Classification of Peer Conflict in Elementary School and Efficacy of Mediation as Resolution Strategy

子どものいざこざは一般的には起こらないほうがよいと考えられている。他方で，子どもの社会性の発達を促すポジティブな面も指摘されている。本研究では小学校におけるいざこざの実態を調べ，有効な教師の介入解決方略を明らかにすることを目的とした。研究1では，教育実習を終えた大学生126名に質問紙調査を実施し，いざこざの内容を分類した結果，7種が見出された。研究2では，小学校の学級担任93名に，7種のいざこざ場面のシナリオを提示し，どのような介入解決方略をとるか尋ねた結果，ミディエーション（双方の子どもから話を聴き，子どもから解決策を引き出す方略）が，7つのうち5つの場面で最も多くとられていた。研究3では，経験豊富な管理職39名に，より解決が難しい3場面での介入解決方略について尋ねたところ，全ての場面でミディエーションが最も多かった。以上の結果から，小学校における教師のミディエーションの有効性について論じた

Transient Effectiveness of an Oral 5-Fluorouracil Derivative, S-1, for Epirubicin, Cyclophosphamide and Paclitaxel Refractory Skin Metastases from Possible Occult Breast Cancer in a Male

Recent chemotherapies for skin metastases from breast cancer have shown to be effective for regression, disappearance, and favorable quality of life. We describe the case of a 76-year-old male showing transient effectiveness with an oral 5-fluorouracil derivative, S-1 (tegafur, 5-chloro-2,4-dihydroxypyridine and potassium oxonate), for epirubicin, cyclophosphamide and paclitaxel refractory skin metastases from possible occult breast cancer. The male patient was initially diagnosed as having lymph node metastases in the left axilla as possible occult breast cancer. The skin metastases developed after chemotherapy with a combination of epirubicin and cyclophosphamide, subsequent chemotherapy with paclitaxel, and radiotherapy. Chemotherapy with paclitaxel was resumed for skin metastases, but it was not effective. Alternative chemotherapy with the oral agent S-1 was administered. The skin metastases completely disappeared after the second course, but recurred at the end of the third course. This case suggests that S-1 may be a candidate for chemotherapy for skin metastases from occult breast cancer in males

Application of CO-oximeter for Forensic Samples

CO-oximeter is routinely used in clinical practice, and it has been applied in the field of forensic medicine. It is a simultaneous and nondestructive technique for the analysis of total hemoglobin (Hb) and various Hb species, such as oxyhemoglobin, reduced hemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin, and methemoglobin. It automatically measures the proportion of each species of Hb and oxygen contents. This is an easy, rapid, and convenient way as the laboratory test. Since there are many advantages such as no necessity of sample preparation, easy handling, and portability, it may provide valuable information for forensic diagnosis. In the present paper, we discuss about the diagnostic application of CO-oximeter in the field of forensic medicine

Simplified Analysis of Toxic Gaseous Substance in Forensic Practice: Experiences from Japan

Toxicological examination in forensic practice is important for the proper diagnosis of acute poisoning. We have discussed the properties and features of poisoning incidents due to gaseous substances and elaborated on the simplified analytical techniques and apparatus used for their identification and quantitation for forensic purposes. Briefly, we have explained the simplified analysis of toxic gaseous substances such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulfide, and helium in blood. The techniques used include color testing, gas chromatography, detector tube, oximeter, and spectrophotometric method. In doing so, we have shared our experiences and highlighted the fact that the analysis of gaseous substances can be performed using readily available laboratory tools and equipment. We have emphasized the need and usefulness of the reference data tables for guiding forensic diagnosis. We hope that the above overview will assist other colleagues to implement such simplified techniques for the advancement of forensic medicine practice

Loss of histone H4K20 trimethylation predicts poor prognosis in breast cancer and is associated with invasive activity

INTRODUCTION: Loss of histone H4 lysine 20 trimethylation (H4K20me3) is associated with multiple cancers, but its role in breast tumors is unclear. In addition, the pathological effects of global reduction in H4K20me3 remain mostly unknown. Therefore, a major goal of this study was to elucidate the global H4K20me3 level in breast cancer tissue and investigate its pathological functions. METHODS: Levels of H4K20me3 and an associated histone modification, H3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3), were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in a series of breast cancer tissues. Univariate and multivariate clinicopathological and survival analyses were performed. We also examined the effect of overexpression or knockdown of the histone H4K20 methyltransferases, SUV420H1 and SUV420H2, on cancer-cell invasion activity in vitro. RESULTS: H4K20me3, but not H3K9me3, was clearly reduced in breast cancer tissue. A reduced level of H4K20me3 was correlated with several aspects of clinicopathological status, including luminal subtypes, but not with HER2 expression. Multivariate analysis showed that reduced levels of H4K20me3 independently associated with lower disease-free survival. Moreover, ectopic expression of SUV420H1 and SUV420H2 in breast cancer cells suppressed cell invasiveness, whereas knockdown of SUV420H2 activated normal mammary epithelial-cell invasion in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: H4K20me3 was reduced in cancerous regions of breast-tumor tissue, as in other types of tumor. Reduced H4K20me3 level can be used as an independent marker of poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. Most importantly, this study suggests that a reduced level of H4K20me3 increases the invasiveness of breast cancer cells in a HER2-independent manner

