A number of investigators have been concerned with the anthropometric as well as physical characteristics of sumo wrestlers during the past several decades. However, none have attempted to determine body density and percent body fat by the most accurate technique of hydrostatic or underwater weighings. Thus, a precise quantification of body density and percent body fat for the wrestlers has not yet been obtained. Ogawa et al. (1972) have predicted the body composition of sumo wrestlers from a formula which added the triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses. As the regression equation used in this instance was based on samples of normal young men, it may not have great predictive accuracy when used on the exceptional population of very stout athletes.
The purposes of this study were : (1) to assess the validity of percent body fat estimation by skinfold thickness measurement when compared to the hydrostatic weighing criterion method ; (2) to determine the interrelationships between anthropometric variables for use in the clear assessment of the physical characteristics of ‘Shindeshi’ sumo wrestlers ; and (3) to thereby develop a formula that would reliably predict percent body fat using skinfold thicknesses and/or anthropometric measurements in this exceptional population. The interrelationships between anthropometric and body composition variables were investigated using 35 Shindeshi sumo wrestlers, aged 15-20 years (X=16.5±1.5) .
The results of the present study can be summarized as follows.
1. The Shindeshi in the present study possessed physiques more developed than those tested in the past, as evidenced by Rohrer's and Ponderal Indices which were approximately 180 and 26.2, respectively. The development of body weight was particularly notable (i.e., over 100kg) .
2. Percent body fat for the Shindeshi was remarkably higher than that of a normal population of the same age, with approximately seventy percent of the Shindeshi possessing more than 20% body fat and less than 1.05000 body density.
3. Body density and height correlated negatively and insignificantly with almost all the variables. In contrast, correlations of body weight, circumferences, and all other variables were, in most cases, high and positive, with body weight correlating least with height. The skinfold measurement correlating best with % body fat was that taken at the thigh site (r=0.898) . The circumference measurements correlating best with % body fat were obtained at the thigh (r=0.888 and 0.831) and the abdomen (r=0 885) parts.
4. Of the six formulae for estimating % body fat, Sloan's correlated best with % body fat as determined by densitometry, and best approximated the mean value of 24.5%. However, all of the equations underestimated the measured % body fat of the Shindeshi.
5. When an exceptional population is being investigated, estimation of % body fat should be done with a population specific equation to ensure predictive accuracy. The following multiple regression equation (r=0.963) should, therefore, be utilized for estimation of % body fat in sumo wrestlers.
Y=0.2488x₁+0.6172x₂-14.3962 where x₁ and x₂ are abdomen circumference and skinfold thickness at thigh, respectively.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to investigate the diagnostic value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in PET/computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of spinal metastatic lesions. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Recent studies described limitations regarding how many lesions with abnormal 18F-FDG PET findings in the bone show corresponding morphologic abnormalities. METHODS: The subjects for this retrospective study were 227 patients with primary malignant tumors, who were suspected of having spinal metastases. They underwent combined whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT scanning for evaluation of known neoplasms in the whole spine. 99mTc-methylene diphosphonate bone scan was performed within 2 weeks following PET/CT examinations. The final diagnosis of spinal metastasis was established by histopathological examination regarding bone biopsy or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and follow-up MRI, CT and 18F-FDG PET for extensively wide lesions with subsequent progression. RESULTS: From a total of 504 spinal lesions in 227 patients, 224 lesions showed discordant image findings. For 122 metastatic lesions with confirmed diagnosis, the sensitivity/specificity of bone scan and FDG PET were 84%/21% and 89%/76%, respectively. In 102 true-positive metastatic lesions, the bone scan depicted predominantly osteosclerotic changes in 36% and osteolytic changes in 19%. In 109 true-positive lesions of FDG PET, osteolytic changes were depicted predominantly in 38% while osteosclerotic changes were portrayed in 15%. CONCLUSIONS: 18F-FDG PET in PET/CT could be used as a substitute for bone scan in the evaluation of spinal metastasis, especially for patients with spinal osteolytic lesions on CT.
Biopsy ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine ; Technetium Tc 99m Medronate

Objective: Pharmacists deliver medicines that require refrigeration directly to patients’ homes for home medical care or due to supply shortages. However, there are no investigations into the delivery of medicines under appropriate temperature control. Therefore, we conducted a questionnaire survey regarding the delivery of cold-stored pharmaceuticals and considered packaging methods for medicines that would enable appropriate temperature control based on the results. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted at 86 pharmacies between January 25 and March 31, 2019. Subsequently, we measured the surface temperature of the medicine (InnoLet® 30R Injection) using a cold bag and ice pack. Results: We received responses from 79 pharmacies. The questionnaire survey revealed that 44% (35 pharmacies) delivered medicines needing refrigeration directly to patients’ homes, and of those, 43% (15 pharmacies) expressing concerns about temperature control during delivery. Additionally, based on a reproduction experiment using the packaging method confirmed in the questionnaire survey (using a cold bag, 0 to 4 ice packs, and an outside temperature of 28℃), the lowest storage temperature (mean±SD) of InnoLet® was 18.8±0.3℃ for zero ice packs, 18.0±0.3℃ for one ice pack, 12.7±0.1℃ for two ice packs, and −0.2±0.3℃ for four ice packs. Thus, the storage temperature of InnoLet® was outside the range of 2-8℃. Therefore, we improved the packaging method to maintain the proper storage temperature by using bubble wrap and paper wiper (Kim Towels®) in 10-45℃ weather conditions. Conclusion: In this study, we discovered the packaging method of medicines to maintain the proper storage temperature (2-8℃) in 10-45℃ weather conditions. Applying the temperature-based packaging method studied in this paper to actual pharmacy operations will ensure the quality of pharmaceuticals that require refrigeration, contribute to ensuring their efficacy and safety, and help ensure delivery. This is expected to alleviate pharmacists’ concerns regarding temperature control of medicines.