Time-varying motor control strategy for proximal-to-distal sequential energy distribution: insights from baseball pitching.

The importance of a proximal-to-distal (P-D) sequential motion in baseball pitching is generally accepted; however, the mechanisms behind this sequential motion and motor control theories that explain which factor transfers mechanical energy between the trunk and arm segments are not completely understood. This study aimed to identify the energy distribution mechanisms among the segments and determine the effect of the P-D sequence on the mechanical efficiency of the throwing movement, focusing on the time-varying motor control. The throwing motions of 16 male collegiate baseball pitchers were measured by a motion capture system.

Time-Enhancement Curve of Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography Predicts Aneurysm Enlargement with Type-II Endoleak after Endovascular Aneurysm Repair.

Objective:  We investigated the hemodynamic features of Type-II endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) using four-dimensional (4D) computed tomography (CT) to identify patients with aneurysm enlargement.

Methods:  During a 13-month period (January 2017-January 2018) at our institution, we performed 4D-CT examinations in 13 patients after EVAR because of suspected Type-II endoleaks. Three patients were excluded from the study because of other endoleaks or absence of detectable endoleaks.

[Mycotic Aneurysm of the Ulnar Artery Associated with Infective Endocarditis;Report of a Case].

A 19-year-old man, with a history of hospitalization for infective endocarditis associated with Streptococcus mitis/oralis 2 months before, was admitted to our hospital because of stomach ache and pulsatile mass on the left forearm. Computed tomography(CT) and ultrasonography revealed a thrombus in the superior mesenteric artery and an aneurysm of the left ulnar artery. As vegetation was noted on the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve, mitral valve replacement and ulnar artery aneurysmorrhaphy were performed.

Multi-body dynamic coupling mechanism for generating throwing arm velocity during baseball pitching.

The purpose of this study was to identify the detailed mechanism how the maximum throwing arm endpoint velocity is determined by the muscular torques and non-muscular interactive torques from the perspective of the dynamic coupling among the trunk, thorax and throwing and non-throwing arm segments. The pitching movements of ten male collegiate baseball pitchers were measured by a three-dimensional motion capture system. Using the induced-segmental velocity analysis (IVA) developed in this study, the maximum fingertip velocity of the throwing arm (MFV) was decomposed into each contribution of the muscular torques, passive motion-dependent torques due to gyroscopic moment, Coriolis force and centrifugal force, and other interactive torque components.

[Incidentally detected bronchial artery aneurysm with combined operation for mitral regurgitation;report of a case].

A 77-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital for heart failure with orthopnea. Echocardiography revealed massive mitral regurgitation. During preoperative cardiac catheterization, an aneurysm was indentified incidentally just below the tracheal carina.

Intersegmental dynamics of 3D upper arm and forearm longitudinal axis rotations during baseball pitching.

The shoulder internal rotation (IR) and forearm pronation (PR) are important elements for baseball pitching, however, how rapid rotations of IR and PR are produced by muscular torques and inter-segmental forces is not clear. The aim of this study is to clarify how IR and PR angular velocities are maximized, depending on muscular torque and interactive torque effects, and gain a detailed knowledge about inter-segmental interaction within a multi-joint linked chain. The throwing movements of eight collegiate baseball pitchers were recorded by a motion capture system, and induced-acceleration analysis was used to assess the respective contributions of the muscular (MUS) and interactive torques associated with gyroscopic moment (GYR), and Coriolis (COR) and centrifugal forces (CEN) to maximum angular velocities of IR (MIRV) and PR (MPRV).

Aorto-left renal vein fistula caused by a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Retroaortic left renal vein is a malformation in which the left renal vein courses dorsal to the abdominal aorta. In patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm, an aorto-left renal vein fistula can form if the left renal vein is sandwiched between the aneurysm wall and lumbar vertebrae. The patient was an 84-year-old man with lower back pain.

Energy redistribution analysis of dynamic mechanisms of multi-body, multi-joint kinetic chain movement during soccer instep kicks.

The purpose of this study is to develop a model to analyze energy redistribution mechanisms of a multi-joint limb system and to examine the mechanisms underlying the production of the mechanical energy of the system during instep kicking. Kicking movements of 11 collegiate soccer players were recorded using a motion capture system, and ground reaction force during kicks was measured. Using the experimental data and the state-space power analysis developed in the current study, the kinetic energy change of the modeled segments was decomposed into causal components due to various dynamic factors (muscular and non-muscular interactive moments).

Multijoint kinetic chain analysis of knee extension during the soccer instep kick.

Although previous studies have shown that motion-dependent interactions between adjacent segments play an important role in producing knee extension during the soccer instep kick, detailed knowledge about the mechanisms underlying those interactions is lacking. The present study aimed to develop a 3-D dynamical model for the multijoint kinetic chain of the instep kick in order to quantify the contributions of the causal dynamical factors to the production of maximum angular velocity during knee extension. Nine collegiate soccer players volunteered to participate in the experiment and performed instep kicking movements while 3-D positional data and the ground reaction force were measured.

Omental herniation through the esophageal hiatus mimics mediastinal lipomatous tumor.

A 61-year-old man with a mediastinal abnormal mass on computed tomography is presented. Sagittal sections of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) clearly indicated the continuity of the fatty mass from the abdomen to the thorax. The diagnosis was an omental herniation through the esophageal hiatus during the operation.

Heparinless cardiopulmonary bypass with argatroban in dogs.

Objectives: Systemic heparinization is usually required for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). However, problems such as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, protamine shock, and antithrombin III deficiency exist related to CPB with heparinization. The aim of this study was to evaluate argatroban (ARG) as a substitute for heparin during CPB.

Perforation of the descending aorta by the tip of an intra-aortic balloon pump catheter.

Perforation of the proximal descending aorta occurred in a patient on intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support after emergency coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction. The IABP catheter was inserted under fluoroscopic guidance into the right femoral artery without difficulty, but after 8 h on IABP support the patient went into shock with a left hemothorax. Emergency surgery was performed with cardiopulmonary bypass and a perforation of the proximal descending aorta with active bleeding was found and successfully repaired.

Comparative Hemolysis Study of Clinically Available Centrifugal Pumps.

Centrifugal pumps have become important devices for cardiopulmonary bypass and circulatory assistance. Five types of centrifugal pumps are clinically available in Japan. To evaluate the blood trauma caused by centrifugal pumps, a comparative hemolysis study was performed under identical conditions.