Effects of voltage strength during electroporation on the development and quality of in vitro-produced porcine embryos.

This study was conducted to determine suitable conditions for an experimental method in which the CRISPR/Cas9 system is introduced into in vitro-produced porcine zygotes by electroporation. In the first experiment, when putative zygotes derived from in vitro fertilization (IVF) were electroporated by either unipolar or bipolar pulses, keeping the voltage, pulse duration and pulse number fixed at 30 V/mm, 1 msec and five repeats, respectively, the rate of blastocyst formation from zygotes electroporated by bipolar pulses decreased compared to zygotes electroporated by unipolar pulses. In the second experiment, the putative zygotes were electroporated by electroporation voltages ranging from 20 V/mm-40 V/mm with five 1-msec unipolar pulses. The rate of cleavage and blastocyst formation of zygotes electroporated at 40 V/mm was significantly lower (p < .05) than that of zygotes electroporated at less than 30 V/mm. Moreover, the apoptotic nuclei indices of blastocysts derived from zygotes electroporated by voltages greater than 30 V/mm significantly increased compared with those from zygotes electroporated by voltages less than 25 V/mm (p < .05). When zygotes were electroporated with Cas9 mRNA and single-guide RNA (sgRNA) targeting site in the FGF10 exon 3, the proportions of blastocysts with targeted genomic sequences were 7.7% (2/26) and 3.6% (1/28) in the embryos derived from zygotes electroporated at 25 V/mm and 30 V/mm, respectively. Our results indicate that electroporation at 25 V/mm may be an acceptable condition for introducing Cas9 mRNA and sgRNA into pig IVF zygotes under which the viability of the embryos is not significantly affected.

Effects of duration of electric pulse on in vitro development of cloned cat embryos with human artificial chromosome vector.

The current applications for cat cloning include production of models for the study of human and animal diseases. This study was conducted to investigate the optimal fusion protocol on in vitro development of transgenic cloned cat embryos by comparing duration of electric pulse. Cat fibroblast cells containing a human artificial chromosome (HAC) vector were used as genetically modified nuclear donor cells. Couplets were fused and activated simultaneously with a single DC pulse of 3.0 kV/cm for either 30 or 60 µs. Low rates of fusion and embryo development to the blastocyst stage were observed in the reconstructed HAC-transchromosomic embryos, when the duration of fusion was prolonged to 60 µs. In contrast, the prolongation of electric pulse duration improved the embryo development and quality in the reconstructed control embryos without HAC vector. Our results suggested that the optimal parameters of electric pulses for fusion in cat somatic cell nuclear transfer vary among the types used for donor cells.

Sexual behavior and condom use in female students in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania: differences by steady and casual partners.

OBJECTIVE: In Tanzania female youth are increasingly becoming at greater risk of sexually transmitted HIV infection, whereby more than 80% cases occur through un-protected sex. The objective of this study was to examine related-factors which influence female students to have risky sexual contacts with casual partners including condom use and sex with sugar daddies. METHODS: A cross section study involving face-to-face interview was conducted regarding sexual behavior among 219 sexually-debuted female students aged between 18 and 24 years who were attending high schools and colleges in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania. RESULTS: Eighty-three percent had at least one boyfriend in the past 12 months, 57% had engaged in sex with a "sugar daddy", and 24% had engaged in sex with a casual partner other than a sugar daddy. Sixty-nine percent had ever used a condom, and 66% had used a condom during their most recent sexual encounter. Thirty-two percent reported always using a condom during sex with their boyfriends, whereas only 2% always used a condom with a sugar daddy. Decision-making about condom use during sex with boyfriends was made by couples together (48%) or by the girls alone (34%), whereas the decision during sex with a sugar daddy was predominantly made by the male partner (79%). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 9.5 for frequencies, cross-tabulations and chi-squired test and statistical significance set at p<0.05. CONCLUSION: The study highlighted risk factors for female students towards HIV infection. Receiving money and/or presents were the major motivations for having sex irrelevant with types of sex partners. Although most female's students disagreed in principle to have sex in exchange for money or presents, sex with sugar daddies was common among female students and was a major risk factor for HIV infection. Based on the findings, recommendations for improvement in prevention programs among female youth within Tanzanian context are discussed.

