The Contribution of Secondary Particles Following Carbon Ion Radiotherapy to Soft Errors in CIEDs.

Introduction: While carbon ion radiotherapy is highly effective in cancer treatment, it has a high risk of causing soft error, which leads to malfunctions in cardiac implantable electrical devices (CIEDs). To predict the risk of malfunction prior to treatment, it is necessary to measure the reaction cross-sections and contributions to the soft error of secondary particles generated during treatments. Methods: A field-programmable gate array was used instead of CIEDs to measure soft errors by varying the energy spectrum of secondary particles. Results and discussion: The reaction cross-sections measured for each secondary particle were 3.0 × 10-9, 2.0 × 10-9, 1.3 × 10-8, and 1.5 × 10-8 [cm2/Mb] for thermal neutrons, intermediate-energy neutrons, high-energy neutrons above 10 MeV, and protons, respectively. The contribution of high-energy neutrons was the largest among them. Our study indicates that to reduce the risk of soft errors, secure distance and appropriate irradiation directions are necessary.

Persistent trigeminal artery variant and presumed ophthalmic artery simultaneously arising from the inferolateral trunk incidentally diagnosed by magnetic resonance angiography.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of persistent trigeminal artery variant (PTAV) and presumed ophthalmic artery (OA) simultaneously arising from the inferolateral trunk (ILT). METHODS: A 53-year-old woman with an initial episode of convulsion underwent cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MR angiography (MRA) of the intracranial region for the evaluation of brain and vascular lesions. The MR machine was a 3-T scanner. RESULTS: MRI revealed no pathological brain lesions. On MRA, the left anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) arose from the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA), indicative of the PTAV. The arising point was more distal than the usual point, and the presumed OA also arose simultaneously from the short common trunk, which was considered the ILT. CONCLUSION: There are two types of PTA: lateral (usual) and medial (intrasellar) PTA. The lateral-type PTA and PTAV arise from the ICA of the distal precavernous-proximal cavernous segment and take a course similar to that of the posterior fossa. The medial type arises slightly more in the distal cavernous segment than in the lateral type. The OA rarely arises from the cavernous segment of the ICA and enters the orbit via the superior orbital fissure. The origin of this type of OA is considered to be the ILT. We herein report a case of a PTAV and presumed OA arising simultaneously from an ILT. No similar case has been reported in the relevant English language literature.

Superior canal dehiscence syndrome: A review.

Superior canal dehiscence syndrome (SCDS) is a vestibular disorder in which the presence of a pathological third window in the labyrinth causes several vestibular and cochlear symptoms. Herein, we review the diagnostic criteria and treatment of SCDS. The cause of SCDS is considered to be congenital or acquired; however, its etiology is not well known. Symptoms: Vertigo and/or oscillopsia induced by loud sounds (Tullio phenomenon) or stimuli that change the middle ear or intracranial pressure (fistula symptoms) with vestibular symptoms and hyperacusis and aural fullness with cochlear symptoms are characteristic clinical complaints of this syndrome. Neurological tests: Vertical-torsional eye movements can be observed when the Tullio phenomenon or fistula symptoms are induced. Conductive hearing loss with both a decrease in the bone conduction threshold at lower frequencies and an increase in the air conduction threshold at lower frequencies may be present on audiometry. Cervical and/or ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials are effective in strongly suspecting the presence of a pathologic third window in the labyrinth. Computed tomography (CT) imaging: High-resolution CT findings with multiplanar reconstruction in the plane of the superior semicircular canal consistent with dehiscence indicate SCDS. The Pöschl view along the plane of the superior semicircular canal and the Stenvers view perpendicular to it are recommended as CT imaging conditions. Findings from all three major diagnostic categories (symptoms, neurological tests, and/or CT imaging) are needed to diagnose SCDS. The surgical approaches for SCDS are as follows: the 1) middle cranial fossa approach, 2) transmastoid approach, and 3) round window and oval window reinforcement. Each technique has advantages and disadvantages.

Effect of Exercise Therapy on Incident Admission in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Undergoing Inpatient Diabetes Self-management Education and Support Tokyo Metropolitan Toshima Hospital, Tokyo Metropolitan Hospital Organization, Japan.

