Effect of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation of the common fibular nerve on the soleus muscle Hoffmann reflex.

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the effects of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation of the common fibular nerve on the modification of neural circuit function as measured through the soleus muscle Hoffmann reflex. [Participants and Methods] Twenty-four healthy adult males were randomly and equally divided into the magnetic stimulation (experimental) and control groups. The Hoffmann reflex of the soleus muscle was analyzed before and after 10 min of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation for the experimental group and before and after 10 min of rest for the control group. The averages of the values for the maximum amplitude and latency of the Hoffman reflex across twenty repetitions were recorded and compared. [Results] The Hoffmann reflex amplitude decreased following stimulation in the experimental group, and significant variations were observed between the experimental and control groups. [Conclusion] The change in the Hoffmann reflex amplitude may have been caused by the magnetic stimulation to I-a sensory fibers on the common fibular nerve, suggesting that magnetic stimulation induces reciprocal inhibition of motor neurons through synapses in the spinal cord.

Early strong predictors of decline in instrumental activities of daily living in community-dwelling older Japanese people.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to determine the strong predictors of the onset of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) decline in community-dwelling older people. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study with a two-year follow-up. SETTING: Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan and Toshima Ward, Tokyo Metropolitan, Japan. PARTICIPANTS: The data were acquired from two cohorts. The final sample comprised 1,523 community-dwelling older people aged 65-94 years (681 men, 842 women). They were individuals who were independent in IADL at baseline and participated in follow-up IADL assessments two years later. MEASUREMENTS: At baseline, comprehensive assessments were performed including: health interview, gait function, hand-grip strength, skeletal muscle mass, balance function, oral function, dietary lifestyle, cognitive function, quality of life, mental status, and social network. When the two-year follow-up was performed, IADL declines were observed in 53 out of 1,523 people. The association of each Z-transformed parameter with the occurrence of IADL decline was examined by employing a binominal logistic regression model adjusting for age, gender, body weight, body height, and medical history. An odds ratio (OR) and a 95% confidence interval were calculated and compared between different parameters. RESULTS: A decrease in walking speed and one-legged stance time, whereas an increased timed up & go test time was associated with significant ORs for the occurrence of IADL decline. CONCLUSION: Gait-related parameters appear to be the strong predictors of the onset of IADL decline in community-dwelling older people.

Investigation of absolute intra-rater and inter-rater reliabilities during the muscle hardness estimation.

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the absolute intra-rater and inter-rater reliabilities during the measurement of muscle hardness, which is used to evaluate physical therapy. Moreover, we examined the effects of using different equipment types and their positioning on the intra-rater and inter-rater reliabilities. [Participants and Methods] Participants of this study comprised 12 healthy adult male individuals. Two experts and two beginners measured the muscle hardness of the lumbar erector spinae and rectus femoris using three types of hardness meters at two positions, including when the muscle was relaxed and stretched. [Results] Intra-rater fixed bias was observed during some measurements by both experts and beginners. Inter-rater fixed bias was observed during measurements by some experts and not the beginners. [Conclusion] In this study, the measurement of muscle hardness demonstrated a need to reconsider the measurement position and acclimation time. These examinations require the consideration of relative and absolute reliabilities.

Neutrophil predominance in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid is associated with disease severity and progression of HRCT findings in pulmonary Mycobacterium avium infection.

Pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection is increasing in prevalence worldwide even in immunocompetent individuals. Despite its variable clinical course, the clinical and immunological factors associated with radiographical severity and progression are not largely unknown. We aimed to study the association between the inflammatory cell and cytokine profiles at the local infected site, and the radiological severity and/or progression of pulmonary MAC infection. In this retrospective cohort study, 22 healthy subjects and 37 consecutive patients who were diagnosed as having pulmonary MAC infection by positive cultures of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids were enrolled. The 37 patients were divided into 2 groups based on the predominant BAL inflammatory cell type: the lymphocyte-dominant (LD) group and neutrophil-dominant (ND) groups. The high-resolution computed tomography score in both the lavaged segment and whole lung and cytokines profiles were compared between the 2 groups. The clinical course after the BAL procedure was also compared between the 2 groups. Both the segment and whole lung scores in the ND group were significantly higher than the LD group (P < 0.001). Levels of IL-8 in the BAL fluids were significantly higher in the ND group compared to the LD group (P = 0.01). In contrast, levels of IL-22 were significantly lower in the ND group compared to the LD group (P < 0.001). The prevalence of patients who showed deterioration of the disease was significantly higher in the ND group (83.3%) than the LD group (12.5%) (P < 0.01). Neutrophil-predominant inflammatory response at the infected site is associated with the radiographical severity and progression of pulmonary MAC infection.

