Association of the nutritional risk index recorded prior to allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation with the clinical prognosis in children.

Introduction: The nutritional risk index (NRI), calculated using serum albumin levels and body weight ratio is a known prognostic factor in adult hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). However, its usefulness in pediatric HCT settings remains unclear.

Methods: In a retrospective study, we examined pre-transplant NRI impact on outcomes in 82 pediatric patients undergoing allogeneic HCT.

Effects of Smile Training on Gait Disturbance in Parkinson's Disease Patient with Neuropsychiatric Symptoms: A Single Case Design.

Objective: To verify the efficacy of smile training in improving gait disturbances in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) exhibiting neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Methods: A single-case BAB design with three intervention periods (B1, A1, and B2) was used. During periods B1 and B2, 10 min of smile training (facial muscles training and positive thinking training) was performed before the usual exercise therapy.

Effect of Monosodium Urate Crystal Deposition on Atherosclerotic Carotid Plaques.

The accumulation of uric acid in arteriosclerotic plaques has recently attracted attention. Because the interaction between hyperuricemia and atherosclerosis is complex, the details remain obscure. We aimed to elucidate the clinical effect of monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU) deposition on carotid plaques.

Gait Video-Based Prediction of Severity of Cerebellar Ataxia Using Deep Neural Networks.

Background: Pose estimation algorithms applied to two-dimensional videos evaluate gait disturbances; however, a few studies have used this method to evaluate ataxic gait.

Objective: The aim was to assess whether a pose estimation algorithm can predict the severity of cerebellar ataxia by applying it to gait videos.

Methods: We video-recorded 66 patients with degenerative cerebellar diseases performing the timed up-and-go test.

One-Pot, Telescoped Aryl Nitrile Synthesis from Benzylic Silyl Ethers.

A one-pot, telescoped transformation of silyl ethers into cyanides that proceeds via silyl-ether oxidation mediated by nitroxyl-radical catalyst and [bis(trifluoroacetoxy)iodo]benzene followed by an imine formation-oxidation sequence using iodine and aqueous ammonia is reported. This transformation is effective for the site-selective transformation of benzylic and allylic silyl ethers in the presence of other silyl ethers. Using an -protected oxime and a catalytic amount of triflic acid instead of iodine/aqueous ammonia is also effective for cyanation.

Strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition enhanced by secondary interactions.

Azide-alkyne cycloaddition of cyclooct-2-yn-1-ol and 2-(azidophenyl)boronic acid proceeded rapidly at room temperature with complete regioselectivity to afford a triazole having a boronate ester group. The secondary interaction to form a boronate ion contributed to cycloaddition rate acceleration and the control of regioselectivity. The interaction to form an imine or hemiaminal was also evaluated.

Allogenic Cultured Limbal Epithelial Transplantation and Cultivated Oral Mucosal Epithelial Transplantation in Limbal Stem Cells Deficiency: A Comparative Study.

Introduction: This study compared the clinical outcomes of allogenic cultured limbal epithelial transplantation (ACLET) and cultivated oral mucosal epithelial transplantation (COMET) in the management of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD).

Methods: Forty-one COMET procedures in 40 eyes and 69 ACLET procedures in 54 eyes were performed in the Corneoplastic Unit of Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead. Data were examined for demographics, indications, ocular surface stability, absence of epithelial defect, ocular surface inflammation, visual outcomes, and intra- and postoperative complications.

Statement on medication simplification in long-term care facilities by the Japanese Society of Geriatric Pharmacy: English translation of the Japanese article.

Many older adults who are certified for long-term care services live or stay in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), where they receive medical and nursing care. These individuals often encounter medication-related problems, such as polypharmacy and complex medication regimens, including frequent administration schedules. Although considerable attention has been paid to polypharmacy in the context of optimizing medication use in older adults, little emphasis has been placed on simplifying these regimens.

Sex differences among sleep disordered breathing, obesity, and metabolic comorbidities; the Nagahama study.

Background: Although sex differences in the prevalence of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is recognized, whether a sex difference exists among obese individuals with SDB with or without comorbidities has not been well investigated. This study aimed to explore the relationships of sex differences among SDB, obesity, and metabolic comorbidities.

Methods: This study evaluated 7713 community participants with nocturnal oximetry ≥2 nights.

Optimal direct oral anticoagulant for upper gastrointestinal endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Background: The patients taking direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are at high risk for developing ischemic stroke and delayed bleeding in upper gastrointestinal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). We aimed to identify the optimal DOAC based on both adverse events in upper gastrointestinal ESD.

Methods: A retrospective population-based cohort study was conducted using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database in Japan.

