匂いと味が一致しない刺激が与えられた場合の脳波活動に見られるシータ帯域の増加

This study aimed to investigate how odor stimulation affects taste perception. Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals were measured from the frontal region of the head in normal subjects, and frequency analyses were performed. Each odor stimulation was delivered while the subject tasted chocolate, using chocolate paste as the odorant for ‘matched odor stimulation’, and garlic paste for ‘unmatched odor stimulation’. Differences appeared in EEG signals. Comparing frequencies of EEGs under ‘unmatched odor stimulation’ with those under ‘matched odor stimulation’ showed that the occupancy rate of the theta-frequency band under ‘unmatched odor stimulation’ was higher than that under ‘matched odor stimulation’. Interestingly, a negative correlation existed between the occupancy rate of the theta-frequency band and the subjective feeling of chocolate sweetness. The present findings suggest that when we receive unmatched smell against the foods, subjective feelings are disturbed, and theta-band brain activity is increased while cross-checking the unmatched information

Charmed dibaryon resonances in the potential quark model

Charmed dibaryon states with the spin-parity $J^{\pi}=0^+$, $1^+$, and $2^+$are predicted for the two-body $Y_cN$ ($=\Lambda_c$, $\Sigma_c$, or $\Sigma^*_c$) systems. We employ the complex scaling method for the coupled channel Hamiltonian with the $Y_cN$-CTNN potentials, which were proposed in our previous study. We find four sharp resonance states near the $\Sigma_c N$ and $\Sigma^*_c N$ thresholds. From the analysis of the binding energies of partial channel systems, we conclude that these resonance states are Feshbach resonances. We compare the results with the $Y_c N$ resonance states in the heavy quark limit, where the $\Sigma_c N$ and $\Sigma^*_c N$ thresholds are degenerate, and find that they form two pairs of the heavy-quark doublets in agreement with the heavy quark spin symmetry.Comment: Proceedings of the International Workshop "New Aspects of the Hadron and Astro/Nuclear Physics

Effect of Oral Functional Training on Changes in Resting Saliva Secretion in Older Hemodialysis Patients

高齢血液透析患者の口腔乾燥には，日常的な水分摂取の制限と唾液腺自体の加齢性変化が関係していると考えられる．高齢血液透析患者の口腔乾燥改善には，まず十分な安静時唾液の分泌が必要と考え，それを促す手法の一つとして口腔機能訓練に着目した．本研究は，高齢血液透析患者に対して継続的な口腔機能訓練を行い，安静時唾液量の変化から訓練の効果を検証することを目的とした． 研究参加の同意が得られた軽度以上の口腔乾燥を有する高齢血液透析患者を，無作為に2群に分けた．歯科衛生士による口腔機能訓練（唾液腺マッサージ，舌運動訓練）を透析中（週3回）に12週間行った群を介入群，行わなかった群を対照群とした．研究開始前，2週後，4週後，8週後および12週後に，口腔内湿潤度と安静時唾液量を測定した．研究を完了した54名（介入群28名，対照群26名）について，群内および群間の比較には二元配置分散分析を，計測回ごとの多重比較にはBonfferoni法を用いて，統計解析を行った． 口腔機能訓練の実施による変化を検証した結果，口腔内湿潤度は，介入群の主効果および対照群との交互作用も有意であった（F（1,52）＝22.3，p＝0.03，F（4）＝3.5，p＝0.008）．群内の多重比較の結果，介入群は研究開始時と比較して，4週後以降で有意差が認められた（p＜0.05，p＜0.001，p＜0.05）が，対照群は有意差が認められなかった．安静時唾液は，介入群の主効果および対照群との交互作用も有意（F（1,52）＝18.6，p＜0.001，F（3）＝5.3，p＝0.002）であった．群内の多重比較の結果，介入群において，研究開始前と比較して4週後以降（p＜0.05，p＜0.001，p＜0.001）に有意な増加が認められた．一方，対照群において，2週後と12週後，4週後と12週後に有意な増加が認められた（p＜0.05，p＜0.05）．以上より，高齢血液透析患者に対する長期間（4週間以上）の唾液腺マッサージや舌運動訓練による口腔機能訓練は，安静時唾液分泌量を増加させる可能性が示唆された．Introduction:　Daily fluid restriction and aging-related atrophy of saliva glands might cause dry mouth in older hemodialysis patients. We hypothesized that greater saliva secretion is needed to relieve dry mouth and that this could be achieved by providing oral functional training to patients. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in resting saliva secretion after performing oral functional training for older hemodialysis patients with mild dry mouth. Materials and Methods:　Hemodialysis patients with mild dry mouth at Kawashima Hospital gave informed consent to participate in the study. They were then randomly divided into an intervention group (n＝31) and a control group (n＝30). The intervention group was provided oral functional training by a dental hygienist, including saliva gland massage for 30 s and tongue lateral movement for 12 weeks during dialysis treatment. The control group did not receive the training. Overall, 54 participants completed the experiment. Oral wetness was measured using a KISO-WeT Tester, and the amount of resting saliva secreted in 30 s was collected in a cotton roll and weighed. Measurements were implemented at baseline and at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after starting the regimen. Results and Discussion:　In the intervention group, oral wetness at 4, 8, and 12 weeks was significantly higher than that at baseline (p＜0.05, p＜0.001, p＜0.05, respectively). No statistically significant differences were found in the control group. In the intervention group, the amounts of saliva secreted at 4, 8, and 12 weeks were significantly greater than that at baseline (p＜0.05, p＜0.001, p＜0.001, respectively). In the control group, the amount of saliva secreted at 12 weeks was significantly more than that at 2 and 4 weeks (p＜0.05, p＜0.05, respectively). Conclusion:　We concluded that performing oral functional training, which included salivary gland massage and tongue movement training for 4 or more weeks, could increase the amount of resting saliva secretion in older hemodialysis patients with mild dry mouth

