Rectal Gas-Induced Dose Changes in Carbon Ion Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer: An In Silico Study.

Purpose: This study aims to determine dosimetric influence of rectal gas in carbon ion radiation therapy (CIRT) for prostate cancer and to establish a procedure for removal rectal gas in clinical scenarios.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed 18 prostate cancer cases with bulky rectal gas. The dose distribution was recalculated on computed tomography (CT) with bulky rectal gas (gasCT) after creating the initial plan on a CT without bulky rectal gas, and the doses were transformed using a displacement vector field.

Treatment Planning Comparison of Gantry-based and Fixed Beams for the Treatment of Liver Tumors With Carbon Ion Therapy.

Background/aim: This study aimed to compare the use of a rotating gantry in liver tumor carbon-ion radiotherapy using of a fixed-port for treatment planning.

Materials And Methods: Thirty patients with liver tumors were analyzed. Three treatment plans were developed for each case: one with a rotating gantry with a 360° angle, one with fixed ports of 0° and 90° with a ±20° couch rolling setting, and one with fixed ports of 45° and 90° with a ±20° couch rolling setting.

Differences in coagulation responses to vascular injury between uninterrupted dabigatran and apixaban: A clinical prospective randomized study.

Background: The coagulation response during vascular injury with uninterrupted administration of direct oral anticoagulants has not been elucidated.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate differences in coagulation responses after vascular injury between uninterrupted direct thrombin inhibitor and direct factor Xa inhibitor recipients.

Methods: Patients scheduled for catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation were randomly assigned to receive dabigatran or apixaban in this prospective, randomized, comparative, parallel-group study.

2α-Substituted Vitamin D Derivatives Effectively Enhance the Osteoblast Differentiation of Dedifferentiated Fat Cells.

The active form of vitamin D, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)D], is a principal regulator of calcium homeostasis through activation of the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Previous studies have shown that 2α-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1,25D (O1C3) and 2α-(3-hydroxypropoxy)-1,25D (O2C3), vitamin D derivatives resistant to inactivation enzymes, can activate VDR, induce leukemic cell differentiation, and increase blood calcium levels in rats more effectively than 1,25(OH)D. In this study, to further investigate the usefulness of 2α-substituted vitamin D derivatives, we examined the effects of O2C3, O1C3, and their derivatives on VDR activity in cells and mouse tissues and on osteoblast differentiation of dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells, a cell type with potential therapeutic application in regenerative medicine.

Diagnostic Performance of an Automated Blood Pressure Monitor With an Irregular Heartbeat Algorithm Designed to Detect Atrial Fibrillation.

Early detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains an unsolved challenge and because the greatest risk factor for AF is hypertension, blood pressure (BP) monitors with AF detectors have been developed. We evaluated the clinical performance of an irregular heartbeat (IHB) algorithm built into an A&D automated BP monitor for AF diagnosis. Each of the 239 enrolled patients underwent BP measurement 3 times using the A&D UM-212 with the IHB algorithm.

Evaluation of the availability of single-position treatment with a rotating gantry and the validity of deformable image registration dose assessment for pancreatic cancer carbon-ion radiotherapy.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical acceptability of rotational gantry-based single-position carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT) to reduce the gastrointestinal (GI) dose in pancreatic cancer. We also evaluated the usefulness of the deformable image registration (DIR)-based dosimetry method for CIRT.

Material And Methods: Fifteen patients with pancreatic cancer were analyzed.

A robust treatment planning approach for chest motion in postmastectomy chest wall intensity modulated radiation therapy.

Purpose: Chest wall postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) should consider the effects of chest wall respiratory motion. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of robustness planning intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for respiratory movement, considering respiratory motion as a setup error.

Material And Methods: This study analyzed 20 patients who underwent PMRT (10 left and 10 right chest walls).

Removal of α1-Microglobulin Using Post-Dilution Online Hemodiafiltration with Polymethylmethacrylate Membrane: An Open-Label, Single-Arm Study.

Introduction: The removal of low- and medium-molecular-weight proteins has been improved with online hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) and hemodialysis using high-flux membranes; however, the outcomes of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) undergoing dialysis treatment are still worse than in the general population. α1-Microglobulin (α1-m), with a molecular weight of 33,000 Da, may contribute to dialysis-related disorders and mortality. However, the removal is insufficient even with current OL-HDF using the polysulfone (PS) membrane, which is common in Japan.

Lifestyle Intervention With Smartphone App and isCGM for People at High Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Randomized Trial.

Aims: Although conventional interventions for people at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes are usually conducted face-to-face, such interventions are burdensome for health care providers. We developed a lifestyle intervention program combining lifestyle coaching via a smartphone application augmented by intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring without burdening health care providers. Its effectiveness for glycemic control and body weight reduction in people at risk of type 2 diabetes was investigated.

Syntheses of 25-Adamantyl-25-alkyl-2-methylidene-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D Derivatives with Structure-Function Studies of Antagonistic and Agonistic Active Vitamin D Analogs.

The active form of vitamin D, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)D], is a major regulator of calcium homeostasis through activation of the vitamin D receptor (VDR). We have previously synthesized vitamin D derivatives with large adamantane (AD) rings at position 24, 25, or 26 of the side chain to study VDR agonist and/or antagonist properties. One of them-ADTK1, with an AD ring and 23,24-triple bond-shows a high VDR affinity and cell-selective VDR activity.

