Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

INTRODUCTION: We developed a virtual reality (VR) education system and evaluated its clinical utility for promoting hand hygiene practices. METHODS: This prospective, two-week, randomised controlled study conducted at Okayama University Hospital, Japan, from November 2023 to January 2024, involved 22 participants (18 medical students and four residents). A fully immersive 360° VR system (VIVE Pro Eye) using a head-mounted display and sensing gloves was used to develop three healthcare tasks in a virtual patient room-Environmental Cleaning, Gauze Exchange, and Urine Collection. After monitoring all participants' baseline usage data of portable hand-rubbing alcohol in the first week, we randomly assigned them into 1:1 groups (VR training and video lecture groups). The primary outcome was differences in hand-rubbed alcohol use before and after intervention. RESULTS: Before the intervention, alcohol use did not significantly differ between both groups. After the intervention, a significant increase in alcohol use was observed in the VR training group (median: 8.2 g vs. 16.2 g; p=0.019) but not in the video lecture group. CONCLUSION: Our immersive 360° VR education system enhanced hand hygiene practices. Infection prevention and control practitioners and digital technology experts must collaborate to advance the development of superior educational devices and content.

DOI： 10.1016/j.ajic.2024.08.003

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Orthostatic intolerance (OI) is a key symptom of long COVID; however, the pathophysiology remains unknown. Among 688 long COVID patients who visited our clinic during the period from February 2021 to April 2023, 86 patients who were suspected of having OI and who underwent an active standing test (ST) were investigated to elucidate the clinical characteristics of OI in patients with long COVID. Of the 86 patients, 33 patients (38%) were ST-positive. Nausea and tachycardia in daily life were frequent complaints in the ST-positive group. The increase in heart rate (HR) during the ST was significantly greater during a 10-min period after standing in the ST-positive group (+ 30 bpm) than in the ST-negative group (+ 16 bpm). The initial increase in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) just after standing was significantly greater in the ST-positive group (+ 14 mmHg) than in the ST-negative group (+ 9 mmHg). Serum cortisol levels in the ST-positive patients aged over 20 years were higher and growth hormone levels in the patients under 20 years of age were lower than those in the ST-negative group. Autonomous nervous symptoms, transient DBP rise with increasing HR after standing, and endocrine dysfunctions are helpful for detecting OI related to long COVID.

DOI： 10.1038/s41598-024-67815-y

PubMed

researchmap

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Objective General fatigue is one of the most frequent chief complaints in primary care, and an accurate assessment of fatigue has a direct impact on a patient's quality of life and treatment decisions. The Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), a measure of general fatigue, is useful for assessing fatigue in diverse cultures and diseases. However, there has been no study showing the reliability and validity of the scale in the Japanese context. The present study assessed the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the FAS. Methods This study was conducted on 649 patients with long COVID who had a high frequency of general fatigue. To test the structural validity of the FAS, the patients were randomly divided into two groups: one in which an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted and one in which a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted. Cronbach's alpha was calculated to assess internal consistency reliability. Results As 58 patients had missing values, we analyzed the data of 591 patients. The EFA led to an FAS comprising two factors. The CFA showed an acceptable fit for this two-factor model. The internal consistency was found to be good (Cronbach's alpha =0.89). Conclusion This study verified the structural validity and internal consistency and reliability of the Japanese version of the FAS. The results indicate that the Japanese version of the FAS is useful for assessing general fatigue in patients with long COVID in Japan.

DOI： 10.2169/internalmedicine.4101-24

PubMed

researchmap

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Background/Objectives: Among various carbapenemases, New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamases (NDMs) are recognized as the most powerful type capable of hydrolyzing all beta-lactam antibiotics, often conferring multi-drug resistance to the microorganism. The objective of this review is to synthesize current scientific data on NDM inhibitors to facilitate the development of future therapeutics for challenging-to-treat pathogens. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Extension for Scoping Reviews, we conducted a MEDLINE search for articles with relevant keywords from the beginning of 2009 to December 2022. We employed various generic terms to encompass all the literature ever published on potential NDM inhibitors. Results: Out of the 1760 articles identified through the database search, 91 met the eligibility criteria and were included in our analysis. The fractional inhibitory concentration index was assessed using the checkerboard assay for 47 compounds in 37 articles, which included 8 compounds already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States. Time-killing curve assays (14 studies, 25%), kinetic assays (15 studies, 40.5%), molecular investigations (25 studies, 67.6%), in vivo studies (14 studies, 37.8%), and toxicity assays (13 studies, 35.1%) were also conducted to strengthen the laboratory-level evidence of the potential inhibitors. None of them appeared to have been applied to human infections. Conclusions: Ongoing research efforts have identified several potential NDM inhibitors; however, there are currently no clinically applicable drugs. To address this, we must foster interdisciplinary and multifaceted collaborations by broadening our own horizons.

DOI： 10.3390/jcm13144199

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Purpose: The present study aimed to clarify the effects of a hyperglycemic condition on the clinical consequences of long COVID. Methods: Among 643 patients who visited the outpatient clinic of our hospital from February 2021 to September 2023, long COVID patients were classified into a hyperglycemic (HG) group with casual blood glucose levels above 140 mg/dL and a normoglycemic (NG) group. The patients' backgrounds, clinical symptoms, health status including the QOL evaluation scale (EQ-5D-5L), self-rating depression scale (SDS), and F-scale questionnaire (FSSG), blood test data, and recovery periods were analyzed. Results: The NG group included 607 patients with long COVID and the HG group included 36 patients with long COVID. Patients in the HG group were older than those in the NG group (55 vs. 41 years; p < 0.001) and included a larger percentage of males (67% vs. 44%; p = 0.009). The HG group had a larger percentage of patients with moderate-to-severe conditions in the acute infection phase (28% vs. 12%; p = 0.008), a higher BMI (25 vs. 22 kg/m2; p < 0.001), higher blood pressure (138/81 vs. 122/72 mmHg; p < 0.001), and a larger percentage of patients with an alcohol drinking habit (53% vs. 34%; p = 0.031). Long COVID symptoms and self-rated scales were not differed between the two groups; however, the laboratory data showed that liver and renal functions and metabolic data were significantly worse in the HG group. Although there was no apparent difference between the two groups in duration from the infection to the first visit, the HG group had a significantly longer period of recovery from long COVID (median period of 421 vs. 294 days; p = 0.019). Conclusion: A hyperglycemic state associated with other lifestyle-related diseases is associated with the prolongation of recovery from long COVID.

DOI： 10.3390/jcm13144099

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Purpose: The present study aimed to uncover the impact of long COVID on the working situations of Japanese patients. Methods: Changes in the working situations of the patients who visited our long COVID clinic were evaluated from medical records for the aspects of physical status, quality of life (QOL), and mental conditions. Results: Of 846 long COVID patients who visited our clinic from February 2021 to December 2023, 545 employed patients aged between 18 and 65 years were included in this study. A total of 295 patients (54.1%) with long COVID (median age: 43 years, female: 55.6%) experienced changes in their working status. Those patients included 220 patients (40.4%) who took a leave of absence, 53 patients (9.7%) who retired, and 22 patients (4%) with reduced working hours. Most of the patients (93.2%) with changes in working conditions had mild disease severity in the acute phase of COVID-19. The majority of those patients with mild disease severity (58.8%) were infected in the Omicron-variant phase and included 65.3% of the female patients. The major symptoms in long COVID patients who had changes in their working situations were fatigue, insomnia, headache, and dyspnea. Scores indicating fatigue and QOL were worsened in long COVID patients who had changes in their working situations. In addition, 63.7% of the long COVID patients with changes in their working situations had decreases in their incomes. Conclusions: Changes in the working situation of long COVID patients who were employed had a negative impact on the maintenance of their QOL.

DOI： 10.3390/jcm13133809

PubMed

researchmap

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：JMIR Publications Inc.  

Abstract

Background

The persistence of diagnostic errors, despite advances in medical knowledge and diagnostics, highlights the importance of understanding atypical disease presentations and their contribution to mortality and morbidity. Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative pre-trained transformers like GPT-4, holds promise for improving diagnostic accuracy, but requires further exploration in handling atypical presentations.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of ChatGPT in generating differential diagnoses for atypical presentations of common diseases, with a focus on the model’s reliance on patient history during the diagnostic process.

Methods

We used 25 clinical vignettes from the Journal of Generalist Medicine characterizing atypical manifestations of common diseases. Two general medicine physicians categorized the cases based on atypicality. ChatGPT was then used to generate differential diagnoses based on the clinical information provided. The concordance between AI-generated and final diagnoses was measured, with a focus on the top-ranked disease (top 1) and the top 5 differential diagnoses (top 5).

Results

ChatGPT’s diagnostic accuracy decreased with an increase in atypical presentation. For category 1 (C1) cases, the concordance rates were 17% (n=1) for the top 1 and 67% (n=4) for the top 5. Categories 3 (C3) and 4 (C4) showed a 0% concordance for top 1 and markedly lower rates for the top 5, indicating difficulties in handling highly atypical cases. The χ² test revealed no significant difference in the top 1 differential diagnosis accuracy between less atypical (C1+C2) and more atypical (C3+C4) groups (χ²₁=2.07; n=25; P=.13). However, a significant difference was found in the top 5 analyses, with less atypical cases showing higher accuracy (χ²₁=4.01; n=25; P=.048).

Conclusions

ChatGPT-4 demonstrates potential as an auxiliary tool for diagnosing typical and mildly atypical presentations of common diseases. However, its performance declines with greater atypicality. The study findings underscore the need for AI systems to encompass a broader range of linguistic capabilities, cultural understanding, and diverse clinical scenarios to improve diagnostic utility in real-world settings.

DOI： 10.2196/58758

researchmap

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

PURPOSE: Ureaplasma urealyticum is a rare pathogen associated with septic arthritis that predominantly affects patients with hypogammaglobulinemia. Bacterial identification of fastidious organisms is challenging because they are undetectable by routine culture testing. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of septic arthritis induced by U. urealyticum infection in Japan. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe the case of a 23-year-old Japanese female with secondary hypogammaglobulinemia (serum immunoglobulin level < 500 mg/dL), identified 8 years after treatment with rituximab. The patient presented with persistent fever and polyarthritis that were unresponsive to ceftriaxone and prednisolone. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography and gallium-67 scintigraphy revealed effusion and inflammation in the left sternoclavicular, hip, wrist, knee, and ankle joints. Although Gram staining and bacterial culture of the drainage fluid from the left hip joint were negative, the condition exhibited characteristics of purulent bacterial infection. The patient underwent empirical treatment with doxycycline, and her symptoms promptly resolved. Subsequent 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing of the joint fluid confirmed the presence of U. urealyticum, leading to the diagnosis of septic arthritis. Combination therapy with doxycycline and azithromycin yielded a favorable recovery from the inflammatory status and severe arthritic pain. CONCLUSION: This case highlights U. urealyticum as a potential causative agent of disseminated septic arthritis, particularly in patients with hypogammaglobulinaemia. The 16S rRNA gene analysis proved beneficial for identifying pathogens in culture-negative specimens, such as synovial fluid, in suspected bacterial infections.

DOI： 10.1007/s15010-024-02301-1

PubMed

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本検査血液学会  

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Wiley  

Key Clinical Message

We present a patient with hypertension who developed a rare type of incidentaloma, a benign adrenal cyst. Benign adrenal cysts are typically large; however, most are nonfunctioning and asymptomatic, and they can be managed conservatively.

DOI： 10.1002/ccr3.8914

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：Japanese   Publisher：The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases  

The effectiveness of interventions by senior resident physicians to optimize blood culture examinations has rarely been reported. We compared the results of blood culture examinations performed before and after an intervention, which consisted of 1) holding a study session on blood culture, 2) informing the monthly contamination rate, 3) feeding back the blood culture results to the doctor who ordered the test, and 4) distributing the institutional manual. After the intervention, the contamination rate decreased from 7.7% to 2.4%, and the proportion of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated decreased from 34.6% to 15.9%. Additional laboratory testing and antibiotic administration were ordered in 4 patients (30.8%) with suspected contamination. To reduce blood culture contamination, a multifaceted educational approach is essential. Our report highlights the fact that educational activities by senior residents could play a considerable role in promoting the optimization of blood culture examinations.

DOI： 10.11150/kansenshogakuzasshi.e23034

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

BACKGROUND: We aimed to improve the prognosis, treatment, and management of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) by evaluating the association between adherence to quality indicators (QIs) and clinical outcomes in patients with their clinical outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively collected clinical and microbiological data on hospitalized patients with SAB from 14 hospitals (three with >  600, two with 401-600, five with 201-400, and four with ≤ 200 beds) in Japan from January to December 2022. The SAB management quality was evaluated using the SAB-QI score (ranging from 0 to 13 points), which consists of 13 QIs (grouped into five categories) based on previous literature. RESULTS: Of the 4,448 positive blood culture episodes, 289 patients with SAB (6.5%) were enrolled. The SAB-QI scores ranged from 3 to 13, with a median score of 9 points. The SAB-QI score was highest in middle-sized hospitals with 401-600 beds. Adherence to each of the four QI categories (blood culture, echocardiography, source control, and antibiotic treatment) was significantly higher in survived cases than in fatal cases. Kaplan-Meier curves with log-rank tests demonstrated that higher adherence to SAB-QIs indicated a better prognosis. Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, methicillin resistance, multiple comorbidities (≥ 2), and low SAB-QI score were significantly associated with 30-day mortality in patients with SAB. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights that greater adherence to the SAB-QIs correlates with improved patient outcomes. Management of patients with SAB should follow these recommended indicators to maintain the quality of care, especially for patients with poor prognosticators.

DOI： 10.1007/s15010-024-02284-z

PubMed

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(株)医学書院  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本皮膚科学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English  

DOI： 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2024.107182

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本臨床衛生検査技師会  

当院の検査部門は2007年7月にISO15189の認定を取得した。これまでISO15189の認定を維持管理してきたなかで,内部監査での機材管理に関連する不適合数が減少しないことが問題となった。そこで,機材管理を簡便かつ適切に行える機材管理システムの開発を行った。当院の医療用端末にインストールされているMicrosoft Accessを用いてリレーショナルデータベース(RDB)を独自に構築し,それに付属するVisual Basic for Applications(VBA)を用いてアプリケーション開発を行った。RDB構築にあたってISO15189の要求事項を過不足なく管理できることを意識し,なおかつ変更履歴を容易に確認できるようにするため一部のテーブルでは世代管理の仕組みを取り入れた。構築した機材管理システムは2019年6月から運用開始し,これまで複数回のバージョンアップを繰り返しながら稼動している。内部監査での機材管理に関連する不適合数では,機材管理システムを導入する以前の2013年度では13件あった不適合数が導入後の2022年度では7件まで減少した。機材管理システムを導入したことにより適切に機材管理できるようになったと考えられる。また,独自に開発したシステムであるためバグ修正や機能追加が容易であり,要求事項を満たし,かつ今の検査室にとって適切なシステムを維持しやすいと考えられた。(著者抄録)

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本糖尿病学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本糖尿病学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本糖尿病学会  

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English  

Although hiccups are regularly self-limited and rarely life-threatening, prolonged hiccups are bothersome, which can significantly decrease the quality of life. Here, we report a case of persistent hiccups coexisting with an enlarging liver cyst situated just below the diaphragm in a patient with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). No other underlying etiologies related to the symptoms were suspected. The cyst was difficult to drain surgically and the patient continued with symptomatic treatment. Although rare, hepatic cysts should be considered a potential cause of prolonged hiccups in patients with ADPKD. We emphasize the significance of systematically excluding potential etiologies that cause prolonged hiccups and considering appropriate therapeutic interventions.

DOI： 10.7759/cureus.58278

PubMed

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本糖尿病学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Publisher：JMIR Publications Inc.  

