Background: A means of assessing the social support needs of spouses of patients with cancer is not available in Japan, yet such individuals are at increased risk of developing psychological difficulties. Objectives: ...Background: A means of assessing the social support needs of spouses of patients with cancer is not available in Japan, yet such individuals are at increased risk of developing psychological difficulties. Objectives: The present study aimed (1) to describe the social support needs of spouses of patients with cancer, and (2) to explore factors associated with social support needs of spouses of patients with cancer. Design: Spouses (n = 559) of patients with cancer were recruited by registered agents of an online survey company and completed a self-reporting, online questionnaire. Measurements: The questionnaires included demographic information and a tool to assess social support needs. Results: Factor analysis of social support needs of the spouses of patients with cancer indicated that (1) “social support needs regarding disease and treatment of patient” (54 items) comprised 3 factors (“medical condition and cure”, “daily life and social support”, “intimacy and employment”), and (2) “social support needs of spouse (19 items)” comprised 2 factors (“family psychological issues and social support” and “intimacy, employment and society”). The ANOVA and T tests showed that “younger age”, “under treatment”, and “cancer not cured: treatment stopped”, “PS1” and “PS 2-4”, the presence of “lung cancer”, and “recurrence/metastasis” were significant factors (all展开更多
Background: Medical staff provide care to spouses of terminal cancer patients through trial and error by meeting their various support needs and spousal factors regarding their anticipatory grief. Studies on the assoc...Background: Medical staff provide care to spouses of terminal cancer patients through trial and error by meeting their various support needs and spousal factors regarding their anticipatory grief. Studies on the association between spousal characteristics and anticipatory grief have been inconclusive;additionally, there has been insufficient research on support needs for anticipatory grief of spouses. This study aimed to explore the spousal characteristics and social support needs predicting anticipatory grief in spouses of patients with cancer at the end of life. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Eligible spouses (n = 102) completed a self-report questionnaire in two hospitals with palliative care units in Japan. The questionnaire included demographic information, a tool assessing social support needs of spouses, and the Anticipatory Grief Scale for Family Caregivers. Results: Simple regression analyses indicated that patient age, chemotherapy, no treatment, ECOG PS3, children aged under 20 years, total score of “social support needs regarding the disease and treatment of the patients” and subscale scores (“medical condition and cure,” “daily life and social support,” and “intimacy and employment”), and total score of “social support needs of the spouses” and subscale scores (“family psychological issues and social support” and “intimacy, employment, and society”) were significant variables (all p p Conclusions: Patients having no experience of “chemotherapy” and higher “social support needs of the spouses” in Model 1, and greater spousal needs of “family psychological issues and social support” in Model 2 were significant predictors of severe anticipatory grief. Medical staff should pay attention to these risk factors that predict anticipatory grief among spouses.展开更多
Pancreatitis-associated protein (PAP) was discovered in the pancreatic juice of rats with acute pancreatitis. PAP is a 16 kDa secretory protein structurally related to the C-type lectins although classical lectin-rela...Pancreatitis-associated protein (PAP) was discovered in the pancreatic juice of rats with acute pancreatitis. PAP is a 16 kDa secretory protein structurally related to the C-type lectins although classical lectin-related function has not been reported yet. Then, it was demonstrated that PAP expression may be activated in some tissues in a constitutive or injury- and inflammation-induced manner. More recently, it has been found that PAP acts as an anti-inflammatory factor in vitro and in vivo. PAP expression can be induced by several pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and by itself through a JAK/STAT3-dependent pathway. PAP is able to activate the expression of the anti-inflammatory factor SOCS3 through the JAK/STAT3-dependent pathway. The JAK/STAT3/SOCS3 pathway seems to be a common point between PAP and several cytokines. Therefore, it is reasonable to propose that PAP is a new anti- inflammatory cytokine.展开更多
