Publications by authors named "Ozaki M"

Objective: To determine the effects of exercise on trunk performance and balance in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: We searched the databases MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and CINAHL from inception to June 2020. Our search targeted studies such as randomized or non-randomized controlled trials and randomized crossover trials that evaluated the effects of exercise on trunk performance and balance in patients with SCI.

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This retrospective study developed an automated algorithm for 3D segmentation of adipose tissue and paravertebral muscle on chest CT using artificial intelligence (AI) and assessed its feasibility. The study included patients from the Boston Lung Cancer Study (2000-2011). For adipose tissue quantification, 77 patients were included, while 245 were used for muscle quantification.

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Sepsis is characterized by a concomitant early pro-inflammatory response by immune cells to an infection, and an opposing anti-inflammatory response that results in protracted immunosuppression. The primary pathological event in sepsis is widespread programmed cell death, or cellular self-sacrifice, of innate and adaptive immune cells, leading to profound immunological suppression. This severe immune dysfunction hampers effective primary pathogen clearance, thereby increasing the risk of secondary opportunistic infections, latent viral reactivation, multiple organ dysfunction, and elevated mortality.

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Targeting nonapoptotic cell death offers a promising strategy for overcoming apoptosis resistance in cancer. In this study, we developed Tat-Ram13, a 25-mer peptide that fuses the NOTCH1 intracellular domain fragment RAM13 with a cell-penetrating HIV-1 TAT, for the treatment of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with aberrant NOTCH1 mutation. Tat-Ram13 significantly downregulated NOTCH1-target genes in T-ALL cell lines.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study is a retrospective cohort analysis focusing on rare intradural spinal tumors (ISTs) in patients under 20 years old, comparing their clinical data with adult cases and aiming to find predictors for surgical outcomes.
  • - Conducted at a single institution in Japan, the research involved 1367 patients who underwent surgery, with only 55 being under 20, predominantly affected by tumors like astrocytoma and myxopapillary ependymoma.
  • - Findings reveal important differences in tumor characteristics between minors and adults, with implications for early MRI usage to enhance diagnosis and treatment, ultimately aiding in preventing serious complications like paralysis.
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Imidazole dipeptides (IDPs) are found in the skeletal muscles and brains of various animals, and they exhibit unique functions like antioxidant and antiaging properties. Despite their importance, the metabolic mechanisms and physiological roles of IDPs remain unclear. Herein, we propose a method for the simultaneous analysis of IDPs, their constituent amino acids, and taurine, which are difficult to separate using conventional labeling reagents or columns, using liquid chromatography-single quadrupole mass spectrometry with PBr column and our highly sensitive labeling reagent, 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrophenyl-5-l-valine-,-dimethylethylenediamineamide (l-FDVDA).

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Ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals (NFLCs) are promising electronic materials owing to their giant permittivity, polarization, and nonlinear optical coefficients. Although it is difficult to polymer-stabilize the NFLC orientation state due to their low affinity to polymers, in this study, we have succeeded in stabilizing the orientation into a blue phase (BP) three-dimensional structure by using BP polymer networks. This BP polymer-templated NFLC retains their ferroelectric properties and stabilizes with macroscopically canceled polarization due to the BP structure.

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Background: Myocarditis is associated with an increased risk of conduction disturbances during the acute phase, which recovers in most cases but rarely recurs during the chronic phase.

Case Summary: A 50-year-old man who developed fulminant myocarditis after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination was discharged 24 days after admission. He was readmitted for heart failure associated with two P waves: one P wave (P1) had a normal amplitude and was dissociated from the QRS, and the other (P2) had a very low amplitude and was associated with the QRS.

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In this study, thermosensitive liposomes (TSLs) encapsulating urinary excretable radiolabeled compounds were developed. We considered that the release of the radiolabeled compounds from the TSLs in the blood by heating the blood in peripheral tissues can achieve rapid clearance of radioactivity, resulting in improved imaging contrast. To demonstrate the hypothesis, classical TSLs mainly composed of 1,2-dipalmitoyl--glycero-3-phosphocholine with a phase transition temperature of 41 °C were used.

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Article Synopsis
  • * The results showed no significant changes in spinal alignment post-surgery, but nearly all patients improved in their ability to walk independently, with notable enhancements in clinical scores reflecting their condition.
  • * It concluded that removing the tumor without spinal stabilization can achieve good clinical results without negatively affecting spinal alignment, indicating that spinal fixation may not be essential in such cases.
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  • A study looked at how having or not having nerve problems in the legs before surgery affects patients with certain tumors in their neck.
  • The researchers compared 92 patients and found no big differences in surgery results based on whether they had leg nerve problems before the operation.
  • Most patients could walk again after surgery, and improved nerve function was seen in many, but a few with very severe issues before surgery still had problems.
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Study Design: Retrospective comparative study.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether the severity of preoperative gait disturbance remains after surgical resection in patients with intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCTs), and to identify any factors influencing poor improvement in postoperative gait disturbance.

