Multivariate Analyses with Two-Step Dimension Reduction for an Association Study Between 11C-Pittsburgh Compound B and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Alzheimer’s Disease

The neuropathological diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) relies on amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition in brain tissues. To study the relationship between Aβ deposition and brain structure, as determined using 11C-Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), respectively, we developed a regression model with PiB and MRI data as the predictor and response variables, respectively, and proposed a regression method for studying the association between them based on a supervised sparse multivariate analysis with dimension reduction based on a composite paired basis function. By applying this method to imaging data of 61 patients with AD (age: 55–85), the first component showed the strongest correlation with the composite score, owing to the supervised feature. The spatial pattern included the hippocampal and parahippocampal regions for MRI. The peak value was observed in the posterior cingulate and precuneus for PiB. The differences in PiB scores among the diagnosis groups 12 months after PiB imaging were significant between the normal and AD groups (p = 0.0284), but not between the normal and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) groups or the MCI and AD groups (p = 0.3508). Our method may facilitate the development of a dementia biomarker from brain imaging data. Scoring imaging data allows for visualization and the application of traditional analysis, facilitating clinical analysis for better interpretation of results.論文(Article)[Notice] The full text of the article can be viewed from the address in the [URL] field below.https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12010048journal articl

The Relationship Between Soleus H-Reflex Following Standing GVS and Postural Control Responses on Firm and Foam Surfaces: An Exploratory Study

Background: The vestibular postural control system affects standing stability on an unstable surface. However, it is unclear whether maintaining a standing position on different surfaces alters lateral vestibulospinal tract (LVST) excitability and body control responses following vestibular stimulation. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the soleus H-reflex following galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVSH), a measure of LVST, and post-stimulus body movement responses while standing with eyes closed on different surfaces. Methods: Twelve healthy volunteers (mean age 20.4 ± 0.5 years, 7 females) performed eyes-closed standing GVSH on firm and foam surfaces. Body control responses in each condition were evaluated using an inertial measurement unit to monitor neck and pelvic movements, along with surface electromyography to assess muscle activity in the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles. Body responses to the GVS were averaged over up to a second after tibial nerve stimulation. Results: We observed a significant negative correlation between the H-wave amplitude of the GVSH on the firm surface and the tibialis anterior muscle activity following stimulation (r = −0.666, p = 0.018). No significant differences were observed during the eyes-closed standing GVSH on either firm or foam surfaces (p = 0.568). Conclusions: Postural maintenance in response to vestibular stimulation may contribute to body stability by regulating tibialis anterior muscle contraction via the LVST. Our findings may help elucidate the neural activity of vestibular function-related standing postural control responses.論文(Article)[Notice] The full text of the article can be viewed from the address in the [URL] field below.https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15020115journal articl

Remimazolam: Promising sedative for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

論文(Article)[Notice] The full text of the article can be viewed from the address in the [URL] field below.https://doi.org/10.1111/den.14995journal articl

Current status and issues of financial education in intellectual special needs schools: Through a survey of special needs schools in Saga Prefecture

金融教育へのニーズの高まりと障害者に係る社会情勢を踏まえ, 知的障害者の金融教育の現 状と課題を調査した。その結果, 県内の多くの学校で, 労働対価としてのお金, 金融トラブルへの予防 等, 使い方に関する学習は取り組まれていた。一方で, 資産運用や生命保険等の金融商品やその仕組 みについての学習は皆無であり, 収入源が乏しい知的障害者にとって, この領域の扱い方が大きな課 題となっていることが明らかになった。論文(Article)departmental bulletin pape

Influence of Radical Generation and Elimination on Sebum Production of Hamster Sebaceous Gland Cells

We focused on the effects of radical induction on cell differentiation and sebum production when antioxidants and oxidants were applied to normal hamster sebaceous gland cells. We also examined the relationship between sebum production and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging rate in these cells. Eight antioxidants (fullerene, epigallocatechin gallate, α-glucosylrutin, copper (II) gluconate, tannic acid, sodium copper-chlorophyllin, phytic acid, and ascorbyl tocopheryl phosphate) and one oxidant (hydrogen peroxide, H2O2) were used. The number of differentiated cells was determined by counting the viable cells, the intracellular triglyceride (TG) level was determined by separation and quantification by HPTLC, and the superoxide anion radical scavenging rate, nitric oxide scavenging rate, and H2O2 scavenging rate were also investigated. Adding various antioxidants decreased the differentiated cell number and TG content in the hamster sebaceous gland cells. Meanwhile, adding an oxidant (H2O2) increased the differentiated cell number and cellular TG. Pretreatment with antioxidants also prevented the oxidants from increasing the differentiated cell number and TG level. A strong correlation between the intracellular TG content and the H2O2 scavenging rate was identified. These results indicate that radical generation and scavenging are involved in sebum production in hamster sebaceous gland cells, and that the scavenging rate of H2O2 may be particularly important.論文(Article)[Notice] The full text of the article can be viewed from the address in the [URL] field below.https://doi.org/10.3390/life15020165journal articl

Development of Junior High Mathematics Lessons to Appreciate the Value of Mathematics

本研究は中学校数学科において生徒が数学のよさを感得する授業の開発・実施を目的として いる。先行研究をもとに数学のよさを具体的・明確にし，それを感得するための授業の条件について 整理した。さらに，中学校3年生を対象に「平方根」の単元計画を設計し，授業を実践し，数学のよ さの感得について生徒の成果物をもとに検証した。その結果，本研究で開発した授業により数学のよ さの感得につながることが示唆された。論文(Article)departmental bulletin pape

Support for students with developmental disabilities who have experienced truancy in special needs schools(sickly) -The practice of focusing on the positive aspects of students(time guidance for independent activities)-

特別支援学校(病弱)に在籍する発達障害があり不登校を経験した生徒を対象にポジティブ な面に着目した「自立活動の時間の指導」を計画･実行した。授業では，生徒自身が選んだ好きなこ とや得意なことを活動の中心としたことで活動に積極的に取組み，それらを他者に認められることで 成就感を味わった。また，活動を通して，生徒同士の距離が縮まったり，友だちに興味をもち始めた りした。教師は，多くの生徒は教師自身が捉えていた実態以上に友だちとの関係を求めていることに 気付いた。論文(Article)departmental bulletin pape

Organized management of educational support classes and support for non-attending students

子供たちを取り巻く環境が変化する中で，令和5年度の調査では30日以上欠席した不登校児童生 徒数は11年連続で増加し続けている。不登校児童生徒の支援については，これまでも様々な取組と努 力がなされ，児童生徒の社会的自立に向けた支援が行われてきているものの依然として生徒指導上の 喫緊の課題である。不登校児童生徒への支援に対する基本的な考え方として，「チーム学校」としての 不登校に対する基本姿勢や登校に当たっての受入体制，多様な教育機会の確保について考察する。論文(Article)departmental bulletin pape

【実習報告（関係機関実習）】学校と地域との連携，コミュニティ・スクール（学校運営協議会）等を活かした学校教育

論文(Article)departmental bulletin pape

Simulation of COVID-19 Infection (1) ; A New Mathematical Model

新型コロナウィルスの感染をシミュレーションするプログラムを作り，日本の感染状況を再現 すると共に，その基本的構造を明らかにする。本ウィルスは従来の数理モデルの枠に収まらない特徴を 何重にも備えているため，従来モデルとはかけ離れた独自モデルを構築する事になった。 主要な結果としては，市中の潜在感染者の推定が可能であること，見つけきれない死者が多いと推定 されること，などである。論文(Article)departmental bulletin pape