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• Task-centered behaviors of caregivers are more likely to lead resistant behaviors. • Person-centered behaviors of caregivers are less likely to lead resistant behaviors. • Person-centered care is a better approach when encountering resistant behaviors. • Active efforts to facilitate person-centered dementia care are needed. Many older adults living with dementia exhibit resistant behaviors. Person-centered care is the gold standard of care; however, the sequential relationship between resistant and caregiving behaviors has not been identified. This study examined the sequential relationship between caregiving and care-resistant behaviors and analyzed 68 videos of personal care encounters of 21 residents living in four long-term care facilities. The videos were coded focusing on two sequences of behavior: residents' resistant behaviors and caregivers' behaviors. Lag sequential analysis was conducted using initial–response behavior pairs (resident-caregiver behavior or caregiver-resident behavior pairs). Person-centered care led to less resistant behavior (odds ratio 0.23; 95 % confidence interval 0.16, 0.33), whereas less person-centered care was followed by resistant behaviors (odds ratio 0.42; 95 % confidence interval 0.30, 0.59). A significant sequential association was found between task-centered behavior and resistant behavior. Hence, rigorous efforts are recommended to provide person-centered care through multilevel efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The transitional care program improved some health service utilization and clinical outcomes. • The program increased family engagement and community resource utilization. • The program reduced unplanned emergency room visits. • The program improved depression and self-rated health. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a transitional care program developed for frail older adults. A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted. Thirty-two frail older adults were enrolled in the study. The experimental group was provided the transitional care program for 12 weeks (e.g., inpatient intervention, discharge intervention, and follow-up intervention), while the control group was provided the usual care. The program improved transition conditions (i.e., family interaction and community resource utilization) and transition response (i.e., unplanned emergency room visit rate, depression, and self-rated health). The transitional care program was effective in improving some health service utilization and clinical outcomes of frail older adults experiencing hospital-to-home transition; it thus contributed to promoting a safe transition experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has severely affected older residents in long-term care (LTC) settings. However, care workers' perceptions of their work environment and potential impact on their work outcomes during the pandemic is not well known. This study examined associations between care staff's perceived work environment, educational status, and facility staffing levels and work outcomes of care staff in LTC settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study employed a cross-sectional, observational, correlational design. A total of 207 care staff were conveniently recruited from 30 LTC settings in South Korea. The perceived work environment, educational status of care staff, and facility staffing levels (ie, beds-to-registered nurse [RN] and beds-to-nursing assistant [NA] or care worker ratios), as well as their work outcomes (ie, general and COVID-19 specific outcomes) were collected using questionnaires. Multivariable binary logistic regressions were conducted, controlling for the characteristics of care staff (ie, age, sex, occupation, and career length) and facilities (ie, location, bed size, ownership, and residents' disease and care profiles). Approximately 45% of the participants were either NAs or care workers, and 38% were RNs. More than half (53.14%) perceived their work environment to be good. LTC staff who perceived their work environment to be poor were more likely to be dissatisfied with their work [odds ratio (OR) 20.88), experience high burnout (OR 8.63), intend to leave the facility within a year (OR 5.00), and experience increased overtime work (OR 3.58) and work-life imbalance (OR 1.93) due to COVID-19. LTC work environments should be improved and government-led initiatives for ensuring such improvements should be implemented to enable a better response to future public health crises and maintain the quality of care for and safety of residents in LTC settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing body of research has incorporated the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) into an expanded understanding of the social determinants of health. Although each component of SVI and its association with individual-level mental health conditions have been well discussed, variation in mentally unhealthy days (MUDs) at a county level is still unexplored. To systematically examine the geographically varying relationships between SVI and MUDs across the US counties, our study adopted two different methods: 1) aspatial regression modeling (ordinary least square [OLS]); and 2) locally calibrated spatial regression (geographically weighted regression [GWR]). This study used a cross-sectional statistical design and geospatial data manipulation/analysis techniques. Analytical unit is each of the 3109 counties in the continental USA. We tested