Redox-switchable molecular containers consisting of dicobalt complexes.

Doubly bridged dicobalt complexes with bidentate diamine ligands were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction studies. Reversible formation and decomposition of the doubly bridged structure utilizing the redox couple between Co(II) and Co(III) were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and UV-vis.

Lactobacillus reuteri in bovine milk fermented decreases the oral carriage of mutans streptococci.

The effect of Lactobacillus reuteri against one of the major cariogenic organism, Streptococcus mutans, was studied. Yogurt products containing L.reuteri showed a significant growth inhibitory effect against S. mutans, whilst yoghurts with lactobaccilli other than L. reuteri did not show such inhibition. Further, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial demonstrated that consuming yogurt with L. reuteri significantly reduced the oral carriage of mutans streptococci, compared with the placebo yogurt.

Effects of rebamipide, a gastro-protective drug on the Helicobacter pylori status and inflammation in the gastric mucosa of patients with gastric ulcer: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled multicentre trial.

AIMS: To investigate the effects of rebamipide on the Helicobacter pylori eradication rate with amoxicillin and omeprazole. The trial also examined its histological effects on gastro-mucosal inflammation after eradication. METHODS: Two hundred and six H. pylori-positive patients with active gastric ulcer underwent 8-week based therapy (OA) consisting of 2-week amoxicillin with omeprazole and subsequent 6-week omeprazole. They randomly received either rebamipide (OA-R) or placebo (OA-P) for 16 weeks: combined with the OA based therapy, and subsequently for another 8 weeks. Besides eradication rate, inflammatory findings of gastric mucosa after eradication were evaluated histologically. RESULTS: Per Protocol Set analysis showed no significant difference in eradication rate between OA-R (64.6%; 95% confidence interval, 54.3-75.0%) and OA-P (67.9%; 95% CI, 57.6-78.3%). Histological findings in the gastric mucosa of the ulcer region, however, indicated a significant improvement (P = 0.017) in inflammation scores in OA-R (1.84 +/- 0.41) compared with that in OA-P (2.02 +/- 0.39) after 16-weeks of treatment. This suppressive effect on inflammation was observed even in the OA-R patients unsuccessfully eradicated. CONCLUSION: Rebamipide demonstrated a suppressive effect on the persistent and possibly chronic inflammation in the gastric mucosa of the ulcer region after eradication, but the drug did not improve the eradication rate.

Prevalence of vertebral deformity and its associations with physical impairment among Japanese women: The Hizen-Oshima Study.

Vertebral fractures are a hallmark of postmenopausal osteoporosis and an important end point in trials of osteoporosis treatment, but the clinical significance of vertebral deformities remains uncertain. We examined the prevalence of vertebral deformity and associations of vertebral deformities and other characteristics with physical functioning among 584 Japanese women ages 40 to 89 years. Lateral spine radiographs were obtained and radiographic vertebral deformities were assessed by quantitative morphometry, defined as vertebral heights more than 3 SD below the normal mean. A self-administered questionnaire was used to survey participants about difficulty in performing selected basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL). Overall, 15% of women had at least one vertebral deformity, and 8% had 2 or more. The prevalence of vertebral deformities increased progressively with age. Half of women ages 80 and over had vertebral deformities. Impaired function was defined as difficulty performing 3 or more ADLs. After adjusting for age, the odds of impaired function were increased by 1.4 times (95% CI: 0.7, 2.9) in women with a single vertebral deformity, and 3.1 times (1.4, 6.8) in those with two or more deformities. Additional adjustment for number of painful joints, number of comorbidities, body mass index, and back pain did not materially alter these findings. In conclusion, women with multiple vertebral deformities had significantly greater impaired function. The association was independent of age, back pain and the number of painful joints, suggesting that deformities may impair function even when back pain is not present.

