Basic biology education in high school and acceptance of genetically modified food in Japan.

While many types of genetically modified (GM) food have become more available worldwide, the acceptance of GM food continues to be low. To increase this acceptance, various educational interventions have been conducted; however, conflicts remain about the safety and acceptability of GM food among laypeople, experts, and policymakers in several countries. Thus, this study aimed to clarify whether basic biology education influences Japanese people's acceptance of GM food. We examined this idea by comparing individual experiences of high school biology education based on curriculum and proficiency level. We distributed online questionnaires to 1,594 people in Japan; 1,122 valid responses (70.4%) were obtained. Results showed that the acceptance rates of GM vegetables, fish, and meat were 33.6%, 29.0%, and 29.1%, respectively. Comparing the biology knowledge test scores according to different high school biology education levels (i.e., non-learners, basic, and advanced levels) showed no significant differences between the three age groups (20s, 30s, and 40s), which corresponded to different curricula (p = 0.90); however, there were significant differences between the high school biology education levels (p<0.01). Using logistic regression analysis, we then examined the effect of high school biology education on acceptance of GM food. The results showed no significant differences between different high school biology education levels but significantly lower acceptance by the 30s and 40s groups compared with the 20s group (p<0.05). This suggests that basic biology education alone is not sufficient to change people's attitudes toward GM foods. These generational differences suggest factors other than high school biology curriculum affect different generations' acceptance of GM foods. Overall, high school biology education did not directly affect acceptance of GM foods, although those who received a higher level of education had an increased knowledge of GM foods.

[A Case of Drug-Induced Pneumomediastinum Preceding Interstitial Pneumonitis Onset during Treatment with a First-Line Regimen of GnP in a Patient with Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer].

BACKGROUND: The highest prevalence of drug-induced interstitial pneumonitis(IP)occurs in patients receiving antineoplastic agents, such as cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs, molecular targeted drugs, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. A certain period of the treatment for IP requires discontinuation of the anticancer therapy, resulting in progression of the malignant status. CASE: A 70-year-old man was incidentally diagnosed with locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer in the course of his treatment for ventricular dysrhythmia. After the insertion of a pacing instrument, he was ensured to be eligible to receive combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel(GnP)as the primary regimen. Shortly after the second course of GnP, the patient had high fever and developed pneumomediastinum 3 days prior to the onset of IP. The GnP treatment was suspended, and the IP was treated with pulse steroid therapy. The respiratory disorder took approximately 3 months to resolve; however, this concomitantly led to aggravation of the malignancy, which developed multiple metastases to the liver. The patient was no longer allowed to receive antineoplastic treatment. CONCLUSION: Although GnP may be a key regimen for the treatment of unresectable pancreatic cancer, patients should be closely monitored to ensure early detection of adverse events, such as interstitial pneumonia. Furthermore, drug-induced pneumomediastinum may be a precursor to the onset of interstitial pneumonia.

[A Case of Advanced Late Recurrence of Hormone Receptor Positive Breast Cancer Successfully Treated with Abemaciclib and Anastrozole].

BACKGROUND: In step with the aging of the Japanese population, late recurrence of hormone receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer occurring especially beyond 20 years after the initial diagnosis has been recognized as not rare anymore, as it has been occurring at a constant rate lately. The administration of an aromatase inhibitor with a CDK4/6 inhibitor has become the gold standard in Japan for cases of recurring HR+ breast cancer without severe visceral metastasis. CASE: A 73- year-old woman was diagnosed by chance with late recurrence of HR+ breast cancer 21 years after undergoing radical resection followed by adjuvant anastrozole for 5 years for stage Ⅲb right breast cancer. Asymptomatic multiple bone metastases on her ribs and sternum with bilateral lung metastasis and malignant effusion all disappeared while she was on a year- long administration of anastrozole and an optimal dose of abemaciclib(100 mg bid). However, because of the Grade 3 digestive adverse event that occurred at approximately 1 year of treatment, she could only maintain the treatment for up to 13 months. After then, no recurrence has been detectable for 6 months so far. CONCLUSION: CDK4/6 inhibitors, in combination with anastrozole, will play a pivotal role in the initial approach to elderly patients with HR+ late recurrence as a chemotherapy- free strategy.

Evaluation of Japanese people's perception of risk information for making decisions to receive influenza and rubella vaccinations.

