Comparison of muscle synergies in walking and pedaling: the influence of rotation direction and speed.

Background: Understanding the muscle synergies shared between pedaling and walking is crucial for elucidating the mechanisms of human motor control and establishing highly individualized rehabilitation strategies. This study investigated how pedaling direction and speed influence the recruitment of walking-like muscle synergies.

Methods: Twelve healthy male participants pedaled at three speeds (60 RPM, 30 RPM, and 80 RPM) in two rotational directions (forward and backward).

Dexmedetomidine Pretreatment of Neuronal Cells Has Protective Effect Against Cell Death During Oxygen-glucose Deprivation/Reoxygenation, Based on IGF-1 Production.

Objective: Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) protects neuronal-cell damage by ischemia. Although neuronal cells have been reported to produce IGF-1, the molecular mechanisms remains obscure. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) protects neuronal cells from ischemic damage.

High plasma concentration of tenofovir alafenamide in people living with HIV with ABCB1 genetic variants.

Objectives: We aimed to analyze the relationships between single nucleotide polymorphisms in the ATP-binding cassette transporter B1 (ABCB1) and G2 (ABCG2) genes and plasma concentrations of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), tenofovir (TFV), and emtricitabine (FTC).

Methods: We recruited 10 people living with HIV receiving once-daily treatment with a single tablet containing TAF (25 mg), FTC (200 mg), and bictegravir (50 mg). Peripheral blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 h after administration.

Progressive Severe Hemophagocytic Syndrome due to disseminated Histoplasmosis in a Patient with HIV-1 Infection.

Histoplasmosis is caused by Histoplasma capsulatum and is prevalent in areas of the world where H. capsulatum is endemic. We herein report a patient diagnosed with HIV-1 who developed histoplasmosis from a non-H.

Development of irreversible pancreatic ductal change triggered by pancreatic duct stenting in chronic pancreatitis.

Background And Aim: Stent-induced ductal change is a complication of endoscopic pancreatic stent placement for chronic pancreatitis, potentially leading to irreversible changes that may contribute to pancreatic dysfunction. This study aimed to examine the long-term outcomes of stent-induced ductal change and evaluate factors that correlate with the development of irreversible ductal changes.

Methods: Between January 2008 and December 2022, 52/223 patients with chronic pancreatitis in whom an S-type plastic stent was successfully placed from the main papilla for duct stricture were detected with stent-induced ductal change on pancreatography at stent removal.

The octapeptide-repeat surface protein of Entamoeba nuttalli is a novel virulence factor that promotes adherence to host cells.

Entamoeba nuttalli is genetically the closest to Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of human amebiasis, and its natural host is Macaca species. A unique E. nuttalli specific surface protein (PTORS) containing 42 repeats of octapeptide was identified by comparative genomic analysis of Entamoeba species.

Impact of HIV status on prognosis of malignancies among people living with HIV in Japan.

Background: Antiretroviral therapy has reduced the incidence and mortality of AIDS-defining malignancies (ADM); however, non-AIDS-defining malignancies (NADM) are a major cause of death among people living with HIV (PLWH) today. Though current guidelines suggest that PLWH should receive the same treatment as the general population, there are limited studies focused on how HIV status affects the prognosis of cancers. The present study aimed to investigate the characteristics and prognosis of malignant diseases among PLWH in Japan.

Medicinal herbs, especially Hibiscus sabdariffa, inhibit oral pathogenic bacteria.

Objectives: Medicinal herbs are plants with potential medicinal and health benefits. In recent years, they are being increasingly used as a treatment alternative owing to their effectiveness against various diseases. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of 15 medicinal herbs on causative bacteria for dental caries and periodontal disease.

Factor analysis for construct validity of a trunk impairment scale in Parkinson's disease: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To investigate the construct validity of the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), which was developed to assess trunk impairment in patients with stroke, in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Design: This retrospective, cross-sectional study enrolled consecutive PD inpatients. Correlation analysis was performed to clarify whether the TIS assessment was related to other balance functions, lower extremity muscle strength, or walking ability.

Amebiasis as a sexually transmitted infection: A re-emerging health problem in developed countries.

Amebiasis, which is caused by (), is the second leading cause of parasite-related death worldwide. It manifests from asymptomatic carriers to severe clinical conditions, like colitis and liver abscesses. Amebiasis is commonly seen in developing countries, where water and food are easily contaminated by feces because of the poor sanitation.

Sitafloxacin- Versus Moxifloxacin-Based Sequential Treatment for Mycoplasma Genitalium Infections: Protocol for a Multicenter, Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Mycoplasma genitalium is an emerging sexually transmitted pathogen associated with increasing antibiotic resistance. The current treatment guidelines recommend moxifloxacin-sequential therapy for macrolide-resistant Mgenitalium or strains with unknown resistance profiles. However, it is unclear whether sitafloxacin, a 4th-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic, is effective against resistant strains.

Non-electrostatic interactions associated with aggregate formation between polyallylamine and Escherichia coli.

Bacterial aggregation by mixing with polymers is applied as pretreatment to identify pathogens in patients with infectious diseases. However, the detailed interaction between polymers and bacteria has yet to be fully understood. Here, we investigate the interaction between polyallylamine and Escherichia coli by isothermal titration calorimetry.

