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Xuejiao Liao,1,&ast; Yuan Guan,1,2,&ast; Zixun Lin,1 Qingrong Tang,3 Zhenghua Ma,1 Shuting Wu,1 Xiaobin Wang,1 Jingke Dong,1 Liping Zhang,1 Jiayu Deng,1 Zhonghui Liao,1,4 Sumei Yang,1,4 Cheng Wang,1,4 Shuo Song,1 Hongyang Yi,1 Song Wu,5 Tetsuya Asakawa,6 Hongzhou Lu1 1Institute for Hepatology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, The Third People’s Hospital of Shenzhen, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 3The First Hospital of Changsha, Infectious Diseases Department, Changsha, People’s Republic of China; 4School of Public Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Central Laboratory, South China Hospital, Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China; 6Institute of Neurology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, the Third People’s Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Hongzhou Lu, Institute for Hepatology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, The Third People’s Hospital of Shenzhen, The Second Hospital Affiliated with the School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 29 Bulan Road, Long Gang District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518112, People’s Republic of China, Email luhongzhou@fudan.edu.cn Tetsuya Asakawa, Institute of Neurology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, the Third People’s Hospital of Shenzhen, No. 29 Buji Bulan Road, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518112, People’s Republic of China, Email asakawat1971@gmail.comPurpose: The purpose was to review relevant clinical data and formulate recommendations supporting the use of saline as a simple rinse for an early reassuring intervention to reduce the occurrence of re-positive COVID-19 patients.Methods: We conducted a single-centre retrospective cohort study, which enrolled patients with confirmed re-testing positive COVID-19 during 7– 60 days after discharge from Third People’s Hospital of Shenzhen. By one-to-two propensity score matching for age and sex, the control group of those not re-testing positive during the same period served as matched control.Results: A total of 223 patients were included in our study, 94 in re-positive group and 129 in non-re-positive group. The result shows that the rates of nasal douche treatment in the non-re-positive group were considerably higher than that of the re-positive group. And the Ct value of nasal douche group increased faster than that of non-nasal douche group after the Ct value reaching ≥ 35. Further analysis revealed that the higher the Ct value at the time of readmission, the shorter the time of average Ct values to reach ≥ 35.Conclusion: These findings suggest that nasal douche is beneficial to shorten the time of virus nucleic acid turning negative, thereby reducing the incidence of re-positive. The prevention and control of epidemics focuses on re-positive patients with Ct values < 35.Keywords: COVID-19, nasal douche, re-positive, RT-PCR

Huijuan Fan,*,1 Shujiao Chen,*,1,2 Bizhen Gao,1 Shanshan Ding,1 Qiang Zhao,1 Candong Li,1 Tetsuya Asakawa1,31Research Base of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Shangjie Minhou 350122, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Internal Medicine, The Third People’s Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Shangjie Minhou 350122, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Neurosurgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu-city, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan*These authors contributed equally to this workPurpose: We aimed to evaluate the clinical value of systemic levels of estrogen and adipokines as well as estrogen receptors from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in childbearing and perimenopausal women with obesity.Subjects and methods: We observed 292 women, including 160 perimenopausal women (80 with obesity and 80 without obesity) and 132 women of childbearing age (67 with obesity and 65 without obesity). Body parameters, such as body mass index and waist circumference, were measured. Fat distribution was evaluated using a computerized tomography scanner. The levels of serum estrogen, leptin, visfatin, and adiponectin were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of circulating ERs was evaluated by Western blot analysis.Results: Perimenopausal women and childbearing women with obesity exhibited lower levels of estrogen and adiponectin, in addition to a distribution of visceral fat with higher levels of leptin and visfatin. These findings reflect the current data of menopausal women, which confirms the reliability of this experimental system. However, the expression of ERα in peripheral blood was significantly enhanced in women with obesity of both childbearing and perimenopausal age. This result is contrary to the common understanding of adipose tissue, namely that ERα is protective. The expression of ERβ in the women without obesity of both childbearing and perimenopausal age was higher than in women with obesity, which coincides with the results of a previous study on adipose tissue.Conclusion: Our data fundamentally contradicts the utility of circulating ERα and ERα/ERβ evaluations in obesity studies. Because estrogen exerts pleiotropic effects on multiple tissues in the body through differential regulation of ERs, although the expression of ERβ coincides with the results of a previous study on adipose tissue, the expression levels of ERs in blood cannot be used as a diagnostic of informative tool for obesity in women.Keywords: estrogen receptors, obesity, estrogen, fat distribution, adipokines, perimenopause

