RESUMEN
Western Pacific Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Parkinsonism-dementia Complex (ALS/PDC) is a disappearing neurodegenerative disease in three former high-incidence foci of the U.S. territory of Guam, Papua-Indonesia (New Guinea) and Kii Peninsula, Honshu Island, Japan (Muro disease). We report additional data that associate medicinal use of cycad seed to Muro disease in the southern Kozagawa focus of ALS/PDC. In the other two ALS/PDC-affected populations, cycad seed was used as a traditional topical medicine in New Guinea and Guam and, additionally, for food on Guam.
RESUMEN
Western Pacific Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Parkinsonism-dementia Complex (ALS/PDC) is a disappearing neurodegenerative disease in three former high-incidence foci of Guam-USA, Papua-Indonesia and Kii Peninsula, Honshu Island, Japan. The latter includes two distinct ALS/PDC-affected regions (Hohara and Kozagawa), where the disorder is known as Muro disease. In Hohara, oral exposure to plant (cycad) neurotoxins used in traditional medical practice has been linked previously to Muro disease. We report new observations that link Kampo medicine to Muro disease in the southern Kozagawa focus. Oral exposure to cycad seed toxins is associated with all three foci of Western Pacific ALS/PDC.
RESUMEN
The purpose of this study was to chronicle the experiences of teenage girls who stay downtown late at night and are involved in sexual exploitation, and to clarify characteristics of their social circumstances and social determinants of health: socioeconomic status and educational opportunities. Between November 2009 and June 2013, we spoke with 89 adolescents who were loitering late at night in downtown Nagoya, Japan. We focused our research efforts on a case series of 22 girls who were 14-19 years of age and were involved in sexual exploitation. Semi-structured interviews were performed with the use of a questionnaire on the girls' sexual and mental health, families, school life, living conditions, and future aspirations. Along with the questionnaires, we analyzed case series interviews with a qualitative approach (narratives-under-analysis by in-depth understanding in context). Nine girls worked in the sex industry, while thirteen were independent sex workers. Our observations included child maltreatment, unstable families, distressing school life, insufficient education, and inappropriate relationships with gangs and similar organizations. Moreover, an illegal sex market was linked with these gang associations. Despite their severe living conditions, most of them hoped to have happy families someday. To provide support to this vulnerable population and support their life aspirations, improvement of public health, social welfare, education, and school health systems should be considered carefully.