Seasonal patterns in climatic conditions affect the life cycles and temporal patterns in the abundance of most temperate insect species. In tropical regions where there is no winter season, the ...situation may be different. For a better understanding of the evolution of seasonal life cycles, and the dynamics affecting temporal patterns in abundance of tropical insect populations and assemblages, it is important to study the life cycles of tropical insects and the presence or absence of seasonality in relation to climatic conditions. By reviewing studies on temporal patterns of abundance, this article examines the patterns of seasonality in adult tropical forest insects and discusses the variation in such patterns in various forest types. Seasonal and aseasonal patterns were found to be common in tropical dry and wet regions, respectively. In wet regions, which lack a distinctive dry season, there exists a wide variety of temporal patterns in addition to aseasonal patterns: distinctively seasonal and supra‐annual fluctuations in some insect species. Some of the problems of hidden ecological mechanisms underlying seasonal patterns in abundance are discussed, and the definition of seasonality in temporal patterns of insect abundance at a particular stage in the life cycle is considered. Methodological problems are also discussed.
This study aimed to employ hypothetical models based on the protection motivation theory (PMT) to identify factors that improve the intention to use antibiotics appropriately (intention) among ...individuals who take antibiotics or administer them to their children.
Adult Japanese participants, including 600 parents who administer antibiotics to children aged <14 years and 600 adults who take them, completed an online survey. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted on hypothetical models representing intention using 19 questions based on PMT. If the hypothesized model did not fit, SEM was repeated to search for a new model.
The hypothesized models did not fit. Two factors were extracted from SEM: “understanding the risk of antimicrobial resistance” and “excessive expectation of antibiotics.” In adults, SEM revealed that “excessive expectation of antibiotics” (β = −0.50, p < 0.001) negatively influenced intention; in children, “excessive expectation of antibiotics” (β = −0.52, p < 0.001) negatively influenced intention, while “understanding the risk of antimicrobial resistance” (β = 0.22, p < 0.001) positively influenced intention.
Factors influencing intention varied between adult and pediatric antibiotic use.
Awareness activities for appropriate antibiotic use should be tailored to population characteristics.
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•This study evaluated factors influencing intention to use antibiotics appropriately.•Factors differed between adult and pediatric antibiotic use.•Excessive expectation of antibiotics affected pediatric and adult antibiotic use.•In children, understanding the risk of antimicrobial resistance was also a factor.•Awareness activities for proper antibiotic use differ for children and adults.
Gastrulation controls the emergence of cellular diversity and axis patterning in the early embryo. In mammals, this transformation is orchestrated by dynamic signalling centres at the interface of ...embryonic and extraembryonic tissues
. Elucidating the molecular framework of axis formation in vivo is fundamental for our understanding of human development
and to advance stem-cell-based regenerative approaches
. Here we illuminate early gastrulation of marmoset embryos in utero using spatial transcriptomics and stem-cell-based embryo models. Gaussian process regression-based 3D transcriptomes delineate the emergence of the anterior visceral endoderm, which is hallmarked by conserved (HHEX, LEFTY2, LHX1) and primate-specific (POSTN, SDC4, FZD5) factors. WNT signalling spatially coordinates the formation of the primitive streak in the embryonic disc and is counteracted by SFRP1 and SFRP2 to sustain pluripotency in the anterior domain. Amnion specification occurs at the boundaries of the embryonic disc through ID1, ID2 and ID3 in response to BMP signalling, providing a developmental rationale for amnion differentiation of primate pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). Spatial identity mapping demonstrates that primed marmoset PSCs exhibit the highest similarity to the anterior embryonic disc, whereas naive PSCs resemble the preimplantation epiblast. Our 3D transcriptome models reveal the molecular code of lineage specification in the primate embryo and provide an in vivo reference to decipher human development.
We previously reported on two women with breast lesions in whom radiological examination could not exclude malignancy. In both cases, mastectomy was performed, and histological analyses revealed ...papillary lesions lined by fibrovascular stroma and nuclear inverse polarity. Hematoxylin–eosin, p63, and calponin staining indicated an absence of myoepithelial cells. However, it was concluded that the lesions had been non-malignant. These women have now been under long-term surveillance (74 months for one case and 62 months for the other) and have had no disease recurrence. Mucin (MUC)1, MUC2, MUC4, MUC5AC, MUC5B, and MUC6 immunostaining has also been performed in these women to investigate further whether their tumors were malignant or benign. In both cases, the tumors were only positive for MUC1 in apical luminal apical cells, as in normal breast tissue. MUC5B immunostaining, even when weak, can detect early breast cancer but was completely negative in our two cases. Therefore, both tumors were considered benign. Our findings in these cases suggest that nuclear inverse polarity papillary lesions lacking myoepithelial cells are benign. This knowledge should decrease the number of unnecessary operations performed for this tumor and their negative impact on patients’ quality of life.
Reconstitution of the germ cell lineage using pluripotent stem cells provides a unique platform to deepen our understanding of the mechanisms underlying germ cell development and to produce ...functional gametes for reproduction. This study aimed to establish a culture system that induces a robust number of primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) from common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) embryonic stem cells. The robust induction was achieved by not only activation of the conserved PGC-inducing signals, WNT and BMP4, but also temporal inhibitions of WNT and retinoic acid signals, which prevent mesodermal and neural differentiation, respectively, during PGCLC differentiation. Many of the gene expression and differentiation properties of common marmoset PGCLCs were similar to those of human PGCLCs, making this culture system a reliable and useful primate model. Finally, we identified PDPN and KIT as surface marker proteins by which PGCLCs can be isolated from embryonic stem cells without genetic manipulation. This study will expand the opportunities for research on germ cell development and production of functional gametes to the common marmoset.
Introduction
“Secondary exposure to anticancer drugs” refers to exposure to anticancer drugs after chemotherapy via the patient's urine and other excretions. The necessity of countermeasures against ...secondary exposure to anticancer drugs has been recently highlighted. Although anticancer drugs are also excreted through sweat, few studies have reported exposure to drug residues via this route. We investigated the amount of cyclophosphamide (CPA) excreted in the sweat of patients receiving CHOP therapy (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone).
Methods
The study population included eight patients with malignant lymphoma who received CHOP therapy between May and December 2021. The amount of CPA in their underwear (namely, cotton short-sleeved shirts) worn from the start of the CHOP therapy until 24 h after the end of CPA administration was measured, using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
Results
CPA was detected in the underwear of all the patients, with levels ranging between 7.38 and 160.77 ng/cm2. No subjective changes were observed in the sweating status of any patients during the study period.
Conclusions
These results suggested that patients’ sweat, as well as urine, is a potential route for exposure to anticancer drugs. Whether visibly contaminated or not, the clothing and linen worn directly by patients should be handled as a source of sweat-mediated exposure to anticancer drugs both in medical facilities and at home.
With the recent shift in community pharmacist services toward in-person services and the growing need for centralized and continuous medication management/monitoring, pharmacist-patient information ...sharing is crucial. This study investigated the pharmacist-patient gap in the recognition of pharmacists' behaviors regarding information sharing and assessed the potential impact of such recognition on patient trust and willingness to self-disclose. This cross-sectional study included 600 patients (aged 21-85 years) using pharmacy services (surveyed online in December 2020) and 591 community pharmacists with ≥1 year of experience (surveyed from September to November 2021). Both groups responded to items on the recognition of pharmacists' behaviors regarding information sharing. There were patient-specific items on trust in community pharmacists and willingness to self-disclose. For all items on the recognition of pharmacists' behaviors, patients' scores were significantly lower (4-5) than pharmacists' own scores (≥5), revealing a notable perception gap. Patients' recognition had a positive, direct effect on trust and willingness, and trust had a positive, direct effect on willingness. Patients' recognition and trust positively influenced their willingness to self-disclose. Pharmacist communication with clear intent is important to bridge the gaps in pharmacist-patient recognition and foster effective patient-pharmacist relationships.
