Hyperthermia maintains death receptor expression and promotes TRAIL-induced apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand activates apoptotic pathways and could potentially be used in anticancer treatments. However, oral squamous cell carcinoma cells are known to be resistant to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-induced cell death. It has been previously reported that hyperthermia upregulates tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-induced apoptosis in other cancers. As such, we evaluated whether hyperthermia upregulates tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-mediated apoptosis in a tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-resistant oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line. METHODS: The oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line HSC3 was cultured and divided into hyperthermia and control groups. We investigated the antitumor effects of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand using cell proliferation and apoptosis assays. Additionally, we measured death receptor 4 and 5 levels, and determined death receptor ubiquitination status, as well as E3 ubiquitin ligase targeting of death receptor in both hyperthermia and control groups before recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand administration. RESULTS: Treatment with recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand produced greater inhibitory effects in the hyperthermia group than in the control group. Moreover, death receptor protein expression in the hyperthermia group was upregulated on the cell surface (and overall), although death receptor mRNA was downregulated. The half-life of death receptor was several hours longer in the hyperthermia group; concomitantly, E3 ubiquitin ligase expression and death receptor ubiquitination were downregulated in this group. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that hyperthermia enhances apoptotic signaling by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand via the suppression of death receptor ubiquitination, which upregulates death receptor expression. These data suggest that the combination of hyperthermia and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand has implications in developing a novel treatment strategy for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Ferroptosis induced by plasma-activated Ringer's lactate solution prevents oral cancer progression.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of plasma-activated Ringer's lactate solution (PAL) on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells and carcinogenic processes with a particular focus on iron and collagenous matrix formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used three OSCC cell lines, one keratinocyte cell line, and two fibroblast lines, and cell viability assays, immunoblotting, flow cytometry, and transmission electron microscopy were performed to evaluate the effect and type of cell death. The effect of PAL treatment on lysyl oxidase (LOX) expression was investigated in vitro and in vivo. Tamoxifen-inducible Mob1a/b double-knockout mice were used for the in vivo experiment. RESULTS: PAL killed OSCC cells more effectively than the control nontumorous cells and suppressed cell migration and invasion. Ferroptosis occurred and the protein level of LOX was downregulated in cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, PAL improved the survival rate of mice and suppressed collagenous matrix formation. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that PAL specifically kills OSCC cells and that ferroptosis occurs in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, PAL can prevent carcinogenesis and improve the survival rate of oral cancer, especially tongue cancer, by changing collagenous matrix formation via LOX suppression.

Morphology of the Radial Attachment of the Radioulnar Ligament and Surrounding Landmarks.

PURPOSE: The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is composed of dorsal and palmar radioulnar ligaments (RULs). A common injury pattern of the RUL is the avulsion of the ulnar insertion, which can be treated by arthroscopic or open repair. Although the general method of TFCC reconstruction is a tendon graft with a bone tunnel, detailed information regarding the radial attachment of the RUL is unclear. This study aimed to clarify the morphology of the radial attachments of the palmar radioulnar ligament (PRUL), dorsal radioulnar ligament (DRUL), and short radiolunate ligament (SRL) using three-dimensional imaging. METHODS: A total of 29 upper limbs (16 formalin-fixed and 13 embalmed by Thiel's embalming method) of Japanese cadavers were used. After gross observation, we marked the attachments of the PRUL, DRUL, and SRL using 0.7-mm diameter pins. We created three-dimensional images of the radius, outlining the PRUL, DRUL, and SRL attachments. The software application calculated the centers of the PRUL and DRUL attachments. RESULTS: The PRUL attachment was horizontally shaped. The center of the PRUL was 1.5 mm proximal and 5.8 mm radial to the tip of the palmar pyramid formed by the palmar cortex and the radioulnar and radiocarpal joint surfaces. The DRUL attachment was vertically shaped. The center of the DRUL was 2.0 mm proximal and 1.7 mm radial from the tip of the dorsal pyramid formed by the dorsal cortex and the radioulnar and radiocarpal joint surfaces. The length of the SRL was 9.2 mm. The SRL and PRUL were strongly conjoined. CONCLUSIONS: The anatomical center on the RUL attachment of the radius can be determined from osseous landmarks. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The findings of this study contribute to the understanding of RUL attachment to the distal radius and may assist surgeons in performing anatomical reconstruction of TFCC.

