Adherence to national guidelines for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer screenings in Japanese workplaces: a survey-based classification of enterprises' practices into "overscreening," "underscreening," and "guideline-adherence screening".

BACKGROUND: Workplace cancer screening programs are determined as part of an employee's benefits package and health checkups are perceived positively. However, the current status of workplace cancer screening programs in Japan is unavailable. This study aimed to assess the adherence to national guidelines for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer screenings in the workplace among Japanese enterprises and identify factors associated with excessive or inadequate screenings. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was employed. Data were obtained from a survey conducted by the "Corporate Action to Promote Cancer Control" between November and December 2022 among registered partner enterprises in Japan. The survey included questions on background characteristics, cancer screening practices, and intervention approaches. The analysis included 432 enterprises that provided complete responses regarding colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer screenings. RESULTS: The guideline-adherence rates for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer screenings in the workplace were 12.7%, 3.0%, and 8.8%, respectively. Enterprises had lower adherence to screening guidelines than local governments. Colorectal (70.8%) and breast (67.1%) cancer screenings were predominantly categorized as "overscreening" and cervical (60.6%) cancer screening, as "underscreening." Factors such as enterprise scale, health insurance associations, and the number of interventional approaches were significantly associated with increased "overscreening" (101-1000: ß = 0.13, p = 0.01; ≥ 1000: ß = 0.17, p < 0.01; health insurance association: ß = 0.23, p < 0.01; and approaches: ß = 0.42, p < 0.01) and reduced "underscreening" (101-1000: ß = -0.13, p = 0.01; ≥ 1000: ß = -0.17, p < 0.01; health insurance association: ß = -0.18, p < 0.01; and approaches: ß = -0.48, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Adherence to national guidelines for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer screenings in the workplace was suboptimal among Japanese enterprises. Therefore, appropriate cancer screening measures and interventions to ensure guideline adherence and optimization of screening benefits while minimizing potential harms should be expeditiously implemented.

Comparative analysis of treatment decision-making in patients with localized prostate and cervical cancer: what influences receiving surgery or radiotherapy?

PURPOSE: This study focused on identifying the factors influencing the decision-making process in patients with localized prostate and cervical cancer in Japan and specifically examining the choice between surgery and radiotherapy. METHODS: Patients with specific cancer stages registered with a healthcare research company for whom radical surgery or radiotherapy was equally effective and recommended participated in this cross-sectional online survey. RESULTS: The responses of 206 and 231 patients with prostate and cervical cancer, respectively, revealed that both groups relied heavily on the physicians' recommendations (prostate: odds ratio (OR) = 40.3, p < 0.001; cervical: OR = 5.59, p < 0.001) and their impression of radiotherapy (prostate: OR = 9.22, p < 0.001; cervical: OR = 2.31, p < 0.001). Factors such as hypertension (OR = 6.48, p < 0.05), diabetes mellitus (OR = 9.68, p < 0.05), employment status (OR = 0.08, p < 0.01), and impressions of surgery (OR = 0.14, p < 0.01) also played a significant role in patients with prostate cancer. In contrast, the specialty of the physician (OR = 4.55, p < 0.05) proposing the treatment influenced the decision-making process of patients with cervical cancer. Information sources varied between the two groups: patients with prostate cancer were more inclined towards printed materials, whereas patients with cervical cancer were more inclined towards interpersonal relationships. CONCLUSION: Although several limitations, such as the sample and recall bias, were noted, this study emphasizes the role of psychosocial factors in the decision-making process and the requirement for tailored information sources.

Examining the differential effects of information about the death penalty on retributivists and non-retributivists in Japan: a refutation of Marshall's third hypothesis.

This study aimed to test Marshall's third hypothesis-that information about the death penalty hardly affects the attitude of death penalty supporters on retribution grounds-utilizing a non-American sample. Four pre-registered experiments were conducted, involving Japanese participants randomly selected from sample pools of retributivists and non-retributivists, based on their reasons for supporting the death penalty. One group received information exposure, while the other was under control conditions. Participants read about deterrence (Study 1) or false convictions (Study 2-4). Except for the results of Study 4, retributivists and non-retributivists were equally affected or unaffected by information. Marshall's third hypothesis is therefore not supported. Retributivists strongly favored the death penalty; higher empathy toward criminals was associated with less pro-death penalty attitudes. Additionally, there were differences in the influence of information. These results suggest the need for a new approach to researching the relationship between public attitudes and information on the death penalty.

