EFFECTS OF ADMINISTRATION OF CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE AND ANTI-THYMOCYTE-GLOBULIN ON SERUM LEVELS OF COMPLEMENTS C1q AND C3 IN MICE

Serum levels of the initiating complement component (C1q) in the classical pathway and those of an essential triggering component (C3) in the alternative pathway were quantified immunochemically in parallel with those of the immunonoglobulin G (IgG) in BALB/c mice, each of which was given a single dose of cyclophosphamide (CY) and/or rabbit anti-mouse-thymocyte-globulin (anti-TG) intraperitoneally. In the CY-treated mice, both C1q and IgG levels were significantly suppressed from 2 through 14 days after the treatment ; such suppression was more conspicuous in male than in female mice. In contrast, C3 levels were markedly increased in these mice of both sexes from 2 through 7 days after the same treatment. In anti-TG-treated mice of both sexes, only C1q levels were significantly suppressed from 2 through 10 days after the treatment ; however, neither their C3 nor IgG levels were much influenced. Both T and B lymphocytes in peripheral blood of these mice were significantly diminished : CY affected more severely B cells ; in contrast, anti-TG had a more severe influence on T cells. These results suggest that there may be some metabolic and/or developmental interrelationships among serum C1q levels, functions of immune lymphocytes, and their producing immunoglobulins and/or lymphokines

Analysis of Human Hand Impedance Properties Depending on Driving Conditions

This paper examines the influence of driving conditions on human hand impedance properties by using an originally developed driving simulator. A set of driving tests combining driving speed and the existence of a road centerline was carried out with five subjects. The results statistically demonstrate that humans steer a vehicle with increasing hand stiffness by activating arm muscles, i.e., under some tension, on the straight load especially at a lower speed with a centerline. In addition, it was confirmed that there was a clear correlation between steering behaviors and human hand stiffness according to the driving conditions. Human impedance measurement in driving would be useful to ascertain not only steering behaviors but also driver's physical and mental conditions for driving conditions, which may be required to develop an intelligent driving support system

School-Based Lesson Studies Inspired by “Tojisha-kenkyu”

While many teachers acknowledge that school-based lesson studies are useful for their professional development, those studies occasionally become routinized and fail to deliver diverse perspectives without promoting collegiality. This paper selects “Tojisha-kenkyu,” a community-based study of mutual help by those concerned with difficulties, as a type of practitioner research that may evolve school-based lesson studies into a new kind of research activity with distinct procedures and epistemology. School-based lesson studies inspired by “Tojisha-kenkyu” require changes in the conceptual understanding of causality, agency, practice, power, and teacher competency. The paper also discusses the feasibility of introducing such research into the current school education context in Japan.本研究はJSPS科研費JP16K04770の助成を受けたものです

Elastic anomaly of heavy fermion systems in a crystalline field

An elastic anomaly, observed in the heavy fermi liquid state of Ce alloys (for example, CeCu$_6$ and CeTe), is analyzed by using the infinite-$U$ Anderson lattice model. The four atomic energy levels are assumed for f-electrons. Two of them are mutually degenerate. A small crystalline splitting $2\Delta$ is assumed between two energy levels. The fourfold degenerate conduction bands are also considered in the model. We solve the model using the mean field approximation to slave bosons, changing the Fermi energy in order to keep the total electron number constant. The nonzero value of the mean field of the slave bosons persists over the temperatures much higher than the Kondo temperature. This is the effect of the constant electron number. Next, the linear susceptibility with respect to $\Delta$ is calculated in order to obtain the renomalized elastic constant. The resulting temperature dependence of the constant shows the downward dip. We point out the relation of our finding with the experimental data.Comment: submitted to J. Phys.: Condens. Matter, please request figure copies to [email protected]

Effect of enhanced expression of connexin 43 on sunitinib-induced cytotoxicity in mesothelioma cells

