Kansai District Research Articles

Differential efficacy of TNF inhibitors with or without the immunoglobulin fragment crystallizable (Fc) portion in rheumatoid arthritis: the ANSWER cohort study.

Rheumatoid factor (RF) binds to the fragment crystallizable (Fc) portion of immunoglobulin. It could bind to the Fc portion of anti-TNF inhibitors (TNFi) and attenuate the clinical efficacy. We tried to determine whether the therapeutic efficacy of TNFi with Fc might be lower than that of TNFi without Fc in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with high titres of RF. The Kansai Consortium for Well-being of Rheumatic Disease Patients (ANSWER) cohort is an observational multi-center registry of patients with RA in the Kansai district of Japan. RA patients treated with TNFi were included and divided into two groups based on the structural characteristics between TNFi with Fc (infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab, and etanercept) and TNFi without Fc (certolizumab pegol). Patients were classified into 4 groups according to RF titre quartiles. The sequential disease activity score in 28 joints using erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) was compared by Mann-Whitney U test between TNFi with and without Fc in each RF titre group. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of TNFi without Fc for the change of DAS28-ESR adjusted after potential confounders. A total of 705 RA patients were classified into four groups (RF1; RF 0-15.0IU/mL, RF2; 15.0-55.0, RF3; 55.0-166, RF4; 166-7555). In RF4, RA patients treated with TNFi without Fc had a significantly lower DAS28-ESR than those treated with TNFi with Fc [3.2 (2.3-4.2) vs. 2.7 (2.0-3.0)] after 12months. This effect of TNFi without Fc for the change of DAS28-ESR after 12months treatment retained in multivariate analysis in RF4. TNFi without Fc may be more efficacious than TNFi with Fc in RA patients with high RF titres.

Chronobiology of transient global amnesia

IntroductionThe etiology of transient global amnesia (TGA) is still a matter of debate. Based, among others, on the observation of a close temporal relation between certain events and subsequent TGA episodes, recent proposals discuss the relevance of stress-associated processes impacting on hippocampal functioning. Circadian, infra- and ultradian rhythmicity has been found to play a relevant role in the multifactorial pathomechanisms of various disorders but has not been thoroughly studied in TGA.MethodsData of patients with a final diagnosis of TGA were collected in Mannheim, Germany (06/1999–01/2018, n = 404), and in the Kansai district, Japan (04/2006–03/2018, n = 261). Chronological patterns of TGA occurrence were determined.ResultsSignificant circadian rhythmicity of TGA occurrence with bimodal peaks (mid-morning, late afternoon) was found for the entire population (p = 0.002) and for either sub-cohort (Mannheim: p = 0.003, Kansai: p = 0.007). This finding was confirmed for either sex (women: p = 0.004, men: p = 0.004) and different age groups (< 65 years: p = 0.0009, ≥ 65 years: p = 0.003). There was no variation according to day of the week, month or season, but the proportion of patients with a weekday episode was significantly higher in the Mannheim cohort (p = 0.002).DiscussionWe identified a robust circadian rhythm in TGA occurrence which remarkably applied to either of the two study sites located on different continents and which was independent of sex and age. In light of abundant evidence of circadian rhythmicity of both, components of the human stress response system and memory, chronobiological analyses may provide an opportunity to further uncover the mechanisms underlying TGA.

A multicenter study of transient global amnesia for the better detection of magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities

The detection rate of diffusion-weighted (DWI) hyperintense lesions varies widely in patients with transient global amnesia (TGA). The aim was to examine the association of hyperintense lesions on DWI magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with patient characteristics, precipitating factors, clinical presentation and MRI settings in patients with TGA. In this multicenter retrospective observational study, using the standardized diagnosis entry system of electronic health records of four tertiary medical centers in the Kansai district of Japan, TGA patients (n=261) who underwent brain MRI within 28days of onset were examined. When the onset time was unavailable, the discovery time was used. Diffusion-weighted hyperintense lesions were observed in 79 patients (30%). There were no significant differences in age, sex, vascular risk factors, precipitating factors or clinical presentation between patients with and without DWI lesions. The detection rate increased linearly 24h after onset and then reached a plateau of 60%-80% by 84h. After 84h, the detection rate decreased rapidly. In a multivariate logistic regression model, MRI examination 24-84h after onset (odds ratio 7.00, 95% confidence interval 3.50-13.99) and a thin-slice (≤3mm) DWI sequence (odds ratio 7.59, 95% confidence interval 3.05-18.88) were independent predictors of DWI lesions. This study suggests that DWI hyperintense lesions in TGA are not associated with patient characteristics and clinical presentation. Brain MRI examination 24-84h after onset and thin-slice DWI sequences enhance the detection of DWI lesions in TGA patients.

