Note Taking Activity and its assessment in a Blended Learning Environment

"Note-taking" is a popular skill for all types of learning activities. In recent years, the online educational environment has began spreading rapidly at institutes of higher educational, obviating the need for printed materials or written notes. This means that students’ ability to take notes may decline and this may influence the success of their learning.  In order to examine this phenomenon, students' notes were surveyed during a blended learning course in a bachelor level program at a Japanese university. The course consisted of an online test system and face-to-face lectures using ICT equipment. Participant's learning performance was measured using online tests, written essays and a final exam, in addition to the assessment of their notes.  The contributions of note-taking activities were measured using statistical tests. As individual note-taking performance may be based on student's characteristics, these contributions were also examined. In the analysis, metrics of participant's characteristics such as personality, information literacy and learning experience were surveyed. Additionally, lexical features of notes taken were extracted using a text analysis technique, and these features were compared with the grades given. Conceptual mapping of the contents of notes was conducted, and the behaviour of good note-takers is discussed using the extracted results. &nbsp

Acute inflammation at a mandibular solitary horizontal incompletely impacted molar

Acute inflammation is frequently seen in the elderly around incompletely impacted molars located apart from molars or premolars. To identify the factors causing acute inflammation in the solitary molars without second molars or without second and first molars, ages of patients and rates of acute inflammation in 75 horizontal incompletely impacted mandibular molars in contact or not in contact with molars in subjects 41 years old or older were studied using orthopantomographs. Acute inflammation was seen in nine third molars out of 48 third molars in contact with second molars (18.8%), whereas acute inflammation was seen in 11 molars out of 19 solitary molars without second molars or without first and second molars (57.9%) (p < 0.01). The mean age of 48 subjects with third molars in contact with the second molar was 50.42 ± 7.62 years, and the mean age of 19 subjects with isolated molars was 65.16 ± 10.41 years (p < 0.0001). These indicate that a solitary horizontal incompletely impacted molar leads more frequently to acute inflammation along with aging due to possible bone resorption resulting from teeth loss

The effects of hyperventilation on the human SEP (Somatosensory Evoked Potential), VEP (Visual Evoked Potential) and AEP (Auditory Evoked Potential)

The effects of HV (hyperventilation) on the human SEP (Somatosensory Evoked Potential), VEP (Visual Evoked Potential) and AEP (Auditory Evoked Potential) were studied with healthy 64 male and 99 female subjects. SEP, VEP and AEP were recorded simultaneously, with 1024 msec of analysis time, together with EEG, before and after HV for 3 min. The following results were obtained. 1. After HV, interpeak amplitudes of SEP, VEP and of AEP almost increased significantly, and the latencies of components of VEP increased significantly in both male and female subjects. But the latencies of the components of SEP and AEP changed differently between males and females. From these results, it was considered that brain activities increased after HV, rebounding from inhibition during HV. And it is suggested that the influence of hypoxia occured during HV is prolonged in VEP than in SEP and AEP. Besides, it is considered that the recovery from the influence of HV is delayed in males than in females. 2. As for the recording of Evoked Potentials together with EEG, it is appropriate that Evoked Potentials are recorded before HV

Visual evoked potential and electroencephalogram of healthy females during the menstrual cycle

Flash visual evoked potential (VEP) and electroencephalogram (EEG) changes during the menstrual cycle were studied using healthy females having regular menstruation, with 21 at the follicular phase (FP) and 23 at the luteal phase (LP). The following results were obtained. (1)The waveforms of Group Mean VEPs of both groups had approximately similar triphasic contours, consisting of 16 components of P 1-N 8 up to 500 msec of latency. (2)Latencies tended to be longer in LP. (3)Interpeak amplitudes tended to be larger in LP, and one VEP interpeak amplitude (P 5-N 7) of long latency component was significantly larger at LP after eliminating the effect of body height by ANCOVA for 2 CH. (4)Quantitative analysis of EEGs between FP and LP resulted in a tendency for increased α, and decreased β power % at LP. Since estrogen increases the VEP amplitude, and decreases the VEP latency and the α activity of EEGs, the large VEP amplitude, the tendency for prolonged VEP latency, and the tendency for increased α power % at LP observed in this study indicate that the VEP amplitude at LP reflects the effect of estrogen, and that the VEP latency and EEGs at LP reflect the effect of progesterone

