Plantar Flexor Muscle Activity and Fascicle Behavior in Gastrocnemius Medialis During Running in Highly Cushioned Shoes With Carbon-Fiber Plates.

The purposes of this study were to clarify the electromyography (EMG) of plantar flexors and to analyze the fascicle and tendon behaviors of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) during running in the carbon-fiber plate embedded in thicker midsole racing shoes, such as the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly (VF) and traditional racing shoes (TRAD). We compared the fascicle and series elastic element behavior of the GM and EMG of the lower limb muscles during running (14 km/h, 45 s) in athletes wearing VF or TRAD. GM EMGs in the push-off phase were approximately 50% lower in athletes wearing VF than in TRAD.

Antimicrobial Stewardship Program for Patients in the Hematological Department Receiving Carbapenem Therapy: A Single-Center and Interrupted Time Series Analysis.

As antibiotic resistance has become a global problem, the intervention of an antimicrobial stewardship team (AST) is warranted. In hematological disorders, infectious complications are crucial owing to abnormal neutrophil function and decreased cell-mediated immunity. Despite the widespread implementation of AST intervention, the effectiveness of stewardship practices for immunocompromised patients remains uncertain.

Effect of tocilizumab treatment in mildly-obese patients with coronavirus disease 2019: a case series.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an increasingly widespread international medical problem. Several randomized trials and observational studies in patients with COVID-19 have been performed. However, the standard treatment strategy has not yet been established.

Combination of anti-glycopeptidolipid-core IgA antibody and clinical features for diagnosing potential nontuberculous mycobacterium pulmonary disease in routine practice.

Background: The anti- complex (MAC) antibody test measures levels of IgA antibody against the glycopeptidolipid (GPL) core in the bacterial cell walls and is a useful clinical indicator of nontuberculous mycobacterium pulmonary disease (NTM-PD). However, it is not currently possible to diagnose the disease using anti-MAC antibodies alone.

Objectives: The study aim was to assess the efficacy of the combination of anti-MAC antibodies and clinical findings for diagnosing potential NTM-PD.

Leg stiffness during running in highly cushioned shoes with a carbon-fiber plate and traditional shoes.

Background: Nike ZoomX Vaporfly (NVF) improves running economy and performance. The biomechanical mechanisms of these shoes are not fully understood, although thicker midsoles and carbon fiber plates are considered to play an important role in the spring-like leg characteristics during running. Leg stiffness (k) in the spring-mass model has been commonly used to investigate spring-like running mechanics during running.

Tracking the dynamics of individual gut microbiome of sea cucumber during gut regeneration.

Sea cucumbers possess the remarkable capacity to regenerate their body parts or organs. Regeneration of host organs and/or body parts involves reconstruction of the host associated microbiota, however, the dynamics and contribution of microbiota to the regeneration process are largely unknown due to a lack of experimental models. To track the dynamics of individual gut microbiomes during gut regeneration, both caged mariculture and laboratory isolator systems of sea cucumbers () were developed and longitudinal meta16S analyses were performed.

Impact of the interferon-γ release assay and glomerular filtration rate on the estimation of active tuberculosis risk before bronchoscopic examinations: a retrospective pilot study.

Background: Bronchoscopic examinations are vital to diagnose pulmonary diseases. However, as coughing is triggered during and after the procedure, it is imperative to take measures against nosocomial infections, especially for airborne infections like tuberculosis (TB). The interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) has recently been established as a method to evaluate the infection status of TB.

PCR amplification of the gene can be used to predict the sensitivity of complex strains to clarithromycin.

A worldwide increase in the () complex has been observed. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the diversity of the and (41) genes, both of which are associated with macrolide sensitivity in the complex. The current study also examined the efficacy of mass spectrometry as an alternative to molecular testing to classify subspecies of the complex.

Repeated selective enrichment process of sediment microbiota occurred in sea cucumber guts.

Deposit-feeding sea cucumbers repeat ingestion of sediments and excretion of faeces daily and consequently increase bacterial abundance in sediments and promote organic matter mineralization. Such ecological roles are expected to be collaborative activities of sea cucumbers and the gut microbiota. Here, we performed a spatiotemporally broad 16S rRNA gene analysis using 109 samples from sea cucumber faeces and habitat sediments to explore potential contribution of their gut microbiota to the ecological roles.

