Search

The antimicrobial activity of ciprofloxacin was tested against 15 standard reference strains, and 37 clinical and environmental strains of Legionella pneumophila by an agar dilution method, using a new growth medium (B-SYE agar) which we devised. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of ciprofloxacin were found to be inoculum dependent, and ranged from 0.02 to 0.06 mg/l at 10(4) cfu inoculum and 0.02 by 0.125 mg/l at 10(6) cfu inoculum. The most potent antibacterial activity was shown by rifampicin, followed by ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, norfloxacin, erythromycin and pipemidic acid in that order. The therapeutic efficacy of ciprofloxacin in experimental guinea pig pneumonia due to L. pneumophila was fairly good with a survival rate of 80%. From other data of ours, its effectiveness in experimental pneumonia was equal to or greater than that of erythromycin. Further studies would be appropriate to investigate the possibility of using ciprofloxacin for the treatment of human L. pneumophila infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wasting marmoset syndrome (WMS), a serious disease in captive common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) colonies, is associated with a high mortality rate. The specific cause of WMS is still unclear and there are few effective treatments. Previously, we had reported a tranexamic acid therapy with supportive measures as a useful treatment for WMS. In the present study, we describe the modified method: a combination of 0.1 mL of 5% tranexamic acid subcutaneously five times per week, 2.0 mL of amino acid formulation intravenously three times per week, 5.0 mL of Ringer's lactate with 0.1 mL of a vitamin formulation subcutaneously three times per week, and oral administration of 0.1 mL of an iron formulation five times per week. We also describe how to administer the solution intravenously via the saphenous vein with a tip of restraining the animal, as well as the detailed methods for oral and subcutaneous administration. The modified methods have comparable efficiency to the original WMS treatment method.

This study aimed to explore the factors influencing subjective health views based on the living conditions and concerns of university students during the coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. From March to April 2021, a questionnaire survey was administered to 8,547 Japanese university students, and logistic regression analysis was used to explore factors related to subjective health views. The results showed that satisfaction with quality of sleep (OR = 2.651, 95% Cl 2.370-2.966,p < 0.001), satisfaction with university life (OR = 2.486, 95%Cl 2.215-2.789, p < 0.001), satisfaction with diet (OR = 1.849, 95% CI: 1.496-2.285, p < 0.001), regular exercise (OR = 1.759, 95% CI: 1.594-1.941, p < 0.001), consciousness of nutritional balance (OR = 1.276, 95% CI: 1.147-1.420,p < 0.001), eating breakfast every day (OR = 1.247, 95% CI: 1.121-1.387, p < 0.001), and consuming soft drinks at least once a week (OR = 0.865, 95% CI: 0.755-0.966, p = 0.010) were positive factors for subjective views of health. On the other hand, anxiety about whether the necessary credits can be obtained (OR = 0.885, 95% CI: 0.799-0.980, p = 0.019), infection from minimal outings (OR = 0.881, 95% CI: 0.794-0.976, p = 0.016) building and maintaining friendships on campus (OR = 0.867, 95% CI: 0.767-0.980, p = 0.023), and being able to continue working (OR = 0.713, 95% CI: 0.640-0.795, p < 0.001) were identified as negative factors. To ensure a healthy university life during the COVID-19 pandemic or future pandemic, supports tailored to students' living conditions and measures to address their anxieties are required.

The purposes of the present study were to (1) identify the relationship between dry eye symptoms and morphological changes in corneal subbasal nerves/ocular surfaces, and (2) discover tear film biomarkers indicating morphological changes in the subbasal nerves. This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted between October and November 2017. Adults with dry eye disease (DED, n = 43) and healthy eyes (n = 16) were evaluated based on their subjective symptoms and ophthalmological findings. Corneal subbasal nerves were observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Nerve lengths, densities, branch numbers, and nerve fiber tortuosity were analyzed using ACCMetrics and CCMetrics image analysis systems; tear proteins were quantified by mass spectroscopy. Compared with the control group, the DED group had significantly lower tear breakup times (TBUT) and pain tolerance capacity, and significantly higher corneal nerve branch density (CNBD) and corneal nerve total branch density (CTBD). CNBD and CTBD showed significant negative correlations with TBUT. Six biomarkers (cystatin-S, immunoglobulin kappa constant, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, profilin-1, protein S100-A8, and protein S100-A9) showed significant positive correlations with CNBD and CTBD. The significantly higher CNBD and CTBD in the DED group suggests that DED is associated with morphological alterations in corneal nerves. The correlation of TBUT with CNBD and CTBD further supports this inference. Six candidate biomarkers that correlate with morphological changes were identified. Thus, morphological changes in corneal nerves are a hallmark of DED, and confocal microscopy may help in the diagnosis and treatment of dry eyes., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

