Publications by authors named "Tomoka Matsuura"
Background: To evaluate antibody responses against the primary series of vaccination of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 [SARS-CoV-2] vaccines in the staff and residents of Japanese geriatric intermediate care facilities.
Methods: All subjects (159 staff and 96 residents) received two doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine 3 weeks apart. Baseline data of subject were collected using a structured form.
Article Synopsis
- - The study assessed the effectiveness of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in generating antibodies in healthy adults through two different immunoassays, highlighting inconsistencies in measurement methods.
- - Blood samples were taken from 385 healthcare workers at various points: before the first shot, before the second shot, 4 weeks after the second shot, and 6 months later, revealing significant increases in antibody levels after vaccination.
- - Results indicated that while antibody responses were generally adequate, older participants had lower antibody levels, and the two assays produced different results despite a strong correlation in their findings.
Background And Aim: The purpose of this study was to identify lifestyle risk factors, such as cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, in relation to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among chronic hepatitis C patients who have achieved a sustained virologic response (SVR).
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 2014 and 2017 using self-administered questionnaires and medical information at two tertiary hospitals in Osaka, Japan. Study subjects were chronic hepatitis C patients who had achieved SVR without HCC following antiviral treatment that was completed more than 1 year earlier.
Article Synopsis
- Hepatocellular carcinoma can still develop in patients with hepatitis C who achieve sustained virological response (SVR) after treatment.
- A study of 180 SVR patients identified factors linked to liver disease progression, finding that older age, higher liver enzyme ratios, and alcohol consumption were associated with worsening liver health.
- Conversely, higher vitamin B12 intake before SVR appeared to have a protective effect against liver disease progression, suggesting potential dietary influences on health outcomes post-treatment.*
Aim: Idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH), extrahepatic portal obstruction (EHO), and Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) are characterized by aberrant portal hemodynamics of unknown etiology. The aim of this study was to explore trends in the descriptive epidemiology of these diseases through periodical nationwide surveys.
Methods: Nationwide epidemiologic surveys were undertaken in 1999, 2005, and 2015 using the same protocol.