SCC typing of PVL-positive community-acquired (CA-MRSA) at a Japanese hospital.

The epidemiology of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive MRSA in community-acquired methicillin-resistant (CA-MRSA) was examined. Three hundred and forty-two CA-MRSA strains that were susceptible to imipenem and cefazolin were isolated from 1107 samples (intravenous catheter, blood, sputum, urine, skin, wound, and pharynx) from outpatients at Showa University Hospital in Japan between September 2009 and March 2017. The PVL gene was detected in 46 of 342 CA-MRSA strains, accounting for 13.

[PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DIAGNOSIS OF PROLONGED/CHRONIC COUGH IN CLINICAL SETTINGS].

Background: Many patients visit primary care clinics or local hospitals with a complaint of prolonged/chronic cough. Among the different types of chronic cough, cough variant asthma (CVA) and postinfectious cough may be the most common types, and their differential diagnosis is difficult. Some physicians tend to prescribe inhaled corticosteroids before establishing a definitive diagnosis.

The First Temporal and Spatial Assessment of Vibrio Diversity of the Surrounding Seawater of Coral Reefs in Ishigaki, Japan.

Coral reefs perform a major role in regulating marine biodiversity and serve as hotspot for highly dynamic and diverse microbiomes as holobionts. Corals around Ishigaki, however, are at risk due to tremendous stressors including elevation of seawater temperature, eutrophication and so on. However, no information is currently available on how Vibrio diversity fluctuates spatially and temporally due to environmental determinants in Ishigaki coral reef ecosystems.

Overexpression of microRNA-155 suppresses chemokine expression induced by Interleukin-13 in BEAS-2B human bronchial epithelial cells.

Background: MicroRNAs are non-coding small RNAs that regulate expression of target genes by binding to 3' untranslated regions. In this study, we used bronchial epithelial cells to investigate in vitro the role of the microRNA miR-155 in the expression of chemokines associated with airway inflammation. miR-155 has previously been reported to regulate allergic inflammation.

Individual Apostichopus japonicus fecal microbiome reveals a link with polyhydroxybutyrate producers in host growth gaps.

Gut microbiome shapes various aspects of a host's physiology, but these functions in aquatic animal hosts have yet to be fully investigated. The sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus Selenka is one such example. The large growth gap in their body size has delayed the development of intensive aquaculture, nevertheless the species is in urgent need of conservation.

Analysis of OXA23 and AmpCβ-Lactamase Genes in Clinically Isolated Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Clonal Complex 92.

Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, which is resistant to carbapenems, amino glycosides, and fluoroquinolones, was isolated from the wound of an outpatient. We performed Multi Locus Sequence Typing and analyzed the structures of the AmpC β-lactamase and OXA23 carbapenemase genes. This strain was assigned as ST451, a member of clonal complex 92, by its MLST scheme.

Clinical features and outcomes of aspiration pneumonia compared with non-aspiration pneumonia: a retrospective cohort study.

Pneumonia is a leading cause of death among elderly patients. Although aspiration pneumonia (AP) commonly occurs with aging, its clinical features and outcomes are still uncertain. The aims of this study were to describe the clinical features and outcomes of AP and to assess whether presence of AP affects clinical outcomes in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP).

Acquired resistance L747S mutation in an epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor-naïve patient: A report of three cases.

The purpose of the present study was to report cases of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI)-naïve patients carrying a mutation associated with acquired resistance to the drug. Gene alterations in 77 lung carcinoma patients were analyzed by collecting and studying curette lavage fluid at the time of diagnosis. PCRs were performed to amplify mutation hotspot regions in genes.

Azacitidine-induced pneumonitis in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome: first case report in Japan.

A 74-year-old Japanese man with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) received chemotherapy with azacitidine. From the second day after starting the administration, he complained of fever, cough and shortness of breath. Chest roentgenography and computed tomography showed consolidations and ground-glass opacities.