Objective: The overproduction of reactive oxygen species leads to oxidative stress, which is related to lifestyle-related disease and cancer. Although antioxidants are considered as one of the countermeasures to oxidative stress, it is necessary to develop the assessment methodology for the antioxidant capacity which is closer to the inner body conditions. In this study, we examined antioxidant actions of plant extracts by using newly-developed neutrophil activity measurement system.
Method: Lemon verbena, Green tea, Camellia japonica and Antiallerge^® were used as plant extracts, and were diluted to medium in wide-range concentrations. Each solution was added on modified Mebiol Gel^® (hydrogel), and the mixture of blood and luminol were set onto the hydrogel in each tube. The amount of reactive oxygen species were measured by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence, whereas the cell count in the hydrogel was quantified as migratory activity of neutrophils.
Result: Lemon verbena and Green tea significantly inhibited reactive oxygen species in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas Camellia japonica and Antiallerge^® did not. The migratory activity of neutrophils was not affected by those plant extracts. Also, damaged cells were not detected.
Conclusion: It was suggested that Lemon verbena and Green tea scavenged reactive oxygen species without causing cell death of neutrophils. This new method for measuring neutrophil activities can be applied not only for assessing the status of inflammation and oxidative stress but also as the screening system for predicting the effectiveness of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) and health-related Quality of Life (QOL) in middle-aged and elderly individuals. Methods: Sixty healthy middle-aged and elderly individuals were assigned randomly to a CoQ10 supplementation group (n = 30) or a placebo supplementation group (n = 30) using a double blind method. Subjects took 150 mg CoQ10 or placebo per day for 8 weeks. Salivary SIgA secretion rate and SF-36 test (physical and mental health-related QOL) were determined before and after the intervention. Results: CoQ10 group showed that a tendency to increase of salivary SIgA secretion rate (p = 0.08), although placebo group did not show significant change. Physical health-related QOL did not significantly change in both groups. Vitality and mental health scores, which were subscale of mental health-related QOL, were significantly increased after the intervention in CoQ10 group (p < 0.05), although placebo group did not show significant change. Conclusion: 8 weeks of CoQ10 supplementation may bolster SIgA-mediated oral immunity and mental health-related QOL in middle-aged and elderly individuals.

Introduction: Vaccine policies have changed in recent years in Japan. In the present study, we assessed practices, recommendations, knowledge, and sources of information among primary care physicians (PCPs) regarding vaccinations in Japan. Methods: We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study targeting PCPs in Japan. We used a web-based self-administered questionnaire targeting physicians that were members of the Japan Primary Care Association in 2019. We analyzed respondent administrations, recommendations, knowledge, and sources of information regarding vaccinations. Results: We received responses from 1,084 PCPs (20.1%) and invited 981 participants for the analysis. The rates at which physicians gave routine and voluntary vaccines in their own practices were 23.3-95.5% and 13.2-94.4%, respectively. The active recommendation rates for routine and voluntary vaccines were 41.6-92.0% and 13.6-75.5%, respectively. Furthermore, among routine vaccines, human papillomavirus vaccine was the least administered and recommended. PCPs working at clinics had the most accurate knowledge about vaccinations, and PCPs utilized academic organizations most readily as an information resource. Conclusion: We clarified practices, recommendations, knowledge, and sources of information regarding vaccinations among PCPs in Japan.

Methods: Five formalin-embalmed human cadavers were used. We assessed the proportion of segmental arteries and veins that intersected the IVD in the L2–L5 range and their course on the anterior part of the spinal column. Results: The segmental arteries and veins commonly intersect the anterior part of the IVD (artery, 28.1%; vein, 42.1%). Seven of 10 (70%) segmental arteries at L2 intersected the IVD, but only one artery intersected the IVD at L3 and L4. The proportions of segmental veins that intersected the IVD were 60%, 50%, and 16.7% at L2, L3, and L4, respectively. Conclusions The segmental arteries and veins frequently intersect the IVD in the anterior part of the spinal column. Therefore, it is necessary to consider these individual anatomical features to prevent vascular damage during lateral lumbar interbody fusion surgery.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) placement is effective for dysphagia that results from malignant obstruction of the esophagus or gastric cardia; however, stent-related complications may be life-threatening. Thus, the goal of this study was to identify risk factors associated with complications following esophageal stenting. METHODS: Of the 71 patients who underwent SEMS placement for dysphagia as a result of malignant stricture of the esophagus or gastric cardia, 53 patients with squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma, without previous SEMS placement, without a fistula, and without recurrent tumor after surgery were retrospectively identified. The occurrence of stent-related complications was used as an endpoint. RESULTS: Stent-related complications were identified in 26 patients (49.1%), and major complications occurred in 14 patients (26.4%). The use of an Ultraflex stent (odds ratio [OR], 6.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.54 to 30.00; p=0.011) and prior chemotherapy (OR, 6.13; 95% CI, 1.46 to 25.70; p=0.013) were significantly associated with stent-related complications. Moreover, the use of an Ultraflex stent (OR, 19.60; 95% CI, 2.26 to 170.00; p=0.007) and prior radiation (OR, 25.70; 95% CI, 2.37 to 280.00; p=0.008) significantly increased the risk of major complications. CONCLUSIONS: The use of an Ultraflex stent and prior radiation and/or chemotherapy may represent risk factors for complications following esophageal SEMS placement.
Adenocarcinoma ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cardia* ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Deglutition Disorders ; Drug Therapy ; Esophagus* ; Fistula ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stents

