Niigata University of Health and Welfare

About: Niigata University of Health and Welfare is a education organization based out in Niigata, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Medicine & Isometric exercise. The organization has 523 authors who have published 996 publications receiving 10316 citations.

No relation between afferent facilitation induced by digital nerve stimulation and the latency of cutaneomuscular reflexes and somatosensory evoked magnetic fields.

Abstract: Primary motor cortex (M1) excitability can be assessed using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and can be modulated by a conditioning electrical stimulus delivered to a peripheral nerve prior to TMS. This is known as afferent facilitation (AF). The aim of this study was to determine whether AF can be induced by digital nerve stimulation and to evaluate the relation between the interstimulus interval (ISI) required for AF and the latency of the E2 component of the cutaneomuscular reflex (CMR) and the prominent somatosensory evoked field (SEF) deflection that occurs approximately 70 ms after digital nerve stimulation (P60m). Stimulation of the digital nerve of the right index finger was followed, at various time intervals, by single-pulse TMS applied to the contralateral hemisphere. The ISI between digital nerve stimulation and TMS was 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 100, 140, 180, 200, or 220 ms. Single-pulse TMS was performed alone as a control. SEFs were recorded following digital nerve stimulation of the index finger, and the equivalent current dipole of prominent deflections that occurred around 70 ms after the stimulation was calculated. CMRs were recorded following digital nerve stimulation during muscle contraction. Motor evoked potentials were facilitated at an ISI between 50 and 100 ms in 11 of 13 subjects, and the facilitated MEP amplitude was larger than the unconditioned MEP amplitude (p < 0.01). There was no significant correlation between the ISI at which AF was maximal and the latency of the P60m component of the SEF (r = -0.50, p = 0.12) or the E2 component of the CMR (r = -0.54, p = 0.88). These results indicate that the precise ISI required for AF cannot be predicted using SEF or CMR.

Prior nonhip limb fracture predicts subsequent hip fracture in institutionalized elderly people

Abstract: Summary This 1-year cohort study of nursing home residents revealed that historical fractures of upper limbs or nonhip lower limbs were associated with hip fracture (hazard ratio = 2.14), independent of activities of daily living (ADL), mobility, dementia, weight, and type of nursing home. Prior nonhip fractures are useful for predicting of hip fracture in institutional settings.

Repetitive Passive Finger Movement Modulates Primary Somatosensory Cortex Excitability.

Abstract: Somatosensory inputs induced by repetitive passive movement (RPM) modulate primary motor cortex (M1) excitability; however, it is unclear whether RPM affects primary somatosensory cortex (S1) excitability. In this study, we investigated whether RPM affects somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and resting state brain oscillation, including alpha and beta bands, depend on RPM frequency. Nineteen healthy subjects participated in this study, and SEPs elicited by peripheral nerve electrical stimulation were recorded from the C3' area in order to assess S1 excitability (Exp. 1: n = 15). We focused on prominent SEP components such as N20, P25 and P45-reflecting S1 activities. In addition, resting electroencephalograms (EEGs) were recorded from C3' area to assess the internal state of the brain network at rest (Exp. 2: n = 15). Passive abduction/adduction of the right index finger was applied for 10 min at frequencies of 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, and 5.0 Hz in Exp. 1, and 1.0, 3.0, and 5.0 Hz in Exp. 2. No changes in N20 or P25 components were observed following RPM. The 3.0 Hz-RPM decreased the P45 component for 20 min (p < 0.05), but otherwise did not affect the P45 component. There was no difference in the alpha and beta bands before and after any RPM; however, a negative correlation was observed between the rate of change of beta power and P45 component at 3.0 Hz-RPM. Our findings indicated that the P45 component changes depending on the RPM frequency, suggesting that somatosensory inputs induced by RPM influences S1 excitability. Additionally, beta power enhancement appears to contribute to the P45 component depression in 3.0 Hz-RPM.

Roles of Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi in Gallbladder Cancer Development.

Abstract: Background Typhoid (Salmonella typhi and paratyphi) carriers and gall bladder cancer (GBC) are endemic in northern India. Results of previous studies about association of typhoid carriers with GBC are inconsistent. We studied antibodies against Salmonella typhi and paratyphi in serum samples of patients with GBC. Methods We performed modified Widal test for antibodies against Salmonella typhi (Vi and O) and Salmonella paratyphi (AO and BO) antigens in patients with GBC (n=100), xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC, n=24), chronic cholecystitis (CC, n=200) and healthy controls (HC, n=200). Results Serum antibodies against Salmonella were more frequently positive in GBC (22%) and XGC (29%), particularly in males in age ≥50 years (GBC: 47% and XGC: 50%) vs. HC (0) (p Conclusions Salmonella carrier state was more common in GBC and XGC, particularly in elderly males than HC. The Vi antibody was more common in GBC and XGC than HC. Salmonella infection was more common in GBC with GS than those without GS.

Effects of Nordic walking on pelvis motion and muscle activities around the hip joints of adults with hip osteoarthritis.

Abstract: [Purpose] Increased compensatory pelvic movement is remarkable in limping patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA). However, a method of improving limping has not been established. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of two types of Nordic walking by analyzing the pelvic movement and muscle activities of adults with hip OA. [Subjects and Methods] Ten patients with OA of the hip performed Japanese-style Nordic walking (JS NW), European-style Nordic walking (ES NW), and Ordinary walking (OW), and the muscle activities around the hip joint and pelvic movements were analyzed. [Results] The pelvic rotation angle was significantly larger in ES NW than in JS NW. In the stance phase, hip abductor muscle activity was significantly decreased in JS NW compared to both OW and ES NW. In the swing phase, rectus abdominis muscle activity was significantly increased in both JS NW and ES NW compared to OW and lumbar erector spinae activity was significantly lower in JS NW than in OW. [Conclusion] JS NW style may reduce the compensatory pelvic rotation in patients with hip OA. JS NW might be better for joint protection and prevention of secondary disorders of the hip in OA patients.