Use of Nonprescription and Prescription Drugs and Drug Information Sources among Breastfeeding Women in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Breastfeeding women may experience various health issues that require medication. This survey aimed to gain insights into the use of nonprescription and prescription drugs by breastfeeding women in Japan. A cross-sectional study involving women with children aged under two years was conducted in Fukuoka, Japan. Nonprescription drugs were used by 26% of participants in the breastfed-only group, 41% in the breastfed more than half the time group, 55% in the formula-fed more than half the time group, and 82% in the formula-fed-only group. We found that when breastfeeding rates decreased, the use of nonprescription drugs increased (p < 0.05, Cochran-Armitage test for trend). There were significant differences in the use of nonprescription cold medicines and oral analgesics between the formula-fed and breastfed groups, but a nonsignificant difference in prescription drugs use between the groups. These results indicated breastfeeding had a significant influence on use of nonprescription drugs, which was not observed with prescription drugs. Breastfeeding women commonly used the Internet to obtain information on both nonprescription and prescription drugs; however, this did not influence medication use.

Adjustment ability and associated factors of outpatients living with cancer.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To clarify the adjustment ability of outpatients with cancer, associated factors and the relationship between adjustment ability and associated factors. DESIGN: Quantitative study. METHODS: Anonymous self-reported questionnaire (adjustment ability scale of outpatients with cancer) responses, patient background information and possible associated factors were collected from 369 cancer outpatients. RESULTS: The mean ± SD adjustment ability score was 110.5 ± 27.2. Several factors were associated with adjustment ability. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General Scale, used to measure quality of life (QOL), was significantly higher in people with an adjustment ability score >95. The factor that was most related to the adjustment ability score was how people think about asking for support from others. The adjustment ability was higher among people who thought, "I should be supported by others for the things I cannot do by myself".

Development of an adjustment ability scale for outpatients with cancer: Verification of its reliability and validity.

AIMS: To develop an adjustment ability scale for outpatients with cancer and to investigate its reliability and validity. DESIGN: Quantitative study. METHODS: A proposed adjustment ability scale was prepared based on scale development guidelines. Its reliability and validity were statistically analysed using data obtained from 369 patients. RESULTS: Six factors were extracted from the factor analysis. Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.95 and the test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.83. A correlation coefficient of .48 was determined between the adjustment ability scale and the Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale (Japanese version), which assesses psychological adaptations via the cognitive-behavioural responses of patients with cancer. The correlation coefficient between the scale and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (Japanese version 4), which measures quality of life among patients with cancer, was 0.15.

Diagnosis and management of Enterococcus spp infections during rehabilitation of cold-stunned Kemp's ridley turtles (Lepidochelys kempii): 50 cases (2006-2012).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical data for cold-stunned Kemp's ridley turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) with Enterococcus spp infections during rehabilitation. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 50 stranded cold-stunned Kemp's ridley turtles hospitalized between 2006 and 2012. PROCEDURES: Medical records for turtles from which Enterococcus spp were isolated were reviewed retrospectively, and clinical data, including morphometric data, body temperature at admission, physical examination findings, antimicrobial medication history, history of medications administered IV, environmental data, day of diagnosis, clinical signs at diagnosis, microbiological testing results, sources of positive culture results, hematologic and plasma biochemical data, cytologic and histopathologic results, radiographic findings, antimicrobial treatments, time to first negative culture result, treatment duration, results of subsequent cultures, and case outcome, were collated and analyzed. RESULTS: Enterococcus spp were isolated from bacteriologic cultures of blood, bone, joint, and respiratory tract samples and a skin lesion, with supporting evidence of infection provided by histopathologic, cytologic, and radiographic data. Positive culture results were associated with clinical problems such as lethargy, anorexia, and lameness. Most (34/43 [79%]) turtles for which an antemortem diagnosis was made survived with treatment and were released into the wild. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cold-stunned Kemp's ridley turtles may be affected by serious Enterococcus spp infections during rehabilitation. Recognition and treatment of these infections are important for successful rehabilitation.

Allergic contact dermatitis from carmine in cosmetic blush.

Although there are many reported cases of immediate allergy after ingestion of foods containing cochineal, there are few reports of allergic contact dermatitis from carmine. We present a rare case of allergic contact dermatitis due to carmine. A 52-year-old female presented with an itchy erythema on her cheeks at the site where blush had been applied. Patch-tested with her cosmetics, she showed a positive reaction to the blush (30% in petrolatum) and to 0.2% (but not 0.1%) carmine in petrolatum. In this case, the optimum patch-test concentration of carmine was 0.2% in petrolatum.

