The effects of relative trunk rotation velocity on ball speed and elbow and shoulder joint torques during baseball pitching.

In baseball pitching, suppressing trunk rotation while rotating the pelvis in the early phase of arm cocking is important for throwing a fast ball. However, quantitative evaluation of trunk rotation during pitching has not been established, and its associations with elbow and shoulder torques are unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation of a new measure of trunk rotation suppression with ball speed and elbow and shoulder torques during pitching. Eighteen adult male baseball pitchers (21.7 ± 1.2 years old) participated. Three qualified pitches were analysed using a three-dimensional motion capture system. Trunk rotation velocity, normalised to the peak velocity, was derived at the time of peak pelvic velocity. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine correlations. The normalised trunk rotation velocity at the peak pelvic velocity was significantly correlated with elbow valgus torque (R = -0.508, P = 0.032), shoulder external rotation torque (R = -0.507, P = 0.032) and ball speed (R = -0.504, P = 0.033). A smaller normalised trunk rotation angular velocity at the time of peak pelvic rotation velocity could increase ball speed but may also increase elbow and shoulder torques among pitchers who demonstrate trunk rotation after foot contact.

Perforating branches of the internal thoracic artery in women with breast cancer: an anatomical study for breast-conservation surgery.

Breast reconstruction after breast-conservation surgery is an important issue for breast cancer patients. Various factors are associated with complications, of which blood flow is one of the more important. The perforating branches of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) are key contributors to blood flow in the anterior chest wall. The present study examined the distributions and depths of the perforating branches of the internal thoracic artery using a multi-detector row-computed tomography (MDCT) angiography. The subjects in this prospective study comprised of 38 women with suspected breast cancer who underwent MDCT angiography. The images were analyzed on computer using transverse MDCT source data and volume renderings. A total of 47 perforating branches were found, with 27 (57.4%) originating in the second, 6 (12.8%) in the third and fourth, 5 (10.6%) in the first and 2 branches (4.3%) originating in the fifth intercostal space, with one branch (2.1%) originating opposite the first intercostal space. A strong correlation was identified between the distance from the skin to the branch and adipose thickness at the shallowest and deepest points (P<0.001). The distributions and depths of the perforating branches of ITA identified in this study may be helpful in immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery.

Erythema multiforme after radiotherapy with aromatase inhibitor administration in breast-conservation treatment for breast cancer.

Generalized eruptions associated with radiotherapy such as erythema multiforme (EM), Steven-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis are uncommon reactions. A few cases of generalized eruptions during and after radiotherapy have been reported with the use of anticonvulsants and anticancer drugs. However, no reports have described mucocutaneous reactions associated with radiotherapy and concurrent use of anastrozole, an aromatase inhibitor. This report describes EM occurring after radiotherapy performed during breast-conserving treatment for breast cancer in a patient who was taking oral anastrozole.

[The frequency profiles of size of two-step tuberculin skin tests with histories of BCG vaccinations and tuberculin tests among hospital employees].

In 1998, Prevention Committee of the Japanese Society for Tuberculosis announced guidelines for dealing with nosocomial tuberculosis infections. These guidelines recommended the two-step tuberculin tests (TST) as baseline data for each medical employee when they started to work. If accurate records of previous TSTs are available in addition to baseline data, they are useful to evaluate the presence of tuberculosis infection when they started to work. We therefore studied the frequency profile of size of TST among medical employees in INBA-HITEC Medical Center and discussed methods to improve investigative measures for tuberculosis infection, and prior to skin testing we asked self-reporting questionnaires regarding history of previous BCG vaccinations and TSTs. We expected that their records of previous TSTs were accurately preserved, however, records of previous TSTs reported by medical employees were found to be inaccurate. From two-step TSTs results, the magnitude of booster phenomenon was defined by diameter of erythema and induration. Results demonstrated that the increase of induration size was larger in subjects > or = 41-years-old than in subjects < 41-years-old. Regarding booster phenomenon, no statistically significant differences were detected according to type of duty post. Many subjects with size of TST erythema > or = 30 mm on the first test showed increase erythema > or = 10 mm on the second test. We therefore suggest that the second test be made for those showing reaction size > or = 30 mm on the first test.