Association of FTO genotype with obesity and bone health among communitydwelling adults ; Goto Island study on bone health

Bone mass is tuned by various factors, including aging, menopause, low body weight, and genetic variations. Here, we showed an independent association between a genotype on the fat mass- and obesity-associated FTO gene (#610966 on OMIM) and bone loss after adjusting for age and body mass index (BMI). A cross-sectional study was nested in a prospective observational study of 1,828 participants (median age: 69 [62-76] years in men and 68 [61-75] years in women) residing in a rural city in western Japan (Goto Island study). Participants were recruited during medical checkups in 2014 and 2016 from the community-dwelling population. The bone mass of the calcaneus was evaluated using quantitative ultrasound. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1421085 was genotyped using a hydrolysis probe. The chi-squared test was used to determine whether the variants were in equilibrium in this population. There were differences in medians of BMI among the genotypes (24.3 in CC, 23.0 in CT, and 22.6 in TT, P = 0.01), but not in those of bone mass. There was a significant association between the minor allele (C) and being overweight in a gene dosage-dependent manner (BMI > 25, OR per allele =1.52, 95% CI = 1.07-2.14, P = 0.02 in men, OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.16-1.95, P = 0.01 in women). Logistic regression analysis showed a significant protective association in male carriers of the minor allele against low bone mass (QUS T-score less than -2.0) after adjusting for age and BMI in men aged 65-75 years (OR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.27-0.96, P = 0.036), with no significant association in women.Our study indicated an association between the genetic polymorphism of FTO and bone mass among community-dwelling men aged 65-75 years. The polymorphism may play a role in bone health with higher BMI and other beneficial functions

Transgenic perennial ryegrass plants expressing wheat fructosyltransferase genes accumulate increased amounts of fructan and acquire increased tolerance on a cellular level to freezing

The accumulation of fructan in grasses during autumn is linked to winter hardiness. Genetic manipulation of the accumulation of fructan could be an important molecular breeding strategy for the improvement of winter hardiness in grasses. We produced transgenic perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) plants that overexpress wheat fructosyltransferase genes, wft1 and wft2, which encode sucrose–fructan 6-fructosyltransferase (6-SFT) and sucrose–sucrose 1-fructosyltransferase (1-SST), respectively, under the control of CaMV 35S promoter using a particle bombardment-mediated method of transformation. Significant increases in fructan content were detected in the transgenic perennial ryegrass plants. A freezing test using the electrical conductivity method indicated that transgenic plants that accumulated a greater amount of fructan than non-transgenic plants have increased tolerance on a cellular level to freezing. The results suggest that the overexpression of the genes involved in fructan synthesis serves as a novel strategy to produce freezing-tolerant grasses

Comparative study of transgenic Brachypodium distachyon expressing sucrose:fructan 6-fructosyltransferases from wheat and timothy grass with different enzymatic properties

Fructans can act as cryoprotectants and contribute to freezing tolerance in plant species, such as in members of the grass subfamily Pooideae that includes Triticeae species and forage grasses. To elucidate the relationship of freezing tolerance, carbohydrate composition and degree of polymerization (DP) of fructans, we generated transgenic plants in the model grass species Brachypodium distachyon that expressed cDNAs for sucrose:fructan 6-fructosyltransferases (6-SFTs) with different enzymatic properties: one cDNA encoded PpFT1 from timothy grass (Phleum pratense), an enzyme that produces high-DP levans; a second cDNA encoded wft1 from wheat (Triticum aestivum), an enzyme that produces low-DP levans. Transgenic lines expressing PpFT1 and wft1 showed retarded growth; this effect was particularly notable in the PpFT1 transgenic lines. When grown at 22 A degrees C, both types of transgenic line showed little or no accumulation of fructans. However, after a cold treatment, wft1 transgenic plants accumulated fructans with DP = 3-40, whereas PpFT1 transgenic plants accumulated fructans with higher DPs (20 to the separation limit). The different compositions of the accumulated fructans in the two types of transgenic line were correlated with the differences in the enzymatic properties of the overexpressed 6-SFTs. Transgenic lines expressing PpFT1 accumulated greater amounts of mono- and disaccharides than wild type and wft1 expressing lines. Examination of leaf blades showed that after cold acclimation, PpFT1 overexpression increased tolerance to freezing; by contrast, the freezing tolerance of the wft1 expressing lines was the same as that of wild type plants. These results provide new insights into the relationship of the composition of water-soluble carbohydrates and the DP of fructans to freezing tolerance in plants

Human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 and Notch3 can predict gemcitabine effects in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer

Background: Pancreatic ductal carcinoma (PDC) is one of the most lethal human carcinomas. Expression patterns of some genes may predict gemcitabine (GEM) treatment efficacy. We examined predictive indicators of survival in GEM-treated patients by quantifying the expression of several genes in pre-treatment endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) samples from patients with PDC. Methods: The expressions of human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1), deoxycitidine kinase, ribonucleoside reductase 1, ribonucleoside reductase 2 and Notch3 in EUS-FNA tissue samples from 71 patients with unresectable PDC were quantified using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions and examined for correlations with GEM sensitivity. Results: The log-rank test detected no significant differences in overall survival between GEM-treated patients with low and high mRNA levels of all genes examined. However, low Notch3 mRNA expression was significantly associated with longer overall survival in a multivariate analysis for survival (P = 0.0094). High hENT1 expression level was significantly associated with a longer time to progression (P = 0.039). Interaction tests for GEM administration and hENT1 or Notch3 mRNA expression were statistically significant (P = 0.0054 and 0.0047, respectively). Conclusion: hENT1 and Notch3 mRNA expressions in EUS-FNA specimens were the key predictive biomarkers of GEM effect and GEM sensitivity in patients with unresectable PDC

Investigation of the Present Circumstances and Emergency Nursing Care System in the Emergency Department.

