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There are a few studies on gender differences in terms of reasons and motives for methamphetamine use. Purpose/Objectives: To examine gender differences in triggers of methamphetamine use Methods: ...

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are distressing and/or traumatic events that occur during childhood that increase the risk of negative health outcomes in adulthood.This study estimated the prevalence of ACEs in a nationwide sample of Japanese methamphetamine users in prison and examined associations among ACEs, suicidal ideation, and non-suicidal self-injury.Participants were 636 inmates (418 male and 218 female) who were newly incarcerated in Japan for Stimulants Control Act violations.First, 699 participants completed an anonymous self-report questionnaire. Of these, 636 participants who did not have any missing responses were included in the analysis. After calculating descriptive statistics, the associations between ACEs and suicidal behaviors were assessed using binary logistic regression analyses.Results showed that 76.1 % of the participants reported at least one ACE before the age of 18, and female participants reported a significantly higher number of adversities than their male counterparts. The most common ACEs were parental death or divorce, followed by psychological abuse. Logistic regression analyses revealed that ACE scores significantly increased the risk of suicidal ideation (SI; adjusted odd ratio [AOR] = 1.18, p .001) and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI; AOR = 1.18, p .001) after controlling for possible confounding variables.Findings suggest the importance of early prevention and intervention for traumatic experiences, and have implications for the recommendation of gender-responsive, trauma-focused interventions, especially for female inmates in the criminal justice system, to break the intergenerational chain of abuse. Future research directions and treatment are discussed.

Background and purpose Corticobasal syndrome (CBS) is pathologically characterized by tau deposits in neuronal and glial cells and by reactive astrogliosis. In several neurodegenerative disorders, 18 F-THK5351 has been observed to bind to reactive astrocytes expressing monoamine oxidase B. In this study, the aim was to investigate the progression of disease-related pathology in the brains of patients with CBS using positron emission tomography with 18 F-THK5351. Methods Baseline and 1-year follow-up imaging were acquired using magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography with 18 F-THK5351 in 10 subjects: five patients with CBS and five age-matched normal controls (NCs). Results The 1-year follow-up scan images revealed that 18 F-THK5351 retention had significantly increased in the superior parietal gyrus of the patients with CBS compared with the NCs. The median increases in 18 F-THK5351 accumulation in the patients with CBS were 6.53% in the superior parietal gyrus, 4.34% in the precentral gyrus and 4.33% in the postcentral gyrus. In contrast, there was no significant increase in the regional 18 F-THK5351 retention in the NCs. Conclusions Longitudinal increases in 18 F-THK5351 binding can be detected over a short interval in the cortical sites of patients with CBS. A monoamine oxidase B binding radiotracer could be useful in monitoring the progression of astrogliosis in CBS.

To investigate optimal beam quality for chest flat panel detector (FPD) system by semi-quantitatively assessment using a realistic lung phantom. Chest FPD radiographs were obtained on a realistic lung phantom with simulated lung opacities using various X-ray tube voltage levels (90–140 kV) with/without copper filter. Entrance skin dose was set to maintain identical for all images (0.1 mGy). Three chest radiologists unaware of the exposure settings independently evaluated the image quality of each simulated opacity and normal structure using a 5-point scale (+ 2: clearly superior to the standard; + 1: slightly superior to the standard; 0: equal to the standard; − 1: slightly inferior to the standard; − 2: clearly inferior to the standard). The traditional FPD image obtained at a tube voltage of 120 kV was used as the standard. The scores of image quality were statistically compared using the Wilcoxon rank test with Bonferroni correction. FPD images using 90-kV shot with copper filter were superior to the traditional 120-kV shot without filter with respect to the visibility of vertebra, pulmonary vessels, and nodules overlapping diaphragm and heart (p

This study aimed to examine the relationship between methamphetamine (MA) use and high-risk sexual behavior among newly incarcerated prisoners in Japan. We conducted a secondary analysis using cross-sectional survey data, which constituted a nationwide prison sample surveyed between July and November 2017. In total, 699 participants (462 male and 237 female prisoners), who completed the self-administered questionnaire during imprisonment were recruited for the study. The prevalence of high-risk sexual behaviors was as follows: inconsistent condom use (78.4% male, 81.7% female), multiple sexual partners (61.3% male, 41.3% female), history of sexually transmitted diseases (14.1% male, 23.6% female), and trading sex for drugs (15.6% male, 17.7% female). A logistic regression analysis showed that MA use during sex increased the likelihood of high-risk sexual behavior in both male (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 5.86; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.41-10.07) and female prisoners (AOR = 2.58; 95% CI = 1.33-5.00). Additionally, in female prisoners, a history of sharing MA injection (AOR = 1.60; 95% CI = 1.06-2.42) increased high-risk sexual behavior. Our results indicate that harm reduction programs tailored according to the specific necessities of each gender to reduce high-risk sexual behaviors among MA users should be included in Japanese drug policies.

