The Kobe Journal Of Medical Sciences[JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Serum Cytokine Profiles of Rapid Recovery Patients with COVID-19: Series of 6 Cases.
Ohji G, Funakoshi Y, Ebisawa K … +8 more , Yakushijin K, Arakawa Y, Saegusa J, Kawamoto S, Imanishi T, Mori Y, Iwata K, Minami H
Kobe J Med Sci · 2021 Oct · PMID 34795156
COVID-19 patients reveal various clinical manifestations; however, the specific mechanisms and factors contributing to rapid recovery remain unclear. We performed serum cytokine profiling using a bead-based immunoassay i...
COVID-19 patients reveal various clinical manifestations; however, the specific mechanisms and factors contributing to rapid recovery remain unclear. We performed serum cytokine profiling using a bead-based immunoassay in six COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms who experienced rapid recovery. All patients had fever that resolved within 4 days. During the study, the interferon gamma-related protein 10 (IP-10) level rapidly increased initially, and then rapidly decreased in all six patients. Similarly, the interferon (IFN)-λ 2/3 levels rapidly increased initially, and then decreased in five of the six patients. IP-10 and IFN-λ2/3 may play a key role in the rapid recovery of mild COVID-19.
Structural Changes in Skeletal Muscle Fibers after Icing or Heating on Downhill Running in Mice.
Kawashima M, Iguchi S, Fujita N … +2 more , Miki A, Arakawa T
Kobe J Med Sci · 2021 Sep · PMID 34795155
An experimental animal model that causes mild structural disorders of skeletal muscles is essential to understand general exercise-induced muscle damage. Thermal stimulations such as icing and heating are commonly used a...
An experimental animal model that causes mild structural disorders of skeletal muscles is essential to understand general exercise-induced muscle damage. Thermal stimulations such as icing and heating are commonly used as treatments for muscle injuries in sports. We established a downhill running (DR) protocol that leads to structural muscle disorders without sarcolemmal disruption and directly compared the structural changes produced by icing and heating after DR. Male ddY mice were divided into the DR, DR plus icing (Ice), and DR plus heating (Heat) groups. All mice ran at 20 m/min, -20% grade on a treadmill for a total of 90 min (three rounds of 30 min). In the Ice and Heat groups, an ice pack and a hot pack were, respectively, applied to the exercised triceps brachii muscles for 20 min just after DR. The proportion of myofibers with structural disorders was higher in the Ice group than in the DR and Heat groups at days 1 and 7 after DR. Moreover, the structural disorder of myofibers was slightly improved in the Heat group at day 1 after DR compared with the DR group. These findings suggest that icing treatment might aggravate the structural changes after DR.
NS5A-ISGylation via Lysine 26 Has a Critical Role for Efficient Propagation of Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 2a.
Bawono RG, Abe T, Shibata Y … +3 more , Matsui C, Deng L, Shoji I
Kobe J Med Sci · 2021 Sep · PMID 34795154
We previously reported that hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5A (1b, Con1) protein accepts covalent ISG15 conjugation at specific lysine (Lys) residues (K44, K68, K166, K215 and K308), exhibiting proviral effects on HCV RNA rep...
We previously reported that hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5A (1b, Con1) protein accepts covalent ISG15 conjugation at specific lysine (Lys) residues (K44, K68, K166, K215 and K308), exhibiting proviral effects on HCV RNA replication. Here we investigated a role of NS5A-ISGylation via Lys residues in HCV propagation using HCV infectious clone. The alignment of amino acid sequences revealed that 5 Lys residues (K20, K26, K44, K139, and K166) of the 13 Lys residues within NS5A (genotype 2a, JFH1 strain) were conserved compared to those of HCV (genotype 1b, Con1 strain). The cell-based ISGylation assay revealed that the K26 residue in the amphipathic helix (AH) domain and the K139 residue in domain I of NS5A (2a, JFH1) had the potential to accept ISGylation. Use of the HCV replicon carrying luciferase gene revealed that the K26 residue but not K139 residue of NS5A (2a, JFH1) was important for HCV RNA replication. Furthermore, cell culture HCV revealed that the mutation with the K26 residue in combination with K139 or K166 on NS5A (2a, JFH1) resulted in complete abolishment of viral propagation, suggesting that the K26 residue collaborates with either the K139 residue or K166 residue for efficient HCV propagation. Taken together, these results suggest that HCV NS5A protein has the potential to accept ISGylation via specific Lys residues, involving efficient viral propagation in a genotype-specific manner.