The purpose of this study was to examine the emergency circumstances and nursing care system in the Emergency Department（ED）．The subjects of the present study consisted of 181 patients and 214 their family members in the ED．The patients comprised 137 non-urgent and 44 urgent．The mean age of non-urgent patients was 32.6±25.6 years old and urgent patients 51.1±27.3 years old．28.2％ of 181 patients were under 15 years old and 18.8％over 70 years of age．The mean age of family members was 41.4±12.0 years old．The family members of the urgent patients were significantly more anxious than those of the non-urgent. Conclusions were considered as follows; 1． For promoting nursing quality and systematic efficiency，telephone counseling and triage nursing should be offered． 2． It is important to support family members as well as the patients, because they suffered from a grate psychological shock. 3． Education about judgment of emergency and home nursing care should be facilitated in the community.本研究では，九州北部の3病院の救急外来を受診した患者181名とその家族214名を対象に，その実態を調査し，救急外来における看護体制について検討した。患者は初期救急患者が137名，2次救急が44名，平均年齢はそれぞれ32.6±25.6歳，51.1±27.3歳であった。患者は15歳未満の小児が28.2％と最も多く，ついで70歳以上の患者が18.8％と多かった。患者の家族では，平均41.4±12.0歳であった。家族は不安が強く，初期救急患者の家族よりも2次救急患者の家族の不安が有意に強かった。 実態調査の結果より，①電話相談での対応およびトリアージナース配置の必要性，②家族援助の重要性，③家庭でできる看護の教育を行う場作りの必要性，が示唆された

A Comparison between Needs of Family Members and Nursing Careof Nurse Practitioners to the Needs in the Emergency Department

The purpose of this study was to compare needs of family members with nursing care of nurse practitioners to the needs in the Emergency Department/ Emergency Center. We investigated nurses working at the ED/EC, by sending questionnaire by mail. Based on results of needs of the emergency patients\u27 family members whom we investigated in 2000 and 2001, we set 20 items as follows; explanations, psychological aspect of the family members, physical aspect of the family members, facilities and environment, waiting time, and actions of the medical staff. The subjects of the present study were 333 emergency nurses, 11 males and 322 women, and average age was 32.8±7.9 years old. As a result of studying the nursing practice for needs of the family members, it was \u22explanation\u22 that was the highest in practice degree. However, the nursing practice degree did not necessarily accord with needs of the family members. There were two elements that were the lowest in practice degree though highest in necessity on the part of family members. The first one was the mental care to make family members \u22feel that the best care was done\u22 and the second was the positive attitude to \u22listen to family members and get rid of their anxiety about the risk of the patient.\u22 On the contrary, what was high in practice degree though low in necessity on the part of family members was to \u22deal with the anxiety and fear of the family members\u22 and to \u22care for their fatigue and health\u22 It is necessary to improve of quality of family support by feeding back the problems shown in actions and practice of nurses themselves.救急患者家族のニーズとニーズに対する看護実践度の実態を明らかにすることを目的とし， 救急外来/救命救急センター勤務している看護師を対象とした郵送法による自記式質問紙調査 を実施した。調査内容は2000 年，2001 年に調査した救急患者の家族のニーズに対応させて， 説明に関する項目，家族の心理的側面・身体的側面への配慮に関する項目，設備・環境に関 する項目，待ち時間や医療従事者の行動に関する項目など20 項目を設定した。 調査対象は救急看護師333 名であり，男性11 名，女性322 名，平均年齢は32.8 ± 7.9 歳であっ た。救急患者の家族のニーズに対する看護実践度を比較した結果，「説明に関する項目」が最 も看護実践度が高く，家族のニーズと一致していた。しかし，救急患者の家族のニーズとそ の看護実践度は必ずしも一致せず，家族の高いニーズに対して看護実践度が低かったのは「最 善のケアが行われていると感じることができる」や「患者の生命の危機に関する不安の相談」 であった。逆に家族のニーズの順位は低かった「家族の不安やつらい思いを聞いてもらえる」 「家族の疲労や健康への配慮」の実践度は比較的高かった。今後，施設や部門の取り組みを通 して看護師自身の行動や看護実践をフィードバックすることによって，家族援助の質の向上 につなぐ必要性が示唆された。 Ⅰ．はじめに 急性疾患対応型の救急外来や救命救急センター における患者や家族への対応は，その病院全体の 評価を左右するともいわれている１）。しかし，初 期救急患者を診療する一方で，重症患者が搬入さ れるなど待ち時間が延長し，患者および家族の不 安や苦痛も増強するといった悪循環に陥ることも 多くみられる２-４）ことから，その援助の困難性が 指摘されている。そのため，患者のニーズ５），満 足度の調査６-８)や患者や家族に対する対応の検討 および改善の試み２）がなされてきた。 救急外来における満足度には，情報提供，待ち 時間あるいは待ち時間の説明などが影響すること８） が明らかにされ，またそれらが満足度だけでなく 救急外来受診時の不安にも影響を及ぼすことも報 告されている４）。さらに救急外来では，受診する 患者だけでなく家族の不安も強い９）10）。筆者らは 先行研究で救急外来を受診した患者の家族の不安 やニーズに関する研究を行い，患者の突然の予期 せぬ傷病が家族にも多大な心理的影響を与えてい ることを明らかにしてきた。 その上，救急患者や家族の多くは緊急度という 判断ができないため，とにかく診てもらいたいと 受診あるいは患者の付き添いとして来院すること が多い。そのため，特に待合室で患者を待つ家族 にとっては，患者の病状や主訴により

