Factors influencing cranial variation between prehistoric Japanese forager populations

Understanding the factors shaping human crania has long been a goal of biological anthropology, and climate, diet, and population history are three of the most well-established influences. The effects of these factors are, however, rarely compared within a single, variable population, limiting interpretations of their relative contribution to craniofacial form. Jomon prehistoric foragers inhabited Japan throughout its climatic and ecological range and developed correspondingly varied modes of subsistence. We have previously demonstrated that a large sample of Jomon crania showed no clear climatic pattern; here, we examine variation in Jomon crania in more detail to determine if dietary factors and/or population history influence human intrapopulation variation at this scale. Based on well-established archaeological differences, we divide the Jomon into dietary groups and use geometric morphometric methods to analyse relationships between cranial shape, diet, and population history. We find evidence for diet-related influences on the shape of the neurocranium, particularly in the temporalis region. These shape differences may be interpreted in the context of regional variation in the biomechanical requirements of different diets. More experimental biomechanical and nutritional evidence is needed, however, to move suggested links between dietary content and cranial shape from plausible to well-supported. In contrast with the global scale of human variation, where neutral processes are the strongest influence on cranial shape, we find no pattern of population history amongst individuals from these Jomon sites. The determinants of cranial morphology are complex and the effect of diet is likely mediated by factors including sex, social factors, and chronology. Our results underline the subtlety of the effects of dietary variation beyond the forager/farmer dichotomy on cranial morphology and contribute to our understanding of the complexity of selective pressures shaping human phenotypes on different geographic scales.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12520-023-01901-6.

Comparison of traditional two-injection dorsal digital block versus transthecal and subcutaneous single-injection digital block: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Digital nerve block is a common procedure with several techniques, including the traditional digital nerve block, transthecal digital nerve block, and single subcutaneous palmar digital nerve block. This review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of these three methods. A systematic search was performed in the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases. The risk of bias of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing the risk of bias and the Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Non-Randomized Studies. Fourteen prospective randomized controlled studies and one prospective comparative study were included. The three methods of digital block showed similar onset times, durations, injection pain and incidence of incomplete anesthesia. This review confirmed that all three methods of digital block are equally effective. Considering that patients prefer a single injection and the potential risk of complications, the single subcutaneous digital block could be more widely used.

THU0646-HPR EXPLORING THE ROLE OF NURSE IN RHEUMATIC CARE AND FEASIBILITY OF ENHANCING TREAT TO TARGET STRATEGIES IN JAPAN

Background:

The role of rheumatology nurses is considered important for the implementation of T2T [1]. For nurses’ contribution to implementation of the T2T strategy, it is necessary to explore the nurses’ opinion on their roles in real clinical practice.

Objectives:

The aim of this study is to evaluate what is required for nurses to implement T2T in real clinical practice in Japan.

Methods:

Registered nurses engaged in rheumatic care in clinical practice in Japan were enrolled. Focus group interviews were conducted exploring ‘What is necessary for RA nurses to implement T2T’using semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was used with Krippendorff’s content analysis method.

Results:

24 nurses (all females) from 10 hospitals were enrolled in this study. The results of the qualitative analysis were categorized in 10 main categories, derived from 37 subcategories based on 64 different codes: (1) provide basic knowledge of RA, (2) provide knowledge of RA drugs, (3) provide knowledge and skills of self-monitoring, (4) enhance self-efficacy and support self-management, (5) support decision-making, (6) psychological and social support, (7) understand the diversity and feelings of patients and their families, (8) support based on individual needs, (9) ensure continuing educational opportunities for nurses to enable the provision of high quality care, (10) collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.

These categories are mostly covered in the contents of the 2018 updated EULAR recommendations for the role of nurses except “evidence-based rheumatic care”, “telehealth” and “comprehensive participation in disease management”.

Conclusion:

These findings indicate the areas of exploration including further educational and training needs, attitudes and the professional scope for nurses to extend their roles to provide greater value to patient care.