BACKGROUND: Exercise therapy is the key to preventing admission of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, a few studies have examined the effects of exercise therapy on patients with T2DM undergoing inpatient diabetes self-management education and support (IDSMES). OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether exercise therapy influenced the incidence of admission after discharge in patients with T2DM undergoing IDSMES. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients with T2DM who underwent IDSMES between June 2011 and May 2015. Overall, 258 patients were included in this study. The exercise therapy program was implemented in June 2013. Accordingly, patients diagnosed between June 2011 and May 2013 were categorized as the non-exercise therapy program group, while those diagnosed between June 2013 and May 2015 were categorized as the exercise therapy program group. Outcomes were incident diabetes-related and all-cause admissions within 1 year of discharge. Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the exercise therapy program's impact on the outcomes. RESULTS: Within 1 year of discharge, 27 (10.5%) patients underwent diabetes-related admissions and 62 (24.0%) underwent all-cause admissions. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed a significant association of the exercise therapy program with incident diabetes-related and allcause admissions [OR: 0.22 (95% CI: 0.08-0.59) and 0.44 (95% CI: 0.22-0.86), respectively]. CONCLUSION: Exercise therapy programs significantly lowered the incidences of diabetes-related and all-cause admissions. This indicates that implementing exercise therapy during hospitalization may be important for preventing admissions of patients with T2DM receiving IDSMES.

Combination of low muscle strength and malnutrition is associated with longer length of hospital stay among older patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Muscle strength and nutritional status are associated with length of hospital stay (LOHS) in older patients with heart failure (HF). OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to examine the association of the combination of muscle strength and nutritional status on LOHS in older patients with HF. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 414 older inpatients with HF (men, 57.2%; median age, 81 years; interquartile range, 75-86 years). Patients were categorized into four groups according to their muscle strength and nutritional status: group 1, high muscle strength and normal nutritional status; group 2, low muscle strength and normal nutritional status; group 3, high muscle strength and malnutrition; and group 4, low muscle strength and malnutrition. The outcome variable was the LOHS, and an LOHS of >16 days was defined as long LOHS. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for baseline characteristics (reference, group 1) showed that group 4 was associated with a more significant risk of long LOHS (odds ratio [OR], 3.54 [95% confidence interval, 1.85-6.78]). In the subgroup analysis, this relationship was maintained for the first admission HF group (OR, 4.65 [2.07-10.45]) but not for the HF readmission group (OR, 2.80 [0.72-10.90]). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the long LOHS for older patients with HF at first admission was associated with a combination of low muscle strength and malnutrition but not by either factor individually.

Gender-specific Characteristics of Social Factors Related to Frequency of Daily Conversation Among Community-dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-sectional Observational Study.

Objectives: This study examined the social factors affecting the frequency of going out, and social isolation related to the frequency of daily conversation, stratified by gender. Method: The participants comprised 1,016 community-dwelling older Japanese adults, who were categorized into four groups: those who are (1) not isolated socially and go out every day, (2) not isolated socially and do not go out every day, (3) socially isolated and go out every day, and (4) socially isolated and do not go out every day. We performed a logistic regression analysis to assess the relationship between the frequency of daily conversation and the four groups. Results: Our multivariable logistic regression analysis (reference, group 1) showed that the coexistence of poor social factors significantly affected men (group 2: odds ratio [OR] 2.13 [1.10 to 4.12]; group 3: OR 2.92 [1.70 to 5.00]; and group 4: OR 4.28 [2.43 to 7.54]). For women, the frequency of going out was related to daily conversation only with social isolation group (group 2: OR 1.51 [0.77 to 2.98]; group 3: OR 2.42 [1.25 to 4.68]; and group 4: OR 3.81 [2.08 to 7.00]). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that promoting daily conversations of community-dwelling older adults can help prevent related health adversities.