BACKGROUND<p>Medical interviewing is a critical skill in clinical practice, yet opportunities for practical training are limited in Japanese medical schools, necessitating urgent measures. Given advancements in AI technology, its application in the medical field is expanding. However, reports on its application in medical interviews in medical education are scarce.</p> OBJECTIVE<p>This study aimed to investigate whether medical students' interview skills could be improved by engaging with AI-simulated patients using large language models (LLMs), including the provision of feedback.</p> METHODS<p>A simulation program using LLMs was provided to 35 fourth-year medical students in Japan in 2023. As a control group, 110 fourth-year medical students from 2022 who did not participate in the intervention were selected. The primary outcome was the score on the pre-Clinical Clerkship Objective Structured Clinical Examination (pre-CC OSCE), a national standardized clinical skills examination, in medical interviewing. Secondary outcomes included surveys such as Simulation-Based Training Quality Assurance Tool (SBT-QA10).</p> RESULTS<p>The AI intervention group showed significantly higher scores on medical interviews than the control group (AI group vs. control group: median 28.0 vs. 27.0, p = 0.01). There was a trend of inverse correlation between the SBT-QA10 and pre-CC OSCE scores (regression coefficient -2.0 to -2.1). No significant safety concerns were observed.</p> CONCLUSIONS<p>Education through medical interviews using AI-simulated patients has demonstrated safety and a certain level of educational effectiveness, suggesting promising prospects for multifaceted applications in the field of medical education.</p>

DOI： 10.2196/preprints.58753

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Escherichia coli-associated native-valve infective endocarditis is a rare disease that affects elderly patients with underlying risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, malignancy, and renal failure. Long-term use of calcium polystyrene sulfonate is a potential risk factor for gastrointestinal mucosal damage or even colorectal ulcers. Herein, we describe a fatal case of a 66-year-old Japanese man with diabetes mellitus and renal failure who was prescribed calcium polystyrene sulfonate (CPS) for 11 years and developed a CPS-induced rectal ulcer, leading to E. coli native-valve infective endocarditis. The patient was admitted to our hospital due to acute-onset impaired consciousness. As a result of the systemic investigation, he was diagnosed with E. coli bacteremia accompanied by multiple cerebral infarctions and an acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcer. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed a 20-mm vegetative structure on the mitral valve, resulting in a final diagnosis of E. coli-associated infective endocarditis. After rectal resection, mitral valve replacement surgery was performed; however, the patient died shortly after surgery. Pathological findings of the resected rectum showed deposition of a basophilic crystalline material suggesting the presence of CPS. Our case highlights the potential risk of colorectal ulcers in a long-term CPS user, which can trigger bacterial translocation and endocarditis as fatal complications.

DOI： 10.1007/s12328-024-01949-4

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Wiley  

DOI： 10.1002/jgf2.687

researchmap

Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

INTRODUCTION: Various risk factors for developing severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported. However, studies on the nutritional-related risk factors are limited. In this study, we investigated the effects of serum zinc deficiency on the severity of COVID-19. METHODS: The study included a total of 60 COVID-19 patients who were admitted to Tsuyama Chuo Hospital between March 2020 and April 2021. We divided the patients into two categories based on serum levels of zinc (normal and latent zinc deficiency vs. zinc deficiency [<60 μg/dL]) at the time of diagnosis. Severity of COVID-19 was defined as the most exaggerated disease status during admission. The associations between serum zinc deficiency and the severity of COVID-19 were examined using a logistic regression model adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Patients who required oxygen therapy had a higher prevalence of comorbidities and poorer nutritional status, including zinc deficiency, than those who did not require oxygen therapy. Zinc deficiency was associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 severity, with an adjusted odds ratio of 7.29 (95% confidence interval: 1.70-31.18). This result remained significant in the sensitivity analyses conducted after adjusting for patient background factors. CONCLUSIONS: Zinc deficiency at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis is an independent risk factor for severe disease. Our findings need to be validated in external studies.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jiac.2024.03.007

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Determination of long COVID requires ruling out alternative diagnoses, but there has been no report on the features of alternative diagnoses. This study was a single-center retrospective study of outpatients who visited our clinic between February 2021 and June 2023 that was carried out to determine the characteristics of alternative diagnoses in patients with post-COVID-19 symptoms. In a total of 731 patients, 50 patients (6.8%) were newly diagnosed with 52 diseases requiring medical intervention, and 16 (32%) of those 50 patients (2.2% of the total) were considered to have priority for treatment of the newly diagnosed disorders over long COVID treatment. The proportion of patients with a new diagnosis increased with advance of age, with 15.7% of the patients aged 60 years or older having a new diagnosis. Endocrine and metabolic diseases and hematological and respiratory diseases were the most common, being detected in eight patients (16%) each. Although 35 of the 52 diseases (67%) were related to their symptoms, endocrine and metabolic diseases were the least associated with specific symptoms. Other disorders that require attention were found especially in elderly patients with symptomatic long COVID. Thus, appropriate assessment and differentiation from alternative diagnoses are necessary for managing long COVID.

DOI： 10.1038/s41598-024-55526-3

PubMed

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(株)医学書院  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本循環器学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

BACKGROUND: In patients with relapsed or refractory B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia or B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (r/r B-ALL/B-NHL) with low CD3+ cells in the peripheral blood (PB), sufficient CD3+ cell yield in a single day may not be obtained with normal-volume leukapheresis (NVL). Large-volume leukapheresis (LVL) refers to the processing of more than three times the total blood volume (TBV) in a single session for PB apheresis; however, the efficiency and safety of LVL for manufacturing of tisagenlecleucel (tisa-cel) remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the tolerability of LVL. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected data on LVL (≥3-fold TBV) and NVL (<3-fold TBV) performed for patients with r/r B-ALL/B-NHL in our institution during November 2019 and September 2023. All procedures were performed using a continuous mononuclear cell collection (cMNC) protocol with the Spectra Optia. RESULTS: Although pre-apheresis CD3+ cells in the PB were significantly lower in LVL procedures (900 vs. 348/μL, p < .01), all patients could obtain sufficient CD3+ cell yield in a single day with a comparably successful rate of final products (including out-of-specification) between the two groups (97.2% vs. 100.0%, p = 1.00). The incidence and severity of citrate toxicity (no patients with grade ≥ 3) during procedures was not significantly different between the two groups (22.2% vs. 26.1%, p = .43) and no patient discontinued leukapheresis due to any complications. CONCLUSION: LVL procedures using Spectra Optia cMNC protocol was well tolerated and did not affect the manufacturing of tisa-cel.

DOI： 10.1111/trf.17765

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Wiley  

Key Clinical Message

We present a patient catheterized for prostatic lesions who developed sepsis of urinary origin with a penile cavernosal abscess due to urethral injury caused by catheter ballooning. Urethral injury might lead to a life‐threatening penile abscess.

DOI： 10.1002/ccr3.8534

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Background: Functional hyperthermia (FH) is characterized by hyperthermia resulting from sympathetic hyperactivity rather than inflammation, and it is frequently overlooked by medical practitioners due to the absence of abnormalities in a medical examination. Although FH is an important differential diagnosis for fever of unknown origin (FUO), the literature on FUO cases in Japan lacks information on FH. In this study, we aimed to uncover the population of FH patients hidden in FUO cases. Methods: An outpatient clinic for FUO was established at Okayama University Hospital, and 132 patients were examined during the period from May 2019 to February 2022. Results: A diagnosis of FH was made in 31.1% of the FUO cases, and FH predominantly affected individuals in their third and fourth decades of life with a higher incidence in females (68.3%). The frequency of a history of psychiatric illness was higher in patients with FH than in patients with other febrile illnesses. Although the C-reactive protein (CRP) is generally negative in FH cases, some obese patients, with a body mass index ≥ 25 had slightly elevated levels of CRP but were diagnosed with FH. Conclusions: The results showed the importance of identifying FH when encountering patients with FUO without any organic etiology.

DOI： 10.3390/jcm13030889

PubMed

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(株)羊土社  

(1)診療情報提供書の記載は入院診療と退院後をつなぐ,最も重要な診療業務の1つ!(2)わかりやすく端的に,かつ読み手へのハートも大切にした内容と文面を意識しよう!(3)入院したときから退院調整ははじまっている!(著者抄録)

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(株)日本医事新報社  

[1]はじめに・いわゆる「新型コロナ後遺症」にいまだ多くの患者が苦しみ,わが国を含む世界的な社会問題となっている。[2]呼称と定義・「新型コロナ後遺症」などの用語の定義は,医学的には統一されていない。・NIHの「PASC」,WHOの「PCC」という用語には定義が定められ,2023年には診断基準案の提案もなされた。[3]コロナ・アフターケア外来とは・罹患後慢性期にかけての症状の遷延に対し,専門外来であるコロナ・アフターケア(CAC)外来を開設した。・1日1～2人の新規患者を受け入れ,800人以上の患者を対面診療してきた。[4]疫学・CAC外来へは,デルタ株流行時に感染者の約1.5%,オミクロン株では感染者の0.1%程度が受診となった。・CAC外来の受診患者は若干女性が多く,30～50歳代が60%,10歳代など若年者が14%だが,70歳代以上の受診は比較的少ない。・オミクロン株に感染したと思われる症例では,95%の患者で急性期は軽症であったが,後遺症は残っている。[5]症状・症状は多彩であるが,倦怠感・易疲労感が最多で,ブレインフォグは,特にオミクロン株で増加していた。[6]病態とメカニズム・感染後の炎症と免疫応答,自己免疫反応,血栓・血管内皮障害,腸内細菌叢変化,自律神経・内分泌障害,ウイルス残存など,種々の仮説がある。・抑うつ指数,FT4,倦怠感スケール,血中コルチゾール値の間に正の相関がみられる。・捲怠感や味覚・嗅覚障害を随伴する患者では,それぞれ成長ホルモン低値,FT4高値,コルチゾール低値の傾向がある。[7]治療とマネジメント・漢方薬の処方のほか,亜鉛補充,急性期の抗ウイルス薬やメトホルミンの処方にも,一定の効果が認められる。・総合診療的なアプローチで,全人的なケアを心がけている。[8]今後の課題・終診とできるまでに日数を要するほか,対応可能な医師・施設も不足している。(著者抄録)

researchmap

Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Orexins are neuronal peptides that play a prominent role in sleep behavior and feeding behavior in the central nervous system, though their receptors also exist in peripheral organs, including the adrenal gland. In this study, the effects of orexins on catecholamine synthesis in the rat adrenomedullary cell line PC12 were investigated by focusing on their interaction with the adrenomedullary bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-4. Orexin A treatment reduced the mRNA levels of key enzymes for catecholamine synthesis, including tyrosine hydroxylase (Th), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanie decarboxylase (Ddc) and dopamine β-hydroxylase (Dbh), in a concentration-dependent manner. On the other hand, treatment with BMP-4 suppressed the expression of Th and Ddc but enhanced that of Dbh with or without co-treatment with orexin A. Of note, orexin A augmented BMP-receptor signaling detected by the phosphorylation of Smad1/5/9 through the suppression of inhibitory Smad6/7 and the upregulation of BMP type-II receptor (BMPRII). Furthermore, treatment with BMP-4 upregulated the mRNA levels of OX1R in PC12 cells. Collectively, the results indicate that orexin and BMP-4 suppress adrenomedullary catecholamine synthesis by mutually upregulating the pathway of each other in adrenomedullary cells.

DOI： 10.3390/ijms25031585

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcus species can cause severe disseminated infections in immunocompromised hosts. This study investigated the epidemiological features and trends in disseminated cryptococcosis in Japan. METHODS: We used publicly available Infectious Diseases Weekly Reports to obtain data on the incidence of disseminated cryptococcosis in Japan from 2015 to 2021. Patient information, including age, sex, and regional and seasonal data, were extracted. The Joinpoint regression program was used to determine the age-adjusted incidence rate (AAR) per 100,000 population, annual percentage change (APC), and average APC (AAPC). RESULTS: A total of 1047 cases of disseminated cryptococcosis were reported, of which those aged ≥ 70 years accounted for 68.8%. The AAR in men was significantly higher than that in women (median: 0.13 vs. 0.09: p = 0.0024). APC for the overall cases increased by 9.9% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] - 5.4-27.7) from 2015 to 2018 and then decreased by 3.3% (95% CI - 15.5-10.7) from 2018 to 2021. AAPC for the entire study period was 3.1% (95% CI - 1.5-8.0), indicating a possible increase in its number, although not statistically significant. In terms of regional distribution, the average AAR was highest in Shikoku District (0.17) and lowest in Hokkaido District (0.04). Northern Japan exhibited a significantly lower median AAR (median [interquartile range]: 0.06 [0.05, 0.08]) than the Eastern (0.12 [0.12, 0.13]), Western (0.11 [0.10, 0.13]), and Southern (0.14 [0.12, 0.15]) regions. No seasonal variation in incidence was observed. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of disseminated cryptococcosis has not increased in Japan. Geographically, the incidence is lower in Northern Japan. Further investigations that incorporate detailed clinical data are required.

DOI： 10.1007/s11046-023-00814-1

PubMed

researchmap

Publisher：株式会社医学書院  

DOI： 10.11477/mf.1429204622

researchmap

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Springer Science and Business Media LLC  

Abstract

Background

The World Health Organization first declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in March 2020 and announced the end of the emergency in May 2023. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted individuals globally, including medical students. Although the COVID-19 pandemic increased online education, it restricted clinical training, extracurricular activities, and interprovincial travel. Therefore, this study aimed to examine whether the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the choice of training hospitals and career paths among 3rd- to 6th-year medical students in Japan.

Methods

We developed a questionnaire comprising 21 multiple-choice and 1 open-ended questions, which was administered anonymously via online platforms. The survey targeted Japanese medical students to obtain insights into their preferences for training hospitals and career paths during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants included 4th- to 6th-year medical students from 51 medical schools in Japan. The survey was conducted through student networks from 8 February 2022 to 20 March 2022.

Results

Overall, 507 medical students participated in the survey, with representation from various academic years as follows: 102 (20.1%), 134 (26.4%), 121 (23.9%), and 150 (29.6%) students from the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th year, respectively. Of these, 338 (66.6%) students reported that the COVID-19 pandemic had influenced their choice of training hospitals. The degree of the influence varied based on the university region and the student year. However, most of the students (473, 93.3%) did not change their course for clinical, basic research, or administrative pathways due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the clinically oriented students, 391 (77.2%) did not change their preferred speciality.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic influenced medical students’ choice of training hospitals. Although many students believed that the pandemic would not change their career choices, our results indicate a potential subconscious trend to avoid internal medicine, which is the speciality most directly involved in treating patients with COVID-19.

DOI： 10.1186/s12909-023-05021-6

researchmap

Other Link： https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12909-023-05021-6/fulltext.html

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： 10.1210/jcemcr/luae011

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

DOI： 10.1016/j.teln.2023.08.004

researchmap

Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author   Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

Authorship：Last author  

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

researchmap

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author  

researchmap

Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) system in the adrenal cortex plays modulatory roles in the control of adrenocortical steroidogenesis. BMP-6 enhances aldosterone production by modulating angiotensin (Ang) II-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, whereas activin regulates the adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)-cAMP cascade in adrenocortical cells. A peripheral clock system in the adrenal cortex was discovered and it has been shown to have functional roles in the adjustment of adrenocortical steroidogenesis by interacting with the BMP system. It was found that follistatin, a binding protein of activin, increased Clock mRNA levels, indicating an endogenous function of activin in the regulation of Clock mRNA expression. Elucidation of the interrelationships among the circadian clock system, the BMP system and adrenocortical steroidogenesis regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis would lead to an understanding of the pathophysiology of adrenal disorders and metabolic disorders and the establishment of better medical treatment from the viewpoint of pharmacokinetics.

