Telemedicine for Paediatric Rheumatic Diseases in Japan: A National Survey of Physicians' Perspectives.

Objectives: This study assessed the needs, perceptions, and challenges associated with telemedicine in the treatment of oligoarticular/polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (oJIA/pJIA) and childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) in Japan.

Methods: A nationwide survey was conducted using Google Forms targeting members of the Japan College of Rheumatology, the Paediatric Rheumatology Association of Japan, and paediatricians affiliated with core paediatric specialty training facilities.

Results: Responses were received from 128 physicians with 77%, 50%, 27%, and 21% of patients travelling for more than one hour, crossing prefectural borders, coming from areas with limited specialised care, and residing in remote islands and regions, respectively.

Influence of pharmacokinetics-related gene polymorphisms on plasma levels of clozapine and its metabolites in Japanese patients with schizophrenia.

Aim: Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic drug that is most effective against treatment-resistant schizophrenia and causes serious adverse effects, including agranulocytosis. We examined the relationships between age, sex, genetic polymorphisms, and the plasma concentrations of clozapine and its metabolites (N-desmethylclozapine and clozapine N-oxide) in Japanese patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood samples of 27 patients with schizophrenia receiving clozapine maintenance treatment, and the pharmacokinetics-related genes (, , , , , , and ) were genotyped.

The need for telemedicine for rheumatic diseases in adult medical care:A Survey of non-pediatric rheumatologists.

Objectives: This study of telemedicine aims to clarify the needs and issues of patients with rheumatic diseases and the medical personnel involved in their care.

Methods: A questionnaire survey, targeting members of the Japan Rheumatology Association and pertinent patients/companions, was conducted on the use of telemedicine in this field.

Results: Questionnaires were collected from 351 internists, 133 orthopaedists, and 144 patients/their companions.

Experience of High Tibial Osteotomy for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Recent Medication: A Case Series.

: High tibial osteotomy (HTO) was generally not indicated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) because synovial inflammation may exacerbate joint damage postoperatively. Recently, joint destruction in RA has dramatically changed with the introduction of methotrexate (MTX) and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of HTO for patients with RA treated with recent medication.

A Single Session of tDCS Stimulation Can Modulate an EEG Microstate Associated With Anxiety in Patients With Depression.

Purpose: Microstate analysis involves examining the temporal dynamics of electroencephalogram (EEG) signals and serves as a crucial method for exploring the neural basis of psychiatric disorders. This study investigates the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on specific microstate parameter maps-D and C in patients with depression, specifically targeting the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC) and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC).

Methods: We conducted an open-label, between-subject, crossover trial involving 19 patients clinically diagnosed with depression.

Sleep medications and alcohol abuse masked sleep apnea syndrome without sleepiness for over 30 years: A case report.

Background: Insomnia is often treated with benzodiazepines, which can lead to long-term use and potential complications, especially if underlying conditions like sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) go undiagnosed. This case report describes a 70-year-old woman with chronic insomnia, benzodiazepine and alcohol abuse, and a previously undiagnosed severe SAS.

Case Presentation: The patient, a 70-year-old woman was admitted for suspected delirium caused by benzodiazepine and alcohol abuse.

Hemodynamic characteristics at baseline and following repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment.

The mechanism underlying the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) remains unclear, particularly regarding its impact on different severities of depression. From a personalized treatment perspective, evaluating functional improvements by illness severity is crucial. This study investigated changes in cerebral hemodynamics before and after six weeks of rTMS treatment in 45 patients with depression, using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).

Telemedicine as an alternative to in-person care in the field of rheumatic diseases: A systematic scoping review.

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic prompted the widespread adoption of telemedicine as an alternative to in-person care. This systematic scoping review evaluated the effectiveness, cost-efficiency, and challenges of telemedicine for patients with rheumatic diseases.

Methods: A comprehensive search of the MEDLINE database was conducted using specific terms related to rheumatoid or juvenile arthritis, and telemedicine.

LRP4 and Agrin Are Modulated by Cartilage Degeneration and Involved in β-Catenin Signaling in Human Articular Chondrocytes.

We investigated the roles of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) 4 and its ligand Agrin in the pathophysiology of cartilage degeneration. Immunohistochemical analysis of human normal articular cartilage and cartilage tissues from patients with osteoarthritis (OA) obtained during surgery of the knee joint showed marked LRP4 expression in the early stages of OA, which then decreased with cartilage degeneration, whereas Agrin was consistently increased with cartilage degeneration. In normal human articular chondrocytes (NHACs), mild cyclic tensile strain (CTS) (0.

