Sarcopenia affects conservative treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fracture.

Objectives: Sarcopenia and osteoporosis affects activities of daily living and quality of elderly people. However, little is known about its impact on elderly locomotor diseases, such as osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF). There is no report investigating the influence of both sarcopenia and osteoporosis on outcomes of OVF.

Differences in Soil Bacterial Community Compositions in Paddy Fields under Organic and Conventional Farming Conditions.

Soil bacterial community compositions and temporal changes in organic paddy fields were elucidated using a 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing analysis with a high-throughput next generation sequencer. At transplanting, bacterial community compositions in organic and conventional paddy fields were mostly similar despite differences in field management. The bacterial community composition in organic fields differed from that under conventional management during the rice growth period, possibly as a result of the decomposition process of organic fertilizers.

Medusavirus, a Novel Large DNA Virus Discovered from Hot Spring Water.

Recent discoveries of new large DNA viruses reveal high diversity in their morphologies, genetic repertoires, and replication strategies. Here, we report the novel features of medusavirus, a large DNA virus newly isolated from hot spring water in Japan. Medusavirus, with a diameter of 260 nm, shows a T=277 icosahedral capsid with unique spherical-headed spikes on its surface.

Clinical and pathological features of sarcopenia-related indices in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background: Sarcopenia is diagnosed with the skeletal muscle index (SMI) or the sarcopenia index (SI). We previously reported that the ratio of skeletal muscle mass to body fat mass (SF ratio) was a novel index of sarcopenia in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate sarcopenia with these indices in patients with NAFLD.

Proton Pump Inhibitor Ameliorates Taste Disturbance among Patients with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) were reported to suffer from hypogeusia that affects quality of life. Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) is a useful drug in the treatment of LPR, but its effect on hypogeusia is not known. We therefore assessed the effects of PPI or a histamine H2 receptor antagonist (H2 blocker) on hypogeusia among patients with LPR.

Improving the Quality of Synthetic FLAIR Images with Deep Learning Using a Conditional Generative Adversarial Network for Pixel-by-Pixel Image Translation.

Background And Purpose: Synthetic FLAIR images are of lower quality than conventional FLAIR images. Here, we aimed to improve the synthetic FLAIR image quality using deep learning with pixel-by-pixel translation through conditional generative adversarial network training.

Materials And Methods: Forty patients with MS were prospectively included and scanned (3T) to acquire synthetic MR imaging and conventional FLAIR images.

Effect of Osmolality on the Pharmacokinetic Interaction between Apple Juice and Atenolol in Rats.

A recent clinical study reported that the ingestion of apple juice (AJ) markedly reduced the plasma concentration of atenolol; however, our in vitro study showed that atenolol may not be a substrate of organic anion transporting polypeptide 2B1 (OATP2B1), so this AJ-atenolol interaction cannot be explained by inhibition of OATP2B1. On the other hand, we more recently showed that the solution osmolality influences gastrointestinal (GI) water volume, and this may indirectly affect intestinal drug absorption. In this study, we examined whether the osmolality dependence of water dynamics can account for AJ-atenolol interactions by evaluating the GI water volume and the atenolol aborption in the presence of AJ in rats.

Determination of multiple chelator complexes in aqueous matrices using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

The determination of aminopolycarboxylate chelators in environmental samples has remained an analytical challenge due to the structural similarities of these species and their minute concentrations in such matrices. Herein, we report a fast and sensitive technique for the determination of multiple chelator complexes in an aqueous matrix using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Eight chelators, including non-biodegradable (EDTA, EDTAOH, GEDTA, DPTAOH and DTPA) and biodegradable (EDDS, GLDA, and MGDA) variants were examined after complexation with Cu.

Production of prostaglandin F by molecular breeding of an oleaginous fungus Mortierella alpina.

Cyclooxygenases are responsible for the production of prostaglandin H (PGH) from arachidonic acid. PGH can be converted into some bioactive prostaglandins, including prostaglandin F (PGF), a potent chemical messenger used as a biological regulator in the fields of obstetrics and gynecology. The chemical messenger PGF has been industrially produced by chemical synthesis.

Remarkable Improvement in a Patient with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis after Treatment with Nintedanib.

Nintedanib has been shown to significantly reduce the annual rate of decline in the forced vital capacity (FVC) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in previous randomized trials. A 71-year-old man developed exertional dyspnea and was diagnosed with IPF. Four months after treatment with nintedanib, high-resolution computed tomography findings revealed reduced areas of ground-glass opacity and consolidation; 13 months after treatment, the FVC showed improvement from 3.

Presence of varices in patients after hepatitis C virus eradication predicts deterioration in the FIB-4 index.

Aims: The liver function of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who obtained sustained virologic response (SVR) has been known to improve after HCV eradication. However, a predictor of liver function after SVR has not been definitively identified. The aim of this retrospective study was to identify a predictor of deteriorated liver function and Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index after SVR was achieved by direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment.