The Caloric Test Is More Consistent With the Presence of Endolymphatic Hydrops Than the Vestibular-Evoked Myogenic Potential Test in Meniere's Disease.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the correlation between enhanced inner ear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and vestibular and cochlear function test results in patients with definite Meniere's disease and confirmed endolymphatic hydrops. Methods Among 70 consecutive patients diagnosed with definite Meniere's disease, 49 underwent contrast-enhanced 3-T inner ear MRI. The patients also underwent pure-tone audiometry, glycerol, caloric, and vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) tests. Correlations between the pure-tone audiometry, glycerol test, caloric test, VEMP test, and MRI findings were evaluated using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, Student's t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Bonferroni's post-hoc test. Results Contrast-enhanced inner ear MRI revealed that 33 of 49 patients (67.3%) had endolymphatic hydrops. Among them, 19 patients had bilateral endolymphatic hydrops, and 14 had unilateral hydrops. The mean hearing threshold was higher in patients with endolymphatic hydrops than those without (p< 0.001). The proportion of patients with positive glycerol test results was higher among those with endolymphatic hydrops than in those without (p= 0.01). The rate of abnormal caloric response in patients with and without endolymphatic hydrops was not significantly different (p= 0.09). Furthermore, the rate of abnormal VEMP response in patients with and without endolymphatic hydrops was not significantly different (p= 0.70). On the affected side, in the caloric test, the ratio of the presence of vestibular and cochlear hydrops was similar (p= 1.00). On the affected side, in the VEMP test, the ratio of the presence of vestibular and cochlear hydrops was also similar (p= 0.80). The consistency of the caloric test in detecting cochlear hydrops was higher than that of the VEMP test (p= 0.04). The consistency of the caloric test in detecting vestibular hydrops tended to be higher (but not significantly) than that of the VEMP test (p= 0.11). Conclusion The cochlea and vestibule on the clinically affected side were more likely to have endolymphatic hydrops revealed by contrast-enhanced 3-T inner ear MRI than on the unaffected side. The sum of the three low frequencies (125, 250, and 500 Hz) of the pure-tone audiometry was higher in patients with endolymphatic hydrops than in those without endolymphatic hydrops. The caloric test was more consistent in detecting endolymphatic hydrops, especially cochlear hydrops, than the VEMP test in patients with definite Meniere's disease. The results of this study may contribute to the future diagnosis of Meniere's disease and improve the understanding of endolymphatic hydrops.

The effect of care receivers' dysphagia severity on caregiver burden among family caregivers.

INTRODUCTION: Dysphagia has received much attention as a factor that affects caregiver burden. However, few studies have examined how its severity can affect caregiver burden. This study aimed to examine the effect of dysphagia severity on caregiver burden. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was carried out among family caregivers. We assessed caregiver burden using the Zarit Burden Interview. The dysphagia severity was assessed using the Functional Oral Intake Scale, and the caregivers were divided into three groups based on care receivers' oral intake status (levels 1-3: tube-feeding group; levels 4-6: texture-modified food group; level 7: normal group). To investigate the relationship between caregiver burden and dysphagia severity, univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were applied to caregiver burden. RESULTS: The Zarit Burden Interview was significantly higher in the texture-modified food group, and the proportions of high caregiver burden reached 25.2%, 39.5% and 23.4% in the normal group, texture-modified food group and tube-feeding group, respectively. The multivariable analyses applied to caregiver burden (reference, normal group) showed that the texture-modified food group was significantly associated with caregiver burden (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.04-2.32), whereas the tube-feeding group had no relationship with caregiver burden (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.31-1.49). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that the intake of texture-modified food significantly affected caregiver burden even after adjusting for confounding factors, whereas the use of tube feeding did not increase caregiver burden. These results suggest that it is necessary to consider dysphagia severity to reduce dysphagia-related caregiver burden. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 870-875.

