Factors influencing healthcare-seeking behaviour among Muslims from Southeast Asian countries (Indonesia and Malaysia) living in Japan: an exploratory qualitative study

[Objectives] To identify factors influencing healthcare-seeking behaviours and to explore issues with healthcare experiences of Muslims from Southeast Asian countries (Indonesia and Malaysia) living in Japan. [Design] Qualitative study. [Setting] Kansai area of Japan (Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo and Nara prefectures). [Participants] Forty-five Muslims in Japan from Southeast Asian countries (Indonesia and Malaysia). [Methods] Semistructured interviews were conducted by trained interviewers who are Muslims living in Japan. Interviews were conducted in Indonesian and Malaysian languages and transcribed and translated into English. The data were thematically analysed. [Results] Four themes were identified: (1) trying to comply with the recommendations of Islam, (2) confusion about healthcare system, (3) improvising an informal support system and (4) language barrier problems. [Conclusion] Muslims in Japan have some issues when obtaining healthcare services mainly because of communication issues besides the conflicts to meet their religious obligations. Education and awareness building for the Muslim patients in Japan as well as Japanese healthcare providers are needed to allow smooth communication between Japanese healthcare providers and Muslim patients in Japan

Ancient DNA reveals multiple origins and migration waves of extinct Japanese brown bear lineages.

Little is known about how mammalian biogeography on islands was affected by sea-level fluctuations. In the Japanese Archipelago, brown bears (Ursus arctos) currently inhabit only Hokkaido, the northern island, but Pleistocene fossils indicate a past distribution throughout Honshu, Japan's largest island. However, the difficulty of recovering ancient DNA from fossils in temperate East Asia has limited our understanding of their evolutionary history. Here, we analysed mitochondrial DNA from a 32 500-year-old brown bear fossil from Honshu. Our results show that this individual belonged to a previously unknown lineage that split approximately 160 Ka from its sister lineage, the southern Hokkaido clade. This divergence time and fossil record suggest that brown bears migrated from the Eurasian continent to Honshu at least twice; the first population was an early-diverging lineage (greater than 340 Ka), and the second migrated via Hokkaido after approximately 160 Ka, during the ice age. Thus, glacial-age sea-level falls might have facilitated migrations of large mammals more frequently than previously thought, which may have had a substantial impact on ecosystem dynamics in these isolated islands

Perspectives on childhood coronavirus disease vaccination in Japan and influencing factors

BACKGROUND: To support parental decision-making it is important to understand parents' perspectives on vaccination for their children and the factors that contribute to their vaccine hesitancy. There have been relatively few studies in this area in Japan, particularly with longitudinal and mixed methodologies. METHODS: We used an explanatory sequential mixed methods approach to describe longitudinal changes in vaccine acceptance and to explore factors associated with parental coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy. We recruited parents who had children aged 6 months to 11 years old from five facilities in Japan. Two cross-sectional online surveys and semi-structured online interviews were conducted. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore factors associated with parents' vaccine hesitancy for their children, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview data. RESULTS: In total, 134 parents responded to both online surveys and, of those, 10 participated in interviews. Acceptance rates of COVID-19 vaccination for their children were 19.4% (26/134) at the first survey and 11.2% (15/134) at the second survey. Integration of the data identified that the main factors for vaccine hesitancy included vaccine safety, vaccine effectiveness, government policy, and recommendations from people close to parents. CONCLUSIONS: Readily available and more balanced information, and community-wide support from people close to parents and familiar health-care providers are likely to provide better support for parents' decision-making. Further investigation is required on how to provide information in an easily understood manner

Stable Iodine Distribution among Children after the 2011 Fukushima Nuclear Disaster in Japan: An Observational Study

福島第一原発事故後の安定ヨウ素剤配布後の実態調査を実施 --安定ヨウ素剤の情報提供・内服指示に関する課題が浮き彫りに--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2019-01-10.Context: Intake of stable iodine helps prevent childhood thyroid cancer in nuclear emergencies but there is limited case information. Objective: We identified the intake rate and the factors associated with no intake among children who did not take stable iodine after the Fukushima disaster. Design: Retrospective observational study. Setting: Data were obtained from thyroid cancer screening performed in August–November 2017. Participants: Children in Miharu Town, Fukushima, Japan. Intervention: No intervention. Main Outcome Measures: We performed multilevel logistic regression analysis at the regional and individual levels. We qualitatively examined the reasons for no intake of stable iodine based on closed- and open-ended questions. Results: The rate of distribution was 94.9%, but the intake rate was only 63.5%. Intake was lower in those aged 0–2 years compared with those aged ≥3 years: odds ratio (OR), 0.21 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.11–0.36]. Parents’ intake was positively associated with their children’s intake [OR, 61.0 (95% CI, 37.9–102.9)]. The variance partition coefficient for regions was 0.021, suggesting that the intake of stable iodine was more likely affected by individual than by regional factors. The main reasons for avoiding intake were concern about safety, issues related to distribution, drug information sharing, and instructions for intake. There were no claimed adverse effects. Conclusions: The distribution and consumption of stable iodine occurred without claims of adverse effects after the Fukushima disaster. To prepare for future nuclear emergencies, it is important to explain to both children and parents the need for intake of stable iodine, particularly among young children

