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A nudging intervention study targeting vegetable intake in a university cafeteria in Japan
No full textNudging interventions are behavioral economic strategies that aim to influence decision-making by (re)designing the environment. Numerous studies have explored the use of nudging to promote healthier food choices; however, most have been conducted in Europe or North America. This study implemented nudging interventions aimed at increasing vegetable consumption, focusing on fukusai (Japanese side dishes), in a university cafeteria in Japan. Two distinct nudging strategies were implemented using paper tray sheets with different designs over a 5-week period. The week-2 tray sheet guided food placement according to traditional Japanese dining etiquette, emphasizing the designated area for side dishes. The week-4 tray sheet provided information on inadequate vegetable intake among young adults and recommended specific vegetable side dishes. The week-2 intervention led to a slight increase in side-dish sales, although the effect was not statistically significant. Unexpectedly, the week-4 intervention resulted in a significant decline in side-dish sales. Several factors may have contributed to the interventions' limited effectiveness, including the short duration of each intervention phase, the already-high baseline consumption of side dishes, and possible resistance to the persuasive messaging used in week 4. These findings highlight the importance of avoiding directive or persuasive messaging, which may have unintended negative effects. Our results contribute to the growing literature on cafeteria-based interventions among various countries and cross-cultural differences.Food Quality and Preference, 132, art. no. 105582; 2025journal articl
Effects of Moringa oleifera-based pre-coagulation and hydraulic flushing on the reduction of submerged nanofiltration membrane fouling
Get PDFMembrane fouling is challenging for the direct nanofiltration (NF) treatment of surface water when pre-filtration is not performed. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of pre-coagulation using a natural coagulant, Moringa oleifera (MO), and hydraulic flushing to reduce membrane fouling during submerged NF treatment of dam water. MO-based coagulation considerably reduced turbidity from 8–12 to 1–2 NTU. However, the transmembrane pressure (TMP) of submerged NF treatments with and without pre-coagulation typically increases over time, indicating that turbid substances were not the major contributors to hydraulic resistance during submerged NF treatment. Hydraulic flushing, simulated by pouring water onto the surface of the membrane in the laboratory, resulted in near-full recovery of TMPs. Regardless of pre-coagulation, dissolved organic carbon concentrations in the permeate were comparable, dropping from 1.2 mg/L in the dam water to 0.4 mg/L in the permeates. Bacteria were deposited on the surface of the NF membrane when pre-coagulation was applied. This suggests the potential for biofouling during long-term operation. This study highlights the potential of MO-based pre-coagulation for fouling mitigation of submerged NF membranes when used with hydraulic flushing, but warns that residual biopolymers or high microorganism concentrations may offset the reduction in membrane fouling during long-term operations.Desalination and Water Treatment, 323, art. no. 101249; 2025journal articl
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in a tertiary hospital in Tanzania: a single-centre observational study
Get PDFBackground: A wide inequality exists between high- and low-income countries in the outcome of paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). At a tertiary-level hospital in Tanzania, multidimensional approaches have been taken to improve cancer care for children. This study aimed to update the outcomes of paediatric ALL at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Tanzania from 2016 to 2020. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of children who were treated with modified UKALL2003 protocol at MNH from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020. We used the Cox proportional hazards model to estimate the effect of each prognostic factor on event-free survival (EFS). Results: We identified 202 patients who had confirmatory diagnoses of ALL and initiated treatment at MNH. Fifty-two patients (26%, 52/202) died (n = 47) or abandoned treatment (n = 5) before the end of remission induction. The main causes of death during this period were infections and bleeding complications. The median EFS was 9 months and 2-year EFS was 36%. Oedema, non-early rapid responder, and non-remission were associated with short EFS in the multivariable analysis. Conclusions: The number of new paediatric ALL admissions at MNH has doubled in the past decade. The prevention of early deaths is critical to improve the long-term survival of paediatric ALL in Tanzania.Tropical Medicine and Health, 53(1), art. no. 76; 2025journal articl
Enhancing systemic lupus erythematosus treatment outcomes with an early initiation of belimumab: insights from a multicenter retrospective study within the first five years
