Item response theory-based validation of a short form of the Eating Behavior Scale for Japanese adults

Obesity has become a serious social problem in industrialized countries in recent years. Clinically, although the evaluation of dietary behavior abnormalities is as important as any method of risk assessment for obesity, almost all the existing scales with many items may have numerous practical clinical difficulties. In this study, we aimed to prepare a short questionnaire to assess the dietary behavior abnormalities related to obesity. A total of 1032 individuals aged 20 to 59 years participated in the present study. Using item response theory (IRT), we selected the items for a short version from among 30 items of Sakata Eating Behavior Scale (EBS), which is widely used in Japan. As a result of the IRT-based analysis on the original 30-item version, 7 items were adopted as the short version. The correlation between the total score of the original EBS and the EBS short form was extremely high (r = 0.93, P = .001). In examining the criterion validity, for all participants (n = 1032), male (n = 516), and female (n = 516), the correlation coefficients between the total score of the EBS short form and body mass index (BMI) were r = 0.26, r = 0.28, and r = 0.28, respectively. The results of the receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed with obesity BMI > 25 kg/m2 as a dependent variable, the value of the area under the curve in the ROC was significantly higher in the 7-item version than in the total score of the original items (P = .0005). In conclusion, the 7-item EBS short form was created. Furthermore, it was found that the EBS short form is a reliable and valid measure that can be used as an indicator of obesity in both clinical and research settings

High sensitivity of an ELISA kit for detection of the gamma-isoform of 14-3-3 proteins: usefulness in laboratory diagnosis of human prion disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The gamma-isoform of the 14-3-3 protein (14-3-3 gamma) is expressed in neurons, and could be a specific marker for neuronal damage. This protein has been reported as a detectable biomarker, especially in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) patients by Western blotting (WB) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Western blotting for 14-3-3 gamma is not sensitive, and the reported data are conflicting among publications. An ELISA specific for 14-3-3 gamma is not available.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>CJD patients (n = 114 sporadic CJD patients, 7 genetic CJD, and 3 iatrogenic CJD) and 99 patients with other neurodegenerative diseases were examined in this study. The CSF samples obtained were analyzed by Western blotting for 14-3-3 gamma, and by ELISA for total tau protein. We evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the newly developed sandwich ELISA for 14-3-3 gamma.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The cut-off value of the 14-3-3 gamma ELISA was > 1, 683 AU/ml; and sensitivity was 95.2%, with 72.7% specificity. This specificity was the same for the total tau protein ELISA. Seven CJD cases were negative by WB but positive using the 14-3-3 gamma ELISA, indicating that the ELISA is more sensitive. All 21 cases of early stage CJD could be diagnosed using a combination of the 14-3-3γ ELISA and diffusion weighted MR imaging (DWI-MRI).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The 14-3-3 gamma ELISA was more sensitive than conventional WB, and was useful for laboratory diagnosis of CJD, similar to the ELISA for the tau protein. Using DWI-MRI and these ELISA tests on CSF, diagnosis of CJD will be possible even at early stages of the disease.</p

Type A Behavior Pattern and Obesity in Japanese Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Obesity is associated with personality. The Type A behavior pattern (TABP), which is characterized by hostility and competitive behavior, is related to psychological stress. However, the relationship between obesity and the TABP has not been examined. This study aimed to examine the relationship between obesity and the Type A behavior pattern in 3,099 Japanese workers. The Type A behavior pattern was measured via the Maeda Type A Behavior Checklist. Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression adjusted for age, being current smokers, heavy drinker, lack of exercise, occupation, and rapid eating. The multivariate odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for obesity associated with TABP was 1.55 (1.13 to 2.13) in men. Regarding other variables, age, lack of exercise, and rapid eating were associated with obesity in men. The multivariate odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for obesity associated with TABP was 1.27 (0.81 to 2.02) in women. Regarding other variables, age andrapid eating were associated with obesity in women. The findings suggest that the Type A behavior pattern was associated with increased obesity prevalence in Japanese men. People with TABP tend to eat larger portions during mealtimes repeatedly by rapid eating; it is possible that eating large portions may lead to an increase weight in men with TABP

Maladjustment to Academic Life and Employment Anxiety in University Students with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The present study tested our hypothesis that university students with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may experience less satisfactory academic lives than those of students without IBS. We also verified the hypothesis that university students with IBS might have higher employment anxiety than students without IBS might.We conducted a cross-sectional study of 1, 686 university students. Presence or absence of IBS was assessed via the Rome III Questionnaire. Two original items were used to evaluate academic life. The prevalence rates of IBS with diarrhea, IBS with constipation, mixed IBS, and unsubtyped IBS in the study population were 5%, 2%, 10%, and 3%, respectively. Regarding academic life, the proportions of participants who experienced maladjustment and employment anxiety were 29% and 50%, respectively. After adjusting for age, sex, and faculty, the odds ratios for maladjustment and employment anxiety were significantly higher in students who screened positively, relative to those who screened negatively, for IBS (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.24-2.21; OR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.68-2.81, respectively). In conclusion, maladjustment and anxiety over future employment were higher in university students with IBS relative to those without

Effect of baseline self-efficacy on physical activity and psychological stress after a one-week pedometer intervention