We demonstrate that Blautia coccoides JCM1395 T has the potential to be used for tumor-targeted live bacterial therapeutics. Prior to studying its in vivo biodistribution, a sample preparation method for reliable quantitative analysis of bacteria in biological tissues was required. Gram-positive bacteria have a thick outer layer of peptidoglycans, which hindered the extraction of 16S rRNA genes for colony PCR. We developed the following method to solve the issue; the method we developed is as follows. The homogenates of the isolated tissue were seeded on agar medium, and bacteria were isolated as colonies. Each colony was heat-treated, crushed with glass beads, and further treated with restriction enzymes to cleave DNAs for colony PCR. With this method, Blautia coccoides JCM1395 T and Bacteroides vulgatus JCM5826 T were individually detected from tumors in mice intravenously receiving their mixture. Since this method is very simple and reproducible, and does not involve any genetic modification, it can be applied to exploring a wide range of bacterial species. We especially demonstrate that Blautia coccoides JCM1395 T efficiently proliferate in tumors when intravenously injected into tumor-bearing mice. Furthermore, these bacteria showed minimal innate immunological responses, i.e., elevated serum tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-6, similar to Bifidobacterium sp., which was previously studied as a therapeutic agent with a small immunostimulating effect.

This study investigated nicotine dependence among Japanese university students who had reached the smoking age (20 years or older) by the time of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and examined factors that encourage early smoking cessation. Social dependence on nicotine was evaluated using the Kano Total Social Nicotine Dependence Level (KTSND), and physiological dependence was evaluated using the Fagerström Nicotine Dependence Index (FTND). Of the 356 college students who smoked (4.4% of the total), 182 (51.1%) stated that they were not interested in quitting. Furthermore, 124 (68.1%) of those with no interest in quitting smoking were aware that smoking is a high-risk factor for COVID-19, and 58 (31.9%) were unaware. The group not aware of this risk had significantly higher KTSND scores than the group aware of it. The examination of cigarette type that indicated the users of non-conventional cigarette products and dual-user groups scored significantly higher than the cigarette group on FTND items. Overall, the smokers scored above the normal range for social nicotine dependence, suggesting the need to reduce nicotine dependence to encourage college students who continue to smoke to quit smoking.

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, firefighters have been working in an environment that is both physically and mentally taxing. This study aimed to investigate factors affecting health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among firefighters in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 227 firefighters from a single firefighting organization were surveyed in June 2021, during the fourth infection spread period of COVID-19 in Japan. Regression analysis was performed to examine factors affecting HRQOL of firefighters measured with the SF-8. In the present study, factors affecting HRQOL among firefighters during the COVID-19 pandemic were lack of sleep, physical abnormalities due to infection control measures, exercise habits, living with family members, and history of suspected COVID-19 infection. The present findings may help develop support services for first responders, including firefighters during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Saliva and salivary antimicrobial proteins play important roles in the innate immunity, which prevents infections of orally invading bacteria and viruses. In this study, we compared the secretion rates of salivary lactoferrin (Lac) and lysozyme (Lys) in heat-not-burn (HNB) cigarette smokers and non-smokers. The analysis population for this study included 212 members of the fire department, including 32 HNB cigarette smokers, 17 paper cigarette smokers, 14 combined HNB and paper cigarette smokers, and 149 non-smokers. Salivary Lac and Lys concentrations were assessed using enzyme immunoassay. Saliva secretion was significantly lower among HNB cigarette smokers (p < 0.01) than among non-smokers. Accompanying this result, salivary Lac and Lys secretion rates were significantly lower among smokers, particularly HNB cigarette smokers, than among non-smokers (all p < 0.01). Our findings suggest a possible adverse effect of HNB cigarette on the amount of Lac and Lys released into the oral cavity.

