Posttraumatic negative cognitions in nurses affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake: A longitudinal study two years after the nuclear power plant accident.

This study elucidated mental health changes in 39 nurses in Fukushima Prefecture one to two years after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms improved, but posttraumatic negative cognitions worsened significantly. Factors including stress during the disaster, nursing-related stressors, and lack of disaster nursing experience contributed to negative cognitions.

Predictors and moderators of outcomes in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy intervention for early breast cancer patients.

Objectives: To deliver mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) efficiently, the present study aimed (1) to identify predictors and moderators of patients who benefit from MBCT for psychological distress and (2) to explore the initial treatment reaction to identify the optimal number of sessions that produce a significant clinical effect.

Methods: This is the secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of MBCT for breast cancer patients (N = 74). We classified the participants into remitters vs.

Inter-professional and inter-departmental alcoholism rehabilitation program.

A 3-month alcoholism rehabilitation program at psychiatric hospitals is common in Japan for patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, many AUD patients are often hospitalized for the treatment of digestive disorders due to alcohol-related liver diseases and pancreatitis. In this sense, AUD patients need to be better supported by professionals and departments in general hospitals.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Psychological Distress, Fear of Cancer Recurrence, Fatigue, Spiritual Well-Being, and Quality of Life in Patients With Breast Cancer-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Context: Mindfulness-based interventions have been receiving growing attention in cancer care.

Objectives: The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for psychological distress (anxiety and depression), fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), fatigue, spiritual well-being, and quality of life (QOL) in Japanese ambulatory patients with Stage I-III breast cancer.

Methods: A total of 74 patients were randomly assigned to either an eight-week MBCT intervention group (n = 38) or a wait-list control group (n = 36).

Feasibility study of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for anxiety disorders in a Japanese setting.

Objective: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) could be a treatment option for anxiety disorders. Although its effectiveness under conditions of low pharmacotherapy rates has been demonstrated, its effectiveness under condition of high pharmacotherapy rate is still unknown. The aim of the study was to evaluate effectiveness of MBCT under the context of high pharmacotherapy rates.

Early detection of colon cancer by increased serum level of Krebs von den Lungen-6 in a patient with dermatomyositis-associated interstitial pneumonia.

Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) is a high-molecular-weight glycoprotein which is elevated in serum of patients with interstitial pneumonia (IP). Serum KL-6 level is clinically used for the diagnosis of IP as well as the evaluation of its disease activity. KL-6 is originally identified when exploring novel soluble antigens in patients with lung cancer, and is known to be elevated in patients with several malignant tumors.

Inhibition of metastasis of rhabdomyosarcoma by a novel neutralizing antibody to CXC chemokine receptor-4.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma affecting children, and the overall cure rate of children with metastatic disease remains below 30%. The CXC chemokine receptor-4 (CXCR4)/stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF1) axis has been implicated in the promotion of metastatic potential in several tumors. In this study, we developed a novel anti-CXCR4 mAb, CF172, and investigated its antimetastatic activity against rhabdomyosarcoma cells in vitro and in vivo, to evaluate its potential as a therapeutic antibody to treat rhabdomyosarcoma.

Predictive markers of capecitabine sensitivity identified from the expression profile of pyrimidine nucleoside-metabolizing enzymes.

Molecular markers predicting sensitivity to anticancer drugs are important and useful not only for selecting potential responders but also for developing new combinations. In the present study, we analyzed the difference in the sensitivity of xenograft models to capecitabine (Xeloda®), 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-DFUR, doxifluridine, Furtulon®) and 5-FU by comparing the mRNA levels of 12 pyrimidine nucleoside-metabolizing enzymes. Amounts of mRNA in the tumor tissues of 80 xenograft models were determined by real-time RT-PCR and mutual correlations were examined.

Association of asthma education with asthma control evaluated by asthma control test, FEV1, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide.

Background: Asthma education is an important adjunct for asthma control although the way asthma education affects asthma outcomes is poorly understood. The asthma control test (ACT), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)), and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) have all been used as markers of asthma control. However, the use of FeNO as a surrogate marker remains controversial.

Four cases of Trousseau's syndrome associated with lung adenocarcinoma.

Cancer patients are at high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), and the combination of these two conditions is well known as Trousseau's syndrome. Here we present four cases of Trousseau's syndrome associated with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. In addition to fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) and D-dimer, the levels of mucin-producing markers, such as KL-6, were elevated.

Angiogenesis inhibitors identified by cell-based high-throughput screening: synthesis, structure-activity relationships and biological evaluation of 3-[(E)-styryl]benzamides that specifically inhibit endothelial cell proliferation.