Cutaneous Malassezia microbiota in atopic dermatitis patients differ by gender and body part.

BACKGROUND: Malassezia is a particularly important factor in the occurrence of atopic dermatitis (AD). AIM: The aim of this study was to quantitatively clarify the Malassezia species isolated from AD patients by gender, body part and analytical method in detail. METHODS: The subjects were 20 AD males and 47 AD females. Samples were collected from lesion and nonlesion areas on the face and upper trunk of AD patients. Malassezia DNA was analyzed using a real-time PCR system. RESULTS: The cutaneous Malassezia microbiota in AD patients differed by gender, body part and analytical method. CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate the possibility that the influence of Malassezia antigens is different according to gender and body part.

Cutaneous Malassezia microbiota of healthy subjects differ by sex, body part and season.

Malassezia is a component of normal cutaneous resident microbiota. The aim of this study was to quantitatively clarify the differences in cutaneous Malassezia microbiota in healthy subjects by sex, body part and season. Samples were collected from the forehead, cheek, upper chest and upper back of 20 healthy men and 20 healthy women (average age 32 years) in summer and winter by the swab method. Malassezia DNA was analyzed using a real-time PCR system. As a result, in sex, body parts and season, men, the upper trunk and summer showed the highest total numbers of cutaneous Malassezia species on average. There were also differences depending on the analytical method. The predominant species were M. restricta on the face of men, M. globosa and M. dermatis on the upper trunk of men, and M. globosa and M. sympodialis on the upper trunk of women. This study clarified that the cutaneous Malassezia microbiota of healthy subjects differed by sex, body part and season.

Malassezia folliculitis is caused by cutaneous resident Malassezia species.

Malassezia folliculitis [MF] is caused by the invasion of hair follicles by large numbers of Malassezia cells, but it remains unclear which Malassezia species are involved in the disease. To clarify this situation, Malassezia species isolated from lesions of MF patients were analyzed by both culture and non-culture methods. In addition, Malassezia species recovered from the non-lesion areas of the skin of MF patients and skin samples of healthy subjects were included in this study. The test population consisted of 32 MF patients and 40 healthy individuals. The lesions were obtained using a comedone extractor, while swabs were employed to obtain skin samples from non-lesion areas of the patients and healthy subjects. Malassezia DNA was analyzed using a real-time PCR technique. The detection limit of the culture method was 5 CFU/cm(2) as opposes 50 cells/cm(2) with non-culture procedures. The predominant species recovered from MF lesions were M. globosa and M. sympodialis by culture method analysis, and M. restricta, M. globosa, and M. sympodialis with non-culture methods. These results were in agreement with those found with samples from non-lesion skin areas of MF patients and healthy subjects. This study clarified that MF is caused by Malassezia species that are part of the cutaneous microflora and not by exogenous species.

[A malignant lymphoma of the testis relapsed in the contralateral scrotal skin after the radiation therapy: a case report].

A 71-year-old man was admitted with a swelling of the left scrotum where Galium scintigraphy was positive. He had a history of malignant lymphoma of the right testis and had undergone an orchitectomy, with adjuvant CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, predonisolone) chemotherapy and radiotherapy to the post-orchitectomy site and opposite testis. An open biopsy of his scrotum and left testis revealed relapse of the malignant lymphoma in the left scrotal skin.

Phase I/II trial of sequential chemoradiotherapy using a novel hypoxic cell radiosensitizer, doranidazole (PR-350), in patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung Cancer (WJTOG-0002).

PURPOSE: This Phase I/II trial was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of PR-350, a novel hypoxic cell radiosensitizer, when administered with thoracic radiation therapy (RT) after induction chemotherapy (CT) for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Two cycles of cisplatin (80 mg/m(2)) and paclitaxel (180 mg/m(2)), or carboplatin (AUC = 6) and paclitaxel (200 mg/m(2)) were given before RT of 60 Gy in 30 fractions. In the Phase I portion, the starting dosage of PR-350 was 10 daily administrations (2000 mg/m(2)) in combination with RT, and this number was increased in increments of 10 for successive groups to 30 doses. RESULTS: In total, 37 patients were enrolled. In Phase I (n = 20), PR-350 could be administered 30 times with concurrent thoracic RT. Thus, in Phase II (n = 17), PR-350 was administered 30 times. The major toxicity was radiation pneumonitis, with Grade 3 or more pneumonitis noted in 6 patients (16%) including 2 with treatment-related deaths. However, no Grade 3 or more esophageal toxicity was noted, and only Grade 1 peripheral neuropathy was noted in 9 patients (24%). For all 37 patients, the median survival time (MST) and the 2-year survival rate were 15.9 months and 24%, respectively. For 18 patients receiving 21 to 30 doses of PR-350, the MST and 2-year survival rate were 20.9 months and 33%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic RT combined with 30 daily administrations of PR-350 after induction CT was well tolerated and promising for locally advanced NSCLC.

