Identification of a strong genetic risk factor for major depressive disorder in the human virome.

The heritability of major depressive disorder (MDD) is reportedly 30-50%. However, the genetic basis of its heritability remains unknown. Within SITH-1, a risk factor for MDD in human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B), we discovered a gene polymorphism with a large odds ratio for an association with MDD. It was a sequence whose number of repeats was inversely correlated with SITH-1 expression. This number was significantly lower in MDD patients. Rates for 17 or fewer repeats of the sequence were 67.9% for MDD and 28.6% for normal controls, with an odds ratio of 5.28. For patients with 17 or less repeats, the rate for presence of another MDD patient in their families was 47.4%, whereas there were no MDD patients in the families of patients with more than 17 repeats. Since HHV-6B is transmitted primarily mother to child and within families and persists for life, this gene polymorphism could potentially influence heritability of MDD.

Intratracheal administration of cross-linked water-soluble acrylic acid polymer is associated with inducible bronchi-related lymphoid tissue formation and allergic inflammation.

In a Japanese chemical factory, lung diseases such as pneumoconiosis have been reported among workers handling cross-linked water-soluble acrylic acid polymers (CWAAP). Our previous study reported that a single intratracheal administration of CWAAP induces acute inflammation and fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the effects of multiple intratracheal administrations of CWAAP on inflammatory responses and pulmonary fibrosis along with inducible bronchus-associated lymphoid tissues (iBALT) formation, which is involved in allergic inflammation. Male F344 rats (190-200 g) received single or multiple intratracheal administrations of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or CWAAP. To assess inflammatory responses and pulmonary fibrosis, immunohistochemical and histological staining was performed. CD68, CD163, CD169, TGF-ß, and collagen I positive cells/areas in the lungs of the CWAAP-group rats were significantly increased than those in the PBS group. Furthermore, the number of iBALT structures, CD4 + T cells, along with CD19, PAX5, IL-4, GATA-3, T-bet, and IgE-positive cells in the terminal bronchioles and blood vessels of the lungs were significantly increased in the CWAAP group. Moreover, pulmonary fibrosis, iBALT formation, and levels of specific IgG were significantly increased in rats who received multiple intratracheal administrations of CWAAP compared to those with single intratracheal administration. Multiple intratracheal administrations of CWAAP potentiated the classical fibrotic pathway (M2 macrophage-TGF-ß-collagen I) more potently than single intratracheal administration. Furthermore, it was possible that iBALT was formed around terminal bronchioles and blood vessels and the number of immune cells was increased, resulting in enhanced allergic inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis.

Relationship between human herpesvirus 6 infection and inflammatory bowel disease using novel biomarker.

Objective: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is closely related to stress and fatigue. Human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) is reactivated by stress and fatigue and is associated with IBD. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between IBD and HHV-6B. Methods: Antibody titers to SITH-1, a protein specific to HHV-6B latent infection, were measured in 163 patients with IBD (107 with ulcerative colitis [UC] and 56 with Crohn's disease [CD]); clinical and endoscopic scores and depression scores of UC and CD were analyzed to examine the relationship between SITH-1 and IBD. The SITH-1 cut-off value was set as 1.96, according to known reports. Results: In patients with UC, C-reactive protein (CRP) level was significantly higher (1.5 vs 0.6 mg/L, P = 0.006) and disease exacerbation within 6 months after entry was significantly more common in the SITH-1 (+) group (20% vs 0%, P < 0.001). In the subanalysis comparing with and without UC exacerbation, the optimal cut-off value for SITH-1 to detect UC exacerbation was 3.44 (area under the curve: 0.81; 95% confidence interval: 0.72-0.90). CRP levels, SITH-1 levels, and disease activity scores by the clinical or endoscopic index were significantly higher in the exacerbation group than in the non-exacerbation group (2.6 vs 0.9 mg/L, P = 0.03; 4.90 vs 1.71, P < 0.001; 4 vs 3, P = 0.03; 5 vs 3, P = 0.02; respectively). Conclusion: Patients with UC with high titers of SITH-1 have high disease activity and frequent disease exacerbation. SITH-1 can be associated with UC disease activity.

