Association Between Shopping Assistance and Functional Decline in Older Residents with Support Levels Under the Long-Term Care Insurance System in Japan: A Retrospective, Cross-Sectional Study.

Maintaining functional independence and minimizing disability among older adults living in the community is paramount for mitigating rising care demands. Our study focused on shopping as a critical instrumental activity of daily living (ADL) to explore the association between shopping assistance and functional decline among older individuals receiving support through long-term care insurance (LTCI). This retrospective, cross-sectional study included 6202 participants aged >65 years living in a Japanese regional town receiving LTCI support, suggesting that they required assistance with local community life.

Plasma Metabolite Profiles Between In-Center Daytime Extended-Hours and Conventional Hemodialysis.

Background: Protein-energy wasting, characterized by disordered body protein catabolism resulting from metabolic and nutritional derangements, is associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Extended-hours hemodialysis (≥6 h per treatment session) offers both enhanced removal of uremic solutes and better fluid management, generally allowing more liberalized dietary protein and calorie intake. This study aimed to evaluate the difference in plasma metabolite profiles among patients receiving in-center daytime extended-hours hemodialysis and those receiving conventional hemodialysis.

Long-Term Course and Prognostic Factors in Pediatric Ulcerative Proctitis: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Background: Although ulcerative proctitis (UP) in children is considered relatively mild, some patients have proximal disease extension and require immunosuppressive treatment. We investigated clinical characteristics and course of refractory UP in a multicenter pediatric cohort.

Methods: Analyzing data obtained between 2013 and 2022 at 10 institutions specializing in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease, we elucidated natural history and factors predicting a need for immunosuppressive UP treatment.

Structural associations between self-perception of support and knowledge of disability characteristics of autism spectrum disorder among staff in facilities providing after-school day services.

Background: We constructed a hypothetical model of the knowledge of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and self-perception of support of staff working in after-school day services to clarify structural relationships.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted at 194 facilities providing after-school day services in Fukushima Prefecture (October 2020), including a basic attributes questionnaire, the Literacy Scale of Characteristics of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (LS-ASD), and a staff questionnaire. We developed a hypothetical model of the relationship between self-perception and LS-ASD total scores of after-school service staff.

Comparison of propofol-based sedation and midazolam sedation in pediatric bidirectional endoscopy conducted by pediatric gastroenterologists.

Objectives: The effectiveness and safety of propofol-based sedation and midazolam sedation in pediatric bidirectional endoscopy were compared.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the cases of pediatric patients (≤15 years old) who had undergone bidirectional endoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and colonoscopy by pediatric gastroenterologists. Demographic data, indications, sedatives/dosages, clinical outcomes, endoscopic findings, adverse events, and total patient time requirements (total time in which patients stay in our hospital) were compared in the two sedation groups.

Association of calciprotein particles with serum phosphorus among patients undergoing conventional and extended-hours haemodialysis.

Background And Hypothesis: Extended-hours haemodialysis (HD) is associated with better clinical outcomes than conventional HD. We investigated whether extended-hours HD and conventional HD have varying effects on blood levels of calciprotein particles (CPPs) and phosphorus, which have been identified as major pathogenic molecules for vascular calcification.

Methods: Patients who underwent conventional or extended in-centre daytime HD between January and March 2020 were included.

Participation as a Predictor of Quality of Life among Japanese Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders Analyzed Using a Machine Learning Algorithm.

Participation is important for children's quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to identify participation factors that influence QOL among Japanese children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Ninety-two Japanese parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders participated in this study.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B diagnosed after small intestinal volvulus with progressive megacolon in an adolescent.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B is a rare autosomal dominant disease characterized by the presence of medullary thyroid carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, Marfan-like fatigue, a peculiar face with thickening of the lips, mucosal neuromas on the lips and tongue, and gastrointestinal phenomena. Most patients harbor pathological variants of the RET gene. Herein, we present the first case of a 14 year-old boy who experienced small intestinal volvulus along with a megacolon, and he was diagnosed with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B.

