Search

Aim: This study aims to investigate how the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic impacted service provision of peer-supported addiction services, such as self-help groups or recovery houses and government-owned addiction healthcare services, in Japan, as well as the quality of their interaction., Methods: An online survey was distributed to all 69 public regional healthcare facilities (Mental Health and Welfare Centers [MHWCs]) across the 47 prefectures of Japan annually from 2021 to 2023, totaling three surveys. The survey asked about: (1) the current status of addiction healthcare services at each center, (2) the current status of peer-supported addiction services within each center's area, and (3) changes in connectivity between centers and peer-supported addiction services., Results: All 69 centers participated in the survey each year. Following the second year of the pandemic, both MHWCs and peer-supported services experienced service closures and restrictions; however, peer-supported services were notably more affected nationwide, such as downsizing of services, decreased number of users, shortage of operation funds, and inability to connect with other services being widely reported ( p  < 0.0001). Despite the easing of most restrictions by the fourth year, MHWCs in 18 out of 47 prefectures reported at least one sustained negative impact on their service provision, while peer-supported services struggled to recover, with 40 out of 47 prefectures still observing difficulties., Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected both types of service, with peer-supported services facing greater challenges in recovery. Additional support is essential to restore these services to normal operation., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2024 The Author(s). Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences Reports published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology.)

Objective: In this study, we examine how advancements in novel antirheumatic drugs affect the clinicopathologic features of lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)., Methods: In this multicenter study across 53 hospitals in Japan, we characterized patients with RA who developed LPDs and visited the hospitals between January 1999 and March 2021. The statistical tools used included Fisher's exact test, the Mann-Whitney U-test, the log-rank test, logistic regression analysis, and Cox proportional hazards models., Results: Overall, 752 patients with RA-associated LPD (RA-LPD) and 770 with sporadic LPD were included in the study. We observed significant differences in the clinicopathologic features between patients with RA-LPD and those with sporadic LPD. Histopathological analysis revealed a high frequency of LPD-associated immunosuppressive conditions. Furthermore, patients with RA-LPD were evaluated based on the antirheumatic drugs administered. The methotrexate (MTX) plus tacrolimus and MTX plus tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) groups had different affected site frequencies and histologic subtypes than the MTX-only group. Moreover, MTX and TNFi may synergistically affect susceptibility to Epstein-Barr virus infection. In case of antirheumatic drugs administered after LPD onset, tocilizumab (TCZ)-only therapy was associated with lower frequency of regrowth after spontaneous regression than other regimens., Conclusion: Antirheumatic drugs administered before LPD onset may influence the clinicopathologic features of RA-LPD, with patterns changing over time. Furthermore, TCZ-only regimens are recommended after LPD onset., (© 2024 The Authors. Arthritis & Rheumatology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Rheumatology.)

Aim: Stigma among healthcare professionals toward people who use drugs (PWUDs) must be addressed for recovery. However, research on this topic is limited in Japan, therefore we developed a brand-new scale through coproduction with PWUDs to measure stigma and conducted a survey using the developed scale to examine what influences stigma towards PWUDs in Japanese healthcare settings., Methods: Based on interviews with PWUDs and their families, we developed a survey containing 24 questions on stigma toward PWUDs. The survey was sent to healthcare professionals working in the public sector. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted to determine the factor construct. Generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) analyses with each factor of the stigma questions set as a dependent variable were conducted to discover the specific contribution of each variable to professionals' stigma., Results: The six factors suggested by the EFA showed a good fit, as confirmed by the CFA of the stigma questions. GLMM discovered that "currently providing treatment services to PWUDs," "having PWUDs close to themselves," and "experiencing violence by the client when providing treatment services" were significantly associated with higher stigma scale scores. "Experience in receiving support," "attending self-help groups," and "using peer-based recovery support with PWUDs" were significantly associated with lower stigma scale scores., Conclusion: The scale coproduced with local PWUDs can be a reliable tool to measure the stigma PWUDs face in Japan. Further results indicate that interaction with recovered PWUDs should be promoted., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2023 The Authors. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences Reports published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology.)

