Novel magnetic resonance imaging methodology for dynamic visualization of respiratory thoracic motion: a pilot feasibility study.

Introduction: Positional management is important in respiratory rehabilitation. Current magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques for visualizing respiratory mechanics are limited by external pressure from receiver coils or spatial restrictions within the bore, and there is no established method for visualizing respiratory movements in the semi-prone position. Therefore, we aimed to develop a novel MR imaging and analysis method for visualizing thoracic movements during free breathing, enabling assessment of positional effects.

Physiological adjustment effects of viewing natural environment images on heart rate variability in individuals with depressive and anxiety disorders.

Nature-based interventions improve mood and reduce stress, but their effects on heart rate variability (HRV) remain inconsistent. The physiological adjustment effect theory proposes HRV adjusts to an optimal value during nature contact-increasing when baseline HRV is low and decreasing when high. This study tested this theory in patients with depressive and anxiety disorders and investigated its association with mood changes.

Endoscopic balloon dilation with steroid injection versus radial incision and cutting with steroid injection for refractory esophageal anastomotic stricture: a randomized study.

Esophageal stricture causes severe distress to patients; however, there are no established treatments for esophageal anastomotic strictures refractory to endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD). Steroid injection added to EBD and radial incision and cutting (RIC) are effective for such strictures, but it is unclear which is more effective. The objective of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of RIC plus steroid injection compared with EBD plus steroid injection for patients with refractory anastomotic strictures after esophagectomy.

Endoscopic risk factors to inform early detection of gastric cancer after eradication: Meta-analysis and systematic review.

Objectives: eradication reduces but cannot eliminate the risk of gastric cancer (GC). The prevalence of post-eradication GC has been rising. Characterization of the endoscopic findings of post-eradication GC may facilitate its early detection.

Development and evaluation of an automated breathing-synchronized chest wall vibration stimulation system.

[Purpose] Vibratory stimulation of the upper intercostal region enhances inspiratory movement, whereas stimulation of the lower intercostal region enhances expiratory movement and ventilation. Previous vibration stimulation devices for intercostal muscles required manual stimulation, causing a time lag between breathing and vibration stimulation. The purpose of this experiment was to compare the effects of an automatic vibration stimulation system with manual vibration stimulation in a group of individuals and to verify whether there was an increase in upper and lower chest wall displacement and respiratory flow.

The benzoylphenylurea derivative BPU17 acts as an inhibitor of prohibitin and exhibits antifibrotic activity.

Inflammation-induced choroidal neovascularization followed by the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPEs) is a cause of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). RPE-derived myofibroblasts overproduce extracellular matrix, leading to subretinal fibrosis. We already have demonstrated that benzylphenylurea (BPU) derivatives inhibit the function of cancer-associated fibroblasts.

Complete surgical repair for enlarging coronary aneurysm with coronary-pulmonary artery fistula.

A 46-year-old male patient was referred to our hospital due to the presence of a coronary aneurysm showing a tendency to enlarge. Subsequent coronary angiography revealed a diagnosis of coronary aneurysm with a concomitant coronary-pulmonary artery fistula. The patient underwent a successful surgical repair, and postoperatively, experienced an uneventful recovery with no residual shunt or aneurysm.

Molecular Evolution of GII.P31/GII.4_Sydney_2012 Norovirus over a Decade in a Clinic in Japan.

Norovirus (NoV) genogroup II, polymerase type P31, capsid genotype 4, Sydney_2012 variant (GII.P31/GII.4_Sydney_2012) has been circulating at high levels for over a decade, raising the question of whether this strain is undergoing molecular alterations without demonstrating a substantial phylogenetic difference.

Mood and physiological effects of visual stimulation with images of the natural environment in individuals with depressive and anxiety disorders.

Background: Nature therapies are gaining attention as non-pharmacological treatments for depressive and anxiety disorders, but research on their effectiveness in patients is limited. This study investigates the mood-improving effects of visual stimulation with natural environmental images in patients with depressive and anxiety disorders.

Methods: We conducted a randomized crossover comparison trial involving 60 right-handed adult participants with depressive or anxiety disorders and receiving outpatient treatment.

Repeated endovascular approaches achieve successful complete remodelling for type IIIb acute aortic dissection.

Thoracic endovascular repair for type IIIb aortic dissection results in the disappearance of false lumen perfusion in the abdominal aorta in only about 20% of cases, with concern for expansion in the long term. Staged endovascular therapy with intervention on all re-entries can lead to complete false lumen thrombosis and remodelling of the entire aorta. This approach could be an option in cases in which long-term expansion is anticipated.

[Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement due to Pannus Formation].

