Factors Influencing Willingness to Undergo Lung Cancer Screening in the Future: A Cross-Sectional Study of Japanese University Students

Lung cancer (LC) is currently the leading cause of cancer deaths in Japan. Early detection through lung cancer screening (LCS) is important for reducing mortality. Therefore, exploring the factors affecting willingness to undergo LCS, particularly among young people, is important. This study aimed to elucidate the inclination toward LCS and its determining factors among Japanese university students. This cross-sectional study, involving 10,969 Japanese university students, was conducted in April 2023. A Pearson's chi-square test and a binomial logistic regression analysis were used to analyze factors related to the dependent variable, willingness to undergo LCS in the future. Out of the 6779 participants (61.8%) involved in this study, 6504 (95.9%) provided valid responses, and 4609 (70.9%) expressed a willingness to undergo LCS in the future. Analysis revealed current smoking as a barrier to future willingness to undergo LCS. Other barriers included postponing the age of screening, anxiety about the screening content, and concerns about the possibility of having cancer after screening. Addressing barriers, such as current smoking and anxiety about screening, that prevent young people from undergoing LCS in the future is crucial. Therefore, universities should provide opportunities to educate students about LCS and explore various educational methods.

Association between the experience of exertional heat illness (EHI) and living conditions of collegiate student athletes

Exertional heatstroke (EHS), a severe form of exertional heat illness (EHI), is the third leading cause of death in athletes; thus, early detection and prevention of EHI can help prevent EHS, which is a life-threatening condition. This study aimed to clarify the association between the cognizance of experiencing EHI and living conditions and specific EHI symptoms among collegiate athletes. This study was conducted in October 2022 by administering a questionnaire to 237 male collegiate athletes. Of the 215 (90.7%) respondents, 197 (91.6%) provided valid responses; among them, 88 (44.7%) responded they had experienced EHI, while 109 (55.3%) had not. A history of medical examinations due to EHI, having experienced headaches during summer activities, and having read the EHI manual were factors indicating cognizance of EHI. The number of times meals containing a staple food, main dish, and side dish were eaten in a day was a factor in preventing EHI. Early detection of EHI is important for its prevention, and it is important that athletes themselves have knowledge of symptoms and can correctly self-diagnose EHI. Emphasizing the potential of a well-balanced dietary intake has the potential to prevent EHI is crucial.

University students' living conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic and predictors of their subjective health views: A cross-sectional survey

This study aimed to explore the factors influencing subjective health views based on the living conditions and concerns of university students during the coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. From March to April 2021, a questionnaire survey was administered to 8,547 Japanese university students, and logistic regression analysis was used to explore factors related to subjective health views. The results showed that satisfaction with quality of sleep (OR = 2.651, 95% Cl 2.370-2.966,p < 0.001), satisfaction with university life (OR = 2.486, 95%Cl 2.215-2.789, p < 0.001), satisfaction with diet (OR = 1.849, 95% CI: 1.496-2.285, p < 0.001), regular exercise (OR = 1.759, 95% CI: 1.594-1.941, p < 0.001), consciousness of nutritional balance (OR = 1.276, 95% CI: 1.147-1.420,p < 0.001), eating breakfast every day (OR = 1.247, 95% CI: 1.121-1.387, p < 0.001), and consuming soft drinks at least once a week (OR = 0.865, 95% CI: 0.755-0.966, p = 0.010) were positive factors for subjective views of health. On the other hand, anxiety about whether the necessary credits can be obtained (OR = 0.885, 95% CI: 0.799-0.980, p = 0.019), infection from minimal outings (OR = 0.881, 95% CI: 0.794-0.976, p = 0.016) building and maintaining friendships on campus (OR = 0.867, 95% CI: 0.767-0.980, p = 0.023), and being able to continue working (OR = 0.713, 95% CI: 0.640-0.795, p < 0.001) were identified as negative factors. To ensure a healthy university life during the COVID-19 pandemic or future pandemic, supports tailored to students' living conditions and measures to address their anxieties are required.

Nicotine Dependence among College Students Uninterested in Smoking Cessation during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey

This study investigated nicotine dependence among Japanese university students who had reached the smoking age (20 years or older) by the time of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and examined factors that encourage early smoking cessation. Social dependence on nicotine was evaluated using the Kano Total Social Nicotine Dependence Level (KTSND), and physiological dependence was evaluated using the Fagerström Nicotine Dependence Index (FTND). Of the 356 college students who smoked (4.4% of the total), 182 (51.1%) stated that they were not interested in quitting. Furthermore, 124 (68.1%) of those with no interest in quitting smoking were aware that smoking is a high-risk factor for COVID-19, and 58 (31.9%) were unaware. The group not aware of this risk had significantly higher KTSND scores than the group aware of it. The examination of cigarette type that indicated the users of non-conventional cigarette products and dual-user groups scored significantly higher than the cigarette group on FTND items. Overall, the smokers scored above the normal range for social nicotine dependence, suggesting the need to reduce nicotine dependence to encourage college students who continue to smoke to quit smoking.

