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

Physical exercise improves insulin sensitivity of rats exposed to cigarette smoke

INTRODUÇÃO E OBJETIVO: Sabe-se que o tabagismo pode provocar alterações cardiovasculares e redução na sensibilidade à insulina, e que o exercício físico melhora este quadro. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito do tabagismo e da prática de atividade física sobre a sensibilidade à insulina em músculo cardíaco de ratos, através da avaliação de expressão do transportador de glicose GLUT4. MÉTODOS: Ratos machos Wistar foram divididos em quatro grupos: (CS) controle, (CE) controle exercitado, (FS) fumante sedentário e (FE) fumante submetido ao exercício físico. Os grupos FS e FE foram submetidos à combustão de quatro cigarros/30 min/60 dias, 2x/dia. Os grupos CE e FE executaram corrida em esteira rolante durante 60 min/60 dias. Foi realizado teste de tolerância à insulina, e a expressão de GLUT4 no coração foi feita através de Western Blotting - ECL e RT-PCR. Foi utilizado método estatístico descritivo e o teste ANOVA, e as diferenças entre os grupos foram consideradas significantes quando P < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Nem o tabagismo nem a atividade física alteraram o peso corpóreo (CS: 364,7 ± 9,7; CE: 372,4 ± 7,2, FS: 368,9 ± 6,7; FE: 376,4 ± 7,8g) e o peso do coração (CS: 1,12 ± 0,05; CE: 1,16 ± 0,04; FS: 1,14 ± 0,05; FE: 1,19 ± 0,05g). A sensibilidade à insulina foi reduzida no grupo fumante, porém, a prática de exercício físico melhorou este quadro (CS: 3,7 ± 0,3; CE: 5,28 ± 0,5*; FS: 2,1 ± 0,7*; FE: 4,8 ± 0,09** %/min; *P < 0,05 vs. CS, **P < 0,05 vs. FS). Os conteúdos de RNAm e de proteína não se alteraram entre os grupos. Porém, quando se calculou o conteúdo total de proteína GLUT4 por grama de tecido, observou-se que o tabagismo causou redução e que o exercício induziu aumento neste parâmetro (CS: 119,72 ± 9,98; CE: 143,09 ± 9,09; FS: 84,36 ± 10,99*; FE: 132,18 ± 11,40# UA/g tecido, *P < 0,05 vs. CS, #P < 0,01 vs. FS). CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que o tabagismo reduz a sensibilidade à insulina e a capacidade do coração captar glicose. Já a prática de exercício físico moderado reverte este quadro por completo.GOAL: Smoking can cause cardiovascular diseases and reduction on insulin sensitivity. This study evaluated the effect of smoking and associated moderate physical activity on the insulin sensitivity in the heart by GLUT4 gene expression. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: (C) control, (Ex) exercised, (SS) sedentary smoker and (ES) exercised smoker. SS and ES groups were submitted to cigarette smoke exposition, 30 min/2x a day/60 days. Ex and EF groups performed running on a treadmill, during 60min/60 days. GLUT4 protein and mRNA contents analysis was performed by Western Blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. RESULTS: The results showed that neither smoking nor physical activity changed body weight (C: 364.7 ± 9.7, Ex: 372.4 ± 7.2, SS: 368.9 ± 6.7, ES: 376.4 ± 7.8 g) and heart weight (C: 1.12 ± 0.05; Ex: 1.16 ± 0.04; SS: 1.14 ± 0.05; ES: 1.19 ± 0,05g). Insulin sensitivity was reduced in sedentary smoker group, and exercise improved this condition (C: 3.7 ± 0.3; Ex: 5.28 ± 0.5 *; SS: 2.1 ± 0.7 *; ES: 4.8 ± 0.09 **; *P <0.05 vs C, ** P <0.05 vs. SS). mRNA and protein contents did not change among the groups. On the other hand, smoking caused reduction, and exercise provoked increase in GLUT4 total content per gram of heart (C: 119.72±9.98; Ex: 143.09±9.09; SS: 84.36±10.99*; ES: 132.18±11.40# AU/ g tissue, *P<0.05 vs C, #P<0.01 vs SS). CONCLUSION: We concluded that smoking reduces insulin sensitivity and the cardiac ability in uptaking glucose, which can be reversed by moderate physical exercise.FAPES

Intake of Radionuclides in the Trees of Fukushima Forests 3. Removal of Radiocesium from Stem Wood, Cryptomeria Japonica (L.f.) D. Don.

Nuclear power plant accidents have dispersed radiocesium into the atmosphere to contaminate trees with no turnover in heartwood, as occurred in Fukushima, and as has persisted for over 30 years around Chernobyl. Here we employ the ponding method, in which radiocesium can be flushed out from the cross-cut edges of Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica (L.f.) D. Don., stem with water due to xyloglucan degradation in tracheids. Furthermore, lab-scale ponding experiments have shown that a non-detectable level of radiocesium has been observed not only in the pool water used for 575 days but also in the water containing recombinant xyloglucanase. This traditional technology is now a new biotechnology

Possible involvement of iron-induced oxidative insults in neurodegeneration.

