Community-based exercise program is cost-effective by preventing care and disability in Japanese frail older adults.

Background: In Japan, older adults are assessed by frailty checklist for care prevention. However, the effect of care prevention programs in community-dwelling frail older adults is still unclear.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the care prevention program would reduce care and disability and to measure its cost-effectiveness in frail older adults.

Reliability and validity of gait analysis by android-based smartphone.

Smartphones are very common devices in daily life that have a built-in tri-axial accelerometer. Similar to previously developed accelerometers, smartphones can be used to assess gait patterns. However, few gait analyses have been performed using smartphones, and their reliability and validity have not been evaluated yet.

Pharmacokinetics, distribution and excretion of YM155 monobromide, a novel small-molecule survivin suppressant, in male and pregnant or lactating female rats.

YM155 monobromide is a novel small-molecule survivin suppressant. The pharmacokinetics, distribution and excretion of YM155/[14C]YM155 were investigated using males and pregnant or lactating female rats after a single intravenous bolus administration. For the 0.

Radiocapitellar cartilage injuries associated with tennis elbow syndrome.

Purpose: A recent anatomical study has suggested that considerable contact between the undersurface of the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) and the lateral edge of the capitellum is the cause of tendon injury in lateral epicondylosis. We hypothesized that this contact might concurrently induce cartilage injuries of the capitellum. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence, location, and severity of cartilage lesions of the radiocapitellar joint accompanying lateral epicondylosis and to identify their correlation with ECRB status.

Evaluation of the safety, efficacy, and versatility of a new surgical energy device (THUNDERBEAT) in comparison with Harmonic ACE, LigaSure V, and EnSeal devices in a porcine model.

Background: THUNDERBEAT™ (TB) (Olympus, Japan) simultaneously delivers ultrasonically generated frictional heat energy and electrically generated bipolar energy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the versatility, bursting pressure, thermal spread, and dissection time of the TB compared with commercially available devices: Harmonic(®) ACE (HA) (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, USA), LigaSure™ V (LIG) (Covidien, USA), and EnSeal(®) (Ethicon).

Methods: An acute study was done with 10 female Yorkshire pigs (weighing 30-35 kg).

Interaction between ESRα polymorphisms and environmental factors in osteoporosis.

We hypothesized that environmental factors might affect the relationship between genetic predisposition and the risk of bone mineral density (BMD) loss. Cases were 114 Japanese women with a confirmed diagnosis of postmenopausal osteoporosis and controls were 171 general Japanese women. Genetic risk of SNPs in the estrogen receptors was analyzed by a case-control study.

Treatment outcome of medium-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy for carcinoma of the uterine cervix: comparison with low-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy.

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of medium-dose-rate (MDR) and low-dose-rate (LDR) intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) for uterine cervical cancer.

Methods And Materials: We evaluated 419 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix who were treated by radical radiotherapy with curative intent at Tokyo Women's Medical University from 1969 to 1999. LDR was used from 1969 to 1986, and MDR has been used since July 1987.

Development of a ubiquitous healthcare monitoring system combined with non-conscious and ambulatory physiological measurements and its application to medical care.

The demand for ubiquitous healthcare monitoring has been increasingly raised for prevention of lifestyle-related diseases, acute life support or chronic therapies for inpatients and/or outpatients having chronic disorder and home medical care. From these view points, we developed a non-conscious healthcare monitoring system without any attachment of biological sensors and operations of devices, and an ambulatory postural changes and activities monitoring system. Furthermore in this study, in order to investigate those applicability to the ubiquitous healthcare monitoring, we have developed a new healthcare monitoring system combined with the non-conscious and the ambulatory measurements developed by us.

Functional folate receptor beta-expressing macrophages in osteoarthritis synovium and their M1/M2 expression profiles.

Objective: The distribution of folate receptor (FR)-β+ macrophages and their M1/M2 expression profiles were examined in osteoarthritis (OA) synovial tissues, and compared to those in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial tissues and CD163+ macrophages in both OA and RA synovial tissues.

Method: The phenotypes and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-folate uptake of FR-β+ synovial macrophages were analysed by flow cytometry. The distribution of FR-β+ macrophages in OA and RA synovial tissues was examined by immunofluorescent microscopy.

Nutritional Supplementation during Resistance Training Improved Skeletal Muscle Mass in Community-Dwelling Frail Older Adults.

Objective: Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass, is highly prevalent in older adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the combination of resistance training and multinutrients supplementation (including vitamin D and protein) on muscle mass and physical performance in frail older adults.

Methods: This trial was conducted in Japanese frail older adults (n=77), which underwent a standardized protocol of a 3-month physical exercise intervention.

Pedometer-Based Behavioral Change Program Can Improve Dependency in Sedentary Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Recent studies suggested that pedometer-based walking programs are applicable to older adults.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of pedometer in sedentary older adults to improve physical activity, fear of falling, physical performance, and leg muscle mass.

Design: This was a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Application of PCR-denaturing-gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) method to examine microbial community structure in asparagus fields with growth inhibition due to continuous cropping.

Growth inhibition due to continuous cropping of asparagus is a major problem; the yield of asparagus in replanted fields is low compared to that in new fields, and missing plants occur among young seedlings. Although soil-borne disease and allelochemicals are considered to be involved in this effect, this is still controversial. We aimed to develop a technique for the biological field diagnosis of growth inhibition due to continuous cropping.

Magnitude and origin of the attraction and directionality of the halogen bonds of the complexes of C6F5X and C6H5X (X = I, Br, Cl and F) with pyridine.

