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Background and Aim: Malignant diseases are among the most common and deadly illnesses that are often spread due to lifestyle choices. These diseases are caused by unchecked cell growth, which can be curable if detected early. Cancer treatment is dependent on various internal and external factors. Newcastle disease virus (NDV) has emerged as a promising virotherapeutic agent due to its oncolytic activity and safety profile. This study investigated the ability of virulent NDV to infect, replicate, and kill digestive tumor cells in esophageal and colorectal cancers. Materials and Methods: NDV was used at several concentrations (multiplicities of infection [MOI]: 1, 3, 5, 10, and 20) on two models of tumor cells: colorectal carcinoma (HRT) and esophageal carcinoma (SK-GT). The investigation focused on the cytotoxic effects of NDV in these cell lines. Results: The results indicated that SK-GT carcinoma cells (esophageal and colorectal carcinoma) exhibited a high cytotoxic response to NDV, which was directly proportional to the MOI concentration. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration of NDV was 5.736 for the SK-GT cell line and 9.878 for the HRT cell line. Conclusion: NDV can replicate and kill cancer cells in esophageal and colorectal cancers. We recommend conducting in vivo studies on transplanted digestive system tumors in mouse models to evaluate their anti-tumor activity in vivo, as the present study was limited to in vitro models.

Background: To avoid complete elimination of hen eggs (HE) from diet, we introduced a very-low-dose (VLD) oral food challenge (OFC) in patients with severe HE allergy in 2019. Herein, we investigated the efficacy of VLD HE OFC for achieving the full dose OFC. Methods: Patients with an overt allergic reaction to LD (1/32 HE [≤100 mg]) or less, egg white (EW) protein within 6 months were included. In the VLD group, patients not achieving full-dose OFC (1/2 HE: 1600 mg EW protein) within 2 years were excluded. We retrospectively compared the rate of passing a full-dose OFC between patients who underwent a LD OFC before 2019 (LD group) and those who underwent a VLD OFC (1/100 HE: 32 mg EW protein) after 2019 (VLD group). The period for passing the full-dose OFC was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Results: We enrolled 411 and 111 patients in the LD and VLD groups, respectively. The median age at OFC initiation was 2.2 [1.5–3.6] and 2.1 [1.4–3.2] years in the LD and VLD groups, respectively. EW- and ovomucoid-specific IgE levels were 38.3 (12.5–72.9) and 21.0 (8.3–46.2) kUA/L in the LD group and 49.8 [18.8–83.9] and 32.1 [15.6–67.8] kUA/L in the VLD group, respectively. Over 4 years, the LD and VLD groups passed the full-dose OFC at rates of 70 and 95%, respectively, with significant differences (log-rank test, P

Relapsing epiglottitis has rarely been reported, and its etiology is not well established. A 44-year-old previously healthy Japanese man presented with a quickly progressing choking sensation. He had been experiencing refractory and relapsing laryngeal edema and probably acute epiglottitis (three episodes within 2 weeks), with rash and elevated pancreatic amylase. The patient required immediate intubation. After the initial extubation, he required reintubation and a subsequent tracheostomy. Antibiotics, glucocorticoid, and antihistamines were administered, and he finally recovered with the tracheostomy’s closure. Potential causes of this patient’s relapsing epiglottitis are as follows: persistent right swollen tonsil; a positive result on a Mycoplasma pneumoniae antigen test and a particle agglutination (PA) test, implicating chronic tonsillitis; and/or Mycoplasma infection. This is the first case report of refractory and relapsing epiglottitis requiring reintubation possibly concurrent with chronic tonsillitis and Mycoplasma infection.

