Hochuekkito (TJ-41), a Kampo Formula, Ameliorates Cachexia Induced by Colon 26 Adenocarcinoma in Mice

Cachexia, a major cause of cancer-related death, is characterized by depletion of muscle and fat tissues, anorexia, asthenia, and hypoglycemia. Recent studies indicate that secretions of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) play a crucial role in cachexia development, and that these cytokines are secreted from not only cancer cells but also host cells such as macrophages. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of hochuekkito, a Kampo formula, on cachexia induced by colon 26 adenocarcinoma in mice. Hochuekkito treatment did not inhibit tumor growth, but significantly attenuated the reduction in carcass weight, food and water intake, weight of the gastrocnemius muscle and fat tissue around the testes, and decrease of serum triglyceride level compared with controls. Furthermore, hochuekkito treatment significantly reduced serum IL-6 level and IL-6 expression level in macrophages in tissues surrounding the tumor. In vitro studies showed that hochuekkito suppressed the production of IL-6 by THP-1 or RAW264.7 macrophage cells, although it did not affect IL-6 production by colon 26 carcinoma cells. These results suggest that hochuekkito inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-6, by host cells such as macrophages. Therefore, hochuekkito may be a promising anticachectic agent for the treatment of patients with cancer

Nationwide surveillance of bacterial respiratory pathogens conducted by the surveillance committee of Japanese Society of Chemotherapy, the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases, and the Japanese Society for Clinical Microbiology in 2010: General view of the pathogens\u27 antibacterial susceptibility

The nationwide surveillance on antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial respiratory pathogens from patients in Japan, was conducted by Japanese Society of Chemotherapy, Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases and Japanese Society for Clinical Microbiology in 2010.The isolates were collected from clinical specimens obtained from well-diagnosed adult patients with respiratory tract infections during the period from January and April 2010 by three societies. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted at the central reference laboratory according to the method recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institutes using maximum 45 antibacterial agents.Susceptibility testing was evaluable with 954 strains (206 Staphylococcus aureus, 189 Streptococcus pneumoniae, 4 Streptococcus pyogenes, 182 Haemophilus influenzae, 74 Moraxella catarrhalis, 139 Klebsiella pneumoniae and 160 Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Ratio of methicillin-resistant S.aureus was as high as 50.5%, and those of penicillin-intermediate and -resistant S.pneumoniae were 1.1% and 0.0%, respectively. Among H.influenzae, 17.6% of them were found to be β-lactamase-non-producing ampicillin (ABPC)-intermediately resistant, 33.5% to be β-lactamase-non-producing ABPC-resistant and 11.0% to be β-lactamase-producing ABPC-resistant strains. Extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing K.pneumoniae and multi-drug resistant P.aeruginosa with metallo β-lactamase were 2.9% and 0.6%, respectively.Continuous national surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility of respiratory pathogens is crucial in order to monitor changing patterns of susceptibility and to be able to update treatment recommendations on a regular basis

Flipped Classroom en la enseñanza de segundas lenguas: estudio contrastivo español-japonés

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the educational environment changed completely and digitalization within the classroom was accelerated. Currently, ICT has become an essential tool and many teachers have acknowledged once again innovative approaches such as The Flipped Classroom. The flipped classroom is a methodology in which students learn the theory at home by means of a video and in the classroom, they do activities or exercises after having discussed and answered doubts or questions raised in the video with the teacher or peer to peer. However, it is important to remember that the flipped classroom refers not only to watch theoretical videos, but also to encourage an active learning process within the classroom. By this research we have verified several theoretical concepts whose grounds support the Flipped Classroom approach. Moreover, we have applied the flipped classroom method in one Japanese and two Spanish educational institutions over a period of five years. The data has been analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively and. the results show that, although there is certain rejection towards the new methodology, the majority of the participants chooses the new model/procedure rather than the traditional one. On the other hand, factors such as nationality, student level or learning institution did not indicate a significant relation to methodology preference. However, concerning the students' beliefs, the data showed that the Japanese prefer a short and simple video as compared to the Spanish. In addition, it is proved that the higher the level, the more grammatical explanations and exercises the students demand in a video. Despite the differences, the student's learning process is considered to change favorably, and the motivation increases significantly regardless of nationality, level or institution. The implementation of the flipped classroom might be a tough challenge for the teacher, however, it is one of the most effective teaching approaches to enhance the learning of our students nowadays.Durante la pandemia por la COVID-19, el entorno educativo cambió completamente y se aceleró la digitalización dentro del aula. En la actualidad, las TIC se han convertido en algo imprescindible y muchos docentes han vuelto a reconocer los enfoques innovadores como el enfoque Flipped Classroom. El aula invertida es una metodología en la que los discentes aprenden la teoría en casa mediante el uso de audiovisuales y en el aula realizan actividades o ejercicios tras solucionar las dudas o preguntas surgidas en el vídeo con su profesor o entre iguales. Lo que no se debe olvidar es que el aula invertida no se enfoca solo a ver vídeos teóricos, sino a cómo aprender de forma más activa dentro del aula. A través de esta investigación, primero comprobamos varias bases teóricas cuyos fundamentos apoyan al enfoque Flipped Classroom. Asimismo, hemos puesto en marcha la implementación en una institución educativa japonesa y dos españolas a lo largo de cinco años. Hemos analizado los datos obtenidos cuantitativa y cualitativamente. Según los resultados, a pesar de que haya un cierto número de rechazo hacia el aula invertida, la mayoría de los participantes ha preferido la nueva metodología a la tradicional. Por otro lado, los factores como la nacionalidad, nivel del alumnado o institución donde se aprende no han señalado una relación significativa a la preferencia de la metodología. No obstante, en cuanto a las creencias del alumnado sobre el vídeo, los datos han mostrado que los japoneses prefieren un vídeo breve y simple comparando con los españoles. Además, se demuestra que cuanto más suba el nivel, más explicaciones gramaticales y ejercicios piden los alumnos en un vídeo. A pesar de las divergencias, se considera que el proceso de aprendizaje del alumno cambia favorablemente y la motivación aumenta de manera notable sin distinción de nacionalidad, nivel o institución. Quizá implementar el aula invertida es una carga para el profesor, sin embargo, es una de las opciones didácticas para mejorar el aprendizaje de nuestros alumnos en la actualidad.Escuela de DoctoradoDoctorado en Español: Lingüística, Literatura y Comunicació

