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Background In 2020, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association established a new stage 3 in clinical decision limits (CDL) to evaluate the stage of locomotive syndrome (LS). This study focused on total CDL stage 3 with the aim of investigating indicators related to improvements in total CDL by evaluating the improvement of LS in patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods Of the 125 patients who underwent THA at our hospital, the subjects of the analysis were 105 patients determined to be total CDL stage 3 in an evaluation performed before THA. LS was evaluated using the stand-up test, two-step test, and 25-Question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25). Indicators related to improvements in total CDL were also investigated. All evaluation items were measured before THA and three months after THA. Results Before THA, all subjects (n = 105) were classified as total CDL stage 3. Three months after THA, improvements in total CDL were seen in 49 subjects (46.7%). The results of stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the before THA stand-up test and GLFS-25 were significantly related to improvements in total CDL. Conclusions Three months after THA, improvements in LS were seen in approximately half of the subjects. The stand-up test and GLFS-25 can be used as indicators of improvement in total CDL. Design Prospective cohort study design.

Objective To establish a model to predict high cytomegalovirus (CMV) immunoglobulin (Ig)G avidity index (AI) using clinical information, to contribute to the mental health of CMV-IgM positive pregnant women. Methods We studied 371 women with IgM positivity at ≤14 w of gestation. Information on the age, parity, occupation, clinical signs, IgM and G values, and IgG AI was collected. The IgG AI cut-off value for diagnosing congenital infection was calculated based on a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Between-group differences were assessed using the Mann–Whitney U-test or χ2 analysis. The factors predicting a high IgG AI were determined using multiple logistic regression. Results The women were divided into high or low IgG AI groups based on an IgG AI cut-off value of 31.75. There were significant differences in the IgG and IgM levels, age, clinical signs, and the number of women with one parity between the two groups. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, IgM and the number of women with one parity were independent predictors. This result helped us establish a mathematical model that correctly classified the IgG AI level for 84.6% of women. Conclusion We established a highly effective model for predicting a high IgG AI immediately after demonstrating IgM positivity.

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of locomotive syndrome (LS) risk in age groups using the LS risk test proposed by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association. Based on this, this study identified the lifestyle-related signs that lead to LS, by clarifying the association between LS risk and lifestyle factors.A total of 728 individuals aged 20-91 years who were without specific mobility disorders were evaluated. Participants were asked to perform the LS risk test and complete a self-administered original questionnaire survey for this study. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to examine the relationships of sex and age with LS. The prevalence of LS by sex and age was compared using the Chi-squared test or Student's t-test, as appropriate. The Mantel-Haenszel test was used to examine the relationship of each component of the lifestyle factors.Overall, 36.4% of males and 49.1% of females were classified into the LS group; the prevalence of LS was significantly higher in females than males (p .001). The prevalence of LS tended to increase with age in both males and females (p .05). As for health condition, pain in the locomotive organs, knees, back, and hip joints was significantly associated with LS (p .05). Of the lifestyle-related diseases, only hypertension (p .05) was significantly associated with LS, and drug treatment was significantly associated with LS (p .05). As for lifestyle, anxiety about physical fitness, self-assessed poor health, irregular dietary habits, and lack of exercise were also associated with LS (p .05).Interventions to prevent LS are important during its early stages, especially for females, and lifestyle-related signs of LS, such as pain in the locomotive organs, lifestyle-related disease, drug treatment, and a lower subjective evaluation of health must not be overlooked.

Background:In 2020, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association added a new clinical decision limit (CDL), stage 3, to evaluate the stages of locomotive syndrome (LS). However, so far there has been no study of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to examine the efficacy of LS treatment and there are no motor function indicators to predict LS improvement, focusing on stage 3. The purpose of this study is to investigate the treatment efficacy of TKA on LS focusing on total CDL stage 3 leading to revealing the motor function indicators that can predict LS improvement in patients who had received TKA.Methods:This prospective cohort study was conducted with 59 patients among 70 patients who underwent TKA, with total CDL stage 3 before TKA evaluation. LS was evaluated using stand-up test, two-step test, and 25-Question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale. In addition, the motor function indicators which could predict the LS improvement were examined. All assessments were conducted before TKA and three months after TKA.Results:Of the 59 subjects who were evaluated to be in total CDL stage 3 before TKA, 17 patients (28.8%) were determined to show improvements in total CDL. From the result of the decision tree analysis, when the CDL of the two-step test before TKA was 1 or less, the improvement rate was 77.8%. Even if the CDL of the two-step test before TKA was higher than 2 and if the 3m-Timed Up & Go test (3m-TUG) before TKA was 9.15 or less, the improvement rate was 60%.Conclusions:As of three months after surgery, TKA can improve LS in about 30% of patients. A two-step test before TKA and 3m-TUG before TKA can be used as motor function indicators to predict LS improvement. This study provides useful information for setting the goal for rehabilitation prior to surgery.