[A report of five cancer screening rates and the related measures for cancer control in the workplace, surveyed by the Corporate Action to Promote Cancer Control].

OBJECTIVES: Most cancer control measures in the workplace have limited supporting evidence. This study aimed to identify highly effective cancer control measures, based on a survey by the Corporate Action to Promote Cancer Control. METHODS: The firms and organizations that responded to the web survey were included. The questionnaire comprised five cancer (stomach, lung, colorectal, breast, and cervical) screening rates and their countermeasures to promote cancer control. We conducted a non-hierarchical cluster analysis according to the degree of the measures and compared the screening rates among each group using an analysis of variance. Then, we performed two multiple regression analyses with the mean screening rates for stomach/lung/colorectal cancer and breast/cervical cancer as dependent variables, the implementation of each countermeasure as an independent variable, and the size and industry as control variables. RESULTS: We obtained responses from 704 firms and organizations. The three groups classified by cluster analysis were defined as active, moderate, and negative. For all cancer screenings, the main effects were significant, and multiple comparisons revealed that the difference between the active and negative groups (ts > 3.30, ps < .01, Hedges' ds > 0.73) and the moderate and negative groups (ts > 3.70, ps < .01, Hedges' ds > 0.88) were significant. For the four cancers other than lung, the difference between the active and moderate groups was not significant (ts < 0.21, ps < .84, Hedges' ds < 0.02), and for lung, the difference was significant, but the effect size was small. The multiple regression analyses revealed that "distribution of colorectal cancer test kits to all subjects" (ß = 0.14) was significant for stomach, lung, and colorectal cancer, while "financial supports for cancer screening" (ß = 0.24), "screening as part of employment" (ß = 0.18), and "careful screening of female subjects" (ß = 0.17) were significant for breast and cervical cancer, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We identified effective countermeasures for cancer control in the workplace, and these measures will help increase cancer screening rates.

Development of Japanese Cancer Intelligence Quotient to Measure Cancer Literacy and Knowledge among Japanese Laypersons.

Introduction: Health literacy has been identified an essential factor in leading a healthy lifestyle. Because some cancer prevention and screening methods have been established, we believe that identifying disadvantaged populations with low literacy regarding cancer is crucial. Thus, in this study, we aim to create a self-administered cancer-specific health literacy scale to be administered to Japanese laypersons. Methods: Using definitions from previous studies, we constructed a scale named the Japanese Cancer Intelligence Quotient (JCIQ) for both literacy (JCIQ-L) and knowledge (JCIQ-K) aspects. We generated potential items for both aspects, extracted appropriate ones using two-step online surveys, and compared the JCIQ and cancer-preventive behaviors and cancer-screening intentions, both of which we set as alternative indicators of the right attitude and practice toward cancer by performing a multiple regression analysis from another web survey. Results: Between April and May 2020, we conducted three-step surveys online. After conducting the two-step surveys for thousands of people, we extracted 12 literacy questions and 22 knowledge questions using factor analysis and the correct answer ratio of every item. In the final investigation of 3,094 people, a multiple regression analysis found that the JCIQ-L and JCIQ-K were significant factors in terms of predicting both behaviors (JCIQ-L:ß = 0.07, p < 0.001, JCIQ-K:ß = 0.05, p < 0.01) and willingness (JCIQ-L:ß = 0.04, p < 0.05, JCIQ-K:ß = 0.17, p < 0.001) after adjusting for participant characteristics (e.g., gender, age, income level, employment status). Conclusions: We developed the first reliable scale for measuring cancer literacy and knowledge of Japanese laypersons.

Effect of employers' concerns about cancer countermeasures on the implementation of cancer screening and support for balancing cancer treatment and work in small and medium-sized Japanese enterprises.

OBJECTIVE: Japan has recently implemented screening and support to balance cancer treatment and work. The present study evaluated whether the interest of employers in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) affects cancer control in the workplace. METHODS: Cancer preparedness at work was examined by a Japanese life insurance company contracting 370 000 SMEs. The analysis targeted SMEs hiring ≤50 employees whose employer was aged ≥40 years. The endpoints were performing one or more screening for stomach, colon, or lung cancer recommended for both sexes in Japan and implementing three or more supportive measures from the nine systems listed in a questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed to predict these endpoints using other factors. RESULTS: The survey was completed from January 5 to 28, 2022 and included 5268 eligible companies. Around half were small enterprises with up to five employees. Screenings were performed for stomach (32%), colorectal (27%), and lung (26%) cancers. Sick leave (36%) was the most common support for balancing cancer treatment and work. Logistic regression analysis revealed that employer's concern was a significant predictor of screening (odds ratio [OR] = 3.59, P < .001) and support (OR = 2.55, P < .01) compared with "not concerned at all," along with industry type, annual sales, experience of employees with cancer, and employer's participation in screening. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that employers' interest was a powerful predictor of implementing cancer control in SMEs. Educational intervention targeted toward the employer could play a critical role in improving SMEs.