Get PDFBackground: The human monoclonal antibody belimumab (BEL) has emerged as a promising treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), particularly for reducing the need for glucocorticoids and minimizing organ damage. The optimal timing of BEL initiation has been unclear; emerging evidence suggests that early intervention with BEL, particularly within the first 5 years of diagnosis, may yield better outcomes by modulating disease progression and reducing flare frequency. Understanding the relationship between disease duration and BEL efficacy is essential for the development of tailored strategies. Patients and methods: We analyzed patients with SLE treated at our hospital and associated facilities who were diagnosed according to the 1997 ACR or 2012 SLICC criteria and who began BEL treatment between December 2017 and August 2021. Patients who were followed for ≥ 12 months after BEL initiation were included. We investigated the changes in the patients' Safety of Estrogens in Lupus National Assessment–Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SELENA-SLEDAI) scores at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the introduction of BEL, comparing patients with disease durations ≤ 5 years to those with > 5 years. A mixed-effects model was adjusted for the patients' ages, prednisolone dosages, initial SELENA-SLEDAI scores, Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) damage index (SDI), hydroxychloroquine use, and lupus nephritis. Clinical manifestations including arthritis, skin lesions, and hematological abnormalities were monitored to assess the broader impacts of BEL. Results: One hundred eleven patients were initially registered; among them, 97 patients were included in the final analysis. The study population (mean age, 41 years; mean SELENA-SLEDAI, 7 points; 51% using hydroxychloroquine) included 19 patients with a ≤ 5-year SLE duration and 78 with SLE durations > 5 years. The baseline SELENA-SLEDAI scores were higher in the ≤ 5-year group (p = 0.047), indicating more active disease. Patients with ≤ 5 years of disease had significantly greater improvements in SELENA-SLEDAI scores at 6, 9, and 12 months (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These results highlight the importance of early BEL initiation in SLE, demonstrating that patients with shorter disease durations achieve more substantial improvements in disease activity with early BEL treatment. Our findings also reveal the potential benefits of early BEL intervention and suggest that incorporating the disease duration into treatment decisions may optimize patient outcomes.Arthritis Research and Therapy, 27(1), art. no. 116; 2025journal articl
Change in Vancomycin Absorption after Intraperitoneal Injection and Correlation between Intraperitoneal Vancomycin Absorption and Peritoneal Equilibration Test Score in Mice with Peritoneal Injuries
Get PDFNagasaki University (長崎大学)博士(薬学)Peritonitis is a serious complication in peritoneal dialysis patients and requires antibiotic administration. Intraperitoneal vancomycin is an empiric therapy for peritonitis caused by Gram-positive cocci; however, there is no way to predict vancomycin absorption after intraperitoneal administration. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the changes in vancomycin absorption after intraperitoneal injection into mice with chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) induced peritoneal injuries. Additionally, we examined the correlation between intraperitoneal vancomycin absorption and peritoneal equilibration test (PET) score. PET score was determined using glucose concentration in the peritoneal dialysis fluid at each dwell time (Dt) and D2 (2 h of dwell time)/D0 (0 h of dwell time) glucose ratio. Vancomycin was injected into the peritoneal cavity of mice, blood was collected after 1–8 h, and peritoneal fluid was recovered. The residual ratio of intraperitoneal vancomycin was significantly decreased in the CG group at all time points compared to that in the vehicle group. CG group significantly exhibited higher serum vancomycin concentrations than the vehicle group, and the maximum serum concentration increased depending on CG concentration, with 0.05 and 0.1% CG groups showing 3.9- and 6.1-times higher vancomycin concentrations, respectively, than the vehicle group. A significant correlation was observed between the Dt/D0 glucose ratios and residual vancomycin ratios in the peritoneal fluid 2 or 6 h after intraperitoneal injection. A good correlation was observed between the D2/D0 glucose and residual vancomycin ratios 6 h after intraperitoneal vancomycin injection. Thus, PET score can predict residual intraperitoneal vancomycin, aiding in dosing decisions.長崎大学学位論文 学位記番号:博(医歯薬)甲第1669号 学位授与年月日:令和7年3月5日Author: Akihiro Moritsuka, Hirotaka Miyamoto, Yukina Takahashi, Haruna Hirata, Yuki Kawauchi, Shintaro Fumoto, and Koyo NishidaCitation: Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 48(1), pp.80-85; 2025Nagasaki University (長崎大学), 博士(薬学) (2025-03-05)doctoral thesi
Reorganization of female dominance relations after group fission of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) in Arashiyama based on Kawamura’s principles
No full textIn 1986, Japanese macaques of the Arashiyama B group fissioned, with high-ranking females forming the dominant E group and the middle- and low-ranking females forming the subordinate F group (Suzuki et al. in Primates 64:79–90. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-022-01024-x, 2023). In 1988, we recorded the dominant–subordinate interactions among adult females in both groups and analyzed them to clarify how they reorganized their dominance relations. The two groups showed contrasting results. Two years after group fission, the past dominance relations among female kin-groups had been largely maintained in E group, whereas the dominance relations among females in F group had been significantly reorganized, with the females from some kin-groups dispersing into various rank positions within the group. In both the E and F groups, the kin-related dyads within the 2nd degree of maternal relatedness (consanguinity) (r ≥ 0.25) tended to follow Kawamura’s principles (Kawamura in Primates 1:149–156, 1958), but a considerable number of dyads did not. Such deviations from the principles seemed to derive from multiple factors: past rank reversals between the mothers and daughters, social influences from high-ranking males, and changes in the membership of kin-related females following group fission; for example, disappearances of or separations from mothers. Once rank changes were fixed, however, the relations of the newly emerged mother-daughter and sister dyads again reflected Kawamura’s principles.Primates (2025), https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-025-01197-1journal articl