Load Distribution in Dorsally-Angulated Distal Radius Deformity Using Finite Element Analysis.

PURPOSE: The load axis of the carpals is located on the volar side of the normal distal radius. A volar lunate facet fracture (VLFF) is exposed to volar-shearing stress, which can cause volar displacement of the carpus. A previous biomechanical study reported that the load at the scaphoid fossa was located more dorsally and the pressure at the lunate fossa decreased in a dorsally-angulated model. However, the distal radius load distribution for various volar tilts remains unclear. We speculate that if the volar tilt decreases, the load distribution moves dorsally and decreases the stress on the VLFF. Therefore, we analyzed a dorsally-angulated distal radius model to evaluate changes in the load distribution using finite element analysis. METHODS: A 3-dimensional finite element wrist model was developed using computed tomography images. The ligaments were modeled as tension-only spring elements. We considered the intact wrist model for a volar tilt of 15° and created 5 additional models for volar tilts of 10°, 5°, 0°, -5°, and -10°. RESULTS: As the dorsal angulation increased, the stress distribution moved from volar to dorsal and from the lunate fossa toward the scaphoid fossa. The maximum stress on the volar lunate facet was reduced as volar tilt decreased. The maximum stress was higher on the lunate fossa for volar tilts from 15° to 5°. In contrast, the maximum stress was higher on the scaphoid fossa for volar tilts of ≤0°. CONCLUSIONS: Load transmission moved from volar to dorsal and from the lunate fossa to the scaphoid fossa when the volar tilt decreased. Therefore, a decrease in the volar tilt would reduce the load on the VLFF. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study provides surgeons accurate knowledge regarding load distribution of the distal radius for various volar tilts that could be helpful in treating patients with VLFFs.

Radiographic changes in the distal ulna in non-rheumatoid patients with extensor digitorum communis ruptures.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoarthritis of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) is relatively common in elderly people. Extensor digitorum communis (EDC) ruptures occasionally and occurs with or without prior signs in these people. The purpose of this study was to clarify the radiographic changes in the distal ulna associated with EDC rupture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed plain radiographs of 71 patients with non-rheumatoid arthritis and 40 controls. Radiographic changes in the distal ulna were categorized into normal, osteoarthritic-change (OA-change), and taper. We measured the ulnar variance (UV) and ulnar bowing angle in the posteroanterior radiographs and the dorsal bowing angle (DBA) and dorsal protrusion (DP) in the lateral radiographs. The shape of the sigmoid notch (SN) was categorized into flat, radial inclination, and dimple. The primary outcome was a comparison of radiographic parameters between the patient and the control groups. The secondary outcome was an analysis of the type of SN to investigate factors affecting ulnar deformation. RESULTS: The ratio of the radiographic change in the ulna, UV, DBA, and DP was significantly larger in the patient group than in the control group. Patients with the radial inclination type of SN showed a greater UV than those with the dimple type. CONCLUSIONS: Deformation of the distal ulna, a large UV, dorsal penetration, and dorsal bowing was related to EDC rupture. Regarding the large UV, the lunate shaved the upper half of the distal ulna, whereas the DRUJ shaved the lower half. These processes formed a tapered ulna head. A large UV and an inclination of the DRUJ played a role in ulnar head deformation.

Diluted aqueous extract of heat-not-burn tobacco product smoke causes less oxidative damage in fibroblasts than conventional cigarette.

