Decentralized pandemic response and health equity: an analysis of socioeconomic disparities in COVID-19 mortality in Japan.

Objectives: Global data often link greater socioeconomic deprivation to higher COVID-19 mortality. However, whether decentralized governance can mitigate this disparity by enabling tailored, equitable local responses remains unclear. We assessed whether Japan's decentralized pandemic response moderated the association between area-level socioeconomic deprivation and COVID-19 mortality across municipalities.

Prediction recurrence in stage I epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated non-small cell lung cancer using multi-modal data.

Introduction: Integrated recurrence prediction models that combine clinical, imaging, and genetic data are lacking for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We developed a recurrence prediction model for Stage I EGFR-mutated NSCLC by integrating clinical, radiological, and whole-exome sequencing (WES) data.

Methods: A total of 306 patients with Stage I EGFR-mutated NSCLC were stratified into training (n = 206) and validation (n = 100) cohorts using stratified random sampling.

Educational and economic disparities and risk factors associated with diabetes and impaired fasting glucose in Cambodia: analysis of a national population-based study.

Background: In this study, we aimed to quantify the magnitude of educational and economic disparities and examine risk factors associated with diabetes and impaired fasting glucose in Cambodia.

Methods: We used data from the 2023 STEPwise approach to noncommunicable risk factor surveillance to analyse 3660 participants aged 18-69 years. We quantified the extent of disparities using the regression-based slope index of inequality (SII) and relative index of inequality (RII).

First-Round Fecal Immunochemical Test Concentration Predicts Colorectal Cancer and Advanced Neoplasia in Second-Round Screening.

Introduction: Enhancing fecal immunochemical test (FIT)-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening requires identifying additional predictive factors for colorectal neoplasia beyond current-round FIT concentration. We investigated whether first-round FIT concentration could predict colorectal neoplasia detection in the second screening round, using data from the randomized controlled trial Screening of Swedish Colons (SCREESCO).

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of SCREESCO FIT-arm participants with negative two-stool FIT (<10 μg Hb/g feces) in the first screening round, followed by a positive FIT (≥10 μg Hb/g feces) in the second round two years later with work-up colonoscopy.

Variation in fecal hemoglobin concentrations: Cross-sectional analysis of a screening trial and a screening program in Sweden.

ObjectivesTo assess variation in fecal hemoglobin concentration according to year and season of fecal immunochemical test screening in Sweden, the detection rate of advanced neoplasia, and factors that could influence fecal immunochemical test positivity including sex, age, comorbidity, and laboratory testing quality.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional analysis of participants in the fecal immunochemical test arm of the randomized controlled trial SCREESCO between March 2014 and December 2019 and of participants in the screening program of Stockholm-Gotland, Sweden, who underwent a one-sample fecal immunochemical test between October 2015 and October 2024.ResultsA total of 33,232 individuals from SCREESCO and 315,664 individuals from the Stockholm-Gotland screening program were included.

Impact of loneliness on depression among cancer survivors: a comparison between adolescents and young adults and other age groups.

Background: Numerous studies have suggested an association between loneliness and depression in cancer survivors, particularly adolescents and young adults (AYAs). This study aimed to develop a causal model linking loneliness to depression using structural equation modeling.

Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted to collect demographic information and psychosocial measures, including the UCLA Loneliness Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, EQ-5D-5L, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support short form, Brief Resilience Scale, Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity, and a single item on cancer-related stigma.

Opioid switching to improve delirium symptoms in patients with cancer: a systematic review.

Background: Delirium is a common and distressing symptom in patients with cancer, while opioids-which are essential in managing cancer pain-can cause delirium. Opioid switching is a widely used strategy for the management of opioid-induced delirium; however, its efficacy is yet to be verified. This systematic review aimed to determine opioid switching's efficacy and safety for managing opioid-induced delirium in patients with cancer.

Frequency of daily conversation and risk of dementia: A population-based cohort study in Japan.

Objectives: This population-based study evaluated the association between frequency of daily conversation and risk of dementia, with consideration to living arrangement (living alone or living with someone) and sex.

Methods: Participants aged 50 to 79 years who reported their frequency of daily conversation in 2000-2003 within the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study were followed from 2006 to 2016 for incident dementia using certification records for national long-term care insurance in Japan. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) were estimated using a Cox proportional hazards model with adjustment for factors such as lifestyle and medical history.

Long-term prognosis of mixed histological-type gastric cancers cured by endoscopic resection: a multicenter prospective cohort study.

Background: Gastric cancer is divided into differentiated and undifferentiated types and sometimes exhibits mixed histology. However, the risk of gastric cancer-related death after curative endoscopic resection for mixed histology remains unknown. This study evaluated the long-term prognosis of mixed histological type gastric cancers treated with endoscopic resection.

Progress and inequality in child immunization in 38 African countries, 2000-2030: A spatio-temporal Bayesian analysis at national and sub-national levels.

Background: Monitoring progress and inequality in childhood immunization coverage at both national and sub-national levels is essential for refining equity-oriented health programs and ensuring equitable access to care towards achieving global targets in African countries.