Objective: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) accompanied by anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (anti-MDA-5)-positive dermatomyositis (DM) is often rapidly progressive and associated with poor prognosis. Because there is no established treatment, we undertook this study to prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of a combined immunosuppressive regimen for anti-MDA-5-positive DM patients with ILD., Methods: Adult Japanese patients with new-onset anti-MDA-5-positive DM with ILD (n = 29) were enrolled at multiple study centers from 2014 to 2017. They were treated with a regimen of high-dose glucocorticoids (GCs), tacrolimus, and intravenous cyclophosphamide (IV CYC). Plasmapheresis was used if a patient's condition worsened after the regimen started. The primary end point was 6-month survival, which was compared between this group of patients and a historical control group (n = 15) consisting of anti-MDA-5-positive DM patients with ILD who received step-up treatment (high-dose GC and stepwise addition of immunosuppressant). Secondary end points were 12-month survival rate, adverse events, and changes in laboratory data., Results: The combined immunosuppressive regimen group showed significantly higher 6-month survival rates than the step-up treatment group (89% versus 33%; P < 0.0001). Over a period of 52 weeks, improvements in anti-MDA-5 titers, serum ferritin levels, vital capacity, and chest high-resolution computed tomography scores were observed. The combined immunosuppressive regimen group received IV CYC nearly 20 days earlier with shorter intervals and tended to receive plasmapheresis more often than patients undergoing step-up treatment. Cytomegalovirus reactivation was frequently observed over 52 weeks., Conclusion: A combined immunosuppressive regimen is effective for anti-MDA-5-positive DM patients with ILD. Plasmapheresis can be used for additional effect in intractable disease. Patients should be carefully monitored for opportunistic infections during treatment., (© 2019, American College of Rheumatology.)

Secretory defects cause transcriptional repression of ribosome biogenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, the molecular mechanism underlying secretory defect-induced transcriptional repression of ribosome biogenesis remains to be fully elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that the Arp2/3 complex was required for reduction of ribosome protein gene expression in response to defective secretion by addition of tunicamycin. Two cmd1 mutants, cmd1-228 and cmd1-239 that cause mislocalization of calmodulin and defective mitotic spindle formation, respectively, failed to interact with Arc35, a component of the Arp2/3 complex. These mutants also caused defects in the reduction of ribosome protein gene expression induced by secretory blockade. A mutation in TUB4 (tub4-1), whose product has an essential function in microtubule organization, showed a similar response. In addition, we showed that the response to a secretory defect required SUN protein Mps3, which was localized at the nuclear envelope and involved in spindle pole body assembly. These results suggest that the Arp2/3 complex is required to transmit signals resulting from secretory blockade, and that the spindle pole body functions as a transit point from cytoplasm to Mps3 at the nuclear envelope. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., (Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

The 2011 earthquake severely damaged the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP), resulting in the release of large quantities of radioactive material into the environment. The deposition of these radionuclides in rice straw as livestock feed led to the circulation of contaminated beef in the market. Based on the safety concern of the consumers, a reliable method for estimating concentrations of radioactive cesium in muscle tissue is needed. In this study, we analyzed the concentrations of radioactive cesium in the blood and skeletal muscle of 88 cattle, and detected a linear correlation between them. We then developed software that can be used to estimate radioactive cesium concentrations in muscle tissue from blood samples. Distribution of this software to the livestock production field would allow us to easily identify high-risk cattle, which would be beyond the safety regulation, before shipping out to the market. This software is planned to be released as freeware. This software would contribute to food safety, and aid the recovery of the livestock industry from the damage creacted by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami., (© 2015 Japanese Society of Animal Science.)