Comparison of performance-based measures among native Japanese, Japanese-Americans in Hawaii and Caucasian women in the United States, ages 65 years and over: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Japanese (both in Japan and Hawaii) have a lower incidence of falls and of hip fracture than North American and European Caucasians, but the reasons for these differences are not clear. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study. We compared neuromuscular risk factors for falls using performance-based measures (chair stand time, usual and rapid walking speed, and grip strength) among 163 Japanese women in Japan, 681 Japanese-American women in Hawaii and 9403 Caucasian women in the United States aged 65 years and over. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, the Caucasian women required about 40% more time to complete 5 chair stands than either group of Japanese. Walking speed was about 10% slower among Caucasians than native Japanese, whereas Japanese-American women in Hawaii walked about 11% faster than native Japanese. Grip strength was greatest in Japan, which may reflect the rural farming district that this sample was drawn from. Additional adjustment for height, weight or body mass index increased the adjusted means of chair stand time and grip strength among Japanese, but the differences remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: Both native Japanese and Japanese-American women in Hawaii performed better than Caucasians on chair stand time and walking speed tests, and native Japanese had greater grip strength than Japanese in Hawaii and Caucasians. The biological implications of these differences in performance are uncertain, but may be useful in planning future comparisons between populations.

A multicenter, double-blind study on triple therapy with lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin for eradication of Helicobacter pylori in Japanese peptic ulcer patients.

BACKGROUND: Two triple therapies with lansoprazole (LPZ)/amoxicillin (AMPC)/clarithromycin (CAM) for eradication of Helicobacter pylori were studied in multicenter, double-blind fashion to evaluate the eradication rate of H. pylori and safety of eradiation treatment in Japanese patients with H. pylori-positive active gastric ulcers or duodenal ulcers. METHODS: Patients were randomly chosen for the control treatment of LPZ 30 mg twice a day (b.i.d.; Group A-LPZ-only) or the test treatments of LPZ 30 mg plus AMPC 750 mg and CAM 200 mg b.i.d. (Group B-LAC200) and LPZ 30 mg, AMPC 750 mg and CAM 400 mg b.i.d. (Group C-LAC400). All eradication treatments lasted for a period of 7 days. Successful eradication was assessed by culture and gastric histology 1 month after completion of the ulcer treatment. RESULTS: The eradication rates of H. pylori in the full analysis set were 0% in Group A-LPZ-only, 87.5% in Group B-LAC200 and 89.2% in Group C-LAC400 for gastric ulcer and, 4.4% in Group A-LPZ-only, 91.1% in Group B-LAC200 and 83.7% in Group C-LAC400 for duodenal ulcer. The eradication rates of Group B-LAC200 and Group C-LAC400 were 89.2% (95% CI: 84.8-93.7%) and 86.4% (95%CI: 81.5-91.3%) in total in the full analysis set, 89% (95% CI: 84.3-93.7%) and 85.3% (95%CI: 80.1-90.5%) in the per protocol set. The eradication rates in Groups B-LAC200 and group C-LAC400 were statistically significantly higher than the rate in Group A-LPZ-only for both gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer patients (p <.0001 for both). CONCLUSION: A satisfactorily high H. pylori eradication rate was obtained in Japanese ulcer patients with the triple therapy regimen consisting of LPZ 30 mg, AMPC 750 mg, and CAM 200 mg b.i.d.

Transforming growth factor-beta1 and basic fibroblast growth factor modulate osteocalcin and osteonectin/SPARC syntheses in vitamin-D-activated pulp cells.

Vitamin D deficiency elicits hypocalcified dentin. However, little is known about the action of vitamin D on the syntheses of dentin matrix proteins. In this study, we examined the effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] on the expressions of osteocalcin and osteonectin/secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), by human pulp cells in the presence or absence of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). 1,25(OH)2D3 markedly increased osteocalcin at protein and mRNA levels. The osteocalcin level induced by 1,25(OH)2D3 was decreased and increased by TGF-beta1 and bFGF, respectively. 1,25(OH)2D3 suppressed SPARC synthesis at protein and mRNA levels. TGF-beta1, but not bFGF, increased SPARC synthesis in the presence of 1,25(OH)2D3. SPARC, but not osteocalcin, increased DNA synthesis in pulp cells. These findings suggest that 1,25(OH)2D3 and growth factors interactively regulate the expression of osteocalcin and SPARC in pulp cells, and that SPARC can stimulate DNA synthesis by pulp cells.