OBJECTIVE： Saikokeishito（TJ-10） is a Kampo（traditional Japanese herbal） medicine, clinically used for hundreds of years in East Asia. Among its various mechanisms elucidated so far, TJ-10 inhibits the production ...OBJECTIVE： Saikokeishito（TJ-10） is a Kampo（traditional Japanese herbal） medicine, clinically used for hundreds of years in East Asia. Among its various mechanisms elucidated so far, TJ-10 inhibits the production of transforming growth factor-β1（TGF-β1） and development of pancreatic fi brosis in vivo. Oxidative damage of normal human dermal fi broblasts（NHDFs） in the corium is a cause of human dermal senescence. Our aim was to determine whether TJ-10 protects NHDFs from premature senescence by hydrogen peroxide（H2O2）. METHODS： Premature senescence was induced in NHDFs by 200 μmol/L H2O2 for 4 h. Cell viability and the expressions of p53, AMP-activated protein kinase α1（AMPKα1）, AMPKα2, and 14-3-3 protein sigma（14-3-3 σ） were measured in NHDFs treated with TJ-10 for 48 h before exposure to H2O2 for 4 h. RESULTS： Cell viability after treatment with 200 μmol/L H2O2 for 4 h was similar（about 80%） to after pre-treatment with TJ-10. Ascorbic acid as a control did not protect NHDFs from damage by 200 μmol/L H2O2. Treatment with 200 μmol/L H2O2 tended to up-regulate p53 and to down-regulate SIRT1 and AMPKα1, but had no effect on AMPKα2 and 14-3-3 σ expression. Pretreatment with TJ-10 inhibited H2O2-induced up-regulation of p53 and enhanced AMPKα1 expression. CONCLUSION： It is suggested that Saikokeishito has a protective effect on oxidative stressinduced senescence of NHDFs.展开更多
There had been no standardized rules for citing ethical Kampo products used in clinical trials in journal articles. Although the name of a Kampo manufacturer was described in 77.9% of research articles, the name and r...There had been no standardized rules for citing ethical Kampo products used in clinical trials in journal articles. Although the name of a Kampo manufacturer was described in 77.9% of research articles, the name and ratios of crude drug components of Kampo formulas were not described in 77.5% of these papers. Considering the importance of proper characterization of interventions in the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials （CONSORT） checklist, we hereby propose the use of the Standards of Reporting Kampo Products （STORK） website, http：//mpdb.nibiohn.go.jp/stork, as a reference for Kampo products. This will provide an official source on the internet for verified information on individual Kampo formulations for citation purposes in clinical research articles.展开更多
Objective: Although the use of complementary and alternative medicine(CAM) by the general population has been surveyed previously, the provision of CAM by Japanese physicians in private clinics has not been studied. U...Objective: Although the use of complementary and alternative medicine(CAM) by the general population has been surveyed previously, the provision of CAM by Japanese physicians in private clinics has not been studied. Universal health insurance system was established in Japan in 1961, and most CAMs are not on the drug tariff. We aimed to clarify the current status of CAM provided by physicians at private clinics in Japan.Methods: We conducted an internet survey on 400 directors/physicians of private clinics nationwide on the provision of CAM from February 6 to February 10, 2017. Survey items included attributes of subjects,presence/absence of sections or facilities for provision of CAM, proportions of health insurance coverage for medical practices, and source of information. Private clinic was defined as a clinic run by one physician, with less than 20 beds.Results: Commonly provided CAMs were Kampo(traditional Japanese herbal) medicines(34.8%) and supplements/health foods(19.3%). CAMs on the drug tariff were provided in 46.5% of cases at the clinics, but only 16.5% of cases were provided CAMs which were not on the drug tariff, at different neighboring facilities. Among different specialties, Kampo medicines were prescribed at obstetrics/gynecology(54.0%),orthopedics(44.4%), and dermatology(43.0%). Clinics not providing any CAM accounted for 53.5%.With regard to health insurance coverage, 96.8% of the clinics provided only or mainly health services on the universal national health insurance tariff(29.8% and 67.0%, respectively).Conclusion: Kampo medicines represent the most commonly used CAM in private clinics in Japan, and universal national health insurance coverage is considered to be the reason for the high rate of their use.展开更多