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A barbed puncture needle with a side hole was recently developed to improve sample quality and quantity in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). In this study, we retrospectively assessed the usefulness of this puncture needle. METHODS: Factors affecting diagnostic yield, safety, and diagnostic accuracy were investigated in 76 patients who consecutively underwent EUS-FNA for neoplastic lesions at our hospital between January and December 2013. RESULTS: The procedure was successful in all cases; the rates of sample collection and determination of the correct diagnosis were 92.1% and 89.5%, respectively. The mean number of needle passes required for diagnosis was 1.1. Complications included mild intraluminal bleeding in two patients (2.6%). Multivariate analysis revealed that lesion size (< or =20 mm) was significantly associated with a decreased chance of determining the correct diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Core biopsy needles with a side hole are safe and provide a satisfactory diagnostic yield. However, the side hole may potentially reduce the rate of making the correct diagnosis in small lesions.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Digestive System Neoplasms/*diagnosis/ultrasonography ; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration/*instrumentation ; Equipment Design ; Equipment Safety ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Tract/pathology/ultrasonography ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Needles/adverse effects/*statistics & numerical data ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Statistics, Nonparametric

Methods: HFCs were obtained from patients with LSS who underwent surgery. HFCs were stimulated by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, SB203580. Phosphorylation of the p38 MAP kinase was analyzed by western blotting. The concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the conditioned medium was measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay and IL-6 messenger RNA expression levels were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: TNF-α induced the phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase in a time-dependent manner, which was suppressed by the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, SB203580. TNF-α also stimulated IL-6 release in both a time- and dose-dependent manner. On its own, SB203580 did not stimulate IL-6 secretion from HFCs; however, it dramatically suppressed the degree of IL-6 release stimulated by TNF-α from HFCs. Conclusions This is the first report suggesting that TNF-α stimulates the gene expression and protein secretion of IL-6 via p38 MAP kinase in HFCs. A noted association between tissue hypertrophy and inflammation suggests that the p38 MAP kinase inflammatory pathway may be a therapeutic molecular target for LSS.

Methods: HFCs were obtained from patients with LSS who had undergone decompression surgery. The cells were stimulated with TGF-β and pretreated with either the p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase inhibitor SB203580 or the p44/42 MAP kinase inhibitor FR180204. IL-6 secretion in the cell culture medium and IL-6 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunoassay and real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Results: TGF-β administration resulted in a dose- and time-dependent stimulation of IL-6 release. Treatment with SB203580 and FR180204 markedly suppressed TGF-β–induced IL-6 secretion from HFCs. Moreover, these inhibitors suppressed IL-6 mRNA expression in response to TGF-β stimulation. Conclusions Our findings indicate that TGF-β induces IL-6 protein secretion and gene expression in HFCs through the activation of p38 or p44/42 MAP kinases. These results suggest a potential association between IL-6–mediated inflammatory response and tissue hypertrophy in LSS, and we provide insights into molecular targets for therapeutic interventions targeting LSS-related inflammation through our analysis of the MAP kinase pathway using HFCs.

Methods: This study included 46 patients who underwent spinal reconstruction surgery for thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral fractures and kyphosis and were followed up for 1 year postoperatively. DJK was defined as an advanced kyphosis angle >10° between the LIV and one lower vertebra. The patients were divided into groups with and without DJK. The risk factors of the two groups, such as patient background, surgery-related factors, radiographic parameters, and clinical outcomes, were analyzed. Results: The DJK and non-DJK groups included 14 and 32 patients, respectively, without significant differences in patient background. Those with instability in the distal adjacent LIV disc had a significantly higher risk of DJK occurrence (28.6% vs. 3.2%, p=0.027). DJK occurrence significantly increased in those with the sagittal stable vertebra not included in the fixation range (57.1% vs. 18.8%, p=0.020). Other preoperative radiographic parameters were not significantly different. Instability in the distal adjacent LIV disc (adjusted odds ratio, 14.50; p=0.029) and the exclusion of the sagittal stable vertebra from the fixation range (adjusted odds ratio, 5.29; p=0.020) were significant risk factors for DJK occurrence. Conclusions Regarding spinal reconstruction surgery in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures, instability in the distal adjacent LIV disc and the exclusion of the sagittal stable vertebra from the fixation range were risk factors for DJK occurrence in the short term.

Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread worldwide. In Japan, From April 16 to May 25, 2020, a state of emergency was declared and people were “strongly requested to refrain from going out unnecessarily and thoroughly reduce contact with others.” As a result, the number of steps of all generations was expected to be lower than usual due to the novel coronavirus disease pandemic. This study investigated the weather walking steps decrease in the collegiate student due to COVID-19. A total of 221 collegiate students used their smartphones to enter the average number of steps taken every month from January to May. The number of steps taken by all students was 4,988±2,345 steps in January, 5182±2,516 steps in February, 5,118±2,291 steps in March, 3,281±1,689 steps in April, and 2,834±1,676 steps in May. A comparison between sex groups showed that the number of steps in April and May was significantly different (p<0.05), which means that the steps of women group was lower than that of men. These results suggest that the number of steps taken by students decreased with the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease.