C-reactive Protein Levels After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Introduction Understanding standard changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) after Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is important for early detection of septic arthritis. Methods We conducted a prospective two-center comparative study to clarify changes in postoperative CRP levels after ACLR, as well as factors that influence the changes, in a large sample of Asian patients. A total of 439 ACLR cases were included in this study.

Single-Leg Loading Test to Predict Time to Jog and Return to Sports after Acute Lateral Ankle Sprain in Competitive Athletes.

In a previous study, the utility of a single-leg loading (SLL) test after acute lateral ankle sprain (LAS) was reported. However, whether the severity level assessed by the SLL test is associated with the time to jog and return to sports (RTS) remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to examine whether the time to jog and RTS differ depending on the severity level.

Rectangular bone-patellar tendon bone grafts reduce early graft failure in chronic ACL-Deficient knees.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess early graft failure after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction according to chronicity of ACL deficiency (ACLD) and clarify predisposing factors.

Methods: A total of 731 patients who underwent anatomic ACL reconstruction were divided into 3 groups based on chronicity of ACLD: <6 months (Group 1), 6 months to 2 years (Group 2), and >2 years (Group 3). Types of ACL grafts used included single-bundle hamstring tendon (HT), multiple-bundle HT, and rectangular bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) grafts.

Fluorescence Colour Control in Perylene-Labeled Polymer Chains Trapped by Nanotextured Silicon.

The ability to modulate, tune, and control fluorescence colour has attracted much attention in photonics-related research fields. Thus far, it has been impossible to achieve fluorescence colour control (FCC) for material with a fixed structure, size, surrounding medium, and concentration. Here, we propose a novel approach to FCC using optical tweezers.

Quick and simple test to evaluate severity of acute lateral ankle sprain.

Background/objective: For early return to sports after a lateral ankle sprain (LAS) and recurrence prevention, effective rehabilitation and gradual return to sports should be initiated while predicting the return time based on the appropriate severity evaluation immediately after injury. However, since severity evaluations performed in previous studies required large space and stairs and involved high-revel activity, their use as a test and index to evaluate severity after LAS was not appropriate considering convenience and risk of re-injury. Therefore, a quick and simple test was developed to evaluate the severity of acute LAS.

Incoherent Optical Tweezers on Black Titanium.

Optical tweezers enable the manipulation of micro- and nanodielectric particles through entrapment using a tightly focused laser. Generally, optical trapping of submicron size particles requires high-intensity light in the order of MW/cm. Here, we demonstrate a technique of stable optical trapping of submicron polymeric beads on nanostructured titanium surfaces (black-Ti) without the use of lasers.

Identification of the kinanthraquinone biosynthetic gene cluster by expression of an atypical response regulator.

Recent advances in genome sequencing have revealed a variety of secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters in actinomycetes. Understanding the biosynthetic mechanism controlling secondary metabolite production is important for utilizing these gene clusters. In this study, we focused on the kinanthraquinone biosynthetic gene cluster, which has not been identified yet in Streptomyces sp.

Preoperative quadriceps strength as a predictor of return to sports after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in competitive athletes.

Objectives: To determine whether preoperative quadriceps strength predicts the likelihood of return to sports (RTS) following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in competitive athletes.

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: Single-center.

Positive Effects of Yoga on Physical and Respiratory Functions in Healthy Inactive Middle-Aged People.

Context: Yoga improves physical and respiratory functions in healthy inactive middle-aged people.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the effects of 8 weeks of and with lessons in order to clarify the influence of two different combinations of yoga practice on physical and respiratory functions in healthy inactive middle-aged people.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 28 participants (mean age: 52.

Relationship between bone plug position and morphological changes of tunnel aperture in anatomic rectangular tunnel ACL reconstruction.

Purpose: In animal studies after ACL reconstruction (ACL-R) using the bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB), the graft-healing pattern was found to depend on the relationship between bone plug and the tunnel wall. This difference of graft-healing pattern could influence the postoperative morphological changes of the tunnel. However, no study has assessed the relationship between bone plug position and the change of tunnel morphology.

Chronicity of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficiency, Part 2: Radiographic Predictors of Early Graft Failure.

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that long-term anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency can give rise to an abnormal tibiofemoral relationship and subsequent intra-articular lesions. However, the effects of chronic ACL deficiency (ACLD) on early graft failure after anatomic reconstruction remain unclear.

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that patients with long-term ACLD lasting more than 5 years would have a greater rate of early graft failure due to insufficient intraoperative reduction of the tibia and that the preoperative and immediately postoperative abnormal tibiofemoral relationship in the sagittal plane, such as anterior tibial subluxation (ATS), would correlate with the graft status on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Chronicity of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficiency, Part 1: Effects on the Tibiofemoral Relationship Before and Immediately After Anatomic ACL Reconstruction With Autologous Hamstring Grafts.

Background: It remains unclear whether the tibiofemoral relationship in the sagittal plane is restored after anatomic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, particularly in cases of chronic ACL deficiency (ACLD).

Hypothesis: Patients with long-term ACLD will exhibit an anteriorly subluxed tibia both preoperatively and immediately postoperatively, even after anatomic reconstruction.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

3D Computed Tomography Evaluation of Morphological Changes in the Femoral Tunnel After Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction With Hamstring Tendon Graft for Recurrent Patellar Dislocation.