DOI： 10.1016/bs.vh.2023.05.002

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

BACKGROUND: In the global aging, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have affected the place of death (PoD) in Japan, where hospital deaths have dominated for decades. We analyzed the PoD trends before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. METHODS: This nationwide observational study used vital statistics based on death certificates from Japan between 1951 and 2021. The proportion of PoD; deaths at home, hospitals, and nursing homes; and annual percentage change (APC) were estimated using joinpoint regression analysis. Analyses were stratified by age groups and causes of death. RESULTS: After 2019, home deaths exhibited upward trends, while hospital death turned into downward trends. By age, no significant trend change was seen in the 0-19 age group, while hospital deaths decreased in the 20-64 age group in 2019. The trend change in home death in the ≥65 age group significantly increased since 2019 with an APC of 12.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.0 to 15.7), while their hospital death trends decreased by -4.0% (95% CI: -4.9 to -3.1) in 2019-2021. By cause of death, home death due to cancer and the old age increased since 2019 with an APC of 29.3% (95% CI: 25.4 to 33.2) and 8.8% (95% CI: 5.5 to 12.2), respectively. CONCLUSION: PoD has shifted from hospital to home during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. The majority of whom were older population with cancer or old age.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0299700

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Serum levels of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I are crucial in the diagnosis and management of GH-related diseases. However, these levels are affected by nutritional and metabolic status. To elucidate the correlations between GH and IGF-I in various conditions, a retrospective analysis was performed for adult patients in which GH levels were examined by general practitioners during the period from January 2019 to December 2021. Of 642 patients, 33 patients were diagnosed with acromegaly, 21 were diagnosed with GH deficiency (GHD), and 588 were diagnosed with non-GH-related diseases (NGRD). In contrast to the positive correlations found between the levels of GH and IGF-I in patients with acromegaly (R=0.50; P<0.001) and patients with GHD (R=0.39; P=0.08), a negative correlation was found in the NGRD group (R=-0.23; P<0.001). In that group, the results of multivariable analysis showed that GH levels were predominantly influenced by gender and body mass index (BMI), whereas IGF-I levels were modulated by albumin in addition to age and GH. Of note, in the NGRD group, there was an enhanced negative correlation between GH and IGF-I under conditions of BMI < 22 and albumin < 4.0 g/dL (R=-0.45; P<0.001), and the negative correlation between GH and IGF-I was reinforced by excluding patients with other pituitary diseases and patients taking oral steroids (R=-0.51; P<0.001 and R=-0.59; P<0.001, respectively). Collectively, the results indicate that attention should be given to the presence of a negative correlation between serum levels of GH and IGF-I, especially in lean and low-nutritious conditions.

DOI： 10.3389/fendo.2024.1381083

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： 10.2147/IJGM.S486733

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

The persistent ascension of childhood obesity on a global scale constitutes a significant quandary. The prevalence of childhood obesity in Japan peaked in the early 2000s and has been reported to have declined since then, but recent data and its trend including the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic era are not available. Moreover, there is a dearth of studies examining the correlation between the trend in childhood obesity and exercise habits over the past decade. This study aims to examine the changes in the prevalence of obesity, physical fitness, and exercise habits over the past 10 years in Japanese children. We investigated the prevalence of childhood obesity in Japan, using the School Health Statistics Survey data from 2012 to 2021. The dataset has a sample size representative of children nationwide and includes variables for obesity, such as height, weight, and age. Data were classified into groups by sex and age (6-8, 9-11, and 12-14 years age). Children weighing 20% or more of the standard body weight are classified as obese. The annual percentage changes and average annual percentage changes were estimated using the joinpoint regression model. We also examined the trends in the physical fitness test score and exercise time. Average annual percentage changes of boys increased, especially in the 6- to 8-year age group (3.4%-4.6%). For girls, average annual percentage changes had increased in 6- to 8-year (2.5%-4.0%) and 9- to 11-year (0.9%-2.2%) age groups. Since the late 2010s, significantly increasing annual percentage changes were observed in 12- to 14-year age boys (6.7%-8.9%) and girls of many age groups (2.6%-8.6%). The physical fitness test score and exercise time showed decreasing trends since the late 2010s. Childhood obesity may have generally risen in Japan, in the last decade. Encouraging healthy eating and physical activity through school policies and curricula is necessary.

DOI： 10.1111/cob.12636

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Springer Science and Business Media LLC  

Abstract

Background

Simulation-based education and peer-assisted learning (PAL) are both known as useful educational methods. Previous research has reported that combining these two methods are effective for training medical residents in short-term evaluation. This study was aimed to evaluate the middle- to long-term effects of simulation-based education combined with PAL on the performance of medical residents during emergency department duties.

Methods

This study was designed as a case-control study and conducted over three years at Okayama University Hospital in Japan. Postgraduate-year-one medical residents were assigned to three groups: a simulation group that received simulation-based education, a lecture group that received traditional lecture-based education, and a control group that received no such prior trainings. Prior training in emergency department duties using PAL was performed as an educational intervention for the simulation and lecture groups during the clinical orientation period. The residents’ medical knowledge was assessed by written examinations before and after the orientation. The performance of residents during their emergency department duties was assessed by self-evaluation questionnaires and objective-assessment checklists, following up with the residents for three months after the orientation period and collecting data on their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd emergency department duties. All the datasets collected were statistically analyzed and compared by their mean values among the three groups.

Results

A total of 75 residents were included in the comparative study: 27 in the simulation group, 24 in the lecture group, and 24 in the control group. The simulation and lecture groups obtained significantly higher written examination scores than the control group. From the self-evaluation questionnaires, the simulation group reported significantly higher satisfaction in their prior training than the lecture group. No significant differences were found in the emergency department performance of the residents among the three groups. However, when evaluating the improvement rate of performance over time, all three groups showed improvement in the subjective evaluation, and only the simulation and lecture groups showed improvement in the objective evaluation.

Conclusion

Simulation-based education combined with PAL is effective in improving the knowledge and satisfaction of medical residents, suggesting the possibility of improving work performance during their emergency department duties.

DOI： 10.1186/s12909-023-04798-w

researchmap

Other Link： https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12909-023-04798-w/fulltext.html

Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：MDPI AG  

Background: Although many adverse reactions after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination have been reported, there have been few comprehensive studies on persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics of patients with various persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was performed for patients who visited a specialized clinic established at Okayama University Hospital to evaluate adverse events after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination during the period from April 2021 to March 2023. Results: Descriptive analysis was performed for 121 of 127 patients who visited the clinic during the study period, and separate analysis was performed for the other 6 patients who had serious complications, who required treatment with prednisolone, and who had persistent symptoms. The median [interquartile range] age of the patients was 48 years [31–64 years], and the patients included 44 males (36.4%) and 77 females (63.6%). The most frequent symptoms were sensory impairment (34 patients, 28.1%), general fatigue (30 patients, 24.8%), fever/low-grade fever (21 patients, 17.4%), and headache (21 patients, 17.4%). Serious complications included myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), sarcoidosis, aseptic meningitis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs), tendon adhesions, and idiopathic thrombocytopenia. Conclusions: Although causal relationships were not determined, 15 persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination were characterized. All of the symptoms had onset from 12 hours to one week after vaccination, with 10 symptoms persisting for 6 months or longer. The most frequent symptom was sensory impairment.

DOI： 10.3390/vaccines11111661

researchmap

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

INTRODUCTION: Individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are at a high risk of hypopituitarism, and should benefit from early diagnosis and management. However, data on awareness, attitudes, and practices of physicians treating hypopituitarism post-TBI/SAH are limited. The objectives of this study were to gain an understanding of the awareness of Japanese neurosurgeons and endocrinologists towards hypopituitarism post-TBI/SAH and the need for pituitary function assessments in these patients; and to assess the practices and perspectives of these specialists on screening patients with this condition. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study was performed that included a Web-based survey of practicing neurosurgeons managing ≥ 1 new patients with TBI/SAH per year or endocrinologists with ≥ 1 new patients per year with a history of TBI/SAH. RESULTS: Of the 316 respondents (201 neurosurgeons [male, 95.5%]; 115 endocrinologists [male, 77.4%]), 75.6% of neurosurgeons and 81.7% of endocrinologists were aware of the probable occurrence of hypopituitarism post-TBI/SAH, and 79% neurosurgeons and 93.8% endocrinologists considered pituitary function impairment after TBI/SAH to be either very important or important. Hypopituitarism after TBI/SAH was recognized as an important concern by both neurosurgeons (79%) and endocrinologists (93.8%). Although many respondents agreed that such patients remain undiagnosed and untreated, pituitary function assessment post-TBI/SAH has only been performed to a limited extent. The awareness that post-TBI/SAH hypopituitarism is often transient and can progress over several weeks or months was lower in neurosurgeons (46.8%) than in endocrinologists (66.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The level of awareness of hypopituitarism post-TBI/SAH was lower among Japanese neurosurgeons than among endocrinologists. Educational programs and detailed guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of hypopituitarism post-TBI/SAH are warranted.

DOI： 10.1007/s40120-023-00553-x

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to elucidate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of patients with long COVID (coronavirus disease 2019), especially focusing on 50% hemolytic complement activity (CH50). METHODS: This retrospective observational study focused on patients who visited Okayama University Hospital (Japan) for the treatment of long COVID between February 2021 and March 2023. CH50 levels were measured using liposome immunometric assay (Autokit CH50 Assay, FUJIFILM Wako Pure Chemical Corporation, Japan); high CH50 was defined as ≥59 U/mL. Univariate analyses assessed differences in the clinical background, long COVID symptoms, inflammatory markers, and clinical scores of patients with normal and high CH50. Logistic regression model investigated the association between high CH50 levels and these factors. RESULTS: Of 659 patients who visited our hospital, 478 patients were included. Of these, 284 (59.4%) patients had high CH50 levels. Poor concentration was significantly more frequent in the high CH50 group (7.2% vs. 13.7%), whereas no differences were observed in other subjective symptoms (fatigue, headache, insomnia, dyspnea, tiredness, and brain fog). Multivariate analysis was performed on factors that could be associated with poor concentration, suggesting a significant relationship to high CH50 levels (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-5.49). Also, high CH50 was significantly associated with brain fog (aOR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.04-2.66). CONCLUSIONS: High CH50 levels were frequently reported in individuals with long COVID, indicating a relationship with brain fog. Future in-depth research should examine the pathological role and causal link between complement immunity and the development of long COVID.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jiac.2023.10.016

PubMed

researchmap

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

BACKGROUND: Large-volume leukapheresis (LVL) refers to processing of more than three volumes of blood in a single session for peripheral blood stem cell collection. Recently, continuous mononuclear cell collection (cMNC) protocol has been developed using the Spectra Optia system, which is a widely used apheresis device. LVL using the novel protocol has been investigated in patients. However, the efficiency and safety of LVL in healthy donors using this protocol has not been characterized. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficiency and tolerability of CD34+ collection of LVL with the cMNC protocol in healthy donors. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected data on LVL (>3 total blood volume) and normal-volume leukapheresis (NVL) performed in healthy donors between October 2019 and December 2021. All procedures were performed using the cMNC protocol. RESULTS: Although pre-apheresis CD34+ cell count was lesser in LVL (23.5 vs. 58.0/μL, p < .001), CD34+ collection efficiency was comparable between LVL and NVL (61.2% vs. 61.4%, p = .966). Platelet loss was significantly higher in LVL compared to NVL (38.0% vs. 29.4%, p < .001), with no correlation between attrition of platelet and processing blood volume. Moreover, the incidence of citrate toxicity during procedures was comparable between the two groups (31.6% vs. 21.4%, p = .322). All LVL procedures could be completed without any adverse events. CONCLUSION: Allogeneic LVL procedure using Spectra Optia cMNC protocol was well tolerated by the donors and resulted in efficient collection of CD34+ cells, which was comparable to that of NVL.

DOI： 10.1111/trf.17563

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author  

DOI： 10.29060/taps.2023-8-4

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

PURPOSE: Invasive fungal infections potentially result in fatal outcomes in immunocompromised hosts. Compared to intravenous administration, a nebulization therapy can achieve a high concentration of drug delivered in the respiratory tract, without a systematic absorption. We herein summarized the study findings on the safety and clinical utility of nebulized liposomal amphotericin B therapy. METHODS: According to the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews, we performed a search on MEDLINE and EMBASE for articles with relevant keywords, including "inhaled liposomal amphotericin B″, "nebulized liposomal amphotericin B″, or "aerosolized liposomal amphotericin B″, from the inception of these databases to August 31, 2022. RESULTS: Of the 172 articles found, 27 articles, including 13 case reports, 11 observational studies, and 3 clinical trials, were selected. Generally, findings showed that nebulized liposomal amphotericin B treatment appeared to be safe and without severe adverse effects. We found an accumulated evidence for the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of nebulized liposomal amphotericin B prophylaxis among lung transplantation recipients; however, a randomized controlled study has yet to be reported. Data on hemato-oncological patients are relatively scarce; however, a randomized controlled study suggested the prophylactic effect of nebulized liposomal amphotericin B on invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Observational and randomized controlled studies to evaluate therapeutic efficacy of the nebulized liposomal amphotericin B therapy have not been performed. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we found increasing evidence for the effectiveness of the inhalation therapy among patients after lung transplantation and with hemato-oncological diseases.

DOI： 10.1016/j.pupt.2023.102233

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) is a rare cause of hydronephrosis and progressive renal dysfunction with unidentified origin. RPF is categorized into idiopathic RPF with/without immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease (IgG4-RD), and secondary RPF. Identifying the underlying cause is challenging and often associated with delayed diagnosis or therapeutic interventions. We investigated RPF's clinical characteristics based on different etiologies and factors that may help distinguish the underlying causes. We analyzed the cases of 49 patients with RPF that was radiographically diagnosed at our institution (2008-2022). The cohort was 77.6% males; 75.5% had idiopathic RPF and 24.5% had secondary RPF. Among the idiopathic patients, 54.1% had IgG4-RD. The patients were likely to have abdominal pain, lower back pain/lumbago, and constitutional symptoms including generalized fatigue and fever. The idiopathic patients were likely to have higher serum IgG4 and IgG levels and lower serum C3 levels compared to secondary RPF. The IgG4-RPF patients were likely to have higher serum IgG4 levels and lower serum C-reactive protein, ferritin, and C3 levels compared to the idiopathic RPF patients without IgG4-RD. These findings might reflect underlying systemic inflammatory responses. Comprehensive laboratory testing, including serum inflammatory markers and immunological panels, is recommended for radiologically diagnosed RPF patients.

DOI： 10.18926/AMO/65975

PubMed

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Springer Science and Business Media LLC  

DOI： 10.1038/s41440-023-01426-4

researchmap

Other Link： https://www.nature.com/articles/s41440-023-01426-4

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

During this age of climate change, the incidence of tropical diseases may change. This study compared the epidemiological characteristics and trends of leptospirosis in Japan between the endemic region, Okinawa, and the rest of the country. Infectious Diseases Weekly Reports were used to determine the numbers and crude incidence rates of leptospirosis. Data were stratified by sex, age, the estimated location of the infection, the notified regions, and the reporting month. A joinpoint regression analysis was performed to estimate the annual percentage change (APC). During the 16-year study period (2006-2021), 543 leptospirosis cases were reported, with male dominance (86.2%). Approximately half of these cases were reported from Okinawa (47.1%). The patients were relatively younger in Okinawa (20-29 years, 23.4%; 30-39 years, 20.7%) than outside Okinawa. The frequency of imported cases was significantly higher outside Okinawa (0.4% versus 14.3%). The incidences of leptospirosis in and outside Okinawa were apparently higher during the summer and typhoon seasons. The annual crude incidence ratios were 20-200 times higher in Okinawa than in the rest of the country. The average APCs for the entire study period in Okinawa and the rest of Japan were 1.6% (95% CI: -5.9 to 9.6) and -1.8% (95% CI: -7.8 to 4.6), respectively, without any particular trends. Collectively, the patient profile of leptospirosis differed between Okinawa (younger men) and outside Okinawa (middle- or older-aged men with a history of traveling abroad). The disease remains a neglected tropical disease; continuous surveillance with close monitoring is required.

DOI： 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0131

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English  

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that primarily affects people in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. Owing to the temperate climate of Japan, leptospirosis is not endemic across the country. Domestic cases of leptospirosis have been mainly reported in Okinawa and the southwestern subtropical islands, but not in the other regions. Here, we describe a case of leptospirosis that developed and was diagnosed outside the domestically endemic region. Notably, disease onset occurred shortly after the patient experienced a flood after a typhoon disaster. With global warming, the international prevalence of leptospirosis may change. Physicians outside currently endemic areas must be aware of this tropical disease.

DOI： 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0133

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

To reduce physician burden, task shifting of clerical work from physicians to medical assistants is being promoted; however, it depends on hospitals. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 40 general physicians at Okayama University Hospital in December 2022 to investigate physicians' preferences toward task shifting. Compared to other tasks, most physicians thought that ordering examinations (14, 47%), replying to referral letters (19, 63%), and prescriptions (21, 70%) and medical record entries (22, 73%) should not be task shifted. Physicians' controversial opinions on task shifting maybe the reason behind the slow progress in task shifting.