Tomohiro Asakawa,1 Hidenobu Kawabata,1 Kengo Kisa,2 Takayoshi Terashita,3 Manabu Murakami,4 Junji Otaki1 1Department of Medical Education and General Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 2Kutchan-Kosei General Hospital, Kutchan, Hokkaido, 3Graduate School of Radiological Technology Gunma Prefectural College of Health Sciences, Kamioki-machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 4International Relations Office, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan Background: Working in multidisciplinary teams is indispensable for ensuring high-quality care for elderly people in Japan’s rapidly aging society. However, health professionals often experience difficulty collaborating in practice because of their different educational backgrounds, ideas, and the roles of each profession. In this qualitative descriptive study, we reveal how to build interdisciplinary collaboration in multidisciplinary teams. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a total of 26 medical professionals, including physicians, nurses, public health nurses, medical social workers, and clerical personnel. Each participant worked as a team member of community-based integrated care. The central topic of the interviews was what the participants needed to establish collaboration during the care of elderly residents. Each interview lasted for about 60 minutes. All the interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to content analysis. Results: The analysis yielded the following three categories concerning the necessary elements of building collaboration: 1) two types of meeting configuration; 2) building good communication; and 3) effective leadership. The two meetings described in the first category – “community care meetings” and “individual care meetings” – were aimed at bringing together the disciplines and discussing individual cases, respectively. Building good communication referred to the activities that help professionals understand each other’s ideas and roles within community-based integrated care. Effective leadership referred to the presence of two distinctive human resources that could coordinate disciplines and move the team forward to achieve goals. Conclusion: Taken together, our results indicate that these three factors are important for establishing collaborative medical teams according to health professionals. Regular meetings and good communication facilitated by effective leadership can promote collaborative practice and mutual understanding between various professions. Keywords: interprofessional education, multidisciplinary collaboration, integrated primary and community care, qualitative research, interdisciplinary communication, geriatric health services, Japan

Yilin Tang,1,* Sha Han,1,* Tetsuya Asakawa,2,3 Yunhe Luo,1 Xiang Han,1 Baoguo Xiao,4 Qiang Dong,1,4 Liang Wang1,41Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Neurosurgery, 3Department of Psychiatry, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan; 4Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workAbstract: The past decade has resulted in an increase in the knowledge of molecular mechanisms underlying brain injury induced by intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Recent advances have provided a link between epigenetic modification and the regulation of gene expression. 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) converted from 5-methylcytosine by the ten-eleven translocation (TET) family of proteins has emerged as a new epigenetic modification. While the dynamics of 5hmC during cerebral ischemia have recently been reported, whether 5hmC is involved in ICH remains unexplored. In this study, we investigated the effects of ICH on DNA hydroxymethylation. We showed that the global level of 5hmC rapidly decreased as early as 24 hours after ICH and persisted until 72 hours. Furthermore, the level of 5hmC in the CpG-rich regions of Akt2, Pdpk1 and Vegf genes was significantly decreased with a minimum level observed at 48 hours or 72 hours. Decreased 5hmC was observed in parallel with an increase in 5-methylcytosine over this time course, and mRNA levels of Akt2, Pdpk1 and Vegf were downregulated upon ICH injury. Finally, Tet1, Tet2 and Tet3 mRNA levels were dramatically decreased in the ICH brain. Our study for the first time established the correlation between DNA hydroxymethylation and ICH injury. Further investigations should examine whether 5hmC modification could be a therapeutic target for the treatment of ICH injury.Keywords: stroke, cerebral edema, DNA hydroxymethylation, TET protein

Here, we apply 20 MeV particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) to elemental analysis of microplastic samples with a diameter of approximately 2 mm, collected from the seashores of the northeastern area of Honshu in Japan. The samples were in a grain form with unwanted elements adhering to their surfaces. The PIXE measurements were conducted in a helium atmosphere. For normalization, the number of K X-rays of the residual gas argon was used instead of the directly measured beam irradiation, and the number of continuous X-rays in the PIXE spectrum was used instead of the mass of each sample. Thirteen elements were identified on the microplastics, among which were toxic chromium and lead. Thus, PIXE analysis is useful for analyzing microplastic samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erratum to 'The antioxidant effect of green tea catechin ameliorates experimental liver injury' [Phytomedicine 17 (2010) 197-202] The Publisher regrets that in the above article the following errors occurred in [...]