HLA class I and class II alleles and haplotypes of Algerian population from Algiers and neighbouring area.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the current genetic diversity and provide additional insights into the origins of the Algerian population by analyzing the frequencies of HLA -A,-B,-DRB1,-DQB1 alleles and associated haplotypes. We analyzed 1,082 unrelated healthy Algerian individuals, who were potential kidney donors, recruited and assessed in the Immunology Department of CHU Mustapha in Algiers over a 10-year period (2009-2019). HLA genotyping was performed by Polymerase Chain Reaction Sequence Specific Primers (PCR-SSP).

Clinical Practice and Safety of Endoscopic Balloon Dilation for Crohn's Disease-Related Strictures: A Nationwide Claim Database Analysis in Japan.

Although endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) is a common therapeutic approach for managing strictures associated with Crohn's disease (CD), the clinical application and complication rates of EBD remain unclear. We collected admission data for patients who underwent EBD using a nationwide database. We compared EBD outcomes between ileal and colonic strictures, CD and ulcerative colitis, and CD and anastomotic strictures arising from cancer-related surgery.

High prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli phylogroup B2 clinical isolates in northeastern Thailand.

Background: Production of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) is a common resistance mechanism in Enterobacteriaceae, leading to serious hospital-acquired infections. This study aimed to assess phenotypic, phylogenetic, and antibiotic resistance patterns among ESBL-producing Escherichia coli isolates recovered from two rural tertiary hospitals in Thailand.

Results: Among 467 Enterobacteriaceae isolates, E.

Housing Adaptations and Long-Term Care Facility Admissions among Older Adults with Care Needs in Japan.

Objectives: Housing adaptations may contribute to aging in place for older adults with care needs by reducing the risk of long-term care facility (LTCF) admissions, but this association remains unclear. We examined the association between housing adaptations and LTCF admissions among older adults with care needs.

Design: Retrospective cohort study using data from a Japanese municipality.

Evaluation of antibacterial and antiviral efficacy of volatile organic compounds.

This study searched for volatile organic compounds (VOCs）having antibacterial and antiviral efficacy. The antibacterial efficacy of volatilized components was evaluated and (2E,4E）-2,4-hexadienal, α- angelica lactone, 2-cyclohexen-1-one and 2-cyclopenten-1-one were found to inhibit the formation of colonies of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Evaluating the antimicrobial efficacy of the surfaces to which each VOC adhered to, these four compounds were revealed to have antibacterial efficacy (antibacterial activity value (A-value）against S.

The effect of aging on the repeated-dose liver micronucleus assay using N-nitrosodipropylamine, quinoline, and carbendazim.

The repeated dose liver micronucleus (RDLMN) assay has been sufficiently validated in terms of the numbers and types of chemicals studied. However, it remains unclear whether aging affects assay results. The OECD Test Guideline 407 (Repeated Dose 28-Day Oral Toxicity Study in Rodents) indicates that dosing should begin as soon as feasible after weaning and in any event before 9 weeks of age.

Clinical Outcomes of Iris-Supported Phakic Toric Intraocular Lenses in Corneal Ectasia.

Introduction: Our aim was to evaluate the visual and refractive outcomes of iris-fixated phakic toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) for visual rehabilitation in eyes with stable corneal ectasia.

Methods: We conducted a study looking at the clinical outcomes of iris-fixated toric IOLs (Artisan) in 33 eyes of 27 patients diagnosed with mild-to-moderate corneal ectasia at a single center (Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, UK). The main outcome measures were functional improvement [accuracy of post-operative spherical equivalent (SE), astigmatic correction, topographic parameters, uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity (UCVA, CDVA)] and safety of the procedure: endothelial cell count and intra- and post-operative complications.

Confirmation of Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate-induced micronuclei by repeated dose liver micronucleus assay: focus on evaluation of liver micronucleus assay in young rats.

Background: Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a plasticizer commonly used in a wide variety of products, including medical devices. It is rapidly metabolized in the liver into various metabolites upon absorption through oral ingestion, dermal absorption, and inhalation. DEHP is classified as a non-genotoxic hepatocarcinogen in rodents, as its chronic exposure has been associated with the development of liver cancer in these animals, but most genotoxicity studies have been negative.

Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications in older adults who use long-term care services: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Older adults requiring care often have multiple morbidities that lead to polypharmacy, including the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), leading to increased medical costs and adverse drug effects. We conducted a cross-sectional study to clarify the actual state of drug prescriptions and the background of polypharmacy and PIMs.

Methods: Using long-term care (LTC) and medical insurance claims data in the Ibaraki Prefecture from April 2018 to March 2019, we included individuals aged ≥ 65 who used LTC services.

Characteristics to consider for home pharmaceutical care for older adults who initiate visiting pharmacist services in Japan.

This study aimed to clarify patient characteristics regarding medication-taking behaviors, their understanding of medication instructions and specific medication management for older adults who initiated visiting pharmacist services. By analyzing long-term care certification data, participants using visiting pharmacist services required more medication-taking support and had a poorer understanding of daily schedules.