Expression of RING Finger Protein 38 in Serotonergic Neurons in the Brain of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is one of the major neurotransmitters, modulating diverse behaviours and physiological functions. Really interesting new gene (RING) finger protein 38 (RNF38) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase whose function remains unclear. A recent study has shown a possible regulatory relationship between RNF38 and the 5-HT system. Therefore, to gain insight into the role of RNF38 in the central 5-HT system, we identified the neuroanatomical location of 5-HT positive cells and investigated the relationship between RNF38 and the 5-HT system in the brain of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Immunocytochemistry revealed three neuronal populations of 5-HT in the brain of tilapia; the paraventricular organ (PVO), the dorsal and ventral periventricular pretectal nuclei (PPd and PPv), and, the superior and inferior raphe (SR and IR). The 5-HT neuronal number was highest in the raphe (90.4 in SR, 284.6 in IR), followed by the pretectal area (22.3 in PPd, 209.8 in PPv). Double-label immunocytochemistry showed that the majority of 5-HT neurons express RNF38 nuclear proteins (66.5% in PPd; 77.9% in PPv; 35.7% in SR; 49.1% in IR). These findings suggest that RNF38 could be involved in E3 ubiquitination in the central 5-HT system

Ataxia and peripheral nerve hypomyelination in ADAM22-deficient mice

BACKGROUND: ADAM22 is a member of the ADAM gene family, but the fact that it is expressed only in the nervous systems makes it unique. ADAM22's sequence similarity to other ADAMs suggests it to be an integrin binder and thus to have a role in cell-cell or cell-matrix interactions. To elucidate the physiological functions of ADAM22, we employed gene targeting to generate ADAM22 knockout mice. RESULTS: ADAM22-deficient mice were produced in a good accordance with the Mendelian ratio and appeared normal at birth. After one week, severe ataxia was observed, and all homozygotes died before weaning, probably due to convulsions. No major histological abnormalities were detected in the cerebral cortex or cerebellum of the homozygous mutants; however, marked hypomyelination of the peripheral nerves was observed. CONCLUSION: The results of our study demonstrate that ADAM22 is closely involved in the correct functioning of the nervous system. Further analysis of ADAM22 will provide clues to understanding the mechanisms of human diseases such as epileptic seizures and peripheral neuropathy

Exercising alone versus with others and associations with subjective health status in older Japanese: The JAGES Cohort Study

Although exercising with others may have extra health benefits compared to exercising alone, few studies have examined the differences. We sought to examine whether the association of regular exercise to subjective health status differs according to whether people exercise alone and/or with others, adjusting for frequency of exercise. The study was based on the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES) Cohort Study data. Participants were 21,684 subjects aged 65 or older. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the association. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for poor self-rated health were significantly lower for people who exercised compared to non-exercisers. In analyses restricted to regular exercisers the ORs for poor health were 0.69 (95% confidence intervals: 0.60–0.79) for individuals exercising alone more often than with others, 0.74 (0.64–0.84) for people who were equally likely to exercise alone as with others, 0.57 (0.43–0.75) for individuals exercising with others more frequently than alone, and 0.79 (0.64–0.97) for individuals only exercising with others compared to individuals only exercising alone. Although exercising alone and exercising with others both seem to have health benefits, increased frequency of exercise with others has important health benefits regardless of the total frequency of exercise

Preventative Effect of a Flavonoid, Enzymatically Modified Isoquercitrin on Ocular Symptoms of Japanese Cedar Pollinosis

