Hypertension treatment status and ultrasonic cardiography findings in temporary housing residents after the Kumamoto earthquake: a cross-sectional study

Background: We aimed to investigate and report the relationship between hypertension treatment status and cardiac functions among temporary housing residents after the Kumamoto earthquake. Material and methods: Ultrasonic cardiography examinations were conducted for 56 residents at temporary housing complexes in Minami Aso village in Kumamoto Prefecture in December 2016. The subjects were divided into the following three groups according to the incidence of hypertension and the antihypertensive treatment status: normal (without hypertension), treated, and untreated. Subsequently, their cardiac functions were compared. Results: Age and BMI were found to be positive predictors for hypertension. Moreover, age, LAVI, and LVMI tended to be higher in the untreated group than in the treated group. Moderate or severe mitral regurgitation was significantly more common in the untreated group than in the treated group. Conclusions: Controlling blood pressure may help to prevent new cardiac diseases (e.g., valve regurgitation) among survivors after a major disaster. In addition, for survivors who are  severely affected by psychological stress, improving the mental stress support system may be an effective measure to reduce health problems

CO2 Payoff of Extensive Green Roofs with Different Vegetation Species

Green roofs are considered effective in the reduction of atmospheric CO2 because of their ability to reduce energy consumption of buildings and sequester carbon in plants and substrates. However, green roof system components (substrate, water proofing membrane, etc.) may cause CO2 emissions during their life cycle. Therefore, to assess the CO2-payoff for extensive green roofs, we calculated CO2 payback time it takes their CO2 sequestration and reduction to offset the CO2 emitted during its production process and maintenance practices. The amount of CO2 emitted during the production of a modular green roof system was found to be 25.2 kg-CO2·m−2. The annual CO2 emission from the maintenance of green roofs was 0.33 kg-CO2·m−2·yr−1. Annual CO2 sequestration by three grass species with irrigation treatment was about 2.5 kg-CO2·m−2·yr−1, which was higher than that of Sedum aizoon. In the hypothetical green roofs, annual CO2 reduction due to saved energy was between 1.703 and 1.889 kg-CO2·m−2·yr−1. From these results, we concluded that the CO2 payback time of the extensive green roofs was between 5.8 and 15.9 years, which indicates that extensive green roofs contribute to CO2 reduction within their lifespan

Mechanisms of Cisplatin-Induced Apoptosis and of Cisplatin Sensitivity: Potential of BIN1 to Act as a Potent Predictor of Cisplatin Sensitivity in Gastric Cancer Treatment

Cisplatin is the most important and efficacious chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. Cisplatin forms inter- and intrastrand crosslinked DNA adducts and its cytotoxicity is mediated by propagation of DNA damage recognition signals to downstream pathways involving ATR, p53, p73, and mitogen-activated protein kinases, ultimately resulting in apoptosis. Cisplatin resistance arises through a multifactorial mechanism involving reduced drug uptake, increased drug inactivation, increased DNA damage repair, and inhibition of transmission of DNA damage recognition signals to the apoptotic pathway. In addition, a new mechanism has recently been revealed, in which the oncoprotein c-Myc suppresses bridging integrator 1 (BIN1), thereby releasing poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase 1, which results in increased DNA repair activity and allows cancer cells to acquire cisplatin resistance. The present paper focuses on the molecular mechanisms of cisplatin-induced apoptosis and of cisplatin resistance, in particular on the involvement of BIN1 in the maintenance of cisplatin sensitivity

Potential predictors of susceptibility to occupational stress in Japanese novice nurses - a pilot study

Abstract Background Occupational stress is a known factor behind employee resignations; thus, early identification of individuals prone to such stress is important. Accordingly, in this pilot study we evaluated potential predictors of susceptibility to occupational stress in Japanese novice nurses. Methods Forty-two female novice nurses at Kagoshima University Hospital were recruited for the study population. Each underwent physical health and urinary examinations, and completed a lifestyle questionnaire at the time of job entry. Each also completed a Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ), related to mental health status, at job entry and 5 months post-entry. Psychological stress, somatic symptoms, and combined BJSQ scores were determined for each time point. Results All three stress condition scores had significantly decreased at 5 months post-entry, suggesting occupational stress. Systolic blood pressure (r = −0.324, p < 0.05) and urinary sodium (r = −0.313, p < 0.05) were significantly negatively correlated with combined BJSQ score at 5 months post-entry. Post-entry stress condition scores were significantly low in subjects reporting substantial 1-year body weight change (≤ ± 3 kg) and short times between dinner and bedtimes (≤2 h), though baseline stress condition scores were not. Urinary sodium concentration, 1-year body weight change, and pre-sleep evening meals were then targeted for multivariate analysis, and confirmed as independent explanatory variables for post-entry stress condition scores. Conclusions One-year body weight change, times between dinner and bedtimes, and urinary sodium concentration are promising potential predictors of susceptibility to occupational stress, and should be further investigated in future research. Trial registration ISRCTN ISRCTN17516023. Retrospectively registered 7 December 2016