Effect of the Administration of Cordyceps militaris Mycelium Extract on Blood Markers for Anemia in Long-Distance Runners.

In the present study, we conducted a placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group comparison trial in which an extract of Cordyceps militaris (CM) mycelium was administered to long-distance runners for 16 weeks during the pre-season training period and blood test markers for anemia were investigated. The results indicated that the change rates of serum ferritin levels were moderately increased in the CM group (n = 11) but decreased in the placebo group (n = 11) during the study period, and the levels were significantly increased in the CM group compared with those in the placebo group at 4 weeks and 8 weeks after the test food intake (p < 0.05). Moreover, the change rates of hemoglobin and hematocrit were significantly increased in the CM group compared with those in the placebo group at 8 weeks after the test food intake (p < 0.05). These observations suggest that the intake of test food containing Cordyceps militaris mycelium extract is expected to effectively maintain the hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in long-distance runners, possibly via the suppression of the decrease in iron storage, which is reflected by serum ferritin, during pre-season training. Furthermore, the levels of creatine kinase were increased above the normal range in both the placebo and CM groups at registration. Interestingly, the creatine kinase levels were significantly decreased in the CM group compared with those in the placebo group at 16 weeks after the test food intake (p < 0.05). These results suggest that Cordyceps militaris mycelium extract exhibits a protective action on the muscle damage observed in long-distance runners and may suppress muscle injury. Together, these observations suggest that Cordyceps militaris mycelium extract exhibits an improving effect on the markers for not only anemia, but also muscle injury in long-distance runners during pre-season training.

Neural and Genetic Correlates of the Social Sharing of Happiness.

Happiness is regarded as one of the most fundamental human goals. Given recent reports that positive feelings are contagious (e.g., the presence of a happy person enhances others' happiness) because of the human ability to empathize (i.e., sharing emotions), empathic ability may be a key factor in increasing one's own subjective level of happiness. Based on previous studies indicating that a single nucleotide polymorphism in the serotonin 2A receptor gene [HTR2A rs6311 guanine (G) vs. adenine (A)] is associated with sensitivity to emotional stimuli and several mental disorders such as depression, we predicted that the polymorphism might be associated with the effect of sharing happiness. To elucidate the neural and genetic correlates of the effect of sharing happiness, we first performed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a "happy feelings" evocation task (emotional event imagination task), during which we manipulated the valence of the imagined event (positive, neutral, or negative), as well as the presence of a friend experiencing a positive-valence event (presence or absence). We recruited young adult women for this fMRI study because empathic ability may be higher in women than in men. Participants felt happier (p < 0.01) and the mentalizing/theory-of-mind network, which spans the medial prefrontal cortex, temporoparietal junction, temporal poles, and precuneus, was significantly more active (p < 0.05) in the presence condition than in the absence condition regardless of event valence. Moreover, participants with the GG (p < 0.01) and AG (p < 0.05) genotypes of HTR2A experienced happier feelings as well as greater activation of a part of the mentalizing/theory-of-mind network (p < 0.05) during empathy for happiness (neutral/presence condition) than those with the AA genotype. In a follow-up study with a vignette-based questionnaire conducted in a relatively large sample, male and female participants were presented with the same imagined events wherein their valence and the presence of a friend were manipulated. Results showed genetic differences in happiness-related empathy regardless of sex (p < 0.05). Findings suggest that HTR2A polymorphisms are associated with the effect of sharing happiness by modulating the activity of the mentalizing/theory-of-mind network.

Preconceptional exposure to oral contraceptive pills and the risk of wheeze, asthma and rhinitis in children.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of maternal oral contraceptive pills (OCP) use and that of childhood asthma are high in western countries. The aim of this study is to examine the association of OCP use with childhood wheeze and allergic diseases in Japan. METHODS: Relevant data were extracted from a hospital based birth cohort study named as Tokyo-Children's Health, Illness and Development Study (T-CHILD) of which questionnaire conducted during pregnancy included maternal history and duration of OCP use. To identify wheeze and allergic diseases in the children, the questionnaire of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) was used. Logistic regression models were applied to estimate those association and adjustments were made for maternal history of allergy, maternal education level, maternal age at pregnancy, maternal BMI, maternal smoking during pregnancy, mode of delivery, gestational age at delivery, daycare attendance, number of previous live births, and gender of child. RESULTS: OCP use was associated with ever wheeze (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-2.40), current wheeze (aOR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.01-2.50), ever asthma (aOR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.02-2.65), and ever rhinitis (aOR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.30-2.80). Compared with no prior OCP use, using OCP for more than three months statistically increased the odds of ever wheeze (P = 0.012), current wheeze (P = 0.035), and ever rhinitis (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that maternal OCP use has a role in the development of wheeze, asthma and rhinitis in children. Extended use of OCP is likely to increase the risk of wheeze and rhinitis.

