Visual effects on tactile stimulation and its perception: A pilot study using near-infrared spectroscopy.

In rubber hand illusion, visual information affects tactile information, whereas in the mirror box illusion, visual information has the opposite effect. However, its underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. As one of the reasons, non-invasive neuroimaging techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance, positron emission tomography, and electroencephalography, often fail to detect complex and fragile responses in the sensory-motor cortex.

High Plasma D-Dimer Levels Correlate with Ictal Infarction and Poor Outcomes in Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Background: Early brain injury is the leading cause of poor outcomes in spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (sSAH). Plasma D-dimer levels and acute cerebral ischemia have been highlighted as relevant findings in early brain injury; however, their correlation has not been substantially investigated.

Methods: This retrospective, single-center cohort study was conducted at a tertiary emergency medical center from January 2004 to June 2022.

Theoretical proposal for restoration of hand motor function based on plasticity of motor-cortical interhemispheric interaction and its developmental rule.

After stroke, the poorer recovery of motor function of upper extremities compared to other body parts is a longstanding problem. Based on our recent functional MRI evidence on healthy volunteers, this perspective paper proposes systematic hand motor rehabilitation utilizing the plasticity of interhemispheric interaction between motor cortices and following its developmental rule. We first discuss the effectiveness of proprioceptive intervention on the paralyzed (immobile) hand synchronized with voluntary movement of the intact hand to induce muscle activity in the paretic hand.

Relationship between Tilt Sensation Ability and Lower Limb Injuries in Junior Athletes.

The purpose of this study was to devise a tilt sensation measurement method to evaluate ankle proprioception and to examine its reliability. It was also used to determine the relationship among tilt sensation abilities, physical development, and lower limb injuries in junior athletes. In this study, a step platform created tilt angles.

Examination of reliability and validity of the Self-Assessment Burden Scale-Motor for community-dwelling older adults in Japan: a validation study.

Background: The aging society in Japan is progressing rapidly compared with that in the United States and European countries. Aging limits activities of daily living (ADL) in older adults, declining their lives and functions at home. Therefore, improving their ADL to effectively support their functioning at home for as long as possible is vital.

Association between Subjective Cognitive Complaints and Sleep Disturbance among Community-Dwelling Elderly Individuals in Japan.

Subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) are a crucial modifiable risk factor for dementia. There is increasing interest in the association between SCC and sleep disturbance; however, the effects of sleep disturbance on SCC development among community-dwelling elderly individuals in Japan remain unclear. We aimed to cross-sectionally investigate the association between SCC and sleep disturbance, with adjustment for multiple factors related to cognitive decline, among 241 community-dwelling elderly persons without cognitive impairment.

Dominance of attentional focus: a comparative study on its impact on standing postural control in healthy younger and older adults.

Introduction: Attentional focus is a phenomenon in which shifting the focus of attention alters performance of standing postural control. It can be categorized as internal focus (IF), which directs attention to the body parts, or external focus (EF), which directs attention to the external environment. Although attentional focus that improves standing postural control in younger people exhibits individual dominance, the dominance of attentional focus in standing postural control in older adults remains ambiguous.

Central Sensitization-Related Symptoms and Influencing Factors on Health-Related Quality of Life among Frail Older Adults in Senior Day Care Centers: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The recent increase in the number of frail older adults has led to increased attention being paid to care services in communities such as senior day care centers. Maintaining health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in frail older adults is important for managing long-term care. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively explore the impact of physical, mental, and cognitive factors, particularly central sensitization-related symptoms (CSSs), on the HRQOL among frail older adults in senior day care centers.

Relationship between Subjective Grip Strength and Physical Functioning among Community-Dwelling Older Women.

This study investigated the relationship between subjective grip strength and physical function in community-dwelling older women. Subjective grip strength was assessed using a questionnaire, and physical function and body composition were compared between groups with strong and weak subjective grip strength. Additionally, the two groups were compared in those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and those with normal cognitive function, respectively.

Daily Living Activity Recognition with Frequency-Shift WiFi Backscatter Tags.

To provide diverse in-home services like elderly care, versatile activity recognition technology is essential. Radio-based methods, including WiFi CSI, RFID, and backscatter communication, are preferred due to their minimal privacy intrusion, reduced physical burden, and low maintenance costs. However, these methods face challenges, including environmental dependence, proximity limitations between the device and the user, and untested accuracy amidst various radio obstacles such as furniture, appliances, walls, and other radio waves.

Thirty-second chair stand test in older adults with chronic health conditions is associated with lower limb oxygen extraction capacity.

Background: The 30-s chair stand test (CS-30) is a well-known measure of muscle strength in older adults. However, factors other than muscle strength may also be involved in older adults with chronic health conditions who require support and care in daily living.

Purpose: To test the hypothesis that the CS-30 in older adults with chronic health conditions is associated with lower limb muscle oxygen extraction capacity.

[Association between depressive tendencies and oral diadochokinesis in the older adults in private residential nursing home].

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between depressive tendencies and oral diadochokinesis (ODK) in 24 older adults living in a private residential nursing home. ODK is an indicator of the oral function.

Methods: Depressive tendencies were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale 5, with scores of two or higher indicating probable depression.

Anxiety among Japanese nursing researchers before and after dispatch for COVID-19 pandemic support: Effects of anxiety-enhancing and buffering factors.

Aim: We investigated the levels of anxiety and the factors influencing it among Japanese nursing researchers before and after engaging in dispatch support activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study also tested the relationships between pre- and post-relief anxiety and their enhancing and buffering factors.

Methods: A web-based survey was conducted with 9832 members from the Japan Academy of Nursing Science, covering 15 items related to participant attributes such as age and disaster relief qualifications, factors affecting anxiety about support activities such as the content and duration of one activity, and the level of anxiety before and after activities.

Role of the left posterior middle temporal gyrus in shape recognition and its reconstruction during drawing: A study combining transcranial magnetic stimulation and functional near infrared spectroscopy.

There are numerous reports of enhanced or emerged visual arts abilities in patients with semantic impairment. These reports led to the theory that a loss of function on the language side of the brain can result in changes of ability to draw and/or to paint. Further, the left posterior middle temporal gyrus (l-pMTG) has been revealed to contribute to the higher control semantic mechanisms with objects recognition and integration of visual information, within a widely distributed network of the left hemisphere.

Harnessing Information Thermodynamics: Conversion of DNA Information into Mechanical Work in RNA Transcription and Nanopore Sequencing.

Recent advancements in information thermodynamics have revealed that information can be directly converted into mechanical work. Specifically, RNA transcription and nanopore sequencing serve as prime examples of this conversion, by reading information from a DNA template. This paper introduces an information thermodynamic model in which these molecular motors can move along the DNA template by converting the information read from the template DNA into their own motion.

Relationship of the Japanese Old Stories Cognitive Scale With the Revised Hasegawa Cognitive Scale and Mini-Mental State Examination.

The Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS-R) is the most widely used instrument to screen for dementia in Japan and is similar to the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The development of a quicker and simpler screening tool, the Japanese Old Stories Cognitive Scale (JOSS), was previously reported. A total of 953 new outpatients from 8 memory clinics in Japan completed the JOSS, HDS-R, and MMSE at first visit.

Health Benefits of Electrolyzed Hydrogen Water: Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Living Organisms.

Molecular hydrogen, the smallest and lightest molecule, serves as an intense reducing agent. Its distinct characteristics, including minimal size and neutral charge, enhance bioavailability and facilitate significant biological effects. Previously considered physiologically inert, hydrogen has gained recognition as a powerful therapeutic agent, known for its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.

Agreement in the Postural Assessment of Older Adults by Physical Therapists Using Clinical and Imaging Methods.

Postural assessment is one of the indicators of health status in older adults. Since the number of older adults is on the rise, it is essential to assess simpler methods and automated ones in the future. Therefore, we focused on a visual method (imaging method).

Transcriptome analysis of an AKT inhibitor-resistant endometrial cancer cell line.

Background: Drug resistance in endometrial cancer (EC) is a serious problem and a barrier to improving prognosis. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is highly activated in EC and can serve as a potential therapeutic target. Inhibitors against AKT have been developed, but resistance to these inhibitors is a concern.

Translation, Reliability, and Validity of the Japanese Clinical Reasoning Skills Self-Evaluation Scale: An Instrument Design Study.

Background: Currently, little evidence supports the notion that improved practical skills through simulation education are reflected in actual clinical practice and ultimately lead to positive outcomes for participants. However, by clarifying the relationship between the simulation foundation and its practicality, insights can be gained to develop educational programs to improve clinical reasoning skills. However, no clear scale is currently available in Japan.

Characterizing clinical progression in patients with musculoskeletal pain by pain severity and central sensitization-related symptoms.

Central sensitization-related symptoms (CSS) are associated with the severity and progression of pain. The relationship between the severity of pain/CSS and clinical progresses remains unclear. This multicenter, collaborative, longitudinal study aimed to characterize the clinical outcomes of patients with musculoskeletal pain by classifying subgroups based on the severity of pain/CSS and examining changes in subgroups over time.

Attention to the domains of Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale and Mini-Mental State Examination in patients with Alzheimer's disease dementia.

Background: In Japan, Alzheimer's disease dementia (AD) is the most common cognitive disease, and the most widely used dementia screening tests are the Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS-R) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). This study sought to elucidate the relationships of the individual domains of these tests with age and duration of school education in a large group of patients with AD.

Methods: Participants were 505 new outpatients diagnosed with AD who completed the HDS-R and MMSE at the first visit.

Subgroup characteristics in care workers with low back pain: cluster analysis-based severity of central sensitivity syndromes and low back pain.

Purpose: This multicentre, collaborative, cross-sectional study aimed to explore the characteristics of subgroups based on central sensitivity syndromes (CSSs) and low back pain (LBP) severity. Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between the classified subgroups and work status among the care workers.

Patients And Methods: In 660 care workers, we assessed LBP intensity, pain duration, pain sites, CSS (using the central sensitization inventory-9), psychological factors (using the pain catastrophizing scale and pain self-efficacy questionnaire), and work status (interference, amount of assistance, frequency of assistance, and work environment).