The effectiveness of beauty care on self-rated health among community-dwelling older people.

AIM: The maintenance and improvement of self-rated health is important for prolonging healthy life expectancy in a well-aged society. In the present study, we examined the effectiveness of beauty care on self-rated health among community-dwelling older people through a quasi- randomized controlled trial by propensity score matching (PSM). METHOD: One hundred twelve community-dwelling older people who were recruited from the local community, participated in a beauty care program that consisted of two training sessions per month for 3 months and daily enforcement of facial skin care (intervention group). Seven hundred fifty-nine participants who received a comprehensive geriatric assessment were treated as a control group. Sex, age, BMI, lifestyle habits, hand grip strength, walking speed, skeletal muscle mass, bone density, medical history and life function (Kihon Checklist) were matched by the PSM method. We compared the subjects' self-rated health, depressive mood status (self-rating depression scale: SDS), and the frequency of going outdoors in the intervention and control groups before and after intervention. RESULTS: The improvements of SDS were significantly greater in the intervention group than in the control group. The self-rated health and the frequency of going outdoors were maintained in the intervention group but were significantly decreased in the control group. CONCLUSION: We conclude that beauty care is effective for maintaining and improving the self-rated health and depression status of community-dwelling older people and that it may help prolong healthy life expectancy.

Temporal changes in glutaredoxin 1 and protein s-glutathionylation in allergic airway inflammation.

INTRODUCTION: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways, involving oxidative stress. Upon oxidative stress, glutathione covalently binds to protein thiols to protect them against irreversible oxidation. This posttranslational modification, known as protein S-glutathionylation, can be reversed by glutaredoxin 1 (Glrx1) under physiological condition. Glrx1 is known to increase in the lung tissues of a murine model of allergic airway inflammation. However, the temporal relationship between levels of Glrx1, protein S-glutathionylation, and glutathione in the lungs with allergic airway inflammation is not clearly understood. METHODS: BALB/c mice received 3 aerosol challenges with ovalbumin (OVA) following sensitization to OVA. They were sacrificed at 6, 24, 48, or 72 h, or 8 days (5 mice per group), and the levels of Glrx1, protein S-glutathionylation, glutathione, and 25 cytokines/chemokines were evaluated in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and/or lung tissue. RESULTS: Levels of Glrx1 in BALF were significantly elevated in the OVA 6 h (final challenge) group compared to those in the control, with concurrent increases in protein S-glutathionylation levels in the lungs, as well as total glutathione (reduced and oxidized) and oxidized glutathione in BALF. Protein S-glutathionylation levels were attenuated at 24 h, with significant increases in Glrx1 levels in lung tissues at 48 and 72 h. Glrx1 in alveolar macrophages was induced after 6 h. Glrx1 levels concomitantly increased with Th2/NF-κB-related cytokines and chemokines in BALF. CONCLUSIONS: The temporal relationships of Glrx1 with protein S-glutathionylation, glutathione, and cytokines/chemokines were observed as dynamic changes in lungs with allergic airway inflammation, suggesting that Glrx1 and protein-SSG redox status may play important roles in the development of allergic airway inflammation.

Reliability of airway occlusion pressure as an index of respiratory motor output.

BACKGROUND: Airway occlusion pressure 0.1 s after the start of inspiratory flow (P0.1) is used as an index of respiratory motor output; however, the reliability of P0.1 in this capacity has not been sufficiently investigated. Therefore, the aim of our study was to examine the reliability of P0.1. METHODS: Eleven healthy subjects (7 men and 4 women) participated in our study. Subjects were placed in a supine position, and P0.1 was measured every 30 s for 5 min, following a 1-min period during which ventilation and breathing frequency were measured. A total of 10 P0.1 values were obtained, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to analyze reliability. ICC values from ICC (1, 2) to ICC (1, 10) were calculated following a number of measurements (k), where ICC (1, k) was increased sequentially from 2 to 10. RESULTS: The ICC (1, 2) through ICC (1, 10) values were found to be between 0.877 and 0.960 (95% CI 0.565-0.966 and 0.912-0.987, respectively). When the target coefficient was set at 0.9, the ICC (1, 1) from 10 measurements was calculated a minimum of 4 times. CONCLUSIONS: Although a single measurement of P0.1 was somewhat reliable, the 95% CIs indicated that it is necessary to determine the average value of 3 or more measurements. The minimum of 4 repeat measurements were required to obtain valid results, indicating that the current method of determining P0.1 by averaging the values from at least 4 repeated measurements is valid.

Bronchiolar epithelial catalase is diminished in smokers with mild COPD.

