Atomic Bomb Survivor Studies and their Current Significance: Comparison between the Practices of the ABCC-RERF and the RIRBM

Medical research spurred by radiation exposure is a critically important theme for modern society. Accordingly, studies of this contemporary problem should be based on a perspective that is focused on that origin, medical investigations into the effects of radiation exposure on survivors of the atomic bombs. Therefore, we organized and evaluated survey programs and research of atomic bomb survivors that have been conducted by ABCC (Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission) –RERF (Radiation Effects Research Foundation) and RIRBM (Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine) between 1949 and 1975. ABCC established a set of carefully defined cohorts and launched an integrated research program based on three phases of pure research. That work has formed the foundation for the research that the RERF is engaged in today. And among surveys and studies worldwide that have generated fundamental data on radiation protection standards, the findings of ABCC-RERF surveys and studies have provided important information. It has thus provided various international research organizations (WHO (World Health Organization), ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection), UNSCEAR (United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation), etc.) with important information and indicators. RIRBM has pursued studies and surveys that are distinct from the undertakings led by ABCC-RERF. RIRBM was able to do something that ABCC-RERF would have found difficult to implement: namely, flexibly launching projects on themes that directly met the needs of the local society at the time. Atomic bomb survivors’ medical data continue to grow, from the bombing to the present, and to the future. Data sharing, joint research, and collaboration by research institutions in this field will be effective ways to foster rationally coordinated surveys and studies

Polyamine depletion induces G1 and S phase arrest in human retinoblastoma Y79 cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Polyamines and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) are essential for cell proliferation. DL-α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), a synthetic inhibitor of ODC, induces G₁arrest through dephosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (pRb). The effect of DFMO on cell growth of pRb deficient cells is not known. We examined the effects of DFMO on pRb deficient human retinoblastoma Y79 cell proliferation and its molecular mechanism.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using cultured Y79 cells, the effects of DFMO were studied by using polyamine analysis, western blot, gel shift, FACS and promoter analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>DFMO suppressed the proliferation of Y79 cells, which accumulated in the G1 and S phase. DFMO induced p27/Kip1 protein expression, p107 dephosphorylation and accumulation of p107/E2F-4 complex in Y79 cells.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results indicate that p107 dephosphorylation and accumulation of p107/E2F-4 complex is involved in G₁and S phase arrest of DFMO treated Y79 cells.</p

Cultures, Worldviews, and Intergenerational Altruism

This paper presents empirical evidence concerning effects of cultural differences on parents' attitudes toward children from unique U.S. and Japanese survey data. These data sets have been collected by Osaka University, and contain questions concerning worldviews and religions, hypothetical questions about parental behavior, and questions about socioeconomic variables. The data show that U.S. parents tend to be tougher than Japanese parents toward young children. Our evidence suggests that contents of worldview beliefs held by parents affect parents' attitudes toward children. Our empirical evidence also indicates that people who are confident about worldview beliefs tend to show tough attitudes toward their children. Because U.S. parents are much more confident than Japanese parents in worldview beliefs on the average, this cultural difference helps explain a substantial portion of the difference in parental attitudes between U.S. and Japanese parents

ブンショ チョウサ 40ネン ヤマナシケン オオツキシ ホシノケ ブンショ チョウサ ニツイテ

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Retrorectal epidermoid cyst with unusually elevated serum SCC level, initially diagnosed as an ovarian tumor

Retrorectal epidermoid cyst is one of the developmental cysts which arise from remnants of embryonic tissues. We report a rare case of retrorectal epidermoid cyst, initially diagnosed as an ovarian tumor. Serum SCC value as tumor marker was elevated to the high level. Laparoscopy revealed ovaries, uterus and other pelvic organs were all normal. This tumor existed in the retroperitoneal cavity and compressed the rectum. Later, complete tumor resection was performed by laparotomy. Histological study revealed the epithelium of this tumor consisted of only squamous cells without atypia, and the diagnosis of this tumor was retrorectal epidermoid cyst. Retrorectal epidermoid cyst is very rare, and difficult to diagnose before surgery. However, if we have-knowledge of developmental cysts, and by careful digital examination and image diagnosis, a differential diagnosis can be made

