Unwillingness to cooperate with COVID-19 contact tracing in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: Contact tracing for COVID-19 relies heavily on the cooperation of individuals with authorities to provide information of contact persons. However, few studies have clarified willingness to cooperate and motivation to provide information for contact tracing. This study sought to describe willingness to cooperate and motivation to report contact persons for COVID-19 contact tracing among citizens in Japan, and to assess any associated sociodemographic factors. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: This was an online-based survey using quota sampling. Participants were asked about their willingness to cooperate in reporting contacts for COVID-19 contact tracing if they tested positive. Participants also responded to questions regarding their reasons for cooperating or not cooperating and provided sociodemographic data. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to clarify associations between sociodemographic factors and willingness to cooperate. RESULTS: This study included 2844 participants. The proportion of participants who were not willing to cooperate in reporting contacts was 27.6%, with their main reasons being concerns about causing trouble for the other person and being criticised for revealing their names. Willingness to cooperate was lower among men, young adults and those with an educational level less than a university degree. CONCLUSIONS: To improve the effectiveness of contact tracing, educational campaigns, such as reducing the fear and stigma associated with COVID-19, may be important. Furthermore, it is essential to understand that individuals may have contacts whom they do not wish to disclose to others and to be considerate when handling such situations.

Resistance exercise enhances cognitive function in mouse.

Physical exercise has been shown to increase adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus and to enhance synaptic plasticity. It has been demonstrated that these neuroprotective effects can be observed following aerobic exercise. However, it remains unknown whether plasticity molecules, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB), are expressed in the hippocampus following resistance exercise. We applied voluntary progressive-resistance wheel exercise (RE) for 14 days, and measured BDNF and CREB in the hippocampus. The Morris water maze was also performed to estimate learning and memory. Furthermore, we measured RE effects on mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and 70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) mediating muscle protein synthesis in the soleus. As a result, we found that RE enhanced cognition and elevated BDNF and CREB expressions in the hippocampus. Also, RE activated the mTOR-p70S6K signaling pathway in the soleus. We found that phosphorylated mTOR and p70S6K were significantly positively correlated with BDNF expression. Our results indicated that resistance exercise drove the protein synthesis signaling pathway in the soleus and enhanced hippocampal synaptic plasticity-related molecules. These results suggest the beneficial effects of resistance exercise on cognitive function.

The frequencies of diabetic complications in elderly non-insulin dependent diabetic patients in Himeji.

Data on 746 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) were collected from the Internal Medical Association in Himeji by questionnaire, and the patients were divided into six groups according to the duration of illness. Frequencies of various complications according to the duration of illness and risk factors of complications were compared between men and women. Although the number of male patients was 417, significantly more than the 329 female patients, many female patients were elderly, and the age at initial onset was about 10 years older than that of the male patients. Fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c levels increased with the duration of illness. The female patients showed a greater tendency to suffer from hypertension, hyperlipidemia and obesity than the male patients. There was positive correlation between the incidence of complications and duration of illness. This tendency was more marked in the female patients than in the male patients. Both male and female patients showed a tendency for microangiopathy to appear earlier than macroangiopathy. The increase in the frequency of complications accompanying the increase in the duration of illness was more marked for microangiopathy than for macroangiopathy.

Effects of shift work on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and its variability among Japanese workers.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the effects of rotating shift work on blood pressure in a comparison of ambulatory blood pressure and long-term changes in blood pressure between shift and day workers. METHODS: Ambulatory blood pressure was measured for 24-hour periods at an interval of 30 minutes for 27 shift workers and 26 day workers when they worked during the day. Blood pressure was compared between these 2 groups of workers for 4 time categories (awake, sleep, nonwork awake, and work periods). Their long-term blood pressures, recorded in annual surveys, were reviewed for long-term changes. These comparisons were adjusted for the effects of body mass index, alcohol intake, anger expression, and physical activity. RESULTS: On the average, sleep time was shorter and the anger-in (ie, anger suppressed) score was higher for the shift workers than for the day workers, but body mass index and alcohol intake did not differ between the 2 groups. Even after adjustment for these co-variables, the mean systolic blood pressure during the 24-hour, awake, and work periods were higher among the shift workers than among the day workers. The 24-hour standard deviations of the systolic blood pressures were also higher for the shift workers than for the day workers. Among the shift workers, but not among the day workers, a significant long-term increase was observed in systolic blood pressure measured in the annual surveys. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that shift work may increase systolic blood pressure levels among Japanese men.

The prevalence of diabetic complication of elderly diabetics in Himeji.