Uncoupling protein 3 attenuates generation of reactive oxygen species by interacting with thioredoxin 2 in the mitochondrial intermembrane space

Katsuya Hirasaka1*, Edward M Mills2, Shohei Kohno1, Tomoki Abe1, Chika Ikeda1, Tasuku Maeda1, Shigetada Kondo1, Ayako Maita1, Yuushi Okumura1 and Takeshi Nikawa1 Author Affiliations 1 Department of Nutritional Physiology, Institute of Health Biosciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan 2 Division of Pharmacology/Toxicology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USAPoster presentation Uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) is primarily expressed in the inner membrane of skeletal muscle mitochondria. It has been proposed that UCP3 reduces production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage. However, the mechanisms by which UCP3 attenuates ROS production are not well understood. Here we report that UCP3 interacts with the non-processed form of thioredoxin 2 (Trx2), a redox protein that is localized in mitochondria, but not processed Trx2, which is involved in cellular responses to ROS. The hydrophilic sequences within the N-terminal tail of UCP3, which faces the intermembrane space, are necessary for binding to Trx2. In addition, Trx2 directly associated with UCP3 through a mitochondrial targeting signaling sequence, was processed in the intermembrane space, and thereby allowing redox reactions. A bimolecular fluorescence complementation analysis demonstrated that the interaction of these proteins occurs in the mitochondrial intermembrane space. Furthermore, increased UCP3 expression significantly attenuated ROS production in isolated mitochondrial without effects on membrane potential, however this effect is lost by Trx2 knock down. These results suggest that UCP3 binds to Trx2 in the mitochondrial intermembrane space and attenuates ROS production.Pharmac

Structured triacylglycerol containing behenic and oleic acids suppresses triacylglycerol absorption and prevents obesity in rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dietary 1(3)-behenoyl-2,3(1)-dioleoyl-<it>rac</it>-glycerol (BOO) has been reported to inhibit pancreatic lipase activity <it>in vitro </it>and suppress postprandial hypertriacylglycerolemia in humans. In the present study, the anti-obesity activities of BOO and its inhibitory effects on lymphatic triacylglycerol (TAG) absorption were investigated in rats.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In Experiment 1, rats were fed either BOO or soybean oil (SO) diet for 6 weeks. In the BOO diet, 20% of SO was replaced with an experimental oil rich in BOO. In Experiments 2 and 3, rats cannulated in the thoracic duct were administered an emulsions containing trioleoylglycerol (OOO) or an oil mixture (OOO:BOO, 9:1). Tri[1-¹⁴C]oleoylglycerol (¹⁴C-OOO) was added to the emulsions administered in Experiment 3.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No observable differences were detected in food intake or body weight gain between the BOO and SO groups in Experiment 1. Plasma and liver TAG concentrations and visceral fat weights were significantly lower in the BOO group than in the SO group. The apparent absorption rate of fat was significantly lower in the BOO group than in the SO group. In Experiment 2, the lymphatic recovery of oleic and behenic acids was significantly lower at 5 and 6 h after BOO administration than after OOO administration. In Experiment 3, the lymphatic recovery of ¹⁴C-OOO was significantly lower at 5 and 6 h after BOO administration than after OOO administration.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results suggest that BOO prevents deposition of visceral fat and hepatic TAG by lowering and delaying intestinal absorption of TAG.</p

Characterisation of Ppy-lineage cells clarifies the functional heterogeneity of pancreatic beta cells in mice

Aims/hypothesis Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) cells, which secrete PP (encoded by the Ppy gene), are a minor population of pancreatic endocrine cells. Although it has been reported that the loss of beta cell identity might be associated with beta-to-PP cell-fate conversion, at present, little is known regarding the characteristics of Ppy-lineage cells. Methods We used Ppy-Cre driver mice and a PP-specific monoclonal antibody to investigate the association between Ppy-lineage cells and beta cells. The molecular profiles of endocrine cells were investigated by single-cell transcriptome analysis and the glucose responsiveness of beta cells was assessed by Ca2+ imaging. Diabetic conditions were experimentally induced in mice by either streptozotocin or diphtheria toxin. Results Ppy-lineage cells were found to contribute to the four major types of endocrine cells, including beta cells. Ppy-lineage beta cells are a minor subpopulation, accounting for 12–15% of total beta cells, and are mostly (81.2%) localised at the islet periphery. Unbiased single-cell analysis with a Ppy-lineage tracer demonstrated that beta cells are composed of seven clusters, which are categorised into two groups (i.e. Ppy-lineage and non-Ppy-lineage beta cells). These subpopulations of beta cells demonstrated distinct characteristics regarding their functionality and gene expression profiles. Ppy-lineage beta cells had a reduced glucose-stimulated Ca2+ signalling response and were increased in number in experimental diabetes models. Conclusions/interpretation Our results indicate that an unexpected degree of beta cell heterogeneity is defined by Ppy gene activation, providing valuable insight into the homeostatic regulation of pancreatic islets and future therapeutic strategies against diabetes