Physical activity and psychological stress were hypothesized to improve more in participants with high self-efficacy than in those with low and medium self-efficacy, after a one-week intervention. 39 female university students participated. The intervention had two steps: a lecture on self-monitoring and goal setting (160 min.) and a one-week pedometer intervention. Analyses were conducted on tertile groups according to self-efficacy at baseline. Pedometer step counts were higher in the high self-efficacy group than in the low self-efficacy group after intervention. Helplessness decreased time dependently after intervention only in the high-self-efficacy group. Because physical activity improved more in the high self-efficacy group after a one-week intervention, one hypothesis was supported

Burnout among kindergarten teachers and associated factors

Burnout among kindergarten teachers is a subject of great concern. Although burnout is reported to be significantly associated with turnover intention and work engagement, few studies have examined factors associated with burnout among these teachers. Therefore, in the present study, we performed a cross-sectional survey of burnout and associated factors among kindergarten teachers. We distributed 3363 questionnaires to all 205 authorized kindergartens and childcare institutions in Nagasaki Prefecture and received 1086 responses (response rate: 32.3%). The participants were limited to full-time female class teachers. After excluding survey forms with incomplete content, we ultimately examined valid responses from 442 participants. The survey examined burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory, MBI), teacher stress (Nursery Teacher’s Stress Scale, NTSS), coping behaviors (Brief Scales for Coping Profile, BSCP), and social support (Social Support Scale, SSS). A multiple regression analysis revealed that all 3 MBI subscales were positively associated with “understanding of how to handle children” on the NTSS and negatively associated with “superiors” on the SSS. “Emotional exhaustion” was significantly associated with “interpersonal relations at work” and “lack of time” on the NTSS, and “avoidance and suppression” on the BSCP. “Depersonalization” was significantly associated with age, “disconnect in working conditions” on the NTSS, and “proactive problem solving” and “venting emotions to others” on the BSCP. “Diminished professional accomplishment” was significantly associated with age, “lack of time” on the NTSS, and “proactive problem solving” and “change in perspective” on the BSCP. These results suggest that support from superiors that enables teachers to better understand children and handle them appropriately is necessary to prevent burnout

Development of an Ultra-Rapid Diagnostic Method Based on Heart-Type Fatty Acid Binding Protein Levels in the CSF of CJD Patients.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a transmissible, fatal, neurodegenerative disease in humans. Recently, various drugs have been reported to be useful in the treatment of CJD; however, for such treatments to be useful it is essential to rapidly and accurately diagnose CJD. 124 CJD patients and 87 with other diseases causing rapid progressive dementia were examined. Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) from CJD patients was analyzed by 2D-PAGE and the protein expression pattern was compared with that from healthy subjects. One of three CJD-specific spots was found to be fatty acid binding protein (FABP), and heart-type FABP (H-FABP) was analyzed as a new biochemical marker for CJD. H-FABP ELISA results were compared between CJD patients and patients with other diseases (n = 211). Visual readout accuracy of the Rapicheck((R)) H-FABP test panel for CSF was analyzed using an independent measure of CSF H-FABP concentration. The distribution of H-FABP in the brains of CJD patients was examined by immunohistochemistry. ELISA sensitivity and specificity were 90.3% and 92.9%, respectively, and Rapicheck((R)) H-FABP sensitivity and specificity were 87.9% and 96.0%, respectively. ELISA and Rapicheck((R)) H-FABP assays provided comparable results for 14-3-3 protein and total tau protein. Elevated H-FABP levels were associated with an accumulation of abnormal prion protein, astrocytic gliosis, and neuronal loss in the cerebral cortices of CJD patients. In conclusion, Rapicheck((R)) H-FABP of CSF specimens enabled quick and frequent diagnosis of CJD. H-FABP represents a new biomarker for CJD distinct from 14-3-3 protein and total tau protein.The original publication is available at www.springerlink.co

Factors associated with kindergarten teachers’ willingness to continue working

The turnover rate among kindergarten teachers in advanced countries is extremely high. As such, there is an urgent need to determine the reasons for this turnover and to identify ways to prevent it. The current study investigates the individual and environmental factors that impact kindergarten teachers’ willingness to continue working.A total of 600 kindergarten teachers in Japan participated in this study. Participants responded to questionnaires regarding their willingness to continue working, mental health, work engagement, and the availability of social support. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze participants’ data, with willingness to continue working for 5 or more years as the dependent variable. Additionally, Spearman rank correlation was used to examine the correlations between factors associated with willingness to continue working.Factors such as older age, living with a spouse, caring for younger children (up to 2 years old) at work, good mental health, and higher work engagement were significantly associated with teachers’ higher willingness to continue working. Factors such as marriage, health and family problems, overtime work, issues with workplace childcare, and education policy, working time/day problems, human relations, and difficulties taking care of children were correlated with teachers’ lack of willingness to continue working.The findings of this cross-sectional study suggest that welfare benefits and individual support systems could be key elements to encourage kindergarten teachers to continue working and could lead to their improved job satisfaction and mental health. Balanced work conditions and workers’ high agreement with their workplace\u27s overall childcare or educational policies may lead to lower turnover. Some programs – such as relationship counselling – could have a positive impact on teachers’ mental health and job satisfaction