Various acylates and phenylcarbamates of (ethyl)­cellulose (EC) were synthesized by acylation and carbanilation, respectively, of the residual hydroxyls of an EC (ethyl DS = 2.50). The acyl substituents adopted were propionyl, butyryl, cyclohexanoyl, and adamantoyl groups, and the phenylcarbamoyl substituents included 3-chlorophenylcarbamoyl, 4-chlorophenylcarbamoyl, 3-methylphenylcarbamoyl, and bare phenylcarbamoyl groups. Chiral nematic mesophases of the EC derivatives, formed in chloroform, acetic acid (AA), and dichloroacetic acid (DCA), were examined by various optical techniques for evaluation of the helical pitch (P) in a set of absolute value and twist sense. The lyotropic samples prepared with DCA (20 °C) always assumed a right-handed chiral nematic structure, regardless of the degree of acyl (or phenylcarbamoyl) substitution (DSAcyl (or DSPC), ≤0.50). The chiral nematic series with AA (20 °C) and chloroform (5 °C) showed an inversion of the twist sense from being left-handed to right-handed, when DSAcyl (or DSPC) of each derivative was increased. The critical DS value for the inversion varied depending on the chain length, bulkiness, and polar nature of the employed substituent. For all of the lyotropic series explored, it was generalized that a temperature elevation strengthens a left-handed twisting power in each chiral nematic mesophase. Reversal of the twist handedness was also observed in a cycle of heating and cooling of some chiral nematics in AA. This was interpreted as being due to compensation in the strength of the two chiral interactions, i.e., steric repulsion and dispersion interaction between mesogenic molecules, contributing in mutually opposite signs to the twisting power (2πP –1) of the mesophase.

(1) Background: Although innovations and improvements in towing systems have been available, tow-training method has not been considered favored in the training context. Tow-training may enable high stride frequency if hamstring injuries do not occur. The purpose of this study was to prevent hamstring injuries during supramaximal running and to optimize tow-training. (2) Methods: We investigated the relationship between the number of hamstring injuries that occurred during supramaximal running and the contents of the prevention programs that have been implemented, i.e., 4 years of the baseline programs and 12 years of the intervention. (3) Results: The incidence of hamstring injuries per 1000 sprinters was 57.5 for baseline and 6.7 for intervention. A significant difference was observed in the incidence of hamstring injury between the different combinations of prevention programs (p < 0.01). (4) Conclusions: Tow-training was optimized by (1) preventing hamstring injuries by combination of strength, agility, and flexibility training programs and (2) advising the sprinters to press the leg onto the ground as fast as possible to increase stride frequency and to prevent stride lengthening.

A 72-year-old male visited a local hospital on presentation of melena. Colonoscopy revealed a protruded lesion in the ascending colon, and computed tomography revealed a 20 cm retroperitoneal tumor. Biopsy failed to provide a definitive diagnosis of the colonic lesion. He was diagnosed as having a retroperitoneal liposarcoma and an ascending colon tumor using computed tomography, and referred to our hospital. Biopsy of the ascending colon lesion showed spindle cells with fibrosis. On immunohistochemical staining, tumor cells were positive for cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and murine double minute 2, and the lesion was diagnosed as a well-differentiated or dedifferentiated liposarcoma. The retroperitoneal liposarcoma, which had infiltrated the ascending colon, was resected along with the right colon and the right kidney. Macroscopically, the tumor had infiltrated the ascending colon, forming a multinodular solid mass in the lumen and the right kidney. Microscopic finding of the main tumor revealed a well-differentiated liposarcoma, and that of the colonic lesion revealed a dedifferentiated liposarcoma with nuclei of different sizes and shapes and increased spindle cell morphology. The right kidney and ureter were surrounded by tumor cells but were not infiltrated, and there was no lymph node involvement. The diagnosis of retroperitoneal liposarcoma is often difficult because symptoms appear only after the tumor becomes very large. Some retroperitoneal liposarcomas are found on computed tomography by chance. The clinical course of this case was very rare because of the presentation of melena as the first symptom and the detection of an invasive mass in the ascending colon using colonoscopy.

BackgroundCompared to screening ECG before implantation of a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (S‐ICD), selectable vectors without T‐wave oversensing increase after S‐ICD implantation. Newer algorithms have recently become available to reduce T‐wave oversensing, such as SMART pass (SP). With this function, more selectable vectors are identified after S‐ICD implantation. However, this improvement in eligibility utilizing SP has not yet been well validated. We aimed to clarify S‐ICD eligibility before and after S‐ICD implantation with and without SP.MethodsParticipants comprised 34 patients implanted with an S‐ICD at Okayama University Hospital and its affiliated hospitals between February 2016 and August 2017. A total of 102 S‐ICD vectors were assessed for eligibility before and after S‐ICD implantation, at rest and during exercise testing. Vector availability was evaluated in the presence and absence of SP after S‐ICD implantation.ResultsSubcutaneous implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator eligibility was significantly better after implantation even without SP than S‐ICD screening before S‐ICD implantation, both at rest (before 65.7% vs after 95.1%, P < 0.01) and during exercise (before 59.3% vs after 90.6%, P < 0.01). SP improved S‐ICD eligibility during exercise (SP on 97.9% vs off 90.6%, P = 0.03). Multivariate analysis showed the prevalence of S‐ICD eligibility increased significantly after S‐ICD implantation compared to screening before implantation. SP further increased selectable vectors in multivariate analysis.ConclusionAvailable vectors increased significantly after S‐ICD implantation compared to preoperative vectors as assessed by S‐ICD screening ECG. T‐wave oversensing during exercise has been an unresolved issue for S‐ICD, but SP will help prevent inappropriate operation with S‐ICD.

This study examined the prevalence of and factors affecting normal weight obesity (NWO) among women aged under 40 years old. NWO was having a normal BMI but a high body-fat percentage (BFP). Materials and Methods: We recruited 399 participants aged 1839 during a health checkup and surveyed them about lifestyle patterns, height, weight, body composition, and girth and visceral fat area. Participants were divided into three. Those with a BMI of < 25 and a BFP of < 30 were classified as non-obese, a BMI of < 25 and a BFP of ≥30 as NWO, a BMI of ≥25 and a BFP of ≥30 as obese. The analysis was conducted on NWO (97) and non-obese (262) groups. Results: NWO prevalence ranged from 20% to 30% across the three age groups. NWO participants had lower values for segmental lean body mass, particularly in lower limb, and higher values for abdominal girth and visceral fat area. Among participants aged 3039, those with NWO had higher values for triglycerides and LDL cholesterol and lower values for HDL cholesterol. Regarding lifestyle factors, among those aged 3039, NWO was associated with past weight fluctuation, respectively. In the latter age group, a gain of more than 10 kg since the age of 20 was associated with a 13-fold increase in the odds for NWO. Conclusions: Results suggest that for women under 40 years, detecting NWO early and guidance on effective lifestyle and exercise are necessary.