Clinical workload profile of medical physics professionals at particle therapy Centers: a National Survey in Japan.

The current research on staffing models is primarily focused on conventional external photon beam therapy, which predominantly involves using linear accelerators. This emphasizes the need for comprehensive studies to understand better and define specific particle therapy facilities' staffing requirements. In a 2022 survey of 25 particle therapy facilities in Japan with an 84% response rate, significant insights were obtained regarding workload distribution, defined as the product of personnel count and task time (person-minutes), for patient-related tasks and equipment quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC).

Excessive posterior placement of upper instrumented vertebra relative to lower instrumented vertebra as a predictor of proximal junction kyphosis after selective spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis Lenke type 5C curves.

Purpose: We defined sagittal S-line tilt (SSLT) as the tilt of the line connecting the upper instrumented vertebra and the lower instrumented vertebra. This study aimed to: (1) examine the correlation between SSLT and proximal junctional angle (PJA) change values, and (2) determine the cut-off value of SSLT with respect to proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) occurrence.

Methods: Eighty-six consecutive patients (81 female and 5 male; mean age: 15.

Human corneal endothelial cell transplantation with nanocomposite gel sheet preserves corneal stability in post-corneal transplant bullous keratopathy: a 16-year follow-up.

Post-corneal transplantation endothelial decompensation and subsequent bullous keratopathy often result in unfavorable clinical outcomes regardless of the treatment strategy employed. In this report, we present the outcomes of a patient managed with in vitro expanded human corneal endothelial cell (HCEC) transplantation facilitated by a nanocomposite gel (NC gel) sheet over 16 years. A 40-year-old male patient who presented with signs of graft failure after penetrating keratoplasty underwent HCEC transplantation.

Beneficial immune-modulatory effects of the N-163 strain of -produced 1,3-1,6 Beta glucans in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Results of an open-label, prospective, exploratory case-control clinical study.

Background: This exploratory case-control study is to evaluate the effects of supplementation of -N-163 strain produced 1,3-1,- 6 beta glucan in young patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

Methods: Twenty-seven male subjects aged 5-19 years with DMD were included, nine in the control arm and 18 in the treatment arm to receive N-163 beta glucan along with conventional therapies for 45 days. While performing the analysis, steroid usage was also taken into consideration, those not administered steroids (Steroid -ve) (Control, n = 5; treatment, n = 9), those administered steroids (Steroid +ve) (Control, n = 4; treatment, n = 9).

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on radiotherapy delivery in Japan: An observational study based on the national database.

Background: This study analyzed the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on radiotherapy delivery in Japan using a high-quality Japanese national database based on universal health coverage.

Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study using National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan open data focused on radiotherapy between fiscal year (FY) 2019 and FY2020 and the number of COVID-19 cases from the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. We statistically analyzed the relationship between the number of COVID-19 cases and the number of radiotherapy deliveries in Japan as a whole and by prefecture.

Beta 1,3-1,6 Glucans Produced by Two Novel Strains of Aureobasidium Pullulans Exert Immune and Metabolic Beneficial Effects in Healthy Middle-aged Japanese Men: Results of an Exploratory Randomized Control Study.

Objectives: In this pilot study, we have evaluated the specific metabolic and immune-related benefits of the AFO-202 strain and N-163 strain of black yeast Aureobasidium pullulans-produced beta 1,3-1,6 glucan in healthy human subjects.

Methods: Sixteen healthy Japanese male volunteers (aged 40 to 60 years) took part in this clinical trial. They were divided into four groups (n = 4 each): Group I consumed AFO-202 beta-glucan (2 sachets of 1 g each per day), IA for 35 days and IB for 21 days; Group II consumed a combination of AFO-202 beta-glucan (2 sachets of 1 g each) and N-163 beta-glucan (1 sachet of 15 g gel each per day), IIA for 35 days and IIB for 21 days.