The association among ferruginous body, uncoated fibers, asbestos and non-asbestos fibers in lung tissue in terms of length.

To demonstrate the correlations between the concentrations of ferruginous body as well as uncoated fiber both of which can be observed with phase-contrast microscope and the concentration of various inorganic fibers including asbestos which requires the observation with TEM or SEM, we measured those indices among Japanese and Korean cases. Though the concentration of ferruginous body in lung tissue is an important index of asbestos exposure, uncoated fibers observed with phase-contrast microscope might be another index especially in such cases with relatively low exposure due to their history of living in a general environment. However, to establish the reliability of uncoated fibers as an index of asbestos exposure, analysis with more cases and from various backgrounds must be carried out.

Enteral nutrition for maintaining remission in patients with quiescent Crohn's disease: current status and future perspectives.

PURPOSE: The value of enteral nutrition (EN) as maintenance therapy in patients with quiescent Crohn's disease (CD) has not been fully evaluated. The purpose of this study was to review the efficacy of EN for the maintenance of remission in patients with quiescent CD. METHODS: Seven prospective cohort studies evaluating the efficacy of EN for the maintenance of remission in quiescent CD were included. Three of the seven studies were randomized-controlled trials (RCTs). In all studies, patients used EN as a supplement or as a nocturnal tube feeding in addition to their normal food. RESULTS: One study compared the efficacy of elemental diet and polymeric diet. Elemental and polymeric diets were equally effective for the maintenance of clinical remission and for allowing tapering and cessation of steroid therapy. The other six studies compared the outcomes between patients treated with and without EN. The maintained clinical remission rate at 1 year was significantly higher in patients treated with EN in four of the six studies. Quantitative pooling of the studies was not feasible due to a small number of RCTs and a narrative account of the study characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Our review suggests that EN is useful for the maintenance of remission in patients with quiescent CD. However, there are several limitations in the reviewed studies. There are few RCTs. Further, the sample size is small, and the duration of intervention and follow-up is short. Large and well-designed RCTs should be conducted to rigorously evaluate the efficacy of EN for maintaining remission.

Relieving pain and distress during venipuncture: Pilot study of the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS).

Pain management for needle-related procedures is poor in Japan. In many countries the use of lidocaine/prilocaine cream for the relief of pain associated with venipuncture has been approved. In children, a psychological approach has also been shown to be effective in reducing pain with venipuncture. We developed a multidisciplinary procedure that combines a cream (2.5% lidocaine and 2.5% prilocaine) and pharmacological approaches such as preparation, education, positioning and distraction. We evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of the procedure for young children. Among 132 pediatric participants, 58.3% did not cry during venipuncture. According to caregiver questionnaire, 71.9% felt that the multidisciplinary procedure eliminated the fear of needle-related procedures in the children; 90.9% were satisfied with it and 75.8% thought it should be applied to all children undergoing venipuncture. The present results suggest that the multidisciplinary procedure is feasible, acceptable and suitable for use in children undergoing venipuncture.

Caregivers of children with no food allergy--their experiences and perception of food allergy.

BACKGROUND: Food allergy (FA) is one of the most important health issues in schoolchildren. Although one of the most common places where pediatric anaphylaxis occurs is the home of a peer, the perception and experiences of caregivers who do not have a child with FA are unclear. METHODS: An anonymous paper-based questionnaire was distributed to caregivers of FA children (FA caregivers) in the National Center for Child Health and Development and caregivers of non-FA children (non-FA caregivers) in public school in Tokyo. We examined the perception and experiences of FA among three groups: Group 1, non-FA caregiver who had not witnessed adverse reactions and near-miss events related to FA; Group 2, non-FA caregivers who had witnessed adverse reactions and near-miss events related to FA; and Group 3, caregivers who had a child with FA. RESULTS: Epinephrine auto-injector was recognized by 43.6% non-FA caregivers. Only 2.8% of non-FA caregivers had experienced a child being bullied, harassed, or refused by a school because of FA. There were more caregivers in Group 2 who thought they could take the appropriate action if they witnessed a child with adverse response to causal food than in Group 1 (p < 0.05). All groups felt anxious over adverse events related to FA. CONCLUSION: The experiences and perception of FA were lacking among non-FA caregivers. Therefore, it is also important to provide FA education for non-FA caregivers to improve the quality of life of FA children.

