Designing artificial circadian environments with multisensory cares for supporting preterm infants' growth in NICUs.

Previous studies suggest the importance of stable circadian environments for fetuses to achieve sound physiology and intrauterine development. This idea is also supported by epidemiological and animal studies, in which pregnant females exposed to repeated shifting of light-dark cycles had increased rates of reproductive abnormalities and adverse pregnancy outcomes. In response to such findings, artificial circadian environments with light-dark (LD) cycles have been introduced to NICUs to promote better physical development of preterm infants.

Investigating the clinical validity of the guided progression analysis definition with 10-2 visual field in retinitis pigmentosa.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical validity of the Guided Progression Analysis definition (GPAD) and cluster-based definition (CBD) with the Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA) 10-2 test in retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Methods: Ten non-progressive RP visual fields (VFs) (HFA 10-2 test) were simulated for each of 10 VFs of 111 eyes (10 simulations × 10 VF sequencies × 111 eyes = 111,000 VFs; Dataset 1). Using these simulated VFs, the specificity of GPAD for the detection of progression was determined.

Desire for thinness among young Japanese women from the perspective of objective and subjective ideal body shape.

I examined the actual situation of the desire to be thin among young Japanese women from the perspective of ideal body shape and actual measured body shape. In total, 90 young Japanese women were evaluated using a questionnaire (perceived body shape and desired body composition change) and assessments of sarcopenia (muscle strength, physical ability, and muscle mass). Participants were classified into the underweight (body mass index [BMI] < 18.

Differences in Factors Associated With Glaucoma Progression With Lower Normal Intraocular Pressure in Superior and Inferior Halves of the Optic Nerve Head.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors for progression in the superior and inferior hemi-visual fields (hemi-VFs) and the corresponding hemi-disc/retinas in eyes with normal tension glaucoma (NTG).

Methods: A 5-year prospective follow-up of 90 patients with NTG with untreated intraocular pressure (IOP) consistently ≤ 15 mm Hg was conducted. The IOP and Humphrey Perimeter measurements and disc/retina stereo-photographs were taken every 3 and 6 months, respectively.

Effect of Pre-Hospitalization Fall History on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior After the Implementation of a Behavioral Change Approach in Patients with Minor Ischemic Stroke: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: We aimed to determine whether a history of falls before admission affected physical activity levels and sedentary behavior negatively after implementing a behavior modification approach in patients with minor ischemic stroke.

Methods: This study constituted a secondary analysis of an intervention trial. In the intervention study, patients with minor ischemic stroke were randomly assigned to two groups: intervention and control groups.

Comparison of Corvis ST Parameters between Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma and Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma.

Background: We compared corneal visualization Scheimpflug technology (CST) parameters between eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on data from 89 eyes with POAG and 83 eyes with PACG that had CST examinations. CST parameters were compared between eyes with POAG and those with PACG using a linear mixed model (LMM).

Which is More Effective and Safer? Comparison of Propensity Score-Matched Microhook Ab Interno Trabeculotomy and iStent Inject.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes between ab interno trabeculotomy (LOT) and iStent inject W implantation (iStent) both combined with cataract surgery, matching the background factors including age, intraocular pressure (IOP), medication score, central corneal thickness (CCT), and axial length.

Methods: A total of 100 eyes from 75/79 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma were included in the LOT/iStent groups. The background factors were matched between the two groups using the propensity score.

Prediction of visual field progression in glaucoma: existing methods and artificial intelligence.

Timely treatment is essential in the management of glaucoma. However, subjective assessment of visual field (VF) progression is not recommended, because it can be unreliable. There are two types of artificial intelligence (AI) strong and weak (machine learning).

Experiences of dialogue in advance care planning educational programs.

Background: Advance care planning (ACP) is a process in which adults engage in an ongoing dialogue about future medical treatment and care. Though ACP is recommended to improve the quality of end-of-life care, the details of the dialogue experience in ACP are unknown.

Objective: To explore participants' experiences of dialogue in an ACP educational program that encouraged them to discuss the value of a way of life.

Effects of real-time remote cardiac rehabilitation on exercise capacity and quality of life: a quasi-randomised controlled trial.

Background: The impact of real-time remote cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on health and disability-related outcomes and its correlation with physical function are unknown. We compared the effectiveness of real-time remote CR with that of hospital-based CR on physical function improvement and physical functions of improvement (Δ) to clarify the relationship between health and disability at baseline.

Methods: Patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) were enrolled (n = 38) in this quasi-randomised controlled trial and underwent 4 weeks of hospital-based CR, followed by 12 weeks of remote or hospital-based CR based on quasi-randomised allocation.

Care needs of Japanese men for sexual dysfunction associated with prostate cancer treatment.

Purpose: Prostate cancer (PC) treatment causes sexual dysfunction (SD) and alters fertility, male identity, and intimate relationships with partners. In Japan, little attention has been paid to the importance of providing care for SD associated with PC treatment. This study is aimed at clarifying the care needs of Japanese men regarding SD associated with PC treatment.

Factors affecting presenteeism in workers with nocturnal hemodialysis: A two-center cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Presenteeism and work dysfunction in dialysis patients should be assessed to improve disease management and work productivity. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors surrounding presenteeism and work dysfunction in workers with nocturnal hemodialysis.

Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional study included 42 workers with nocturnal hemodialysis.

Inter-device concordance of Veggie Meter-A reflection spectroscopy to measure skin carotenoids.

The Veggie Meter® (VM) is a refraction spectrometer that detects skin carotenoids. We tested the variability of the two modes (single-scan and averaging modes) of four VMs of three different versions (VM-1, 2, 3, 4) with 92 healthy volunteers. Both the modes exhibited a high intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC); however, the averaging mode had a significantly lower coefficient of variance than the single-scan mode.

Investigating the factors affecting myopia in retinopathy of prematurity after laser treatment.

Background: We investigated the effect of the number of laser shots applied on the myopic variables to elucidate the mechanism of myopia development in laser-treated retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) eyes.

Methods: A total of 33 eyes of 17 infants with ROP who underwent laser treatment were included in the analysis. Cycloplegic retinoscopic refraction testing was carried out and the spherical equivalent (SE) was calculated.

Finger movement functions remain in the ipsilesional hemisphere and compensation by the contralesional hemisphere might not be expected after hemispherotomy -pre- and post-hemispherotomy evaluations in 8 cases.

Background: We hypothesized that fine finger motor functions are controlled by the ipsilesional hemisphere, and that gross motor functions are compensated for by the contralesional hemisphere after brain injury in humans. The purpose of this study was to compare finger movements before and after hemispherotomy that defunctionated the ipsilesional hemisphere for patients with hemispherical lesions.

Methods: We statistically compared Brunnstrom stage of the fingers, arm (upper extremity), and leg (lower extremity) before and after hemispherotomy.

Risk factors for decreased walking ability in hospitalized patients with aspiration pneumonia.

Objective: To evaluate the factors that influence walking ability in patients hospitalized due to aspiration pneumonia.

Methods: This retrospective observational study evaluated patients hospitalized with aspiration pneumonia. The primary endpoint was preservation of walking ability.

Long-term effect of pulmonary rehabilitation in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterised by worsening dyspnoea and exercise intolerance.

Research Question: Does a long-term pulmonary rehabilitation improve exercise tolerance in patients with IPF treated with standard antifibrotic drugs, which are expected to reduce disease progression?

Methods: This open-label randomised controlled trial was performed at 19 institutions. Stable patients receiving nintedanib were randomised into pulmonary rehabilitation and control groups (1:1).

Comparing the structure-function relationship between the visual fields measured with variational Bayes linear regression and SITA standard.

Purpose: We recently constructed an algorithm to measure visual field (VF) using the variational Bayes linear regression (VBLR). This algorithm enabled a faster VF measurement than the Swedish interactive thresholding algorithm (SITA) standard while maintaining the test-retest reproducibility (Murata H, et al. Br J Ophthalmol 2021).

cnm-positive Streptococcus mutans is associated with galactose-deficient IgA in patients with IgA nephropathy.

The presence of Streptococcus mutans expressing Cnm protein encoded by cnm (cnm-positive S. mutans) in the oral cavity is associated with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN). However, the precise mechanism by which cnm-positive S.

Brain Activation of Unpleasant Emotions Increases Catastrophizing in Patients with Chronic Pain.

Background: Catastrophic thinking among patients with chronic pain impairs their quality of life and increases anxiety levels. Further, severe pain causes high emotional brain sensitivity and unpleasant feelings. However, the effects of emotional changes on catastrophic thinking in patients with chronic pain remain unclear.

The process of becoming independent while balancing health management and social life in adolescent and young adult childhood cancer survivors.

Aim: This study aimed to elucidate the process of how adolescent and young adult childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) become independent while balancing health management and social life with a view to providing long-term support.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 Japanese CCSs aged 16-25 years. The data were then qualitatively analysed using the modified grounded theory approach.

Effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on quadriceps weakness immediately after total knee arthroplasty: a pilot, randomized, open-label clinical trial.

[Purpose] Severe quadriceps weakness immediately after total knee arthroplasty can be problematic. The n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects against ischemia-reperfusion injury, whereas n-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids exert pro-inflammatory effects, thereby promoting ischemia-reperfusion injury. [Participants and Methods] We explored the efficacy of preoperative n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation against early quadriceps weakness among 20 patients scheduled for total knee arthroplasty (intervention group, n=10; control group, n=10).

A Comparison of the Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior between Autologous and Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Survivors.

Objective The treatment background, as well as the frequency and type of complications, in autologous (auto-) and allogeneic (allo-) hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) survivors influence the appearance of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) or sedentary behavior. We therefore assessed differences in the MVPA and sedentary behavior between auto- and allo-HSCT survivors. Methods This prospective observational study included 13 auto- and 36 allo-HSCT survivors (approximately 4 years after HSCT).