Assessment Method for Leaf Litters Allelopathic Effect on Cyanobacteria

A new bioassay technique combining leaf disk and softagar over-layer methods was developed to investigate the allelopathic effect of deciduous leaf litters on the growth of cyanobacteria ( Microcystis aeruginosa Kütz.). Bioactive substances exuded from leaf disks caused inhibitory plaques on the agar plate containing cyanobacteria , and the rate of diffusion depended on the specific leaf disk area. Most of the leaf litters collected around reservoirs in Japan showed inhibitory activity to M. aeruginosa , with Rhus trichocarpa Miq., Quercus variabilis Blume and Mallotus japonicus (Thunb.) Muell. Arg. being the strongest among the 22 tested species.(PDF has 4 pages.

Cre-loxP-controlled cell-cycle checkpoint engineering in Chinese Hamster ovary cells

The gene amplification system is widely used in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells for the productive cell line construction of therapeutic proteins. To enhance the efficiency of conventional gene amplification systems, we previously presented a novel method using cell-cycle checkpoint engineering1). Here, we constructed high-producing and stable cells by the conditional expression of mutant cell division cycle 25 homolog B (CDC25B) using the Cre-loxP system2). A bispecific antibody-producing CHO DG44-derived cell line was transfected with floxed mutant CDC25B. After inducing gene amplification in the presence of 250 nM methotrexate, mutant CDC25B sequence was removed by Cre recombinase protein expression. Overexpression of the floxed mutant CDC25B significantly enhanced the efficiency of transgene amplification and productivity. Moreover, the specific production rate of the isolated clone CHO Cre-1 and Cre-2 were approximately 11-fold and 15-fold higher than that of mock-transfected clone CHO Mock-S. Chromosomal aneuploidy was increased by mutant CDC25B overexpression, but Cre-1 and Cre-2 did not show any changes in chromosome number during long-term cultivation, as is the case with CHO Mock-S. Our results suggest that high-producing and stable cells can be constructed by conditionally controlling a cell-cycle checkpoint integrated in conventional gene amplification systems

Duchenne型進行性筋ジストロフィーの「エンド・オブ・ライフ」 ケアに関する研究 : 国内外の研究動向

In the present study, we examined the concept of end-life care for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and trends in related research with the objective of systematizing such care. We obtained the following findings: 1) A search on the PubMed database of literature published before December 31, 2007 containing the term "end-of-life" in the title or abstract yielded 2087 results, and this literature tended to become more common in recent years. However, when the search was narrowed down to include the term "muscular dystrophy", only one study (Hilton et al, 1993) was found. 2) A study on the components of end-of-life care led to the following. multidisciplinary support, the perspective of patients, and relatively long-term support for end-stage patients. 3) Although research had been conducted on support during the terminal stage for Duchenne muscular dystrophy both in Japan and abroad, no studies were based on the concept of end-of-life care

An efficient synthesis of chiral isoquinuclidines by Diels-Alder reaction using Lewis acid catalyst

The Diels-Alder reaction of 1,2-dihydropyridine derivatives (1-phenoxycarbonyl-1,2-dihydropyridine 1 or 1-methoxycarbonyl-1,2-dihydropyridine 4) with N-acryloyl (1S)-2,10-camphorsultam (1S)-2 (or N-acryloyl (1R)-2,10-camphorsultam (1R)-2) in the presence of Lewisacid such as titanium tetrachloride, zirconium tetrachloride, and hafnium tetrachloride afforded the endo-cycloaddition product, 2-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives in good yields with excellent diastereoselectivity. The absolute stereochemistry assignment of the endo-cycloaddition product (1S)-5a starting from N-acryloyl (1S)-2,10-camphorsultam (1S)-2hasbeen established to be (1S, 4R, 7S) and the reaction mechanism was proposed

保健科学部学生の自己困難認知が自己効力感に及ぼす影響 : 発達障がい学生の支援に向けて

This study examined how the self efficacy of Health Science students is influenced by self recognition of difficulties. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 268 students of the Faculty of Health Sciences (1st to 3rd years), and multiple regression analysis was carried out, with scores on the self-efficacy scale used as criterion variables, and scores on the 7 subscales of the self-recognition of difficulty scale ("carelessness" , "interpersonal relations" , "impulsiveness" , "reading and writing" , "learning difficulties" , "anxiety/depression", "sensitivity") used as explanatory variables. In accordance with these analysis results, and based on findings from previous studies, sex and achievement motivation (selffulfillment achievement orientation, competitive achievement orientation) were added as variables to hypothesize a model which was investigated using path analysis. Results showed that the 3 variables, "interpersonal relations" , "learning difficulties" and "anxiety/depression" had a direct influence on selfefficacy. "Carelessness" had an influence on self-efficacy with "learning difficulties" and "interpersonal relations" as parameters, and "sensitivity" with "interpersonal relations" as parameter. The implications ofthese results for support of students with developmental disorders are discussed

