Prevention of School Attendance Problems in Japan: A Macro-Level Perspective on Avoidance Behaviour

In this study, we examined government policies and the relevant law on prevention measures for school attendance problems in Japanese compulsory education schools from the perspective of school avoidance behaviour. In summary: (a) the number of students with school attendance problems has been increasing rapidly since 2017; (b) despite an increase in school counsellors as a government-initiated prevention measure, the number of students with school attendance problems has risen; (c) government policies and the relevant law seek to foster social independence even for students unable to return to school and to provide spaces where students with school attendance problems feel comfortable, which may inadvertently reinforce or perpetuate school avoidance behaviour; and (d) in the Japanese compulsory education system, stakeholders have limited opportunities to block school avoidance behaviour. We propose two measures to prevent school attendance problems drawing on a macro-level behavioural perspective: (a) employing data on class absences in mainstream schools, regardless of the reason for the absence, as an evaluation criterion for prolonged school absenteeism, and (b) implementing appropriate grade repetition for students who miss classes in their mainstream school over a certain threshold, including withholding the school diploma

Investigation of breast cancer microstructure and microvasculature from time-dependent DWI and CEST in correlation with histological biomarkers

We investigated the associations of time-dependent DWI, non-Gaussian DWI, and CEST parameters with histological biomarkers in a breast cancer xenograft model. 22 xenograft mice (7 MCF-7 and 15 MDA-MB-231) were scanned at 4 diffusion times [Td = 2.5/5 ms with 11 b-values (0-600 s/mm2) and Td = 9/27.6 ms with 17 b-values (0-3000 s/mm2), respectively]. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was estimated using 2 b-values in different combinations (ADC0-600 using b = 0 and 600 s/mm2 and shifted ADC [sADC200-1500] using b = 200 and 1500 s/mm2) at each of those diffusion times. Then the change (Δ) in ADC/sADC between diffusion times was evaluated. Non-Gaussian diffusion and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters (ADC0, the virtual ADC at b = 0; K, Kurtosis from non-Gaussian diffusion; f, the IVIM perfusion fraction) were estimated. CEST images were acquired and the amide proton transfer signal intensity (APT SI) were measured. The ΔsADC9-27.6 (between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] and ΔADC2.5_sADC27.6 (between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) was significantly larger for MCF-7 groups, and ΔADC2.5_sADC27.6 was positively correlated with Ki67max and APT SI. ADC0 decreased significantly in MDA-MB-231 group and K increased significantly with Td in MCF-7 group. APT SI and cellular area had a moderately strong positive correlation in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 tumors combined, and there was a positive correlation in MDA-MB-231 tumors. There was a significant negative correlation between APT SI and the Ki-67-positive ratio in MDA-MB-231 tumors and when combined with MCF-7 tumors. The associations of ΔADC2.5_sADC27.6 and API SI with Ki-67 parameters indicate that the Td-dependent DW and CEST parameters are useful to predict the histological markers of breast cancers

Psychosocial twin cohort studies in Japan: the Keio Twin Research Center (KoTReC)

The Keio Twin Research Center (KoTReC) was established in 2009 at Keio University to combine two longitudinal cohort projects — the Keio Twin Study (KTS) for adolescence and adulthood and the Tokyo Twin Cohort Project (ToTCoP) for infancy and childhood. KoTReC also conducted a two-time panel study of self-control and psychopathology in twin adolescence in 2012 and 2013 and three independent anonymous cross-sectional twin surveys (ToTcross) before 2012 — the ToTCross, the Junior and Senior High School Survey and the High School Survey. This article introduces the recent research designs of KoTReC and its publications

Effect of Serum Leptin on Weight Gain Induced by Olanzapine in Female Patients with Schizophrenia.

