加齢またはアルツハイマー病が語彙・意味機能に及ぼす影響 : 意味的プライミング法による検討

This study aims to clarify the influences of aging and AD on lexical-semantics by assigning a semantic priming paradigm. The following participants are included in the study: 30 young students, 22 early elderly, 19 late elderly, and 14 AD patients. The participants are asked to perform lexical decision tasks. Targets are high-frequency concrete words or nonwords. The primes are controlled with regard to their semantic relevance to the targets as follows: Association (e.g., king - lion), Superordination (beast - lion), Coordination (tiger - lion), Shared feature (eyes - lion), Distinctive feature (mane - lion), or Neutral (XXXX – lion). The participants have to decide whether the stimulus is a real word or not as correctly and as quickly as possible when the targets appeared on a monitor. As the Results, the mean reaction times (RTs) of the elderly groups are significantly longer than those of the young group, and the RTs of the AD group are even longer than those of the elderly groups. In the young and the elderly groups, the RTs for all the related-prime conditions are significantly shorter than those for the neutral-prime conditions (priming effects). The priming effects appears to be greater in the elderly groups. However, when the RTs are taken into consideration (priming rates), the gains are equivalent among young and elderly groups. In the AD group, priming effects are not observed, and noticeable individual differences in the priming rate are seen. The above findings suggest that lexical-semantics are generally preserved from aging. We also discusses that lexical-semantics are impaired in AD, and the diversity of the impairments may be the essence of AD

Genome-wide screening of the genes required for tolerance to vanillin, which is a potential inhibitor of bioethanol fermentation, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lignocellulosic materials are abundant and among the most important potential sources for bioethanol production. Although the pretreatment of lignocellulose is necessary for efficient saccharification and fermentation, numerous by-products, including furan derivatives, weak acids, and phenolic compounds, are generated in the pretreatment step. Many of these components inhibit the growth and fermentation of yeast. In particular, vanillin is one of the most effective inhibitors in lignocellulose hydrolysates because it inhibits fermentation at very low concentrations. To identify the genes required for tolerance to vanillin, we screened a set of diploid yeast deletion mutants, which are powerful tools for clarifying the function of particular genes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seventy-six deletion mutants were identified as vanillin-sensitive mutants. The numerous deleted genes in the vanillin-sensitive mutants were classified under the functional categories for 'chromatin remodeling' and 'vesicle transport', suggesting that these functions are important for vanillin tolerance. The cross-sensitivity of the vanillin-sensitive mutants to furan derivatives, weak acids, and phenolic compounds was also examined. Genes for ergosterol biosynthesis were required for tolerance to all inhibitory compounds tested, suggesting that ergosterol is a key component of tolerance to various inhibitors.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our analysis predicts that vanillin tolerance in <it>Saccharomyces cerevisiae </it>is affected by various complicated processes that take place on both the molecular and the cellular level. In addition, the ergosterol biosynthetic process is important for achieving a tolerance to various inhibitors. Our findings provide a biotechnological basis for the molecular engineering as well as for screening of more robust yeast strains that may potentially be useful in bioethanol fermentation.</p

わが国におけるソーシャルワーク教育とその課題

日本のソーシャルワーク教育は多くの課題を抱えている。本稿では特にソーシャルワークとケアワークについての関係の明確化とソーシャルワーク実習教育の内容について論考した。そして、次のような結論を得た。ソーシャルワークとケアワークの定義は統合されるべきである。教育はこれを前提に行われるべきである。またソーシャルワーク実習教育は実習時間を大幅に増やすことと、実習指導者の資格認定が必要である。その結果、大学等での社会福祉教育はより実践的なものになろう。Japan\u27s collage education for social work has a lot of problems. In this paper, we discussed about the difference of social work and care work. Especially we rethink about the definitions of both of them and about contents of the social work practice teaching. Conclusions are as follows : The definitions of social work and care work must be integrated, and the social work education should be organized on that presupposition. Also, practice time for social work shall be increased substantially, and the certification of the practice instructor is necessary. As a result, the collage social work education will be more practical

知的障害者施設への支援費制度の影響に関する一考察

本研究は、支援費制度が知的障害者更生施設に与えた影響についての予備的な調査をおこない、検討したものである。調査データは知的障害者更生施設の２施設を対象に、質的質問紙によりアンケートを実施して得られたものである。調査結果が示す主な含意は以下に示す通りである。１）知的障害者更生施設の縮小はありえても、廃止は不可能でありまた望ましくもない。２）今後の地域移行への趨勢を考慮すると、こうした施設がとるべき効果的な方策は、知的障害者のためのデイケアセンターやグループ・ホームを併設することである