Relationships between feeding behaviors and emotions : an electroencephalogram (EEG) frequency analysis study

Feeding behaviors may be easily affected by emotions, both being based on brain activity; however, the relationships between them have not been explicitly defined. In this study, we investigated how emotional environments modulate subjective feelings, brain activity, and feeding behaviors. Electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings were obtained from healthy participants in conditions of virtual comfortable space (CS) and uncomfortable space (UCS) while eating chocolate, and the times required for eating it were measured. We found that the more participants tended to feel comfortable under the CS, the more it took time to eat in the UCS. However, the EEG emergence patterns in the two virtual spaces varied across the individuals. Upon focusing on the theta and low-beta bands, the strength of the mental condition and eating times were found to be guided by these frequency bands. The results determined that the theta and low-beta bands are likely important and relevant waves for feeding behaviors under emotional circumstances, following alterations in mental conditions

Results of physician licence examination and scholarship contract compliance by the graduates of regional quotas in Japanese medical schools: a nationwide cross-sectional survey

Objectives Responding to the serious shortage of physicians in rural areas, the Japanese government has aggressively increased the number of entrants to medical schools since 2008, mostly as a chiikiwaku, entrants filling a regional quota. The quota has spread to most medical schools, and these entrants occupied 16% of all medical school seats in 2016. Most of these entrants were admitted to medical school with a scholarship with the understanding that after graduation they will practise in designated areas of their home prefectures for several years. The quota and scholarship programmes will be revised by the government starting in 2018. This study evaluates the intermediate outcomes of these programmes. Design Cross-sectional survey to all prefectural governments and medical schools every year from 2014 to 2017 to obtain data on medical graduates. Settings Nationwide. Participants All quota and non-quota graduates with prefecture scholarship in each prefecture, and all the quota graduates without scholarship in each medical school. Primary outcome measures Passing rate of the National License Examination for Physicians and the percentage of graduates who have not bought out the scholarship contract after graduation. Results Most prefectures and medical schools in Japan participated in this study (97.8%–100%). Quota graduates with scholarship were significantly more likely to pass the National License Examination for Physicians than the other medical graduates in Japan at all the years (97.9%, 96.7%, 97.4% and 94.7% vs 93.9%, 94.5%, 94.3% and 91.8%, respectively). The percentage of quota graduates with scholarship who remained in the scholarship contract 3 years after graduation was 92.2% and 89.9% for non-quota graduates with scholarship. Conclusions Quota entrants showed better academic performance than their peers. Most of the quota graduates remained in the contractual workforce. The imminent revision of the national policy regarding quota and scholarship programmes needs to be based on this evidence.This study is funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C), Grant Number (25460803)

Impact of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation nutrition team on evaluating sarcopenia, cachexia and practice of rehabilitation nutrition

