The Effectiveness of Peer Support for Cancer Patients: Potential of activities based on Cancer Philosophy

　　The Objectives of this study is to review various peer support practices of cancer survivors in Japan and to find effective support components. We reviewed the materials on cancer peer support published by the government and research papers on cancer peer support in the fields of psychology and nursing. National peer support activities include training of peer supporters to provide counseling and support by cancer survivors; however, these activities are not very widespread. On the other hand, where peer support activities are carried out effectively, dialogue between the peer who supports cancer patients and the patient receiving the support is on an equal footing. The Cancer Philosophy Clinic Medical Café started by Dr. Okio HINO is one such activity. A medical café has the effect of raising positive emotions and lowering negative emotions, and contribute to cancer education. The perspective of peers supporting and interacting on an equal footing is important for effective peer support activities. In peer support by the government, rather than providing counseling training to those who practice peer support, activities will develop and last longer by creating a relationship in which people can talk freely on the same level as peers

Discrimination of stock origin of spawning population of ayu Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis at the Ota River, Hiroshima Prefecture

太田川下流域で採集したアユ産卵群の由来判別を外部形態および耳石Sr：Ca比分析で行った。太田川にて放流された人工種苗の耳石Sr：Ca比のチャートパターンは耳石中心から300μmで減少が認められ，耳石中心から400μm以遠で比が減少する天然型と異なっていた。耳石Sr：Ca 比のチャートパターンに基づくと，産卵群への人工種苗の混入率は28%と考えられた。採集した産卵群の側線上方横列鱗数は13～26枚（n=173）で，側線上方横列鱗数が17枚以下を人工種苗，18枚以上を天然アユと仮定すると，産卵群への人工種苗の混入率は31%と見積もられた。太田川産卵群では概ね3割が放流された人工種苗であると考えられた。Stock discrimination in the spawning population of ayu, Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis in the Ota River, western Japan was conducted using number of scales above the lateral line and otolith Sr:Ca ratio. Chart pattern in otolith Sr:Ca ratio of hatchery-stocked ayu was different in amphidromous form. Based on chart pattern of otolith Sr:Ca ratio, mixing ratio of hatchery-stocked ayu to the spawning population was estimated at 28%. Number of scales above the lateral line of spawning population marked from 13 to 26 (n=173). Based on number of scales above the lateral line (hatchery-stocked ayu ≦ 17; amphidromous ≧ 18), the mixing ratio of hatchery-stocked ayu was estimated 31%. Consequently, the contribution ratio of hatchery-stocked ayu to the spawning population was around 30% at the Ota River

Urocortin 1 reduces food intake and ghrelin secretion via CRF2 receptors

Although it is known that urocortin 1 (UCN) acts on both corticotropin-releasing factor receptors (CRF1 and CRF2), the mechanisms underlying UCN-induced anorexia remain unclear. In contrast, ghrelin, the endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, stimulates food intake. In the present study, we examined the effects of CRF1 and CRF2 receptor antagonists (CRF1a and CRF2a) on ghrelin secretion and synthesis, c-fos mRNA expression in the caudal brain stem, and food intake following intracerebroventricular administration of UCN. Eight-week-old, male Sprague-Dawley rats were used after 24-h food deprivation. Acylated and des-acylated ghrelin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mRNA expressions of preproghrelin and c-fos were measured by real-time RT-PCR. The present study provided the following important insights into the mechanisms underlying the anorectic effects of UCN: 1) UCN increased acylated and des-acylated ghrelin levels in the gastric body and decreased their levels in the plasma; 2) UCN decreased preproghrelin mRNA levels in the gastric body; 3) UCN-induced reduction of plasma ghrelin and food intake were restored by CRF2a but not CRF1a; 4) UCN-induced increase of c-fos mRNA levels in the caudal brain stem containing the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) was inhibited by CRF2a; and 5) UCN-induced reduction of food intake was restored by exogenous ghrelin and rikkunshito, an endogenous ghrelin secretion regulator. Thus, UCN increases neuronal activation in the caudal brain stem containing NTS via CRF2 receptors, which may be related to UCN-induced inhibition of both ghrelin secretion and food intake