Formal and informal help-seeking intentions/behaviors among students and workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Students and workers have been subjected to increased levels of psychological distress due to the quarantine policy and containment measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. This scoping review aimed to present an overview of published evidence regarding formal and informal help-seeking intentions/behaviors for non-mental health-related issues as well as mental health-related issues among students and workers during the pandemic. METHODS: In June 2022, we searched MEDLINE, APA PsycNet, and CINAHL for articles reporting the state of help-seeking intentions/behaviors among students and workers during the pandemic. Peer-reviewed original articles published in English were selected. RESULTS: In total, 150 articles were identified, and 12 articles were selected for final analysis after removing articles that met the exclusion criteria. Three studies targeted university students, and nine targeted healthcare workers. Study settings were restricted to Western countries and China. Of the 12 studies, 11 were observational and predominantly cross-sectional studies. Two longitudinal studies using student samples suggested that university students became more reluctant to seek help from both formal and informal sources during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before, despite the increased need for support during the pandemic. Among healthcare workers, the proportions of those who sought help from formal sources in person were low (7-26%), even among those with mental health issues, despite the increase in the need for mental health services. One randomized controlled study reported that a brief video-based intervention increased treatment-seeking intentions among healthcare workers in the intervention group compared with the non-intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: The present review revealed that, although most studies included in the final analysis were cross-sectional, intentions/behaviors to seek help from both formal and informal sources decreased among university students, even those with mental health issues. Among healthcare workers, while the frequency of help-seeking from formal sources in person was low, a brief online intervention was suggested to be useful for promoting help-seeking from formal sources. During public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, system and infrastructure development of online help-seeking services could potentially promote formal and informal help-seeking intentions/behaviors for diverse issues, including non-mental health-related issues, among university students and healthcare workers/providers.

Loss of social independence in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2: a follow-up study using a national registry in Japan.

BACKGROUND: For patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), maintaining an independent state of living is important. The present study aimed to examine the loss of social independence (i.e., a status that patients can work and go to school) and its contributing factors in patients with NF2 using data from a national registry in Japan. METHODS: This longitudinal study used a registry database containing information on patients with NF2 who had submitted initial claims to receive medical expense subsidies between 2004 and 2010. Patients with "employed," "studying," and "housekeeping" categories were classified as "socially independent." Patients who were socially independent at baseline were followed-up for up to nine years. The primary outcome of the present study was the loss of social independence during the follow-up period, which was defined as the change in status from being socially independent to socially dependent. First, we examined longitudinal associations between demographic variables and neurological symptoms at baseline and the loss of social independence. Second, we examined whether the occurrence of neurological symptoms is associated with a loss of social independence in patients. RESULTS: A total of 156 patients were included in the present study. During the follow-up period, 37 (23.7%) patients experienced a loss of social independence. In the first analysis, the multivariate logistic regression model showed that the loss of social independence was significantly more frequent among patients with spinal dysfunction than among patients without. In the second analysis, logistic regression analyses showed that neurological symptoms, including bilateral hearing loss, facial nerve palsy, cerebellar dysfunction, decreased facial sensation, speech dysfunction (dysphagia/dysarthria and aphasia), double vision, blindness, hemiparesis, and seizures, were significantly associated with loss of social independence. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of various neurological symptoms of NF2 can hinder social independence in the long term. Medical service providers need to observe patients while considering the risks, and provide appropriate support to address neurological symptoms that can restrict social independence, as this will lead to maintaining social engagement.

[Provision of information about and changes in help-seeking intentions for balancing medical treatment and job content among employees of small- and medium-sized companies: Focusing on cooperative work climate].

