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Eiji Sasaki,1 Seiya Ota,1,2 Daisuke Chiba,1 Yuka Kimura,1 Shizuka Sasaki,1 Masataka Ando,2 Yuji Yamamoto,1 Eiichi Tsuda,3 Yasuyuki Ishibashi1 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Japan; 2Department of Social Medicine, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Japan; 3Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, JapanCorrespondence: Eiji SasakiDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8562, JapanTel +81-172-39-5083Fax +81-172-36-3826Email e_sasaki@hirosaki-u.ac.jpPurpose: Knee pain is associated with osteoarthritis (OA) and increases during this condition; however, its correlation with central sensitization (CS) in arthritis patients requires greater understanding. The present cross-sectional cohort study to explore the prevalence of knee OA, nocturnal knee pain and disability in general population and to examine the association of CS with sleep quality in Japanese general population.Patients and Methods: From among 1056 community-dowelling volunteers, 942 were enrolled as participants in this study. Bilateral weight-bearing anterior-posterior knee radiographs were classified by the Kellgren–Lawrence grade. Nocturnal knee pain and disability were assessed with self-reported questionnaires. Using the CS inventory with nine items (CSI-9), CS was defined as 10 points or higher. Sleep quality was scored using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Linear regression analysis, adjusted by age, sex, body mass index, Kellgren-Lawrence grade, nocturnal knee pain, and lifestyle habits, was performed to investigate the association of CS with PSQI.Results: The prevalence of OA, nocturnal knee pain, and disability was 37.9%, 7.6%, and 6.2%, respectively. The mean CSI-9 score was 4.9 ± 4.4, with a CS prevalence of 14.0%. The mean PSQI score was 3.9 ± 2.4, which was correlated with the CSI-9 value. CS was not correlated with OA severity; however, nocturnal knee pain prevalence increased from 13.3% to 25.5% in knee OA patients with CS. The CSI-9 value correlated with PSQI total score and subscales.Conclusion: Knee OA severity correlated with nocturnal pain and disability; however, its association with CS was unproven. The combined effect of knee OA and CS elevated nocturnal pain and disability, resulting in diminished sleep quality.Keywords: central sensitization, epidemiology, knee osteoarthritis, nocturnal knee pain, sleep quality

Yu Matsuo,1 Masatoshi Haruta,1 Yumi Ishibashi,1 Koki Ishibashi,1 Kei Furushima,1 Nobuhiro Kato,1 Kenta Murotani,2 Shigeo Yoshida1 1Department of Ophthalmology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan; 2Biostatistics Center, Kurume University, Kurume, JapanCorrespondence: Masatoshi HarutaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, Fukuoka, 830-0011, JapanTel +81 942 31 7574Fax +81 942 37 0324Email haruta_masatoshi@med.kurume-u.ac.jpPurpose: Patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) may develop large submacular hemorrhages (SMHs), which may result in severe visual loss. This study was performed to determine the visual outcomes and prognostic factors of large SMHs secondary to PCV.Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed with PCV who developed a large SMH. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) data were collected at the SMH development, 1 month, 1 year after the SMH development, and at the final visit. Patients’ medical information also were collected and included age, gender, systemic hypertension, current regular use of an anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication, the initial area of the SMH, breakthrough vitreous hemorrhage, ocular treatment, and fellow eye status. Univariate and multiple regression analyses were performed to determine the prognostic factors for the BCVA 1 year after the development of large SMHs.Results: Thirty eyes of 29 patients were included in this study. The mean area of the SMHs at the development was 17.0 disc areas. The mean follow-up period after the development of SMHs was 53.5 months. The mean BCVA at the development, 1 month, and 1 year after the development, and at the final visit were 20/151, 20/263, 20/138, and 20/152, respectively. Multiple regression analyses indicated that a SMH 20 disc areas or larger was a significant negative factor, and the BCVA 1 month after the development was a significant positive factor affecting the BCVA 1 year after the development of large SMHs.Conclusion: The increase in the initial area of SMH was correlated inversely with the BCVA 1 year after the development of SMH. The BCVA 1 month after the development may predict the BCVA 1 year after the development of a large SMH.Keywords: anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, indocyanine green angiography, multiple regression analyses, optical coherence tomography, pneumatic displacement