Haruto Hayashi,1 Takehide Nogita,2,3 Hideki Maeda1,2 1Department of Regulatory Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Tokyo, Japan; 2Department of Regulatory Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Tokyo, Japan; 3CMIC Co Ltd., Tokyo, JapanCorrespondence: Hideki Maeda, Department of Regulatory Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, 2-522-1, Noshio, Kiyose-city, Tokyo, 204-5255, Japan, Tel/Fax +81-42-495-8952, Email maeda@my-pharm.ac.jpPurpose: An expanded access clinical trials (EACTs) provides exceptional patient access to investigational new drugs for life-threatening diseases for which no effective treatment exists. Based on public information, we have studied EACTs since 2016, when the EACT system was launched in Japan. In this study, we investigated the reality of EACTs by interviewing pharmaceutical companies and clarifying how they view them.Patients and Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 10 pharmaceutical companies developing new drugs. This study aims to clarify the status of EACTs, so we selected pharmaceutical companies that develop innovative drugs for which they may perform EACTs (however, experience in conducting EACTs was optional).Results: All those surveyed were aware of EACTs. Twelve access clinical trials were conducted, and the EACT implementation rate for pivotal clinical trials was 2.5%. The most common reason for implementing an EACT was “requests from physicians and medical institutions” (nine companies, 90.0%), and the most common reason for not implementing an EACT was “the applicability of the system” (five companies). Improvements to EACTs were identified by eight companies (80.0%); financial assistance by six companies (60.0%); reducing the scope of data to be collected and simplifying the procedure by six companies (60.0%). Seven companies (70.0%) responded that a Single Patient Investigational New Drug Application should be conducted, suggesting that the system should be revised.Conclusion: An interview survey of ten pharmaceutical companies developing new drugs in Japan regarding expanded access clinical trials indicated that there were issues with the system. Many wished to improve the system by establishing a single patient access system, supporting resources, and simplifying procedures. Based on our interviews with 10 Japanese pharmaceutical companies, it was found that the system needed to be improved by introducing a single patient access system, providing supporting resources, and simplifying procedures. In Japan, about eight years have passed since EACT was established, and it appears a revision of the EACT legislation is due.Keywords: clinical trials, investigational new drugs, patient access, semi-structured interview

Soil water repellency (SWR) is a phenomenon that prevents the spontaneous wetting of numerous forest soils. It is a moisture-dependent characteristic, which disappears when soil moisture reaches near saturation. The heat generated during forest fires affects soil characteristics including SWR. The possibility of heat influencing moisture-dependent repellency (MDR) is not well understood. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of different heating temperatures (HT) and exposure durations (ED) on MDR using water-repellent Japanese Cedar (CED) and Japanese Cypress (CYP) forest soils. Soil samples collected from 0–5 cm depth were exposed to heat separately at 50, 100, and 150 °C (HT) for 1 h and 2 h durations (ED). The MDR of heated and non-heated soils was determined using the water drop penetration time (WDPT) test in a drying process. During the drying process of the tested soils, SWR appeared and then increased with drying to reach an extreme level (WDPT ≥3600 s) that persisted for a range of decreasing moisture contents, and declined to be non-repellent again (WDPT = 0 s). The critical moisture content at which soils become water-repellent with drying (CMC), the highest and the lowest moisture contents when soils showed maximum SWR (HMCmax and LMCmax, respectively), and the integrated area below the MDR curve (SWR) decreased with increasing HT in both CED and CYP soils. The moisture content at which soils become non-repellent again during drying, MCNR, was independent of the type of soil and heat treatment. The range of moisture contents between HMCmax and LMCmax, where soils show maximum SWR during drying, decreased with increasing HT, from 50 to 150 °C in CED and from 100–150 °C in CYP. The SWR showed strong positive linear correlations with CMC and HMCmax. The heat generated during wildfires can alter the MDR and all the related repellency parameters of water-repellent forest soils. SWR prevails over a narrower range of moisture contents in heated soil compared with non-heated soils. Further investigations with higher temperature levels using different soil types would be important for a comprehensive understanding of the heat impacts on MDR.

Human adenosine deaminase acting on RNA1 (ADAR1) is an adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA-editing enzyme involved in various types of cancer progression. ADAR1 has emerged as a novel prognostic biomarker for cancer. This study describes the application of a newly identified 70-nt DNA aptamer (Apt38483) against ADAR1 to develop a portable and simple electrochemical biosensor platform for the rapid and sensitive detection of ADAR1 in cell lysates. We selected an ADAR1-specific DNA aptamer from a randomized 70-nt single-stranded DNA library using a competitive in vitro selection method. ADAR1 in the cell lysate was sandwiched onto a bare carbon working electrode of an electro-chemically printed chip between the ADAR1 antibody and gold nanoparticles (40 nm) conjugated with Apt38483, followed by electrochemical analysis using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) for sensor demonstration. A highly sensitive change in current was observed for as little as 0.53 nM ADAR1 in human embryonic kidney cell lysate. Thus, the merging of a novel DNA aptamer probe for ADAR1 with an electrochemical transduction method enabled the development of a simple, low-cost, and rapid method for the direct measurement of ADAR1 in cell lysates and indicated great potential for the development of an ADAR1 analysis platform, which would be useful in cancer prognosis.

