Bacterial taxonomy has often changed significantly with the introduction of new technology. Most recently, next-generation sequencers (NGS) have substantially impacted bacterial taxonomy. With NGS, it has become possible to determine with high accuracy the interrelationships and taxonomic positions of even distantly related bacterial groups by determining whole genome sequences and comparing and examining them in detail. As a result, the Phylum, a higher taxonomic rank, has officially been approved. Furthermore, rapid taxonomic reorganization is occurring at all taxonomic ranks, from classes to genera. Meanwhile, anyone can now perform microbiota analysis using NGS as long as they have the equipment. The name of each detected bacterial group must be based on the latest classification. However, there are some points to be aware of, such as discrepancies between the OTUs used in microbiota analysis and the correct taxonomic definition of bacterial species. There are also pitfalls lurking in public databases. With these points in mind, I hope that accurate analysis will progress, and that research on the microbiome and macrobiota will continue to develop.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) constitutes a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and irregular bowel habits. Diagnosis typically hinges upon symptomatology, following the exclusion of organic pathologies such as intestinal inflammation and malignancies. IBS manifests with diverse symptoms attributable to aberrant intestinal function, including diarrhea, constipation, and bloating, stratified into four types based on the predominance of diarrhea versus constipation. Radical treatment for IBS remains elusive due to its unknown pathology and etiology, thereby necessitating symptom-focused therapeutic approaches. Certain conditions such as psychiatric disorders, intestinal inflammation, food sensitivities, and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) exhibit overlaps with or correlations to symptoms of IBS, suggesting that treatment targeting these conditions may ameliorate symptoms of IBS. Emotional stress emerges as a principal risk factor for IBS, precipitating alterations in stress hormone levels and intestinal motility, thereby instigating a spectrum of symptoms associated with the disorder. Additional risk factors for IBS exhibit considerable variability among individuals, encompassing dietary factors that stimulate or influence intestinal function, gluten, the presence of fermentable carbohydrates (fermentable oligosaccharides disaccharides monosaccharides and polyols: FODMAPs), and aspects of the intestinal microbiota and its metabolites. Notably, individuals with IBS demonstrate distinctive alterations in gut microbiota composition compared to healthy controls, indicative of dysbiosis. Furthermore, changes in metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in some IBS patients are recognized. In summary, while the precise etiology and underlying pathology of IBS remain elusive, management typically necessitates a multifaceted approach involving lifestyle modifications, targeted symptom therapies, occasional psychological support, and adjunctive measures to regulate the intestinal environment.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), an umami substance, activates the gut–brain axis via vagus nerves. However, the brain mechanism involved in the effect of MSG on aggression during the developmental period has not been clarified. SHR/Izm, a known model of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), was used to investigate the effect of MSG oral ingestion (60 mM solution) on aggression. The resident-intruder test was performed in rats, with a detailed analysis of aggressive behavior, including the frequency, duration, and latency of anogenital sniffing, aggressive grooming, and attack behavior. Immunohistochemistry of c-Fos expression was then investigated in aggression-related brain areas such as the pre-frontal cortex (PFC), lateral hypothalamus (LH), and central amygdala (CeA). The resident intruder test conducted during the dark phase revealed that MSG ingestion significantly decreased the frequency and duration of aggressive grooming and attack behavior and increased the latency of attack behavior compared with the control group. The immunostaining of c-Fos revealed that MSG ingestion increased the number of positive cells in the intermediate nucleus of the solitary tract (iNTS), a terminal of the gastrointestinal sensory afferent fiber of the vagus nerve (p=0.0094), and decreased c-Fos expression in the CeA (p=0.0084). However, c-Fos expression in the PFC and LH was comparable between the MSG-treated and control groups. Data suggest that MSG ingestion decreased isolation-induced aggression in the rat model of ADHD, SHR/Izm, which was mediated by the vagus nerve related to c-Fos activation in the iNTS and c-Fos inactivation in the CeA.

The escalating crisis of antimicrobial resistance poses a grave threat to global health and medicine in the 21st century. Phage therapy has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics in addressing this urgent issue. Phages, unlike traditional antibiotics, leave the healthy microbiome largely undisturbed by selectively targeting and infecting their bacterial host. Additionally, phages can be readily genetically engineered to enhance their efficacy against specific bacterial strains. While some countries are slowly developing new regulations and implementing phage therapy in the clinic, widespread societal adoption remains limited. Phage therapy has the potential to revolutionize infection treatment; however, the unique biological properties of phages necessitate a multifaceted approach for the societal implementation of phage therapy. Recent research has focused on genetically engineering phages to enhance their capabilities or confer novel functions. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas systems have facilitated the development of phages that target specific genes. Furthermore, the emergence of tRNA-carrying phages and phages that inhibit bacterial defense systems represents new classes of genetically engineered phages with enhanced bactericidal properties.