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to examine the association between a cooperative work climate and a positive attitude toward seeking help from others and the change in help-seeking intentions for balancing medical treatment and job (BTJ) before and after providing information about the support system to employees of small- and medium-sized companies. METHODS: In October 2021, we conducted an online survey among 3,200 full-time employees aged 20-64 years who worked in small- and medium-sized companies, had no experience of work restriction due to illness, and did not know the contents of the support system for BTJ in Japan. First, as a condition of "before information provision," respondents were asked to imagine a situation in which they suffered from cancer or stroke and their doctor indicated that it would be difficult for them to work regularly and, subsequently, were asked about their help-seeking intentions for BTJ under such circumstances. Next, as a condition of "after information provision," they were shown a leaflet on the support system for BTJ in Japan and asked about their help-seeking intentions for BTJ again. A binomial logistic regression analysis was conducted with help-seeking intentions for BTJ as the dependent variable. RESULTS: In total, 2,531 respondents (79.7%) indicated that they would seek help for BTJ both before and after receiving information. In logistic regression analyses, help-seeking intentions for BTJ were more frequently reported when there was a strong cooperative climate and a precedent for support in the workplace. Among participants who indicated that they would not seek help for BTJ before receiving information, those who worked in a company with 50-299 employees and experienced a cooperative climate and/or a precedent of support in the workplace demonstrated significantly more changes in their responses that they would seek help for BTJ after receiving information. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 80% of employees in small- and medium-sized companies indicated that they would seek help for BTJ both before and after receiving information. In employees who had a cooperative climate and had a precedent of support regarding BTJ in their workplace, there was a significant change in the response that they would seek help for BTJ after receiving information. These findings suggest that workplace environmental factors such as a cooperative work climate and supported cases regarding BTJ may increase the usefulness of information provision on BTJ and help-seeking intentions for BTJ among employees working for small businesses.

[Allergy and immunotoxicology in preventive and clinical medicine from theory to practice: Occupational allergy and isocyanate-induced asthma].

Genetic and environmental factors and their interactions cause diseases and deteriorate health (Genetic and Environmental Interaction). Exposure to environmental factors plays a major role in the deterioration of health in the workplace.Occupational asthma (OA) is a common disorder in the workplace. Approaches to OA are well described and discussed in "Japanese Guideline for Diagnosis and Management of Occupational Allergic Diseases" by the Japanese Society of Occupational and Environmental Allergy. According to the guideline, OA and work-aggravated asthma comprise work-related asthma, and OA can be further divided into two disease entities: sensitizer-induced OA and irritant-induced OA. The guidelines also describe diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for OA. Since a definitive diagnosis of OA requires a comprehensive decision based on a detailed interview on clinical symptoms related to employment status and clinical tests, including inhalation tests of suspected substances as needed, the possibility of OA should be considered as the first step toward diagnosis of the patient. Otherwise, OA may not be diagnosed. Therapeutic strategies include exposure avoidance, environmental arrangements in the workplace, utilization of social resources for workers, and conventional pharmacotherapy for asthma.Artificially synthesized small compounds are used in various industries and can cause allergies. For example, isocyanates are small compounds in the -NCO group, which have been toxicologically studied. It was later shown that isocyanate could cause various nontoxic adverse health effects, including allergic reactions. Since small agents with low molecular weights bind to proteins, detecting their specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies targeting small compounds is generally difficult. In contrast, isocyanate-specific IgE antibodies are detectable in individuals with isocyanate allergies.Suspecting OA is essential in cases exposed to newly synthesized compounds, or to those that are already known but applied to new uses, which can be better understood and predicted by studying the health effects of isocyanates.Academic interest in various issues related to allergies, immunology, and toxicology in the workplace includes clinical medicine, epidemiology, and epigenetics related to environmental exposure. Further advanced research in these areas is necessary and promising.

Development of a rating scale for measuring resistance to persuasive health messages.

