Seleno-detergent MAD phasing of leukotriene C4 synthase in complex with dodecyl-β-d-selenomaltoside

Dodecyl-β-d-selenomaltoside in a leukotriene C4 synthase crystal exhibited sufficient anomalous diffraction for multiwavelength anomalous diffraction phasing

胃がん患者における嗅覚変化が胃切除後の体重減少に与える影響

Patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer may experience alterations in olfaction, yet the association between olfactory changes and postoperative weight loss remains uncertain. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between olfactory changes and postoperative weight loss in patients with gastric cancer. Patients who underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer between February 2022 and August 2022 were included in the study. Those experiencing a higher Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score postoperatively compared to preoperatively were deemed to have undergone olfactory changes. Postoperative weight loss was determined using the 75th percentile as a cutoff value, designating patients surpassing this threshold as experiencing significant weight loss. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify risk factors for postoperative weight loss, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Out of 58 patients, 10 (17.2%) exhibited olfactory changes. The rate of postoperative weight loss at one month was markedly higher in the group with olfactory changes compared to those without (9.6% versus 6.2%, respectively; p = 0.002). In addition, the group experiencing olfactory changes demonstrated significantly lower energy intake compared to the group without such changes (1050 kcal versus 1250 kcal, respectively; p = 0.029). Logistic regression analysis revealed olfactory changes as an independent risk factor for significant weight loss at one month postoperatively (odds ratio: 7.64, 95% confidence interval: 1.09–71.85, p = 0.048). In conclusion, olfactory changes emerged as an independent risk factor for postoperative weight loss at one month in patients with gastric cancer following gastrectomy

Research Activities in the Department of Nursing

Research activity at the Department of Nursing is overviewed from the point of research topics, the theme of the projects admitted for grant from the Ministry of Education and Science of Japan, and expected research topics, trying to clarify the needs and challenges of the Department from multilateral aspects in future research activities. The Department of Nursing, Aino University is currently divided into the five areas and further into 12 fields. On the other hand, according to the Scientific Research Grant Program (2015 fiscal year), the research topics in nursing science is subdivided into the five areas; a) basic nursing, b) clinical nursing, c) lifelong developmental nursing, d) elderly nursing, and e) community health nursing

A Practical Report on Follow-up Training of Pre-Graduation Nursing Skills in the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19流行前と比べ,臨地実習の場で過ごす時間や経験が少ない状況下で臨床現場へと就職する学生たちの不安は計り知れず,このような不安は,リアリティショックや職場不適応,早期離職へとつながることが懸念される.そこで,卒業を間近に控えた学生たちを対象に「卒業前看護技術フォローアップ研修」を実施した.また,参加した学生たちからの評価や取り組みに対する意見を調査し,今後のフォローアップ研修内容の改善や研修内容の充実について検討した.結果として,「卒業前フォローアップ研修」全体および各看護技術項目については,満足度の高い評価を得ることができた.特に,身体侵襲を伴う看護技術や,就職後の早期から必要となる看護技術の習得に対する意識や期待感が高いことが伺えた.また「慣れない人との看護実践の経験」は,卒業前フォローアップ研修として効果的であり,「楽しさ」「新鮮さ」「緊張感」「学びの充足」につながると考えられた.(著者抄録)Compared to the situation before the COVID- 19 pandemic, students who start working in clinical settings with less time and experience spent in the field are immensely anxious. Such anxiety may lead to reality shock, workplace maladjustment, and early retirement. A “follow- up training for pre- graduation nursing skills” was conducted for students about to graduate. In addition, the evaluation and opinions of the students who participated in the training were surveyed, and future improvements and enhancement of the content of the follow- up training are discussed. As a result, the overall follow- up training before graduation and each nursing skill item received high student satisfaction ratings. In particular, they showed a high level of awareness and expectation for learning nursing skills that involve physical invasion and nursing skills that are necessary from the early stage after employment. In addition, the “experience of practicing nursing with unfamiliar people” is considered effective as follow- up training before graduation, leading to “enjoyment,” “freshness,” “tension,” and “fulfillment of learning.”departmental bulletin pape

Trajectories of the Prevalence of Sarcopenia in the Pre- and Post-Stroke Periods: A Systematic Review

Interventions for stroke-related sarcopenia in patients with stroke are needed, but the details of the target population are unclear. This systematic review aimed to identify trajectories of the prevalence of sarcopenia in the pre- and post-stroke periods and to determine the diagnostic criteria used in patients with stroke. We searched for literature in six databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, and Ichushi-web (in Japanese). We included 1627 studies in the primary screening, and 35 studies were finally included. Of the 35 studies, 32 (91.4%) included Asian patients, and the criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia was mainly used as the diagnostic criteria. Nineteen studies used muscle strength and muscle mass to diagnose sarcopenia, whereas a full assessment, including physical performance, was performed in five studies. The estimated prevalences of sarcopenia in pre-stroke, within 10 days of stroke, and from 10 days to 1 month after stroke were 15.8%, 29.5%, and 51.6%, respectively. Sarcopenia increased by approximately 15% from pre-stroke to 10 days, and increased by approximately 20% from 10 days to 1 month. Healthcare providers should note that the prevalence of sarcopenia increases during the acute phase in patients with stroke

Prevalence and outcomes of sarcopenic obesity in patients with colorectal cancer

   Sarcopenia in patients with colorectal cancer is associated with increased postoperative complications and poor survival outcomes. Although previous studies have reported conflicting results regarding the association between obesity and all-cause mortality in colorectal cancer patients, one review reported that higher visceral adiposity is associated with increased all-cause mortality. Although sarcopenic obesity in colorectal cancer may have poor prognosis, the prevalence and diagnostic methods of sarcopenic obesity remain unclear. A better understanding of sarcopenic obesity in colorectal cancer patients can facilitate improved nutrition and rehabilitation interventions and promote research.</p

Prevalence of Dysphagia in Patients with Heart Failure

Background:Dysphagia, or swallowing disorders, represents a significant health concern as it can lead to severe health events such as aspiration pneumonia, choking, and malnutrition. With the global increase in the aging population, reports of dysphagia have emerged not only in common causative conditions like stroke but also in a range of other disorders. Notably, an increasing number of cases have been documented where patients with heart failure develop dysphagia following hospitalization. Understanding the prevalence and implications of dysphagia in individuals with heart failure is believed to contribute to the advance swallowing rehabilitation practices.Objective and Review Questions:The purpose of this scoping review is to identify the prevalence of dysphagia in hospitalized heart failure patients and to identify its related factors. The research question for this review is “What is the prevalence of dysphagia and its related factors in heart failure patients?”</p

The Catalytic Architecture of Leukotriene C4 Synthase with Two Arginine Residues*

Leukotriene (LT) C4 and its metabolites, LTD4 and LTE4, are involved in the pathobiology of bronchial asthma. LTC4 synthase is the nuclear membrane-embedded enzyme responsible for LTC4 biosynthesis, catalyzing the conjugation of two substrates that have considerably different water solubility; that amphipathic LTA4 as a derivative of arachidonic acid and a water-soluble glutathione (GSH). A previous crystal structure revealed important details of GSH binding and implied a GSH activating function for Arg-104. In addition, Arg-31 was also proposed to participate in the catalysis based on the putative LTA4 binding model. In this study enzymatic assay with mutant enzymes demonstrates that Arg-104 is required for the binding and activation of GSH and that Arg-31 is needed for catalysis probably by activating the epoxide group of LTA4