健常男性成人と健常女性成人における大脳誘発電位の相違

Sex differences in SEP (Somatosensory Evoked Potential) and EEG were studied with 90 healthy adult males (mean age=25.3±3.1 y.o.) and 96 adult females (mean age=21.6±2.7 y. o.). SEPs evoked by median nerve stimuli were recorded with 1000 msec of analysis time through the two derivations (bipolar: C3’→F3’ and monopolar : C3’→A1+2). The differences between the two group mean SEPs of each sex were studied. The differences in latencies and interpeak amplitudes of individual SEPs between sexes were tested statistically. The following results were obtained. 1. In the waveform of group mean SEP, there were differencies between N 3 and P 6, with P 4 (bipolar), and P 5, N 5 (monopolar) for females but not for males. The latencies of most of components were shorter, and interpeak amplitudes were larger in females than in males. 2. In the individual SEP most of latencies were significantly shorter and interpeak amplitudes were significantly larger in females than in males. 3. The significant sex differences in latencies and amplitudes of SEP components were verified even after excluding the influences of age and stature, by analysis of covariance. 4. In EEG, θ, β 1 and β 2 power % were larger, and δ and α 2 power % were smaller in fem ales than in males. The sex differences in SEP verified in this study might be attributed to larger corpus callosum and less differentiated lateralities of the brain in females than in males, and the differences in sex hormon between the two sexes

Dopaminergic neuroprotective effects of rotigotine via 5-HT1A receptors: Possibly involvement of metallothionein expression in astrocytes

Astrocytes exert neuroprotective effects through production of antioxidant molecules and neurotrophic factors. A recent study showed that stimulation of astrocyte serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) receptors promotes astrocyte proliferation and upregulation of the antioxidant molecules metallothionein (MT)-1,2, which protect dopaminergic neurons against oxidative stress. Rotigotine, an anti-parkinsonian drug, can bind to dopamine and 5-HT1A receptors. In this study, we examined neuroprotective effects of rotigotine in models of Parkinson's disease and involvement of astrocyte 5-HT1A receptors in neuroprotective effects of rotigotine against dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Rotigotine increased the number of astrocytes and MT-1,2 expression in cultured astrocytes. Pretreatment with conditioned media from rotigotine-treated astrocytes significantly inhibited 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity. These effects were completely blocked by a 5-HT1A antagonist or MT-1,2 specific antibody. Subcutaneous administration of rotigotine increased MT-1,2 expression in striatal astrocytes and prevented reduction of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of a 6-OHDA-lesioned mouse model of Parkinson's disease. These effects were blocked by co-administration with a 5-HT1A antagonist. These results suggest that rotigotine exerts neuroprotective effects through upregulation of MT expression in astrocytes by targeting 5-HT1A receptors. Our findings provide a possible therapeutic application of rotigotine to prevent dopaminergic neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease

Tuberous Sclerosis 2 Gene Is Expressed at High Levels in Specific Types of Neurons in the Mouse Brain

