How the H1N1 influenza epidemic spread among university students in Japan: Experience from Shinshu University

Background: A worldwide outbreak of influenza A/H1N1 occurred in 2009. Little information is available regarding how the epidemic spread among young people, who composed the majority of individuals infected with this virus. We assessed the route of transmission of H1N1 among university students at Shinshu University, Japan. Methods: A total of 11,424 students were monitored between August 2009 and March 2010, and those who were diagnosed with confirmed, probable, or suspected H1N1 at a hospital or clinic were registered based on self-report to the university. Data including date of onset and suspected infection route were collected from the affected patients. Results: Of the 11,424 students, 1,016 (8.9%) were infected with H1N1. In most infected students, the suspected transmission route was associated with club activity, followed by close contact with friends and through lectures or laboratory work. After suspension of activity by clubs with more than 2 infected members, the number of infected individuals decreased. Conclusion: H1N1 influenza spread in the university through specific routes, including club activity, close contact with friends, and lectures or laboratory work. During future outbreaks of influenza, interventions to reduce transmission through these routes may be effective infection control strategies in university students.ArticleAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INFECTION CONTROL. 40(3):218-220 (2012)journal articl

Evaluation of factors affecting variations in influenza A/H1N1 history in university students, Japan

Although the natural history of H1N1 has been found to vary among patients, little is known about the factors that affect these variations. Infected patients with an extended infection history may shed virus longer and spread infection. To further clarify these variations, we evaluated the natural history of H1N1 infection in 324 university students using a descriptive epidemiological method and analyzed factors affecting the natural history of infection. The median times from infection to fever development and from fever development to cure were 2 days (range 0?8 days) and 5 days (range 1?12 days), respectively, and the median time not attending classes was 5 days (range, 1?13 days). Variations in H1N1 natural history were associated with both environmental and individual factors, including route of infection, grade, gender, epidemic period, respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms and headache. Steps affecting these factors may help control variations in H1N1 natural history and may enhance infection control measures.ArticleJOURNAL OF INFECTION AND CHEMOTHERAPY. 19(4):665-672 (2013)journal articl

Evaluation of the spread of pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 among Japanese university students

online first / Published online: 4 July 2014The pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 virus is commonly known to affect younger individuals. Several epidemiological studies have clarified the epidemic features of university students in Japan. In this study, we reviewed these studies in Japan in comparison with reports from other countries. The average cumulative incidence rate among university students was 9.6 %, with the major symptoms being cough, sore throat, and rhinorrhea. These epidemiological features were similar between Japan and other countries. Attitudes and behaviors toward pandemic influenza control measures were different before and improved during and after the epidemic. These features were also similar to those in other countries. On the other hand, the epidemic spread through club activities or social events, and transmission was attenuated after temporary closure of such groups in Japan. This transmission pattern was inconsistent among countries, which may have been due to differences in lifestyle and cultural habits. Based on these results, infection control measures of pandemic influenza for university organizations in Japan should be considered.ArticleEnvironmental Health and Preventive Medicine. 19(5):315-321 (2014)journal articl

A review of recent case reports of cenesthopathy in Japan

Idiopathic abnormal bodily sensations, or cenesthesic symptoms, are exhibited in a wide variety of mental illnesses. In Japan, patients with abnormal bodily sensations are often diagnosed with cenesthopathy. This study reviewed recent case reports of cenesthopathy. Of the 100 identified cases, young patients were more commonly men with predominant bodily cenesthesic symptoms, while older patients (40 years) were more commonly women with cenesthesic symptoms restricted to the oral cavity (oral cenesthopathy).ArticlePSYCHOGERIATRICS. 13(3):196-198 (2013)journal articl

Associations of Autism Spectrum Quotient and Personality Profiles with Eating Behaviors in Patients with Anorexia Nervosa and in a Non-clinical Population