Involvement of iron in the development of neurodegenerative disorders has long been suggested, and iron that cannot be stored properly is suggested to induce iron toxicity. To enhance iron uptake and suppress iron storage in neurons, we generated transgenic (Tg) mice expressing iron regulatory protein 2 (IRP2), a major regulator of iron metabolism, in a neuron-specific manner. Although very subtle, IRP2 was expressed in all regions of brain examined. In the Tg mice, mitochondrial oxidative insults were observed including generation of 4-hydroxynonenal modified proteins, which appeared to be removed by a mitochondrial quality control protein Parkin. Inter-crossing of the Tg mice to Parkin knockout mice perturbed the integrity of neurons in the substantia nigra and provoked motor symptoms. These results suggest that a subtle, but chronic increase in IRP2 induces mitochondrial oxidative insults and accelerates neurodegeneration in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Thus, the IRP2 Tg may be a useful tool to probe the roles of iron-induced mitochondrial damages in neurodegeraration research

五感を活かしたアートプログラムの検討 : 触覚・視覚を主とした石を素材にしたワークショップの実践から

論文　アルテ・プラーサは、静岡県三島市を拠点にアーティストと子供を出会わせる活動を展開している。本研究の目的は、アルテ・プラーサの主催するワークショップに大学教員や美術館学芸員が協働、参画し、アートプログラム開発を共同で推し進めることである。本研究の成果により、アーティストと子供をつなぐ活動を全県下に広げられるようにし、園や学校など保育・教育現場でも有効なアートプログラムとして提案できるようにしていくものである。　触覚の重要性はしばしば語られているところであり、今回はそこに焦点を当てた彫刻作品の対話型鑑賞と石を素材としたワークショップを開催した。　本論では、そこでの子供の具体的な表れや講師、参与観察者などの振り返りをもとに、今後のアートプログラム開発上のポイントを整理し提案している。本研究の考察から、子供の表現や造形活動に携わる大人の「双原因性感覚」が重要であると明らかになった

精神障害者社会復帰施設における精神看護実習の学びの分析 : 地域看護学実習展開の可能性の検討

本研究の目的は、看護学生の精神障害者社会復帰施設実習での学びを分析し、そこでの地域看護学実習の展開の可能性を明らかにすることである。看護学生の精神障害者社会復帰施設実習での学びを示す文脈を実習後レポートから抽出し、KJ法により質的に分析した。その結果、学生は支援に必要な対象者・集団の捉え方や自立的な問題解決への支援の必要性、連携に必要不可欠な他職種・他機関の役割・機能、さらには、地域支援における地区組織活動や政策化への提言の必要性についても学んでいた。社会復帰施設での地域看護学実習が保健師教育において有意義であることが示唆された。The purpose of this study was to clarify the learning outcomes of psychiatric nursing practicums in residential care facilities for rehabilitation of the mentally handicapped, and to examine possibilities and problems of community nursing work placement. Post-practicum, self-reported learning outcomes of nursing students were analyzed qualitatively by the KJ-method, revealing that students came to understand the need for interacting with clients in compassionate and encouraging ways and for providing support that enables clients to resolve problems on their own. They also gained an understanding of the essential roles and functions of both specialists and facilities from related fields and an appreciation of the need for cooperation. Additionally, nursing students learned of the need for systematization and policy-making in community care. This suggests that community nursing practicums in residential care facilities for rehabilitation of thementally handicapped have significant benefits for the education of community health nurses

我が国の高齢者虐待に関する研究の現状と課題

本研究では、家庭での養護者による虐待に着目して近年の我が国における高齢者虐待に関する研究の動向を明らかにし、高齢者虐待に関する今後の研究課題について検討した。分析対象とした研究のうち、事例を対象に質的分析を行った研究では具体的な支援や介入の方法が提言されると同時に、対象者との契約にもとづいたサービスを提供する在宅医療・福祉専門職の支援および研究の限界も明らかにされていた。高齢者虐待に関する研究の今後の課題は、1.地域住民の高齢者虐待に対する意識の高揚化および普及啓発2.保健師・精神保健福祉・心理臨床職による支援および介入3.地域支援システムやネットワーク構築の実践、さらにこれらの理論化であることが示唆された。The purpose of this study is to clarify the present state of research on elder abuse in Japan, especially abuse by families. Qualitative studies on cases of abuse suggested concrete methods for support and intervention. Also, limitations of current support and research efforts by home-nurses and social workers were clarified. One of the issues related to research on abuse of the elderly is the need to increase public awareness and provide education about the problem. Another is the implementation of theoretical and practical foundations for the intervention by public health nurses, psychiatrists and psychologists, and for the development and networking of community-based support systems

The Japanese space gravitational wave antenna; DECIGO

DECi-hertz Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatory (DECIGO) is the future Japanese space gravitational wave antenna. DECIGO is expected to open a new window of observation for gravitational wave astronomy especially between 0.1 Hz and 10 Hz, revealing various mysteries of the universe such as dark energy, formation mechanism of supermassive black holes, and inflation of the universe. The pre-conceptual design of DECIGO consists of three drag-free spacecraft, whose relative displacements are measured by a differential Fabry– Perot Michelson interferometer. We plan to launch two missions, DECIGO pathfinder and pre- DECIGO first and finally DECIGO in 2024

DECIGO pathfinder

DECIGO pathfinder (DPF) is a milestone satellite mission for DECIGO (DECi-hertz Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatory) which is a future space gravitational wave antenna. DECIGO is expected to provide us fruitful insights into the universe, in particular about dark energy, a formation mechanism of supermassive black holes, and the inflation of the universe. Since DECIGO will be an extremely large mission which will formed by three drag-free spacecraft with 1000m separation, it is significant to gain the technical feasibility of DECIGO before its planned launch in 2024. Thus, we are planning to launch two milestone missions: DPF and pre-DECIGO. The conceptual design and current status of the first milestone mission, DPF, are reviewed in this article