDC, patients were divided into malnourished and non-malnourished groups. Clinical parameters and survival between these two groups were compared. The prognostic effects of the EDC and the EDC components were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard models. Results: The prevalence of EDC malnutrition was 22%. Anthropometric data and biochemical data were associated with EDC malnutrition. The 5-year survival rate was lower in the malnourished group (72%) than in the non-malnourished group (73%; P = 0.007). The multivariate analysis demonstrated that the malnourished group was an independent risk factor for mortality (hazard ratio = 1.70 in the malnourished group; 95% confidence interval 1.08–2.63; P = 0.024). Among EDC components, body mass index (BMI) of <18.5 kg/m2 was an independent poor prognostic factor. Conclusions: EDC malnutrition is associated with poor postoperative long-term prognosis. Among the EDC components, BMI of <18.5 kg/m2 is most associated with prognosis in patients with preoperative GI and HBP cancers

認知症高齢者のQOL向上を目的としたリハビリテーションについての研究

This study investigates the effects of the rehabilitations that would promote the Quality of Life in the elderly with dementia. The salivary amylase activity and communications activity indicated that music therapy significantly diminished the stress level and increased verbal communication of the participant. Although dementia had kept developing, she seemed to enjoy therapy sessions. The results suggested that music therapy could decrease the stress and promote the Quality of Life in the elderly with dementia

Electric dipole response in ¹²⁰Sn

In high-resolution (p̅,p̅) experiments under 0° the complete B(E1) strength distribution can be studied in stable nuclei. At the Research Center of Nuclear Physics in Osaka, Japan, the cross sections and observables for the polarization transfer of E1 and M1 excitations in ¹²⁰Sn were measured for scattering angles Θ = 0° − 4° in an excitation energy range of 5 - 25 MeV. From the present measurement the complete B(E1) strength distribution and the branching ratios of the PDR to the ground state can be extracted. The experimental setup, the principle of backgound subtraction and first results on the E1 strength are presented

Physical chemical study and development of carbon nanotubes composites

Esta tese apresenta pela primeira vez a obtenção, a partir de alcoóis, de nanotubos de carbono do tipo cup-stacked nitrogenados sendo esses nanotubos hidrofílicos e semicondutores. Os compósitos híbridos de fibra de carbono/nanotubos de carbono possuem geometria tridimensional nanoestruturada e foram preparados em reator de deposição química de vapor de leito fixo. Neste processo nanotubos de carbono do tipo cup-stacked nitrogenados, de paredes múltiplas organizadas ou helicoidais são crescidos diretamente sobre as fibras de carbono com diferentes graus de grafitização. Os compósitos obtidos foram analisados principalmente por microscopia eletrônica de varredura e de transmissão de alta resolução que mostrou que o grau de grafitização do substrato de carbono tem influência sobre o crescimento. A densidade de NTC diminui com a redução da grafitização das fibras de carbono, o que produz um material com porosidade não observada quando as fibras são bem grafitizadas. O material compósito foi estudado como elemento filtrante, eletrodos de baterias de íons de lítio, emissor de elétrons e como reforço em compósitos de silicone. A constatação da eficiência na filtragem seletiva de uma série de compostos orgânicos voláteis presentes na fumaça do cigarro bem como a preparação de eletrodos de baterias de íons de lítio sem o uso de folhas metálicas de alumínio ou cobre resultaram no deposito de dois pedidos de patente.This thesis presents for the first time nitrogen-cup-stacked carbon nanotubes with hydrophilic and semiconducting properties synthesized by alcohol precursor. The hybrid carbon fiber/carbon nanotubes composite have three-dimensional geometry and nanostructure. The material was prepared via fixed-bed chemical vapor deposition reactor. In this process nitrogen-cup-stacked, multi-walled or helical carbon nanotubes were synthesized directly onto carbon fibers with different graphitization grade. The composites were analyzed by high resolution scanning and transmission electron microscopy. This characterization showed that the fiber graphitization has influence on the growth. Carbon nanotube density decreases producing a porous composite that was not observed in well-graphitized fibers. The hybrid composite material was studied as a filter, lithium ion battery electrode, electron field emission and as silicone reinforcement. The efficiency to filter several volatile organic compounds present in the mainstream smoke and the development of lithium-ion battery electrodes, aluminum and copper foils free resulted in two patent applications deposit

Electrochemical Evidence of Strong Electronic Interaction of PtRu on Carbon Nanotubes with High Density of Defects

We show that carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with high density of defects can present a strong electronic interaction with nanoparticles of Pt-Ru with average particle size of 3.5 +/- 0.8 nm. Depending on the Pt-Ru loading on the CNTs, CO and methanol oxidation reactions suggest there is a charge transfer between Pt-Ru that in turn provokes a decrease in the electronic interaction taking place between Ru and Pt in the PtRu alloy. The CO stripping potentials were observed at about 0.65 and 0.5 V for Pt-Ru/CNT electrodes with Pt-Ru loadings of 10 and 20, and 30 wt %, respectively. (C) 2008 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/1.2990222] All rights reserved.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)[06/07253-8]Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)[04/07085-2]CNP