The association between amygdalar volume changes and depressive symptom improvements after repeated ketamine infusion in treatment-resistant depression: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with the following open-label study.

Background: Ketamine is effective for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), where its mechanism remains unclear. Though the amygdala plays an important role in emotional processing and mood state, no study has explored the relationship between amygdalar subfield volumes and ketamine's effect in patients with TRD. We hypothesized that amygdalar subfield volume changes would correlate with clinical response to ketamine in patients with TRD.

Irradiation with 265-nm Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diodes to Plasma: Alterations of Hemostatic Parameters and von Willebrand Factor.

Introduction: Among pathogen inactivation methods for blood products, an ultraviolet C (UVC) irradiation has been attracting attention. We previously reported that 265 nm UV-LED (UVC-LED) effectively prevents bacterial infection. However, the effect of UVC-LED on plasma was not considered.

Abnormal neuritic microstructures in the anterior limb of internal capsules in treatment-resistant depression - A cross-sectional NODDI study.

Background: Microstructural deficits of brain tissue are implicated in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). Recent studies have highlighted the neurotrophic mechanisms underlying effective treatments such as ketamine for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). However, little is known about microstructural changes in TRD.

Home transfusions are implemented using diverse approaches in Japan.

Background And Objectives: Japan's ageing society has increased the need for home healthcare, including home transfusions. We hence aimed to elucidate the purpose and utilization of home transfusions in Japan, which has not been clarified to date.

Materials And Methods: Clinics throughout Japan that provide home care and have experience in performing blood transfusions were surveyed.

Infection-Induced SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence among Blood Donors, Japan, 2022.

A nationwide survey of SARS-CoV-2 antinucleocapsid seroprevalence among blood donors in Japan revealed that, as of November 2022, infection-induced seroprevalence of the population was 28.6% (95% CI 27.6%-29.

Management system of home transfusion in Japan: A nationwide survey in 2019.

Background And Objectives: In Japan, there are various opinions on the pros and cons of home transfusion because of safety concerns. We hence aimed to elucidate the safety and availability of home transfusion in Japan, which has not been clarified to date.

Materials And Methods: Clinics throughout Japan that provide home care and have experience in performing blood transfusions were surveyed.

Enhanced water dispersibility and Caco-2 cell monolayer permeability of quercetin by complexation with casein hydrolysate.

Although quercetin (Que) has many beneficial therapeutic effects on the human body, its oral bioavailability is poor because of its low water solubility. Herein, we describe the preparation of casein hydrolysate (Pep ) and its use as a dispersant to enhance the water dispersibility of Que resulting in an improvement of its bioavailability. By complexation with Pep , the apparent solubility of Que in the complex (Que@Pep ) was significantly increased under acidic and neutral conditions.

Storing Information Electrically in Human Skin.

Human skin has been classified as a non-volatile memristor and it is shown that information can be stored within for at least three minutes. Here we investigate whether it is possible to store information up to 20 minutes. Furthermore, we investigate whether the information can be based on four different states, not just two (binary).

Redox-Active Tin Metal-Organic Framework with a Thiolate-Based Ligand.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and coordination polymers composed of thiolates as coordinating functional groups are interesting materials with unique optical and electronical properties. Herein, we report the preparation of KGF-4 and KGF-10, two Sn-MOF crystal structures with bonds between Sn and thiolate. KGF-10 was isolated as a pure phase and found to exhibit redox properties and a semiconducting band structure, as confirmed by first-principles (density functional theory) calculations.

UV light-emitting diode (UV-LED) at 265 nm as a potential light source for disinfecting human platelet concentrates.

The risk of sepsis through bacterial transmission is one of the most serious problems in platelet transfusion. In processing platelet concentrates (PCs), several methods have been put into practice to minimize the risk of bacterial transmission, such as stringent monitoring by cultivation assays and inactivation treatment by photoirradiation with or without chemical agents. As another potential option, we applied a light-emitting diode (LED) with a peak emission wavelength of 265 nm, which has been shown to be effective for water, to disinfect PCs.

Enhanced water dispersibility and permeability through a Caco-2 cell monolayer of β-cryptoxanthin extracted from kumquats by complexation with casein.

β-Cryptoxanthin (BCX) possesses potential therapeutic and health benefits. However, BCX absorption is low because of its poor aqueous solubility. In this study, a complex between BCX and casein (Cas) was prepared to improve the water dispersibility and bioavailability of BCX.

Persistent or permanent atrial fibrillation is associated with severe cardioembolic stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Background: Little is known about the difference in the severity of cardioembolic (CE) stroke between patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) and persistent/permanent AF (PerAF). We assessed stroke severity in patients with CE stroke divided by the type of AF.

Methods: Three hundred and fifty-eight consecutive patients with CE stroke within 48 h of onset and with a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≤ 1 before onset were studied.

Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Suppresses Deterioration of Renal Function in Patients ≥75 Years of Age With Heart Disease.