Steady-state pharmacokinetics of plasma tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), tenofovir (TFV) and emtricitabine (FTC), and intracellular TFV-diphosphate and FTC-triphosphate in HIV-1 infected old Japanese patients treated with bictegravir/FTC/TAF.

Emtricitabine (FTC) plus tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) has demonstrated efficacy and safety for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV-1 infection. We measured the plasma PK of FTC, tenofovir (TFV), and TAF in a steady-state pharmacokinetic (PK) study of bictegravir/FTC/TAF in HIV-1-infected patients. Furthermore, validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to measure intracellular TFV-diphosphate (DP) and FTC-triphosphate (TP), the active metabolites of TFV and FTC, respectively.

Severe cytopenia during adjuvant chemotherapy for early breast cancer in a patient with idiopathic CD4+ lymphocytopenia.

Idiopathic CD4+ lymphocytopenia (ICL) is a rare immunodeficiency disorder characterized by decreased CD4+ T-cell counts in the absence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Similar to HIV infection, ICL is commonly associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-defining cancers, such as Kaposi sarcoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and cervical cancer; however, the presentation of breast cancer in a patient with ICL is rare. The current study presented the clinical course of a patient with early breast cancer and ICL.

Prevalence of Asymptomatic Mpox among Men Who Have Sex with Men, Japan, January-March 2023.

We prospectively assessed asymptomatic monkeypox virus infections among men who have sex with men in Tokyo, Japan, during the initial phase of the mpox epidemic. Our findings suggest that asymptomatic infections were likely underestimated and were comparable in magnitude to symptomatic infections, highlighting the need to improve testing accessibility among high-risk populations.

Effectiveness of sitafloxacin monotherapy for quinolone-resistant rectal and urogenital Mycoplasma genitalium infections: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Mycoplasma genitalium has a tendency to develop macrolide and quinolone resistance.

Objectives: We investigated the microbiological cure rate of a 7 day course of sitafloxacin for the treatment of rectal and urogenital infections in MSM.

Patients And Methods: This open-label, prospective cohort study was conducted at the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan from January 2019 to August 2022.

Persister Cell Formation and Elevated and Gene Expression upon Hydrogen Peroxide Exposure in a Periodontal Pathogen .

The effect of hydrogen peroxide, an antiseptic dental treatment, on , the main causative agent of localized invasive periodontitis, was investigated. Hydrogen peroxide treatment (0.06%, 4× minimum inhibitory concentration) resulted in the persistence and survival of approximately 0.

Combination of Amoxicillin 3000 mg and Probenecid Versus 1500 mg Amoxicillin Monotherapy for Treating Syphilis in Patients With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: An Open-Label, Randomized, Controlled, Non-Inferiority Trial.

Background: Amoxicillin plus probenecid is an alternative to intramuscular benzathine penicillin G for treating syphilis in the United Kingdom. Low-dose amoxicillin is an alternative treatment option used in Japan.

Methods: We conducted an open-label, randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial between 31 August 2018, and 3 February 2022, to compare 1500 mg low-dose amoxicillin monotherapy with the combination of 3000 mg amoxicillin and probenecid (non-inferiority margin 10%).

Effect of tenofovir-based HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis against HBV infection in men who have sex with men.

Background And Aims: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are vulnerable to contracting HBV as a sexually transmitted infection. We evaluated the incidence of HBV infection (HBI) and the prophylactic effect of tenofovir-based pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) on HBI in an MSM cohort.

Methods And Results: MSM who were older than 16 years were enrolled from January 2018 and followed up until June 2021 and tested for HIV, bacterial sexually transmitted infections, and HBsAg/ HBsAb and HBcAb every 3 months based on inclusion criteria, including HBsAg, HBcAb, HBsAb, and HIV negativity at enrollment.

Magnesium Hydroxide Nanoparticles Inhibit the Biofilm Formation of Cariogenic Microorganisms.

Although various caries-preventive agents have been developed, dental caries is still a leading global disease, mostly caused by biological factors such as mutans streptococci. Magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles have been reported to exhibit antibacterial effects; however, they are rarely used in oral care practical applications. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effect of magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles on biofilm formation by and -two typical caries-causing bacteria.

Pharmacokinetics of Bictegravir in Older Japanese People Living with HIV-1.

Bictegravir (BIC) is an integrase strand transfer inhibitor widely used in the treatment of HIV-1. Although its potency and safety have been demonstrated in older patients, pharmacokinetics (PK) data remain limited in this patient population. Ten male patients aged 50 years or older with suppressed HIV RNA on other antiretroviral regimens were switched to a single-tablet regimen of BIC, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide (BIC+FTC+TAF).

Electrocautery ablation therapy for anal intraepithelial carcinoma: A study protocol.

Background: Anal cancer is a human papillomavirus-related cancer. Screening with high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) and subsequent therapeutic intervention are increasingly recognized as the standard procedure for anal cancer. Generally, lesions suspected as being high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions are biopsied and treated if they are grade 2 or 3 anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN).