Clinically significant hemoptysis and all-cause mortality in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease.

Background: Hemoptysis is one of the major symptoms in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD). However, its prevalence, incidence, and impact on long-term prognosis remain uncertain. We evaluated the incidence of clinically significant hemoptysis, and determined its association with mortality in patients with NTM-PD.

Effect of COVID-19 vaccination on the risk of developing post-COVID conditions: The VENUS study.

Introduction: Post-COVID-19 conditions have emerged as a global health challenge. This study examined the long-term effects of COVID-19 vaccination on the incidence and risk of post-COVID-19 conditions in Japan.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted using a database comprising medical claims, COVID-19 case information, and vaccination records of persons residing in four Japanese municipalities.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of an Automatic Closed-Suction System in Mechanically Ventilated Patients with Pneumonia: A Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized, Non-Inferiority, Investigator-Initiated Trial.

Endotracheal suctioning is an essential but labor-intensive procedure, with the risk of serious complications. A brand new automatic closed-suction device was developed to alleviate the workload of healthcare providers and minimize those complications. We evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of the automatic suction system in mechanically ventilated patients with pneumonia.

Rates and Risk Factors of Progression in Patients With Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease: Secondary Analysis of a Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: The clinical course of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is varied, and a watchful waiting management strategy is appropriate for a subset of patients. Understanding disease progression and risk factors for progression is essential for deciding on an appropriate follow-up strategy.

Research Question: What is the rate of NTM-PD progression, and what are the predictors of progression?

Study Design And Methods: Patients with NTM-PD who were enrolled in a prospective observational cohort study between July 1, 2011, and December 31, 2022, were included in this analysis.

The reporting quality of acupuncture-related traumatic adverse events: a systematic review of case studies in Korea.

Background: Acupuncture is known for a harmless treatment when administered by well-trained clinicians. However, multiple case reports of traumatic adverse events (AEs) related to acupuncture treatments continue to be published in literature. In this review, we evaluated the reporting quality and conducted causality assessments of case studies that have reported acupuncture-related traumatic AEs in Korea.

Impact of Concurrent Visual and Hearing Impairment on Incident Alzheimer's Disease: The LIFE Study.

Background: The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is increasing in Japan due to population aging. The association between sensory impairment and incident AD remains unclear.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of sensory impairment on incident AD.

Associating Liver Enzymes and Their Interactions with Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence in a Japanese Working Population.

Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels often increase in metabolic diseases. This study was conducted to determine which liver enzymes are strongly associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS), how they interact to produce different probability estimates, and what cutoff levels should be used to guide clinical decision-making. The researchers examined the insurance-based medical checkup data of 293,610 employees ≥35 years years of age, who underwent medical checkups between April 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017.

Effect of Korean Medicine Treatment on Patients with Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Retrospective Chart Review.

Evidence regarding Korean medicine treatment (KMT) for neuropathic pain is lacking. We aimed to identify the effects of integrative KMT in patients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). We retrospectively analyzed the electronic medical records of patients with PHN who received KMT at Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital between August 2021 and July 2022.

Efficacy and safety of acupuncture treatment for fatigue after COVID-19 infection: study protocol for a pilot randomized sham-controlled trial.

Background: As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has spread globally, its sequelae, called Long COVID, have persisted, troubling patients worldwide. Although fatigue is known to be the most frequent among Long COVID symptoms, its mechanism and treatment have not been clearly demonstrated. In 2022, we conducted a preliminary prospective case series and found that acupuncture and moxibustion were feasible interventions for fatigue.

Acupuncture for Attenuating Frontal Lobe α Band Asymmetry Induced by Anger: a pilot study.

Objectives: Previous studies have shown that anger can lead to frontal lobe α (8-13 Hz) band asymmetry (FAA) in electroencephalogram (EEG), in accordance with motivational direction. This pilot study aimed to investigate the impact of acupuncture on FAA elicited by anger.

Methods: Thirty-four right-handed participants scoring above 75 points on the Novaco Anger Scale were included.

LIGHT (TNFSF14) promotes the differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells into functional hepatocyte-like cells.

Liver transplantation is the most effective treatment option for patients with acute or chronic liver failure. However, the applicability and effectiveness of this modality are often limited by a shortage of donors, surgical complications, high medical costs, and the need for continuing immunosuppressive therapy. An alternative approach is liver cell transplantation.