Article信州医学雑誌 67(3): 157-166(2019)journal articl

Cavum Septum Pellucidum and Cavum Vergae With Late-Onset Catatonia

Associations between large cavum septum pellucidum and functional psychosis disorders, especially schizophrenia, have been reported. We report a case of late-onset catatonia associated with enlarged CSP and cavum vergae. A 66-year-old woman was presented with altered mental status and stereotypic movement. She was initially treated with aripiprazole and lorazepam. After 4 weeks, she was treated with electroconvulsive therapy. By 10 treatments, echolalia vanished, and catatonic behavior was alleviated. Developmental anomalies in the midline structure may increase susceptibility to psychosis, even in the elderly.ArticleJOURNAL OF ECT. 29(3):E45-E46 (2013)journal articl

Sex differences in the serum level of endogenous ligands for estrogen receptor beta in the elderly population

Animal studies suggest that estrogen receptor beta (ER beta)-agonists, but not ER alpha-agonists, are antidepressants. Several endogenous ligands for ER beta have been proposed, including 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol (3 beta Adiol), Androstenediol (Delta 5-diol), and 7 alpha-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone (7 alpha-OH-DHEA). The aim of this study was to determine the serum and salivary levels of natural ER beta ligands in men and women with and without past depressive episodes in the elderly population. DHEA (a precursor of 3 beta Adiol, Delta 5-diol, and 7 alpha-OH-DHEA), 17 beta-estradiol (E2), and cortisol (F) were also measured. Samples were collected from 51 subjects and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used for measurement. Comparisons were made between groups based on sex and depression history. E2, 3 beta Adiol, and Delta 5-diol levels were significantly lower in women than in men regardless of depression history. There were no significant differences between men and women in DHEA or 7 alpha-OH-DHEA levels. DHEA was significantly lower in women with depression than in women without depression. Reduced DHEA levels may be related to depression vulnerability in women. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanism underlying sex differences in the prevalence of depression and increased risk of depression during menopause. Not only E2 but also two other estrogenic steroids (3 beta Adiol and Delta 5-diol) should be involved in these studies.ArticleSCIENTIFIC REPORTS. 6:25878 (2016)journal articl

Possible utilization of salivary IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio as a marker of chronic stress in healthy individuals

Introduction: Several studies show that psychological stress reduces Th1/Th2 ratio in blood samples. However, evidence is scarce regarding the cytokine alterations during stress in saliva. We investigated the influence of chronic stress on Th1/Th2 ratio and cytokine profiles in the saliva of healthy individuals. Further, we examined the associations of the salivary cytokine levels with sleep and attention problems, which are closely related with psychological stress. / Methods: Salivary levels of 27 cytokines were measured by multiplex bead array assays in 31 healthy young individuals (health science students and hospital staff consisting of 11 men and 20 women, mean age [standard deviation] =21.5 [0.8] years). The Kessler Psychological Distress scale (K10) and Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) were administered to assess subjective chronic psychological stress and sleep problems. Further, participants were asked to wear Actigraph GT3X accelerometers for 3 days to assess the total sleep time. Attention problems were assessed by administering the Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (IVA-CPT). / Results: Thirteen cytokines with >80% detectable results were included in the main analyses. The IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio, which is a commonly used index for Th1/Th2 ratio, showed significant negative correlations with the K10 and AIS scores. None of the cytokines were significantly associated with sex, body mass index, sleep index measured by Actigraph, or IVA-CPT scores. / Conclusion: Chronic stress may be associated with alterations of the Th1/Th2 balance in salivary cytokine production. IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio in saliva may serve as a potential biomarker of chronic stress in healthy individuals.ArticleNeuropsychopharmacology reports 41(1) : 65-72(2021)journal articl

A review of recent case reports of cenesthopathy in Japan

Idiopathic abnormal bodily sensations, or cenesthesic symptoms, are exhibited in a wide variety of mental illnesses. In Japan, patients with abnormal bodily sensations are often diagnosed with cenesthopathy. This study reviewed recent case reports of cenesthopathy. Of the 100 identified cases, young patients were more commonly men with predominant bodily cenesthesic symptoms, while older patients (40 years) were more commonly women with cenesthesic symptoms restricted to the oral cavity (oral cenesthopathy).ArticlePSYCHOGERIATRICS. 13(3):196-198 (2013)journal articl