Origins and conservation of topological polarization defects in resonant photonic-crystal diffraction.

We present a continuative definition of topological charge to depict the polarization defects on any resonant diffraction orders in photonic crystal slab regardless they are radiative or evanescent. By using such a generalized definition, we investigate the origins and conservation of polarization defects across the whole Brillouin zone. We found that the mode crossings due to Brillouin zone folding contribute to the emergence of polarization defects in the entire Brillouin zone.

Adrenaline Dilution in Dental Local Anesthetic Cartridges: A Practical Method Using the Inner Needle of Intravenous Catheter.

Local anesthesia is a routine medical procedure for dentists. To achieve the desired anesthetic effect of lidocaine and favorable hemostatic effects by adrenaline, the combination of 2% lidocaine + 1:80,000 adrenaline is commonly used, including in dental patients with underlying diseases for whom adrenaline in local anesthetics is problematic due to its vasoconstrictive effects, as the adrenaline concentration in dental local anesthetic cartridges in Japan is commercially set at 1:80,000. To reduce the effect of adrenaline on the cardiovascular system, adrenaline is sometimes diluted in dental local anesthetic cartridges.

Mid-term Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of the Actis Total Hip System: A Retrospective Study.

Introduction Implant technology for total hip arthroplasty (THA) was developed to improve hip function and patient satisfaction. Actis (DePuy Synthes, Warsaw, IN, USA) is a short fit-and-fill titanium stem, with a medial-collared and triple-taper (MCTT) geometry, that is fully coated with hydroxyapatite (HA). We evaluated the radiographic and clinical outcomes of the Actis Total Hip System during a mean follow-up of five years.

[CLINICAL EVALUATION OF THERAPEUTIC EFFECT PREDICTORS IN PEMBROLIZUMAB FOR ADVANCED UROTHELIAL CANCER].

(Purpose) We performed a clinical retrospective study on the evaluation of pembrolizumab treatment results for advanced urothelial cancer in our hospital. (Materials and Methods) Twenty-seven patients diagnosed with advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who received pembrolizumab between April 2018 and December 2021 were included. We retrospectively reviewed medical records to examine treatment outcomes, immune-related adverse event (irAE), and prognostic factors.

Xenographic lenticule implantation followed by riboflavin and UV treatment: A promising alternative for corneal ectasias management.

The cornea is the primary refracting surface of the eye, requiring precise curvature to ensure optimal vision. Any distortion in its shape may result in significant visual impairment. Corneal ectasias, such as keratoconus (KC), is characterized by gradual thinning and protrusion of the thinned area, due to biomechanical weakening of the tissue, leading to astigmatism and vision loss.

Unawareness and untreated hypertension: a public health problem needs to be solved.

Current state of BP management and methods for improving BP status for hypertensive patients.

The real prevalence and clinical courses of non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: a retrospective single-institutional study.

Background: Non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (PCa) has become clinically important in PCa management, with treatments aiming to delay metastasis. However, limited data exist on its prevalence and patient characteristics in real-world settings.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated the clinical records of 1929 patients who were treated for localized PCa between 2005 and 2018.

The microcephaly-associated transcriptional regulator AUTS2 cooperates with Polycomb complex PRC2 to produce upper-layer neurons in mice.

AUTS2 syndrome is characterized by intellectual disability and microcephaly, and is often associated with autism spectrum disorder, but the underlying mechanisms, particularly concerning microcephaly, remain incompletely understood. Here, we analyze mice mutated for the transcriptional regulator AUTS2, which recapitulate microcephaly. Their brains exhibit reduced division of intermediate progenitor cells (IPCs), leading to fewer neurons and decreased thickness in the upper-layer cortex.

Case of Life-threating Asthma Exacerbation Successfully Treated with Benralizumab.

A 52-year-old Japanese man with a history of childhood asthma presented at our emergency department with progressive dyspnea. Despite subcutaneous adrenaline injections, salbutamol nebulization, and intravenous methylprednisolone, the carbon dioxide partial pressure (pCO) increased to 110 mmHg. The patient was intubated, and mechanical ventilation was initiated because of severe respiratory failure.

Effects of digital-based interventions on the outcomes of the eligibility criteria for sarcopenia in healthy older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: While the digital-based interventions targeting older adults to prevent age-related health problems such as sarcopenia have grown rapidly in recent years, there are no meta-analyses indicating synthesized pooled estimates.

Objective: To examine the effects of digital-based interventions on sarcopenia-related measures, including physical performance and muscle mass, in healthy community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: Systematic searches were performed on MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for eligible studies published up to 31 March 2023.

Release of apoptosis inhibitor of macrophage (AIM) from pentameric IgM in serum predicts prognosis after hemodialysis initiation.

Background: The optimal timing for initiating dialysis and prognostic markers in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are under debate, with mortality and cardiovascular risks varying among patients. This study investigates whether the apoptosis inhibitor of macrophage (AIM), which is mostly bound to pentameric IgM, could serve as an effective indicator.