BACKGROUND: Pretesting is the key to understanding how the intended audience will react to the message. Resistant reactions affect message processing or can lead to undesirable boomerang effects. The objective of this study was to develop a rating scale for measuring active (reactance) and passive (disengagement) resistance to persuasive health messages. METHODS: Six candidate items (3 items for disengagement and 3 items for reactance) were generated based on literature review. A web-based survey was conducted among Japanese adults aged 25-64 years to verify the reliability and validity of the 6-item resistance scale. Participants were asked to rate one of the advance care planning (ACP) promotion messages. All scale items were scored on a 1-to-5 point Likert scale and they were averaged to produce the resistance score. RESULTS: Explanatory factor analysis revealed a two-factor solution that agreed with the disengagement and reactance domains, respectively. Correlation coefficients between each set of items ranged between 0.30-0.69. Cronbach alpha (0.86) indicated satisfactory internal consistency of the set of items. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit of the two-factor model with CFI = 0.998, SRMR = 0.011, and RMSEA = 0.041. The resistance score showed a moderate positive correlation with negative emotional responses (displeasure γ = 0.55, anger γ = 0.53) and was significantly inversely related to the persuasiveness score (γ = -0.50). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio for ACP intention per 1-point increase in the resistance score was 0.47 (95% confidence interval 0.40-0.56) with adjustment for the persuasiveness score. CONCLUSION: The 6-item resistance scale exhibited adequate reliability and validity for measuring audience resistance when applied to the ACP promotion messages in Japanese people. The scale will be useful for pretesting health messages to make them more acceptable to the intended audience. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable; this is not a report of intervention trial.

Degradation of SARS-CoV-2 specific ribonucleic acid in samples for nucleic acid amplification detection.

The degradation of SARS-CoV-2 specific ribonucleic acid (RNA) was investigated by a numerical modeling approach based on nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) results utilizing the SmartAmp technique. The precision of the measurement was verified by the relative standard deviation (RSD) of repeated measurements at each calibration point. The precision and detection limits were found to be 6% RSD (seven repeated measurements) and 94 copies/tube, respectively, at the lowest calibration point. RNA degradation curves obtained from NAAT data on four different temperatures were in good agreement with the first-order reaction model. By referring to rate constants derived from the results, the Arrhenius model was applied to predict RNA degradation behavior. If the initial RNA concentration was high enough, such as in samples taken from infected bodies, the NAAT results were expected to be positive during testing. On the other hand, if initial RNA concentrations were relatively low, such as RNA in residual viruses on environmental surfaces, special attention should be paid to avoid false-negative results. The results obtained in this study provide a practical guide for RNA sample management in the NAAT of non-human samples.

Effectiveness of interleukin-4 administration or zinc supplementation in improving zinc deficiency-associated thymic atrophy and fatty degeneration and in normalizing T cell maturation process.

Nutritional zinc deficiency induces thymic atrophy, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of thymic atrophy and fatty degeneration associated with zinc deficiency and its effect on T cell maturation. Building on previous research demonstrating the beneficial effect of IL-4 administration or zinc supplementation on the spleen in zinc-deficient rats, we further examined whether these supplements also improve thymic atrophy. Five-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a standard diet, zinc-deficient diet (n = 16 each) with either saline or IL-4, or a zinc-deficient diet for 6 weeks followed by a standard diet for 4 weeks. Relative thymus weights, serum thymulin concentrations, and the number of cytokeratin-8-positive cells, AIRE-positive cells, IL-7-positive cells, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, pre-T cells, and CD25+ CD44+ (DN3) cells in the thymus of zinc-deficient rats significantly decreased compared with those in all other groups. Conversely, PPAR-γ-positive cells, oil red O-positive areas, pro T cells, CD25- CD44+ cells, TUNEL-positive cells, Viobility 405/452 Fixable Dye-positive cells, CD68-, CD163- or CD169- macrophages, and IL-1ß concentrations were significantly increased in the thymus of zinc-deficient rats as compared to those in the other groups. After IL-4 administration or zinc supplementation for zinc deficiency, all the measurement indices were recovered to levels in standard rats. It was demonstrated that zinc deficiency caused thymic atrophy, accompanied by fatty degeneration in the cortical regions and affected T cell maturation. IL-4 administration or zinc supplementation for zinc deficiency ameliorated thymic fatty degeneration.