Objective: To determine one-month mortality in patients with ischemic stroke using Score for Early Ischemic Stroke Mortality. Study Design: Prospective longitudinal study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Jhelum Pakistan, from Jan 2020 to May 2021. Methodology: All patients with acute ischemic stroke, aged more than 18 years, of either gender, were consecutively enrolled. Mortality at 1 month in patients with ischemic stroke was noted along with the demographic and clinical characteristics (comorbidities, smoking status, clinical stroke at admission, and cause of the stroke). Mortality at 1 month was predicted by using Predicting Early Mortality of Ischemic Stroke score. Additionally, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, Glasgow Coma Scale, and previous Modified Ranking Scale at admission was also recorded. Results: Among 160 patients, the Mean age was 66.07±9.92 years. 121(75.6%) patients were males and 39(24.4%) were females. Mortality at 1 month was observed in 26(16.3%) patients. A significant association of mortality at 1 month was observed with age (p

Aims: Rice vinegar is a traditional fermented seasoning in Japan, and its production remained unchanged for over 800 years until the Edo period. However, based on the available information regarding rice vinegar production methods from this period and the results of reproduction experiments, we speculated that unlike the modern-day acetic fermented vinegar, rice vinegar produced during the Edo period was lactic fermented. Main methods: To verify this assumption, we analyzed the flavor components of Honcho, a lactic fermented product prepared using a method described in books, including ''Honchoshokkan'' from the Edo period, by capillary electrophoresis/time-of-flight mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography mass spectrometry, and taste sensor analysis. Sensory evaluation was also conducted to assess validation as a seasoning. Results: Honcho contains 2 % lactic acid, which gives it its acidity, and small amounts of other nonvolatile acids, but significantly lower levels of acetic acid (0.188 ± 0.015 g/100 mL, p

Fumihiro Yamaguchi,1 Ayako Suzuki,2 Miyuki Hashiguchi,3 Emiko Kondo,3 Atsuo Maeda,4 Takuya Yokoe,1 Jun Sasaki,4 Yusuke Shikama,1 Munetaka Hayashi,4 Sei Kobayashi,5 Hiroshi Suzuki6 1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital, Yokohama, Japan; 2Department of Pharmacy, Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital, Yokohama, Japan; 3Department of Infection Control, Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital, Yokohama, Japan; 4Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital, Yokohama, Japan; 5Department of Otolaryngology, Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital, Yokohama, Japan; 6Department of Cardiology, Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital, Yokohama, JapanCorrespondence: Fumihiro Yamaguchi, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital, 1-30 Fujigaoka, Aoba-ku, Yokohama, 227-8501, Japan, Email f_y@med.showa-u.ac.jpBackground: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), immediately became a pandemic. Therefore, nosocomial infection control is necessary to screen for patients with possible COVID-19.Objective: This study aimed to investigate commonly measured clinical variables to predict COVID-19.Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 1087 patients in the isolation ward of a university hospital. Conferences were organized to differentiate COVID-19 from non-COVID-19 cases, and multiple nucleic acid tests were mandatory when COVID-19 could not be excluded. Multivariate logistic regression models were employed to determine the clinical factors associated with COVID-19 at the time of hospitalization.Results: Overall, 352 (32.4%) patients were diagnosed with COVID-19. The majority of the non-COVID-19 cases were predominantly caused by bacterial infections. Multivariate analysis indicated that COVID-19 was significantly associated with age, sex, body mass index, lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, and malignancy.Conclusion: Some clinical factors are useful to predict patients with COVID-19 among those with symptoms similar to COVID-19. This study suggests that at least two real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reactions of SARS-CoV-2 are recommended to exclude COVID-19.Keywords: severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, coronavirus disease 2019, nosocomial infection control, nucleic acid test, obesity, cross sectional study, Japan

Study aim: This study clarified the relationship between sex and dominant and non-dominant feet during landing movements in the vertical drop jump (VDJ).

Purpose: In patients with moderate-to-severe bilateral medial knee osteoarthritis, it is difficult to determine the necessity of the subsequent contralateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) after performing the first procedure. This study aimed to compare patient characteristics and clinical outcomes between patients who underwent staged bilateral TKA (group B) and those who underwent unilateral TKA (group U) to identify predictors of contralateral TKA requirement. Methods: Among 153 patients with bilateral medial knee osteoarthritis of Kellgren-Lawrence grade 3 or 4, 43 and 110 patients underwent unilateral and bilateral TKA, respectively. Clinical evaluations using the patient-reported outcome measure (the Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure [JKOM]), the Knee Society Score (KSS), and the timed “Up and Go” test (TUG) were performed preoperatively, at 12 months, and once every year up to 5 years after the unilateral and the contralateral TKA in groups U and B, respectively. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to determine the cut-off value for preoperative JKOM score that indicates the contralateral TKA. Results: There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between groups B and U. The preoperative JKOM scores were significantly worse in group B. Postoperative improvements in JKOM, KSS, and TUG were statistically significant in both groups; however, there were no significant differences in post-procedure scores between the two groups. ROC analysis showed that the optimal cut-off value of the preoperative JKOM score was 41.5 points. Conclusion: A preoperative JKOM score of ≥41.5 is a possible predictor of the contralateral TKA in patients with moderate-to-severe bilateral medial knee osteoarthritis.

