Editorial Material
Biology
Stephanie M. Holm, John Balmes
Summary: Pollution from landscape fires, increasing due to climate change, leads to lower birthweights in babies in low- and middle-income countries.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Yunhee Kang, Lee Shu Fune Wu, Saijuddin Shaikh, Hasmot Ali, Abu Ahmed Shamim, Parul Christian, Alain Labrique, Keith P. West
Summary: This study examined multiple birth measurements, particularly chest circumference, as predictors of neonatal and infant mortality. The results showed that combining chest circumference with other measurements can provide a more accurate prediction of mortality risk.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Xi Chen, Li Huang, Qian Li, Meng Wu, Lixia Lin, Miao Hong, Huanzhuo Wang, Xuefeng Yang, Liping Hao, Nianhong Yang
Summary: Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) during pregnancy and infancy is associated with an increased risk of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in infants, particularly continued ETS exposure during pregnancy. Infants breastfed for less than 12 months are more susceptible to developing URTI when exposed to ETS during infancy.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Tsuyoshi Murata, Hyo Kyozuka, Toma Fukuda, Shun Yasuda, Akiko Yamaguchi, Seiichi Morokuma, Akiko Sato, Yuka Ogata, Kosei Shinoki, Mitsuaki Hosoya, Seiji Yasumura, Koichi Hashimoto, Hidekazu Nishigori, Keiya Fujimori
Summary: This study evaluated the association between maternal sleep duration and low birth weight, small for gestational age infants, and macrosomia. The results showed that maternal sleep duration of 9.0-9.9 hours was significantly associated with a decreased incidence of low birth weight infants and small for gestational age infants compared to 6.0-7.9 hours.
BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Fermin Garcia-Munoz Rodrigo, Jorge Fabres, Jose L. Tapia, Ivonne D'Apremont, Laura San Feliciano, Carlos Zozaya Nieto, Josep Figueras-Aloy, Gonzalo Mariani, Gabriel Musante, Fernando Silvera, Jaime Zegarra, Maximo Vento
Summary: This study aimed to analyze perinatal variables and interventions associated with survival and survival without major morbidity in VLBW infants, comparing two large networks. Results revealed the network of origin as a significant factor influencing outcomes, in addition to certain birth characteristics. Significant variability in outcomes was found within each network.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ga Won Jeon, Jang Hoon Lee, Minkyung Oh, Yun Sil Chang
Summary: This study evaluated the long-term growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes of very-low-birth-weight infants born between 2013 and 2018. The results showed improvements in weight growth and cerebral palsy rates, but an increase in the proportion of children with language delays.
JOURNAL OF KOREAN MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ga Won Jeon, Jang Hoon Lee, Minkyung Oh, Yun Sil Chang
Summary: Since the launch of the KNN in 2013, the survival rates of infants with a GA of 26 weeks and short-term outcomes have improved, indicating an enhancement in antenatal and delivery room care quality.
JOURNAL OF KOREAN MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Louisa W. Holaday, Destiny G. Tolliver, Tiana Moore, Keitra Thompson, Emily A. Wang
Summary: This study explores the association between neighborhood incarceration rates and adverse birth outcomes in New York City. The findings suggest that neighborhoods with higher incarceration rates have higher rates of preterm birth, low birth weight, and other adverse birth outcomes. This association is particularly significant for Black residents, indicating that mass incarceration may contribute to racial disparities in birth outcomes.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Hyun Jeong Do, Kyoung Min Moon, Hyun-Seung Jin
Summary: This study compared the performance of machine learning methods and logistic regression in predicting mortality of very low birth weight infants. The results showed that artificial neural network, random forest, and logistic regression had similar predictive performance, while support vector machine performed lower.
