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Background: While the world's population is growing older, healthy life expectancy is not increasing. The Japanese Orthopedic Association proposed the concept of 'locomotive syndrome,' manifested as a decline in mobility functions, and introduced a short test battery for assessing the risk of this syndrome. The test battery includes the 'stand-up test,' 'two-step test,' and '25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale' (25-question GLFS). The purpose of locomotion training is to improve and sustain standing and gait functions. However, the place where locomotion training can be provided and followed up has not been decided upon. Therefore, a study was conducted to explore the effect of locomotive syndrome improvement by continuous locomotion training provided at community pharmacies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of pharmacists' instructions and follow-up on the compliance and effectiveness of locomotion training., Methods: The inclusion criteria were 1) age ≥ 65 years and 2) decline in mobility functions. Guidance on how to perform locomotion training was provided by a pharmacist at the pharmacy. The participants performed locomotion training at home. They were tested and instructed at the pharmacy once a month for 3 months. The main outcome measures were test battery results and the percentage of number of days participants who were able to do the training at home., Results: Eleven participants were analysed. The minimum implementation percentage was 78%. Improvements were observed in 25-question GLFS, muscle strength, and standing time on one leg. Three participants no longer showed a noticeable decline in mobility function., Conclusion: Continuous locomotion training provided at pharmacies could contribute to locomotive syndrome prevention., Trial Registration: This study was registered with the University hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR; identification No. UMIN000027963 . Registered 28 June 2017).

Bone cancer pain control is difficult because it includes various characteristics of pain such as nociceptic and neuropathic pain. In this study, we investigated the effect of yokukansan (YKS), one of the traditional Japanese herbal medicines, on cancer pain in mouse bone metastasis model. Oral administration of YKS significantly alleviated pain behavior measured by quantitative body weight bearing. Furthermore, the pain behavior was also significantly alleviated by intrathecal and intraperitoneal administration of matrix metalloproteinase- (MMP-) 9 inhibitor, but not of MMP-2 inhibitor. MMP-9 expression was significantly elevated in the bone tissue on day 3 after carcinoma cell injection and in the ipsilateral spinal cord on day 7, which was suppressed by YKS administration. Taken together, these results suggest that YKS alleviates cancer pain via suppressing MMP-9 expression in bone metastasis model in mice.

Purpose: We performed two prospective randomized crossover trials to evaluate the effect of head elevation or lateral head rotation to facemask ventilation volume., Methods: In the first trial, facemask ventilation was performed with a 12-cm high pillow (HP) and 4-cm low pillow (LP) in 20 female patients who were scheduled to undergo general anesthesia. In the second trial, facemask ventilation was performed with and without lateral head rotation in another 20 female patients. Ventilation volume was measured in a pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) manner at 10, 15, and 20 cmH 2 O inspiratory pressures., Results: In the first trial evaluating head elevation effect, facemask ventilation volume was significantly higher with a HP than with a LP at 15 and 20 cmH 2 O inspiratory pressure (15 cmH 2 O: HP median 540 [ IQR 480-605] mL, LP 460 [400-520] mL, P=0.006, 20 cmH 2 O: HP 705 [650-800] mL, LP 560 [520-677] mL, P<0.001). In the second trial, lateral head rotation did not significantly increase facemask ventilation volume at all inspiratory pressure., Conclusion: Head elevation increased facemask ventilation volume in normal airway patients, while lateral head rotation did not., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Activation of CaMKII induces a myriad of biological processes and plays dominant roles in cardiac hypertrophy. Caveolar microdomain contains many calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) targets, including L-type Ca 2+ channel (LTCC) complex, and serves as a signaling platform. The location of CaMKII activation is thought to be critical; however, the roles of CaMKII in caveolae are still elusive due to lack of methodology for the assessment of caveolae-specific activation. Our aim was to develop a novel tool for the specific analysis of CaMKII activation in caveolae and to determine the functional role of caveolar CaMKII in cardiac hypertrophy. To assess the caveolae-specific activation of CaMKII, we generated a fusion protein composed of phospholamban and caveolin-3 (cPLN-Cav3) and GFP fusion protein with caveolin-binding domain fused to CaMKII inhibitory peptide (CBD-GFP-AIP), which inhibits CaMKII activation specifically in caveolae. Caveolae-specific activation of CaMKII was detected using phosphospecific antibody for PLN (Thr 17 ). Furthermore, adenoviral overexpression of LTCC β 2a -subunit (β 2a ) in NRCMs showed its constitutive phosphorylation by CaMKII, which induces hypertrophy, and that both phosphorylation and hypertrophy are abolished by CBD-GFP-AIP expression, indicating that β 2a phosphorylation occurs specifically in caveolae. Finally, β 2a phosphorylation was observed after phenylephrine stimulation in β 2a -overexpressing mice, and attenuation of cardiac hypertrophy after chronic phenylephrine stimulation was observed in nonphosphorylated mutant of β 2a -overexpressing mice. We developed novel tools for the evaluation and inhibition of caveolae-specific activation of CaMKII. We demonstrated that phosphorylated β 2a dominantly localizes to caveolae and induces cardiac hypertrophy after α 1 -adrenergic stimulation in mice. NEW & NOTEWORTHY While signaling in caveolae is thought to be important in cardiac hypertrophy, direct evidence is missing due to lack of tools to assess caveolae-specific signaling. This is the first study to demonstrate caveolae-specific activation of CaMKII signaling in cardiac hypertrophy induced by α 1 -adrenergic stimulation using an originally developed tool., (Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.)