Shunya Tatara,1,2 Fumiatsu Maeda,1,3 Hokuto Ubukata,1 Yuko Shiga,1 Kiyoshi Yaoeda3– 5 1Department of Orthoptics and Visual Sciences, Faculty of Medical Technology, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan; 2Department of Vision Science, Faculty of Sensory and Motor Control, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Science, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan; 3Field of Orthoptics and Visual Sciences, Major in Medical and Rehabilitation Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare Graduate School, Niigata, Japan; 4Department of Ophthalmology, Yaoeda Eye Clinic, Nagaoka, Niigata, Japan; 5Division of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, JapanCorrespondence: Shunya Tatara, Department of Orthoptics and Visual Sciences, Faculty of Medical Technology, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398, Shimami-cho, kita-ku, Niigata-shi, Niigata, 950-3198, Japan, Tel/Fax +81 25 257 4752, Email tatara@nuhw.ac.jpPurpose: There are many unclear points about the accuracy of measurement of cycloplegic refraction using the Spot Vision Screener (SVS). This study aimed to investigate the accuracy of SVS measurements with cycloplegia for myopia.Materials and Methods: Forty-nine healthy subjects were included, and refraction was measured. Objective refractions were measured by SVS, table-mounted autorefractometer (RT7000), and handheld autorefractometer (Retinomax Screeen) at noncycloplegic and cycloplegic conditions by 1% cyclopentolate. Subjective noncycloplegic refraction was obtained by a visual acuity and refraction test performed by certified orthoptists using a cross-cylinder. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to examine whether the measured refractions fluctuate due to different reflection tests.Results: In the noncycloplegic condition, the mean (±standard deviation) spherical equivalent (SE) measured by subjective method, SVS, RT7000, and Retinomax Screeen were − 2.56 ± 3.00, − 2.62 ± 2.38, − 3.05 ± 2.84, and − 3.26 ± 2.97, respectively. The subjective SE and objective SE measured by SVS had significantly less myopic value than the objective SE measured by two autorefractometers (p < 0.001). In the cycloplegic condition, the mean (± standard deviation) SE measured by SVS, RT7000, and Retinomax Screeen were − 2.07 ± 2.66, − 2.62 ± 2.98, and − 2.66 ± 3.02, respectively. The objective SE measured by SVS had significantly less myopic value than SEs measured using other methods (p < 0.001). In the cycloplegic condition, SVS showed a fixed error wherein the SE was more hyperopic than that with the subjective method and SVS had a proportional error.Conclusion: In the measurement under cycloplegic conditions, use of an autorefractometer rather than a photorefractometer such as SVS was preferable.Keywords: refraction, refractive error, autorefractometer, photorefraction, screening, amblyopia risk factor

This research studies the aesthetics of Timurid and Safavid miniatures in a comparative manner. The first chapter deals with the research problem, its importance, and defining the most important terms used in it. The research problem included the topic of the aesthetics of Timurid and Safavid miniatures in the drawings of both eras through the artistic works produced by Islamic painting schools, where each school has characteristics that distinguished it from the other. The research problem was overcome through the following question: How did the Muslim artist achieve the miniatures aesthetics in manuscripts for both eras? The II chapter, the theoretical framework, includes four sections: the first on the aesthetics of Islamic art, the second on the art of Islamic miniatures, the third on the most important artistic features of painting (the Timurid era), and the fourth of the (Safavid) era. The third chapter included the research procedures, and the fourth chapter included the results and conclusions. The functional treatment of the concept of space designated for Islamic miniatures came according to a fruitful and sincere artistic and functional emotional approach within the relationships of creation that give it a spiritual feeling due to what the elements of construction have of multiple intellectual meanings and connotations, such as transferring the stories and events that were prevalent at that time, to documenting the style of Islamic architecture and the type of clothing worn by Muslims, the moral and social values that appeared through the interpretation of the movements of people in the Islamic miniature, as came in most of the sample models.