Smoke from conventional cigarettes (C-cigarettes) contains various reactive oxygen species and toxic chemicals, which potentially cause oxidative damage not only to airways but also to the whole body, leading eventually to diseases, including emphysema, advanced atherosclerosis, and cancer. Many heat-not-burn tobacco products (HTPs) have been commercialized recently in Japan to maintain the smoking population by advertising that HTPs are less toxic. However, there were few studies reported from neutral organizations whether HTPs are indeed less damaging. To evaluate the potential capacity of HTPs to induce oxidative stress, we here compared two different HTPs with two types of C-cigarettes, using human fibroblast IMR90SV cells and 5% aqueous extracts in 10-ml phosphate-buffered saline (50-ml smoke/10 s). HTPs exhibited significantly lower oxidative toxicity in comparison to C-cigarettes. Whereas C-cigarettes induced ferroptosis in fibroblasts, the effects of HTPs were significantly reduced by measuring the levels of peroxides, pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, autophagy, catalytic Fe(II) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine. Notably, major portions of C-cigarettes-induced pathogenic responses were inhibited by catalase. However, HTPs still induced p62 autophagy-adaptor at 5%-dilution and caused lethal effects to fibroblasts with undiluted solution. In conclusion, HTPs smoke per se can be toxic despite less toxicity in comparison to C-cigarettes, which warrants further investigation.

Association of alcohol intake and female gender with high expression of TMPRSS2 in tongue as potential risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

COVID-19 is pandemic since 2020 and further information is necessary on the risk factors associated with the infection of SARS-CoV-2. As an entry mechanism, SARS-CoV-2 uses angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as receptor and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) to activate fusion with host plasma membrane. Because dysgeusia is an early symptom of COVID-19, we here studied the expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the tongue and the associated tissues of mice and humans with immunohistochemistry and immunoblot analysis. ACE2 expression was low in the human tongue but was observed in the squamous epithelium, perineurium, arterial wall, salivary glands as well as taste buds. In contrast, mice showed high expression. In sharp contrast, TMPRSS2 expression was high in all the cells mentioned above in humans but relatively low in mice except for salivary glands. We then performed semi-quantitation of immunohistochemistry data of human ACE2 and TMPRSS2 and analyzed for age, sex, alcohol intake, and smoking habit with logistic regression analysis. We found that alcohol intake and female gender were the significant risk factors for increasing TMPRSS2 expression. In conclusion, TMPRSS2 is an important factor to be considered regarding SARS-CoV-2 entry and amplification in the oral cavity, which is promoted through drinking habit.

Radiographic study of the distal ulna in rheumatoid arthritis with extensor digitorum communis ruptures.

OBJECTIVES: Extensor digitorum communis rupture of the wrist often occurs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Early operation is desirable for patients with a high risk of rupture; therefore, rheumatologists should diagnose it during daily examinations. This study aimed to clarify radiographic changes in the distal ulna and related factors associated with extensor digitorum communis rupture in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: We analysed plain radiographs of 40 patients with rheumatoid arthritis associated with extensor digitorum communis rupture and 62 healthy controls. We investigated the deformation of the distal ulna, Larsen grades, and radiological parameters such as ulnar variance, ulnar bowing angle, dorsal protrusion, and dorsal bowing angle. RESULTS: The ratios of the ulna head deformation, Larsen grades, ulnar variance, dorsal protrusion, and dorsal bowing angle were significantly larger in the ruptured group than in the control group. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that dorsal protrusion and Larsen grades were significantly associated with extensor digitorum communis rupture. CONCLUSIONS: Deformity of the distal ulna is evident in patients with an extensor digitorum communis rupture. Ulnar head deformation, high Larsen grades, and large dorsal protrusion are potential risk factors for extensor digitorum communis rupture.

Morphology of the Ulnar Insertion of the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex and Related Osseous Landmarks.

