Association of complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus with hemodynamics and exercise capacity in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a case-control study in individuals aged 65-80 years.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a frequently observed complication in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Although a characteristic finding in such patients is a decrease in objective exercise capacity represented by peak oxygen uptake (peakVO), exercise capacity and its predictors in HFpEF with T2DM remain not clearly understood. This case-control study aimed to investigate the association between exercise capacity and hemodynamics indicators and T2DM comorbidity in patients with HFpEF aged 65-80 years.

Effect of Average Relative Humidity on Epistaxis.

Background Epistaxis is a very common symptom. The occurrence of epistaxis may be affected by dry environments, but there are some differences among previous reports and this view is controversial. Objective We investigated the relationship between the number of epistaxes and daily average relative humidity.

Outcomes of congenital diaphragmatic hernia among preterm infants: inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis.

Objectives: To evaluate the survival and intact-survival rates among preterm infants with congenital diaphragm hernia (CDH).

Study Design: Multicenter retrospective cohort study of 849 infants born between 2006 and 2020 at 15 Japanese CDH study group facilities. Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted using inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) method was used.

Potential Relationships between the Median Nerve Cross-Sectional Area and Physical Characteristics in Unilateral Symptomatic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Patients.

Background: The present study investigated the relationships between the median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) and physical characteristics in patients with unilateral symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Methods: Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), disease duration, results of electrodiagnostic testing (EDX), and median nerve CSA at the level of the wrist crease were recorded in 81 patients with CTS who presented with symptoms on only one side. Correlation coefficients between median nerve CSA and physical characteristics, disease duration, and results of EDX were analyzed.

Multicenter retrospective study of stereotactic body radiotherapy for patients with previously untreated initial small hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: We aimed to verify the therapeutic efficacy and safety of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for previously untreated initial small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a multicenter, retrospective study.

Methods: Patients who underwent SBRT for HCC at the Japanese Society of Clinical Oncology (JCOG) member hospitals in Japan between July 2013 and December 2017 and met the following eligibility criteria were included: (1) initial HCC; (2) ≤3 nodules, ≤5 cm in diameter; (3) Child-Pugh score of A or B; and (4) unsuitability for or refusal of standard treatment. We analyzed the overall survival, recurrence-free survival, and cumulative incidence of local recurrence rate, and adverse events directly related to SBRT.

Effects of simulated trunk flexion contracture on the margin of stability during obstacle crossing in elderly individuals.

Background: Trunk flexion contracture is an abnormal posture in elderly individuals with lumbar kyphosis. It is unclear whether this posture affects locomotor stability (margin of stability [MoS]) during obstacle crossing, which is a common trigger for falls in elderly people.

Research Question: Does trunk flexion contracture negatively affect MoS during obstacle crossing in elderly people?

Methods: Ten healthy elderly individuals performed five trials of obstacle crossing using a comfortable speed under two experimental conditions, namely, with (FLEX) or without (NORMAL) a hard lumbar brace to simulate trunk flexion contracture.

Proteomic Analysis Reveals Changes in Tight Junctions in the Small Intestinal Epithelium of Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet.

The impact of a high-fat diet (HFD) on intestinal permeability has been well established. When bacteria and their metabolites from the intestinal tract flow into the portal vein, inflammation in the liver is triggered. However, the exact mechanism behind the development of a leaky gut caused by an HFD is unclear.

Novel Approach for Glycemic Management Incorporating Vibration Stimulation of Skeletal Muscle in Obesity.

Because obesity is associated with impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes (T2D), it is important to manage the blood glucose level at an early stage. Nevertheless, people with obesity have significantly lower resistance to muscle fatigue after exercise and exercise adherence. Therefore, we developed a novel "Relaxing-Vibration Training (VT)" consisting of 25 postures using vibration stimulation of skeletal muscle and determined the feasibility of VT for glycemic management.

Comparison of 3D Bone Position Estimation Using QR Code and Metal Bead Markers.

To improve the accuracy of a 3D bone position estimation system that displays 3D images in response to changes in the position of fluoroscopic images, modified markers using quick response (QR) codes were developed. The aims of this study were to assess the accuracy of the estimated bone position on 3D images with reference to QR code markers on fluoroscopic images and to compare its accuracy with metal bead markers. Bone positions were estimated from reference points on a fluoroscopic image compared with those on a 3D image.

Acute Lumbar Pyogenic Spondylitis With Multiple Abscesses Complicated by a Septic Shock That Required Emergency Surgical Open Drainage: A Case Report.

We treated a patient with pyogenic spondylitis complicated by septic shock, who was saved by emergency surgery. The patient was a 75-year-old man with back pain, fever, and weakness in the lower limbs four days before. Upon admission to our hospital, he had tachycardia, tachypnea, fever, and fluctuating vital signs.

Characteristics of Adult-Onset Acute Lumbar Spondylolysis Treated Conservatively.