長崎県におけるムクゲチビコマツモムシの初記録
Get PDFAnisops elstoni Brooks, 1951 was recorded for the first time from Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. In this prefecture, A. ex-iguus Horvath, 1919, which is similar to A. elstoni have been recorded. Therefore, it is necessary to becaution in future identification.長崎県生物学会誌, 96, pp.39-40; 2025journal articl
Dengue Infections Among Household Contacts of Symptomatic Index Cases: Implications for Community-Based Intervention Studies
Get PDFBackground: Dengue is a global health concern, with half of the world’s population at risk and no antiviral treatment available. This Phase 0 study investigated dengue infections among household contacts (HHCs) of dengue index cases (ICs) and assessed the feasibility of conducting a Phase 2 trial for a novel antiviral. Methods: Participants were enrolled in Nha Trang, Vietnam, from April 2022 to February 2023. Dengue ICs were identified within 72 h of fever onset, and their healthy adult HHCs enrolled within 48 h. Blood samples and questionnaires were collected bi-weekly for four weeks, with a follow-up visit on day 40. DENV RT-qPCR, NS1, and anti-DENV IgM/IgG ELISAs were performed. Results: Overall, 130 dengue ICs and 301 HHCs were enrolled, with 91.7% (276/301) completing all follow-up visits. Baseline anti-DENV IgG showed prior dengue infections in 262/301 HHCs (87.0%). Fifty HHCs were excluded from the HHC infection analysis based on evidence of a DENV infection (viral load [VL], NS1, IgM, and IgG results) at enrollment. During follow-up, 2.0% of HHCs (5/251) had DENV infections based on virological parameters (DENV RNA and/or NS1 positivity), and anti-DENV IgG/IgM seroconversion was detected in 7.2% (18/251). Conclusions: This study demonstrated the operational feasibility of a dengue IC-HHC design for a Phase 2 trial.Viruses, 17(6), art. no. 859; 2025journal articl
Radiation Risk Perception of the Residents Who Provided Land for the Interim Storage Facilities in Okuma and Futaba Towns Adjacent to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
Get PDFTo reduce environmental contamination following the release of various radionuclides during the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, the Japanese government has continued decontamination work and decided to use interim storage facilities (ISFs) in the towns of Okuma and Futaba to house large quantities of contaminated soil and waste until their final disposal. This study aims to clarify whether there are differences in the acceptance of removed soil for recycling between people who provided land for ISFs and those who do not. Furthermore, we analyzed the risk perception of the radiation effects on offspring, trust in information from public authorities, and intention to return to their hometown. A questionnaire survey was conducted at Okuma and Futaba town homes in the ISF area. Compared with those who did not provide land to the ISFs (n = 538, 68.0%), people who provided land (n = 141, 77.9%) responded that they were accepting the building of the ISFs (p = 0.018). Meanwhile, approximately half of the respondents were “unable to decide” concerning the recycling of removed soil in their current region of residence regardless of whether the land provided or not. Similarly, there were no significant differences between the groups regarding radiation risk perceptions of the offspring effects on residents and intention to return, or whether to provide land to the ISFs. The study suggests that it is important to continue radiation risk communication to determine whether people have provided land to the ISFs.Applied Sciences, 15(12), art. no. 6645; 2025journal articl
Preparation of Polystyrene Nanoparticles with Environmental Relevance Using a Gradual Degradation Method
Get PDFThis study investigates the environmental degradation of polystyrene (PS) microparticles and flakes using a gradual degradation method. The concentration of SO4•− decreased exponentially, simulating the environmental conditions. The nanofragment size of PS particles evolved dynamically, fluctuating from below 250 nm at 3 days to 300–500 nm at 6 days, then forming two peaks below 200 nm at 9 days, before shifting to a single peak below 100 nm at 12 days. At 15 days, the distribution expanded to two peaks between 500 nm and 200 nm. The polydispersity index (PDI) varied unpredictably, and fragments below 100 nm fluctuated between 10 and 50 nm independent of time. SEM analysis revealed an initial peeling process, with the outermost layer peeling off. The core size of the PS particles decreased rapidly from 11,000 nm to 2500 nm within 6 days and stabilized at 1000 nm after 9 days. The PS flakes showed minimal shape change until 24 days, but surface roughness increased by 30 days, leading to fragmentation. By 42 days, the flakes partially broke into ca. 100 μm pieces. The initial morphology significantly influenced the breakdown pattern, suggesting multiple breakdown mechanisms other than peeling.Polymers, 17(12), art. no. 1715; 2025journal articl