In situ Synthesis of Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Chitosan Hydrogels as a Reaction Field: Effect of Cross-linking Density

Magnetic iron oxides such as magnetite and γ-hematite have attracted considerable attention as thermoseeds for hyperthermia treatment because of their ability to generate heat under an alternating magnetic field. Control of the particle size and their combination with biocompatible polymers are expected to be beneficial for optimization of the nanoparticles. These processes can be accomplished through the synthesis of magnetite in gels, as the network structure of the polymer gel can control the grain growth of the magnetite. However, the effect of the cross-linking density of the gels remains unclear. In this study, we synthesized magnetic iron oxides in situ in chitosan hydrogels with different cross-linking densities and examined the crystalline structure and heat generation under alternating magnetic field. The crystalline phase and amount of magnetite were observed to be dependent on the cross-linking density of the gel, and the heat generation of the nanoparticles was governed by their crystalline structure and particle size rather than solely the amount of formed iron oxide

Relations of self-focus and rumination to social anxiety and depression

The present study aimed to examine the relationship between self-focus and rumination and that of self-focus and rumination to social anxiety and depression. Self-focus and rumination have been reported as cognitive features of social anxiety and depression. However,there is no evidence how these cognitive aspects affect on persistences or exaggerations of symptoms, and no discussion which cognitive factors affects on anxiety or depression dominantly. A total of 323 undergraduate students conpleted questionnaire. As result, social anxiety is linked with public self-consciousness and depression is linked with rumination. The results indicated that a core symptom of social anxiety is public self-consciousness and that of depression is rumination

Relationship between motor coordination, cognitive abilities, and academic achievement in Japanese children with neurodevelopmental disorders

Background/Objective: Motor coordination impairment is common in children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between motor coordination, cognitive ability, and academic achievement in Japanese children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Methods: Thirty-four school-age (6?12 years old) children with neurodevelopmental disorders and 34 age-matched typically developing (TD) children were recruited in this study. Correlations between the scores of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (M-ABC2) and the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children ? Second Edition (K-ABCII) that assesses cognitive abilities, and academic achievement were analyzed. Results: The children with neurodevelopmental disorders obtained a lower total score and all component scores on M-ABC2 compared to the TD children. In children with neurodevelopmental disorders, M-ABC2 Manual Dexterity score was significantly correlated with K-ABCII Simultaneous Processing (r =.345, p =.046), Knowledge (r =.422, p =.013), Reading (r =.342, p =.048), Writing (r =.414, p =.017), and Arithmetic (r =.443, p =.009) scores. In addition, M-ABC2 Balance score was significantly correlated with K-ABCII Learning (r =.341, p =.048), Writing (r =.493, p =.004), and Arithmetic (r =.386, p =.024) scores. Conclusion: These findings stress that it is essential to accurately identify motor coordination impairments and the interventions that would consider motor coordination problems related to cognitive abilities and academic achievement in Japanese children with neurodevelopmental disorders

