[Efficacy and Adverse Events of Low-Dose Intravesical BCG Therapy for Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer].

We examined the efficacy and adverse effects of low-dose intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Patients who underwent intravesical BCG therapy (n＝176 ; 198 courses) at our hospital between April 2012 and December 2022 were enrolled. After assigning patients to either the low-dose or regular-dose (40 or 80 mg of BCG Tokyo 172 strain) groups, treatment efficacy and incidence of adverse events were compared.

Lumbar Spondylolysis After Posterior Corrective Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Report of Two Cases and Literature Review.

After corrective surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), patients can return to sports activities without restrictions. While there have been many reports of long-term disc degeneration between adjacent segments after posterior corrective fusion, the effects of sports activities on adjacent segments after corrective fusion surgery are not well understood. Particularly, cases of acquired spondylolysis after long fusion surgeries for scoliosis are rare.

Association Between Kyphosis and Sleep Disturbance in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: The Locomotive Syndrome and Health Outcome in Aizu Cohort Study.

Purpose: Worsening sagittal alignment of the spine, particularly kyphosis, may cause difficulty in assuming a supine position, restricting sleeping posture and movement and potentially leading to sleep disturbances. However, no studies have explored the relationship between sagittal spinal alignment and sleep disturbance. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between sagittal spinal alignment and sleep disturbance.

Surgical Outcomes of Posterior Arch Resection of the Atlas Alone for Upper Cervical Myelopathy in Patients With Athetoid Cerebral Palsy: A Report of Two Cases.

This study reports two cases of upper cervical myelopathy with athetoid cerebral palsy (ACP) treated with posterior arch resection. Both patients exhibited good long-term outcomes with no recurrence at five or 10 years. Decompression surgery can be effective for ACP patients with upper cervical spine lesions.

Neutron imaging for automotive polymer electrolyte fuel cells during rapid cold starts.

The phase transition from supercooled water to ice is closely related to the electrochemical performance and lifetime of an energy device at sub-zero temperatures. In particular, fuel cells for passenger cars face this issue because they are frequently started and stopped under sub-zero conditions during the winter season. However, there is a lack of visual information regarding the processes that occur within the fuel cell stack, and insight into how to improve the safety and performance during cold starts is lacking.

Energy-resolved neutron imaging study of a Japanese sword signed by Bishu Osafune Norimitsu.

Our research focuses on elucidating the crystallographic structure of Japanese swords in a nondestructive manner using the neutron imaging instrument RADEN at the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility of the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). We developed an analysis method combining wavelength-resolved Bragg-edge imaging and wavelength-selective neutron tomography with a new strategy and applied it to an approximately 45-cm blade length Japanese sword signed by Bishu Osafune Norimitsu. Computed tomography was performed, and the three-dimensional analysis captured the characteristic internal structure of Kobuse.

Effect of locomotive syndrome on knee pain in severe knee osteoarthritis.

Background: Locomotive syndrome (LS) presents symptoms related to decreased mobility due to musculoskeletal disorders. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a significant public health concern linked to age-related musculoskeletal issues and is among the conditions contributing to LS. Age-related lower extremity muscle weakness exacerbates knee pain in KOA, but the impact of LS on knee pain is not clear, prompting the present investigation.

Redifining RADEN's high-resolution neutron imaging capabilities.

This study presents a significant development in the Energy-Resolved Neutron Imaging System RADEN, in the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex, Japan. Through a systematic study, the collimation power of the facility was reevaluated. What was initially considered to be values of 230, 420, and 760 have been proven to be much higher.

Association between Histological Composition and Clinical Symptoms in Lumbar Disc Herniation in Different Age Groups.

Study Design: Retrospective study of prospectively collected data.

Objective: To investigate the influence of cartilaginous endplates (CEs) in herniated discs on clinical symptoms and postoperative outcomes in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) in different age groups.

Summary Of Background Data: LDH involving CEs, which are hard and less resorptive, is frequently observed with increasing age and appears to affect the natural course and clinical outcomes following discectomy.

Influence of Knee Osteoarthritis Severity, Knee Pain, and Depression on Physical Function: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: Decreased physical function with increasing life expectancy is a public health concern worldwide. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is considered one of the primary illnesses causing decreased physical function. Depression affects decreased physical function and is closely related to knee pain in KOA.

Remote Orthotic Fabrication Method Using Small Three-Dimensional Printers and Computed Tomography Data: A Technical Report.

