Scratch Scoring by a Sheet-shaped Body Vibrometer in Nocturnal Sleep: A Pilot Study Compared with Infrared Video Recording.

Itching tends to worsen at night in patients with itchy skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis. Unconscious scratching during sleep can exacerbate symptoms, cause sleep disturbances, or reduce quality of life. Therefore, evaluating nocturnal scratching behaviour is important for better patient care.

Impact of Periodontal Treatment on Early Rheumatoid Arthritis and the Role of Porphyromonas gingivalis Antibody Titers.

BACKGROUND Periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are closely related, and periodontal therapy can potentially improve RA activity. However, it is not clear in which RA patient populations are more effective periodontal therapy for RA treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of treatment for periodontal disease in 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and the titers of antibodies to Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.

Sustained effects of bladder point-of-care ultrasound simulation exercise on nursing students: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can be used in a variety of clinical settings and is a safe and powerful tool for ultrasound-trained healthcare providers, such as physicians and nurses; however, the effectiveness of ultrasound education for nursing students remains unclear. This prospective cohort study aimed to examine the sustained educational impact of bladder ultrasound simulation among nursing students.

Methods: To determine whether bladder POCUS simulation exercises sustainably improve the clinical proficiency regarding ultrasound examinations among nursing students, evaluations were conducted before and after the exercise and were compared with those after the 1-month follow-up exercise.

Intestinal obstruction caused by disseminated mycobacterium avium complex disease following solid organ transplantation: a case report.

Background: Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is a common pathogen causing non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections, primarily affecting the lungs. Disseminated MAC disease occurs mainly in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, hematological malignancies, or those positive for anti-interferon-γ antibodies. However, its occurrence in solid organ transplant recipients is uncommon.

Novel continuous and quantitative intraoperative facial nerve-monitoring system for temporal bone lesions.

Objective: Intraoperative systems for monitoring facial nerve function, in which temporal electrical stimulation is applied to the facial nerve through electrodes, are used in many surgeries requiring facial nerve preservation; however, continuous stimulation or quantitative evaluation of facial nerve function is difficult with this approach. We examined the usefulness of a continuous and quantitative facial nerve-monitoring system for temporal bone lesions by using our experience to modify the existing methods used for cases involving vestibular schwannomas.

Study Design: Retrospective observational study.

Inaudible airborne ultrasound affects emotional states in the olfactory bulbectomized rat depression model.

Recently, exposure to sounds with ultrasound (US) components has been shown to modulate brain activity. However, the effects of US on emotional states remain poorly understood. We previously demonstrated that the olfactory bulbectomized (OBX) rat depression model is suitable for examining the effects of audible sounds on emotionality.

Cachectic biomarkers as confounders behind the obesity paradox in patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

Background: Obesity is a risk factor for heart failure (HF) development but is associated with a lower incidence of mortality in HF patients. This obesity paradox may be confounded by unrecognized comorbidities, including cachexia.

Methods: A retrospective assessment was conducted using data from a prospectively recruiting multicenter registry, which included consecutive acute heart failure patients.

Encorafenib, cetuximab and chemotherapy in BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer: a randomized phase 3 trial.

Encorafenib + cetuximab (EC) is approved for previously treated BRAF V600E-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) based on the BEACON phase 3 study. Historically, first-line treatment of BRAF V600E-mutant mCRC with chemotherapy regimens has had limited efficacy. The phase 3 BREAKWATER study investigated EC+mFOLFOX6 versus standard of care (SOC) in patients with previously untreated BRAF V600E mCRC.

Estimating self-performance when making complex decisions.

Metacognition, the ability to monitor and reflect on our own mental states, enables us to assess our performance at different levels - from confidence in individual decisions to overall self-performance estimates (SPEs). It plays a particularly important part in computationally complex decisions that require a high level of cognitive resources, as the allocation of such limited resources presumably is based on metacognitive evaluations. However, little is known about metacognition in complex decisions, in particular, how people construct SPEs.

Pseudogenization of the Slc23a4 gene is necessary for the survival of Xdh-deficient mice.

In most patients with type 1 xanthinuria caused by mutations in the xanthine dehydrogenase gene (XDH), no clinical complications, except for urinary stones, are observed. In contrast, all Xdh(- / -) mice die due to renal failure before reaching adulthood at 8 weeks of age. Hypoxanthine or xanthine levels become excessive and thus toxic in Xdh(- / -) mice because enhancing the activity of hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT), which is an enzyme that uses hypoxanthine as a substrate, slightly increases the life span of these mice.

Osilodrostat improves blood pressure and glycemic control in patients with Cushing's disease: a pooled analysis of LINC 3 and LINC 4 studies.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of osilodrostat and hypercortisolism control on blood pressure (BP) and glycemic control in patients with Cushing's disease.

Methods: Pooled analysis of two Phase III osilodrostat studies (LINC 3 and LINC 4), both comprising a 48-week core phase and an optional open-label extension. Changes from baseline in systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA) were evaluated during osilodrostat treatment in patients with/without hypertension or diabetes at baseline.

Novel treatment strategy targeting interleukin-6 induced by cancer associated fibroblasts for peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a crucial component in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of peritoneal metastasis (PM), where they contribute to tumor progression and metastasis via secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Here, we investigated the role of IL-6 in PM of gastric cancer (GC) and assessed whether anti-IL-6 receptor antibody (anti-IL-6R Ab) could inhibit PM of GC. We conducted immunohistochemical analysis of IL-6 and α-smooth muscle (α-SMA) expressions in clinical samples of GC and PM, and investigated the interactions between CAFs and GC cells in vitro.

Randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of forest walking compared to urban walking in enhancing mucosal immunity.

Scientific research on forest therapy's preventive medical and mental health effects has advanced, but the need for clear evidence for practical applications remains. We conducted an unblinded randomized controlled trial involving healthy men aged 40-70 to compare the physiological and psychological effects of forest and urban walking. Eighty-four participants were randomly assigned to either the forest or urban group, with 78 completing 90-min walks and analysis.

Development of detection system for lead ions in mixture solutions using UV-Vis measurements with peptide immobilized microbeads.

Environmental pollution caused by heavy metals are problems worldwide. In particular, pollution and poisoning by lead ions (Pb) continue to be common and serious problems. Hence, there is a need for a widely usable method to easily detect Pb from solutions containing organic materials from environmental water such as seas, ponds, etc.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 22 A-3 ameliorates leaky gut in mice through its anti-inflammatory effects.

There are limited studies on the improvement of leaky gut with minor inflammation associated with various diseases. To explore the therapeutic potential of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 22 A-3, a member of the Lactobacillus species, in addressing a leaky gut. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 22 A-3 was administered to a leaky gut mice model with low dextran sulfate sodium concentrations.

Branched-chain amino acids and specific phosphatidylinositols are plasma metabolite pairs associated with menstrual pain severity.

Menstrual pain affects women's quality of life and productivity, yet objective molecular markers for its severity have not been established owing to the variability in blood levels and chemical properties of potential markers such as plasma steroid hormones, lipid mediators, and hydrophilic metabolites. To address this, we conducted a metabolomics study using five analytical methods to identify biomarkers that differentiate menstrual pain severity. This study included 20 women, divided into mild (N = 12) and severe (N = 8) pain groups based on their numerical pain rating scale.

Enhancing food and nutrition security in Himalayan foothills with neglected and underutilized millets.

Global food production predominantly depends on a limited number of cereal crops; however, numerous other crops have the potential to support the nutrition and economy of many local communities in developing countries. The different crop species characterized as having relatively low perceived economic importance or agricultural significance are known as underutilized crops. Millet is one of the underutilized crops with significant potential to address nutrient and hunger-related challenges in many developing countries like Nepal due to its versatility and climate resilience.

Clinical and biochemical factors associated with amygdalar metabolic activity.

We investigated clinical factors and biochemical markers associated with amygdalar metabolic activity evaluated by [F]-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in 346 subjects without a history of malignant neoplasms. Univariate regression analysis revealed significant relationships between amygdalar metabolic activity and fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin, coronary artery disease (CAD) history, aspirin use, oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) use, and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). In multiple stepwise regression analysis, FPG and CAD history were independently associated with amygdalar metabolic activity.

Mechanisms of multidrug resistance caused by an Ipi1 mutation in the fungal pathogen Candida glabrata.

Multidrug resistance in the pathogenic fungus Candida glabrata is a growing global threat. Here, we study mechanisms of multidrug resistance in this pathogen. Exposure of C.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans arising in the lower labial mucosa: a case report and literature review.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a low-grade, malignant, spindle cell tumour with an infiltrative growth pattern and a high local recurrence rate. Cases of oral DFSP are rare. This report describes a case of DFSP occurring in the labial mucosa.

Computed tomography-based findings and severity of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis are associated with the development of skeletal mandibular retrusion.

The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between the severity of condylar osteoarthritis (OA) and skeletal mandibular retrusion. Three-dimensional cephalometric characteristics of skeletal mandibular retrusion were analysed using computed tomography scans from 15 patients with OA and 15 without OA. Mandibular, dental, and condylar-related factors were evaluated.

Validation of Machine Learning-assisted Screening of PKC Ligands: PKC Binding Affinity and Activation.

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of serine/threonine kinases, and PKC ligands have the potential to be therapeutic seeds for cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and human immunodeficiency virus infection. However, in addition to desired therapeutic effects, most PKC ligands also exhibit undesirable pro-inflammatory effects. The discovery of new scaffolds for PKC ligands is important for developing less inflammatory PKC ligands, such as bryostatins.

Aspirin versus Clopidogrel monotherapy beyond 1 month after complex percutaneous coronary intervention: A pre-specified subgroup analysis of the STOPDAPT-3 trial.

Aims: There were no previous studies comparing aspirin versus P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy following short dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods And Results: We conducted a prespecified subgroup analysis based on complex PCI in the 1-year results of the STOPDAPT-3 trial, which randomly compared 1-month DAPT followed by aspirin monotherapy (aspirin group) to 1-month prasugrel monotherapy followed by clopidogrel monotherapy (clopidogrel group). The main analysis in the present study was the 30-day landmark analysis.