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Purpose To assess the risk factors for intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation during the early period post cataract surgery. Study design Retrospective study. Methods This study involved 1587 eyes that underwent cataract surgery at the Baptist Eye Institute, Kyoto, Japan between April 2020 and May 2021. In all subjects, risk factors for early postoperative IOP elevation (i.e., an increase of IOP of 10 mmHg or more at 1-day postoperative compared with that at baseline, or a postoperative IOP of 28 mmHg or more) were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results Of the 1587 treated eyes in this study, 100 (6.3%) experienced early-postoperative IOP elevation. Of those 100 eyes, 78.0% were men, 27.0% had an axial length (AL) of ≥ 26.5 mm, 23.0% had a history of glaucoma treatment, 11.0% had poor mydriasis and 10.0% had intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS). Multivariate analysis findings revealed that male [odds ratio (OR) 4.36; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.63–7.23; P < 0.001], AL of ≥ 26.5 mm (3.11; 1.83–5.30; P < 0.001), a history of glaucoma treatment (2.83; 1.63–4.91; P < 0.001), poorly mydriasis (2.63; 1.16–6.01; P = 0.02), IFIS (4.37; 1.78–10.74; P = 0.001) and baseline high IOP (1.09; 1.01–1.18; P = 0.03) were associated with increased IOP during the early period post cataract surgery. Conclusions The findings in this study reveal that male sex, high myopia, a history of glaucoma treatment, poor mydriasis, IFIS and baseline high IOP are risk factors for IOP elevation during the early period post cataract surgery.

Background: The Citrobacter genus harbors class C (AmpC) and class A β-lactamases. Citrobacter freundii produces an inducible AmpC β-lactamase controlled by the LysR-type transcriptional regulator AmpR and cytosolic amidase AmpD. Citrobacter sedlakii produces the class A β-lactamase Sed-1, whose expression is believed to be regulated by the transcriptional regulator SedR and AmpD. Objectives:C. sedlakii NR2807, isolated in Japan, is resistant to third-generation cephalosporins and displays extended-spectrum β-lactamase characteristics. Here, we sought to understand the mechanism for successful resistance to third-generation cephalosporins by investigating the regulators controlling Sed-1 production. Methods: Plasmids containing blaSed-1 and sedR (pCR2807) or truncated sedR (pCR2807ΔSedR) were constructed and introduced into Escherichia coli. Antibiotic-resistant mutants of NR2807 were obtained, and enzyme kinetics were assessed. Results: The AmpD mutant (pCR2807/ML4953) showed an 8-fold increase in cefotaxime MIC and an 8.46-fold increase in Sed-1 activity compared to the wild-type (pCR2807/ML4947). However, induction of pCR2807/ML4947 also led to a 1.32-fold higher Sed-1 activity, indicating semi-inducibility. Deletion of sedR (pCR2807ΔSedR/ML4947) led to a 4-fold decrease in cefotaxime MIC and 1.93-fold lower Sed-1 activity, confirming SedR as an activator. While wild-type C. sedlakii ATCC51115 is susceptible to third-generation cephalosporins, the AmpD mutation in NR2807 led to Sed-1 overproduction and resistance to this class of antibiotics. Finally, mutagenesis revealed that amino acid substitution in Sed-1 conferred resistance to ceftazidime and extended-spectrum β-lactamase characteristics. Conclusions: Sed-1 producers, though usually susceptible to third-generation cephalosporins, may develop extended-spectrum β-lactamase traits due to AmpD or Sed-1 mutations, thereby requiring careful monitoring.

In this study, we report atmospheric electric field (AEF) anomalies observed around the time of earthquakes (EQs) in Japan. Using a newly developed AEF observation network with three spatially separated stations in Japan (Chofu, Kakioka, and Iwaki), we conducted a study for two EQs that occurred within a few 100 km from the EQ epicenter under relatively good local weather conditions as shown by a local all-sky camera and weather information. Time series and wavelet analyses of the AEF indicate that fluctuation anomalies in the AEF with periods of 10–60 min and larger than 70 min were observed from a few hours before up to a few hours after the occurrence of the EQs. The lag in the onset time increased with increasing distance from the EQ epicenter to the field site. The above-mentioned characteristics of these AEF fluctuation anomalies were similar among the three stations, and therefore the observed AEF anomalies were considered to be an imminent precursor of EQs. The observed AEF anomalies were likely to be caused by internal gravity waves (IGWs) generated around the EQ epicenter a few hours before the EQ, passing over the field site while changing the AEF by changing the space charge density in the surface layer of the atmosphere.

