Effects of teaching motor skills to others on the persistence of motor learning

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of teaching motor skills to others on the survivability of motor learning effects. 20 healthy adults were randomly assigned to two conditions a teaching conditions and reading a magazine condition (control conditions). The number of times of turning was measured before and after each condition. In both conditions, the number of ball rotations and the number of improvements increased 30 minutes after the task was completed compared to before the task. Additionally, the number of improvements in ball rotation was significantly higher in the teaching condition than in the control condition. In the teaching condition, the number of ball turnings significantly increased 30 minutes after the end of the condition compared to before the condition. These results suggested that task for teaching motor skill to others might be useful for improving motor learning

Some adverse actions of chlorothalonil at sublethal levels in rat thymic lymphocytes : Its relation to Zn2+

Chlorothalonil, a polychlorinated aromatic fungicide, is considered non-toxic to small mammals. However, chlorothalonil inactivates sulfhydryl enzymes and depletes cellular glutathione. Chlorothalonil increases intracellular Zn2+ concentration ([Zn2+]i) in mammalian cells possibly because intracellular Zn2+ is released via zinc-thiol/disulfide interchange. The effects of chlorothalonil at sublethal concentrations on the cellular content of nonprotein thiols ([NPT]i) and [Zn2+]i were examined using flow cytometry in rat thymocytes. Low concentrations (0.3–1 μM) of chlorothalonil increased, but high concentrations (3–10 μM) decreased [NPT]i. These effects of chlorothalonil were partly attenuated by an intracellular Zn2+ chelator. Chlorothalonil at 0.3–10 μM increased [Zn2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner, which was largely dependent on the release of intracellular Zn2+. Both the decrease in [NPT]i and increase in [Zn2+]i increase the vulnerability of cells to oxidative stress. Chlorothalonil at 1–10 μM potentiated the cytotoxicity of H2O2 (300 μM). It was also the case for 10 μM pentachloronitrobenzene, but not 10 μM pentachlorophenol. In conclusion, chlorothalonil at low (sublethal) micromolar concentrations is cytotoxic to mammalian cells under oxidative stress

Development of a novel automatic ascites filtration and concentration equipment with multi‐ring‐type roller pump units for cell‐free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy

Cell‐free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) is an effective therapy for refractory ascites. However, CART is difficult to perform as ascites filtration and concentration is a complicated procedure. Moreover, the procedure requires the constant assistance of a clinical engineer or/and the use of an expensive equipment for the multi‐purpose blood processing. Therefore, we developed a CART specialized equipment (mobility CART [M‐CART]) that could be used safely with various safety measures and automatic functions such as automatic washing of clogged filtration filter and self‐regulation of the concentration ratio. Downsizing, lightning of the weight, and automatic processing in M‐CART required the use of newly developed multi‐ring‐type roller pump units. This equipment was approved under Japanese regulations in 2018. In performing 41 sessions of CART (for malignant ascites, 22 sessions; and hepatic ascites, 19 sessions) using this equipment in 17 patients, no serious adverse event occurred. An average of 4494 g of ascites was collected and the total amount of ascites was processed in all the sessions without any trouble. The mean weight of the processed ascites was 560 g and the mean concentration ratio was 8.0. The ascites were processed at a flow rate of 50 mL/min. The mean ascites processing time was 112.5 minutes and a 106.5‐minutes (95.2%) ascites processing was performed automatically. The operator responded to alarms or support information 3.2 times on average (3.1 minutes, 2.1% of ascites processing time). Human errors related to ascites processing were detected by M‐CART at 0.4 times per session on average and were appropriately addressed by the operator. The frequencies of automatic washing of clogged filtration filter and self‐regulation of the concentration ratio were 31.7% and 53.7%, respectively. The mean recovery rates (recovery dose) of protein, albumin, and immunoglobulin G were 72.9%, 72.9%, and 71.2% (65.9 g, 34.9 g, and 13.2 g), respectively. Steroids were administered in 92.7% of the sessions to prevent fever and the mean increase in body temperature was 0.53°C. M‐CART is a compact and lightweight automatic CART specialized equipment that can safely and easily process a large quantity of ascites without the constant assistance of an operator

<論文>Measuring individual differences of Self-as-We: Reliability and validity of revised version of the Self-as-We scale

