Generation and Accumulation of Various Advanced Glycation End-Products in Cardiomyocytes May Induce Cardiovascular Disease.

Cardiomyocyte dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) can be classified as ischemic or non-ischemic. We consider the induction of cardiac tissue dysfunction by intracellular advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in cardiomyocytes as a novel type of non-ischemic CVD. Various types of AGEs can be generated from saccharides (glucose and fructose) and their intermediate/non-enzymatic reaction byproducts.

Analysis of Crude, Diverse, and Multiple Advanced Glycation End-Product Patterns May Be Important and Beneficial.

Lifestyle-related diseases (LSRDs), such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, are a global crisis. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) have been extensively researched because they trigger or promote LSRDs. Recently, techniques such as fluorimetry, immunostaining, Western blotting, slot blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, matrix-assisted laser desorption-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) have helped prove the existence of intra/extracellular AGEs and revealed novel AGE structures and their modifications against peptide sequences.

Potential of the Novel Slot Blot Method with a PVDF Membrane for Protein Identification and Quantification in Kampo Medicines.

Kampo is a Japanese traditional medicine modified from traditional Chinese medicine. Kampo medicines contain various traditional crude drugs with unknown compositions due to the presence of low-molecular-weight compounds and proteins. However, the proteins are generally rare and extracted with high-polarity solvents such as water, making their identification and quantification difficult.

Novel In Vitro Assay of the Effects of Kampo Medicines against Intra/Extracellular Advanced Glycation End-Products in Oral, Esophageal, and Gastric Epithelial Cells.

Kampo medicines are Japanese traditional medicines developed from Chinese traditional medicines. The action mechanisms of the numerous known compounds have been studied for approximately 100 years; however, many remain unclear. While components are normally affected through digestion, absorption, and metabolism, in vitro oral, esophageal, and gastric epithelial cell models avoid these influences and, thus, represent superior assay systems for Kampo medicines.

Budget impact analysis of comprehensive genomic profiling for untreated advanced or recurrent solid cancers in Japan.

Aims: In Japan, the use of comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) is only available for cancer patients who have no standard of care (SoC), or those who have completed SoC. This may lead to missed treatment opportunities for patients with druggable alterations. In this study, we evaluated the potential impact of CGP testing before SoC on medical costs and clinical outcome in untreated patients with advanced or recurrent biliary tract cancer (BTC), non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSQ-NSCLC), or colorectal cancer (CRC) in Japan between 2022 and 2026.

Caregiver Burden among Family Caregivers of Cancer Survivors Aged 75 Years or Older in Japan: A Pilot Study.

The purpose of this study was to assess the burden of caregiving among family caregivers of cancer survivors aged 75 years or older in Japan. We included family caregivers of cancer survivors aged 75 years or older who were attending two hospitals in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, or receiving treatment during home visits. A self-administered questionnaire was developed based on previous studies.

Correlation between Quality of Life under Treatment and Current Life Satisfaction among Cancer Survivors Aged 75 Years and Older Receiving Outpatient Chemotherapy in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan.

Life satisfaction is increasingly important for older cancer survivors as the global population ages and the life expectancy 29 of cancer survivors increases. This study sought to identify factors associated with physical symptoms, quality of life under treatment, and current life satisfaction in cancer survivors aged 75 years and older receiving outpatient chemotherapy. Information about treatment for cancer survivors was collected from electronic medical records, and interviews were conducted to assess life satisfaction under treatment.

Kampo medicines for supportive care of patients with cancer: A brief review.

Background: Kampo medicines, which are standardized traditional Japanese herbal medicines, have been tried to support patients with cancer.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials on the use of Kampo medicines for cancer supportive care and the descriptions of Kampo medicines in clinical practice guidelines were reviewed.

Results: Kampo medicines potentially ameliorate refractory symptoms in cancer patients.

Pharmacists' perspectives on traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine in Japan with special reference to Kampo medicines: an internet survey with preliminary interviews.

Background: Pharmacists guide patients in their use of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM). The present study aimed to evaluate the opinions of Japanese pharmacists regarding TCIM, and to evaluate the usability of the evidence-based Japanese Integrative Medicine (eJIM) website from the pharmacists' point of view.

Methods: We conducted a two-stage, mixed-method study using interviews and an internet-based survey.

Dual blockade of MET and VEGFR2 signaling pathways as a potential therapeutic maneuver for peritoneal carcinomatosis in scirrhous gastric cancer.

Scirrhous gastric cancer frequently develops into peritoneal carcinomatosis with malignant ascites, leading to an extremely poor prognosis. We had demonstrated that paracrine hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced MET activation promotes peritoneal carcinomatosis with ascites formation. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor (VEGFR)/VEGF axis facilitates tumor progression and formation of malignant ascites.

Role of Kampo Medicine in Modern Cancer Therapy: Towards Completion of Standard Treatment.

Kampo Medicine is a traditional Japanese medicine and is well integrated with modern medicine. Anticancer agents are highly developed, and evidence regarding standard treatment has accumulated. Kampo Medicine helps support patients with cancer who lack vital energy and feel cold.

