Epidemiology and associated radiographic spinopelvic parameters of symptomatic degenerative lumbar scoliosis: are radiographic spinopelvic parameters associated with the presence of symptoms or decreased quality of life in degenerative lumbar scoliosis?

Objectives: To investigate the epidemiology of radiographic degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) and symptomatic DLS and clarify the impact of radiographic spinopelvic parameters on the presence of symptoms and quality of life (QOL) in DLS subjects.

Methods: We obtained the age, gender, screening for chronic low back pain (CLBP) and lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), QOL assessments and X-rays of the thoracolumbar spine from 254 patients from the general population for this study. The prevalence of DLS and symptomatic DLS were estimated and factors associated with symptoms, and the QOL in the DLS subjects was analysed.

Compensatory hypertrophy of the teres minor muscle after large rotator cuff tear model in adult male rat.

Background: Rotator cuff tear (RCT) is a common musculoskeletal disorder in the elderly. The large RCT is often irreparable due to the retraction and degeneration of the rotator cuff muscle. The integrity of the teres minor (TM) muscle is thought to affect postoperative functional recovery in some surgical treatments.

The Neural Correlates of Shoulder Apprehension: A Functional MRI Study.

Although shoulder apprehension is an established clinical finding and is important for the prevention of shoulder dislocation, how this subjective perception is evoked remains unclear. We elucidated the functional neuroplasticity associated with apprehension in patients with recurrent anterior shoulder instability (RSI) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Twelve healthy volunteers and 14 patients with right-sided RSI performed a motor imagery task and a passive shoulder motion task.

Population-based study of the association of osteoporosis and chronic musculoskeletal pain and locomotive syndrome: the Katashina study.

Background: "Locomotive syndrome", a concept proposed by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA), refers to risk conditions among the elderly population that may lead to the need for nursing care services. The association between osteoporosis (OP) or chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMSP) and the screening results of locomotive dysfunction identified by the GLFS-25 (a 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale) has not yet been adequately investigated.

Materials And Methods: Two hundred eighty-seven Japanese subjects were evaluated for locomotive dysfunction using the GLFS-25 and were also evaluated for their bone status by a quantitative ultrasound (QUS) assessment of the bone status (i.

Reversed phase liquid chromatographic determination of organic acids using on-line complexation with copper(II) ion.

We describe a simple and sensitive liquid chromatographic method for the analysis of organic acids using on-line complexation with copper(II) ion. Organic acids complexed with copper(II) ion were separated on a reversed-phase C18 column and detected by UV absorption at 240 nm. The copper(II) ion concentration in the mobile phase had a great influence on separation and sensitivity.

[A case of motor dominant neuropathy and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis associated with Sjögren's syndrome].

A 49-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with gradually progressive weakness of the limbs for about 20 days. She presented with weakness of the limbs, predominantly in the proximal portion, and slight dysesthesia of the limbs, predominantly in the distal portion. Repeated nerve conduction examination revealed axonopathy dominantly in the motor neurons.

Retention Behavior of Halogenated Benzenes on a Stationary Phase Having a 2,4-Dibromophenoxy Group as the Halogen Recognition Functional Group.

A stationary phase with a dipole interaction was synthesized by immobilizing the 2,4-dibromophenoxy (DBP) group onto a hydrophilic base resin. The chromatographic properties for halogenated benzenes were evaluated on the DBP-resin by reversed phase mode. The separation efficiency of the DBP-resin for p-xylene and 1,4-dihalogenated benzenes was better than that of the column packed with octadecylsilane (ODS).

Simultaneous Determination of Trigonelline, Caffeine, Chlorogenic Acid and Their Related Compounds in Instant Coffee Samples by HPLC Using an Acidic Mobile Phase Containing Octanesulfonate.

In order to analyze trigonelline, caffeine, chlorogenic acid, and their related compounds simultaneously, an HPLC method using an InertSustain C18 column and a mobile phase containing octanesulfonate as an ion-pairing reagent under an acidic condition was developed. The optimum mobile phase conditions were determined to be 0.1% phosphoric acid, 4 mM octanesulfonate, and 15% methanol at 35°C.

Prospective multifactorial analysis of preseason risk factors for shoulder and elbow injuries in high school baseball pitchers.

Purpose: To prospectively identify preseason physical factors for shoulder and elbow injuries during the season in high school baseball pitchers.

Methods: The study included 105 high school baseball pitchers [median age 16 (15-17) years]. The range of motion of the shoulder (90° abducted external and internal rotation) and elbow (extension/flexion), shoulder muscle strength (abduction and prone internal and external rotation), shoulder and elbow laxity, horizontal flexion, and scapular dyskinesis were assessed.

[Incidence of Postoperative Retinal Detachment after 25-gauge Vitrectomy for Macular Diseases].

Purpose: To examine the rate of postoperative retinal detachment following 25-gauge vitrectomy with extensive peripheral vitreous shaving in eyes with macular diseases.

Methods: A retrospective non-randomized study of 925 macular surgery cases was undertaken. All surgery was performed using 25-gauge vitrectomy and peripheral vitrectomy was done with scleral indentation.

The economic importance of acaricides in the control of phytophagous mites and an update on recent acaricide mode of action research.

Acaricides are one of the cornerstones of an efficient control program for phytophagous mites. An analysis of the global acaricide market reveals that spider mites such as Tetranychus urticae, Panonychus citri and Panonychus ulmi are by far the most economically important species, representing more than 80% of the market. Other relevant mite groups are false spider mites (mainly Brevipalpus), rust and gall mites and tarsonemid mites.

Bongkrekic acid analogue, lacking one of the carboxylic groups of its parent compound, shows moderate but pH-insensitive inhibitory effects on the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier.

