Association Between Anterior Knee Pain and Soft Tissue Gliding of the Anterior Knee Region After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective(s): To investigate the relationship between impaired gliding in the anterior knee region and anterior knee pain (AKP) in patients after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Orthopedic hospital.

Integrating Clay Modeling in Implant Fabrication for Craniofacial Defect.

Manufacturing craniofacial implants using 3-dimensional (3D) methods and computed tomography data has become popular. The image object for the defect is produced as the first step, followed by several methods to create the implant. The authors have used a novel method that combines clay modeling with 3D scanning to create implants for craniofacial contour reconstruction.

Alar base symmetry in orthognathic surgery: Patients with unilateral cleft.

Background: Patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) could present with a notable nasal deformity with alar base retrusion, which should be considered when planning orthognathic surgery (OGS).

Methods: This retrospective study included 84 patients with Class III malocclusion. Cone beam computed tomographic data were used for the investigation.

Overstretching alveolar epithelial type II cells decreases surfactant secretion via actin polymerization and intracellular trafficking alteration.

Pulmonary surfactant is essential for maintaining proper lung function. Alveolar epithelial type II (AE2) cells secrete surfactants via lamellar bodies (LBs). In tidal loading during each breath, the physiological cyclic stretching of AE2 cells promotes surfactant secretion.

Cranial Nerve Injuries in Orthognathic Surgery: A Review of Literature.

Orthognathic surgery is increasingly utilized to correct facial deformities and dental malocclusions, as well as to enhance facial aesthetics. Significant advancements in surgical planning and execution have made it more widespread and accessible. However, unfavorable outcomes or complications can occur, leading to potentially severe and possibly long-term consequences, such as cranial nerve injuries.

Prediction of MGMT promotor methylation status in glioblastoma by contrast-enhanced T1-weighted intensity image.

Background: The study aims to explore MRI phenotypes that predict glioblastoma's (GBM) methylation status of the promoter region of gene (pMGMT) by qualitatively assessing contrast-enhanced T1-weighted intensity images.

Methods: A total of 193 histologically and molecularly confirmed GBMs at the Kansai Network for Molecular Diagnosis of Central Nervous Tumors (KANSAI) were used as an exploratory cohort. From the Cancer Imaging Archive/Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) 93 patients were used as validation cohorts.

Observing vessel stumps axially: A novel exoscope for end-to-end microvascular anastomosis.

Although many free tissue transfers have been performed, free flap loss can still occur because of vascular compromise. To facilitate microsurgery, we invented the axial-view microscope (aMS), a new type of microscope that can axially visualize vessel stumps. The aMS was combined with an optical microscope, the so-called bird's-eye-view microscope (bMS).

Risks of Dementia in a General Japanese Older Population With Preserved Ratio Impaired Spirometry: The Hisayama Study.

Background: Studies on the association between preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) and dementia are limited. Indeed, PRISm has often been overlooked or ignored as an index of lung function impairment. Therefore, we investigated the association of PRISm with the risk for the development of dementia in an older Japanese population.

Hachimijiogan, a traditional herbal medicine, modulates adipose cell function and ameliorates diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice.

(HJG) has originally been used to ameliorate a variety of symptoms associated with low ambient temperatures. However, its pharmacological action in metabolic organs remains unclear. We hypothesized that HJG may modulate metabolic function and have a potential therapeutic application to metabolic diseases.

Clustering of charged colloidal particles in the microgravity environment of space.

We conducted a charge-charge clustering experiment of positively and negatively charged colloidal particles in aqueous media under a microgravity environment at the International Space Station. A special setup was used to mix the colloid particles in microgravity and then these structures were immobilized in gel cured using ultraviolet (UV) light. The samples returned to the ground were observed by optical microscopy.

[Control of Posture and Gait by the Basal Ganglia: Pathophysiological Mechanisms Implicated in Parkinson's Disease].

Regulation of posture-gait control by the basal ganglia (BG) plays a critical role in the acquisition of automatically executed context-dependent learned motor acts, technically referred to as habit formation. Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) show posture-gait disturbances and progressively lose habitual behaviors. Injury to dopamine (DA) neurons in the midbrain is implicated as the primary pathophysiological mechanism underlying PD; therefore, DA actions in the BG play a pivotal role in optimal BG function.

