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Purpose: Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is commonly found in females of reproductive age. In males, the diagnosis is made more cautiously due to its lower incidence and higher incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma, which can have overlapping imaging features. Follow-up or biopsy is sometimes required. This retrospective study aims to assess management of suspected FNH in male adult patients at our institution over a 10-year period. Methods: Male adults (≥ 18 years) suspected of having FNH from January 2010—June 2020 were identified using a departmental radiology information system search. Data was collected from radiology reports and patient pathway manager. Results: Of 342 patients with suspected FNH, 62 were male (18.1%; F:M of 4.5:1). We only included patients investigated and followed up by MRI, total of 57 patients. Median age was 40 years (range 18–74 years). Background liver disease present in 21/57 (36.8%), majority with hepatic steatosis. Average number of lesions per patient 1.7. 22/57 (38.6%) had at least one MRI follow-up using liver-specific contrast with 7 lesions demonstrating variation in size (range growth: -3.27 mm/year to + 4 mm/year). In 7 cases, MRI was not definitive; 6 required biopsy and 1 resection. Only 2/7 demonstrated malignancy. Of the total 57 patients, 6 have deceased and none due to a misdiagnosed or mismanaged hepatic lesion. Conclusion: FNH is relatively uncommon in males, however, our data suggests that lesions with typical MRI characteristics do not require follow-up and diagnosis can be made confidently, similar to females. Any atypical features should prompt a biopsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methylphenidate (MPH) is one of the most commonly used stimulants for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although several studies have evaluated the effects of MPH on human brain activation during specific cognitive tasks using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), few studies have focused on spontaneous brain activity. In the current study, we investigated the effect of MPH on the intra-regional synchronization of spontaneous brain activity during the resting state in 18 normal adult males. A handedness questionnaire and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale were applied before medication, and a resting-state fMRI scan was obtained 1 h after medication (20 mg MPH or placebo, order counterbalanced between participants). We demonstrated that: (1) there were no significant differences in the performance of behavioral tasks between the MPH and placebo groups; (2) the left middle and superior temporal gyri had stronger MPHrelated regional homogeneity (ReHo); and (3) the left lingual gyrus had weaker MPH-related ReHo. Our findings showed that the ReHo in some brain areas changes with MPH compared to placebo in normal adults, even though there are no behavioral differences. This method can be applied to patients with mental illness who may be treated with MPH, and be used to compare the difference between patients taking MPH and normal participants, to help reveal the mechanism of how MPH works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The principal objective of this paper is to develop a simple and rapid method of estimating levels of fatigue so that chronic fatigue can be prevented. Long-distance runners belonging to a successful corporate team (Group A; 25 males) and representative runners at the prefectural level (Group B; 14 males) participated in this study. We examined the effects of strenuous physical exercise on serum enzyme activity and the fatigue level felt by the runners (subjective fatigue). The following parameters were measured on two consecutive mornings during a training period: physical characteristics, serum-biochemistry using the dry-chemistry method, and subjective fatigue determined using the questionnaire regarding subjective symptoms authorized by the Japan Association of Industrial Health and the Profile of Mood State (POMS). Group A was divided into A-Senior (17 males; highest performance level) and A-Freshman (8 males) subgroups according to the length of employment within the corporation (one year or more and less than one year, respectively). The levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine kinase (CK) were significantly lower in the A-Senior group than the other groups and this group displayed the “iceberg” POMS profile at both examinations. Some significant correlations between the elements of POMS and serum enzyme activity levels were observed among all three groups during both examinations. The decline of serum CK levels tended to accompany a decrease in “Fatigue” according to POMS among 9 of 17 members of the A-Senior group. This tendency between the A-Senior and the A-Freshman groups statistically differed according to the X - square analysis. Our results suggest that the effects of physical stress on serum enzyme activity levels and subjective fatigue are affected by performance levels. Physical fatigue seemed to be reflected by serum CK levels. Monitoring subjective fatigue while measuring serum enzyme activity levels using the dry-chemistry method immediately provides clinical value to players and coaches on site, and should therefore help to prevent a shift from “overreaching” to “overtraining”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The principal objective of this paper is basic research on the development of methods for the prevention of chronic fatigue. Overtraining was paid special attention to as one of the types of chronic fatigue condition. Six healthy male participants in a distance-running competition were recruited and used as subjects for this study with informed consent for all examinations. Subjects, that is, participants in the competition, tried to achieve their objective maximum running distance designated before the competition during one month, while in the same period performing their routine work duties. It was reported that the competition caused participants to exhibit an overtrained condition. In this paper, effects of endurance running during one month on blood properties and the fatigue level felt by the subject (subjective fatigue) were studied. Examinations carried out in this research were as follows; 1) physical examination was conducted 3 times during the study; 1 week before the competition, immediately before and 3 weeks after the end of the competition, 2) blood sampling was conducted 4 times; prior to the competition, 1 week after the beginning of and immediately before the end of the competition, and about 3 weeks after the competition, 3) subjective fatigue levels were monitored 8 times; 1 week before and one time in every week during the competition, and 1 week and again 3 weeks after the competition. Immediately before the end of the competition, when subjects might be expected to exhibit the overtrained condition, minor influences on fatigue levels were found. However, effects of the endurance run seemed to remain more than 3 weeks after the competition as indicated by changes of the population of white blood cells and blood hormone levels. The above mentioned results suggest that it is important to determine signs of overtraining at an early stage. To determine overtraining at an early stage, norepinephrine, testosterone and the ratio of testosterone to cortisol may be the most useful indices. These, as well as the element of “drowsiness and dullness” in the questionnaire on subjective symptoms of fatigue authorized by the Japan Association of Industrial Health and the elements of “anger”, “fatigue”, and “confusion” in the Profile of Mood State (POMS) questionnaire are thought to be the most important subjective indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]