Expression of IL-1 beta and IL-8 by human gingival epithelial cells in response to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans.

The interaction between epithelial cells and microorganisms is the most important step in bacterial infections. Epithelial cells in response to exposure to pathogenic bacteria produce cytokines that initiate inflammation. However, little is known about the cytokine response of gingival epithelial cells to periodontopathogenic bacteria. Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is thought to play a significant role in the initiation of periodontitis because of its bacteriological characteristics. In the present study, we investigated the cytokine induction by human gingival epithelial cells (HGEC) following exposure to A. actinomycetemcomitans in comparison with human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) in culture. Northern blot analysis showed that mRNAs of interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) and IL-8, but not IL-6, in HGEC were induced in response to A. actinomycetemcomitans. Secretion of IL-8 by HGEC was also increased following A. actinomycetemcomitans challenge, whereas production of IL-1beta could not be detected. The levels of IL-8 and its mRNA were increased depending on the concentration of A. actinomycetemcomitans. The co-culture with HGF and A. actinomycetemcomitans resulted in an increase in the levels of IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA in HGF. However, HGF exposed to A. actinomycetemcomitans, showed no expression of IL-1beta mRNA. These findings demonstrated that HGEC and HGF stimulated with A. actinomycetemcomitans have different profiles in cytokine mRNA expression. Furthermore, A. actinomycetemcomitans may play an important role in amplifying the local immune response and in initiating inflammatory reaction through release of IL-8 from gingival epithelial cells.

[Case report of a malignant schwannoma in the neck with rare pathological findings].

In this report, we describe a rare case of a malignant transformation in an ancient schwannoma arising in the right side of the neck of a 51-year-old man. The patient was referred to our hospital because of a mass that had been present for three years. The mass, measuring about 4 x 2 cm, was elastic and hard, relatively well demarcated, and movable upon palpation. Aspiration cytology was performed, but the diagnosis was unclear histologically. The patient was placed under general anesthesia and the tumor was totally excised. The tumor, which was easily excised, was connected to the sympathetic nerve at both poles. The histological diagnosis was a malignant transformation in an ancient schwannoma. The patient showed no clinical manifestations suggesting neurofibromatosis. Three months after the operation, a recurrent tumor, which was not resectable, was discovered extending deep into the skull base. The patient underwent two operations and two courses of radiation therapy, but the tumor metastasized to the lung and liver. He died of pulmonary failure eleven months after the initial treatment.

[Prevalence of disabilities of the upper and lower extremities among community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly women].

OBJECTIVE: In order to obtain baseline data for designing programs aimed at promoting physical function among elderly people in Japan, we determined the prevalence of disabilities affecting upper and lower extremities and their impact on function in community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly Japanese women. METHODS: Subjects were 580 women aged 40 years and over, living in Oshima town, Nagasaki, Japan. Information on disabilities affecting all four extremities was collected by questionnaire. Subjects were asked about the extent of disability in each extremity (no disability, some, moderate, cannot or very difficult to use extremity) and the reason for the disability. The functional level was defined using a disability score, calculated by summing the disabilities for upper or lower extremities (no disability, 0; some, 1; moderate, 2; cannot or very difficult to use, 3). Women who scored 0 were classified as 'good', women who scored 1-2 'fair', and who scored 3-6 as 'poor'. RESULTS: Prevalence of disability affecting the upper extremities increased significantly with age (11.9% with some or greater, and 4.3% with moderate or worse). Disabilities of the lower extremities also increased significantly with age (27.2% with some or greater, and 12.9% with moderate or worse), affecting a larger proportion of individuals. With regard to the upper extremities, the women classified a 'fair' and 'poor' increased significantly with age (9.5% with 'fair', and 2.4% with 'poor'), and function decreased (p = 0.003). The same was the case for the lower extremities (19.0% with 'fair', and 8.3% with 'poor') (P < 0.001). The most frequently cited cause of disability was arthritis, both in the upper (20%) and lower (40%) extremities, followed by stroke (10%), fracture (10%) and trauma not associated with fracture (10%). CONCLUSIONS: In middle aged and elderly women, disabilities of the upper and lower extremities become more prevalent and are associated with further functional impairment with aging. Such disabilities are more common in the lower extremities, and arthritis seems to be the most frequent cause.