救急患者の家族のニーズとニーズに対する看護実践度の比較

The purpose of this study was to compare needs of family members with nursing care of nurse practitioners to the needs in the Emergency Department/ Emergency Center. We investigated nurses working at the ED/EC, by sending questionnaire by mail. Based on results of needs of the emergency patients' family members whom we investigated in 2000 and 2001, we set 20 items as follows; explanations, psychological aspect of the family members, physical aspect of the family members, facilities and environment, waiting time, and actions of the medical staff. The subjects of the present study were 333 emergency nurses, 11 males and 322 women, and average age was 32.8±7.9 years old. As a result of studying the nursing practice for needs of the family members, it was "explanation" that was the highest in practice degree. However, the nursing practice degree did not necessarily accord with needs of the family members. There were two elements that were the lowest in practice degree though highest in necessity on the part of family members. The first one was the mental care to make family members "feel that the best care was done" and the second was the positive attitude to "listen to family members and get rid of their anxiety about the risk of the patient." On the contrary, what was high in practice degree though low in necessity on the part of family members was to "deal with the anxiety and fear of the family members" and to "care for their fatigue and health" It is necessary to improve of quality of family support by feeding back the problems shown in actions and practice of nurses themselves.救急患者家族のニーズとニーズに対する看護実践度の実態を明らかにすることを目的とし， 救急外来/救命救急センター勤務している看護師を対象とした郵送法による自記式質問紙調査 を実施した。調査内容は2000 年，2001 年に調査した救急患者の家族のニーズに対応させて， 説明に関する項目，家族の心理的側面・身体的側面への配慮に関する項目，設備・環境に関 する項目，待ち時間や医療従事者の行動に関する項目など20 項目を設定した。 調査対象は救急看護師333 名であり，男性11 名，女性322 名，平均年齢は32.8 ± 7.9 歳であっ た。救急患者の家族のニーズに対する看護実践度を比較した結果，「説明に関する項目」が最 も看護実践度が高く，家族のニーズと一致していた。しかし，救急患者の家族のニーズとそ の看護実践度は必ずしも一致せず，家族の高いニーズに対して看護実践度が低かったのは「最 善のケアが行われていると感じることができる」や「患者の生命の危機に関する不安の相談」 であった。逆に家族のニーズの順位は低かった「家族の不安やつらい思いを聞いてもらえる」 「家族の疲労や健康への配慮」の実践度は比較的高かった。今後，施設や部門の取り組みを通 して看護師自身の行動や看護実践をフィードバックすることによって，家族援助の質の向上 につなぐ必要性が示唆された。 Ⅰ．はじめに 急性疾患対応型の救急外来や救命救急センター における患者や家族への対応は，その病院全体の 評価を左右するともいわれている１）。しかし，初 期救急患者を診療する一方で，重症患者が搬入さ れるなど待ち時間が延長し，患者および家族の不 安や苦痛も増強するといった悪循環に陥ることも 多くみられる２-４）ことから，その援助の困難性が 指摘されている。そのため，患者のニーズ５），満 足度の調査６-８)や患者や家族に対する対応の検討 および改善の試み２）がなされてきた。 救急外来における満足度には，情報提供，待ち 時間あるいは待ち時間の説明などが影響すること８） が明らかにされ，またそれらが満足度だけでなく 救急外来受診時の不安にも影響を及ぼすことも報 告されている４）。さらに救急外来では，受診する 患者だけでなく家族の不安も強い９）10）。筆者らは 先行研究で救急外来を受診した患者の家族の不安 やニーズに関する研究を行い，患者の突然の予期 せぬ傷病が家族にも多大な心理的影響を与えてい ることを明らかにしてきた。 その上，救急患者や家族の多くは緊急度という 判断ができないため，とにかく診てもらいたいと 受診あるいは患者の付き添いとして来院すること が多い。そのため，特に待合室で患者を待つ家族 にとっては，患者の病状や主訴により