Bilateral Renal Hypoplasia with High β2-Microglobulinuria in the Neonatal Period.
Nagai S, Fujioka K, Minamikawa S … +2 more , Nozu K, Iijima K
Kobe J Med Sci · 2021 Aug · PMID 34344855
Urinary β2 microglobulin (β2-MG) is a low-molecular-weight protein that is filtered by the glomerular basement membrane and absorbed by the proximal tubule epithelial cells. In perinatal management, urinary β2-MG levels...
Urinary β2 microglobulin (β2-MG) is a low-molecular-weight protein that is filtered by the glomerular basement membrane and absorbed by the proximal tubule epithelial cells. In perinatal management, urinary β2-MG levels are used to assess intrauterine inflammation in newborns, since urinary excretion increases during inflammation. Furthermore, β2-MG levels in fetal blood and urine are also used for predicting fetal renal function because β2-MG is not transferred to the placenta. Herein, we reported a patient with persistent high urinary β2-MG levels since neonatal period, who was later diagnosed with bilateral renal hypoplasia. If a newborn presents persistent hyper β2-microglobulinuria even without hematuria or proteinuria, congenital renal malformations should be considered.
Close Association of Intraepithelial Accumulation of M2-Skewed Macrophages with Neoplastic Epithelia of the Esophagus.
Ichihara Y, Yokozaki H
Kobe J Med Sci · 2021 Jun · PMID 34344854
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most abundant cancer stromal cells and are directed by the tumor microenvironment to acquire trophic functions facilitating angiogenesis, matrix breakdown and cancer cell motil...
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most abundant cancer stromal cells and are directed by the tumor microenvironment to acquire trophic functions facilitating angiogenesis, matrix breakdown and cancer cell motility. TAMs have anti-inflammatory or alternatively activated (M2) phenotypes expressing CD204 and/or CD163. We previously reported that infiltration of a large number of CD204-positive TAMs are associated with angiogenesis, progression and poor disease-free survival of human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs). In this study, we investigated the initraepithelial distribution of TAMs in the early human esophageal carcinogenesis. We found that the numbers of CD68-, CD163- or CD204-positive macrophages within the unit length of 38 lesions of carcinoma in situ (CIS) excised by endoscopic mucosal dissection were significantly higher than those in the corresponding non-neoplastic squamous epithelia. Mapping of the infiltrating number of CD204-positive macrophages per 5 mm unit length within the whole epithelial area of 5 resected cancer laden esophagi demonstrated that the areas with high CD204-positive macrophage infiltration were significantly associated with CIS or squamous intraepithelial neoplasia. These results may suggest that macrophages with the M2-skewed phenotype have some biological roles in the early squamous carcinogenesis of the esophagus.
Indication of Surgical Hepatectomy for the Patients of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Inferior Vena Cava Tumor Thrombosis.
Nishizawa Y, Kuramitsu K, Kido M … +14 more , Komatsu S, Gon H, Urade T, So S, Ishida J, Shirakawa S, Yamashita H, Tsugawa D, Terai S, Asari S, Yanagimoto H, Toyama H, Ajiki T, Fukumoto T
Kobe J Med Sci · 2021 Jun · PMID 34344853
The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presenting with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus (IVCTT) is extremely poor. The aim of this study was to reveal the postoperative course and to identify patients who have...