Article
Pediatrics
Nasenien Nourkami-Tutdibi, Erol Tutdibi, Theresa Faas, Gudrun Wagenpfeil, Elizabeth S. Draper, Samantha Johnson, Marina Cuttini, Rym El Rafei, Anna-Veera Seppaenen, Jan Mazela, Rolf Felix Maier, Alexandra Nuytten, Henrique Barros, Carina Rodrigues, Jennifer Zeitlin, Michael Zemlin
Summary: The study found that maternal advanced age does not have a significant impact on mortality and morbidity of very preterm infants. Even though older mothers may face greater pregnancy risks, the outcomes for VPT infants born to AMA and vAMA mothers did not differ from those born to younger mothers.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2021)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Ageliki A. Karatza, Despoina Gkentzi, Anastasia Varvarigou
Summary: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) represents a severe sequela in neonates born very prematurely. Proper nutritional support is challenging in this high-risk population. The development of the lungs and physical growth are closely linked in infants with BPD. Adequate nutrition should promote growth and lung alveolarization. Meticulous follow-up is essential to prevent growth retardation and improve lung function.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Peter Socha, Alice McGee, Sohinee Bhattacharya, Catriona Young, Rui Wang
Summary: Antenatal corticosteroid administration may be associated with decreased neonatal mortality and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in twins.
OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Alemayehu Mekonnen Gezmu, Andre N. H. Bulabula, Angela Dramowski, Adrie Bekker, Marina Aucamp, Sajini Souda, Britt Nakstad
Summary: This retrospective study compared neonatal bloodstream infections in Botswana and South Africa in 2017, finding high rates of BSI and associated mortality in both neonatal units. ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae was identified as a dominant pathogen in outbreaks in Princess Marina Hospital.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Amelie Mugnier, Virginie Gaillard, Sylvie Chastant
Summary: The mortality rate in the first two months of life is high in canine species, but can be improved by early identification of high-risk neonates. Researchers analyzed data from 8550 puppies born in 127 French breeding kennels and found that low-birth-weight puppies grew slower in the first few days but had higher growth rates later. Thresholds for growth rates were established to identify puppies at higher risk of mortality and improve their chances of survival.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alice Hoffsten, Laszlo Markasz, Katharina Ericson, Leif D. Nelin, Richard Sindelar
Summary: Autopsy determined the final cause of death in one-third of cases, and necrotizing enterocolitis as a cause of death increased significantly during the study period. The autopsy rate did not change significantly between the two study periods.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Sakshi Pandey, Saori Kashima
Summary: In India, a high prevalence of anthropometric failure is still reported in vegetarian children, with significant association found between dietary adequacy levels and anthropometric failure risk, especially among children who were not breastfed.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shuhei Yoshida, Saori Kashima, Shinya Ishii, Soichi Koike, Masatoshi Matsumoto
Summary: Climate change has led to an increase in frequent and severe torrential rains and floods globally, prompting the estimation of the associated costs as a priority for research. The 2018 Japan Floods particularly impacted vulnerable elderly individuals, resulting in the need for long-term care due to various health issues caused by the disaster. This study evaluated the effect of the floods on Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI) costs and service utilization in Japan.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Saori Kashima, Shuhei Yoshida, Yuji Okazaki, Shinya Ishii, Soichi Koike, Masatoshi Matsumoto
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the 2018 Japan Floods on the prescriptions of antidementia drugs for older people. The findings showed an increase in the number of users of antidementia medications following the disaster, highlighting the need for evidence-based recommendations to address cognitive impairment among disaster victims.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Ryoko Ishida, Shuhei Yoshida, Saori Kashima, Yuji Okazaki, Masatoshi Matsumoto
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of the 2018 Japan Floods on prescriptions of Yokukansan. The results showed that the flood increased prescriptions of Yokukansan and other Kampo drugs among elderly victims, with a more significant increase in Yokukansan prescriptions. Clinicians and policymakers should be aware of the increased need for Yokukansan during natural disasters.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kawuli Abudureyimu, Made Ayu Hitapretiwi Suryadhi, Takashi Yorifuji, Toshihihe Tsuda
Summary: This study assessed the association between ambient PM2.5 levels and acute respiratory infections in India. The results showed that an increase in PM2.5 levels was associated with an increased risk of upper and lower respiratory infections. This study highlights the importance of implementing stricter restrictions in India to ensure safe air levels.
ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Yuji Okazaki, Shuhei Yoshida, Saori Kashima, Daisuke Miyamori, Masatoshi Matsumoto
Summary: The 2018 Japan Floods significantly increased prescriptions for IBS drugs, indicating that the disaster had an impact on the development or exacerbation of IBS among the affected population.