Stiffness index of the calcaneus measured by quantitative ultrasound and menopause among Japanese women: The Hizen-Oshima Study.

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is a recently developed technique for evaluating fracture risk that can assess both bone mass and architecture. Although numerous studies have shown that menopause is associated with accelerated loss of bone mineral density, there are only a few studies on the association of QUS parameter (stiffness index) with menopausal status, especially among Japanese population. We examined age-specific changes in stiffness index, and relation with age, body mass index (BMI) and menopausal status among 506 community-dwelling Japanese women aged 40-89 years. Mean age at menopause (standard deviation) among 459 women with natural menopause was 49.4 (4.0) years. Stiffness index significantly decreased with increasing age. Stiffness index among 80-89 years age group was 40% lower, compared with that of 40-49 years age group. The greatest decline among adjacent ten-year age groups in stiffness index (15%) was found between 40-49 and 50-59 years of age. Multiple regression analysis showed that menopause related with decreased stiffness index, independent of age and BMI. Our findings indicate that menopause influences loss of bone mass and induces deterioration of bone trabecular microstructure.

Peptic ulcer recurrence during maintenance therapy with H2-receptor antagonist following first-line therapy with proton pump inhibitor.

We investigated the peptic ulcer recurrence rates during maintenance therapy with H2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs) following first-line therapy with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Patients with gastric ulcer (GU) or duodenal ulcer (DU) were enrolled in this study; 583 eligible patients (GU, 325; DU, 258) were administered lansoprazole (30 mg/day for 8 weeks for GU, and the same dosage for 6 weeks for DU) as first-line therapy, and a half dose of H2RA as maintenance therapy for 12 months. Endoscopic photographs were taken before administration and after 8 (GU) and 6 (DU) weeks of lansoprazole administration. Ulcer stage was evaluated using the classification of Sakita and Miwa. Endoscopic examinations were performed 6 months or 12 months after the start of maintenance therapy or when a recurrence was suspected because of the appearance of subjective symptoms. The healing rates for GU and DU patients after completion of lansoprazole therapy were 79% in both groups, while the S2-stage healing rates were 18% and 31%, respectively. At 1 year after the start of maintenance therapy, the recurrence rates were 25% for GU and 39% for DU patients. In DU patients, the recurrence rates from S1-stage and S2-stage were 49% and 20%, respectively (P = 0.004), but no significant difference was found between these rates in GU patients. The recurrence rates in H. pylori-positive patients before lansoprazole administration were 27% for GU and 43% for DU patients. We concluded that the maintenance therapy with a half-dose of H2RA following PPI therapy was insufficient to prevent recurrences of GU and DU.

Combined tachykinin receptor antagonist: synthesis and stereochemical structure-activity relationships of novel morpholine analogues.

We report herein the synthesis and stereochemical structure-activity relationships of novel morpholine analogues 12 and 13 with regards to NK1, NK2 and NK3 tachykinin receptor binding affinity. An essential requirement for more potent binding affinities was controlled by absolute configuration. (S,R)-12 and (S,R)-13 exhibited high binding affinities for NK1, NK2 and NK3 receptors.

Calcaneus bone mineral density is lower among men and women with lower physical performance.

Fracture risk is influenced by both bone strength and by falls. Measures of physical function and performance are predictors of falls. However, the interrelationships among bone mineral density (BMD), regular physical activity, and measures of physical performance are not well known. We studied 447 community-dwelling Japanese people aged 40 years and over (96 men and 351 women) to examine the association of calcaneus BMD with measures of physical performance (grip strength, walking speed, chair stand, and functional reach) and regular physical activity. Calcaneus BMD decreased with age by approximately 25% in men and 42% in women. Measures of physical performance decreased with age by approximately 30% in both genders, however, performance on the chair stand test declined by approximately 60%. There were only minimal differences in performance measures and calcaneus BMD between people with and those without regular physical activity in both genders, and most differences were not significant. However, there were significant BMD increases of 3-6% per standard deviation (SD) increase in all performance measures for women and a 7% increase in BMD per SD increase in grip strength for men, after adjusting for age. These associations remained after additional adjustment for body mass index and regular physical activity. These findings suggest that bone density and physical function decline markedly in both men and women with age, and that low BMD and poor function tend to occur together, which would increase fracture risk more than either risk factor alone.

