Object transfer in request–accept sequence in Japanese caregiver–child interactions

Available online 2 May 2015Requesting an object or information is a basic and ubiquitous activity in human interactions, but the sequential organization of this activity varies considerably across speech communities. In line with the Language Socialization approach, this paper inquires into (1) how children formulate their acceptance of object requests made by caregivers, (2) the role of the requested object in request–accept sequences, and (3) the distinctive features of object requests in Japanese caregiver–child interactions (CCIs). Based on video data of Japanese caregiver–child (aged 0–5 years) interactions, we conducted an interaction analysis of conversations involving object transfer. The results revealed that the features of request–acceptance sequences are shaped by (1) the trigger of the object request, (2) the features of the requested object, (3) timing, bodily orientation, and the manner of transferring the requested object. By engaging in object request sequences, caregivers not only made reciprocal communication more effective but also set and modified the frame of their activity. The study also revealed that object request sequences are the place of negotiation for both children and caregivers with respect to (re)constructing the appropriate morality of Japanese culture

Stages of a Transtheoretical Model as Predictors of the Decline in Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: The transtheoretical model (TTM) is composed of the multiple stages according to patient’s consciousness and is believed to lead people to realize the importance of healthier behaviors. We examined the association of TTM stages with the decline of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Methods: We used the annual health checkup data and health insurance claims data of the Japan Health Insurance Association in Kyoto Prefecture between April 2012 and March 2016. TTM stages of change obtained from questionnaires at the first health checkup and categorized into six groups. The primary outcome was defined as a more than 30% decline in eGFR from the first health checkup. We fitted multivariable Cox proportional-hazards model for time-to-event analyses adjusting for age, sex, eGFR, body mass index, blood pressure, blood sugar, dyslipidemia, uric acid, urinary protein, and existence of kidney diseases at first health checkup. Results: We analyzed 239, 755 employees and the mean follow-up was 2.9 (standard deviation, 1.2) years. As compared with the stage 1 group, the risk of eGFR decline was significantly low in the stage 3 group (hazard ratio [HR] 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65–0.91); stage 4 group (HR 0.80; 95% CI, 0.65–0.98); and stage 5 group (HR 0.79; 95% CI, 0.66–0.95). Conclusion: Compared with the precontemplation stage (stage 1), the preparation, action and maintenance stages (stages 3, 4, and 5), were associated with a lower risk of eGFR decline

Femoral bone structure in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats

AbstractObjectivesType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increases fracture risk despite normal to high levels of bone mineral density. Bone quality is known to affect bone fragility in T2DM. The aim of this study was to clarify the trabecular bone microstructure and cortical bone geometry of the femur in T2DM model rats.MethodsFive-week-old Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF; n = 5) and Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO; n = 5) rats were used. At the age of 18 months, femurs were scanned with micro-computed tomography, and trabecular bone microstructure and cortical bone geometry were analyzed.ResultsTrabecular bone microstructure and cortical bone geometry deteriorated in the femur in OLETF rats. Compared with in LETO rats, in OLETF rats, bone volume fraction, trabecular number and connectivity density decreased, and trabecular space significantly increased. Moreover, in OLETF rats, cortical bone volume and section area decreased, and medullary volume significantly increased.ConclusionsLong-term T2DM leaded to deterioration in trabecular and cortical bone structure. Therefore, OLETF rats may serve as a useful animal model for investigating the relationship between T2DM and bone quality

A novel missense PTEN mutation identified in a patient with macrocephaly and developmental delay

Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) plays an important role in tumor suppression. A germline mutation in the PTEN gene induces not only PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome, including Cowden syndrome, but also macrocephaly/autism syndrome. Here, we describe a boy with macrocephaly/ autism syndrome harboring a novel missense heterozygous PTEN mutation, c.959T>C (p.Leu320Ser). Interestingly, a previously reported nonsense mutation resulting in p.Leu320X was found in Cowden syndrome patients. Our case may be suggestive of a genotype-phenotype correlation