Chronic Pain in the Japanese Community--Prevalence, Characteristics and Impact on Quality of Life.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is recognized as a public health problem that affects the general population physically, psychologically, and socially. However, there is little knowledge about the associated factors of chronic pain, such as the influence of weather, family structure, daily exercise, and work status. OBJECTIVES: This survey had three aims: 1) to estimate the prevalence of chronic pain in Japan, 2) to analyze these associated factors, and 3) to evaluate the social burden due to chronic pain. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional postal survey in a sample of 6000 adults aged ≥20 years. The response rate was 43.8%. RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 57.7 years (range 20-99 years); 39.3% met the criteria for chronic pain (lasting ≥3 months). Approximately a quarter of the respondents reported that their chronic pain was adversely influenced by bad weather and also oncoming bad weather. Risk factors for chronic pain, as determined by a logistic regression model, included being an older female, being unemployed, living alone, and no daily exercise. Individuals with chronic pain showed significantly lower quality of life and significantly higher psychological distress scores than those without chronic pain. The mean annual duration of absence from work of working-age respondents was 9.6 days (range 1-365 days). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed that high prevalence and severity of chronic pain, associated factors, and significant impact on quality of life in the adult Japanese population. A detailed understanding of factors associated with chronic pain is essential for establishing a management strategy for primary care.

Inverse association of des-acyl ghrelin with worksite blood pressure in overweight/obese male workers.

BACKGROUND: Job strain, defined as a combination of high job demands and low job control, has been reported to elevate blood pressure (BP) during work. Meanwhile, a recent experimental study showed that ghrelin blunted the BP response to such mental stress. In the present study, we examined the hypothesis that des-acyl ghrelin may have some beneficial effects on worksite BP through modulating the BP response to work-related mental stress, i.e., job strain. METHODS: Subjects were 34 overweight/obese male day-shift workers (mean age 41.7 ± 6.7 years). No subjects had received any anti-hypertensive medication. A 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring was recorded every 30 min on a regular working day. The average BP was calculated for Work BP, Morning BP, and Home BP. Job strain was assessed using the short version of the Japanese Job Content Questionnaire. RESULTS: Des-acyl ghrelin showed significant inverse correlations with almost all BPs except Morning SBP, Morning DBP, and Home DBP. In multiple regression analysis, des-acyl ghrelin inversely correlated with Work SBP after adjusting for confounding factors. Des-acyl ghrelin was also negatively associated with BP changes from Sleep to Morning, Sleep to Work, and Sleep to Home. CONCLUSIONS: Des-acyl ghrelin was inversely associated with Worksite BP, suggesting a unique beneficial effect of des-acyl ghrelin on Worksite BP in overweight/obese male day-shift workers.

Psychosocial factors are preventive against coronary events in Japanese men with coronary artery disease: The Eastern Collaborative Group Study 7.7-year follow-up experience.

