Early abnormality detected by speckle-tracking echocardiography in a patient with suspected cardiac sarcoidosis

A 56-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of respiratory symptoms. Her admission ECG showed normal sinus rhythm and standard echocardiographic evaluation showed no structural or functional abnormalities. She was diagnosed as having sarcoidosis by imaging modalities and mediastinum lymph node biopsy. In this case, 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) demonstrated abnormal regional myocardial function and delayed enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed a high intensity area in the same segments. This case suggests that STE is potentially useful for the detection of cardiac sarcoidosis in the early phase.     

Micro-mechanical bond strength tests for the assessment of the adhesion of GIC to dentine

Abstract Background. The aim of this study is to critically evaluate the bond strength (BS) of Glass-Ionomer Cements (GIC) to dentine with microtensile (μTBS) and microshear (μSBS) BS tests by assessing their rankings and failure patterns. Methods. Samples were made on flat dentine surfaces and submitted to μTBS and μSBS. The materials used were: high viscosity GIC (Ketac(?) Molar Aplicap-KM), resin-modified GIC (Fuji II-FII), nano-filled resin-modified GIC (Ketac(?) N100-N100) and an etch-and-rinse adhesive system with a composite resin (Adper(?) Single Bond 2 and Z100(?)-Z100). All tests were performed with a Universal Testing Machine (24 h water storage, crosshead speed of 1 mm/min). Debonded surfaces were examined with a stereomicroscope (×40) to identify the failure mode. The data was analyzed with two-way ANOVA (p < 0.05) and LSD test. Results. Means were statistically different regarding the tests and materials, indicating that values for BS obtained for each material depend on the test performed. Failure analysis revealed that failures produced by μTBS were mainly cohesive for KM and FII. μSBS failures were mainly adhesive or mixed for all materials. For the μTBS, the rank was Z100 > FII > KM = N100, whereas for the μSBS it was Z100 = FII = KM > N100. Conclusion: It may be concluded that distinct micro-mechanical tests present different failure patterns and rankings depending on the material to be considered.     

Successful low‐dose radiotherapy treatment for Kasabach–Merritt syndrome

Kasabach–Merritt syndrome (KMS) is characterized by hemangioma associated with life‐threatening thrombocytopenia, and is a consumptive coagulopathy. Although treatments available include corticosteroids, α‐interferon, vincristine, and surgery, response may be unsatisfactory, and the mortality rate remains at approximately 30%. Although radiotherapy has been used effectively for KMS, it may cause growth retardation and secondary malignancy. We report a case of KMS in which hemangioma of the left thigh was successfully treated with low‐dose radiotherapy (6 Gy in six fractions, weekly) after failure of corticosteroid therapy. No significant late effects due to the radiotherapy were noted at 5 year follow up. Thus, low‐dose radiotherapy remains an important treatment method for KMS when patients fail to respond to other treatments.     

Iteration of high-frequency stimulation enhances long-lasting excitatory responses in the spinal dorsal horn of rats: characterization by optical imaging of signal propagation

To investigate plastic changes in nociceptive sensitivity of the dorsal horn, slow excitatory responses elicited by iteration of high-frequency stimulation were spatiotemporally observed in spinal cord slices of young-adult rats using membrane excitation imaging techniques. Single-pulse stimulation to the dorsal root elicited membrane excitation in lamina II, and high-frequency pulse-train stimulation evoked long-lasting excitation that expanded widely in the dorsal horn. Iteration of high-frequency stimulation enhanced the strength and extent of the excitatory responses, but such augmentation of the excitatory responses disappeared in the presence of an NMDA receptor antagonist (CPP) and was hindered by an NK1 receptor antagonist (L-703.606). The results suggest that activation of both NMDA and NK1 receptors is involved in the enhancement of slow excitatory responses evoked by iteration of high-frequency stimulation.     

Lifestyle factors and social ties associated with the frequency of laughter after the Great East Japan Earthquake: Fukushima Health Management Survey

Purpose

Although mental health problems such as depression after disasters have been reported, positive psychological factors after disasters have not been examined. Recently, the importance of positive affect to our health has been recognised. We therefore investigated the frequency of laughter and its related factors among residents of evacuation zones after the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study on 52,320 participants aged 20 years and older who were included in the Fukushima Health Management Survey in Japan’s fiscal year 2012, associations of the frequency of laughter with changes in lifestyle after the disaster, such as a changed work situation, the number of family members, and the number of address changes, and other sociodemographic, psychological, and lifestyle factors were examined using logistic regression analysis. The frequency of laughter was assessed using a single-item question: “How often do you laugh out loud?”

Results

The proportion of those who laugh almost every day was 27.1%. Multivariable models adjusted for sociodemographic, psychological, and lifestyle factors demonstrated that an increase in the number of family members and fewer changes of address were significantly associated with a high frequency of laughter. Mental health, regular exercise, and participation in recreational activities were also associated with a high frequency of laughter.

Conclusion

Changes in lifestyle factors after the disaster were associated with the frequency of laughter in the evacuation zone. Future longitudinal studies are needed to examine what factors can increase the frequency of laughter.

     

Effects of photobiomodulation and deep water running in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial

Lasers in Medical Science - Photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) is often used to treat musculoskeletal disorders such as chronic non-specific low back pain (NSCLBP) as it can have positive effects on...     

Persistent verbal and behavioral deficits after resection of the left supplementary motor area in epilepsy surgery

An 8-year-old boy underwent a resection for focal cortical dysplasia at the left supplementary motor area (SMA) for the treatment of intractable epilepsy. The manifestations of SMA syndrome, such as transient mutism and right hemiparesis, resolved within a few weeks. Verbal disfluency and impaired executive function, accompanied by impulsivity and distractibility, persisted for more than 12 months. The verbal and behavioral problems caused serious difficulties in the school life of the patient, until they became less evident at 18 months after surgery. Tractography performed 18 months after surgery revealed a defect in the subportion of fronto-parietal association fibers within the left superior longitudinal fascicles. Verbal influency can persist with unusually long duration after resection of SMA during childhood. Although not discernible on the routine neuroimaging, white matter damage beneath the SMA region could result in serious disabilities in executive function. These complications should be recognized for the prediction and assessment of deficits in children after surgical intervention involving this region.