The correlation between toe flexor strength and performance-based measures of physical fitness in the elderly

[Purpose] To examine the correlation between toe flexor strength (TFS) and physical fitness performance measurements and their gender differences in the elderly. [Participants and Methods] Japanese males (n=50) and females (n=121), aged 65–88 years, participated in this study. We measured TFS, handgrip strength (HGS), knee extensor strength (KES), sit-and-reach distance (SR), and functional reach (FR). [Results] The female participants had significantly lower TFS, KES, and HGS than the male participants; however, the female participants had a significantly higher SR than that the male participants. FR was not significantly different between males and females. In males, TFS was significantly correlated with HGS, KES, SR, and FR. In females, TFS had correlations with HGS, KES, and FR; however, no correlation with SR was found. We could observe these correlations even after adjustment for age and body weight. [Conclusion] Elderly male had higher TFS than elderly females. In addition, TFS was correlated with all the physical fitness measurements in the male participants and all the measurements except for SR in the female participants. Gender and aging may explain the inconsistent results between SR and other physical fitness performance measurements.Key words: Toe grip, Aging, Physical fitness     

Comprehensive preclinical pharmacokinetic evaluations of trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201a), a HER2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate,in cynomolgus monkeys

1. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201a) is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) composed of a monoclonal antibody targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) conjugated to a topoisomerase I inhibitor (DXd) at a drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) of 7-8. Here, we examined the pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles of DS-8201a and DXd in cynomolgus monkeys, a cross-reactive species.

2. Following intravenous (iv) administration of DS-8201a, the linker was stable in plasma, and systemic DXd exposure was low. DXd was rapidly cleared following iv dosing. Biodistribution studies revealed that intact DS-8201a was present mostly in the blood without tissue-specific retention. The major pathway of excretion for DXd was the faecal route following iv administration of radiolabelled DS-8201a. The only detectable metabolite in the urine and faeces was unmetabolized DXd. DXd is a substrate of organic anion transporting polypeptides, P-gp, and breast cancer resistance protein.

3. In conclusion, the stable linker in circulation and the high clearance of DXd upon release resulted in the low systemic exposure to DXd. Furthermore, the minimal tissue-specific retention and rapid excretion of DXd into faeces as its unmetabolized form with potentially limited impact on drug???drug interaction as a victim were also critical elements of the PK profile of DS-8201a.

     

No clear survival benefit of azacitidine for lower‐risk myelodysplastic syndromes: A retrospective study of Nagasaki

The efficacy of azacitidine (AZA) on survival of lower risk (LR) ‐ myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is controversial. To address this issue, we retrospectively evaluated the long‐term survival benefit of AZA for patients with LR‐MDS defined by International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS). Using data from 489 patients with LR‐MDS in Nagasaki, hematologic responses according to International Working Group 2006 and overall survival (OS) were compared among patients that received best supportive care (BSC), immunosuppressive therapy (IST), erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents (ESA), and AZA. Patients treated with AZA showed complete remission (CR) rate at 11.3%, marrow CR at 1.9%, and any hematologic improvement at 34.0%, with transfusion independence (TI) of red blood cells in 27.3% of patients. and platelet in 20% of patients, respectively. Median OS for patients received IST, ESA, BSC, and AZA (not reached, 91 months, 58 months, and 29 months, respectively) differed significantly (P < .001). Infection‐related severe adverse events were observed in more than 20% of patients treated with AZA. Multivariate analysis showed age, sex, IPSS score at diagnosis, and transfusion dependence were significant for OS, but AZA treatment was not, which maintained even response to AZA, and IPSS risk status at AZA administration was added as factors. We could not find significant survival benefit of AZA treatment for LR‐MDS patients.     

Ultrasonography to Measure Swallowing Muscle Mass and Quality in Older Patients With Sarcopenic Dysphagia

Background

Sarcopenic dysphagia is characterized by difficulty swallowing due to a loss of whole-body skeletal and swallowing muscle mass and function. However, no study has reported on swallowing muscle mass and quality in patients with sarcopenic dysphagia.

Effect of a desensitizing agent containing glutaraldehyde and HEMA on bond strength to Er:YAG laser-irradiated dentine

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether a desensitizing agent (GLUMA Desensitizer) containing glutaraldehyde and HEMA improved the bond strength and bonding durability of a self-etching primer adhesive to Er:YAG-irradiated dentine. METHOD: Dentine of 120 human molars was exposed by wet grinding on SiC paper for bond strength testing. Thirty specimens each were allocated to the following treatment groups: (1) control; (2) Er:YAG laser irradiation; (3) Er:YAG laser irradiation followed by application of GLUMA Desensitizer; (4) Er:YAG laser irradiation followed by application of GLUMA Desensitizer and 10s rinsing with water. Composite cylinders were bonded to the dentine surfaces with a self-etching priming adhesive system. Tensile bond strengths (TBS) of 10 specimens of each treatment group were measured after 24-h water storage, 6 months water storage and 12 months water storage, respectively, and the failure modes were analyzed. TBS data were statistically treated by two-way ANOVA and Fisher's PLSD test at a significance level of p<0.05. RESULTS: TBSs for the GLUMA-non rinse and GLUMA-rinse groups were significantly higher than for the laser group at 24 h and 12 months. Specimens from the Er:YAG-irradiated dentine group had significantly lower bond strengths than the control group at each storage time. All control specimens showed cohesive fractures in resin close to the bonding interface whereas the Er:YAG laser-irradiated groups showed both dentine cohesive, resin cohesive and dentine-resin mixed failures. CONCLUSION: Application of GLUMA Desensitizer to Er:YAG-irradiated dentine increases the bond strength and durability of the self-etching priming adhesive used.     

T2-weighted MRI for the assessment of joint effusion: comparative study of conventional spin-echo and fast spin-echo sequences

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of suitable conventional spin-echo (CSE) and fast spin-echo (FSE) T2-weighted imaging parameters for the assessment of joint effusion in a phantom study and in a comparative study of CSE and FSE using clinical cases. STUDY DESIGN: In the phantom study, the signal ratios of water and oil signal fields were determined and studied comparatively. The shape and size of signals were evaluated separately. In the study of joint effusion images, 318 joints were evaluated. CSE T2-weighted imaging and FSE T2-weighted imaging were carried out, and a comparative assessment was performed. RESULTS: In both CSE and FSE imaging, the ratios of mean MRI signal values showed divergence as TR/TE values increased. The evaluation of joint effusion with FSE TR/TE 8000/120 msec was significantly better than that in all other groups (P <.01). CONCLUSION: The use of FSE requires investigation of TR/TE values. When a 0.5 T static field strength MRI apparatus is employed, TR/TE 8000/120 msec is recommended.     

Magnetic resonance imaging findings of nodular fasciitis in the mental region

Nodular fasciitis (NF) is a benign reactive lesion of the soft tissues related to the fascia and characterized by fibroblastic proliferation. The most common site is the upper extremities (46%), followed by the head and neck region (20%). In the orofacial region, the lesion typically develops within the subcutaneous structures overlying the angle and inferior border of the mandible and the zygoma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of NF in the orofacial region are almost unreported in the literature. In the present case report, we describe MRI findings of mental NF in a 19-year-old woman. MRI revealed a well-defined, round soft-tissue mass lying on the mentum. On T1-weighted MRI, the lesion was isointense to skeletal muscle; it was hyperintense to skeletal muscle on T2-weighted MRI, and was enhanced by Gd-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA). Histologic examination revealed abundant myxoid degeneration dispersed in the lesion. The T2-weighted higher heterogeneous signal intensity was likely due to abundant myxoid degeneration or the cellular component of the lesion. A strong bright signal intensity belt appeared in the periphery of the lesion on Gd-DTPA enhancement. This rim enhancement appearred to represent small arterioles and venules that were visible in the peripheral area on histologic examination.