Proliferation of endothelial cells is critical for angiogenesis. We report orally available, in vivo active antiangiogenic agents which specifically inhibit endothelial cell proliferation. After identifying human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation inhibitors from a cell-based high-throughput screening (HTS), we eliminated those compounds which showed cytotoxicity against HCT116 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) inhibitory activity.

Validation study of asthma screening criteria based on subjective symptoms and fractional exhaled nitric oxide.

Background: In the latest Global Initiative for Asthma guideline, neither sputum eosinophilia nor fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) have been evaluated prospectively as an aid in asthma diagnosis, but these measurements are being evaluated for potential use in determining optimal treatment.

Objective: To report criteria for screening asthma using subjective symptoms and FeNO levels and results of a prospective validation study using these criteria.

Methods: Sixty-one outpatients with recurrent cough, wheezing, or dyspnea underwent measurements of FeNO levels, pulmonary function, methacholine airway responsiveness, and inflammatory cells in induced sputum.

[Differences of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels performed using two different analyzers].

The measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is going to become more wide-spread as a noninvasive marker for diagnosing and controlling bronchial asthma. In Japan, both stationary and portable FeNO analyzers are now available. However, the difference between these analyzers has not been fully examined.

Clinical usefulness of fractional exhaled nitric oxide for diagnosing prolonged cough.

Background: Prolonged cough is one of the troublesome symptoms commonly seen in daily practice. Especially, detection of allergic cough such as bronchial asthma (BA), cough variant asthma (CVA) and eosinophilic bronchitis without asthma (EB) is important because the prevalence of these disorders are high. We previously reported fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) can be a non-invasive marker of allergic airway inflammation.

Toll-like receptor 4 signal transduction inhibitor, M62812, suppresses endothelial cell and leukocyte activation and prevents lethal septic shock in mice.

Sepsis occurs when microbes activate toll-like receptors (TLRs) stimulating widespread inflammation and activating coagulation cascades. TLR4 signal transduction has been recognized as a key pathway for lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced activation of various cells and an attractive target for treatment of sepsis. We found a new benzisothiazole derivative, M62812 that inhibits TLR4 signal transduction.

An ESR contrast agent is transported to rat liver through organic anion transporter.

Carboxy PROXYL is a useful extracellular paramagnetic contrast reagent in electron spin resonance (ESR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Active transfer of the probe was investigated using an in situ liver model in rats. Carboxy PROXYL, a nitroxyl spin probe, was perfused into in situ liver perfusion system from Wistar rats.

Enhanced cementum formation in experimentally induced cementum defects of the root surface with the application of recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor in collagen gel in vivo.

Background: Therapies using biologically active, soluble factors such as growth factors or cytokines have been investigated for potential clinical use in regenerating lost periodontal tissue due to periodontitis. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF, FGF-2) is a multifunctional growth factor that has a variety of effects including induction of proliferation and morphogenesis in a wide range of cells and tissues including periodontal ligament tissue.

Methods: In this study, we examined the effects of bFGF on the regeneration of cementum and periodontal ligament in experimentally induced partial defects in a beagle dog model.

Inhibitory effects of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate on the mutation, DNA strand cleavage, and DNA adduct formation by heterocyclic amines.

Green tea is known to be a potential chemopreventive agent against cancer. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory activities of tea extracts, and in particular the polyphenolic component (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), against heterocyclic amine-induced genotoxicity. The tea extracts displayed inhibition of 2-hydroxyamino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a,3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1(NHOH))-induced mutagenicity.

Inhibition of BMP-induced ectopic bone formation by an antiangiogenic agent (epigallocatechin 3-gallate).

Epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG), which is one of the components of green tea, was recently shown to inhibit endothelial cell growth in vitro and angiogenesis in vivo [5]. We have previously shown that bone and cartilage formation by bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) is highly dependent on the geometry of the carrier (vasculature-inducing or -inhibiting geometry [2]. To verify the function of angiogenesis in the BMP induction system, we examine in this article whether inhibition of angiogenesis enhances chondrogenesis and suppresses osteogenesis.

Pleiotrophin regulates bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-induced ectopic osteogenesis.

We previously isolated pleiotrophin (PTN) from bovine bone as a protein and showed that it stimulated osteoblastic growth and differentiation. Further details of its function, however, have not been fully clarified. The aim of this paper was to elucidate the effects of PTN on bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-induced ectopic osteogenesis.

A controllable gene-expression system for the pathogenic fungus Candida glabrata.

A system for controlling gene expression was established in the pathogenic fungus Candida glabrata to elucidate the physiological functions of genes. To control the expression of the gene of interest, the C. glabrata cells were first transformed with the plasmid carrying the tetracycline repressor-transactivator fusion tetR::GAL4, then with the DNA fragment containing the controllable cassette, the tetracycline operator chimeric promoter (tetO::ScHOP1).