122 research outputs found
Expansion of Object-based Learning as Cross-disciplinary Learning : Prospects of the Enhancement for Well-being
We must confront diverse social issues to improve the well-being of individuals, regions, and countries to welcome a sustainable society, which should lead to the global improvement of well-being. Simultaneously, understanding the coexistence of diverse cultures and peoples on this planet is crucial. Cross-disciplinary research between science and humanity is essential to pursue this goal, and objectbased learning can be an effi cacious approach. This article discusses object-based learning as an active learning and communication tool in the museum context while introducing each author’s example as a case study. Then, it explores the possibility of objectbased learning, such as object therapy, to further support people’s well-being.Peer reviewe
Allergic diseases in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract Background Reports of frequent manifestation of allergic diseases in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been the subject of mounting clinical interest. However, evidence supporting the association between ADHD and allergies is inconsistent and has yet to be systematically reviewed. The objective of this study was to compile and assess available studies on the association between ADHD and allergic diseases in children. Methods A comprehensive search using MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane library, and CINAHL databases was completed in 23 November 2015. The inclusion criteria for studies were that the research assessed allergic diseases in children, 18 years of age and younger, with a diagnosis of ADHD and that a distinct comparison group was incorporated. Any comparative studies, encompassing both randomized controlled trials and observational studies, were considered for inclusion. Two review authors independently assessed the quality of the selected studies by the use of validated assessment tools, performed data extraction and conducted meta-analysis according to Cochrane Collaboration guidelines. Results Five eligible studies were included in this systematic review. Of these studies, three were case-control and two were cross sectional studies. A majority of information from the five studies was classified as having low or unclear risk of bias. The meta-analysis showed an association between children with ADHD and asthma compared with the control groups (OR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.57 - 2.07; five studies, low quality of evidence), but did not indicate an association between food allergy and ADHD (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.88 - 1.47; three studies very low quality of evidence). The odds of experiencing allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and allergic conjunctivitis were slightly higher in children with ADHD compared with control groups, though a substantial statistical heterogeneity was notable in the overall effect estimates. Conclusions The findings from this review and meta-analysis show that children with ADHD are more likely to have asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and allergic conjunctivitis than their counterparts. Interventions including strategies for managing allergies in children with ADHD would be beneficial
Gastric mucosal levels of prostaglandins and leukotrienes in patients with gastric ulcer after treatment with rabeprazole in comparison to treatment with ranitidine
AIM : Prostaglandins (PGs) and leukotrienes (LTs) are major factors involved in the defense of the gastric mucosa against ulcer formation. However, little is still known about the gastromucosa-protecting action of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine H2 receptor antagonists (H2 blockers) in patients with gastric ulcer. We therefore examined the effectiveness of a PPI in protecting the gastric mucosa.
METHODS : We compared the PGE2 and LTB4 levels and the expression levels of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 mRNA in the gastric mucosa in gastric ulcer patients between the group treated for 8 weeks with a PPI, rabeprazole (PPI group ; n=5), and the group treated for 8 weeks with an H2 blocker, ranitidine (H2 blocker group ; n=6), as well as in nonulcer subjects (control group ; n=5).
RESULTS : The mucosal levels of PGE2 and COX-2 mRNA expression were significantly lower in the ulcer patients than those in the nonulcer patients, whereas the LTB4 level was significantly higher in the ulcer patients than that in the nonulcer patients, and it was also significantly lower in the ulcerated mucosa than that in the nonulcerated mucosa. The PPI group had a significantly increased PGE2 and decreased LTB4 levels in comparison to the H2 blocker group during the ulcer-healing stage. The COX-1 mRNA expression showed no difference among the PPI and H2 blocker groups or between before and after the treatment. However, the COX-2 mRNA expression increased in the PPI group more than that in the H2 blocker group during the ulcer-healing stage.
CONCLUSION : These findings demonstrated the significant gastric-mucosa-protecting effect of PPI by increasing the PGE2 production and reducing the LTB4 production
A patient with octopus pot-shaped cardial cancer that metastasized to multiple organs
A 71-year-old male was admitted for abdominal fullness. The condition rapidly deteriorated in a short period (3weeks), and the patient died. Autopsy revealed a protruding lesion measuring about 3 cm with erosion measuring 5mmin diameter immediately below the esophago-gastric conjugation site, suggesting primary cardial undifferentiated adenocarcinoma. In the primary focus, changes on the mucosal surface were almost normal. However, below the mucosa, infiltration of cancer cells was observed in an approximately 3 cm area along the gastric wall. Simultaneously, the site of infiltration was markedly increased in deep areas. Extra serous infiltration was observed. The morphology was special, and resembled an octopus pot, a trap used to catch octopuses in Japan, with a narrow top and a broad base. In our patient, metastatic lesions were detected in multiple organs, including the stomach
Low HER2 expression is a predictor of poor prognosis in stage I triple-negative breast cancer
IntroductionTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is negative for hormone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). In stage I TNBC, adjuvant therapy or follow-up are performed according to risk factors, but clinical trial data is scarce. In recent years, it has been reported that HER2-low cases (1+/2+ and in situ hybridization negative) have different prognoses than HER2-0 cases. However, the risk of recurrence and risk factors in this HER2-low population for stage I TNBC have not yet been investigated.MethodsHerein, out of 174 patients with TNBC who underwent surgery from June 2004 to December 2009 at the National Cancer Center Hospital (Tokyo), we retrospectively examined 42 cases diagnosed as T1N0M0 TNBC after excluding those treated with preoperative chemotherapy.ResultsAll patients were female, the median age was 60.5 years, and 11 cases were HER2-low and 31 cases were HER2-0. The median follow-up period was 121 months. Postoperative adjuvant therapy was administered in 30 patients and recurrence occurred in 8 patients. HER2-low cases showed a significantly shorter disease-free survival (HR: 7.0; 95% CI: 1.2– 40.2; P=0.0016) and a trend towards shorter overall survival (hazard ratio [HR]: 4.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.58–31.4) compared with that of HER2-0 cases. HER2 was also identified as a factor for poor prognosis from the point- estimated values in univariate and multivariate analyses after confirming that there was no correlation between the other factors.ConclusionFor patients with stage I TNBC, the HER2-low population had a significantly worse prognosis than the HER2-0 population
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