Diabetes mellitus has recently markedly increased among elderly patient's diseases. There are no recent epidemiological reports on the relative number of male and female diabetic patients. So, an epidemiological study was performed on 746 Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus patients, whose data were obtained from members of the Himeji Internal Medicine Association, divided into six groups according to sex and duration of illness. The following results were obtained. 1) The number of male patients was greater by about 20% than that of female patients, while elderly patients accounted for a larger proportion, nd age at onset of disease was about ten years higher in female than in male patients. 2) All indicators of diabetes mellitus became worse with longer duration of illness. 3) There was a correlation between the prevalence of complications and the duration of illness: The prevalence of complications increased in parallel with increasing duration of illness, and this tendency was more marked in female than in male patients. 4) Female patients had a more marked tendency to develop hypertension, hyperlipidemia and obesity than male patients. 5) Microangiopathy generally manifested itself earlier than macroangiopathy, and the increase in the prevalence of angiopathy in accordance with prolonged duration of illness was more marked for microangiopathy than for macroangiopathy. Clinical features of Japanese diabetics are found to be similar to those of Europeans, especially dominant in females. This might be due to the changing life style in japan.

Relation of the stages of change for exercise behaviors, self-efficacy, decisional-balance, and diet-related psycho-behavioral factors in young Japanese women.

BACKGROUND: A large proportion of young Japanese women is inactive. Exercise has important health benefits, however, abnormal weight/eating concerns and excessive dieting practices among physically active young women also have been reported in many cross-sectional studies. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between stages of change for exercise behaviors and exercise/dieting related psycho-behavioral factors using the Transtheoretical Model of behavior change as a theoretical framework. METHODS: A cross-sectional study included 450 young Japanese women aged 18 to 21 (18.4+/-0.67 years). Subjects in precontemplation (n=111, 24.7%), contemplation (n=120, 26.7%), preparation (n=177, 39.3%), action (n=17, 3.8%), and maintenance (n=25, 5.6%) were compared on physique, body composition, current exercise practices, exercise self-efficacy, decisional balance (benefits and costs exercise), as well as dieting behaviors and weight/eating concerns. RESULTS: Stages of change for exercise behaviors were significantly related to exercise self-efficacy and perceived benefits as well as to dieting behaviors and weight/eating concerns. Subjects in the higher stages had higher self-efficacy, perceived benefits of exercise, and healthy dieting behaviors; however, some of them also had unhealthier dietary practices, higher phobia of obesity and obsession with eating than those in lower stages. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide support for applying the transtheoretical model of exercise behavioral change to Japanese young women. Additionally, it is also important to pay attention to stage specific psycho-behavioral factors related to their dieting.

A clinical trial of removal of bilirubin in blood by Evaflux-2A.

We performed both free and albumin-bound bilirubin removal therapy using the Evaflux-2A and evaluated its clinical effects. The removal rates of total bilirubin in the first and second sessions were 31.4%, and 31.0%, respectively. Our clinical data suggested that plasma exchange using Evaflux-2A and an albumin-added electrolyte solution as the substitute fluid was useful in the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia.

Clinical reports on plasma exchange in the Kidney Center, Tokai University School of Medicine.

There were 72 patients (19 with hepatic failure, 10 with fulminant hepatitis, eight with paraquat poisoning, eight with rheumatoid arthritis, five with myasthenia gravis, four with hyperlipidemia, four with systemic arteriosclerosis including brain infarction, three with pemphigus vulgaris, two with multiple myeloma, two with systemic lupus erythematosus, two cases non-specific Ig-G antibody, two cases medication with an anticancer drug, one with multiple sclerosis, one with Crohn's disease with amyloid kidney and one with chronic myeloblastic leukemia) treated by plasma exchange in the Kidney Center, Tokai University School of Medicine from Jan. 1983 to Dec. 1986. We performed plasma exchange using fresh frozen plasma in 40 cases and Lactate-Ringer's solution containing albumin (4.0-5.0%) in 20 cases as the replacement fluid. In 17 cases, we performed double filtration plasma exchange with the recycle system and no replacement fluid. Although PE therapy did not constitute a basic therapy for hyperlipidemia, pemphigus vulgaris, rheumatoid arthritis, myasthenia gravis, and systemic lupus erythematosus, it was effective in relieving severe clinical symptoms. At the present time, conventional plasma exchange does not improve the survival rate of patients with hepatic failure and fulminant hepatitis. Developments of a new artificial liver support apparatus and identity of many toxic substances in hepatic failure are necessary. No hypotension, hypovolemic shock or other significant complications were experienced.

[A case of polycystic kidney with bilateral nephrectomy].