Distribution and Incorporation of Extracellular Vesicles into Chondrocytes and Synoviocytes.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease affecting over 500 million people worldwide. As the population ages and obesity rates rise, the societal burden of OA is increasing. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly interleukin-1β, are implicated in the pathogenesis of OA.

Development progress of drugs for bipolar disorder: 75 Years after lithium proved effective.

Bipolar disorder, a psychiatric condition identified by significant mood changes and a considerable genetic connection with schizophrenia, needs continuous and extensive management due to its common onset in adolescence and significant impact on psychosocial activities. While traditional mood stabilizers continue to be widely used, the pursuit of more effective treatments remains ongoing, with the current research targeting various stages of the disorder. This study provides a thorough examination of new pharmacological treatments for bipolar disorder, which are currently in Phase II and Phase III clinical trials up to 22 April 2024.

The use of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs does not increase surgical site infection or delayed wound healing after orthopaedic surgeries for rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To investigate the effect of the use of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) on surgical site infection (SSI) and delayed wound healing (DWH) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 965 elective orthopaedic procedures undertaken in RA patients. The incidences of SSI and DWH were compared between the bDMARDs user and nonuser groups.

Intra-Articular Corrective Osteotomy for Distal Radial Intra-Articular Malunion Using Patient-Matched Instruments: A Prospective, Multicenter, Open-Label, Single-Arm Trial.

Background: Corrective osteotomy for intra-articular malunion is a challenging procedure. However, recent advancements, including patient-matched instruments created on the basis of preoperative computer simulation, enable accurate intra-articular correction. We hypothesized that intra-articular corrective osteotomy using patient-matched instruments for the treatment of distal radial intra-articular malunion would reduce intra-articular deformity and restore wrist function at 12 months of follow-up.

Insomnia among patients with chronic pain: A retrospective study.

Insomnia can coexist with chronic pain and is a major cause of rapidly increasing medical expenses. However, insomnia has not been fully evaluated in patients with chronic pain. This retrospective study aimed to identify the risk factors for insomnia in patients with chronic non-cancer pain.

Safety and effectiveness of certolizumab pegol in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Up to 3-year results from a postmarketing surveillance study.

Objectives: To report up to 3-year safety and effectiveness of certolizumab pegol (CZP) in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis from a postmarketing surveillance study.

Methods: Patients enrolled previously completed 24 weeks of CZP in the 24-week postmarketing surveillance study. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were recorded for patients who received ≥1 CZP dose.

Comparison of early clinical outcome in carpal tunnel release - mini-open technique with palmar incision vs. endoscopic technique with wrist crease incision.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine two techniques for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, mini-Open Carpal Tunnel Release (mini-OCTR) and Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release (ECTR), to compare their therapeutic efficacy.

Methods: Sixteen patients who underwent mini-OCTR in palmar incision and 17 patients who underwent ECTR in the wrist crease incision were included in the study. All patients presented preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively and were assessed with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score (DASH).

High Fracture Rate of AVANTA Silicone Implant Following Arthroplasty of the Thumb MCP Joint of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients with Boutonniere Deformities.

We retrospectively investigated the mid-term outcomes of arthroplasty using the AVANTA silicone implant for thumb metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints with boutonniere deformity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study involved 36 thumbs of 33 RA patients with a mean follow-up period of 5.1 years (range, 2.

Inhibitory Effect of a Tankyrase Inhibitor on Mechanical Stress-Induced Protease Expression in Human Articular Chondrocytes.

We investigated the effects of a Tankyrase (TNKS-1/2) inhibitor on mechanical stress-induced gene expression in human chondrocytes and examined TNKS-1/2 expression in human osteoarthritis (OA) cartilage. Cells were seeded onto stretch chambers and incubated with or without a TNKS-1/2 inhibitor (XAV939) for 12 h. Uni-axial cyclic tensile strain (CTS) (0.

The Effectiveness of Rehabilitation after Open Surgical Release for Trigger Finger: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study.

Background: It is not clear whether rehabilitation after surgery for trigger finger is effective. The aim of this study was to reveal its effectiveness for trigger finger.

Methods: This study was a randomized, controlled trial that included patients who underwent operations for trigger fingers.

Wrist arthrodesis combined with a bulk bone allograft for implant loosening after total wrist arthroplasty: A case report.

Total wrist arthroplasty (TWA) is a challenging procedure for wrist joints severely destroyed by rheumatoid arthritis. The most common postoperative complication of TWAs is the loosening of the carpal component. Revision surgeries for failed TWAs can be complicated owing to severe bone loss and concomitant soft-tissue problems.