Investigation of Choroidal Circulation Hemodynamics Using Laser Speckle Flowgraphy After Periocular Skin Warming.

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to evaluate changes in choroidal circulation hemodynamics after periocular skin warming at 40°C using laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG).

Methods: Twenty-four right eyes of 24 healthy participants were included. Changes in choroidal circulation hemodynamics were determined using LSFG to evaluate the mean blur rate (MBR) of the macula, which represents choroidal blood flow velocity.

Neural interference effects on lateral vestibulospinal tract excitability by noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation.

Objective: Noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) using weak random noise waveforms enhances postural stability by modulating vestibular-related neural networks. This study aimed to investigate the neural interference mechanisms of noisy GVS on lateral vestibulospinal tract (LVST) excitability.

Methods: Twenty-six healthy volunteers were randomly divided into two groups: balance training combined with noisy GVS and sham GVS.

How the brain differentiates human and monkey faces: Neuromagnetic evidence from spatiotemporal dynamics.

Face recognition is an important aspect of human non-verbal communication. Event-related potentials or magnetic fields, such as the N170/M170 component, are considered essential neural markers of face processing. Compared to upright human faces, inverted human faces and upright but not inverted animal faces cause longer latencies and larger amplitudes of these components.

Findings of optical coherence tomography angiography of nasal optic disc hypoplasia.

Purpose: This study aimed to present a case of a woman diagnosed with congenital nasal optic disc hypoplasia (NOH) in the right eye.

Observations: A woman in her 20s presented with a small optic disc, irregular optic disc margins with a double-ring sign, and wedge-shaped defects temporally extending from Mariotte's blind spot in the right eye. The radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) density around the optic nerve disc was examined using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Differing effectiveness of transcranial random noise stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation for enhancing working memory in healthy individuals: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is a promising technique for enhancing working memory (WM) performance in healthy and psychiatric populations. However, limited information is available about the effectiveness of transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) applied to the left DLPFC on WM. This study investigated the effectiveness of tRNS on WM compared with that of tDCS, which has established functional evidence.

Sex estimation using skull silhouette images from postmortem computed tomography by deep learning.

Prompt personal identification is required during disasters that can result in many casualties. To rapidly estimate sex based on skull structure, this study applied deep learning using two-dimensional silhouette images, obtained from head postmortem computed tomography (PMCT), to enhance the outline shape of the skull. We investigated the process of sex estimation using silhouette images viewed from different angles and majority votes.

Quadriceps Strength Loss Following Total Knee Arthroplasty as a Predictor of Three-Month Strength Recovery: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background and objectives Patients often experience significant quadriceps muscle weakness immediately after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), which can persist and lead to reduced physical function, increased risk of falls, and reduced patient satisfaction. Immediate postoperative quadriceps weakness is commonly caused by several factors, such as preoperative quadriceps weakness related to knee osteoarthritis (OA) and TKA-induced quadriceps weakness. Although many interventions have focused on addressing knee OA-related quadriceps weakness, there may be fewer studies specifically investigating TKA-induced quadriceps weakness.

Relationship between Fear-Avoidance Beliefs and Muscle Co-Contraction in People with Knee Osteoarthritis.

Excessive muscle co-contraction is one of the factors related to the progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). A previous study demonstrated that pain, joint instability, lateral thrust, weight, and lower extremity alignment were listed as factors affecting excessive co-contraction in knee OA. However, this study aimed to assess the association between fear-avoidance beliefs and muscle co-contraction during gait and stair climbing in people with knee OA.

Gray-Scale Extraction of Bone Features from Chest Radiographs Based on Deep Learning Technique for Personal Identification and Classification in Forensic Medicine.

Post-mortem (PM) imaging has potential for identifying individuals by comparing ante-mortem (AM) and PM images. Radiographic images of bones contain significant information for personal identification. However, PM images are affected by soft tissue decomposition; therefore, it is desirable to extract only images of bones that change little over time.

Development of a structured interview for the modified version of the Beth Israel Hospital psychosomatic questionnaire for alexithymia.

Background: An observer-rated questionnaire for alexithymia based on the original 17-item Beth Israel Hospital Psychosomatic Questionnaire for Alexithymia (BIQ) was developed by Sifneos in 1973 and modified into a 12-item version of BIQ by Taylor et al. in 1997. However, it has rarely been used in a clinical or research context and studies have not given satisfactory inter-rater reliability for the 12-item version.