Increased Health Risk in Office Workers in the COVID-19 Era: Comparison of One-Year Incidence of Health Problems Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the incidence of health problems increases during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Using the health examination data (April 2018-March 2021) of Japanese workers aged 15 to 64 years, the 1-year incidence of five health problems (overweight, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, and liver damage) and four unhealthy habits (snacking, heavy drinking, physical inactivity, and sleep deprivation) were compared before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: The 1-year incidence of overweight, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and liver damage increased by 15% to 65% during the COVID-19 pandemic. Increased weight gain, related to decrease physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, was significantly associated with increased incidence of health problems. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic have deteriorated workers' health even without the COVID-19 infection. Lifestyle interventions should be promptly started particularly targeting workers with gained weight to avoid more serious consequences.

Personality Traits, Media Exposure, and Deterioration of Psychological Wellbeing in Japan During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

ABSTRACT: This study examined the associations among personality traits, media exposure regarding COVID-19, and deterioration of mental wellbeing among the public in Japan. We conducted a cross-sectional Web-based questionnaire survey among 8000 Japanese men and women aged 25 to 64 years. Approximately half of participants reported deterioration of mental wellbeing. Nearly 20% of participants reported "constant/excessive" exposure to media information regarding COVID-19. As compared with those with low "extraversion" and "less frequent" exposure to media information about COVID-19, those with high "extraversion" and "more frequent" media exposure reported significantly less deterioration of mental wellbeing. In addition, as compared with those with low "neuroticism" and media exposure, those with high "neuroticism" and "constant/excessive" exposure to COVID-19-related information significantly more frequently reported deterioration of mental wellbeing. Under the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19, measures for the promotion and maintenance of mental wellbeing should be implemented considering the interaction between personality traits and media exposure.

[Enhancement of the balance between medical treatments and job content among employees working for small- and medium-sized companies: Focusing on cooperative organizational culture and workers' attitudes toward help-seeking].

OBJECTIVES: We examined factors regarding help-seeking intentions in terms of the balance between treatment and job content among Japanese employees working for small- and medium-sized enterprises. In doing so, we focused upon a cooperative organizational culture and workers' attitudes toward seeking help from others. METHODS: We conducted a web-based survey on cooperative organizational culture, workers' attitudes toward help-seeking, and job-related factors via a representative sample of Japanese employees in terms of industry and company size. Participants included 3,286 full-time employees aged 20-64 years who had not had a history of sick leave beyond one month or health-related work restrictions. After they were provided a leaflet regarding the balance between treatment and job content - as advocated by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare - participants were asked to answer their intention of help-seeking in an imaginary situation where they had been diagnosed as having a severe physical illness. We conducted multivariate logistic regression analysis using cooperative organizational culture and workers' attitudes toward help-seeking as explanatory variables, and the intention of help-seeking as the dependent variable, adjusted for relevant job-related and demographic variables. RESULTS: Approximately 75% of participants reported an active intention to seek help regarding the balance between treatment and job content. Those who reported the highest levels of cooperative organizational culture revealed the intention of seeking out help significantly more frequently than those who reported the lowest levels of cooperative organizational culture in the workplace (odds ratio: 1.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.1-1.9). Similarly, those with the highest attitude reported help-seeking intentions significantly more frequently (odds ratio: 1.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.1-1.7). Other job-related factors - such as the presence/absence of consultation desks or occupational health staff - were also significantly associated with the intention to seek help. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that an increase in awareness of the system regarding the balance between treatment and job content may enhance workers' intention to seek help regarding their health-related issues. After the adjustment of relevant job-related factors, cooperative organizational culture and workers' attitudes toward help-seeking were significantly associated with the intention to seek help. For those who are passive in seeking help regarding their health-related issues despite their awareness of the support system, the enhancement of a cooperative organizational culture, along with a positive attitude toward help-seeking via workplace improvement programs and in-company training, may promote the intention of help-seeking among employees working for small- and medium-sized companies.