Relationship between Consulting for Second Medical Opinions, Radiotherapy, and Satisfaction with Therapy, Analyzed by Structural Equation Modeling: A Web-Based Survey.

OBJECTIVE: The radiotherapy utilization rate in Japan is lower than that in other developed countries. This study identified factors associated with the low rate, by conducting an online survey of Japanese cancer survivors. METHODS: We reviewed the web survey results of Japanese cancer patients. The survey examined the process of choosing treatments and the actual treatment received. We included respondents whose most engaged-in treatment was either radiotherapy or surgery, dividing them into two groups. We used the chi-square test to compare the patients in the both groups for their impression of the therapy, decision-making approach, and decision to seek second medical opinions (SMOs). To assess the relationship between seeking SMOs, being most engaged in radiotherapy, and feeling satisfied, we used the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. RESULTS: We included 139 patients in the radiotherapy group and 681 patients in the surgery group. Compared with patients in the surgery group, more patients in the radiotherapy group sought SMOs (19% vs. 28%), shared opinions with their doctor (27% vs. 42%), and were satisfied with their treatment (69% vs. 78%). SEM analysis showed that seeking SMOs contributed to radiotherapy being the most-engaged-in therapy (ß = 0.23; P < 0.01), and the treatment contributed to the satisfaction (ß = 0.15; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Patients who underwent radiotherapy felt more satisfied with the treatment than patients who underwent surgery. Perceptions about radiotherapy and SMOs may be a reason for the low utilization of radiotherapy in Japan.

Effects on annual income changes after radical radiotherapy versus after prostatectomy in patients with localized prostate cancer with a specific employment status: A web-based pilot study.

Men with localized prostate cancers are insured for undergoing radical radiotherapy or prostatectomy. However, limited information is available on the influence of cancer treatments on patients' employment status in Japan. Therefore, in this web-based survey, we aimed to compare the effects of post-treatment changes on the annual income of patients with prostate cancer after undergoing radical radiotherapy and prostatectomy and to identify the risk factors associated with the decrease in annual income. We investigated the clinical characteristics and demographics including pre-treatment working status, self-employment, non-regular employment, working for wage or salary, and joblessness of patients with localized prostate cancer. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to analyze the effects of various factors on the change in the annual income of self-employed and non-regularly employed workers. Seventy-eight eligible patients with localized prostate cancer had undergone radiotherapy, and 128 patients had undergone prostatectomy. Among self-employed and non-regularly employed workers, post-treatment income decline rates in those who underwent radiotherapy were smaller but not significant (12% vs. 42%, P = 0.074). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that initial treatment for prostate cancer was the only significant risk factor for the post-treatment income decline among self-employed and non-regularly employed workers. Radiotherapy was associated with a smaller decrease in income (odds ratio, 0.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.052-0.95; P = 0.042). Our novel results implied the effectiveness of radiotherapy in preventing post-treatment income decline among patients with prostate cancer based on specific employment status: self-employed or non-regularly employed.

Modeling Determinants of Individual Punitiveness in a Late Modern Perspective: Data from Japan.

There is a growing trend to both theoretically and empirically explain public punitiveness from a general social theory of late modernity. Yet, research which has tested the generalizability of this perspective regarding societies other than Western ones remains rare. Relying on a theoretical perspective and empirical findings, this study aimed to explore whether the hypothetical model, which assumes that abstract late modern anxieties (economic anxiety and identity anxiety) affect punitiveness via more tangible fears and negative attitudes toward others in terms of fear of crime, xenophobic attitudes, and social dominance orientation (SDO). The study considered whether this model can be applied to Japanese society, which is experiencing drastic social, economic, and political transformations. Accordingly, data from a nationwide Japanese sample was analyzed through structural equation modeling (SEM). The results revealed that all of the hypothesized paths had significant relations, except for a path between xenophobic attitudes and fear of crime, which generally supported the hypothetical model. Moreover, it was shown that all of the variables have a significant total effect on punitiveness. The results were discussed in light of the social circumstances of Japan and recommendations for further international comparative research were made. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11417-020-09338-9.