Distribution of Anticancer Drugs in River Waters and Sediments of the Yodo River Basin, Japan

This article reviews the pollution status of anticancer drugs present in the Yodo River basin located in the Kansai district of Japan, covering both the soluble and insoluble (adsorbed on the river sediments and suspended solids) levels. Procedures ranging from sampling in the field and instrumental analytical methods to the data processing for mass balance estimation of the target basin are also described. All anticancer drugs concerned with this article were detected in sewage and river waters, where the presence of bicalutamide (BLT) was identified at considerably high concentrations (maximum 254 ng/L in the main stream, 151 ng/L in tributaries, and 1032 ng/L in sewage treatment plant (STP) effluents). In addition, sorption distribution coefficient (logKd) values showed a tendency to become higher in the silty sediments at Suita Bridge than in the sandy sediments at Hirakata Bridge; these trends were supported by the results of the laboratory-scale sorption experiment. STPs were concluded to be the main sources of the anticancer drug load in the river, and a mass flux evaluation revealed that the effect of attenuation in the river environment was small. The effectiveness of ozonation in the sewage treatment process for removal of these anticancer drugs was further confirmed. The present article should be of value for facilitating the environmental risk assessment of a wide range of drugs in a broader geographical area.

Disappearance of summer collection records for Menochilus sexmaculatus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) during climate warming

ABSTRACTLong-term changes in the collection season of Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius) were analysed based on 265 specimens collected from the Kansai district, central Japan, during 1949–2004. Results show that collection records in the summer months, July and August, decreased during this period, and that there were no summer records from 2000 to 2004. Concurrently, the annual mean and summer temperatures tended to increase and summer humidity decreased during this period in the Kansai district. Thus, the activity of M. sexmaculatus would be limited in summer because of the recent climate warming.

Development of Environmentally Friendly Farming in Kansai District of Japan

Development of Environmentally Friendly Farming in Kansai District of Japan

The 39th Cliniconeuropathological Meeting of Kansai District 29–30 October 2011

The 39th Cliniconeuropathological Meeting of Kansai District 29–30 October 2011

江戸期の料理本にみるうす色しょうゆの料理への使われ方

All description of “shoyu” (soy sauce) which appears in the cookbook of 76 volumes of the Edo era was extracted, and it classified according to cooking. In particular, it focused on “usushoyu” and “kishoyu” which were considered to be a light color, and it was examined for what kind of dish the soy sauce of a light color was used in Edo era. The following was found. 1) About 50% of “usushoyu” was used for simmered dishes, on the other hand, “kishoyu” was used also for dressed dishes, besides simmered dishes. 2) Furthermore, the case where soy sauce was used in cooking process was compared with the case where it was used as dipping sauce or sauce after cooking. Although “usushoyu” was used in cooking process for simmered dishes in many cases, “kishoyu” was used after cooking for dressed dishes 3) In Kansai district which had more use of “usushoyu” and “kishoyu” than the Kanto district, many “usushoyu” was used for a soup and simmered dishes, and dressed dishes had much “kishoyu.” 4) The soy sauce light a color and bland having been fond in good rareness for simmered dishes and soups in Kansai. Since “kishoyu” was used for the dressed dishes of wild foods, it was guessed that the scent of raw soy sauce was also employed efficiently.