Zonarol Protected Liver from Methionine- and Choline-Deficient Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in a Mouse Model.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver diseases with no approved treatment. Zonarol, an extract from brown algae, has been proven to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this study, we investigated the role of zonarol in the progression of methionine- and choline-deficiency (MCD) diet-induced NAFLD in mice.

Multi-institutional survey of cancer disparities in disabled patients in the region of northwestern Japan.

Background: Potential disparities between cancer patients with and without disabilities remained to be validate in Japan.

Methods: We surveyed retrospective data on hospital cancer registration as well as information on disability certificates obtained through the Hokushin Ganpro database. In total, 93,545 cancer patients in 10 principal hospitals covering the region of northwestern Japan were registered with the Hokushin Ganpro database between 2010 and 2015.

Acupuncture improved lipid metabolism by regulating intestinal absorption in mice.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), in which abnormal lipid metabolism plays an important role in disease progression, has become a pandemic. Abnormal lipid metabolism, for example an increased fat intake, has been thought to be an initial factor leading to NAFLD. The small intestine is the main site of dietary lipid absorption.

Physician perspectives on traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine and the national evidence-based Japanese integrative medicine information website: A mixed-method study.

Background: The evidence-based Japanese integrative medicine (eJIM) website was launched by the Japanese government in 2014 to provide information on integrative medicine to the general public and physicians. While Japanese physicians discourage the use of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM), there are very few reports that explore this issue. We aimed to understand the attitudes of Japanese physicians towards TCIM and evaluate the usability of the eJIM website according to physicians.

Prophylactic efficacy of ninjin'yoeito for oxaliplatin-induced cumulative peripheral neuropathy in patients with colorectal cancer receiving postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy: a randomized, open-label, phase 2 trial (HOPE-2).

Purpose: Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is an intractable side effect of oxaliplatin, with no effective prophylaxis so far. Ninjin'yoeito (NYT), a Kampo medicine, is protective against oxaliplatin-induced neuronal cell injury in vitro and ameliorates oxaliplatin-induced PN in vivo. Thus, this randomized controlled trial was aimed at clarifying NYT's prophylactic effect for oxaliplatin-induced cumulative PN.

Perspectives on the Use of Ninjin'yoeito in Modern Medicine: A Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Ninjin'yoeito (NYT), a traditional Japanese (Kampo) medicine that originates from China, has been used to treat qi and blood deficiency based on its original concept. Kampo medicine has been widely used to treat many conditions and disorders combined with western medicine or Kampo medicine alone in modern situation.

Aims: We reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of NYT and discussed various standpoints regarding its use in modern situation.

The utilization of complementary and alternative medicine in Taiwan: An internet survey using an adapted version of the international questionnaire (I-CAM-Q).

Background: In Taiwan, numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). However, most of them focused on specific diseases or the use of particular methods. Therefore, the results of those studies were quite different and difficult to compare with those of studies from other countries.

Efficacy of daikenchuto, a traditional Japanese Kampo medicine, for postoperative intestinal dysfunction in patients with gastrointestinal cancers: meta-analysis.

Background: The Japan Society for Oriental Medicine makes a compilation of structured abstracts of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Kampo medicines available on its Evidence Reports of Kampo Treatment (EKAT) website.

Methods: Using EKAT, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of using daikenchuto ( https://mpdb.nibiohn.

[Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Breast Cancer Patients: An Overview of Systematic Reviews].

The application of systematic review (SR) has been increased rapidly in the field of cancer treatment. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for cancer is no exception. The aim of this review is to evaluate and summarize systematic reviews on the CAM use in breast cancer patients.

Clinical practice guidelines for the management of olfactory dysfunction - Secondary publication.

Objective: To provide an evidence-based recommendation for the management of olfactory dysfunction in accordance with the consensus reached by the Subcommittee of the Japanese Clinical Practice Guideline for olfactory dysfunction in the Japanese Rhinologic Society.

Methods: Seven clinical questions (CQs) regarding the management of olfactory dysfunction were formulated by the subcommittee of the Japanese Clinical Practice Guideline for olfactory dysfunction. We searched the literature published between April 1990 and September 2014 using PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Ichushi Web databases.

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Japan: A Cross-sectional Internet Survey Using the Japanese Version of the International Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire.

Introduction: Although there have been several national survey studies on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in Japan, previous studies have not been compared with investigations conducted in other countries. An international CAM questionnaire known as I-CAM-Q was developed through a two-day international workshop in 2006. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of CAM by the general Japanese population using a modified version of the I-CAM-Q for the Japanese (I-CAM-QJ).

Internet survey on the provision of complementary and alternative medicine in Japanese private clinics: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Although the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by the general population has been surveyed previously, the provision of CAM by Japanese physicians in private clinics has not been studied. Universal health insurance system was established in Japan in 1961, and most CAMs are not on the drug tariff. We aimed to clarify the current status of CAM provided by physicians at private clinics in Japan.