Antifungal effect of "Mokusaku-Eki" against Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum

足白癬は糖尿病患者で合併しやすく,高齢者にも多発する｡近年,白癬菌に対する木酢液の抗菌作用が知られており,この最適有効濃度を明らかにするため本研究を企画した｡白癬菌はTrichophyton mentagrophytesとTrichophyton rubrumの2菌種を用い,木酢液は市販品を用いた｡発育抑制テストは終濃度2,3,4,5%の木酢液を含んだ寒天平板希釈法で行った｡殺菌テストは2.5,5,10%溶液を胞子と接触後,寒天平板培地に接種し,菌の発育の有無を観察した｡発育抑制作用は,両菌種とも3%以上で7日培養後の菌糸の発育は見られなかった｡殺菌作用は, T. mentagrophytesでは10%,5%においては6時間接触で,2.5%においては24時間接触で菌糸の発育が見られず, T. rubrumでは,10%以上においては24時間接触で,5%においては48時間接触で菌糸の発育が見られなかった｡足浴等の看護ケアに木酢液を応用するためには,今後より短時間の接触で効果が得られる方法の検討が必要である｡The Mokusaku-Eki is a kind of pyroligneous acid and a dark brown colored solution which obtained from the charcoal burner of Quercus spp. woods as a by-product. In Japan, the antifungal effects of this solution are well known in public. However, it is not clear that minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Mokusaku-Eki against Trichophyton spp. In this study, we examined their antifungal activities in view of MIC and germicidal effect. To examine MIC of Mokusaku-Eki against Trichophyton spp, agar, dilution assay were used. Sabouraud agar plates containing 2%, 3%, 4%, or 5% of Mokusaku-Eki were prepared. Then the spores of T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum inoculated onto each agar plate respectively and incubate the plates at 30℃. The growth of T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum were completely inhibited on the agar plates contained more than 3% Mokusaku-Eki. Furthermore, we investigated the fungicidal effect of Mokusaku-Eki against these fungus. We exposed the spores of T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum respectively to 2.5%, 4% or 10% Mokusaku-Eki for 20 min, 1 hr, 6 hr, 24 hr, and 48 hr, and then inoculated them onto Sabouraud agar plates. Exposures of the spores to 5% of the Mokusaku-Eki for 24 hr and 48 hr completely killed them and we could show that Mokusaku-Eki have also germicidation activity against both T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum

Increasing access to HIV testing for men who have sex with men in Japan using digital vending machine technology

Background: In Japan, most new HIV cases are reported amongst men who have sex with men (MSM); thus, there is an urgent need for further widespread testing of MSM. The use of Digital Vending Machines (DVM) in the UK offering HIV test kits targeting MSM show promising results. Digital Vending Machines could be useful to promote and increase the uptake of testing in Japan, although no studies have yet been conducted. We aimed to assess the acceptability and feasibility of distributing HIV test kits using DVMs exploring needs and concerns as well as preferred types of test kits and locations. Methods: Fifty-four individuals participated in workshops and meetings with a further 224 MSM answering a quantitative survey assessing HIV testing and prevention needs. Results: Amongst MSM who had never been tested, 73% showed willingness to purchase tests from DVMs. Responses were broadly positive about DVMs but there were concerns regarding being seen receiving test kits from the machines and linkage to confirmatory testing and appropriate care. Conclusions: Using DVMs to distribute HIV test kits in Japan was found to be both acceptable and feasible and may have the potential to increase access to testing for MSM. Future large-scale evaluation studies are required

Living donor liver transplantation using sensitized lymphocytotoxic crossmatch positive graft

We describe a successful living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using a lymphocytotoxic crossmatch highly positive graft. A 41-year-old woman with alcoholic liver cirrhosis was referred as a potential candidate for LDLT, and her husband was willing to donate his partial liver. As the T-lymphocytotoxic crossmatch titer was over 10,000×, the patient was first infused with rituximab for preoperative desensitization, and then five rounds of plasmapheresis were performed. After the third plasmapheresis, the lymphocytotoxic crossmatch test was negative. A left liver graft including the caudate lobe was implanted, and anti-CD25 antibody (basiliximab) was administered on postoperative days 1 and 4. The postoperative course was uneventful except for an episode of mild acute cellular rejection on postoperative day 27. Although the impact of a lymphocytotoxic crossmatch-positive liver graft on acute cellular rejection and graft survival in LDLT remains controversial, perioperative desensitization may provide benefits when using a highly sensitized liver graft

Factors associated with cervical cancer screening among young unmarried Japanese women: results from an internet-based survey

Abstract Background The prevalence of cervical cancer among women aged 20–30 years has been increasing. A better understanding of the factors correlated with cervical cancer screening is vital to better identify suitable candidates and develop effective interventions. However, few studies have examined factors correlated with cervical cancer screening using a quantitative research design. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of and factors correlated with cervical cancer screening among unmarried and sexually active Japanese women aged 20–29 years. Methods Seven hundred Japanese women who responded to an internet-based cross-sectional survey conducted by a marketing research company in 2015 were enrolled. Associations between lifetime cervical cancer screening and demographic profile, sexual behavior, and psychosocial factors were assessed via univariate analysis. Variables indicating significance (P  5 lifetime sex partners (AOR = 1.97), HPV vaccination (AOR = 4.88), coupon from the local government (AOR = 3.14), higher perceived level of cervical cancer susceptibility (middle, AOR = 1.77; high, AOR = 3.23), lower perceived logistical barriers (middle, AOR = 0.55; high, AOR = 0.31), and higher confidence of receiving pap testing from a male physician (AOR = 2.66) were more likely to undergo cervical cancer screening. Conclusions Women who were younger and unemployed and those with lower perceived cervical cancer susceptibility, higher perceived logistical barriers, and lower confidence of receiving Pap testing from a male physician were less likely to undergo lifetime cervical cancer screening. Thus, to increase the cervical cancer screening rate among young women, it may be effective to target younger unemployed women, provide interventions to increase perceived susceptibility, and recommend tests while considering psychosocial barriers

Additional file 1: of Factors associated with cervical cancer screening among young unmarried Japanese women: results from an internet-based survey

Questionnaire. (DOCX 44 kb

Reporting quality of randomized controlled trials in patients with HIV on antiretroviral therapy: a systematic review

Abstract Background To allow for correct evaluation of clinical trial results, readers require comprehensive, clear, and highly transparent information on the methodology used and the results obtained. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of reporting in articles on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the field of HIV/AIDS. Methods We searched for original articles on RCTs of ART developed in the field of HIV/AIDS in PubMed database by 5 April 2016. Searched articles were divided into three groups based on the revision year in which the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines were published: Period 1 (1996–2001); Period 2 (2002–2010); and Period 3 (2011–2016). We evaluated the articles using the reporting rates of the 37 items in the CONSORT 2010 checklist, five items in the protocol deviation, and the three items in the ethics. Results Fifty-two articles were extracted and included in this study. Many of the reporting rates calculated using the CONSORT 2010 checklist showed a significantly increasing trend over the successive periods (65% in Period 1, 67% in Period 2, 79% in Period 3; p 80% in Period 3) among the five items. The reporting rates for obtaining informed consent and approval by the ethics committee or institutional review board were high (>88%), regardless of the time period assessed. Conclusion In terms of representative RCT articles in the field of HIV/AIDS, the reporting rate of the items defined by CONSORT was approximately 70%, improving over the successive CONSORT statement revision periods

Additional file 1: of Reporting quality of randomized controlled trials in patients with HIV on antiretroviral therapy: a systematic review

PRISMA checklist. (DOC 66 kb