Introduction This study aimed to examine the immunity level against rubella in pregnant women of different birth cohorts. Methods In total, 512 pregnant women who visited a primary clinic between May 2019 and March 2020 were enrolled. Information in terms of the patients’ hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers, birthdate, obstetrical history, and vaccination history were collected. Participants were divided into three generational groups according to the vaccination policy in Japan. Publicly funded vaccination was administered twice as part of a routine program in group A (n = 11), once as part of a routine program and once in a catch-up program in group B (n = 181), and once in group C (n = 320). Results All groups had some women with negative rubella HI antibody titers (7.6% of all the women, 18.2% of group A, 9.4% of group B, and 6.3% of group C) and those with rubella HI antibody titers of ≤1:16 (45.1% of all women, 90.9% of group A, 56.4% of group B, and 37.2% of group C). Rubella HI antibody titers differed between the groups; group C had higher titers than that in group B. In groups B and C, the proportions of women with rubella HI antibody titers of ≤1:16 were not statistically different between primipara and multipara. Conclusions Our study showed that an increase in immunity to rubella, a vaccine-preventable disease, is nevertheless required among childbearing women to prevent rubella and congenital rubella syndrome.

To reduce the risk of long-term care, it is important to prevent the functional decline of the locomotorium of elderly individuals early in life. This study aimed to clarify locomotive syndrome (LS) in Japanese office workers. The participants included 263 workers that mainly performed deskwork. Participants performed the LS risk test and completed a self-administered questionnaire survey that focused on lifestyle-related diseases, anxiety about physical strength, pain in the locomotorium, and health-related quality of life. Sixty participants (22.8%) were at risk for LS, and 17.5% of these participants were in their 20s. Of the participants at risk for LS (LS group), 30.0% had anxiety about physical strength, which was a significantly high ratio compared to the 14.3% of participants who expressed anxiety about physical strength, but were not at risk for LS (non-LS group) (χ2 = 6.479, p < .05). There were significant differences between risk for LS and pain in the back and hip joints (χ2 = 5.813, p < .05, χ2 = 4.895, p < .05). The LS group had a significantly lower mean physical summary score than the non-LS group (t = 3.286, p < .01). Thus, an intervention to prevent LS is important during the early stages, and signs such as pain in the locomotorium and anxiety about physical strength must not be overlooked.

Modern ground-based gravitational wave (GW) detectors require a complex interferometer configuration with multiple coupled optical cavities. Since achieving the resonances of the arm cavities is the most challenging among the lock acquisition processes, the scheme called arm length stabilization (ALS) had been employed for lock acquisition of the arm cavities. We designed a new type of the ALS, which is compatible with the interferometers having long arms like the next generation GW detectors. The features of the new ALS are that the control configuration is simpler than those of previous ones and that it is not necessary to lay optical fibers for the ALS along the kilometer-long arms of the detector. Along with simulations of its noise performance, an experimental test of the new ALS was performed utilizing a single arm cavity of KAGRA. This paper presents the first results of the test where we demonstrated that lock acquisition of the arm cavity was achieved using the new ALS and residual noise was measured to be $8.2\,\mathrm{Hz}$ in units of frequency, which is smaller than the linewidth of the arm cavity and thus low enough to lock the full interferometer of KAGRA in a repeatable and reliable manner., Comment: 21 pages, 8figures

著者人数: KAGRA Collaboration 203名 (所属. 宇宙航空研究開発機構宇宙科学研究所(JAXA)(ISAS): 和泉, 究), Number of authors: KAGRA collaboration 203 (Affiliation. Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency(JAXA)(ISAS): Izumi, Kiwamu), Accepted: 2019-06-11, 資料番号: SA1190107000

著者人数: 227名 (所属. 宇宙航空研究開発機構宇宙科学研究所(JAXA)(ISAS): 東谷, 千比呂), Number of authors: 227 (Affiliation. Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency(JAXA)(ISAS): Tokoku, Chihiro), Accepted: 2017-11-21, 資料番号: SA1170370000

KAGRA is a 3-km cryogenic interferometric gravitational wave telescope located at an underground site in Japan. In order to achieve its target sensitivity, the relative positions of the mirrors of the interferometer must be finely adjusted with attached actuators. We have developed a model to simulate the length control loops of the KAGRA interferometer with realistic suspension responses and various noises for mirror actuation. Using our model, we have designed the actuation parameters to have sufficient force range to acquire lock as well as to control all the length degrees of freedom without introducing excess noise., 21 pages, 7 figures (typo in p.12 on magnetic field gradient fixed for v3)

Cataract surgery results when a patient decides to undergo lens surgery following a diagnosis of a clinically significant cataract (CSC). Because the presence of a CSC is generally latent and unobserved, a person might not receive cataract surgery even if the person has a CSC. This misclassification needs to be adjusted in the statistical analysis of CSC so as to reduce the bias in the parameter estimation. Following Magder and Hughes (1997) and using the cataract surgery data on atomic-bomb survivors at the Radiation Effects Research Foundation, we used this method for estimating the prevalence of CSC in a linear logistic dose response model taking account of the sensitivity and/or specificity of the decision for lens surgery. The estimated sensitivity was 0.385 (95% CI: 0.268, 0.517) and the estimated specificity was perfect. The odds ratio estimate for the radiation dose response changed from 1.39 (95% CI: 1.24, 1.55) to 1.58 (95% CI: 1.26, 1.98) when allowing for the imperfect sensitivity. A large sample simulation study with a continuous covariate was conducted, assuming either imperfect sensitivity or imperfect specificity, to investigate the performance of the method. Results indicated that the parameter estimates are almost correct. We calculated the asymptotic relative efficiency (ARE) for a simple logistic regression slope estimate and showed that the ARE depends only on the values of slope and intercept parameters.

