Quantitative Evaluation of Interleukin-4 by Immunowall Devices Made of Gelatin Methacryloyl Hydrogel

Immunoassays, which use antigen–antibody reactions, are the primary techniques used to selectively quantify specific disease markers in blood. Conventional immunoassays, such as the microplate-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and paper-based immunochromatography, are widely used, but they have advantages and disadvantages in terms of sensitivity and operating time. Therefore, in recent years, microfluidic-chip-based immunoassay devices with high sensitivity, rapidity and simplicity, which are compatible with whole blood assays and multiplex assays, have been actively investigated. In this study, we developed a microfluidic device using gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel to form a wall-like structure in a microfluidic channel and perform immunoassays inside the wall-like structure, which can be used for rapid and highly sensitive multiplex assays with extremely small sample amounts of ~1 μL. The characteristics of GelMA hydrogel, such as swelling rate, optical absorption and fluorescence spectra, and morphology, were carefully studied to adapt the iImmunowall device and immunoassay. Using this device, a quantitative analysis of interleukin-4 (IL-4), a biomarker of chronic inflammatory diseases, was performed and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.98 ng/mL was achieved with only 1 μL sample and 25 min incubation time. The superior optical transparency over a wide range of wavelengths and lack of autofluorescence will help to expand the application field of the iImmunowall device, such as to a simultaneous multiple assay in a single microfluidic channel, and provide a fast and cost-effective immunoassay method

Surgical Management of Bilateral Venous Malformation (Cavernous Hemangiomas) of the Maxillary Sinus

According to International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies classification 2018, “hemangioma” should be classified as either vascular tumor or vascular malformation (VM). So-called “cavernous hemangioma” is categorized as VM. VM rarely involves the mucous membranes of the sinonasal cavity and typically arises unilaterally from the sinonasal cavity. Bilateral VM of the maxillary sinus is extremely rare. To the best of our knowledge, there is no previous report of bilateral VM of the maxillary sinus. Here, we describe the surgical treatment of bilateral cavernous hemangiomas of the maxillary sinus. These tumors were successfully resected by endoscopic modified medial maxillectomy (EMMM) after embolization. Endoscopic sinus surgery, particularly EMMM, produces access to the bilateral maxillary sinus and can prevent several complications

Green Tea Consumption Affects Cognitive Dysfunction in the Elderly: A Pilot Study

Green tea is known to have various health benefits for humans. However, the effect of green tea consumption on cognitive dysfunction remains to be clinically verified. We conducted a clinical study to investigate the effects of green tea consumption on cognitive dysfunction. Twelve elderly nursing home residents with cognitive dysfunction (Mini-Mental State Examination Japanese version (MMSE-J) score: <28) participated in the study (2 men, 10 women; mean age, 88 years). The participants consumed green tea powder 2 g/day for 3 months. After three months of green tea consumption, the participants’ MMSE-J scores were significantly improved (before, 15.3 ± 7.7; after, 17.0 ± 8.2; p = 0.03). This result suggests that green tea consumption may be effective in improving cognitive function or reducing the progression of cognitive dysfunction; however, long-term large-scale controlled studies are needed to further clarify the effect

Effect of m/n = 2/1 neoclassical tearing mode on sawtooth collapse in JT-60U

We have investigated the role of the m/n = 2/1 neoclassical tearing mode (NTM) for suppression of the sawtooth collapse in JT-60U from the viewpoint of the anomalous transport of the current diffusion, namely flux pumping. In the stabilization experiments of m/n = 2/1 NTMs by electron cyclotron current drive of JT-60U, it has been clarified that the sawtooth collapses occur during or after the stabilization of m/n = 2/1 NTMs. It is also confirmed that the minimum safety factor, qmin, is nearly unity before and after the stabilization of an m/n = 2/1 NTM. While the flux pumping by ELM-NTM coupling was reported in DIII-D, the suppression of the sawtooth collapse is observed without ELMs in this study. On the other hand, it is observed that the sawtooth precursor appears during the stabilization of the m/n = 2/1 NTM accompanying the disappearance of the fluctuation of the n = 1 helical core (HC), which is induced by the m/n = 2/1 NTM. In addition, the modulation of the toroidal rotation velocity having the frequency of the n = 1 HC is observed in the core region. Because the helical flow with HCs is a possible source of the dynamo loop voltage in tokamaks, these observations suggest that the suppression of the sawtooth collapse in JT-60U is realized by the dynamo loop voltage due to the n = 1 HC induced by the m/n = 2/1 NTM. Our result indicates that n = 1 HCs induced by other MHD modes also may induce anomalous current transport in tokamaks

Reliability and Validity of Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes Using the Smartphone App AllerSearch for Hay Fever: Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Hay fever is a highly prevalent, heterogenous, and multifactorial disease. Patients may benefit from longitudinal assessments using mobile health (mHealth) principles. We have previously attempted to establish an effective mHealth platform for patients with hay fever through AllerSearch, our in-house smartphone app that assesses electronic patient-reported outcomes through a questionnaire on hay fever and provides evidence-based advice. To be used by the public, an investigation on its reliability and validity is necessary. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to assess the reliability and validity of subjective symptom data on hay fever collected through our app, AllerSearch. METHODS: This study used a prospective observational design. The participants were patients aged ≥20 years recruited from a single university hospital between June 2, 2021, and January 26, 2022. We excluded patients who could not use smartphones as well as those with incomplete data records and outlier data. All participants answered the Japanese Allergic Conjunctival Disease Standard Quality of Life Questionnaire (JACQLQ), first in the paper-and-pencil format and subsequently on AllerSearch on the same day. The JACQLQ comprises the following three domains: Domain I, with 9 items on ocular or nasal symptoms; Domain II, with 17 items on daily activity and psychological well-being; and Domain III, with 3 items on overall condition by face score. The concordance rate of each domain between the 2 platforms was calculated. The internal consistency of Domains I and II of the 2 platforms was assessed using Cronbach alpha coefficients, the concurrent validity of Domains I and II was assessed by calculating Pearson correlation coefficients, and the mean differences between the 2 platforms were assessed using Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: In total, 22 participants were recruited; the data of 20 (91%) participants were analyzed. The average age was 65.4 (SD 12.8) years, and 80% (16/20) of the participants were women. The concordance rate of Domains I, II, and III between the paper-based and app-based JACQLQ was 0.78, 0.85, and 0.90, respectively. The internal consistency of Domains I and II between the 2 platforms was satisfactory (Cronbach alpha of .964 and .919, respectively). Pearson correlation analysis yielded a significant positive correlation between Domains I and II across the 2 platforms (r=0.920 and r=0.968, respectively). The mean difference in Domains I and II between the 2 platforms was 3.35 units (95% limits of agreement: -6.51 to 13.2). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that AllerSearch is a valid and reliable tool for the collection of electronic patient-reported outcomes to assess hay fever, contributing to the advantages of the mHealth platform

Additional file 1: of Effects of green tea consumption on cognitive dysfunction in an elderly population: a randomized placebo-controlled study

CONSORT 2010 checklist of information to include when reporting a randomised trial. (DOC 217 kb

Additional file 3: Table S2. of Effects of green tea consumption on cognitive dysfunction in an elderly population: a randomized placebo-controlled study

ANCOVA and repeated measures ANCOVA analysis in PPS. (DOCX 14 kb

Individual characteristics and associated factors of hay fever: A large-scale mHealth study using AllerSearch.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hay fever, a multifactorial allergic disease, is increasing. Identifying individual characteristics and associated factors of hay fever is essential for predictive, preventive, personalized, and participatory (P4) medicine. This study aimed to identify individual characteristics and associated factors of hay fever using an iPhone application AllerSearch. METHODS: This large-scale mobile health-based cross-sectional study was conducted between February 2018 and May 2020. Individuals who downloaded AllerSearch in Japan and provided a comprehensive self-assessment (general characteristics, medical history, lifestyle habits, and hay fever symptoms [score range 0-36]) were included. Associated factors of hay fever (vs. non-hay fever) and severe hay fever symptoms were identified using multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses, respectively. RESULTS: Of the included 11,284 individuals, 9041 had hay fever. Factors associated with hay fever (odds ratio) included age (0.98), female sex (1.33), atopic dermatitis (1.40), history of dry eye diagnosis (1.36), discontinuation of contact lens use during hay fever season (3.34), frequent bowel movements (1.03), and less sleep duration (0.91). The factors associated with severe hay fever symptoms among individuals with hay fever (coefficient) included age (-0.104), female sex (1.329), history of respiratory disease (1.539), history of dry eye diagnosis (0.824), tomato allergy (1.346), discontinuation of contact lens use during hay fever season (1.479), smoking habit (0.614), and having a pet (0.303). CONCLUSIONS: Our large-scale mobile health-based study using AllerSearch elucidated distinct hay fever presentation patterns, characteristics, and factors associated with hay fever. Our study establishes the groundwork for effective individualized interventions for P4 medicine