Relationship between nurses' perceptions of the benefits/challenges of nursing and degree of interprofessional and intraprofessional collaboration in all-inclusive services combining day services, overnight stays and home-visit nursing for the older people living at home.

Background: Many countries are experiencing rapid population aging, and the provision of support for older adults with diseases or disabilities to continue living in their communities is a major global challenge. Japan has established multifunctional long-term care in small group homes and home-visit nursing (MLSH) as a service category that integrates medical and care services. These services focus on nursing functions to support continuous, long-term home, and end-of-life care for older adults with high levels of medical care dependency.

A novel larynx-preserving pharyngectomy technique using a thyroid gland flap after chemoradiotherapy.

This case report describes larynx-preserving pharyngectomy after chemoradiotherapy using a thyroid gland flap. A thyroid gland flap has good blood supply and reconstruction can be done in the same surgical field. The thyroid gland flap has potential as a novel appropriate flap for use in head and neck surgery.

Visual changes after transnasal endoscopic versus transcaruncular medial orbital wall decompression for dysthyroid optic neuropathy.

Objective: To compare postoperative changes in visual acuity between the transnasal endoscopic approach and the transcaruncular approach when comparison of preoperative values used for medial orbital wall decompression in patients with dysthyroid optic neuropathy.

Methods: We included 14 patients (23 sides) and divided them into a transnasal group (11 sides, 8 patients) and a transcaruncular group (12 sides, 6 patients). Visual acuity was examined preoperatively, on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7, and at a final follow-up visit.

Diagnostic role of mean platelet volume in tonsillitis with and without peritonsillar abscess.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic role of mean platelet volume in tonsillitis with and without peritonsillar abscess.

Methods: Mean platelet volume and other laboratory data were retrospectively investigated.

Results: Mean platelet volume was significantly lower in the tonsillitis group (7.

Nursing care in multifunctional small group homes providing day, visiting and overnight services for older people living at home.

Home care programs for older people have been developed around the world. Nurses are key to these programs. The aim of this study is to explore details of the nursing activities used in group homes to provide a basis for describing effective nursing practices in such facilities.

Red blood cell distribution width predicts prognosis in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Conclusion: Red cell distribution width (RDW) can predict outcome in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). Further studies are required to clarify the potential pathophysiological explanations for these findings.

Objectives: RDW is one of the parameters reported in a complete blood count, and is elevated in direct proportion to variation in red cell size (anisocytosis).

Investigation of the ototoxicity of gadoteridol (ProHance) and gadodiamide (Omniscan) in mice.

Conclusion: In the mouse, when a tympanic perforation is present, gadoteridol does not seem to cause ototoxicity. Gadodiamide may cause mild ototoxicity other than toxicity to the outer hair cells of the cochlea.

Objectives: Endolymphatic hydrops have been visualized through intra-tympanic injection of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) and three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (3-D FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging.

Soybean β-Conglycinin Prevents Age-Related Hearing Impairment.

Obesity-related complications are associated with the development of age-related hearing impairment. β-Conglycinin (β-CG), one of the main storage proteins in soy, offers multiple health benefits, including anti-obesity and anti-atherosclerotic effects. Here, to elucidate the potential therapeutic application of β-CG, we investigated the effect of β-CG on age-related hearing impairment.

Usefulness of three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging to detect inner-ear abnormalities in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Objective: Three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging has been used to detect alterations in the composition of inner-ear fluid. This study investigated the association between hearing level and the signal intensity of pre- and post-contrast three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging in patients with sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss.

Method: Three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 18 patients with sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss: 12 patients with mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss (baseline hearing levels of 60 dB or less) and 6 patients with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss (baseline hearing levels of more than 60 dB).

Adiponectin deficiency exacerbates age-related hearing impairment.

Obesity-related disorders are closely associated with the development of age-related hearing impairment (ARHI). Adiponectin (APN) exerts protective effects against obesity-related conditions including endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Here, we investigated the impact of APN on ARHI.

Diluted gadoteridol (ProHance®) causes mild ototoxicity in cochlear outer hair cells.

Conclusion: Administration of diluted solutions of gadoteridol might cause considerably less toxic effects on cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs).

Objectives: Visualization of endolymphatic hydrops is done by intratympanic injection of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) and three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (3-D FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging. Here, we investigated the physiological and morphological responses of guinea pig cochlear cells to gadoteridol.

3D-FLAIR MRI findings in patients with low-tone sudden deafness.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that alterations in the composition of inner ear fluid play important roles in the development of low-tone sudden deafness (LTSD). High-intensity signals on three-dimensional fluid attenuated inversion recovery (3D-FLAIR) may reflect an increased concentration of protein in the inner ear due to the increased permeability of blood vessels. Disordered blood flow in the inner ear is associated with an increased permeability of the blood-labyrinth barrier.

Comparison of PAC and QTH light sources on polymerization of resin composites.

Purpose: To evaluate the polymerization shrinkage, Knoop hardness number (KHN) and compressive strength and to suggest a suitable time for irradiating resin composite restorations, when using a high-intensity light source.

Methods: Two restorative resin composites, UniFil F, and Clearfil AP-X were employed. A high-intensity light unit (more than 1000mW/cm2) with a xenon discharge lamp (Apollo 95E), which is generally called a plasma arc light-curing unit (PAC), was compared with a conventional light-curing unit fitted with a quartz-tungsten-halogen lamp (QTH) (GC Newlight VL2).

Shear bond strengths of three resin cements to dentine over 3 years in vitro.

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the bond durability of three resin cements bonded to bovine dentine over a period of 3 years.

Methods: Ten bovine dentine specimens were tested for shear bond strengths with each of the following materials: Panavia 21, BISTITE resin cement, and MASA Bond (experimental resin cement) at 1 day, 6 months, 1 and 3 years after cementation of a composite rod. All specimens were stressed in shear at a crosshead speed of 1mm min(-1) until failure.

Enhancement of topical delivery of a lipophilic drug from charged multilamellar liposomes.

To enhance the topical delivery of rhodamine B base (Rho), a model lipophilic compound, the electrostatic interaction between the positive and negative components incorporated in the liposomal bilayer was utilized. The higher in vitro permeability to Rho in rat skin was observed with positive and neutral multilamellar liposomal preparations, the former was prepared with phosphatidylcholine (PC) and stearylamine (SA) and the latter with PC alone, than that given as a solution. Negative liposome composed of PC and dicetyl phosphate (DCP) showed lower skin permeability to Rho.