the model performance of two different methods and suggest using both methods to reduce potential issues (e.g., Simpson's paradox) when researchers apply aspatial analysis to spatially coded data sets. We applied GWR after checking the spatial dependence of residuals and non-stationary issues in OLS. GWR split a single OLS equation into 3109 equations for each county. Among 15 SVI variables, a combination of eight variables showed the best model performance. Notably, unemployment, person with a disability, and single-parent households with children aged under 18 years especially impacted the variation of MUDs in OLS. GWR showed better model performance than OLS and specified each county's varying relationships between subcomponents of SVI and MUDs. For example, GWR specified that 69.3% (2157 of 3109) of counties showed positive relationships between single-parent households and MUDs across the USA. Higher positive relationships were concentrated in Michigan, Kansas, Texas, and Louisiana. Our findings could contribute to the literature regarding social determinants of community mental health by specifying spatially varying relationships between SVI and MUDs across US counties. Regarding policy implementation, in counties containing more social and physical minorities (e.g., single-parent households and disabled population), policymakers should attend to these groups of people and increase intervention programs to reduce potential or current mental health illness. The results of GWR could help policymakers determine the specific counties that need more support to reduce regional mental health disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nodules and cysts with upper lobe predominance on chest computed tomography (CT) are highly suggestive of pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH). Herein, we describe a case of PLCH that presented with the unusual CT findings of subpleural ground-glass opacity (GGO) and traction bronchiectasis mostly in both lower lungs. No nodules or cysts were observed in the upper or middle lung areas. Video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsies were performed at the right lower lobe. Biopsy specimens showed findings consistent with those of scarred PLCH. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of PLCH presenting as GGO in the lower lungs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the application of magnesium precipitate (MP) obtained from seawater electrochlorination storage tanks as an innovative and sustainable adsorbent for Se(IV) and Se(VI) in water. Initially, the collected pristine MP mainly consisted of the low crystalline Mg(OH) 2 (brucite) phase. Subsequently, the MP underwent calcination (CMP), and analyses via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed an improved crystallinity, displaying a typical hexagonal plate structure in the aqueous phase. Notably, the CMP exhibited a significant adsorption capacity (q m : 85.0 mg/g) for Se(IV), while the adsorption capacity for Se(VI) was lower, determined as 3.0 mg/g using the Langmuir adsorption model. Se(IV) adsorption remained relatively consistent across a wide pH range and ionic strength in the presence of competing anions. In contrast, Se(VI) adsorption varied under the same conditions. This differing adsorption behavior of Se(IV) and Se(VI) on CMP could be ascribed to different mechanisms: inner-sphere predominant surface complexation for Se(IV) and outer-sphere complexation for Se(VI). These mechanisms were confirmed via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), XRD, and SEM analyses, and surface complexation modeling (PHREEQC–PEST) of the batch experimental results. In conclusion, these findings underscored the potential utility of MP as an effective adsorbent for selenium, positioning it as an environmentally sustainable and significant novel material. Furthermore, the study offered mechanistic insights into the interaction between CMP, Se (IV), and Se(VI) in the aqueous phase. [Display omitted] • Study of rarely known magnesium precipitate (MP) from electrochlorination facility. • MP was calcined (CMP) to effectively adsorb Se(IV) and Se(VI) in water. • CMP showed 85.0 mg/g capacity for Se(IV) and 3.0 mg/g for Se(VI). • High selectivity for Se(IV) comparable to reported MgO adsorbent. • The surface complexation model revealed the selenium sorption mechanism onto CMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The purpose of this study is to understand the factors which affect meal satisfaction and develop a scale based on this. • Eating can be seen as an ordinary ritual of daily lives, and its importance may be overlooked, but for the old adults it reflects one's identity as well as physical and mental wellbeing. • Its utilization is expected to improve meal satisfaction in older adults, and lead to an increase in quality of life. This meal satisfaction assessment questionnaire for older adults (MSAQ) focuses on assessing meal satisfaction rather than only measuring physical functioning or the risk of malnutrition in older people. By looking at the factors that influence meal satisfaction in older adults through a comprehensive literature review, this study develops a scale for measuring meal satisfaction in older people. For content and face validation, a 61-item questionnaire was administered to 290 people using a five-point scale. Through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), a 16-Item six-factor questionnaire for the assessment of meal satisfaction was developed, and its validity