The study investigated the effects of anonymity on online peer assessment and compared three different conditions. Fifty-eight preservice teachers at a mid-size US university engaged in a series of online peer assessments during fall 2017. Peer assessment was embedded in a blended course as a required asynchronous activity using the Canvas learning management system. Students were randomly assigned to three different peer assessment conditions: anonymous, partially anonymous, and identifiable. They were asked to provide feedback comments and rate the quality of peers’ work. The researcher examined to what extent three different conditions had influenced the quality of feedback comments, measured quantitatively through the number of words and negative statements. At the end of the semester, a survey that included a 5-point Likert scale and several open-ended questions was also distributed to analyse students’ perceptions about peer assessment and anonymity. The results indicate that although students prefer anonymity, it may not be a necessary condition for increasing student engagement.

This study examined students’ preferred media in online learning and its relationship with learner characteristics and online technology self-efficacy. One hundred six college students in a mid-size U.S. university responded to a survey. The frequency analysis showed that students did not necessarily favor rich media over lean media in online learning. They preferred recorded online slide presentations with audio to Internet-based live video lectures in two-way video and audio interactions. Online discussion boards and chat groups were less favored than other types of media. As expected, online technology self-efficacy was correlated with a type of media requiring a relatively higher level of technology skills. The paper presents the results and discusses their implications of the study.

Encephalitis seldom causes paraparesis as the initial symptom. Here, we report a case of steroid-responsive bilateral frontal cortical encephalitis involving leg motor areas in a patient who presented with paraparesis on admission. Interestingly, the initial paraparesis evolved into an acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM)-like illness and optic neuritis, and the patient was found to be positive for anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies. A 46-year-old man experienced transient dizziness in early September 2008. Brain MRI retrospectively showed a slight fluid attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) high-intensity lesion involving the left frontal cortex (figure 1). One week later, the patient experienced a focal motor seizure in the right leg that subsequently generalised. Thereafter, he gradually developed headache and paraparesis over the course of a week. On admission, he presented with paraparesis without other neurological deficits, but the spinal MRI was normal. An electroencephalogram revealed that there were no epileptic discharges. A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination revealed elevated leucocytes (56 /µL; 93% mononuclear cells, 3% polymorphonuclear leucocytes) and normal protein (36 mg/dL) and glucose (59 mg/dL) levels. The myelin basic protein (MBP) and glial fibrillary acidic protein levels in the CSF were not elevated. Cell-based assays for anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibodies, anti-voltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC) antibodies, anti-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) antibodies and anti-γ-aminobutyric acid-B receptor (GABA(B)R) antibodies in the CSF were negative. Blood and CSF examinations for infectious central nervous system (CNS) CNS diseases, collagen diseases, vasculitis, Behcet disease, sarcoidosis, lymphoma, paraneoplastic syndrome, vitamin B deficiency and Hashimoto encephalopathy were unremarkable. Figure 1 Upper panel: axial fluid attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) images (1.5 T; TR 6000 ms, TE 105 ms). (A) Brain MRI at …

An increase in mobile device usage among college students has been documented in different countries. We provide a solid theoretical and empirical foundation for mobile learning in the context of distance education, and more guidance in terms of how to utilize emerging mobile technologies and to integrate them into their teaching more effectively. This research focuses on a deeper understanding of how learners use mobiles as learning tools outside the classroom. Our results are based on a specific population drawn from two different countries, in which the US (United States) population reflected students from the education field, while the students from Israel are drawn more from the engineering and science fields. The findings of this study contribute to the generalizations to the education field and information system designers who need to analyze and design mobile-learning (m-learning) applications to be used outside the classroom. Mobile usage varied significantly as a type of mobile device.No significant difference between Israel and USA in individual learning and collaborative learning.Mobile device usage explained variance over and beyond mobile device use for collaborative learning.Mobile device usage explained variance over and beyond mobile device use for individual learning.

