Blood and urine samples were analyzed for ethanol, acetaldehyde and acetate during alcohol oxidation in Japanese men by head space gas chromatography, following the consumption of 16 ml/kg of beer during a 20 min period. The maximum level of blood/urine ethanol was found to be 15-17 mM (20-22 mM), while that of acetaldehyde in a flusher and in non-flushers was 20 microM (52 microM) and 2-5 microM (10-13 microM), respectively. Acetate levels in these groups ranged from 0.2 mM (0.1 mM) to 0.8 mM (1.0 mM). Blood ethanol levels were dose dependent, whereas acetaldehyde and acetate levels reflected individual metabolic rates. The relative concentrations of ethanol and acetaldehyde in blood and that of acetate in alcohol metabolism could be summarized as follows: 7500 (15 mM): 1-3 (2-5 microM); 250-400 (0.5-0.8 mM) for non-flushers; and 7500 (15 mM): 5-10 (10-20 microM): 250-400 (0.5-0.8 mM) for a flusher.
It has been suggested that the Oriental colon is easier to colonoscope than its Western counterpart. The aim of this study was to investigate possible differences in colonic anatomy between Western and Oriental patients that might explain this observation. Measurements of colonic length and mesenteric attachments were taken according to a set protocol from 115 Western (Caucasian) and 114 Oriental patients at laparotomy. Sigmoid adhesions were found more frequently in Western (17%) compared to Oriental (8%) patients, P = 0.047. A descending mesocolon of > or = 10 cm occurred in 10 (8%) Western patients but only 1 (0.9%) Oriental patient, P = 0.01. The splenic flexure was more frequently mobile in Western patients (20%) compared to Oriental (9%) patients, P = 0.016. In 29% - of Western patients the mid-transverse colon reached the symphysis pubis, or lower when pulled downwards in contrast to 10% of Oriental patients, P < 0.001. There was no significant difference in total colonic length comparing Western (median = 114 cm, range 68-159 cm) to Oriental (median = 111 cm, range 78-161 cm) patients. Western patients have a higher incidence of sigmoid colon adhesions and increased colonic mobility when compared to Orientals. These findings support the observation that colonoscopy is a more difficult procedure in Western patients.
The laparoscopic stapler is a surgical instrument that automatically creates visceral anastomosis. Although the laparoscopic stapler is widely used, objective ergonomic assessments are lacking. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively assess the force and muscle activities involved during the use of a laparoscopic stapler. The mechanical force needed to create anastomosis in a cattle colon was measured using a tensile tester. Three different loads (150 N, 200 N, and 250 N) were applied individually to compare the anastomosis conditions. The force and muscle activities of the operators of the laparoscopic stapler were also examined. Eleven healthy female subjects (age, 27.4±10.7 years) participated in the study. Force and surface electromyography (EMG) of the flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus muscles during the use of the laparoscopic stapler were measured and compared to each subjectʼ s maximum grip strength. Approximately 250 N was necessary to operate the laparoscopic stapler appropriately. Although the mean grip strength of the subjects was 27.1±6.8 kg, the mean force applied when they gripped the laparoscopic stapler was 15.1±4.1 kg. Integrated EMG showed no differences between operating the laparoscopic stapler and gripping the hand dynamometer. This study demonstrated that the current design of laparoscopic stapler requires too much force to operate for individuals with small hands and/or low grip strength. In addition, the EMG results indicated that the enormous upper extremity muscular effort is not transmitted efficiently into power to operate the laparoscopic stapler, because of its handle design. Therefore, reconsidering the mechanism of the laparoscopic stapler is crucial to improve the usability of the laparoscopic stapler.
[Purpose] The aim of this study was to identify the hospitalization factors that affect the cut-down period in knee-ankle foot orthosis prescription. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 43 patients with stroke hemiplegia who were hospitalized in our convalescence rehabilitation ward and had a cut-down to only ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) after knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO) had been prescribed. A correlation analysis was conducted between the cut-down period and age, disease type, type of unilateral spatial neglect (USN), lower limb Brunnstrom recovery stage (BRS), USN severity, motor Functional Independence Measure (mFIM), and cognitive FIM (cFIM) to determine the factors that affect the cut-down period. In addition, items related to the cut-down period were subjected to a binomial logistic regression analysis to determine the degree of independent influence of each factor. [Results] The items that were associated with the cut-down period were USN severity, lower limb BRS, mFIM, and cFIM. The binomial logistic regression analysis revealed that USN severity is an independent regulatory factor of the cutdown period.[Conclusion] The results of this study suggest that USN severity is the hospitalization factor that has the greatest effect on prolongation of the cut-down period.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.