Modified approach to external oblique intercostal block: a proof-of-concept pilot case series and anatomical evaluation.

Background: Regional anesthesia techniques that provide analgesia to the entire lateral abdomen are limited. We present a modified external oblique intercostal block for complete lateral abdominal analgesia with a single injection.

Case: We performed a modified version of the external oblique intercostal block unilaterally at the tenth rib along the mid-axillary line in three patients undergoing robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (two single injections, one catheter placement) and tested the technique on a cadaver with 20 ml of dye bilaterally.

Regional differences in the provision of home-visit rehabilitation services in Japan.

[Purpose] This study aimed to clarify regional disparities in the provision of home-visit rehabilitation services across all prefectures in Japan by performing a secondary analysis of government data. [Participants and Methods] The number of home-visit rehabilitation sessions per prefecture was determined to estimate regional disparities. Furthermore, the data for 2013 and 2021 were compared to investigate changes in home-visit rehabilitation provision.

Association between adequate protein intake and quadriceps quantity and quality during rehabilitation in people with subacute stroke.

Background We aimed to investigate the association between protein intake and quadriceps quantity and quality on the paretic and non-paretic sides during rehabilitation in people with subacute stroke. Method Eighty-six people with stroke were recruited from a rehabilitation ward. We measured quadriceps muscle quantity and quality on the paretic and non-paretic sides using ultrasonography at admission and after 4weeks.

Re-evaluation of the orbicularis oculi muscle as revealed by the analysis of isolated muscle specimens.

Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the origin, insertion, and subdivision of the orbicularis oculi in detail with in situ specimens, as well as with isolated muscle specimens from the superficial and deep aspects.

Methods: The periorbital muscles in fifteen cadavers fixed with formalin were examined in situ and/or in isolated muscle specimens, and evaluate their actions.

Results: The orbicularis oculi arose via the nasoglabellar aponeurosis, which was observable in the deep aspect of isolated specimens as a rigid sheet of connective tissue in the middle of both orbits and adhered to the dorsum nasi in situ (100%).

A polymerase chain reaction experiment using Escherichia coli and Mars sand simulant for detection and analysis of extraterrestrial life.

In this study, we conducted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiments using Escherichia coli (E. coli) and a Mars sand simulant (Mars Global Simulant MGS-1, Exolith Lab) to detect and analyze potential extraterrestrial life. The targeted DNA sequence is common among the bacterial kingdom on Earth.

Association between changes in nutritional status and ability to perform activities of daily living in older patients with heart failure: A stratified analysis by frailty status.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the association between changes in nutritional status and the activities of daily living (ADL) at discharge, considering frailty status of older patients with heart failure (HF).

Methods: This study included 491 older inpatients with HF categorized into the following groups based on their clinical frailty scale (CFS) scores: low, intermediate, and high. Changes in nutritional status were assessed using the Controlling Nutritional Status score at admission and discharge.

Relationship between progressive improvement in gait ability one year after discharge and skeletal muscle characteristics of stroke survivors.

Background: The clinical importance of skeletal muscle characteristics for improving gait ability of stroke survivors is increasing. We aimed to examine the association between muscle quantity and quality at discharge and changes in gait independence at the time of 1 year after discharge in patients with stroke.

Methods: This prospective observational study included 100 patients with stroke who were admitted to a convalescent rehabilitation ward.

Diet, Food Intake, and Exercise Mixed Interventions (DEMI) in the Enhancement of Wellbeing among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Japan: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

This systematic review and meta-analysis discusses the available data on the efficacy of diet, food intake, and exercise mixed interventions (DEMI) for community-dwelling older adults in Japan and assesses the evidence level. We searched the literature regarding the research questions using electronic and hand-searching methods. To ensure the reliability and quality of the evidence, we used the Cochrane risk of bias tool and GRADE system.

Effect of Exercise Therapy on Incident Admission in Patients with Type 2Diabetes Mellitus Undergoing Inpatient Diabetes Self-manageme ntEducation and Support.

Background: Exercise therapy is the key to preventing admission of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, a few studies have examined the effects of exercise therapy on patients with T2DM undergoing inpatient diabetes self-management education and support (IDSMES).

Objective: This study investigated whether exercise therapy influenced the incidence of admission after discharge in patients with T2DM undergoing IDSMES.

Effectiveness of an educational approach between adolescents and adults with patellofemoral pain syndrome: a scoping review with meta-analysis.

[Purpose] This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of an educational approach between adolescents and adults with patellofemoral pain syndrome. [Participants and Methods] The PROSPERO protocol number is CRD42022362680. Four databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane) were searched.

When should Home-visit nurses initiate end-of-life discussions for patients with Organ failure and family caregivers? A qualitative study.

Background: End-of-life (EOL) discussions for organ-failure patients with family caregivers are important factors for successful EOL care. However, identifying the appropriate time to initiate these discussions is difficult owing to the unpredictability of the disease trajectory. No practical tools or clinical indicators currently exist that can help identify non-cancer patients receiving home care who need EOL discussions.

Immediate Effects of Foam Roller and Stretching to the Lead Hip on Golfers Swing: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

Golfers with decreased range of motion (ROM) of their leading hip internal rotation (IR) have increased lumbar rotation ROM and load. This study investigated the effects of foam roller (FR) applied to their leading hip muscles combined with stretching to the leading hip together with lumbar rotation ROM during the golf swing. The study design was a crossover design.

A U-shaped relationship between body mass index and functional recovery in older Japanese stroke survivors undergoing hospital rehabilitation.

Objective: A relationship between body mass index and functional recovery in older survivors of stroke is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association of body mass index with post-stroke functional recovery in older Japanese stroke survivors undergoing hospital rehabilitation.

Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective observational study of 757 older survivors of stroke, from six convalescent rehabilitation hospitals in Japan.

Combination of low muscle strength and malnutrition is associated with longer length of hospital stay among older patients with heart failure.

Background: Muscle strength and nutritional status are associated with length of hospital stay (LOHS) in older patients with heart failure (HF).

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to examine the association of the combination of muscle strength and nutritional status on LOHS in older patients with HF.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 414 older inpatients with HF (men, 57.

Impact of the quantity and quality of the skeletal muscle on survival among patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Introduction: Poor skeletal muscle function is relatively high in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), leading to various negative health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the quantity and quality of skeletal muscle before transplantation and the short-to long-term survival after transplantation in patients undergoing allo-HSCT.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 156 patients undergoing allo-HSCT (men, 67.

Laboratory experiment of ATP measurement using Mars soil simulant: as a method for extraterrestrial life detection.

We present a laboratory experiment of ATP measurement using Mars soil simulant and Escherichia coli (E. coli) with a point of view for future application to searching extraterrestrial life. We used Mars Global Simulant MGS-1 (Exolith Lab) as soil simulant, added E.

In situ biochemical characterization of Venus cloud particles using a life-signature detection microscope.

Much of the information about the size and shape of aerosols forming haze and the cloud layer of Venus is obtained from indirect inferences from nephelometers on probes and from the analysis of the variation of polarization with the phase angle and the glory feature from images of Venus. The microscopic imaging of Venus' aerosols has recently been advocated. Direct measurements from a fluorescence microscope can provide information on the morphology, density, and biochemical characteristics of the particles; thus, fluorescence microscopy is attractive for in situ particle characterization of the Venus cloud layer.

Chronological changes in neuromuscular cooperativeness before and after muscle fatigue loading using the silent period of the quadriceps and hamstrings in young female athletes.

[Purpose] Understanding the neuromuscular cooperativeness functions when an athlete is fatigued is essential in preventing sports injuries and examining post-injury return standards. This study aimed to investigate the kinds of changes in neuromuscular cooperativeness before and after fatigue loading. [Participants and Methods] Fifteen female university athletes were examined for chronological changes in neuromuscular cooperativeness.

Effect of myeloperoxidase oxidation and -homocysteinylation of high-density lipoprotein on endothelial repair function.

Endothelial cell (EC) migration is essential for healing vascular injuries. Previous studies suggest that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), the major protein constituent of HDL, have endothelial healing functions. In cardiovascular disease, HDL is modified by myeloperoxidase (MPO) and -homocysteine, resulting in apoA-I/apoA-II heterodimer and -homocysteinylated (-Hcy) apoA-I formation.

Comparison of cultured cell attachment on a temperature-responsive polymer, poly-L-lysine, and collagen using modeling curves and a thermal-controlled quartz crystal microbalance.

The characteristics of cultured cell attachment onto poly-L-lysine (PLL), collagen, and the thermoresponsive polymer poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) were studied using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). A QCM with microscope cameras enclosed in a Peltier chamber was developed to enable QCM measurements and microphotographic imaging to be conducted in a temperature-controlled CO incubator. Human hepatoma cell line HepG2 cells were cultured on the quartz crystals coated with PLL, collagen, and PNIPAM.

The apex angle of the rocker sole affects the posture and gait stability of healthy individuals.

Background: Rocker sole (RS) shoes have been linked to impaired postural control. However, which features of RS design affect balance is unclear.

Research Question: Which RS design features affect standing balance and gait stability?

Methods: This study utilized an intervention and cross-over design.

Substantial induction of non-apoptotic CD4 T-cell death during the early phase of HIV-1 infection in a humanized mouse model.

Several mechanisms underline induction of CD4 T-cell death by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. For a long time, apoptosis was considered central to cell death involved in the depletion of CD4 T cells during HIV infection. However, which types of cell death are induced during the early phase of HIV infection in vivo remains unclear.

Characteristics of dynamic standing balance with and without an insole in patients with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy.

[Purpose] This study examined characteristics of dynamic standing balance, with an without an insole, in patients with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy (CP). [Participants and Methods] This cross-sectional study used a crossover design. Eleven patients with spastic diplegia CP and gross motor levels between I and III with spastic diplegia CP (according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System expanded and revised version) were randomly allocated to either the barefoot or insole groups.

Triboelectric charging of polytetrafluoroethylene antithrombotic catheters.

This study proposes that a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) electret tube charged by frictional electricity can prevent the solidification of the indwelling catheter in blood vessels. Coagulation in intravascular indwelling catheters may discontinue the treatment because of thrombus-derived bacteria-adhesion infections or poor blood removal. Current commercially available intravascular catheters lack complete antithrombotic measures, even with heparin or urokinase antithrombotic coatings.