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Portal vein thrombosis (PVT), one of the most prevalent hepatic vascular conditions in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), is associated with high mortality rates. An imbalance between a disintegrin-like metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type-1 motifs 13 (ADAMTS-13) enzyme and von Willebrand factor (VWF) is responsible for hypercoagulability, including spontaneous thrombus formation in blood vessels. Herein, we aimed to identify potential prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers in Japanese patients with LC and PVT. In total, 345 patients were divided into two groups: 40 patients who developed PVT (PVT group) and 305 who did not develop PVT (NPVT group). Among the 345 patients with LC, 81% (279/345) were deemed ineligible due to the presence of preventive comorbidities, active or recent malignancies, and organ dysfunction. The remaining 66 patients were divided into two groups: the PVT group (n = 33) and the NPVT group (n = 33). Plasma ADAMTS-13 activity (ADAMTS-13:AC) and the vWF antigen (VWF:Ag) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Contrast-enhanced, three-dimensional helical computed tomography (CT) was used to detect and characterize PVT. ADAMTS-13:AC was significantly lower in the PVT group than in the NPVT group. No significant differences in plasma vWF:Ag or liver stiffness were observed between the two groups. ADAMTS-13:AC of <18.8 was an independent risk factor for PVT on multivariate analyses (odds ratio: 1.67, 95% confidence interval: 1.21–3.00, p < 0.002). The receiver operating characteristic analysis of ADAMTS-13:AC revealed an area under the curve of 0.913 in PVT detection. Patients with PVT having ADAMTS-13:AC ≥18.8 (n = 17) had higher albumin levels and better prognoses than those with ADAMTS-13:AC <18.8 (n = 16). No significant correlations of ADAMTS-13:AC levels with either fibrin degradation product or D-dimer levels were observed. ADAMTS-13:AC levels could be potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for PVT in Japanese patients with LC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An underlying concern about the COVID-19 pandemic is the decline of children's mental health. The present study is aimed to investigate whether a single school-based intervention, including self-monitoring and psychoeducation for COVID-19, effectively achieved its aim to promote children's mental health. The study was conducted in a junior high school. We assigned the third grade as the intervention group, the second grade as the announcement group, and the first grade as the control group. We hypothesized that the intervention group would experience improved mental health and reduced fear of COVID-19 compared to the announcement and control groups. Interaction effects were observed only for depression, indicating a significant effect in the intervention group. These findings suggest that a single school-based intervention that includes self-monitoring and psychoeducation for COVID-19 can help improve children's mental health. It is suggested that school-based interventions that intend to raise children's awareness of COVID-19 promote their healthy development and adaptation to crises within the school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Message framing contributes to an increase in public support for invasive species management. However, little is known about people's preferences for the multiple objectives of management within different contexts relating to the challenges and benefits of invasive species management. We examine Japanese citizens' preferences for the goals of free-roaming unowned cat (Felis catus) management in three contextual frames by applying experimentally controlled information and the best–worst scaling technique. Our results indicate that the ecological frame highlighting the ecological impacts of free-roaming unowned cats on native ecosystems significantly increases Japanese citizens' concern about cat predation, although the frame did not change the preference ranking of goals. There are differences in the effects of message framing depending on cat ownership. The best–worst scaling technique shows that Japanese citizens prefer to maintain a sanitary environment, followed by the prevention of zoonotic diseases. Although the ranking of sanitary environmental management does not depend on cat ownership, the ranking of the other goals differs depending on cat ownership. The findings highlight the importance of strategic message framing and its prioritization in encouraging public support for invasive species management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 has been a global challenge ever since its emergence, with reports suggesting negative effects on the mental health and well-being of people. We investigated the associations of the socioeconomic changes driven by the pandemic, illness, well-being, and fear of COVID-19 in Japan. Totally, 565 Japanese individuals completed an online survey, including questions on their self-restraint and changing incomes, and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale; Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale; and present, past, and future life satisfaction scale. Analysis using structural equation models revealed that refraining from going out was a predictor of illness due to the fear of COVID-19. Decreased income predicted increased illness, but was not due to fear of COVID-19. These results suggested that the interaction between decreased time outside and increased fear of COVID-19 could affect illness. Our study suggests the role of fear of COVID-19 during pandemic and the socioeconomic impacts on mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the ongoing pandemic limited the lives of the general population, people engaged in their favorite activities; either in alternative ways or while disregarding the restrictions. These activities and people's engagement in such activities are considered to have a significant impact on mental health. Thus, this study aimed to examine the relationship between two types of passion (harmonious passion and obsessive passion), fear of COVID-19, and mental distress. Thus, a total of 322 Japanese participants completed an online questionnaire. The results showed that harmonious passion (HP) was negatively related to mental distress. Conversely, obsessive passion (OP) was positively related to fear of COVID-19 and mental distress. The fear of COVID-19 had a positive relationship with mental distress. This study evidenced that HP is a protective factor against pandemics as it improves mental health during a pandemic. However, OP is a risk factor as it amplifies fear of COVID-19. Focusing on distinct types of passion may prove effective in improving mental health amidst the pandemic. • Harmonious passion was negatively related to mental distress. • Obsessive passion was positively associated with fear of COVID-19 and mental distress. • Fear of COVID-19 had a positive relationship with mental distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the negative psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, it is necessary to study the factors that improve mental health. In this study, we evaluated changing income, self-restraint, fear of COVID-19, depression, anxiety, stress, and ego-resiliency, to investigate the main and moderating effects of ego-resiliency on psychological distress. We analyzed 222 Japanese samples from the dataset of Primary Survey in Japan (PSJ) in the Resilience to COVid-19 in Each Region (RE-COVER) project. The results showed significant main effects of ego-resiliency on depression and stress, and a significant interaction effect of self-restraint and ego-resiliency on depression. We also tested the significance of the moderating effect of ego-resiliency on the relationship between self-restraint and depression. The simple slope of ego-resiliency was only significant for individuals with high self-restraint. Our findings provide empirical evidence on mental health associated with the COVID-19 pandemic among the Japanese population, proving that ego-resiliency functioned to cope with the specific stresses associated with COVID-19. • Ego-resiliency mediates the effects of COVID-19-related stress. • Ego-resiliency had a negative association with depression and stress. • Ego-resiliency showed a moderating effect on mental health through self-restraint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]