The geometries and interaction energies of complexes of pyridine with C(6)F(5)X, C(6)H(5)X (X = I, Br, Cl, F and H) and R(F)I (R(F) = CF(3), C(2)F(5) and C(3)F(7)) have been studied by ab initio molecular orbital calculations. The CCSD(T) interaction energies (E(int)) for the C(6)F(5)X-pyridine (X = I, Br, Cl, F and H) complexes at the basis set limit were estimated to be -5.59, -4.

Area between the hepatic and heart curves of (99m)Tc-galactosyl-human serum albumin scintigraphy represents liver function and disease progression for preoperative evaluation in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Background/purpose: We developed software to calculate the pixels of interest in the area between the hepatic and heart curves (ABC) of (99m)Tc-galactosyl human serum albumin (GSA) scintigraphy. The aim of this study was to examine the accuracy of the ABC to evaluate liver function before hepatectomy.

Methods: Between January 2005 and December 2010, 205 consecutive patients who underwent initial hepatectomy were enrolled in this study.

Isolated splenic metastasis from rectal carcinoma: a rare occurrence.

The presence of isolated splenic metastasis in rectal carcinoma is uncommon and usually presents as an asymptomatic mass, noted incidentally on imaging. Splenectomy is usually performed with the goal of curing metastatic disease. It is unclear if adjuvant chemotherapy affords any benefit, and the prognosis is unknown.

Clinical significance of computed tomographic assessment and anatomic features of the inferior alveolar canal as risk factors for injury of the inferior alveolar nerve at third molar surgery.

Purpose: To assess the clinical features of the inferior alveolar canal (IAC) using computed tomography (CT) and to analyze the significance of CT examination at third molar surgery.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed involving 99 patients (145 teeth). The relationship between cortication status, buccolingual position, and shape of the IAC on the CT image and inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) injury after third molar surgery were statistically analyzed.

Mapping and pyramiding of two major genes for resistance to the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens [Stål]) in the rice cultivar ADR52.

The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), is one of the most serious and destructive pests of rice, and can be found throughout the rice-growing areas of Asia. To date, more than 24 major BPH-resistance genes have been reported in several Oryza sativa ssp. indica cultivars and wild relatives.

A phase I trial of arterial infusion chemotherapy with gemcitabine and 5-fluorouracil for unresectable biliary tract cancer.

Background: Many clinical trials have been conducted with gemcitabine- or 5-fluorouracil-based regimens as treatment for unresectable biliary tract cancer; however, the results remain unsatisfactory. Because further therapeutic improvements are required, we conducted a phase I study of arterial infusion chemotherapy using a combination of gemcitabine and 5-fluorouracil.

Methods: In the first 3 cohorts, patients were to receive an arterial infusion of gemcitabine 600, 800 or 1000 mg/m(2), respectively, over 30 min on days 1 and 15, plus a continuous arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil 300 mg/m(2)/day on days 1-5 and 15-19.

Clinical outcomes of corrective osteotomy for distal radial malunion: a review of opening and closing-wedge techniques.

Background: Radial corrective osteotomy is an established but challenging treatment for distal radial malunion. There is ongoing discussion over whether an opening or closing-wedge osteotomy should be employed. The purpose of the present study was to retrospectively compare the clinical and radiographic results of conventional opening-wedge osteotomy with those of our closing-wedge technique.

The impact of incidental identification on the stage at presentation of lower gastrointestinal carcinoids.

Background: Over the past 3 decades, there has been a significant increase in the incidence of gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors in the United States. Incidentally discovered carcinoids in the lower gastrointestinal tract have probably contributed to this increase. In this study we aimed to compare the clinicopathologic characteristics of incidentally discovered carcinoids of the small and large bowel with those identified as a result of symptoms.

Stapler access and visibility in the deep pelvis: A comparative human cadaver study between a computerized right angle linear cutter versus a curved cutting stapler.

Purpose: Distal rectal stapling is often challenging because of limited space and visibility. We compared two stapling devices in the distal rectum in a cadaver study: the iDrive™ right angle linear cutter (RALC) (Covidien, New Haven, CT) and the CONTOUR® curved cutter (CC) (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Cincinnati, OH).

Methods: Twelve male cadavers underwent pelvic dissection by 4 surgeons.

Antibiotic regimen and the timing of prophylaxis are important for reducing surgical site infection after elective abdominal colorectal surgery.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) cause morbidity after elective colorectal surgery, and antibiotic prophylaxis can decrease SSIs. The aim of this study was to determine compliance with an antibiotic administration protocol, including regimen, initial dose timing, and re-dosing, and determine the risk of SSI associated with each. We hypothesized that appropriate antibiotic administration reduces the risk of SSI.

Differing risk factors for incisional and organ/space surgical site infections following abdominal colorectal surgery.

Objective: Surgical site infections are a major source of morbidity after colorectal surgery. The aim of this study was to explore differences between incisional and organ/space surgical site infection types by evaluating risk factors, National Nosocomial Risk Index Scores, and clinical outcomes.

Design: A random sample of adults undergoing abdominal colorectal surgery between June 2001 and July 2008 was extracted from a colorectal surgery practice database.

Endoscopic fixation of the rectum for rectal prolapse: a feasibility and survival experimental study.

Background: In recent years, there has been considerable interest in developing technology as well as techniques that could widen the therapeutic horizons of endoscopy. Rectal prolapse, a benign localized condition causing considerable morbidity, could be an excellent focus for new endoscopic therapies. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of endoluminal fixation of the rectum to the anterior abdominal wall, after pushing it up inside the body, using an in vivo animal model.

Weight gain and family history of prostate or breast cancers as risk factors for prostate cancer: results of a case-control study in Japan.

The increase in the incidence rate of prostate cancer may be associated with changes in lifestyle in Japanese men. Accordingly, we conducted a case-control study to assess risk factors. A total of 117 (82.