Head Injury Assessment in the Elite Level Rugby Union in Japan: Review of 3 Seasons.

Head Injury Assessment (HIA) is the screening tool for head injury during a rugby game. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of HIA in the Japan Rugby Top League (JRTL). The incidences of HIA, defined concussion (per 1,000 player-hours) and repeated concussions were evaluated in three seasons (2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19; total 360 games).

Hamstring strains in professional rugby players result in increased fascial stiffness without muscle quality changes as assessed using shear wave elastography.

Introduction: Hamstring strain injury is common among sports injuries. A previous history of this injury is considered a strong predictor of recurrent hamstring strain injury. Fascial tissue reportedly becomes stiffer after hamstring strain injury.

Does the duration to bipolar hip arthroplasty for femoral neck fracture influence on postoperative muscular strength?

Background: The primary purpose of this study was to compare the postoperative muscular strength and functional performance between early versus late bipolar hip arthroplasty (BHA) intervention for femoral neck fracture classified by the duration from the onset to surgery.

Methods: Twenty-one patients who could walk at 12 months or more after BHA were enrolled into this study. We examined the muscular strength of hip flexion, extension, abduction, and knee extension of these patients.

Innovative technique of minimally invasive closed reduction for impacted femoral neck fractures (MICRIF).

The moment arm of gluteus medius proportionated to distance from femoral head tends to be decreased postoperatively in valgus-impacted femoral neck fractures treated by in situ internal fixation. The aim of this article is to introduce a new gentle technique to correct the deformity. The innovative technique of Minimally Invasive Closed Reduction for Impacted Femoral neck fractures (MICRIF) mainly focused to disimpact valgus neck fractures into anatomical position.

Dynamic finite element analysis of implants for femoral neck fractures simulating walking.

Background: To examine postoperative complications for osteosynthesizing femoral neck fractures (Pauwels III), biomechanical analysis should be conducted under dynamic conditions simulating for walking, not static conditions. Among the two main aims of this study, one is to pioneer the technique of dynamic finite element (FE) analysis, and the other is to compare stress distribution between two implants during walking.

Materials And Methods: First, we performed an inverse dynamic analysis with optimization method using a musculoskeletal model to calculate the inter-segmental and muscular forces during walking.

Decreased postoperative gluteus medius muscle cross-sectional area measured by computed tomography scan in patients with intertrochanteric fractures nailing.

Background: In patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures treated by cephalomedullary (CM) nailing, abduction force reportedly decreased by 25-30% during the postoperative follow-up period. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the cross-sectional area (CSA) and adipose tissue ratio (ATR) of the gluteus medius muscle on the postoperative computed tomography (CT) view, expecting this graphic study will support clinical results.

Materials And Methods: A total of 27 patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures treated by CM femoral nail implants completed the study.

Diminished abductor muscular strength in patients with valgus-impacted femoral neck fractures treated by internal fixation: Clinical study and biomechanical considerations.

Background: Valgus-impacted femoral neck fractures treated with internal fixation occasionally result in unsatisfactory postoperative locomotive function, partially due to muscle shortening and a decrease in the moment arm. This study quantifies the degree of diminished abduction strength both clinically and biomechanically.

Methods: Fifteen patients were enrolled in this study.

Comparison of Post-Operative Muscular Strength Between Gamma Nailing and Hemiarthroplasty System in Femoral Intertrochanteric Fractures.

Background: The current study focuses on the comparison of postoperative muscular strength around the hip joint of patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures treated either by cephalo-medullary (CM) nailing or a new bipolar hip prosthesis (BHP), an especially attached device to secure displaced greater trochanteric fragment.

Methods: Twenty patients treated with CM nailing were age- and sex- matched with a control group of 20 patients treated with BHP. Maximum isometric forces at the bilateral hip joint were measured during the follow up period.

Functional MRI of the Reserpine-Induced Putative Rat Model of Fibromyalgia Reveals Discriminatory Patterns of Functional Augmentation to Acute Nociceptive Stimuli.