乳児期の食道内pHモニタリングの胃食道逆流症の評価における胃内pHの影響(東京女子医科大学附属第二病院小児科開局30周年記念論文集)

食道内pHモニタリング(pH検査)は,現在,胃食道逆流症(GER)の評価法として最も信頼度が高いが,乳児では哺乳による影響で胃内pHが高い傾向にあり,GERの評価に影響を及ぼすといわれている.我々はGER症状を有する乳児81例について,日常生活と同じ授乳法でpH検査を施行しGERも評価しているが,その際の胃内pHの影響について検討した.これらの症例には消化管造影,内圧検査も施行した.[結果](1)胃内pH<4の時間率は,乳児期の月齢に従って上昇する.(2)日常生活と同じ授乳法で行ったpH検査のGERの評価は,胃内pHに影響されなかった.(3)胃排出能遅延は,81例中15例に認められたが,胃内pHとの関連は認められなかった.(4)pH検査にてGER陰性であった36例中20例は消化管造影によるGERは陽性,内圧検査にて下部食道括約筋(LES)圧の異常値は24例,食道蠕動異常は18例に認めた.これらの症例には,当科のGERの治療プロトコールに従って治療を行い,全例,症状は軽快した.[結論]乳児では,哺乳により胃内pHは変動するものの,日常生活と同じ授乳法によるpH検査は,そのGERの評価が,胃内pH<4の時間率に関係することなく,乳児におけるGERの評価に有用であった.しかしGERの病態を把握するためには,pH検査のみでなく,内圧検査や放射線学的検査も行い,胃食道機能の全体的な評価をすることが必要であると思われた.Prolonged intraesophageal pH monitoring has become the preferred test to quantify acid gastroesophageal reflux (GER). We have performed this procedure concurrent with a regular feeding schedule as patients experienced symptoms in a similar environment. Hence, milk feedings tended to buffer gastric acidity, we attempted to investigate the influence of gastric pH on the evaluation of esophageal pH monitoring. Gastric and esophageal pH were simultaneously recorded by two separate pH electrodes for more than 20 hours in 81 infants (0～11 months) with GER symptoms. Radiological evaluations of GER and gastric emptying with barium and manometric studies were also performed in these infants. The results of this study indicate that: 1) Percentage of time with gastric pH < 4 increases with age in infancy. 2) Gastric pH is statistically not related to the evaluation of GER on esophageal pH monitoring. 3) Significantly delayed gastric emptying occurred in 15 out of the cases studied, however, gastric pH is not related to the delay. 4) In 36 cases that GER was negative on pH monitoring, GER was documented during radiological study in 20 cases, the abnormalities of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure showed in 24 cases, and esophageal dysmotilities occurred in 18 cases on manometric study. These cases with abnormal findings were successfully treated followed by our treatment protocol for GER. In conclusion, prolonged esophageal pH monitoring with regular feeding is independent of the gastric acidity in infancy, and the method is useful to evaluate pathological GER. However, radiological and manometric studies, in addition to pH monitoring, should be required to evaluate the total gastresophageal function.東京女子医科大学附属第二病院小児科開局30周年記念論文