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of hyperlipidemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients with microalbuminuria attending a tertiary care hospital. Study Design: Cross-sectional study Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Jhelum Pakistan, from Jan 2020 to Feb 2021. Methodology: All patients aged 30 years or above with type 2 DM mellitus presented with or without microalbuminuria were consecutively enrolled. Hyperlipidemia was defined based on the presence of an elevated lipid profile. This information, along with baseline and other predicting factors, was noted. Results: Of 236 patients, hyperlipidemia was observed in 107(45.3%) patients with type 2 DM having microalbuminuria. The odds of hyperlipidemia were 53% less likely among patients aged ≤59 years than that of patients aged>59 years [aOR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.27-0.85], 47% less likely among patients with ≤7 years of diabetes duration as compared to >7 years of duration of diabetes [aOR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.29-0.96], and 75% less likely among patients with ≤140 mm Hg SBP as compared to the patients with >140 mm Hg SBP [aOR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.14-0.46]. Conclusion: In the current study, hyperlipidemia was observed to be considerably higher in patients with type 2 DM having microalbuminuria. Moreover, elderly patients, longer diabetes duration, and elevated blood pressure are some of the risk factors reported in our patients.

Wataru Izumo,1 Kei Hosoda,1 Hidekazu Kuramochi,2 Go Nakajima,2 Shinsuke Maeda,1 Shunichi Ito,1 Yoji Nagashima,3 Michio Itabashi1 1Department of Surgery, Institute of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Tokyo, 162-8666, Japan; 2Department of Chemotherapy and Palliative Care, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Tokyo, 162-8666, Japan; 3Department of Surgical Pathology, Tokyo Women’s Medical University Hospital, Tokyo, 162-8666, JapanCorrespondence: Wataru Izumo, Department of Surgery, Institute of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8666, Japan, Tel +81-3-3353-8111, Fax +81-3-5269-7507, Email izumo.wataru@twmu.ac.jpAbstract: Gastric cancer with Virchow’s lymph node metastasis (LNM) is not indicated for initial curative surgery. Although there have been some case reports of curative resections after pre-operative treatment, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), there is no consensus regarding the optimal timing of surgery. We describe a rare case of initially unresectable gastric cancer treated preoperatively with nivolumab combined chemotherapy, which achieved a pathologically complete response. An 82-year-old man was referred for gastric cancer treatment. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed stomach wall thickening and swollen left supraclavicular LN. This gastric cancer was assessed as unresectable due to the presence of Virchow’s LNM; therefore, chemotherapy and ICI using S-1 plus oxaliplatin plus nivolumab were administered. After three courses of treatment, the primary tumor and Virchow’s LN showed a marked reduction in size. The patient underwent Virchow’s LNM resection as a preliminary step to determine indications for curative surgery. A pathological examination revealed no viable cancer cells were found inside the resected LN. The patient underwent distal gastrectomy. Pathological examination revealed complete degeneration of the primary tumor and regional LN without residual carcinoma. The patient did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy and survived with no evidence of recurrence for one year after the initial treatment.Keywords: gastric cancer, Virchow’s lymph metastasis, complete response, pre-operative treatment, nivolumab

The heat generated during wildfires modifies soil characteristics, including soil water repellency (SWR) and the water stability of aggregates, which are known to be interrelated. SWR lowers the rate of water entry into aggregates, minimizing aggregate disruption and subsequent erosion. This study aimed to examine these aggregate characteristics (SWR, water stability of aggregates) of thermally heated water-repellent soil aggregates under laboratory conditions. Water-repellent aggregates were collected from Eucalyptus grandis forest soil separately from four soil depths (0–5, 5–10, 10–15, and 15–20 cm) with varying initial repellency levels. Using an automated programmable muffle furnace, aggregates were separately exposed to three heating temperatures, TH (150, 200, 250 °C), three rates of heating (speed of rising temperature to reach relevant TH), RH (200, 400, 800 °C h−1), and three durations of exposure to relevant TH, ED (30, 60, 120 min). The molarity of an ethanol droplet test was used to measure the contact angle (contact angle>90°). The water drop penetration time (WDPT) was also measured. The SWR of aggregates declined with the increasing TH and ED. All aggregates were wettable once exposed to 250 °C. At the lowest TH and ED (150 °C, 30 min), the contact angle was

