Risk of Skull Perforation with Halo Vest Skull Pins.

Introduction: A halo vest is an immobilization device widely used to stabilize the cervical spine. Pain and infection at the skull pin insertion site are common complications, but skull perforation is rare, and most published studies are case reports. This study aimed to identify risk factors for skull perforation by comparing patients who did and did not develop perforation.

Blocking uncertain mispriming errors of PCR.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) plays a central role in genetic engineering and is routinely used in various applications, from biological and medical research to the diagnosis of viral infections. PCR is an extremely sensitive method for detecting target DNA sequences, but it is substantially error prone. In particular, the mishybridization of primers to contaminating sequences can result in false positives for virus tests.

Disease-Modifying Effects of Lenvatinib, a Multiple Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, on Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis of the Knee.

Angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are involved in osteoarthritis (OA). We previously reported the inhibitory effect of bevacizumab in a rabbit model of OA. In the current study, we investigated the effects of lenvatinib, an angiogenesis inhibitor targeting the VEGF and fibroblast growth factor receptors, on synovitis, osteophyte formation, and cartilage degeneration in a rabbit OA model.

Recent advancements in cartilage tissue engineering innovation and translation.

Articular cartilage was expected to be one of the first successfully engineered tissues, but today, cartilage repair products are few and they exhibit considerable limitations. For example, of the cell-based products that are available globally, only one is marketed for non-knee indications, none are indicated for severe osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, and only one is approved for marketing in the USA. However, advances in cartilage tissue engineering might now finally lead to the development of new cartilage repair products.

Eu(III) transfer in single N,N,N',N'-tetraoctyldiglycolamide-impregnated polymer-coated silica particle using fluorescence microspectroscopy: transfer mechanism and effect of polymer crosslinking degree.

A microcapillary manipulation system combined with fluorescence microspectroscopy enabled us to analyze mass transfer in a single particle. In this study, we revealed the Eu(III) distribution in a single diglycolamide-derivative extractant (TODGA)-impregnated polymer-coated silica particle. The reaction of Eu(III) with two TODGA molecules in the polymer layer was the rate-limiting process, which was revealed by the relationship between the rate constants (k and k) and concentrations of Eu(III) and HNO.

EBV-positive mucocutaneous ulcer arising in methotrexate-treated rheumatoid arthritis patients: a clinicopathological study of 12 cases with analysis of PD-L1 expression.

Epstein-Barr virus-positive mucocutaneous ulcer (EBVMCU) is a newly recognized disease entity characterized by EBV-positive atypical B-cell proliferation. EBVMCU is a localized self-limited disease that affects mucosa and skin, especially the oral cavity. EBVMCU develops in immunosuppressive patients, such as those with methotrexate (MTX)-administrated rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Relationship between hippocampal subfields volume and balance function in healthy older adults.

Background: The volume of the hippocampus and its subfields is known to be affected by aging, disease, and physical training. In regard to training, the differential effects of aerobic exercise and dance training on the subfield volume suggest that balance function may be involved. However, the relationship between balance function and the volume of the hippocampus and its subfields remains unclear.

Polydactyly-derived allogeneic chondrocyte cell-sheet transplantation with high tibial osteotomy as regenerative therapy for knee osteoarthritis.

Allogeneic cell therapies are not fully effective in treating osteoarthritis of the knee (OAK). We recently reported that transplantation of autologous chondrocyte cell-sheets along with open-wedge high tibial osteotomy promoted hyaline cartilage repair in humans. Here we describe our regenerative therapy for OAK using polydactyly-derived allogeneic chondrocyte cell-sheets (PD sheets) and temperature-responsive culture inserts.

Diversity of cortical bone morphology in anuran amphibians.

The cortical bones of mammals, birds, and reptiles are composed of a complex of woven bone and lamellar bone (fibrolamellar bone) organized into a variety of different patterns; however, it remains unclear whether amphibians possess similar structures. Importantly, to understand the evolutionary process of limb bones in tetrapods, it is necessary to compare the bone structure of amphibians (aquatic to terrestrial) with that of amniotes (mostly terrestrial). Therefore, this study compared the cortical bones in the long bones of several frog species before and after metamorphosis.