PURPOSE: In triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries, a foveal tear of the radioulnar ligament often requires surgery. Previous studies have suggested that surgeons should attach the TFCC to the center of the fovea. The TFCC and its insertion points are small structures, and few studies have reported details of the foveal insertion. This study aimed to clarify the morphology of the ulnar insertion of the TFCC and related osseous landmarks with 3-dimensional imaging. METHODS: This study used 26 formalin-fixed cadavers. At the ulna, the TFCC was inserted from the fovea to the middle part of the ulnar styloid. After gross observation of the TFCC, the ulnar insertion was outlined using a 1.0-mm drill. We then created 3-dimensional images of the ulna using computed tomography and marked (with software) an outline of the foveal insertion of the TFCC. We measured the area and the long and short diameters of the TFCC insertion. RESULTS: The area of the TFCC insertion was 34 mm2 and positively correlated with the height of the ulnar styloid and the area of the ulnar head. The TFCC's highest point was 58% of the ulnar styloid height. The center of the TFCC insertion was 1.3 mm ulnar and 0.6 mm dorsal from the lowest point of the ulnar surface. CONCLUSIONS: The center of the TFCC insertion was slightly ulnar of the lowest point of the ulnar surface. This study revealed the center, the area, and the osseous relation of the ulnar insertion of the TFCC. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: When surgeons repair a TFCC foveal tear, they can find the anatomical center of the ulnar insertion efficiently and easily based on its osseous relationship.

Comprehensive review of lower third molar management: A guide for improved informed consent.

Lower third molar removal is the most commonly performed dental surgical procedure. Nevertheless, it is difficult to ensure that all the informed consent forms given to patients are based on the best evidence as many newer publications could change the conclusions of previous research. Therefore, the goal of this review article is to cover existing meta-analyses, randomized control trials, and related articles in order to collect data for improved and more current informed consent.

Universal health coverage and primary care, Thailand.

Thailand's policy on universal health coverage (UHC) has made good progress since its inception in 2002. Every Thai citizen is now entitled to essential preventive, curative and palliative health services at all life stages. Like its counterparts elsewhere, however, the policy faces challenges. A predominantly tax-financed system in a nation with a high proportion of people living in poverty will always strive to contain rising costs. Disparities exist among the different health insurance schemes that provide coverage for Thai citizens. National health expenditure is heavily borne by the government, primarily to reduce financial barriers to access for the poor. The population is ageing and the disease profiles of the population are changing alongside the modernization of Thai people's lifestyles. Thailand is now aiming to enhance and sustain its UHC policy. We examine the merits of different policy options and aim to identify the most promising and feasible way to enhance and sustain UHC. We argue that developing the existing primary care system in Thailand has the greatest potential to provide more self-sustaining, efficient, equitable and effective UHC. Primary care needs to move from its traditional role of providing basic disease-based care, to being the first point of contact in an integrated, coordinated, community-oriented and person-focused care system, for which the national health budget should be prioritized.

La politique de couverture sanitaire universelle de la Thaïlande a bien progressé depuis sa création en 2002. Chaque citoyen thaïlandais a désormais le droit à des services de santé préventifs, curatifs et palliatifs essentiels à tous les stades de sa vie. Néanmoins, à l'instar de ses équivalents dans d'autres pays, cette politique fait face à des difficultés. Un système principalement financé par l'impôt dans un pays où une forte proportion de personnes vit dans la pauvreté devra toujours s'efforcer de limiter l'augmentation des coûts. Des disparités existent entre les différents régimes d'assurance maladie qui fournissent une couverture aux citoyens thaïlandais. Les dépenses nationales de santé sont largement prises en charge par le gouvernement, principalement pour réduire les obstacles financiers qui empêchent les pauvres d'accéder aux services de santé. La population vieillit et le profil des maladies de la population évolue en même temps que les modes de vie des Thaïlandais se modernisent. La Thaïlande a désormais l'intention de renforcer sa politique de couverture sanitaire universelle et d'assurer sa pérennité. Nous examinons les avantages de différentes possibilités d'action et cherchons à identifier la solution la plus prometteuse et réalisable pour renforcer et assurer la pérennité de la couverture sanitaire universelle. Nous soutenons que le développement du système existant de soins de santé primaires en Thaïlande est la meilleure solution pour fournir une couverture sanitaire universelle plus autonome, efficiente, équitable et efficace. Les soins primaires doivent s'écarter de leur rôle traditionnel qui est de fournir des soins de base axés sur une maladie pour être le premier point de contact dans un système de soins intégré, coordonné, orienté vers la communauté et axé sur la personne, ce qui nécessite de donner une priorité élevée au budget national de santé.