ABSTRACTBackgroundFlavonoids are nutrients that exert anti-allergic effects. We investigated the preventative effect of enzymatically modified isoquercitrin (EMIQ), a flavonoid, to relieve the symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis.MethodsIn a parallel-group, double-blind placebo-controlled study design, 24 subjects with Japanese cedar pollinosis took 100 mg EMIQ or a placebo for 8 weeks, starting 4 weeks prior to the onset of pollen release. Subjective symptoms, ADL scores and the usage of drugs were recorded daily, and the QOL score was obtained every 4 weeks. Blood sampling was performed before and after the study to measure serum levels of IgE and flavonoids.ResultsDuring the entire study period, ocular symptom + medication score for the EMIQ group was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of the placebo group. When limited to the period, ocular symptom scores (p < 0.05, weeks 5–6), and ocular congestion scores (p < 0.05, weeks 5–6) for the EMIQ group was significantly lower than that for the placebo group while other scores for the EMIQ group, such as ocular itching scores (p = 0.09, weeks 4–5), lacrimation scores (p = 0.07, weeks 5–6), and ocular congestion scores (p = 0.06, weeks 45), all tended to be lower. However no significant differences were found in nasal symptoms between the two groups. Serum concentrations of IgE were not significantly downregulated but the serum concentrations of quercetin and its derivatives were elevated significantly by the intake of EMIQ.ConclusionsIntake of the quercetin glycoside EMIQ proved to be effective for the relief of ocular symptoms caused by Japanese cedar pollinosis

Expression of HER2, EGFR, CD44, PPARγ and AR in Salivary Cancer-immunohistochemical Analysis Focusing on the Possibility of Specialized Molecular-targeted and Hormonal Therapy for Different Histological Subtypes

The aim of this study was to determine the expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CD44 and androgen receptor (AR) in adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC), carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenomas (CXPA) and mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MEC) of the salivary glands, to investigate their molecular difference and to estimate the availability of molecular-targeted and hormonal therapy in salivary-gland tumors. Forthy patients with a salivary gland tumor, diagnosed and treated at our hospital, were studied. On the basis of histopathology, 10, 19 and 11 patients were identified with ACC, CXPA and MEC, respectively. The associations between histological types were evaluated by the chi-square test. Differences were considered statistically significant at P < 0.05. HER2-positive expression was observed in 10% of ACC, 84% of CXPA and 18% of MEC. EGFR-positive expression was observed in 40% of ACC, 68% of CXPA and 91% of MEC. CD44-positive expression was observed in 40% of ACC, 47% of CXPA and 91% of MEC. PPARγ-positive expression was observed in 10% of ACC, 53% of CXPA and 18% of MEC. AR-positive expression was observed in 20% of ACC, 32% of CXPA and 9% of MEC. Compared with other histological types, CXPA demonstrated significant HER2 and PPARγ staining and MEC demonstrated significant EGFR and CD44 staining. The differences in expression of markers between histological types in our study suggests the possibility that HER2- and PPARγ-targeted therapy may be effective in CXPA, and that EGFR-target therapy may be effective in MEC of the salivary glands

Solitary Peutz-Jeghers Type Colorectal Polyp with Hamartonia-adenoma-carcinoma Sequence in a Non-Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome Patient

Peutz-Jeghers (P-J) syndrome is an inherited disorder characterized by multiple hamartomatous gastrointestinal polyps, mucocutaneous pigmentation, and an increased risk of both digestive tract and non-digestive tract cancers. P-J type polyps are characteristic of P-J syndrome but rarely present as solitary polyps. Though cancerous lesions frequently develop from polyposis in P-J syndrome, reports of malignancy in solitary colorectal P-J type polyps are rare; our literature search identified only two examples. This report describes a non-Peutz-Jeghers syndrome patient with a solitary P-J type polyp showing the hamartoma-adenoma-carcinoma sequence