Angioscopic Findings in 3 Patients Who Required Retreatment After Carotid Artery Stenting.

BACKGROUND: Use of angioscopy to directly observe the stent lumen in the chronic phase after carotid artery stenting (CAS) has not been reported to date. Here we report 3 patients in whom angioscopy helped confirm the stent lumen during retreatment after CAS. CASE DESCRIPTION: Case 1 required retreatment for stent shortening that occurred 1 month after the first CAS. Preprocedure angioscopy showed the presence of neointima, which could not be revealed by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). In case 2, which required repeat CAS for distal progressive stenosis of the internal carotid artery, the neointima was observed on the stent surface and was more pronounced on the distal side. In case 3, retreatment was necessary for recurrent ischemic stroke caused by stent restenosis; preprocedure angioscopy showed an unstable plaque, which was not detected as vulnerable by IVUS, protruding into the stent lumen, with partial ulceration and bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with IVUS, angioscopy enables a more detailed observation of the stent lumen. Although angioscopy is relatively invasive, its use in evaluating changes in the stent lumen after CAS should be clarified by accumulation of reported cases.

Warm Front Passage on the Previous Day Increased Ischemic Stroke Events.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The influence of a weather front passage is rarely evaluated on stroke events. We hypothesized that a weather front passage on the stroke onset day or during the previous days may play an important role in the incidence of stroke. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of stroke events and their interaction with weather front passages. Consecutive acute stroke patients (n = 3935, 73.5 ± 12.4 years, 1610 females) who were admitted to 7 stroke hospitals in 3 cities from January 2012 to December 2013 were enrolled in this study. Multivariate Poisson regression models involving time lag variables were used to compare the daily rates of stroke events with the day of a weather front passage and the previous 6 days, adjusting for considerable influences of ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure. RESULTS: There were a total of 33 cold fronts and 13 warm fronts that passed over the 3 cities during the study period. The frequency of ischemic stroke significantly increased when a warm front passed on the previous day (risk ratio 1.34, 95% confidence interval 1.07-1.69, P= .016). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that a weather front passage on the previous days may be associated with the occurrence of stroke.

[Valproic acid-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy in a patient receiving valproic acid monotherapy].

A 79-year-old female was diagnosed with epilepsy because she experienced loss of consciousness twice in January and February and then had a seizure in June 2016. She was treated with 800 mg sodium valproate (sustained release). After 3 days, she experienced loss of appetite, and more than 3 days later, disturbance of consciousness. Serum valproic acid (VPA) concentration was 128.3 µg/ml and serum ammonia was 404 µmol/l. Cerebral edema and status epilepticus occurred. Severe neurological dysfunction remained, even after treatment with continuous hemodiafiltration and levocarnitine. VPA is widely used for the treatment of generalized epilepsy. VPA-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy is a rare but serious adverse event of VPA. Thus, we must pay attention to serum ammonia levels when using VPA, even VPA monotherapy.

Blood Pressure Variability in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Influence of Infarct Location in the Insular Cortex.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to elucidate the influence of insular infarction on blood pressure (BP) variability and outcomes according to the region of the insular cortex affected. METHODS: A total of 90 patients diagnosed with acute unilateral ischemic stroke were registered. The BP variability was calculated over 24 h after admission (hyperacute) and for 2-3 days after admission (acute). Patients were classified into groups of right and left, and then right anterior, right posterior, left anterior, and left posterior insular infarction. RESULTS: Patients with insular infarction showed a significantly larger infarct volume, higher modified Rankin scale scores, and lower SD and coefficient of variation (CV) of -systolic BP in the hyperacute phase than shown by patients without insular infarction (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p = 0.02, and p = 0.03, respectively). The SD and CV of systolic BP in the hyperacute phase showed significant differences among the 3 groups with right insular infarction, with left insular infarction, and without insular infarction (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05, respectively). There was a tendency for the systolic BP variability to be lower in patients with right anterior insular infarction than in patients with infarcts in other areas. CONCLUSION: The right insular cortex, especially the anterior part, might be a hub for autonomic nervous regulation.

Various meteorological conditions exhibit both immediate and delayed influences on the risk of stroke events: The HEWS-stroke study.