DOI： 10.1002/jgf2.641

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English  

Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) instillation is an established immunotherapy for superficial bladder cancer. Herein, we describe a case of disseminated BCG infection that developed immediately after the first BCG injection. A 76-year-old man diagnosed with non-invasive bladder cancer underwent intravesical BCG instillation; he developed high fever and systemic arthralgia later that night. General examination did not reveal any infectious sources, and a combination therapy of isoniazid, rifabutin, and ethambutol was initiated after collecting his blood, urine, bone marrow, and liver biopsy samples for mycobacterial cultures. Three weeks later, Mycobacterium bovis was detected in the urine and bone marrow samples, and pathological investigation of liver biopsy revealed multiple small epithelial granulomas with focal multinucleated giant cells, leading to a diagnosis of disseminated BCG infection. The patient recovered after long-term antimycobacterial therapy without remarkable sequelae. Most cases of disseminated BCG infection occur after several doses of BCG injections, and its onset reportedly varies among cases, ranging from a few days to several months. The present case was notable as disease onset was observed only a few hours after the first BCG injection. Although rare, development of disseminated BCG infection should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients at any time after intravesical BCG instillation therapy.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jiac.2023.05.017

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

DOI： 10.1016/j.ajic.2023.01.018

researchmap

Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：MDPI AG  

Orexins are neuropeptides that play important roles in sleep-wake regulation and food intake in the central nervous system, but their receptors are also expressed in peripheral tissues, including the endocrine system. In the present study, we investigated the functions of orexin in adrenal steroidogenesis using human adrenocortical H295R cells by focusing on its interaction with adrenocortical bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) that induce adrenocortical steroidogenesis. Treatment with orexin A increased the mRNA levels of steroidogenic enzymes including StAR, CYP11B2, CYP17, and HSD3B1, and these effects of orexin A were further enhanced in the presence of forskolin. Interestingly, orexin A treatment suppressed the BMP-receptor signaling detected by Smad1/5/9 phosphorylation and Id-1 expression through upregulation of inhibitory Smad7. Orexin A also suppressed endogenous BMP-6 expression but increased the expression of the type-II receptor of ActRII in H295R cells. Moreover, treatment with BMP-6 downregulated the mRNA level of OX1R, but not that of OX2R, expressed in H295R cells. In conclusion, the results indicate that both orexin and BMP-6 accelerate adrenocortical steroidogenesis in human adrenocortical cells; both pathways mutually inhibit each other, thereby leading to a fine-tuning of adrenocortical steroidogenesis.

DOI： 10.3390/ijms241612559

researchmap

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

The feasibility of lymphocyte isolation and flow cytometry using a single endoscopic biopsy specimen from the gastrointestinal tract of patients who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has not been investigated. We acquired 51 endoscopic biopsy specimens from the gastrointestinal tract of 35 patients. We divided the flow cytometry samples into two groups: group A, successful lymphocyte isolation (n=24), and group B, incomplete isolation (n=27). We compared the backgrounds of the samples between the groups to reveal crucial elements in the successful isolation of lymphocytes residing in the gastrointestinal tract. Comparison between the groups revealed lymphocyte isolation success rates differed between biopsy sites. Isolation was most successful in samples from the duodenum (8/9, 88.9%), followed by the ileum (4/8, 50.0%), large intestine (4/11, 36.4%), and stomach (8/23, 34.8%). Tacrolimus was used more frequently in group B (92.6%) than in group A (62.5%) (p=0.015). Logistic regression analysis revealed that isolation from the duodenum or ileum was a significant factor for successful isolation, while tacrolimus use was not statistically significant. In conclusion, the duodenum and ileum are more suitable sites than the stomach and colorectum for acquiring samples for flow cytometry.

DOI： 10.18926/AMO/65740

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English  

Octreotide is used in patients with insulinomas to treat hypoglycemia, and somatostatin receptor (SSTR) 2 expression is important for its efficacy. We report a case of insulinoma in a 50-year-old woman that responded to an octreotide test, showed accumulation in somatostatin scintigraphy, and was positive for SSTR2A on immunostaining.

DOI： 10.1002/ccr3.7771

PubMed

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： 10.1507/endocrj.EJ23-0266

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

OBJECTIVE: The most common symptom of post-acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is fatigue, and it potentially leads to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS); however, a specific prognosticator is lacking. We aimed to elucidate the clinical characteristics of patients who developed ME/CFS after COVID-19. METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, patients who visited Okayama University Hospital for long COVID between February 2021 and March 2022 were investigated. RESULTS: Of the 234 patients, 139 (59.4%) had fatigue symptoms. Fifty patients with fatigue symptoms (21.4%) met the criteria for ME/CFS (ME/CFS group), while the other 89 patients did not (non-ME/CFS group); 95 patients had no fatigue complaints (no-fatigue group). Although the patients' backgrounds were not significantly different between the three groups, the ME/CFS group presented the highest scores on the self-rating symptom scales, including the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), EuroQol, and the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Furthermore, serum ferritin levels, which were correlated with FAS and SDS scores, were significantly higher in the ME/CFS group (193.0 μg/L, interquartile range (IQR): 58.8-353.8) than in the non-ME/CFS group (98.2 μg/L, 40.4-251.5) and no-fatigue group (86.7 μg/L, 37.5-209.0), and a high serum ferritin level was prominent in female patients. Endocrine workup further showed that the ME/CFS group had higher thyrotropin levels but lower growth hormone levels in serum and that insulin-like growth factor-I levels were inversely correlated with ferritin levels (R = -0.328, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Serum ferritin level is a possible predictor of the development of ME/CFS related to long COVID, especially in female patients.

DOI： 10.3390/jcm12144737

PubMed

researchmap

Publisher：Wiley  

A 43‐year‐old woman developed angioedema‐like eyelid edema on day +6 after the second NVX‐CoV2373 vaccination. Short‐term oral prednisolone treatment resulted in complete resolution of the eyelid edema.

DOI： 10.1002/cia2.12314

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Oxford University Press (OUP)  

Typhoid fever is one of the representative febrile diseases in tropical and subtropical countries with poor hygiene. Among the anaemic conditions involving patients with typhoid fever, autoimmune hemolytic anaemia would be one of the potential causes in the absence of G6PD deficiency or intestinal haemorrhage

DOI： 10.1093/jtm/taad092

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Springer Science and Business Media LLC  

DOI： 10.1007/s11739-023-03368-8

researchmap

Other Link： https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11739-023-03368-8/fulltext.html

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the antiviral effects and safety of nafamostat in early-onset patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: In this exploratory multicenter randomized controlled trial, patients were assigned to three groups within 5 days of symptom onset, with 10 participants in each group: nafamostat at either 0.2 mg/kg/h or 0.1 mg/kg/h or a standard-of-care group. The primary endpoint was area under the curve for decrease in SARS-CoV-2 viral load in nasopharyngeal samples from baseline to day 6. RESULTS: Of the 30 randomized patients, 19 received nafamostat. Overall, 10 patients received low-dose nafamostat, 9 patients received high-dose nafamostat, and 10 received standard-of-care. The detected viruses were Omicron strains. The regression coefficient for area under the curve for decrease in viral load as the response variable and nafamostat dose per body weight as the explanatory variable showed a significant relationship of -40.1 (95% confidence interval, -74.1 to -6.2; p=0.022). Serious adverse events were not observed in either group. Phlebitis occurred in approximately 50% of patients treated with nafamostat. CONCLUSIONS: Nafamostat exerts virus load-reducing effects in patients with early-onset COVID-19.

DOI： 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2023.106922

PubMed

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本医学教育学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本医学教育学会  

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English  

Here we report a case of sarcoidosis which demonstrated with bilateral ankle arthritis. We usually do not consider sarcoidosis routinely for the differential diagnosis of acute arthritis, however, up to 15 to 25% of sarcoidosis complicate arthritis, typically in ankle joints. Sarcoid arthritis is reported to occur mainly in young northern Europe women, whereas this case intimate that we should take sarcoidosis into account as the differential diagnosis of ankle arthralgia also among Asian men especially when combining upper respiratory symptoms.

DOI： 10.1002/jgf2.621

PubMed

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本皮膚科学会  

researchmap

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Wiley  

DOI： 10.1111/trf.17450

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Antimicrobial resistance is an emerging global threat that must be addressed using a multidisciplinary approach. This study aimed to raise awareness of high-level antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) pathogens in Japan by comparing their recent prevalences among prefectures, particularly Okayama. Data for the isolation proportions of meropenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, cefotaxime-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, and levofloxacin-resistant E. coli and K. pneumoniae were collected from the Japan Nosocomial Infections Surveillance, a national database sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, between 2018 and 2021. The average isolated proportions of the seven AMR pathogens were higher in Okayama compared to other prefectures: the worst (19.9%) was meropenem-resistant P. aeruginosa, the sixth worst (57.2%) was methicillin-resistant S. aureus, the eighth worst (3.3%) was vancomycin-resistant E. faecium, the second (37.8%) and fifth worst (17.6%) were cefotaxime-resistant E. coli and K. pneumoniae, respectively, and the fourth (49.9%) and third worst (8.7%) were levofloxacin-resistant E. coli and K. pneumoniae, respectively. Our study highlights the notably high prevalences of representative AMR pathogens in Okayama, suggesting the need for fundamental infection prevention and control by healthcare professionals, promoting antimicrobial stewardship, and educating undergraduates and postgraduates in Okayama.

DOI： 10.18926/AMO/65490

PubMed

researchmap

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：OKAYAMA UNIV MED SCHOOL  

Changes in hormone levels in patients with cancer cachexia after anamorelin administration have not been fully investigated. This study aimed to determine how anamorelin affects the endocrine system in patients with gastrointestinal cancer and cachexia. We prospectively enrolled 13 patients and comprehensively investigated their body weight and levels of serum albumin, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and hormones before (week 0) and 3 and 12 weeks after anamorelin administration. The variables were evaluated at week 3 in 9 patients and at week 12 in 5 patients. At week 3, anamorelin administration resulted in body weight gain and increased the levels of growth hormone and HbA1c, as well as insulin-like growth factor-1 standard deviation scores (IGF-1 SD scores). At the same time, negative correlations were observed between ΔIGF-1 SD score and Δthyroidstimulating hormone (TSH) and between ΔIGF-1 SD score and Δfree testosterone. ΔBody weight and ΔIGF-1 SD score correlated positively at week 12. These results suggest that TSH and free testosterone levels can be affected 3 weeks after anamorelin administration; however, those variables tend to return to a state of equilibrium, and anabolic effects of anamorelin appear in long-term (≥ 12 weeks) users.

DOI： 10.18926/AMO/65488

Web of Science

PubMed

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(株)ニュー・サイエンス社  

新型コロナウイルス感染症(COVID-19)罹患後症状(Post COVID-19 Condition:PCC)に悩む患者が多く存在し社会的問題となっている中で,その最多症状である「全身倦怠感」は鑑別すべき疾患も多く検査での可視化も難しい。一方でPCCに伴う倦怠感の重症度は症例によって大きく異なっており,倦怠感の客観的評価や予後予測に有用な指標を見出すことがPCC診療と研究における課題である。我々は2021年2月にいち早くPCCの専門外来であるコロナ・アフターケア外来を開設し多数のPCC患者の診療を行ってきた。そこで得られたデータをもとに科学研究費の助成も受けてPCCにおける倦怠感を内分泌の視点から考察を試み世界に向けた発信を目指しているところである。本稿ではそうした我々の取組みと得られつつある知見について概説する。(著者抄録)

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Objectives: The present study aimed to elucidate the characteristics of long COVID patients with headaches. Methods: A single-center retrospective observational study was performed for long COVID outpatients who visited our hospital from 12 February 2021 to 30 November 2022. Results: A total of 482 long COVID patients, after excluding 6, were divided into two groups: the Headache group of patients with complaints of headache (113 patients: 23.4%) and the remaining Headache-free group. Patients in the Headache group were younger (median age: 37 years) than patients in the Headache-free group (42 years), while the ratio of females (56%) in the Headache group was nearly the same as that in the Headache-free group (54%). The proportion of patients in the Headache group who were infected in the Omicron-dominant phase (61%) was larger than the proportions of patients infected in the Delta (24%) and preceding (15%) phases, and that trend was significantly different from the trend in the Headache-free group. The duration before the first visit for long COVID was shorter in the Headache group (71 days) than in the Headache-free group (84 days). The proportions of patients in the Headache group with comorbid symptoms, including general fatigue (76.1%), insomnia (36.3%), dizziness (16.8%), fever (9.7%), and chest pain (5.3%) were larger than the proportions of patients in the Headache-free group, whereas blood biochemical data were not significantly different between the two groups. Interestingly, patients in the Headache group had significant deteriorations of scores indicating depression and scores for quality of life and general fatigue. In multivariate analysis, headache, insomnia, dizziness, lethargy, and numbness were shown to be involved in the quality of life (QOL) of long COVID patients. Conclusions: The manifestation of headaches related to long COVID was found to have a significant impact on social and psychological activities. Alleviation of headaches should be a priority for the effective treatment of long COVID.

DOI： 10.3390/jcm12103533

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Publisher：Wiley  

Key message

Parvimonas micra commonly present in the oral cavity and intestinal tract of humans. P. micra indicating a high virulence, has the potential of forming abscess. The infection of P. micra may require surgical excision.

DOI： 10.1002/rcr2.1161

researchmap

Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

DOI： 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.05.058

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(株)羊土社  

researchmap

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Ceftolozane (CTLZ) is a novel cephalosporin antibiotic that exhibits broad-spectrum activity against gram-negative pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, especially when combined with tazobactam (TAZ). We examined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of CTLZ/TAZ for 21 multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa (MDRP) and eight carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa (CRPA) strains isolated at Okayama University Hospital, Japan. Consequently, 81% (17/21) of the MDRP strains and 25% (2/8) of the CRPA strains were resistant to CTLZ/TAZ (MIC >8 μg/mL). All 18 blaIMP-positive strains showed resistance to CTLZ/TAZ, whereas the drug retained in vitro susceptibility in 54.5% (6/11 strains) of blaIMP-negative strains.

PubMed

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English  

Granulicatella species are rare, nutritionally variant streptococci that cause infective endocarditis. Their clinical and microbiological characteristics remain unknown. We reviewed five years of Granulicatella cases in our hospital database (Jan 2017-Jun 2022), finding 6 Granulicatella adiacens cases and 1 Granulicatella elegans case. Clinical backgrounds and bacteremia sources were diverse; 3 cases developed polymicrobial bacteremia. Antimicrobial testing showed non-susceptibility to penicillin G in 4 of 7 cases (57.1%), and high susceptibility to carbapenems and vancomycin in all cases. Determining optimal antibiotic therapy for Granulicatella infections is vital in this era of antimicrobial resistance.

DOI： 10.18926/AMO/65151

PubMed

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本皮膚科学会-西部支部  

71歳,女性。1年前に右膝と両側前腕に皮下硬結を自覚し,その後左臀部にも皮下硬結が出現した。右膝に20×10cm,左臀部に10×7cm,右前腕に10×7cm,左前腕に2個の7×5cmの板状皮下硬結がみられた。皮膚生検では皮下脂肪組織に非乾酪壊死性類上皮細胞肉芽腫を認め,sIL-2Rは1697.0U/mlと高値であった。胸部CTでは縦隔リンパ節の軽度腫大があり,Gaシンチグラフィーでは四肢と左臀部の皮下硬結部に高度な集積を認め,extensive subcutaneous sarcoidosisと診断した。膝関節屈曲制限が生じる懸念があったためプレドニゾロン25mg/day内服を開始したところ,皮下病変は速やかに縮小し,sIL-2Rは418.3U/mlまで低下した。皮下型サルコイドーシスではトラニラストやミノサイクリン内服で軽快する症例や,無治療で軽快する症例もあるが,本症例では,右膝部皮下病変の拡大による歩行障害が懸念されたため,ステロイド内服による治療を選択した。広範な皮下型病変を呈するサルコイドーシスでは,sIL-2Rや皮膚病変のサイズなどを総合的に評価し,病勢を検討することが必要である。(著者抄録)

researchmap

Other Link： https://search.jamas.or.jp/default/link?pub_year=2023&ichushi_jid=J01003&link_issn=&doc_id=20230516250006&doc_link_id=10.2336%2Fnishinihonhifu.85.109&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.2336%2Fnishinihonhifu.85.109&type=J-STAGE&icon=https%3A%2F%2Fjk04.jamas.or.jp%2Ficon%2F00007_2.gif

Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of hypozincemia in long COVID patients. METHODS: This study was a single-center retrospective observational study for outpatients who visited the long COVID clinic established in a university hospital during the period from 15 February 2021 to 28 February 2022. Characteristics of patients with a serum zinc concentration lower than 70 μg/dL (10.7 μmol/L) were compared with characteristics of patients with normozincemia. RESULTS: In a total of 194 patients with long COVID after excluding 32 patients, hypozincemia was detected in 43 patients (22.2%) including 16 male patients (37.2%) and 27 female patients (62.8%). Among various parameters including the background characteristics of the patients and medical histories, the patients with hypozincemia were significantly older than the patients with normozincemia (median age: 50 vs. 39 years). A significant negative correlation was found between serum zinc concentrations and age in male patients (R = -0.39; p < 0.01) but not in female patients. In addition, there was no significant correlation between serum zinc levels and inflammatory markers. General fatigue was the most frequent symptom in both male patients with hypozincemia (9 out of 16: 56.3%) and female patients with hypozincemia (8 out of 27: 29.6%). Patients with severe hypozincemia (serum zinc level lower than 60 μg/dL) had major complaints of dysosmia and dysgeusia, which were more frequent complaints than general fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequent symptom in long COVID patients with hypozincemia was general fatigue. Serum zinc levels should be measured in long COVID patients with general fatigue, particularly in male patients.