Background/Aims : To determine whether the presence of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation nutrition team affects sarcopenia and cachexia evaluation and practice of rehabilitation nutrition. Methods : A cross-sectional study using online questionnaire among members of the Japanese Association of Rehabilitation Nutrition (JARN) was conducted. Questions were related to sarcopenia and cachexia evaluation and practice of rehabilitation nutrition. Results : 677 (14.7%) questionnaires were analysed. 44.5% reported that their institution employed a rehabilitation nutrition team, 20.2% conducted rehabilitation nutrition rounds and 26.1% conducted rehabilitation nutrition meetings. A total of 51.7%, 69.7%, 69.0% and 17.8% measured muscle mass, muscle strength, physical function and cachexia, respectively. For those with a rehabilitation nutrition team, 63.5%, 80.7%, 82.4% and 22.9% measured muscle mass, muscle strength, physical function and cachexia, respectively, whereas 46.7%, 78.0% and 78.1% of the respondents reported implementation of nutrition planning strategies in consideration of energy accumulation, rehabilitation training in consideration of nutritional status and use of dietary supplements, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the use of a rehabilitation nutrition team independently affected sarcopenia evaluation and practice of rehabilitation nutrition but not cachexia evaluation. Conclusions : The presence of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation nutrition team increased the frequency of sarcopenia evaluation and practice of rehabilitation nutrition

Relationships between Skeletal Muscle Mass and Strength, and Jaw-Opening Force in Japanese Community-Dwelling Elderly

【目的】要介護高齢者の一要因である骨格筋量の低下や筋力低下は，嚥下関連筋にも影響を及ぼし，摂食嚥下機能を低下させることが疑われる．本研究では，地域在宅高齢者の骨格筋量・骨格筋力と，口腔機能・摂食嚥下機能との関連性を明らかにすることを目的として，調査を実施した． 【対象と方法】対象は，65歳以上の地域在宅高齢者24名（男性3名，女性21名，平均年齢77.0±5.0 歳）とした．骨格筋量は骨格筋指数（以下，SMI）を，骨格筋力は握力を評価項目として用いた．口腔機能・摂食嚥下機能は開口力・オーラルディアドコキネシス（以下，OD）/ タ/ と/ カ/・RSST・MWST を測定し，骨格筋量と骨格筋力との関連性を検討した．各項目の相関関係をスピアマンの順位相関係数にて解析した．その後，有意な関連のあった項目に年齢，性別を加え，重回帰分析（ステップワイズ法）を行った．さらに，握力の値から，筋力健常群と筋力低下群（男性＜ 26 kg，女性＜ 18 kg）の2群に分類し，口腔機能・摂食嚥下機能の各項目について比較した．2群間比較には，マン・ホイットニーのU 検定を用いて統計解析した． 【結果と考察】SMI と開口力，握力と開口力・OD / タ/ に有意な相関関係が認められた（r＝0.578，p＝0.003；r＝0.640，p＝0.001；r＝0.447，p＝0.029）．重回帰分析の結果，開口力に影響を与える因子としてSMI が挙げられた．また，筋力低下群の開口力は，筋力健常群よりも有意に低い値を示した（p＝0.011）．全身の骨格筋量，骨格筋力の低下は，開口力やOD / タ/ の低下に関連する可能性が考えられた． 【結論】地域在宅高齢者の骨格筋量と骨格筋力は，開口力や舌運動機能に関連する可能性が示唆された．Skeletal muscle mass decreasing and muscle weakness can cause long-term care needs for elderly people. The relationship between skeletal muscle status and muscles relevant to oral function has been little reported. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to survey skeletal muscle status, oral function, and the relationship between the two in community-dwelling elderly people. Twenty-four community-dwelling elderly from two elderly associations in N city, T prefecture enrolled in the present survey (3 males, 21 females; mean age, 77.0±5.0 years). Skeletal muscle index (SMI) was used to assess skeletal muscle mass, grasping power to assess skeletal muscle strength. Oral function was evaluated in terms of jaw-opening force, diadochokinesis, the repetitive saliva swallowing test (RSST), and the modified water swallowing test (MWST). Correlations between parameters were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Consequently stepwise regression analysis was performed with jaw-opening force as objective variable and SMI, grasping force, age and sex as explanatory variables. The subjects were divided into two groups according to standards for grasping force: healthy and muscle weakness (male: ＜26 kgw; female: ＜18 kgw). Parameters were statistically compared between the two groups using the Mann-Whitney U test. There were statistical relationships between SMI and jaw-opening force (r＝0.578, p＝0.003), grasping force and jaw-opening force (r＝0.640, p＝0.001), grasping force and the number of diadochokinetic movement of /ta/ (r＝0.447, p＝0.029). As a result of stepwise regression analysis, SMI was a factor that affects jaw-opening force. In the muscle weakness group, jaw-opening force was less than the value in the healthy group ( p＝ 0.011). It is reasonable that an overall decrease in muscle mass would evoke decreases in muscle strength in both the extremities and the jaw-opening muscles. We confirmed significant relationships between skeletal muscle mass, skeletal muscle strength, and oral function (i.e., jaw-opening force and tongue skilled movement) in Japanese community-dwelling elderly