日本とその近隣諸国で分離されたShigella sonneiのコリシン型,生化学型および薬剤耐性パターン

A modification of Abbott and Shannon\u27s colicin typing method for Shigella sonnei which was established recently as a standard method in Japan was described. This method increases by three or four indicators of E. coli K-12 mutant origin, and it is not only to make a clear distinction between either types 6 and 11 or types 4 and 14, but also to establish three new colicin types 4A, 9A and 13A. Typing results of 1,148 strains representing "foci" which were isolated in Japan especially in the western part, were presented. In Japan at present, type 14 is at the top of epidemic strains, type 6 ranks next, and types O, 8, 13A, 4, 2, etc. follow in order, among them only types 8 and 13A show some difference in interregional distribution. Besides, 39 strains isolated in the neighboring countries of Japan were used for typing. There was a most distinct difference in colicin type between here and there. The strains examined biochemically were determined by 78 percent as type RM of Gillies (xylose negative, raffinose and melibiose positive), and by 96 percent as type "a" of Szturm-Rubinsten (ONPG positive, rhamnose and xylose negative). Both the biochemical types were equally distributed among colicin types other than type 12; in colicin type 12, strains showing various fermentation patterns were found. The resistance of the strains to sulfa-drug and three antibiotics raised gradually since 1963 and thereabout, and it was at its maximum in 1967 irrespective of colicin type. Only strains of colicin type 14, which appeared for the first time in 1963 showed the maximum from the beginning. In the transition stage of resistance acquisition, it was possible to use resistance pattern as a subsidiary epidemiological marker in combination with colicin type provided that epidemics had been caused by colicin types 6, O, 8, etc. Two examples of application of this combination use were presented; the first case deals with epidemiological analysis of a mass outbreak, and the second with epidemiological connection among many epidemics in a district within a definite period of time.日本で改良され,標準法として一般に実施されているAbbott-ShannonのShigella sonneiコリシン型別法(いわゆる型別部会法)を紹介した.本法は大腸菌K-12変異菌から誘導した抵抗変異株3ないし4株を原法指示菌に追加したもので,原法では区別が困難であった6型と11型,および4型と14型を明瞭に分け,また新コリシン型3種,4A,9A,13Aを追加したものである.主として西日本で分離された,ホーカスを代表する1,148株のS. sonneiが本法による型別に供された.現在の日本では14型が首位,6型これに次ぎ,O型,8型,13A,4≦,2型などがこの順に検出され,うち8型と13Aは国内的に地理的分布上のかなりの差異を示した.ほかに近隣諸国分離の39株を型別したが,その成績は日本のそれと大いに差異があった.生化学的型別の結果は,78%までがGilliesのRM型(キシローゼ陰性,ラフィノーゼ,メリビオーゼ陽性),96%までがSzturm-Rubinstenのa型(ONPG陽性,ラムノーゼ,キシローゼ陰性)であった.この両型はともに12型以外の各コリシン型に平均的に分布し,12型においてのみ各種の糖分解型式を示すものが見出された.これらの菌株のサルファ剤と3種の抗生物質に対する抵抗性は1963年頃から次第に高まり,1967年に至ってコリシン型に関係なくすべてが最高の抵抗を示した.ただし14型だけはそれが最初に現われた1963年には,4剤に対して既に最高の抵抗を示していた.この耐性獲得の途上にある時期では,6型,O型,8型などによる流行の場合に限って,薬剤耐性パターンをコリシン型と組合せて一つの補助的な疫学的マーカーとして利用することが可能であった.この組合せ使用の二つの応用例を記述したが,一つはある集団発生の疫学的分析に関するものであり,もう一つは,ある地方ある期間内における各流行例間の関連に関するものであった

Burnout among kindergarten teachers and associated factors

Burnout among kindergarten teachers is a subject of great concern. Although burnout is reported to be significantly associated with turnover intention and work engagement, few studies have examined factors associated with burnout among these teachers. Therefore, in the present study, we performed a cross-sectional survey of burnout and associated factors among kindergarten teachers. We distributed 3363 questionnaires to all 205 authorized kindergartens and childcare institutions in Nagasaki Prefecture and received 1086 responses (response rate: 32.3%). The participants were limited to full-time female class teachers. After excluding survey forms with incomplete content, we ultimately examined valid responses from 442 participants. The survey examined burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory, MBI), teacher stress (Nursery Teacher’s Stress Scale, NTSS), coping behaviors (Brief Scales for Coping Profile, BSCP), and social support (Social Support Scale, SSS). A multiple regression analysis revealed that all 3 MBI subscales were positively associated with “understanding of how to handle children” on the NTSS and negatively associated with “superiors” on the SSS. “Emotional exhaustion” was significantly associated with “interpersonal relations at work” and “lack of time” on the NTSS, and “avoidance and suppression” on the BSCP. “Depersonalization” was significantly associated with age, “disconnect in working conditions” on the NTSS, and “proactive problem solving” and “venting emotions to others” on the BSCP. “Diminished professional accomplishment” was significantly associated with age, “lack of time” on the NTSS, and “proactive problem solving” and “change in perspective” on the BSCP. These results suggest that support from superiors that enables teachers to better understand children and handle them appropriately is necessary to prevent burnout

Factors associated with kindergarten teachers’ willingness to continue working

The turnover rate among kindergarten teachers in advanced countries is extremely high. As such, there is an urgent need to determine the reasons for this turnover and to identify ways to prevent it. The current study investigates the individual and environmental factors that impact kindergarten teachers’ willingness to continue working.A total of 600 kindergarten teachers in Japan participated in this study. Participants responded to questionnaires regarding their willingness to continue working, mental health, work engagement, and the availability of social support. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze participants’ data, with willingness to continue working for 5 or more years as the dependent variable. Additionally, Spearman rank correlation was used to examine the correlations between factors associated with willingness to continue working.Factors such as older age, living with a spouse, caring for younger children (up to 2 years old) at work, good mental health, and higher work engagement were significantly associated with teachers’ higher willingness to continue working. Factors such as marriage, health and family problems, overtime work, issues with workplace childcare, and education policy, working time/day problems, human relations, and difficulties taking care of children were correlated with teachers’ lack of willingness to continue working.The findings of this cross-sectional study suggest that welfare benefits and individual support systems could be key elements to encourage kindergarten teachers to continue working and could lead to their improved job satisfaction and mental health. Balanced work conditions and workers’ high agreement with their workplace\u27s overall childcare or educational policies may lead to lower turnover. Some programs – such as relationship counselling – could have a positive impact on teachers’ mental health and job satisfaction

