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Odontogenic infection is more likely to affect the airway and interfere with intubation than non-odontogenic causes. Although anesthesiologists predict the difficulty of intubation and determine the method, they may encounter unexpected cases of difficult intubation. An inappropriate intubation can cause airway obstruction due to bleeding and edema by damaging the pharynx and larynx. This study was performed to determine the most important imaging findings indicating preoperative selection of an appropriate intubation method. This retrospective study included 113 patients who underwent anti-inflammatory treatment for odontogenic infection. The patients were divided into two groups according to the intubation method: a Macintosh laryngoscope (45 patients) and others (video laryngoscope and fiberscope) (68 patients). The extent of inflammation in each causative tooth, the severity of inflammation (S1-4), and their influence on the airway were evaluated by computed tomography. The causative teeth were mandibular molars in more than 90%. As the severity of inflammation increased, anesthesiologists tended to choose intubation methods other than Macintosh laryngoscopy. In the most severe cases (S4), anesthesiologists significantly preferred other intubation methods (33 cases) over Macintosh laryngoscopy (9 cases). All patients with S4 showed inflammation in the parapharyngeal space, and the airway was affected in 41 patients. The mandibular molars were the causative teeth most likely to affect the airway and surrounding region. In addition to clinical findings, the presence or absence of inflammation that has spread to the parapharyngeal space on preoperative computed tomography was considered an important indicator of the difficulty of intubation.

Background Relapse of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) may lead to poor long-term prognosis and necessitates multiple rounds of steroid treatment with potential adverse effects. The objective of this study is to identify predictive factors of COP relapse by comparing demographic and clinical variables between relapse and non-relapse groups. Methods During 2008–2013, 33 COP patients were treated, of which 23 (69.7%) and 10 patients (30.3%) were assigned to the non-relapse and relapse group, respectively. From medical records, we compared the following variables at initial episode: clinical characteristics, serum parameters, chest CT scan findings, and steroid treatment. Results Clinical characteristics, cumulative prednisone dose, and steroid treatment duration were similar between groups. In univariate analysis, alternatively, the proportion of patients with bilateral shadow pattern, traction bronchiectasis, and partial remission after steroid treatment was significantly higher in the relapse group. These differences were not significant by multivariate Cox regression analysis. Conclusions We identified radiographic findings, such as bilateral shadow pattern, traction bronchiectasis, and partial remission, may have possibility of predictive factors for COP relapse. Larger-scale studies are required to confirm if any are independent predictors of COP relapse.

Rubber elongation factor (REF) and small rubber particle protein (SRPP) are major latex proteins harvested from Hevea brasiliensis (the rubber tree; HbREF and HbSRPP, respectively). Their amino acid sequences exhibit high homology with each other. In the present study, we cloned two cDNAs encoding REF/SRPP-family proteins (FcREF/SRPP-1 and -2) from the laticifers of Ficus carica (fig tree). The amino acid sequences of these proteins showed high homology not only with each other but also with HbREF and HbSRPP. Recombinant FcREF/SRPP-1 and -2 were expressed in E. coli, and their aggregation properties were examined using a Congo red binding assay, agarose gel electrophoresis, and transmission electron microscopy. FcREF/SRPP-1 formed fibrils when incubated in PBS, and grew to micrometer-sized amorphous aggregates that precipitated rapidly. These aggregation properties of FcREF/SRPP-1 are quite similar to those of HbREF, although the growth rate and size of FcREF/SRPP-1 aggregates were inferior to those of HbREF. FcREF/SRPP-2 also formed aggregates during the incubation, but they did not precipitate, as has been reported for HbSRPP. Our results suggest that FcREF/SRPP-1 and -2 correspond to HbREF and HbSRPP, respectively. These aggregation properties could provide useful benchmarks for classifying REF/SRPP-family proteins as REF or SRPP.

