Effectiveness of oral health care intervention for stroke patients following the introduction of Oral Health Assessment Tool.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of oral health assessment tools in facilitating oral health care interventions by dental care providers for acute stroke patients within 48 h of admission, following a reform of the nursing system.

Methods: Data were gathered from a retrospective cohort study conducted at a stroke center, comparing 10 months before and after the implementation of the reformed system, with a 2-month interval. Parameters assessed included stroke type, severity measured using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, stroke history, stroke-related factors, number of teeth, hospitalization cost and duration, occurrence of fever and pneumonia, stroke treatment, days from admission to dental intervention, and intervention frequency.

The efficacy and safety of alteplase treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke with unknown time of onset: -Real world data.

Introduction: Treatment with alteplase for acute ischemic stroke patients with an unknown time of onset is safe and effective. However, clinical trials have some selection bias. The purpose of this study was to clarify the efficacy and safety of alteplase treatment in patients with unknown time of onset in a real-world clinical setting.

[The Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living score and associated factors to distinguish the refractory phase in generalized myasthenia gravis patients with 5 years or more disease duration].

Associated factors of the Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) score were investigated in 55 patients who had had generalized MG for more than 5 years. In multivariate analysis, correlates of the MG-ADL score at the last follow-up were the total number of fast-acting treatments (FTs) (standardized regression coefficient 0.617，P < 0.

Features of Cerebral Infarction Due to Left Ventricular Thrombus.

Objective Left ventricular (LV) thrombus is a rare condition in acute cerebral infarction. The prevalence and features of cerebral infarction with LV thrombus are unclear. We explored the features of cerebral infarction due to LV thrombus.

Association between the Suita Score and Stroke Recurrence in Patients with First-ever Ischemic Stroke: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective The Suita score is used to predict the 10-year prognosis of developing coronary heart disease (CHD). This study examined the association between the Suita score and stroke recurrence within one year in Japanese patients who experienced first-ever ischemic stroke. Methods This prospective cohort study at a stroke center in Japan included patients who experienced first-ever acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or a transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Various effects of nutritional status on clinical outcomes after intracerebral hemorrhage.

Although the assessment of nutrition is essential for stroke patients, detailed associations between nutritional status at admission, subsequent complications, and clinical outcomes in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are unclear. We aimed to elucidate these associations using the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score. Consecutive patients with acute ICH were investigated.

Microbiome composition comparison in oral and atherosclerotic plaque from patients with and without periodontitis.

There is no conclusive evidence regarding a causal relationship between periodontitis and atherosclerosis. In this study, we examined the microbiome in the oral cavity and atheromatous plaques from atherosclerosis patients with or without periodontitis to investigate the role of oral bacteria in the formation of atheromatous plaques. We chose four patients with and without periodontitis, who had undergone carotid endarterectomy.

Initial deterioration and intravenous methylprednisolone therapy in patients with myasthenia gravis.

Introduction: In myasthenia gravis (MG) patients on intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) therapy, initial deterioration should be carefully monitored because it may cause myasthenic crisis. The aim of this study was to investigate the onset, duration and related factors of initial deterioration from the first IVMP in MG patients.

Methods: A total dose of IVMP in the first cycle of 750 mg or less, over 750 to 1500 mg, and over 1500 to 3000 mg was used in the analysis.

Efficacy of the Insertion-support Guiding Catheter in Approaching Intracranial or Craniocervical Lesions in Patients with the Difficulty of Extracranial Trans-arterial Access.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the efficacy of the insertion-support guiding catheter (ISGC) for approaching target lesions during endovascular therapy in patients with severe atherosclerotic or tortuous arteries.

Case Presentations: The ISGC is an 8 Fr, JB2 shape, stiff-type, short guiding catheter. We used ISGC for 52 patients between April 2007 and March 2018, microcatheters or therapeutic devices were delivered to target lesions via ISGC in 46 (88.

Multidisciplinary clinical approach by sharing oral examination information to treat a diabetes patient with dysgeusia.

Taste alteration is one of the complications of severe diabetes. It is important in diabetes treatment to assess taste alteration and perform dietary counseling, therapeutic exercise, and oral care. In this case, multidisciplinary clinical approach by medical staff was successful for a severely diabetic patient with dysgeusia.

Can the Amount of Interventions during the Convalescent Phase Predict the Achievement of Independence in Activities of Daily Living in Patients with Stroke? A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the amount of physical, occupational, and speech therapy intervention and optimal timing necessary for activities of daily living (ADL) independence in patients with stroke.

