1.Evaluation for Left Internal Thoracic Artery Graft by Intravascular Ultrasound
Shigeki Ito ; Shin Ishimaru ; Tsuyoshi Shimizu ; Tetsuzo Hirayama ; Masafumi Hashimoto ; Hiroshi Sudo ; Hiroyuki Suesada
Japanese Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery 2003;32(4):215-219
Postoperative quantitative evaluation of left internal thoracic artery (LITA) grafts is usually performed by angiography, scintigraphy and Doppler flowire. However it is difficult to observe the characteristics of the intima of the LITA graft. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and quantity of plaque of intima of LITA grafts in 6 cases after coronary artery bypass surgery using an intra-vascular ultrasound device (IVUS). There was no stenosis or calcification of LITA grafts on angiography. However we found atherosclerotic plaque in all LITA grafts by IVUS. Characteristics of plaque were eccentric in all cases, and soft, hard and mixed plaque were found. The average minimal lumen diameter of LITA grafts was 2.6±0.2mm. The average lumen area of LITA grafts was 5.4±0.7mm2. The rate of plaque area was 37.1±5.9%. The eccentric arteriosclerotic plaques were seen in all cases, contradicting the established theory that LITA do not form arteriosclerosis easily. We suggest that IVUS is an effective follow-up device for evaluating the morphological findings and quantitative evaluation of LITA graft in a timely manner.
2.Studies on Low Back Pain Caused by Agricultural Work in Flat Villages of South District in Akita Prefecture and by Work of Fisherman in a Fishing Village in Iwate Prefecture
Takeshi Sugaya ; Shigeki Hayashi ; Masato Hayashi ; Tomio Matsuoka ; Atsuro Yoshizumi ; Shinji Okubo ; Hiroshi Kitahara ; Kazuhiro Watanabe ; Yukio Ito ; Akira Kotanagi
Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine 1983;32(4):817-826
As regards to low back pain of agricultural worker, there are many problems still as to a syndrom of “Nofusho” in rural medicine, a disease in ocupational medicine and clinic of orthopedic.
Agricultural worker who complained of low back pain varies with their country and farm products, and it tend to increase with adding to their age. Further, the female rate of low back pain showed slightly high tendency than the made rate, 8.5-12.5 % of male, 6.5-13.4 % of female always complained of low back pain.
According to the findings of roentogenographic examination of back bone, the deformed vertebrae was found clearly, especially, low back pain caused by a trauma of soft tissue and iscogenic pain showed in farmers. Therefor, it is necessary to be improved working posture and condition.
In comparrison with non-farmer, it is located in order of truck drivers. bus drivers and repairmen.
3.Establishment of Team Approach to Removal of Aspiration Objects at Time of Video fluoroscopic Examination of Swallowing and These Progress
Mayu MATSUOKA ; Kyoko NAKANISHI ; Minako SAITO ; Yukiko ITO ; Takashi SUZUKI ; Taku FUDEYA ; Mitsuru YASUE ; Shigeki HIRAO ; Hirotaka WATABE
Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine 2013;62(1):41-49
The removal of aspiration objects is often required for aspiration, which takes place at the time of a video fluoroscopic examination of swallowing (VF) for the assessment of dysphagia rehabilitation. We report our approach against correspondence for aspiration at VF. As subjects for this report, we sampled 6 patients (average age: 78.3±3.0, four males and two females) from 19 patients, who had aspiration of barium sulfate or meal with barium contrast medium at the time of VF form October 1, 2009, to March 31, 2011. For the first step of correspondence for aspiration at VF, we dealt with coughing, huffing, suction and postural drainage under the guidance of a Speech-Language-Hearing Therapist and, depending on the case, a Physical Therapist who dealt with chest physical therapy. When expectoration was found impossible, we checked to see if it was necessary to perform biphasic cuirass ventilation with a clinical engineer. We assessed the chest X-ray films and existence or non-existence of expectoration immediately after aspiration, and fever, inflammatory response, respiratory symptoms and gastrointestinal symptoms one week after the examination, and retrospectively checked the influence of aspiration. As a result, three patients had residue as revealed on chest X-ray films, and the three remaining patients had none. For the former three patients, we intervened in a team approach and succeeded in removing the residue from two patients (one with initial correspondence, and the other with execution by the Physical Therapist). Though two patients had fever and inflammatory response one week later, It was hardly possible that aspiration at the time of VF became a direct cause. No patient had either the respiratory or gastrointestinal symptom. Correspondence for aspiration was attained by establishing a team approach system. Even if a patient had heavy aspiration, it was not reflected on chest X-ray films, depending on the case, and therefore deliberation was required for correspondence.
4.Rotavirus vaccine and health-care utilization for rotavirus gastroenteritis in Tsu City, Japan
Kazutoyo Asada ; Hajime Kamiya ; Shigeru Suga ; Mizuho Nagao ; Ryoji Ichimi ; Takao Fujisawa ; Masakazu Umemoto ; Takaaki Tanaka ; Hiroaki Ito ; Shigeki Tanaka ; Masaru Ido ; Koki Taniguchi ; Toshiaki Ihara ; Takashi Nakano
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2016;7(4):21-36
Background: Rotavirus vaccines were introduced in Japan in November 2011. We evaluated the subsequent reduction of the health-care burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis.
Methods: We conducted active surveillance for rotavirus gastroenteritis among children under 5 years old before and after the vaccine introduction. We surveyed hospitalization rates for rotavirus gastroenteritis in children in Tsu City, Mie Prefecture, Japan, from 2007 to 2015 and surveyed the number of outpatient visits at a Tsu City clinic from 2010 to 2015. Stool samples were obtained for rotavirus testing and genotype investigation. We assessed rotavirus vaccine coverage for infants living in Tsu City.
Results: In the pre-vaccine years (2007-2011), hospitalization rates for rotavirus gastroenteritis in children under 5 years old were 5.5, 4.3, 3.1 and 3.9 cases per 1000 person-years, respectively. In the post-vaccine years (2011-2015), the rates were 3.0, 3.5, 0.8 and 0.6 cases per 1000 person-years, respectively. The hospitalization rate decreased significantly in the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 seasons compared to the average of the seasons before vaccine introduction (p < 0.0001). In one pre-vaccine year (2010-2011), the number of outpatient visits due to the rotavirus infection was 66. In the post-vaccine years (2011-2015), the numbers for each season was 23, 23, 7 and 5, respectively. The most dominant rotavirus genotype shifted from G3P[8] to G1P[8] and to G2P[4]. The coverage of one dose of rotavirus vaccine in Tsu City was 56.5% in 2014.
Conclusion: After the vaccine introduction, the hospitalization rates and outpatient visits for rotavirus gastroenteritis greatly decreased.