Preventive behaviors and information sources during COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study in Japan

BACKGROUND: individual preventive behaviors are one of the key measures needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This study sought to identify the factors associated with the adoption of COVID-19 preventive measures, focusing specifically on information sources. METHODS: we conducted a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of 30,053 Japanese adults in February 2021. The survey asked about socioeconomic, health-related, and psychological characteristics, attitudes toward immunization, and the use of information sources regarding COVID-19. We have constructed multivariable logistic regression to estimate the factors associated with the adoption of three preventive measures: 3Cs avoidance, hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene. RESULTS: socioeconomic variables, psychological variables, and the use of information sources are significantly associated with the adoption of preventive measures. The more information sources one uses, the more likely one is to adopt preventive measures. Trust in healthcare professionals is positively associated with adopting preventive measures. On the other hand, negative correlations between trust in social media and preventive behaviors were observed. CONCLUSIONS: encouraging access to multiple information sources, utilizing communication channels, and modifying messaging according to target groups are essential to promote COVID-19 preventive measures

Application of Reactive Oxygen Species in Dental Treatment

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals, which have been implicated in inflammation, pain, carcinogenesis, and aging, are actually used in dental treatments such as tooth bleaching and composite resin polymerization. Recently, numerous studies have investigated the application of ROS in the medical and dental fields. In previous studies, ROS were generated intentionally through pathways such as photolysis, photocatalytic methods, and photodynamic therapy, which are used in the medical field to target cancer. In the field of dentistry, generated ROS are applied mainly for periodontal treatment and sterilization of the root canal, and its effectiveness as an antibacterial photodynamic therapy has been widely reported.. Given this background, the present article aimed to review the basic effects of ROS in dental medicine, especially endodontic therapy, and to discuss future applications of ROS

Anti-ganglioside complex antibody profiles in a recurrent complicated case of GQ1b-seronegative miller fisher syndrome and Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis: a case report

Abstract Background Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) and Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis (BBE) are a group of autoimmune neurological disorders (GBS spectrum disorder) that rarely recur. Recently, anti-ganglioside complex antibodies (GSC-Abs) were identified in patients with GBS spectrum disorder. However, there has been no case report describing GSC-Abs profiles in a recurrent case showing different phenotypes. Case presentation We report the case of a 33-year-old male patient with GQ1b-seronegative BBE-GBS after two prior episodes of MFS-GBS. Our patient showed ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, areflexia and a weakness of the extremities (MFS and GBS symptoms) in all episodes. In the episode reported here, our patient showed disturbed consciousness and an extensor response to cutaneous plantar stimulation was observed (BBE symptoms), with severe disability and requirement for artificial respiration management. GSC-Abs detected in previous episodes were also detected in the subsequent episodes, while new GSC-Abs emerged in each episode. Interestingly, whereas antibodies to GA1/GQ1b and GA1/GT1a, which are commonly identified in patients with GBS, MFS or BBE, appeared in all episodes, antibodies to GD1a/GD1b and GD1b/GT1b, which are predominantly associated with severe disability and the requirement for artificial respiration management in GBS, emerged for the first time in this episode. Conclusion This study reports novel phenomena about the GSC-Abs profiles and its relationship with clinical features in a case with recurrent GBS spectrum disorder, showing different phenotypes in different episodes. Further studies are required to reveal the significance of the GSC-Abs profiles in recurrent GBS spectrum disorder