後期青年期女性のアイデンティティ探索における心的安全空間の広がり : 心的安全空間としての自己身体接触の多様化の事例を通じて

本研究は,青年期のアイデンティティ追求時の人格成熟過程において,人格発達に資する葛藤への取り組み作業に対して身体が心的安全空間として機能することを明らかにし,その際の心的安全空間の多様化のプロセスを捉えることを目的とした.実験的アイデンティティ,グループの参加者に対して行った心的安全空間質問紙の結果から,青年群と大人群の特徴を比較した上で,前者の特徴が見られた後期青年期女性の観察研究を行った.理論仮説は,(1)青年期のアイデンティテイ追求において,身体の心的安全空間は重要な土壌となる.(2)身体の心的安全空間は,心的安全空間の階層性が成立することにより多様化し,さらにそのサブシステムである個人内領域の心的安全空間も拡大する,とした.(1)は支持され,(2)は概ね支持された.揺らぎを経験する青年期に,最も安定した心的安全空間の一つとして身体が機能することで,スープラ・システムの心的安全空間は拡大し,同時に個人内の心的安全空間も拡大することが示された.This study aimed to demonstrate that the sense of body plays as a psychologically safe space in working on complexes which contribute to personality development through adolescent\u27s identity seeking and to elucidate how the psychologically safe space become diverse. First, the Psychological Safe-Space Questionnaire was conducted on participants at the experimental Identity Group. The data was classified into an adult group and adolescent group to compare characteristics. Then, an observable study on one late adolescent female who represented the characteristics of the adolescent group was conducted. Theoretical hypotheses were; (1)psychologically safe space of the sense of body lay a foundation for adolescent\u27s identity seeking, (2)Psychologically safe space of the sense of body diversifies as the hierarchy of the psychologically safe space is formed, leading to the widened psychologically safe space of the intra-psychic sphere. The first theoretical hypothesis was supported, and the second was largely supported. In conclusion, at times of adolescent turbulence, if the sense of body is confirmed as one of the most stable psychologically safe space, psychologically safe space of its supra system as well as the intra-psychic psychologically safe space widen

小児看護における小児と家族のQOL に関する文献検討

資料Miscellaneous　目的：小児看護におけるQOL に着目して文献検討を行い、小児と家族へのQOL の支援に対する示唆および今後の研究課題を見出すことを目的とした。　方法：小児看護のQOL に関する文献を、「医学中央雑誌Web（ver. ５）」、「最新看護索引Web」、「CiNii」から検索した。検索式：（小児看護and 生活の質/QOL and 小児and 家族）により、原著論文・研究報告から文献を選んだ。　結果・考察：論文38 編を対象とした。研究方法は、文献38 編中で、「質的研究」19 編（50.0％）、「量的研究」13 編(34.2％ )、「質的・量的研究」４編（10.5％）であった。文献検討は２編（5.3％）であった。研究対象の小児の疾患はさまざまで、幅広い疾患が対象とされていた。QOL 評価の文献は少なく、各疾患の小児と家族のQOL について評価の研究がまたれる。小児看護におけるQOL については、複雑な問題をもつ患児・重症心身障害児とその家族へのQOL の向上にむけて、看護の質の向上やニーズに合わせた取り組みの必要性が示唆された

Mild Electrical Stimulation with Heat Shock Ameliorates Insulin Resistance via Enhanced Insulin Signaling

Low-intensity electrical current (or mild electrical stimulation; MES) influences signal transduction and activates phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Because insulin resistance is characterized by a marked reduction in insulin-stimulated PI3K-mediated activation of Akt, we asked whether MES could increase Akt phosphorylation and ameliorate insulin resistance. In addition, it was also previously reported that heat shock protein 72 (Hsp72) alleviates hyperglycemia. Thus, we applied MES in combination with heat shock (HS) to in vitro and in vivo models of insulin resistance. Here we show that 10-min treatment with MES at 5 V (0.1 ms pulse duration) together with HS at 42°C increased the phosphorylation of insulin signaling molecules such as insulin receptor substrate (IRS) and Akt in HepG2 cells maintained in high-glucose medium. MES (12 V)+mild HS treatment of high fat-fed mice also increased the phosphorylation of insulin receptor β subunit (IRβ) and Akt in mice liver. In high fat-fed mice and db/db mice, MES+HS treatment for 10 min applied twice a week for 12–15 weeks significantly decreased fasting blood glucose and insulin levels and improved insulin sensitivity. The treated mice showed significantly lower weight of visceral and subcutaneous fat, a markedly improved fatty liver and decreased size of adipocytes. Our findings indicated that the combination of MES and HS alleviated insulin resistance and improved fat metabolism in diabetes mouse models, in part, by enhancing the insulin signaling pathway