The Oral Administration of Honey Recovers the Function of the Small Intestine for Digestion and Absorption of Nutrients in a Rat Model of Total Parenteral Nutrition.

The oral administration of pure monosaccharides is effective for improving intestinal function such as nutrient digestion and absorption. However, day-to-day diets tend not to include high purity monosaccharides for intestinal health. Honey possesses large amounts of monosaccharides including glucose and fructose in the same ratio.

Association between behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and residence status in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Examining the relationship between the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and residence status is crucial to improving BPSD and reducing the burden on caregivers. However, studies on how BPSD differ between individuals living at home and those in institutional settings are lacking. We conducted a questionnaire survey among healthcare providers (HCPs) involved in dementia care and nursing to clarify the characteristics of BPSD by residence status in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) living at home or in facilities.

Dietary triacylglycerol hydroperoxide is not absorbed, yet it induces the formation of other triacylglycerol hydroperoxides in the gastrointestinal tract.

The in vivo presence of triacylglycerol hydroperoxide (TGOOH), a primary oxidation product of triacylglycerol (TG), has been speculated to be involved in various diseases. Thus, considerable attention has been paid to whether dietary TGOOH is absorbed from the intestine. In this study, we performed the lymph duct-cannulation study in rats and analyzed the level of TGOOH in lymph following administration of a TG emulsion containing TGOOH.

Repeated Occurrence and Recurrence of Secondary Oral Solid Cancers after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Leukaemia: Long-Term Follow-Up.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a common method for patients such as hematologic malignancies. However, HSCT generally has a higher risk of secondary solid cancer development. The aim of this study was to emphasize the need for lifelong follow-up of oral secondary solid cancer.

Mental Health of Caregivers Working in Nursing Homes during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: There have been numerous reports of cluster outbreaks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in hospitals and nursing homes. Healthcare workers fighting COVID-19 experience mental health issues. Caregivers in nursing homes experienced increased psychological distress and concern about deterioration of their mental health.

Effects of a multicomponent day-care program on cerebral blood flow in patients with mild cognitive impairment.

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a prodromal phase of dementia and is considered an important period for intervention to prevent conversion to dementia. It has been well established that multicomponent day-care programs including exercise training, cognitive intervention and music therapy have beneficial effects on cognition, but the effects on cerebral blood flow (CBF) in MCI remain unknown. This study examined whether a multicomponent day-care program would have beneficial effects on the longitudinal changes of CBF in MCI patients.

High-resolution monitoring of seasonal hypoxia dynamics using a capacitive potentiometric sensor: Capacitance amplifies redox potential.

Hypoxia is a long-standing environmental problem in coastal areas worldwide, but technical and economic difficulties impede accurate and continuous spatiotemporal monitoring. This study aims to monitor seasonal hypoxia dynamics at high-resolution by developing a novel capacitive potentiometric sensor. The underlying hypothesis of this study was that (1) the capacitive carbon electrode charges redox energy and creates an overvoltage; (2) the overvoltage reflects the redox energy as an amplified signal.

Age-related morphological and functional changes in the small intestine of senescence-accelerated mouse.

The ability of the small intestine to perform various functions, such as digestion/absorption of nutrients, gradually declines with age. However, the mechanism that causes intestinal senescence remains unclear. Therefore, age-related changes in the jejunum and ileum were evaluated using senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM) strains that possess characteristic phenotypes of aging.

The Multicomponent Day-Care Program Prevents Volume Reduction in a Memory-Related Brain Area in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Introduction: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is considered an important period for interventions to prevent progression to dementia. Nonpharmacological interventions for MCI include exercise training, cognitive intervention, and music therapy. These play an important role in improving cognitive function, but their effects on brain plasticity in individuals with MCI are largely unknown.

Dynamic balance deficit and the neural network in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment.

Background: Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) exhibit balance deficits. Although only a few studies have evaluated the relationship between the brain images and balance indices. In this study, we measured balance indices, including the index of postural stability (IPS) and assessed the relationship between the brain images and their clinical motor and cognitive functional features.