Background Helicobacter cinaedi is a microaerobic Gram-negative spiral-shaped bacterium that causes enteritis, cellulitis, and bacteremia in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. While there have been increasing numbers of reported H. cinaedi infections recently, there has been no thyroid abscess case caused by H. cinaedi presenting with thyroid storm. Case presentation A 50-year-old Japanese man presented with a 9-day history of high fever associated with palpitations, dry cough, and chronic diarrhea. The patient had a history of Basedow’s disease that had been treated with thiamazole in the past. During the current episode, the patient was diagnosed with thyroid storm and treated accordingly. The blood culture taken on admission was positive for H. cinaedi . This finding was confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS). A systemic computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a thyroid abscess as the site of infection and cause of the bacteremia. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified the pathogen of thyroid abscess as H. cinaedi . Clinical symptoms and laboratory data normalized on admission day 7 after treatment with both effective antibiotics and antithyroid drugs. Conclusions The case study described a patient with a history of Basedow’s disease that presented with a thyroid abscess caused by H. cinaedi with symptoms similar to those of thyroid storm. While this bacterium has been implicated in other infections, we believe this is the first time the bacteria has been documented to have caused a thyroid abscess.

PurposeThis study was designed to investigate risk factors for the development of cytomegalovirus (CMV) corneal endotheliitis following corneal transplantation.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed 1225 corneal transplants for bullous keratopathy between 2011 and 2021. 31 cases who were administered the treatment of CMV corneal endotheliitis preoperatively were excluded, and 1194 cases were analysed for risk factors for the development of CMV corneal endotheliitis following corneal transplantation.ResultsAmong 1194 cases, 15 cases (1.26%) occurred CMV corneal endotheliitis after corneal transplantation. Coin-shaped lesion or keratoprecipitates were observed in 100% of cases. Postoperatively, the mean onset of CMV corneal endotheliitis was 9.9±12.2 months, with 12 eyes (80.0%) within the first 12 months. Multivariate analysis adjusted for potential confounding factors revealed a gender (male, OR (8.42, 95% CI: 2.19 to 56.00), the previous history of anterior uveitis (OR: 25.31, 95% CI: 8.22 to 95.19) and the previous history of glaucoma (OR: 6.25, 95% CI: 1.17 to 115.90) were significantly associated with the development of postoperative CMV corneal endotheliitis. The maternal proportion Ryan multiple comparison tests revealed that dual previous history with glaucoma and anterior uveitis significantly enhanced the development of postoperative CMV corneal endotheliitis (p<0.001).ConclusionsCMV corneal endotheliitis developed postcorneal transplantation with coin-shaped lesions. Careful postoperative follow-up, especially within the first 12 months after surgery, is necessary for patients with a history of glaucoma or anterior uveitis.

Objectives Gratitude intervention, which requires participants to engage regularly in brief activities designed to cultivate a sense of gratefulness, is known as one of the most effective positive psychological interventions. Although numerous meta‐analyses and systematic reviews have been conducted on gratitude intervention, no studies have focused on the working population. This study aimed to systematically summarize the effectiveness of gratitude interventions on workers' mental health and well‐being. Methods Systematic search was conducted in February 2021 using five databases. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials implementing gratitude activities among healthy workers and measuring mental health or well‐being indicators and original articles or thesis in English. Results Nine out of 1957 articles met the inclusion criteria. Eight studies adopted gratitude list interventions, showing a significant improvement in perceived stress and depression; however, the effects on well‐being were inconsistent. Interventions with gratitude list four times or less did not report significant changes in any outcomes. Conclusions Most gratitude interventions incorporated a gratitude list, and some studies included gratitude activities as a part of the combined program. On the other hand, no studies focused on only behavioral gratitude expression among workers. Gratitude interventions might be effective in improving mental health, but their effects on well‐being remain unclear. The total number of gratitude lists and reflections might influence the effect on mental health and well‐being; however, due to the high heterogeneity of the studies, further studies are needed.