The mental health status of children who have been evacuated or migrated from rural areas in Fukushima prefecture after the Fukushima daiichi nuclear power station accident: results from the Fukushima health management survey

Introduction: We evaluated the mental health status of children residing in Kawauchi village (Kawauchi), Fukushima Prefecture, after the 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, based on the children's experience of the nuclear disaster. Methods: We conducted this cross-sectional study within the framework of the Fukushima Health Management Survey (FHMS);FHMS data on age, sex, exercise habits, sleeping times, experience of the nuclear disaster, and the "Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)" scores for 156 children from Kawauchi in 2012 were collected. Groups with and without experience of the nuclear disaster - "nuclear disaster (+)" and "nuclear disaster (-)" - were also compared. Results: Our effective response was 93 (59.6%);the mean SDQ score was 11.4±6.8 among elementary school-aged participants and 12.4±6.8 among junior high school-aged ones. We statistically compared the Total Difficulties Scores (TDS) and sub-item scores of the SDQ between "elementary school" and "junior high school" or "nuclear disaster" (+) and (-). There was no significant difference between these items. Conclusions: We found indications of poor mental health among elementary and junior high school-aged children in the disaster area immediately following the accident, but no differences based on their experience of the nuclear disaster. These results indicate the possibility of triggering stress, separate to that from experiences related to the nuclear disaster, in children who lived in affected rural areas and were evacuated just after the nuclear disaster

早期体験実習の評価と学生の学びに関する基礎的検討

本研究の目的は、A大学看護学部で1年次に実施している早期体験実習の評価と学生の学びの内容を明らかにすることである。方法として、学生の学習意欲、実習への自己評価を量的に分析する質問紙調査と半構成的面接法により個々の学生の学びを質的記述的に分析する面接調査を実施した。その結果、質問紙調査では、33名(回収率34%)から回答があり、面接調査は協力の得られた6名に実施した。学生の学習意欲は、実習や演習に前向きに取り組む項目が高い一方で、「夢の実現」や「憧れ」に関する項目が高く、将来の目標達成のための項目や情報収集に関する項目が低かったため、漠然とした関心や意欲を持っているが、現実的な行動には結び付いていない可能性が推測された。学習態度については、課題のレポートに取り組むという項目は高かったが、自ら看護を取り巻く幅広い分野を含めた情報収集を積極的に行う項目は低い傾向がみられた。早期体験実習からの学びは、実習目的、目標1-1)、1-2)、3で75%の学生が49.00～50.00以上の評価をしているが、下位25%の学生での実習目的の達成度では20.00以下の学生もみられた。学習意欲と実習への自己評価の間に関連はみられなかった。学生の学びの具体的な内容は、【患者や家族との関わりからの学び】、【医療や福祉の場を知ること】、【実習と授業とのつながり】、【看護ケアの具体化】、【意欲の向上】の5カテゴリが、早期体験実習への戸惑いと要望として、【初めての実習での戸惑い】、【早期体験実習への要望】の2カテゴリが得られた

Effectiveness of Earmuffs and Noise-cancelling Headphones for Coping with Hyper-reactivity to Auditory Stimuli in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Preliminary Study

Objective/Background: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effectiveness of standard earmuffs and noise-cancelling (NC) headphones in controlling behavioural problems related to hyper-reactivity to auditory stimuli in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: Twenty-one children with ASD aged 4–16 years (16 boys and 5 girls), after a 2-week nonwearing baseline period, were asked to use standard earmuffs and NC headphones for 2 weeks, in a random order. Parents or teachers rated participants' behaviours that were related to their reaction to auditory stimuli. Results: Four participants refused to wear either the earmuffs or the NC headphones. It was found that the T-score on the Goal Attainment Scaling was significantly higher during the earmuff period than that in the baseline period (Z = 2.726, p = .006). The behaviours of 5 children with ASD improved during the NC headphone period as compared with those in the baseline period; there were no differences in the T-scores on the Goal Attainment Scaling between the NC headphone period and the baseline period (Z = 1.689, p = .091) and between the earmuff and NC headphone periods (Z = −0.451, p = .678). Conclusion: This study demonstrated the effectiveness of standard earmuffs and NC headphones in helping children with ASD to cope with problem behaviours related to hyper-reactivity to auditory stimuli, therefore, children with ASD could use earmuffs to help to deal with unpleasant sensory auditory stimuli