Robot-assisted gait training for improved gait independence in individuals with acute hemiparetic stroke: study protocol for a randomized controlled pilot trial.

Background: Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) has proven effective in addressing gait disorders in patients with stroke. However, its efficacy in patients with acute stroke has not yet been demonstrated. This pilot study is designed to evaluate the following: (1) feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial on RAGT for enhancing gait postacute stroke and (2) to obtain preliminary estimates regarding the potential efficacy of RAGT for achieving gait independence during the acute phase.

Novel silicon-based material decomposition images in diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: comparison with iodine-based and 50-keV virtual monoenergetic images.

Objectives: To identify the optimal material decomposition (MD) images for diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and evaluate the added value of the MD image to 50-keV virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) by comparing with iodine-based images and 50-keV VMIs.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent pancreatic protocol dual-energy CT (DECT) between February 2019 and May 2023. First, a radiologist evaluated 702 image datasets generated using 27 different materials to identify the top three MD images which provided maximum contrast difference between normal pancreas and PDAC, and subsequently, the best MD image was selected based on z value and image quality by four radiologists.

Predicting diabetic retinopathy stages using a simple nerve conduction measuring device, DPNCheck: a retrospective observational study.

Aims/introduction: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) often remains asymptomatic until it reaches advanced stages, when delayed treatment can lead to irreversible visual impairment. To promote timely ophthalmology visits, this study investigated the utility of a simple nerve conduction device, DPNCheck, as a predictor of DR severity. Previous research has established a relationship between diabetic neuropathy (assessed by conventional nerve conduction studies) and DR progression; however, the specialized equipment and expertise required limit its practicality.

The Alpha and Beta Diversities of Dietary Patterns Differed by Age and Sex in Young and Middle-Aged Japanese Participants.

: Dietary patterns vary with age and sex. The aim of this study was to clarify the differences in dietary patterns among young and middle-aged Japanese individuals by age group and sex via statistical methods such as alpha diversity and beta diversity analyses. : Using data from a dietary survey of 10 food items during health checkups of 2743 Fujita Health University employees, we examined the effects of age and sex on alpha diversity (Shannon index) and beta diversity (nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and RDA).

Comparison of standard and biweekly trifluridine/tipiracil plus bevacizumab regimens in advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer: a retrospective study.

Background: Trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) plus bevacizumab (BEV) is a standard third-line therapy for unresectable advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer. The standard dosing schedule (5 days of administration followed by 2 days off) is associated with a high incidence of severe neutropenia. Conversely, a biweekly dosing schedule (5 days of administration followed by 9 days off) reportedly reduces this incidence.

Practical pathological methods for reliable diagnosis of secretory carcinomas of the salivary gland.

Secretory carcinomas (SCs) of the salivary gland have recently been recognized as low-grade, malignant tumors. Before this designation, most SCs were diagnosed as variants of acinic cell carcinomas (AciCCs). SCs harbor the t(12;15)(p13;q25) translocation that generates an oncogenic fusion gene, ETS variant transcription factor 6/Neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase(ETV6::NTRK3).

Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of 48-Week Low-Dose Dienogest Administration in Patients With Dysmenorrhea Caused by Endometriosis: Protocol for a Randomized, Open-Label, Parallel-Group Trial.

Background: The treatment of endometriosis includes analgesics, hormone therapy, and surgery. Even after surgical removal of endometriotic lesions, the risk of recurrence remains high once the normal menstrual cycle resumes. Therefore, long-term hormone therapy is essential to prevent recurrence.

External Validation of the Nomogram Predicting Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer in Patients Undergoing Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (the MSUG94 Group).

Purpose: A clinically applicable nomogram predicting locally advanced prostate cancer (PCa) (defined as pathological T stage ≥ 3) of patients with clinical T stage ≤ 2 was released (MSUG nomogram). We performed external validation, ensuring its applicability to patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Therefore, we also compared the external validation for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) nomogram.

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders: variations in eosinophilic counts among investigators and staining methods.

Objective: Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs) are pathologically diagnosed by manually counting the eosinophils in biopsy tissue under microscopy. However, the skill of the individual examiner is considered to influence the accuracy of the resulting eosinophil count (EC). This study aimed to examine the effects of different examiners and histopathological staining types on the EC results of pathological tissues from patients with EGIDs.

Age-specific normative values of sacral development and fusion in children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study utilizing multiplanar reconstruction computed tomography imaging.

Background: This study aimed to determine the index of the sacral vertebrae fusion period in children and adolescents to diagnose the lesion around the sacral spine accurately.