Background: This study investigated the effect of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (OCR) and physical activity on the estimated glomerular filtration rate based on serum cystatin C (eGFRcys) in patients with heart disease (HD) aged ≥75 years.

Methods and results: This non-randomized prospective intervention study involved 136 patients (non-OCR group, n=66; OCR group, n=70), 55 of whom were aged ≥75 years (non-OCR group, n=29; OCR group, n=26). Renal function (eGFRcys) was evaluated at discharge and 3 months thereafter.

A Japanese multi-institutional collaborative study of antigen-positive red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in patients with corresponding RBC antibodies.

Background And Objectives: It is sometimes difficult to obtain antigen-negative red blood cells (RBCs) for patients with antibodies against RBCs. However, the frequency and severity of the adverse reactions have not been well elucidated. Here, we conducted a multi-institutional collaborative study to clarify the background, frequency and clinical significance of antigen-positive RBC transfusions to patients with the respective antibodies.

Enhanced oxygen reduction activity of platinum subnanocluster catalysts through charge redistribution.

Single-size platinum Pt6 subnanoclusters exhibit superior mass-specific and surface-specific activities for the oxygen reduction reaction. The enhanced activity is attributed to polarized electron distributions based on rigorous structure characterization by X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and density functional theory.

Effects of Mild Orthostatic Stimulation on Cerebral Pulsatile Hemodynamics.

The augmented cerebral hemodynamic pulsatility could lead to the elevated risk of cerebrovascular disease. To determine the impact of an acute orthostatic challenge on a pulsatile component of cerebral hemodynamics, mild lower body negative pressure (LBNP, -30 mmHg) was applied to 29 men. Middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity (MCAv) was measured by transcranial Doppler technique.

Low Body Mass Index is a Poor Prognosis Factor in Cardioembolic Stroke Patients with NonValvular Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the severity of cardioembolic stroke (CES) remains poorly understood.

Method: A total of 419 consecutive CES patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), and with a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0 or 1 before onset admitted within 48hours after onset to the Hirosaki Stroke and Rehabilitation Center were studied. The patients were divided into three groups, low BMI (L-BMI; n = 36, BMI < 18.

Swine model of in-stent stenosis in the iliac artery evaluating the serial time course.

The aim of this study was to propose a new animal model evaluating the serial time course of in-stent stenosis by repeated carotid artery catheterization in the same animal. 16 bare-metal stents were implanted in the normal external and internal iliac artery of 8 miniature pigs. Repeated measurements were performed in the same animal every 2 weeks for 12 weeks through carotid artery catheterization.

Effect of Dietary Purified Xanthohumol from Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) Pomace on Adipose Tissue Mass, Fasting Blood Glucose Level, and Lipid Metabolism in KK-Ay Mice.

We previously showed that xanthohumol-rich hop extract (XRHE, ~18% xanthohumol) exerts anti-obesity effects in rats fed a high-fat diet through regulation of fatty acid metabolism. In this study, we examined the effects of dietary purified xanthohumol from XRHE (PX, ~91.9% xanthohumol) in KK-Ay mice in order to understand the anti-obesity effects of xanthohumol alone because XRHE contains 82% unknown compounds.

Predictive factor of secondary tricuspid regurgitation after aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis: the importance of myocardial hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the predictors of secondary tricuspid regurgitation after aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis.

Methods: Seventy-one patients, who underwent aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis at our institute from January 2006 to July 2011, were divided into two groups: an STR group, which included 15 patients with moderate or greater than moderate secondary tricuspid regurgitation at a follow-up visit and a control group. Echocardiography was performed before surgery, at discharge, and at a late follow-up visit (mean follow-up 36 ± 19 months, range 0-77).

Impact of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Value for Predicting Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Ischemic Stroke Patients.

Introduction: The impact of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) value for predicting paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (pAF) in ischemic stroke patients remains uncertain.

Methods: The consecutive 222 ischemic stroke patients (median 77 [IQR 68-83] years old, 93 females) within 48 hours after onset were retrospectively studied. Plasma ANP and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were simultaneously measured at admission.

Effect of rivaroxaban on prothrombin fragment 1+2 compared with warfarin in patients with acute cardioembolic stroke: Insight from its serial measurement.

Introduction: Patients with intracerebral hemorrhage during rivaroxaban treatment have small hematoma and favorable outcomes compared with those with warfarin. We investigated its possible mechanism, focusing on prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2), a marker of thrombin generation.

Materials And Methods: In 65 patients with acute cardioembolic stroke (median 77years), rivaroxaban was initiated at 5days after the onset.

Impact of Sex Difference on Severity and Functional Outcome in Patients with Cardioembolic Stroke.

Introduction: Female sex is a risk factor for thromboembolic events in Caucasian, but not in Japanese, patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. However, it remains unclear whether the female sex is also a risk factor for severe stroke and unfavorable functional outcome in patients with cardioembolic (CE) stroke.

Methods: Three hundred fifty-five consecutive patients with CE stroke within 48 hours after onset and with a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 1 or lower before onset were studied.