Factors affecting health-related quality of life among firefighters during the COVID-19 pandemic: A single-center study

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, firefighters have been working in an environment that is both physically and mentally taxing. This study aimed to investigate factors affecting health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among firefighters in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 227 firefighters from a single firefighting organization were surveyed in June 2021, during the fourth infection spread period of COVID-19 in Japan. Regression analysis was performed to examine factors affecting HRQOL of firefighters measured with the SF-8. In the present study, factors affecting HRQOL among firefighters during the COVID-19 pandemic were lack of sleep, physical abnormalities due to infection control measures, exercise habits, living with family members, and history of suspected COVID-19 infection. The present findings may help develop support services for first responders, including firefighters during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Continuous ingestion of sodium chloride solution promotes allergen absorption and may exacerbate allergy symptoms on ovalbumin-induced food allergy in mice

Various studies have reported relationships between salt intake and diseases, such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, gastric cancer, and bronchial asthma. However, no reports exist on the relationship between salt intake and food allergies. In this study, we investigated the effect of continuous ingestion of sodium chloride (NaCl) on allergy symptoms using a mouse model of food allergy. BALB/c mice were divided into four groups of 6-8 animals each. The control-water group (CW) and sensitization-water group (SW) groups were provided free access to water, and the control-1% NaCl group (CS) and sensitization-1% NaCl group (SS) groups were provided a 1% NaCl solution. The SW and SS groups were sensitized with 50 µg ovalbumin (OVA) at 2 timepoints by intraperitoneal injection. After oral administration of OVA, anaphylactic response was measured and blood was collected. The mice were sacrificed, and serum levels of OVA and anti-OVA immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgG1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The sodium ion (Na⁺) concentrations in duodenal and jejunal extracts were measured using a Na⁺ ion meter. The results suggested that continuous ingestion of a 1% NaCl solution for 36 days promoted allergen absorption and may have aggravated allergy symptoms in the mice. However, NaCl ingestion did not affect Na⁺ concentrations in the small intestine or OVA-specific antibody production.

A Survey of Living Conditions and Psychological Distress in Japanese University Freshmen during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Since the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, educational institutions have implemented measures such as school closures, raising concerns regarding the increase in psychological distress among university students. The purpose of this study is to identify factors that have influenced psychological distress among college freshmen during the COVID-19 pandemic. A questionnaire survey was conducted at the conclusion of the sixth wave of COVID-19 in Japan. Psychological distress was measured using the six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). Factors affecting psychological distress were calculated using regression analysis. Of the 2536 participants, 1841 (72.6%) reported having no psychological distress, while 695 (27.4%) reported having psychological distress. Factors that were identified to contribute to psychological distress were lack of sleep, weight gain or loss, worsening of interpersonal relationships, and physical symptoms and illnesses. A willingness to join an athletic club and having an environment in which it is easy to discuss worries and anxieties with others were factors that were identified to hinder psychological distress. It is necessary for universities to offer enhanced supports for physical and interpersonal activities. Additionally, it is imperative to encourage students to look after their physical health and to actively utilize university-based consultation systems.

Willingness and Predictors of Bystander CPR Intervention in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey of Freshmen Enrolled in a Japanese University

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has decreased bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BCPR) intervention rates. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the willingness of university freshmen to provide BCPR during the COVID-19 pandemic and the predictors thereof. A cross-sectional survey of 2789 newly enrolled university students was conducted after the end of the sixth wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Japan; predictors of willingness to provide BCPR were assessed by regression analysis. Of the 2534 participants 1525 (60.2%) were willing to intervene and provide BCPR during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hesitancy due to the anxiety that CPR intervention might result in poor prognosis was a negative predictor of willingness. In contrast, anxiety about the possibility of infection during CPR intervention did not show a negative impact. On the other hand, interest in CPR and willingness to participate in a course, confidence in CPR skills, awareness of automated external defibrillation, and knowledge of CPR during the COVID-19 pandemic, were also positive predictors. This study suggests that the barrier to willingness to intervene with BCPR during a COVID-19 pandemic is not fear of infection, but rather hesitation due to the possibility of poor prognosis from the intervention. The significance of conducting this study during the COVID-19 epidemic is great, and there is an urgent need for measures to overcome hesitation regarding BCPR.

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among university athletic club members: A cross-sectional survey

School-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing is an important part of a comprehensive prevention strategy in public health. To assess the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in a university athletic club community with repeated occurrences of SARS-CoV-2 infections, we conducted a cross-sectional survey for asymptomatic antibody prevalence using a SARS-CoV-2 rapid antibody test kit. On January 26, 2021 we administered questionnaires to determine their history of contact with infected individuals and took blood samples from 129 undergraduates. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among the subjects was 3.9%. Only 6.2% of the participants reported close contact with infected individuals. In this study, we clarified the prevalence of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in university athletic clubs where SARS-CoV-2 infections had repeatedly occurred, which will be helpful in discussing how to identify and prevent the transmission of infections within university athletic club communities.