Hiroyoshi Machida,1 Sumito Inoue,1 Yoko Shibata,2 Tomomi Kimura,3 Takahito Ota,1 Yu Ishibashi,1 Hiroaki Murano,1 Kodai Furuyama,1 Sujeong Yang,1 Hiroshi Nakano,1 Kento Sato,1 Masamichi Sato,1 Takako Nemoto,1 Michiko Nishiwaki,1 Keiko Yamauchi,1 Akira Igarashi,1 Masafumi Watanabe1 1Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Nephrology, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan; 2Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan; 3Respiratory Medicine, Yamagata Saisei Hospital, Yamagata, JapanCorrespondence: Sumito InoueDepartment of Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Nephrology, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, 2-2-2 Iida-Nishi, Yamagata, 990-9585, JapanEmail sinoue@med.id.yamagata-u.ac.jpPurpose: Lung cancer is a serious complication in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and accounts for approximately 15% of deaths in patients with COPD. However, with the exception of emphysema, few reports to date have been published on the factors that predict lung cancer development in COPD patients. It has been reported that patients with COPD develop lung cancer at a rate of 0.8% - 1.7%/year, but the incidence may be higher in the Japanese population. Therefore, we investigated the incidence of lung cancer and the lung cancer mortality rate in Japanese COPD patients, as well as factors that are associated with the development of lung cancer in COPD patients.Patients and Methods: We followed up 224 patients with stable COPD and performed CT examinations at least once per year. The incidence of lung cancer was recorded and data at enrollment were compared with data of the group that did not develop lung cancer.Results: Over a median follow-up period of 4.58 years, lung cancer was newly diagnosed in 19 patients; the incidence of lung cancer in this population was 1.85%/year. Patients who developed lung cancer had more severe emphysema assessed by CT and GOLD classification and were more likely to be current smokers than those who did not develop lung cancer. No other significant differences were observed between these two groups. Mortality was significantly increased in patients who developed lung cancer compared with those who did not.Conclusion: In COPD patients, the incidence of lung cancer is higher and the development of lung cancer worsens the prognosis; however, lung cancer development is unpredictable and attention should be paid to all patients. Annual CT screening is important for early detection of lung cancer.Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, lung cancer, GOLD classification, current smoker, inhaled corticosteroid, ICS

Hirofumi Nagayama,1 Norikazu Kobayashi,2 Yu Ishibashi,2 Ryuji Kobayashi,2 Chika Murai,3 Keita Yamauchi4 1Department of Occupational Therapy, Kanagawa University of Human Services, Yokosuka, Japan; 2Division of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Arakawa, Japan; 3Department of Occupational Therapy, Ishikawa Prefectural Takamatsu Hospital, Kahoku, Japan; 4Graduate School of Health Management, Keio University, Fujisawa, Japan Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the effectiveness and costs of the occupation-based practice for community dwelling frail elderly. Design: Pilot pre-post design without a control group. Setting: A care management center involving 37 local elderly. Subject: The final analysis included 26 frail elderly in a community dwelling center. Intervention: The intervention was occupation-based practice involving setting of client-centered goals, observation of real living situations, and provision of advice on the individual problem of real occupation. Outcome: The outcome was the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI), which is used to evaluate the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Additionally, the frequency, duration, and cost of the intervention were calculated. Results: Regarding the FAI score before and after the interventions, there were significant improvements in all items except work (P

The corrosion resistance of a Magnesium alloy is low and needs to be improved. This research aimed at corrosion-resistance improvement by supatterd deposition aluminium film, which is formed on the surface of AZ91 Magnesium-alloy. Corrosion resistance performed polarization curve measurement, was evaluated in quest of the corrosion rate using the Tafel extrapolation method, and conducted surface observation and EDS analysis by SEM. Although corrosion resistance is not improved only by film forming because of defects in film, corrosion resistance is improved by heat treatment for 3 hours by 553K after sputtering. In the case of heat treated at 623K and 673K for 3 hours, magnesium diffuses through the alminium film and reached the surface of the film. Thus, heat treatment at high temperature degrade the corrosion resistance of the film. The optimization of heat treatment after sputtering is important in this method.

Natsuko Yamazaki,1 Akira Kobayashi,1 Hideaki Yokogawa,1 Yasuhisa Ishibashi,2 Yosaburo Oikawa,3 Masaharu Tokoro,4 Kazuhisa Sugiyama11Department of Ophthalmology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan; 2Department of Ophthalmology, East Washinomiya Hospital, Kuki, Japan; 3Department of Medical Zoology, Kanazawa Medical University, Kahoku, Japan; 4Department of Parasitology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, JapanPurpose: The purpose of the current study was to investigate ex vivo laser confocal microscopic findings of cultured Acanthamoeba trophozoites obtained from Acanthamoeba keratitis patients.Methods: Eight cultured samples of Acanthamoeba trophozoites from eight eyes of seven patients (mean age, 26.9 years; age range, 18–52 years) were used. Seven samples were from corneal scrapings of Acanthamoeba keratitis patients and one sample was from the solution in a soft contact lens case. Ex vivo laser confocal microscopy was performed to qualitatively evaluate the shape and degree of light reflection of the living Acanthamoeba trophozoites.Results: Ex vivo laser confocal microscopy demonstrated highly reflective, high-contrast Acanthamoeba trophozoites with no walls (mean size, 25.4 µm; range, 17.1–58.5 µm). The shapes of the trophozoites were highly pleomorphic, and some showed characteristic acanthopodia by laser confocal microscopy.Conclusion: Ex vivo laser confocal microscopy was effective in demonstrating cultured Acanthamoeba trophozoites of various shapes and sizes. The observations of the current study may be helpful when similar structures are identified under in vivo conditions.Keywords: Acanthamoeba, trophozoite, laser confocal microscopy