Background: Reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) for recurrent lateral patellar dislocation is gaining popularity. However, the morphological changes in the femoral tunnel after MPFL reconstruction are still not fully documented.

Purpose: This study used 3-dimensional (3D) computed tomography to evaluate morphological changes in the femoral tunnel after MPFL reconstruction with hamstring tendon graft to investigate factors affecting the phenomenon and to elucidate whether it is associated with clinical outcomes.

Difference in Dynamic Body Balance between Forward and Lateral Single-Leg Hop Landing.

Since the loss of balance can result in falls or lower extremity injuries during sports or daily activities, quantitative evaluation of one’s ability to maintain balance with changes in the direction of motion is crucial. The present study aimed to assess whether the trajectory length of the center of pressure (COP) and peak values of the ground reaction force (GRF) following a single-leg hop landing differ when hopping forward or laterally, and to ascertain disparities in balance characteristics due to differences in hop direction. Twenty-four young volunteers (mean age, 22.

Reproducibility of Dynamic Body Balance Measurement by Center of Foot Pressure Analysis Immediately after Single-Leg Hop Landing.

Dynamic balance was evaluated using the trajectory length of the center of foot pressure (COP) in the early phase from immediately after landing to the time of pastoral maintenance. Ten young volunteers with an average age of 23.8 years were asked to stand on one foot on a horizontal floor, hop forward half a step and land on one foot 10 times on each of 3 non-consecutive days.

Factors Affecting the Outcomes of Double-Bundle Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction for Recurrent Patellar Dislocations Evaluated by Multivariate Analysis.

Background: Many factors are involved in causing patellar instability or recurrent patellar dislocations. However, factors affecting the outcomes of anatomic medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction have not been fully documented.

Purpose: To evaluate the rate of recurrent patellar instability after isolated MPFL reconstruction and to elucidate factors affecting the outcomes of isolated MPFL reconstruction using multivariable statistics.

[Treatment of Tension Pneumothorax during Total Right Breast Extirpation and Reconstruction with a Flap of the Latissimus Dorsi Muscle].

A patient developed tension pneumothorax during surgery. A 56-year-old woman with right breast cancer and axillary gland metastasis, was to undergo total right breast extirpation/axillary gland dissection, flap collection from the latissimus dorsi muscle, and reconstruction with this flap. During total right breast extirpation/axillary gland dissection, there were no problems, but the arterial blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) fell after the start of flap collection.

[Hybrisep, a new method for the diagnosis of blood culture-negative infective endocarditis: a case report].

Blood cultures were considered as the gold standard for the diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) but were frequently negative. This report describes an IE patient who successfully underwent aortic valve replacement; it discusses a new diagnostic method of blood culture-negative IE. Recently, Hybrisep (FUSO Pharmaceutical Industries, Japan), a rapid diagnostic method for bacteremia was developed using in situ hybridization, which is superior in sensitivity to conventional blood cultures.

[Respiratory management for a patient with a giant bulla and pulmonary dysfunction during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting].

This case report describes a successful anesthetic management of a 74-year-old patient with a giant bulla and pulmonary dysfunction during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). BiPAP Vision with a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) was used for intraoperative respiratory management. General anesthesia was induced with propofol.

Effect of intermittent treatment with human Parathyroid Hormone 1-34 in SAMP6 senescence-accelerated mice.

We examined trabecular and cortical bone in the senescence-accelerated mouse prone 6 (SAMP6) murine model of senile osteoporosis after treatment with human PTH 1-34. Sixteen-week-old female SAMP6 mice were assigned to control and PTH groups. PTH (20 microg/kg) was administered sc 3 times a week for 12 weeks.

Infliximab but not methotrexate induces extra-high levels of VLDL-triglyceride in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), a pivotal inflammatory cytokine, is known to induce proatherogenic changes in the lipid profile and may increase the cardiovascular risk of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We examined the effects of anti-TNF-alpha antibody (infliximab, IFX) compared with methotrexate (MTX) on lipid profiles in patients with RA.

Methods: We selected retrospectively all patients with refractory RA (n = 32) who achieved a successful outcome (DAS-28 score < 2.

Quantitative determination of protein nuclear transport induced by phosphorylation or by proteolysis.

Nucleocytoplasmic transport of proteins in eukaryotic cells is a fundamental process for gene expression. The transport is regulated by posttranslational modifications of the proteins, such as ligand-binding, phosphorylation, and proteolysis. For monitoring the nuclear transport of proteins induced by a ligand binding, we have recently developed a genetically encoded bioluminescent indicator based on reconstitution of split fragments of Renilla reniformis (RLuc) by protein splicing with DnaE inteins.

Effects of combined elcatonin and alendronate treatment on the architecture and strength of bone in ovariectomized rats.

We examined the combined effects of elcatonin (ECT) and alendronate (ALN) on bone mass, architecture, and strength in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Fifty female Sprague Dawley rats, aged 13 weeks, were divided into Sham, OVX, OVX+ECT, OVX+ALN, and OVX+ECT+ALN groups (n = 10). Immediately after ovariectomy, ECT was administered at a dose of 15 units (U)/kg three times a week, and ALN was administered daily at a dose of 2.