The effects of rehabilitation therapy duration on functional recovery of patients with subacute stroke stratified by individual's age: a retrospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: The duration of rehabilitation therapy is one of the key elements for promoting post-stroke functional recovery. However, whether an individual's age affects the effectiveness of the duration of rehabilitation therapy on post-stroke functional recovery remains unclear. AIM: This study aimed to investigate whether age has an influence on the relationship between the duration of rehabilitation therapy and post-stroke functional recovery. DESIGN: This is a retrospective observational study. SETTING: Six convalescent inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in Japan. POPULATION: The population of the study was represented by a total of 1186 participants with subacute stroke. METHODS: Participants were stratified into four groups according to their age (≤59, 60-69, 70-79, and ≥80 years). The data of minutes involved in performing rehabilitation therapy for participants during hospitalization per day (extracted from the medical records of each hospital). The outcome measurement was the absolute change in the functional independence measure (FIM) score during hospitalization. RESULTS: The mean FIM gains in the ≤59 years, 60-69 years, 70-79 years, and the ≥80 years groups were 38.7 (18.8), 32.8 (18.0), 29.7 (16.6), and 25.4 (17.2), respectively. The results of the multivariate regression analyses showed that there was a significant association between the duration of daily rehabilitation therapy and the FIM gain in the 70-79 years and the ≥80 years groups (-70-79 years group: B=1.289, ß=0.290, 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 0.718-1.859, P<0.001; the ≥80 years group: B=2.375, ß=0.371, 95% CIs: 1.644-3.107, P<0.001), but not in the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with subacute stroke in rehabilitation hospitals, a higher duration of daily rehabilitation therapy was associated with better functional recovery in the 70-79 years group and ≥80 years groups. Understanding the responsiveness of patients with stroke to rehabilitation therapy by age group helps to better allocate medical resources and develop more effective approaches. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: An increased duration of daily rehabilitation therapy may be helpful in older adults with stroke selected for intensive rehabilitation for improvement of basic daily functioning.

Relationship between longitudinal changes in skeletal muscle characteristics over time and functional recovery during intensive rehabilitation of patients with subacute stroke.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a disease that easily impairs skeletal muscle characteristics, resulting in low quantity, low quality, and poor strength. However, the recovery process of skeletal muscles in patients with stroke is not well established. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the longitudinal changes in skeletal muscle characteristics in patients with stroke during intensive rehabilitation and examine their relationship with functional recovery. METHODS: Eighty-five patients with stroke were prospectively recruited. We defined muscle quantity and quality as ultrasonographic muscle thickness and echo intensity, respectively, and muscle strength as knee extension strength. These skeletal muscle characteristics were compared at four time points: on admission, after 2 weeks, after 4 weeks, and at discharge. We also explored the relationship between changes in skeletal muscle characteristics and functional recovery. RESULTS: Non-paretic knee extension torque (F = 5.838, P = .001), paretic quadriceps thickness (F = 2.943, P = .039), and paretic tibialis anterior thickness (F = 4.654, P = .004) improved over time, and changes in the paretic side quadriceps thickness were significantly associated with recovery for balance ability (odds ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-1.09; P = .048). CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed that knee extension muscle strength on the non-paretic side and quadriceps and tibialis anterior thickness on the paretic side significantly improved over time and that changes in the paretic side quadriceps thickness were associated with the recovery of balance ability.

Relationship between the Kihon Checklist and all-cause hospitalization among community-dwelling older adults.

AIM: To examine the relationship between the Kihon Checklist (KCL) and incidence of hospitalization among community-dwelling older adults. METHOD: We analyzed the cohort data of 2920 community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years, who were living independently in a city in Shiga prefecture. We investigated the frailty status, instrumental activities of daily living, physical function, nutritional status, oral function, homebound status, cognitive function and mood using the KCL in the baseline survey. The outcome was incident all-cause hospitalization in the 2-year period. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the relationships between the frailty status and each domain of the KCL as well as all-cause hospitalization. RESULTS: The prevalence of frailty, pre-frailty and robustness were 29.7%, 34.5% and 35.8%, respectively. During the 2-year follow-up period, 417 participants (14.3%) underwent an incident of all-cause hospitalization. The participants with frailty (adjusted OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.05-1.81) had a significantly elevated incidence of hospitalization according to the multivariate analysis compared with patients with robustness, but not in participants with pre-frailty (adjusted OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.82-1.40). Participants with low physical function (adjusted OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.12-1.87) and depressed mood (adjusted OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.08-1.70) had a significantly elevated incidence of hospitalization according to multivariate analysis compared with non-risk. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that older adults with frailty are more likely to be hospitalized and that the KCL may be the screening tool to estimate the hospitalization risk. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 132-137.