We hypothesized that meteorological conditions on the onset day and conditions on the former days may play important roles in the modulation of physical conditions. Associations of meteorological factors and their changes in former days with stroke onset are of interest. We conducted a multicenter retrospective study to evaluate the frequency of stroke events and their interaction with meteorological conditions and their daily changes. Acute stroke patients (n = 3935, 73.5±12.4 years, 1610 females) who were admitted to 7 stroke hospitals in three restricted areas were enrolled in this study. Poisson regression models involving time-lag variables was used to compare daily rates of stroke events with mean thermo-hydrological index (THI), atmospheric pressure, and their daily changes. We divided onset days into quintiles based on the THI, atmospheric pressure, and their daily changes for the last 7 days. The frequencies of ischemic stroke significantly increased when THI varied either cooler or warmer from a previous day (extremely cooler, risk ratio (RR) 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05 to 1.34; extremely warmer, RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.31; r2 = 0.001 for the best regression, p = 0.001). Intracerebral hemorrhage frequencies significantly decreased on high-THI days (extremely high, RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.95; r2 = 0.013 for the best regression, p<0.001) and increased in high atmospheric pressure days (high, RR 1.31, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.65; r2 = 0.009 for the best regression, p<0.001). Additionally, even after adjusting for the THI on the onset day and its changes for the other days, intracerebral hemorrhage increased when THI got extremely cooler in 4 days prior (RR 1.33, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.71, r2 = 0.006 for the best regression, p<0.001). Various meteorological conditions may exhibit influences on stroke onset. And, when temperature cooled, there may be a possibility to show delayed influence on the frequency of intracerebral hemorrhage 4 days later.

Modifications of tau protein after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in rats are similar to those occurring in Alzheimer's disease - Hyperphosphorylation and cleavage of 4- and 3-repeat tau.

Epidemiological studies have suggested a close relationship between cerebral ischemia and Alzheimer's disease (AD). To clarify the pathological association of tau dynamics in both diseases, we performed comprehensive studies on the posttranslational modification of tau in cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) in rats. The present study suggests that both 4-repeat and 3-repeat tau isoforms are hyperphosphorylated in cerebral I/R, similar to the case in AD. The generation of a 60-kDa Asp421-truncated tau in cerebral I/R preceded the emergence of a 17-kDa 3-repeat tau fragment and a 25-kDa 4-repeat tau fragment. The regional redistribution of tau from the neuropil to neuronal perikarya in our stroke model is thought to share similarity with that occurring in AD. In addition, immunofluorescence staining revealed the formation of axonal varicosities in cerebral I/R. Altered tau distribution may influence microtubule stability, disturbances in axonal transport, and the resulting formation of axonal varicosities. The staining profiles of granules in the ischemic cortex that were immunopositive for RD3, RD4, and AT8 in neuronal perikarya and that were argyrophilic on Gallyas-Braak staining were similar to those in AD. These findings suggest that transient cerebral ischemia shares a common pathology with AD, in the modification of tau protein.

A Case of Hypertensive Encephalopathy with Enlarged Optic Nerve Sheath Measured by Transorbital Sonography.

This case report describes our experience in using transorbital sonography to evaluate pathological changes in the central nervous system in hypertensive encephalopathy. A 49-year-old man with nausea, headache, and mild confusion was diagnosed with hypertensive encephalopathy by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which revealed vasogenic edema in the bilateral thalamus and the brain stem. Lumbar puncture showed no severe intracranial hypertension. Transorbital sonography showed an increase in the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD). Repeated examination revealed a return of the ONSD to an almost normal range after a reduction in blood pressure and a resolution of symptoms. An improvement in cerebral vasogenic edema was confirmed by brain MRI. ONSD might be related to the severity of cerebral vasogenic edema. Repeated measurement of ONSD by transorbital sonography may be useful to assess the pathological course and the effect of treatment in hypertensive encephalopathy.

