Publications by authors named "Akiko Morita"

This study aimed to characterize cognitive function examined using Cognitive-related Behavioral Assessment (CBA) in activities of daily living (ADLs). According to CBA severity at discharge, 791 patients were assigned to five groups (most severe, severe, moderate, mild, and normal). The total scores for Functional Independence Measure (FIM) motor items were compared for each group.

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  • The study investigates how the scale of analysis and choice of biogeochemical indicators influence our understanding of land-use impacts on coastal marine environments, specifically coral reefs around a subtropical island.
  • Nine biogeochemical indicators were sampled at 36 coral reef sites, revealing that organic matter indicators were linked to nearby agricultural and urban lands, while inorganic nutrients had a broader association with watersheds up to 20 km away.
  • The findings highlight significant correlations between land use and coral reef health, emphasizing the need for careful selection of analytical scales and indicators in environmental studies.
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  • - The study developed a prenatal intervention program designed to help fathers establish their paternal identity and adapt to their new roles using a paternity portfolio to create a postpartum schedule.
  • - Researchers used both quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention, involving interviews and comparisons between the intervention group (10 pairs) and the control group (31 pairs).
  • - While quantitative data showed no significant differences between groups, qualitative feedback confirmed the success of the intervention in achieving its goals, leading to adjustments and improvements in the program based on participants' experiences.
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Aim: This cross-sectional and longitudinal study explored primiparous mothers' functioning and parenting stress on the basis of infant-feeding method over the first 6 months postpartum.

Methods: Participants were Japanese primiparae who delivered live singleton infants (N = 1120). Questionnaires, completed at 1, 2, 4, and 6 months postpartum, included demographics, feeding method, frequency of feedings, time required from infant's feeding to falling asleep, mother's sleep time, Postnatal Accumulated Fatigue Scale, and the original Japanese version of Parenting Stress Short-Form Scale.

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Aim: To compare the factors that affect maternal confidence at 1 month post-partum between older (≥35 years old) and younger (20-34 years old) primiparous Japanese mothers.

Methods: A multicenter prospective study of mothers who gave birth to live singleton infants in Japan was conducted. Following ethics approval, the participants completed questionnaires 1 day before discharge and 1 month after childbirth.

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Aim: Older maternal age has become more common in Japan. Studies suggest that older maternal age and primiparity are associated with post-partum depression. The present study aimed to identify predictors of post-partum depression in older Japanese primiparas at 1 month post-partum.

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Aim: Post-partum fatigue is a serious concern for mothers worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify age-specific determinants of self-perceived fatigue after childbirth among Japanese primiparous women.

Methods: A multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted in Japan.

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This cohort study of primiparae was conducted to answer the following questions: Do older (≧ 35 years) and younger (20-29 years) Japanese primiparous mothers differ when comparing biomarkers of stress and measures of fatigue and depression? Are there changes in fatigue, depression and stress biomarkers when comparing older and younger mothers during the postpartum period? The Postnatal Accumulated Fatigue Scale and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale were administered in a time-series method four times: shortly after birth and monthly afterwards. Assays to measure biomarkers of stress, urinary 17-ketosteroids, urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids and salivary chromogranin-A, were collected shortly after delivery and at 1 month postpartum in both groups and a third time in older mothers at the 4th month. Statistical testing showed very little difference in fatigue, depression or stress biomarkers between older and younger mothers shortly after birth or 1 month later.

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This longitudinal study was designed to examine objective sleep parameters of older primiparous Japanese women during the first 4 months postpartum using actigraphy. The participants were 18 older primiparae (Mean (SD) = 37.06 (2.

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Aim: The number of older primiparas is increasing in Japan. These women have been shown to be more vulnerable to post-partum depression. This study aimed to identify factors for predicting post-partum depressive symptoms during hospitalization after childbirth in Japanese primiparas aged 35 years and over.

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The objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the associations among sleep characteristics, feeding variables, and fatigue among older Japanese primiparas (≥ 35 years old) during hospitalization after childbirth. A convenience sample of 16 participants who had given birth to a single newborn were recruited from maternity wards, and before discharge they completed a sleep assessment and questionnaires. Sleep characteristics were assessed using actigraphs.