Novel Calcium-Binding Ablating Mutations Induce Constitutive RET Activity and Drive Tumorigenesis

がんゲノム医療のさらなる拡大へ向けた一歩 --コンピュータ解析で意義不明変異のなかに治療標的となる新たな遺伝子変異を発見--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2022-09-29.Distinguishing oncogenic mutations from variants of unknown significance (VUS) is critical for precision cancer medicine. Here, computational modeling of 71, 756 RET variants for positive selection together with functional assays of 110 representative variants identified a three-dimensional cluster of VUSs carried by multiple human cancers that cause amino acid substitutions in the calmodulin-like motif (CaLM) of RET. Molecular dynamics simulations indicated that CaLM mutations decrease interactions between Ca²⁺ and its surrounding residues and induce conformational distortion of the RET cysteine-rich domain containing the CaLM. RET-CaLM mutations caused ligand-independent constitutive activation of RET kinase by homodimerization mediated by illegitimate disulfide bond formation. RET-CaLM mutants possessed oncogenic and tumorigenic activities that could be suppressed by tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting RET. This study identifies calcium-binding ablating mutations as a novel type of oncogenic mutation of RET and indicates that in silico–driven annotation of VUSs of druggable oncogenes is a promising strategy to identify targetable driver mutations

[Article] Determination of the Radiocarbon (14C) Age for the Specimens of Wolves from Kuzuu, Tochigi Prefecture in the Nobuo Naora Collection of the National Museum of Japanese History, and the Temporal Changes in the Size of the Lower First Molars of Wolves of the Japanese Archipelago

国立歴史民俗博物館に収蔵されている（故）直良信夫収集の栃木県佐野市葛生から産出したオオカミ（Canis lupus sspp.）の標本4点について，加速器質量分析計（AMS）による放射性炭素（14C）年代測定を行って，それぞれの個体の生息年代を明らかにした。また，14C年代測定によって年代が明らかとなった更新世以降の日本列島のオオカミを，個々の正確な生息年代で時間軸上に並べ，それぞれの下顎第一臼歯の近遠心径の大きさを指標として経時的な変化の様相を検討した。その結果，更新世の化石オオカミと現生ニホンオオカミとの間には明らかな大きさの相違と時間軸上での不連続が認められ，ニホンオオカミは更新世オオカミが小型化した「直系子孫」とは考えにくく，さらなる検証が必要であるとの結論を得た。The radiocarbon (14C) age for four wolf specimens (NMJH A-636-1-1-18-1, A-636-1-1-18-4, A-636-1-1-19-1, and A-636-1-2-41-2) that were collected by Nobuo Naora in 1940s-1960s from the fissure deposits in Kuzuu, Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture in the Nobuo Naora’s collection at The National Museum of Japanese History were measured by Accelerated Mass Spectrometry (AMS). As a result, NMJH A-636-1-1-18-1 was unmeasurable as over background, suggesting that it was thought to be of the middle Late Pleistocene or much older in age: in fact it was strongly fossilized. NMJH A-636-1-1-18-4 was initially thought to be of the period between the latest Early Pleistocene and the Middle Pleistocene by Naora himself, but it was measured as the late Late Pleistocene (33645 ±238 BC). NMJH A-636-1-1-19-1 was also initially thought to be the same age as NMJH A-636-1-1-18-4, but it turned out to be a slightly older than the previous thought, i.e., the late Late Pleistocene (35626±481 BC). NMJH A-636-1-2-41-2 had long been thought to be from the Kofun Period (Mid 3rd century or 7th century) by Naora, but it was measured as an age of the Middle Jomon period (5008±74 BC). In addition, fossils and remains of wolves from the Japanese Archipelago after the late Late Pleistocene (younger than 50 Ka), whose ages were revealed by 14C dating, were compared based on the size of the lower first molar (M1) through time, and the mesiodistal diameters of each M1 were compared with each other to consider the chronological changes of their sizes. As a result, discontinuity of the M1 size between the fossils older than 12 Ka and the remains younger than 12 Ka was recognized. Furthermore, comparing the proportion (rectangle) of the M1s in mesiodistal by buccolingual diameters in occlusal view, the buccolingual diameter is larger and thicker compared to the mesiodistal diameter in fossil wolves, but there tended to be smaller and thinner in the Japanese wolves. We concluded that the Japanese wolf was not a “direct descendant” of the Pleistocene wolf known from the Honshu Island.departmental bulletin pape