Trends in the medication reviews of community pharmacies in Japan: a nationwide retrospective study

International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy - Background The trends in medication reviews made by community pharmacies in Japan are currently unknown. Objective We aimed to comprehensively describe...     

Developing the “Skippu‐Mama” program for mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder

The “Skippu‐Mama” peer support program was developed to improve quality of life and reduce parental stress in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders. The program was designed to improve these variables by refreshing and healing participants’ minds and bodies. Twenty‐four mothers of 26 children diagnosed with ASD in Japan were included in the study and completed measures of quality of life and parental stress before, during, and after participation in the Skippu‐Mama program. Our results demonstrated that time was a significant main effect. Further, multiple comparisons with Bonferroni corrections indicated a significant increase in World Health Organization Quality of Life 26 scores three months into the program and at its conclusion six months after commencement. Overall, the Skippu‐Mama program improved the quality of life of mothers of children with ASD, and we believe that the intervention's focus on both individual and family variables may be especially effective in this population.     

Pluripotent stem cell models of Blau syndrome reveal an IFN-γ–dependent inflammatory response in macrophages

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Percutaneous Transesophageal Gastro-tubing for Management of Gastric Leakage After Sleeve Gastrectomy

Gastric leakage is a challenging complication of sleeve gastrectomy. Multimodal approaches, including drainage, clipping, and stenting of the leak, are occasionally insufficient. We report successful management of refractory gastric leakage using percutaneous transesophageal gastro-tubing (PTEG). Drainage and stenting proved inadequate for treating sleeve leakage near the esophagogastric junction in two patients. PTEG was finally performed, and enteral feeding was started on the following day. The patients were discharged within 1 week. The PTEG-tube was removed after confirming oral food intake. Both patients continue to do well without recurrence. PTEG was developed for patients who are unsuitable for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. PTEG provides decompression and permits enteral feeding in patients refractory to other endoscopic treatments. PTEG is an option for managing intractable sleeve leakage without surgery.     

Sulforaphane inhibits advanced glycation end product–induced pericyte damage by reducing expression of receptor for advanced glycation end products

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) not only inhibit DNA synthesis but also play a role in diabetic retinopathy by evoking apoptosis and inflammation in retinal pericytes via interaction with a receptor for AGE (RAGE). Similarly, sulforaphane, which is a naturally occurring isothiocyanate that is found in widely consumed cruciferous vegetables, protects against oxidative stress–induced tissue damage. Therefore, we hypothesized that sulforaphane could inhibit AGE-induced pericytes injury through its antioxidative properties. Advanced glycation end product stimulated superoxide generation as well as RAGE gene and protein expression in bovine-cultured retinal pericytes, and these effects were prevented by the treatment with sulforaphane. Antibodies directed against RAGE also blocked AGE-evoked reactive oxygen species generation in pericytes. Sulforaphane and antibodies directed against RAGE significantly inhibited the AGE-induced decrease in DNA synthesis, apoptotic cell death, and up-regulation of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 messenger RNA levels in pericytes. For the first time, the present study demonstrates that sulforaphane could inhibit DNA synthesis, apoptotic cell death, and inflammatory reactions in AGE-exposed pericytes, partly by suppressing RAGE expression via its antioxidative properties. Blockade of the AGE-RAGE axis in pericytes by sulforaphane might be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy.