Zinc Deficiency Reduces Intestinal Secretory Immunoglobulin A and Induces Inflammatory Responses via the Gut-Liver Axis.

Nutritional zinc (Zn) deficiency could impair immune function and affect bowel conditions. However, the mechanism by which Zn deficiency affects the immune function of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) remains unclear. We investigated how Zn deficiency affects the function of GALT and level of secretory IgA (sIgA), a key component of the intestinal immune barrier, its underlying mechanisms, and whether Zn deficiency induces bacterial translocation to the liver.

Dissociative Identity Disorder Cotreated With Zinc and L-carnosine: A Case Report.

Little is known about the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy in dissociative identity disorder (DID). Zinc is essential for proper brain function. Its deficiency can lead to mental health symptoms, possibly contributing to dissociation.

Incidence and impact of food aversions among patients with cancer receiving outpatient chemotherapy: a one-year prospective survey.

Purpose: To determine the current incidence and impact of chemotherapy-associated food aversions in a variety of cancer types.

Methods: Cancer patients aged 18 years and older who received chemotherapy infusions at the outpatient chemotherapy unit of a university hospital between May 2022 and April 2023 were included in the study (n = 243). To monitor the occurrence of food aversions, participants were asked to complete a food preference questionnaire each time they visited the outpatient chemotherapy unit.

The competency of the novel through-the-scope suture device for gastric mucosal defects: In vivo study in a porcine model (with video).

Objectives: Endoscopic closures of mucosal defects following endoscopic resection can be challenging and time-consuming. The novel through-the-scope suture device has demonstrated acceptable closure times, but its learning curve is still unknown. This study aims to evaluate the number of cases required to achieve competency in this device.

Patterns of trajectories of glycated hemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose, and body mass index until the first clinic visit: the real-world history of type 2 diabetes using repeated health checkup data of Japanese workers.

Background: There is a lack of evidence regarding the trajectories of type 2 diabetes until the first clinic visit, including the untreated period after diagnosis.

Objective: We aimed to determine the real-world history of type 2 diabetes until the first clinic visit, including the untreated duration, and to assess the effective timing of the therapeutic intervention.

Methods: A total of 23,622 nondiabetic Japanese workers with a mean (SD) age of 38.

Rate of hydrolysis of the phosphate esters of B vitamins is reduced by zinc deficiency: In vitro and in vivo.

Extracellular hydrolysis of the phosphate esters of B vitamins (B1, B2, and B6) is crucial for their cellular uptake and metabolism. Although a few zinc-dependent enzymes have been implicated in these processes, their exact mechanisms of action remain largely unknown. This study investigated the potential involvement of phosphate group hydrolyzing enzymes in the hydrolysis of B vitamin phosphate esters.

Generic and Hearing-Specific Quality of Life in Older Adult Cochlear Implant Users.

Background This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) of older adults using cochlear implants (CIs) by focusing on how individual characteristics and speech perception are related to generic QOL ratings and utilizing the Health Utilities Index Mark III (HUI3) for assessment. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted with 19 participants aged ≥60 years, who were within one to five years post-implant activation. Data were obtained through self-administered questionnaires, including the HUI3 for generic QOL assessment and disease-specific indexes.

[Promotion of help-seeking intentions for balancing medical treatment and job content among employees of small companies: Focusing on cooperative work climate].

Objectives: This study examined the association between cooperative work climate and business owners' attitudes toward work climate and help-seeking intentions for balancing medical treatment and job (BTJ) by occupation among employees of small companies.

Methods: In January 2024, we conducted an online survey of 1,800 full-time employees aged 20-64 years with no work restrictions due to illness working in small companies. After participants were provided a leaflet regarding BTJ, they were asked to indicate their intention to seek help in an imaginary situation where they had been diagnosed with cancer.

Zinc deficiency affects insulin secretion and alters insulin-regulated metabolic signaling in rats.

Background: The essential trace element zinc is important in stabilizing pancreatic insulin secretion. Zinc not only influences the synthesis of insulin but also affects its activity. Insulin not only exerts a hypoglycemic effect but also regulates glucose and lipid metabolisms in insulin target organs.

Effectiveness of using humor appeal in health promotion materials: evidence from an experimental study in Japan.

Background: Public health professionals have prepared and distributed many messages and materials to convince the public to adopt healthy behaviors or reduce risky behaviors. However, health promotion materials do not always have the desired effect due to a lack of ability to engage target audience. This study examined the effectiveness of humor appeal (i.

Quality of life in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1: a nationwide database study in Japan from 2015 to 2019.

Background: This study examined the association between dermatological, neurological, and bone manifestations of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and quality of life (QoL) in patients with NF1 using a nationwide database of all patients who newly claimed for medical expense subsidies in Japan from 2015 to 2019.

Methods: The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare provided the "National Database of Designated Intractable Diseases of Japan" containing clinical and personal records ("Medical Certificates of Designated Intractable Diseases") of all patients with NF1 following approval of the study protocol. To examine the association between the severity of symptoms and QoL, multinominal logistic regression analyses were performed, adjusted for potential confounders.

Intratracheal administration of cross-linked water-soluble acrylic acid polymer is associated with inducible bronchi-related lymphoid tissue formation and allergic inflammation.

In a Japanese chemical factory, lung diseases such as pneumoconiosis have been reported among workers handling cross-linked water-soluble acrylic acid polymers (CWAAP). Our previous study reported that a single intratracheal administration of CWAAP induces acute inflammation and fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the effects of multiple intratracheal administrations of CWAAP on inflammatory responses and pulmonary fibrosis along with inducible bronchus-associated lymphoid tissues (iBALT) formation, which is involved in allergic inflammation.

Analysis of all non-fatal self-harm cases in an urban area of Japan during pre- and peri-pandemic periods of COVID-19: a population-based study.

Background: This study aimed to examine population-based characteristics of non-fatal self-harm in an urban area during pre- and peri-pandemic periods of COVID-19 by sex, age, and severity of self-harm, using pre-hospital medical emergency records.

Methods: We used a registry of all pre-hospital medical records of self-harm cases that occurred in Kawasaki City, Japan, between January 2018 and December 2021. Adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using Poisson regression models with the log-transformed population by year, sex, age group, and ward as an offset term.

Formal and informal help-seeking intentions/behaviors among students and workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review.

Background: Students and workers have been subjected to increased levels of psychological distress due to the quarantine policy and containment measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. This scoping review aimed to present an overview of published evidence regarding formal and informal help-seeking intentions/behaviors for non-mental health-related issues as well as mental health-related issues among students and workers during the pandemic.

Methods: In June 2022, we searched MEDLINE, APA PsycNet, and CINAHL for articles reporting the state of help-seeking intentions/behaviors among students and workers during the pandemic.

A Novel Observational Strategy for Nonfunctional Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms With Texture Analysis: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Background/aim: Surgical resection is recommended for nonfunctional pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (NF-pNENs). However, metastasis is rare in patients with small lesions with histological grade 1 (G1); thus, observation is an optional treatment approach for small NF-pNENs. Texture analysis (TA) is an imaging analysis mode for quantification of heterogeneity by extracting quantitative parameters from images.

Loss of social independence in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2: a follow-up study using a national registry in Japan.

Background: For patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), maintaining an independent state of living is important. The present study aimed to examine the loss of social independence (i.e.

Clinical features, therapeutic outcomes, and recovery period of long COVID.

To characterize the clinical features of long COVID, 286 patients who received care in our outpatient clinic for long COVID from May to December 2021 were surveyed. The recovery periods of each symptom and the key factors contributing to early recovery were statistically analysed. The median age of the patients was 35.

Analysis of the variation in learning curves for achieving competency in convex EUS training: a prospective cohort study using a standardized assessment tool.

Background And Aims: The need for mastering standard imaging techniques for convex EUS in the biliopancreatic regions has been increasing; however, large variations in the aptitude for achieving EUS competency hinder expert development. Therefore, we investigated the factors influencing the achievement of expert competency in EUS using a new assessment tool for multiple imaging items.

Methods: Between January 2018 and February 2022, 3277 consecutive EUS procedures conducted by 5 beginners (EUS procedures <250), 7 intermediate trainees (250-749), and 2 experts (≥750) were prospectively evaluated.