BACKGROUND: The Japanese Coronary-prone Behaviour Scale (JCBS) is a questionnaire developed by the Eastern Collaborative Group Study (ECGS), a multi-centre study of coronary-prone behaviour among Japanese men. Subscale C of the JCBS consists of 9 items that have been independently associated with the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG). There have been no reports of a relationship between any behavioural factor and the prognosis of CAD in Japan. The purpose of the current study was to investigate behavioural correlations with the prognosis of CAD as a part of the ECGS. METHODS: We examined the mortality and coronary events of 201 men (58 ± 10, 27-86 years) enrolled in the ECGS from 1990 to 1995, who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography and were administered the JCBS and the Japanese version of the Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS) Form C. Their health information after CAG was determined by a review of their medical records and by telephone interviews that took place from 2002 to 2003. RESULTS: Cardiac events during the follow-up period (7.7 ± 4.2 years) included 13 deaths from CAD, 25 cases of new-onset myocardial infarction, 26 cases of percutaneous coronary intervention, and 19 cases of coronary artery bypass graft surgery. There was no difference in established risk factors between groups with and without cardiac events. Seven factors were extracted by principal component analysis in order to clarify which factors were measured by the JCBS. Stepwise multivariate Cox-hazard regression analysis, in which 9 standard coronary risk factors were forced into the model, showed that Factor 4 from the JCBS (namely, the Japanese spirit of 'Wa') was independently associated with coronary events (hazard ratio: 0.21; p = 0.01). By other Cox-hazards regression analyses of coronary events using each set of JAS scores and the JCBS Scale C score instead of Factor 4 as selectable variables, the JAS scores or the JCBS Scale C score were not entered into the models. CONCLUSION: The Japanese spirit of 'Wa' is a preventive factor against coronary events for Japanese men with CAD.

Expression of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) by human dermal cells, but not epidermal keratinocytes.

BACKGROUND: Serum levels of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) have served as a reliable biomarker of disease progression of atopic dermatitis (AD). However, it remains to be scientifically explained why serum TARC levels correlate well with the degree of AD progression. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that dermal cells, but not epidermal keratinocytes, are major cellular sources of TARC and thus responsible for subclinical skin inflammation. This study aimed to identify the skin cells that can produce TARC protein. METHODS: Primary normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK), dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-dBl) and dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) were stimulated with TNF-α and IL-4, alone and in combination. TARC mRNA and protein levels were quantified by qPCR and ELISA, respectively. We also investigated the effects of such immunosuppressants as a corticosteroid (dexamethasone) and tacrolimus (FK506) on TARC production, and used various signaling inhibitors to evaluate the signaling pathways involved in TARC expression. RESULTS: Although neither TNF-α nor IL-4 alone induced TARC production by any of the tested cell types, together they induced expression of TARC mRNA and appreciable amounts of TARC protein by HMVEC-dBl and NHDF, but not by NHEK. TARC production by those dermal cells was not inhibited by dexamethasone or FK506. TARC production by HMVEC-dBl was completely inhibited by NF-κB and p38 MAPK inhibitors, but not by an ERK inhibitor. CONCLUSION: Dermal cells, but not epidermal keratinocytes, may be important cellular sources of TARC in AD skin. Therefore, even if epidermal eczematous lesions seem to be improved, complete inhibition of inflammation in the dermis is thought to be particularly important for suppressing both the TARC blood level and progression of AD. However, immunosuppressants did not directly inhibit TARC production by the dermal cells. Anti-inflammatory therapy may decrease TARC blood levels in AD patients indirectly, via its inhibitory effects on TNF-α- and/or IL-4-producing cells in the dermis.

Association between pupillometric sleepiness measures and sleep latency derived by MSLT in clinically sleepy patients.

OBJECTIVES: The multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) has been employed extensively in clinical and research settings as a gold standard for objectively measuring sleepiness. In a general population or in a variety of work settings, however, a more convenient, rapidly administered measuring method is preferable. We examined the potential utility of pupillometry by comparing its objective measures, pupillary unrest index (PUI) and relative pupillary unrest index (RPUI), with MSLT-derived sleep latency (SL). METHODS: The study cohort comprised 45 patients (39 males, 6 females, mean age 38.9 ± 11.3 years) referred to the Sleep Disorders Center for the two-nap SL test. SL was measured twice before noon, and pupillometric measurement was performed immediately before each SL test. Subjective sleepiness was measured by using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). RESULTS: The association between PUI and SL was significant and far closer than that between RPUI and SL. A significant difference was observed between the two groups, based on each subject's experience of drowsy driving accidents over the past 3 years in the PUI and RPUI, as well as in SL. The subjective sleepiness measure, ESS, did not relate to any other physiological sleepiness measures. CONCLUSIONS: In our study cohort, the pupillometric sleepiness measure, PUI, was significantly correlated with, and behaved in a manner equivalent to, MSLT-derived SL in clinically sleepy patients. However, several points remain to be carefully examined before applying pupillometry for screening sleepiness in a general population, or in occupational settings.