We previously created an original scale to evaluate individual differences in Self-as-We, a holistic view of the self, based on the East Asian philosophy of self, which is distinct from the mainstream idea of self in Western philosophy (Watanabe, Murata, Takayama, Nakatani & Deguchi, 2020, in Japanese). One component of this scale, the Collective Action scale, has shown adequate reliability as well as usefulness in terms of its association with mental health (Murata, Watanabe & Deguchi, 2020, in Japanese). However, the response rate of “Neither agree nor disagree” was quite high, suggesting that it may have been difficult for survey participants to answer. Therefore, we developed a revised version of the Collective Action scale with modified wording to make it easier to answer and then tested its reliability and validity based on the responses of 1, 082 volunteers

有酸素性運動および筋力発揮調整能の課題を併用したトレーニングが及ぼす影響

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a training program that combines aerobic exercise and the ability to coordinate exertion of force (ACEF). [Participants and Methods] The study included 10 healthy males and 6 females who were randomly divided into a group which performed 10 minutes of cycling at 60%VO2 max (AE) (n=8) and a group which performed sitting without exercise (CON) (n=8). The ACEF effect was evaluated using a continuous visual isometric grip task, and seven different force trials were performed 8 times each, for a total of 56 times. Three sets per week were performed for four weeks. [Results] In the AE group the number of successful grip tasks significantly increased after training compared to the value obtained before training. However, no significant change was observed in the CON group. [Conclusion] Training that combines aerobic exercise and ACEF may successfully promote ACEF.〔目的〕有酸素性運動および筋力発揮調整能の課題を併用したトレーニングが及ぼす影響を検討した．〔対象と方法〕健常成人16名であり60％VO2 maxで10分間の自転車こぎ運動後に筋力発揮調整能の課題を実施するAE群（n＝8），筋力発揮調整能の課題のみを行うCON群（n＝8）に無作為に振り分けた．筋力発揮調整能の課題として，握力課題を実施し，頻度は週3回，4週間とした．握力課題の成功数および課題遂行時間を，トレーニング前・後に測定した．〔結果〕握力課題の成功数は，AE群でトレーニング前と比較してトレーニング後に有意な増加が認められたが，CON群では有意差は認められなかった．〔結語〕有酸素性運動および筋力発揮調整能の課題を併用したトレーニングが，筋力発揮調整能を促進させる可能性が示唆された

Simultaneous Treatment with Subcutaneous Injection of Golimumab and Intra-articular Injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide (K-Method) in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Undergoing Switching of Biologics: Retrospective Case–Control Study

Background Tight control of severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients with high disease activity, even when using biologics, is sometimes difficult using a treat-to-target strategy. Switching from one biologic to another is associated with lower efficacy than that in treatment-naive cases. We developed the K-method that involves simultaneous treatment with golimumab and intra-articular joint injection of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) in patients undergoing switching of biologics. We performed this retrospective case–control study to investigate the efficacy of achieving an immediate treatment response using the K-method. Methods This study involved 20 patients with RA (control group, 10 patients; K-method group, 10 patients). Patients in the control group were switched to golimumab from other biologics without intra-articular injection of TA. The K-method involved injection of 1 mL of TA (40 mg/mL) and 2 mL of 1% lidocaine hydrochloride into swollen or painful joints on the same day as golimumab treatment. A quick response one day after treatment was compared between the two groups according to the disease activity score 28 based on C-reactive protein (DAS28 CRP), clinical disease activity index (CDAI), simplified disease activity index (SDAI), European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response, and remission rate. These parameters were investigated for 24 weeks. Results The K-method group showed significant improvements in DAS28 CRP, CDAI, and SDAI at one day, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks compared with the control group. The number of swollen and tender joints and the patient and doctor global visual analog scale scores were also significantly different between the two groups. The remission rates based on DAS28 CRP were 30% at one day, 50% at 12 weeks, and 60% at 24 weeks in the K-method group. The EULAR good/moderate response rates were 80% at one day, 90% at 12 weeks, and 90% at 24 weeks in the K-method group; however, these rates were only 10%, 40%, and 40%, respectively, in the control group. No adverse events occurred in either group. Conclusion Simultaneous treatment with biologics and intra-articular injection of TA is useful for cases involving switching of biologics for RA. This strategy is safe and practical for RA treatment