DOI： 10.3390/jcm12052062

PubMed

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本感染症学会  

症例は30歳代ネパール人男性で、下痢と嘔気を主訴とした。ハンセン病(LL型)と新型コロナウイルス感染症の既往があり、らい反応に対して長期間のステロイド製剤内服による免疫抑制療法を行っていた。各種検査所見より、糞線虫の過剰感染状態による播種性糞線虫症と診断した。栄養状態は不良で、寄生虫の消化管内過剰増殖に伴う腸管浮腫を認め、イベルメクチンは吸収不良で血中濃度が不十分であった。多臓器不全を併発したため集学的治療を行ったが第36病日に死亡した。日本では糞線虫症は稀であるが、インバウンドの増加に伴い播種性糞線虫症のリスクが増加する可能性があり、ステロイドの長期内服などで免疫抑制状態の可能性がある場合は寄生虫スクリーニングを行う必要があると考えられた。

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(株)医学書院  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本感染症学会  

症例は30歳代ネパール人男性で、下痢と嘔気を主訴とした。ハンセン病(LL型)と新型コロナウイルス感染症の既往があり、らい反応に対して長期間のステロイド製剤内服による免疫抑制療法を行っていた。各種検査所見より、糞線虫の過剰感染状態による播種性糞線虫症と診断した。栄養状態は不良で、寄生虫の消化管内過剰増殖に伴う腸管浮腫を認め、イベルメクチンは吸収不良で血中濃度が不十分であった。多臓器不全を併発したため集学的治療を行ったが第36病日に死亡した。日本では糞線虫症は稀であるが、インバウンドの増加に伴い播種性糞線虫症のリスクが増加する可能性があり、ステロイドの長期内服などで免疫抑制状態の可能性がある場合は寄生虫スクリーニングを行う必要があると考えられた。

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：English  

Buruli ulcer is the third most common mycobacterial infection worldwide and is mainly diagnosed in tropical regions. Globally, this progressive disease is caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans; however, Mycobacterium ulcerans subsp. shinshuense, an Asian variant, has been exclusively identified in Japan. Because of insufficient clinical cases, the clinical features of M. ulcerans subsp. shinshuense-associated Buruli ulcer remain unclear. A 70-year-old Japanese woman presented with erythema on her left backhand. The skin lesion deteriorated without an apparent etiology of inflammation, and she was referred to our hospital 3 months after disease onset. A biopsy specimen was incubated in 2% Ogawa medium at 30 °C. After 66 days, we detected small yellow-pigmented colonies, suggesting scotochromogens. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI Biotyper; Bruker Daltonics, Billerica, MA, USA) indicated that the organism was Mycobacterium pseudoshottsii or Mycobacterium marinum. However, additional PCR testing for the insertion sequence 2404 (IS2404) was positive, suggesting that the pathogen was either M. ulcerans or M. ulcerans subsp. shinshuense. Further examination by 16S rRNA sequencing analysis, focusing on nucleotide positions 492, 1247, 1288, and 1449-1451, we finally identified the organism as M. ulcerans subsp. shinshuense. The patient was successfully treated with 12 weeks of clarithromycin and levofloxacin treatment. Mass spectrometry is the latest microbial diagnostic method; however, it cannot be used to identify M. ulcerans subsp. shinshuense. To accurately detect this enigmatic pathogen and uncover its epidemiology and clinical characteristics in Japan, more accumulation of clinical cases with accurate identification of the causative pathogen is essential.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jiac.2023.02.009

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

The worldwide spread of tick-borne diseases (TBDs) has become a public health concern. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify trends in the incidence of Japanese spotted fever (JSF), one of Japan's most prevalent TBDs. Weekly infectious disease reports were used to calculate the annual incidence rates (AIRs) of JSF. Data were stratified by age and sex, and joinpoint regression analysis was performed to estimate the annual percentage change (APC). AIR and APC were geographically compared among the 47 prefectures. A total of 3,453 JSF cases were observed from 2001 to 2020. The AIR per 100,000 population was 0.03 in 2001, which increased approximately 10-fold to 0.33 in 2020. The average APC (AAPC) during the study period was 12.3% (95% CI: 10.7-13.9). By age group, the incidence of JSF increased more rapidly among the older population: 11.5% (95% CI: 10.1-12.9) in those aged ≥ 65 years and 8.9% (95% CI: 6.4-11.5) in those aged < 50 years. Although the AIR over the past two decades was higher in climatically warm regions located in southwestern Japan and on the Pacific coast, increases in the AAPC were notable in colder regions located in eastern Japan. The incidence of JSF continues to increase in Japan, especially among older populations and in eastern prefectures, where the disease has not been previously diagnosed.

DOI： 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0487

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publisher：Japanese Society of Internal Medicine  

DOI： 10.2169/internalmedicine.9498-22

PubMed

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

DOI： 10.14932/jamt.22-56

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Inducible resistance to the macrolide, lincosamide, and streptogramin B (iMLSB) antibiotic family is a latent mechanism for antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. We here investigated the frequency and genotypic profiles of iMLSB resistance in clindamycin (CLDM)-susceptible S. aureus isolated in Okayama University Hospital from June 2020 to June 2021. We phenotypically screened the iMLSB resistance via D-zone test and performed PCR testing for the erythromycin ribosomal methylase (erm) genes: ermA and ermC. Among 432 CLDM-susceptible S. aureus isolates, 138 (31.9%) exhibited an iMLSB-resistance phenotype, with methicillinresistant S. aureus isolates (MRSA; 61 isolates: 58.6%) exhibiting higher positivity than methicillin-sensitive S. aureus isolates (MSSA; 77 isolates: 23.5%) (p<0.001). Male patients had a higher frequency of iMLSB resistance than females (OR [95%CI]: 1.8 [1.2-2.8]; p=0.007). Genotypically, ermA predominated in both MSSA (70.1%) and MRSA (86.9%) compared to ermC (14.3% in MSSA and 11.5% in MRSA). A single strain of MRSA possessed both ermA and ermC, while 12 (15.6%) MSSA isolates were negative for both ermA and ermC, suggesting the presence of other genetic mechanisms. Collectively, these results show that approximately 33% of CLDM-susceptible S. aureus isolates at our university hospital exhibited iMLSB resistance, predominantly caused by ermA in both MSSA and MRSA.

DOI： 10.18926/AMO/64355

PubMed

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本病院総合診療医学会  

researchmap

Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Background: Since the start of the global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), not only adults but also many children have suffered from it. However, the clinical characteristics of long COVID in children remain unclear. Methods: In this retrospective observational study conducted in a single facility, we reviewed the medical records of all long COVID patients who visited Okayama University Hospital from February 2021 to October 2022, and we compared the clinical characteristics of long COVID in teenagers (11 to 18 years of age) with those in adults. Results: Data for 452 long COVID patients including 54 teenagers (11.9%) were analyzed. Fatigue was the most frequent symptom in teenagers (55.6% of the patients) and also in adults. On the other hand, the percentage of teenagers who complained of headache, which was the second most frequent complaint, was significantly higher than the percentage of adults (35.2% vs. 21.9%, p < 0.05). A comparison of the frequencies of symptoms depending on the viral variant showed that fatigue and headache were predominant symptoms in the Omicron variant phase. Of the 50 teenagers who were enrolled in schools, 28 (56.0%) could not attend school due to long COVID symptoms. The most common symptoms as reasons for absence from school were fatigue (85.7% of the patients), headache (42.9%), and insomnia (32.1%). Conclusions: Attention should be paid to the symptoms of fatigue and headache in teenagers with long COVID.

DOI： 10.3390/medicina59020261

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Wiley  

DOI： 10.1002/ccr3.6865

researchmap

Other Link： https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1002/ccr3.6865

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

BACKGROUND: Excessive psychological stress in medical students affects their mental health and causes problems such as burnout and depression. Furthermore, changes in the learning environment to online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic have had a psychological effect on medical students. However, the relationships between medical students' perceived stress and different methods of communication, including in-person and online communication, remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in stress perception of medical students depending on in-person communication and online communication during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional study conducted from September to October in 2020. All of the students of Okayama University School of Medicine were asked to participate in a questionnaire survey. The explanatory variables were the frequency and length of communications with others (by in-person or online communication), empathy, and lifestyle. The main outcome measure was perceived stress. Subgroup analysis was conducted for students who preferred to be by themselves and students who preferred to study together and interact with other people. Univariate analysis and multivariate multiple regression analysis were conducted. Gender and grade, which have been shown to be associated with stress in previous studies, were used as covariates for multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Valid responses to the questionnaire survey were received from 211 (29.4%) of the 717 students. There was no significant association between perceived stress and online communication, but the number of people with which students had in-person communication (1-2 people compared to 0 as a control, regression coefficient [B] = -4.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]; -7.8, -1.1, more than 10 people, B = -12, 95% CI: -18, -5.8) and the length of communication (more than 120 min, B = -4.5, 95% CI: -8.1, -0.92) were associated with a reduction in perceived stress. In subgroup analysis, the number of people with in-person communication and the length of communication had significant associations with stress reduction even in the group of students who had a preference for being by themselves. CONCLUSION: In-person communications rather than online communications were associated with a lower level of perceived stress. In subgroup analysis, this trend was statistically significant in the group of students who had a preference for being by themselves.

DOI： 10.3390/ijerph20021579

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Campylobacter species are the pathogens of the intestinal tract, which infrequently cause bacteremia. To reveal the clinical characteristics of Campylobacter bacteremia, we performed a retrospective, multicenter study. Patients diagnosed with Campylobacter bacteremia in three general hospitals in western Japan between 2011 and 2021 were included in the study. Clinical, microbiological, and prognostic data of the patients were obtained from medical records. We stratified the cases into the gastroenteritis (GE) and fever predominant (FP) types by focusing on the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms. Thirty-nine patients (24 men and 15 women) were included, with a median age of 57 years and bimodal distribution between those in their 20 s and the elderly. The proportion of GE and FP types were 21 (53.8%) and 18 (46.2%), respectively. Comparing these two groups, there was no significant difference in patient backgrounds in terms of sex, age, and underlying diseases. Campylobacter jejuni was exclusively identified in the GE type (19 cases, 90.5%), although other species such as Campylobacter fetus and Campylobacter coli were isolated in the FP type as well. Patients with the FP type underwent intravenous antibiotic therapy more frequently (47.6% vs. 88.9%), and their treatment (median: 5 days vs. 13 days) and hospitalization (median: 7 days vs. 21 days) periods were significantly longer. None of the patients died during the hospitalization. In summary, we found that nearly half of the patients with Campylobacter bacteremia presented with fever as a predominant manifestation without gastroenteritis symptoms.

DOI： 10.1038/s41598-022-27330-4

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Publisher：Japanese Society of Internal Medicine  

DOI： 10.2169/internalmedicine.9313-22

researchmap

Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

DOI： 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.01.073

researchmap

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)  

DOI： 10.1097/jcp.0000000000001646

researchmap

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

DOI： 10.1016/j.jiac.2022.09.012

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Japanese Society of Internal Medicine  

Objective Amid the global spread of antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial stewardship should be further promoted in the clinical setting. Our previous study suggested an intra-week disproportion of discontinuation of broad-spectrum antibiotics. We therefore explored the generalization of this prescription trend by investigating the use of all intravenous antibiotics. Methods A retrospective, observational study. Patients Between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2020, we collected data on the initiation and discontinuation of intravenous antimicrobials on each day of the week and on days after holidays at Okayama University Hospital, Japan. We compared the monthly antimicrobial prescription initiation and discontinuation using the Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U-test with Bonferroni correction as a post-hoc procedure. Results Data from 15,293 hospitalized cases were analyzed. The initiation of antimicrobials differed slightly among days of the week, although this trend was clinically insignificant. Compared with the initiations, antimicrobial discontinuations were disproportionately biased among the weekdays, tending to occur on Mondays (p <0.001) about twice as often as on other days. Similarly, antimicrobials were unevenly discontinued on the day after holidays compared to other days (p <0.001), with an approximately 2-fold difference. The use of antimicrobials in the hospital was thus unequally terminated on weekdays. Conclusion To further promote antimicrobial stewardship, clinicians should be aware of the influence of behavioral, environmental, and social factors on antimicrobial prescription, which is seemingly beyond medical indications.

DOI： 10.2169/internalmedicine.0707-22

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

DOI： 10.1016/j.idcr.2023.e01733

researchmap

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

INTRODUCTION: Hospitalists in Japan have been at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, contributions of Japanese hospitalists during the COVID-19 pandemic and hospitalists' awareness of crisis management education remain unclear. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a questionnaire survey to investigate the role of Japanese hospitalists during the COVID-19 pandemic. The questionnaire was conducted using email and Google Forms targeting the chairpersons of facilities certified by the Japanese Society of Hospital General Medicine (JSHGM). Members of the academic committee of the JSHGM and several hospitals conducted a narrative review and determined the questions for the survey in a discussion. RESULTS: We conducted descriptive statistics based on the responses of 97 hospitals that agreed to participate in this survey. In total, 91.8% of general medicine departments in the included hospitals were involved in the medical care of COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, in 73.2% of hospitals, hospitalists were involved in infection control for COVID-19 inside or outside the hospital. Our survey revealed that Japanese hospitalists were responsible for COVID-19 treatment in over 60% of hospitals and contributed to hospital management, infection control, and vaccination. In total, 79.4% of hospitals answered that "training of personnel who can provide practical care for emerging infectious diseases is necessary", 78.4% indicated that "the establishment of an infection control system in advance to prepare emerging infectious diseases in the hospital is necessary", and 74.2% stated that "the establishment of an educational system for responding to emerging infectious diseases is necessary.". CONCLUSION: In conclusion, during the pandemic, in addition to inpatient care, Japanese hospitalists provided outpatient care for COVID-19, which is the role of primary care physicians in other countries. Furthermore, Japanese hospitalists who experienced the COVID-19 pandemic expressed the need for personnel development and education to prepare for future emerging infectious disease pandemics.

DOI： 10.2147/RMHP.S422412

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Japanese Society of Internal Medicine  

DOI： 10.2169/internalmedicine.0879-22

researchmap

DOI： 10.31662/jmaj.2023-0006

researchmap

Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the clinical and endocrinological features of sleep disturbance in patients with long COVID. METHODS: This study was a single-center retrospective observational study for patients who visited the COVID-19 aftercare outpatient clinic (CAC) established in Okayama University Hospital in Japan during the period from 15 February 2021 to 29 July 2022. The long COVID patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of sleep disturbance, and the clinical and laboratory characteristics of the patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Out of 363 patients with long COVID, after excluding 6 patients, 60 patients (16.5%) (55% males, median age of 38 years) complaining of sleep disturbance were compared with 303 patients (83.5%) (43% males, median age of 40 years) without sleep-related symptoms. Although there were no significant differences in clinical backgrounds and severities of COVID-19 between the two groups by the multivariate analysis, the percentage of long COVID patients with sleep disturbance was significantly increased among patients infected in the Omicron-dominant phase. In addition, the prevalence rate of sleep disturbance in patients when infected in the Omicron phase (24.8%) was two-times higher than that in patients infected in the Delta phase (12.8%). Of note, the percentages of patients with sleep disturbance who also complained of general fatigue, headache, concentration loss, anxiety, low-grade fever, and brain fog symptoms were higher than the percentages of patients without sleep disturbance who had the same complaints. Among the types of sleep disturbance, the percentage of patients who complained of loss of sleep induction (75%) was much higher than the percentage of patients with early-awakening sleep disturbance (6.7%), and many of the patients with mid-awakening types of insomnia had brain fog symptoms. Endocrine examinations revealed that long COVID patients with sleep disturbance had significantly higher levels of plasma adrenocorticotropin and lower levels of serum growth hormone, suggesting the presence of hypothalamic-pituitary stress. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of sleep disturbance has been increasing in long COVID patients infected in the Omicron phase with a certain clinical and endocrine trend.