To evaluate the usefulness of the CT temporal subtraction (TS) method for the detection of the lung cancer with predominant ground-glass opacity (LC-pGGO). Twenty-five pairs of CT and their TS images in patients with LC-pGGO (31 lesions) and 25 pairs of those in patients without nodules were used for an observer performance study. Eight radiologists participated and the statistical significance of differences with and without the CT-TS was assessed by JAFROC analysis. The average figure-of-merit (FOM) values for all radiologists increased to a statistically significant degree, from 0.861 without CT-TS to 0.912 with CT-TS (p < .001). The average sensitivity for detecting the actionable lesions improved from 73.4 % to 85.9 % using CT-TS. The reading time with CT-TS was not significantly different from that without. The use of CT-TS improves the observer performance for the detection of LC-pGGO. • CT temporal subtraction can improve the detection accuracy of lung cancer. • Reading time with temporal subtraction is not different from that without. • CT temporal subtraction improves observer performance for ground-glass/subsolid nodule detection.

Many administrative agencies in Japan are encouraging installation of household rainwater-storage tanks for more effective use of natural rainwater. Water samples were collected periodically from 43 rainwater tanks from 40 households and tested for the presence of Legionella species and the extent of heterotrophic bacteria in Azumino city, Nagano prefecture, Japan. PCR assays indicated the presence of Legionella spp. in 12 (30%) of the 43 tank water samples. Attempts were made to identify correlations between PCR positive samples, topography, pH, chemical oxygen demand (COD), atmospheric temperature and the numbers of heterotrophic bacteria. Between June and October, 2012, the numbers of heterotrophic bacteria in rainwater tanks and the values of COD positively correlated with the presence of Legionella species. In most of the Legionella-positive cases, heterotrophic bacterial cell counts were >104 CFU/mL. Moreover, Legionella species were less frequently detected when the COD value was >5 mg KMnO4/L. Therefore, at least in Azumino, Japan between June and October 2012, both heterotrophic bacterial counts and COD values may be considered index parameters for the presence of Legionella cells in rainwater tanks. Much more accumulation of such data is needed to verify the accuracy of these findings.

The present study analyzes the effects of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) environment on teachers’ attitude toward technology integration in Japanese and U.S. elementary schools. Teacher’s attitude plays an important role in influencing the effectiveness of ICT education from a variety of perspectives. A number of studies have been done regarding teachers’ attitude toward ICT, but there is very little research concerning international comparisons. The interest of observation in the present paper is the cross-cultural comparison between Japanese elementary school and U.S. elementary school teachers. The purpose of the paper is to identify the factors that affect teachers’ perception of ICT and how they differ between the two countries.

Objective:To determine whether 18F-THK5351 PET can be used to visualize tau deposits in brain lesions in live patients with corticobasal syndrome (CBS).Methods:We evaluated the in vitro binding of 3H-THK5351 in postmortem brain tissues from a patient with corticobasal degeneration (CBD). In clinical PET studies, 18F-THK5351 retention in 5 patients with CBS was compared to that in 8 age-matched normal controls and 8 patients with Alzheimer disease (AD).Results:3H-THK5351 was able to bind to tau deposits in the postmortem brain with CBD. In clinical PET studies, the 5 patients with CBS showed significantly higher 18F-THK5351 retention in the frontal, parietal, and globus pallidus than the 8 age-matched normal controls and patients with AD. Higher 18F-THK5351 retention was observed contralaterally to the side associated with greater cortical dysfunction and parkinsonism.Conclusions:18F-THK5351 PET demonstrated high tracer signal in sites susceptible to tau deposition in patients with CBS. 18F-THK5351 should be considered as a promising candidate radiotracer for the in vivo imaging of tau deposits in CBS.

Technology integration is an approach which has been stressed in higher education in the USA for several decades. Many colleges and universities now offer online courses and encourage faculty to in...

症例は74歳，男性．当院糖尿病内科に通院中，発作性心房細動を認めたため，2008年12月心エコー検査を施行したところ，左室後壁に2×5 cmの腫瘤を指摘された．手術歴や外傷歴はなく，3ヵ月後の心エコー検査でも腫瘤径は変化せず，全身のCT検査で悪性腫瘍を示唆する所見を認めないことから，良性心臓腫瘍と判断し，経過観察を行っていた．冠動脈CT検査で前下行枝に狭窄病変の存在が疑われたため，2009年12月に腫瘍精査も兼ねて入院となった．臨床所見及び，その形態やエコー輝度，CT所見から鑑別した結果，線維腫である可能性が最も考えられた．入院時の心エコー検査で，2次元（2D）スペックルトラッキング法を用いて長軸，短軸及び円周方向のstrain解析を行ったところ，腫瘍部位に一致する後壁基部に限局した局所心機能異常が認められた．冠動脈造影では，後壁を灌流する右冠動脈及び左回旋枝に狭窄病変を認めなかったことから，腫瘍の存在そのものが，局所心機能異常の原因の一つとなる可能性が考えられた．2Dスペックルトラッキング法は，左室腫瘍周囲の潜在的心機能異常の検出に有用である可能性が示唆された．

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and Fisher syndrome (FS) are immune-mediated peripheral neuropathies, and most of these cases were known to be associated with a preceding infection. Recent reports evidenced an increase in the number of infectious disease cases after the earthquake. The aim of this report is to investigate the incidence and clinical features of GBS and FS after the Great East Japan Earthquake. We found GBS and FS patients had markedly increased in 2011, the year of the earthquake. In regard to an antecedent illness, gastrointestinal infection was significantly increased in GBS patients after the earthquake. These results suggest environmental factors including infectious agents and stress caused by the earthquake might have been involved in the outbreak of the diseases.

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder presenting variable combinations of parkinsonism, cerebellar ataxia, corticospinal and autonomic dysfunction. Alpha-synuclein (α-SYN)-immunopositive glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs) represent the neuropathological hallmark of MSA, and tubulin polymerization promoting protein (TPPP)/p25 in oligodendroglia has been known as a potent stimulator of α-SYN aggregation. To gain insight into the molecular pathomechanisms of GCI formation and subsequent oligodendroglial degeneration, we ectopically expressed α-SYN and TPPP in HEK293T and oligodendroglial KG1C cell lines. Here we showed that TPPP specifically accelerated α-SYN oligomer formation and co-immunoprecipitation analysis revealed the specific interaction of TPPP and α-SYN. Moreover, phosphorylation of α-SYN at Ser-129 facilitated the TPPP-mediated α-SYN oligomerization. TPPP facilitated α-SYN-positive cytoplasmic perinuclear inclusions mimicking GCI in both cell lines; however, apoptotic cell death was only observed in KG1C cells. This apoptotic cell death was partly rescued by sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) inhibition. Together, our results provide further insight into the molecular pathogenesis of MSA and potential therapeutic approaches.

The histopathological hallmark of multiple system atrophy is the appearance of intracellular inclusion bodies, named glial cytoplasmic inclusions, which are mainly composed of alpha-synuclein fibrils. In vivo visualization of alpha-synuclein deposition should be used for the diagnosis and assessment of therapy and severity of pathological progression in multiple system atrophy. Because 2-[2-(2-dimethylaminothiazol-5-yl)ethenyl]-6-[2-(fluoro)ethoxy] benzoxazole could stain alpha-synuclein-containing glial cytoplasmic inclusions in post-mortem brains, we compared the carbon-11-labelled 2-[2-(2-dimethylaminothiazol-5-yl)ethenyl]-6-[2-(fluoro)ethoxy] benzoxazole positron emission tomography findings of eight multiple system atrophy cases to those of age-matched normal controls. The positron emission tomography data demonstrated high distribution volumes in the subcortical white matter (uncorrected P < 0.001), putamen and posterior cingulate cortex (uncorrected P < 0.005), globus pallidus, primary motor cortex and anterior cingulate cortex (uncorrected P < 0.01), and substantia nigra (uncorrected P < 0.05) in multiple system atrophy cases compared to the normal controls. They were coincident with glial cytoplasmic inclusion-rich brain areas in multiple system atrophy and thus, carbon-11-labelled 2-[2-(2-dimethylaminothiazol-5-yl)ethenyl]-6-[2-(fluoro)ethoxy] benzoxazole positron emission tomography is a promising surrogate marker for monitoring intracellular alpha-synuclein deposition in living brains.

Low-malt beers, in which the amount of wort is adjusted to less than two-thirds of that in regular beer, are popular in the Japanese market because the flavor of low-malt beer is similar to that of regular beer but the price lesser than that of regular beer. There are few published articles about low-malt beer. However, in the production process, there are many similarities between low-malt and regular beer, e.g., the yeast used in low-malt beer fermentation is the same as that used for regular beer. Furthermore, many investigations into regular beer are applicable to low-malt beer production. In this review, we focus on production of volatile compounds, and various studies that are applicable to regular and low-malt beer. In particular, information about metabolism of volatile compounds in yeast cells during fermentation, volatile compound measurement and estimation methods, and control of volatile compound production are discussed in this review, which concentrates on studies published in the last 5-6 years.

alpha-Synuclein is a major protein component deposited in Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites that is extensively phosphorylated at Ser(129), although its role in neuronal degeneration is still elusive. In this study, several apoptotic pathways were examined in alpha-synuclein-overexpressing SH-SY5Y cells. Following the treatment with rotenone, a mitochondrial complex I inhibitor, wild type alpha-synuclein-overexpressing cells demonstrated intracellular aggregations, which shared a number of features with Lewy bodies, although cells overexpressing the S129A mutant, in which phosphorylation at Ser(129) was blocked, showed few aggregations. In wild typealpha-synuclein cells treated with rotenone, the proportion of phosphorylated alpha-synuclein was about 1.6 times higher than that of untreated cells. Moreover, induction of unfolded protein response (UPR) markers was evident several hours before the induction of mitochondrial disruption and caspase-3 activation. Eukaryotic initiation factor 2alpha, a member of the PERK pathway family, was remarkably activated at early phases. On the other hand, the S129A mutant failed to activate UPR. Casein kinase 2 inhibitor, which decreased alpha-synuclein phosphorylation, also reduced UPR activation. The alpha-synuclein aggregations were colocalized with a marker for the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment. Taken together, it seems plausible that alpha-synuclein toxicity is dependent on the phosphorylation at Ser(129) that induces the UPRs, possibly triggered by the disturbed endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi trafficking.

Summary Background There have been few reports that compare the effect of histamine H2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) using continuous gastric pH monitoring for a long duration. Aim To assess the early effects of both drugs on gastric pH using a wireless pH monitoring system. Methods The test was conducted by a cross-over test: 10 healthy male volunteers were administered famotidine 20 mg twice a day and lansoprazole 30 mg once a day. Monitoring of gastric pH over four consecutive days was performed using a unique method we have developed that is an elaboration of the Bravo system. Results The time to reach a pH level of 3 or more with famotidine was significantly shorter than that for lansoprazole. The pH3 holding time ratio of famotidine during the first 4 h of administration was significantly higher than that of lansoprazole. The pH3 holding time ratio on each day from day 1 to day 3 was significantly higher following lansoprazole administration compared with famotidine administration. Conclusions Famotidine was shown to act quickly in elevating gastric pH; however, lansoprazole was superior to famotidine in terms of its ability to elevate gastric pH for a long duration.

At the end of beer brewing fermentation, yeast cells are collected and repitched for economical reasons. Although it is generally accepted that the physiological state of inoculated yeast cells affects their subsequent fermentation performance, the effect of serial-repitching on the physiological state of such yeast cells has not been well clarified. In this study, the fermentation performance of yeast cells during serial-repitching was investigated. After multiple repitchings, the specific growth rate and maximum optical density (OD(660)) decreased, and increases in isoamyl alcohol, which causes an undesirable flavor, and residual free amino acid nitrogen (FAN) concentrations were observed. The physiological state of individual cells before inoculation was characterized by flow cytometry using the fluorescent dyes dehydrorhodamine 123 (DHR) and bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid) trimethine oxonol (OXN). The fluorescence intensities of DHR, an indicator of reactive oxygen species (ROSs), and OXN, which indicates membrane potential, gradually increased as the number of serial-repitching cycles increased. Fluorescence intensity correlated strongly with cell growth. The subsequent fermentation performance can be predicted from this correlation.

The study investigated perceived ease of use and usefulness of Google Hangouts as an instructional/learning tool. Forty-two teacher education students at U.S and Japanese universities participated in an online cross-cultural activity using Google Hangouts and discussed cultural differences between the two countries and their teaching philosophies. After the activity, students responded to a survey to evaluate the ease of use and usefulness of Google Hangouts. Qualitative data were also collected through the survey to examine their overall learning experience. The results indicated that Google Hangouts is a useful instructional tool, but not easy to use. Although technical problems occurred during the conference, the activity provided valuable experiences for both U.S. and Japanese students. The study provides suggestions for how Google Hangouts can be integrated into online classrooms based on the findings.

Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis (BBE) is characterized by diverse symptoms, and early diagnosis is often difficult, especially confusing with menigoencephalitis with cranial nerve involvements. Diagnostic role of anti-GQ1b antibody has been established, although its result is usually known late. Prompt diagnosis is preferred because immunotherapies are effective. Here we illustrate the usefulness of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) in the early diagnosis of BBE. Patients were a 27-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man. Both patients presented with general fatigue and common-cold-like symptoms, followed by dysarthria, gait disturbance, ophthalmoplegia, consciousness disturbance, and positive Babinski's sign. Brain MRI revealed no abnormality. ABRs were completely normal. Blink reflexes were abnormal. Median nerve SEPs registered normal P13/14 and N18, whereas N20 was lost (patient 1) or delayed (patient 2). These SEP results suggested the interruption of the somatosensory pathway within the brainstem considering their clinical signs, and the diagnosis of BBE was made. We immediately introduced immunoadsorption, which resulted in rapid resolution of symptoms. Anti-GQ1b antibody later proved to be positive. Abnormalities of evoked potentials have been reported for BBE, but these are the first cases with normal ABRs and abnormal SEPs.

Apparent extract concentration, which is defined as the apparent total dry matter concentration in the media calculated by measurement of the specific gravity, is a very important variable in the process of beer and low-malt beer fermentation. In the present study, ethanol formation and the residual apparent extract concentration were estimated using the CO 2 concentration in the exhaust gas. A simple mathematical model involving the CO 2 production rate, temperature and cell activity was constructed and a novel system for on-line estimation and control of apparent extract concentration was developed. In the control system for the residual apparent extract concentration, cell activity was estimated by monitoring the differences in actual CO 2 production rate. In addition, the future trajectory of the apparent extract concentration was predicted. The degree of fermentation, i.e., the residual apparent extract concentration trajectory, was controlled by raising or lowering the temperature, taking into account the estimated cell activity at that time. The residual apparent extract concentration reached the target value at a given time, using the on-line estimation of apparent extract concentration and temperature control.

Background: The Oketani method is a program of breast massage and clinical counseling developed by the midwife Satomi Oketani. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the method on the quality of breast milk by determining the chemical composition of the milk before and after massage. Methods: Milk samples were obtained immediately before and after massage from healthy, exclusively breast-feeding Japanese mothers at two different periods of lactation one 3 months after parturition. Lipids, whey protein, casein, lactose, ash, and total solids in milk were measured in milk samples.The gross energy content of milk was estimated. Results: Breast massage significantly increased lipids in the late lactating period but not in the early lactating period. In the early lactating period casein was increased by breast massage but was not significantly affected in the late lactating period. Breast massage caused a significant increase in total solids from the first day to 11 months post partum. The gross energy in the late lactating period was significantly increased by breast massage but not in the early lactating period. Lactose was not significantly changed by breast massage. Conclusions: Breast massage improves the quality of human milk by significantly increasing total solids, lipids, and casein concentration and gross energy. The milk of mothers treated by Oketani breast massage may improve the growth and develop

The objective of this study is to develop a system for controlling apparent extract concentration which should be decreased below the target value at a fixed time under the constraint for admissible amounts of production of volatile compounds. To this end, a sophisticated control strategy comprising a state estimation step for fermentation degree, and calculation and decision steps for brewing temperature profile for the simultaneous control of apparent extract and volatile compounds concentrations was developed here. For the estimation of apparent extract and volatile compounds concentrations, CO2 concentration in the exhaust gas was utilized. Temperature profiles, which will bring the brewing process to the target apparent extract concentration so as to produce fewer amounts of volatile compounds than the threshold concentrations at a fixed time, were searched and decided by feeding back the information of fermentative activity of the inoculated yeast cells. The developed feedback control of the brewing temperature profile was successfully applied to the brewing process, and apparent extract and volatile compounds concentrations at a fixed time satisfied the target conditions. The control technique developed here allows us to brew a wide variety of beers with different tastes.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and Fisher syndrome (FS) are immune-mediated peripheral neuropathies, and most of these cases were known to be associated with a preceding infection. Recent reports evidenced an increase in the number of infectious disease cases after the earthquake. The aim of this report is to investigate the incidence and clinical features of GBS and FS after the Great East Japan Earthquake. We found GBS and FS patients had markedly increased in 2011, the year of the earthquake. In regard to an antecedent illness, gastrointestinal infection was significantly increased in GBS patients after the earthquake. These results suggest environmental factors including infectious agents and stress caused by the earthquake might have been involved in the outbreak of the diseases.

Background: In 1988, the first survey of child abuse in Japan was conducted in Osaka Prefecture as a joint effort between medical, health and welfare agencies. Ensuing surveys in 1988 revealed that infant abuse had a death rate of 10% in Health Center. Methods: In 1996 and 1999, surveys were performed on 130 and 215 abused children under 18 years of age. They were studied in terms of their activity of Health Center, including help, means of involvement by health visitors. Results: Fifty-five percent of children were detected via health centers. In 69% of cases, health visitors listened to parents and promptly contacted other agencies. Ninety-five percent of cases had home visits. The concerted effort of the health centers with allied disciplines in Osaka Prefecture yielded the following changes: the mortality rate decreased from 9.8% in 1988 to 2.3% in 1996, and institutionalized cases tripled from 13.7% in 1988 to 39.5% in 1999. The rate of admission to day care centers increased from 22.4% in 1988 to 58.7% in 1999. Along with the constant support of health visitors, day care centers provided secure support and protection for parents and infants. Conclusions: Effective prevention and treatment become possible only when treatment of the child’s physical and psychological health, mental care for parents and tangible support for childrearing and daily life were undertaken in a concerted way. To this end, a systematic commitment of all child agencies, child guidance centers, as well as medical, health educational, welfare and other allied disciplines is required.

activator inhibitor, von Willebrand factor antigen and multimers together with several other laboratory parameters. Healthy human volunteers, who served as their own controls, were randomly assigned to ingest a moderate dose of red wine (or water) with or without an evening meal. The aim was to find out the possible beneficial effects of alcohol on SIPA and other parameters of the haemostatic and fibrinolytic systems in healthy human volunteers during fasting and after the ingestion of a standard evening meal. Abstract — Moderate regular alcohol intake has been found to be associated with a decreased risk for coronary heart disease and stroke. We investigated the effects of acute intake of red wine (60 g ethanol) and a standard dinner under controlled condition s on haemostatic factors. Shear-induced platelet aggregation (SIPA) decreased after the intake of alcohol irrespective of whether th e subjects were fasting or not, and also after the intake of food. The intake of alcohol inhibited the postprandial increase of von Willeb rand factor multimers. Plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 activity (PAI-1) and serum triglycerides were increased by alcoho l. Excretion of the platelet thromboxane A2 metabolites 11-dehydrothromboxane B2 and 2,3-dinorthromboxane B2, as well as the endothelial prostacyclin metabolite 2,3-dinor-6-ketoprostaglandin F 1α , into urine was not influenced by either alcohol or food. We conclude that eating a dinner together with red wine has no untoward effect on SIPA and that the decrease of SIPA is not specific for alcohol.

Background and Purpose —The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency, possible predictive factors, and prognosis of deteriorating ischemic stroke in 4 clinical categories according to the classification of the Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project (OCSP). Methods —A total of 350 patients with first-ever ischemic stroke who presented within 24 hours of onset were enrolled. Based on the OCSP criteria, cerebral infarctions were divided into the following 4 clinical categories: total anterior circulation infarcts (TACI), partial anterior circulation infarcts (PACI), lacunar infarcts (LACI), and posterior circulation infarcts (POCI). Clinical deterioration was defined as a decrease of ≥1 points in the Canadian Neurological Scale (CNS) (in TACI, PACI, and LACI) or Rankin Scale (RS) (in POCI) during 7 days from the onset. In each clinical category, deteriorating (D) and nondeteriorating (ND) patients were compared in terms of their background characteristics, risk factors, vital signs, laboratory data, and cranial CT at the time of hospitalization. The acute-phase mortality and functional outcome were also compared. Results —The subjects comprised 86 patients (24.6%) with TACI, 63 (18.0%) with PACI, 141 (40.3%) with LACI, and 60 (17.1%) with POCI. Overall, 90 patients (25.7%) deteriorated. The frequency was very high in TACI (41.9%), followed by LACI (26.2%) and POCI (21.7%), whereas it was very low in PACI (6.3%). There were some clinical variables that differed significantly between D and ND groups. In the patients with TACI, early abnormalities of the cranial CT and significant stenoses in corresponding arteries were more frequent in the D than the ND group. In those with LACI, the CNS and hematocrit were lower in the D than the ND group. In those with POCI, cerebral atrophy was more severe and significant stenoses in vertebrobasilar arteries were more frequent in the D than ND group. The mortality of the D groups of patients with TACI and POCI exceeded 35%, and the functional outcome was worse in the D group than in the ND group of patients with TACI, LACI, and POCI. Conclusions —The frequency of deterioration in acute ischemic stroke significantly differed among the OCSP subgroups, and deterioration worsened the prognosis. There were some factors that could predict deterioration: early CT findings in TACI, large-artery atherosclerosis in TACI and POCI, and stroke severity in LACI. Further research to find sophisticated radiological and chemical markers appears to be needed.