The purpose of this study was to develop a simple screening technique for estimation of salivary flow and to test the usefulness of the method for determining decreased salivary flow.A novel assay system comprising 3 spots containing 30 microg starch and 49.6 microg potassium iodide per spot on filter paper and a coloring reagent, based on the color reaction of iodine-starch and theory of paper chromatography, was designed. We investigated the relationship between resting whole salivary rates and the number of colored spots on the filter produced by 41 hospitalized subjects.A significant negative correlation was observed between the number of colored spots and the resting salivary flow rate (n = 41; r = -0.803; P.01). For all complaints of decreased salivary flow (n = 9) having cutoff values100 microL/min for the salivary flow rate, 3 colored spots appeared on the paper, whereas for healthy subjects there wasor =1 colored spot.This novel assay system might be effective for estimation of salivary flow not only in healthy but also in bedridden and disabled elderly people.

KAGRA is a cryogenic interferometric gravitational wave detector currently under construction in the Kamioka mine in Japan. Besides the cryogenic test masses, KAGRA will also rely on room temperature optics which will hang at the bottom of vibration isolation chains. The payload of each chain comprises an optic, a system to align it, and an active feedback system to damp the resonant motion of the suspension itself. This article describes the performance of a payload prototype that was assembled and tested in vacuum at the TAMA300 site at the NAOJ in Mitaka, Tokyo. We describe the mechanical components of the payload prototype and their functionality. A description of the active components of the feedback system and their capabilities is also given. The performance of the active system is illustrated by measuring the quality factors of some of the resonances of the suspension. Finally, the alignment capabilities offered by the payload are reported. (C) 2016 AIP Publishing LLC.

There are few epidemiological studies of asymptomatic chlamydial infection among students in non-medical settings with minimal bias and improved accuracy; thus, useful data from screening among students are limited. We aimed to obtain accurate epidemiological information about asymptomatic chlamydial infection among students in non-medical settings. A population-based cross-sectional survey of 10,440 ≥18-year-old asymptomatic students who volunteered for a urine screening test for chlamydia was conducted. The prevalences of asymptomatic infection were 9.5% for women and 6.7% for men. Multivariate analysis revealed the risk factors to be a lifetime history of ≥4 sexual partners for women (odds ratio [OR] 3.17) and inconsistent condom use for men (OR 4.18). For both sexes, younger age at first intercourse was associated with a higher rate of inconsistent condom use. This study produced accurate epidemiological information on asymptomatic chlamydial infection. These results may contribute to the establishment of preventive countermeasures against such infection.

大腸癌143例の核DNA量をflow cytometryを用いて測定し, DNA index (DI) からみたリンパ節転移との関係について検討した.DNA ploidy patternはDNA diploidy: 50例, DNA aneuploidy: 93例でリンパ節転移を認めたものはそれぞれ, 30.0% (15/50), 62.4% (58/93) とDNA aneuploidyに有意に高率であった.リンパ節転移陽性率は, DI;1.3 (75.0%), 1.5 (71.4%), 1.6 (100%), 1.7 (70.0%) にやや頻度が高く, これらのDIを示す大腸癌はリンパ節転移をきたしやすい可能性が示唆された.さらに21例についてリンパ節転移巣の核DNA量を測定し原発巣と比較したところ, 両者のDIは全例で一致した.

Objectives A long-term care insurance (LTCI) system was introduced in 2000 in Japan. The clarification of information on the users and the ways in which services under this system have been utilized is essential for improving the system operation. This study was conducted for the purpose of clarifying what level of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was achieved by individuals using the services under the LTCI system. Methods The subjects were inhabitants of two cities in the Kyushu district of Japan who were receiving daily home care services under the LTCI system. To analyze the relationships of the beneficiaries’ HRQOL with their characteristics, the dependent variable was the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) scores adopted as an index of HRQOL, and the independent variables comprised the demographic features (gender, age, and living condition) of users receiving long-term care service as well as their opinions about fees for services, satisfaction with the services provided, and the degree of support/care required. Results The EQ-5D score was higher for females than for males and higher for the subjects living alone than for those displaying any other family composition. EQ-5D score decreased with an increase in the degree of support/care required. Multivariate analysis revealed that the degree of support/care required, gender and living condition were found to serve as variables that significantly contribute to utility. Conclusions Our analysis of the relationships between the characteristics of the LTCI beneficiaries and their HRQOL has yielded basic data that will be useful for improving the recently introduced LTCI system.