Traditional Japanese medicine,Kampo,is used by over 80%of medical doctors in Japan.Owing to its high quality and safety,Kampo has been integrated into modern medicine,and there are 345 randomized controlled trials usi...Traditional Japanese medicine,Kampo,is used by over 80%of medical doctors in Japan.Owing to its high quality and safety,Kampo has been integrated into modern medicine,and there are 345 randomized controlled trials using Kampo in Japan as of 2010.Although there are a number of articles in top journals about basic science research,we can find only small numbers of high-quality clinical evidence.Since undergraduate education on Kampo has been established,integrative approach with the balanced combination of modern medicine and Kampo is expected to generate good clinical evidence in the near future.展开更多
基金Supported by the Research Committee of Intractable Diseases of the Pancreas (Chairman M. Otsuki) provided by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, Japan
文摘Background: A means of assessing the social support needs of spouses of patients with cancer is not available in Japan, yet such individuals are at increased risk of developing psychological difficulties. Objectives: The present study aimed (1) to describe the social support needs of spouses of patients with cancer, and (2) to explore factors associated with social support needs of spouses of patients with cancer. Design: Spouses (n = 559) of patients with cancer were recruited by registered agents of an online survey company and completed a self-reporting, online questionnaire. Measurements: The questionnaires included demographic information and a tool to assess social support needs. Results: Factor analysis of social support needs of the spouses of patients with cancer indicated that (1) “social support needs regarding disease and treatment of patient” (54 items) comprised 3 factors (“medical condition and cure”, “daily life and social support”, “intimacy and employment”), and (2) “social support needs of spouse (19 items)” comprised 2 factors (“family psychological issues and social support” and “intimacy, employment and society”). The ANOVA and T tests showed that “younger age”, “under treatment”, and “cancer not cured: treatment stopped”, “PS1” and “PS 2-4”, the presence of “lung cancer”, and “recurrence/metastasis” were significant factors (all
文摘Background: Medical staff provide care to spouses of terminal cancer patients through trial and error by meeting their various support needs and spousal factors regarding their anticipatory grief. Studies on the association between spousal characteristics and anticipatory grief have been inconclusive;additionally, there has been insufficient research on support needs for anticipatory grief of spouses. This study aimed to explore the spousal characteristics and social support needs predicting anticipatory grief in spouses of patients with cancer at the end of life. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Eligible spouses (n = 102) completed a self-report questionnaire in two hospitals with palliative care units in Japan. The questionnaire included demographic information, a tool assessing social support needs of spouses, and the Anticipatory Grief Scale for Family Caregivers. Results: Simple regression analyses indicated that patient age, chemotherapy, no treatment, ECOG PS3, children aged under 20 years, total score of “social support needs regarding the disease and treatment of the patients” and subscale scores (“medical condition and cure,” “daily life and social support,” and “intimacy and employment”), and total score of “social support needs of the spouses” and subscale scores (“family psychological issues and social support” and “intimacy, employment, and society”) were significant variables (all p p Conclusions: Patients having no experience of “chemotherapy” and higher “social support needs of the spouses” in Model 1, and greater spousal needs of “family psychological issues and social support” in Model 2 were significant predictors of severe anticipatory grief. Medical staff should pay attention to these risk factors that predict anticipatory grief among spouses.
文摘Pancreatitis-associated protein (PAP) was discovered in the pancreatic juice of rats with acute pancreatitis. PAP is a 16 kDa secretory protein structurally related to the C-type lectins although classical lectin-related function has not been reported yet. Then, it was demonstrated that PAP expression may be activated in some tissues in a constitutive or injury- and inflammation-induced manner. More recently, it has been found that PAP acts as an anti-inflammatory factor in vitro and in vivo. PAP expression can be induced by several pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and by itself through a JAK/STAT3-dependent pathway. PAP is able to activate the expression of the anti-inflammatory factor SOCS3 through the JAK/STAT3-dependent pathway. The JAK/STAT3/SOCS3 pathway seems to be a common point between PAP and several cytokines. Therefore, it is reasonable to propose that PAP is a new anti- inflammatory cytokine.