A 56-year-old woman in chronic hemodialysis had been suffering from uncontrollable fever for the past 7 months. Her original disease was diagnosed as familial polycystic kidney and three of her five brothers were found to have the same disease. Her chromosome was 46,XX,21P+ and laboratory examination revealed severe anemia, malnutrition, liver dysfunction, pyuria and candidiasis of urine. Abdominal echogram and CT scan revealed polycystic kidneys and multiple liver cysts. She was admitted to our hospital and was diagnosed as having pyelonephritis of the right kidney. As her condition was not improved by conservative therapy right nephrectomy was performed. One month later, spiking fever and left tenderness reappeared. Those symptoms could not be controlled by conservative therapy and left nephrectomy was performed again. Pathological examination on nephrectomized kidneys showed interstitial nephritis, hyaline degeneration and proliferative change of glomeruli, microabscess, colloid of tubules and calcification of parts of Henle's loops. Nephrectomy has been performed in 1.6 to 10.0% of polycystic kidneys due to references since 1952. Eight of the 22 polycystic kidneys (36.3%) seen at our hospital during the past 10 years have been removed.

[Renal failure in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria].

UNLABELLED: Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare, acquired hemolytic disorder characterized by a membrane abnormality of red cells, and characterized by two major clinical features of gross hemoglobinuria and diffuse venous thrombosis. In Japan, the present report records the first case of acute renal failure complicating PNH with treated by hemodialysis and was almost completely reversible. CASE: A 41 year-old woman was admitted for high fever (39.8 degrees C), dyspnea and clinical signs of a respiratory infection. She was started on Cefotax 1,000 mg 3 times daily. She subsequently developed acute renal failure and which treated by hemodialysis and was almost completely reversible. Following treatment of her renal failure, respiratory infection and anemia, she initially made good progress and was discharged.

[Periodical blood pressure variation during cardiopulmonary bypass--effects of cervicothoracic epidural anesthesia and phentolamine].

We studied the effects of cervicothoracic epidural anesthesia or intravenous phentolamine on periodical blood pressure variation during cardiopulmonary bypass in 12 adult patients undergoing open heart surgery under fentanyl anesthesia. Spontaneous periodical fluctuation of the blood pressure was analyzed by means of autoregressive power spectrum method. Amplitudes of the low frequency (0.02-0.15 Hz) component of the blood pressure variation amplitudes were calculated. The amplitudes decreased significantly 10 minutes after cervicothoracic epidural block with 15 ml of 2% lidocaine solution (P < 0.05), and after infusion of 0.4 mg.kg-1 of phentolamine (P < 0.05). Since amplitudes of the blood pressure variation were reduced by adequate epidural block or phentolamine, they are likely to reflect sympathetic vasomotor activity.

[Study on changes in plasma platinum concentrations after administration of CDDP to maintenance hemodialysis patients].

Changes in plasma platinum concentration after administration of CDDP were studied in six patients on maintenance hemodialysis with malignancies. Plasma exchange was carried out on three patients for the purpose of plasmapheresis. A therapeutic dose of 51 mg/m2 of CDDP was administered to each patient without any severe adverse reactions. Plasma platinum concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and the decay curve of the agent showed a biphasic pattern with an initial steep alpha phase and an ensuing mild beta phase in both hemodialysis patients and normal controls. As these patterns showed no renal excretion of CDDP, it was suggested that the uptake of CDDP into tissue was one of the main causes of the steep alpha phase. In patients given plasma exchange one or two hours after the beginning of CDDP administration, the reduction rates of plasma platinum were 74.7-61.7%, but the collection rate of the agent in the exchanged plasma was only 22.2-7.5%. These results indicated that the uptake of CDDP into tissue might occur rapidly within a few hours after CDDP administration.

Serum ghrelin levels are higher in Caucasian men than Japanese men aged 40-49 years.

BACKGROUND: Ghrelin, a 28-amino-acid gastric peptide hormone, has an appetite-stimulating effect and controls the energy balance. Serum ghrelin levels inversely correlate with body mass index. Recently, several papers reported the ethnic difference in the ghrelin levels. To our knowledge, however, no studies have compared the serum ghrelin levels between Caucasians in the USA and the Japanese in Japan. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 189 men 40-49 years of age (91 US Caucasians in the U.S. and 98 Japanese in Japan) to examine serum ghrelin levels and metabolic and other factors. RESULTS: Serum ghrelin levels correlated with waist circumferences and lipid profiles among Caucasian Americans and the Japanese. Serum ghrelin levels were significantly higher among Caucasian Americans than among the Japanese (904.5 (632.0, 1132.0) pg/mL, 508.0 (399.0, 1378.3) pg/mL (median and 95% confidence interval), respectively, P < 0.01), although Caucasian Americans were much more obese (BMI: 26.9 +/- 3.3 kg/m(2) versus 23.3 +/- 3.1 kg/m(2) respectively, P < 0.01). The ethnic difference remained after adjusting for metabolic factors, smoking status, and other factors (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We have shown in our population-based study that serum ghrelin levels among men aged 40-49 are significantly higher in Caucasian Americans than in the Japanese in Japan. Reasons for the ethnic difference in the ghrelin levels are largely unknown and warrant further investigation.