Background: Antibody testing can easily evaluate the clinical status of patients, aid in the diagnosis of multisystem inflammatory syndrome, and monitor the immunity level in the population. However, the applicability of serological tests in detecting antibodies against the severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike-binding protein remains limited. This study aimed to quantify both serum-derived neutralizing immunoglobulin-G (IgG) antibody activity and the amount of anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike-IgG (S-IgG) in convalescent sera/plasmas and evaluate the direct correlation between the in vitro IgG-EC50 values and S-IgG values. Methods: We evaluated the neutralizing activity of purified IgG (IgG-EC50), quantified S-IgG in the serum/plasma of consecutive COVID-19 convalescent individuals using a cell-based virus-neutralizing assay, and determined the correlation between IgG-EC50 and S-IgG. In addition, we evaluated rational cut-off values using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calculated the sensitivity and specificity of the quantitative S-IgG assay for moderate and high IgG-EC50. Results: A high correlation was observed between S-IgG and IgG-EC50 with a Spearman's ρ value of −0.748 (95 % confidence interval [CI]: −0.804–0.678). Using an IgG-EC50 of 50 μg/mL and 20 μg/mL as the cut-off values for moderate and high in vitro neutralizing activity, respectively, the Youden's index values of 287.5 binding antibody units (BAU)/mL and 454.1 BAU/mL determined from the ROC curve showed the highest diagnostic accuracy, with Kappa values of 0.884 (95 % CI: 0.823–0.946) and 0.920 (95 % CI: 0.681–0.979), respectively. Conclusions: Quantitative S-IgG tests are a useful and convenient tool for estimating in vitro virus-neutralizing activity, with a high correlation with IgG-EC50 when the rational cut-off value is carefully determined.

Yuri Iwata,1 Yumiko Iwata,2 Hiroshi Iida,1 Masahiko Inamori,1 Shin Maeda3 1Department of Medical Education, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan; 2Department of English Language, Communication and Cultures, University of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo, Japan; 3Department of Gastroenterology, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, JapanCorrespondence: Yuri Iwata, Department of Medical Education, Yokohama City University, School of Medicine, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan, Tel +81-45-787-2626, Fax +81-45-787-2620, Email yuri.sagamed@gmail.comAim: To report on the effects of a smartphone application, among the medical staff and medical students, for learning English as a foreign language.Methods: We conducted an exploratory quasi-experimental study among eight medical staff and 10 medical students in Japan. The participants used an application called ABC Talking (created by ABC Talking Laboratories Inc, currently unavailable due to application renewal), loaded onto their smartphones, to talk with native English speakers from overseas. The participants used the application for five minutes twice a day over five consecutive days as per their convenience. The study collected quantitative and qualitative data using assessments on the participants’ listening and speaking skills and questionnaire. The assessment scores of the first five sessions were compared to those of the last five. Average self-assessment scores and teacher assessment scores were compared using a t-test. A paired t-test was performed on quantitative data of the questionnaire, and content analysis was performed on qualitative data.Results: More than 80% of the calls were made from home and 70% occurred between 9PM and 1AM. The participants’ self-assessment scores on their listening and speaking skills increased significantly from the first five sessions to the last five sessions (14.8– 26.1%). However, there was no significant change in the assessments by the teachers (− 4.5– 2.1%). The self-assessment scores of those with low English proficiency were lower than the teachers’ assessment scores. Improvement of communicative self-confidence and communicative competence, two factors that affect willingness to communicate, were seen from the questionnaire.Conclusion: Using smartphone applications allows on-demand English training, which may be especially useful to medical staff and students who have unpredictable work schedules. Teachers should be aware that learners tend to assess themselves lower than their actual ability so that they can give appropriate feedback to the learners.Keywords: limited English proficiency, communication, medical training, professional competence, language barrier

Calcium sulfate scale occurrence is one of the major problems encountered on heat exchanger surfaces, membrane surfaces of reverse osmosis (RO) plants, and oilfield facilities. Scale prevention and treatment are extensively applied for confronting this problem. A successful scaling prevention and treatment need to be able to identify whether sulfate scale is likely to occur under certain operating conditions. This paper is aimed at assessing the solubility product of calcium sulfate (gypsum) in brine solutions, through which the gypsum scaling tendency can be easily obtained. The simple solubility product prediction correlation, described by a simple equation, is established from experimental sodium sulfate solubilities available in the literature. The predicted gypsum solubilities show excellent agreement with the experimental data for the temperature range of 25 to 80 °C and pressures up to 1,000 bar with NaCl concentration up to 5 M. The method is simple, compact, and reliable and can be applied to any environment where gypsum is expected to precipitate.