Methods And Findings: Using approximately 1 million records from 104 nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted in 38 African countries (2000-2019), we estimated childhood immunization coverage for key indicators (BCG, MCV1, DPT3, Polio3, and Full immunization), stratified by socioeconomic status. Variations of Bayesian spatio-temporal analysis using Besag, Besag-York-Mollié (BYM) and BYM2 models were employed to assess and project the trends from 2000 to 2030.

Mediators of the Association Between Severity of Noncommunicable Diseases and Subjective Health-Related Quality of Life.

Aim: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) represent one of the greatest global burdens of disease and disability, and there is evidence that mental disorders associated with NCDs may reduce quality of life (QOL). We investigated the factors mediating the association between the severity of NCDs and subjective health-related QOL in 173 patients with NCDs.

Methods: We hypothesized that mental health indicators and inflammatory cytokines mediate the association between physical disease severity and subjective health-related QOL.

Global colorectal cancer screening programs and coverage rate estimation: an evidence synthesis.

Screening is effective in reducing the disease burden of colorectal cancer, with participation and coverage rates being key determinants of its effectiveness. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of colorectal cancer screening program characteristics and global screening coverage rates. We conducted a systematic literature search in the PubMed and Embase databases from inception to March 2025.

Association between adherence to the Japanese meal-based dietary guideline and all-cause and cause-specific mortalities: A Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study.

Background: The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan has published a meal-based dietary guideline (Healthy Meal); however, its relationship with health outcomes remains unclear. This observational study examined the association between adherence to Healthy Meal and all-cause and cause-specific mortalities.

Methods: We analyzed data from the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study (JPHC Study) with a mean follow-up of 19.

Dietary Fiber Intake and Type 2 Diabetes in Japanese Men and Women: The Japan Public Health Center-Based Prospective Study.

Background: Total dietary fiber and cereal fiber intake have been reported to be associated with decreased risk of type 2 diabetes. However, evidence from Asia is limited and inconsistent. In addition, to our knowledge, no Japanese study has examined the association of dietary fiber intake from food sources.

Evaluating sex-specific prediction models for colorectal cancer risk using a genome-wide polygenic risk score and lifestyle factors in a Japanese population.

Background: The predictive performance of a colorectal cancer (CRC) risk prediction model incorporating genome-wide polygenic risk scores (PRSs) and lifestyle factors remains unclear in Asian populations. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the Asian-specific models using a Japanese population-based prospective study.

Methods: We derived 31 genome-wide PRSs using a genome-wide association study of CRC from the Biobank Japan and selected the best-performing PRS with the highest C-index in development case-cohort, including 200 incident cases.

Digital mental health intervention for well-being among low-distress workers in small enterprises on a secondary analysis of an RCT.

Enhancing the well-being of mentally healthy workers (i.e., those with lower psychological distress) is important to prevent mental health conditions, aligning with the trend of occupational positive psychology.

Integrating multi-ancestry genomic and proteomic data to identify blood risk biomarkers and target proteins for breast cancer genetic risk loci.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified more than 200 risk loci for breast cancer. However, target genes and their encoded proteins in these loci remain largely unknown. In this study, we utilized genetic prediction models for 1349 circulating proteins derived from individuals of African (n = 1871) and European (n = 7213) ancestry to investigate genetically predicted protein levels in association with breast cancer risk among females of African (n = 40,138), Asian (n = 137,677), and European (n = 247,173) ancestry.

Prevalence and associated factors of waterpipe tobacco smoking in Japan.

Introduction: Despite the global increase in waterpipe tobacco use (hookah tobacco, shisha), its prevalence and characteristics are understudied in Japan. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of waterpipe tobacco use in the Japanese population.

Methods: Data were obtained from the Japan 'Society and New Tobacco' Internet Survey, conducted in February 2023.

Estimating the burden of cancer attributable to tobacco in Bangladesh in 2020.

Background: Information on the attributable fraction (AF) of cancer in Bangladesh is scarce. We aimed at estimating the AF of tobacco-related cancer in Bangladesh in 2020.

Methods: Data on prevalence of tobacco use (smokeless, smoking products, and second-hand smoke [SHS]) were derived from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey report (2009), while data on relative risks were derived from meta-analyses and large-scale Indian studies.

Helicobacter pylori eradication and gastric cancer prevention in a pooled analysis of large-scale cohort studies in Japan.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is an established cause of gastric cancer. Although H.

Patterns of birth cohort-specific smoking histories in Japan, 1910-2050: a shift towards younger people?

Background: To identify important parameters for targeted smoking intervention strategies, we examined smoking initiation, cessation, and prevalence in the Japanese population by birth cohorts from 1910 to 1990.

Methods: We collected data from 34 consecutive National Health and Nutrition Surveys from 1986 to 2019 to gain nationally representative information on age at initiation, cessation and smoking intensity. Applying age-period-cohort models, we estimated annual probabilities for smoking initiation and cessation, the prevalence of people who currently smoke, and average cigarettes smoked per day (CPD), focusing on cohorts from 1910 to 1990.