Olanzapine (OLZ) treatment is associated with a high risk of weight gain, and may cause abnormalities in glycolipid metabolism. Therefore, the underlying mechanism of OLZ-related weight gain is needed to clarify but not yet been adequately determined. In recent years, adipocytokines such as leptin, adiponectin, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, which play important roles in energy homeostasis, have been suggested as biomarkers of weight gain. Here, we determined if baseline plasma concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, and TNF-α predict weight gain following OLZ treatment.We recruited 31 schizophrenia outpatients (12 men and 19 women, 28.8 ± 10.2 years old) that were unmedicated or on another antipsychotic monotherapy medication. Baseline body mass index (BMI) and plasma levels of leptin, adiponectin, and TNF-α were obtained. All patients started or were switched to OLZ monotherapy for a maximum of 1 year. BMI was also obtained at the endpoint.Mean BMI change following OLZ treatment was 2.1 ± 2.7 kg/m2. BMI change from baseline to endpoint negatively-correlated with baseline leptin levels in female patients (r = -0.514, P = 0.024), but not male patients. Baseline adiponectin or TNF-α levels were not correlated with BMI change.Baseline plasma leptin can have an effect on subsequent weight gain following OLZ treatment in female patients with schizophrenia

Comparison of intraocular pressure-lowering effects of ripasudil hydrochloride hydrate for inflammatory and corticosteroid-induced ocular hypertension

<div><p>Ocular hypertension (OHT) caused by inflammation or corticosteroid treatment is a common complication of uveitis. Ripasudil hydrochloride hydrate (K-115) is reportedly efficacious for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP). We retrospectively compared the IOP-lowering effect of K-115 for inflammatory and corticosteroid-induced OHT associated with uveitis. Thirty-six consecutive eyes of 27 patients with uveitis-associated OHT (20 and 16 eyes with inflammation- and corticosteroid-induced OHT, respectively) were treated with K-115 with or without other anti-glaucoma agents. In the inflammation-induced OHT, mean IOP and aqueous flare significantly decreased (P < 0.001 and P = 0.035, respectively), changing from 26.4 ± 7.5 mmHg and 28.1 ± 15.0 photon counts per millisecond (pc/ms) at the initial assessment to 17.9 ± 5.4 mmHg and 17.1 ± 10.7 pc/ms at the last visit, respectively. In the corticosteroid-induced OHT, mean IOP significantly decreased (P = 0.0005), changing from 26.7 ± 7.8 mmHg and 18.7 ± 11.2 pc/ms to 18.6 ± 8.8 mmHg and 22.6 ± 15.3 pc/ms, respectively; conversely, aqueous flare remained unchanged. In the inflammation-induced OHT, K-115 was more efficacious in the eyes with higher IOP. Neither remarkable adverse effects nor exacerbation of uveitis were observed in the eyes of either group during the observation period. K-115 decreased IOP in both inflammation- and corticosteroid-induced OHT associated with uveitis and played a synergistic role in reducing ocular inflammation in uveitis treatment.</p></div

Patients’ characteristics in the inflammation- and corticosteroid-induced ocular hypertension groups.

<p>Patients’ characteristics in the inflammation- and corticosteroid-induced ocular hypertension groups.</p

Correlations between intraocular pressure and anterior aqueous flare in the inflammation- and corticosteroid-induced ocular hypertension groups.

<p><b>(A)</b> There was a tendency of correlation between IOP reduction and anterior flare decrease in the inflammation group. <b>(B)</b> There was no significant correlation between IOP reduction and anterior flare change in the corticosteroid group.</p

Factors affecting changes in IOP and aqueous flare.

<p>Factors affecting changes in IOP and aqueous flare.</p

Relationship between BMI change following olanzapine treatment and baseline plasma leptin concentration.

<p>(A) In all patients, BMI change did not correlate with baseline leptin levels. (B) In male patients, BMI change did not correlate with baseline leptin levels. (C) In female patients, BMI change negatively-correlated with baseline leptin levels (<i>r</i> = -0.514, <i>P</i> = 0.024).</p

Clinical characteristics and baseline data.

<p>Clinical characteristics and baseline data.</p