<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Multimodal non-pharmacological interventions (MNPIs) have been reported to be effective in improving the cognitive function. Therefore, it is necessary to study these interventions in older people with dementia (PWD) in nursing homes (NHs). <b><i>Aims:</i></b> This study aimed to investigate the effects, contents, frequency, duration, length, and form of MNPIs on the global and specific cognitive functions of PWD in NHs through a systematic review, and to consider what kind of intervention design is most effective. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A systematic search of peer-reviewed literature published between January 2008 and October 2018 was performed on the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and CINAHL databases. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one non-RCTs were extracted from electronic databases, and a review was carried out. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our review suggests that MNPIs may improve the global, executive function and memory of PWD in NHs. The combination of exercise, cognitive training and activities of daily living, and intervention at least 3 times a week over at least 8 weeks with, at least 30 min per session using the integrated form is recommended for improving the global and specific cognitive functions of PWD in NHs.

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Mechanical trauma of white blood cells (WBC) due to the operation of a rotary blood pump was examined, using a simple method of trypan blue dye exclusion test for a cell viability measurement. The degree of WBC trauma was investigated using a roller pump (RP) and 3 commercially available centrifugal pumps (Bio-Medicus [BPI, Capiox [CP], Nikkiso [NK]), and compared with the red blood cell (RBC) trauma. Each pump was operated 3 times at a flow rate of 5 Llmin against the total pressure head of 350 mm Hg for 6 h in a mock circuit with 400 ml of fresh bovine blood. Blood was sampled at 2 h intervals measuring plasma free hemoglobin concentration and the percentage of damaged WBC in the trypan blue dye exclusion test. Each pump demonstrated a linear increase in the degree of WBC trauma, and there were differences among the tested pumps (RP > BP > CP > NK). These findings were similar to those of the free hemoglobin measurements. To compare the degree of RBC and WBC trauma, the probability (y,w) of RBC and WBC to be damaged was calculated, respectively. y = ADR,JAN, o = ADWBcIAN where D,,, and DWBc are the ratios of the damaged RBC and WBC, respectively, and N is the passing number defined as Qt/V (Q, flow rate; t, time: V, circulating volume). The data of this study demonstrated that the o value was approximately 20 times or more greater than the y equally in all the tested pumps. This suggests that a WBC is more vulnerable to mechanical damage by a rotary blood pump than a RBC. Key Words: White blood cell-Trypan blue dye exclusion test-Blood damage-Hernolysis-Centrifugal pump.

This study showed that the FIM + FAM-j demonstrated acceptable levels of validity and reliability when used for CVA as a measure of disability.

Ceramics seldom have been used as blood-contacting materials. However, alumina ceramic (Al2O3) and polyethylene are incorporated into the pivot bearings of the Gyro centrifugal blood pump. This material combination was chosen based on the high durability of the materials. Due to the stagnant flow that often occurs in a continuous flow condition inside a centrifugal pump, pivot bearing system is extremely critical. To evaluate the thombogenicity of pivot bearings in the Gyro pump, this study sought to investigate protein adsorption, particularly albumin, IgG, fibrinogen, and fibronectin onto ceramic surfaces. Al2O3 and silicon carbide ceramic (SiC) were compared with polyethylene (PE) and polyvinylchloride (PVC). Bicinchoninic acid (BCA) protein assay revealed that the amount of adsorbed proteins onto Al2O3 and SiC was significantly less than that on PVC. The sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) indicated that numerous proteins adsorbed onto PVC compared to PE, Al2O3, and SiC. Identification of adsorbed proteins by Western immunoblotting revealed that the adsorption of albumin was similar on all four materials tested. Western immunoblotting also indicated lesser amounts of IgG, fibrinogen, and fibronectin on Al2O3 and SiC than on PE and PVC. In conclusion, ceramics (Al2O3 and SiC) are expected to be thromboresistant from the viewpoint of protein adsorption.