Safety and Effects of a Four-Week Preoperative Low-Load Resistance Training With Blood Flow Restriction on Pre- and Postoperative Quadriceps Strength in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background/Objectives Enhancing preoperative quadriceps strength and mitigating quadriceps strength loss due to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is crucial for post-TKA recovery. This study compared the safety and effect of a four-week preoperative regimen of low-load resistance training with blood flow restriction (LLRT-BFR) with those of low-intensity resistance training with slow movement and tonic force generation (LST) on the pre- and postoperative quadriceps strength in patients undergoing TKA. Methods In this randomized controlled trial, 22 patients were assigned to either the LLRT-BFR (n=11) or LST (n=11) group.

Effect of expiratory muscle training on respiratory muscle fatigue in healthy adults: a randomized controlled trial.

[Purpose] This study examined the effects of expiratory muscle training on fatigue in individual respiratory muscles. [Participants and Methods] Healthy adult males (n=31) were randomly assigned to two groups: expiratory muscle training (n=15) and normal controls (n=16). In the expiratory muscle training group, training was performed once for 15 min at 50% load of the maximum expiratory mouth pressure twice daily for 4 weeks.

Influences of muscle mass loss and exercise habits and personality traits on lower limb motor function among university students.

Secondary sarcopenia, a risk factor even for young people, has attracted attention because of the deterioration of physical activity and nutritional status due to lifestyle change among university students. However, studies on the factors affecting motor function and their involvement are lacking. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the influences of muscle mass loss and exercise and sleep habits on lower limb motor function, as well as the involvement of personality traits, in 101 university students.

Advances in Research on Brain Health and Dementia: Prevention and Early Detection of Cognitive Decline and Dementia.

Although "brain health" has many definitions, the core definition is the maintenance of optimal brain structure and function [...

Incidence and characteristics of aspiration pneumonia in the Nagasaki Prefecture from 2005 to 2019.

Background: Aspiration pneumoniae remains a major health concern, particularly in the older population and has poor prognosis; however, the concept itself remains vague worldwide. This study aimed to determine the actual situation and characteristics of aspiration pneumonia from 2005 to 2019 in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan.

Methods: Cases of aspiration pneumonia that occurred in the Nagasaki Prefecture between 2005 and 2019 were analyzed using emergency transportation records.

Changes in Retinal Hemodynamics in the Optic Nerve Head of Healthy Participants Measured Using Laser Speckle Flowgraphy after a Cold Pressor Test.

Purpose: Autoregulation of retinal vessels is stronger than that of choroidal vessels. This study aimed to use laser speckle flowgraphy to determine the time course of changes in retinal hemodynamics of healthy eyes after a cold pressor test.

Methods: This prospective study included 44 right eyes of 44 healthy volunteers (age, 21.

Association between corneal hysteresis and glaucoma in a Japanese population: the Hisayama Study.

Aims: To investigate the association between corneal hysteresis and the presence of glaucoma and its subtypes in a general Japanese population.

Methods: We analysed the data of 2338 Japanese community-dwellers aged ≥40 years (1059 men, 1279 women) who underwent an eye examination in 2018 as part of the population-based, cross-sectional Hisayama Study. Participants were divided into quartile levels of corneal hysteresis, which had been measured with an ocular response analyzer.

Choroidal Thickness Increases During Parasympathetic Dominance After Immersion of the Foot in Warm Water.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the course of changes in choroidal morphology after immersion of the foot in warm water at 40°C using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT).

Methods: Forty-three right eyes of 43 healthy participants were included. Changes in choroidal morphology were determined using EDI-OCT to evaluate subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT).

Identifying the characteristics of patients with stroke who have difficulty benefiting from gait training with the hybrid assistive limb: a retrospective cohort study.

Robot-assisted gait training is effective for walking independence in stroke rehabilitation, the hybrid assistive limb (HAL) is an example. However, gait training with HAL may not be effective for everyone, and it is not clear who is not expected to benefit. Therefore, we aimed to identify the characteristics of stroke patients who have difficulty gaining benefits from gait training with HAL.

Exploring the Potential of Lateral Wedge Insoles in Alleviating Bone Marrow Lesions in End-Stage Knee Osteoarthritis: A Preliminary Case Report.

The efficacy of lateral wedge insoles (LWIs) in patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis (OA) is unclear. A 43-year-old male underwent two anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions in his right knee and was later diagnosed with end-stage knee OA. An LWI combining arch support with a lateral heel wedge was fabricated for this patient and used over 12 months.

Influence of blood lactate variations and passive exercise on cardiac responses.

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate cardiovascular responses, including heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV), to various hyperlactatemia-passive exercise interactions. [Participants and Methods] Nine healthy male participants performed upper limb passive cycling movement, and their HR and HRV were assessed while their blood lactate levels were manipulated by sustained handgrip exercise at control, 15% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), and 30% MVC, followed by postexercise circulatory occlusion. [Results] HR and root mean squared standard difference (rMSSD) of HRV response remained constant at all blood lactate levels during passive exercise (HR: control, 75.