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This study aimed to describe the postpartum experiences of older Japanese primiparas during the first month after childbirth. The participants were 21 primiparous women over 35 years of age who gave birth to a healthy child at three urban hospitals. Data were collected from July 2011 to April 2012 through a semi-structured interview about postpartum experiences after discharge.

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The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the postpartum experiences of older primiparas at the time of their postpartum hospital stay. Participants were Japanese primiparas aged 35-44 years who gave birth, without abnormalities for either the mother or child. Data were obtained using a semi-structured interview with 22 participants.

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  • * Development involved a literature review, discussions among researchers, collaboration with pregnant women and nurses, and final revisions before patenting the product.
  • * The Maternity Portfolio is a 40-page booklet that women can use during their first trimester and bring to prenatal checkups, aiming to provide essential information and support maternal role development.
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Daptomycin is a lipopeptide antibiotic active against gram-positive organisms and recently approved for marketing in Japan. This study investigates the efficacy and safety of daptomycin in Japanese patients with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) for regulatory filing in Japan. Overall, 111 Japanese patients with SSTI were randomized in this open-label, randomized, active-comparator controlled, parallel-group, multicenter, phase III study.

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This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 2 day training course for a nursing intervention programme to promote maternal role attainment in pregnant Japanese women who have undergone assisted reproductive technology. Participants were 12 Japanese nurses with more than 3 years of clinical experience at reproductive institutions. The effectiveness of the training course was evaluated by assessing the following: (i) understanding of the nursing intervention programme; (ii) attitudes of nurses towards women who are pregnant following assisted reproductive technology; and (iii) self-efficacy for implementing the programme.

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  • The study assessed oral allergy syndrome (OAS) in Japanese patients with pollen allergies, finding that 4.1% of pollen-sensitized individuals were diagnosed with OAS.
  • The research revealed strong correlations between OAS prevalence and sensitization to alder pollen, particularly for foods like apple, peach, and melon.
  • Overall, the findings suggest that pollen from the Betulaceae family, especially alder, plays a significant role in causing OAS among patients in Japan.
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We report two cases of anaphylactic reactions to peach with negative result of ImmunoCAP to peach. Case 1 is a 35-year-old man, who felt an itch in his oral cavity immediately after ingesting a whole fresh peach. He rapidly developed generalized urticaria, dyspnea, vomiting, and loss of consciousness.

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Background: Few cases of cashew nut (CN) allergy have been reported in Japan. We evaluated the clinical features of 4 cases with CN allergy and investigated the allergens involved.

Methods: In order to investigate the cross-reactivity between CN and pistachios, we performed ImmunoCAP inhibition tests using sera of 4 cases with positive histories of CN allergy and positive results of specific IgE measurement (ImmunoCAP) and skin prick tests.

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Background/aim: Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) to plant foods is often caused by cross-reactivity to pollen. We investigated whether there was any significant correlation between sensitization to the pollen of alder and Japanese cedar flying off in spring and prevalence of OAS in Yokohama region.

Methods: We measured specific IgE antibodies (CAP-FEIA: CAP) against alder and Japanese cedar in 337 outpatients with skin allergy in 2005 (M:F=167:170, 33.

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  • The study investigates oral allergy syndrome (OAS) linked to plant-derived foods in Japan, analyzing clinical features and skin prick test results.
  • It involved 118 patients, revealing that apple, peach, kiwi, and melon were the most common trigger foods, with a majority of patients also having associated pollen allergies.
  • Results showed differing sensitivities based on the type of food, indicating a complex relationship between OAS symptoms and specific pollens.
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  • The study examined the long-term effects of unilateral spatial neglect (USN) in three elderly stroke patients, detailing their recovery and recurring symptoms.
  • Case 1 showed recovery and independence after 6 months, but experienced left USN in stressful situations, while Case 2 had a gradual improvement that declined after a second stroke.
  • Case 3 initially recovered but later faced declining daily living skills and regressed to displaying USN signs, suggesting that USN symptoms can re-emerge based on situational factors and overall health status.
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All novel proteins must be assessed for their potential allergenicity before they are introduced into the food market. One method to achieve this is the 2001 FAO/WHO Decision Tree recommended for evaluation of proteins from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). It was the aim of this study to investigate the allergenicity of microbial transglutaminase (m-TG) from Streptoverticillium mobaraense.

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