La política de Tailandia sobre la cobertura sanitaria universal (CSU) ha progresado mucho desde su creación en 2002. Todos los ciudadanos tailandeses tienen ahora derecho a servicios esenciales de salud preventiva, curativa y paliativa en todas las etapas de la vida. Sin embargo, al igual que sus homólogas en otros lugares, la política se enfrenta a desafíos. Un sistema financiado en su mayoría por impuestos en un país con una alta proporción de personas que viven en la pobreza siempre tendrá que esforzarse para limitar el aumento de los costes. Existen disparidades entre los diferentes planes de seguros sanitarios que ofrecen cobertura a los ciudadanos tailandeses. El gasto nacional en salud lo soporta en gran medida el gobierno, principalmente para reducir las barreras financieras al acceso de los pobres. La población envejece y los perfiles de enfermedad de la población cambian al mismo tiempo que se modernizan los estilos de vida de los habitantes de Tailandia. Tailandia aspira ahora a mejorar y mantener su política de CSU. Se han examinado los méritos de las diferentes opciones de políticas para así identificar la manera más prometedora y factible de mejorar y sostener la CSU. Se sostiene que el desarrollo del sistema de atención primaria de salud existente en Tailandia tiene el mayor potencial para proporcionar una atención primaria de salud más autosuficiente, eficiente, equitativa y eficaz. La atención primaria debe pasar de su función tradicional de proporcionar atención básica basada en la enfermedad a ser el primer punto de contacto en un sistema de atención integral, coordinado, orientado a la comunidad y centrado en las personas, para lo cual se debe dar prioridad al presupuesto nacional de salud.

Non-thermal plasma specifically kills oral squamous cell carcinoma cells in a catalytic Fe(II)-dependent manner.

Oral cancer accounts for ~2% of all cancers worldwide, and therapeutic intervention is closely associated with quality of life. Here, we evaluated the effects of non-thermal plasma on oral squamous cell carcinoma cells with special reference to catalytic Fe(II). Non-thermal plasma exerted a specific killing effect on oral squamous cell carcinoma cells in comparison to fibroblasts. Furthermore, the effect was dependent on the amounts of catalytic Fe(II), present especially in lysosomes. After non-thermal plasma application, lipid peroxidation occurred and peroxides and mitochondrial superoxide were generated. Cancer cell death by non-thermal plasma was promoted dose-dependently by prior application of ferric ammonium citrate and prevented by desferrioxamine, suggesting the association of ferroptosis. Potential involvement of apoptosis was also observed with positive terminal deoxynucleaotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling and annexin V results. Non-thermal plasma exposure significantly suppressed the migratory, invasive and colony-forming abilities of squamous cell carcinoma cells. The oral cavity is easily observable; therefore, non-thermal plasma can be directly applied to the oral cavity to kill oral squamous cell carcinoma without damaging fibroblasts. In conclusion, non-thermal plasma treatment is a potential therapeutic option for oral cancer.

Volar locking plates not touching the flexor pollicis longus tendon appear as prominences on radiographs: a cadaver study.

