Objective Assessment of Physical Activity at Home Using a Novel Floor-Vibration Monitoring System: Validation and Comparison With Wearable Activity Trackers and Indirect Calorimetry Measurements.

Background: The self-monitoring of physical activity is an effective strategy for promoting active lifestyles. However, accurately assessing physical activity remains challenging in certain situations. This study evaluates a novel floor-vibration monitoring system to quantify housework-related physical activity.

Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with zinc deficiency: analysis of a nationwide Japanese medical claims database.

Zinc deficiency, affecting more than 2 billion people globally, poses a significant public health burden due to its numerous unfavorable effects, such as impaired immune function, taste and smell disorders, pneumonia, growth retardation, visual impairment, and skin disorders. Despite its critical role, extensive large-scale studies investigating the correlation between patient characteristics and zinc deficiency still need to be completed. We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional observational study using a nationwide Japanese claims database from January 2019 to December 2021.

A surface-grafted hydrogel demonstrating thermoresponsive adhesive strength change.

Here, we designed a surface-grafted hydrogel (SG gel) that exhibits thermoresponsive changes in surface properties. Quantitative measurements using a self-made device showed that the adhesive strength between the SG gel surface and a Bakelite plate due to hydrophobic interaction changed significantly with temperature.

The future(s) of unpaid work: How susceptible do experts from different backgrounds think the domestic sphere is to automation?

The future of work has become a prominent topic for research and policy debate. However, the debate has focused entirely on paid work, even though people in industrialized countries on average spend comparable amounts of time on unpaid work. The objectives of this study are therefore (1) to expand the future of work debate to unpaid domestic work and (2) to critique the main methodology used in previous studies.

Random forest algorithms to classify frailty and falling history in seniors using plantar pressure measurement insoles: a large-scale feasibility study.

Background: Frailty and falls are two adverse characteristics of aging that impair the quality of life of senior people and increase the burden on the healthcare system. Various methods exist to evaluate frailty, but none of them are considered the gold standard. Technological methods have also been proposed to assess the risk of falling in seniors.

Effect of gait protocols and postoperative shoes on off-loading of forefoot in preoperative patients for forefoot disorders.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of gait protocols and postoperative shoes on forefoot load in preoperative patients for forefoot disorders and compare footwear comfort between different types of postoperative shoes.

Methods: Fourteen subjects scheduled to undergo forefoot surgeries were recruited. The maximum force under the forefoot region was measured during 10 m straight walking in two gait patterns with six different shoe types.

A 'Giving way' captured during walking by gyroscopes and plantar force sensors.

'Giving way' is a rapid inversion of the rear part of the foot, which does not result in an acute lateral ankle sprain. It is a specific event for patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI). This report described a 'giving way' in an 18-year-old female with CAI, which was biomechanically captured during walking on the flat surface.

Autonomous Nanoscale Chemomechanical Oscillation on the Self-Oscillating Polymer Brush Surface by Precise Control of Graft Density.

As a novel functional surface, a self-oscillating polymer brush that undergoes autonomous, periodic swelling/deswelling during the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction has been developed. Although extensive research has revealed how the fundamental aspects of the BZ reaction can be regulated based on the surface design of the self-oscillating polymer brush, design strategies for the induction of mechanical oscillation remain unexplored. Herein, we investigated the graft density effects on the phase transition behavior, which is an important design parameter for the mechanical oscillation of the modified polymer.

A new simpler approach to measure the strength of toe plantar flexion requiring no mechanical restraint with a light-weight device.

Conventionally, the strength of toe plantar flexion (STPF) is measured in a seated position, in which not only the target toe joints but also the knee and particularly ankle joints, are usually restrained. We have developed an approach for the measurement of STPF which does not involve restraint and considers the interactions of adjacent joints of the lower extremities. This study aimed to evaluate this new approach and comparing with the seated approach.

Random forest algorithms for recognizing daily life activities using plantar pressure information: a smart-shoe study.

Background: Wearable activity trackers are regarded as a new opportunity to deliver health promotion interventions. Indeed, while the prediction of active behaviors is currently primarily relying on the processing of accelerometer sensor data, the emergence of smart clothes with multi-sensing capacities is offering new possibilities. Algorithms able to process data from a variety of smart devices and classify daily life activities could therefore be of particular importance to achieve a more accurate evaluation of physical behaviors.

Development of a Surgical Sponge Counting System Using Radiographic Images.

Retention of surgical sponges in patients is a relatively frequent medical malpractice. To prevent it, the surgical sites are scanned using X-ray. However, using radiography in the operation room induces X-ray exposure for both patients and staff.

Corrosion Generation and Cleaning Effect on Surgical Instruments with Attached Radiofrequency Identification Tags in Long-Term Usage.

