Anti-inflammatory effects of heat-killed Lactiplantibacillus argentoratensis BBLB001 on a gut inflammation co-culture cell model and dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis mouse model.

Dysbiosis caused by dietary changes can alter the intestinal bacterial species and is closely associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Among the possible treatment options, postbiotics, which act to balance the constituent intestinal microflora, have gained substantial attention. Herein, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of heat-killed Lactiplantibacillus argentoratensis (hk-LA) BBLB001 isolated from a marine environment using both cell (Caco2/RAW264.

The self-concept of person with chronic schizophrenia in Japan.

Aims: People with schizophrenia have some problems in terms of function of consciousness of the self. Therefore, what they are conscious of themselves remains unclear. The aim of this study was to elucidate the self-concept of Japanese with schizophrenia.

Mixed HCV Infection of Genotype 1B and Other Genotypes Influences Non-response during Daclatasvir + Asunaprevir Combination Therapy.

Daclatasvir (DCV) + asunaprevir (ASV) combination therapy has become available for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) serogroup 1 infection. We studied the efficacy of this therapy by focusing on the factors associated with sustained virological responses (SVR) including resistance-associated variants (RAVs) and mixed infection of different HCV genotypes. We enrolled 951 HCV serogroup 1-positive patients who received this combination therapy at our hospital or affiliated hospitals.

Magnetically Responsive Assemblies of Polymer-Brush-Decorated Nanoparticle Clusters That Exhibit Structural Color.

The development of new magnetic materials for applications such as magnetic-driven drug delivery, next-generation display materials, and magnetic resonance imaging is an important objective. To that end, we synthesized monodispersed, magnetically responsive particles grafted with well-defined polymer brushes and investigated the formation of their ordered arrays in organic solvents in response to a magnetic field. To achieve this, we prepared monodispersed magnetic nanoparticle clusters (MNCs) composed of large numbers of superparamagnetic ferrite ZnFeO nanoparticles.

Intervention Program to Improve Executive Functions and Enhance Planning Abilities of Patients With Mild Neurocognitive Disorder.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of an intervention program to improve executive functions and enhance the planning abilities of patients with mild neurocognitive disorder.

Design: A pilot intervention study.

Methods: Ten inpatients performed an intervention program based on Lezak's conceptual model that teaches task-specific routines.

Low frequency of drug-resistant virus did not affect the therapeutic efficacy in daclatasvir plus asunaprevir therapy in patients with chronic HCV genotype-1 infection.

Background: The efficacy of a direct-acting antiviral agent (DAA) is compromised by the development of drug resistance. The associations between resistance-associated virus (RAV) and therapeutic outcomes have not been well-understood.

Methods: A total of 30 patients with HCV genotype-1b were enrolled and treated for 24 weeks with asunaprevir (ASV) and daclatasvir (DCV).

Self-stigma in schizophrenia: a concept analysis.

Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the phenomenon and definition of self-stigma in schizophrenia.

Conclusion: Self-stigma in schizophrenia affects patients' well-being and attitudes to treatment. Although stigma and self-stigma have interactive and different characteristics, theses definitions are not clearly distinguished.

Fabrication of contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging from polymer-brush-afforded iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles prepared by surface-initiated living radical polymerization.

The aim of this study is to fabricate a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by using hybrid particles composed of a core of iron oxide magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles and a shell of hydrophilic polymer brush synthesized by surface-initiated (SI) living radical polymerization. To achieve this, Fe3O4 nanoparticles were surface-modified with initiating groups for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) via a ligand-exchange reaction in the presence of a triethoxysilane derivative having an ATRP initiation site. The ATRP-initiator-functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles were used for performing the SI-ATRP of methyl methacrylate to demonstrate the ability of the synthesized nanoparticles to produce well-defined polymer brushes on their surfaces.

Factors influencing the processing of visual information from non-verbal communications.

Aims: This paper examines the relationship between observational behavior and the observers' result assumptions, using a contained diagram that includes significant non-verbal information, such as gestures. The ability of care workers to assess a patient's mental status on the basis of non-verbal information would be considered an important skill necessary to understanding patient condition.

Methods: One hundred and eleven subjects were asked to take a test exploring two types of psychological status, and their eye movements were monitored during testing.