Risk Factors for Aspiration Pneumonia After Receiving Liquid-Thickening Recommendations.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the influence of liquid thickness levels on the frequency of liquid penetration-aspiration in patients with dysphagia and evaluated the clinical risk factors for penetration-aspiration and aspiration pneumonia development. STUDY DESIGN: A case series. SETTING: Single-institution academic center. METHODS: We reviewed medical charts from 2018 to 2019. First, we evaluated whether liquid thickness levels influence the frequency of liquid penetration-aspiration in patients with dysphagia. Penetration-aspiration occurrence in a videofluoroscopic swallowing study was defined as Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) scores ≥3. Second, the association between liquid thickness level and penetration-aspiration was analyzed, and clinical risk factors were identified. Moreover, clinical risk factors for aspiration pneumonia development within 6 months were investigated. RESULTS: Of 483 patients, 159 showed penetration-aspiration. The thickening of liquids significantly decreased the incidence of penetration-aspiration (P < .001). Clinical risk factors for penetration-aspiration were vocal fold paralysis (odds ratio [OR], 1.99), impaired laryngeal sensation (OR, 5.01), and a history of pneumonia (OR, 2.90). Twenty-three patients developed aspiration pneumonia while undertaking advised dietary changes, including liquid thickening. Significant risk factors for aspiration pneumonia development were poor performance status (OR, 1.85), PAS score ≥3 (OR, 4.03), and a history of aspiration pneumonia (OR, 7.00). CONCLUSION: Thickening of liquids can reduce the incidence of penetration-aspiration. Vocal fold paralysis, impaired laryngeal sensation, and history of aspiration pneumonia are significant risk factors of penetration-aspiration. Poor performance status, PAS score ≥3, and history of aspiration pneumonia are significantly associated with aspiration pneumonia development following recommendations on thickening liquids. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Physical Exercise Improves Cognitive Function in Older Adults with Stage 3-4 Chronic Kidney Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) exhibit a higher probability of having cognitive impairment or dementia than those without CKD. The beneficial effects of physical exercise on cognitive function are known in the general older population, but more research is required in older adults with CKD. METHODS: Eighty-one outpatients (aged ≥65 years) with CKD stage G3-G4 were assessed for eligibility. Among them, 60 were randomized (single-center, unblinded, and stratified) and 53 received the allocated intervention (exercise n = 27, control n = 26). Patients in the exercise group undertook group-exercise training at our facility once weekly and independent exercises at home twice weekly or more, for 24 weeks. Patients in the control group received general care. General and specific cognitive functions (memory, attention, executive, and verbal) were measured, and differences in their scores at baseline and at the 24-week follow-up visit were assessed between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Forty-four patients completed the follow-up at 24 weeks (exercise n = 23, control n = 21). Patients in the exercise group showed significantly greater changes in Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised Logical Memory delayed recall (exercise effect: 2.82, 95% CI: 0.46-5.19, p = 0.03), and immediate and delayed recall (exercise effect: 5.97, 95% CI: 1.13-10.81, p = 0.02) scores than those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The 24-week exercise intervention significantly improved the memory function in older adults with pre-dialysis CKD. This randomized controlled trial suggests that physical exercise is a useful nonpharmacological strategy for preventing cognitive decline in these patients.

Relationship Between Long-Term Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Increasing physical activity (PA) improves glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, whether long-term objectively measured PA is related to glycemic control remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between long-term objectively measured PA and glycemic control in T2DM patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study recruited T2DM patients admitted to a hospital-based diabetes management and education program. The primary outcome was glycemic control by hemoglobin A1c at 6 months after discharge. We defined poor glycemic control according to the Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines. The PA was objectively measured using a three-axis accelerometer during 6 months' period after discharge. The representative value of PA was the average daily steps during the measurement period and was divided into quartiles. To determine the relationship between the daily steps and poor glycemic control, we performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Ninety-four participants were enrolled in the study. Their median age was 59 years, and 38 (40.0%) of them showed poor glycemic control. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the first (Q1, ≤ 6106 steps/day) and second quartiles (Q2, 6107-8258 steps/day) had significantly elevated risks of poor glycemic control compared to Q4 (≥ 10,542 steps/day), with odds ratios of 8.55 [95% confidence intervals (CI) =1.43-51.23] and 15.62 (95% CI 2.63-92.87), respectively. CONCLUSION: We found that lesser PA was significantly associated with poor glycemic control in T2DM patients. This finding may be beneficial for clinicians while providing long-term advice to diabetic patients.

