The Relationship Between Information Sources, Health Literacy, and COVID-19 Knowledge in the COVID-19 Infodemic: Cross-sectional Online Study in Japan

[Background:] The COVID-19 pandemic has caused not only a disease epidemic but also an infodemic. Due to the increased use of the internet and social media, along with the development of communication technology, information has spread faster and farther during the COVID-19 infodemic. Moreover, the increased choice of information sources has made it more difficult to make sound decisions regarding information. Although social media is the most common source of misinformation, other forms of media can also spread misinformation. However, the media sources used by people with high health literacy and COVID-19 knowledge to obtain information are unclear. Furthermore, the association between the use of multiple information sources and health literacy or COVID-19 knowledge is ill-defined. [Objective:] This study aims to examine the following 3 aspects regarding the COVID-19 infodemic: (1) the relationship between health literacy, COVID-19 knowledge, and the number of information sources used; (2) the impact of media use on health literacy; and (3) the impact of media use on COVID-19 knowledge. [Methods:] An online cross-sectional study was conducted in November 2021. Participants were 477 individuals aged 20-69 years. After obtaining consent to participate in the study, participants were asked about sociodemographic indicators, sources of health-related information, health literacy, and COVID-19 knowledge. Sources of health-related information were categorized into 4 types: mass media, digital media, social media, and face-to-face communication. The Spearman rank correlation test was conducted to determine the relationship between health literacy, the number of correct answers to COVID-19 knowledge, and the number of information sources used. Multiple regression analysis was conducted with health literacy and the number of correct answers as dependent variables, the 4 media types as independent variables, and age and sex as adjustment variables. [Results:] Mass media was the most frequently used source of information, followed by digital media, face-to-face communication, and social media. Social media use was significantly higher among individuals aged 20-29 years than among other age groups. Significant positive correlations were found between health literacy, the number of positive responses to COVID-19 knowledge, and the number of information sources used. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that health literacy is associated with access to information from digital media and face-to-face communication. Additionally, COVID-19 knowledge was associated with access to information from mass media, digital media, and face-to-face communication. [Conclusions:] Health literacy and COVID-19 knowledge could be improved using diverse information sources, especially by providing opportunities to use digital media and face-to-face communication. Furthermore, it may be important to improve health literacy and provide accurate knowledge about COVID-19 to young adults

Diffractive multifocal intraocular lens interferes with intraoperative view

We report an unusual finding during vitreous surgery in an eye implanted with a diffractive multifocal intraocular lens (IOL). A 70-year-old woman reported gradual visual deterioration to 20/40 in the left eye two and a half years after uneventful cataract surgery with implantation of a diffractive multifocal IOL. Funduscopic examination showed an epiretinal membrane (ERM) in the left eye. Increased macular traction was believed to cause the visual deterioration. Vitreous surgery with removal of the ERM was performed and triamcinolone acetonide (TA) was injected intravitreally to visualize the residual vitreous cortex. Although the ERM was peeled successfully, the ability to focus on the vitreoretinal interface through the IOL required great effort with decreased contrast sensitivity and ghost images of the intravitreal TA crystals. The vision improved to 20/25 4 months postoperatively. Macular surgery can be performed in an eye with a diffractive multifocal IOL; however, decreased contrast sensitivity and ghost images may interfere with the intraoperative view through the diffractive IOL in complicated cases

Involvement of endothelins in neuroprotection of valosin-containing protein modulators against retinal ganglion cell damage

We have previously shown that Kyoto University Substances (KUSs), valosin-containing protein (VCP) modulators, suppress cell death in retinal ganglion cells of glaucoma mouse models through alterations of various genes expressions. In this study, among the genes whose expression in retinal ganglion cells was altered by KUS treatment in the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) injury model, we focused on two genes, endothelin-1 (Edn1) and endothelin receptor type B (Ednrb), whose expression was up-regulated by NMDA and down-regulated by KUS treatment. First, we confirmed that the expression of Edn1 and Ednrb was upregulated by NMDA and suppressed by KUS administration in mice retinae. Next, to clarify the influence of KUSs on cell viability in relation to the endothelin signaling, cell viability was examined with or without antagonists or agonists of endothelin and with or without KUS in 661W retinal cells under stress conditions. KUS showed a significant protective effect under glucose-free conditions and tunicamycin-induced stress. This protective effect was partially attenuated in the presence of an endothelin antagonist or agonist under glucose-free conditions. These results suggest that KUSs protect cells partially by suppressing the upregulated endothelin signaling under stress conditions

Association of dental occlusal support with the Prognostic Nutritional Index in patients with esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy

Background The Prognostic Nutritional Index is useful for predicting surgical risk and overall survival based on preoperative immunological and nutritional status in patients undergoing digestive organ cancer surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between the Prognostic Nutritional Index and dental status in patients with esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy. Methods This retrospective case–control study included 73 patients who underwent resection of esophageal cancer (69 males, 4 females; age 36–83). General and dental status were evaluated. The Prognostic Nutritional Index was calculated based on the serum albumin concentration and the total lymphocyte count, and subjects were divided into two groups based on index scores: a higher group, characterized by scores ≥ 45 (n = 54); and a lower group, characterized by scores Results Total protein, C-reactive protein, the number of sound and total decayed, missing and filled teeth, and the rate of patients with poor dental occlusal support showed significant differences between the lower and higher Prognostic Nutritional Index groups (p  Conclusion Dental status, especially dental occlusal support and the number of sound teeth, showed a positive relationship with the Prognostic Nutritional Index in esophageal cancer patients who underwent esophagectomy

Improving Mathematics Lesson and Evaluation through Setting Inquiry Problem-Solving Activities

The purpose of this research is to make a theoretical framework for improving mathematics lesson and evaluation through setting inquiry problem-solving activities effectively in junior high and senior high mathematics lessons. To achieve this, we first carried out a questionnaire survey to capture how students perceive learning mathematics and, based on the results, made a framework incorporated these activities for lesson design and evaluation of student’s learning. Then, sample lesson conducted in a junior and senior high school based on the framework was analyzed to investigate its effectiveness and get some practical suggestions

Change in Daily Steps and Self-efficacy of Online Interactive Exercise Classes for Community-dwelling Older Adults in Japan: A Preliminary Study

Aims: This study aimed to (1) examine the feasibility of an online interactive exercise class for community-dwelling older adults and (2) preliminarily examine changes in physical activity and self-efficacy. Methods: Participants were 25 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years or older, but due to 5 dropouts, the final number of participants for analysis was 20 (mean age 76.9 ± 5.7 years). The intervention program was conducted for 40 minutes each session, twice a week for four consecutive weeks, using the LINE group call (LINE Corporation, Japan). An online questionnaire was used to assess participant characteristics, modified Fall Efficacy Scale score, modified Gait Efficacy Scale (m-GES) score, self-rated health, and daily steps, which were compared pre- and post-intervention using the Wilcoxon signed-rank sum and chi-square tests. Results: The Wilcoxon signed-rank sum test showed significant improvement in the m-GES score and daily steps. The chi-square test showed that self-rated health was significantly greater in the maintenance/increase group. Conclusions: Online interactive exercise classes are feasible for community-dwelling older individuals. These results also suggest the possibility of using telehealth to improve physical activity and self-efficacy

Improving Mathematics Lesson and Evaluation through Setting Inquiry Problem-Solving Activities

The purpose of this research is to make a theoretical framework for improving mathematics lesson and evaluation through setting inquiry problem-solving activities effectively in junior high and senior high mathematics lessons. To achieve this, we first carried out a questionnaire survey to capture how students perceive learning mathematics and, based on the results, made a framework incorporated these activities for lesson design and evaluation of student’s learning. Then, sample lesson conducted in a junior and senior high school based on the framework was analyzed to investigate its effectiveness and get some practical suggestions

Influence of primary and secondary prevention indications on anxiety about the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

AbstractBackgroundImplantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) have been established for primary and secondary prevention of fatal arrhythmias. However, little is known about the influence of ICD indications on quality of life (QOL) and psychological disturbances. This study aimed to examine whether there were differences in QOL and psychological distress in patients that have an ICD for primary or secondary prevention of fatal arrhythmias.MethodsA multicenter survey of 179 consecutive outpatients (29.1% primary prevention) with ICD implantations completed the Short Form-8 (SF-8), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Worries about ICD (WAICD).ResultsPatients with an ICD for primary prevention had a higher trait anxiety score and worries about ICD score than patients with an ICD for secondary prevention (41.7±12.4 vs. 34.7±12.3, p=0.001 and 39.6±18.0 vs. 30.0±18.9, p=0.002, respectively), even after adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics. In multivariable analysis of variance, primary prevention ICD recipients reported a poorer QOL on the vitality subscale of the SF-8.ConclusionsIn our study population, which mostly consisted of New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I and II subjects, primary prevention ICD recipients were more prone to experience worries about their ICD, anxiety, and a poorer QOL compared to secondary prevention ICD recipients. In clinical practice, primary prevention ICD patients should be closely monitored. If warranted, they should be offered psychological intervention, as anxiety and low QOL were predictors of mortality