Objective: Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) are highly specific to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and strong associations between HLA-DRB1 alleles and ACPA levels have been detected in RA patients. We undertook this study to elucidate the associations between particular amino acid positions in HLA-DRB1 and ACPA levels in patients with RA., Methods: We analyzed ACPA data on a total of 4,371 Japanese ACPA-positive RA patients in whom HLA-DRB1 allele genotyping had been performed. Generalized linear regression analysis and omnibus testing were carried out to determine associations of HLA-DRB1 alleles, amino acid residues, or amino acid positions with levels of ACPA., Results: HLA-DRB1*09:01 and HLA-DR15 were confirmed to be associated with ACPA levels. HLA-DRB1*08:03 and DRB1*14:06 were associated with reduced and increased ACPA levels, respectively. We detected a strong association between ACPA levels and amino acid position 74 (P = 1.9 × 10(-51) ). The association was mainly conferred by alanine residue (P = 4.5 × 10(-51) ). After adjustment for position 74, amino acid positions 60 and 57 were found to be associated with ACPA levels. Amino acid positions 74 and 57 had previously been reported to be associated with susceptibility to ACPA-positive RA in Asians. Combinations of the amino acid residues at position 74 and position 60 or 57 could induce improvement in Akaike's information criterion comparable to that induced by the 5 significant HLA-DRB1 alleles (HLA-DRB1*08:03, DRB1*09:01, DRB1*14:06, DRB1*15:01, and DRB1*15:02)., Conclusion: Amino acid position 74 in HLA-DRB1 is strongly associated with ACPA levels in ACPA-positive RA, as well as with RA susceptibility. The mechanisms of ACPA production and susceptibility to ACPA-positive RA seem to partly overlap., (© 2015, American College of Rheumatology.)

In chickens, although estrogen receptors (ER) are reported to be associated with the immunological processes, detailed information about the differences in ER expression in the tissues related to the development of lymphocytes is not fully known, especially during the developmental stage. To learn more about this immunological relationship, we used semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction method to detect the ER expression levels in the thymus tissues of chicks during the developmental stage. Furthermore, ER-expressing cells were detected by immunohistochemistry. The results of this study show that the expression level of ER increased on embryonic day 16 and decreased on day 20. Furthermore, ER expression was significantly higher in male than in female chickens at day 16. The increased expression on day 16 and decreased level on day 20 were also reproduced in the incidence of immunoreactive cells, although there was a 1-day delay in the elevated incidence of the cells. This study revealed the changes in ER expression and the incidence of ER-positive cells in the thymus of chickens during the developmental stage., (© 2013 Japanese Society of Animal Science.)

Monomethylarginine, asymmetric dimethylarginine and symmetric dimethylarginine were separated on a Wakopak Combi ODS with an acetonitrile-100 mm potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0; 1:1, v/v). Dimethylarginines were derived from o-phthalaldehyde for the fluorescence detector and from 6-ferrocenyl-1-hexanethiol for the electrochemical detector. The detection limits of the dimethylarginines in spiked plasma were 0.3-0.5 pmol by electrochemical detection and 1-2 pmol by fluorescence detection. The detection limits were improved over 30 times by electrochemical detection and 10 times by fluorescence detection compared with previous reports. In previous derivatization liquid chromatography, the reaction solutions, o-phthalaldehyde, 2-mercaptethanol and dimethylarginines were unstable and required quick derivatization at 4°C. By our proposed pre-column methods, the dimethylarginines were derivatized at room temperature and the fluorescent products were stable for 6 h. The manipulation performance was greatly advanced compared with previous LC reports. This is the first report on stable and sensitive dimethylarginines by dual detection. The selectivity was also improved by dual detection. The proposed method was applied to preliminary monitoring of dimethylargines in plasma and urine., (Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Genetic improvement of resistance to infectious diseases is a challenging goal in animal breeding. Infection resistance involves multiple immunological characteristics, including natural and acquired immunity. In the present study, we developed an experimental model based on genetic selection, to improve immunological phenotypes. We selectively established three mouse lines based on phagocytic activity, antibody production and the combination of these two phenotypes. We analyzed the immunological characteristics of these lines using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is one of the main components of Gram-negative bacteria. An intense immunological reaction was induced in each of the three mouse lines. Severe loss of body weight and liver damage were observed, and a high level of cytokine messenger RNA was detected in the liver tissue. The mouse line established using a combination of the two selection standards showed unique characteristics relative to the mouse lines selected on the basis of a single phenotype. Our results indicate that genetic selection and breeding is effective, even for immunological phenotypes with a relatively low heritability. Thus, it may be possible to improve resistance to infectious diseases by means of genetic selection., (© 2011 The Authors. Animal Science Journal © 2011 Japanese Society of Animal Science.)