Method: Patients (N = 441) with stroke admitted to the convalescent rehabilitation ward were classified into an early intervention or a nonearly intervention group on the basis of the duration from the date of onset to date of hospital admission. Logistic regression model was used to identify factors influencing independence in ADL in both groups.

Therapeutic effects of intensive inpatient rehabilitation in advanced Parkinson's disease.

Background: The importance of rehabilitation therapy in Parkinson's disease is well recognized. However, the effects of an inpatient rehabilitation program for advanced Parkinson's disease have not been fully investigated.

Aim: To assess the effects of intensive inpatient rehabilitation.

Inpatient Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Intervention Outcomes for Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Objective: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are immune-mediated chronic inflammatory disorders of the central nervous system that are predominantly characterized by attacks of optic neuritis and/or transverse myelitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical rehabilitation course of patients with NMOSD.

Methods: We carried out a retrospective evaluation of 20 cases of NMOSD in which the patients underwent multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation intervention starting within 2 months after acute exacerbation.

Prevalence of Tracheotomy and Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Patients with Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

Some patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome require respiratory management by tracheotomy and/or nutritional management by tube feeding; however, few studies have reported the follow-up course in these patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the follow-up course of tracheotomy and gastrostomy in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome. The study subjects were 50 patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (25 males, 25 females; mean age, 51.

The Japan Statin Treatment Against Recurrent Stroke (J-STARS): A Multicenter, Randomized, Open-label, Parallel-group Study.

Background: Although statin therapy is beneficial for the prevention of initial stroke, the benefit for recurrent stroke and its subtypes remains to be determined in Asian, in whom stroke profiles are different from Caucasian. This study examined whether treatment with low-dose pravastatin prevents stroke recurrence in ischemic stroke patients.

Methods: This is a multicenter, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint, parallel-group study of patients who experienced non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke.

Safety evaluation of substituting clopidogrel for ticlopidine in Japanese patients with ischemic stroke--Hiroshima ticlopidine, clopidogrel safe exchange trial.

Background: Clopidogrel is sometimes substituted for ticlopidine when cerebrovascular or cardiovascular patients develop hematologic abnormalities after ticlopidine treatment. However, the adverse event rate after the substitution to clopidogrel remains undetermined. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to define the risk of adverse events after substituting clopidogrel for ticlopidine without a washout period.

Apathy/depression, but not subjective fatigue, is related with cognitive dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Cognitive impairment could affect quality of life for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and cognitive function may be correlated with several factors such as depression and fatigue. This study aimed to evaluate cognitive function in Japanese patients with MS and the association between cognitive function and apathy, fatigue, and depression.

Methods: The Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological tests (BRB-N) was performed in 184 Japanese patients with MS and 163 healthy controls matched for age, gender, and education.

Rationale, design, and baseline features of a randomized controlled trial to assess the effects of statin for the secondary prevention of stroke: the Japan Statin Treatment Against Recurrent Stroke (J-STARS).

Background: Although statin therapy is beneficial for preventing first strokes, the benefit for recurrent stroke and its sub-types remains unknown in Asian populations. The aim of this study is to examine the role of pravastatin in the secondary prevention of stroke in Japanese patients.

Methods: This is a multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel group study of patients with noncardioembolic ischemic stroke (atherothrombotic infarction, lacunar infarction, and infarction of undetermined etiology).

Ultrasonographic reference sizes of the median and ulnar nerves and the cervical nerve roots in healthy Japanese adults.

The objective of this study was to identify, for practical use, ultrasonographic reference values for nerve sizes at multiple sites, including entrapment and non-entrapment sites along the median and ulnar nerves and among the cervical nerve roots. We verified reliable sites and site-based differences between the reference values. In addition, we found associations between the reference nerve sizes and several physical characteristics (gender, dominant hand, age, height, weight, body mass index [BMI] and wrist circumference).

Structural equation modeling of factors contributing to quality of life in Japanese patients with multiple sclerosis.

Background: To improve quality of life (QOL) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), it is important to decrease disability and prevent relapse. The aim of this study was to examine the causal and mutual relationships contributing to QOL in Japanese patients with MS, develop path diagrams, and explore interventions with the potential to improve patient QOL.

Methods: Data of 163 Japanese MS patients were obtained using the Functional Assessment of MS (FAMS) and Nottingham Adjustment Scale-Japanese version (NAS-J) tests, as well as four additional factors that affect QOL (employment status, change of income, availability of disease information, and communication with medical staff).