The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presenting with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus (IVCTT) is extremely poor. The aim of this study was to reveal the postoperative course and to identify patients who have survived surgical hepatectomy among HCC patients with IVCTT. Between January 2006 and December 2018, 643 patients underwent surgical hepatectomy for HCC at Kobe University Hospital. Among them, 20 patients were categorized as Vv3 according to the Japanese staging system. We retrospectively collected detailed data on these patients. The statistical, clinical, and pathological data were recorded prospectively and analyzed retrospectively. The median survival time was 9.8 months. Among all patients, 11 (55%) achieved R0 resection, and only two survivors were from this group. The number of tumors (solitary vs. multiple; p=0.050) and pathological Vp (pVp0 vs. other; p=0.009) were identified as risk factors for overall survival in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, pathological Vp (pVp0 vs. other; p=0.037) was identified as a significant prognostic factor for survival. Pathological Vp affected overall survival among IVCTT patients; the median survival time was 53.7 months with pVp0, 10.2 months with pVp1, and 8.8 months with pVp2-4 (p=0.035). For patients with IVCTT, surgical hepatectomy should be indicated only for those who do not have portal vein invasion and could achieve R0 resection.
Markedly Elevated Procalcitonin in Food Protein Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome.
Kono I, Okamoto M, Inoue S … +1 more , Tanaka Y
Kobe J Med Sci · 2021 May · PMID 34344852
Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a non-IgE-mediated gastrointestinal food allergy. Some studies have reported that FPIES was associated with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). However, the number of...
Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a non-IgE-mediated gastrointestinal food allergy. Some studies have reported that FPIES was associated with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). However, the number of reports on the relationship between FPIES and procalcitonin (PCT) is limited. This case report highlights the fact that PCT levels can be markedly elevated in patients with acute FPIES. An 11-month-old girl previously diagnosed with FPIES underwent an oral food challenge test (OFC). Her serum PCT levels were measured after she developed severe symptoms including fever and shock following administration of 100mL of formula milk. The PCT levels were extremely elevated but improved without antibiotics the next day. The fact that serum PCT levels may be significantly elevated in FPIES means that differentiating severe FPIES from sepsis could be more challenging than was previously thought.
Correlation Between Lactic Acid Bacteria Beverage Intake and Stress Resilience.
Kato Y, Shimomura Y, Takada Y … +1 more , Furuyashiki T
Kobe J Med Sci · 2021 Apr · PMID 34344851
We investigated the effect of lactic acid bacteria-containing beverage intake on the level of resilience against stress in male university students. Forty male university students were recruited into the study and random...
We investigated the effect of lactic acid bacteria-containing beverage intake on the level of resilience against stress in male university students. Forty male university students were recruited into the study and randomly assigned into two groups. They were instructed to consume lactic acid bacteria-containing beverage or water twice a day for 28 days. The level of stress resilience, stress reaction, and anxiety were evaluated by a series of questionnaires conducted at three time points (T1: day 0, T2: day 14, and T3: day 28). The stress response was also assessed by measuring their salivary amylase levels. The variance analysis of each group showed a significant increase in stress resilience at T3 compared with T1 in the group of participants who consumed the lactic acid bacteria-containing beverage. Our results suggest that lactic acid bacteria-containing beverage intake could affect resilience against stress positively.
The Combination of Panoramic Imaging and Waters' Projection Contributes to the Diagnosis of Odontogenic Maxillary Sinusitis.
Kotaki S, Gamoh S, Tsuji K … +3 more , Akiyama H, Ikeda C, Yoshida A
Kobe J Med Sci · 2021 Apr · PMID 34001686
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of adding Waters' projection to panoramic imaging compared with panoramic imaging or Waters' projection alone. Maxillary sinusitis in 106 patients (206 sinuses) wa...
