With the goal of improving delirium in cancer patients, quetiapine suppositories were formulated in-hospital and their usefulness was investigated. A retrospective survey of medical records was conducted in 108 patients in whom quetiapine suppositories were used, out of 644 patients admitted to a palliative care ward between April 2011 and October 2014. Patient background information, circumstances of administration, degree of improvement in delirium (evaluation of degree of improvement in hyperactive delirium determined using the Agitation Distress Scale [ADS]), and side effects were investigated. In the overall group, including the quetiapine suppository group and the quetiapine suppository combined with another drug group, a significant decrease in ADS value was confirmed after administration of the suppository (p<0.0001), suggesting that this treatment contributed to improvement in delirium. The side effects were similar to those caused by the oral administration of quetiapine, and issues due to the formulation as a suppository were not observed. In conclusion, it was determined that quetiapine suppositories can be used simply and safely, and it is thought that quetiapine suppositories are useful for delirium in cancer patients.

We have carried out a health developing project for three years at two flat rural areas in Ibaraki prefecture, O in Ushiku town and N in Iwai city, taking female farmers as the subjects.
As a result, people in these areas obtained by developing reciprocal assistance a belief in selfsupport and knowledge of diseases, which lead to remarkable progress of their health such as improvement of nutrition and cosolidation of agricultural and life environment. Some observations in the study are discussed below.
1) In the two areas, the number of people with no abnormality increased while those requiring care decreased, The number of people to be treated or under treatment was nearly unchanged, probably because of chronic deseases. No death and complication occured during the three years.
2) Owing to the difference between O and N areas in the age structure of examinees, areal characteristics and types of agricultural products, the results of health examinations in these two areas were somewhat different.
3) The health developing project will become more effective if male farmers participate together with the female farmers.
4) Continuation of the health care activity in these areas will establish voluntary organizations of residents.

BACKGROUND: Studies reported adverse behavioral development including internalizing and externalizing problems in association with prenatal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates; however, findings were not sufficient due to using different assessment tools and child ages among studies. This study aimed to examine associations between maternal serum levels of BPA and phthalate metabolites and behavioral problems at preschool age. METHODS: The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to assess behavioral problems at 5 years of age. BPA and phthalate metabolite levels in the first trimester maternal serum was determined by LC-MS/MS for 458 children. Variables used for adjustment were parental ages, maternal cotinine levels, family income during pregnancy, child sex, birth order, and age at SDQ completed. RESULTS: The median concentrations of BPA, MnBP, MiBP, MEHP, and MECPP, primary and secondary metabolites of phthalates, were 0.062, 26.0, 7.0, 1.40, and 0.20 ng/ml, respectively. MECPP level was associated with increase conduct problem risk (OR = 2.78, 95% CI 1.36-5.68) overall and the association remained after child sex stratification, and odds ratios were increased with wider confidence interval (OR = 2.85, 95% CI 1.07-7.57 for boys, OR = 4.04, 95% CI 1.31-12.5 for girls, respectively). BPA, ∑DBP (MnBP + MiBP), and ∑DEHP (MEHP+MECPP) levels were not associated with any of the child behavioral problems. CONCLUSIONS Our analyses found no significant association between BPA or summation of phthalate metabolite levels and any of the behavioral problems at 5 years of age but suggested possible association between MECPP levels and increased risk of conduct problems.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Benzhydryl Compounds ; blood ; Child, Preschool ; Environmental Exposure ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Phenols ; blood ; Phthalic Acids ; blood ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ; epidemiology ; Problem Behavior ; Smoking ; epidemiology ; Socioeconomic Factors

BACKGROUND: The Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children's Health is an ongoing study consisting of two birth cohorts of different population sizes: the Sapporo cohort and the Hokkaido cohort. Our primary objectives are to (1) examine the effects that low-level environmental chemical exposures have on birth outcomes, including birth defects and growth retardation; (2) follow the development of allergies, infectious diseases, and neurobehavioral developmental disorders, as well as perform a longitudinal observation of child development; (3) identify high-risk groups based on genetic susceptibility to environmental chemicals; and (4) identify the additive effects of various chemicals, including tobacco. METHODS: The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the progress of the Hokkaido Study, summarize recent results, and suggest future directions. In particular, this report provides the latest details from questionnaire surveys, face-to-face examinations, and a collection of biological specimens from children and measurements of their chemical exposures. RESULTS: The latest findings indicate different risk factors of parental characteristics on birth outcomes and the mediating effect between socioeconomic status and children that are small for the gestational age. Maternal serum folate was not associated with birth defects. Prenatal chemical exposure and smoking were associated with birth size and growth, as well as cord blood biomarkers, such as adiponectin, leptin, thyroid, and reproductive hormones. We also found significant associations between the chemical levels and neuro development, asthma, and allergies. CONCLUSIONS Chemical exposure to children can occur both before and after birth. Longer follow-up for children is crucial in birth cohort studies to reinforce the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis. In contrast, considering shifts in the exposure levels due to regulation is also essential, which may also change the association to health outcomes. This study found that individual susceptibility to adverse health effects depends on the genotype. Epigenome modification of DNA methylation was also discovered, indicating the necessity of examining molecular biology perspectives. International collaborations can add a new dimension to the current knowledge and provide novel discoveries in the future.
Biomarkers/blood* ; Child ; Child Health ; Child, Preschool ; Cohort Studies ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Environmental Health ; Environmental Pollutants/adverse effects* ; Female ; Fetal Blood/chemistry* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Growth/drug effects* ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity/etiology* ; Infant ; Japan/epidemiology* ; Male ; Neurodevelopmental Disorders/etiology* ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/etiology* ; Prevalence ; Smoking/adverse effects*