Virological characterization of the 2022 outbreak-causing monkeypox virus using human keratinocytes and colon organoids

ヒトiPS細胞由来大腸オルガノイドおよびヒトケラチノサイトを用いたmpoxウイルス2022年株の解析. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2023-06-07.The outbreak-causing monkeypox virus of 2022 (2022 MPXV) is classified as a clade IIb strain and phylogenetically distinct from prior endemic MPXV strains (clades I or IIa), suggesting that its virological properties may also differ. Here, we used human keratinocytes and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived colon organoids to examine the efficiency of viral growth in these cells and the MPXV infection-mediated host responses. MPXV replication was much more productive in keratinocytes than in colon organoids. We observed that MPXV infections, regardless of strain, caused cellular dysfunction and mitochondrial damage in keratinocytes. Notably, a significant increase in the expression of hypoxia-related genes was observed specifically in 2022 MPXV-infected keratinocytes. Our comparison of virological features between 2022 MPXV and prior endemic MPXV strains revealed signaling pathways potentially involved with the cellular damages caused by MPXV infections and highlights host vulnerabilities that could be utilized as protective therapeutic strategies against human mpox in the future

Wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) modulates hyperphosphatemia in a rat model of chronic renal failure

In chronic renal failure, inorganic phosphate (Pi) retention speeds up the progression to end-stage renal disease. The current therapy for hyperphosphatemia in patients with chronic renal failure consists of dietary Pi restriction combined with administration of Pi binders, but each therapy has practical problems. Thus, the discovery of foods or nutrients that inhibit Pi absorption may be useful for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia. In the present study, we investigated whether wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) is a useful food for the prevention of hyperphosphatemia in a rat model of renal failure. Feeding a diet containing 5% wakame significantly decreased plasma and urinary Pi levels and increased the amount of fecal Pi. In addition, wakame significantly reduced plasma blood urea nitrogen and plasma Pi levels in 5/6 nephrectomized rats fed a high-Pi diet. Biochemical analyses showed that the reduction of intestinal Pi absorption is the main reason for the decrease in plasma Pi levels in rats fed a diet containing wakame. In addition, feeding alginic acid and fucoidan, major components of wakame fiber, was effective in reducing plasma Pi levels in normal rats. Finally, we concluded that wakame may be a useful food for the prevention of hyperphosphatemia in rodents

Exploring the association between number of teeth, food intake, and cognitive function: A 9-year longitudinal study

Mameno T., Moynihan P., Nakagawa T., et al. Exploring the association between number of teeth, food intake, and cognitive function: A 9-year longitudinal study. Journal of Dentistry 145, 104991 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2024.104991.Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between the number of teeth, food intake, and cognitive function in Japanese community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This 9-year longitudinal study included a total of 293 analyzable participants who participated in baseline and follow-up surveys. Dental status (number of teeth and periodontal pocket depth), dietary assessment using the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire, cognitive function, and the following confounding factors were evaluated: educational level, financial satisfaction, living situation, smoking and drinking habits, history of chronic diseases, apolipoprotein E-ε4 carrier, body mass index, handgrip strength, instrumental activities of daily living, and depressive symptomatology. The Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment was used to evaluate cognitive function. A multinomial logistic regression analysis for the intake level of each food categorized into three groups (low, moderate, high), and a generalized estimating equation (GEE) for cognitive function over nine years were performed. Results: After controlling for confounding factors, the number of teeth was shown to be associated with the intake of green-yellow vegetables and meat. Furthermore, the GEE indicated that the lowest quartile of intake of green-yellow vegetables significantly associated with lower cognitive function (unstandardized regression coefficient [B] = -0.96, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: -1.72 to -0.20), and the lowest quartile of intake of meat significantly associated with lower cognitive function (B = -1.42, 95 % CI: -2.27 to -0.58). Conclusions: The intake of green and yellow vegetables and meat, which is influenced by the number of teeth, was associated with cognitive function in Japanese community-dwelling older adults. Clinical Significance: There are few studies that have examined the association between oral health, food intake, and cognitive function. This 9-year longitudinal study suggests that it is important to maintain natural teeth to enable the functional means to consume green-yellow vegetables and meat, and thereby help maintain cognitive function