Dynamic postural control ability is necessary for fall prevention in our daily lives. It has been suggested that dynamic postural control ability is highly related to the muscles in the trunk as well as the lower limbs for the keep and move of the body. In this study, we reveal relationship between dynamic postural control ability and abdominal area. Subjects including 31 middle-aged people consist of 12 men and 19 women (mean age 60.0±7.6 years). We measured visceral fat area and cross-sectional area of the trunk muscle using abdominal computed tomography scan. The unstable tilt board is used for measuring dynamic postural control ability. Through multiple regression analysis, it is possible to relate dynamic postural control ability from gender, visceral fat, and deep trunk muscle such as psoas major muscle on abdominal computed tomography scan. It is considered that dynamic postural control ability involved not only increasing the volume of deep trunk muscle but also decreasing the amount of visceral fat.

To evaluate the association of serum BDNF concentration with high-intensity interval training, 12 healthy male volunteers, aged 28-48 years, completed 16-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) using ergometer. Training program consisted of >90% VO₂ peak for 60 sec separated by 60 sec active rest period for 8-12 sets twice weekly for 16-week. Maximal exercise tolerance tests were performed before (0-week), 4-week, and 16-week after the intervention program. VO₂ peak as well as peak watt was linearly increased after 4-week (9% for both VO₂ peak and peak watt) and 16-week HIIT training (15% for VO₂ peak and 18% for peak watt, p<0.01). However, there was no change in serum BDNF concentration by HIIT. On the other hand, there was a positive association of serum BDNF concentration at baseline with % increase in peak watt after the intervention (ρ=0.60, p<0.05). The association between BDNF and exercise training is still unclear, and more studies are needed to clarify the above positive association.

INTRODUCTIONEarly detection of catheter-related candidemia is necessary to ensure that patients receive prompt and appropriate treatment. The aim of the present case-control study is to investigate the clinical features of catheter-related candidemia at disease onset, so as to determine the clinical indications for empiric antifungal therapy.

METHODSAll 41 cases of catheter-related candidemia from September 2009 to August 2011 at a teaching hospital were included in the present study. To determine the characteristics that were risk factors for developing catheter-related candidemia, we compared all cases of catheter-related candidemia with all 107 cases of catheter-related blood stream infection (CRBSI) caused by non-Candida spp.

RESULTSIn comparison with CRBSI due to non-Candida spp., the duration of catheter use was significantly longer in cases of catheter-related candidemia (13.9 ± 9.0 days vs. 23.2 ± 25.2 days). There was also a significant difference in the frequency of pre-antibiotic treatment between catheter-related candidemia and CRBSI due to non-Candida spp. (97.6% [40/41 cases] vs. 44.9% [48/107 cases]). Patients with catheter-related candidemia also had significantly more severe clinical statuses (measured using the Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment score) than patients with CRBSI due to non-Candida spp. (7.63 ± 3.65 vs. 5.92 ± 2.81).

CONCLUSIONWhen compared to patients with CRBSI caused by non-Candida spp., patients with catheter-related candidemia had significantly more severe clinical backgrounds, longer duration of catheter use and more frequent prior administration of antibiotic agents.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Candida ; pathogenicity ; Candidemia ; diagnosis ; Case-Control Studies ; Catheter-Related Infections ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

A 72-year-old woman was scheduled to undergo aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis when she was diagnosed with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II after a decrease in platelets was detected. Although postponement was considered, the operation went ahead as scheduled because of unstable hemodynamics. Continuous intravenous infusion of argatroban (4 mg/kg/min) was initiated at the start of the operation, and nafamostat mesylate (30 mg/h) was initiated when cardiopulmonary bypass was started. Activated coagulation time was monitored, and the dose of argatroban was adjusted accordingly. Argatroban administration was terminated after removal of aortic cross-clamping, and cardiopulmonary bypass was stopped 1 h later. The operation was completed 7 h after stopping cardiopulmonary bypass due to difficulties in hemostasis. Operation time was 12 h 21 min, cardiopulmonary bypass time was 3 h 10 min, blood loss was 3444 mL, and blood transfusion volume was 6400 mL. The amount of argatroban administered was lower in our case than in previously reported cases, but blood loss after stopping cardiopulmonary bypass could not be reduced in our case.