Baseline muscle tendon unit stiffness does not affect static stretching of the ankle plantar flexor muscles.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of baseline muscle tendon unit stiffness on static stretching. [Participants and Methods] Eighteen healthy males were divided into two groups according to their muscle tendon unit stiffness as follows: High (n=9) and Low (n=9). Flexibility assessment was performed before and after 10 minutes of static stretching.

A case of laparoscopic surgery for endometrial cancer in a patient previously treated with a transvaginal mesh procedure for pelvic organ prolapse.

Transvaginal mesh (TVM) surgery is an effective treatment option for women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Because the TVM procedure preserves the uterus, it is possible for endometrial cancer to occur at a later date. We herein present the first report of such an endometrial cancer, diagnosed well after TVM surgery for POP, and the use of laparoscopic surgery to conduct a simple total hysterectomy to treat it.

TTF-1 Expression Predicts the Merit of Additional Antiangiogenic Treatment in Non-squamous Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background/aim: To investigate whether TTF-1 expression predicts a beneficial response of non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NS-NSCLC) patients to bevacizumab.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively screened 118 advanced NS-NSCLC patients who were treated with pemetrexed plus platinum derivatives alone (Bev(-)) or with bevacizumab (Bev(+)), and investigated the relationship between expression of TTF-1 and treatment outcomes.

Results: Among the 92 TTF-1-positive patients, clinical outcomes in the Bev(+) group were significantly better than those in the Bev(-) group (response rate, 51.

Prevention of hypoxemia during endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration: Usefulness of high-flow nasal cannula.

Background: Hypoxemia during endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is often encountered even in patients without respiratory impairment before the procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in preventing hypoxemia during EBUS-TBNA.

Methods: The present investigation was designed as a prospective pilot study.

A phase I/II study of GLIF combination chemotherapy for taxane/platinum-refractory/resistant endometrial cancer (GOGO-EM2).

Purpose: Development of new treatment strategies for endometrial cancer that has become refractory or resistant to taxane/platinum is a critical need. The present study was a phase I/II study of gemcitabine, levofolinate, irinotecan, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (GLIF) combination chemotherapy to determine optimal dosages, safety, and efficacy.

Methods: Taxane/platinum-resistant or -refractory endometrial disease was defined as tumor progression within 6 months after a taxane/platinum-based regimen.

Tetrabenazine, a vesicular monoamine transporter-2 inhibitor, attenuates morphine-induced hyperlocomotion in mice through alteration of dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine turnover in the cerebral cortex.

A single administration with morphine (30 mg/kg, i.p.) induced long-lasting hyperlocomotion in male ICR mice.

Impact of Insufficient Response with an Increase in Tumor Number in Predicting Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization Refractoriness for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Aim: In Japan, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) refractoriness for hepatocellular carcinoma has been defined as an insufficient therapeutic effect after ≥2 procedures. Insufficient TACE for intrahepatic lesions is defined as the presence of > 50% viable lesions (ineffective) or an increase in their number (progressive). This study aimed to examine the possibility of earlier evaluation of TACE refractoriness.

Differential clinical features of patients with clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis who have circulating anti-MDA5 autoantibodies with or without myositis-associated autoantibodies.

Background: Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) autoantibodies have been identified as myositis-specific autoantibodies that are often associated with clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) and a poor prognosis due to rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) in East Asian patients. Besides anti-MDA5 autoantibodies, patients with CADM may have myositis-associated autoantibodies (MAAs), which characterize other connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's syndrome. However, the clinical significance of the coexistence of anti-MDA5 autoantibodies and MAAs in patients with CADM remains unclear.

Increase in the skeletal muscle mass to body fat mass ratio predicts the decline in transaminase in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background: The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the effect of skeletal muscle and body fat on liver function in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) diagnosed by liver biopsy.

Methods: Among the 219 patients with NAFLD enrolled in this study was a cohort of 139 patients who had their body composition measured with Inbody720 at baseline and at ≥ 1 year postbaseline, to elucidate the relationship between liver function and changes in skeletal muscle and body fat mass. Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors influencing low skeletal muscle mass index (SMI, defined as 7 kg/m in men, and 5.

Effects of Active and Passive Warm-ups on Range of Motion, Strength, and Muscle Passive Properties in Ankle Plantarflexor Muscles.

Takeuchi, K, Takemura, M, Nakamura, M, Tsukuda, F, and Miyakawa, S. Effects of active and passive warm-ups on range of motion, strength, and muscle passive properties in ankle plantarflexor muscles. J Strength Cond Res 35(1): 141-146, 2021-The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of active and passive warm-ups on flexibility and strength of calf muscles.

A Rare Case of Isolated Chronic Cough Caused by Pulmonary Lymphangitic Carcinomatosis as a Primary Manifestation of Rectum Carcinoma.

A 36-year old man was referred to our hospital due to isolated chronic cough that was refractory to anti-asthma medications, including inhaled corticosteroids/long-acting β agonists. Chest X-ray showed diffuse nodular and enhanced vascular shadows with Kerley lines in both lungs. A blood analysis showed elevated serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA19-9 levels.