Antibody response of smokers to the COVID-19 vaccination: Evaluation based on cigarette dependence

Smokers may have lower antibody titers after vaccination with a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccine. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has evaluated antibody titers after COVID-19 vaccination based on the level of smokers' cigarette dependence. In this study, we measured the level of serum anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (anti-SARS-CoV-2) spike protein receptor-binding domain (S-RBD) immunoglobulin-G (IgG) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay of 55 actively smoking Japanese social workers (firefighters, paramedics, and rescue workers) who had received two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine. Further, we assessed their cigarette dependence using the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), measured their serum cotinine levels, and tested for their correlation with anti-RBD IgG levels. Serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD protein IgG levels after BNT162b2 vaccination showed a significant negative correlation with FTND (ρ = -0.426, p = 0.001). In addition, serum cotinine level showed a significant positive correlation with FTND (ρ = 0.470, p = 0.000). However, no significant negative correlation was noted between serum cotinine and serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD protein IgG levels (ρ = -0.156, p = 0.256). Our results suggest that smokers with strong cigarette dependence have inadequate anti-SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD protein IgG levels after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.

Anti-allergic effects of His-Ala-Gln tripeptide in vitro and in vivo

We examined the inhibitory effects of HAQ (His-Ala-Gln) peptide on type-1 allergy in vitro and in vivo. HAQ peptide inhibited β-hexosaminidase release and intracellular Ca²⁺ levels of rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells. Oral administration of a HAQ peptide-added diet (1 mg/mouse/administration) to C3H/HeJ mice for 14 days led to significant suppression of allergic symptoms, but did not reduce allergen-specific IgE or IgG₁.

Intervention with delivery of diabetic meals improves glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a diabetic meal delivery system on glycemic control over a 12 month period in patients with type 2 diabetes. A total of 77 patients with type 2 diabetes were assigned randomly into three dietary intervention groups: group M, diabetic meal delivery; group D, individual dietary counseling; and group C, conventional dietary education. In group M, HbA_1c levels decreased significantly from 8.2 ± 1.2% to 7.4 ± 0.8% after 12 months (p<0.05), while in group D, HbA_1c levels decreased significantly throughout the entire 12 month period, from 8.5 ± 1.7% at baseline to 7.4 ± 1.1% at the endpoint. Similarly, fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels decreased significantly between 1 and 12 months in group M (p<0.05), and decreased significantly during the entire 12 month period in group D (p<0.01). There were no significant changes in either HbA_1c or FBG levels in group C. This study provides evidence that intervention with delivery of diabetic meals to patients with type 2 diabetes can be equally effective for achieving glycemic control as individual dietary counselling by a dietitian. Diabetic meal delivery can therefore be used successfully to provide diabetes education to outpatients.

Randomized controlled trial of two forms of self-management group education in Japanese people with impaired glucose tolerance

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of education on diabetes prevention in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance. A total of 100 subjects of impaired glucose tolerance with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels ≥5.5 to <6.1% were assigned randomly to either support or control groups. All subjects received education in 8 sessions over a 6-month period. The support group consisted of 10 members collaborating with a dietitian or a nurse who learned coping skills by employing a participant-centered approach. Participants in the support group were required to keep a diary that monitored weight, food intake and blood glucose levels, while the control group attended several lectures. Subjects assigned to the support group had a reduction in mean HbA1c levels from 5.77 ± 0.36% at baseline to 5.39 ± 0.24% at the endpoint (p<0.01). Weight, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) levels also decreased (p<0.01) in the support group, whereas subjects in the control group had no observable reduction in these indices. After intervention, participants of the support group had improvements in their 2-h post-meal blood glucose levels. Support group education can be effective for improving glycemic control in participants when carried out in collaboration with educators and other team members.

Wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis in mice is caused by gliadin and glutenin treatments

Various foods may be associated with food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIAn). However, although the most frequently reported cause of FDEIAn has been wheat, the mechanism of FDEIAn for wheat has remained largely uninvestigated. To investigate the effect of wheat-fractionated proteins on FDEIAn, female B10.A mice (16-20 g) were divided into four groups; i.e. salt-soluble (S-group), gliadin-rich (GLI-group), and glutenin-rich (GLU-group)-sensitized mice, and unsensitized mice. The three sensitized groups were run on a treadmill after oral intake of each wheat-fractionated protein. The mice showed a significant increase in serum IgE, especially in the GLI- and GLU-group. After oral administration of each wheat-fractionated protein, the running time until exhaustion was remarkably shorter for the GLI- and GLU-group than for the S-group and unsensitized mice. The level of intestinal erosion was higher in all the sensitized mice than that in the unsensitized ones after exhaustive running. Furthermore, moderate exercise for 30 min after oral ingestion of each wheat-fractionated protein also induced intestinal erosion in the GLI- and GLU-group. In addition, we observed leaking of gliadin and glutenin proteins out of the intestine into the liver. These results indicated that the main factor involved in wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis might be the gliadin and glutenin in wheat proteins.