Different effects of mechano- and metaboreflex on the central blood pressure waveform.

Introduction: The effect of mechanoreflex on central blood pressure (BP) is unclear, although the influence of metaboreflex has been investigated. A relatively small contribution of the mechanoreflex to the pressor response to exercise has been considered in humans because many studies have failed to isolate the mechanoreflex-mediated pressor response. In a recent study, we successfully isolated a mechanoreflex-mediated pressor response using static passive stretching (SPS) in the forearm.

Utility of Free Fibula Flap With an Extended Banana-shaped Skin Paddle for Oro-mandibular Reconstructions.

The free fibula flap is a common technique for mandibular bone defects. However, its limited skin paddle is disadvantageous in cases with significant soft-tissue defects. A free fibula dual-skin paddle flap is used for medium-sized soft-tissue defects.

Lateral Polydactyly of the Foot: Surgical Outcomes Based on a New Classification.

Background: The objective of this study was to propose a novel classification for lateral polydactyly of the foot that integrates both visual appearance and radiographic findings and to delineate surgical techniques and their outcomes based on this classification.

Methods: This study enrolled 148 feet from 126 patients who underwent initial surgery at our hospital between January 2009 and July 2021. The new classification system was derived from visual appearance according to the Hirase classification and radiological bifurcation level (D: distal or middle phalanx, P: proximal phalanx, and M: metatarsal).

Long-Term Multimodal Exercise Intervention for Patients with Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration: Feasibility and Preliminary Outcomes.

Introduction: After Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is the second most common form of early-onset dementia. Despite the heavy burden of care for FTLD, pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments with sufficient efficacy remain scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a multimodal exercise program for FTLD and to examine preliminary changes in the clinical outcomes of the program in FTLD.

Age-dependent phenotypes of cognitive impairment as sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Cognitive changes associated with PASC may not be uniform across populations. We conducted individual-level pooled analyses and meta-analyses of cognitive assessments from eight prospective cohorts, comprising 2,105 patients and 1,432 controls from Argentina, Canada, Chile, Greece, India, Italy, Russia, and the UK. The meta-analysis found no differences by country of origin.

Origin of C NMR chemical shifts elucidated based on molecular orbital theory: paramagnetic contributions from orbital-to-orbital transitions for the pre-α, α, β, α-X, β-X and -X effects, along with effects from characteristic bonds and groups.

C NMR chemical shifts ((C)) were analysed MO theory, together with the origin, using (C), (C) and (C), where C was selected as the standard for the analysis since (C: C) = 0 ppm. An excellent relationship was observed between (C) and the charges on C for (C, C, C, C and C) and (C, CH , CH and CH). However, such a relationship was not observed for the carbon species other than those above.

Effective semi-fed-batch saccharification with high lignocellulose loading using co-culture of and strain A9.

Maximizing saccharification efficiency of lignocellulose and minimizing the production costs associated with enzyme requirements are crucial for sustainable biofuel production. This study presents a novel semi-fed-batch saccharification method that uses a co-culture of and strain A9 to efficiently break down high solid-loading lignocellulosic biomass without the need for any external enzymes. This method optimizes saccharification efficiency and enhances glucose production from alkaline-treated rice straw, a representative lignocellulosic biomass.

Relationship between freezing of gait in Parkinson disease and locus coeruleus dysfunction: a neuromelanin-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging study.

Background: Preliminary scientific evidence suggests that freezing of gait (FoG) in patients with Parkinson disease (PD) is linked to noradrenergic dysfunction in the locus coeruleus (LC). However, definitive findings regarding the correlation between FoG occurrence and the LC are lacking. This study thus aimed to investigate the relationship between the FoG occurrence and LC degeneration in patients with PD by analyzing the signal characteristics of the LC in neuromelanin-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (NM-MRI).

The utility of the low motion area ratio for the preoperative detection of pleural adhesions: dynamic chest radiography analysis.

Background: Dynamic chest radiography (DCR) is useful for detecting preoperative pleural adhesions, predicting operation time and blood loss, and determining the surgical approach. However, since DCR evaluations are subjective, an objective index was needed. Therefore, we focused on the low motion area (LMA) ratio derived from the objective data obtained through DCR.

Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Mediates the Causal Effect of Genetically Predicted Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis on Spinal Stenosis: Evidence From a Mendelian Randomization Study.

Background: Previous studies have noted an association between diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) and spinal stenosis (SS), although causation is unclear. This study used Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the causal relationship between the two.

Methods: We utilized large GWAS datasets on DISH and SS to perform a two-sample, bidirectional MR analysis, also quantifying the mediating role of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD).

Enhanced charge transfer kinetics at the electrode/electrolyte interface in acetonitrile solvent for lithium-ion battery cathodes.

Acetonitrile is a low-viscosity solvent that can enhance charge transfer kinetics at the electrode/electrolyte interface, although its cathodic instability limits its demonstration. This study employed a dual-compartment cell separated by a solid electrolyte to demonstrate that an acetonitrile-based electrolyte enhanced the interfacial charge transfer kinetics compared to those of carbonate-based electrolytes.

Meeting report - Alpine desmosome disease meeting 2024: advances and emerging topics in desmosomes and related diseases.

Desmosomes are adhesive cell contacts abundant in tissues exposed to mechanical strain, such as the stratified and simple epithelia of the epidermis and mucous membranes, as well as the myocardium. Besides their role in mechanical cell cohesion, desmosomes also modulate pathways important for tissue differentiation, wound healing and immune responses. Dysfunctional desmosomes, resulting from pathogenic variants in genes encoding desmosomal components, autoantibodies targeting desmosomal adhesion molecules or inflammation, cause the life-threatening diseases arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy and pemphigus and contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Synthesis of fully fused tetrapyrazinoporphyrazine polymers bearing three-dimensional structures controlled by steric repulsion.

The synthesis and characterization of fused aromatic networks composed of zinc tetrapyrazinoporphyrazines are reported. The steric repulsion of bulky substituents induced the formation of three-dimensional structures. Thus-obtained insoluble polymers adsorbed CO and had near-infrared absorption indicating their porosity and extended π-conjugation.

Stereocontrolled Synthesis of the Portimine Skeleton via Organocatalyst-Mediated Asymmetric Stannylation and Stereoretentive C()-C() Stille Coupling.

Our efforts toward the synthesis of the marine natural product portimine are described. The key to the synthesis of the skeleton is a stereoretentive copper-catalyzed C()-C() Stille-type cross-coupling that enables the convergent assembly of functionalized fragments. The core skeleton of portimine was constructed via ring-closing metathesis and transannular acetal formation.

Synthesis and Chemical Structure of the Cyclic Heptapeptide Stylissamide H.

We investigated the chemical structures and conformational isomers of the cyclic heptapeptides stylissamide H and euryjanicin A isolated from marine sources. Despite sharing the same molecular structure, stylissamide H and euryjanicin A exhibit different conformational isomers in solution and solid states. The main difference arises from the configurations of the two Pro residues.

High- organic-inorganic hybrid dielectric material for flexible thin-film transistors and printed logic circuits.

A new photopolymerizable organic-inorganic (O-I) hybrid sol-gel material, AUP@SiO-184, has been synthesized and utilized as a gate dielectric in flexible organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs). The previously reported three-arm alkoxy-functionalized silane amphiphilic polymer has yielded stable O-I hybrid materials comprising uniformly dispersed nanoparticles in the sol state. In this study, a photosensitizer was introduced, facilitating curing effects under ultraviolet light.

Update on the treatment navigation for functional cure of chronic hepatitis B: expert consensus 2.0.

As new evidence emerges, treatment strategies toward the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B are evolving. In 2019, a panel of national hepatologists published a Consensus Statement on the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B. Currently, an international group of hepatologists has been assembled to evaluate research since the publication of the original consensus, and to collaboratively develop the updated statements.

Factors associated with grief in family carers of people with dementia in Japan: a systematic review.

Background: The purpose of this study was to systematically review the existing literature on grief in family carers of people with dementia in Japan and to synthesise the evidence on the prevalence and associated factors of pre- and post-death grief of the carers.

Methods: CiNii Research, J-STAGE, and ICHUSHI were searched for studies published in Japanese and MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL for studies written in English up to 30 November, 2023.

Results: Of the 315 references identified, eight studies that met the eligibility criteria were included: six studies investigated pre-death grief, and two studies investigated post-death grief.

[New Directions in Elderly Care Workforce Nurturing: Cross-Professional Collaboration From a Social Co-Care Perspective, Drawing Insights From Japan's Elderly Care Experience].

The increasingly severe issue of societal aging worldwide has prompted the reevaluation of elderly-care strategies and related workforce development. This paper was developed to explore new directions in elderly care workforce development from the perspective of social co-care. The current state and challenges of elderly care personnel in Taiwan are analyzed, emphasizing the importance of cross-professional collaboration to enhancing elderly care quality.

Expressed emotion mediates the association between caregiver relationship closeness and psychological symptoms in people with dementia.

Aim: This study examines whether expressed emotion (EE) mediates the association between caregiver relationship closeness and behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).

Methods: We recruited 64 families with dementia in Osaka and collected data for 3 months. Caregiver-patient relationship closeness was assessed using the Relationship Closeness Scale (RCS), and BPSD was measured with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q).

Understanding fatigue among Japanese patients with inflammatory bowel disease: insights from international comparisons and meta-analysis.

Background/aims: Fatigue is a common symptom in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) scale has demonstrated reliability and validity in assessing fatigue in patients with IBD and is used worldwide. This study aimed to examine the current state of fatigue among Japanese patients with IBD using the FACIT-F scale and to compare these findings with data from global studies through a systematic review.

Bacteria Flagella-Mimicking Polymer Multilayer Magnetic Microrobots.

Mass production of biomedical microrobots demands expensive and complex preparation techniques and versatile biocompatible materials. Learning from natural bacteria flagella, the study demonstrates a magnetic polymer multilayer cylindrical microrobot that bestows the controllable propulsion upon an external rotating magnetic field with uniform intensity. The magnetic microrobots are constructed by template-assisted layer-by-layer technique and subsequent functionalization of magnetic particles onto the large opening of the microrobots.

Endometrial cancer with para-aortic lymph node metastasis following medroxyprogesterone acetate therapy: A case report.

Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is a promising fertility-sparing treatment for early stage endometrial cancer; however, it has a high recurrence rate and is inferior to surgery. Although the site of recurrence is mostly the endometrium, we here report a case of metastatic recurrence to the para-aortic lymph node with endometrial recurrence despite a careful follow-up. A 31-year-old woman was diagnosed with grade 1 endometrioid carcinoma, stage IA without myometrial invasion.

Gas-Liquid Interface of Aqueous Solutions of Surface Active Aromatic Molecules Studied Using Extreme Ultraviolet Laser Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Molecular Dynamics Simulation.

We investigated the gas-liquid interface of aqueous solutions containing phenol and related aromatic compounds using extreme ultraviolet laser photoelectron spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. The interfacial densities of protonated and deprotonated forms of phenol, aniline, and 4-nitrophenol were found to be primarily determined by their surface affinities and exhibit similar concentration dependences to their respective bulk densities. Despite the distinct interfacial orientations of their permanent dipole moments, these compounds monotonically decreased the surface potential at higher concentrations.