Spirituality and Factors Relevant to Spiritual Nursing-Care Needs Among Chinese Patients with Cancer.

This study aimed to identify the factors associated with the spiritual nursing-care needs of adult Chinese cancer patients. A questionnaire survey was conducted and the 158 respondents in the total sample were classified into two groups based on the presence or absence of spiritual nursing-care needs. The group requiring spiritual nursing-care exhibited lower scores on the Meaning and Peace scales and higher scores on the Faith scale compared to the other group.

Quantification of beam size impact on intensity-modulated proton therapy with robust optimization in head and neck cancer-comparison with intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

We assessed the effect of beam size on plan robustness for intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) of head and neck cancer (HNC) and compared the plan quality including robustness with that of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). IMPT plans were generated for six HNC patients using six beam sizes (air-sigma 3-17 mm at isocenter for a 70-230 MeV) and two optimization methods for planning target volume-based non-robust optimization (NRO) and clinical target volume (CTV)-based robust optimization (RO). Worst-case dosimetric parameters and plan robustness for CTV and organs-at-risk (OARs) were assessed under different scenarios, assuming a ± 1-5 mm setup error and a ± 3% range error.

The web-based self-reported survey of Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and associated factors in Japan.

Aim: While considerable data on the alcohol drinking behavior of the general population are available for the United States and Europe, data from Asian countries are scarce. We attempted to estimate the social backgrounds and other factors associated with high Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores in Japan.

Methods: This web-based survey was conducted in 2023.

Trans-differentiation of Jdp2-depleted Gaba-receptor-positive cerebellar granule cells to Purkinje cells.

The Jun dimerization protein (Jdp2) gene is active in mouse cerebellar granule cells and its protein product plays a crucial role in the formation of the cerebellum lobes through programmed cell death. However, the role of Jdp2 in cellular differentiation and pluripotency in the cerebellum, and the effect of the antioxidation reaction on cell plasticity, remain unknown. N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) induced the early commitment of the differentiation of granule cell precursors (GCPs) to neurons, especially Purkinje cells, via the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor α6 subunit (Gabra6) axis; moreover, Jdp2 depletion enhanced this differentiation program of GCPs.

Association Between Sarcopenic Obesity and Activities of Daily Living in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury.

: Sarcopenic obesity adversely affects physical function and activities of daily living (ADL) in older individuals and patients undergoing rehabilitation. This condition is also common in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI); however, its relationship with ADL in this group remains unclear. Hence, this study examined the association between sarcopenic obesity and ADL in individuals with SCI.

Is Intraoperative Blood Loss Volume in Elderly Cervical Spine Injury Surgery Greater in Patients with Ankylosis? A Multicenter Survey.

Introduction: Preoperative estimations of blood loss are important when planning surgery for cervical spine injuries in older adults. The association between ankylosis and blood loss in perioperative management is of particular interest. This multicenter database review aimed to evaluate the impact of ankylosis on surgical blood loss volume in elderly patients with cervical spine injury.

Effects of sex differences on energy providing capacities during short duration high-intensity exercise: focusing on changes in exercise duration.

Background: This study aimed to examine the effects of sex differences on each energy supply (phosphagen, glycolytic, and oxidative systems) when athletes performing short-duration high-intensity exercises for different durations.

Methods: Eight male and seven female college students specializing in tracks and fields participated in this experiment. They performed full-strength pedaling for the experimental exercise.

Variabilities of salivary human herpesvirus 6, 7, and secretory immunoglobulin A levels from pre- to post-competition periods in baseball players.

Background: Persistent physical fatigue (PPhF) accompanying daily intensive training often results in underperformance. While salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) has been traditionally used as an immunological marker, salivary human herpesvirus 6 and/or 7 (HHV-6/7) have recently been presented as "microbiological" markers of PPhF. This study aimed to examine the monthly variabilities of salivary HHV-6/7 levels and the difference with SIgA along the training periodization.

The role of psychotropics on the associations between extreme temperature and heat-related outcomes among people with mental health conditions: population-based study.

Background: The association between heatwave and heat-related outcomes in people with mental health conditions with and without psychotropics was unclear.

Methods: We identified people with severe mental illness (SMI) and depression, respectively, using Japanese claim data of Ibaraki prefecture during 1/1/2014-31/12/2021. We conducted self-controlled case series to estimate the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of heat-related illness, myocardial infarction and delirium, respectively, during 5-day pre-heatwave, heatwave, and 5-day post-heatwave periods all other periods (baseline) within an individual, stratified by periods prescribed psychotropics and periods not prescribed psychotropics, respectively.

The dopaminergic system mediates the lateral habenula-induced autonomic cardiovascular responses.

The lateral habenula (LHb) has been implicated in stress coping and autonomic control. The LHb regulates the midbrain system of monoamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline. However, how the LHb regulates autonomic cardiovascular control in stressful situations is unclear.

Domain-Shuffling in the Evolution of Cyclostomes and Gnathostomes.

Vertebrates acquired various novel traits that were pivotal in their morphological evolution. Domain shuffling, rearrangements of functional domains between genes, is a key molecular mechanism in deuterostome evolution. However, comprehensive studies focusing on early vertebrates are lacking.

Association between adequate protein intake and quadriceps quantity and quality during rehabilitation in people with subacute stroke.

Background We aimed to investigate the association between protein intake and quadriceps quantity and quality on the paretic and non-paretic sides during rehabilitation in people with subacute stroke. Method Eighty-six people with stroke were recruited from a rehabilitation ward. We measured quadriceps muscle quantity and quality on the paretic and non-paretic sides using ultrasonography at admission and after 4weeks.

Fibrillin-1 G234D mutation in the hybrid1 domain causes tight skin associated with dysregulated elastogenesis and increased collagen cross-linking in mice.

Fibrillin-1, an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein encoded by the FBN1 gene, serves as a microfibril scaffold crucial for elastic fiber formation and homeostasis in pliable tissue such as the skin. Aside from causing Marfan syndrome, some mutations in FBN1 result in scleroderma, marked by hardened and thicker skin which limits joint mobility. Here, we describe a tight skin phenotype in the Fbn1 mice carrying a corresponding variant of FBN1 in the hybrid1 domain that was identified in a patient with familial aortic dissection.

Establishment of a novel benign meningioma cell line spontaneously immortalized under hypoxic conditions.

Meningiomas are the most frequent brain tumors, typically benign and curable by surgery. However, some patients experience repeated recurrences from residual tumors. To address such cases, the development of novel therapeutic options is crucial.

Effective disruption of cancer cell membranes by photodynamic therapy with cell membrane-adhesive photosensitizer.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a noninvasive cancer treatment modality that involves the administration of photosensitizers and light irradiation. Previously, we established a polycation-containing hematoporphyrin (aHP) formulation that demonstrated superior antitumor efficacy , than the original hematoporphyrin (HP). In this study, we investigated underlining mechanisms of the high antitumor effect of aHP using cell experiments.

Cognitive Function in Frail Older Adults With Multiple Sclerosis: An Exploratory Study Using Secondary Data Analysis.

Background: Studies addressing frailty in the context of multiple sclerosis (MS) are emergent. This study explores cognitive function in older adults with MS as a function of frailty status.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used baseline data from a feasibility randomized controlled trial of a home-based exercise program for older adults with MS.

Joint kinetic demand for performance in high jump.

High jump is a power-demanding motor task. Jumpers extend the take-off leg joints with maximum effort, but kinetic requirements (i.e.

The method to identify invasive mechanical ventilation with Japanese claim data.

Dr. Ohbe et al. reported that only 40.

Factors associated with acquiring exercise habits through health guidance for metabolic syndrome among middle-aged Japanese workers: A machine learning approach.

Objective: Physical inactivity increases the risk of mortality and chronic morbidity. Therefore, it is crucial to establish strategies to encourage individuals to increase their physical activity and develop exercise habits. The objective of this study was to explore factors associated with acquiring exercise habits using machine learning algorithms.

Handgrip Strength Is Inversely Associated With the Progression of Kidney Damage in a General Japanese Population: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background Handgrip strength is an indicator of muscle function and a predictor of health outcomes. However, only a few studies have examined the association between handgrip strength and the development of kidney damage. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal association of handgrip strength with kidney damage in a general Japanese population.