Previous research has demonstrated that the concentric muscle strength of knee extension exerted at slow to medium angular velocities is increased by teeth clenching. This study evaluated the isokinetic eccentric strength of knee extensors at 4 angular velocities (60, 120, 180 and 240 degrees per second) with and without teeth clenching on the Cybex 6000 Extremity Testing and Rehabilitation System. Twelve healthy adult male (26.8±1.8 years) volunteered for the study. Peak torque per body weight and average power per body weight were analyzed. The results demonstrated that peak torque per body weight accompanied by teeth clenching was significantly increased at 60, 120, 180 and 240 deg/s by 9.5%, 8.2%, 8.2% and 9.8%, respectively (p<0.01) . Similarly average power per body weight during teeth clenching was significantly higher at 60, 120, 180 and 240 deg/s by 9.1%, 9.5%, 9.4% and 7.7%, respectively (p<0.05) . These findings suggest that teeth clenching is a factor that leads to augmented eccentric strength of knee extensors. Its effect appears to be independent of angular velocity.

Late-onset Brown-Séquard syndrome (BSS) is a rare condition resulting from a spinal cord injury that develops weeks to years after a blunt trauma. Acute-onset BSS after a blunt injury has been rarely reported. Here, we report on a case of BSS, in a 58-year-old man, that developed immediately after a motor vehicle accident. Upon admission, loss of right thoracic motion, complete right paresis, and loss of pain and temperature sensations below the C3 level on the left side were observed. Magnetic resonance imaging showed hyperintensities within the cervical spinal cord at the C2–C3 level, confirming the diagnosis of BSS. Thoracic motion rapidly recovered, but other neurological sequelae persisted. BSS related to cervical cord injury should be suspected when patients develop hemiparesis and contralateral sensory loss immediately after a blunt trauma. Likewise, clinicians should be aware that unilateral loss of thoracic motion could be an important sign of BSS.
Brown-Sequard Syndrome ; Cervical Cord ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Motor Vehicles ; Paresis ; Sensation ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating

A 61-year-old man was found to have an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) during follow-up for ischemic heart disease. On admission, ultrasonograms and computed tomograms revealed a thickened aortic wall surrounded by a soft tissue (so-called mantle). The obstructive right anterior brain artery and stenotic right internal carotid artery were also detected by angiography. Coronary angiography demonstrated multiple stenotic lesions of the coronary arteries. The excised AAA was replaced with an prosthetic graft. The mobilization of the adjacent viscera was kept as little as possible in order to prevent injury to them. We reported a case of “inflammatory” abdominal aneurysm associated with various atherosclerotic lesions.

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.

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.

No abstract available.
Gastroenterostomy* ; Stents*

Background/Aims: The efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early-stage gastric cancer is well established. However, its acquisition is challenging owing to its complexity. In Japan, G-Master is a novel ex vivo gastric ESD training model. The effectiveness of training using G-Master is unknown. This study evaluated the efficacy of gastric ESD training using the G-Master to evaluate trainees’ learning curves and performance. Methods: Four trainees completed 30 ESD training sessions using the G-Master, and procedure time, resection area, resection completion, en-bloc resection requirement, and perforation occurrence were measured. Resection speed was the primary endpoint, and learning curves were evaluated using the Cumulative Sum (CUSUM) method. Results: All trainees completed the resection and en-bloc resection of the lesion without any intraoperative perforations. The learning curves covered three phases: initial growth, plateau, and late growth. The transition from phase 1 to phase 2 required a median of 10 sessions. Each trainee completed 30 training sessions in approximately 4 months. Conclusions Gastric ESD training using the G-Master is a simple, fast, and effective method for pre-ESD training in clinical practice. It is recommended that at least 10 training sessions be conducted.

Background/Aims: The efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early-stage gastric cancer is well established. However, its acquisition is challenging owing to its complexity. In Japan, G-Master is a novel ex vivo gastric ESD training model. The effectiveness of training using G-Master is unknown. This study evaluated the efficacy of gastric ESD training using the G-Master to evaluate trainees’ learning curves and performance. Methods: Four trainees completed 30 ESD training sessions using the G-Master, and procedure time, resection area, resection completion, en-bloc resection requirement, and perforation occurrence were measured. Resection speed was the primary endpoint, and learning curves were evaluated using the Cumulative Sum (CUSUM) method. Results: All trainees completed the resection and en-bloc resection of the lesion without any intraoperative perforations. The learning curves covered three phases: initial growth, plateau, and late growth. The transition from phase 1 to phase 2 required a median of 10 sessions. Each trainee completed 30 training sessions in approximately 4 months. Conclusions Gastric ESD training using the G-Master is a simple, fast, and effective method for pre-ESD training in clinical practice. It is recommended that at least 10 training sessions be conducted.

Background/Aims: The efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early-stage gastric cancer is well established. However, its acquisition is challenging owing to its complexity. In Japan, G-Master is a novel ex vivo gastric ESD training model. The effectiveness of training using G-Master is unknown. This study evaluated the efficacy of gastric ESD training using the G-Master to evaluate trainees’ learning curves and performance. Methods: Four trainees completed 30 ESD training sessions using the G-Master, and procedure time, resection area, resection completion, en-bloc resection requirement, and perforation occurrence were measured. Resection speed was the primary endpoint, and learning curves were evaluated using the Cumulative Sum (CUSUM) method. Results: All trainees completed the resection and en-bloc resection of the lesion without any intraoperative perforations. The learning curves covered three phases: initial growth, plateau, and late growth. The transition from phase 1 to phase 2 required a median of 10 sessions. Each trainee completed 30 training sessions in approximately 4 months. Conclusions Gastric ESD training using the G-Master is a simple, fast, and effective method for pre-ESD training in clinical practice. It is recommended that at least 10 training sessions be conducted.

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided intervention has been established as a safe, effective and minimally invasive procedure for various diseases in adults, but there have been limited reports in pediatric patients. Herein, we report our experience with successful EUS-guided drainage of an intra-abdominal abscess in a 1-year-old infant concomitant with disseminated intravascular coagulation. The abscess was punctured via the stomach using a standard, convex-type echoendoscope, and the patient's condition improved after naso-cystic catheter placement. Although the clinical course was complicated by delayed hemorrhage from the puncture site, the bleeding was successfully managed by endoscopic hemostasis using a standard forward-viewing endoscope.
Abdominal Abscess* ; Abscess ; Adult ; Catheters ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation ; Drainage* ; Endoscopes ; Hemorrhage ; Hemostasis, Endoscopic ; Humans ; Infant* ; Punctures ; Stomach ; Ultrasonography