Changes in the attitudes of participants in a preceptor training seminar

Purpose : To clarify changes in the attitudes of participants in a preceptor training seminar and to abstract a model for training preceptors. Methods : The subjects of the study were the ７２ participants in a seminar conducted in “A” Prefecture. Six sets of data obtained from the participants before, during and after the seminar were used. Qualitative research methods were used to process these data. Result : １．From among the “practicum problems” of pre-seminar reports, four categories were extracted :（１）students’ problems,（２）problems about giving guidance,（３）preceptors’ problems and （４）problems with the teaching system. ２．As for “what the participants expected of students,” three categories were identified : （１）students’ attitudes during the practicum, （２）way of learning and （３）results of learning. ３．We compared “what the participants expected of students during the practicum” before and after the seminar. As for “students’ attitudes during the practicum,” ８５％ of the participants expected better students’ attitudes before the seminar, while ２８％ had this expectation after the seminar. Conclusion : The participants` attitudes had clearly changed. These data were analyzed from two viewpoints : “participants’ psychological distance from students” and “participants’ self-efficacy.” These two factors were found to be closely related, and one model was abstracted

Carbon monoxide (CO)-releasing molecule-derived CO regulates tissue factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 in human endothelial cells

Introduction: Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is the rate limiting enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of heme into biliverdin, free iron, and carbon monoxide (CO). The first human case of HO-1 deficiency showed abnormalities in blood coagulation and the fibrinolytic system. Thus, HO-1 or HO-1 products, such as CO, might regulate coagulation and the fibrinolytic system. This study examined whether tricarbonyldichlororuthenium (II) dimer (CORM-2), which liberates CO, modulates the expression of tissue factor (TF) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and TF expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Additionally, we examined the mechanism by which CO exerts its effects. Materials and Methods: HUVECs were pretreated with 50 μM CORM-2 for 3 hours, and stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α, 10 ng/ml) for an additional 0-5 hours. PBMCs were pretreated with 50-100 μM CORM-2 for 1hour followed by stimulating with lipopolysaccharid (LPS, 10 ng/ml) for additional 0-9 hours. The mRNA and protein levels were determined by RT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. Results: Pretreatment with CORM-2 significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced TF and PAI-1 up-regulation in HUVECs, and LPS-induced TF expression in PBMCs. CORM-2 inhibited TNF-α-induced activation of p38 MAPK, ERK1/2, JNK, and NF-κB signaling pathways in HUVECs. Conclusions: CORM-2 suppresses TNF-α-induced TF and PAI-1 up-regulation, and MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways activation by TNF-α in HUVECs. CORM-2 suppresses LPS-induced TF up-regulation in PBMCs. Therefore, we envision that the antithrombotic activity of CORM-2 might be used as a pharmaceutical agent for the treatment of various inflammatory conditions. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.Thesis of Keiko Maruyama / 丸山 慶子 博士論文 金沢大学医薬保健学総合研究科（保健学専攻

Ras signaling directs endothelial specification of VEGFR2+ vascular progenitor cells

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) transmits signals of crucial importance to vasculogenesis, including proliferation, migration, and differentiation of vascular progenitor cells. Embryonic stem cell–derived VEGFR2+ mesodermal cells differentiate into mural lineage in the presence of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF)–BB or serum but into endothelial lineage in response to VEGF-A. We found that inhibition of H-Ras function by a farnesyltransferase inhibitor or a knockdown technique results in selective suppression of VEGF-A–induced endothelial specification. Experiments with ex vivo whole-embryo culture as well as analysis of H-ras−/− mice also supported this conclusion. Furthermore, expression of a constitutively active H-Ras[G12V] in VEGFR2+ progenitor cells resulted in endothelial differentiation through the extracellular signal-related kinase (Erk) pathway. Both VEGF-A and PDGF-BB activated Ras in VEGFR2+ progenitor cells 5 min after treatment. However, VEGF-A, but not PDGF-BB, activated Ras 6–9 h after treatment, preceding the induction of endothelial markers. VEGF-A thus activates temporally distinct Ras–Erk signaling to direct endothelial specification of VEGFR2+ vascular progenitor cells

Development of UV-responsive catch-and-release system of a cysteine protease model peptide

Cysteine proteases are attractive drug targets due to their involvement in a wide variety of diseases. To evaluate the potential of a particular protease as a drug target, use of a reagent that controls activity of the protease is indispensable. In this context, we have developed a catch-and-release reagent that first forms a covalent bond with the active center thiol of a cysteine protease to suppress its activity and then is removed by UV-irradiation to release the parent active protease. In this paper, the design and synthesis of a catch-and-release reagent of thiols are described. Its application to caging (catch) and UV-induced uncaging (release) of a model peptide derived from an active site of caspase-9 and introduction of a recognition moiety on the reagent are also reported

Molecular Mechanism Responsible for Fibronectin-controlled Alterations in Matrix Stiffness in Advanced Chronic Liver Fibrogenesis