DOI： 10.3390/jcm11247332

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Wiley  

DOI： 10.1002/ccr3.6654

researchmap

Other Link： https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1002/ccr3.6654

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

Amidst the global spread of antimicrobial resistance, New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM)-type carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) remain uncommon in Japan, and the detection of such highly drug-resistant organisms is limited to inbound cases. There is little evidence regarding the prevalence of NDM β-lactamase gene (blaNDM)-harboring CPE in the domestic community, especially in the provincial cities of Japan. Herein, we report the isolation of a blaNDM-1-harboring plasmid in Enterobacter cloacae complex strain isolated from an elderly woman without a history of traveling abroad who had resided in a long-term care facility in Okayama, Japan. The multidrug-resistant blaNDM-harboring CPE isolate was detected in a stool sample of the patient during routine screening at admission. We performed whole-genome sequencing analysis of the isolate using MiSeq (Illumina) and MinION (Oxford Nanopore Technologies) platforms. The isolate was identified as sequence type 171, which has predominantly been reported in the United States and China. The blaNDM-1 gene was encoded on the 46,161 bp IncX3 plasmid, with sequence similarity to plasmids of similar size isolated from individuals in China. Collectively, the genomic data suggest that an imported CPE isolate may have spread among healthy individuals in the regional area of Japan.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jiac.2022.08.019

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English  

A patient complained of acute right vision loss and headache. A computed tomography scan revealed ethmoidal sinus mucocele in the right ethmoid sinus that was compressing the optic nerve and emergency endoscopic sinus surgery was performed.

DOI： 10.1002/ccr3.6696

PubMed

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本医学教育学会  

本研究では,医療系学生が小グループのIPEの実践を通して,患者中心のチーム医療を実践したと考えることができたかを検証した.医学科,薬学科,保健学科の臨床実習中の学部学生に対し,小グループで症例基盤型の臨床推論と治療・看護計画立案を行い,IPEに対するアンケートを行った.医学科生は臨床推論と治療計画立案が,薬学科生は治療の副作用対策を提案することが,看護学生は医療チームに必要な情報提供をすることが,医療チームとともに患者中心の医療が実践できたと感じていた.学部毎にチーム医療を実践したと考える項目が異なり,多学部合同IPEにはそれぞれの要素を組み込むことが重要である.(著者抄録)

researchmap

Other Link： https://search.jamas.or.jp/default/link?pub_year=2022&ichushi_jid=J00050&link_issn=&doc_id=20230117110006&doc_link_id=%2Fed9jmded%2F2022%2F005306%2F007%2F0531-0536%26dl%3D0&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.medicalonline.jp%2Fjamas.php%3FGoodsID%3D%2Fed9jmded%2F2022%2F005306%2F007%2F0531-0536%26dl%3D0&type=MedicalOnline&icon=https%3A%2F%2Fjk04.jamas.or.jp%2Ficon%2F00004_2.gif

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Springer Science and Business Media LLC  

Abstract

Amid the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic, we aimed to demonstrate the accuracy of the fingertip whole blood sampling test (FWT) in measuring the antibody titer and uncovering its dynamics shortly after booster vaccination. Mokobio SARS-CoV-2 IgM &amp; IgG Quantum Dot immunoassay (Mokobio Biotechnology R&amp;D Center Inc., MD, USA) was used as a point-of-care FWT in 226 health care workers (HCWs) who had received two doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) at least 8 months prior. Each participant tested their antibody titers before and after the third-dose booster up to 14-days. The effect of the booster was observed as early as the fourth day after vaccination, which exceeded the detection limit (&gt; 30,000 U/mL) by 2.3% on the fifth day, 12.2% on the sixth day, and 22.5% after the seventh day. Significant positive correlations were observed between the pre- and post-vaccination (the seventh and eighth days) antibody titers (correlation coefficient, 0.405; p &lt; 0.001). FWT is useful for examining antibody titers as a point-of-care test. Rapid response of antibody titer started as early as the fourth day post-vaccination, while the presence of weak responders to BNT162b2 vaccine was indicated.

DOI： 10.1038/s41598-022-24464-3

researchmap

Other Link： https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-24464-3

Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：The Endocrine Society  

DOI： 10.1210/jendso/bvac162

researchmap

Other Link： https://academic.oup.com/jes/article-pdf/7/1/bvac162/47154587/bvac162.pdf

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Oxford University Press (OUP)  

DOI： 10.1093/qjmed/hcac172

PubMed

researchmap

Other Link： https://academic.oup.com/qjmed/article-pdf/115/11/753/47032081/hcac172.pdf

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Oxford University Press (OUP)  

DOI： 10.1093/qjmed/hcac189

PubMed

researchmap

Other Link： https://academic.oup.com/qjmed/article-pdf/115/11/760/47032072/hcac189.pdf

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

INTRODUCTION: Long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) are at a high risk for the inflow and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pathogens. However, owing to limited laboratory resources, little is known about the extent to which AMR organisms are endemic. METHODS: We performed active surveillance for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) in newly admitted patients at Marugame Medical Center, a nearly 200-bedded LTCH located in Kagawa, Japan. From August to December 2021, we tested stool samples from patients wearing diapers and confirmed the genetic variants using specific PCR assays. We also collected clinical variables and compared them between AMR carriers and non-carriers. RESULTS: Stool samples were collected from 75 patients, with a median age of 84 years. CRE strain was not detected, but 37 strains of ESBL-E were isolated from 32 patients (42.7%). During the study period, 4.9% of in-hospital patients (37 per 756 patients) were identified to be ESBL-E carriers in the routine microbiological processing, suggesting that active surveillance detected approximately 9-fold more ESBL-E carriers. The blaCTX-M-9 group was the most common (38.5%), followed by the blaTEM (26.9%). The clinical backgrounds of the ESBL-E non-carriers and carriers were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: Our active screening demonstrated that nearly half of the patients hospitalized or transferred to a Japanese LTCH were colonized with ESBL-E. We highlight the enforcement of universal basic infection prevention techniques at LTCHs where patients carrying AMR pathogens gather.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jiac.2022.07.014

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Wiley  

AIM: Sexually transmitted infections remain a neglected area of research in geriatrics. However, in the global aging societies, sexual health among the middle-aged and older adults is an emerging public concern. High-income countries are facing a resurgence of syphilis cases among young generations, but little is known about its prevalence in older populations. We aimed to investigate the national trend of syphilis cases in Japan. METHODS: This nationwide observational study used the publicly-available database (2009-2019) to calculate crude and age-adjusted incidence rates of syphilis per 100 000 population by age, sex and clinical stage. We collected data from patients aged ≥50 years and performed joinpoint regression analysis to estimate long-term trends and average annual percentage changes (AAPCs). RESULTS: The total number of patients with syphilis increased about 8-fold from 165 in 2009 to 1280 in 2019. AAPCs of crude incidence rates significantly increased in every age category; 33.2% in 50-59 years, 23.8% in 60-69 years and 20.9% in ≥70 years. Age-adjusted incidence rates have surged at AAPCs of 28.7% in men and 23.1% in women, reaching 4.09 in men and 0.71 in women in 2019. By clinical stage, marked increases were observed in primary (AAPCs, 42.3% in men and 41.6% in women) and secondary syphilis (AAPCs, 24.9% in men and 24.2% in women). CONCLUSIONS: An up-toward trend of syphilis among people aged ≥50 years was observed. The importance of sexual health among older people should be highlighted in this aging Japanese society. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; ••: ••-••.

DOI： 10.1111/ggi.14500

PubMed

researchmap

Other Link： https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1111/ggi.14500

Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Wiley  

DOI： 10.1002/ccr3.6652

researchmap

Other Link： https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1002/ccr3.6652

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

The composition of lymphocytes in the gastric mucosa following the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in patients with and without gastric cancer has not been compared. This study performed a single spot analysis of gastric mucosal lymphocytes after H. pylori eradication in patients with (n = 13) and without (n = 20) gastric cancer. Our comprehensive analysis of lymphocyte composition in the gastric mucosa revealed that: i) the proportion of CD8+/CD3+ cells was relatively higher in the peri-tumor mucosa than in the background mucosa; ii) the proportion of CCR4+/CD3+ cells was higher, and the ratio of CD62L+/CD3+CD4+ cells was relatively lower in the gastric mucosa of cancer patients than in non-cancer patients; and iii) the proportion of CD45RA-CD62L+/CD3+CD4+ cells, namely, the central memory CD4+ T-cell fraction, was lower in the gastric mucosa of cancer patients than in non-cancer patients. Although the exact mechanism of the altered proportions of CCR4+/CD3+ and central memory CD4+ cells in the gastric mucosa of patients with cancer is unknown, focusing on lymphocytes in the gastric mucosa might help improve our understanding of gastric cancer development after H. pylori eradication.

DOI： 10.7759/cureus.31713

PubMed

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本糖尿病学会  

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Oxford University Press (OUP)  

DOI： 10.1093/qjmed/hcac167

researchmap

Other Link： https://academic.oup.com/qjmed/article-pdf/115/10/675/46619965/hcac167.pdf

Publisher：株式会社医学書院  

DOI： 10.11477/mf.1429203996

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：MDPI AG  

Background and Objectives: Changes in post COVID-19 condition (PCC) characteristics caused by viral variants have yet to be clarified. We aimed to characterize the differences between clinical backgrounds and manifestations in long COVID patients who were infected with the Delta variant and those who were infected with the Omicron variants. Materials and Methods: This study was a single-center retrospective observational study for patients who visited our COVID-19 aftercare outpatient clinic (CAC) established in Okayama University Hospital (Japan) during the period from 15 February 2021 to 15 July 2022. We classified the onset of COVID-19 in the patients into three groups, the preceding, Delta-dominant, and Omicron-dominant periods, based on the prevalent periods of the variants in our prefecture. Results: In a total of 353 patients, after excluding 8 patients, 110, 130, and 113 patients were classified into the preceding, Delta-dominant, and Omicron-dominant periods, respectively. Patients infected in the Omicron-dominant period had significantly fewer hospitalizations, milder illnesses, more vaccinations and earlier visit to the CAC than did patients infected in the Delta-dominant period. Patients infected in the Omicron-dominant period had significantly lower frequencies of dysosmia (12% vs. 45%, ** p &lt; 0.01), dysgeusia (14% vs. 40%, ** p &lt; 0.01) and hair loss (7% vs. 28%, ** p &lt; 0.01) but had higher frequencies of fatigue (65% vs. 50%, * p &lt; 0.05), insomnia (26% vs. 13%, * p &lt; 0.05) and cough (20% vs. 7%, ** p &lt; 0.01) than did patients infected in the Delta-dominant period. Conclusions: The transitional changes in long COVID symptoms caused by the two variants were characterized.

DOI： 10.3390/medicina58101393

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

PURPOSE: To clarify the clinical and microbial characteristics of polymicrobial bacteremia (PMB) to contribute to improvements in clinical diagnosis and effective early treatment. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study used data from three acute-care hospitals in Okayama Prefecture, Japan, collected between January 2014 and March 2019. We reviewed the demographics, comorbidities, organisms isolated, infectious focus, and 30-day mortality of patients with PMB. RESULTS: Of the 7233 positive blood cultures, 808 (11.2%) were positive for more than one organism. Of the patients with bacteremia, 507 (7.0%) had PMB, of whom 65.3% were male. Infectious foci were identified in 78.3% of the cases, of which intra-abdominal infections accounted for 47.1%. A combination of Gram-positive cocci (GPC) (chain form) and Gram-negative rods (GNR) accounted for 32.9% of the cases, and GPC/GNR and GNR/GNR patterns were significantly associated with intra-abdominal infections. The 30-day mortality rate of patients with PMB was 18.1%, with a median of 7.5 days from diagnosis to death. The mortality in patients with an infectious focus identified was significantly lower than that in patients with an unknown focus (16.3% vs. 24.5%; p = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Intra-abdominal infections were the most common source of PMB, and were strongly associated with a Gram-staining combination pattern of GPC (chain form)/GNR. PMB cases with an unknown focus had a poorer prognosis, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

DOI： 10.1007/s15010-022-01799-7

PubMed

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Wiley  

Physicians should keep in mind that Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease can show bilateral lymphadenopathy like the present case.

DOI： 10.1002/ccr3.6494

PubMed

researchmap

Other Link： https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1002/ccr3.6494

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

Candida dubliniensis phenotypically mimics Candida albicans in its microbiological features; thus, its clinical characteristics have yet to be fully elucidated. Here we report the case of a 68-year-old Japanese man who developed C. dubliniensis fungemia during treatment for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The patient was intubated and received a combination of immunosuppressants, including high-dose methylprednisolone and two doses of tocilizumab, as well as remdesivir, intravenous heparin, and ceftriaxone. A blood culture on admission day 11 revealed Candida species, which was confirmed as C. dubliniensis by mass spectrometry. An additional sequencing analysis of the 26S rDNA and ITS regions confirmed that the organism was 100% identical to the reference strain of C. dubliniensis (ATCC MYA-646). Considering the simultaneous isolation of C. dubliniensis from a sputum sample, the lower respiratory tract could be an entry point for candidemia. Although treatment with micafungin successfully eradicated the C. dubliniensis fungemia, the patient died of COVID-19 progression. In this case, aggressive immunosuppressive therapy could have caused the C. dubliniensis fungemia. Due to insufficient clinical reports on C. dubliniensis infection based on definitive diagnosis, the whole picture of the cryptic organism is still unknown. Further accumulation of clinical and microbiological data of the pathogen is needed to elucidate their clinical significance.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jiac.2022.07.007

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

AIM: An increasing number of older adults in Japan are at an increased risk of road traffic crashes. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of potential underlying medical factors that increase the risk of road traffic crashes among older people. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in 11 medical institutions in Japan using self-administered questionnaires and physical examination from January to May 2021. The background and social data, data on the use of nursing care insurance, and clinical data suggestive of polypharmacy, sarcopenia, cognitive impairment, and frailty/oral frailty were obtained. The prevalence of these factors was compared between everyday and occasional drivers. RESULTS: Data of 127 patients were collected; their median (interquartile range) age was 73 (70-78) years. Of the total participants, 82 were men (64.6%) and 45 were women (35.4%). There were 77 everyday drivers and 50 occasional drivers. Of these, 121 (95.3%) had not applied for nursing care insurance, but the numbers of those who required help 1 and 2 were 1 (0.8%) and 3 (2.4%), respectively. Prevalence of medical factors was as follows: polypharmacy, 27.6%; sarcopenia, 8.7%; dementia, 16.4%; frailty, 15.0%; and oral frailty, 54.3%; it was not significantly different between every day and occasional drivers. Intention to return the car license was significantly higher among the occasional drivers (2.6% vs. 14.0%; odds ratio: 6.7, 95% confidence interval: 1.2-70.6, p = 0.024). CONCLUSION: We uncovered the prevalence of medical factors that can be associated with road traffic crashes among Japanese older people aged ≥ 65 years in our community.

DOI： 10.1186/s12877-022-03490-w

PubMed

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本脈管学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本臨床検査医学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(株)医学書院  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本臨床検査医学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本臨床検査医学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本脈管学会  

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

DOI： 10.1016/j.anl.2022.10.004

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：MDPI AG  

Stress among healthcare workers (HCWs) increased during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. We aimed to determine whether a yoga and mindfulness program could alleviate burnout and other psychological and physical distress in HCWs, and how this might affect their empathy for patients. A weekly one-hour yoga and mindfulness program was conducted for three months in 2021. Participants were 18 consenting HCWs and, the final analysis included 13 participants. They responded to online questionnaires before and after the program. We measured salivary cortisol levels before and after the program on the first and last days. Self-measured pulse rates (PRs) were taken before and after each session, which decreased significantly in both cases (before, after the first program: 72, 65 bpm, p &lt; 0.05; before, after the last program: 75, 66, p &lt; 0.05), but salivary cortisol levels did not change. No significant changes were observed in Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Maslach Burnout Inventory, Sense of Coherence, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Self-compassion Scale, or Jefferson Scale of Empathy. However, common humanity, a subscale of self-compassion, increased significantly (before the first program: 5.6, after the last program: 6.5, p &lt; 0.05), and over-identification decreased significantly (7.9, 6.7, p &lt; 0.01). Yoga and mindfulness programs may help improve the sense of common humanity and reduce over-identification in HCWs.