BACKGROUND: Plate protrusion is a risk factor for flexor pollicis longus (FPL) rupture following volar locking plate (VLP) surgery. However, plate prominence on follow-up radiographs is common. We hypothesised that a VLP that does not touch the FPL tendon can appear as a plate prominence projected over the volar ridge on lateral radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied six current designs of widely used plates in formalin-fixed cadavers. Each plate was placed in six cadavers. We analysed 36 different plate-cadaver combinations. The main aim of plate fixation was to position the plate in the most distal position without FPL tendon contact. Radiographs were obtained using fluoroscopy. We evaluated plate prominence from the volar ridge according to the Soong grading system. RESULTS: Soong grades 0 (plate did not extend beyond volar ridge), 1 (plate protruded beyond volar ridge) and 2 (plate directly on or located beyond the volar ridge) were observed in 23 (63.9%), 9 (25.0%) and 4 (11.1%) cadavers, respectively. VariAx, DVR and VALCP showed grade 1 prominence, whereas Acu-Loc2, HYBRIX and MODE showed grade 2 prominence. CONCLUSIONS: Implant protrusion was observed in 36% of plate-cadaver combinations, even if the plate did not touch the FPL. Estimating the risk of FPL rupture using lateral radiographs alone is likely insufficient. Our findings can be applied to accurately identify the presence of implant prominence following VLP surgery.

Importance of latissimus dorsi muscle preservation for shoulder function after scapulectomy.

BACKGROUND: Scapulectomy is an inevitable treatment for sarcomas of the scapula. This procedure is unavoidable because it reduces the local recurrence rate but can impair shoulder movements and affect the activities of daily living. This study investigated the factors influencing functional outcomes after scapulectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical results of 8 patients (5 males, 3 females) who were diagnosed with primary or metastatic sarcomas of the scapula were retrospectively reviewed. The mean age was 49 years (range, 11-86 years). We examined the correlation between the type of excision of the scapula (total, subtotal, or partial) and postoperative functional outcomes according to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score. In partial excision, the glenohumeral joint was preserved; in subtotal excision, the glenoid was completely resected and some bony components were preserved; and in total excision, the entire bony component of the scapula was resected. The average follow-up period was 55 months (range, 9-142 months). RESULTS: The partial, subtotal, and total excision groups had mean functional scores of 96.7%, 76.7%, and 62.2%, respectively. Although the mean functional scores were lower in patients who underwent total and subtotal excisions, 3 patients in whom the latissimus dorsi muscle was preserved had better function (mean MSTS score, 76.7%) than the 2 patients in whom it was not preserved (mean MSTS score, 55.0%). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the latissimus dorsi muscle, along with the deltoid and pectoralis major muscles, is one of the stabilizers of the proximal humerus after scapulectomy.

Influence of family dynamics on burden among family caregivers in aging Japan.

BACKGROUND: Long-term care for the elderly is largely shouldered by their family, representing a serious burden in a hyper-aging society. However, although family dynamics are known to play an important role in such care, the influence of caring for the elderly on burden among caregiving family members is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To examine the influence of family dynamics on burden experienced by family caregivers. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study at six primary care clinics, involving 199 caregivers of adult care receivers who need long-term care. Participants were divided into three groups based on tertile of Index of Family Dynamics for Long-term Care (IF-Long score), where higher scores imply poorer relationships between care receivers and caregiving family: best, <2; intermediate, 2 to <5; worst, ≥5. The mean differences in burden index of caregivers (BIC-11) between the three groups were estimated by linear regression model with adjustment for care receiver's activity of daily living and cognitive function. RESULTS: Mean age of caregivers was 63.2 years (with 40.7% aged ≥ 65 years). BIC-11 scores were higher in the worst IF-Long group (adjusted mean difference: 4.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.2 to 7.5) than in the best IF-Long group. We also detected a positive trend between IF-Long score and BIC-11 score (P-value for trend <0.01). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that family dynamics strongly influences burden experienced by caregiving family members, regardless of the care receiver's degree of cognitive impairment. These results underscore the importance of evaluating relationships between care receivers and their caregivers when discussing a care regimen for care receivers.

