Association between support of basic psychological needs and stress response as mediated by motivation for solitude.

This study examined the relationship between not self-determined / self-determined solitude and stress responses, as well as the effect of supporting / thwarting of basic psychological needs. The sample consisted of 606 Japanese people aged 20 years and older. We used a cross-sectional survey to measure their motivations for solitude, supporting / thwarting of basic psychological needs, and stress responses.

Ascites Caused by Intestinal Anisakiasis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Anisakiasis is a parasitic infection affecting the human gastrointestinal tract. It is caused by the consumption of contaminated, raw or inadequately cooked fish or squid, which is typically used for making sushi and sashimi. Most cases involve gastric anisakiasis, whereas intestinal anisakiasis is rare.

Multisensory perceptual distortion including auditory distortions in Alice in Wonderland syndrome: a case report.

Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS) is a rare perceptual disorder characterized mainly by perceptual distortions of visual objects and one's own body. While there are many case reports of visual and somatosensory distortions associated with AIWS, little is known about auditory distortion. Therefore, we present the case of a 22-year-old right-handed woman who described having auditory as well as visual and somatosensory distortion experiences and a family history of AIWS.

Effectiveness of Repetitive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia.

Background: Lower extremity artery disease is strongly associated with morbidity and is typically addressed through revascularization interventions. We assessed the clinical outcomes of patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) without revascularization who did and did not undergo repetitive hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).

Methods: Between April 2002 and March 2017, the records of 58 patients with CLTI (Rutherford classification 4 in 19% and 5 in 81%) were evaluated retrospectively.

The effect of mechanical feedback on outcome in self-care support tool based on solution-focused brief therapy.

Little is known about the impact of mechanical feedback in self-care support tools. Technically, natural language processing and machine learning can provide mechanical feedback in self-care support tools. This study compared the differences between mechanical feedback and no feedback conditions in a self-care support tool based on solution-focused brief therapy.

Clinical utility of Gallium-SPECT/CT for determining osteotomy indication in patients with lower-limb osteomyelitis.

Standard non-invasive methods for diagnosing and selecting the best treatment for osteomyelitis in patients with multiple chronic conditions remain to be established. We aimed to evaluate the ability of quantitative Ga-citrate single-photon emission computed tomography ( Ga-SPECT/CT) to determine the indication for either non-surgical treatment or osteotomy in patients with lower-limb osteomyelitis (LLOM) associated with diabetes mellitus and lower-extremity ischemia, based on monitoring of inflammatory activity in bone tissue. This single-centre prospective study conducted from January 2012 to July 2017 included 90 consecutive patients with suspected LLOM.

Diagnostic performance of quantitative Ga-SPECT/CT for patients with lower-limb osteomyelitis.

Background: Patients with lower-limb osteomyelitis (LLOM) may experience major adverse events, such as lower-leg amputations or death; therefore, early diagnosis and risk stratification are essential to improve outcomes. Ga-scintigraphy is commonly used for diagnosing inflammatory diseases. Although the diagnostic performance of planar and SPECT imaging for localized lesions is limited, SPECT/CT, which simultaneously acquires functional and anatomical definition, has resulted in significant improvements to diagnostic confidence.

Fear of COVID-19 infection and related factors in Japan: A comparison of college students, pregnant women, hospital nurses and the general public.

The fear of COVID-19 has become a social problem during the pandemic. The present study compares the fear of COVID-19 among members of the general public, college students, pregnant women, and hospital nurses. It also examines various factors associated with the fear of COVID-19.

The Association Between COVID-19 Information Sources and Stigma Against Health Care Workers Among College Students: Cross-sectional, Observational Study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered stigmatic attitudes against health care workers. Some forms of social media may play a role in disseminating stigmatizing messages.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the association between COVID-19 information sources and stigma against health care workers among college students during the pandemic.

The relationship between family variables and family social problems during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study examined the relationship between variables about family members co-residing during the COVID-19 pandemic and anxiety about COVID-19, domestic violence from spouse, child abuse anxiety, internet addiction, and mental health as social problems related to the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 220 parents (70 male and 150 female, age; M = 41.6, SD = 34.

The impact of clarifying the long-term solution picture through solution-focused interventions on positive attitude towards life.

Solution-focused brief therapy is a psychotherapeutic model. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of clarity of long-term solutions on positive attitude towards life. In order to examine the effects of the long-term solution image, the conditions for clarifying the long-term and short-term solution images, and not seeking clarification of the solution image were set and randomly assigned.