In pig production, dietary additive antibiotics are usually used for growth stimulation and disease prevention, although there is public concern about the increased incidence of resistant antibiotics and food safety. It is possible that such antibiotics might be replaced by naturally derived products such as seaweed and licorice. In this study, we evaluated the effect of dietary addition of seaweed and licorice on enhancing the immune function in swine. The animals of each group (eight animals per group) were sensitized at day 42 and 49, and the immunoglobulin production and the expression of cytokines were detected by the ELISA and real-time PCR. As the results, saliva IgA production of the seaweed-treated group increased around five times compared to that of control (day 56). Delayed hypersensitivity reaction and IgG production of the seaweed-treated group increased around 1.8-2.0 times. In addition, enhanced saliva IgA production was detected at day 50 (around two times) and day 51 (around five times) by the licorice treatment, and lower expression level of tumor necrosis factor-α messenger RNA at day 51 (around 1/25) was observed in the licorice treatment. We conclude that the replacement of antibiotics by naturally derived dietary additives might be feasible for immune system enhancement., (© 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 Japanese Society of Animal Science.)

A new, simple and sensitive pre-column fluorescence derivatization high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of the oxidative DNA stress marker, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine, was developed. Solid-phase extraction using an Oasis HLB cartridge avoided troublesome sample preparation steps, interference from charged species and frequent and essential electrode maintenance in electrochemical procedures. 8-Oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine and other guanine compounds were selectively derivatized with glyoxal reagents (phenylglyoxal, 3,4-methylenedioxyglyoxal, 2-naphtylglyoxal and 6-methoxynaphthylglyoxal) at 40-60 degrees C. Derivatization with 6-methoxynaphthylglyoxal at 40 degrees C for 30 min gave the strongest fluorescence product. The fluorescence derivatives from reaction with 6-methoxynaphthylglyoxal were separated on a Capcell Pak C18 SG 120A column (4.6 mm i.d. x 150 mm, 5 microm) with acetonitrile-5 mM phosphate buffer (pH 6.0; 3:7, v/v) as mobile phase. The detection wavelength of the fluorescence derivative of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine was lambda(ex) 400 nm and lambda(em) 510 nm. The detection limit of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine was 1 ng/mL using 50 mL of urine. The calibration graphs were linear up to 30 microg/mL for 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine. The relative standard deviation of 20 ng/mL of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine was 7.0%. The proposed method was compared with the enzymatic ELISA 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine analysis method (8-OH-dG Check, JaICA, Shizuoka, Japan). The correlation coefficient was 0.79 (n = 20) and y = 0.85x + 5.34. The proposed method was applied to the monitoring of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine in urine from male heavy smokers., (Copyright 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

A new, simple and sensitive pre-column high-performance chromatographic method for the determination of diabetes marker d-glucose, 1,5-anhydro-d-glucitol and related compounds is reported. Sugars (d-glucose, d-galactose, d-mannose, sucrose and arabinose) were derivatized with benzoic acid (BA) at 80 degrees C for 60 min. l-Fucose, fructose, d-lactose, l-rhamnose, arabinose and ascorbic acid were not reacted. Sugar alcohols (xylitol, erythritol, mannitol, sorbitol myo-inositol) were also derivatized with BA at 80 degrees C for 60 min. The fluorescence derivatives were separated on a TSK amide 80 column (4.6 mm i.d. x 250 mm, 5 microm) with acetonitrile-50 mm acetate buffer (pH 5.6; 4:96, v/v) as the mobile phase. The detection wavelength of beizoic acid derivatives was lambda(ex) 275 nm and lambda(em) 315 nm. The detection limits of sugars were 10-80 microg/mL. The calibration graphs were linear up to 10 mg/mL. The relative standard deviations of 500 microg/mL sugars were 7.0-7.3%. The proposed method was compared with the enzymatic photometric glucose analysis method (Glucose B-Test II Wako). The correlation coefficient was 0.83 (n = 20) and y = 0.82x + 5.91, where y and x are concentrations in microg/mL obtained by the proposed pre-column HPLC and enzyme-photometric method, respectively. The detection limits of sugar alcohols were 100-1000 ng/mL. The calibration graphs were linear to 50 microg/mL and relative standard deviations of 10 microg/mL were 7.2-8.2%. The 1,5-AG data by the proposed method was also compared with the enzymatic photometric 1,5-AG analysis method (Rana AG 1,5-AG determination kit, Nihon Kayaku) and good correlation (r = 0.91, n = 20) was also obtained. The proposed method was applied to the simultaneous determination of d-glucose, 1,5-AG and related sugar alcohols in serum from healthy males.

