False-negative coagulation factor activity results due to the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies in a case of autoimmune hemolytic anemia

An 88-year-old female was admitted with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). Coagulation test revealed severe prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). APTT cross-mixing test with patient plasma and normal plasma demonstrated an inhibitory pattern. Several intrinsic coagulation factor activities, particularly factor IX, showed remarkable decreases, and the inhibitor titers for coagulation factors VIII and IX were elevated. Although AIHA with existing antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies was diagnosed initially, purpura developed on extremities intermittently during the clinical course. Considering the possibility of coexisting acquired hemophilia, APTT cross-mixing test with patient’s plasma and equal amount of the recombinant factor VIII product instead of normal plasma was performed. The APTT value on equal mixing samples with patient plasma and recombinant factor VIII product was decreased to within the normal range, and coagulation factor IX activity was restored. These results indicate that the recombinant factor VIII product had a neutralizing effect on aPL antibodies. We concluded that recombinant factor VIII product may lead to the repair of incorrect results from the APTT-dependent diagnostic system in the presence of aPL antibodies

地方都市中学生における食育課題の男子・女子間の比較検討

OBJECTIVE: We investigated dietary consciousness, dietary behavior, dietary environment and students feeling about their own health in Japanese male and female junior high school students, and examined the differences and similarities between the two gender groups to understand what we need to do in dietary education. METHODS: The survey was conducted during the month of October, 2006. Participants: The subjects were 477 junior high school boys (257) and girls (220) (age 12-14 years). Measure:1.We gave subjects a questionnaire of 68 questions asking about their perceptions of their own weight, dietary consciousnesses, dietary behavior, dietary environment, how healthy they believed themselves to be, and their lifestyles.2.Age, height and body weight were measured or supplied by the subjects teachers. Subjects whose weight was greater than or equal to 120% of the baseline degree of obesity as determined by the Ministry of Education were considered to have a tendency toward obesity, and subjects whose weight was less than or equal to 80% of the Ministry of Educations baseline degree of obesity were considered underweight. The TANITA scale was used and BMI was calculated based on the degree of obesity as established by the Japan Society for the Study of Obesity. RESULTS:1.Significant differences were observed between the two gender groups in the disparities between their classification of their own body types and their actual BMI scores (p<0.001). Many girls perceived themselves as overweight even though their weight was at an appropriate level.2.Significant differences were observed between the two groups in the subjective symptoms (p<0.001). Many girls claimed that their health condition was poor.3.Significant differences were observed between the two groups in their cooking skills (p<0.01). Fewer boys are able to cook than girls.4.Some other noteworthy results were obtained between the two groups about the degree of satisfaction with their lives and homes

地方都市と大都市における女子生徒の食育課題検出のための研究

OBJECTIVE: In this study we investigated dietary consciousness, dietary behavior, dietary environments, life-style and subjects evaluation of their own health in Japanese urban and suburban adolescents to get ideas for improving dietary education for these groups.METHODS: The survey was conducted in October and November, 2006. Participant: The subjects were 262 urban junior high school girls (Age 13-14 yrs) and 220 suburban junior high school girls (Age 12-14 yrs). Measure: 1.The questionnaire consisted of 76 questions related to subjects dietary behavior, dietary environments, lifestyles, and their evaluation of their own health.2.Age, height and body weight were measured by their teacher. Subjects body weight was checked using the TANITA scale. And subjects BMI was calculated based on the degree of obesity as established by the Japan Society for the Study of Obesity. RESULTS 1.In urban areas a lot of students thought that they are overweight. They perceived themselves to be overweight even when they were not.2.More students in urban areas than in suburban areas did not understand how much one should eat and what would constitute overeating. 3.More than 50% of both suburban and urban subjects reported feeling irritated. Subjects also reported experiencing headaches, stiff shoulders, and backaches.4.All subjects reported being basically satisfied with their lives and families.5.Significantly fewer urban subjects than suburban subjects reported having breakfast and supper with their families. 6.50% of both groups reported having conversations with their families during meals and that they are happy at home

Identification of Factors Necessary for Enabling Technology-Based Dietary Record Surveys: A Qualitative Focus Group Interview with Japanese Dietitians

Weighed food records together with an in-person interview approach constitute the most basic methods used to estimate energy and nutrient intakes in dietary surveys. In the background of the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic, the need for non-face-to-face dietary surveys using information and communication technology (ICT) is increasing. We aimed to evaluate ICT-based dietary record surveys and identify factors that may enable this survey method to become more widely used in the future. We conducted a non-face-to-face survey of dietary records of 44 Japanese individuals, maintained by dietitians using dietary photography and video conferencing services. We conducted a focus group interview with the six dietitians who conducted that survey. Their opinions on the factors necessary to popularize ICT-based dietary survey method were analyzed. In the focus group interview, dietitians highlighted fewer restrictions on time and place as positive aspects. Negative aspects included insufficient skills to operate computers, difficulty in hearing, and understanding facial expressions using ICT. We identified three main factors for enabling widespread use of ICT-based dietary record survey: individual skill, device and technology, and social environmental factors. This suggests that a comprehensive approach is necessary for popularizing the use of ICT in dietary surveys