Undiagnosed Peripheral Nerve Disease in Patients with Failed Lumbar Disc Surgery

Tomohiro Yamauchi,김경성,Toyohiko Isu,Naotaka Iwamoto,Kazuyoshi Yamazaki,Juntaro, Matsumoto,Masanori Isobe 대한척추외과학회 2018 Asian Spine Journal Vol.12 No.4

Study Design: Retrospective study (level of evidence=3). Purpose: We examine the relationship between residual symptoms after discectomy for lumbar disc herniation and peripheral nerve (PN) neuropathy. Overview of Literature: Patients may report persistent or recurrent symptoms after lumbar disc herniation surgery; others fail to respond to a variety of treatments. Some PN neuropathies elicit symptoms similar to those of lumbar spine disease. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data for 13 patients treated for persistent (n=2) or recurrent (n=11) low back pain (LBP) and/or leg pain after primary lumbar discectomy. Results: Lumbar re-operation was required for four patients (three with recurrent lumbar disc herniation and one with lumbar canal stenosis). Superior cluneal nerve (SCN) entrapment neuropathy (EN) was noted in 12 patients; SCN block improved the symptoms for eight of these patients. In total, nine patients underwent PN surgery (SCN-EN, n=4; peroneal nerve EN, n=3; tarsal tunnel syndrome, n=1). Their symptoms improved significantly. Conclusions: Concomitant PN disease should be considered for patients with failed back surgery syndrome manifesting as persistent or recurrent LBP.

Effects of Outdoor Housing of Piglets on Behavior, Stress Reaction and Meat Characteristics

Yonezawa, Tomohiro,Takahashi, Asahi,Imai, Satomi,Okitsu, Aya,Komiyama, Sonomi,Irimajiri, Mami,Matsuura, Akihiro,Yamazaki, Atusi,Hodate, Koich Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2012 Animal Bioscience Vol.25 No.6

Well-designed housing systems are important from the viewpoint of animal welfare and improvement of meat production. In this study, we investigated the effects of outdoor housing of pigs on their behavior, cortisol levels, and meat characteristics. Two groups that were born and raised in a spacious outdoor pen ($4{\times}10$ m for every two sows) or a minimum-sized standard pen in a piggery ($1.9{\times}2.2$ m for every sow) were studied. When their behaviors at the age of 2 to 3 wk were observed, the number of rooting episodes tended to be larger (p = 0.0509) and the total time of rooting tended to be longer (p = 0.0640) in the outdoor-housed piglets although the difference was not significant. Basal salivary cortisol levels of the outdoor piglets at the age of 4 wk were significantly lower than those of the indoor piglets ($5.0{\pm}0.59$ ng/ml vs. $11.6{\pm}0.91$ ng/ml, 30 min after treatment), although their plasma cortisol levels were similar ($53.3{\pm}3.54$ ng/ml vs. $59.9{\pm}4.84$ ng/ml, 30 min after treatment). When the ears were pierced at weaning, plasma and salivary cortisol levels were increased in both groups, even at 15 min after piercing. However, the increase in the outdoor-housed group was significantly less than that in the indoor-housed group. Throughout their lives, body weight and daily gain of the pigs were not significantly different between the two groups. In a meat taste preference test taken by 20 panelists, saltiness, flavor, and color of the outdoor-housed pork were found to be more acceptable. Moreover, when an electronic taste-sensing device was utilized, the C00 and CPA-C00 outputs ($3.78{\pm}0.07$ and $-0.20{\pm}0.023$), which correspond to compounds of bitterness and smells, respectively, were significantly lower in the outdoor-housed pork ($5.03{\pm}0.16$ and $-0.13{\pm}0.009$). Our results demonstrate that the outdoor housing system for piglets induces natural behaviors such as rooting and suppresses the strongest stress reaction of piglets, which could be important for animal welfare. Moreover, the outdoor housing system might change muscle characteristics and improve pork bitterness, flavor, and color. These changes may be preferred by consumers, increasing the sale of these meats.

Upgrade of Neutron Energy Spectrometer with Single Multilayer Bonner Sphere Using Onion-like Structure

Mizukoshi, Tomoaki,Watanabe, Kenichi,Yamazaki, Atsushi,Uritan, Akira,Iguchi, Tetsuo,Ogata, Tomohiro,Muramatsu, Takashi The Korean Association for Radiation Protection 2016 방사선방어학회지 Vol.41 No.3

Background: In order to measure neutron energy spectra, the conventional Bonner Sphere Spectrometers (BSS) are widely used. In this spectrometer, several measurements with different size Bonner spheres are required. Operators should, therefore, place these spheres in several times to a measurement point where radiation dose might be relatively high. In order to reduce this effort, novel neutron energy spectrometer using an onion-like single Bonner sphere was proposed in our group. This Bonner sphere has multiple sensitive spherical shell layers in the single sphere. In this spectrometer, a band-shaped thermal neutron detection medium, which consists of a LiF-ZnS mixed powder scintillator sheet and a wavelength-shifting (WLS) fiber readout, was looped to each sphere at equal angular intervals. Amount of LiF neutron converter is reduced near polar region, where the band-shaped detectors are concentrated, in order to uniform the directional sensitivity. The LiF-ZnS mixed powder has an advantage of extremely high light yield. However, since it is opaque, scintillation photons cannot be collect uniformly. This type of detector shows no characteristic shape in the pulse height spectrum. Subsequently, it is difficult to set the pulse height discrimination level. This issue causes sensitivity fluctuation due to gain instability of photodetectors and/or electric modules. Materials and Methods: In order to solve this problem, we propose to replace the LiF-ZnS mixed powder into a flexible and Transparent RUbber SheeT type $LiCaAlF_6$ (TRUST LiCAF) scintillator. TRUST LiCAF scintillator can show a peak shape corresponding to neutron absorption events in the pulse height spectrum. Results and Discussion: We fabricated the prototype detector with five sensitive layers using TRUST LiCAF scintillator and conducted basic experiments to evaluate the directional uniformity of the sensitivity. Conclusion: The fabricated detector shows excellent directional uniformity of the neutron sensitivity.

Baastrup’s Disease Is Associated with Recurrent of Sciatica after Posterior Lumbar Spinal Decompressions Utilizing Floating Spinous Process Procedures

Masao Koda,Chikato Mannoji,Masazumi Murakami,Tomoaki Kinoshita,Jiro Hirayama,Tomohiro Miyashita,Yawara Eguchi,Masashi Yamazaki,Takane Suzuki,Masaaki Aramomi,Mitsutoshi Ota,Satoshi Maki,Kazuhisa Takaha 대한척추외과학회 2016 Asian Spine Journal Vol.10 No.6

Study Design: Retrospective case-control study. Purpose: To determine whether kissing spine is a risk factor for recurrence of sciatica after lumbar posterior decompression using a spinous process floating approach. Overview of Literature: Kissing spine is defined by apposition and sclerotic change of the facing spinous processes as shown in X-ray images, and is often accompanied by marked disc degeneration and decrement of disc height. If kissing spine significantly contributes to weight bearing and the stability of the lumbar spine, trauma to the spinous process might induce a breakdown of lumbar spine stability after posterior decompression surgery in cases of kissing spine. Methods: The present study included 161 patients who had undergone posterior decompression surgery for lumbar canal stenosis using a spinous process floating approaches. We defined recurrence of sciatica as that resolved after initial surgery and then recurred. Kissing spine was defined as sclerotic change and the apposition of the spinous process in a plain radiogram. Preoperative foraminal stenosis was determined by the decrease of perineural fat intensity detected by parasagittal T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Preoperative percentage slip, segmental range of motion, and segmental scoliosis were analyzed in preoperative radiographs. Univariate analysis followed by stepwise logistic regression analysis determined factors independently associated with recurrence of sciatica. Results: Stepwise logistic regression revealed kissing spine (p =0.024; odds ratio, 3.80) and foraminal stenosis (p <0.01; odds ratio, 17.89) as independent risk factors for the recurrence of sciatica after posterior lumbar spinal decompression with spinous process floating procedures for lumbar spinal canal stenosis. Conclusions: When a patient shows kissing spine and concomitant subclinical foraminal stenosis at the affected level, we should sufficiently discuss the selection of an appropriate surgical procedure.

Effects of Fucoxanthin Addition to Ground Chicken Breast Meat on Lipid and Colour Stability during Chilled Storage, before and after Cooking

Sasaki, Keisuke,Ishihara, Kenji,Oyamada, Chiaki,Sato, Akiyuki,Fukushi, Akihiko,Arakane, Tomohiro,Motoyama, Michiyo,Yamazaki, Makoto,Mitsumoto, Mitsuru Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.7

Effects of fucoxanthin (FX), a major carotenoid in algae, on lipid peroxidation and meat colour in ground chicken breast meat were investigated. FX and/or ${\alpha}$-tocopherol (Toc) were added to ground samples at a content level of 200 mg/kg. The samples were subjected to a chilling storage test before and after cooking. In the storage test before cooking, neither FX nor Toc affected the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) on days 1 and 6, and FX decreased the L* value and increased the a* and b* values. In the storage test after cooking, both FX and Toc decreased TBARS values on days 1 and 6. FX decreased the L* value and increased the a* and b* values, similar to what occurred in the storage test before cooking. Based on these results, we concluded that FX is a potent ingredient for improvement of the appearance and shelf life of chicken meat and its products.

Bispectral index-guided propofol sedation during endoscopic ultrasonography

Ayana Okamoto,Ken Kamata,Takeshi Miyata,Tomoe Yoshikawa,Rei Ishikawa,Tomohiro Yamazaki,Atsushi Nakai,Shunsuke Omoto,Kosuke Minaga,Kentaro Yamao,Mamoru Takenaka,Yasutaka Chiba,Toshiharu Sakurai,Naoshi 대한소화기내시경학회 2022 Clinical Endoscopy Vol.55 No.4

Background/Aims: Bispectral index (BIS) monitors process and display electroencephalographic data are used to assess the depth ofanesthesia. This study retrospectively evaluated the usefulness of BIS monitoring during endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). Methods: This study included 725 consecutive patients who underwent EUS under sedation with propofol. BIS monitoring was usedin 364 patients and was not used in 361. The following parameters were evaluated: (1) median dose of propofol; (2) respiratory and circulatorydepression; (3) occurrence of body movements; (4) awakening score >8 at the time; and (5) awakening score 2 hours afterleaving the endoscopy room. Results: The BIS group received a significantly lower median dose of propofol than the non-BIS group (159.2 mg vs. 167.5 mg;p=0.015) in all age groups. For patients aged ≥75 years, the reduction in heart rate was significantly lower in the BIS group than in thenon-BIS group (1.2% vs. 9.1%; p=0.023). Moreover, the occurrence of body movements was markedly lower in the BIS group than inthe non-BIS group (8.5% vs. 39.4%; p<0.001). Conclusions: During EUS examination, BIS monitoring is useful for maintaining a constant depth of anesthesia, especially in patients75 years of age or older.