ライフストーリー法を使用した日本人大学英語教員のキャリアモティベーションにおける変化に関する研究

内容の要約広島大学(Hiroshima University)博士(教育学)Doctor of Philosophy in Educationdoctora

ライフストーリー法を使用した日本人大学英語教員のキャリアモティベーションにおける変化に関する研究

内容の要約広島大学(Hiroshima University)博士(教育学)Doctor of Philosophy in Educationdoctora

Next-generation sequencing for endocrine cancers : Recent advances and challenges

Contemporary molecular biology research tools have enriched numerous areas of biomedical research that address challenging diseases, including endocrine cancers (pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, testicular, ovarian, and neuroendocrine cancers). These tools have placed several intriguing clues before the scientific community. Endocrine cancers pose a major challenge in health care and research despite considerable attempts by researchers to understand their etiology. Microarray analyses have provided gene signatures from many cells, tissues, and organs that can differentiate healthy states from diseased ones, and even show patterns that correlate with stages of a disease. Microarray data can also elucidate the responses of endocrine tumors to therapeutic treatments. The rapid progress in next-generation sequencing methods has overcome many of the initial challenges of these technologies, and their advantages over microarray techniques have enabled them to emerge as valuable aids for clinical research applications (prognosis, identification of drug targets, etc.). A comprehensive review describing the recent advances in next-generation sequencing methods and their application in the evaluation of endocrine and endocrine-related cancers is lacking. The main purpose of this review is to illustrate the concepts that collectively constitute our current view of the possibilities offered by next-generation sequencing technological platforms, challenges to relevant applications, and perspectives on the future of clinical genetic testing of patients with endocrine tumors. We focus on recent discoveries in the use of next-generation sequencing methods for clinical diagnosis of endocrine tumors in patients and conclude with a discussion on persisting challenges and future objectives

Psychiatric nurses’ observation techniques

The purpose of this study was to clarify characteristics of psychiatric nurses’ observation techniques for psychopathological symptoms. The subjects were 21 psychiatric nurses and 20 nursing students who had finished their practicum in psychiatric nursing. Using a non-contact eye-tracking analysis system, we compared quantitatively their radial motion while they were observing psychopathological symptoms of a schizophrenia simulation patient. The radial motion of them was recorded while they were observing a video of a simulated patient presenting psychopathological symptoms, and the recording was analyzed by the eye-tracking system. The investigator set the important observation areas and determined the sum of the fixation time and the number of fixations in the areas. Differences between psychiatric nurses and nursing students were tested using the Mann-Whitney U-test. The results revealed a significant difference in observation of the upper limbs area with a median of 7147.90 msec for nurses group and a median of 2447.54 msec for students group (U = 98.00, p = 0.01). The finding suggests that nurses tend to pay more attention to patient’s upper limbs to be cautious about possible violence and to find agitation caused by psychopathological symptoms, extrapyramidal adverse effects, and scars caused by self-mutilation

Effects of olive oil in SAMP8 mice

Background : Mediterranean diets have been linked to a reduced risk of cancer, vascular illnesses, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Olive oil is the primary fat source in the Mediterranean diet ; however, only a few studies have investigated the effect of olive oil on aging. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether consumption of olive oil significantly influences aging and memory in senescence-accelerated mouse-prone 8 (SAMP8). Methods : SAMP8 and senescence-accelerated mouse resistant 1 (SAMR1) mice were fed either 7% soy oil or 1% olive oil and 6% soy oil during a six-month study period. Reduction in memory in passive avoidance learning was examined after two months from the initiation of the experiment. Results : The weight of organs including the liver, kidney, spleen, and fat tissue changed significantly and memory performance was reduced in SAMP8 than in SAMR1 mice. There were no significant differences in SAMP8 and SAMR1 mice; however, blood triglyceride level decreased significantly in SAMP8 mice fed on olive oil. Conclusions : These results suggest that consuming olive oil may not have a protective role in aging and memory recall, but beneficial effects may be related to improvement in lipid metabolism

Understanding of nutrition problems and managements in the elderly by analyzing its obesity

The shift of Japanese eating habits from salty and grain-based consumption with low animal protein to a diet with a variety of lipids and animal products after Second World War has significantly reduced the rate of infections and cerebral bleeding. On the other hand, the increase in life-style related diseases such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes has become a serious problem in our country. However, it is difficult to discuss the nutrition of the elderly in a stereotype because of the diversity in physical and psychological feature. Although there are many important issues that require discussions encompassing broad aspects in taking high protein diet as a main topic, it may be possible to consider a question in the aspects of body weight or body composition in the elderly. In this section, we discuss the ‘secret key’ in nutrition to health for the aged

A Study on Relationship between Psychological Well-being and Menstrual-Associated Symptoms in Female University Students

Female-specific menstrual-associated symptoms are regarded as a factor to lower psychological well-being. The purpose of the current study was to clarify the relationship between psychologocal well-being and menstrual-associated symptoms. We conducted an anonymous survey using self-report questionnaires, in which the MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey version1.2 （SF-36） and the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire （MDQ） were administered to 382 female university students in order to evaluate health-related quality of life and menstrual-associated symptoms respectively. Data from 311 subjects were analyzed to investigate the relationship between the two scales before, during and after menstruation and in strong and weak menstrual-associated symptoms groups. There were significant negative correlations between the SF-36 subscale ‘vitality’ and the MDQ subscale ‘negative affect’ before and during menstruation. In the strong menstrual-associated symptoms group, significant negative correlations were found between subscales of the SF-36 and the MDQ before, during and after menstruation, suggesting that psychological symptoms of menstrual-associated symptoms might influence their physical and psychological quality of life. We concludes that to examine coping methods in order to reduce psychological symptoms and to provide individualized education are necessary