Background and Aims: Japan has experienced 8 waves of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak over the past 3 years, resulting in an increasing number of deaths and incidence of severe infections. This study aimed to analyze the data from the Japanese inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients with COVID-19 registry (J-COSMOS) up to the eighth wave to investigate the clinical course of IBD patients with COVID-19 and factors contributing to disease severity. Methods: In this multicenter, observational, cohort study, we analyzed a cohort of 1308 IBD patients diagnosed with COVID-19, enrolled across 77 participating facilities in the J-COSMOS registry from June 2020 to December 2022. Data on age, sex, IBD (classification, treatment, and activity), and COVID-19 (symptoms, severity, and treatment) were analyzed. Results: The majority of patients (76%) were in clinical remission. According to the World Health Organization classification of COVID-19 severity, 98.4% of IBD patients had nonsevere disease, while 1.6% of patients had severe or critical disease. COVID-19 did not affect disease activity in most IBD patients. Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that high body mass index, and cerebrovascular disease were risk factors for severe COVID-19. Corticosteroids could affect COVID-19 severity, whereas anti-tumor necrosis factor α antibodies and thiopurines were associated with a reduced risk of severe COVID-19. No deaths were observed among IBD patients with COVID-19 registered in this cohort. Conclusion: The impact of COVID-19 on IBD disease activity and factors associated with COVID-19 severity were consistent with findings of previous reports. No deaths in Japanese patients with IBD were observed.

Background: We aimed to investigate chronological changes in the characteristics of participants in a coronavirus disease 2019 convalescent plasma donation study that may benefit optimal collection methods in the future. Methods: Data from a convalescent plasma donation study from April 30, 2020 to November 5, 2021 were collected and analyzed. After August 23, 2021, an interim analysis of factors linked to higher antibody titers led us to restrict our participant recruitment criteria to participants who were within 4 months of disease onset and to patients who were otherwise most likely to have sufficiently high antibody titers. Overall, 1299 samples from 1179 patients were analyzed. Results: Over the duration of the study, 35.9% of the samples were deemed eligible for convalescent plasma collection. The overall eligibility rate initially declined, dipping to 120 days post disease onset increased. After the addition of days from onset and vaccination status to our participant recruitment criteria, the eligibility rate improved significantly. Conclusions: As outbreaks of emerging infectious disease occur, it is desirable to construct and implement a scheme for convalescent plasma donation promptly and to monitor the eligibility rate over time. If it declines, promptly analyze and resolve the associated factors. Additionally, vaccine development and infection prevalence are likely to influence the effective recruitment of participants with high antibody titers.

Neural stem cells (NSCs) are progenitor cells which have the ability to self‑renewal and potential for differentiating into neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes. The in vitro isolation, culturing, identification, cryopreservation were investigated to produce neural stem cells in culture as successful sources for further studies before using it for clinical trials. In this study, mouse bone marrow was the source of neural stem cells. The results of morphological study and immunocytochemistry of isolated cells showed that NSCs can be produced successfully and maintaining their self‑renewal and successfully forming neurosphere for multiple passages. The spheres preserved their morphology in culture and cryopreserved to be a ready source for use in experiments as a model for neurological disorders.

Objective: To know the aetiological factors of periorbital hyperpigmentation in patients presenting to the Outpatient Department of Combined Military Hospital, Kharian Pakistan. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Kharian Pakistan, from Nov 2020 to Sep 2021. Methodology: We conducted a study of sixty patients with periorbital hyperpigmentation periorbital hyperpigmentation presenting to Skin OPD. A detailed history, clinical examination, and lab investigations like complete blood counts, thyroid function tests, and vitamin B12 and D levels were advised. Results: Out of 60 patients, 2(3.33%) were male, and 58(96.66%) were females. The mean age of patients was 24.95 years ±6.48. 10(16.66%) had a family history of periorbital hyperpigmentation. Lack of adequate sleep was found in 18(30%) patients, and prolonged daily bright screen exposure was found in 28(46.66%). History of atopy was present in 18(30%). History of seasonal allergies was present in 17(28.33) % of individuals. Other associated pigmented conditions like melasma in 14(23.33%) and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation were noted in 2(3.33%) patients. 8(13.33%) patients had anaemia, 4(6.66%) had subclinical Hypothyroidism, and low vitamin D levels were found in 6(10%). None of our patients had vitamin B12 deficiency. Conclusion: Periorbital hyperpigmentation has multiple aetiological factors and associations. Correctable factors need to be addressed for better treatment outcomes. The presence of anaemia, subclinical Hypothyroidism, and low serum vitamin D levels indicate the need to screen periorbital hyperpigmentation patients for these conditions.

We convert the optical potential in the α + 40Ca elastic scattering, which is determined so as to reproduce the differential cross section precisely, into the spreading width. This spreading width represents the decay width of the α + 40Ca resonance into the more complicated states. The conversion of the optical potential into the spreading width is achieved by the method of the absorbing boundary condition, and it is compared with the escape width of the α emission. The dissociation strength of 44Ti into the α + 40Ca continuum states is calculated to see the effect of the spreading width more clearly. We also estimate the upper value of the decay width into the compound nuclear state, which is a part of the spreading width, on the basis of the formula similar to the strength function originally used in the low-energy neutron scattering.

