1.Continuous Support for Community-based Activities Activity System Model as a Conceptual Framework: Qualitative Research
Aki SHIBATA ; Masumi TAKEI ; Asuka SUZUKI ; Kenzo TAKAHASHI
An Official Journal of the Japan Primary Care Association 2024;47(1):3-11
Introduction: This study aimed to identify issues and concerns involved in a community-based activity and to identify requirements for supporting its continuation. Methods: Between September and November 2021, interviews were conducted with 12 volunteer residents who manage a community-based activity. Deductive content analysis was used to analyze the data. Yrjö Engeström's activity system model was used as the analytical framework. Results: Within the components of the activity system, the following "contradictions" were identified: supporters were anxious to continue their activities, the number of new participants in the community-based activity was not increasing, and human relationship difficulties constituted a regional characteristic. Among the components, the following "contradictions" were identified: many older adults were unable to participate in the community-based activity because of age- or health-related reasons, many older adults worked, and there were various other activities that did not result in subsequent participation in the community-based activity. Conclusion: The model also identified the need to consider visualization of the benefits of the community-based activity, comprehensive publicity activities involving residents, creating a system that allows people of all health levels to participate, and ongoing support for health promotion for the younger generation with anticipation of old age.
2.Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Arbekacin against Pneumonia in Febrile Neutropenia: A Retrospective Study in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies
Takashi OHASHI ; Yukiyoshi FUJITA ; Hiroyuki IRISAWA ; Hidemasa NAKAMINAMI ; Takahiro ARAI ; Masumi TAKAHASHI ; Emi MOMIYAMA ; Naoya MURATA ; Kayoko MURAYAMA ; Taeko SAITO
Infection and Chemotherapy 2022;54(1):80-90
Background:
Arbekacin (ABK) is an aminoglycoside that exhibits anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa activities. Therefore, for patients with febrile neutropenia (FN) and concurrent pneumonia suspected to be caused by MRSA, ABK may be sufficiently effective even as a single agent.
Materials and Methods:
Patients with hematologic malignancies treated with ABK who met the following criteria were included: 1) fever during neutropenia or functional neutropenia, 2) FN complicated by pneumonia, and 3) possible infection by antimicrobial-resistant Grampositive cocci.
Results:
This study encompassed 22 episodes involving 19 patients, of which, 15 (68.2%) were successfully treated with ABK. Of the nine episodes showing inadequate response to other anti-MRSA drugs, eight were successfully treated with ABK. Grade 2 or worse adverse events included acute kidney injury (13.6%) and increased transaminase levels (9.1%).
Conclusion
The present study demonstrated that ABK is effective and safe in patients with FN and concurrent pneumonia caused by antimicrobial-resistant Gram-positive cocci. ABK may also be effective in patients who are unresponsive to other anti-MRSA drugs. Therefore, ABK may be beneficial in the treatment of pneumonia caused by antimicrobial-resistant Gram-positive cocci in patients with FN.