Impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic on Medical Practices in Awaji Island.

Introduction: Since the first confirmed case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China, COVID-19 continues to be a global threat and exerts a significant impact on medical practices. This study aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical practices in Awaji Island, a remote island in Japan. Methods: First, we conducted a survey on the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 on Awaji Island before and during the pandemic. Next, using a questionnaire, we conducted a survey with doctors working full time at Hyogo Prefectural Awaji Medical Center, which is the only designated infectious disease hospital on Awaji Island. Results: The COVID-19 infection rate of Awaji Island was lower than that of Hyogo Prefecture and of Japan as a whole, although the peaks occurred simultaneously. Outpatient visits as well as hospitalized patients, i.e., inpatients, decreased during the pandemic as a result of restrictions on surgeries and hospitalizations, with no changes in the disease composition ratio. The results of the questionnaire show that during the pandemic, doctors working full time at our hospital worked less and slept more. Furthermore, data obtained from the Medical Affairs Department showed a decrease in overtime hours worked and an increase in the number of days of paid holidays taken. Conclusions: Epidemiologically, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Awaji Island showed a similar trend to that in Japan, but the results of the survey questionnaire indicated that doctors working full time at our hospital were not necessarily adversely affected.

A multi center study of granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis therapy for ulcerative colitis-clinical efficacy and production of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist.

Granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis (GCAP) is a useful strategy for intractable ulcerative colitis, but its mechanisms of therapy is not fully explained. Previously, depleting activated granulocytes and monocytes (GMs) and modifying product of proinflammatory cytokines had been proposed. In addition, activated GMs are releasing anti-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) that may contribute to the clinical efficacy of GCAP therapy. Hence, to investigate contribution of IL-1ra as well as to confirm clinical efficacy of this therapy based on clinical activity index (CAI), we performed a multicenter study. Twenty-five of 38 (65.8%) patients achieved remission state (CAI < or = 4) and two of 38 (5.3%) revealed clinical improvement. Almost effective cases significantly decreased CAI even at 3rd session of GCAP. Plasma level of IL-1ra from outflow of the GCAP column at 30 min was significantly increased rather than inflow. Median exact elevated level of IL-1ra was 221 pg/ml and median of increasing ratio was 1.6 times. Furthermore, the responsive patients, who well released the IL-1ra at outflow more than 100 pg/ml compared with inflow, tended to show clinical effectiveness. While, the increased ratio of IL-1ra in effective cases did not differ from ineffective cases, and there were no significant relationship with improvement of CAI score. These conflict results suggest that the increase of IL-1ra at outflow is not a direct factor to the clinical improvement, but the induction of clinical improvement is accompanied by the release of IL-1ra. The IL-1ra may be involved in the multiple steps for the improvement induced by GCAP.

Investigation of Musashi-1 expressing cells in the murine model of dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis.

Musashi-1 (Msi-1), an RNA-binding protein, had been proposed to be a specific marker for neural stem/precursor cells. Msi-1 expressing cells in the intestinal epithelium are also strongly considered as potential stem/precursor cells. To clarify the behavior of those cells in the injury or regeneration phase, we investigated Msi-1 expressing cells of intestinal mucosa in the murine model of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. Immunohistochemically, Msi-1-positive cells were found in the area just along the layer of Paneth's cells in the small intestine and in the bottom layer of crypts in the large intestine. During DSS administration, the number of PCNA-positive cells in the large intestine increased markedly. In contrast, the number of Msi-1-positive cells decreased slightly with DSS but returned to normal after DSS administration was stopped. The level of mRNA for Msi-1 was consistent with the result of immunohistochemical examinations. Conclusively, we could describe the behavior of intestinal stem/precursor cells during inflammation using Msi-1.

Association of visceral fat accumulation and plasma adiponectin with colorectal adenoma: evidence for participation of insulin resistance.

PURPOSE: Colorectal carcinogenesis is thought to be related to abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. To investigate whether visceral fat accumulation contributes to colorectal carcinogenesis, we examined its accumulation and the levels of the adipose tissue-derived hormone adiponectin in Japanese patients with colorectal adenoma. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Fifty-one consecutive Japanese patients ages >/=40 years and with colorectal adenoma were subjected to measurement of visceral fat area by computed tomography scanning and plasma adiponectin concentration. The patients also underwent the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Insulin resistance was calculated by the homeostasis metabolic assessment (HOMA-IR) method. The controls were 52 Japanese subjects ages >/=40 years and without colorectal polyp. Cigarette smokers and subjects who consumed alcohol (>/=30 g ethanol/d) were excluded. RESULTS: The patients with colorectal adenoma showed significantly more visceral fat area and significantly less plasma adiponectin concentration in comparison with the controls [odds ratio (OR), 2.19; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.47-3.28; P < 0.001 and OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.14-0.41; P < 0.001, respectively] by logistic regression analysis. HOMA-IR index was also associated with colorectal adenoma (OR 2.60; 95% CI, 1.20-5.64; P = 0.040). Visceral fat area and adiponectin were associated with adenoma number (1, 2, >/= 3), the size of the largest adenoma (<10 and >/=10 mm), and adenoma histology (tubular and tubulovillous/villous). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest an association of visceral fat accumulation and decreased plasma adiponectin concentration with colorectal adenoma in Japanese patients. This study may offer a new insight to understanding the relationship of colorectal carcinogenesis with abdominal obesity and insulin resistance.