The effects of calf muscle self-massage on ankle joint range of motion and tendon-muscle morphology.

INTRODUCTION: Self-massage using a foam roller (foam rolling) has been used to improve joint range of motion (ROM). However, the effect of foam rolling on the morphology of a targeted muscle, tendon, and muscle-tendon unit (MTU) has not been fully clarified. This study aimed to investigate extensibility changes in the gastrocnemius muscle (GM), MTU, and the Achilles tendon (AT) in terms of maximum ankle dorsiflexion (max-DF) following a foam rolling intervention. This was an interventional study with no controls. METHODS: Study participants comprised 10 male and female students (mean [standard deviation]: 22.7 [2.5] years; height, 164.2 [6.7] cm; weight, 57.9 [7.9] kg). The foam rolling intervention was performed on the right leg plantar flexor muscles for 3 min. The outcomes were max-DF with specified resistance values (ROM-SR) and non-specified resistance values (ROM-NSR) and GM, MTU, and AT extensibility. An ultrasound device was used to determine the rate of change by subtracting the value in a neutral ankle joint position (0°) from the ankle max-DF to identify GM, MTU, and AT extensibility. All outcomes were measured pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: The range of ankle joint dorsiflexion increased significantly following the foam rolling intervention (Δ: ROM-SR, +4.35 [5.79]; ROM-NSR, +4.18 [4.43]), whereas GM extensibility increased 4.0 mm, although no significant difference was observed pre- and post-intervention. CONCLUSION: Foam rolling was effective in increasing ankle joint dorsiflexion ROM. Moreover, it was suggested that the GM morphology might be affected by the intervention.

The acute mechanism of the self-massage-induced effects of using a foam roller.

INTRODUCTION: Maintaining flexibility, often defined as range of motion (ROM), is important. Recently, self-massage using a foam roller (FR) has been used in clinical and/or sports settings to effectively and immediately improve ROM. Many studies have found significant increases in ROM following the FR intervention; however, the mechanism of the effect is unclear. We aimed to clarify this mechanism regarding the ROM effects following the FR intervention by evaluating local tissue and autonomic nervous system responses. METHOD: The study employed a crossover design that included a comparison between non-intervention (CON trial: left leg) and intervention (FR trial: right leg) groups. Fourteen volunteers participated. Nine outcomes (passive maximum ankle ROM [ROM with a specified and non-specified passive strength], tissue hardness, skin temperature, water contents, circumference, blood flow velocity, pressure pain threshold, autonomic nervous system, and heart rate) were investigated before (PRE) and 0 min (POST0), 20 min (POST20), 40 min (POST40), and 60 min (POST60) post intervention. RESULTS: Skin temperature, impedance, and circumference changed significantly following the intervention, and increased ROM with non-specified strength was observed. DISCUSSION: Although we found that the FR intervention influenced skin temperature, impedance, circumference, and ROM, adaptability to the intervention may differ depending on an individual's characteristics. Females and/or individuals with a high body water content could obtain greater positive ROM effects than males and/or individuals with a low body water content. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the FR intervention may be an effective method to improve ROM, with alterations of skin temperature, impedance, and circumference.

Total arch replacement for coarctation of the aorta in an adolescent.

A 16-year-old boy suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage and underwent open head surgery. He was subsequently diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta and referred to our hospital. The coarctation was at the distal transverse arch, just at the site of branching of the subclavian artery. Total arch replacement with selective cerebral perfusion was selected because of the short hypoplastic arch. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course, and was doing well 3 years after the surgery.

Multifunctional TEM-specimen holder equipped with a piezodriving probe and an electron irradiation port.

The charging effect due to electron irradiation in an electron microscope has been studied so far with incident electrons. Here we report on a new specimen holder to control the charging effect by using electrons emitted from an irradiation port in the holder while maintaining a constant intensity of the incident electron beam. Details of the charging effect, such as electric field variation, are expected to be investigated by electron holography. The new specimen holder was developed by modifying a double-probe piezodriving specimen holder to introduce an electron irradiation port in one of its two arms. As a result, the new modified specimen holder consists of a piezodriving probe and an electron irradiation port, both of which can be controlled in three dimensions, using piezoelectric elements and micrometers. We demonstrate that variations in the charging effect for epoxy resin and surface contamination can be observed by electron holography.

Development of a multifunctional TEM specimen holder equipped with a piezodriving probe and a laser irradiation port.

The double-probe piezodriving specimen holder that was recently developed by some of the present authors is modified to introduce a laser irradiation port in one of its two arms. As a result, the new specimen holder consists of a piezodriving probe and a laser irradiation port, both of which can be three-dimensionally controlled by using piezoelectric elements and micrometers. While the piezodriving probe interacts with the specimen set in the holder in several ways, the laser beam causes photo-induced phenomena to occur. By performing electron holography using the new specimen holder, we demonstrate that it is possible to evaluate the change in the electric field resulting from the discharging effect of laser irradiation on organic photoconductors.

Poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum: clinical characteristics.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aims of this study were to assess the prognosis and histopathological factors of poorly differentiated colorectal adenocarcinoma, and the clinical relevance of the proposed histopathological sub classifications. METHODOLOGY: Fifty eight patients with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma were enrolled in this study. According to the lymphatic canal spread in tumor tissue, they were classified into lymphangitic type (tumor spread beyond the intra mucosal tumor space through the lymphatic canal widely) and non-lymphangitic type (tumor spread within that space). Next, they were sub classified into medullary, intermediate and scirrhous types according to the amount of fibrous stroma. In addition, immunohistological examinations were performed on the expression of an intercellular adhesion molecule (E-cadherin). RESULTS: In 33 cases (57%) Lymphangitic type was present and in 25 cases non-lymphangitic type (43%) was present. In the lymphangitic types, 5 cases were medullary type (15%), 17 cases were intermediate type (52%) and 11 cases were scirrhous type (33%) that included 2 cases of signet ring cell carcinoma. In the non-lymphangitic types, medullary type was dominant (20 cases, 80%) while intermediate type and scirrhous type were 3 cases (12%) and 2 cases (8%), respectively. The survival rates were calculated for both types and a large difference was found in terms of 5-year survival rate; 0% for lymphangitic type and 72% for non-lymphangitic type (p<0.05). There was no correlation found between the expression of cadherin and the subclassification. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, a wide tumor infiltration and growth in lymphatic vessels appears to be an important prognostic factor for poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma compared to the metastasis patterns.