Search

Background: The AP-7D is a preference-based measure newly developed in East and Southeast Asia. This study aimed to show the psychometric properties of the new instrument. Methods: Surveys were conducted in Japan, Korea, China, Thailand, and Singapore. In each country, 500 respondents were selected by quota sampling and stratified by sex and age. We conducted a face-to-face survey in Japan and a web-based survey in the other countries at two time points. The AP-7D and the EQ-5D-5L were collected from all countries, and the SF-6D was collected only in Japan. The reliability of the instruments was confirmed by comparing responses based on self-report test-retest methods. Regarding construct validity, we compared responses to the AP-7D with those of the EQ-5D-5L and the SF-6D based on predetermined hypotheses. Results: The percentage of agreement between the two surveys was 73.9% (pain/discomfort), 71.2% (anxiety/depression), 68.6% (energy), 89.6% (mobility), 82.1% (work/school), 84.3% (social relations), and 86.4% (burden to others) in five countries. These values were comparable with those of the EQ-5D-5L. The kappa coefficients of the AP-7D items were similar to those of the EQ-5D-5L. According to the correlation matrix between the AP-7D and EQ-5D-5L, correlation exceeded 0.5 in the following items: 0.69 between “mental health” (AP-7D) and “anxiety/depression” (EQ-5D-5L), 0.54 between both “pain/discomfort,” 0.51 between “energy” (AP-7D) and “anxiety/depression” (EQ-5D-5L), and 0.50 between both “mobility.” Conclusion: The survey results showed good reliability and construct validity of the AP-7D. Basic psychometric properties of the new instrument were confirmed.

Objectives This study aimed to establish the Japanese population norms of the EQ-5D-5L and Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) and estimate the disutility associated with diseases and symptoms. Methods We performed a door-to-door survey of the general population by random sampling. The planned sample size was 10 000 residents (age ≥16 years) of 334 districts in Japan. In addition to the EQ-5D-5L and HUI3 questionnaires, questions regarding demographic factors and self-reported main diseases and symptoms were asked. The EQ-5D-5L and HUI3 responses were converted to index values on the basis of Japanese value sets. Summary values by age and sex were calculated to obtain Japanese normative values. A multiple linear model was used to examine relationships between these values and diseases and symptoms. Results We collected 10 183 responses from 334 districts. The mean EQ-5D-5L index values were 0.821 (male) and 0.774 (female) in the age group of 80 to 89 years, which were lower compared with 0.978 (male) and 0.967 (female) in the age group of 16 to 19 years. Similar trends were observed for the HUI3 values. Age, sex, household income, and education level had a significant influence on the values of both instruments. When measured with the EQ-5D-5L, Parkinson disease, dementia, and stroke were associated with the largest disutility (>0.2), and the disutility for depression was approximately 0.18. In contrast, the HUI3 disutility values for Parkinson disease and dementia were approximately 0.4. Conclusions This study established the Japanese population norms of the EQ-5D-5L and HUI3, which can be used in healthcare decision making and contribute to a more reliable analysis of economic evaluations.

Objectives: A 50–100 mg rectal dose of diclofenac or indomethacin is recommended for prophylaxis of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP); however, limited data are available regarding the appropriate dose to prevent PEP in elderly patients. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 25 mg diclofenac in preventing PEP in elderly patients. ......

Introduction. An on-going coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a challenge all over the world. Since an endoscopy unit and its staff are at potentially high risk for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, we conducted a survey for the management of the gastrointestinal endoscopic practice, personal protective equipment (PPE), and risk assessment for COVID-19 during the pandemic at multiple facilities. Methods. The 11-item survey questionnaire was sent to representative respondent of Department of Gastroenterology, Osaka City University Hospital, and its 19 related facilities. Results. A total of 18 facilities submitted valid responses and a total of 373 health care professionals (HCPs) participated. All facilities (18/18: 100%) were screening patients at risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection before endoscopy. During the pandemic, we found that the total volume of endoscopic procedures decreased by 44%. Eleven facilities (11/18: 61%) followed recommendations of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society (JGES); consequently, about 35%–50% of esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy were canceled. Mask (surgical mask or N95 mask), face shield/goggle, gloves (one or two sets), and gown (with long or short sleeves) were being used by endoscopists, nurses, endoscopy technicians, and endoscope cleaning staff in all the facilities (18/18: 100%). SARS-CoV-2 infection risk assessment of HCPs was conducted daily in all the facilities (18/18: 100%), resulting in no subsequent SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCPs. Conclusion. COVID-19 has had a dramatic impact on the gastrointestinal endoscopic practice. The recommendations of the JGES were appropriate as preventive measures for the SARSCoV-2 infection in the endoscopy unit and its staff.

We developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for detecting Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, the causal agent of wilt in strawberry plants. This assay was based on genomic regions between the portions of transposable elements Han and Skippy of the fungus. The LAMP assay allowed the efficient detection of F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae DNA by visual inspection, without requiring gel electrophoresis. The detection limit was 100 pg of genomic DNA, which is comparable to that of PCR. The LAMP primers successfully discriminated F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae strains from nonpathogenic F. oxysporum strains and other fungi. The LAMP assay at 63°C, which was found to be the optimal treatment temperature, for 1.5 h successfully detected F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae California strains GL1270 and GL1385. When the assay was performed using a Genelyzer FIII portable fluorometer, these California strains were successfully detected in 1 h. The assay facilitated the detection of conidia in soil samples after they were precultured on a selective medium for F. oxysporum (FoG2) as well as latent infection in strawberry plants after preculturing. The LAMP assay for visual inspection of DNA required only a heating block and an incubator, reducing the cost of this assay. Thus, it could be suitable for the detection of F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae strains in centers that store prefoundation and foundation stocks of strawberry, including plant nurseries.

This study prepared an elastic material with an infrared (IR)-transmitting property based on the structural features of algae oils. The bulk copolymerization of elemental sulfur and unsaturated hyd...

A new cytotoxic agent designated as 2-epi-anthracimycin (1) was isolated along with anthracimycin and anthracimycin B (2-demethylanthracimycin) from the culture broth of the marine-derived actinomycete Streptomyces sp. OPMA00631. The structure of 1 was elucidated based on spectroscopic analyses (1D and 2D NMR data and ROESY correlations). Compound 1 exhibited cytotoxicity against Jurkat cells with an IC50 value of 50.5 μM in 20 h. The effect of 1 on the cell cycle distribution of Jurkat cells was investigated. Compound 1 (7.80 μM) increased G1 phase cells from 51.1 to 62.0% and conversely, decreased G2 and M phase cells from 30.7 to 19.3 % in 20 h. At a higher concentration, 1 (250 μM) markedly increased subG1 phase cells (1.9% at 0 h to 16.5% at 20 h), while the proportion of G1 phase cells was maintained (62.3%). These results suggest that 1 exhibits cytotoxicity against Jurkat cells by arresting the cell cycle at the G1 phase.