Methods: We prospectively followed 423 patients at dialysis initiation and 563 at various CKD stages.

Association Between Dietary Habit Changes and COVID-19 Prophylaxis During the Pandemic Among Japanese Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients.

Background: Following COVID-19, dietary habits have been altered frequently along with other societal lifestyle modifications. However, changes in the dietary habits of maintenance hemodialysis patients (MHPs) before and during COVID-19 have not been investigated.

Methods: A total of 132 MHPs were assessed for changes in their dietary habits before and during the pandemic and their association with COVID-19 prevention.

Emotional analysis of operating room nurses in acute care hospitals in Japan: insights using ChatGPT.

Aim: This study aimed to explore the emotions of operating room nurses in Japan towards perioperative nursing using generative AI and human analysis, and to identify factors contributing to burnout and turnover.

Methods: A single-center cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2023 to February 2024, involving semi-structured interviews with 10 operating room nurses from a national hospital in Japan. Interview transcripts were analyzed using generative AI (ChatGPT-4o) and human researchers for thematic, emotional, and subjectivity analysis.

Effects of preoperative beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate, arginine, and glutamine supplementation on cardiac surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

Background & Aims: In older patients undergoing cardiac surgery, physical function is a critical determinant of postoperative outcomes. Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation has been shown to promote muscle protein anabolism and inhibit catabolism, thereby preventing muscle weakness. However, its efficacy in older patients undergoing cardiac surgery remains unknown.

The impact of community engagement on belief conflicts arising during interdisciplinary collaboration among daycare rehabilitation professionals.

[Purpose] This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between the quality of community coordination and belief conflicts that arise during interprofessional collaborations among rehabilitation professionals working in the long-term care insurance sector. [Participants and Methods] The participants were physical, occupational, and speech-language-hearing therapists from Gifu Prefecture, Japan. We examined the impact of medical care quality and welfare coordination on belief conflicts among daycare rehabilitation specialists.

Tetrabutylammonium Chlorite as an Efficient Oxidant for Controlled Oxidation of Sulfides to Sulfoxides.

Considering the demand for organosulfur materials and the challenges associated with currently used oxidation processes, in this study, we evaluated the counter-cation of sodium chlorite (Na+ClO2-) with tetrabutylammonium chloride (Bu4N+Cl-) to synthesise tetrabutylammonium chlorite (Bu4N+ClO2-). Bu4N+ClO2- exhibited good solubility in organic solvents like chloroform (1.6 g mL-1) and ethyl acetate (0.

Current Status of Sequential Treatment for Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis.

Background/aim: Although multiple treatments are available for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, data to determine the optimal treatment sequence are limited. This study aimed to investigate the current status of drug therapy for castration-resistant prostate cancer and clarify the sequential treatment in actual clinical practice.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective study included 425 patients diagnosed with castration-resistant prostate cancer at Showa University Hospital and affiliated hospitals between January 2014 and December 2021, who were treated with any of the following four drugs: novel androgen receptor signal inhibitors (abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide) and anticancer drugs (docetaxel and cabazitaxel).

Decompensated Cirrhosis with Hepatopulmonary Syndrome in a Patient with Interrupted Treatment for Hypopituitarism: A Case Report.

A 32-year-old man presented with cirrhosis. At 8 years of age, he underwent resection of a craniopharyngioma, which resulted in panhypopituitarism. He underwent self-interrupted hormone replacement therapy at 20 years of age.

Cytokine release syndrome treated with tocilizumab following ipilimumab-nivolumab combination therapy in advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Introduction: Cytokine release syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Its occurrence in renal cell carcinoma treated with combination therapy is less recognized and poses significant management challenges.

Case Presentation: A 50-year-old male with metastatic renal cell carcinoma developed severe cytokine release syndrome after receiving ipilimumab-nivolumab combination therapy.

Effectiveness of tacrolimus therapy in refractory ulcerative colitis compared to infliximab with propensity score matching.

There is insufficient evidence comparing the outcomes of tacrolimus-based remission induction therapy with infliximab in refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) and evidence regarding optimal strategies after tacrolimus-based remission induction therapy. We conducted a multi-institutional retrospective study of patients with UC treated with tacrolimus or infliximab between January 2010 and March 2019. The proportion of clinical remission at week 8 and cumulative colectomy-free rate were examined using propensity score matching analysis.

Multispanning membrane protein SIDT2 increases knockdown activity of gapmer antisense oligonucleotides.

Recent advances in the clinical development of oligonucleotide therapeutics, such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and small interfering RNAs, have attracted attention as promising therapeutic modalities for genetic and intractable diseases. These oligonucleotide therapeutics exert their efficacy by binding to target RNAs present within cells; however, the mechanisms underlying their cellular uptake, especially their passage through membranes, remain largely unclear. In the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, the multi-pass transmembrane protein, SID-1, is involved in the cellular uptake of double-stranded RNAs.