Associations of depressive symptoms with serum proportions of palmitic and arachidonic acids, and α-tocopherol effects among male population--a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Recent years, inflammation and oxidative stress have been addressed in relation to interactions between fatty acid (FA) and depression. To study the associations between FAs and depressive symptoms in men, serum FA proportion was compared with perceived depression. We also measured α-tocopherol (a-Toc) levels to investigate the associations with FA functions. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 113 male workers recruited from a software development company in Japan. Depressive symptoms were assessed according to the 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale. Twenty-four FAs in the serum from the peripheral blood were examined. RESULTS: CES-D scores were significantly positively correlated with the serum percentage of palmitic acid (PA), while they were negatively correlated with arachidonic acid (AA). The CES-D scores were not correlated with the serum ratio of docosahexaenoic acid or eicosapentaenoic acid (n-3 poly-unsaturated FAs (PUFAs)). CES-D scores were significantly negatively correlated with a-Toc/PA ratio (correlation: adjusting for possible confounders). CONCLUSIONS: Although no associations were found between depressive symptoms and n-3 PUFA proportions in male population, depressive symptoms were positively correlated with PA percentages and negatively correlated with AA percentages. PA may increase neural vulnerability and AA may decrease the severity of depression. Moreover, a-Toc may have protective effects against depressive symptoms.

The effect of laminin-1-doped nanoroughened implant surfaces: gene expression and morphological evaluation.

Aim. This study aimed to observe the morphological and molecular effect of laminin-1 doping to nanostructured implant surfaces in a rabbit model. Materials and Methods. Nanostructured implants were coated with laminin-1 (test; dilution, 100 µg/mL) and inserted into the rabbit tibiae. Noncoated implants were used as controls. After 2 weeks of healing, the implants were removed and subjected to morphological analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and gene expression analysis using the real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results. SEM revealed bony tissue attachment for both control and test implants. Real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of osteoblast markers RUNX-2, osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, and collagen I was higher (1.62-fold, 1.53-fold, 1.97-fold, and 1.04-fold, resp.) for the implants modified by laminin-1 relative to the control. All osteoclast markers investigated in the study presented higher expression on the test implants than controls as follows: tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (1.67-fold), calcitonin receptor (1.35-fold), and ATPase (1.25-fold). The test implants demonstrated higher expression of inflammatory markers interleukin-10 (1.53-fold) and tumour necrosis factor-α (1.61-fold) relative to controls. Conclusion. The protein-doped surface showed higher gene expression of typical genes involved in the osseointegration cascade than the control surface.

Nationwide cross-sectional population-based study on the prevalences of asthma and asthma symptoms among Japanese adults.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a common respiratory disease worldwide. However, few reports are available on the prevalences of asthma and asthma symptoms among Asian subjects. METHODS: To determine the prevalences of asthma and asthma symptoms among Japanese subjects, we performed a nationwide cross-sectional, population-based study on Japanese adults aged 20-79 years. Ten areas spread throughout the country were randomly selected. Door-to-door or postal surveys were performed using a translated version of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey questionnaire. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 23,483 participants. The overall response rate was 70.6%. The prevalences of wheeze and current asthma among all participants aged 20-79 years were 10.1% (95% CI: 9.7-10.5%) and 4.2% (95% CI: 4.0-4.5%), respectively. The prevalences among young adults aged 20-44 years were 9.3% (95% CI: 8.7-9.9%) and 5.3% (95% CI: 4.8-5.8%), respectively. The prevalence of current asthma was highest in females aged 30-39 years in comparison with the other gender and age groups. CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide study determined the prevalences of asthma and asthma symptoms among Japanese adults. The results provide fundamental information on the respiratory health of Japanese adults.

Job stressors and long-term sick leave due to depressive disorders among Japanese male employees: findings from the Japan Work Stress and Health Cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Research on the association between job strain or other job stressors and depressive disorders is still limited. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the prospective association of job strain, role stressors and job insecurity with long-term sick leave due to depressive disorders. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted of a total of 15 256 men aged 18-67 years with no previous history of mental disorders employed in six manufacturing factories located in several regions of Japan. At baseline, they were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire, including self-reported measures of job strain, as well as its components (job overload and job control), role stressors (role ambiguity and role conflict), social support at work, job insecurity and other demographic and psychological covariates. During the follow-up, a long-term sick leave of 30 days or more due to depressive disorders was recorded. RESULTS: During 5.14 years of follow-up on average, 47 incident cases of sick leave of 30 days or more due to depressive disorders were observed. High job control at baseline was associated with a lower risk of long-term sick leave due to depressive disorders, after adjusting for demographic variables, depressive symptoms and neuroticism at baseline (hazard ratio 0.28, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.71); high role ambiguity was associated with the higher risk (hazard ratio 3.49, 95% CI 1.43 to 8.49). CONCLUSION: Job control and role ambiguity may be important predictors of long-term sick leave due to depressive disorders among male employees, independent of depressive symptoms and neuroticism.