This study aimed to investigate bronchiolar catalase expression and its relationship with smoking and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in humans and to determine the dynamic change of bronchiolar catalase expression in response to cigarette smoke in mice. Lung tissue was obtained from 36 subjects undergoing surgery for peripheral tumours, consisting of life-long nonsmokers and smokers with or without COPD. Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to cigarette smoke exposure for up to 3 months followed by a 28-day cessation period. We quantified bronchiolar catalase mRNA using laser capture microdissection and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. C22 club cells (Clara cells) in culture were exposed to cigarette smoke extract and monitored for viability when catalase expression was decreased by siRNA. Catalase was decreased at mRNA and protein levels in bronchiolar epithelium in smokers with COPD. In mice, bronchiolar catalase is temporarily upregulated at 1 day after cigarette smoke exposure but is downregulated by repeated cigarette smoke exposure, and is not restored long after withdrawal once emphysema is developed. Decreasing catalase expression in C22 cells resulted in greater cigarette smoke extract-induced cell death. Bronchiolar catalase reduction is associated with COPD. Regulation of catalase depends on the duration of cigarette smoke exposure, and plays a critical role for protection against cigarette smoke-induced cell damage.

3-D augmented reality for MRI-guided surgery using integral videography autostereoscopic image overlay.

A 3-D augmented reality navigation system using autostereoscopic images was developed for MRI-guided surgery. The 3-D images are created by employing an animated autostereoscopic image, integral videography (IV), which provides geometrically accurate 3-D spatial images and reproduces motion parallax without using any supplementary eyeglasses or tracking devices. The spatially projected 3-D images are superimposed onto the surgical area and viewed via a half-silvered mirror. A fast and accurate spatial image registration method was developed for intraoperative i.v. image-guided therapy. Preliminary experiments showed that the total system error in patient-to-image registration was 0.90 +/- 0.21 mm, and the procedure time for guiding a needle toward a target was shortened by 75%. An animal experiment was also conducted to evaluate the performance of the system. The feasibility studies showed that augmented reality of the image overlay system could increase the surgical instrument placement accuracy and reduce the procedure time as a result of intuitive 3-D viewing.

[Usefulness of fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography in a case of pleural sarcoidosis].

BACKGROUND: Pleural sarcoidosis is not a rare disease, and some patients with sarcoidosis experience chest pain, although the cause is often unknown. Various studies have indicated that fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is useful for diagnosing and monitoring sarcoidosis. CASE: A 62-year-old man noted left-side dominant chest and back pain, although chest computed tomography (CT) revealed no abnormalities. Two months later, chest and back pain rapidly increased in severity and blurred vision appeared. In addition to uveitis, renal dysfunction was observed and chest CT on admission revealed enlargement of bilateral hilar/mediastinal lymph nodes and diffuse small nodular opacities and subpleural nodules, mainly in the segment of the left upper lobe (S1+2). FDG-PET revealed intense FDG uptake in bilateral peripheral lung parenchyma, spread widely along the subpleura and right inguinal lymph nodes with high uptake in the hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes. Sarcoidosis was diagnosed by transbronchial lung biopsy and renal biopsy. Oral corticosteroid treatment was performed due to persistent chest and back pain and rapid progression of renal dysfunction. Chest and back pain immediately disappeared and renal function improved. Follow-up FDG-PET performed 2 months after corticosteroid treatment revealed no areas of intense FDG uptake.

Intraoperative tumor segmentation and volume measurement in MRI-guided glioma surgery for tumor resection rate control.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Gross-total surgery under intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a promising method of glioma removal. The purpose of this article is intraoperative measurement of resected tumor volume in MRI-guided glioma surgery using semiautomatic image segmentation to unbiased resection rate control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A newly developed software program based on a fuzzy connectedness (FC) segmentation algorithm was used to achieve fast and semiautomatic tumor segmentation and tumor volume measurement. The program was validated by retrospective study of eight glioma cases and then applied to seven glioma cases. All clinical cases underwent actual MRI-guided surgery using 0.3-T open magnets. RESULTS: The volume of the tumor before resection ranged from 10.1 to 206.7 mL. A comparison of the results of manual segmentation with those of the semiautomatic FC-based segmentation gave an average dice similarity coefficient of 0.80 and an average match of 76%. Volume measurement combined with a developed software program enabled quantitative monitoring of tumor removal, which was critical in the near-total resection of glioma in MRI-guided surgery. CONCLUSION: The FC-based tumor segmentation method can be used for intraoperative tumor segmentation and volume measurement in MRI-guided glioma surgery using 0.3-T open magnets. This method is useful for objective resection rate monitoring, which may ultimately minimize the amount of residual tumor in glioma surgery.