Functional neuroimaging, applied to pre-clinical models of chronic pain, offers unique advantages in the drive to discover new treatments for this prevalent and oppressive condition. The high spatial and temporal resolution of fMRI affords detailed mapping of regional pharmacodynamics that underlie mechanisms of pain suppression by new analgesics. Despite evidence supporting the translational relevance of this approach, relatively few studies have investigated fMRI abnormalities in rodent models of chronic pain.

Spontaneous and evoked pain-associated behaviors in a rat model of neuropathic pain respond differently to drugs with different mechanisms of action.

Given that patients with neuropathic pain suffer a mixture of spontaneous and evoked pain symptoms, we assessed the effects of drugs with different mechanism of action on spontaneous and evoked pain-associated behaviors in a rat model of neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. Frequent aberrant limb movement on the operated side was measured to assess spontaneous pain-associated behavior, and mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were evaluated to assess evoked pain-associated behaviors. These three types of behavior were assessed after administration of the following drugs: pregabalin (α2δ-subunit ligand), morphine (μ-opioid receptor agonist), perampanel (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid [AMPA] receptor antagonist), clonidine, dexmedetomidine (α2-adrenoceptor agonists), and diclofenac (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug [NSAID]).

Biomechanical Study Using the Finite Element Method of Internal Fixation in Pauwels Type III Vertical Femoral Neck Fractures.

Background: Several factors are known to influence osseous union of femoral neck fractures. Numerous clinical studies have reported different results, hence with different recommendations regarding treatment of Pauwels III fractures: femoral neck fractures with a more vertically oriented fracture line. The current study aimed to analyze biomechanically whether this fracture poses a higher risk of nonunion.

Decoy receptor 3 regulates the expression of various genes in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts.

Decoy receptor 3 (DcR3), a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor (TNFR) superfamily, lacks the transmembrane domain of conventional TNFRs in order to be a secreted protein. DcR3 competitively binds and inhibits members of the TNF family, including Fas ligand (FasL), LIGHT and TNF-like ligand 1A (TL1A). We previously reported that TNFα-induced DcR3 overexpression in rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS) protects cells from Fas-induced apoptosis.

A new treatment for avulsion fracture of the calcaneus using an Ilizarov external fixator.

Introduction: In the treatment of avulsion fractures of the posterior calcaneal tuberosity, open reduction and internal fixation are prone to several complications. We describe a new treatment using an Ilizarov external fixator, which can minimise the complications and achieve sufficient stability of the displaced fragment.

Case Presentation: A 55-year-old woman sustained an avulsion fracture of the calcaneus.

Decreasing Complications of Quadricepsplasty for Knee Contracture after Femoral Fracture Treatment with an External Fixator: Report of Four Cases.

Introduction: In performing quadricepsplasty for contracture that develops after application of an external fixator for femoral fractures, surgeons must be aware of the potential risk for re-fracture and pin-related problems. The purpose of this report is to highlight these not well-detailed complications and to discuss specific findings and treatment suggestions.

Case Series: 4 men (mean age, 40 years) presenting with secondary to contracture that developed after application of an external fixator for femoral fractures were included in this study.

A case of the geniculate artery pseudoaneurysm after total knee arthroplasty: search for preventive measures by evaluation of arterial anatomy of cadaver knees.

This article presents an 80-year-old man with pseudoaneurysm of the inferolateral geniculate artery after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The aim is to report this case and review possible preventive methods of pseudoaneurysm formation after TKA by investigating the relationship between knee arterial anatomy and the TKA procedure. Cadaveric evaluation demonstrates that the superomedial and inferomedial geniculate arteries are difficult to visualize.

Different pathophysiology underlying animal models of fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain: comparison of reserpine-induced myalgia and chronic constriction injury rats.

The reserpine-induced myalgia (RIM) rat manifests fibromyalgia-like chronic pain symptoms. The present study explored the pathophysiology underlying the pain symptoms in the RIM rat and the chronic constriction injury (CCI) rat, an animal model of neuropathic pain as a reference. Nerve tissue samples were collected from the nociception-tested animals for pathological examinations.

