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Background--Dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DA-CPR) attempts to improve the management of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by laypersons who are unable to recognize cardiac arrest and are unfamiliar with CPR. Therefore, we investigated the sensitivity and specificity of our new DA-CPR protocol for achieving implementation of bystander CPR in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims not already receiving bystander CPR. Methods and Results--Since 2007, we have applied a new DA-CPR protocol that uses supplementary key words. Fire departments prospectively collected baseline data on DA-CPR from January 2009 to December 2011. DA-CPR was attempted in 2747 patients; of these, 417 (15.2%) did not experience cardiac arrest. The sensitivity and specificity of the 2007 protocol versus estimated values of the previous standard protocol were 72.9% versus 50.3% and 99.6% versus 99.8%, respectively. We identified key words that may be useful for detecting out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the occurrence of cardiac arrest after an emergency call (odds ratio, 16.85) and placing an emergency call away from the scene of the arrest (odds ratio, 11.04) were potentially associated with failure to provide DA-CPR. Furthermore, at-home cardiac arrest (odds ratio, 1.61) and family members as bystanders (odds ratio, 1.55) were associated with bystander noncompliance with DA-CPR. No complications were reported in the 417 patients who received DA-CPR but did not have cardiac arrest. Conclusions--Our 2007 protocol is safe and highly specific and may be more sensitive than the standard protocol. Understanding the factors associated with failure of bystanders to provide DA-CPR and implementing public education are necessary to increase the benefit of DA-CPR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-dimensional (3D) micro/nano-manipulation using optical tweezers is a significant technique for various scientific fields ranging from biology to nanotechnology. For the dynamic handling of multiple/individual micro-objects in a true 3D working space, we present an improved hybrid optical tweezers system consisting of two multibeam techniques. These two techniques include the generalized phase contrast method with a spatial light modulator and the time-shared scanning method with a two-axis steering mirror and an electrically focus-tunable lens. Unlike our previously reported system that could only handle micro-objects in a two and half dimensional working space, the present system has high versatility for controlled manipulation of multiple micro-objects in a true 3D working space. The controlled rotation of five beads forming a pentagon, that of four beads forming a tetrahedron about arbitrary axes, and the fully automated assembly and subsequent 3D translation of micro-bead arrays are successfully demonstrated as part of the 3D manipulation experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inhibitory effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and linoleic acid (LA) on the contractions induced by five prostanoids and U46619 (a TP receptor agonist) were examined in guinea pig gastric fundus smooth muscle (GFSM). Tension changes were isometrically measured, and the mRNA expression of prostanoid receptors was measured by RT-qPCR. DHA and EPA significantly inhibited contractions induced by the prostanoids and U46619, whereas LA inhibited those induced by prostaglandin D2 and U46619. The mRNA expression levels of the prostanoid receptors were TP ≈ EP3 >> FP > EP1. The inhibition by DHA, EPA, and LA was positively correlated with that by SQ 29,548 (a TP receptor antagonist) but not with that by L-798,106 (an EP3 receptor antagonist). DHA and EPA suppressed high KCl-induced contractions by 35% and 25%, respectively, and the contractions induced by the prostanoids and U46619 were suppressed by verapamil, a voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel (VDCC) inhibitor, by 40%–85%. Although LA did not suppress high KCl-induced contractions, it suppressed U46619-induced contractions in the presence of verapamil. However, LA did not show significant inhibitory effects on U46619-induced Ca2+ increases in TP receptor-expressing cells. In contrast, LA inhibited U46619-induced contractions in the presence of verapamil, which was also suppressed by SKF-96365 (a store-operated Ca2+ channel [SOCC] inhibitor). These findings suggest that the TP receptor and VDCC are targets of DHA and EPA to inhibit prostanoid-induced contractions of guinea pig GFSM, and SOCCs play a significant role in LA-induced inhibition of U46619-induced contractions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study aims to elucidate whether or not scoring deformed cartilages reduces postoperative pain after the Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum patients. Methods: A total of 46 pectus excavatum patients for whom the Nuss procedure was conducted were included in the study. The patients were categorized into two groups, depending on whether or not the supplementary maneuver of scoring deformed cartilages was performed in addition to the Nuss procedure. Patients for whom deformed costal cartilages were scored were categorized as the Scoring Group (n = 24); those who received no such scoring were categorized as the Non-Scoring Group (n = 22). After evaluating the maximum stresses occurring on the thoraces by means of dynamic simulation using finite element analyses, intergroup comparison of the maximum von-Mises stress values was performed. Furthermore, after quantifying postoperative pain as the frequency with which patients injected anesthetics through an epidural pain-control system within 2 postoperative days, the degree of pain was compared between the two groups. Results: The maximum stresses occurring on the thorax were significantly greater for the Non-Scoring Group than for the Scoring Group; injection frequency was also greater for the Non-Scoring Group (average 4.9 times for 2 days) than for the Scoring Group (average 2.5 times for 2 days). Conclusion: High stresses occur due to the performance of the Nuss procedure, causing postoperative pain. The stresses can be reduced by performing supplementary scoring on deformed cartilages. Accordingly, postoperative pain is reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]