Search

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) has a lasting effect on the respiratory function of infants, imposing chronic health burdens. BPD is influenced by various prenatal, postnatal, and genetic factors. This study explored the connection between BPD and home oxygen therapy (HOT), and then we examined the association between HOT and a specific single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 1 ( HAPLN1 ) gene among premature Japanese infants., Materials and Methods: Prenatal and postnatal data from 212 premature infants were collected and analyzed by four SNPs (rs975563, rs10942332, rs179851, and rs4703570) around HAPLN1 using the TaqMan polymerase chain reaction method. The clinical characteristics and genotype frequencies of HAPLN1 were assessed and compared between HOT and non-HOT groups., Results: Individuals with AA/AC genotypes in the rs4703570 SNP exhibited significantly higher HOT rates at discharge than those with CC homozygotes (odds ratio, 1.20, 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.35, p  = .038). A logistic regression analysis determined that CC homozygotes in the rs4703570 SNP did not show a statistically significant independent association with HOT at discharge., Conclusions: Although our study did not reveal a correlation between HAPLN1 and the onset of BPD, we observed that individuals with CC homozygosity at the rs4703570 SNP exhibit a reduced risk of HOT.

Background: Demographic changes and a low birth rate have led to a workforce shortage in Japan. To address this issue, the government has promoted engagement of female employment. However, increased female employment can impact women's health. Using Internet of Things (IoT) and apps to manage women's health has gained attention, but few studies have focused on working women., Objective: This study aimed to clarify the current situation of working women and their use of IoT or apps to manage their health., Methods: A large-scale, nationwide internet survey was conducted among 10,000 female participants aged from 20 years to 64 years in Japan. Participants were recruited from a marketing research company's active survey panel of 5.24 million members. The survey included questions about health status, sociodemographic factors, psychological characteristics, and the use of IoT or apps for health management. We compared perceived health status and reasons for current IoT use using t tests and assessed participant characteristics that predicted IoT use using the C5.0 decision tree algorithm. Ethical approval was granted by St. Luke's International University., Results: Among participants, 14.6% (1455/10,000) currently used IoT or apps, 7% (695/10,000) used them previously, and 78.5% (7850/10,000) had never used them. Current users (42.7 years old) were older than past users (39.7 years old). Discrepancies were observed between participants' perceived health problems and the purpose for using IoT or apps, with 21.3% (2130/10,000) of all women reporting they experienced menstrual symptoms or disorders but only 3.5% (347/10,000) used IoT or apps to manage the same symptom. On the other hand, current users were more likely to use IoT or apps to manage nutrition-related problems such as underweight or obesity (405/1455, 27.8%). Device use was highest among current users, with 87.3% (1270/1455) using smartphones, 19.7% (287/1455) using smartwatches, and 13.3% (194/1455) using PCs. Decision tree analysis identified 6 clusters, the largest consisting of 81.6% (5323/6523) of non-IoT users who did not exercise regularly, while pregnant women were more likely to use IoT or apps., Conclusions: Our findings highlight the idea that woman with particular health problems (ie, menstrual symptoms or disorders and premenstrual syndrome) have lower use of IoT or apps, suggesting an unmet need for IoT and apps in specific areas., (©Kirio Sasayama, Etsuko Nishimura, Noyuri Yamaji, Erika Ota, Hisateru Tachimori, Ataru Igarashi, Naoko Arata, Daisuke Yoneoka, Eiko Saito. Originally published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (https://publichealth.jmir.org), 31.07.2024.)

Objective: We aimed to present the active management and outcomes of infants born at 22 weeks of gestation., Study Design: This retrospective observational study presented the resuscitation methods, management during hospitalization, and outcomes of 29 infants born at 22 weeks of gestation who were actively resuscitated and admitted to our center during 2013-2020., Results: The survival rate was 82.8% (24/29). Tracheal intubation was performed in all patients, and surfactant was administered for 27 (93.1%). Conventional mechanical ventilation was introduced in 27 (93.1%), and this was changed to high-frequency oscillatory ventilation in more than half by day 4. Surgical treatments of patent ductus arteriosus, necrotizing enterocolitis, and retinopathy of prematurity were required in 4 (13.7%), 3 (10.3%), and 15 (51.7%) patients, respectively. No patient required a tracheostomy or ventriculoperitoneal shunt., Conclusions: The overall survival rate and survival rate without morbidities were high among infants born at 22 weeks of gestation., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature America, Inc.)