Multiple Infarcts Are Associated With Long-Term Stroke Recurrence and All-Cause Mortality in Cryptogenic Stroke Patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Brain infarct patterns that are observed via diffusion-weighted imaging are useful for classifying stroke subtypes. However, it is unclear whether infarct patterns can predict long-term outcomes in cryptogenic stroke patients. Herein, we investigated the association between acute brain infarct patterns and long-term stroke outcomes in cryptogenic stroke patients. METHODS: Acute cryptogenic stroke patients were consecutively enrolled between April 2008 and March 2012. Diffusion-weighted imaging ischemic lesion patterns were classified as single lesions, scattered lesions in one vascular territory, or multiple lesions in multiple vascular territories. Survivors (at discharge) were followed up for 3 years after stroke onset. RESULTS: A total of 272 cryptogenic stroke patients (132 women; aged 72±13 years) were enrolled. Among these patients, 169 (62.1%) had a single lesion, 38 (14.0%) had scattered lesions, and 65 (23.9%) had multiple lesions. Next, 261 patients (96.0%) were evaluated to assess right-to-left shunting, and 61 patients (23.4%) exhibited right-to-left shunting. On patient admission, right-to-left shunting and increased D-dimer levels were independently associated with multiple lesions but not single or scattered lesions. During the follow-up period (median, 1093 days), 30 patients (11.0%) developed recurrent stroke and 35 patients (12.9%) died. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses showed that multiple infarcts were independently associated with recurrent stroke and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 3.79; 95% confidence interval, 2.24-6.37; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Multiple brain infarcts on diffusion-weighted imaging were independently associated with long-term stroke outcomes in cryptogenic stroke patients.

Effects of Meteorological Conditions on the Risk of Ischemic Stroke Events in Patients Treated with Alteplase--HEWS-tPA.

BACKGROUND: Predicting a day that presents a high risk for the occurrence of ischemic stroke events may enable health professionals to prepare for emergency stroke therapy more properly. We evaluated the association between meteorological conditions and the frequency of ischemic stroke events in Japanese patients. METHODS: Ischemic stroke patients (n = 299) who were treated with alteplase at 9 stroke hospitals in 3 restricted areas were examined. The daily rates of ischemic stroke events were compared with the daily mean thermo-hydrological index (THI), the atmospheric pressure, and the daily changes of these variables for the 6 days preceding an ischemic stroke event using Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS: We trisected onset days based on the THI (low-temperature, intermediate-temperature, and high-temperature), atmospheric pressure (low-pressure, intermediate-pressure, and high-pressure), changes in THI for preceding 6 days from the previous day (cooler, unchanged-temperature, and warmer), and changes in atmospheric pressure (decreased-pressure, unchanged-pressure, and increased-pressure). The frequency of ischemic stroke was significantly higher on low-temperature or high-pressure days (risk ratio, 1.398, P = .022; risk ratio, 1.374, P = .039), on warmer-temperature days, and when atmospheric pressure varied from the day before (P < .05). There were significantly lower risks for ischemic stroke events on cooler-temperature days, and higher risks were associated with a variation in atmospheric pressure 3 days before the onset from 4 days before (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: There were higher risks for ischemic stroke events associated with low ambient temperature, high atmospheric pressure, increased temperature, and varied atmospheric pressure. Also, atmospheric pressure variation 3 days before may be associated.

Endothelial dysfunction is associated with the severity of cerebral small vessel disease.

The pathogenesis of cerebral small vessel disease, a disease that involves white matter lesions (WMLs) and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), is thought to be associated with endothelial dysfunction. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) has been used to measure endothelium-dependent vasodilation. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between endothelial function (as measured by FMD) and cerebral small vessel disease. Patients with a history of cerebrovascular disease and comorbidities were enrolled in this study (n=102; 69 males, 70.1±9.2 years). The patients were divided into two groups according to the severity of WMLs, which were assessed by Fazekas classification; grades 0 to 1 as mild WMLs group and grades 2 to 3 as severe WMLs group. A gradient-echo MRI was performed in 96 patients (94.1%) to evaluate whether CMBs were present. The patients in the severe WMLs group (n=40) were older (P=0.001), more frequently exhibited hypertension (P=0.045) and diabetes mellitus (P=0.026) and possessed lower FMD values (P<0.001) than the patients in the mild WMLs group (n=62). CMBs were observed in 30 patients (31.3%). Using receiver operating characteristic curves, the optimal FMD cutoff values for predicting the presence of severe WMLs and CMBs were 3.9% and 3.7%, respectively. On multivariate logistic analysis, FMD <4.0% (odds ratio 9.50; 95% confidence interval 3.55-28.83) was independently associated with severe WMLs. Additionally, FMD <3.8% (5.82; 2.23-16.50) was also associated with the presence of CMBs. Endothelial dysfunction as evaluated by FMD may be predictive of the severity of cerebral small vessel disease.