Fibrosis is characterized by extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and stiffening. However, the functional contribution of tissue stiffening to noncancer pathogenesis remains largely unknown. Fibronectin (Fn) is an ECM glycoprotein substantially expressed during tissue repair. Here we show in advanced chronic liver fibrogenesis using a mouse model lacking Fn that, unexpectedly, Fn-null livers lead to more extensive liver cirrhosis, which is accompanied by increased liver matrix stiffness and deteriorated hepatic functions. Furthermore, Fn-null livers exhibit more myofibroblast phenotypes and accumulate highly disorganized/diffuse collagenous ECM networks composed of thinner and significantly increased number of collagen fibrils during advanced chronic liver damage. Mechanistically, mutant livers show elevated local TGF-β activity and lysyl oxidase expressions. A significant amount of active lysyl oxidase is released in Fn-null hepatic stellate cells in response to TGF-β1 through canonical and noncanonical Smad such as PI3 kinase-mediated pathways. TGF-β1-induced collagen fibril stiffness in Fn-null hepatic stellate cells is significantly higher compared with wild-type cells. Inhibition of lysyl oxidase significantly reduces collagen fibril stiffness, and treatment of Fn recovers collagen fibril stiffness to wild-type levels. Thus, our findings indicate an indispensable role for Fn in chronic liver fibrosis/cirrhosis in negatively regulating TGF-β bioavailability, which in turn modulates ECM remodeling and stiffening and consequently preserves adult organ functions. Furthermore, this regulatory mechanism by Fn could be translated for a potential therapeutic target in a broader variety of chronic fibrotic diseases

Examining a Method for the Categorization and Quantitative Measurement of Human Smile and Laughter by EMG : An introduction of "DLMS" and showing its perspectives and examination subjects for developing it

The purpose of this paper is to show a method of the objective and quantitative measurement of the human laughter by electromyography (EMG). There are two existing clues in catching the human smile and laughter: smiling expression (face) and laughing voice (throat). Both of these are not available in terms of detecting a spontaneous laughter, because human beings can express a smile and a laugh selectively or consciously without feeling funniness. We have developed "DLMS" (Diaphragmatic Laughter Measuring System) in order to measure the spontaneous laughter. This system is composed of an electromyograph and a personal computer, which make it possible to measure the myoelectricity of the human belly muscles moved in accordance with the one\u27s spontaneous laughter breaking out. In this paper, it is proposed that "DLMS" has some advantages in measuring spontaneous human laughter with funniness which can contribute to the human health and well-being.竹内洋学部長退官記念

Establishing a new appropriate intramuscular injection site in the deltoid muscle

金沢大学医薬保健研究域保健学系It is becoming increasingly important for clinicians to identify a safer intramuscular (IM) injection site in the deltoid muscle because of possible complications following the vaccine administration of IM injections. We herein examined 4 original IM sites located on the perpendicular line through the mid-acromion to establish a safer IM injection site. Thirty healthy volunteers participated in this study and the distances from our 4 IM sites to some anatomical landmarks on their left arms were measured. Ultrasonography (US) was also performed to measure the thickness of the deltoid muscle and identify the posterior circumflex humeral artery (PCHA) along the course of the axillary nerve. Subcutaneous thickness was measured using 2 methods: measuring the skin thickness with caliper after pinching the skin, and with US. The results obtained revealed that the intersection between the anteroposterior axillary line (the line between the upper end of the anterior axillary line and the upper end of the posterior axillary line) and the perpendicular line from the mid-acromion was the most appropriate site for IM injections because it was distant from the axillary nerve, PCHA, and subdeltoid/subacromial brusa. At this site, depth of needle insertions was 5 mm greater than the subcutaneous thickness at a 90° angle, which was sufficient to penetrate subcutaneous tissue in both sexes. Subcutaneous thickness can be assessed with almost the same accuracy by US or measuring with calipers after pinching the skin. The results of the present study support the improved vaccine practice for safer IM injections

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以上大垣市における大気汚染の概要を示したが, 大垣市の大気汚染源は西部・南部工場群による産業公害と主要道路沿い地域における交通公害が主要であり, 産業公害は工場群の防除施設の設置や操業転換等により汚染濃度が減少することを認めた.交通公害については別に報告する.また赤坂町の降下ばいじんは不溶解性物質が多いことを認めた.We report results of the experiments about the air pollution in Ogaki City from 1967 to 1969. Air pollution in Ogaki City was mainly caused by two sourses. The one was two factory-areas in the southern and western districts and another was cars running on the National Road. It was found that industrial nuisance was decreased by those establishments on the preventive institution

An Objective Method of Detecting Human Laughter in Abdominal Electromyography (EMG)

The purpose of this paper is to show a method for the objective detection of human laughter by electromyography (EMG). In order to discriminate the human laughter from the other body movements, we compare the each of EMG data collection from the abdominal surface by frequency analysis. We find that the myoelectric signals in human laughter have periodic repetitions of 4-6Hz. This distinctive feature of human laughter enables us to distinguish it from the other body movements. Our results are of importance in the objective and quantitative measurement of the human laughter