Bornaviruses (family Bornaviridae) are non-segmented negative-strand RNA viruses. Avian bornaviruses (ABVs), which are causative agents of proventricular dilatation disease, are a genetically diverse group with at least 15 genotypes, including parrot bornaviruses (PaBVs) and aquatic bird bornavirus 1(ABBV-1). Borna disease virus 1(BoDV-1), which infects mammals and causes neurological diseases, has also been reported to infect avian species, although the numbers of the cases have been markedly fewer than those of ABVs. In this study, we conducted genetic surveillance to detect ABVs (PaBV-1 to -5 and ABBV-1) and BoDV-1 in wild birds in Japan. A total of 2078 fecal or cloacal swab samples were collected from wild birds in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2011, in two regions of Japan. The results demonstrated the presence of PaBV-2 and -4 RNA, while no positive results for other PaBVs, ABBV-1, and BoDV-1 were obtained. PaBV-2 and -4 RNA were detected in 18 samples (0.9 %) of the genera Anas, Grus, Larus, Calidris, Haliaeetus, and Emberiza, in which either PaBV-2 RNA or PaBV-4 RNA, or both PaBV-2 and -4 RNA were detected in 15 (0.7 %), 5 (0.2 %), and 2 (0.1 %) samples, respectively. The nucleotide sequences of PaBV-2 and -4 detected in these samples from wild birds are phylogenetically close to those found in samples from pet birds in Japan, with identities ranging from 99.8 to 100 % and from 98.2 to 99.4 %, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the detection of PaBV-2 and -4 RNA detected in samples from wild birds.

The objectives of the present study were to assess the complexity and multidimensionality of rehabilitation needs of very old stroke patients aged ≥ 80 years and report how rehabilitation interventions are customized to meet the complex needs of patients at a hospital with a majority of old patients.The complex problems faced by 18 post-stroke patients (age, range: 80-92 years) were characterized in terms of the following multiple dimensions: (1) clinical features, (2) functional (motor/cognitive) impairment features, (3) psychological aspects, and (4) environmental aspects. We then evaluated the rehabilitation interventions designed to address the problems identified in these different dimensions in detail.The needs of very old stroke patients were extremely complex and unique. To cope with this complexity, rehabilitation interventions were customized in a flexible manner, considering the different dimensions of the needs of these patients. Although the interventions were customized, the complex problems experienced by patients could be divided into stroke conditions on the basis of some invariant patterns in rehabilitation intervention.We obtained empirical data that illustrated the necessity of considering not only clinical features, but also multiple dimensions of problems faced by very old stroke patients during rehabilitation interventions.

3D Accuitomo F17は頭頸部領域を対象としたコーンビームCT装置である.5種類の撮影領域(field of view:FOV)(40×40mm,60×60mm,80×80mm,100×100mm,170×100mm)が搭載され,5つのボクセルサイズ(80μm,125μm,160μm,200μm,250μm)で画像の解像度を変えることができる「ズーム再構成」の機能を持つ.本研究の目的は,本装置の顎関節構造の描出能を検討することである.最初に1体のヒト乾燥頭蓋骨を,全てのFOVで撮影,そのうち最も大きいFOV(170×120mm)で得られた画像データをもとに全てのボクセルサイズでズーム再構成を行った.次に変形性顎関節症を疑った3名の患者に対し同様の検討を行った.その結果,FOVが小さいほど画質は良好であり,大きなFOVで撮影しても小さなピクセルサイズで再構成することで明瞭な画像が得られた.以上より本装置においては,大きなFOVで両側の顎関節を撮影することで,両側下顎頭の滑走運動の協調性を評価でき,さらに小さなボクセルサイズで再構成することで高解像度の画像が得られることが明らかになった.今回の検討により3D Accuitomo F17は顎関節構造の描出において有用であることが示唆された., 3D Accuitomo F17 is cone beam computed tomography (CT) unit for examination of maxillofacial area. It adopts five kinds of field of view (FOV) (40×40mm, 60×60mm, 80×80mm, 100×100mm, 170×120mm) and developed "zoom reconstruction" function that provides five kinds of voxel size (80μm, 125μm, 160μm, 200μm, 250μm) to change the image resolution. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of this unit for visualization of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) structures. Firstly, we scanned one dry human skull by all of FOV, and underwent zoom reconstruction by all of voxel size using image data were obtained in largest FOV (170×120mm). Secondary, we performed similar examination to three patients were suspected osteoarthrosis of TMJ. As the results, the image quality of TMJ structures were good so that FOV was small, and clear images were obtained when we reconstructed them at small pixel size even if we we scanned it in large FOV. Therefore, it seems that we can evaluate of coordination of in the condylar movement by scanning bilateral movement in large FOV, and we can obtain clear images at small voxel size. This results of this study suggest that 3D Accuitomo F17 is very useful cone beam unit for the visualization of TMJ region.

A transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study has been carried out on an MgB2/?-Al2O3 film that exhibits the typical property of critical current density (Jc) under magnetic fields. The MgB2 layer of 300?nm in thickness was grown on a (001)?-Al2O3 substrate using an in situ electron beam evaporation method. Jc of the film takes significantly high values when the applied magnetic field is perpendicular to the film surface. The MgB2 layer consists of fine columnar MgB2 crystals 20?30?nm in size. The columnar MgB2 crystals grow almost perpendicular to the substrate surface and have no crystallographic orientation relationship with the ?-Al2O3 substrate because of an amorphous layer formed first on the substrate. A high density of columnar grain boundaries within the MgB2 layer may be effective for the enhancement of the flux-pinning under the perpendicular magnetic field.

本研究は、Latackコーピング尺度改訂版の因子不変性の検証、ならびに因子得点と基本属性との関連性について検討することを目的とした。調査対象は、岡山県内の特別養護老人ホームに勤務するすべての介護職員とし、調査は施設への留置法で実施した。回収された調査票1,445名のうち、調査項目に欠損値を有さない1,224名の資料を分析に用いた。統計解析には、共分散構造分析による同時因子分析を用い、「調整」と「逃避」の2因子10項目からなる2因子斜交モデルのデータヘの適合度を検討した。その結果、前記因子構造モデルは、性別、年齢、資格の有無、学歴、経験年数、現職場での勤続年数のそれぞれでグループ化された標本間において、すべてのパラメータを拘束した条件下においても、高い水準で適合することを明らかにした。これは、Latackコーピング尺度改訂版の構成概念妥当性を支持するものである。なお基本属性別に因子得点の差の検定を行ったところ、年齢では40歳以上の者は、それ以下の年齢の者に比べて「調整」因子が0.18倍高いこと、また資格のある者は、ない者に比べて「逃避」因子が0.27倍低いことを明らかにした。このことは年齢と資格の有無によって、コーピングの特徴が異なることを示唆するものである。, The purpose of this study was to examine the invariability of the revised version of Latack's Coping Questionnarie, we developed. The subject were 1,224 caring professionals at nursing homes for the aged, Okayama prefecture (85 male, 1,139 female), ranging age from 18 to 64. Invariability of the questionnaire was performed with simultaneous factor analyses hold for each of several samples across gender, age, with or without qualifications, educational background, years as care professional, years at present job, using a two-factor (control, escape: 10-item) oblique model. As a results, the models fitted of all condition of the data with equality constraints for all parameters. It showed an invariability and further understanding about the construct validity of the coping questionnaire. Next, factor means were estimated in simultaneous factor analyses in order to clarify relationships between coping and demographic variables. The results indicated that above 40 years old sample was estimated 0.18 units above in control score beside the other. The qualified sample was estimated 0.27 units below in escape score beside the other. These findings represented the characteristics of coping strategy referring to age difference and with or without qualifications.

MgB2 superconductor has a great potential for applications because of its high Tc and Bc2, exceeding those of any Nb-base superconductors at any temperature. It is now important to understand its flux pinning so as to raise Jc to high values over a wide field range. We show that nanometer-sized columnar-grain structure can produce Jc exceeding 5×106A∕cm2. The angular dependence of Jc indicates that the strongest pinning occurs when the field is aligned parallel to the grain boundaries. Our results confirm earlier deductions that grain boundaries in MgB2 act as effective pinning centers like those in Nb3Sn.

To investigate the pregnancy outcome of fetuses affected with trisomy 18, we analyzed 63 cases diagnosed at our hospital from January 1993 to December 2004. Twenty-nine were males and 34 were females. Fifty-eight were prenatally diagnosed, and in 16 (27.6%) of them intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) occurred between 28 weeks and 41 weeks gestation (34.6 +/- 3.9 weeks, Mean +/- SD). Ten (17.2%) fetuses died during labor and their age ranged from 30 weeks to 40 weeks of gestation. The total number of cases ending in fetal demise was 26 (44.8%) and the mean gestational age at the time of fetal demise was 35.0 +/- 3.6 weeks (Mean +/- SD). All liveborn infants (n = 36) were born after 31 weeks gestation. In our study the preterm birth ratio for trisomy 18 is 34.8%, which is much higher than the ratio for the general population. Females are more likely than males to be long-term survivors. These data are helpful in the counseling of parents faced with the difficult decision of whether or not to continue a pregnancy with a fetus affected with trisomy 18.