BACKGROUND: Generally, vaccination uptake in Japan lags behind World Health Organization targets. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to understand how risk information and advice affect intention to receive vaccinations. METHODS: This study had a within-subjects design. An online survey based on the Health Belief Model was sent to 2501 Japanese individuals (≧20 years) to assess the intention to be vaccinated for influenza and rubella after receiving minor and severe risk information and hypothetical advice about each vaccine. Regression analysis was used to measure changes in intentions to receive each vaccination after being provided with (1) risk information about each vaccine and (2) hypothetical encouragement and discouragement to be vaccinated. MAIN OUTCOMES: The main outcomes included changes in vaccination intentions from baseline. RESULTS: Forty-one percent (N = 1030) of those sent the survey completed it. At baseline, 43% and 65% of the respondents intended to have influenza and rubella vaccinations, respectively. Being provided with information about severe risks and susceptibility increased the intention to have the influenza vaccination among females in their 40s. Receiving inaccurate and discouraging information from one's mother significantly decreased the intention to have the rubella vaccination. Women 50 and older were more likely to intend not to have vaccination for rubella. Severe risk information decreased rubella vaccination intention in all age groups, except women in their 30s and 40s (p < .05). CONCLUSION: For both vaccinations, older individuals demonstrated vaccine hesitancy. This group requires tailored messaging to help them understand their vulnerability (to influenza) and their role in transmission (for rubella) to encourage uptake of essential vaccinations. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Members of the Japanese public responded to our online questionnaire on vaccination risk.

Equilibrium properties of the spatial SIS model as a point pattern dynamics - How is infection distributed over space?

We revisit the classical epidemiological SIS model as a stochastic point pattern dynamics with special focus on its spatial distribution at equilibrium. In this model, each point on a continuous space is either susceptible S or infectious I, and infection occurs with an infection kernel as a function of distance from I to S. This stochastic process has been mathematically described by the hierarchical dynamics of the probabilities that a point, a pair made by two points, and a triplet made by three points, etc., is in a specific configuration of status. Using a simple closure thereby triplet probabilities that appear in the dynamics are approximated, we show that the average singlet probabilities and the pair probabilities that describe spatial distributions of Ss and Is at equilibrium can be explicitly derived using the infection kernel; Is are spatially clustered in the same order of the infection kernel. The results highlight the advantage of point pattern approach to model spatial population dynamics in general ecology where local interactions among individuals likely depend on distance between them.

Japanese Consumer Perceptions of Genetically Modified Food: Findings From an International Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Reports of food-related incidents, such as cows infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (2001) and the Fukushima nuclear accident (2011), engendered significant fear among Japanese consumers and led to multiple farmer suicides, even when no actual health damage occurred. The growing availability of genetically modified (GM) food is occurring against this backdrop of concern about food safety. Consumers need information to assess risk and make informed purchasing decisions. However, we lack a clear picture of Japanese consumer perceptions of GM food. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to understand Japanese consumer perceptions of GM food for risk communication. Consumer perceptions of GM food were compared among 4 nations. METHODS: A Web-based survey was conducted in Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. Participants were asked about demographics, fear of health hazards, resistance to GM and breeding-improved products, perception of GM technology and products, and willingness to pay. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted, as were t tests on dichotomous variables, and 1-way analysis of variance and post hoc tests. RESULTS: Of 1812 individuals who agreed to participate, 1705 (94%) responded: 457 from Japan and 416 each from France, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The male/female and age group ratios were all about even. Some resistance to GM food was seen in all countries in this study. France showed the strongest resistance (P<.001), followed by Japan, which had stronger resistance than the United States and the United Kingdom (P<.001). Overall, females, people in their 60s and older, and those without higher education showed the greatest resistance to GM food. Japan showed stronger fear of food hazards than other nations (P<.001, odds ratio=2.408, CI: 1.614-3.594); Japanese and French respondents showed the strongest fear of hazards from GM food (P<.001). Regarding perceptions of GM technology and products, consumers in nations other than Japan would accept GM food if it were appropriately explained, they were provided with scientific data supporting its safety, and they understood that all food carries some risk. However, Japanese consumers tended to accept GM technology but rejected its application to food (P<.001). Of those willing to purchase GM food, consumers in Japan required a discount of 30% compared with about 20% in other nations. CONCLUSION: All consumers in our study showed resistance to GM food. Although no health hazards are known, respondents in Japan and France strongly recognized GM food as a health risk. Price discounts of 30% and GM technology may be communication cues to start discussions about GM food among Japanese consumers. Although education-only risk communication generally is not effective, such an approach may work in Japan to help consumers better understand GM technology and, eventually, GM food. The gap between accepting GM technology and rejecting its application to food should be explored further.