Trajectory of body mass index and height changes from childhood to adolescence: a nationwide birth cohort in Japan

To investigate the dynamics of body mass index (BMI) and height changes in childhood leading to obesity in adolescents. BMI Z-scores were calculated using the LMS (lambda-mu-sigma) method based on yearly height and weight information (age 1.5-15 years) from a nationwide Japanese birth cohort that started in 2001 (n = 26,711). We delineated the trajectories of BMI and height changes leading to obesity at age 15 years using mixed effect models. Children who became obese at the age of 15 years kept relatively high BMI z-scores through childhood for both genders, and had an increasing trend over time as opposed to the normal weight group, with an increasing slope during puberty. Early adiposity rebound was associated with overweight or obesity at the age of 15 years. Age at peak height velocity (APHV) occurred earlier in the obese/overweight group at age 15 years than in the normal weight group, and occurred later in the underweight group. Obese adolescents experienced early adiposity rebound timing and maintained a serial BMI z-score increase throughout childhood, with a greater slope at puberty. An earlier peak in height gain during puberty may have contributed to the observed patterns of BMI change

健康・スポーツ科学科のキャンプ実習から得られる実行力と指導力

The purpose of the research is evaluation of the performance capability and leadership in the camp practice． This time， the comparison of study results of four years was valued． The results were summarized as follows: 1． The reason for participation is“ Participation charge” and“ Credit earning”． The participation student has consideration that it wants to share the enjoyment with the friend． 2．Students intend“ Basis”，“ Safety”， and“ Peace” for the practice period． 3．The students’ camp experiences are about 2～3 times of one person． 4．Students have an almost similar camp technology． 5．The cooking technology is experience shortage in life． 6．A prior education increases group member’s communications． 7． Because“ Fire causing”，“ Cooking rice”，“ Outdoors cooking” and“ Use of cutlery” are repeated and executed， the performance capability is high． 8．“ Climbing mountain”，“ Sporting activities”， and“ Campfire” are understood easily from an experience once， and the performance capability is equipped easily， too． 9． The practice chance of“ Constellation observation”，“ Playlet”，“ Measurement of the distance”， “Weather chart” and“ Weather forecast” is few． The acquisition of the performance capability is difficult for the practice period． 10． The leadership of“ Fire causing”，“ Cooking rice”，“ Outdoors cooking” and“ Use of cutlery” has been acquired． 11． It is very difficult to improve the leadership of“ Constellation observation”，“ Ropework”，“ Playlet”， “Judgment of the azimuth”，“ Measurement of the distance”，“ Map”，“ Weather chart”，“ Weather forecast” and“ Nature-views guess”． 12． The item from which a significant difference is detected between fiscal year is“ Item that knowledge and the technology are demanded” and“ Item influenced by the weather and atmosphere”

Midterm surgical results of total cavopulmonary connection: clinical advantages of the extracardiac conduit method

AbstractObjectiveWe evaluated the midterm surgical outcomes of intra-atrial lateral tunnel and extracardiac conduit total cavopulmonary connection to clarify the clinical superiority.MethodsPatients (n = 167) underwent total cavopulmonary connection (88 with lateral tunnel and 79 with extracardiac conduit) from November 1991 to March 1999. Survival, incidence of reoperation and late complications, exercise tolerance, hemodynamic variables, and plasma concentration of natriuretic peptide type A were compared. In the lateral tunnel group, time-related change in lateral tunnel size was investigated for its relationship to postoperative arrhythmias.ResultsThe 8-year survival was 93.2% in the lateral tunnel group and 94.9% in the extracardiac conduit group. Seven reoperations were performed in the lateral tunnel group but none in the extracardiac conduit group. Supraventricular arrhythmias developed in 14 patients (15.9%) in the lateral tunnel group and in 4 patients (5.1%) in the extracardiac conduit group (P = .003). Freedom from cardiac-related events was 72.5% in the lateral tunnel group and 89.8% in the extracardiac conduit group at 8 years (P = .0098). Hemodynamic variables and exercise tolerance were similar in both groups but plasma natriuretic peptide type A concentration, a parameter of atrial wall tension, was higher in the lateral tunnel group. In the lateral tunnel group, intra-atrial tunnel size increased by 19.4% during the 44.2-month interval and the percent increase in tunnel size was an independent predictor of supraventricular arrhythmias.ConclusionsThe midterm survival, hemodynamic variables, and exercise tolerance were similar and satisfactory in both lateral tunnel and extracardiac conduit groups; however, the incidence of cardiac-related events was significantly less frequent in the extracardiac conduit group. In the lateral tunnel group, careful observation is required to monitor the relationship of the dilating tendency of the intra-atrial tunnel and the development of late complications

