Caffeine-Stimulated Intestinal Epithelial Cells Suppress Lipid Accumulation in Adipocytes

Caffeine is a methylxanthine derived from plant foods such as coffee beans and tea leaves, and has multiple biological activities against physiological response and several diseases. Although there are some reports about the direct effect of caffeine against anti-lipid accumulation in vitro, the effect of caffeine on lipid accumulation in adipocytes through stimulating intestinal epithelial cells is unknown. Since direct treatment with caffeine to 3T3-L1 cells did not affect lipid accumulation, we determined whether caffeine-stimulated intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells influence the lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Caco-2 cells were cultured on a transwell insert with or without caffeine for 24 h. Subsequently, the basolateral component of the Caco-2 cell culture on the transwell was collected and termed caffeine-conditioning medium (CCM). When 3T3-L1 adipocytes were incubated with CCM, CCM decreased lipid accumulation and suppressed gene expression of proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) γ and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) α in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Furthermore, CCM decreased the expression of C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ at the protein level, but not at the mRNA level. We observed that a proteasome inhibitor, MG132, inhibited CCM-caused down-expression of C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ proteins, and that CCM promoted the ubiquitination level of C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ proteins. Protein microarray analysis showed caffeine suppresses the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-8 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 from Caco-2 cells. These results suggest that caffeine indirectly suppresses lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes through decreasing secretion of inflammatory cytokines from Caco-2 cells.ArticleJournal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology. 63(5): 331-338. (2017)journal articl

Successful Intervention for Pressure Ulcer by Nutrition Support Team: A Case Report

A 23-year-old woman with heart failure developed pressure ulcer on her sacral area due to a long-term bed rest and impaired hemodynamics. The ulcer improved only slightly after 2 months with povidone-iodine sugar ointment because of severe nausea and anorexia. Then, the nutrition support team (NST) started intervention and estimated the patient's malnutrition from her body weight (30.1 kg), body mass index (BMI) (13.9), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF) (3.5 mm), arm circumference (AC) (17.2 cm) and serum albumin (2.6 g/dl). The NST administrated an enteral nutrition formula through a nasogastric tube and tried to provide meals according to the patient's taste. Although DESIGN score improved to 7 (DESIGN: d2e1s2i1g1n0 = 7) 2 months later, severe nausea prevented the patient from taking any food perorally. However, after nasogastric decannulation, her appetite improved and 1 month later her body weight increased to 32.8 kg, her BMI to 15.2, TSF to 7.5 mm, AC to 19.7 cm and serum albumin to 4.1 g/dl, and the wound completely healed

Socioeconomic status and self-rated health of Japanese people, based on age, cohort, and period

Background: Differences in health resulting from differences in socioeconomic status (SES) have been identified around the world. Age, period, and cohort (A-P-C) differences in health are vital factors which are associated with disparities in SES. However, few studies have examined these differences simultaneously. Moreover, although self-rated health (SRH) has been frequently used as an indicator of health, biases in reporting SRH that depend on the socioeconomic characteristics of respondents have been scarcely adjusted in the previous studies. To overcome these limitations, we investigated the associations between disparities in SES and adjusted SRH based on A-P-C, by using a repeated, cross-sectional survey of a nationally representative sample of Japanese people. In addition, we further investigated how exogenous (macroeconomic) conditions unique to a period or cohort would explain trends across successive periods and cohorts. Methods: Data were obtained from a sample of 653,132 Japanese people that responded to the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions (CSLC), which is a cross-sectional survey that had been conducted every three years from 1986 to 2013, on over 10 occasions. In the CSLC, SES has been assessed by household income. We simultaneously controlled for each A-P-C dimension by using the model for cross-classification of random effects, and adjusting SRH data for reporting biases caused by differences in income and A-P-C. Results: Differences in adjusted SRH associated with income differences decreased with age and reversed after 76 years of age. Period differences indicated that income differences peaked in 1992 and 2007. Moreover, differences in adjusted SRH associated with income differences decreased in periods with high unemployment across all periods. Furthermore, there were no cohort differences in adjusted SRH that were associated with income differences. Conclusion: In Japan, there are age and period variations associated with adjusted differences in SRH as assessed by income. Moreover, exogenous conditions in each period could help explain periodic trends across successive periods

Behavioral Impact of Disaster Education: Evidence from a Dance-Based Program in Indonesia