Tuberous sclerosis (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by mental retardation, epilepsy and hamartomatous growth in many tissues. The gene (TSC2) encoding a tumor suppressor protein whose mutations cause TSC, has been demonstrated to be expressed at high levels in the adult and developing brain, raising the question of whether or not the TSC2 gene product has unique roles in differentiation related to cytoskeletal interactions within the central nervous system, in addition to a tumor suppressor function. To determine the expression of TSC2 in functionally distinct neuron types of the mouse brain, we carried out in situ hybridization with digoxigenin-labeled riboprobes for the detection of TSC2 mRNA. High levels of the TSC2 gene were in neurons of the pyramidal and dentate granular layer in the hippocampus, cerebellar Purkinje cells, neurons of the piriform cortex, motor neurons in the medulla and interneurons in the striatum, while intermediate levels were in cortical neurons, striatal neurons, septal neurons, thalamic neurons and neurons in the substantia nigra compacta. Thus, the high expression of the TSC2 gene has restricted distribution in specific neuronal types which are characterized by well-developed dendrites and rich in use-dependent long-term changes in synaptic efficacy. These results suggest that the function of the TSC2 gene product may be involved on a cellular basis in neuronal plasticity and relevant to mental retardation observed in TSC patients

Sex differences in Auditory Evoked Potential (AEP) and EEG of healthy adults

Sex differences in AEP (Auditory Evoked Potential) and EEG were studied with 100 healthy adult males (mean age=25.4± 3.1 y. o.) and 100 adult females (mean age=21.6± 2.6 y. o.). AEPs evoked by binaural clicks were recorded with 1024 msec of analysis time through the two derivations (3CH : Cz→A1+2 and 6CH : Cz→T5). The differences between the two group mean AEPs of each sex were studied. The differences in latencies and peak-to-peak amplitudes of individual AEPs between sexes were tested statistically. The following results were obtained. 1 The waveform of group mean AEPs of each sex had hexaphasic contour, consisted of components P1~N8, including the prominent negative peak N4 and positive peak P5, within 600 msec of latency. 2 The contours of group mean AEP were similar in both sexes, but the latencies of the components were shorter, and peak-to-peak amplitudes were larger in females than in males. 3 Most of latencies and peak-to-peak amplitudes were significantly shorter in females than in males by t-test. 4 The significant sex differences of latencies and amplitudes of AEP components, including the most prominent component P5, were verified even after excluding the influence of stature and body weight, by analysis of covariance. 5 Quantitative analysis of EEG between sexes resulted in larger band amplitude in males and significantly larger θ and β1 power % and smaller α2 power % in females. The sex differences in AEP verified in this study were attributed to the less differentiated lateralities of the brain in females, than in males

顎舌骨筋運動ニューロンと一次求心線維のシナプス接合について

Horseradish peroxidase conjugated with wheat germ agglutinin (HRP-WGA) was injected into the muscle branch of the mylohyoid nerve in rats. HRP-labeled neuronal cell bodies were observed ipsilaterally in the caudal portion of the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus and the ventromedial division of the trigeminal motor nucleus (Vmo.vm). Electron microscope observations were carried out on sections through Vmo.vm containing HRP-labeled cell bodies. Synaptic contacts were found between HRP-labeled axon terminals and HRP-labeled nerve cells. The results suggested that mylohyoid muscle spindle afferents are synaptic contacts on the mylohyoid motoneurons

Proton Beam Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Associated with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis

Background and Purpose: The prognosis of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is extremely poor, as effective treatment options are limited. The authors performed a retrospective review to evaluate the efficacy of proton-beam therapy (PBT) for patients presenting with PVTT in the setting of HCC.Patients and Methods: Between February 1991 and September 2005, 35 patients with HCC and tumor thrombi in the main trunk or major branches of the portal vein presented for consideration of PBT. Their tumor sizes ranged from 25 mm to 130 mm (median, 60 mm). A median total dose of 72.6 GyE in 22 fractions was delivered over 31 days to a target volume that encompassed both the primary hepatic lesion and the PVTT.Results: 32 patients were progression-free during a median follow-up period of 21 months (range, 2-88 months) and three patients experienced disease progression. Local progression-free survival rates were 46% at 2 years and 20% at 5 years, and the median local progression-free survival was 21month. Acute toxicity &#8805; grade 3 was observed in three patients, and no patient experienced late toxicity &#8805; grade 3. None of the patients had to discontinue treatment as a result of toxicity.Conclusion: PBT improved local control and significantly prolonged survival in HCC patients with PVTT