Recommendations related to the analytical equivalence assessment of gene panel testing

Advances in cancer genome care over the past few years have included the development of gene panel testing for various biomarkers. This article summarizes issues and provides recommendations related to analytical performance evaluations for new oncology gene panels. The scope of these recommendations includes comprehensive genomic profiling assays related to gene panel testing that uses histological or serum specimens to detect gene mutations. As a research project of the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development Research on Regulatory Science of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, we convened the working group committee that consisted of more than 30 experts from academia, industry, and government. We have discussed the points that should be considered to allow maximal simplification of assessments using clinical specimens in evaluating accuracy and limit of detection in equivalence and analytical performance for three years. We provide recommendations specific to each type of gene mutation as well as to reference standards or specimens used for evaluations. In addition, in order to facilitate the discussion on the analytical performance of gene panel tests by multidisciplinary tumor boards of hospitals, the present recommendations also describe the items that companies are expected to provide information on in their packaging inserts and reports, and the items that are expected to be discussed by multidisciplinary tumor boards. Our working group document will be important for participants in multidisciplinary tumor boards including medical oncologists and genome scientists, and developers of gene panels not only in Japan but also in other countries

Vanishing Parotid Tumors on MR Imaging

【Background】 Of all parotid gland tumors, only oncocytoma has been reported to appear isointense to the parotid gland, namely vanishing, on fat-saturated T2 and T1 postcontrast gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate vanishing of parotid tumors on conventional MRI with and/or without postcontrast gadolinium-enhancement and on diffusion weighted imaging (DWI). 【Methods】 In 8 of 51 patients, ten parotid gland tumors had homogeneously enhanced lesions and were retrospectively analysed. Comparisons of signal intensity between those parotid tumors and parotid glands and evaluations of vanishing were performed on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), fat-suppressed T2WI (FS-T2WI), postcontrast gadolinium-enhanced T1WI (CE-T1WI) and fat-suppressed CET1WI (FS-CE-T1WI), DWI as well as apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). 【Results】 Ten parotid gland tumors consisted of five Warthin tumors, two pleomorphic adenomas, two parotid carcinomas (small cell carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma) and one oncocytoma. All tumors showed hypointensity on T1WI and hyperintensity on DWI. Nine of ten tumors showed vanishing on the other MR sequences. All Warthin tumors showed vanishing on FST2WI, FS-CE-T1WI and the ADC map. One oncocytoma showed vanishing on FS-T2WI and the ADC map and hyperintensity on FS-CE-T1WI. All pleomorphic adenomas showed vanishing on T2WI and CE-T1WI. One adenoid cystic carcinoma showed vanishing only on CE-T1WI. 【Conclusion】 Vanishing of parotid tumors can be observed not only on FS-T2WI and FS-CE-T1WI but also on T2WI, CE-T1WI and ADC mapping

Abnormal Cystatin C Levels in Two Patients with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome

Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by central obesity, mental impairment, rod-cone dystrophy, polydactyly, hypogonadism in males, and renal abnormalities. The causative genes have been identified as BBS1-14. In the Western countries, the prevalence of this disease ranges from 1/13,500 to 1/160,000, while only a few Japanese patients have been reported in the English-language literature. The incidence of renal dysfunction or anomalies in previous reports varies considerably ranging from ∼20% to universal occurrence. We here report that two Japanese patients who had BBS with normal BUN and creatinine levels had elevated levels of cystatin C, a sensitive marker of glomerular filtration rate. A urine albumin level increased only in the elder patient. Thus, cystatin C may be useful for detecting renal abnormalities in patients with an apparent normal renal function. Because this disease is diagnosed by accumulation of symptoms, such a sensitive marker might help early diagnosis of BBS