One of the sensors used for biomagnetometry, the photoexcited atomic magnetometer (OPAM), is an atomic magnetometer that uses a nonlinear magneto-optical effect, and has been shown to be able to measure minute signals with high sensitivity. One way to further improve the sensitivity of OPAM is to amplify the laser beam using a resonator. In this study, we developed a resonator type OPAM that incorporates a resonator structure consisting of two mirrors into a single-beam single-pass OPAM.

This paper proposes Reversibility-based Photomedical Classification System (RbPCS), aiming to integrate and standardize photomedical terminology. We classify the concepts based on two factors: (1) reversibility of photoexcited chromophores, (2) reversibility of chromophore-mediated cellular effect. Additionally, RbPCS has three optional affixes to indicate the perspective of action: (1) Endo- (Endogenous) and Exo- (Exogenous), (2) Rm-, Rd-, Ru-, (Recognition mediated/dependent/unrelated), (3) -T (Therapy). RbPCS is formulized by photons, chromophores, energy exchange, tissue, chromophore effect, and cellular effects. This framework provides the equations for optimizing light parameters in specific therapeutic contexts.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a motor dysfunction caused by aging or genetic factors, characterized by the phosphorylation and aggregation of the causative protein alpha-synuclein. Currently, Treatment options for PD are limited to symptomatic treatment of drug therapy and surgery. Given the side effects of drugs and the invasiveness of surgical treatments, there is a growing need to develop minimally invasive causative therapies. Photobiomodulation may reduce intracellular oxidative stress and decrease alpha synuclein levels, and the optical vortex could potentially disrupt protein aggregates with its orbital angular momentum This study aimed to evaluate the effects of photobiomodulation and optical vortex for developing PD phototherapy by using PD model cells to quantify intracellular proteins. Cells were exposed to lasers with wavelengths of 808 and 1064 nm, and optical vortex irradiation at 100 mW/cm(2) for 450 and 900 seconds. The WST assay confirmed no laser-induced damage and assessed cell viability. Western Blot analysis 48 hours post-irradiation showed that optical vortex irradiation reduced alpha-synuclein levels by 30%, increased tyrosine hydroxylase by 31%, and enhanced Nrf2 by 41%. These results indicate that combining optical vortex and photobiomodulation may reduce PD-related proteins by lowering oxidative stress and promoting dopamine production without cellular damage.

Background Minimally invasive posterior fixation surgery for pyogenic spondylitis is known to reduce invasiveness and complication rates; however, the outcomes of concomitant insertion of pedicle screws (PS) into the infected vertebrae via the posterior approach are undetermined. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of PS insertion into infected vertebrae in minimally invasive posterior fixation for thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis.Methods This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 70 patients undergoing minimally invasive posterior fixation for thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis across nine institutions. Patients were categorized into insertion and skip groups based on PS insertion into infected vertebrae, and surgical data and postoperative outcomes, particularly unplanned reoperations due to complications, were compared.Results The mean age of the 70 patients was 72.8 years. The insertion group (n = 36) had shorter operative times (146 versus 195 min, p = 0.032) and a reduced range of fixation (5.4 versus 6.9 vertebrae, p = 0.0009) compared to the skip group (n = 34). Unplanned reoperations occurred in 24% (n = 17) due to surgical site infections (SSI) or implant failure; the incidence was comparable between the groups. Poor infection control necessitating additional anterior surgery was reported in four patients in the skip group.Conclusions PS insertion into infected vertebrae during minimally invasive posterior fixation reduces the operative time and range of fixation without increasing the occurrence of unplanned reoperations due to SSI or implant failure. Judicious PS insertion in patients with minimal bone destruction in thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis can minimize surgical invasiveness.