Relationship between physical activity levels during rehabilitation hospitalization and life-space mobility following discharge in stroke survivors: A multicenter prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Higher physical activity levels during hospitalization may benefit the life-space mobility, defined as the ability to move within environments that expand from one's home to the greater community, of stroke survivors following their discharge. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between physical activity levels during rehabilitation hospitalization and life-space mobility among stroke survivors three months after their discharge. METHODS: We recruited 84 stroke survivors as prospective participants from four convalescent rehabilitation hospitals. Physical activity levels during hospitalization were assessed using pedometers with a three-axis accelerometer, and their average step count over 14 consecutive days prior to discharge was used as the representative set of values. Pedometers were placed on the participant's waist or wrist on the non-paretic side. The Life-Space Assessment (LSA), a validated self-reporting measure for assessing community mobility, was implemented three months following participant discharge from rehabilitation hospitals via a mail-in survey method. To determine the relationship between the participants' level of physical activity during hospitalization and the LSA score following discharge, we performed multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 75 participants (89.3%) completed the post-discharge survey and were therefore included in the analysis. The multiple regression analysis, controlled for age, balance function, walking endurance, fear of falling, and functional status, revealed that daily step counts were significantly associated with the LSA score three months after discharge (ß = 0.241, p = .026). CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity levels during hospitalization were significantly associated with the life-space mobility of stroke survivors following discharge.

Relationship between Sarcopenia and Swallowing Capacity in Community-Dwelling Older Women.

BACKGROUND: Swallowing disorders are a serious health concern among older adults. Previous studies reported that sarcopenia may affect swallowing disorders; however, whether sarcopenia is related to the capacity to swallow (measured according to swallowing speed) in community-dwelling older adults is unclear. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sarcopenia and swallowing capacity in community-dwelling older women. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted among community-dwelling older women in Japan. The inclusion criteria were as follows: women aged ≥65 years, with the ability to walk independently, and without dysphagia. The exclusion criterion was a history of stroke or Parkinson's disease that directly caused dysphagia. The participants were divided into a sarcopenia and a healthy group based on the criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019. We measured swallowing speed (mL/s) as the swallowing capacity by conducting a 100-mL water-swallowing test. To assess the relationship between sarcopenia and swallowing capacity, we performed a multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Two-hundred and sixty participants were enrolled in the study. Their mean age was 82.3 ± 6.9 years, and 61 (23.5%) of them displayed sarcopenia. The mean swallowing speed was 11.5 ± 4.9 mL/s, and 17 women (6.5%) exhibited choking or a wet-hoarse voice. Multiple regression analysis revealed that sarcopenia was related to the swallowing capacity after adjusting for age, the Mini-Mental State Examination, and the number of comorbidities (ß = -0.20, 95% CI -3.78 to -0.86, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: We found that sarcopenia was related to the swallowing capacity in older women in this study. Future research should clarify whether a similar relationship exists in older men as well as the effect of sarcopenia on the swallowing capacity in older adults over a period of time.

Impact of LDLR and PCSK9 pathogenic variants in Japanese heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: More than 4970 variants in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene and 350 variants in the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) gene have been reported in familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) patients. However, the effects of these variants on FH pathophysiology have not been fully clarified. We aimed to update the LDLR and PCSK9 variants in Japanese heterozygous FH (HeFH) patients and annotate their clinical significance for the genetic diagnosis of HeFH. METHODS: A genetic analysis of the LDLR and PCSK9 genes was performed in 801 clinically diagnosed HeFH patients. The association of the pathogenic variants with the clinical FH phenotype was examined. RESULTS: Pathogenic variants in the LDLR and PCSK9 genes were found in 46% (n = 296) and 7.8% (n = 51) of unrelated FH patients (n = 650), respectively. The prevalence of Achilles tendon thickness was low (44%) in patients harbouring PCSK9 pathogenic variants. Furthermore, 17% of unrelated FH patients harboured one of five frequent LDLR pathogenic variants: c.1845+2T > C, c.1012T > A: p.(Cys338Ser), c.1297G > C: p.(Asp433His), c.1702C > G: p.(Leu568Val), and c.2431A > T: p.(Lys811*). Patients harbouring the c.1845+2T > C and c.1702C > G: p.(Leu568Val) variants had significantly lower serum LDL-cholesterol levels and higher serum HDL-cholesterol levels, respectively, compared with those harbouring the other LDLR pathogenic variants. The proportion of LDLR pathogenic variants was higher in patients with a younger age of coronary artery disease (CAD) onset and significantly decreased as the age of CAD onset increased. CONCLUSIONS: This study annotated the clinical significance and characteristics of LDLR and PCSK9 pathogenic variants in Japanese HeFH patients.

