Background/Aims: Hybrid endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), in which an incision is made around a lesion and snaring is performed after submucosal dissection, has some advantages in colorectal surgery, including shorter procedure time and preventing perforation. However, its value for rescue resection in difficult colorectal ESD cases remains unclear. This study evaluated the utility of rescue hybrid ESD (RH-ESD). Methods: We divided 364 colorectal ESD procedures into the conventional ESD group (C-ESD, n=260), scheduled hybrid ESD group (SH-ESD, n=69), and RH-ESD group (n=35) and compared their clinical outcomes. Results: Resection time was significantly shorter in the following order: RH-ESD (149 [90–197] minutes) >C-ESD (90 [60–140] minutes) >SH-ESD (52 [29–80] minutes). The en bloc resection rate increased significantly in the following order: RH-ESD (48.6%), SH-ESD (78.3%), and C-ESD (97.7%). An analysis of factors related to piecemeal resection of RH-ESD revealed that the submucosal dissection rate was significantly lower in the piecemeal resection group (25% [20%–30%]) than in the en bloc resection group (40% [20%–60%]). Conclusions RH-ESD was ineffective in terms of curative resection because of the low en bloc resection rate, but was useful for avoiding surgery.

Background: The impact of COVID-19 infection on workers' work function persists even after the acute phase of the infection. We studied this phenomenon in Japanese workers. Methods: We conducted a one-year prospective cohort study online, starting with a baseline survey in December 2020. We tracked workers without baseline work functioning impairment and incorporated data from 14,421 eligible individuals into the analysis. We estimated the incidence rate ratio for new onset of work functioning impairment due to COVID-19 infection during follow-up, using mixed-effects Poisson regression analysis with robust variance. Results: Participants reporting infection between January and December 2021 showed a significantly higher incidence of new work functioning impairment (adjusted incidence rate ratio: 2.18, 95% confidence interval: 1.75–2.71, p < 0.001). The formality of the recuperation environment correlated with a higher risk of work functioning deterioration in infected individuals (p for trend <0.001). Conclusion COVID-19-infected workers may continue to experience work difficulties due to persistent, post-acute infection symptoms. Companies and society must urgently provide rehabilitation and social support for people with persistent symptoms, recognizing that COVID-19 is not just a transient acute infection.

BACKGROUND: To combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many countries have used contact tracing apps, including Japan's voluntary-use contact-confirming application (COCOA). The current study aimed to identify industry and workplace characteristics associated with the downloading of this COVID-19 contact tracing app. METHODS: This cross-sectional study of full-time workers used an online survey. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations of industry and workplace characteristics with contact tracing app use. RESULTS: Of the 27,036 participants, 25.1% had downloaded the COCOA. Workers in the public service (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-1.45) and information technology (aOR = 1.38, 95% CI 1.20-1.58) industries were more likely to use the app than were those in the manufacturing industry. In contrast, app usage was less common among workers in the retail and wholesale (aOR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.76-0.99) and food/beverage (aOR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.70-0.94) industries, but further adjustment for company size attenuated these associations. Workers at larger companies were more likely to use the app. Compared with permanent employees, the odds of using the app were higher for managers and civil servants but lower for those who were self-employed. CONCLUSIONS Downloading of COCOA among Japanese workers was insufficient; thus, the mitigating effect of COCOA on the COVID-19 pandemic is considered to be limited. One possible reason for the under-implementation of the contact tracing app in the retail and wholesale and food/beverage industries is small company size, as suggested by the fully adjusted model results. An awareness campaign should be conducted to promote the widespread use of the contact tracing app in these industries.
Adult ; COVID-19/prevention & control* ; Contact Tracing/methods* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Industry/classification* ; Japan/epidemiology* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mobile Applications/statistics & numerical data* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smartphone ; Workplace/statistics & numerical data*

No abstract available.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Calreticulin/*genetics ; Child ; DNA/chemistry/genetics/metabolism ; Exons ; Female ; Humans ; Janus Kinase 2/*genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Receptors, Thrombopoietin/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sex Factors ; Thrombocythemia, Essential/*diagnosis/genetics ; Young Adult

The main drug therapy for chronic kidney disease (CKD) is Western medical treatment, and no recommended oriental medical approach has been described. In this report, we focused on the medical herb Radix Astragali of single component which has been reportedly effective in improving nephritis and renal function. We analyzed the experience of using Radix Astragali in our hospital and reviewed the clinical features. Twenty-two cases were enrolled in this study. Irrespective of gender, age, CKD duration, the decreasing speed of estimated GFR, proteinuria, or diabetes, eGFR improved in all the patients. Furthermore, clinic blood pressure fluctuation and qualitative urinary protein also showed improvement. Radix Astragali is effective for CKD regardless of clinical features, severity, causative disease, and may be useful and safe for CKD treatment.

