Radiation exposure to anaesthetists during endovascular procedures

Medical radiation exposure increases the likelihood of cataract formation. A personal dosimeter was attached to the left temple of 77 anaesthetists during 45 endovascular aortic aneurysm repairs and 32 interventional neuroradiology procedures. Compared with interventional neuroradiology, the median (IQR [range]) total radiation dose emitted by fluoroscopic equipment was significantly lower during endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (4175 (3127–5091 [644–9761]) mGy than interventional neuroradiology (1420 (613–2424 [165–10 840]) mGy, p < 0.001). However, radiation exposure to the anaesthetist's temple was significantly greater during endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (15 (6–41 [1–109]) μSv) than interventional neuroradiology (4 (2–8 [0–67]) μSv, p < 0.001). These data suggest that anaesthetists at our institution would have to deliver anaesthesia for ~1300 endovascular aortic aneurysm repairs and ~5000 interventional neuroradiology cases annually to exceed the general occupational limits, and ~10 000 endovascular aortic aneurysm repairs and ~37 500 interventional neuroradiology cases to exceed the ocular exposure limits recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Nevertheless, anaesthetists should be aware of the risk of ocular radiation exposure, and reduce this by limiting the time of exposure, increasing the distance from the source of radiation, and shielding.     

Validity of two-dimensional analysis using a tablet computer for estimation of foot arch height during walking

[Purpose] To examine the validity of two-dimensional analysis using a tablet computer for the estimation of arch height during walking by comparing it with a motion capture system and static foot alignment screenings. [Participants and Methods] Fourteen healthy males and 15 healthy females participated in this study. The arch height of the right foot while walking was simultaneously measured using a tablet computer and motion capture system. Dynamic foot alignment, including arch height, at the mid-stance and pre-swing phases was calculated from the kinematic data measured using the tablet computer and motion analysis system. Static foot alignment was also assessed by screening tests including arch height index and foot posture index. [Results] Arch height measured using a tablet computer showed a significant high correlation with that measured using the motion capture system at the mid-stance and pre-swing phases. Arch height index showed a significant moderate correlation with arch height measured using the motion capture system at the mid-stance phase. Meanwhile, foot posture index showed no relationship with arch height measured by the motion capture system. [Conclusion] These results demonstrate the high validity of dynamic foot analysis using a tablet computer for the estimation of arch height during walking. Such gait analysis can be effective for assessing dynamic foot alignment in clinical practice.Key words: Tablet computer, Arch height, Gait analysis     

Temperature changes caused by the difference in the distance between the ultrasound transducer and bone during 1?mhz and 3?mhz continuous ultrasound: a phantom study

[Purpose] This study aimed to use a thermograph to observe temperature changes caused by different distances between an ultrasound transducer and bone during 1 MHz and 3 MHz continuous ultrasound emission on a phantom. [Materials and Methods] We observed the distribution of temperature elevations on a phantom consisting of pig ribs and tissue-mimicking material. One megahertz and 3 MHz ultrasound were delivered at 2.0 W/cm² for 5 minutes. To record the temperature changes on the phantom, we took a screenshot of the thermograph with a digital camera every 20 seconds. [Results] With 1 MHz ultrasound at the distances of 2 and 3 cm, the temperature elevation near the bone was higher than that near the transducer. However, with 3 MHz ultrasound, the temperature elevation was higher near the transducer rather than near the bone. At this point, we consider that there is a possibility of heat injury to internal organs in spite of there being no elevation of skin temperature. [Conclusion] When performing ultrasonic therapy, not only should the frequency be taken into consideration, but also the influence of the absorption coefficient and the reflection of the tissue. We visually confirmed the thermal ultrasound effect by thermography. Special attention to the temperature elevation of the internal organs is necessary to avoid injuries.Key words: Ultrasound, Thermal effect, Thermography     

The varying effects of warm-water bathing therapies: partial bathing decreases exercise tolerance to levels similar to full-body bathing