Synergistic association of the copper/zinc ratio under inflammatory conditions with diabetic kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes: The Asahi Diabetes Complications Study.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: We aimed to study the relationships among the copper (Cu)/zinc (Zn) ratio, inflammatory biomarkers, and the prevalence of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 651 patients with type 2 diabetes. DKD was defined as a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio of ≥30 mg/g creatinine and/or an estimated glomerular filtration rate using cystatin C of < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 . Areas under the curves (AUCs), cutoff values, and thresholds for detecting DKD were determined for the Cu/Zn ratio, soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptor 1 (sTNFαR1), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Patients were categorized by each cutoff value of sTNFαR1 and the Cu/Zn ratio. Odds ratios (ORs) and biological interactions for the prevalence of DKD were determined. RESULTS: DKD was identified in 220 patients. AUC/optimal cutoff values were 0.777/1300 pg/mL for sTNFαR1, 0.603/1.1648 for the Cu/Zn ratio, and 0.582/305 ng/mL for hsCRP. The ORs for DKD were higher, but not significantly, in the sTNFαR1 < 1300 and Cu/Zn ≥ 1.1648 group, significantly higher in the sTNFαR1 ≥ 1300 and Cu/Zn < 1.1648 group (P < 0.0001), and further synergistically elevated in the sTNFαR1 ≥ 1300 and Cu/Zn ≥ 1.1648 group (P < 0.0001) compared with the sTNFαR1 < 1300 and Cu/Zn < 1.1648 group after multivariable adjustment. Levels of sTNFαR1 were significantly higher in the sTNFαR1 ≥ 1300 and Cu/Zn ≥ 1.1648 group than in the sTNFαR1 ≥ 1300 and Cu/Zn < 1.1648 group (P = 0.0006). CONCLUSIONS: Under an inflammatory initiation signal of elevated serum sTNFαR1 levels, an increase in the Cu/Zn ratio may further exacerbate inflammation and is synergistically associated with a high prevalence of DKD in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Prognostic value of immune factors in the tumor microenvironment of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Both activated tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and immune-suppressive cells, such as regulatory T cells (Tregs), in the tumor microenvironment (TME) play an important role in the prognosis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). METHODS: The densities of TILs, programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) + T cells, and forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) + T cells were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. The associations of the immunological status of the PDAC microenvironment with overall survival (OS) time and disease-free survival (DFS) time were evaluated. RESULTS: PDAC patients with a high density of TILs in the TME or PD-1-positive T cells in tertiary lymphoid aggregates (TLAs) demonstrated a significantly better prognosis than those with a low density of TILs or PD-1-negativity, respectively. Moreover, PDAC patients with high levels of Foxp3-expressing T cells showed a worse prognosis than those with low levels of Foxp3-expressing T cells. Importantly, even with a high density of the TILs in TME or PD-1-positive T cells in TLAs, PDAC patients with high levels of Foxp3-expressing T cells showed a worse prognosis than patients with low levels of Foxp3-expressing T cells. A PDAC TME with a high density of TILs/high PD-1 positivity/low Foxp3 expression was an independent predictive marker associated with superior prognosis. CONCLUSION: Combined assessment of TILs, PD-1+ cells, and Foxp3+ T cells in the TME may predict the prognosis of PDAC patients following surgical resection.

Impact of overtime working and social interaction on the deterioration of mental well-being among full-time workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: Focusing on social isolation by household composition.

OBJECTIVES: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has forced many employees to alter both their work style and lifestyle. This study aimed to examine how the combination of changes in overtime working hours and social interaction affects the full-time employees' mental well-being, focusing on the difference in household composition. METHODS: In November 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional Internet survey that included 4388 Japanese men and women aged 25-64 years, who continued the same full-time job during the pandemic. We performed a logistic regression analysis using a combination of the changes in overtime working hours and social interaction as an independent variable, and the presence/absence of deterioration of mental well-being as the dependent variable. RESULTS: Overall, 44% of participants reported the deterioration of mental well-being compared to before the outbreak. The multivariate analysis revealed that the participants coded as "increased overtime/decreased interaction" were significantly associated with the deterioration of mental well-being compared to those with "unchanged overtime/unchanged interaction" (odds ratio [OR] 2.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.59-2.89). Moreover, this association was relatively stronger among single-person households (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.50-4.69). CONCLUSIONS: The negative combination of increasing overtime working hours and decreasing social interaction may have an impact on the deterioration of mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this association was comparably strong among single-person households. In the pandemic, it is necessary to pay close attention to both overtime working hours and the presence of social interaction to address the mental well-being among employees.