Fabrication of Three-Dimensionally Deformable Metal Structures Using Precision Electroforming.

It is difficult to fabricate three-dimensional structures using semiconductor-process technology, because it is based on two-dimensional layered structure fabrication and the etching of thin films. In this study, we fabricated metal structures that can be dynamically deformed from two-dimensional to three-dimensional shapes by combining patterning using photolithography with electroforming technology. First, a resist structure was formed on a Cu substrate.

Unexpectedly Large Contribution of Oxygen to Charge Compensation Triggered by Structural Disordering: Detailed Experimental and Theoretical Study on a LiNbO-NiO Binary System.

Dependence on lithium-ion batteries for automobile applications is rapidly increasing. The emerging use of anionic redox can boost the energy density of batteries, but the fundamental origin of anionic redox is still under debate. Moreover, to realize anionic redox, many reported electrode materials rely on manganese ions through π-type interactions with oxygen.

Risks of Mortality and Airflow Limitation in Japanese Individuals with Preserved Ratio Impaired Spirometry.

Several Western studies have reported that participants with preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) have higher risks of airflow limitation (AFL) and death. However, evidence in East Asian populations is limited. To investigate the relationship between PRISm and the risks of death and incident AFL in a Japanese population.

A prospective observational study of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer in elderly patients (≥ 75 years).

Background: To examine the effects of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for elderly (≥ 75 years of age) patients with completely resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we conducted a multi-institutional and prospective observational study.

Methods: Patients were recruited between January 2014 and December 2017, and assigned to two cohort groups based on the patients' choice either to receive postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (Cohort B) or not (Cohort A). All the patients were observed for 2 years after enrollment.

Inhibition of PI3Kδ Differentially Regulates Poly I:C- and Human Metapneumovirus-Induced PD-L1 and PD-L2 Expression in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells.

Bronchial epithelial cells are front sentinels eliciting innate and adaptive immunity to respiratory viral pathogens. Recognition of viral double-stranded RNA induces antiviral interferon (IFN) responses in bronchial epithelial cells. Co-inhibitory molecules programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) and ligand 2 (PD-L2) were also induced on bronchial epithelial cells, which bind programmed cell death 1 on T cell and inhibit the function of virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte.

Airflow limitation and tongue microbiota in community-dwelling elderly individuals.

Numerous oral indigenous microorganisms are constantly introduced into the stomach the laryngopharynx, and a portion of these microorganisms irregularly reaches the lower airways and lungs. This study investigated the association between airflow limitation and the status of tongue microbiota, which is a primary source of ingested oral bacterial populations. The study population consisted of 484 community-dwelling adults aged 70-80 years inhabiting Hisayama town, Japan, who underwent a regular health examination including dental examination and spirometry test in 2016.

Control of strain in subgrains of protein crystals by the introduction of grown-in dislocations.

It is important to reveal the exact cause of poor diffractivity in protein crystals in order to determine the accurate structure of protein molecules. It is shown that there is a large amount of local strain in subgrains of glucose isomerase crystals even though the overall crystal quality is rather high, as shown by clear equal-thickness fringes in X-ray topography. Thus, a large stress is exerted on the subgrains of protein crystals, which could significantly lower the resistance of the crystals to radiation damage.

Incense smoke-induced oxidative stress disrupts tight junctions and bronchial epithelial barrier integrity and induces airway hyperresponsiveness in mouse lungs.

Recent clinical studies have suggested that inhalation of incense smoke (IS) may result in impaired lung function and asthma. However, there is little experimental evidence to link IS with airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and bronchial epithelial barrier function. Using mouse and cell culture models, we evaluated the effects of IS exposure on AHR, expression of multiple epithelial tight junction (TJ)- and adherens junction-associated mRNAs and proteins in the lungs, and the barrier function of bronchial epithelial cells assessed by transepithelial electronic resistance (TEER).

Detection of cancer cells in whole blood using a dynamic deformable microfilter and a nucleic acid aptamer.

Cancer cell count in the blood of cancer patients is extremely low. If these cells are easily detectable, cancer diagnosis may be possible by simply using a blood test, thus reducing patient burden. This study aimed to develop a cancer detection device by combining a microfilter that can be dynamically deformed and a nucleic acid aptamer that has a specific binding ability to cancer cells for easy detection.