The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between joint angle and EMG activity concerning the human knee joint and hamstring muscles. Ten healthy males participated in this study. They performed maximum voluntary isokinetic knee flexion in the flexion angle range of 0° to 120° in a prone position on a table. The EMG activities of the semitendinosus, semimembranosus, long and short heads of the biceps femoris muscles were detected by bipolar fine wire electrode, and were integrated at knee flexion range intervals of 15° from 0° to 120°. After three months, the same examination was performed with the same subjects to confirm the reliability of this study. Results showed the mean peak isokinetic torque was attained from a 15° to 45° knee flexion angle. The EMG activities of the hamstring muscles varied with changes in the knee flexion angle. The integrated EMG of the semitendinosus, semimembranosus and short head of the biceps femoris muscles in-creased gradually as the knee flexion angle was increased from 0° to 105°. The peak integrated EMG of these three muscles was attained between 90° and 105° knee flexion in both trials. On the other hand, the peak integrated EMG of the long head of the biceps femoris muscle was largest at a knee angle ranging from 15° to 30°. Peak integrated EMG decreased when the knee flexion angle increased in both trials. These results show that the electromyographic activity of agonist muscles during maximum voluntary movement varied with the change of muscle length or joint angle. Therefore, it was considered that the relationship between joint torque and joint angle is influenced not only by the sarcomere length and the moment arm but also muscle activities of agonist muscles, even if the movement is performed with maximum effort.

Cerebral embolic stroke caused by a thrombus in the pulmonary vein stump after left pulmonary lobectomy is a serious complication. We retrospectively analyzed four patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy for large-vessel occlusion after left pulmonary lobectomy between January 2014 and March 2022. Two cases occurred after left upper lobectomy and the others occurred after left lower lobectomy. All patients presented with cerebral embolic stroke from the day after surgery to the 9th postoperative day, and successful reperfusion was achieved in all cases. Two patients had good outcomes at 90 days. Thrombus in the pulmonary vein stump is the probable cause of cerebral embolism, and mechanical thrombectomy is effective. Further studies are required to establish preventive measures and perioperative management strategies.

We evaluated the effect of hachimijiogan in 30 cases of anticholinergic agent and α-blocker resistant LUTS. International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSS), QOL scores, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Impact Index (BII) scores and urinary 8-OHdG of the patients were statistically much improved. This study demonstrated improvement in urinary symptoms, urinary QOL and oxidative stress, in LUTS resistant to anticholinergic agents and α-blockers. Further long-term studies will be needed not only in urinary symptoms, but also in effect as an anti-aging medicine.

We evaluated the effects of Hachimijiougan and its additional prescription in 11 cases of anticholinergic agent-resistant overactive bladder. The improvements in IPSS, QOL score, BII score and urinary 8-OHdG for the patients were statistically much improved. This study showed improvements of urinary symptoms and QOL in anticholinergic agent-resistant overactive bladder. Further long-term studies will be needed not only in urinary symptoms but also on effects as an anti-aging medicine.

PURPOSE: Conventional coil embolization for large carotid cavernous aneurysms (CCAs) has limited utility due to its inability to prevent recurrences and reduce mass effect. Trapping of the parent artery may have a risk of ischemic complications due to intracranial perfusion disorders. We successfully treated 24 patients with large CCAs using a flow diverter (Pipeline™ embolic device: PED), and this report discusses the safety and efficacy of this method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty four patients (23 females, mean age 71.5 years old) with large CCAs, including 6 giant CCAs, were treated with a PED over three years. Under sufficient dual anti-platelet management, the PED was deployed over the orifice of the aneurysm. Two patients required multiple telescoping stents. Clinical and radiological states were checked with MRI at 1, 3 and 6 months post-surgically. Angiographic follow-up was performed at 6 months. RESULTS: In all patients, PED was appropriately deployed. Stagnation of contrast with eclipse signs was observed post-angiogram in 21 cases. One patient requiring 5 telescoping stents experienced temporary ischemic symptoms. Fourteen patients experienced improvement of ocular motor impairment deficiency, including 6 patients who recovered. Angiograms at 6 months follow-up showed complete occlusion in 63% (12/19) of patients, and MRI showed reduction of aneurysm volume in 89% (17/19) of patients. CONCLUSION: Flow diverters for large CCAs showed promising clinical and radiological efficacy. They can shrink the aneurysm and improve symptoms without sacrificing the parent artery. It will be necessary to summarize the cases and to verify the long-term results.
Aneurysm* ; Arteries ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Methods ; Parents ; Perfusion ; Recurrence ; Stents