IL6 trans-signaling promotes functional recovery of hypofunctional phagocytes through STAT3 activation during peritonitis.

OBJECTIVE: The role of high interleukin 6 (IL6) levels has not been clearly explained in severe sepsis. We show that the augmentation of the IL6 signal by recombinant IL6 receptors (rIL6R) delivery allows the functional recovery of phagocytes in a peritonitis mouse model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice were challenged intraperitoneally (i.p.) with live Staphylococcus aureus for effect of IL6R delivery on the 24 h-survival, bacterial clearance and cellular responses. In additional experiments to assess the effect of IL6R delivery on phagocytosis, the model was i.p. inoculated with heat-killed S. aureus with or without rIL6R and the peritoneal lavage fluid and cells were collected at 1 h after the i.p. inoculation of S. aureus. RESULTS: The IL6R delivery tended to improve 24 h survival and increase bacteria clearance from the septic mice. The rIL6R treatment to heat-killed bacteria challenged mice augmented the uptake of bacteria and phagosome acidification, inducing the phosphorylation of STAT3 in peritoneal cells within 1 h after the IL6R delivery. Furthermore, the rIL6R delivery prevented the extracellular release of neutrophil elastase activity and myeloperoxidase (harmful factors). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that augmentation of IL6 signaling appears to be critical for the effective management of hypofunctional neutrophils during severe inflammation, such as sepsis.

Self-reported rate of eating is significantly associated with body mass index in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. Japan Diabetes Clinical Data Management Study Group (JDDM26).

We examined whether the rate of eating was associated with the body mass index and glycemic control status in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes (50% women, mean±SD age 59.4±7.5 years). Rapid eating was significantly associated with body mass index (p=0.047). The body mass index of those who reported eating quickly was 0.8 kg/m² higher than in individuals who reported eating at medium speed even after adjustment for known confounders. No significant association was observed between the rate of eating and HbA(1c). Our findings suggest an association between self-reported rapid eating and an elevated body mass index in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Evaluation of Relationships among Occupational Stress, Alcohol Dependence and Other Factors in Male Personnel in a Japanese Local Fire Fighting Organization.

Recent large-scale disasters have made middle-ranked fire defense officers responsible for routine fire fighting activities, and a tendency of alcohol dependence associated with other stressful problems is noted in Japan. We assessed the alcohol dependence tendency with the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) in firefighters. Occupational stress, depression and other factors were evaluated with the brief job stress questionnaire, Center for Epidemiologic Studies depression scale, K10 and a face sheet. Subjects were 294 male personnel in a local fire defense headquarters, and 246 of them (83.4%) answered effectively. Data were analyzed first with univariate analysis between the AUDIT score and other items, and then with multivariate analysis of the AUDIT score as a dependent variable and other items as independent variables. The AUDIT score (mean ± SD) in the 246 respondents classified by age ranges was 7.9 ± 5.4 points (the lowest, 0 points; the highest, 27 points). The multivariate analysis showed significant correlations of the AUDIT score with the workplace environment (P = 0.003) and the rank of work (P = 0.019). The present survey was cross-sectional, and we could not clarify the subjects' past drinking states and applicability of the results to the whole Japan personnel. It is necessary to further investigate the relationship between alcoholism and depression in the present subjects. As a pilot study, we first clarified the state of alcohol dependence in personnel in a Japanese local fire fighting organization, and examined related factors.

Current duty arrangements and circumstances of emergency medical technicians: findings of an electronic questionnaire survey conducted at the 16th national ambulance-crew symposium.

To assess the working arrangements and effects on the health of medical emergency transport personnel, we conducted an electronic questionnaire survey among participants of the 16th National Ambulance-Crew Symposium in 2008. Answers were obtained from 58 participants (56 males, 2 females): 58 questionnaires were fully completed and suitable for analysis. Of the 58, 47 respondents were emergency medical technicians (including those with additional roles). In the analysis of the responses, we observed a negative correlation between the number of emergency transport dispatches (in 1 day) and total nap time, and between the number of night emergency transports per shift and quality of sleep. These findings suggested that an increase in the number of emergency transports was associated with a decrease in nap time and sleep quality.