and reliability were tested. The development of this scale not only helps to measure meal satisfaction and dissatisfaction but also contributes to improving life satisfaction in older adults. Assessing meal satisfaction could contribute to developing care plans and treatment directions and help care professionals understand the values, identities, wellbeing, and general health issues of older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• There is a need to identify specific behaviors of care providers that decrease or prevent resistiveness to care. • Physically controlling persons living with dementia increased their resistiveness to care. • Assessing comfort of persons living with dementia decreased their resistiveness to care. • Tailored oral care suitable for individual needs and preferences is needed. Since care providers' behavior could be related to resistiveness to care (RTC) among persons living with dementia, developing care providers' behavioral strategies to reduce or prevent RTC is required. This study examined whether care providers' person-centered or task-centered behaviors were related to RTC. A secondary data analysis was conducted using 70 videos of 23 persons living with dementia who received routine oral care in long-term care settings. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models. Among task-centered behaviors, "physically controlling" significantly increased RTC. For person-centered behaviors, "cooperatively negotiating" increased RTC, while "assessing comfort" decreased RTC. Care providers need to consider the comfort or needs of persons living with dementia rather than physically controlling them in oral care situations. These findings may offer insight into the context of RTC occurrences to provide more comfortable oral care for persons living with dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to develop a self-efficacy enhancement program and to evaluate its effect on cognitive function, dementia knowledge, self-efficacy, depression, and dementia preventive behaviors in older adults (age ≥ 65 years) with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This equivalent control group pretest-posttest study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Seoul, South Korea. Older adults with MCI were randomly allocated to an experimental (EG, n = 16) or control group (CG, n = 16). The EG underwent an 8-week intervention (weekly 60-min session) utilizing self-efficacy enhancement strategies; the CG received usual care. The intervention was comprised of physical, cognitive, and emotional activities and was followed by 4-week maintenance during which both groups engaged in self-learning at home with a dementia preventive guidebook. Outcome data were evaluated at the pretest and 8, 10, and 12 weeks later. This study adhered to the CONSORT guidelines. There were significant differences in cognitive function, dementia knowledge, self-efficacy, and dementia preventive behaviors, but not in depression between the two groups over the time. Regarding cognitive function subdomains, significant differences were observed in visuospatial/executive, attention, language, and delayed recall. The integrated intervention consisting of physical, cognitive, and emotional activities was effective in improving cognitive function, dementia knowledge, self-efficacy, and dementia preventive behaviors. This suggests that this program can be utilized as an educational program to prevent dementia in older adults with MCI in dementia support centers, public health centers, clinics, and hospitals. KCT0006094 in the Clinical Research Information Service. Retrospectively registered 23 April 2021, https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/listDetail.do [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the feasibility of measuring emotional responses to oral care among individuals with dementia living in residential long-term care (LTC). Eleven residents with dementia were recruited from a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs LTC unit and were observed eight times before, during, and after oral care episodes. Study participants showed a trend toward more positive emotional expressions during and after oral care (mean ± SD: 6.49 ± 1.57 and 6.27 ± 1.20 respectively) than before oral care (6.15 ± 0.86) at the margin of statistical significance ( p  = .08). Negative emotional expression increased among participants during oral care, from 0.22 ± .35 expressions per minute to 0.60 ± .65 expressions per minute, but returned to baseline after oral care ( p  < .01). Future studies with more representative samples are needed to more fully examine emotional responses to different types of care, adjusting for potential confounders, and to determine whether residents' emotional responses influence staff members' provision of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older adults with dementia are more likely than those who do not have dementia to be hospitalized. Admission functional (ADL) performance is a salient factor predicting functional performance in older adults at discharge. The days preceding hospitalization are often associated with functional loss related to the acute illness. An understanding of functional changes during this transition will inform interventions to prevent functional decline. This secondary analysis examined data from a study that evaluated a family educational empowerment model and included 136 dyads (persons with dementia and their family caregiver). AMOS structural equation modeling examined