Mathematical model for hit phenomena and marketing science

Mathematical model of hit phenomena is presented as time-dependent non-linear, non-equilibrium phenomena. The derved equation include the marketing share model and the Bass model. The indirect communication as rumor or popularity plays an important role in hit phenomena. The decay of rumor is also studied using our hit equation and the decay length is only two days

Impaired Anaphylactic Responses with Intact Sensitivity to Endotoxin in Mice Lacking a Platelet-activating Factor Receptor

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent phospholipid mediator with diverse biological activities in addition to its well-known ability to stimulate platelet aggregation. Pharmacologic studies had suggested a role for PAF in pregnancy, neuronal cell migration, anaphylaxis, and endotoxic shock. Here we show that disruption of the PAF receptor gene in mice caused a marked reduction in systemic anaphylactic symptoms. Unexpectedly, however, the PAF receptor–deficient mice developed normally, were fertile, and remained sensitive to bacterial endotoxin. These mutant mice clearly show that PAF plays a dominant role in eliciting anaphylaxis, but that it is not essential for reproduction, brain development, or endotoxic shock

The survey on the implementation of health checkups targeting under 40 years in municipalities

PDF近年、40歳未満の若年成人からメタボリックシンドロームおよび生活習慣病一次予防が重要視されつつある。現在、約８割の自治体で40歳未満の健診機会がない者を対象とした健診（以下、40歳未満健診）が実施され、特に子育て中の被扶養者女性などが受けやすい健診となっている。しかし、この年代は他の年代と比べて健診無関心層が多く、理由に子育てで余裕がない、自身の健康を意識しづらい、健診日程・託児の制約等が挙げられる。一方、自治体の実施状況は様々で、健診中の託児や健診日・場所の充実等の受診環境は国民健康保険被保険者数（以下、被保険者数）や自治体の財政力（以下、財政力指数）によって異なると考える。本研究の目的は、被保険者数規模および財政力指数によって、各自治体の40歳未満健診の詳細な実施状況を明らかにし、自治体規模による今後のよりよい実施に向けて示唆を得ることである。 　関東１都６県、自治体307箇所での40歳未満健診の実施内容を研究対象とした。自治体ホームページで公開されている40歳未満健診の実施に関する情報、自治体別の被保険者数規模・財政力指数を抽出した。被保険者数は「10万人以上」「５万人以上10万人未満」「１万人以上５万人未満」「３千人以上１万人未満」「３千人未満」の５区分にし、40歳未満健診の実施有無および詳細な実施状況との関連でχ2検定を実施し、調整済み残差を計算した。財政力指数との関連では、Mann-Whitney U検定、相関分析を実施した。 　自治体307カ所中、40歳未満健診を実施している自治体保険者は215カ所（70.0%）あった。実施している215カ所中、「10万人以上」で12（70.6%）、「５万人以上10万人未満」で21（77.8%）、「１万人以上５万人未満」で107（70.4%）、「３千人以上１万人未満」で50（67.6%）、「３千人未満」で25（67.6%）と、有意差はなかった。「委託医療機関での個別健診」を実施している割合は、「10万人以上」「５万人以上10万人未満」で有意に高く、「３千人以上１万人未満」「３千人未満」で低かった（p ＜0.001）。「健診当日の保健師等との相談あり（集団健診）」は「１万人以上５万人未満」で、「健診後日の結果説明・相談会あり（集団健診）」は、「５万人以上10万人未満」で多かった。「委託医療機関での個別健診」実施、「子宮頸がん検診同時受診可の可能性」がある場合、「健診会場での託児あり（集団健診）」は、それぞれ自治体の財政力指数が有意に高かった（p =0.046, p =0.013, p =0.031）。また、財政力指数が高い自治体で、実施開始年齢が低い傾向があった（Spearmanの相関係数：－0.151, p =0.032）。40歳未満健診の受診率向上のための試みで自治体毎に工夫していると考えられる内容を確認し、自宅健診（スマホdeドック）や託児・子宮頸がん検診同時受診可の周知に関するホームページ上の工夫がみられた。子育て中の女性にとって、「がん検診とセット」が望まれるため、個別健診が可能で受診率向上を目指す自治体は、積極的に同時受診が可能な点をアピールすると良いと考える。「５万人以上10万人未満」「１万人以上５万人未満」の中規模保険者では、比較的に集団健診当日や後日の保健指導・説明会が実施しやすいことが示唆された。これは、中規模保険者の利点であり、健診受診率の向上を目指す自治体にとっては、アピールポイントとなりえると考えた。departmental bulletin pape

