Therapeutic Potential of Social Chatbots in Alleviating Loneliness and Social Anxiety: Quasi-Experimental Mixed Methods Study.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) social chatbots represent a major advancement in merging technology with mental health, offering benefits through natural and emotional communication. Unlike task-oriented chatbots, social chatbots build relationships and provide social support, which can positively impact mental health outcomes like loneliness and social anxiety. However, the specific effects and mechanisms through which these chatbots influence mental health remain underexplored.

Influence of Axial Rotation Between the Femoral Neck and Ankle Joint on Kinematics in Normal Knees: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The effect of axial rotation between the femoral neck and ankle joint (total rotation [TR]) on normal knees is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the TR effect on normal knee kinematics.

Methods: Volunteers were divided into groups large (L), intermediate (I), and small (S), using hierarchical cluster analysis based on TR in the standing position.

Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Bimekizumab in Axial Spondyloarthritis: 2-Year Results from Two Phase 3 Studies.

Objectives: Bimekizumab, a monoclonal IgG1 antibody that selectively inhibits interleukin (IL)‑17F in addition to IL-17A, previously demonstrated efficacy and was well tolerated to 1 year in patients with non-radiographic (nr-) and radiographic (r-) axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Here, we report bimekizumab safety and efficacy to 2 years.

Methods: Patients completing week 52 in the phase 3 studies BE MOBILE 1 (nr-axSpA; NCT03928704) and 2 (r‑axSpA; NCT03928743) were eligible for an ongoing open‑label extension (OLE; NCT04436640).

Challenges and Prospects of Sensing Technology for the Promotion of Tele-Physiotherapy: A Narrative Review.

Significant developments in sensing technology have had many impacts, enhancing monitoring and assessment accuracy across diverse fields. In the field of physical therapy, sensing, which plays a pivotal role in tele-physiotherapy, rapidly expanded amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Its primary objective is to monitor biological signals and patient movements at remote locations.

Sex-, age- and season-specific variations in accidental deaths from stumbling falls, bathtub drowning, food choking and traffic injuries among older adults in Japan.

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify opportunities for more effective measures. We analyzed sex-, age- and season-specific trends in unintentional accidental deaths from stumbling falls, bathtub drowning, food choking and traffic injuries among older adults in Japan.

Methods: Death rates from major unintentional accidents were analyzed by sex, month and 5-year age groups (aged ≥50 years) based on a custom-made aggregation of data from the Vital Statistics survey (2008-2022) in compliance with the Statistics Act.

Ethanol Sclerotherapy for Endometriomas in Infertile Women: A Narrative Review.

Ethanol sclerotherapy (EST) has gained attention as a minimally invasive treatment option for ovarian endometriomas, particularly in infertile women with endometrioma undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Endometriomas are associated with decreased ovarian reserve and impaired fertility outcomes, and traditional surgical approaches, such as cystectomy, often lead to further reductions in ovarian reserve. Ethanol sclerotherapy offers a potential alternative that preserves ovarian function while effectively managing endometriomas.

Comparison of muscle activities during bench press at different angles in beginners.

[Purpose] The bench press can strengthen targeted muscles, such as the pectoralis major, deltoid, and triceps brachii. This study examined differences in muscle activities during the bench press at different angles in beginners to collect basic data and evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the bench press. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 15 male students with <1 year of training experience.

Seroprevalence of measles antibody among immigrants in Gwangju, South Korea.

Introduction: Measles remains a public health concern, particularly among populations with suboptimal vaccination coverage, including immigrants. Understanding the seroprevalence of measles antibodies in immigrant populations is essential to inform tailored vaccination strategies and reduce the risk of measles reintroduction.

Methods: This study evaluated measles IgG seroprevalence among 651 immigrants from 30 countries residing in Gwangju, South Korea.

Salivary oxytocin and amygdalar alterations in functional neurological disorders.

Individuals diagnosed with functional neurological disorder experience abnormal movement, gait, sensory processing or functional seizures, for which research into the pathophysiology identified psychosocial contributing factors as well as promising biomarkers. Recent pilot studies suggested that (epi-)genetic variants may act as vulnerability factors, for example, on the oxytocin pathway. This study set out to explore endogenous oxytocin hormone levels in saliva in a cohort of 59 functional neurological disorder patients and 65 healthy controls comparable in sex and age.

Dilatory responsiveness of the internal carotid artery to shear stimulus is constant under different levels of transient hypercapnia.

Peripheral endothelial function, which accounts for the variability in shear stimulus, can be assessed using shear-mediated dilation normalized to the increased shear stimulus. Similarly, shear-mediated dilation of the internal carotid artery (ICA), an index of cerebrovascular endothelial function, should be normalized to increased shear stimulus. However, this approach has not yet been validated.

In situ forming and self-crosslinkable protein hydrogels for localized cancer therapy and topical wound healing.

Proteins, inherently biocompatible and biodegradable, face a challenge in forming stable hydrogels without external chemical crosslinkers. Here, we construct a ring-shaped trimeric SpyTag-fused Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen Protein (ST-PCNA) as a core protein building block, and a dumbbell-shaped tandem dimeric SpyCatcher (SC-SC) as a bridging component. Self-crosslinked PCNA/SC-SC Protein (2SP) hydrogels are successfully formed by simply mixing the solutions of ST-PCNA and SC-SC, without chemical crosslinkers.

Effects of ankle dorsiflexion training on anticipatory postural adjustments during gait initiation in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Background: Freezing of gait (FOG) during gait initiation in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) with diminishing amplitude, leading to a risk of falls. Assistance with ankle dorsiflexion function by external devices improve APAs during gait initiation, however, the effect of training to improve ankle dorsiflexion function on APAs during gait initiation is unclear.

Research Question: Does ankle dorsiflexion training improve APAs and FOG during gait initiation in patients with PD?

Method: This 4-week prospective controlled trial included 30 patients with PD, who were divided into two groups: the control group, which received only conventional inpatient rehabilitation, and the intervention group, which received ankle dorsiflexion training in addition to inpatient rehabilitation.

signaling encodes early-life memory for adaptive social plasticity.

establishes social clusters in groups, yet the underlying principles remain poorly understood. Here, we performed a systemic analysis of social network behavior (SNB) that quantifies individual social distance (SD) in a group over time. The SNB assessment in 175 inbred strains from the Genetics Reference Panel showed a tight association of short SD with long developmental time, low food intake, and hypoactivity.

Association Between COVID-19-Related Characteristics and Oral Health Status Among Korean Adults.

This study investigated the association between COVID-19-related characteristics and oral health in Korean adults. Data from the 2021 Korean Community Health Survey were used (n = 229 242). A total of 26.

Trichophyton mentagrophytes delays wound healing in ob/ob mice.

A wide variety of microbial species, including Trichophyton spp., have been detected in diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). In particular, Trichophyton spp.

Timing, setting, and content of patient education prior to goal setting for cancer survivors: a scoping review.

Background: Because the concepts of goal setting and patient education are intertwined, it is important to understand the details of patient education content for cancer survivors. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive review of the timing (during or after treatment), setting, and content of patient education provided to cancer survivors prior to setting goals.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted across three databases to identify articles on rehabilitation that included patient education, conducted prior to goal setting for cancer survivors.

Current status and future perspective of coronary artery calcium score in asymptomatic individuals.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains a major cause of death, and it is important to accurately estimate the cardiovascular events risk stratification even in asymptomatic patients. The coronary artery calcium score (CACS), which is quantitatively evaluated by electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated non-contrast chest computed tomography (CT) imaging, has been reported to be useful for cardiovascular event risk stratification in large studies. In the USA and Europe, guidelines recommend the use of the CACS in borderline or intermediate-risk asymptomatic individuals based on a high level of evidence.

Extraction and evaluation of features of preterm patent ductus arteriosus in chest X-ray images using deep learning.

Echocardiography is the gold standard of diagnosis and evaluation of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), a common condition among preterm infants that can cause hemodynamic abnormalities and increased mortality rates, but this technique requires a skilled specialist and is not always available. Meanwhile, chest X-ray (CXR) imaging is also known to exhibit signs of PDA and is a routine imaging modality in neonatal intensive care units. In this study, we aim to find and objectively define CXR image features that are associated with PDA by training and visually analyzing a deep learning model.

A Case of Spinal Cord Infarction With Pansensory Deficit: Discussing the Possible Etiology.

Spinal cord infarction (SCI) is a rare vascular condition that can lead to the sudden onset of myelopathy, manifesting as paraplegia, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and/or sensory impairments. The primary arteries supplying the spinal cord are the anterior spinal artery (ASA) and the posterior spinal artery (PSA). The ASA mainly provides blood to the anterior two-thirds of the spinal cord, excluding the posterior columns, while the PSA primarily supplies the posterior one-third, which includes the posterior columns.

Behavior of radioactive cesium concentration for 13 years after FDNPP accident at Koriyama campus of Nihon University, Fukushima, Japan.

The concentration of the radioactive cesium (134Cs and 137Cs) in soils and in atmospheric fallouts has been measured at the Koriyama campus, Nihon University, after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident for 13 y, from October 2011 till September 2023 and now ongoing. The concentration of them decreased very rapidly due to decontamination activities and weathering effects, with an environmental half-life of 1.21 and 2.

Multidimensional Benefits of a Tailored Exercise Program in Preventing Frailty: A Community-Based Approach.

Background/objective: Frailty is a significant health concern in the aging population, particularly in Japan's super-aging society. Community-based interventions show promise in frailty prevention; however, their effectiveness requires further investigation. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a continuous municipal rehabilitation program on frailty status and physical function in older adults living in suburban Japan.