Beneficial effects of 1,3-1,6 β-glucans produced by Aureobasidium pullulans on non-esterified fatty acid levels in diabetic KKAy mice and their potential implications in metabolic dysregulation.

Objectives: In this study, we used an obese and diabetic mouse model to compare two strains of (AFO-202 and N-163) produced beta-glucans (β-glucans), which alleviate lipotoxicity.

Methods: Four groups of KK-Ay mice were used, with six subjects in each group. Group 1: sacrificed on day 0 for baseline values; Group 2: control (drinking water); Group 3: AFO-202 beta glucan-200 mg/kg/day; Group 4: N-163 beta glucan-300 mg/kg/day for 28 consecutive days.

ROLE OF GUT MICROBIOME HOMEOSTASIS, INTEGRITY OF THE INTESTINAL EPITHELIAL CELLS, AND THE (ENDOGENOUS) BUTYRATE IN ENDURING A HEALTHY LONG LIFE.

The influence of gut microbiomes on health has been gaining significance lately. More emphasis is their role in neurological illnesses as several of the metabolites and factors produced by the gut affect the brain via the gut-brain axis. Among all the gut microbiome produced metabolites, butyrate has been considered the most significant.

Antibody dependent disease enhancement (ADE) after COVID-19 vaccination and beta glucans as a safer strategy in management.

A potential risk associated with vaccines for COVID-19 is antibody-dependent disease enhancement (ADE) in which vaccine induced antibody mediated immune responses may lead to enhanced SARS CoV- 2 acquisition or increased disease severity. Though ADE has not been clinically demonstrated with any of the COVID-19 vaccines so far, when neutralizing antibodies are suboptimal, the severity of COVID-19 has been reported to be greater. ADE is presumed to occur via abnormal macrophages induced by the vaccine based immune response by antibody-mediated virus uptake into Fc gamma receptor IIa (FcγRIIa) or by the formation of Fc-mediated excessive antibody effector functions.

Hepatoprotective Effects of Derived β 1,3-1,6 Glucans in a Murine Model of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are highly prevalent conditions characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the liver, which can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma if left untreated. Conventional modalities are mainly symptomatic, with no definite solution. Beta-glucan-based biological response modifiers are a potential strategy in lieu of their beneficial metabolic effects.

Usefulness of modified S-line for upper instrumented vertebra selection in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis Lenke type 2 curves.

No validated systems exist for selecting the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) for optimal postoperative shoulder balance in Lenke type 2 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). This study evaluated a new method for shoulder balance prediction using the modified Shinshu line (MSL) for UIV selection in AIS Lenke type 2 curves. Fifty-five consecutive AIS patients receiving posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for a Lenke type 2 AIS curve were retrospectively analyzed according to several UIV determination models.

Tips and pitfalls to improve accuracy and reduce radiation exposure in intraoperative CT navigation for pediatric scoliosis: a systematic review.

Background Context: An increasing number of medical centers are adopting an intraoperative computed tomography (iCT) navigation system (iCT-Navi) to provide three-dimensional navigation for pediatric scoliosis surgery. While iCT-Navi has been reported to provide higher pedicle screw (PS) insertion accuracy, it may also result in higher radiation exposure to the patient. What innovations and studies have been introduced to reduce radiation exposure and further improve PS insertion?

Purpose: Evaluate the level of evidence and quality of papers while categorizing the tips and pitfalls regarding pediatric scoliosis surgery using iCT-Navi.

Two unique biological response-modifier glucans beneficially regulating gut microbiota and faecal metabolome in a non-alcoholic steatohepatitis animal model, with potential applications in human health and disease.

Objective: The gut microbiome and its metabolites are influenced by age and stress and reflect the metabolism and health of the immune system. We assessed the gut microbiota and faecal metabolome in a static animal model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Design: This model was subjected to the following treatments: reverse osmosis water, AFO-202, N-163, AFO-202+N-163 and telmisartan treatment.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on radiotherapy in Japan: nationwide surveys from May 2020 through June 2021.