Association between stopping renin-angiotensin system inhibitors immediately before hemodialysis initiation and subsequent cardiovascular events.

It is controversial whether renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASIs) should be stopped in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). Recently, it was reported that stopping RASIs in advanced CKD was associated with increased mortality and cardiovascular (CV) events; however, it remains unclear whether stopping RASIs before dialysis initiation affects clinical outcomes after dialysis, which this study aimed to evaluate. In this multicenter prospective cohort study in Japan, we included 717 patients (mean age, 67 years; 68% male) who had a nephrology care duration ≥90 days, initiated hemodialysis, and used RASIs 3 months before hemodialysis initiation.

Efficacy and Safety of Anti-angiogenic Agents for Cancer Patients With Proteinuria or a History of Proteinuria: A Systematic Review.

Background/aim: The safety and efficacy of anti-angiogenic agents in patients with cancer with proteinuria and a history of proteinuria are not well established. This systematic review aimed to answer these questions.

Materials And Methods: We searched three electronic databases for articles published until June 18, 2021.

Participation Strategies of Parents of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: An Exploratory Study.

Strategies are critical to promote child participation in important life activities. This study analyzed the participation strategies of the parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Ninety-two Japanese elementary children with neurodevelopmental disorders and their parents were recruited.

Relationship between peak aortic jet velocity and progression of aortic stenosis in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Background: The natural history of aortic stenosis (AS) progression, especially before severe AS development, is not well documented. We aimed to investigate the time course of peak aortic jet velocity (Vmax) and AS progression risk according to baseline Vmax, particularly whether there is a Vmax threshold.

Methods: In a retrospective multicenter cohort study of patients on hemodialysis with aortic valve calcification, we investigated the time series of Vmax and the relationship between the baseline Vmax and progression to severe AS by analyzing longitudinal echocardiographic data.

Rationale and design of the Japanese Biomarkers in Nephrotic Syndrome (J-MARINE) study.

Introduction: Disease subtyping and monitoring are essential for the management of nephrotic syndrome (NS). Although various biomarkers for NS have been reported, their clinical efficacy has not been comprehensively validated in adult Japanese patients.

Methods: The Japanese Biomarkers in Nephrotic Syndrome (J-MARINE) study is a nationwide, multicenter, and prospective cohort study in Japan, enrolling adult (≥18 years) patients with minimal change disease (MCD), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), membranous nephropathy (MN), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), C3 glomerulopathy (C3G), and lupus nephritis (LN).

Structural Relationships Between Behavioral Problems, Sensory Processing Traits, and Sleep Among Preschoolers.

Importance: An association between sensory processing difficulties and behavioral problems among children has been reported in previous studies. Sleep problems among children can lead to both externalizing and internalizing behavioral problems. However, the relationships between sensory processing and sleep among children are not well understood.

Postoperative hemorrhage after Le Fort I osteotomy hemostasis with angiographic embolization: report of two cases.

This study reported two cases of acute life-threatening hemorrhage after Le Fort I osteotomy. In both cases, computed tomography and angiography revealed damage to the descending palatine artery, which was successfully treated by angiographic embolization. Although massive hemorrhage after Le Fort I osteotomy is rare, acute hemorrhage from the postoperative area may occur.

Body weight reduction by exercise increases the urinary 3-methylhistidine excretion level with relatively positive nitrogen, sodium, and potassium balances when compared to dietary restriction.

Background: Regarding changes in muscle mass, differences due to types of exercise and/or nutritional interventions, and associations with nutrient balances are still unclear.

Methods: To estimate changes in muscle mass during a body weight loss program using either a diet or exercise regimen, we investigated levels of muscle mass-related indices, and body contents of nitrogen, sodium, and potassium as measured by the balance method. Six healthy young adult male volunteers participated in two 10-day crossover experiments (20 days total).

Cap-assisted colonoscopy can increase the rate of sessile serrated lesion detection at the left lateral decubitus position: A retrospective case-control study.