We apply the comprehensive model of the shell model and the cluster model to the α + 16O resonant scattering. In this model, the coupling of the shell model configuration with 16O + four nucleons and the cluster model configuration with 16O + α is explicitly solved. The absorbing boundary condition is imposed on the α + 16O cluster configuration, and the excitation function of the elastic scattering is calculated from the method of the continuum level density. The shell + cluster calculation nicely reproduces the sharp resonant structures with a small energy interval appearing in the excitation function although the α cluster model reproduces only the broad and gross structure in the excitation function. The resonance width generated by the coupling with the shell model configuration is discussed in comparison to the experimental width.

Aim A testing method for early diagnosis of Mild cognitive dementia (MCI) that can be easily applied in clinical practice was investigated in this study. We examined whether MCI risk can be determined through finger movements. Methods Between 2013 and 2020, 1097 individuals were screened. After applying propensity-score matching to adjust for variability between the groups, 173 individuals each in the mild cognitive impairment and control groups were selected. Thereafter, differences between groups in mean values of parameters extracted from finger tap movements were determined using unpaired t-test and effect size. Furthermore, area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated from the receiver operating characteristic curve for parameters with significant difference. Results A significant difference was observed, especially in the number of taps in the MCI group compared with that in the control group ( p < .001; 95% CI, −12.7 to −8.8; r = 0.51). A cut-off value of 30 taps was applied (sensitivity, 0.77; specificity, 0.67; AUC, 0.79). Significant differences were also observed in rhythm-related parameters. Conclusions These parameters might be useful for capturing MCI risk. Finger taps are easily measured and may be suitable for screening large populations. This tool might be used as a supplemental method to increase the sensitivity of traditional cognitive tests.

Aki Kawakami,1,2 Makoto Tanaka,2 Lee Meng Choong,1 Reiko Kunisaki,3 Shin Maeda,4 Ingvar Bjarnason,1 Bu’Hussain Hayee1 1Department of Gastroenterology, King’s College Hospital, London, UK; 2Department of Critical and Invasive-Palliative Care Nursing, Graduate School of Health Care Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Bunkyo-ku, Japan; 3Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan; 4Department of Gastroenterology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, JapanCorrespondence: Makoto Tanaka, Department of Critical and Invasive-Palliative Care Nursing, Graduate School of Health Care Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan, Tel +81-3-5803-4507, Fax +81-3-5803-4507, Email tanaka.cc@tmd.ac.jpPurpose: Non-adherence to medication was reported by 28% of Japanese patients with ulcerative colitis, but in the United Kingdom, patients with inflammatory bowel disease have lower medication adherence, which increases clinical relapse risk. The objective of this study was to compare medication adherence among patients with ulcerative colitis in Japan with previously reported results and patients in the United Kingdom.Patients and Methods: This cross-cultural comparison study investigated medication adherence among 100 ulcerative colitis patients in the United Kingdom and 432 ulcerative colitis patients in Japan. Adherence was assessed using The Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 questionnaire. Patient clinical features were collected from medical records and the questionnaire. Distribution of responses for each item, questionnaire total score, difference in ratio for each item between Japanese and UK patients, and difference in percentage of low/medium/high adherence between Japanese and UK patients were compared.Results: The proportion of low/medium or high adherence was significantly different between countries (42.6% and 7.4% [Japan] vs 24.0% and 76.0% [United Kingdom]; p< 0.01). Significantly more Japanese patients reported taking medication correctly the day before the questionnaire compared with UK patients.Conclusion: UK patients were more likely to not take medication when they felt their symptoms were under control compared with Japanese patients. UK patients perceived it was more difficult to remember to take the medication than Japanese patients. This study highlights culturally sensitive medication-taking behaviors in Japanese and UK patients with ulcerative colitis.Keywords: cross-cultural comparison, self-management, race, inflammatory bowel disease

Seal parapoxvirus (SPPV) infection has been reported among pinnipeds in aquaria in Japan; however, its seroprevalence is unknown. Therefore, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for serological diagnosis of SPPV infection.

A fundamental understanding of crystal growth dynamics during directional solidification of multicrystalline Si (mc-Si) is crucial for the development of crystal growth technology for mc-Si ingots for use in solar cells. In situ observation of the crystal/melt interface is a way to obtain direct evidence of phenomena that occur at a moving crystal/melt interface during growth. In this review, some of the phenomena occurring in the solidification processes of mc-Si are introduced based on our in situ observation experiments, after a brief introduction of the history of the development of crystal growth technologies to obtain mc-Si ingots for solar cells.