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine differences in postural sway and tolerance to exercise before and after full-body, forearm, and lower leg bathing in warm-water. [Subjects and Methods] Thirteen healthy, young adult males were subjected to full-body, forearm, and lower leg bathing at 41 °C for 10 minutes. [Results] The 2-point discrimination sense value and total trajectory length significantly decreased after bathing. [Conclusion] In summary, we found that warm-water bathing sharpens plantar sensation, and thus may help to prevent falls in the elderly. Even partial forearm and lower leg bathing increased exercise tolerance to levels similar to full-body bathing.Key words: Warm-water bathing, Static balance, Exercise test     

Intravesical administration of exogenous microRNA-145 as a therapy for mouse orthotopic human bladder cancer xenograft

We previously reported that the level of microRNA (miR)-145 is attenuated in human bladder cancer cells. In this current study, we investigated whether intravesical administration of miR-145 could be a potential therapeutic strategy for controlling bladder cancer by using an orthotopic human bladder cancer xenograft model. Following transfection of 253J B-V cells with miR-145, the effects of the ectopic expression of miR-145 were examined by performing MTT, Western blotting analysis, Hoechst33342 staining, and wound healing assay in vitro. Also, a mouse orthotopic human bladder cancer model was established by inoculating 253J B-V cells into the bladder wall of mice. The anti-cancer effects of intravesical injections of miR-145 into these mice were then assessed. Transfection of 253J B-V cells with miR-145 induced apoptosis and suppression of cell migration in vitro. Western blotting showed that the levels of c-Myc, socs7, FSCN1, E-cadherin, β-catenin, and catenin δ-1 were decreased and that the PI3K/Akt and Erk1/2 signaling pathways were increased in compensatory fashion. In vivo, mice treated with miR-145 showed 76% inhibition of tumor growth, with a significant prolongation of animal survival (p = 0.0183 vs. control). Western blotting showed that both apoptosis and cell motility-related genes were significantly decreased as seen in vitro. Furthermore, PI3k/Akt and Erk1/2 signaling pathways, which were activated in a compensatory manner in vitro, were decreased in vivo. Intravesical administration of exogenous miR-145 was thus concluded to be a valid therapy for bladder cancer in this human bladder cancer xenograft model.     

Involvement of extracellular calcium and arachidonate in [3H] dopamine release from rat tuberoinfundibular neurons

The mechanism of [3H]dopamine [( 3H]DA) release was investigated using primary cultures of dispersed cells from the rat tuberoinfundibular region, which contains tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-like immunoreactive neurons. The calcium ionophore A23187 at 10 nM and above caused a significant and dose-dependent increase in [3H]DA release. In the presence of 50 microM A23187, [3H]DA release was detectable within 30 s and reached a plateau in 15 min. The induction of [3H]DA release by 50 microM A23187 was abolished by lowering the extracellular calcium concentration with 2 mM EDTA. Maitotoxin, another calcium-channel activator, also increased [3H]DA release at a concentration of 50 ng/ml. Exogenous additions of 100 mIU/ml phospholipase A2 and 10 microM arachidonate caused significant release of [3H]DA. Furthermore, A23187 stimulated [3H]arachidonate release from tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic (TIDA) neurons in a dose- and time-dependent manner. These results suggest that extracellular calcium and arachidonate are involved in the process of [3H]DA release from rat TIDA neurons.     

Fabrication of tissue‐engineered cell sheets by automated cell culture equipment

Most cells for regenerative medicine are currently cultured manually. In order to promote the widespread use of regenerative medicine, it will be necessary to develop automated culture techniques so that cells can be produced in greater quantities at lower cost and with more stable quality. In the field of regenerative medicine technology, cell sheet therapy is an effective tissue engineering technique whereby cells can be grafted by attaching them to a target site. We have developed automated cell culture equipment to promote the use of this cell sheet regenerative treatment. This equipment features a fully closed culture vessel and circuit system that avoids contamination with bacteria and the like from the external environment, and it was designed to allow 10 cell sheets to be simultaneously cultured in parallel. We used this equipment to fabricate 50 sheets of human oral mucosal epithelial cells in five automated culture tests in this trial. By analyzing these sheets, we confirmed that 49 of the 50 sheets satisfied the quality standards of clinical research. To compare the characteristics of automatically fabricated cell sheets with those of manually fabricated cell sheets, we performed histological analyses using immunostaining and transmission electron microscopy. The results confirmed that cell sheets fabricated with the automated cell culture are differentiated in the same way as cultures fabricated manually.