Validity and reliability of the single camera marker less motion capture system using RGB-D sensor to measure shoulder range-of-motion: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The range-of motion (ROM) is an essential component of joint mobility. Shoulder ROM measurement has been problematic due to its complexity. A marker less motion capture system can be a potential alternative for upper limb assessment.

Hypnotics and injuries among older adults with Parkinson's disease: a nested case-control design.

Background: Patients with Parkinson's disease often experience sleep disorders. Hypnotics increase the risk of adverse events, such as injuries due to falls. In this study, we evaluated the association between hypnotics and injuries among older adults with Parkinson's disease.

Acupuncture for cancer patients with nausea and vomiting: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Nausea and vomiting are among the most common adverse effects experienced by cancer patients undergoing treatment worldwide. Their treatment with pharmacologic therapy can often be complicated by medication interactions and other unwanted side effects. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis protocol is to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture therapy for treating nausea and vomiting in patients with cancer.

Impacts of Perceived Stress, Neglect, Victim and Respect for Human Rights on Depression of Adolescents.

The purpose of this study was to identify the impacts of perceived stress, neglect, online and offline violence, and respect for human rights on depression. To fulfill the purpose of the study, the data of 6277 middle and high school students (M = 15.64, SD = 1.

Oral herbal medicine for treatment of postherpetic neuralgia: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication of shingling. Herbal medicine for PHN is clinically used to improve chronic pain and other symptoms that reduce the quality of life (QoL), such as sleep disturbances and emotional problems. This study aims to describe methods for synthesizing evidence for the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicine for treating PHN.

Anterior-First Approach for Latissimus Dorsi Myocutaneous Flap Breast Reconstruction: A Refined Elevation Method with Detailed Video Instructions.

Background: The latissimus dorsi myocutaneous (LDMC) flap is a preferred flap in breast reconstruction for its wide surface area and volume. Since the flap is situated in the midback area, a lateral decubitus approach is a conventional method. However, proper visualization and access to the thoracodorsal vascular pedicle or muscle insertion is difficult from the lateral approach, causing inefficiency and surgeon fatigue.

Impact of Income Disparity on Utilization of Home-Based Care Services Among Older Adults in Japan: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

This study aimed to determine whether there are disparities in the utilization of home-based care services according to income level among people aged 75 years or older in Japan. The research team used administrative claims data from April 2014 to March 2018 for people aged 75 years or older in Fukuoka Prefecture. Subjects were categorized according to income level using medical insurance claim data.

Association between care rehabilitation and the risk of fracture hospitalization in people with Parkinson's disease.

Aim: This study examined whether there is an association between continuous care rehabilitation (CR) and the risk of fracture hospitalization among people with Parkinson's disease (PwP) aged >75 years with mild-to-moderate care needs level.

Methods: A retrospective study design based on the merging of medical claims and long-term care insurance claims data was used. Before propensity score matching, of the 2177 participants, 222 received continuous CR, whereas 1955 did not.

Effects of physician visit frequency for Parkinson's disease treatment on mortality, hospitalization, and costs: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The number of patients with Parkinson's disease among older adults is rapidly increasing. Such patients mostly take medication and require regular physician visits. However, the effect of physician visit frequency for the treatment for Parkinson's disease has not been evaluated.

Anxiety and Depression in Patients With Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study in South Korea.

Background: The mental health of patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) has been underestimated.

Research Question: What is the prevalence of, associated factors for, and clinical impact of anxiety and depression in patients with NTM-PD?

Study Design And Methods: Among patients diagnosed with NTM-PD between July 1, 2011, and December 31, 2019, who were part of Seoul National University Hospital's prospective cohort, this study included those who completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at least twice. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with anxiety and depression.

Effect of body mass index on vertebral and hip fractures in older people and differences according to sex: a retrospective Japanese cohort study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of vertebral and hip fractures in the older people and to clarify the relationship between these fractures and body mass index (BMI) along with the impact of sex differences.This was a retrospective cohort study.We used administrative claims data between April 2010 and March 2018.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the terebellid polychaete (Terebellida; Terebellidae).

Here, we report the complete mitogenome information of the terebellid polychaete, (Schmarda, 1861). Genome sequencing by Illumina HiSeq platform permitted assembly of a circular mitochondrial genome of 15,628 bp from consisting of 67% AT nucleotides, 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and a non-coding region in the typical annelid gene composition. Gene order of the mitochondrion is identical to those of the Terebelliformia mitogenomes.