Background and Purpose: Alogliptin, a highly selective dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, enhances incretin action and pioglitazone enhances hepatic and peripheral insulin actions. Here, we have evaluated the effects of combining these agents in diabetic mice.Experimental Approach: Effects of short-term treatment with alogliptin alone (0.01%-0.1% in diet), and chronic combination treatment with alogliptin (0.03% in diet) and pioglitazone (0.0075% in diet) were evaluated in db/db mice exhibiting early stages of diabetes.Key Results: Alogliptin inhibited plasma DPP-4 activity up to 84% and increased plasma active glucagon-like peptide-1 by 4.4- to 4.9-fold. Unexpectedly, alogliptin alone lacked clear efficacy for improving glucose levels. However, alogliptin in combination with pioglitazone clearly enhanced the effects of pioglitazone alone. After 3-4 weeks of treatment, combination treatment increased plasma insulin by 3.8-fold, decreased plasma glucagon by 41%, both of which were greater than each drug alone, and increased plasma adiponectin by 2.4-fold. In addition, combination treatment decreased glycosylated haemoglobin by 2.2%, plasma glucose by 52%, plasma triglycerides by 77% and non-esterified fatty acids by 48%, all of which were greater than each drug alone. Combination treatment also increased expression of insulin and pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1), maintained normal beta-cell/alpha-cell distribution in islets and restored pancreatic insulin content to levels comparable to non-diabetic mice.Conclusions and Implications: These results indicate that combination treatment with alogliptin and pioglitazone at an early stage of diabetes improved metabolic profiles and indices that measure beta-cell function, and maintained islet structure in db/db mice, compared with either alogliptin or pioglitazone monotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogenated amorphous silicon nitride (a-SiN x :H) films are produced from a SiH4–N2 gas mixture by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) system with a newly developed impedance matching method at frequencies 13.6–150 MHz. An increase in the rf power from 35 to 350 mW/cm2 at the highest frequency of 150 MHz increases the optical bandgap ( E opt) from 2.0 to 4.5 eV. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) of the SiH4–N2 plasma shows that the emission intensity of SiH* (414 nm) is almost proportional to deposition rate. Films of a-SiN x :H deposited at 150 MHz and 210 mW/cm2 has an optical bandgap of E opt ≈ 4.1 eV and emits visible photoluminescence (PL) at room temperature (RT). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared the efficacy and the safety of a carboplatin plus etoposide regimen (CE) vs split doses of cisplatin plus etoposide (SPE) in elderly or poor-risk patients with extensive disease small-cell lung cancer (ED-SCLC). Eligibility criteria included: untreated ED-SCLC; age 70 and performance status 0–2, or age <70 and PS 3. The CE arm received carboplatin area under the curve of five intravenously (IV) on day 1 and etoposide 80 mg m−2 IV on days 1–3. The SPE arm received cisplatin 25 mg m−2 IV on days 1–3 and etoposide 80 mg m−2 IV on days 1–3. Both regimens were given with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support in a 21–28 day cycle for four courses. A total of 220 patients were randomised. Median age was 74 years and 74% had a PS of 0 or 1. Major grade 3–4 toxicities were (%CE/%SPE): leucopenia 54/51, neutropenia 95/90, thrombocytopenia 56/16, infection 7/6. There was no significant difference (CE/SPE) in the response rate (73/73%) and overall survival (median 10.6/9.9 mo; P=0.54). Palliation scores were very similar between the arms. Although the SPE regimen is still considered to be the standard treatment in elderly or poor-risk patients with ED-SCLC, the CE regimen can be an alternative for this population considering the risk–benefit balance.British Journal of Cancer (2007) 97, 162–169. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6603810 www.bjcancer.com Published online 19 June 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of multiple application of dentin bonding agent to the adhesive surface on the marginal integrity of resin composite. The effect of multiple applications was evaluated by measuring the wall-to-wall polymerization contraction gap and by SEM observation. Multiple application of dentin bonding agent was found to prevent formation of the contraction gap. Although monomer penetration into the enlarged collagen network has been widely discussed as the possible mechanism of the dentin bonding agent and dentin primer, the true detailed mechanism of the dentinal bonding agent and dentin primer should be consistently explained by the prevention of monomer diffusion into the dentin and water contamination of the adhesive interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of dentin adhesives and to examine acid resistance in primary and permanent teeth. The efficacy of dentin adhesives was evaluated by SEM observation and by measuring the wall-to-wall polymerization contraction gap and dentin hardness before and after conditioning. The detailed mechanism of dentin bonding was the same in both primary and permanent teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]