Background : Good kidney graft perfusion (KGP) is extremely important in kidney transplantation, although the methodology to evaluate intraoperative KGP has not yet been established. The present study tested the hypothesis that intraoperative KGP could be assessed via thermal changes using a modern high-spec infrared video camera.
Methods : Patients scheduled to receive kidney transplantation from a living donor were enrolled prior to surgery in this pilot study. The thermal changes of the transplanted kidney were visually and quantitatively evaluated for 1 minute just after unclamping the renal artery. The region of interest was the surface of the transplanted kidney. Maximal, minimal, and mean temperatures were measured and compared before and at 15, 30, and 60 seconds after unclamping. Serum creatinine levels were monitored before surgery and on post-operative days 1, 3, and 6.
Results : A total of 5 recipient-donor pairs were analyzed. Thermal increases of the transplanted kidney were clearly visualized. The effects of a spastic renal artery could be detected as a delay in thermal recovery. The presence of perirenal fatty tissue partially obstructed the monitoring of thermal increases after unclamping the renal artery. The findings of the infrared video camera did not impact post-operative serum creatinine level recovery.
Conclusions : A high-spec infrared video camera may be a useful tool to evaluate KGP of transplanted kidneys intraoperatively, especially for detecting spasms of the renal artery.

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Folic acid, a crucial B vitamin with established roles in various physiological processes, has gained recognition for its association with neural and cardiovascular health, cancer prevention, and metabolic syndrome. Despite these multifaceted roles, its specific influence on bone health, especially during fetal development, remains underexplored. This study employed induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) of human to simulate in vivo osteogenic differentiation, comprehensively investigating the influence of folic acid on bone formation. As a result, a substantial increase in calcium deposition was revealed by addition of folic acid into the osteogenic differentiation of iPSCs, indicating an augmented capacity for mineralized tissue formation. The expression of key osteogenic genes (RUNX2, COL1A1, Osteocalcin, PHEX) consistently showed upregulation across various stages of osteogenic differentiation. Additionally, temporal effects of folic acid were observed, emphasizing its positive impact during the early preosteoblast stage. The role of folic acid in promoting the differentiation of preosteoblasts into osteoblasts was further confirmed using MC3T3-E1 cells. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the influence of folic acid on bone formation, highlighting the specific stages of osteogenic differentiation where its effects are most pronounced.

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Background : Ao-dake-humi (ADH) is a traditional Japanese bamboo foot stimulator that is commonly used to promote general health among the elderly in Japan. Our earlier report revealed that ADH could improve lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), constipation, and hypersensitivity to cold (HC). This study investigated the precise effects and mechanisms of ADH on health in elderly people.
Methods : In this multi-center, randomized, crossover trial, a simple stepping exercise (SSE) was adopted as a control to exclude the exercise effects of ADH. Elderly people over 60 years of age with clinically diagnosed LUTS, constipation, insomnia, or HC were enrolled. ADH or SSE activities were performed twice a day for 28 days. Before and at 28 days of each regimen, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Athens Insomnia Scale (a visual analogue scale for constipation and HC), and defecation frequency measurements were assessed for comparisons. After the 28 days of initial treatment, ADH and SSE activities were crossed for each other, and then a second intervention was carried out for 28 days.
Results : Of the 37 elderly people (6 male and 31 female) enrolled in the study, 25 participants (4 male and 21 female) were ultimately analyzed. IPSS results improved significantly after ADH. Moreover, ADH ameliorated insomnia and HC significantly more in comparisons with SSE. Constipation status findings were comparable between ADH and SSE.
Conclusions : ADH may have a therapeutic advantage over SSE for the management of LUTS, insomnia, and HC, possibly through the mechanism of physical foot stimulation as a neuromodulator.

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