Monitoring of muscle mass in critically ill patients : comparison of ultrasound and two bioelectrical impedance analysis devices

Background: Skeletal muscle atrophy commonly occurs in critically ill patients, and decreased muscle mass is associated with worse clinical outcomes. Muscle mass can be assessed using various tools, including ultrasound and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). However, the effectiveness of muscle mass monitoring is unclear in critically ill patients. This study was conducted to compare ultrasound and BIA for the monitoring of muscle mass in critically ill patients. Methods: We recruited adult patients who were expected to undergo mechanical ventilation for > 48 h and to remain in the intensive care unit (ICU) for > 5 days. On days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10, muscle mass was evaluated using an ultrasound and two BIA devices (Bioscan: Malton International, England; Physion: Nippon Shooter, Japan). The influence of fluid balance was also evaluated between each measurement day. Results: We analyzed 93 images in 21 patients. The age of the patients was 69 (interquartile range, IQR, 59–74) years, with 16 men and 5 women. The length of ICU stay was 11 days (IQR, 9–25 days). The muscle mass, monitored by ultrasound, decreased progressively by 9.2% (95% confidence interval (CI), 5.9–12.5%), 12.7% (95% CI, 9.3–16.1%), 18.2% (95% CI, 14.7–21.6%), and 21.8% (95% CI, 17.9–25.7%) on days 3, 5, 7, and 10 (p < 0.01), respectively, with no influence of fluid balance (r = 0.04, p = 0.74). The muscle mass did not decrease significantly in both the BIA devices (Bioscan, p = 0.14; Physion, p = 0.60), and an influence of fluid balance was observed (Bioscan, r = 0.37, p < 0.01; Physion, r = 0.51, p < 0.01). The muscle mass assessment at one point between ultrasound and BIA was moderately correlated (Bioscan, r = 0.51, p < 0.01; Physion, r = 0.37, p < 0.01), but the change of muscle mass in the same patient did not correlate between these two devices (Bioscan, r = − 0.05, p = 0.69; Physion, r = 0.23, p = 0.07). Conclusions: Ultrasound is suitable for sequential monitoring of muscle atrophy in critically ill patients. Monitoring by BIA should be carefully interpreted owing to the influence of fluid change

全身麻酔下の患者の血漿サブスタンスP濃度 : 術後嘔気・嘔吐の有用な指標となる

Background: This study investigated plasma concentrations of substance P (SP) in patients undergoing general anesthesia (GA) and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This prospective, observational, cohort study included 23 patients who underwent scheduled surgery under general anesthesia. Blood was collected from the radial artery at predetermined time points (15–30 mins prior anesthesia, 15–30 mins after surgery/GA, and 24 h after surgery). PONV, SP concentrations, risk factors, and analgesics used were measured. Findings: Nine of 23 patients experienced PONV. In patients without PONV, SP concentrations significantly decreased (P < 0.0001) at the end of surgery/GA, compared to baseline, and recovered at 24 h after surgery/GA (452.9 ± 146.2 vs. 666.9 ± 176.5 vs. 580.7 ± 168.6 pg/mL, respectively), whereas SP levels were unchanged during surgery/GA and increased at 24 hours after surgery (P = 0.020) in patients with PONV (726.1 ± 167.8 vs. 655.8 ± 168.0 vs. 779.7 ± 220.7 pg/mL, respectively). Conclusions: These finding suggest that SP levels may be utilized as an objective marker for PONV

Upper limb muscle atrophy associated with in-hospital mortality and physical function impairments in mechanically ventilated critically ill adults : a two-center prospective observational study

Background: Lower limb muscle atrophy is often observed in critically ill patients. Although upper limb muscles can undergo atrophy, it remains unclear how this atrophy is associated with clinical outcomes. We hypothesized that this atrophy is associated with mortality and impairments in physical function. Methods: In this two-center prospective observational study, we included adult patients who were expected to require mechanical ventilation for > 48 h and remain in the intensive care unit (ICU) for > 5 days. We used ultrasound to evaluate the cross-sectional area of the biceps brachii on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 and upon ICU discharge along with assessment of physical functions. The primary outcome was the relationship between muscle atrophy ratio and in-hospital mortality on each measurement day, which was assessed using multivariate analysis. The secondary outcomes were the relationships between upper limb muscle atrophy and Medical Research Council (MRC) score, handgrip strength, ICU Mobility Scale (IMS) score, and Functional Status Score for the ICU (FSS-ICU). Results: Sixty-four patients (43 males; aged 70 ± 13 years) were enrolled. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score was 27 (22–30), and in-hospital mortality occurred in 21 (33%) patients. The decreased cross-sectional area of the biceps brachii was not associated with in-hospital mortality on day 3 (p = 0.43) but was associated on days 5 (p = 0.01) and 7 (p < 0.01), which was confirmed after adjusting for sex, age, and APACHE II score. In 27 patients in whom physical functions were assessed, the decrease of the cross-sectional area of the biceps brachii was associated with MRC score (r = 0.47, p = 0.01), handgrip strength (r = 0.50, p = 0.01), and FSS-ICU (r = 0.56, p < 0.01), but not with IMS score (r = 0.35, p = 0.07) upon ICU discharge. Conclusions: Upper limb muscle atrophy was associated with in-hospital mortality and physical function impairments; thus, it is prudent to monitor it