DOI： 10.3390/ijerph191912523

PubMed

researchmap

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Springer Science and Business Media LLC  

Abstract

Background

Autoimmune hypothalamitis is a very rare neuroendocrine disorder that causes central diabetes insipidus, headache, visual impairment, and sometimes cognitive impairment. Autoimmune hypothalamitis may occur in association with autoimmune hypophysitis, including lymphocytic hypophysitis, or in isolation. It is not known whether autoimmune hypothalamitis and autoimmune hypophysitis are consecutive diseases.

Case presentation

A 52-year-old woman developed autoimmune hypothalamitis 7 years after developing central diabetes insipidus due to lymphocytic hypophysitis, resulting in severe memory impairment. High-dose intravenous methylprednisolone therapy improved her cognitive function and decreased the size of the lesion.

Conclusion

This case presented a unique clinical course, with a long period of time between the onset of autoimmune hypopituitaritis and the development of autoimmune hypothalamitis.

DOI： 10.1186/s12883-022-02891-z

researchmap

Other Link： https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12883-022-02891-z/fulltext.html

Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Oxford University Press (OUP)  

DOI： 10.1093/qjmed/hcac150

Scopus

PubMed

researchmap

Other Link： https://academic.oup.com/qjmed/article-pdf/115/9/615/45973068/hcac150.pdf

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Springer Science and Business Media LLC  

Abstract

The immunization and screening rates for human papillomavirus in Japan are lower than those in other countries. We aimed to evaluate the impact of cervical cancer awareness months on public attention using Google Trends analysis. Between 2012 and 2021, we analyzed the trends in relative search volumes (RSVs) for “Shikyuu-keigan” (cervical cancer in English) in Japan, during the cervical cancer awareness month (CCAM) in January and cervical cancer prevention awareness enhancement month (CCPAEM) in November. We performed a joinpoint regression analysis to identify a statistically significant trend change point. Additionally, we compared the mean RSVs of each awareness month with the rest of the year. Significant trend change points were observed, but none were found in CCAM and CCPAEM periods. Comparison of mean RSVs among CCAM, CCPAEM, and the rest of the months did not suggest any significant increases in RSVs during these awareness periods. In conclusion, CAM and CCPAEM did not raise public interest in cervical cancer in Japan. Although the results are based on internet users, the findings might suggest a need to develop a more effective and attractive approach to achieve the 90-70-90 targets of cervical cancer prevention by 2030.

DOI： 10.1038/s41598-022-19798-x

PubMed

researchmap

Other Link： https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-19798-x

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：MDPI AG  

Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) is a type of Castleman disease that is not related to KSHV/HHV8 infection. Currently, iMCD is classified into iMCD-TAFRO (thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, reticulin fibrosis, and organomegaly) and iMCD-NOS (not otherwise specified). The former has been established as a relatively homogeneous disease unit that has been recently re-defined, while the latter is considered to be a heterogeneous disease that could be further divided into several subtypes. In 1980, Mori et al. proposed the concept of idiopathic plasmacytic lymphadenopathy (IPL), a disease presenting with polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia and a sheet-like proliferation of mature plasma cells in the lymph nodes. Some researchers consider IPL to be a part of iMCD-NOS, although it has not been clearly defined to date. This is the first paper to analyze iMCD-NOS clinicopathologically, to examine whether IPL forms a uniform disease unit in iMCD. Histologically, the IPL group showed prominent plasmacytosis and the hyperplasia of germinal centers, while the non-IPL group showed prominent vascularity. Clinically, the IPL group showed significant thrombocytosis and elevated serum IgG levels compared to the non-IPL group (p = 0.007, p &lt; 0.001, respectively). Pleural effusion and ascites were less common in the IPL group (p &lt; 0.001). The IPL group was more likely to have an indolent clinical course and a good response to the anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, while the non-IPL counterpart frequently required more aggressive medical interventions. Thus, the IPL group is a clinicopathologically uniform entity that forms an independent subtype of iMCD.

DOI： 10.3390/ijms231810301

researchmap

Language：Japanese  

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)has prevailed worldwide since early 2020 and has caused the global coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic. A considerable number of patients suffer from various sequela after SARS-CoV-2 infection, which is known as post COVID-19 condition(PCC). Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we opened a COVID-19 aftercare clinic in February 2021 in Okayama University Hospital, where we specifically consult PCC patients. While examining such patients, three Cs are essential: complexity, continuity, and collaboration. Neurological and psychiatric manifestations are particularly important from the wide range of PCC symptoms. Indeed, a recent meta-analysis demonstrated that PCC patients suffer from brain fog(32%), memory loss(27%), attention disorder(22%), dyssomnia(31%), anxiety(23%), and depression(12%). The pathophysiology and treatment strategies for these conditions are yet to be developed, and further research is required. We have corroborated that endocrinological impairments may underlie the onset and deterioration of PCC. Through our continuous consultation at the COVID-19 aftercare clinic, we intend to conduct research on the pathophysiology of and treatment strategies for PCC.

DOI： 10.11477/mf.1436204667

PubMed

J-GLOBAL

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

DOI： 10.1016/j.jiac.2022.09.012

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：SAGE Publications  

Hand hygiene (HH) compliance among health-care workers has not satisfactorily improved despite multiple educative approaches. Between October 2019 and February 2020, we performed a self-evaluation test and a direct observation for the compliance of the 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene program advocated by the World Health Organization at two Japanese hospitals. Average percentages of self-evaluated HH compliance were as follows: (i) 76.9% for “Before touching a patient,” (ii) 85.8% for “Before clean/aseptic procedures,” (iii) 95.9% for “After body fluid exposure/risk,” (iv) 84.0% for “After touching a patient,” and (v) 69.2% for “After touching patient surroundings.” On the other hand, actual HH compliance was 11.7% for “Before touching a patient” and 18.0% for “After touching a patient or patient surroundings.” The present study demonstrated a big gap between self-evaluation and actual HH compliance among nurses working at hospitals, indicating the need of further providing the education in infection prevention.

DOI： 10.1177/17571774221094160

PubMed

researchmap

Other Link： http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full-xml/10.1177/17571774221094160

Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Orexin plays a key role in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness and in feeding behavior in the central nervous system, but its receptors are expressed in various peripheral tissues including endocrine tissues. In the present study, we elucidated the effects of orexin on pituitary gonadotropin regulation by focusing on the functional involvement of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and clock genes using mouse gonadotrope LβT2 cells that express orexin type 1 (OX1R) and type 2 (OX2R) receptors. Treatments with orexin A enhanced LHβ and FSHβ mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner in the absence of GnRH, whereas orexin A in turn suppressed GnRH-induced gonadotropin expression in LβT2 cells. Orexin A downregulated GnRH receptor expression, while GnRH enhanced OX1R and OX2R mRNA expression. Treatments with orexin A as well as GnRH increased the mRNA levels of Bmal1 and Clock, which are oscillational regulators for gonadotropin expression. Of note, treatments with BMP-6 and -15 enhanced OX1R and OX2R mRNA expression with upregulation of clock gene expression. On the other hand, orexin A enhanced BMP receptor signaling of Smad1/5/9 phosphorylation through upregulation of ALK-2/BMPRII among the BMP receptors expressed in LβT2 cells. Collectively, the results indicate that orexin regulates gonadotropin expression via clock gene expression by mutually interacting with GnRH action and the pituitary BMP system in gonadotrope cells.

DOI： 10.3390/ijms23179782

PubMed

researchmap

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

In our earlier work, we revealed that inflammation of the lesser curvature of the gastric body and antrum could constitute independent risk factors for gastric cancer development, while inflammation of the greater curvature was not. The aims of this study were as follows: first, to reveal the differences between T lymphocyte populations of the gastric antrum and the greater and lesser curvatures of the gastric body in patients after Helicobacter pylori eradication; second, to analyze the correlation between the composition of the stomach-resident T lymphocytes and time from H. pylori eradication; and third, to evaluate the sex differences in T lymphocyte subsets after H. pylori eradication. To investigate site-specific differences in stomach-resident T lymphocytes after H. pylori eradication, we performed flow cytometry analysis on samples taken from the gastric antrum, greater curvature of the gastric body, and lesser curvature of the gastric body of 20 patients. We also analyzed the correlation between the composition of the stomach-resident T lymphocytes and the time from H. pylori eradication. The lymphocyte subsets of the antrum and lesser curvature of the body were similar. In contrast, compared to those in the greater curvature of the gastric body, CD4+/CD3+ lymphocyte subsets (43.8 ± 19.4% vs 31.7 ± 14.6%) were elevated in the lesser curvature of the body, whereas CD8+/CD3+ (67.1 ± 21.3% vs 80.4 ± 12.0%), CD7+/CD3+ (91.2 ± 4.6% vs 93.7 ± 3.8%), CCR4+/CD3+ (7.7 ± 8.1% vs 10.4 ± 7.0%), CD45RA+/CD3+CD4+ (27.2 ± 24.8% vs 39.5 ± 20.8%), and CD45RA+/CD3+CD4- (14.2 ± 11.1% vs 18.7 ± 11.5) were lower. Linear regression analysis showed a negative correlation between the time after H. pylori eradication and CD4+/CD3+ (P < .05, R2 = 0.198). There were no significant differences between men and women with respect to the lymphocyte populations. These results indicate that there are site-specific differences in lymphocyte composition in the stomach after H. pylori eradication.

DOI： 10.1097/MD.0000000000030241

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： 10.1093/qjmed/hcac142

PubMed

researchmap

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Wiley  

DOI： 10.1111/trf.17039

researchmap

Other Link： https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1111/trf.17039

Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Wiley  

DOI： 10.1002/jha2.459

researchmap

Other Link： https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1002/jha2.459

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： 10.1093/qjmed/hcac167

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

OBJECTIVES: While the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to increased burnout among frontline healthcare workers (HCWs), little research has been done regarding the potential psychological burden among public health officials who have worked tirelessly to tackle the pandemic from an administrative perspective. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of burnout, depression, and job-related stress in Japanese public health officers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We conducted an anonymous, self-administered web-based cross-sectional survey including basic demographics, work-related questions, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-3, and Brief Job Stress Questionnaire. 100 public health officers working in the public health centers (PHCs) in Okayama, Japan, answered the survey in December 2021 when the 5th surge in the number of COVID-19 was over. RESULTS: The prevalence of burnout, depression, and job-related stress was 27%, 43%, and 62%, respectively. The multivariate logistic analysis demonstrated that females, public health nurses, and those who suffered from a lack of support from their workplaces were significantly associated with psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: While we tend to focus on mitigation plans to help alleviate burnout of frontline HCWs, more focus is needed to help public health officers, and public health nurses, in particular, to alleviate their psychological distress and job-related stress to prevent further staff shortages and secure sustainable health systems.

DOI： 10.1016/j.ajp.2022.103160

PubMed

researchmap

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a leading cause of nosocomial and community infections, and vancomycin (VCM) is widely recommended as a first-line therapeutic drug. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of VCM ≤2 μg/mL are defined as susceptible, but increases in these levels, known as "VCM MIC creep" have been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate VCM MIC creep during the promotion of a national antimicrobial stewardship campaign. METHODS: We collected data from 2013 to 2020 on S. aureus isolated at the clinical microbiology laboratory at Okayama University Hospital, Japan. We calculated the annual proportions of MRSA isolation rates by MIC levels for nosocomial and community samples and estimated annual percentage changes in the antimicrobial use density of the VCM. RESULTS: Of the 1,716 MRSA isolates, no strains showed intermediate or resistant ranges of VCM MIC levels. By 2020, the proportion of MRSA with an MIC of ≤0.5 μg/mL decreased to 35.4%, while that with an MIC of 1 μg/mL increased to 64.1% over time. The annual percentage changes of the VCM antimicrobial use density significantly increased without any trend change point (average 8.1%, p = 0.035). There was no clear correlation between the VCM AUD and annual proportion of nosocomial MRSA with MIC 1 μg/mL (correlation coefficient 0.48; p value = 0.24). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated a deteriorating situation of VCM MIC creep among MRSA strains isolated at our university hospital during the national antimicrobial stewardship campaign.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jiac.2022.03.017

PubMed

researchmap

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

DOI： 10.1016/j.jinf.2022.07.007

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

DOI： 10.1016/j.jiac.2022.02.021

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Wiley  

DOI： 10.1002/jgf2.529

researchmap

Other Link： https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1002/jgf2.529

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本医学教育学会  

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Background and Objectives: COVID-19 can be serious not only in the acute phase but also after the acute phase and some patients develop ME/CFS. There have been few studies on patients with long COVID in whom ME/CFS was diagnosed by physicians based on standardized criteria after examinations and exclusion diagnosis and not based on only subjective symptoms. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the detailed characteristics of ME/CFS in patients with long COVID. Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was performed for patients who visited a COVID-19 aftercare clinic established in Okayama University Hospital during the period was from February 2021 to April 2022. Results: Clinical data were obtained from medical records for 281 patients, and 279 patients who met the definition of long COVID were included. The overall prevalence rate of ME/CFS diagnosed by three sets of ME/CFS criteria (Fukuda, Canadian and IOM criteria) was 16.8% (48.9% in male and 51.1% in females). The most frequent symptoms in ME/CFS patients were general fatigue and post-exertional malaise (89.4% of the patients), headache (34.0%), insomnia (23.4%), dysosmia (21.3%) and dysgeusia (19.1%). Dizziness, chest pain, insomnia and headache were characteristic symptoms related to ME/CFS. The male to female ratio in ME/CFS patients was equal in the present study, although ME/CFS was generally more common in women in previous studies. Given that patients with ME/CFS had more severe conditions in the acute phase of COVID-19, the severity of the acute infectious state might be involved in the pathophysiology of ME/CFS. Conclusions: The prevalence rate of ME/CFS and the characteristic sequelae in the long COVID condition were revealed in this study.

DOI： 10.3390/medicina58070850

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-positive marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) is rare and undefined. It is unclear whether IgG4-positive MZLs have as favorable an outcome as MZLs in general. Also, correlation with IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) and IgG4-positive MZLs is unknown. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews, we searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for all peer-reviewed articles using keywords including"IgG4" and "marginal zone lymphoma" from their inception to February 20, 2022. Twenty-two articles, including six observational studies and 24 cases from 16 case reports and case series, were included. Only one study had a comparative group, and the other five were exploratory observational studies. IgG4-positive MZLs commonly occurred in males (83.3%). It primarily involved ocular adnexa (41.7%) and skin (29.2%). Only 29.2% had concurrent IgG4-RD, and no expiration was noted. While most cases were treated with excision, resection, or clinical observation, 21.7% received rituximab-cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone as a first-line treatment. This systematic review summarizes the current understanding of the characteristics of IgG4-positive MZLs. While there seems to be IgG4-RD-related and de novo IgG4-positive MZLs, future research needs to clearly define MZL with polyclonal IgG4-positive cells and IgG4-producing lymphoma. Further studies are critical to clarifying long-term prognosis and optimal surveillance planning.

DOI： 10.1111/pin.13251

PubMed

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本疲労学会  

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Wiley  

Cushing's syndrome (CS) shows diverse signs such as centripetal obesity, moon face, and buffalo hump, which can complicate the diagnosis. Facial features including eyelid edema, as an underrecognized sign, can be diagnostic clues for an excess of corticoids in a CS patient.