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of adding Waters' projection to panoramic imaging compared with panoramic imaging or Waters' projection alone. Maxillary sinusitis in 106 patients (206 sinuses) was retrospectively assessed with panoramic imaging, Waters' projection, and computed tomography imaging by two oral radiologists. The diagnostic performance was assessed with computed tomography imaging as the gold standard. Receiver operating characteristic curves and area under the curve values were obtained. Inter- and intra-observer agreement was quantified using weighted kappa coefficients. Observer A performed the same procedure twice (A1 and A2 for the first and second observations, respectively). The accuracies of observers A1, B, and A2 with combination imaging were 0.699, 0.636, and 0.718, respectively. Their area under the curve values with combination imaging were 0.746, 0.640, and 0.771, respectively. Inter-observer agreement was good for Waters' projection (κ, 0.650), and poor for panoramic imaging (κ, 0281). Intra-observer agreement was good for Waters' projection (κ, 0.752), and moderate for panoramic imaging (κ, 0.597). Panoramic imaging was equivalent to Waters' projection for diagnosing maxillary sinusitis. Combination imaging comprising panoramic imaging and Waters' projection can contribute to the diagnosis of odontogenic maxillary sinusitis because of its high sensitivity.
Can Japan Achieve Zero Transmission of HIV? Time Series Analysis Using Bayesian Local Linear Trend Model.
Iwata K, Miyakoshi C
Kobe J Med Sci · 2021 Mar · PMID 34001685
BACKGROUND: The number of newly diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients in Japan appears to be decreasing. However, whether these new infections cea...
BACKGROUND: The number of newly diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients in Japan appears to be decreasing. However, whether these new infections cease to occur in the future in Japan, similar to abroad, is unclear. To evaluate the feasibility of this achievement, we conducted a time series analysis using Bayesian local linear trend model to evaluate the possibility of zero new infection of HIV/AIDS in Japan. METHODS: We used quarterly data on HIV/AIDS from the first quarter, 2001 to the second quarter, 2020. Bayesian analyses were conducted using Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method, and a local linear trend model was constructed for number of newly diagnosed HIV infection without AIDS diagnosis, AIDS cases, and their aggregate. Predictions for the following 60 quarters until the second quarter of 2035 were also made for all models. RESULTS: The mean aggregate cases of HIV/AIDS patients became 0 by the fourth quarter of 2031 (90% credible interval 0-535). For HIV infections alone, mean cases became 0 by the second quarter of 2030 (90%CrI 0-472). For AIDS alone mean cases were 9 at the second quarter of 2035 (90%CrI 0-231). CONCLUSION: Our local linear trend model suggested that number of HIV/AIDS cases in Japan could decrease to zero by the first quarter of 2031, if the trend of the infections followed the local linear trend model, yet with rather wide credible interval. Achieving zero new transmission of HIV in Japan is a realistic goal but measures to make it faster may be needed.
HbA1c levels Measured by Enzymatic Assay and Immunoassay during Off-Site Health Checkups Are Both Lower than Those Measured by On-Site HPLC Assay.
Goya K, Tanaka S, Makio T … +6 more , Kanno M, Tabuchi Y, Fukuzawa K, Nonoguchi K, Ishibashi M, Koga M
Kobe J Med Sci · 2021 Mar · PMID 34001684
It has already been reported that HbA1c levels measured by immunoassay (IA) (IA-HbA1c) during off-site health checkups present falsely lower results. We also reported that HbA1c levels measured by enzymatic assay (EA) (E...
It has already been reported that HbA1c levels measured by immunoassay (IA) (IA-HbA1c) during off-site health checkups present falsely lower results. We also reported that HbA1c levels measured by enzymatic assay (EA) (EA-HbA1c) during off-site health checkups are lower. In the present study, we compared IA-HbA1c levels or EA-HbA1c levels during off-site health checkups with on-site high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-HbA1c levels using the same samples. Subjects were 88 non-diabetic individuals who had health checkups in Nishinomiya Municipal Central Hospital. Subjects with a history of diabetes mellitus and those with HPLC-HbA1c ≥ 6.5% were excluded. IA-HbA1c levels (Study 1) or EA-HbA1c levels (Study 2) in the health checkups were compared with on-site HPLC-HbA1c levels using the same samples. Both IA-HbA1c levels and EA-HbA1c levels had positive correlations with HPLC-HbA1c levels (p <0.0001 for both), although both were significantly lower than HPLC-HbA1c levels (p <0.0001 for both). The degrees of reductions in the IA-HbA1c levels and EA-HbA1c levels compared with HPLC-HbA1c levels were almost same to each other. Similarly to IA-HbA1c levels, EA-HbA1c levels during the health checkups were lower than HPLC-HbA1c levels. It was demonstrated that HbA1c levels decrease similarly if measured by either EA or IA during off-site health checkups.
Acute Pulmonary Edema Induced by a Low Dose of Ritodrine Hydrochloride: A Case Report.
Shimizu K, Nanba M, Takaishi Y … +3 more , Hayashi N, Yoshioka S, Yamasaki M
Kobe J Med Sci · 2021 Mar · PMID 34001683
OBJECTIVE: Acute pulmonary edema associated with ritodrine hydrochloride is a rare, life-threatening complication, and dose and duration of ritodrine use are closely associated with this pathology. We report a case of ac...
OBJECTIVE: Acute pulmonary edema associated with ritodrine hydrochloride is a rare, life-threatening complication, and dose and duration of ritodrine use are closely associated with this pathology. We report a case of acute pulmonary edema associated with short-duration infusion of ritodrine hydrochloride in a patient with pectus excavatum as an underlying factor. CASE REPORT: A 30-year-old healthy pregnant woman was treated with oral ritodrine for tocolysis between 31 and 35 weeks of pregnancy. At 36 weeks of gestation, she went into preterm labor, with premature rupture of the membrane and breech presentation, and received an infusion of ritodrine hydrochloride for a few hours. Although she was normotensive until labor onset, mild hypertension and proteinuria were recognized. Intraoperatively, a funnel-chest deformity was observed, and she developed postoperative pulmonary edema associated with dyspnea and wet cough and confirmed on chest radiography and arterial gas analysis, and recovered with supportive care. CONCLUSION: Small-dose infusion of ritodrine hydrochloride might cause pulmonary edema in patients with underlying medical problems, including pectus excavatum.
The Effect of Anti-inflammatory Diet and Vitamin D Supplementation on the Amelioration of the Clinical Status and Cognitive functions of Familial Mediterranean Fever Patients.
Kazem Y, Zarouk WA, Hamed K … +3 more , Tosson AMS, Essa HA, El-Bassyouni HT
Kobe J Med Sci · 2021 Feb · PMID 34001682
Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by recurrent attacks of fever, serositis and articular pain. Mutations in the MEFV gene causes inflammation that may trigger cognitive...
Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by recurrent attacks of fever, serositis and articular pain. Mutations in the MEFV gene causes inflammation that may trigger cognitive impairment in FMF patients. The objectives were to identify the effect of anti-inflammatory diet containing curcumin, flaxseed and vitamin D supplementation on the clinical presentation and cognitive functions of FMF patients. The study included 73 FMF patients, that followed in addition to their regular colchicine doses an anti-inflammatory diet (rich in fresh vegetables and fruits, low in saturated and unsaturated fats and carbohydrates, low in food additives, sugar, fast foods and processed foods). In addition, to dietary supplementation with vitamin D, curcumin and flax seeds. Results: Statistically significant improvement was observed regarding clinical presentation, cognitive functions, CRP and subjective wellbeing. Conclusion: Our study highlights the importance of anti-inflammatory diet in the amelioration of the clinical presentation, cognitive functions and general wellbeing of FMF patients. We recommend that our findings would be confirmed by a randomized controlled trial.
Fetal Goitrous Hyperthyroidism in a Pregnant Woman with Triiodothyronine-Predominant Graves' Disease.