BMC GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Norie Sawada, Tomoki Nakaya, Saori Kashima, Takashi Yorifuji, Tomoya Hanibuchi, Hadrien Charvat, Taiki Yamaji, Motoki Iwasaki, Manami Inoue, Hiroyasu Iso, Shoichiro Tsugane
Summary: This study found evidence for a positive association between PM2.5 exposure and mortality from cardiovascular disease in a Japanese population, even in an area with relatively low-level air pollution. Exposure was not associated with all-cause mortality or cancer and respiratory disease mortality.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Yuji Okazaki, Shuhei Yoshida, Saori Kashima, Soichi Koike, Masatoshi Matsumoto
Summary: The 2018 Japan Floods increased the number of prescriptions for acute migraine medications among victims, suggesting that acute migraine attacks occurred more frequently after a natural disaster.
Article
Psychiatry
Yuji Okazaki, Shuhei Yoshida, Saori Kashima, Shinya Ishii, Soichi Koike, Masatoshi Matsumoto
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the 2018 Japan Floods on the number of benzodiazepine prescriptions. The results showed a significant increase in benzodiazepine prescriptions among flood victims after the disaster, and this effect persisted for at least 1 year.
SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHIATRIC EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Daisuke Miyamori, Shuhei Yoshida, Saori Kashima, Soichi Koike, Shinya Ishii, Masatoshi Matsumoto
Summary: Disasters have a significant impact on the discontinuation of long-term care services for older people, with affected individuals being twice as likely to discontinue LTC services compared to those not affected. Younger age and lower care needs are associated with a higher likelihood of discontinuation.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yuji Okazaki, Shuhei Yoshida, Saori Kashima, Soichi Koike, Robert Bowman, Masatoshi Matsumoto
Summary: Solutions for geographic maldistribution of physicians is challenging globally. This study compares the geographic distribution of family physicians in Japan and the USA and finds that family physicians in Japan tend to cluster in areas with lower population density, while those in the USA are evenly distributed across areas. The aggregation of family physicians in rural areas in Japan supports equity. Increasing the proportion of family physicians in the total number of physicians may help improve the geographic maldistribution of physicians.
RURAL AND REMOTE HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Daisuke Miyamori, Shuhei Yoshida, Saori Kashima, Soichi Koike, Shinya Ishii, Yuji Okazaki, Kotaro Ikeda, Masatoshi Matsumoto
Summary: As global warming leads to more frequent disasters, countries are seeking ways to protect vulnerable older populations. This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from long-term care insurance users in three Japanese prefectures affected by the 2018 Japan Floods. The study found that natural disasters increase the risk of nursing home admission for older individuals, especially those who are unable to feed themselves. Health care providers and policymakers should be aware of and prepared for this emerging risk factor.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shuhei Yoshida, Saori Kashima, Yuji Okazaki, Masatoshi Matsumoto
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of the 2018 Japan Floods on healthcare costs and service utilization. The results showed that flood victims had higher medical costs and utilized more healthcare services compared to non-victims. It is important to estimate the increase in healthcare costs based on the scale of the disaster and plan for appropriate post-disaster healthcare service delivery.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Ryohei Fujimoto, Etsuji Suzuki, Saori Kashima, Kazufumi Nakamura, Hiromichi Naito, Atsunori Nakao, Hiroshi Ito, Takashi Yorifuji
Summary: This study investigated the associations between short-term heat exposure and the risk of cardiovascular disease in elderly individuals in Japan, with a focus on the effects of rainy seasons. The study found that heat exposure during the month after the rainy season was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Daisuke Miyamori, Tsukasa Kamitani, Shuhei Yoshida, Yuya Shigenobu, Kotaro Ikeda, Yuka Kikuchi, Saori Kashima, Yosuke Yamamoto
Summary: This study found an increased colorectal cancer mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic period, indicating a continuous impact of the pandemic on known and unknown risk factors for colorectal cancer. Further research is needed to mitigate the adverse effects on patient outcomes.