The skin of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) is in a state of dysbiosis, having a microbiome of reduced diversity dominated by exacerbators such as Staphylococcus aureus and by fungal taxa such as Malassezia. As the symptoms of AD improve, microbial diversity increases and the level of colonization by exacerbators decreases. The level of skin colonization is correlated with scores on AD evaluation indices, thus the goal of AD treatment is to improve dysbiosis. Although Malassezia species exacerbate AD, they also secrete proteases that inhibit the formation of biofilm by Staphylococcus aureus at non-lesional sites. Therefore, species in this genus may be either beneficial or harmful depending on the host environment. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) develops when the growth phase of the hair cycle shortens, leading to an increase in the proportion of resting hair follicles. The scalp sebum of individuals with AGA has a higher triglyceride content than those without AGA, leading to greater colonization by Malassezia, which use triglycerides as nutrients. Furthermore, the scalp of AGA individuals (?) is in a state of dysbiosis, and Cutibacterium is replaced by Corynebacterium. This can lead to lipophilic bacterium-induced inflammation, which contributes to the progression of hair loss. This review focuses on two aspects of dermatitis linked to dysbiosis. First, we assess the changes in skin microbiome and cross-domain (bacteria versus fungi) microbial interactions in AD; then we consider the mechanism by which an altered scalp-sebum composition leads to the development of AGA.

Starting in 1976, I worked as a pharmacy resident in the Department of Pharmaceutical Services at Hiroshima University Hospital, starting in 1976. I simultaneously worked as a pharmaceutical researcher outside the hospital pharmacist hours. I encountered a female patient with eye disease in 1998 during drug counseling hours for an outpatient. She left for a weeklong overseas travel within 3 days. She had one bottle of ophthalmic solution for anti-inflammatory treatment; her ophthalmologist instructed her to schedule her next visit when the bottle was empty as her condition was not severe and wanted to provide a simple guideline for scheduling a follow-up. She then asked me when the ophthalmic solution bottle would be empty. I could not immediately answer her question despite my 22 years of experience as a pharmacist. I realized a gap in the field in this moment, which inspired me to become an ophthalmology research pharmacist who answered important questions such as these. In my experience, apart from me, only a few pharmacists have participated in clinical ophthalmic research over the past 50 years. Upon my retirement, and based on my experience, my message to young researchers is to remain in research in this field to help improve the outcomes and quality of life for those with eye diseases.

Community pharmacists play a vital role in delivering person-oriented services, such as addressing prescription inquiries, providing home care services, and conducting medication follow-ups. Despite their significance, no nationwide surveys have assessed the efficacy of these pharmaceutical activities. Therefore, this study aimed to collect information on these three pharmacist tasks and investigate their effectiveness in preventing serious adverse drug reactions and reducing medical costs. Ten percent of insurance pharmacies in each prefecture were randomly selected to participate in the survey. Data were collected on basic pharmacy information, prescription inquiries, home care services, and medication follow-up, which spanned from 12 June to 18 June 2023. Of the 561 pharmacies pre-registered for the study, valid responses were obtained from 433 pharmacies (77.2%). The reported cases included 3064 prescription inquiries, 765 home care services, and 326 medication follow-ups. Prescription inquiries prevented serious adverse drug reactions in 122 cases, home care services in 209 cases, and medication follow-ups in 13 cases. The cost reductions associated with these activities were ¥28291790, ¥58285600, and ¥2544950, respectively, resulting in a total cost reduction of ¥89122340. The annual cost reduction was ¥33229078321.7, assuming a severity rate of 6.7%. The estimated annual reduction in medical costs specifically attributed to prescription inquiries was ¥8732177830. This study indicates that pharmacists prevent adverse drug reactions and contribute to the safety of drug treatment through prescription inquiries, home care services, and medication follow-up. These tasks reduced annual medical costs by approximately ¥42 billion, highlighting the economic and healthcare benefits of community pharmacy services.

Under the School Safety and Health Act, which came into force in 2009, school pharmacists are now required to engage in the duties of health counselling and health guidance in addition to school environmental health. However, the proportion of school pharmacists involved in health education is low, and not all of them are qualified to participate. Therefore, this study targets school principals, school nurse-teachers, physical education supervisors, health coordinators, science supervisors, nutrition teachers (dietitians), and school pharmacists from among the teaching staff of all public schools in Funabashi city. Here, a survey was conducted on issues related to school health that are important at the school site, in which school pharmacists should participate. Health issues identified at school sites included dependence on smartphones or other devices, leftover food, food likes and dislikes, lack of sleep, dealing with food allergies and anaphylaxis, and handling menstrual problems or pain. School pharmacists were also asked about matters of school health in which they would like to participate. These issues differed significantly among those participating in the survey, with responses including correct use of drugs, overdose, drug abuse prevention, prevention of energy drink overdose, anti-smoking education, and infectious disease control.