We report successful anesthetic management of extended operation for peritoneal pseudomyxoma combined with massive ascites (16.5 l). A 66-year-old man (weight 76 kg) who could not keep a supine position due to massive ascites associated with peritoneal pseudomyxoma was scheduled for elective peritonectomy and extended surgery. With the patient in the semisitting position, we administered 3% sevoflurane to induce loss of consciousness while preserving spontaneous ventilation. We then performed crush induction with propofol and rocuronium after topical anesthesia to the tongue base. Tracheal intubation with the Macintosh laryngoscope was successful. During the operation, we aspirated about 16.5 l of ascites over 20 l normal saline irrigation. To maintain the body temperature, we performed both active and passive extracorporeal warming. The operation included not only total peritonectomy but also distal gastrectomy, right colon resection, splenectomy, and cholecystectomy. To perform effective postoperative analgesia, we placed two epidural catheters from the upper and lower thoracic epidural spaces. The patient was extubated 3 days after operation, and discharged uneventfully on the 18th postoperative day.

We report the anesthetic management of a pediatric case of blue rubber bleb nevi syndrome combined with small-intestinal intussusception. A 2-year-old girl was transferred to our hospital for small-intestinal intussusception. Emergent ablation of the upper gastrointestinal tract nevus under general anesthesia was planned. Given the presence of several nevi in the oral and pharyngeal space, we utilized the McGRATH MAC (McGRATH; Aircraft Medical Ltd, United Kingdom) laryngoscope for gentle and stress-free tracheal intubation. The venous line was kept patent preoperatively, and rapid-sequence intubation was performed with the McGRATH (size 2 pediatric blade). A 4.5-mm tracheal tube was inserted uneventfully under direct visualization. The trachea was observed and the tube maintained in a proper position with a bronchofiberscope. During the procedure, cuff volume was regulated to avoid excessive increase by upper gastrointestinal endoscope insertion. The girl was extubated in the operating room and showed no postoperative complications such as hemorrhage or hoarseness.

We report the successful anesthetic management of a pregnant woman with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and autoimmune hepatitis who underwent cesarean section. A 35 year-old pregnant woman with PBC was diagnosed with preterm rupture of membranes (PROM). Emergent cesarean section was scheduled. AST and ALT were elevated and she complained of itching due to PBC. Hydrocortisone 50 mg was intravenously administered. Spinal anesthesia was initiated with 2.4 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride and 10 µg fentanyl at L3-4; sensory loss (T2) was confirmed. Morphine was not included in spinal anesthesia to avoid worsening of the itching. Epidural anesthesia at T12-L1 was performed for postoperative pain control. Surgery proceeded uneventfully and postoperative pain control was satisfactory. Combined spinal and epidural anesthesia was beneficial for the perioperative management of a pregnant woman with PBC and autoimmune hepatitis.

Background: This study investigated the hypothesis that the efficacy of insertion of the supraglottic device i-gel(®) (i-gel) can be improved by laryngoscopy and can provide better sealing pressure in anesthetized patients by novice doctors., Methods: Eighty-four adult patients were assigned to the laryngoscopy group (L group, 42 patients) or control group (i.e., conventional blind insertion; C group, 42 patients). Anesthesia was induced with propofol and remifentanil, and rocuronium 0.6-0.9 mg/kg was administered. The number of attempts until successful insertion, sealing pressure, vital sign changes upon insertion, and subjective difficulty of insertion by novice doctors were compared between the groups., Results: The total number of insertion attempts was one (L group 36 cases, C group 23 cases), two (L group 6 cases, C group 18 cases), and three (L group 0 case, C group 1 case), with significant differences between groups (P = 0.007). The sealing pressure was significantly higher in the L group than in the C group (L group 22.3 ± 2.6 cmH2O, C group 19.5 ± 2.7 cmH2O, P < 0.001). Vital sign changes (heart rate and blood pressure) did not differ between the two groups. The subjective difficulty of insertion was significantly lower in the L group than in the C group (L group 26.8 ± 11.8 mm, C group 47.0 ± 15.1 mm, P < 0.001). The incidence of postoperative pharyngeal pain was significantly lower in the L group than in the C group (P < 0.001), while the incidence of hoarseness did not differ between the two groups (P = 1.00)., Conclusion: Our results suggest that laryngoscopy facilitates i-gel insertion by novice doctors, as reflected in the rate of successful insertions, higher sealing pressure, and lower subjective difficulty of insertion in anesthetized patients.