DOI： 10.1002/ccr3.5940

PubMed

researchmap

Other Link： https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1002/ccr3.5940

Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本疲労学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本糖尿病学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本糖尿病学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本疲労学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本糖尿病学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本糖尿病学会  

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Evidence regarding treatment for the acute phase of COVID-19 has been accumulating, but specific treatment for long COVID/post-COVID-19 condition has not yet been established. Treatment with herbal medicine might be one treatment option for long COVID, but there has been little research on the effectiveness of herbal medicine for long COVID. The aim of this study was to clarify the prescription patterns of Kampo medicines, which are herbal medicines that originated in China and were developed in Japan, for the treatment of general fatigue due to long COVID. A retrospective descriptive study was performed for patients who visited a COVID-19 aftercare clinic established in Okayama University Hospital during the period from Feb 2021 to Dec 2021 with a focus on symptoms accompanying general fatigue and prescriptions of Kampo medicine. Among the clinical data obtained from medical records of 195 patients, clinical data for 102 patients with general fatigue and accompanying symptoms were analyzed. The patients had various symptoms, and the most frequent symptoms accompanying general fatigue were dysosmia, dysgeusia, headache, insomnia, dyspnea, and hair loss. Prescriptions of Kampo medicine accounted for 24.1% of the total prescriptions (n = 609). The most frequently prescribed Kampo medicine was hochuekkito (71.6%) and other prescribed Kampo medicines were tokishakuyakusan, ryokeijutsukanto, juzentaihoto, hangekobokuto, kakkonto, ninjin'yoeito, goreisan, rikkunshito, and keishibukuryogan. Since the pathophysiology of general fatigue after an infectious disease is, in general, considered a qi deficiency in Kampo medicine, treatments with such compensation agents can be the major prescription as a complement for the qi. In conclusion, Kampo medicine can be one of the main pharmacological treatments for long COVID accompanying general fatigue.

DOI： 10.3390/medicina58060730

PubMed

researchmap

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：MDPI AG  

Data regarding the in-depth surface marker profiles of gastric tissue-resident lymphocytes in autoimmune and Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis are lacking. In this study, we investigated potential differences in lymphocyte composition between these profiles. We enrolled patients with autoimmune (n = 14), active (current infection of H. pylori in the stomach; n = 10), and inactive gastritis (post-eradication of H. pylori; n = 20). Lymphocytes were isolated from the greater curvature of the stomach and lesser curvature of the body and analyzed using flow cytometry. The CD8+/CD3+ and CD4+/CD3+ ratios differed between the samples. Body CD4+/antrum CD4+, which is calculated by dividing the CD4+/CD3+ ratio in the body by that in the antrum, was significantly higher in autoimmune gastritis (3.54 ± 3.13) than in active (1.47 ± 0.41) and inactive gastritis (1.42 ± 0.77). Antrum CD8+/CD4+ in autoimmune gastritis (7.86 ± 7.23) was also higher than that in active (1.49 ± 0.58) and inactive gastritis (2.84 ± 2.17). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of antrum CD8+/CD4+ was 0.842, and the corresponding optimal cutoff point was 4.0, with a sensitivity of 71.4% and a specificity of 93.3%. We propose that an antrum CD8+/CD4+ ratio &gt; 4.0 is a potential diagnostic marker for autoimmune gastritis.

DOI： 10.3390/cimb44060167

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English  

DOI： 10.1016/j.jns.2022.120232

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

The inconsistency of Japanese names of "Sogo-Shinryo" departments is also a greater problem in this country, and we are afraid that it may cause anxiety to patients, residents, and students. As one of the "Sogo-Shinryo" departments in Japan, we want to provide them comprehensive learning environments regardless of the boundaries of academic cliques and societies, and, as a result, relieve them, foster general minds, and build their careers.

DOI： 10.1002/jgf2.522

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English  

DOI： 10.1016/j.amjmed.2022.01.033

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

BACKGROUND: The sarcoidosis mortality rate has increased over the years, which contributes to the health care burden. Although epidemiological studies of sarcoidosis mortality in aging societies are essential, none have been published since 1989 in Japan. METHODS: We aimed to investigate the trends in crude and age-adjusted sarcoidosis-associated mortality rates per 1,000,000 population in Japan from 2001 to 2020 using national death certificate data among older adults aged over 50 years. The data were analysed using the joinpoint regression models to estimate long-term trends and average annual percentage changes (AAPCs). RESULTS: A total of 3094 sarcoidosis-associated deaths were recorded from 2001 to 2020 in Japan; women constituted 65.3% of these, with a female:male ratio of 1.89. Nearly 80% of deaths were over the age of 65 years, of which 32% were over the age of 80 years. The trend in crude mortality of those aged ≥80 years markedly increased from 0.81 to 9.68 per 1,000,000 population in men and from 2.38 to 12.87 in women, respectively. The overall age-adjusted sarcoidosis mortality rate increased 2.46-fold during the study period, with an AAPC of 5.1%. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that sarcoidosis-associated deaths in Japan have significantly increased over the past two decades, especially among the older population with a female predominance. Given the rising mortality rate and susceptibility of the older population, sarcoidosis will require more attention from health care providers in terms of a multidisciplinary approach to address the specific needs of the older population.

DOI： 10.1016/j.rmed.2022.106828

PubMed

researchmap

Language：Japanese  

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Objectives: This study aimed to determine qualitatively how medical residents develop intrinsic motivation to learn and work in clinical training settings. Methods: This study was a descriptive qualitative study, which is widely used in healthcare research. We conducted a semi-structured interview aimed to explore key participants' in-depth experiences and perspectives regarding intrinsic motivation. The authors interviewed seven postgraduate Japanese medical residents. The transcripts were analyzed using the sequential and thematic qualitative data analysis technique steps for coding and theorization, which entails coding steps from open to selective, writing a storyline using the final selective codes, and offering theories. Results: External stimulations (a self-handle environment and a near-peer role model) triggered the medical residents' cognitive process (gap recognition, awareness, and internalization) to intrinsic motivation. The residents' awareness of autonomy, responsibility, and independence played a vital role in this process. Furthermore, a psychological feeling of competence also reinforced their intrinsic motivation. Positive feedback and approval from attending physicians and patients' gratitude promoted residents' sense of competence. Conclusions: We illustrated a process for increasing medical residents' intrinsic motivation. The intrinsic motivation was triggered by external stimulations (a self-handle environment and a near-peer role model), which caused the cognitive process: gap recognition, awareness of important attitudes as a doctor (autonomy, responsibility, and independence), and internalization. Since the first step of this process was an external factor, there are potential benefits of designing an appropriate training environment for increasing medical residents' intrinsic motivation.

DOI： 10.5116/ijme.6250.1017

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Wiley  

DOI： 10.1002/jha2.459

researchmap

Other Link： https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1002/jha2.459

Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Symptoms of long COVID are complex and long-lasting, and endocrine dysfunction might be involved in the underlying mechanisms. In this study, to clarify the hormonal characteristics of long COVID patients, laboratory data for patients who visited the outpatient clinic for long COVID were evaluated. A retrospective analysis was performed for patients who visited Okayama University Hospital during the period from Feb 2021 to Dec 2021 with focus on the interrelationships between major symptoms and endocrine data. Information and laboratory data were obtained from medical records for 186 patients. The patients had various symptoms, and the most frequent symptoms were general malaise, dysosmia/dysgeusia, hair loss, headache, dyspnea, and sleeplessness. Patients who were suffering from fatigue and dysosmia/dysgeusia were younger, while hair loss was more frequent in older and female patients. As for the characteristics of patients suffering from general fatigue, the scores of depression and fatigue were positively correlated with serum levels of cortisol and free thyroxin (FT4), respectively. Also, patients suffering from general fatigue had lower levels of serum growth hormone and higher levels of serum FT4, while patients with dysosmia/dysgeusia had a significantly lower level of serum cortisol. Serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels were higher and the ratios of FT4/TSH were lower in the initially severe cases, suggesting occult hypothyroidism. In addition, the ratios of plasma adrenocorticotropin to serum cortisol were decreased in patients with relatively high titers of serum SARS-CoV-2 antibody. Thus, hormonal changes seem to be, at least in part, involved in the persistent symptoms of long COVID.

DOI： 10.1507/endocrj.EJ22-0093

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English  

After the acute phase of COVID-19, some patients have been reported to have persistent symptoms including general fatigue. We have established a COVID-19 aftercare clinic (CAC) to provide care for an increasing number of these patients. Here, we report the case of a 36-year-old man who developed post-COVID fatigue after acute infection with SARS-CoV-2. In the acute phase of COVID-19, the patient's fever resolved within four days; however, general fatigue persisted for three months, and he visited our CAC 99 days after the initial infection. Examination revealed a high Aging Male's Symptoms (AMS) score of 44 and low free testosterone (FT) level of 5.5 pg/mL, which meet the Japanese criteria of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) syndrome. Imaging studies revealed an atrophic pituitary in addition to fatty liver and low bone mineral density. Anterior pituitary function tests showed a low follicle-stimulating hormonelevel and delayed reaction of luteinizing hormone (LH) after gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation, indicating the possibility of hypothalamic hypogonadism in addition to primary hypogonadism seen in patients with post-COVID-19 conditions. After the initiation of Japanese traditional medicine (Kampo medicine: hochuekkito followed by juzentaihoto), the patient's symptoms as well as his AMS score and serum FT level were noticeably improved. Furthermore, follow-up tests of GnRH stimulation revealed improvements in LH responsiveness. Although many patients have been reported to meet the criteria of ME/CFS such as our case, we emphasize the possibility of other underlying pathologies including LOH syndrome. In conclusion, LOH syndrome should be considered a cause of general fatigue in patients with post-COVID-19 conditions and herbal treatment might be effective for long COVID symptoms due to LOH (264 words).

DOI： 10.3390/medicina58040536

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

To promote antimicrobial stewardship, we studied antimicrobial prescription rates for uncomplicated cystitis, a common outpatient disease requiring antibiotic treatment. This multicenter retrospective study was performed from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020, in Japan, targeting outpatients aged ≥ 20 years whose medical records revealed International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) codes suggesting uncomplicated cystitis (N300). The data of 1445 patients were collected and that of 902 patients were analyzed. The overall median patient age was 71 years and a proportion of those aged less than 50 years was 18.8% with a female dominance (82.6%). Antimicrobials were prescribed for 884 patients (98.0%) and a total of 623 patients (69.1%) were treated with broad-spectrum drugs, including fluoroquinolones (36.0%), third-generation cephalosporins (29.9%) and faropenem (3.1%). A logistic regression model revealed that the broad-spectrum agents were significantly prescribed for the older patients, male patients, and those who visited internists. Recurrence was observed in 37 (4.1%) cases, and the multivariate analysis suggested any of age, sex, or antimicrobial types were not associated with the recurrence. Collectively, approximately two-thirds of antimicrobials prescribed for uncomplicated cystitis were broad-spectrum agents. The present data would be an indicator for antimicrobial prescriptions in uncomplicated cystitis in Japan.

DOI： 10.1038/s41598-022-09946-8

PubMed

researchmap

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Wiley  

DOI： 10.1002/ccr3.5713

researchmap

Other Link： https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1002/ccr3.5713

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

DOI： 10.1016/j.mayocp.2022.01.010

researchmap

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Wiley  

A patient complaining of swelling and tenderness in her left axilla was diagnosed with cat scratch disease despite no apparent history of cat exposure. Zoonosis can occur even in the absence of cat exposure because cat flea Ctenocephalides felis is also the vector of the pathogen through the flea feces.

DOI： 10.1002/ccr3.4816

PubMed

researchmap

Other Link： https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1002/ccr3.4816

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本糖尿病学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本糖尿病学会  

researchmap

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

The pathogenesis and prognosis of post COVID-19 condition have remained unclear. We set up an outpatient clinic specializing in long COVID in February 2021 and we have been investigating post COVID-19 condition. Based on the results of our earlier study showing that "general fatigue" mimicking myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is the most common symptom in long COVID patients, a retrospective analysis was performed for 39 male patients in whom serum free testosterone (FT) levels were measured out of 61 male patients who visited our clinic. We analyzed the medical records of the patients' backgrounds, symptoms and laboratory results. Among the 39 patients, 19 patients (48.7%) met the criteria for late-onset hypogonadism (LOH; FT &lt; 8.5 pg/mL: LOH group) and 14 patients were under 50 years of age. A weak negative correlation was found between age and serum FT level (r = -0.301, p = 0.0624). Symptoms including general fatigue, anxiety, cough and hair loss were more frequent in the LOH group than in the non-LOH group (FT ≥ 8.5 pg/mL). Among various laboratory parameters, blood hemoglobin level was slightly, but significantly, lower in the LOH group. Serum level of FT was positively correlated with the levels of blood hemoglobin and serum total protein and albumin in the total population, whereas these interrelationships were blurred in the LOH group. Collectively, the results indicate that the incidence of LOH is relatively high in male patients, even young male patients, with post COVID-19 and that serum FT measurement is useful for revealing occult LOH status in patients with long COVID.

DOI： 10.3390/jcm11071955

PubMed

researchmap

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Wiley  

DOI： 10.1111/trf.16856

researchmap

Other Link： https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1111/trf.16856

Language：English  

DOI： 10.1016/j.amjmed.2022.02.042

PubMed

researchmap

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) is a systemic disorder characterized by systemic inflammation and organ dysfunction associated with an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines. Some patients with iMCD are positive for autoantibodies, although their significance and relationship with specific associated autoimmune diseases are unclear. This study retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological features of iMCD patients focusing on autoantibodies. Among 63 iMCD patients in our database, 19 were positive for at least one autoantibody. Among the 19, we identified five with plasma cell type (PC)-iMCD lymph node histopathology and positive anti-phospholipid antibodies. These patients were likely to have thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, reticulin fibrosis or renal insufficiency, organomegaly (TAFRO) symptoms, and thrombotic events. The present study suggests that patients with undiagnosed or atypical autoimmune diseases, including anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS), were treated for iMCD. APS may present with thrombocytopenia or even multi-organ failure, which overlap with clinical presentations of iMCD. Due to differences in the treatment regimen and follow-up, recognition of the undiagnosed autoimmune disease process in those suspected of iMCD is essential. Our study highlights the importance of complete exclusion of differential diagnoses in patients with iMCD in their diagnostic workup.

DOI： 10.3960/jslrt.21038

PubMed

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本感染症学会  

researchmap

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Wiley  

AIM: Despite the increasing attention that has been paid to amyloidosis in recent years, there have been few reports on amyloidosis mortality and its trends worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the trends in crude and age-adjusted amyloidosis-associated mortality rates in Japan from 1998 to 2019. METHODS: We used national Vital Statistics data among older adults aged over 50 years. The data were analyzed using the joinpoint regression program to estimate the long-term trends and average annual percentage changes (AAPCs). RESULTS: A total of 9158 amyloidosis-associated deaths were recorded from 1998 to 2019, of which 56.1% were in men. The crude mortality rate per 1 000 000 older adults aged over 80 years increased from 9.65 to 54.3 among men and from 7.02 to 22.1 among women during the study period. Overall, the AAPCs of age-adjusted amyloidosis-associated mortality rates increased significantly over the study period (1.8%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-2.7%). While the annual percentage change (APC) of age-adjusted mortality rates in women showed no significant change over the study period, the APC in men markedly increased in the 2013-2019 period (8.2%, 95% CI: 6.0-10.4%). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed an increasing trend in mortality associated with amyloidosis, and in particular a marked increase in mortality among men over the past 6 years. Considering its high mortality rate and susceptibility to the effects of an increasing population of older adults, amyloidosis deserves more attention from healthcare providers to improve the understanding of diagnosis, clinical treatment, and healthcare planning. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 246-250.

DOI： 10.1111/ggi.14348

PubMed

researchmap

Other Link： https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1111/ggi.14348

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本内分泌学会  

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publisher：(一社)日本感染症学会  

初期研修医の卒後ローテーションにおける「感染症研修の必須化」に関する意識などを明らかにすることを目的に、岡山県内で初期研修プログラムを有する16の研修病院に所属する初期研修医(卒後1・2年)、および専攻医(卒後3・4・5年)を対象にウェブ・アンケートを行い、127名(男性64名、女性60名、無回答3名)より回答を得た。その結果、初期研修医制度における「感染症研修の必須化」(例:最低1ヵ月ローテーションするなど)について84名(66.1%)が賛成すると回答した。一方、18名(14.2%)は必須化に反対しており、その理由として、「ローテーション選択の自由度を損なうため」(15名)などが挙げられた。

researchmap

Other Link： https://search-tp.jamas.or.jp/index.php?module=Default&action=Link&pub_year=2022&ichushi_jid=J00276&link_issn=&doc_id=20220406400006&doc_link_id=1390010292792199424&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcir.nii.ac.jp%2Fcrid%2F1390010292792199424&type=CiNii&icon=https%3A%2F%2Fjk04.jamas.or.jp%2Ficon%2F00003_3.gif