the effects of family caregiver factors upon change in patient ADL performance (Barthel Index) from baseline (two week prior to hospitalization) to the time of admission, controlling for patient characteristics. Eighty-two percent of the patients had decline prior to admission. Baseline function, depression, and dementia severity, as well as Family caregiver strain, were significantly associated with change in pre-admission ADL performance and explained 40% of the variance. There was a good fit of the model to the data (Χ 2 = 12.9, p = 0.305, CFI = 0.97, TLI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.05). Findings suggest the need for a function-focused approach when admitting patients with dementia to the hospital. FCG strain prior to hospitalization may be a factor impacting trajectory of functional changes in older person with dementia, especially in those with advanced dementia. FCG strain is an important assessment parameter in the risk assessment for functional decline, to be considered when engaging the FCG in the plan for functional recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale and Objectives: To evaluate the trends, characteristics, and quality of systematic review and meta-analysis in general radiology journals.Materials and Methods: We performed a PubMed search to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses that had been carried out in the field of radiology between 2007 and 2015. The following data were extracted: journal, impact factor, type of research, year of publication, radiological subspecialty, imaging modalities used, number of authors, affiliated department of the first and corresponding authors, presence of a radiologist and a statistician among the authors, discordance between the first and corresponding authors, funding, country of first author, methodological quality, methods used for quality assessment, and statistics.Results: Ultimately, we included 210 articles from nine general radiology journals. The European Journal of Radiology was the most common journal represented (47 of 210; 22.4%). Meta-analyses (n = 177; 84.3%) were published about five times more than systematic reviews without meta-analysis (n = 33; 15.7%). Radiology of the gastrointestinal tract was the most commonly represented subspecialty (n = 49, 23.3%). The first authors were most frequently located in China (n = 64; 30.3%). In terms of modality, magnetic resonance imaging was used most often (n = 59; 28.1%). The number of authors tended to progressively increase over time, and the ratio of discordance between the first and corresponding authors also increased significantly, as did the proportion of research that has received funding from an external source. The mean AMSTAR assessment score improved over time (5.87/11 in 2007-2009, 7.11/11 in 2010-2012, and 7.49/11 in 2013-2015). In this regard, the journal Radiology had the highest score (7.59/11).Conclusions: The quantity and quality of radiological meta-analyses have significantly increased over the past 9 years; however, specific weak areas remain, providing the opportunity for quality improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of outdoor recreation, past research has attempted to identify the relationships between the socioeconomic status of recreation participants and demand. This approach has used global regression models that focus on local or site-level recreation demand prediction. No studies have applied spatial statistical approaches to examine recreation demand at the state or regional level. The objectives of this study are twofold: 1) to identify socio-demographic and economic determinants of the spatial disparities of residents' demand for national park visitation; 2) to demonstrate the spatial variation in the relationship between residents' demand and its associated factors through a local regression modeling technique (GWR). The analysis was conducted at the county level for Texas, using public and private levels of secondary data. A particular version of OLS (ordinary least squares), stepwise regression, was used to select significant explanatory variables for developing the model. Six explanatory variables were selected for the modeling procedure: 1) older adults; 2) family structure (traditional vs. nonfamily structure); 3) recreation-related spending; 4) education, and 5) poverty rate. The study results found that the Moran's I value for national park visitation showed a positive spatial autocorrelation across the state which means that spatial distribution disparities of residents' recreation demand exist in Texas. The variable relationships differed by specific counties and spatially in predicting residents' demand. The GWR model made improvements in model performance over the OLS model. Overall, the strongest positive influence on national park visitation was found for those who spent $250 or more to purchase recreation-related equipment. In conducting future research, the GWR model is a useful statistical technique to examine and compare spatial relationships across regional study areas and can be complementary to global statistical analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship among hospital, patient units, and staff characteristics and nursing teamwork. Using multiple linear regression analysis, we found that nursing role, shift, absenteeism, perceived adequacy of staffing, and unit type were significant predictors of teamwork. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has gained increasing attention over the past decade. While many studies examined an impact of CSR on consumers, only dearth of research is found that attempts to understand the impact of CSR on employees from the relationship marketing perspective. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of CSR in predicting relationship quality and relationship outcomes. The four dimensions of CSR used in the study include economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic aspects. Data were collected via survey from employees of franchised foodservice enterprises located in South Korea. The findings of the study show that not all dimensions of CSR have the same effect on relationship quality. While economic and philanthropic dimensions have a significant influence on organizational trust, only ethical dimension has a positive effect on job satisfaction. As expected, relationship quality has a significant impact on relationship outcomes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Previous studies have shown that missed nursing care is a significant problem in acute care hospitals. Other studies have demonstrated that teamwork is a critical element in assuring patient safety and quality of care. The purpose of this study was to determine if the level of nursing teamwork impacts the extent and nature of missed nursing care. A sample of 2 216 nursing staff members on 50 acute care patient care units in 4 hospitals completed the Nursing Teamwork Survey and the MISSCARE Survey. The response rate was 59.7%. Controlling for occupation of staff members (eg, RN/LPN, NA) and staff characteristics (eg, education, shift worked, experience, etc), teamwork alone accounted for about 11% of missed nursing care. The results of this study show that the level of nursing teamwork impacts the nature and extent of missed nursing care. The study results point to a need to invest in methods of enhancing teamwork in these settings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study was conducted to whether the administration of mexiletine, a Na+ channel blocker, impacts the recovery from demyelination. Under anesthesia, 0.1% ethidium bromide was injected into the dorsal funiculus (T3), followed by a mexiletine or saline treatment. Motor evoked potential (MEP) recordings and luxol fast blue stainings were performed at one, seven, 14, and 21 days post-operatively. Conduction was delayed during demyelination, but the mexiletine-injected group demonstrated shortened latencies and reductions in the demyelination area when compared to the control. These results suggest that systemic mexiletine plays a positive role in protecting neural tissues from demyelination. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: FK506 has been originally classified as an immunosuppressant and is known to exhibit neurotrophic actions in vitro and protective effects on some neurological conditions. We investigated the neuroprotective effects of FK506 on kainic acid (KA)-induced neuronal death in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHSCs). After an 18h KA (5μM) treatment, significantly neuronal death was detected in the CA3 region using propidium iodide staining. However, neuronal death was significantly prevented at 24 and 48h after treatment with 0.1μM FK506. Using cresyl violet staining, we also observed that an increased number of CA3 neurons survived in the 0.1μM FK506 group compared to the KA only group. Based on the results of the Western blot analysis, the expressions of 5-lipoxygenase and caspase-3 were reduced 24h after 0.1μM FK506 treatment. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and phospho-Akt expression were increased by treatment with 0.1μM FK506. These results suggest that FK506 may have a positive role in protecting neurons against cell death in the KA injury model of OHSCs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To clarify the differences in clinical characteristics between early and late ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Tertiary university hospital. Patient(s): Ninety-four patients/cycles hospitalized for moderate-to-severe OHSS after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI); early type (n = 69) and late type (n = 25). Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): The COH and pregnancy outcomes, preclinical and clinical miscarriage rate, and hospital courses. Result(s): Serum E2 levels (4,955.5 ± 3,268.5 pg/mL vs. 2,340.8 ± 960.6 pg/mL) and the number of follicles ≥11 mm on day of hCG administration (15.9 ± 6.0 vs. 13.0 ± 4.0), and the number of oocytes retrieved (21.9 ± 9.7 vs. 13.2 ± 5.9) were significantly higher in the early OHSS group compared with the late OHSS group. Clinical pregnancy rate (PR) was significantly higher in the late OHSS group (23.6% [13/55] vs. 92.0% [23/25]). There were no significant differences in multiple PR and disease severity between the two groups. Conclusion(s): Early OHSS is associated with excessive ovarian response to gonadotropin stimulation, whereas late OHSS is closely associated with conception cycle. Our findings do not support that late OHSS is more severe and closely associated with multiple pregnancies compared with early OHSS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The nanowire growth behavior and photoluminescence characteristics of red-emitting oxide phosphor Gd2− x Eu x O3 have been investigated in the function of activator (Eu3+) concentrations (x=0.08, 0.12, 0.16, 0.20, and 0.24). Nanowires of Gd2− x Eu x O3 phosphor were prepared by the dehydration of corresponding hydroxides Gd1− x/ 2Eu x/ 2(OH)3 obtained by the hydrothermal reaction. Highly uniform nanowires of 20–30nm in diameter can grow up to several tens of micrometers in length. A number of defects on the surface of Gd1.92Eu0.08O3 nanowires, which are induced during structural transformation from hexagonal hydroxide to cubic oxide, strongly decrease the luminescence efficiency in comparison with that of the bulk phosphor. In contrast, the photoemission intensity of nanowires is significantly improved with increasing Eu3+ content (x) of Gd2− x Eu x O3 solid solution. The highest relative emission intensity of nanowires is observed when the x value is close to x=0.20. This content is much higher than the optimal concentration of Eu3+ (x=0.08–0.10) for the bulk Gd2O3:Eu powder. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aim of the study: The ethanol extract (LF) of Ligularia fischeri var. spiciformis (leaf) has been evaluated for antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities in mice. Materials and Methods: Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities were studied by measuring nociception induced by formalin, acetic acid and hot-plate, and inflammation induced by carrageenan, formalin, and arachidonic acid. Results: The acute treatment of mice with LF at doses of 100 and 200mg/kg, by oral administration, produced a significant antinociceptive effect in the acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin-induced pain licking and hot-plate-induced pain. Also, the LF significantly inhibited both carrageenan- and formalin-induced inflammation as well as arachidonic acid-induced ear edema in mice. Conclusions: These inhibitions were statistically significant (P<0.05). Thus, our investigation suggests a potential benefit of Ligularia fischeri in treating conditions associated with inflammatory pain. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ceruloplasmin (Cp) is the major copper transport protein in plasma and catalyzes the conversion of toxic ferrous iron to the safer ferric iron. As an acute-phase protein, Cp is induced during inflammation. It is synthesized primarily in the liver and is expressed in several other tissues, including the brain. Elevated Cp levels have been observed in the brain of patients with neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer''s, Parkinson''s, and Huntington''s diseases. However, the exact role(s) of Cp in inflammatory and neuropathological conditions remains unclear. Microglia are the prime effector cells involved in immune and inflammatory responses in the central nervous system (CNS). They are activated during pathological conditions to restore CNS homeostasis, but chronic microglial activation endangers neuronal survival. Consequently, it is important to identify the regulators of microglial activation and the underlying mechanisms. We sought to examine whether Cp might modulate microglial activation. We observed that Cp induced nitric oxide (NO) release and inducible NO synthase mRNA expression in BV2 microglial cells and rat brain microglia. Cp also increased levels of mRNAs encoding tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, cyclooxygenase-2, and NADPH oxidase. Treatment of BV2 cells and primary microglia with Cp induced phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase. Moreover, Cp induced nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation, showing a more sustained pattern than seen with bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Cp-stimulated NO induction was significantly attenuated by a p38 inhibitor, SB203580, and the NF-κB inhibitor SN50. Cp induced secretion of TNF-α and prostaglandin E2 in primary microglial cultures. These results suggest that Cp may play an important role in neuropathological conditions by stimulating various proinflammatory and neurotoxic molecules in microglia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In prospecting the role of nuclear energy in a future society, this article attempts to foresee the changes of the socio-economic environment including social attitudes, the economy and the environment, and to analyze their interactions with the exploitation of nuclear energy itself. With this perception, the so-called SWOT analysis is employed to identify the internal strengths (S) and/or weaknesses (W) of nuclear energy when compared with other energy competitors on the basis of an evaluation of the external factors which are likely to play the roles of opportunities (O) for and/or threats (T) against the technological changes in nuclear energy. Out of the external environmental factors, electrification, the regulations for the global environments and the limited availability of fossil fuels are analyzed to provide an opportunity for the nuclear energy innovation in the future. The changes of consumption behavior and the liberation of the marketplace are classified as threat factors. But urbanization, an accelerated technological development and an increased attention to the environment are expected to work either as opportunity factors or threat factors while depending on the innovations of nuclear technology. Such internal factors as the recycling ability of nuclear fuels, high energy density and little emission of greenhouse gases are counted as the strengths of nuclear power, while some weak points for its role in a future society are found both in its social situations such as the management of radioactive waste, safety and nuclear proliferation and in its structure of high capital costs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]