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Background: In 2016, the World Health Organization recommended salt reduction strategies. In most low- and middle-income countries, little is known about what causes people to reduce their salt intake. Aim: In rural West Java, Indonesia, we conducted a cross-sectional survey to describe self-reported salt reduction practices among middle-aged Muslims with hypertension (n = 447) and to identify correlates of salt reduction. Methods: We developed a questionnaire with Likert scales to measure self-reported frequency of efforts to reduce salt intake, and degree of agreement/disagreement with 51 statements about variables hypothesized to influence salt reduction practices. We compared groups using t-tests and one-way ANOVAs. Through one-factor confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, we identified correlates of salt reduction practices. Results: About 45% of participants reported regularly reducing their salt intake; only 12.8% reported never attempting. Men reported higher social barriers, while women reported higher family support and spiritual support. Overall, we found that participants' frequency of effort to reduce their salt intake was associated with a constellation of six correlates. Salt reduction practices were directly positively associated with prior health/illness experiences (β = 0.25), and by seeking health information (β = 0.24). Seeking health information was in turn positively associated with prior health/illness experiences (β = 0.34), receiving support from health professionals (β = 0.23) and Islamic spiritual practice (β = 0.24). Salt reduction practices were negatively associated with environmental barriers to healthful eating practices (β = -0.14). Conclusion: In this population, reinforcing positive correlates identified in this study and mitigating against negative correlates may foster salt reduction practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anti-emetic effects of a novel tachykinin NK[sub 1] receptor antagonist, ezlopitant ((2S,3S-cis)-2-diphenylmethyl)- N--1-azabicyclo- [2.2.2]octan-3-amine), were investigated in ferrets. Ezlopitant inhibited [[sup 3] H]substance P ([[sup 3] H]SP) binding to the human, guinea pig, ferret and gerbil NK[sub 1] receptors (K[sub i] = 0.2, 0.9. 0.6 and 0.5 nmol/l, respectively), but had no affinity to NK[sub 2] and NK[sub 3] receptors up to 1 μmol/l. Ezlopitant also inhibited SP-induced contraction of guinea pig trachea with a pA[sub 2] value of 7.8, but had no effects on the baseline tension and maximum contractile response. In ferrets, ezlopitant, either orally (0.03–3 mg/kg) or subcutaneously (0.3–3 mg/kg), prevented acute retching and vomiting responses induced by intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (10 mg/kg). In addition, repeated subcutaneous injection of ezlopitant significantly inhibited delayed retching and vomiting responses that occurred in ferrets treated with the lower dose of cisplatin (5 mg/kg, i.p.). Ezlopitant (0.1–1 mg/kg, s.c.) also produced a dose-dependent inhibition of hindpaw tapping induced by intracerebroventricular injection of [Sar[sup 9] ,Met(O[sub 2] )[sup 11] ]SP in gerbils, which is known to be mediated by NK[sub 1] receptors in the brain. These findings indicate that ezlopitant is a potent and selective NK[sub 1] receptor antagonist, and that it inhibits both acute and delayed emetic reactions induced by cisplatin in ferrets via acting on NK[sub 1] receptors in the central nervous system.Copyright © 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A genetic polymorphism was identified in the 5′-flanking region of human CYP1A2 gene, and its effect on the transcriptional activation of the CYP1A2 gene was investigated. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed the existence of a point mutation from guanine (wild type) to adenine (mutated type) at position –2964 in the gene. This point mutation was detected by a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method using Ddel or BslI restriction enzyme, and was proven to be genetically inherited. Allele frequency in 116 Japanese subjects showed 0.77 and 0.23 for the wild and mutated types of allele, respectively. The point mutation caused a significant decrease of CYP1A2 activity measured by the rate of caffeine 3-demethylation in Japanese smokers (p<0.05). Gel retardation analysis showed the existence of protein bound to the polymorphic locus. These results suggest that this polymorphism is a causal factor of decreased CYP1A2 inducibility [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective Insomnia is a common problem in Japan and other countries, indicating the need for effective strategies to improve sleep quality. Although the associations between specific exercises, physical activity, and sleep satisfaction have been clarified, few reports have examined the associations with normal lifestyle habits. This study aims to clarify the associations between sleep satisfaction and physical activity (i.e., regular exercise, daily living activities, and fast walking speed) at secondary medical area levels in Japan. Methodology This ecological study utilizes the 2021 National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan (NDB) open data managed by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare across 335 Japanese secondary medical areas. The data were analyzed using the multiple regression analysis forced entry method, in which the percentages of sleep satisfaction and physical activity were the objective and explanatory variables, respectively. Results Data from 335 medical areas and a total of 30.39 million individuals, comprising 16.49 million males and 13.90 million females, were analyzed. Among the 335 medical areas, the mean sleep satisfaction percentages were 70.8% for males and 67.0% for females. The mean percentages for three physical activities were (1) regular exercise for 31.8% of males and 25.3% of females, (2) daily living activities for 43.2% of males and 43.7% of females, and (3) fast walking speed for 46.8% of males and 43.4% for females. The sleep satisfaction percentage was negatively associated with regular exercise in males aged 70-74 (B = -0.10, p = 0.029). Significant positive associations were found for daily living activities in males aged 40-49 (B = 0.24, p < 0.001), 50-59 (B = 0.14, p = 0.023), and 60-69 (B = 0.09, p = 0.024) and in females aged 40-49 (B = 0.12, p = 0.001) and 50-59 (B = 0.08, p = 0.036). Positive associations were also found for fast waking speed in males aged 60-69 years (B = 0.12, p = 0.029) and 70-74 (B = 0.24, p < 0.001) and in females aged 70-74 (B = 0.16, p = 0.001). Conclusions This study revealed that the factors positively associated with sleep satisfaction include daily living activities and walking speed, which vary by gender and age group. Tailored daily lifestyle health guidance is needed to improve sleep quality across various demographics., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Nishimura et al.)

Background: In Indonesia, as in many low and middle-income countries, hypertension is a significant health issue. Community health nurses need to identify those with early onset of hypertension by promoting frequent blood pressure (BP) checks, even among those with normal BP. Positive deviance approaches focus on identifying people who undertake uncommon preventive actions. Among middle-aged women in rural West Java, Indonesia, we aimed to identify covariates of the positive deviant practice of having one's BP checked at least once every three months even when having normal BP.  Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey recruiting participants at health centers. Our structured questionnaire measured socio-demographic characteristics, frequency of BP checks, BMI, beliefs and practices. We used binomial logistic regression to identify covariates., Results: Among 520 participants, 265 had normal BP, and of those 156 had obtained frequent BP checks, making them positive deviants. For women with normal BP, significant covariates of obtaining frequent BP checks were: 1) having BMI ≥25.0 (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)  =2.57, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.39-4.78), 2) greater tendency to seek health information (AOR=1.13, 95% CI=1.03-1.24), 3) receiving less support from family members (AOR=0.87, 95% CI=0.77-0.97), and 4) receiving greater support from health volunteers (AOR=1.12, 95% CI=1.01-1.23)., Conclusion: Positive deviants were more likely to be proactive because of the convergence of their own individual-level tendencies to learn about  their health, family-level conditions that allowed for greater autonomy, and community-level capacity of health volunteers to provide them with support. Community health nurses should focus simultaneously on activating individual-level, family-level, and community-level capacity to prevent hypertension.