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced lifestyles changes and affected the relationships between fathers and their infants. However, the factors associated with paternal-infant bonding have not been clarified. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with father-infant bonding during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. This cross-sectional study used data from a nationwide survey and the Japanese version of the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS) to measure father-infant bonding. The participants were divided into two groups depending on their partners' parity. A linear regression model (Gauss-Markov-type) was used for both groups. A total of 1055 men were included in the analysis. Of these men, 521 (49.4%) had a primipara partner, and 534 (50.6%) had a multipara partner. No significant differences were found between the two groups' MIBS-J scores. Fathers' mental health, relationship with the partner and family members, abusive behavior towards children, wanted pregnancy, and the youngest child's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission history were associated with father-infant bonding. Regarding factors related to COVID-19, caring for the child while the partner is at home has a negative impact on bonding, while fear related to infection with COVID-19 has no negative impact on bonding., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to elucidate whether the survival and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of extremely preterm infants have improved in a Japanese tertiary center with an active treatment policy for infants born at 22-23 weeks of gestation., Study Design: This single-centered retrospective cohort study enrolled extremely preterm infants treated at Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, from 2003 to 2014. Patients with major congenital abnormalities were excluded. Primary outcomes were in-hospital survival and severe neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) at 6 years of age, which was defined as having severe cerebral palsy, severe cognitive impairment, severe visual impairment, or deafness. We assessed the changes in primary outcomes between the first (period 1; 2003-2008) and the second half (period 2; 2009-2014) of the study period and evaluated the association between birth-year and primary outcomes using multivariate logistic regression models., Results: Of the 403 eligible patients, 340 (84%) survived to discharge. Among 248 patients available at 6 years of age, 43 (14%) were classified as having severe NDI. Between the 2 periods, in-hospital survival improved from 155 of 198 (78%) to 185 of 205 (90%), but severe NDI increased from 11 of 108 (10%) to 32 of 140 (23%). In multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for gestational age, birthweight, sex, singleton birth, and antenatal corticosteroids, the aOR (95% CI) of birth-year for in-hospital survival and severe NDI was 1.2 (1.1-1.3) and 1.1 (1.0-1.3), respectively., Conclusion: Mortality among extremely preterm infants has improved over the past 12 years; nevertheless, no significant improvement was observed in the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective Patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH) are at an elevated risk of experiencing automobile accidents. We therefore investigated the association of IAH with driving safety and hypoglycemia problem-solving abilities in adults with T1D. Methods This cross-sectional survey used Gold's method in adult patients with T1D at the National Hospital Organization (NHO) Hospital from February 14, 2020, to October 31, 2021. The participants were divided into control and IAH groups. The data included information on demographics, worries and distress regarding hypoglycemia, hypoglycemia problem-solving abilities, and adverse driving events. Patients We enrolled 233 participants (mean age: 48.5±12.8 years old, mean hemoglobin A1c level: 7.6%±0.9%) from NHO collaborating centers in Japan. Results Among a total of 233 participants (mean age: 48.5±12.8 years old, mean hemoglobin A1c level: 7.6%±0.9%), the prevalence rate of IAH was 11.6% [95% confidence interval (CI): 7.8-16.4%]. IAH was significantly associated with near-miss car accidents (odds ratio: 5.41; 95% CI:1.64-17.80). Diabetic peripheral neuropathy was associated with an increased risk of IAH, while treatment with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion was not associated with a decreased risk of IAH. The average hypoglycemia problem-solving perception, detection control, and seeking preventive strategies scores in the IAH group were significantly reduced compared with those in the control group. Conclusion IAH was associated with an increased risk of near-miss car accidents among adults with T1D. Furthermore, good hypoglycemia problem-solving abilities were associated with a decreased risk of IAH.

Objectives/hypothesis: Although it is well known that cisplatin is associated with ototoxicity, there is still a lack of knowledge concerning the ototoxicity of cisplatin, especially in Japanese head and neck cancer patients. The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence rate of cisplatin ototoxicity and to determine the threshold dose causing ototoxicity in the Japanese population., Study Design: Before-and-after study in a tertiary referral hospital., Methods: The distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) was measured 1 week after each administration of cisplatin in 44 Japanese head and neck cancer patients treated at Kyoto University Hospital. We determined the incidence and threshold dose of cisplatin ototoxicity according to DPOAE data., Results: The incidence of ototoxicity detected by DPOAE was 77.3%. The average DPOAE value was significantly lower in patients who received more than 200 mg/m(2) cisplatin than the baseline DPOAE value. The threshold dose for cisplatin ototoxicity was lower in Japanese patients than in European patients., Conclusions: Our data suggest that Japanese patients are more susceptible to cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. This is presumably caused by a genetic difference., (Copyright © 2012 The American Laryngological, Rhinological, and Otological Society, Inc.)

Human breast milk samples collected in 2007-2008 from four countries, Vietnam (Hanoi), China (Beijing), Korea (Seoul) and Japan (Sendai, Kyoto and Takayama), were analyzed for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs), chlordane-related compounds (CHLs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Comparing with previous surveys, the present study indicates that the DDTs in breast milk from China and Vietnam had gradually decreased during the last decade, but were still 5-10 times higher than those in other nations. The ratios of p,p'-DDE/p,p'-DDT and o,p'-DDT/p,p'-DDT were higher in Beijing than in the other countries, suggesting that there is less fresh intake of commercial DDT products and a possible exposure to dicofol in China. CHL and PCB levels were relatively higher in mothers from Japan, whereas beta-HCH and HCB were more common in Chinese women. In Japan, it is suspected that mothers in the urban/coastal area (Sendai) were more continuously exposed to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) than mothers in the rural/inland area (Takayama). In addition, OCP levels in primiparae were significantly higher than those in multiparae from Japan and Korea. These indicate that both parity and regional factors are major determinants of the levels of OCPs and PCBs in human milk. On the other hand, higher concentrations of PBDEs were observed in mothers' milk from Korea. The congener was dominated by BDE-47 (43-54%), followed by BDE-153 (23-33%) in all regions except for Beijing where BDE-28 (23%) was relatively abundant. In Japanese breast milk, regional and parity-dependent distributions were not observed for PBDEs. Among PBDE congeners, age-dependency was observed for BDE-153, which was negatively correlated (p<0.05) to the age of mothers in Kyoto (17 participants were housewives), while it increased with age in Sendai (10 participants were clerks). No such correlation was seen for BDE-47, indicating that BDE-47 was ingested and assimilated via different kinetics or routes from BDE-153 in Japan.