Hideaki Yokogawa,1 Akira Kobayashi,1 Natsuko Yamazaki,1 Yasuhisa Ishibashi,2 Yosaburo Oikawa,3 Masaharu Tokoro,4 Kazuhisa Sugiyama11Department of Ophthalmology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, 2Department of Ophthalmology, East Washinomiya Hospital, Kuki, 3Department of Medical Zoology, Kanazawa Medical University, Kahoku, 4Department of Parasitology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, JapanBackground: The purpose of this study was to report Acanthamoeba encystment in Bowman’s layer in Japanese cases of persistent Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK).Methods: Laser confocal microscopic images of the cornea were obtained in vivo from 18 consecutive eyes from 17 confirmed AK patients. Retrospectively, 14 cases treated over 4 months were categorized as a nonpersistent group and three cases that required prolonged therapy for more than 6 months were categorized as a persistent group. Clinical outcomes based on final best-corrected visual acuity were retrospectively analyzed, and selected confocal images were evaluated qualitatively for abnormal findings.Results: The final best-corrected visual acuity was significantly lower (P < 0.01) for patients in the persistent group compared with that in the nonpersistent group. At the initial visit, in vivo confocal microscopy demonstrated Acanthamoeba cysts exclusively in the epithelial layer in both the nonpersistent group (80%) and the persistent group (100%). At a subsequent follow-up visit, numerous Acanthamoeba cysts were observed in the epithelial cell layer and in Bowman’s layer in all patients with persistent AK, but Acanthamoeba cysts were undetectable in all cases with nonpersistent AK tested.Conclusion: Invasion of cysts into Bowman’s layer was characteristically observed in patients with persistence of AK. This finding suggests that invasion of Acanthamoeba cysts into Bowman’s layer may be a useful predictor for a persistent clinical course.Keywords: Acanthamoeba keratitis, Bowman’s layer, encystment

A novel laser spectroscopy technique -“OROCHI” (Optical Radioisotopes Observation in Condensed Helium as Ion-catcher) has been proposed. This method aimed to investigate the structure of exotic nuclei systematically by measuring nuclear spins and moments. For in-situ laser spectroscopy of atoms in He II, a method to trap atoms precisely at the observation region of laser is highly needed. In this work, a setup composed of a degrader, two plastic scintillators and a photon detection system is further tested and verified for adjusting and checking the stopping position of 84–87Rb beam. Details of the current setup, experimental results using this method are presented.

Interaction cross sections (σI) for 22−35Na isotopes from the stability line to the vicinity of the neutron drip line have been measured at around 240 MeV/nucleon. The σI for 33−35Na were measured for the first time. Enhancement in cross sections is clearly observed from the systematics for stable nuclei, for isotopes with large mass numbers. From the known values of the nuclear-deformation parameters β2 of 22−31Na, these enhancement can be mainly ascribed to the nuclear deformation. Large enhancement in heavier isotopes suggest that these nuclei are strongly deformed. The root-mean-square (RMS) nuclear matter radii were deduced from the σI by using Glauber-type calculation. Furthermore, a monotonic growth of the neutron-skin thickness has been deduced with increasing neutron number for Na isotopes.

Reaction cross sections (σR) for 24–38Mg on C targets at the energies of around 240 MeV/nucleon have been measured precisely at RIBF, RIKEN for the purpose of obtaining the crucial information on the changes of nuclear structure in unstable nuclei, especially around the so-called “island of inversion” region. In the island of inversion region, which includes neutron-rich Ne, Na, and Mg isotopes, the vanishing of the N = 20 magic number for neutrons have been discussed along with nuclear deformation. The present result suggest deformation features of Mg isotopes and shows a large cross section of weakly-bound nucleus 37Mg, which could be caused by a neutron halo formation.

The differential cross sections of the 9Be + α inelastic scattering at 30 MeV were measured at the tandem of Tsukuba University. All the known states of 9Be up to energies ~ 12 MeV were observed and decomposed into three rotational bands, each of them having a cluster structure consisting of a 8Be core plus a valence neutron in one of the sub-shells: p3/2−, s1/2+ and p1/2−. Existence of a neutron halo in the positive parity states was confirmed.