Evaluating the Potential of Galactosaminogalactan as a Diagnostic Target for Invasive Aspergillosis

Background: Early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA) is critical for the initiation of effective antifungal therapy. Currently, detection of galactomannan (GM), a secreted fungal glycan, is the most used culture-independent diagnostic test for IA. However, limitations in the sensitivity and specificity of this test have led to interest in identifying other target molecules. Galactosaminogalactan (GAG), a polysaccharide cell wall component secreted by Aspergillus hyphae, is a potential diagnostic marker for IA. Objectives: To evaluate the utility of GAG as a diagnostic target, we generated a monoclonal antibody against GAG (mAb 1D1), established a GAG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), evaluated its cross-reactivity with other respiratory pathogens, and compared the performance of the GAG detection ELISA with GM antigen detection in both an in vivo mouse model and human samples from patients with pulmonary aspergillosis. Results: The GAG ELISA demonstrated strong reactivity with culture supernatants from Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus but limited reactivity with culture supernatants of other Aspergillus spp. and non-Aspergillus filamentous fungi. In a mouse model of IA, GAG was detected in lung tissue, serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and urine samples. Although GAG was detected by mAb 1D1 staining of Aspergillus hyphae in infected human lung tissue samples, it was not detectable in the serum, BALF, and urine of patients with pulmonary aspergillosis. Conclusions: Further studies are required to determine whether the failure to detect GAG in the serum, BALF, and urine of patients with pulmonary aspergillosis is due to absence or low GAG levels or other reasons.Mycoses, 68(10), art. no. e70125; 2025journal articl

Challenges in merging two public health institutes in Japan: A case study of health reform following the COVID-19 pandemic

長崎大学学位論文 [学位記番号]博（IIPH）甲第3号 [学位授与年月日]令和7年9月19日(2025-09-19)thesi

An analysis of the desire to make radiation measurements and to dialogue with experts among the residents of Tomioka town, Fukushima Prefecture: about the implementation of the co-expertise process

長崎大学学位論文 [学位記番号]共博（医歯薬）甲第54号 [学位授与年月日]令和7年9月19日(2025-09-19)thesi

フグの毒性とその評価に関する食品衛生学的研究

長崎大学学位論文 [学位記番号]博（水・環）乙第20号 [学位授与年月日]令和7年8月29日(2025-08-29)thesi

Low-intensity muscle contraction exercise reduces pain sensitivity by modulating peripheral pathology and spinal sensitization in end-stage knee osteoarthritis rats

Introduction: This study evaluated the effects of low-intensity muscle contraction exercise on pain sensitivity, peripheral pathology, and central sensitization in the spinal dorsal horn in a rat model of end-stage knee osteoarthritis (OA) induced by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA). Methods: Sixty-two male Wistar rats were assigned to three groups: OA, Exercise, and Sham. The Exercise group underwent quadriceps muscle contractions induced by electrical stimulation (50 Hz, 250 µs, 2–3 mA) with a duty cycle of 1:2 (2 s On, 4 s Off) for 20 min daily, five days per week, from day 29 to day 56 post-MIA administration. Pain sensitivity was assessed by measuring knee joint pressure pain thresholds (PPT) and paw withdrawal thresholds using von Frey filaments. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses of the knee joint and spinal cord included toluidine blue staining, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining, and markers for CD68, CD11c, CD206, osteoclasts, nerve growth factor (NGF), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and phosphorylated NR1 (pNR1). Results: Knee joint PPTs were significantly higher in the Exercise group after day 35, accompanied by reductions in CD68-, CD11c-positive cells, NGF-positive cells, CGRP-positive fibers, osteoclasts, and pNR1-positive cells, as well as an increase in CD206-positive cells, compared to the OA group. Discussion: Despite no significant changes in cartilage or subchondral bone degeneration, these findings suggest that low-intensity muscle contraction exercise alleviates pain sensitivity by modulating peripheral pathology and central sensitization. This study highlights the potential of therapeutic exercise as a strategy for OA pain management.Frontiers in Pain Research, 6, art. no. 1644177; 2025journal articl

Successful granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor inhalation therapy for recurrent autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis after lung transplantation: A case report

Sargramostim, a recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) inhalation therapy, was recently approved for pharmaceutical use in Japan and shows promise as a treatment for autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (APAP). For APAP patients with severe respiratory failure due to advanced lung fibrosis, lung transplantation is also a treatment option; however, APAP may recur after the procedure. Here, we report a case of successful sargramostim inhalation therapy for post-transplant APAP relapse in a patient who underwent living lung transplantation owing to severe fibrosis. Inhaled GM-CSF may be a useful treatment option for APAP recurrence in patients who have undergone lung transplantation.Respiratory Investigation, 63(1), pp.180-182; 2025journal articl