自立生活センターにおける介助者用カウンセリングマインド尺度の開発 : 先行研究からの検討

In this study, to develop scales for measuring the counseling-based communication skills of personal assistant working at Centers for Independent Living, we used the findings from previous studies to examine the development policy and sub-areas that constitute the scales. In a previous study, one of the potential problems classified as "the difficulty for the users to express their wishes owing to their disabilities" suggested the relevance of personal assistants\u27 counseling-based communication skills. On the other hand, a report from the U.S.A. referred to the necessity of training personal assistant in skills to listen effectively, communicate, and delegation. Although these skills have much in common with counseling-based communication skills, scales for measuring these have not yet been developed in Japan. To develop such scales, the results of our study suggest that it is necessary to define the constituent areas, collect the items within them, and examine their construct and cross validities through factor analysis, giving consideration of the ideology of an Independent Living movement

介助サービスにおける潜在トラブルに関与する個人的要因に関する検討 : 利用者の既決な要因に焦点を当てて

In the present study, we investigated from the consumer\u27s perspective how six pre-determined factors for which intervention is not possible contribute to potential conflict between assistants and consumers of assistance services at an independent living center. A survey comprising 45 question items classified between the respective issues of responsibility was conducted on 100 consumers. Groups were created within each factor, and the degree of conflict for each item was compared. Inter group differences were observed for all factors. Correspondence analysis was conducted for each respective issue of responsibility and sample scores were calculated for each extracted axis. Multiple regression analysis was performed with the sample scores as objective variables and the six factors as explanatory variables. The two axes extracted from "issues of responsibility on the part of the consumer" were "understanding of the basic points of the service system"and "degree of reserved issues", with "the number of items of assistance received" as the contributing factor. The two axes extracted from "issues of responsibility on the part of the assistant" were "issues of self acknowledgement on the part of the assistant themselves" and "clarity of assistance content", with "the number of items of assistance received" and "age of consumer" as contributing factors

Enhancing evidence-informed policymaking in medicine and healthcare: stakeholder involvement in the Commons Project for rare diseases in Japan

Kogetsu A., Isono M., Aikyo T., et al. Enhancing evidence-informed policymaking in medicine and healthcare: stakeholder involvement in the Commons Project for rare diseases in Japan. Research Involvement and Engagement 9, 107 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1186/s40900-023-00515-5.Background: Although stakeholder involvement in policymaking is attracting attention in the fields of medicine and healthcare, a practical methodology has not yet been established. Rare-disease policy, specifically research priority setting for the allocation of limited research resources, is an area where evidence generation through stakeholder involvement is expected to be effective. We generated evidence for rare-disease policymaking through stakeholder involvement and explored effective collaboration among stakeholders. Methods: We constructed a space called ‘Evidence-generating Commons’, where patients, family members, researchers, and former policymakers can share their knowledge and experiences and engage in continual deliberations on evidence generation. Ten rare diseases were consequently represented. In the ‘Commons’, 25 consecutive workshops were held predominantly online, from 2019 to 2021. These workshops focused on (1) clarification of difficulties faced by rare-disease patients, (2) development and selection of criteria for priority setting, and (3) priority setting through the application of the criteria. For the first step, an on-site workshop using sticky notes was held. The data were analysed based on KJ method. For the second and third steps, workshops on specific themes were held to build consensus. The workshop agendas and methods were modified based on participants’ feedback. Results: The ‘Commons’ was established with 43 participants, resulting in positive effects such as capacity building, opportunities for interactions, mutual understanding, and empathy among the participants. The difficulties faced by patients with rare diseases were classified into 10 categories. Seven research topics were identified as priority issues to be addressed including ‘impediments to daily life’, ‘financial burden’, ‘anxiety’, and ‘burden of hospital visits’. This was performed by synthesising the results of the application of the two criteria that were particularly important to strengthen future research on rare diseases. We also clarified high-priority research topics by using criteria valued more by patients and family members than by researchers and former policymakers, and criteria with specific perspectives. Conclusion: We generated evidence for policymaking in the field of rare diseases. This study’s insights into stakeholder involvement can enhance evidence-informed policymaking. We engaged in comprehensive discussions with policymakers regarding policy implementation and planned analysis of the participants’ experiences in this project