S192023 大阪工業大学・超小型人工衛星プロイテレスのシステム設計と構造系開発([S19202]小型宇宙システム(2))

The 15kg-class nano-satellite "PROITERES" (The Project of Osaka Institute of Technology Electric-Rocket-Engine onboard Small Space Ship) with electrothermal pulsed plasma thrusters (PPTs) and high resolution camera is being developed in Osaka Institute of Technology. The mission of this satellite is powered flight of nano-satellite by PPTs in orbital and observation of Kansai district in Japan with a high-resolution camera. PROITERES will be launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (India) to the sun-synchronous orbit of 670 km in 2011.We developed Flight Model (FM) of the satellite, including electrothermal PPT system, high-resolution camera system, onboard computer system, communication system and grand station, electric power system, attitude control system etc, in 2010-2011. In this paper, we report all systems of PROITERES and its structure.

日本 (関西) とイタリアの衣服用ショーウインドーの比較

日本 (関西) とイタリアの衣服用ショーウインドーの比較

Upon Editing the Special Issue of Kansai Branch(&lt;Special Issue&gt;Kansai Branch: Their Transmission of Lighting Culture in Kansai Area of Japan)

2006 annual conference was held in Kansai University. 2010 annual conference will be held in Osaka City University. Because only four years from this time passed, we adopted the form of the sequel. The representative contents are as follows. (1) New illumination event in Kansai district, (2) Lighting Culture to Leave, and its Succession and (3) Railway station LED and Famous sports Lighting facility.

History & Development of the Pilgrimage Railways in Kansai District

History & Development of the Pilgrimage Railways in Kansai District

The Publishing of Modern Literature Dictionaries in the Kansai District and the Prospects for Future Publishing

The Publishing of Modern Literature Dictionaries in the Kansai District and the Prospects for Future Publishing

S1901-1-6 大阪工業大学・電気推進ロケットエンジン搭載超小型人工衛星プロイテレスの開発(小型宇宙システム(1),社会変革を技術で廻す機械工学)

The Project of Osaka Institute of Technology Electric-Rocket-Engine onboard Small Space Ship (PROITERES) was started at Osaka Institute of Technology in 2007. In PROITERES, a nano-satellite with electrothermal pulsed plasma thrusters (PPTs) will be launched in 2010. The main mission is to achieve powered flight of nano-satellite by an electric thruster and to observe Kansai district in Japan with a high-resolution camera. The flight model of the satellite was successfully developed, and the satellite FM was under final test.

The 37th Cliniconeuropathological Meeting of Kansai District 7-8 November 2009

The 37th Cliniconeuropathological Meeting of Kansai District 7-8 November 2009

Vegetation Change in Kansai District by Pattern Decomposition Method using Landsat/MSS and TM data

Vegetation Change in Kansai District by Pattern Decomposition Method using Landsat/MSS and TM data

The 36th Cliniconeuropathological Meeting of Kansai District 15–16 November 2008

The 36th Cliniconeuropathological Meeting of Kansai District 15–16 November 2008

The 35th Cliniconeuropathological Meeting of Kansai District 17-18 November 2007

The 35th Cliniconeuropathological Meeting of Kansai District 17-18 November 2007

花火よもやま話

The firework industry in Niigata Prefecture is famous, and the firework makers in Niigata and a few other prefectures satisfy greater part of the domestic demand in fireworks. Especially, the Japanese largest firework, so called “Yonshaku dama” which is approximately 120 centimeters in diameter, can be produced and launched only by Niigata's firework technology.Gunpowder was historically introduced to Japan with gun technology in 1543. Since gun armament was prohibited by Tokugawa government in the Edo period, gunpowder makers had to resign their posts and some have supposed to become firework artisans. “Kagiya” as the first firework maker in the Edo City, have opened a store in 1659. Skyrocket-type modern fireworks were invented about 100 years after then. The Japanese skyrocket-type fireworks, well known as “Japanese Style Firework” in the world, have spherical outside appearance, and it open spherically once launched to the sky, in contrast to cylindrical shape of European fireworks.Firework technology seemed to have been transmitted from the Kansai district not only to the Edo City, but also to some rice field basins of large rivers flowing into the Sea of Japan in the Northeast Japan, such as Katakai Town, perhaps related to “Kitamae” cargo boat services.

The 34th Cliniconeuropathological Meeting of Kansai District 18–19 November 2006

The 34th Cliniconeuropathological Meeting of Kansai District 18–19 November 2006