We investigated the effectiveness of cap-assisted colonoscopy conducted with the patient in the left lateral decubitus position at both the colonoscope's insertion and withdrawal timepoints compared to the effectiveness of colonoscopy without a cap conducted in the supine position at withdrawal. This was a case-control study, based on historical comparisons of patients over 2 time periods. The first group of patients underwent colonoscopies with a transparent cap and the patient was in the left lateral decubitus position at both the insertion and withdrawal timepoints from April to June 2019.

Efficacy of the latest new stimulation patterns of spinal cord stimulation for intractable neuropathic pain compared to conventional stimulation: study protocol for a clinical trial.

Background: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is one of the neuromodulation therapies for chronic neuropathic pain. The conventional paresthesia-based SCS involves the application of tonic stimulation that induces a sense of paresthesia. Recently, new SCS stimulation patterns without paresthesia have been developed.

Loss of synaptic ribbons is an early cause in ROS-induced acquired sensorineural hearing loss.

Considerable evidence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) involvement in cochlear hair cell (HC) loss, leading to acquired sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), were reported. Cochlear synaptopathy between HCs and spiral ganglion neurons has been gathering attention as a cochlear HC loss precursor not detectable by normal auditory evaluation. However, the molecular mechanisms linking ROS with HC loss, as well as the relationship between ROS and cochlear synaptopathy have not been elucidated.

Cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance (CO-OP) approach as telehealth for a child with developmental coordination disorder: a case report.

Aim: This study aimed to propose a possible interventional form of occupational therapy through a case study report of the applied Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach as telehealth for a child with developmental coordination disorder (DCD).

Methods: The intervention method was CO-OP-based tele-occupational therapy for a boy with DCD and his mother; 10 sessions were conducted using a video-conferencing system. This study used the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and the Performance Quality Rating Scale (PQRS) as assessment tools.

Differential target multiplexed spinal cord stimulation using a paddle-type lead placed at the appropriate site for neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury in patients with past spinal surgical histories: study protocol for an exploratory clinical trial.

Background: Neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury (SCI), both traumatic and non-traumatic, is refractory to various treatments. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is one of the neuromodulation therapies for neuropathic pain, although SCS has insufficient efficacy for neuropathic pain after SCI. The reasons are presumed to be inappropriate locations of SCS leads and conventional tonic stimulation itself does not have a sufficient analgesic effect for the pain.

Higher hemoglobin levels using darbepoetin alfa and kidney outcomes in advanced chronic kidney disease without diabetes: a prespecified secondary analysis of the PREDICT trial.

Background: In the primary analysis of the PREDICT trial, a higher hemoglobin target (11-13 g/dl) with darbepoetin alfa did not improve renal outcomes compared with a lower hemoglobin target (9-11 g/dl) in advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) without diabetes. Prespecified secondary analyses were performed to further study the effects of targeting higher hemoglobin levels on renal outcomes.

Methods: Patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 8-20 ml/min/1.

Association of kidney function with cancer incidence and its influence on cancer risk of smoking: The Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study.

The association between kidney function and cancer incidence is inconsistent among previous reports, and data on the Japanese population are lacking. It is unknown whether kidney function modifies the cancer risk of other factors. We aimed to evaluate the association of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with cancer incidence and mortality in 55 242 participants (median age, 57 years; 55% women) from the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study.

Number of calcified aortic valve leaflets: natural history and prognostic value in patients undergoing haemodialysis.

Aims: Aortic valve calcification in aortic sclerosis, a precursor of aortic stenosis (AS), is not always present in all three leaflets; how calcification develops in each leaflet is unknown. We aimed to investigate the natural history of calcification development in each aortic valve leaflet and the prognostic value of the number of calcified leaflets.

Methods And Results: In a retrospective multicentre cohort study of patients undergoing haemodialysis without AS, we observed calcification development in each aortic valve leaflet using echocardiography.