Introduction: Lumbar spondylolysis typically arises during adolescence, whereas its onset in adulthood is rare. Several studies have reported incidentally identified terminal-stage spondylolysis in adults, but only one case series has investigated acute lumbar spondylolysis lesions with bone marrow edema in adults.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated lumbar spondylolysis in patients aged 18 years or older.

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy for Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme: Imaging Evaluation of a Case With Long-Term Local Control and Survival.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is difficult to cure with conventional multimodal treatment and has an extremely poor prognosis. Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a new particle therapy for malignant tumors in the brain and head and neck region. This radiotherapy utilizes a nuclear reaction between neutrons and a nonradioactive isotope, boron-10.

Effects of Electrical Stimulation of the Cell: Wound Healing, Cell Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Signal Transduction.

Electrical stimulation of the cell can have a number of different effects depending on the type of cell being stimulated. In general, electrical stimulation can cause the cell to become more active, increase its metabolism, and change its gene expression. For example, if the electrical stimulation is of low intensity and short duration, it may simply cause the cell to depolarize.

Treatment of Thoracolumbar Pyogenic Spondylitis with Minimally Invasive Posterior Fixation without Anterior Lesion Debridement or Bone Grafting: A Multicenter Case Study.

The usefulness of minimally invasive posterior fixation without debridement and autogenous bone grafting remains unknown. This multicenter case series aimed to determine the clinical outcomes and limitations of this method for thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis. Patients with thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis treated with minimally invasive posterior fixation alone were retrospectively evaluated at nine affiliated hospitals since April 2016.

Severe Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Symptom Caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis-induced Atlantoaxial Subluxation: A Case Report.

Introduction: Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) has three characteristics: Gait disorder, urinary incontinence, and amnesia. We report a case of atlantoaxial subluxation-related NPH in a patient whose symptoms were dramatically improved by atlantoaxial fusion surgery.

Case Report: A 67-year-old woman presented complaining of walking disturbance.

Prostacyclin receptor agonists induce DUSP1 to inhibit pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Aims: Upregulated p38 signaling is implicated in the accelerated proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PA-SMCs) and the pathogenesis of pulmonary artery remodeling observed in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Previously, we reported that after endothelin-1 (ET-1) pretreatment, bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) activates p38 signaling and accelerates PA-SMC proliferation. The activity of p38 signaling is tightly regulated by the inactivation of dual-specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1).

Efficacy Endpoints in Phase II Clinical Trials for Meningioma: An Analysis of Recent Clinical Trials.

Background: Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST)-based response rates are commonly used as efficacy endpoints in phase II clinical trials for solid tumors. However, no consensus has been reached concerning adequate efficacy endpoints for phase II clinical trials targeting meningioma. Irregularity of lesions after resection, and varying degrees of dysplasia and histologic subtypes make establishing an appropriate efficacy evaluation difficult.

Tandem autologous stem cell transplantation in elderly patients with myeloma: A multicenter retrospective analysis.

Tandem autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has been reconsidered for high-risk patients with myeloma, and the eligibility criteria for up-front ASCT have been updated to include more elderly patients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of tandem ASCT in elderly patients with myeloma compared to tandem ASCT in young patients and single ASCT in elderly patients. A retrospective study using the Transplant Registry Unified Management Program database of the Japanese Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, which included 64 elderly and 613 young patients who received tandem ASCT, and 891 elderly patients who received single ASCT, was conducted.

Computer-Aided Assessment of Three-Dimensional Standard Bone Morphology of the Distal Radius.

The present study attempted to define the three-dimensional (3D) locations of reference points and standard measures of the distal radius of a normal wrist joint. One hundred wrists from 50 males and 50 females who matched the age distribution (19−95 years old, mean: 56.0 years old) were evaluated.

Recurrent distal cholangiocarcinoma and humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy: report of a rare case and literature review.

A 61-year-old Japanese woman presented with epigastric pain and jaundice. Imaging showed the presence of primary distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC). A subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed, followed by chemotherapy using S-1.

Effects of colored lights on an individual's affective impressions in the observation process.

The lighting environment has an important influence on the psychological and physical aspects of a person. On certain occasions, reasonable lighting design can regulate people's emotions and improve their feelings of comfort in a space. Besides, specific lighting can create a specific atmosphere according to space requirements.

Comparison of therapeutic features and oncologic outcome in patients with pN1 prostate cancer among robot-assisted, laparoscopic, or open radical prostatectomy.

Objectives: To compare the therapeutic features and oncological outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with those of open radical prostatectomy (ORP) or laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) in lymph node (LN) positive prostate cancer patients in a retrospective observational multi-institutional study.

Patients And Methods: We evaluated the clinical results of 561 patients across 33 institutions who underwent RARP, LRP, or ORP and who were diagnosed with LN-positive prostate cancer during RP with pelvic LN dissection (PLND). We determined the following survival outcomes: metastasis-free survival, overall survival, cancer-specific survival, and biochemical recurrence-free survival.