Structural equation modeling of factors contributing to quality of life in Japanese patients with multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND: To improve quality of life (QOL) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), it is important to decrease disability and prevent relapse. The aim of this study was to examine the causal and mutual relationships contributing to QOL in Japanese patients with MS, develop path diagrams, and explore interventions with the potential to improve patient QOL. METHODS: Data of 163 Japanese MS patients were obtained using the Functional Assessment of MS (FAMS) and Nottingham Adjustment Scale-Japanese version (NAS-J) tests, as well as four additional factors that affect QOL (employment status, change of income, availability of disease information, and communication with medical staff). Data were then used in structural equation modeling to develop path diagrams for factors contributing to QOL. RESULTS: The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score had a significant effect on the total FAMS score. Although EDSS negatively affected the FAMS symptom score, NAS-J subscale scores of anxiety/depression and acceptance were positively related to the FAMS symptom score. Changes in employment status after MS onset negatively affected all NAS-J scores. Knowledge of disease information improved the total NAS-J score, which in turn improved many FAMS subscale scores. Communication with doctors and nurses directly and positively affected some FAMS subscale scores. CONCLUSIONS: Disability and change in employment status decrease patient QOL. However, the present findings suggest that other factors, such as acquiring information on MS and communicating with medical staff, can compensate for the worsening of QOL

Impurity conduction in phosphorus-doped buried-channel silicon-on-insulator field-effect transistors

We investigate transport in phosphorus-doped buried-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors at temperatures between 10 and 295 K. In a range of doping concentration between around 2.1 and 8.7 x 1017 cm-3, we find that a clear peak emerges in the conductance versus gate-voltage curves at low temperature. In addition, temperature dependence measurements reveal that the conductance obeys a variable-range-hopping law up to an unexpectedly high temperature of over 100 K. The symmetric dual-gate configuration of the silicon-on-insulator we use allows us to fully characterize the vertical-bias dependence of the conductance. Comparison to computer simulation of the phosphorus impurity band depth-profile reveals how the spatial variation of the impurity-band energy determines the hopping conduction in transistor structures. We conclude that the emergence of the conductance peak and the high-temperature variable-range hopping originate from the band bending and its change by the gate bias. Moreover, the peak structure is found to be strongly related to the density of states (DOS) of the phosphorus impurity band, suggesting the possibility of performing a novel spectroscopy for the DOS of phosphorus, the dopant of paramount importance in Si technology, through transport experiments.Comment: 9 figure

Genetic polymorphisms related to muscular strength and flexibility are associated with artistic gymnastic performance in the Japanese population

departmental bulletin pape

Clinical significance of gastrointestinal bleeding history in patients who undergo left atrial appendage closure

Background and Aim: Anticoagulant users with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) sometimes suffer from gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) and have difficulty continuing the medication. Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has been developed for such situations. We aimed to clarify the clinical significance of a history of GIB in comparison to other factors in patients who had undergone LAAC. Methods: From October 2019 to September 2023, patients with NVAF who underwent LAAC at our hospital were enrolled. We investigated the percentage of patients with a history of GIB who underwent LAAC and compared the incidence of post-LAAC bleeding in these patients compared to those with other factors. Results: A total of 45 patients were included. There were 19 patients (42%) with a history of GIB who underwent LAAC. In a Kaplan–Meier analysis, the cumulative incidence of bleeding complications after LAAC was significantly higher in patients with a history of GIB in comparison to patients with other factors. There were eight cases of post-LAAC bleeding in total, and seven cases had GIB. Conclusions: We need to recognize that GIB is a significant complication in patients who undergo LAAC. The management of GIB by gastroenterologists is essential to the success of LAAC

オキナワケン セイショク パインアップル ノウカ ノ セイサン キボ カクダイ エノ ホウコウセイ オキナワケン クニガミグン ヒガシソン オヨビ ヤエヤマ チホウ ニオケル ノウカ アンケート カラノ セッキン

本稿では、沖縄県生食パインアップル農家の生産規模拡大への方向性について検討を行った。数量化理論II類分析の結果、下記の諸点が明らかにされた。第1に、生産者属性に関しては、(1) 農業従事日数が200日以上と農業従事日数が長い勤労意欲の高い生産者、(2) 収量が25t以上と収量が多い生産者、(3) 農業粗収益が200万円以上と農業粗収益が高い生産者、(4) 農業従事年数が24年未満の生産者、(5) 農業従事者数が1人の個人経営者、(6) 年齢が65歳以上の高齢者、等に拡大傾向がみられた。第2に、評価項目に関しては、(1) 生食苗の確保してほしい生産者、(2) 農地借り入れの簡易化してほしい生産者、(3) TQ制度の廃止してほしい生産者は拡大傾向を示した。また、(4) 生食生産を拡大しようとする生産者は新品種を望むこと、(5) 行政は農地借入対策を立案する必要性があること、(6) TQ制度を継続したい生産者は現状維持・縮小傾向にあること、等が明らかにされた。This paper concerns the expansion of fresh-pineapple production in Okinawa, and the following has been concluded. First, on attribute of farmers, there was a tendency that the expansion of fresh-pineapple production was identified by the farmers: (1) working more than 200 days a year. (2) producing more than 25 tons of pineapples a year. (3) whose gross agricultural income is more than 2 million yen. (4) having engaged in the pine. Second, on evaluation of production, the expansion was seen by the farmers: (1) wanting to keep the seedlings of pineapples. (2) hoping to simplify the system of renting lands. (3) hoping to abolish the TQ System. Furthermore, the following tendency was identified. (4) The farmers keen to expand fresh pineapples prefer new varieties of pineapples. (5) Administration is required to plan the legislation of renting lands. The farmers hoping to continue the TQ System tend to maintain or reduce their production

AXL confers intrinsic resistance to osimertinib and advances the emergence of tolerant cells

A novel EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), osimertinib, has marked efficacy in patients with EGFR-mutated lung cancer. However, some patients show intrinsic resistance and an insufficient response to osimertinib. This study showed that osimertinib stimulated AXL by inhibiting a negative feedback loop. Activated AXL was associated with EGFR and HER3 in maintaining cell survival and inducing the emergence of cells tolerant to osimertinib. AXL inhibition reduced the viability of EGFR-mutated lung cancer cells overexpressing AXL that were exposed to osimertinib. The addition of an AXL inhibitor during either the initial or tolerant phases reduced tumor size and delayed tumor re-growth compared to osimertinib alone. AXL was highly expressed in clinical specimens of EGFR-mutated lung cancers and its high expression was associated with a low response rate to EGFR-TKI. These results indicated pivotal roles for AXL and its inhibition in the intrinsic resistance to osimertinib and the emergence of osimertinib-tolerant cells