AbstractConnexin (Cx) makes up a type of intercellular channel called gap junction (GJ). GJ plays a regulatory role in cellular physiology. The Cx expression level is often decreased in cancer cells compared to that in healthy ones, and the restoration of its expression has been shown to exert antiproliferative effects. This work aims to evaluate the effect of the restoration of connexin 43 (Cx43) (the most ubiquitous Cx subtype) expression on sunitinib (SU)-induced cytotoxicity in malignant mesothelioma (MM) cells. Increased Cx43 expression in an MM cell line (H28) improved the ability of SU to inhibit receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling. Moreover, higher Cx43 expression promoted SU-induced apoptosis. The cell viability test revealed that Cx43 enhanced the cytotoxic effect of SU in a GJ-independent manner. The effect of Cx43 on a proapoptotic factor, Bax, was then investigated. The interaction between Cx43 and Bax was confirmed by immunoprecipitation. Furthermore, higher Cx43 expression increased the production of a cleaved (active) form of Bax during SU-induced apoptosis with no alteration in total Bax expression. These findings indicate that Cx43 most likely increases sensitivity to SU in H28 through direct interaction with Bax. In conclusion, we found that Cx43 overcame the chemoresistance of MM cells

Confusion assessment method to analyze delirium in intensive care unit: literature review

Delirium is frequently observed in intensive care unit patients and its occurrence is related to increased morbidity and mortality, length of stay, functional decline and high costs. The Confusion Assessment Method for Intensive Care Unit is a tool that facilitates early identification and occurrence of delirium among intubated patients. Objective: To verify the aspects of delirium studied by means of the Confusion Assessment Method for Intensive Care Unit. A literature review was conducted in the LILACS, MedLine, PubMed and CINAHL databases, from 2001, when the Confusion Assessment Method for Intensive Care Unit was validated, to 2008. Descriptors used for LILACS, MedLine and PubMed were delirium and intensive care unit, while for the CINAHL database, delirium and intensive care were used. From 293 articles, 35 were selected. The aspects analyzed disclosed, different types of delirium in different intensive care units. Variation in sensitivity was of 93% to 100% and variation in specificity, 89% to 100% of the Confusion Assessment Method for Intensive Care Unit, an important tool for detection, characterization and control of delirium and its impact. The aspects of delirium studied by means of the Confusion Assessment Method for Intensive Care Unit were: the performance index, identification, management, cost of treatment, morbidity and mortality due to delirium.O delirium é freqüentemente observado em pacientes internados em unidades de terapia intensiva e a sua ocorrência relaciona-se com o aumento da morbimortalidade, do período de internação, declínio funcional e custos elevados. O Confusion Assessment Method for Intensive Care Unit é um instrumento que facilita a identificação precoce e a ocorrência de delirium em pacientes intubados. Este trabalho tem como objetivo verificar aspectos já estudados sobre o delirium utilizando o Confusion Assessment Method for Intensive Care Unit. Foi realizada uma revisão narrativa nas bases de dados LILACS, MedLine, PubMed e CINAHL que compreendeu desde o ano de validação do Confusion Assessment Method for Intensive Care Unit (2001) até março de 2008. Os descritores utilizados nas bases de dados LILACS, MedLine, PubMed foram delirium e intensive care unit e na CINAHAL foram delirium e intensive care. Do total de 293 artigos encontrados foram selecionados 35. Em relação aos aspectos estudados constatou-se incidência variável dos tipos de delirium em diferentes tipos de unidades de terapia intensiva. Quanto a sensibilidade do Confusion Assessment Method for Intensive Care Unit este apresentou uma variação de 93 a 100% e a especificidade foi de 89 a 100% sendo considerado um instrumento valioso na detecção, caracterização e controle do delirium e suas repercussões. Além disso, sua utilização permite o controle mais eficaz dos pacientes graves que apresentam o distúrbio ou riscos para desenvolvê-lo.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de EnfermagemServiço de Atendimento Móvel de UrgênciaHospital Nove de Julho Unidade de Terapia Intensiva AdultoUNIFESP, EPESciEL

EJA – Educação de Jovens e Adultos: uma proposta desafiadora e articulada de ensinar Química (MD)

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