企業主導型保育園との連携―文教おもやい保育園における「異文化交流の時間」活動報告―

長崎大学ダイバーシティ推進センター研究紀要, 3, pp.31-37; 2025departmental bulletin pape

Self-directed and prosocial wound care, snare removal, and hygiene behaviors amongst the Budongo chimpanzees

Understanding the cognitive and social foundations of healthcare behaviors in humans requires examining their evolutionary precursors in our closest living relatives. Investigating self-directed and other-directed healthcare in chimpanzees provides crucial insights into the origins of medicinal knowledge, identification of specific medicinal resources used for health maintenance, and the emergence of prosocial healthcare capacities. Here we document and analyze both previously reported and newly observed instances of self-directed and other-directed wound care, snare removal, and putatively medicinal hygiene behaviors in the Sonso and Waibira chimpanzee communities of the Budongo Forest in Uganda. Reports of these behaviors come from archival records collected from over thirty years of observation at the Budongo Conservation Field Station (BCFS), videos recorded by researchers at the site, and all-occurrence behavioral data collected over two 4-month periods of direct observation. We describe self-directed wound care behaviors such as wound licking, leaf-dabbing, pressing fingers to wounds, and the application of chewed plant material to wounds, as well as a successful self-directed snare removal. We also document self-directed hygiene behaviors including postcoital genital leaf wiping and post-defecation leaf wiping. For the first time in Budongo, we report the presence of prosocial wound care, adding to similar observations documented at other chimpanzee field sites. We present cases of individuals licking, finger pressing, and applying chewed plant material to the wounds of others. We also establish the presence of prosocial postcoital hygiene behaviors, specifically postcoital leaf wiping. Lastly, we report an additional unpublished case of prosocial snare removal. The presence of prosocial-care behaviors between both kin and non-kin individuals at Budongo adds another site to the growing list of locations where such behaviors have been documented, suggesting prosocial healthcare is more widespread across chimpanzee populations than previously recognized.Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 13, art. no. 1540922; 2025journal articl

Serious psychological distress among slum dwellers and unhoused people in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: a pilot study

Background: Mental health is reported to be a significant issue among slum dwellers and unhoused (homeless) individuals worldwide, particularly those facing housing instability. Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city and industrial hub of Vietnam, has a substantial population experiencing housing instability, although its exact scale has rarely been accurately measured. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of serious psychological distress among slum dwellers and unhoused individuals in Ho Chi Minh City and to identify factors associated with serious psychological distress. Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving 415 individuals experiencing housing instability, including 383 slum dwellers and 32 unhoused individuals, was conducted between November 2023 and April 2024. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire incorporating the 6-item version of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). Results: The overall prevalence of serious psychological distress was 19.8%, with 18.5% among slum dwellers and 34.4% among unhoused people. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed significant associations between serious psychological distress and female gender (adjusted odds ratio = 3.086, p < 0.001), labour exploitation (adjusted odds ratio = 1.914, p = 0.046), and debt (adjusted odds ratio = 3.109, p < 0.001). Notably, 68.7% of the participants reported experiencing some form of labour exploitation, which commonly included contract rejections, forced overwork, wage theft, and physical or verbal abuse. Furthermore, 43.7% of the participants were in debt, with 38.6% borrowing from moneylenders. Conclusions: The prevalence of serious psychological distress among individuals with unstable housing in Ho Chi Minh City was significantly higher than that of the general population, highlighting the urgent need for mental health interventions targeted at this population. Those with serious psychological distress frequently faced both labour and economic exploitation, without sufficient social protection. In terms of labour exploitation, policy interventions, particularly from an occupational health perspective, are necessary. To address economic exploitation through debt, given the prevalence of loan sharks, efforts to crack down on predatory lending and promote financial inclusion are essential.Tropical Medicine and Health, 53(1), art. no. 53; 2025journal articl

Communities of Practice, Beliefs, and Identity: Self-Reflection for Teacher Growth

In this paper, the author presents an analysis of their own teaching history, supplied in the appendix, and how and why they have evolved to become the teacher they are today. The teacher’s history is examined through three frameworks: communities of practice, beliefs, and identity. Each framework is defined in relation to the profession of teaching and used to examine the teacher’s practice at different points in their career, and thus revealing their influence and impact on the evolution of the teacher.長崎大学言語教育研究センター論集, 13, pp51-60; 2025journal articl