A Preliminary Study of a Life-Planning Lecture to Enhance Perspective-Taking among High School Students: A School-Based Nonrandomized Waitlist Intervention Study in Japan

博士（医学）福島県立医科大

Genome structure of the Lactobacillus temperate phage Φg1e: the whole genome sequence and the putative promoter/repressor system

The complete genome sequence of a Lactobacillus temperate phage Φg1e was established. The double-stranded DNA is composed of 42 259 bp, and encodes for sixty-two possible open reading frames (ORF) as well as several potential regulatory sequences. Based on comparative analysis with other related proteins of the Lactobacillus and Lactococcus phages as well as the Escherichia coli phages (such as lambda), functions were putatively assigned to several Φg1e ORFs: cng and cpg (encoding for repressors), hel (helicase), ntp (NTPase), and several ORFs (e.g., minor capsid proteins). An about 1000-bp DNA region of Φg1e containing cpg and cng was inferred to function as a promoter/repressor system for the Φg1e lysogenic and lytic pathway

In Vitro Studies to Define the Cell-Surface and Intracellular Targets of Polyarginine-Conjugated Sodium Borocaptate as a Potential Delivery Agent for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) requires pharmaceutical innovations and molecular-based evidence of effectiveness to become a standard cancer therapeutic in the future. Recently, in Japan, 4-borono-L-phenylalanine (BPA) was approved as a boron agent for BNCT against head and neck (H&N) cancers. H&N cancer appears to be a suitable target for BPA-BNCT, because the expression levels of L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1), one of the amino acid transporters responsible for BPA uptake, are elevated in most cases of H&N cancer. However, in other types of cancer including malignant brain tumors, LAT1 is not always highly expressed. To expand the possibility of BNCT for these cases, we previously developed poly-arginine peptide (polyR)-conjugated mercaptoundecahydrododecaborate (BSH). PolyR confers the cell membrane permeability and tumor selectivity of BSH. However, the molecular determinants for the properties are not fully understood. In this present study, we have identified the cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) protein and translational machinery proteins as a major cell surface target and intracellular targets of BSH-polyR, respectively. CD44, also known as a stem cell-associated maker in various types of cancer, is required for the cellular uptake of polyR-conjugated molecules. We showed that BSH-polyR was predominantly delivered to a CD44(High) cell population of cancer cells. Once delivered, BSH-polyR interacted with the translational machinery components, including the initiation factors, termination factors, and poly(A)-biding protein (PABP). As a proof of principle, we performed BSH-polyR-based BNCT against glioma stem-like cells and revealed that BSH-polyR successfully induced BNCT-dependent cell death specifically in CD44(High) cells. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that BSH-polyR would be suitable for certain types of malignant tumors. Our results shed light on the biochemical properties of BSH-polyR, which may further contribute to the therapeutic optimization of BSH-BNCT in the future

Regulation of alternative splicing of the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) through G-rich cis-elements and heterogenous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H

金沢大学医薬保健研究域医学系Receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) is a cell-surface receptor. The binding of ligands to membrane-bound RAGE (mRAGE) evokes cellular responses involved in various pathological processes. Previously, we identified a novel soluble form, endogenous secretory RAGE (esRAGE) generated by alternative 5′ splice site selection in intron 9 that leads to extension of exon 9 (exon 9B). Because esRAGE works as an antagonistic decoy receptor, the elucidation of regulatory mechanism of the alternative splicing is important to understand RAGE-related pathological processes. Here, we identified G-rich cis-elements within exon 9B for regulation of the alternative splicing using a RAGE minigene. Mutagenesis of the G-rich cis-elements caused a drastic increase in the esRAGE/mRAGE ratio in the minigene-transfected cells and in loss of binding of the RNA motif to heterogenous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) H. On the other hand, the artificial introduction of a G-stretch in exon 9B caused a drastic decrease in the esRAGE/mRAGE ratio accompanied by the binding of hnRNP H to the RNA motif. Thus, the G-stretches within exon 9B regulate RAGE alternative splicing via interaction with hnRNP H. The findings should provide a molecular basis for the development of medicines for RAGE-related disorders that could modulate esRAGE/mRAGE ratio. © The Authors 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Japanese Biochemical Society. All rights reserved

