The relationship between fine particulate matter (PM) and schizophrenia severity.

Purpose: Although particulate matter (PM) is reported to affect the rate of emergency admissions for schizophrenia, no study has examined the relationship between particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM) and the severity of schizophrenia.

Methods: We obtained data on patients with schizophrenia at a psychiatric hospital, and on air pollution in Sakai, Japan between Feb 1, 2013 and April 30, 2016.

Psychological assessment of acute schizophrenia patients who experienced seclusion either alone or in combination with restraint.

Objective Numerous studies on the effects of seclusion and/or restraint in acute psychiatric treatment have reported both positive and negative effects. However, no studies to date have evaluated the effects of seclusion and/or restraint on schizophrenia patients using a rating scale. Thus, to examine the effects of seclusion and/or restraint on schizophrenia patients, we used the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and assessed the psychological condition of patients.

Examination of center of pressure displacement and muscle activity of the hip girdle muscles on lateral movement in the sitting position, focusing on kinematic features before and after the start of exercise.

[Purpose] This study aimed to evaluate the kinematic characteristics at the start of lateral movement in the sitting position, for application in physical therapy. [Subjects and Methods] Eleven healthy male subjects (mean age, 24.8 ± 3.

Predicting the length of hospital stay of psychiatry patients using signal detection analysis.

In Japan, the length of hospital stay (LOS) at psychiatric institutions often exceeds a year, and factors related to such stays have been identified. However, we do not know how multiple patient, hospital, and physician factors interact to determine LOS. Patient data were collected from a psychiatric hospital in Osaka, Japan.

Bone marrow AT1 augments neointima formation by promoting mobilization of smooth muscle progenitors via platelet-derived SDF-1{alpha}.

Objective: Bone marrow (BM)-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and vascular smooth muscle progenitor cells (VPCs) contribute to neointima formation, whereas the angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor (AT(1))-mediated action on BM-derived progenitors remains undefined.

Methods And Results: A wire-induced vascular injury was performed in the femoral artery of BM-chimeric mice whose BM was repopulated with AT(1)-deficient (BM-Agtr1(-/-)) or wild-type (BM-Agtr1(+/+)) cells. Neointima formation was profoundly reduced by 38% in BM-Agtr1(-/-) mice.