事例からみる嚥下調整食提供における管理栄養士および調理従事者の役割

【要旨】嚥下調整食を導入した給食施設の事例から取り組みを整理し，管理栄養士および調理従事者の役 割について考察した。嚥下調整食の実施では，喫食者に適した食形態の設定や多職種による喫食状況の把 握，物性の安定と調理負担の調整が行われていた。特に，調理従事者の業務内容が従来の調理中心の業務 から拡大傾向にあり，施設職員，委託給食会社職員ともに嚥下調整食の調理方法・技術に関する研修のほ か，嚥下に関する知識研修や病棟訪問等に参加していた。今後，管理栄養士には，喫食者の栄養状態，摂 食・嚥下機能の維持・向上を目指した嚥下調整食の開発および質の向上に加えて，調理従事者の職務設計， 人材育成に関する職務遂行，委託給食会社との協力関係構築などの能力が求められると考える。 Abstract: This study summarized the initiatives of a meal-catering facility that had introduced a dysphagia diet and considered the roles of registered dietitians and cooks. Implementing a dysphagia diet involves identifying the forms of food suitable for the patient and appointing a multi-disciplinary team for understanding their eating condition, stabilizing the physical properties of food, and adjusting the burden of cooking. Notably, the work done by cooking staff in the mealcatering facility tended to expand beyond conventional cooking-centered duties; together with the facility staff and subcontracted meal-catering staff, the cooking staff undertook training on cooking methods and techniques for dysphagia diet, and training to increase their knowledge about swallowing, as well as visits to wards. In the future, registered dietitians would be required to acquire skills involving designing the duty of cooking staff, executing the duties related to human resource development, and establishing cooperative relations with sub-contracted meal-catering companies. They would also need to develop and improve the quality of dysphagia diet aimed at maintaining and improving the nutritional status, feeding, and swallowing function of the patient

Elevated IgA antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus in children with chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection.

Anti-Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies were tested in 11 children with chronic active EBV infection. Anti-virus capsid antigen (VCA)-IgG antibody titers ranged from 1:640 to 1:10,240. Anti-VCA-IgM antibody was consistently positive in 5 of the 11 patients; anti-VCA-IgA antibody was consistently positive in 6 of the 10 patients; anti-early antigen (EA)-IgG antibody was consistently positive in 10 of the 11 patients and anti-EA-IgA antibody was consistently positive in 4 out of the 7 patients. Anti-EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA) antibody was not detected in two patients. Consistently positive anti-VCA-IgA- and anti-EA-IgA- antibody may be a characteristic feature of abnormal antibody responses in severe chronic active EBV-infection in childhood.</p

Therapeutic regimen of l-arginine for MELAS: 9-year, prospective, multicenter, clinical research

ObjectiveTo examine the efficacy and safety of the therapeutic regimen using oral and intravenous l-arginine for pediatric and adult patients with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS).MethodsIn the presence and absence of an ictus of stroke-like episodes within 6 h prior to efficacy assessment, we correspondingly conducted the systematic administration of oral and intravenous l-arginine to 15 and 10 patients with MELAS in two, 2-year, prospective, multicenter clinical trials at 10 medical institutions in Japan. Subsequently, patients were followed up for 7 years. The primary endpoint in the clinical trial of oral l-arginine was the MELAS scale, while that for intravenous l-arginine was the improvement rates of headache and nausea/vomiting at 2 h after completion of the initial intravenous administration. The relationships between the ictuses of stroke-like episodes and plasma arginine concentrations were examined.ResultsOral l-arginine extended the interictal phase (p = 0.0625) and decreased the incidence and severity of ictuses. Intravenous l-arginine improved the rates of four major symptoms—headache, nausea/vomiting, impaired consciousness, and visual disturbance. The maximal plasma arginine concentration was 167 μmol/L when an ictus developed. Neither death nor bedriddenness occurred during the 2-year clinical trials, and the latter did not develop during the 7-year follow-up despite the progressively neurodegenerative and eventually life-threatening nature of MELAS. No treatment-related adverse events occurred, and the formulations of l-arginine were well tolerated.ConclusionsThe systematic administration of oral and intravenous l-arginine may be therapeutically beneficial and clinically useful for patients with MELAS

Phlegmonous Colitis after Cold Snare Polypectomy in an Immunosuppressed Patient: A Case Report

Introduction: Cold snare polypectomy (CSP) is a procedure with a low risk of complications. Here, we present our experience of a rare case of submucosal abscess following CSP in an immunosuppressed patient. Case Presentation: Seventy-eight-year-old man underwent CSP, developing a fever, chills, and right lower abdominal pain 8 days later. Ultrasound and computed tomography revealed wall thickening of the ascending colon, presenting as whitening and thickening of the same region, and excretion of pus was observed after biopsy. The diagnosis was made as phlegmonous colitis, for which antibiotic therapy was commenced. The patient was diagnosed with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) during admission. We considered the following reasons as possible causes of infectious complications after CSP: (1) the patient had a highly immunosuppressed state with comorbidities such as CMML as well as diabetes mellitus and (2) disruption of the mucosal barrier occurred during endoscopic resection. Conclusion: Although CSP is generally considered safe, our case highlights the potential for serious complications in immunosuppressed patients. Therefore, the decision to perform CSP in such patients should be made with caution to avoid unnecessary interventions. In instances where treatment is essential, thorough bowel preparation and prophylactic antibiotic use may be necessary to mitigate the risks