In Japan, tuberculosis (TB) control activities are conducted by public health centres (PHCs) and treatment support is provided by public health nurses (PHNs). This study describes the TB situation in the affected areas and assesses the effectiveness of Japan’s TB control efforts after the disaster.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the cultured Cordyceps sinensis (Cs, supplement) powder during exhaustive running of human comparing with the placebo (control). These supplements were given to 36 male sedentary subjects over period of 2 weeks. During the exercise, following bio-signals were measured such as the respiratory variables (VO₂, VCO₂, VE), the blood pressure (BP), the heart rate (HR), and the lactic acid (LA). In addition, their storing urine for one night was inspected about the catecholamine (CA, Adr, NorA, Dop) and the cortisol hormone (17-KA-S and 17-OHCS) at the pre-and the post-ingesting with those supplements. The changing ratio calculating between the pre- and the post-variables of VO₂/kg (5.2±0.1 & 4.8±0.1 ml), VE (12.0±0.2 & 11.0±0.2 L), and LA (6.1±2.1 & 5.2±2.6 mmol/dl) had decreased to lower percentages at the recovery period from the exercise test than those of CON, significantly (p<0.01). Futhermore, concentration of the total CA (1.19±0.51 & 1.29±0.49 mg/L), Adr (13.5±1.2 & 17.7±1.9μg/L), NorA (127.4±8.1 & 130.0±8.5μg/L), Dop (1.06±0.1 & 1.14±0.4mg/L), 17-OHCS/creatinine (4.42±0.30 & 4.2±0.31), and 17-KS-G/creatinine (3.18±0.09 & 3.06±0.07) showed changes of significant difference related to the placebo (p<0.05). There have been appeared an augmentation of the energy generation and the anti-fatigue ability intaking with this supplement during the exercise test. During this prolonged exercise, ingesting with this Cs might elicit the superior efficiency and the economical function on the energy metabolism.

A study was conducted to investigate the neural connection between the afferents of the upper extremity and the motoneurons innervating the extensors of the lower extremity. Healthy young males and females were recruited. The median nerve was cutaneously stimulated, and the soleus H reflex, reflecting the excitability of motoneurons, was evoked. The C-T interval and intensity of the conditioning stimulus were modulated. A conditioning stimulus with an intensity of 1.4 xMT and a C-T interval of 69 ms inhibited the soleus H reflex pathway (I_1.4) . Additionally, a conditioning stimulus with an intensity of 2.1 xMT and a C-T interval of 13 ms inhibited the soleus H reflex pathway (I_2.1) . The conduction velocity of the afferents responsible for I_1.4 was 19m/s and that for I_2.1 was 39 m/s. The conduction velocity of the afferent fiber type responsible for I_1.4 was similar to that of the group III afferents, and the conduction velocity for I_2.1 was similar to that of the group II afferents. However, further investigation is needed to identify the afferents responsible, because the results conflict with those of previous studies in terms of inhibition thresholds.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cervical traction on the soleus H reflex amplitude. Young healthy men were recruited as the subjects. In experiment 1, cervical traction under three conditions, i. e. at an intensity of 3 kgf, 6 kgf or 9 kgf was applied to the subjects in the experimental group for a duration of 1 minute in the second minute of each trial. In experiment 2, cervical traction at an intensity of 3 kgf for a duration of 1 minute, 2 minutes, or 3 minutes was applied to the subjects in the experimental group. Cervical traction was not applied to the subjects in the control group. The soleus H reflex amplitude was measured before, during, and after cervical traction.
The H reflex amplitudes under the 9kgf condition were largest and positive for every block, whereas those under the 3 kgf condition were smallest among the three experimental conditions employed. Significantly smaller H reflex amplitude compared to that in the control was observed under the 3 kgf condition.
In experiment 2, the H reflex amplitudes under every experimental condition employed were smaller than that in the control. However, the differences in degree of depression of the soleus H reflex amplitudes among the three duration conditions were not significant.
This study shows that cervical traction at an intensity of 3kgf depresses the gain of the soleus H reflex pathway. The cause of this depression may be an “after-effect” or flexor reflex afferents. A difference in the duration of cervical traction didn't result in any difference in the soleus H reflex amplitude.