This study aimed to investigate the association between cognitive impairment and polypharmacy in patients with atrial fibrillation prone to cognitive decline, and to elucidate if the Dementia ...Assessment Sheet for Community-based Integrated Care System 21-Items (DASC-21) severity classification indicates drug adjustment. This retrospective cohort study used the DASC-21 and Diagnosis Procedure Combination data at a specialised geriatric hospital with patients hospitalised between April 2019 and March 2022. The association between cognitive severity evaluated using the DASC-21 and polypharmacy was investigated using a multivariate logistic regression model. Data of 1191 inpatients (44.3% aged ≥85 years, 49.0% male) were analysed. Compared with severe cognitive impairment, mild (odds ratio OR: 3.33, 95% confidence interval CI: 1.29-8.57) and moderate (OR: 2.46, 95% CI: 1.06-5.72) impairments were associated with concurrent use of ≥6 medications. Antithrombotics were related to polypharmacy. The ORs did not change with 6, 8, or 10 medications (2.11 95% CI: 1.51-2.95,
< 0.001, 2.42 95% CI: 1.79-3.27,
< 0.001, and 2.01 95% CI: 1.46-2.77,
< 0.001, respectively). DASC-21 severity was associated with polypharmacy in patients with atrial fibrillation, with a trend toward decreased polypharmacy from moderate to severe. The DASC-21 may serve as an indicator for drug adjustment in clinical practice.
Aim
Atomoxetine (ATX) is a non‐central stimulant and a standard treatment for adult attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The long‐term efficacy of Atomoxetine is about 40% at 6 months. ...The variability in efficacy between individuals is thought to be related to patient‐specific factors, but no detailed research has been conducted. In this retrospective cohort study, we aimed to identify the factors associated with Atomoxetine efficacy.
Methods
A total of 147 patients with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder aged ≥18 years who were using Atomoxetine for the first time were included in this study. The outcome was treatment success (treatment maintained for at least 6 months and improvement in symptoms). Symptom assessment was based on the overall improvement in symptoms judged by an expert physician.
Results
Of the patient sample, 103 (70.1%) achieved the outcome. Logistic regression analysis identified “the maximum dose of ATX” and “gambling habit” as factors associated with efficacy ( P < 0.05). In the process of Atomoxetine titration, the larger the maximum dose, the higher the efficacy was shown to be. Gambling habits may be indicative of impulsivity, which is among the core symptoms of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Thus, a gambling habit may be considered a surrogate marker for impulsivity.
Conclusions
Knowledge of these factors will help healthcare professionals to predict the likely efficacy of Atomoxetine in a given patient before subscribing it, facilitating individualized pharmacotherapy for adult attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
We retrospectively examined factors associated with the efficacy of atomoxetine for adult ADHD. The maximum dose of atomoxetine and gambling habit were identified as significant factors related to the efficacy.
Japan is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire and experiences frequent earthquakes. In addition, as the climate is changing due to global warming, heavy rains have caused frequent floods recently. ...Following the occurrence of disasters, citizens often experience confusion regarding access to healthcare services. Moreover, health professionals often face uncertainty regarding the availability of medical services in their local area. The Tokyo Kita city Pharmacist Association (KPA) independently developed the pharmacist safety confirmation (PSC) and pharmacy status confirmation (PSTC) systems to provide information regarding pharmaceutical resources during a disaster. These systems are very useful; however, they only provide information about pharmacies. Using this system as a base, a regional medical resource (RMR) map was created in cooperation with the Medical Association and Dental Association to provide useful medical resource information for clinicians and citizens during a disaster.
The study aimed to assess the effectiveness and reliability of the RMR map.
The PSC and PSTC systems were originally invented by the KPA. The systems were employed in the event of actual earthquakes and flood damages and have produced positive results. An RMR map was created as a new resource map system by updating the software and platform of PSC and PSTC, and its reliability and efficacy were verified using drills. Drills were conducted seven times from 2018 to 2021.
Out of the 527 member facilities, 450 were registered. The response rate ranged from 49.4% to 73.8% and the system successfully created useful maps.
This is the first report on the creation of an effective RMR map that can be used for helping people during disasters in Japan.