Sleep/awake status throughout the night and circadian motor activity patterns in older nursing-home residents with or without dementia, and older community-dwelling people without dementia.

BACKGROUND: Sleep disturbances are commonly observed in older nursing home residents, mainly in combination with dementia. However, sleep-associated circadian motor activity patterns have not been thoroughly investigated in Japanese nursing homes. The present study aimed to respectively clarify the effect of community living and the presence of dementia on sleep disturbances and interrupted activity rhythm of older nursing-home residents with or without dementia and older community-dwelling people without dementia. METHODS: Actigraph devices worn on the participants' non-dominant wrists for seven days were used to collect objective measurements of the sleep/awake status throughout the night and the circadian motor activity patterns. The presence of dementia was assessed by a trained medical doctor using the residents' records and the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). The functional capacity of the participants was determined using the Barthel Index (BI). RESULTS: Fifty-one older people in Akita prefecture were included in the current study, consisting of 17 residents with dementia (mean age: 82.2 years), 17 residents without dementia (84.5 years), and 17 community-dwelling people (83.6 years). The results showed that older nursing-home residents with dementia had significantly a lower rate of sleep efficiency and a longer awake time throughout the night than the other groups. Older nursing-home residents with and without dementia had more fragmented rhythm than community-dwelling people without dementia. CONCLUSION: These results provide evidence of poor sleep/awake status throughout the night and interrupted circadian activity rhythms in nursing-home residents with and without dementia. However, further studies performed according to dementia classifications are needed.

Glenohumeral arthrodesis for malignant tumor of the shoulder girdle.

BACKGROUND: Arthrodesis of the shoulder joint using a free vascularized fibular graft has been performed as a reconstruction method after resection of bone sarcoma in the shoulder girdle. Postoperative fractures occasionally occur as a complication of arthrodesis of the shoulder joint using single-bone fusion (the conventional method). We hypothesized that the clinical results of shoulder arthrodesis using a double-barrel vascularized fibula graft for the malignant tumor of the shoulder girdle would achieve superior results compared with the conventional single-bone fusion method. METHODS: The clinical results of 5 patients with a malignant bone and soft tissue tumor of the shoulder girdle were retrospectively reviewed. The factors evaluated were surgical margins, reconstruction procedures, postoperative complications, local recurrences, metastasis in lymph nodes or lung, or both, survival, and functional results assessed by the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score. After surgical resection, arthrodesis of the shoulder joint was performed using a free vascularized fibula graft as a reconstructive procedure for the bone defect. Arthrodesis was by single-bone fusion in 3 of 5 patients, and a double-barrel vascularized fibula graft (dual-bone fusion) was used in 2 patients. RESULTS: The average MSTS scores were 58.3% in the group with single-bone fusion and 85.0% in the group with dual-bone fusion. CONCLUSION: The use of a double-barrel vascularized fibular graft may be useful in the reconstruction of large bone defects after wide excision of malignant tumors of the proximal humerus, with the advantage of avoiding postoperative fractures in shoulder arthrodesis.