Faulty cleaning of surgical instruments may lead to corrosion damage and a higher risk of surgical site infection. We have developed a method in which each instrument has an attached radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag for individual management. However, because of the structure of the instruments, a risk of corrosion from poor cleaning exists; therefore, observation during long-term usage is necessary.

Development of intraoperative plantar pressure measuring system considering weight bearing axis.

Purpose: Surgical reconstructions in three dimensions are needed for treatment of foot and ankle deformities. However, surgical results might be influenced by the skill and experience of doctors which complement the limited information for reconstructions in three dimensions. To solve these, studies were carried out to measure plantar pressure distribution during surgery.

Evaluation of Surgical Instruments With Radiofrequency Identification Tags in the Operating Room.

Background: Surgical instrument retention and instrument breakage compromise surgery quality and lead to medical malpractice. We developed an instrument tracking system that could alert surgeons to instrument retention during surgery and monitor instrument use to reduce the risk of breakage.

Methods: This prospective, experimental clinical trial included 15 patients undergoing inguinal hernia surgery or lumpectomy under general anesthesia at Saiseikai Kurihashi Hospital.

The contribution of Nintendo series in the field of health: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: was originally designed as a health and fitness interactive training experience for the general public. There are, however, many examples of being utilized in clinical settings. This article aims to identify the contribution of in the field of health promotion and rehabilitation by: (1) identifying the health-related domains for which the series has been tested, (2) clarifying the effect of in those identified health-related domains and (3) quantifying this effect.

Management of surgical instruments with radio frequency identification tags.

Purpose: To prevent malpractices, medical staff has adopted inventory time-outs and/or checklists. Accurate inventory and maintenance of surgical instruments decreases the risk of operating room miscounting and malfunction. In our previous study, an individual management of surgical instruments was accomplished using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags.

Gender differences in muscle blood volume reduction in the tibialis anterior muscle during passive plantarflexion.

Physical flexibility, such as joint range of motion and muscle extension, may influence muscle blood volume. Women have been shown to have a greater degree of flexibility than men. We examined whether there is a gender difference in the relationship between fascicle length and muscle blood volume or oxygenation in untrained men and women.

Measuring gait pattern in elderly individuals by using a plantar pressure measurement device.

Background: Hip fracture in the elderly is a serious problem, and solutions to prevent falls are needed.

Objective: This study focused on elucidating data critical to fall prevention by evaluating ambulatory function, and we achieved this by developing a plantar pressure measurement device to determine gait function.

Methods: Our device enables measurement of gait function in the unrestrained state by transmitting wireless data.

Validation of cleaning evaluation of surgical instruments with RFID tags attached based on cleaning appraisal judgment guidelines.

In medical institutions, the threat of infection is closely focused, in particular, inspections regarding surgical site infections (SSI) are carried out. In this study, development of the application of Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags for surgical instrument has been promoted. It enables traceability and individual management of surgical instruments.

Human mesenchymal stem cells differentiate to epithelial cells when cultured on thick collagen gel.

The stem cell niche is crucial to the control of stem cell fate determination in vitro as well as in vivo, and an understanding of these niches is required for the progression of stem cell and tissue engineering. The goal of our study was to commit human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to the epithelial lineage. To do this, we cultured bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on plates coated with type I collagen gel with or without 10 μM all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA).

Endoscopic stent placement above the intact sphincter of Oddi for biliary strictures after living donor liver transplantation.

Background And Study Aims: Biliary complications are one of the most serious morbidities after liver transplantation. Inside-stent is a plastic stent placed above the sphincter of Oddi without endoscopic sphincterotomy against biliary strictures. Our aims were to analyze the long-term efficacy of inside-stent placement in patients with biliary stricture after living donor liver transplantation.

Changes of radionuclides in the environment in Chiba, Japan, after the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident.

Damage to the Fukushima nuclear power plant caused by the 11 March 2011 earthquake and tsunami off the northeast coast of Japan resulted in the release into the environment of radioactive material. Airborne radioactive material was detected in metropolitan areas near Tokyo, and increases in radiation dose rate were observed at many locations. In this study, repeated measurements with the in situ Ge system were performed in Chiba City, which is about 220 km south of Fukushima.

Radiation measurements in the Chiba Metropolitan Area and radiological aspects of fallout from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plants accident.

Large amounts of radioactive substances were released into the environment from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plants in eastern Japan as a consequence of the great earthquake (M 9.0) and tsunami of 11 March 2011. Radioactive substances discharged into the atmosphere first reached the Chiba Metropolitan Area on 15 March.

Endoscope system with plasma flushing and coaxial round jet nozzle for off-pump cardiac surgery.

Background: To develop a new endoscope for performing simple surgical tasks inside the blood-filled cardiac atrium/chamber, that is, "off-pump" cardiac surgeries.

Methods: We developed the endoscope system with plasma flushing and coaxial round jet nozzle. The "plasma flushing" system was invented to observe the interior of the blood-filled heart by displacing blood cells in front of the endoscope tip.