Feasibility of a problem-solving exercise program based on short physical performance battery for older patients with chronic respiratory diseases: A multicenter, pilot clinical trial.

Background: This study aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of a problem-solving exercise program based on the items in the short physical performance battery (SPPB) for older patients with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) to inform future randomized controlled trials.

Methods: This was a multicenter, prospective, non-randomized feasibility study. Participants with CRD received an enhancement program based on the SPPB decline items (balance, walk, and/or chair stand) for 4 weeks.

Effect of Inspiratory Muscle Training on Cough Strength in Older People With Frailty: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To investigate the effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on cough strength in older people with frailty.

Design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Day health care centers at 2 sites.

Differences in Characteristics Between Physical Frailty Assessments in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

Purpose: Assessment for frailty is important as it enables timely intervention to prevent or delay poor prognosis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aims of this study, in a sample of outpatients with COPD, were to (i) assess the prevalence of physical frailty using the Japanese version of the Cardiovascular Health Study (J-CHS) criteria and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and the degree of agreement between the findings of the two assessments and (ii) identify factors associated with the disparity in the results obtained with these instruments.

Patients And Methods: This was a multicenter cross-sectional study of individuals with stable COPD enrolled in four institutions.

Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke from husband more strongly impacts on the airway obstruction of nonsmoking women.

Background: The impact of airway obstruction of nonsmoking women caused by their husband's smoking is unclear, despite the association between environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure at home and obstructive pulmonary diseases among nonsmoking women. The aim of this study was to provide evidence that ETS exposure from the husband at home has a more significant influence on the airway obstruction of nonsmoking women than other housemates.

Participants And Methods: Nonsmoking women aged 40 years or older were recruited from the health checkup during May 2015-December 2016, Japan.

Randomized prospective study showing the non-inferiority of tenofovir to entecavir in treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B patients.

Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and entecavir hydrate (ETV) in nucleos(t)ide analog (NA)-naïve Japanese chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

Methods: This multicenter, randomized, double-blinded study assessing the efficacy and safety of TDF 300 mg and ETV 0.5 mg in NA-naïve CHB subjects was carried out from November 2011 to November 2014, and funded by GlaxoSmithKline.

Efficacy and safety of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate rescue therapy for chronic hepatitis B patients who failed other nucleos(t)ide analogs.

Aim: Acquisition of nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) inhibitor resistance is critical in successful chronic hepatitis B treatment. As the pattern of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) resistance mutations differs from that of other antiviral drugs, we sought to clarify the salvaging potential of TDF in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection who are poor responders or resistant to other NAs.

Methods: A prospective, multicenter, single-arm, open-label study was carried out from December 2011 to October 2014.

Botulinum toxin type A in post-stroke upper limb spasticity.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of one-time injections of botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) in Japanese patients with post-stroke upper limb spasticity.

Research Design And Methods: In a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study, 109 patients with upper limb spasticity were randomised to receive a single treatment with lower-dose (120-150 U) or higher-dose (200-240 U) BoNTA or placebo into upper limb muscles.

Clinical Trial Registration: NCT00460564.

Botulinum toxin type A in post-stroke lower limb spasticity: a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Lower limb spasticity in post-stroke patients can impair ambulation and reduces activities of daily living (ADL) performance of patients. Botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) has been shown effective for upper limb spasticity. This study assesses the treatment of lower limb spasticity in a large placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Influence of ALDH2 genetic polymorphisms on aciclovir pharmacokinetics following oral administration of valaciclovir in Japanese end-stage renal disease patients.

This study was performed to investigate the pharmacokinetics of valaciclovir (VACV), aciclovir (ACV) and 9-(carboxymethoxy)methylguanine (CMMG) in Japanese chronic hemodialysis patients following a single oral administration of 1000 mg VACV and the influence of genetic polymorphisms of aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) on their pharmacokinetics. A total of eighteen individuals genotyped as ALDH2*1/*1, ALDH2*1/*2 or ALDH2*2/*2 were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were obtained pre-dose and up to 48 hour post-dose.