Examination of reliability and validity of the Self-Assessment Burden Scale-Motor for community-dwelling older adults in Japan: a validation study.

Background: The aging society in Japan is progressing rapidly compared with that in the United States and European countries. Aging limits activities of daily living (ADL) in older adults, declining their lives and functions at home. Therefore, improving their ADL to effectively support their functioning at home for as long as possible is vital.

Validation of the Tinnitus Acceptance Questionnaire: Japanese Version.

This study aimed to develop and validate a Japanese version of the Tinnitus Acceptance Questionnaire (TAQ), an instrument that measures the process of intentional acceptance of adverse experiences associated with tinnitus. A total of 125 patients with chronic tinnitus from multiple institutions participated in this study. Participants completed the Japanese versions of the TAQ, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Valuing Questionnaire, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Association of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Traits with Depression and Empathy Among Medical Students.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the associations of the traits of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with depression and empathy among medical students.

Patients And Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 202 fifth-year students at a Japanese medical school for 10 months during their clinical clerkship. The survey included sociodemographic questions and validated tools to measure depressive symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]), medical students' empathy for patients (Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Student version [JSE]), ADHD traits (ADHD Self-Report Scale Screener [ASRS Screener]), and ASD traits (Autism-Spectrum Quotient Japanese version-21 [AQ-J-21]).

Impact of Disturbed Rest-activity Rhythms on Activities of Daily Living in Moderate and Severe Dementia Patients.

Purpose: People with dementia exhibit disturbed rest-activity rhythms and extended sleep duration issues throughout their disease. Little is known about the effects of these issues on clinical problems for those with moderate and severe dementia. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the associations of disturbed rest-activity rhythms and extended sleep duration with activities of daily living (ADL).

Structural validity of the mealtime behaviour questionnaire for children with autism spectrum disorder in Japan.

[Purpose] Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit many problematic mealtime behaviours. Currently, there is no process for measuring the mealtime behaviours of children with ASD in Japan. Therefore, we developed the ASD-Mealtime Behaviour Questionnaire (ASD-MBQ) using the results of surveys measuring problematic mealtime behaviours in Japanese children with ASD aged 3-18 years.

Evaluation of psychometric properties of the activities of daily living scale of motor function used by caregivers using Rasch analysis.

[Purpose] We developed a prototype version of the Self-Assessment Burden Scale-Motor as a screening questionnaire for the need of care based on the evaluation of patients' activities of daily living. The questionnaire is comprised of seven items, each of which is scored on a 7-point Likert scale. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the questionnaire using Rasch analysis.

Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of Ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β at Thr144 in HeLa cells.

Ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ) acts as a regulatory kinase that phosphorylates and activates multiple downstream kinases including CaMKI, CaMKIV, 5'AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and protein kinase B (PKB), resulting in regulation of wide variety of Ca-dependent physiological responses under normal and pathological conditions. CaMKKβ is regulated by Ca/calmodulin-binding, autophosphorylation, and transphosphorylation by multiple protein kinases including cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). In this report, we found that phosphorylation of CaMKKβ is dynamically regulated by protein phosphatase/kinase system in HeLa cells.

Physical Activity in Severe Dementia Is Associated With Agitation Rather Than Cognitive Function.

Background: The authors examined associations between physical activity, cognitive function, activities of daily living, and behavioral and psychological dementia symptoms (BPSD) in severe and moderate dementia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess severe and moderate dementia groups according to the Clinical Dementia Rating. An actigraphy measured physical activity.

Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the ADL-focused Occupation-based Neurobehavioural Evaluation (A-ONE J): Applying Rasch analysis methods.

Background/objective: The ADL-focused Occupation-based Neurobehavioral Evaluation (A-ONE) can be used to evaluate both performances of activities of daily living (ADL) tasks and neurobehavioural problems that interfere with ADL task performance among clients with neurological disorders. Research studies have demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties of the original version of the A-ONE as well as the Rasch analysed version. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the A-ONE (A-ONE J).

Regulation of Ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β by cAMP signaling.

Background: Ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase (CaMKK) is a pivotal activator of CaMKI, CaMKIV and 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), controlling Ca-dependent intracellular signaling including various neuronal, metabolic and pathophysiological responses. Recently, we demonstrated that CaMKKβ is feedback phosphorylated at Thr144 by the downstream AMPK, resulting in the conversion of CaMKKβ into Ca/CaM-dependent enzyme. However, the regulatory phosphorylation of CaMKKβ at Thr144 in intact cells and in vivo remains unclear.

AMP-activated protein kinase-mediated feedback phosphorylation controls the Ca/calmodulin (CaM) dependence of Ca/CaM-dependent protein kinase kinase β.

The Ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ)/5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation cascade affects various Ca-dependent metabolic pathways and cancer growth. Unlike recombinant CaMKKβ that exhibits higher basal activity (autonomous activity), activation of the CaMKKβ/AMPK signaling pathway requires increased intracellular Ca concentrations. Moreover, the Ca/CaM dependence of CaMKKβ appears to arise from multiple phosphorylation events, including autophosphorylation and activities furnished by other protein kinases.

The effects of a life goal-setting technique in a preventive care program for frail community-dwelling older people: a cluster nonrandomized controlled trial.

Background: Frailty among older people is associated with an increased risk of needing care. There have been many reports on preventive care programs for frail older people, but few have shown positive effects on disability prevention. Physical exercise programs for frail older people affect elements such as physical fitness and balance, but are less effective for disability outcomes and are not followed up in the longer term.

Effects of dance on motor functions, cognitive functions, and mental symptoms of Parkinson's disease: a quasi-randomized pilot trial.

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of dance on motor functions, cognitive functions, and mental symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD).

