Background Metronomic photodynamic therapy (mPDT) is a novel cancer treatment strategy that uses low-dose light delivery and photosensitizers. 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), a precursor of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) was previously used to treat human colorectal and esophageal cancer cells. However, no study has evaluated the efficacy of 5-ALA-mPDT using light of different wavelengths. Therefore, we evaluated cytotoxicity induced by 5-ALA-PDT and the antitumor effect of 5-ALA-mPDT.

Methods In an in vitro experiment, we evaluated the cytotoxicity induced by 5-ALA-PDT using several fluence rates of light-emitting diode (LED) at wavelengths of 532 and 620 nm. In an in vivo experiment, we evaluated the antitumor effect of 5-ALA-mPDT using a newly developed implantable device emitting 532 or 620 nm. Moreover, we used in silico simulations to compare the differences in the distribution of the accumulated singlet oxygen concentrations between 532 and 620 nm.

Results In the in vitro experiment, the percentages of late apoptotic/Dead and Dead cells in the 542-nm groups irradiated at light intensities of 1 mW/cm² were significantly higher than those of cells in the 620-nm group. In contrast, in the in vivo experiment, the antitumor effect of mPDT using an implantable organic light-emitting diode (OLED) at 620 nm was significantly higher than that of mPDT using OLED at 542 nm.

Conclusion Considering the results of our in silico study, the antitumor effect of 5-ALA-mPDT may be dependent on the distribution range of the accumulated singlet oxygen concentration rather than the accumulated singlet oxygen concentration.

Background Despite evidence regarding the effectiveness of screening and brief interventions for excessive alcohol consumption, these interventions are not widely used. Although several studies have suggested that face-to-face interventions in the workplace may be effective, developing an implementable intervention strategy for alcohol users, including light drinkers, is warranted. This study aimed to develop a study protocol to evaluate the effect of providing an educational leaflet at the workplace on reducing hazardous or harmful alcohol use.

Methods A randomized controlled trial involving employees (aged ≥ 20 years) of a local administrative office in Japan who were screened using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) is ongoing. Participants were randomized into “Educational leaflet” and “Control (no intervention)” groups. The primary outcome was the difference in negative status on the AUDIT (proportion of participants scoring < 8 points on the AUDIT) between the intervention and control groups in the following year. For the secondary outcomes, laboratory marker data at annual health checkups were collected and assessed.

Results A total of 400 participants were randomized into educational leaflet (n = 200) and control (n = 200) groups. The basic characteristics of all participants included sex (men 79.3%; women 20.8%), mean (standard deviation) of age 48.5 (9.7 years), 40.0% of AUDIT ≥ 8 points, 46.8% of drinking alcohol ≥ 4 times a week, and 33.8% of heavy episodic drinking. No significant differences were observed between the intervention and control groups in terms of the baseline variables.

Conclusions This study protocol developed the first trial in Japan to investigate the impact of providing an educational leaflet after screening for hazardous and harmful alcohol use in a workplace setting. The findings of this study can provide the first evidence that an implementable alcohol intervention strategy targeting alcohol users, including light drinkers in the workplace, is effective in reducing hazardous or harmful alcohol use.

Sleep disordered breathing, represented by sleep apnea syndrome, not only significantly reduces the quality of daily life but is also known to contribute to the development of various cardiovascular diseases. Since 2000, sleep apnea syndrome has become widely recognized by the general public. However, the number of suspected patients who seek medical consultation remains low, and even fewer receive a proper diagnosis and treatment. One reason for this is the lack of information that apnea is linked to cardiovascular disease, even among individuals experiencing typical sleep apnea syndrome symptoms such as daytime sleepiness and general fatigue. Additionally, healthcare providers may not be effectively guiding patients while providing sleep hygiene education. Furthermore, the limited number of medical facilities and technicians capable of conducting overnight polysomnography tests for diagnosing sleep disordered breathing is another factor preventing more patients from benefiting from treatment. This article explores the relationship between sleep disordered breathing and the onset of cardiovascular diseases, as well as the latest treatment approaches.