Depression and anxiety among nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tohoku region, Japan: A cross-sectional survey.

Aim: Restrictions such as physical distancing and online learning for college students were implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Owing to this, students may experience psychological distress from social isolation and loneliness. Nursing students are subjected to an exacerbated level of distress during the pandemic due to their role as health professionals.

Cardiac Troponin Is Elevated in Patients with Thyrotoxicosis and Decreases as Thyroid Function Improves and Brain Natriuretic Peptide Levels Decrease.

Introduction: High-sensitive cardiac troponin reflects micro-myocardial injury in the absence of overt myocardial infarction.

Objective: This study aimed to clarify how thyrotoxicosis affects cardiac troponin.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study in Japan.

Principles of Disinfectant Use and Safety Operation in Medical Facilities During Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak.

Medical collapse became a major concern under coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak; prevention of medical accidents is essential during disinfection either. The objective of this review is to enhance the awareness regarding the safety aspects towards infection prevention practices and to offer solutions for safe patient care practices including side effects of disinfectants and precaution in specific medical facilities especially in hemodialysis rooms, intensive care unit, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) chambers, or patient transport vehicle. Literature was researched that was obtained from studies of human coronavirus infections, including the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), and created a summary of the characteristics of these disinfectants.

Enhanced Sternal Healing Through Platelet-Rich Plasma and Biodegradable Gelatin Hydrogel.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains numerous growth factors and promotes bone fracture healing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the controlled release of PRP from biodegradable gelatin hydrogel for promoting healing in a rabbit ischemic sternal model. PRP was prepared from the whole blood of a Japanese white rabbit.

Endothelial dysfunction may promote keloid growth.

Keloid is a cutaneous fibroproliferative disorder. It results from impaired wound healing that generates persistent inflammation and extensive deposition of collagen fibers in the wound/scar. Keloids tend to be worse in hypertensive patients.

Prognostic value of lower limb perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography in patients with lower limb atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to estimate the severity of the participants' lower limb ischemia by calculating the lower limb muscle-to-background ratio (LMBR) using lower limb perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography (SPECT/CT) and to evaluate the prognostic value of LMBR in peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study consists of 38 patients with PAD (70 ± 12 years) and observed over 1 year who were included in the analysis. All participants underwent lower limb perfusion SPECT/CT.

Imaging Angiogenesis Using 99mTc-Macroaggregated Albumin Scintigraphy in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease.

Unlabelled: One problem of vascular angiogenesis therapy is the lack of reliable methods for evaluating blood flow in the microcirculation. We aimed to assess whether (99m)Tc-macroaggregated albumin perfusion scintigraphy ((99m)Tc-MAA) predicts quantitated blood flow after therapeutic angiogenesis in patients with peripheral artery disease.

Methods: Forty-six patients with peripheral artery disease were treated with bone marrow mononuclear cell implantation (BMCI).

Beraprost Sodium Protects Against Diabetic Nephropathy in Patients with Arteriosclerosis Obliterans: A Prospective, Randomized, Open-label Study.

Background: Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been used to treat diabetic nephropathy. However, RAS inhibition increases the risk of renal complications. In this study, we evaluated the effect of combining RAS inhibitor treatment with beraprost sodium (BPS), a prostaglandin I2 analog, in diabetic nephropathy with arteriosclerosis obliterans.

Low-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy improves microcirculation blood flow of ischemic limbs in patients with peripheral arterial disease: pilot study.

Background: Because direct application of low-energy shock waves induces angiogenesis, we investigated the safety and efficacy of this new therapy to develop a noninvasive method of repeatable therapeutic angiogenesis for treating peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Subjects And Methods: The subjects were 10 patients who had symptomatic PAD and limited ischemia in a below-the-knee artery. Low-energy shock waves were directly applied to the calf muscles 6 times every other day.

Therapeutic vascular angiogenesis for intractable macroangiopathy-related digital ulcer in patients with systemic sclerosis: a pilot study.

Objective: SSc causes intractable ischaemic ulcers. To avoid major amputation, we examined the safety and efficacy of therapeutic vascular angiogenesis for digital ulcers due to SSc.

Methods: A single-centre, open-label pilot study was conducted in patients with an ischaemic digital ulcer [n = 40, mean age 65 years (s.