Despite its potential role in reducing disaster mortality, the rigorous evaluation of the impact of disaster education on children’s disaster responses, such as evacuation behavior, is scarce. This study examines the impact of a newly introduced Indonesian program on students’ earthquake response. The program is carefully designed based on psychological theories and anecdotal lessons from different countries. It is also easy to understand and cost-effective. Exploiting the fact that the treatment schools for the pilot program were selected based on two observable criteria, we employ the propensity score weighting estimation. The results show positive effects on perception regarding students’ ability to cope with disaster risk and likelihood of taking appropriate response during an earthquake. The participants are also more likely to self-learn and have higher knowledge of disaster risks. Furthermore, there exists a significant effect on earthquake response even among students with poor learning attitude at school. This feature is preferable for disaster education in developing countries, as those residing in disaster-vulnerable areas tend to have poor educational background

Formal Education and Disaster Response of Children: Evidence from Coastal Villages in Indonesia

Although children are exposed to a high mortality risk during disasters, what determines their disaster response, especially during earthquakes, remains largely unexplored. The goal of this study is to examine the association between formal education and earthquake response. Using a unique survey collected from elementary school students in the coastal villages of Indonesia, we show that students’ attitude to learning science is positively associated with their risk perception, perceived coping ability, knowledge about the disaster mechanism and response, and propensity to respond appropriately. Parents’ disaster experience also significantly affects these outcomes. In contrast, attitude to religious class explains none of outcomes. Locus of control is associated with perception and knowledge, but not the response. Our findings suggest that the effects of education on the disaster mortality of children could vary with the school curriculum

タイジン ニンチ ガ シャカイテキ スキル ニ オヨボス エイキョウ

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of interpersonal cognition on the social skills. Results revealed that the participants of this study held higher social skills for their friend who they had a favorable impression than for those with a bad impression. It was also found that the participants who held low social skills for a friend with a favorable impression also held low social skills towards a friend with a bad impression. From these results, it is considered that social skills are dependent on impressions of the other person. The data analysis also found the impression of the other person causes a social skills deficit. In addition, results suggest a social skills deficit may occur in people with high social skills

Formal Education and Disaster Response of Children: Evidence from Coastal Villages in Indonesia

Although children are exposed to a high mortality risk during disasters, what determines their disaster response, especially during earthquakes, remains largely unexplored. The goal of this study is to examine the association between formal education and earthquake response. Using a unique survey collected from elementary school students in the coastal villages of Indonesia, we show that students’ attitude to learning science is positively associated with their risk perception, perceived coping ability, knowledge about the disaster mechanism and response, and propensity to respond appropriately. Parents’ disaster experience also significantly affects these outcomes. In contrast, attitude to religious class explains none of outcomes. Locus of control is associated with perception and knowledge, but not the response. Our findings suggest that the effects of education on the disaster mortality of children could vary with the school curriculum

Behavioral Impact of Disaster Education: Evidence from a Dance-Based Program in Indonesia

Despite its potential role in reducing disaster mortality, the rigorous evaluation of the impact of disaster education on children’s disaster responses, such as evacuation behavior, is scarce. This study examines the impact of a newly introduced Indonesian program on students’ earthquake response. The program is carefully designed based on psychological theories and anecdotal lessons from different countries. It is also easy to understand and cost-effective. Exploiting the fact that the treatment schools for the pilot program were selected based on two observable criteria, we employ the propensity score weighting estimation. The results show positive effects on perception regarding students’ ability to cope with disaster risk and likelihood of taking appropriate response during an earthquake. The participants are also more likely to self-learn and have higher knowledge of disaster risks. Furthermore, there exists a significant effect on earthquake response even among students with poor learning attitude at school. This feature is preferable for disaster education in developing countries, as those residing in disaster-vulnerable areas tend to have poor educational background

シャイネス ト ヒジュヨウカン ヒキョゼツカン ガ シャカイテキ スキル ニ オヨボス エイキョウ

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of shyness and sense of acceptance and rejection on social skills. Results revealed that subjects who were high shyness indicated lower score than those who were low shyness on the sense of acceptance. It was also found that those who have a low sense of acceptance held lower score than those who have a high sense of acceptance on social skills. Finally, results of this study showed that sense of acceptance and rejection affect the social skills by the intermediary of shyness. However, this study could not indicate the sense of acceptance and rejection as important factor in social skills deficit. Henceforth it is necessary to consider other factors in social skills deficit. In addition, results may be a clue to consider the issue of social skills training for shyness