Objective: To evaluate the extraction force generated at different extubation angles using a manikin simulation and a randomized clinical trial., Methods: Simulations were performed on a manikin to assess the force generated at extubation angles of 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90° and 120° relative to the ground. The trial compared extraction force and changes in vital signs in patients undergoing general anaesthesia with tracheal intubation followed by extubation at 60° or 90°., Results: The simulation study found that the extubation force was significantly lower at 45° and 60° than at all other extraction angles. In the trial, extubation at 60° resulted in significantly lower extraction force and systolic blood pressure elevation (n = 23) than extubation at 90° (n = 23)., Conclusion: Findings in a manikin simulation were confirmed by those of a randomized clinical trial, where extubation at 60° required less force than 90°, and was accompanied by less SBP elevation. Extubation at 60° is less invasive than extubation at 90°., (© The Author(s) 2015.)

Study Objective: This study aimed to compare the utility of McGRATH MAC (McG) and Macintosh (McL) laryngoscopes for double-lumen endotracheal tube intubation in patients undergoing elective surgery., Design: Randomized clinical trial., Setting: Operating room., Patients: Fifty adult patients scheduled for elective surgery under 1-lung ventilation with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 to 3., Interventions: Double-lumen endotracheal tube intubation was performed with the McG (McG group; 25 patients) or conventional McL (McL group; 25 patients) laryngoscope by anesthesia residents., Measurements: The number of attempts to successful intubation, intubation time, percentage of glottis opening score, and subjective difficulty of laryngoscopy and tube passage through the glottis were assessed., Main Results: The total numbers of intubation attempts were 1 (McG group, 24 patients; McL group, 16 patients), 2 (McG group, 1 patient; McL group, 8 patients), and 3 (McG group, 0 patient; McL group, 1 patient), with significant differences between the two groups (P = .018). Intubation time was significantly shorter in the McG group compared with the McL group (McG: 17.1 ± 4.6 seconds vs McL: 20.8 ± 5.9 seconds, P = .026). The percentage of glottis opening score was significantly higher in the McG group compared with the McL group (McG: 88.4% ± 13.7% vs McL: 71.4% ± 20.4%, P = .004)., Conclusions: The McG demonstrated a better intubation profile compared with the McL, possibly due to its ease of use for double-lumen endotracheal tube intubation. Clinical Trial registry number: UMIN000014636., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A 67-year-old woman suffering from hoarseness or dysphagia was diagnosed with motor neuron disease. She was scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia for suspected gallbladder cancer. She was concerned about the exacerbation of her hoarseness or dysphagia from tracheal intubation. We therefore decided to perform airway management by using supraglottic device air-Q blocker, through which a gastric tube could be inserted. We first passed the gastric tube through the outer blocker hole and inserted it into the esophagus using Magill forceps. The air-Q blocker was placed position under the guidance of a McGrath videolaryngoscope. Sealing pressure was over 20 cmH2O and mechanical ventilation was performed uneventfully during artificial pneumoperitoneum. We were able to deflate the stomach and perform tracheal suction via the inner hole of the air-Q. Following the operation, the patient developed neither hoarseness nor pharyngeal pain.

Here we report a case of severe septic shock immediately following cesarean section. A pregnant woman with dichorionic diamniotic twins was diagnosed with preterm rupture of membranes (PROM). Ritodrine hydrochloride and betamethasone did not sufficiently relieve abdominal extension; emergency cesarean section was scheduled 4 days later, at 31 week 5 day gestation. The patient did not show any symptoms or laboratory data suggesting infection. Spinal anesthesia was initiated with 2.2 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride and fentanyl 10 μg at L3-4; sensory loss (T3) was confirmed. Epidural anesthesia at L1-2 was performed for postoperative pain control. Surgery proceeded uneventfully, but the first baby did not respond to neonatal CPR. One hour after surgery, the patient showed signs of shock and a fever of 40.9 degrees C. Catecholamine and antibiotics relieved her symptoms. Retrograde infection of Escherichia coli was attributed to fetal distress and septic shock. Early phase septic shock should be considered in pregnant women with PROM.

Here we report successful rapid-sequence inubation with the McGRATH MAC videolaryngscope (McGRATH) in the face to face sitting position for a patient with severe ileus and restricted mouse opening. A 46-year-old woman with advanced bladder cancer had developed ileus. Ileus tube and octreotide did not relieve her symptoms, and emergency colostomy was planned. Due to the invasion of cancer to the spine and interior of the pelvis, she could not keep supine position and always kept sitting position. We decided to perform rapid-sequence intubation in the sitting position. First an anesthesiologist stood at face to face position to the patients, and the second anesthesiologist kept the head of the patient from the cranial side. After thiamylal and fentanyl administration, cricoid pressure was applied by the third anesthesiologist. Under the guide of the McGRATH's monitor, we could successfully insert the 7.0 mm internal diameter tracheal tube with a stylet uneventfully in the face to face sitting position.