Feasibility of Nitroglycerin Patch as a Pretreatment for the Distal Radial Approach: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (DRANG Study).

Background: The distal radial approach (DRA) is a novel catheter cannulation technique to access the distal radial artery for coronary angiography (CAG). It is associated with less occurrence of puncture site occlusion than the conventional transradial approach. However, cannulation failure occasionally occurs due to difficulty in puncturing the smaller distal radial artery.

Non-destructive analysis of hollow-shaped single fibers using X-ray computed tomography.

A commercial high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (CT) was utilized for non-destructive analysis of single fibers. The micro-CT apparatus was employed because it is applicable to both colored and colorless fibers. A sample preparation using adhesive sheets was demonstrated, and the method is similar to typical tape-lift sample collection method in crime cases.

Prospective comparison of 5- and 7-day administration of azacitidine for myelodysplastic syndromes: a JALSG MDS212 trial.

The hypomethylating agent azacitidine (AZA) significantly extends overall survival (OS) in patients with higher risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), when compared with other conventional care regimens, including supportive care and low-dose and intensive chemotherapy. However, the effects of 5- and 7-day treatment schedules of AZA (AZA-5 and AZA-7, respectively) on the OS of MDS patients had not been compared prospectively. We started a phase 3 trial comparing the effects of AZA-7 and AZA-5 on MDS patients with refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB) and RAEB in transformation (RAEB-T).

Robot touch with speech boosts positive emotions.

A gentle touch is an essential part of human interaction that produces a positive care effect. Previously, robotics studies have shown that robots can reproduce a gentle touch that elicits similar, positive emotional responses in humans. However, whether the positive emotional effects of a robot's touch combined with speech can be enhanced using a multimodal approach remains unclear.

Clinical implications of severe sarcopenia in Japanese patients with acute heart failure.

Aim: Sarcopenia is a geriatric condition characterized by progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function. The definition and diagnosis of sarcopenia is inconsistent between different populations and is still evolving. Herein, we investigated the prevalence and clinical implications of severe sarcopenia using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 criteria in Japanese patients with acute heart failure (HF).

Elevated Lipoprotein(a) as a potential residual risk factor associated with lipid-rich coronary atheroma in patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease on statin treatment: Insights from the REASSURE-NIRS registry.

Background And Aims: The residual risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in patients with diabetes on statin therapy warrants identification of other pro-atherogenic drivers. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] promotes the formation of necrotic cores within vessel walls. Given that patients with diabetes have an Lp(a)-associated ASCVD risk, Lp(a) might lead to plaque vulnerability in patients with diabetes on statin therapy.

Safety and efficacy of 27-gauge transconjunctival vitrectomy for the diagnosis of posterior uveitis or pan uveitis of unknown origin.

Background: Diagnostic vitrectomy is an important method for evaluating uveitis, and its diagnostic utility is high regardless of whether the uveitis is infectious or non-infectious. The course of diagnostic vitreous surgery with 27-gauge pars plana vitrectomy and perioperative complications is reported.

Methods: An observational retrospective study of patients who underwent 27-gauge diagnostic vitrectomy due to atypical intraocular inflammation was conducted.

A wearable, flexible sensor for real-time, home monitoring of sleep apnea.

A flexible sensor that can be attached to the body to collect vital data wirelessly enables real-time human healthcare management. One potential application for home-use healthcare devices is monitoring of sleep conditions to diagnose sleep apnea syndrome. Such data are not readily gathered using conventional tools, owing to the bulk and cost of instrumentation.

Inverse association between sarcopenia and displacement in the early phase of fragility fractures of the pelvis.

Objectives: Fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP) commonly occur in the frail elderly. Displacement in the posterior pelvic ring is recognized as the key sign of instability. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between computer tomography (CT)-based frailty markers and displacement of the posterior pelvic ring within 7 days after injury.

Relationship among trunk control, activities of daily living, and upper extremity function during the first week after stroke in patients with acute cerebral infarction.

[Purpose] We aimed to identify the relationship among trunk control, activities of daily living, and upper extremity function during the first week after stroke in patients with acute cerebral infarction. [Participants and Methods] Ninety-five patients with first cerebral infarction were included. Trunk control was assessed using the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke.

FOXP3 and CXCR4-positive regulatory T cells in the tumor stroma as indicators of tumor immunity in the conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma microenvironment.

Conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common ocular surface neoplasia. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the role of regulatory T cell (Treg) activity in tumor immunity and investigate the tumor microenvironment as a new treatment focus in conjunctival SCC. Cancer progression gene array and immunohistochemical analyses of FOXP3 as a Treg marker, CD8 as a tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte marker, and CXCR4 expression on activated Tregs were conducted in a series of 31 conjunctival SCC cases.