Triboelectrification of pharmaceutical powders by particle impact.

Pharmaceutical powders are very prone to electrostatic charging by colliding and sliding contacts with walls and other particles. In pharmaceutical formulation processes, particle charging is often a nuisance and can cause problems in the manufacture of products, such as affecting powder flow, and reducing fill and dose uniformity. For a fundamental understanding of the powder triboelectrification, it is essential to study charge transfer due to a single contact of a particle with a target plane under well-defined physical, mechanical and electrical conditions. In this study, charge transfer due to a single impact of a particle against a stainless steel target was measured for alpha-lactose monohydrate, aspirin, sugar granules and ethylcellulose. The amount of transferred charge is expressed as a function of impact velocity and impact angle as well as the initial charge. The maximum contact area during impact between a particle and a target plane is estimated by an elastic-plastic deformation model. It is found that the transferred charge is a linear function of the contact area. For a given material, there is an initial particle charge for which no charge transfer occurs due to impact. This is found to be independent of impact velocity and angle, and is hence viewed as a characteristic property, which is related to the contact potential difference and tribo-electric series of the sample powders.

Regulation of multiple ageing-like phenotypes by inducible klotho gene expression in klotho mutant mice.

Mice carrying a loss-of-function mutation in the klotho gene (KL(-/-) mice) develop ageing-like symptoms around 4 weeks after birth and suffer from multiple age-related disorders observed in humans, including osteoporosis, arteriosclerosis, and pulmonary emphysema. The klotho gene encodes a single-pass transmembrane protein that may function in signaling pathways that suppress ageing. To investigate the ability of Klotho to regulate the development of ageing-related disorders, we established an inducible Klotho expression system using KL(-/-) mice carrying an exogenous klotho gene fused to the mouse metallothionein-I promoter, in which Klotho expression was dependent on zinc water feeding. We demonstrate that many advanced ageing-like KL(-/-) phenotypes were restored to normal whenever Klotho expression was induced. Conversely, decreasing Klotho expression in these rescued KL(-/-) mice induced several ageing-like KL(-/-) phenotypes. Our data indicate that Klotho may be effective in the treatment of multiple age-related disorders and is essential for maintaining animals free of these disorders.

Increased circulating levels of natriuretic peptides predict future cardiac event in patients with chronic hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cardiovascular events are the major determinant of the prognosis in patients with chronic hemodialysis. The present study was designed to investigate whether increased plasma levels of atrial or brain natriuretic peptides (ANP or BNP) predict future cardiac events in such patients. METHODS: Fifty-three patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis without clinical symptoms suggestive of cardiac disorders were enrolled and their blood was sampled for ANP and BNP measurements. Electrocardiograms demonstrated left ventricular hypertrophy in 28 patients but no other abnormal findings. We followed them up for 11.3 +/- 0.2 months. The endpoint was cardiac events. RESULTS: Cardiac events occurred in 13 patients (CE group). Both ANP and BNP levels were higher in CE group than in patients without cardiac events (ANP: 118 +/- 21 vs. 56 +/- 5 pg/ml, BNP: 769 +/- 204 vs. 193 +/- 25 pg/ml, respectively). Receiver operating characteristics curve revealed that the cut-off levels of ANP and BNP were 58 and 390 pg/ml, respectively. Using the Kaplan-Meier method, the incidence of cardiac events was significantly greater in patients with higher levels of ANP (50.0 vs. 0.0%) or BNP (72.7 vs. 11.9%) than in those with lower levels of the peptides. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels of ANP or BNP indicate an increased risk of cardiac events and these peptides are clinically useful to predict cardiac events in patients with hemodialysis.