Developing a scale to measure family dynamics related to long-term care, and testing that scale in a multicenter cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: As Japan's population ages, more frail elderly people are cared for by members of their family. The dynamics within such families are difficult to study, in part because they are difficult to quantify. We developed a scale for assessing family dynamics related to long-term care. Here we report on the development of that scale, and we present the results of reliability testing and validation testing. METHODS: Two primary-care specialists drafted questions about family dynamics, and discussed them with other primary-care physicians and clinical researchers. The final questionnaire asked about four problems or undesirable situations: disengagement (emotional distance), scapegoating (inappropriate blame), transfer of problems across generations (transfer of unnecessary burden from older to younger generations, trans-generationally displaced revenge), and undesirable behavior (co-dependence). Next, at six general-medicine clinics, doctors evaluated families that had a caregiver and a patient requiring long-term care. The results were analyzed by factor analysis. Cronbach's α was computed, and criterion-related validation tests were done with three types of criteria: relationship before caregiving, ability to do activities of daily living (ADL), and the duration of care. RESULTS: Results were obtained from 199 families. Among the caregivers, 79% were women and their mean age was 63 years. Among the patients, 71% were women and their mean age was 84 years. The results of factor analysis indicated that the scale was unidimensional. Cronbach's α was 0.73. Not having a good relationship before caregiving was associated with significantly worse family dynamics scores, as was greater dependence regarding ADL. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a scale that enables physicians to assess the dynamics of families with a patient and a family caregiver. The scale's scores are reliable and the results of validation testing were generally good. This scale holds promise as a tool both for research and for primary-care practice.

Bilateral cerebellar and brain stem infarction resulting from vertebral artery injury following cervical trauma without radiographic damage of the spinal column: a case report.

Vertebral artery injury can be a complication of cervical spine injury. Although most cases are asymptomatic, the rare case progresses to severe neurological impairment and fatal outcomes. We experienced a case of bilateral cerebellar and brain stem infarction with fatal outcome resulting from vertebral artery injury associated with cervical spine trauma. A 69-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of tetraplegia after falling down the stairs and hitting his head on the floor. Marked bony damage of the cervical spine was not apparent on radiographs and CT scans, so the injury was initially considered to be a cervical cord injury without bony damage. However, an intensity change in the intervertebral disc at C5/C6, and a ventral epidural hematoma were observed on MRI. A CT angiogram of the neck showed the right vertebral artery was completely occluded at the C4 level of the spine. Forty-eight hours after injury, the patient lapsed into drowsy consciousness. The cranial CT scan showed a massive low-density area in the bilateral cerebellar hemispheres and brain stem. Anticoagulation was initiated after a diagnosis of the right vertebral artery injury, but the patient developed bilateral cerebellar and brain stem infarction. The patient's brain herniation progressed and the patient died 52 h after injury. We considered that not only anticoagulation but also treatment for thrombosis would have been needed to prevent cranial embolism. We fully realize that early and appropriate treatment are essential to improve the treatment results, and constructing a medical system with a team of orthopedists, radiologists, and neurosurgeons is also very important.

Perceptions of family medicine among long-term patients of a family medicine clinic in Japan: a mixed-methods study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the perceptions of family medicine among patients attending a family medicine clinic for over 10 years in Japan and explore the unique characteristics of a family medicine which was developed in the local community in northern Japan. DESIGN: Explanatory, sequential mixed-method design comprising a survey by questionnaires and semistructured interviews. SETTING: The study was conducted at one of the oldest family medicine primary care clinics in Japan. We surveyed and interviewed participants from November 2019 to March 2020. PARTICIPANTS: 144 patients who have attended a family medicine clinic since April 2009 completed the questionnaires. Semistructured interviews with nine participants were conducted. RESULTS: Among the respondents, 131 (91%) reported having attended a family medicine clinic. In terms of their perceptions of what 'family physicians' do, 42 (35%) stated 'a doctor who treats various diseases with a general view', 34 (29%) stated 'a doctor who treats outpatients and visit patients' houses', and 15 (13%) stated 'a doctor whom one can consult for anything and is familiar with one's family and lifestyle'. The results of the qualitative analysis revealed two themes with regard to patients' perceptions of family medicine: 'seeing the whole person and referring suitably' and 'medical care at home'. Patients' perceptions of family medicine identified in the quantitative study were strongly associated with the characteristics extracted from the qualitative study. CONCLUSION: Patients attending the family medicine clinic had clear perceptions of what family physicians do. The two major perceptions of the characteristics of family medicine were identified as 'seeing the whole person and referring suitably' and 'medical care at home'.