Factors contributing to the improvement in Japanese Health Assessment Questionnaire after 3 years of treatment with abatacept in biologic-naïve rheumatoid arthritis patients: Interim results of a long-term, observational, multicentre study in Japan (ORIGAMI).

Objectives: We investigated the long-term effectiveness, safety, and factors affecting Japanese Health Assessment Questionnaire (J-HAQ) improvement during abatacept treatment in Japanese rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods: The Orencia® Registry in Geographically Assembled Multicenter Investigation (ORIGAMI) study is an ongoing observational study of biologic-naïve RA patients with moderate disease activity treated with subcutaneous abatacept (125 mg, once weekly). Patients treated with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) were extracted from the Institute of Rheumatology, Rheumatoid Arthritis (IORRA) registry as a historical, weighted control group.

Associations of disease duration and anti-citrullinated peptide antibody status with the effectiveness of abatacept in biologic-naïve patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Post hoc analysis of a multicentre, real-world observational study in Japan (ORIGAMI).

Objectives: The aim of the article is to investigate the associations of disease duration and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) status with the effectiveness of abatacept in biologic-naïve patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We performed post hoc analyses of the Orencia® Registry in Geographically Assembled Multicenter Investigation (ORIGAMI) study of biologic-naïve RA patients aged ≥20 years with moderate disease activity who were prescribed abatacept. Changes in the Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) and Japanese Health Assessment Questionnaire (J-HAQ) at 4, 24, and 52 weeks of treatment were analysed in patients divided according to ACPA serostatus (positive/negative), disease duration (<1/≥1 year), or both.

Effectiveness and safety of subcutaneous abatacept in biologic-naïve RA patients at Week 52: A Japanese multicentre investigational study (ORIGAMI study).

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of abatacept over 52 weeks in biologic-naïve rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with moderate disease activity in the prospective, 5-year, observational study (ORIGAMI study) in Japan.

Methods: Abatacept (125 mg) was administered subcutaneously once a week. Clinical outcomes included Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) remission at Week 52 (primary endpoint), Japanese Health Assessment Questionnaire (J-HAQ), EuroQol 5-Dimension Questionnaire (EQ-5D), treatment retention, and safety.

Effects of Polymethoxyflavonoids on Bone Loss Induced by Estrogen Deficiency and by LPS-Dependent Inflammation in Mice.

Polymethoxyflavonoids (PMFs) are a family of the natural compounds that mainly compise nobiletin, tangeretin, heptamethoxyflavone (HMF), and tetramethoxyflavone (TMF) in citrus fruits. PMFs have shown various biological functions, including anti-oxidative effects. We previously showed that nobiletin, tangeretin, and HMF all inhibited interleukin (IL)-1-mediated osteoclast differentiation via the inhibition of prostaglandin E2 synthesis.

Does recyclable separation reduce the cost of municipal waste management in Japan?

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management is a system involving multiple sub-systems that typically require demanding inputs, materials and resources to properly process generated waste throughput. For this reason, MSW management is generally one of the most expensive services provided by municipalities. In this paper, we analyze the Japanese MSW management system and estimate the cost elasticity with respect to the waste volumes at three treatment stages: collection, processing, and disposal.

The Effect of Control-released Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor in Wound Healing: Histological Analyses and Clinical Application.

Background: Basic fibroblast growth factors (bFGFs) play a crucial role in wound healing by promoting fibroblast proliferation and neovascularization. However, drawback of bFGF is short half-life in free form. Gelatin has a capability of sustaining growth factors, which are gradually released while degradation.

Use of a novel orbicularis oculi muscle overlap method for correction of tear-trough deformity.

Background: Although the fat-pad-sliding method reported by Loeb and the "arcus marginalis release with preservation of orbital fat" method reported by Hamra are useful techniques for correcting tear trough deformity in the Asian population, including Japanese patients, occasional cases of tear-trough deformity have persisted even after surgery. To solve this problem, the authors developed a novel orbicularis oculi muscle overlap method, which has enabled them to obtain good results.

Methods: The orbicularis oculi muscle overlap method was performed for 10 patients (9 women and 1 man) with prominent tear-trough deformity.

Elastase inhibition reduced death associated with acid aspiration-induced lung injury in hamsters.

This study examined whether the specific inhibition of neutrophil elastase by sivelestat sodium hydrate (sivelestat) reduced deaths associated with severe acute lung injury after hydrochloric acid (HCl) aspiration in hamsters. Animals that received a single intratracheal instillation of HCl (0.2 N, 200 microL) time-dependently died by occlusion of their trachea with inflammatory exudate.