Published papers

In this study, we sought to elucidate the roles of the interleukin (IL)-32β and IL-32γ in mesothelioma cell growth, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8) expression. IL-32 elicited a growth-promoting effect against one of the six mesotheliomas lines and exerted diverse regulatory functions in VEGF-A and CXCL8 secretion from mesotheliomas stimulated with or without IL-17A. Retroviral-mediated transduction of mesothelioma lines with IL-32γ resulted in enhanced IL-32β expression, which facilitated or suppressed the in vitro growth, and VEGF-A and CXCL8 expression. Overexpressed IL-32β-augmented growth and VEGF-A and CXCL8 production were mainly mediated through the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway. On the other hand, overexpressed IL-32β-deceased growth was mediated through mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. NCI-H2373IL-32γ tumors grew faster than NCI-H2373Neo tumors in a xenograft model, which was associated with increased vascularity. These findings indicate that IL-32 are involved in the regulation of growth and angiogenic factor production in mesotheliomas.

We conducted a prospective, randomized two-arm, parallel group, and open label trial to investigate whether the use of LINE would increase HPV vaccine intention among not completely vaccinated university students. In June 2020, we recruited students aged between 18 and 35 years from four universities in Japan. Among the 357 enrollees (female, 53%), 178 and 179 participants were randomized into the LINE and Mail groups, respectively. At baseline, within three years, vaccine intention was observed in 40% vs. 42% of participants, respectively. At the first intervention, which provided similar PDF leaflets about HPV vaccine and cervical cancer prevention, there was no significant difference in vaccine intention between the two groups. However, at the second intervention of LINE-assisted knowledge intervention for 5 days per week for 7 weeks, the LINE group had a higher proportion of vaccine intention than the no intervention group (66% vs. 44%, OR: 2.62, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.59–4.35) in per-protocol analysis. The significance remained in the intention-to-treat analysis of multiply imputed datasets. Although LINE did not directly increase HPV vaccine intention compared to conventional posts, the LINE-assisted provision of information was effective in improving HPV vaccine intention among Japanese university and college students.

A prospective, multicentre, open-label, blinded-endpoint, randomized controlled study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of treatment with ipragliflozin (sodium-dependent glucose transporter-2 inhibitor) versus metformin for visceral fat reduction and glycaemic control among Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes treated with sitagliptin, HbA1c levels of 7%-10%, and body mass index (BMI) ≥ 22 kg/m . Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive ipragliflozin 50 mg or metformin 1000-1500 mg daily. The primary outcome was change in visceral fat area as measured by computed tomography after 24 weeks of therapy. The secondary outcomes were effects on glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism. Mean percentage reduction in visceral fat area was significantly greater in the ipragliflozin group than in the metformin group (−12.06% vs. −3.65%, P = 0.040). Ipragliflozin also significantly reduced BMI, subcutaneous fat area, waist circumference, fasting insulin, and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA)-resistance, and increased HDL-cholesterol levels. Metformin significantly reduced HbA1c and LDL-cholesterol levels and increased HOMA-beta. There were no severe adverse events. The use of ipragliflozin or metformin in combination with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, widely used in Japan, may have beneficial effects in ameliorating multiple cardiovascular risk factors. 2