Comparison of weighed food record procedures for the reference methods in two validation studies of food frequency questionnaires

Background: Although open-ended dietary assessment methods, such as weighed food records (WFRs), are generally considered to be comparable, differences between procedures may influence outcome when WFRs are conducted independently. In this paper, we assess the procedures of WFRs in two studies to describe their dietary assessment procedures and compare the subsequent outcomes. Methods: WFRs of 12 days (3 days for four seasons) were conducted as reference methods for intake data, in accordance with the study protocol, among a subsample of participants of two large cohort studies. We compared the WFR procedures descriptively. We also compared some dietary intake variables, such as the frequency of foods and dishes and contributing foods, to determine whether there were differences in the portion size distribution and intra- and inter-individual variation in nutrient intakes caused by the difference in procedures. Results: General procedures of the dietary records were conducted in accordance with the National Health and Nutrition Survey and were the same for both studies. Differences were seen in 1) selection of multiple days (non-consecutive days versus consecutive days); and 2) survey sheet recording method (individual versus family participation). However, the foods contributing to intake of energy and selected nutrients, the portion size distribution, and intra- and inter-individual variation in nutrient intakes were similar between the two studies. Conclusion: Our comparison of WFR procedures in two independent studies revealed several differences. Notwithstanding these procedural differences, however, the subsequent outcomes were similar

Design and baseline characteristics of the finerenone in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in diabetic kidney disease trial

Background: Among people with diabetes, those with kidney disease have exceptionally high rates of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality and progression of their underlying kidney disease. Finerenone is a novel, nonsteroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that has shown to reduce albuminuria in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) while revealing only a low risk of hyperkalemia. However, the effect of finerenone on CV and renal outcomes has not yet been investigated in long-term trials. Patients and Methods: The Finerenone in Reducing CV Mortality and Morbidity in Diabetic Kidney Disease (FIGARO-DKD) trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of finerenone compared to placebo at reducing clinically important CV and renal outcomes in T2D patients with CKD. FIGARO-DKD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, event-driven trial running in 47 countries with an expected duration of approximately 6 years. FIGARO-DKD randomized 7,437 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate >= 25 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio >= 30 to <= 5,000 mg/g). The study has at least 90% power to detect a 20% reduction in the risk of the primary outcome (overall two-sided significance level alpha = 0.05), the composite of time to first occurrence of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure. Conclusions: FIGARO-DKD will determine whether an optimally treated cohort of T2D patients with CKD at high risk of CV and renal events will experience cardiorenal benefits with the addition of finerenone to their treatment regimen. Trial Registration: EudraCT number: 2015-000950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02545049

C3H/HeNSlc mouse with low phospholipid transfer protein expression showed dyslipidemia

Abstract High serum levels of triglycerides (TG) and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increase the risk of coronary heart disease in humans. Herein, we first reported that the C3H/HeNSlc (C3H-S) mouse, a C3H/HeN-derived substrain, is a novel model for dyslipidemia. C3H-S showed hypertriglyceridemia and low total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, and phospholipid (PL) concentrations. To identify the gene locus causing dyslipidemia in C3H-S, we performed genetic analysis. In F2 intercrosses between C3H-S mice and strains with normal serum lipids, the locus associated with serum lipids was identified as 163–168 Mb on chromosome 2. The phospholipid transfer protein (Pltp) gene was a candidate gene within this locus. Pltp expression and serum PLTP activity were markedly lower in C3H-S mice. Pltp expression was negatively correlated with serum TG and positively correlated with serum TC and HDL-C in F2 mice. Genome sequencing analysis revealed that an endogenous retrovirus (ERV) sequence called intracisternal A particle was inserted into intron 12 of Pltp in C3H-S. These results suggest that ERV insertion within Pltp causes aberrant splicing, leading to reduced Pltp expression in C3H-S. This study demonstrated the contribution of C3H-S to our understanding of the relationship between TG, TC, and PL metabolism via PLTP