DcR3-TL1A signalling inhibits cytokine-induced proliferation of rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts.

Decoy receptor 3 (DcR3), a member of the tumour necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily, lacks the transmembrane domain of conventional TNFRs in order to be a secreted protein. DcR3 competitively binds and inhibits members of the TNF family, including Fas ligand (FasL), LIGHT and TL1A. We previously reported that TNFα-induced DcR3 overexpression in rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts (RA-FLS) protects the cells from Fas-induced apoptosis and that DcR3 induces VLA-4 expression in THP-1 macrophages to inhibit cycloheximide-induced apoptosis.

Decoy receptor 3 is highly expressed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Decoy receptor 3 (DcR3), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily, is a soluble receptor that binds to the TNF family including Fas ligand (Fas-L), LIGHT, and TL1A. DcR3 is mostly expressed in tumor cells and competitively inhibits the TNF family. We previously demonstrated that overexpressed DcR3 in rheumatoid synovial cells protects the cells from apoptosis in vitro.

DcR3 protects THP-1 macrophages from apoptosis by increasing integrin alpha4.

In order to analyze the function of DcR3 for the regulation of cell adhesion and apoptosis in macrophages, we investigated the expression of decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) in THP-1 monocytes/macrophages. DcR3 was expressed in THP-1 and increased by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). The formation of macrophage aggregates was observed when THP-1 cells were differentiated by PMA or stimulated with DcR3-Fc.

Neuroprotective effects of the selective type 1 metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist YM-202074 in rat stroke models.

We describe in vitro properties and in vivo neuroprotective effects of a newly synthesized, high-affinity, selective allosteric metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1 (mGluR(1)) antagonist, N-cyclohexyl-6-{[(2-methoxyethyl)(methyl)amino]methyl}-N-methylthiazolo[3,2-a]benzimidazole-2-carboxamide (YM-202074). YM-202074 bound an allosteric site of rat mGluR(1) with a K(i) value of 4.8+/-0.

[A case of hepatic metastases of sigmoid colon cancer which completely responded to systemic l-leucovorin/5-FU therapy and oral LV/UFT combination therapy].

A 73-year-old man was admitted for sigmoid colon cancer with multiple hepatic metastases. The patient underwent a sigmoidectomy only, because of bronchial asthma. Then, l-leucovorin (375 mg/body) and 5-FU (750 mg/body) were injected every week.

[A case of advanced gastric cancer with paraaortic lymph node metastasis reaching long-term survival by TS-1 treatment].

A 62-year-old male patient with paraaortic lymph node metastasis of type 2 gastric cancer underwent distal gastrectomy with partial resection of transverse colon. MTX/5-FU sequential therapy was performed 5 times as adjuvant chemotherapy. After that TS-1 was administered on a 4-week dosing regimen with a 2-week interval between sessions.

[A case of hepatic metastases of ampullary carcinoma which completely responded to intrahepatic infusion of 5-FU with low-dose l-leucovorin].

A 70-year-old man was admitted with an ampullary carcinoma with multiple hepatic metastases. The patient underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy for control of bleeding from the tumor. Then, low-doses of l-leucovorin (25 mg/body bolus) and 5-FU (500 mg/body/hour) were injected through an injection port every week.

Is drip infusion cholecystocholangiography (DIC) an acceptable modality at cholecystectomy for cholecystolithiasis, considering the frequency of bile duct maljunction and intraoperative bile duct injury?

Background/purpose: Knowledge of the configuration of the extrahepatic bile duct is indispensable to avoid bile duct injury during cholecystectomy. Various methods of examining the biliary tract have been developed; however, the most appropriate preoperative diagnostic modality at cholecystectomy for cholecystolithiasis has not yet been reported. Considering the frequency of bile duct maljunction (BDM) and operative bile duct injury, in addition to the cost and invasiveness of the various examination methods, we evaluated the usefulness of drip infusion cholecystocholangiography (DIC) as the optimal method of examination at cholecystectomy for cholecystolithiasis.