Publications by authors named "Maki Taniguchi"
Parents of adolescents with internet gaming disorder (IGD) are at a high risk of psychological distress. Good family functioning may play a protective role in the mental health of parents of adolescents with IGD. Hence, this study examined the moderating effect of family functioning on the association between adolescent IGD and parental mental health.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMobile health (mHealth) is gaining interest worldwide. This randomized trial aimed to test the effects of family companionship on the prevention of social frailty among Japanese individuals aged ≥40 years using a mHealth application. We used a participant-coaching system, which included a mobile nutrition management software application and a web portal.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe study of Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEIs) is critical for understanding the complex mechanisms of the human immune response to infectious diseases. Specific IEIs, characterized by selective susceptibility to certain pathogens, have enhanced our understanding of the key molecular pathways and cellular subsets involved in host defense against pathogens. These insights revealed that patients with anti-cytokine autoantibodies exhibit phenotypes similar to those with pathogenic mutations in genes encoding signaling molecules.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- * A study examined 131 female patients with X-linked dominant incontinentia pigmenti (IP), finding that 36% produced autoantibodies against IFN-α and/or IFN-ω, significantly higher than age-matched controls.
- * The presence of these autoantibodies is linked to an abnormally small thymus and predisposes patients to life-threatening viral infections, while those without these autoantibodies do not face the same risk.
Impact of current and previous sperm findings on outcomes of intrauterine insemination.
Reprod Med Biol
April 2024
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to explore the link between sperm characteristics and the success rates of intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedures.
- A total of 1380 IUI cycles were analyzed, focusing on sperm quality before and after washing, to see how these factors impacted clinical pregnancy rates.
- Key findings indicated that lower sperm motility before washing significantly decreased pregnancy chances, and that achieving normal motility in post-wash samples was crucial for IUI success, especially after multiple cycles.
Article Synopsis
- In a study of 183 unvaccinated children hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia, 10.4% had autoantibodies that neutralized type I interferons (IFNs), specifically targeting IFN-α2 and IFN-ω in varying combinations.
- Among the children with autoantibodies, 3.8% neutralized higher levels of IFN-α2, while the rest had lower neutralization capabilities, and some uninfected children also displayed similar antibodies.
- The presence of these autoantibodies significantly increased the odds of developing severe COVID-19 pneumonia, particularly those neutralizing higher concentrations of IFN-α2 compared to those neutralizing IFN-ω.
Neutralizing Type I Interferon Autoantibodies in Japanese Patients with Severe COVID-19.
J Clin Immunol
October 2022
Article Synopsis
- A study evaluated the prevalence of autoantibodies (aAbs) and neutralizing autoantibodies (naAbs) to type I interferons in Japanese COVID-19 patients and a healthy control group.
- Among uninfected individuals in the general Japanese population, only 0.087% had aAbs, whereas 10.6% of critically ill patients had naAbs.
- The presence of naAbs was significantly linked to critical illness, older age, and male sex, indicating a greater risk for severe COVID-19 in those with pre-existing naAbs.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the prevalence of autoantibodies (aAbs) and neutralizing autoantibodies (naAbs) to type I interferons (IFNs) among Japanese individuals, noting a rare occurrence in the general population but higher rates in older adults and critically ill COVID-19 patients.
- Out of 3,456 healthy Japanese controls, only 0.087% had aAbs, while in the 627 COVID-19 patients studied, naAbs were significantly present in 10.6% of critical cases and in lower percentages for severe cases.
- Results show that older COVID-19 patients (especially men) had higher naAb prevalence, suggesting a link between pre-existing naAbs and increased risk for severe
Article Synopsis
- CARD9 deficiency is an autosomal recessive condition that significantly increases the risk of invasive fungal diseases, particularly from Candida and Trichophyton species, and symptoms often become apparent in adulthood, though it can occur earlier.* -
- A study identified specific CARD9 mutations in a 4-year-old patient suffering from severe fungal infection (Exophiala dermatitidis), while his siblings, sharing the same mutations, remained asymptomatic despite also having cellular abnormalities in their immune response.* -
- The findings suggest that individuals who appear healthy but have a family history of CARD9 deficiency should be evaluated, as detecting immune cell dysfunction can help diagnose the condition even in asymptomatic relatives.*
T2-FLAIR Mismatch Sign and Response to Radiotherapy in Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma.
Fumiyuki Yamasaki
,
Ikuno Nishibuchi
,
Shuhei Karakawa
,
Yoko Kaichi
,
Manish Kolakshyapati
,
Maki Taniguchi
Pediatr Neurosurg
October 2021
Article Synopsis
- The T2-FLAIR mismatch sign is a potential diagnostic indicator for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), showing a correlation with better responses to radiotherapy.
- In a study of 21 DIPG patients, 5 showed a positive T2-FLAIR mismatch sign, leading to a 100% response rate to treatment compared to only 25% in those without the sign.
- Additionally, patients under 18 with the T2-FLAIR mismatch had a statistically significant improvement in prognosis, suggesting its clinical importance.
Simultaneous correction of deviated columella and wide nostril floor using the Y-V advancement in unilateral cleft lip nasal deformities.
J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg
May 2014
Article Synopsis
- The text outlines a surgical technique for correcting both a deviated columella and a wide nostril floor in patients with unilateral cleft lip nasal deformities.
- This method involves using a V-shaped flap from the affected nostril floor and advancing it to the columella while realigning the septum with the alar base.
- The approach is described as simple and minimally invasive, with the potential to restore the natural shape of the nostril.
Article Synopsis
- A new pre-surgical orthodontic device, made of acrylic resin plates and β-titanium wire, was developed to simplify treatment for patients with wide unilateral cleft lip and palate before surgery.
- In a study of 47 patients, the device showed a significant reduction in the alveolar gap compared to the conventional Hotz plate treatment.
- The β-TW plate proved to be easy to use, cost-effective, and resulted in predictable outcomes without negatively affecting the size of the maxilla.
Article Synopsis
- - The study investigates the O(2) reduction site of cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) using x-ray structural analyses of various derivatives to understand how oxygen is fully reduced, focusing on the roles of iron and copper ions.
- - When O(2) binds to the iron site, it becomes negatively polarized, triggering structural changes that facilitate the sequential transfer of electrons, which helps minimize the formation of harmful reactive oxygen species.
- - The bovine CcO's proton-pumping mechanism involves a hydrogen-bond network and a water channel, where certain ligand bindings like CO or NO can restrict water access, efficiently blocking proton back-leak and enhancing proton-pumping capability.