Washio K, Uenaka M, Tanimura K … +4 more , Deguchi M, Nishida K, Fujioka K, Yamada H
Kobe J Med Sci · 2021 Feb · PMID 33994519
Triiodothyronine (T3)-predominant Graves' disease is characterized by increased serum free T3 (FT3) levels after free thyroxine (FT4) levels become normal or even low during antithyroid drug treatment. We encountered a 3...
Triiodothyronine (T3)-predominant Graves' disease is characterized by increased serum free T3 (FT3) levels after free thyroxine (FT4) levels become normal or even low during antithyroid drug treatment. We encountered a 34-year-old pregnant woman, gravida 5 para 4, who was complicated by T3-predominant Graves' disease. She was diagnosed with Graves' disease at 20 years old, and had received methimazole. Methimazole was changed to potassium iodide to reduce the risk of congenital anomalies during the first trimester. The dose of antithyroid drugs was adjusted based on maternal FT4 levels, so that maternal Graves' disease deteriorated and fetal goitrous hyperthyroidism appeared during the second trimester. Since the fetus presented goiter and tachycardia at 27-28 gestational weeks, doses of methimazole and potassium iodide were increased. A male newborn weighing 2604 g was delivered by a cesarean section at 35 gestational weeks. The newborn was diagnosed with neonatal hyperthyroidism, and received methimazole for six months. He developed normally with normal thyroid function at 1 year old. In pregnancies complicated by T3-predominant Graves' disease, the kinds and doses of antithyroid drugs have to be carefully selected to maintain maternal levels of FT4 as well as FT3 within the normal range, considering trimesters of pregnancy, teratogenicity of medication, and maternal levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody.
Polymicrobial Solitary Retroperitoneal Abscess Due to Sigmoid Colon Perforation.
Takase Y, Yang YM, Kitagawa K … +6 more , Nakano Y, Miura S, Oshikiri T, Kakeji Y, Shigemura K, Fujisawa M
Kobe J Med Sci · 2021 Jan · PMID 33994518
We treated an 85-year-old man with an abscess perforating into the retroperitoneal space from the sigmoid colon, with retroperitoneal drainage combined with antibiotics. CT showed no abscess formation in the intraperiton...
We treated an 85-year-old man with an abscess perforating into the retroperitoneal space from the sigmoid colon, with retroperitoneal drainage combined with antibiotics. CT showed no abscess formation in the intraperitoneal space. The patient consulted a doctor with a chief complaint of left-side low back pain and fever. He was first diagnosed with bacteremia due to Escherichia coli and close examination by CT revealed a retroperitoneal abscess. On referral to our hospital, we determined by CT that the cause of abscess formation was perforation of the intestine into the retroperitoneal space and spreading into the psoas muscle compartment. We then performed colostomy and abscess drainage through the retroperitoneal space to prevent the abscess disseminating into the intraperitoneal space. The abscess and necrotic tissue cultures were polymicrobial, including Enterobacteriaceae and Bacteroides spp. The abscess almost disappeared after drainage, and the patient's general condition gradually improved. The retroperitoneal abscess did not relapse by follow-up CT. In conclusion, this rare case presented with perforation of the intestine (Sigmoid colon) disseminated only to the retroperitoneal space without no intraperitoneal space abscess formation. We performed drainage only by a retroperitoneal approach without entering the intraperitoneal space.
Effect of Daikenchuto On Spontaneous Intestinal Tumors in Apc Mice.
Kong L, Hoshi N, Watanabe D … +15 more , Yamada Y, Yasutomi E, Adachi S, Ooi M, Sui Y, Yoshida R, Sekimoto R, Tokunaga E, Miyazaki H, Ku Y, Takenaka H, Kunihiro T, Inoue J, Tian Z, Kodama Y
Kobe J Med Sci · 2021 Jan · PMID 33994517
Daikenchuto (TU-100) is herbal medicine which predominantly contains ginger, Japanese pepper, and ginseng. We investigated whether TU-100 can affect the composition of gut flora and intestinal tumor development using Apc...
