International Medical And Welfare College

In our previous study, we visualized and systematically evaluated gas leakage from the forceps plug of the gastrointestinal endoscope system using the Schlieren system. In order to minimize the potential risk of infection from gas leakage from the gastrointestinal endoscope, the development of a new forceps plug was considered urgent. In this study, we analyzed the structure of commercially available forceps plugs and attempted to develop new forceps plugs with improvements. Microfocus computed tomography was used to nondestructively analyze the structural changes that occur when forceps are inserted into a commercially available forceps plug. Based on the findings, the basic structure of the newly developed forceps plug was set. We examined the airtightness of these newly developed plugs using the Schlieren system and also compared their fractional resistance with those of commercially available plugs. As a result of the nondestructive analysis, all of the commercially available plugs had a single valve, and the cleavage created in the valve during forceps, insertion was large in the case of plugs with slit-type entrances. In the newly developed forceps plugs, all four types of plugs showed less gas leakage and similar or better usability compared to the commercially available plugs. The structural weaknesses of the existing gastrointestinal endoscopic forceps plugs were identified. Based on the findings, we froze the design of a prototype of a new forceps plug that was airtight and not inferior in usability compared to commercially available plugs.

The purpose of this study is to clarify psychological factors related to recovery from sports injuries in judo and track and field. A questionnaire survey was conducted with male and female university judo players (n=944) and track and field athletes (n=645), who were identified using the snowball sampling. The questionnaire included the following items; the state of sports injuries, individual traits, coping resources, health related issues, stress responses and emotional supports. The questionnaire was conducted twice within a one year interval. Responses of participants with sports injuries were analyzed in the first survey (judo: n=190, track and field: n=111). Psychological factors in the recovery group and the non-recovery group were compared between the first and second survey and between groups by a two-way repeated measures ANOVA. In judo, there was a main effect between the groups of interpersonal dependency, stress responses “irritability-anger” and health management confidence (p< .05). In addition, there was an interaction effect between acquired resilience and emotional support from coaches (p< .05). In track and field, there was a main effect between the groups of stress responses “depression-anxiety” and “helplessness”, and between the time point of interpersonal dependency (p< .05). The results of this study suggested that while there were similarities in psychological factors between judo and track and field, the effects differed based on the type of sport, and that measures appropriate to the type of sport were required for psychological support when returning to the sport.

BackgroundDecreased pulmonary function and poor deglutition are a major risk factor for poststroke aspiration pneumonia. We analyzed the benefits of pulmonary training on pulmonary function, deglutition, and quality of life (QOL) in community‐dwelling, frail elderly people with chronic stroke.MethodThis study was designed as an open, randomized, controlled pilot trial. The participants, who were frail older adults with a history of stroke, were randomized to 2 rehabilitation groups: intervention group (n = 15) and control (n = 15). All participants (65–94 years) attended twelve 20‐min sessions twice a week for 6 weeks of either standard rehabilitation (control group) or standard rehabilitation with pulmonary training including home pulmonary exercise (intervention group). The main outcome measures were pulmonary function (%MIP), deglutition (DRACE), and QOL (SF8･PCS), while secondary outcomes were muscle strength (grip and abdominal), thorax flexibility, 6‐min walk distance, and activities in daily living. All outcomes were measured both prior to training and after the 12 sessions.ResultsThe intervention group showed significant improvement in %MIP (95% CI, 2.9–31.6; p < 0.01), DRACE (95% CI, −4.1–0.1; p < 0.01), and SF8･PCS (95% CI, 2.5–7.2; p < 0.01) compared with controls. There were no cognitive function decline and higher brain dysfunction.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the addition of pulmonary training including home pulmonary exercise to a standard rehabilitation program could improve pulmonary function, deglutition, and QOL in frail elderly people with chronic stroke.

The purpose of this study is to measure and analyze whether or not there is a significant difference in brain activity between individuals in imagery associated with spontaneous thinking using MEG. Specifically, we will compare visual thinking and verbal thinking in human spontaneous thinking, and discuss their relationship to brain activity. In a recent study, we divided subjects into visual and non-visual thinking types by questionnaire, gave them a verbal task and a visual task, and measured them by MEG. The results showed that there were significant differences in brain activation near the primary visual area and near the frontal language area [1]. This suggests that our natural thinking characteristics may be divided into two types: visual and verbal. Thus, by analyzing the diversity of thinking characteristics of individuals, it would be possible to apply the research results to education, career choice and other fields [2].

Background: The salvage proximal femoral osteotomy is performed in mild to moderate forms of osteoarthritis when the articulating surfaces are normal and relieves the subjects pain. Because of the importance of angular mal-alignment of the femur bone at the hip junction, accurate pre-op planning based on patient specific anatomy is required to prevent any lower misalignment and joint problem. Patients and Methods: In this study, a virtual CT-Based modeling technique was used to a 3D-Model of the patients pelvis and proximal femur. The registration stage using angio-fluoroscopy was performed to calculate the proximal femur kinematic and input it into a finite element model to achieve the stress distribution pattern of femoroacetabular joint. Results: To assess the biomechanics of the joint contact surface, it is necessary to have the stress distribution in the articulating surfaces of the hip joint. The decision about the salvage surgical approach and the appropriate plan for wedge excision will be made based on the biomechanical results at the joint. FE model also provides additional information on the stress profile of the contact surface when the joint moves from full extension to full flexion. Conclusions: Use of a non-invasive 3D modeling method will remediate the surgical approach in pre-op stage. Here, the in-vivo modeling and assessment of the patient femuroacetabular contact is approved. It has been shown that the accuracy of the proposed model is comparable with the existing surgical pre-op planning.

A wide range of individual differences exist in the total number of functional and structural units in each organ, such as β cells in pancreatic islands, and these units are the basis of the organ's overall function, including its functional reserve. The endocrine environment may influence organ histogenesis, during which functional and structural units are formed and increase in number. We analyzed the effects of a continuous high level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and/or secondarily induced glucocorticoid on histogenesis of the pancreas in mouse embryos. Pituitary tumor-derived AtT20 cells, which secrete ACTH continuously, were injected subcutaneously into mouse embryos at embryonic day (E) 12.5, and the embryos were allowed to develop exo utero until E18.5 (AtT20 group). E18.5 AtT20 group embryos with high ACTH levels (23.74 ± 6.19 ng/mL vs control group, 0.48 ± 0.40 ng/mL, P < 0.05) were examined for the effects on histogenesis of the pancreas. Using serial sections of the E18.5 pancreas, we stereologically measured the volumes, and counted total cell numbers and numbers of mitotic or pyknotic cells of the whole pancreas, endocrine and exocrine cells, and glucagon-immunopositive α cells and insulin-immunopositive β cells in the endocrine part. Although the volumes of the whole pancreas and exocrine part did not change significantly, in the AtT20 group the endocrine part was significantly larger, with fewer pyknotic cells and lower ratios of α and β cells than in the control group. These results suggest that the high level of ACTH and/or glucocorticoid affects histogenesis of the pancreas.