Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Japanese Peacekeepers Deployed in South Sudan.

Importance: Peacekeepers in United Nations missions experience potentially traumatic events, resulting in increased risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Understanding the course and risk factors of PTSD symptom severity is crucial to ensure personnel safety.

Objective: To investigate the incidence of PTSD, symptom severity trajectories, and potential risk factors associated with adverse trajectories among Japanese peacekeepers deployed in South Sudan.

PTSD Symptom dynamics after the great east japan earthquake: mapping the temporal structure using Dynamic Time Warping.

After the Great East Japan Earthquake [GEJE], approximately 70,000 Japan Ground Self Defense Force [JGSDF] personnel were deployed, risking Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD]. The network approach to psychopathology suggests that symptoms may cause and exacerbate each other, resulting in the emergence and maintenance of disorders, including PTSD. It is therefore important to further explore the temporal interplay between symptoms.

Differences in splicing defects between the grey and white matter in myotonic dystrophy type 1 patients.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multi-system disorder caused by CTG repeats in the myotonic dystrophy protein kinase (DMPK) gene. This leads to the sequestration of splicing factors such as muscleblind-like 1/2 (MBNL1/2) and aberrant splicing in the central nervous system. We investigated the splicing patterns of MBNL1/2 and genes controlled by MBNL2 in several regions of the brain and between the grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) in DM1 patients using RT-PCR.

Sequential Treatment with Eldecalcitol After PTH Improves Bone Mechanical Properties of Lumbar Spine and Femur in Aged Ovariectomized Rats.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) analogs have a powerful anabolic effect on bone and are used in the treatment of patients with severe osteoporosis. However, there are limitations to how long they can be safely administered. Withdrawal of PTH results in the cancelation of its effects, necessitating subsequent treatment to maintain the bone quantity and quality.

Histological Effects of the Combined Administration of Eldecalcitol and a Parathyroid Hormone in the Metaphyseal Trabeculae of Ovariectomized Rats.

Intermittent administration of human parathyroid hormone (1-34) (hPTH(1-34)) promotes anabolic action in bone by stimulating bone remodeling, while eldecalcitol, an analog of active vitamin D3, suppresses osteoclastic bone resorption, and forms new bone by minimodeling. We have examined the biological effects of combined administration of eldecalcitol and hPTH(1-34) on 9-week-old Wistar rats that underwent an ovariectomy (OVX) or Sham operation. They were divided into a Sham group, OVX with vehicle (OVX group), OVX with 10 µg/kg/day of hPTH(1-34) (PTH group), OVX with 20 ng/kg/day of eldecalcitol (eldecalcitol group) or OVX with 10 μg/kg/day of hPTH(1-34), and 20 ng/kg/day of eldecalcitol (combined group) for 4 or 8 weeks.

Chronological immunolocalization of sclerostin and FGF23 in the mouse metaphyseal trabecular and cortical bone.

To assess the chronological participation of sclerostin and FGF23 in bone metabolism, this study tracked the immunolocalization of sclerostin and FGF23 in the metaphyses of murine long bones from embryonic day 18 (E18) through 1 day after birth, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 20 weeks of age. We have selected two regions in the metaphyseal trabeculae for assessing sclerostin and FGF23 localization: close to the chondro-osseous junction, i.e.

Influence of various treatments including povidone-iodine and healing stimulatory reagents in a rabbit ear wound model.

Selecting an appropriate treatment for a given case of skin wound is crucial for inducing optimal healing. We used an animal model developed from normal rabbit ears in order to assess the efficacy of treatments for skin wounds with or without a wet dressing, anti microbial reagent or topical wound-stimulatory reagents. The degree of healing in each group was evaluated and compared using four histological parameters: (i) degree of reepithelialisation, (ii) amount of granulation tissue formation, and (iii) the number of capillary lumens and (iv) fibroblasts in the granulation tissue.

[Clinical study of anterior ocular segment topography in angle-closure glaucoma using the three-dimensional anterior segment analyzer Pentacam].

Purpose: The anterior ocular segment topography in angle-closure glaucoma was studied using the non-contact three-dimensional anterior segment analyzer Pentacam.

Subjects And Methods: The central anterior chamber (AC) depth, mid-peripheral AC depth, peripheral AC depth, AC volume, central AC depth/ocular axial length ratio and angles of a narrow angle group (47 eyes of 29 patients), a post laser iridotomy (LI) group (43 eyes of 30 patients), and an open-angle glaucoma (OAG) group (37 eyes of 21 patients) were measured and compared. In addition, changes in the parameters before and after LI (13 eyes of 9 patients) were investigated.

Prognosis of small thyroid cancer in patients with Graves' disease.

Background: To find the best ways to follow up patients with small thyroid cancer (STC; 1 cm or less in diameter) and concomitant Graves' disease, this study examined whether such patients had the same excellent prognosis as those with STC without Graves' disease.

Methods: Between 1970 and 1996, 2199 patients were diagnosed as having STC by pathology after thyroidectomy. Of those, 509 patients (33 males and 476 females, mean age 43.