Development of a prediction model for head and neck volume reduction by clinical factors, dose-volume histogram parameters and radiomics in head and neck cancer†.

In external radiotherapy of head and neck (HN) cancers, the reduction of irradiation accuracy due to HN volume reduction often causes a problem. Adaptive radiotherapy (ART) can effectively solve this problem; however, its application to all cases is impractical because of cost and time. Therefore, finding priority cases is essential.

Observational constraints reduce model spread but not uncertainty in global wetland methane emission estimates.

The recent rise in atmospheric methane (CH ) concentrations accelerates climate change and offsets mitigation efforts. Although wetlands are the largest natural CH source, estimates of global wetland CH emissions vary widely among approaches taken by bottom-up (BU) process-based biogeochemical models and top-down (TD) atmospheric inversion methods. Here, we integrate in situ measurements, multi-model ensembles, and a machine learning upscaling product into the International Land Model Benchmarking system to examine the relationship between wetland CH emission estimates and model performance.

Antibacterial effects of surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) filler eluate on polymicrobial biofilms.

Purpose: To analyze the effects of surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) filler eluate on polymicrobial biofilm metabolism and live bacterial count.

Methods: Biofilm was formed using glass disks 12 mm in diameter and 150 µm in thickness. Stimulated saliva was diluted 50-fold with buffered McBain 2005 and cultured in anaerobic conditions at 37°C for 24 hours in anaerobic conditions (10% CO₂, 10% H₂, 80% N₂) to form the biofilm on the glass disks.

Vitamin D Receptor Mediates Attenuating Effect of Lithocholic Acid on Dextran Sulfate Sodium Induced Colitis in Mice.

Bile acids are major components of bile; they emulsify dietary lipids for efficient digestion and absorption and act as signaling molecules that activate nuclear and membrane receptors. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a receptor for the active form of vitamin D and lithocholic acid (LCA), a secondary bile acid produced by the intestinal microflora. Unlike other bile acids that enter the enterohepatic circulation, LCA is poorly absorbed in the intestine.

Nationwide time-series surveys of pressure ulcer prevalence in Japan.

Objective: The Japanese Society of Pressure Ulcers (JSPU) has two purposes: first, to improve knowledge and skills among health professionals related to preventing and managing pressure ulcers (PUs); and second, to represent those in the field managing PUs, including with government and health authorities. Since 2006, JSPU has conducted fact-finding surveys about every four years to identify PU prevalence in Japan (2006, 2010, 2013 and 2016). Based on the prevalence identified by these surveys, an attempt was made to validate the achievements of JSPU's activities.

Use of Automated Infrared Pupillometry to Predict Delirium in the Intensive Care Unit: A Prospective Observational Study.

Introduction: Delirium is an acute state of brain dysfunction prevalent among critically ill patients. Disturbances in the sympathetic neurons, including cholinergic neurons, have been reported to cause delirium by upsetting the balance of neurotransmitter synthesis, release, and inactivation. The cholinergic system mediates pupillary constriction as a response to light stimulation, and this reflex can be measured using automated infrared pupillometry (AIP).

A deep learning-based radiomics approach to predict head and neck tumor regression for adaptive radiotherapy.

Early regression-the regression in tumor volume during the initial phase of radiotherapy (approximately 2 weeks after treatment initiation)-is a common occurrence during radiotherapy. This rapid radiation-induced tumor regression may alter target coordinates, necessitating adaptive radiotherapy (ART). We developed a deep learning-based radiomics (DLR) approach to predict early head and neck tumor regression and thereby facilitate ART.

Series module of quinone-based organic supercapacitor (> 6 V) with practical cell structure.

Inexpensive, high-performing, and environmentally friendly energy storage devices are required for smart grids that efficiently utilize renewable energy. Energy storage devices consisting of organic active materials are promising because organic materials, especially quinones, are ubiquitous and usually do not require harsh conditions for synthesis, releasing less CO during mass production. Although fundamental research-scale aqueous quinone-based organic supercapacitors have shown excellent energy storage performance, no practical research has been conducted.

What Are the Key Points of Treatment for Cases of Mild Cognitive Impairment? Based on the Evaluation of Cognitive Function Tasks in the ADASJcog.

Background/aims: The aims of this study were to identify the degree of atrophy of the hippocampus in image findings and which cognitive function items should be focused on when treating mild cognitive impairment.

Methods: A total of 66 cases with mild cognitive impairment were included in the study over a 1.5-year observation period.

Lithocholic Acid Amides as Potent Vitamin D Receptor Agonists.

1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D [1α,25(OH)D, ] is an active form of vitamin D and regulates various biological phenomena, including calcium and phosphate homeostasis, bone metabolism, and immune response via binding to and activation of vitamin D receptor (VDR). Lithocholic acid (LCA, ) was identified as a second endogenous agonist of VDR, though its potency is very low. However, the lithocholic acid derivative () is a more potent agonist than 1α,25(OH)D, (), and its carboxyl group has similar interactions to the 1,3-dihydroxyl groups of with amino acid residues in the VDR ligand-binding pocket.

Oral benzo[a]pyrene administration attenuates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice.

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is an environmental pollutant produced by combustion processes and is present in grilled foods as well as in tobacco smoke. BaP acts as an agonist for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), and is metabolized by AHR-inducing enzymes. BaP metabolism can result in either detoxification or metabolic activation, the latter leads to an increased risk of disease, particularly lung cancer and cardiovascular disease, in a context-dependent manner.