Plasma S100A12 Levels and Peripheral Arterial Disease in End-Stage Renal Disease

Background: S100A12 is an endogenous ligand of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). Plasma S100A12 levels are high in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is common in HD patients and is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rates in this population. To date, however, no study has specifically assessed the relationship between plasma S100A12 and PAD in HD patients. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 152 HD patients in our affiliated hospital. We investigated PAD history and patient characteristics and quantified plasma S100A12 levels in all participants. Results: HD patients with PAD (n = 26; 21.9 [13.6–33.4] ng/ml) showed significantly higher plasma S100A12 levels than HD patients without PAD (n = 126; 11.8 [7.5–17.6]ng/ml; p Conclusion: These results suggest that plasma S100A12 levels are strongly associated with PAD prevalence in ESRD patients undergoing HD

Analysis of predictive parameters for the development of radiation-induced pneumonitis

Introduction: Prevention and effective treatment of radiation-induced pneumonitis (RP) could facilitate greater use of radiation therapy (RT) for lung cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine clinical parameters useful for early prediction of RP. Methods: Blood sampling, pulmonary function testing, chest computed tomography, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were performed in patients with pathologically confirmed lung cancer who had completed ≥60 Gy of RT, at baseline, shortly after RT, and at 1 month posttreatment. Results: By 3 months post-RT, 11 patients developed RP (RP group) and the remaining 11 patients did not (NRP group). RT significantly increased total cell counts and alveolar macrophages in BAL of the NRP group, whereas lymphocyte count was increased in both groups. Matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9) increased and vascular endothelial growth factor decreased significantly in the BAL fluid (BALF) of the RP group following RT. Serum surfactant protein D (SP-D) increased significantly in the NRP group. SP-D in BALF from the RP group increased significantly with a subsequent increase in serum SP-D. Pulmonary dilution decreased similarly in both groups of patients. Conclusions: Increased SP-D in BALF, rather than that in serum, could be useful biomarkers in predicting RP. The MMP-9 in BALF might play a role in the pathogenesis of RP. Pulmonary dilution test may not be predictive of the development of RP

The development of the Japanese version of the Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale (J-FSCRS): implications for cross-cultural research on self-criticism and self-reassurance

People with high self-criticism tend to suffer from poor mental health whereas those with high self-reassurance tend to have good mental health. Poor mental health is a great cause for concern in Japan. Many people in Japan live with mental health issues, and the suicide rate is high. In particular, the mental health of caring professionals in Japan is devastated. However, there is no established measure to assess the levels of self-criticism and self-reassurance in the Japanese language. The Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale (FSCRS) has been actively used in mental health research. Accordingly, this study aimed to develop the Japanese version of FSCRS (J-FSCRS). 300 nurses and 120 psychologists in Japan responded to an online survey containing J-FSCRS and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21. Confirmatory factor analyses and a Pearson's correlation analysis were conducted. J-FSCRS is proven to be reliable to assess self-criticism and self-reassurance in the Japanese language

The development of the Japanese version of the full and short form of Attitudes Towards Mental Health Problems Scale (J-(S) ATMHPS)

How a person perceives mental health problems impacts their mental health. Negative attitudes towards mental health problems are associated with shame, leading to poor mental health. Poor mental health is a cause for concern in Japan, especially among healthcare professionals. To date, no established measure exists in the Japanese language. The Attitudes Towards Mental Health Problems Scale (ATMHPS) is a well-used self-report measure employed in many studies, which led to the development of the short form (SATMHPS). We aimed to develop the Japanese version of (S)ATMHPS: J-(S)ATMHPS. Nursing professionals in Japan (n = 300) completed J-(S) ATMHPS and J-DASS-21. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed, and the internal consistencies of subscales were calculated. The original seven-factor structure model was replicated in J-SATMHPS. Internal consistencies for all J-(S)ATMHPS subscales were high. All subscales were associated with mental health. J-(S)ATMHPS can be used as a reliable measure for the attitudes towards mental health problems in Japanese