Many aspects of how magnetic particles, particularly magnetite particles, are distributed in living organisms and how they affect brain function and neurodegenerative diseases remain unclear. There is an urgent need to develop new methods and techniques to non-invasively and highly accurately detect the presence of these magnetic particles and estimate their location. In this study, we adopted Nearest Neighbors as a machine learning algorithm and analyzed the inverse problem of the machine learning model to estimate the position of magnetic particles that are the source of biomagnetic signals. By arranging the magnetic sensors in three dimensions, the percentage of position estimation errors of 1 cm or less increased, even though there were only 8 magnetic sensors, and the average position estimation error per horizontal plane was approximately 8 mm. Since the resolution of conventional magnetoencephalography equipment is 5 to 7 mm, and measurements are performed using approximately 150 SQUID sensors, it is possible to improve position estimation accuracy by adjusting the placement conditions of the magnetic sensors.

In this study, we designed, fabricated and evaluated a dark hole generation optical system that combines an annular phase plate and an annular wave plate for super-resolution microscopy based on stimulated emission or upconversion fluorescence depletion. The phase plate is a compound phase plate that combines two types of spiral phase plates in a ring shape, and the wave plate is a ring shape combination of two types of wave plates with crystal axes perpendicular to each other. Despite its complex structure, the composite phase plate could be precisely fabricated using the exposure and etching processes used in semiconductor manufacturing. A super-resolution microscope equipped with these devices confirmed the generation of a three-dimensional dark hole of fluorescence-suppressed light.

Bone defects in the tibial tunnel for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction can cause adverse events. The unidirectional porous tricalcium beta-phosphate (UDPTCP) has the potential to be used as a filling substitute for bone defects. In this case series, we present the first nine cases in which UDPTCP was used as a bone substitute in the tibial tunnel during ACL reconstruction. The patients comprised six males and three females, with an average age of 32 years (range: 16-50 years). A cylindrical UDPTCP measuring 10 x 20 mm was molded to fit the tibial tunnel and then implanted. At the one-year postoperative follow-up, none of the patients demonstrated any complications, and bone remodeling was observed on radiographs. Therefore, UDPTCP may provide a safe and reliable filling substitute for the tibial tunnel in ACL reconstruction.

This study aimed to evaluate the difference in treatment duration and unplanned additional surgeries between patients with unidentified causative organisms on empiric antibiotics and those with identified organisms on selective antibiotics in treating thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis with minimally invasive posterior fixation. This multicenter retrospective cohort study included patients with thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis refractory to conservative treatment who underwent minimally invasive posterior fixation. Patients were divided into the identified (known causative organism) and unidentified groups (unknown causative organism). We analyzed data on demographics, antibiotic use, surgical outcomes, and infection control indicators. We included 74 patients, with 52 (70

The medical field is evolving day by day, and the role of training clinical engineers is also undergoing changes. In this explanatory article, we will focus on new training methods for clinical engineers based on recent advances in AI and ICT technology and their impact on medical care. In modern medicine, diagnostic support using AI and remote medical care technology using ICT are considered essential skills. It is necessary for clinical engineers to acquire new perspectives and knowledge to utilize these technologies effectively and provide optimal care to patients. This explanatory article explains new educational models and research policies. Specifically, we will propose a review of the educational curriculum and training content for clinical engineers based on examples of image analysis using AI and remote monitoring systems using ICT. Furthermore, he touched on innovations in medical education that incorporate AR and VR technology, emphasized the importance of practical training, and discussed the challenges that the next generation of clinical engineers should tackle, how to overcome those challenges, and the future.

