Naringenin suppresses neutrophil infiltration into adipose tissue in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Recruitment of immune cells to adipose tissue is altered dramatically in obesity, which results in chronic inflammation ofthe adipose tissue that leads to metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The regulationof immune cell infiltration into adipose tissue has prophylactic and therapeutic implications for obesity-related diseases. Wepreviously showed that naringenin, a citrus flavonoid, suppressed macrophage infiltration into adipose tissue by inhibitingmonocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression in the progression phase to high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity.In the current study, we evaluated the effects of naringenin on neutrophil infiltration into adipose tissue, because neutrophilsalso infiltrate into adipose tissue in the progression phase to obesity. Naringenin suppressed neutrophil infiltration into adiposetissue induced by the short-term (2 weeks) feeding of a HFD to mice. Naringenin tended to inhibit the HFD-inducedexpression of several chemokines, including MCP-1 and MCP-3, in adipose tissue. Naringenin also inhibited MCP-3 expressionin 3T3-L1 adipocytes and a co-culture of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and RAW264 macrophages. However, naringenin did notaffect the expression of macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), an important chemokine for neutrophil migration andactivation, in macrophages or in a co-culture of adipocytes and macrophages. Our results suggest that naringenin suppressesneutrophil infiltration into adipose tissue via the regulation of MCP-3 expression and macrophage infiltration.九州保健福祉大学201

The Association between Utilization of Media Information and Current Health Anxiety Among the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster Evacuees

The 2011 nuclear disaster in Fukushima was not only a health disaster, but also an information disaster. Although media can promote health communication following disasters, studies have revealed associations between media information and negative psychological reactions. To clarify the relationship between media utilization and current health anxiety due to radiation exposure, a cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted in Fukushima. We selected 2000 subjects from evacuation (i.e., 500) and non-evacuation (i.e., 1500) areas by two-stage stratified random sampling. As the independent variable, participants were asked about current health anxiety due to radiation exposure at the time of answering the questionnaire. For utilization of media about radiation exposure, local media, national media, Internet media, public broadcasts, and public relations information from local government were set as the dependent variables. Questionnaire data were analyzed by evacuation type (i.e., forced/voluntary). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the use of public relations information was significantly associated with lower anxiety for the forced evacuees (odds ratio: 0.72; 95% confidence interval: 0.56–0.93). Our findings highlight the importance of public relations information from local government in terms of it being associated with lower current health anxiety, and this could potentially aid in preparing for future disasters

Effect of inactivated Streptococcus pneumoniae as non-pathogenic particles on the severity of pneumonia caused by respiratory syncytial virus infection in mice

The severity of pneumonia in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is strongly related to hostimmune response and external factors such as bacteria and environmental chemicals. Weinvestigated the effect of inactivated Streptococcus pneumoniae (ISP) as non-pathogenic particleson the severity of pneumonia in RSV-infected mice. Mice were intranasally exposed to ISP beforeRSV infection. On day 5 post-infection, we examined the lung tissues, virus titer, and infiltratedcells in the lungs. The ISP did not cause significant histopathological effects on lungs of RSVinfectedmice and reduced virus titer in the lungs. It reduced the ratio of lymphocyte infiltrationinto the lungs and consequently the ratio of macrophage increased. In addition, we found that ISPincreased RANTES level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from RSV-infected mice on day 1 postinfection,but reduced type I interferon levels. Thus, ISP did not exacerbate pneumonia in RSVinfection; rather, it might mildly reduce the severity. We characterize and discuss the inherentactivity of ISP as non-pathogenic particles inducing the role of RANTES on the pneumonia in RSVinfection.九州保健福祉大学201

Those Who Have Continuing Radiation Anxiety Show High Psychological Distress in Cases of High Post-Traumatic Stress: The Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

Background: this cross-sectional study aimed to clarify the associations among media utilization, lifestyles, and the strong radiation anxiety that has persisted 9 years after the 2011 nuclear accident. Moreover, the relationships among psychological distress, post-traumatic stress, and strong radiation anxiety were examined. Methods: for the multivariate regression analysis, the independent variables were radiation anxiety at the time of the accident and the current status, categorized as “continuing/emerging strong radiation anxiety”. Media utilization (local, national, internet, and public broadcasts, and public relations information) and lifestyle variables (sleep quality, regular exercise, and drinking habits) were set as the dependent variables. Moreover, the psychological distress of residents with continuing/emerging strong radiation anxiety was examined by an analysis of covariance stratified by post-traumatic stress. Result: there was no significant association between lifestyle variables and media utilization, except for local media (OR: 0.435, 95% CI: 0.21–0.90). Conversely, significantly high psychological distress was confirmed among residents with continuing/emerging radiation anxiety. The K6 score, representing psychological distress, for those with higher post-traumatic stress was 12.63; for those with lower post-traumatic stress, it was 5.13 (p = 0.004). Conclusions: residents with continuing/emerging strong radiation anxiety showed high psychological distress, which has been strengthened by higher post-traumatic stress

Current Psychological Distress, Post-traumatic Stress, and Radiation Health Anxiety Remain High for Those Who Have Rebuilt Permanent Homes Following the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

Objective: The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011 produced psychological reactions among evacuees. Despite the harsh situation, subsequently, there has been gradual progress in reconstruction, with more than half of the evacuees returning after the evacuation. Our hypothesis is that evacuee mental health will now be better due to new stable living conditions. This study aims to clarify the statuses of psychological distress, post-traumatic stress, and radiation health anxiety among evacuees who have rebuilt permanent homes after evacuation. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 1600 residents was conducted in 2020. As primary outcomes, the survey measured psychological distress (Kessler 6), post-traumatic stress (post-traumatic stress four-item checklist), and radiation health anxiety. The data are compared for residents who have rebuilt permanent home and those who did not evacuate. Results: In the co-variant analysis, the statuses of psychological distress (p < 0.001), post-traumatic stress (p < 0.001), and radiation health anxiety (p < 0.001) are found to still be high, with significant differences when compared to those who did not evacuate. These results are still at an equivalent level for the continuing evacuation. Conclusion: Our findings may indicate a necessity for continuing disaster-related mental health activities even though the living conditions have improved