Background: The Japan Multi-institutional Collaborative Cohort (J-MICC) study was launched in 2005 to examine gene–environment interactions in lifestyle-related diseases, including cancers, among the Japanese. This report describes the study design and baseline profile of the study participants.Methods: The participants of the J-MICC Study were individuals aged 35 to 69 years enrolled from respondents to study announcements in specified regions, inhabitants attending health checkup examinations provided by local governments, visitors at health checkup centers, and first-visit patients at a cancer hospital in Japan. At the time of the baseline survey, from 2005 to 2014, we obtained comprehensive information regarding demographics, education, alcohol consumption, smoking, sleeping, exercise, food intake frequency, medication and supplement use, personal and family disease history, psychological stress, and female reproductive history and collected peripheral blood samples.Results: The baseline survey included 92,610 adults (mean age: 55.2 [standard deviation, 9.4] years, 44.1% men) from 14 study regions in 12 prefectures. The participation rate was 33.5%, with participation ranging from 19.7% to 69.8% in different study regions. The largest number of participants was in the age groups of 65–69 years for men and 60–64 years for women. There were differences in body mass index, educational attainment, alcohol consumption, smoking, and sleep duration between men and women.Conclusions: The J-MICC Study collected lifestyle and clinical data and biospecimens from over 90,000 participants. This cohort is expected to be a valuable resource for the national and international scientific community in providing evidence to support longer healthy lives.

Changes in the gut microbiome have pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) after allogenic haematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) 1 – 6 . However, effective methods for safely resolving gut dysbiosis have not yet been established. An expansion of the pathogen Enterococcus faecalis in the intestine, associated with dysbiosis, has been shown to be a risk factor for aGVHD 7 – 10 . Here we analyse the intestinal microbiome of patients with allo-HCT, and find that E. faecalis escapes elimination and proliferates in the intestine by forming biofilms, rather than by acquiring drug-resistance genes. We isolated cytolysin-positive highly pathogenic E. faecalis from faecal samples and identified an anti- E. faecalis enzyme derived from E. faecalis -specific bacteriophages by analysing bacterial whole-genome sequencing data. The antibacterial enzyme had lytic activity against the biofilm of E. faecalis in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, in aGVHD-induced gnotobiotic mice that were colonized with E. faecalis or with patient faecal samples characterized by the domination of Enterococcus , levels of intestinal cytolysin-positive E. faecalis  were decreased and survival was significantly increased in the group that was treated with the E. faecalis -specific enzyme, compared with controls. Thus, administration of a phage-derived antibacterial enzyme that is specific to biofilm-forming pathogenic E. faecalis —which is difficult to eliminate with existing antibiotics—might provide an approach to protect against aGVHD. An analysis of the intestinal microbiome of people who have undergone allogenic haematopoietic cell transplantation shows that an enzyme derived from a bacteriophage has specific antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis , and suppresses E. faecalis -associated graft-versus-host disease.

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between personal values in adolescence retrospectively assessed and psychological distress in adults in a representative sample of community adults in Japan. We used the J-SHINE data collected in 2010 and 2017. Personal values in adolescence were retrospectively measured in the 2017 survey in two ways: (1) value priorities developed from Schwartz's theory of basic values; and (2) commitment to values measured by Personal Values Questionnaire II (PVQ-II). Psychological distress was measured by using K6 in 2010. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to clarify the association between personal values in adolescence and psychological distress in adults, adjusting for sociodemographic variables, smoking, alcohol drinking, and economic status at age 15. Enduring active challenging, cherishing family and friends, and the commitment to values were significantly and negatively associated with psychological distress in adults. Pursuing one's interest was significantly and positively associated with psychological distress. Having a value priority of enduring active challenging, cherishing family and friends, and the commitment to values in adolescence may reduce psychological distress in adults.