A standard 6–12-week course of antibiotics is recommended for pyogenic spondylitis. Recent evidence supports early minimally invasive posterior fixation surgery; however, its effect on antibiotic treatment duration is unclear. This study aims to identify factors associated with prolonged antibiotic treatment in thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis patients resistant to conservative treatment and assess whether early surgery can reduce treatment duration. We retrospectively reviewed 74 patients with thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis undergoing minimally invasive posterior fixation at nine facilities. Patients were grouped based on antibiotic duration (≥ 6 or < 6 weeks) and timing of surgery (≤ 3 weeks or > 3 weeks of starting antibiotics). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with prolonged antibiotic treatment and study the outcomes of patients undergoing early surgery. Forty-nine patients (66

Due to the increasing number of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer, the use of low-field MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is attracting attention. Low-field MRI is less expensive and safer than high-field MRI. It is also possible to obtain high-sensitivity images using "hyperpolarization" of certain gases (eg 129Xe gas). In this study, we aimed to develop lung field imaging technology by low-field MRI of 0.3 T using hyperpolarized 129Xe gas, and observed chemical shifts in saline and porcine blood. As a result, it is expected to expand the possibility of high-sensitivity imaging diagnosis in a low magnetic field of 0.3 T and contribute to a new understanding of hyperpolarized 129Xe gas, and the practical application of these technologies is expected.

Skeletal muscle is a set of motor units (MU). Muscle contractile activity is carried out by regulating the firing frequency of MU and the types of muscle fibers to be mobilized. Multi-channel surface electromyogram (sEMG) contains many conducting waves that represent a single motor unit action potentials (MUAP). In previous study, we proposed a method to extract conducting waves quantitatively and automatically. This method is useful for elucidating mobilized MUs and can be applied to kinematic analysis and diagnosis of muscle diseases. In multi-channel sEMG measurement, rows of electrodes need to be applied along the direction of the muscle fibers. However, the electrodes are difficult to set because the direction of the muscle fibers cannot be visually confirmed on the skin. This study investigated a method for estimating muscle fiber direction by analyzing conducting waves from two-dimensional multichannel surface electromyograms using grid-shaped surface electrodes. By examining the number of conducting waves acquired in each direction of the electrode row, it was suggested that the direction of muscle fiber may be estimated from the direction with the largest number of propagating wave acquisitions. It was also found that the method of acquiring differential potential signals has a significant impact on the analysis of propagation direction.

現在,光線力学療法(Photodynamic Therapy: PDT)では光線過敏症を回避するために2週間の遮光期間が取られている.しかし患者の薬剤代謝はこれよりも早いケースもあり,2週間の遮光期間が冗長となる可能性がある.また現在の光線過敏試験では侵襲性がある点,天候に左右される点,評価が定性的である点に課題がある.著者らは画像解析による光線過敏反応の定量化を行い,蛍光計測を用いたモニター装置および薬剤代謝を推定する数理モデルと組み合わせることで,新たな光線過敏試験および遮光管理の実現を目指している.本稿では,光線過敏試験の現状,定量化手法,およびこれまでに開発されたモニター装置について概説する.RGB,CIELAB,HSVの3つの色空間を用いて評価を行った結果,CIELAB色空間は光線過敏反応による発赤の定量評価に最も効果的であった.これらの光線過敏症リスクの定量的な評価の実現は,患者のQOL改善および医療コスト削減の両方のメリットを生むものと期待される.

The usefulness of minimally invasive posterior fixation without debridement and autogenous bone grafting remains unknown. This multicenter case series aimed to determine the clinical outcomes and limitations of this method for thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis. Patients with thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis treated with minimally invasive posterior fixation alone were retrospectively evaluated at nine affiliated hospitals since April 2016. The study included 31 patients (23 men and 8 women; mean age, 73.3 years). The clinical course of the patients and requirement of additional anterior surgery constituted the study outcomes. The postoperative numerical rating scale score for lower back pain was significantly smaller than the preoperative score (5.8 vs. 3.6, p = 0.0055). The preoperative local kyphosis angle was 6.7°, which was corrected to 0.1° after surgery and 3.7° at the final follow-up visit. Owing to failed infection control, three patients (9.6%) required additional anterior debridement and autogenous bone grafting. Thus, in this multicenter case series, a large proportion of patients with thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis could be treated with minimally invasive posterior fixation alone, thereby indicating it as a treatment option for pyogenic spondylitis.