We experienced a case of surgical aortic valve re-replacement due to structural valve deterioration caused by pannus formation 4 years after transcatheter aortic valve replacement( TAVR). The patient underwent surgery because the mean transvalvular pressure gradient increased to 48 mmHg on echocardiography. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) was useful for predicting the site of adhesion to surrounding tissue preoperatively and exploring the presence of the pannus.

Evaluation of a new portable corneal topography system for self-measurement using smartphones: a pilot study.

Purpose: Herein, we propose the use of the "KeraVio Ring", which is a portable, selfie-based, smartphone-attached corneal topography system that is based on the Placido ring videokeratoscope. The goal of this study was to evaluate and compare corneal parameters between KeraVio Ring and conventional corneal tomography images.

Methods: We designed the KeraVio Ring as a device comprising 3D-printed LED rings for generating Placido rings that can be attached to a smartphone.

[Surgical Explantation of a Bioprosthesis Nine Months After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation].

82-year-old female. In October 2020, the patient underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation( TAVI)[Evolut PRO R 23 mm] via left subclavian artery approach for severe aortic valve stenosis. The patient was discharged home without any issues.

Routine hypercapnic challenge after cervical spinal hemisection affects the size of phrenic motoneurons.

After an individual experiences a cervical cord injury, the cell body's adaptation to the smaller size of phrenic motoneurons occurs within several weeks. It is not known whether a routine hypercapnic load can alter this adaptation of phrenic motoneurons. We investigated this question by using rats with high cervical cord hemisection.

Sapovirus infections in Japan before and after the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic: An alarming update.

An increasing trend of sapovirus (SaV) infections in Japanese children during 2009-2019, particularly after the introduction of the voluntary rotavirus (RV)-vaccination program has been observed. Herein, we investigated the epidemiological situation of SaV infections from 2019 to 2022 when people adopted a precautionary lifestyle due to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, and RV vaccines had been implemented as routine vaccines. Stool samples were collected from children who attended outpatient clinics with acute gastroenteritis and analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to determine viral etiology.

Efficacy of ripasudil in reducing intraocular pressure and medication score for ocular hypertension with inflammation and corticosteroid.

Aim: To investigate the efficacy of ripasudil, a Rho kinase inhibitor, in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication scores of anti-glaucoma drugs in patients with ocular hypertension with inflammation and corticosteroid.

Methods: The study included 11 patients diagnosed with ocular hypertension with inflammation and corticosteroid, all of whom were prescribed ripasudil eye drops and followed up for at least 2y after the initiation of treatment. IOP was measured using a non-contact tonometer before enrollment and at each follow-up visit.

3D-printed eye model: Simulation of intraocular pressure.

Purpose: To develop artificial eye models using 3D printing and to evaluate the correlation between different corneal thicknesses and intraocular pressures (IOPs).

Methods: We designed 7 artificial eye models using a computer-aided design system and fabricated them using 3D printing. Corneal curvature and axial length were based on the Gullstrand eye model.

Interferon signaling and hypercytokinemia-related gene expression in the blood of antidepressant non-responders.

Only 50% of patients with depression respond to the first antidepressant drug administered. Thus, biomarkers for prediction of antidepressant responses are needed, as predicting which patients will not respond to antidepressants can optimize selection of alternative therapies. We aimed to identify biomarkers that could predict antidepressant responsiveness using a novel data-driven approach based on statistical pattern recognition.

Midterm results after seamless patch mitral reconstruction.

Objectives: Some pathologies, including infective endocarditis or sclerotic changes of the mitral leaflet, make the conventional mitral valve repair challenging. Our previously described technique for reconstruction with a seamless pericardial patch makes the repair feasible in some of such difficult pathologies. However, the extent of mitral leaflet segments that could be safely repaired using this technique remains unknown.

Dural metastasis from prostate carcinoma mimicking tuberculum sellae meningioma: A case report.

Background: Prostate carcinoma rarely metastasizes to the central nervous system. However, when it does, a dural lesion is a common and possible misdiagnosis of meningioma. Here, we describe a case of a 77-year-old man with dural metastasis from prostate carcinoma of the tuberculum sellae.

Endoscopic Findings and Treatment of Gastric Neoplasms in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis.

Purpose: Gastric neoplasia is a common manifestation of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). This study aimed to elucidate the clinical characteristics, endoscopic features including fundic gland polyposis (FGPsis), and treatment outcomes of gastric neoplasms (GNs) in patients with FAP.

Materials And Methods: A total of 35 patients diagnosed with FAP, including nine patients from four pedigrees who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), were investigated regarding patient characteristics, GN morphology, and treatment outcomes.