Bongkrekic acid, isolated from Burkholderia cocovenenans, is known to specifically inhibit the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier. However, the manner of its interaction with the carrier remains elusive. In this study, we tested the inhibitory effects of 17 bongkrekic acid analogues, derived from the intermediates obtained during its total synthesis, on the mitochondrial ATP/ATP carrier.

Simultaneous Enantioseparation of Aldohexoses and Aldopentoses Derivatized With L-Tryptophanamide by Reversed Phase HPLC Using Butylboronic Acid as a Complexation Reagent of Monosaccharides.

Three aldohexoses, glucose, galactose, and mannose, and three aldopentoses, arabinose, xylose, and ribose, were derivatized with L-tryptophanamide (L-TrpNH2 ) under alkaline conditions. Using a basic mobile phase (pH 9.2), the three aldohexoses or the three aldopentoses were simultaneously enantioseparated, respectively, but all the six monosaccharides could not be simultaneously enantioseparated.

Comparative analysis of adaptive immune response after vaccine trials using live attenuated and formalin-killed cells of Edwardsiella tarda in ginbuna crucian carp (Carassius auratus langsdorfii).

Edwardsiella tarda is an intracellular pathogen that causes edwardsiellosis in fish. Although vaccine trials with formalin-killed cells (FKC) have been reported, the vaccinations failed in protect against E. tarda infection.

[A clinical study of fulminant amebic colitis].

The administration of metronidazole is generally effective to treat amebic colitis. Fulminant amebic colitis is relatively rare, and it is associated with a high mortality rate. Three cases of fulminant amebic colitis were diagnosed in our hospital between 1993 and 2014.

Measurement and simulation of thermoelectric efficiency for single leg.

Thermoelectric efficiency measurements were carried out on n-type bismuth telluride legs with the hot-side temperature at 100 and 150°C. The electric power and heat flow were measured individually. Water coolant was utilized to maintain the cold-side temperature and to measure heat flow out of the cold side.

Shoulder pain and intra-articular interleukin-8 levels in patients with rotator cuff tears.

Aim: Rotator cuff disease (RCD) is one of the most common disorders in the shoulder joint and causes joint pain and functional disability. In this study, we investigated the associations among cytokine levels and clinical symptoms in patients with RCD.

Method: Joint fluid specimens of the shoulder joint were obtained from 38 patients with RCD before arthroscopic surgery.

Relationship between grip, pinch strengths and anthropometric variables, types of pitch throwing among Japanese high school baseball pitchers.

Background: Grip and pinch strength are crucially important attributes and standard parameters related to the functional integrity of the hand. It seems significant to investigate normative data for grip and pinch strength of baseball players to evaluate their performance and condition. Nevertheless, few reports have explained the association between grip and pinch strength and anthropometric variables and types of pitch throwing for baseball pitchers.

[Protection effect of astaxanthin against light-induced retinal damage in rat].

Purpose: To clarify the protective effect of astaxanthin (AST) against light-induced retinal damage in rats.

Methods: Albino rats were divided into three groups: a group treated orally with 1 mg/kg AST daily (group H), a group treated with 0.2 mg/kg AST (group L), and a control group (group C).

[A case of acute progressive myelopathy due to intravascular large B cell lymphoma diagnosed with only random skin biopsy].

A 64-year old woman was admitted to our hospital with subacute onset paraparesis and sensory disturbance at a level below Th10. Spinal MRI showed a T2 weighted high-signal intensity lesion at a level from Th5 to Th12, and an abdominal CT showed a mass in the left kidney. Her paraparesis deteriorated rapidly, and administration of high dose methyl prednisolone followed by oral steroid therapy was started before obtaining of a definitive diagnosis.

Relation among the knee, sagittal spinal alignment, and the spinal range of motion: Investigation in local medical check-ups using the SpinalMouse.

Background: This study was designed as an investigation in a local population to assess the relation between the knee joint and spinal alignment in a population-based study using the SpinalMouse.

Methods: Medical check-ups were conducted for residents of a mountain village in Japan. The study population included 107 men and 157 women (528 knees) with a mean age of 71.

[A case of radical resection for pancreatic head cancer with peritoneal dissemination treated with combination chemotherapy].

A 69-year-old man underwent surgery for pancreatic head cancer. During surgery, a few tubercles were found in the bursa omentalis, which were diagnosed pathologically as peritoneal dissemination. Curative resection was impossible, and exploratory laparotomy was completed.

[Portal vein stenting as a bridge to chemotherapy for perihilar cancer with portal vein stenosis - a case report].

The stenting strategy for portal vein stenosis in cases with unresectable hilar malignancies reduces portal hypertension and maintains portal vein blood flow. This not only improves quality of life, but also leads to aggressive therapy with anticancer agents. A 65-year-old woman presented with painless jaundice 8 months after left hemihepatectomy with lymph node dissection for intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma.

[Neurologist and emergency neuroendovascular revascularization -training programs for endovascular procedures-].

Emergency neuroendovascular revascularization is a reperfusion therapy for acute stroke. The operator for this therapy has to obtain a license as a specialist in endovascular procedures. For neurologists wishing to acquire this license, there are two kinds of training programs: full-time training and concurrent training.

Simultaneous and sensitive analysis of aliphatic carboxylic acids by ion-chromatography using on-line complexation with copper(II) ion.

A new approach to ion chromatography is proposed to improve the UV detection of aliphatic carboxylic acids separated by anion-exchange chromatography. When copper(II) ion added to the mobile phase, it forms complexes with carboxylic acids that can be detected at 240 nm. The absorbance was found to increase with increasing copper(II) ion concentration.