Photometric Screening of Tetrabromobisphenol A in Resin Using Iron(III) Nitrate/Hexacyanoferrate(III) Mixture as a Colorimetric Reagent.

This study aims to provide a simple way to identify the possibility of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) present in polymers without the need for complicated separation with expensive equipment. Since the presence of phenolic hydroxyl groups is known to be identifiable by the reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ in a ferric coloring reagent, the possibility of TBBPA being present in a polymer can be screened by a photometric measurement. A mixed solution of iron(III) nitrate and potassium hexacyanide(III) acid was used as a ferric coloring reagent. With this method, the concentration of TBBPA can be estimated from the photometric absorbance corresponding to the depth of the blue color produced by reduction of the ferric reagent in the presence of Fe(NO3)3. The limit of detection (LOD) was determined to be approximately 2 mg/kg using the Student's t-test (99% confidence), and a reproducibility of approximately 3% was determined by the relative standard deviation (RSD) from measurements of calibration samples (n = 7). Furthermore, TBBPA in actual polymer samples was screened without the need for any complex processing steps. Because this colorimetric method measures TBBPA by detecting phenolic groups, it may overestimate the TBBPA concentration in the presence of other similar phenolic substances. Nonetheless, this simple colorimetric method should help to quickly identify the presence of TBBPA in various polymers.

Changes in health status, workload, and lifestyle after starting the COVID-19 pandemic: a web-based survey of Japanese men and women.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the change in health status of the general public after starting the COVID-19 pandemic and its association with changes in workload and lifestyle. METHODS: A web-based survey was conducted in November 2020, about 9 months after starting the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, among 8000 Japanese men and women aged 25-64 years. Participants asked for the changes after starting the COVID-19 pandemic in health status, workload, daily life, and health behavior. Ordinal logistic regression was performed to elucidate factors associated with deterioration in general health status. RESULTS: A deterioration in general health status was reported by 17.0% of male and 19.4% of female. There has been a clear shift to sedentary life with decreasing moderate activity and increasing screen time. The multivariate analysis revealed that deteriorated work style, increased burden of housework, decreased moderate activity, increased digital media exposure, and increased body weight were significantly associated with deteriorating health status. CONCLUSION: Both men and women have experienced significant changes in workload and lifestyle since the COVID-19 pandemic started. People should be aware of the risks associated with their recent life changes and take self-care measures to prevent serious health consequences.

Single intratracheal administration of cross-linked water-soluble acrylic acid polymer causes acute alveolo-interstitial inflammation and the subsequent fibrotic formation possibly via the TGF-ß1 pathway in the lung of rats.

In a Japanese chemical factory, a lung disease like pneumoconiosis appeared at a high rate among workers handling cross-linked water-soluble acrylic acid polymer (CWAAP). To our knowledge, no such case was known in the world until very recently. The present study was designed to elucidate the effect of single intratracheal CWAAP instillation on the lung of rats. The CWAAP group had a significant increase in relative lung weight accompanied by a significant elevation in the number of total cells, total protein concentrations, and myeloperoxidase concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid when compared to the control group. The histopathological study revealed acute lung inflammation with the destruction of alveoli. The factors promoting fibrosis, macrophages, TGF-ß1, collagen and fibronectin vs. the factors suppressing fibrosis, matrix metalloproteinases were more powerfully driven in the CWAAP group, resultantly leading to fibrotic formation. In turn, we examined if acute lung inflammation and the subsequent fibrotic formation seen in the CWAAP group appeared in the other water-soluble polymer groups. Their histopathological findings were observed only in the polyacrylic acid sodium (PAAS), a monomer of CWAAP, group. The degree of inflammation and fibrogenesis was stronger in the CWAAP group than in the PAAS group. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the induction of acute lung inflammation and the subsequent fibrotic formation by single intratracheal CWAAP instillation. The structural features of CWAAP that contains many carboxyl groups and cross-linked chains may be responsible for enhanced inflammation and fibrogenesis in the lung.