A longitudinal online questionnaire survey on the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the operation of radiotherapy departments in Japan was conducted. Approximately 26.1-70.

Benefits of Gut Microbiota Reconstitution by Beta 1,3-1,6 Glucans in Subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Background: Aureobasidium pullulans (black yeast) AFO-202 strain-produced beta glucan, Nichi Glucan, has been shown to improve the behavior and sleep pattern along with an increase in α-synuclein and melatonin in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Objective: In this randomized pilot clinical study, we have evaluated the gut microbiota of subjects with ASD after consumption of Nichi Glucan.

Methods: Eighteen subjects with ASD were randomly allocated: six subjects in the control group (Group 1): conventional treatment comprising remedial behavioral therapies and L-carnosine 500 mg per day, and 12 subjects (Group 2) underwent supplementation with Nichi Glucan 0.

Beneficial Immune Regulation by Biological Response Modifier Glucans in COVID-19 and Their Envisaged Potentials in the Management of Sepsis.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by an abnormal immune response induced by infection with no approved or specific therapeutic options. We present our perspectives for the therapeutic management of sepsis through a four-way approach: (1) infection control through immune enhancement; (2) immune suppression during the initial hyper-inflammatory phase; (3) balanced immune-modulation to counter the later immune-paralysis phase; and (4) advantageous effects on metabolic and coagulation parameters throughout. COVID-19 is a virus-triggered, accelerated sepsis-like reaction that is associated with the rapid progress of an inflammatory cascade involving a cytokine storm and multiorgan failure.

Integrating the Synergy of the Gut Microbiome into Regenerative Medicine: Relevance to Neurological Disorders.

A new paradigm of cell therapy-based approaches as a solution to several diseases caused by damage or loss of cells/tissues leading to organ failure heralded the birth of a new branch in medicine called regenerative medicine (RM), which was further fueled by in vitro cell expansion and tissue engineering (TE) technologies, including the ability to grow embryonic stem cells, induce pluripotent stem cells, and so on. RM addresses organ failure by repair, regeneration, or restoration, rejuvenation using cells, stem cells, or progenitor cells as tools having added cell-derived products also as a tool, and extracellular matrix component-based support, either direct or indirect (e.g.

Beneficial effects of novel aureobasidium pullulans strains produced beta-1,3-1,6 glucans on interleukin-6 and D-dimer levels in COVID-19 patients; results of a randomized multiple-arm pilot clinical study.

Objective: In this pilot clinical study, we report the beneficial effects of beta glucans derived from two strains AFO-202 and N-163 of a black yeast Aureobasidium pullulans on the biomarkers for cytokine storm and coagulopathy in COVID-19 patients.

Methods: A total of 24 RT-PCR positive COVID-19 patients were recruited and randomly divided into three groups (Gr): Gr. 1 control (n = 8) - Standard treatment; Gr.

β‑glucan vaccine adjuvant approach for cancer treatment through immune enhancement (B‑VACCIEN) in specific immunocompromised populations (Review).

The incidence of cancer, which is the second leading cause of mortality globally, continues to increase, although continued efforts are being made to identify effective treatments with fewer side‑effects. Previous studies have reported that chronic microinflammation, which occurs in diseases, including diabetes, along with weakened immune systems, may ultimately lead to cancer development. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are the mainstream approaches to treatment; however, they all lead to immune system weakness, which in turn increases the metastatic spread.

β-glucans: wide-spectrum immune-balancing food-supplement-based enteric (β-WIFE) vaccine adjuvant approach to COVID-19.

Conventional vaccines to combat COVID-19 through different approaches are at various stages of development. The complexity of COVID-19 such as the potential mutations of the virus leading to antigenic drift and the uncertainty on the duration of the immunity induced by the vaccine have hampered the efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, we suggest an alternative interim treatment strategy based on biological response modifier glucans such as the AFO-202-derived β-glucan, which has been reported to induce trained immunity, akin to that induced by the Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine, by epigenetic modifications at the central level in the bone marrow.