265 research outputs found
Inclusion of gaming disorder criteria in ICD-11: A clinical perspective in favor
Data from a specialist treatment facility for Internet addiction (IA) in Japan showed that (a) the vast majority of treatment seekers are addicted to online games, (b) their symptoms are often quite severe, and (c) there is a significant demand for IA treatment. In addition, systemic obstacles to the delivery of medical services in Japan exist due to the exclusion of IA criteria from ICD-10. Consequently, the inclusion of GD criteria in ICD-11 will almost certainly increase the capacity and quality of treatment through advances in research and possible changes in national medical systems to meet treatment demand
Indoor particle counts during Asian dust events under everyday conditions at an apartment in Japan.
[Objective]Asian dust storms originating from arid regions of Mongolia and China are a well-known springtime phenomenon throughout East Asia. Evidence is increasing for the adverse health effects caused by airborne desert dust inhalation. Given that people spend approximately 90 % of their time indoors, indoor air quality is a significant concern. The present study aimed to examine the influence of outdoor particulate matter (PM) levels on indoor PM levels during Asian dust events under everyday conditions. [Methods]We simultaneously monitored counts of particles larger than 0.3, 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 μm using two direct-reading instruments (KC-01D1 airborne particle counter; Rion), one placed in an apartment room and another on the veranda, under everyday conditions before and during an Asian dust event. We also examined how indoor particle counts were affected by opening a window, crawling, and air purifier use. [Results]An Asian dust event on 24 April 2012 caused 50- and 20-fold increases in PM counts in outdoor and indoor air, respectively. A window open for 10 min resulted in a rapid increase of indoor PM counts up to 70 % of outside levels that did not return to baseline levels after 3 h. An air purifier rapidly reduced PM counts for all particle sizes measured. [Conclusions]It is important to account for occupant behavior, such as window-opening and air purifier use, when estimating residential exposure to particulate matter
The Utility of Formalin-fixed and Paraffin-embedded Tissue Blocks for Quantitative Analysis of N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfate 6-O-sulfotransferase mRNA Expressed by Colorectal Cancer Cells
N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfate 6-O-sulfotransferase (GalNAc4S-6ST) is a sulfotransferase responsible for biosynthesis of chondroitin sulfate E (CS-E). CS-E plays important roles in numerous biological events, such as neurite outgrowth. However, the role of GalNAc4S-6ST in tumor progression remains unknown. In the present study, we analyzed expression of GalNAc4S-6ST mRNA in colorectal cancer by combining real-time RT-PCR with in situ hybridization (ISH) using archived formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue sections. In 57.5% of 40 patients, expression of GalNAc4S-6ST mRNA was increased in cancer tissues compared with paired normal mucosa. ISH using an RNA probe specific for GalNAc4S-6ST revealed that it was expressed in colorectal cancer cells. Analysis of the relationship between expression of GalNAc4S-6ST as determined by real-time RT-PCR assay and various clinicopathological variables revealed that GalNAc4S-6ST was associated with vessel invasion, although a statistically significant difference was not seen (P=0.125 for lymphatic vessel invasion and P=0.242 for venous invasion). Taken together, we show that real-time RT-PCR combined with ISH is useful to investigate quantitatively GalNAc4S-6ST mRNA expression in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue sections, and that GalNAc4S-6ST expressed by colorectal cancer cells plays a minor role in tumor progression
Impact of Right Ventricular Dilatation in Patients with Atrial Septal Defect
Objective. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between right ventricular (RV) volume and exercise capacity in adult patients with atrial septal defect (ASD) and to determine the degree of RV dilatation for transcatheter ASD closure. Background. RV dilatation is an indication of transcatheter ASD closure; however, few studies have reported the clinical significance of RV dilatation. Methods. We enrolled 82 consecutive patients (mean age, 49 +/- 18 years; female, 68%) who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test before ASD closure. The relationship between RV volume and peak oxygen uptake (VO2) was evaluated. Results. The mean RV end-diastolic volume index was 108 +/- 27 ml/m(2) (range, 46 to 180 ml/m(2)). The mean peak VO2 was 24 +/- 7 ml/min/kg (range, 14 to 48 ml/min/kg), and the mean predicted peak VO2 was 90 +/- 23%. There were significant negative relationships of RV end-diastolic volume index with peak VO2 (r = -0.28, p= 120 ml/m(2) was related to the reduction in peak VO2. This criterion of RV dilatation may be valuable for the indication of transcatheter ASD closure
Internet use and problematic Internet use among adolescents in Japan: A nationwide representative survey
AbstractIntroductionJapan is assumed to have serious health and social problems due to Internet overuse, but little is known about the actual conditions. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of problematic Internet use (PIU) and associated Internet use in adolescents in Japan.MethodsA nationwide survey of adolescent Internet use was conducted in 2012 and 2013. The participants were 100,050 students from randomly selected junior and senior high schools nationwide who gave valid responses to a self-reported questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions on Internet use and the Japanese version of the Young's Diagnostic Questionnaire (YDQ) as well as other questions related to lifestyle habits. Internet users were classified by gender according to three categories on the basis of their YDQ scores: adaptive use, maladaptive use, and PIU.ResultsThe estimated prevalence of PIU was 6.2% in males, 9.8% in females, and 7.9% in total; it closely correlated with female gender, school grades, and number of Internet hours. The following common and gender-specific applications that conferred a risk of PIU were identified: downloading (both genders), online gaming (males), social networking services, blogs, and bulletin boards (females).ConclusionsA cross-sectional survey using YDQ of a large number of high school students yielded a PIU prevalence of 7.9% in Japan. This study showed that problems associated with Internet overuse have already become serious; therefore, planning and implementation of prevention and control measures is urgently required
Simultaneous Three-Dimensional Analysis of Cervical Spine Kinematics in the Axial and Sagittal Views during a Simulated Frontal Impact: Differences between Tensed and Relaxed States
Study DesignProspective experimental study on humans.PurposeTo determine whether postural differences during a low-speed impact are observed in the sagittal and axial views, particularly in a relaxed state.Overview of Literature: Three-dimensional motion capture systems have been used to analyze posture and head-neck-torso kinematics in humans during a simulated low-speed impact, yet little research has focused on the axial view. Since a seatbelt asymmetrically stabilizes a drivers right shoulder and left lower waist into the seat, it potentially creates movement in the axial view.MethodsThree healthy adult men participated in the experimental series, which used a low-speed sled system. The acceleration pulse created a full sine shape with a maximum acceleration of 8.0 m/s2 at 500 ms, during which the kinematics were evaluated in relaxed and tensed states. The three-dimensional motion capture system used eight markers to record and analyze body movement and head-neck-torso kinematics in the sagittal and axial views during the low-speed impact. Head and trunk rotation angles were also calculated.ResultsLarger movements were observed in the relaxed than in the tensed state in the sagittal view. The cervical and thoracic spine flexed and extended, respectively, in the relaxed state. In the axial view, larger movements were also observed in the relaxed state than in the tensed state, and the left shoulder rotated.ConclusionsDuring simulated frontal impact, the rotation angle between the head and trunk was significantly larger in the relaxed state. Therefore, we recommend also observing movement in the axial view during impact tests
- …