Evaluation of kinetic parameters of biochemical reaction in three-phase fluidized bed biofilm reactor for wastewater treatment.

This study evaluates the kinetic parameters of biochemical reaction in three-phase fluidized bed biofilm reactor from the steady state values of the response of the system to step changes in inlet concentration. It was observed from the outlet biological oxygen demand (BOD(5)) plot of the response of the system that as the inlet BOD(5) was increased, the outlet BOD(5) also increased, reached a peak value and then decreased until it leveled to a new steady state value corresponding to the new inlet concentration level. The increase in BOD(5) was attributed to the accumulation of substrate within the reactor as well as the decrease in biofilm substrate consumption rate as the microorganisms adjusted to the new environment. Using the substrate balance at steady state and assuming Monod kinetics, an equation relating the substrate consumption rate to substrate concentration (BOD(5)) and total biofilm surface area had been established. Monod kinetic parameters were found to be K=2.20g/m(2)/day, K(m)=17.41g/m(3) and K/K(m)=0.13m/day. The ratio K/K(m) can be taken as the indicator for biofilm substrate degradation effectiveness at low substrate concentrations.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor arising in benign ancient schwannoma: a case report with an immunohistochemical study.

A rare example of malignant transformation in an ancient schwannoma arising in the right side of the neck of a 51-year-old man without any clinical manifestations suggesting neurofibromatosis is described. The tumor, approximately 4 cm at its largest dimension, was well circumscribed and had a direct connection with the sympathetic nerve. Microscopically, the central portion of the tumor showed features of ancient schwannoma characterized by extensive hyalinization with cystic degeneration, scattered spindle cells with hyperchromatic and tapered nuclei, and some symplastic changes. However, predominantly in the outer portion, a proliferation of spindle-shaped cells with enlarged nuclei was present. The nuclei of these cells showed irregular contours, coarse granular chromatin texture, and conspicuous nucleoli. Mitotic figures and small necrotic foci with scattered apoptotic bodies were also seen. Immunohistochemically, S-100 protein was almost negative in areas consisting of overtly atypical cells where the mitotic index evaluated with MIB-1 antibody was 30.5%. In contrast, S-100-positive bland spindle cells were scattered in an extensively hyalinized area with a labeling index less than 3%. P53 protein was strongly positive in atypical spindle cells. Although it is a very uncommon event, definite nuclear atypia, frequent mitotic figures, and the existence of small necrotic foci should be recognized as indicating a diagnosis of malignant degeneration of benign schwannoma. Immunohistochemistry would be useful as an ancillary technique in such a setting.

Knowledge and attitudes toward AIDS among female college students in Nagasaki, Japan.

This study assesses knowledge and attitudes concerning HIV infection and individuals with AIDS among 383 female students attending colleges in Nagasaki, Japan. A structured questionnaire containing questions concerning knowledge about AIDS, sources of information, beliefs and attitudes toward people with HIV/AIDS was administered during sessions set up for that purpose. The mean age of participants was 18.8 +/- 0.8 years (+/- SD). The main source of information for AIDS awareness as reported by the students was the mass media. Good knowledge about AIDS was positively associated with ease of acceptance of living in the same house with a person diagnosed with AIDS [odds ratio (OR): 1.90; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-3.38]. However, residing at home (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.42-0.98) and involvement in nurse education programmes (OR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.37-0.95) showed a negative association. Students demonstrated a high level of knowledge concerning AIDS and HIV, but had considerable misconceptions and prejudices about people having HIV/AIDS. Our results suggest that a more appropriate education programme in colleges in Japan may be necessary to reduce the discrepancy between general knowledge and desirable attitude regarding HIV/AIDS.