Postoperative complications after induction chemoradiotherapy in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the risks of postoperative complications in 124 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer who received pre-operative induction chemoradiotherapy and surgery. METHODS: All patients with non-small-cell lung cancer who underwent surgery after induction therapy between January 1990 and December 2003 were reviewed. We adopted univariate and multiple logistic regression models to identify predictors that increased the incidence of postoperative complications. RESULTS: Of 124 patients, 59 received carboplatin and docetaxel, 53 received cisplatin and etoposide, and 12 received other platinum-based combinations. Pre-operative thoracic radiotherapy was performed concurrently with chemotherapy. The median dose to the primary tumor was 40 Gy, and 29 patients (23.4%) received radiotherapy of more than 45 Gy before surgery. There were 25 pneumonectomies (20.2%). The overall postoperative mortality was 9 of 124 patients (7.3%), and complications developed in 54 patients (43.5%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only thoracic radiotherapy of more than 45 Gy predicted postoperative complications (P = 0.021; odds ratio, 3.620; 95% confidence interval, 1.214-10.797). CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic radiotherapy of more than 45 Gy, in combination with chemotherapy, was a significant risk factor for postoperative complications.

Fish drug analysis--Phish-Pharm: a searchable database of pharmacokinetics data in fish.

Information about drug residues and pharmacokinetic parameters in aquatic species is relatively sparse. In addition, it is difficult to rapidly compare data between studies due to differences in experimental conditions, such as water temperatures and salinity. To facilitate the study of aquatic species drug metabolism, we constructed a Fish Drug/Chemical Analysis Phish-Pharm (FDA-PP) database. This database consists of more than 400 articles that include data from 90 species (64 genera) of fish. Data fields include genus, species, water temperatures, the average animal weight, sample types analyzed, drug (or chemical) name, dosage, route of administration, metabolites identified, method of analysis, protein binding, clearance, volume of distribution in a central compartment (Vc) or volume of distribution at steady-state (Vd), and drug half-lives (t((1/2))). Additional fields list the citation, authors, title, and Internet links. The document will be periodically updated, and users are invited to submit additional data. Updates will be announced in future issues of The AAPS Journal. This database will be a valuable resource to investigators of drug metabolism in aquatic species as well as government and private organizations involved in the drug approval process for aquatic species.

Prevalence of Salmonella and E. coli, and their resistance to antimicrobial agents, in farming communities in northern Thailand.

A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted in Chiang Mai, Thailand, to determine the prevalence of Salmonella and Escherichia coli in swine, broiler chickens and human workers from farms and abattoirs in northern Thailand, and compare their antimicrobial resistance profiles. Fecal samples and cloacal swabs were collected from 150 swine and 150 chickens at the farm. Fecal samples from swine, cloacal swabs from chickens, and carcass swabs from both animals were collected from 100 swine and 100 chickens at the abattoir. Stool samples were collected from 15 swine farm workers and seven chicken farm workers. Primary isolation and identification of Salmonella and E. coli were conducted using standard methods. In vitro susceptibility testing of Salmonella and E. coli was conducted using the broth microdilution method, based on the United States National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) guidelines. The prevalence of Salmonella from swine and chicken samples ranged from 2% to 25%. The prevalence of E. coli in chickens and swine ranged from 36.8% to 47.6%. In humans, the prevalence of Salmonella was 15%, and the prevalence of E. coli ranged from 51% to 53%. Resistance in Salmonella was found for tetracycline (84.7%), nalidixic acid (27.1%), florfenicol (18.6%), ampicillin (13.6%), and ceftiofur (3.4%), and in E. coli for tetracycline (91.5%), nalidixic acid (67.4%), ampicillin (61.6%), florfenicol (51.8%), enrofloxacin (28.7%), ciprofloxacin (12.5%), ceftiofur (4.9%) and ceftriaxone (1.5%).