The combined use of the Charlson Comorbidity Index and National Early Warning Score 2 helps predict the prognosis of candidemia.

Background: The National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) standardizes assessment and response to acute illnesses using vital signs. Whether NEWS2 is useful in predicting the prognosis of candidemia remains to be determined.

Methods: Our study, conducted as a rigorous and retrospective analysis, examined patients with candidemia who were hospitalized between January 2014 and December 2023.

Non-invasive evaluation of autonomic responses in patients with rotator cuff tear-related nocturnal pain.

[Purpose] We aimed to determine the autonomic response in patients with rotator cuff tear-related nocturnal pain using nonlinear analysis of heart rate variability. [Participants and Methods] Twenty-eight patients with nocturnal pain who were diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear and received steroid injections, and whose nocturnal pain improved, were divided into a control group (14 patients) and a failure group (14 patients). Pulse wave was measured continuously using BACS Advance equipment (TAOS Co.

Characteristics of ulnar neuropathy in baseball players: Focusing on the entrapment point of the ulnar nerve and valgus instability.

Background: The region where the ulnar nerve (UN) is swollen in baseball players with ulnar neuropathy is not apparent. This study investigated the UN's cross-sectional area (CSA) at each entrapment point in baseball players. We also aimed to clarify the relationship between valgus instability and the CSA of the UN.

Effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on the infrapatellar fat pad in knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial.

[Purpose] We investigated the effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) irradiation of the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) combined with therapeutic exercise for management of knee osteoarthritis (knee OA). [Participants and Methods] The study included 26 patients with knee OA, who were randomized into the LIPUS group (patients underwent LIPUS + therapeutic exercise) and the therapeutic exercise group (patients underwent sham LIPUS + therapeutic exercise). We measured changes in the patellar tendon-tibial angle (PTTA) and in IFP thickness, IFP gliding, and IFP echo intensity after 10 treatment sessions to determine the effects of the aforementioned interventions.

Evaluation of autonomic nervous system responses during isometric handgrip exercise using nonlinear analysis of heart rate variability.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine, using a plethysmogram of the fingertips, autonomic responses at motor intensities of 30% or 50% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) during isometric handgrip exercise (IHG). [Participants and Methods] The participants of this study were 15 healthy persons. The finger volume pulse wave of each participant was measured continuously, using a BACS Advance equipment (TAOS Co.

Effects of isometric contraction of the quadriceps on the hardness and blood flow in the infrapatellar fat pad.

[Purpose] This study aimed to clarify the influence of the isometric contraction of the quadriceps (ICQ) with low intensity on the circulation in the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP). [Participants and Methods] The participants were 7 males and 5 females, with an average age of 21.5 ± 1.

Characteristics of the descending genicular artery blood flow velocity in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Background: In patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), the descending genicular artery (DGA) showed abnormal angiogenesis. However, the non-invasive assessment method of DGA remains unclear. The aim of this study was to clarify the characteristics of blood flow velocity of the DGA in patients with KOA and to examine the factors involved in the changes.

Comparative Effects of Phosphoenolpyruvate, a Glycolytic Intermediate, as an Organ Preservation Agent with Glucose and N-Acetylcysteine against Organ Damage during Cold Storage of Mouse Liver and Kidney.

We evaluated the usefulness of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), a glycolytic intermediate with antioxidative and energy supplementation potentials, as an organ preservation agent. Using ex vivo mouse liver and kidney of a static cold storage model, we compared the effects of PEP against organ damage and oxidative stress during cold preservation with those of glucose or N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, histological changes, and oxidative stress parameters (measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substance and glutathione content) were determined.

Phosphoenolpyruvate, a glycolytic intermediate, as a cytoprotectant and antioxidant in ex-vivo cold-preserved mouse liver: a potential application for organ preservation.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), a glycolytic intermediate, on organ damage during cold preservation of liver.

Methods: An ex-vivo mouse liver cold-preservation model and an in-vitro liver injury model induced by hydrogen peroxide in HepG2 cells were leveraged.

Key Findings: PEP attenuated the elevation of aminotransferases and lactate dehydrogenase leakage during organ preservation, histological changes and changes in oxidative stress parameters (measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substance and glutathione content) induced by 72 h of cold preservation of the liver.