Methods: Patients aged 0-40 years who underwent computed tomography (CT), including the normal sacrum for screening abdominal disorders and pan-scan in trauma between 2019 and 2022 were retrospectively examined. There were 402 eligible sacra (385 patients: 206 women and 179 men).

Effects of robot-assisted gait training within 1 week after stroke onset on degree of gait independence in individuals with hemiparesis: a propensity score-matched analysis in a single-center cohort study.

Background: Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) is an effective method for treating gait disorders in individuals with stroke. However, no previous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of RAGT in individuals with acute stroke. This study aimed to investigate the effects of RAGT initiation within 1 week after onset on degree of gait independence in individuals with hemiparetic stroke.

Factors affecting the patency of the internal jugular vein after neck dissection for malignant hypopharyngeal tumors-Significance of free jejunal flap transfer using the internal jugular vein as the recipient vein.

Background: Although preserved internal jugular veins can become occluded after neck dissection, we have not experienced free jejunal flap necrosis when the veins were used as recipient vessels. Thus, we investigated whether using the internal jugular veins as the recipient vessel for free jejunal flap transfer after neck dissection might contribute to postoperative internal jugular vein patency.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study involved patients who underwent internal jugular vein-preserving neck dissection for hypopharyngeal malignant tumors.

The impact of mobilization training time during the first postoperative week on the length of hospital stay in postoperative patients admitted to an intensive care unit.

Objective: To determine the impact of mobilization training time during the first postoperative week on the length of hospital stay for postoperative patients admitted to an intensive care unit.

Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Patients: Consecutive patients who underwent elective surgery and stayed in the intensive care unit of a university hospital for more than 48 h between July 2017 and August 2020 were enrolled.

Biomarkers associated with progression of infantile hemangioma: Exploratory study.

To identify patients with infantile hemangioma (IH) in need of early-stage treatment in this multicenter, prospective, observational study, we investigated the potential of plasma cytokines as a clinically useful marker. Plasma samples were collected at three time points from 41 patients with infantile hemangioma: baseline (days 14-60 after delivery), visit 1 (days 61-150, the proliferative phase), and visit 2 (days 151-395, the involuting phase). With a twofold or more increase in tumor volume during the baseline-visit 1 period regarded as progression, progression was seen in 15 cases (36.

Validating the DIVERT scales, CARS, and EARLI for predicting emergency department visits in home health care in Japan: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: The Detection of Indicators and Vulnerabilities for Emergency Room Trips (DIVERT) scale, the Community Assessment Risk Screen (CARS), and the Emergency Admission Risk Likelihood Index (EARLI) are scales that assess the risk of emergency department (ED) visits among home health care patients. This study validated these scales and explored factors that could improve their predictive accuracy among Japanese home health care patients.

Methods: This was a single-center retrospective cohort study.

Neutrophil‑to‑lymphocyte ratio and risk of disease progression in patients with nivolumab‑treated unresectable or recurrent gastric cancer.

Studies have associated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with gastric cancer (GC). The present study aimed to examine the relationship between dynamic changes in NLR during treatment and disease progression in patients with unresectable or recurrent GC treated with nivolumab monotherapy as a third-line or later regimen. Patients treated with nivolumab as a third-line or later therapy for unresectable or recurrent GC at Gifu University Hospital (Gifu, Japan) from April 2017 to December 2021 were included.

Concomitant heparin use promotes skin graft donor site healing by basic fibroblast growth factor: A pilot prospective randomized controlled study.

Owing to its mitogenic and angiogenic characteristics, the use of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) to promote wound healing has been investigated. However, its clinical efficacy has fallen short of expectations due to its instability. Heparin has been reported to stabilize bFGF.

Adverse events of COVID-19 vaccination during 2021-2022 suppressed by breakfast consumption and favorable sleeping habit among Japanese university students.

Introduction: Young adults are hesitant to receive the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination owing to concerns regarding adverse events despite the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection-associated serious illness, hospitalization, and death.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in Gifu University students receiving the mRNA-1273 vaccine and boosters to elucidate the real incidence of adverse events and factors that prevent them. We examined the adverse events and identified potential risk factors through a self-administered questionnaire on the participants' physical condition after COVID-19 vaccination.

Risk factors for residual liver recurrence of colorectal cancer after resection of liver metastases and significance of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Objective: The risk factors for residual liver recurrence after resection of colorectal cancer liver metastases were analyzed separately for synchronous and metachronous metastases.

Methods: This retrospective study included 236 patients (139 with synchronous and 97 with metachronous lesions) who underwent initial surgery for colorectal cancer liver metastases from April 2010 to December 2021 at the Fujita Health University Hospital. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses of risk factors for recurrence based on clinical background.