Methods: The study included a total of 128 patients with IMSCTs requiring surgical excision between 2006 and 2019.

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The nuptial flight of ants usually occurs during certain periods of the year. Alate females and males fly out of their nests to mate simultaneously. In the genus Camponotus, sex-specific chemicals are deposited in the male head; however, their roles in nuptial flight have not yet been clarified.

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  • The report discusses two cases of severe compartment syndrome in the distal forearm due to prolonged compression from immobility, occurring in a 59-year-old man with cervical spondylolisthesis and a 65-year-old man suspected of having Parkinson's disease.
  • Both cases exhibited a unique necrotic pattern, preserving certain compartments of the forearm despite significant tissue damage.
  • Even though the salvaged limbs did not regain full functionality, surgical intervention allowed the patients to use their limbs for basic activities and daily tasks.
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  • A retrospective multicenter study was conducted in Japan to assess the influence of preoperative neck pain on clinical outcomes after posterior decompression surgery for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).
  • The study involved 90 patients followed for at least two years, who were grouped based on the presence or absence of preoperative neck pain, but the two groups showed no significant demographic or outcome differences.
  • Both groups improved post-surgery according to the Japanese orthopedic association (JOA) scores, but lower JOA scores and larger cervical angles in the no preoperative pain group were linked to higher chances of developing postoperative neck pain.
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  • Researchers are developing automated models using machine learning to predict interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) in CT scans, as current methods rely heavily on manual assessments, which can be less efficient.
  • The study analyzed 1,382 CT scans from the Boston Lung Cancer Study, with radiologists serving as a reference point to identify ILAs; the scans were categorized into three groups: ILA present, indeterminate, and no ILA.
  • Various machine learning classifiers were tested for accuracy, revealing that certain models performed better in identifying ILAs, highlighting the potential for automated methods to improve clinical decision-making in lung health.
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Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-induced adverse events due to excessive immune stimulation are problematic in immunotherapy. The activation of viral infection triggered by ICI-induced dysregulated immunity has been proposed; however, this association remains inconsistent. This study investigated the association between ICI administration and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections, a pathogen linked to immune abnormalities and reactivation, using the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Reports indicate that SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, can be transmitted from humans to various mammals, with some animals showing severe symptoms and even dying in rare cases.
  • - In a Japanese zoo from late 2022 to 2023, an outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant occurred, affecting 24 lions where 13 showed respiratory issues and three older lions died.
  • - Analysis revealed that the deceased lions were infected with the omicron variant, while all lions tested had antibodies against it, highlighting the need for ongoing measures to protect unvaccinated animals from the virus.
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Because of the advent of genome-editing technology, gene knockout (KO) hamsters have become attractive research models for diverse diseases in humans. This study established a new KO model of diabetes by disrupting the insulin receptor substrate-2 (Irs2) gene in the golden (Syrian) hamster. Homozygous KO animals were born alive but with delayed postnatal growth until adulthood.

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Films of the discotic liquid crystalline hexabenzocoronene (HBC) derivative, , were prepared on the quartz substrate by the bar-coating method. Depending on the coating speed, regularly spaced stripes or continuous films were observed. In the former case, columns of the HBC derivatives align more along the stripes, which are perpendicular to the coating direction, whereas in the latter case, columns of the HBC derivatives in the film align more along the coating direction.

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Study Design: Retrospective comparative study.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between pelvic incidence (PI) and proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) in patients with Lenke type 5 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Summary Of Background Data: Although PJK is a common complication of sagittal malalignment after posterior correction and fusion surgery (PSF), few studies have assessed its risk factors.

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Amino acids with various functions are abundant in living organisms and foods. Recent advances in analytical technology show that trace amounts of D-amino acids exist in living organisms and foods. In addition, studies show that these amino acids are involved in various physiological functions that differ from those of L-amino acids.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study examines the effects of L5-S1 single-level PLIF surgery on spinal alignment and patient outcomes in individuals with dysplastic spondylolisthesis.* -
  • Results showed significant improvements in clinical scores (JOA and VAS) for back and leg pain, as well as reductions in slip percentage and lumbosacral angle post-surgery.* -
  • The findings suggest that correcting lumbosacral kyphosis correlates positively with postoperative pelvic tilt, enhancing overall spinal alignment.*
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