Monitoring of environmental contamination by Echinococcus multilocularis in an urban fringe forest park in Hokkaido, Japan.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis environmental contamination in an urban fringe-the Nopporo forest park of Sapporo city, Hokkaido, Japan. A secondary aim was to determine possible transmission risks areas by associating percentage occurrence of E. multilocularis-positive faeces with the different land-use classes. METHODS: Wild fox faeces collected from the environment were examined by intravital methods, such as the taeniid egg sucrose floatation technique, E. multilocularis coproantigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent analysis and DNA test of taeniid eggs by PCR. Geospatial maps produced by the Global Positioning System and Landsat data were analysed using geographic information system software to determine the association between percentage occurrences of E. multilocularis-positive fox faeces and land-use classes. RESULTS: Our findings showed high prevalence rates in both E. multilocularis egg and coproantigen-positive faeces (16 and 49%, respectively) in the investigated urban fringe forest park. Data revealed that percentage occurrence of E. multilocularis-positive fox faeces was associated with land-use classes, such as forest and open field (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that Nopporo forest park in the urban fringe of Sapporo city, Hokkaido is a reservoir with a high prevalence of zoonotic infective agents for alveolar echinococcosis. Our findings suggest that interface habitats between forests or woodlands and open fields are indispensable for continued maintenance of the life-cycle of E. multilocularis and, as such, constitute high risk areas for echinococcosis transmission.

Exercise-induced asthma is associated with impaired quality of life among children with asthma in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is the most common chronic diseases in school-aged children in Japan. It is important to consider health-related quality of life (QoL) among children with chronic diseases when treatment decisions are made. METHODS: A school-based survey was conducted in randomly selected public schools in Tokyo by using a KINDL questionnaire for evaluating QoL and the international study of asthma and allergy on childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire, which is designed for comparing the asthma prevalence in various countries, from May to June in 2005. We recruited approximately 10% of the total children 6-7-years-old and 13-14-years-old living in Tokyo for sampling. RESULTS: Response rate of this questionnaire was 86% (22,645 children) in the 6-7-year-old group and 64% (12,879 children) in the 13-14-year-old group. Comparing asthmatics with non-asthmatics in the same age, QoL of children with asthma was significantly impaired. The severity of QoL of children with asthma was significantly impaired. QoL of children with exercise-induced asthma (EIA) were more significantly impaired than ones without EIA and showed lower scores in the categories of physical functioning, emotional and school activities than those without EIA. Of note, QoL was more impaired in the EIA-positive group among severe asthmatics, suggesting that QoL of children with even severe asthma could be improved when EIA is appropriately controlled. CONCLUSIONS: Existence of EIA among asthmatic children most strongly impairs their QoL. We should be more cautious about the management of EIA.

Echinococcus multilocularis infection in pet dogs in Japan.

A survey of Echinococcus multilocularis infections in pet dogs in Japan from 1997 to 2007 was conducted by testing for coproantigen reactivity, fecal taeniid eggs, and egg DNA. In Hokkaido, the only island where E. multilocularis is endemic in Japan, 18 of 4768 dogs (0.4%) excreted taeniid eggs that were positive for E. multilocularis DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Most of the dogs testing positive for egg DNA were kept free-range, but three dogs had been kept inside their owners' houses. In addition, 15 dogs were suspected to be infected based on the results of a coproantigen test. One dog, which was transported from Hokkaido to Honshu, the main island of Japan, was excreting taeniid eggs that were positive for E. multilocularis DNA by PCR. These results suggest the importance of proper pet management in disease prevention, even for dogs kept indoors, and they point out a possible means by which the parasite may be introduced into non-endemic areas through transport of infected dogs.