乳児期の食道内pHモニタリングの胃食道逆流症の評価における胃内pHの影響(東京女子医科大学附属第二病院小児科開局30周年記念論文集)

食道内pHモニタリング(pH検査)は,現在,胃食道逆流症(GER)の評価法として最も信頼度が高いが,乳児では哺乳による影響で胃内pHが高い傾向にあり,GERの評価に影響を及ぼすといわれている.我々はGER症状を有する乳児81例について,日常生活と同じ授乳法でpH検査を施行しGERも評価しているが,その際の胃内pHの影響について検討した.これらの症例には消化管造影,内圧検査も施行した.[結果](1)胃内pH<4の時間率は,乳児期の月齢に従って上昇する.(2)日常生活と同じ授乳法で行ったpH検査のGERの評価は,胃内pHに影響されなかった.(3)胃排出能遅延は,81例中15例に認められたが,胃内pHとの関連は認められなかった.(4)pH検査にてGER陰性であった36例中20例は消化管造影によるGERは陽性,内圧検査にて下部食道括約筋(LES)圧の異常値は24例,食道蠕動異常は18例に認めた.これらの症例には,当科のGERの治療プロトコールに従って治療を行い,全例,症状は軽快した.[結論]乳児では,哺乳により胃内pHは変動するものの,日常生活と同じ授乳法によるpH検査は,そのGERの評価が,胃内pH<4の時間率に関係することなく,乳児におけるGERの評価に有用であった.しかしGERの病態を把握するためには,pH検査のみでなく,内圧検査や放射線学的検査も行い,胃食道機能の全体的な評価をすることが必要であると思われた.Prolonged intraesophageal pH monitoring has become the preferred test to quantify acid gastroesophageal reflux (GER). We have performed this procedure concurrent with a regular feeding schedule as patients experienced symptoms in a similar environment. Hence, milk feedings tended to buffer gastric acidity, we attempted to investigate the influence of gastric pH on the evaluation of esophageal pH monitoring. Gastric and esophageal pH were simultaneously recorded by two separate pH electrodes for more than 20 hours in 81 infants (0～11 months) with GER symptoms. Radiological evaluations of GER and gastric emptying with barium and manometric studies were also performed in these infants. The results of this study indicate that: 1) Percentage of time with gastric pH < 4 increases with age in infancy. 2) Gastric pH is statistically not related to the evaluation of GER on esophageal pH monitoring. 3) Significantly delayed gastric emptying occurred in 15 out of the cases studied, however, gastric pH is not related to the delay. 4) In 36 cases that GER was negative on pH monitoring, GER was documented during radiological study in 20 cases, the abnormalities of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure showed in 24 cases, and esophageal dysmotilities occurred in 18 cases on manometric study. These cases with abnormal findings were successfully treated followed by our treatment protocol for GER. In conclusion, prolonged esophageal pH monitoring with regular feeding is independent of the gastric acidity in infancy, and the method is useful to evaluate pathological GER. However, radiological and manometric studies, in addition to pH monitoring, should be required to evaluate the total gastresophageal function

Dynamics of suspended and dissolved radiocaesium in a small irrigation pond based on vertical water quality profiles

Following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, extensive research has been conducted on the dynamic distribution of radiocaesium in large reservoirs. However, studies on small ponds, particularly those used for rice cultivation, are limited. This study analyzed the vertical water quality profiles, including the bioavailable Caesium-137 (137Cs) in an irrigation small pond classified as discontinuous cold polymictic based on water mixing type, and subjected to a high (2.0 MBq m−2) deposition of 137Cs and evaluated their potential risk associated with agricultural use. During 2014–2015, the suspended and dissolved concentrations of 137Cs in the pond water ranged from 0.10 to 7.7 Bq L−1 and 0.03–0.88 Bq L−1, respectively. The elution of dissolved 137Cs from the bottom sediment occurred only during the summer when the water temperature exceeded 15 °C, NH4+ increased, and dissolved oxygen decreased. Except during flood inflow mixing events, the activity concentration of dissolved 137Cs in the bottom layer did not increase in the surface layer at depths ≤ 1.0 m. In a 3 m shallow pond without a well-defined thermocline, a gradual density stratification primarily occurred in the lower layer during summer, limiting the transport of dissolved 137Cs from the bottom to the surface layer. About 5 % of 137Cs in the suspended solids and bottom sediment are exchangeable, indicating the mica-rich soils and geological conditions with a high fixation capacity of 137Cs reduce the risk of 137Cs elution. Even after three to four years of considerable depositions, the risk of radiocaesium absorption by paddy rice and subsequent increase in radiocaesium concentration in brown rice was negligible as long as the surface water of the pond was used for agriculture