An induced-fit type Ru(II) receptor 1 has been synthesized in which, upon approach of dicarboxylates, a highly flexible tetraamide binding site is organized to complement their chemical structures. Stereoselective optical sensing has been demonstrated by virtue of the luminescence response of 1 to the binding of cis / trans -1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylates.

T cell activation requires two signals: a signal from the TCR and a co-stimulatory signal provided by antigen-presenting cells (APC). In addition to CD28, multiple molecules on the T cell have been described to deliver co-stimulatory signals. Here, we investigated whether there exist quantitative or qualitative differences in the co-stimulatory capacity between CD28 and other molecules. Anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and mAb against CD5, CD9, CD2, CD44 or CD11a all induced activation of naive T cells in the absence of APC when co-immobilized with a submitogenic dose of anti-CD3 mAb. [3H]Thymidine incorporation determined 2 days after co-stimulation was all comparable. In contrast to progressive T cell proliferation induced by CD28 co-stimulation, co-stimulation by other T cell molecules led to a decrease in viable cell recovery along with the induction of apoptosis of once activated T cells. This was associated with a striking difference in IL-2 production; CD28 co-stimulation induced progressively increasing IL-2 production, whereas co-stimulation by other molecules produced limited amounts of IL-2. Addition of recombinant IL-2 to the latter cultures corrected the induction of apoptosis, resulting in levels of cellular proliferation comparable to those observed for CD28 co-stimulation. These results indicate that a fundamental difference exists in the nature of co-stimulation between CD28 and other molecules, which can be evaluated by the levels of IL-2 production, but not simply by [3H]thymidine incorporation.

発症24時間以内の脳梗塞250例において,進行性増悪例の検討をOxfordshire CommunityStroke Project (OCSP)の4病型分類別に検討した.全体では28%に進行が観察され,partial anterior circulation infarcts(PACI)群の進行は9%と他の3群(total anterior circulation infarcts: TACI, lacunar infarcts: LACI, posterior circulation infarcts :POCI)に比し低率であった.進行群と非進行群の比較では,TACIの進行群で頭部CTでの早期異常が高率で,コレステロールが低下しており,LACIの進行群ではエントリー時に機能的に重症であったが,その他の因子に差はなく,POCIでは両群間に差は見出せなかった.進行例は生命予後.機能予後とも不良であった.進行例の頻度は病型別に異なり,若干の予知因子が抽出されたが,その予測は依然として困難と考えられた.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is caused by the hyperactivation of T cells and macrophages. The clinical characteristics associated with this disease result from overproduction of Th1 cytokines including interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). In this study, we analyzed the production of IL-12 and IL-4, which determine Th1 and Th2 response, respectively, and IL-10, which antagonizes Th1 cytokines, in 11 patients with HLH. IL-12 was detected in plasma in all patients (mean peak value, 30.0 ± 5.0 pg/mL), while IFN-γ was massively produced in nine patients (mean peak value, 79.2 ± 112.0 U/mL). IL-4 was not detected in any of the patients. Plasma IL10 levels were elevated in all patients (mean peak value, 2,698.0 ± 3,535.0 pg/mL). There was a positive correlation between the levels of IFN-γ and IL-10 (P < .01). The plasma concentrations of these cytokines were initially high, before decreasing after the acute phase. However, the decrease in IL-10 levels was slower than that of IFN-γ. Although the concentration of IL-12 was high at the acute phase, in some patients, a peak in the level was delayed until the chronic phase. Thus, in HLH, production of cytokines that promote development of Th1 cells appears to be predominant over that for Th2 cell development. Overproduction of IL-10 was also observed indicating that a mechanism suppressing hyperactivation of Th1 cells and monocytes/macrophages functions in patients with this disease.