Developing an algorithm across integrated healthcare systems to identify a history of cancer using electronic medical records.

Objective: Tumor registries in integrated healthcare systems (IHCS) have high precision for identifying incident cancer but often miss recently diagnosed cancers or those diagnosed outside of the IHCS. We developed an algorithm using the electronic medical record (EMR) to identify people with a history of cancer not captured in the tumor registry to identify adults, aged 40-65 years, with no history of cancer.

Materials And Methods: The algorithm was developed at Kaiser Permanente Colorado, and then applied to 7 other IHCS.

Effectiveness of four interventions in improving community health workers' performance in western Kenya: a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences study using a longitudinal data.

Background: Community health workers (CHWs) are up-front health workers delivering the most effective life-saving health services to communities. They are the key driver to achieve Universal Health Coverage. However, maintaining CHWs' performance is one of the challenges in sustaining their effectiveness.

Insights into Current Management Strategies for Dysthyroid Optic Neuropathy: A Review.

Dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) is a potentially sight-threatening eye disease associated with Graves' orbitopathy (GO). DON is not common in GO patients, reportedly occurring in only about 5% of patients. The pathogenesis of severe DON is considered to involve both muscular nerve strangulation and impaired blood flow.

Jugular Venous Pressure Response to Inspiration for Risk Assessment of Heart Failure.

Simplifying jugular venous pressure (JVP), visibility of the right internal jugular vein above the right clavicle in the sitting position, has been proposed in the management of heart failure (HF) because of its convenience. However, this method may be undervalued for the detection of mildly to moderately increased JVP. Increased JVP on inspiration, known as Kussmaul sign, may be a useful physical finding in this condition.

Lemon Myrtle () Extract and Its Active Compound, Casuarinin, Activate Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cells In Vitro and In Vivo.

Sarcopenia is an age-related skeletal muscle atrophy. Exercise is effective in improving sarcopenia via two mechanisms: activation of skeletal muscle satellite cells (SCs) and stimulation of muscle protein synthesis. In contrast, most nutritional approaches for improving sarcopenia focus mainly on muscle protein synthesis, and little is known about SC activation.

The Kaiser Permanente Research Bank Cancer Cohort: a collaborative resource to improve cancer care and survivorship.

Background: The Kaiser Permanente Research Bank (KPRB) is collecting biospecimens and surveys linked to electronic health records (EHR) from approximately 400,000 adult KP members. Within the KPRB, we developed a Cancer Cohort to address issues related to cancer survival, and to understand how genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors impact cancer treatment, treatment sequelae, and prognosis. We describe the Cancer Cohort design and implementation, describe cohort characteristics after 5 years of enrollment, and discuss future directions.

Feasibility of Real-Time Central Surgical Review for Patients with Advanced-Stage Hepatoblastoma in the JPLT3 Trial.

In the JPLT3 study, a real-time central surgical reviewing (CSR) system was employed aimed at facilitating early referral of candidates for liver transplantation (LTx) to centers with pediatric LTx services. The expected consequence was surgery, including LTx, conducted at the appropriate time in all cases. This study aimed to review the effect of CSR on institutional surgical decisions in cases enrolled in the JPLT3 study.

Racial Disparities in Adherence to Annual Lung Cancer Screening and Recommended Follow-Up Care: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Black patients receive recommended lung cancer screening (LCS) follow-up care less frequently than White patients, but it is unknown if this racial disparity persists across both decentralized and centralized LCS programs. To determine adherence to American College of Radiology Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System (Lung-RADS) recommendations among individuals undergoing LCS at either decentralized or centralized programs and to evaluate the association of race with LCS adherence. We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study of patients receiving LCS at five heterogeneous U.

Effect of Infarction-Related Artery Location on Clinical Outcome of Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction in the Contemporary Era of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention - Subanalysis From the Prospective Japan Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry (JAMIR).

Background: Previous studies have reported that acute myocardial infarction (AMI) related to left anterior descending (LAD) lesion is associated with worse outcomes than left circumflex artery (LCX) or right coronary artery (RCA) lesions. However, it is unknown whether those relationships are still present in the contemporary era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), using newer generation drug-eluting stents and potent antiplatelet agents.

Methods and results: This study is a sub-analysis of the Japan AMI Registry (JAMIR), a multicenter, prospective registry enrolling 3,411 AMI patients between December 2015 and May 2017.

Constrictive pericarditis after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: A case report.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are associated with cardiovascular complications. Here, we report a case of right-sided heart failure caused by constrictive pericarditis that developed after the administration of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. A 70-year-old woman presented with body weight gain, peripheral edema, and dyspnea on effort, which developed over a period of 1 week after the second dose of vaccine.