In Japan, evidence-based RA nursing and telehealth systems have not yet been established. In addition, therapeutic intervention by nurses and nurse-led clinic are not permitted. Our results might reflect this situation and possibly elucidates the gap between EULAR’s evidence-based recommendations and opinions of Japanese nurses working in daily clinical practice. As evidence-based nursing is considered to be crucial from both cost-effectiveness and improvement of patients QOL, this result also might shed light on what we need for future better rheumatic nursing in Japan.

References:

[1]van Eijk- Hustings Y, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2012;71: 13–19.

Disclosure of Interests:

MIE FUSAMA: None declared, Miyabi Uda: None declared, Harumi Matsumura: None declared, Yvonne van Eijk-Hustings Grant/research support from: grand from sanofi and UCB, Consultant of: fee from amgen, Susan Oliver: None declared, Hideko Nakahara: None declared

Effect of Systematic Conversion to Generic Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) in Kidney Transplantation: A Single-Center Clinical Experience from Japan

INTRODUCTION

Recently, more and more generic drugs have been used for immunosuppressive drugs in the field of organ transplantation. Some reports have indicated that blood concentration of most generic drugs is difficult to maintain stability, and it may cause the difference in graft survival of transplanted organs between original drugs and generic drugs. In this article, we report the cases could not maintain blood concentration of generic drugs of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF).

RESULTS

In 4 cases out of 5 cases that we had to change original MMF to generic MMF, there were cases that blood concentration level was not stabilized. There were possibility that the lowered blood concentration level of MMF caused a rejection, in two cases. Mean MMF trough level was decreased from 3.6 ± 1.9 μg/mL to 0.6 ± 0.4 μg/mL. Due to the early detection, it did not become severe or failure of graft function, however, we cannot deny the possibilities that side effects were increased and rejection rose. In these cases, we discontinued to use the generic drugs thereafter due to unstable plasma concentration of MMF.

DISCUSSION

Some reports have indicated that failure to maintain plasma concentration of MMF leads to rejection. Therefore, maintenance of effective plasma concentration and prevention of rejection are essential to long-term graft survival in kidney transplant.

CONCLUSION

Generic drug formulations may exhibit differences in effects and absorption compared to the brand-name drug. If the generic drug should be used, patients should be closely monitored.

Late onset post-transfusion hepatitis E developing during chemotherapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia

We herein report the case of a leukemia patient who developed hepatitis E seven months after undergoing a transfusion with contaminated blood products. The latency period in this case was significantly longer than that of typical hepatitis E. Recently, chronic infection with hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 has been reported in immunocompromised patients. There is a possibility that our patient was unable to eliminate the virus due to immunosuppression following chemotherapy and the administration of steroids. The prevalence of HEV in healthy Japanese individuals is relatively high and constitutes a critical source of infection via transfusion. Hepatitis E is an important post-transfusion infection, and immunocompromised patients may exhibit a long latency period before developing the disease.

Measurements of the neutron activation cross sections for Bi and Co at 386 MeV

Neutron activation cross sections for Bi and Co at 386 MeV were measured by activation method. A quasi-monoenergetic neutron beam was produced using the (7)Li(p,n) reaction. The energy spectrum of these neutrons has a high-energy peak (386 MeV) and a low-energy tail. Two neutron beams, 0° and 25° from the proton beam axis, were used for sample irradiation, enabling a correction for the contribution of the low-energy neutrons. The neutron-induced activation cross sections were estimated by subtracting the reaction rates of irradiated samples for 25° irradiation from those of 0° irradiation. The measured cross sections were compared with the findings of other studies, evaluated in relation to nuclear data files and the calculated data by Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System code.