School-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing is an important part of a comprehensive prevention strategy in public health. To assess the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in a university athletic club community with repeated occurrences of SARS-CoV-2 infections, we conducted a cross-sectional survey for asymptomatic antibody prevalence using a SARS-CoV-2 rapid antibody test kit. On January 26, 2021 we administered questionnaires to determine their history of contact with infected individuals and took blood samples from 129 undergraduates. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among the subjects was 3.9%. Only 6.2% of the participants reported close contact with infected individuals. In this study, we clarified the prevalence of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in university athletic clubs where SARS-CoV-2 infections had repeatedly occurred, which will be helpful in discussing how to identify and prevent the transmission of infections within university athletic club communities.

Laboratory animals are used for scientific research in various fields. In recent years, there has been a concern that the gut microbiota may differ among laboratory animals, which may yield different results in different laboratories where in-vivo experiments are performed. Our knowledge of the gut microbiota of laboratory-reared common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) is limited; thus, in this study, we analyzed the daily changes in fecal microbiome composition, individual variations, and effects of the birth facility in healthy female laboratory-reared marmosets, supplied by three vendors. We showed that the marmoset fecal microbiome varied among animals from the same vendor and among animals from different vendors (birth facility), with daily changes of approximately 37%. The fecal microbiome per vendor is characterized by alpha diversity and specific bacteria, with Bifidobacterium for vendor A, Phascolarctobacterium for vendor B, and Megamonas for vendor C. Furthermore, we found that plasma progesterone concentrations and estrous cycles were not correlated with daily fecal microbiome changes. In contrast, animals with an anovulatory cycle lacked Megamonas and Desulfovibrio bacteria compared to normal estrous females. This study suggests that the source of the animal, such as breeding and housing facilities, is important for in-vivo experiments on the marmoset gut microbiota., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prediction accuracy of intraocular lens (IOL) power formulas with artificial intelligence (AI) for high myopia. Cases of highly myopic patients (axial length [AL], >26.0 mm) undergoing uncomplicated cataract surgery with at least 1-month follow-up were included. Prediction errors, absolute errors, and percentages of eyes with prediction errors within ±0.25, ±0.50, and ±1.00 diopters (D) were compared using five formulas: Hill-RBF3.0, Kane, Barrett Universal II (BUII), Haigis, and SRK/T. Seventy eyes (mean patient age at surgery, 64.0 ± 9.0 years; mean AL, 27.8 ± 1.3 mm) were included. The prediction errors with the Hill-RBF3.0 and Kane formulas were statistically different from the BUII, Haigis, and SRK/T formulas, whereas there was not a statistically significant difference between those with the Hill-RBF3.0 and Kane. The absolute errors with the Hill-RBF3.0 and Kane formulas were smaller than that with the BUII formula, whereas there was not a statistically significant difference between the other formulas. The percentage within ±0.25 D with the Hill-RBF3.0 formula was larger than that with the BUII formula. The prediction accuracy using AI (Hill-RBF3.0 and Kane) showed excellent prediction accuracy. No significant difference was observed in the prediction accuracy between the Hill-RBF3.0 and Kane formulas., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

This study examined college students' perceptions of the association between smoking and novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), changes in smoking behavior, and interest in quitting categorized by smoking device, to identify public health challenges. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 8,547 students in a Japanese university in March and April 2021. In response to "Awareness of the increased risk of COVID-19 infection due to smoking and the tendency to develop severe disease", current smokers (70.2%) were more aware of the risk than non-smokers (49.8%) (p < 0.001), with no significant difference according to smoking device (p = 0.213). "Interest in quitting smoking" (p = 0.323), and "Changes in smoking behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic" (p = 0.146) did not differ by smoking device. However, approximately 50% of the respondents answered that they were not interested in quitting smoking, while two-thirds reported that the number of cigarettes they smoked did not change during the pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, college students were found to be less interested in quitting and not likely to change their smoking behavior, despite the knowledge of the increased risk of COVID-19 transmission and severity of disease from smoking, regardless of smoking device.

Smokers may have lower antibody titers after vaccination with a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccine. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has evaluated antibody titers after COVID-19 vaccination based on the level of smokers' cigarette dependence. In this study, we measured the level of serum anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (anti-SARS-CoV-2) spike protein receptor-binding domain (S-RBD) immunoglobulin-G (IgG) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay of 55 actively smoking Japanese social workers (firefighters, paramedics, and rescue workers) who had received two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine. Further, we assessed their cigarette dependence using the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), measured their serum cotinine levels, and tested for their correlation with anti-RBD IgG levels. Serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD protein IgG levels after BNT162b2 vaccination showed a significant negative correlation with FTND (ρ = -0.426, p = 0.001). In addition, serum cotinine level showed a significant positive correlation with FTND (ρ = 0.470, p = 0.000). However, no significant negative correlation was noted between serum cotinine and serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD protein IgG levels (ρ = -0.156, p = 0.256). Our results suggest that smokers with strong cigarette dependence have inadequate anti-SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD protein IgG levels after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.

Six strains of Gram-stain-negative, obligately anaerobic, non-spore-forming, non-motile rods were isolated from human faeces. Based on phylogenetic characteristics, the six isolates were included in the family Ruminococcaceae , and divided into three groups. The six isolates showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values lower than 96.2 % to the closely related species, Oscillibacter ruminantium GH1 T , Oscillibacter valericigenes Sjm18-20 T and Dysosmobacter welbiomis J115 T . Coherently with the 16S rRNA gene sequence results, the in silico DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values clearly indicated that strains MM35 T , MM50 T and MM59 T belong to different species from the closely related three species. Based on phenotypic features and phylogenetic positions, three novel species, Vescimonas coprocola gen. nov., sp. nov., Vescimonas fastidiosa gen. nov., sp. nov. and Pusillimonas faecalis gen. nov., sp. nov. are proposed. The type strain of V. coprocola is strain MM50 T (=JCM 34012 T =DSM 111893 T ). The type strain of V. fastidiosa is strain MM35 T (=JCM 34016 T =DSM 111899 T ). The type strain of P. faecalis is strain MM59 T (=JCM 34011 T =DSM 111669 T ). The DNA G+C contents estimated according to the whole genomes of strains MM35 T , MM50 T and MM59 T were 56.4, 58.2 and 55.2 mol%, respectively.

Purpose: Atropine eye drops prevent the progression of myopia, but their use has not been tested in the Japanese schoolchildren population. Here, we evaluate the efficacy and safety of 0.01% atropine eye drops for myopia control in Japanese children., Study Design: Multicenter (7 university hospitals), randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial., Methods: Participants were 171 Japanese schoolchildren aged 6 to 12 years, with progressive myopia, spherical equivalence (SE) of -1.00 to -6.00 diopters (D), and astigmatism of ≤1.5 D. They were randomized to receive either 0.01% atropine (n=85) or placebo (n=86) eye drops once nightly OU for 24 months. Primary and secondary efficacy endpoints were changes in SE and axial length (AL), respectively, from baseline to month 24., Results: Data from 168 subjects were analyzed. At month 24, compliance was similar in both groups (atropine: 83.3%; placebo: 85.7%). The least squares mean change in SE and AL from baseline were, respectively, -1.26 D (95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.35, -1.17) and 0.63 mm (0.59, 0.67) for atropine and -1.48 D (- 1.57, -1.39) and 0.77 mm (0.73, 0.81) for placebo. Inter-group differences were 0.22 D (95% CI: 0.09, 0.35; P < 0.001) for SE and - 0.14 mm (-0.20, -0.08; P < 0.001) for AL. Three patients experienced mild allergic conjunctivitis side effects, with no inter-group difference in incidence (atropine: 2.4%; 2/84 patients; placebo: 1.4%; 1/84 patients)., Conclusion: With good compliance, 0.01% atropine is effective and safe for preventing the progression of childhood myopia.