Daikenchuto (TU-100) is herbal medicine which predominantly contains ginger, Japanese pepper, and ginseng. We investigated whether TU-100 can affect the composition of gut flora and intestinal tumor development using Apc mice, a murine model of intestinal tumor. Bacterial 16S rRNA sequencing and short-chain fatty acid analysis were performed on faecal samples. Tumor number and size were analysed. Any change in gene expression of the tumor tissues was assessed by real-time PCR. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) showed that the faecal microbiota cluster of TU-100-fed mice was different from the microbiota of control mice. However, no significant difference was observed in the concentration of short-chain fatty acids, tumor number, and gene expression levels between the two groups. Our data showed that TU-100 can affect the intestinal environment; however, it does not contribute in tumor progression or inhibition in our setting.
Effect of Oral Tributyrin Treatment on Lipid Mediator Profiles in Endotoxin-Induced Hepatic Injury.
Miyoshi M, Usami M, Kajita A … +3 more , Kai M, Nishiyama Y, Shinohara M
Kobe J Med Sci · 2020 Dec · PMID 33994516
Eicosanoid modulation by butyrate has been reported in various cells and conditions. Recently, comprehensive analyses of lipid mediators using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry has been reported. We hypothes...
Eicosanoid modulation by butyrate has been reported in various cells and conditions. Recently, comprehensive analyses of lipid mediators using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry has been reported. We hypothesized that tributyrin, a prodrug of butyrate, may attenuate LPS-induced liver injury in rats by suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory lipid mediators and/or by inducing anti-inflammatory specialized proresolving mediators. To test this, groups of Wistar rats were orally administered tributyrin (1 g/kg body weight) or vehicle 1 h before intraperitoneal injection of LPS. The livers were collected at 0, 1.5, 6, and 24 h later and analyzed: lipid mediators were profiled by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry; expression of cyclooxygenase-2, 5-lipoxygenase (LOX), 12/15-LOX, and leukotriene (LT) A hydrolase, and nuclear translocation of 5-LOX were evaluated by western blot analysis; and induction of liver injury was assessed by immunostaining for 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, an indicator of oxidative DNA damage. We found that tributyrin treatment attenuated LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory LTB (p < 0.05) and decreased oxidative stress levels in the liver. Tributyrin also attenuated the nuclear translocation of 5-LOX in response to LPS, suggesting a possible mechanism for the LTB reduction. LPS-induced changes in other lipid mediators were not significantly affected by tributyrin treatment up to 24 h after LPS injection. Our results suggest that oral tributyrin administration protects against endotoxemia-associated liver damage by reducing production of the pro-inflammatory eicosanoid LTB.
Effects of Home-visit Occupational Therapy Using a Management Tool for Daily Life Performance on Severe Mental Illness: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.
Mashimo I, Yotsumoto K, Fujimoto H … +1 more , Hashimoto T
Kobe J Med Sci · 2020 Dec · PMID 33994515
AIM: Effective intervention is necessary for improving the social functioning of patients with severe mental illness (SMI). We examined the effects of home-visit occupational therapy (OT) using a Management Tool for Dail...
AIM: Effective intervention is necessary for improving the social functioning of patients with severe mental illness (SMI). We examined the effects of home-visit occupational therapy (OT) using a Management Tool for Daily Life Performance (MTDLP) that was designed to support patients in completing their desired daily life activities. The control group were treated by home-visit OT without using MTDLP. METHOD: In this multicenter randomized controlled trial, 60 participants included adults aged 18-65 with an ICD-10 diagnosis of F2 (i.e., schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders) or F3 (i.e., mood [affective] disorders) and who utilized one of the 20 psychiatric outreach teams in Japan. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups: MTDLP (n = 29), control (n = 31). Home-visit OT was provided to both groups, once a week, for four months. A repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted to compare changes in participants' social functioning using the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and the Social Functioning Scale (SFS). RESULTS: The GAF scores of the MTDLP group improved significantly greater than those of the control group. No significant change in SFS total scores was found between the groups; however, the Employment/Occupation scores (an SFS subscale) of the MTDLP group significantly improved compared to the controls. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that MTDLP can increase the social functioning of people with SMI more so than controls. Thus, home-visit OT using MTDLP that is intensively focused on the patient's desires and implemented in the real-world environment appears to contribute to improvements in social functioning.