Photofission of209Bi at intermediate energies

The reaction yields of 63 radionuclides with the mass numberA= 56 − 135 produced in the photofission of209Bi by bremsstrahlung of end-point energies (E0) from 450 to 1100 MeV have been measured using a catcher foil technique with the aid of intensive chemical separation. The charge distribution was well reproduced by a Gaussian function with the most probable charge (Zp) expressed by a linear function ofA,i.e.,Zp=RA+S, and with theA-independent full width at half maximum (FWHMCD). The charge distribution parametersR,Sand FWHMCDwere independent ofE0above 600 MeV, reflecting the resonance nature in photonuclear reactions at intermediate energies. The weighted mean values atE0≥ 600 MeV wereR= 0.421 ± 0.001,S= 0.6 ± 0.1 and FWHMCD= 2.1 ± 0.1 charge unit (c.u.). The numbers of pre- and post-fission neutrons were deduced to be νpre= 12 ± 1 and νpost= 1.4 ± 0.3, respectively, assuming the Unchanged Charge Distribution (UCD). Based on the charge distribution parameters, the symmetric mass yield distributions with the most probable massApof 96 ± 1 mass unit (m.u.) and the width FWHMMDof 33 ± 1 m.u. were also obtained. The characteristics of the charge and mass yield distributions are discussed by referring to those for197Au based on the results of calculations using the Photon-induced Intranuclear Cascade Analysis code combined with the Generalized Evaporation Model (PICA3/GEM).

Protein crystallization in a 100 nl solution with new stirring equipment

To investigate quantitatively the effects of stirring on protein crystallization, a new stirring system which can agitate a protein solution, approximately 100 nl, by providing Hagen-Poiseuille flow has been successfully developed. In addition, this new stirring system provides flow with a well defined pattern and velocity. Using this system, hen egg-white lysozyme was crystallized in 100-200 nl solutions while being stirred. The optimum stirring conditions for lysozyme crystals have been explored by evaluating the Reynolds (Re) number and the crystals obtained. Intermittent flow, as well as a low Re number, was found to contribute significantly to the growth of a smaller number of larger crystals.

Protective effect of radical scavenger edaravone against puromycin nephrosis

AIM

Recent studies have indicated that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a role in the pathogenesis of glomerular injury leading to proteinuria in nephrotic syndrome. In the present investigation, we examined the effects of the radical scavenger edaravone administered at various time points to rats with puromycin nephrosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

35 Wistar rats were divided into five groups: treatment with puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) alone, treatment with PAN followed by edaravone in the early period, treatment with PAN followed by edaravone administration in the late period, treatment with PAN and administration of edaravone for the whole experimental period, and untreated controls. On Days 3, 6 and 9, urinary protein excretion was measured. The levels of glomerular thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBArs) were determined in all animals on Day 10.

RESULTS

On Day 9, rats that had been administered edaravone showed reduced urinary protein excretion and reduced glomerular TBArs. In particular, edaravone administration in the late period, during which proteinuria was most acute, had the effect of reducing the severity of proteinuria. Glomerular TBArs were suppressed to the control level. Our results indicate that edaravone exerts a protective effect in the acute phase of PAN nephrosis when administered as antioxidant therapy at the onset of proteinuria.

CONCLUSIONS

Edaravone can ameliorate urinary protein excretion after the onset of proteinuria in nephrotic syndrome.

Analysis of sagittal condylar path inclination in consideration of Fischer's angle

This study investigated the sagittal condylar path during protrusive and lateral excursions by analysing the actually measured jaw movement data and re-evaluated the setting of the sagittal condylar path inclination in consideration of Fischer's angle. Protrusive and lateral excursions of 10 healthy subjects were measured using a three-dimensional mandibular movement analysing system. Condylar path inclinations at the hinge-axis point and the corresponding external point laterally extending from the condyle were evaluated in the sagittal plane. Fischer's angle was defined as the difference between the sagittal condylar inclinations during protrusive and lateral excursions on the non-working side, by keeping the corresponding horizontal distance from the intercuspal position (ICP) equivalent at the incisal point. Analysis was performed at three different magnitudes of excursions, where the incisal point was located at 1, 3 and 5 mm away from the ICP. There was no significant difference in the sagittal condylar path inclination or the Fischer's angle between two condylar reference points. However, they were significantly different across the three different magnitudes of excursions for both condylar reference points, i.e. sagittal condylar path inclination (P = 0.003 for protrusive excursion, and P < 0.001 for lateral excursion respectively; two-way repeated-measures anova), and Fischer's angle (P = 0.013, two-way repeated-measures anova) became smaller as the incisal point became distant from the ICP. Moreover, 3- and 5-mm eccentric positions were included in the 95% CI where Fischer's angle equals zero and were considered to be clinically acceptable to adjust the sagittal condylar inclination on the semiadjustable articulators.