Effects of a program to prevent social isolation on loneliness, depression, and subjective well-being of older adults: A randomized trial among older migrants in Japan

Social isolation among the elderly is a concern in developed countries. Using a randomized trial, this study examined the effect of a social isolation prevention program on loneliness, depression, and subjective well-being of the elderly in Japan. Among the elderly people who relocated to suburban Tokyo, 63 who responded to a pre-test were randomized and assessed 1 and 6 months after the program. Four sessions of a group-based program were designed to prevent social isolation by improving community knowledge and networking with other participants and community "gatekeepers." The Life Satisfaction Index A (LSI-A), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Ando-Osada-Kodama (AOK) loneliness scale, social support, and other variables were used as outcomes of this study. A linear mixed model was used to compare 20 of the 21 people in the intervention group to 40 of the 42 in the control group, and showed that the intervention program had a significant positive effect on LSI-A, social support, and familiarity with services scores and a significant negative effect on AOK over the study period. The program had no significant effect on depression. The findings of this study suggest that programs aimed at preventing social isolation are effective when they utilize existing community resources, are tailor-made based on the specific needs of the individual, and target people who can share similar experiences.     

Resequencing and association analysis of MIR137 with schizophrenia in a Japanese population

MicroRNA may play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. A recent meta‐analysis of genome‐wide association studies indicated a significant association between schizophrenia and a common intronic variation in MIR137HG (microRNA 137 host gene) encoding the primary microRNA‐137. To explore additional risk variations for schizophrenia, we resequenced MIR137 and performed an association analysis in 1321 Japanese individuals. By resequencing, we detected four sequence variations in the 5' and 3' flanking regions. There were no significant associations between these variations and schizophrenia. Our resequencing and association analysis of MIR137 failed to find additional risk variations for schizophrenia.     

Association of the BDNF C270T polymorphism with schizophrenia: Updated meta‐analysis

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been suggested to play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The C270T polymorphism (rs56164415) in the BDNF 5′‐non‐coding region has been extensively investigated for an association with schizophrenia, but with conflicting results. An updated meta‐analysis was therefore performed of 13 case–control association studies (3505 patients and 3992 controls). An association was found between the T allele and schizophrenia. The association was significant in the East Asian population, but not in the Caucasian population. It is suggested that the BDNF C270T polymorphism contributes to schizophrenia susceptibility, especially in East Asian subjects.     

Sequential monitoring of serum IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels in a CAEBV patient treated by plasma exchange and immunochemotherapy

We report the case of a female patient with chronic active Epstein?CBarr virus infection (CAEBV) accompanied by hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS). On admission, she presented with severe liver dysfunction and disseminated intravascular coagulation with elevation of serum IL-6, TNF-??, and IFN-?? levels. Plasma exchange (PE) followed by immunochemotherapy with prednisolone, cyclosporine A, and VP16 was performed. PE decreased serum cytokine levels dramatically and improved liver function. Following immunochemotherapy, CAEBV became inactive. Four months after discharge, however, CAEBV relapsed with HPS, and serum cytokine levels were extremely elevated again. There was no response to immunochemotherapy, and the patient died 1?day after admission. We examined the cytokines in five additional untreated-CAEBV patients and determined that they were elevated above the normal level in all patients. These results suggest that inflammatory cytokines may have roles in the development of CAEBV, and that their depletion can be an effective treatment for this disease.     

Factors affecting independence in eating among elderly with Alzheimer's disease

Aim: In elderly patients with dementia, disturbed eating behavior is understood to be a core symptom or a behavioral and psychological symptom of dementia (BPSD). The purpose of the present study was to investigate the factors affecting self‐feeding in elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: A total of 150 AD patients who were hospitalized in dementia wards, or were residents of institutions or group homes were enrolled. The patients underwent an eating behavior examination, cognitive assessment, neurological examination and vital function tests. The eating behavior examination consisted of observation of the patients at mealtime. Items assessing eating behavior included the number of feeding cycles, stopping of eating or agitation and dysfunction. Results: Logistic regression analysis carried out to identify factors with a significant effect on decreased independence in eating were difficulty in beginning a meal (OR = 14.498, CI = 2.067–101.690), presence of dysphagia signs (OR = 5.214, CI = 1.031–26.377) and the severity of dementia (OR = 4.538, CI = 1.154–17.843). Conclusion: The present study is the first to generate objective data showing that difficulty in beginning a meal is a factor that hinders independence in eating in AD, in addition to the presence of dysphagia signs and the severity of dementia. Assisting AD patients in maintaining eating independence might be effectively achieved by eliminating environmental factors that interfere with beginning a meal, and by providing assistance that will promote beginning a meal. The present results show the necessity of developing effective methods for assisting elderly patients with AD. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; 12: 481–490.     

Visual acuity outcomes of anti-VEGF treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration in clinical trials

Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology - Anti-VEGF treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) has been evaluated in clinical trials. To select the best anti-VEGF drug and the best...     

Effects of metal cation doping in CeO2 support on catalytic methane steam reforming at low temperature in an electric field

Catalytic methane steam reforming was conducted at low temperature using a Pd catalyst supported on Ce_1−xM_xO₂ (x = 0 or 0.1, M = Ca, Ba, La, Y or Al) oxides with or without an electric field (EF). The effects of the catalyst support on catalytic activity and surface proton hopping were investigated. Results show that Pd/Al-CeO₂ (Pd/Ce_0.9Al_0.1O₂) showed higher activity than Pd/CeO₂ with EF, although their activity was identical without EF. Thermogravimetry revealed a larger amount of H₂O adsorbed onto Pd/Al-CeO₂ than onto Pd/CeO₂, so Al doping to CeO₂ contributes to greater H₂O adsorption. Furthermore, electrochemical conduction measurements of Pd/Al-CeO₂ revealed a larger contribution of surface proton hopping than that for Pd/CeO₂. This promotes the surface proton conductivity and catalytic activity during EF application.

Temperature dependence of electron/ion conductivity of Pd/CeO₂ and Pd/Al-CeO₂ under wet conditions with application of an electric field.