基金supported by the Grant for Research Promotion from Kanazawa Medical University (S2011-11)
文摘OBJECTIVE： Saikokeishito（TJ-10） is a Kampo（traditional Japanese herbal） medicine, clinically used for hundreds of years in East Asia. Among its various mechanisms elucidated so far, TJ-10 inhibits the production of transforming growth factor-β1（TGF-β1） and development of pancreatic fi brosis in vivo. Oxidative damage of normal human dermal fi broblasts（NHDFs） in the corium is a cause of human dermal senescence. Our aim was to determine whether TJ-10 protects NHDFs from premature senescence by hydrogen peroxide（H2O2）. METHODS： Premature senescence was induced in NHDFs by 200 μmol/L H2O2 for 4 h. Cell viability and the expressions of p53, AMP-activated protein kinase α1（AMPKα1）, AMPKα2, and 14-3-3 protein sigma（14-3-3 σ） were measured in NHDFs treated with TJ-10 for 48 h before exposure to H2O2 for 4 h. RESULTS： Cell viability after treatment with 200 μmol/L H2O2 for 4 h was similar（about 80%） to after pre-treatment with TJ-10. Ascorbic acid as a control did not protect NHDFs from damage by 200 μmol/L H2O2. Treatment with 200 μmol/L H2O2 tended to up-regulate p53 and to down-regulate SIRT1 and AMPKα1, but had no effect on AMPKα2 and 14-3-3 σ expression. Pretreatment with TJ-10 inhibited H2O2-induced up-regulation of p53 and enhanced AMPKα1 expression. CONCLUSION： It is suggested that Saikokeishito has a protective effect on oxidative stressinduced senescence of NHDFs.
文摘There had been no standardized rules for citing ethical Kampo products used in clinical trials in journal articles. Although the name of a Kampo manufacturer was described in 77.9% of research articles, the name and ratios of crude drug components of Kampo formulas were not described in 77.5% of these papers. Considering the importance of proper characterization of interventions in the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials （CONSORT） checklist, we hereby propose the use of the Standards of Reporting Kampo Products （STORK） website, http：//mpdb.nibiohn.go.jp/stork, as a reference for Kampo products. This will provide an official source on the internet for verified information on individual Kampo formulations for citation purposes in clinical research articles.
基金supported by the AMED (Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development) under Grant Number JP16lk0310024
文摘Objective: Although the use of complementary and alternative medicine(CAM) by the general population has been surveyed previously, the provision of CAM by Japanese physicians in private clinics has not been studied. Universal health insurance system was established in Japan in 1961, and most CAMs are not on the drug tariff. We aimed to clarify the current status of CAM provided by physicians at private clinics in Japan.Methods: We conducted an internet survey on 400 directors/physicians of private clinics nationwide on the provision of CAM from February 6 to February 10, 2017. Survey items included attributes of subjects,presence/absence of sections or facilities for provision of CAM, proportions of health insurance coverage for medical practices, and source of information. Private clinic was defined as a clinic run by one physician, with less than 20 beds.Results: Commonly provided CAMs were Kampo(traditional Japanese herbal) medicines(34.8%) and supplements/health foods(19.3%). CAMs on the drug tariff were provided in 46.5% of cases at the clinics, but only 16.5% of cases were provided CAMs which were not on the drug tariff, at different neighboring facilities. Among different specialties, Kampo medicines were prescribed at obstetrics/gynecology(54.0%),orthopedics(44.4%), and dermatology(43.0%). Clinics not providing any CAM accounted for 53.5%.With regard to health insurance coverage, 96.8% of the clinics provided only or mainly health services on the universal national health insurance tariff(29.8% and 67.0%, respectively).Conclusion: Kampo medicines represent the most commonly used CAM in private clinics in Japan, and universal national health insurance coverage is considered to be the reason for the high rate of their use.
文摘Traditional Japanese medicine,Kampo,is used by over 80%of medical doctors in Japan.Owing to its high quality and safety,Kampo has been integrated into modern medicine,and there are 345 randomized controlled trials using Kampo in Japan as of 2010.Although there are a number of articles in top journals about basic science research,we can find only small numbers of high-quality clinical evidence.Since undergraduate education on Kampo has been established,integrative approach with the balanced combination of modern medicine and Kampo is expected to generate good clinical evidence in the near future.
