Improvements in lower-limb muscle strength and foot pressure distribution with foot care in frail elderly adults: a randomized controlled trial from Japan

Abstract Background Abnormalities in the feet and toenails are common among the elderly and may increase the risk of falls. This study aimed to investigate the changes in toe-gap force, knee-gap force, foot pressure distribution, the ability to perform activities of daily living, subjects’ feelings and behaviors, and physical function resulting from daily lifestyle modification and foot care. Methods The study participants included 74 elderly adults (mean age 80.3 ± 7.5 years) with foot problems who had been divided into three groups based on Japan’s nursing care insurance system levels: certified ineligible for support, eligible for support, or eligible for long-term care. Additionally, a control group of 106 elderly adults in good health was recruited. The differences between the intervention and control groups was examined using the Student’s t-test, and differences between the three intervention subgroups and the control group were examined using one-way analysis of variance. Results After intervention, abnormalities in the participants’ feet and toenails improved. Significant increases in lower-limb muscle strength were observed, and foot pressure distribution had improved. The foot-care intervention significantly improved lower-limb muscle strength and decreased the risk of falling, even in elderly adults whose physical function had deteriorated. Conclusion In frail elderly adults, care of the feet and toenails can improve lower-limb muscle strength and foot pressure distribution. In addition, the individuals’ social participation increased, and their behavior improved. Trial registration University hospital Medical Information Network- Clinical Trials (UMIN-CTR) with the number: UMIN000034742. Registration date: 11/01/2018

Synthesis of π‑Conjugated Polymers Containing Phosphole Units in the Main Chain by Reaction of an Organometallic Polymer Having a Titanacyclopentadiene Unit

A regioregular organometallic polymer possessing titanacyclopentadiene units in the main chain, which was obtained by the reaction of terminal diyne and a low-valent titanium complex, was subjected to the reaction with dichlorophosphines to give π-conjugated polymers with phosphole or phosphole oxide units in the main chain. For example, a phenylphosphole-containing polymer was obtained in 76% yield by the reaction with dichlorophenylphosphine, whose number-average molecular weight (<i>M</i>_n) and molecular weight distribution (<i>M</i>_w/<i>M</i>_n) were estimated to be 6100 and 1.9, respectively, by GPC. The polymer was found to have an extended π-conjugated system, and its lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy level was remarkably low (−3.28 eV) as supported by its UV–vis absorption spectrum and cyclic voltammetric (CV) analysis. Also, the polymer exhibits orange photoluminescence with an emission maximum (<i>E</i>_max) of 595 nm and a quantum yield (Φ) of 0.10

Intravenous 1α, 25[OH]2 vitamin D3 (calcitriol) pulse therapy for bone lesions in a murine model of chronic cadmium toxicosis

The aim of the present study was to clarify the therapeutic effects of 1α, 25[OH]2 vitamin D3 (calcitriol) pulse injection on bone lesions induced in a rat model of chronic cadmium toxicosis. Ovariectomized (OVX) and control-operated (sham-OVX) rats were given repeated intravenous injections of 0.5 mg/kg/day CdCl2 for 70 weeks. The rats were then treated intravenously with 0.02 μg/kg/day calcitriol 3 days per week for 8 weeks