Design: This study employed a quasi-randomised, between-group design.

Setting: Dance, PD exercise, and all assessments were performed in community halls in different regions of Japan.

Evidence of anti-parallel dimer formation of 4-cyano-4'-alkyl biphenyls in isotropic cyclohexane solution.

The formation of anti-parallel dimers of two liquid crystal forming 4-cyano-4'-alkyl biphenyls (nCB, n = 5 (pentyl) and n = 8 (octyl)) was confirmed in an isotropic cyclohexane solution (nCB-cH). In addition to high frequency dielectric relaxation (DR) measurements up to 50 GHz, fluorescence emission (FE) experiments in the wavelength range from 280 to 500 nm were carried out to investigate the molecular dynamics of the nCB molecules. The DR spectra of solutions at intermediate to high concentrations were comprised of two dynamic modes.

Vascular endothelial growth factor-bound stents: application of in situ capture technology of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in porcine coronary model.

Objectives: We evaluated the in vivo performance of a newly devised vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-bound stent in a porcine coronary model.

Background: An anti-CD34 antibody-bound stent, which captures endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to accelerate tissue formation, did not reduce intimal hyperplasia. By targeting the VEGF receptor, which is expressed on endothelial-lineage cells, we developed VEGF-bound stents that may enable selective capture of EPCs followed by rapid endothelialization.

Gene and protein expression analysis of mesenchymal stem cells derived from rat adipose tissue and bone marrow.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are multipotent and reside in bone marrow (BM), adipose tissue and many other tissues. However, the molecular foundations underlying the differences in proliferation, differentiation potential and paracrine effects between adipose tissue-derived MSC (ASC) and BM-derived MSC (BM-MSC) are not well-known. Therefore, we investigated differences in the gene and secretory protein expressions of the 2 types of MSC.

Impact of severe coronary disease associated or not associated with diabetes mellitus on outcome of interventional treatment using stents: results from HERZ (Heart Research Group of Kanazawa) analyses.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using a drug-eluting stent (DES) leads to less re-stenosis than PCI using a bare metal stent (BMS), however there is still controversy whether use of a DES for severe coronary disease leads to an acceptable outcome in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). In this study 8159 lesions were treated in 6739 patients (mean age 68.9 years) with coronary artery disease.

Coronary arteriovenous fistulas complicated by complete atrioventricular block: A case report.

We report the case of a patient with bilateral coronary arteriovenous fistulas (CAVFs) connecting the right coronary artery and left circumflex coronary artery with the right atrium who had progression of first-degree atrioventricular (AV) block to complete AV block during a 4-year period. The His bundle electrogram revealed that the complete AV block was the result of a block at the level of the AV node. Dipyridamole stress thallium-201 myocardial imaging showed decreased perfusion in the inferoapical wall.

Pseudoaneurysmal formation in abdominal aorta associated with Escherichia coli infection.

Early and accurate diagnosis of infective aortic aneurysms (IAA) is critical for adequate treatment to optimize patient outcome. We report the case of an 84-year-old man who complained of severe back pain with high fever and was finally diagnosed as Escherichia coli-related IAA. Computed tomography showed a periaortic soft tissue density and irregular fringe adjacent to the non-dilated abdominal aorta suggesting the presence of pseudoaneurysm.

Impact of out-stent plaque volume on in-stent intimal hyperplasia: results from serial volumetric analysis with high-gain intravascular ultrasound.

Background: Changes in out-stent plaque volume can be related to in-stent intimal hyperplasia. However, few data exist regarding the impact of out-stent plaque volume on in-stent intimal hyperplasia.

Methods: We prospectively performed volumetric intravascular ultrasound in 46 stable coronary patients (34 males, mean age of 66 years) immediately as well as 18 months after stenting.

An enhanced device for transluminal retrieval of vascular stents without surgical procedures: experimental studies.

Background: Although efforts have been focused on developing endovascular procedures by which intravascular devices such as stents could be effectively deployed, few data exist regarding devices for the nonsurgical retrieval of deployed stents. Therefore, we designed to enable retrieval of deployed stents without a surgical procedure.

Methods: The device consisted of four components: ultra-low profile forceps with 2.

[Electrocardiographic diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome].

Acute myocardial infarction(AMI) and unstable angina(UA) are part of a spectrum of clinical disease collectively identified as acute coronary syndrome (ACS) which is the most common proximate cause of sudden cardiac death. In a diagnosis of ACS, electrocardiogram(ECG) is still important. But, it is somewhat difficult to find out abnormal findings of ECG when it is taken in early phase of ACS.

Impact of long-acting calcium channel blockers on the prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease with and without chronic kidney disease: a comparison of three drugs.

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) can prevent cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This study looked retrospectively at the prognosis of CAD in hypertensive patients with CAD who had undergone a coronary angiograph, had been given a CCB (benidipine [n = 66], amlodipine [n = 45], or long-acting nifedipine [n = 31]) on hospital discharge and were then followed up for a mean +/- SD of 5.2 +/- 2.

Influence of anteroposterior mandibular positions on facial attractiveness in Japanese adults.

Introduction: Our aims in this study were to determine the anteroposterior facial relationship that is regarded as most attractive by Japanese laypersons in a questionnaire survey and to evaluate which analysis of the soft-tissue profile is most suitable for Japanese people.

Methods: We showed 262 Japanese laypersons (121 male, 141 female) 9 morphed profile images with Point B and menton anteriorly or distally moved by software and asked them to number them sequentially according to their attractiveness. To examine which analysis best reflects facial attractiveness as judged by laypersons, we made 5 types of analyses of the facial profile with 11 variables in the 9 images.