The simultaneous determination of 16 estrogens, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and their glucuronide and sulfate conjugates by micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) with sodium cholate micelle is reported. Sodium cholate, sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) and alpha-, beta-, gamma-cyclodextrins were studied as micelle reagents in the pH range of 7.0-10.0. Estrogens, DHEA and their glucuronide and sulfate conjugates were separated using a 50 cm x 50 microm capillary with 10 mM borate-phosphate buffer (pH 8.0) containing 50 mM sodium cholate as carrier. The method could simultaneously determine 1.0-1000 microg/mL of steroids and metabolites in 100 microL of serum by photometric detection at 214 nm within 14 min and 80 ng/mL steroids could be determined by using 2.0 mL of serum. The relative standards deviations were 6.7-7.7% at 10 microg/mL in serum. The recoveries were 89.1-92.0% with 10 microg/mL serum samples., (Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

A new micelle capillary electrophoresis based on cyclodextrin micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) for the determination of bisphenol A and 10 alkylphenols in rat serum is reported. Several surfactants and dextrins were studied. Bisphenol A and alkylphenols were separated using a 50 microm x 50 cm capillary with 20 mM borate phosphate buffer (pH 8.0) containing 20 mM sodium dodecylsulfate and 5 mM gamma-cyclodextrin as carrier. The method could determine 0.6-2000 microg/mL of phenols in 100 microL serum by photometric detection at 214 nm. Using 2.0 mL serum, 1.0 ng/mL of phenols could be determined. The relative standards deviations were 6.3-7.7% at 10 microg/mL in serum. The recoveries were 91.8-93.0% with 10 microg/mL serum samples., (Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

A new and sensitive high-performance chromatographic method for the determination of bisphenol A and 8 alkylphenols with fluorescence detection is reported. Each phenol was derivatized by reaction with 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole at 40 degrees C for 60 min. The fluorescence derivatives were separated on a Wakosil 5C18 column (4.0 i.d. x 300 mm, 5 microm) with methanol:water (10:90) as mobile phase (detection wavelength: lambda(ex) 336 nm, lambda(em) 440 nm). The detection limits were in the range of 0.1-10.0 pg/mL in serum. The calibration graphs were linear to 1.0 microg/mL. The relative standard deviations were 7.2-8.9%, respectively. The proposed method was applied to the determination of bisphenol A in mother and infant rat serum., (Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Background: To investigate the effect of hyperketonemia on altered glucose metabolism under stress conditions, we infused sodium D-3-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB) into rats in hemorrhagic hypotension and evaluated the plasma concentration of substrates related to glucose metabolism., Methods: Three groups of anesthetized rats (weight, 280 g to 320 g) were bled acutely, and their mean arterial pressures were maintained at 40 mm Hg. From 1 hour before hemorrhage to the end of the experiment, rats in the first group (n = 10) were infused with 3-OHB at a rate of 30 mumol/kg.min (3-OHB group), those in the second group (n = 10) received glucose and sodium bicarbonate (glucose group), and the remaining 10 rats received only sodium bicarbonate and no energy substrates (control group). Sodium bicarbonate was used to control the alkalizing effect of 3-OHB., Results: Hyperketonemia (1158 +/- 30 mumol/L - 1618 +/- 154 mumol/L) occurred only in the 3-OHB group. Hyperglycemia and lactic acidemia during hemorrhagic shock were suppressed significantly compared with the control group. Plasma concentration of alanine was also lower compared with the control group. In the glucose group, although plasma lactate concentration was lower, plasma glucose concentration was not suppressed, and plasma alanine concentration was higher in comparison with the control group during hemorrhagic shock. There was no significant difference in plasma insulin concentration among the three groups., Conclusions: These results suggest that administered 3-OHB may suppress glycolysis during hemorrhagic shock.