キクカ カキ ショクブツ ニ ヨル カドミウム ノ ファイトレメディエーション ト ドウ オヨビ アエン ノ キュウシュウ : カドミウム テンカ ドジョウ オ モチイタ ポット シケン

Phytoremediation, using plants to extract heavy metals, such as Cd, from contaminated soils, is an emerging technology. Experiments were conducted in order to investigate the effect of Cd concentration in soil on growth and the absorption of Cd, Zn, and Cu by the shoots. The experiments were conducted on 8 Asteraceae species using Cd concentrations of 3.4, 6.5, and 9.5 μg g-1 of dry soil. A higher Cd concentration in the soil resulted in an increase in the Cd concentration in the shoots of the 8 species and an increase in the dry weight and Cd absorption of the shoots of Pericallis hybrida, Crepis rubra, and Gazania spp. The higher Cd absorption of the shoot increased Zn absorption of the shoot in Pericallis hybrida and Crepis rubra, and Cu absorption of that in Cosmos bipinnatus, Crepis rubra and Gazania spp. It is suggested that Pericallis hybrida, Crepis rubra, and Gazania spp. are suitable for Cd phytoremediation and that Cd accumulation in the shoots of Crepis rubra and Gazania spp., led to the accumulation of Zn and Cu

看護大学生への夫婦間の共感性を高める育児支援プログラムの模擬体験実施とその効果

思春期は次世代を育成する世代として重要な時期である．本研究は，妊娠期よりも前段階にある結婚前の看護大学生を対象にした共感性を高める育児支援プログラムの効果を検討することを目的とした．Ａ年度，Ｂ年度の１年生171名とＡ年度２年生82名に対して，本プログラムを講義に組み込む形式で１回実施し，実施前後のアンケートを用いて効果を比較検討した．その結果，１，２年生共にプログラム終了後に共感性尺度の下位尺度に上昇がみられた．また，共感性プログラムを中心に行った１年生では共感性尺度平均点が有意に上昇し，生と性の健康教室の一貫でプログラムが実施された２年生では，出産の自信と妊娠計画への自信の上昇がみられた．リプロダクティブヘルスに関心の高い時期である大学生に対してライフプランを考えるきっかけとなる本プログラムには効果があり，事前に親になるための準備教育を行うことは重要である．Adolescents and young adults undergo important developmental transition. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of delivering a parenting support program aimed at enhancing empathy among nursing university students. We conducted the single-session program for 171 first-year students in FY A and FY B, as well as for 82 second-year students in FY A. The session was integrated into regular classes. Questionnaires were administered before and after the program to compare its effect. Both first- and second-year students showed an increase in the subscales of the Perspective Taking component in the Multidimensional Empathy Scale after the program. Mean empathy subscale scores increased significantly in all first-year students. The second-year students showed increased confidence in childbirth care and family planning. This program was effective in providing nursing students with an opportunity to consider their future life plans within the context of learning about reproductive health

Port site herniation of the small bowel following laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Port-site herniation is a rare but potentially dangerous complication after laparoscopic surgery. Closure of port sites, especially those measuring 10 mm or more, has been recommended to avoid such an event.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We herein report the only case of a port site hernia among a series 52 consecutive cases of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) carried out by our unit between July 2002 and March 2007. In this case the small bowel herniated and incarcerated through the port site on day 4 after LADG despite closure of the fascia. Initial manifestations experienced by the patient, possibly due to obstruction, and including mild abdominal pain and nausea, occurred on the third day postoperatively. The definitive diagnosis was made on day 4 based on symptoms related to leakage from the duodenal stump, which was considered to have developed after severe obstruction of the bowel. Re-operation for reduction of the incarcerated bowel and tube duodenostomy with peritoneal drainage were required to manage this complication.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We present this case report and review of literature to discuss further regarding methods of fascial closure after laparoscopic surgery.</p