Introduction: Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) methods have gained prominence in early orthotic provision.　This study introduces an innovative approach using compact three-dimensional (3D) printers and computed tomography data to generate segmented body models for traditional Damen corset orthoses.　The goals included evaluating the comfort and fit of orthoses and assessing the effectiveness of our approach for prosthetic companies with limited financial resources.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on bone and soft tissue sarcoma patients' consultation and diagnosis.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic negatively affected the diagnosis and treatment of several cancer types. However, this pandemic's exact impact and extent on bone and soft tissue sarcomas need to be clarified. We aimed to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and emergency declaration by the local government on consultation behavior and clinical stage at diagnosis of bone and soft tissue sarcoma.

Radiographic Knee Osteoarthritis Is a Risk Factor for the Development of Dementia: Locomotive Syndrome and Health Outcomes in the Aizu Cohort Study.

Objective: Osteoarthritis is linked to dementia, but no longitudinal studies have established this connection. This prospective cohort study from the Locomotive Syndrome and Health Outcome in Aizu Cohort Study (LOHAS) aimed to determine if knee osteoarthritis (KOA) independently predicts dementia in adults aged 65 and above.

Methods: Participants were classified by the Kellgren-Laurence scale into no/minimal KOA (grades 0 and I) and definitive KOA (grade II or higher).

A Professional Basketball Player Who Suffered an Open Ankle Dislocation Without an Associated Fracture Achieves His Prior Performance Level Three Months Later.

An ankle dislocation without an accompanying fracture is extremely rare, and an open ankle dislocation is even rarer. Due to its rarity, there is no consensus on the optimal treatment strategy. A professional basketball player (a 28-year-old male) incurred an open ankle dislocation (with no accompanying fracture) during a basketball game due to plantar flexion and inversion of his ankle during the transition from dashing to stop motion.

Case report: Atypical lipomatous tumor of the thigh in a four-year-old girl.

Atypical lipomatous tumors (ALTs) are locally aggressive adipocytic malignancies that frequently occur in middle-aged adults. We report the rare case of an ALT of the thigh that occurred in a 4-year-old girl. Since the tumor was initially diagnosed as a lipoblastoma by incisional biopsy, marginal resection was performed.

Impact of ligand structure and base bead pore size on host cell protein removal during monoclonal antibody purification using multimodal chromatography resin.

Despite advancements in therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and cell line engineering, separating host cell proteins (HCPs) from mAbs during downstream purification remains challenging. Therefore, in this study, we developed a novel multimodal chromatography (MMC) resin to enhance HCP removal during mAb polishing processes. We evaluated the impact of both ligand structure and pore size of the MMC resin by purifying a post-protein A chromatography solution in flow-through mode.

Geriatric nutritional risk index as a predictor for surgical site infection in malignant musculoskeletal tumours of the trunk.

Background And Objective: Surgical site infection (SSI) is common in surgery for malignant musculoskeletal tumours, specifically those arising from the trunk. In this study, we investigated the risk factors for SSI after resection of musculoskeletal tumours of the trunk.

Methods: This retrospective observational study included 125 patients (72 males, 53 females) with musculoskeletal tumours of the trunk in our hospital from 1 April 2008 to 31 August 2023.

Congenital incomplete duplication of lower extremity (polymelia) accompanied with anorectal malformation and unilateral deafness.

Polymelia (supernumerary limbs) is an extremely rare congenital condition in humans. Because congenital anorectal malformation is a relatively common complication of polymelia and it may require emergency surgery as in the present case, accompanying malformations must be investigated.

Atypical Fracture of the Scapular Spine: A Case Report.

Atypical fractures are gaining attention as a severe potential side effect of long-term treatment with bone-modifying agents (e.g., bisphosphonate and denosumab) for osteoporosis.

Foot Tapping Test as a Simple Quantitative Index of Motor Function for Lumbosacral Radiculopathy.

Study Design: We conducted a retrospective review of data from patients who underwent surgical treatment for lumbosacral radiculopathy.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of the foot tapping test (FTT) in evaluating lower limb motor function in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy pre and postsurgery.

Background: Lumbosacral radiculopathy is becoming increasingly common in aging populations.

IL-6 receptor antibody treatment improves muscle weakness in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis mouse model.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by muscle weakness and fatigue. It is caused by pathological autoantibodies against components expressed at neuromuscular junctions, such as acetylcholine receptor (AChR). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of MG, and IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) antibody treatment may provide a novel therapeutic option.