An Analytical Model / Emotional Intelligence Quotient and QOL in Mothers with Infants in Japan

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship betweenthe emotional intelligence quotient and health-related quality of life using structuralequation modeling.Methods: A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among 1,911mothers who visited the Health Center for an infant medical examination. A hypotheticalmodel was constructed using variables of the emotional intelligence quotient, socialsupport, coping, parenting stress, and perceived health competence.Result: There were a total of 1,104 valid responses (57.8%). Significantstandardized estimates were obtained, confirming the goodness of fit issues with themodel. The emotional intelligence quotient had a strong impact on physical andpsychological quality of life, and showed the greatest association with coping. This studydiffered from previous studies in that, due to the inclusion of social support andexplanatory variables in coping, an increase in coping strategies was more highlyassociated with emotional intelligence quotient levels than with social support.Conclusion: An enhanced emotional intelligence quotient should be considereda primary objective to promote the health of mothers with infant children.     

Examination of axial zygomatic arch radiographs using the bisector method

An axial radiograph of the zygomatic arch is taken in cases of patients with facial traumatic injury. Maintaining the patient's head in the retroflex position to take such axial radiographs is sometimes difficult because of medical conditions. In addition, since different positioning techniques for retroflexion are used by radiological technologists, the visibility of the zygomatic arch was poorly in reproduced. We contrived a novel technique for use in taking a zygomatic arch radiograph. We call it the "bisector method," and it does not require the retroflex position. We can take a zygomatic arch radiograph equal in quality to conventional axial radiographs (retroflex position) by exposing X-rays perpendicularly to the bisector of the angle between the casette and the zygomatic arch. This bisector method is relatively easy in that it does not require either the retroflex position or the expertise of a radiological technologist.     

The giant schwannoma in the pelvic cavity: a case report

A 62-year-old man presented with a giant tumor in the pelvic cavity that was incidentally revealed by abdominal ultrasonography. Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging showed the heterogenous tumor in the pelvis with cystic components. The tumor was 10.8 × 10.5 × 11.7 cm in diameter and adhered to the sacral wall. The tumor was extirpated following diagnosis as a benign neurogenic tumor by needle biopsy. The pelvic cavity was occupied by the tumor rigidly adhered to the sacrum. The histopathological diagnosis of the specimen was benign schwannoma, type Antoni A.     

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in an HTLV-I carrier

This report describes a previously 28-year-old healthy woman, identified as an asymptomatic human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) carrier, who developed both progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia. For diagnostic confirmation of PML, stereotactic brain biopsy demonstrated multiple demyelinating lesions with the presence of JC viral antigen. Intramuscular alpha-interferon therapy for 2 weeks brought considerable neurologic improvement. Three years later, the patient developed lymphoma-type of adult T-cell leukemia, suggesting that HTLV-I carrier might be one of the underlying diseases of PML.     

Clinical Application of Peroneal Nerve Stimulator System Using Percutaneous Intramuscular Electrodes for Correction of Foot Drop in Hemiplegic Patients

Objective. To assess the orthotic effect of a functional electrical stimulation device (Akita Heel Sensor System; AHSS) in the treatment of hemiplegic gait with foot drop. Materials and Methods. In the AHSS, a heel sensor is attached to a small plastic heel brace, and the peroneal nerve is stimulated via percutaneous intramuscular electrodes. During the swing phase of the hemiplegic gait, the common peroneal nerve is stimulated by the AHSS. Eight patients in chronic stages of hemiplegia participated in this study. Walking speeds and step cadences on a 10‐m course were compared between walking with stimulation and walking without stimulation. Results. Mean walking speed (± SD) was 0.50 ± 0.26 m/sec without stimulation and 0.64 ± 0.31 m/sec with stimulation. The mean percentage increase in walking speed with stimulation was 30.1%. Mean step cadence was 31 ± 7 steps/10 m without stimulation and 27 ± 7 steps/10 m with stimulation. By correcting foot drop, the AHSS significantly increased walking speed and decreased cadence (p < 0.05). Conclusion. The AHSS can significantly improve walking in hemiplegic patients with foot drop.     

Effects of cyclic vs. daily treatment with human parathyroid hormone (1-34) on murine bone structure and cellular activity

Previously, we demonstrated that the human parathyroid hormone (1-34) fragment (hPTH(1-34)) increased bone strength in proportion to its effects on BMD and cortical bone structure in the murine femur by comparing cyclic vs. daily administration of hPTH(1-34). Both cyclic and daily regimens increased vertebral BMD similarly at 7 weeks. Here, we have examined the effects of daily and cyclic PTH regimens on bone structure and cellular activity by static and dynamic histomorphometry. Twenty-week-old, intact female C57BL/J6 mice were treated with the following regimens (n=7 for each group): daily injection with vehicle for 7 weeks [control]; daily injection with hPTH(1-34) (40 microg/kg/day) for 7 weeks [daily PTH]; and daily injection with hPTH(1-34) (40 microg/kg/day) and vehicle alternating weekly for 7 weeks [cyclic PTH]. At days 9 and 10, and 2 and 3 prior to euthanasia, calcein (10 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously. At the end of study, the lumbar vertebrae 1-3 and the left femora were excised, cleaned, and processed for histomorphometry. In the lumbar vertebrae, daily and cyclic PTH regimens significantly increased cancellous bone volume (BV/TV), trabecular number, trabecular osteoclast and osteoblast perimeters, trabecular mineral apposition rate (MAR) and bone formation rate (BFR), and periosteal MAR and BFR compared to control, with no significant difference between the two PTH-treated groups. Increased trabecular tunneling was observed in both PTH-treated groups. Both regimens tended to increase vertebral cortical bone formation parameters with the effects at the periosteum site being more marked than those at the endosteum site, resulting in a significant increase in cortical width. In the femur, the effects of cyclic PTH on BV/TV, trabecular width and number, trabecular and endocortical osteoblast and osteoclast perimeters, cortical width, and trabecular and periosteal BFR were less marked than those of daily PTH. A cyclic PTH regimen was as effective as a daily regimen in improving cancellous and cortical bone microarchitecture and cellular activity in the murine vertebra.