The influence of lumbosacral cerebrospinal fluid volume on extent and duration of hyperbaric bupivacaine spinal anesthesia: a comparison between seated and lateral decubitus injection positions.

Unlabelled: We designed the present study to examine the influence of lumbosacral cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume on the spread and duration of hyperbaric bupivacaine spinal anesthesia when the injection is made with the patient in the lateral position compared with that when the patient is in a seated position. Seventy-four patients undergoing peripheral orthopedic or urogenital surgery with spinal block were enrolled. Lumbosacral CSF volumes were calculated from axial magnetic resonance images.

Effects of epidural saline injection on cerebrospinal fluid volume and velocity waveform: a magnetic resonance imaging study.

Background: The phenomenon of epidural "top-up" (increased spread of local anesthetic due to epidural fluid injection) is explained partly by an epidural volume effect. This study was designed to investigate the change in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume and velocity waveform induced by epidural saline injection.

Methods: (1) Lumbar epidural catheters were placed in 28 patients.

[A case of 5-FU-resistant recurrent colon cancer treated with low-dose CPT-11/CDDP on an outpatient basis].

We report a case of recurrent colon cancer resistant to 5-FU, whose QOL and PS has been well maintained with low-dose CPT-11/CDDP administered on an outpatient basis for more than 28 months. A 42-year-old male had lymph node recurrence 27 months after curative resection of colon cancer. He had been administered pharmacokinetic modulating chemotherapy (PMC, oral tegafur/uracil plus fluorouracil infusion) after surgery.

Factors affecting the spread and duration of epidural anesthesia with ropivacaine.

Background: Epidural anesthesia has an unpredictable extent and duration. Differences in the surface area of the lumbosacral dura, epidural fat volume, and epidural venous plexus velocity might explain the variability in the extent and duration of epidural anesthesia with ropivacaine.

Methods: Twenty-six healthy patients, aged 18-45 y, undergoing peripheral orthopedic surgery were enrolled.

[A case of highly advanced ascending colon cancer with multiple bone and liver metastases and pleuritis carcinomatosa treated with pharmacokinetic modulating chemotherapy and low-dose CPT-11].

A 54 year-old male was admitted for highly advanced ascending colon cancer with multiple bone and liver metastases and pleuritis carcinomatosa. He was treated with pharmacokinetic modulating chemotherapy (PMC) and low-dose CPT-11. UFT (400 mg) was orally administered daily and a 2-hour infusion of l-leucovorin (250 mg/m2/day) with a continuous infusion of 5-FU (600 mg/m2/24 h) was given once a week on an outpatient basis.

Influence of lumbosacral cerebrospinal fluid density, velocity, and volume on extent and duration of plain bupivacaine spinal anesthesia.

Background: The current study was designed to investigate the influence of lumbosacral cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) density, velocity, and volume on the extent and duration of plain bupivacaine spinal anesthesia.

Methods: Forty-one patients scheduled to undergo orthopedic surgery with spinal block were enrolled. Lumbosacral CSF volumes were calculated from low thoracic, lumbar, and sacral axial magnetic resonance images.

Renal function in surgical patients after administration of low-flow sevoflurane and amikacin.

Purpose: Compound A, a degradation product of sevoflurane, is nephrotoxic in rats, while aminoglycosides induce nephrotoxic injury in humans. Combining an aminoglycoside with a known nephrotoxin can enhance nephrotoxicity. We investigated the effects of aminoglycosides on renal function in surgical patients anesthetized with low-flow sevoflurane.

Decrease in minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane during anaesthesia and arthroscopy.

Background And Objective: Although the MACtetanus (minimum alveolar concentration that prevents movement in response to electrical tetanus stimulation in 50% of patients) of isoflurane decreases during anaesthesia and surgery, it is not known whether this occurs to the same extent with other inhalational anaesthetics. We determined the MACtetanus of sevoflurane before and after surgery.

Methods: Eleven patients who underwent arthroscopy of the shoulder underwent inhalational induction of anaesthesia with sevoflurane and tracheal intubation by succinylcholine.

Ligamentous ossification of the cervical spine in the late middle-aged Japanese men. Its relation to body mass index and glucose metabolism.

Study Design: The present study investigated the relationship of obesity and glucose metabolism in persons with ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament, ossification of the nucal ligament, and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the cervical spine.

Objective: To provide a insight into the etiology of ligamentous ossification of the cervical spine.

Summary Of Background Data: The high incidence of ligamentous ossification of the cervical spine with obese patients has been reported, but no definite association was reported between the incidence of ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament, ossification of the nucal ligament, and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and their bone mass index values.

[Testicular malacoplakia. Case report].

Testicular malacoplakia is an extremely rare condition; only 37 cases have been reported in the world literature. We hereby report a case of testicular malacoplakia. In over half of the cases of testicular malacoplakia, a preceding bacterial infection of a gram-negative rod has been known to occur, most commonly.