A Questionnaire Survey of the Inhalation Instruction in Pharmacies.
Nakajima T, Nagano T, Suraya R … +4 more , Kawafune Y, Hojo D, Kato H, Nishimura Y
Kobe J Med Sci · 2020 Nov · PMID 33431784
Few studies have focused on the inhalation instruction in pharmacies which have the crucial role on the inhalation instruction. The aim of this study is to evaluate the level of knowledge and the degree of interest for a...
Few studies have focused on the inhalation instruction in pharmacies which have the crucial role on the inhalation instruction. The aim of this study is to evaluate the level of knowledge and the degree of interest for asthma inhalation instruction methods among pharmacists receiving prescription from clinics. We conducted questionnaire surveys to chief pharmacists of 39 consecutive pharmacies belonging to HANSHIN Dispensing Pharmacy in Hyogo, Japan at July 2011. We obtained valid responses from 35 pharmacies. Among them, 14 pharmacies dealt with prescriptions mainly from the clinics (clinic pharmacies) and 21 pharmacies dealt with prescriptions originated from hospitals (hospital pharmacies), including 13 pharmacies that dealt with prescription filled by respiratory physicians (specialty hospital pharmacies). Although the inhalation instruction at the first visit was provided at every pharmacy, only 54.3% of all pharmacies provided inhalation instructions after the second visit. Compared to 0% of the clinic pharmacies, 40% of the specialty hospital pharmacies visually checked the patient's inhalation procedure after the second visit. Visual confirmation of the inhalation technique, especially in the clinic pharmacies, might play an important role in maintaining treatment adherence.
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Is Strongly Associated with Smoking Status and Is Improved by Smoking Cessation in Japanese Males: A Retrospective Study.
Takenaka H, Fujita T, Masuda A … +3 more , Yano Y, Watanabe A, Kodama Y
Kobe J Med Sci · 2020 Nov · PMID 33431783
BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking is known to be a significant risk factor associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to examine the association between smoking status and the severity of fatty liver...
BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking is known to be a significant risk factor associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to examine the association between smoking status and the severity of fatty liver with regard to sex and smoking cessation. METHODS: In total, 13,466 subjects (6,642 males and 6,824 females) who had undergone abdominal ultrasonography for health check-up, multivariable logistic regression analysis was retrospectively conducted to assess the association between smoking status and the prevalence of NAFLD stratified by sex after adjusting for other potential confounders. RESULTS: Male sex (odds ratio [OR] 3.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.00-3.57) and smoking history (former smoker: OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.10-1.38, current smoker: OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.17-1.47) were significantly associated with NAFLD. In males with a smoking history, an increased pack-year was strongly associated with the prevalence and severity of NAFLD (prevalence of moderate to severe fatty liver: Pack-year from 0.01 to 9.99, 21.3%; Pack-year from 10.00 to 19.99, 27.2%; Pack-year ≥20.00, 33.7%; P<0.0001), although the prevalence of moderate to severe fatty liver was inversely associated with the duration of smoking cessation (more than 10 years vs. within 5 years, OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.53-0.96). In female subjects, light current smoking was negatively associated with NAFLD (current smoker with a pack-year from 0.01 to 9.99 vs. never smoker, OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.19-0.76). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking status and pack-year were strongly associated with the prevalence and severity of NAFLD, especially in Japanese males. However, smoking cessation improved NAFLD in this population.
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