Maximum abdominal excursion assessment using an abdominal excursion measuring device: Reliability and validity of a new device for simple and quantitative assessment of respiratory function.

This study aimed to verify the reliability and validity of abdominal expansion and respiratory function measurements. Forty healthy adult males underwent lung capacity, effort lung capacity, respiratory muscle strength, cough strength, diaphragm ultrasound, and abdominal expansion measurements. Abdominal expansion was measured using a device developed to accurately evaluate abdominal movements and calculate maximum abdominal expansion on the ventral side (AE-max: the difference between maximal abdominal contraction at the same time as maximal-effort expiration and maximal abdominal expansion at the same time as maximal-effort inspiration). Intra- and inter-rater reliabilities of the AE-max measurements were examined, the paired t-test was used for assessing the ratios of the expansion and contraction displacement components in AE-max, and regression analysis was used to obtain equations for predicting maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) based on AE-max. Both intra- and inter-rater reliabilities were high. Criterion-related validity showed that AE-max was associated with all respiratory function parameters, especially MIP, and a high percentage of expansion displacement. Regression analysis showed that AE-max was significantly associated with MIP. Based on its association with MIP, the large proportion of expansion displacement in AE-max, and the results of the multiple regression analysis, we conclude that AE-max is a helpful measure for estimating MIP.

Intron-Encoded Domain of Herstatin, An Autoinhibitor of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors, Is Intrinsically Disordered.

Human epidermal growth factor receptors (HER/ERBB) form dimers that promote cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation, but overexpression of HER proteins results in cancer. Consequently, inhibitors of HER dimerization may function as effective antitumor drugs. An alternatively spliced variant of HER2, called herstatin, is an autoinhibitor of HER proteins, and the intron 8-encoded 79-residue domain of herstatin, called Int8, binds HER family receptors even in isolation. However, the structure of Int8 remains poorly understood. Here, we revealed by circular dichroism, NMR, small-angle X-ray scattering, and structure prediction that isolated Int8 is largely disordered but has a residual helical structure. The radius of gyration of Int8 was almost the same as that of fully unfolded states, although the conformational ensemble of Int8 was less flexible than random coils. These results demonstrate that Int8 is intrinsically disordered. Thus, Int8 is an interesting example of an intrinsically disordered region with tumor-suppressive activity encoded by an intron. Furthermore, we show that the R371I mutant of Int8, which is defective in binding to HER2, is prone to aggregation, providing a rationale for the loss of function.

Respiratory function and comfort levels in three different defecatory simulation postures in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: Elderly people experience a heavy physical burden due to deteriorated respiratory function owing to prolonged sitting defecation posture due to constipation. In recent years, to reduce the physical burden of defecation, arm support handrails, which support the arms in a forward-leaning posture, have become more widely available; however, their impact on breathing comfort has not yet been verified. This study's purpose was to compare the respiratory function of elderly people in traditional defecation postures and the arm-supported, forward-leaning position using the handrail, and thus verify whether the supported position has a positive effect. METHODS: The trunk leaning angle, respiratory function, thoracic range of motion, and subjective comfort of 57 healthy elderly people were measured and compared in each of the three sitting defecation postures: upright, forward-leaning, and arm-supported forward-leaning. RESULTS: The arm-supported, forward-leaning position involves a trunk leaning angle of 61.84° ± 7.47°, and vital capacity of the respiratory function, thoracic range of motion (axillary region), and subjective comfort in this position are all shown to be significantly higher than those in the other postures. CONCLUSION: The arm-supported, forward-leaning defecation posture provides a high degree of freedom in the abdomen due to proper forward-leaning, while the upper limb support improves the mobility of the upper thorax, thus ensuring high lung volume. In addition, the increased stability provides a comfortable feeling. Therefore, we conclude that the arm-supported, forward-leaning position is more effective for defecation than the general defecation position.

The effects of a defecation posture, supported by the upper limbs, on respiratory function.

[Purpose] In this study, we aimed to determine which typical postures or an arm-supported posture were more comfortable and conducive to respiratory function, during seated defecation. [Participants and Methods] In 73 healthy adults, we measured and compared respiratory function and subjective contentment associated with 3 sitting defecation postures: upright, forward-leaning, and arm-supported forward-leaning. [Results] Vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), and subjective comfort were significantly greater in the arm-supported forward-leaning position than in the other 2 positions. [Conclusion] The arm-supported forward-leaning position for defection increased the VC and was subjectively comfortable. Moreover, the high MEP in this position, compared with the other 2 positions, may have facilitated strain. A detailed examination of the cause for the observed increase in comfort was beyond the scope of this study; therefore, this effect requires further investigation.

An Efficient Acylation of Tertiary Alcohols with Isopropenyl Acetate Mediated by an Oxime Ester and Cp(2)Sm(thf)(2).

An efficient method for the acylation of tertiary alcohols with isopropenyl acetate (1) by the use of an oxime and Cp(2)Sm(thf)(2) as catalyst was developed. Thus, various types of tertiary alcohols could be acylated with 1 in the presence of a catalytic amount of cyclohexanone oxime acetate (2) and Cp(2)Sm(thf)(2) under mild conditions to form the corresponding acetates in excellent yields. Acid-sensitive terpene alcohols such as linalool were successfully acetylated by the present method to give acetyl linalool in quantitative yield. This method enables an alternative acylation of tertiary alcohols under acid-free conditions.